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Viking Vanguard Issue 1 Vol. 103 Sept. 26, 2014

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VOLUME 103 |

ISSUE ONE

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SE P T. 26, 2014 |

PUYALLUP HIGH SCHOOL

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New rules for school foods See page two

105 7 T H ST. S W PU YA L LU P WA SH, 98371

STUDENTS TO PARTICIPATE IN LAHAR DRILL

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en different schools in the Puyallup valley will be participating in a district-wide lahar drill Tuesday, Sept. 30, 9:30 a.m. Though the Puyallup School District has not avidly participated in systematic drills in the past, Puyallup Principal Eric Fredericks plans to change this starting this school year. “The awareness is great. There is great benefit to this [lahar drill]. There is more that we will need to do down the road but I think as the first attempt there is great opportunity to problem solve, go over what went well [after the drill] and we can go from there,” Fredericks said. “It never hurts to be safe. I am not a survivalist type of guy by any means but it never hurts to be prepared and to know what your options are.” Tuesday morning, students of all ages, kindergarten through twelfth grade will be walking from the valley all the way up to the cemetery on 9th street on the hill. This drill is a model created in efforts to effectively practice and somewhat prepare in the case of a natural disaster such as lahar. The Puyallup Police Department will be blocking traffic during the drill and the usual

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ACTIVITY BUS SCHEDULE Leave PHS at 5:20 p.m. Run 248 (West side runs) Run 24 (East side runs) Run 26 (North Hill runs)

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costs from the city to block traffic will be waived. Fredericks plans on the drill taking about an hour to complete from start to finish, keeping in mind that he wants to make the experience an effective training tool but kept to a timely manner. “I assume good intentions and that if we collectively are informing students about this ahead of time with the expectation of them being safe and thoughtful. This can be a great opportunity to be a role model to some elementary kids and be a buddy to them,” Fredericks said. “I think everybody is going to make the right choice, I have confidence in them. I really have no worries.” Barb Pope who is currently in charge of risk management for the Puyallup School District played a role in the decision to participate in the drill. “As a parent of two children here, not only in the school district but more specifically in this school I cannot imagine, that I am going to know when this stuff happens. We all have our responsibilities. I want my wife to know and be reassured so she knows that I am taking care of you guys and my children,” Fredericks said. This drill is going to involve more than just Fredericks and has taken much time and

See “Lahar” page 12 S E E

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Picture retakes will be available Oct. 8. Remember to bring your picture packet .

College of Idaho Sept. 23 during both lunches Centeral Washington University Oct. 8 during both lunches Grand Canyon University Oct. 9 during both lunches Saint Martin’s University Oct. 10 during both lunches William Jessup University Oct. 14 during both lunches Corbon University, Salem Oregon Oct. 15 during both lunches Evergreen State University Oct. 17 during both lunches |

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PICTURE RETAKES

COLLEGE LUNCH VISITS

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CREDIT RETRIEVAL

Credit retrieval is for interested seniors and begins Oct. 8 See your counselor before school, during lunch or after school for a referral. After that, see Annette Burnett to sign up. The cost is $75 per 0.5 semester credit. If you qualify for free/reduced lunch, let your counselor know and fees can be adjusted. Classes run Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from 2:40-4:40 p.m. O N

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FAIR BOOTHS WORK FOR COMPLIANCE

With the annual event wrapping up, many may be left to wonder what working there was like. How are the breaks? How many hours could one put in per week? B Y

“I H AV E N E V E R HAD ANYONE CHEAT AND TRY TO HIRE SOMEBODY TOO YOU NG.” BALINDA STILLITO FAIR

PA T R I C K FA I R B A N K S C H I E F

In the Puyallup area, the Washington State Fair and Washington State Spring Fair provides students with the opportunity for an annual and short-term job. There are several restrictions on minor labor such as age, break times and hours. Those under the age of 18 are legally allowed to work for 26 hours per week. But at the Fair, in some cases, rules can be a little more lenient. “I know within my responsibilities I [do not] let them hire anyone under the age of 16. I do know that not everyone follows that rule so I guess they are not terribly strict,” Balinda Sillito, who hires many youth at the Fair said. “When [Fair booths] hire people [the bosses] then see all the paperwork, the I-9’s and their W-4’s which tells their ages. I have never had anyone cheat and try to hire somebody too young. They also have to, when they hire teenagers, have school permission forms that go to the school and to the parents so we go through all the legal basis. No one has ever tried to break the [minor] rules.” When it comes to the Fair’s monitoring and enforcing, it is not always clear whether the fair strictly enforces youth age and hour restrictions. “I [do not] let [booths] hire anyone under the age of 16. I do know that not everyone follows that rule so I guess they are not terribly strict,”Sillito said Senior Terra Melanson works at the Fair annually. “[I have worked at the Fair for] two years. Last year at Juicy’s and this year for Duris’ at the Elephant Ear stand [where] we served burgers, turkey legs and other barbequed food,” Melanson said. Melanson commented on how strict her

boss is, especially relating to hours and break times. “My manager this year is not very strict about it but then when her boss comes along we have to be more in line with the rules,” Melanson said. “My manager nor mally comes to tell me [and says], ‘OK you can take your 30 [minute break] now.’ The days that I worked open to close I got two half-hour breaks. Last year they were a lot more [structured] about getting everybody their breaks. Juicy’s travels year round all around the country. They are a lot stricter about their rules.” Commenting on how many hours she actually works, Menalson says, “[I] only [work] weekdays I work about eight and on average I work about 60 hours a week. Last year I worked more like 70 hours a week. I worked open to close on the weekends just about every day last year.”

New Federal regulations impact Student Store

Changes in the types of food schools can purchase as part of the Smart Snacks in Schools regulation have made purchasing and selling products in the Student Store as well as projects in classes more difficult. Because of this new standard, foods that staff members at PHS wish to sell must be checked online or using the Smart Snacks Reference Sheet. uyallup High School has faced significant adjustments in prodJoseph Hua, another Business and Marketing teacher, experienced “THERE ARE ucts sold at the Student Store and the Espresso Bar as a new policy the restrictiveness of the new policy firsthand as he struggled to find a L I M I T A T I O N S restricting the distribution of high-caloric foods has been implelemonade that fit the caloric limits placed on beverages for a class acIN OUR OFFERS mented. tivity. RELATED TO The new law is a part of the Smart Snacks in School federal regulation “In my economics class, ideally, I would like them to run a lemonade CALORIC INTAKE that requires foods sold in schools during the school day to meet a sestand for a day during the lunches and every team in my class will each P A R I C U L A R L Y ries of requirements limiting their caloric value. Entrees must be under 350 calories, while snacks have to be under S U G A R C O N T E N T . ” sell lemonade but they will also be able to sell one extra item of their choice,” Hua said. “I could not find a lemonade that would fit the mold. 200 calories. ERIC FREDERICK Fortunately, I was able to find a drink that was not lemonade but I made PRINCIPA L Principal Eric Fredericks spoke on the newly-enforced federal law. it work and I had to find other snacks that fit the guidelines.” “There are limitations in our offerings related to caloric intake particIn previous years at his former school, Mount Spokane High School, ularly sugar content,” Fredericks said. students would sell sweets as a part of Hua’s project in addition to lemonade. Items that often could be purchased at the Espresso Bar, including muffins and cookHowever, the sugar content and high calorie count in these previously-used items preies, are no longer able to be sold due to their high caloric value. Products contained in the vending machines and at the Student Store have also been restricted due to the new vented their use in this year’s project. Despite Hua’s struggle in finding a food and beverage that worked with his project law. idea, he still understands the purpose of the ruling. Business and Marketing teacher Kim Root spoke on the decrease in daily income at “I think health-wise, it has strong potential to help. It could benefit the students bethe Student Store that has been observed because of the changes in products carried. “Our Student Store profits are way down. We have been averaging maybe between $5 cause they are eating healthier but it could also detract them from buying school lunchand $20 per lunch,” Root said. “One of the things I think is most concerning to kids is that es and bringing their own food, which could be unhealthy food. So there is potential for it but then there is also a lot of risk in it at the same you pay more for healthier foods.” Whereas a student could previously purchase two Pop-Tarts for a $1.25, an individ- time,” Hua said.

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now costs $1 due to the new health regulations. “Standards for snacks [include] 200 or less calories plus the first ingredient has to be a whole grain, a fruit, a vegetable or a protein,” Root said.


OPINION

VANGUARD FSTAFF SETS GOALS T H E

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E DI TOR-I N- CH I E F...............PAT R ICK FA I R BA N K S MANAGING EDITOR..........................KYLE SMITH PRINT EDITOR..................................SAMI LYNN VIDEO EDITOR............................MADDY LUCAS SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR.................LYDIA JOHNSON WEBSITE EDITOR....................KAMERAN MILLER PHOTO EDITOR............................BAILEY PLUMB GR A PH IC S E DI TOR ................. S AVA N N A H JA R R E T T BUSINESS MANAGER.....................JAYCEE HOUSE STA F F.................................C H R IST I N A N E L SON .........................................GABRIELLE JAMOR A ...............................................K ATI A H AW LEY ................................................KYLE THOMAS ...................................................LACEY ROSE .................................MACEO THOMAS-MURPHY .......................................MCKENNA CARDWELL .................................................OLIVIA WOOD ..........................................REBEKAH EDGBERT .............................................SUZANNE STONE ........................................TR ISTA N CH A NDL ER 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.

or over 100 years The Viking Vanguard has striven to bring you, the student body of Puyallup High School, news on a monthly basis. 2014-2015 is a new school year with a new principal, new teachers and new administration staff--a time of change.

The Viking Vanguard’s website. Also on a monthly basis The Viking Vanguard aims to release a news show full of interviews, feature packages as well as footage from throughout the month.

Daily Updates: PHS is a vibrant and diverse school with This is also true in the world of journalism. The staff of many things happening every day. The Viking Vanguard the Viking Vanguard seeks to usher in this new era at PHS seeks to update you daily on the happenings at PHS, while and of journalism by means of updating at the same time recognizing the many “2014-2015 I S aspects at PHS. you not monthly but daily with the news NEW SCHOOL you need to know, should know and A YEAR WITH A NEW want to know. Social Medias: Students are more easily PRINCIPA L, N E W accessible through the use of social medias. Weekly broadcasted announcements: T E A C H E R S A N D N E W The Viking Vanguard recognizes this and As technology advances, so too does A D M I N I S T R A T I O N seeks to update students with constant the availability of news. Through social S T A F F - - A T I M E O F sporting event updates as well as student features and stories on Facebook, Twitter medias, news websites, broadcasts, as C H A N G E . ” and Instagram. well as the print publication, news is OUR VIEW available in the palm of your hands with the use of a smartphone. The Viking Relevance: The Viking Vanguard also Vanguard seeks to bring you up-to-date seeks to remain as relevant as possible. information that is available by such means. The Vanguard Using these many media platforms as well as the monthly News Network (VNN) will be a weekly broadcast presented print addition, The Viking Vanguard has the opportunity to in your weekly advisory class. In these weekly broadcasts update its readership daily to give you the news you need school news and events will be covered. If you miss the to know, should know and want to know. weekly announcements, you can always find them on

Editorial Cartoon

LETTER POLICY:

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:

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Staffer clarifies hallway rules Trying to drive down Meridian whispers from fellow classmates for a break in the hoards of teenagers between 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. on a week about your horrible navigation habits. running by. This will keep them from day cannot really be considered Take in this hallway etiquette, absorb being late to their next class and keep you from being trampled. driving, more like stopping for 10 it and use it: Lastly and the most Hallways are not a oneminutes and then driving forward important rule: under way street. three feet before you stop again. no circumstances should Let me repeat that. The road is full of people who you ever stop abruptly in apparently do not know what they are Hallways are not a one-way the middle of the hallway. doing. You watch as cars slam their street, I cannot stress this You will create traffic breaks and you yell from inside your enough. jams. You will bring the This is the most vital car at the driver who thinks it is a good entire student body to idea to try and get into the left lane, of and important rule of the a halt. Someone will get hallways. Always stay on the course without asking first. rear ended and someone But Meridian on its worst day does right side. That includes but is not K A M E R A N M I L L E R will be angry. not even compare to the horrific mess Do not be that person. limited to main hallways, that is the high school hallway. WEBSITE If your shoe comes outdoor You see, what untied, move out of the “MERIDIAN ON hallways, people do not ITS WORST DAY staircases and back way. understand is that If you see an old friend and need DOES NOT EVEN staircases. the hallway should COMPA RE TO THE There are two to give them a hug, save the reunion be treated as if it is HORRIFIC MESS lanes. It is for a for open spaces, not eight-foot wide a road. Pretend each student is a vehicle T H A T I S T H E H I G H reason. Do not walk aisles with hundreds of kids just trying and you are trying S C H O O L H A L L W A Y . ” on the wrong side of to get to class. Keep moving, swiftly and with a the hallway. I will run not to crash. And just purpose, your focus is to get to your you over and feel no like in the real world, KAMERAN MILLER next class. Make that your mission. remorse. on a real, concrete WEBSITE Learn how to Do not stray away from your mission. road, there are rules Keep your eyes on the road at all you must follow. Although violating merge. If you are coming out of the cafeteria times, and remember: hallway etiquette may not result in a Hallways are not a one-way street. ticket, be prepared to experience some and decide to take left, cutting pretty severe shoulder bumps, glares through a lane of student traffic to get from irritated peers and possibly there, it is in your best interest to wait


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Aug. 21, 3:27 a.m. I am currently sitting in the dark, with this Word document and the glow of the computer screen on my face. Tomorrow… excuse me, today I will be a different person. A part of me will be lost: my beloved wisdom teeth. I am a ball of fury.

WISDOM TEETH

Most people are put to sleep when they get their wisdom teeth out, I thought it was a given. It turns out that it costs a substantially larger amount of money to be put to sleep. So here I am, flipping out. I am going to be 100 percent awake, while a lady is cutting teeth out of my jaw. How morbid. I might just have to run away screaming. Aug. 21, The Procedure, 9:12- 10:30a.m. Good morning, I am sitting in an average dentist’s chair overlooking a parking lot. If I were to describe my attitude right now it would be the opposite of pleasant. I am actually quite unhappy as this lady pokes needles into my gums. I do feel kind of funny, probably the prescription medication she gave me. Although I think I am writing this all right, so I must not be too crazy. I am currently waiting for my face to get numb, so far I feel like a beluga whale. Or maybe like a chipmunk who found an open bag of mixed nuts at a baseball stadium. Ok, I have to admit that the lady who is pulling teeth out of my face is nice. Ok fine, she is really nice. She is telling me that it is cold outside and that she likes muffins.

SAMI LY NN PRINT EDITOR

This could have been a lot worse. I was imagining zombie apocalypse, blood and guts. But my headphones are in, Stevie Wonder is blasting and she is even letting me type this on my phone. I give her an A+. “Wow your music is really great, I am feeling this,” The nice dentist lady said. That is her new name, “The nice dentist lady,” I named her. I think I am delusional. OUCH THAT HURT. I have four wisdom teeth, three of them in my jaw. I can definitely feel it. I am going to stop writing this portion so I can listen to Stevie without distraction.

AFTER:

Aug. 21, 2:17p.m. Please, call me fat face. I have taken the gauze out of my mouth and it looks as though I have been hit with a bat. How unfortunate. You can probably guess how my face feels right now.

VA N G U A R D

I have watched multiple cooking shows today such as “Chopped,” “Cutthroat Kitchen” and “Diners Drive-ins and Dives.” They are way more interesting than they seem. My sister is disappointed because there was no funny “wisdom teeth unicorn” video to be had.

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The only plus to getting your wisdom teeth out while you are awake? You are not on an abundance of medications that make you extremely loopy and say weird, not to mention embarrassing things.

J A R R E T T

Other than having an extremely swollen face, I am fine. Sept. 21, 3:41p.m.

S AVA N N A H

It has been a month since my traumatic (self-induced) experience. I am completely fine and can eat crunchy things. I can also yell at people like I did before I lost my wisdom teeth. If I were to give advice for those getting their teeth out, I would say something along the lines of “get over it, stop being a baby.” (Just kidding. I would probably give you a hug and say, “you will be fine, bring a blanket and music.” )

YADDA!

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Q: Do you think having a larger student body this year will help with school spirit?

“I THINK THAT IT HAS MADE THE [STUDENT SECTION] SE E M L OU DE R .”

“IT MAKES LARGER STUDENT SECTIONS AND OVERALL I NC R E A SE S MOR A L .”

“THE CLASSES ARE A LOT BIGGER THAN T H E Y USE D TO BE .”

“Y ES… BECAUSE AT THE FIRST FOOTBALL GAME IT WAS THE BIGGEST CROWD WE H AV E E V E R H A D.”

“I T H I N K W E H AV E A VERY ACTIVE STUDENT BODY. THINGS SEEM TO BE ON A POSITIVE ROLL A ROU N D H E R E .”

BAILEY HUBER SOPHOMORE

NICK FRAISER JUNIOR

JORDYN CRUZE SENIOR

MARY DIMOND SENIOR

DAN PICHA STAFF

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BUENSUCESO ACCEPTS AP CHALLENGE

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Most students take one or two AP classes but one senior challenges himself with six this school year. B Y

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dvanced Placement classes: for some students they are their best friends and for others their worst enemies. Many students will take two maybe three AP classes in a year; a few will test their abilities and take four or five. Then there are the few who will sign up for the unprecedented six AP classes. This year, senior Christian Buensuceso has stepped up to the plate and taken the six AP class challenge. Senior year is generally the time when most students take it easy. Many seniors say they want to enjoy the social aspect of high school as much as they can in their final year, especially those students who survived AP United States History the year before. Buensuceso says he wanted a challenging senior year; he wanted to challenge himself to be better to push the limits. To him taking six AP classes was, in essence, an experiment. “I believe that knowing your limits, be it physical or mental, is something that we should not fear,” Buensuceso said. “Once I am able to do this…nothing can stop me from doing what I want to do.” From early on in his life, Buensuceso has been preparing to take on this daunting class load. In kindergarten he was already showing signs of independence and initiative when he taught himself how to read and make his own lunches. Now in high school he has taken that

also gained insight into himself and life lessons from his independence and initiative to a new level. “I learn solely based off of my own methods,” teachers. “Mrs. Reed has helped me to understand that as long Buensuceso said. But with this sense of independence came a few as you tried your best there is nothing to be ashamed or inevitable failures along the way. For Buensuceso new guilty about,” Buensuceso said. After high school Buensuceso has several colleges he and complex concepts are something that he does not easily grasp and he says sometimes he has to spend hours would like to attend but mainly he wants to study at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Md. just to understand one concept. “My aspirations in life is to get into medical school Though sometimes it may take a while Buensuceso and become a pediatric cardiothoracic feels a great sense of accomplishment “ . . . A S L O N G AS surgeon,” Buensuceso said. in spending hours to understand Being originally from Virginia, something as opposed to later spending Y O U T R I E D Y O U R B E S T T H E R E I S Buensuceso is comfortable with the hours not understanding. NOTHING TO BE atmosphere and customs of the East coast This heavy class load this year ASHAMED OR and would enjoy getting back to that. is nothing out of the ordinary for GU I LT Y A BOU T.” Besides being involved in the AP program Buensuceso. Buensuceso is involved in Key Club and “I have previously taken AP European CHRISTIAN BUENSUCESO Health Occupation Students of America History, AP Spanish, AP English SENIOR (HOSA). He also volunteers at Good Language and Composition, AP United States History, AP Chemistry and AP Biology,” Buensuceso Samaritan Hospital in the Radiology department. Back in Virginia where he attended freshman and said. Despite challenging himself with these academically sophomore years he was very involved in his school and rigorous courses through hours of studying and hard community. “I played for my school’s basketball and soccer teams, word he successfully passed the classes receiving A’s and along with being involved in the Filipino American B’s. “My grades in each of those classes truly reflected my Culture Association, leadership program, the Asian Pacific level of understanding and comprehension of the course Islander Culture Society and during the summer I worked for the Ecology Youth Corporation,” Buensuceso said. material at hand,” Buensuceso said. On top of learning many new concepts in his classes he

Administration moves forward with new staff

of discipline issues but not very much. So it has been very fun, This year two new (and one the kids are friendly everyone has returning) assistant principals been super welcoming.” are working at PHS who will be Thiel's experience at PHS over relatively new faces for students the past two years have been to learn. similar to Perez's experience. Miguel Perez, Willie Stewart Jr. Tradition and friendly and Maija Thiel are the current connections to the staff have also assistant principals with Thiel the contributed to Thiel’s experience. only returning assistant principal “Every morning I wake up this year. excited to come here, it is Before working here, Perez interesting to have a job that is worked as an assistant principal so connected to what I enjoy in at Federal Way High School life and what for two years. my personal “THE STAFF Stewart has held mission in life I S A M A Z I N G , the position is, that I am IT FEELS LIKE of assistant excited every E V E R Y O N E T H A T I S principal for day to get up seven years, I N T H I S B U I L D I N G and go. I do not I S F O C U S E D O N spending time feel like I am SUPPORTING at Rogers and going to work, S T U D E N T S . . . ” Emerald Ridge. I am just doing Perez describes the thing I love M I G U E L P E R E Z his experience ASSISTA NT PRINCIPA L to do,” Thiel with the staff and said. “I would students at PHS. say that from the very beginning, “The staff here is amazing, it here at PHS, I was struck by feels like everyone that is in this how much tradition there was building is focused on supporting and how much family-like students and providing them connectedness there was both with everything they need to be with students and staff.” successful after they leave here. The school’s history is has had Students are awesome here to, an impact on Thiel's view of the it seems like all of the students school. here are about doing the right “Just how amazing it is to be thing and staying out of trouble,” a part of a place with so much Perez said. “Naturally, you are history but so much willingness always going to have a little bit to move forward at the same B Y K Y L E S M I T H M A N A G I N G E D I T O R

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time. People care for each other, accept each other and try to help each other out. That is just a remarkable experience in a high school. It was just a huge privilege to be able to be here in that,” Theil said. Stewart explains that several factors contributed to his decision to take the assistant principal position. “I was teaching and coaching and I never really planned on it [becoming an assistant principal]. It was just like one day I started thinking [that] I kind of wanted to change. I don't know if it was any one thing, particularly. I started talking with some people, next thing you know I'm enrolled in a program to get my principals certificate,” Stewart said. “I can't tell you that it was any one specific thing. I come from a family of educators, my father was a principal in the 1970's at Lincoln and my sister is a principal at Spinning. She has been in the district a lot longer than I have. I just knew that I wanted to try something different. I enjoy the role, it is challenging.” Although the assistant principals enjoy their jobs, there are some difficulties that come with it as Perez explains. “The hardest part of the job is what I call the juggling act and it is no different than what any

student has to go through during supervision and working on the day. So it is having to do with projects and working with staff time management. You only have and students. Other days, half 24 hours in the day,” Perez said. of the day could be taken up “So it is that juggling act of making because of a discipline matter. It sure that I can be as good as I can varies, that is why I like the job it be in this building and make the is never quite the same.” Helping people is what Thiel biggest impact that I can. At the same time, I am making sure that considers to be the best part of being an assistant I have time to go home “ E V E R Y M O R N I N G I principal. Thiel how and be in the W A K E U P E X C I T E D describes moment with T O C O M E H E R E . . . . I she helps and with my family. It D O N O T F E E L L I K E I interacts is the time A M G O I N G T O W O R K , people. “I would say the management I AM JUST DOING piece and T H E T H I N G I L O V E most important part of my job is that is just the TO DO.” just interacting nature of the MAIJA THIEL with people, all game.” ASSISTA NT PRINCIPA L types of people, T h e whether it is assistant principal position is one of support staff in our building, variety, which is one of the district staff, parents and reasons that Stewart says he students obviously. That is why I am here, I love the students,” enjoys the job. “Days can vary, of course this Thiel said. “I will walk in here and is only the first week and a half four or five people waiting for me here at PHS. You could walk in or I will have three or four phone during the day typically your just messages or I have someone supervising in the morning, just who needs me to run out and watching the student body. At check on a student who maybe any given time something can passing out. Anything from being happen (I don't want to jinx it) an errand person to covering fighting or some other kind of a big crisis and doing safety situation could happen. You’re things. I think the best part is that working on things all the time, constantly what I am doing is just but if something walks in, then trying to serve people and have you deal with it,” Stewart said. that opportunity to help people “Some days could be strictly out.”


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of the students (513 students) attending PHS in the 2014-15 school year are SENIORS

of the students (562 students) attending PHS in the 2014-15 school year are JUNIORS of the students (611 students) attending PHS in the 2014-15 school year are SOPHOMORES

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Football games present the opportunity for students to rally together, creating an overall sense of connectivity between peers. Principal Eric Fredericks accredited a noticeable increase in football game attendees to the overall increase in student involvement seen so far this year.

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Football games present the opportunity for students to rally together, creating an overall sense of connectivity between peers.

“There are many different ways you can be connected to school. You can be connected to school through your academics, teachers, peers, clubs and activities. But another way is to just go out and be a fan and have fun in the moment, so it is a great way to be connected. The energy of those games and the energy of the kids and the fans is exciting to me. It feeds me. It is hard to go to sleep at night after a football game because you come home amped up,” Fredericks said.

“The student involvement that I have seen so far this year is like no other in the last two years. We have great leadership students who The first football game was preceded by a tailgate held at PHS in the are continually pushing me to do things,” Fredericks said. “They are continually pushing me to allow them to do things that are going staff parking lot. Students gathered outside of the school and attended a barbeque together before heading off to witness the first to make our school culture better and you cannot “SCHOOL SPIRIT victory of the season. ask for more.” MEANS HELPING Sophomore Jagger Bolam discussed the importance of As crowds gathered on the night of Sept. 5, TO CREATE A school spirit in creating a sense of unity among students. the cheers of students echoed throughout COMMUNITY AND Sparks Stadium. MAKE IT STONGER. “School spirit means helping to create a community [FOOTBALL GAMES] At the head of the student section, B R I N G S E V E R Y O N E and make it stronger. [Football games] brings everyone together,” Bolam said. senior Nathan Conway could be found TOGETHER” leading students in cheers throughout JAGGER BOLAM PHS football games enhanced a sense of unification the game. Conway spoke about how SOPHOMORE among the student body, Bolam mentioned. his experience attending football games has changed since his “If students have not experienced the Puyallup community connection, I sophomore year. think it is important for them to have an opportunity to see the relationship “I am blessed to be at this school so it just because that setting is a strong indicator of the strength of the relationship shows how I am giving back in my own fashion,” of the community and the school,” Fredericks said. “Certainly while we Conway said. “I have become a lot more open. have a large student draw to the game, we have a large community draw Sophomore year I was not as comfortable as I as well and it is because of the ongoing history and connection of the am now. Now I am just trying to go all out and community and the school.” do as much as possible.”

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Wind, brass and percussion. Out of the 1686 students at Puyallup High School, over 170 of them are enrolled in band. Senior Tiffany Nomakchteinsky plays a important role in the band as a drum major this school year, along with senior Maddy Lucas. At home games during football and basketball season, Nomakchteinsky can be found directing the band to peppy tunes. “We definitely got a significant amount of sophomores this year and it is really exciting to know that people want to be involved,” Nomakchteinsky said. “Band helps with a lot of aspects of your life. You learn time management and how to play an instrument which definitely helps you educationally and in many other aspects. It is a really great program for high school students to be a part of.” Nomakchteinsky has been in band since her sophomore year but started in the fifth grade Beginning Band. Though being drum major is a long time commitment, Nomakchteinsky thoroughly enjoys being involved. “You have to be really outgoing, cheery and inviting toward the sophomores that come in. A lot of them are really scared and a little bit intimidated by everyone but band is this little community and safe haven,” Nomakchteinsky said. Band teacher Eric Ryan teaches jazz band before school, three different levels of concert bands along with the percussion ensemble. Though he has more students this year than ever before, he says the bands size has only increased his enthusiasm. “For the first time in Puyallup history that I have researched, we have a full-day schedule of bands. I cannot think of anything really negative [regarding the band size]. It is all positive,” Ryan

said. Every three years the band takes a trip to Southern California and this year they are traveling to perform at Disney Parks. “Sometimes when we do a trip year, there are extra students because everybody wants to go. Maybe they were thinking about doing a different elective but since we are doing the trip they are sticking with band instead,” Ryan said. “It is early in the year but so far everything has been great. There are a lot of great players, I am really happy so far.” Sophomore Michael Lindner also plays in the wind ensemble, he started band at Kalles Junior High and tells how respect plays a key role in their success. “We sound good for one thing. Everyone is respectful, listens to what they’re being told and acts on it. They’re dedicated to individual practice and everyone works really hard so we sound good,” Lindner said. The band at PHS is dedicated and determined to succeed to say the least. However, Lindner tells how the case was not the same at Kalles Junior High. “There was not a lot of motivation. We really had to push people in order to get them to do anything but overall we sounded pretty good. The instrumentation [at PHS] which is how many of each instrument we have, seems to be pretty good [compared to Kalles],” said Lindner. The enormous size of the band has already greatly contributed to school spirit. The bigger the better in this case. “I feel there is definitely a lot more spirit during football and basketball games. The more the better when it comes to drum major because you just have more people shouting at you and more people to back you up when you’re dancing and doing crazy things,” Nomakchteinsky said.

dent population sees an influx in bodies with 1,686 enrolled.


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Several new staff members join the sophomores in their first year at PHS. The Vanguard staff decided to ask two of a few questions. Q: Did you teach in Korea? A: Before Japan I was in Korea. I was in Korea for three years. That is where I started [teaching English]. My first job was a government program, similar to the [Japanese Exchange Teachers] program in Japan. I was teaching at two elementary schools...They are trying to get that going in Japan but people have always been resistant to it, in terms of learning English. They feel that if you learn English too early, it will hurt their Japanese, which is [interesting] because you have the children in Korea who are bi-lingual.

Q: What brought you to PHS? A: ...This is where I did my student teaching five years ago at Rogers. For the 2010-2011 school year I was employed in the district at Aylen and Edgmont, I was splitting my time in between two schools. I went back to Japan to teach English at a college because I have family there. I am in a unique situation where my wife is Japanese and she has business obligations in Japan. She owns a couple of businesses. She cannot just get up and leave. Plus

FRANCIS TAAFFE

Teaches Special Education, Mathematics and English. B Y

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Q: What are you looking forward to most about PHS?

my daughter at the time was too young for her to come over here. I am hoping that next

A: Just getting connected with how PHS works and getting to know my

year she can come over here and begin schooling here. We want her to finish junior high

colleagues in my department better. But also getting to know the general

(or middle school) and high school in the [United States] have always been resistant to it,

education teachers better and how we can work together to make our kids

in terms of learning English. They feel that if you learn English too early, it will hurt their

successful...Just [getting] comfortable and [getting] a better handle of the

Japanese, which is [interesting] because you have the children in Korea who are bi-lingual.

expectations and the culture. Each school has its own way of working and its own self-culture...

Q: Have you gone back to Japan since you first came over? A: My first time in Japan was in August of 2000. I moved back here in September 2008 and I was up in Bellingham... That was the summer of 2009, I relocated down to PLU... That is how I got connected with Puyallup, through PLU. I was at Edgerton Elementary and then I transferred over to Rogers in the winter and spring of 2010. Just because I was interested in working with young adults.

JOSEPH HUA

Teaches Ecomonics, Financial Literacy, Interior Design, Introduction to Programming and Yearbook. B Y

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Q: What brought you to PHS?

Q: What are you looking forward to the most about PHS? A: [It is] really the students, the reason that we go into this profession is to work with the students and get them best prepared for life outside of the high school, when they graduate and they are all good to go, that they are best prepared to succeed. That is the biggest thing that I am interested in here at PHS. I also love athletics, so I am always into seeing all of our student perform in what they love to do outside of the school either athletics, band or plays, whatever it is. I like to come out and I like support them and so I would say definitely number one is the students, to help them succeed, but also to see them in their natural element, what do they like to do, to really get to know them.

Q: Tell me your past experience with teaching. A: I was student teaching over at Mt. Spokane [High School] last year. [I] had a great teacher that I was under and when all was said and done [I] came over here. I am from the west side, from Federal Way‌ [I] could not wait to be back and I was fortunate to find an open position, apply for it and [get] it and I have been here ever since.

A: Honestly,itwasbecauseitwasonthewestside[ofWashington].Beingbornandraised in Federal Way and going out to Spokane for a year and a half was pretty hard; it took a lot of time to adjust and I just knew I wanted to go back....I went to a couple career fairs and met with my CTE director and I also met with Eric Fredricks, the principal. He informed me of the position, so I went for it. I got the gig. It was more or less a no brainer for me.


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This year, 611 sophomores attend Puyallup High School. In general, first impressions of the school were positive. These three sophomores share their first-day experiences.

sophomore

sophomore

sophomore

“The first thing I noticed [about Puyallup High School] was how big it was...I was really nervous.”

“[Today] was a great experience and it was good to meet new people and it is a good place to be in. I like it here because the teachers are all really nice. So far the first day was good so I am looking forward to what this year holds.”

“Today was fabulous; I got to see all my friends that I did not see all summer. I got lost. We were trying to get to Business and Marketing and did not find it. We asked a security guard where to go.”

Crystal Barkley:

Wendy Herrera:

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The group is made up of outlaws Rocket Raccoon, Gamora, Drax the destroyer and ou know that feeling you get when Groot, who is a sentient tree. This is where the movie shows off its you leave the theater after watching best feature: the ability to build complex a fantastic movie? The one that expresses itself through characters out of very odd concepts, grunts of joy like the movie was so amazing while still advancing the plot quickly and adeptly. that it blew away a part of your brain. Most characters have had more thought If you do not know what I am talking about, go see “The Guardians of the put into them than many current directors seem to put into their Galaxy.” Even if you have only a “ . . . T H E M O V I E W A S entire movies. Fans of the comics vague idea about what I S O A M A Z I N G T H A T will find a lot of little am talking about, go see IT BLEW AWAY A references to the it now. PA RT OF YOUR original comic book For those who do BR A I N.” universe that the not know, “Guardians casual fan will not of the Galaxy” is the understand. latest movie in the Unlike past movies KYLE SMITH ever-growing Marvel MANAGING EDITOR that kept these “Easter cinematic universe. eggs” in the background, It presumably takes place sometime after the “The Avengers” they are placed in the foreground to an and “Thor: The Dark World” although you extreme that would normally leave people do not need to have seen the previous alienated from the film. “The Guardians of the Galaxy” runs movies to enjoy this movie. around this fault by running through its To boil it down to one sentence: the influence of the past movies is felt through plot and poking fun at anything that the elaboration on a few of the “end credits tries to get in its way, much like the scenes” which were previously ambiguous. characters do. I actually loved that James Gunn, Through this movie some of the story director, was able to threads that Marvel has been weaving the fit all of the references to throughout, like an overly-complicated (that he was spider web, are expanded upon in a big the comics able to) in, because it way that I will not spoil. worked to create a sense The story follows the exploits of of an ever expanding universe outlaw, Peter Quill (also known without ruining the plot. as Starlord) as he meets the other James Gunn is clearly a master members of what will be the group of the medium and destined to do known as the Guardians of the Galaxy. great things. He moves the story through B Y K Y L E S M I T H M A N A G I N G E D I T O R

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emotional highs and lows as effortlessly as antagonist whose motivation seems to simply be, the fact that he is the main one might flip a page. I was on the verge of crying only enemy. That is it. Nothing else was moments into the movie and added but a lot was cut laughing several moments after away from the comic that. book version of t h e Every scene is creative and same character. achieves what it needs to before Even though it might not moving on to the next well directed have brought down the movie as a scene. Gunn proves with this movie that whole, problems like these still deserve mentioning because the potential to comedies and action moves can have do so much better is still there, emotional depth while still left untapped. being entertaining. I must reiterate one point, As a likely result just so that you do not get the of all that Gunn wrong idea from the previous was able to magically paragraph, you need to go see “The fit into one glorious movie, Guardians of the Galaxy.” there were It is easily the best some parts that were left “FANS OF THE movie that has come out behind in the dust. COMICS WILL FIND in the past several years. One thing that got A LOT OF LITTLE Yet, I am still not able to left somewhere on the REFERENCES TO do the movie justice by drawing board, was the THE ORIGINAL saying that. personality of Ronan the COMIC BOOK Really, it is that good. Accuser. U N I V E R SE ...” There are only two There was a lot things you need to do of potential to have KYLE SMITH now, go and watch the him be a great, MANAGING EDITOR movie. complex and Then, once you have done that, menacing villain like Loki was in the recommend it to your friends. “The Avengers.” Instead, he is just a two dimensional


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The South Puget Sound League (SPSL) is the league in which Puyallup High School is located and where most of our sports play. What most students do not know is that there is a reclassification that occurs every two years and happened again this year. This reclassification is directed by the Washington Interscholastic Athletics Association (WIAA) and is based off of student population in grades nine through 11. There are about 67 schools in each classification. This re-classification resulted in two Auburn schools leaving our league and only one school joining. Although the WIAA tries to keep classifications equal, we now have 17 schools instead of our previous 18. All SPSL schools in the new SPSL are all 4A schools, meaning they are large in population and large in size. The schools in the new division include Kent Meridian High School, Kentlake High School, Kentridge High School, Kentwood High School, Tahoma High School,

Decatur Hugh School, Federal Way High School, Mount Rainier High School, Thomas Jefferson High School, Todd Beamer High School, Bethel High School, Curtis High School, Emerald Ridge High School, Graham Kapowsin High School, Puyallup High School, Rogers High School and Spanaway Lake High School. Lisa Muiznieks, Puyallup High School Athletic Director, has been Athletic Director for almost 3 years. “Some schools can choose to play ‘up’. For example a 3A school can choose to play up in a 4A league,”Muiznieks said. 3A being a smaller school than the largest 4A school. In order the divisions go in descending order from 4A to 3A, 3A to 2A, 2A to 1A, 1A to 2B and finally 2B to 1B. The realignment of the SPSL is based on the desire to keep multiple high school districts in the same division as well as single district high schools must be geographically located to a division. The changed caused our own divisions to become unequal with 10 in one division and seven in the other. The uneven splitting is changing the format for bids in both the SPSL and Western Central District (WCD)

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tournaments that many students across many sports participate in. Some sports that are somewhat individual like swimming and golf will not see will remain the same. Most other sports are included in the realignment such as football, volleyball, boys and girls soccer, boys and girls basketball, baseball, boys and girls tennis and girls fast pitch. Orlando McDaniel is a junior at PHS and plays varsity football for the school. “I think [the re-classification] is a good thing because it brings new competition into our district and also mixes things up so we are not playing the same schools we used to play all the time,” McDaniel said. Emma Embleton, a junior at PHS, is on junior varsity softball and has been playing on the school team for two years. “Different competition is positive and negative. Not playing against the same players we have always played against can be good and bad but it does not really make a difference to me,” Embleton said.

Boys golf loses first match in 9 years to GK B Y

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Graham-Kapowskin High School handed the boys golf team its first loss in nine years Sept.9, this brings the varsity golf record to 89-0-1. After 14 years of coaching at PHS, Coach Halverson says he was surprised with the outcome of the match. “I knew we were young and inexperienced, but I thought we would play a lit-

tle better than we did, but give credit to GK, their players did a good job that day,” Halverson said. This being one of the first matches of the season, the team has a lot to build off of to finish with a great season. “I think we will have a great season, all the uneasiness about losing our first game is gone. So we are prepared to have a stellar season,” varsity golfer Nathan Breshears said.

Their goal as a group is to win their division, win the league tournament and win State competition. “Goals separate from that for the players are: lower your match score average for the year, understand the rules of the game and most of all, have fun. It is a game,” Halverson said when explaining what the goals should be for the boys individually. When asked what his practice philos-

ophy is, Halverson explains that the athletes need to work hard to become a complete player. “Practice the weak part of your game twice as much as strong points. The short game is where you can save strokes, so practice that more than the long game. Learning and teaching how to manage your game during competition. Know the rules of the game,” Halverson said.

Alumni Heimlich leaves to attend OSU on scholarship “I am a social person and felt like I was missing out,” Heimlich said. Because he lived in the Rogers’ attendance area Heimlich also had to enior year: For most the best year of transfer and attend PHS in order to be the high school experience. eligible to play baseball for the school. The last year for students to give Since he was a little kid, Heimlich has their final hoorah, the last year for spirit been playing backyard baseball with his days, football games and high school older brothers. dances. At age seven he joined his first organized But for former Puyallup High School team and his love for the sport has been student Luke Heimlich, what would have growing ever since. been a year of purple and gold will now be “Baseball is my passion and always will a year of orange and black. be,” Heimlich said. “I really realized how This fall, Heimlich will be attending much I loved baseball and how I longed Oregon State University as a freshman on to be involved with it for the rest of my a baseball scholarship, instead life, after freshman of being at PHS as a senior. “ I C O U L D E I T H E R year.” When the idea of skipping Heimlich also PITCH IN THE his senior was first presented played basketball SPSL FOR PHS OR Heimlich had no idea that it and football IN THE PAC 12... was even possible. through ninth I FELT GUILTY The more he thought about grade but realized KNOWING I WAS going with the scholarship, the that his love and L E AV I NG...” better it sounded. talent for baseball LUKE HEIMLICH “I could either pitch in the was greater and ALUMNI SPSL for PHS or in the PAC 12,” decided to focus all Heimlich said. of his efforts on one Growing up, Heimlich was a part of sport. the homeschool program along with his Heimlich says he is always looking for siblings. ways to better himself, to push himself to Being in the homeschool program as be a better player and teammate and this opposed to the public school system opportunity to play at OSU was just the allowed him to “…get a catered education way to do that. Knowing that he was going to be leaving the PHS team was really hard at first “I REALLY “I felt guilty knowing I was leaving the REALIZED HOW team,” Heimlich said. MUCH I LOVED But after talking to someone he really BASEBALL AND looked up to, Heimlich realized that his HOW I LONGED team would support him and his choices. TO BE IN VOLV ED This last season’s state championship W I T H I T...” win and his team will be something that LUKE HEIMLITCH Heimlich will never forget. ALUMNI After college, Heimlich plans to continue his baseball career whether it be through towards a field of study….,” Heimlich said. playing, scouting or even coaching. With this education came the He has been told by multiple scouts opportunity for a fast track through the that if he puts in the hard work and education world. commitment that he has a shot at playing Since homeschool students learn at their professional ball. own pace and do not have as structured of But if playing Major League Baseball a curriculum as public school students, does not work out he says he will find they often earn credits at a faster rate. another way to stay involved in his Heimlich decided to start attending passion. public school when he felt he was lacking in the social aspect. B Y

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Above: Alumni Luke Heimlich pitched for last year’s state champion baseball team. He says his decision to leave high school early to pursue a college baseball career was a tough one. “Baseball is my passion and always will be,” Heimlich said.

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1. A landslide of wet volcanic debris on the side of a volcano 2. The deposit left by such a landslide

[lah-har] noun, Geology

Students from the 10 Puyallup School District schools in the valley will participate in a lahar drill Tuesday, Sept. 30. The evacuation route and drill information were provided by the PSD.

ROUTE FOR PHS: 1. Exit buildings to 7th St. SW and head south 2. At end of 7th, cut through field to Fairview Drive 3. Turn right on Fairview and head south. Fairview veers into 9th St. SW 4. Head uphill on 9th (and follow Meeker Elementary)

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5. At Woodbine Cemetery head to the back of the cemetery

-About 80,000 people and their homes are at risk in Mount Rainier’s lahar-hazard zones. -During the past several thousand years large lahars have reached the Puget Sound lowland on average at least once every 500 to 1,000 years. -Experience from around the world shows that moving to high ground off the valley floor is the only way to ensure safety during a lahar. -The west flank of Mount Rainier, including the head of the Puyallup River, has the greatest potential for unleashing large landslides that become far-traveled lahars Information collected from Carolyn L. Driedger and William E. Scott, U.S. Geological Survey

“Lahar” continued from front page planning on everyone’s part. Officer Mark Ketter will play a very vital role in this drill to make sure it is effective and runs smoothly. “We started working in the summer to plan it. We have gone to every school and talked to the administration there. We have driven every route and found staging areas. We looked at the amount of time we are going to have, how many kids we have and what the fastest route to get through is to try and avoid major roads so we do not block traffic,” Ketter said. During this drill there will be an appointed officer for each school who knows the routes to help move everyone along in a timely manner along with Barb Pope to oversee everything as the bigger picture “I would rather plan and practice it when everyone is aware of what is going on rather than in the actual emergency. There is a ton to think about when you have a wide variety of students with age ranges and different physical capabilities. It is not only just for lahar. This could be any type of evacuation that we are going to need if there is some type of a flood, a natural gas leak or something that requires us to move the whole student

population in a quick way to a safe place,” Ketter said. “Nobody has ever done anything this big. We are doing more drills and starting to practice because you just never know. I would rather practice just because rather than have chaos when something actually happens.” The Puyallup Police Department is working with the school district in preparing for this drill by setting up electronic reader board signs on the road to alert community members “Picking a date and time that works for everyone was probably one of the more difficult tasks we had. In addition to the signs we are going to put out the Puyallup Police Department has a Twitter feed and a Facebook we are going to put it on. We are going to try and let everyone know in the community what is going on so it is not a shock,” Ketter said. In terms of managing the numbers, the hope is that everyone involved will treat this drill as a real emergency. “We are hoping that students will take it seriously, teachers will be in charge of the classrooms and administrators in charge of their teachers and everybody takes it seriously. There should not be any problems that way,” Ketter said.


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Viking Vanguard Issue 1 Vol. 103 Sept. 26, 2014 by The Viking Vanguard - Issuu