may 6, 2009 [email protected] LSHS alhallaVolume 81, Issue 8 Molester on the loose!“ vBeau Castillo Sports Editor “I felt shocked, I know [the Students are safe at Lake Stevens High victim personally]. I didn’t ex- School, but when they leave campus, the sense pect [this event] to happen,” of [the school] being able to keep them safe junior Zebual Parker, a close friend of the family said. On and secure doesn’t extend April 14, our community was -Ken Collins shocked to learn about a moles- tation that occurred on Grade “measures into their system perspective the importance of Road, near 30th street N.E. with intentions of creating a security, including extra secu- The suspect approached safer environment. “Our school rity measures during a time of the 14 year-old female and district did an out dial for all uncertainty. grabbed her breast. Naturally, of our students, which would As a result of this inci- the victim and her friend be- include everyone in the neigh- dent, many students realize gan screaming, which forced borhood [where the incident that, in any given situation, you the suspect to flee from the vi- occurred],” Collins said. In re- shouldn’t have a false sense of cinity. Following the incident, sponse to the event, school of- security. “[This event] defi- school officials at Mt. Pilchuck ficials stressed the importance nitely makes me want to be and Highland elementary of the situation by emphasiz- more on my guard. It makes schools took precautionary ing that the suspect was still me feel unsafe [knowing] measures and canceled three on the run; the out dial spe- there are more sexual preda- bus routes, allowing officials cifically aimed at making par- tors around,” senior Laura Ev- to safely scour the area for the ents aware. The neighborhood erett said. Though the school suspect. “It was probably even where the incident occurred provides a safe location for more alarming that the per- has also taken the initiative students during the day, that son was able to get away even of incorporating extra watch. safety ends when the school though [the police] had dogs “They have stepped up a lot on day is over. “Students are safe tracking him,” LSHS Principal patrolling,” Parker said. The at Lake Stevens High School, Ken Collins said. Because the impact this event has made on but when they leave campus above: the police artist sketch of the suspect search left police empty hand- the neighborhood puts into that sense of [the school] be- courtesy of Officer Britton ed, speculation surrounds the ing able to keep them safe and idea that the suspect had tar- secure doesn’t extend,” Collins below: photo art by Amelia Dickson geted the area, using a getaway said. reminds] kids, particularly you have some sort of protec- car to escape. “Nothing really happens younger kids, that they need tion,” Collins said. Two effec- Both the School Dis- [in that neighborhood]. It is to be in pairs, or threes, or tive forms of protection most trict and the neighbor- calm, [and has] nice families, fours, but not ever alone,” Col- are pepper spray and loud hood where the event “Parker said. Because of the lins said. Though this is aimed whistles. occurred have in- environment in which this in- primarily at younger students, The suspect in this case troduced new cident occurred, many people walking alone at any age is is described as being a 30-40 s e c u r i t y have taken further steps to never a safe idea, especially in years old Caucasian male, last help prevent incidents like this areas unfamiliar to students. seen wearing a brown jacket from happening again. The School officials urge students and a blue hoodie. Students school district urges students to keep some form of protec- should be aware that no situ- to constantly remain aware of tion with them for emergency ation cannot be rationalized as their surroundings, and not situations. “[It is important safe, and should call 911 in a to underestimate the potential that] if you are going some situation that is suspicious. problems a situation may pose. place where you aren’t sure “Be as careful as you possibly of the neighborhood or you can be. [The school district aren’t sure of the people, that In this Issue: What Gay Play a huge happened students success for to the striving for drama “M” in acceptance pg. 13 MTV? pg. 6 pg. 5 At the center of this issue: Everything Prom 2009! volume 81, issue 8 page 1 news LSHS may 6, 2009 valhalla AP classes get ready for final exams Brad Dickson Spring is usually thought as being I’ve given handouts to the students, and I’m holding study sessions from seven a bright and cheerful season. Animals to nine at night, but I still encourage my students to study on their own time as S t a f f R e p o r t e r awake from their wintery slumber and well.” flowers poke their heads through the soil. But Psychology is only one of the classes that have kicked it into overdrive However, for the AP students of our school, spring is all BUT relaxing. It is a recently, which increases the unavoidable pressure on the students. Senior Fran- time of frantic studying, hurried note taking, and early morning study sessions cis Tosti, who is currently preparing for AP exams is no stranger to this pres- with their teachers. sure. Our school has a large variety of AP classes, such as American History, “I felt really nervous for my first test [AP Euro]; I started studying a week Chemistry, Biology, Psychology, and Art History, all of which will be testing before but somehow managed to pass,” said Tosti. between the fourth and fifteenth of May. A large amount of classes also means But practice brings one closer to perfection, as Tosti is now realizing. Now that many of students have to work their brains to the bone for these tests. studying for her fifth and sixth AP exams, she now knows how to get studying Psychology is the newest member of the AP club at our school, and its done, and get it done right. students and teacher are trying their hardest to prepare for the ever-closer “Don’t stress!” said Tosti. “The more you stress the harder it is to focus and test that arrives on May 12. “The AP Psych test covers 18 units and 800 pages then you get even more stressed. Also, don’t over-study, and make sure you get of the psych text,” said AP Psych teacher Mr. Steve Berg. “We had a late start a lot of rest after studying.” because we received our textbooks late, so we’re working extra hard to prepare. Sleep is essential for doing well on tests; it’s the time when your brain sorts Date Morning (8 am) Afternoon (12 pm) and records all the information learned since it last rested. Scientific studies have shown that getting a good night of sleep is actually preferable to a night of cramming information, because it is pointless to spend time reviewing if you Wednesday, May 6 Calculus AB are not going to remember it anyway. Calculus BC The College Board website (www.collegeboard.com) also offers a multitude Thursday, May 7 English Literature and of tips for studying for exams. One of these tips was looking over test questions Composition that were given in previous years to familiarize oneself with the format of the Friday, May 8 United States History European History questions. Studio Art (portfolios due) So, as the flowers begin to bloom and the birds begin chirping in the trees, Monday, May 11 Biology take a quick look around the classroom. Find anyone who may look like the only thing supporting them is the caffeine they’ve pumped into their systems, or just Tuesday, May 12 Chemistry Psychology look three rows up at the jittery kid with the shifty eyes, and you will know that spring has arrived. Wednesday, May 13 Art History Beloved North Lake teacher found dead day afternoon, Koch left home in her former student remembers Koch, who Kaila Alford white 2005 Toyota Corolla, taking her was known as Ms. Matthews to her cell phone but leaving behind her wal- students in her 2003-2004 sixth grade S t a f f R e p o r t e r let and luggage. science class at North Lake Middle During the past weeks, citizens of Koch’s family quickly became wor- School, as an encouraging educator. Lake Stevens have been mourning the ried when she hadn’t returned home, “She was really awesome,” said ju- loss of a beloved teacher and commu- and around 4:35 pm the day she disap- nior Angelique Goldor. “I learned a lot nity member, Connie Koch, also known peared, Koch’s sister in California re- in science that year.” as Connie Matthews. The puzzling cir- ceived a troubling text message from Koch taught in the Lake Stevens cumstances surrounding Koch’s death Connie. “Look at Stevens Pass,” the School District since 1988 until Janu- has left her family, friends, and all who message read. It was then that Koch’s ary, when she left due to issues related knew her with unanswered questions, family decided to notify Lake Stevens to her health. LSHS teacher Ms. Su- making Koch’s passing all the more Police. san Ayotte taught alongside Koch at painful.