Fair or not, sports bring in more money than arts
January 24, 2012
Katie Sutherland Eastside Catholic High School
After continued cuts in funding for budgets that support high school art programs nationwide, an important question has been raised in the minds of students: Do high schools devote a disproportionate amount of their focus and money to athletics? Opinions are split on this issue.
Regarding the extracurricular funding at Skyline High School, some students are outraged at the cuts made to the art program budget, complaining athletics get all of the money and attention. Although this seems unfair to students involved in art programs, athletics — specifically football — generate more school spirit, national attention and revenue for the school than art programs do.
The Spartan football legacy includes a state championship title this year and five additional state titles since 2000. Alumni like Jake Heaps and Kasen Williams, have earned Skyline national recognition. Supporting the team generates income via game ticket sales, concessions and spirit merchandise. Skyline, like many high schools in the country, relies on the success of its football and other sports teams for important funding.
Local high schools’ music programs shine
January 24, 2012
Early bird jazz band is in fine tune
Iman Baghai Issaquah High School
Most students dread the 7:25 first-period bell. But a small group of students might really dread the 6:25 zero-period bell. These students drag themselves to school in order to practice America’s music — jazz.
Under Issaquah High School Director of Bands Patrick Holen, the Issaquah Jazz Band is an audition group of about 25 members. They play a variety of tunes from the swing big-band era, Latin salsas and hard-driven rock music that allows members to fine-tune skills and awaken sleepy minds.
“The experience is worth the lack of sleep,” said Madison Kelly, a pianist and junior.
But the sleep deprivation does kick in at times, according to Alli Gillett, a guitarist and senior.
“The vibe is laid back and chill … though that might be because no one is really awake yet,” she said.
Junior Jack Gentsch chimes in that the students still work hard despite being tired.
How to get back on track with New Year’s resolutions
January 24, 2012
New Year’s Day is now just a distant blur in your rearview mirror, and if you’re anything like most Americans, your resolution has probably fallen by the wayside over the past few weeks. Whether you’re trying to get ripped, kick your “not addiction” to coffee or simply live a more wholesome life, hopping back on board the New Year’s resolution train can be done in just a few simple steps.
Michael Payant
1. Recall your resolution and write it down.
2. Find a friend, and inform this friend of your resolution. Then, whenever you are starting to deviate from your planned course of action, he or she can remind you about your shortcomings. Self-discipline is difficult; peer pressure is easy to submit to.
3. Get into arguments with your friend and blame him or her for your inability to stick to the resolution, even though you secretly know that you are just projecting your own feelings of disappointment.
4. After a brief cooling-off period, make up with your friend by giving him or her a batch of your delicious homemade cookies.
5. If applicable, attach barbed wire to anything you’re trying to avoid as part of your resolution. It will hurt when your eyes, hands, mouth or other sensitive areas are exposed to barbed wire but it will all be worth it.
The Hot List
January 24, 2012
TV: ‘Downton Abbey’
By Veronica Austin Liberty High School
The rich and dramatic period piece, has returned to PBS for its long-awaited second season. Set in Britain during World War I, the show follows the life of the Earl of Grantham and his aristocratic family, as well as their numerous servants, all brought to life by a talented ensemble cast. From the dignified butler, Mr. Carson, to the quick-witted Dowager Countess (played by Maggie Smith, better known for her role in the “Harry Potter” films), each character has his or her own complexity that makes the story feel like a genuine and honest portrayal of ever-changing life in the early 20th century. “Downton Abbey” is certainly something not to be missed. It airs every Sunday at 9 p.m. on PBS.
Movie: ‘War Horse’
Stephen Spielberg’s “War Horse” follows the stories of young Albert Narracott and his horse, Joey, as they struggle their respective ways through World War I. As expected, the film contains more than one tearjerker moment, but the story is well crafted, just as entertaining and dramatic as it is weepy. “War Horse” is a great and ultimately heartwarming adventure, which makes it worth seeing for anyone who remains a kid at heart.
Music: ‘Born to Die’ by Lana Del Rey
Lana Del Rey, who became an internet sensation in late 2011 with her songs “Video Games” and “Blue Jeans” is set to release her debut album, “Born to Die,” at the end of the month. The first four songs of the album have already been released, as the “Lana Del Rey – EP,” a short collection that leaves listeners hungry for more. The soulful chanteuse, who could easily become the next (dare I say it?) Adele, is bound to be the next big thing.
Teen Talk
January 24, 2012
What is your favorite part of the Super Bowl?
Eastside Catholic High School
“My favorite part of Super Bowl Sunday is yelling at the TV with my family and my mom’s homemade chili.”
Lauren Auerbach, senior
“The ridiculous commercials are the second best part of Super Bowl Sunday. The first being the food!”
Julia Hormuth, junior
Students prove ’tis the season to give back
December 27, 2011
Lee Xie Issaquah High School
The spirit of philanthropy is always alive during the holiday season, but various student-run nonprofit organizations in the Issaquah School District prove that giving back is practiced year round.
The Washington Association for Chinese Education (http://waceducation.weebly.com) is a student-run, nonprofit organization dedicated to generating interest in learning Chinese, helping students understand China and increasing the number of Chinese programs in Washington schools.
Finding ‘green’ innovations at local high schools
December 27, 2011
Composting lunch helps environment
Jacob Brunette Issaquah High School
Every day, a teenager has to answer many important questions: What should I wear? What homework did I finish last night? Can I get away with sleeping through English?
But perhaps the most important question is: Should I compost my lunch? Every day, the students at Issaquah High School must decide whether his or her organic food scraps should rot in a landfill or in a natural environment where they will help sustain the plant life.
Now, if asked, most would say that, of course, they would prefer to help the environment. But it can be so hard to separate your pizza crust from your Gatorade bottles, and sometimes the yellow compost bin is all the way on the other side of the room, and… ugh.
• Composting at Issaquah High was introduced last year, and in all honesty, it isn’t that difficult. Unfortunately, it has to combat teenagers’ natural apathy, and all too often, it fails.
• While many do a good job separating their compost from their trash and recycling, several students will just drop everything in the trash bin, sending it all to the landfill. However, composting’s future looks bright, as many middle schools are introducing composting programs of their own.
The Hot List
December 27, 2011
Movie: ‘New Year’s Eve’
By Kim Bussing Issaquah High School
To say the cast of the recently released “New Year’s Eve” is star-studded would be an understatement: Halle Berry, Jessica Biel, Michelle Pfeiffer, Robert De Niro, Zac Efron, Katherine Heigl, Ashton Kutcher, Lea Michele, Sarah Jessica Parker, and many others, all make an appearance in this film, which is in the spirit of 2010’s “Valentine’s Day.” For those unfamiliar with the previous film, which also name-dropped several stars, including Patrick Dempsey, Taylor Lautner and Anne Hathaway, the duration of the movie occurs on the specific holiday as the plots of individual characters intertwine. The primary storylines revolve around relationships — new and old — work and family. It has all the promise of a good romantic comedy, and should offer the perfect happy ending for the holiday season.
Teen Talk
December 27, 2011
What is your favorite holiday tradition?
Eastside Catholic High School
“I love waking up early before my parents with my siblings, and waiting for my parents to wake up so we can open presents.”
Sebastian Van Coevorden, senior
“Making cookies for Santa and setting up the Christmas tree!”
Cassie Harvey, junior
Life on swim team is sink or swim, not just men in Speedos
December 20, 2011
My thoughts on swim team, two months ago: pale men in Speedos. My thoughts on swim team, now: pale men in Speedos, who make me feel fat.
By Jacob Brunette
When I had joined swim team on a whim, I had assumed that pretty good physical fitness and basic knowledge about how to swim would be enough to put me somewhere in the middle of the team. Instead, I ended up swimming about as well as a drunken monkey. With asthma.
My arms flail around, my lungs can hold approximately no air, my legs kick more weakly than you would think possible after running cross-country for five years, and I have multiple scabs from scraping the bottom of the pool after a flip turn. (You would think turning around wouldn’t be that difficult. You would be wrong.)
