Lewiston High School, DTEC 407, 3201 Cecil Andrus Way, Lewiston, Idaho 83501
The Bengal’s Purr Since 1927
Vol.93 No. 1
Monday, Nov. 23, 2020
Dress Code Controversy Pages 13-15 Dr. Donaldson Answers Covid Questions Page 4 Meet New LHS Staff Pages 16-18
Cover Art By Maggie Bulkley and Chayton Brewer-Burgin. Mask photo courtesy of Jake Fairchild.
2 Opinion
THE BENGAL’S PURR
Students race to leave parking lots of LHS By Chayton Brewer-Burgin News Assistant This fall, the parking situation at the new LHS campus has been a nightmare. Anyone who is not among the first 20 kids to get out to the parking lot after school has to be prepared to sit. The school could correct this by possibly adding an early class release, such as how they do with lunch. Students with first lunch could leave first, while students with second lunch could leave five minutes later. Or instead, students could be released from class based on which wing or building they are in. This would make for less traffic for people who are trying to leave as soon as the bell rings. Students could also learn to adopt the Zipper Effect strategy that is used in car pile-ups. The whole idea is to allow one person into the line, then move on. Then that person allows someone into the line, and so on. If every student could learn this method, then it would allow everyone to clear out of the parking lot much faster. As it is, everyone is trying to be the “first one” out of the school. Two students who gave their opinions on this were Lee Hendren and Cecelia Thomas. They agreed that the school made a huge error in making the student parking lot so small. Hendren also recommended using the Zipper Effect. “If everyone took part in this, then people could get out without having to fight each other,” he said. But Hendren added that, for the Zip-
A packed parking lot floods with students from LHS after school. Photo by Chayton Brewer-Burgin.
per Effect to work, everyone has to be on board, or people’s stubbornness will get in the way. Thomas expressed her frustrations on the matter. ”People will just allow a bunch of cars to go by, holding up the line behind them,” she said, ”When they do decide to go, they end up blocking another line of traffic by sitting halfway in the [lane] and halfway in the main flow of traffic. It makes me very irritated and upset.” The challenge of the Zipper Effect is that
Students try to leave an LHS student parking lot after school. Photo by Chayton Brewr-Burgin.
it a make-or-break strategy. If students choose to use this method, then the majority of students have to be on board with it. Officer Rob Massey, the LHS student resource officer, said that he likes and agrees with the idea of the Zipper Effect, but voiced that it would require everyone to comply with the rule. Massey also mentioned that the school office staff members are trying to have parents leave the parking lots through the main exit, while the students head toward Warner Avenue or Community Drive. “This way, it would prevent students and parents from piling up, trying to go through only one exit,” Massey said. He also mentioned that if students are planning on waiting for the traffic to die down, they should meet with teachers during that time after school. “If [they’re] going to have to stay after and wait for the parking lot to clear, then why wouldn’t students just meet with teachers so they can get some extra help or get caught up on homework?” Massey said. He also stated that school staff members want students to back in or pull forward into their parking stalls. As long as students can pull out of their parking stalls, it makes traffic flow much more manageable rather than drivers waiting for each other to back out of each stall, he said.
Monday, Nov. 23, 2020
Opinion 3
Remote learning weighs on students By Cecelia Thomas Features Assistant Though a lot of students have given their opinions on how the 2020 remote learning for LHS went this spring, students’ experiences varied widely. This being my first year on the Bengal’s Purr staff, I got to participate in the Intro To Journalism slideshow projects during the spring semester. These projects asked students to show how we were handling school work from home, along with the isolation of quarantine. Personally, I do not believe that remote learning was effective and I don’t think it gave the opportunity for students to be reach their highest potential in the same way our classroom environments did earlier in the school year. In an article from U.S News, a world wide report in March called the novel coronavirus “an unprecedented moment in the nation’s history that’s likely to have major and long-lasting implications for the country’s K-12 education system.” That description really made me think about our experience as students. Now we’re in the following school year. We’re following a strict set of guidelines from the CDC, and it’s weird, but we’re here! The Center for Disease Control has created a set of phases to guide school leaders in deciding whether we’ll continue to be in school during this time. As long as we remain in the
An overwhelmed student tries learning remotely. Digital illustration by Kristin Star.
green zone, we’ll continue coming to school wearing facial coverings, social distancing as much as possible, and graciously using hand sanitizer. But if we don’t take these precau-
tions, we might have to go back to remote learning. As Chayton Brewer-Burgin, a junior at LHS, put it: “Remote learning is one of the most annoyingly boring things we’ve done.”
How would you feel about going back to remote learning? By Cecelia Thomas, Features Assistant Photos by Annika Lifvenborg
Kash Lang, senior: “I don’t want to because I learn better face to face. All [that going] online would do is make it less motivating to do work.”
Alec Eckert, senior: “I think it would be a poor decision on behalf of the school board to go back to remote learning.” Zoie Kessinger, sophomore: “I personally don’t want to go back into remote learning because I need the human interaction.”
4News
THE BENGAL’S PURR
Donaldson answers students’ Covid questions This fall, while attending school in the Covid 19 pandemic, students of Introduction to Journalism at LHS came up with a series of questions for their superintendent. Dr. Robert Donaldson met with The Bengal’s Purr to address those questions Nov. 11 at LHS. The following is an excerpt from that meeting. PURR: Thanks for meeting with us. First, is it OK to share the numbers that you send out in your emailed Covid case reports? DONALDSON: Since they’re going to all parents and staff, there’s no problem with it at all. We send that communication out to parents district-wide no matter what grade level, and they receive that daily. These last few days [case numbers] have been low, like two yesterday, one today, which is a good trend. We would like to be as transparent as possible right from the get go. PURR: Do schools actively do contact tracing? Where do the report numbers come from, and when did you start the reports? DONALDSON: Those numbers come back through a number of sources. One would be public health, being in contact with us. Public health is really who does the contact tracing. They also come from parents who indicate to us that a son or daughter has tested positive. Those numbers reflect positive tests, not necessarily quarantined [people]. I also review attendance and overlay that as well. Our [absence numbers are] a little high but not more than usual, not off the charts. PURR: Why are those who have been exposed not being informed? DONALDSON: It’s because of HIPPA laws. The health privacy act does not allow for [sharing] that. When I began looking at communication that would go out early on in the shcool year, I was looking at a notification that would go to parents district-wide, to staff district-wide. If there was an incident in a classroom, I [wanted to] notifiy all those students’ parents. That was nipped in the bud quickly. I always use legal counsel if there’s any question. But public health, through contact tracing, can reach out [to people who are exposed] and that’s allowable. PURR: Why are schools not taking more safety precautions, such as daily tem-
perature checks? DONALDSON: There’s two considerations with temperature checks. The one that really drives our decision on that is that the CDC does not recommend routine symptom checks, including temperature [checks]. The other part of it is the logistics. Can you imagine if we had even 10 devices to get 1,480 students in this school in the morning? That being said, we do have more tempereature devices in all the schools than we’ve ever had. So if a student comes to the office – let’s say in an elementary -[they] say they feel bad, they feel hot. We would always do the temperature [check]. It would be the same for the high school. ... I probably purchased about 60 devices so we have a sufficient number at all the builidngs. We never had a [central] place for a district nurse [before opening the new LHS campus]. That position is relatively new -it’s probably been around for only the last four years. We used to contract with public health to provide nurse services. You could imagine if we were relying on that now with everything public health is doing. PURR: How have things changed with Covid numbers in the district since masks were mandated? Have cases gone up? DONALDSON: That’s what I’m looking at. It seems like it’s been a long time but it hasn’t. It was [Nov. 2] that I made that requirement. Looking at numbers [Nov. 11], we’ve had two days that have been low. Where we will really look for effect is two weeks out. I wanted to make sure that we did not move from green [operations level] to another level without utilizing face coverings. The other [yellow] level would then allow us to not only have face coverings but ensure greater physical distance. PURR: What are the numbers we would need to see for the district to be shut down or to move to the red or the yellow levels? DONALDSON: That’s a good question. There is not a number. It is a decision that I would probably initially make. I wouldn’t call a school board meeting because I’ve been empowered to make decisions like that because we need that kind of responsiveness. I would look at a real uptick in patterns. We’d look for a real peak in the numbers
Dr. Robert Donaldson
of students getting sick. Let’s say that case numbers -- and I’m not saying it would be 50 -- but let’s say 50 to 100 students test postive in a day. That’s the kind of information where I’d reach out. I talk on almost a daily basis with public health. They’re not going to tell me what to do and that’s OK. They will give me information to reflect on. But I found out early that they have a difficult job and the last thing they need is to decide whether or not the Lewiston School District should be shut down. I take a lot of factors into consideration. There are three factors in this public health region. One is the number of cases. The second leg on the stool is hospitalizations. The third leg is turnaround and test time. If the test turnaround is pretty quick, that is a good thing. PURR: At what point are we going home? How bad does it have to get? DONALDSON: See, that’s a hard question to answer. It’s like the example I gave of a real uptick in the number of students [getting sick]. The uptick would be in the hundreds, maybe, when we start to see that kind of spread. The levels are established to [guide]the district, but I could also make a decision to move a school building [to the yellow or red level]. It would be all based on the data and discussions with public health.
Elementary 0 1 2 3 Orchards Elementary 0 0 2 2 Webster Elementary 0 2 2 4 Whitman Elementary 0 0 3 3 Jenifer Middle According to Donaldson, there have been eating or if a student has a confirmed medSchool 1* 3 8 11 reported 151 COVID cases among the disical excuse. Superintendent Dr. RobertSacajawea Middle Donaldson trict’s students and staff, 27 of those being School 0 LHS, 472 student COVID 8 10 cases made the decision in response to the ris- active. At Tammany High ing number of cases within the Lewiston have been reported, and 43 of those stuSchool District. The school board School allows dents have 0 returned 0 to school. 2 The table 2 below breaks down district COVID cases the superintendent to “rapidly exercise Lewiston High judgment and discretion toSchool implement since the0 beginning 4 of the school 43 year. 47 As of Nov. 19 the number of active cases requirements and protocols based on curOperations rent trends of the virus within the District,” had gone down, with a total of only 14 acTotals 1* for all of14 78 92 tive cases the schools. according to an email from Donaldson.
1
News 5
Monday, Nov. 23, 2020
Donaldson reports daily district Covid cases
By Sophia Hunter Editor-in-Chief
On Nov. 2, masks were mandated in Lewiston schools in order to continue to provide face-to-face education during the Covid 19 pandemic. This mandate has required all staff and students to wear appropriate face coverings inside all locations in district facilities. Face masks are not required while actively
School From: District COVID Charity counts L Egland
New Cases*
These down district-wide COVID cases by To: numbers break "Sophia Hunter" Students Subject: PDF thisthe IMPORTANT MESSAGE from the and Superintendent school and staff, showing new, active, returned, Staff Date: Thursday, November 19, 2020 10:21:43 AM total cases. Source: Lewiston School District Total
(as of 11/19/20)
Total Cases (Active)
Total in the District
1* 5*
92 (14) 59 (13)
4588 999
6*
151 (27)
5587
Students
Location
New
Active
Returned
Total
(as of 11/19/20)
Camelot Elementary Centennial Elementary McGhee Elementary McSorley Elementary Orchards Elementary Webster Elementary Whitman Elementary Jenifer Middle School Sacajawea Middle School Tammany High School Lewiston High School Operations Totals
New
Active
Returned
Total
(as of 11/19/20)
0
2
6
8
0
2
5
7
0
0
2
2
2*
2
3
5
0
0
0
0
1*
2
0
1
0
1
2
3
1*
1
3
4
0
0
2
2
0
0
2
2
0
2
2
4
0
0
5
5
0
0
3
3
0
0
2
2
1*
3
8
11
0
1
7
8
0
2
8
10
0
0
6
6
0
0
2
2
0
0
0
0
0
4
43
47
1* 0
2 3
7 7
9 10
1*
14
78
92
5*
13
47
60
New Cases*
Staff
Total Cases
Total in the
1
5
6 News
THE BENGAL’S PURR
Recent grad tests positive for Covid-19 By Cecelia Thomas Features Assistant Taysia Mendenhall is a recent graduate from Lewiston High School, who was looking forward to starting college at the University of Idaho this fall, beginning her journalism major. Excited to start college despite a global pandemic, Mendenhall went and got tested early. She was tested Aug. 12, and was expecting good news given the fact she’d felt perfectly fine. After two days had passed, not thinking anything about the test, Public Health called and confirmed she had tested positive for Covid-19. “When I first heard, I didn’t know how to react,” Mendenhall said. She went into detail about how immediately Public Health asked many questions regarding who she’d been in contact with and the places she’d been. Mendenhall was asymptotic, showing no symptoms, and this is what led her to believe her test would come back negative. In order to prevent herself from getting others sick, Mendenhall took advice from Public Health to self-isolate for an additional 12 days. “The thing that got me through it was knowing I was young and could recover, as opposed to an elderly person like my grandma or grandpa,” Mendenhall said. At the University of Idaho in Moscow, Mendenhall said that safety measures include keeping class sizes small, requiring facial coverings, practicing social distancing, with many classes held on remotely with apps such as Zoom.
“The thing that got me through it was knowing I was young and could recover...” -- Taysia Mendenhall
Taysia Mendenhall recovered this fall from Covid-19 in her home. Photo courtesy of Mendenhall.
Arlint discusses face covering attitudes
By Cecelia Thomas Features Assistant
As many have noticed, school life has changed drastically with the spread of Covid-19; not just for school staff, but for students, and even for students’ parents. Some of the safety protocols Lewiston High School follows have been very clear this school year, but students tend to show a lack of concern around face coverings. Since the beginning of the 2019-2020 school year, facial coverings have been mandatory during all hallway transitions at LHS, and also in any place where social distancing may not be maintainble. Many students have the misconception in classrooms that they shouldn’t have to wear a mask, but sitting in desks often doesn’t
keep students socially distanced. In a classroom, students are still capable of spreading many illnesses from the common cold to Covid. Chad Arlint, LHS assistant principal. is one of the staff members who is constantly reminding students that wearing facial coverings is essential not just their own safety, but for others’. As for the decision to return to school this fall, Arlint explained that the school board did lots of research, and looked for the requirements Lewiston schools would have to meet in order to start school in the green zone with in-person school every day. This was a big deal, he said, because not many schools got to start in the green like Lewiston schools did. Arlint said that school leaders haven’t yet
found a way to keep all students wearing their masks all day. “All we can do is keep having conversations about why it’s important,” Arlint said. As for students who don’t think wearing a mask Chad Arlint is important, Arlint had this message. “It doesn’t matter which side ... when social distancing isn’t possible, we just need students to wear their facial coverings,” he said.
Monday, Nov. 23, 2020
News 7
Community wins fight for equality in schools By Hannah Shoffitt News Editor
As of July 20 the Lewiston School District has new anti-discrimination policies that apply to staff and students for all of its schools. The policies formed after community members started the “Know Better, Do Better” campaign. Sarah Graham, Christine Jorgens and other Lewiston residents began working with the school board on creating clearer policies regarding discrimination in 2019. In late July, the district’s anti-discriminatory policies took shape. They have six expectations for the outcomes: 1. Developing and releasing district-wide Members of the community meet together in July at the old high school to advocate for new policies in the school district. anti-racism statements Photo courtesy of Lewiston Tribune. that address marginalized populations’ needs. and discrimination. This policy will also in- torical accuracy, representation and implicit These were posted online and in district clude disciplinary procedures and an elec- bias. Changes to the curriculum will be recbuildings in August 2020 before the school tronic option for people to anonymously re- ommended in June 2021. year started. port bullying, harassment and other issues. 6. Assigning or hiring a qualified district 2. Banning hate speech and symbols, in- The expected completion date is January employee who will be responsible for racluding, but not limited to, the confeder- 2021, before the second semester begins. cial equity and cultural responsiveness. This ate flag, swastikas, nazi symbols, use of the 4. Requiring all district employees to have should be complete by June 2021. ‘n-word.’ Schools were expected to publish yearly training in anti-racism, implicit bias, As part of the “Know Better, Do Better” specific disciplinary procedures for offenses cultural competency and inclusive practices. campaign, Graham had this message for the in August before the school year began. This is set to be in place in January 2021. schools: “We expect you to do better to pro3. Developing an anti-discriminatory policy 5. Making a full review of the district-wide tect the emotional and physical safety of all that explicitly addresses racial harassment curriculum for cultural responsiveness, his- children.”
New LHS Gay-Straight Alliance draws crowd By Sophie Hunter Editor-in-Chief On Oct. 7, the first meeting for the new LHS Gay-Straight Alliance Club had more than 50 students show up, overfilling the classroom of Chris Farnes, the new club’s adviser. As students began to flood the room, “LGBTQ students were being called derogatory names outside my door,” Farnes shared in an email. Due to lack of space, the meeting was moved into the auditorium. A few students were not allowed into the
meeting because they were antagonizing the situation, according to Farnes. “I chose not to let them in as it was unfair to the club and would certainly lead to an altercation,” Farnes shared. “I did not remove any students that were seated in the classroom nor deny entry to anyone else who showed up.” Lily Eggers, a freshman, helped create the club in an effort to provide a safe space for LGBTQ+ students and their allies. During the meeting, the group discussed the club constitution and expectations. Par-
ticipants were able to open up and tell stories of homophobia, identity and of coming out. Future meetings will be held in Farne’s classroom, CW100, every Wednesday at 2:30 p.m. “If you feel there were students who were interested in supporting our LGBT community and were not able to attend, I would really like to speak with them and offer my sincerest apology,” Farnes said after the group’s first meeting.
THE BENGAL’S PURR 8 News Clubs get started at new campus
Steve Hoffine teaches a student about the care and internal working of a car. Photo by Braitton Beckstead.
By Braitton Beckstead Sports Editor Extracurricular activities foster community and fun at school, and LHS clubs are a big part of student life. From Ping-Pong Club to the Art Club, LHS has almost everything.. • Art Club-- Scout Larson -- The Art Club operates under an open studio format, which allows all students to experiment with painting, drawing, and sculpture. Art Club meets weekly after school in CW102. • Automotive Tech Club -- Steve Hoffine -Auto Club is for students who have taken or are in Automotive Technology classes. The club costs $5 to join, and the money goes toward Skills USA competitions. Once a month, from 8 a.m. to noon, students meet at the LHS auto shop and work. They can bring their own cars or do maintenance and repair for friends’ vehicles. • Coding Club -- Cyrina Lockart -- This is a club for anyone interested in learning or advancing their coding skills. The group meets in SD206. • Distributive Education Clubs of Ameria (DECA)-- John Potter, Davey Steele -- This activity is open to students enrolled in marketing education. Its purpose is to promote the
skills learned in vocational marketing classes, and students can compete locally and nationally. DECA groups meet in DTEC401 and DTEC405. • Drama -- Melissa Syverson -- The Drama department provides theatrical opportunities for students on and off stage. The annual season usually includes a non-musical production in the fall. In the winter there is a student-written and directed Christmas play that tours the elementary and junior high schools. In the spring is a musical production in March, and the Shakespeare Festival in April. This group meets in LC100 and the auditorium. • Fantasy Club -- Billy Autrey -- Meet Wednesdays at 2:30 p.m. in ST213. •French Club -- Cynthia Yarno -- This is a mostly social club that celebrates all things French. It is a student-run club with activities chosen by club members and officers. French Club meets Wednesdays at 2:30 p.m. in CW110. • Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) -- Debbie Wassmuth -- This club focuses on health and wellness by getting involved with community projects. Students also can attend local, state and national competitions having to do with healthcare-re-
lated activities. This club meets Tuesdays after school in DTEC413, and attendance is required. • Key Club -- Sandi Stocks, Jamie Morton -- Key Club is an international student-led organization that provides opportunities to provide service, build character and develop leadership. This group meets in LS109 and BR203. • National Honor Society --Jamie Bakker -Membership is limited to the top 15% of the senior class and 10% of the second semester’s highest juniors. Scholarship is the most important qualification. Character, service to the school, and leadership are the other necessary attributes. The minimum grade point average is 3.4. This group meets in ST205. • Ping-Pong Club -- Brendan Burns -- The Ping-Pong club is for everyone of any skill level. There are lessons, matches and tournaments that go on throughout the school year. This club’s objective is fun, and it meets weekly after school. • Science Club -- Amy Augenstein (Chase) -This club recognizes LHS students who have earned at least a B average or better in any two sciences at LHS. This group meets in SD204.
Monday, Nov. 23, 2020
Sports
9
Bengal XC boys team ends season at state By Braitton Beckstead Sports Editor
The LHS boys cross country team recently finished its season with races at state-level competition. Kobe Wessels, junior, led the Bengal pack, placing 57th at state. Before that, at district-level competition, Wessels also led LHS runners, placing 5th for boys. With two other Bengals in the top 10, this gave Lewiston boys a second-place win at districts. The Lewiston girls team didn’t qualify for state this year. In total, Bengals ran in six meets and placed in the top 10 in all but one. Aug. 28, Meet in the Middle XC Opener in Lewiston • Boys placed 1st out of 3 teams • Girls placed 2nd out of 3 teams Sept. 3, Post Falls River Run in Post Falls • Boys placed 3rd out of 4 teams • Girls placed 4th out of 4 teams
Elijah Sabo, junior, rests after completing the Inland Empire Challenge. Photo by Emily Gibson.
Sept. 12, Timberlake Farragut Invitational at Farragut State Park • Boys placed 4th out of 10 teams • Girls placed 7th out of 8 teams Oct. 3, Inland Empire Challenge in Lewiston • Boys placed 3rd out of 10 teams • Girls placed 8th out of 9 teams Oct. 10, William Johnson Sandpoint Invitational in Samdpoint • Boys placed 4th out of 6 teams • Girls placed 5th out of 5 teams
The Cross Country team prepares to race in the Inland Empire Challenge. Photo by Emily Gibson.
Oct. 22, District I-II 3A/4A/5A Championships at Farragut State Park • Boys placed 2nd out of 4 teams • Girls placed 4th out of 4 teams Oct. 30, Idaho State Cross Country Championships in Pocatello • Boys placed 11th out of 11 teams
Kobe Wessels finishes a race, staying ahead of four other runners, at the Inland Empire Challenge. Photo by Emily Gibson.
10 Sports
THE BENGAL’S PURR
2020 Homecoming Court masks up
The LHS athletic department names 2020 Homecoming royalty members: (Top from left) Drew Hottinger (freshman), Jack Kramasz (sophomore), George Forsmann (senior), Devin Zagelow (senior) and Joel Mullikin (senior). (Second row from left) Julia Blum (freshman), Ashlynn Skinner (sophomore), Shelby Hobbs (junior), Lana Ristau (senior), Olivia Bell (senior) and Jenna Carpenter (senior). Not Pictured: Cruz Hepburn (junior). Photo courtesy of Mindy Pals.
Varsity football season recap
The Lewiston Bengals had a great season with an overall record of 3-6 and a conference record of 1-4. This season ended all too soon, but Bengals feel excited for next season and for this promising team to show their stuff. Photo by Annika Lifvenborg.
Season Record
Compiled by Braitton Beckstead Sports Editor
Lewiston vs Coeur d’Alene, 14-56
Lewiston vs Sandpoint, 24-6
Lewiston vs Post Falls, 28-43
Lewiston vs Lakeland, 24-39
Lewiston vs Lake City, 12-36
Lewiston vs Kuna, 37-30
Lewiston vs Lake City, 50-48
Lewiston vs Moscow, 20-28
Lewiston vs Post Falls, 26-27
Monday, Nov. 23, 2020
Sports 11
Swim, volleyball seasons come to an end
Boys swimming • Lewiston vs Lake City One swimmer placed 1st. Two swimmers placed 2nd. Two swimmers placed 3rd.
• PFHS vs LHS vs WHS Team placed 2nd overall.
• North Idaho District DI and DII 5A • LHS vs CDA, MHS, Wallace Two swimmers placed 1st. Three swimmers placed1st. One swimmer placed 2nd. Three swimmers placed 2nd. One swimmer placed 3rd. Two swimmers placed 3rd. • LHS vs LAKE vs WHS vs MHS One swimmer placed 1st. Two swimmers placed 2nd. One swimmer placed 3rd.
Two members of the Lewiston boys swim team dive into the pool at the Aquatic Center in Asotin. Photo courtesy of Alana Ramos.
Girls swimming • Lewiston vs Lake City Three swimmers placed 2nd. One swimmer placed 3rd. • PFHS vs LHS vs WHS Team placed 2nd overall. • North Idaho District DI and DII 5A One swimmer placed 2nd. Three swimmers placed 3rd. A Lewiston girl front-crawls in a swim meet. Photo courtesy of Alana Ramos.
Varsity volleyball Matches Won by LHS:Matches won by opposing team + indicates conference game Overall: 7-10 Conference: 1-7 •LHS Vs. Coeur d’Alene 0:3 , Bengals lost. •LHS Vs. Sandpoint 3:0, Bengals won. •LHS Vs. Lakeland 3:1, Bengals won •LHS Vs. Lakeland 1:3, Bengals lost. •LHS Vs. Timberlake 3:0, Bengals won. •LHS Vs. Lake City 3:1+, Bengals won. •LHS Vs. Moscow 3:1, Bengals won. •LHS Vs. Post Falls 0:3+, Bengals lost. •LHS Vs. Sandpoint 3:2, Bengals won. •LHS Vs. Lakeland 0:3, Bengals lost. •LHS Vs. Lake City 0:3, Bengals lost. •LHS Vs. Moscow 3:1, Bengakls won. •LHS Vs. Post Falls 0:3+, Bengals lost. •LHS Vs. SandPoint 3:2, Bengals won. •LHS Vs. Coeur d’Alene 0:3+, Bengals lost. •LHS Vs. Post Falls 0:3+, Bengals lost.
Kylee Estlund soars through the air, spiking a ball over the net. Photo courtesy of Skylar Wyman.
THE BENGAL’S PURR
12 Sports
Soccer season ends at districts The LHS boys and girls soccer teams performed well this year. The boys had an overall record of 2-8-1 and a district record of 0-6. The girls had an overall record of 4-1-4 and a district record of 1-1-2. Though neither of them won the first district game, they gave Lake City a run for their money, with exciting play through each game. Next season looks even better for both of the teams.
Girls soccer
• Aug 25, Lewiston vs Lake City 2:9, Bengals lost • Aug. 27, Lewiston vs Coeur d’Alene 4:4, Bengals tied • Sept. 1, Lewiston vs Lakeland 17:0, Bengals won • Sept. 22, Lewiston vs Post Falls 6:1, Bengals won • Sept. 24, Lewiston vs Lakeland 17:0, Bengals won • Sept 26, Lewiston vs Sandpoint 3:2, Bengals won • Oct. 1, Lewiston vs Post Falls 2:4 Bengals lost • Oct. 6, Lewiston vs Coeur d’Alene Charter Academy 0:3, Bengals lost • Oct. 10, Lewiston vs Lake City 2:3, Bengals lost
The Lewiston girls team beats Sandpoint to the ball and the win. Photo courtesy of Mindy Pals.
Boys soccer
• Aug. 25, Lewiston vs Lake City 0:5, Bengals lost • Aug. 27, Lewiston vs Coeur d’Alene 0:1, Bengals lost • Oct. 29, Lewiston vs Lakeland 5:0, Bengals won • Sept. 9, Lewiston vs Post Falls 1:3, Bengals lost • Sept. 19, Lewiston vs McCall-Donnelly 1:9, Bengals lost • Sept. 24, Lewiston vs Lakeland 6:0, Bengals won • Sept. 26, Lewiston vs Sandpoint 2:2, Bengals tied • Sept. 29, Lewiston vs Lake City 0:4, Bengals lost • Oct. 1, Lewiston vs Post Falls 0:1, Bengals lost • Oct. 3, Lewiston vs Coeur d’Alene 0:4, Bengals lost •Oct. 10, Lewiston vs Lake City 3:5, Bengals lost
A Lewiston player shoots the ball. Photo courtesy of Mindy Pals.
Winter teams will play without fans By Braitton Beckstead Sports Editor
A Lewiston defender dribbles past Post Falls. Photo courtesy of Mindy Pals.
As of Nov. 19, winter sports are still on during the Covid-19 pandemic. But in accordance to the Idaho governor’s Stage 2 order, the Inland Empire League will host games and events but no fans will be allowed to attend. To accomodate the fan ban, LHS will attempt to livestream events and the athletic department is working to find other solutions, according to Corey Williams, LHS athletic director. All of this, like everything else, is subject to change and open for re-evaluation.
Monday, Nov. 23, 2020
Spotlight
13
Dress coded: LHS students petition for change
Teenage girls chat with each other while wearing crop tops considered too revealing for school. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.
By Sophia Hunter Editor-in-Chief In a school year amidst a pandemic, political unrest, and an endless list of unfortunate events, one topic has LHS students talking: dress code. Along with a brand new facility, the 2020 school year has brought LHS a new assistant principal Jolyn Hobson. A 2007 Bengal alum, Hobson brings a fresh, female perspective to the male-dominated LHS administration. Numerous students expressed concern during the first weeks of school regarding the number of students being dress-coded and the reasons for which they were dresscoded. From what students could see, “with the addition of Mrs. Hobson to LHS staff, there has been a noticeable rise in the enforcement of the dress code policy,” said Lily Van Mullem, a junior. On Sept. 2, an online petition was created with the title “Get Mrs. Hobson to stop harassing girls and their clothing” [sic]. Quickly, it gained over 600 signatures and
the attention of students, school staff, parents and the community. Various social media posts called for a peaceful protest known as “Crop-top Thursday,” where students, mainly boys, would wear cropped shirts to signify their support for the petition. That day, many students participated, and many were dress-coded and asked to cover up or change. Although there was no change to the dress code as a result of the protest, it did start a conversation about the enforcement and purpose of the LHS dress code. In a Bengal's Purr interview this fall, Hobson shared her stance on dress code enforcement and what that means for LHS students. “You're a Bengal, and you're a representative of this school and our community, and so I'm going to hold you to a high standard,” Hobson said. “If that means enforcing the rules and saying, 'Hey, you can't wear crop tops to school,' then that's what I'm going to do.” Hobson's priority, she said, is to ensure that students are dressing in a manner that is professional and appropriate for the
school or work environment. She bases her judgment on the rules and guidelines set by the school board. The dress code policy for LHS, which is found on page 23, section 6 in the student handbook, reads: “Exposed undergarments and midriffs are not acceptable. Buttocks, upper thigh and chest, and midriff must be covered when walking; sitting, and bending or reaching (applies to males and females alike). Clothing that refers to gangs, drugs, alcohol/tobacco, sex, violence or that contains innuendoes referring to obscene behavior shall not be permitted.” Hobson said she also recognizes that as a new staff member whose job is to enforce rules, she will inevitably be met with resistance. “I know I'm not harassing girls. I know I'm not body-shaming girls, and frankly, I'm just holding them accountable to the rules that
“Code” continued on page 14.
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THE BENGAL’S PURR
Assistant principal Jolyn Hobson watches over students. Photo by Annika Lifvenborg.
“Code” continued from page 13. they know are in place,” she said. “The petition is a petition, but at the end of the day, I›m enforcing rules that the school board has put in place. The school board is my ultimate boss.” Many student complaints refer to the imbalance of girls over boys being dresscoded. Many male students have been seen on campus wearing clothing with logos or references to drugs and alcohol, along with profanity and nudity. To many students, it seems that while these male students go unnoticed, girls get plucked from the hallways for showing the slightest bit of skin. This is not an LHS isolated issue, rather a national one concerning the sexualization of teen girls and their clothing and bodies. In 2019, Autumn Tolbert from the Arkansas Times wrote, “Girls are too often treated
as temptresses who must have their clothing choices closely monitored to prevent them from distracting the boys from their schoolwork. They are Lily Van Mullem sirens, existing to wreak havoc on the poor male students.” It's not just girls' bodies that could be potential distractions; Tolbert also adds, "You know what is distracting? Construction noise nearby, being hungry in class, a stray dog wandering into the classroom, or another student continuously talking. Those are distractions. A girl's clothes and her body are not." Meanwhile, on the new LHS campus, construction workers have been heard on the roof and outside school buildings
throughout this Fall. Among the concerned students, some were much more vocal than others. Lily Van Mullem is a junior at LHS who was dress coded in September. "Many girls that attend LHS have voiced to me that they feel uncomfortable, ashamed, or even harassed when they are dress coded," Van Mullem said in a written exchange with the Purr. “[. . .] They are in an environment that allows the calling out and judgment of their clothing. I believe that when the dress code is only enforced upon girls and not boys, it is discriminatory. I believe that constant attention to a young girl’s appearance, especially from someone in a position of authority, can be incredibly damaging.” Van Mullem added that in future years for LHS, she hopes administrators will recognize and question this imbalance. "I hope that the admin recognizes the imbalance between girls and boys being dress coded and asks themselves why that imbalance is there," Van Mullem shared. “I hope that admin questions why so many students are frustrated [….] I hope change is made to the policy to contain equitable, inclusive, and body-positive language.” Hobson had words that she hoped would reassure students. "Your value as a person doesn›t come from the style of clothes that you wear," she said. "Your value comes from how you treat people and how you value the people in your life and the relationships you have in your life." Hobson confirmed that she doesn't hold grudges against students who she dress codes. "Everyone is human and bound to make mistakes," Hobson said. "People are of utmost importance to me [. . .] so even if I have dress-coded [students], if I see them, I say hi to them."
The Bengal’s Purr Mission Statement The Bengal’s Purr is Lewiston High School’s student-run newspaper. The publication has been informing students, parents and the community since 1927. The Purr is primarily intended for LHS students. Our publication gives them periodic news updates on school and local events, activities and competitions while featuring students, faculty and community members with unique qualities or experiences. The Purr also provides entertainment reviews and opinion articles or editorials, which solely reflect the opinions of the student writers. The staff and adviser of The Bengal’s Purr strive to produce a publication that reflects the perspectives, interests and abilities of current students at Lewiston High School. We are guided by the Code of Ethics for the Society of Professional Journalists, which advises that we seek the truth and report it, minimize harm, act independently, and to be accountable and transparent. The Purr welcomes and publishes letters to the editor from LHS and the surrounding community. Any letters that are 250 words or longer are subject to editing for length. Letters can be sent to bengalspurr@lewistonschools.net or to The Bengal’s Purr, Lewiston High School, 3201 Cecil Andrus Way, Lewiston, Idaho, 83501.
Monday, Nov. 23, 2020
Opinion: School dress codes target young girls
Spotlight
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Connect with The Bengal’s Purr!
Digital illustration by Kristin Starr.
By Oluwaseyi Arogundade Staff Reporter Do those shorts go down to your fingertips? Is that tank top four fingers wide? Is your bra strap showing? Girls as young as six or seven years old are already learning that their legs and shoulders are a distraction. For so long, schools have reserved the right to a dress code, but unfortunately, these codes have come across as unfair and sexist. These rules disproportionately target young women and it teaches them that they are responsible for the actions of other people. Although dress codes are mandatory for a functioning school, stricter codes diminish a girl’s self-esteem, and they excessively target women of color and plus-sized women, and are more distracting to females than to the males. To start with, the mandate of those codes can diminish a girl’s self-esteem. According to Time Magazine, there have been instances in multiple schools where female students reported having to flap their arms up and down to see if their shirts were long enough, bend over to see if their skirts or shorts had a proper length, or even having to rummage through the lost and found for a jacket to put over a shirt. These checks are humiliating at best and unethical at worst. Not only can this be traumatizing for girls, but it can make them feel
ashamed of their bodies. “For me, it’s about shaming girls about their bodies,” says Julia Bond, a parent who was involved at a protest at New Haven Middle school, “It’s this message across genders that girls have to cover up, and teachers saying to girls, the reason for this rule is so that boys aren’t distracted.” Women live in a society that tells them that what they wear dictates whether they are respected, and schools are just perpetuating that narrow mindset. Secondly, women use a lose a lot of learning time in the classroom because of these dress codes. When girls get kicked out of class or suspended, it leaves them less time for learning than their male counterparts. One example of this was when a female honor student in a public high school in South Carolina was suspended, and almost arrested, because she was wearing an over-the-shoulder top that violated code. Some might say that a woman’s clothing may be distracting to others, but it is the school’s responsibility to stop pushing the narrative that a girl’s body is a distraction. One solution to this problem is to make the dress code less strict, and teach boys how to be accountable for the way they respond to girls. Women have always been taught that they are the problem, but the real problem that a society that starts to objectify women as early as six years old.
Twitter: @thebengalspurr Instagram: @thebengalspurr_ Facebook: Facebook.com/ BengalsPurr Do you have an opinion about the dress codes at LHS? Send a letter to the editor to bengalspurr @lewistonschools.net
THE BENGAL’S PURR 16 Feature New school, new staff, new LHS Hobson new to LHS administration
By Rylie Reagan & Lindsey Sexton Jolyn Hobson, the Assistant principal, has been added to the Lewiston High School staff at the beginning of the 2020-2021 school year. Immediately following her graduation from Lewiston High School in 2007, she attended the University of Idaho. After attending the UI, Hobson returned to her hometown and received her teaching degree from the local Lewis-Clark State College. Along with her constant involvement in education, she is well engaged in a life outside of school. She is married to her high school sweetheart, who graduated from LHS in 2008. They have two children. She likes to spend her time outdoors, as well as hunting and enjoying CrossFit when time allows.
“Very exciting -- it’s like a blast from the past.” -- Jolyn Hobson Hobson is working this year as a assitant principal along side Vice-Principle Chad Arlint as the LHS academic coordinator. She said that she is having fun here at the High School as if she were back in the old days as an LHS student, while also assisting in these new days in her new role. She said that being a Bengal once again is “Very exciting -- it’s like a blast from the past.” Hobson said her goals this year are to visit all classrooms every day and get to know all of the students’ names. Those are arguably the most important things to do as a principal, she said. She added that she wants all students to feel
Jolyn Hobson
welcome and known as individuals. Hobson joined the Lewiston High School administration at the beginning of the 2020-2021 school year.
Aaron Waits begins his career at LHS By Rylie Reagan & Lindsey Sexton
Aaron Waits
“My goal here at LHS is to help students reach their full potential, I hope to help them become lifelong learners who value knowledge and understand the power of their minds.” -- Aaron Waits
Aaron Waits, a newly staffed teacher here at Lewiston High School, starts the school year instructing Seniors in the course of English 12. Waits is a wonderful new teacher that had been added to our Lewiston Bengal staff. Here is a little information about him that some of you may be interested to know. He attended Lewis-Clark State College, studying a major in education. Previously to his role as an English teacher here at Lewiston High School, he had partaken in the teaching of german elsewhere, primarily in smaller schools. Waits had grown from adolescence in a small town and also began his teaching career in several smaller schools, making the adjustment to Lewiston High School exciting for him. As he transitioned in such a role, he had set goals for himself and his students. “My goal here at LHS is to help students reach their full potential,” He said. “I hope to help them become lifelong learners who value knowledge and understand the power of their minds.” When asked when he knew that he desired to teach, he had responded with fourth grade. He states that he had a teacher named Mr. Strong that helped
strike the determination of becoming a teacher. “I loved Mr. Strong, my teacher because he was just a cool guy who made learning fun,” he stated. ‘He would read to us in such a way that left the whole class asking for him to read “just one more chapter” out loud to us.” Despite his role as a teacher here at LHS, Waits as well enjoys doing hobbies of his own. He had stated that he enjoys hiking with his dalmatian, as to which he takes along with him skiing and snowshoeing during the winter months. In the summer, he tends to travel and play on the river periodically. As he travels, he sighted the places he had traveled too. “I have been to 13 countries so far, and I can›t wait to plan my next journey. I love music, but classic country and bluegrass will always be my go-to. Oh, and coffee. I love coffee.” As the school year proceeds, Waits will be an extraordinary teacher to have in the Lewiston School District.
Feature 17
Monday, Nov. 23, 2020
New school, new staff, new LHS
Strolberg set to teach German and world history By Rylie Reagan Feature Editor Mckenna Strolberg, a newly staffed teacher here at Lewiston High School, has started the 2020-2021 school year as a German teacher, expanding her instruction in courses as she teaches German 1, 2, and 3. In addition to her instructing of German, Strolberg as well teaches World History. Strolberg is one of the newest language teachers here in the Lewiston School District. Strolberg had grown up around the Treasure Valley area due to her residency in Meridian, Idaho. Strolberg attended Boise State University and also studied in Saarbrücken, Germany. In the last year of her expedition, she relocated to Cham, Germany. There, she helped Germany children learn English at a secondary school. When she came to Lewiston, Strolberg knew things would be different with a new town and new school district to experience. But she said she’s loving being a Bengal. The thing she loves most at Lewiston High School is the staff and community, she said. “This is my first year teaching in my class-
room,” she said, “I was a student teacher in Boise, Idaho, and co-taught in Germany, but this is my first year teaching.” Strolberg had known that she had a desire to become a teacher at an early age in life. She had known due to her enrollment in mentoring, various tutoring programs, and work-related classes she took in high school. With the program, she found that she enjoyed the course and had been interested in becoming a teacher. “I decided I wanted to be a teacher early in life thanks to some mentoring, tutoring programs, and some work placement classes in high school, “ she had said, “Those programs let me try teaching, and I found that I enjoyed it!” As a student, Strolberg had many teachers that inspired her, but the one that stood out the most to her was Frau Shelton. Shelton showed her examples and teaching methods that showed Strolberg that she wanted to be a German teacher. “After that teacher showed her the ways of teaching and caring for students, Mrs. Strolberg just knew that’s what she wanted
McKenna Strolberg
to do with her life and knew that nothing could or would change that for anything.” Spoke Mrs. Strolberg. As the School year goes on, she will be a great addition to the Lewiston High School.
Roby wins as Educational Support Personnel of the Year By Hannah Shoffitt News Editor
Kaylin Roby, the college and career counselor for LHS is captured with her 2020 Educational Support Personnel award. Photo courtesy of Roby.
Kaylin Roby, the college/career counselor for LHS, won the 2020 “Educational Support Personnel” and is very deserving of her award. She is a hardworking mother of two boys, and loves being outside doing summer activities with them. Roby is currently working on her master’s degree, and is at the cusp of finishing. She says “I can’t wait to be done, and I’m excited to be able to take time for myself and my family. I have grown a lot, and I’m grateful for it.” She started her career at Lewiston High School in September of 2016, and is in her fifth year. Roby loves working with students, and helping them with post-secondary plans. Just in general, she loves helping students. Technology plays a big role in her career capabilities, as well as students! “The career center is always open! The new space is really big and really cool.” Roby says. As Roby goes into more depth about her award, it is apparent it means a lot to her.
She spoke on how she choked up when she received it, and how shocked she was. Roby also loves working with the other school counselors, and says they are all amazing. She is very qualified to give advice and she wants students to know it’s okay to not know. She says “You don’t have to have it all figured out right now, explore things you like doing. Follow your passion, and it’s okay if there’s hiccups.” She also shares her personal experience of going to college because she knew she needed to, and figuring it out on the way. “Any student can swing by and meet me!”
“You don’t have to have it all figured out right now, explore things you like doing. Follow your passion, and it’s okay if there’s hiccups.” -- Kaylin Roby
THE BENGAL’S PURR
Feature 18
New school, new Staff, new LHS
Farnes begins painting an education for LHS students
Christopher Farnes, the LHS art teacher, assists his student in creating a wire sculpture during class on November 11th. Photo By Annika Lifvenborg.
By Rylie Reagan Feature Editor Christopher Farnes, the newest art teacher at LHS, began this school year instructing students in grades 9-12. With the addition of freshmen to the new school, Farnes, joined the LHS staff after previously teaching at Jenifer Junior High School. Farnes attended the University of Idaho in Moscow, first earning a degree in fine arts. Previous to his career of instructing students, Farnes had other career intentions. Teaching had not always been his ideal career. As he described as what was a backup plan, he also decided to receive an additional degree in art education. “Even after graduating I wasn’t sure that was the direction I wanted to move in,” he said. “With some of my college advisors pushing me that way and jobs opening up in the area, I decided to give it a go. Seven-plus years in, I don’t regret it in the least. It has been a truly rewarding expe-
rience!” As he began teaching here at LHS, Farnes set goals for himself and his students. Farnes had a desire to instill passion and curiosity in his students and to allow his students the freedom to express themselves. “The visual arts are a great way to help us understand who we are and how we connect to each other and the world around us,” he said. “While it is a form of communication, it is also a reflection of everything that makes us human. Besides, who doesn’t like being surrounded by cool-looking stuff!” Farnes found his art interests during adolescence, but grew up with a passion for building and constructing. Farnes said that even as a child, he dreamed of owning a laboratory. Most importantly, he had drew extensively and received encouragement from friends, family and teachers, ultimately leading to his love for art. Outside of work at LHS, Farnes enjoys a
“Coming from the junior high, it has been an extra bonus getting to continue working alongside students I have come to know and love.” -- Christopher Farnes musician’s lifestyle, playing several instruments and even recording music in his home studio. Before attending college, Farnes engaged in work as a guitar technician. Previous to his career teaching in the Lewiston area, Farnes grew up in a small town in southern Idaho. This allowed him to discover his hobbies of traveling, creating art and music. He enjoys the outdoors and animals, making a diverse selection of hobbies. Farnes and his wife, who is also an artist, continue to embark on a journey together, one that had started nearly 20 years ago. Farnes had said that he was thrilled to join the Lewiston High School family of both students and staff. “Coming from the junior high, it has been an extra bonus getting to continue working alongside students I have come to know and love,” he said, “It also doesn’t hurt I get to work inside this fantastic new building.”
Monday, Nov. 23, 2020
Entertainment
Nolan’s Tenet both thrills and confuses By Maggie Bulkley Digital Media Manager Movies of today all seem to be reboots, remakes or comic-book based. But Christopher Nolan’s Tenet is something truly original -- a new kind of movie that will take the viewer by surprise, and undoubtedly leave them with a seemingly infinite string of unanswered questions. The premise is simple: World War III must be prevented, and a secret agent known only as The Protagonist (John David Washington) is trying to do so with the agency he works for, which is called Tenet. But, of course, as proven by some of Nolan’s other works like Inception and Interstellar, it’s absolutely not that simple. World War III must be prevented, but to do so, people must bungee-jump off buildings in the dark. A cheese grater must be weaponized. Michael Caine’s character must be insulted just because he’s English. And the very flow of time must be manipulated because people from the future are trying to kill those of the present day. “Don’t try and understand it,” one of the scientists tells The Protagonist. Maybe that quote was directed at audiences as well. Despite the hard-to-follow content, Tenet is still a good movie. Washington is fantastic as The Protagonist, being calm, collected and cool in the face of all danger, and even throwing in a few one-liners that successfully bring a bit of lightheartedness to the film’s intensity. Working with The Protagonist is Neil (Robert Pattinson), a fellow agent who, instead of sparkling shirtless in the forest of his Twilight films, sparkles intellectually in scientific laboratories with a
Neil (Pattinson) calmly explains that he’d like to crash a plane. Photo courtesy of IMDB.com.
Master’s degree in Physics. Neil is responsible for explaining a lot of the scientific aspects of the film. Together, they have to stop Andrei Sator (Kenneth Branagh), a Russian weapons dealer who works with the people from the future. All cast members perform well in their roles, and the acting is one thing that really makes the movie. But of course, what’s a spy movie without thrilling action, innovative camera angles and beautifully-choreographed fight scenes? If that’s what one expects from this movie, it does not disappoint. Not only does the viewer wonder what exactly is going on, but one will also want to know how Nolan achieved such peak cinematography. He relies mostly on practical effects, using less than 300 visual effects shots in the movie. That’s less than most romantic comedies. On top of that, not one green screen was used in the film. Nolan chose to use the Location Shooting method -- tak-
Andrei Sator (Branagh) works with the future to destroy the past. Photo courtesy of IMDB.com.
ing the cast and crew to film in places such as Estonia, Italy and Mumbai. Most of what is shown on the screen is happening in real life on camera, and that is the main thing that makes this movie great. The main problem with this production seems to be the sound balance. Ludwig Göransson (known for the soundtracks of Marvel Studios’ Black Panther, and the Disney+ show The Mandalorian) pleases once again with Tenet’s score. However, there are some very big BLAMs in the music, which in some scenes can drown out dialogue that seems vital to the story. Overall, the whole thing seems a little loud. But a little thing like music volume doesn’t dampen the positive aspects of the film. Tenet is a solid 4 out of 5 and will meet the expectations of anyone who likes movies that involve action or science fiction, or of anyone who wants a good fictional thrill for the first time in 2020.
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Ghost of Tsushima cuts deep in a bland way
According to Pushsquare.com, “Ghost of Tsushima doesn’t make you pick between samurai and ghost fighting styles”. Photo courtesy of Pushsquare.com
By Taren Glenn Entertainment Assistant Hype for the sword-swinging, war-filled, haiku simulator could not be understated. Ghost of Tsushima excitement began Oct. 30, 2017, when Playstation released the official reveal trailer. This samurai game was developed by Sucker Punch and produced by Sony exclusively for the PS4. There have been ninja and samurai games in the past, but none quite to the scale and wonder of this one. Then when the excitement died off slowly, an official gameplay trailer released. Along with pre-order becoming an option for purchase. So with all this hype, how does Ghost of Tsushima compare? The Ghost of Tsushima shaped up to be a beautiful game. It delivers excellent graphics on the PS4, even without the improved PS4 Pro. Its stylized Japanese landscape has colors that flood a player’s eyes with euphoria. The designers even added different graphic mode options, such as “Kurosawa mode.” This is a tribute to a famous samurai movie director. In this style, it is grayscale with film grading. Even with these graphic options, one can still run Ghost of Tsushima’s photo mode. It offers a plethora of choices, including
but not limited to focus length, particle effect, time of day and weather. This has allowed many players to create their own unique portraits of their in-game characters. So what about this in-game character and story? Unfortunately, Jin’s story can get bland because of inadequate complexity. Some people are all for a “classic samurai” character arc, but it becomes tiresome very quickly. When Jin is a cookie-cutter anti-hero a quarter through the game, it feels grating by the end. Jin is the corruption of an honorable samurai through painful losses and experience. His transition to the Ghost isn’t engaging in the least. He loses a couple of times then just up and changes as if to say, “Well, guess I’ll throw out my entire morality system because of my experiences these last two days.” (SPOILER) Jin’s uncle gets kidnapped at the start of the game. Throughout the story, his uncle is supposed to represent the moral high ground in Jin’s descent into becoming the Ghost. But he and others come off as flat and one-dimensional. Surprisingly, some of the best characters are the enemies or betrayers of Jin. First, there is Mongol leader Khotun Khan. He is a terrifying enemy because
he loves Japanese culture and studied it thoroughly before his attempted conquest. To Japanese people of status, he offers rewards in exchange for information. He talks of peace if people will just give themselves to his cause. At one point (SPOILER), he has captured Jin and Yuna’s brother. The Kahn tells Jin he respects his tactics because they are very similar to the Mongols’. He then says again to renounce Tsushima’s people. Jin says no, and the helpful Kenji is decapitated. This, depending on one’s connection to Kenji, can cause a fury. Even if a player isn’t playing for the story, Kenji had gifted Jin with a grappling hook earlier. So a useful piece equipment and quest giver has been taken from anyone who is playing for optimization. Another surprisingly fleshed-out character is Ryuzo. He leads a gang called the Straw Hats and is an old friend of Jin’s. Ryuzo turns on Jin after Jin can’t supply food to his crew. Ryuzo has deep-seated envy of Jin and reflects his rage of insecurity into repeated duels.
See “Ghost,” continued on page 21.
Monday, Nov. 23, 2020
Entertainment
“Ghost” continued from page 20 knows: “We’re gonna kill the Khan,” or “Revenge for my brother,” or “Your uncle is a fool.” They are simply different flavors of the same thing. The gameplay in Ghost of Tsushima is a fun ride at first, but quickly, like much of this game, it becomes routine monotony. The first time a person finds a fox shrine, it’s like magic. It’s so cool to think that a wild fox led the player to this hidden alcove that no one could’ve found. The fourth time it feels more like a simple transaction of goods for the charm that a player gets. A few side quests are interesting, such as when the Mongols attack a man and his family. He runs away cowardly, and Jin is sent to find the villager’s daughter and wife. But they don’t make it -- the only thing left is a child’s doll. Jin scorns the man. The guy sulks and curses himself, finding no solace in anything. But the other 90% of the game is about going to kill bandits and rescue a person after a horrible tailing mission. One thing does stand out Yuna Fan looking out into the woods with her trusty bow and about this game; The Mythic arrow. Photo courtesy of Pinterest.com Tales are engaging. Hearing the epic legends foretold for The khan uses Ryuzo against Jin many years and finding out the truth in those times. At one point, the Khan takes a stories is a lot of fun, particularly when bunch of farmers while trying to siege a all of them amount to a climactic duel castle. He uses them as hostages and Ryuthat involves an ancient move that the zo ends up burning an innocent Japanese player will carry on the legacy of. It’s very civilian for the Khan to prove his loyalty. He thrilling. screams out in anguish, asking for the gates Fighting in Ghost of Tsushima feels like to open, so he doesn’t have to kill any more flowing in and around an enemy, makinnocents. The final fight between Ryuzo ing them regret the day they ever chaland Jin is bittersweet. It’s easy to find lenged the player. It is satisfying to use oneself rooting for redemption in Ryuthe counter and dodge mechanics. This zo. (SPOILER WARNING) But it doesn’t also makes the goal of attaining skills in come, as Jin swiftly executes him. This different trees worthwhile. The samurai reveals how the Ghost persona is pulling gameplay is all good and gives a sense him farther away from the samurai life. of improvement throughout the game Yuna is one of the most important side while repeatedly challenging players characters in the story. She created Jin’s with unique and new enemies. persona and suffered along with him But the problem with gameplay comes during her brother’s death. Though she with the Ghost stealth aspect. This tree is an amusing and enticing character of skills and stealth play is underdevelduring the first and second act, that taoped. When the player goes into an enpers off, and it quickly becomes routine emy camp and stealths, it is clear that for her to say things everyone already
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Sucker Punch did not make the A.I. correctly. When Jin is discovered, half the time, A.I. will stand awkwardly and just shout. Or they’ll see him when the player thinks that Jin is completely hidden. It can be frustrating or hilarious, depending on the general personal experience of the player. The only thing that is truly satisfying about this playstyle is the equipment. Smoke bombs, kunai and tanto assassinations provide truly cool moments, such as jumping from the rafters onto an unsuspecting enemy and taking advantage of a smoke bomb, taking the surprised enemies out, one by one. These are fantastic ... when they work. The problem lies in the fact that it looks goofy when Jin clips through a horse while stabbing someone. The Ghost of Tsushima wanes and waxes in enjoyability. Sometimes it’s a battle of blades, a dark hope, and the speaking of wise words. Other times it delivers a bug-filled, cookie-cutter, delivery of bland gameplay. It’s a disappointment when coming from a AAA developer studio like Sucker Punch. But it’s still fun to play, and it should be recommended for a purely fighting game experience, along with some eye candy, if that’s what a player is looking for. The game is fun but an ultimately buggy experience. It has spice, but no commitment to cool ideas. It comes up with fun mechanics that aren’t polished enough to be memorable. It’s a gratifying game in the moment, but they player will forget about it in a couple of months. If a person just wants a fun and simple ride, with some simple enjoyable details, then play this game. All of these issue and great moments culminate to a 3/5 for Ghost of Tsushima.
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THE BENGAL’S PURR
Clueless takes to the Purr By Lauren Martin Staff Reporter Director Amy Heckerling released “Clueless” July 19, 1995. Rated PG-13, this comedy/romance movie is about Cher Horowitz (Alicia Silverstone). She is a wealthy, popular, and superficial student attending Beverly Hills High School. As the plot progresses, audiences soon discover Cher’s mother has been dead for several years due to routine medical complications. She is now being raised by her father, Mel (Dan Hedaya). It also becomes clear Mel had been remarried and divorced, leaving Cher with a socially conscious exstep brother named Josh (Paul Rudd). The first true conflict begins when Cher receives a C in her debate class. Afraid her father, a lawyer, will get angry with her, she manipulates her lonely teacher, Mr. Hall (Wallace Shawn), into changing her grade by setting him up with another single teacher, Miss Geist (Twink Caplan). The mission is a success with the help of her best friend and confidante, Dionne (Stacey Dash). Inspired by their victory, they take on a klutzy transfer student named Tai (Brittany Murphy) and give her a makeover. After putting Tai well on her way to popularity, Cher decides she is interested in finding her own boyfriend. She goes through a few guys on her search, only to come to the conclusion that she has had feelings for Josh the whole time. She also realizes her shallowness and how much she longs to be seen as more than a popular mall junkie. She undergoes a spiritual transformation and realizes her true intelligence and self-worth. It is
Cher (Alicia Silverstone) is the shopaholic daughter of a wealthy lawyer . Photo courtesy of IMDB.com.
not until her realization is complete that she learns her feelings for Josh had been mutual the whole time. Cher and Josh are finally revealed as a couple at the conclusion of the movie when they attend the wedding of the teachers who Cher set up at the beginning of the film. Overall, this movie is a classic, cheesy 1990s movie that represents how people -- especially women -- from different backgrounds can help each other out. According to imdb. com, this movie was a box office hit, grossing over $56 million in the United States alone. However, even with a budget of $20 million, it still fails to impress. The first crucial mistake is that even though the plot pacing is satisfactory, too many conflicts were unfolding within its one hour and 41-minute runtime. It also seemed to have a relatively basic plotline that lacked originality. For example, Cher and Tai get in an argument after Tai states she may be interested in Josh. Looking back on their fight, Cher is un-
sure as to why she became angry in the first place. Then she finally comes to terms with the fact that she herself has been interested in Josh the whole time. The same moment plays out in countless movies of this genre. Furthermore, the characters are superficial and stereotypical as well as purposeless and predictable. For example, Cher is the perfect example of a stereotypical popular girl. She is displayed as manipulative, wealthy, pretty and superficial. Meanwhile, Tai in the beginning of the movie is a brand new transfer student, and the perfect depiction of the “misfit girl” with baggy, worn-out clothes and no friends. These characters are just a few examples of Clueless stereotypes. Overall, the film deserves 3 out of 5 stars for its underwhelming plot points, lame attempts at humor and gripping content, as well as for its characters’ struggle to carry weight.
Monday, Nov. 23, 2020
Entertainment 23
Bill And Ted 3 exceeds bogus expectations
By Maggie Bulkley Digital Media Manager Nobody felt that there was a need for Bill and Ted Face the Music. The first film in the franchise -- Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure -- was a cinematic masterpiece. And the second one, as big of a letdown as it might have been, still seemed to wrap up the story nicely. So why make a third film, nearly 30 years later? Expectations were very low, but Bill and Ted Face the Music very much exceeded those expectations. To start off, viewers WILL NOT understand this film if they have not seen the first two films. Bill and Ted Face the Music is a continuation of Excellent Adventure and Bogus Journey. It picks up roughly 30 Winter and Reeves reprise their roles as Bill and Ted. Photo courtesy of imdb.com. years after the second film, taking place in the present day. Bill (Alex Winter) and Ted (Keanu Reeves) are now full-grown adults, married to the princesses (Erinn Hayes and Jayma Mays), and each has a grown daughter. Bill’s daughter is Thea (Samara Weaving) and Ted’s daughter is Billie (Brigette Lundy-Paine). Though the second film ended with their band, the Wyld Stallyns (pronounced like “wild stallions”), becoming the top rockers in the world, that’s not the case anymore. They’ve lost the limelight, and seemingly, they have lost the ability to play good music. Meanwhile, Death (William Sadler), who once shredded the bass guitar for the Stallyns, has left the band. This is their situation when an emissary from the future finds them. Kelly (Kristen between the two subplots, as both parties Schaal), the daughter of Rufus from the first travel to various parts of time, while also betwo films (George Carlin), takes them to ing chased by a constantly distraught robot the future to meet with the leaders of San (Anthony Carrigan) who is always in need of Kelly (Schaal) welcomes Bill and Ted to the Dimas. Bill and Ted are informed that they validation. future. Photo courtesy of imdb.com. The plot moves very quickly, as the film is have to compose a song to save the world. So they do the reasonable thing and use a only an hour and a half long, but it doesn’t audience back in time and revisits a lot of time machine to travel to meet their future feel too rushed. Reeves and Winter perform the old gags from the first two films. Face the selves, who they assume have already writ- wonderfully in reprising their roles, and Music also adds new, hilarious material that though they may look 30 years older, their embodies the spirit of the first two films that ten the song. Meanwhile, Billie and Thea overhear of dumb, optimistic personalities haven’t aged says, “Be excellent to each other...and party their fathers’ trouble, and concoct their own a day. The story may take them and their on, dudes!” Overall, Bill And Ted Face The Mumusical plan to assist them. Hilarity ensues characters to various futures, but it takes the sic earns 3/5.
24 Variety
THE BENGAL’S PURR
How did you feel starting at the new LHS campus? By Emily Gibson Photos by Annika Lifvenborg
Sophia Gill, freshman: “I like the outdoor seating. The gym’s nice… I don’t like the parking.”
Austin Ousley, junior: “It’s too confusing, it’s too big, and there are too many freshmen.”
Skylah Wolf, sophomore: “I play volleyball so I like the gym a lot.”
Kaylynn Obsurn, freshman: “I was nervous because it’s a big campus. It’s kind of daunting.”
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Monday, Nov. 23, 2020
Variety 25
School board increases school day hours By Chayton Brewer-Burgin News Assistant
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Students have often complained about how the school doesn't take up nearly as much of their day as they’d like. As of right now, students at LHS are required to be at school no later than 7:55 a.m., with their school day stretching all the way to 2:25 p.m. The Lewiston school board took a look at the total hours students are at school (seven hours and 30 minutes) and decided that students aren't learning fast enough. With this in mind, the school board has decided that the student's school day will start at 6:55 a.m. and go until 4:50 p.m. Teachers will also be required to give at least two pages worth of homework each night to maximize learning and ultimate time-wasting. The Lewiston superintendent, Erricck Butlerrr, commented on the change. "Students can't learn enough if they aren't at school for less than nine hours a day,” he said. “The body needs eight to nine hours of sleep a night, and kids also need eight to nine hours of schooling." Butlerrr added that this is the best way to guarantee students won't have lives outside of school. “Students need to work most of their youth away,” he said, “This is to ensure that the future generations of students truly know what hard work is.
As for the students’ responses to this earth-shattering news, they’re all for it. One student, Thommas Reeverrr, said he believes that this would help encourage those students who don't work hard enough and fail one their classes. "If students are spending more time in school than they’re spending anywhere else, then they'll be more inclined to work harder. They will have nothing better to do." Reeverrr also said that the school board should think about having school take over
By Lindsey Sexton Managing Editor
it, and first-year students can park at P1FCU down the street. -- JOE BENGAL
A student sits face down in her books, working hard. Photo courtesy of medibank.com.
the weekend. “That would truly satisfy a student’s need to learn,” Reeverrr said. Since none of this will go into effect until the next school year, some seniors gave their opinion on the subject. Jennnice Malllak said it would be fantastic because she herself is a straight-A student who lives and breathes school. “If students don’t like the idea of having more time at school, then are they really learning?”
Troubled students seek advice Happy birthS W E EN
FAK
Trouble in parking
DEAR JOE BENGAL, I’m having trouble with the parking lot and can’t seem to have the same spot every day. I wish there were something I could do. Please help me. -- FRESHMAN DEAR FRESHMAN Be patient with the people around you. All you have to do is make sure you’re backed in correctly. Just kidding, there’s no way around
Trouble with friends
day to Covid!
DEAR JOE BENGAL, I’m a Senior, and I’m having trouble with my friends. It feels like they all just ghosted me without a reason why. What should I do to win them back? -- SENIOR DEAR SENIOR, Don’t worry about it. I’m sorry to say, but it’s just high school, and nothing else matters after you’re out of school. Being a senior is a point in your life when you’re supposed to have fun. Don’t let a few rude people get you down. -- JOE BENGAL
The novel Coronavirus, now age 1. Image courtesy of cdc.gov.
DID YOU KNOW? -- The novel Coronavirus, which causes Covid-19, was first detected in a patient Nov. 19, 2019. Happy birthday, dear virus! You have changed the world!
26 Variety
THE BENGAL’S PURR
Past Purr highlights body-building, Grease From the Bengal’s Purr archive, October 1986
From the Bengal’s Purr archive, February 1986
Monday, Nov. 23, 2020
27
Meet the staff
Editor-in-Chief ----------------------------------------- Sophia Hunter Contact us Managing Editor ------------------------------------- Lindsey Sexton ONLINE Photo Manager ----------------------------------- Annika Lifvenborg bengalspurr.com Digital Media Manager ----------------------------- Maggie Bulkley issuu.com/bengalspurr News Editor ------------------------------------------- Hannah Shoffitt facebook.com/bengalspurr Features Editor ------------------------------------------- Rylie Reagan @thebengalspurr on Twitter Opinion Editor ---------------------------------------- Hannah Shoffitt E-MAIL: Entertainment Editor --------------------------------- Sophia Hunter Sports Editor -------------------------------------- Braitton Beckstead bengalspurr@lewistonschools.net Copyeditors ----------------------- Sophia Hunter, Hannah Shoffitt PHONE: Business and Distribution Manager ------------- Lindsey Sexton (208) 748-3919 News Assistants ----------- Chayton Brewer-Burgin, Emily Gibson MAIL: Features Assistant ----------------------------------- Cecelia Thomas The Bengal’s Purr, DTEC 407 Entertainment Assistant -------------------------------- Taren Glenn Lewiston High School Staff Reporters ----------------------- Intro to Journalism students 3201 Cecil Andrus Way Lewiston, ID 83501 Adviser ------------------------------------ Charity Thompson Egland
The Bengal’s Purr Lewiston High School 3201 Cecil Andrus Way Lewiston, ID 83501
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Nov. 23, 2020
THE BENGAL’S PURR
Throwback: Bengals plan trip to Soviet Union From the Bengal’s Purr archive, May 22, 1987
