theLake Stevens High School JanuaryValhalla 18, 2012 Vol #84 Issue #5 [email protected]

Katherine Goddard breaks a school record pg. 3 Beats by Proff pg. 4 Skyrim: taking gaming back an era or two pg. 7 2news January 18, 2012 Check out more photos on Facebook at “Lshs Valhalla”

Scientists or pranksters? the nd w u o Nasty surprise found in lockers 161 and 162 o r r l a d

ews FordN has issued a recall for Ford Freestar and Mercury . Monterey vans that were made in 2004 and 2005. The vans have a risk of failure in the torque converter and could lead to the sudden loss of motor power in the vehi- cles. Along with these models, Ford Escape models made in the year 2001 and 2002 are being recalled for leaking (“Ford recalls 450,000 SUVs, minivans”). brake fluid that can cause electrical erosion and fires . Some time in December an under-water volcano erupted and produced enough debris to form a new island. The newest addition to Earth’s landscape is located near the northern edge of the Zubair Islands and is about 2,000 feet across. The island has yet to be named (“Earth’s Newest Island, Burped from a Volcano, Is a Keeper”).

Photo by Marissa Fredrickson Jordan Van Der Sloot, a suspect in the Natalee Holloway Students placed an assortment of school juices and carrots in lockers 161 and 162 in the 100 building. This prank is . disappearance, has pled guilty to the murder of a Peru- considered a health risk due to mold growing on the carrots. vian woman. He was never charged in the Holloway case by Marissa Fredrickson A few weeks funny. but has admitted to killing Stephany Flores after he caught Photographer ago, in the 100 “I think it’s freakin’ hilarious, and building, lockers 161 and 162 were I’m glad they did it,” said junior Allias her searching him online once he was a suspect in the Hol- Nelson. loway case (“Dutchman Pleads Guilty to Killing Peru Woman”). rots and unopened fruit juices. They Why did these students put the car- filledwere toleft the in brimthere with so long unwrapped that the car- rots in the lockers? Was it a prank? Reports out of North Korea say that persons whom did rots had rotted and the juices had fer- Were they bored? . not show enough emotion during the mourning period mented. The custodians have had to “I think it’s funny. If it is someone after Kim Jong Il’s death are being punished. Authorities they knows locker, but if it’s not, and three times already. Who did this? no one uses the locker, it’s not cool,” are reportedly sentencing up to six months in labor-train- clean“I think out thesethat you filthy would lockers have aboutto be said junior Linea Brown. ing camps to those who did not seem to display enough like a three year old to do it,” said ju- If caught, students can be disci- emotion nior Patrick Allen. plined for misconduct or vandalism mourn Kim Jong Il”). and receive a warning or a suspension, (“North Korea reportedly punishing those who didn’t sufficiently repulsive and childish, some encour- depending on the severity of the of- While many students find the prank fense. age these kinds of acts, finding them 47,258 food drive total LSHS collected 26,048 more items than Granite Falls HS Math Department: 18,998 items Knutson’s 1st period: 8,289 items DECA/FCCLA: 4,995 items LSHS 1/2 food collected will supply Hungry Hearts for a year HELPED Statistics courtesy of Joe cronin 250 LOCAL FAMILIES Valhalla Staff: News straight from Viking heaven Editor-in-Chief & A&E Editor: News Editor: Hannah Bartow Aleesa Browning-Gerst Photographers: Sarah Ruiz Sports Editor: Micheal Gianola Vincent Bruscas Marissa Fredrickson Design Editor: Avery Cavazos Opinion Editor: Samantha Jennifer Rojas Elaine Potter Features Editor: Meagan Wade Chloe Rowland Advisor: Baron Reporters: Rachael Belvin Jake Sheridan Julie Henggeler Check out more photos on Facebook at “Lshs Valhalla” January 18, 2011 sports3 the nd w Lake Stevens basketball battles Kamiak u o o r Katherine Goddard breaks a school record and the boys prove their committment on January 16 r l a d Knights with a score of by Sarah Duncan, which by Sarah Ruiz The Lake Ste- sion of the ball, and the Vikings fought by Michael Gianola 64-31. Senior Katherine was set in 1997. Goddard Editor-in-Chief vens Vikings’ bas- hard to keep points on the board. Smith Section Editor Goddard led the Vikings put in seven three-point- ketball team faced scored a memorable three-pointer with with a game changing 24 ers to break the record. 30 seconds left on the clock. On January 16, the points and also broke the “I’d been excited ev- at Kamiak High School on January 5, As the fourth quarter started the Vi- Lake Stevens’ varsity girls school’s three-point bas- ery moment for the game 2012. Seniors Kevinoff Smith, against Brady PaKamiak- kings were behind with a score of 54- basketball team went up ket record. The record of since I woke up in the hukoa, Christian Gasca, and juniors 42. The team worked hard to recover against Kamiak. The girls six three-pointers in one morning,” said Goddard. Devin Stoen and Tory Rothgeb started struck down the Kamiak game was previously held for the Vikings. Pahukoa stepped up of the fourth quarter and having an pointer’s there was no - withimpressive Pahukoa defensive scoring the game. first Tomson points “Whenway they I hit were five stopping three- session of the ball. The Vikings put a also displayed note-worthy defense; he me. I knew I was going forKamiak the tip-off, player at and the free-throwKamiak took line pos also helped add some energy when he to get [the record]. And I - did.” two baskets of the game. ing points for the Vikings. Although the The game started out a shortly after tip-off, marking the first tookVikings the lost, court the in gamethe final was quarter, a nail-biter add little slow for the Vikings, Vikings to score. Pahukoa was strong and kept the fans pumped up. only leading by three on Stoen defense, was grabbingthe first player multiple from defen the- “From the start we knew it was go- ing to be a battle. They seemed to have quarter. But then, in the an answer for every one of our baskets. pointssecond quarter after they the went first sive rebounds. The first quarter was a I was proud we kept battling to the end. on a 20-1 run, advancing closequarter, game, the score with was both tied, teams 15-15. fighting We just have to get back into the gym the score to 35-13 at half to takeJunior the Dakota lead. At Tomson the end startedof the first the and work towards next game. It’s what time. Then in the second happens next, and how we bounce half, the Vikings did not baskets at the free throw line. Smith second quarter by scoring the first two said Tomson. the game with a big win Gasca two minutes into the second back, that’s going to define our team,” backand a off,broken as record. they Ev ended- scoredquarter. off Later a long in the pass quarter from Gascateammate fol- ery suited Viking player lowed up his assist after stealing the saw playing time at one ball away from Kamiak for a break- point in the game or an- away that resulted in a basket for the other. This win advanced the with yet another tied score, 31-31. Viking’s overall record to Vikings.The Vikings The end started of the Pahukoa, first half Smith,ended an undefeated 12-0. With Gasca, Tomson and Stoen the second half for the Vikings. Kamiak scored in the win the entire team is under 15 seconds, and Pahukoa fol- looking forward to what lowed their basket with one of his own they believe to be a bright 30 seconds in the third quarter. Ka- future ahead of them. miak rallied to score four baskets in a Photo by sarah ruiz “I expect us to place at row. Gasca added points to the board state,” said senior Abigail Senior Brady Pahukoa looks for a teammate to pass Photo by Michael Gianola for Lake Stevens at the free throw line. the ball to as the Vikings battle against Kamiak. Junior Brooke Pahukoa takes a jump shot as the Viking’s girls basketball Molstre. Kamiak started to take greater posses- team takes on the Kamiak Knights. Volleyball captures Wrestling welcomes the start of another season the winning title by Aleesa Browning Lake Stevens High School wres- continue the past success seen in the school’s wrestling tling has had a well recognized teams. by Aleesa Browning This year, Staff Reporter “Decade of Dominance” and was “Go Lake Stevens wrestling,” said Manaco. “If you want Staff Reporter - even featured in a story on KING 5 to be beast, wrestle.” ished the vol- in January 2010. Additionally, the True Life documentary leyball season in December,the with girls a fin re- cord of 12-2, earning high rankings and aired recently on MTV. becoming WESCO North Champions. “OnReady the Mat” to build that on was the filmed last decade, during last the year’swrestlers season are - league and we ended up playing in dis- uary 19, 21, and 26, JV and Varsity are practicing hard and tricts“We and ended doing up well tied in for districts,” first in said our fired up and ready to go. With matches coming up on Jan Coach Amy Wiklund. “We had three “We’re great. We have so many good wrestlers,” said kids earn second team all Wesco, two gainingsophomore confidence. Kaleb Reeves. “[The season] is going to have a great outcome. We’re going to destroy, win state, one hun- dred percent state.” kidscool. earn They first also team do an all honorableWesco. To menhave- According to some of the wrestlers this year, wrestling fivetion, kids so we represented had over inhalf that our pool team is veryrec- ognized in the Wesco awards.” to be on the team, each wrestler must put forth all of his or Along with the individual recogni- is said to be one of the most difficult sports, and in order Photo by Sarah Ruiz tions of players, the team was also rec- “[Practices] are every day, sometimes twice a day,” Junior Eric Soler and senior Kinsey Johnson practice in the wrestling room. ognized as a whole. hersaid effort Reeves. and “It’s give kind up ofa large like aportion day in ofhell. free We time. start with Coach Paul Mitchell watches over practice with a trained eye. a little jog, then the heat turns on the high school in twenty years. I hung and that’s when it gets really hot. up “Wethe plaqueearned andthe firstit was ever right plaque next for to Then it turns into a sprint. Then the plaque we earned when I was a we stretch, then we drill, then we player in high school,” said Wiklund. learn maybe one new thing, then Continuing the high ranks of the we sprint again, and then we’re school’s past volleyball teams, the girls done. People stay after if they want beat Arlington, Marysville-Pilchuck, to do more.” Snohomish, and Stanwood all twice and Spending so much time to- also won against Monroe and Edmonds- gether means that everyone has to Woodway. The team has worked hard, have patience and determination beat records and gained recognition because everyone’s performance this year. counts and every wrestler needs “The beautiful thing about our team support. was that the seniors were spectacular, “I feel like we’re a family,” said they contributed a ton. They were great sophomore Bryceton Manaco. leaders. They were the reason we got “We’re like brothers.” as far as we did, but they wouldn’t have The team has a few more meets got there without all the support of our this month and many more in the underclassmen. The kids that they leave next few months. behind are just as talented, so I don’t “We have a couple meets every think next year is going to be any kind week and a tournament every Sat- of detriment to us. I think they’re going urday,” said Reeves. to do just as well, even better next year,” said Wiklund. and hard work, the team hopes to With so much time, confidence 4focus January 18, 2012 Check out more photos on Facebook at “Lshs Valhalla” AREARE YOUYOU READY?!READY?! Band practices Choir class brings confi dence to many to enhance their star power students at Lake Stevens High School by Marissa Fredrickson The sound at ev- ery football, basketball Photographer by Jennifer Rojas thought they weren’t meant for the games and assemblies. class, through time many have dis- Whenever the drumline Staff Reporter covered that choir is a class worth plays “Are you ready?” it’s going to be a a good time. his year choir has been taking. Along with learning new The band practices everyday to bring a great vibe important to many stu- singing techniques, they have also to school events and band consists of two parts; the drum line and then the band all together. They prac- dents at Lake Stevens discovered a deeper interest in mu- tice very hard and are very dedicated to what they High School; it has al- sic. do. The drumline practices every Friday after school lowed them to express “I got put in there on accident, T but it’s pretty cool. I’m not going to for an hour and a half. But the school band is a class, singing. Their new choir teacher, Ms. lie. Recently me and my friend have A few members of choir rehearsie their music. The choir showed Forslund has helped them develop done music projects, and we’ve done ing school the students in band play songs for half of off their impressive vocals at the Veterans’ Day Assembly. their pride and confidence through sothe they week, practice and during during the fourth other andhalf fifththey period. learn music Dur- new techniques and given them the recordings,” said junior Carlos Ber- theory. Photo by Elaine Potter mudez. “We pretty much play the whole time, we don’t potential. Because there weren’t enough mess around,” said senior Alec Stivers, a drummer. confidence“I learned to how realize to sight their read singing from sign ups for Jazz Choir and Concert Many may think that it is easy to be in a school her and she helped me discover my Choir, they were combined into a band, but it can be very stressful at times because single class. As a result, both classes there is a lot of practicing necessary to sound good. nior Erika Juarez. are learning the same techniques “You’re constantly going. And that on top of your confidenceEven though toward some music,” students said se- even though they are supposed to school work and on top of other activities you have to go through,” said junior Sydney Clark. Despite the stress, band can be a lot of fun. The band The school’s elite jazz groups roll on has some concerts and takes many trips throughout the year. “The best part is performing, for sure, and it’s re- by Vincent Bruscas As the school year swings on ally fun going on trips,” said Stivers. Staff Reporter towards the halfway mark, the In these past few years, the band has improved a various musical components of lot. our school start to heat up. Some of the most prestigious “It’s gotten better, more people have joined, and of these are Jazz Band and Jazz Choir. Jazz Band and Jazz it’s more strict,” said Stivers. Choir are loved by all of there participants and pull its Although in band, there are many things going on at one time, the students really have to work together bers through auditioning. All the students who played and get along. But getting along isn’t a problem for membersand sang infrom Jazz the Band rank or and Jazz file Choir band choose and choirto be mem-there them. and make personal commitments to achieve greatness. “We’re like a family,” said sophomore Samantha Both groups practice in the morning before school; Jazz Scherbinske. Band meets from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 a.m. everyday, and Even though some band members will be gradu- Jazz Choir meets from 7:00 a.m. to 7:30 a.m. on select ating this year, there are many more moving up the Lake Stevens High School band drops a beat at a basketball days. ranks. game when the Vikings played against Cascade High School. “I love Jazz Band. We travel the most. We play the best “There are a lot of sophomores, but they are get- They’ve pumped up the crowd every sports season. songs. We are the hardest group to get into, and it is the ting the hang of it,” said Clark. area of my expertise. The kids are probably the most Band is tough, but it teaches the fundamentals of Photos by Marissa Fredrickson music and people that really enjoy it. Being in band is Also sharing appreciation of the high level of com- a great opportunity. elitemitment musicians,” and hard said work Jazz shown Band Director by the members Neil Proff of . the “You have to work really hard, but that’s all worth it groups is senior Justin Brown because when you get good it’s really fun,” said Clark. “Jazz Choir is kinda like being the all-stars of the Being in band takes a lot of practice and dedication class. We auditioned last year, and we were chosen by and with that, our school band is well regarded, and the teacher last year. We all are there because we want they will always be the sound of our school. Check out more photos on Facebook at “Lshs Valhalla” January 18, 2012 focus5 AREARE YOUYOU READY?!READY?! Choir class brings confi dence to many The Battle of the Bands by Hannah Bartow Students at Lake Stevens students at Lake Stevens High School High School have all heard the News Editor band. The band plays at sport thought they weren’t meant for the games and drum line plays class, through time many have dis- like other schools that have multiple during assemblies and played in the Veteran’s Day as- covered that choir is a class worth bechoir learning classes, diff Lake erent Stevens material. High Un- sembly. Not only does the band participate in many taking. Along with learning new School only has one. school wide activities, but members also participate in singing techniques, they have also “There are like forty kids in LSHS Battle of the Bands. discovered a deeper interest in mu- that are in choir. I moved from a “[Battle of the Bands] is where a bunch of high school sic. bands play a song and make a video tape for a radio sta- “I got put in there on accident, and we only have one here,” said se- tion in order to possibly win some money,” said junior Neal Akins. but it’s pretty cool. I’m not going to schoolnior Maggie that had Storbakken. five full choir classes, This year the band played the Ozzy Osbourne song, lie. Recently me and my friend have When preparing for a concert, “I Don’t Wanna Stop.” The band spent hours over the done music projects, and we’ve done they practice everyday and learn at course of a month making the video, and junior Taylor recordings,” said junior Carlos Ber- least six songs for their performanc- Wagner played Ozzy. mudez. es. All this hard work has allowed Unfortunately, the band did not place in the compe- Because there weren’t enough them to work together and strength- tition this year due to the amount of votes from stu- sign ups for Jazz Choir and Concert en the group’s harmony. dents compared to other schools. The band plans to Choir, they were combined into a “Choir is a good class because you Determined band members performed a song to compete next year and members encourage students single class. As a result, both classes are part of a team, you are one small amp up their superfans. to text in their votes when the competition starts. To are learning the same techniques part of something big,” said Storbak- Photo by Elaine Potter watch this years video and videos from years before even though they are supposed to ken. go to http://therockwfp.com. The school’s elite jazz groups roll on The power in the chords As the school year swings on to and because we all enjoy singing,” said Brown. The high schools guitar class brings students together towards the halfway mark, the Jazz Band and Jazz Choir are places for talented stu- various musical components of dents to open themselves more into the world of music by Vincent Bruscas Often while walking our school start to heat up. Some of the most prestigious and be able to travel to and perform at places they nor- Staff Reporter around school there standard. of these are Jazz Band and Jazz Choir. Jazz Band and Jazz mally wouldn’t have been able to enter otherwise. will be someone sitting and“You cheering. are all Proff adults holds so I’m his gonna students treat to youa higher like Choir are loved by all of there participants and pull its “We get to go to jazz festivals all over Washington in a corner or on a bench strumming away on and compete with other bands. We go to Pasco, which some blues chord or metal rift. To cater to this and let’s talk. But the one thing that will not hap- bers through auditioning. All the students who played is a fun trip. Usually our jazz band places about second, musical drive in its students, Lake Stevens High one.pen isIf booing you got or a any problem of that. come If I catch into anyone [my office] say- School created a guitar class, which is currently ing ‘hey you sucked’ in the hallway, you will be membersand sang infrom Jazz the Band rank or and Jazz file Choir band choose and choirto be mem-there which is pretty awesome,” said junior Nathan Main. and make personal commitments to achieve greatness. Not only do the groups go to prestigious concerts and guitar glass that makes it so special? This lifestyle can be seen not only in the class- Both groups practice in the morning before school; Jazz tournaments, they also have the opportunity to perform taughtGuitar by teacher class is Neil one Proff of the . But largest what classesis it about in out,”room Proff but in said. outside life as well. Band meets from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 a.m. everyday, and important and revered songs. the school. The class has become a place where “Yeah, guitar has really helped with people’s Jazz Choir meets from 7:00 a.m. to 7:30 a.m. on select “We got to sing [the national anthem] at the Veter- people can hang out without worry of stereotyp- days. an’s Memorial Day, which was really cool,” said senior ing or blatant disrespect, and instead can expect I know some of the other students that this class “I love Jazz Band. We travel the most. We play the best Rachel Olsen. blatant respect and straight up truth. lives.helped It builds them withup strength, getting you in front know of confidence. class and songs. We are the hardest group to get into, and it is the Jazz Band and Choir encourage everyone to try out things like that,” said senior Katie Cassidy. area of my expertise. The kids are probably the most and earn a place in the halls of great music. like it is, and he never holds back. He has a sys- Cassidy is not the only one that feels this way “We need more people. Right now Jazz Choir doesn’t tem“I down like how that Proffworks,” teaches said senior the class. Reno Booth.He tells it about guitar. Senior Blake Lamberty also attested Also sharing appreciation of the high level of com- have enough people to get its own class, so we have to Further, the class is encouraging and creates to the lessons in the class. elitemitment musicians,” and hard said work Jazz shown Band Director by the members Neil Proff of . the share with Concert Choir,” said Olsen. a warm environment. Never will one hear a dis- “[Guitar] has taught me to work harder,” said groups is senior Justin Brown Despite this crowding, Jazz Choir looks towards a respectful comment inside or outside of class. Lamberty. Whether you are a hardcore rocker or a pop “Jazz Choir is kinda like being the all-stars of the better future, and Jazz Band continues to beat down the version of a test where a person gets up to play culture fanatic, guitar class is able to inspire ev- class. We auditioned last year, and we were chosen by competition. Theand singonly insound front after of the the whole infamous class, Guts, is clapping Proff ’s eryone. the teacher last year. We all are there because we want Photos by Marissa Fredrickson by Photos 6opinion January 18, 2012 Check out more photos on Facebook at “Lshs Valhalla” Dear Boys, sleep overs Hello Vikings, are more than pillow fights Winter break is now behind reach that goal, reward your- us, and I know I am not the selves. Watch a movie or go out by Avery Cavazos ing nails, and even that Sleepovers are the only one sad about it. When the and have fun; but only after you Design Editor hardly ever happens same as guy sleepovers. because let’s be honest, Trust me. are completely done studying. Most guys will tell you we don’t enjoy doing “At sleepovers we found myself feeling as though I 2. My other goal is to start us- that they know exactly our nails. Why would we watch movies, eat and what happens during hadn’tfirst day slept back a wink rolled over around, the en - I ing a planner. With college ap- want to run around pant- hang out. It’s not like we girls’ sleepovers; we run less, throwing pillows at tire break, I couldn’t even make plications, research papers and around in our panties each other and prank sleeping bags, talking it through second period before various other events, I know and T-shirts, paint our calling guys? No thanks, sitabout on boys,” the floorsaid Plemel. in our I fell asleep in class. But, hope- that I will have to work harder I’d rather eat some food, “It’s nothing like in the and prank call the cute fully I can break this sluggish to make sure I don’t forget any- watch a movie, Facebook guys. nails, have pillow fights stalk and maybe eat my pants on.” feeling and get back on track; thing my senior year. Using a I’m not making this some more. The closest movies.I don’t I definitely go to keep slee- otherwise I fear that the chanc- planner will help me to get all up, junior Marcus Ed- I’ve ever come to a pillow povers with the inten- wards said, “I think that es of me getting through the re- my ideas and plans down on tion of doing anything at girls, sleepovers all maining months of school are paper, where I can visualize and friends and that’s more but spend ing time with [girls] do is talk about fightviolent is wrestling than cute. with my my friends and bond- going to drop exponentially. make things happen. cute guys… and they gos- I’m not the only one ing. The closest to trash sip about others which For the seniors out there, 3. My last tip to make it to the who has normal slee- talk I get is when I pour the year 2012 holds promise of end of the year is to have fun. I povers. my heart out to my best girls.” “I have never had a friends about the cutest graduation. I feel twenty steps know that school is about learn- leads to conflict among - thing my boyfriend did, - ing, but I know that if I stress thing that you might see pover,” said junior Karen or how I’m mad at my at Newsflash, a sleepover the is paint only- ing I have entered the year that out too much, there won’t be pillowPlemel. fight at a slee cousin for something. Icloser will graduate. to our final This walk, realization know much to look forward to and “I think they have sleepovers because it’s is making it incredibly hard to graduation will become that a safe place to communi- focus on school. Since I know I much further away. cate about cute guys and am not the only one struggling I hope that all of you can get people they hate,” said Edwards. after coming back from break, I back into the feel of things and When I go to a slee- have a few suggestions to stay enjoy what’s left of our school pover I don’t go thinking on track. of all the gossip I can add 1. Make studying fun. Finals and I know that if the world is to the conversation. year. 2012 is officially upon us, “I have sleepovers are rapidly approaching, and the ending, I am going to get the when I’m bored and I thought of hours locked away most out of this year. Getting want company or some- with my face in a book does not back into the school mode is one one to watch a scary sound appealing. Perhaps this way I plan to get the most out movie with,” said Ple- mel. year I will try out study ses- of this So guys, there are sions with friends, load up on year. Photo by Marissa Fredrickson ways to have fun being snacks, music and books. Cre- Two girls, fully clothed, having a pillow fight. Later that night, the one fully clothed, without on the left was rushed to the ER when the fight got out of hand. (Just ate goals to reach, and once you kidding!) pillows involved.

by Rachael Belvin Yoga pants, yoga pants, yoga pants! Girls love them, guys love them; it’s a necessity to

Rave at Victoria’s Secret. They have the cutest waist designs with the bedazzled “PINK” sign on the back. Besidesany their wardrobe. extreme And cuteness don’t waste they also your are time so comfortable.buying a pair Youof knock-off’s, could wear themget the to real the thinggym if necessary, but they’re also looking for good everyday use. If you love looking adorable, then Victoria’s Secret yoga pants will be heaven for you.

by Hannah Bartow Everyone has a favorite pair of jeans, or a nice T-shirt. The only problem with these fabulous pieces of clothing is their itchy tags. Yes, itchy tags. You feel them Rant at random times when walking down the hallway or sitting down in class; you feel them while at work and other inconvenient times. You can’t just stick your hand down your pants

byto Marissafix the problem, Fredrickson so retail manufacturers, please make shorter, less annoying tags. Photographer best friends and family think of me when they see the color pink. Every time myPink, parents the buycolor me of and everything my sister girly. something The color that pink is the seems same, to minedefine is me.always My the pink one. The weird thing is that I don’t own a lot of clothes that are pink. But my sheets and room color are pink. Ask my best friend what color she thinks of when she hears my name, she will probably say pink. To me, pink is the new black and is my favorite color. by Jake Sheridan The common Seahawks fan may think that this season was Rave another down the tank, but there were plenty of bright spots throughout the Seahawks season this year. pectoral muscle, left tackle Russell Okung was having a pro bowl caliber season givingWe’ll up start only with2 sacks the through offense, 12 beforegames. sustaining Left Guard aRobert season Gallery ending meshed injury nicelyon his hawks. Center Max Unger was the associated press’ 3rd ranked center in the NFC. with his former head coach Tom Cable who is now the offensive line coach of the

Unfortunatelytheir backups; rookieLemuel right Jeanpierre, guard John and MoffittBreno Giacomini.and right tackle Wide James receivers; Carpenter Doug suffered torn ACL’s, but during the time they did play, they played well. As did

Baldwin,no one rushed Ricardo for Lockette more yards and Goldenthen Beast Tate Mode’s filled in 904 for injuredafter the starting halfway wide point outs of Mikethe season. Williams Look and forward Sidney toRice. plenty But morethe star Beast of the Mode offense rushes was and Marshawnskittle showers Lynch, next season. As for the defensive side, the D line was lead by defensive ends Chris Clemons and Red Bryant. Free Safety, Earl Thomas was invited to the pro bowl after his 98 tackle 2 interception season. Strong Safety, Kam Chancellor had 4 interceptions and plenty of big tackles to help the Seahawks this year. He is looked at by most to be the best strong safety in the NFC. it there were some major bright spots. So, point spread of fact, the season seemed at first a failure, but upon reviewing Check out more photos on Facebook at “Lshs Valhalla” January 18, 2011 a&e7 “Before I took an arrow to the knee” by Cloe Rowland The the open world of Skyrim, talk more Isaac Munn. Elder to non player characters, defeat A MadLib Staff Reporter Scrolls V: dragons, cast spells and even intelligent responses designed Skyrim is complete quest. to Skyrim the characters’ is a world filled behavior. with the newest roll playing video “The game is set up in a way Unbelievable open quest lines game for Microsoft Windows, where you have to think in or- allow for boundless possibili- Get yo Twitter on Playstation 3 and Xbox 360 der to complete quests. It’s not ties, all opening and closing de- @______Did you see that ______? #Drama that allows players to explore very instructional, and I think pending on how the character (Twitt er Name) (adj.) (noun) it’s cool that you have to use behaves, reacts and develops. @______OMG?! I almost______! Do you think your brain. The only annoying “The game is a great game. (Twitt er Name) (past tense verb) part in my opinion is that drag- It’s just really glitchy. I like it ______will make it on VTV? #LSHS (noun) direction, and it’s a pain to kill do and Elder Scrolls are always @______Nah, they’re too______for that. onsthem will on occasion,” randomly said fly insopho- your becausegreat games,” there is said a ton sophomore of stuff to (Twitt er Name) (adj.) more Samantha Campos. Evan Ochoa. Whether you are casting After the announcement Can you imagine if they______? #Scandalous (verb) in early December 2011 of character grows and changes Skyrim’s future release, many THE NEXT MORNING… spellsin distinctive or fighting ways dragons, while level- your of the Elder Scrolls fan were ing up at the same time. awaiting its midnight release on 11/11/11. Those that play @______YOU WERE RIGHT!!!! I can’t ______it! things that you can customize. the game rave that the intel- (Twitt er Name) (verb) You“There can customize are many your diff charac- erent lect and graphic designs make #Unbelievable ter in many ways that no other the game so unique and mes- @______I KNOW!______, I can’t believe game has ever done before and merizing to its players. Skyrim (Twitt er Name) (interjecti on) your character evolves over- has passed all its reviews with time in to something that’s bet- th Photo courtesy of Ryan Witham she ______! #WOW Senior Ryan Witham is an avid Skyrim play- ter than you started out with, installment of the Elder Scrolls (verb) er. He got the game on the debut night. which is awesome,” said sopho- flyingseries. colors even being the 5

Band Life

by Rylee Young Tic-Tac-Toe Flirt: The best thing to happen to Lake Stevens since Target moved in by Sarah Ruiz A new busi- Skinnydip in Mill Creek), and Editor-in-Chief ness in Lake there didn’t appear to be many Stevens came choices. How wrong I was. about in a rather shy manner. Not much attention was paid to selves are quite diverse, from the budding new joint attached plainThe vanilla flavors to of my the veryyogurt favorite, them-

moved in. But now that word has vor is wonderful even on its own. tospread, the gas people station in Lake when Stevens it first pomegranateThe texture is raspberry. top-notch, Each but fla-the are quickly making their way to the gas station not to pick up gas, but to get their Flirt on. Flirt is toppingsI have are dropped the best as way much to fin- as the newest addition to the Lake ishthirty off dollars the yogurt. in one week on my Stevens area. It is a self-serve fro- newest addiction, and unfortu- zen yogurt bar in the same build- nately, I’m not alone. ing as 76 grocery complex. I look forward to any day when I can make my way over to Flirt frozen yogurt stand, I was a bit and get a heaping bowl of pome- anxious.The first The time set I went up was to the rather new granate raspberry yogurt, topped small compared to other frozen with juice caviar, chocolate chips, yogurt places I had been to (like

wafflesure life cone in Lake pieces Stevens and could a smile get frommuch the better, friendly until staff I found . I Flirt. wasn’t And to make my life even better than I ever could have believed,

self-serve machines are available flavorsfor purchase that are in rotated the freezers out of the in quart sizes. If you have not yet tried out the local hot spot, you have got to make up for lost time. My sug- gestion is to hurry over as soon Photo by Sarah Ruiz as you can and indulge in an Senior Leigha Staff enhagen, juniors Khianna Calica, over-sized cup of personalized Riley Beck, Frazer Carpenter and Joseph Henderson enjoy a bite a Flirt. and delicious yogurt. 8features January 18, 2012 Check out more photos on Facebook at “Lshs Valhalla” Meet the Mayor of Lake Stevens Get personal with the mayor Vern Little, whose running for re-election with the Q&A below by Meagan Baron Lake Stevens resident, entertainment. So, whether it is parks what we Vernon Little, has been may- do is we want to recruit. I have heard a lot of stu- Features Editor dents say that we would like a bowling alley, we years. He has a wife and four children, three of want a skate park, we want a movie theatre, those which attended Lakeor Stevens of Lake High Stevens School. for Little five kind of things. Well, the city doesn’t typically build is determined to remain dedicated to his job as movie theatres or bowling allies, proprietors do. mayor and raise Lake Stevens to its full potential. We have to show that we can actually support it. Little keeps Lake Stevens residents’ thoughts, feel- We are doing that. We have also been looking at ings and best interests in mind at all times. Why did you choose to be mayor of Lake here in the old downtown and one up towards Stevens? aFrontier skate park Village.” in multiple different locations, one Have you ever received a letter from a stu- years. I raised my kids here. I ran the Junior Athlet- dent at Lake Stevens High School? ics“I Association have been and in coached Lake Stevens a lot of for kids. twenty I coached five “Absolutely, I receive a lot. Actually, what’s re- basketball [and] baseball. It felt like it was time to ally interesting about those is that I started a pro- do something else, so I ran for city council and I gram. Every one that I get, we go through them Photo courtasy of Lake Stevens Journal Lake Stevens mayor, Vern Little stands with other Lake Stevens resident was appointed mayor. Then I was recently reelect- supporters. ed.” at right now, somebody complaining that there How does the position of mayor work? withneeds the to staff. be a stopOnes sign,that I think hand itneed to to the be depart looked- “The way the position of the mayor works is ment head, [and] they go out, and they look. We that even at the grade schools because I get letters that we have a council of seven that basically sets implemented several of those things. differencefrom even gradewhy it school takes kids,as long but as we it takes.use all I ofstarted that the laws and regulations. My job is then to man- “The three-way stop at the end of Oak was be- to make changes around here.” age to make sure that [people] get things done cause a student requested it. I had a lot of com- Is there anything you think the high school and do things the way that the city council has plaints about one hundred and thirteenth and should do for their students? set in place. I also have the opportunity to go to ninety two. I have went out and worked with the “I get a lot of comments about how good the - school district is, and I know that every school has issues to help set policy at the state level as well tion again in 2013. issues, but I think we need to do a better job of workas the withcounty the level. state [Also, and I]the go county down and on testifydifferent in state“What on that, I like and to dowe isare take going the to letters, fix that take intersec those education in drugs and alcohol and so forth and subjects up to the high school, and I usually how we incorporate that in because I think stu- spend the entire day in Mr. Page’s class because dents need to know. I grew up in the late sixties, frontwe may of differenthave. And ofcommittees course you at playthe thestate political level in that’s where they come from. I go over what we early seventies, and I think it has changed quite a ordergame ofto tryhow to do get you funds go foraround different and recruitprojects busi that- are doing and answer any of their questions be- bit. There is more available for kids to experiment ness to come to your town.” cause sometimes writing a letter back without a with. I think we need to do a better job at educat- What plans does the City of Lake Stevens good explanation, the student thinks, or anybody ing them because we have had way too many kids have to support the youth here? in overdoses, and I am sure they have not thought “The plans we have to support the youth is that get them out of the way, and that’s not what I want they were ever going to be in that position. How as part of our developing program we are actually thinks,to do. Ithat want you to makeare just sure putting they understandthem off just how to do we do a better job at educating them? If we can trying to make sure we have business as well as the process works so that when we can make a just save one of them we have done a better job.” GSA club starts back up VTV takes to the road Senior Jory Weissert helps to bring back the club

by Samantha Wade Viking used to tape assemblies and plays. by Hannah Bartow On Wednes- a meeting on January 11, making posters day, January 4, advertising GSA. Television “Right now we are shooting things News Editor Opinion Editor Production, and then showing them the next day the Gay Straight “We want to get GSA’s around the also known as VTV, is something at lunch,” said Furoy. Alliance Club held its [Lake Stevens] area together and possi- many students look forward to during The footage will be on the big Lake Stevens High School. After being in- bly go go-karting or have a potluck,” said the beginning of second period. Every screens set up around the cafeteria so active for several years, thefirst GSA meeting was reac at- junior Courtney Keller. year, the video production class in- that even if anyone misses the game or tivated by senior Jory Weissert. The GSA The club will have another meeting to- troduces something new to the show. the assembly they can still catch up. is an international organization founded day after school in room 303. For more in- This year, the class acquired a grant to “Eventually, the idea of the truck is in California that creates a safer, happier formation about the Gay Straight Alliance to record events and broadcast them environment for students who have ex- Club talk to club leader Jory Weissert or live events. on a Comcast channel or YouTube so perienced issues with their sexuality. visit the GSA’s website gsanetwork.org. “Many don’t feel comfortable talking purchase“They’re a going truck, to so be they using can it film to re at- that somebody could tune in to You- about [lesbian, gay, bisexual, and trans- cord live events. Be it sporting events gender] issues, and we hope that the GSA football, basketball, soccer, girls’ vol- football game,” said Furoy. can be a reliable ally for students,” said leyball and anything in the gym,” said TubeHopefully, and get this the will first provide quarter the of stu the- Weissert. Micheal Furoy, the video production dents more recognition in the real Weissert decided to reactivate the GSA teacher. The equipment will also be world for all the hard work they do. club here at the high school last year and VTV is recruiting students with sports knowledge. club back. “We’re looking for kids that really has“I found decided no todifficulties bring GSA in backbringing to Lake the like sports but are never really going Stevens High School at the end of last year. The process for bringing back the of NFL players come out of that [being club has been pretty smooth going. We toable play to professional. play] and into You broadcasting.find that a lot So, what we’re looking for is kids who and hope to have more join,” said Weis- maybe like sports and can look at it as hadsert. 17 people come to our first meeting a possible career step,” said Furoy. Members of the club hope to make “It also has virtual sets. So in the GSA more active around the school, es- Photos by Sarah Ruiz truck is a green screen, which can put pecially during special events. The club Senior Jory Weissert helped to organize the club’s somebody in front and you can key in plans to participate in club fairs and held start up. The group has made posters to raise aware- EPSN studio behind so the person can ness for the club. be announcing the game by pointing at the monitors, but they’re not really there,” said Furoy. He is hoping this will make the show more realistic and more like a real show, to get more kids interested. All the video production students are very excited to start using this Photos by Marissa Fredrickson The Video Production class is celebrating their new- truck; see it live and in action at most est addition to their course, a truck that allows them live events at the school. to produce live feed. The truck was purchased a grant from the school.