On Nov. 28, LHS began a food drive to aid local food banks. Each of the four grades will compete to bring in the largest amount of food, measured in weight, with boxes to deposit food placed in the rooms of two teachers who have been chosen to represent that grade.
The teachers representing the freshman class will be Alicia Hasenoehrl and Jon Schaper. Teachers representing the sophomore class will be Kristin Delp and Jordan Lockard. Representing the junior class will be Jamie Bakker and Brent Jacobs, and representing the senior class will be Scout Larson and Matt Pancheri. Students will have until Wednesday, Dec. 14, to bring food to their designated teachers.
The representative teachers of the winning grade will get to run the Bengal Update newscast, while the representatives of the losing grades will have to perform punishments at the Christmas Assembly on Friday, Dec. 16. One of the losing pairs will drink a concoction of ingredients chosen by the audience. Another pair will eat spicy peppers. And the last losing pair will do a Tik Tok dance in front of the crowd.
In addition to the food drive, LHS will also be running a coin drive this month.
By Maggie Carr Features Assistant
Jack Kramasz won the annual Mr. LHS competition, held Nov. 17 in the P1FCU Performing Arts Center. Mr. LHS is a fundraiser for the school cheer team that includes a group of senior boys who participate in a series of competitions to determine who wins the title of Mr. LHS.
This year’s theme, Mr. LHS Mach ‘23, was inspired by the movie Top Gun. The event included 11 contestants who participated in an introduction, fitness portion, swim wear routine, talent portion, and a composure and interview contest.
The contestants enjoyed putting on the show.
“I think the whole experience was something that every person should go through, that every person should experience,” Kramasz said.
Jared Jelinek won first runner-up and also tied with Luke Mastroberardino for fitness. Mastroberardino and Max Shaefer tied for the second runners-up.
“Honestly, just hanging out with the dudes was such a great time,” Shaefer shared about his experience. “Everyone in there was having such a fun time.”
Shaefer also tied with Trace Steele for the talent winner. During his performance of “Say It Ain’t So,” Schaefer said, “This is awesome!” which immediately became the night’s motto.
Nathan Renzelman won the swim wear award, Rob -
ert Storm won for composure, and Kramasz won the interview award. The cheerleaders voted on the Spirit of Mr. LHS award, which Esten Lee won.
“We knew in our hearts that we all had fun,” Lee said after the competition. “That’s more important than any amount of medals that anybody won.”
Many of the contestants said their favorite part of Mr. LHS was simply getting to hang out with the other contestants, getting to know their classmates better. The contestants would recommend participating in Mr. LHS to the future senior boys.
On Nov. 9, students voted on a date for the winter dance. As a result, the dance will be held at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 10, at LHS.
Tickets are available and students can purchase them during lunch from ASB. The dance is a Sadie Hawkins dance, meaning traditionally a girl asks a boy to the dance, and participants are encouraged to dress up as dynamic duos. The dance also has a glowin-the-dark theme.
By Seyi Arogundade Features Editor
On Tuesday November 22, counselors handed out stickers containing the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline number, 988. These stickers were provided by the non-profit organization, Suicide Prevention of the Inland Northwest. This local organization focuses on suicide prevention in the Idaho area, and also offers resources and help to people throughout the community. They have partnered with and have been sponsored by other organizations in the community such as Art Uncorked, Lewis Clark State College, Twin County United Way, Regence BlueShield of Idaho, Moneysaver, Pepsi and more.
SPIN provides resources for students who are struggling. Image courtesy of spinsuicideprevention.com.
After competing at the district level, one athlete, Junior James Stubbers, moved on to compete in the state championship on Oct. 29. With a time of 16:34.80, Stubbers placed 51 out of 82 in the 5,000 -meter event. He continued on to the Northwest Regional Championship on Nov. 12, where he placed 82nd out of 307.
By Kendra Kelley Sports Editor
Every year towards the end of November, Walt Disney World holds a Thanksgiving parade in Orlando, Florida. In this parade, cheerleaders from across the country get the chance to perform as All-American cheerleaders, organized by Varsity Spirit.
Lewiston High School cheerleaders were able to go to a cheer summer camp called the UCA summer camp to qualify as chosen cheerleaders in the Thanksgiving event.
Around 10% of the members of each school cheer team were selected to participate in the parade. A few LHS cheerleaders from all grade levels were chosen to perform in the 2022 parade. Danica Keane and Jordis Aiken are two juniors who served in this year’s Thanksgiving parade and also danced in the 2020 parade.
The LHS cheerleaders left for Orlando Nov. 20 and returned Nov. 25. Attendees were split into two dance groups that performed on separate nights. They performed at Magic Kingdom Nov. 23-24. Once at Walt Disney, each cheerleader got to do a T-shirt swap with a cheerleader from a different school.
“Being able to go on this trip was an amazing opportunity and such a great experience,” Keane said. “I loved meeting new people from all over the country, and I am very thankful for my coaches for teaching me everything I know, which led me to this point.”
Lewiston High School’s swim team placed better than it ever has at state with more qualifiers and the highest placing since the swim team started. State competitions were held in Boise Nov. 4-5.
The Bengals placed 6th as a team and had many qualifiers for finals. Luke Mastroberardino placed second in the 50 freestyle and 100 freestyle races, PRing in both events. Grace Qualman got 4th in 50-meter freestyle and 5th in 100-meter butterfly.
Mastroberardino and Qualman are both team cap -
tains this year as seniors. Both have been on the LHS team since freshman year. Overall, Mastroberardino has 10 years of experience while Qualman has been swimming for almost seven years.
The swim team rode to state in a limousine this year, as the school was unable to find bus drivers to drive the team to Boise. A send off was held Nov. 3, where the LHS marching band and students cheered on the swimmers as they got in their limo to head to state.
“Riding in the limo was very fun. It was loud but comfortable,” said Qualman.
“The best part was definitely meeting the other swimmers down there and racing against them. We made some good friendships and raced some great times,” Mastroberardino said.
The season is over for swim but many teammates are planning on coming back next year to swim.
“I think Maggie Carr and some incoming freshmen have the potential to make it to state and really succeed next year,” Qualman said.
Bengal varsity football finished up the season with seven wins, four losses and an overall win rate of 64%. But they lost their home playoff game against Middleton, 14-7, and did not play at state competitions.
As a highlight, though, senior Austin Lawrence broke a school record this season: He caught a 94-yard touchdown from Drew Hottinger. The previous school record was 91 yards.
Lawrence had a great senior season, he said. “I will miss being able to hang out with all my friends throughout the season,” Lawrence said.
As winter begins, basketball season starts up, too. Last year, the LHS varsity boys had a total of 17 wins and six losses. They had an impressive season and beat Lake City, which was the number one team in the state. They ended the season as 4th in the 5A division.
The LHS varsity girls won eight games and had 12 losses last year. During the annual Golden Throne game against the Clarkston Bantams, they won, 62-42.
The Bengals will likely have another successful season, even without players like Brayden Forsman, who graduated last year. Stand-out players this year include Drew Hottinger, James White and Reese Degroot.
The players said they feel excited to improve this season.
“I think we need to have more trust as a team,” White said.
His goal is to win the league game and go to state. Sophomore Taylor Holman, a JV player, said she hopes her team can grow closer and hopefully be undefeated.
I was in the sixth grade on Feb. 14, 2018, when the Marjory Stoneman Douglas school shooting took place in Parkland, Florida. Nikolas Cruz killed 14 students and three school administrators.
I had never realized that something so horrible was even possible. I remember being outraged. I was scared and didn’t know what to do, and I understood there was nothing I could do. I think back to March 14, 2018, when I participated in the 17-minute walkout. Seventeen minutes for the 17 victims.
Since then, I have been passionate about gun violence awareness in America. I have participated in activities associated with Students Demand Action, a group of activists striving to end gun violence in America.
Online, I have gotten into many arguments about the topic with people I barely know. Freshman year was rough; I felt very strongly about my opinions and didn’t realize there was any other way to think. I believed that what I thought was right and prided myself on that. As I matured, I almost became embarrassed about how I acted. Now I want to hear from those around me. I want to be able to listen to all sides of the story before forming my own opinion.
It has been about four years since the Parkland shooting and since my first experience hearing about a mass shooting. The sentencing of Cruz took place Nov. 2, when he was given life in prison without the chance of parole. Seeing this in the media brought me back to the sixth grade. I remember how deeply enraged I was and how this impacted my life, even
though 3,000 miles separated me and the case.
On Oct. 24, two people were killed in a shooting at Central Visual and Performing Arts High School in St. Louis, Missouri. The victims were Alexandria Bell, age 15, and Jean Kuczka, age 61. The gunman, whom I am choosing not to name, was carrying an AR-15 style weapon, 600 rounds of ammo, and 13 high-capacity magazines, all of which were legally purchased through a private seller, according to CNN. The gunman at the Parkland shooting was also carrying an AR-15-style weapon and was wielding five magazines of ammo, according to Fox4Now.
These recent events have won much attention from the media. They also have made me wonder if Americans are becoming desensitized to talk of school shootings because of normalization in the media. Growing up hearing about so many of these tragic events affects everyone differently.
Remembering discussions we had as freshmen, I wanted to talk with a few classmates about these recent events, wondering how their views had developed over the years.
Cole Lockart, an LHS junior, said that, to an extent, he sees our generation becoming more desensitized to talk of gun violence.
“I don’t know if it’s we are getting older and realizing that this is happening more or if it is something starting to happen more,” Lockart said. “When you’re a kid, you don’t pay attention to the news as much. [ . . . ] I don’t know if we are noticing it more because we are paying attention or if this is actually happening more often.”
Scout Alford, also a junior, talked with me and Lockart about the sense of safety on campus at LHS.
“We are so lucky to have a school that is created to be incredibly safe and literally built around the issue of security. We have Officer Massey who is trained to handle that stuff as well, but it’s definitely an issue,” Alford said.
“I feel safe, at least in this school; if I was somewhere else, probably not, and here I feel safe for sure,” said Lockart.
Sexual education in the United States is a joke at best. Students, separated into boy/girl classrooms, get a 30-minute lesson simply stating the fact that they, as humans, have sexual organs and can have babies. Many students at this age are immature and will laugh at the penis diagram, but their immaturity proves they are the perfect age to be taught about being safe in the bedroom.
Every adolescent comedy movie showcases a monotone teacher placing a condom onto a banana, but the funniest part is that students don’t even get shown that in real life. Education on contraceptives and the vast range of birth control options are scarce, especially for young women. Most doctors will refuse to tie an unmarried, childless woman’s tubes; they claim it is because “the woman might change their mind,” and the sterilization surgery is irreversible. But tubal ligation at any age is not illegal. So how is it fair for a doctor who has no idea of a woman’s situation to be allowed to deny this woman free will and the right to surgery? And if an unmarried woman with no children is too young to decide to get her tubes tied, why is she old enough to be forced to carry children?
Many university campuses have even started to ban contraception and any talk “supporting abortion.” An email sent to The Washington Post states, “If an employee appears to promote abortion, counsel in favor of abortion, or refer a student for an abortion procedure, they could face a felony conviction and be permanently barred from all future state employment.” The email was referring to the new procedures at the University of Idaho.
If professors at universities are not even allowed to supply legal adults with birth control, how is the U.S. supposed to stop the spread of STIs and teen pregnancy? People can have any opinion on abortion as they want, but their views should not be forcing women who are not ready to have children to carry children. If one must be 21 years of age, have a stable income, and have adequate housing to adopt a child, why are those not requirements to carry one of their own?
The vicious cycle of teen pregnancy and generational poverty can start with just one pregnancy. Many teens who become pregnant are not supported by their parents but are instead thrown out to the streets because they “made their decision.” This statement is partially true; many teen pregnancies are due to con-
sensual sex, but not all sexual encounters result in pregnancy or STIs. It is entirely unfair for parents to expect their child to stay abstinent throughout high school. Not only that, but it also throws the blame on the child for having sex rather than parenting their child and teaching them how to be safe.
Psychologytoday.com says, “...abstinence-only sexual educations programs are ineffective at preventing pregnancy and STDs, while comprehensive sex education—which includes information about condoms, STDs and contraception—encourage students to delay intercourse and promote other protective behaviors, such as condom use.”
Ultimately, the younger populations suffer from a lack of sexual education in schools. The “sex talk” is so taboo that most parents refuse even to mention sex to their children. This avoidance of discussion paves the way for unplanned pregnancies and the spread of STIs among the youth. If teens knew how to be safe in the bedroom, learned about their birth control options, and were not taught to be ashamed of themselves for being sexually active, there would be a rapid decline in teen pregnancies and the spreading of STIs in the United States.
In his interview, Driskill, recognized that the perception of these situations could vary between adults and students.
“We have meetings between the Asotin and Clarkston school districts, asking how we can better our approach,” Driskill said.
Even other LHS staff members said they recognize the need for improvement in these areas.
about the loss, along with members of the school district crisis team, counselors and other administrators.
“Then we typically have a meeting to let our staff know, and to more than anything, give them a heads up to really keep an eye out for kids who need support,” Driskill said.
These are routine courses of action, but one thing that was not mentioned within this protocol was how to relay this information to students.
“We’re trying to get better,” said Jordan Lockard, a psychology teacher. “But people tend to shy away from wanting to talk about grief, hoping that no one has to deal with it, even though it is a natural part of the human experience.”
Healing from events such as the loss of a friend, or classmate, is a gut-wrenching process. However, this process can only start with open communication. So Forrest Delka-Wicks, a junior at LHS, has posed this question for the trusted adults in the school and community to ponder:
By Oluwaseyi Arogundade Opinion EditorWithin the past few months, several tragedies have ripped through the Lewiston-Clarkston Valley, leaving many here confused and hurting.
With the passing of several young people -- one current student at LHS, three recent graduates of Clarkston High School, one former LHS student, and four University of Idaho students -- these losses have hit the community in shock waves, specifically, the student bodies at their respective schools.
But even in the grief that so many are dealing with, there seems to be a lack of response from administrators and staff at Lewiston High School. The student body is feeling this silence.
“I think it’s almost ignorant that we have had four deaths of kids in our valley this year, and the school has not acknowledged a single one of them,” Patience Rose told The Bengal’s Purr in November. She is an LHS senior, and one of many affected by the recent losses in the community.
Christina Cahill, a counselor at LHS, said these types of circumstances are dealt with case-by-case. The school utilizes Idaho Lives, a website run through the state that gives guidelines on how to handle situations regarding student health and safety.
“We must be cautious of how we handle these types of things,” said Cahill. “We obviously want to give students a place to be safe and grieve. That is our number one priority.”
Despite this, many students have expressed their feelings that the school does not do a good job of teaching kids how to handle their emotions or grief.
Ryan Carper, a junior at LHS, said that he has never been taught how to respond to or handle grief at school, but he was fortunate to have these discussions at home.
Wyatt Laney, a sophomore, said, “The school doesn’t do a lot. We learn a little bit about these things in health class, but that can only go so far.”
In an interview, LHS Principal Kevin Driskill outlined the current steps that administration and staff take when approaching a loss at the high school. One of these steps includes informing Superintendent Lance Hansen
According to the Idaho Lives Project, implementing a communication plan with staff, parents and students about a student’s death within the school or community is vital. Part of that communication means allowing students to be aware of situations rather than restricting information.
The Idaho Lives Project also states that students can find ways to grieve through appropriate memorials. These can include “pages in school newspapers or yearbooks that treat the dedication equally with that of any other death. The guidelines suggest a small photograph, name, birth and death dates, and something positive about what they did while living.” The project also suggests allowing donations for a bereaved family or other youth support programs.
When asked about implementing appropriate memorials, Driskill stated, “This is an educational institution, not a funeral home or a church.” He elaborated that district policy states that memorials are prohibited on campuses.
However, just this week the school turned on athletic field lights in collaboration with a candlelight vigil held in Moscow, honoring four UI students who were killed, and directly contradicting the no-memorial policy.
Even though some tools are available to students, communication and acknowledgment are crucial in the healing process. Many students shared that they believe there is a lack of open dialogue within the school.
“I think often [administrators] want to keep quiet or conceal the actual issue, and it leaves many kids feeling alone,” said Payton Finch, LHS ASB President. “Maybe our school feels uncomfortable talking about grief, but it should be talked about publicly so we can all grieve as a community. It is so much better than dealing with this alone.”
Other students said they believe it is on them and their peers to help one another move forward.
“I think the school as a whole doesn’t do a very good job about giving kids an outlet to handle their feelings or even talking about it…even though we all know these [deaths] have happened,” said Chloe Bartschi, a senior. “I feel like the kids are trying to be the ones who are there for each other.”
“How are we supposed to handle grief if we don’t talk about it?”
If you, or someone you know, are struggling, please reach out to the school counselors. You can text or call the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at the number 988
• Kaylin Roby: Students with last names A-D, 208-748-3111
• Christina Cahill: Students with last names E-K, 208-748-3110
• Olivia Wilson: Students with last names L-R, 208-748-3114
• Leslie Halliday: Students with last names S-Z, 208-748-3113
In St. Louis, the gunman who entered the high school had struggled since the doors at the point of his entry were locked. But he then entered the school from a point where there was no security. Unfortunately, even if school security officers they had been there, they were not armed and would have likely faced the same fate as those who died. The quick response of outside law enforcement stopped the violence within four minutes, but that wasn’t enough time to save the lives of Bell and Kuczka.
We at LHS are privileged to exist in a school where security and the safety of everyone are heavily considered. Not everyone in America can have such a privilege.
School should not be a place that children feel scared to attend; it should be a place of learning. The fact that thousands of people die yearly due to gun violence is horrifying. The fact that most acts of violence could have been prevented makes it even sadder.
It is hard to see America currently so divided on this issue instead of looking at the common problem that we all want to change. So much could be done to help prevent tragedies such as those in Parkland and St. Louis. Yet we do nothing.
“We have had four deaths of kids in our valley this year, and the school has not acknowledged a single one.” -- Patience Rose, LHS senior
Imagine a crowded room. There’s music playing in the background, and lots of people go about their day, talking loudly or laughing, constantly moving and bumping into each other. Imagine trying to complete a homework assignment or even think clearly while this is happening.
This scenario is a prime example of what it is like to feel over-stimulated.
Over-stimulation describes the state of someone who feels overwhelmed and unable to function “normally.” This is precisely the kind of situation that special education students face daily at LHS.
An easy fix for this complex condition is to provide these students with tools to learn how to self-regulate and improve their immediate surrounding environment.
“We can’t just expect those who do not work directly with students who have special needs to completely understand the extent of some of those special needs,” said Tim Gundy, an occupational therapist with the Lewiston School District.
What is a sensory room?
Tools for self-regulation are often used in a sensory room. It is a space designed to help provide people with the ability to fill and regulate each of their different sensory needs. Sensory rooms — also known as motor or mobility rooms — offer some of the most beneficial resources a school can give to special education students. According to the article “The Benefits of Sensory Rooms for Children with Autism and Social/Emotional Challenges,” these rooms provide students with tools to cope with incoming stimulation. These tools engage different parts of the brain, help with memory, help exercise fine-motor and grossmotor skills. In these rooms, students also get help communicating with peers and teachers.
Every person has a different sensory “diet.” Sensory needs can be thought of in terms of diverse-size containers. Each person receives each sense — sight,
sound, touch, taste or smell — at different levels of intensity.
Disabled or not, every person has unique sensory needs. These needs can be considered in terms of different-sized “sensory cups.” A large or small cup does not indicate something good or bad, but suggests how a person regulates and responds to incoming sensory information. If the cup is empty, it may be hard for a person to focus; if the cup is too full, the same is true.
A “large cup” means that a person needs a lot of sensory input to “fill” the cup. A “small cup” means it takes very little sensory information to overwhelm the person. This is where regulation comes into play.
For several reasons, it is essential for special education students to be able to self-regulate and respond to their environment. Being able to cope with incoming information can lead to better communication skills and help these kids learn how to self-advocate for the things they need. Many special education students have never had the opportunity or the tools to self-advocate or represent themselves.
According to Williams’ and Shellenberger’s Pyramid of Academic Learning, sensory needs are at the first layer, meaning that if they are not met, academic learning is unattainable.
Back in Lewiston, Gundy put it best: “It’s education. We’ve got to continually educate… that allows that individual to maybe stay at school an entire day, which is what we want,” he said.
“We want them to be in the school building; we want them to be as productive and on task as possible,” Gundy added. “Sometimes filling the cup takes all those little things we can incorporate.”
The current sensory space at Lewiston High School raises some significant concerns. To begin, the room does not meet the needs of the students in terms of functionality. The area is extremely small and spills over into their everyday classroom.
“I’ve made this whole (class)room basically a sensory room because we have a lot of kids with sensory needs,” said Robin Stone, a special education teacher at LHS. “Having a quiet space to go along with it is a bit difficult.”
Previously, items like the swing and the trampoline didn’t fit in the designated sensory space, which since then has changed. The department at LHS has been able to use a larger room for those items.
“I’d say overall I feel very positive about our efforts and direction in providing a well-equipped motor room area to our students who need that space,” said Gundy.
But the room does not contain all of the equipment he likes to use, which includes, at the bare minimum: a therapy ball with a stable base, natural light, floor mats, Velcro wall exercise equipment, a mini trampoline, a rocking chair, bean bag chairs, some type of swing, hoops, 4-8 lb. medicine balls, a whiteboard or chalkboard, and a weighted blanket.
The room contains no windows, and the students have very few options for sensory items. These items are often only accessible to one student, Stone said, and this creates problems when multiple kids need sensory stimulation simultaneously.
“We don’t have a lot of stuff in there,” said LoRissa Schmittle, a special education paraprofessional. “Certain things are for certain kids, and other kids aren’t able to use them.”
Part of the problem, it seems, came from the construction process for the current LHS campus. Members of the LHS the special education department had little say in what types of things were built into their new space, they said.
So at LHS the lack of sensory space creates a physical barrier for special education students who are experiencing difficulties with social interaction, communication and comprehension.
People typically learn in childhood how to react and respond to stimuli correctly. But some kids missthose milestones and continue working on these skills, even in a high school classroom setting.
For those types of students, sensory spaces are necessary to help engage different parts of the brain.
Occupational therapy offers rehabilitation through physical activities that are useful in daily life. Sensory rooms help provide calm and comfort for students, enhancing self-regulation and leading to better focusing habits. This means that in the classroom the students will be better able to make decisions, interact with peers and teachers. They can increase their ability to self-advocate if given access to the proper materials and educational tools to do so.
“Really, any child or any student can just benefit from a place to go and kind of relax… whatever that just-right kind of activity is for them,” Gundy said. “They can go back in their classroom with their peers and be calm, on task, alert.”
This kind of support can be enough to help a student stay in school for a complete day, Gundy added.
Although some would argue that the current sensory space is adequate and the tools available to the kids are enough, it is clear that many sensory needs still need
Lincoln Skinner, a former LHS student and a recent graduate of Clarkston High School, died by suicide on Monday, Nov. 7.
Even people who didn’t know Skinner personally knew of him and had something good to say about him. Students at LHS remembered how kind and caring he was, and how he helped them in many ways.
Many described him as kind, funny, loving and selfless. They said he was always the one to reach out to others. He never failed to remind people that they were loved, and he was there for them. Many said they thought of him as a true blessing to know.
One of Skinner’s close friends, Mollie Albrich, remembered him as “being so dedicated to everything he did,” especially when it came to motocross.
At races, Skinner was the first to run out, help little kids pick up their bikes, and get them back on the track, Albrich said. He always thought of others before himself, especially on the track.
Skinner was truly known for his racing, pulling whips at any jump he could. He never signed his name without his racing number, 201.
Kayden Aiken, one of his friends on the track, said he always saw Skinner “hyping up all of us guys before our races, especially the little kids.”
His cousin, Ashlynn Skinner shared her thoughts with the Purr. “I am blessed to call Lincoln family, for he has been an inspiration to many and will never be forgotten. He is so loved and will be deeply missed.”
to be met. At the very least, there should be more focus on what the kids need.
“How do you fill that need without a sensory room at school…” Stone asked. “They need it intermittently all day. We need them to learn, but they can’t learn if they’re not getting those needs met.”
There is simply not a high enough focus on our students with disabilities. In a school that prioritizes athletics over nearly everything else, things like the special education department often get forgotten.
“I don’t think everybody shares the same idea that these kids can be contributing members of society,” Stone said. ”It takes maybe a little extra help, maybe a little extra time to learn it, but they can be.”
“That should be our focus as a school district-- developing participating members of society,” Stone continued. “They can contribute, and I don’t think everybody’s on board with that.”
Because many of these students cannot advocate for themselves
and what they need, they often don’t have the opportunity to get what they need. Having an adequate sensory room is just the beginning. LHS needs to move towards a culture where students and teachers better understand the range of sensory needs.
There are simple things LHS can do to support these students. Gundy, Stone and Schmittle, who work directly with the students, all have unique ideas of their ideal sensory room, ranging from just more space to sensory stations and individualized sensory materials.
Each of them identified money as the central conflict in providing this resource. At the very least, LHS should start a fund dedicated to improving and implementing a suitable sensory room. It’s a learning tool, and it’s a necessity.
These kids already go through life set apart. There is no reason their education should also have a hand in setting them back.
“We can do better and we’re trying to do better. We just have to keep pushing for that,” said Gundy.
“My favorite tradition is opening the Advent calendar doors each day leading up to Christmas Day.”Tessa
“Christmas is the same in America and back home, but my favorite tradition is eating dinner with my family and exchanging gifts.”Lennard Niese, junior from Germany
“My favorite Christmas tradition is cutting down a pine tree and decorating it with my family.”
As exchange students, what are your favorite Christmas traditions?
By Jasmine Schmidt Co-Editor-in-Chief
Thrifting has seen an increase in popularity in the past few years as more people learn of its financial and ecological benefits. Finding new clothes in a thrift store as opposed to buying new from a clothing store has many upsides. However, there are important things to keep in mind when heading to the closest thrift store.
According to Environment911.org, thrift stores were originally created to provide lower-income people with the ability to find affordable necessities. Shoes, coats and other necessities are available and inexpensive at thrift stores. When individuals who have the ability to purchase these items at full price choose instead to buy them at thrift stores, it takes away that option for those in need.
To ethically thrift, it’s important to avoid purchasing items that are truly needed by others. If you need a coat for winter and don’t have the means to purchase one at full price, go to the thrift store and get a warm jacket for a fraction of the price. However, if it wouldn’t be a struggle to purchase a coat at full price, it’s better to invest in that coat and let others get ones from thrift stores.
That being said, it’s not bad to buy anything from thrift stores. Thrift stores provide jobs and prevent waste. Supporting local thrift stores helps keep opportunities open for both those needing less expensive goods as well as those needing employment.
she doesn’t want to support fast fashion businesses that have large carbon emissions and treat workers unethically.
“It’s way better for the environment because it’s recycling clothes and increasing a piece of clothing’s lifespan, as well as decreases your carbon footprint,” Cuddy said.
Thrifting clothes also saves money. Many people don’t have excessive money to spend on clothing, but with thrifting, an individual can purchase a whole outfit for less than the price of one piece of new clothing. Getting more for less is an obvious upside to thrifting.
However, if someone has the ability to purchase high-quality clothing rather than thrift, it’s good to invest in those pieces, even if one can only afford a couple of these pieces a year. Buying from brands that support the environment and their workers, as well as creating long-lasting pieces, saves money for the individual in the long run. High-quality pieces last for long periods of time, which reduces the need to purchase more items. It also motivates companies to stop contributing to fast fashion and incorporate more ethical practices.
Consumption has become more and more of a problem as people get used to constantly getting new things. The most effective way to save money and make ecological decisions is to use clothes you already own. Clothing swaps with friends is another way to update your closet without spending money or increasing your consumption.
How to Most Effectively Thrift
Novice thrifters can sometimes feel overwhelmed by a whole store of unique pieces of clothing. These are good tips for thrifting, whether you believe you are an expert at finding good clothes or don’t know where to start.
• Have a clear goal. Think about what you need beforehand. If you know you need more sweaters, keep that in mind. If you know that you already have enough T-shirts, keep that in mind too. Don’t buy more of something that you know you have plenty of.
• Avoid impulse buys. Even though clothes from thrift stores aren’t usually expensive, buying a piece of clothing that you end up wearing once (or maybe never wearing) just wastes money and closet space. A piece of clothing doesn’t do any better sitting unused in your closet than it does sitting in a thrift store.
chase the item knowing it has a defect.
• Make it a whole experience. When planning out a trip to the thrift store, “Make it a fun activity; invite friends or listen to your favorite music,” Cuddy said. Give yourself the time to really look through a thrift store.
• Set limits. Cuddy warns of the addictive habit of thrifting. She suggests putting a limit on the amount of money you spend on thrifting. A good deal doesn’t save money unless you truly need it.
Fast fashion has led to an influx of new clothing items. Because of the low quality as well as the high speed of fashion trends, these items get discarded fairly quickly. Purchasing items at a thrift store means that new pieces of clothing aren’t being created, yet someone is getting new clothing items. Overall, the lessening of clothing production would mean that landfills wouldn’t have so many cheap clothes taking up valuable space.
Maia Cuddy, president of the LHS Environmental Conservation Club, said she is a frequent thrifter because
• Shop off-season. This can lead to more success than purchasing the clothes that everyone is looking for. Look at sweaters during the summer, and browse short sleeves during the winter. Spring generally has an influx of winter clothing as spring cleaning happens.
• Watch for good quality. Sometimes known brands can clue you in to the quality of a piece. But sometimes you have to feel the fabric and assess whether the item is long-lasting or will last one wear. It is also good to look for any stains or imperfections to the clothes. You can decide if you want to try and fix the item or whether it’s worth it to pur-
Lewiston has several thrift stores, and there are also good options around the valley. Goodwill, Salvation Army, Idaho Youth Ranch and Grateful Threads Consignment are some of the more popular thrifting options around town. Cuddy’s favorite thrift stores outside of Lewiston include Bully-U in Colfax; Revolver, and the Storm Cellar in Moscow; and Chosen Vintage in Spokane. One thing to keep in mind is that consignment stores tend to be slightly more expensive than thrift stores because they pay for the used goods that they re-sell.
Goodwill
3134 5th St., Lewiston Hours: 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
Idaho Youth Ranch
432 Thain Road, Lewiston Hours: Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sunday, noon to 6 p.m.
Salvation Army 1220 21st St., Lewiston Hours: Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Grateful Threads Consignment
628 Main St., Lewiston Hours: Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Books at Idaho Youth Ranch are available for purchase. Thrift stores are also great places to find items such as books and movies at a lower price. Photo by Jasmine Schmidt. Idaho Youth Ranch has many unique clothing options available. Most thrift stores have a wide variety of sizes, styles, and quality. Photo by Jasmine Schmidt.WASPs program and the challenges they face. To meet the requirements to fly, Captain Garret (Dekin Carney) and an instructor (Piper Rickman) teach them about aviation.
Shortly after meeting the flight requirements, pilot Ellen “Stevie” Stevenson (Lauren Gibbs) dies in a plane crash. As Minkie Campbell (Dax Alexander) helps with Stevenson’s funeral preparations, she learns that she and other pilots do not have military status after their death. Grace Task (Madeline Gibson) also discovers that the pilots do not have military coverage for medical issues after she has dental problems.
By Madeline Gibson Co-Editor-in-Chief
Students from the LHS drama and music departments will make their rounds in the community Dec. 14-16, with the annual LHS Christmas tour.
By Ava Mohr Website EditorThe LHS Drama Club’s recent production of Silver Wings on Blue successfully captured the history and experience of the women involved in the Women’s Air Force Service Pilots (WASPs). Under the play’s director, Mel Syverson, Ariana Burns’ script revealed some of the struggles and challenges women faced to become pilots in the military during World War II. The play begins by recounting the history of some of the women involved in the WASPs program and introduces a WASPs graduate, played by Kate Pernsteiner, who sings about the pilots throughout the story. It then flashes back to a pilot named Jacqueline “Jackie” Cochran (Rachel Sheppard) successfully persuading General “Hap” Arnold (Lane Riggs) to allow women to pilot airplanes for the military in a new program called the WASPs.
The next scene introduces women joining the new
It then becomes the pilots’ biggest struggle to try to convince the government to militarize the WASPs program to gain military status and benefits.
At the play’s resolution, the pilots prepare for the possible militarization of the WASPs program, but Congress ultimately turns down the bill.
Overall, Silver Wings on Blue presents an interesting take on a rarely-covered topic. The mid-paced plot successfully captures the history of the pilots and the WASPs without feeling rushed or too slow. The use of historical facts add to the dialogue and the story. Further, the set designs brought the right setting to the play, successfully matching the tone and topic of the piece.
Although the play might not capture the attention of every audience member, with some conflicts told rather than shown, the play deserves a 4/5 for its creative portrayal of history.
Every year, a student written and directed children’s Christmas play travels to elementary schools and other places in the community during the week before Christmas break. The show will arrive at LHS for the Christmas assembly on Friday, Dec. 16. The actors are accompanied by the Gold Voices, who will sing carols after the play.
Written and directed by Piper Rickman (senior) and assistant directed by Cale Wilponen (junior), “A Merry Xmas Expedition” tells the story of Iowa Jack (Lilly Smith) and River “Boot” Finch (Jessie Riggs). These adventurers from the jungle travel to the North Pole to find the key to Christmas.
The characters Blitz (Mykal York), Vixie (Jenna Clift), Moss (Makayla Valek) and Santa (Trace Steele) are also featured in Rickman’s play.
The Backseat Lovers, a Utah-based band, took off after winning the 2018 Battle of the Bands in Provo, Utah. Since then, the band has accumulated 4.3 million monthly Spotify listeners, gone on multiple tours (including one U.K. tour) and released one extended play (EP) record, three singles and two albums.
The band’s energy-filled indie-rock sound has not only been popular amongst listeners but has also been noticed by other artists. Their new album Waiting to Spill came out Oct. 28. David Greenbaum produced it, and he’s a six-time Grammy songwriter and producer who has worked with artists such as Beck, Gorillaz, Beastie Boys and Paul McCartney.
Waiting to Spill offers a much more sophisticated and unique sound compared to the band’s past work. However, the level of maturity in writing and tone, while beautiful, may not be favored more than past works for the average listener.
The album opens with the chilling song, “Silhouette.” At first, its 5:20 length may seem intimidating, but the pacing of the song makes it an easy listen. Listeners can hear a bit of genre shift in this album as it becomes softer and folk-esque. Specifically, in this song, the genre shift feels slightly more prominent than in the band’s past work.
Opening the album with “Silhouette” gives listeners a sense of the overall slow, melancholy feel of the album. The last minute of the song sounds more like noises rather than music. While this makes it uncomfortable to listen to, it adds to the artistic integrity of the song and supports the band’s growing artistic maturity present in this album.
“Close Your Eyes,” along with “Growing/Dying,” is a song that seems more true to the band’s original sound. Another 5-minute song on the album, while complex and detailed, might not impact listeners the same way other songs on this album do. However, this track seems so far to be a fan favorite for the album. The way that the energy builds through the song feels very natural, an element that the band has perfected in the past.
“Morning in the Aves” continues with the theme of opening the song with an acoustic, piano-and-guitar approach. Taking a deeper dive into the song and the lyrics, listeners get reminded of the simple yet genius writing that the band uses in their songs. This aspect is highlighted by the easy-going vocals and sound throughout the song. Once again, the pacing on this song emphasizes how the Backseat Lovers have mastered building energy within their music. However, even though it is a greatly crafted song, it might feel a little boring compared to other songs on the album.
“Growing/Dying” was released as a single in August. This song is very true to the Backseat Lover sound. Because of this, it is a nice tie-back because of the exploration of new genres seen throughout the album. The catchy intro riff, Joshua Harmon’s
soft, yet powerful, vocals and stellar guitar playing make this a single-worthy song. Admittedly, the beginning of the song feels the most powerful compared to other sections of the song. Disregarding this, the song still has a great feeling attached to it. Listening in, people can really catch the depth and creativity both musically and lyrically.
“Words I Used” opens with piano, which can sometimes feel cheesy or sappy. Leading up to the chorus, the song is very soft, even sometimes overpowered by the piano. But once again, the energy builds up and balance is restored. Overall, “Words I Used” is a unique song, even for a group like the Backseat Lovers. Because of this, listeners can give kudos to the band for boldly branching out. This song seems like one that would be very powerful live, but through the medium of a pair of earbuds, it has trouble giving the same effect. Although not a favorite, this is a good and well-made song.
“Snowbank Blues” is a great example of a powerful, yet simple song. There are many elements, guitar rhythms, vocal harmonies and some other fun little riffs sprinkled throughout that make it a favorite of the album. “Snowbank Blues” leads with a sort of Johnny Cash-style guitar strum and evolves into a loud, powerful chorus. The harmonies added to the vocals in the chorus contribute to the emotional effect of the song, making it feel almost nostalgic and more beautiful. The whistling added within the song is a nice surprise that once again reminds listeners that a song doesn’t need to be gargantuan in order to invoke emotion.
“Follow the Sound” again unfolds with piano, but this time it’s significantly better because of the paired drums. This song surprises listeners in the way it unfolds itself. Along with the piano and drums, the bass adds a special sound to the whole of the song. The recurring theme of piano here can lead to the question: Why piano? Is it because it evokes a more melancholy sound? Is it a medium for branching out to more genre-mixing? Still, this is the album’s best mainly-piano song.
“Slowing Down” gives notes of a song made by Briston Mahoney or another alternative/indie rock artist. The guitar used gives the song a deep tone, sounding almost sinister or mad. Like all other
songs on the album, it showcases beautiful writing and composition, showing that a song doesn’t need to be loud to feel powerful.
“Know your Name” is a song that is easy to imagine being played live. The emphasis on bass paired with the volume of the guitar and bass drum gives it the feeling of a live recording. The spotlight on the guitar keeps the song true to its Backseat Lover roots, but paired with vocal harmonies, it offers a fresh sound never heard from this band. Overall, this song offers killer guitar parts and a tasteful mix between volumes. “Know your Name” is a good listen.
“Viciously Lonely” is unexpected. It leaves the album with a bang -- not in a loud way, but in an emotional way. The chorus offers catchy, heartfelt lyrics that add to its emotional appeal. This song is a great wrap for the album because of the sentimental, vulnerable feeling it leaves with the listener. Surprisingly, this could a favorite on the album.
Overall, Waiting to Spill is a great album full of different sounds that play smoothly with the characters of the artists who made them. The Backseat Lovers have branched out on this album, creating a different sound than expected, and that should be applauded. For this reason, Waiting to Spill receives a 4/5.
Last year’s light display at Locomotive Park spells “Happy Holidays.” Photo courtesy of Bengal’s Purr archives.
Christmas is just around the corner, and the Lewiston-Clarkston Valley has tons of events to keep you busy during the holidays. Here are some things to do during the month of December:
Volunteers put up Christmas lights at Locomotive Park every year for the city to enjoy. Grab a friend and head on down to look at all the lit up trees, holiday characters and the iconic train. Locomotive Park is for people of all ages and has something for everyone. Kids can ring the train’s bell, explore the train or light up a tree by dancing on tiles. Locomotive Park also has many photo opportunities with all of its decorated trees and light arches.
The Lewiston Fairgrounds holds multiple events throughout the year, such as the Christmas Extravaganza. Christina’s Christmas Extravaganza is the perfect place to shop since it has multiple vendors who sell food and Christmas items. Activities at the event include a jumping castle, kids corner, indoor snowball fight, performances and a chance to meet the Grinch or Santa.
If shopping isn’t your thing, come on down to the old high school for the Lewiston Civic Theatre’s production of Elf the Musical. The show opened Dec. 1 and performances continue on Dec. 2, 3, 8, 9 and 10 at 7 p.m. Matinee shows will be Dec. 4 and 11 at 2 p.m. Tickets cost $15 for students, $20 for adults, $17 for senior citizens or veterans and $12 for children. Civic Theatre shows are always fun to see with friends and family.
Another fun winter activity in the valley is skating in the LC Ice Arena. This is a popular hangout spot for teenagers during the winter season. For $15, you can skate with friends for a few hours during open skate times. Open skate typically starts around 8 p.m. For further skate times and hockey game schedules, check the LC Ice Arena’s website at lcicearena.com.
Dr. Fact and Dr. Faux are local experts in many fields of life (or so they say). They have agreed to advise LHS students who need help with all of life’s aspects. If you need advice, write in by filling out the form from the Bengal’s Purr Instagram (@lhsbengalspurr). Your letter might be in the next Bengal’s Purr! Note: Advice given in this column is from Bengal’s Purr writers and does not come from professionals in any way. Before making any decisions based on this advice, please think through your actions.
Dear Dr. Fact & Dr. Faux, There’s this girl and she is literally the best. She fits all my criteria and I really like her. But it turns out that I have been reading between the lines and she doesn’t like me (or at least there is no indication that she does) any more than just as a friend. I believe she likes someone else from a whole different school. I don’t know what to do because I can’t make myself not like her.
Sincerely, Head over HeelsDear Head over Heels, Sometimes it can be tough to look at a friendship for what it is, and not romanticize it, at least a little. Although it’s good to know what you’re looking for in a girl, you shouldn’t have a list of check boxes or criteria to fit. You could just try to appreciate the special friendship you have with her, you could tell her how you feel (scary, I know, especially when factoring in the possibility of the other person), or make a deliberate, disciplined effort to get over her. Boundaries can be difficult, but in the end, they are beneficial to your mental health, and the friendship that hopefully remains between the two of you. If you’re still sticking around, you’re setting yourself up for heartbreak. Head over Heels, it’s time to pick yourself up and put one foot in front of the other. After the initial turnaround, you should know that just because this girl doesn’t like you in a romantic way, it’s not an indicator of whether or not you’re likable. Even if 99% of the world doesn’t find you attractive, there’s still a whole 78 million people who do. Living in a small town like Lewiston might not make it feel that way, but give it time. You’re still young and this is such a special time to make strong connections with people, whether it be friendships or relationships. Just remember: love is like a soup. Each ingredient (aka each type of love) on it’s own is good, but it has to have all of the different components to make it truly fulfilling.
Dear Head over Heels,
Well, you have one of two options. You can either find a way to move on, or wallow over this girl for the rest of your life. Personally, I would go with the “wallow for the rest of your life” option. I remember this one time, there was this person that I really liked, but sadly, they didn’t like me back. Like any other reasonable person, I harbored these feelings and refused to let go. Now, I have become the most bitter person I know and I refuse to believe in love! Whenever I see a happy couple, I like to throw grains of rice at them and run away in the other direction, just like the good Lord would want me to. Maybe you should try throwing rice like I do. It really relieves a lot of stress. Moving on (or not moving on in our case, hahahaha)... So what if this girl likes a different person from another school? Just move to another school district, and then you will be the person from the other school who she likes. It’s all about perspective. But anyway, good luck with whatever you were talking about. Hopefully you can become old and bitter just like I am.
Good Luck and Good Riddance, Dr. Faux
Dear Dr. Fact & Dr. Faux, My friend is going through a hard time. Normally she is really happy and we laugh all the time together. I don’t know what to do when she’s in a sad mood because I don’t want to make her cry during class by talking about it. But I don’t want to just act like everything is normal. Should I try to be a happy constant in her life and not change my own attitude, or should I be sad with her?
Sincerely, Positively ConcernedDear Positively Concerned, Friendships can be a tricky thing, but there’s no need to worry-- I have just the advice for you. From what I can tell, you already know your friend is going through something, whether you know exactly what it is or not. Your next steps come down to how you define friendship. Is it meant to be shallow, and only for laughs? Or is it also for sticking close to each other while navigating the tough times life throws at us? From my perspective, it’s important that you reach out. Friendships can be filled with fun and true joy, but only if you’re willing to support each other when the situations you’re in make it hard to smile. There are some simple alternatives to the problems you’ve presented. If you want to reach out, but don’t want her to cry in class, talk one-on-one outside of class. That way it minimizes the possibility of embarrassment, or shutting down completely, and gives you the opportunity to really listen. But as her friend, you can make it easier for her to talk to you by giving her the space and time to do so. You’ve already said you don’t want to act like everything is normal, so don’t. If you feel like there’s a problem, being there for your friend in every way possible is the best thing you can do. There’s no reason you can’t be a happy constant in her life while also being there to listen to her. Being optimistic and positive shouldn’t get in the way of helping your friend through a tough time. I hope that whatever you decide to do in this situation shows your friend how much you clearly care.
In Wisdom and Good Will, Dr. Fact
Dear Positively Concerned, Well, if I weren’t an old and bitter man living in my mother’s basement, I would tell you to just have a conversation with your friend, and to make sure you check in on them. But since I am an old and bitter man living in my mom’s basement, the best advice I would give to you is to not have any friends at all! Instead, try investing in a stray feral cat that only visits you because it wants food. These stray (and possibly diseased) cats can give you all the companionship you will ever need! I have one that currently lives with me in the basement. His name is Jerry. We have been best friends ever since he tried to bite off my right index finger. The great thing about owning feral cats is that you can talk to them about anything! Jerry is such an attentive listener, especially when he occupies my bed and tries to scratch my face off whenever I get within 6 feet of him. The best thing about Jerry is that he will never leave me! And I have actually tried to kick him out of my living quarters. He just loves me so much that he refuses to go outside! It’s almost like he owns the whole basement! I’ve tried calling pest control, but even they don’t want to take Jerry! I guess what I‘m trying to say is that being a loner and being a pet owner always helps when you’re having friend troubles!
Good Luck and Good Riddance, Dr. Faux
It all started July 4, 2022, on the most brutal and patriotic holiday. For days, the people of Ohio had been battling against acts of hate from neighboring states. There were violent protests and riots that not even state police could keep under control. Over the period, the damage was estimated to be almost $12 worth of crops and straw hats.
After calming protesters and Ohio haters, Gov. James Todd sent an official letter to Parliament. The message addressed directly to President Dumbledore formally requested that the federal government send in its most fierce military branch, the United States Space Force, to keep the peace in the humble state.
A week later, Todd received a letter from the president stating, “The United States government barely recognizes Ohio as a state. Why would we send you our best tinfoil hat-wearing space warriors if we don’t care about you?”
After a leak from the locally hated newspaper, The Daily Bugle, Gov. Todd announced that the great state of Ohio had decided to proceed with the steps to secede from America, making Ohio a legally independent nation. He estimated that the procedure would take roughly a few years, and that citizens should expect significant changes as the state converts to an independent nation.
In response to Todd’s shocking announcement, Flor-
ida Congressman Tom Sawyer ridiculed this plan for a lack of thought and imagination. In an interview with The Bugle, he said, “If it were me, I would get the whole state to do something crazy and illegal. That way, the federal government could forcefully boot them from the country. Then they wouldn’t have to
pay for the costs of a secession.”
Whether or not Ohio will be prosperous in its plans to leave the country behind and start fresh, one thing is for sure. There is still not a single person who lives outside of Ohio who thinks it is even a remotely decent state.
By Matthew Dugdale Photography Manager
Archaeologists have closed the Sistine Chapel to the public due to the recent discovery of information from anonymous sources. A signed copy of the Bible has been found 10 feet underground in a cement sphere with a 9-foot circumference.
A local Roman atheist claimed he placed it there to “troll the Catholics,” however, studies show otherwise. The legibility of the signature on the Bible is poor, and the ink has been tested, dating back to 0 A.D. Further studies are yet to be released to the public. A spokesman for The Pope has admitted knowledge of this signed copy and the neglect to tell the public.
“I do not see the need to tell the common people of this pure treasure that was meant to be preserved,” the spokesman said to The Shallot, a local satirical newspaper.
He was later seen smuggling a bag of other artifacts out of the Sistine Chapel. The artifacts were from around the world, including the Holy Grail from Glastonbury, England. The Sistine Chapel has been severely damaged after digging up the book.
“Bob Ross would be disappointed that archaeologists destroyed his masterpiece,” said beloved film star, Shia LaBeouf.
Netflix, home of terrible remakes, is funding the chapel’s reconstruction.
Lewiston High School
3125 Cecil Andrus Way Lewiston, ID 83501
Mail to:
Friday, Dec. 2, 2022
Editors-in-Chief-- Madeline Gibson, Jasmine Schmidt
Managing Editors-- Declan Cattrysse, Lauren Martin, Josh Tatko Opinion Editor & Features Editor-Seyi Arogundade
Entertainment Editor-- Declan Cattrysse News Editor-- Josh Tatko Sports Editors-- Danica Keane, Kendra Kelley
Photography Managers-- Matthew Dugdale, Sophia Gill
Copyeditors-- Paxtyn Latta, Lauren Martin, Ava Mohr, Jasmine Schmidt, Josh Tatko
Business Assistant-- Kaitlyn Fowler Website Editor-- Ava Mohr
Features Assistants-- Jordis Aiken, Maggie Carr News Assistants-- Ella Bruck, Gabriella Wormell
Entertainment Assistants-- Scout Alford, Sydney Ball, Sophia Gill, Daphne Root, Josie Sager
Opinion Assistants-- Paxtyn Latta, Rachel Sheppard
Adviser-- Charity Thompson Egland