Hawkeye Volume 34, Issue 6 Senior Feature

JACOB KNIGHT TAKES HIS FINAL BOW

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

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KIM NGUYEN: STEM AND GRAND SLAMS

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JUNE 2019 | VOLUME 34 | ISSUE 6

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06/2019 Vol. 34, Issue 6

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Calendar and Hawkeye Update

Fill in your schedules and summer events and stay updated on the latest headlines.

Seth Timple: Take the Limelight

Alternately an actor and computician, all the world's a stage for this master thespian.

Sophie Burbank: Rink representative This politically-active powerhouse of STEM is as cool as the ice she plays on.

Post-Terrace Map

Where is the Class of 2019 headed? We map out where the Hawks are taking wing.

Reiden Chea: Boundless in Science Meet the STEM champion who’s used his leadership roles to extend opportunities.

Daisy Ramirez: Author’s Choice You read it here first: Ramirez shares a chapter from her book – and life.

Leaf Gallardo: Comic Whiz

This artist found a home at Terrace, and soon we'll be treated to worlds she creates.

Kieran Faris: Spirited Songster

A life-long musician, Faris has made his mark on multiple instruments in Jazz I.

Kim Nguyen: Team Player

From ASU to the tennis courts to National Honor Society, Nguyen leads everywhere.

Austin Thiessen: Rocket Man

How fire in the sky ignited a fire in this rocketeer’s spirit.

07 Jacob Knight: Renaissance Man

Could you do it? Or would you shy away from singing in front of 3,000+ jazz fans in the Paramount Theater? Jacob Knight plans to engineer a great career for himself following his time at Terrace where he shined in STEM, music, drama and more.

Photo by Amy Harris, Hawkeye

JUNE 2019 | 3

Hawkeye

Letter from the Editor

Looking forward and loving farewells

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nd with that, another school year comes to a close. After countless hours spent in classes, working on projects, conversing with friends, participating in school spirit and ultimately living the high school experience, the time has come to put the cap on yet another year. for our seniors, this will be the last time that they disembark from these halls before their grand entrance into the “real” world.

For the rest of us, June marks the arrival of our long-awaited, Nolan DeGarlais EDITOR-IN-CHIEF well-earned summer vacation.

However, for all students, June is indisputably a time of great change and progression. It is the time when we move up to the next stage of our lives and embrace all of the promise that the future holds, whether that be college, employment or a higher position on the high school hierarchy.

As I assume the leading role in this paper as the editorin-chief for the coming school year, I know that I stand on the shoulders of giants. The Hawkeye, soon to be producing volume 35, has been built and maintained only thanks to the efforts of the innumerable student journalists who have preceded me. Their work has laid the foundations for all aspects of our publication today, from the issue you are now reading to the prodigious, award-winning coverage available on our website. Even as we prepare to move onward to brighter horizons, it is necessary to acknowledge those who have helped us achieve our success along the way. Although it is true that the seniors are departing, their legacy will endure through the programs they have built and the myriad younger students they have mentored along the way.

Of course, with each ending comes a new beginning. For the seniors, the remainder of their adult lives lies directly ahead of them, beckoning them to whatever calling they may find for themselves in this world of opportunity. Those of us who will remain at MTHS wish them all the best in achieving the highest of their dreams and overcoming any obstacles which may block their paths. If the commitment and sheer determination of many of this year’s seniors is any indication, then they will find little trouble in reaching the stars, and beyond.

While change inevitably inspires hope and excitement, it also generates some degree of uncertainty. Human nature ensures that we can never fully embrace change and that we always, to at least some extent, cling on to the past. These feelings, although more unpleasant, are also valid. Uncomfort is an essential part of change, and as many wise people who have

come before have said, nothing truly meaningful is accomplished until we step outside of the narrow comfort zones which we have defined for ourselves. The challenge of life is always to find ways to push beyond one’s region of sufficiency and into the realm of greatness.

It is also necessary in this space to say goodbye to a figure who has been a guiding force in the Hawkeye for many years.

English teacher Mike McLaughlin has been involved in the Hawkeye since he was a student at our school, and as a teacher he has served faithfully as an adviser to the organization. The Hawkeye is saddened to see him depart for Ohio, but our publication is far better off thanks to his contributions and we wish to extend him our highest gratitude.

The Hawkeye, and the school community at large, will also greatly miss the seniors who must now leave the organization.

Whether it was late-night crunch sessions with editors or exploring the various cities to which we traveled for national journalism conventions, the memories I have with so many of these seniors are among the greatest memories from my experience in the journalism program. Their expertise and aptitude can never truly be replaced, but we hope to honor their contributions by maintaining the Hawkeye’s status as a gold standard of student journalism in Washington state.

Eventually, all that remains of any experience are the memories that they generate. All of us must inevitably graduate and move on from the high school nest to the wide world that lies beyond, and as our seniors prepare to make this step, I urge them to forever cherish the unique memories that have come from our shared time at MTHS. H

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THANK YOU

ournalism doesn’t just happen at Mountlake Terrace. It takes an entire community to make sure that students have access to all the tools and resources they need in order to be successful. It also takes a savvy administration and school board to support a free and responsible student press. And it takes readers, like you, or our efforts are in vain. We humbly THANK YOU. A couple of specific shout-outs, however, to: • All of our advertisers, donors, and sponsors • Principal Greg Schellenberg, and assistant principals Dan Falk and Peter Schurke, Superintendent McDuffy, and the ESD Board of Directors • Mark Madison and the entire ESD CTE staff • Cathy Fiorillo, Sandy Merten, Vicki Stewart and all the classified staff who help us so much • Darren Sheehan and the entire custodial crew • Angelo Comeaux and the HBN staff • Coach Sood and his staff for all the help with Jam Session • All of our sources and story subjects H

Contact Us Email editor@thehawkeye.org Phone 425.431.5058 Website www.thehawkeye.org Mail Hawkeye Room 130

@MTHSHawkeye @MTHSports @MTHSWeather

@MTHSHawkeye

TheHawkeye

MTHS Hawkeye

Mountlake Terrace, WA 98043

mthshawkeye

MTHSHawkeye

The Hawkeye’s mission is to provide the MTHS community with quality, thought-provoking student produced publications. Since 1960, we have faithfully served our audience and community as an open, public forum where student editors make all decisions. In policy and in practice, the Hawkeye is a designated open forum publication.

Editor-in-Chief Nolan DeGarlais

Editorial

News Editor Nathaniel Reyes Sports Editor Sovanrom Sot Op-Ed Editor Ritika Khanal Lifestyle Editor Theresa Van

Business

General Manager Jonathan Kwong Distribution Manager Open Event Coordinator Open

Visual

Graphics Editor Nhung Lam Photo Editors Tommy Tran and Caroline Erdey

Online

Online Manager Nicole Francois

Contributing Staff for Issue 6

Jonah Paulsene, Lin Miyamoto, Jonathan Savell, Anabelle Sumera-Decoret, Matthew Hipolito, Annika Prom, Tyler Mudaliar, Amy Harris, Jacob Jester Name in bold indicates staff member of the month as selected by the Editorial Board.

Advisers

Vince DeMiero and Mike McLaughlin Journalist-in-Residence Samantha Pak FANs Coordinators Sandra Merten & Cathy Fiorillo Printer Pacific Publishing Member of MTHS ASB, JEA/WJEA, NSPA, Student Press Law Center, Tao of Journalism Editorial Policy The editorial section of the Hawkeye, including editorial cartoons, 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 Policy 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.

Advertising Policy 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.

COVER PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY JONATHAN KWONG AND SOVANROM SOT

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

The HAWKEYE

© 2019 HAWKEYE | ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.

NEWS

4 | JUNE 2019

Hawkeye

COMING UP: SUMMER 2019 Friday, June 14 MOVING UP ASSEMBLY

Terraceum, 12:50 p.m.

STEM Game Night

STEM Wing, 5 p.m.

Monday, June 17 YEARBOOK DISTRIBUTION DAY HUB (seniors)/ Aux Gym Senior Breakfast

HUB, 8 a.m.

GRADUATION - CLASS OF 2019 Edmonds Stad., 6:30 p.m.

June 24 - 25 Finals - Grades 9-11

Wednesday, Aug. 28 HAWK WALK

HUB, 9 a.m.

Wednesday, Sept. 4 FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL

the next stage in their journey.

DISTRIBUTION 17 YEARBOOK Pick up the TEMPO and

JUNE

cherish this year's memories.

17 GRADUATION The senior class celebrates high school memories and feats.

AUG

year and pick up Chromebooks.

EDITORS’ NOTE: The information in this calendar is taken from the calendar published on the MTHS webpage.

Information may change. For further information on an event, contact the organizing party. For corrections, contact editor@thehawkeye.org or come into Room 130.

• the update •

A lot happens in a month. From fashion to finance, we are constantly bombarded by headlines from around the world.

Here are the Hawkeye’s picks for what you need to know. stories and calendar by nolan degarlais graphics by sovanrom sot

International

British Prime Minister Theresa May resigned leadership of the ruling Conservative Party on June 7 following backlash from her party over her Brexit plan, which has been rejected three times by Parliament. Announcing her resignation on May 24, she promised to remain as Prime Minister until the party chooses another leader by July. Among the top contenders are former Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson, who has publicly called for Britain to leave the European Single Market, and current Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt, who wishes to negotiate terms for Britain to remain in the Single Market. H

National

The Alabama Senate voted on May 13 to criminalize abortion. The bill, offering exceptions only when there is a serious health risk to the mother or lethal fetal anomaly, has no provision for exempting pregnancies resulting from rape or incest. The most restrictive anti-abortion law passed since the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision that struck down abortion prohibitions in the first two trimesters of pregnancy, it would make the procedure a Class A felony, punishable by up to 99 years imprisonment. The law was signed into law by Governor Kay Ivey on May 14, primarily to challenge Roe v. Wade in the Supreme Court. H

SPAM CALL CRACKDOWN

JUNE

WALK 28 HAWK Prepare for the coming school

EARLY RELEASE

ABORTION DEBATE BACK IN THE SPOTLIGHT

UP ASSEMBLY 14 MOVING All classes officially move on to

JUNE

Wednesday, June 26 LAST DAY OF SCHOOL

BRITISH PRIME MINISTER RESIGNS

SPOTLIGHT

READING CHAMPS CLAIM TROPHY

By Nathaniel Reyes NEWS EDITOR

Terrace's Team Three shared the crown with a team from Edmonds Heights K-12 following the annual Battle of the Books competition May 30 at Lynnwood High School.

Three teams represented Terrace. By competition time, they had been reading and studying a list of preselected books for several months. The questions for the competition, as well as the books to be read, were put together over the past year by the district’s librarians. The event itself usually takes place earlier in the winter, but this year it was delayed due to February’s “snowmageddon.”

In the competition, teams of up to four people are asked 15 questions over the course of three rounds. These questions can be about a variety of topics such as setting, quotations and chapter location, and get more difficult as the rounds go on. Eventually, Terrace’s team made up of freshmen Emma Kerani and Sophina Chen, and sophomore Grayson Dunn, tied with a team from Edmonds Heights K-12 during the third round. The two teams still had the exact same score during the tiebreaker round, making them co-champions. Adviser and librarian Denise Tripp said she was, “proud of them before they even left,” as she felt that reading the books in time for the competition was an achievement in of itself. H

National

Industry research reveals that Americans collectively receive as many as five billion robocalls per month. Robocalls, automated calls that often appear on caller ID as nearby phone numbers, occasionally come from legitimate sources such as schools and banks, but the majority now originate from scammers and foreign entities. On June 6, the Federal Communications Commission voted to allow wireless carriers to automatically block robocalls for all customers so long as consumers are given the option to opt out. The technology uses algorithms and network scanning to identify unwanted calls. H

Members of the MTHS Battle of the Books team proudly stand with their first place trophy after winning the district competition. PHOTO COURTESY OF DENISE TRIPP

Hawkeye

LIFESTYLE

JUNE 2019 | 5

TIMPLE TAKES ON THE STAGE

By Nathaniel Reyes

junior year, but instead began his new adventure with the With the level of talent senior Seth Timple shows on stage, drama department.

“I feel like most of my time in drama was just meeting and you would be forgiven for thinking that this has been his natural calling since the beginning of high school. Many peo- hanging out with new people and making friends while the production was almost secondary to me, almost,” Timple ple may also know him as a great dancer, but may not know said. where that talent came from. To people who may not know It was around this time that the Terrace theater’s stage him very well, he seems like a very quiet person, while people became a very familiar place for Timple. Since his junior who work with him in drama use words such as “passionyear, he’s appeared as a minor character in a school play twice ate” and “energetic.” Timple’s portfolio of major after-school and as a major character twice. He was also a member of this activities began with hip-hop. year’s improv team, Koalaty. “[Hip-hop] was really fun because the two captains were His drama journey began in sophomore year, when he was really good, they had done choreography outside in a club, inspired by the improv class he was so they knew what they were doing,” “I feel like most of my time in drama taking to audition for the MTHS Timple said. was just meeting and hanging out production of Leading Ladies. He did Timple recalls that the skill of these with new people and making friends not get a role in the play, but that did captains took them to state after placwhile the production was almost not stop him from auditioning for The ing second at the regional competition. secondary to me, almost.”

Robber Bridegroom, the school musiThey ended up taking fourth place Seth Timple cal, the following year. at the state competition, making it a SENIOR “In junior year I tried out for the first highlight of his high school career.

Hip-hop in sophomore year would be a very different expe- musical of the year, and I got in as Little Harp, one of the more prominent supporting roles,” Timple said. rience. Timple had been elevated to the important position His drama career moved forward as he was later cast for of co-captain. the supporting role of Homer in the play Anatomy of Gray.

“I didn’t have any prior dance experience, so that whole time I was helping choreograph and teach other kids was all- His senior year began with a minor role in Check, Please! before he was cast as the infamous role of Orin Scrivello, the in-all kind of a stressful experience for me, as I didn’t know crazy dentist, in the winter musical Little Shop of Horrors. what I was doing and I felt like I was letting my whole team His final act would be in She Kills Monsters as one of the down because of my inexperience,” Timple said. many monsters, but he also had a managing role in the proEventually, Timple decided not to continue hip-hop in his NEWS EDITOR

Seth Timple performing in the MTHS drama department's winter production of the musical "Little Shop of Horrors." In the production, Timple portrays Orin Scrivello, a sadistic dentist who is the abusive boyfriend of Audrey, one of the show's leading characters. CAROLINE ERDEY | HAWKEYE

Timple's character in "Little Shop of Horrors," Orin Scrivello, prepares Seymour Krelboyne (Jacob Knight) for his appointment with the barbarous dentist. CAROLINE ERDEY | HAWKEYE duction.

“I was the choreographer for all the fights, so all the fights in the play were mostly choreographed by me,” Timple said.

While he was in many of the drama department’s productions, Timple was also part of the MTHS improv team.

His favorite performance was a conversation between Corey Michael Blanchard, Michael Wollan and himself. He finds it humourous due to the fact that it makes little sense, even in context.

“We were Chinese factory workers as London street orphans in London, it was a really dumb bit that makes no sense to people who read my senior quote,” Timple said. That quote is, “We’re Chinese (said in a cockney accent).”

Despite all his work with drama, Timple’s true dream is to work on audio for video games.

“I attended a video game summer camp at UW called Game Experience and that essentially brought kids together in a two-week summer camp with an end goal of developing a game, but in the process, they would bring in multiple, working experts in the field,” Timple said.

One of the experts was an audio engineer from the video game developer ArenaNet, who gave several examples of his audio work. This interested Timple so much that he decided it was the field he wanted for a career. Timple signed up for his classes accordingly, going down the STEM program’s computer science pathway. “(Computer science) is just my avenue to get into game development,” Timple said. “I want to learn coding just to get my foot in the door and then try to work my way toward the audio/technical stuff, which I’m trying to work on on my own, so that when I do get out there and start trying to work, I can advertise myself as both having proficiency in audio fields and some technical coding fields.”

Timple will be moving on to the University of San Francisco once he graduates from MTHS, where he will study computer science and coding. H

6 | JUNE 2019

LIFESTYLE

Hawkeye

Hockey sticks, STEM, and social issues

In the fall, Burbank will be attending the University of Edinburgh in Edinburgh, Scotland, where she will be working toward Ever since she was little, senior Sophie a “duo honors degree” by studying both Burbank has loved two things: politics and political science and political and social ice hockey. From the aspiring age of seven, policy.

Burbank has been continuously playing “I just have always loved government a lot,” competitive ice hockey with The Wild 19U Burbank said.

Rep A team, which goes up to Vancouver, She and her dad are both politically Canada every weekend to play in their hockinvolved in numerous ways. In addition, ey matches.

Burbank also has had her own political expeRepresentative hockey, or “rep” hockey, is rience.

This experience technically goes back a “tryout team.” This is a team formed by an to when she was only seven years old. organization and a group of coaches consistBurbank shared one of her earliest memoing of the best players of various other teams ries, a vivid recounting of an event that was based on an individual’s skill set and overall among her first political performance. experiences.

Burbank is incredibly “I remember walking “I remember campaigning through a door with my talented in the sport in the 2008 elections when parents and talking to and technically can play people, a cute little kid I was seven years old. I in the D1 level of colconvincing people to vote remember walking through lege hockey, the highest for a specific candidate at a door with my parents and and hardest level out of that time–Obama, to be talking to people, a cute litthree. D2 is the second specific.” tle kid convincing people to hardest level and D3 is Sophie Burbank vote for a specific candidate entry level college hockSENIOR at that time, Obama to be ey, but is still considered specific,” Burbank said. highly competitive. She Burbank was also last year’s Washington enjoys playing recreationally because she Technology Student Association (WTSA) prefers casual play to the intensity and comstate treasurer and this year’s state reporter. petitiveness of higher-level hockey, especially TSA is a national student organization in college. devoted to the needs of students interested in technology by providing competitive events and leadership opportunities for students from middle school through twelfth grade.

As the WTSA Treasurer and Reporter, Burbank had to attend meetings at the state capitol building with legislators, speak at those meetings and, most importantly, help plan and run the annual WTSA State Conference.

“People have asked me several times ‘what do you like about Terrace?’ It’s the teachers, they’re just amazing,” Burbank said.

She claims her relationships with her teachers are so great that she can consider many of them friends, since she hangs out with them from time to time. She claims it’s specifically the history teachers she is most familiar with. She often hangs out with one of her favorite teachers, history teacher Christopher Ellinger, after school, and they talk on subjects ranging from serious advice to everyday, friendly conversation.

Overall, she is very excited for the upcoming adventure in her life of going to college in Scotland.

Burbank has finished high school with “My experience has been just fantastic,” an abundance of experience in fields ranging from politics to ice hockey. Burbank said. H

By Theresa Van LIFESTYLE EDITOR

PHOTO COURTESY OF SOPHIE BURBANK

Burbank speaks as a representative of the STEM program at the Foundation for Edmonds School District Recipe for Success Fundraiser. ERIN MARTINO | HAWKEYE

Hawkeye

LIFESTYLE

Finding peace through music

Knight enthusiastically plays his trumpet. This year, Knight was the first trumpet for Jazz 1, leading his section by scheduling rehearsals and interpreting music. PHOTO COURTESY OF JACOB KNIGHT.

By Ritika Khanal

in a song called “Feelin’ Good” and soloed in front of about 3,000 people.

“That was really frightening, but I tried to Throughout his four years of high school, move past my fears, because I knew that once senior Jacob Knight had the opportunity to it was over, it was over, and there was nothperform in front of thousands of people, paring I could do to change it,” Knight said. ticipate in an MTHS theater production of Overcoming those fears was well worth it Little Shop of Horrors and explore his crefor Knight.

He felt that the performance was ative side in the STEM program. After high a highlight of his musical career. school, Knight will attend the University of “After the performance, I had a lot of Washington, play with the marching band people I had never met come up and tell and hopefully get into mechanical or comme it moved them,” he said.

“Just to know puter engineering. that something that I Every year, the “I just love performing.

I love worked hard to proMTHS jazz bands sharing performances that will duce moved people is participate in the hopefully bring up emotions in just incredible.” annual Hot Java Cool people, whether its sadness, At the final band Jazz festival at the excitement or whatever it may be.” concert of the year, Paramount Theater Jacob Knight Knight was voted most in which the best jazz SENIOR inspirational by his bands from all over classmates and MTHS band director Darin the state come to play. The event is hosted by Faul presented him with the John Philip the Starbucks Coffee Company.

Sousa Award. This award typically goes to Knight has been attending the festival for three years, but this year was special for him. seniors who demonstrate a particularly high degree of leadership in the band throughout At this performance, Knight was featured OP-ED EDITOR

JUNE 2019 | 7

the year. express my feelings with others a lot better,” In addition to performing at Hot Java Cool he said.

Jazz, Knight also traveled to New York City His advice to anyone who may be in the for two Essentially Ellington jazz festivals. position he was in before is, “It may be scary Essentially Ellington, run by Jazz at Lincoln and uncomfortable to accept how you feel, Center, is a festival in which the best high but I believe that you’ll find that what’s more school jazz bands from around the country uncomfortable is denying it.” gather to play music, compete and learn at Senior year brought many changes for one of the country’s most prolific jazz venues. Knight, including his first performance in a Knight remembers the day his class found school theater production, the winter musiout they qualified for Essentially Ellington cal Little Shop of Horrors. vividly.It was February 14, 2017, and he “I really like singing in the car, and then remembers his class with Little Shop, I playing poorly that found out it was really “Coming out has helped me day in preparation for overall feel better and more whole, fun to sing for a purthat year’s Hot Java pose,” he said. and I’ve been able to express my feelings with others a lot better.”

Cool Jazz.

Acting has always “I thought our band been a passion for Jacob Knight SENIOR director, Mr. Faul, Knight, so after LIttle was just really mad at Shop of Horrors was us and he stormed off into his office,” Knight over, when he was given an opportunity to said. audition for a production of Into the Woods A few minutes later, however, Faul would with Renton Civic Theater over the summer, give the class news that would turn the day he swiftly took it. around.They had made it into essentially Knight also has a technical side. For his Ellington. first two high school years, Knight partici“All of us start yelling, some of us are crypated in the STEM program. ing and for the rest of the period, it was just “With other classes, you’re kind of going a blast,” Knight recalled. through the motions to make something that He described the experience at the festithe teacher wants, but with my engineering val as fantastical and exceeding his highest classes it was really up to you to build someexpectations. thing you wanted to build,” he said.

“Traveling around New York with friends During his second year in the STEM and playing with the best jazz bands [from] program, Knight was introduced to coding, across the country in a setting that had and chose to take a coding class at Edmonds some of the best players from jazz at Lincoln Community College as part of his full-time Center Orchestra was absolutely magical,” running start schedule in junior year to conKnight said. tinue his education in the field.

However, while he was traveling with the Knight initially became interested in Jazz band and playing music, Knight was STEM because of a sixth grade project. also fighting with his own emotions. In the After completing biographies about Bill summer of 2017, he came out to his fellow Gates and Leonardo da Vinci, they became students as being gay, but up until then, he role models to Knight, and he was drawn to tried convincing himself that wasn’t who he the STEM program. was.

“Ever since then, I’ve just kind of been “I was lying to myself about who I was, and obsessed with them because they’re both while I didn’t realize it at the time, it was incredible in their own regards, changing the really holding me back from finding peace world in STEM related ways,” Knight said. with myself,” he said.

Though he doesn’t know quite what he Coming out wasn’t easy for Knight, and he wants to do after high school, Knight knows was worried about the community’s reaction that he wants to get into some sort of engito this revelation. neering field. He eventually hopes to get into “I was worried about people judging me either mechanical or computer engineering. and just choosing to not talk to me for that In the meantime, he will continue his reason,” he said. hobby of playing music. He plans on playing However, when he did come out, he didn’t with the marching band at the University of have to face those fears. In fact, he found the Washington.

MTHS community to be extremely accept“I just love performing,” he said. “I love ing and supportive of his true identity. sharing performances that will hopefully “Coming out has helped me overall feel bring up emotions in people, whether its sadbetter and more whole, and I’ve been able to ness, excitement or whatever it may be.” H

8 | JUNE 2019

POST HIGH-SCHOOL PLANS FOR THE CLASS OF 2019

Hawkeye

Hawkeye

JUNE 2019 | 9 Alexsandra A. Fletcher Charles M. Fritz Cole Goodnight Emma Michelle Holbrook Lane Larson Reed Marie Lyon Seiki Alexander Magbuhat Joseph Richard Moran II Logan Otani Ethan W. Overleese Jacob M. Paulsene Katy Prerez Zoe Renea Presho Samantha L. Svikel Tatiana Y. Torchilo Aydney Ann Wilson Zoey Ann Wilson

Other

University of Edinburgh Dora Sophia Burbank

Victoria University Jacob Cacatian

University of British Columbia John Jensen Elder

Apprenticeship

Bailey Bree Schroeder

Universal Technical Institute Brandon J. Swanson

Gap Year

Caleb L. Barnes Katrina J. Matthews Patrick J. Milam

Independent Art Work Aaron Jacob Beach

Americorps

Noble W. Hendrix

U.S. Marines

Dolyn U. Kahn

Arizona

University of Arizona Jacob Paul Reeff

Universal Technical Institute

San Diego State University Christian Todorakev

Idaho

Devanne Clark Brandon J. Swanson

Brigham Young University

Grand Canyon University

University of Idaho

Kennedy Cooper Sarah Jean Davis Mason Petersen Lydia Prelow

California

Azusa Pacific University Benjamn William Savell

California Polytechnic State University Brenna Rose Mohagen Alec Ung

University of Redlands George de Vries

Sacramento State Trevor Doan

California Polytechnic, San Luis Obispo Daniel Phan Leavitt

University of San Francisco Seth A. Timple

Ivan Moulton Alex Paluck

Illinois

DePaul University

Benjamin L. Leonard

Institute of Technology Robert Francis Krieger

Maryland

United States Naval Academy Ethan Cruz

Michigan

Michigan State University Henry J. Smith-Hunt

Montana

Employment

Utah

Andrea-Gail Lynn Marie Barton Jamie Contreras Sierra Curtis Connor Fike Benjamin Daniel Jurgensen Jody Marie Rain D. Lewis Conor Lindsay Kessler Roy Mentele Jackson Moody John Michael Nute Griffin Petkovits Joseph Lance Quintanilla Daisy Celestina Ramirez Spencer Robinson Madeline Shinault Timothy P. Skinner Matthew Kurtis Van Campen Maxim Yerin

Cassidy M. Sadler

Private Music Engineering

University of Montana Danielle JoAnn Bilyeu

Oregon

Oregon State University Ian J. Hofbeck

Texas

Texas Tech University Ainslee Anne Mattix

Brigham Young University University of Utah Erica Lampers

Washington D.C. Howard University

Dominique S. Pittman-Kidd

Wisconsin

University of Wisconsin - Whitewater Emma Jean Agricola

Adam Schnee

Latter-Day Saints Mission Seth C. Damiano Tyler Mudaliar

Washington

Big Bend Community College Zach Latham

Edmonds Community College Muhammad Ahmad Sayyed Uzair Ahmad Muhammad Ahsan J Guadalupe Andrade III Hope A. Beeler Anthony Bunyan Jordan Daniel Clingan Patricia Isabel Cueto Michael Eugene Dahl Chasen Davis Christian A. Diaz Emma Dodge Logan O. Duffy Brielle Eggebraaten Benjamin Thomas Eyman Ashley Fennell Angel Fil Nathan W. Fox-Bruno Salman A. Ghous Kirolos A. Girgis Emma Gjoka Dillon Gordon Israel Habtom Quinn Patrick Henderson McKenzie Hollenbeck Nikola Johnson Jaice K. Jones Omer Khadim Lucas John Lemas Madison B. Little Vy T. Ly Cassandra Hanna Marquez Abigail Noel McCallum John P McIntosh Barbara Leticia Mendez Corey Jenna Mendisabal Brendan William Miller Lilly Ann Miller Riazullah Musa Marina Jean Novelozo Jelly Jane Parama Brandon Pelayo Vegard M. Perander Ivy A. Perez Ashley Rae Lynn Shanaj

Mason James Pistole Sabra Marie Puglia Kimberly Reyes-Mora Sierra Lee Ridge Karly Rismoen Kelly Lyn Roggenkamp Simar Singh Sachdev Issam Sajid Mitchell Austin Schreck Bret Serres Allen Short Dania Lazcano Soto Jessie M. Sullivan Alex Taht Austin J. Thiessen Maximus Scott Walton Chase Waugler Abdul Zia

Everett Community College Brandon Bach Alec Baines Sabrina Carolina Chorlton Jonathan Kenji Kumai Jamel Vera William Clark Weatherby Layne Zuschin

Shoreline Community College Sierra Clark Gavin Norley Bruno A. Porras Caitlyn Reardon Seamus Springberg Dylan Warfield Lauren Rae Ann Wilson

North Seattle Community College Donald Strohl

Other Community College Adrian M. Vigil Chloe Sisk-Parise

Western Washington University Rosia Owusuwaa Aning Grace Atkinson Danielle E. Barnett Jessika May Bergquist Stacey Carmona McKenzie Kay-Lynn Davis Eric Dinh Taelor Alexandra Ellis Vanesa Jaden S. Estrada Kieran D. Faris

Seattle Pacific University

Madison Marie Grace Balser Hannah Eva Bressler Griffin Ovenell Evie Gwyneth Small Anastasiya Yerina

Whitworth University Theo Josiah Armentrout

Northwest University

Jennifer Abigail Barrera-Alvarado Sonja Michaela Eggebraaten

Eastern Washington University Rebeka Berhanu Rachael Elizabeth Clark Cylan Constinett Tanginkina Petilisa Fanguna

The University of Washington Phong Nam Bach Mustafa Balikci Jr. Bani Kaur Bedi Semira Beraki Alexander Lee Blakely Teresa Cristina Bonilla ZuĂąiga Reiden A. Chea Gavin Michael Clark Cameron Michael Suraci Nicole Foreman Arjae D. Guiao Andrew Carter Hay Matthew Hipolito Kaylee Hynek Abigail Lynne Johnson Patrick Jameson Jones Matthew Khajehpour Jacob F. Knight Chloe Jiselle Sarausad Laney Anthony T. Le Trevor Leen Jaden Lofrese Pedro Andres Lopez-Hernandez Katelyn F. Wagner Jesse James Martineau Kristen Walter Sharanjit Natt Reece Newhouse Kimberly Thoa Nguyen Annika Prom Daniel Quach Andy Shaw Lin Chanda Yen

Gonzaga University

Grace Kaylee Davidson Kendall Naomi Glenham Marianne Daphne Nacanaynay Britta Sinclair Morgan Young Subert

Washington State University Alexandra Jackson Austin Patrick Rothaus

Cascadia College Lauren J. Allen

The Evergreen State College Olivia McIntyre

Lake Washington Institute Inna Stakhnyuk

University of Washington at Bothell Selam Ayele Sally Benedict Mohammad Talha Chaudhry Justin Ian Guaren Krishna Koul Michael J. Malysh Meredith N. Mathisen Ishika Nayyar Elizabeth Mai Nguyen Trinity Prout Amatul Momin Saniya Lily Tereda Mulatu Jerick Teopengco De Guzman Jaimee Marrissa Malone

NOTE: All data was provided by the MTHS Counseling Office. It was up to date at press time. GRAPHICS BY LIN MIYAMOTO

10 | JUNE 2019

By Nicole Francois

LIFESTYLE

Chea paves the way for TSA

Hawkeye

I wanted, without any barriers or bounds,” said Chea. opportunity to accomplish their goals,” Chea said.

Chea was also pulled into the organization due to his interAlong with a few other sophomores, Chea began Project est in the variety of competitive events, as well as the idea of If it weren’t for his dad, senior Reiden Chea would have 10k for TSA during the 2016-2017 school year, in which collaborating with friends sharing the same goal. never come to MTHS. Chea made the decision in eighth every year they raised $10 thousand for the MTHS TSA grade to go to Edmonds-Woodway for the International One of Chea’s greatest TSA memories was during his chapter through a variety of fundraisers. They used the Baccalaureate program, but it was his father that objected sophomore year at the state conference in Yakima. As Chea money they earned to purchase materials needed for projects, and told him about the variety of exclusive resources and went to check the semi-finalist leaderboard on the second as well as to give financial aid to students that couldn’t fully opportunities that the MTHS STEM program had to offer. day, he gazed upon a delightful, yet unexpected surprise. He afford the pricey TSA competition fees.

“Only after a couple weeks of discussion and debate did my was filled with glee when he saw teams from MTHS on the Chea began Project 10k for TSA due to a revelation he dad finally get it through my thick skull that STEM was the board for twice as many events as in previous years. had freshman year. Before heading to the TSA state conferright path for me,” Chea said.

“From the start of the year, it was ence that year, Chea realized that not “TSA taught me the most Currently, Chea is part of quite a few extracurriculars, my dream to see our TSA at the top everyone had the luxury of being able to important leadership skills of my including the TEMPO yearbook, the MTHS First Robotics of the scoreboard, and it took less attend the conference. high school career, but I believe than a year for that to come true,” Competition team, ASB and the club that’s most changed “The thirteen of us packed our bags, my most important discovery Chea said. “I remember the sheer Chea’s life, the Technology Student Association, or TSA. and we departed on our road to sucfrom TSA is my newfound goal sense of joy, and how proud I felt Chea originally joined TSA in middle school because he cess. However, as we did this, I learned of helping others attain the same of our chapter. Despite our lack of couldn’t participate in STEM along with band, so he conthat many others did not have the same opportunities and privileges as the funding and resources compared to tinued on with his instrument with the intent of learning privilege of attending the competition as rest of us.” other schools like Henry M. Jackson STEM concepts in his own time. us. Not everyone could afford the hefty Reiden Chea and Tesla STEM, we still managed “TSA was the club that filled the void. Unlike STEM, $285 competitions fee,”Chea said.

SENIOR which had a set curriculum, in TSA, I could pursue whatever to make it to the top, and that was Chea holds that this led him to the one of the highmost significant lesson of high school. lights of my [high school] career.”

“TSA taught me the most important leadership skills for Chea has found quite a few role models my high school career, but I believe my most important in high school, but one who has made a discovery from TSA is my newfound goal of helping others lasting impact through teaching him the attain the same opportunities and privileges as the rest of us, importance of collaboration, is STEM breaking down the wall of financial inequality,” Chea said. teacher James Wilson.

Although many of Chea’s greatest achievements in high “Mr. Wilson served as another great school have to do with TSA, one of his most memorable mentor of mine, preventing me from going moments in high school involves the MTHS Jazz Ensemble down the path of a hands-on, ‘it must be 1 getting accepted into Essentially Ellington in 2017. done this way and only this way’ type of Chea will never forget the joyous moment on February 14, manager,” Chea said. “He showed me the when it was announced that the band would be headed to importance of collaboration and considerNew York City to play in the festival. ing all ideas, meeting a group consensus “That feeling of the hard work paying off is something I rather than making all the decisions.” will never forget,” Chea said. “Of course, getting to perform Another one of Chea’s greatest role modon that stage in Rose Hall was something special that I will els is MTHS band director Darin Faul. never get to do again, but that initial explosion of excitement “Mr. Faul was somebody I could always that one day remains the most memorable.” seek out for advice. Whenever I had a After his high school career is complete, Chea will be dilemma, conflict or simply wanted to attending the University of Washington Allen School of vent out my concerns, his office was always Computer Science in the fall. Chea hopes to get his Bachelor open,” Chea said. of Science in computer science after attending the UW, and Chea has been greatly impacted by the then go off to work for a couple of years at a either a startup lessons that Faul has taught him throughor mainstream company, such as Microsoft. After a few out the years, empathy being among the years in the workforce, Chea plans on going back to school to most prominent of those lessons. obtain a master’s degree in business administration.

“He taught me that we should always For those who want to try out STEM, but don’t exactly assume the good in people, because know what to do or where to start, Chea’s advice is to despite what they do to us or how they explore one of the STEM related clubs in school, such as convey themselves, we simply don’t know IATRIX21, TSA, Rocketry or FRC Robotics. everything that’s going on in their lives, “Although the STEM classes are great, the after school therefore, it’s unfair to assume the worst in clubs are what makes STEM the most fun and engaging, in them,” Chea said. my opinion. These clubs allow you to meet new people who Chea has also been heavily impacted share common interests, and allow you to solve real life probby current TSA adviser Mark Burbank. lems within a STEM topic,” Chea said.

Burbank motivated Chea to turn MTHS As Chea prepares to move on from high school to the next TSA into the best high school chapter in stage in his life’s journey, he has one last piece of advice to the state and to start Project 10k for TSA. offer those who are just beginning it.

“Although I never actually had him as a “My largest piece of advice is to come out of your shell and Reiden Chea is awarded the first place trophy in Structural Design and Engineering teacher, he has always been one of my most keep your mind open to new ideas,”Chea said. “Listening to at the 2017 TSA National Conference in Orlanda, Florida. PHOTO COURTESY OF important mentors, showing me the impor- advice from those who are wiser helps you learn from the REIDEN CHEA. tance of ensuring everyone has an equal mistakes of others."H ONLINE MANAGER

Hawkeye

LIFESTYLE

JUNE 2019 | 11

Life experiences drive author

By Lin Miyamoto HAWKEYE STAFF

Daisy Ramirez’s unique writing is about true stories and events from her often-colorful past.

“I use it to vent like a therapy session that I can write down and take back or change anything, to word it better later,” Ramirez said.

In Ramirez’s book, “A Mother’s Love,” she writes about her gloomy childhood. She started at MTHS in NOTE: Daisy Ramirez gave freshman year, the year the Hawkeye permission to publish the first chapter of when she got out of the book she is writing titled foster care and came “A Mother’s Love.”

If you’d like to read this under the care of her aspiring author’s original stepdad. work, check it out online at Ramirez was placed TheHawkeye.org in Vince DeMiero’s honors English class in her freshman year.

“I hoped that Honors English was going to be more writing than more like the meaning of writing,” she said.

And throughout her freshman year and then well beyond, DeMiero said he heard about Ramirez and her writing from his colleagues and the incredible ability she has with words.

“I wrote a lot in DeMiero’s [class] and I vented a little to him, and he helped me a little bit with that and he suggested changing some words to see how I could describe scenes better to really make you feel like you are there,” she said.

With that help, Ramirez went to Peter LIN MIYAMOTO | HAWKEYE White’s honors English class in her sophomore year, where she actually started writ“Broken dishes on the floor, constant ing her book. The genius of this book came screaming. This was my life,” Ramirez said. when White assigned her class an essay It was supposed to be a two-page essay, about some meaningful memories of their but she ended up printing a 30-page essay, lives. and when she handed it to White, he read “Since it was sophomore year, I didn’t have through it in its entirety. any good memories. I didn’t have anything White was Ramirez’s favorite teacher. good to write about,” she said.

He was always the teacher that would let While the rest of her peers would talk her swear in her papers. In one of his comabout going ments on an essay “I love the way that Daisy writes, that was places with their Ramirez wrote, he one of the things that really struck me. She families and said, “I love how had a really unique voice and she knew friends, Ramirez how to say what she wanted to say. I saw a passionate you lacked similar very promising writer in Daisy early [on], [a] are!” warm memories Ramirez would novelist kind-of writer.” to recount in the later feel extremePeter White essay. ly grateful for the ENGLISH TEACHER “I’m over here, motivation that like, I was inside all the time. Like my moth- White provided her in continuing with her er literally isolated me,” she said. “There was writing. nothing I could do.”

White fondly remembers Ramirez as a In her essay for White, Ramirez talked highly skilled and striking writer. about the woods that she used to live nearby.

“I love the way that Daisy writes, that From there, the essay branched off into the was one of the things that really struck daily life that she experienced while growing me,” White commented. “She had a really up. unique voice and she knew how to say what

She does wish to publish the book in the future to show people what happens behind closed doors in an abusive relationship, and how coming from certain places doesn’t necessarily mean that one is safe when it comes to upbringing.

Ramirez said her mother abused her as a child. She remembers a time when, a week before Christmas break, her mother physically abused her to the point where she couldn’t move. She was laying on the back porch, screaming and crying to the point where her neighbors called the police.

However, her mother persuaded the officers that the screaming was Ramirez’s fault instead. This resulted in two full-grown policemen yelling at an 11-year-old girl for an hour about her being a bad child and how it was her fault, she recalls.

After high school, her plans are to take a year off so she can eventually go to Sweden to attend Stockholm University, as it is home to one of the top 200 universities in the world.

However, she needs a student visa from Sweden in addition to needing to support herself for a full year without a job.

When she eventually makes it to Stockholm, she will be taking psychology and sociology as her major in the hopes of becoming a forensic criminologist.

“I would like to find out how people’s minds work, figuring out what certain things make them the way that they are to help create the person they are today,” Ramirez said.

After college in Sweden, she plans on she wanted to say. I saw a very promising returning to the United States to start her writer in Daisy early [on], [a] novelist kind-of career in forensic criminology. writer.”

She initially chose to follow this career In Ramirez’s junior year, she continued the path because, while she was looking through process of writing her book through another Pinterest feed in eighth grade, she saw essay about personal morals, which she people reporting about the classes they were wrote with English teacher Jennifer Widrigtaking in forensic criminology.

Hodges’s permission.

White holds that it would take over a day Later, at the end of the year, there was an to think about all he has to say to Ramirez extra credit project before she graduates, to read out one of the “Broken dishes on the floor, constant but he finally came screaming. This was my life.” essays that her class up with some words Daisy Ramirez did during the year. to send her off.

SENIOR She decided to read “I’m really proud of out her story about Daisy, I’m proud of personal morals. what she achieved as Ramirez got through around three chapters a young woman, just in life. Overcoming life in the half an hour she was given to share her and being strong, staying true to herself. Just writing. More than a quarter of the class had being a strong independent young woman to leave by the time Ramirez was finished, shows incredible strength and resistance,” the majority of them crying by the time they White said. went out.

“She is a unique voice and I look forward These classmates stayed in the hallways to seeing what she will achieve in the future. until the end of the period while recovering She will achieve whatever she sets her mind from the severe emotions that Ramirez’s to as long as she goes after it."H story generated in them.

12 | JUNE 2019

LIFESTYLE

Hawkeye

For Leaf, art imitates life–and enhances it

By Nicole Francois

something to put my life into, and that was drawing for me. Drawing was Senior Leaf Gallardo has always been a something that kept me motivated creative individual, and when she needed when I didn’t have anything else to do motivation, drawing sparked her interest all or when I chose not to do anything the way back in seventh grade. Since then, else, and it was my escape,” Gallardo she hasn’t allowed her artwork to leave her. said.

Along with having a deep passion for art, Gallardo was able to transfer to Gallardo is also quite fond of writing. She MTHS in the middle of her sophoparticipates in the MTHS Creative Writing more year, and she was almost overClub, where she can share her work with whelmed at the differences between her peers and gain feedback. Gallardo has MTHS and her old school. recently been combining her art and writing “I was like a deer in headlights. There skills to create a comic based on a post-apocwas so much diversity that was sudalyptic dystopian society denly opened up to ruled by a fascist emperor “Make art for yourself. Don’t me and I had no idea who the resistance guild is how to handle any of be in it to please other continually trying to take it,” she said. “Once people, because then you down.

I settled in, things won’t have any passion. ” The comic that Gallardo became a lot easier.”

Leaf Gallardo is currently creating was After transferring, SENIOR partially inspired by video Gallardo was able games that she was playing at the time, as to get the accommodations that she well as from hearing a peer talk about magneeded so that she could live a more netic pulse waves. She combined those ideas comfortable and easy school life. into a dystopian society with no electricity, “I still struggled initially, but now yet still-evolving technology. that it’s all winding down, this is the Gallardo’s artistic and leadership ability easiest year of high school that I’ve ever has served to inspire those around her who had,” Gallardo said. are not yet as experienced in the arts.

Soon after she transferred, Gallardo “Leaf has really helped me stimulate my realized a piece of advice she should artistic side,” Gallardo’s friend and fellow have given herself many years prior: creative writing club member Kaley Giboney “Don’t stay with friends that don’t care said. “As someone who does art every single about you, because you can sacrifice day, she gave me pointers for my assignments a bit of loneliness for your mental in class and even inspired me to start drawhealth.” ing again on my own.”

“Advocate for yourself,” Gallardo said The greatest hardship that Gallardo has as advice for fellow students facing disfaced during her time as an artist has been abilities. ”Try to put yourself out there. not giving herself enough credit, and at times I know it can be hard if you have disputting herself down, for content that she abilities to think that other people will hasn’t yet created. want to deal with that, but don’t think “I have to remember to stress the positive of it as dealing with it. Think of it as and disempower the negative,” Gallardo said. ‘People don’t know me yet, so I have to “Knowing what I have to work on doesn’t introduce myself to them.’”

For Leaf Gallardo, life and comics go hand-in-hand. Her comic about a resistance movement to a have to be what I’m failing at.”

After her high school career ends, fascist dictator in a post-dystopian society helps keep her motivated. CAROLINE ERDEY | HAWKEYE Gallardo began her comic during Gallardo plans on attending Edmonds December of her freshman year. At the time, Community College for two to three Gallardo did not attend years to try and “I was like a deer in headlights.

MTHS, and instead earn good grades so ing hard every day so that she can become a very unhappy.”

There was so much diversity that that colleges can overwent to a private school cartoonist in the future, and maybe someday Ultimately, she wishes to remind fellow was suddenly opened up to me where she was not given look the bad grades publish her comic publically. artists that they should be confident in their and I had no idea how to handle from the beginning of disability accommodaAs Gallardo prepares to leave her fellow work and not get caught up in comparing any of it. Once I settled in, things tions for her autism her high school years.

MTHS students, she has a piece of advice themselves to artists they may view as more became a lot easier.” and executive dysfuncOnce Gallardo finishes for new artists who have not yet established skilled.

Leaf Gallardo tion. Gallardo found community college, she themselves in the arts community.

“Everybody’s different and everybody’s skill SENIOR it difficult to do work plans on attending her “Make art for yourself,” Gallardo said. levels are different and you can’t base [your at home, so she used drawing and making dream school, The Rocky Mountain College “Don’t be in it to please other people because art] off of another person’s style, because it’s comics as a way to stay motivated when the of Art and Design, located in Lakewood, then you won’t have any passion, and doing a not you,” she advised. H school work began to pile up.

Colorado. job that takes up so much mental energy and “I needed something to stimulate me, Gallardo is practicing her art and workhaving no passion in it is going to make you ONLINE MANAGER

Hawkeye

LIFESTYLE

JUNE 2019 | 13

COOL, CONCORDANT AND COMPOSED Kieran Faris plays the alto saxophone at the Paramount Theater in Seattle. MTHS Jazz 1, featuring Faris, played an original composition of his titled “Cosmic Swing” in front of 3,000 people at Hot Java Cool Jazz. Faris’ tunes have been featured as part of the MTHS set at the Paramount for three years running, starting with a Latin tune ironically titled “Sin Nombre,” or “No Name”. AMY HARRIS | HAWKEYE

By Theresa Van

a piece that has certain features of hits from the golden age “Sin Nombre”, which literally translates to “No name”.

“I guess I thought I was being clever,” said Faris. “I just can’t of jazz, but with a contemporary and progressive twist that Once Kieran Faris graduates, not only will he leave imbues it with modernity. Colored with complex chord voiccome up with names.”

MTHS, he will also leave behind an enormous legacy in the “Sin Nombre” has an attention to detail that one would not ings and polyrhythms, “Cosmic Swing” is a high-energy piece school’s jazz community. with a solo from fellow alto saxophonist Caden Hargrave. At expect from such a young composer, an achievement impresEver since Faris was three years old, he was a musician. At the end, Faris and Leonard solo together in satisfyingly comsive in and of itself. It was debuted in front of an audience of that age, his parents coerced him into taking drum lessons, plex musical chaos that resolves the high tension of the piece. over 3,000 at Hot Java Cool Jazz, an annual event for elite and from there his musical talent grew immensely. Faris has Faris has received many awards because of his ability, such Seattle-area high school jazz bands hosted at the Paramount been listening to music all his life, a result of the love that his Theatre. It has a Spanish sound, as hinted in its name, and as the Soloist Award at the Essentially Ellington jazz festiparents have for music. evokes the feeling of Bill Holman compositions for the val and competition in New York City in his freshman year After taking drum for his work on the vibraphone on a submitted song. It was Stan Kenton band, such as “Malaguena” or “Malaga”.

“I don’t usually play the lessons for a few years, not an instrument he had trained extensively for, but for the He wrote solos with musicians in mind, and for “Sin vibraphone and I kinda had that he joined band in Nombre”, it was a tenor sax solo for Dylan Rajah (class prestigious Ellington judges his work spoke for itself. thrown at me, and I learned it in a the sixth grade and “I don’t usually play the vibraphone and I kinda had that of 2017). couple of days… but I guess it was good enough to get an award.” began playing in the thrown at me, and I learned it in a couple of days… but I The next year, he faced an even more ambitious chalpercussion section. guess it was good enough to get an award,” Faris said. lenge. He composed three songs, in a suite inspired Kieran Faris SENIOR He continued with his In addition to that, he recently received the honor of the

by Japanese culture, and in a more musical sense, the rhythm section trainMarine Corps Semper Fidelis Musical Excellence Award, atmospheric works of later Ellington and Brubeck. ing, becoming a drummer in his middle school jazz class. and was voted Most Outstanding Musician by his peers in Being just a few months after picking up the alto sax, he He continued playing the drums into his first year of high Jazz 1. wrote himself features on all three, a fact at which band school, the year he was accepted into Jazz Ensemble 1.

In the fall, Faris will be attending Western Washington director Darin Faul often poked fun. Still, these solos demBeing the most exclusive music program at MTHS, it University and plans to major in either journalism or comonstrate the skill level he achieved in relatively little time. is rare for a freshman to audition successfully for a spot. munications, although he is not entirely sure which.

“Nagare” is the introduction, with a tone reminiscent of However, Faris’ aptitude on the drums allowed him to be “I’ve always been a pretty good writer, and I’ve enjoyed writcherry blossom petals falling onto a river, easing the listener directly admitted to the program in his first year. Because of ing in all the English classes I took here. I feel like they’ve into the general mood of the suite. this, he was encouraged to work exceedingly hard and keep prepared me for that kind of thing,” Faris said. “When I Next, the bebop-laden and dark swing tune, “Tokyo practicing jazz music. think about what I see myself doing when I’m older as a job, Lights”. Again greatly illustrative, it paints a tensely swift During the summer of 2017, Faris decided to teach himself I think that would be a good option for scene of passing neon in Japan’s biggest the alto saxophone. Teaching oneself an instrument, let alone city, especially harkening of the postme.”

“Just the thought of having one as intricate as the saxophone is no small feat. The clerk tests and having to study things Although he is very musically accomwar era and the influx of western culabout music is just not my thing. plished, he feels music is a very personal at Kennelly Keys attempted to convince him to try the clariture into the previously isolated island I’d rather have it be a hobby, net instead, the traditional introductory instrument for the thing for him and he’d like to keep it nation. With a soulful and passionate something I can stay passionate reed section. Faris, however, was not dissuaded, and used his feature from Faris, tenor saxophonthat way. He feels that pursuing music about.” extensive knowledge of music theory as well as his unwaverin college and as a career isn’t fit for ist Ben Leonard also soloed, creating Kieran Faris ing dedication to learn the instrument himself. him, as finding a job in the music indusa pairing he repeats later. The piece SENIOR Though the saxophone is currently his main focus, this try is difficult and competitive. beautifully balances western swing with doesn’t necessarily mean he’s done with drumming, as he still occasional hints of Nippon, tying the piece into the greater “Just the thought of having tests and having to study things thoroughly enjoys the instrument on which he began his jazz body of work. about music is just not my thing,” Faris said. “I’d rather have career. Faris also has the rare skill of absolute pitch, or the it be a hobby, something I can stay passionate about.”

Finally, “Satori”. With a recurring theme that is greatly ability to identify notes and chords in the wild, without conOver the past four years of high school, Kieran Faris feels exotic, its warlike call soaring into a minimalist but still powtext. This has been helpful in his endeavors of learning other that he has really changed from the shy and antisocial person erful and compelling climax, it is a fitting end to the suite. instruments, such as replicating songs on piano, soloing or he was as a freshman, making more friends and maturing, His subtle and graceful threads of continuity are woven composing original music. preparing himself to leave the nest. He won’t be too sad throughout to create a sophisticated story, where nothing Faris has done more than just play a large variety of instruseems repetitive, but they all work to form a cohesive narrative. about leaving MTHS, although he will miss the people and ments, as he has also composed some original pieces too, five In his senior year, he decided to return to more familiar music program. Ultimately, he is ready for the next step in to be exact. In his sophomore year he composed a piece titled territory for traditional audiences, with “Cosmic Swing”. It’s his life, wherever it may take him. H LIFESTYLE EDITOR

LIFESTYLE

14 | JUNE 2019

By Caroline Erdey

Hawkeye

A role model on all courts

CO-PHOTO EDITOR

Senior Kim Nguyen, who has positively impacted dozens of her fellow students as a near-perfect role model, will soon depart MTHS with an abundance of happy memories.

Tennis has been a huge part of Nguyen’s life since the beginning of high school. She joined the tennis

team in freshman year expecting it to be a fun and easy sport.

“A lot of my friends did tennis, which influenced me to eventually join them,” Nguyen said.

Throughout her time as a tennis player, Nguyen was faced with the occasionally harsh reality of tennis being a far more rigorous sport than she had initially expected.

She underestimated the amount

of technique put into it, but she pushed through this hardship to eventually become team captain in her senior year.

Nguyen believes she has made her legacy most evident by restoring the Asian Student Union at MTHS along with other passionate Asian-American students.

As she started the club, Nguyen was elected public relations offi-

Kim Nguyen demonstrates her skill as one of the top players on the MTHS women's tennis team. Nguyen held the rank of team captain during her senior year. PHOTO COURTESY OF KIM NGUYEN.

cer of ASU. Since Nguyen “Though we were not good Nguyen says has held many enough to keep the club up that this leadership and running this past year, it opened her positions was still fun to start the club mind to see throughout her and see where it took us.” another side high school kim Nguyen of the school career, she SENIOR through a stands as a role position simimodel and is lar to an ASB leadership role. This willing to share words of advice. role has also helped her learn how As an upperclassman and a leader to work with people and be includto many communities, Nguyen ed in making others’ lives better. says that she wants to set a lasting “Though we were not good impression and example to people enough to keep the club up and through actions, both big and running this past year, it was still small. fun to start the club and see where When it comes to being involved it took us,” Nguyen said. in the school community, Nguyen Nguyen hopes that other stuhas a plethora of advice for underdents take this year as a learning classmen and future high schoolexperience to continue ASU in the ers. “Find activities that help relieve years following her graduation. your stress, but also find time for Looking back at all her years at yourself as well. Balance everything MTHS, Nguyen found senior year well,” Nguyen said. to be the most difficult. The majorShe also mentioned that stuity of her schedule was filled with dents should not neglect academic science and math courses, which studies and that they must focus she had to juggle while maintaining on school as well as stress relievher jobs at Cool Bliss and Kung ing activities. She believes everyFu Tea, playing tennis, leadership one should participate in tennis positions in extracurricular activibecause of the amazing experience ties, community service obligations she had while playing the sport. and a personal life.

Through her leading role on the “I started really slacking in my tennis team, she gained many school work and lost my focus friends and formed strong and lastof what was important to me,” ing connections.

Nguyen said.

In terms of classes, she recomEven with conflicting schedules, mended human anatomy taught by Nguyen pushed through and is Penny Lefavour, her favorite teachexcited to finally graduate. er. She liked this class so much In the near future, Nguyen will because it covers many life science be going to the subjects that “Find activities that help relieve are not covered University of your stress, but also find time Washington in biology or for yourself as well. Balance in Seattle to even Advanced everything well.” major in bioloPlacement biolkim Nguyen gy with a focus ogy. Nguyen SENIOR in Physiology. intensely Her future enjoyed learngoals are to attain a good educaing about the many complexities tion and branch out next year that lie below the surface of the through activities such as joining human body. the Vietnamese Student Union at Throughout her four years at UW. MTHS, Nguyen took opportuIn five years time, Nguyen hopes nity to grow to her fullest potential to be actively earning a master's and overcome many of the common degree or enrolling in medical difficulties all high school students school. Either way, Nguyen’s pasface. Her impression on the school sion for the life sciences is thorwill surely remain long after she oughly apparent. departs. H

Hawkeye

LIFESTYLE

JUNE 2019 | 15

TERRACE’S OWN ROCKETEER

By Nina Otebele EVENT COORDINATOR

Some people believe that high school doesn’t help individuals grow and learn more about the world around them, but this is certainly not the case for Austin Thiessen.

From being a shy and introverted student in his freshman year, to an extroverted rocketry enthusiast in his senior year, Thiessen’s high school experience has shaped him into the dynamic person he is today .

The main aspect of high school that impacted this growth was participating in various activities provided by the STEM program.

His overall experience in the STEM program was very positive and it has really helped Thiessen develop his leadership and problem solving skills. “[The STEM program] has allowed me to make contacts with people out in the world and experience a lot of cool things. I have been able to work with other schools, go to VR (virtual reality) events and many other things,” he said.

Currently, Thiessen is well known for being a leader in the STEM department.

He is also the president of Rocketry Club.

“Being [president] and being able to have some kind of control over how “[We were] just in the middle things are done of nowhere, launching rockets [has allowed me and just having a really nerdy to be] able to run time. We were] staying up the [club] the way I really late having the most think it should have ridiculous conversations in the been run [in previdesert.” ous years],” he said.

Austin Thiessen Rocketry is one of SENIOR his many passions.

The club played a gigantic part in developing his passion for rockets.

He started off with building smaller rockets using cardboard tubes, then slowly moved up and used bigger parts to make larger rockets as he grew more experienced. From there, he started using fiberglass and electronics to control flight.

One of his favorite high school memories is directly tied to Rocketry Club. In his freshman year, he went to the Fire in the Sky event with engineering teacher James Wilson, Assistant Principal Peter Schurke and a few other students.

Fire in the Sky is the largest rocketry launch in the state, held each year in Mansfield by the Washington Aerospace Club. People gather to launch rockets in what is practically the middle of nowhere. At the event, there are rockets ranging in ability from those that can only go 200 feet to large 12-foot rockets that can fly to altitudes exceeding 16,000 feet. “[We were] just in the middle of nowhere, launching rockets and just having a really nerdy time,” Theissen said. “[We were] staying up really late having the most ridiculous conversations in the desert.”

He has also enjoyed doing a lot of outreach in rocketry. He got many opportunities to work with elementary and middle school kids who may be the future of the MTHS STEM program.

“I made a lot of contacts and connections with other

Known as a leader in the STEM department, Austin Thiessen has been part of many launches – from STEM camps for middle school students to actual rocket launches as part of the Rocketry Club that Assistant Principal Peter Schurke advises.

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY HAWKEYE STAFF

schools and other teachers in the district, which has been fun,” Thiessen said.

He got the opportunity to participate in similar activities through his role in Stem Leadership.

“I joined STEM Leadership because I wanted to have a bigger impact on the greater STEM community,” Thiessen said.

“I have been a part of the planning and organization of many events, such as the Middle School Stem Camp, Eighth Grade Parent Night and STEM BBQ.”

Once his senior year is over, Thiessen has a summer internship at Boeing planned to occupy his time over the summer.

He also plans to attend Edmonds Community College in the fall to study deposits and manufacturing.

At EdCC, he will take part in the large rocketry contest held there each year.

The contest’s goal is to blast a rocket, 30,000 feet in the air while carrying a payload. After that, he will see where these opportunities take him. H

16 | JUNE 2019

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