Hawkeye 12 2014

response to brown and garner cases

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life as an exchange student in the U.S.

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11 sports you need to try this winter

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December 2014 | Volume 30 | Issue 3 Mountlake terrace high school | 21801 44th Ave. W Mountlake Terrace wA 98043

Hawkeye www.thehawkeye.org

What do we believe?

EXCLUSIVE POLL: Students speak out about God, religion, prayer, faith, heaven and hell.

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2 | December 2014

Hawkeye

Have Questions?

Ask Us! Find the answers at Edmonds Community College. answers@edcc.edu | 425.640.1248 www.edcc.edu/answers

Mark Hopkins Photography LifeSimplyCaptured.com SENIORS.lifesimplycaptured.com 425.409.3647 2015 Seniors: Don’t wait, the time to book is now!

Hawkeye

December 2014 | 3 hawkeye Leadership ‘14-’15

Hawkeye

Editor-in-Chief Nick Fiorillo

November 2014 | Volume 30 | Issue 3

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Dear Editor

Play production

Letters address the last issue of the Hawkeye and race relations in the United States.

Go behind the scenes to meet the people who make MTHS’s productions run so smoothly.

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18

Over-booked

Exchange

Editorial: The tendency to use textbooks as teachers is not productive.

Foreign exchange students start a new journey in the United States.

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Late start

DIVERSITY AMONG RELIGIONS What do MTHS students believe? We asked you and learned that the answer is richly diverse and complex. ABOVE: Students at Masjid Umar Al-Farooq Mosque in Mountlake Terrace study religious texts. Jack Fiorillo | Hawkeye

More and more schools are adopting late start times. Would it be possible at MTHS?

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“Acceptance doesn’t come from changing yourself or other people, it’s more of an internal state.”

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Winter wishes Several teams and individuals look to make it big this winter sports season.

Senior

Letter from the Editor

A conversation in the capital that got us thinking

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responsible and accurate coverage of religion and religious beliefs. They cautioned the student journalists about the tendency to stereotype and generalize in this coverage, as many perceptions are often misconceptions.

And although the First Amendment makes a clear separation of church and state, issues of religion in schools arise all the time.

For many people, and many students, religion is a central component of their identity. In our survey of more than 10 percent of the student body, 58 percent of students said religion is somewhat important or very important to them. With religion essential for so many, there is no doubt that religion will come up in the place that students spend seven or more hours each weekday.

Editorial News Editor Paxtyn Merten Sports Editors Austin McDermott & Luke Thurber Feature Editor Daniil Oliferovskiy Co-Op/Ed Editor Isaac Otis & Beza Ayele Lifestyle Editor Maxine Taylor Copy Editor Stephi Smith Business General Manager Anthony Markert Advertising Manager Robin Choi Distribution Manager Brian Tran Visual Graphics Editor Erika Fisher Photo Editor Serafina Urrutia Design Editor Arsha Kiani Online Online Manager Jaira Arcilla Social Media Manager Maria Balcita ........................................................

Adviser Vince DeMiero FANs Coordinators Sandra Merten & Cathy Fiorillo Printing Pacific Publishing Member MTHS ASB, JEA/WJEA, NSPA, Student Press Law Center, Tao of Journalism

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Mission

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

Policies

Toqa Abosabaa

arly last month, 18 representatives from the Hawkeye traveled to Washington, D.C. for the Fall 2014 National High School Journalism Convention.

During the convention, News Editor Paxtyn Nick Fiorillo Editor-in-chief Merten, Sports Co-Editor Luke Thurber and I attended a panel discussion on covering religion in schools. The speakers included professional journalists, First Amendment and religious freedom advocates, students and community leaders.

The panel spoke about the need for

Editorial Board Nick Fiorillo, Paxtyn Merten, Isaac Otis, Erika Fisher, Anthony Markert, Stephi Smith

So we wanted to know: what role does religion play in the lives of Terrace students? We worked with Pam Moore and Fritz Engebretsen of Newton Street Study Group to develop a survey that would provide some insight and preliminary answers.

What we found surprised us.

Our data confirmed many of our suspicions that MTHS is as diverse religiously as it is by other measures.

While the majority religion is Protestant, the second most common religious preference among students was no religious belief.

For a breakdown of what we found in our survey, see page 10. And yet, there is so much more online at www.thehawkeye.org.

On our website you can get an even more in-depth look at our data on religious diversity and beliefs of the student body. H

2014-2015 Hawkeye Staff Alex Croce, Anna Vu, Brennan Borton-Deer, Clohey Horton, Edwin Olivera, Emily Anderson, Hannah Schuster, Ian Moffet, Irvin Zhang, Jack Fiorillo, Jasie Cubos, Jainar Arcilla, Joshua Morrison, Katrina Pirie, Katryna Garza, Kiah Helms, Lilly Stelmack, Luke Smith, Max Tracy, Rorie Ching, Roxana Valea, Sarah Schank, Stephanie Garcia, Tessa King, Vivian Nowka-Keane and Zach Hoernlein.

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

The Hawkeye has established several open public forums for the exchange of information, opinions and artistic expression dedicated to those in the MTHS community. Since 1960, we have faithfully served our audience and community as an open, public forum where student editors make all decisions.

Editorials The editorial section of the Hawkeye serves as a forum for well-written, thoughtful, longer forms of expression. Signed editorials represent the opinions of the author. Unsigned editorials represent the opinion of the Hawkeye Editorial Board. Views printed herein are meant to be opinionated and do not necessarily represent the opinions of the Hawkeye staff, student body, faculty, administration or school board. The Hawkeye will print submitted guest editorials as space allows and requests that all contributors include their name, signature and position relative to the editorial. The Hawkeye will edit all submissions for accuracy, spelling and grammar. We reserve the right to refuse to print any submission.

Letters to the Editor Readers are encouraged to voice their opinions in the Opinion section, a public forum for the expression of varying viewpoints on relevant topics. The Hawkeye will print as many letters as space allows. Letters must include the author’s name, signature and class or position relative to the letter. Typed or legible, hand written letters are acceptable, but should not exceed 200 words. The Hawkeye will edit all letters for accuracy, spelling and grammar. We reserve the right to refuse to print any letter.

Editorial Cartoons Submissions represent the view of the artist.

Editorial cartoons accompanying editorials and editorial columns represent the view of the author. Cartoons are selected based on appropriateness and clarity of message.

Advertising The Hawkeye will not accept any advertising that the Editorial Board deems to be: factually inaccurate; designed to mislead, deceive or defraud; containing malicious, vindictive or unsubstantiated attacks; offering goods and/or services illegal for teens to possess, buy or use; libelous; obscene; creating imminent danger or disruption to school. The Hawkeye reserves the right to refuse any advertising, solicited or unsolicited. Advertisements do not necessarily reflect the views or endorsements of the Hawkeye staff, student body, faculty, administration or school board.

Revised 9/2013

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Cover Photo/illustration

by Erika Fisher

Contact Us Email editor@thehawkeye.org Phone 425.431.7770 Mail Hawkeye | Room 130 c/o Mountlake Terrace High School 21801 44th Avenue West Mountlake Terrace, WA 98043 © 2014 Hawkeye | All rights reserved.

Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.

4 | december 2014

Hawkeye Letters to the Editor

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We need justice

rowing up black in today’s America is somewhat scary to me. Since the day Michael Brown was killed in Ferguson, I followed this story all the way to the end.

Michael Brown was a black American teenager who went into a store and stole some cigars.

A few minutes later Brown was shot down in the streets by a police officer and died. This story really hits me in a major way to the point where I wanted cry and I didn’t even know Brown.

I feel like I really followed this story closely because there was still a huge emptiness in my heart from not long ago when George Zimmerman was found not guilty of killing Trayvon Martin.

I put myself in their shoes because I can relate to doing some stupid things in my lifetime, but I don’t think I, or anyone else, should die for making a bad decision. This case didn’t even make sense. There was no justice brought to the Brown family.

A police officer should be held more responsible for the things they do than the average citizen, because they are trusted to enforce our laws. It makes no sense that we, as citizens, are held to a higher expectation legally than our own law enforcement.

Michael Brown didn’t even have any weapons. He wasn’t shot just once; he was shot at least six times. As far as I am con-

cerned, that’s overboard for someone who didn’t have anything to protect himself.

The police are supposed to bring us peace, and justice; there is no peace brought when we have crimes like this and no person is held accountable.

I have heard people justify this act of violence because the person who committed it was an officer of the law. I don’t think this is a legitimate argument because in the Trayvon Martin case it was clear to me that Zimmerman should have been charged, but he wasn’t. Instead, he was let off with this horrible act.

That really opened up my eyes because I am personally, as a black male, scared to be approached by a police officer. We can go back to the ’90s when those police were taped beating up Rodney King, yet all of those men walked free.

This really makes me scared because it seems like right when I step out my front door, I’m already somewhat of a criminal because of the color of my skin, and that the repercussions for my mistakes could cost me my life, no matter how minimal that mistake is.

Things need to change! I understand now that in order for change to happen, we need more black Americans to put themselves in positions of power to make change.

Malcolm Johnson senior, Black Student Union member

in Response to “it’s time to recognize other religions in america”

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s I read this column [in the November Hawkeye] I was surprised and saddened. The author asserts she was “not here to try … to turn you against the Christian faith. I’m here to let you know you have options.”

Yet her article, tagged with a scowling cross, presents a skewed perspective that Christians choose that faith due to advertising, that God is a God of rules, and that Christians cannot call themselves devout if they break the rules.

The author cites 78.4 percent of Americans are Christians because of advertising. I disagree in that the author states, “after going through an extremely difficult time in my life I started researching Buddhism.”

Likewise many came to Christianity through their own difficulties and research. It would be more open-minded to acknowledge that Christians choose

their faith for similar reasons the author chose Buddhism.

The author’s implications about God dismiss core concepts of grace, mercy, forgiveness, and unconditional Love which account for God’s spirit working in those who choose him. Christians are as fallible as anybody. God’s grace, mercy, forgiveness, and unconditional love reach beyond that to bring reconciliation. These core tenants allow Christians to be devout even with imperfection.

I do agree with the author that no one should choose a religion because of family, friends, or fear. So, I encourage readers to learn about every faith option, whether you would believe in it or not. Education leads to understanding, understanding leads to compassion – and this world needs compassion and understanding.

Shannon Ripley Athletic Trainer and Sports Medicine teacher

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Black lives matter

n Aug. 9, Michael Brown and Dorian Isn’t it illegal to fire at a fleeing suspect? That Johnson, two black boys, were walking alone is a crime. down a neighborhood street in Ferguson, First it was Trayvon Martin shot and killed Missouri. A police officer, Darren Wilson, unarmed, then John Crawford shot and killed pulled over right in front of them blocking in a Wal-Mart unarmed, then Eric Garner their path and started to scream profoundly unarmed, choked and left lying on the ground at them to get the f--- out of the street. unattended till he died, the incident was At the same time he had pulled his patrol recorded on tape, then Tamir Rice a 12-yearcar so close that when he tried to open his old boy shot to death by a police officer, also door it hit Brown and Brown pushed the recorded on tape. I mean the list is endless.

SUV door right back at him.

What’s really going on here? Is there an The tension that was already high because organized effort by police to eliminate black of how he approached the two teenagers lives? Don’t black lives matter anymore? A worsened. Wilson immediately reached for white man gets to decide when a black man’s his gun and Brown felt threatened because life ends? instead of Wilson communicating with him, The nation is divided in its views about what he was reaching straight for his gun. should have been done to Darren Wilson.

At this time there was a struggle for the A CNN poll taken prior to the announcegun and in the process Brown got shot and ment of the Ferguson grand jury’s verdict he backed away from the car. At this time stated that 54 percent of non-whites (blacks, Johnson ran to safety as a Latinos, Asians, etc.) result of being terrified by believed that Wilson should “[Black and white Wilson reaction. be charged with murder, people] frequently go Wilson got out of the SUV home to separate worlds whereas 23 percent of and continuously shot at whites believed the same. where attitudes and Brown who was fleeing from On the opposing end, 37 experiences toward the him, and when Brown turned percent of whites thought police and courts not to show his surrender and only are not shared, but Wilson should be charged are not even understood with no crime; and just while his body jacked from across the racial divide. ” 15 percent of non-whites receiving bullets. Wilson claimed to have felt threatened agreed. and as Brown went down Wilson fired the However, many don’t understand or don’t last two shots into his head. agree with why African Americans believe Wilson honestly emptied his gun on Brown that the police are treating them unjustly. In firing up to 12 rounds with seven hitting that same poll, just 19 percent of whites and Brown. When the community reacted with 33 percent of non-whites claimed that police anger and went on the streets to exercise their target blacks in their neighborhood, while right to protest the police came in military 50 percent of whites and 35 percent of nonfatigues to fight instead of protecting. whites said they didn’t believe that officers in The prosecutor in charge of the case, instead their area are prejudiced toward blacks. of filing charges, presented the case to a preDecades of changing laws and court deciviously assembled grand jury and he never sions mean that the two races now work seriously presented a case for prosecution to together, play sports together, and attend them, instead he dumped all evidence collect- school together. But they frequently go home ed on to them without explaining anything. to separate worlds where attitudes and expeThen the grand jury made a decision not to riences toward the police and courts not only indict Wilson. are not shared, but are not even understood The prosecutor’s presentation as to why across the racial divide.

Wilson was not indicted was all against The police approach to African Americans Michael, when they should have been focushas got to change. Maybe Wilson should have ing on the crime committed by the officer, been taught to be polite when in an encounter most of the time he sounded like Wilson’s with black men. Or is being polite not meant defense attorney. for blacks?

[Then the fact that the prosecutor’s father The Civil Rights Act was signed on paper; was killed in the line of duty at the hands of it’s time for action. We don’t have to live our an African American, was revealed before he lives in fear of losing our brothers, our sisters, took the case to the grand jury.] our friends, and our fathers.

Did he already have a mentality towards Black lives matter!

African Americans? Police officers go through training and take an oath to serve Meron Abay, Audrey Owuor and protect all people within United States. and Vera Okolo Black Student Union members Dealing with “Big Mike” is part of the job.

Hawkeye

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Lessons learned from the tragedy at Marysville Pilchuck

n the last several weeks, we have all closest to what is going on in that school. witnessed and in many ways been affected Awareness of conflicts between students, by the terrible tragedy at Marysville Pilchuck awareness of things being posted on social High school. It media that are concerning, awareness of was an awful event students who are struggling with personal that struck so issues that put them at risk. When students very close to home have awareness of these kinds of concerns, it which made it is really helpful and vital that this informaall the more real. tion be shared with adults.

Along with other I know the last thing any student wants Greg Schwab schools in our is an adult getting into his or her business.

Principal area, we all did But these kinds of issues can have a negative our best to reach out and provide support to impact on others. We want to work to preMPHS. vent bad things from happening. We cannot Cards, posters, and words of encourageact if we don’t have information. In this day ment—we did as much as we could to try and age, we simply cannot keep concerning and help. information about to ourselves.

As we have put some time between now Recent events in schools have shown the and that awful day, one of the things we have tragic consequences of acts from individutried to do is learn from the events that took als who are struggling with major personal place that day. And I think issues or who are having we have learned a great deal conflicts with others.

“We all have the about things we can do to We are safe as a school, responsibility to work at and we want to remain safe ensure that we are as safe as keeping us safe.” we can be in our own school. as a school. In order for Probably the biggest lesson us to do that we have to we can take away from MPHS is the power be willing to seek help when we know that and control that each of us has to help keep someone is having a difficult time. us all safe. I have been asked many times We have to be willing to take the risk in the past few weeks, “Are we safe here at of allowing someone to help. As we move MTHS?” And my answer is the same as it forward, I encourage every one of us in our has always been. As a school, we are a safe school to do his or her part to help make place. But just because we feel that we are sure our school is safe for everyone. H safe, that does not mean we do not have to Note: The Hawkeye provides the MTHS Administration space continue to work at keeping our school safe. each issue in the Op/Ed section as part of our mission as a We all have the responsibility to work at designated open public forum. keeping us safe. Students in a school are

Thanks for a great year

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n behalf of the ASB/Athletics Office we want to thank everyone for making the past year one of the most exciting, winningest and benevolent this school has probably ever seen. From aspects of all school life here at MTHS students have won more awards and placed higher in events than seen for some time. They have given more in volunteer hours and financial means to charity's Kim Stewart athletic director/activities and causes ranging from the coordinator Mountlake Terrace Food Bank to Africa to Oso and Marysville. Things we cant do without supportive admin, advisers, coaches and parent volunteers.

And most importantly, an understanding Staff. Thank you everyone for making MTHS a place I for one can be proud and call my family.

Have a safe winter break see everyone next year. H Note: The Hawkeye provides the MTHS Athletics and Activities office space each issue in the Op/Ed section as part of our mission as a designated open public forum.

december 2014 | 5

The holiday season

A time for celebrating and giving back to the community

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he holidays are a special time for many of Albertsons and QFC for hours at a time people. They’re a time for listening to in the freezing cold collecting cans, food, holiday music, stuffing your face with festive and cash donations. cookies and most This is always a very efficient way to collect importantly food. I stood outside QFC with some fellow spending times Big Six members and in just two hours we with the ones filled up five boxes of food along with over you love. Who $50 of food in cash. It’s always so amazing doesn’t love the to see how loving and generous people are in holiday season? our community.

Alisha Clingan As great as they Despite all the effort our school put into ASB Public Relations Officer are, the holidays the food drive we did fall short of our goal. are also a very hard Last year our school raised over 25,000 time for many families. In our own commu- cans and this year we only raised only 5,000 nity, Mountlake Terrace, one in five families cans. Like I said before, many families in rely on the local Food Bank on a our community rely normal basis and more so during on the Mountlake “Even though the food the holidays. You may not realize Terrace Food Bank drive is over at our this, but many of those people in for meals and our school I encourage you to continue donating need are your peers; they are your school helps provide to the community fellow classmates and friends. those meals throughthroughout the year; As a school we come together out the year. whether you’re donating during the busy holiday season to Even though the food, money, clothes, or food drive is over at help raise food for those families even just your time.” in our community that are in our school, I encourneed. This year we tried someage you to continue thing new called “senior servants” where donating to the community throughout the seniors were auctioned off during lunch for year; whether you’re donating food, money, as much as 180 cans, food items, or dollars. clothes, or even just your time.

The students who bid the most cans won There are many ways you can help out the the senior servant for a day. community, after all the people that you are The seniors waited on the students for the donating to could be sitting right next to whole school day, granting their wishes, by you. H doing things like announcing their presence, Note: The Hawkeye provides the Associated Student Body carrying their books to class, and filling up space each issue in the Op/Ed section as part of our mission their water bottle. as a designated open public forum.

Various groups of our school stood outside

We want to hear from you

Have an opinion about something that appeared in the Hawkeye? Want to talk about an issue or topic important to you? We want to hear. Write a letter to the editor and you could be featured in the next edition of the Hawkeye. Bring your letter to Room 130 after school or email editor@thehawkeye.org.

6 | december 2014

Hawkeye

White privilege

Invisible but still very much there B

lack people and other people of color face an invisible but ever-present oppression known as white privilege.

Imagine the hearts of the mothers of Eric Garner, Michael Brown and Tamir Rice filling with the disappointment in our nation’s justice system that did not give their sons the benefit of the doubt which is often given to white people.

The justice system is supposed to stand for everyone, but along the way there has Beza Ayele Hawkeye op/ed editor developed a definite group that has been treated unequally.

People of color across the nation are often subject to racial profiling and unequal treatment by police, as seen by the recent deaths of unarmed black men. Much of this ties with white privilege, which is a special advantage or benefit of white persons, with reference to appearances, social relations and financial dispensation.

It’s important to be aware of white privilege because it affects the daily lives of people of color in negative ways that cannot be seen by many. It may seem that everyone starts from the same place, and works equally as hard, but that’s simply not the case. The people who have a hard time acknowledging that it exists are usually the people who benefit from it.

White privilege is like air. White people have it, but it cannot be seen. White people who benefit from their white privilege tend to not see or notice it because it seems normal to them, as if everyone lives their lives this way. But people of color must deal with bias and discrimination that white people never encounter.

Many forget that the Native Americans were here long before any of us, making the Europeans one of the original immigrants into the New World hoping to make a name for

themselves, which is one of the main reasons my family came workplace, people of color have to change their hair to not to America from Ethiopia. They came for the opportunities. offend the workplace. To be cautious of how others view People of color who live in this country are put in situasomething you are born with just to make others feel comtions in which they feel they are oppressed and looked down fortable is an outdated principle. The message is always to upon. Some African Americans do not even have the ability conform, even if you are born with that certain aspect. of knowing where they come from as their pre-slavery roots The media has supported these reinforces biases and stehave been stripped from them. reotypes time and time again, with the representation of In a negative social situation, there is a difference between black people and other people of color largely stereotypical people of color and white people. You have to question if that and negative. Even when dealing with something as superfiperson had those feelings towards you because you are a percial as clothing, people of color, and black people especially, son of color. If you are a white person in that same situation, that are dressed in casual attire can be viewed as a criminal you do not have to assume that there was a racial element to even if the white person standing next to them is wearing the it, you can just assume that the person just did not like you same thing. as a person.

Being a person of color also comes with people assuming There is also a certain dialect that everyone has to uphold negative stereotypical things about you. Yes, whites have to be equal since some are held as more correct than others. stereotypes against them but they are not near as severe and Just because someone is from a different culture and has an damaging to their everyday lives. accent or speaks differently than most The white stereotypes generally go does not mean that they are less intelalong the lines with them not being “People of color across ligent. This is evident in a way that able to dance, jump and liking “lame” the nation are often some people view how blacks speak. It music. It is in no way comparable to subject to racial profiling and unequal treatment is perceived that if they speak a certain stereotypes such as “black people are by police, as seen by way that they are “acting white” and so criminals and thugs,” etc. the recent deaths of therefore what they are saying is more These preconceptions have led to unarmed black men. ” intelligent. the awful deaths of Michael Brown, There are certain preconceived Eric Garner and Tamir Rice. Now, the notions about beauty standards for black women and men. families of these three young men, and others, have to live Eurocentric features such as straighter hair, thin lips and in consequences of a police officers’ actions. Being able to narrow noses are prime examples. Colorism within the black kill a human being that was unarmed and walk away free of community is an example of how lighter skin is seen as betcharge because the color of your skin is favored over another ter, and is more widely recognized in media while darker is unacceptable. skinned black people are not traditionally seen in the media.

As important and obvious as these things are to people of If they are, they are potrayed to have a rude and demanding color, many white people go about their day believing that deameanor. everyone started from the same place and can put forth the Black hair is also seen as unprofessional and since most same effort and receive the same benefits. This is white priviprofessionals do not see ethnic hair as appropriate in the lege. H

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december 2014 | 7

It’s our teachers’ duty to deviate from and go beyond our textbooks

gh!” The collective moan of students as they’re told to open their handy dandy 1,000 page stacks of text have undoubtedly been heard by most. Old creaky desks stained with the wit of past students carry the weight of the textbooks handed out on the first day. But what role do these books play in burdening the students?

The promotion of flat one dimensional sources is direct Zachary Hoernlein correlation to the stifling of Hawkeye Staff genuine interest and lively class held conversations. This should come with little awe, seeing as high schooling is painfully successful in the academic suppression and repression of individuality and passion, something seen as dangerous by the institutions that are to churn out new generations of humans that all hold similar, simplistic and relatively unchallenged belief systems.

History is the prime example of a regularly failed class format, exhausted to the point of dread. Autonomy is more than crucial, yet students are subjugated to absorbing information from text that denies

alternate views of history – or in most cases, honest views help of the Nixon Administration. It also leaves out the fact of history. However, we’ve seen how “radical” differing views that before the successful Chilean military coup of 1973—in throughout history have been treated by the government which the U.S. supported the Chilean military killing their when at their peak. own democratically elected leader—America had already Take labor rights, for example. The government’s clear begun its infamous “destabilization” of the Latin American opposition of working class rights became unbearably apparcountry. This included the killing (due to failed kidnapping) ent during the Red Scare. Using of the Commander in Chief of the the nonsensical reasoning that Chilean Army, René Schneider.

“Those who spoke their mind and criticized both domestic and/or foreign unions were hubs to anarchism Former Secretary of State Henry policy were eligible for up to 20 years in and communism, Woodrow Kissinger even went on to say, “… prison and/or a fine of up to $10,000.”

Wilson enacted – with the that however unpleasant they act, “Sedition Act” – the abolition the government is better for us of free speech. In fact, those than Allende was” (Allende being who spoke their mind and criticized both domestic and/or the former leader of Chile). Never mind the fact that thouforeign policy were eligible for up to 20 years in prison and/ sands of local politicians and citizens were being kidnapped, or a fine of up to $10,000. tortured, oppressed and murdered at the hands of a military Prentice Hall’s “United States History” even goes so far as dictator. Again, none of this is even so much as hinted at in to say that Woodrow Wilson pursued moral democracy. As the “United States History” textbook. all modern American presidents have in common – when If we are to follow President Truman’s career in “United looking past rhetoric – Wilson holds no such moral compass. States History,” the end of WWII is perhaps the most popuLet’s not forget Wilson’s invasion of the unstable Haiti which lar section. Starting off with the already questionable title of resulted in the death of thousands and included the puppet “The Atomic Bomb Ends the War” you’ll find a sub-section presidency of Philippe Sudré Dartiguenave, a president the entitled “Hiroshima and Nagasaki are Destroyed.” How Haitians did not support. This was not the last time, nor was long is this section? It’s less than 250 words. An argument it the first, that America had its hands in Latin America. exists for the dropping of the atomic bomb on Hiroshima, it Perhaps one of the more obvious examples of this lies is rather weak and virtually non-existent, but it exists. What in Chile. When looking through the index for “Chile” in has no defense was the utter destruction of Nagasaki that “United States History” you only find one page number: followed the decimation of Hiroshima. The horrid war crime 1093. On 1093, a section titled “Latin America of the Nagasaki bombing was no more than the flexing of and the War on Drugs” contains the folAmerican power to show the world that indeed, a new superlowing sentence, “In Chile, the notopower had emerged. rious military dictator Augusto I would begin commentating on Prentice Hall’s virtually Pinochet gave up power.” non-existent coverage of the absolutely horrendous “War on Nowhere does it Drugs,” created to continue the oppression of the poor along state that Augusto with the destruction and economic take-over of foreign land, Pinochet, the but I’m sure most are familiar with that disaster. “notorious Not only should teachers deviate from textbooks to incormilitary dicporate more trustworthy information into their curriculum, tator”, was but the instillation of actual enthusiasm and discussion in put in and class is necessary for promoting the opportunity to shape maintained differing viewpoints, especially since those that are found in power with the high school books can be so narrow.

The truly worrisome issue with the current academic environment however, is that a good deal of teachers feel the cards are stacked against them. Publishers have set the tone for how promotion of nationalism is to be achieved. If educators go off the beaten path they not only have to fear backlash from students and parents, but the school system itself.

Whatever the source of education is, autonomy is of utmost importance. It helps give students a fair shot at open discussion and methods of teaching that highlight the importance of all subjects.

So, try and change your class format, even if it is just for a day. Ask your teacher for new refreshing ways to learn about the curriculum, it can’t harm you, but it certainly can help. H Tessa king | Hawkeye

Hawkeye

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december 2014 | 7

It’s our teachers’ duty to deviate from and go beyond our textbooks

gh!” The collective moan of students as they’re told to open their handy dandy 1,000 page stacks of text have undoubtedly been heard by most. Old creaky desks stained with the wit of past students carry the weight of the textbooks handed out on the first day. But what role do these books play in burdening the students?

The promotion of flat one dimensional sources is direct Zachary Hoernlein correlation to the stifling of Hawkeye Staff genuine interest and lively class held conversations. This should come with little awe, seeing as high schooling is painfully successful in the academic suppression and repression of individuality and passion, something seen as dangerous by the institutions that are to churn out new generations of humans that all hold similar, simplistic and relatively unchallenged belief systems.

History is the prime example of a regularly failed class format, exhausted to the point of dread. Autonomy is more than crucial, yet students are subjugated to absorbing information from text that denies

alternate views of history – or in most cases, honest views help of the Nixon Administration. It also leaves out the fact of history. However, we’ve seen how “radical” differing views that before the successful Chilean military coup of 1973—in throughout history have been treated by the government which the U.S. supported the Chilean military killing their when at their peak. own democratically elected leader—America had already Take labor rights, for example. The government’s clear begun its infamous “destabilization” of the Latin American opposition of working class rights became unbearably apparcountry. This included the killing (due to failed kidnapping) ent during the Red Scare. Using of the Commander in Chief of the the nonsensical reasoning that Chilean Army, René Schneider.

“Those who spoke their mind and criticized both domestic and/or foreign unions were hubs to anarchism Former Secretary of State Henry policy were eligible for up to 20 years in and communism, Woodrow Kissinger even went on to say, “… prison and/or a fine of up to $10,000.”

Wilson enacted – with the that however unpleasant they act, “Sedition Act” – the abolition the government is better for us of free speech. In fact, those than Allende was” (Allende being who spoke their mind and criticized both domestic and/or the former leader of Chile). Never mind the fact that thouforeign policy were eligible for up to 20 years in prison and/ sands of local politicians and citizens were being kidnapped, or a fine of up to $10,000. tortured, oppressed and murdered at the hands of a military Prentice Hall’s “United States History” even goes so far as dictator. Again, none of this is even so much as hinted at in to say that Woodrow Wilson pursued moral democracy. As the “United States History” textbook. all modern American presidents have in common – when If we are to follow President Truman’s career in “United looking past rhetoric – Wilson holds no such moral compass. States History,” the end of WWII is perhaps the most popuLet’s not forget Wilson’s invasion of the unstable Haiti which lar section. Starting off with the already questionable title of resulted in the death of thousands and included the puppet “The Atomic Bomb Ends the War” you’ll find a sub-section presidency of Philippe Sudré Dartiguenave, a president the entitled “Hiroshima and Nagasaki are Destroyed.” How Haitians did not support. This was not the last time, nor was long is this section? It’s less than 250 words. An argument it the first, that America had its hands in Latin America. exists for the dropping of the atomic bomb on Hiroshima, it Perhaps one of the more obvious examples of this lies is rather weak and virtually non-existent, but it exists. What in Chile. When looking through the index for “Chile” in has no defense was the utter destruction of Nagasaki that “United States History” you only find one page number: followed the decimation of Hiroshima. The horrid war crime 1093. On 1093, a section titled “Latin America of the Nagasaki bombing was no more than the flexing of and the War on Drugs” contains the folAmerican power to show the world that indeed, a new superlowing sentence, “In Chile, the notopower had emerged. rious military dictator Augusto I would begin commentating on Prentice Hall’s virtually Pinochet gave up power.” non-existent coverage of the absolutely horrendous “War on Nowhere does it Drugs,” created to continue the oppression of the poor along state that Augusto with the destruction and economic take-over of foreign land, Pinochet, the but I’m sure most are familiar with that disaster. “notorious Not only should teachers deviate from textbooks to incormilitary dicporate more trustworthy information into their curriculum, tator”, was but the instillation of actual enthusiasm and discussion in put in and class is necessary for promoting the opportunity to shape maintained differing viewpoints, especially since those that are found in power with the high school books can be so narrow.

The truly worrisome issue with the current academic environment however, is that a good deal of teachers feel the cards are stacked against them. Publishers have set the tone for how promotion of nationalism is to be achieved. If educators go off the beaten path they not only have to fear backlash from students and parents, but the school system itself.

Whatever the source of education is, autonomy is of utmost importance. It helps give students a fair shot at open discussion and methods of teaching that highlight the importance of all subjects.

So, try and change your class format, even if it is just for a day. Ask your teacher for new refreshing ways to learn about the curriculum, it can’t harm you, but it certainly can help. H Tessa king | Hawkeye

8 | December 2014

Hawkeye

New technology on the docket

MTHS set to receive 300-400 Chromebooks in january in an attempt to close the tech access gap among students

By Edwin Olivera

With more and more devices coming into schools across ESD, MTHS is also looking at updating its Internet capaNew technology is coming to MTHS in many different bilities. forms, and students and staff will soon have to keep up MTHS is planning on adding a third Wi-Fi access point with the new acquisition of Google Chromebooks, Wi-Fi to the school in classrooms to handle all of the new devices. access points and a change in student emails.

Students would no longer have to use the Edmonds_ In January, MTHS is expected to get 300-400 Google Guest account when they want to use Wi-Fi at school.

Chromebooks. Chromebooks are different from laptops There will be a Wi-Fi that is solely for MTHS students. and netbooks as they will be strictly cloud-based off of This third Wi-Fi access point would also allow students Google Drive. to log onto their student profile and be filtered to a high Google Drive will allow students to access their files from school level rather than being restricted to a elementary anywhere, even when they’re not logged into a school comschool level using guest Wi-Fi. puter.

ESD bought the Chromebooks using the technology However, Chromebooks do not have the large storage levies, which are renewed every four years. The next levy hard drives like traditional laptops. Most Chromebooks is expected to come in 2016, which the district hopes will have only 4 GB, a significant decrease in memory. pass in order to fund additional Chromebooks and the Instead of saving things to the hard drive, students will Wi-Fi access points. send everything to a cloud, a process that However, the levy amount is not yet many students favor over the current known, nor is the total cost of the new “WebTrekker has had WebTrekker. This cloud saves every file implementations. too many issues with automatically as long as they are con“We would like to get the most money students and will slowly nected to the Internet. possible from this 2016 levy without become obsolete due to “WebTrekker has had too many issues raising any taxes,” Mathey said. the new Google Drive.” with students and will slowly become Last year the technology levy was $22 Kim Mathey obsolete due to the new Google Drive. million, which is reaching the end of its Edmonds School District Instructional Media Program Manager [Also], the company that manages it is budget. not updating as frequently as we would There is not an official date for when like,” Edmonds School District (ESD) voter ballots will be sent out to approve Instructional Media Program Manager Kim Mathey said. the 2016 levy, but the 2012 technology levy voting began These Chromebooks are part of a district project called around mid-February.

Removing Barriers. This project will try to close the gap In the past few weeks, MTHS students have been signing between the students who do not have adequate computer up for Google emails ending in @edmonds15.org rather access at home versus those who do. than the traditional @gmail.com.

Another project being put into place that will help those This difference in email is significant because the terms who don’t have Internet at home is Comcast Essentials. and services for student emails change. Instead of Google This project will provide affordable Internet access to fami- being able to monitor all emails sent from and received by lies and students who meet the company’s requirements. students, the district would be the only entity that could Comcast Essentials encourages those who are on a free search student emails. lunch program at the school to apply.

According to Mathey, ESD is implementing these new The district has chosen Chromebooks rather than other student emails in order to get ready for two new programs devices such as iPads. The main concern that the ESD has coming into effect slowly during 2014 and 2015. is cost, among other reasons. The cost of an iPad to the One of the two programs is Google Apps for Education ESD would be around $400, while a Chromebook averages (GAFE), a free application educators use to connect with around $150. their students on projects, essays and other homework.

“Chromebooks are still cheaper than netbooks. At GAFE has already began in some classes at MTHS. the cost of one netbook, the district could buy two Humanities teacher Christopher Ellinger uses GAFE Chromebooks,” librarian Kasey Meier said. to teach his students and have them turn in assignments At first, 1,000 Chromebooks were bought for Smarter from the comfort of their own home using any device that Balanced testing. After they received positive feedback, the is capable of logging into Google. Ellinger begun using district began piloting the program at Alderwood Middle GAFE in October and said he is pleased with the results.

School (AMS). Every student was given a Chromebook, Ellinger would wish to use GAFE 70 to 80 percent of the a carrying case and a charger. Students were expected to time during his class. bring it to school everyday with enough battery charge to “The only problem I see [with GAFE] is that it takes a last the entire school day. little time for kids to adjust. Other than that, it has been So far, many students and teachers are positive about the easy to use so far,” Ellinger said. H program.

Hawkeye staff

Erika Fisher | Hawkeye

December 2014 | 9

Sleep

Hawkeye

How much is enough?

How do school start times impact students’ ability to get enough sleep?

Is it time for MTHS to push back its start time?

By Katrina Pirie Hawkeye staff

With extracurricular activities, jobs, family responsibilities and large amounts of homework, getting the proper amount of sleep regularly has become a challenge for many high school students. As several other schools have made the transition to a later school start time, is it time for MTHS to follow in their footsteps?

Most of the students at MTHS begin school at 7:20 a.m. However, those with zero periods such as Jazz 2 or Leadership have to be in their classrooms by 6:20 a.m.

This early start time leads to an earlier release than other schools, but with extracurricular activities, jobs and homework, a student may not get to bed until midnight or later.

The drama department’s tech week can keep students at school until as late as 8 p.m.

Junior Amanda Petrowski said she struggles handling theater, zero period leadership and her Advanced Placement homework.

“I never pull all-nighters because I know that I will not be able to make it through the next day, but I’ve had days where I’ve gotten a lot less sleep than I should have and I’ve had to stop doing homework,” Petrowski said.

When Principal Greg Schwab first started working at MTHS 11 years ago, school began at 7:00 a.m. In 2006, a switch was made to start at 7:40 a.m. This was during the period of small schools using two different bell schedules. However, this did not allow MTHS to fit the state law of a certain amount of instructional hours per year. MTHS then changed their start time to 7:20 a.m. in order to follow these requirements.

“There was a noticeable difference in how students felt about the school day when we moved to a later start time. I think that students were generally more happy with school.”

Greg Schwab Principal

“There was a noticeable difference in how students felt about the school day when we moved to a later start time,” Schwab said. “I think that students were generally more happy with school.”

At Nathan Hale High School [NHHS], located in northeast Seattle, class starts at 8:40 a.m., except on Tuesdays when it begins at 10:10 a.m. Class ends at 3:10 p.m. every day, no matter the start time.

“We believe that it is important for adolescents to get good sleep so that they can learn,” NHHS Principal Jill Hudson said. “We believe [and research shows] starting school too early is not conductive to learning.”

The late start at NHHS allows time for staff to collaborate on curriculum, instruction and assessment as well as gives some clubs the opportunity to meet.

At NHHS zero period classes such as vocal jazz, choir and swimming start one hour earlier.

According to NHHS junior Nathan Lowe, the students who attend those classes are normally more tired than other students.

“I have two people with a zero period in my first period class, and they tend to come in a little late and be a bit slower [than the rest of the students],” Lowe said.

Lowe has seen firsthand the difference that a couple of hours can make. In Lowe’s middle school, classes began around 7:30 a.m. “[In middle school] kids were dead-eyed in first period. With a later start time in high school, they tend to be more energetic,” he said.

However, Lowe said many students at NHHS often use the later start time as an opportunity to stay up later. He admits to staying up past midnight nearly every night.

At MTHS, an earlier school start time does not correspond with going to sleep earlier.

Junior Mincheol Jung, who has Jazz 2 in zero period every other day, usually goes to sleep after midnight as well. This is a common trend among MTHS students.

According to the National Sleep Foundation, the ideal amount of sleep for adolescents is nine hours, with eight being the borderline. Anything less has been shown to not be enough for teenagers to properly function throughout the day.

If a student is going to go to sleep past midnight regardless, one whose classes start at 8:40 a.m. will get more sleep than one whose classes begin at 7:20 a.m.

“The average amount of sleep I get is six hours a night. When I get more, I feel more relaxed and awake… and I’m proud of myself for that,” sophomore Alina Poff said.

The Journal of Adolescent Health (JAH) found that just 8 percent of high school students get enough sleep on average. JAH also found that around 10 percent of teenagers get five hours of sleep and 23 percent get six hours on the average school night.

The Wisconsin Medical Journal (WMJ) examined sophomores and juniors at two high schools to measure the amount of sleep they received and compare it to their sleepiness level.

Using the Epworth Sleepiness Scale, a scale widely used in the field of sleep medicine to subjectively measure a patient’s sleepiness level, WMJ examiners found that the students who went to the school that started earlier were in the pathologically sleepy range, and those with a later start time tended to be in the normal range.

Professor of Neurology and Director of the Minnesota Regional Sleep Disorders Center Mark Mahowald has found that teenagers fall asleep and wake up later to get the sleep they need, according to Education World.

“We’re sending them to school during the last onethird of their sleep cycle. It’s comparable to adults getting up at 3 a.m. or 4 a.m,” Mahowald told Education World.

According to Greg Schwab, MTHS is in no place to change its start time.

“Any decision to change start times would have Er ik a to be made in the context of the impact of the whole Fis he r| system,” Schwab said. “Changing to [a] later start time for Ha wk e ye high schools would require changes at the middle and elementary levels as well.” H

10 | December 2014

Hawkeye

What do we

Believe?

Hawkeye

December 2014 | 11

From the devout to the questioning, Terrace’s religious views are varied

By Paxtyn Merten but said he never really connected with the church’s beliefs Graphics by Erika Fisher Hawkeye staff

and was influenced by a number of different things to take on a mindset that was more inquisitive and uncommitted to any one religion.

“I never really appealed to the whole ‘god’ idea. I guess it’s Each morning when senior Toqa Abosabaa gets dressed for my personal beliefs and outside influences, like science, athethe day, she secures a wide scarf, called a hijab, around her ism, Buddhism. When I look at the world it’s super complex face with two pins, concealing her hair and neck from the and [Christianity believes] it’s like this huge concept planned rest of the world. This religious practice has become a central from the beginning by this superbeing. But that’s only one part of her everyday life. out of thousands of theories,” Nguyen said, explaining how “When I wear [a hijab] before I leave the house I feel like he came to be agnostic.

I’m dressed for a more important reason – like I’m dressed A majority of students who are nonrefor God and not for people to see me,” ligious have strayed from their family’s Abosabaa said.

“I would say it’s getting traditional beliefs, as Nguyen did. Of To Abosabaa and 57 percent of harder to be more focused those who selected “no religion” as their MTHS students, religion is at least a on church because this religious preference, 67 percent said that somewhat significant aspect of daily year is really busy for me.

I feel like last year and the they had differing religious views from life. To the other 43 percent, religion year before it was easier to their parents. is either not very important or simply go to youth group and be This is the case for junior Jessica Phung, unimportant. focused on that but now whose mother is Buddhist. Though Based on a scientific survey conductI’m more stressed.”

Phung identifies as Buddhist, she said ed by the Hawkeye, the largest reliKaitlyn Anderson that she doesn’t associate with any religious majority at MTHS is Christian Junior gion at her core.

Protestant at 36 percent. The next “[My mother] isn’t very religious either, most popular belief is actually the lack but she believes in Buddha. When I ask about the point to of one, as 26 percent of the student population reported to religion she always tells me ‘It’s good to have something to have no religion or religious beliefs. believe in,’” Phung said.

Junior Mark Nguyen, who identifies as agnostic, attributed It is also true for junior Erik Hogg, whose family tradition this non-religious segment to an increasingly scientific and secular-based society, as well as a lack of concern for religious is Catholicism. He decided he didn’t believe in the teachings of Catholicism and chose instead to be an atheist. topics and practices.

Hogg believes that religion is a matter of personal opinion, Nguyen, like many others, was raised in a Christian family,

Beliefs of Terrace

BELIEF INFLUENCES

QUESTION: Do you have the same or similar religious views as your parents?

RELIGIOUS IMPORTANCE

QUESTION: Do you think it is important for someone to have religious beliefs?

and someone may decide to change that opinion if they find something that convinces them their religion may be false.

“I felt like it was the most reasonable thing to do. I didn’t believe in a lot of the [teachings]. It was kind of ridiculous to me. I had a hard time believing in people sitting on clouds looking down on me, and that people walked on water and split oceans,” Hogg said.

While around 75 percent of students affiliate with or believe in some type of religion, just 63 percent believe in a god. Another 24 percent are unsure about a god’s existence, and the rest are firm in their belief that there is no supreme deity.

These results are similar to Pew Research Center’s study, which examined the beliefs of adults throughout the nation and the state of Washington. The primary difference between students at MTHS and adults in Washington is that a higher percentage of students do not believe in a god or higher being.

Even fewer students believe in heaven and hell than in a god. Some 60 percent believe in heaven and 56 percent believe in hell.

“I think the idea of an afterlife sounds nice, but I would be okay without one. Who is to say that good people go to heaven? Who knows, maybe good people might end up in hell. Everyone living can’t give you the truth and the dead are gone,” Phung said. “The concept of heaven and hell is like the concept of naughty and nice. If you’re good, you’ll go to heaven and get all you wished for for Christmas. If not you’ll go to hell and get coal.”

While 62 percent of students said that their beliefs now are the same as when they began high school, another 24 percent said that they are less religious than when they began high school and the rest say they are more so.

For some, such as non-denominational Christian junior ...story continued on page 14

12 | December 2014

Hawkeye

In focus: the state of Religion among terrace students

Hawkeye

December 2014 | 13

Do you believe in...

BEHIND THE SURVEY

The Hawkeye surveyed 148 students in eight P.A.S.S. classes on Weds., Dec. 10. Working with our mentors Pam Moore and Fritz Engebretsen at Newton Street Study Group, we created the survey and analyzed the results. Percentages may not all add up to 100 due to rounding. For a more interactive experience with the data, be sure to see our complete analysis online at www.thehawkeye.org

Key

12

11

10

9

Protestant

14

12

16

11

No Religion

6

6

15

12

Catholic

6

5

4

8

Buddhist

0

2

1

2

Unaffiliated

2

1

1

0

Other

1

4

3

5

Muslim

1

0

2

0

Orthodox

1

0

2

0

Mormon

2

1

1

0

No Answer

0

1

0

0

Female Other

Male

Students’ religious preferences

14 | December 2014

Hawkeye

Survey suggests many students still feel unsure about religious expression at school

CHANGING VIEWS?

QUESTION: Compared to when you began high school, are you more religious, less religious or about the same?

...story continued from page 11

Kaitlyn Anderson, their faith and beliefs are essentially the same as when they began high school, but busy schedules and secular life can get in the way of religious practices.

“I would say it’s getting harder to be more focused on church because this year is really busy for me. I feel like last year and the year before it was easier to go to youth group and be focused on that but now I’m more stressed,” Anderson said.

Abosabaa is one of the 14 percent of students who believes she is more religious than when she started high school. She said that adversity she faced early on ended up driving her closer to her faith.

“Having religion being taught in school makes me have mixed feelings...Students should be able to make life choices and learn without an extreme bias in curriculum. Bias is unavoidable but students should be exposed to different types of biases and ways of thinking.”

Jessica Phung junior

“Hardships aren’t a bad thing, they remind you what you’re really here for,” Abosabaa said.

Beliefs that students have about religious subjects vary, as do views on the importance of having a religion.

Though religion is not important in Phung’s own life, she understands why it would be important in the lives of others.

“Religion is something that gives hope.

Many religious revivals were in times of hardship and if that’s what a person needs to keep living, who am I to criticize? If religion wasn’t important to others it would’ve died out a long time ago,” she said.

Nguyen also sees religion as something that is nonessential in his life. He said he doesn’t want to narrow his reliance down to one religion when there are so many uncertainties regarding the subject, but he sees why people do and why faith can become so dominant in one’s life.

“I think hope is one of the big factors because if you believe in a supreme and benevolent god, then it gives you hope that there is someone looking out for you. I guess that hope is there and maybe an answer to the world,” Nguyen said.

This idea of having an answer to the world and its purpose is a common theme with

those who have faith.

Abosabaa’s personal experiences with religion attaching meaning to her actions exemplify this to a great extent.

“My religion is actually the reason why I decided to continue trying in school when I was having doubts about what it would give me,” Abosabaa said.

She had been falling behind and “wanted a greater purpose” than just getting a job and having a certain social status. Religion gave her that.

“One of the things Islam clearly points out to us is that we should understand why getting an education is important. It’s not education for the sake of an education, it has to be linked with values and goals. In getting an education you learn more about your life and the universe, and that helps us gain an understanding as to why we’re here,” Abosabaa said.

Gaining deeper faith in her religion also aided Abosabaa to come to terms with wearing her hijab, which she has done since she was an 8-year-old, filled with excitement about being more mature, like her mom.

As she aged, Abosabaa said she wanted to blend in with everyone else and felt like the hijab was a barrier between her and everyone else.

When she came to understand the purpose of wearing a hijab, she became more assured in wearing it and in herself. Her hijab ceased to be a barrier – it became her liberator.

“A lot of people who look at hijabis think that we dress that way because of men, but the real reason we wear it is to put our faith on display. We’re saying ‘I’m not here for display, my body is not for public consumption.’

When I cover my beauty, all you see is my faith and my soul.”

Acceptance and Openness For the most part, people of all different religious backgrounds feel accepted and able to express their beliefs in the MTHS community.

Around 57 percent of students said they feel free to express their religious beliefs while at school and 24 percent said they were not sure.

Abosabaa, who wears her hijab every day as a major part of expressing her religion, says she feels comfortable expressing her beliefs while at school.

“Acceptance doesn’t come from changing yourself for other people, it’s more of an internal state,” she said.

By religion, those who had the highest percentage of respondents answer that they either didn’t feel they could be open about their religion at school or weren’t sure about it were Muslim, Orthodox and Christian Protestant.

CHURCH ATTENDANCE QUESTION: How often do you attend church or other religious services?

Hawkeye

December 2014 | 15

Anderson feels that she is allowed to express her religion, but she doesn’t think it is always perceived as acceptable.

“At the beginning of the year I wore this shirt that says ‘church is cool’ and I really like it, but some people were like ‘Why are you wearing that?’ or ‘Is that even allowed?’ They were mostly joking, but they were obviously noticing that I did it. It wasn’t just a normal shirt that said normal stuff, it was different,” Anderson said.

In addition, 82 percent of students say they have never been bullied because of their religion.

Out of the various religious backgrounds, those who practiced Orthodox and Islam had the highest reports of bullying because of their religion. When asked if they had ever been bullied or harassed because of their religious beliefs, 33 percent of those two groups chose “yes.”

Abosabaa said she has never been discriminated against at MTHS and feels accepted here. However, she said she was made fun of once in middle school about her religion.

“In middle school these kids were calling me a terrorist because of social media and 9/11,” Abosabaa said.

Though she said she knew they were kidding, the memory still bothers her.

“It does bother me because I know people at other schools do get harassed and Islam is totally against violence and there’s a really big emphasis for tolerance for other religions.

When people go around harassing other Muslims, it is hurtful because we know that the way people portray Islam as a compulsive and intolerant religion isn’t true,” Abosabaa said.

The lack of bullying and harassment of MTHS students because of their religion could be attributed to the fact that students are educated about religions in the public school system.

“My religion is actually the reason why I decided to continue trying in school when I was having doubts about what it would give me.”

Toqa Abosabaa Senior

Abosabaa believes that Terrace students are taught about Islam and “know that it is not a terrorist religion.”

However, opinions about whether or not religion should be taught in schools are varied.

Junior Michael Gincherman, a believer in Judaism, said that in world history class he learned about other religions and how they impacted history, but felt that religious talk in

Do you feel you are able to express your religious beliefs at school?

Muslim students study religious texts at Masjid Umar Al-Farooq Mosque, located on 56th Ave. W in Mountlake Terrace. Several Muslim students from MTHS attend religious services at the local mosque. Jack Fiorillo | Hawkeye his classes mostly centered on Christianity.

He said that as a Jew, it was hard to participate in discussions and lessons that focused on Christian events or the bible.

Phung’s concern lies primarily with that aspect of bias being pulled into religious education.

“Having religion being taught in school makes me have mixed feelings. Students should be able to make life choices and learn without an extreme bias in curriculum. Bias is unavoidable but students should be exposed to different types of biases and ways of thinking,” Phung said.

Overall, Phung believes that religion should be taught outside of school so people can form their opinions of the world without being influenced by strong bias.

Abdul Ahad, a Muslim religious instructor at the Masjid Umar Al-Farooq Mosque in Mountlake Terrace, is also concerned about the way bias could impact teaching religion in schools and believes the two should be kept separate.

“Personally, I don’t trust [the public school system] to teach religion. [Teachers will] be very biased. [Students] will come out very confused. Topics of religion are very delicate, and you could really mess a person up,” Ahad said.

Ahad said he believes the way public schools teach education is very simplistic, and if people want a more complex understanding of religions they have to do their own studying. Looking into religions oneself can minimize the bias involved in religious education.

Still, Abosabaa said she thinks teaching students at least a basic understanding of what religions believe is important.

“I can see how some people are really against the teaching of religions at school and a lot of schools actually ban it. I don’t think that’s very smart because if you don’t teach about other religions, people are going to get their perspectives off other people’s personal attitudes and beliefs of the religion rather than what it really is. I feel like it’s kind of a dangerous thing to do.” H

RELIGION AT SCHOOL Have you ever been bullied or harassed because of your religious beliefs?

16 | December 2014

Hawkeye

Behind the scenes The unsung heroes of theater production

By Max Tracy Hawkeye Staff

There’s only an hour until show time. The cast prepares quickly with sizzling hair curlers in action, recitation of lines and attachment of mics. Movement starts to pick up and the mood gets a little more serious as the theater tech students make their way to their stations.

Now there’s just a half hour until show time. Everyone clears the theater for open house. Last minute preparations are made and the start of the play approaches ever closer.

The stage manager soon heads to the booth prepared with a script containing every cue and direction. Lights are ready to dim and actors frantically get ready with lines ingrained in their memory. Everything is in place, and so it begins.

Although much of the hard work and planning goes unseen to most, every piece of a play is managed closely and designed beforehand. Every sound effect must be found and then run by someone, the sets must be built and painted beforehand and every cue the cast gets must be relayed with the precise timing. All of this in turn lends to the atmosphere and the magical sense of any the-

atrical production.

This whole process is run mainly by students enrolled in the theater tech class, taught by drama department director Jeannie Brzovic. In addition, they are assisted by the drama students.

Brzovic said students are able to learn what it truly means to put on a production with an added level of responsibility.

“I try to replicate the professional theater structure as much as possible, which means that I teach the students about all of the technical elements of theater and then train them to run a specific position during our public performance,” Brzovic said.

The theater tech class is a hands-on course, and requires a great commitment of time outside of class.

The play is the …continued on page 17

Tessa King | Hawkeye

Hawkeye

December 2014 | 17

“Most of the time the audience recognizes the efforts of the actors, but seldom so [do] they realize that there are as many (maybe more) technicians involved in the show” Jeannie Brzovic Drama director

…continued from page 16

main project, so the after school rehearsals are critical to the quality of the production.

In fact, when the show opens Brzovic steps out and allows the whole production to be run by the students. This places a huge amount of responsibility on every student involved in producing the play, as any mistake can become quite distracting to the performance.

“If I were to make a mistake the entire audience would notice it. My freshman year, I was on lights for my first show and we had a 21 gun salute that was supposed to play and it ended up playing banjo music,” sound board operator junior Cole Krause said.

Mistakes like this are few and far between, but if they do occur, they can wreck the setting and aura of a play.

The jobs involved with setting up a play beforehand or managing one while it’s going are plentiful to say the least. From stage manager to light board operator to running crew, every role matters in a theatrical production.

All the sound aspects, including mics for performers, music and sound effects are run by Krause. The sound system being used has been in operation since last year. It is entirely digital, complete with touchscreens, and is a major upgrade from the previous analog sound system.

The lighting of a play matters a great deal as well. If lights don’t shut off at the end of an act or when a scene needs to be changed, the ramifications can be serious. The lighting for “The Importance of Being Earnest” was run by sophomore Hannah Marshall. Even with the majority of the lights being programmed into the board prior to production, every cue must be hit with preferably no faults, otherwise lights could end up turning on and off inconveniently. “[If I were to mess up it’s] kind of like with sound except for a little less terrifying,” Marshall said.

Also critical to the production, but quite literally overshadowed, is the running crew. Their job is to remove and place props in and out of the stage

while the theater is blacked out, usually between acts. While it may seem easy, it’s still important as you can’t have good settings without the right props. “[The exchange of props on stage] helps build the connection for the audience for the play,” running crew member, junior Michael Gincherman said.

These jobs of theater production are still only a portion of what goes into play production. There are many more positions, such as the assistant stage managers and properties manager, that matter just as much as the others.

But the person calling all the shots, from light and sound cues to scene change cues, is the stage manager. The role of stage manager is undoubtedly the busiest and comes with the most responsibility.

“I’m the person that everyone comes back to if something goes wrong,” senior stage manager Emily Davidson said.

The stage manager sits up in the booth during the show, equipped with a headset while she calls every cue throughout the show. Additionally, before and after the show they’re busy with various tasks, such as fetching the actors previous to the performance and getting them to come on stage for their mic checks, or making sure everybody is where they should be.

It takes the combined efforts of an entire team to run a great show. It almost sounds clichéd, but when you see what everyone has to do, it begins to make sense.

“Everyone’s job is important. If we were missing one person we really couldn’t do it,” Davidson said.

The theater technicians and performers come together to create one complete work of art, in the form of a play.

“Most of the time the audience recognizes the efforts of the actors, but seldom so [do] they realize that there are as many (maybe more) technicians involved in the show,” Brzovic said. H

TOP: A mic is taped to senior Matthew Sythandone in preparation for the show. MIDDLE: Junior Cole Krause ascends to the tech booth to manage the sound system. BOTTOM: Sound and mic settings are adjusted by junior Cole Krause. serifina urrutia | hawkeye

18 | December 2014

Hawkeye

‘A life in a year’

Foreign exchange students begin a year-long journey in the United States

Story by Emily Anderson Graphics by Erika Fisher Hawkeye Staff

Back home in Germany, Henri Breuer embraces his younger sister in the summer of 2013.

Photo Courtesy of HENRI BREUER

Senior exchange student Rahmatan Alif works on a STEM night project in the Biotechnology classroom. EMILY ANDERSON | HAWKEYE

Working together in the Biotechnology classroom, Henri Breuer and Rahmatan Alif exchange ideas for an upcoming project . EMILY ANDERSON | HAWKEYE

Imagine leaving your home for 10 months and moving to a new country with new customs and values.

You have to relearn everything, from typing to communicating with other people. On top of that, you must figure out how to navigate a new school that is much larger than the school you’re used to and you have to speak in a language that you’re not comfortable with.

This lifestyle is reality for seniors Henri Breuer and Rahmatan Alif.

Day to day life for Breuer in Germany is fairly similar to America, but contrasts in a few areas such as school not starting as early as it does here, school lunches and an absence of team sports.

“We have P.E. in school and you have to take it, but we don’t have sports after school. If you want to do sports you have to do it in a club in the evening,” Breuer said.

He also explained that life for teenagers in Germany is fairly similar to life for teenagers in the United States.

“If you have a new iPhone 6 here, then we have it maybe three days later in Germany. You watch a movie in America, we have the translated version in Germany a day later or sometimes on the same day. You have pop songs, we have them in Germany. Turn on the radio in Germany, it’s mostly English songs.”

Even weekends show quite a few similarities, consisting of teenagers going into the city for the day and going to movies occasionally.

The only prominent difference is that you have to be 18 to drive in Germany, but for $10 they can get a full day of transportation on the train or subway. Breuer explained that once you turn 16 in Germany you’re allowed to drink and go to clubs. As a result, clubbing is a regular weekend activity for teenagers.

Indonesia proves to be quite different compared to life for teenagers here. Made up of 18,000 islands and

700 different languages, Indonesia is one of the largest Muslim countries in the world. There are a wide variety of tribes and traditional dances within those regions.

Rice is also a big part of Indonesian life. During a presentation to his class one day, Alif explained that he would eat rice at every meal, breakfast included. While fast food is a big part of American life, Alif said Indonesia doesn’t have the fast food that exists in the United States.

Money in Indonesia is also quite different from the United States.

The U.S. equivalent to the cost of a ride on public transportation in Indonesia is 20 cents compared to our $1.50 transportation fee for youth on Community Transit.

Alif explained that he chose to come to America because he wanted to experience the American educational system.

“You guys move from one class to another class and we don’t in Indonesia, so the differences are the reason I wanted to come here,” he said.

From American flags to bald eagles, American nationalism is present in our society. Most Americans grow up being taught to love their country. American spirit isn’t just limited to that of our country, but for our school as well. Many students can relate to the excitement leading up to spirit weeks, especially Homecoming. Americans are so used to this routine that they don’t consider people in other countries don’t have this experience.

“In Germany, you don’t have spirit at all. It’s like in America you’re proud of your country. You think, ‘yeah my country is good!’ You’re proud of your school. In Germany, not at all. You’re not proud of your country. If you’re proud of your country they just nearly call you a Nazi because of the Second World War,” Breuer explained.

Both Alif and Breuer cited that their biggest difficulty with being an exchange student is not being recog…continued on page 19

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December 2014 | 19 …continued from page 18

nized as an exchange student because that has blonde hair and white complexion and they really want to talk they look like everyone else. to you because they want to practice “If they know your story, if you talk their English.” to them and say ‘I am an exchange If being an exchange student interstudent’ and you talk about your ests you but you’re worried about country then they’re interested,” missing your friends or family, Alif Breuer said. “If you just see them and and Breuer agreed that you don’t have they see you, they’re not interested much time to because they miss anything. don’t realize.”

“Here, people don’t really “I don’t have Alif went on know me because I look like time to think to explain that anyone else. People might about Germany. the diversity think I was born here.”

You have school, here shocked Rahmatan Alif you have homehim. senior exchange student work, you have “Washington your family and state is a really I know that it is just one year, it’s not diverse state and it has many races so long, “ Breuer said.

“Three months like Koreans and Mexicans and many have already gone by and to me it others. Here, people don’t really know feels like one.” me because I look like anyone else.

People might think I was born here,” Being an exchange student means fitting in as much of a new culture as he said. “If you go, as an American, you can into 10 months while buildto Indonesia as an exchange student, you’ll just have to sit in your class and ing new friendships and living a new life. do nothing and everybody else comes “Exchange isn’t just a year in a life, to you because they all have black hair it’s a life in a year,” Alif stated. H and you are the one and only student

Exchange students Henri Breuer and Rahmatan Alif traveled thousands of miles from their homes to attend school in the United States

20 | December 2014

Hawkeye

11 sports to try this winter Story by Luke Thurber Graphics by Erika Fisher and Michaela Chase Hawkeye staFF

Ice Skating Where: Lynnwood Ice Center When: Public sessions daily

Polar Bear Plunging

Where: Edmonds Beach and Matthews Beach in Seattle When: New Year’s Day The Polar Bear Plunge is when groups of people run into an ocean or lake, embracing the freezing temperatures. This is done most often as a New Year’s tradition on New Year’s Day for good luck in the coming year. It’s also done to raise money for charity and other non profit organizations. Places that many people go to participate in the polar plunge near MTHS include Edmonds Beach and Matthews Beach in Seattle.

When many people think of ice skating, they envision skating around a pond in the dead of winter and maybe falling down on the hard ice.

However, beginners can enjoy safe and fun ice skating, too. Competitive ice skating is a major part of the Winter Olympics. People all across the world all year long compete in figure skating and speed skating. Figure skating was the first winter sport included in the Olympics and includes the four categories of men’s singles, ladies’ singles, pair skating and ice dancing. But even if ice skating isn’t your life’s ambition and you don’t plan on competing in the Olympics any time soon, you still might want to consider ice skating as an enjoyable pastime.

Skiing and Snowboarding Where: Crystal Mountain, Mt. Baker, Stevens Pass, The Summit at Snoqualmie and Alpental When: Daily based on snowfall and location In the winter, the most popular sports by far are skiing and snowboarding. These two sports go hand in hand. But ask any skier or snowboarder and they will tell you how very different they are from each other. For both of these sports, there are a large number of styles and types, both for competition and recreation. These include backcountry, trick parks, which include jumps and other objects to do tricks off of, and just normal runs down the mountain. The difference between the various passes and mountains is that they range in difficulty. For beginners, Snoqualmie would be the place to start. These winter sports only just recently became sports compared to how long they have been used as transportation and have only been picking up popularity ever since. If you are looking for something new this winter, skiing or snowboarding is a can’t miss.

Sledding and Tubing Where: Snoqualmie, Mt. Rainier and Leavenworth’s tubing park When: Daily based on snowfall and location Every time it snows in the area, children quickly rush out to sled down any hill in sight. Do you ever wish you could take this to the extreme? At Snoqualmie, Mt. Rainier and the Leavenworth tubing park, you can. This type of sledding involves a tube rather than a normal sled, like inter tubing but down a mountain. This tubing is fun for anyone who loves the snow and an adrenaline rush.

Hawkeye

December 2014 | 21

Snowshoeing

Snowmobiling

Where: Accessible hiking trails When: Daily based on snowfall and location

Where: Leavenworth When: Daily based on snowfall and location

Many people love to enjoy nature in the snow, but hiking in the snow can be difficult and dangerous.

Snowshoeing is just like hiking but with snowshoes. Snowshoes are an attachment to your shoes that displace your weight over a larger surface area so that you don’t sink into the snow. This makes it easier to walk and get from place to place. One are that’s almost always be good for snowshoeing is Mt. Rainier, along with other mountain parks in the area.

Have you ever wanted to go snowmobiling through the mountains?

Leavenworth might be the place to go. Leavenworth is full of natural wonder ready to be explored and the easiest way to do that is by snowmobiling. This exciting experience is perfect for explorers and people who just want to have a good time cruising around the snow.

Ice Hockey Where: Lynnwood Ice Center When: Weekdays The most popular sport on ice that seems to be so often overlooked in this area just because it’s not part of many local schools is hockey. Hockey is as brutal as football, needs the endurance of a basketball player, and the skill of a soccer player. This winter sport is overall the most popular of the winter team sports. Even though there are not many schools in the state that have hockey teams, many cities and youth organizations have recreational teams for those who want to play. Also, on weekdays the Lynnwood Ice Center is open for people to practice their hockey skills on the ice. If you don’t want to play yourself, consider going to an Everett Silvertips game.

Curling Where: Granite Curling Club When: Most days of the week If you are looking for something new to do that you have probably never played or even seen, curling might be your best bet. Most people think that you will only be able to find curling up north in Canada, but actually all you have to do is go down to Seattle to the Granite Curling Club.

Curling is a sport that is a lot more than just sliding rocks and sweeping ice. It requires much skill and strategy, too.

Ice Fishing Where: Fish Lake When: Any day based on weather Ice fishing is very dangerous, but also very rewarding. Drilling holes and being on ice just above freezing water can be extremely dangerous if not done correctly. If you are not careful or do not take precautions, you could fall through the ice. Even though it can be dangerous, it is very rewarding to catch that perfect fish after hours in the freezing cold.

Snowball Fighting Where: Seattle area When: Depends on event Have you ever wanted to be a part of a huge snowball fight with a few hundred people? Events like Seattle Snow Day may be your chance. These events attract people who love the snow and want to enjoy it even in snowless Seattle winters. H

22 | December 2014

Hawkeye

Father-Daughter

Ball

Moms & Sons are welcome, too!

7 to 9 p.m. · Saturday · February 14 in the Mountlake Terrace High School HUB

Don’t miss out on this special evening !

Yes, moms and sons are welcome, too.

Refreshments • DJ • Special Guests • Prizes • Photographer This event is for parents and children. Semi-formal attire is suggested.

This 2nd Annual Event is Brought to you by THE HAWKEYE

MORE INFO & SPONSOR INFO: 425.431.5014 or ads@theHawkeye.org

PRESALE TICKETS & TICKETS AT THE DOOR

Hawkeye

December 2014 | 23

DIFFICULT SEASONS AHEAD FOR THE HAWKS Many teams are experiencing challenges after the loss of key players to graduation and injuries

By Josh Morrison, Irvin Zhang and Austin McDermott Photos by Jack Fiorillo Hawkeye staff

Wrestling: settling in and finding new stars What the Hawks lack in overall team points they make up for with individual grit. Last year the Hawks sent five wrestlers to state despite not even having a full lineup. Returning state competitors Taron Castleton, Daniil Oliferovskiy and Hailee Malins look to lead the team to even more individual success. In their second season, coaches Grant Thompson and Josh Gilmore look to settle in and build a continually winning program.

Castleton has nothing but high praise for his two young coaches. “It was incredible to have Coach Grant and Coach Josh step in and be able to take that role as a coach. What we needed was somebody to push us and they’ve had those experiences. Both have been college wrestlers. Coach Grant was a state champion in high school, took second [in state] another year, and went on to be a college wrestler. He’s been pushing us every single day, building us up.”

The Hawks still struggle as a team, being held back by their limited roster size, giving up a total of four lineup spots to forfeits nearly every match, but they still excel as individuals.

“Right now we’re trying to focus more on the endgame, like Districts and State because we have so many holes in our lineup,” Castleton said.

Oliferovskiy is ranked eighth in 3A in state in the 160pound weight class, while Castleton comes in ninth in the 145-pound weight class.

The Hawks found some mid-season help from star football running back Malcolm Johnson to wrestle in the 220-pound weight class. “[Johnson joining] was really exciting. We feel like he’s going to bring in a lot of fans because people know him as a really good running back, but what some people don’t know is he’s also a really good wrestler,” Castleton said.

The team still holds a bright future.

Freshman Jasmine Zenk looks for an open Hawk during the women’s game against Lynnwood on Dec. 6 at the Terraceum, where the “We have guys like Kevin Massey who came out of nowhere Hawks lost 75-8. The powerhouse Royals are ranked among the top teams in the entire nation. from last year and now he’s our captain. One of our JV guys, history, going 16-4 during the regular season. They defeated “It takes a lot of breaking down the basics… showing them Alex Nelson just got his first win,” Castleton said. the Meadowdale Mavericks three times in one season after things other teams do and things they could do to get better.

He remains particularly high on Nelson, a freshman wresnever even winning a game against the Mavs in the 26 years We’ll have Sam [Romanowski] and Riley [Zucker] around to tling in the 145-pound weight class. prior. Then there was one of the greatest games of all time put it in their ear about things they can do even if they think “He came in this season not knowing anything about wreswhen the Hawks defeated the Edmonds-Woodway Warriors they can’t do it.” tling and by his fourth match he pinned a guy,” Castleton by a score of 63-62 despite trailing by a score of 60-40 with Senior leadership will be another huge factor in order said. “That’s what wrestling’s all about. Having those experito help such a young squad in the right direction. On top just six minutes left to play. The Hawks’ season – and a ences where you just feel like a champion. No matter who chance to go to the Tacoma Dome for the first time in school of losing stars Maddy Kristjanson and Nikkie Froehlich, you beat you feel like a champion.” senior Samantha Romanowski suffered a torn ACL injury history – came down to the final shot of the season as the playing basketball over the summer, and she is sidelined for Hawks came up just short of the Lincoln Abes 61-59 last the entire 2014-15 Hawks season. This leaves Zucker the February. responsibility of leading this team.

This season, the goals for the current women’s Hawks “It’s tough,” Wilde said. “I’m glad that it’s squad have changed drastically. “Our goal Riley [Zucker] who’s our lone senior, and is to sneak into the final spot of Districts,” “Our goal is to sneak eventually Sam [Romanowski] was going to said coach Zach Wilde. “Mainly, we just into the final spot leave, it just happened to be one year earlier It seems as if both basketball programs at Mountlake need to get better every day.” of districts. Mainly, than anyone thought. But life is going to go Terrace are going through big transitions this year. This is Getting better and improving is what we just need to get on.

We just have to deal with what we have especially true for the extremely young Hawks squad, led by will be the most important factor for the better everyday.” and get better from it.” lone senior guard Riley Zucker.

Hawks this season. Aside from Zucker Zach Wilde Last year was one for the record books. The Hawks’ womand two junior players, the team is mostly Women’s basketball head coach ...continued on page 24 en’s basketball team finished with the best record in school composed of sophomores and freshmen.

Women’s basketball: young team looks to recover after rough start

24 | December 2014 ...continued from page 23

And that’s what the Hawks will look to do: deal with their loss of Romanowski and just focus on improving the roster they currently have. It’s sure to be an exciting season still as the Hawks will only improve and young players will really start to blossom.

Men’s basketball: a rebuilding year for the Hawks For most current students’ lives, the Hawks men’s basketball team has been a perennial powerhouse.

Recent graduates such as Blake Fernandez, Marquis Armstead, Coby Russell, Ryan Shannon, Loren LaCasse, Greg Bowman, Jesse Zerom and Michael Lotz, to name just a few, the Hawks enjoyed the spoils of winning for a many seasons – including four straight trips to the state tourney.

Just two seasons ago, the Hawks finished fourth in the state in defeating an absolutely stacked Seattle Prep Panthers team in the Tacoma Dome by a score of 54-43.

“We don’t have any 6’8” or 6’7” [players] like we did last year, but that doesn’t matter.

All we have to do is be tough.

This whole team is tough.”

Derek Anyimah Junior forward

But as is with every high school sports team, players are bound to graduate and team rosters are bound to fluctuate.

This is very much so the case with the Hawks squad this year. With the departures of Bowman (who now suits up for the Washington Huskies) and LaCasse, a new age for the Hawks basketball team has ensued.

With just three seniors in the entire program, two of whom are playing varsity for the first time, the Hawks are relying on their developing talent to lead the way. In the Hawks first four games, this has proved to be very true. Junior forward Derek Anyimah is leading the team with an average of 14.5 points per game. Junior wing Gabe Altenberger is close behind with an average of 13.5 points per game.

Not only have the Hawks lost some of their star power from the past, but they’ve lost size as well. The tallest member of the Hawks team this year caps out around 6’4”, compared to the luxury of having multiple players around 6’8” last season.

“We don’t have any 6’8” or 6’7” [players] like we did last year, but that doesn’t matter,” Anyimah said. “All we have to do is be tough.

This whole team is tough.”

Hawkeye That among other fundamental skills are key for the Hawks this season. They are in store for a season where their best players will be improving every day. Making sure to focus on just getting better is what’s most important this season.

The Hawks’ young guards are going to be a key focus, as nearly all of them have the potential to be dark horses and make a major impact on defense.

Sophomore Adam Lorraine is a very athletic defensive-minded guard that has the potential to break out. Junior Gabe Powter will attempt to spread the offense along with senior wing Ryan LaCasse, the younger brother of Loren, who joined the squad for the first time in his senior year and has already brought a solid presence inside the paint.

Still, with some explosive offensive talent and a quickly developing roster, the Hawks are sure to turn some heads along the way.

Men’s swim: looking to state and the future Few sports are more physically demanding for the duration of their in-game action than swimming. The utter physical demand it requires to propel one’s body through a pool of water for up to 500 meters is rather amazing.

Following a season where the men’s Hawks swim team sent two swimmers, Sam Armentrout and Connor Bruce, to state, they look to expand on their success while still building for the future.

Junior captain Joey May remains optimistic regarding the Hawks’ future.

“Everybody’s feeling pretty up. Seeing the results of all this practicing, [and] once guys start being super successful, which I think they will be, we’ll definitely turn very optimistic,” May said.

Armentrout, a senior and May’s fellow captain, competed in both the 100 meter breaststroke and 200 meter individual medley last season and is looking to build off his success this season, hopefully bringing other swimmers to state with him as well.

May is also a state hopeful.

“Sam will definitely go to state again. I definitely have a goal of going to state [and] I can do it if I try really hard. [Sophomore] Zach Haorian is also state capable. If we can really get our relay team down [and] really optimize our speed, we definitely have potential of going to state.

The Hawks have already been working hard leading into the season, with their team featuring much youth who already made the varsity squad, including freshman Aaron Cox. “The thing we’re focusing on mostly is endurance and conditioning. We’ve been working on a lot of technique because we have a lot of young swimmers. [Things like] how to do flip turns, dives, and doing them correctly and legally so you don’t get disqualified,” Cox said. H

Top: Sophomore guard Gabe Powter is introduced before the Hawks game against Roosevelt High School. Bottom: Junior wing Ryan LaCasse goes up for a shot in the paint against Roosevelt on Dec. 10. The Hawks fell to the Metro League Roughriders 49-26.