february 12, 2009 [email protected]

LSHS alhallaVolume 81, Issue 5 Lake Stevens skate park loses momentum v plans for the skate park seem to have simply disappeared... Kaila Alford S t a f f R e p o r t e r

In the summer of to skate where they were In the meantime, the 2006, students from the not accused of trespass- skateboarders of Lake middle schools and the ing or loitering by the Stevens will have to high school banded to- Lake Stevens Sheriff ’s travel to parks in Ever- gether to achieve a com- Department. “Everyone ett or Marysville to en- mon goal. Money was I know has gotten in joy the freedoms a des- raised, t-shirts were trouble with the cops,” count set up which the ignated skate area has printed and locations said senior Charlie Ber- money was hopefully de- to offer. More often than were being scouted. The nal, a skateboarder for posited in. Whether the not though, many skate- goal was to build a skate over four years. Skaters funds are still in this ac- boarders skate in areas park, a place where the also cause problems for count simply collecting where they become a youth of Lake Stevens local business owners, dust, or the money that danger to pedestrians could socialize and skate, who claim that skate- could have perhaps num- and traffic. without interference boarders in Frontier Vil- bered in the thousands is “There are too many from the local police and lage and in Downtown long gone, is a mystery kids skating behind Safe- business owners. Lake Stevens caused few people know the an- way, Target and in front Fast-forward two problems for customers swer to. of businesses like Block- and half years later: and workers alike. “I don’t know what buster and they end up there is no skate park in That summer, skate- happened [to the mon- getting in trouble,” said photo by Kyle Canada Lake Stevens, and it ap- boarders and supporters ey],” said Krause. “I junior Andrea Rojia, pears that no one knows of the cause rallied the of what the skate park able spot and get the think it’s ridiculous be- who is a firm believer where the money that community to sign peti- would entail and to city’s approval was one cause we raised all this that a skate park should was raised has gone. tions and donate money. gather donations. The reason why the idea money and it’s just gone be built.

“Honestly, I think A booth was even set up Village Secret, a cloth- stalled. Another is sim- like that.” Until the day when we raised enough mon- at that summer’s Aquaf- ing store in downtown ply the lack of effort If there are stu- the community has ey to build the skate est to inform citizens Lake Stevens even began from those to whom the dents who are passion- enough willing par- park,” said junior Scotty to sell t-shirts for the entire idea was centered ate enough about the ticipants to get the ball Krause. Krause helped “ cause, with the money on, the skateboarders. project to get it up and rolling on the skate park fundraise for the park going to the fund. By all “I never went to any running again, it will once again, Lake Ste- and is a frequent skate- accounts Lake Stevens’ of the meetings,” said take a lot of effort on vens’ skateboarders are boarder himself. I think it’s skateboarders were well Krause. Considering their part. Petitions will limited to sidewalks and The efforts began ridiculous because on their way to getting how fast the idea died have to be signed again wooden benches. Why in 2006, when students their concrete paradise. out, the same can likely and a location will even- the efforts came to an were given the go-ahead we raised all the So what went wrong? be said about many of tually have to be final- end and what happened to begin raising money money and it’s How did a cause that had the once avid supporters ized. If it turns out the to all of that money re- to build a skate park in just gone like garnered so much sup- of the idea. money raised two years mains a mystery to this Lake Stevens. The skate port suddenly come to a The question of ago is in fact gone, those day. park would have been a that screeching halt? where the money that who still wish to move reasonable solution for -Scotty Krause Many sites were was raised has gone is forward with the project skateboarders, who in “ suggested for the pos- a pressing one. As with will unfortunately find recent years had found sible skate park, but the most fund raising at- themselves at square it difficult to find a place inability to find a suit- tempts, there was an ac- one.

In this Issue:

iPod The best top The and top ten in insight Zune: Valhalla to only history! make one will 10 pg. 6-7 change Israeli confl ict impacts the pg. 10 triumph globe... and students here pg. 12 pg. 3 volume 81, issue 5 page 1 news LSHS february 12, 2009 valhalla A Day of “Hope”: The Obama Inauguration Inauguration by Blaine Bowman of the cabinet. Following the speech, a poem was Tuesday was the day of the actual read, Reverend Dr. Joseph E. Lowery the Numbers A&E Editor Inauguration. The program began at gave a touching benediction and the Na- • Nearly 38 million 11:30 am (Eastern Time) with a number tional Anthem was performed. President viewers tuned in to On January 20, 2009, the world of of musical selections, a call to order, and Bush and the First Lady then departed, watch the ceremony on conventional politics changed forever. invocation by Dr. Rick Warren of the and the inaugural luncheon followed. Ac- TV. Ronald Reagan had On this day, Barack Obama took the offi- Saddleback Church in California. Vice cording to tradition, Obama and Biden 41.8 million. Bush had cial oath of office, and by doing so became President Joe Biden then took his oath of then led the Inaugural Parade down 15.5 million th the 44 President of the United States of office, followed by another musical selec- Pennsylvania Avenue and to the White • The estimated cost America, and the first black man to hold tion by acclaimed musical performers Yo House. Numerous organizations partici- was $40 million for the position. It was staged in a grand cer- Yo Ma, Itzhak Perlman, Gabriela Monte- pated from all over the country. That eve- the parade, balls and emony, followed by the traditional parade ro, and Anthony McGill, and composed ning, a variety of formal balls were also opening ceremony through the capital and numerous balls. by John Williams. Although he officially held in celebration. • At the highest point Despite a few flaws, the Inauguration took power at noon, oath or not, Obama Senior Chelsea Boren observed the of the day, 1.3 was a day that will be rooted in American was finally sworn in at just after 12:00. day by watching the ceremonies at school minds for decades to come. Chief Justice John G. Roberts, who ad- and then later again at home. In addition million people were Teacher Rob Davis was extremely ministered the oath, stumbled over some to being the president of Politics Club, streaming the CNN happy with how the day went. “I thought of the phrasing, and it was redone the she also volunteered with Governor Gre- live video stream of the [the Obama Inauguration] was a beauti- next day just to be sure. goire’s campaign. Prior to the election, inauguration at once ful spectacle; it was a wonderful way to President Obama then gave his offi- she helped the Democratic Party to “Get • President Obama’s watch our country come together and be cial inaugural address, asking America, out the Vote” by doorbelling and mak- Facebook profile united for a common cause, to project the “to choose our better history; to carry ing phone calls. Understandably, after so had over four million image to the world that we have leaders forward that precious gift, that noble idea, much work, she was quite happy with the friends at the time of in the world again.” passed on from generation to generation: end result. “I really enjoyed his speech; the ceremony The festivities started on Sunday the God-given promise that all are equal, I felt excited and happy because I think • 1,120,000 people rode January 18, with the Inauguration Open- all are free, and all deserve a chance to America is headed in a new direction. It the Washington DC ing Ceremony on the steps of the Lin- pursue their full measure of happiness.” is time that our country takes intelligent metro train on that day; coln Memorial. It was open to the public action on issues that face our country and a new record and shown as a free broadcast on HBO, the rest of the world, and Obama’s inau- • 18,000 people and featured many famous musicians in- gural speech gave me confidence that this volunteered at the cluding Bruce Springsteen, Shakira, U2, will happen.” ceremony Garth Brooks and Jon Bon Jovi. Mr. Davis also echoed this sentiment, • 13,000 people marched Monday, January 19 was Martin Lu- saying “I am so happy to know that our ther King, Jr. Day, and Obama, in a fore- children, our children’s future is being in the parade following shadowing of his future policies, called thought about, and things are being done the ceremony all citizens to serve their communities to help to them, just the possibilities for • One online broker was and “Renew America Together.” A series our future.” selling seats for $8,249 of bi-partisan dinners and a children’s In keeping with his campaign prom- • 4,100 portable toilets ball were also hosted by Obama, Vice ises, the Inauguration looks to be the be- were brought in for the Obama delivers his inaugural speech President Joe Biden, and other members ginning of a new era of hope. crowd image courtesy of features.csmonitor.com Corruption cases cause controversy seat. Corruption, fraud, and volved six-figure-income jobs Megan Rohling had to agree modest means (who have since Nate Shipe scandal have been growing in for himself and his wife, or pos- with Prakhounleuang’s assess- fallen destitute due to Madoff ’s News Editor frequency in recent months, sibly a White House position ment. “It’s really dumb, people fraudulent behavior) and more with high-profile cases crop- (specifically, he sought the posi- shouldn’t be allowed to get affluent individual clients, were “It’s not coming for free,” ping up all over the country. tion of the Secretary of Health away with that kind of stuff,” multiple large organizations, said Rod Blagojevich, governor Corruption is officially defined and Human Services.) she said. “It’s ridiculous,” she including Yeshiva University of Illinois, in regards to Presi- as someone in a position of The FBI, by use of wire- went on. School of Business and several dent Obama’s power receiving taps on Blagojevich’s phones, Blagojevich isn’t the only Jewish charities. vacated Senate money, gifts, or compiled a 76-page complaint recent high-profile corruption But one corruption case was services in return against him. Their evidence case. Wall Street financier Ber- ahead of the pack in 2008: Ted for political consists largely of statements nard Madoff was charged in Stevens (R-Alaska) was con- advancement. like the one above, involv- December with massive fraud victed by a federal jury of seven Unfortunately ing the governor attempting after he used his “respected,” felony corruption charges after for America, it to auction off the Senate seat. eponymously named firm to he accepted and subsequently has become Blagojevich’s lawyers’ strategy essentially embezzle over $50 concealed expensive home ren- all too com- included attacking the court- billion from his thousands of ovations and other gifts from mon in the ordered wiretaps, in an effort to investors. The money, used in a an oil company. Stevens, 85, past year. prove them illegal and therefore “giant Ponzi scheme,” (a system then attempted to become the In Illi- inadmissible in court. Without in which new investors’ money nation’s first felon senator, by nois, when that evidence, the conviction— is used to pay back older invest- running for re-election (he was a seat is and therefore, the removal—of ments), has all but disappeared the Senate’s longest-serving vacated, it Governor Blagojevich seemed as Bernard L. Madoff Invest- Republican). However, he lost falls to the unlikely, but was proven pos- ment Securities went essential- to Democratic candidate Mark gover nor sible when the state Senate ly bankrupt during the market Begich by fewer than 4,000 to appoint unanimously convicted him and crisis late last year. votes. a replace- he was removed from office. Despite his crippling Corruption, fraud, and ment until the The students of Lake Ste- losses, Madoff used his Ponzi general lack of integrity were next Senate elec- vens responded with a mixture scheme to continue reporting all but commonplace through- tion. Governor of outrage and indifference. steadily increasing returns on out 2008, especially during the Blagojevich al- “I don’t really care,” senior investments, fooling investors election season late in the year. legedly planned Amanda Prakhounleuang said into believing that their money It remains to be seen how those to sell the seat to in regards to Blagojevich’s case. was growing rather than be- corruption cases will affect pol- the highest bidder. However, she also described ing rapidly depleted. Among itics in this new term. some politicians need to sort our their Several deals he had Governor Blagojevich as a his investors, aside from thou- priorities! been working on in- “stinky doo-doo head.” Senior sands of individuals of both image courtesy of wwwebtax.com page 2 volume 81, issue 5 news LSHS february 12, 2009 valhalla CWI classes make Haifa Israel real for students West Bank Jerusalem the Israeli conflict in students Amelia Dickson is the lack of understanding Design Editor of the history of Israel. The Middle East, according to How many American stu- Current Issues, is “the birth- dents know about what’s go- place of the world’s major Gaza Strip has been a ma- ing on outside of our borders? religions and earliest civiliza- jor source of Not many. According to senior tions.” Current Issues also goes the contempt for Kris King, “they probably just on to explain that there are Israelis through- know what the news goes over, many different types of peo- out the Muslim if they watch the news.” ple in the Middle East. Arabs world. Current World Issues make up the largest group, but The Arabs (CWI) teacher Mr. Dan Fenner the region is also populated by have, through several conflicts, has noticed the same phenom- people of Persian, Jewish, and managed to maintain hold on enon as King, claiming that, Kurdish descent. two regions of old Palestine: “[Students] haven’t discussed The real conflict over the the West Bank and the Gaza [the conflict] very much. control of Israel began with Strip. According to Current Is- They’ve heard of it, but they the birth of the idea of Zion- sues, these two regions are held don’t know what’s going on.” ism. According to Current Is- by Jordan (the West Bank) and Before her CWI class, Kris sues, “the idea of modern Israel Egypt (Egypt). Since 2007, King was one of the students grew out of Zionism, a politi- the Gaza Strip has been con- who knew “absolutely noth- cal movement founded in 1897 trolled by Hamas, an extreme photo art by Amelia Dickson ing” about the Israeli conflicts. to establish a Jewish homeland Palestinian political party. Cur- very out of place in the Middle between the Arabs and Jews in However, King had an advan- in the area of Palestine.” That rent Issues says that Hamas is, East. Current Issues says that, this region have been around tage over other students before plan was put into effect by the “considered a terrorist group “most Middle Eastern coun- since before the creation of Is- going into her CWI class: she United Nation in 1948 with by the U.S., Israel, and the Eu- tries are governed by monar- rael. could locate Israel and the Gaza the creation of Israel. ropean Union,” because it, “re- chies, dictatorships, or theocra- Fenner believes that the strip on a map. However, like In order to create a Jew- jects Israel’s right to exist and cies.” Many western countries class that he teaches is very many of her classmates, King ish state in the Middle East, sponsors suicide rocket attacks such as the United States and beneficial to students, “because had no idea of the significance some Arabs would have to be on Israel.” the United Kingdom are sup- [the conflict] is an issue that of the Gaza Strip, Hamas, or displaced. According to Cur- Israel is vulnerable because porters of Israel because of its affects America’s foreign pol- even the Palestinians. rent Issues, the creation of Is- of its location in the Middle democratic government. Many icy.” Fenner also notes that, One of the tools that CWI rael made refugees of 750,000 East. It is wedged between other countries in the Middle “the class changes every time classes use to convert the cryp- Arab Palestinians. Current also Lebanon at the North, Syria East disdain these connec- I teach it because the conflict tic Middle Eastern conflicts to says that, “more than 4 million and Jordan at the East, Egypt tions. constantly changes.” the language of students is a Palestinians… are registered at the South, and the Mediter- Basically, the recent con- King feels that it is valu- book edited by Amy E. Talbot, as refugees.” These refugees ranean on the West. Compared flict between Hamas and the able for students to know the called Current Issues. This book are living in squalor in camps to its Muslim neighbors, Israel Israelis isn’t anything new. history of the Israeli conflict, has a whole chapter on the in Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, and is also very small. The current conflicts of Israel “because you learn about how Middle East. in the West Bank and Gaza Another issue of conten- are the products of its turbu- history affects now. It’s very One of the reasons for Strip. Understandably, the dis- tion is the government of Is- lent history and the dynamics valuable.” the lack of understanding of placement of so many Arabs rael. As a democracy, Israel is of the region. The conflicts

You are what you eat: FAT! America obsessed with its weight Heather Zebroski face-to-face meetings. Diet-blog.com negative impact [on people’s self-im- calories actually has a lot of negative claims that the reasons diet books age],” Porter said. People look up to impacts to your body because calories Opinion Editor don’t work are that books can’t answer celebrities as role models. Many fail to produce energy that help you exercise, unique questions, they can’t listen to realize that celebrities who weigh no burn fat, and rejuvenate muscles. Many Just about everywhere you go you you and check up on you, it doesn’t more than 80 pounds are incredibly factors contribute to the number of can hear people constantly complain give you a custom plan just for your unhealthy. People don’t understand calories that someone should consume about their weight. The grocery store. lifestyle, and books are no help for that those celebs are malnourished a day, including height, gender, and the The movies. The gym. Since over two people that learn by doing and seeing and, despite fitting our societal image amount of physical activity you do. To thirds of America’s population is con- examples. of being thin, there is a point where find the exact amount of calories one sidered overweight or obese, discus- Di- eting is difficult and often it’s possible to be too thin. Bulimia and should consume, talk to a doctor. Ex- sions of one’s weight have become doesn’t work because anorexia are common eating disorders cessive exercise is also dangerous and completely nor- mal. Now that you’re making a big associated with attempts by youth to can result in hospitalization. information change in your life- emulate these stars. Negative self- Everything that is done to the about our style, way too fast. image also leads to these eating dis- body must be done in moderation. national School nurse orders. The media, however, dictates People can eat junk food and fast food w e i g h t Shannon Porter what society considers beautiful and and still maintain a healthy weight as problem this has be- feels strongly until the images change in the media, long as they consume just a little over a come public, America about healthy people will continue to struggle with long period of time. America’s weight has become com- diets and exer- their weight. obsession has both positives and nega- pletely obsessed with cise. “It‘s making There are two simple things you tives— it is a wake-up call for those their weight. small changes over can do to become the “ideal weight”: who need to get healthy, but it could Americans spend a long period of time eat healthy and exercise! Although also cause many problems such as the about 1.8 billion dol- that you can stick many think that cutting the amount eating disorders bulimia and anorexia. lars a year on diet with,” Porter said. of calories you eat a day can help you The advice is simple: eat a healthy nu- books designed to Suddenly exercis- lose weight, they are wrong. Cutting tritious diet and exercise often. help them lose weight. ing three hours a day Unfortunately, diet would be like sleeping books rarely work. in the day and going to Studies say that 58% school at night. You have Dr. Tony Pool, O.D. of women would much to make small altercations Personalized Care for Routine & Complex Vision Problems rather participate in a that grow in time to help diet plan that involves your body become famil- Target Optical iar with new activities. fatty foods like french fry Lake Stevens Another thing encrusted corndogs may that may contribute 425-334-5536 be ok in small quantities to poor eating habits www.TPool2020.com image courtesy of is the media. “[The] thisiswhyyourefat.com media has a huge Eye Exams, Glasses, Contact Lenses page 3 volume 81, issue 5 news LSHS february 12, 2009 valhalla It’s the END of the WORLD! Life scheduled to end in 2012 Andrew McCrea foolishness for predicting 5000 years that different people’s interpretations happen….either by natural or divine in the future without computerized ac- of scripture can vary immensely, much methods,” said sophomore Kalany S t a f f R e p o r t e r curacy.” like ink splotches sometimes used in Crumley. “I hadn’t even heard of this Because of this calendar cessa- psychotherapy. until a week or so ago…. The ways For those people who haven’t tion, the poles of the earth must be Some people believe that this day this could happen seem like more of heard, the world is supposed to end on about to change, because the planets will bring destruction via the super- a storyline of a movie than an actual December 12, 2012. And while such will be aligned correctly. Those who collider in Europe. The ability to cause scientific situation.” believers have a vague reason to take think otherwise say that a random large amounts of harm and possibly “It really doesn’t seem plausible,” part in this, none of this evidence is arrangement of the planets couldn’t massive black holes has been consid- said sophomore Chad Watson as he concrete enough for the scientific com- change one planet’s magnetic field in ered, but leading scientific experts laughed. “The magnetic poles have munity. Circulation of such an event particular. The spontaneous change have reported that this is very unlikely. been the same for some time… It just has thrived on chat-rooms, forums, in the field would theoretically cause They compared this to the hype that sounds like another Y2K theory.” and conversations for the better part a change in the axis on which earth the explosion of the first atom bomb The ability to predict the date of of the year. But for every seemingly rotates, and could also cause volcanic could cause a continuous chain reac- the end of the world is impossible, as scientific or religious reason to believe and seismic activity. tion throughout the atmosphere. far as we know so far. In 2001, NASA that the end is near, there is an equally The third, and most popular theo- The last of the major theories for released information to the public believable reason to make the end of ry that Google likes to give, is that an life on Earth to stop is the eruption that revealed that the sun had just un- the world seem far off. Those who do increasing amount of gravity as our of a supervolcano. The earth’s crust dergone a polar flip, which they said think the apocalypse is coming think solar system passed through the equa- under Yellowstone National Park is would have little to no effect on us. it could happen in a vast number of torial line of the Milky Way. Because extremely thin, and the chances that In 2006 they released more informa- ways, the most popular of which are: of this change, some people believe a volcanic eruption could take place tion about the solar activity; NASA The Mayan calendar ends on this that earth will spiral into the sun, or there are very large. If a volcanic forecasted that a large solar storm particular day, so the Mayans must pull far enough away to prevent the eruption were to take place in Yel- was coming sometime in the future. have seen some unfathomable horror world from sustaining life. lowstone, the collateral damage to In an odd coincidence, the predicted protruding from the future. To which A few religious groups have also the entire world would end all life. year that the storm would take place is skeptics say either, “The Mayans lived predicted that the world will end in Ash created by the eruption could get 2012. Although the storms could very over 5000 years ago, they probably 2012 by divine intervention. These se- into the atmosphere, and blot out the well cause changes in the earth’s mag- figured they could stop and wait a lect few are of various faiths, but their sun. Thanks to our biology classes, we netic field, NASA specialists say that while before they continued to plan only evidence is their own interpreta- know that without the sun, life would the end of the world is very unlikely for crops five millennia later.” Or they tion of religious sayings, teachings, not be sustainable for very long. to be caused by this event. say, “They could have possibly seen the and scripture. Those who disagree say “I don’t really think this could Select DECA students off to state Alissa Margett was the manager. They wanted me to make a winter sales promotion to get rid of all the winter clothes,” Features Editor Wegner said. “I planned the sales promotion by tell- ing them that I put advertising up and mark down On the night of January 15, thirty-three DECA the clothes on sale so that we could clear them out students happily boarded the busses and waved and get all of the new spring clothes in. I had to goodbye to Monroe High School with beaming explain the product lifecycle, so I drew a graph and smiles on their faces; they had just qualified to com- showed them about that.” pete at State Competition. In the Marketing Representatives event, sopho- After months of strenuous preparation, 79 more Kraig Looney, who competed specifically in BAM (Business and Marketing) students competed Technical Sales, qualified for State by performing a in their previously selected event, in hopes of quali- challenging but humorous role play. “[He] took a fying for the state level. Students competed indi- hundred question multiple choice test and did a pre- vidually or in a team event. The possible categories sentation. [His] topic this year was to promote the were Individual Series, Management Team Decision Wii to a retirement home,” Morton said. Making, Marketing Research, Chapter Team, Busi- There are usually two judges for each role play; ness Management and Entrepreneurship, Market- both are businesspeople and members of the com- ing Representative, Online, and Special Events. munity. Each judge has a copy of the situation and a Brennan Frost and Ashley Polek enjoy the DECA Before going to the conference, the prospective list of performance indicators, or points to watch for competition at Monroe High School participants headed to the PAC to test their market- the student to address in their role play. Judges may photo courtesy of DECA ing knowledge by taking a one hundred question, ask for elaboration or clarification on any particu- one hundred point multiple choice exam. “It is very lar point. The greater the number of performance do make it to state the stress goes down once [my] hard; they cover everything from math, economics, indicators that the student covers, the higher their name is called,” Pearson said. to information about their particular area of study, overall score. Though they may seem menacing, the In the weeks to come students involved in other and communications. Just any kind of question that judges truly do wish for the students to succeed in DECA events, such as the Chapter Awards Program, you can think of in marketing can be on there,” BAM their role play. “I was expecting the judges to be a lot Merit Awards Program, or Marketing Research teacher Karen Morton said. stricter but my judges were really relaxed, so that Project will find out whether their submitted work Once at Monroe High School, the students filed was nice,” Wegner said. has qualified them for state as well. into the auditorium for an introductory address. After the students finished their role play, they The State Career Development Conference is Afterwards, the students headed off to various lo- staggered into the cafeteria to eat pizza and breathe held from March 5-7 at the Meydenbauer Center in cations in the school to prepare for their event and while the scores are being calculated. The number of Bellevue, only six weeks after Area. For those 33 stu- anxiously wait for their turn to come. “The first time points earned out of the possible one hundred from dents who did make it to the state competition, the I went to Area [Conference] I was really really ner- the test was added to the number of points earned amount of work and stress only intensifies. Though vous and I think I kind of just sat in a corner to out of the possible two hundred point role play for the test stays essentially the same, students are re- chill and calm my nerves,” senior Jade Pearson, who each category in each event. The nine highest scor- quired to perform not one role play, but two. “When placed fourth in Restaurant Management, said. ers in each category were able to move on to State. you do get to state and actually start your role play Students were given their situation and had 15 Once the final scores were tallied, students re- is when I think it gets stressful,” Pearson said. to 20 minutes to prepare their role. “Then they do turned to the auditorium, filling the bleachers and When Mrs. Morton spoke to her students after a role play which is a situational challenge and that hoping for their name to be called. “I was glad to the Area Conference, none had regrets about choos- is worth 200 points at Area. They range from hav- get it over with and I thought that I did pretty well, ing to compete. “People don’t understand what we ing an angry customer to having to come up with but I was never really nervous,” Wegner said. “I mean by competing,” Pearson said. “You just got to an idea for a product or maybe training a new em- wasn’t expecting to place at all because it was my do it to know what I am talking about because it is ployee, it depends,” Morton said. first time.” Whether they win or lose, the stress level really fun. It is one of the best things I have chosen First time competitor Madisen Wegner was able for students decreased as the speaker moved on to to do in my high school career.” to flaunt her knowledge in Apparel and Accessories the subsequent category. “I like to make Area fun, so with her role. “The judges owned the store and I it doesn’t really matter if I make it to state, but if I

page 4 volume 81, issue 5 LSHS sports valhalla february 12, 2008 Vikings make it rain to end a decade-long drought their muscles to give their traveling Everett Seagulls. With the homecourt advantage the Scott Larson fans a 7 point run to stand up and Vikings took an early six point lead going into the sec- S t a f f R e p o r t e r cheer about as the home Snohomish ond quarter. Through this defensive battle, the Vikings fans quieted down. After their slow showed little intentions of budging with their lead. Early on, before the Viking’s first start they caught up quickly. It Everett found persistence to be the key as they brought game, senior T.J. Dodge predicted that the Vi- wasn’t until late in the third the lead going down to five before the half. After the kings would be in the fight for the first or sec- quarter when the Vikings half, the Vikings came out roaring as they were led by ond seed coming out of their division. After finally pulled ahead of the senior Sean Stickney. “They smashed any hope Everett ten games the Vikings are leading the league Panthers. As the fourth quar- could’ve had for a victory in the third quarter” says with a record of (6-1) in league games and ter started, the Vikings showed senior Superfan Tyler D’souza. This helped them glide (8-2) overall. The Vikings are led by bone their strength once again to put to a comfortable 14 point victory. The final score ended crushing seniors like Dodge and Sean the Panthers out of their mis- up being 49 – 35 in the Vikings favor. Stickney, and sharp shooters like senior ery with some superb free Although the Viks have won quite a few basketball Ryan Legg and junior Arvid Isaksen. throw shooting and above games, “The Snohomish game was the most memo- As a team they have ended a decade-long average jump shots as rable because we hadn’t beat them for over a decade” drought, won defensive and offensive they went 6-7 from the Dodge says. Stickney agrees. “To beat Snohomish has battles and have proven that they can go field to end the game. The been one of my goals since I joined the high school the distance, as they don’t give up until after final score was 52 - 45 in basketball team, I mean we haven’t [beat them] since the final buzzer. Better than all of their ac- another Viking victory. I was in grade school,” he said. Stickney has proven to complishments, Stickney says, is that “We all Boys Basketball vs. Ev- be the key player for the Vikings as he has had multiple just have a lot of fun”. erett January 10, 2009. double doubles and rarely ends a basketball game scor- Boys Basketball vs. Snohomish January 8, Two nights after the ing in the single digits. 2009 Ryan Legg shoots the ball moral-boosting victory over After an 11-2 deficit and over a decade-long photo by Nate Lynch Snohomish, the Vikings hit list of defeats against the Snohomish basketball the hardwood once again. team, the Vikings, eager to beat the Panthers, flex Their next victim was the

Got Swag? What ASB is doing Swim team dives off to help raise school spirit with a head start Heather Zebroski Brian Buzzo Opinions Editor Staff Reporter

Everyone loves getting The winter sports season at this school is usually all about free stuff. It’s a known fact. wrestling and basketball, but this year, boys swimming has And our schooll is no different. become more popular than ever. That is why the ASB is trying “The pool was actually crowded this year,” senior Drew to raise school spirit with Spir- Larson said as he compared this year’s team to previous ones. it Rewards. What makes this year such a popular year for swimming? Some juniors and seniors Mainly what happened over the summer. “I’m going to be the may recall spirit rewards next Michael Phelps,” senior Trevor Riecks said. After this from the past years. In or- summer’s Olympic Games in Beijing, China, proved to be a der to get rewards, students had to go through long pro- Mikaela Dosen shows her school spirit record-breaking year for American swimmer Michael Phelps, cesses of stamps, cards, and photo by Brian Toews the sport became a phenomenon. Phelps won eight gold medals other procedures, all just to A committee, run by ASB Since the statue vandalism, and inspired more kids than ever to turn out for swimming. get the prize. There was also president Ryan Legg, is de- everyone has been trying his That inspiration carried over to our swim team; they had a lack of teamwork between voted to Game of the Week or her best to make our school an extremely successful turnout. In fact, the team achieved the ASB and leadership class and Spirit Reward. This com- a respectable place to learn something that has never been done in Lake Stevens High that contributed to the failure mittee deals with all the ad- and be a part of. “[Being spir- School history: they beat the Snohomish High School Pan- of Spirit Rewards in the past. vertisement of the rewards ited] is more of an attitude,” thers boy’s swim team for the very first time. This year, ASB is trying to and hopes to improve the at- Cooper said. Students should Their new numbers are giving swimming at our school make things a little simpler to tendance at sporting games take pride in their school and more flare than ever. Swimmers are wearing goofy jammers raise school spirit. They hope that don’t normally have big do everything they can to be and talking about swimming with people who had not really that this change will increase turn outs. spirited. They should partici- paid attention to the sport before. “We get a few more fans the amount of students that ASB is trying to adver- pate in the activities available than usual at our home meets,” Larson said. The fan base must show up at the games that tise in a variety of ways. VTV and take advantage of a great be doing something right, as the team is now doing extremely usually don’t have as much at- will start announcing what the school experience. well. tendance. Game of the Week is and re- Senior Brian Toews, mind you to go. Also, students ASB vice president, refers to will be handing out papers the prizes as “shwag.” This during lunch on the day of the “shwag” is sitting in boxes all game to encourage students over the ASB office, and the to attend. Toews also hopes to group’s idea was to give it use the reader boards by the away to students at sporting attendance office and outside events. These boxes are filled the PAC to advertise to the en- with things like shirts, hats, tire community. scarves, capes, purple and gold Shawn Cooper, sophomore make up, bracelets and other vice present says that there is Viking-oriented gear. also a chance to win a bigger Students can only get this prize if you participate in a “shwag” at the Game of the contest at the game. Week, which was Toews’ idea. Spirit is extremely impor- The Game of the Week is a tant at our high school. We take home varsity game that may pride in our school, sports and encourage students to attend. other after school activities. volume 81, issue 5 page 5 features LSHS february 12, 2009 valhalla sports in the world:Sports 1. Half man, half-fish: For three weeks in August, Mi- chael Phelps captured the attention of a nation. When it was over, he held nearly every Olympic medal record. 2. Super Bowl XLII: The entire world was watching as the Giants creamed the Patriots in the final minutes of the game. 3. Tiger Woods: He won his 14th major on a broken left leg (that’s not a misprint). The Top Ten 4. Favre!: No matter how sick you may be of Brett Favre photo courtesy of dosomething.org and the ongoing “will he or won’t he” saga surround- ing his retirement, one still has to admit that it was things of especially good sports theater in 2008. 5. Celtics OWN!: The 6 game set provided some excel- lent theater in the first five games before fizzling with the Celtic’s blowout victory in game 6 against the Lakers. 6. Seattle Sucking: The Seahawks were bounced from the Playoffs by the Packers in January. The Mariners proceeded to lose 101 games with a team payroll 2008newsworthy athletes newsworthy events photo courtesy of dailymail.co.uk exceeding 117 million dollars, the eighth highest in baseball. The Sonics moved to Oklahoma City and of LSHS: at LSHS: became the Thunder. 1. George King, senior wrestler 1. Bucks for Biggs Fundraiser/Spaghetti 7. U.S. Basketball Team Wins Big: The U.S. Men’s 2. Sean Stickney, football and basketball Feed Auction Olympic team sent to Beijing dominated their group, 3. Lauren Goddard, senior girl basket- 2. Drug-Testing Suspended winning by an average of 32.2 points per game and ball player 3. The statue in-front of the school dam- finishing undefeated. 4. Colton Teupen, senior football player aged from sparkler bomb 8. Lake Stevens Rowing Club splits: After several 5. Taryn Wright, senior girl soccer 4. No Tolo Dance?! disagreements between coaches, one coach decided player 5. Construction of a New Cafeteria and to leave and set up shop at the west end of the lake 6. Kaleen Berg, junior girl soccer player Office photo courtesy of en.ce.cn.com in Lundeen Park leaving a team having to choose 7. Annie Thomas, junior girl soccer 6. The Invisible Children Presentation between that club, Lake Stevens, or Everett: LSRC’s player in the PAC major rival. 8. Shane Kaska, junior basketball player 7. Jamie King as Prom King 9. Yankee Stadium Closes: The House That Ruth Built 9. Megan Warbis, sophomore girl bas- 8. Darbi Rice as Homecoming Queen housed its share of classic baseball memories. From ketball player 9. First year without freshmen Derek Jeter’s home run in the 1996 ALCS assisted by 10. Lacey Wagner, sophomore cross- 10. Mock Election fan Jeffrey Maier to George Brett’s Pine Tar Incident country runner to Curt Schilling’s bloody sock, history has taken place there. 10. Usian Bolt’s 100-meter dash: Bolt set a new record at the 2008 Beijing Oympics with a stunning time of photo courtesy of latimesblogs.com 9.69. 10 interesting Richie Williams He’s an odd one to say the least, but I mean that with all sincerity. films: Williams can be seen playing the ukulele and was in the last school 1. The Dark Knight play, A Christmas Story. He’s also known for wearing very unusual 2. Slumdog Millionare clothing, but don’t let that bother you. “I want to befriend as many 3. WALL-E 4. Pineapple Express A&E people and I don’t want to hate on anyone”. 5. Gran Torino 6. Milk Shawn Cooper 7. Frost/Nixon 8. Iron Man Cooper is sophomore class Vice President, has a 4.0 GPA, and works 9. Cloverfield with graphic design. He’s also trying to get a JROTC program going 10. Tropic Thunder at the school. Shawn would also like you to know that he went on

photo courtesy of 3.bp.blogspot.com a 50 mile hike over the summer and he draws stick figures. Get to albums: know this one. 1. In Rainbows Radiohead 2. Oracular Spectacular MGMT 3. Vampire Weekend Vampire Weekend Jacob Anderson 4. Fleet Foxes Fleet Foxes He is a wrestler and ASB President. Jacob also likes to build sail- 5. Dear Science TV on the Radio boats and jet engines. He owns a 1966 Mustang and loves classic 6. Paper Trails T.I. cars. 7. Tha Wayne III Lil’ Wayne 8. Antidotes Foals 9. Med Sud I Eyrum Vid Spilum End Sigur Ros photo courtesy of bp2blogger.com Madeline “Bootsie” Heffernan 10. Narrow Stairs Death Cab for Cutie She runs a website with her sister (www.thecolorm.com), has been in several school plays including the next spring musical Beauty and songs: the Beast. She claims to have OCD she really likes drama and she’d 1. “Time to Pretend” MGMT like you to know that “she didn’t think she was that interesting.” 2. “A-Punk” Vampire Weekend 3. “Sex on Fire” Kings of Leon photo courtesy of joshreisner.com 4. “Gamma Ray” Beck Katie Anderson 5. “L.E.S. Artistes” Santogold She describes herself as “a person who never did anything”, to a 6. “Human” The Killers person who has been the officer of Drama club and involved in every 7. “I Will Possess Your Heart” Deathcab for Cutie play since freshman year. It’s this type of dedication and love for a 8. “Pork and Beans” Weezer club that inspires students who may be shy as Katie once was. Catch 9. “Disturbia” Rihanna her as Mrs. Potts in the spring musical, Beauty and the Beast. 10. “Violet Hill” Coldplay photo courtesy of concreteloop.com

page 6 volume 81, issue 5 LSHS features valhalla february 12, 2009 News news in the world: 1. Barack Obama’s Epic Win: On election night America elected its first black President of the United States of America. 2. Maverick: John McCain’s running mate: Sarah Palin. 3. RECESSION!: On Sept. 13 bad news from Wall Street began to creep out of the woodworks. The Big Three (the photo courtesy of treehugger.com auto industry) were asking for a bailout not including the $700 billion dollar bailout brought up by Congress. The Top Ten 4. Pregnant Man?: Thomas Beatie, a trans-gendered man who was born a woman (he kept his female reproduc- tive organs), announced in March that he was pregnant. Beatie was artificially inseminated using donor sperm. He gave birth to Susan Juliette, born in June, and he is things of expecting a second child! photo courtesy of chartherct.com 5. Goodbye Fidel: An ailing FidelCastro in February relin- quished the presidency of Cuba to his younger brother whom many hope will be a moderate reformer. by Brian Toews and Amelia Dickson 6. Second Chances Are A Dime a Dozen: In October 2008, O.J. Simpson he was found guilty of several felonies as part of a 2007 break-in in a Las Vegas hotel. In Decem- ber 2008, a judge imposed a complex series of penal- ties on Simpson. He could spend as many as 33 years in 2008newsworthy events unbelievable events photo courtesy of blog.mlive.com prison. at LSHS: at LSHS: 7. A Missing Child: On Oct. 14, an Orlando, Fla. grand jury indicted Casey Anthony, 22, (mother of three-year old 1. Bucks for Biggs Fundraiser/Spaghetti 1. Ryan Depuy’s passing Caylee Anthony) on murder charges, which could carry Feed Auction 2. Nick Delma’s fake “death” the death penalty. The young mother reported her daugh- 2. Drug-Testing Suspended 3. Danica Esau’s fake pregnancy ter missing July 15, telling police she had left Caylee 3. The statue in-front of the school dam- 4. Wrestling Team defeated by Snohom- with a babysitter a month earlier. 8. The Large Hardron Collider: The Large Hadron Col- aged from sparkler bomb ish photo courtesy of pasadenalawblog.com 4. No Tolo Dance?! lider (LHC) (the massive particle accelerator straddling 5. Varsity Football team makes it to the Swiss-French border) didn’t destroy the world! The 5. Construction of a New Cafeteria and playoffs contraption didn’t work. Repairs are underway and the Office 6. The Potter Puppet Pals Skit at the particles should begin spinning again sometime in June. 6. The Invisible Children Presentation Prom Assmebly 9. Miley Cyrus Nude!: When the star of Disney Channel’s in the PAC 7. The two Lockdowns Hannah Montana appeared wrapped in a bed sheet with 7. Jamie King as Prom King her bare back exposed in the June issue of Vanity Fair, 8. The “damn skippy” MLK assembly parents of Cyrus’ tween fans were outraged. 8. Darbi Rice as Homecoming Queen speaker 10. Angry Venezuela: “Go to hell a hundred times, f***ing 9. First year without freshmen 9. The Chicken being stolen Yankees,” said Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez at a 10. Mock Election 10. The snow at the end of the year! rally, irate over U.S. officials’ charges that cocaine traf- ficking through his country has surged in recent years. photo courtesy of telegraph.co.uk 10 interesting students: Damon Yeutter Remember leaving class for that presentation in the PAC where you watched a movie and gained insight into the Invisible Children or- ganization? Oh, you do? Well you can thank Damon for that, because he’s the one who brought it to the school. He says, “I did it because I have this urge to help people and make a difference. If I’m going to do something, I might as well do something worth it.” Nick Baker Along with breaking 18 school records for passing yard, touch downs, and completions Nick, has been offered to play football by University of British Columbia, Montana Tech, Pacific Lutheran University, Central Washington, and Montana State. He also helped his Leadership class and Joe Cronin for the Bucks for Biggs fundraiser last year. Chelsea Boren She was voted “most politically scandalous” and rightly so. She volun- teered in the Christine Gregoire campaign where she phone banked, went door-to-door, and met the governor herself. Not only that, but she’s the president of the Politics Club and Debate Club. Foresee the next state senator/governor/ or possible president. Ian Walter Multi-talented, friendly, and hilarious, Ian is in several punk bands, acted in the winter production of A Christmas Story and has made ap- pearances on VTV and the last assembly. Don’t be put off by the nu- merous patches on his jacket, he certainly isn’t a Grinch. Neva King She spent New Year’s playing video games, she has an online best friend in Colorado who doesn’t know who she is, her first concert was in Japanese, math is her favorite subject, she writes poetry and she claims to have “over 9,000” friends. photos by Biarn Toews photos by Biarn Toews

volume 81, issue 5 page 7 opinion LSHS febuary 12, 2009 valhalla I do not think it means what you think it means “That’s what she said,” simply “Your mom.” …Right. gets on my nerves. Honestly, just makes them sound stupid. and jokes in general that re- Are any of these responses what is the point of trying to That’s not to say the people fer to sexual relations with supposed to be clever? From make everyone react to some- themselves are of lesser intel- any woman, or one’s mother, my point of view, they serve thing that really doesn’t even ligence; it just comes across can be quite humorous at only to annoy, as I can’t help exist in anything besides our as very simple-minded, and Ryan Rincon times. By now, it seems to be but feel like my intelligence minds? Hearing people trying it seems as though the people Staff Reporter generally felt that such jokes has been lowered, not to men- to constantly get reactions I’m surrounded by on a daily aren’t taken in an offensive tion my initial question was out of people and subsequent- basis are adopting these terms way anymore. People will just all but ignored. ly having to hear their peers much more recently. When you’re around many say these things in an attempt Another phrase that has being in such apparent tur- While I recognize there people during a school day, you to ridicule or insult, but it’s gotten to a point of constant moil is incredibly aggravating are other opinions of phrases can’t help but hear a slew of almost always shrugged or annoyance whenever it’s ut- to tolerate on an almost daily that should be omitted, I feel phrases that people have ad- laughed off by the receiver tered in my presence is, “I just basis. that the aforementioned three opted and use on a daily basis. of the joke. However, while lost The Game.” Surely you’ve Another phrase I find my- are ones that should be point- It grows tiresome for many, these jokes and clever inserts heard of it by now, especially self subjected to on a very ed out now. Quite frankly, I including myself, however, to of dialogue are good for a if you happened to glance at regular basis involves a set of would love if these phrases hear these same phrases being laugh with proper timing and Caleb Schwarzmiller’s article words arranged in a way that died away and went on some used so redundancy, by the delivery, even they can grow detailing The Game a couple uses similes and commonly hiatus for years beyond when I same people. I feel that many old after only a few occur- issues back. On the off chance considered swear words. The was out of high school. How- of these phrases, while toler- rences. The worst scenarios you haven’t, to briefly review, phrases are used in this con- ever, seeing as that is unlikely able at first, quickly grow into are the ones in which there The Game can simply only be text “It’s [blank] as [blank].” and unreasonable, I’ll simply something that can’t be stood isn’t even any real reason to lost by thinking about it. The To be clear, this could be us- wrap up this article in the for more than a week, maybe be delivering such remarks, object is to get everyone in ing any number of different hopes that it’ll at least inspire two. Perhaps you’re famil- or in the instance of a con- the world to play. Otherwise, of words, feel free to use your people to minimize the use of iar with such phrases. Some versation in which intellect there’s no real importance or imagination, to describe the these phrases. I don’t doubt of the phrases I’m referring is trying to be shared. What purpose served in playing, current condition of, let’s say, that these phrases will only to include “That’s what she kind of sense does it make, or except to hear groans and the temperature. But I don’t be replaced by equally or even said,” “I just lost The Game,” how funny can it really be, if exclamations from anyone in understand, how exactly can more phrases I’ll not be able and references to any thing or I ask what time class gets out the vicinity who is suddenly it be “cold as [blank]”? Or to help but despise, it’s worth situation that throws in a ran- and receive a reply along the in dismay at their loss of The how can something be “heavy hoping for the change. dom swear word in the form lines of “What time does your Game. While the phrase itself as [blank]”? At the risk of of a smile. An example of this mom get out?” or “The same isn’t what annoys me most, sounding blunt or rude, hear- is, “Cold as [blank].” time your mom gets out,” or, it’s the reaction that always ing people say such phrases Great grumbling gummies! ibly hard to choke on. Unlike many telling them which gummi was which. as opposed to the Haribo Gold which other snacks, gummi bears can either At the end of the survey, Black Forest is a little bit more difficult to chew and be chewed forever or just swallowed beat Haribo Gold 48-22. I personally it also has a very pleasing texture and immediately, it makes no difference! feel the same as I believe that while the a very pleasing flavor. So, it definitely This is important if you’re trying to Haribo Gold have a good flavor it is makes for the perfect snack; running eat while in the middle of a race. no better than that of the Black For- or not.” Caleb Schwarzmiller I recently ran the Seattle mara- est gummies. However, the Black For- So, what it comes down to when Staff Reporter thon and I think my success in finish- est gummis have a much nicer choosing a workout snack is finding This is an article directed towards ing those 26.2 miles is due largely in texture. That is to say, something easy to eat those of you out there that like to part to that little bag of gummi bears the Haribo Gold gummi but still tasty and consider yourself “sporty.” For, you I brought along with me. I snacked on bears are very hard and the Black Forest see, I have discovered the ultimate in the gummi bears throughout the race difficult to eat, compared gummi bear easi- workout snacks. This snack is deli- and finished strong. But I am not alone to the soft, easy to eat ly fits both those cious, easy to eat, and digests incred- in my thoughts. My marathon partner Black Forest gummies. requirements. ibly easily. It gives you that burst of and avid gummi bear enthusiast An- Rasmussen, who has energy you need to finish the race and drea Rasmussen shares similar opin- tried all kinds of gummi gives you something to look forward ions on the subject of gummi bears. bears, from Thriftway to throughout. The snack I’m talking “I would consider myself an ex- generic to bulk candies about is of course the glorious gummi pert on gummi bears. I have tried mul- taken out of those bins bear. tiple brands and multiple flavors and at the grocery store, I think that gummi bears are com- I am quite the connoisseur,” Rasmus- had her own reasons pletely unparalleled as a sports snack. sen said. Rasmussen was seven years when I asked her There are many reasons supporting old when she first was introduced to why she preferred this. First, gummi bears do not dry a gummi bear by her family elder. She Black Forest gummi out your mouth. This is incredibly im- remembers it vividly: a green apple bears over all other portant. As anyone that plays sports flavored gummi. “It was the perfect workout snacks. can tell you, the very worst thing that snack. It was chewy so it takes a long “Well, I’ll tell can happen is you get thirsty. Thirst time to eat. It was packed with flavor you why. I will totally cripple you, cramping your so you don’t really need to eat many to have run a muscles and taking your focus off the get the full impact.” marathon and race. Second, gummi bears are simul- But this would lead us to a tough a Black For- taneously delicious and filled with im- question: what is the best kind of est makes mediate energy. No one wants to eat gummi bear? To answer this, I bought for the per- anything that tastes bad, and the sug- about six pounds of each of the two fect run- ary nature of the gummi bears will most popular brands of gummi bear: ning snack give you an immediate boost of en- Black Forest and Haribo Gold. I then because it ergy! Finally, gummi bears are incred- had people try some of each without is chewy photo art by Amelia Dickson page 8 volume 81, issue 5 LSHS opinion valhalla febuary 12, 2009 The student parking lot: a privilege? disobeying the unwritten laws, are spot you know that it means your jerks. I’m talking about the kids car is going to be safer, you won’t who don’t allow people in, or drive have to look for a spot on the road in the wrong lane to get out faster every morning, and that it will take Brian Buzzo than everyone else. They set bad awhile after school to escape the staff reporter examples for the sophomores who rush of traffic. have not yet learned how to act It is not like waiting ten min- The student parking lot is like in the student parking lot. If you utes after school is a big put-out. a symbol of the school itself. There want to leave right after school and For most of us getting out of is a plethora of cars that display a not wait in line, then you can just school at ten after two is the earli- wide range of students. From the park on the road and get out ear- est we have ever gotten out, and we big green van to the little blue lier. usually beat the buses home. If you Kia, each car represents its driver The parking lot is a privilege don’t want to sit in your car and in some way. One of my favorite that should be shared and appre- wait in line, you can just wait ten things about the parking lot is the ciated. If that means waiting in minutes with your friends before way everyone acts after school. lines for awhile then so be it; you even getting in your car. Waiting Most students are courteous and shouldn’t take advantage of other not only clears up the initial rush, follow the unwritten laws of the people’s kindness. We pay fifteen it allows people time to talk with lot. Students stop to allow cars to dollars for the spot, which is a lot friends who they do not see during merge one at a time, and by work- less than other schools in the area, the day. The student parking lot is ing together the long process is and in exchange we get a safer spot meant to be helpful for students, made a little less painful. to park. It is not fair for the major- but when a few people drive in the the parking lot is always crowded with students Those students who do not ity to have to suffer because a few wrong lanes it becomes a hassle after school help the mass of people trying to people want to leave five minutes that not only makes a lot of people photo by Emma Derus get home and instead act selfishly, early. When you request a parking angry, it risks accidents. Silence your cell phones valhalla to wrap my hands around conveniently placed EVERY- someone’s annoying little neck WHERE. Those commercials policy is in the movie theatre. Sure, that happen right before your Our Mission Statement: The Valhalla’s mission is to provide the LSHS community with a quality, thought-provoking publication. In there are times when laughing movie takes place aren’t there these efforts, the Valhalla has established several open forums for the in the movie theatre is perfectly for nothing. There is nothing exchange of information, opinions, and artistic expression dedicated to those in the LSHS community. acceptable. Like, maybe when more annoying than a small, Nikole Harris something is funny. Even then, flippy plastic device ruining Editorials: The editorial section of the Valhalla serves as a forum for well-written, thoughtful, longer forms of expression. Signed staff reporter it shouldn’t be taken too far, your entire movie experience. editorials represent the opinions of the author(s). Unsigned editori- ruining the funny level of the Sure, the ringing of a cell als represent the opinion of the majority of the Valhalla staff. Views printed here are meant to be opinionated and/or persuasive, but do Movie theaters are amaz- movie. It’s rude to laugh for phone and the constant no- not necessarily represent the opinions of the student body, adminis- ing. They smell of popcorn, no apparent reason at a mov- need-to-laugh laugh can de- tration, or school board. they have super comfy chairs, ie. Chances are, it wasn’t even stroy the movie you’re seeing. Letters to the Editor: The Valhalla will generally print as many and you usually happen to be that funny, and by you laugh- But, the ultimate motion pic- letters as space allows each issue. Letters must include the author’s name, signature, and class or position relative to the school. Typed or with people you enjoy the pres- ing loudly, you ruin the next ture demolisher would have to legibly handwritten letters are acceptable, but none should be more ence of. It just happens to suck part of the movie. (The next be the beyond public display of than 400 words. The Valhalla reserves the right to edit all letters for space, accuracy, spelling, and grammar. We reserve the right to re- when someone decides to be a part was probably 13 thousand affection activity that always fuse to print any letters. Submit letters to room 303, or email them huge killjoy. times funnier than the part seems to be taking place at to [email protected]. Letters submitted by email should be pasted into the body of the message. We reserve the right to print all Laughing happens to be they laughed at.) the back of the movie theatre. letters submitted, either in person or electronically. the greatest thing you can do. Of course, laughing is Holding hands while watching Laughing means you’re happy, probably the least of your a movie in public is cute. Feeling and if you’re not, it certainly worries as far as movie theatre the need to grope your signifi- makes you happy. I happen to etiquette goes. There’s the all- cant other while shoving your valhalla be a very optimistic person, too-popular cell phone ring- tongue past their tonsils…not staff and I laugh on a regular basis. ing, which I’m almost positive so cute. Some people don’t ap- When other people laugh, that is against the movie theatre preciate hearing the awkward Editorial Board Contributing Katie Van Dyke Photographer is also a plus. The only time rules. This could be why there smacking sounds from the Editor in Chief that laughing makes me want are cell phone silencing notices seat behind them while they’re Amelia Dickson Kyle Canada enjoying (or attempting to Design Editor enjoy), their movie. “I don’t Emily Garvin Staff Reporters understand why people can’t Managing Editor Nate Shipe Kaila Alford just make out in the privacy News Editor Blaine Bowman of their own homes like nor- Alissa Margett Brian Buzzo mal people,” agrees sophomore Features Editor Beau Castillo Autumn Isaacson. Beau Castillo Brad Dickson Don’t get me wrong, I am Sports Editor Blaine Bowman Nikole Harris all for having fun. But, if you A&E Editor Scott Larson want to act crazy then you Heather Zebroski Andrew McCrea should do what every other Opinion Editor Ryan Rincon Lake Stevens teenager does. Cassie Hesch Caleb Schwarzmiller Go bug the poor red-shirted Business Manager Brian Toews employees at Target, not the innocent movie watchers. Photographers Advisor Josh Brubaker Tiffany Lagant Emma Derus people talking can be one of the most annoying things to do in the Catherine Straume movie theatre photo by Emma Derus

volume 81, issue 5 page 9 features LSHS february 12, 2009 valhalla Volunteering beyond the call of duty Alissa Margett month.” put into it,” she said. like he benefited from his expe- past two years at Sarvey. “I go Dosen was able to make Dosen views volunteering riences at the camp. “I have be- up on Sundays, but being that Features Editor volunteering fun by doing it as more of an enjoyment than come more outgoing,” he said. I have all the hours [needed to with her friends. “I have a lot of a mandate and wishes others “I have gotten more leadership graduate] I stopped recording Although many students friends that also do community would see it that way too. “I skills that I can use.” them,” he said. fail to earn 15 hours each year, service, like with DEFY, so in- think that if it wasn’t a require- Though Henderson has With the completion of senior Mikaela Dosen, junior stead of just hanging out and ment people would be able to see served as a counselor at the camp almost 240 hours of volunteer- Ian Henderson, and sophomore doing something else, we hung past the fact that is it required for three summers, his 190 vol- ing, Terry was able to work his Jonathan Terry, have more than out while we did community and see the fun ways they can do unteer hours were earned over way up from cleaning cages to triple, or even quadruple, the service,” she said. Amazingly, it,” she said. only one summer. “I got all my handling the injured animals. number of hours they need to Dosen no longer keeps track “It was something to do hours from that summer, but I “I am now a handler for one graduate. of the number of the hours in the summer and it was fun,” have gone back and just haven’t of their birds of prey. I can go Senior Mikaela Dosen that she volunteers for. “I have said junior Ian Henderson of turned in any more hours,” he around schools and teach people has the greatest number of [volunteered] every year but the way he completed the com- said. Henderson estimates that something that I was taught,” community service hours in once I filled out my forms after munity service requirement. he has around four hundred he said. the school; a whopping 265! one year I really did not need Through volunteering at Camp community service hours. Like many other students, Dosen has earned her volun- any more hours,” she said. “I Killoqua, Henderson has earned With more than three times Terry has struggled to balance teer hours through a program stopped a while ago. I probably more than 190 volunteer hours. the number of community ser- his time between volunteering, called DEFY(Drug Education have a lot more than 265!” Henderson has spent his vice hours needed to graduate, school, and extracurricular ac- for Youth). “It is basically to She may not need to log any last three summers devoting his Henderson still plans to con- tivities. “Normally I just kept teach young kids the dangers of morDosen has received much time to other kids at Camp Kil- tinue volunteering at Camp Kil- making sure that my grades drugs, alcohol, and a lot of their more from volunteering than loqua, Campfire USA’s Everett loqua this coming summer. were up and making sure I social problems,” she said. “We what she gave of herself. “The camp. He served as a counselor When asked why he is con- had no homework on Sunday, do week-long camps during the kids that I affect really see it as for children in grade levels one tinuing to volunteer, Henderson that way I could just go up [to summer and one meeting every a lot bigger deal than the time I to twelve. said, “I mean, why not? It is Sarvey],” he said. Henderson was responsible good for your community.” Volunteering has helped for a new group of ten young- Through volunteering at Terry realize what he wants er kids, or “day-campers”, each Sarvey Wildlife Center, sopho- to become after high school; a week. more Johnathan Terry has done veterinary technician or a rap- Counselor and day-campers more than meet the community tor specialist. It has also given alike had fun doing a variety of service hour requirement for him a head start at being knowl- activities alongside the tranquil school; he has found his calling. edgeable in that field. “For the shores of Crabapple Lake. “We What started as a part two years I have been there I would spend the day doing ac- of leadership class in middle have probably learned twice as tivities like climbing the rock school ended up earning Terry much as I have in two years of wall, swimming, arts and crafts, over 238 hours of community school,” he said. and stuff like that,” he said. The service. “It started as a school Already having many more campers also learned how to project and I just decided to hours than necessary, does Ter- kayak and the art of cooking write [the number of hours] ry plan to continue to volunteer outdoors. down. It just started there and at Sarvey? “Very much so,” he Although Henderson took off,” he said. said. “It is fun to do and I love Mikaela Dosen, Johnathan Terry, and Ian Henderson helped a large number of kids Terry has earned four or it.” photo by Katherine Straume over the summer, he, too, feels more hours each week for the Steve Pitkin: “No more labels or prejudice” often described.” He says that since 2006, ers? Easy: he was one. the best of his life. But he left in 2002 af- Emily Garvin they’ve been able to help a lot more people. “I had a hard time as a freshman and ter district budget cuts took away what little The team consists of Pitkin plus all four sophomore, but it got better. I made a good money he had to keep his program going. Managing Editor of the guidance counselors, as well as the friend that was a good example, and he Luckily for him, and for us, a counseling job Student Assistance Specialist, Drug school nurse Shannon Porter and our new helped me,” Pitkin said. They also shared opened up soon after that not too far from Counselor, Intervention Specialist, Adviser, Associate Principal John Winkler. their love of music, something that Pitkin Snohomish. teacher, or friend: whatever you call him, Mr. “[The program] is very useful for some still enjoys to this day. He even went to the Since then, Pitkin’s been a breath of Steve Pitkin seems to always be there for us students,” said counselor Amy Wiklund, University of Puget Sound to study music, fresh air for the counseling program. He’s students. though she hopes for more student involve- but his path veered in another direction as he shed new light on how to deal with at-risk “There’s never a time where I’ve come ment in the years to come. “I wish more went to various local community colleges to students, and has been there to help students to talk to him and I felt like he had some- people would refer their friends [to SAP], become a Chemical Dependency Specialist. every step of the way. He loves his job and thing better to do or that he had a different instead of teachers or parent referrals.” “Substance abuse had affected a lot of states that “It’s rare for people to get an op- motive other than simply helping me out,” The most important part of this pro- people in my life,” said Pitkin. portunity to truly be of help in something said junior Tre Sewell, who’s been going to gram, he stresses, is that the environment is His first job was at the Ruth Dykeman that affects some- Pitkin for advice since sixth grade. completely confidential. Whatever you talk Children’s Center, a group home for or- one’s life so Sewell, who is also a member of the to Pitkin or the whole team about will never phaned youth who hadn’t yet been placed much.” Natural Highs Network (NHN), the club be used against you in any fashion; they sim- in foster homes. He said that he learned that Pitkin is the advisor of, is like many kids ply want to help. a lot from the very experienced staff that come in to Pitkin’s office; contrary to Also confidential and anonymous is the there, but was also able to teach them the popular stereotype, they’re not all on student referral service. There’s a booth in about how to take care of children drugs. the library to drop of information, or you of drug- and alcohol- addicted par- “There are plenty of students who need can come in to talk to Pitkin any time. If ents psychologically, physically, and a place to confidentially talk about problems, your friend or classmate is having problems even genetically. whether it’s drug/alcohol related, or other- of any sort, this is a safe, anonymous and Though he loved the job, he wise,” said Pitkin, who remarks that his title guaranteed way of getting them the help said that after four and a half years it as drug counselor is just one of many. they need. was “a great relief to go from that envi- “It’s really rare that students have only “We keep open-minded about what’s ronment to being around a lot of healthy a substance abuse problem; I talk to them going on and how we can help, instead of normal kids at a public high school when I about a variety of issues,” Pitkin said. A labeling students and going from there,” said switched jobs in 1996.” parent’s divorce, trouble in school or a bad Pitkin. He, maybe more than anyone, recog- He then became a counselor at Snohom- breakup can all be reasons why someone nizes the “complex and overlapping nature ish High School, where he worked for six could come in to talk to him. of problems that some students are dealing years and was awarded the Most Inspi- Another title that came his way a with.” rational Teacher of the Year few years ago was Student Assistance Spe- S o how does he know so much for the 2001-2002 school cialist, after the school district developed the about troublesome teenag- year, a moment, he Student Assistance Program (SAP), some- recalls, as be- thing that Pitkin and his fellow counselors ing one are very proud of. o f “The SAP program was created in the spring of 2005 by Dr. Burgess in response to Healthy Youth Survey data, as well as community and staff input, following some tragic community events,” says Pitkin. After some design and training, it was fully opera- tional by 2006. “Before that, teachers, students, parents, or others would have to guess at whether to refer a student to their guidance counselor, or the nurse, or the ‘drug counselor’, as I was

page 10 volume 81, issue 5 LSHS features valhalla february 12, 2009 Hi-Q and Knowledge Bowl new teams strive for playoffs Beau Castillo said. With each match a competition Sports Editor between three out of the twenty-one teams in Hi-Q, represented by the If you asked students “For what most academically superior students crime was Joan of Arc burned at the of their respected school, the com- stake?” the majority would respond petitive spirit resonates with both the with a dumbfounded facial expression. competitors and fervent spectators. For the students participating in Hi- Whether it be answering the questions Q/ Knowledge Bowl, “heresy” would quietly to his or herself or cheering af- instantly roll off their tongue in re- ter each of the questions is answered sponse to this question. correctly, audience members inevita- Knowledge Bowl and Hi-Q are bly become active participants during two separate academic competitions, Hi-Q matches. each structured to quiz the brightest Through the distribution of top- and most elite students in Washing- ics among team members, Hi-Q has ton. racked up a total of 68 points this “Hi-Q is the oldest and most re- season with one more tournament spected academic quiz show in the na- to go. This incredible feat has been tion,” Hi-Q/ Knowledge Bowl advisor achieved through the hard efforts of Mr. Chris Neuman said. Introduced juniors Emily Garvin, Kaz Wall, An- Brendan Cheap, Anthony Rose, Emily Garvin and Sawyer Margett at Hi-Q competition. photo by Katherine Straume in Pennsylvania in 1948 and in Wash- thony Rose, and Sawyer Margett, and ington in 1976, Hi-Q has gained the seniors Emily Bolton, Brendan Cheap, straint,” Mr. Neuman said. Consisting er students to do well in school. It will reputation of one of the most presti- and Christian Erickson. of fifty questions and a written section, help [students] learn lots of different gious competitions around. “Students In addition to the success of our Knowledge Bowl follows a Jeopardy- things,” Wall said. In the fast-paced are given eight to ten categories to Hi-Q team, our school’s Knowledge style format, with each school racing matches, students are forced to recol- prepare in, with specific materials as- Bowl team has made some impres- to buzz in. Schools are pitted against lect answers as quickly as possible. “Its signed in June. They start competition sive accomplishments. By racking up each other based on the score are the fun discovering what I know because the following January,” Neuman said. enough points to place them in tenth, end of each round. Matches consist I don’t even realize I know half that After devoting several months of their Knowledge Bowl is on their way to of three rounds; each proving to be as stuff,” Wall said. Most competitors time to prepare for competition, stu- districts. Our schools team consists of competitive and exciting as the last. find the time constraint to be a fun and dents are tested based on their under- sophomores Jens Holt, Kaylynn Tobi- The premise of Knowledge Bowl is to exhilarating experience. As a result of standing of subjects from American as, DJ Leber, and Riley Frasier; juniors test what students know about random such strict time constraint, students History to Physics. Scores are based Kaz Wall, Sawyer Margett, Anthony topics from politics to first aid, without and spectators are left at the edge of on a four point scale; four points for Rose, and David Wittlock; and seniors any form of preparation. “We don’t re- their seat throughout each match. “It answering the question correctly the Christian Erickson, Chealsea Boren, search anything, other than what you is a lot of fun,” Erickson said. first time, three points for the second and Charlie Hickmott. normally do like reading,” junior Kaz Both Knowledge Bowl and Hi-Q time, and so on. Points are combined “[Knowledge bowl] is a quiz show Wall said. Aside from attending match are events any student can sit down throughout the course of three meets, format with random [questions] that simulations, the only form of knowl- and enjoy. If you are interested, con- leading to semi-finals and finals. is generated by a third party test writ- edge acquired is through the students’ tact Mr. Neuman for a schedule of up- “[Matches] can get pretty com- er, and then the kids are asked to an- daily routine. coming meets. petitive,” senior Christian Erikson swer those questions under a time con- “[Knowledge Bowl] inspires oth- Music takes center stage at the Vera Project Kaila Alford obvious that Seattle is the offer, us members of the un- the years; among them are in handy if you ever want to cultural mecca for the Pacific der 21 set are cramming into Weezer, Band of Horses, and volunteer with Vera, which Staff Reporter Northwest. But while the big basements and rec centers to TV on the Radio. The venue can go towards your commu- With its number of clubs, kids are out soaking up all the see our favorite local bands also hosts nights when young nity service hours. And really, venues, and art exhibits, it’s fun the Emerald City has to perform. Luckily, the Vera talent can display their work why be a shadow mentor hun- Project has offered up a solu- for the public to view. All of dreds of times when you can tion to the typical indie kid’s Vera’s events are reasonably go listen to music and help an conundrum: an always all- priced, usually costing no amazing cause? ages venue tailored to fit the more than $12 for a night of The Vera Project is also average teenager’s budget. fun and music (not including one of the last clubs in Seattle Eight years ago, on Janu- the after-meal at Dick’s Drive- that prides itself on being al- ary 27, the Blood Brothers In, of course.). cohol and smoke-free. This and the Murder City Devils This all-ages hangout means no annoying drunk guy played for the Vera Project at spot is much more than a place struggling to keep his balance its very first show, held at a where we can all gather and throughout the show, a wel- local recreation center. Nearly listen to loud music. The Proj- come relief. 1,000 young people attended ect rents out a fully-equipped The Vera Project would the show, and the non-profit recording studio for bands, be a certified heaven on earth, organization soon began to artists and poets, and for just if it wasn’t for the fact that receive donations from people $35 dollars per hour. They Seattle more than a hop, skip, and businesses all over Seattle. also host audio engineering and a jump away. But if you’re The Vera Project and its many classes, where students can willing to make the 45 minute volunteers bounced from avail- learn the ins and outs of a commute, you can expect to able venue to available venue, proper stage setup, how to op- hear great music, meet inter- not finding a permanent home erate lights, and how to work esting people, and have a lot until 2007, when they raised closely with bands. Partnering of fun. enough money to purchase a with local radio station KEXP, place in Seattle Center. Vera also offers a class on cre- A number of bands have ating your own podcast. The volunteers admire art at the Vera Project played at the Vera Project over engineering classes can come photo courtesy of veraproject.org volume 81, issue 5 page 11 a & e LSHS february 12, 2009 iPod vs. Zune valhalla Brad Dickson all users to get new updates newer Zune models have (such as the previously de- tried to imitate). iTunes also Common fails to impress Staff Reporter scribed ones). This is one has a vast amount of songs to successful at showing another side to aspect Apple really needs to choose from, although today Kaila Alford the Chicago rapper. In today’s market there work on, as many older iPod that doesn’t matter so much, are countless companies Universal Mind Control’s stand- owners are becoming increas- but still, if you don’t want the to turn to for a media de- ingly frustrated with their Feds busting down your door S t a f f R e p o r t e r out track “Make My Day” features a vice, like the Sony walkman, models becoming obsolete. a lot of legal songs is nice to Rapper Common’s release of his memorable chorus provided by Cee- SanDisk Fuze, and even me- When the Zune was first have. The major flaw of the latest album was well on its way to Lo of Gnarls Barkley fame. The up- dia devices from Samsung released failure rates were iPod is its lack of a radio. becoming the Chinese Democracy of beat romantic lament sounds like it and Philips. But for most stu- alarmingly high, similar to When will Apple learn? A hip-hop. The album’s release date was was snatched right from the track dents these players are out of Microsoft’s other large prod- radio! It can’t possibly be that pushed back twice when songwriting listing of Speakerboxx/ The Love the question: the real decision uct, the Xbox 360. hard to put a radio receiver in and recording took a backseat to the Below. “Make My Day” could per- is whether to buy an Apple “My Zune randomly an iPod! MC’s budding acting career. The al- haps be the best Outkast song that iPod or Microsoft Zune. It’s stopped charging one day,” All in all, despite how bum, which was originally slated to Outkast never made. Common lucks the same redundant (three said sophomore Brigham it seems the iPod is a better come out in the summer of 2008, was out however, because this song is the years old) debate about which Dehn, “And I haven’t been product. Yes, the Zune has finally released in December. With so only breath of fresh air in the entire is better, with devotees on ei- able to use it since.” But this innovation and potential, but much change occurring in America, album. ther side all claiming theirs seems to have since been its ideas need to be better ex- one would assume that one of rap’s I commend artists like Common to be the best. fixed, eliminating it as a prob- ecuted before it can be con- most socially conscious contributors for stepping out of their comfort First at the plate is the lem for the Zune. sidered the ‘iPod killer’ that it would have a lot to say. Instead, we zone and offering their fans a differ- underdog, Microsoft’s Zune. However, Apple has yet was hyped to be. receive a typical electro-tinged party ent side to them that is little seen, or The Zune brings with it a to fix their customer support rd album in the form of Universal Mind heard for that matter, but the prob- few interesting innovations issues. With this 3 Control. lem with Control is that it has been that the iPod seriously lacks. generation of iPod The title track, the first single off heard before. The same electro-in- The most famous of these Nanos, all models of Control, relies more on a techno- fused, auto-tune fare has been made is its radio, which can easily (minus the shuffle) be credited with making the photo art by inspired beat than on Common’s usu- by everyone from Lil Wayne to Tim- have video capa- Zune even comparable to the bility. The iPod Blaine Bowman ally sharp lyrics. Inspired by Afrika baland. Common makes little or no iPod. After an update released also inno- Bambaataa’s 1982 hit “Planet Rock”, attempt to add a fresh spin on this in late-ish ’08, owners were vated the the song is an accurate reflection of tired musical trend, instead trading given access to an interest- f a m o u s the rest of the album, at times, which artistic credibility and originality for ing feature: the ability to ‘tag’ ‘ c l i c k is usually more flare than substance. some play in a few nightclubs. It’s songs that they liked on the w h e e l ’ Common regained his footing, if unfortunate because Common is one radio so they could be down- (which only for a moment, in “Punch Drunk of the last rappers that I can refer to loaded later from a computer. Love”, a collaboration with frequent as an artist without chuckling. I can Unlike Apple (who only sup- studio partner/ frienemy Kanye only hope that his next effort will ports iPod models for about West. “I already know I’m too fly,” bring him commercial success as well a year, leaving those owners West boasts over auto-tune backup as re-establish his place among rap’s of older models high and dry vocals. West’s brandish chorus in a heavyweights. once new models come out), way outshines Common’s own ro- Microsoft keeps all their cus- mantic offerings, but the track is still tomers in the loop, allowing

Podcast forecast: these podcasts worth downloading Beau Castillo on a higher level. This American Life sential. You simply select your favor- for any real fan to not subscribe. For is worth taking the time for. ite genre of music, and it gives you a those who have yet to read the final Sports Editor Onion News Network: mishmash collaboration of clips from two books of the Harry Potter series, This American Life: The Onion News Network, an new artists who are making their way be advised that discussion is primarily This American Life, a segment of offshoot of the popular website that into the music business. Genres in- focused on these two books. Chicago Public Radio, has been made approaches ridiculous problems in our clude Rock, Alternative, Electronic, Wait wait... don’t tell me: into a podcast that introduces listeners society by criticizing them through Hip-Hop and more, so there is some- If you were to combine Jeopardy, to real-life stories based on the topic the use of satire, is a witty and humor- thing for almost anyone. I would high- today’s current events, and a dash of of the show. The stories presented are ous podcast. You can’t help but laugh ly recommend it to anyone tired with humor, you would get the Wait wait... not only engaging, but also give you a at the ridiculousness of the issues we the overplayed music on their iPod. don’t tell me podcast. It consists of new perspective on your own life. In face when they are put into proper Pottercast: a quiz show that presents news sto- the newest episode of this podcast, I perspective. Some episodes highlight Growing up reading Harry Pot- ries; some seeming too far fetched to couldn’t help but consider the harsh our tendency to focus on details rather ter every night before bed, I had a be true. Your job as the listener is to realities various cultures are subjected than the big picture, while others fo- feeling this would be an amazing pod- guess what is true and what is false. to, in comparison to the luxuries I am cus on America’s irrational obsession cast. Pottercast is a great audio blog Without a doubt, Wait wait... don’t tell used to. In one episode, an Arabic man with oil. I couldn’t help but chuckle at for Harry Potter fans who are inter- me is one of the most interactive pod- told his story of arranged marriage how spot-on this podcast is. While this ested in up-to-date news for the com- casts available. Not to mention that as to someone he had never met. In ad- podcast does require a unique sense of mon muggle. With information about you go, it is hard to prevent not mut- dition to sympathizing with the man humor, you should give it a chance. upcoming events, discussion of opin- tering an answer, or laughing out loud in the story, I also put myself in his Indie spotlight: ions by the show producers, and vir- and making a fool out of yourself. shoes. This is one of the few podcasts For anyone interested in discover- tually everything Harry Potter inside that is able to connect with listeners ing new music, indie spotlight is es- the book and out, it would be foolish image courtesy of iTunes

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