Alutant
Ellensburg High School’s Newsmagazine Volume 47 Issue 8 April 17, 2019
Honoring the Fallen
Classes Around EHS
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Page 4-5
Spring Sport Shorts
New 24 Credit System
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April 17, 2019
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Alutant Staff Editor-in-Chief: Imani Alexander
Alutant
Kittitas Honors Police EHS Students Join In Support
Kittitas County and other Washington State Jada Godwin residents grieve the loss Staff Reporters: of a fallen officer, but attempt to show as much Olivia Anderson appreciation and support Dylan Hardwick Faith Simcox as they can. Jaiden Duby On Tuesday, March Ava Stuart 19th, a chase involving Jaremy May Juan Manuel Del Toro, Steven Szombathy Deputy Thompson, and Officer Benito Chavez ocAdviser: curred. The three ended Students watch as the funeral procession drives by. Jon McClintick up in a trailer park outside of Kittitas (Immigration and Customs EnforceAffiliations Washington Journalism Kittitas County and other Washington ment) on March 22nd that Juan Manuel Education Association State residents grieve the loss of a fallen Del Toro was in the U.S. on an expired agNational Scholastic Press officer, but attempt to show as much ap- ricultural work visa which he received on Association preciation and support as they can. April 11th 2014 when he entered the states Quill and Scroll HonorOn Tuesday, March 19th, a chase inin Laredo, Texas. ICE spokesperson, Tanary Society volving Juan Manuel Del Toro, Deputy ya Roman stated that ICE had no record Special Thanks ESD Printing Services Thompson, and Officer Benito Chavez of Del Toro expanding his Visa or returnoccurred. The three ended up in a trailer ing back to Mexico. Alutant is an Old English park outside of Kittitas where a shootout On March 23rd, officer Chavez made word meaning “bulldog.” then took place. his way back to his home here in Kittitas The Alutant is a public forum As the shooting played out, Deputy County and was escorted in an ambulance for student expression. Content is written and produced Thompson, Officer Chavez, and Del Toro from Harborview. He was greeted in every by and for students and were all shot. All three men were rushed town and city that he had passed through. does not necessarily reflect the opinions of EHS or the to the Kittitas Valley Hospital in Ellens- Many residents of Ellensburg, including school district. burg where Deputy Thompson and Del members of volunteer fire station 22, gathELLENSBURG HIGH Toro where pronounced dead. Officer ered on the section of number 6 road that SCHOOL Chavez was quickly airlifted to the Har- overlooked I-90 and cheered for the officer 1203 E. Capitol Avenue borview Medical Center for immediate on his voyage home. Ellensburg, WA 98926 surgery to repair the damage to his femur. On March 25th, in memoriam of the (509)-925-8300 Doctors have said it will be a long road to fallen hero, the students and staff of Elrecovery. lensburg High School dawned blue clothWhen the citizens of both Ellensburg ing and blue ribbons on their shirts. The and Kittitas awoke to reports of the shoot- counselors offered aid to any grieving stuout, the Kittitas Valley Sheriff’s Depart- dents. “We are here to help any students ment was soon graced with the commu- impacted by this tragedy, and are also nity as the people of the county gave the aware that many EHS students may need department flowers, their condolences, support at this time”, said Mr. Johansen. store signs bidding a sorrowful goodbye The funeral service took place on to the fallen officer, and both American March 28th. Many people in Washington and state flags were lowered to half mast State have shown much support to both Cover photo: Andrew Hull, Senior, serves in memoriam to Deputy Thompson. Deputy Ray Thompson and Officer Benito during a varsity tennis practice It was later confirmed by ICE Chavez for their service to their county.
Associate Editor:
Alutant
April 17, 2019
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... the best dance yet
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TOLO: Greciar Oasis Faith Simcox Staff Reporter
Feature
We all know that dances consist of a guy asking a girl to go with them in a super cheesy way. However, girls get the chance to ask the guys to a dance every year. This year, Tolo was a total success. Instead of having a DJ this dance, the ASB team reached out on Instagram asking what songs the students would like to hear at Tolo. A poll was also held on the school chromebooks asking what genre of music students preferred to hear at the dances, as well as a meeting that was held by the music committee. This year, instead of opening the auxiliary gym up for students during the dance, the ASB room was kept open.
I n there, a photo booth was set up to correspond w i t h t h e theme of Tolo: Greciar Oasis. A blue background hung on the wall with constellations painted on it. There were also balloons and small greek pillars. When asked what they liked about Tolo, seniors Kathryn Crimp and Brea Norelius gave some really good positive feed-
Left: Senior Christina Kalos enjoys dancing with her friends. Above: Cody Sullivan and Senior Avery Dean model the theme for tolo.
back. “It was great. The music was much better than homecoming and brought a really nice nostalgia feeling,” said Crimp. “It was the best dance I’ve been to all my high school career,” said Norelius.
Election Results After weeks of debating, the sudents have finally decided on the candidates they wish to rule this school on the ASB Executive Board. The Alutant News Staff would like to congradulate those who won and wish them a year filled with good luck! Here are the results from the Friday election for the 2019-2020 Executive Board Officers:
President: Kyle Nolan Vice President: Nicholas Gleed Secretary: Allie Brown Treasurer: Drew Bland Public Relations: Zoe Ihrke Social Media Coordinator: Ethan Price
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Olivia Anderson Staff Reporter
$99.99
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Alutant
April 17, 2019
New Course Offerings
Some of the new classes that the district has decided to offer EHS students
Computer Programming I
Students will learn about: Basic computer programming concepts, how to create projects using industry programming languages. In addition students will also learn basic game design. Credit Options: Elective or CTE
Honors Biology
Video Game Design I
Pre-Requisite: Computer ProPre-Requisite: 1 Year Science gramming I or AP Computer Sophomores or Juniors. Science Principles Students will learn about: College Preparation, Cells, Cell Processes, This class is for all students. Genetics, Unity, Diversity of Life, Data Analysis, and Lab Technique Students will learn about: AnaCredit Options Are: Lab Science or Biology lyzing, designing, and creating interactive games, including VirAP Computer Science tual Reality games. Principles Natural Resources & Credit Options are: CTE, Art, Pre-Requisite: NONE Geometry, or Elective Ecology This class is for all students. Pre-Requisite: Biology or Agricultural Students will learn about: Basic Biology Video Game Design II Networking Concepts, Big Data, This class is specifically for Juniors Pre-Requisite: Video Game DeEthics in Computing, Cyber Seand Seniors. sign I curity, and how to create apps. Students will learn about: Biomes, EcoThis class is for Sophomores Credit options are: CTE, Elec- systems, Soil, Water, Air, Energy, Floand above. tive, or Lab Science ra, Fauna, Human Impact, Agriculture, Students will learn about: AdForestry, Mining, Sustainability and vanced work in 3D graphics, Environmental Policies AP Computer Science character development, and muPre-Requisite: Computer Pro- Credits Options are: 3rd Year Science, sic composition, including AdLab Science, Elective, or CTE gramming I or AP Computer vancement in utilizing industry Science Principles programs This class is specifically for Credit Options are: CTE, Art, Sophomores and above. Geometry, or Elective Students will learn about: AdIntroduction to Leadership vanced programming, and adThis class is for all students. vanced skills with operating inStudents will learn about: Team Building, Decision Making, Problem dustry programs. Credit Options Are: CTE, Lab Solving, Gaining Management Skills, Communication, Human Resources, and Civic Responsibility. Science, 3rd year math, or 3rd Credit Options are: Elective, CTE, or EWU college in high school year science
Honors Biological Science
Pre-Requisite: Counselor-Teacher Placement, Good SBAC Scores This class is for Freshmen. Students will learn about: Cell Structure, Organic Chemistry, Cellular Energy, and Metabolism Credit Options Are: Lab Science, Algebra Based Science, or NCAA
Feature
Imani Alexander Editor in Chief
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Alutant
April 17, 2019
Teaching and Learning:
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Students and Teachers Reflect on Courses
We asked EHS Students what their favorite classes were, then asked the teachers of the class what they liked about teaching them.
Get Hands on with Chemistry
Tyson Hatfield is a junior in a 5th period chemistry class. “I like all the labs and hands on learning we do in class” Tyson said. Mr. Dwight said he likes seeing the students he has learn chemistry and use higher level math to solve problems. He also enjoys explaining how chemistry works in the everyday world. Reported by: Jeremy May
Microscopes, taken by Dylan Hardwick
Getting Political with Civics
The favorite class of everyone’s favorite time traveler Avery Dean is Mr. Bicchieri’s Civics class due to the fact that Bicchieri is just that good of a teacher. “We have one of the best governments, civil rights, and liberties.” Bicchieri says about why his class is important. “Whether we like it or not local and international politics and government are involved with our everyday life, and we need to understand the good and the bad and what changes we can make.”
Bicchieri looking thoughtful, taken by Avery Dean
Reported by: Steven Szombathy
Art History Draws up Learning
Wall of art, taken by Dylan Hardwick
Senior Angel Sanchez responded that his class that is offered by EHS is your favorite?” His response was “AP art history.” The class is taught by Ms. Barlow and when asked why she enjoys teaching that class her response was “what I enjoy most about teaching AP Art History is learning more about art history (learning by teaching and learning from students) and trying to keep up with all the smart students in the class.” Reported by: Olivia Anderson
Philosophy Provokes Thought and Terror
Senior Christina Kalos response was, “My favorite class is probably Philosophy, because of the people we learn about and the topics we discuss are really raw and terrifying.” McClintick teaches Philosophy, and he says that he likes “that Philosophy is full of important questions. It’s just fun. I think it is the most important class to take because it teaches you how to think, but not what to think.” Reported by: Faith Simcox
A sculpture of Nasreddin Hodja, taken by Dylan Hardwick
Environmental Science Teaches Practical Skills
Salmon, taken by Dylan Hardwick
Reese Braman is in 11th grade and his favorite class is AP Environmental Science. Braman said it is very important. He may want to go into this kind of job in the future. AP Environmental Science is taught by Jeff Hashimoto. Hashimoto says the best part of teaching AP Environmental Science is seeing the students come up with ideas for research. He says that topics that they study are every day topics and very relevant to current events. Reported by Jaiden Duby
April 17, 2019
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Alutant
SHOES FOR APOYO A
Orion Walker Student Reporter News
EHS ties itself together in shoe drive
to improve their facilities and the shoes will be given a chance make them more accommodat- to help families in developing nations who need economic opThe APOYO food bank ing to those they serve. All donated shoes will be portunities,” Garrison says. strives to provide food and APOYO is currently housed clothing to the people of our redistributed throughout the Funds2Orgs Network of Micro- by Central Washington Univercommunity who are in need. In order to address this need, Enterprise Partners. Funds2Orgs sity at 1320 E 18th Ave. By donating gently worn, APOYO will be conducting a works with micro-entrepreneurs by helping them cre- used and new shoes to the shoe drive fund raiser ate, maintain and grow APOYO food bank, the shoes until June 6th to raise “It’s a winsmall businesses in will be given chance to make funds for the improvement of their facilities. win for developing countries a difference in people’s lives where economic op- around the world. Anyone can help by everyone.” portunities and jobs are APOYO stands for Allied donating gently worn, limited. People Offering Year-Round used, and new shoes - Phillip GarriProceeds from the Outreach, and they offer clothat Ellensburg High son, President of APOYO sales of the shoes col- ing and ethnically sensitive food School. lected in shoe drive year-round to members of our APOYO will earn funds based on the total weight fund raisers are used to feed, diverse community who are in of the pairs of shoes collected, as clothe and house their families. need. If you are interested in Funds2Orgs will issue a check One budding entrepreneur in Haiti even earned enough to helping with the project please for the collected shoes. e-mail Orion at: “We are excited about our send to her son to law school. “We are especially excited shoe drive,” said Phillip Garriwalkeori000@esd401.org son, President of APOYO. “We about this shoe drive because know that most people have extra shoes in their closets they no long wear or use and would like to donate to us. By doing so, they will allow us to raise money for the improvement of APOYO facilities and for the benefit of those we serve.” While APOYO is able to provide food and clothing to members of our community who are in need, they lack sufficient funds Orion Walker (left) and Jaiden Duby (right) show off the shoe donation bin in the commons.
Alutant
April 17, 2019
The New Credit System A
Olivia Anderson Staff Reporter News
Five years ago Washington State made an announcement to return to the 24 credit system after the graduating class of 2020. Many students have been affected by this. As a junior, I am not. However, some of my colleagues and fellow reporters of the Alutant are. Although the Sophomores and Freshmen cannot report on the issue due to it affecting them, I felt as though I should while I still can. Here is the information I have gathered from the internet and from our own Vice Principal, Beau Snow. The new credit system was established as a way to get high school students prepared for college. With this new system, the average high school student (starting with the class of 2021, our current Sophomores) is required to have 24 credits in order to graduate, instead of their peers whom require 21. According to the Washington State Board of Education, the system was setup so that the students will have seven out of the 24 credits be flexible. Four of the seven are elective credits and three are personal credits, used as an interest finder for what you want to go into when entering college. Because of this sudden change some schools have made the decision to switch to a trimester school year as opposed
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And how it affects the underclassmen
to a semester school year. Most schools that have switched have seen a drastic improvement in student grades and significantly lower student drop-out rates. In a trimester schedule, school lasts about 118 school days as opposed to the 174 in a semester schedule. The amount of classes taken by students had also increased by about twice the amount. With this, class periods would become
A diagram of the new 24 credit system from the Washington State Board of Education website.
shorter. In a semester schedule, classes usually run for about 15 or 16 weeks, whereas in a trimester classes are around 12 or 13 weeks. However, with a trimester schedule comes more cramming with a tighter curriculum set in place.
I interviewed Beau Snow. Here’s what he had to say: Are you aware of the impact it has had on the students of EHS? “It has definitely impacted students such as Freshmen and Sophomore[s] because they now have the expectation to earn more credits...We’ve also added different programs such as winter school [to help with these changes.]” Do you think the students are receiving better education? “I think more credits is [a] reasonable request from the state. I think that the overall education of the student is in large part student dependant. If the student chooses a challenge it can absolutely be a better education but if a student chooses the bare minimum it’s basically taking out open periods for junior and senior year.” Has the school considered a different year schedule in order to better the education the students? “We have actually looked at several different options including a trimester schedule and a block schedule. A variety of thing to provide opportunity. The challenge with that is that it also changes large amounts of staffing needs and it challenges large potential impact towards the cost of operation.”
Alutant
April 17, 2019
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SPRING SPORTS IN FULL SWING
INTERVIEWS WITH SPRING SPORTS ATHLETES Jeremy May With winter ending and spring taking over, all the spring sports are ready to compete. Social Media Manager Soccer, golf, baseball, softball, tennis, and track have all gotten into the swing of things. Most of these school athletes have been waiting for this season to come around, practicing in the off season by running, playing indoor soccer or going to the batting cages. Ellensburg High School has an amazing amount of star athletes in all our sports.
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Track and Field
Preston Oldham is a Junior doing Track and Field this year. Entering his second year of Track and Field, Oldham enjoys doing all the jumping parts of track. He does Long Jump, High Jump and Triple Jump. Along with participating in the sport, Oldham enjoys being able to hang out with his friends during the long track meet days and practices “hanging out with friends and going to beat personal records”. He is looking forward to competing this year in track and hopes to go far into the state competition.
Baseball
The Baseball Team is getting ready to take home another title. Brayden Helgeson is a Senior playing his last season for the high school team. Helgeson is one of the pitchers and also plays shortstop for the boys team. Like a lot of athletes, Helgeson has been playing since he was a kid; for the past twelve years of his life. “I love the competitiveness and it’s like an individual sport inside of a team sport so that’s pretty cool,” Helgeson says. He thinks the team should continue the trend of playing well this year saying, “we got a lot of guys returning so I think we will be good again.” But when asked if they will win state, he was humble in saying, “we got a chance, but I don’t like to make predictions like that.” The Bulldogs have won the last two state titles in a row and are hopping to make the three-peat happen.
Softball
Lacey Buchholz is a Junior who plays Softball. Playing second and shortstop, she has had a lot of time on the field. One of the things that Buchholz likes the most about Softball is the social aspect of the sport. “I like that I have made a lot of friends through it.” Buchholz has been playing Softball her whole life. Last year the girls Softball Team went far into the state playoffs. This year they hope to make it into the state play offs and win the whole thing. You can come out and watch the girls play their home games here at the high school Softball field right next to the Soccer Field.
Boy’s Soccer
Tony Magana is a Senior Soccer player. He is a Center Back Defender has been playing Soccer for the past eleven years. The thing Magana likes the most about playing soccer is when “all the female fans come to our games”. Magana has high hopes for this years Soccer Team saying, “there is great competition but we have a good team, our season will be good.” Along with having hopes for the team, Magana also said, “I hope all the softball and volleyball girls come out to support me”. As of this article being written, the soccer team is 2-0 for the regular season and 5-2 including the preseason.
Tennis
Logan Erickson is a Senior Tennis player this year for the high school team. He plays Doubles and most of the time he plays with his partner Curtis Smithgall. “I love the team. A lot of fun people, that are just able to joke around and have fun.” Something Erickson likes to do is watch his friend Andrew Hull “obliterate all who stand in his path”. He likes all the mental game inside the physical game of Tennis. Erickson speaking on his partner Smithgall said, “he’s a great guy, and is able to keep that mental game on point, alongside tennis.”
Golf
Tate Morris is a Junior golf player for the high school men’s team. He has been playing golf for the last 2 years for the Bulldogs and is looking forward to another swing at state. Last year Morris made it pretty far into the state playoffs. “I like how independent you are in golf,” Morris said. He likes being able to compete with himself alone with the competition of other schools. “There is still a team competition but getting to the postseason and winning tournaments is all by yourself.” Morris is looking forward to the competition this year and hopefully going far again like he did in previous years for the team.