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Special Olympics students score See page 11

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NARCOTICS LEAVE TRACKS FOR INVESTIGATION B Y M A D DY L U C A S O P I N I O N E D I T O R

A new face will soon be appearing at PHS — one with a long snout, yellow fur and whiskers. This face belongs to Timber, a yellow lab that is part of the K-9 unit within the Puyallup Police Department. Timber is a narcotics dog that will be conducting drug searches. Sergeant Dan Pashon is with the Puyallup Police Department and supervises Timber. “Timber can detect and his currently trained on marijuana, which is illegal in school, cocaine and methamphetamine,” Pashon s a i d . “He is trained on those items which are the most common drugs.” The police department was notified by school administration in hopes of being able to receive visits from a drug dog. While PHS is not the first Puyallup School District school to be visited by a drug dog, it is the first within Puyallup city limits to be searched — others have been outside of the city limits and searches were conducted by the Pierce County Sheriff. “There was interest from the school administration about it. Right now with the Puyallup School District, part of the schools are [either] in the city of Puyallup or i n t h e Pierce County Sheriff’s jurisdiction,” Pashon said. “The sheriff’s department has been doing it for quite some time and it sounds like the school district wanted to get even keel so they provided the same type of service across all the schools.” Vice Principal Eric Fredericks is part of the administration planning the visits from Timber and hopes to see him come sometime this year. “[Timber] will be here for a meet-and-greet but kids will be ready to know that when Timber is at PHS from here-on-out, it is for the purpose of discouraging the possession of drugs here on campus,” Fredericks said. “At some point shortly thereafter we will have some drug sweeps in which we will go into classrooms. We will not search people — Timber will not seek any individual out — but we will do a sweep of

possessions and we will act accordingly based on what the dog finds.” Still, you may see Timber on campus while he is not performing drug sweeps as a reminder to students that the threat still looms. “Thereafter [the sweeps], we will do additional sweeps but also we will just have Timber on campus from time-to-time. Just the fact that Timber is here is a visual for people [to think] ‘Hey, I do not want to have this stuff on me or it should not be at school’ in hopes that we can deter the number of people that might be bringing that stuff on campus,” Fredericks said. “I am interested to see how well it works here; I know it has been successful at the other high schools.” Students should understand that after the first meet-andgreet, Timber is here for a job, not for a personal visit. “Timber is a narcotics dog, he is not a patrol dog — he is not trained in master protection or making contact with people. His job is detection of narcotics,” Pashon said. “Like with any dog, if you want to know about the dog you can talk to the handler before you touch the dog or do anything around the dog. Ask the handler if it is okay.” So if you want to pet Timber, should you ask permission to find out if you can? “Correct. That’s the best thing with any dog, even if you were at the park and saw somebody with a

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dog,” Pashon said. “You always want to ask the handler or the owner, ‘is it okay if I pet your dog?’ because they know their animals a lot better.” The problem of drugs does not lie completely in PHS: many other schools also have students that actively use drugs. “Honestly I think [drugs] are a problem at any high school. Kids are going to use drugs all the time and I think that they do not realize how much damage they are doing to their body and what the long-term effects are going to be,” junior Hunter Hamilton said. “They do not realize that, just because they want a shorttime high, the effects of it can last forever, especially depending on what drugs you use.” Pashon believes bringing Timber to PHS could be a positive thing for the school. “Narcotics have no place in any schools—schools are there for a learning environment and that is what we want to do, provide this learning environment,” Pashon said. “Getting drugs out of schools gives people the ability to do that and learn without the interference of narcotics.” Timber is coming to help reinforce the idea of schools being a safe, drug-free environment and the harmful effects drugs can have on people. Pashon believes there is one thing that everyone student should know about Timber coming to conduct these drug sweeps. “We are there for your safety and to provide you guys with a safe environment,” Pashon said. “We are just trying to help make PHS a better place.”

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E DI TOR-I N- C H I E F........................... A BBY DOV R E MANAGING EDITOR.......................GABE CARROLL OPINION EDITOR..........................MADDY LUCAS FEATURES EDITOR...................KAMERAN MILLER FOCUS EDITOR.............................EMMA MILLER A&E EDITOR.........................PATR ICK FA IR BA NKS SPORTS EDITOR.............................SERENA FINK NEWS EDITOR...................................SAMI LYNN AD MANAGER...............................JAYCEE HOUSE CIRCULATION MANAGER..................... TIA LUTHY SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR........................SAMI LYNN PHOTO EDITOR............................BAILEY PLUMB GR A PH IC S E DI TOR ................. S AVA N N A H JA R R E T T GR A PH IC S.................................... A LY S S A S AVO PHOTOGRAPHERS.........................SEAN FRIEBEL ................................................EMMA MILLER WEB MANAGER................................ABBY DOVRE REPORTERS..................................EMILY BAKER ................................................JAYCEE HOUSE ..............................................LYDIA JOHNSON .....................................................TI A LU TH Y ...................................................KYLE SMITH ADVISER.............................SANDRA COYER, MJE EDITORIAL POLICY:

The Viking Vanguard operates as a limited forum. 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.

As teenagers, we more often hear about all of the things result in skin cancer later on in life? When you are headed to the tanning salon, take a minute we should not being doing as opposed to all of the great to think about what that California glow will really cost you. opportunities we can seize as an advent of our youth. This negative reinforcement becomes just that with its Weigh the danger and make an informed decision. As teenagers we tend to brush aside the consequences unending drone of condemnation: negative. After a while, this noise begins to sound like the unintelligible mumblings of the behavior we engage in. We forget that drinking can harm internal organs, speeding often ends of the adults in Charlie Brown. in deadly car crashes and tanning is never The conversation that starts “You should “BEFORE YOU completely safe for our skin. not be doing this or that” and ends with G O OU T, T H I N K As the focus on page six and seven you brushing it off as just over-protective ABOUT THE explores in detail, drinking and doing parents. No one wants to listen to their CONSEQUENCES drugs even at a party can lead to addiction parents lecture about the dangers of high AND... MAKE A school when they have not been there for S M A R T D E C I S I O N and possibly overdose not to mention potential punishment. years or even decades. FOR YOU Before you go out, think about the After all, we are teenagers. Nothing bad PE R SONA L LY.” consequences and again make a smart could ever happen to us right? OUR VIEW decision for you personally. The teenage invincibility complex is like All it takes is one split-second decision none other. We find ourselves thinking to affect the rest of your life. “That will never happen to me” or “There So next time you are leaving the house, take the time to is no way I will be caught” frequently. We do not mean that in the “look both ways while think about the actions you will be partaking in. Are they safe? Are you really taking care of yourself? crossing the street” way, although many of us still need that We are not telling you “do not do this” like your parents. reminder: it is meant in the true sense of the word. Risky Simply be informed, think about your actions and behavior happens in high school. We get it. There will be parties, dances, empty roads that beckon to understand the possible ramification of every decision you be driven fast on and countless opportunities to engage in make. Because that is what being an adult is about. Thinking reckless activities. However, experiencing all that high school has to offer decisions through to make a good one; it is about taking care of yourself. does not mean you have to put yourself at risk. And is that not what we as teenagers are striving for? In all situations ask yourself if this place, activity or To figure out how to become responsible, functioning substance you are about to ingest is really safe. Will there be long-term consequences? Will the tan you want for prom adults?

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The Viking Vanguard accepts unsolicited copy from businesses. Only signed and dated letters with addresses and phone numbers from community members, or grade level from students will be accepted. Letters must be limited to 350 words and will be published as space is available. The staff reserves the right to edit any letter without changing it’s content. All letters are the sole opinion of the writer and do not necessarily represent the opinion of The Viking Vanguard staff. Letters to the Editor may be submitted by E-Mailing them to thevikingvanguard@gmail.com or mailing them to The Viking Vanguard c/o Puyallup High School ADVERTISING POLICY:

The Viking Vanguard publication staff accepts advertisements for most products available to the public. However, the staff reserves the right to reject, edit or cancel any advertisement at anytime. Advertisements shall be free of implications that the staff deems offensive in light of normal public standards (WIAA 18.20.0 and 18.20.1) and will not be accepted. The staff will not accept advertising for products or groups which are racist, sexist or illegal for high school students. Advertisements do not necessarily reflect the views, endorsements and/or positions of The Viking Vanguard, student body, faculty, administration or school board.

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or some, tanning is an important part of their lifestyle as well as a piece of modern culture. However, a recently proposed bill in Washington State would ban the use of tanning beds for any individual under the age of 18. Two identical bills are moving through the House (HB 2550) and Senate (SB 6249) both proposing placing an 18 or older age limit on tanning bed use. Both bills have passed an initial hearing but further action will not be taken until an agreement can be reached on one version of the bill by the Rules Committee. This law would prohibit junior Ally Crouch from tanning, who sees it as having many everyday uses. “I am naturally really pale and if you go tanning you get tan so that is always nice. [I also tan] for dances and now that I do cheer it is nice to be tan because I have to wear a skirt in the middle of winter,” Crouch said. “Also, I know a lot of people go tanning because it can clear up your skin and dermatologists recommend a little bit of it considering we live in Washington and we do not really see the sun very much.” For others, tanning may serve as preparation for warmer climates or even have health benefits. Linda Bushey, an owner of Bare Necessities Tanning Salon & Day Spa explains. “[A reason a lot of my clients tan] is that they want to build up a base tan to go somewhere that is hot for vacation,” Bushey said. “We do have people who are recommended by physicians for health reasons: it might be fibromyalgia or eczema or things like that.” But tanning is not all sunshine, all the time. Tanning can lead to serious and even fatal health issues. Health teacher Susan Krippaehne has dealt with skin cancer first-hand as a result of tanning in her youth. “Definitely [I think the widespread use of tanning is an issue], because of the risk of skin cancer and there is definitely a risk. I have had skin cancer and I thought I was the person who would never get skin cancer so I did plenty of tanning in my day but not in a tanning bed; I did the real thing,” Krippaehne said. “I have learned that tanning beds are as bad, if not worse, than the real sun because [their] rays are so much more intense. So that is my concern: people getting skin cancer at a young age.” Concerning the proposed legislature; however, Crouch questions the relevance of the ban. “I think it is kind of dumb [to ban minors from tanning] because if you have a parent that is allowing you to go tanning then why not?” Crouch said.

“Once you have skin cancer you have a little bit different Krippaehne does not find issue with the law, citing outlook on [tanning]. It is like, ‘Oh, if I can get skin cancer, parenthood as the reason for her opinion. “I think [the law] is reasonable; however, I am a mom then anyone can get skin cancer,’” Krippaehne said. “You so I would think that. I would hope it might cut down on have one body, so keep it healthy and good and cancerthe number of young girls who are tanning because they free.” are ruining their beautiful skin; it is going to get old looking and wrinkled,” Krippaehne said. “I think if they have to wait legally until they are older they might think about it more and make a better choice.” Senior Madison Near suggests an alternative solution. Owned and operated by Plateau natives. “I like the [idea of M.A. Driving School has been giving back to the community since 2005! requiring an age of] 16 with parent permission We offer classroom education, Behind-the-Wheel training because since I have been and WA state driver license written & drive testing. tanning since I was 16 the We believe good driver’s education can be summed up rather simply: damage has already been done,” Near said. “Once Drive Steady · Be Patient · Have Mercy I turn 18, I am going to continue tanning.” at 815 Valley Ave E, According to Bushey, Driver Ed Sessions Available: Register/Pay Sumner, during business hours: most of her customers M/W: 10 am - 5:30 pm are well above the age of MAR 6-APR 24 (T/TH) 18 but they still enforce T/TH: 10 am - 3:30 pm (3:40-6 pm) $480 prepay/$500 their own restrictions. F: 9:30 am - 12:30 pm “My clientele is more in Note: We will be closed FEB 17. their mid 20s to 70s, I have APR 9-JUN 2 (M/W) a more mature group,” (6-8:20 pm) $480 prepay/$500 Bushey said. “We do require parent signature for 17 and younger.” MAY 1-JUN 19 (T/TH) The bill has not passed (3:40-6 pm) $480 prepay/$500 yet but if it does pass, Crouch says she has other options. M.A. is a great place to take the “If I could not bed tan Knowledge & Drive Test! then I would probably do spray tans but… the world would not end, we would just be really pale,” Crouch said. Regardless of age, tanning can pose serious risks.

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The enormity of the tournament took some of the students by surprise. Over mid-winter break when most students were “The scale of it, the amount of people that were either lazing around the house or vacationing, nine of there– it is just such a bigger tournament than any the debate team students were participating in a national tournament that we have been to here at local tournament at Harvard University. high schools,” sophomore Nick Samuelson said. The team left Feb. 12 and returned home Feb. 18. Harvard also set up and conducted rounds The tournament itself did not begin until Saturday but differently than how the West Coast does. Bacon during the days leading up to it they explored the area went to the Las Vegas tournament this year and surrounding Harvard. last year and noted the differences between East “Basically as soon as we got there we started touring to Coast and West Coast. try and adjust to East Coast time,” sophomore Kelty Pierce “I would say the main difference is that in said. “We took a tour of Harvard, we took a tour of Boston Vegas there was a little bit more West Coast style and went on a trolley tour which is similar to the Duck of debate versus East Coast style,” Bacon said. in Seattle. We went on the Freedom “West Coast style is a little more Trail and went by Fenway Park and laidback and casual whereas on the “H A RVA RD WAS the garden. We went into a couple East Coast it is a little more formal, DIFFERENT museums.” like you look at each other while you COMPA RED One of the sights the team saw was debate whereas on the West Coast TO LOCAL the Mary Eddy Baker Library, which you do not look at each other, you HIGH SCHOOL has the Mapparium. look at the judge. It is kind of weird. TOURNAMENTS” “We went to the Mapparium which I think the way they do it on the East is the Mary Baker Eddy museum for Coast makes more sense.” the Christian Science Monitor,” junior THOMAS BACON For each of the tournaments Thomas Bacon said. “Inside there was JUNIOR attended, debaters have to put in a globe that you walk inside and it is many hours of work to thoroughly all stained glass, something like 200 research their topics and properly build their panels of stained glass. It was very cool. When you spoke cases. under the center it was like surround sound, like you could “For Harvard, we had to do one lab every week whisper and everyone could hear. That was probably the which is an hour and a half after school Mondays coolest part of the trip.” and two practice rounds which would be 45 Debate also went to Las Vegas several weeks ago for minutes to an hour. We were here three or four another tournament. They have about 15 tournaments days after school preparing for it,” Samuelson in a school year and the local ones differ subtly from the said. “For normal tournaments we would be away tournaments. here minimum one day a week, most of the Above: Sophomores Nick Samuelson and Kelty Pierce, junior Thomas Bacon, “Harvard was different compared to local high school time two, to prepare. There is also time put in sophomore Jonathan VanHalder, juniors Khiarah Eddington and Jared Nilson, tournaments in the fact that a lot of the kids spoke a lot outside of that to write the cases and find good seniors Mady Lyon and McKenna Mains and sophomore Soo Beom Kim stand in front of the Bunker Hill Monument in Boston, Mass. faster, they spoke a lot louder, more confident and they evidence to build up the cases.” really seemed to know their stuff. They were also very habits and what makes a good performer. I really like that Although debate has a heavy workload, polite,” Bacon said. it definitely pays off both socially and academically, it is a chance to learn what I would not have normally The East Coast competitors differed in more ways according to Pierce. learned and then also look at things from a different besides demeanor. People were more proficient and “Debate has the reputation of being nerdy... but I really perspective and dig a little bit deeper.” practiced in their debates than at local tournaments. Debate gives the opportunity to become a better public like the friendships that I have made and the people I have “Especially if you are going to Harvard, you are not met that I would not have otherwise,” Pierce said. “I like speaker to everybody. going to send just anyone. So these are the best of the that this is an opportunity for me to do public speaking “It is definitely something where if you are interested best nationwide. People were a lot more professional and more regularly. On the English side in class we focus on in public speaking or if you think that you would be polished,” Pierce said. “Being at the national circuit was different things: we analyze speeches and good speaking successful then give it a try. You do not have to be involved different from the local circuit.” in the class, you can just come in after school,” Pierce said.

OPINION

VANGUARD CHOICES AFFECT LIFE T H E

CORRECTIONS: * THE PULL QUOTES FROM THE STORY “THE SECRET LIFE OF MR. LORING” ON PAGE FI V E SHOULD BE ATTRIBUTED TO STAFF MEMBER JOSEPH LORING.

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Staffer embraces hugging you get a hug too. Having a bad day? It says, “Congratulations.” Bring it in. “I am sorry” or “I forgive you.” Hugs are the universal sign for, “I “Until we meet again” or “It is good am here for you, I appreciate what you to see you.” It can simply mean my personal are doing and I value your friendship.” They are short, sweet and to the point. favorite: “I appreciate you.” When you cannot think No, I am not talking of the right words to say, a about a greeting card. hug can say it for you. But Nothing says it better sometimes people would than a hug. just rather be left alone. You either love them Being a hugger, it can be or you do not. While difficult to tell whether a some may desire to greet person is ready for a hug. everyone they meet with a You must learn the social warm embrace, a breed of cues and hugging habits people rightly nick-named of the other person. Here “huggers,” there are people who would prefer not to K A M E R A N M I L L E R are some helpful tips on have their personal space F E A T U R E S E D I T O R how to hug one of those individuals. invaded every time they For starters, read the body language. say hello. I, for one, am a hugger. You If they are standing with their arms received an A on your chemistry quiz? folded in front of them and closed off, Congratulations, you get a hug. You the chances are they do not want to be received the opposite of an A? Alright, hugged.

Do not try. This may only lead to embarrassment on both ends and a pity hug. Nothing is worse than a pity hug. Instead try laying a hand on their shoulder or giving them a pat on the back. This says that you understand and you are there for them if they need it. Let them initiate. Once the nonhugger goes in for the hug, it is on to step two. This is when you have to judge how long the hug will last. Once again, let them decide. If you are like me, you are comfortable giving hugs well over 30 seconds. However most people might not be okay with that and they will probably just deem you as weird for holding on so long.

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Clear concise thoughts turn into mush

But who cares, right?

A temporary jitter – a smile wide – a kaleidoscope of colors, feelings Overall happiness, or so I have been told

Take a step back and look at your life

Arms frail, cheeks hollow – Just one. More. Puff. “You can do anything you want” = the mindset of all public

This issue, The Viking Vanguard is focusing on the party culture of high school students. Open to pages six and seven to read more about the effects of drugs and alcohol and the consequences of partying.

Slip away into your little big world

Follow in the footsteps of the people you think are cool Oh, now don’t ask me why they’re dead. Took their last puff, last breathe came after Overdose on something you pay for Throw hard work away and come to a halt

Are you living the life yet?

Do you feel alive when you inject that rhythm into your veins? Straight to your brain Thought process severed, shut it down See nothing – hear nothing, say everything Breathe out – but not back in

Take the life out of yourself

C’mon dude – Chill out. Come relax. No. There is no relief that lasts forever. Is this a solution to…

Fear, Love, Loss — Hatred?

Turn around and walk into your black hole, dug by yourself. Thoughts are clouded by the dust of the people who made the same mistakes as you The only difference is that they are gone, altered by decision, pressure

A slam poem is recited at a poetry slam and scored on a numerical scale by audience members.

A second-hand influence passed down to one who was once pure

Filtered like coffee – leftover grounds for yourself. Take it and run No life is left in the grinds, already used, worn out, ready to be recycled

But you can’t recycle your body. Take a leap back

Is this who you want to be?

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“i f i t i S f a m i l y i Hug tHem. witH my friendS it dependS on How comfortable i am witH tHem.”

“if i know tHe perSon a lot i like Hugging tHem.”

“o n ly i f i a m comfortable witH tHe perSon- i would not run up to a random perSon and Hug tHem.”

“i will Hug anybody if tHey are willing to be Hugged.”

“i love HugS but i u S ua l ly l e t t H e otHer perSon i n i t i at e t H e H u g .”

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Downtown doughnut shop, Happy Donuts, continues to please its longtimecustomers even after a change in ownership.

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“I would say [the change Day in and day out, a sign stands in the suburbs of in ownership] was really Puyallup. smooth. It was pretty seamless It stands as a landmark, it stands for tradition, it really: same friendliness, same d o u g h n u t s , ” stands as a beacon of classic circular pastries and their Darren Witham said. encompassing community; this sign reads Happy Donuts. What has never changed for Happy Donuts is the heart Jack Yem, the current owner of the local Puyallup of the business: the doughnuts themselves. doughnut shop, has long continued to uphold Happy “We have someone who makes the doughnuts for us, Donuts as the dealer of doughy delights he has baked our doughnuts for it is today. about 20 years,” Yem said. “[ M Y FAVOR I T E “[We have owned Happy Donuts] for One of Yem’s favorite aspects of P A R T A B O U T about five and a half years,” Yem said. “I being located in Puyallup is the HAPPY DONUTS] came here to look up this business… I flexible hours. ARE THE HAPPY decided I was going to buy this business. “One thing I like [about owning a DOUGHNUTS... It all worked out very well.” business in Puyallup] is that we get T H E Y A R E B E T T E R Surprisingly, this is not the only Happy to close the shop at three o’clock in THAN ANY OTHER Donuts Yem has owned. the afternoon; in California it is a 24D O U G H N U T S I H A V E “We owned a doughnut shop before hour process,” Yem said. HAD” also called Happy Donuts… They were With doughnuts baked daily, often not related; that doughnut shop was times there are still many leftover DARREN WITHAM in California,” Yem said. “I grew up in goodies when the afternoon closing COMMUNITY California.” time arrives. Before Yem ran Happy Donuts, it was To solve this problem, every day under a different ownership but according to long-time the leftover doughnuts are donated to the All Saints Happy Donuts customers Heather, Darren and Abby Catholic School Extended Care program. Witham, this transition had little impact on the quality of Apart from their doughy donations, Happy Donuts has the establishment. a reputation for its kindness and personable service. “I have been going since my high school boyfriend “I like the people who work here; they are nice,” worked here, so 20 years,” Heather Witham said. “I liked sophomore Abby Witham said. the previous owners a lot too; they were really nice.” This atmosphere has cultivated family traditions for Darren Witham remembers the switch as being hardly many of the shop’s customers. noticeable. “This is what we do every Sunday, since before we got

married,” Darren Witham said. “[My favorite part about Happy Donuts] are the happy doughnuts. They are really good doughnuts, they are better than any other doughnuts I have had.” Darren Witham is not the only one who echoes these sentiments. “It is our Sunday tradition,” Heather Witham said. “[I love] the apple fritters, especially when they are warm.” For many, Happy Donuts is a community gathering place. Somewhere doughnuts are to be had and memories are to be made. “When Abby was little we were driving around and I said, ‘let’s go get a doughnut’ and Abby said, ‘I am going to get a pink one with sprinkles and eat all the frosting off!’ And she did. She ate all of the top and left the bottom half of her doughnut,” Heather Witham said.

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In late February the Viking Vanguard conducted a survey outlining how often students party. 110 students filled out and completed the survey.

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hen one thinks of high school, many different associations come to mind. One of these is partying, an activity that students have been participating in for generations. It also can be an extremely dangerous activity — especially when alcohol and/or drugs are involved — and can come with consequences. Principal Jason Smith is one of the administrators actively involved in enforcing the policy of drug-andalcohol involvement with students and has seen how the consequences impact students. “In doing this for eight years, I have seen athletes lose their season; I have seen athletes not be able to participate anymore in athletics. I have seen students, athlete or not, ruin their lives, be arrested, grades tend to drop,” Smith said. “I have seen college scholarships denied, I have seen college entrances denied. It is very, very risky behavior and I can tell you this — one of the things we do is, when it comes closer to graduation, when seniors are caught at senior parties and that type of thing, they put at risk their ability to walk at the Fairgrounds.” While the school is able to implement punishment on a student for partying, the party must be affiliated with the school or school property or you must be a student athlete for the partying to come with consequences. “If you are a student athlete and you sign the Athletic Code of Conduct, it is very clear that there are not any chances or warnings. We go by what the athletic handbook says,” Smith said. “If you are a non-student athlete, then it can really become a police issue versus school discipline because we do not control the community. But if issues at parties spill over into school and cause an educational disruption at school then students face disciplinary

you are going to submit to drug and alcohol counseling and actions.” At the beginning of their sports season, athletes must the recommendation with that. So we treat non-athletes sign the Athletic Code of Conduct where the rules are listed and athletes differently.” Boys basketball coach Scott Campbell supports the for participating on a sports team. These rules include athletic code. repercussions of drug and alcohol usage. “I think [relying on others] is one of the heavy Warnings of consequences from usage of drugs and alcohol for athletes are also given by the administration, consequences with it but I am totally in support of our athletic code. I like it; I think it forces kids to decide if including Vice Principal Eric Fredericks. “[Athletes]are warned in the context of the Athletic they want to play sports or if they want to be a part of clearing packets that are given because all of the district [drugs and alcohol],” Campbell said.” And I do not think those things really happen by accident, I policy related to successful participation in athletics in the Puyallup School District “ [ O U R A T H L E T I C think they could be bad choices but I do not think they are by accident. To me an is outlined for them related to successful CODE] FORCES accident is tripping and falling down your academic standing, [this means] not KIDS TO DECIDE stairs. Choosing to do drugs or alcohol at participating in drug and alcohol or other IF THEY WANT school or off campus is not an accident, it types of illicit or inappropriate activity,” TO PLAY SPORTS is a choice. I think it is good that people are Fredericks said. “All of that is outlined for OR.. BE A PA RT held accountable for their choices.” them so the warning comes in that context OF [DRUGS AND Overall, any rules regarding drug and but also Mr. Smith and I tend to walk A L COHOL].” alcohol use are there to keep students, around and visit with teams prior to their athletes and their environment safe from seasons and also get that out for them as the effects of drugs and alcohol. well so they have got that at least twice, SCOTT CAMPBELL “There is a belief among a lot of people, once in the athletic clearance packet and STAFF especially young people, that whatever once again in the terms of Mr. Smith and I consequences come from participating talking to them.” From the athletic standpoint, there are two different with drug or alcohol use, that, those severe consequences types of offenses related to drug and alcohol usage, can or will never happen to [them] and it is not until it is too categorized into out-of-season violations and in-season late that they come to the realization that something bad can happen,” Fredericks said. “Drugs and alcohol impair violations. “If it is an out-of-season violation we have a 15-day our abilities to think rationally as a result of not being able penalty upon the return of the season. If it is an in- to think about a variety of things: we often find ourselves in season violation you are done. There is a chance to come compromising situations because our judgment is poor as back earlier but if you come back earlier it is with certain a result of lowered inhibition.” constraints,” Fredericks said. “Those constraints are that you are going to miss at least a game and in addition to that

“There is definitely a party culture at PHS. It is not just a thing at PHS. It is just our age group.” -Kenvaze Sidhu Senior

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59 percent of students surveyed said they party

“Not all kids are into partying but for the most part kids are kids. Kids are curious and watch too much television.”

“There are going to be teen parties. It is not really something people can change.” -McKenna Storts Sophomore

“In some groups there is [a party culture] but I do not think it is as prevalent at PHS.” -Addison Picha Junior

“There is less partying in the sophomore class. As kids get their license, their party habits change” -Michelle Heeb Staff

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“[The party culture] is a select group of people. I do not know anyone who parties regularly.” -Neil Perrin Junior

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The immediate effects of drugs may be temporary but their consequences are not. Drug use can have a wide-range of harmful effects from brain damage to psychosis, some of these drugs such as heroin have seen a recent increase. Heroin had a 0.7 increase of use between 2010 and 2012 in Washington State sophomores, according to the Healthy Youth 2012 analytical report. Quincy Jefferson, Treatment Director at the LakesideMilam Recovery Center, talked about what drugs have seen an increase in use within the last few years. “There seems to be a significant increase in the use of opiates over the last few years. We initially saw teens using prescription medications such as Oxycontin or Percocet,” Jefferson said. “Most recently it has been the use of heroin, as prescription medications can at times be difficult to get or expensive to buy on the street. Other chemicals that are frequently used are alcohol, marijuana, over-the-counter medications and methamphetamine.” Washington State legalized Marijuana in 2012. Prevention and Intervention specialist Julianne Buffelen explained how the legalization affects teens. “Marijuana [has seen increased use] especially with the legalization of it. Our kids are really confused about the laws,” Buffelen said. “Now that there are more family members and adults using it, it gives the message that it is okay without addressing addiction and what it does to the teenage brain. It does a lot of the same stuff that tobacco does, it puts tar in the lungs, it has more cancer causing chemicals than tobacco.” The effect of the drug used varies depending on the drug itself and the chemistry of the user.

“For instance, some become very calm when smoking do more damage. That brain is not going to be able to fully marijuana while others may become anxious and paranoid. develop the way it is supposed to. Which can have some With that in mind, there are still some common affects for long term affects.” Alcohol will also have an impact on the chemistry of the most individuals. Individuals who use heroin often report experiencing an emotional numbness, or apathy towards brain by slowing it down along with other bodily functions things that may typically evoke emotion,” Jefferson said. such as breathing and heart rate. “[Teens] do not realize that most of us at two drinks are “If an individual meets the criteria for a substance use disorder (addiction), things that were previously important at the legal limit. Two drinks are two regular beers, two to them seem to take a back seat. Their focus becomes the five ounce glasses and a shot of liqueur. A shot of liqueur has the same amount of alcohol as one beer. If you take drug and feeding the addiction,” a 100-pound girl at one drink, she is going The chemical affect drugs have on the to be at the legal limit that is considered brain can lead to damage to the brain. intoxicated. What teenagers do not realize These effects can often be long term “[ALCOHOL] IS especially when applied to teenagers. V E R Y D A N G E R O U S is that they think intoxicated is when they are actually hitting alcohol poisoning: “On any brain, adult or teenage, any AND DEADLY; When their stumbling, words are slurred, chemical is going to change our brain PEOPLE DIE are passing out, blacking out and motor chemistry. That can lead to parts of the ALL THE TIME skills are impaired,” Buffelen said. brain not working, permanent damage and FROM ALCOHOL According to Buffelen, teens do not mental health issue such as depression, POISON I NG.” realize when the alcohol in their system anxiety, suicide and mental illnesses. reaches the point of being poisonous. Marijuana has actually been linked to JULIANNE BUFFELEN “Alcohol is really scary because it slows schizophrenia, which is probably one COMMUNITY down our brain to the point that we are of the most debilitating mental illness,” slurring our words. That is actually a sign that somebody Buffelen said. Buffelen went on to describe the effects of schizophrenia, is reaching alcohol poisoning because that is how much it is slowing down [our neurotransmitters responsible for which include hearing voices. “[Schizophrenia is] when people hear voices in their head. movement]. It is very dangerous and deadly; people die all If you and I were talking and there were five people behind the time from alcohol poisoning,” Buffelen said. “I hear of me saying different things at the same time and a couple kids who will be at a party where someone passes out and were paranoid. That is what it is like to be schizophrenic they write on them with [a permanent marker]. When the and that is going on in their head all the time. The adult person does not wake up that person needs an ambulance. brain does not begin to develop until around age 14. When That person needs to go to the hospital because they are you start putting drugs (including alcohol) into a teenage unresponsive...that can be deadly.” brain (an adult brain under construction) you are going to For the complete story go to vikingvanguard.com

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ROBOCOP REMAKE RAVAGES RETRO LEGACY “Dead or alive, you’re coming with me,” a synthetic voice says, commanding the criminal to surrender.

Boddicker and Anne Lewis. There is no good reason for this. Antoine Vallon, Murphy’s killer in the remake, Or a more human voice determined fills so many of the roles that Clarence to take down the main antagonist, the Boddicker did that Vallon might as well be major difference between the 1987 Boddicker. Vallon is less interesting and “Robocop” film and its 2014 remake is has a slight profession change. This detail the dose of humanity added to the main serves to isolate people like me from character. caring about the film. Both movies follow Alex Murphy as he There is no fan service in the film. is transformed into Robocop, “half man, Changing the gender of a major character half machine, all cop.” Unfortunately is another great way to take elements this is where the films diverge into two of the original film out of the remake. In different entities. Starting with the look the original, Anne was a strong female of Robocop. In the original, Robocop was character which was and still is a very a big and lumbering robotic entity with uncommon thing in movies. The director a synthesized voice that struck fear into could have done so much more with the hearts of criminals, especially those this character by changing the gender of who previously in the story had killed previously female character. It would have him. Robocop version created something a little two is a thinner, “A S A FA N OF more compelling to watch. sleeker Robocop with THE ORIGINAL The director even a coating of black ‘ R O B O C O P ’ I F E E L changed the setting of paint, a red visor and COMPLETELY the film. Instead of using an exposed human ISOLATED the crime-ridden Detroit hand. B E C A U S E O F T H I S known by the citizens of This is an egregious NE W, FOR EIGN the original “Robocop,” the mistake, as a fan of the DESIGN.” directors used what looked original “Robocop” like any other city. Shedding I feel completely the crime focus of the isolated because KYLE SMITH original. At that of this new foreign REPORTER point they design. It’s almost like might as the directors wanted to make the film to well have taken the contain as little of the original Robocop “cop” out of Robocop. as possible in the design. Even though I He does very little on do not like it, I can see why they choose screen policing in the this new design. remake. Instead the The producers were trying to film aims its sights modernize the character, they added on OCPs actions things like a color scheme reminiscent outside of the of the popular “Dark Knight” trilogy. United States To create a more 3-D character, they and the added in human aspects such as keeping laboratories Murphy’s family in the film. w h e r e Originally, Alex Murphy, on his first day R o b o c o p in the Detroit police department, was refuels. shot and killed while attempting to arrest I would not Clarence Boddicker. Omni Consumer mind this Products (OCP) then decides to turn shift in focus Murphy into Robocop, their first venture if the Detroit into law enforcement products. OCP at least looked was a company with a behind the scenes like it was filled agenda to rebuild Detroit solely for profit. with enough In order to rebuild Detroit, OCP had crime to warrant to wash away the crime from the city. a new form of law The remake drops this classic plot line enforcement, there is for a completely different story that not even graffiti on the changes two main characters, the man buildings. who murdered Alex Murphy, Clarence The original

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“Robocop” was a movie full of humor and parts of action losing the vibes of the jabs towards consumerism. Displayed original film. The remake has lost what made the mostly through fake commercials in the original film had a theme of corporations original film great. That is why I have losing their humanity and becoming troubles seeing the reboot as a proper remake, all they kept was the name of the robotic, corrupt villains. OCP had just as much ties to crime as main character while adding a few things it did to Robocop’s creation. The new that actually detracted from the character. film opted instead for a theme of what it They added a sense of humanity by having his family in means to be human and “INSTEAD OF the movie and by what separates man from USING THE doing so they took a machine. Both themes CRIME-RIDDEN piece of Robocop’s are evident in the original D E T R O I T . . . T H E significance with it. but fell behind the other D I R E C T O R S U S E D They modernized him themes of the movie. I WHAT LOOKED with a new appearance do not think the theme LIKE ANY OTHER that looked more like change leaves as much as CI T Y.” Batman than Robocop. an impact as the original it Every decision they has been covered before in KYLE SMITH made felt like a way to movies like Terminator 2 or REPORTER distance remake from the Matrix. original in a bad way Another disappointing thing about the film is the lack of humor. that turns the movie into a generic action The original “Robocop” film displayed its movie to be forgotten and not worthy of core themes through parody and tongue- the title “Robocop.” “Excuse me, I have to go. Somewhere and-cheek humor. They got you to laugh at very real things before transitioning to there is a crime happening.” the action parts of the film. In the remake, they just moved between parts of quiet t o

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hile Spanish teacher Marla Boyd may teach in one of the farthest locations on campus, she embraces her portable, which fills with natural light on sunny days, as her little corner of PHS. Boyd, who has called Washington home since high school, started teaching wwfirst and second year Spanish at PHS this year and is already having a positive effect on the Viking culture. “She is really kind and helpful,” junior Jacob Studebaker said. This year marked Boyd’s fifteenth year as a teacher. Prior to teaching at PHS, she taught at Kentlake High School for 12 years and Redmond High School for two years. “For many years I commuted to Kentlake High School from Puyallup,” Boyd said. “I wanted to have more time to do things that I liked to do as opposed to spending two hours in the car everyday. My ultimate life would be to live somewhere that I could walk to work everyday.” While Washington weather may not be ideal for such a dream, Boyd has found ways to compromise. “In the fall, if it was not raining, I would walk or ride by bike to PHS because I live about two miles from PHS and I am going to do it again in the spring once it is warmer,” Boyd said. “I just roll my bike up the portable ramp and park it behind my teaching desk.” Boyd’s teaching style has also gathered the support of her students. “She uses a lot of new ideas to teach so it is not just boring book work,” sophomore Levi Woolley said. Boyd works to create an encouraging learning environment by leading games with white boards and group circles. “I try to make Spanish as fun as possible by doing a variety of activities,” Boyd said. “I do not just want to be standing up in front of the class lecturing.” Students agree that her teaching style succeeds. “Mrs. Boyd has taught us a lot,” sophomore Trevor Lee said. Her success in the classroom can be attributed to her passion for teaching. “I like being able to interact with students and help them learn,” Boyd said. “I feel like teaching is a job that I can come to everyday and be myself. I do not have to have a separate office personality.” Boyd has always been interested in teaching. “I was the little kid in elementary school that was always trying to teach and help my classmates that could not read and write well,” Boyd said. “I remember in fifth grade we

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had a student who was an immigrant from Laos that came to our class and our teacher sat him next to me because she felt like I would help him learn words.” She also knew that she wanted to teach high school students. “When I was younger I was not planning on teaching high school, but once I went through high school, I knew that is the age group I wanted to teach,” Boyd said. If looking into teaching, she recommends getting as much experience while you are in college so you know what you really want to do. “As soon as you can, start finding volunteer opportunities to work with the age group that you are planning on teaching because when you go into your teaching programs you do not really have contact with students until your last year,” Boyd said. “Some students go all through college thinking that is what they want to do and then once they get in a classroom they change their mind.” It was not always clear to Boyd that she should teach Spanish until later in her education. “I went to Green River Community College after high school and I am not sure I really knew at that point what I really wanted to do. I changed majors several times,” Boyd said. “After, I went to Central Washington University thinking I was going to become an English teacher. I think also at one point I was considering majoring in cultural anthropology.” In addition to her normal classes, Boyd studied Spanish throughout college and studied in Mexico. “For my entire senior year of college I lived in Queretaro, which is a colonial town in the central part of Mexico,” Boyd said. “I took Spanish classes as well as regular university classes that were taught in Spanish because I was advanced enough. I also lived in a house with Spanish speakers.” In total, Boyd has taken 10 years of Spanish since she started learning Spanish in seventh grade. “After a while of trying to decide, it just kind of came back around to Spanish and teaching,” Boyd said. “Spanish has been a part of two thirds of my life now, with both learning and teaching.” Above all, Boyd cares about her students. “I understand that everyone is taking my class for different reasons—some people may really be really interested in the language while some may just be fulfilling a requirement for university,” Boyd said. “Just because I am kind of a big Spanish nerd and really love it does not mean that my students are and that is okay. I just try to support them and help them with their goals.”

marla boyd

After over a decade of speaking Spanish, living in a different country and a dozen years of teaching, Spanish teacher Marla Boyd has made a home for herself in portable 13.

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Above: Marla Boyd works one-on-one to ensure her two students (the left being sophomore Nathen Bush-Mace) understand and comprehend what they are working on in her Spanish one class. This is her first year teaching at PHS after 15 years as a teacher.

Improv club creates positive environment because all of our events will be random and they will want this club to keep on going, so we need more all happen in hopes to brighten someone’s day,” club sophomores.” All around the halls are posters boasting of a club: president senior Hayley Mascaro said. “The improv bit Another issue the outside of [you]: Improv club “outside of [you]: Improv.” just means our ‘outside of you’ events has been dealing with But what is it? “I dECIdEd To will take people by surprise.” is getting their ideas The outside of [you]: Improv club “T H E y H AV E TRy My BEST To Mascaro was the one who originally approved. is a club that plans and executes WRITTEn THAnK M A K E T H E S C H o o L came up with the idea of the club. “It is hard because spontaneous events to make other yoU CARdS To A PoSITIVE “I started the club because I noticed the school wants people’s days better. RAndoM PEoPLE EnVIRoMEnT a lot of negativity around me at school everything authorized “They have written thank you cards oR To TEACHERS and it was really getting to me so I and what we want to do to random people or to teachers or oR FRIEndS decided to try my best to make school a is spontaneous,” Moore friends,” club adviser Colleen Pancake positive environment,” Mascaro said. “I said. “Being spontaneous said. “They have come up with a lot HAyLEy MASCARo know a lot of people, including myself, we have to make sure it C o L L E E n P A n C A K E of ideas that have not quite gotten SEnIoR have negative lives at home so school is is authorized at the same STAFF approved yet.” somewhere they need to feel safe and I time because they are Being very young at only a few months super strict about all the rules that we would like to make it that way.” old, the outside of [you]: Improv club has been working The outside of [you]: Improv club meets every have because some people would take offense to some on expanding their numbers. Wednesday after sixth period in room 209 and is open to “Lately we have been trying to get the word out about things.” The spontaneity of the club is a big part of its structure. everybody. it,” club secretary senior Lenzy Moore said. “We have only “I decided to call the club outside of [you]: Improv six or seven members and most of them are seniors. We b y

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Special Olympics has been a fundamental piece of the high school for many years. It works to involve the students at PHS with an intellectual disability. This year the PHS team won gold medals at at the Special Olympics Winter Games in Wenatchee. B y

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Student musicians unite under umbrella of jazz

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“[In a typical jam session] snacks are involved; there is sometimes tea. Eventually, after each of us play random et’s start a band. things individually, we end up playing stuff together,” With those four words and the point of a finger, Dravis said. Overcast began. While playing together, Overcast is driven by Overcast is a band composed of five students: senior inspirations of success. Myles Ricker plays drums, guitar, bass and vocals; senior “Usually the reason we get up to jam is because we Keigan Dravis plays piano and vocals; senior Jacob have a goal. We either want to write a song because Watkins plays saxophone; junior Sami Lynn provides someone had an idea or we have a gig,” Ricker said. “I vocals and junior Jake Johnston plays guitar and bass. think [getting gigs] is our ultimate goal.” On a fateful fall day in jazz band, the five musicians’ Beyond the allure of fame, Overcast’s love for music paths crossed. is steeped deeply in each individuals’ “[Myles Ricker] goes, ‘let’s start a passions. “[MUSIC] MAKES band’ and points at me across the room “I am happier [when I am playing YOU FEEL, THINK and that was literally the moment that music] than when I am doing anything AND CRINGE ALL it happened,” Dravis said. “We kind of else. You cannot really explain it; it is just AT THE SAME just got started. We decided we wanted a feeling. There is nothing better than TIME. WHICH IS to play one time and then we did.” W H A T I S S O G R E A T making music. It is hard to put in words, The friends’ taste in music acted as a which is why you play music,” Johnston ABOUT ART AND uniting interest that tied them together. W H A T I T I S T H A T said. “I think the general overtone of the Music does not stop at being a hobby, W E DO.” style of music we wanted to make was music can take on greater roles in a MYLES RICKER jazz, because that was what we all had musician’s life as well. SENIOR in common,” Ricker said. “In terms of lifetime goals, I am going For Overcast, jazz is more than a to go to college for music, I am going genre; it is a lifestyle. to graduate from a university in a performing arts “We all like jazz, play jazz, listen to jazz, dance to jazz,” degree; that is what I am going to do, whether or not Dravis said. it is teaching or being in a band I am going to do that Dravis describes Overcast’s sound as a combination for a living. I mean that pretty much defines my life, at of both jazz and independent genres but, regardless of least most of it,” Ricker said. “It is something that I am common tastes, each musician brings a unique flavor to good at, something that I have worked hard for. Why did the table. I work hard for it? Because it is fun… That is probably “When people get in a band (and I know this from what music is to me: it is the thing I want to look back on experience) you just naturally bring what your interests my life and see that I did well.” are to the music that you create if you are writing music,” For Dravis, it is not the memories of music that Ricker said. motivate her but music’s unique communicative powers. Fortunately, according to Johnston, each member also “I think for me, music is not something I want to look brings their own strengths. back on; it is something that keeps me going every day. “The cool thing about our group is that everyone is Life gets tough and sometimes there is nothing really individually a great musician,” Johnston said. “Myles to look forward to other than music. For some recorded an entire song by himself, Keigan is insane people it is sports, for some people it is getting on the piano, Sam has an amazing voice, Jacob can good grades but to me music is not only a way to pull these solos out of nowhere. There is no weak link; express yourself— to show others how you are everyone is very talented.” feeling— but also a way to relate to somebody When making music, Overcast likes to bond over both else,” Dravis said. “Through music, it is not just good vibrations and good eats. notes, it is not just you are playing something; it

is an actual emotion you can feel through music.” Dravis is not the only one who sees this intrinsic quality of music as a form of expression. “Every time we create or learn something about music, we also learn something about our own abilities and the way that we work with each other,” Ricker said. This effect can even be seen in the way Overcast bonds over the music they make. “We could not have a personal conversation the entire time but if we play music we get closer together,” Johnston said. Music is not only an auditory medium, it is a performing art as well. “There are a lot of different sides to the art that we work with. It is ocular and it is emotional and it is visual when we are performing and it is temperamental; it makes you feel, think and cringe all at the same time. Which is what is so great about art and what it is that we do,” Ricker said. Starting the band is something members of Overcast remember fondly. “Being in a band is the best thing I have ever done with my life,” Ricker said. For some, being in a band is a source of inspiration and comfort. “Playing music is the best thing. If you are not in a band, play music in your house. Shut the windows, close the door, play music.” Dravis said, “If that makes you feel comfortable do it, just do something that makes you happy not based on what other people want you to be.” Happiness, expression, communication; all are reasons for one to love music but it is easy to be discouraged as a developing artist. Often times, musicians see the path to success as a daunting task. “More often than not, the obstacle that you face is because you put it there… and the reason for that is that there is just so much room for music,” Ricker said. “In music there is so much room for creativity and adaptivity.” In a band that started with only four words, Johnston has but two final words of advice. “Never quit,” Johnston said.

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Throughout the month of February, Olympians suited up in various colors with determination coursing through their bodies and warming the otherwise freezing Sochi air. It was a collection of each nation’s most talented athletes performing at their very best in hopes of winning a gold medal. At the same time, however, another group of Olympians were competing somewhere else: all over the nation. The Special Olympics are not limited to once every few years. Instead, the program happens 365 days a year, every year. This is because the Special Olympics opens itself to anyone with an intellectual disability (commonly referred to as an ID). The ‘Our Athletes’ page on the Special Olympics website explains the reason behind the constant activity. “Intellectual disabilities happen in all cultures, races and countries. The goal of Special Olympics is to reach out to the 200 million people in the world with ID. Our more than 4.2 million Special Olympics athletes – ages eight years old and up -- come from more than 170 countries,” specialolympics.org said. Some of these athletes are directly connected to PHS and so are some of the volunteers. Senior Garrett Balmer, who recently returned from the Special Olympics Winter Games in Wenatchee, is one such volunteer. “The last Special Olympics event I attended was actually this last weekend at the state tournament where we ended up being the gold medal winners. It was honestly one

or stupid. “If people want to call someone stupid, do not use the r-word. It is very offensive to a lot of people out there and it is not even close to accurate,” Balmer said. “So many of the kids with special needs are the most innocent and nicest people I have ever met, so people using the r-word of the most fun things I have done and just an overall especially offends me and it should offend everyone.” excellent experience to have,” Balmer said. After all, people with ID not only victor over their Balmer started helping with the Special Olympics disabilities, but they go on to victor in sports. One such just last year and it has been extremely affected by the example is the PHS basketball team bringing home a gold experience, so much that it has made a difference in his medal from the Washington winter games. Another is plans for the future. junior Adam Galan making the difference between a win “I plan on volunteering with the Special Olympics and a loss during a basketball game. after I graduate for sure, whether with “We were struggling to make a shot Puyallup or any other program I do “THE GOAl OF when Adam Galan hit what turned out to not know. I have just had so much fun S P E c I A l O l Y M P I c S be the game winning 3-point basket and helping this program the last two years I we won 21-20,” Balmer said. “When he hit IS TO rEAcH could not imagine not continuing in the that shot his face lit up with excitement, I OuT TO THE 200 future,” Balmer said. “This has actually am pretty sure he was the happiest kid in MIllIOn PEOPlE helped me decide that I want to go to the world at that moment.” In THE WOrlD college and become a teacher for kids Experiences like this should never be W I T H I D.” with special needs and potentially start limited to certain types of people and my own program one day.” the Special Olympics is determined to As inspiring as the Special Olympics not only spread that message but allow SPEcIAl OlYMPIcS are for volunteers, it strives to be even people with ID to become champions. SPEcIAlOlYMPIcS.OrG more so for the athletes competing. Twelve of the 16 volunteers on the “At Special Olympics our athletes are basketball team this year were seniors, so empowered to share their many gifts and talents with there is room for juniors and sophomores to sign up. society. Yet it is more than that. Our athletes also become On their ‘Our Volunteers’ page, the Special Olympics empowered to be leaders in society and teach us all about website covers what is so important about not only acceptance and understanding,” specialolympics.org said volunteering, but the events in general. on their “Our Athletes” page. “Special Olympics is about transforming lives, The message of acceptance was extremely strong including your own. It is about a spirit of giving and March 5 as Special Olympics partnered with r-word.org to teamwork,” specialolympics.org said. “It is about making ‘Spread the Word to End the Word.’ The campaign is about your community and neighborhood a more welcoming ending use of the word ‘retarded’ as a synonym for dumb and accepting place for people of all abilities.”

WINTER SPORTS RECAP BOYS BASKETBALL BOYS WRESTLING

4th in the South Puget Sound League South 7th in the South Puget Sound Leage Advanced to Districts but lost to Battleground High School

GIRLS BASKETBALL 2nd in the South Puget Sound League South 4th in the South Puget Sound League Top 16 team in the State Braylie Jeffers named All-Area Second Team as a guard

GIRLS GYMNASTICS

4th in the State Individuals at the State competition: Sophomore Kate Jacobsen placed 2nd in bars, 3rd in floor, 7th in beam Senior Madison Near placed 8th in beam

GIRLS BOWLING 2nd in the South Puget Sound League South 4th in the West Central Districts

Individuals at the State competition: Senior Matt Voss placed 1st Senior Trent Nivala placed 1st Senior Joey Meyer placed 4th

GIRLS WRESTLING Individuals at the State competition: Sophomore Jordyn Bartelson placed 1st Junior Haley Franich placed 2nd Freshman Brooklyn Bartelson placed 2nd Senior Jasmine Tuilaepa placed 4th

BOYS SWIMMING 3rd in the South Puget Sound League South Events at the West Central Districts competition: Senior Ian Walsh placed 9th in the 100m backstroke 200m medley relay placed 12th 200m freestyle relay placed 9th 400m freestyle relay placed 12th

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ery rarely do you hear of someone who grows up to pursue the wild dream they had as a young child. Children have such a unique take on society and reality; they marvel when someone tells them to reach for the stars and feel they can do anything imaginable. Today’s society tells most young adults that the dreams they had as a child cannot be reached or they are simply way that I incapable of achieving do,” Emily Olson such greatness. said. ”It is cool that [my unfortunately this lie sister and I] can talk about class, what is the reason many give to work on and what we did badly. It is good to have up those dreams. Junior feedback from a sister’s point-of-view because your friends Emily Olson beats that will not be as blunt to tell you that you did horrible.” stereotype. The studio that Emily and Bethany Olson dance at is ChristianEmily Olson started ballet lessons in based which their mother Cheryl Olson feels has greatly contributed to their kindergarten and has been dancing for 11 devotion and love of ballet. years to this day. “They build relationships with the gals they have danced with in more ways than one; as “My sister bought one of those cheap dancers and as people who are trying to use their dance in a very faith-filled way. It has added a electric pianos and she wanted someone to whole new dimension for them that has brought a lot of meaning and purpose in their dance. dance to it so I started ballet lessons to dance They go out and they perform for all kind of different events,” Cheryl Olson said. “They go to to her music. My mom thought I would do it nursing homes to try and use their gift of dancing to minister and uplift people. Their ballet for a year but then I began to really like it and teacher has been a mentor in their lives as well. It is great for them to feel like they have I made some friends along the way,” Emily someone else to go to in that kind of mentoring position. Their relationships have been Olson said strongly built and that has been fun to see.” Ballet is an art that requires much time Being a Christian-based studio, this has contributed to Emily Olson’s life in many areas and energy. Similar to the amount of time a typical and aspects. high school athlete would spend practicing, Emily Olson “I really love my teachers; they are awesome. They have really helped me with my walk and devotes approximately six hours a day to her ballet. relationship with Jesus. I can tell them anything and they will not judge me. We get to pray “Once I get home from school I have to start [stretching] before we start and have a whole different relationship rather than just friendship; you get right away. I go to ballet at 3:30 or four, come home at nine to have a relationship with Jesus as well,” Emily Olson said. and then I have to start my homework. I do not usually go Being a ballet dancer may take a large toll of time out of Emily Olson’s day but her to bed until really late at night like 2 o’ clock in the morning,” mother feels that dance has had a positive effect on other areas of Emily Olson said. her life to always push her to work her hardest. not only is ballet a very time-consuming art to be constantly “Emily is such a hard worker. She works so hard at so many involved in but also very costly. different things; at school, in band and ballet. And I honestly think “As far as pointe shoes go, I usually cycle through 3-5 different that some of that discipline, to work and persevere until you can shoes at a time to prolong the life. If you want a good pair they can do something, has come through ballet,” Cheryl Olson said. “It be up to $115. For me I can make them last about a month but my takes you a while to kind of perfect things, get used to dancing on mom tries to make me go as far as I can. It pointe and all those things; they do not just come naturally. You is really hard to not break them in. Being really have to work at them and I honestly think her really good a dancer costs a lot of money with the work ethic has some of its basis in ballet.” classes, pointe shoes, leotards and Though the two sisters both attend the same dance studio, tights; it is a really expensive art but they both have their own unique style and method of dancing [my parents] really support me and I which is very evident to their mother, Cheryl Olson. really love that,” Emily Olson said. “Emily is more of a technical dancer, her technique is just Despite the time required to be flawless. She is a really beautiful dancer because her lines such a proficient ballet dancer, this does not stop are so perfect. Bethany enjoys ballet for performing, even if Emily Olson’s drive to achieve and be the best that she it is not something absolutely perfect and she is okay with that. possibly can. They are just completely different girls but I do think it has “I just love its perfection because it is so given them a really unique bond as sisters to share unlike any other dance; it has to be perfect. that love of ballet together,” Cheryl Olson said. I feel like humans are not perfect and it Emily Olson continues to live her childhood is a way to make me try to feel perfect dream as a ballet dancer daily though she does not even though I am really far from see much of it in her future, career-wise. that when I am dancing,” Emily “It has always been a dream of mine to become a Olson said. professional ballet dancer just like any other ballet student On top of spending but since the average dancer retires from 35-40 years old, many hours practicing, I wouldn’t be able to start a family until after then,” Emily Emily Olson also performs throughout the year at various events and church Olson said. “It is also a very competitive art that is hard functions. her team of 10 girls has also performed at the Tacoma Glass Museum to succeed in. I do not think it is very good career option several times because I do want to have a family one day and I just feel “We danced at a brain trauma event in October, that was really cool and a lot of like that is a little too late.” people were moved by it. It was cool to help different patients in nursing homes. For now, Emily Olson is focusing on dance and It was a fundraiser for brain trauma research and they had us dance there,” worrying about her future in it later. She is currently Emily Olson said. working on famous ballet variations which are often not only does Emily Olson spend time dancing and practicing at the performed in the Youth America Grand Prix. studio she attends in Edgewood but she also choreographed a dance in “We are learning different variations the Christmas program her team put on last year. her mother Cheryl of the classics. Some girls are doing Olson attended the performance and reflects on her experience. The White Swan from Swan Lake, “It ended up being Christmas around the world and she chose a The Aurora Variation from The really fun Irish jig. It starts off just her and her sister dancing and as Sleeping Beauty ballet, Kitri from the dance goes on, more people come into it. [The dance] is a tribute to Don Quixote and Esmeralda from friendship and is very representative of her experience with ballet,” Cheryl La Esmeralda. It is really cool and quite Olson said. “Emily and Bethany have been some of the students that have been there a challenge to learn these famous variations. the longest and then there have been other girls that have come in; they have all just Our teacher chooses for us and we kind of have to become such good friends. I love that number because it has such a story to it.” audition for it so she chooses which dance she thinks Emily and her sister Bethany Olson have a very close relationship not only as sisters but also as will be best for us,” Emily Olson said. dancers. Though being a ballet dancer is very competitive, “I love being able to share something so special with her. I feel like a lot of my friends do not Emily continues to persevere and push past her day-tohave a lot in common with their sisters or enjoy hanging out with them, where with Emily I really day challenges. enjoy spending time together. We are able to share a love of something with each other. Dance has “Accepting that you are not perfect is so hard as you brought us really close together because it gives us something to talk about,” Bethany Olson said. see the best dancers in the world, watching them on “It is a lot of fun because we get to share something that we both like to do. It is really cool to have YouTube, you kind of get discouraged in thinking that her to look up to and inspire me. She always pushes me and tries to help me do better.” you are never going to be that good. You have to not For most, being with one’s sibling every day of the week and going to the same places trust those lies and just work for it,” Emily Olson might be stressful and irritating. For Emily Olson and her sister, it is just the opposite. “Sometimes it is frustrating because she will say I am doing this wrong or I am not doing said. that right but all-in-all it is super fun to go home and be able to talk about dance with S AV A n n A h J A r r E T T | V A n G u A r D her. I cannot really talk about dance to my mom or dad because they do not understand it the

on Pointe Junior Emily Olson, who has been dancing for 11 years, continues to pursue her childhood dream.