Issuu

Fall sports teams set the bar high

a closer look at the stem program

Creative Outlets for student expression 14

September 2015 | Volume 31 | Issue 1 Mountlake terrace high school | 21801 44th Ave. W Mountlake Terrace wA 98043

Hawkeye www.thehawkeye.org

Why do your classes matter? Dive into the different departments that are offered at MTHS and find out.

One subject at a time.

2 | September 2015

Hawkeye

awkeye

We’re always looking for a few good… WRITERS • PHOTOGRAPHERS GRAPHIC ARTISTS • SALESPEOPLE WORDPRESS GURUS • EDITORS DESIGNERS • INTERVIEWERS VIDEOGRAPHERS • COLUMNISTS BLOGGERS • WEBMASTERS LEADERS • ORGANIZERS TEAM PLAYERS • THINKERS WORKERS • INDESIGN EXPERTS EVENT MANAGERS • INNOVATORS MARKETING MASTERS • PLANNERS REVIEWERS • CRITICS • ETC.

Know any? What about you?

Come see us any day after school in room 130.

Hawkeye

September 2015 | 3 hawkeye Leadership ‘15-’16 Editor-in-Chief Paxtyn Merten

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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

7 Contents September

2015

AsiaLee Donnelly, Clohey Horton, Edwin Olivera, Emily Anderson, Katrina Pirie, Katryna Garza, Kiah Helms, Lilly Stelmack, Luke Smith, Tessa King and Vivian Nowka-Keane

4 No need for a meninist movement 7 Languages from across the globe 8 Looking to the fall sports season

12 The development of STEM 14 An ear toward MTHS music 15 Art classes of every variety

Find your niche in journalism A

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

Letter from the Editor

s we take a glimpse of what life is like behind MTHS’s aged wooden doors between our esteemed humanities, STEM, arts and foreign language departments, it is only fair to shed the same degree of light on our awa rd-w i n n i n g Paxtyn Merten Editor-in-chief journalism program. Student expression can be seen through multiple outlets, including the Hawkeye, Hawk Broadcasting Network (HBN) and Tempo, our yearbook. As opposed to popular belief, you don’t have to be a talented writer to be on a student newspaper. Taking any journalism class means that you get to tell the stories of the people and events at our school through an abundance

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

of different mediums, including writing, photography, video, illustration, data and social media. As a member of Hawkeye specifically, you are also able to get firsthand experience with business by selling advertisements and gaining sponsorships for events. You can have a hand in the operation of an event that hundreds of people attend with your publication’s name on it. As a student journalist, opportunities are manifold. As a member of the Hawkeye, I have had the chance to travel across the nation, sit in on a Page One meeting at the New York Times, interview public officials, have conversations with people about topics that truly mattered and become an expert in things I never would have thought about before journalism introduced me to them. The MTHS journalism program has also opened me up to ideas and opinions and facts that have made me a more intelligent,

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Mission

informed citizen. We learn how to write news while simultaneously learning to be good consumers of news in a world where the way we receive it is always changing. This is a valuable skill, as it should be applied to everyone’s life as they make decisions concerning who they vote for or their opinion on any given topic. Journalism teaches you to collect facts and consider all sides of an issue. You will learn to narrow a vast amount of information down to the most important aspects. And, above all, journalism is a great way to connect with people who you may not have met otherwise. The common bond over the First Amendment and telling good stories breaks boundaries between ages and social groups. Joining a student publication means having truly exciting experiences with some of the best and brightest of MTHS. H

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

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reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.

4 September 2015

Hawkeye

Feminism misspelled M

eninism, by definition, is “a global organization of men that believe in and support the feminist principles of women’s political, social and economic equality,” according to feminist.com. So why does meninism appear to be a separate, Sarah Schank self contradictory Op/Ed Co-Editor movement which opposes feminism in practice? Current meninist principles, according to Buzzfeed, dayofthegirl.org, statenews.com and other websites, are merely to empower the idea that men need equality and also to mock feminism. Men have had their grip on being the dominant gender in America since the genesis of this country and practically since the beginning of humanity. Since women have been speaking up more and acting on the injustices that they see, opponents have been confusing the real feminist motive, equality for all, with a false agenda; equality for just women.

“Meninism” continues to make a mockery of feminism

People often misinterpret what it means to know this. They are aware of the fact that be a feminist. When they hear the word fem- men undergo many of the same difficulties inism, many automatically think that its sole as women. purpose is defending female rights and comMeninism has made feminism seem silly pletely disregard the broad scope of people and made actual feminists seem “crazy” and whom the feminism movement champions. “man-hating” because they call out these Because of the fact that feminists tradifeminist ideals that aren’t even real. tionally focus more on fighting for women In many circumstances, such as sexual than men, “meninism” was created. Sure, harassment scenarios and more obscure cases feminism in the 1920s focused primarily on like custody battles, yes, men can be vulnerwomen but people tend able and in need of equal rights and protection. But to forget that, like many “A feminist is someone that’s what we have feminism other things, movements who not only wants for, since the feminist ideals adapt to their surroundthe total equality of have evolved over the years ings. women, but of all and now include equality of In modern times, a femipeople, regardless of all genders. nist is someone who not gender.” For example, according to only wants the total equalthe Rape Crisis Center of ity of women, but of all people, regardless of gender. So basically, the Medina and Summit Counties, 1 out of 33 men in the United States are rape victims. meninists who mock feminism are contraWhile that is significantly less than the 1 dicting their intentions by refusing feminist out of 6 female victims, it isn’t a statistic principles. that goes ignored. Feminists recognize these Meninists frequently counter feminist idenumbers and work toward diminishing als by stating that “men get raped too,” “men them. get cat-called too,” “men are insecure too,” While the posing meninists are frolicking and more. But what they’re forgetting is that feminists around the internet raising dispute among

themselves and feminists, they’re forgetting one key fact: true meninism is feminism, so there’s no need for separate labels if their intentions are the same. If a meninist wants equality between men and women, he should call himself a feminist. So, instead of jumping to conclusions and stereotyping feminism to be just another fad, “meninists” should take their time and do some research to find out what exactly feminism is all about. They will hopefully realize that they’re battling their own fundamentals by opposing feminism. There is no need for a meninist movement if their principles are the same as the feminist movement. If you advocate feminism, call yourself a feminist. It’s as simple as that. Feminists want equality for all. They want women to be on the same platform as men, they don’t want to tear men down, like meninists make it seem. Personally, I am proud to call myself a feminist. And anyone who supports the idea of equality among ALL genders should be proud to consider themselves a feminist, too, regardless of their own gender. H

Welcome to a new school year W

of experience and enthusiasm. hoa dude, school is starting already? Whoa dude, be If you’re keeping score at home we now have six Terrace nice! Okay, OK, all right, sure. Yes, school is really graduates coaching at MTHS. starting already. It seems the older I get, the quicker the So clubs are rolling, fall athletes are toiling, and freshman summers go by. But I digress. parents were crying, “Oh, my baby is going to high school,” That was actually a lead into last Wednesday at the 18th annual HawkWalk and Link two new clubs at MTHS. The Crew Freshman Orientation. first is a club started It’s so cute to see the freshman parby some average Joe/ “There will never be ents trying so hard to let go and let Jane Skater folks and anything I can ever their child be on their own for three it’s really simple with do or say to truly Kim Stewart athletic director/activities hours. Well, to all those freshman para really cool website. thank the Terrace kids coordinator ents, I have to say your kids are in good dudebenice.com. And who put their lives hands. the “OK Club” speaks on hold this summer We are proud to say we were the first for itself. Listen up for announcements. and put me on their shoulders... ” school in Washington to run Link When these two new clubs start meeting, we will Crew in 1997. I have had the honor welcome everyone who wants to join us. of working with these folks for all 18 We are also excited to announce three new head years. So, how do I know the frosh are in good hands with coaches here at MTHS. Our new head football coach is this year’s Link Leaders and ASB officers? Kelly Dougan. You may know him as the guy who coached Well, they sure took care of me this summer when out almost every Terrace player for the last 12 years at the comof the blue I got hit with an unexpected health issue that munity level and resurrected the MTYAA Community stopped me in my tracks. program. Those who know me know that anytime the students Oh yeah, he also owns the best pizza joint in the county. I advise are working on something I’m there to help and And we have a new head volleyball coach who happens to be advise: not do, but advise. I was unable to do even that the a Terrace grad, Rene Noeun. And Jessica Annisipour who also happens to be a Terrace grad and former ASB president. past three months. Our ASB follows the guidelines of Maslow’s Triangle and All three new coaches have come out of the gate with tons

my goal every year is to get as many students as I can to the top, meaning I try to get them to the point where they find the good in everyone and they commit positive acts for others without needing a reward. Every time I talked with Liya Ewing or Gene An or Kaitlyn Anderson or Paxtyn Merten or AsiaLee Donnelly this summer about things we needed to get done, they all said the same thing: “Stew, we got it. Don’t worry.” I know from experience those are not the words a parent ever wants to hear. When I arrived at Terrace last Monday to work on Link training, HawkWalk and Freshman Orientation, I expected to find five or six fires I would need to put out. I always do my best to make it about the kids. I learned that from the various staff members and coaches I worked with at Ingrham as well as during my last 22 years as a proud member of the MTHS staff. There will never be anything I can ever do or say to truly thank the Terrace kids who put their lives on hold this summer and put me on their shoulders so upperclassman and incoming freshman could get off to a good start this week. This is how I know freshman parents have nothing to worry about with these kids running things. Oh and those fires I worried about? Couldn’t even find a spark. H NOTE: Hawkeye provides the MTHS Athletics and Activities office space each issue in the Op/Ed section as part of our mission as a designated open public forum.

September 2015| 5

Hawkeye

Simple ways to do well in class Principal Greg Schwab’s sure-fire techniques to succeed at MTHS

hat seemed like a long summer break way back in June has now vanished and it has been replaced by the start of yet another school year. As much as I love summer vacation, it gets really lonely around here. I really enjoy this time getting prepared for a new school year, seeing familiar student and staff faces, and meeting new students and staff who are joining our MTHS family. Greg Schwab Principal I hope your summer break was filled with fun, and I hope you are as excited as I am to get this school year off to a great start. Every year, I seem to have the same kind of thoughts about the new school year—it is a new beginning, a fresh start, yada, yada, yada… Not that I don’t have those thoughts again this year, but lately I’ve been spending a lot of time thinking about what is it that makes a student successful in school. I’ve been thinking about what are those things that get in the way of a student not being successful in school. I’ve come to a conclusion about this, and while some may think I am over simplifying what it takes to do well in school,

I think there are a couple of things that successful students by staying caught up and by making your school work a prido that are really not hard for anyone to do. ority. Here they are in no particular order: 3. Be nice. A factor that often contributes to a lack of suc1. Come to school every day. No surprise here, right? cess in school is negative attitudes toward school—teachComing to school every day means ers, classes, school work. Sometimes this that you are in your classes, that you negative attitude comes across in poor “My wish for every study in are learning the material, and that behavior. our school is that you have a you are getting the assignments and Like it or not, your attitude toward great school experience and homework that make up your grades school and the people who are here to that you get the education for those classes. work with you and help you learn will have you need and want that will help you achieve the next 2. Do your work. It’s not enough to an impact on your success or lack of sucsteps in your life.” be in your classes. You have to make cess. If you approach your school experisure that you do the work assigned by ence with a positive attitude, you will find your teachers. more success. This means engaging in your classes and making the time That’s it. Three simple things that anyone can do, and every to get assignments done. When we work with a student who one of these things is within your control to affect either is struggling in school, there is often a pattern of missed positively or negatively. homework and assignments, the beginning of “the hole.” And My wish for every student in our school is that you have as the amount of missed work grows, the hole gets deeper a great school experience and that you get the education and deeper. you need and want that will help you achieve the next steps Students reach the point where they cannot see any way out in your life after school. Make this school year a great one of the hole they have dug for themselves and it just becomes because you deserve it! H Note: The Hawkeye provides the MTHS Administration space each issue in the Op/Ed easier to give up. section as part of our mission as a designated open public forum. The trick is to not even let the hole get started. You do this

Back to school, back to work A

s the school year begins, we are all adjusting to the “back-to-school” scene whether it be a new environment with new people, a new set of classes, a whole new sleep schedule, or a combination of the three. For the class of 2016, with this beginning holds Irvin Zhang ASB Public Relations Officer its own bundles of emotions. It’s our last year before technical adulthood, before we all go down our own paths. There’s excitement and there’s also a hint of dread. For the other members of executive ASB and I, it’s no different. After six days at Mount Triumph and truly taking in all the teachings that the advisors there had for us, we are more motivated than ever to make sure that this last ride for us and this year for all of you is the most inclusive and wel-

Homecoming, the assemblies, and anything coming as well as the most fun and exciting else that we have planned. We want to create year ever. an atmosphere that makes it easy for all of We want to go out with the proverbial you to approach us and have a conversation “bang.” At the end of the roller coaster ride with us. that is high school, for all of us, all we leave We will happily take your suggestions into here are our legacies, however big or small, account while also taking note of all your all unique in their own ways. criticisms. Big 6 and I want We want the assemto leave a footprint “We want to be given feedback blies to be full of hype that is, dare I say, by you, the student body... We and excitement. We bigger than any of want you to approach us and want the dances to be our predecessors. tell us what was bad about as fun as can be. We ASB stands Homecoming, the assemblies want to have a helping for Associated and anything else that we have hand in making your Student Body. planned.” high school years be as We are nothing memorable as can be. if we aren’t serving you, the student body. However, we can’t do that without your That’s why more than ever, we want to feedback. establish an atmosphere of involvement and a I know that approaching us may be intimiculture of pride and school involvement. dating because some of our resting faces may We want to be given feedback by you, the look a little mean, but I promise that we’re student body, as well. nice and that we don’t bite. We want you to approach us and tell us Knowing well that it’s our last year also has us thinking of the future. what was good and what was bad about

We want to leave the school in great hands after we part our separate ways. We want to ensure that the future leaders of this school who are going to follow our footsteps are ready and have learned from our mistakes and shortcomings as well as our triumphs and accomplishments. Not only that, we want to bring out the leadership potential in all of us. We want people to get involved. It doesn’t have to be ASB. It can be anything. We want people to find their niche and truly draw out all that the school offers them as students, but also allow all students, clubs and other organizations draw out the fullest in all of us as well. With these goals come lofty expectations. If we can accomplish them, this year in and of itself will have that Disney perfect happy ending that everybody loves. H Note: The Hawkeye provides the MTHS Associated Student Body space each issue in the Op/Ed section as part of our mission as a designated open public forum.

6 | september 2015

Hawkeye

spelling out success

English classes help students prepare for their future, no matter their plan Story by Irvin Zhang Graphics by Netania Rivera

“I’ve worked in several departments. The English department at this school is unique because of the staff,” Widrig-Hodges said. “The staff here in the English has been, in some form, around since the English department here are so bright, so talented, fifth century B.C., according to Merriam Webster, so compassionate, and work so hard to make sure and is crucial to every aspect of the United States that the students get the most out of their classes.” of America. MTHS provides students right from the get English, along with math, social studies and go with a wide variety of different classes that science, are the core classes of the high school cureach has unique environments. A student has a riculum, meaning that those subjects are typically choice of regular English, Honors or Advanced included in all four years of a high school career. Placement (AP), or a block class that combines “I think [English] is a core class just because both social studies and English. communication and the ability to access informaWhite said that there are advantages and distion and utilize it effectively are the most imporadvantages to each. One consistent advantage is tant things that you are going to learn in school,” that teachers offer “a wide variety of approaches English teacher to teaching English” Jennifer Widrigand that helps stu“I think [English] is a core class just because Hodges said. “It’s dents learn all differcommunication and the ability to access what employers want. ent types of writing information and utilize it effectively are the most It’s what colleges and communicatimportant things that you are going to learn want.” ing. Because of the in school. It’s what employers want. It’s what Fellow English subjective nature of colleges want.” teacher Peter White English, the disadtook his answer vantage may be the Jennifer Widrig-Hodges English teacher straight out of lack of transparency the College Board across the board as to Advanced Placement (AP) Guide. what an ‘A’ grade means. The English department “[The College Board] basically says that ideis implementing a new curriculum that is called ally, [English class] equips students to conduct Collections in order to fight just that. As White academically sound inquiry and argumentation said, it helps “even the playing field.” and prepares citizens to participate in responsible Throughout the rigorous nine month school year, Democratic decision making,” White said. “I think students will have their fair share of struggles in that’s [the reason] at its absolute core. Being able most classes. to evaluate various positions and options and come Widrig-Hodges said that there are a variety of to a solution and then support your solution with things that she can do to help struggling students. solid evidence and reasoning is really what we need She finds out what they’re struggling with, whethin this country right now.” er it’s the content or if it’s something else, and then It’s no surprise that one of the most common if she can do something to help them, she will. things a student says is, “when am I ever going to She said that she strives to make more one-onuse this in life?” What makes English special is one connections whether it’s in PASS class, after how valuable everything in the curriculum is to the class or even over email in order to help her stustudent. dents. “You will use [English] every single day in your Last year marked the end of a marvelous teachlife,” Widrig-Hodges said. “[English helps] you ing career, White said. Former AP Language become a better communicator, and have betand Composition teacher Gaynelle Derr ended ter thinking skills. You’ll be able to analyze what her long teaching tenure at MTHS and officially you’re saying and hearing, and understanding not retired. only the obvious message but also the nuances, With her retirement came a big shift in the subtleties, biases and all the different layers of department. White, the former sophomore communication that we have in our culture. You English teacher, will now fill her shoes and become get that from writing an essay, from reading a the new AP Language and Composition teacher. book, from writing a persuasive speech, and all the “I suppose the biggest challenge will be learning other things we do in English.” the AP curriculum,” White said. “What the goals For these teachers, it’s all about serving the stuare, how those goals are achieved, and how to find dents and making sure that they walk away with a system that works with the amount of students the lessons and skills that they need for to be sucthat we have, that’s going to be the biggest chalcessful in their life. lenge.” H Hawkeye staff

Hawkeye

september 2015 | 7

breaking the language barrier By Stephi Smith Graphics by Netania Rivera

Taking a world language is not a graduation requirement, but the Edmonds School District recommends taking three years While exploring Barcelona, Spain on a of the same world language if a student is school field trip, senior Kimi Fenn realized applying for college. she was lost and didn’t recognize any buildCollins advises different resources, such as ings or signs around her. Fenn and her friend DuoLingo, an app that assists with learning didn’t have working phones or maps on them different languages, for “brushing up” on and had to rely on asking natives for direcalready-made skills, but she does not recomtions. mend “relying” on those tools. So, Fenn and her friend made their way Brier Terrace Middle School (BTMS) through Barcelona, asking local shop ownoffers a high school level Spanish class that ers and citizens navigational questions in students may take and transfer those credits Spanish. Ultimately, the pair was able to to high school. Therefore, many are able to safely find their way back to the group in begin their freshman year with Spanish 2 a country that speaks a different language and advance to as high as Spanish 5. from them. “I feel like the environment at [BTMS] was “Speaking to people I don’t know in a really good starting point for me and Mr. English is already scary for me,” Fenn Seiber [previous BTMS Spanish teacher] laughed. “But surprisingly enough when provided a really good foundation,” Fenn I was talking to native Spanish speakers I said. understood almost all of what they were saySimilarly, Alderwood Middle School offers ing.” a French class in which students can earn It was then Fenn realized that her ability high school credit equivalent to French 1 and to communicate with native Spanish speakadvance from there. ers was thanks to her Spanish classes at Fenn began taking Spanish in 8th grade MTHS. because her grandparents both knew differ“As long as you’re willing to put in the ent languages and she liked the idea of being effort yourself to learn, then the teachers will able to communicate differently. work with you,” Fenn said. “[My grandparents] would speak Spanish teacher Andrea different languages to me growing Collins agreed, saying that up and when I realized I could kind “As long as you’re willing any student that tries can of jump into that world I decided to put in the succeed in her classroom. that 8th grade I might as well try effort yourself Her teaching philosophy learning different languages, too,” to learn, then is “everyone has the right to Fenn said. the teachers will teach and to learn” and she If a student speaks either work with you.” said that anyone who wants Spanish, French or ASL at home, Kimi Fenn to be more involved in a forthey can test into that language language student, senior eign language, can. and be placed into the correct level. Collins class is very “needsCollins said that a lot of students based,” she said. She tries to bring her stumay speak that language at home but still dents interest into the classroom and help need to go over the basics. Or, the opposite, them learn from them. She said that a lot when a student speaks the language at home of students may want to learn a foreign lanand needs to learn grammar and vernacular. guage for a future career and she tries to use Collins’ classroom builds other skills, that to help. besides learning Spanish. A student also “I enjoy what I do,” Collins said. “So I try learns public speaking, everyday conversato show that in my teaching. I laugh with my tional skills and “on-the-spot” thinking. students and help them learn in whatever Spanish teacher Andrea Collins also impleway they need.” ments Spanish history into her everyday She also has her “classic Collins” moments, lessons. when she does something “so embarrassing According to gooverseas.com, a foundain front of her class,” even she has to laugh tion focused on either studying or teaching along at herself. She laughed, thinking back abroad, more and more people globally are to the previous school year when she accilearning the English language. However that dentally called 911 on her phone because a does not diminish the importance of native story had an “emergency” in it. English-speakers learning a new language. MTHS offers three world languages: “With globalization in full swing, there’s a French, Spanish and American Sign good chance you’ll be working with people Language (ASL). whose first language isn’t English,” the webhawkeye STAFF

site stated. “Being able to communicate in other languages makes you much more valuable to an employer.” But a resumé isn’t the main concern. Vistawide, an online organization that provides free information and resources to nonEnglish speakers and others who want to learn a new language, said learning a new language improves an individual’s global understanding. “In a world where nations and peoples are ever more dependent upon on another to supply goods and services, solve political disputes, and ensure international security, understanding other cultures is paramount,” it read on its website. It also said that the U.S. is the only industrialized country that routinely graduates students from high school who lack knowledge of a foreign language. It reported that 52.7 percent of Europeans are fluent in both their native tongue and at least one other language, but only 9.3% of Americans are fluent in both their native tongue and another language. Collins advises any student taking a foreign language class to “come in with an open mind,” because learning a new language is something you need to be open to. Fenn said learning a new language is an important skill and something that should be valued in school. “Learning different languages at school is important because we live in such a global society today that we’re connected to so many different countries,” Fenn said. “I feel like being able to communicate in more than one language brings a lot of opportunities to yourself and it can help the people around you.” Fenn is enrolled in Spanish 5, an independent study class. In that class, she will not being sitting in a classroom, receiving instructions from a teacher. Instead, she will work alone in furthering herself. She has taken Spanish every year in high school and took one year in middle school. Her first year at MTHS, her teacher was Senora Collins and she said that was a good stepping stone to help her learn more. In her free time, Fenn also enjoys study different languages, such as Japanese and

Finnish. She said she likes the idea of being able to be anywhere and talk to anyone. Learning something new is already valuable, but learning a new language “opens up thousands of opportunities,” Fenn said. “Here at MTHS, I think everyone should at least take the opportunity to learn a foreign language,” Fenn said. “Not just because it’s good for college, but because becoming familiar with other languages and cultures literally opens the world up to you and it lets you look at things in a new perspective.” H

8 | September 2015

Hawkeye

September 2015 | 9

Trending toward teamwork As teams head into this season, they’re focusing more than ever on teamwork

Stories by Irvin Zhang Graphics by Netania Rivera hawkeye staff

MEN’S CROSS-COUNTRY

he men’s cross country team went through what some would call a rebuilding year last year. They had lost a group of talented, experienced seniors from the year before and struggled to continue to compete. “[Last year] was learning to let go,” junior co-captain Nick Leidig said. “Toward the beginning of the season, it was really hard to get everyone motivated but we pulled through halfway [into the season].” The team took another hit when its most recent batch of senior runners all graduated. “As a team, we don’t have a lot of

Women’s SOCCER

returning runners,” Leidig said. “[Our goal] is to try to get as many freshman runners [as possible] to run with us. It’s tough to increase turnout, but we try to talk to middle schoolers during their track season and try to motivate them to come to a few summer practices and try it out.” To prepare for the upcoming season, Leidig said that the returning runners, including himself, have put in about 400 to 500 miles of training each. The cross-country team will look to build on last year’s experience and use their training to boost them through the season. H

he 2014-2015 women’s soccer team was filled with talent, but talent didn’t seem to be the lone recipe for success as they finished with a record of 8-6-2 in the regular season. “I think we did decent,” senior captain Claire Zucker said. “Some of the girls didn’t work well together, but we had and still have a lot of talent. We didn’t win as many games as we could have.” Despite this, the Hawks still made it to the postseason. With the struggles of last season

MEN’S TENNIS

ast season, the men’s tennis team got off to a quick start and won three of their first four games. Afterward, the Hawks hit a rough patch. Over the next stretch of games, the inexperience of the team showed, as there was only one experienced senior on the roster. The rest were juniors and sophomores. The team lost the next six games before winning another. After that win, the losses continued throughout the rest of the season. They finished with a record of 4-12. “As a whole, we struggled due to our young age,” junior captain Jeremy Ansdell said. “We didn’t have that many seniors on the team so we were inexperienced. Individually, we did have some strong players.” That they did. Ansdell and his partner, now alumnus Henri Breuer, were able to make it to the state playoffs last year tied for

13th place in doubles. With the struggle of last year leaving a bad taste in their mouth, the Hawks set out to improve. “We still have a lot of team left to grow, but after seeing this first practice, I could tell that we’ve gotten a whole lot better than last year,” Ansdell said. Ansdell said that the biggest struggle for the Hawks this year would be the turnout for the team. He said that they’ll probably have enough players for the varsity team but as a whole unit, junior varsity and all, they might struggle and even have to forfeit a few of the lower matches. Ansdell said that their goals are simple: to build on last season and win more games as a unit than they did last season. He also said that he wants to see constant improvement. H

Women’s Swim

or the last two years, it has been rough for the women’s swim team. They finished both seasons winless, with a record of 0-8 both seasons. The silver lining for them is that each year, they have shown progress and improvement. Two years ago, the Hawks had just 35 points for them while they had 124.9 points against them. Last season, the Hawks

behind them, they’re ready to take those lessons and move on to this season. “We learned a lot,” Zucker said. “We learned that it’s a team sport and that we can’t focus on the individual.” The goal for the Hawks for the upcoming season is to make sure that they are supportive of one another. Zucker said that she wants to make sure that everyone keeps each other motivated throughout the season. H

VOLLEYBALL

improved and had 42.4 points for them with 121.6 against them. This season, improvement is still the trend. “As a captain, I just want to see everyone reach their goals and do [well],” senior captain Victoria Loughe said. “I want to help them out, too. I know what it’s like to see yourself improve and I want that for the girls on this team.” H

wo years ago, the Hawks were dominant in 3A Wesco, accumulating eight wins to just one loss, and finishing 12-5 overall. They, in heartbreaking fashion, missed out on a playoff berth. The next year, on a team filled with experienced seniors and lofty expectations, the Hawks came close on every game but just couldn’t cross the finish line with a victory. They failed to make the post season and came out with a record of 3-11 overall. For the upcoming season, only one member from the varsity team last year is returning. Senior Liya Ewing is taking the helm as the lone captain of the team. “It’s nerve wracking [being in a leadership role],” Ewing said. “I know that a lot of players will be looking up to me. It’s going to be a challenge for me to

remember that leading a team is not always being the best player, but more encouraging and motivating everyone to be their best.” Fresh off a season full of disappointments and losses, the Hawks are more motivated than ever to come back strong. “The number one thing I want is to win,” Ewing said. “I want to leave every game with the feeling that we tried our best.” Along with an almost completely new team comes the transition of a new head coach. Former junior varsity (JV) coach Rene Noeun has now been promoted to take the coaching reins of this team. “Because [Noeun] was our JV coach, I think it’s going to be an easy transition,” Ewing said. “She’s definitely going to push and I’m excited for that.” H

FOOTBALL

he Hawks shook up the Wesco division last year through their successful groundand-pound style of play. They finished 8-4, made the playoffs and, on top of that, they made school history with their level of success – winning a playoff game for the first time ever. The season ended with a loss against the Marysville-Pilchuck Tomahawks. The offseason grind then began. “We really focused on teamwork,” senior Ilai Wilson said. “We worked on a whole new offense with a lot of new players. It was a little hard to adjust because you get so used to the guys that you play next to during the season.” Players also had to adjust to new coaching staff. In March, varsity head coach Tony Umayum offi-

cially announced his resignation. As a result, former freshman head coach Kelly Dougan was hired and took the reins. “Coach [Dougan] is a great coach,” Wilson said. “He does a great job managing the players and he’s already pretty well known by the guys because [he is the owner] of Sorelli’s [Pizza] and because of his MTYAA [Mountlake Terrace Youth Athletic Association] coaching days.” Coming off a record breaking year makes for lofty expectations. The Hawks anticipate another victorious season. “We want to make the playoffs,” Wilson said. “We want to at least make it past the first round like last year. Ultimately, we want to fight and we want to win it all.” H

WOMEN’S CROSS-COUNTRY

ast year, the women’s crosscountry team dominated on a state level. They were the second best team in state and had a fair chance of winning it all last year. “It was awesome! I was so proud,” junior co-captain Katherine Gustafson said. “We learned that every position is important. You never know when someone’s having a bad day and you’re going to have to step up and run at a higher position. Now we have everyone returning so I definitely feel like we can win.” Senior co-captain Ella Schroth continued by saying that the experience of coming so close was able to bring them all together and solidi-

fied how important it is to support one another. The cross-country team has spent all summer in preparation for the upcoming season. “We meet and run every day,” Gustafson said. “We keep each other accountable for our mileage and our health. We do a lot of bonding which is contrary to the misconception that cross-country is not a team sport. It is and we really do show that.” According to Schroth, they have a “go big or go home” mindset when it comes to this season. The goal is clear – win the state meet and come out on top. H

10 | September 2015

Hawkeye

Formula for success: Solving problems in and out of class Math students strengthen rational thinking skills that may be applied to everyday life Story by AsiaLee Donnelly Graphics by Netania Rivera Hawkeye Staff

Most have heard the popular math teacher claim that math is used often in everyday life. More than that, though, the skills you develop through math classes are transferable to life. This is an idea firmly upheld by math department co-chair Ryan Chute. “Even though it’s not this direct connection of math and algebra and variables, it’s still the same idea of thinking rationally and applying it to something that is non-mathematical,” Chute said. The lessons taught in math courses provide students with problem solving skills and the ability to generate and test hypotheses. For Geometry and Advanced Placement (AP) Statistics teacher Stephanie Lee-Henning, the math skills taught in class are directly transferable to the real world. Lee-Henning said it’s harder to see the connection with geometry, but statistics is practiced every day, such as with the famous deflate gate scandal. The primary objective of the Math Department this year is, “to deliver good math instruction to enhance students’ abilities,” according to Chute. Lee-Henning agreed, adding that it’s important to teach students the information that they will need to know for college or a job. “Math helps build your logical thinking skills, which will benefit you in any career you enter into. Many high paying careers involve math. And math is beautiful,” AP Calculus teacher Nick Lencioni said. Three years’ worth of math credits are required to graduate from MTHS, though most universities look for students to have four years. MTHS provides students with a wide array of class options, offering classes ranging from pre-algebra to AP Calculus. There is a class to fit every student’s needs, according to Chute. For instance, Chute said anyone with an interest in engineering, science, or just with a prodding mind should consider taking advanced math courses. Similarly, Lee-Henning believes anyone willing to work hard and take the class seriously should take higher levels of math courses. “Success depends on how much effort you’re willing to put into learning concepts,” Lencioni said. On the other side of the spectrum,there is an extended algebra 1 class for students who may need the material to be covered at a slower pace. “Hopefully these options give students the opportunity to choose levels that are appropriate for their educational needs,” Lencioni said. Another focus of the department is to cater to each

student’s needs in a way that will be most beneficial to him in which students must return to a topic that was difficult for or her. them to understand, fill in any gaps in their knowledge, and This year, a Collection of Evidence class will be offered to then teach it to other students. students who failed a math End Of Course (EOC) Exam It is Chute’s hope that by doing this project students solidtwice. This course will allow students to create a portfolio ify their learning of a concept they struggled with while at over the course of a year to show their understanding of alge- the same time teaching other students and gaining an underbra 1 and 2 concepts that, once turned in, will satisfy their standing of what teachers do for lessons. EOC graduation requirement. “When it’s a topic that you really need to work at and move Beyond meeting graduation requirements, Chute said math yourself around this context and try to look at it from difcourses can be beneficial to one’s understanding of fellow ferent perspectives and then after all that hard work once it humans and the world around us. finally ‘clicks’ you have that ‘ohhh’ moment and you figure For Chute, serving his students means getting his students out all the implications like ‘oh that’s why that works.’ That involved in his lessons. He aims to bring life to math to make moment is really rewarding for me,” Chute said. it more appealing to his students. To accomplish this, he creLencioni also enjoys the moment he sees a student grasp ates a comfortable class environment where students feel safe a concept they were previously struggling with and said, “It to learn and know that he genuinely cares about them and never gets old.” the class as well. To get students to that ‘ah-ha’ moment, Lencioni uses “I want to be a great teacher and what a great teacher does videos of his own creation in a flipped classroom setting so is show sincere care for the students,” Chute said. he has more class time to work with students one on one. Chute employs a variety of techniques in the classroom in Students take notes from his videos and the textbook as the form of games of his own creation, including manipulatheir basic lesson and then complete homework in class tion and movement. In doing this, he intends to encourage where they can work with other students and Lencioni is students to interact with the lessons. available to help at all times. Students also work at their own On a deeper level, Chute said it’s pace after being given a basic time important to identify the needs of stuline of flexible due dates. “Math helps build your logical dents as individuals, as well as their “Students learn math at different thinking skills, which will benefit needs as a class. Once he knows his speeds and I like to cater to those you in any career you enter into. students, he knows how to modify his differences in the way I set up my Many high paying careers involve personal teaching style. From there, class. However long it takes, I am math. And math is beautiful.” he focuses on what is primary to devoted to helping students achieve Nick Lencioni instruction: seating a room, providing mastery of concepts,” Lencioni said. AP Calculus teacher extra notes and communicating with They display their knowledge of students. each concept through formative assessments and at the end Lee-Henning teaches two very different classes and for that of the year complete a final project involving the comparison reason employs different teaching styles in each. In geometry between geometric volume and the volume found using intethere is more time to work with the students, holding their grals. hand through all the curriculum. Meanwhile, AP Statistics If there is time around core curriculum, Lee-Henning students have to be more independent and work at home in incorporates art into her geometry lessons. Students may use order to get through all the curriculum at an adequate pace, the concepts they have learned in class to enlarge images or Lee-Henning said. create 3D city-scapes. Lee-Henning aims to provide structure for all students, Teachers in the Math Department are constantly working claiming to be very predictable and avoiding surprises in lesto make sure classes benefit the students. All department sons. meetings are led by co-chairs Chute and Daniel Johnston “I want the kids to be able to learn and not have anxiety,” covering topics such as different curriculum, aligning classes, Lee-Henning said. different teaching techniques, and sharing ideas in general. There are multiple tools that math teachers can employ Along with leading the department meetings it is also the in their classrooms to benefit students. Some are popular job of department co-chairs to support other math teachers and widely used such as Khan Academy and the Selected as needed, Chute said. They focus on school improvement Answers section in text books, others more specialized to and good instruction. individual teachers. “I think one of the things that I have really enjoyed about Chute posts answers, links and notes on his website for the department over the years is just how supportive it is,” students to access for extra help. He also has a final project Lee-Henning said. H

Hawkeye

September 2015 | 11

Matthews: “Make sense of the world around you” The science department teaches students how to collect, analyze and interpret information

Story by AsiaLee Donnelly, Paxtyn Merten and Stephi Smith Graphics by Tessa King Hawkeye Staff

Looking at the world through “many different lenses,” opens up all types of opportunities and possibilities, according to physics teacher Jim Matthews. He said he thinks people should take all different kinds of classes, from math to art, to help open their minds to the world. “If you are able to see the world the way that a scientist, a writer, a poet, an artist, a historian sees it, if you’re able to see the world through all those different lenses at the same time, then I think that is going to make the world way more exciting and rich,” Matthews said. He said that science “demands a different way of thinking than other disciplines do.” The goal of the MTHS science department as a whole is to teach as many different kinds of classes as possible in order to reach as many different students as possible, according to biology teacher Adam Welman. Although just two science credits

are required to graduate and colleges recommend taking three , MTHS offers nine different science courses. Welman believes it’s important for students to pursue science “whether it’s your passion, or you’re trying to broaden your horizons.” The science department aims to target anyone willing to challenge themselves, Matthews and chemistry teacher John Traxler said. Although it can be easier for students to succeed who have natural talent in math and science, Welman said if a student works hard, he or she can definitely be successful. “I found biology and chemistry as a high school student easier, it made more sense, it worked, whereas physics was really challenging for me. Sure enough, I put in extra effort and it turned out okay,” Welman said. Traxler also said that analytical students love science and the best are those who think about science creatively. Another objective of the science department, according to Matthews and Welman, is “to make a scientifically literate population at Mountlake Terrace High School.” To do this, science teachers push content knowledge as well as how to collect evidence and data, then use that information to support ideas and create conclusions. “Collecting, interpreting and using evidence is the skill set that might be more useful in science than in other classes,” Welman said. Science also builds one’s ability to “make sense of the world around you and the observations that we see,” Matthews said. Science classes offered at MTHS include varying levels of biology, chemistry, and physics as well as physical science, astronomy, and zoology. Each science class has its own focus and teachers use different strategies to

help their students. chemistry, physics and astronomy, while the According to Traxler, every science class Advanced Placement (AP) Physics curricuhas unique tools and ways of learning. lum includes kinematics, forces, work and Science gives students the opportunity to use energy, momentum, circular motion, gravitamore hands-on stuff that can support learntion, sounds and electrostatics, according to ing than other classes, Welman said. Matthews. Welman finds excitement in the tools he Physics has its own set of tools students gets use as parts of his biology lessons, such get to use. Most commonly veneer probers, as DNA manipulation tools like gel electromotion detectors, various simulations as well phoresis. Other tools as others according to students get to work Matthews. “A lot of biology relates with include microHe tries to present to real life and if you pay scopes, computer anito his students a reaattention you will see those mations and models. son to learn the mateconnections in the years after Biology covers topics rial in his classes. you are done.” such as DNA, genetic Through labs and Adam Welman Biology teacher engineering, ecology, other class activities, evolution and cells. he wants his students When teaching, Welman tries to make to come to their own understanding of the topics relatable for his students. For instance, concepts and processes. he relates mitosis, a bland topic, to students’ It is Matthews’ hope that his students learn lives by describing its connection to cancer. to communicate and listen when working in “My philosophy is [that] it’s important to lab groups, and then be able to use their evitry to teach things in a lot of different ways,” dence to support or refute an idea. Welman said. In Traxler’s chemistry classes, the main He also tries to keep up on current events focus is critical thinking. They are built on and bring real life situations into the classobservation, technology, and the ability to room when they apply. read scientific text as well as problem solve “A lot of biology relates to real life and if mathematically. you pay attention you will see those connecTraxler, like Welman, attempts to bring in tions in the years after you are done… I want real world connections to show how chemisstudents to be able to make informed decitry affects everyday lives. sions about science and about biology when As someone who hates sitting, Traxler tries they get out of here,” Welman said. to get his classes up out of their seats and He tries to teach students to determine the moving by doing labs and demonstrations credibility of what they may hear or read and that they are involved in, which other science if the information is supported by evidence. teachers also try to do. “I’ll be pretty frank when talking about, for Science teachers are determined to guide example, politicians that are discussing clistudents to increase their knowledge in a mate change. When you’re analyzing things, meaningful way. [you have to ask yourself] ‘Is that person, The department works together to help that elected official, that public figure using each other grasp concepts and collaborate on data and evidence for his or her claims, or curriculum, lending each other a hand even not?’ So getting good at that here will maybe though they may teach different subjects. help you interpret things like that later on,” “I have colleagues who are excellent at Welman said. explaining [different scientific concepts] to Besides bringing news into the classroom, me and vice versa. When I talk about why I Welman also uses traditional means of like teaching at Terrace it’s because my colteaching such as using a textbook though leagues are great to talk to and bounce ideas he likes to do hands-on activities, computer off of,” Welman said. simulations, incorporating individual and Science teachers are also genuinely interestgroup projects. ed in the subjects they teach, which benefits “I think that by teaching it lots of different the students’ learning and makes the classes ways, I can reach those students who might more intriguing. learn in different ways and that students who “I love science, I love chemistry and I’ll put in the effort can do just fine. Anybody be honest, I’m good at it. I’ve always been can do well in here as long as they work hard good at chemistry and I can explain difficult and I work hard to teach them in a lot of dif- things in a simple way. I think that since ferent ways,” Welman said. I have that gift, I should share it,” Traxler Physical science covers introductory said. H

12 | september 2015

Hawkeye

Engineering a pathway through the STEM program

By Paxtyn Merten Editor-in-chief

As host of the science, technology, math and engineering (STEM) magnet program, many students at MTHS are enrolled in the program. According to STEM program coordinator and engineering teacher Craig DeVine, the STEM program targets anybody who is interested in the way things are designed and built, how things work and using math and science to help society. “If you’re the kid who liked to take things apart and make them better and see how it worked or whatever, I think it’s that passion,” DeVine said. “If you have a passion for the way things work, and designing and improving and building and trying and experimenting, if you’re excited about that then this is a great program for you.”

The STEM program’s patchwork history The focus on STEM based curriculum at MTHS has been continually fostered and fine-tuned over the past decade, according to DeVine. What began as strong foundations in science and math evolved, “adding this more full program that would expose kids to more areas of STEM, in particular the technology and engineering sides of things,” DeVine said. To bring in a greater emphasis on technology and engineering, MTHS adopted Project Lead the Way, a national STEM program curriculum, as well as hired several engineers as teachers and established a robotics team. From there, the program became more specific and Career Technology Education (CTE) representatives from the school and district outlined a four-year program of classes that would result in an official STEM diploma. This pro-

Hannah schuster | Hawkeye

gram involves taking a math, science and engineering class to programs that they will use in college and in the profesevery year along with a technical writing/culminating project sional and corporate world, so it won’t all be brand new,” he class as a senior. said. “Once there was a plan, a pathway, a way to do it that gave During a STEM student’s senior year, he or she is enrolled kids a really strong education, that was just really powerful,” in English 12 STEM and must complete a capstone project. DeVine said. Students work alone or in small teams “They are good foundational A student can also earn an honand choose their own STEM-related skills, not just for STEM, but ors STEM diploma by taking more project to research, design, build and test. for anyone pursuing more advanced math and science classes. All projects from the class compete in future endeavours, whether According to DeVine, the program the Intel Science and Engineering Fair it’s a job or additional was fine tuned even further with the near the end of the school year. education. We want to development of different pathways “It’s interesting when I see students prepare them for success.” through it. Now, students can choose doing really interesting projects that they Craig DeVine to go through the program with an totally immerse themselves in,” Lafferty stem program coordinator emphasis on either aerospace engisaid. neering, biotechnology, or computer science. As a part of this class, students also learn valuable techni“If your passion is engineering and mathematics and scical writing skills. According to DeVine, a primary focus is to ence, then I’m telling you we have a program here that will learn how to communicate technical ideas to “both technical really help you maybe take another step toward pursuing and nontechnical people” concisely. that and the opportunities are manifold,” DeVine said. “English 12 STEM is a design project and it is all the communication that an engineer or a technician would have to do when they’re communicating with their customers, when STEM curriculum and goal they’re communicating with their bosses, when they’re comAccording to DeVine, the goal of the STEM program is to municating with their colleagues, when they write an email prepare students for post-graduation success in a two-year or or a paper. It has to be technically oriented,” he continued. four-year engineering program. “Our program is designed to do three things. We want to Skills STEM builds engage our students in STEM, we want to prepare them for college, and we want to inspire them so that they have fun Participating in the STEM program feeds many valuable and they can see you can do all these things that are happen- skills in students. DeVine said these include problem solving, ing in the world today,” DeVine said. teamwork, the design process and project management. The program leaves room for students to develop their “They are good foundational skills, not just for STEM, but knowledge in humanities, music, the arts and foreign lanfor anyone pursuing more future endeavours, whether it’s a guages as well. According to DeVine, this resume of high job or additional education. We want to prepare them for school classes should prepare students for success in any success,” DeVine said. degree, not just a STEM related career. According to Lafferty, the basis of his class consists of givHowever, he also said it can be difficult for a student to ing students a problem to solve and testing their ability to fit every required class into his or her four-year schedule. “come up with some type of creative solution.” Therefore, it is important for students involved in the pro“The reality is, what we want to be teaching isn’t necesgram to map out their entire high school career as freshmen sarily even specific subjects,” Lafferty said. “What we want and communicate any complications with their counselors. students coming out with is general problem solving skills “[STEM is] at the expense of other options. If you decide and critical thinking skills. We want them to be able to comto do the STEM program, your four years are fairly well municate and we want them to explore the creative aspects of outlined and you won’t get the range of classes that you technology as well.” might have otherwise had,” DeVine added. “On the alternaThese skills, along with the specific STEM skills and contive, you’ve been given a good set of college prep classes that cepts, are meant to prepare students for life after high school. are fun.” “Everything I do is connected to the real world because In most engineering classes, students have to that’s the perspective I come from. I constantly bring remindcomplete different design projects, including truss ers to the students about what the corporate engineering design, software program design and other environment is like and I try to explain to them what’s open-ended projects. These can take weeks important because of that,” Lafferty said. Science and engineering are subjects that also require at a time. extensive trial and error. As a combination of theory and To complete these tasks, students practice, students must ask a question, predict the end result, are introduced to tools and software run the trials and, if the end result is not favorable, go back programs that are used in the profesand figure out how to run the test differently so it works. sional engineering world. For example, “You really have to stay at it,” DeVine said. “You have to DeVine said they are given the opportuhave persistence and tenacity and that willingness to work nity to work with two-dimensional laser extra hard, maybe extra hours. It really takes that extra effort cutters and three-dimensional printers, to make good things work. It doesn’t come easy.” which are used in the classroom and In turn, this persistence and hard work builds on to previindustrial world for rapid prototyping. ously mentioned problem solving skills as well as patience “The range of software programs that we use is and work ethic. H quite wide. Students are already being introduced

Hawkeye

september 2015 | 13

blast to the past

History class provides way to learn from mistakes, make better decisions Story by Stephi Smith Graphics by Netania Rivera Hawkeye Staff

There’s the famous saying about looking forward and to not dwell on the past. But with an hour long class everyday dedicated to the past, it’s hard to completely live by that motto. At MTHS, 3.5 years of history are required to graduate. In freshman year, a student will take one semester of either regular or honors world history and from then on it’s a yearlong class every year. In his article about history classes, Gutenberg College professor David Crabtree defined history as “a story about the past that is significant and true.” He also stressed the importance of history and why it is important in both politics and everyday situations, such as when a parent has to decide which of their children hit whom. “History does matter. It has been said that he who controls the past controls the future,” Crabtree wrote. “Our view of history shapes the way we view the present and therefore it dictates what answers we offer for existing problems.” He also said history will remain important throughout the years and students should appreciate the ability to learn from past mistakes and knowledge. During sophomore year, a student learns either world history or European history; in junior year, a student is taught U.S. History; in senior year, it’s U.S. Government.

“A history class should not be one where students just read a textbook and absorb facts. They should be debating and discussing those facts.” Chris Ellinger Humanities teacher

Advanced Placement (AP) history classes are offered for sophomores, juniors and seniors. Upperclassmen are also offered Running Start for history classes, a program that gives both high school credit toward graduation and college credits to high school students. According to an NBC News study, just 13 percent of high school students in America showed “solid academic performance” in U.S. History. Because of this, America is seeing a decline in students seeing history as an important subject to learn. AP Government teacher George Dremousis said his class matters because the vast majority of his students, seniors, will be voting in the upcoming election. He said his classes teach them how to truly be in the process of voting and have their voices heard. His class is a straightforward class, he said, and he likes that because he can teach important things in ways that make it interesting. He is able to pick things from the news and apply them to whatever he may be teaching that week. “[In this class you] don’t always have to teach from a textbook,” Dremousis said. Humanities teacher Christopher Ellinger said his main focus in his classroom is to “prepare students to be citizens and be college ready if they so desire.” He teaches both AP humanities and regular English 10 and he has the same teaching philosophy in both classrooms, that any student can learn if they try. His classroom is an engaged one, he likes to have debates and discussions. A unique activity he practices is a “popcorn debate,” where every student has to speak and can talk whenever they want to. He’s “not a huge lecturer,” he said, so he tries to have the students talk and he gives his input. Busy work isn’t something Ellinger likes to have in his classroom. “Students should be busy doing something every minute you’re here,” he said.

Junior Andrew Fitch said he studied for hours every night the week before the AP European history test and ultimately received a 5 on the test. He said his teacher, Ellinger, helped prepare him throughout the year and up until the test. “[Ellinger] made [the test] kinda easy, he helped me and made sure I studied a lot,” Fitch said. Junior David Roberts also received a 5 on the same test and said Ellinger’s “people and terms” are what made the difference. Dremousis said his class teaches students how to be analytical and get involved with the voting process. Because of his class, he thinks, more students are influenced to have stronger opinions toward politics and vote in elections, thus being able to have their say in government. “[We have] a system set up for participation,” he said. “So participating is the most important thing when it comes to government and politics.” Ellinger said he brings current events and other world views into his classroom, to show that history is not just about the past. “A history class should not be one where students just read a textbook and absorb facts,” he said. “They should be debating and discussing those facts.” Dremousis has also taught AP U.S. History, Economics and World History and Ellinger has taught U.S. History, World History and various English classes. Dremousis said history is a class that reaches out for “students who want to be involved.” H

14 | september 2015

HITTING ALL THE RIGHT NOTES By Max Tracy Graphics by Netania Rivera Hawkeye STAFF

As one of the major draws to MTHS, the music department has had an immeasurable impact on the school and the students who attend it. With programs attending numerous festivals throughout the years and as a result, many awards taken home, there is no doubt concerning the high quality of the department as a whole. The music department consists of three main divisions, those being orchestra, choir and band, each with their own subdivisions, styles and methods. There are 10 music classes between the three, in addition to two other classes: History of Rock & Roll and Guitar. All of these classes count as art credits, although a few of them can be counted as Career and Technical Education (CTE) credits. Some of the standout individual classes include Jazz Ensemble 1, Percussion Ensemble, Chamber Orchestra and the Accents/Women’s Vocal Ensemble. Jazz 1 is the highest level of band available and requires the most experience to get into. According to Jazz Band member and senior Jun Park, to get in you have to be more developed as a jazz musician. This group goes on the most trips and does the most when it comes to performances and

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practice, and in turn wins many awards. how much time you want to put into it, [but] Percussion Ensemble consists of all kinds of people who enjoy music don’t necessarily see percussion instruments, from bass drums to it as a commitment, we see it as something we snares and cymbals. They perform at home enjoy doing,” Park said. football games, assemblies, and even with Among the most remarkable things about Symphonic Band and Chamber Winds. Under music is the wide range of life skills that can be the direction of instrumental music teacher obtained from participating in it. For example, Darin Faul, they have recently been engaging in learning how to respond to constructive critimore competitions. cism. Many of these classes and especially the more “Some people are really defensive on what advanced classes require auditioning or teacher they do, but through music you [have to be] permission. Essentially, there’s able to take that into consida base amount of skill you need eration,” Park said. “It depends on to make it into a lot of music According to Faul, teamhow good you classes. The one exception to this work is also extremely imporwant to be and is chamber choir, which doesn’t tant to music classes. how much time you require any prior experience. “In other classes it’s very want to put into it, “You want to have a passion individualized, so it’s ‘I study [but] people who for it, because you’re there to the material, I take an indienjoy music don’t sing, but you don’t really need to vidualized test, I get an indinecessarily see it as know anything prior to coming vidualized grade, my failure a commitment, we in because you pretty much learn or success does not matter to see it as something everything,” Dynamics choir the rest of the class,’ but [in we enjoy doing.” member and senior Mackenzie band] it’s very community Jun Park Gardner said. based. We need everybody to Band member, senior Also, it’s worth mentioning succeed, so we work to help that every band, choir and orchestra class takes everybody succeed,” Faul said. up two semesters. Remaining in year-long However, Faul said the music classes struggle music classes throughout high school won’t with turnout. He said the class would be even leave much room for other electives, but many better if more people signed up and wanted to feel that music is worth it. learn music. “We ask people to sit in the moment and “One of the main things that I see with stucreate art in the moment. That requires a masdents, in our school specifically, is that they’re sive amount of concentration and attention to isolated. It seems to me that there’s been an another person,” Faul said. increase in depression and loneliness. There’s One of the fun parts to being in music is the the presentation of only your best self a lot opportunity to go on field trips and compete of times online and people look at that and it against other schools, as well as getting evaluseems like everybody else is doing so well relaated for the performance you’ve worked to tive to how they’re doing and I think that also perfect. Band, orchestra and choir all get their causes people to feel depressed,” Faul said. “And chances for field trips. For example, every few generally there’s a lack of community, very few years each group travels to Silverwood in Idaho. students, with the exception of those who do Performance opportunities vary depending activities, I think get plugged into something. on the music group. Choir goes to the different If we could just get more people building that Edmonds School District (ESD) elementary sense of community. And music is one place schools to perform for them and get them excit- where that happens.” ed about music. Band and sometimes Orchestra The benefits students can receive are similar get chances to go on longer trips to places like to the other arts classes, from obvious things Disneyland. like having a creative outlet, to more subtle “One of the best parts about being in music things like learning to work as a team and is the performances, it’s really what you’re building confidence. Faul said band really helps working for through the whole year,” Chamber students develop other skills, such as thinking Orchestra member and senior Tina Liu said. outside the box and working with others. Both students and teachers said the music “Being creative and innovative are probably classes benefit everyone and gives the chance to the most important things that will be required explore something new. by students in any field, because the lower level “It gives you an opportunity to learn someskills, the computations the mechanics, are all thing that you wouldn’t normally go and learn,” being done for much cheaper elsewhere or on a Liu said. computer. So we need the human part, which is Being in a music class can mean a lot of extra what we deal with [in music] - being creative, time and commitment. self expression, coming up with new fresh ideas. “It depends on how good you want to be and That’s all it is,” Faul said. H

Hawkeye

september 2015 | 15

creation and admiration: art at terrace By Max Tracy Lifestyle Editor

Art is something that can transcend ages. It is constantly prevalent around humans and just about every human society to exist. At MTHS, we have our very own department for art, with classes ranging across the board due to the generally loose definition of art. “I define art as an innovative way to express yourself,” senior Tyler Grabarczyk, who is involved in the drama department, said. Art classes at MTHS can be grouped into approximately three sections: the more classic art forms like sculpting and drawing, photography and graphic arts, and drama and theatre classes.

The Classics There are many classes that involve more typical art forms, including Fundamentals of Art and Design, Clay Design, Jewelry and Metal Design and Drawing and Painting. The classes’ names are, for the most part, self explanatory and none of them have prerequisites. Clay Design is a good example of an ordinary art class that you may think of when hearing the words “art class.” The class involves shaping clay, as well as drawing and designing the ceramics you want to make. Students end up making many different objects, from boxes and sculptures to vases and cereal bowls. One of the benefits to art classes like these is the calm atmosphere. “It’s just a fun class to have. The teacher plays music in the background and you’re just sitting there molding your clay and talking to people around you. [It’s] just a relaxing class,” senior Connor Ebright said.

Jewelry and Metal Design is another class where students can make and create unique pieces of art. Starting this year, the class will be offered for five periods in the school day, showing just how popular it has become. The first semester of Jewelry and Metal Design focuses on demos, safety and learning the techniques for all the differing machines. “They sure learn a heck of a lot about safety, [but] one of the most important things [students] learn is technique, it’s all about technique and how you use the equipment ABOVE: Jewelry teacher Mark Walker heats up glass with a blowtorch to shape soon after. BOTTOM LEFT: Metal is melted that’s provided for them to make, say a down and then poured out. jack fiorillo | hawkeye ring,” Jewelry teacher Photography use modern digital cameras crowds in general,” Grabarczyk said. Mark Walker said. and Adobe Photoshop to process photos. Which is a good skill to have, according Students then gain more freedom to make Similarly, Graphic Arts revolves around to Grabarczyk, because whenever he has to whatever they want by shaping glass, casting digital imaging software like Photoshop and present anything, the skill of public speaking and molding among other things. InDesign to make art in a digital form to is beyond helpful. The fee for Jewelry and Metal Design is create things such as logos There are many of subtle $40 per semester, but the value of all the and CD covers. things you can learn by “It’s a breakaway from the norm, you items you make in that class and take home Just like the other art being in certain classes like can come down is about equal to the cost, according to classes, Photography and these. here and you can Walker. Also, students are allowed to order Graphic Arts 1 have no preOccasionally the commitbe creative, some some of the materials they may want when requisites. Graphic Arts and ment and work required students come they pay the art fee. Digital Photography, can for drama will increase, down here and “I hold them accountable for being a also count as an art credit or especially during production they’re having responsible adult, [for example] with Career Technical Education preparation. a hard time and money that they spend, and it’s not (CTE) credit instead of an “It takes a whole lot of they’re struggling, cheap,” Walker said. art credit, depending on the commitment to be in drama. and they can come One of the overall best things adverstudent’s preference. It’s not something that you down here and tised about Jewelry and Metal Design can cheat your way through. really just let it go.” is the ability to have an escape for stress The Performing Arts I’ll be honest, I tried doing Mark Walker Jewelry and metal design right here at school. that and it didn’t work teacher “It’s come into class, learn some techLast but not least there out too well. I finally got niques, and have a blast. I mean there’s is the drama department, serious in the last three so much stuff [students] can do in here,” which extends beyond traditional acting weeks of rehearsal leading toward the play,” Walker said. classes. There is also a Technical Theatre Grabarczyk said. class, which focuses on the tech aspects and Art classes can provide a creative outlet for behind the scenes portions of drama produc- students while adding to their educational Capturing the Moment tions. In addition, MTHS offers an Acting experience. Classes in Photography and Digital Improv class in which students learn basic “It’s a breakaway from the norm. You can Photography are also offered. role play, develop improvisational skills and come down here and you can be creative. Some students come down here and they’re In Photography, students focus on participate in the same acting games the having a hard time and they’re struggling, basic photography skills and use black Theater Sports team competes in. and they can come down here and really just and white film along with darkroom “Throughout drama I’ve realized that I’m let it go,” Walker said.. H methods.Meanwhile, students in Digital more comfortable speaking to people and

16 | September 2015

Hawkeye

MTHS PTSA presents the...

A week of great prizes! Oct 17th: Handmade Seahawks Quilt Oct 18th: A “Taste of Terrace” ($325 in food/drink gift cards) Oct 19th: i-Pad Mini 32G/Black/with WiFi Oct 20th: “Staycation” Package (luxury hotel, food & movie tickets)* Oct 21st: 4 Day/3 Night Cabin Get-Away in Skykomish* Oct 22nd: 3 Day stay @ a Worldmark Resort* Oct 23rd: Disneyland Hopper Tickets (4) & 2 Airline Tickets*

$5.00 per ticket or 5 for $20 See a PTSA member today to get your tickets (mightyhawksraffle@gmail.com) Drawings nightly @ 6pm, MTHS, 10/17/15 -10/22/15 Final Drawing @ Edmonds Stadium, 6pm, 10/23/15 Maximum number of tickets sold 5000 / need not be present to win / *Restrictions apply

Thank you for your generous support of our programs!

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