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The Word
HOW TO ENJOY THIS ISSUE
E.I.C to you.
To us, memory is something that shifts. It’s the experiences you don’t forget: both good and bad sometimes. Memory is riding a bike without training wheels. Exhilaration and speed. Wind pushing as you peddle faster and faster down the road, no one holding the seat. No one holds the handlebars but you. You did it. Memory is confiding in a friend that you still sleep with stuffed animals. And you make a pact with her that even when you grow up you’ll still share Otterpops under the staircase. Maybe even at your ten, or twenty, or thirty, or fifty year reunion. It’s having someone there for you. Memory is the first time you fall in love, humming “Let’s Fall In Love Again” by Jason Castro in the backseat of a yellow ’85 Mustang. Being all about one other person seems crazy, but not to you. Memory is losing someone. It’s losing your favorite uncle and standing in the wet grass around his casket at the funeral. It’s understanding that if we never lose people we love, we never know how much they mean in the first place. Memory is looking back. It’s looking back in order to live more fully in the present, and to imagine the future. It’s not the same as living in the past. It’s realizing that memories make you who you are. This special centennial issue of ARROW is about memory. This is our 100th year of Renton. We have created something beautiful for you to look at and I hope you enjoy reading it just as much as we have enjoyed making it for you. We hope it becomes a good memory. Your loving, dedicated Editor-inChief,
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[NAME]
Dear Readers,
OFFICIAL ARROW DECODER FOR READING THE FUTURE
What do you want people to say about you after you graduate? How about When you die? How do you want friends and family and future Indians to remember you? Anticipating the next hundred years, ARROW asked the centennial class of 2011 those questions. We call such words spoken at funerals “eulogies.” When printed in newspapers, we call them “obituaries.” Both serve the same purpose: to commemorate the lives of those who lived and touched the lives of others. We call them touching.
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We delved deep in our personal archives – under beds, behind dressers, even into the trunks of our cars – to find ordinary treasures that typify, exemplify, symbolize, and describe our place and time. We thought of it as The Official ARROW Time Capsule, to be unearthed (or discovered in a futuristic library’s virtual archive) one hundred years from now, in 2111. Our hope is that these objects describe the ordinariness of our contemporary lives (iPods, USB flash drives, obsession with accessories) as well as the extra-ordinariness of our private selves (check out the rubber ducky collection on page 16). Readers From 2111: For context, we have included each item’s price, size or measurement, a description, and a brief story about the item from the item’s owner.
ARTIFACTS FROM 2011
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100 Ways of Looking at Renton The story goes like this: Twentytwo teenagers went looking for the oddity, comedy, and untraditional beauty of small-town life, 19112011, and found it. They found a dead seagull behind Fred Meyer (page 28) and hamburgers for 15 cents at Triple XXX root beer restaurant (page 6). It was an excavation, and the resulting snapshots and narratives – one hundred of them – demonstrate a vibrant attentiveness to historical precision and a dramatic eye for detail. The collection portrays our community as it stands and has stood through time, through the lens of the diverse teenagers who live here now. So take a seat, the interactive tour through history begins now.
Pull-Out Poster!
It’s right in the middle of the publication. You can’t miss it! Pull it out. And read it. You’ll find stories from a few of our favorite alumni. If you like it, we hope you hang it up somewhere.
Cover Girl!
Sheryll Acoba. That’s her name. She’s one of the 25 youngest Indians at Renton. (The other 24 are on the back cover.) She defines high school is “Freedom.” and that it’s pretty special to be part of our 100th year. “I like RHS because my relatives have been here and had an awesome experience,” Acoba said. “I’m excited about it.”
HOW TO READ THIS ISSUE IF YOU’RE... … a current student Start with the front cover. This girl is one of our 25 youngest students at Renton High. Plus, you like pictures, right? If you find time to devote yourself to one collection of words here, check out “100 Ways of Looking at Renton.” It will tell you a little about what was here before you: lots.
... a faculty member Read the whole thing. You’re a teacher. Consider it homework. P.S. You might see some of the people featured here in the hallway. Tell them to get to class. Say Hi. As for the objects featured in our “Artifacts From 2011” collection – cell phones, iPods, Xbox controller, DS Light, PSP, more – you can’t confiscate them now, can you?
... an alumnus Start with our pull out poster in the middle of the publication featuring an interview with Don Custer (pages 20, 21). The back side of that poster features additional quips, anecdotes, memories and hijinks from alumni. Check out the youngest student in the school on the front cover. Check out how things are for her. Also: “Artifacts From 2011” will show a little of what current students carry around every day.
... a random dog Look at page 16. You know you’ve chewed on that little rubber duck. Look at page 15. You know you were told not to chew on those shoes five different times. And you were definitely told not to pee. But you did it anyway. If you can read, check out “100 Ways of Looking at Renton.” You may find some places you’ve never been or maybe a new place to lay under, maybe even a home.
Olivia Fry
We Would Like to Thank… Friends of Renton High School. They gave us two $500 grants to pay for this big, bright ARROW. Wasn’t that nice? We especially love this crazy band of loons associated with the group: Roxanna Johnson (Secretary), Bob Holt (Co-Chair), Roxanne Hanson (Co-Chair), Tom Tasa (Treasurer), Terri Briere (Past Chair) Lee Wheeler (Exec. Board Member) Ray Barilleaux (Exec. Board Member), Dave Thompson (Exec. Board Member), and Art Larson (Exec. Board Member). Roxanna Johnson and Roxanne Hanson, you will note, are different people despite the similarity of their
names. Pay attention, folks! They’re good people. Roxanna even offered to bring us Jimmy John’s sandwiches, chips and cold underage beverages because she likes “a good party.” We’re holding on to that coupon. The folks at the Renton History Museum allowed us to pillage their permanent collection and rummage through their file cabinets. And they kept their doors open on days they wouldn’t normally be available to the public. We thought that was really cool. And nice. So thank you Elizabeth Stewart (Museum Director), Sarah Iles (Collection Manager), Daisy Ward (Administrative Assistant), Sandra Meyer (Board President), and
especially Dorota Rahn (Volunteer & Education Coordinator) who helped the AP Language and Composition students get what they need. Go to the museum when you get a chance. It’s located at 235 Mill Ave. S., across the street from the library. And so many others: Eric Hougan and Carla Smith for sharing a room with such a large number of highly energetic teenagers in a room equipped with rolling chairs. Principal Damien Pattenaude, Vice-Principal Wendell Ellis, and VicePrincipal Gia San Martin for supporting scholastic journalism and encouraging free speech at Renton High School. The friendly people in the
Career and Life Skills Education Department (Jay Leviton, Maria Callaway, Roxanne Root, and more) for understanding the purpose of what we do and supporting us in so many tangible and intangible ways. Linda Pappas-Stallman, the Counseling Secretary, for her endless patience with our endless requests for schedules and information. Shaheed Rashid and Mindy Saeteurn, who compiled, edited, and condensed “100 Ways of Looking at Renton.” Ane one, final anti-thank you: We would like to reprimand Cheeto dust for somehow getting on the computer keyboards despite the best wishes of our adviser, Derek Smith.
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ITOUCH Price: $251.84 Size: 0.4 (H) × 2.3 (W) × 0.3 (D) inches Details: This new iTouch can take 720P Videos and 960 x 720 photos. It’s equipped with the new A4 Chip to process faster and smoother programs.
History: Joe Vo received this on Christmas after his mother bought it for him to fulfill one of his “Christmas wishes.” He was excited that he would finally have something that would play music better than his old 2nd generation iPod Nano.
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JONATHAN DAVIS
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Johnathan Davis was a funny, caring, lovable gentleman and an incredible musician. No matter what people said he wouldn’t let that get to him. He just kept smirking and was always nice to people. He loved the drums. Ever since he could crawl he wouldn’t go anywhere else but to drums. He received awards in high school and got his master’s in music at the age of 23. But we all know him really as a ladies/flirt man. I remember one year in his junior year he got asked to 3 proms and probably more. He would bring different girls to church, maybe some together, and was always a funny, sweet, gentleman to them. Even though people talked about him, only he could say who he is and nobody else.
LG VOYAGER CELL PHONE Price: $50-$60 Dimensions: 4.6 x 2.1 x 0.8 inches This phone has touch screen, a flip open QWERTY keyboard on the inside, a TV and music Player, a 2.0 megapixel camera that can record video and also take photos, sound recording, a calculator, notepad, one tough speaker phone and voice commands. This phone can also download applications and games.
SAUGAT CHHETRI-POUDEL
History: “How many times have you dropped that phone Olivia!” Olivia Fry’s mother exlaimed. “Ehh..a lot,” she replied. “You need a new phone,” her mom said. “But I like this one!” Fry replied. This phone had been with her since she started high school. It was easy for her to text on and she used it wherever she went.
Saugat Chhetri- Poudel was stuck between two worlds early on in his life. He often felt both sides tugging at his arms. One side pulled him to a new strange land he called home, the other towards the peaceful and heartwarming homeland. He was often lost in his own head. Maybe the outside world was not good enough for him, or so he thought. Saugat worked to be perfect but gave up his quest in his forties because he thought he had reached it.
2 GIGABYTE USB DRIVE Price: $5.00-$20.00 Size: 1 x 2½ inches These devices can store up to 1,400 times more data than a floppy disk and are more portable than carrying a cd case or a stack of floppy disks. History: Almost everyone in 2011 has a flash drive or knew someone who had one. This helped Aaron Garcia because it had keep track of all his documents and homework. T-MOBILE G1: Price $ 179.00 Size: 2 1/3 x 5 inches The T-mobile G1 was one of the first few phones that started a new age in the 21st century, the age of Android. These new touch screens were able to connect to the internet with speeds people did not expect to come from a phone.
Produced by Google, it was g a hit. The phone started a wave of new ideas, like applications for the phone, making the phones much more entertaining and useful. History: Mark Mariano’s very first touch screen phone he treated as new. Mariano bought it from Brandon Huynh, a friend he met by joining the wrestling team. Mariano often asked question “Like, how do you download this app?” because he wasn’t sure how to properly use the phone.
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Think of it as vintage Harambee. You ate burgers and listened to music at “The Loop.” You showed off your cool ride and picked up prom dates at “The Loop.” You pissed off local law enforcement by cruising too long on “The Loop.” Not so much during the week, but on Friday and Saturday nights students made their rounds about the small town, waving at each other as they passed and even hopped in each other’s cars. Mostly everyone had similar cars. ’51 Oldsmobile, ’55 Chevy, ’51 Chevy. But you didn’t just ride in circles waving and laughing. Triple X Barrel, a burger joint, was in place of the Walgreens we now see just off Rainer. Red lights at that intersection were a problem and created unnecessary traffic. Some took this as an opportunity to rev their engines, sparking the occasional hot rod race. Most cared too much to be so reckless though. “The Loop” ran along South Second and Third Street, turning at Rainer Avenue. One large circle around the town. [Shaheed Rashid]
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Captain William Renton was born in Nova Scotia, Canada on Nov. 2, 1818. In 1850 he moved to San Francisco and started a mill that employed five Native Americans and nine whites. In 1863 Renton purchased a piece of land near Blakely Harbor. He built a mill on that piece of land, and soon founded the town of Blakely, Cal. The town thrived. Later he built shipyards and participated in real estate. He established a business in the Puget Sound area, and invested in U.S. railways. His coal business in the late 19th century boomed. After his death, he had a town named after him. It Renton was born. brought a destructive [Hung Lu] salutation and left a sad sincerity. It lasted for what seemed like an eternity. On Nov. 19, 1911 the water came. [Bobby Tat]
I am looking at a picture of an old, white, 101 year old man: Sydney Haugen. There’s not much on his head, a few dark spots I don’t know what to call and some strands of hair. Looks like someone might have sprinkled them there. His eyebrows are white too, two square patches of half inch hair sitting on his face close to the bridge of his nose. His nose is droopy. You know those lines old people get on their faces that start on both sides of their nose and wrap around their lips and eventually make an outline for their chin? He’s got those too. His mouth is barely open. Looks like he was about to say something with the letter ‘W,’ like “When I was a boy…” The snapshot was taken right before the “when.” His teeth glance at me behind his top lip, frail little things. Handsome chap, I must say. [Shaheed Rashid]
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Gladiator Beast Deck with Deck Box Price: $90 Size: 2 x 3 inches Made out of polyurethane plastics, this box holds holds up to 75 cards and comes in 8 different colors.
A peeling wrapper, yellowed with age, reads: “Roma” at the top. Just below, in a maze of curly-cues and elaborate cursive script: “Vintner’s Select.” In a small, official-looking font, printed below a seal is the year 1890, when the Roma Wine Company was first established in Fresno, California. I bet the bottle is at least eighty years old. It’s been said that residential contractors use clients’ homes as a time capsule, placing objects, such as wine bottles, inside the walls to be found in later generations. I wonder if the Roma Wine Company bottle is the only object from the past hidden in the walls of 7431 South 116th Pl. [Hayley Brunk]
I’m looking at a picture of the grand opening of Renton High. The school wore flags all over, dressed for the special occasion. The clock tower sits in the front-middle of the building just as it does now. The sky appears sunny. A fair would be held in town later that day. This would be a good day for the Renton community. [Rochelle Mascey]
Henry Moses, the son of one of the last Indian chiefs in the city, was the first Native American to enroll at our school. Moses was part of the first basketball team and led his team to the state basketball championship in 1916. People taunted him and his teammates by calling them “Indians.” Moses didn’t retaliate. He said he was proud of his heritage. Decades later, members of the Duwamish tribe held a meeting to decide whether our school should keep the name “Indians” in honor of Moses. A letter that his widow wrote reads, “My late husband was proud of RHS, and he told me Indian stands for determination, bravery and strength... so I am writing to ask you to keep the name of the Indians.” We are Indians. [Shaheed Rashid]
YU-GI-OH DECK Price: $10.99 Size: 3.4 x 4.5 inches Two players face off in an all-out battle with about 40 to 50 cards. Each card has its own cost depending on how strong it is. The players both start off at 8000 life points and duel it out until one ends up with zero.
History: This deck is probably the greatest deck in existence. Gabriel Dominguez has beaten hundreds of duelists with his Gladiator Beast deck. He had to trade and trade and trade countless times before he could finally get all the necessary cards for the deck. He didn’t want to pay for the whole thing because it would have been too expensive.
History: Tony Le, the owner of this custom Yu-Gi-oh Deck, had about 40 cards or so. After a few hours of hand picking each one, reading and admiring each effect of the card, a deck was created. Le was set and ready to duel his friends with the awesome deck.
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KARYN JOHNSON
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Karyn Johnson was a driver of a white, Honda accord. She loved living in the moment. Singing songs in the middle of class, dancing in her car, and eating processed food. Some of it you might call it junk, but to her it was heaven. She had a strong love for her little brothers and all her friends and family. She hated guys because they were always confusing and always wanting something from her. She believed in dreams coming true. She loved a certain song every month and would replay and sing along with it constantly. We all hated the songs after that.
BLANK CD RW IN CASE $0.99 – 1.99 Size: 5 x 4 inches This reusable CD is made of 100 grams of plastic. It was purchased at Wal-Mart, a Famous worldwide supermaket corporation.
JOSHUA DAVIS
History: Tony Le, the owner of this CD, Forgot what he really used it for. He knew there were a lot of good memory holding on to his CD. This CD is something Le would consider a rare item tucked back. Even if it doesn’t hold any sentimental value, it remains untouched in its case.
Joshua Davis was a charismatic, fun, lovable, but annoying person. He was a natural born competitor and wanted to be first in everything. He was always the runner up. In his youth he grew up with videogames and this is what gave birth to the competitor. He played basketball his freshman year in high school. His team went undefeated 10 games but then lost and that day he cried like his mother died. Even by his late thirties he had won over 24 video game tournaments across the world and played on the NBA as a star shooting guard.
DRIVERS EDUCATION BOOK Price: Free Size: 8.5 x 5.3 x 0.3 inches Washington government supplies thse books to aspiring drivers. Different driving rules apply depending on the state. History: Tony Le, was given this Drivers Ed. book at the age of 15 from a close friend. That was passed down by his brother, and then given to Le. The creases are from the nervousness of getting ready to take the test. Wear and tear isn’t something strange: it adds memories of long hours of highlighting an already highlighted book.
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Two men stand to the eastern side while a third points decisively to the west. Stern, smudged faces look into the century old camera with exultant eyes. The men’s faces look like they might be dusted in gold. A wooden arch supports the cavernous area. My best estimation of time is probably The Industrial Revolution, but then again, all one can see is a bit of light through wooden planks and the uncontainable pack rat filth that asphyxiates the mouth of the dirt based crater. I imagine the three men can hear the determination of chiseled steel pick axe blades grinding with the combustible coal chips. Noise never sounded so handsome. [Tyler Yorita]
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There were two barrels of root beer, five cents a cup. The burgers were only 15 cents each. The combo was to die for. Nestled on the corner of 3rd and Rainier, Triple X Barrel was a very convenient spot for students in the ‘30s. It was also a drive-in and diner, so many cars came and parked. The restaurant, founded by Archie Rutherford, was represented by a barrel and XXX on top of it. [Joey Nguyen]
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CAR KEYS Price: $35 Size: 2 inches The inventor of the turn-key ignition was patented by former Cadillac salesman Vincent Bendix in 1910. This set of keys contains a car door key, an auto lock remote, and 2 miniature plastic basketballs. History: Johnathan Lon I am almost loved these keys. He would too scared to touch probably pick these keys over it for it might turn a hundred dollars. “It to dust. carries a lot of history,” It’s a cereal box Lon said. “At one from the Vitomen point everyone in my Cereal Company that thrived here in the ’20s. family had touched Except it’s not a box; it’s an atom. these keys.” My index finger runs the entire width of the box and my whole hand covers its biggest panel. I can’t believe someone ate only one of these for a meal. A giant red “V” covers half of one of the panels. There are three pictures of vegetables I’m looking at a laying siege on all sides of the letter. One of picture of the Renton them is spinach, another is celery, and the Junction Grocery other is a head of lettuce. Cigars & Tobacco, Loose ribbons float around two maybe from the ‘20s. brown stalks of wheat. The left one reads The store has two “nutritious” with its twin balancing it out I am looking floors, 11 windows, and with the word “healthful.” at a picture of a three open doors. I can Brown spots dot the box showing that age couple at their smell the tobacco. is a disease. wedding on June Two men stand outside, one holding a The bottom of the box, the side that 1, 1928. The newspaper by a door and the other leaning couldn’t be read if the box is right-side woman’s veil flows against a window, smoking a cigar. A small up, reads “Natural Correctiveness of to the ground. She sign spelling GAS stands next to a miniature Constipation.” The cereal could pass as holds one large bouquet of pump. A horse stands in the bottom right, its medicine. How does a cereal of whole wheat, roses and leans against her new husband. The face weary. celery, lettuce, spinach, alfalfa, leaf flour, husbands’ body language is joyous: his arms The sky is gray and cloudy. It is a yeast, butterfat, honey and organic salt taste? reaching, his eyes smiling as if he has won the The ingredients alone don’t sound like they’d lottery. He’s dressed sharp with a rose pinned gloomy morning and a slow day for the grocers. The windows on the second floor tickle your taste buds or leave you wanting to his upper left pocket. His ring has already are half open, as if someone living inside is more. been placed on his finger. Congratulations to secretly looking. [Maninder Grewal] I guess that’s why they came in small the happy couple. [Crissabeth Santos] containers. [Queenelle Gazmen]
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I’m looking at a snapshot of the first big logging truck from the ‘20s. This truck is unique: it has no door, but it does have an opening; no comfortable cushions on the seats; small round headlights. The back wheel has eight big bolts in it. The front wheel has none. There are 8 wheels total. I notice a smudge of some sort on the side of one wheel: bird poop? On the front of the truck there’s a big print logo that says, “Graford.” There’s a huge log on the truck that has a string attached to it, like a fishing pole. I notice the end of the string is cut. I’m guessing this is how the workers move the behemoth. There are seven men in the picture: four standing on top of the log, two standing in front of the log in the bed of the truck, and one standing on the ground, hands to his side. Their general attire: simple button-up jackets, jeans, a pair of decent shoes, old fashioned hard hats. They all wear long sleeve sweatshirts to the wrists except one guy who keeps his rolled up. They look impatient for the camera to click. On the right corner of the picture there’s something mysterious, a tree shaded in by a shadow… but the shadow is cut off so I don’t see the full image. Maybe the picture misprinted? Maybe someone spilled coffee. The seven men are confident. They do not smile, but the way they hold their hands on their waists declares the pride they feel in their work.[Thien Doan]
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CENTENNIAL ITALIAN ROAST STARBUCKS COFFEE Price: $10.95 Size: 11 x 5 inches Details: 1lb Italian Roast is the coffee flavor found in Frappuccino® blended at Starbucks. Italian Roast is a blend of Latin American coffees, great wutg dark chocolate and buttery pasteries. Can be found at any Starbucks store.
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History: Olivia Fry pulled up to the cozy looking Starbucks on a rainy day and searched for a perfect coffee. She walked up to the counter, samples of coffee pouring into her nose, and she found the one. Italian Roast Starbucks Coffee called her name. She ordered 4 lbs of it to take home, and they sold it to her willingly. She was pleased with her choice. METRO FARE TRANSFER PAPERS Price: $0.75 Size: 5.4 x 2 x .01 inches It’s ripped at the 7.30pm line and used. During it’s lifetime, it was used to transfer within the King County area. History: Max Bureau used to rip the King County Metro off 72 cents, paying his fare with three pennies. Drivers didn’t look if the fare was right and the sound of three coins dropping in the box was enough to fool them. They thought it was three quarters. This worked until he got caught by a driver smarter than the others. He just took the school bus.
BIC LIGHTER Size: 18.75 x 7.13 cm Price: $1.99 It’s a bright green color and has almost no more lighter fluid. The sparker is kind of damaged so the flame is a little bigger.
VANESSA PEREZ
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Vanessa always said “family first.” She would always be with her family. Cheerleading was her passion. She could go to practice every day and still have the energy to do everything else. She was a different person, more outgoing because it was something she loved to do. Vanessa also loved to design things. She assisted with a company called Pine Street Design. It was an interior designing company. Vanessa organized things, put designs together, even helped with sales. She loved doing this kind of stuff. She would help whenever she had the chance. It was what she wanted to be when she grew up. She wanted to own her own company or work for a successful interior designer. She was great at it.
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History: Gabriel Dominguez found this lighter in his “safe of importance.” He remembered that he used it a lot for fireworks and burning stuff. From stuffed animals to paper to dead animals found on the road, many things were set on fire with this lighter.
ANGEL GABUAT
Angel Gabuat was a classic person with an imagination that didn’t quite fit the part. A good portion of her dreams didn’t come true; she had an unforgettable journey while trying to bring them to life. She traveled all around America from the time she was two weeks old till the day she lay hopeless on her death bed, next to an end table full of vibrant candles and delectable incense. At the age of 16 she had been out on her own, being a full time student so she could be the first Gabuat out of her immediate family to graduate high school. she worked for minimum wage to support herself. She was truly an independent woman and forever will remain. Right now, Angel knows exactly how a fish feels out of water.
CD PLAYER Price: $380.00 Size: 1.5 x 5.8 x 5.3 inches Bought in 2002, takes AA Batteries. History: Aaron Garcia thought we would have more high tech items to listen to in the future. Most people in 2011 do not carry CD players anymore.
BLANK CD Price $1.00 Size: 4.7 inch diameter Blank CD’s were used by many during the 21st century. The little glass disc in the CD’s drive is used by sending lasers directly from the ball to the underside of the CD, burning data directly onto it. History: Music, pictures and movies were placed on these odd looking, paper thin plates. Mark Mariano had a bunch of these CD’s, but never had a chance to use them. He usually used the eight gigabyte usb because of the portability and the ability of managing many saved files.
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ONE DOLLAR BILL Price: $1 Size: 6 ¼ inches x 2 ½ inches The average life of a dollar bill is around 18 months. Money isn’t made out of paper; it’s actually a mixture between cotton and linen. History: Katie Reynolds always had $1 dollar. At school, it was worth a lot for it could buy many things like beverages, gum, candy, and various food products.
KEYCHAIN Price: $3-$6 Size: 1 foot 0.5 inches long (keychain); 0.5 inches wide & 1 inches long Starbucks card with about $0.75 on it Starbucks card from Christmas of 2009, laminated drawing from Sakura-con 2010. In 1971, Starbucks was a single store in Seattle’s historic Pike Place Market. Sakura-Con is the oldest and most well attended anime convention in the Pacific Northwest. History: Alyssa Antonio, her brother Aldrich Antonio, and Mindy Saeteurn attended their first 2010 Sakura Con. There weren’t too many inexpensive things Antonio wanted and she still had $3 left. Antonio spent her last $3 on a hand-drawn anime character keychain. “Why did you just waste your money on a drawing done by somebody else?” Aldrich asked. “Well, I wanted it,” Alyssa said.
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I am looking at a picture of five cheerleaders posing in front of our school. They are too jolly for their own good. A girl stands open-armed in the middle. She’s proud of her school and what it represents. The grass behind them is green and brown. I notice familiar windows and tiles, only less familiar because they aren’t worn or water stained. I suspect this picture to be from the ‘40s. Long sleeve sweaters protect the cheerleaders from the chilly morning, and maybe the arctic glares of the student body too. Three of them wear virginal white ankle length skirts, pleated to veil skin and curves. Nonetheless, excitement radiates from their bodies. Goodness, it’s too early. [Yva Ladera]
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Gene Coulon beach has been around as long as I can remember. Birthday parties on the dock. Volleyball games in the sand. Tennis volleys on the courts. But people don’t really know who Gene Coulon is or how the park was created. According to museum archives, Coulon was the Renton park director from ‘49-’77, creating a recreation program and overseeing the development of over 21 city parks. Before he became park director of Renton, he was just a regular kid growing up in Seattle. He attended Franklin High School and graduated from the University of Washington. He was also extraordinary: He was in the
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I am looking at a grocery cart people used in the’40s; they pushed it through the aisles at the Nicola and Lotto Grocery Store. I imagine I can smell cilantro and ripe Roma tomatoes. The cart is small but has two levels as if it’s a condo for the wealthy. The wooden straw basket on the bottom sits there, empty like a pothole. The top basket holds a bag of Spreckles Sugar. There are four black wheels on the bottom. The metal is cold to the touch. The two baskets are quite small hinting that maybe people couldn’t afford to shop for too many grocery items at one time, or perhaps didn’t eat as much. [Maninder Grewal]
United States Army and served in World War II. The origin of Coulon’s namesake park involves a lot of money. The Federal Department of Housing and Urban Development gave $1,651,912 in fund reservations as a park grant in 1970. City officials did a survey asking what people wanted most in the new park. A “planning book” for Coulon Beach was designed listing all the different graphs of what people wanted to include in the new area. There were graphs and percentages, ideas about what people could do and what the park could include. This park would compete with Kirkland’s to be the best. At the time the park was only 21 acres. But by 1979 it expanded to about 51 acres which cost about $7.8 million more. [Remica Dela Cruz]
RHS’s ‘39 yearbook was shockingly slim. The red 8” x 6” hardback was only 20 pages long. Inside were two senior pictures, three junior pictures and two sophomore pictures. On the table of contents page was a poem called “A Salute to Peace” by Jean Kafferlin that read: “A Salute to Peace” To you who hold within your hesitant / palm, the future of the world / we say: / Let us dedicate ourselves and our / book to peace. / Let us hold aloft the torch of peace for / all the world / that they may see and follow its pure / beckoning gleam. / For peace is freedom ringing loud / for love and trust and loyalty. / Peace is nations shaking hands across the seas / with love and understanding in their hearts. / The torch of peace burns steadily / a single flame from whence all nations / light their candles of good will / and prosperity. [Tyler Yorita]
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“Renton is on fire!” The people of Renton stampeded and clambered over to the burning pyre of a house, crowding the house and vanquishing the flames with water. The house had released a carbonic cloud with a black hue that polluted the air. The fire that exposed our town’s inability to respond to such emergencies inspired the formation of a voluntary fire department. In April of 1942 volunteer workers reported to a building at Houser Way and Mill Avenue. In 1944, those workers started getting paid. This fire station is now a small museum for the city. [Joey Nguyen]
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Dances called Sock Hops were the rave in the ‘50s. Originating from the school’s desire to keep the gymnasium scratch free, the informal events required students to remove shoes before dancing on the floor. Rock n’ roll music was popular, and sometimes teens went in groups
without dates. Two annual, formal dances are popular now: Homecoming and Prom. [Bobby Tat]
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CENTENNIAL MICROSOFT WHITE MOUSE INTELLIMOUSE OPTICAL USB Price: $23.95 Size: 5 x 2 ¾ x 1 ¾ inches 85 inch cord The five buttons on the side are programmable. This mouse uses optical technology: a camera tracks the movement of the surface under the mouse. Its rating on Amazon.com is four stars out of five.
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The sign clearly stated in big bold letters “DO NOT TOUCH,” but I was tempted so I touched anyways. It’s a classic cardigan sweater with thick wool knit, button-up front v-neck, and inset pockets. A large maroon “R” outlined with a white patch above the left pocket appears on the left breast. The left arm sleeve has three white stripes, above it, our mascot, the Indian. The top of the left sleeve has in cursive and italics, the word “Renton.” The sweater smells like it’s from an antique shop. The ‘60s letterman’s jacket belonged to a former quarterback. I want it, bad. [Jamaica Atal]
WOODEN BLADE Price: $10.00 (wood) Size: 42 x 6 ¼ inches It’s made of Plywood and dark wood. It has a blade on one side and a blunt on the other. It was a semester’s worth of work at Franklin High School to handcraft it. It’s a rough replica of Zack’s sword in Final Fantasy Crisis Core.
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History: Senior Max Bureau always thought a laptop was a terrific computer. Easy to carry with battery autonomy, and a low weight. The perfect tool for a nice, geeky, techy dude. However, he didn’t know how hard it was to use some software with a pad mouse. So he asked his lovely sister to let him borrow her mouse. It was mainly for Photoshop and gaming purposes. It worked out pretty well. Her sister didn’t claim it back by the day of printing.
Nowadays, girls’ clothes have gotten tighter and shorter while guys’ clothes are oversized and baggy. Half a century ago, girls wore long sleeve sweaters, turtlenecks, ankle length skirts and never had a shirt cut below the curve of their neck. Miniskirts, short shorts and hoochie boots were saved for dolls, pop stars and other entertainers to make a debut in the upcoming decades. Men also had a much cleaner look complete with blazers, button ups and shining loafers. “Bling” was kept in your mothers’ jewelry box where it belonged. People were saved the embarrassment of “saggin’” with the common use of belts. You never saw much when someone had to pick a pencil up from the floor. [Yva Ladera]
History: Tristan Cawagas had to cover his sword in a black plastic bag to get it in and out of school. In a weapon-free campus, it was disturbing to see someone walking with a blade. One day Cawagas brought his sword to his cousin’s house and accidently hit him on the forehead with the sharp edge. “Crap!” Cawagas exclaimed. “Are you okay?!” His cousin held his head in his hands, then showed a purplish bruise on his forehead. His cousins’ sister took the blame after their parents found out and Cawagas got off scot free.
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I am looking at a picture of Renton from ‘62. It gives an entire overview of the city from Boeing to beyond RHS from a bird’s vantage point over Lake Washington. There is no Fry’s, no Landing, not even Renton Stadium. The stadium is just an oval track with a field inside, no
bleachers. There is lots of green produced by the trees and grass, but an equal amount of grey. [Michael Weaver]
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In ‘54 I bet air smelled as if it was sepia itself. A marching band in red militaristic uniforms anxiously stood in front of the large gray behemoth called the Boeing building awaiting the moment. The large stone-like doors of the building slowly started to separate, as if they were the gates of Mordor; the crowd and marching band both fixated on the opening. The doors revealed a sleek white airplane that was 150 ft in length and a wingspan of also 150 ft. An orifice of sound had spilled out of the band, radiating sweet condensed nectar. The sound of drums and tubas rippled across the world of itself, as the first of its kind had appeared. It was the first commercial airplane ever to be made. It was the Dash-80 707. [Joey Nguyen]
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Harry Harbour, age 57, and a retired salesman comments on the individuality Renton has taken on. “When I went to school, all you saw was white,” Harbour said. Harbour enjoys the change and diversity, but since he grew up in a white locked community, he doesn’t exactly know how to treat the other races. Fear is wrapped around him, and I watch it play across his eyes as he recounts the events of that day, at the Puyallup Fair. “Me and Janey were just walking around, looking at all the rides we couldn’t go on. Here we are walking past the hot dog stand, and out of nowhere a flying weenie comes straight at me, flies right over my head. This young Asian walks up, apologizes to me, picks up the hot dog and throws it away. Janey and I watched him back to his family, and off he went. He spoke like a race horse, my god it was amazing. He smacks the hotdog thrower over the head hard, poor kid looks like he’s about to cry. Later Janey and I found out that he was the dad. I never noticed before that day how Asians all look under the drinking age.” Harbour thinks that all the diverse cultures that have moved into Renton, are amazing, and he loves taking the time with each of his neighbors, and learning about where they’re from, even if it’s only from the other side of town. [Sonam Lal]
CINDY NGUYEN
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FLASH DRIVE Price: $20 Size: ½ x 1 ½ x ¼ inches The color varies depending on how much memory it has. It clicks when you squeeze it. The flash drive is pocket-sized which makes it easy to carry. It has a USB connection to make computer connectivity easier.
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History: Mindy Saeteurn, owner of the flash drive, was blamed for breaking her old flash drive. She got this one as a replacement. She never really broke it in her defense, but her brother continues to blame her anyways.
SAY THIS ABOUT ME
Cindy Nguyen was just simply strange. She didn’t eat colored paper as a child, but she did try to eat a rock. She was an optimist all her life from baby to old lady and loved apples because they gave her reddish brown hair. In her twenties she published an amazing book but refused to become famous, thus screaming vulgar comments at her fans. They loved it. She was still married at age 90 with her high school sweetheart whom she stalked for two years before they got together. It was gross when they made out at Chucky Cheeses because they would drool excessively and her false teeth would fall out.
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IRENE MULLER
Irene Muller liked good things and disliked bad things, but didn’t really hate anything. She preferred fire escapes and root beer floats to the crush and crash of house parties. Once in a while she would sit on a beach or a roof or a sidewalk and think of new reasons to like being alive. She helped where she could and still tried where she knew she couldn’t. Irene had a tendency to think people looked like pandas. She filled notebooks with things that seemed like nonsense at the time, yet ended up being quite useful later. They’re all in a cupboard, though she never told us where. She crossed a line many times, but she usually came back. There are no sob stories here.
McClendon’s Hardware store used to be K-Mart, and before that in the ‘60s was McClendon’s. A hefty $9 million was persuasive enough to get their old building back. [Shaheed Rashid]
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Bob Thiel, class of ’55, isn’t an average old geezer you find at a nursing home. More an enthusiastic and light hearted man; made me feel welcomed. His wife
was a charm as well. Bob and Lois, have been married for almost 50 years. They met at a dance. “Lois and I met at a high school dance. The dances were at a Mother’s Park Fieldhouse. They were called ‘sock hops’ because we danced on the gymnasium floor in our stocking feet -- no shoes.” Thiel said. After the dance, charming and sweet ol’ Bob offered his new dance partner a ride home. “I offered to give her a ride home from the dance, she agreed, but my friend (with his car) left before the end of the dance, so there was no transportation. I ended up calling my mom who gave us a ride to Lois’ house where Lois got out safely and so I rode home with my mom.” Bob with his smooth moves swept Lois off her feet and they fell in love, but a sad and dark period of time will came about their love when Thiel was drafted in the army and Lois went off to college. They broke up. This sad time in their life was followed by a happy ending. Thiel and his wife met again a few years later, after he’d left the army. One night, Lois was going home. She was driving home when a group of men in a car next to her started to holler. “I thought they were a bunch of drunken hooligans. I ignored them and waited for the red light to turn green. When the light turned green I hit the gas pedal and went straight home. When I got home, I received a phone call. It was Bob. We got together and started to date again. That’s how we got back together.” Lois said. [Bobby Tat]
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HAWAIIAN BEADED NECKLACE Price: $9.95 Size: 12 inch diameter This necklace is made of genuine Kukui Tree nut. The Kukui nut has many different uses in Hawaii and is the most common nut used for these types of necklaces. This necklace has two shades of brown and is tied at the top with a brown ribbon.
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History: Malik Roper’s father, Richard Roper, bought him this necklace in 2005. Roper’s dad was in the air force and was sent on a trip to Hawaii. He was gone for about 5 months. When he came back home he gave him the necklace and told him it was lucky. He has had it ever since.
JAMIE DYTIOCO
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Jamie Dytioco was an odd little person. She believed the world was flat, not round, that the north and south poles were one giant stick stuck in the middle of this flat world of hers. Jamie was really weird and random. She drank her chocolate milk with 2 straws. Before she stuck in her straws in her chocolate milk, she would blow the wrapper through the straw at someone. Telling and hearing corny jokes and pickup lines were the highlight of her day. When she hit 30, she achieved her dream and became a nurse. She also opened up a bakery just nearby her home. She was the best wife anyone could have. Her family was really blessed to have her. Jamie Dytioco was one indescribable woman.
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JULIAN STAPLES
Julian Staples lived a wonderful life with a family that loved him and wished him only the best. As a teen he was a happy, bright and fun loving individual. He lived his life to the fullest. Julian began his adventures at the young age of 19 when he went skydiving for the first time and climbed Mount Everest at age 30. At age 27 he got married to Jenny Uzamaki and he fathered three children: Joey, Ashley and Jamie. With Julian’s growing success between being a professional skater, golfer, and snowboarder, he started his own Sports company that is still known today as Raider sports. Ownership will be passed down to his only son Joey. Julian will always be remembered as a valiant risk taker.
BUNNY HAIR TIE Price: $2.35 (in a pair) Size: 4 inches (hair tie); 0.5 inches (bunny) This red bunny hair tie came straight from Japan. The bunny in Japanese and Chinese culture symbolizes fast running, strength in the feet, and kindheartedness.
HEMATITE NECKLACE Price: Starting at $15.00 Dimensions: about 18 1/2 inches This necklace has a magnetic clasp in the back to connect it together. Hematite Power Beads are anti-depressants and help in grounding and balancing people’s lives. They create balance between the mind and body, and relieve stress. The beads are good for curing aches in the body such as backs, necks, and headaches. They come in necklaces, bracelets and earrings.
History: Alyssa Antonio had been talking to a senior from Lindbergh High School since summer. That night, on Dec. 8, 2010, Alex Mahn asked Antonio to go out with her. “Yes, of course I will,” Antonio said. After Antonio said yes, Mahn gave her a red bunny hair tie. Antonio wears the hair tie around her left wrist, while Mahn wears it on his right.
History: Olivia Fry and her boyfriend Brock Melvin sat on the couch cuddling, watching Dexter’s Laboratory. It was their first time in 4 months being able to be with each other. Melvin pulled a necklace off of his neck and put it around hers and clasped the back. “It’s your Christmas present,” he said. She gladly accepted the dark necklace. “It will help you with your stressful paste up days at school.”
WRIST BAND Price: $3.00 Size: 3.7 inches Red stretchy wrist band. The word “achieve” is engraved on the front side of the band. History: An ex-boyfriend gave Mona Orejudos this bracelet to symbolize his love for her. “Aw, you’re so sweet!” she said to him as he put it on her wrist. It meant a lot to her, but after their break-up it was just a piece of rubber.
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“Renton Senior High was the only high school in the district, and high school was only three years long,” Becky Woodworth (’63-’66)
said. The daughter of Paul and Grace, a linotype writer and stay at home mom, talked of daily life in the ’60s. “You’d only see senior guys with the cars,” Woodworth said. “It was very uncommon to have two family cars. Standing in Tonkin Park, between three trees, there used to be a store, Tonkin Store. I wonder now if I’m standing in aisle three or four. Is it the produce or dairy section? Is the clerk a man or a woman? I see her now, a plain girl, perhaps 18, with an expression of sheer boredom on her face. It’s a sweltering day, and a single bead of sweat hangs precariously from the tip of her nose. She has a lot of freckles, and long brown hair which sweeps down to her breasts. Her name’s Maggie. She didn’t want to work on the farm anymore. The year is 1965, and Maggie’s boyfriend is in Vietnam. She hasn’t heard from him in a month. She didn’t want him to go, and he didn’t want to go. If it wasn’t for that draft and his Commie-hating father kicking him on the Army bus, he would be here with his arms around her, kissing her pacifist forehead (as well as various other parts they hadn’t yet explored). “Who cared if the North and
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There really wasn’t any other form of transportation, no metro like now. Besides, everything was in walking distance. “We had sports, but only for boys. It was always focused on basketball and football. “Downtown before had actual stores, not just eateries. The old drape store was once a JC Penney, and the old Roxy Theater cost only 10 cents. Fred Meyer was a Sears. That area also had an Albertson’s… It was basically the business district.” The change wasn’t heartbreaking; it was inevitable. [Yva Ladera]
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South wanted to measure their proverbial Nationalist Penises,” she thought. She just wanted him home. Then, out of seemingly nowhere, came a man on a motorcycle, not a usual leather-clad gorilla, but a young man in a yellow t-shirt with two day’s beard. He had a cleft chin and unkempt loose hair sticking up sporadically. “You got a smoke?” he asked with a dazzling smile. “Nope,” she replied. “Bummer, you wanna share?” She blushed. “Sure,” she said, putting the break sign on the counter. They went around the back of the store, next to the railroad tracks. He pulled out a joint. She was at first hesitant but after he lit it she took a hit. [Cole Jennings]
It’s a mini-store kingdom here in my neighborhood. What’s the point of placing all these stores selling the same things all compacted into this small neighborhood? That’s like having 3 elementary schools on the same street. Which one would you go to? I identify these stores by race: There’s the Ethiopian store where they play Ethiopian music. The Mexican store that has a Mexican flag in the front. Then the Asian stores with many boxes labeled with Chinese characters. My sisters and I enjoy going to the Asian store. The lonely Asian store located a few minutes past South Kenyon Street, covered with white snow cement with no cars around, sitting there like a loner. Flashing neon lights with beer ads on the inside window, partially covered with the rusty black bars. It wasn’t dirty on the outside. Nothing that looked “ghetto”. Stepping inside for the first time will overwhelm you with a smell, the smell of Asia. [Remica Jhen Delacruz]
“My class… was the largest graduating class and had almost 900 seniors graduating,” Terri Briere (’69) said. “It was amazing how many people there were because RHS was the largest school in the state at that time. There was no Lindbergh or Hazen. “I loved art so I took a lot of art classes, English and History too but never P.E because I was never really athletic. My favorite teacher was Mr. Patten because he was just a great guy and made learning history so interesting and fun.” “I loved volunteering and I still even do today. That is how much it impacted me. It is something you could say I took away from RHS. I started with posters for assemblies, homecoming, and spirit days.” Homecoming then was, for the most part, filled with a lot of excitement and tradition. “Homecoming was a really big deal for everyone,” Briere said. “At homecoming, girls wore miniskirts and guys wore suits. Besides homecoming there were 10+ other dances throughout the school year which were in the school cafeteria after football or basketball games.” “The Beatles were really popular.
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As far as clothing, girls always wore pretty dresses to school. They never wore jeans or t-shirts because dresses were considered proper.” There were lots of other differences too, like in sports. “Girls weren’t allowed to compete in basketball games like they are now. After Title 9 was passed, it gave equal access to women to participate and compete in certain sports. It was just beginning to happen during my senior year.” The fourth floor, now closed to students, was also different. “The fourth floor… was a study hall. There were sometimes 100 people there at the top of the tower studying. Ms. Hanus was really one of a kind. She had a high platform built where she sat,” Briere said. “Attending RHS not only gave me lifelong friends but also shaped the person I am today. It is a time I will always cherish and remember forever.” [Maninder Grewal]
“Popcorn is so delicious and fun to eat,” Duke Pacleb sings to his 4 year old daughter in the dining room. “Popcorn is for you and me!” Pacleb, an upbeat, sports-loving father, has lived in Renton most of his life. “Growing up I remember taking my dirt bike with a couple of friends and we’d play along the open lots, which now have large development houses.” He would hang out with a couple of friends or have family gatherings around Coulon Park. But it’s not all remembering the past. He would like to change Renton’s future too. “I like to help people and it’s good to give back,” Pacleb said. “I would love to start a non-profitable organization in downtown. Specifically, a daycare for children with disabilities.” “Parents wouldn’t need to pay, I would provide everything,” he says. “I would want to have schools involved. Students could volunteer their time there.” Pacleb the Popcorn Singer thinks Renton is a charming place, with plenty of diversity and small businesses. [Katherine Calimlim]
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Guys’ hair styles from the ‘80s are making a comeback! Some guys today have long, skater hair that reaches to the bottom of their eyes. Sometimes it goes down to their shoulders. The girls’ trend in the ‘80s was raised hair with curls, not something too popular today. My personal opinion? We have no originality today; we aren’t coming up with our own ideas. We don’t need “retro day” during Homecoming because we live in the retro now. [Michael Weaver]
AIR JORDAN 1 (PATENT LEATHER & OLD LOVE) Price: $425 Size: 9.5 men’s Michael Jordan was a famous basketball player who had his own line of basketball shoes. One of his shoes was the Jordan 2’s. These shoes are all red with black on the bottom. They are made of suede, leather and rubber. History: Malik Roper plays basketball in the Jordan 2’s. Most people thought he was crazy for playing in Jordan’s but he didn’t care. The shoes were comfortable and made him look a little taller. AIR JORDAN 1 (PAATENT LEATHER &OLD LOVE) Price: $425 Size: 9.5 men’s Patent leather, Red, white, and black shoes with white laces. The left shoe’s sole is starting to fade on the heel, the shoe laces have random brown marks on them, the right shoe’s stitching around the toe is completely ripped, thus exposing any toe or sock.
History: During Swann’s junior year I traded a well known break-dancer shoes. He really wanted these shoes and I had no idea why he wanted to trade, but we did. Swann continued to use these shoes for break dancing and eventually messed them up even more. In 8th grade Swann needed a new pair of shoes. He still thanks his grandma for buying his shoes. for that; she’s one of the reasons why he still buys expensive shoes.
AUTHENTIC FITTED CAPS Price: $39.95 Size: 7 5/8 They are all priced at $39.95 and there’s a hat for every baseball team. All Authentic fitted caps are the same color design worn by the NBL teams History: These are very popular. Darren Briggs has collected about 5. It could be your hometown favorite, your mom’s favorite, or your cousins. They have it all, and they have a size that fit every head shape. You can wear it backwards, forward, to the side, it doesn’t matter Briggs finds the style of hats very fond to his swag.
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] TINA STIGGER
QUINCEANERA BOUQUET AND TIARA Price: $170 Size: 13 x 12 inches Bouquets and a tiara are part of a traditional party when a young Latin girl turns fifteen. Escorted by fourteen guys or girls, each of whom represents one year of her age, she partakes in a morning ceremony where a preacher speaks about the Quinceanera tradition. History: Angelica Nicolas had her quince on April 24, 2010. Seeing these things brings her back to that day. It was stressful and expensive but in the end it was worth it. “I remember all the planning, the stressful days, and all the dedication my parents put into this day. The thing that I always remember is when I entered inside the church and seeing the guest’s reactions when I entered,”Nicolas said.
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Tina was always annoying. We loved her annoyingness. She knew now to spice up a conversation and turn nothing into something. She spent the beginning of her life admiring the beautiful but not beautiful palm trees in California. She marched down streets with her Seattle drill team uniform. You would have called her weird and strange and most of the time she had an attitude that couldn’t be tamed. Her favorite place to sleep was anywhere caged in. The only way she could fall asleep is with an ipod in her ears. In the morning she would be all tangled in her headphones. She hated sleeping in clothes and she had to have the fan on, even if she was cold. She loved writing in pen. Life didn’t let her erase mistakes. When she was 20 she became a billionaire. She drove down the street just handing out money. When she hit 40 she still had more than enough to bear. So when 60 came, she stored it up and put everyone in the family’s name on it. At 70 she was like Hugh Hefner. Her vocals never weakened and she was still always singing. Can you believe she was still on 106&park at the age of 90?
KHEN UNTALAN
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Khen was a funny, sarcastic jerk. He made fun of people, but those people he made fun of would laugh too because what he said was too funny not to laugh at. Khen was a huge flirt. He used to flirt a lot because he thought if he didn’t then it would have been boring for him and the girl. He actually proved it too. The girls that he used to talk to him a lot, felt weird when he was being nice they didn’t know if he was being sarcastic or not when he said good things about them. He finally started a family when he was 30, and his wife was gorgeous. Even though he was 75 he still looked like he was 50 and played video games and use to try to get on with girls with his teenage grandchildren.
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33 34 35 36 37 38 It was dark and gloomy outside; I could hear the wind howl from Chessy’s room as I sat uncomfortably on her queen size bunk bed. Her mom, Connie Jourdan, sat on the maple floor, and told us about her love, whom she met 22 years ago in the school’s first floor hallway. “He would always wear his Renton letterman jacket with his baby blue Converse. I thought he was cute, but too short for me. He followed me everywhere,” Jourdan said. Her best friend Jen Hanson set them up. “Jen’s high school boyfriend was good friends with Roy. They set up a blind date at the golf course. Roy liked me and I knew it so I gave it a shot,” Jourdan said. Soon they were wrapped in each others’ arms. After football games they would go to Shakey’s Pizza Place with friends and play games at the arcade. “Those were some good times,” Jourdan said lying down on Chessy’s bed. After high school Roy joined the military. The two got married in their early twenties. Then moved to North Carolina with their first child Khristian; soon, two more additions came along: Alex and Chessy. Then they moved back to Renton to raise the family. It took two and a half hours to tell twenty-two years of their love story. Maybe one day, I’ll have my own fairy tale. [Jamaica Atal]
Meeka Gadson (’89, ‘90) put the principals’ car on the roof of the school. “The principal drove a VW bug and parked right outside the back gym. We all knew that he got to school super early so we got all of the football players, weightlifters, a few of the shop guys, and a few teachers to help,” Gadson said. “We rigged a pulley system and pulled the bug up to the roof of the gym.” Gadson would not name the teachers because they still teach. “We went to school like nothing happened and when it was time for him to go to lunch he couldn’t find his car,” Gadson continued. “By the time 6th period came around, he announced that he’d found his car on the roof and wanted volunteers to get it down for ‘extra credit’. Finally he had to hire a crew with a crane to get it down because no one needed extra credit.” [Rochelle Mascey]
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I’m looking at a black and white picture of the Cross Country team from 2000. Lance Winmill is head coach for the first year, Jen O’Roarty the assistant coach. Adam Schug, Joe Daulson, Dain Steven, Paul Martin and Josh Willicke placed first in the league meet for the boy’s team that year. The picture is in the front of the school. There are twenty-four people wearing Cross Country warm-up jackets and race outfits. A few people mug the camera, but the rest smile naturally. The athletes are in a variety of sitting and standing postures: Some sit on the railing, some sit on the stairs, some have their hands in their pockets, some cross their arms. The sky looks grayish, the weather decent enough to go outside. There’s one guy sitting in the middle, legs oddly spread wide apart. That year the team placed 1st in the league meet. [Thien Doan]
Twenty-six year old Robert Villalobos (’02) has lived in Renton his whole life. “Back then I remember growing up the only Filipino in my elementary school. I was kind of uncomfortable. I didn’t think people really knew what and who Filipinos are. When my friends asked me what I was and I’d tell them they’d be like, ‘What?’ Most of my friends were either Black or white. If you asked where the Philippines were [located] they wouldn’t know.” Villalobos explained how, in a way, he denied his own heritage. “They usually asked if Filipino is some sort of Mexican. Rather than explaining myself I’d just be like ‘Yeah, that’s basically it.’” Things changed when he went to middle school. “At Nelson, there were a lot more Filipinos there so I felt more comfortable saying what my heritage was since people were more aware,” he explained, nodding his head. “That’s when I really felt more comfortable.” [Remica Dela Cruz]
About 60 yards from my house there used to be a preschool. My grandma would walk me there and back every day, holding my hand. My first day there, I cried. I played baseball in the field. I gave my first performance on its’ stage. In that school, I had my very first crush. I played “house” in the yard. I was always Mommy. Thompson Preschool, now torn down, holds many memories for me. All the laughs, games, friends: gone. What stands in its place? The Renton School District Facility Center. [Yva Ladera]
The Boeing Company is the biggest airplane company in the world and it all started with a passion for flight. William Edward Boeing started flying as a hobby during his teen years. He attended Yale aeronautical program where he decided he wanted to start a business constructing planes. He began by hiring two men, Philip G. Johnson and Claire L. Egtvedt, both fresh from college. Slowly the company built a good reputation, increased worker size, and got the attention of the American government. The government gave them contracts to make planes and boats for World War II because they were one of the first plane manufacturers. Soon the company grew to 800 employees and became the biggest airplane company in the world. The rest is history. [Joey Nguyen]
PAIR OF NFL GLOVES Price: $49.00 Size: Unisex L/XL This pair of NFL gloves from 2010 with original black rubber plastic with sticky grips has a neoprene wrist closure for a secure fit. Non-slip, dry when wet Griptonite. History: Bryan Diaz the owner of the NFL gloves, got them for a gift during football season in early Oct. from his coach Donald Ponds. His coach got the gloves as a part of a donation from the Seattle Seahawks and passed them down to plays on the football team.
Renton Uwajimaya. Fortune cookie. Keep up the good work; you will be rewarded next year. [Katherine Calimlim]
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THIRTEEN DIFFERENT RUBBER DUCKS Price: $0.80 per duck at a party store Measurements: Diameters vary between 1.5 and 1.75 inches In 2001 a popular British tabloid newspaper reported that Queen Elizabeth II had a rubber duck that wore an inflatable crown in her bathroom. The story prompted sales of rubber ducks in the United Kingdom to increase by 80% for a short period. The Guinness World Record for World’s Largest Rubber Duck Collection numbered 2,587 unique rubber ducks in 2006.
History: Katie Reynolds was a member of Renton Youth Symphony Orchestra. Sometimes one of the volunteers would bring gift bags to celebrate different holidays. In many of the bags were different kinds of rubber ducks. Reynolds and her friend started a small collection.
STUFFED MONKEY-BEAR Price: $12.98 Measurements: 6.8 x 4.2 inches The outside is 45% beige and brown plush, and the inside is 55% polyester fibers. Brown plastic buttons replace the eyes. This monkey-bear contains loose threads. History: This item was found by Mona Orejudos after watching Where the Wild Things Are! at the Columbia movie theatre in Seattle, Washington, “I want it!” she screamed. “Take it, we’ll wash it at home,” her sister Sigrid Santos said. Orejudos was very anxious to get home.
TEDDY BEAR Price: $20-$30 Measurements: 6 ¼ x 11 x 10 ¾inches It’s stuffed with polyester, today’s most common choice of bear stuffing. America, Britain, and Germany all lay claim to inventing the teddy bear. History: Queenelle Gazmen’s brother, Gerald Gazmen, couldn’t bare to give up his bear when his parents told the two they were moving to Seattle in June 2005. They were selling most of their belongings and the bear was one they wanted to get rid of. With guilt written on their faces, the Gazmen parents decided to let their son keep his favorite stuffed animal.
PENCIL POUCHES Price: $60 Measurements: 3.5 x 8.5 - 12 x 2 inches All created in some part of Asia, ranging in different fabrics and designs. History: Mindy Saeteurn, owner of five different pencil pouches collected these since her 7th grade year at Dimmitt Middle School. Every year she would get a new one because she liked the look and it was easy for her to carry them around. It was the easiest way to store the things she needed for school without crowding her backpack.
BATMAN DOLL Price: $15 Measurements: 7 inches x 3 inches Made in China with 100% cotton. History: Gary Nguyen received this Batman plushy on Feb 6, 2009 the day before his birthday, from a special someone. Nguyen always loved Batman, his favorite superhero of all time.The plushy sits on top of his drawer collecting dust. He still looks at it from time to time and starts to reminisce about the day he got the plushy.
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PIGGY BANK Price: $7.00 Size: X 3.7 inches Made of white sand pottery clay, hand painted white and black, and covered with glaze to make it shiny. Cannot fit quarters due to small coin hole.
I watch a woman with sandy blonde hair sit on the stoop of a white front porch. She’s outside for apparently no reason. It’s raining. Maybe she’s waiting for a miracle? Her wide, hazel eyes tell me she’s lonely and wants something, but what? She closes them and smiles at the wind, like a baby dreaming. She begins to write in a black leather journal. She writes and writes until the sun sleeps and the skies stop crying, then sets the book down on her lap and stares at the grey clouds. I want to walk across the street and talk to this mysterious girl. Maybe she needs a friend. She looks bored, I know I am. I go for a walk around Mission Drive, past her house. I can tell from the corner of my eye that she looks at me. The wind whistles and gives me chills up my spine and around my neck. Crossing the street, I turn to give a friendly smile. She ignores it, so I go inside. I take a peek behind the dusty blinds. She stares at me as if she knows I am watching, then also goes inside and shuts the wooden door behind her. [Jamaica Atal]
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Latest iPhone in hand, personal trainer Robert Villalobos describes the husky he had as a child: “My siblings and I had no idea how to take care of it. We were actually pretty scared but it was really sweet when it was a puppy.” The grey and white husky was a gift from Villalobos’ mom’s co-worker, who gave it to the family for free. It was just four months old when it came home. However, once Rocky began growing larger the family decided to chain the dog in their backyard. “I think that once we put it in our backyard, that’s when it went downhill. Huskies take a lot of work, exercise and discipline. We didn’t do any of that. “ Left in the backyard by itself, the dog became wild and reckless. “We were really scared of it. It would start barking at us whenever we went to the backyard. Our mom was usually the one who handled it. I remember one time Rocky’s chain broke and it chased Rommel.” A year later the Villalobos family had no other choice but to disown it. “My mom and my brothers ended up chaining it to some tree at Skyway Park and leaving it there. I was too scared to go thinking it might bite me. I felt sad to know we gave away Rocky like that, but I understood. “I know that’s not the best thing to do but it was the best plan we came up with to get rid of that dog. I think if we had Google or something we could’ve researched more on how to take care of the animal or even find a pound.” [Remica Dela Cruz]
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The city is split up into four main parts: The valley in the middle of the city, the Highlands, Skyway (technically in Seattle but near Dimmitt, a Renton school), and the Waterfront just south of Seattle. I live in the Highlands. The housing is good for its age, around 45-50 years old, but there are some nicer houses. Some new apartments are coming in and some new stores. The area around the lake is where the nicest houses are. They people who live in them can get to Seattle quickly; for the rest of us it takes more time. They obviously have an incredible view of Lake Washington as well. The valley of the city seems like it isn’t the best place to live, since the housing is old and cramped together and close to busy, noisy streets. People say Skyway is where all the crime happens. I don’t know for sure. It’s right next to Dimmitt, the middle school I attended. I saw some violence there. It was frustrating. I literally live three blocks from McKnight. [Michael Weaver]
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It’s night out now. Everything is still. Brown leaves wither as fall weather approaches. Everyone clicks their lights off. As I lay in the soft grass, peering upward, I gawk at the clouds drifting by, shielding the moonlight. I smell nothing but fresh air. I see a McDonald’s sign hovering over other buildings. I see a bunch of white lights in the distance. Perhaps ironically, it’s beautiful staring down upon the city lights from a distance. It’s a pleasing sight. [Hamilton Carter]
I’m sitting in my Journalism class. It’s layout night and it’s around 6 o’clock. I’m surrounded by my first period classmates. I hear conversations and music in the background as I’m staring at my computer monitor trying to get my work done. In the class room I can over hear the chatter of panicky, frenetic students. To me, seeing them all push to finish on time shows their dedication to the publication. [Hamilton Carter]
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SAY THIS ABOUT ME
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If I had the chance to move or stay, I would stay here. We have a safe community. In our quiet little city of rain, there aren’t many mansions, mostly just common houses. On a good day, you can’t expect what kind of people you will find traveling the streets. The local shop owners remember your name. Young or old, there is plenty to do for fun and leisure. [Hamilton Carter]
History: This item was hand-made by Mona Orejudos in her ninth grade pottery class. It was her favorite sculpture that she crafted. Orejudos replicated her bank after a popular character, Monokuro boo. “Oh snap! I’m good!” she said.
Ponci Ortiz liked having things in order. When things got hectic, he didn’t like dealing with everything and kind of shut down early in his life. He loved his family although he hated sometimes how they didn’t show. One thing he never tolerated was people hurting his mother. He was a silent man that didn’t like commotion. If something hurt him, he kept it inside and didn’t talk about it. He would’ve loved to talk about it but Nobody aknowledged this. He was a person easily forgotten because he was so quiet. A hard worker when showed up but. He battled demons in his life. None the less a hard worker when he showed up but always battling demons he loved passionately and cared for people, often the young ones in his families. Easy to befriend, he had many friends. He lost many family members too, and grieved in the shadows where no one would ever go. He showed his strength but never revealed his weakness. Through thick and thin, he loved till the end.
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WRESTLING SHIRTS Price: $20.00-$40.00 Size: Small-Medium These shirts all come from little league Washington wrestling tournaments and one high school tournament. Purchased in 2000-2009.
History: Joe Vo received this just for being in the Bobcats soccer team in Federal Way during 2002. It was a rough year. The team lost about every single game and only had 2 ties. All he could say about his team was, “We were filthy…”
History: Everytime Aaron Garcia went to a wrestling tournament, his parents would buy him a shirt if the tournament sold one. Garcia used to get either a shirt, long sleeve, or a hoody, and every once in a while, a hat.
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I was stopped by the most gorgeous view I’ve ever seen: the beautiful sight of the red sun setting on a mountainside. The cool breeze blew on my hot face while drops of sweat fell like raindrops from a glass window. I gazed upon the evergreen trees below me, feeling on top of the world. I felt a lovely feeling of joy, serene nature surrounding me. While I couldn’t see the cars on the Maple Valley Highway below, I could hear them hurrying, the blazing speeds of engines. The sound of the wind tinkled in my ears. The cold clean fresh air filled my lungs. The sun was large, an orange fireball in the distance, yet so big I thought I could almost touch it. The sky was splashed with gentle light: pink, orange, and purple, like sherbet ice cream. Standing there for a moment, I was in heaven. Nowhere, anywhere had ever been so peaceful [Maninder Grewal]
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A town of water and trees. A place where nothing seems to happen. A little suburb that grew into something bigger. A younger sibling overshadowed by her older sister to the north, Seattle. Renton is the place where I grew up. That’s how I describe my hometown. Not large, not small. Trying painfully hard to be trendy. What I’m really saying is that Renton is kind of an angsty town for angsty teens. [Joseph Varnadore]
ULTIMATE FRISBEE DISC Price: $10 Size: 1 x 16 inches Design cannot be found on the market anymore. Used for casual pick up scrimmages. History: At the 2009 Spring Reign tournament, Vanessa Abenojar got a disc of her own. As she played one of her games, she asked her dad while she was on the sideline to buy her a disc because she had no money. Her dad bought it but she didn’t know it, so she bought one herself. “What? I already got you this one!” Abenojar’s dad said, confused. “I didn’t think you’d get me one and I found money in my bag,” Abenojar said. At the end of the day, Abenojar had two Frisbee discs from her first tournament, one with a blue design and one silver.
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The tree on Mission Drive changes moods. I’ve seen the leaves turn green on hot summer days and go naked on winter nights. Today, the leaves are orange, red, yellow, gold and brown. They break off the branch until they gently accompany their companions at the foot of the tree. The air is aggressively cold. I like the sound of the autumn leaves as they crunch and crack beneath me. The leaves whirl and play around me, dancing at my feet. The tree smells like dead flowers. It grew pears earlier this year but even the leaves are gone now. When the cold air turns chilly and winter comes, it will be lonely again. [Jamaica Atal]
BRIAN NGYUEN
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SAY THIS ABOUT ME
Brian Vo had a unique personality. Instead of hanging out after school he would return home and take long naps. He believed in karma and that hard work would prevail. He liked to fly a kite on the beautiful life filled days. He believed in procrastination which he one day learned wasnt worth it. He thought he could turn in a rustled assignment and get a good grade. But now a day they are catching on. So lessoned learned: Put effort into your work. He has brownish highlights for a team thing for wrestling. He still has them on till his last breath.
NHU-SAN NGUYEN
Nhu- San Nguyen wanted to change the world because she believed it was a deep dark place. She tried to laugh and smile a lot to urge the same out of others. But who knew she was hiding a secret of her own? You see, Nhu-san was plagued with no conscience. She rarely thought. Never missed anyone or anything. And didn’t feel really bad when she did something wrong. She put on an act to please the world and convinced herself that she was normal. Later she realized she had to accept herself for who she was because she didn’t want to be a wannabe. Nhu-San had lots of loud opinions she didn’t bother to keep to herself. She tried to make her life worth remembering but it didn’t work so well. She had this crazy personality and loved to sing Disney songs unbashedly. She “loved” many things but never knew when it was the real thing or not, so sometimes she threw away treasures. But she was meant to be who she was and no one was going to stop that.
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Highline and Puyallup were two of the major antagonists when I was in high school. Guys from Highline came over and burned an “H” in the front lawn of Renton, so after a decent interval an “R” was burned in their yard. I don’t know who did that, so I can’t tell you. We had miscellaneous things like that happen. One day me and a fellow named Ron Hudson were wondering what would happen if we pulled the fire alarm, so next thing you know there are fire trucks outside the school. We told the fireman it was an accident. We were trying to set the world record for the return trip from away games… I remember trying to set the record going home from Enumclaw. I had four guys in my car and I passed a group of cars very fast, and the boys in the back seat had the window rolled down waving to all the Renton cars. One of them had the principal, the vice principal, and a student teacher in it. They of course recognized us, so we heard all about that on Monday back at school, and so did our parents.
TROUBLE STORIES
DON CUSTER PROFILE CLASS OF 1953
Renton had very strict rules. We had a play, a script from back East, and some of the plays had been on Broadway, so they would have swear words in them like “God,” all of which were X’d out real quick. We couldn’t have words that were the least bit of color. The rules were murderous. No one could chew gum in the library. The teacher was an expert at knowing if you were chewing gum, especially Ms. Cavaletto.
WHAT RENTON WAS
My best friend was Dick Hicklin who majored in biology at UW. He came back to teach biology at Renton. I met the guy I was friends with longest when I was 4. He lived on the corner of Main and Fourth. His name was Don Emmons. He and I went all through school together. But then there was Gary Kawachi who went to OSU and graduated in horticulture and owns a greenhouse up in Skyway. Gary went to an internment camp during the Second World War. Gary was the only person of Japanese descent in our entire group and I was heartbroken to see him have to leave like that… Gary came back in sixth grade and was accepted right away. That was the great thing about Renton. It was like a melting pot since there was no Hazen or Lindbergh yet. We had Filipino students, Catholic Immigrants, Cambodians, Whites, of course, Welch and Japanese, which was the largest minority group. We never had African-American students though.
FRIENDS I MADE
A LOOK Back
I was in orchestra all 6 years. I was in choir and ensembles and quartets, and all-school shows. I was active in drama and president of Torch Club. I was in the German Club and the Drama Club and I don’t know what all else. I was everywhere I could be. I didn’t get elected student body president. Me and both my
PERSONAL HISTORY
The big dances we had were Prom and Tolo; I believe there wasn’t a single one I didn’t attend. We had a queen and two princesses but no Homecoming king. It’s gotten a lot fancier in the intervening years. They’ve got a lot more extensive Homecoming court, more princesses, etc. We had a band with 75 or more people in it, who were all in uniform, and we had marching programmed at halftime at football games. They would do relatively simple formations compared to UW, but at every game we had a program. They were a good band, outstanding at contests all the years I was there. My brother was quarterback on the football team for a couple of years but he was also first trombone. The pep band at basketball games played pop songs, big band era stuff. That was one of the joys. We had an outstanding band regularly, and we usually had a pretty good orchestra with full strings and brass. We had an all girls’ Glee Club and the A Cappella choir. We had a quartet of which I was a number, and mixed ensemble, and all that kind of stuff. Every class had some pretty good singers. It was tough to get a good bass in high school. But we had a pretty good program.
I am still very in love with Renton and am proud of what the school has become. Some of my other peers might despise what Renton has become and think some of the students are hoodlums, but most of them are from a different time and place. There are those of us who are proud though, so pay no mind to those whose minds are stuck in the past.
MY LIFE NOW
brothers ran for president but none of us won. I was voted Most Likely to Succeed, though. I dated as much as I could, almost every weekend. I was on city council when I was 24 and then three years later ran for mayor. It was a very exciting time to be mayor, and being a young mayor I was willing to do things that older, wiser heads wouldn’t have done. When I was doing my term, we re-named and re-numbered most of the streets in Renton. It was a big upheaval; everybody had to put new numbers on their businesses and houses. Then I got rid of all the illegal gambling in town, which is a whole other story. We had to wipe out pull tabs and punchboards and pinballs because they were illegal under the state constitution.
INTERVIEW BY IRENE MULLER CLASS OF 2011
SHERI NELSON CLASS OF 1980
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I was a cheerleader, selected Top of the Tribe, student government, Girls Club, and a gymnast. After graduation, I went to UW, got married, and have been a flight attendant for 25 years. I thought it was something fun to try and it turned out I love my job. I meet a lot of celebrities on flights, like Tipper George, OJ Ronald, Patty Smith, The Temptations, Bob Hope, Tim Scarlet, and a few rock bands. [Interview by Thao Nguyen, Class of 2010]
MARSHALL BIGELOW CLASS OF 2009
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I’ve been playing the trombone since the sixth grade, and I like to play it with large, talented groups. After graduation I continued participating in All-City bands, bands focused on marching during the summer formed by students from public schools in the greater Seattle area directed by Marcus Pimpleton. We performed in many parades including the Torchlight Parade, Filipino Festival, Magnolia, West Seattle, Chinatown, Penticton and many more. My highlight would be marching 3.1 miles at the Torchlight Parade. After that parade about ten to fifteen band members stopped by Denny’s for an after parade dinner. [Interview by Julian Staples, Class of 2009]
TED BUI CLASS OF 2009
KIMBERLY SEARING CLASS OF 1978
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LEANN YIN CLASS OF 2003
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I was Secretary for DECA, FBLA, Asian Students Association, and in A Cappella for all four years. My parents were overprotective of me. I wanted to play tennis junior year, but my parents thought I would break my leg. How would I break my leg playing tennis? We also got a new principal one year, and she tried to take out all the classes that attempted to challenge students. My cousins who were also going there ended up switching schools. [Interview by Alyssa Antonio, Class of 2012]
BOB HOLT CLASS OF 1965
I worked as a Kent officer, starting as a patrol officer like everyone else. After I graduated from the academy, I became member of the S.W.A.T. Team. I was also a detective and worked in the narcotics division and homicide, robberies, things like that. I was also a patrol sergeant and later promoted to patrol lieutenant. Going through the front door of a house and knowing that a criminal is on the other side is deemed “most adrenaline pumping.” I was always the first person to rush in the house and my partner was right behind me. There was this particular incident where a man had abducted a toddler and was holding her hostage while firing at us. In the moment, it wasn’t frightful but more just taking care of business. For me, it is easier to forgive. All humans make mistakes.
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SANG NGUYEN CLASS OF 2003
SPENCER ECHON CLASS OF 2009
The first time I would forgive them. The second time, I might be more It’s all thanks to Ms. Nadaeu; she was the one who pushed me into reluctant to forgive you because we discussed it and you did it again.This becoming a leader. says to me that you obviously don’t care so I might withhold my mercy. When you become a leader, you get responsibilities. It sucks but there’s no [Interview by Shaheed Rashid, Class of 2012] way around it. From there, it’s self-learning. If you want to be successful you start preparing, and to do that organizing your work makes things easier. Also, Asian parents are strict so I am forced to be organized. From being High school really doesn’t seem that great until you leave it, and now a leader, you are presented with hardships and expectations. At times, you feel like quitting, but for me I don’t like disappointing those who depend on that I think about it I was really having fun. My sophomore year, I really messed up my GPA. We recently got our me, so I don’t give up. licenses so we were free; we didn’t care about class because they were all [interviewed by Karyn Johnson, Class of 2011 boring. I would probably skip 3 classes every other day. The teachers really didn’t care, so I didn’t either. As soon as the sophomore year ended, I regretted everything so much. I only noticed the side effects of skipping until it was too late. Those trips to Jack in the Box and the 3 hour lunches weren’t worth the failed classes. Some things I realized are that there are so many people out there, and it’s really a competitive world. In college there are thousands of students competing against you. Radiology is what I want to do now because I just want to start from scratch, and perfect everything from the beginning. I realized I wasn’t a little kid anymore. I’ll try again in another profession, and try even harder. What I learned was that you can’t really take the easy way out without thinking of the consequences. [Interview by Anthony Saelee, Class of 2010]
My parents were divorced when I was thirteen due to my dad being an alcoholic. Back then there were very few of my friends that had divorced parents, so it was kind of weird. I was fortunate that my mother worked extremely hard at a flower shop. We had good family surrounding us. We always felt cared for and loved. He was never abusive, just not responsible. Through the years, he would “show up” at my athletic events. It would be embarrassing but my mother always told us that “what your father does has no reflection on you.” He was loving, just had a drinking problem that cost him his family, his job and ultimately his life at the age of 42. My dad was in was in Las Vegas and there was a bar room brawl where he was knocked down. He hit his head and that was it. One of those horrible phone calls in the middle of the night. On March 1 of my senior year at RHS, I no longer had a father. I felt empty but I never felt alone. At least he is now in a good place and I know with all my heart how much he loved me and was proud of me. I always know he is watching over me. My biggest disappointment is he didn’t get to meet our son George who is named after him. [Interview by Rochelle Mascey, Class of 2012]
GEORGE FRAISER CLASS OF 1980
STEVEN HOLT CLASS OF 1980
AUSTIN WHEELER CLASS OF 1962
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During my junior and senior year at RHS, the swim team was undefeated in dual meets and league. We went to regionals my senior year and placed at state as a team. If I recall correctly, Brad Belmondo won the 100 fly. The 1980’s 200 Medley relay team, which I was a member of, still has the record. Also, I was captain of the swim team my senior year. I went on to swim for Washington State University and earned a varsity letter there as well. [Interview by Farid Ahmach, Class of 2012]
We had dances in the cafeteria almost every Friday. One of our big dances was Prom. We had our dance in the cafeteria with a live band. We had dinner downtown. A few kids passed away when I went to RHS. If you go by the gym and the cafeteria, their names should be marked on the wall. I loved the senior trip. We took this bus to Snoqualmie Pass up to the cabin to see a live band. After that, there was this casino-like place where we got fake money. We were able spend our fake money on prizes and stuff. For senior Prom, we took a cruise to Bainbridge Island and had our dance. We then took the boat back to Seattle and were served eggs and pancakes for breakfast. [Interview by Kaniesha Bray, Class of 2010]
Our classes started at 8 a.m and ended at 3:15. I had work in between lunch. Then I would go to work at my part time job. My best friend and I worked at the PMR Sales Market in the Highlands and had paper routes for the Seattle PI. I was the best man at his wedding and we recently went on a cruise together. I am part of the Friends of Renton High School group. We do tailgate parties, Homecoming games and dances. There were probably five Black and five Asian families when I went to Renton. It was pretty much all white and it was the only school. Whites are no longer the majority. It is good that the school looks like a community. Girls wore dresses or skirts below their knees. Boys wore jeans and slacks. On Fridays, the boys wore red ties and white shirts to promote pride. [Interview by Ciahra Frank, Class of 2010]
ROXANNA JOHNSON CLASS OF 1980
My sister (Kathy Fox, Hazen Grad), and sister-in-law (Dalene Johnson, Hazen Grad), were both pregnant with my niece and nephew during my senior year. In November 1979, our neice was born and Principal Malnati announced to the school a little girl was born. Then in January 1980, I remember sitting in typing class, with my brother Mike (who was a much better typist than I), when the principal announced “Congrats to Roxy and Mike. It’s a boy!” The whole class erupted in cheers. I’m not sure what we were thinking, but my brother and I hopped in the car and drove straight to the hospital without asking anyone. When we got back to school we walked in and the Principal Malnati was standing there waiting for us. Without saying anything, he directed us to his office. The whole time he was lecturing us, I was looking down. Out of nowhere, Mike kicks me and I looked up to see the principal winking at us. [Interview by Christina Fisher, Class of 2010]
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NIKE SOCCER CLEATS Price: $237.99 Size: 10 x 11 ½ x 5 ½ x 4 inches The pair of Nike Vapor Mercurial cleats from 2010 has original extra lightweight boot with a synthetic upper that conforms to feet for a snug, yet supportive fit. History: Bryan Diaz, the owner of the Soccer Nike Vapor Mercurial cleats, bought the shoes when his team went into the state finals on Sept., 23, 2008. He played for Coach Mike Andrews. Excited at winning state, Diaz said that “It would be another memory in life.”
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There are dark red blood stains behind the trailer in the driveway, memories of last month’s moose. The dark splotches on the concrete tease the starving crows and illtrained coonhounds who take up residence outside 7431 South 116th Pl., Renton, Wash. [Hayley Brunk]
I’m looking at a set of six small milk bottles and a metal milk flask for transporting the milk. The objects appear ancient. The flask seems unsanitary. I suppose at that time if the owners weren’t home, the bottles would be subjected to the licks of rats, chews of dogs, scratches of cats, crawls of cockroaches. And yet, it was probably fresher and purer than the milk we drink today. The inside of the flask contained content that eased hunger and provided nutrients for families. The flask is made of steel and the bottles are supported by a wire-framed bottle carrier. You can only imagine the pure white pear of milk that would sift back and forth in each bottle. Packed together like sardines in their sturdy steel holders, the bottles moves from one selected home to another. [Hung Lu]
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The freeway on the way to Renton is wild. Teens don’t follow the speed limit, bus lanes are crowded, and we get cut off a couple times too. Just trying to make it home, people. Calm yourself. It’s pouring, and the bus windows are open because it’s so hot in here. Everyone contributes to the foggy windows. I’ve never experienced anything worse then being stuck in freeway traffic. People in the back are loud and disruptive as I try to stay focused. We haven’t moved in over 5 minutes. It better be a good reason, like an accident. I see the kids in the car next to me pointing and laughing at someone dancing in the back of the bus. The person sitting next to me doesn’t have a pleasant smell! He wears a torn red jacket and patched up jeans. Oh, I wish I could be home. [Hamilton Carter]
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Usually when people sleep outside in the city, they’re homeless. This guy must be homeless. He’s under the second bridge down from the back of the public library, off to the side, out of the walkway. That green wool blanket actually looks warm. A poop brown beanie is thrown over his messy, dark curls. He fidgets often. He seems agitated. Perhaps a response to the frequent yelps from grandmas with canes and toddlers on tri-cycles? He’s packing up now, stuffing his belongings in a navy blue hikers pack. [Shaheed Rashid]
MARINER’S BASEBALL Price: $10-30 Size: 8 x 8 inches Autographed by Dan Wilson. Regular MLB sized baseball. From the 2002 Mariner’s baseball season. History: This ball was from Hamilton Carter’s first Mariner’s baseball game. His grandfather took him to this game and Hamilton begged for him to purchase the ball he wanted.
RUBBER BALL Price: $7.00 Size: 10 x 10 inches Made in Taiwan, orange. Material is made of 2-ply rubber. History: “Happy 6th birthday, Gary Nguyen!” Nguyen sat at the dinner table with frosting all over his mouth. Nguyen’s dad came back and set up a 5 foot hoop. Since it was his first time ever seeing anything like a basketball hoop, he was scared to get near it. Nguyen’s dad pulled out a little ball and rolled it to Nguyen. He picked it up and fell in love. He made his first basket ever that night. To this day, he still has it and still goes for a shoot around his hamper on laundry night.
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NINTENDO DS Price: $130.00 Size: 2.9 x 5.2 x 0.85 inches Released March 2, 2006. History: Everywhere Aaron Garcia went, his Nintendo DS went with him. It got rid of the emptiness when he got bored. This was a life saver when it came to long trips.
GAMEBOY WITH POKEMON CRYSTAL VERSION: Price: $19.49 - $244.95 Size: 3 x 5 1/3 inches Crystal Version: $14.99 Size: 2 1/3 x 2 ½ inches Released October 21, 1998. History: This is the first handheld system Mark Mariano received for a birthday present from his dad.Mariano cherished this game so much he kept it way after the game and the system were outdated.
ROCK BAND 2 Price: $59.99 Size: 5.25 x 7.5 inches Released Sept. 14, 2008. History: Gabriel Dominguez was the greatest Rock Band player ever. Being the best, he always got every game as soon as it came out. Losing touch of the timing windows and chart patterns of the game sometimes affected his ability to play.
XBOX CONTROLLER Price: $28.00 Size: 7.2 x 6.2 x 1.2 inches Released November 22, 2005. History: Olivia Fry never let a guy tell her she couldn’t play video games. In fact, her first weapon of mass destruction was an Xbox controller. She set out on her epic journey to show everyone that girls and guys are equal in the world of gaming.
PSP 3000 Price: $149.99 Size: 6.5 x 2.75 inches Released March 4, 2005. History: Tristan Cawagas bought a total of three PSPs in his whole life. The PSP pictured here is the third, played so often it eventually broke.The games don’t work, but all other functions work perfectly.
NBA 2K10 Price: $20 Size: 191.6 x 136.4 x 14.5 mm Released Oct. 6, 2009. History: The 2K series has long been Gary Nguyen’s favorite video game series. This 10th anniversary game is more special than the rest. Black Mamba, Nguyen’s favorite athlete ever, is pictured on the cover.
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GREGORI ROSAS Gregori Rosas was a somewhat lazy person, but did the necessary work for almost anything. This small-eyed fellow lived life like a monkey climbing all around the jungle, but at the end of the day he always came back home. He believed that nothing is ever fully completed and that nothing in this life lasts forever. He always had this composition notebook where he wrote poems, quotes and other poetic thoughts on paper. It wasn’t even half full, but at least there’s some writing in it. If a song he knew the lyrics to started playing he would sing, rap or hum along, although it did get irritating. In his middle-high school years he always did something with his hair, hide it under a hat or style it with gel. He didn’t know it at the time, but years later he would lose his hair faster and earlier than the average man from all those chemicals in the gel. Sometimes being nice and sometimes being mean made him normal in a way, but his wife loved that. He loved her and she loved him, both for eternity , even if one has now passed on. In his early 70s he started having heart trouble due to stress and age, and it eventually led to his heart failure.
They stand like two twins, inseparable. They mimic each other like mirrors. As they grow older, their skin hardens. Each year they drop hair-like needles from their branches, go bald, then grow more hair. It’s a race neither can lose but both want to win. They talk in a way we can’t understand. In the wind, they swing and sway like pendulums. They talk about the pains of becoming larger, of animals gnawing at their skin, of limbs breaking off under the weight of heavy snow. They talk about people they’ve seen and not seen, families and lovers, fighters and kids. Most of all, they talk about the people who have felt some kind of satisfaction while sitting under them. [Joseph Varnadore]
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Not just a tree, a home to birds, insects, etc. I’ve known it since I was a child. It’s extremely large. Seriously, it’s so big I could compare it to a building. Every day I look at that tree, and it makes me acknowledge how old it is, how much history it has gone through. As it grows, it sees more of Renton. If it could talk, it would tell me billions of stories. Maybe it would tell me what my neighborhood was like before I was here. I’d love to know! Sadly, the tree is now in bits and pieces. Billions of stories I’ll never be able to hear. [Crissabeth Santos]
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I used to play in my yard a few blocks from Talbot Hill Elementary School. There used to be a tree that had omenlike magenta colored leaves, branches like black serpents and a trunk that smelled like calamity. It took away my happiness and gave me nightmares. I hated it. At 13 my father hewed it down, mentioning ever so frequently how it stood out. I never got another dream about it. No more unexplainable expectations or mysticism, just a stump for serenity. [Tyler Yorita]
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There are two pines on Spear Avenue. The left pine is chubbier than the right pine. It stands steadily over Mr. K’s house, shadowing the whole house as it sways. God, the trees are greeting you. Yeah, we’re greeting you. How the cloudy sky today brings your tears down. How come? Maybe you’re hiding something from us. I know you’re busy and you cannot answer me. In my own eyes, you’re God. Way high in the sky. [Hung Lu] The quietness in my neighborhood is like a baby getting its purple binky stuffed in its mouth. There are hardly any vehicles. There is a freakishly large tree, standing almost too proudly. I can almost imagine its arms crossed, grinning like a preschooler who just successfully used the bathroom without having an accident on himself. As the elementary students wait for their school bus to arrive, they look at the tree like a super-hero, like it is the superman of trees. They look at it with hope, as if doubling up on Dale fruit cocktail cups and peanut butter celery sticks might make them powerful and large, maybe even large enough to over tower the large landmark. [Rochelle Mascey]
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ROCHELLE MASCEY
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Rochelle Mascey never liked being considered mediocre. She always liked excelling in everything she did. Whether it was school, work or sports, she always put her best effort forward. As a teenager she would sometimes procrastinate, but she stopped this habit when she reached adulthood. She worked as a successful lawyer at an exquisite law firm. In her spare time she would people watch, work out and write random poetry pieces. The sky certainly was the limit for her and she knew that with God, everything was possible. Everyone she knew thought she was a diligent worker and loved being around her. She was very good at comforting her friends and giving them advice and was a great person overall. All of her friends thought of her as a great counselor and was glad to have someone like her around. Independence was very important to her. She hated not being able to do things on her own, though when she did get help she was very appreciative. She was a very humble person and didn’t take anything she had for granted, knowing it could be gone in the snap of a finger. If you didn’t get to know Rochelle, you missed out on an interesting human being. She was weird at times, but at other times very normal. She always liked to meet new people and was extremely friendly, even to people she didn’t know.
I look up but my vision is blocked by a tree, a behemoth maple tree. Its chubby arms sway with elegance. The sun glistens, breaking the clouds. Still, the light bleeds through scratched leaves, naked wounds. My driveway is illuminated with playful spots. It is home to a squirrel who scavenges nuts and acorns to satisfy its inevitable growl. After all There’s a statue I pass by every time I go to the public these years, the tree stands nearly alone. Perhaps library. It’s a bronze boy sitting on an ottoman reading a book. other than the squirrel, it will be alone forever. It makes sense since the library is the keeper of books. [Bobby Tat] I’ve seen that statue ever since my family first moved here. I found it so fascinating. Now it’s a weekly sight for me. It’s called “Homework Comes First” by M. Pettigrew, Staring out the window of my classroom, I notice done in 2002. the strong overgrown trees shadowing the new apartment The boy looks very engrossed in his hardback. The pages are complex for homeless veterans. I remember how as a wordless. He looks about nine years old. It’s good to know he’d rather read freshman all I saw was an empty lot, a chain-link fence, and than play. His mitt and baseball lay forgotten at his side. signs all over. A construction company’s name in bold blue When I first saw him, the first thing I did was look at what he was looking at. I wanted letters. to see if we had similar tastes in literature. Five years later and he’s still finishing the same I remember walking past it with my friend during lunch, page. wondering what could be built in such a barren looking area. One time, there was graffiti in the book. It was the kind you couldn’t read, wasted time To me it was like Area 51, the untouchable zone everyone’s trying to decode. After that, they moved the statue inside the library in the children’s section curious about but few dare to enter. Now, looking on that building a year later, for a few months. I can see strength in it, a radiant blade of hope for our city’s heroes. It looks solid. It has Kids who pass by the statue sit on whatever room remains on the ottoman, or on the sharp features. The few windows and doors seem to say, “Stay out, not yet.” I feel the urge boys’ shoulders or head. They take a peek inside the book, look disappointed, and continue on to go and explore, but something (probably common sense) keeps me back. When the their path. building is ready I will be welcomed, but until then I’ll wait and watch for my opportunity. Teenagers don’t even notice it’s there. Adults brush past the statue without a falter in [Sonam Lal] their step. Readers appreciate its existence. The boy is too busy reading to notice. [Queenelle Gazmen]
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HOOP EARINGS Price: $20 Size: All sorts of sizes from ½ - 1 ½ inches Some are made of metal, some are not. Some haven’t been worn for years. History: Vanessa Abenojar really likes hoop earrings because they’re cheap and simple. She doesn’t wear them often because of her daily activities. She shares earrings with her mom but she still has lots of her own too.
SPIN CAP Price: $15 Size: 8 x 10 inches Break dancers use these hats when they do moves on their heads. There’s the usual beanie material with a tougher material on the part where the head makes contact with the floor during head spins. History: During a break dance session at Harambee a male by the name of Random One was selling hats like this 2 for $15. Abenojar got excited because she wanted a spin cap really bad in fear she may one day go bald from doing head spins. She bought two. “Ate, can I have one?”Abenojar’s little brother asked. “Learn how to stand on your head first,” Abenojar jokingly told her brother.
FEDORA Price: $7.00 Size: 11 x 9 inches, and 5 feet tall When music icons like Michael Jackson and Britney Spears started to wear the Fedora hats, they became popular among youth. This particular fedora is 90% polyester, 10% wool. History: Queenelle Gazmen donned the stylish fedora to complete her outfit of an argyle cardigan and dress pants the day after she bought it. She was proud only few females dared to wear the chic hat in school. There was no way Gazmen was going to fit into the crowd’s style of windbreaker jackets and basketball shoes.
NERD GLASSES Price: $9.99 Size: 6 x 3 inches This one pair of Nerd glasses are fake prescription glasses with black frames and clear lenses. The lenses are fake and do not harm eyesight. The black frames are plastic. Original design by Rayban. History: Bryan Diaz, got the glasses at Hollywood Studios while watching the Dr. Pepper commercial being shot. The Plastic black frame wasn’t harmful, perfect fit.
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Wait. / Stop. / Stand still. / Take a breath. / Yes, in the rain. / The rain keeps me sane. [Hayley Brunk]
I’m walking down this lonely street, raindrops plopping on my head. I’m trying to figure out what to do. Kick it at the skate park? The library? Or go down this street on a relaxing walk. I see busses leaving the transit center with empty faces. The women and men on the busses are trying to make it home safely. I know that feeling. Yet here I am all alone trying to figure out what one can do when they’re bored in the city without a friend in sight. [Hamilton Carter]
Pick a raindrop at the top of the windowsill. When it splashes at the bottom, you earn one point. Pick another one. Continue.The first person to twenty wins. I’ve been playing this game for years. Living in a rainy city has allowed me to perfect my strategy. Now I’m a champion. Thank you, falling water. [Queenelle Gazmen]
History: Vanessa Abenojar and her boyfriend, Anthony Farin, sat on a bench at South Center Mall. He put a necklace around her neck. A girl came up and hugged him. A not so romantic moment, alright, but romance wasn’t really Abenojar’s thing and she didn’t care who hugged her boyfriend as long as they didn’t treat her like she wasn’t there. The girl said Hi and she earned some cool points. Abenojar touched her necklace as the girl walked away.
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Deyche Heidelberg sang like an angel drifting down to earth with a spotlight on its face. She lived so freely and enjoyed life. Kind of like when you go to the store because you finally got money to spend on some Safeway barnd snacks, and still use your club card to get the discount. Like going home and popping in the movie “The Hangover,” then slugging on the couch in the living room. Or trying to run the mile on Thursday for P.E. and happily quitting after the first lap because some points are better than none. (Which she would often do.)
] WILL CRIM
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A forsaken bouquet of claret roses, shrouded in faded perfume, wither away on a Safeway countertop. Brilliant red petals furl and darken at the edges, brilliantly contrasting with the beige counter. Left behind by a wife, a husband, a father, a grandfather, a mother, a daughter, a son, a grandmother, and hidden by a neon sign, box of latex gloves and an empty candy jar. [Hayley Brunk]
History: Angelica Nicolas was never a fan of Hollister until her mom got her to shop there; she was fascinated with the store and collected every bag she ever got. “If you’re going to Hollister then at least don’t buy too many things,” her mom said. “Okay,” Nicolas replied. “Will you stop bugging me then?”
BUTTERFLY NECKLACE Price: $6 Size: ½ x 14 inches A crystal shaped like a butterfly bought in a two for $10 deal.
DEYCHE HIEDELBERG
The bags for Hollister, a chain store founded in California in 1922, are usually made of recycled materials. Images on the bags change according to holidays.
Will Crim: father, husband, avid Saints fan, part-time firefighter / SWAT member and, of course, the strongest 87 year-old man in the known history of the world. (He would want us all to know that.) As a teen, he was the probably the smartest laziest person you could ever hope to meet. He made it to the NFL after attending Miami University as a middle linebacker / pointer. After realizing he was too good for the NFL, he retired to the SWAT. He had always said SWAT had all the fun of being a cop – but you only had to do the interesting things, like being slain at the ripe old age of 87 in a Matrix-style gunfight. He’d have it no other way.
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DOUGHNUT Price: .70 cents Size: 5½ inches The doughnut is one of the many foods eaten at breakfast. National Doughnut Day is June 23.
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History: 2011 was filled with a lot of food. Many people ate doughnuts and coffee on their way to work. Owner Aaron Garcia only ate doughnuts on weekends because throughout the week he got in shape for wrestling. The doughnuts were his secret.
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You would enter a quiet, dark room and then when Odalis would walk in it would break the silence and it’d be like a glow/shine was added to the room. She was a star. Her heart was broken back when she was 17 but she found her true love, and he loved her and treated her like a queen. She made her daughter her world. She was always willing to go out of her way to help others even if it meant climbing the highest mountain or jumping into the deepest coldest lake. Ever seen a super hyper pit bull? That was her 24/7. Like a parrot, she could never shut up. “Poly wanna cracker?”
Jennifer Vu never seemed to let any situation get to her head. She was easily amused, had a terrible fear of butterflies, and couldn’t walk in a straight line. She confused people. She was smart but lacked common sense. From shampoo bottle labels to dictionaries to books, she really just read everything she could see. Forever lazy, she never brushed her hair, until she had to start dressing up at her job. She was always late. She was always interrupting. It made you stop talking to her but you didn’t because you wanted to know what she was going to say. Back in high school, she was a clumsy cheerleader who fell going up the stairs, made fun of many people who looked like animals, and complained about people walking too slow in the hallway. She’s frustrating but at the same time she knew how to be charming and kind at the right times.
65 66 67 Garbage floods our streets and seagulls pick it up in their beaks and eventually get sick. Bacteria linger in their tracheas and cause threatening reactions in their throats. Humans peer with vigilance into the birds’ desolate eyes, asking for answers. We have forgotten about the world. The given land is wondrous, with so much to offer. We take it for ourselves, for nourishment and greed. Perhaps we are supposed to take what we want and throw our scraps to the streets for someone else to choke on our sociable manners. [Malerie Mar]
I don’t notice anything but a dead seagull behind Fred Meyer. Eyes closed shut, wings crooked in an uncomfortable angle, yellow beak slightly open – as if it is smiling at me. Every day it vanishes more. Now when I walk by it I no longer see a smile, nothing except the bones that connect the head to the back. I smell a wrenching odor. This once dirty looking seagull that flew carelessly around Renton’s busy streets now lies dead here behind Fred Meyer. [Katherine Calimlim]
I am looking at some dirt. It’s brown with golden specs. There are bushes behind the patch of dirt. They’re 4 feet high and round, with twigs reaching out in every direction. If I were on my way to Fred Meyer through the parking lot from Key Bank about 5 months ago, I would’ve glanced towards this spot and looked upon a 22-foot faded totem pole. The pole was hidden in clear view, by which I mean, no one really noticed it. It looked like an old wooden telephone pole the city never bothered to remove. Maybe that’s why no one realized it was there, even when it wasn’t. [Shaheed Rashid]
68 69 70 The bricks of our school are like lego building blocks. They support and house a student population of break-dancers, freelance newspaper writers, standby introverts, bohemians, musicians, gamers, risk-takers, the “not-readyfor-the-future,” and everyone inbetween and beyond. The bricks muffle the cries of students unable to sit still, and they conceal our knowledge six hours at a time. Their porous surfaces inhale the stress students and staff puff out. They witness our Jersey Shore drama, Cosby family intimacy, and silent film screams. They put on a show face for our endless laughter and withholding of snide comments. Some are muddy brown, faded purple, shy red, and other stray color wheel shades. They set an example for us: be tough on the inside and the out. [Queenelle Gazmen]
Old Renton was just downtown, that part of Renton where not that many people walk the one-way streets. There are some Asian restaurants, a sewing shop, a vaccum store. There used to be a huge parking lot back then too. People went there to ride in cirlces for fun. Nothing else to do until the big construction workers came with their big equipment. Lowe’s gave builders a place to hang out. The Landing gave teeny boppers a place to hang out that wasn’t the mall. Fry’s Electronics came too. New apartment complexes created places where people could live close to these new areas. [Remica Dela Cruz]
There’s a soaking wet piece of printer paper plastered to the gray cement. It’s folded a bit, with the right corner folded in. Remarkably, it’s still white as the day it was opened from its package. [Sonam Lal]
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ORANGE JUICE Price: $1.10 Size: 22 oz. One small Minute Maid 100% orange juice drink from McDonald’s.The orange juice is filtered water and concentrated orange juice with no sweeteners added. The outside is plastic cup. History: Bryan Diaz, the owner of the small delicious orange juice, got it Jan. 4, 2010 at a McDonald’s drive thru with an additional meal for $3.45. His sister asked, “Are you going to drink all that?” Without hesitation Diaz said, “Yuupp, it’s ‘bout a be gone.”
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PIXY S TI Price: $ X 3.00 Size: 6 inc Fact: P hes ix Sunline y Stix are sha ped as in St. M str orange is , cherry souri. T he n aws but seale ew pow d on ea and ma c dered c ui punc andy in h side. T hese h. Histor y interest s p ired by : Filled ing J. Fish w Darren Smith w candies were Briggs ith sugar, kids cr as sold fir ea time he in four eated in 1992 saw it i st tried it, he th t it like a full d by ifferent n a stor c flavors: e he tho ought it was d ourse meal.It’ umb be ught, “T grape, s a weird cau hat’s ju st stupi se it’s just su form of cand y, gar in a d.” straw. J different than other ki ust re gu n lar flav ored su ds. When gar. Ev er y
STARBURST Price: $1.09 Size: 1 cubic inch Invented in the UK, originally called Opal Fruits. It would take 30 million packs of Starbursts to cover the distance from LA to NY. History:In 4th grade there was this girl in VyVy Nguyen’s class who could unwrap Starbursts using only her mouth. Nguyen was amazed. Starbursts became her favorite candy.
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Two blocks from my house lays a field I never bothered to play in as a child. It has experienced as much in this neighborhood as I have. We have been warmed by the same summer rays for days
on end. Swallowed gallons of Seattle rain in the fall. Smelled dewy morning mist and fresh cut grass. Stayed up late at night looking at stars. Heard the sounds of sirens and school bells piercing the sky. Still I have been kept from this place. Beach parties, dinner reservations, Saturday plans, etc. So many other plans have kept me from our meeting. At the same time, this field has been just as busy, providing space for students in P.E. to run drills and stage massive games of kickball. It has also been home of wild animals and their droppings. We have much in common. One day we will meet. [Yva Ladera]
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There’s an off leash dog park that my mom and I go to every so often. We take our Tannish Pomeranian Lakota, and every time we go we meet a new person. We don’t usually see that person again. One person I do remember. We met her last year. She was shorter than I was, with lots of elaborate tattoos, long brown hair, and a shiny lip ring. Her dog was a tiny toy Yorkie with the loudest yap I’ve ever heard, scaring all the others dogs in the park. At Safeway the very next day she was the barista at Starbucks. I was a little slow as I hadn’t had my coffee yet, but I realized who she was and we talked about the dogs and then about the people, and by then I was holding up the person next in line. I went back to school, conversed with my friends and told them about this strange meeting. Only to forget about her till I began writing about the dog park just a few minutes ago. [Cole Jennings]
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This is my home. House number 12036, light yellow with a rusting white door. One day, I walked quickly down the stairs of our brown porch – skipping the last two steps – and went straight to the grey, wet road where cars pass by every 10 minutes. Then I stood in
the street. Looking straight ahead I saw a dog, a pug with an abnormal tail and fleshy body. He looked back at me with circular eyes and squished face. I heard the tapping of his nails on the cement. He headed to a rotting log in front of my house and sniffed anxiously until he found the “spot.” A few seconds later he raised his hind leg and urinated. This is my home, marked. [Shelly Mariano]
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History: Mindy Saeteurn, owner of the soda candy, used it to fend off her crazy little nieces and sometimes as a bribe to quiet them down. Hearing them argue and scream at each other day after day, she found the one thing that would quiet them down.
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Kurt Carino never really knew how to show emotions. He would only smile and laugh at awkward moments like during scary movies. He was calm most of the time, drinking green tea in his rocking chair with a dog beside him. Dancing seemed to be the only time when he was happy because he didn’t know how to express himself with words. But he knew how with dancing. He was sometimes claustrophobic but he liked going to concerts because he could yell as loud as he wanted without faces looking at him like he was crazy. His addiction to clothes and shoes never stopped. He didn’t like being called a Remember me as a thing not a person / The burden of carrying so many scars of my past / This is why I die Never knowing how to smile / Fight battle never to win / I’m living with a severed heart / Became were grown apart all these years / Always smacking everyone who made me mad / You should be glad I’m gone / I live here a 74 / Won’t you stay beside me? / People think this is sad, you should be glad you never understand my pain which is why I have gone insane.
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shopaholic because he believed that term was only for girls. He spent almost half an hour just looking at himself in the mirror trying to fix his hair until the point he called it perfect.
KURT CARINO
JUDY TRUONG
I’m locked out. Please let me in. Please, I’m asking you, just let me inside your white walls. I want to discover the maps, write down street names, count the endless pieces of history scrounged up over the years. Cars pass by and spray me with a
rush of wet humility. “Sorry, we’re closed on Mondays.” Just my luck. Even the clouds laugh, gossip, pour more on my head. I need something interesting to write about. Looking around for inspiration all I see are tidal waves of rippling puddles along the road. They look like millions of tiny tsunamis. No numbers here. Only a large set of logs on a track that leads to nowhere fast. Or soon? It’s time to head back to my home where it’s warm. Then the rain stops. I look up for a rainbow above my head. [Malerie Mar]
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I follow the rise and fall of the road, looking up to see crows staring at me. I wonder what they think of me. What do they think of me walking through these muddy streets, with the lamp lights passing every four feet? What do they think of me, stepping over broken glass? Do they see my destination, the tiny hurt house with clean white door? The house reminds me of an oversized trailer. Square windows stare back at me. Cracked paint grimaces as I walk to the door. I’m standing at a bus stop. There are two houses in front of me. The one on the right has roses and tulips out front. The other is bone-dry and faded, littered with patches of dead yellow grass. Skeleton house. The other one is shiny and new, its white paint sticking out like a lighthouse on a gray day. [Sonam Lal]
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I wish I could have someone to walk with on a cloudy day. The swollen clouds drift by and I’m standing here gawking at a man and a woman with their baby and hot chocolate colored dog. The baby’s cry fades to pink, then increases to dark
crimson. The woman stops and picks up the child, cradling it back and forth. It’s the sort of repetition that would bore an adult, but the baby stops crying. The couple seems happy. Maybe they’re independent. Maybe it’s them and their dog and their baby. Maybe they don’t wake up every morning and hear someone call them lazy. When I own my own house, I’ll drift into swells and bowls of deep thought. I will smell the scent of envy from other. [Malerie Mar]
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ARTIFACTS FROM 2011 NUTELLA Price: $2.95 Size: 13 ounces In 1963, Pietro Ferrero’s son Michele Ferrero revamped Supercrema with the intention of marketing it across Europe. Its composition was modified and re-named “Nutella.” Nutella is made of hazelnut, milk and coco. History: Johnathan Lon ate a full jar of Nutella with bread or anything that he thought that went well with it. Alina Chuong, his girlfriend, did not like this. “At one point he would choose Nutella over me,” Choung said. “I would always say “You fatty, didn’t save some for me?’”
HAM & CHEESE HOT POCKET Price: $0.80 Size: 8 x 3 x 1.6 inches This Nestle product was sold in Europe under the Maggi brand. It often burned the mouths of hungry teenagers who could not wait the required two minutes for it to cool. History: Senior Max Bureau, just after his arrival in the States, was starving to death. United Airlines didn’t serve him any dinner on the plane. In the first of serveral acts of kindness, his host family microwaved him a Ham’N Cheese Hot Pocket. It was his first taste of American processed food. He didn’t regret it. From then on he ate one at least once a week.
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A lady, maybe in her ‘50s, lives in a small white house on the corner of Williams Avenue. She’s always smiling and kissing her husband. I don’t really know her. I can tell she takes good care of her yard. Their front lawn is so green it looks like scattered spinach. The fence around the yard is covered with leaves – until it touches my fence. The flowers planted by the fence are beautiful and healthy looking. There are two colors of roses, pink and yellow. They feel like pink lemonade on a summer’s day. There is one tree that’s facing the front of their house. The leaves fall on our lawn. Looking through one of their windows you can see a curtain. It’s probably the window to their kitchen or bathroom. They don’t have a driveway; neither do we. We park our cars out front. The lady has a silver car. On the back it says Corvette. I bet many people want it. I do. I rarely talk to my neighbors. Small talk is “Hi,” here and there. [Crissabeth Santos]
ROBERT REEVES
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Robert Reeves was a super star at Renton High, but he really didn’t like doing work. Only if it was a 100 point project or test. He believed in food that comforted the stomach. As a teenager he was little as a pea, always riding his bike with training wheels on it. He would find the smallest and most expensive stuff to break and even loose change to buy some candy at the corner store.
SKYFLAKES Price: $5.89 Size: 2 ½ x 5 inches Originating from the Philippines these beige crackers were loved throughout the country in 2011. Three crackers contained 120 calories and 5 grams of fat. One serving contains 2% of a daily serving of vitamin C, and 6% of iron. History: Senior Mark Mariano grew up eating these crackers. Mariano loved to eat them because it helped him remember where he came from. The Skyflakes had a distinct roasted flavor that went well with canned tuna mixed with a little mayo.
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Renton used to be a “white” community. What do we mean when we say the word “white”? Do we mean pink? Do we mean “of European descent”? Is “white” a blanket word for those who have historically oppressed every populated continent? “White” is what I am called on a daily basis. When people call me white, they refer to my skin, one organ out of the body’s many organs. [Cole Jennings]
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MARTIN HOOKER
Martin Hooker was a quiet soul until about 5th grade. He didn’t fit in and didn’t talk much during his 5th year of the educational system, but then he met two friends who taught him to speak up, as well as not to always be 100% trusting. In his 8th boring year in the educational system he became self aware. Hooker realized that he wanted to change something in this world. At age 17, he had an idea of what he wanted to change. On April 27th, 2020 Hooker led a protest against the media of the world. He eliminated conscience ripping television shows that were destroying the country he lived in. Five years later he successfully rid the world of hate and with his wife, brought a child into the world. His son took on his dad’s old high school sport and became state champ, something his father always wished to achieve. Hooker lived his life wanting to change things for the better and it was not until his last year of high school that he finally learned not to let anything get in his way.
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A lamp post stands outside my house like a teenager without a cell phone. During the dark hours, the light at the top of the lamp post shines bright. Beyond it, everything is sad. The light inside is awake and rich for a few hours, during the scary hours. The post is shiny silver. If you put your nose to it, you can smell copper, iron, fresh blood. Smell it too long and your head will hurt. At the bottom, there’s a small metal box that looks like a crushed spider. I imagine that the skinny pole on top killed the spider. The pole stretches up and juts out to my street. On the end, I see the glass egg that holds the light. Around it there’s more metal. There’s a lot of metal. [Queenelle Gazmen]
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THE TRUTH ABOUT CHUCK NORRIS Price: $10.40 Size: 5 x 7 inches This book is filled with Chuck Norris jokes, for instance: Chuck Norris once leaned against a tower in Pisa, Italy. When Chuck Norris breaks wind, it stays broken.
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History: This book has all the facts someone needs to know about Chuck Norris. Mark Mariano found books like these interesting and humorous because they contained many useless facts that made him burst out in laughter.
COLLEGE RULED COMPOSITION NOTEBOOK Price: $4.05 Size: 9 ¾ x 7 ½ inches Commonly used by writers and students due to their high durability , they are usually lined with blue ink to help guide writing. They also tend to be in black and white. History: During his junior year Devante Swann bought too many composition books for school and ended up having an extra one. He turned the notebook into his first Rhyme Book. Before filling the book, he lost it and replaced it. Then at the start of his senior year he found it again and held on to it tightly since it contained some of his most original pieces.
TWILIGHT SAGA BY STEPHANIE MEYER Price: All four together about $83.00. Size:“Twilight”: 5.8 x 2 x 8.5 inches; “New Moon”: 6 x 2 x 8.8 inches; “Eclipse”: 8.7 x 5.6 x 2.1 inches; “Breaking Dawn”: 5.5 x 2 x 8.2 inches All 4 books are hardcover with shiny slip covers. They have short descriptions on the inside of the books. Stephanie Meyer started writing the books on June 2, 2003. All the books came from dreams that she has had. History: “What’s with you and those books?” Olivia Fry’s brother asked. “Mom got them for me, they’re really good,” she replied. “You’ve been up all night,” he said. Fry loved the “Twilight” series. It was addicting and suspenseful, the only books that ever got her into reading. Everyone else thought she was crazy, but these books were her guilty pleasure.
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Three electricity poles stand tall beneath spacious, blue skies slowly turning yellow and orange, a sign of pollution, a sign of harm we inflict upon the earth. There are two X’s on each pole. They seem to be pleading “Stop wasting me. It’s wrong.” Save energy. Save the environment. Save the world. [Maninder Grewal]
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I look at the empty house across the street with teal trim. The for-sale board hangs in the front lawn above unkempt yellow grass, a jungle with angry flowers sprouting desperately to catch someone’s attention. There’s nothing wrong with it, but it’s been vacant for a year. It gives me a hollow feeling when I look at it. Sometimes when I’m close I can hear the framework creak and the sound sends shivers down my spine. Ghosts walk here. [Maninder Grewal]
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I’m at a clumsy, blue restaurant on a Tuesday afternoon. I ordered grilled pork ribs, prawns, and chicken, and a Vietnamese style soup with white rice noodles, bloody flank, tendon, steak and tripe. The price was well under $15, and took only ten minutes. The pork ribs are so tender. The grilled chicken is chewy. I can’t pry the prawns from their wooden stick so I give up eating them. The teriyaki marinade is familiar. The soup was the tastiest food in the restaurant, the noodles soft as silk. Tony’s Teriyaki is an ideal spot for students during lunch. [Hung Lu]
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ARTIFACTS FROM 2011 INDIANA JONES: THE COMPLETE ADVENTURE COLLECTION DVD Price: $42.71 Size: 5 1/4 x 7 1/2 x 9/16 inches As of 2011 this package had received 3.9 stars out of 5 on Amazon.com. The complete adventure collection consists of the movies “Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark,” “Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom,” “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade,” and “Indiana Jones and The Kingdom of The Crystal Skull.” History: Malik Roper’s parents bought this DVD set when he wasn’t really a fan of Indiana Jones. But then he watched every movie at least five times. To him the adventures were great and he couldn’t keep his eyes off the screen when it was on.
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I am looking at a wooden fence around a field. Multiple panels fit together like the gears of a watch. Only so many can fit but they all interlock. It is precise. The wood is rusted orange and watery brown. I see chaos in overlapping, multi-hued graffiti. I run my hand over it. It’s wet from rain. I can feel the etchings beneath the pads of my fingertips. Looking closer, I see coarse language and words of admiration spun together in a disarray of emotions. Even the public warning sign hung high above the board has been hit with the fiery emotions of unknown taggers. I step back and take a look at the big picture. I get lost in silent madness. [Yva Ladera] I am looking at my friends. There are four of us, including me. We make our way to the transit center, sharing laughs and crude jokes. Our friend Greg staggers behind. His only companion is a royal blue umbrella he pretends is a pimp cane. We wait for him as he continues to limp. Waiting for the bus, I notice something. Everyone, young and old, holds some kind of electronic device. I see a grandmother struggle texting. A young couple walks on the sidewalk, pinkies hooked, sharing a pair of ear buds. I even see DJ headphones and a Mac. As we make our way to Genki Sushi, I notice all the electronics. I notice how my friends and I are on our phones most of the ride. We pull them out every 3 minutes. When we get distracted we ask, “Wait, what did you say?” Electronics keep us from old-fashioned, personal conversations. We have been reduced to digital friendships. [Yva Ladera]
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I hear rackets and tennis balls collide as I approach the courts. I think of tennis season: the suicides, the yelling and sweat. It was mostly wonderful. Those of us with no determination [Shelly Mariano] feel a pinch of hatred. [Shelly Mariano]
Thai #1: /noun/: A place for tennis players after practices and games.
The monstrous wind and rain banged on the window; the noise slapped the siding as if it were angry and I covered my ears, scared. I hoped the sky would blow its nose already and stop crying. I remember thinking the big trees outside my window would break, fall and crash land on me. But even after that I was okay. As long as I’ve been in Renton, Wash., it has never rained so much as it did in the 1911 flood. I’ve never had to swim to school. [Rochelle Mascey] No car? As little as 75 cents will get you to your destination. Waiting for a bus isn’t the most joyous thing to do, but you learn to deal with it. While waiting, three things can happen: 1.) You see that random lady in colorful outfits who screams; 2.) you see an old friend and reminisce on the good ol’ times; 3.) you get poured on despite the fact that five minutes ago you saw a slight sunbreak behind the clouds. [Rochelle Mascey]
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Mary Grace came into this of a good run with) caped out world a screaming, very Chineseon Galapagos Island and were looking child. Her brothers able to add to Darwin’s theory would later joke of evolution. that they thought It is yet to be she was adopted. published (and Her Oriental eyes accepted, for always seemed to that matter) throw people off, by the great but she knew what elites of the she was made science world. of, and that was For some enough for her. reason, Mary She found her Grace just true passion in high had to eat a MARY GRACE ASIROT school. banana while She had liked running for as eating goldfish crackers. To her, long as she could remember, but one without the other just wasn’t cross-country deepened her quite right. The same could be said love for the everyday ritual. Her about her and her husband, or her TLORS (friends) made practice hair and her hair straightener. She worthwhile and they remained had lots of hair on her head to take best friends well after high school care of. ended, pushing their baby strollers Mary Grace was sent to God while enjoying their morning on a beautiful sunny Thursday. runs. It’s safe to say that the bottom of Mary Grace always took the her always-too-long pants didn’t opportunity to explore new get wet as she made her way up depths of the world. Shortly to the sky. She was dearly missed, after getting married, her and and the sun will forever beam her husband (whom she met in down on her as she lives in college and shared the same love heaven’s paradise.
Kevin lived an unruffled life but caring mother, he developed into sadly died during his happiest a kind and caring person. moment. In the end, He considered Kevin strived himself almost to live out his inconspicuous life the best and unrecognized he could, and by other people, he did. He friends and family. graduated from He most sincerely high school believed that on time with there was nothing the rest of his to perceive about classmates. him. Whether He was KEVIN SOURIYADETH he was taking a scared he leisurely walk down the neverwouldn’t graduate on time, but ending dark hallway, or having he did. an enjoyable dinner outdoors It’s unfortunate that on the day of with his mother and father on his graduation he was so happy to a luminous night below the graduate on time that he suffered magnificent starry sky, his way of from a severe heart attack as life was barely visible. He felt he he went on stage to receive his was deprived of all light, without diploma. It’s a shame but his last distinctive individuality. But he minutes on Earth were heavenly was not. Raised by his strict and for this young graduate.
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EARTH (THE BOOK) Price: $27.99 Size: 10 ½ x 8 ½ inches Jon Stewart’s first book was “America: A Citizen's Guide to Democracy Inaction,” a 2004 bestseller that satirizes American politics and worldviews. Jon Stewart hosts a long running and Emmy winning comedy TV program, “The Daily Show.”
History: Katie Reynolds tried to get home before 8 o’clock every night so she could watch “The Daily Show.” This hilarious program was her source of current events. The host of the show, Stewart, wrote the book pictured above, which Reynolds requested for Christmas. The introduction is an apology to alien life in the future for not being there to welcome them. The book is a guide to current human culture, mainly American.
M*A*S*H THE MOVIE Price: $12.49 Amazon.com Size: 7 ½ x 5 1/3 inches MASH became the third most popular film of the 1970s after “Love Story” and “Airport,” and it was nominated for five Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director. The movie inspired a long running TV-series, the finale for which held the record of most watched episode in United States television history when it aired. History: Katie Reynolds’ favorite TV show was M*A*S*H, which was based from a movie. Every time she watched the movie she noticed something that she hadn’t noticed before. This movie and television show showed her that war wasn’t so heroic and romantic.
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Across the street there’s a hole, a place meant for fun and hanging I remember playing in Coulon out. I play and/or read there. I read on the rocks along the side, stuck Park making new friends I never there like a piece of cereal along the wall of a bowl, but the rocks got to see again. I enjoyed playing are slippery and my feet can’t always grip. Kids play tag there, listen hide and seek, secretly giggling to music. at my friends inside the red The manhole in the center of the bowl is slippery too. I plastic tunnels. I enjoyed acting used to pretend the manhole would lead places, or that like a Disney princess. I enjoyed there was treasure there. Now I know it’s a playing house, making food out of wet and depressing place. wooden chips on the ground. I hated waiting for a spot at the Outside that indent in the earth, swings but loved jumping off of them. As I come back to there’s a church. I don’t go to the this place, I see small children playing, and I think Church, but I hear the people to myself… I was once like them. [Katherine inside having a good time. They Calimlim] sound interesting. I want to hang out with them but I’m too shy. [Michael Weaver]
SERIES OF PICTURES Price: $2.00 Size: 6 x 4 -inches, 11 x 8.5 inches History: The large picture to the left depicts James Enebrad in 2nd grade, when he first met Devante Swann. The two became best buds. The upper left picture jumps to 6th grade and show Swann, his step brother CJ Parks and Enebrad at Enebrad’s house. The last picture (upper right) shows the three of them in 8th grade chilling in Enebrad’s backyard. This is how it always was.
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Crazy people live everywhere, including Renton. My school in Renton has some crazy people in it. [Michael Weaver]
As of April 2010, 86,230 men, women and children reside in Renton. That’s 86,230 more than in 1860. [Tyler Yorita]
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I’ve lived in Renton most of my life, so close to Boeing I can hear airplanes departing and ground rumbling. One day the Dish Network installer came to my house. During that time, one of the planes from Boeing was departing. Out of nowhere, a loud noise shook the ground. My family and I glanced back and forth as if nothing happened. The Dish Network guy was shocked and thought it was an earthquake. “Did you hear that?” he asked. “Where the hell did that
come from?” “Oh from the airport close by,” I replied. This moment made me realize how long I’ve lived here. [Crissabeth Santos]
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GIRLFRIEND’S BIRTHDAY CARD Price: $5.99 Size: 11 x 8 1/5 inches Construction paper texture is slightly rough and the surface is unfinished. It is often used for projects and crafts.
My neighborhood is a kingdom of mini-stores. What’s the point of all these stores selling the same things in this one small neighborhood? It’s like having three elementary schools on the same street. I identify the stores by race: There’s the Ethiopian store with Ethiopian music inside. The Mexican store that has a Mexican flag out front. The Asian store with boxes in the aisles labeled with Chinese characters. My sisters and I enjoy going to the Asian store. The Asian store is a few blocks past South Kenyon Street. One night I walked by and there were no cars around and the cement in the parking lot looked as white as snow. The store sat there like a loner. The window was partially covered with black bars. Behind the bars, neon beer ads flashed. But nothing was dirty. Not on the outside. Not on the inside. [Remica Dela Cruz]
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I am sitting on a donkey. The donkey isn’t moving. This probably has to do with the fact it’s made of stone. He sits forever in the middle of a grassy patch, grazing on a slab of concrete. Munch munch munch. It’s a little strange. I’m sitting here on this donkey, feeling as if I’m sitting here, in this spot, a long time ago. How long has this donkey statue been eating the cement grass, waiting for his task master to come back and strap a cart to him? The donkey is smart enough to accept this as its life. (Does the donkey want this kind of life? If given the chance, would the donkey break from his chains and rise against his would-be owner? Would he ralley his donkey friends into a donkey hall and give a donkey speech to his donkey brothers to fight for donkey rights?) Click. FLASH. I think some one took a picture of me. [Joseph Varnadore]
SAY THIS ABOUT ME
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WITNER VIEL
History: Lucy Don, James Enebrad’s girlfriend, moved to California approximately 3 years ago. The two officially started dating on July 2, 2009, and two months later it was Enebrad’s birthday. Don made Enebrad a birthday card that told the story of them through a comic in scenes. The scenes vary from Disney land, the beach, her house and, of course, Seattle.
Mitch Edwards, also know as Buzz Light Year, laughed at funny and stupid things. At the age of 23, he attended UNLV as a starter. Everybody on his basketball team called him Buzz. They said he was a great player but he thought he had A.D.D because when the coach talked his eyes would doze off and he would think about something else.
Witner Viel was a complex but devilishly handsome fellow. He always had smooth haircuts that reeked of shampoo and conditioners. He often hit some bumps, like smelling the tops of colored markers for too long and choking on gas station air. He often fought with video game retail stores about the tax on games. As a teenager he tried to grow a huge afro and braids. That didn’t work out. He found joy through writing. He was always in trouble as a child for spelling and grammar mistakes. So as a teen he developed a writing style that is unique and tasteful and portrays his originality. He never achieved the American dream; in fact, he despised it. He made a point of never having a beautiful wife, two kids, a dog and a white picket fence. But he believed that thinkin’ outside the box was crazy. So he kept his shoes in them. He often said “Keep your options optional.” He would sometimes blast his music when someone tried to get his attention. And let his pit bull off the leash when the mailman came. Sometimes he did have a cruel sense of humor, but doctors say it was just a phase. He was no saint, but he did believe in making an honest living. He believed in getting rich - and that the American dream was just a pipe dream.
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PILOT UNIFORM Price: $180 Size: 78 x 5 inches The pilot uniform is fire resistant and has pockets to accommodate equipment that is used with this uniform. History: James Enebrad acquired the uniform from his uncle, Tim Enebrad. His uncle was a helicopter pilot back in the Vietnam War and was discharged for a gunshot wound in his arm. He was giving Enebrad some of his dress shirts and tossed his uniform at him and said, “Try this on.”
BEACH WORKS SOCKS Price: $9.00 Size: Men’s large The lucrative socks are made to keep warm. These aren’t your basic socks because they are poke-a-dot green and olive color. History: Dauvee Keith, the incredible sock tycoon, walkd anywhere with a pair flip flops, exclusive Beachworks socks underneath. These socks embodied the magnitude of greatness Keith placed on his feet daily.
PAPER SANDALS Price: $3.00 for 80 sheets of paper These sandals are made up of blank printer paper and decorated by markers of all sorts. History: On Jan. 27, 2011, Darren Briggs made James Enebrad a pair of sandals. Enebrad got his socks wet because he was trying to comfortably walk around without shoes and accidentally stepped in some water. Briggs laughed at Enebrad and 30 minutes later, Briggs introduced the sandals to him.
EAR FLAPPED BEANIES Price: $4 each Size: 7 ½ These beanies are made out of 100% cotton. They are not sold at any department stores. The beanie keeps your head warmer and is an ideal hat for the snow, or any other cold climate. History: As Dauvee Keith embarked on his winter adventure, he had his gloves and Northface to keep him warm and toasty. When he opened the door his sister looked at the hairs standing up on his neck and ears and said, “Your ears are going to freeze off.” Keith shruged it off but then his mom walked in with the delightful ear flapped beanie.
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In my neighborhood, some people talk like coyotes and dress like clowns. If you tell them to keep quiet, they snap back like a trap. Some people don’t say anything at all, like an October morning. Some groups of friends chatter like snobby school girls gossipping about the hottest boys. Some people have kids who speak of blue cotton candy and dance like grateful ballerinas. Some couples have dogs that are fuzzy black. [Katherine Calimlim]
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JOSE HERNANDEZ
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Jose was a social person, a lone wolf always away from the pack. Silence was his friend and his Xbox 360 was his best friend. He was quiet, energetic and hyper all the time from drinking way to many Rockstars. He was great with words, good at poems and a copy of an evil person. He talked so much; he was all over the place. He loved games, poetry. When I met him, he loved history as much as he loved his parents. He also didn’t plan to live long. They say the devil possessed him. He always had a smile on his face, a smile that made me smile. Deep down I know there was light and happiness.
The crowd didn’t even fill one quarter of the stands, which seat about 1000; over 25 percent of the crowd was band members. On Oct. 29, 2010, the sense of care was cold.The first quarter seemed okay: Hazen Highlanders 7-6. Midsecond quarter however, the hard fought battle began to dissipate into a 21-6 maniacal mashing of the Indians. Blow by bone-crushing blow, the titan teams clashed on the line of scrimmage. Points tallied on the score board at Renton Memorial Stadium.Then, out of nowhere, the refs bestowed the Indians with a 15 yard face mask penalty in the Indian’s favor. But the upswing ended when they fumbled the ball to the other team, leading to a 35-6 lead for the away team with 3:45 seconds of football left until halftime. The insurmountable troubles continued until the end of the game. The smell of an unaccomplished 2010 year stunk up the war grounds.This was the longest and worst game of my life. [Tyler Yorita]
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A motionless man with an Indian jersey holds up the already blown out game. His comatose muscles and fatigued joints tell me he isn’t going to move any time soon. Just minutes ago, I watched him crash to the ground after another player smacked him in the head. Twenty some odd minutes go by. People fidget and josh around. Then a voice from the sky rains down on the stadium like a death blow from Muhammad Ali. “Due to safety concerns for the injured players and others,” the voice says, “the game is going to be forfeited.” So this is how 100 years of “Pride, Tradition and Excellence” feels? [Tyler Yorita]
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Glow in the dark skeletons appear in foggy yards. Lonesome ghosts peer out of windows. They wait for Power Rangers, Cinderellas, and blueskinned avatars to approach their doors. Soon, Butterfingers, Twix, and Skittles fill pumpkin shaped baskets that smile at children. [Katherine Calimlim]
From a 14 by 16 foot shack to a brick fortress housing 1,300 students. From white students to the different shades of colors. From the production of the WWII airplane “The Lone Ranger” to a fleet of Boeing commercial [what?]. From two generations of Longacres Horse track to Renton memorial stadium. From a small community to a city. From 1911 to 2011. Happy 100th birthday Renton. [Jamaica Atal]
FINE PRINT ARROW is an open forum produced by some of the illest, chillest, crazily loud, productively outragous, spontaneously diverse, amusing food munchers, mind blowingly chaotic, talkative students. Awesomely enough, they all go to Renton High School at 400 S. 2nd St., Renton, WA, 98057. ARROW is printed six times a year by Pacific Publishing Company in Seattle, Washington. Word processing, graphics and layouts are created on Microsoft Office 2007 and Adobe Creative Suite 3 programs. ARROW has a press run of 2000. The staff welcomes letters to the editor and will publish letters which
meet our standards of good taste (as space permits). Letters must be signed. ARROW reserves the right to edit letters, though every attempt will be made to preserve original content. Contact Editor-in-Chief Olivia Fry @ 425.457.0195. Unsigned editorials and editorial cartoons represent the majority view of ARROW editorial board and do not represent the views of the Renton School District or RHS. Opinions, commentaries, satires, and perspectives are the views of the writers and artists, not the Renton School District or ARROW editorial board. ARROW is financed by advertising based on size-determined rates. These range from $20-$80.
A Peek of What’s Next
As of 6:26 pm on Thursday, March 10, 2011, Sheryll Acoba and these 24 young men and women are the youngest students here. As such, they hold the future of RHS with both hands. They may have arrived scared or anxious, enthusiastic or curious, excited or ecstatic, but one thing is for sure: an overwhelming number of teachers and peers welcomed them with characteristic hospitality. And now they are home, anticipating all that awaits.
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KANISHK SHUKLA 4.14.97 Indian On His First Day: “I feel lower but a little proud.”
AMANDA DYER 09.23.96 African American On Her Youth: “I like being unique. it’s nice.”
ALICIA QUARLES 11.22.96 On Her First Day: “I was excited because of the hot guys. But there are not a lot of those in Renton. We got to let Renton know that!”
ROSA RODRIGUEZ 08.18.96 On Her First Day: “I was excited because of the hot guys. But there are not a lot of those in Renton. We got to let Renton know that!”
REBECCA MICHELLE MATCHET 08.24.96 Caucasian On Her Youth: “It feels weird. I feel like a baby.”
KYLE RIANG 10.18.96 Filipino On Post Graduation: “Go to University of Washington and get a job.”
JASON THANH HOANG 11.20.96 Quote That Describes Me: “If you want to reach your goal, then just go for it and do not let anybody stop you.”
DAVELLE MANN 08.15.96 African American On His First Day: “Excited. New school.”
ANNIE KWAN 09.24.96 Chinese On Her Youth: “It’s nothing special. Everyone thinks I’m smart because I’m young.”
ALISHA STOWERS 08.13.96 American Samoan On Her Post Graduation: “I’ll probably go to a two year college, then transfer to a two year university.”
ABEL RODRIGUEZ 8.26.96 Mexican Involvement In School: “I play soccer for school and when i’m not playing soccer I’m working out.”
SHENN CHRISTOPHOR NASAGAN 12.11.96 Japanese/Chinese/Korean/ Filipino/American On His Youth: “I’m proud.”
VINCENT VERSUZA SERVITO 09.18.96 Filipino On His First Day: “I felt new and refreshed.”
CHRISTOFER BUCKLEY 08.29.96 Caucasian On His First Day: “Just, like, whatever. it’s still school.”
AZARIAH RAQUIZA 11.15.96 Filipino On Her Youth: “I didn’t think I was that young. OMG. I’m shocked!”
BRANDEN LUCKY SAETURN 08.29.96 Mien/Laos/Thai On His Youth: “Not really anything. I’m fine with it.”
BRENT BALLESTEROS 09.06.96 Filipino/ Hawaiian On His Senior Year: “BIGGER! TALLER! STRONGER!”
VALENTE REYESDORANTES 08.13.96 Mexican On His Youth: “I feel small.”
LILLIAN PHUONG KHANH VO 08.29.96 Vietnamese Quote That Describes Me “Be fierce!”
ANDREA DYER 09.23.96 African American On Her Youth: “Awesome! It makes me different, and I am cool. ”
TRISTAN LEVI TRAN 08.06.96 Caucasian/Chinese Involvment In School: “I did cross country, Relay for Life, and am currently playing soccer.
ABDI ABDI 10.11.96 Somalian On His First Day: “I felt confused and I didn’t know where to go.”
KEVIN TRAN 10.27.96 Vietnamese On His First Day: “I was suprised. The school was pretty big compared to the tiny middle school.”
SHAYLA CHRISTINE BURKEY 11.05.96 Caucasian In Her Senior Year: “I want to be more mature. I’m still middle school minded now.”