Hawkeye 6 2015

Hussain shines through her music

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firefighting is in Gerow’s futurE

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Changing the fate of Hawks hoops

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June 2015 | Volume 30 | Issue 7 Mountlake terrace high school | 21801 44th Ave. W Mountlake Terrace wA 98043

Hawkeye www.thehawkeye.org

Celebrating the class of 2015

Their futures start now

Graduates’ high school experiences guide them as they decide which path they’ll take next.

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2 | June 2015

Hawkeye

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Hawkeye

June 2015 | 3 hawkeye Leadership ‘15-’16

HAWKEYE

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June 2015 | Volume 30 | Issue 7

Chick-fil-A

Fighting fires

Do you know what the money you spend on that chicken sandwich goes toward?

As a participant in the intra-district firefighting class, senior Lucas Gerow has trained for his career and emerged as a leader.

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Battling cancer

Court master

A passion for science led senior Vera Okolo to an unforgettable summer internship.

Senior Samantha Romanowski’s injury may have kept her on the bench this basketball season, but nothing will keep her from the game.

Mapping out their next destination Seniors are traveling across the city, coast, nation and world to further their education and training.

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Inspired Though he came from a troubled background, senior Oscar Guzman now succeeds in sales and inspiration.

Netania Rivera | Hawkeye

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Retirement

“I was like, ‘[High school] is scary, I really need to find a group of friends.’

I needed someplace to be.”

Science teacher Gil Comeau bids farewell to MTHS as he move on to the next stages of his life.

Danielle Hirano Senior

Editorial Board Paxtyn Merten, Isaac Otis, Netania Rivera, Luke Thurber, Stephi Smith, Ian Moffet Editorial News Editor Stephi Smith Sports Editor Irvin Zhang Feature Editor Maxine Taylor Op/Ed Editors Ian Moffet & Sarah Schank Lifestyle Editor Max Tracy Business General Manager Luke Thurber Distribution Manager Joshua Morrison Event Coordinator Hannah Schuster Visual Graphics Editor Netania Rivera Photo Editor Jack Fiorillo Design Editor Arsha Kiani Online Online Manager Isaac Otis Multimedia Manager Alex Croce ........................................................

2015-2016 Hawkeye Staff Anthony Markert, AsiaLee Donnelly, Clohey Horton, Edwin Olivera, Emily Anderson, Katrina Pirie, Katryna Garza, Kiah Helms, Lilly Stelmack, Luke Smith, Tessa King and Vivian Nowka-Keane Name in bold indicates the staff member of the month as selected by the Editorial Board. ........................................................

Adviser Vince DeMiero FANs Coordinators Sandra Merten & Cathy Fiorillo Printing Pacific Publishing Member .........................................................

An editor with a vision leaves his legacy A

Paxtyn Merten

MTHS ASB, JEA/WJEA, NSPA, Student Press Law Center, Tao of Journalism

Letter from the Editor

bittersweet taste accompanies the end to yet another school year, forcing itself upon the taste buds of all.

As seniors bid farewell to each other, teachers and other students, they leave behind only their legacy.

Paxtyn Merten Editor-in-chief While some seniors made massive contributions to their school and others interacted with it very little, each student has put their mark on MTHS. Memories, clubs, schoolwork, records, you name it. The class of 2015 has done it all.

One name in particular sticks out among the rest. Hawkeye Editor-in-Chief, Honor Society member, Link Leader, Washington representative at the Al Neuharth Free

Editor-in-Chief

Spirit Conference and United States Senate Youth Program, student representative to the school board and friend of many – Nick Fiorillo.

Fiorillo’s impact on last long after his high school days are up. The innovations that he carried out as Editor-in-Chief of the Hawkeye in order to better serve readers will continue well into the future.

As a member of Hawkeye leadership his sophomore year, Fiorillo had a vision. He saw the inefficiencies of the paper – at that time a monthly broadsheet newspaper.

People would often pick up the paper on the first day it was out, read old stories and proceed to toss it in the recycle bin. After the first couple of days on the stands, the paper was old news and no new eyes would skim its pages.

So, when Fiorillo took over as the Editorin-Chief, he asked his new leadership team

Mission

the question: What ways can we best serve our readers? How can we give our audience news in the right medium at the right time?

From there, we made a decision: we planned to redesign our paper as a newsmagazine, focusing primarily on feature stories which would stay relevant for the entire duration of the time the paper was available in the stands. To compensate, we would focus more of our time, energy and resources on providing frequent news stories on our website, thehawkeye.org, and social media feeds. This way, people would be getting the full story right after the event or, in some cases, as it happened.

Our new focus was to keep the paper timeless and the website timely. It worked.

However, it may not have happened without Fiorillo’s dedication to see it through.

He worked seemingly endless hours, keeping leadership and staff members on their continued on page 4...

Contact Us

Email editor@thehawkeye.org | Phone 425.431.7770 | Website www.thehawkeye.org | Twitter @MTHSHawkeye | @MTHSports | @MTHSWeather Instagram @MTHSHawkeye | Facebook MTHS Hawkeye | Youtube MTHSHawkeyeTube Mail Hawkeye Room 130 c/o Mountlake Terrace High School 21801 44th Avenue West Mountlake Terrace, WA 98043

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

Policies

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

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

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

Editorial Cartoons Submissions represent the view of the artist.

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

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

Revised 9/2013

........................................................

Cover Photo/illustration

By Netania Rivera and Jack Fiorillo © 2015 Hawkeye | All rights reserved.

reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.

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Hawkeye

Satisfying taste at the cost of equality

ould you like a side of morals with your chicken sandwich?

A new fast food restaurant has opened in Lynnwood: Chick-fil-A. This chicken selling franchise sits right next to Lowes, reeling in MTHS students as customers day after day.

But when the consumer gets out their wallet and hands that Stephi Smith $5.25 to the cashier, it’s not just a News Editor chicken sandwich they’re buying.

The money is also being given to an anti-LGBT corporation that is funded from the profit.

Chick-fil-A president Dan Cathy said in an interview with Ken Coleman that he believes supporting same sex marriage is “inviting God’s judgment on our nation and shaking our fist at Him.” Cathy also called gay marriage “twisted up kind of stuff.”

Okay, so this man doesn’t support gay marriage. So what?

Well, as the president of Chick-fil-A, he does hold a lot of power. And what Cathy does with that power is where the consumer comes into the picture.

According to EqualityMatters.org, Chick-fil-A donated “There’s a fine line between free exercise of religion and breaking the law.” nearly $2 million in 2009 to various anti-gay organizations, such as the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA), that do, in fact, use 100 percent of their money to oppress gay people in the United States.

For instance, the FCA holds a National College Conference every year. Conference Program Director Danny Burns described the conference as one in which “God freed some people from homosexuality, sexual sins, addictions and even ushered newcomers into His Kingdom.”

Burns’ comment is suggesting that homosexuality is a sin.

Do you really want to be giving this man your money?

But, aren’t Chick-fil-A corporate leaders just using their First Amendment right to run a company based from the

Bible? Well, no. There’s a fine line between free exercise of religion and breaking the law.

In a 2011 court case, a former Chick-fil-A employee stated that she had been fired because her supervisor, Jeff Howard, wanted her to be a “stay-home mother.” The employee was later replaced with a man, the woman said.

Blatant misogyny and firing someone because you do not agree with the values they hold at home is not protected by the First Amendment. It’s a violation of the law. No corporation should be allowed to subjectively fire their employees.

Being apathetic about the oppression happening all over the world, doesn’t get you off the hook either. Not caring about the oppression happening all over the world toward gay people is much worse than not knowing.

Not knowing about Chick-fil-A doesn’t make you evil, however. I’ll be of the first to admit that I don’t look into every fast food restaurant I visit in order to see their stance on politics. However, multiple rallies opposing Chick-fil-A and their beliefs have been held outside the Lynnwood location.

If the sight of people holding signs that read things such as “Evil Fil A” doesn’t catch your eye, I’m not sure what will.

After seeing something like that, most would at least Google the controversy involved with it.

Okay, yes, Chick-fil-A is bad.

But how is not buying a $5.25 chicken sandwich supposed to fix anything?

Just because I, one

person, choose to not go there, it won’t shut down Chickfil-A. It’s just one chicken sandwich.

Despite this horribly flawed logic, I really don’t see why you would want to spend money at a fast food chain that both donates to and supports companies that are widely famous for oppressing gay people.

A single person not buying from a hugely popular fast food chain will not stop it, yes. But if everyone had that attitude and mind set, nothing would get done.

If every student at MTHS believes this and buys “ just one chicken sandwich,” Chick-fil-A grows more and more. And more and more LGBT citizens in America are oppressed. And it only costs $5.25.

Eat your heart out, but not at Chickfil-A. H

Netania Rivera | Hawkeye

Taking the lead with a balance of assertiveness and humility ...continued from page 3

toes and writing countless stories for the web himself.

Since then, our website has won several top 10 Best of Show awards at national conventions against the best and brightest of student journalists throughout the nation.

We also earned our first-ever Pacemaker for websites – the highest honor for student journalism.

However, it’s not about the awards. Though the Hawkeye earned praise, Fiorillo never stopped trying to improve it, focusing on

what is in the best interest of our readers.

Fiorillo has taken on many roles: encourager, disciplinarian, helper, peacekeeper, friend, mentor, editor and leader. Throughout his tenure I have witnessed him take on all of these different personas and find ways to balance them. It was apparent to me that he toiled with assertiveness and friendliness, attempting to maintain appropriate power over his peers while remaining their equal.

Overall, he managed to achieve that balance. That, more than anything else, is the mark of an admirable leader.

It wasn’t until stepping into Fiorillo’s worndown, oversized shoes that I realized the depth and complexity of the job he’s had for the past two years. The job consists of juggling a massive number of things at once, a feat Fiorillo made appear more simple than it is in reality.

Since taking over as Editor-in-Chief, I have gained a greater understanding of Fiorillo’s varying moods and actions at different times during the publication process and a greater amount of respect for the work that he did as the editor.

Managing people and content is a big enough job on its own, and the fact is that Fiorillo could do both while simultaneously advancing the Hawkeye in the most notable way since its inception in 1960.

While his next step takes him down to the University of Southern California and, eventually, beyond, Fiorillo lives on at MTHS through the structure and esteem of the Hawkeye. His name and legacy will be remembered by Hawkeye members and seen by the entire student body for years to come. H

Hawkeye

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June 2015| 5

one last Word from the former editor in chief

ratitude. After four years, I am leaving exceedingly grateful for the opportunities I have had as a Hawkeye staff member and for the individuals who have made it all possible.

I joined the Hawkeye as a freshman, wide-eyed Nick Fiorillo and a little lost in Editor Emeritus a school I thought then to be a massive labyrinth. But through the Hawkeye, I quickly found a home at Terrace.

The Hawkeye has provided countless students, such as yours truly, with countless opportunities over the years. And after being on the Hawkeye staff for these past four years, I have an enormous amount to be grateful for.

I am grateful for the other students

involved in the program for their hard Neighborhood News Network, along with work, wisdom, leadership and innovation.

HBN, has allowed us to provide unprecThe Hawkeye has been and always will be edented live sports to viewers across the a student produced and student led news region via our Sound Live Sports Network. organization. Students, not administrators I am grateful for our administrators for or staff, make all of the content decisions. their continued support of scholastic jourBut that is no easy task. The students that I nalism free of prior review or restraint of have worked with on the Hawkeye have been any kind. There’s a reason MTHS has once some of the most thoughtful, dedicated and again been named a First Amendment Press talented individuals I Freedom School, have met. It has been and a large part of “I joined the Hawkeye as a that comes from a pleasure working freshman, wide-eyed and a little the main office. alongside the memlost in a school I thought then I am grateful for bers of four different to be a massive labyrinth. But the parents and Hawkeye staffs. through the Hawkeye, I quickly alumni who help in I am grateful for found a home at Terrace.” a number of ways, the many sponsors from chaperoning and mentors we trips to presenting at retreats to cooking have worked with over the years. The ads meals for the staff when they’re at school far you see in the paper and online help us to too late on a weekend. be independent and self-sustaining. Our I am grateful for our incredible adviser, partnership with Teresa Wippel and the My

Vince DeMiero. Vince truly is the epitome of what it means to be an outstanding educator. He sacrifices far more than he should have to in order to provide so many students with so many remarkable opportunities.

There’s just no one else like him.

But I am most grateful to you, our readers.

I am grateful for the trust you have placed in us and the continued support you show us by reading, watching, following, subscribing and however else you now interact with the Hawkeye.

I’m leaving the Hawkeye in far better hands than mine, as Paxtyn Merten is your new Editor-in-Chief. I have no doubt she and the rest of the Hawkeye staff will serve you well next year.

Thank you all – students, teachers, parents, community members, sponsors, administrators, DeMieros – for all you have done for me and for the students who have found a special place in this fantastic organization. H

The state of journalism: Freedoms hang in the balance

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hether it be reporting on the forefront of the civil that news be a major war in another country or a controversociety began counting in 1978. In the decade from 2003 war in Syria, covering on a local story in suburbia, or sial topic a local politician is addressing. through 2012, a total of 16,200 jobs were lost, according to interviewing a politician, journalism and the journalists who The freedom of the press is not something unique to just the editors group.” report these stories are essential the United States. This right should be an international On almost all fronts, it seems as if the concept of journalto a free and informed society. right. ism is being attacked at a time when we need journalism the Without journalism and the The World Press Freedom Index reports that the United most. freedom of the press, society States is 49th in the world in press freedom. Censorship does Since Daniel Defoe, the first of many journalists, those who goes backward and no progress not just occur in countries like Iraq and Eritrea, it happens followed in his footsteps have made a huge impact on society. can ever be made in an efficient right here in America.

From Benjamin Franklin to Bob Woodward, journalists manner.

This is a scary idea to process. Here, in the United States, influence society in sometimes revolutionary ways. So, it is a Ian Moffet Sadly, this happens to be the we censor our journalists and our citizens. terrifying reality that such a significant job in our society is Op/Ed co-Editor case in many countries across We need professional journalism more than ever. We have being marginalized, relegated economically and physically, the world. According to the an ever-expanding and intrusive government. People every and censored.

Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), all across the world, day are becoming less aware of factual news and becoming As a whole, we all need to realize the all-too-important role “...from 2011 to 2012 the number of Journalists behind bars less concerned about news and information. This deteriorajournalism plays in any society, and need to start giving jourbecause of their work increased from 53 to 232.” The study tion of the state of journalism mirrors the state of our socinalism the credit and respect it deserves, whether it be in the goes on to say that, “...over the past two decades a journalety in America; we are turning into an ill-informed people U.S. or worldwide. H ist is killed once every eight days.” Since that would rather be spoon fed Producers Publishers/ Technicians Owners 1992, 1129 journalists have been killed misleading information than be “On almost all fronts, 5 percent 2 percent 1129 4 percent in the field. informed. it seems as if the Journalists concept of journalism These are all somber statistics. One The Pew Research Center conkilled In is being attacked at could say we are very lucky in the United ducted a study called “State of a time when we need action since States compared to countries like Eritrea the News Media,” which found journalism the most.” and North Korea, deemed the two most that even on social media when 1992 Broadcast Reporter censored countries in the world by CPJ, people look at the news, they are 25 percent or Iraq where over 167 journalists have been killed. becoming less engaged with the news media Print Reporter Worldwide, the state of journalism does not look good. CPJ they’re looking at.

28 percent Camera deputy director Robert Mahoney says on the censorship of Journalism isn’t just taking a physical blow Operators journalists, “When journalists are silenced, whether through mustered through oppressive governments 14 percent violence or laws, we all stand to lose because perpetrators are and censorship. It has taken an economic able to obscure misdeeds, silence dissent, and disempower blow also. Another Pew Research study called Columnist citizens.”

Print reporter “Losses in Legacy” reported, “According to 9 percent Editors Journalism and ethical reporting exist so that injustices like the annual American Society of Newspaper 15 percent *These statistics were this don’t go unnoticed. Censorship of journalists is not just Editors survey, the number of full-time Internet Reporters gathered from the censoring reporters, but the people and the public as a whole. newsroom jobs in 2012 (the last year for 4 percent Committee to Protect The people deserve to know about what is going on locally which complete data are available) slipped to Photographers Journalists and worldwide without that access being hindered, whether 38,000. That is the lowest number since the 10 percent

6 June 2015

So long, farewell 2015 Goodbye and I’ll see (some of) you next year

I

t’s June. Graduation is next week. Seniors port students in the classroom and assist our are headed off to college, military, work and teachers in delivering an excellent education to other adventures. For those of us returning next all our students. year, we get to look And finally our Office Professionals who make forward to a long sure our school runs smoothly each day and summer break. support our students and staff in so many ways.

Before we get out Third, I want to thank our athletic coaches of here for the sumand club advisors. The performances by our athmer, I want to offer letic teams during all three of our sport seasons up some thank you’s would not be possible if we did not have caring Greg Schwab to the people who and committed coaches who work tirelessly to Principal make MTHS such a prepare their athletes to be successful on the special place. field, court, pool, or course. Congratulations to First, thank you to the amazing staff of teachour programs and athletes who represented our ers in our school. Our teachers school so well! The many clubs care very much about student and groups that we have in our “We are truly success and they work diligentschool are possible because of the fortunate to have ly each day to help make sure dedication of staff members who teachers who work that you are learning as much stepped up and took on these so hard and care as you can in each of your roles. so much about classes. We are truly fortunate Fourth, thank you to our the success of all to have teachers who work so Performing Arts teachers and students!” hard and care so much about students. We have truly outstandthe success of all students! ing programs that are competitive Second, thank you to our classified employat the national level and produce some truly ees. These are the people who work behind the talented student performers in vocal music, scenes to make sure our school runs smoothly. instrumental music, and drama. These students Our Kitchen Staff makes sure that breakfast and staff are another reminder of what makes and lunch are prepared each day.

MTHS such an outstanding place to go to Our Custodial Staff makes sure our building school. is clean and well-cared for. Jerry Myers makes Finally, thank you to our ASB. You have done sure our campus is safe and that students are an excellent job this year in providing leaderwhere they are supposed to be. Sue VanSenus ship to our school and helping to create a place helps make sure that our 9th graders and other where all students are welcomed and supported. students are being successful in their classes.

To everyone, I wish you all the best and hope Mike Boxley who works hard in a tough job that you have an amazing summer! H managing student discipline and making sure Note: The Hawkeye provides the MTHS administration space each our school policies are followed by all. issue in the Op/Ed section as part of our mission as a designated Our Educational Assistants work to help supopen public forum.

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Hawkeye

Another good year in the books Yes, It’s that time of year again

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ith every beginning, there’s an ourselves for future members. end. As we are nearing the end Collectively, ASB is always scrutinized of the class of 2015’s time at MTHS it and criticized for poor communication. is also a time In the age of technology, we have no filled with excuse for that. excitement.

If we look around at the students at this Graduation school (or any school for that matter), the is just around majority of students have smart phones. the corner There’s no reason for us to not be able to and the utilize that to our advantage. seniors are We want to try our best to shed the Irvin Zhang on the doorcriticism and make sure that ASB as a ASB Public Relations Officer step to the whole is communicating well and effecnext stage tively. of their lives. With that said, as we say We want to make sure that information our heartwarming good-byes to the class is transparent between all members of of 2015, I would like to also give a big ASB. thank you and a goodThe last big goal bye to the seniors that that is on our list is “We hope that we were on executive ASB: to always strive to be can not only continue Taron, Alisha, Maci and as inclusive as posto uphold but to Andrew. sible. make an example of Along with their good We are students ourselves for future byes comes greetings and just like everyone members.” good wishes to the new else and all students executive ASB members deserve a voice. as well returning ones.

We want to make Liya, Gene, Andrea, Kaitlyn, Cody and sure that every voice and every opinion at I are very excited for the next year and all MTHS is heard and taken into account. that it will hold.

As the late, great Stuart Scott would We hope that we can accomplish all of always say, I hope and wish that this year the many (and I do mean many) goals has been and that next year will “be as that we’ve set for ourselves. cool as the other side of the pillow”. H ASB, as most of us know, stands for the Note: The Hawkeye provides the Associated Student associated student body. Our actions are Body space each issue in the Op/Ed section as part of our meant to be one with all of the students’ mission as a designated open public forum. wishes.

We hope that we can not only continue to uphold but to make an example of

The 2014-2015 school year in perspective

irst of all, I would like to thank the Hawkeye for givend of my high school career, I’m sure I never did a proper ing me a spot in their award winning newspaper each job of thanking those that helped me along the way. When edition. I like to think I am in the journalistic company I was growing up, there was no “Baby on Board” generation. of names like Adults told you the truth and it wasn’t DeMiero, Jude, always pretty. My first grade teacher, Mrs. Khadivi, Fiorillo, Heathcutt, said my cursive was the worst “There are a lot Karnoski and she had seen in 30 years of teaching (this of good people Nguyen, then I was 1962). She told me to start writing here at Terrace doing a lot of spell something with my left hand. I was devastated and really good wrong and come was made fun of beyond belief. However, Kim Stewart things for a lot athletic director/activities crashing back to I started to eat, brush my teeth and drink coordinator of people.” earth and rememwith my left hand. By the time I got to high ber I’m still really just a dumb jock. school, I could handle a basketball with both hands.

Okay, sorry, got off on a different tangent.

Or did I? When each of you think back on the 2014 – 2015 My senior year, it hit me. If Mrs. Heathcutt hadn’t made school year, what comes to mind? I’ll bet there is something me start writing with my left hand, I wouldn’t be getting recruited by hundreds of colleges right then. I thought, “I you forgot. How many people did you make sure you took need to go up to Whittier Elementary School and thank the time to thank? Thinking back over 40 years ago to the

her.” Well, I was about 6 years too late. She had already moved onto that great big school house in the sky. I was really sad that I couldn’t tell her my cursive still stunk but my hoops career was thriving.

There are a lot of good people here at Terrace doing a lot of really good things for a lot of people. You underclassmen have little time that seniors do not, but time you have. Time to just stop in or leave a little card in their box, or, I can’t believe I’m saying this, e-mail them and tell them thanks. It goes a lot farther than you think.

I still have every card, gift, and token of thanks I have ever gotten from a student, athlete or parent in my 34 years in education. Go ahead, make somebody’s day, TELL THEM THANKS. Good luck class of 2015 and THANK YOU for a year full of great memories. H NOTE: Hawkeye provides the Athletics and Activities office space each issue in the Op/Ed section as part of our mission as a designated open public forum.

Hawkeye

“If I think I’m done, I go and find something to do.”

June 2015| 7

Senior Vera Okolo keeps science and activities as her top priorities

By Isaac Otis Online Manager

Whether it’s in a lab or in the classroom, participating in one of her various clubs or volunteering, senior Vera Okolo goes above and beyond in and out of the classroom.

She wasn’t always this outgoing, however.

As a freshman, Okolo had a hard time adjusting at MTHS due to the fact that she had previously gone to private school and none of her friends transferred with her.

“I was really shy as a freshman and I didn’t really talk that much to people. It took me a while because none of my friends came with me and I didn’t know anyone,” Okolo said.

What encouraged Okolo to get involved was a friend during her sophomore year who helped her meet new people and come out of her shell.

Okolo’s first impression of MTHS was better than she expected, and she thought the people were was really nice.

“I didn’t really anticipate [MTHS] being so full of really nice people,” she said. “I had these bad perceptions of high school already from what I’ve heard from other people, but until I experienced it for myself, and maybe it’s just our school, but there are just a lot of nice people here and nice teachers that are willing to help and that was one thing about MTHS I was kind of ‘wow’ about.”

At the beginning of her sophomore year, Okolo decided to become a member of BSU, Key Club and was inducted into the National Honors Society. She stuck with these clubs for the remainder of her time at MTHS. The clubs Okolo joined were instrumental in her development at Terrace, and she regrets not getting involved her freshman year. “[If I could give myself one piece of advice] it would be don’t be shy, get in there and do something,” Okolo said.

When Okolo isn’t participating in a BSU or KEY club meeting, she most often finds herself in the MTHS library. “[The library] is sort of my hangout spot, I know that’s a little lame, but this is where I actually meet a lot of people and talk to people. I can concentrate here, obviously.”

Okolo said.

To Okolo, the serenity and the people are what draw her in.

“My best ideas come [to me] here,” she said. “If I’m trying to concentrate, or trying to think, or just need some time to myself, I [go] to the library.”

As a remarkably motivated individual, Okolo said part of her drive comes from a piece of advice she received when she was younger.

“Someone told me that there is always something to do. If you think you have nothing to do, go look for something to do,” she said. “If I think I’m done, I go and find something to do.”

In Okolo’s case, she has overcome some of her timidity and made use of her time by volunteering and tutoring children.

“I grew a little and I started looking for more opportunities to do things and [began] trying to help other people,” Okolo said.

Okolo volunteers her time at the Lynnwood Library, has tutored at Terrace Park Elementary and through Honor Society and does other volunteering through the clubs she’s involved in.

Okolo said her parents have always played a huge role in her encouragement.

“They always encouraged me in anything.

They value education overall and they always kind of pushed me since I was young,” Okolo said.

This is also why they enrolled Okolo in private school for the beginning of her educational career. Her private school is where she developed her passion for biology and the sciences.

Out of all the classes she has taken at MTHS, her favorites were chemistry and AP chemistry. Okolo said that this is because science teacher John Traxler is somehow able to make something like AP Chemistry fun to learn.

Okolo’s interest in chemistry and sciencerelated topics are among the primary reasons she stumbled upon an internship opening at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, commonly referred to as Fred Hutch. Okolo said she had been looking for internship opportunities for a while and never found anything until late in the year.

“I was in the computer room of my house, and I was just kind of… looking, and I just found it,” she said.

Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, more commonly referred to as Fred Hutch, is home to world-class scientists, including three Nobel Laureates. They have worked towards the prevention, detection and treatment for several cancers and other diseases.

With such a high profile reputation, it’s no wonder Okolo shared her concerns about applying for the internship program at Fred Hutch.

“I was really nervous. I wasn’t sure I could do it,” she said.

At that time, she said she didn’t think she should even sign up for it. One of the main reasons she ended up applying for the internship at Fred Hutch was vigorous encouragement from her parents.

Okolo said her parents made comments

Senior Vera Okolo works on a lab during her internship last summer at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. Photo courtesy of vera okolo such as ‘What are you talking about? You worked alongside her have created meaningcan do it! I don’t know why you doubt yourful connections. self.’ Okolo said after this talk she decided to Because of her experiences at Fred Hutch, apply and was later accepted. she said she really opened up and came out Once she was accepted, she said she essenof her shell. tially worked at Fred Hutch all summer.

“I wasn’t as timid anymore,” she said.

For her, it was “a lot of lab work and wet lab It also helped her decide what she wants to work,” where you use devices, follow lab pro- do as a career. cedures and do daily tests.

“I thought I wanted to be a doctor, but Although she did lab work often, Okolo then I found other facets of biology besides spent much of medicine and going to [Fred her time on other Hutch] helped me shape “[If I could give myself one tasks. She primarily [my post-high school plan], piece of advice] it would be worked in an office too,” Okolo said. don’t be shy, get in there and with a mentor who As she graduates from do something.” was studying HIV. MTHS and moves on to Vera Okolo Most of her work bigger and better things, Senior consisted of catOkolo plans to major in egorizing survey Molecular Biology at the information. That being said, most of what University of Washington (UW) in Seattle. she learned is extremely confidential as it Okolo said one of her proudest achieveinvolved real people. ments would have to be winning the Costco Even though Okolo worked the whole sum- Diversity Scholarship, which is awarded to mer, towards the end the whole group of students that are going to be attending the student interns and mentors came together UW. and did lab work together. Occasionally, they At $10,000 a year, she said it will cover would take breaks to play games. about half of her tuition.

Okolo said meeting everyone was at the top Okolo said that if she were to pick a favorof her list of experiences at Fred Hutch, and ite memory from her time her at MTHS, it the entire experience was a great opportuwould be all the people she met. nity.

“I met a lot of people here and some old “Those kinds of opportunities are really faces, too, from when I was younger,” she rare, because they are also really nice people,” said. she said.

Okolo said that meeting and having a good These experiences will help Okolo later in time with everyone is something she will life as well because she and the people that cherish for the years to come. H

8 | june 2015

Hawkeye

Motivational speaker, manager, achiever oscar guzman’s amazing ascent

on “questionable activities” rather than education.

Schwab still wanted to see Guzman succeed and is extremely happy he is now sharing his story with younger students who are contemplating the same lifestyle Guzman is familiar with.

“I believe in the beginning of junior year [Guzman] started to trust me a bit more and recognize that I wasn’t in the role to judge him for some illegal activity occurring in the community,” Schwab said. “My hope for [Guzman], and really for many others, is to show that there is another option.”

How he broke the cycle It wasn’t until Guzman’s sophomore year at MTHS that he

Senior Oscar Guzman poses in front of his current job place, Zumiez in Lynnwood. Guzman started the job the summer before his junior year and has worked there since. Jack fiorillo | Hawkeye

By Stephi Smith

tive to school. He said his “I cannot speak highly enough for [Guzman], he is Between his full time job as brother’s friends had mean truly one of a kind and I am so proud of him and a Zumiez manager, going to attitudes, so Guzman his family.” the gym twice a day and the began to be a bully in Julie Schwab occasional performance on middle school.

MTHS PSYCHOLOGIST stage as a motivational speak“I wanted people to er, senior Oscar Guzman does fear me, which was kind not have a moment to spare. of a bad mindset to have Which, as it turns out, is not because that’s eventually a problem for him, as he said he lives by the phrase “I’ll sleep what I ended up getting,” Guzman said. “No one wanted to when I’m dead.” be my friend.”

He called himself a “hood kid” and said he was depressed at the time. During that time, he was getting very bad However, his life has not always been this successful. grades, got in trouble with teachers and administrators at Guzman said in middle school he had a problematic life school and even got arrested twice. He said he’s grateful for both at home and in school. When Guzman attended Brier not having a record, though.

Terrace Middle School (BTMS), he was a self identified “I dug myself too deep,” Guzman said. “I was just stuck “troubled kid.” with my own demons.”

He said it was partly due to his brother, a high schooler at As he wore bright purple shoelaces, Guzman mentioned the time. that he used to wear black all the time in middle school. He “When I was entering middle school [my brother] was said he dressed like that because he was “soaked in sadness entering high school and for any younger brother you always and anger.” to be just like [your older brother]. They’re your motivators, Guzman brought that same attitude to his freshman year they’re your pushers and they’re basically your leadership figof high school. According to MTHS Psychologist Julie ure in a way,” Guzman said.

Schwab, Guzman was more focused on life outside of school and his friends.

Since his brother associated with gangs and people who She said the people in his friend group were more focused had negative attitudes, Guzman brought that same perspecnEws editor

A troubled life

began to turn things around. He saw that this lifestyle was not benefiting him and worked incredibly hard to improve his grades and outlook on life.

He began going to the gym and focusing on his studies.

Guzman shed his negative attitude for a more positive outlook on life.

It was during this time that Schwab introduced to him Mix it Up, a club which organizes lunchtime activities designed to encourage students to branch away from their set friend group.

Schwab said she approached Guzman because of his “neat character and charisma,” which was uncommon to see in a sophomore.

She said he immediately jumped on the idea and was involved in it from day one. She described him as a very active leader in the club and said he would always be of the first to email her back to say he could participate in a scheduled activity.

Schwab said she saw Guzman undergo an amazing change of character and personality during his sophomore year and stressed how proud she was of Guzman.

“I just think that something within him changed where he started developing a sense of self and trusting [others] a little bit more,” Schwab said. “I think people have always been encouraging Oscar to make good choices, but I think somehow it started to connect.”

While he was changing his attitude and lifestyle, he didn’t have much help from the sidelines. He said that no one was on his side and he had to do a lot of things alone.

Guzman then “failed forward” to junior year, a phrase he uses to describe how he used his mistakes to help him succeed later. His motivation and perseverance paid off at the end of the year, when his GPA jumped from a 3.0 to 3.9.

“I went into junior year thinking, ‘All right, it’s grinding time,’” Guzman said. “I really just committed junior year to personal growth.”

Schwab said Guzman’s accomplishments and the transformation he made during high school are of her favorite things to brag about.

“I cannot speak highly enough for [Guzman], he is truly one of a kind and I am so proud of him and his family,” Schwab said.

Guzman said he began to read books about leadership and self motivation, which helped him significantly. He

Hawkeye

june 2015 | 9

Guzman’s high school career Currently, Guzman is one of the managers of the Zumiez located at Alderwood Mall. He’s worked there since last year and was seen as the “golden child” by his district manager after he sold over $320,000 worth of merchandise in his first week. He said he enjoys working there because of the welcoming environment.

Along with his job, Guzman is very focused on his school work. He said the teachers at MTHS have shaped his character, especially his English teachers.

“By far my favorite class has got to be Mrs. Derr’s class,” Guzman said playfully as English teacher Gaynelle Derr passed by. “But if I had to think about teachers that really shaped my thinking, it has got to be my English teachers... because they’re so literate and everything they talk about is very logical.”

While he never finished an assigned book during his high school year, he said it was because of his English teachers that he began to read leadership books. If it wasn’t for them pushing him to always read, he may have never opened a book his junior year.

While Guzman has attended MTHS, he has been a member of DECA, Latino/a Educational Achievement Project and Colores Unidos, a club designed to strive for educational, cultural, social and political representation for Latinos. He Guzman made the “100k party” during his first year working at Zumiez. His manager nicknamed him the “golden child” afterward. has also been involved in numerous activities outside of school, such as volunteering.

Jack fiorillo | Hawkeye Guzman enjoys customizing bicycles in his spare time and Afterward, Sos asked him to speak at an assembly at has entered in multiple showcases, including ones that are spent a lot of time reading books by his favorite author, John BTMS. located at MTHS. Maxwell, which taught him valuable leadership skills.

It was a 10 minute speech and as he walked in front of Schwab said she would watch Guzman during lunch and The summer after his sophomore year, Schwab offered everybody, he froze up. He said he wasn’t used to so many noticed how, while others were staying in their own “clique,” Guzman a temporary job at the Edmonds School District eyes being fixated on him and his nerves got the best of him.

Guzman would walk up to other lunch tables and start conworking with technology. She said she did this because she Butterflies filled his stomach and he started stuttering. versations with strangers. realized his potential and wanted to “test his limits.”

After a few minutes, this nervousness cleared and he was She said that every student will change and mature in high She said he thrived in the summer job and took on a second able to speak clearly to the BTMS students. school, but Guzman took it to the next level. one at Zumiez.

“That was my first actual motivational speech where I really When he had two jobs, Guzman’s everyday schedule would did talk about who I was as a person growing up, how my involve waking up at 6 a.m., attending school until 1:50 p.m., childhood was, the people I hung out with and how it really working his first job until around 4 p.m., then his second job changed me as a person and what I needed to do in order to until around 7 p.m. Guzman would then begin his homejust shape my character in order Guzman said if he saw his middle school self now, he work after work, which he said would see a completely different person. He said he hopes his to be the person I want to be. It would usually last until 1-3 a.m., just kind of exploded from there,” middle school self would be inspired to see such a successful then he would go to the gym for “I wanted people to fear me which Guzman said. and bright future.

2-4 hours. But now he only works was kind of a bad mindset to have Now, speaking to a room full of Schwab agreed, saying he is an “entirely different kid” from at Zumiez, so he only works until because that’s eventually what I people is second nature to him. his freshman self. around 5 p.m. Afterward, he goes ended up getting. No one wanted Guzman said he can pick any She is exceptionally proud of his accomplishments and the to the gym and works as a trainer to be my friend.” word and go on for a while. growth he has made these past few years. and wakes up an hour earlier to Oscar Guzman MTHS SENIOR He used to perform as motiva“I am most proud of [Guzman] for staying true and go to the gym before school for authentic to himself and his family while also testing himself tional speaker at middle schools himself. once or twice a month, but hasn’t [by] taking advanced classes and being open to trying new “Instead of getting up for school, had the chance for the past couple of months. things,” Schwab said.

I get up at 5 a.m. to go to the gym every morning. That way Now, Guzman has one-on-one conversations with anyone Soon after he turned his life around, Guzman visited his I’m getting up for me and not for a teacher and it helps just he feel needs to be talked to, he said. Usually he will try to old teachers at BTMS. He talked with counselor Hanaphi to have that mindset,” Guzman said.

Sos and was surprised to see that Sos recognized him and his keep the conversation away from himself and will try to talk After high school, Guzman does not have a clear plan. He about the other person. If he connects with them and thinks troubled past. Guzman explained to Sos that he’s turned his said he was thinking about going into a clothing entreprelife around and Sos asked Guzman to sit down with a couple they need that type of conversation, he will go deeper. neurship with a couple friends of his. He went into the logisHe said he usually has these conversations about four times tics of how they would attack their business, detailing what of middle schoolers who had the same negative outlook on a month. life that Guzman used to have. each person would be in charge of. He said this is currently “There doesn’t have to be one specific genre of situations it’s his most thought out plan for after high school.

“I basically just talked [to the middle schoolers] about just what I think that person needs to know or needs to hear my life and how middle school was for me and where it “When you break it down it would be so easy to do it, it at that moment,” Guzman said. took me and the mindset that I had and what I needed to just takes a long time… And when I think about after high change when I got into high school and how hard that was,” school, it would definitely be something along the entrepreGuzman said. neurial fields,” Guzman said. H

Troubled middle schooler turned motivational speaker

10 | june 2015

A CHANGE OF TONE

Hawkeye

Participating in choir has brought senior Rummana Hussain out of her shell

Senior Hussain Rummana smiles with the MTHS choir at their last concert of the year to congratulate the performance of another’s solo. Rummana said she feels the choir has become like a second family to her. kiah helms | Hawkeye “I think the difficulties that I’ve faced have helped me to get better as a person because I eventually learned how to over come them”

Her roots in choir date back to her days as a Hazelwood Elementary As her voice faded and the track tranEagle. She credited former Hazelwood sitioned to an instrumental verse, cheers music teacher Susan Moore, who immediately erupted from the audience, retired last year, for getting her into though senior Rummana Hussain wasn’t yet singing. done with the song. A huge grin spread over “Just this random day, I guess, she Rummana Hussain mths senior her face as she began to sing the next verse of heard me singing specifically, so after “Fix You” by Coldplay at the MTHS talent class she [said] ‘Oh, you’re really good show. and you should go on with [singing] As she sang, all Hussain could think was, because you could go far.’ That’s pretty “Oh my gosh, am I actually doing this? Is this happening?” much what got me so into it,” Hussain said.

Hussain said her involvement in choir has given her opporThough Moore’s praise encouraged Hussain to join choir at tunities for personal growth and exploration throughout her Hazelwood, she did not remain involved throughout elemenhigh school experience. tary school. Singing became a much greater part of her life

By Paxtyn Merten Editor-in-chief

when she joined MTHS choir as a freshman.

While Hussain didn’t know many people in choir in the beginning, she said she began to open up to people.

“I think that’s just because of the way that it is, the way that the choir room is and the people in choir. We all kind of talk to each other even though we might not all be friends with each other, but we’re all kind of like a big family,” Hussain said.

Others have also noticed the way Hussain’s personality really comes out during choir practice, including choir teacher T.J. Sullivan. “[Choir is the] time of day when the flower opens. The music is sort of a catalyst, as well as the way the kids are in that class and how they’re open with each other. That’s really helped her open up,” Sullivan said.

Hawkeye This translated into her relations outside of go. I actually still want to go back. It was choir, making her more open with people in literally the best weekend that I’ve ever had,” general.

Hussain said.

In addition, she said presenting in front of When choir members arrived at others for class has become easier. Hussain’s Silverwood that Friday, they mostly settled disdain for in and explored presenting the area. The “[Choir is the] time of day when the flower in class was next day conopens. The music is sort of a catalyst, as well erased because sisted of comas the way the kids are in that class and how of the lessons petitions. they’re open with each other.” and skills she Hussain T.J. Sullivan learned in recalled MTHS CHOIR TEACHER choir.

MTHS choirs Hussain said gathering she likes singing because of the way it makes before the competitions for warm up exerher feel free. cises.

“It helps me get away from everything else.

“Before we did our competition, we did all It helps me forget about things, so if there’s these warm ups and exercises and we actusomething going on, if I sing something it ally did this one exercise where we were all in helps to forget about it and it helps me to feel a circle and we held hands and we just passed better,” she said. the energy around. I liked doing that. It As with any other activity, Hussain someworked so well,” Hussain said. times struggles with choir due to her physiLater on that day, the awards ceremony cal disabilities. Hussain is visually impaired took place at Silverwood. Accents, the and unable to walk for extended periods of choir which Hussain belongs to, took first time, but she does not let this get in her way place in Women’s Ensemble, earning a of achieving what she wants and improving Superior rating, and Overall Top Choir in choir.

Award. Dynamics received First Place and a “I think the difficulties that I’ve faced have Superior rating in the Jazz Choir category. helped me to get better as a person because Throughout the weekend, Hussain tried I eventually learned how to overcome them,” new things, from staying in a motel on a field she said. trip for the first time to taking a ride on the Hussain said that it can be hard for her to Corkscrew, one of Silverwood’s many roller keep the right time while singing, and she coasters. sometimes ends up singing parts of a song at “She seemed beaming, she was always the wrong time so it “sounds different than smiling. Really happy. She was absorbing it should.” the experience, didn’t take it for granted,” “She doesn’t feel music and rhythm the Sullivan said. same as a person who can stand up and move Keeping with her trend of trying new around. She can sing in tune, has a pretty things, Hussain performed solo at the voice, but always doesn’t feel rhythm. She MTHS talent show on April 16, singing “Fix has really improved that skill,” Sullivan said.

You” by Coldplay.

When Hussain has difficulties with a song, In the couple of weeks leading up to the it is usually due to lack of familiarity. She talent show, Hussain had been searching commits herself to learning the song by lisfor someone to play guitar for her. However, tening to it many times. among the three people she asked, none of Eventually, Hussain gets it down. them was available to play for her.

Hussain has remained dedicated to choir Fast forward to the day before talent show over the past years. According to Sullivan, auditions, she emailed “Glee” guitarist Derik she has never missed a concert, no matter the Nelson to ask him if he could send her a difficulty she may have faced. track, since he had also covered the song.

“I [have] respect for her because she always However, Nelson said he had other responcame to the concerts, and it was an effort. I sibilities that weekend so he couldn’t do one had kids who really took well to her and they for her. pushed her around [in her wheelchair] and Finally, two days before the talent show, made sure she was always where she needed Sullivan found Hussain a track and put it on to be. And she always came to the concerts, a CD for her. always fixed up and her hair was always “I took it home, so all I was doing for those really pretty, so I thought ‘oh, she takes this next two days was just practicing. I’m kind seriously. This is really important to her,’” of surprised I didn’t lose my voice,” Hussain Sullivan said. said, laughing. “It was [stressful] but it was In the past year, Hussain has been unstopfun at the same time because it was somepable. She traveled with MTHS choir to thing that I wanted to do.”

Silverwood Theme Park in Idaho for a series Before she went onstage, Hussain wasn’t of competitions. nervous in the slightest.

“It was the first field trip that I ever went “I wasn’t super nervous like I should have on that was overnight. I was so excited to been before I went on. I think I was just run-

june 2015 | 11

Rummana sings during choir practice. She joined during freshman year and has won numerous awards since. Jack Fiorillo | Hawkeye ning off of adrenaline or something. I was on an even larger scale. Whether or not like ‘I can’t believe I’m actually doing it!’”

Hussain gets into “The Voice,” she thinks Hussain said. auditioning would be a fun experience.

The rest of the group of talent show per“It would allow me to do what I want to formers weren’t supposed to leave the choir and I would just get the experience of what room, but when Hussain performed, they it’s like and what they have to go through joined the audience and began screaming in for the audition process. I think it would be support. fun,” Hussain said.

One of her biggest supporters was Sullivan, “The Voice” is a TV show that features who watched her performance from behind musical talent from across the country based the curtain. “I was backstage [at the talent on an initial blind audition, meaning the first show] and I created that track for [Hussain]. wave of contestants are chosen based on their I thought it would work really well, and it voices without the musician coaches seeing did. I was really proud of her. I had tears in them firsthand. my eyes, like a proud father,” Sullivan said.

“They don’t really judge you by your looks Hussain said that alumnae Haley and they don’t really care about that. It’s Shoemaker is one of her inspirations. more of just what you sound like,” Hussain Shoemaker was in said. Hussain’s interchoir up until she ests outside of choir “She seemed beaming, she was graduated two years include writing and always smiling. Really happy. She ago, and Hussain being with friends and was absorbing the experience, equated her to being family. She mostly didn’t take it for granted.” like a sister due to likes freewriting, T.J. Sullivan how helpful and supwhen you can write mths choir teacher portive she is. These about whatever crossare traits that Hussain es your mind. said she wants to build on more in herself.

“I’ve written some [music], but it wasn’t Also among Hussain’s inspirations is singer that good because I wrote it back in elemenand “Glee” guitarist Derik Nelson and his tary school and I didn’t really know what siblings, who have performed at MTHS I was doing, I was just doing it for fun,” twice to benefit the drama department. They Hussain said. most recently performed at MTHS for their She hopes to pick back up on writing music “Take Chances” tour in October 2014. for her own pleasure.

“I got to meet them this year and that was In the long run, Hussain hopes to make a a lot of fun. When I met them it was kind of career out of something in the music field, like we were just some friends talking. They such as writing music or performing. don’t treat you like fans,” Hussain said.

She plans to go to Edmonds Community Hussain’s next big aspiration is to audiCollege and take classes in music, as there tion for “The Voice” next year. After doing are many different options for choirs. the talent show, she began to wonder what Afterward, she hopes to transfer to a music it would be like to audition for something school in continued pursuit of her passion. H

12 | JUNE 2015

Hawkeye

Hawkeye

AFTER 12 YEARS, A NEW DESTINATION

JUNE 2015 | 13

The roads less traveled by Full-time Employment

MEMBERS OF THE CLASS OF 2015 EMBARK ON THE NEXT LEG OF THEIR LIVES

Nicholas Ryan Arnold Francis Beliran DeLeon Carina Danielle Ely Joel Espana Elery Michelle Lynn Evans Rojelio Angel Garcia Erik Christopher Hansen Cameran Micheal Johnson Skyler Shane Johnston Kyle Wolfgang Laughlin Zachary Earl Lindquist Enrique Manuel Martinez Trent Richard McDowell Amanda Marie Nelson Daniel Patrick Roth Haley Rae Sanchez Kyle Joseph Unrein

College To Be Determined Riley Evan John Ellefson Gabriel Oren Fritz William Kenneth Parkins III

31. Edmonds Community College

15. University of Southern California Nicholas Reid Fiorillo

16. Azusa Pacific University Nicole Rose Hairell

1. American College Dubai Azka Naeem

8. University of Northern Colorado

Stephanie Kari Garcia

9. University of Denver

2. Boston University 3. Emerson College Megan Kristine Jensen

4. Fashion Institute of Technology Mikayla Theresa French

5. Savannah College of Art and Design Emily Laura Eich

6. Gulf Coast State College Maria Christine Balcita

7. Southwest Baptist University Rebekah Lynn Orr

Ryan Thomas Leppich

Samantha Michelle Romanowski

10. Charis Bible College Alisha Blair Clingan

11. Utah State University Andrea Cox

12. University of Portland Kelly Ann Herbig

13. College of the Siskiyous Malcolm Lee Johnson

14. Cal Poly Tech San Luis Obispo Jacinta Gina Garcia

17. University of Alaska Fairbanks Colby Ray Hammer

18. University of Alaska Anchorage Lucas Raymond Gerow

19. Whatcom Community College Katie Yen Ngi Tran

20. Western Washington University Conrad Kale Bratz McKenna Marie Hunt Gabrielle Walid Joudi Forrest Patrick O’Reilly Jessica Rose Triemstra Maria Johnson Virnig

21. Skagit Valley College Zayn Gregory Phillips Samuel Jefferson Armentrout Rebekah Lynn Orr

22. Central Washington University Morgan Leigh Arbuckle Benjamin Elza Bogle Jacob Fletcher Krieger Sydella Lillie Yonker

23. Eastern Washington University Jessica Elizabeth Bressler Nathan James Koplitz

24. Washington State University Jeffrey Thomas Alberts Laura Jane Clinch Mckenzie Noelle Creagan Rebecca Anne Doherty Erik Edward Hynes Daylan Jay Kelting Andrew Kim Lauren Grace Krienke Daniel Bahelebi Medhane Mulham Annis Nakour Audrey Akinyi Owuor Drew Allen Williams Keegan Dominic Otter

25. Whitman College Danielle Fusako Hirano

26. Olympic College Rachell Christina Gasseling Joshua Michael Ludig

27. University of Puget Sound Nicole Lee Bouché

28. Gonzaga University Emily Ann Davidson Madeline Alysse Dellinger Emma Marie Hense

29. Bellevue College Alex Nick Enache Isaiah Carvon Green Tyler King Draven Sebastian Richards

30. Cascadia College Cassandra R. Cariker Nnenna Hillary Emelogu Lydia Fahim Brady Paul Jackson Alexandrea Dawn Johnson Javon Jonathan Ned Cecelia Patricia Paccagnan Jannon Kaleialoha Roque Serafina Remay Urrutia

Toqa Abbas Abosabaa Jessica Ruby Acevedo-Arreola Velizara Boteva Aleksandrova Armando Antonio Dominique Lashae Artis Madilyn Lei Asbell Timothy Ryan Ayres Esther I Babko Aaron Chittavong Bannavong Gabriella Nicole Baretti Alanna Christine Barnett Austin James Bates Hannah Noelle Bellecy Jake Garrett Bergan Lindsey Michelle Bistline Carlitos Antonio Bravo Owen William Francis Breene Jessica Mazie Bride Midori Rose Brown Ulysses Lee Brown Kelby Jenae Caiola Blake Arthur Christianson Stephen Gregory Cuplin Avery Nichole A Dokka Taylor Jenae Douglas Kelsey Ryan Enstrom Javier Espinoza Marissa Ann Fernandez Courtney Ceirra Finnicum Michael Leland Fisher British Lee Fort Julia Elaine Gabryshak Breakfield George Anthony Garcia, Jr. Nathan Kristoffer Glaze Sofiya Dimitrova Goneva Kieran James Gorle Daria Marie Grant Oscar Guzman

Cameron James Head Ethan Richard Hiatt Ali-Nichole Hitchcock Jonathan Hong Joshua William Hopkins Phu The Huynh Quyen Do Thi Huynh Ciara Michelle Inovejas Shawn Allen Jesionowski Manvir Kaller Shelbe Lynn Kane Miri Kim Ryan Jack LaCasse Kimberly Pamela Linares Colin Tanner Loyles Mark Joshua B Malabuen Alejandro Mejia-Rangel Kadar Adam Mohamud Seini Fiona Naucukidi Tyler Joseph Wayne Nicks Rachel Marie Olson Reno Blake Pantley Emilee Katherine Paradis Erick Omar Pena Cuong Chi Pham Andy Phung Collin Wayne Rhodes Kyle Craig Rhodes Chia-Tzu Rhynard Lisa Lynn Rickels Colin James Rucker Omar Jamal Saadi Steven Michael Savage Kiana Nichelle Schnell Jazib Shakil William Morgan Shearer Jason Alan Shevenko Tait Michael Shiels Lillian Grace Simpson Kayla Marie Steck

Jesse Jared Prothero Raiden Zachary Silva

Military

Matt Matugas (Marine Corps) Prem Anthony Gnanarajah (Navy) Paul Michael Delgado (Air Force) Brandon Byung Chule Park (Air Force) Zachary Robert Wernau (Air Force) Kerod Girma Jeza (Army) Jacob Daniel Wallgren (Army) Justin Lyle Hopkins (Army National Guard) Robert Franklin Sparks (Coast Guards) James Lloyd Poellinger (Marine Corps)

Other

Sophie May Campo Andrew David Cooper Alejandro Juan Carlos Corona William Eric Cox Jr. Taylor A Cutrer Gabriel Russell Grundman-Brady Charles Howard Lee Holte II

Brian Nguyen Tran Wila’y Edwardo-Eastland Traylor William Arnusone Vongkhamchanh Anna Vu Malaysia Wiggins Hannah Louise Wilcox Jonathan Samuel Yohannes

32. Everest College Destinie Leigh Pantoja

33. Everett Community College Kyle James Blake Lily Jean Hart Michael Patrick Hunt Lorena Gabriela Nine Kimberly Mariel Romero Dylan Joshua Tuju Roxana Valea Jaden Austin Yackley Riley Miriam Zucker

34. Northwest University Allison Nicole Lorraine Amanda LeAnn Thompson

35. Cornish College Matthew Sythandone

35. PIMA Medical Institute Kaylee Josephine Cooper

36. DigiPen Institute of Technology Gabriel Paul Miller

36. Seattle Central Community College Jaira Lynn Aguilar Arcilla Alexis Nicole McRae Adrian Amador Rios

Rummana Naz Hussain Taylor Forrest Kenniston Eve Marie Largent Kevin Ronald Cornelius Massey Reece Ryan McGowan-Brehm Nima John Naimi Rachel June Orr Armando Reyes Mackenzee Dawn Rice Dreauna Elleen Sargent Megan Anne Slaughterbeck Nicholas T Van Akker Joesph Rienzi Walrath (Music Apprenticeship) Teodor Botev Aleksandrov (Work Force Development Center) Tanner Kaleb Palmer (Work Force Development Center) Ryan Eugene Gibson, Jr. (Job Corps) Rahmatan Delwi Alif (Exchange Student from Indonesia) Erika Kim Fisher (International Employment) Tristin G Beck (Ironwork Apprenticeship)

37. Seattle Pacific University Daria Brynn Jamtaas Isaiah Stephen Salamanca Kathryn Grace Severson

38. Seattle University Madison Lynn Meyers Andrew Christian Hans Nelson Shaian Madel Pagaling

39. Shoreline Community College Angellia Anello Reynalyn A. Canlapan Shannon Cam-Thi Doan Victor Adrian Garcia-Acevedo Elise Leona Hedge Brandon Sterling Jennings Cuong Le Huyen Bao Le Blake Austin Leatherman William Wong Lee Sofia Victoria Loina Juan Isaias Navarrete Michael Douglas Cote Olson Isaac Josue Rios Rojas Anna Mary Elizabeth Shrewsbury Megan Christine Smith Alec Jordan Somers Cassandra Elizabeth Stires

40. University of Washington

Ricky Dean Bridges Aaron Taron Castleton Robin B. Choi Hilina Rebecca Defersha Germaine-Jacob Reyes Devera Mike Julian Zabala Guevarra

Samantha Grace Harter Maciel Elizabeth Mata Austin Andrew McDermott Vera Onyekachi Okolo Daniil Aleksandrovich Oliferovskiy Thu Thi Anh Phan Daniel David Reeber Benjamin James Reijonen Ratanachat Leoun Saelee Zachary Thomas Saneto Ali Haider Shah Peter Shaw Collin Makoto Tabata Conner James Worman

41. University of Washington, Bothell Beza Ayele Haseeb Ahmed Farooq Megan Gehlen Derek Koji Gencoz Zachary Kyle Hoernlein Erica Kim Forrest Patrick O’Reilly Liam Carter Madson Nicholas Wesley Mitchell Larkyn Eileen Pope Gurminder Paul Singh

42. Lake Washington Institute of Technology Paige Alexis Johnson

43. Washington College Rorie S. Ching

Netania Rivera | Hawkeye

14 | JUNE 2015

A Passion for Service Gerow plans to take his fight to the fire

Story and photos by AsiaLee Donnelly Hawkeye Staff

After suiting up, attaching and firing the hose to save the victim, senior Lucas Gerow runs up four flights of stairs and raises the weight. His teammates cheer him on as he ties the final knot and races off to the endpoint where he quickly jumps out of his uniform and the time is called. All eyes turn to Cody Stocker who controls the stopwatch and he calls out the time: 8:17.

Gerow had successfully completed his second attempt at the combat challenge as a part of his firefighting class, a feat which took others an average of 15 minutes, in eight minutes and 17 seconds. Furthermore, he beat his original time by over a minute.

“I was just trying to beat my old record [and thinking about] all the things that I could mess up on and things I could’ve done better. The first time I went through it I noticed there were a lot of things I messed up on that I could’ve improved on… I was just thinking about all the little things that add up in the end,” Gerow said.

Gerow has been participating in the intradistrict Fire Service Technology program, offered by Lynnwood High School, for the past two years. During his time in the program he has received hands-on experience and training to prepare him for his target career as a professional firefighter.

Gerow has completed units including search and rescue, equipment training and combat challenges. Students also obtain their CPR Pro and First Aid certification.

According to Gerow, the program provides students with their own engine and training tower, giving them experience they normally wouldn’t receive until they were training on the job or going to an academy.

The program is taught by Fire Commissioner Jim McGaughey of Snohomish Fire District No. 1.

Hawkeye

Hawkeye McGaughey commented that it is not an easy course “You’re constantly having to improve yourself and you’re because the students participate in demanding training. constantly going on calls and it’s always something new The coursework is similar to what students in academies every day. I really like that, it’s exciting,” Gerow said. and professionals must complete.

He said his favorite part of the program and being a fireGerow has not only excelled in the course and proved fighter is search and rescue, although he also likes going on himself to be a competent firefighter, but he has also medical calls and helping people. become a leader in his company. He has served as his For search and rescue, Gerow goes into a drill with his chief ’s assistant for the past year and continually motivates whole company in full gear: masks, air packs and a Self the other members, according to McGaughey.

Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA). As part of the “He is full of energy, he’s fun, he gets along with everysimulation, their masks are blacked out and they are sent body. He adds another element to it, and that is that he is into cluttered rooms with the objective of finding and very focused, very dedicated and he doesn’t just help his removing a 175-pound dummy. own company, he helps the whole class… He gets into just This routine builds communication skills as well as being that guy that everybody can look up to,” McGaughey memory, as they must first navigate their way through the said. room and then remember how to quickly and safely exit Gerow proved to be a role model for the other memthe room, blind. bers of the class when he completed the combat training In addition to firefighter training, the team has also exercise in record time, finishing in nine minutes and 47 completed volunteer work to help the community under seconds his first try and eight minutes and 17 seconds his McGaughey’s encouragement. For instance, the students second try. raised more than $9,000 in a single day to provide families “The challenge is not only physically demanding, but with food on Thanksgiving. mentally demanding as well,” McGaughey said.

Gerow said McGaughey has become his mentor over the To complete the combat-training exercise, Gerow first past two years. had to put on full firefighting gear which weighs roughly 45 “He’s more than just a teacher to most of us…He really pounds. He then carried the 70-pound hose from the truck motivates us and pushes us,” he said. to a nearby fire hydrant, where he connected the hose and Fire Service Technology program has instilled in Gerow opened the hydrant. Afterward, he ran back to the truck a new motivation and drive to be the best he can in order to to grab the hose and carry it to help his community and the the firing spot where he had to people he serves.

“He is full of energy, he’s fun, he gets aim and fire the hose to knock Gerow is planning on going along with everybody. He adds another over a cone. to Alaska for college and element to it, and that is that he is very “The hardest part is most attending the University of focused, very dedicated and he doesn’t people don’t position the hose Alaska Anchorage for its just help his own company, he helps the correctly on their shoulder nationally renowned fire fightwhole class… He gets into just being that which makes it hard to carry ing program. Along with his guy that everybody can look up to. and maneuver,” Gerow said. studies, he will be working at Jim McGaughey Once the cone was knocked a fire station just outside of Fire Commissioner of Snohomish Fire District No. 1. over, he ran to its place 60 Anchorage. feet away where there was a Once he completes his 175-pound dummy which he had to carry back to where he degree he plans to return to the Seattle area. fired the hose. Next, he carried another hose up four flights “Alaska is going to be very fortunate if he stays because of stairs where he dropped it, went down one flight to raise they are going to have one heck of an officer,” McGaughey and lower a weight before returning to the top floor to said retrieve the hose and carry it back down to ground level.

When he’s not focused on his career goals, Gerow enjoys He then ran to a hose 20 yards away which was rolled up shooting and archery, both competitively and for hunting and proceeded to unroll it correctly on the first try. This purposes. His interest was sparked when he started huntproved not to be an easy feat, as a teammate who ran the ing with his dad. Since then, it has become a large part of course previously took 30 seconds to correctly unroll it. his life as he enjoys the outdoors.

Immediately he ran back over to the stairs where he was “You get time to yourself and get to think,” Gerow said. required to tie two knots: a bowlin and a figure eight follow Gerow competes in three gun matches where he has through. Lastly, he ran back to his starting point where he a tactical rifle, shotgun and pistol that he takes through jumped out of all his gear and the timer stopped. courses, beginning with one gun and switching throughout Through the entire course, McGaughey was by his side the course to take out targets. Contestants are ranked on encouraging him while his teammates watched and cheered time and number of targets hit. him on.

While he hasn’t recently competed in archery, he earned “[Gerow] is kind of like a buddy to me, you know like a first place regionally in 2011 and 2012 and went on to the son,” McGaughey said. national competition, where he placed in the top 30 both Even after beating his previous time, Gerow was still years. Since then, he has focused less on the competitive thinking of the areas he could improve in the future. aspect of shooting and spent more time going out on his While Gerow now knows that he wants to become a fireown with friends for fun. fighter, it was not always his focus. It wasn’t until a friend “I try to go out as much as I can…It’s hard to do with a recommended the Fire Service Technology program and he job and school and everything else,” Gerow says. enrolled that he found his passion.

From his entire high school experience, Gerow believes Gerow said he enjoys both the purpose and challenge he will miss his friends the most since he is moving to the job provides. He was also drawn to fire fighting due to Alaska and will not get to see them. He looks forward to its flexible structure and constantly changing atmosphere, completing school and being able to get a job and finally which he said will keep him on his toes. begin his career professionally. H

JUNE 2015 | 15

ABOVE: Senior Lucas Gerow unravels the hose on the fire truck in order to complete his timed combat challenge as a part of the Fire Service Technology program. Ultimately, Gerow earned an outstanding time of 8:17.

BELOW: In training for his future fire fighting career, Gerow practices firing the hose.

16 | June 2015

the many sided man

Hawkeye

Senior Collin Rhodes is tackling school, life and his future in more ways than one

By AsiaLee Donnelly hawkeye staff

“So, what don’t you do?” is probably the question that comes to mind when you talk to a guy like Collin Rhodes.

A man of many talents, Rhodes has explored a broad array of activities. He has been a member of the tennis team, an Advanced Placement (AP) and STEM student, a devout member in his church and a musician with a passion for bass.

Rhodes’ interest in music began after a friend encouraged him to play in the band at his church.

Rhodes began with clarinet in sixth grade, then transitioned to bass guitar in seventh grade when he first started playing jazz. He balanced playing both instruments for another two years before he joined band in high school his sophomore year, and then decided to focus on bass.

After four years of experience playing the instrument, he chose to learn upright bass, which he said had a difficult technical aspect even though the notes were the same. Since switching to upright bass Rhodes has been a part of Jazz 2 his sophomore year and Jazz 1 his junior and senior years.

Rhodes enjoys playing for other people and performing.

His favorite aspect of playing is during the open spaces in the music, meant for soloing, when everyone improvises. He finds these moments both interesting and rewarding.

“It’s so much fun to see it all come together…It’s so rewarding to see yourself create something so beautiful and it’s just spontaneous right there, and then it’s gone,” Rhodes said.

Along with music, transferring to MTHS allowed Rhodes to participate in the STEM program. In alignment with the aerospace pathway, Rhodes has completed classes such as introduction to engineering, principles of engineering, and aerospace.

“I’ve always liked just kind of mechanical things. I’m into like twisty puzzles like Rubik’s cubes. Just puzzles in general so I thought engineering [would] be pretty cool and decided to join STEM,” he said.

His father had a major influence on his mechanical mind and interest in engineering, beginning with them playing with Legos together.

“I just talk to him about anything I have going on and he always has great advice, he is one wise dude…I can’t thank him enough for everything he has done [for me],” Rhodes said.

During the summer of his junior year, Rhodes had the opportunity to participate in the Washington Aerospace Scholars Summer Program, however the work began long before summer started.

Collin Rhodes (left) and his brother, Kyle (right), both participate in MTHS athletics. Collin Rhodes has been playing tennis since the summer before his freshman year, and was a member of the team before he attended MTHS. photo courtesy of collin rhodes

The objective of the summer program was to design a mission to Mars. The students who were chosen were divided into four groups who each spent a separate week at the Museum of Flight, Rhodes was selected for the “integration” team. The team was guided by mentors who worked in the aerospace field to organize what all was going to happen on “It’s so much fun to see it all come together. It’s so rewarding to see yourself create something so beautiful and it’s just spontaneous right there, and then it’s gone.”

Collin Rhodes mths senior

the mission, why, and when. The biggest lesson he learned was that communication was key for high efficiency.

After applying to and being accepted to the program at the beginning of his junior year Rhodes had to enlist in an online class provided the University of Washington on subjects about outer space such as space exploration, the history of space travel, and the progress of technology. Rhodes also had to complete challenges such as math problems and concept programs, one of which was designing his own rover or rocket.

Rhodes was graded every two weeks on readings and essays. At the end of the course only 160 students from all over Washington were accepted to complete the summer program based on their scores from the class. Rhodes was one of them.

While he claimed it was a lot of hard work having to balance his UW class for the program with his full schedule at MTHS, it was all worth it in the end with him being a finalist.

On top of industry experience, Rhodes also went on a few tours involving Boeing and Alaska Airlines. He also got to make connections within the aerospace field which he believes will help him in future endeavors as he now has references of recommendation from top professionals.

After completing the program, Rhodes commented that it was hard to balance online classes with full course work at MTHS, especially AP classes. Although he felt he had learned a lot and he enjoyed the challenge the rigorous classes provided because he knew that if he put in the effort, it would benefit him in the future.

In addition to music and STEM, Rhodes is also an athlete.

He has been playing tennis since the summer before his freshman year, when he was signed up by his mother to take a tennis course at the Mountlake Terrace Recreation Center led by two brothers who were seniors at Mountlake Terrace High School.

Once he began playing he found tennis spurred his mechanical mind with the physics behind the sport such as the angles he needed to hit, spin of the ball, and the strategy of placing the ball where he wanted it to go. His coaches, the brothers, invited him to a captain’s practice where they convinced him to play tennis on the school team his freshman year, even though he did not attend the school at that point in time.

When Rhodes began attending MTHS in the fall of his

Hawkeye

June 2015 | 17 always work hard, respect others differences, and to stand up for what is right and to do the right thing even when no one else will.

Rhodes hopes to pass on the advice that hard work pays off to other students at MTHS. “My advice is to work hard in particularly…

Every time I’ve done my best at something it’s always worked out. Good ethics while you do your work [are also important] because otherwise it’s just kind of fake and all in vain,” he concluded.

Rhodes will graduate with a STEM Honors diploma, after which he plans to get a summer job and go to Edmonds Community College.

Once his prerequisites are complete his goal is to transfer to a university such as the University of Washington, Washington State University or George Fox University

in Oregon to finish his studies. He now no longer plans on working in the aerospace field, preferring to focus more on mechanical engineering.

Rhodes plans to continue playing bass in the future, however not in a school band as he wants to focus more on his studies. He said he hopes to explore different aspects of music, such as taking a music theory class if he has space in his schedule.

Rhodes also wants to expand his music ability by learning to play the guitar and drums.

“I love music. Listening to music. Playing music. All sorts of things,” Rhodes said.

He also said he hopes to continue playing tennis, however not competitively. He said that he would prefer to continue playing for fun with friends throughout the rest of life.

H

Rhodes has played bass guitar since sixth grade, when he began playing jazz music.

He didn’t learn to play the upright bass until high school. photo courtesy of collin rhodes sophomore year he was grateful for having participated in tennis because it helped the transition as he already knew some people and had some friends to begin the year with.

Rhodes has participated on the tennis team throughout his high school career: beginning his freshman year on JV and Varsity his sophomore, junior, and senior years. While on JV he played singles however as he moved to varsity he also transitioned to playing doubles.

Before coming to MTHS, Rhodes met most of his friends through his church.

Rhodes joined his church, Calvary Fellowship in Mountlake Terrace, in second grade and has been a dedicated and active member ever since.

He is a part of his church’s student leader group for which he assists in organizing events such as auctions, concerts, and summer trips, one of which took the group consisting of nearly 95 people down to

California. While he claims he is not one of the main people who arranges the events, he actively participates in putting them on, helping with set up, making sure the event goes smoothly and then cleaning up.

“I like helping out with everything I can,” Rhodes said.

It is because of his commitment to his religion and his faith that Rhodes believes he highly values hard work, good ethics and good morals.

“That’s probably one of the biggest influences in my life and just kind of me being who I am,” he said.

Rhodes also attributes his understanding and appreciation of hard work to his father who has been very influential in his life, serving as his role model.

His father has taught him by example to

Rhodes practices with his upright bass in preparation for Jazz 1’s performance at Hot Java Cool Jazz, which took place in March at the Paramount Theater. serafina urrutia | hawkeye

18 | June 2015

a dramatically unique path

Hawkeye

Senior Danielle Hirano made her time on stage magical and memorable LEFT: Hirano acts as Lady Capulet who appears weeping over the body of Tybalt in the movement play based “Romeo and Juliet” at the start of the year, which was expertly directed by guest artist Stanko Milov.

RIGHT: A young Louise with her pet lamb sings to the crowd during the performance of “Gypsy.” Hirano’s lead role in this musical was one of the best performances of her career at MTHS.

BOTTOM RIGHT: Hirano acts out as an animal during a Theatre Sports skit in one of the team’s competitions early on in the 2014-15 school year. jack fiorillo | hawkeye

By Max Tracy lifestyle editor

For Danielle Hirano, drama isn’t just a play – or plays for that matter. It’s so many other things, from what you see on stage to what goes on behind the scenes.

It’s work, it’s fun and it’s a struggle to manage it all, but in the end, it’s worth it.

Hirano has been through the wringer of theatre. After four years of experience in drama, she knows what it takes to act, balance life and keep things in perspective.

“When I’m performing and I know everything’s going right, I feel great. I feel like I connect with the audience and I’m teaching them something,” Hirano said.

Not only that, but the chance to teach audiences about subjects through action on a stage, is one of the best things about theatre.

“Once [the show’s] over and you feel like you’ve put on a great performance and then you go out there and you say, ‘Hi’ to your friends, it’s the best feeling in the world because you feel like you just gave them something to think about,” Hirano said.

Hirano had little experi“It’s been really ence with drama before hard for me to craft high school, mainly particimy art compared to pating in community shows a lot of kids my age as a young child. But her in the Seattle area high school career in drama who do theatre, all started in her freshman I’m not at their year, with a simple recomlevel. But I have mendation from a friend the passion and the to try out, and a need for a drive to do it.” group to call her own.

Danielle Hirano “I was like, [high school] mths senior is scary, I really need to find a group of friends, I needed someplace to be,” Hirano said.

After her first audition, which earned her a part in the musical “All Shook Up,” Hirano had found her place. She continued in theatre and would be in many more shows, tak-

ing both supporting and lead roles. According to Hirano, having a lead role is no small feat.

“You’re not just a lead role, you’re [in] a leadership role for all the people around you, and so you just have to show that you’re ready to put 100 percent in,” Hirano said.

Hirano’s favorite roles were as Leean in “A Piece of My Heart,” a play about the Vietnam war, and her performance as Louise in this years musical, “Gypsy,” which was one of her most notable at MTHS. “I feel like I connect with Louise a lot, [especially about] becoming comfortable in my own skin,” Hirano said.

As is true with many different extracurricular activities, drama takes a considerable amount of time to be a part of and perfect. This was true for Hirano, as her involvement in school made it more difficult to participate in a time consuming trade such as theatre.

“It’s been really hard for me to craft my art compared to a lot of kids my age in the Seattle area who do theatre, I’m not at their level. But I have the passion and the drive to do it,” Hirano said.

Hirano is preparing to act in some plays outside of high school this summer, including “Les Miserables” with Driftwood Players in late July, which is her favorite musical by far. She won’t be a lead role, but she will be in the ensemble and will have two solo features in the production.

Hirano will be attending Whitman College next year and plans to major in political science or international relations.

Eventually she plans to take up law, however that doesn’t mean theatre will be exempt from her college schedule. “[I will] definitely have a minor or maybe double major in theatre, I don’t know, but theatre will be in my life in college,” Hirano said.

Although theatre is her passion she said it’s not the most reliable profession and she’s making sure to keep things realistic.

“If [I] plan a career in theatre I don’t know if I can pay my bills,” Hirano said with a laugh.

Drama isn’t everything, but Hirano will no doubt always enjoy the art that is theatre and acting. H

photo courtesy of mths tempo

max tracy | hawkeye

Hawkeye

June 2015 | 19

around,” Taylor Arbuckle said. “It’s more about taking on a leadership role and being active and helping out around your community.”

As captains, Douglas and Arbuckle led the cheer team to compete in cheer competitions for just second time in MTHS history.

“It was crazy,” Arbuckle said. “Last year was our first time competing and we made it to state again this year.

The adrenaline that you get is something that I can’t even explain, and it was just nice being out there with the people I love.”

Unlike other sports, cheerleading isn’t something that most people talk about on a competition basis. When Terrace cheerleaders competed during the past two years, that became something that changed.

[It was nice] to show people how much we’ve improved throughout the year because I don’t think most people understand how much work we’ve put into it, and how time consuming it is so once [that hard work] paid off, it was really rewarding,” she said.

Their hard work started being recognized and it all paid off when the team placed fifth best in the state.

“To hear that you’re fifth best in the state, that’s mind blowing,” Arbuckle said.

“Two years ago, we were at the lowest skill level and to see how much we’ve improved, it’s amazing. It was rewarding to be recognized for [that improvement].”

Cheerleading aside, Arbuckle has made herself known through many other outlets.

She was selected as one of the three senior girls to be a part of senior homecoming court.

She was crowned as one of the two homecoming princesses.

Senior Morgan Arbuckle in two of her elements – cheerleader and homecoming princess. During the halftime game of the In addition to that, Arbuckle showed a fun and energetic homecoming game, she is honored along with senior Malcolm Johnson as part of the homecoming court. jack fiorillo | hawkeye side of her when she and senior Alisha Clingan collaborated together to debut the dance skills of the dynamic duo there,” Arbuckle said. “We [got] in arguments like a family, dance group known as “Thunder and Lightning.” we cared for and supported one another whenever anyone got “My favorite memory would have to be trying out for the hurt, and so it was nice having that family connection.” talent show with my friend, [Clingan],” Arbuckle said.

However, the matriarch of the family wasn’t always so “It’s senior year and we were like, ‘We can do whatever we enthusiastic about being a cheerleader. want.’ So we tried out for [the talent show] and ended up “In the beginning I was hesitant to even try out,” Arbuckle making it, and we did this crazy dance and made it rain in said. “There are all these stereotypes about cheer that it’s the audience. It’s something I’ll never forget.” some big posse that goes around When she’s not cheering or perBy Irvin Zhang Sports Editor “I think she’s a great leader. She’s bullying everyone.” forming with Clingan, Arbuckle had such a positive influence on The many cheer teams all sit nervously on the floor in a Arbuckle got a little push from her is active in helping out around the MTHS and it’s just because she’s older sister that would seal the deal cramped stadium, waiting for the results of the state compeschool. such a positive person and such a in her joining cheer. tition to be announced and praying that their hard work will She is an active member in both relatable person. Morgan [Arbuckle] “What got me into [cheer] was be rewarded. As the MC begins announcing the winners, Project Unify and Family, Career is my inspiration because she’s such that my older sister did it,” Arbuckle the nervousness and anticipation gets ramped up to an even and Community Leaders of America a great leader while still being so said. “She kept pushing me, telling higher level.

(FCCLA). fun and outgoing all the time. me it was a good experience, and I The anticipation finally explodes into a burst of emotion “I think she’s a great leader,” Taylor Taylor Arbuckle never thought that was true until I when the MC announces that MTHS cheer placed fifth Arbuckle said. “She’s had such a MTHS alumnae tried out and was on [the team].” place in the whole state. positive influence on MTHS and it’s Alumnae and Morgan’s older sister Taylor Arbuckle reflect- just because she’s such a positive person and such a relatable Earning fifth place in the state cheer competition couldn’t ed on when Morgan decided to join. have been accomplished without the leadership of cheer coperson. Morgan [Arbuckle] is my inspiration because she’s “As her big sister, I feel proud and happy to say that I captain and senior Morgan Arbuckle. such a great leader while still being so fun and outgoing all helped her [join cheer] and come out of her shell a bit,” “Oh yeah, [she’s a good leader]. Probably the best,” senior the time.”

Taylor said. and fellow co-captain Taylor Douglas said. “She’s probably High school is only a brief stop in her life, as it is for There are many misconceptions about what cheerleaders the mother of our team because she would just keep everyone many high school students. For Arbuckle, her next stop is actually do. Taylor Arbuckle explained that there are many on track. If someone was messing around at practice, then Ellensburg, Wash. stereotypes about cheerleaders, ranging from the idea that she’d be telling them to [focus].”

She will be attending Central Washington University in cheer is a bunch of preppy bullies to the idea that all they do To the cheerleaders, Douglas’ analogy of Arbuckle being the fall in hopes to pursue a business degree. is wave their pom-poms around at football games. the mother of one big happy family has become the foundaEven though she won’t continue cheerleading in college, She said those ideas and everything in between cannot be tion of a strong bond that all of them share with one another.

Arbuckle said the leadership and social skills that she farther away from the truth.

“After school every day, we would be [at practice] for at learned and perfected in cheer will come in handy as she goes “It’s not just about doing flips and waving your pom-poms least two hours, most times three hours, so we kind of lived onto college and eventually into her career. H

LEADING MORE THAN JUST CHEERS

Morgan Arbuckle exemplifies what it really means to be a cheerleader

20 | June 2015

Hawkeye

Game changer Romanowski’s skill and leadership led Terrace to its only women’s basketball state playoff berth. She believes it only takes one player to change a whole program. For the Hawks, she could be the one.

By Irvin Zhang Sports Editor

Shortly before game time, she dons the number 22 and with it, she puts the fate of her teammates and the entire school’s history on her back.

She knows that it only takes one player who believes in herself and her school to undo the curses of the past and rewrite the future of a whole program. Senior and University of Denver commit Samantha Romanowski was that one player.

Romanowski’s impact in the Terraceum would be decided at a young age when her father introduced her to her first love: basketball.

“I fell in love with [basketball] in the first grade,” Romanowski said. “I love the competitiveness. You can always be better than what you are, so you always have to work for something.”

Between school teams, select teams and playing for fun, Romanowski has basketball in her blood.

When she reached high school, things became a bit different.

“In high school, I knew the team was lacking players,” Romanowski said. “I thought that getting on the team and helping the team would be the biggest thing I could do.

[It was hard] when I first came in as a freshman because [it] was my first time playing on a losing team because I was always winning on my select teams. [Some of the other players] were used to it, but I wasn’t, so that was the hardest thing to overcome.”

Romanowski’s freshman year, the varsity team had a record of 6-14. The next year they improved, but it was very slight as they still had a negative record of 10-11.

Regardless of whether she was on a winning or losing team, Romanowski didn’t limit her hard work to the regular season.

“There were so many [emotions] going on. The very last game, we were down by two and I remember Nikkie [Froehlich] passed [the ball] to Maddy [Kristjanson] and right in front of the half-court, she took that shot, and I was just hoping it would go in. It didn’t and we lost the game, and didn’t go to [the Tacoma Dome].”

Samantha Romanowski Senior

Senior and University of Denver commit Samantha Romanowski goes up strong against her opponent to shoot the contested layup and get the basket to go during a game against Meadowdale High School her junior year. tk johnson | Hawkeye “All throughout the offseason, [Romanowski would] always commit to our team even though she had select [basketball] and other commitments,” MTHS alumnae and Romanowski’s former teammate of three years,Yesenia Pena said. “That showed her true dedication and who she really [is].”

Romanowski’s hard work shined through her play in her junior season. It also had a huge impact on the team. In that season, they went 18-5 and the former co-WesCo player of the year led the team with 18 points per game.

“Our year, last year was the biggest up,” Romanowski said. “The whole [season] turned around and we made [regionals].”

In MTHS’s history of women’s basketball, no team has ever made it to the Tacoma Dome. Romanowski and company had that chance. But it was not going to be easy.

They were faced with a “win or go home” scenario against the Lincoln High School ‘Abes’ who had a respectable record of 14-6.

“There were so many [emotions] going on,” Romanowski said. “The very last game, we were down by two and I remember Nikki

[Froehlich] passed [the ball] to Maddy Zucker said. “We were also really sad [Kristjanson] and right in front of the halfbecause we realized that we wouldn’t all court, she took that shot, and I was just hop- be together again and that [it] was our last ing it would go in. It didn’t and we lost the year.” game and didn’t go to [the Tacoma Dome].”

To add insult to injury, or in this case it The Hawks lost the game by two points, would be injury to insult, Romanowski was 61-59. bit by the injury bug later “I remember that year during select bas“We had a pretty tough year I stormed off to ketball. She was diagnosed last year, but I hope people the locker room,” with a torn ACL. will look at that and see that Romanowski said. “I “I didn’t believe it until one player coming in can was the first one in I got on my phone and change a lot of things,” there because I was talked to [Romanowski] Samantha Romanowski so mad. As one of myself,” Zucker said. “I Senior the top players, you didn’t want to believe it.” think about, ‘Oh I As a result, Romanowski could’ve done this ‘better,’ or, ‘Oh I could’ve would have to sit out the entire 2014-15 seadone that better,’ and so I left and just sat by son and watch from the sidelines. myself. Everyone [in the locker room] was “It really sucked,” Romanowski said. crying because it was a big thing for us.”

“I’ve never been benched like that. I mean, The 2013-14 Hawks basketball team had I couldn’t play. I hate sitting on the sidelines a roster that comprised mostly of seniors, so and not being able to help out my team. If I losing the game wasn’t the only thing that saw something that they really needed help stung. on, I couldn’t really help them.” “[We were] so close. We all had the feel“Sometimes,” she recalled, “they were so ing that we could’ve done it,” senior Riley close to winning and I couldn’t do anything

Hawkeye for them, so it was really hard for me.”

Even though the Hawks would have a less than ideal season with a record of 1-18, the silver lining is that the school saw just how important she was. Although during her three years playing, the team made it to regionals once, it was still the first time in school history.

“We had a pretty tough year last year, but I hope people will look at that and see that one player coming in can change a lot of things,” Romanowski said. “You can change the heart [of the other players], the mind and how they think, their work ethic. That can make the difference in a lot of things.”

A torn ACL is one of the hardest injuries to recover from in all of sports, but even that didn’t deter a Division I school from recruiting and ultimately signing Romanowski.

The University of Denver (UD) was that school. UD’s team has been one or two highimpact players away from making it over the hump and going to the NCAA tournament.

June 2015 | 21 UD’s head coach Kerry Cremeans, believes we’re excited to have Sam [Romanowski] join Romanowski can be one of those impact our program and our family.” players.

Cremeans is not the only one who believes “She comes down to us from the northin Romanowski. west part of the “Sam will push country where the herself. She’s a great “She’s a great player. But no one [women’s] basketathlete,” Pena said. thinks about the amazing person ball is phenom“As long as she pushthat she is, too. Half the time [when enal,” Cremeans es herself, the sky’s we’re on the court], it feels like I’m said in an interthe limit.” just hanging out with my best friend. view with the Zucker who has She is funny, energetic and crazy, all been Romanowski’s Denver Pioneers. in such a good way. Off the court, teammate for six “She is tough, she is just an amazing friend and years, also praised not only in her person.” her talent and abilhigh school seaRiley Zucker ity. son, but also in senior “Sam has so much the summer. Her potential. She already has gotten so far summer basketball program is absolutely and she has already become so great. If she phenomenal. She is a scorer. With us losing Morgan [Van-Riper Rose] to graduation, she would’ve played, I can’t even imagined what would’ve happened. She probably would’ve is a phenomenal three-point shooter. So is been All-WesCo, all star teams for the Sam Romanowski. She can light it up from downtown and shoot the three ball deep, so Seattle Times, and stuff like that. For her to

Romanowski scans the court and looks for an opening in the defense to attack during a post-season game her junior year. tk johnson | Hawkeye

go to college and get her playing time there, she’ll be able to show what she’s able to do,” she said.

Romanowski is a great player on the court, as statistics and accolades will point out, but there is also a side of her off the court that people may not know.

“She’s a great player. But no one thinks about the amazing person that she is, too,” Zucker said. “Half the time [when we’re on the court], it feels like I’m just hanging out with my best friend. She is funny, energetic and crazy, all in such a good way. Off the court, she is just an amazing friend and person.”

Romanowski’s time as a Hawk is almost over and she is one summer away from moving more than a thousand miles to take her talents to Denver.

There, she’ll be crossing up her defender, stepping back to her left and putting up shots with a swish and a barrage of cheers from the crowd. H

22 | June 2015

hanging up the beakers and bunsen burners

Hawkeye

Currently the longest-tenured teacher at Terrace, Gil Comeau shares his story about his time as a Hawk Story by Stephi Smith Photos by Serafina Urrutia Hawkeye Staff

After science teacher Gil Comeau graduated high school, he knew he wanted to be a teacher.

After he graduated Harvard University, he was ready to take a job anywhere.

Now, he’s retiring after 37 years of teaching and, for the first time since he began his career, he doesn’t know what his life will be like next year.

Comeau has worked at MTHS since 1978, longer ago than any other current staff member. As a Shorecrest High School class of 1970 graduate, Comeau loved his time there.

He said that although many people hated high school, he didn’t feel that way. He has kept in contact with a lot of the friends he made during those four years. “[High school is] sort of high pressure and you’re trying to figure out how things work, but I had fun in high school,” Comeau said.

He said that in high school, he enjoyed math and science and always excelled at those subjects. When he became a high school teacher, these are the subjects he taught.

“It can be tough to teach things you’re good at because you don’t know why you’re good at it,” Comeau said.

After high school, Comeau attended Harvard University in Cambridge, Mass. He majored in biology and minored in chemistry.

Whether or not he enjoyed Harvard depends on the day he is asked, according to Comeau. He said it was very competitive and there were “a lot of big egos.”

However, Comeau said many people there were smart and driven.

“There were people that were definitely going to be the leaders, movers and shakers of the next generation. Just like me,” Comeau added.

After he graduated Harvard, Comeau said he knew he wanted to be a teacher. However, he always thought he would be a biology teacher as that was his major in college.

“By luck I landed in chemistry and I’m glad I did. I love chemistry. I’m so happy I got to teach that and psychics,” Comeau said.

Throughout his 37 year career at MTHS, Comeau did

Science teacher Gil Comeau demonstrates a physics lesson using tennis balls while narrating his actions.

teach one class of biology.

Along with teaching science, Comeau also enjoys hiking, river rafting and being outdoors. He has been the adviser of the hiking club every year he’s been at MTHS. He said he loves being the hiking club adviser because he has allowed the members to see some beautiful things in nature.

Before MTHS, Comeau had a handful of side jobs. He was a bartender in college and worked at a bicycle shop from the ages of 16 to 26.

Comeau was offered a job working at MTHS in 1978 and said he would have taken a job anywhere. He was lucky enough to be offered at MTHS, he said.

His first year of teaching was startling, but that is how it is for anybody, he said. It was because there were new faces and new ways to teaching, but he immediately loved the students at MTHS. Comeau spent a year substituting around Edmonds School District and said he thinks “the kids at Terrace are really nice, they’re just regular kids.”

“I’ll miss having someone to talk to about chemistry and teaching. Comeau has definitely been my mentor for 20 years.”

John Traxler

Chemistry Teacher

Over the years, Comeau taught many students that later came back to MTHS, one of them being fellow science teacher John Traxler.

Comeau taught Traxler for three years, twice in chemistry and once in psychics.

Comeau said he taught Traxler much of what he knows about science and hopes he has taught him his attitude on teaching. Comeau said it has been an honor to be teaching with Traxler these past few years.

Traxler said Comeau was definitely the reason he became a science teacher later on. He said all of his teachers at MTHS pushed him to go into teaching, but having Comeau for three years had an impact on what exactly he would teach. “[Comeau] had a big influence on me becoming a science teacher for sure. He made it look fun and something that’s never boring,” Traxler said.

Traxler said he loved Comeau’s teaching style. It was very laid back and casual, which never made class boring.

He recalled his first class with Comeau, his first period on his first day at MTHS as a sophomore. Comeau arrived to class five minutes late with a coffee in one hand. As he went to sit down, he accidentally spilled the coffee all over his lap and then “said a very inappropriate word,” according to Traxler. He left the classroom and came back later and told the class “well, this year’s getting off to a great start.”

Their teaching styles are not identical, but they share the same philosophy about teaching, Traxler said. “[Comeau and I] definitely have the same philosophy that anyone can be successful in science, that science is something everyone should take, science should be fun and should be about what you see and do in your daily life,” Traxler said.

Traxler said the biggest thing he is going to miss about Comeau will be his sense of humor. He said Comeau makes him laugh at least once a day.

“I’ll miss having someone to talk to about chemistry and teaching,” Traxler said. “Comeau has definitely been my

Science teacher Gil Comeau displays a physics lesson using an unusual mirror in hopes to make the students laugh. mentor for 20 years.”

MTHS alumnus Larry Francois agreed with Traxler, saying he loved Comeau’s casual teaching style and sense of humor. Francois, by the way, used to teach at Terrace and is now the superintendent of the Northshore School District.

Francois had Comeau for chemistry one year. He said Comeau was very laid back and funny and he made it easy to get excited about whatever he was teaching. “[Comeau] didn’t take himself very seriously. He was into his science but not in a nerdy way, it didn’t turn you off,” Francois said.

Francois said Comeau had a good balance between being funny and being a teacher.

“I only hope when my time comes to retire, I will have had as impactful and inspiring career as he’s had,” Francois said.

Along with his former students, Comeau has collected his fair share of memories over his years at MTHS. He thought back to his first year of teaching and said he thought somebody might get killed at that year’s homecoming due to the craziness of the students.

After this year, Comeau will retire. He said he’ll miss the MTHS students and other MTHS staff the most. He won’t miss waking up at 5:15 a.m., though, he said.

He also said he will think about the students at MTHS a lot after he retires.

“I enjoy hanging with [the students] and my colleagues. I’m surprised at what great people I get to teach with, very few people are jerks,” Comeau said.

After he leaves, Comeau said he doesn’t know what he’s going to do afterward.

“I’m a little concerned about [what I will be doing when I retire], because I know there are people who sit around and do nothing,” Comeau said. “I don’t want to be like that.”

He said he wants to stay active and might go hiking more or take up golf. He also said that he may travel with his wife “whenever the urge comes up,” since he won’t be bound to a schedule. Maybe he’ll get another job after he retires, though. Comeau said his daughter wants him to tutor young kids who struggle with science and he may do that.

Whatever he does after he leaves, Comeau will certainly be missed by anyone who had him as a teacher or colleague.

Traxler advises anybody who had him as a teacher and enjoyed him should thank Comeau before he leaves and say a real good-bye. Traxler said he definitely will. H

Hawkeye

JUNE 2015 | 23

Family First

Chef teacher Jessica Walton says it’s time for some home cooking with her own kids

Chef Teacher Jessica Walton does a cooking demonstration for her Chef 3 class. Walton has taught at all levels of chef class, ranging from Chef 1 to Chef 4. jack fiorillo | hawkeye

By Irvin Zhang

ranging from chef one to chef four.

She has also been the Family, Career At her workplace at MTHS, and Community Leaders of America Jessica Walton teaches kids the (FCCLA) advisor for six years. skills it takes to pursue a career “I’ve had her as a teacher, I’ve been in the art of cooking while also her [teacher assistant] and also [had Greg Schwab putting out any fires, literally and her as an advisor] with FCCLA. She PRINCIPAL figuratively, along the way. Ten is amazing,” senior Rachel Olson, curyears ago, she said she’d have never rent FCCLA president and former been able to see herself teaching chef classes, but through the chef student of two years, said. “She’s very organized, she twist and turns of fate, that is precisely what she has been makes everything so fantastic and relatable, and she really doing, and she loves it. makes things interesting. [Walton] is constantly coming up “Originally I didn’t want to teach chef at all,” Walton, with new ideas and making sure everyone is involved. She’s just a great teacher, great advisor and a great person.”

MTHS’s main chef teacher, said. “I knew it was one of the After about a decade of time spent at MTHS, Walton’s classes I was certified to teach, but I was more passionate time is officially coming to an end. Walton is a teacher by about teaching child development and personal finance. day but more than anything else, she is a mother to now two That’s not how education works. We don’t always get to boys, ages 3 and 1. choose what classes we get to teach, so when [there was an That, she says, more than anything else, is the reason opening], it left a vacancy in this position and so I moved behind her decision to leave. into this position, and I’ve grown to love it.”

According to Walton, she is able to take three years off to Walton has taught all levels available of chef in high school, Sports editor

“Being with your kids when they’re little is very important.

You don’t get that time back.

It’s a personal choice that she’s made, and I really respect it.”

take care of her children. She likely won’t be coming back to MTHS after those three years, not because she doesn’t love the job that she had, but because she lives in Lake Stevens.

Walton said that on certain days, when the traffic gets bad, it can take up to an hour and a half to get to MTHS. “This job is really hard,” Walton said. “I felt like I was able to do it fantastically without children, okay with one kid, and now I’m doing fine, but I feel like my kids are suffering because I’m putting all my energy and effort here, and then when I get home I’m like a shell of a person who has nothing left to give her kids. I don’t feel like that’s fair to them.”

Principal Greg Schwab, a parent himself, admires Walton for her decision to leave work for her kids.

“Being with your kids when they’re little is very important,” Schwab said. “You don’t get that time back. It’s a personal choice that she’s made, and I really respect it and I’m really happy that she is making it. It’s right for her, and she needs to be respected and applauded for doing that.”

But as she prepares to become a full-time mother, she is bracing for the withdrawals that will come from leaving.

“I do something different every day. Every period is different,” Walton said. “I love that. I get to come to school every day and my actual job is I get to cook with kids.”

Even more than that, Walton will also miss the school and the students at Terrace.

“I love high schoolers because they can carry on a conversation and it’s an interesting conversation, and I like talking to kids and seeing how their brains are working, things that you couldn’t do with elementary school kids. I’ll miss the creativity and innovation that can come from them,” Walton said she also will miss the community but at the same time, the community will also miss her.

“I love [Walton] so much,” Kimberly Nelson, fellow Family and Consumer Science teacher, said.

“She’s realistic and fun at the same time. She is a realistic hard worker so she has everything ready on time and is easy to work with, but she doesn’t make things big and obnoxious.”

Walton has made sure to leave Terrace in good hands. For the past two years, Walton has been working with Emily Evans, who works currently one period at MTHS and four periods at Lynnwood High School. “[Evans] reminds me a lot of [myself],” Walton said. “She’s super fun, energetic and she has a lot of knowledge. She has more knowledge of the food industry than I do, so she should be better than me. She hasn’t had the opportunity to have a classroom of her own yet just because of the politics of how education works, so I’m really excited for her to take over the program and put her stamp on it.”

After this year, Evans will flip-flop her schedule, teaching four classes here as the primary chef teacher and then teaching one class at Lynnwood as their secondary chef teacher. “[Walton] will be greatly missed,” Evans said. “I don’t think people understand the impact that she’s had on [MTHS].

Those are big shoes to fill. It’s very nerve-wracking, but I’m excited to try something new. At your sixth year in teaching, why not try something totally new?” H

24 | JUNE 2015

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