Warrior Word May 2017

May 2017

www.whswarriorword.com

Volume III Issue 7

Stopping domestic violence mission of NoMore Mat-Su

photo of the week winner

Courtney Johnson

and

Kindall rumbo

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Carissa Vasquez submitted the April 14 winning photo for the Warrior Word Photo of the Week contest.

Carrisa took this photo with her go pro of Isaac Bell hiking up the Hatcher Pass ridge above Summit Lake. It was the first run of the season, now long past as spring break up takes hold. Contest winners receive a coupon good for a free coffee at the morning coffee cart. Photos are submitted to the Warrior Word staff and chosen weekly. The winners are announced on the Daily News broadcast.

AP coursework offers challenge and college credit Janee Wilson

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hroughout high school, a student knows that the material and classes get sequentially harder. But some brave and daring students choose to go the distance and take even more rigorous classes.

AP classes, advanced placement, are college-level classes that give students an opportunity to earn college credit if they pass the AP exam. Earning college credits in high school saves time, money, and allows students to

challenge themselves.

Wasilla High offers 13 AP classes spanning the curriculum math to science to history to the humanities. Students tend to favor AP Literature and AP world history classes to test out the advanced coursework waters.

As of 2017, WHS’s AP courses enroll 150 students, an increase of 58 students from 2016. English literature has 54 students, Calculus AB/BC has 22 students, and Computer Science Principles (CS50) has 32 students. However, there are smaller AP classes:

Environmental Science with nine students and Studio Art with six.

AP instructors need to be highly qualified in their area and submit a multiple page syllabus to the College Board for approval before they can begin teaching any AP course. AP training is made available for teachers at different times of the year. It is not mandatory for teachers to attend AP training or certification, however, the Wasilla High AP teachers have received additional training.

AP COURSE OFFERS CHALLENGES

WANTED SCHOOL SPIRIT

IN THIS ISSUE MULNEAUX TAKES ON NEW ROLE PAGE 3

PAGE 4

continued on page 4

PAGE 6

veryday my dad would strap on his Kevlar vest and his service weapon and leave for work. He wore a badge and his job was to protect people. But when he came home, no one could protect us from him,” Bryan said.

Alaska born and raised, Bryan (last name not give to protect privacy) had his fair share of happy childhood memories with his family, but he unfortunately spent his adolescence living in the shadow of fear. Growing up in an abusive household is a traumatizing experience for anyone and is all too common.

That is the reason behind the No More educational campaign sponsored by the Wasilla Sunrise Rotary group. Their goal is serious but simple: to end domestic violence and sexual assault.

Domestic violence is an grave issue for both men and women, especially in the Mat-Su Valley.

“We’re one of the biggest areas for domestic violence [in the state]. And, the only way you can cure that is through education,” former Sunrise Rotary president Mark Lee said.

Three years ago Jason Marvel, Burchell High School’s principal, challenged the Wasilla Sunrise Rotary Club to tackle this ongoing problem of domestic violence in the community. “Statistically,” Marvel shared, “One in two women in the Mat-Su valley will experience some form of domestic violence or sexual assault.”

This fact shocked Marvel. He has two daughters, and Marvel felt if he if didn’t act in some way, the data suggested one of his own daughters was at risk. It was too great a risk.

“We know that education is what changes lives. It changes perspective and perception. So to educate and bring awareness and to have people begin conversations about it is a start,” Marvel said. continued on page 3

ONLINE DATING LOVE AT FIRST BYTE PAGE 14

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I AM WASILLA Zach Griffin takes on Brandon Stanton’s idea “ Humans of New York” with: “I AM WASILLA: ONE STORY AT A TIME.”

“To me a patriot means to dedicate yourself to the service of others, in something larger than yourself. To make a commitment and a sacrifice for goals beyond just you, whether its for your school or country a team. That's what it means to be a patriot.”

-Jason Moen

WARRIOR WORD STAFF

What is patriotism?

“I think being a patriot is helping those in your community for no other reason other than doing good things for the sake of doing things, not just because you want to.”

-Juvenal Barry

LET US SUPPORT YOUR BUSINESS

Advisor: Emily Forstner Managing Editors: Alanna Christianson, Shyanne Massie, Kayla Schierholt, and Janee Wilson Photographer: Zach Griffin Graphic Editor: Alice Lee Webmasters: Tim Raska and Skyler Morgan Social Media Manager: Jesslyn Zahrt Reporters: Kindall Rumbo Emmanuel Asher Aspen Bakner Jase Clingman Samantha Hettrick Devin Johnson Courtney Johnson Raina Lewis Olivia McAnulty Makayla Meinhardt Skyler Morgan Timothy Raska Kalon Shampine Callie Adams Jakylah Beeching Jasmine Wilson Jesslyn Zahrt Blake Zitterich The Warrior Word is available online at www.warriorword.com bi-monthly. Articles also appear in the weekly Schools Page in the local Frontiersman newspaper and the semi-annual newsmagazine The Mat Su Gazette.

Facebook at WasillaWarriorWord whswarriorword.com Twitter @warriorwordak Instagram the_warrior_word 352-8271 701 E Bogard Rd. Wasilla, AK 99654

The Warrior Word is Wasilla High School’s public forum newspaper. The Word publishes digitally, www.whswarriorword.com, and in print copy every six weeks. We reach 1000 or more readers and dozens of businesses.

Your business card can serve as an advertisement graphic, or the Word Ad staff can design one for you.

(Advertise in the semi- annual collaborative Mat Su Gazette and receive a FREE Warrior Word ad. The Mat Su Gazette is a Frontiersman insert reaching 9000 readers.) The Gazette runs semi- annually.

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WARRIOR NEWS Mulneaux takes on new role at Wasilla High

Chrissy Mulneaux holds a 3D printed nameplate. Mrs. Mulneaux replaced Shari Taylor as administrative assistant in February. Previously, Mrs. Mulneaux worked as the counseling assistant. (photo by Zach Griffin) Kayla sChierholt

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hrissy Mulneaux has kept the school running smoothly as the counseling secretary for the past two years. But now she takes on being the administrative secretary at Wasilla High.

Mulneaux was born and raised in Sacramento, California. She moved to Alaska when she was 18, and met her husband here in Alaska. But not long after she moved up here, her husband joined the military and was stationed in San Diego for five years. While being in the San Diego area, she went to Merritt College and got her associates as a medical assistant.

“It is a very different field than this, but there is an office component to being a medical assistant. I could work in the front of the doctor’s office. So I had training on how to work in an office as a medical assistant,” Mulneaux said.

After getting her associates, she started working as a Urology Certified Medical Assistant (CMA). Mulneaux enjoyed her nine years as a Urology CMA but had to give it up. ”It was a difficult schedule to keep up with, with a family, so

I decided I was going to stop working and become a stay-athome mom,” Mulneaux said. Mulneaux is a mother of four. She has three sons and one daughter.

“My oldest son is 26 and is in the navy. He is currently stationed in Seattle. My middle child is my daughter; she’s 21. She is going to college to become an RN. My youngest are my twin boys. They’re 14 and will be here next year as freshmen,” Mulneaux said.

Mulneaux eventually started to grow bored being a stay-athome mom. So she decided to go back to work. Mulneaux became a substitute teacher for the district. She subbed at Goose Bay Elementary and was a longterm substitute at Snowshoe Elementary. After seven years of subbing, Mulneaux was hired for several months to sub as the admin. secretary in January 2011. Then when the job opened in fall of 2011, she was hired as the permanent administrative secretary.

She worked at Snowshoe Elementary alongside Mrs. Boatman for five years. Before coming over to Wasilla High.

“I enjoyed being at Snowshoe; it was fun being there every day. continued on page 13

Domestic violence NoMore continued from page 1

Sunrise Rotarians, along with Alaska Family Services, were quick to accept the challenge and commit themselves to educating the youth in the valley. Thus, No More, an educational campaign, was created to end domestic violence and sexual assault in the Mat-Su. Bringing change to the Valley begins by raising awareness and addressing this problem.

The difference between this conference and other conferences on domestic violence was that the April 9 presentation was youth driven and youth managed. The message behind No More Mat-Su was more about the effects of domestic violence and sexual assault than the actual acts. The organizers wanted to show that the children exposed to domestic violence are at most risk for more domestic violence and sexual assault. Sunrise Rotary would like to change that cycle.

“My father was strong, but he used his strength to control, to crush, and to hurt those in his family who loved him the most,” Bryan said.

Domestic violence amongst families occurs throughout the country every day. It can include physical, sexual, and child abuse.

Too often the signs go unnoticed.

“People at my church and my school had no idea what my life was like. I had learned to keep secrets,” Bryan said.

Only 344 out of every 1,000 sexual assaults are reported to police. That means about two out of three go unreported, according to the Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network (RAINN).

Of the survivors who choose no more more mat-su

not to report these sexual crimes to the police, majority state that they feared retaliation. Others reasoned that they were under the impression that the crime was solely a personal matter, or that police wouldn’t be able to help.

No More Mat-Su works in step with the words of John D. Rockefeller, “If you want to succeed you should strike out on new paths, rather than travel the worn paths of accepted success.”

No More Mat-Su works to inform and give courage to those needing to leave abusive relationships.

No More speakers shared that domestic violence comes in many forms, but primarily mental and emotional. The effects of it on a person, on their self esteem, is something that is extremely difficult to deal with, and each person deals with that trauma differently.

With the right help and support system, victims of domestic violence and sexual assault can manage the lifelong effects that a survivor endures. No More MatSu believes no one should have to live in fear, especially in your own home.

“My mom would always whisper to me ‘walk with honor, you are a king’ and those whispers were louder than all the shouts,” Bryan said.

No More Mat Su works to make those words true for many more in need.

If you or anyone you know is experiencing domestic violence or sexual assault, please call 1−800−799−7233. There is help available.

uses tea to demonstrate What Consent looKs liKe

Amanda Mayer and Grace Pederson participates in a skit about consent using tea as the analogy. In this part of the skit, Grace compares asking a sleeping friend if they want a cup of tea to sexual consent with someone impaired by drugs or alcohol. Sexual assault information was part of the No More Mat-Su conference on April 9. (photo by Kindall Rumbo)

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WARRIOR NEWS AP coursework challenges

continued from page 1

Ap BioLoGY StUDentS eXAMine enerGY fLow AnD eCoSYSteMS in A teAM effort

AP Biology students Natalia Wanser, Sierra Berg and Kate Corneliussen research together the interactions between species and calculating energy flow in specific ecosystems in Gorongosa National Park in Mozambique. AP Biology students are encouraged to take the final AP exam, but the goal of the class is extended study and learning. Berg, Wanser, and Corneliussen plan on taking the final exam.(photo by Zach Griffin) WHS Guidance Counselor Kim Troisi said that because of budget cuts it is hard to keep certain AP classes if too few students register for them. “We have talked about offering them [AP classes] alternating years so that students still have the opportunity to take more of them,” Troisi said.

Some benefits of AP classes, aside from earning college credits, are boosting a student’s grade-point average and class rank. Troisi thinks that most students are more focused on improving their GPA and are less focused on earning college credits.

AP Biology and AP Chemistry teacher Melinda Ragsdale believes that since AP classes are more challenging, they require more dedication and drive from students than perhaps a non-AP course.

“I teach coping mechanisms, and I teach kids where to find the information on their own,” Ragsdale said.

Ragdale enjoys teaching AP classes because of the small class sizes and the depth of the subject matter. One common trait that successful AP students need and have the ability to understand how they learn and the tenacity to work hard to make sure that they comprehend the content.

Ragsdale said that students’ number one goal should not be to pass the test. The tests are designed to be extremely hard, and passing isn’t guaranteed.

However, in an AP class, without studying and doing all of the work, chances of passing either class or test are much less than in a non- AP course.

But an important misconception is that AP classes are only for college-bound students. “It doesn't matter what you do with your life, the better you are at critical thinking, the better you are as a person and at navigating life,” Ragsdale said.

Although college credit may be a huge incentive for taking AP classes, it's not guaranteed.

College credit is only received when the AP exam earns with a 3 or higher on a 5 point scale. This leads to a bigger question. What is the goal of an AP class? Is the success of the class measured by the passing of the exam or the improved learning of difficult material?

AP Literature teacher Amber Rinella believes that an AP class should focus primarily on the students’ comprehension of the course work. “ I think the philosophy of an AP classroom should be to provide lots of students with a rigorous opportunity to learn

engaging content, “ Rinella said.

Rinella believes that even if a student doesn't receive college credit, hopefully students will be able to say that they are glad that they have taken the class.

AP students tend to come from two parent homes with stable incomes. So, Rinella also said that she would like to see more of an opportunity give to students from one parent homes.

Assistant Principal Jason Moen believes that the goal of AP classes should be to help the student accomplish their specific goal. If the student’s ambition is to pass the test and earn credit,

then the teacher should do all he can do facilitate that. If the student wants to become an independent learner and tackle harder curriculum, then that should be the goal for the class. The District's goal for AP in all high schools is to increase the number of students in AP and increase the equity in demographics.

This is a shift from the exam focus to the focus of intense curriculum for all, with close attention to minorities and low socioeconomic students. continued on page 8

WARRIOR NEWS

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Survey highlights school spirit devin Johnson

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chool spirit, defined as emotional support of one’s educational institution. But, if school spirit can be quantified through a rating system, Wasilla High’s spirit has depreciated this year according to staff and student observations and the Capturing Kids Hearts (CKH) climate survey taken this February by students. This data collected is uncomfortable, and both staff and students are taking action.

School spirit can be very active and equally very passive. Students and staff can manifest spirit in the use of school colors in dress and decoration, in attendance at athletic events, or cheers.

“School Spirit is a network of teamwork, and the more students we have involved, and the more students we have supporting their peers, the more school spirit that we will naturally have,” Stacia Rustad, Wasilla High Activities Director, said with a smile.

Involvement in student activities and spirit weeks point to a weak link in school spirit. The CKH survey found that just over half, 54 percent, of the student body felt that they were involved in solving school problems.

Student Government Advisor Tony Jensen has observed student involvement over the years has increased. The number of students who take part in assemblies has increased as well as the number of people who dress up during spirit weeks, as well as the number of students that are involved in student government.

Mr. Jensen said 18 candidates have been in the student body elections in the past two years with many events planned. He mentioned that some events may have been canceled, but a lack of involvement is not the reason why.

“There have been numerous plans for things like assemblies, events, or other items that Student Government believes would have increased School Spirit that has been canceled or postponed.

I would hesitate to put a specific reason down as to why they got canceled though. Sometimes things come up, the administration says no, or the idea never gets off the ground,” Mr. Jensen said.

Staff members associate proper behavior with school spirit, especially when students are outside of school. Student behavior reflects on the school, and it shows a student’s investment in the school’s good name. This definition of school spirit asso-

Administration and staff are concerned with school spirit. The Capturing Kids Hearts climate survey taken in February brought attention about school spirit to the Wasilla High School’s staff. ciates with good sportsmanship among students and their families at sporting events and how they encourage each other.

“Student athletes are out in the community … our expectations are for them to be respectful in restaurants, and stores, and events showing great sportsmanship whether on the field/ court or not. It is a privilege to be a student-athlete, not a guarantee,” Rustad said.

Students at Wasilla High have been famous for their school spirit for many years. Their red and white fan shirts stand out in any crowd. But where there is one side, there is another. Some students may have so much pride in their school that they may belittle the other teams from other schools with or without knowing how it affects people. The data suggests that just under half of the student body who see bullying do little to stop it. This ultimately affects school spirit.

“School Spirit is crucial especially with such a large school, like Wasilla. I think it’s unfair that some people can be rude to others, like cheerleaders, teen leadership, JROTC, and other school programs that try harder than most students to show their spirit,” sophomore and basketball cheerleader Aspen Bakner said.

“You don’t need to degrade other people to show school spirit,” activities assistant Ms. McVeigh agreed.

Capturing Kids Hearts data suggests that 81 percent of the student body feel that staff and administration make it clear that bullying is not allowed. But, there is evidence that the student body itself clearly allows it.

Principal Boatman said that there have been 13 incidents of cyberbullying this year caught and dealt with by the school administration. Thirteen incidents in one school year reflect the CKH surveys findings on “Students at this school treat each other with respect.”

Boatman also said in response to the survey and the misuse of social media that a group of students would be launching a cyberbullying campaign called #standwithme.It will be kicked off during an upcoming assembly. Cyber Warriors will be chosen weekly to be recognized for their commitment to stop cyber bullying.

Student government representative Jessica Reisinger believes that if people want change, then they have to help make the change because, in the end, nothing can change unless everyone wants things to be better.

Having someone at the school you can trust and making people feel welcomed to the school and the community is a part of Wasilla High School.

The CKH survey shows that 75 percent of students believe that they are welcome and have someone who they can talk to

at Wasilla High. That is less than what Wasilla High Staff wants, and it has dropped four points since last year. ”Having dignity and integrity and being responsible for your actions while being a great person to the people around you in this school and community will make Wasilla High School a better place,” sophomore Aspen Bakner said.

Boatman wasn’t ready at the time to commit to one single plan to improve school spirit. It’s more complicated than just one plan. “I am not ready to share next year’s goals for school spirit. My team and I are still trying to develop our goals and come up with different ways to support school spirit,” Boatman claimed.

To begin with, the staff has recommitted itself to the pillars of the CKH, starting with greeting students at the door. The staff has dedicated themselves to changing what the survey’s results. And even though there is no quantitative data, there has been an observed change ever since Wasilla High Staff has turned their attention to making things better. The staff is hoping that come next year; the survey proves their efforts and the students at Wasilla High School approve and will respond in like toward each other.

NOTE- Wasilla High was chosen for the second year in a row to be a Capturing Kids Hearts Showcase school.

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WARRIOR’S VOICE School pride reflects on everyone You don't have to be a part of student government and teen leadership to show respect or solve problems in our school.

You can just be an ordinary student trying to make your school a better place by confronting these aggressors of bad manners and harassment.

Jesslyn Zahrt

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chool pride typically refers to school sports events and images of rowdy students cheering for the home team and cheerleaders hyping up the crowd.

These are the prime examples of the intensity school spirit creates. But it doesn't end there; school pride is also in the less obvious ways we talk to one another, how we respect our school property and how we treat ourselves.

Wasilla High gives a Capturing Kids Hearts student survey every year to calculate school climate and spirit. Last year, WHS’s polls for the criteria “Students at this school treat each other respectfully” showed 51 percent of the students felt respected. One year later, the same survey question showed 47 percent: a 4 percent decrease. That’s more than half our school that doesn't feel respected.

Wasilla also decreased regarding the question of “Students involved in helping solve school problems.” Last year 57 percent of the student body believed that they were involved in helping solve student problems, and this year only 54 percent felt they had a say.

This data is in direct contradiction to the high marks that aligned with staff showing respect to the students and if students felt respected by staff.

These items on the survey show

student wants to stay anonymous in the paper with the fear of repercussions.

Is this what our school has become? I don't know what's more disappointing- the fact that we don’t speak up against disrespect and poor spirit, or the fact that doing so makes us scared.

We strut around like we are entitled to be treated with the respect, but treat others without respect. In school events, we have parents, news reporters, even our assistant superintendent attending. What do you think they will say about our school? The student bodies before us worked hard to make Wasilla a respectable school and look what has happened to it now. Entitlement and delusion are built on self-centeredness and laziness. And it must stop with us.

We need to start living by the words of David Willis, “Show respect even to people who don't deserve it not as a reflection of their character, but as a reflection of ours.”

Start with yourself. Learn how to be selfless and have the courage to take a stand. Hold yourself and others accountable for their actions. We need to reinstall the Warrior Way instead of installing apps on our phones.

We are the Warriors-who are fearless and strong. It's been woven into us since the first day we stepped through the school doors to be respectful and have dignity. It is time to show it. We are strong independent Alaskans.

We've never waited for others to solve our problems, why wait now?

We at the Warrior Word challenge the students at Wasilla High School to start treating each other with respect.

We put forth the challenge to begin resolving our school problems and increase our CKH survey data from 54 percent to 70 percent. We recognize the difficulty in that goal, but we also see students not afraid of a challenge to represent respect.

We need to reinstall the Warrior Way instead of installing apps on our phones.

89 percent of the student feel respected by staff. In summary, students feel respected by the adults, but not by their peers.

This is a problem.

Walking down the hallway and hearing one student yell to another to “ just kill himself” is a problem. Walking on past without saying anything to either of the students is an example of not having a say in solving student problems. Solving disrespectful behavior begins with us.

When has it become acceptable to joke about suicide? Are we so desensitized to each other’s feelings that we joke about killing ourselves? Are we really going to rely on adults to solve this for us?

Contributing to this desensitizing disease is the technology resting in our hands. Unlocking your phone with the wave of light casting over you is like you're stepping into our own little world of Snap Chat and memes. We've become obsessed. We ignore the world in front of us. At lunch instead of making memories with our friends, we are more concerned about how many likes our uploaded picture has on Instagram.

But, for some reason, we are choosing to ignore our classmates’ bad behaviors and leaving it up to the teacher to solve the problem even when we outnumber the teachers 30 to one. It can't be the responsibility of the staff to change the school's behavior. Ultimately, it is our duty to hold ourselves and others accountable.

Dressing up in red with super fan sign in hand and supporting our athletes is an example of respectful school spirit. Dressing up in red with super fan sign in hand and yelling profanity and dissing our players, along with dissing the opponents, is an example of immaturity and disrespectfulness.

We are supposed to live our actions by the Warrior Way: responsibility, excellence, and dignity. Yelling profanity and foul language at the opponent's team's players after they were just injured is neither responsible, excellent, nor dignified.

One brave moment a student took a stand and spoke up against a student who was yelling at a rival athlete, yet that

The Warrior Word is a student publication distributed to students, staff, and community members of Wasilla High and the Mat-Su School District and Mat-Su Borough.

The print version and online site of the Word serves as a public forum and two-way communication between school and community. Opinions expressed in The Word are not necessarily those of the Wasilla High, the WHS administration, staff or Mat-Su School District. Unsigned editorials represent the opinion of the Warrior Word staff. Signed opinion columns are personal opinions of the author and may or may not represent the Warrior Word staff.

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WARRIOR’S VOICE Let’s Party!

Underage drinking a problem for teens

blaKe ZitteriCh

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he adults Wasilla underestimate the amount of parties happening in secret every weekend where teens are getting drunk and high. On average, there are at least a half dozen parties every weekend, and that is just in Wasilla. Even more are held in Anchorage, Eagle River, and Palmer.

These under age students drink until they blackout drunk and puke. Many refer to it as “puke and rally” which is drinking until you puke, and then continue drinking alcohol. This kind of binge drinking is very dangerous, but even more deadly to the youth. According to the Center of Disease Control (CDC) binge

drinking is responsible for over 4,000 deaths of underage kids.

More than 90 percent of alcohol consumed worldwide is consumed by binge drinking. The statistics go further and show that 33 percent of underage teens stated they have at least tried alcohol, and 18 percent of those kids admitted to binge drinking.The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAA) reports that ages 12-20 consume 11 percent of all alcohol in the United States primarily by binge drinking.

According to the Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation (PIRE), teen drinking in Alaska cost the state in medical costs, loss of work, and pain and suffering $192.9 million. Data from

2012 showed an crimes resulting from underage drinking to be an estimated 2 homicides; 2,600 nonfatal violent crimes such as rape, robbery, and assault; 1,700 property crimes including burglary, larceny, and car theft; and 32,000 other crimes including vandalism.

Once the body hits a point of drinking where the body vomits, it is alcohol poisoning. The body rejects the alcohol, and feeding more poison down the throat is how youths die. This kind of drinking is encouraged by other kids because they find it funny to get “wasted”. It's not funny.

It’s more dangerous than teens understand.

The teen drinkers often ‘party hop’ from one house to another.

This is very dangerous because more often than not, there is not a designated driver (DD) and will the teens drive drunk. Even with a DD, the drunk passengers are a huge distraction and risk to the driver, making it difficult to focus on driving the car.

Micheal Bonadurer, Wasilla High School's safety officer, was interviewed on his personal thoughts and experiences with underage drinking. Officer Bonadurer said, “I really think it is tragic. It causes grief for families. I also think it causes more problems because it affects your ability to make good decisions”.

When Officer Bonadurer arrives to a scene where underage drinking is present, the first step he takes is always to make sure everyone in the house is okay.

Many people think that cops bust

party just to ruin their night, but Bonadurer stressed that the police are there to do the right thing and stop kids from breaking the law and exposing themselves to bad decisions.

The next step for Bonadurer at a house party is to check for underage drinkers and determine who has been drinking. Once that check is complete, parents start getting called.

When asked if Officer Bonadurer thinks there is a connection between parents and the underage drinking he responded, “It varies, in some cases the parents are aware that their child is drinking, and in other situations they have no idea what was going on”.

Either way, the parents are called and requested to come pick their kid up and take them home. In the meantime, MICs, minor in consumption tickets, are filed for the underage drinkers.

One Wasilla High school student who asked to remain anonymous shared his experiences of drinking. The student typifies a classic underage drinker, male, and under 16 years old. continued on page 8

World at a glance Alaska’s Real ID deadline approaches emmanuel asher

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he REAL ID act is an act of Congress which modifies federal law dealing with security, authentication, and issuance standards for state driver's licenses and identity documents.

Real ID was recommended by the 9/11 Commission to “set standards for the issuance of sources of identification, such as as driver’s licenses.”

Originally starting out as H.R. 418 it passed the House and eventually stagnant before the original author who is James Sensenbrenner (R) of Wisconson attached it to a military spending bill. The U.S. House of Representatives passed 368 to 58 and President Bush signed it into law

on May 11, 2005.

There have been privacy concerns over REAL IDs requirements for states to share driver’s license applicants information with other states as well as creating a national electronic system storing vast amounts of detailed personal data of individuals.

In non compliant states, driver’s licenses will no longer be accepted at TSA checkpoints and other forms such as a permanent resident card, military ID, or passports will be needed instead.

Currently, there are four non compliant states of Real ID which are Maine, Minnesota, Missouri, and Montana.

Alaska is not a non compliant state and has been given a limited extension to be in compliance

with Real ID until the first week of June 6, 2017.

Alaskans may soon need U.S. passports by January 22, 2018 in order to fly on domestic flights.

In addition, Alaskans who live or work on U.S. military bases will not be able to gain unescorted access and will not be able to use their driver's licenses or any form of state identification to get on federal facilities.

By October 1, 2020 Alaska will either be compliant or noncompliant depending on what actions are taken in the state.

Residents in non compliant states are already being forced to use different forms of identification and for many getting a U.S. passport can be difficult or expensive to get.

In 2008, the Alaska state leg-

islature passed a bill barring any funds to comply with the Real ID act. As of now there are further actions being taken to be within compliance of the Real ID Act due to the 2008 bill making it illegal to do so.

Alaska is currently facing difficult options which could make make travel for residents here more difficult should the state become non compliant.

Wasilla High school students should continue to keep up to date on news of the REAL ID Act in Alaska. Should you be traveling out of state, you soon may be caught off guard by the new requirements on January 22, 2018.

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WARRIOR NEWS Wasilla Warrior stands against hunger Callie adams

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ome teachers showed concern to me, and I just wanted to help," Madeline Emmi said.

Sophomore Madeline Emmi started an extraordinary project at Wasilla High School with help from school staff. Emmi started Project Sandwich.

Emmi started Project sandwich in late February. The project began when Ms. Little, an art teacher at Wasilla high school, expressed her concern for several homeless students attending Wasilla High School who go hungry on the weekends. Wasilla High School has 20 identified homeless students through the district’s Families in Transitions (FIT).

"On Friday mornings, my mom and I make approximately 20 lunch bags," Emmi said. When she first started the project, Emmi made 15 bags for students in need, but within a few weeks, office officials told Emmi and her mom more were needed.

The lunch bags she and her mom make include a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, a granola bar, fruit snacks, Pop Tarts, cheese sticks, and a small carton of milk. After packing the lunch bags, Emmi brings the food bags to the Nurse Kenshalo's office on Friday morning. Then the students in need pick up the packed sandwiches on Friday after school.

The students who receive the sandwiches remain completely anonymous to Emmi. "After school, the students go into the

Sophomore Madeline Emmi took on the challenge to help homeless teens have something to eat on the weekends. She calls is Project Sandwich. Madeline makes 20 lunch bags every Friday morning. (Photo courtesy of Madeline Emmi) nurse's office and grab their bag privately and leave so no other students know who received the bags,” Emmi explained.

Currently, Project Sandwich is only at Wasilla High School.

Emmi is hoping by next year the project will be supported at several of schools in the Mat-Su Borough School District. Clubs from other school have heard about Project Sandwich and offered to help or even run a Project Sandwich at their school. But for now, Emmi only helps students that attend Wasilla High School.

When extra bags are available,

Let's Party

continued from page 7

He admitted drinking alcohol at least once a week and has pushed his limits to the point of puking and blacking out.

He didn’t feel that his drinking caused him to make more decisions that he wouldn't normally make sober. He also said he has never been behind the wheel of a car drunk, but he is not 16 years old. He admitted that he would drink too much “on occasion, but I normally pace myself.” The student said he hides his drinking from his mom and had his first beer in eighth grade.

This kind of underage drinking leads to alcoholism and can

cause serious problems in someone's life. With the focus often on heavier drug use such as meth or heroin, underage drinking can often go unnoticed and untreated. However, the NIAA reports that those who drink underage have a higher chance of becoming an alcoholic when they grow up, as much as 40 percent more likely.

There are many programs and help lines that can assist you in stopping your habits. Some of which are NIAAA, www.thecoolspot.gov, 1-888-498-6707, or talk to a trusted adult.

students who ask for an additional sandwich receive them for siblings. This is also kept confidential from Emmi.

When Emmi started the project, she and her mother would buy all of the supplies for the food bags and later would be refunded by the school. Although she had heard about an organization that might help with expenses with a grant. She did not receive any until early in April.

Emmi received a $500 grant from the district’s FIT program.

Emmi used the grant along with her own money to buy the sup-

plies to prepare the lunch bags.

“We spend out of own money about $65 a week on food and supplies.”

Emmi understates the 20 bags of food she supplies every Friday and the positive difference she makes helping twenty kids, improving twenty lives. Emmi does not receive official recognition for this project, and she says does not need or want it. But, with Project Sandwich, Madeline Emmi represents Wasilla High with dignity, excellence, and responsibility- the Warrior Way.

AP coursework

continued from page 4

The District also wants freshmen and sophomores exposed to more AP style instruction, which includes increasing AP training for all teachers in the high schools. (The National Math and Science Initiative (NMSI) took place for teachers in 2013-16 for this objective.)

There are few strategies the District uses to steer students toward AP classes including Accuplacer and applying universal AP skills. But in general, the best way to have more students take AP classes is through word of mouth and teacher encouragement.

AP course work, with an exam or not, is good for the transcript.

Colleges and businesses alike look favorably on students who show that they were willing to challenge themselves and risk failure. This is also a motivating factor for students.

AP exams are costly, $90 for each exam. The fee is refundable if the student passes with an extra $10. AP teachers receive $100 for each passed exam, too.

So, both teacher and student are

motivated with that incentive. AP exams occur at the end of the semester and are administered by the College Board.

Being in multiple AP classes, students learn a variety of skills separately that all come together effectively in the end. For instance, writing a strong thesis statement in AP Literature may be different from what is needed for in AP U.S. History, but the writing skills become so improved overall, that both classes benefit from the skill.

WHS Junior and AP student Chantel Lovell said that AP classes can be a bit of a hassle when studying. “You have to spend more time studying, and there's more to cover for each test than most students are used to,” Lovell said. Lovell also said that taking AP classes give students the chance to find out their career path based on the classes they enjoy. And the last tip, she added, for success in an AP class is to always communicate with your teacher.

9

WARRIOR SPORTS

Wasilla Waves team swims year round “Train hard, race smart, and swim fast”

Courtney Janreczk and AbbeySmith race to the finish during a Wasilla Waves practice. The Wasilla Waves celebrates their 32nd year as a non-profit year-round swim club. (photo by Jesslyn Zahrt) raina leWis

W

asilla Waves Swim Club, a community operated and funded group, has been around since July of 1985. The non-profit, year-round club started small but has grown to accommodate the

hopes and dreams that it is today with 73 amateur swimmers with the motto of ‘train hard, race smart, swim fast.’

This diverse group ranges in the age from 6-17. Each swimmer, dependent on age and skill, is classified into the respected division. The youngest are the

Wavelets, then the Ripples, the Surgers, and the Breakers being the more middle group. The final class is the Tsunami’s, composed of more experienced high school swimmers.

The in-depth pool training is left to the head coach and three assistants while more prestigious matters are left to the Executive Board of Directors.

Those positions include President, Vice-President, Treasurer, Secretary, and an elected fifth member. Other matters fall to the non-executive board members like Fundraising Coordinator, Membership Coordinator, and Athlete Representative. The board is mostly composed of volunteering parents of the aspiring athletes, and there is no particular reward for their time. Meetings are a monthly occurrence where the discussions incorporate finances, planning meets and preparing events.

“I believe the club has accomplished all of the above over the years and is still standing by those guidelines,” President of

the Board, Casey Laughlin said in a recent interview.

Coaches, parents, and swimmers alike strive to create an environment to be their very best and influence a nurturing undercurrent.

“There is a lot of focus on creating a safe and fun atmosphere for our swimmers while keeping in check the integrity of teaching proper technique, respecting others, creating and working toward personal accomplishments, and building the foundation for lifelong healthy habits.” Mrs. Laughlin remarked.

Fun and games aren’t all there is to being a member of the club.

Each group practices after school from 3:00-6:15 p.m. The specific numbers of hours is dependent upon the swimmer’s level and group. During practice, coaches oversee techniques and challenge the swimmers by various sets of distance and speed drills, with the goals of testing endurance limits and expanding on stroke efficiency. continued on page 13

Softball season starts with perfect 24 maKayla meinhart

I

t’s that time of year again, the snow is melting and the softball fields are cleared.

Wasilla High School’s softball team is out and ready to swing into the season. Girls with zero experience to varsity experience playing are able to try out the sport.

One of the coaches of the Wasilla High softball team, Tyler Gilligan, is looking forward to the season. They wanted 24 girls to try out and 24 is what they got.

The biggest goal Gilligan has for the team is to win another conference title, which would be the third one in a row.

The first game of the season is on April 13th against Kodiak.

Rivalry games against Colony are the ones he is looking forward to most this season.

“We’re going to play, have fun, and we’re going to win,” Gilligan said.

Samantha Kincheloe, a sophomore at Wasilla High, plays for the softball team. She started playing her freshman year with

no experience of the sport. She believes the team will do good this season and has more confidence playing since she had played the year before. Kincheloe’s position on the team is outfield and a goal of hers is to get home-runs this season.

“We are all like family and I love the coaches,” Kincheloe said.

Courtney Ham is another member of the Wasilla High softball team. This is her second year playing for WHS, but has four years of experience

total playing. Ham’s positions on the team are pitcher, first, and second. Having all the past years of experience, she feels much more confident playing the game. She also plays for a comp team where the coaches are more strict and serious about the game, and the girls have more experience playing.

“My personal goal is to make a home-run, like, over the fence,” Ham said.

10

WARRIOR ARTS Music brings the Mat Su together Kayla sChierholt

A

little over 50 band students from all over the Valley practiced in one room for two days to come together and put on the 2017 Honor Festival. Students from all over the district from schools such as; Career Tech, Colony, Houston, Palmer, Reddington and of course Wasilla, perform in this festival. Out of the 54 students that performed, there were nine students representing WHS. Honor Fest includes the best students in our district.

“There’s not usually a set number of how many kids go. We ask the director how many from each section they need. The director sends a list saying, for example, ‘I want ten flutes, 12 clarinets, and four horns’. Then we work to fill those spots, so the amount of kids fluctuates every year,” WHS band teacher Ashley Wedge said.

To be apart of honor band a musician must audition. Auditions include recording the student playing a previously practiced piece. The auditioning student must also play a chroWasilla middle sChool

matic scale. The audition piece changes from year to year. The audition pieces alternate between odd years and even years.

“Auditions mostly come from the three big schools; Colony, Palmer, and Wasilla. Reddington submitted a few auditions this year. We didn’t get any auditions this year from Houston or Su Valley. They come and go, those two tend to go to Region II rather than Region III, and compete with the smaller schools rather than the bigger schools,” Wedge said.

“If someone wants to audition they should do it. They need to practice first and only do it if they’re going to make an effort and are actually invested in it,” WHS Junior Madeline Kelly said.

Kelly plays tuba in WHS symphonic band. This was Kelly’s first year being in Honor Band, but not her first time at honor festival. Before, she was in honor choir.

“I like being able to play music and be around other students who are as serious about music as I am,” Kelly said, “I also like being able to be recognized for

groWs orChestra With donated bass

our skill and being able to improve by working with directors that do this professionally.”

Colony traditionally hosts the Honor Festival and does most of the planning for the logistics, too.

“It [honor festival] has been at Colony for quite a while. They just have the best facility to host the honor festival. The scheduling and planning for the festival are done by the teachers at Colony,” Wedge said.

The amount of planning for honor fest changes every year.

Each teach in the district takes on a part in organizing the festival.

“The music teachers in the district all meet together a couple times a year to talk about things and divvy up the work.

Matt Swalling (Reddington High), is the district music coordinator so he is the one who finalizes everything. Shane Artz (Houston High), helps arrange travel, music selection, and some of the other details. Stan Harris (Palmer High), helps with the organizing the music and distributing things to all of the students,” Colony

Orchestra students unite with concert JaKylah beeChing

E

ach year students from the Mat-Su High schools,middle schools and home-schoolers spend two days at Colony High School to prepare for the annual honor concert. This year, students went to Colony on Thursday, March 30 and Friday, March 31 in preparation for the. Friday night performance in a packed Colony High gymnasium.

The honor concerts hosts new orchestra director each year. The guest conductor is chosen two years prior to the performance.

“We usually book a director two years in advance. This year’s director is Ryan Fitzpatrick,” Wasilla High School Orchestra and Band instructor Mrs. Wedge said. Ryan Fitzpatrick is an Illinois native and is currently teaching the cello at the University of Alaska in Fairbanks.

The honor concert included a variety of string, band, and

Wasilla Middle School orchestra program, conducted by Kathryn Sharp, grows in numbers. Currently, 16 students belong in the program, some with experience with music, some just beginning. The orchestra has an array of instruments from violins, violas, cello, and a bass player. Recently, Brett and Nancy Wendt donated a bass made

by Karl Knilling in Romania worth about $2,000. With two 8th grade orchestra members heading into 9th grade, the music departments at WHS and WMS can expect a fast growing orchestra. (photo by Alanna Christianson)

High school band teacher, Jamin Burton said.

Burton said he is usually involved in selecting the director and coordinating what the expectations for the festival are.

“Directors are usually lined up two years in advance. Directors that do a lot of honor festivals, their schedules book up really quickly. So we do have to book directors a couple of years in advance,” Wedge said.

This year’s honor band was directed by Doctor Donald Peterson, who is the wind symphony conductor at Brigham Young University in Utah.

“The song selection is usually done by the director of the honor group after he/she commits to come. They ask about the general ability of the students and history of songs we have performed in the past. Then they send a list of possible songs. The local teachers then review the selections and make recommendations. After everyone approves we submit an order to Mr. Swalling, who in turn gets it in to district purchasing,” Burton said.

choir musicians from around the Valley. Nine band students, two orchestra students, and approximately eight choir students participated in the event from WHS alone.

During the concert, different age levels of musicians performed. First, the middle school choir, then the high school choir, followed by the middle school band, and the high school band, and finally the orchestra played.

The orchestra was the only group to have both middle school and high schoolers playing together.

The orchestra played three pieces, “Across the Wind”,”She Will Hang the Night with Stars”, and “Finale”.

The concert ended on a good note with the audience applauding, and the students pleased to have finally finished the pieces they had practiced on their own for over a month.

11

WARRIOR ARTS Disney makes a whole new world with remakes aspen baKner

G

rowing up, one of the most influential movies watched are Disney films. Everyone remembers watching all the old Disney movies and falling in love with every character on the screen. Alas, as everyone grows older, they start to expand to more than cartoons and the interest for animated movies fade. Then, ten years later Disney re-creates everyone's old favorite Disney cartoons and interest and love peaks for the stories once admired dearly.

Disney is not new to making noteworthy sequels, but they are changing up the norm for sequels by recreating them all together and making them live-action feature films.

Disney has already made a live action Alice in Wonderland, Maleficent, Cinderella, Jungle Book, Alice in Wonderland Through the Looking Glass, Pete’s Dragon, and Beauty and the Beast.

Beauty and the Beast made the most money out of all of the current Disney live action movies during opening weekend bringing in $174,750,616. It is also the most viewed trailer in the world

within a 24-hour time frame with 127.6 million views.

Disney connoisseurs are extremely passionate about Disney and become very excited about anything Disney announces; others don’t see a point in recreating their previously successful animated cartoons. It’s not news that Hollywood is losing originality and new stories to tell, and Disney is no exception. Disney and various other movie producers (Fox Entertainment, Paramount, Illumination, Dreamworks, etc…) have tried to resolve this issue by making sequels. Consumers accepted this for a while, but they miss hearing new stories.

How could Disney possibly solve this issue? It’s simple, live action remakes. This way, consumers are still seeing those old characters they’ve grown to love with the faces of favored actors, consumers hear that old story but with new changes to keep the plot fresh, and Disney is making good money just as an original movie would earn at the box office These live action movies can mean so much to someone who grew up on Disney. They teach

disney

invest millions into remaKes

valuable life lessons that everyone can use later on in life, and they also help develop a connection with the characters, and the movies improve creativity and imagination. These movies also inspire teens to get into creating movies; this helps Disney impact future lives.

With the success and love for the new live-action Beauty and the Beast, it is very easy to imagine the quality of some of the movies to come, such as

Mulan, the Lion King, and Aladdin. Beauty and the Beast was a great film that even came to answer some questions you forgot you had. The lighting, cinematography, and script was outstanding. The actors in the film brought the characters to life in the best way, and the movie was very humorous all around. It was a fantastic remake.

Disney sets the bar high for new live action movies to come.

World Language students tour Europe emmanuel asher

L

eaving the terminal of Charles de Gaulle airport, five students, myself included, from Wasilla High School along with a group from Owasso, Oklahoma arrived in Paris, France on March 12, 2017.

Soon after landing we met our tour guide Lorena who could speak English, Spanish, French, and German. The bus ride from Charles de Gaulle allowed us to see the outskirts of Paris, mixing both old and new buildings.

Some members of the group had never been to Europe before and for them this was an exciting moment. And for others, they were too jet lagged to really enjoy their first day in Paris.

The next day we set out to see famous French landmarks such as the Arc de Triomphe and the Eiffel Tower. We also visited the Louvre Museum which included the famous Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci.

On the fourth day of the trip the journey to Strasbourg, France began with a long four hour bus ride. Not too far away from Strasbourg the group was able to visit the champagne caves and learn how sparkling wine is made as well as the history of the company who makes them.

The next morning we had to prepare for our trip to Rothenburg ob der Tauber, a small German town in Franconia. The town was a mix of modern architecture and old medieval architecture in the center of the town.

Many waterways flow throughout Strasbourg, France along with German influences in the surrounding architecture. photo by Emmanuel Asher) Rothenburg was fairly quiet town with cobblestone streets in the older part of town surrounded with medieval walls and towers.

It truly felt like a old German medieval town.

A store that I went to had tons of medieval armor, clothing, weapons, as well as alcohol and in the back of the store. The store also included things such as real chainmail armor and Roman and Norman helmets which were roughly €150 ($163) or more.

After a spending a few hours in Rothenburg we had to get back on our bus and begin the trip towards Munich which is a city in southern Germany. The city had

many old buildings dating from medieval times to Hitler’s Third Reich.

We visited the BMW Museum first which was near BMW Welt.

The museum showcased BMW’s history with their cars, motorcycles, and engines.

The museum had a impressive amount of cars that were kept in good condition along with their new electric cars.

The next place we visited was the Nymphenburg Palace, which was built in 1675. It was commissioned to be built by the prince electoral couples of Ferdinand Maria and Princess Henriette Adelaide of Savoy after the birth of their son Maximilian II

Emanuel.

The palace was very large and had large canals with swans and other birds. Our visit to the Nymphenburg Palace was very short and we were only able to visit the palace grounds.

The last place in Munich that we visited was the Dom zu Unserer Lieben Frau (Cathedral of Our Dear Lady). The chimes of the Glockenspiel could be heard very clearly and it had mannequins that would move around every time it sounded.

Our last destination in Germany was the Dachau Concentration Camp located in a town named Dachau not too far away from Munich. Dachau was one of the first concentration camps built to originally hold political prisoners and eventually many others.

The camp was very large and had tons of information on the people who were sent here with hanging posters throughout the main building. The concentration camp also had things ranging from clothing to pictures of those who went here.

It was a fairly semi cold day with rain pouring down as we got our bags onto our bus before departing home.

Needless to say the students weren’t ready to go back home or the long flight home. As the flight to Charles de Gaulle airport prepared to board, the partner group from Owasso, Oklahoma wished the Alaskan teens goodbye and Alaska bound they flew after a trip of a lifetime.

12

WARRIOR GOOD THINGS World Languages help grow minds

alanna Christianson

World language teaCher ready to help

W

ith

most postsecondary schools mandating graduating high students have at least two years of a foreign language, Wasilla High provides some options.

Besides a few online APEX classes, traditional classroom courses are available to all students.

Three instructors at WHS teach a different language- Svetlana Gabbard teaches Russian, Alicia Tweet teaches Japanese, and Amy Mecher teaches Spanish.

Russian teacher Svetlana Gabbard, a native Russian speaker, has taught at WHS for four years and teaches two evels of Russian. She uses the TPRS a lot, Teaching Proficiency through Reading and Storytelling. It is based on the ideas of Stephen Krashen, who Gabbard was fortunate enough to meet and atted his workshops a few years ago.

“I teach using Krashen’s methods and teach new vocabulary through stories, gestures, questions,” Gabbard said. I believe in the “importance of world language.”

Alicia Tweet replaces Japanese teacher Carla Swick. Swick transferred to Palmer High School to bring Japanese to the Japanese sister city, Palmer. This is Tweet’s first year teaching the Japanese language to students, but she has taught in Japan during her exchange in college. With an endorsement in science, Tweet did not expect to have the opportunity to teach Japanese. Tweet uses her Japanese experience to help guide her instruction. Her curriculum is reading based, so first-year students should be able to read both of the basic alphabets (hiragana and katakana) and some of the complex writings (Kanji) without Romanji, the most basic forms of Japanese writings, to assist. “[A challenge to first year teaching is] developing curriculum,” Tweet said, “Trying to make sure we are aligned with Colony, and aligned with some of the schools in Anchorage, just in case our students transfer in or out, but also having no idea what they have learned in [previous] classes. Standards for language learning are a lot more vague than they are for science, which is very specific, so just trying to make sure our second year is the same as other second years [Japanese II] across Alaska.”

Tweet works on being explicit on directions in her teaching.

She has learned not to overlook the things that she sees as common information such as; reading Japanese from top to bottom and right to left. Tweet uses Japanese children’s short stories and the textbook often. Basing each unit on a different story, and covers information about the Japanese culture presented in each story. Tweet also works with Dimond High School on

Svletlana Gabbard helps freshman Marian Warhus with an assignment. Mrs. Gabbard teaches World History and Russian I and II. She is originally from Far East Russia in Khabarovfk, immigrating to the United States in 1997. (photo by Zach Griffin) how to structure her teaching to follow their successful Japanese curriculum.

“I think students need to take a world language because it teaches you a different way to think.” Tweet said, “especially a nonwestern language teaches you a very different way to think.

You wind up just facing yourself more naturally into grammar.”

Tweet said there are studies where instructors say a sentence, then have students do some tasks, then ask them ‘what do you remember about that?’ “If it's about something being broken, English speakers remember who broke it,” Tweet said, “That’s what they are going to take away from that because English speakers always have to

have a subject. In Japanese, all students really remember was ‘the vase was broken’ because that’s the sentence that they heard.” Japanese speakers drop the subject of who did the action.”

“So learning language changes what you view as important in your actual sentences and your framework,” Tweet said.

“I think that’s what really important about foreign language because then you have another way to look at problems. We need kids who are going to be our future that is going to be able to solve problems; it is very important.”

One of the most popular languages for high school students is Spanish. Wasilla’s new Spanish

teacher, Amy Mecher, replaces former Spanish teacher Tim Hall. With a full day of teaching Spanish, Mecher finds challenges with teaching the same subject throughout the day. Being use to a full schedule of different classes in the past it has been a struggle to adjust, but Mecher has been working on it. Another struggle for Mecher is being a new teacher at Wasilla High, although not new to teaching.

Mecher taught in Kotzebue before joining Warrior Nation.

“Teaching Spanish 1 is not difficult,” Mecher said, “because once you get to know the students it’s just teaching a class. continued on page 15

13

WARRIOR GOOD THINGS Cadet leadership Camp

for

JrotC

inCludes adventure and Camaraderie

WHS cadets take a break on the top of Ft McGilvray during the 2013 CLC in Seward. CLC is an annual excercise for interested cadets. (photo courtesy of JROTC)

JROTC cadets attend CLC Camp Jase Clingman

W

asilla AFJROTC never breaks from being the best they can be. Before summer vacation starts for the Wasilla corps, many cadets attend a camping trip called CLC (Cadet Leadership Camp).

The camp earn the students a half credit and teaches survival skills while testing the students on the leadership abilities they learned throughout the year. The cadets Wasilla Waves

enjoy multiple outdoor activities, hiking Mt. Marathon, taking a Resurrection Bay cruise and hiking to Fort McGilvray in Caines Head State Recreation Area.

“The cadets must do a qualifying hike up Lazy Mountain to see if they will be able to hike Mt. Marathon,” SMSgt Walker said. In the qualifying hike, students must reach the top within a two hour period. To prove that the students made the qualifier in two hours, they have to take a picture with a timestamp

provide year long praCtiCe for sWimmers

at the bottom at the top of Lazy Mountain.

The cadet's schedule at CLC is typically an early morning wake up, physical training before the day’s activity. Once back at camp, the cadets have dinner, and a little free time before lights out.

On the final day of the trip, the cadets have the option to go ziplining with Alaska Zipline Adventures in Seward. The ziplining costs an additional $50 on top of the initial $150 necessary for the CLC.

Mulneaux takes over

continued from page 3

My kids went to Wasilla.

I loved it here, so when I saw there was an opening coming up at Wasilla high I knew it was time to make a move if my kids were going to be here eventually,” Mulneaux said.

That’s when Mulneaux became the secretary for the counseling office. What she did for the counseling office was keep the counselors organized and such.

She helped put together the master schedule. She made sure the counselors stayed on top of scheduling.

She also scheduled college visits and scheduling TA’s (teacher assistant's), into the program.

Another part of her job was to take care of students and help make sure they were able to get to their counselor and get what they needed.

“She kept us organized and

Waves year round

continued from page 9

A lot of time and effort is put into creatively making each set challenging by designing the exercises to improve various skills.

Present-day coach Hadley Remele is both the main coach of Waves, the Wasilla High School swim team, and a Special Education teacher at Wasilla High.

Coach Hadley plans the rigorous sets and organizes who swims what event at meets. While swimmers do have significant control over which events they enter and prefered strokes they swim, the coaches have final say in the matters.

While swimming may appear to be an individual sport, meets are

won by team points. Most swimmers excel in and favor one particular stroke and work mostly at improving time and technique for individual races. This dedication and strong work has produced several state level competitors in a very physically challenging, technical, and rewarding athletic sport.

Joining the Waves Swim Club is a rather simple process. Information can be found at www. wasillawavesak.org. Those interested must pass a basic skills test that includes a 25 meter freestyle, backstroke, and a legal breastroke. The butterfly stroke is an option but not required.

made us more efficient. She took over things that we didn’t have to keep track of. She took care of tracking TAs, off campuses, and to a high school. I thought the students might be a little more disrespectful or rude and that has not been true for me. I have never experienced that here,” Mulneaux said.

“Everyday I am pleasantly surprised and amazed at how great our kids are, they are fantastic. They just make my day every day. I tell everybody that I work here and they say, ‘Oh you work at Wasilla,’ and they kind of make that face. Like are you kidding me? Wasilla’s the best. The kids are the best. You just won’t find anybody better,” Mulneaux said.

14

WARRIOR FEATURES

cLove at first bytec

shyanne massie

T

he world no longer depends on having the confidence to write a note on the ripped corner from a piece of lined paper and pass it to the cutie a few seats away.

In today's world, you can learn an individual's hobbies, interests and other personal information by scrolling through their social media in one click or less. There is no need for a get-to-know-you first date to learn those more minor, but important details. Meeting people in a public setting is becoming less common because of technology.

So after high school, where dating is controlled by a common group of people in a contained space, what do people do?

Welcome to online dating where love is only 1 MB away.

Over 54 million adult men and women in the United States are without a significant other. While that is far less than half the nation's population, that is still 54 million possible online dating users. A study from the University of Bath found that 94 percent of couples meeting online share a second date. These relationships last on average of at least seven months, with 18 percent of them lasting over a year. Already, the odds with online dating are better than a high school romance.

“I was to the point where I told myself I was going to be single for forever. I had been divorced for a year and a half, and within two weeks on Match I found the one,” Tina Powers, Special Education teacher at WHS, said.

Powers had been looking for someone relatable, with kids ,and who had been previously divorced like herself.

“Through online dating I was able to search for exactly what I wanted in a partner. You don't have that luxury while meeting people in the real world, especially since half the time married men don't wear rings!” Powers said.

Online dating has taken over the romance world. According to an article from the University of Rochester, about one in four couples meet online and that number continues to grow.

Online dating is second only to meeting through friends as the most common way to meet.

The market leader of online dating is Tinder, a matchmaking app with a concept similar to ‘hot or not’. Users swipe left on a profile if they are uninterested, and right if they are interested.

If two people slide right for each other, Tinder notifies the potential lovebirds, and they can arrange a face to face meeting.

Tinder has approximately 50 million users and has been downloaded to 100 million cellular devices. This dating service has been responsible for more than 10 billion matches, not bad for only being four years old.

The 10 million active daily users spend on average 35 minutes a day deciding if their potential matches are “hot or not”.

Another leading dating site is OkCupid. It examined data from 1.5 million users to determine the top four things people lie about most when looking for love on the internet: Height "People are two inches shorter in real life." Height is one of the top three things American men lie about on online dating sites, while women are more likely to lie about their weight and build.

Income "People are 20 percent poorer than they say they are."

Pictures "The more attractive the picture, the more likely it is to be out-of-date." OkCupid found that "over a third of the hottest photos on the site are a year old or more. And more than twice as many hot photos are over three years old (12 percent) as average-looking ones (5 percent)."

OkCupid learned that the age of the photo tended to increase along the age of the uploader. On average, a fifty year old man's photo would be around 500 days old, while a twenty year old man's photo is more likely to be around 200 days old.

Sexuality "80 percent of self-identified bisexuals are only interested in one gender." The dating site found that "12 percent of women under 35 on OkCupid self-identify as bisexual.

Powers didn’t use Tinder or OkCupid. She settled on Match. com. After paying $129 for a sixmonth membership, it only took Powers 14 days to find the her perfect match. According to Pew Research, Powers and her fian-

ce are part of only 5 percent of online dating matches who make it to the altar.

“I don't recommend using the free sites. You definitely are getting what you pay for when it comes to online dating,” said Powers. When it comes to online dating it is important to follow a few safety tips.

Powers advises smart dating while using online sites. Her first advice is to take it slow. “Start by talking over the messaging system the dating app provides.

Once you get to know them more, you can move to texting.

Don't give your number right away because there's so much

mers steal photos from Facebook pages.

People join online dating for a number of different reasons. One of the most stated reasons for online dating is simply that there doesn’t seem to be any other option.

“I’ve known everyone in my hometown since grade school.

They’ve seen me square dance in gym class, throw-up on fieldtrips, and cry while reading Where the Red Fern Grows; these guys were not an option.

Online dating seemed the logical choice,” English teacher Kalea Myers wrote in a short memoir.

According to an online study

online dating safety tips

someone can do with a phone number. After you text for as long as you need, you can have a phone date. And if you still don’t see any red flags go meet up for dinner or coffee,” Powers said.d “Never ever meet at your house or at their house. Always meet in a public setting,” Powers said.

Whatever you do, don't ignore red flags. Trust your instincts.

If something feels off, excuse yourself and have a close friend on call.

Another way to protect yourself and know what you are getting from a digital distance is to use TinEye, lets users see where else on the Internet a photo has appeared. Online dating scam-

of dating habits in 2005, most Americans had minimal exposure to online dating and they tended to view it as a desperate way of meeting people. A decade and some later, nearly half of the public knows someone who has used online dating or who has met their spouse online. Attitudes toward online dating have grown progressively more positive.

Myers said that she knows several people who are into longterm relationships after meeting online. But, that doesn’t mean it’s an easy way to meet people.

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WARRIOR FEATURES Love at first byte- online dating rules

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“I got a message once,” Myers wrote in a short story entry, “ YourDaddy is interested in you! Show you are interested in him by writing him a message! Are you kidding me!? I quickly check not interested.”

Like Powers, online dating can be a successful experience.However that's not always the case.

Myers purchased a three month membership on Match.com but after one month she deiced she had enough.

“If I could tell online daters anything I would say edit your profiles.

Not just the spelling and pronunciation, but provide information about yourself rather than a constant stream of consciousness,” Myers said.

Online dating for 18 to 24 year-olds has almost tripled from 10 percent in 2013 to 27 percent today.Online dating usage among 55 to 64 year-olds has also risen greatly since the last Pew Research Center survey on the topic. Today, 12 percent of 55 to 64 year-olds report using an online dating

site or mobile dating app versus only 6 percent in 2013. But, these statistics didn’t convince Myers.

“In the end I deactivated my account. Why pay for stress and anxiety? Why pay to be stood up?” Myers said.

Myers became engaged in March without the help of online dating apps. Match.com made Powers’ match however, and she is getting married in May. “Best $129 I ever spent,” she said.

So, if you are thinking about dating after high school, better start working on that profile. Still, one way or the other, face to face eventually is what determines the beginning of a lasting relationship. One might start by putting the phone down and looking up. Mr. or Ms. Right might be in front of you at no charge.

World Languages help grow minds But teaching Spanish II and Spanish III and IV when they’ve had one or two, sometimes three other teachers you have to try to bridge the gaps between the things that you want them to know and what they already know.”

Mecher has a goal for her Spanish students. Her goal is for her students to be able to test out of Spanish for college credit if they choose to stay all four years. She also wants students who choose to stop at only two years to still be able to communicate in a Spanish-speaking country.

Knowing that it is difficult to learn a foreign language, Mecher works to make it easier for her students to learn the Spanish language by having it learn more

naturally, instead of through constant repetition where the goal is to memorize rather than know and understand the language.

“Research shows that when you are learning a foreign language, you are training your brain to think about different concepts just in a new way,” Mecher said, “So learning a foreign language it will help you with your first language.”

It will help you in other areas, ad it is important to be able to communicate on a global scale because we’re working in a global market. The invention of the internet, which allows people in Kentucky to talk to people in Japan instantaneously, means that we now have the means to communicate globally.

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THE BACKPAGE

Nintendo switches it up

BPA brings New console brings new features home awards Courtney Johnson

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sKyler morgan

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ith only a handful of games at launch, the Nintendo Switch is the one of the weaker console to date regarding launch titles, and it is quickly affecting its fans.

Especially being so imbued with pop culture, the lack of games for the system combined with the lack of Nintendo Virtual Console hurt its replay value, and in turn its sales.

However, some may disregard the lack of games and say that the Nintendo Switch is a momentous change-up for Nintendo. For instance WHS junior Wyatt Wallace said,“The Nintendo Switch is not trying to be the best, it’s trying to change up how they have been approaching the console market for the past few years.

They have been focusing on the handhelds and they intend to try and merge the console and the handheld.”

In the beginning, there were few games for the Nintendo Switch one of which was Nintendo’s Zelda Breath of The Wild.

Being the newest, the Zelda

franchise game is quickly becoming one of the most recognized modern Zelda games ever. The quality of this game is amping others up for the release of other games, hoping that they may be similar in quality.

None of this is saying anything about this new console, however, as I am sure it is if not at least decent, great when it comes to price to performance. To be honest Nintendo’s consoles never have too many games to start with, but what we can be sure of is that it will always be a staple of gaming.

One of the few games at launch was “1, 2, 3...Switch,” which in itself is not an actual game but rather a collection of minigames, was rather gimmicky. Even the advertised 3D rumble feature seemed a little childish, and hardly worked, and often seemed frustrating. However that is not a flagship game, and the performance of software should not hurt a console in its review. So on to the hardware.

It’s not anything crazy regarding hardware, but at its price it’s a heck of a deal, sporting a

Nvidia Tegra, an integrated CPU or central processing unit, meaning it has both a processor and a video card in the same unit, so it is plenty compact.

The Tegra is not a powerful monster of a card. However, it makes up for it by being small, inexpensive and scalable to HD resolutions. The console in itself shines through in its size and weight, at only 297 grams (0.65 pound) it is insanely light. And that’s not even mentioning the dimensions, at 15.75 centimeters (6.2 inches) its screen is a very compact for its HD resolution, meaning it has plenty of pixels to see.

This console is a big step up from Nintendo's previous consoles, but this is nowhere near the 1080p resolution standard of today’s consoles. It surely isn’t the 4k monitor of modern PC's, but for $300 that’s a heck of a deal. Rest assured that you are still bound to see the Nintendo Switch at any family game night.

tudents across Alaska gathered in downtown Anchorage for the annual conference to showcase their business professional skills.

Wasilla High School participates in the Career and Technical Student Organization (CTSO) conference, one of the organizations being Business Professionals of America (BPA).

The BPA state event is completely planned by students where 700 students gather from all around the state.

“They plan the food, the workshops, get the judges, all the fun events that we do, and schedule all the competitions. For students to be able to plan this entire process is really impressive,” teacher and BPA advisor David Ralph said.

Students representing Wasilla High School at BPA vary in experience and skill level. Senior Kyla Busness attended the CTSO conference for the third time in her high school career. Busness along with six other students attended the conference together in March 2017.

“I originally joined my sophomore year in hopes to learn more about graphic design. Through BPA, I’ve definitely improved my skills and I’ve won the state pin design every year since,” Busness said.

With the majority of BPA members being seniors, sophomore Amir Azlan was encouraged by fellow classmates to attend the CTSO conference.

“I mainly got involved with BPA to step outside of my comfort zone. I want to take advantage of this experience and be more outgoing,” Azlan said.

Wasilla High School performed exceedingly well with all participants placing in various competitions. At the CTSO conference, Busness landed second place in both Graphic Design Promotion and Advanced Interview skills.

Azlan participated in PC Servicing & Troubleshooting and took fifth place.

With majority of BPA students being seniors this year, the number of students representing Wasilla High School is expected to drop next year, but it won’t include Azlan. “I would do this again, even if I were to do it by myself,” Azlan said.

“Some students ask ‘why should I join BPA?’ and it’s all about stepping out of your shell.

These people who attend aren’t professionals.They’re students who don’t speak in front of people, who sit in the back row, but it’s just about getting out of your comfort zone and doing it in a safe, fun way,” Ralph said.