The 25th Stone Soup Luncheon was a success last week in the auditorium. This is teacher WyAnn Northrop’s 25th year of throwing the special event at Big Sky. At left, math teacher Mike Marcinkowski dishes up. Also in photo, Northrop, teacher Noel Nesmith and students Tyler Schreckendgust and Bella Honzel. Honzel was instrumental in the luncheon’s success, as it was part of her senior project. See Page 3 for more.
the sun journal
PHOTO COURTESY BRANDON HONZEL
Superintendent Rob Watson resigns, replacement sought by Tyler Christensen
for the Sun Journal reprinted with permission
M
issoula County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Rob Watson announced last week that he is leaving his position with MCPS effective June 30, 2022. “It is with mixed emotions that I share this decision with you today,” Dr. Watson told District education leaders as he made the announcement. “My time with MCPS, including my former time as a principal, has been some of the most rewarding of my 29 years in public education. I will leave with many
happy memories and proud to have served with each of you.” While he is resigning his formal role in public education, Dr. Watson will maintain his connection to education as the new executive director of the School Administrators of Montana (SAM). The SAM organization has a 50-year history of advocating for public education in Montana. Serving more than 1,000 active members, SAM represents superintendents, principals, special education directors, educational technologists, county superintendents and others. “I am thankful for this opportunity as I will be able to represent public educators across our great state,” Dr. Watson stated.
He continued: “While I have learned many important lessons during this pandemic, my most treasured memory will be how we all worked together to keep our kids learning. I have witnessed an incredible amount of empathy, compassion and grace. I am excited to carry these memories to the various decision-making venues in our state and remind everyone of the power of public education to change the lives of our students.” Dr. Watson expressed deep gratitude for the opportunity to serve as Superintendent of MCPS for the past three years. He was selected for the position by the Board of Trustees in April 2019. For the seven years prior, he served as the superintendent of Bozeman
Public Schools. He has been a principal at Bozeman High School (2009-2012), and was a middle school and high school principal for Missoula County Public Schools (2001-2009). Dr. Watson has also worked as a school administrator in Great Falls, and began his career as a math and science teacher in Anchorage, Alaska. Dr. Watson has a Bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education from Montana State University, a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Alaska, and received his Doctorate degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Montana
CONTINUED ON P3
Johnson accepts principal position at Willard
Who’s the GOAT now?
by Hollin Keintz
of the Sun Journal
PHOTO COURTESY JENNIFER ZELLMER-CUARESMA
The Big Sky boys’ basketball team celebrates after beating Hellgate High School last Friday night 55-49 securing their spot at the state championships this weekend in Billings. The team lost in the division finals Saturday to Helena Capital, 64-60. As the number two seed from the West, they will take on the number three seed from the East, Bozeman High on Thursday, March 10 at 6:30 p.m.
Boys earn bid to state Defeat crosstown Sentinel & Hellgate at divisionals by Hollin Keintz
of the Sun Journal
L
ast weekend, the boys basketball team did something no other Big Sky basketball team has done in almost a decade--beat Hellgate High School and Sentinel High School to punch their tickets to the state champsionships in Billings. Senior Tre Reed said, “Personally, I haven’t beaten a single Hellgate team, jv through varsity, until that night. It was a super emotional time for me, not only because that clinched our place in the state tournament, but also because it was the first time Big Sky has beaten Hellgate in the last nine years.” Senior Jake Gardanier echoed Reed. “It was one of the greatest moments of my life,” Gardanier said. “To beat a team that has not been beaten by us in nine years just felt amazing.” The win was particularly special for Senior Shane Shepherd, who transfered his junior year from Hellgate to Big Sky. “It was an amazing feeling,” Shepherd said. “I have always wanted to prove I made the right choice becoming a Big Sky Eagle, and us taking them
INSIDE
out to make state, there’s no doubt I made the right choice.” The road to state was not an easy one, nor expected. The team had quite a few obstacles to overcome early on, most importantly they needed to believe in their own talent. For the seniors, coming off three years of losing seasons was a struggle in itself. Reed attributes some of the success to the team’s attitude. “I think this year has been different, because everyone on the team has been 100 percent bought in and taking things seriously,” Reed said. “Years before there were always people goofing off, not always staying focused and just not really caring. I feel by us just taking the little things seriously, it is bringPHOTO COURTESY TIFFANY GARDANIER ing us this success.” The team huddles before their first match-up of the tournament against The win is probably most sat- crosstown rival Sentinel High School. In the huddle, the knew if they isfying for the team after not be- “just played their game, they’d be able to beat” SHS, which they did, ing invited for the fourth year in 53-33. Sentinel lost out to Butte the next day, booting them out of the a row to compete in the Golden tournament. Goat game, a battle between Sentinel and Hellgate held at the Ad- zero regard to Big Sky. game means nothing if you can’t ams Center to determine the best “They can have their undeserv- make it to state. The fact that we team in the city. Many news out- ing ‘GOAT’ trophy… we are going took out both teams in divisionals lets even called it the “biggest high for something bigger than that,” just proves we would have won the school game in the Garden City” Gardanier said. touting the two rival schools with Shepherd agreed. “The goat CONTINUED ON P6
Opinions
Features
photo by Hollin Keintz
photo by Kaydn Easter
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News................................2-3 Opinions......................4-5 Sports.......................6 Features.........................7 Backpage............................8
Clean up your mess
Students are not cleaning up after lunch, making a mess for others to deal with. 4
The Fox on the Fairway The Way Off Broadway CO. rocked the house again with another stellar show. 7
March 11, 2022
photo by Kylie Fisher
Dessert Show 22
Choir takes the stage at their annual delicious dessert show. 7
The administration is shaking things up next year, as we will lose Assistant Principal Cameron Johnson, when he will take over as Interim Principal at Willard Alternative High School in the fall 2022. “We have been so lucky to have Mr. Johnson on the Big Sky team!” BSHS Principal Jennifer Courtney said. “What I appreciate most about him is his calm demeanor even in the most stressful situations. He’s also super smart! So when it comes to things like solving problems or making the master schedule or knowing how to support an IB student he is always on point.” Johnson has worked at Big Sky for the last 10 years, as he started as a history and government teacher in the American Studies Program, which he did for four years before transitioning to the IB Coordinator. This is Johnson’s fourth year as an administrator at Big Sky. Although sad to leave Big Sky, Johnson is proud of the time he has spent here and looking forward to taking on a new leadership position. “I am extremely proud of my time spent as a teacher in the American Studies Program, along with the work that we were able to accomplish with the International Baccalaureate Program and expanding academic opportunities for Big Sky students,” Johnson said. “I am also proud of the systems and supports we have put in place to help our most vulnerable and/or struggling students.” Johnson’s replacement will be Brandon “B.J.” Ihde, who is currently working in Curriculum and Instruction at the district level. Ihde said, “I’m really excited to see familiar student faces from my time at CS Porter and working for the amazing staff and students that are at Big Sky.” Ihde graduated from Hamilton High School in 2000. He holds a BA in Elementary Education and an MA in Educational Leadership both from the University of Montana. “In my career I have been a resource teacher, Head Teacher (think assistant principal but different title), structured program teacher, 6th grade ELA, SS, and HPE teacher, Instructional Coach for Middle and High School, and an Assistant Principal for the MOA,” Ihde said. “Mr. Ihde brings a great deal of excitement!” Courtney said. “I appreciate that Mr. Ihde is eager to learn how we do things here at Big Sky, he will also bring a great deal of school spirit to the school and students, and he has proven he too is not afraid to get involved in stressful situations.” While a fresh, yet familiar face is something to look forward to, Johnson will be missed at BSHS. Johnson said, “I will miss the staff, students, and the work that we have done on a number of initiatives like IB and our academies. I will also miss the teamwork that we have developed, especially with the administrative team and support staff.” Although moving to the new position, Johnson sees himself not settling down for long. “In 10 years I see myself working internationally as a school administrator in Africa or a location where I can access surf breaks in the morning and mountain bike trails in the afternoons,” he said.
the sun journal
March 11, 2022
News
2
Ruzanski qualifies for Speech and Debate nationals in June
Seielstad wins gold, to compete internationally by Hollin Keintz
of the Sun Journal
PHOTO COURTESY WILLIAM RUZANSKI
Junior William Ruzanski learns he has qualified for Nationals in Lincoln Douglas Debate. He will travel with teammate Senior Abby Durnell to Kentucky in June. by Hollin Keintz
of the Sun Journal Junior William Ruzanski qualified last month to compete at the National level for Speech and Debate in Lincoln Douglas Debate. Lincoln Douglas is a 1-1 moral and philosophical based debate. Competitors are given a topic in advance, allowing them to research the value, criterion, and contentions for an evidence based argument. “It’s my first national tournament, but I have high hopes,” Ruzanski said. “I’ve done well in Montana, so I think I can do well at Nationals.” Ruzanski will receive the topic at the
beginning of May, and the national competition will be held in Kentucky June 12-17. “I’ve already begun to prepare by staying in the run of things. As soon as I get the topic, I’ll research, write my cases, get my evidence together and just do my best,” Ruzanski said. “It was a good season--a really good season actually. I wasn’t my best last year, but all of a sudden at the start of this season I started to make my way into championship rounds. I think I found my groove this year.” Senior Abby Durnell will also make the trip to Kentucky this summer. She will compete in an open event once those events have been listed.
Academic World Quest team takes 13th
Senior Pilar Seielstad’s science project “Genetic Analysis of Brown Trout to Understand Population Declines in Southwestern Montana” just won her an all-expense paid trip to Atlanta, Georgia, to compete in the International Science and Engineering Fair in May. “It’s super exciting. I am really excited to have this opportunity.” Seielstad has been working on this project since the start of November. “I’m addressing a problem that is present in Montana,” Seielstad said. “And I like to solve problems.” Seielstad won the grand prize at the Southwest Regional Science Fair at Montana Tech last week. She has been working in the Montana Conservation Genetics Lab funded by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks on UM campus with Sally Painter. “My mentor and the people who work at the lab are really cool, and it’s phenomenal working with people who are doing cutting edge conservation work.”
PHOTO COURTESY BRANDON HONZEL
Senior Pilar Seielstad receives the grand prize at the Southwest Regional Science Fair at Montana Tech last weekend. Her project, “Genetic Analysis of Brown Trout to Understand Population Declines in Southwestern Montana,” earned her an all-expenses paid trip to compete at the International Science and Engineering Fair in May.
In addition to the grand prize, Seielstad also won $150 worth of other prizes, including $50 for the Clark Fork Watershed Education Program Best High School Environmental and/or Clark Fork Related Project; $50 for the Best Water Quality Related Project; and $50 for being the highest
scoring senior. Next year, Seielstad plans to attend Cornell University to study biology and minor in Arabic. Currently, her plan is to then attend med-school with the hopes to work in genetics. “My ideal job is to be practicing medicine in the Middle East.”
BPA heads to Billings for State
PHOTO COURTESY NICOLE SARIZAN STRONG
Academic World Quest teams had another successful showing last week at the University of Montana. The team of Noel Migliaccio, Annie Migliaccio, Pilar Sielestad, and Reagan Remmers (pictured above with Michael Parkey and Marcus Raines ) were the top ranking team from Big Sky, taking 13th, which is the highest Big Sky has placed in the last few years. In total, Big Sky took five teams to the event. Academic World Quest is a quiz-style competition where teams of four answer 100 questions about 10 different topics that pertain to current events, history, and specific countries. They also listened to a talk from former US Ambassador to Vietnam Ted Osius. The team begins preparation for the competition in December by reading articles provided by Academic World Quest. “This year I learned a lot about how Vietnam and US relations are currently and how they have gotten to this point. But in general, I learn a lot about what is going on in other regions of the world that often isn’t covered in our history classes,” Senior Annie Migliaccio said. “I really enjoy it because I have been able to gain a much deeper understanding of what is going on around the world and have learned so much more about countries I wouldn’t have normally learned about,” Migliaccio continued. “People should join because it gives you an opportunity to meet people that are interested in learning more about the world around them and your understanding of global issues and events is expanded!”
PHOTO COURTESY JENN KEINTZ
BPA team members at the end of Regional Competition at Missoula College in January. All but three members qualified for state. Back Row: Marin Seielstad, Doug Lautzenheiser, Hayden Keintz, Abby Durnell, Olivia Sandberg, Ethan Haagenson, Kylie Fisher. Front Row: Pilar Seielstad, Ashlynn Everett, Hollin Keintz, Darcy Cohen, Kendall Toye, Elysia Williams, and Gwen FlemingCampbell.
Students from Big Sky’s Business Professionals of America are off to state competitions in Billings this weekend. From March 13-15, they’ll be flexing their skills in marketing, management, and media, going against the other two MCPS high schools as well as several schools from across the state. At Regionals, the majority of the team placed within the top three of their events. For individual events, Senior Ashlynn Everett placed first in Health Administration Leadership, Freshman Hayden Keintz placed second in Word Processing, and Sophomore Kylie Fisher placed third in Prepared Speech. As for team events, Seniors Doug Lautzenheiser, Gwen Fleming-Campbell, Hollin Keintz, and Kendall Toye placed first in Broadcast News Production Team. Seniors Everett and Pilar Seielstad, and Freshman Marin Seielstad, placed first in Business Management, and second in Global Marketing with the help of Senior Elysia Williams. Top finishers from the events will move on to the national competition in Dallas in May.
the sun journal BIG SKY HS ALL SCHOOL MUSICAL Auditions for Rock of Ages – High School Edition Monday March 14, Wednesday March 16 and Thursday March 17 4:00-5:30 Please meet on stage in the auditorium. Auditions will include singing, dance, and reading for roles 30 + roles are available for this 80’s Juke Box Musical. All Grade levels and abilities are welcome to audition. Rehearsals will be weeknights, afterschool and some Saturdays
Show Dates
May 11-14 (Preview Day May 10) See SD for more information
Editor-in-Chief Hollin Keintz Reporters Jacky Bloom Emily Finlay Madison Glessner Hayden Keintz Christian Morin Caden Mueller Riley Pellett Damon Quist Mariah Zentner Kolja Gerstenkorn Kaydn Easter Adviser Jenn Keintz Principal Jennifer Courtney
March 11, 2022
the sun journal
3
NEWS
Stone Soup successfully returns
PHOTOS COURTESY BRANDON HONZEL
At left, students Tyler Schreckendgust and Bella Honzel help with the Stone Soup Luncheon. Honzel helped as part of her senior
project. At right, Northrop serves soup at her 25th Luncheon.
For 25 years, teacher WyAnn Northrop has thrown her famous Stone Soup Luncheon. “It started years ago based on a story we read when we were learning about ‘giving back’ to the staff and people who championed us,” Northrop said. In year’s past, the special education classes came together to make the event happen, from planning the menu, to buying the food, cooking the meal, and making the table decorations. This year’s luncheon was funded by Independent Living classes’ fundraisers from the past few years. After missing a couple of years due to COVID, the Luncheon returned, with a little extra help, as it was spearheaded by Senior Bella Honzel, who took it on as part of her senior project. “This is a really important event,” Honzel said. “I have been working with the exceptionalities classes since freshman year, and WyAnn and I thought it was time for this event to come back.” Honzel helped with all aspects of the event, from planning the menu, to shopping, decorating, scheduling, and even making the desserts. “This year I need to add an extra shout out and heart-felt thanks to Bella Honzel for choosing this as her senior project,” Northrop said. “She is amazing and did a fabulous job!” Honzel chose this as her project because she knows how much WyAnn’s students enjoy the event. “It’s such a good time for the kids. I really wanted to include them in my senior project. I really love being involved with them.They are my best friends.” “I really can’t explain how it feels to have this be my final Big Sky Stone Soup,” Northrop said. “Retirement is a huge load of mixed feelings but I have loved it for all of my 31 years here and will always have a spot in my heart for all of my students and co-workers. They are truly ‘family’ in my heart.”
Seniors’ films debut at Big Sky Documentary Film Festival by Hollin Keintz
of the Sun Journal The Big Sky Documentary Film Festival just wrapped up its 19th year running, and this year, there was a special addition to the showing list. Six seniors from around Missoula worked with Director Andrew James to produce their own short documentaries that premiered at the Roxy on Feb. 26, 2022. Seniors Gwen Fleming-Campbell, Doug Lautzenheiser, and Hollin Keintz, as well as German exchange student Kolja Gerstenkorn were four of the students representing Big Sky. The other two students were Mack Cummings and Jadyn Fordah, both from Sentinel. Between the months of October and JanuPHOTO COURTESY JENN KEINTZ ary, the students were given the difficult task Left to right, Sentinel seniors Mack Cummings and Jadyn Fordah, Big Sky of creating, filming, directing, and editing a Seniors Hollin Keintz, Gwen Fleming-Campbell, Doug Lautzenheiser, and Big two to ten minute documentary. Given this Sky Junior Kolja Gerstenkorn present their documentaries at the Big Sky creative freedom, the students all went in Documentary Film Festival. wildly different directions. First up, there was Lautzenheiser’s film, which was a two and a half minute doc called Friend Pool. be after I got the footage cause I quickly realized it’s not as cut The film was short and sweet, a little ode to playing pool with and dry as something with a more linear progression.” his friends before going off to university. Fordah’s film Teens in Cars came next, and it was fairly Lautzenheiser said, “High school ending was a big factor similar to Lautzenheiser’s, in that it’s short and sweet and in the subject matter. I knew I wanted to do something more about the emotional aspects of growing up, and the thoughts emotional than informative and so I looked to what I saw as and fears behind leaving high school. a point of emotion currently in my life and it was my friends. Then there was Gerstenkorn’s film, Two Man Band, which I’d say the challenges came from deciding what I wanted it to is exactly what it sounds like: exploring the process of two
at a GLANCE
men making music in their band, Smith McKay All Day, that has made its home here in Missoula. “I’ve been doing photography for about two years now and always wanted to get into filmmaking but never really found a start,” Gerstenkorn said. “I think that film is just a very magical form of storytelling, with the ability to show emotions and let the viewer almost feel the story. With documentaries, I really like the “raw” emotion and the realness. A real story can move the viewers so much more than a fictional one in my opinion.” Fleming-Campbell’s film featured another Big Sky student, Senior Hallie Racicot, comparing her bonds and experiences with music to that of someone who had been in the business for a much longer time. “I don’t know if I was necessarily inspired by anything,” said Fleming-Campbell. “I struggled to come up with a topic at first, and so I decided to make a film about what I really love: music, my family, and my friends.” Second to last was the film Untied by Mack Cummings. Their film was centered around the way that teenagers interact with technology today, and what teenagers themselves had to say about it. Finally, there was Keintz’s film, Within the Walls, a short about the two women who lead the ghost tours at the Old Montana State Prison in Deer Lodge. “I just wanted to see what they thought, you know?” Keintz said. “I wanted to know why they are doing what they’re doing, why they keep coming back to it over and over again, and then really listen to what they have to say.” In case you missed the films, Eagle TV will be showing them throughout the rest of the semester at the end of their episodes, so be sure to stick around after the credits.
FFA members earn greenhand degrees & pins
Senior orchestra students take a bow
PHOTOS COURTESY DYLAN BRUNNER
PHOTO COURTESY KIRA LEE
Left to right, front: Annie Migliaccio, Ashlynn Everett. Second: Ms. Lee, Hollin Keintz, Sadie Arnold, Brooke Williams. Third: Kennedy Hietala, Ash Buck,Sara Nordtome, Korah Crane, William Schulze, Anne Ochsner. Posing for a senior picture after the individual concerts from their final AA festival.
Watson resigns CONTINUED FROM P1 pal for Missoula County Public Schools (2001-2009). Dr. Watson has also worked as a school admin-
istrator in Great Falls,and began his career as a math and science teacher in Anchorage, Alaska. Dr. Watson has a BA in Secondary Education from MSU, a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Alaska, and received his Doctorate degree in Educational Leadership from the UM in 2009. He is a member of the Certification Standards and Practices Advisory Council for the Mon-
On Feb. 3, 2022, the Missoula FFA held their annual Greenhand Night. Greenhand Night is an opportunity for our first-year FFA members to earn their greenhand degree and a pin. The greenhands will complete a variety of preset activities, such as an interview, presenting the creed, and to take a general knowledge test. FFA greenhands this year are (pictured from left to right) Ellie Coyle, Leah Nelson, Kyla Hays, Andra Starr, Isabella Rodriguez, Kylie Fontaine, Grace Fritz, (Not Pictured) Stephanie Stone, Dane Geraldson, Emma Hammill, Elena Yoshimura, and Collin Yoshimura. Leah Nelson is our Star Greenhand, and Grace Fritz won the creed. Both girls will be competing at the State level.
tana Board of Public Education. In 2015, Dr. Watson was in the inaugural group, joining 27 fellow superintendents from around the country, to achieve National Superintendent Certification. In 2016, he was honored by the School Administrators of Montana with the GV Erickson Award, the highest recognition given to a school administrator for notable service and dedication. In 2019, Dr. Watson was
named Montana’s Superintendent of the Year. “I am looking forward to wrapping up a great school year and establishing our plans for next year,” he concluded. “Thank you for the opportunity to serve as your superintendent.” During their regular public meeting on Feb. 22, the Board of Trustees outlined the process for selecting a new superintendent for
the District, and voted to approve a motion to proceed with a two-phase process. The first phase asks Superintendent Watson to recommend an interim candidate for the Board to consider at a later date. The second phase guides the Board to move forward with a full search process for a new superintendent, with further discussion to take place at future Board meetings.
the sun journal
March 11, 2022
4
OPINIONS Pocket-sized Opinions: Education needs a system change (just like real opinions, only smaller)
Clean up after yourselves
Mariah Zentner
Reporter
PHOTO BY HOLLIN KEINTZ
We learn from a very young age the value and importance of cleaning up after ourselves–not to be slobs, not to make someone else’s life miserable because we are too irresponsible to use a trash can, often when there’s one within two feet of where we are standing. Many of us probably learned the “clean up” song in day care– “Clean up, clean up, everybody everywhere. Clean up, clean up, everybody do their share.” We learned from our elementary teachers to put our things away after each station–to tidy our space, and throw our garbage away. Don’t litter. It’s a very simple concept, and one everyone knows. Don’t try to say otherwise. Yet, many Big Sky students apparently don’t understand this. Is it too complicated? Is there something that needs more explanation? Throw your garbage away. If you spill something, clean it up. If you bring in a giant pizza from Little Caesars for lunch, throw the box away when you’re finished (or better yet, recycle it). Who is so entitled in this school that they think they have maids to follow them around and clean up after them? Who is so entitled that they think they can just leave trash all over for someone else to clean up? Not sure who these people are? Walk through the Commons at lunch, or the hallways. You’ll find them. Just follow the trail of trash. As high school students, we are mere moments away from adulthood–and unless we really hit it big, no one will be cleaning up after us when we are out on our own. Let’s stop disgracing ourselves and our school. Instead, let’s take a little pride in our space, and throw our trash away.
Stop destroying bathrooms The smallest act of vandalism affects all of us. You may think you are being funny. You may think it’s just a joke that you drew genitalia in full detail on the bathroom wall. But it hurts us all. The custodians, and sometimes the district level painters and carpenters, and maybe even outside sources need to come to rectify the situation. This costs money. This takes time. Did you read the other article? Kids aren’t cleaning up after themselves, so the custodians are already overly busy trying to make the school respectable and sanitary. Eagle TV just aired a cute, but real PSA on the graffiti in the bathrooms. But the point is real. If you keep this up, the admin will continue to shut down the bathrooms. You won’t be able to use it. What’s the next step? Putting in porta potties outside? Seems rather chilly in a Montana winter. It’s not funny anymore. We’d like to use our restrooms. We want to be treated with respect, to be treated like adults. This won’t happen until we start acting like adults.
PDA needs to stop. Now. Public displays of affection in school are vulgar, disgusting, and need to stop. Walking through the halls before school, lunch, after school (and often during class), we cannot escape the common social annoyance of PDA. Everywhere we walk is infested with twitterpated teens. Affection is fine. A hug – when appropriate and wanted – can help to heal a hurting soul. Want to hold hands with your significant other? Go for it (maybe not in class–that’s still a bit much). But couples making out, sitting on each others’ laps and more (yes, we are referring to having to step over or around horizontal couples in the hallway) just need to stop. We know, we know. You’re in love. Whatever. We just don’t need to see it. We don’t want to see it. You are embarrassing yourself and grossing the rest of us out.
T
here is a lot of talk about school education systems all around the world, about what they teach us vs what we should be learning, how students are not properly prepared for real world issues, adulthood, etc. What should we really be prepared for? Are we ever going to use the information we are taught? The topic has a variety of opinions.
The problem students are having is not feeling prepared for life with the knowledge they are receiving....We come out of school scared, unprepared, with no knowledge on how to manage finances, pay taxes buy houses, stay out of debt... The basic education system consists of a set of academic standards for what every student is expected to learn in each grade level. Usually in grade school you are expected to go through math, history, English, science, and then electives like arts or gyms. As you get into high school it’s clear that you are given more freedom to pick what kind of classes you enroll in. You move
up according to your education level meaning you can start out in Algebra 1 and work your way up to Algebra 2 and such with every subject. If you fail, you retake it next yera. The problem students are having is not feeling prepared for life with the knowledge we are receiving. True, the education we are learning is still improving our brain growth and helping us gain knowledge. Yet, there are several things that I disagree with about the system. For example, schools aren’t taking time to teach proper lessons on culture in history classes. Or the lack of attention they give to students with slower learning abilities, racial bias or homophobia, horrible schedules, system set ups, and more. The way the education system has kids strictly take tests and teach us that there is one right answer and that mistakes are most commonly not okay to make, sets children up for self-failure and anxiety when it comes to doing large tasks. We come out of school scared, unprepared, with no knowledge on how to manage finances, pay taxes, buy houses, stay out of debt, apply for jobs, etc. We receive algebraic math skills, typical integrated science classes, basic English skills and so on. A large group of students don’t have people to go to when needing help with real world skills. Granted, there are classes in high school that offer classes to help with finance, but it mostly covers how to invest money. Coming out of middle school into high school is also extremely nerve wracking and there’s barely any preparation. Along with that, there are poor lessons being taught in everyday classes such as English, history, etc. The little to no time spent
on race and culture all over the world in history classes is upsetting. It’s important to understand the culture and traditions of everyone and where things come from. Geography and world history are very important as well but it’s focused on far more than it needs to be. The system of education sets high standards for children and if they don’t rank where they should be, they get looked down
A large group of teachers also take no time and zero consideration to the students’ needs, but instead make it easier on themselves. This also set students up for failure. on.
Online education like Mathia is also required when a lot of students struggle to sit in front of computers and do math for hours a week. Teachers at the school are not responsible for this which is also important for students to realize, but the education system itself is. A large group of teachers also take no time and zero consideration to the students’ needs, but instead make it easier on themselves. This also sets students up for failure. Although you have more freedom in high school to pick your own course, that still doesn’t change the way classes are taught and what they teach. It also doesn’t change the small amount of time spent on making schedules with little consideration and thought. Students should feel more prepared to enter the world, receive better education, and more help if they need it.
We all need an oculus Did anyone watch EagleTV a few weeks ago when Cameron Spooner took on Mr. Murphy at Beat Saber? It was awesome. Murphy showed us what a true rookie looks like and Spoons basically schooled him and showed how expert he was. It was impressive to say the least. Everyone should get an oculus. And video games are good for you. Want to know how? Read on. Want to exercise, play video games, not leave the house, and have fun at the same time? Then the Oculus Quest 2 is for you. Virtual Reality games can literally transport you to another world right in the middle of your living room. Or kitchen. Or hallway...just give yourself some space. You can work up a sweat in your pjs, and have fun doing it at the same time. Two of my favorite games are Beat Saber and Gorilla Tag. They are also
some of the most popular games. And, they get you up and moving. Not only are you competing, but you can get a bit of a cardio Riley Pellett session in at the Reporter same time. In Beat Saber (like we watched on EagleTV last week) you can pick any song to play and you have to hit as many blocks as you can to get a high score. Gorilla Tag is a game where you’re a gorilla with no legs but you have to move with your arms. You can even play a tag mode where you run and climb around to get away from the taggers or you can play a casual mode just to hang out and climb for fun. You can also make friends in VR. Vir-
tual reality chat is a place to play games and hang out with friends and make new ones. Who wouldn’t want to do this? An article a while back talking about how video games can help with memory loss. Also, playing video games as a child can improve a person’s working memory years later on. In other words, video games are an educational tool, a way to use your brain. Puzzle games are a way to use your brain and figure out how to solve the task. There are shooting games where you have to figure out the layout of the land and how to survive to win. There are tons of games that are multiplayer so you can learn from others how to play and how to get the win or you could just play and have fun with the others. So there you have it. Invest in a quality VR to make friends and get in shape.
A little advice for advisories We need to figure out a better sytem for Advisory. Is it optional? Is it required? If it’s required, why should we go? It seems that the only reason we need to go to Advisory is to not be marked absent. But what happens to us if we are marked absent, other than a phone call, email and text message home? Nothing, really, unless you’re in a sport. Mariah Zentner So what’s the point? And why Reporter is it so long? And why is it before school? A lot of students don’t attend advisory because they don’t have any work to catch up on and they receive an absence for this. I find it unfair that someone has to show up and sit there or just do extra work because they don’t want a bad attendance record. It’s a once-a-week study hall with no grade. Why are students required to show up? If a student has a failing grade it would be simple to email their parental figures and inform
them that they need to go to advisory the following week until the grade is raised. If a student is not failing, perhaps the “class” is simply optional. This could lead to fewer students attending advisory but at least the school would be aware that the advisory is actually doing something if failing students need to attend until the grade is fixed. Another option for Advisory would be to make it shorter, and after second period. As we look at schedules for next year, and they say they are switching back to normal start times, perhaps two more things should be considered. First, on block days, give us 10 minute passing periods. We need time TO DO NOTHING--or go to the bathroom, or talk to our friends, go the school store, or just let our brains relax. Second, move Advisory to after second period but before fourth period--for no more than 30 minutes. It is nice to have a period to get something finished, or eat a snack, or watch Eagle TV. It’s a nice period for an assembly (bring those back) or taking surveys and signing up for classes. But as they stand now--they are too long, at the wrong time of the day, with zero consequences or reason to attend. We need to fix it.
Say WHAT? Comments made by students, faculty, and staff around campus They all agreed that they wish they could see change in the boys’ bathroom and how dirty the school is. -Seamus Farley, Jadon Belitz and Brody Foland (11).
Kaitlyn would like to see a dance team added to Big Sky to be able to compete. -Kaitlyn Whatman (not pictured, 11)
Connor said he liked sledding while Rylan doesn’t like the Olympics
She said that the sweep isn’t productive and encourages skipping.
-Connor Manion (10) and Rylan Baker (11)
-Ashley Bagley (10)
They believe that the sweep is, “Pretty baller”. - Rickson Bartholowme and Chris Bullcalf (from Sentinel)
Lucas said “The sweep is dumb, it’s like the staff is so focused on getting tardies, the fact that they have brooms is hilarious.” Dylan follow up with, “Tardies will go down but absences will go up.” Angelina agreed with them. -Dylan Stocke, Lucas Schroeder and Angelina Le (12).
March 11, 2022
s w
t a g , a
OPINIONS
Eagles Speak:
How could we make advisory periods more useful?
Olga Pasyuk, 9 “We should not have advisory, because it isn’t beneficial to the students of our school.”
“I think it’s stupid, because it just makes you more late to your class anyway.”
“Make advisory optional, because some teachers don’t let us do free work.”
“Most of the time, they’re useless. It would be more useful to not have them so we could sleep in.”
“He should ask about their plans for spring break.”
Grace Hood, 10 “I think it’s dumb, because I think there are better ways to make kids come to class. The sweep just makes kids not want to come to class.”
Maddie Jones, 11 “I think the sweep is not useful, but it’s nice because you end up skipping more class.”
Mazey Kasberg, 12 “I understand what the school’s trying to do, but it ends up taking away more class time.”
Avary Johnson, 10 “I think he should ask people what they’re doing for St. Patrick’s day.”
Maddie Smith, 11 “They shouldn’t interview the same people every time.”
Dawson Simmons, 12 “We had an idea that Andy would race kids in the hallways between interviews, so maybe that.”
How should the US should get involved with WW3?
r e
u d
s r e
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Gianna Janacaro, 9 Maddie McInnis, 10 “If tensions continue to escalate, then the US should step in.”
It’s still winter
Stay safe out there
“If we have to go, then it should be with a teacher we are involved with, so they can actually help us with work.”
What should the Man on the Street do next week?
Ayla Schultz, 9
5
Shannon McGee, 10 Dakota Balarde, 11 Octavio Jimenez, 12
What’s your opinion on the sweep?
Sadie McGuinn, 9
the sun journal
“I think we should avoid war at all costs, because us getting involved will escalate it further. If everyone gets involved, it will become a catastrophy.”
Will Ruzanski, 11 “It’s important to look at both sides of the story, to understand the full scope of what’s going on. If we let Russia continue invading the Ukraine, then it will continue to get worse.”
Ben Carter, 12
“We should wait to get fully involved until things become a little more serious, but we should still help Ukraine as much as we can.”
Cats Vs. Cannabis:
How dangerous is marijuana to pets? Starting on Jan. 1, 2022, Montana passed a law allowing for recreational consumption and possession of marijuana to anyone 21 years of age and older. It remains prohibited to use marijuana, medical or recreational, in public areas. Operating motor vehicles while under the influence also remains prohibited. Adults can now also personally grow marijuana plants on private property. The rules consist of two grown plants and two seedlings. If one holds a medical marijuana card they are allowed four plants and four Emily Finlay seedlings. Reporter This new access had caused some concern for the health of the cats and dogs in the care of those who take the drug, as we try to understand the effect that accidental exposure has on pets. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the main psychoactive chemical in marijuana. Rania Gollakner and Lynn Buzhard with their article, “Cannabis (Marijuana) Intoxication in Cats and Dogs”, wrote, “The increased accessibility to the drug has led to an increase in accidental exposure in pets”. Dogs and cats can become intoxicated a couple of different ways, including second-hand smoke and ingestion. There is no considerably safe level for pets to take in considering all of the differences with size, age, health status, and weight. This means that all pets experience different levels of toxicity. Dogs have more cannabinoid receptors in their brain, resulting in a much stron-
ger and dangerous effect on them. It is very important to mention the method of exposure, as treatments vary based on smoke versus oral ingestion. The lethal dose for animals is fairly high but because of the extremely concentrated THC levels in medical marijuana, it can be very dangerous. Signs of intoxication include wobbly and uncoordinated steps, hyperactivity, disorientation, becoming very vocal, dilated pupils, and excessive drooling. In severe cases symptoms can be tremors, seizures, and going into a coma. Urine tests can be performed in order to quantify THC levels, but because the results take so much time to come back the tests are fairly impractical. Results for human urine tests respond much faster but are unreliable for pets. Treatment depends on when the effects were noticed and when the animal was brought into the veterinary office. If it was noticed shortly after the ingestion, the first response is to remove the toxins before anymore can be absorbed. Vets can induce vomiting in order to do this. The problem with this is that marijuana has an effect that inhibits vomiting. In severe cases vets can pump the animal’s stomach. After immediate treatment activated-charcoal may be given every 6 to 8 hours after. The second line of treatment is to provide supportive care and
possibly medication. Supportive care includes watching the pets heart rate, respiration, and body temperature. Antianxiety medication can be used to limit agitation. It is important to keep any marijuana products locked away from pets in order to keep them safe. When smoking marijuana, keep pets away in a wellventilated place to decrease second hand smoke. CBD (cannabidiol) is the second main component in marijuana. The legalization of recreational use of marijuana has triggered an interest in the use of CBD products. CBD can be used as a therapeutic type of treatment to help prevent epilepsy and to manage pain and inflammation. Owners using CBD to treat anxiety in pets have noticed an increase in drowsiness when administered in a higher dosage. If your veterinarian has decided that using CBD would be appropriate for your animal’s treatment, here are some things to keep an eye out for when searching for the right product. Choose organic, and this way you can avoid toxins such as pesticides. Don’t shop based on price‒just because the product is more expensive does not mean that it equals higher quality. Check for any amounts of THC to avoid toxicity. There is currently limited research supporting CBD use in pets but owners do suggest that it can help relieve pain. Currently the U.S. FDA has not approved CBD as treatment which means a dosing chart has not been published.
As snow falls and ice forms on the roads of Missoula, more and more teens are getting into car accidents. Why does this happen, and how come there are more teen accidents? In the words of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “Teens are more likely that older drivers to underestimate or not be able to recognize dangerous situations. Teens are also more likely than adults to make critical decision errors that can lead to serious crashes.” The problem of accidents involving teen drivers has majorly Damon Quist increased since 2009. Last record- Reporter ed in 2020, the death rate of teen drivers in the US has gone up by an estimated 8 percent, and there is estimated to have been 5,200 drivers from the ages of 15-20 that lost their lives. As the number of motor vehicle accidents becomes greater every year, the total cost of damages caused to both the vehicles and persons involved in these accidents has been estimated to around $5 billion in medical and work loss. Why are teens between the ages of 16 and 19 at a higher risk? Teens between these ages are most likely to get into car accidents due to both mental and physical risk factors. The primary factor is inexperience, as the majority of teens within this age group either have learner’s or restrictive licenses. Another factor stems from driving at night or on the weekends. Based on results from a test made by the CDC, “data from the 2016-2017 National Household Travel Survey indicate that teen drivers aged 16-19 years were almost three times as likely to be involved in fatal nighttime crashes than adult drivers aged 30-59 years per mile driven.” To support this factor, the CDC revealed data stating that “40 percent of motor vehicle deaths amongst teens aged 1319 occurred between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m., and 52 percent occurred on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday.” Another major factor to car accidents involving teen drivers is intoxication, as approximately 1 percent of drivers aged 15-20 in 2019 were involved in fatal motor vehicle crashes after drinking and driving, having a BAC of 0.08 percent or higher. Other intoxicative substances such as marijuana, other illicit drugs, prescription medications, and even over-thecounter medications are a huge implement to this factor, as these intoxicators can cause impaired driving in teens, as well as negative effects to judgement, motor coordination, decision-making, and slower reaction time. These kinds of intoxications can also cause the driver to speed, remove seatbelts, and even cause greater distractions when driving, making the risk of getting into an accident almost double. What can we do to lower the risk of getting into an accident? According to the CDC, there are eight “danger zones”: driver inexperience, driving with teen passengers, nighttime driving, not using seat belts, being distracted while driving, driving even if you’re feeling a bit tired or drowsy, being reckless and taking risks, and lastly being impaired or intoxicated. At least 48 percent of teen drivers and passengers who passed away in vehicular accidents in 2019 were not wearing seatbelts, so simply making sure both the driver and passengers in the vehicle are buckled up can greatly lower your chances at being fatally injured in an accident. The biggest thing we can do as teens to lower the risks of getting into an accident can be done by not driving if intoxicated. If you are intoxicated or feel as if you should not drive, call a parent, guardian, friend, or even an Uber that is not under any influences to give you a ride. Driving while intoxicated not only increases your chances of getting into an accident, but can also cause a revocation of your license if you get into a wreck or pulled over by a police officer and given a sobriety test. If you are driving with other people in the car, whether it be another teen or an adult, and you feel as if you are being distracted while driving, there is no shame in pulling over to a safe spot on the road and asking for the distracting passenger to stop. Saying you don’t feel comfortable driving with them in the vehicle is a great way to kindly ask those distracting you to stop, and if they continue, you can ask them to step out of the vehicle. Even though the passenger is the one that can spark an accident, the person behind the wheel is always at fault if you get into a wreck. The last main factor of accidents is making poor decisions and being too close to another vehicle. When stopping at a street sign or traffic light, make sure you give yourself enough distance from the vehicle in front of you, as giving lots of space lowers the risk of you hitting the car in front of you if you get hit, or the car rolls. The CDC recommends giving enough space to see the bottom of the back tires of the vehicle in front of you, and even another foot of space if the roads are covered in snow or potential ice. When it comes to poor decision making, if you feel there’s a chance you will not make it through a partially tight space in traffic, don’t take the chance. There’s a better output to skipping a risky space while driving and waiting another few minutes to turn than taking the risk of getting into an accident. The roads are worse than ever as more and more accidents occur. As a community, we teens can follow the guidelines from the CDC to lower the number of car accidents and prevent more teenagers from getting injured and or killed. Let’s set a record, and get the number of teens in car accidents to be the lowest it’s ever been.
the sun journal
March 11, 2022
Sports
6
Senior Louis Sanders
PHOTOS BY KAYDN EASTER
Coach Tyler Hobbs is credited with turning around the Big Sky girls basketball program.
Girls lose out in 2 at divisionals, look to future of program by Hollin Keintz
of the Sun Journal
Tre Reed, 12 Caden Bateman, 12
The Big Sky girls didn’t quite pull off a state birth this year, but for such a young team, they held their own this season. And for many of the older players, it was still the best season they’ve had in their high school careers. Although they lost out in Helena in two, looking back, and looking forward, the girls will still call this season a success. Senior Avari Batt said, “Our season was really good. We made huge improvements to the program so it was a successful year. “Divisionals was the best part of the season for me, because even though we lost out, we gave each etam a scaer and thy were really close games,” Batt said. Fellow Senior Grace Bunnell agrees. “It was the best season I ever had. The team, the coaches, fans and atmosphere was the best it has ever been. I believe this was a huge turning point for our program.” Junior Maddie Jones is looking forward to returning for one more season, but said she enjoyed the feeling of winning again. “ I think our biggest improvement was overall our program and how positive it became,” Jones said. “I’m most proud of our effort and our seniors sticking with it.” Bunnell echoed that thought. “Previous seasons have been more mentally tough and difficult to push through, but this season I was excited to be in the gym every day and proud to put on a jersey. And most importantly we had fun.” Freshman Kyler Latrielle said, “I’m most proud of our team for fighting through adversity. We had some players get injured and were out the whole season. We all got six and were quarantined. And on the court we aren’t the biggest team but we played like it. We never stopped hustling and working.” The younger players are already looking toward the future of Big Sky basketball. Freshman Gianna Janacaro said, “I need to work on basketball during the off season to get ready for next year.” Latrielle said, “My future goal for the team is to definitely bring home a trophy from state. In the off season as a team, I think we all need to be in the gym getting shots up and being in the wight room to get stronger.”
Seniors Tre Reed and Griffin Pavlock
Senior night
Shane Shepherd, 12
Junior Josiah Cuaresma
Senior Griffin Pavlock
the boys are back CONTINUED FROM P1
the goat if we were a part of the competition.” Gardanier said, “This season has been the best one yet. I feel like this team has been able to change a culture at Big Sky that will last for years to come.” Shepherd agrees. “We have full faith in each other as a team, and we started the season off knowing we can change the culture of Big Sky basketball and we all had something to prove.” Heading into the state tournament, the team has their eyes set on the ultimate victory. “Our goals are to just stay as consistent as we can. We have proved that we are one of the best teams in the state at times. But we have also proved that we can lose to the worst In the locker room team in the state sometimes,” Reed said. “I like how we are playing right now and if we stay consistent, we are going to be a dangerous team.” Gardanier said, “This team is a family, and we will do anything to win--anything!” ALL PHOTOS BY KOLJA GERSTENKORN
March 11, 2022
Student life
the sun journal
7
Ken Ludwig’s:
The Fox on the Fairway
Performed by: The Way Off Broadway Theater CO. Directed by: Sarah DeGrandpre
Desmond Smith: Justin Finley Stratford: Louise Octavio Jimenez: Bingham Freya Jones: Pamela Ethan Ingraham: Dickie
Landon Roberts: Muriel Kale Beaver: Tramplemain/Post Kion Norberg: Chef Ben Carter: Announcer William Schulze: Stage Manager
Top Left: Freya Jones (12), Octavio Jimenez (12), Landon Roberts (11) and Ethan Ingraham (12) Top Right: Desmond Smith (12) and Finley Stratford (10) Middle Left: Ingraham (12) and Roberts (11) Middle: Smith (12) Middle Right: Jones (12) and Jimenez (12)
Right: Smith (12) and Stratford (10) Far right: Jones (12) and Stratford (10)
2022 Dessert Show Top Left: Faith Taberna (12) and Ben Carter (12) singing “Me” from “Beauty & the Beast”; Top Right: MaKenna Fulford (11) singing “Willow”; Middle Left: Madelyn Richardson (10), Kylee Merseal (12), Kabryn Beaver (12), Jocelyn Richardson (12) singing “Bohemian Rhapsody”; Middle Right: Izzy Lewis (10) singing “Almost Is Never Enough”
At left: Lewis (10), Emma Willhite (11), Becca Styleriggers (11) ,Zei King (11), Zoe Woodruff (10), Gabriel Hendrix (10), Natalie Ellis (11), Bridger Jones (10), Fulford (11), Adam Brush (10) singing “My Best Friend’s Wedding Medley”
PHOTOS BY KYLIE FISHER
PHOTOS BY KAYDN EASTER
the sun journal
8
March 11, 2022
BACKPAGE The Sun Journal Crossword
Across: 1 - According to the CDC, there are _____ major factors that affect teen driving the most. 4 - Teens are more likely than older drivers to underestimate or not be able to _____ dangerous situations. 6 - Ottis Toole was an American serial killer, arsonist, and what? 8 - The lethal dose for animals is fairly high but because of the extremely concentrated THC levels in _____ marijuana. 12 - Plastic makes up 80% of all _____ on earth. 13 - Darcy Cohen is one of the students frustrated with disrespect coming from who? 14 - Who is considered as one of the worst medical serial killers? Down: 2 - Who had the goal to take home their second state title in wrestling? 3 - Joel Rifkin was sentenced to _____ years in prison. 5 - All qualifiers at regionals for the BPA will participate in state and can choose to take what kind of event?
Bonus: Israel Moreno has been wrestling since he was six, all thanks to the support of who? **All crossword answers can be found throughout the newspaper!** If you have any ideas on what we can use for the back page in future issues, please contact Mrs. Keintz in room 130!
BAGPIPE
7 - The state competition for the BPA will be held in _____ this year. 9 - “The problem students are having in school is not feeling _____ for life with the knowledge we are receiving,” says Mariah Zentner. 10 - Vets can _____ vomiting in order to treat marijuana digestion in pets. 11 - One main factor to teen car accidents is related to driving at night or on what?
St. Patty Lost his Words
CLOVER GOLD LUCK HARP LEPRECHAUN RAINBOW POTATO GREEN TRADITION PINCH SUSPENDERS CORNED BEEF HASH BROWNS SHAMROCK
Previous Crossword Answers
Lucky’s Golden Mad Lib
My friend Lucky is __________ and __________. We met one day at the adjective
adjective
__________ while I was __________ with some other friends. Lucky may place
verb -ing
be an __________ name, but he says he likes being different. One day after adjective
it rained, Lucky told me that if I could __________ to the __________ of verb
noun
the rainbow, I’d find where he __________ a __________ of gold. When verb -ed
noun
I asked Lucky to __________ me there, he said it’s more __________ if verb
adjective
you __________ the __________ of gold yourself. Maybe one day I’ll get verb
noun
__________ and __________ that __________ of gold! adjective
verb
noun