01234567 0123456789 45$ 123 012345 $1324 012345
012345 0123
012345 BUDGET
CUTS 012345789
MERCER IS SCHOOL DIST 400
“Advanced Calc helped me learn skills that are necessary for me to go into a STEM field in college. Do not cut it.”
543210
012345
May 17, 2019
Non-Profit Org. US Postage PAID Permit #19 Mercer Island, WA
ALEX WHITE SENIOR
“I know that some of the grant money that the school recieves can only be used for certain departments, but I think something could probably have been done to get us an actual Advanced Calc class.” JASPER GEER JUNIOR
AS FUNDING TIGHTENS, ADVANCED CLASSES ARE THE FIRST TO GO Natalie Chen staff writer
Changes to available classes at MIHS have altered the pathway of many students, creating frustration and confusion. However, the factors driving these changes are not so black and white. The number of classes depends on two factors: the number of students that sign up for a certain class and available staffing. Staffing is determined by the total number of full-time students, defined as any student taking six full periods at the high school. Enrollment fluctuates each year and is expected to decrease by about 60 students for 2019-2020. As a result, the number of classes and staff will be reduced next year. Staff reduction was compounded by a statewide change in the staffing formula this year. The new formula raises maximum class sizes and thus
INSIDE
decreases the amount of available staffing. “43 students signed up for AP Statistics, 46 students signed up for Intro to Calculus and 20 students signed up for Advanced Calculus,” math department head Kim Schjelderup said. “Since less than 25 students signed up for Advanced Calculus, the class was cut.” Most classes have a minimum requirement of 25 students. If every class had an average size of 20 students or less, then the total number of classes would increase and the school would be unable to employ enough staff to teach each class. Since the typical student to teacher ratio is 22 to one, two math classes must be consolidated to make room for another period of AP Statistics, prioritizing the graduation requirements of senior students. Graduation requirements also factor into what classes are offered. For example, the Washington State Board of Education requires only Algebra 1, Geometry and a third year of unspecified math. (continued on page 3)
“Before you double up on science, I think you need to decide that it is important to you because the sign-up process this year was hard and long.” OLIVIA TOMASELLI FRESHMAN
Features 4: School Cracks Down on Chronic Absenteeism Sports 5: Susie Lepow Reaches New Heights Spread 6-7: Margins Spotlight Opinions 8: Teachers Should Take 504 Plans Seriously A&E 11: Is Seattle Dying? It’s More Complicated Than You Think
2 INSIDE
Letter From the Editor During fifth period last Tuesday, the entire journalism class made its way down to Northwood Elementary. Our stated goal was to help 24 fourth-grade English students with expository writing, and teach them basic journalistic skills in the process. But we came with a more implicit one, too: we wanted to instill these elementary schoolers with an understanding of journalism’s importance within schools, communities and countries alike. And sure, it was also a bit of a recruiting mission. So in five years, if the Islander’s staff swells with a bunch of talented freshman writers, this is why. We packed ourselves into Ms. Kerby’s classroom, explained what we were there to do, and then broke up into smaller groups to brainstorm ideas for their feature articles. I was paired with a girl who wanted to write about the parks on Mercer Island. “What about the parks, specifically, do you want to write about?” I asked. “The people who pick up trash there.” Another pair wanted to write a piece about
mihsislander.org
by Print Editor in Chief Grady Short
immigrant families on Mercer Island. It became clear that these students weren’t just articulate writers and communicators; they were good at finding a story. Over the next few weeks, we’ll be heading down to Northwood each Tuesday to teach these students, with the goal of hopefully publishing them in a newspaper of their own. Though the pieces will be written by 10-yearolds still learning how to properly structure a paragraph, they will be eye-opening nonetheless. In the work of these fourth-graders, I saw parallels to our own. Though the quality of their articles will of course not be the same as ours — just as ours is not the same as that of a professional, bona fide news source — they still have the power to inform and excite. At Northwood, IMS, MIHS and the places that my fellow seniors and I will soon be heading off to, a journalist is a journalist. As I write my last letter I’m reminded of the many times when the Islander had the power to start important conversations, draw issues to people’s attention, or simply recognize the people in our community who
Volume VIII, Edition VI
ABOUT
have done awesome things. The staff of this newspaper have much to be proud of. We’re currently in the process of selecting editors for next year, and I am excited to see what the Islander’s future holds. I’ll say this again in the senior issue (coming out in just a few short weeks!), but my time in journalism has connected me with people I never would otherwise have met; taught skills that will last a lifetime; and helped me feel at home at MIHS. Taking journalism is truly a worthwhile opportunity. With that, here’s our last “normal” issue of this year. During one of the busiest times of the school year, our staff writers and editors have put so much time and hard work into the newspaper you’re holding right now. This time around, I’m especially impressed by the wide range of topics that our writers have covered — everything from school budget usage to student athletes, social justice issues to senior prank ideas. I hope this issue will teach you something new, or maybe prompt you to view our school through a different lens. Most of all, I hope you enjoy it.
From the Website
April’s most-read stories at mihsislander.org
The MIHS Islander
« Pulitzer Prize Winner Caroline Fraser Comes Home
9100 SE 42nd St. Mercer Island, WA 98040 mihsislander@gmail.com www.mihsislander.org
A Night of the Arts: 2019 Showcase Gallery
EDITORS IN CHIEF Print | R. Grady Short Online | Ellie Gottesman Business Manager Managing Editor Features Editor Sports Editors Spread Editor Opinions Editor A&E Editor Copy Editor Photo Editor Cartoonist A&E Columnist Humor Columnist
Jacob D’Souza Isabel Funk Hannah Whobrey Ethan Preston Maya Virdell Ellie Gottesman Lucille Shield Annie Poole Annika Bhananker Annie Poole Teddy Fischer Ben Capuano Spencer Klein
Staff Writers: Natalie Chen, Kiran D’Souza, Charlie Fischer, Baran Fotouhiyehpour, Nico Galvin, Lena Hardisty, Max Hense, Sabrina Hubbell, Alex Isbell, Alex Levin, Declan McSherry, Jeff Parkinson, Sandra Pedersen, Jordan Snyder, Roni Talby Front Page Design Humor Page Design
Ellie Gottesman Isabel Funk
SOCIAL MEDIA
Boys Soccer Wins Important Game on Senior Night Top photo by Annie Poole; bottom photo courtesy Maria Reyes.
Lucky Chops Review Strong Women Teachers Inspire Confidence in Students A Story of Wit, Humor, and Emotion: “Much Ado About Nothing” Review » PUBLICATION NOTICES Purpose | To provide news to the Mercer Island High School student body and members of the surrounding community in a manner that accurately reflects readers’ interests. The MIHS Islander is an open student forum, and the opinions expressed within do not represent those of the high school or district administrations. Ads | To print an ad in a future issue of The MIHS Islander, contact Business Manager Jacob D’Souza at mihsislander@ gmail.com for rates and information. Privacy | All electronic mail messages in connection with Mercer Island School District business which are sent or received by this account are subject to the Washington State Public Records Act and may be disclosed to third parties. Corrections | We pride ourselves on accurate, fact-based journalism. If you believe the Islander has gotten a fact or quote wrong, please contact us and we’ll print a correction in the next issue. Nondiscrimination Notification | The Mercer Island School District does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, marital status, disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal, and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The Mercer Island School District offers classes in many College and Career Readiness Programs, admission to which is non-discriminatory. Lack of English-language proficiency will not be a barrier to admission and participation in these programs. The following people have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policies: Civil Rights Compliance Coordinator; Harrassment, Intimidation and Bullying (HIB) Coordinator; Title IX Compliance Coordinator: Erin Battersby, Senior Director. (206) 230-6227, erin.battersby@mercerislandschools.org Section 504 & ADA Coordinator: Dr. Lindsay Myatich, Director. (206) 236-3326, lindsay.myatich@mercerislandschools.org
FEATURES 3
May 17, 2019
Robotics Program BUDGET CUTS (CONT.) Builds Well Oiled Machine — and Team Max Hense staff writer
The week before spring break, Mercer Island’s Robotics team fought its way to the Pacific Northwest Championships, competing against 150 other local teams. Prior to district competitions this year, the team placed high in two regional competitions, where they were
to perfect this year’s robot. They even instituted strict attendance policies: members must attend 50% of meetings, as well as put in an appropriate amount of work, in order to attend competitions. Among the most devoted were copresidents Hayden Moll and Alex White, who has been with the club since freshman year. “During those six weeks, I don’t really have a social life, I just eat, sleep, go
RANDY
“The master schedule has to balance minimum graduation requirements and what kids want,” Principal Vicki Puckett said. Graduation requirements are the first priority in creating each students’ schedule — in total, there are over 10,000 course requests from about 1,550 students. Students who signed up for Advanced Calculus will not be overlooked — they will now have the option to take either AP Statistics or an online Calculus BC course monitored by Chinese teacher Zhousu He, who is also a certified math teacher. Junior Oliver Schaaf took PreCalculus over the summer in hopes of completing Calculus during high school. Currently taking AP Calculus AB, Schaaf was initially frustrated to learn that the school would no longer offer Advanced Calculus. “I think we found an alternative that’s going to work out,” Schaaf said. “But [through Advanced Calculus] I would have gotten to learn more than I would now.” The current Advanced Calculus course goes beyond the material covered in AP Calculus BC. While upperclassmen were
occupied with math, freshman and sophomores were concerned over doubling up on science classes. In past years, many students doubled up on science classes during their sophomore year, taking year-long Biology alongside a semester of Physics 2 and a semester of Chemistry 2. While the option was initially eliminated, the district has decided to retain it by providing additional staffing and funding for students to double up. “We recognize that the community really would like to see our school offer two sciences if they want to take that,” Puckett said. She explained that “speed bumps” have been instituted to ensure that all students actually want to take the class. For example, there was a required information session on May 1 detailing the requirements of taking two science classes and the consequences of dropping the class. Although the changes to classes disrupt many STEMfocused student pathways, administration believes that the new system will work as a sufficient substitute for students’ educational needs.
Photo courtesy Alex White Built this year, Randy can shoot balls, climb up ramps and lift panels.
ranked with other districts in the Pacific Northwest and qualified for districts. This win was the culminating event in a rigorous four-month season. With six weeks to build their robot, the team’s commitment to their craft was crucial. Advised by Chantel Torrey and Daniel Yi, the small team put in hours of work each day. Meeting from 6 to 9 p.m., Monday through Thursday, and more often than not working weekends, the team wanted
to school, and do robotics,” White said. As intense as this is, Moll and White worked together to better organize the team, dividing the club into subgroups to focus on different aspects of the machine. With three groups, the struggle was often based in connections. “The main thing was staying diligent
“I had absolutely no clue what I was getting myself into when I joined, but I was welcomed with open arms. The Robotics community is friendly, challenging, exhausting and yes, definitely weird at times, but it makes the experience engaging and exciting.” Lily Gile
Photo courtesy Alex White Robotics attends their first District Qualifier at Auburn Mountainview High School on March 8.
with communication, and making sure everybody’s voices were heard,” White said. Torrey notes another key to their success came from their presidents. “It was just really responsive leadership, really strong, dedicated to the club, the team members, and the robot,” Torrey explained. Reaching district championships was no easy goal to meet, and this season, members felt they earned their place beside the other teams. “We got there on our own, and pulled our own weight,” White said. “No one could say that we got there by chance.”
No matter the struggles that arose in the season, all agree the reward was well worth the risk. “With all the time we put in, it was really rewarding to me to see us rank at districts and do well,” Moll said. Though the program requires a lot of hard work, it takes the whole team to reach this kind of success. “A club like this can’t last without rookies,” White said. “We’ve all been there — we know how tough it can be not feeling like you know what’s going on, or what contribution you’re making, but they’ll be the leaders when we’re gone.”
4 FEATURES School Cracks Down on Chronic Absenteeism
mihsislander.org
Lena Hardisty staff writer
Daily attendance has become more and more of an issue at MIHS. While it might not be easy to see from day to day, the rates of absenteeism are rising. The total attendance rate for all grade levels is 93.6%. Freshmen have an absence rate of 4.4%, sophomores have a rate of 5.6%, juniors have a rate of 6.7% and seniors have an absence rate of 8.9%. A 10% absence rate, equivalent
absences of the freshmen. Perhaps reassuringly, this issue not specific to MIHS. According to the Department of Education, Washington state ranks second in the nation for chronic absenteeism. “Washington’s state data collection showed the chronic absenteeism rate to be more than 16 percent in the 2015–2016 school year. In other words, one in every six students [or]
and anxiety,” Attendance Coordinator Ellis Hazard said. “Anytime there’s an event that would cause an increase in [stress], we would expect to see in increase in absenteeism. Around the end of the quarter, I’d expect to see absences rising up.”
Graphic by Lena Hardisty
Data courtesy Student Data and Information Systems Coordinator Jiovanna Koceski
The number of students absent on a daily basis at MIHS has decreased recently.
to missing 18 days of school, means a student is chronically absent. The senior class is only 1.1% away from being overall chronically absent, and as a class have almost double the
truancy petitions on students. It’s something I believe we’ve never done before.” A truancy petition is an order to send a student with seven unexcused
about 194,000 [students] in total were chronically absent,” reported the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction. This figure increased to 17% in the 2017–2018 school year. “It’s not abnormal to see increases in absenteeism with increases of stress
The absence rate at MIHS has fluctuated over the years: 2014-15 had a rate of 7.1%, 2015-16 had a rate of 6.8%, 2016-17 reached 7.9% and 2017-18 hit 6.4%. “The District is taking attendance very seriously,” Hazard said. “Since I’ve been here, we now file
absences in a month or ten unexcused absences in a year to juvenile court. Washington state now requires schools to file truancy petitions under the Becca Bill. With these new policies, MIHS is making progress in its battle with student attendance. However, this high absenteeism cannot be solved without effort from all sides — staff and students.
HOSA Marks Calendar for Internationals Sandra Pedersen staff writer
Health Occupation Students of America is a national organization that promotes interest in medicine at the high school and college level. Mercer Island’s chapter was founded last year by current co-presidents Michelle Lee and Naomi Lewis. The chapter entered their second year with two goals: boosting attendance and reaching state at the
“[HOSA] really opens students’ eyes to all the careers in medicine,” Treasurer Lindsay Shi said. “You get a platform that really offers connections with other people and you meet other students who are also passionate about medicine.” The club aims to give students an outlet to expand their understanding of the medical field and explore careers in healthcare. “HOSA is such a broad array of different fields,” Lewis said. “It encompasses a lot of sciences, and even leadership skills with public speaking.” Many are drawn in by the experience and challenge
“Knowing that all your hard work paid off and that you accomplished something is a feeling that’s worth all the effort,” Shi said. Juliet Hong, Luna Chen, Claire Huynh, Rina Li and Lewis will also compete in Orlando. “It’s been an amazing experience and it has also made me really reevaluate what I wanted to do with my life,” PR Coordinator Mary Vanderwall said. “It’s made me realize that I want to go into psychiatry.” The club often faces restrictions when competing because of the chapter’s lack of available materials. “[Medical classes] aren’t really available here; we
Members spent three days attending workshops and competing at WAHOSA in Spokane, accompanied by Jen McLellan and Jamie Cooke.
yearly State Leadership Conference in Spokane. HOSA managed to exceed both goals, tripling membership and seeing six members place in the top five at state competition and thus qualify for internationals in Orlando. “The [membership] growth this year has definitely been noticeable,” Lewis said. “You can visibly see it — last year had only seven or eight people.” Like many clubs, HOSA relies on steady membership numbers to receive school funding. This year’s growth has provided the club with new resources.
of HOSA competitions. Compared to the club’s nine members last year, 26 members attended the state competitions this March. “You bond at competitions; it’s a way to meet so many new people,” Lewis said. The commitment for HOSA is substantial; preparing for tests, working on projects for events and mastering hands-on skills requires hours of individual study, meaning dedication is essential for success. Shi placed first in medical terminology this year, and is going to Orlando to compete in the International HOSA Conference.
Photo courtesy Jamie Cooke
don’t have anything corresponding in our curriculum to HOSA,” Lewis said. “It’s a lot on one person to completely be diligent and persevere enough to actually make it through all of the work by themselves.” HOSA hopes that the increase in membership, demonstrating student interest, will gain enough attention from the school board to invest in a medical class for the school. “[Right now] HOSA is one of the only places on Mercer Island where people who are interested in medicine can come together to pursue their interests,” member Bridget Navarro said.
Lepow Reaches New Heights in Alex Levin staff writer
Track athlete Susie Lepow has become a star in the MIHS pole vaulting world, having broken the school record for girls pole vault as a freshman; she continues to break her own records today. “I think [breaking records] is pretty cool,” Lepow said. “I don’t think I’ll ever get
used to [it].” Lepow’s personal best of 11 feet 2 inches currently ranks second in all of KingCo, an impressive feat that will likely carry her far into the postseason. However, Lepow wants to aim higher. By the end of high school, her goal is to reach at least 13 feet. “It’s rare but not unheard of,” Lepow said. “I think I
Photo courtesy Jay Na Lepow, a sophomore, has broken the school record several times for girls pole vault since her freshman year.
can do it, but I’ll have to put in the work.” Lepow started pole vaulting before freshman year, when she was introduced to it by her club running coach. It seemed right up her alley, given her previous background in gymnastics. “I was interested in it, and it seemed like a lot of fun,” Lepow said. Now, after only two years, she has emerged as a top competitor, impressing many of the coaches on the track and field team. “It’s very exciting,” coach Scott Levering said. “She’s so young as only a sophomore, and she’s doing really well.” Having been a coach for nine years, Levering recognizes which specific traits set Lepow apart. “It’s really fun to work with her,” Levering said. “She’s a [well-rounded] kid, and she’s very coachable, which is a good quality.” With her current ranking, Lepow has the potential to continue far into the postseason. Not only will she be able to make KingCo, but she may also qualify to compete at districts, or even continue on to the state championship
SPORTS 5
Pole Vault
meet. “I think she is going to go to state,” Levering said. “I think she has potential to score points at state and do well for the team.” Although pole vault is her main passion, Lepow also excels in running events. She currently ranks seventh in KingCo for the 400-meter dash and 300-meter hurdles, and tenth in the 110meter hurdles. With two more years of high school left, it will be exciting to see what Lepow can accomplish on the track and field team.
‘Mariner Max’ is a Top Prospect on the Air Charlie Fischer staff writer
As the Mariners tank and surge throughout the season, many fans have tuned into 88.9 The Bridge to hear senior Max Tanzer’s award winning podcast, ‘Mariner Max’ for insight and analysis. The Seattle Mariners’ season is in full swing and by early May, the M’s have already begun their annual migration to the bottom of the AL West standings, even after their most dynamic start in recent memory. “They’re going to be a very streaky team,” Tanzer said. “They have hit a lot of home runs, but the pitching is another story.” Tanzer first became involved with baseball after his first season of Little League in third grade. “That year, I fell in love with it,” Tanzer said. “Then I turned on the Mariners game randomly; it was versus the Reds. I remember Ichiro had a home run, and that sparked it.” Tanzer has cultivated his interest in sports media from a young age.
“I always liked to make videos with my brother and sister and then I would always make baseball videos on YouTube,” Tanzer said. His breakthrough into sports media would come through highlights he posted to his Instagram account @baseball.plays_. “My friend and I made a couple of short [clips], put them on Instagram, and it just grew and grew,” Tanzer said. “We put a lot of work into it and a couple MLB players reposted,” Tanzer said. “That got us to 1000 [followers] and at that point it was just like a domino effect. Unfortunately, I haven’t had too much time to post on it consistently.” When Tanzer is not posting highlights, he is consuming baseball news and analysis, something which has translated smoothly into his weekly radio podcasts. “I love to read articles, read other people’s opinions,” Tanzer said. “I love to listen to old broadcasts; it just gives me the chills and I live for that. I want to be that same person for other kids who were in my situation.”
After four years at 88.9 The Bridge, Tanzer has received numerous awards from the Intercollegiate Broadcasting System, including Best Sports Interview in 2017 and 2018, as well as Best Sports Pre and Post Game Show in 2019 among high school
radio programs. “I couldn’t have done it without [MIHS Broadcasting teacher] Joe Bryant,” Tanzer said. Beyond high school, Tanzer hopes to find a career on the air. Tanzer will be going to
Photo courtesy Jay Na
May 17, 2019
Regardless of what future holds, she definitely be someone Mercer Island Track Field will remember.
the will that and
Ithaca College in New York to major in sports media. “I’m ready to take advantage of anything I can get,” Tanzer said. “If that means like going on the air at 3 a.m. to talk about the Red Sox or the Yankees, then I’ll do that.”
Photo by Charlie Fischer Tanzer, who will be attending college for sports media, explores his passion on his weekly show “Mariner Max.”
My Margins
“My favorite part of the Margins trip was visiting Crete Academy. We got to spend time with children that were homeless or not very well-off. They were super optimistic and I think we can all learn something from them.”
Journey
Olivia Wen
Sports Editor Maya Virdell shares how one man changed her outlook on friendship. Margins is a social justice program and club that is currently in its inaugural year at MIHS. The program includes 13 members ranging in age from freshmen to juniors. I have the honor of being a part of this ground-breaking program. During spring break, the Margins program traveled to LA to learn about issues pertaining to immigration, homelessness, incarceration, poverty and more. Talking and interacting with the people at the organizations we visited greatly impacted my experience through the immersion process. I was specifically moved by a certain man I met on the second night. That night we went to Guadalupe Homeless Mission and prepared dinner. We got to sit and eat it with the people who were directly benefiting from our service. The man that I sat next to was named Ignacio, but he told me to call him Nacho. Nacho was 73 years old and, with a bright smile plastered on his face, he was constantly exuding happiness. Although there was a language barrier, we were able to communicate fairly well with my limited Spanish and his English knowledge. I learned that he moved from Mexico City to Los Angeles 32 years ago, and despite all the hardship he previously endured, Nacho still loved life in LA. “A smile not only brightens up your day,
but everyone else around you,” Nacho said. “ I do not know how long I have left. I may have days, weeks, months or years, but I want to be happy because I am alive, and that is cause for celebration.” He brightly described his favorite things about LA: the sun during the day, looking up at the beautiful buildings and moon at night, and most importantly the music. I asked him if he had ever been to Seattle, and he nodded his head that he had, many summers ago, and then promptly began talking about music. Suddenly, Nacho stood up, took a deep breath, asked my friend and I to “count [him] down” and began to sing. His voice flowed out into the room, steady and rich as he recalled an American song from his youth. He may not have known all of the words, but this hardly seemed to matter, and tears rolled down his face. He was entranced and passionate about the emotion behind his singing, beyond the words. Following that, he performed a song from Mexico with the same passion and fervor, if not with more. We may have come from different backgrounds and undergone different experiences, but sitting at that table our differences melted away, and a friendship was molded. When I was leaving, Nacho said he would remember me, but I can’t help feeling that I will remember him more.
JUNIOR
“The Margins trip definitely opened my eyes to see the world in a new light. The experience empowered me to inspire change in my own community.”
All photos courtesy Ben Roe Margins members line up to enter Jovenes Inc. Center, a program dedicated to ending the cycle of youth homelessness.
Miles Shin JUNIOR
Margins Highlights: The Immigration Law Clinic at Loyola Marymount
PROTECTS THE RIGHTS OF LA’S IMMIGRANT POPULATION
The Anti-Recidivism Coalition
A COMMUNITY FOR PREVIOUSLY INCARCERATED INDIVIDUALS
Homeboy Industries
SUPPORTS FORMER GANG MEMBERS
Crete Academy
PROVIDES EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR HOMELESS YOUTH Top: Students visit Guadalupe Homeless Project to prepare food and share a meal with the homeless. Bottom: Virdell plays flag football with children from Crete Academy.
Guadalupe Homeless Project COMMUNITY BUILDING ORGANIZATION
8 OPINIONS
mihsislander.org
Teachers Need to Better Accomodate 504 Plans Maya Virdell sports editor
to be used on a daily basis,” Ethan Libman said. Failure by teachers to support their students further contributes to the stigma surrounding programs such as 504s, adding to the already high-stress environment that is Mercer Island. “There have been times when my teachers mistook learning issues for laziness which makes me angry,” Ethan Libman said. “I wish my teachers had the empathy they stress us to have instead of throwing us busy work in an environment of miserable kids who are loaded down with homework.” However, not all students have had a negative experience with their 504s. “Throughout high school, it was extremely difficult for me to focus during exams because my mind went blank and I experienced panic attacks beforehand,” Taylor Libman said. “I figured this harsh testing anxiety was a normal part of test taking, but during my junior year one of my teachers suggested that I consider accommodations. Now, I receive [one and a half] extra time to complete
all assessments, which has been remarkably beneficial to my testing success.” It is beneficial for both students and teachers to follow the 504 plans and be conscious of the resources needed to support those students. “I am grateful for how well my teachers fulfill these accommodations because they are always open-minded when I communicate with them,” Taylor Libman said. 504s have provided her with resources to succeed, but these plans only work because of her teacher’s acceptance and cooperation with these accommodations. “Ultimately, a 504 plan isn’t to make schooling easy, but to make it not extremely difficult,” Ethan Libman said. “So many kids on Mercer Island find it to be a crazily stressful and competitive environment where everyone fights to be popular and have a 4.0 GPA. But with ADD and other learning challenges like dysgraphia and dyslexia, school can be many times more difficult [for others] than for your average person.”
“I hate when people call a 504 ‘easy’ or an ‘excuse,’” Ethan Libman said. 504s exist to level the playing field and provide resources for those with learning disabilities and more. However, when these accommodations are not respected, it harms not only the students’ rights but their education as well. “I’ve been told in front of other students by a teacher that I am overusing my 504,” Ethan Libman said. Legally, teachers cannot disclose the identities of those with 504 plans to others. However, at our school, there have been instances when teachers have betrayed that trust at the cost of the student’s selfesteem. Photo by Maya Virdell “I tend to be very open “As a person with ADD, it is really hard to focus because my brain is so full, so about my plan when people getting extra time on tests makes it easier,” Ethan Libman, pictured above, said. ask and am not ashamed their accommodations, they about it at all,” Ethan Libman specific needs.” Students should not be are met with resistance from said. “However, I hate having teachers speak about shamed for using the resources their teachers and are painted it publicly because students they need to succeed. This as “lazy.” “It is almost like [my always make a big deal about guilt discourages students from learning to the best of teachers] think I am using an it.” emergency backup system Ethan Libman has had their ability. When some students use when really a 504 is okay a 504 plan since middle school. “With my accommodations it has been so tough to get them fully Editorial cartoon by Teddy Fischer fulfilled,” Ethan Libman said. “I am always [held to the same expectations] as students who do not have a 504 while being frowned upon for having one. When I use my 504 to turn in late work, I [get] eye rolls from teachers.” In addition to plans not being followed, the accommodations students ask for are not always fulfilled. “ T h e accommodations I requested were much different than the ones that I received,” Ellie Gelsey said. “I asked for extra time on long assignments and they said no because they ‘didn’t want me to develop bad study habits.’ They just gave me extra time on math/science tests and called it a Little one, it’s a simple calculus. The universe is finite; its resources, finite. If life is left unchecked, life will cease to exist. It needs proper day without actually spending. It’s why I voted no levy, and why I need to do this. listening to my
Perfectly balanced, as all things should be
OPINIONS 9
May 17, 2019
Senior Sweatshirts Endorse a Toxic Culture — Will You Wear Them? Editorial Board
Photo courtesy Amazon
Photo courtesy Under Consideration
Every spring, the junior class designs “Senior Babes” and “Senior Dudes” sweatshirts to celebrate their final year of high school. The tradition revolves around imitating alcohol brand logos, inevitably resulting in division between those who drink and those who do not. The simple motivation: students like to push the envelope, especially when it comes to the school dress code. According to the MIHS 2018-2019 Handbook, “any display of words, pictures, or references to profanity, alcohol, tobacco, illegal substances, weapons, guns, or sexual innuendo is prohibited.” Many MIHS teachers are frustrated with the senior sweatshirt tradition. “Because it is not protected speech, I have every right within my classroom to ask students not to wear those garments, which I have done on numerous occasions this year and in the past,” English teacher Chris Twombley said. “Beyond that, I also think it is a sad statement about the MIHS culture that the students
Photos courtesy Class of 2020 “Senior Babes” and “Senior Dudes” Facebook groups
want to advertise their school spirit in such a manner. Isn’t there a better way to do so?” “My biggest objection to this practice is that I see a lot of seniors excluded,” English teacher Creighton Laughary said. “If tradition divides us, then I think that is something that needs to be re-examined.” This tradition, though intended to build community in the senior class, promotes the negative aspects of fraternity culture, excludes large groups at MIHS, and makes students
who do not want to promote alcohol feel uncomfortable. Our traditions should not push people to the point of not participating at all. “It’s the epitome of an odd romanticism of alcohol in high school,” senior Albert Lam said. “One could argue that the design is just traditionally that way, which is a poor excuse at best.” “I don’t care if my friends wear it, but I personally would not want to promote that kind of a message on school grounds.” We understand that many students attend parties and
Vaping in the Middle School Lena Hardisty staff writer
You shouldn’t give a little kid a cigarette — it’s just common sense. Apparently, however, enabling a middle schooler to start Juuling is fine. The dangers of smoking and vaping have become a joke at MIHS, but younger and younger students are experimenting with harmful substances, influenced by everything from curiosity to peer pressure. Although it’s clichéd, everyone wants to be cool — no one more than middle schoolers. Fads naturally come and go, whether it’s a new video game or a fidget toy, but most fads don’t come with chemical addiction. The vaping trend will inevitably fade, but many students will be left with a dangerous habit. According to a study by the National Institute of Drug Abuse in Feb. 2016 on teens’ knowledge of the contents of their vape, 66.0% of teens surveyed reported vaping with only flavoring, 13.7% did not know what was in their vape, 13.2% reported vaping with nicotine and 5.8%
reported marijuana. Manufacturers do not have to report the ingredients within their e-cigarette products, meaning users don’t know what chemicals are actually in them. JUUL Labs reports that their pods contain “glycerol, propylene glycol, natural oils, extracts and flavor, nicotine and benzoic acid,” but does not provide a complete list of ingredients. One JUUL pod contains the same amount of nicotine as a pack of cigarettes (typically 20 to 25). Besides e-cigarettes’ unsafe and risky chemicals, nicotine alone is highly addictive; developing a vaping habit can hook students for life. This danger is part of the reason administrators at the middle school are concerned with the use of vapes, hoping to try and snip the issue before it can grow. “11% of our eighth graders reported to have [vaped] in the past 30 days,” Islander Middle School Co-Principal Mary Jo Budzius said. “That’s bigger than we’d like, but it’s not massive.” “It’s definitely more about
e-cigarettes than nicotine, but they’re reporting that they’re smoking with nicotine in their e-cigarettes,” she continued. “It’s definitely an issue that we are thinking about a lot and monitoring consistently.” While this problem may seem unconnected to MIHS, 12-yearolds can’t access vapes alone. After seniors turn 18, they can legally purchase vapes, and this leads to them being sold to lower grade levels. The fact that they can become legally obtained by students in the school system makes it easier for the use to become spread throughout schools. Vaping at the high school normalizes youth vaping; so many people participate that it becomes a new norm. The coolest thing to do as a middle schooler is to imitate an older sibling, friend or role model. We cannot allow substance abuse to slip into routine. While it may be “your body, your choice,” your choice does not exist in a vacuum. We need to step up and stop supporting addiction, or we’ll be the generation that brought nicotine abuse back.
experiment with alcohol in high school, but why feel the need to advertise your party life to the school community? Alcohol is just one element of the problem. Another harmful aspect of the dynamic between “Senior Babes” and “Senior Dudes” is a toxic culture that objectifies women. In the Class of 2020’s “Senior Dudes” Facebook group, one student said, “We need some girl to write ‘senior dudes’ on her tits.” The disappointing responses that followed
included: “that’s frat,” “fricken dope” and “all in favor say aye.” While some called out their peers, commenting “objectifying women is not ok” and “why would you even say this,” the majority of responses supported the fraternity culture. Although we support fun senior traditions, school spirit should unify, not divide. Many Islanders value school traditions, but these traditions must evolve. For example, the Class of 2017 eliminated gendered graduation robes to allow nonbinary students to participate comfortably in the ceremony. Similarly, the division between “Senior Babes” and “Senior Dudes” promotes a scientifically false narrative of gender being strictly binary. Why exclude the population of students who do not identify as male or female? Islanders have an opportunity to redefine their class’s legacy through the senior sweatshirt tradition. A design that unites everyone, regardless of gender and personal choices, is something that we as Islanders should strive for. Graphic by Lena Hardisty
10 HUMOR Spencer Klein and Jeff Parkinson humor columnist and staff writer
mihsislander.org
Rejected Senior Pranks Each year, the graduating senior class pranks the school. Past pranks have included parking a car in the amphitheater and putting alarm clocks in the ceiling tiles. However, every prank must go through an extreme vetting process because many of the ideas pitched are either too radical, too cruel or simply unachievable. Below is a list of the Class of 2019’s rejected senior pranks.
1.
Convince Herbert the Snail and Kelly to duel
2.
Lie to Northwood students about where their pets go when they die
3.
Riot ct ion
P
ns la
4. Actually go to assemblies so there are no seats for random parents
E. Coli Inf e
5.
Manually restarting the E. Coli crisis
6.
Escalate the Bellevue rivalry past the Geneva Convention
7.
Replace the Pledge of Allegiance with “Villain Trippin’”
8.
Jon Na stages a coup of next year’s ASB Leadership
9.
Cutting advanced math classes and not allowing sophomores to double up on sciences
10. 11.
Socialize grades Replace EpiPen medicine with Kickstart
12.
Allergen-based food fight
13.
Putting piranhas in the middle school carnival dunk tank
14.
Putting acid in the middle school carnival dunk tank
15.
Dunking a piranha in acid
A&E 11
May 17, 2019
Jacob D’Souza business manager
Beware of the Dogs
by Stella Donnelly
Photo courtesy Bandcamp
The docuseries “Seattle Is Dying” was created by local KOMO News journalist Eric Johnson to expose the darkest parts of Seattle’s homelessness problem. Since its release in March, the series has received an overwhelming amount of attention on both a local and national level. With 3.2 million views on YouTube and the attention of everyone from Seattle Times to Fox News, “Seattle Is Dying” has sent ripples through the nation. Many can agree with Johnson that homelessness is a problem in Seattle; in fact, Seattle ranks second to San Francisco in property crimes as a result of homelessness. Although Johnson sets out with good intentions and valid criticisms, his KOMO News special on homelessness fails to address the complexities of this crisis. Johnson explains that the purpose of the docuseries on KOMO News “is not about demonizing those who are struggling with addiction and homelessness and mental illness. Instead, it asks the question, ‘Why aren’t we doing more?’” So why, then, did the special spark so much outrage? Much of the controversy stems from Johnson’s politically-charged attack on Seattle’s city government, which he believes has polarized this issue in the political community. Johnson lays the foundation for dramatic governmental and judicial change. He argues for a harsher system through which to process the homeless — in particular, the criminal ones. The debate that Johnson ignites, whether to treat the homeless strictly or kindly, is inevitably controversial. Nevertheless, his harsh approach sets the wrong tone. The special approaches homelessness through a dangerous lens. Instead of exploring the problem and seeking solutions, Johnson appears more concerned with assigning blame on the homeless. “The people you see in camps, many of them are choosing to stay this way, because of all the drug habits they have,” KOMO reporter Matt Markovich said in the special. This rhetoric, however, is harmful to understanding the root causes of the Seattle homelessness situation. With comments like “day after day, one after another, the pictures on the page from every corner of the Emerald City paint a picture of rot and filth that’s being allowed to festering on the streets, and in the lots, and under the overpasses of a once proud city,” only fuels the perception that Seattle is decaying. If someone is drug addicted and living on the streets, the city’s primary concern should be helping them through treatment programs and counseling, not waging war on them. Whether you support Seattle’s current approach or KOMO’s, nowhere in that process should the homeless be dehumanized and judged as they are in this docuseries. “They use deadly drugs, and they sell those drugs for ten bucks a dose, and over and over they steal us blind to get the ten bucks. And they pollute our streets and parks and neighbors, the live in filth and despair, like animals, and we allow it,” Johnson said. Johnson’s main argument stresses consequences for crime, especially drug use, in the homeless community. Allowing criminal activity to continue in the name of sympathy is not going to help those affected by it – it will just encourage them to perpetuate this harmful lifestyle.
2019’s Up-and-Coming Artists
Donnelly’s debut indie-rock album is quirky yet complex. Her music contains no shortage of quick jokes and songs about love while also discussing personal topics like sexual assault.
Morbid Stuff
by PUP
Photo courtesy Bandcamp
Staff writer Alex Isbell reviews KOMO News’s docuseries about the homelessness crisis in Seattle.
Album Reviews:
PUP’s energy with this album is unmatched; the guitar riffs are great and the lyrics are angsty. This pop-punk album reminds me of Green Day or Blink-182 with a more modern influence.
Germ Has a Death Wish
by Germ
Photo courtesy Genius
However, advocating for a strict justice system and taking personal responsibility doesn’t justify dehumanizing people living on the streets. The series is dominated by dramatic shots of tents littered with needles and clips and interviews of the mentally ill screaming. This skewed view of Seattle’s situation is worsened by Johnson’s condescending tone which actively seeks to draw out feelings of disgust and anger from its audience. This massive overgeneralization of the homeless in Seattle is the most harmful aspect of the docuseries. The notable lack of facts and statistics in the series is made up for with personal anecdotes, some of which state that, in their personal experience, “100 percent are in some stage of addiction.” Calling every homeless person in Seattle a junkie who chooses to live the homeless lifestyle has severely limited the discussion and makes the anger Johnson evokes against the homeless appear warranted. But the statistics tell a different story. Johnson insists on equating Seattle’s rising homeless population to “the drug crisis,” but according to the 2018 ASR’s Count-Us-In report, 35% suffer from drug or alcohol abuse, while 44% have psychiatric conditions, 37% have PTSD and 26% have a physical injury. Acknowledging that drugs play a role in Seattle’s growing homelessness problem is a reasonable point to discuss, but to contribute all of it to drugs is ignorant, and, more importantly, highly misleading. Additionally, 22% of people living on the streets in Seattle were homeless before the age of 17; 18% of homeless identify as LGBTQ+, compared to the 4.5% national average, and according to KOMO, 11% are veterans. “Seattle is Dying” closes with Johnson’s solution: Send the homeless to McNeil Island, a treatment center where drug addicts and the mentally ill can be treated safely. Not only does this idea propose gathering up Seattle’s homeless in one fell swoop and sending them off to what is now a confinement for sex offenders, a place which Catherine Hinrichsen, director of Seattle University’s Project on Family Homelessness calls “a giant prison with drug treatment,” but it also encourages throwing millions of dollars into the careless criminalization of homelessness. Refusing to be lenient on the homeless for crimes is one thing, but mass imprisonment is another. Instead of exploring the different options for helping alleviate this problem, Johnson focuses solely on two things: complete government reform and imprisonment or forced treatment. This idea fails to connect with reality in an economic sense as well as devoting a large portion of the city’s homeless budget into this project will do more harm than help. As many politicians in Washington state, including Spokane’s City Council President Ben Stuckart, have pointed out, the docuseries fails to address other options, such as more affordable housing and better services for the working homeless. The KOMO special is certainly worth viewing, but it didn’t effect the change of perspective it had originally hoped to promote. Still, it is good to realize that, if nothing else, Johnson succeeds in bringing badly needed attention to the problem.
This album is stacked with hard-hitting trap beats, impeccable mixing and great verses from Germ and the numerous featured artists.
Loser
by Sasha Sloan Photo courtesy Sasha Sloan
Is Seattle Dying?
Although this pop EP was released in late 2018, it still deserves a spot on this list. “Loser” is short, but each song is well produced and shows off Sloan’s great voice.
12 A&E
mihsislander.org by Stephanie Tran
by Claire Cheung
by Claire Cheung
AP Art Portfolios: The Culmination of a Yearlong Process
by Libby Hetzel
Sandra Pedersen staff writer
Unlike standard AP tests, AP art students must submit three different portfolios to be evaluated by a board of judges. These portfolios must showcase the students’ talent, style and dedication while displaying the versatility of their art. Students taking AP 2D Art – Design or Drawing/Painting – must submit three portfolios to the College Board: Breadth, requiring 12 art pieces with variety, Concentration including 12 pieces that focus on one theme and Quality consisting of five photos with the artist’s best work. For AP 3D Design students, quality includes 10 digital images that displays their skill in 3D shape, substance and technique. The Concentration portfolio fixates on 12 pieces of work concentrated on one central idea. Breadth is 16 images that convey an understanding of 3D design. The portfolios are evaluated by at least seven advanced art educators who score by standardized criteria – so the pressure is high for many students.
by Stephanie Tran
by Libby Hetzel
Photo by Annie Poole Hetzel, Cheung and Tran gather at Art Club.
I like artwork that evokes emotions that I appreciate. I don’t have a lot of sadness in my art, or at least I don’t try to incorporate those emotions. I make more peaceful and majestic artwork because it’s something different from the pragmatism of high school.”
For Breadth, I definitely went for variety, trying to use different mediums, different paints and different subjects. But for Concentration, I chose the theme of chairs. I tried to depict the emotions and stories that things and objects left behind on chairs can show.”
Libby Hetzel
Claire Cheung
Stephanie Tran
AP Drawing/Painting
AP 2D Design
AP 3D Design
For my photography, I really like to add drawings into it and incorporate them into the images to make them feel not real. For Concentration, I added different drawings of people into photographs of scenes I took.”