The Talon Volume 41, Issue 6 April 2015

Jenny Taula

Makenzie Summers

Student Spotlight Page 4

Bird's Eye View The Art of Ballet Page 2 Page 5

Us vs Them Spring Cleaning Page 6 Page 7 the 12 Russia historically has been a dangerous A bird’s-eye view place for those who oppose the govern- By: Meeleah Francisco, Peyton Murphy, and Taylor Tryon ment. Since 2002, there have been twelve high-proﬁ le assassinations of Russian Democracy Advocate Killed major politicians and journalists. All had opposed the Russian president Vladamir On Febuary 27, 2015 veteran Russian politican Boris Nemtsov was shot and Putin on various policies and actions. 1 killed openly in the streets of Moscow, within view of the Kremlin (Russian Featured here are seven of the most captital building). This occured hours after organizing a peace march protest- controversial murders. ing Russian involvement in Ukraine. A staunch opponent of President Vladamir Valentin Tsvetkov - 2003 Putin, Mr. Nemtsov was in the process of putting together a report investigat- Governor of the eastern Russian province of Magadan Oblast, Tsvetkov was shot by a ing the extent of Russian military involvement in the Ukrainian civil war. Five sniper near the Kremlin. He had been crack- men have been arrested for the murder, with one admitting to the crime. ing down on corrutption in his district. However, Kremlin opposition groups and friends of Nemtsov are skeptical the Sergei Yushenkov - 2003 government’s handling of the arrests. They believe that the men apprehended Liberal politician who led the anti-Kremlin are scapegoats, or merely hitmen, and whoever ordered the crime is still free. party Liberal Russia. He was shot dead Some accuse Putin or ultra-nationalists of the hit, as Nemtsov had expresed outside his home. Yushenkov had been investigating reports that that the Kremlin fear in interviews that Putin would kill him. This story is ongoing. had devised the bombings which began the Second Chechen War.

Yury Shchekochikhin - 2003 Two Police Offi cers Shot in Ferguson Investigative journalist and liberal law- The unrest in Ferguson, Missouri is far from over. On Wednesday, maker, who died suddenly of a mysterious 2 March 11th the Ferguson Chief of Police, Tom Jackson, formally re- illness. Shchekochikhin offi cially died due to allergic reaction, but many suspect he was signed stirring protests back up in the streets of the city. Just after midnight poisoned because of his investigations of on Thursday, March 12th, two police offi cers were shot. Both have since been corruption. discharged from the hospital and will recover. Jeffrey Williams, the suspected Aleksandr Litvinenko - 2006 shooter, was taken into custody March 15th after a large scale manhunt fol- Former Russian securtiy agent, who became lowing the incident early Thursday morning. The 20-year-old man has been a critic of the Kremlin due to apparent cor- charged with fi rst degree assault. It is obvious there is still turbulence in the ruption. Accused Moscow of plotting murder and fl ed to the UK. He died when Russian Ferguson community and a lot of healing left to do. This case will continue to agents poisoned his tea. unravel as more information presents itself and legal action is taken. Stanislav Markelov and Anastasia Barburova - 2009 Marklev was a human rights lawyer, who was shot openly in central Moscow. Barburvova Extremist Militants Demolish Sacred Sites was a journalist who had been interveiwing Markelov and she died of injuries sustained I.S., the Islamic State (originally known as ISIS) has sent militants trying to protect him. 3 into Mosul, Iraq to destroy ancient holy places, some of which were

Natalya Estemirova - 2009 erected in 6,000 b.c. Mosul is Iraq’s second largest city, and has been a reli- A journalist and human rights activists. She gious melting pot of Muslim, Christian, and Jewish religions for the past 8,000 was abducted and found dead the next day. years. Mosul is home to the tomb of the biblical prophet Jonah, the shrine Estemirova had been invesigating police involvement in kidnappings. of the prophet Seth, countless statues, mosques, and tombs that hold signiﬁ - cance for all three resident religions. These sites are under attack by I.S., be- Sergei Magnitsky - 2009 ing either blown to nothing, bulldozed, or ransacked. The reason behind this A whistle-blower who exposed millions in tax fraud. He was jailed, denied medical is that they want to eradicate the old to bring in the new. I.S. has seized the treatement, and beaten by security ofﬁ cers. city and ordered that citizens must convert to their extreme version of Islam He later died of his injuries. or they will be executed.

The Talon Staff Editor-in-Chief Staff Writers Hannah Fleming Molly Ellenbecker Kate Nickerson Senior Editors Nathan Firkins Sydney Pettit Alexa Rasmussen Meeleah Francisco Madeline Seaman Kira Stüssy Peyton Murphy Keegan Stüssy Junior Editors Katelyn Monaco Taylor Tryon Aubrey Sonnenfeld JJ Henderson Riley Currey 2 Spring Special $50 off

$50 off Tumwater courses beginning on 3-16-15

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Books only $60.00

Purchase at the ASB Ofﬁ ce

DON’T MISS OUT! By: Molly Ellenbecker and Nathan Firkins

It all started with Rock Band and a Nintendo Wii. Makenzie Summers, a freshman here at MAKENZIE SUMMERS Tumwater High School, has been playing the drums since she was in fourth grade. When she

was younger, her and her dad used to play rock TALENTED T-BIRDS band, and he realized she was actually pretty good at playing drums. That Christmas, he bought her a drum set and she has been playing ever since. Makenzie used to play cello, and can “kind of” play the piano. At home, everyone is into music. They even have a fam- ily quartet named “KingKin”, where she plays the drums. Her brother, Kyle Summers, plays the saxophone and keyboard, her father plays the guitar, and her mother plays the bass. They all sing and play gigs at places they can find. Makenzie’s inspiration is her dad, who got her into drumming, and Neil Peart, the drummer of the 80’s band Rush. When we asked her what her favorite part of drumming is, she said “It’s a good reason to hit stuff.” ------JENNY TAULA Freshman Jennifer Taula is just a regular teen- age girl, but when the spotlight is on her, she is an amazing first-alto pop/alternative singer. Both her brother, junior Johnny Taula, and Beyoncé, her inspiration, got her into singing at a young age. She also plays the piano and dabbles in ukulele. Jenny does a wide range of activities including hip-hop dancing on the Tumwater Dance Team, and singing in Women’s Choir with Mrs. Landowski. A Reggae, R&B and Pop band from New Zealand named “Com- mon Kings” is one of her favorites. Speaking of bands, she has been in about five bands in her lifetime. She, her brother, and her sister jam out together. If Jenny could be anyone on Earth, anyone at all, she said she would be herself because she is happy with who she is and where she is. 4 he Art of Balle Unlike most T students at Tumwater, these unique students are involvedt in the art of Ballet. Ballet is not only the hobby of these few students but their whole life. Each of these talented students is involved in a variety of productions, currently Don Quixote and Peter Pan. Allyson Reynolds, Emily Walter, Khyley Villanueva, Tatum Bartlett, Elizabeth Myers and Josiah Gunderson are just a few of the special students who choose to express them- selves through the art of Ballet. Tatum Bartlett has been Elizabeth Myers has a dancing since she was five years old. Ta- passion for ballet and has been danc- tum not only participates in dancing with her ing for the past nine years of her life. She has studio ballet, but she is also a part of the Tum- participated in countless productions such as the water Dance Team. She preforms as a ballet dancer, Nutcracker (every winter), Coppelia, carnival of the but she is also a talented dancer in the styles of jazz, Animals, Sleeping Beauty, Swan Lake and three Dance hip-hop, contemporary, and tap. Tatum was offered festivals all in the spring. She spends about six hours the opportunity to travel to New York to preform is a week working in a normal ballet classes, along with the Macy’s Day parade this past Thanksgiving. Tatum an additional three to four hours practicing for the works with Debby’s Dance and spends about 25 hours upcoming show; in this case Don Quixote. Elizabeth a week dancing and has created memories to last is also skilled in the dance styles of modern, swing, forever with many of her best friends. Tatum loves jazz, African and hip -hop. She has loved growing up dancing and has many great experiences perform- dancing along side her sister and getting to know ing at her end of the year recital in all the differ- and gain new friendships with all of her fellow ent genres that she dances. dancers. By: Aubrey Sonnenfeld By: Aubrey Sonnenfeld Josiah Gundersen has been Allyson Reynolds has dancing for 2 and ½ years. He does bal- been dancing since the fifth grade. Her let, jazz and sometimes takes classes in tap and dedication to dance has paid off in her many hip-hop. He has been in Studio West’s Nutcracker performances. She has preformed many produc- and his favorite role is the soldier doll. Something tions such as the Nutcracker, Swan Lake and Don you might not know about ballet is that it takes a lot Quixote. Her favorite role to play has been an Arabian more physical energy and strength than people would because she loves how the costumes are princess-like. think. Josiah spends 4 hours a week dancing and Allyson loves the feeling of accomplishment she gets his only injuries are pulling both of his hamstrings. when she is able to use a new skill. She’s currently Josiah’s favorite dance memory would be everything working on Don Quixote with the Olympia Dance he has encountered, because he loves everything Center. It’s different from anything she’s worked on about his many dance experiences. before, because the ballet is “fast and sassy.” By: Kate Nickerson By: Katelyn Monaco

Khyley Villanuevaith, with Emily Walter, a freshman her experience of 14 years, has been dedi- here at THS, has been dancing since she cating about 20 hours a week to dancing. She was 3 years old. She covers a large variety of practices week after week, dedicating hard work styles including contemporary, jazz, and hip-hop. and perseverance towards the moment she enjoys the She dances at Johansen Olympia Dancing Center most: performing. Khyley has had roles in The Nut- where she spends anywhere from 8 to 16 hours a week cracker, Peter Pan, and Alice in Wonderland among dancing. She has danced in The Nutcracker, Sleeping many other works, and participates in regional dance Beauty, and Swan Lake. “I don’t have a favorite part,” festivals, many times amidst working on a project. she tells Talon Staff. “I love it all.” She also shared While dance takes more dedication (physically and that ballet is much harder than it appears. She ex- emotionally) than people would expect, Khyley loves plains how dancers have to make dancing look easy what she does, and appreciates the opportunities she but it is actually very strenuous and difficult. At the has had to grow and learn what kind of dancer she moment she is working on her studios Spring wants to be. production: Don Quixote. By: Alexa Rasmussen By: Hannah Fleming Up Coming Productions Don Quixote- The upbeat and sassy ballet, Don Quixote is put on by Ballet NorthWest and opens mothers day weekend. Rehearsals for this production have been going on sense early February. The girls are all look- ing forward to the debut of their spring production, which features many new sets and costumes. Peter Pan- This commonly known Disney film Peter Pan, is being redone is the form of elegant ballet. This ballet production is put on by Studio West Dance studio and is being preformed at the Washington Center on May 1st and 2nd.

Pictured: Khyley Villanueva US VS THEM By: Madeline Seaman, Keegan Stussy, Kira Stussy

Ten years ago, when all of us here at Tumwater High School were just itty bitty kiddies, toys and gadgets were much different from the high tech gear kids play with in this day and age. Let’s take a look at some of the major differences between the pop culture and best-selling toys from OUR childhoods and the kids of today.

Category Us Them Disney Movie Finding Nemo Frozen TV Show Suite Life of Zack & Cody Dog With a Blog

Boy Band The Jonas Brothers One Direction

Cartoon Character Spongebob Squarepants Sophia the First

Technology Tamagotchis Apple Products

Gaming System Game Cube/Gameboy Xbox One

Snacks Gogurt/Danimals Go Go Apple Squeezers

Toy Beanie Babies Fur Real Friends

Shoes Heelies Nikes

Music Devices Portable CD Players iPod Touch

Books Cam Jansen Diary of a Wimpy Kid

Song Artist SmashMouth Taylor Swift

Interviews With Kids We sat down with today’s generation and asked them about their favorite things...

Avery Morgan Jensen Werner Age 6 Age 6 Toy: Lego Friends Toy: Batman action figure Movie: Big Hero 6, The Little Mermaid Movie: Star Wars/Batman Game: Old Maid Video Game: Star Wars on the Wii Book: Pinkilious, Too Many Toys Book: Batman Song: Frozen Soundtrack Animal: Shark Snack: Kidz Cliff Bars, Honest Kids Song: Darth Vader Song TV Show: Wild Krats Snack: Crackers Disney Princess: Rapunzel Meal: Sandwich Color: Green, Red, Pink Activities: “Watch movies because I like Star Wars Recess Activity: Playing Make-Believe and my favorite grandma is the one that is here.” Activities: Drawing, Playing on Monkey Rings (his grandmother was watching him at the time) Anything Else?: “I love collecting crystals and playing TV Show: Star Wars: The Clone Wars with my fairy doll Petals Summerbee and her friends. Anything Else? “I also love my blue lightsaber and Luke I also like my Littlest Pet Shop animals.” Skywalker and my favorite color is blue.” 6 7 The Tailfeather By: JJ Henderson and Kate Nickerson My New Best Friend Spring Break in Seattle Even if you aren’t going anywhere this Mrs. Udo If you could go any- Spring Break, there are still many ways to where in the world have fun in Washington. Instead of staying where would you go home all of break, plan a day trip to Seattle and why? New Zealand where you can visit many famous attrac- or Australia because the tions. Below are some of our favorites. landscape is beautiful • The Pacific Science Center where you and I’ve never travelled can see the exhibit of Pompeii and internationally. view the remains of the eruption - $33 Favorite book? A Prayer • Visit the Woodland Park Zoo where for Owen Meany by John Irving you can find some of the most exotic How would you describe yourself in high animals in the world - $13.75 school? I played sports and had a lot of • Go to the EMP Museum and Star Wars friends, but I had a mean streak. costume exhibition- $18 Favorite song in high school? Any song by • Visit The Museum of Flight and view John Cougar Melencamp. My friends and I the evolution of airplanes - $20 would ride in my Jeep with the top down • Visit Pikes Place Market and go to the singing his songs. first Starbucks and add your own piece What did you want to be in high school? I of gum to the Gum Wall wanted to be a teacher but I didn’t want to • Ride the Seattle Great Wheel and get put in the time for it. I went to law school an aerial view of Seattle - $13 to become a paralegal but then I realized it wasn’t for me and went into teaching.

THS Shoutouts Many students go unnoitced for their accomplishments in our school and the community. Here are a few of those accomplishments: Dance Team is going to State Cole Lewis, Gavin Poirer and Amaia Logan are going to Nationals for theater Bonne Chanteuse are academic state champions Sam Richards, Zach Slater, Eric Schmidt and Cy Hicks placed in State for wrestling Knowledge Bowl placed 12th at State FBLA is going to State

As Heard in the Hallways “But Shrek found love.” - Sad Senior “Red necks are afraid of coins” - Scared Sophomore “When life gives you lemons, you squeeze them over chicken for a nice zesty flavor.” - Optimistic Mathematician 8