2022 -2023 Winter Issue

The Islander

Inequitable distribution of Holiday Homework

Julia Weisfield Staff Writer

As winter approaches, I am sure all students are excited for a fun and restful winter break, however, it is apparent that religious holidays such as Rosh Hashanah or Ramadan at MIHS are not exactly work free. Where many students who celebrate Christmas experience little school stress over the break, holidays for people of other religions can be the most anxiety inducing time of year. The struggle of discovering which classes are assigning work or assessments during a holiday and individually emailing each teacher defeats the purpose of an excused absence.

“Religious

Jewish holidays, and I have only two who excuse me from them,” said MIHS freshman Jack Rubenstein.

As a Jewish student at MIHS, it feels as though the school is more focused on meeting the needs of Christian students during the holidays.

“The school targets meeting the needs of larger groups such as Christians, and as a smaller group, they don’t attend to the needs of Jewish people,” said Rubenstein.

Christmas tends to be a uniting time of year where people get together and celebrate although it can single out certain students when continuously discussed in a school environment.

“The opportunity to unite through our differences yields learning opportunities for children and adults alike. As inclusive as this time of year has the potential to be, it can also be divisive without intentionality,” said Rundle.

do so because I would have to miss days of school which would then increase the workload and stress,” said Tulin Alrouk, a student at MIHS.

The email that Dr. Fred Rundle sent out clearly instructs the district to respect the religious holidays of others and refrain from assigning work.

Even after this email directing teachers not to assign homework or give tests, I still found myself with a ridiculous amount of missed classwork during Jewish holidays. One of the only teachers that I have who assigned zero work and did not teach valuable information during Jewish High Holidays is Christine Kenyon. Rather than filling the class with busywork she took the time to talk about why she wasn’t giving assignments that day.

“I am glad that I met your needs although I believe you were in class during your High Holiday, so I felt a little sad that you had to be here in school because I know that your family changed how they were celebrating to accommodate your needs,” Kenyon said.

Many teachers will give an extra day or two to make up for the assignments missed but won’t excuse a student from them. While this makes it easier, is it really fair?

The amount of information taught in a single day in high school is crucial to a student’s grade in a class, and some students then find themselves having to choose between school or religious services. This is an extremely unfair expectation of nonChristians during holidays. Where any Christian holiday receives a week off or an entire weekend, the major holidays of other religions are barely excused.

“Oftentimes, yes, I feel as though I have to choose between having missing assignments or attending a religious holiday. I would say three to four of my teachers assign work on

GraphicbyTaylorHolshouser

December is an extremely busy time for students because finals are coming up, we take a long break, and winter sports begin. This being said, the addition of work on holidays for nonChristian students is not equitable.

Study Guide Black Market

MIHS history teacher David Willecke does not provide his students with study guides; instead, he encourages them to create their own. However, many students buy and sell study materials since sharing materials is permitted according to the MIHS Academic Integrity Code, unless a teacher actively prohibits it.

for those tests,” Wang said. “I’ll read the text and write a few questions about each chunk.”

This year, Wang’s business model has shifted. “Last year, I sent them out and if you wanted to ‘donate,’ then you could,” Wang said. “This year, I decided that they’re too much work.” Wang believes Willecke appreciates his work. “He encourages trading [study guides], but also selling them,” Wang said. “As long as someone’s making it, it’s fine, and if people are too lazy to make their own, selling [them] is fine.”

In reality, Willecke does not support monetizing study guides, but he accepts that some students will make that choice no matter what. “Yeah, I don’t really have any control over that,” Willecke said. “I guess I would be sad if they did that instead of making their own tests. That’s the best possible way to study.”

This year, Willecke had his AP USH students create a practice test as a class to help them study. This did not discourage Wang. “[Willecke’s] questions are very specific and he writes them in specific ways, so our class didn’t make a very good study guide,” Wang said. Thus, Wang’s business has continued to thrive.

However, that is not true—Wang openly promotes his business in the classroom, as well as online. “I usually post it on Instagram or write on the whiteboard,” Wang said.

Willecke did not realize this, but he does not care. “I haven’t noticed that—there are lots of things on the whiteboard in my room, student drawings and such, so that isn’t something I am officially posting,” Willecke said via email. “I am not attempting to control student’s [sic] sharing of materials.”

Some have argued that study guide commerce is harmful to the culture of our school since students may not have the resources to purchase a study guide. Teachers can attempt to eliminate study guide businesses by providing study guides with keys. That way, students can still choose to create their own study guides or have one without making it regardless of economic background.”

Willecke disagrees that it is inequitable. “It’s just students

Junior Keegan Wang is one of the most popular study guide vendors at MIHS. “Willecke has these long-a** history tests and last year and this year, I’ve been making study guides

Willecke does not believe educators have an ethical responsibility to take a stand against study guide commerce. “That doesn’t happen in my classroom or whatever, so I feel like I’d just be pretending [to restrict it],” Willecke said.

coming up with what they think is going to be on the test,” Willecke said. “It’s not like they have any inside info.”

In fact, Willecke advocates for purchasing professional study materials even though some students may not have the resources to do so. “If kids want to pay for study materials or pay for Princeton Review or whatever, that’s probably a good idea,” Willecke said. “I guess that strikes me as the lay of the land; that kind of inequity exists in education.”

Wang is using the money he makes to pay for his ticket to Taylor Swift’s next concert tour. “I’m going to the Eras concert.

I am a Swiftie,” Wang said. “It was $300.”

Some students then find themselves having to choose between school or religious services

Kyle Gerstel A&E Team

ABOUT The MIHS Islander

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Sports Funding: The Truth Behind the Disparity

Alex Winn Staff Writer

Discontent regarding funding between girls and boys sports has become prevalent at MIHS. Arguments over who receives more money and how that affects the sports’ results has become a hot topic. The many arguments over how this perceived inequality of funding affects the sports results reveals how little is known about the funding each sport receives.

To play a sport at the high school, athletes must pay $250, and this money is then used to fund the individual program. “The funding is identical [for] every sport on campus … the perception of funding being different for different [gendered] sports is only based on the turnout numbers that they have,” Interim Principal Nick Wold said. “If one has 36 [athletes] and one has 44, there’s a difference of eight athletes and $250 [for each;] that is the pay-to-play model.”

Wold emphasized that the impression of boys sports receiving more money from the school, and therefore performing better, is largely because of fan involvement.

“I think that probably has more to do with the fan involvement and whether or not fans want to go to one event or the other,” Wold said. “The coaches pay, the resources, the gate revenue. All that stuff goes into the general athletics that gets distributed [to each sport].”

Wold used the Girls and Boys Swim and Dive (Swive) teams as an example of the financial equality created by the school district.

Staff Writers: Tulin Alrouk, Eli An, Claude Cobbs, Meg Dahlin, Emily Dunn, Elsa Zepeda Juarez, Lexi Krawiec, Kira Lancaster, Jayce Madamba, Caitlin Riley, Juliette Robadey, Kalden Short, Kat Van Eeden, Julia Weisfield, Alex Winn,

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“Swive doesn’t [charge] to go to those events, and they cost us the same to rent the facility for boys and girls season … The $250 [pay-to-play] gets split, [and] a certain chunk goes to the district office to pay for coaching. The other bit stays here to deal with transportation, keeping lights on, renting the facility [and] officials,” Wold said.

While many students and parents at MIHS claim the district funding is unevenly distributed, that is not the case. The excessive amounts of money in certain sports, such as football, comes from parents, sponsors and enrollment. They organize fundraisers, are boosters and give donations to show their support to the numerous sport teams.

In 2020, COVID-19 greatly impacted the enrollment of MIHS sports, along with the money available to sports teams.

“I’ll give badminton as an example. So pre-COVID, they had 55 athletes to 60 athletes … and then it dropped significantly during COVID to [around 25.] If we lost that, they lost $6,000 in their budget,” Wold said.

The money lost was not taken by the school–instead, it was not available in the first place. COVID-19 was a game-changer for all the sports, especially those that take place indoors. Recovering from the pandemic has had significant impacts on both fan participation and enrollment of the sports.

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“Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery” is a Rare Shining Sequel

Ashwin Krishnaswamy OpinionsTeam

This Review Contains No Major Spoilers.

Boys sports, especially football, have a higher fan participation, which is why they bring in larger chunks of money. The sport is well-understood, so the number of fans is much larger.

These issues being faced due to the thought-to-be disparity are consistently being worked on by the Mercer Island School District in their Title IX community.

The Title IX group is also made of students, coaches and community members that work together to improve the financial disparities between girls and boys sports.

“If there’s more concerns [regarding funding] … bring it up in our Title IX meetings,” Wold said.

No sports, no matter the gender nor number of athletes, is given a larger amount of money by the school. It is instead brought in through outside sources, but Title IX meetings serve as a way to be involved and hear information surrounding the still-existent funding inequalities in MIHS sports.

“Glass Onion” is a terrific sequel, which matches the original “Knives Out” in wit and drama while adding fresh humor to the franchise.

The movie portrays a tech billionaire named Miles Bron who invites a group of six co-workers to his private island, and for some mysterious reason, Daniel Craig’s Detective Benoit Blanc shows up.

Although the central mystery takes a long time to develop, the exposition of the movie still manages to be entertaining, developing intricate conflicts and backstories between the characters that all get connected and explained by the film’s conclusion.

The characters at first seem like common cinematic archetypes (i.e., buff guy, dumb socialite, etc.), however, the movie gradually reveals their more complex psyches and their individual motivations for supporting Bron. I don’t like when people praise movies for being self-aware simply because they deliberately use character clichés, but “Glass Onion’’ strategically subverts expectations to create realistic and welldeveloped characters.

One of the few flaws in the first “Knives Out” is that director Rian Johnson attempted to lend Blanc a sense of Sherlockian dignity while also giving him a ridiculous notquite-Southern accent. However, in “Glass Onion,” Blanc is thrust into hilariously awkward situations and social dynamics, peeling back a new–and funnier–layer of Blanc’s character. This was a smart decision by Johnson, as Blanc’s unusual accent and persona enhance the comedic moments rather than seeming incongruous with the rest of the movie.

The structure of the movie was unique and clever. The first half was light and funny, but after a suspenseful horror movie-style shift, the events of the first half were retold with added flashbacks that revealed the whole mystery in a new light.

Since Netflix purchased the rights to the franchise, “Glass Onion” will be released on Netflix on Dec. 23, 2022. Make sure to see it.

The MIHS Islander acknowledges that MIHS is on the traditional land of the first people of Seattle, the Duwamish People past and present and honor with gratitude the land itself and the Duwamish Tribe.

Photo courtesy Brooks Kahsai

What to do for the holidays: 5 Activities

Between the 150+ days of rain a year and the sun setting by 4 p.m., winter isn’t everyone’s favorite season around here. Nevertheless, we can fuel our holiday spirits with these five wintry pursuits.

Lexi Krawiec Staff Writer

1. Bellevue Ice Skating

There is no better way to spend a cold December day than ice skating. When you step onto the ice you are transported to a magical world. Classic holiday tunes play as you glide around the rink, enhancing the holiday spirit. This rink in Bellevue is outdoors, so it can get chilly, but they offer hot chocolate and cider to warm you up. With the coziest and most comforting winter drinks in hand, you will be sure to have a good time. No matter your skating skill level, the energy at this rink will make it worthwhile. This rink is already open, so head over before it closes Jan. 8, 2023. Nov. 18, 2022 - Jan. 8, 2023

NE 1st Street and 100th Avenue NE

3. snow tubing

Nobody dislikes a snow day, getting to skip school and going sledding. Let’s be real though, Mercer Island does not get too many snow days. However, it is a different story up at Snoqualmie Pass. Head over to the mountain where there is plenty of snow during the winter season and take a ride down the inner tubing slopes. It feels like extreme sledding, the same as backyard sledding, but more thrilling because the hill is steeper and you go faster. With seven plus lanes and a vertical of 40 feet, this experience is exhilarating. The mountain is already open on the weekends this month.

4. nutcracker

A wonderful way to celebrate the holiday season is going to see the live production of The Nutcracker. Pacific Northwest Ballet dancers have been performing this annually since 1982. The story follows a girl after being gifted a living nutcracker, she journeys through different winter scenes in an attempt to battle the Mouse King. This is performed through ballet, typically accompanied by detailed costumes and scenery. Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky also composed music played by an advanced orchestra for the production. Just over in Seattle, this beloved classic is performed through December at McCaw Hall.

5. paper lanterns

With 2022 coming to an end, there are so many ways to celebrate this year beyond your traditional midnight countdown and New Year’s resolutions. The Seattle Water Paper Lantern Festival is a great way to welcome you in 2023, as this could help with anything that was holding you back in the previous year. At a beautiful aquatic spot, you write down anything you want to let go of onto a paper lantern that you are given with your ticket. You can also write some positive aspects of your life you would like to embrace. Then everyone sends their lanterns off, and the water lights up. It is similar to the scene in “Tangled” where they sent off paper lanterns, but this time into the water, PNW (Pacific Northwest) style. The experience is magical, and seeing your lantern glowing in the water is an exciting event. To make it even better, every lantern is made from rice paper and wood making it completely eco-friendly, as well as cleaned up by staff afterward.

seasonal depression

Juliette Robadey Staff Writer

2. Holiday movies

It is not truly December if there are no days when it is just too cold to leave the house. The best way to spend these days is to get cozy with some hot chocolate and a blanket and watch holiday movies. There is something about watching these movies that get you excited about the winter season. You could take the comedic route and go for “The Night Before,” “The Christmas Chronicles” or “A Bad Mom’s Christmas.” If you are looking for holiday horror, watch “Krampus,” “Die Hard,” “Gremlins” or “Silent Night.” There is no better feeling than the nostalgia of watching classics you have watched year after year throughout your childhood. “Home Alone,” “Elf,” “The Grinch” and of course “Hallmark” movies can all bring you this warm reminiscence.

What Are Islanders Celebrating this holiday season?

Seasonal depression, officially known as Seasonal Affective Disorder, impacts many people, especially those who live in areas that get dark and cold in the winter like Seattle. While “seasonal depression” is a term thrown around and used very often by people who don’t enjoy the weather in certain months, it can very seriously affect one’s life.

“[Seasonal depression] is depressive symptoms that recur every year with a season, which is usually fall and winter with the decrease of sunlight,” therapist Aude Geltzer explained. “It happens one year after the next to people who are affected.”

SAD often affects people that already have standard depression in other months, and the symptoms can be the same. It’s sometimes overlooked and not treated as seriously as it should because it only lasts for a couple months every year.

“People who tend to be depressed at other times of the year have their symptoms worsen during the fall and winter. So they have Seasonal Affective Disorder on top of maybe having had depression in the past,” Geltzer said. “For some people it’s not too severe, they might feel down or low in energy, so it’s a mild depression, not necessarily major.”

The direct cause for SAD and why it only affects some is unknown, although there are a couple factors that can correlate.

“Because it’s colder and darker earlier in the day, people don’t go outside as much and we know that sunlight and being physically active is incredibly good for well being,” Geltzer explained. “People isolate themselves more, meaning they’re less social and being social is very impor tant.”

Although a lot of people think they feel sad in the winter because of the weather, these factors of exercise and being outdoors are more prominent than some think.

“In the winter some of the only physical activities I do is skiing but in the summer I play tennis, swim for fun and spend time outside with my friends,” MIHS freshman Izzy Tomaselli said. “I’m way more active and outdoors in the summer.”

Staying active, social and receiving Vitamin D are important for keeping motivation and joy in the cold months.

Graphic by Kat Van Eeden

“Elf”: Sleigh or Neigh?

Kyle: “Elf” Sleighs Betty: “Elf” is a Neigh

“Elf” is more than a lighthearted family farce—it is a gorgeous postmodern storytelling experience that promotes optimism while grounding itself in our imperfect world.

The film follows Buddy, a human raised as an elf, as he travels to New York City to meet his biological father, a cold workaholic. At its core, “Elf” is a fish-out-of-water story a la “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” a plot far from innovative. However, screenwriter David Berenbaum utilizes its familiarity to explore identity and the contrast between relationships with chosen and biological family.

Buddy is brilliantly portrayed by Will Ferrell, who takes his goofy man-child screen persona and heightens the innocence, making him more lovable. According to Slash Film, director Jon Favreau initially rejected a raunchier script for the film. Ferrell has often tried to balance his outrageous humor with heart, but I’d argue that his enthusiastic yet harmless naivete as Buddy makes “Elf” his most successful attempt.

Berenbaum’s zany script is partially intended as a spoof of and homage to prior holiday films, acknowledging that constant cheerfulness is both unrealistic and unhealthy. I understand why the film receives criticism if it is viewed on the surface level since much of the humor is admittedly quite repulsive. However, the gentle satire allows Berenbaum to advocate for optimism without relying on campy sentimentality.

Although this may seem heady on paper, he and Favreau execute the concept seamlessly, engaging viewers of all ages with charm and warmth. Thus, “Elf” is a rare Christmas comedy that manages to capture sincere positivity.

Sam on the

Hey MIHS Art Lovers, it’s Sam on the SAM, and boy do we have some exciting stuff in store.

Since my last visit to the museum, they have added some incredible pieces that will be on display through the end of the year.

The main limited exhibit is called Dawoud Bey & Carrie May Weems: In Dialogue. It features two photographers whose work both comment on the everyday lives of Black Americans. Bey and Weems met in a photography class early in both of their careers.

The exhibition features dozens of photographs from both artists, showcasing their individual styles.

The art spans from the mid-1970s through the 1990s and there are photos taken all over the world. My favorite part of the exhibition was Weems’ series in Rome. There is a collection of images of a model facing away from the camera at several distinct roman landmarks. It allows the setting to take the focus but unifies the whole series by including the same model.

This exhibit alone is spectacular enough to warrant a visit, but the museum has many more exciting additions to offer.

In late October, the SAM added a new installation to the American Art galleries. Featuring American artists of all backgrounds, this permanent exhibit is refreshing and will be something I am continually looking forward to seeing when I visit.

My favorite composition from this gallery was the new Georgia O’Keefe piece. In her famous pastel whimsical colors, this painting adds to the diversity of art in the exhibit. Relative to other paintings in the room, the piece is small. However, the dynamic characteristics of the painting express fluidity, making it seem larger than it is.

As always, I left the museum wishing I had more time to browse and strongly recommend a visit if you’re looking for things to do during break. Head over on a rainy day, eat lunch at Pike Place and window shop downtown Seattle. Lastly, quick pro-tip: check out the SAM gift shop for some funky last minute holdiday gifts!

Ever since the third grade, “Elf” has made me dread Christmas. Despite the holiday season being a time for joy and cheer, somehow, Jon Favreau’s Christmas “classic” makes me feel decidedly unfestive. The film is reminiscent of a stereotypical annoying younger sibling or cousin you are begrudgingly forced to spend the holidays with–except it loses the charm of a young child as the “sibling” is played by a middle-aged, fully grown man.

While the film’s morals of sharing cheer and familial relationships manage to be present, as a viewer, it feels tiresome to even care about such themes when the viewing experience itself is so unenjoyable.

Kyle argues that the humor within “Elf” advocates for optimism without insulting the viewer’s intellect, but many of the jokes presented in the film are neither smart nor funny. Is it even possible to feel like your intellect is not being coddled when the jokes in the film are as stupid as “oh, look how big the toilet is!”? The only part I laughed at was when Buddy got hit by the taxi.

The film is at its best when not focusing on the holiday aspects like the mall Santa and Buddy himself. For example, I found the dynamic between Buddy’s work-oriented father, Walter Hobbs, and his family to be a great deal more compelling than Buddy’s antics.

Screenwriter David Berenbaum’s script itself when taken on its own has potential to create a funny, endearing and most of all enjoyable film, but the lead character, Buddy the Elf, is a grating, obnoxious person. Despite the film’s attempt to pass off his antics as humor, Will Ferrell’s portrayal is exhausting to watch.

The Amplifying Effects of Music

Most everyone can relate to enjoying their favorite tune. Music wakes people up, gets the body moving, and inspires. Listening to music is a strategy often utilized by students to help with anxiety and depression—but have you ever wondered if music may be part of the reason these feelings occur?

“I listen to music because it is a good way to cheer me up and get me going in the day,” an MIHS student said.

Music is often the go-to response for students in all activities, emotions and goals. It is a form of entertainment that captures the audience with its sounds and meanings.

“Our world is made up of frequencies,” said cryptanalyst Skip Lancaster. “When frequencies intersect, they may cancel out or resonate. Our minds and bodies operate at different frequencies, and these may be influenced by external input. When they synchronize with this input it is called entrainment.”

Entrainment, essentially when the mind is locked into some place by a frequency, is the reason music can have such a systemic influence on teenagers’ lives. It creates a behavioral pattern that tends towards addiction. Entrainment unfortunately creates a reliance on music that may yield negative effects.

As stated by Frontiers in Psychology, “Reliance on music during episodes of psychological distress does not always have positive mental health outcomes for the young people involved … increased engagement with media includes music listening with emotional dependency on music also tending to increase periods of depression.”

“Isn’t listening to music supposed to help depression and anxiety rather than induce it?” Many students feel strongly about the positive effects of listening to music and are much less concerned about the negatives.

“Music improves my mood on a daily basis,” said one student. “It’s really hard to wake up so early and then get straight into morning practice [without music].”

“I think sometimes I rely on music as something to relate to but I don’t think it’s a bad thing,” said another student.

While the positive effects of music are the majority of students’ opinions, the negative side remains more obscured. People can become dependent on the feeling associated with music and music can subtly influence the listener.

Frontiers in Psychology notes, “Increased engagement with media includes music listening with emotional dependency on music also tending to increase periods of depression; reliance on music during episodes of psychological distress does not always have positive mental health outcomes for the young people involved.”

As with any addictive substance or behavior, it is not advised to engage with it too much. Once music becomes something one relies on, the content of the music can affect the person without their knowledge.

“Music can influence us subconsciously as well,” said Lancaster. “For example, the music you hear when you are shopping at the store is likely not as random as it may seem. Marketing and advertising industries research which music makes people more likely to spend money then recommend that to their clients.”

The music people listen to also affects their interpretations and feelings while listening. “[Music] kind of reflects my feelings, I will listen to sad music when I’m sad, upbeat music when I’m happy,” said a student.

Composition by Georgia O’Keefe displayed in American Art: The Stories We Carry at the Seattle Art Museum.

Series of photographs by Carrie Mae Weems at the Seattle Art Museum.

Photo courtesy IMDb

Sam Pelter Features Team

Kira Lancaster Staff Writer

Vocab Challenge: “Sorry”

Elsa Zepeda Staff Writer

The number of purposeful offenses most people commit on a daily basis is staggering— at least, that’s what the amount of times the average person apologizes every day seems to suggest.

“Sorry” is the automatic, and subsequently expected, response for every inconvenient situation, ranging from saying something insensitive to merely walking into someone in the hallway.

However, it’s also automatic at times when a problem isn’t someone’s fault, or when no real problem was created, like asking a question or being walked into. In these cases, the inconvenience being apologized for is our existence.

Most people who over-apologize do so to appear more likable and avoid conflict, but this can backfire when it makes us excessively passive. According to an article by professor Melody Wilding from Hunter College, over-apologizing “is a bad habit that can undermine your authority, and more importantly, [hurt] your self-esteem.” In fact, the European Journal of Social Psychology published a paper suggesting that refraining

from apologizing actually increases self-esteem.

Frequent apologies also take value away from moments when an apology is necessary. Apologies hold less meaning for both the person offering and the person receiving them when they are out of habit rather than actual remorse, regardless of whether the apology is genuine.

One factor that contributes to over-apologizing is gender roles. Although it’s assumed that people assigned female at birth generally apologize more often, a 2010 study on the topic found that the difference stemmed from what participants considered an apologyworthy offense—in short, society has taught people assigned female at birth that they have more to apologize for.

A good way to reduce over-apologizing is to substitute more assertive phrases for it.

Therapist Shahar Lawrence says that most apologies can be replaced with gratitude: “A great way to change the perspective on ‘I’m sorry’ is saying ‘thank you’ instead.” For example, “Sorry I’m late” can become “Thanks for waiting for me.”

Graphic

The Harmful Nature of Fast Fashion

Hannah Howison Senior Staff Writer

Clothes shopping used to be an irregular excursion reserved for when the weather changes or clothes become unwearable. Now, clothes are becoming cheaper, trends are passing quicker and shopping has become a hobby for when there is time to spare.

Fast fashion is defined as inexpensive clothing produced rapidly by mass-market retailers in response to the latest trends. This may appear to be a fit idea, but this is not the case; fast fashion exploits underpaid workers, harms animals and damages the earth.

A fast fashion incident you may have heard of is the collapse of the Rana Plaza clothing manufacturing complex in Bangladesh. This 2013 event spurred conversation around fast fashion. The conditions where these underpaid laborers work started to be questioned. Consumers started to realize that their affordable and trendy t-shirts cost human lives, not just pocket change.

To explore how fast fashion became so popular, we need to take a step back. Before the 1800s, the process of creating clothing was slow and made by a single person, typically for themselves or a close relative. Then came the debut of the sewing machine, which made clothing much cheaper and quicker to make. By the ‘60s and ‘70s, clothing became more of a means of personal expression than a way to dress. Jumping to the late 1990s and present day, fast fashion has become increasingly popular, and online shopping has reached an all-time high.

But why is fast fashion so harmful? The textile and clothing industry has an arduous and complex supply chain. The chemicals used in the initial steps of the process are incredibly harmful to the environment, the factory workers and consumers.

Current practices cause immense amounts of textile waste, which are typically incinerated or landfilled. Massive amounts of water and energy are used to produce these garments. The fabrics used to produce these cheap clothes often include synthetic fibers such as polyester, nylon and acrylic, all of which take hundreds of years to biodegrade.

The process is also harmful to wildlife and animals. Tanning leather is by far the most toxic process in all of the fashion industry. Harmful chemicals are used, including formaldehyde, coal-tar derivatives, oils, dyes and mineral salts. Water becomes polluted by the various chemicals used to produce these garments, and is ingested by wildlife, often ending in death. Animal welfare is also at risk when it comes to fast fashion. Animal products including leather, fur and wool are used directly in garments. Certain scandals have highlighted that real fur has often been passed off as faux fur.

The process of making these clothes is also incredibly draining on energy sources. The process requires sizable amounts of petroleum and releases particulate matter and specific acids such as hydrogen chloride into the atmosphere.

Cotton is the most-used resource for fast fashion clothing, and it is incredibly harmful to the environment to produce. Certain insecticides such as organophosphates, pyrethroids and neonicotinoids, which are used to produce high-quality cotton, are harmful to the environment as well as farmers.

To produce a single cotton shirt, about 700 gallons of water are used. For a pair of jeans, it takes about 2,000. The textile industry is the world’s secondlargest polluter of water, as the water left over from the intensive dyeing process is dumped into rivers, streams or other bodies of water.

A 2017 report by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) titled “Primary Microplastics in the Oceans: a Global Evaluation of Sources” estimates that close to 35% of all microplastics in bodies of water come from synthetic textiles such as the ones used by these fast fashion retailers. A documentary released in 2015 claims that the population consumes around 80 billion new pieces of clothing every year, which comes out to be 400% more than 20 years ago.

Textile waste due to fast fashion is also an incredible problem. In the United States of America, the average American generates 82 pounds of textile waste each year. This has only gotten worse as cheap, low-quality clothing has been on the rise in recent years.

To put this into perspective, SHEIN—a fast fashion online retailer with an estimated 43.7 million active consumers—adds 2,000 new items to its online store on an average day.

To combat the waste produced by fast fashion retailers and consumers, garments can be recycled for fabric after they’ve gone out of style. This seems to be a perfect solution in theory; however, it has been proven that only 0.1% of all clothing is recycled.

Another substantial problem regarding fast fashion is child labor. It is estimated that 260 million children around the world are actively employed. The International Labor Organization (ILO) approximates that 170 million of these children are child laborers. Child labor is defined by the United Nations as “work for which the child is either too young—work done below the required minimum age—or work which, because of its detrimental nature or conditions, is altogether considered unacceptable for children and is prohibited”.

Child labor is illegal in most countries, but not everywhere. Most of the fashion supply chain requires

low-skilled labor, which is perfect for children. In cotton picking, children are often hired for their small fingers, which have less chance to damage the plant. These children are also underpaid, with false promises of decent wages.

In recent years, people have argued that fast fashion is on the decline; however, this is far from the truth. People have argued that so-called environmentally courteous millennials and Gen Zers are too informed to indulge in fast fashion. However, data shows that ultra-fast fashion brands such as SHEIN, Forever 21 and Fashion Nova are selling more than ever. SHEIN has an estimated 43.7 million active consumers, 7.5 million of which are United States-based. SHEIN generated an estimated $15.7 billion in 2021, which is a 60% increase from 2020.

What is the alternative? Well, it’s easy as a concept called slow fashion that focuses on making clothing last. Have a shirt you don’t like anymore? Try styling it with a new pair of pants, layering or taking a pair of scissors to it to make it more trendy.

Choosing clothing that is ethically produced is incredibly important as well. Choosing highquality and eco-friendly fabrics are all beneficial to the environment. Shopping secondhand through platforms such as Depop and Poshmark is also incredibly beneficial. The deals that come from these sites are also hard to beat.

Making the clothing you already have last longer is another way to support a slower model of fashion. Wearing clothes until they’ve worn out, mending them when possible and ethically recycling them are all ways to support a slow fashion model.

by Kira Lancaster

Graphic By Hannah Howison

“It’s a Wonderful Life” is the Best Christmas Movie

Ashwin Krishnaswamy OpinionsTeam

While most Christmas movies talk about meaningless things like Santa and snow, “It’s a Wonderful Life” captures one of the most enduring truths: while each of us struggle to find our own meaning in life, we forget that there are lots of people who depend on us.

“It’s a Wonderful Life” centers around George Bailey, a warmhearted man living in the rural town of Bedford Falls. Bailey runs the town’s only home loaning agency, working to prevent the town from being bought by the rich and selfish Henry F. Potter. Although everybody in the town adores Bailey, a misplaced check causes Bailey’s agency to verge on bankruptcy, threatening many of the local citizens’ homes. This pushes Bailey to his emotional breaking point, and he thinks of committing suicide.

He stands on the edge of a bridge, about to jump off and end his life, when a mysterious man claiming to be his guardian angel appears and saves him. The angel then shows Bailey what the town of Bedford Falls would look like if he had never existed. The horrors of the town— Potter owns everything, there is lots of crime and many people’s lives are ruined—causes Bailey to realize his worth, and he begs to live again (and of course, his wish is magically granted). Then, he rushes home to his wife and children and he rejoices with a newfound appreciation for life.

Of course, as it was produced in the 1940s, the movie portrays an older, less diverse and gender-equal America: the only nonwhite character is a household servant, and all the women follow the traditional female housewife role.

Additionally, I’ve never seen a movie that makes me appreciate life more than “It’s A Wonderful Life” does. Sure, I love a good “Mission: Impossible” movie, but the pieces of art that are most valuable are those that tackle universal themes about life. “It’s a Wonderful Life” leaves the viewer with a sense of gratitude for existence and a desire to be kind to everyone in the world.

Ultimately, the difference between science and art is that science seeks to understand the world in objective terms, and art seeks to capture the subjective human experience. Movies are one of the most powerful forms of art because movies capture the world closest to how we experience it. However, while many movies focus on action, shock value or making the viewer feel good, “It’s a Wonderful Life” moves us to view life in a new way, and to be the best version of ourselves.

So, this month, when you’re looking for a good holiday movie to watch with your family, don’t settle for a sweet but trivial movie like “Elf” or “The Grinch”; watch “It’s a Wonderful Life.”

Holiday Food Hot Takes

Taylor Holshouser A&E Team

As some may remember in my holiday food rankings from last year: I hate eggnog. The flavor really never fails to disappoint me every year. The gulp of the thick, creamy, bubble-gum-tasting beverage is something that I would not wish even my worst enemy to experience. However, despite my passionate hatred for the drink, I still try it every year hoping for a miraculous change in my seemingly stubborn opposition to it.

Holiday Baked Good are Essential

I think that most people would agree with me here: holiday baked goods (especially cookies) are essential to a good winter season. The cold weather mixed with holiday spirit seems to exert some kind of supernatural force that possesses the masses to bake sweet holiday treats. Sugar cookies, molasses cookies, fudge, brownies, you name it and I’m sure someone you know will bake it during the holiday season. These desserts are an absolute necessity during the time of year when the sun sets early and the days are more gloomy than ever.

Ham is Gross

Bread and Cheese Dips are Still Great

The holidays are the perfect time to enjoy cozy, comforting food. Warm dips like artichoke, buffalo chicken or queso are the perfect appetizers for the winter season. Toasted bread and cheese or spreads can also make the perfect appetizer in the midst of cold, wet and dreary weather. These foods are not only warm but also comforting and delicious (who doesn’t love a carb and something to dip it into).

When it comes to holiday dinners, a big lump of ham has no place on the dinner table. Side-byside with classics like mashed potatoes, gravy, stuffing and more, ham quite frankly ruins the plate’s atmosphere that other dishes create. While I can appreciate ham sandwiches, ham in eggs and other practical uses for the meat, a huge piece of roasted ham cut into thick slices will never be a factor on my holiday dinner plate.

Eggnog is Bad Holiday Drinks Need More Love

Starbucks gets a lot of attention during the holiday season for its Peppermint Mochas and other winterexclusive drinks, but I feel a lack of appreciation for holiday drinks as a whole. Individuals should begin to take advantage of making their one winter-themed drink like Starbucks has been doing for years. The experience of making your own Peppermint Mocha or Sugar Cookie Latte is worlds better than cruising through the Starbucks drive-thru and ordering one.

Santa Accused of Union Busting at North Pole

Braeden Nett WebsiteManager

Recent testimony from a whistle-blower in Santa’s workshop has alleged that Santa has instigated various union-busting efforts and engaged in organized murder. These allegations come after Santa has received recent criticism for various tweets regarding elves and unions that many have labeled as offensive and in poor taste.

In turn, many elves working at the North Pole have called for Santa to resign over his comments. However, Santa retaliated by making the dissenters disappear, with some allegations claiming that he fed the elves to reindeer.

“When some of us expressed our grievances against Santa’s comments, [Santa] forced us into the workshop’s basement and fed the dissenters alive to the reindeer, while he forced us to watch as a message to the rest of us,” the anonymous whistleblower said. “He then told us that he could replace us at any moment with machines and that we should be thankful to be allowed to work for him.”

Along with telling the MIHS Islander about their experiences working for Santa, the whistle-blower also shared an email supposedly written by Santa that confronted the elves’ attempts to unionize:

“I know some of you have expressed the desire to unionize following the incident where Francis was killed by exploding machinery that I probably shouldn’t have leased from Alibaba. But it is ultimately not a decision that’s best for our operation and the downpayment on my Tesla Cybertruck.

Going forward, any attempts to unionize will be met with beatings that will last until morale improves. If the beatings fail to prevent talk of establishing unions at the North Pole, then those discovered to be conspiring to form unions will be sent to the coal mines and be forced to work alongside the gremlins. Additionally, anyone associated with discovered union organizers will be fed to the reindeer.

But because I’m such a great guy, I’m allowing a 24-hour grace period for those who knew union organizers to report on their identities to prevent becoming food for the reindeer. Additionally, I will be giving any union organizers the opportunity to turn themselves in to get deported to Albania instead of becoming indentured coal miners. The choice is yours. Peace losers, Santa out.”

When pressed for comment by the MIHS Islander, Santa declined to speak on the validity of the allegations against him and of the veracity of the email that the MIHS Islander has published here.

Graphics courtesy Creative Commons

We Tried Five Different Hot Cocoas So You Don’t Have To

Katie Friedman and Emily Fain Social Media and Business Team

The first snowfall of the 2022 winter season has left us all preparing for an especially chilly few months ahead. In the midst of retrieving your winter clothes from the attic and sprinkling your driveway with salt, don’t forget to treat yourself to a tasty warm beverage. Hot chocolate is our pick this year, and with these variations, you too can enjoy a mug of this liquid gold with a little flair.

European-style:

The European-style hot chocolate was a very unique experience among the other variations. It was the thickest, richest and darkest of the five. This is not a beverage to be gulped. It is incredibly rich, like a melted-down 65-70 percent chocolate bar. So it is really meant to be enjoyed as a sipping chocolate consumed over the course of a leisurely conversation or winter stroll. Delicious and decadent, this beverage is most likely not for every day, but is absolutely craveable for those days when you need chocolate practically running through your veins (if you know, you know). The smell is also incredible and the rich, dark brown color is very appealing. You’ll feel a bit bougie drinking this one, even if it is just the Trader Joe’s mix that we used.

Nutella:

The addition of Nutella to a mug of classic hot cocoa was an unexpectedly simple yet delightful discovery. A spoonful of Nutella didn’t make hazelnut the star of the show, but it gave the beverage a new depth of flavor, as well as a rich, slightly nutty scent. It was super creamy, but not overly intense to the point which it would be a sipping chocolate. If you didn’t know there was Nutella in this one, you may not guess it, but you would absolutely enjoy it as a smooth, decadent, sweet and ever-so-slightlyunique cup of hot cocoa.

Peppermint:

Peppermint hot cocoa is the lightest and easiest to drink out of all the types we tried. It is also almost too easy to make–just a simple mix of a splash of mint extract in with a cup of hot cocoa and there you have it; basically a liquid Andes mint. We decided that this is a drink that could be enjoyed daily, as its peppermint flavor was not too overpowering, but added a unique zing to distinguish it from your average cup of cocoa. This beverage tastes almost identical to, if not better than, Starbucks’ popular Peppermint Hot Cocoa. The brightness of the flavor kept us reaching for more. We would make this drink again in a heartbeat.

Music History of Seattle: 1920-1980s

Claude Cobbs Staff Writer

From the 1920s to now, Seattle’s music history has continued to thrive and be an essential part of the city’s culture. Seattle is recognized internationally for its artists, who frequently develop new and exciting music types, making it hard to characterize the city with a single genre.

Beginning in the mid-1920s with Prohibition, jazz speakeasies started popping up in Seattle. Then, jazz was seen as a new and “dangerous” genre of music. Speakeasies were places where individuals could indulge in behaviors considered subversive at the time, such as consuming alcohol and listening to jazz quartets.

In 1921, the Musical Arts Society condemned jazz as “tearing away the moral fiber” of society. Jackson Street in Seattle’s Central District was a hotspot for jazz goers in the ‘20s and ‘30s, creating a unique political and social climate in Seattle. While there was still a racial divide, jazz brought people of all races and classes together during the Depression.

Teen angst arrived in Seattle in the 1960s. The Northwest Garage Rock era drew attention from around the country to the greater Seattle region with restless guitar riffs, abrasive bass chords and “evil” drum rhythms. The Sonics, from Tacoma, were one of the most prominent bands of the time, gaining popularity after performing a homecoming show at Curtis High School. This earned them coverage on local radio station KJR, and even opening for artists such as the Kinks, The Beach Boys, The Byrds and the Mamas & Papas, to mention a few. The forceful sound of garage rock created new ground for musicians in the region. In the late ‘60s, the “flower power” movement took off, producing artists like Jimi Hendrix, a Seattle teenager with incredible skill and passion for rock ‘n’ roll. Hendrix’s mesmerizing sound and flamboyant style caused him to get fired halfway through his first show at Temple De Hirsch Sinai synagogue in 1959.

Continuing with the abrasive sound of garage rock and classic rock came the punk and grunge scene. In the ‘70s and ‘80s, punk rock bands like the Chinas, the Comidas and Green River came out of the Emerald City, filling the air with the menacing sounds of hardcore rock ‘n’ roll. As Green River started changing its style, the media started to listen. In a 1987 Sub Pop marketing ad for Green River’s EP, Dry As a Bone, the label called the album “GRUNGE that destroyed the morals of a generation,” coining the term grunge and cementing the name for the underground punk scene. Various local bands came out of this movement, like Mudhoney (formed from Green River), Soundgarden, Alice and Chains, Pearl Jam and Nirvana. By the late ‘80s, these bands had gained a noticeable following, becoming regulars at local music venues across the city and rising their popularity throughout the years.

Mexican hot chocolate is a really fun way to spice up your hot cocoa game literally. Classically, Mexican hot chocolate includes cinnamon and chili spices on top of a richer, less sweet chocolate base. It is totally delicious. The warm cinnamon is fabulously appropriate for the cold season and the chili gives you that slow, subtle tingle in the back of your throat, and a welcome immune system boost in the midst of cold and flu season (stay safe friends!).

Mexican-style:

Peanut Butter:

The household staple, peanut butter, might just be the perfect item to add to your hot cocoa this winter season. A simple spoonful mixed into the warm beverage makes a tremendous difference. This hearty beverage admits cozy comfort and would be the perfect thing to sip on while participating in a winter movie marathon. The peanut butter introduces a lovely creaminess with just the right amount of sweetness to leave you satisfied. And of course, chocolate and peanuts, the long-time iconic duo, complement one another perfectly. And, our particular combination of Swiss Miss classic hot cocoa mix and Jif Smooth Original peanut butter yielded a remarkably Reeses Pieces-like flavor.

Kidz Bop 2022: Album of The Year

Jordan Balousek SportsandPhotographyTeam

I’m going to come right out and say it: KIDZ BOP 2022 is the greatest album ever made. I have spent countless hours listening to it- in the car with my family, karaoking into a hairbrush in the shower, while I’m filling out my hours worth of homework each week- if you see me, I’m probably listening to KIDZ BOP 2022. Because of the countless number of listening hours, I naturally have found certain songs and lyrics that I think are purely untouchable, and some of the most insightful lines I have ever heard.

For those of you who do not know, KIDZ BOP is a cover band. Now you may think that cover bands are unoriginal. However, KIDZ BOP truly is the best of its kind, and their lyric changes enhance the songs so much more than what you’d think is possible.

For example, let’s start with one of my favorite songs from the album: “Montero (Call Me By Your Name).” Some of the lines in here are truly fantastic; for example, let’s dissect “a song and a rhyme, it was mine every week.” The phrase implies the inherent superiority of the singer to write rhyming songs, showing off their egotistical complex, thus creating a complexly unlikeable character.

One other notable lyric is “I wanna lie on the beach in Hawaii/I want that jet lag from livin’ and flyin’/Put a smile on your face whilst we’re dinin’.” The ambiguity of experiencing jet lag from “livin’ and flyin’” allows listeners to relate the singer’s experience to their personal travel adventures. However, I do remain unclear about how one experiences jet lag through living—this could be a multifaceted metaphor about how life can be exhausting. Overall, the song provides many opportunities for existential reflection.

Another highlight for me is “Peaches.” The wide variety of vocal ranges combine to create a pleasantly varied listening experience. I specifically want to highlight the lyric “I got my dream with California” as a line that really resonated with me. I feel like the point that the creator intended with this lyric made is extremely clear.

While it might seem like a major abstraction that the singer could fulfill their wishes with a literal state, I feel like this line manages to emphasize the vitality of the American Dream and the flocking to California during the Gold Rush. The singer is choosing to believe in the prosperity that moving to California could provide, and the invitation of pursuing your dreams with a new life in hand.

However, I did not like “Levitating.” The main issue that I had with it was the repetition of “You like me, I like you baby.” If you are at the point where you are writing a song to your partner and calling them baby, do you really just “like” them? The disconnect here between the levels of affection really throws me off, coupled with the constant presence of this phrase. Maybe a different word would’ve been a better descriptor here.

KIDZ BOP 2022 is a groundbreaking album in terms of its lyrical capability and its masterful blending of notes and scales. The varying vocal ranges of every singer lead to a intricately nuanced labyrinthine of melodic combinations, all of which come together to create a masterful album.

Let’s face it: if KIDZ BOP was nominated for the Grammys this year, they would sweep every category.

Cartoon by Claude Cobbs

Photos by Emily Fain

Back 8

Administrators Navigate Antisemitic Incidents in MISD

In recent years the Mercer Island community has experienced multiple antisemitic events, notably the infamous snow day incident, where two MIHS students posted a photo of them making antisemitic gestures. In addition, there was another incident where a MIHS student posted antisemitic memes on the educational platform Schoology. Recently an Islander Middle School (IMS) student took part in an antisemitic act of repeatedly calling another student derogatory terms. In response, Mercer Island School District promptly sent a statement condemning the student’s action.

After this most recent event, MISD has made plans to implement education and change in the school district in hopes of breaking the pattern of recurring antisemitic incidents.

“This year, we are partnering with a parent group called JoMI,” IMS Principal Mary Jo Budzius said. “We will work with them and our [Just Communities] and student groups to continue to educate and support our students. At [IMS], we have done huge adaptations to our curriculum over time, especially within our language arts and social studies classes.”

The district is finding other ways to increase awareness of antisemitism through education. IMS students read books the faculty believes start important conversations and represent different voices and experiences, the hope being that students can apply what they read about in books to their own lives.

“During a spring unit, [students] read Maus and participate in the Butterfly Project,” Budzius says.

Maus is a graphic novel revolving around the experience of a Polish Holocaust survivor. The Butterfly Project educates about the Holocaust by having students paint ceramic butterflies, which are meant to represent hope and resilience.

“For the last several years, we have also had a Holocaust survivor speak to our [eighth grade] students as well,” Budzius continued.

In terms of educating younger MISD students about the Holocaust, Mimi Hartman and the Holocaust Education Committee have worked hard to bring “The Daffodil Project” to elementary students. This project teaches students about the Holocaust and helps them plant daffodils in honor of the many people who lost their lives during the tragedy.

“Transparency is something we need to do a better job of,” Dr. Fred Rundle, MISD Superintendent, said. “There was even a reluctance with the school district to use the term ‘antisemitic,’ it was talked about as ‘mean’ or ‘inappropriate.’ What we did on this incident is we came right out. We weren’t afraid to use the term ‘antisemitic’ if that’s what it was, weren’t afraid to call it out, to send a clear message. I think that’s what we need to do better, be more consistent and proactive.”

The most recent antisemitic incident at IMS is just one of many in a world that is seeing an alarming increase in such incidents. According to the Anti-Defamation League, there was a 34% increase in 2021 from the 2,026 incidents recorded in 2020. This is the highest number of antisemitic incidents the ADL has tacked since 1979. Social media and celebrities have also strengthened a platform for antisemitism.

From Saturday Night Live’s recent antisemitic sketches to Kanye’s antisemitic actions, it is becoming increasingly harder to fight antisemitism.

Budzius, recognizes the influence media can have, especially on younger people.

“I believe that our students are very much influenced by the things they see on social media as well as what they hear in song lyrics, shows, movies, etc.,” Budzius said. “We can continue to build understanding about social conscious around antisemitism and other issue of hate.”

MIHS Principal Nick Wold shares these sentiments.

“The recent events in social media you refer to here create more division in our nation and across the globe and increase hate speech as opposed to condemning it,” Wold said. “My sincere hope is that with our fantastic staff and students here at MIHS we can be a part of the positive change we want to see in our communities. We want our students and staff to practice being upstanders and to be brave and courageous community leaders that stand up against hate.”

As social media becomes more and more prevalent it is increasingly hard to prevent antisemitism. Communities of all shapes, sizes and social-economic demographics are impacted by the rise in antisemitism, and Mercer Island is no exception. However, with the stated commitment of much of MISD faculty, it is inspiring to think of the change that could be enacted in the future of Mercer Island.

Teacher Features: John Stafford

Emily Fain

Social Media and Business Team

Hey Islanders!

I know you have had those moments in class, while spacing out, wondering what your teachers were like when they were our age. Well, here it is! Teacher Features is where I will be interviewing a new teacher every issue to talk about their childhood. For this issue, I interviewed Economics and APUSH teacher John Stafford, to talk about what he was like growing up.

Where did you grow up?

“Bellevue, and I went to Bellevue High School.”

What were you like as a kid?

“I would say I have always been serious. I have always liked, I would say, even going through college, my life was characterized by, I worked hard in school so I was a good student. I played sports, at sort of a good high school level. I played one year of JV level basketball [in college]. So I would say those are three prongs of my life that were very steady all the way through college.”

Do you have siblings?

“I do. Here’s the answer to this. Growing up I had four sisters. Two of them have passed away, both in tragic circumstances that I won’t go into. I am 60, my oldest sister is 61, my next oldest sister [she would be] 57 now, then I have another sister who [be] 55 now, and then my sister Jane who works [at MIHS] who is 50.”

What role did your siblings play in your development as a child?

“Yeah. Development is an interesting choice of words. I would just say I was close [with them]. I got along well with my sisters, and I was involved in things that they were involved with. By that I mean, for example, my oldest sister took a trip across the country one year to return to school on the East Coast, [and] I went with her. I visited her when she was on the east coast going to college, took some bus trips and visited other colleges. So she played a role in introducing me to the east coast, if that makes sense, for colleges. You know, and above and beyond that I would just say our family took trips, I did things with my sisters; they were friends of mine in addition to being my sisters.”

As a teen, throughout high school, what were your interests?

“[In high school I was interested in] basketball, tennis [and] later, but not so much during high school and golf. I have always liked movies. I had a serious girlfriend when I was in high school, so she was important to me. [Also] friends. There’s [card] games throughout my life as an adult, contract bridge.”

Welcome back to Touching Base with Tana! For our new readers, Touching Base with Tana is a column where you can hear updates about what’s going on up in Olympia from one of our State Representatives, Tana Senn. This column specifically focuses on bills that affect teenagers and young adults!

To start, Senn touched on the midterm elections, both locally and nationally. She won her re-election race for the 41st Legislative District, receiving 75.91% percent of the vote.

“Thanks to all those who voted and volunteered in this election!,” Senn said. “I return to Olympia with a larger Democratic majority in both the Washington State House and Senate. The newly elected members are younger and more diverse than ever, bringing important perspectives, experiences and energy to the legislature.”

There has been lots of discussion in the media about Democratic candidates after the lack of a Red Wave. Senn, a Democrat herself, is enthusiastic about the turnout of young voters, many of whose votes prevented a Red Wave, and is excited about the perspectives being brought to the table in Olympia.

“The impact of the youth vote can’t be understated. Young voters helped defeat candidates who spewed hatred and antisemitism, put guns ahead of kids, and supported denying women control over their own bodies,” Senn said. “Young voters look at their future and know major issues like climate change and affordable housing must be addressed now. Keep voting, staying engaged and even eventually running for office yourself.”

In Olympia, Senn will be the chairwoman on the board of the Human Services, Youth and Early Learning Committee. The committee will tackle a wide range of issues, some of which concern school environments today.

“This committee includes [the topics of] children’s mental health, foster care, youth homelessness and developmental disabilities issues,” Senn said. “I am working on a number of early learning and educationrelated bills, including one inspired by the student walkout last year in solidarity with a young woman at [Newport] High School. In addition, I am seeking funds to expand support for youth development programs like Boys & Girls Clubs, YMCAs, arts programs, and the like.”

One of Senn’s focuses in legislation is the mental and behavioral health issues facing many children and teens today. She wants to remind everyone that there are resources available for all struggling with mental health issues.

“Behavioral health will be a major issue this year in the legislature, with my focus on children’s mental health,” Senn said. “Just this year, a new 988 Suicide [&] Crisis [Lifeline] was launched to provide immediate help. Please remember, you are not alone.”

The Anti-Defamation League’s tracker of antisemetic incidents across the nation. Photo courtesy the Anti-Defamation League