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PUYALLUP HIGH SCHOOL M A D D Y
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Sports drug policy reviewed See page 11
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Above: The flashing beacon above is a new addition to the crosswalk at the intersection of West Pioneer and Seventh Ave SW. Many students use the crosswalk while going to and leaving school. The purpose of the flashing beacons is to improve pedestrian safety.
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While there is no plan for additional the flashing beacons. “I use the crosswalk every day [and] crosswalk improvements, Devereux the lights were put up a couple of weeks said there will be three more sets of ago. [But], cars seem to stop the same beacons installed at intersections amount and I do not feel any safer [with around Aylen Junior High, Meeker Elementary and Stewart Elementary. the new lights],” Langvad said. “I am not aware of other crosswalk Nevertheless, Fredericks stresses the importance of the City of Puyallup’s improvements adjacent to Puyallup plan on improving pedestrian and High School at this time, however, the city and school district student safety. partnered for a Safe “I have noticed, “I APPRECIATE Routes to Schools grant here in Puyallup THE FACT TH AT from [the] Washington in particular that THE CITY HAS State Department motorists are not very TAKEN A STANCE of Transportation to aware of crosswalks. ...BY MAKING install three other sets I appreciate the fact CROSSWALKS... of flashing beacons in that the city has MOR E S A F E .” the vicinity of Aylen taken a stance on Junior High, Meeker [this unawareness] by ERIC FREDERICKS PRINCIPA L Elementary and making crosswalks or Stewart Elementary. I crossing areas more safe. I appreciate the fact that they are anticipate that all three will be installed making the street around our school and operational before summer break,” safer for students and the community Devereux said. to cross [the street],” Fredericks said.
t the intersection of West Pioneer and Seventh Ave S.W., there has been a recent addition of flashing beacons on the pre-existing crosswalk signs. The Facilities Planning Director of the Puyallup School District, Brian Devereux, explains that the new addition is part of a project to improve the safety of Puyallup pedestrians. “The pedestrian-activated, rapid flashing beacons installed at the existing crosswalk at West Pioneer and Seventh Ave SW were installed as part of a citywide safety improvement project by [the] City of Puyallup,” Devereux said. Principal Eric Fredericks additionally comments on what he believes motivated the new signs. “Sadly, in the two-and-a-half years [that] I have been here, there have been students along various parts of Pioneer that have been hit by cars or car accidents that have M A D D Y L U C A S | V A N G U A R D occurred. Pedestrians have the right of way [but] not all motorists see it that way,” Fredericks said. “I think the beauty of these crosswalks is that they [emphasize] to drivers the importance of slowing down or stopping so that pedestrians can safely cross. My hope is that [the new signs] eliminate anybody from [being] hit by an automobile [in the future].” According to Devereux, the new manually-activated flashing beacons were prompted by their frequent use by students and community members alike. “There was not an event that prompted the improvement that I am aware of. Rather, I believe it was a collective awareness of the frequent use of this crosswalk by students and the general community,” Devereux said. From a student’s point of view, junior Nate Langvad claims he has not noticed Above: The new spotlight at the intersection of Fifth Street and Seventh Avenue was placed to reduce a difference following the installation of traffic and promote pedestrian and driver safety.
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In attempts to create a safer driving environment for the community, the City of Puyallup has introduced a new street light at the intersection of Fifth Street and Seventh Avenue accompanied by pedestrian crossing signals. This installation is a part of the six-year transportation plan. Traffic Engineer Sanjeev Tandle stated that the necessity of the light was based on the number of traffic collisions occurring each year at the sight of the new light. “There are more than five major collisions every year at that intersection, so whenever we have those situations we try to improve. The four-way stop was in place for a while. [It] was not adequate so we have to move to the next mediation which would be a traffic signal,” Tandle said. The extent of vehicles and foot traffic through the intersection has been a problem for years. Tandle stated that the volumes around Fifth Street can cause queues that backup all the way to Pioneer at peak hours of the day. Even after implementing a left turn lane several years ago, the numbers continued to be an issue. Regular commuters of the Sound Transit Parkand-Ride, like Deanna Briggs, hope the new traffic signal will alleviate the backups caused by the previous four-way stop. “[The traffic signal] was long overdue. When there are events at Sparks, the traffic flow is bad with the four-way stop. I think this will help move traffic at a better pace during events,” Briggs said. “We have to catch the ‘S’ bus from the [Sounder] station back to the [parking] lot. Having the signal helps us get to the lot faster when the traffic is heavy from events. It is not fun standing in a crowded bus when it is stop and go through a four-way signal, especially at the end of a long day.” Briggs also expands on the newfound safety of pedestrians as well as drivers. “When it is dark you cannot always see the pedestrians. From my experience walking, I did not trust the drivers with the four-way stop. They seem to pay more attention to the order of who goes next over looking for pedestrians during busy times,” Briggs said. “I think the light is safer for both drivers and pedestrians as long as they follow the signals. I have not walked the route since the signal has been finished but will occasionally during warmer months and when there is [more] daylight.” Tandle stated that the main goal of the installation is to increase the safety of driver and pedestrians alike. “Safety is number one for me and for the city. I am hoping that we reduce the number of collisions at the intersection. During the fair, there are tons of pedestrians [and] we added street lighting at that intersection and also along Seventh Avenue from Seventh Street almost all the way to meridian. That should help improve pedestrian safety,” Tandle said. However, not all minds think alike. Sparks Firehouse Deli employee Kyle Lawson stated that although it may be too early to tell, he does not see much improvement since the new traffic signal has been installed. But Lawson has found that this could bring about better awareness for the business. “It is kind of nice how it backs up and people actually stop and can see the business instead of having to worry about [moving forward],” Lawson said. “THERE ARE MORE THAN FIVE MAJOR COLLISIONS EVERY YEAR AT THAT INTERSECTION SO...W E T RY TO I M PROV E .” SANJEEV TANDLE TRAFFIC ENGINEER
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espresso bar, while still conforming to guidelines, still provides coffee drinks. ew USDA regulations regarding the “We have hot coffee, iced coffee, iced nutritional value of the food and mochas and lattes using non-fat milk beverages served at schools took and sugar-free syrups. We cannot do effect in August. The regulations called for hot mochas or lattes, not because of the changes within the student store and the regulations but we do not have an espresso espresso bar. machine. It is really expensive and in the DECA adviser Kim Root expands on the past, if we wanted to buy one, we would new items that meet the new regulations. have made enough money to purchase “Most of our drinks are now sugar free one,” Root said. “We usually buy all of our or a fruit drink. All of our chips are either equipment, all of our supplies and all of baked or reduced fat and we only have our product. We just cannot afford to buy one candy we can sell—a sour gummy an espresso machine but we make enough worm. We can sell it because it is high in money to cover all of our bills.” fiber,” Root said. “[The previous items] Junior and DECA student Brandon have been removed with the exception of Bullard offers some insights on the topic of [still] being [allowed] health regulations and how to sell t-shirts, clothes they affect the attitude of “THE STUDENTS and water. We had to students. H AV E BE E N change everything “The students have REACTING POORLY [else].” T O T H E C H A N G E S . been reacting poorly to the Root finds that changes. They do not really STUDENTS LIKE certain products are T H E F R E E D O M O F like them because they like more favored to be what was served last year. CHOICE .” sold over others. Students like the freedom of “The top-selling BRANDON BULLARD choice,” Bullard said. JUNIOR items in the espresso The student store and bar are spritzers, espresso bar have not been which are 7-Up and flavored syrups. [They selling as much product as before. As are] all sugar free. We sell a lot of fruit Bullard states, the store helps provide smoothies, which are a V8 base so it has the funds for going to DECA conferences. fruits and vegetables. It has taken us until Students in the past did not have to pay the month of February to find a 9-grain for the fees that come with going to state bagel that meets compliance,” Root said. because of the profits from the two stores “In our student store, the majority of our combined. Now, the students competing sales are from water and the zero-calorie at state are being charged $100 to attend. Arnold Palmer iced teas.” Root elaborates on the effects of the lack As Root states, students are now of sales this year due to the regulations. coming to school with food and beverages “The problem we are going to have is purchased from different outlets. The B Y
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[paying for DECA events]. The store and the espresso bar is DECA’s fundraiser. We earn our own money to pay for conferences and competitions without having to charge students tons of money. It may be really expensive for DECA students next year. The store and espresso bar is also their learning laboratory, where they learn their business skills,” Root said. Along with the new guidelines, DECA students also come into contact with compromising the new payment systems offered. “Another issue we have been having is that a lot of students buy lunch. [Those students’] parents load the money on the EZSchoolPay app so students just go and plug in their student ID. A lot of students do not carry money. We are in the process of seeing if we can set up an EZSchoolPay account so parents can put money in for either the espresso bar or the student
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store,” Root said. “This has been another huge hurdle besides the nutrition.” As money becomes an issue to the student store and espresso bar, Root clarifies the reasoning behind leaving the prices the same. “You have to figure out how much you can sell it for and still have costumers buy. If [the products] are too expensive and do not taste as good as it did last year, then they are not going to buy. Last year students could buy Pop-Tarts and you would have two Pop-Tarts in a container. Now there are only one, because the whole-grain products are more expensive. It costs the same to get one Pop-Tart as it did for two,” Root said. “Our prices are cheaper than the vending machines, so students can save money getting stuff from us. The gummy worms are $1.75 in the vending machine. We sell them for $1 [and] we are open half an hour during lunches.”
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Above:The drink mixes used previously by the Student Store and Espresso Bar are shown above. Due to new health regulaions the stores are no longer using these products.
you are grinding or being inappropriate— it is just a fun dance.” Senior Celeste Grinnell enjoys attending swing dances because they are more appropriate than the average high school dance “I like the opportunity we have to swing dance and [learn] a different style of dancing. I am actually one of the many people in my leadership class that really like to swing dance,” Grinnell said. “For the last swing dance, I made all of the advertisements and I was in the group that was responsible for [coordinating] the last dance. It was a lot of fun getting together and seeing everyone learn how to swing dance because most people do not get that opportunity in high school.” Straka recommends that students attend the swing dance because it is an enjoyable experience for all. “Swing dancing is a lot of fun. It is only three dollars and you do not have to have an ASB card. I had a lot of fun doing it—it is a different way of dancing,” Straka said.
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The Viking Vanguard’s duty is to expand student perspectives, maintain community relations and act as a student publication advocating voice. Besides providing an opportunity for the exchange of viewpoints, The Viking Vanguard serves as an academic tool by which students can voice opinions as well as highlight issues facing today’s students.
they teach you all the basics of swing dancing and how to do it. You get in a circle, boys on the outside and girls on Swing dancing has become a popular past time for the inside and you switch partners the whole time. Then, many Puyallup students. during the last hour and a half you are Originally gaining its popularity in the on your own and sometimes they will “I LIKE THE 1920s, swing dancing has continued to have people that will come and help OPPORTUNITY act as a positive hobby for many people you.” W E H AV E TO even in modern times. PHS has hosted Sophomore Natalie White has also SWING DANCE two swing dances in the past and will be acts as a coordinator of the swing AND [LEARN] A hosting its third Feb. 20. D I F F E R E N T S T Y L E dances. ASB Vice President Emily Straka has White describes the positive reactions OF DA NCI NG.” attended swing dances in the past and has students have had to the dance. CELESTE GRINNELL assisted in arranging prior dances. “[The swing dance received] so much SENIOR Straka spoke on how the dance is attention and people were so interested structured. in it last year that we wanted to make “A lot of the seniors last year were really interested in it a bigger deal and expand on it. A lot of people said swing dancing and so they got the Konzelman family to that they liked swing dancing more than homecoming come in and teach us [how to swing dance],” Straka said. because it was more fun and relaxing and it was a clean “A swing dance lasts about two hours. In the first half hour environment,” White said. “It is not something where C H R I S T I N A N E L S O N S T A F F
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In today’s society, images of drugs and alcohol are counseling meetings—just to name a few unavoidable. They are everywhere. On social media, administrative repercussions; let alone the affect drug and alcohol use can have on your body. advertisements on TV and in schools. While containing less cancer-causing chemicals, the Alongside prevalent marijuana and alcohol use, the use of e-cigarettes has become increasingly popular. fact that marijuana leaves behind twice the amount of Upon entering the bathrooms, the too-familiar smell tar in the lungs raises eyebrows. It is common to hear the excuse that marijuana of flavored vapor permeates the room. Because e-cigarettes are more easily concealed and are more relieves anxiety and because of this, underage use is discreet, it has become very trendy to use these common. But the word use is not a strong enough word. One does not simply use once. devices. The relief provided is temporary and Even if you are of legal age for “BEFRIEND because of this, to again relieve these the use of tobacco cigarettes or THOSE WHO WILL problems one has to reuse whenever e-cigarettes, the staff of The Viking PROMPT YOU TO this escape is craved. The staff of The Vanguard urges you to consider the BE YOUR BEST Viking Vanguard urges you to seek impacts that it could have on your SELF AND MAKE out a method of relief that is not health and other aspects as you are RIGHT CHOICES detrimental to mental or physical beginning your adult life. FOR YOU.” health and is permanent. Formaldehyde is used to embalm OUR VIEW All mind-altering drugs do just that, human bodies, a preservative— not something that should be ingested as it is in alter your mind. This is not just temporary. The high e-cigarettes. While it might be simple to dismiss these goes away but the negative consequences will not. ideas as untrue, please consider the very real presence Such drugs affect memory, which is very negative for of danger. Whether containing nicotine or simply a a high school student that already has the difficult job fruity flavoring, the unregulated liquid could pose of memorizing hundreds of little facts for multiple negative effects to the health of your lungs and your classes. To help yourself avoid situations in which you have overall wellbeing. A common reason for using the e-cigarettes is the opportunity to use drugs or alcohol, hang around the opinion that the flavoring is appetizing and the people that do not use. The words “peer pressure” comparable to children’s flavoring. But there are plenty have a very negative connotation. While peer pressure of other, less expensive and less detrimental sources could be being persuaded to try something you for good flavoring; a classic lollipop for example. know that you should not, peer pressure can also As well as e-cigarettes, underage marijuana use be used to the opposite effect. Befriend those who has becoming increasingly common at the high will prompt you to be your best self and make right school level. While it has been legalized in the State choices for you. of Washington, it is only legal for adults over the age This is age is a critical time in your life, the high of 21, along with alcohol—they are both illegal at the school age is when you are forming habits that will high school age and being caught using can have very carry through the rest of your life. negative impacts. Make the choices that will set you up for a Suspension, athletic team suspension, mandatory successful high school career and future.
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*On page one, in the by-line, “Editor-in-Chief” should be “Chief.” *On page three in the flag, the date should be Jan. 23. *Also on page three in the masthead, “Video Editor” should be “Digital Media Editor.” *On pages six and seven the word “acknowledge” is misspelled, “Kalles Junior High” is misspelled. *Also on pages six and seven “Billie Lane’s” name is spelled incorrectly. *On page eight, the name “Laura Billingsley” is spelled incorrectly. *On page 12 the year should be changed from 2016 to 2015. *Also on page 12 the photos for the “Franich Family Fights for Victory” should be accredited to Brian Franich. The Viking Vanguard staff values accuracy and wishes to correct mistakes made in previous issues. If you believe we have made an error, please contact us at: thevikingvanguard@gmail.com.
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VALENTINE’S DAY: HIT OR BUST?
With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, The Viking Vanguard decided to survey 451 students on their thoughts regarding Valentine’s Day. The results are as follows: L A C E Y
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77% of females in a relationship enjoy Valentine’s Day 88% of males in a relationship celebrate Valentine’s Day 64% of single females celebrate Valentine’s Day 50% of single males enjoy Valentine’s Day Survey taken Feb. 6 in Advisory. Information compiled by Lacey Rose.
Staffer evaluates senior year expectations At graduation, family and people of my past will show This year is not for me, it is for the people who knew me I have come to the conclusion that the critics of the world appear in your final months of high school. Out of when I wore diapers and danced around the living room, up with Hallmark cards and words of wisdom, wanting a the blue, people expect you to bloom into a mature adult singing songs from The Sound of Music. Weirdly enough, spot in my imaginary group of friends. People expect that with change they will be alerted with an iMessage on the who has his or her life figured out; a bright future ahead. I this experience is mine but it is not for me. scoop of every aspect of my life, when I have sat in the band playing the would like to think that I know who I am and who I will be, realistically they had not been in my life “graduation song” for two years now. It yet honestly I am still trying to figure out who I am now. “YOU H AV E As June approaches I cannot help but notice that I have has always been fun to watch the seniors P R E P A R E D Y E A R S recently. There are graduation announcements, analyzed more works of literature than I could imagine walk past, although throughout the years FOR A CEREMONY senior pictures and much more ahead; and all of this analyzing has caused me to think and of sitting upon that stage I have never THAT IS MOST they are expected. Granted, I will send seen a genuine jump for joy, become anxious about, well, everything. CERTAINLY NOT out my announcements, most likely because all of the graduates Acquaintances have been metaphorically FOR YOU.” including some cheesy profile shots that are busy looking into the crowd tapping on my shoulder asking silly questions my mom will choose from the camera roll smiling for pictures being taken such as, “Have you found a prom dress yet?” or SAMI LYNN of unnecessary senior pictures. And yes, by their family. “Where are you going to college?” or even the PRINT EDITOR prom will happen. Last year I was sitting with bland question of “What do you want to do when I may not know much about the my flute overlooking the you grow up?” graduation rehearsal when a beloved principal complications and traditions of senior year but here is I can answer these questions confidently, all said, “this ceremony is not for you, it is for the what I do know: My name is Samantha. All of my friends ending with a resounding smirk upon my face audience.” His statement has burned in my call me Sam. Prom is just prom, college is coming and I because at this point I am not even sure of who may or may not know what I want to do later in life. All mind ever since. is asking anymore. I understand the quoted words but then again of those bad hair days and falls up and down the main Senior year is like a huge, long, exhausting P RS IANMTI ELDY INTNO R my brain does not want to comprehend them. I staircases of PHS were worth it. Even if the ending is birthday. You have prepared years for a ceremony am a product of my experiences and the people not for me, the experience as a whole has given me the that is most certainly not for you. This year is for the Facebook picture; the memories created during times surrounding me have made those happen, so yes, this is opportunity to be the girl who has a future and is ready to claim the rest of her life for herself. all for you friends. of decision and hopefully triumph.
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HS alumna, Robyn Olson competed for the crown in the Miss Seattle Pageant Jan. 11. Although she did not win this year, Olson stays positive and has plenty of helpful advice for those who are interested in pageants. “I would say [to] find as many people to help you as possible. I met with about five or six former Miss Washington’s who gave me a snapshot of their year and told me how they were successful with pageantry,” Olson said. “But I think with every situation you go through in life, it is important to find others who have been through what you are going through, so you can learn from them and be that much wiser. Knowledge is power.” Olson says part of her reasoning for becoming a part of pageants involved role models in her life. OLSON “I have had a couple friends who did pageants; that I always looked up to because I felt like they were polished, articulate and driven women. I have always noticed something different about pageant women and knew that I wanted what they had,” Olson said. Olson has accomplished a lot through pageants, her work with forming a non-profit organization called “Tackling Substance Abuse, Changing Lives” shows just that. “As pageant participants, we each need to develop our own personal platform, which is an issue that we are
passionate about that we would like to work on in the more informed about what was going on in the world. I community if we were to win,” Olson said. “My platform became healthier and got in better shape because of the was drug and alcohol abuse, because I have had close swimsuit portion, my confidence grew and I made a lot of friends and family members who have struggled with great friends through the program. Overall, I just feel that it is a great organization to be a part of,” substance addiction and I have seen Olson said. how much it is negatively impacted their Olson explains that in preparation for lives. Watching them go through that “ I T I S I M P O R T A N T TO FIND the event it took a lot of time and effort in made me realize I want to help prevent OTHERS... YOU order to be successful. others from going through what they CAN LEARN “I practiced piano for about an hour went through.” FROM THEM a day for almost five months before the The organization enables Olson to AND BE THAT pageant to make sure I could play the go into high schools and speak to kids M UCH WISER. piece perfectly on the day of the pageant. about drug and alcohol education. KNOWLEDGE IS My interview practice consisted of “I make sure it is a fun, interactive POW E R .” watching the news and developing my presentation, so students will actually stance on different current events and listen and participate and not just think ROBYN OLSON political issues so I could talk intelligently it’s another boring lecture,” Olson said. ALUMNA about them to a panel of judges,” Olson Part of what motivates Olson to create said. “To help me practice, I set up several effective presentations is the reward for mock interviews with local politicians, doing well. “A huge incentive about competing in pageants is lawyers and news junkies.” Although the night went by in a flash for Olson, she says winning scholarship money. Miss America is the largest provider of scholarship money for women in the entire there were a couple memories that really stuck out for her. “During the closing dance number, I accidentally wore world and even though I am already a college graduate, the money that I earned through competing in Miss two different shoes one was about a half an inch higher than the other. So I remember trying to dance as gracefully Seattle will go toward my student loans,” Olson said. The previous pageants effects on her life overall have as I could without tripping- It was quite the challenge,” played a large part in why she decided to do the Miss Olson said. “I also remember that when I walked out in my black velvet evening gown that I designed, the entire Seattle pageant. “This was actually the second time I have competed audience gasped. It made me feel like a Hollywood at Miss Seattle and what I noticed about myself after my celebrity and that was definitely my favorite moment of first pageant was that I better understood politics and felt the night.”
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This February not only brings candy hearts and chocolate but the Solo and Ensemble Contest that has been in the sights of the Band and Choir programs since September. In the upcoming month both plan to test their standings against other schools from around the region. Band director Eric Ryan comments on the importance of this competition. “This is a regional contest where students could qualify to go to state in April and compete with all the other regions across Washington,” Ryan said. State competitions will be held in Ellensburg at Central Washington University April 24 and 25. However, regionals are being held here at Puyallup Feb. K E I T H
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Above: Joshua Carlisle and Natalie Breshears perform “La Golodrina” for the Solo Ensemble Contest Feb. 7 at PHS. PHS won seven out of the 12 possible categories with the winning groups being, the Norselanders, Natalie Breshears and Josh Carlisle, the Valkyries Ensemble, the Womens Quartet Concert Choir Men, Josh Carlisle (solo) and Maddie Joy (solo).
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and instruments so the judging is somewhat subjective,” Ryan said. Student lead groups continue to practice as the regional competition continues to approach. Band is not the only program swiftly organizing as an upcoming Solo and Ensemble Contest increases its proximity. Guenther and his choir students prepared for their Feb. 7 solo and ensemble contest, here at PHS. “This is the competition where judges will choose which students will move on to compete with others from across the state,” Guenther said. On Saturday, high school choir ensembles and soloists from Federal Way, Sumner and Puyallup’s School Districts sang in front of judges for the chance to travel to Ellensburg and compete on the state level. Senior Natalie Breshears is a part of six different groups that were scheduled to perform at the choral contest. “I have done this since seventh grade,” Breshears said. “I am always so excited to go and perform and get critiqued. I like to know how I am doing and how my groups are doing and what we can improve on.” Preparing for a student lead competition like the solo and ensemble contest seems to require a dedication that could only come from the heart of its musicians. “I love the different interpretations you can get from music. I could think of a song one way while someone else could have an entirely different view,” Breshears said. This February, students from band and choir programs are giving their hearts away not to their crushes but to notes on a page and the drive to succeed in their love of music.
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Drug use amongst teens in recent years has been changing, according to Dr. Jennie Hendrie, a pediatrician in the Pierce County area. “I do not think that [teen drug use and vaping] is a huge issue in Pierce County but I think it is becoming an issue,” Hendrie said. Hendrie’s statement is affirmed by Samantha Yeun, who is the Health Promotions Coordinator II for the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department PANT (Physical Activity, Nutrition and Tobacco prevention) program. “The use of alternative tobacco products—ecigarettes, chew [tobacco], hookah, cigars and candyflavored tobacco— products are on the rise. Because of the new products attracting young people, they are experimenting and exploring. [Experimenting with alternative tobacco products] is a fad, it is cool and [teens] do not realize that nicotine is addictive. Once you get hooked on it, it is hard to get out,” Yeun said. Dr. Heather Cooper, a pediatrician in Pierce County explains both the dangers of cigarettes and of the nicotine found in e-cigarettes. “Cigarettes can cause cancer, which is mostly from burning tobacco. That is where the carcinogens are but nicotine itself is not safe. It can cause heart problems. You can actually die, maybe not from smoking but from a nicotine overdose,” Cooper said. “In a lot of the e-cigarettes, nicotine is so concentrated that, especially in younger kids if [people] get ahold of it they can ingest it or spill it on their skin and have a nicotine overdose.” According to Yeun, the dangers of nicotine are starting to become more prevalent.
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“There are a thousand more calls to the poison getting a green card when they come in for their visits, control centers regarding kids swallowing or spilling especially kids who have Attention Deficit Disorder. Many of them ask me: ‘What do you think about nicotine on themselves,” Yeun said. Hendrie says she typically warns patients about the treating my ADD with marijuana?’” Hendrie said. “[The use of marijuana to treat ADD] is a bad idea because impacts that nicotine has with prescriptions. “I always warn people when I put them on birth ADD is a lack of motivation and marijuana completely control pills that if they are using any kind of tobacco or decreases motivation. It seems to be the patients [who nicotine products, it could increase their risk for blood are asking for green cards] are already using marijuana clots. [A patient] came in and wanted to be put on birth for recreational reasons and want a good reason to control. She was extremely addicted to vaping but I make it legal.” Hendrie’s sentiments are echoed by Cooper, who told her that birth control plus hormones plus nicotine equals blood clots. Her addiction was more of a social says she is also against the use of marijuana to treat addiction, there is definitely a social component to patient’s ADD. “I do not think medical marijuana is a good treatment vaping—she hung out with her friends and smoked e-cigarettes. She could not see how she was going to for mood issues, attention issues and sleep issues. I do give it up [to be on birth control pills]” Hendrie said. not endorse that. I think that there is a misperception that [using marijuana to treat “I kept telling her, ‘You know, ADD] helps but I think it hurts in pregnancy plus nicotine is also “THERE ARE A LOT the long run” Cooper said. a risk for blood clots. Whether MORE KIDS WHO ARE Yeun has also seen a change you get pregnant or take birth control, either way, you have to A S K I N G A B O U T G E T T I N G in the thoughts of teens on A GREEN CARD WHEN marijuana use in recent years. give up nicotine.’” THEY COME IN FOR “There is a trend [among] Although routine questions THEIR VISITS... MANY youth [in] thinking that about smoking and drugs are asked at appointments, the O F T H E M A S K M E : ‘ W H A T marijuana is less harmful. With DO YOU THINK ABOUT the passage of the initiative prevalence of e-cigarettes have sparked recent changes in several T R E A T I N G M Y A D D W I T H [that made marijuana legal], MARIJUANA?’” teens think that it is safer [to pediatrician’s offices. use marijuana] or at least that “We now have a question on JENNIE HENDRIE [using marijuana] is not as bad our check-in, not only do you PEDIATRICIAN as we thought it was. [Marijuana] smoke but ‘do you use any kind has become normalized in the of electronic cigarette?’ We did not even ask before but now it is on our Risk Factor community,” Yeun said. However, the fact that the youth consider the drug Questionnaire. It has not even been a year but [the less of a danger than other drugs does not keep it from issue of e-cigarettes] is on the radar,” Hendrie said. The issue of e-cigarettes is not the only one coming causing developmental problems in those who choose to doctors’ attention as the reports of marijuana use to use it. “[The effects of drug use on teens] are not well are becoming more frequent. “I am not sure if [the increase of teens reporting known yet but more evidence is being compiled that marijuana use] is just because it is safe to say because marijuana, specifically marijuana use in people under it is now legal for adults but I have noticed an increased the age of about 25, can actually have a significant effect on the developing brain. One really frightening report of pot use,” Cooper said. Hendrie has noticed a similar increase in patients trend is that psychosis and schizophrenia seem to develop much more commonly in people who have regarding marijuana. “There are a lot more kids who are asking about used marijuana as teens,” Hendrie said.
Care Team provides support, counseling for more than dependency
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any high schools battle drug and alcohol issues on a daily basis, as well as the raising popularity of e-cigarettes. To combat these habits PHS has formed a Care Team to work with students and provide guidance for safe decision making through their high school years. The Care Team comprises of the nurse, the Prevention Intervention Specialist, security officers, an administrator, one counselor and the school psychologist. “We encourage staff to come [to the meetings] but it is really difficult [to do this] because it is during first period. We are not here to bust anybody,” Smith said. Smith stresses that there are many different situations that lead students to meet with the Care Team, as well as the fact that the Care Team is available to help students, not punish them. “We are here to help kids that are struggling, [which] might be in a variety of areas. But our focus has become drugs and alcohol. If a student is in risk of homelessness, if there is domestic violence in a home, if there is hunger—there [are] just a lot of different things that we look at. We try to catch kids that are at risk. We meet with them and get them the help we can offer,” Smith said. Julianne Buffelen, the PHS Prevention Intervention Specialist, also works at Walker High School and other places. She works one-on-one with students and counsels them on life decisions, especially drug and alcohol-related subjects. “My title is Prevention Intervention Specialist, which could also be drug and alcohol counselor. Not all the kids I work with [are] using drugs and alcohol. Sometimes kids are at risk because they have family stuff going on. An example might be family conflicts but also, if mom is passed out on the couch every night or if dad is selling meth. That is stuff that affects [the] family norm, then there is an ‘okay to do [drugs or alcohol]’ [feeling]. Then they have access to [such substances],” Buffelen said. “Those kids often have a lot going on and are under a lot of stress so I help them. I work with them on how to handle that so that they do not become involved with drugs and alcohol.” As well as on the role of the Care Team, Smith elaborates on the types of drugs used at PHS.
“I would say at the top of the list [of commonly used substances] juices without the nicotine have the formaldehyde in them. The would be marijuana. I would probably rate alcohol as a close chemicals do not belong in our lungs. Bottom line.” E-cigarette liquid can also be infused with THC, the active second and probably pills as a third. Cigarettes are also high on the list. There are kids that will use over-the-counter medications ingredient in marijuana. Using e-cigarettes with a THC infused liquid allows students to achieve the same high as if using in ways that [they] were not intended [for],” Smith said. Providing specific examples, Smith explains some of the marijuana, in a more easily utilized and scentless way. “And then there are vapes that instead of the [flavored liquid] dangers associated with using over-the-counter and prescribed you [can] buy, [students] are putting in butter or dabs made of drugs for non-recommended uses. “Some students will use cough syrup DXM and if you buy it THC and they are inhaling it that way. There is almost no odor. in a cold tablet form, then you do not have to drink the liquid. It is extremely dangerous and I do not think students appreciate If [they] take enough, it gives students a high. It is extremely how that is affecting them. Also, the FDA is not regulating the dangerous. It raises blood pressure, temperature—they can get liquids put in the pens. There has been quite a lot of research recently on all the chemicals that are very, very sick from it,” Smith said. “I have going into your body [when using an also seen kids use stimulants, stimulants “I THINK THAT THE e-cigarette]. I can see a student justifying that were not prescribed for them. Generally, LEGALIZATION IN to themselves that ‘vapes are not as [these stimulants] are used for ADHD. If you have ADHD the stimulant fills receptors in W A S H I N G T O N S T A T E H A S bad as cigarettes” but really it can be SENT A MESSAGE TO very harmful to your body,” Smith said. your brain that help you to feel focused. If YOUTH THAT THERE IS “When they are vaping a butter or dab, you do not have ADHD, it is like speed.” Alongside these drug uses, Buffelen N O T H I N G W R O N G W I T H [the THC] is much more concentrated.” Smith also commented on the impact highlights the dangers of marijuana and the [ I T ] . T H E L A W S A Y S N O T [ T O S M O K E M A R I J U A N A ] Washington’s legalization of marijuana increasingly popular e-cigarettes. U N T I L 21...” has had on students, as well as how “There is crazy amount of false information students are obtaining illegal drugs and out there, especially about marijuana, even KAREN SMITH urges parents to lock up any possible [e-cigarettes] and vape pens. There is a NURSE substances. belief that they are safe. And they are not. “I think that the legalization in With e-cigarettes and vape pens, the juice that people put in them has formaldehyde. [Formaldehyde] is Washington State has sent a message to youth that there is also in tobacco products but [e-cigarettes] actually have more nothing wrong with [it]. The law says not [to smoke marijuana] formaldehyde, so they have more cancer causing chemicals than until 21, just like alcohol but I think that the message that went an actual cigarette. Those chemicals cause damage to the inside along with [the legalization of marijuana] is really unfortunate,” Smith said. of the lungs,” Buffelen said. As well as the legalization shining an undeserving positive Along with the formaldehyde, a chemical used in the embalming of corpses, Buffelen warns against the dangers of light on marijuana use, Smith explains where students get the high doses of nicotine and the effect that it can have on the body. drug and cautions parents on being watchful. She also urges “[E-cigarettes also] have higher levels of nicotine. People them to purchase protection for prescription drugs and alcohol who are using them repeatedly are at risk of having nicotine with student safety in mind. “I think that marijuana is very accessible to the public,” Smith intoxication or poisoning. Nicotine is a very poisonous and toxic chemical,” Smith said. “The emergency rooms are being said. “If [a student has] a friend that is of age and can purchase hit with people that are having nicotine poisoning, even the marijuana at a dispensary, that is probably where most kids get
it. [With] alcohol, it is probably whatever parents have in the house or again, an older friend. If it’s pills, whatever is in there house or cabinet. I think that most parents trust their kids. But kids by nature are curious and their friends are curious. It can be as simple, for example, as a kid who justifiably has narcotics for say a wisdom tooth extraction and really liked that feeling. Then they know there is 30 tablets left in the bottle. It can be very easy for students to want that feeling again. For [low prices] parents can buy a lock box and key, just for that extra level of protection.”In finishing, Smith comments on how to avoid contact and temptation with such substances as well as what to do when you are put in such situations or peers who use mind-altering drugs or alcohol. “I think Puyallup does a really great job at educating at a really young age. But once you hit the high school… If you are in a room with ten people and nine of them are using [drugs or alcohol] they are much more likely to try something. Part of it comes from [influence from] their peers and some of it comes from their own self-interest. Equally, if there is a room of ten kids not using substances…It goes both ways. You can have positive peer influence as well. So, I think you [should not] put yourself in situations. If you know it is going to be there, you do not go,” Smith said. “Nobody wants to be a nark but tell an adult but maybe even confidentially tell an adult. Most likely if kids are using, they are driving home. That is a recipe for disaster. I think talking about it with your friends and letting them know that [it] is nothing you want to try, just putting it out there for your friends.” Buffelen concludes with an invitation to students who are battling addiction or temptation, as well as other issues; to come and visit her by the nurse’s office, behind the attendance office or to contact the care team. “I think the impact that [the Care Team has] is to identify students that needs support and try to offer them that support. Whether that is here at school or getting them connected to services outside of school,” Buffelen said. “I am here Wednesdays and every other Friday and my door is open to any student. Whether it is drug and alcohol related or not, my door is open. Always.”
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Students explore the benefits of fishing in the Puyallup River from a young age, opening up future job opportunities.
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uyallup is known for its flowing river aptly named the Puyallup River. Every year fishermen search for a catch on the river. Junior Justin Binkley has been fishing in the river since the age of three. “My favorite part of fishing is either fighting the fish or eating it, I cannot decide. [My favorite experience was] catching my first salmon,” Binkley said. “[I wanted to start “M Y FAVOR I T E fishing because of] PA RT A BOUT the exhilarating FISHING IS THAT adventure and the ADRENALINE bonding experience RUSH YOU GET between family and WHEN YOU SET friends you get. I THE HOOK INTO fish about every A GOOD SIZE weekend whether it F ISH...” be streams, lakes, rivers or salt water. Binkley’s fishing SPENCER KIDDER experiences also JUNIOR allowed him to earn a job. “I recently got a job in Westport cleaning salmon, ling cod, tuna, halibut and sea bass. Two friends and I will go up weekends in early spring and when school gets out, we will go up all summer long; living in a wall tent and working,” Binkley said. Binkley is not the only student who enjoys fishing on the Puyallup River. Junior Spencer Kidder is also passionate about catching fish. “I have been fishing basically forever. I got into fishing because when I was little my dad would take my brother and I to local lakes and rivers,” Kidder said. Kidder proclaims he has been fishing for as long as he can remember. “My favorite part about fishing is that adrenaline rush you get when you set the hook into a good size fish and it starts running and you hear that drag screaming. My favorite memory was when my brother and I went trout fishing and we caught about 70 fish between the two of us and we were only fishing for about two hours,” Kidder said.
Teachers expand on outside-of-school duties
Teachers Brooks Hazen, Angela Reed and Michelle Heeb open up about the unforeseen overtime duties of being a teacher, who grade papers for hours on end after hours and on weekends. “Technically you can say that we are paid for [the extra do and so then after he goes to bed I usually put on some music and I just crank it out. It is not uncommon for me to hours]. There is this thing called Time Responsibility and A student’s test is completed in a 55-minute class Incentive or TRI money, which does not begin to cover it,” grade until 11 p.m. or midnight,” Reed said. period. Yet, at the end of the day, a teacher’s work is far Hazen likewise expresses his opinion on the times Heeb said. “But, generally speaking, you do not go into from finished. throughout the year that require the most time spent this profession thinking that you are not going to spend A teacher’s work is just beginning because for every test extra time [grading]. You go into it with that idea. The grading. a student takes, a teacher has to evaluate upwards of 120 “I think [that] at semester’s end there is a little more perception of [having] Saturdays, Sundays, June, July and tests. pressure because there is a deadline for our grades. We try August off and you never have to work and is not real.” On this topic, social studies teacher Brooks Hazen Reed additionally explains that to her, teaching is not to put things off to the end of semester so the kids do not explains that extra time spent grading is an innate part of think the class is over a week before the semester is done. about the paycheck but the love of her subject. being a teacher. “I love teaching and I do not do it for the money. I do it But then that puts the strain and stress on the teachers to “Putting in extra hours grading is what we do. It is what for kids; I do it for my subject. If anyone all of a sudden have all the finals graded we signed up for. I think [that] for the most part, I get things knows a teacher, they know they put in by Wednesday,” Hazen said. back in an acceptable amount of time. With coaching While semester’s end places pressure “ I L O V E T E A C H I N G countless hours of unpaid time,” Reed [tennis] after school, I have had to dedicate at least one AND I DO NOT said. on teachers, Hazen claims that the end weekend to grading because during the weekdays I am D O IT FOR THE While students wait for their grades of the year is the hardest. busy coaching after school,” Hazen said. MONEY. I DO IT to be updated, Hazen urges them to be “I think June is the Hazen additionally said that skipping FOR THE KIDS; patient and understand that teachers are hardest because at one weekend puts him weeks behind in “ T H E L A S T T H I N G I DO IT FOR MY doing their best to evaluate assignments semester at least we I W A N T I S T O his grading. SU BJ EC T.” in a timely matter. have four days to get H A V E L E S S T I M E “If I happen to go away or do ANGELA REED “I just wish the appreciation was there. our grades in. At the W I T H T H E K I D S something on one weekend, it puts me TEACHER There are some teachers out there that end of the year we have J U S T T O G I V E U S so far behind. So that is a little stressful really do a good job at evaluating things that [one] day. Grades but at the same time it just comes with T I M E T O G R A D E . ” have to be done on that day. If you plan and I just wish kids and parents appreciated it. Because the territory. The last thing I want is to a test a couple of days before the end of our planning period a day does not truly give us time to have less time with the kids just to give BROOKS HAZEN the school year you have to be done. So do it, so just understand that grading is done somewhere TEACHER us time to grade,” Hazen said. the added stress and time is there,” Hazen else too,” Hazen said. Pre-AP and AP chemistry teacher said. Angela Reed, who said the average amount of students a Spanish teacher Michelle teacher has in a day is 120, reveals her secret to getting Heeb also shares her through the daunting grading process. opinion on the impression “My son is in school and we do homework together. We that teachers are not paid both sit down at the dining room table and I grade while for the extra time spent on he does his homework. He always finishes way before I grading assignments. B Y
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I have sat down on the couch too many times with a bowl of popcorn and a cat or two, ready to enjoy Netflix. Too many times the sheer amount of possibilities have overwhelmed me and kept me from watching anything new. I feel that this problem is a common one and have compiled a short list of movies that hopefully you may turn to the next time you plop down.
Frequencies (2013) “Frequencies” takes place in alternate universe where everybody’s luck is predetermined by the universe. Those with high frequencies are extremely fortunate and those with low frequencies are permanently late, dropping their coffees in the street and generally disheveled. High-frequency Marie (Eleanor Wyld) and low-frequency Zak (Daniel Fraser) are two lovers held apart by their frequencies. This is because when those with opposite frequencies get together, dangerous things happen like potted plants fall from rooftops and people faint. Despite the difficulties of being together, Zak continues to go after Marie and experiments with ways to change his frequency so that the two can exist harmoniously. “Frequencies” is a scientific romantic movie and the alternate reality that it presents is unlike any I have seen before; typically movies recycle the same handful of dystopian/oppressive/fantasy worlds. The theme of sounds creating and influencing the world is one that I have never heard of and I like it. The movie ended up having a feel that was extremely celebratory of music, in particular classical music. The idea that music is influential on people’s lives is not a new one but I think that “Frequencies” displayed this thought in a unique way. It tied music and romance to each other in a way that showed how, in this particular universe, love relied on the compatibility of sounds. There were some points in the movie where the dialogue morphed into a wave of English-accented scientific babble and ceased to make sense... but overall “Frequencies” is an enjoyable romantic sciencefiction movie.
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Mary and Max (2009)
Dark comedy and dark animation, “Mary and Max” is a delightful story of friendship. It features chubby eight-yearold Australian Mary Dinkle (voiced by Bethany Whitmore). She has a chocolate-stain birthmark on her forehead and a shoplifting, alcoholic mother. One day, Mary wonders where babies come from in America (in Australia they are found at the bottom of beer cans, according to her grandfather) and she finds a random address in an address book and sends a letter to it, asking her question. She finds the address of Max Horowitz (voiced by Philip Seymour Hoffman), a morbidly obese Jewish Atheist living in New York City. The letter she sends in her youth sparks the beginning of a long friendship between the two outcasts. This has been one of my absolute favorite movies for several years now. One of my favorite details is how Australia is sepia-toned and creates contrasts Max’s blackand-white New York City: it really highlights how the two are from two relatively distinct worlds. You need to have the ability to laugh off uncomfortable or shocking events to thoroughly enjoy “Mary and Max”. Both of the protagonists live less-than-glamorous lives and experience stays in mental the hospital, familial deaths and alcoholism. The movie delivers the content to the audience in a way that is extremely understated and matter-of-fact; this is the trait that makes it a black comedy. And comedy it is. Because through all the turmoil and hardships, both Mary and Max manage to make the best out of their situations. The movie follows Mary as she grows up while Max gradually becomes more comfortable with himself, with the help of Mary’s letters. “Mary and Max” is a good movie for someone who also likes the humor and style of Tim Burton’s movies: although dim-lit and dark-toned, it is still funny and enjoyable.
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Frank (2014)
When I first saw the trailer for “Frank” I knew that it was a movie I had to see. It features a musician named Jon (Domhnall Gleeson) who is sad and struggling with his art, just like many of the other musicians of the world. Jon seeks success and stumbles into a band whose lead vocalist, Frank, has the habit of wearing a papier-mâché head all the time. Jon joins Frank’s band and they all go off to some island to record an album. The band’s process of recording is fun to watch, due to the nature of their sound being extremely conceptual and experimental. One characteristic that makes this movie so interesting (besides the obvious fake head of Frank’s) are the interpersonal relationships of the characters. There are just so many contrasting characters: angry theremin-playing Clara (Maggie Gyllenhaal); hopeful, naïve Jon; the bass player and the drummer, who both seem to only speak French. Then there is Frank. Frank serves as this amazing source of inspiration for the band all while having this massive fake head on— which, by the way, nobody ever really acknowledges. There were moments where I cringed at Jon’s strange, little attempts at mimicking Frank’s natural awesomeness. Jon’s character came off as useless and a little bit of a try-hard. In the shadow of Frank’s huge head and great talent, Jon was an ant. Despite Jon’s annoying tendencies, “Frank” is still a good movie. The process of the band recording their album is interesting but the mystery of what is under Frank’s head serves as the most intriguing subplot of “Frank.”
‘Friday the 13’ defies superstition REVIEW:
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Friday the 13. A day of bad luck and superstitions ending than few, including myself, would and the name of a film that has had an undeniably have guessed having watched other horror large impact on pop culture. The belief in these films. The horror of the film is centered on very superstitions is, surprisingly, challenged in the movie “Friday the 13th” but is not followed up on horrific killings that were mundane in their nature. Only in one scene is there even a hint in the sequels. When most people think of “Friday the 13th” of a supernatural element. The last survivor they think of a tall figure wearing a hockey mask is “dragged” into the lake by a zombie like named Jason Vorhees, first played “ J A S O N ’ S M O T H E R creature that is suggested to be Jason. But that character wakes by Ari Lehman and later by IS A MORE up shortly after in the hospital several actors. This figure head of COMPLETE AND with no sign of the creature, the series is a marauding, undead INTERESTING killer that haunts the camp that C H A R A C T E R T H A N making it very probable that the most of the series takes place in. H E R S O N I S . S H E whole scene happened in her In the original movie it is revealed I S A M O T H E R W H O head. An extension of the stress and trauma of being hunted by a at the end that the killer is Jason’s IS PROTECTING psychopathic killer. mother, who is played by Betsy THE MEMORY OF “Friday the 13th” plays on the Palmer, and not Jason himself. H E R S O N I N A W A Y viewer’s expectation for things The only meaningful mention of THAT MAKES A Jason is at this moment when she T W I S T E D A M O U N T to be supernatural and strange but in the end everything is reveals that she is seeking revenge OF SENSE TO normal. They play on the fears for her son’s death. An average H E R .” surrounding the day only to show woman, not a supernatural being, that we humans are the creatures KYLE SMITH is the killer. MANAGING EDITOR hunting the campers, not some Comparing the two characters, monster. “Friday the 13th” dispels Jason and his mother, reveals an important aspect that the sequels missed. the mysticism of Friday the 13. But the barrage of Jason’s mother is a more complete and interesting sequels that followed missed this point and lost character than her son is. She is a mother who is the complexity of this initial set up as a result. protecting the memory of her son in a way that The series of “Friday the 13th” could have grown makes a twisted amount of sense to her. That but instead shrunk into a standard horror movie. concept is arguably more interesting than the If you watch any of the “Friday the 13th” films, lumbering thing that the sequels used in her watch the original movie for its significance and place. The reveal that she was the killer is a twist well done directing.
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Music lovers everywhere are always looking for a cheap and if that is the case, Spotify also has a radio option. You and easy way to get the music they love fast and on can play a station just like Pandora—the only difference demand, bringing a rise in popularity to all kinds of radio is, when you find a song you love, instead of just giving and music apps. a thumbs up and hoping you hear it again, you can save First came Pandora in 2000. that song to your playlist to listen to whenever you like. Type in the name of the genre, artist or song you want to Spotify is basically Pandora on steroids. listen to and Pandora will generate a general mix of artists It gives you the classic Pandora listening experience, similar to what you are looking for. plus an entire world of music you never would have If you like the song, give it a thumbs up. Pandora will known about. play that song and songs similar more often for you. Unlike Pandora, which has more mainstream popular Not what you were looking for? Click thumbs down, it artists that a wider variety of people are likely to enjoy, will make sure you do not have to listen to it again. Spotify is home to hundreds of underground artists that If you find a song you really love, there is an option to are just as good— if not better— than those guys you hear bookmark the song so you can buy it on iTunes or even normally. When you use Spotify, you are unlimited in your make a new music station based on that music experience. “SPOTIFY GIVES song. Spotify gives their users control THEIR USERS Each Pandora listener gets a profile over what they listen to. You choose CONTROL OVER where you can follow people you know the artist, even the song you are WHAT THEY and see what they are listening to. interested in. L IST E N TO.” Eight years later in 2008, Spotify Along with allowing users to pick began its slow rise to popularity in the the songs they know they love and group KAMERAN MILLER music world. them together how they want, Spotify also WEB EDITOR Spotify gives each user a profile, has a browse section, where you can pick where you can save individual songs from the artists you genres you are interested and help you discover and pick love and put playlists together of the songs you enjoy. You through artists you may not have known. can choose to make these playlists public or private. Within browse, you can choose Top Lists, Users can follow their friends and friend’s playlists, New Releases or Discover. giving them notifications when the user updates a playlist Through the Discover tab, Spotify tracks or creates a new one. Users can even find their favorite your music history and suggests artists and albums you artist’s Spotify profiles and follow them, letting them may like based on the artists you listen to most, opening know anytime that artist releases new music onto the app. up an entire world of music you would not have known But which application is a better listening experience? otherwise. My vote is for Spotify. I use Spotify on almost a daily Although both applications give you the option to basis. I have four of my own create a user profile and follow other users, Spotify as a playlists, plus I am following my whole gives listeners a wider variety of listening options, friend’s playlists. It is because of whereas Pandora’s only option is, “let me randomly Spotify I have discovered some shuffle some music you might like and if you do like it, of my favorite artists of all time. hopefully you hear it again on this assortment of music I Spotify has everything a music am giving you.” lover could want with a free Maybe you like the radio option that Pandora offers version of the application and a
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premium version for $10 a month—a price I would say is well worth what you get for the application. The only thing Pandora has that Spotify does not have would be Taylor Swift—but you may interpret that as a good or bad thing depending on your taste.
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WINTER SPORTS BY THE C O M P I L E D B Y M A C E O T H O M A S - M U R P H Y S T A F F
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• 943 points scored total
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5-1 3-14 Athletic program deters substance abuse • 2/3 of seniors swimming at State
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[are] not many things that [they] can do that would cause them to be unable to he Athletic Code contains a variety of participate in the remainder of the season, rules and regulations, one important except for drugs and alcohol abuse. So section of which is the policy that is communicated very clearly by all regarding drug use and the coaches, because they drug paraphernalia. “ I T R U L Y B E L I E V E want all the athletes to be According to the IN M Y HE A RT... able to participate." Athletic Handbook, a THAT PEOPLE DO Junior Reno Messineo student in violation THEIR BEST TO has participated in of this policy for the EXERCISE THEIR football, swimming and first time will face BEST JUDGMENT track. Messineo is currently suspension for a period [THAT] THEY in swimming. of time that cannot be CAN IN MOST "I think it is good that less than the remainder C I R C U M S T A N C E S . ” we have a policy about of the season or up to 60 drugs [and] that none of days, if the violation is the teams do them. [They ERIC FREDERICKS during a sports season. are] bad for you and could PRINCIPA L If the student is out of affect you in the long run. season or is in violation We have a meeting at the for a second or third time then he/she is beginning of the year talking about if we subject to different penalties, which can get caught with them we will be kicked off all be found in the Athletic Handbook. of the team," Messineo said. Students are required to read and Campbell explains that the drug policy agree to the Athletic Code if they are to is meant to deter students from using participate in sports. Boys basketball drugs and alcohol. coach Scott Campbell says he goes over "It has always been illegal; it is illegal in the code with his teams during his season. society for underage kids to use drugs or "In order to participate in any athletic alcohol and tobacco. There have always program here at Puyallup you have to been strong consequences that are meant be cleared. And part of that clearance to help encourage and promote the idea process is filling out a waiver form saying of not using drugs and alcohol for the that you have read and understand kids who are wanting to play athletics," the Athletic Code,” Campbell said. “If Campbell said. "It is meant to be used as you have students participating, there
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a deterrent, not as a hammer, in the hope teammates and follow the code that that students would not choose to do everyone is committed to," Campbell those things if they wanted to be able to said. "If you do not want to do that, do not try and fake everybody out and deceive participate in athletics." Principal Eric Fredericks describes the people. Do not commit to being an athlete process of investigating allegations of and being on a team. It is still illegal but now at least if that is what you want to drug use. "Typically what happens is information do you are not dragging the rest of your is brought to our attention that perhaps team and your coaches through the poor somebody attended a party. It is not bad decisions that you are making." Fredericks explains why he thinks that to attend a party but of course if there are alcohol and drugs or things of that violations of the drug policy are relatively nature that are illicit then it becomes a rare at PHS. "People can argue the degree to which problem," Fredericks said. "Usually it is brought to our attention, we investigate it drugs and alcohol exist or do not exist here and in the course of our investigation we and the degree to which people participate, especially athletes or do are trying to corroborate the allegations that have “ I D O N O T T H I N K not participate in it. But I truly believe in my heart made been made against THERE IS ANY of hearts, for a variety the athlete or athletes. ROOM FOR A of reasons that people If in fact we are able PERSON WHO IS do their best to exercise to prove that they did STRIVING TO BE their best judgment participate in drugs and THEIR BEST IN [that] they can in most alcohol or attended a ATHLETICS... TO circumstances. As a result party where those things BE USING DRUGS we have few incidents were present. Then we go OR A L COHOL .” of this occurring on any to the next step which is given year," Fredericks to levy sanctions." SCOTT CAMPBELL said. "I think we are pretty Commitment to the COACH fortunate because I am school policy and the aware of other schools, sports team are important aspects of participating on a team, having colleagues that work in these other schools [and] of the numbers of violations according to Campbell. "I do not think there is any room for a they face. It think we do a decent job of person who is striving to be their best holding a high standard of educating in athletics and in life to be using drugs students here and more importantly or alcohol. What I ask of our players is, of supporting them to maintain the 'do not be a fake.' If what you want to excellence that we strive to achieve in do is be a basketball player or an athlete our athletic programs and extracurricular then commit to that. Commit to your programs here."
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Photos compiled by Carrie Keizur
TWO PERSPECTIVES: ONE GAME
For the second year in a row, the Seattle Seahawks earned a spot in the big game: the Super Bowl. Two members of the Puyallup community offer their insights into the game—one from Phoenix, one at home. B Y C A R R I E K E I Z U R G U E S T C O L U M N
There is nothing else like the Super Bowl. How do I describe the experience? Amazing, from beginning to (almost) end. The weekend was a roller coaster of emotions, I went to Arizona with my husband and kids. The weather started out terrible— it felt like home. We had a great time visiting family. Seahawk fans were everywhere. In downtown Phoenix, we could not go for more than five minutes without a fan starting the “SEA – HAWKS” chant. There were Hawk fans that lived in Arizona and fans that just came down for the fun and were not even going to the game. We far outnumbered the Patriot fans. the coolest thing was the incredible amount of Seahawk fans everywhere – in Phoenix, Scottsdale and at the game. On game day, my husband and I got to the stadium at noon, when it opened. It was packed four hours before game time. The sun was finally shining—it felt great to be a “12.” The atmosphere was incredible. The game was intense throughout. We experienced the highest of highs and at the end, the lowest of lows. But overall, it was an amazing experience. My heart is still hurting from the
loss but we are faithful “12’s.” The energy at the game was intense, exciting and stressful. As a Hawk fan, we were on our feet the entire game. When the defense is on the field, you have to yell at the top of your lungs. Just in general, the coolest thing was the incredible amount of Seahawk fans everywhere – in Phoenix, Scottsdale and at the game. The half time show was great live but hard to see. People watching on television had a much better view. We had finger lights for the halftime show, so the lighting in the stadium was cool. I would have liked Lenny Kravitz to play more. We talked about going to the Super Bowl this year immediately after the Seahawks won the Super Bowl last year. We really got serious about going after the Hawks beat the Panthers. We actually made all of our reservations two days before the Green Bay game—we had faith. My husband bought our tickets from a ticket company and he drove to Mercer Island to pick up the tickets. We know several people who got to Arizona and went to pick up their tickets and the company/seller did not have the tickets—they got their money back but were out of luck for going to the game.
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The whole Super Bowl was a nail-biting ordeal. I was so excited when the Seahawks were a few yards from repeating. A city that has been the laughing stock of sports for years, was that close to being Super Bowl Champions for the second year in a row but we celebrated a little too soon. After quarterback Russell Wilson threw the interception so close to the goal line, my heart was more deflated than the Patriot’s footballs allegedly used in the AFC Championship. You could feel the anger and disappointment of the Seahawks and their fans. The fight at the end of the game, resulting in fines for several of the players involved, did not help the feeling either. The Seahawks were just as good as they were last year, proving a lot of people wrong. The team was able to bounce back after losing important games that were on the cusp of being lost. Losing to the Cowboys at home at the beginning of this season was terrible because it was one of those games we needed to win. Although that initial defeat, it has been amazing to see such a young team possess such great leadership and have such great chemistry. All of the players work together in such good unison. These players would not be as successful individually because of how strong the bond is between teammates. I was confident in the Seattle Seahawks throughout the playoffs and knew they would easily beat the Panthers; I had the same confidence when the Seahawks played the Packers at home.
I got nervous in the Packer’s game when the Hawks started throwing interceptions but still had faith in my team. Then the fourth quarter and my boy Marshawn Lynch made me proud again by scoring a touchdown that put the team into overtime. Wilson threw an amazing pass to Jermaine Kerse and everyone started cheering because we came back from defeat. The Seahawks pulled out another victory because they never gave up. They are an excellent comeback team so this was not that much of a surprise to me. I was excited to see the Seahawks back in the Super Bowl again. They had to play Tom Brady and the rest of his New England Patriots. Both teams got off to a slow start and was really close throughout the entire game. It actually made me happy that both teams were tied 14-14 at halftime because the Seahawks are a better team in the second half. They proved me right when we scored 10 more points in the third quarter and did not let the Patriots score any. The Seahawks were playing great and had the lead in the fourth quarter thanks to their beast in the backfield Lynch. I felt my heart sink in my chest when the Patriots scored another 14 points in the fourth quarter. The Seahawks made an amazing drive down the field and I had to watch Kerse’s awesome catch over and over again to make sure I knew what just happened. Although we lost, I am already looking forward to the next season, looking to see how this young team is going to bounce back next season. I personally believe this was a great football season for Seattle.
Bowling overcomes hardships, perseveres B Y
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he trials that students face during their high school careers provide opportunities to learn lessons that can be utilized or avoided. Puyallup’s girls bowling team struggled with a change in coaching staff and dwindling numbers among other adversities in their season this year. Bowling coach Marcos Galan comments on the strength in character exhibited by his women athletes. “Even towards the end we when were down to only four players when you need five to field a team, they still bowled their hearts out. They really kept it together for
about the importance of encouraging girls especially to being such a small group,” Galan said. Not only did the girls have to persevere though small partake in the opportunities sports provide. “Besides the fact that sports are good for you physically, numbers but an alteration in coaching midseason. they are also good for you emotionally, “I had to step in last minute taking mentally and socially,” Muiznieks over for Annie Carpenter at her request,” “I HAD TO STEP said. “To be a part of a team. To work Galan said. “What really stood out was IN LAST MINUTE towards a common goal and learn the fact that they were so accepting of me TAKING OVER FOR what it takes to achieve something. coaching and having the same patience ANNIE CARPENTER Also to learn how to deal with it when for me as I had for them.” AT H E R R EQU EST.” you work towards that goal and it does Overcoming hardships is a quality not happen.” often presented to athletes in their participation of sports. MARCOS GALAN Athletic Director Lisa Muiznieks talks COACH