Nursing Students adapt during the Pandemic -- March 10, 2022

Lewiston High School, DTEC 409, 3125 Cecil Andrus Way, Lewiston, Idaho, 83501

The Bengal’s Purr

Since 1927

Nursing students adapt in pandemic, page 12-13

Vol. 94, No. 5

Add to Queue, pages 14-15

Thursday, March 10, 2022

Censorship persists in U.S., page 18 Cover photo by Jasmine Schmidt

Thursday, March 10, 2022

News

3

District, Monthly display raises awareness community report COVID-19 numbers

By Hannah Shoffitt News Editor No students and zero staff members currently had COVID-19 at LHS, as of March 8. District-wide, no one has COVID-19 according to reports from Superintendent Lance Hansen.

Since the beginning of the school year, 149 students have returned from quarantine, as well as 29 staff members from LHS. The district total for COVID-19 cases since the school year began is 479 students and 159 staff.

Nez Perce County has an average of 8.8 new cases per 100,000 people every day. The vulnerability level is measured as medium with a 4.3% positive test rate and a 0.48 infection rate, according to covidactnow.org.

Among Idahoans, 60.4% have received two doses of a COVID-19 vaccination, with 53.3% having only one dose. The state also has a 5.8% positive test rate. The infection rate for Idaho is 0.88.

The Lewiston-Metro area has averaged about 19.5 new confirmed cases every day. Five COVID-19 patients were hospitalized with one in the ICU, as of March 8.

Bulletin board in DTEC decorated by LHS nursing students for February (heart health month.) Photo by Chayton Brewer-Burgin.

By Chayton Brewer-Burgin Features Editor Within the DTEC building, Debbie Wassmuth is working to spread awareness of health issues affecting LHS students and their families.

Since moving to the new high school campus in 2020, Wassmuth has directed students in creating a rotating health bulletin board. Wassmuth offers her students the option to help with the display.

All of this effort to raise awareness of each health issue that she has posted, cycling through a new illness for each month. In February, the board was built to acknowledge and inform about heart health.

Through the end of the school year, the health messages will remain on Wassmuth’s board. This month the display features nutrition. April will showcase alcohol awareness, and May will highlight mental health awareness.

Schools fundraise with Golden Throne; Bengals triumph

By Hannah Shoffitt News Editor

The Lewiston Varsity girls team jumps in excitement as they win the Golden Throne at Lewis-Clark State College on Jan. 27. Photo Courtesy of the Lewiston Tribune.

Golden Throne is one of the most anticipated sports events within the community. The Lewiston and Clarkston varsity basketball teams go head to head at the LCSC activity center to win the coveted Golden Throne (a gold-painted toilet). Both schools raise money for local charities and hold spirit weeks for the occasion.

For 2022, Golden Throne proved to be an incredibly successful fundraiser for charities within the community. Combined funds reached $20,935, with Lewiston raising over $13,000 and over $7,000 raised by Clarkston. The funds were split up evenly between four charities.

Those receiving $4,600 each were the Jackson Baldwin Foundation, Suicide Prevention of the

Inland Northwest, Twin County United Way and the Sobotta Family.

“It was so gratifying seeing our students come together and bring in so much money,” said Lindsay Hall, ASB president at LHS. “This donation allowed us to give back to four great local non-profits who do an incredible job supporting our valley.”

The Lewiston girls varsity basketball team won the first Golden Throne game with 53-42. Clarkston boys varsity won the second game with a score of 76-62.

Lewiston won the most spirit points by a small margin, 115-113. Clarkston’s theme was Harry Potter, and Lewiston’s was Monsters University.

The Bengals won overall and got to keep the Throne until next year’s re-match.

“I’m happy we won my senior year. Chicken dinners are the best!” said Bailey Horak, senior.

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THE BENGAL’S PURR

News

Students form new, creative clubs at LHS WEC Club

By Jasmine Schmidt Features Assistant Women’s Empowerment Club is a new addition to LHS with the purpose of providing new experiences and a safe environment for members. The club meets every Thursday at 2:30 after school in room ST 205. Anyone looking to learn and grow as a person is welcome to join.

A group of girls motivated to start the club brought the idea to Jamie Bakker, the WEC club adviser, earlier this year. “I was really inspired by these girls when they approached me,” Bakker said. The club places emphasis on encouraging women and others by teaching them to be self-sufficient and skills they wouldn’t otherwise learn. In the future, there are hopes of providing resources that are specifically intended to empower women.

A new member of WEC should expect to be welcomed to the club and included in fundraising and club activities. WEC is currently raising money for club activities, including volunteer projects, rafting, wilderness survival, and other opportunities. Annika Huff, president of WEC, said, “Please come; we would love to have you. It’s such a great community that we have, and we love everyone who comes.”

Rylee Wimer and Annika Huff prepare for a WEC meeting. Photo by Jasmine Schmidt.

Crochet Club

Book Club

By Rylie Reagan Editor-in-Chief At the beginning of the 2021 school year, Lewiston High Schools’ newly employed computer technician, Candice Carlson, revived the Crochet club.

The old organization was mentioned to Carlson after sharing her crochet projects with staff and students around campus, striking her interest in initiating the club.

"It had so much participation and would raffle off blankets and donate blankets to the Women’s Shelter (YWCA)," Said Carlson, "So I announced it, and our first meeting had 14 people come. So exciting."

Every Wednesday after school, instructor Carlson leads the club in the campus Library. The club is actively improving its members’ skill levels, allowing members to crochet squares that will eventually be joined into a blanket.

Members will meet new people, socialize, and develop their abilities. It is hoped that while doing so, attendees will pick up a new hobby as a result of their participation.

The advisor hopes that the club will return to fundraising in the near future, creating crocheted projects

By Sydney Ball Entertainment Assistant English Teacher Dr. April Niemela has collaborated with LHS students Olivia Fishback and Piper Galles to create a Book Club for the students of LHS. In this club, students are brought together through reading.

Building relationships and being able to talk to each other about books is an important aspect of the club.

Different books are chosen to be read and dicussed by the members. The Book and Film club are planning on joining together to watch the Jane Eyre movie, combining their interests of books and movies. The book club meets on Mondays at 2:30.

Film Club

By Sydney Ball Entertainment Assistant In the beginning of the school year, 12th-grade English teacher Jacob Dyer and student Lily Van Mullem worked together to create a Film Club for the students of LHS. Jacob Dyer enjoys movies and wants students who also enjoy them to have an additional outlet. In the club, students experience watching a wide-range of movies with their fellow classmates.

They take turns choosing the films that are watched when the club gathers. The film club meets on Thursdays at 2:30.

Pokemon Club

By Eli Lindauer Staff Reporter Pokemon club was created by Declan Cattrysse and Bowman Wadsworth to make a fun environment for anyone to learn about and appreciate Pokemon and relax and have fun. The club meets in Jennifer Spears room, SN 100, every Monday after school.

The club focuses on Pokemon, with people playing the card game, watching slide shows, and sometimes bringing in video games.

Club founder, Declan Cattrysse, made slideshows to show the club members about Pokemon, making the interesting connection from Pokemon statistics and coding and DNA. He compared the randomization of Pokemon stats within set species boundaries to the variation of animal life and DNA’s variation within similar boundaries. Brandon Kammer, a club member, enjoys the friends he has in the club and Pokemon in general. “I just liked the people,” Kammer said.

Everyone is welcome to the club. It’s a great club for anyone who enjoys Pokemon, but anyone who likes anime or card games in general may also enjoy the club.

Campus bus schedules change

By Lynae Murillo Staff Reporter Changes are being made to how buses pick up and drop off students as of Feb. 22.

Buses will now only drop off and pick up students in front of the main entrance. Parents are to pick up and drop off their students in front of the gym, says to Kevin Driskill, LHS principal.

The area from the tennis courts around the east side will be a one-way lane to accommodate traffic.

Correction In the Jan. 28, 2022, issue of The Bengal’s Purr, the story "Hot Shots creates Golden Throne themed drinks" included statements that were unclear or incorrect.

The corrected information is as follows: • The owners of Hot Shots are Cody and Hailey Holzer.

• The local Hot Shots coffee chain made a $500 donation related to the 2022 Golden Throne basketball games between Lewiston and Clarkston high schools. Local businesses added to that donation, totalling almost $1,500, according to Hailey Holzer.

• The Bantam Blast flavors at Hot Shots are: raspberry, peach, pink lotus.

5 LHS clubs compete at state and regionals Friday, March 10, 2022

News

DECA Bengals prevail in state competitions

By Eli Lindauer Staff Reporter LHS DECA traveled to Nampa, Idaho for their state competition on Feb. 15.

Of those who attended, 29 Lewiston students qualified to compete at the national level. Of those, 14 students also qualified for nationals in multiple events.

Going into the competition, John Potter, a DECA adviser, had high hopes for his students.

“We have a lot of smart and hard-working kids. I feel good about all of them,” Potter said.

After choosing which events to compete in, participants had to compete in two separate divisions: a test and a role-play specified for their chosen event.

They were provided with a prompt and 10-30 minutes of preparation time, determined by whether the event was individual or team. Students had to create a response to the prompt and solve each situation as best they could. Then competitors sat before a team of judges, stated their responses, and gave support for their answers.

“I think we did good. We had a lot of kids qualify for nationals, and I’m really proud of everyone for their hard work," said Lauren Martin, a sophomore.

Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA) helps prepare students to work as entrepreneurs, in marketing, finance, hospitality and management.

Mock Trial team makes its case at regionals

By Lauren Martin Copyeditor Members of LHS Mock Trial are headed off to state debate competitions after attending regionals virtually Jan. 17-Feb. 24. Advisers Shannon Van Buren and Aaron Waits will be accompanying the students to state March 17-18.

“It was a little scary, because it was my first time competing as an attorney, but it was really fun and very rewarding and I became a lot closer with my teammates,” said Seyi Arogundade, a junior. She competed at regionals this winter.

In Mock Trial, students are challenged to take on the role of an attorney, judge or witness. They are presented with a case and must analyze cases and facts, compose compelling arguments, and respond to questions or disputes in a courthouse setting.

The Mock Trial organization helps give students techniques of organized debate so they can perform in intramural and interscholastic competitions.”

The Idaho DECA State Conference winners from Lewiston High School celebrate their success. Photo courtesy of John Potter.

FCCLA prepares to compete at state level

BPA students exhibit their skills

By Paxtyn Latta Staff Reporter

By Sophia Gill Staff Reporter

Members of Lewiston's FCCLA re one step closer to state competitions, after district competitions took place in Lewiston Feb. 23. Melinda Pals accompanied these students as FCCLA adviser. She is also secretary of Idaho’s FCCLA and representative for District 2.

For the District 2 STAR contests, Lewiston students winning Gold awards for their presentations were Katelynn Kjorness for Job Interview, Emily Grabow for Career Investigation, Rachel Sheppard for Focus on Children, and Solana Inzunza for Re-purpose and Redesign.

Winning Silver awards for their presentations were Sophia Gill for Event Management, and Abby Rudy and Lauren Remacle for Professional Presentation.

Inzunza competed as a freshman and found that FCCLA helps students and the people around them.

“It helps out with our community and helps us be active in it," said Inzunza.

District competitions focus on the fundamentals of FCCLA, such as community building, leadership, communication, and critical thinking. State competitions will take place in Boise from April 6- 9.

Lewiston's Business Professionals of America are preparing for state competitions March 17-19 in Boise. They participated in the BPA District 2 regional conference Jan. 7 at Lewis-Clark State College in Lewiston.

At one of the district events, Patience Rose, an LHS junior, presented an original business podcast. Judges listened to the produced podcast; then Rose explained the production process.

Golden Steele, an LHS BPA Advisor, said he enjoys giving students opportunities to experience different aspects of business while in high school.

“BPA allows students to compete in business-related events that occur in real world scenarios that the students might not experience in the classroom,” Steele said.

Members of BPA enjoy traveling to compete with other students throughout Idaho, he added. Competing keeps them motivated throughout the school year to keep them working hard to represent LHS. At LHS, the student-led BPA group has existed for more than 20 years.

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THE BENGAL’S PURR

News

Music students return from All- State event

By Sophia Gill Staff Reporter Lewiston High School students have returned from the 2022 Idaho All-State Band and Choir Music Conference in Nampa, Idaho.

Members of LHS’s own Gold Voices got to participate in either treble choir or mixed choir. Maya Conklin (sophomore) performed for LHS in the All-State Maya Conklin, Sophomore Jazz Choir, and Caedmon Leister (junior) played his ES-335 model guitar along 17 other musicians in the All-State Jazz Band.

These performers auditioned for All-State back in October and were notified in November that they were to represent LHS at All-State. For band and choir, All-State is not a competition, but a chance to sing or play with other skilled students from around the state.

The different groups at All-State are directed by different professional musicians. Jeremy Fox directed the Jazz Choir, while Matt Harris directed the Jazz Band. “[Jeremy Fox] was very interesting and focused on connections with people,” Conklin said.

The music students look forward to trying out for All-State next year and said they are excited to use the skills they have learned in the future.

“I hope to play guitar for the Air Force Jazz Band,” Caedmon Leister, Junior Leister said.

Play practice in the P1FCU auditorium features from left to right: Sarah Kammer, Kate Persteiner, Jillian Herr, Allison Remacle, Chayli Chastain, and Rachel Hughes. Photos above and below by Matthew Dugdale.

Drama students prepare for an exciting Seussical

By Matthew Dugdale Photography Manager Opening March 10, The Seussical is a musical based on Dr. Seuss’ storybook collection. The play features famous characters such as Horton the Elephant (Hunter Weigand) from Horton Hears a Who, the Grinch (Maddie Gibson) from How the Grinch Stole Christmas, and many more.

In Seussical, Horton is a quite unusual elephant, as he can hear something no one else can. He hears the faintest of yelps from a small speck on a clover, and he hears that this speck is Whoville, the home to many Whos. Horton embarks on a perilous journey to find a safe place for Whoville Students prepare for the musical during play practice. Cast members from to land, while running into many left to right: Trace Steele, Cale Wilponen, Jillian Herr and Seth Haning. challenges, such as the Wickersham Brothers, a troop of monkeys working with the Sour Kangaroo to rid Horton of this, “silly fantasy.”

The showings for Seussical are at 7 p.m. March 10-12 and 17-19 in the P1FCU auditorium at LHS.

Thursday, March 10, 2022 WINTER SPORTS Boys Basketball (15-3)

SEASON RECAP AND RECORDS

Compiled by : Jordis Aiken, Staff Reporter Danica Keane, News and Opinion Assistant Josh Tatko, Sports Editor

Wrestling After 13 matches, LHS wrestlers have finished their 2021-2022 season.

Head coach, Stuart Johnson took the team to an array of tournaments and duels around Idaho.

The Lewiston team went to districts at Lake City and brought home eight wins. Those players then Cole Lockart went on to state wrestling competitions, where the team had four wrestlers place. Tristan Bremer and Hoyt Hvass each took a first place win. Robert Storm placed third in his division and Joley Slyter placed sixth in hers.

Johnson described as having lots of ups and downs.

“We hit a much harder schedule than we seen for a couple of years. We seem to peak at the right time of the year,” he said.

Johnson noted that some of the star players of this year’s team were Tristan Bremer, Hoyt Hvass, Robert Storm, Logan Meisner and Joley Slyter.

Sophomore Cole Lockart noticed that this season was less affected by the COVID-19 pandemic than last year.

“We didn’t have to wear masks and got to go to more matches,” Lockart said.

Some ways Lockart improved this season was through being on varsity all year and winning more matches.

“One of my favorite memories was having snowball fights at the rest stops on the way home from tournaments,” Lockart said.

Lockart plans to wrestle next year and has made a goal to place at state in 2023. Bremer, one of this year’s top senior wrestlers, plans on continuing wrestling in college and has a goal to win a national title.

Some of Bremer’s favorite memories from this season came from bus rides with the team, he said. He added that after graduation, what he is going to miss about high school wrestling is the community and his friends.

The Lewiston Bengals had an impressive basketball season. In the 5A division, Lewiston is ranked six and 19 in the state of Idaho.

Drew Hottinger, the only sophomore on the varsity team, said that his favorite thing about this season was Drew Hottinger the bus rides with the team. Hottinger’s hope for next year is to win the league game.

Season recap • Lewiston vs. Borah 57-55, Bengals win • Lewiston vs. Boise 61-54, Bengals win • Lewiston vs. Pullman 60-53, Bengals win • Lewiston vs. Lakeland 59-51, Bengals win • Lewiston vs. Pendleton 55-48, Bengals win • Lewiston vs. Sandpoint 58-56, Bengals win • Lewiston vs. Grangeville 75-24 Bengals win • Lewiston vs. Moscow 60-53, Bengals win • Lewiston vs. Lapwai 81-63, Lapwai win • Lewiston vs. Hermonston 89-55, Bengals win • Lewiston vs. Post Falls 54-36, Bengals win • Lewiston vs. Moscow 53-48, Bengals win • Lewiston vs. Lake City 67-56, Lake city win • Lewiston vs. Coeur d’ Alene 57-46, Coeur d’ Alene win • Lewiston vs. Post Falls 73-42, Bengals win • Lewiston vs. Clarkston 75-62, Clarkston win • Lewiston vs. Coeur d’ Alene 68-62, Coeur d’ Alene win • Lewiston vs. Lake City 62-58, Bengals win • Lewiston vs. Lakeland 68-48, Bengals win • Lewiston vs. Moscow 55-45, Bengals win • Lewiston vs. Sandpoint 80-54, Bengals win

Sports 7

Girls Basketball (8-12)

The LHS girls varsity basketball team had an amazing comeback after last season with an overall 3-15 and League 0-6 and this year with an overall of 8-12.

After this season, Zoie Kessinger said that her hope for next Zoie Kessinger year is to win a league game. This year her favorite thing about season was her teamates, she said, adding that her proudest moment was seeing the team coming together.

“We are a lot more confident this year than last year,” Kessinger said.

Season recap • Lewiston vs. Post Falls 44-62, Post Falls win • Lewiston vs. Coeur d’Alene 48-35, Coeur d’Alene win • Lewiston vs. Clarkston 62-42, Bengals win • Lewiston vs. Post Falls 26-61, Post Falls win • Lewiston vs. Coeur d’Alene 46-58, Coeur d’Alene win • Lewiston vs. Lakeland 49-36, Bengals win • Lewiston vs. Lake City 62-64, Lake City win • Lewiston vs. Post Falls 36-52, Post Falls win • Lewiston vs. Hermiston 65-68, Hermiston win • Lewiston vs. Post Falls 48-56, Post Falls win • Lewiston vs. Grangeville 52-48, Bengals win • Lewiston vs. Richland 48-45, Bengals win • Lewiston vs. Sandpoint 40-46, Sandpoint win • Lewiston vs. Pendleton 62-17 Bengals win • Lewiston vs. Pullman 46-27, Bengals win • Lewiston vs. Lake City 50-56, Lake City win • Lewiston vs. Sandpoint 54-34, Bengals win • Lewiston vs. Moscow 56-31, Bengals win • Lewiston vs. Mt. View, 51-62, Mt. View win • Lewiston vs. Boise 28-54, Boise win

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8

Sports

1

SOFTBALL

THE BENGAL’S PURR

SPRING SPORTS SEASON PREVIEWS

By Lynae Murillo Staff Reporter This year, the LHS softball teams held their first practices March 5, after tryouts went from Feb. 2528.

The varsity team will start the season with a game against Coeur d’ Alene at 2 p.m. March 22.

Kristen Delp is entering her sixth year as the softball coach at LHS and is hoping to lead the team into a winning season, “We have a great group of seniors and a lot of young talent coming up,” Delp said. “[I’m] hoping for a chance at state this year!”

Last year the varisty team won their first game against Timberlake, 12-2, and the game after that.

They also won a doubleheader against Lake City with their first game 3-0 and second 10-0.

Delp has more help this year with varsity and junior varsity coaches, she said. This season, Randy Foster, Shawnee Zink, Alisha Alexander and Cyrina Lockart are also coaching.

The varsity team will play Moscow April 5; Post Falls April 9; and Lake City April 16. All events will be at at Airport Park in Lewiston. The whole season schedule can be found at lewistonathletics.com.

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BASEBALL

By Kaitlyn Fowler Staff Reporter

The Lewiston Bengals begin their baseball season on March 12, playing against Clarkston at LCSC. “We have a good group of upperclassmen that are A player swings the bat built to win now,” noted as the LHS baseball sea- Justin Miller, who coaches son begins. the freshman team.

The boys started with their first practice on Feb. 25.

“With a new coaching staff coming in, try to build on what Coach (Golden) Steele and I developed the last few years,” Miller said. “So much of our success will depend on continuing the baseball culture’s high expectations of hustle, teamwork, and Bengal Pride.”

Wednesday, March 16, Lewiston baseball is playing at Airport Park.

Lewiston High School tennis players practice at their home courts as the sun sets. Photo courtesy of Piper Galles.

3

TENNIS

By Kendra Kelley Staff Reporter Lewiston High School tennis is starting, and players are working hard for the first varsity away match on March 12. The first home match follows on March 15.

Varsity coach, Sandi Stocks, is preparing for the 2022 season alongside assistant coach, David Sarbacher, and junior varsity coach, Jace Kessler.

“I like tennis because I get to see kids in a fun environment -- something that they enjoy doing -- and I get to hang out with them, and it’s super fun,” said Stocks.

Practices are Monday through Friday at the Bengal tennis courts at the new LHS campus. Scheduled games can be found on the Lewiston Schools Athletics website.

4

TRACK AND FIELD

By Chayton Brewer-Burgin Features Editor Winter is over, and spring is upon us; along with the warming sun and the longer daylight hours come the spring sports.

Track and Field activities will begin just before Spring Break in late March. There are five coaches, all coaching specific events. Keith Stuffle is the head coach, while John Potter will work with distance runners. Alex Rhea is working with jumpers and vaulters, Mike Jones works with throwers, and Mr. Rudd is working with sprinters.

Rhea, expressed what he was most excited about this season -- he just wants the athletes to have fun.

Overall, Rhea wants to see them progress through the season, to strengthen their skills as track athletes, and all in all, to enjoy the year and make the most of it.

Track and Field home meets: Friday, March 18, 12:00 PM Thursday, March 24, 1:00 PM Thursday, May 5, 1:00 PM

Thursday, March 10, 2022

Los Angeles Rams secure victory in Super Bowl LVL

By Matthew Dugdale Photography Manager The Super Bowl was an exciting game to say the least, with a hair-raising halftime show, starring famous rappers such as Snoop Dogg, Dr. Dre, and Eminem. The first half of the game was close, with the Rams leading 13 - 10.

The audience in the stands was shocked as Odell Beckham Jr. took a hard fall with a no-contact knee injury. In the third quarter, the Bengals made a huge comeback, leading with a score of 20 - 16. With just a minute on the clock, the Rams swooped in with a touchdown. This ended the game with a final score of 23 - 20.

Teams

Los Angeles Rams

Cincinnati Bengals

Q1

7

3

Q2

6

7

Q3

3

10

Q4

7

0

Final

23

20

Sports

9

Nathen Chen enjoys the crowd and the 2022 Winter Olympics. Photo courtesy of USA Today.

Best of Winter Olympics

By Scout Alford Staff Reporter Athletes from Team USA walked in the Olympic ceremony Feb. 4, marking their start in the Beijing Winter Olympics.

In 2018, at the Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, the U.S. finished fourth on the medal table with a total of 23 medals (nine gold, eight silver and six bronze).

This year Team USA was expected to have a similar outcome. And the Americans once again placed fourth, with a total of 25 medals (eight gold, 10 silver and seven bronze). Highlights included Nathan Chen, a decorated figure skater, winning his first Olympic gold medal. Erin Jackson of Florida became the first Black gold medalist in individual speed skating. And snowboarder Chloe Kim added another gold medal to her collection.

Overall, Norway achieved the most medals this year with a total of 37 (16 gold, eight silver and 13 bronze).

10

Features

THE BENGAL’S PURR

University of Idaho alumni compete in Olympics

By Ava Mohr Staff Reporter Two alumni from the University of Idaho recently competed in the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, China.

Former undergraduate Robert Burns snowboarded in the Parallel Giant Slalom Robert Burns Event, a race that includes snowboarding between gates or poles. He placed 31st in the event. This was the first time the 31-year-old snowboarder competed in the Olympics.

The Team USA website explains that Burns participated in world championship events before the Olympics. His top finish occurred in 2019 when he received 15th place in the parallel slalom. Before competing, the alumnus graduated from UI in 2012, and he grew up in Colorado.

A second alumnus, Andrew Blaser, competed in Beijing as the sole member of the U.S. men’s skeleton team. He participated in skeleton sledding, which involves lying down and traveling headfirst on a sled. The Team USA website states that the 32-year-old finished 21st in the skeleton sledding competition on Feb. 11. This was the athlete’s first Olympics.

Blaser participated in the Men’s Skeleton North American Cup before the 2022 Olympics, receiving gold in Park City and Lake Placid. The sledder placed 10th in the Men’s Skeleton Intercontinental Cup the same year he received gold in the North American Cup. Before competing, the Blaser Andrew Blaser majored in Foods and Nutrition at the University of Idaho. He also graduated from UI in 2012 and he grew up in Meridian, Idaho.

See more at bengalspurr.com

Andrew Blaser competes in the skeleton sledding event in the 2022 Beijing Olympics. Photo courtesy of nbcnewyork.com.

Thursday, March 10, 2022

Features

11

New school, new staff, new LHS

Laura Vervain begins her teaching career at LHS

By Rylie Reagan Editor-in-chief

Laura Vervain

“I didn’t plan on teaching at first.

I went into psychology, but the office I was working in wasn’t quite the right fit for me.”

Laura Vervain joined the Lewiston High School staff as a speech and English teacher at the beginning of the 2021-2022 school year, instructing students in grades 9-12.

Vervain grew up in Idaho, surrounded by her family of five. During her early adulthood, she attended the University of Idaho, where she first earned a Bachelor’s degree in psychology. She later re-attended the university and received her education degree.

“I didn’t plan on teaching at first. I went into psychology, but the office I was working in wasn’t quite the right fit for me,” said Vervain, “I started substitute teaching and realized that my desire to help people translated really well to a classroom setting, so I went back to school two years after graduating the first time.”

After graduating from U of I in the winter of 2021, Vervain received her first teaching job at LHS. Vervain noted that teaching the speech course was incidental. She had applied to teach a split science and English position but did not have the physics credential. Due to the growing student body at

LHS, she was offered a teaching position. Vervain feels that teaching speech is a good fit because of her past involvement in theater.

As she has made the transition here, Vervain has enjoyed being a part of the 9-12 grade setting.

She’s also enjoying returning to the community that she once had been a part of, graduating from LHS in 2013. Starting her teaching career, she has created goals for her students. Vervain focuses on developing students’ abilities in real-world situations.

“It is not common in many industries to stand up in front of an audience of strangers and give an organized presentation,” said Vervain, “It is common, however, to have to give that kind of presentation to peers, which is exactly what we practice in the current speech curriculum.”

Outside of developing her students´ abilities, she aims to help students find coping mechanisms nervousness that they may experience. The 26-yearold Vervain describes herself as an introvert who enjoys drawing, listening to music, reading, and playing video games. After ending her day at the school, the first thing she does is let her two dogs, Kitten and Pancetta, out to play.

Candice Carlson takes on the tech department

By Rylie Reagan Editor-in-chief Candice Carlson is the new computer technician addition to Lewiston High School. Carlson has recently transferred to LHS after teaching in Pocatello, Idaho.

Carlson attended college in Utah at Brigham Young University, where she graduated in 2012 with a bachelor’s degree in geography and a minor in music. She went on to the University of Texas at San Antonio. There, Carlson graduated with a master’s degree in bilingual education. Before Carlson became a computer technician, she taught Spanish and history courses. She accepted a tech job at LHS but hopes to teach one day soon.

Carlson said that she had not imagined herself in her career today. But she discovered her began pursuing her technology interests during adolescence. She found that she enjoys solving problems and figuring things out, she said.

Previous to her work in education, Carlson had a childhood involving moving consistently. She lived in Utah, Montana, New York, California, Oregon and Idaho. She attended 12 high schools, graduating in 2005 from Madison Senior High School in Rexburg, Idaho. Her experiences traveling and moving

helped shape who she is, she said. She cherished the years of traveling but desired a place to settle down and call her home.

Carlson is often in her office within the LHS library, doing inventory, and making sure everything the school has purchased is where the district thinks it is. She explained the importance of patience with technology, as it will work one day and maybe not the next. ¨I will put in a plea for everybody to treat technology with respect. It will work better and last longer,¨ Carlson said.

She had further advice for LHS students with their school devices. ¨Get a case for your Chromebook,¨ she recommended. ¨Don’t hold them with one hand.

Don’t push on the screen hard. Don’t eat or drink around them.¨ As Carlson transitioned from teaching to tech at LHS, she said she has found a sense of belonging in a new job and environment. She said that everyone, including the staff and students, has been super-friendly. When looking for jobs, she said that the number one thing she looks for is nice colleagues.

Candice Carlson

“I will put in a plea for everybody to treat technology with respect.

It will work better and last longer.”

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Thursday, March 10, 2022

Features

Health Occupations classes at LHS adapt to national health crisis

Nevaeh Whitlock and Colby Weeks get help on an assignment from Debbie Wassmuth. Photo by of Jasmine Schmidt.

Features

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Maia Cuddy and Sydney Jungert work on CNA assignments during their class. Photo by Jasmine Schmidt.

by Jasmine Schmidt Features Assistant Health occupations classes at LHS have felt an impact due to alterations from the COVID-19 pandemic. Debbie Wassmuth, the teacher of these classes, has found herself adjusting to new requirements while trying to provide the best learning experience for her students.

The Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) course has had the most difficulty adjusting. Based on requirements updated in January, students participating in clinical hours must have the first COVID-19 vaccine or a medical or religious exemption before serving in nursing homes. Students can also opt out of clinical, but those hours are necessary to become a CNA. However, even without clinical, high school credit and dual college credit is still available to students.

Last school year, Wassmuth faced obstacles in teaching the CNA class. Nursing homes were not accepting students as visitors or volunteers, so Wassmuth had to come up with scenarios in the classroom.

Care-giving skills are the main learning objective in the CNA class. Wassmuth believes that learning these skills can be beneficial to everyone, even those who are not planning on entering a medical field.

“They’re not a bad thing to learn, even if you’re not going into the medical field, because you never know if you might have to take care of an elderly person in your family,” Wassmuth said.

Kadence Musser, a junior at LHS currently taking CNA, chose the class because of her goals of becoming a CNA and earning dual credit. The biggest change for her was the requirement of vaccination to do clinical hours, which also ran through the state. Despite this, she has learned necessary skills in the class.

“The most helpful thing I’ve learned is how to do basic care for the elderly,” Musser said.

Besides CNA, there are several other classes offered at LHS that deal with health care. The health occupations course offers basic skills and knowledge needed for any medical profession. A course in medical terminology teaches the languages that people in the medical field speak. And LHS offers an online pharmacy technician course that ends with a certification test.

Wassmuth spent 14 years in the medical field as a registered nurse in pediatrics, psychiatry, nursing homes, and home-care before coming to teach at LHS. “I went into nursing myself because I care about people and I like to see people get better,” said Wassmuth.

Debbie Wassmuth

Kadence Musser checks the pulse of one of the CNA dummies.

Kadence Musser

photo courtesy of Jasmine Schmidt

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Entertainment Thursday, March 10, 2022 Uncharted showcases treasure hunting journey Add to queue: > WHAT IT’S ABOUT

> KEY CHARACTERS

By Seyi Arogundade Entertainment Assistant

Entertainment 15

Must-watch movies with strong Black leads

The Hate U Give (PG-13) NATHAN DRAKE Main Protagonist

Nathan Drake and Chloe Frazer find themselves stuck in a cave. Photo courtesy of hai.goldcoasthog. com.

By Declan Cattrysse Entertainment Editor

Nathan Drake is working as a bartender in New York when he is approached by Sully. He had a brother named Sam, who ran away when they were younger. He is played by Tom Holland.

Spoilers ahead!

VICTOR SULLIVAN Main Protagonist Victor Sullivan is a treasure hunter who used to search for treasure with Nathan’s older brother, Sam. It is uncertain whether he is genuinely trustworthy. He is played by Mark

CHLOE FRAZER Protagonist Chloe is a treasure hunter who Victor and Nathan meet in Barcelona. She is sneaky and twofaced, betraying the pair several times throughout the movie. Chloe is played by Sophia Ali.

Starr Carter (Amandla Stenberg) is 16 and stuck between two worlds: the urban neighborhood where she lives and the suburban prep school she attends.

This fragile balance is shattered one night when her childhood best friend, Khalil (Algee Smith) is fatally and unjustly shot at the hands of a police officer. This movie follows Starr and her journey to find healing within her community while fighting for the life and legacy of her best friend. Available to stream on Hulu and Amazon Photo courtesy of imdb.com.

Prime Video.

BlacKkKlansman (R)

Wahlberg.

Uncharted, a historical treasure-hunting film, is “a massive globe-trotting adventure” directed

by Ruben Fleischer. Based on the PlayStation video game series of the same name, the movie stars icons such as Tom Holland, Mark Wahlberg and Anthony Banderas.

The story follows Nathan Drake (Holland), a bartender in New York, who is approached by Victor Sullivan (Wahlberg), a seasoned treasure hunter. Sully, as he is commonly referred to, tells Nathan of his brother Sam, whom he lost many years ago. Sam was a friend and they were both on the trail of a secret treasure belonging to famed explorer Ferdinand Magellan.

The pair invades a high-class auction to steal an artifact that will help them on their journey to recover the treasure. After stealing it, they travel to Barcelona, Spain, to retrieve the other piece of the relic. They meet Chloe Frazer (Sophia Taylor Ali), a witty and sly adventurer who has the other part they need.

Nate, Sully and Chloe galavant around Barcelona, following the clues in Magellan’s journal, only to discover that the journal wasn’t leading them to the real treasure. Instead it leads to a map to where the prize is.

Chloe betrays the group and takes the map. They follow her onto a plane, they all get knocked out in a fantastic action scene, where Nathan fights thugs on top of falling cargo crates. Chloe and Nathan land in the Philippines, and with the postcards his brother has been sending him for years, Nathan cracks the case on where the treasure resides.

Photo courtesy of imdb.com.

SANTIAGO MONCADA Main Antagonist Santiago is the youngest of the house of Moncada, a Spanish family responsible for many of the movie’s events.

He is played by Antonio Banderas.

Set in the 1970s and based on a true story, Ron Stallworth (John David Washington), is the first black detective in the Colorado Springs Police Department. In hopes to make a name for himself, he sets out on a seemingly impossible mission: to infiltrate and expose the Ku Klux Klan. Stallworth recruits a more experienced colleague, Flip Zimmerman (Adam Driver), in hopes of taking down the extremist group from the inside out. Available to stream on Hulu.

BRADDOCK Main Antagonist

THE SCOTSMAN Antagonist

The Death and Life of Marsha P. Johnson (Not Rated)

Braddock is hired by Santiago to get artifacts from Victor. She follows them around the world with her henchmen but never suceeds.

She is played by Tati Gabrielle.

The Scotsman is one of Braddock’s henchmen and is a main part of one of the film’s funniest scenes. He is played by Steven Waddington.

When transgender activist and Stonewall veteran Marsha P. Johnson is found dead in 1992, it was the latest in the series peculiar killings within the gay community. Although her death was ruled as a ¨suicide¨ by police, no significant evidence was found to support this theory. Now, filmmakers and others honor Johnson's life and question her death.

Available to stream on Netflix.

Photo courtesy of Wikipedia.com.

Remember the Titans (PG) In the small rural Virginian town, football is more than a sport, but a way of life.

However, in 1971, when the town´s allwhite and all-black schools are forced to integrate, the fate of the football team is called into question. With the help of Coach Herman (Denzel Washington) the new team members learn how to work together and see past each other's differences. Available to stream on Disney Plus.

> RATING REASON

By Declan Cattrysse Entertainment Editor Uncharted has a slow pace, too much dialogue, and an underwhelming amount of action. While it is a highly entertaining film, it certainly isn’t one of the best movies that Holland or Wahlberg have performed in recently.

Its lack of action scenes, extensive dialogue, and seemingly long runtime are enough for Uncharted to earn a 3/5.

Photo courtesy of imdb.com.

Photo courtesy of imdb.com.

13th (Not Rated)

Filmmaker Ava DuVernay delves into the United States’ past of racial inequality and injustice. This documentary also focuses on how the nation’s prisons are disproportionately filled with black and brown individuals. And it continues to delve into the history behind the policing system. Available to stream on Netflix.

Photo courtesy of imdb.com.

Hidden Figures (PG) Based on a true story, Hidden Figures follows three brilliant women at NASA -- Katherine Johnson (Taraji P. Henson), Dorothy Vaughan (Octavia Spencer) and Mary Jackson (Janelle Monáe). These women serve as the brains behind the United States' newest venture -- sending John Glen into orbit. Available to stream on Hulu and Disney Plus.

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Entertainment

THE BENGAL’S PURR

Mitski’s new album shows evolving sound

By Madeline Gibson Entertainment Assistant

With the release of Mitski’s sixth album Feb. 4, the artist explores different genres and she does it well. The album’s main genres that seep through are synth-pop, indie pop and electric rock. As with every artist who has been around for a while, with every album drop, people bring up if the artist’s music is any good anymore. But as many times as Mitski switches the genres and feelings of her music, she never seems to approach anything poorly. This is reflected clearly in her new album, shown in each track.

1. “Valentine, Texas” This song shows the audience Mitski’s need to be loved fiercely, proving she continues to relate with her audience even as years pass.

2. “Working for the Knife” This song features the idea of growing older every day, stuck in the same place, feeling as though you’re not going anywhere in life.

3. “Stay Soft” Although it is easy-listening, the lyrics reflect the human nature to keep your guard up after being hurt in the past.

4. “Everyone” Even though this song talks about her reckless experiences due to her numbness, the music does not sound as good as her other songs on the album. The lyrics don’t carry the piece as well as they should.

5. “Heat Lightning” This song is about the effect of insomnia on the mind, featuring heavy bass instrumental.

6. “The Only Heartbreaker”

With just a few lyrics, Mitski tells the story of someone who always turns her into the bad guy, making her the one who destroyed the relationship.

7. “Love Me More” This synth-pop track has a desperate-love song feel that many of Mitski’s listeners can relate to. She wants more people to love her for her music, and this song shows her devotion to her craft.

8. “There’s Nothing Left Here for You” This short song explores the fears of abandonment that she faces. The gradual build adds to the emphasis of how she feels about being left.

9. “Should’ve Been Me” Like her song “Stay Soft,” this track has a very upbeat melody, but the lyrics talk about how she wishes the person she cares about, would not choose to love someone else.

10. “I Guess” This is the shortest and slowest song on the album and, arguably, the saddest. The song, feeling like a goodbye, says that she guesses she should move on.

11. “That’s our Lamp” This song is good close to the album. Here, she desperately clings to feelings of nostalgia while she’s thinking about her past love.

This album is full of successful bops. Mitski doesn’t hesitate to take her music a step forward. Although this album is full of art and amazing lyrics, this album deserves a 4/5 for a couple reasons. The album is just incredibly short, and there is one song that just falls a little flat, in my opinion. But other than that, this is a thoroughly enjoyable album that is worth recommending.

Photo courtesy of Pitchfork.com.

Lumineers’ Brightside offers clear simplicity

Photo courtesy of Lostposters.com.

By Scout Alford Staff Reporter The Lumineers, an American folk-rock band, released its new album, Brightside, on Jan. 14. Brightside is fairly short, consisting of only nine tracks. Admittedly, listening to these nine pieces for the first time,

they might not seem appealing. The songs can seem repetitive and perhaps less impressive than those from the band’s previous albums. But the more time spent listening to this 30-minute collection of songs, the more appealing it becomes.

My own initial dislike for the album was mainly due to one thing -- nostalgia. Growing up, listening to albums like Cleopatra and The Lumineers created a connection that lots of people, including myself, have made with these songs. Now, listening to Brightside with fresh ears, it is a whole different experience.

The album opens with its title track. Although it is not the best song on the album, the opening drumline and heavy, fuzzy electric guitar at the forefront of the album serve as an awesome hook.

The most favored song of the album is “Birthday.”

This song is notable for its simple storytelling and iconic writing paired with organic and inspiring instrumentals. This track is true to the classic Lumineers style and, overall, is a very enjoyable listen.

“Reprise,” might not be the best song of the album, but it makes up for that in creativity. The song instantly catches your attention with entertaining piano. The reference within the lyrics to the other tracks on the album gives a solid wrap to the end of the album.

Ending the album with a reprise is a very satisfying ode.

Overall, three words to describe Brightside would be “less is more.” The Lumineers deliver storytelling, catchy choruses, and relatively new sounds all within essentially simple songs. To say the least, Brightside it will make a good soundtrack for any upcoming spring break road trips.

Thursday, March 10, 2022

Opinion

17

Freshmen and seniors prove to be bad couples

By Madeline Gibson Features Assistant It’s fine to have healthy, equally-sided friendships between seniors and freshmen. But romantic relationships between them are not ideal. When students are going into their freshman year, they are around 14 years old, while students are entering their senior year around age 17. The senior has almost completed four years of high school, has more experience in relationships and is more mentally mature than first-year students.

“The entire concept of seniors and freshmen dating is a horrible idea and very rarely turns out well for the two involved,” said LHS senior Jimmy (Noah) Williams.

A younger student, sophomore Aubrey Woods, shared similar ideas.

“Honestly, I think it can be a dangerous thing, especially how one is nearly an adult and can start to make a wider variety of decisions,” Woods said.

“Freshmen are typically less experienced in life, unlike seniors, which could affect the relationship. I don’t think seniors and freshmen should be dating nor should they even consider it.”

The first and self-evident reason why relationships between freshmen and seniors are wrong is the age gap and maturity difference between the two. Though seniors are only just going into adulthood, they tend to have more experience with relationships. When freshmen are just starting the new school year they are fresh out of middle school.

They probably have little to no relationship experience, and neither do their friends. They have no one to talk to about their relationship problems, as their friends wouldn’t know how to help them.

Fear of attention could suppress many unhealthy things in the relationship if there’s no one to help them. But seniors have most likely dated more people and know how relationships work. They might know how to take advantage of the younger students without their knowledge. An awareness of when the power balance is off can help save both partners.

Kaitlyn Hunt

Age differences can affect relationships because of this power dynamic. The senior has more “authority” over the freshman, as they are older and more experienced. The freshman could feel like they should go along with what the senior tells them to do because they seem to know what they’re doing. The three unhealthy power imbalance relationships are the demand-withdrawal, the distancer-pursuer, and the fear-shame dynamics, according to Big Think.

The demand-withdrawal relationship is when one person tries to target the challenges in their relationship to fix them, while the other tries to avoid change in the dynamic as much as possible. One example could be the senior avoiding the problems with the age difference. At the same time, the freshman might try to fix any issues.

The distancer-pursuer dynamic could be explained as one party in the relationship trying to get intimate with the other. But in contrast, the other finds this to be suffocating. The more the pursuer wants intimacy out of the relationship, the more they will distance themselves to get away. An example could be the senior pushing for the freshman to be intimate with them. The freshman might comply to make the other happy while still distancing themselves emotionally or in other aspects.

With the fear-shame dynamic, fear and insecurity from one partner brings out shame in the other.

The senior could feel insecure without an outlet or someone to talk to about it. That creates the freshman scapegoat, and they could be shamed by the older one into compliance.

Some would argue that people shouldn’t be labeled as sex offenders after dating a 14-year-old at 18; however, the participants in the relationship could take many steps to prevent that situation. Do the Romeo and Juliet laws protect this kind of relationship? In Idaho, a 15-year-old cannot consent to sexual activities, including hugging or kissing. If one partner is 18 and the other is a minor, the older one can still get into trouble. In cases where some 18-year-olds have been charged, they have most likely been warned before being convicted.

For example, there’s the case of Kaitlyn Hunt. As a Floridian high schooler in 2013, she received two counts of felony interference with child custody, two counts of misdemeanor for contributing to the dependency of a child and had to serve four months in jail. She then had two years and nine months of probation. She was arrested before she was officially charged as a sex offender. Part of her parole was to get rid of all contact with her fourteen-year-old girlfriend. She had been found with over 20,000 messages between the two, including inappropriate photos. She had been forewarned that she would be charged if she violated probation, yet she continued to do so.

In another case, 18-year-old Ken Thornsberry was arrested and put in jail for a year. As soon as the high schooler from Michigan got out of jail, he

Ken Thornsberry

resumed his relationship with his 15-year-old girlfriend, according to Daily Beast. He was immediately sent back to jail for six years.

In both cases, the older of the relationship (who had been jailed for their relationships), has been informed of the consequences of going back to their partner. In most high school relationships, an older partner, like a senior, might not deserve the title of sex offender. But they can avoid the situation altogether by avoiding partners who are so much younger.

Avoiding the age gap doesn’t have to be a challenge. At a school as big as LHS, there are plenty of people in your own grade. Dating one grade above or below can also be acceptable, as the age difference isn’t that great.

In most cases, it’s not clear why an almost-legal adult would want to be with a fourteen-year-old; it makes no sense. When one is in high school, it’s unlikely they will meet their soulmate. And that’s okay because they have their whole life ahead of them. There’s no need to rush to find love. The high school dating pool is large enough within one’s own age range; there’s no need to search for someone so much younger or older.

There are many negative results that can come from seniors and freshmen dating. An older teenager who doesn’t want to worry about being labeled a pedophile should avoid this type of relationship.

After high school, an age gap of three years isn’t so frowned upon; both parties are legal adults. The problem occurs when one is a minor and the other is legally recognized as an adult. After high school, an adult probably won’t be thinking about their freshman-year crush. Infatuations end as quickly as they start. But negative experiences in relationships can impact the way a person sees romantic opportunities forever.

Send your opinions to bengalspurr@ lewistonschools.net

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THE BENGAL’S PURR

Opinion

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine effects entire globe

Ukrainian soldiers ride atop personnel carriers through the Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine. Photo courtesy of CNN.

By Josh Tatko Sports Editor On Feb. 24, 2022, Russian President Vladimir V. Putin ordered the invasion of Ukraine. More than 200,000 Russian troops amassed along the Russia-Ukraine border, Belarus-Ukraine border, the Crimean Peninsula, and the breakaway Luhansk and Donetsk People’s Republics (LPR and DPR) in addition to warships in the Black Sea. According to CBC, the combined Russian military presence near Ukraine is roughly equivalent to the entire Ukrainian military.

President of the United States Joe Biden declared “the beginning of a Russian invasion of Ukraine” two

days earlier, on Feb. 22, following the highly controversial decision to move Russian troops into the LPR and DPR. Russia decided to recognize the long-disputed separatist states, including its full territorial claims. According to CNN, Russia claims that it recognized the breakaway republics to “protect and preserve” residents from a potential “bloodbath.”

In response to the invasion, many countries have levied economic sanctions against Russia, hoping to strike at the Russian economy by cutting off trade and imposing penalties on Russian banks and billionaires. These countries include Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Taiwan, the United Kingdom and the United States. The European Union has also imposed

By Hannah Shoffitt Opinion Editor Like butterfly clips and chickenpox, many assume book banning and censorship to be a thing of the past. Unfortunately, the issue continues to be prevalent. The American Library Association (ALA) releases a list of the top 10 most challenged or restricted books for each year. The 2021 list includes titles such as The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie, To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, and The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison.

Most of these books are written by people of color, LGBTQ+, and other marginalized groups, or they have characters that revolve around these identities.

For example, The Bluest Eye (No. 9 on the list) is written by a black woman and follows the narrative of Pecola, a young African-American girl, in 1941. Pecola develops an inferiority complex due to constant belittling because of her mannerisms and skin color, and she suffers traumatizing events. The book addresses sexual assault, internalized racism and religion. Though these topics are difficult to explore, they must be discussed and learned from.

Still some American school boards don’t see the

educational value of novels like The Bluest Eye, or of Maus, a graphic novel about the Holocaust.

“We don’t need to enable or somewhat promote this stuff,” a school board member in Tennessee said in a story from The Smithsonian. “[Maus] shows people hanging, it shows them killing kids. Why does the education system promote this stuff? It is not wise or healthy.”

There was a unanimous vote to ban the book from that district’s eighth-grade curriculum at a meeting held earlier this year, according to The Smithsonian.

Maus is a graphic novel by Art Spiegelman that depicts his father’s experiences as a Polish Jew and Holocaust survivor. Spiegelman uses anthropomorphic animals to represent different groups: Jews as mice, Germans as cats, Americans as dogs, etc. Maus also revolves around Spiegelman’s strained relationship with his father and the grief he experienced when his mother (also a Holocaust survivor) died by suicide when he was 20.

Some shock is expected and acceptable from parents when dark themes are introduced to their children. It can be nerve-wracking when kids learn about atrocities committed in the past. But to ban that

sanctions. The New York Times purports that these sanctions could devastate the Russian economy over time, but they could also affect the economies of other countries.

Putin’s motivations for invading Russia are strategic, both militarily and economically. According to the Los Angeles Times, Putin has cited the collapse of the Soviet Union as one of the greatest disasters in modern history, elaborating that he neither views Ukraine as a sovereign nation nor the Ukrainian people as distinct from Russians. The Soviet Union and the Russian Empire before it controlled a far greater land area than Russia does today, including 15 modern countries.

If NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) appears to represent a tangible threat to the stability of Russia, maintaining control of a buffer zone -- such as the former Soviet states in eastern Europe -- would make a NATO-led invasion far easier to fend off. And the Soviet Union not only controlled those states but maintained a strong influence over much of the rest of Eastern Europe via the Eastern Bloc or Warsaw Pact.

In terms of his economic motivations, Putin is looking to secure Ukraine’s oil supply. According to Worldometer, Ukraine contains about 395 million barrels of oil. Russia is currently one of the largest exporters of oil and natural gas globally. According to the New York Times, nearly 40% of Europe’s oil comes from Russia. Newsscientist reports that 17% of global gas output and 13% of oil come from Russia. The Council on Foreign Relations lists Russia as the only European petrostate, a type of country that is economically dependent on gas and oil. If Russia were to capture Ukraine, it would gain access to many new oil reserves. Conversely, Ukraine could become an economic rival if Russia does not capture it.

Book banning and censorship rise in the U.S.

McMinn County, Tennessee, removes Maus from its eighth-grade curriculum.

these books? That’s just robbing kids of learning opportunities. If Jewish children in 1940s Europe had to endure the actual Holocaust, the children of today can handle reading about it. ­ Book banning has always been a hot topic in the U.S. It encompasses significant issues, such as free speech and the right to consume literature. It’s egotistical and unfair to hinder others’ ability to write and read literature simply because it doesn’t coincide with the values or beliefs of specific groups.

Thursday, March 10, 2022

By Chayton Brewer-Burgin Features Editor

Sudoku

Variety

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Betty White and Queen Elizabeth II enjoy a cup of coffee.

Image by Declan Cattrysse.

Six students enjoy diving through the skies in a circular shaped figure. Photo courtesy of Pxphere.com.

Teacher sends class on “healthy heart and soul skydiving field trip” FAKE NEWS

By Declan Cattrysse Entertainment Editor In a recent study a Micronesian scientist, James Jameson, found that engaging children in physically demanding activities -- such as football, yoga and kickball -- can be a fantastic way to help students stay engaged in tedious classroom activities.

Local biology teacher, Rhonda Rutherford, took this to a whole new level on Tuesday, Feb. 28, when she commandeered a school bus and took an unplanned field trip to Marty’s Skydiving Emporium.

“It just felt right,” Rutherford said to The Shallot in an interview. “My students were always falling asleep during my lectures on the life cycle of the Argentine ant for some reason. One day, I read this super-boring study by some small, micro guy and it told me to take

my students on an excursion.”

On this excursion, several students sustained severe injuries, with one landing in the ICU, literally. He is now on life support and will probably never walk again. The mother of this student, who elected to remain nameless, has decided to take legal action.

“That vile woman is going to rot in jail for nearly killing my son,” the mother said. “I am going to sue her for more money than Jeff Bezos’ net worth.”

Late last night, police obtained a warrant for Rutherford’s arrest under the charges of child endangerment, attempted kidnapping, child abuse, and for paying for the trip with counterfeit money.

Currently awaiting her trial, Rutherford is locked up at Alcatraz. The tourist destination is closed for the time being, causing the public to rally against Rutherford. Tourists are protesting to speed up her sentenceing so they can visit the decommissioned institute.

Betty White’s death celebrated

By Declan Cattrysse Entertainment Editor

FAKE NEWS

Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, held a press conference Feb. 10 to discuss the death of her longtime friend, Betty Marion White Ludden.

“After her death, I spent three weeks in Peru mourning her loss,” the Queen told Carl Azuz of CNN. “But after careful consideration, I’ve decided to dedicate a holiday in her memory. December 31 shall hereby be known as White Day.” Following this shocking announcement, several American news outlets requested exclusive interviews with the Queen. She has still not responded to any of these requests.

As of Feb. 14, United States president, Joe Biden, also passed a bill to recognize Betty White Day as a federal holiday.

It’s hard to say whether this holiday will stick in other countries, but one thing is for sure -- Betty White would be proud of the good she did for this world.

The Bengal’s Purr Lewiston High School 3125 Cecil Andrus Way Lewiston, ID 83501 Mail to:

Thursday, March 10, 2022

THE BENGAL’S PURR

Meet the Staff

Editor-in-chief-- Rylie Reagan Managing Editor-- Chayton Brewer-Burgin News Editor, Opinion Editor-- Hannah Shoffitt Features Editor-- Chayton Brewer-Burgin Entertainment Editor-- Declan Cattrysse Sports Editor-- Josh Tatko Photography Manager-- Matthew Dugdale Copyeditors-- Lauren Martin, Rylie Reagan, Jasmine Schmidt, Hannah Shoffitt, Josh Tatko Digital Media Manager-- Aydann Long Historian--Seyi Arogundade News Assistants--Sydney Ball, Danica Keane Features Assistants-- Seyi Arogundade, Madeline Gibson, Jasmine Schmidt Sports Assistant-- Josie Sager Staff Reporters-- Jordis Aiken, Scout Alford, Kaitlyn Fowler, Sophia Gill, Kendra Kelley, Paxtyn Latta Adviser-- Charity Thompson Egland