The Blazer February 2022

timberline high school’s student run publication l february 2022

when did staying safe

become political?

the controversy around the vaccine at Timberline pages 10-11

what’s your pronoun? pg 4

an unusual pastime pg 13

alumni advice pg14-15

letter from the editor

2022

2021

Dear readers, While we may be back in school, this year is anything but normal. Four years ago, the staff of TheBlazer was plentiful. Now we’re operating with a staff size about a fifth of what we once had.

Staff cuts have been gradual but significant. This year, TheBlazer is run by five, humbled student journalists.

This magazine is our shot at normalcy. Regardless of staff cuts, the pains of online school, and unexpected snow days, our staff continues forth. In this issue, TheBlazer explores vaccination controversy at Timberline Highschool. The student body and greater community have been severely impacted by an incline in COVID cases in Thurston County, yet poor mask-wearing and weak enforcement of COVID-19 protocol continue in school (as explored in our staff editorial). Staff writers, Isela Brown and Izayah Ramos explore the recent trend of tarot cards and normalization of pronouns at school. While the more dismal effects of the pandemic are unavoidable, guest writer Aspen Buholm, and staff writer Olya Tsvilyuk, bring a (much needed) tune of optimism to the magazine with unique student hobbies and graduation advice from Hollywood producers.

Last year, most student organizations ceased to exist. Morale suffered and Timberline traditions fell through. This issue of TheBlazer is an ode to the strength of student voices we lost and are fighting to regain. Allow this issue to remind you of the community you exist in. We dare you to speak up, Blazers.

-- The 2021-2022 staff

editors in chief

ahna rader

assistant editor

cooper smith

staff writers

isela brown olya tsvilyuk izayah ramos aspen buhom

Interested in being a part of our team? You can join theBlazer news staff! Register for "Journalistic Writing" to get either an english credit or elective credit as well as exciting educational experiences!

Ahna Rader Editor-in-Chief 2021-2022

normalization of pronouns

4

demystifying tarot

what's up with witchcraft?

5

opinion columns

mask-wearing and sports

6-7

vacci-nation

vaccination controversy

10-11

staff editorial

staff perspective on vaccines

12

an unusual pastime

taylor thomas does taxidermy

13

timberline graduates

advice from successful alumni

14-15

NTPS running late

impact of COVID on bus drivers

16

mask flowchart

TheBlazer tradition revived

17

stagecraft in the spotlight

behind-thescenes photo essay

18-19

CONTENTS CONTENTS

what are your pronouns?

table of

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What’s your pronoun?

A guide to understanding gender identity and why “they” matter

By Staff Writer Izayah Ramos

This is a poor way to determine someone’s gender identity.

Regardless of a person’s physical appearance, fashion and idiosyncrasy does not determine a person’s gender identity is their statement about it. Otherwise, misgendering happens which is very harmful.

When someone calls someone else the wrong pronoun they do not identify as is the definition of misgendering. For example, when referring to a guy as “she” or calling a woman a “he” is a form of misgendering.

“It makes me feel unsafe. It tells me this person doesn’t respect me or pronouns in general,” said Catherine. For cisgender people they can brush it off but for people under the transgender and non-binary umbrella can find this hurtful. It force them into an uncomfortable position to either correct the person or stay silent until they can leave the situation quickly. Those people treasure being called the correct pronouns, especially if they have a lack of support from family Nate Aldriela prefers any pronouns, Seren Mayol prefers he/they, Milo Lamar and seek that support from their peers. prefers he/zir, Lola Tena prefers he/him and Leo Hernandez prefers they/ “If I misgendered someone, I would apologize, and from them. that point on call them by their preferred gender and work hard to Every day a student is misgendered at Timberline. In a classroom, not accidentally misgender them in the future,” junior Vincent Haupt changing in the locker room or eating in the lunchroom can create situations said. Everyone makes mistakes. If you ever misgender someone the where a faculty member or other students have the possibility of misgender- best action you can take is to apologize, restate your sentence to use ing one another in a school setting. To lower chances of being misgendered, the person’s correct pronoun and move one. That way it can ensure normalizing asking for pronouns can create a safe and inclusive environment everyone feels safe and respected. Therefore, the first step in doing so for everyone. In order to normalize asking for pronouns it’s best to underis to ask for someone’s pronouns. stand the definition of pronouns.

“I would politely ask someone, probably when we first meet, “Pronouns [are] something that you feel are best and most comlike ‘hey, what are your pronouns so I know that I’m calling you by the fortable for people to refer to you as,” sophomore Cas Moss said. In English, pronouns you use’ and I always ask them to let me know if their procommon pronouns include she/her, he/him and they/them. Neopronouns nouns ever changes,” Shiley said. This creates a healthy way to bond and Xenopronouns can identify oneself. Some people identify as multiple with the person or group you are communicating with. Everyone and pronouns. Others choose to not use pronouns but rather use just their name. yourself get to share their preferred pronouns to make everyone feel Pronouns are used when we don’t refer to someone by their name appreciated and comfortable. but rather as their gender identity. For example, “Where did Lorenzo get his hoodie from?” “His” is the correct pronoun when referring to Lorenzo. People can either identify themselves as either their sex or gender identity. Sex and gender often get mixed together. However, the two have their own definitions.

“Sex is what you were assigned at birth, so either ‘male’ or ‘female’ while gender is what you present as and are,” sophomore Lex Shiley said.

Cisgender people identify with their assigned sex. People under the transgender or non-binary umbrella do not identify with their assigned sex. There are individuals who identify with the opposite sex or identify with pronouns that best describe them. All pronouns should be respected regardless of the individual.

Nobody likes to be called the wrong pronouns. It’s an important part of how people identify themselves and if it’s not recognized it sends a harmful message. “People who aren’t in the trans group will not see it as important. They don’t need to avoid being misgendered,” said Catherine, a freshman, who is choosing not to use their real name because they have not shared their new pronouns with their peers.

By providing an opportunity to share everyone’s pronouns it creates a healthy, inclusive environment to show that everyone is respected and cared for. “As a trans person, I know it makes me feel safer and more respect- MJ Dizon prefers he/she, Cas Moss prefers he/him and Leo Hernandez ed,” said Never North, facilitator from an LGBTQ+ organization called Pizza prefers they/them Klatch.

Others assume asking for someone’s pronouns is unnecessary.

“Those people will look at someone and label them as either a boy or girl based on their appearance. Like their clothes, hair or voice,” Moss said.

Graphics by Vincent Haupt

news | 4

Demystifying Tarot Cards & Crystals No need to be afraid anymore!

By Staff Editor Isela Brown

When shuffling, think about an objective for yourself or the person you are doing the reading for. That way, the cards are significant to the individual. When a card is pulled reversed, it does not mean it has negative qualities. The original position of the card (that is upright) could be a negative thing, but when it is reversed, it can have positive qualities to it Tarot cards are often viewed, by religiously-driven people, as something evil because it associates itself with witches. And many religions view these witches as worshipers of Satan or an ungodly counterparts to their worshiped god.

“It’s spiritual,” Lexy Shiley said. “A lot of people usually assume spiritual things are evil and will summon dark spirits into their house and such.”

People in the world are often curious about these cards, and there are some who aren’t completely bothered by the idea. “I don’t really have an opinion,” Karl Lee-Matthews, a freshman, said, “If someone enjoys it then go for it.” It’s better to understand something you don’t, rather than dismissing what people enjoy.

Silence is all that is needed to concentrate one’s individual energy to cast upon the cards laid out in front of them. There is no need for swaying, sweaty hands or glowing crystal balls to complete these tasks. A target or goal is needed in order to successfully introduce a reading that is accurate and knowledgeable; Without this concentration, the reading will be tainted with lies. Let the mind swiftly take hold as a guide.

Tarot was first created as an image-inducing cards in Italy during the 1400s. However, the fortune-telling aspect started in the 1730s in France; but the card style was still derived from Italian culture. These mystical cards are commonly associated with witches, though they prefer the terms pagans and wiccan.

It is a widely known tool used in their practices to hopefully find structure in one’s life; They often use it to touch into the things they are should follow in order to better themselves and their life. Ace Schomer, a sophomore, reveals they “help me ground myself and determine what direction to take with my actions in the future.”

There are times when tarot is paired with crystals. The various crystals that are grounded up from the earth are used in these practices, and used to bring certain properties into their fortune. An example would be using clear quartz to deflect any sort of negativity.

These mystical cards come in various designs, but the concept is always the same. There is the major and minor arcana. The major arcana consists of 22 cards with no repeating qualities to it. The first card is known as The Fool and ends with The World. The minor arcana includes 56 cards that are divided into 4 sections: Swords, Wands, Cups and Pentacles. Each consist of 14 designated cards each that coincide with the 4 sections.

There is no consistency between each of the major and minor arcana, but it adds extra qualities to give the best fortune to those who sought after it. The most important thing to note about doing tarot is learning how to shuffle them to your liking. This will maximize higher fortune chances. The most common technique is overhand shuffling.

find it intriguing that when doing “Ireadings on myself out of all the

cards I could’ve picked, I picked this one and there is probably a reason for why I did Lexy Shiley

“

Graphics by Isela Brown A&E | 5

Let's get opinionated...

The staff of TheBlazer shares their thoughts on mask wearing at school (or lack thereof) and how sports have changed in a global pandemic.

COVID impacting sports editor-in-chief Ahna Rader and assistant editor Cooper Smith talk about how COVID-19 changed the way they participated in sports.

I rejoined the girl’s swim team after a year off. I expected some things to be different. I’d grown up, aged, since I last swam (no longer an optimistic sophomore but a weary senior). I hadn’t swum in over a year due to limited access to a pool. I expected my pace to be different. I expected getting back into it would be hard. I hadn’t expected to hold 12 virtual meets over a course of my senior swim season.

If you’re unfamiliar, a virtual meet is essentially a swim meet stripped of everything that makes it a swim meet. The crowd is feeble. The venue of our home pool is too-familiar. The most odd part of it all is that we never see the other team. Miles apart, our two teams compete, and we hope we match up with our elusive competitors. Virtual meets, at first, seemed like a luxury. They were easy. The stress was gone. No travel was necessary. As the postseason neared, the flaws of these “remote” meets became clear. Our personal successes were significantly impacted by the lack of physical competition.

This said, I can’t necessarily see myself feeling at ease at an in-person meet. We were able to attend our postseason district competition in October of 2021. The stands were cramped. The air was hot and damp. And unmasked, dripping-wet swimmers dwelled on the poolside. Swim meets are more or less ideal conditions for a COVID breakout. Safety and bittersweet normalcy stand in uncomfortable opposition. So, the question stands, what sacrifices will we continue to make?

This question may be answered for us. Virtual meets may be the future of high school sports if COVID scares and transportation shortages ensue. Virtual meets were mainly created to mitigate the pressure on the meager staff of bus drivers supporting North Thurston Public Schools as of current. If serious staffing doesn’t occur in the next year, and the shortage goes on relatively unaddressed on a national scale, shortcuts like holding meets virtually, rescheduling, or canceling competitions may become commonplace.

I can only wonder at the effect this will have on my fellow athletes. It’s deeply unsatisfying to participate in a sport I love so dearly in such a restrained way. I doubt athletes will be able to engage in competition and foster the same drive in the current, unpredictable environment of high school athletics.

6 | opinions

At first COVID did not affect the boys swim team that much, of course we had to wear masks and somewhat distance ourselves but overall it did not impact our sport.

We got buses and all of our opponents were able to come to us. But all that changed when there was an outbreak of COVID on our team.

It was the start of winter break, we had two practices a day at 7:00 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. We were looking forward to a long two weeks of grueling practice but to our dismay there was a COVID outbreak. During this time was when Omicron was starting to gain prominence and thus it reached Timberline’s Boys Swim Team. Around five people caught it, me included.

I was informed by another teammate that a swimmer whom I was in close proximity to got it, so I took a rapid test that I had at home. It came back negative but due to my family's worries, I decided to not go swimming for a week. Their worries bore fruit as I tested again on Christmas day and it came back positive. Luckily nobody else in my family caught it, and I only had minor symptoms. Nevertheless I was locked in my room for a week. It was nice that I got dinners brought up to me, but I could not see my family for the holidays.

When I came back to swim I was extremely rusty. People who I used to beat in a race were able to now beat me. I realized if I wanted to make districts I’d have to work extra hard. But my motivation was stunted. I did not care for swimming as much as I did before I got COVID. I realized my team was not wary enough surrounding COVID. Of course we don't wear masks when we are swimming, but on deck most of my team does not wear masks. That goes against the rules that were put in place by the district and they were only called out on it once at the North Thurston swim meet. My team was obviously breaking the guidelines even in the presence of administration and nothing was done.

mask wearing at school staff writer Izayah Ramos comments on the laxity of mask wearing at Timberline.

My teacher made me move to a group to work on a project where they weren't wearing their masks correctly. One guy had his mask underneath his nose, the other had his mask covering his eyes like it was a sleep mask and a girl straight up had it pulled down to her chin. It made me uncomfortable to the point where I had to ask my teacher if I could be put in another group. In my head the only question I had was, What’s the point of wearing a mask if you're not going to wear it right?

For most Timberline students a similar question has crossed their minds who were seated next to someone who chose to not wear their mask correctly. Eighty-six students at Timberline answered an Instagram poll asking ‘Does it make you uncomfortable when someone next to you isn’t wearing their mask correctly’ (66% answered they felt uncomfortable and 34% answered they don’t feel uncomfortable).

When you wear a mask it protects you and the people around you from getting Covid. The mask acts as a shield to fight away Covid by blocking respiratory droplets that transport in the air. Even if someone has received both covid shots and boosters it is still recommended to wear a mask to protect those who may not have gotten their shots or can’t do so for medical reasons.

With that being said, there’s no reason as to why someone chooses to not wear a mask correctly. People who wear a mask, covering both mouth and nose, are less likely to capture Covid. Unlike others who are more vulnerable to catching the virus when they don’t wear a mask properly.

Having to be near people who do not wear their mask correctly is uncomfortable and shows a lack of care for the people around them. People argue that wearing a mask is burdensome, that it’s unbearable to have to cover one’s face. It’s understandable that wearing a mask over a long period of time can be annoying. However, if wearing a mask for a couple of minutes is the end of the world for someone it’s best to stay home.

It’s important to wear a mask that allows you to breathe easily. If a mask is difficult to breathe in immediately take it off and wear a different mask. Wear a mask in public to protect others and yourself, even if you don’t feel sick. Covid can be spread by anyone, you never know who’s been infected. Reusable masks should be washed after each use, either by washing machine or by hand. It’s a good idea to buy a pack so you have one available when the other is in the wash. Masks should be worn in public while keeping your distance from people. Masks should completely cover the nose and mouth. When wearing a mask it shouldn’t have gaps on the side of the face.

Wearing a mask shows that you care. When you wear a mask, you’re making an effort to protect yourself and others from COVID-19. Let’s finally put an end to Covid by wearing our masks properly!

We asked 86 random Timberline students if they felt uncomfortable when their classmates wear their masks incorrectly?

66% said yes

34% said no

opinions | 7

At first it feels like a mere cold, it’s not the sickest you ever felt.

You have a fever and your bod aches. Then you lose your taste and smell. It's odd to lose your sense of taste, your whole life you could taste anything you in gest but suddenly for a period o time, you can’t taste anything a all. Your nose feels congested but there is no mucus. You can be the healthiest person but now you get winded easily. You haven’t stopped coughing for the past five days. All of this lasts for about two weeks. For some the

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Pfizer. Moderna. J&J. The creation of a COVID-19 vaccine was highly anticipated. The political rift it created was not. A divide has formed nationally between who's getting the shot and who's not.

Vacci--nation Vacci Timberline Students speak on the vaccine

By Assisstant Editor Cooper Smith

COVID-19 ruled over our lives for

changing his mind and so I don't talk to him anymore.” Conversation on the vaccine can the entirety of 2020. Now, we wear masks. end friendships. Freshman Taylor Thomas has We can't do activities we used to be able to. had a different experience with relationships School was online, and we suffered through and opinions on the vaccine .“I don't really Zoom calls with teachers who were mostly care if someone's vaccinated or not," she said. inexperienced with tech, and with students "Because I try to respect everyone's opinions who paid less attention than they did before. on things.”

COVID was suffocating us and had full control COVID vaccination has also proover everything we did. There was nothing we duced a spread of misinformation, especially could do but mask up, isolate, and stay safe. online. With social media apps such as InstaAfter months of waiting, a remedy came in gram and Facethe form of the book, there are a COVID vaccine. lot of false facts It was the savthat overshadow that’s something a lot of people don’t understand, if people get ing grace to get real information. us out of this Amidst a conpandemic. troversial crisis, Yet not everyvaccinated, then things are more likely to go back to normal it’s common for one accepted individual ideas to the vaccine be heavily influwith open enced by the public arms. There has opinion. This can been a more be both helpful apparent divide and harmful. The between the people of the U.S. concerning days after it was approved for my age group.” promotion of scientific thought is beneficial vaccination. The split on how to handle COVID Divisiveness over the vaccine has because it makes correct information more actranscends just the vaccine. Federal and state caused relationships to be skewed and cessible. However, when these ideas become governments have been debating on issues friendships to be lost. Agrawal has personally mainstream they face the danger of misinsuch as mask mandates, restrictions, and dealt with this. She described a disagreement terpretation and censure. Senior Hugo Ennis vaccinations for over a year now. Studies show with a friend. “Of course he had his facts too has seen this informational battle for himself, that anti-vaccine rhetoric can be dangerous, that he had from other sources," she said “I understand fear towards the government, in a research paper by Fredrico Germani, and "But then I gave him specific websites. I said, but at the same time I feel that not getting a Nikola Biller-Andorno they state this “based the CDC says this, please do your research vaccine because of something you read on on these results, we welcome policies that aim on credible resources. He ended up never the internet or Facebook is childish.” at halting the circulation of false information

“

about vaccines by targeting the anti-vaccination community on Twitter.” False information spread online can be dangerous and have consequences that affect everyone. Most of us thought the pandemic would come to a close. But due to reckless actions and a lack of understanding, the pandemic was not ending, but only just beginning.

Freshman Khushi Agrawal is a supporter of vaccines. “I've been fully vaccinated,” she said, “I got vaccinated like a couple of

”

Hugo Ennis

Senior Hugo Ennis (left), and freshman Khushi Agrawal (right) are both fully vaccinated and in favor of a vaccine mandate. mandate

States banning student vaccine mandates:

States enforcing student vaccine mandates:

(as well as ID, UT, AZ, TX, KS, OK, AR, IN, TN, AL, SC, GA, FL, NH) The question on mandating vaccines has been a hot topic for schools and districts nationwide. In states such as California and Louisiana, vaccines are mandated if the age group receives full FDA approval. On the other hand, states such as Montana and Ohio have banned vaccine mandates.

Agrawal supports mandating vaccines, “I'd be extremely supportive of that,” she said. “I think most public schools already mandate certain vaccines, because there's certain vaccines that we get at birth.” The district does mandate certain vaccines. It requires seventh through 12th graders several doses of the Hepatitis B vaccine, DTaP and Tdap (Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis), the Polio vaccine, MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella), and the Varicella vaccine.

Hugo Ennis is also a proponent of a vaccine mandate. “I'd feel really good about it,” he said “it'd be a bit of a relief. Things could finally start going back to normal.” Ennis believes that “if people get vaccinated, then

(as well as IL, NY and DC) things are more likely to go back to normal…”

Ennis also brings up mandated vaccines, “We have to get our polio vaccines. We have to get all the other vaccines in order to even come to school. If your shots aren't updated, then you can't legally go to school. So I don't understand why that isn't the same with COVID vaccines.”

Another student also agreed, Oscar, who does not want their real name stated chimes in, “I think in the state there was talk about mandating vaccines. I like that.”

Mask-wearing in school has also been a highly talked about subject lately, from when the mask mandate was lifted before summer and then put back in place near the end of summer. Schools have had a mask-mandate since the pandemic started, but students and teachers have gotten lax about mask wearing.

“I feel like the school isn't doing the best just because I do notice. A lot of students aren't always wearing their masks,” Oscar said,

“and a lot of teachers also don't make comments about that during class, which irritates me a little.”

On the same train of thought Agrawal added, “Clearly, they don't care if they're not wearing their mask. I think it's a little immature.”

“I think it's very immature actually, because you're in high school. That means you're at least 14 years old. I think you have enough maturity and common sense to wear a piece of cloth over your face. I don't think it's very difficult and I find it immature.”

Why has staying safe been put on the back burner for this political battle?

Staying safe should have not gotten so divisive. You follow the guidelines because they keep you safe, you wear your mask properly because it keeps you safe, you get vaccinated because it keeps you safe. The world and the students of Timberline are sick of the pandemic. Everyone needs to be in unity and needs to do their part if we want this to be over.

staff editorial

The staff of TheBlazer discusses a weak enforcement of COVID protocol and general student negligence surrounding mask wearing.

With the full return from online schooling in the 2021-2022 school year, Timberline students and staff have had to adapt to the national safety mandate. This includes mask wearing as well as social distancing while at school. This year, students signed a waiver acknowledging they were asymptomatic before entering homecoming.

Traditional assemblies have been canceled. Sporting events are held virtually. Being in-person has come at a cost of student morale.

While big events have seen changes, the day-to-day protocol has devolved into weak mask-wearing and an absence of social distancing. This could be due to inadequate enforcement or general student negligence (or a bit of both). With the rise of COVID cases nationwide and the omicron variant, the staff of TheBlazer wonders, “Are we safe at school?”

In the age of a high COVID-19 death toll, it seems almost mocking to see a classroom full of near-adults wearing their masks below their noses. Yet, this is the reality. We’ve been living in the COVID crisis for over two years now and many still don’t know how to wear their masks correctly. Of course, there should be allowances for masks breaks and properly eating a meal. However, breaks like this should be done safely and should always end in one replacing their mask. Some Timberline students and staff wear their masks below their noses, even below the chin on some occasions. Additionally, some of the student body and faculty choose to wear masks that are not proven effective against COVID-19 pathogens like bandanas, neck gaiters, and face shields.

William G. Lindsley, a biomedical engineer who works for the Center for Disease Control (CDC) conducted a research study using a cough aerosol simulator to test the efficacy of masks. He among other renowned scientists found “An N95 respirator blocked 99% (standard deviation (SD) 0.3%) of the cough aerosol, a medical-grade procedure mask blocked 59% (SD 6.9%), a 3-ply cotton cloth face mask blocked 51% (SD 7.7%), and a polyester neck gaiter blocked 47% (SD 7.5%) as a single layer and 60% (SD 7.2%) when folded into a double layer. In contrast, the face shield blocked 2% (SD 15.3%) of the cough aerosol.”

Lindsley found that the N95 mask had near 99% efficacy in blocking simulated pathogens while a neck gaiter blocked only 47% of pathogens. Face shields only blocked 2% of pathogens. The Blazer staff believes that there needs to be greater enforcement by faculty in regards to proper mask-wearing. There need to be requirements in place for the types of masks students and staff can wear and the way we wear them.

America’s stalling 62% vaccination rate (according to the Mayo Clinic) is a product of a national divide caused by vaccination controversy. These conversations have been carried into our schools, even causing rifts in friendships over differences of opinion. Often these controversial opinions are brought from home, influenced by one’s family and the media. The Blazer staff believes the disputes between students may not be completely voluntary. It’s probable that some students are speaking on behalf of their parent’s beliefs. As documented in The Blazer’s cover story, “Vacci-nation”, many Timberline students have lost friends or grown distant from family members due to conflict over-vaccination. The staff of TheBlazer believes all opinions should be respected, but foremost our student body deserves to be protected. 83% of the staff believes vaccination (given there is open access to the vaccine) should be mandatory in order to attend school.

12 | opinion

There is a forgotten crowd stuck in the middle of this national divide. There are some who are unable to get the vaccine due to allergies or other medical exemptions. These people deserve consideration when having a conversation about vaccination. The CDC recommends that: “If you aren’t able to get one type of COVID-19 vaccine because you are allergic to an ingredient in that vaccine, ask your doctor if you should get a different type of COVID-19 vaccine.

If you have had an immediate allergic reaction—even if it was not severe—to a vaccine or injectable therapy for another disease, ask your doctor if you should get a COVID-19 vaccine” (cdc.gov). It is important to keep in mind the safety of those who are involuntarily unvaccinated.

Being among friends and teachers has been a tremendous improvement from online learning, but it greatly increases our exposure to the virus especially as proper precautions are not being taken.

The staff of The Blazer urges administrators to be transparent about virus outbreaks at school and enforce safety regulations regarding masks and social distancing. And to the students of Timberline High school, wear your masks.

CDC recommended masks:

surgical mask

KN95 mask

N95 mask

an unusual pastime Freshman Taylor Thomas spends her time making hyper-realistic taxidermy mounts By guest staff writer Aspen Buholm Everyone has some sort of hobby to pass time, right? Hobbies give us a chance to wind down after a long day or kill time when you have nothing else to do. Most people enjoy sports, painting, drawing, reading, writing, music, or video games. Some people have more unique hobbies like mountain biking, juggling, or sculpting. For Taylor Thomas it’s taxidermy.

Thomas is a Timberline freshman who has taken a great interest in taxidermy, the preserving of an animal’s dead body. To Thomas, taxidermy is an art form. She has been interested in this craft for over three years, but hasn’t been permitted the opportunity to pursue this interest until last year.

As an animal lover, Thomas said taxidermy allows her to preserve the likeness of beloved animals. Some argue that taxidermy is unethical, but Thomas focuses on retaining what the animal looked like while it was alive.

“Instead of rotting underground, the animals appear almost ‘alive again’” Taylor Thomas Museums and scientists all over the world use this method for essential studies and to preserve the appearances of extinct creatures.

Thomas has always been fascinated by how much precision and attention to detail is required for this hobby.

As a kid, Thomas begged her parents to go to Cabela’s, an outdoor recreation merchandise retailer known for their fascinating taxidermy displays. At the time, Thomas did not know what taxidermy was but she had already begun to develop a love for it. That love later developed in fourth grade when Thomas partook in a science lab in fourth grade. Dissecting owl pellets contributed to her affection for animals, which later led to her taxidermy hobby.

At first, Thomas’ parents were not too keen on her interest but later they gave her a preserved skin of an animal for Christmas. Since that Christmas, Thomas has avidly developed her taxidermy skills and completed numerous projects. Every time she gets a new mount, she starts to work on it right away by freezing or preserving it.

Thomas prefers to taxidermy only smaller creatures at the moment, but once she has developed her skills enough, she wants to attempt taxidermying bigger animals. So far, Thomas has taxidermied rabbits, birds, squirrels, mice, and hamsters.

One of Thomas’s most prized works of art is a taxidermied mouse sitting in a teacup with a tea bag and resin “tea” inside of it.

Another of Thomas’s projects include a six-inch Syrian hamster that had once belonged to her friend. It was Thomas’s first time taxidermying a pet, and was an impactful experience for her.

taxidermy: how to Taxidermying is a long and difficult process that takes lots of time to perfect. Thomas’s first step to completing a taxidermy project is to find the body of the animal she wants to preserve. It is imperative to maintain dryness of the skin to prevent bacteria growth from moisture. It is also best to take measurements of the skin and keep it in the freezer until you have time to utilize it.

Next, the taxidermist has to skin the animal and pay extra attention around difficult spots such as the eyelids and the lips. After skinning the animal, they have to remove the flesh and use preservatives on the skin.

Then, carefully, a taxidermist have to develop the form of the mount using a reference. After taking more measurements, Thomas stuffs the animal with foam and clay to achieve the structure of the anatomy. Once the skin has created a likeness and has formed the relative appearance that she desires, Thomas uses pins to keep the skin in place while it dries. It takes several weeks to dry before you can take out the pins, but once the moisture is gone, then the project is complete.

Photography by Taylor Thomas

feature | 13

Lost in your thoughts Timberline

We talked with successful THS alumni who went through the same challenges seniors are facing right now. Maggie Sokolik and Kevin Beggs shared their recipes of success and advice for future graduates.

By Staff Writer Olya Tsvilyuk

who are 17 to 18 years old. They've just started college and know exactly what they want from this life,” Sokolik said. “If you think you're going to go into humanities, take some math classes and see, you might like it. Don’t limit yourself with your ‘definite’ decision.”

Driven individuals with a diverse skill set, for example, a programer who is an artist will thrive in the workplace. “The secret of the job market right now is blended skills,” Sokolik explained. "You don’t need to worry that you don’t have a 'true calling;' you can combine, change roles and adapt."

“The secret of the job market is blended skills.

Maggie Sokolik

Maggie Sokolik at the conference in India Graphics provided by Maggie Sokolik

Maggie Sokolik, a graduate from Timberline High School 1975, is

now a director of College Writing Programs at University of California, Berkeley. Maggie shared with us her experience of high school, choosing her future career and advice which she would give herself back that time: the choice of college is less important than you think!

Throughout her teaching career she had more than 100,000 students apply. However, she noticed that a lot of students felt unhappy in huge classes, where they were anonymous.

Except for this fact, some students are obsessed with the idea of the Ivy League Universities and we asked Maggie Sokolik for her opinion about that, “On the one hand, it's great to dream big. Those schools definitely have a lot to offer, but I don't think it's an automatic success. I know some people who went there and just didn't click with the environment.”

But what about smaller colleges? Or private schools? They tend to have more aid available than public ones. So many people might think “Oh, Harvard, so expensive,” but in fact, you are more likely to get a scholarship there than at public colleges, such as Berkeley, especially if you’re out of state.

You are being confused and having apathy because of troubles with planning your future in high school is an absolutely common feeling for teenagers. “I actually get a little freaked out about students

14 | Q&A

”

Maggie Sokolik encourages students not to be afraid of changes.

She started as a law major but ended up with applied linguistics. The key to success consists of listening to your heart and never limiting yourself in choices, as well as trying everything that you feel will be right for you.

“I think it's a really good idea to go study anywhere else, even if it's for a short exchange. It definitely gives a broader view on how things work and destroys a narrow view of the way the world works,” - the professor also recommends getting into a foreign university to increase your knowledge of the world and gain a unique experience.

Sokolik loves the idea of Minerva University, where each year location of your educational process changes.

Another thing that gives anxiety is the application process. As a part of admissions committees, Maggie Sokolik explained that weak applications lack specific examples. “You need to make a story about one time when you faced a complex problem, or dealt with some kind of adversity and solved it" she said. "Also you should think about the fact that it’s human beings reading what you’ve written, and a good deal will be engaging with them and trying not to be too perfect.”

about plans after graduation?

Alumni Advise

He left Olympia and never stopped chasing his dreams. It wasn’t hard for him to choose his way in life, he followed his heart and jumped in college with both feet. While studying in university Beggs, was doing different jobs as he was figuring out his “true calling” and found something right up his street - the television industry.

Today he wakes up everyday excited about working with the high-level executives of Apple, Hulu and Netflix and meeting new people, such as actors, writers, directors and producers.

Kevin Beggs Graphics provided by Kevin Beggs

Kevin Beggs, Lionsgate TV Chairman, under

who headed projects such as “Love Life,” “Orange Is the New Black,” and “Mad Men”.

The successful graduate from Timberline High School 1984 mentions that Timberline Theater became one of his favorite memories and inspired him to move on in this career path.

He always wanted to do something creatively fulfilling, challenging and ambitious.

Kevin explains his secret with pleasure. It’s a positive attitude. “I think I’m a cheerleader of a team, so everyone will be full of motivation not to give up and do their work with happiness on their faces,” he said. Alumni also explains that the part of this “recipe of success” is being interested in things that benefit to others and impact the world in a positive way. He does it through entertainment.

“I’m a cheerleader of a team.

Kevin Beggs

”

“Any early assumptions could be just that early assumptions and most schools don't want you to declare a major until you're going into your junior year," he said. "I've known so many people that went in with a really strong feeling ‘I'm going to be a science person’, two semesters and they realize they want to do painting or drama or something totally different.” If you don't have the answers on the first day of school, you don't need to have those answers. No one, including you, has the faintest idea what will happen. That's why you're in college with a professor who will lead you in the educational process - to find yourself and understand what you truly want from this life .

“Failure is a huge part of success.

Kevin Beggs

”

Adulthood can seem for you as a way full of failures. But Kevin Beggs sees even more possibilities in downs, “Failure is a huge part of success. People that have only had success when something goes wrong are usually not prepared for it". Failures helped Beggs to appreciate the success.

But going back in time Kevin Beggs would definitely advise himself not to be so anxious about college and his future plan.

35.7% of T-line students are still not sure

about their future major 25% students got accepted into universities 21.4% students are commited 17.9% are planning on something other than college

Q&A | 15

NTPS is running late The North Thurston Public School’s dwindling driver staff has led to a widespread transportation shortage that has restricted feildtrips, club activities and sporting events.

By Editor-in-Chief Ahna Rader “I’m outside in the big yellow bus.”

Below the east facing window in the Blazer room, a big yellow bus was rumbling on the pavement below. On the bus, Ben Elkins, the North Thurston Public School’s Assistant Transportation director extended a hand. “Is this a usual occurrence?” Elkins was asked.

He smiled weakly. “Unfortunately yes.”

The current North Thurston Public School transportation staff is 85 drivers. The district has 90 routes that need to be driven each day. A culmination of COVID-19, largescale retirement, and more-than-average sick leave has led to the shrinking staff of bus drivers at NTPS, and throughout the US. “You take all of that and it’s kinda like the perfect storm,” Elkins said. As assistant transportation director the past two years, a daily battle for Elkins has been addressing the dwlinding staff numbers. The transportation staff has flaunted benefits and streamlined the process of receiving a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL), but yet the loss continues.

“We’re still losing drivers. We’re going to lose two in the next week that are retiring. That puts us backwards,” Elkins said.

Part of the problem is that becoming a bus driver isn’t instantaneous. “Drivers aren’t just hired and then you put them in the seat, you have to get a CDL. It takes probably 4-5 weeks,” Elkins says.

With a gaping deficit, NTPS transportation has been working towards the numbers they once had. “[We] used to have a 50-person pool for subs -- we literally have four [now].”

Hiring has been on the up thus far, but this shortage could have somber implications if it continues. “It’s a huge dilemma and I

16 | news

hope it doesn’t get worse but let’s see what happens. It could get worse.”

The transportation shortage hasn’t only affected the way we run our schools, but how Timberline students participate in sports. High School athletes have had their seasons completely reshaped by bus availability.

“It’s affected us in a very negative way. We were not able to attend any large invitationals this year due to a lack of transportation,” Kevin Gary, the Timberline cross country coach stated. “We were able to get to our league meet up at Fort Steilacoom. That was probably the furthest we’ve traveled this year. Usually we can go to Leavenworth and Seaside but all those places were denied by the school district for whatever reason.”

The football team has been affected similarly. Head coach James Jones shares that the transportation has complicated the season for not just his players, but himself and the athletes’ parents as well.

“The very first game we were supposed to have two buses. We only had one and the bus showed up late. [We] had to take one group and then come back and take another group and then the whole time frame of everything was off,” he shared. Both the cross country team and the football team have resorted to transporting themselves to local meets. “We decided at the home games, like South Sound we just won’t have a bus. It’s easier,” Jones said.

The transportation shortage jeopardizes the credibility of Timberline’s athletic program.

The shortage is far-reaching, but some sports teams claim to be feeling it more than

others. “To be honest, I was really disappointed that we missed the Leavenworth invite and the Marysville invite,” says Elijah Rodriguez. Personally I feel like the football team gets more of a priority than the other sports because it’s the most popular.” A Senior on the Cross Country team.

Renee Kilcup, first-year coach of Girl’s Swim and Dive experienced the lack of buses intensely. “We were denied 11 out of 12 buses. They actually came back denied,” she said. “There were times I felt that [swim had less of a priority]. But I didn’t ask enough questions to find out if that was a feeling or a fact.”

This uneven distribution of buses is not necessarily premeditated. Elkins explains that sports trips are not the key part of bus drivers jobs and are thus never guaranteed.

“We’ve been having a huge problem with getting drivers to run field trips. You get off a 10 hour day, and now you gotta go drive to say, Aberdeen. That’s a long day.” Due to the already extenuating demands on drivers, sports trips are the last priority.

Aside from strenuous efforts of the transportation team and flexibility between parents and coaches, the shortage won’t end until massive amounts of bus drivers are hired and fully certified. With this in mind, should we be reimagining the way we participate in sports? Sports programs may opt for virtual meets or strictly local events in lieu of hoping for a bus. The way we play sports may face a permanent transformation due to the lasting effects of the COVID pandemic.

Toilet

What Mask are you?

Soap

Yes

Are you ok?

Yes

No

No

Stall Doors

No

No

Are you mask fishing?

Yes

Am I?

* These photos were taken from the creative commons

No

Yes

Toilet paper

2 ply

Are you Paranoid?

Yes

Did you like remote learning

1 ply

How strong?

What did you want most to be returned to the bathrooms?

Home Tree

Where do you go? Are you a germaphobe?

School

Are you depressed?

Yes

A&E| 17

Stagecraft in the Spotlight The heroes behind high school productions

Graphics and Writing by Staff Writer Isela Brown Sounds of hammering, giggles, and heavy clanking can be heard behind the stage curtains Student’s paint flats, practice dimming the lights with beautiful colors, and play around with various sounds for the show.

The art of Stagecraft is often an overlooked production elective, but these individuals put their blood, sweat and tears to make sure the actors have an environment that they can act in. The students’ craftsmanship help the productions to be a creative, new world.

Stagecraft is a class that all grades can take and is run by Jeremiah Tuckett. The collection of students with different talents help bring the plays or musicals to life through various means. “[Stagecraft is] a form of theater that deals with the technicality of the production,” Technical Director Tuckett said. “It is run by people experienced in sound, lights, costume design and set design.” For several years, Tuckett has been leading students into the success of stage productions, and has put on some amazing shows in the school. He has worked hard, alongside his wife, theater director Robin Tuckett, to create various student-led projects that they perform for the school.

Currently, students are preparing to introduce the production of ‘MAMMA MIA!’, the musical. In Stagecraft, students are separated into various crews: Lights, Sound, Costumes, Props and Set.

“What I love about Stagecraft is that it's very welcoming class, and we are basically a family there

“

Shirley Catterall Publicity brings the audience in, formatting intricate designs for posters and announcements that will draw more people to participate and watch the upcoming show. Creativity is the key to success in this job; With the goal of bringing audience members to the show

Junior Shirley Catterall works on poster designs that will be shared with the rest of the crew.

The sound crew is in charge of creating an atmosphere of sounds that presents interactions with the setting and plot.

The selection of sounds are listed in cues that will be used to rightfully play the sounds at the correct given time.

They can be found sitting perched up in the booth, next to the lighting crew.

Junior Matthew Zizelman and Senior Isaac Ruiz work together to come up with sound ideas

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Costumes, what the costuming crew is referred to as, can be found browsing the costume room, and designing makeup looks that is going to be used throughout the production of the show. The process is always trial and error. and will often change due to complications.

Senior Brianna Clary browses through various costumes to get a good idea of what could be used in 'MAMMA MIA!'.

Props often handle all the objects that are present in the production. Each prop is selected and approved by Robin Tuckett and skillfully presented on the stage during a show.

Creativity and familiarity with the play is a must as it guides students to find the correct props

Senior Trenton Rice and Tillie Ewers uses a whiteboard to communicate with another props group as well as come up with some silly ideas.

The light crew handles how the stage is going to be lit during various scenes. Students work closely with Jeremiah Tuckett to relay beautiful colors and lighting to bring the scenes to life. They, much like the sound crew, are tasked with creating a cue sheet to correctly light each scene in the given time.

Freshmen Isabelle Smith plays around on the light board to get familiar with how it works.

The set designers will work closely with Jeremiah Tuckett to createa wonderful piece that will brig the performanceto life. The designers job includes assembling, painting, cutting objects, and drilling various set pieces.

Senior Trey Taylor paints together set pieces that can be used in Honors Drama performance titled 'The Variety Show'.

A&E| 19

The mission of TheBlazer is to provide the students and staff of Timberline High School and the surrounding community with a quality, thoughtprovoking publication. We aspire to print a publication that adheres to professional journalism standards, including sincerity, truthfulness, accuracy, impartiality in reporting news events, and equal representation of Timberline High School. theBlazer will serve as a public forum for the free exchange of information, opinions, and artistic expression in a civil and constructive manner.