B rah Senator VOLUME 53 | ISSUE VII | MAY 20, 2014 | 6001 CASSIA ST. | BOISE, ID 83709 | BORAHSENATOR.COM | @THEBORAHSENATOR
“I hope the seniors have enough players so their moms don’t have to play,” said Biology Teacher Steve Tipping. PAGE 12
“Promedy” was among several theater productions this year PAGE 15
See more art by Mikayla Chestnut PAGE 2
Senator staffers work hard, and then play hard PAGE 3
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Student Bio
May 20, 2014
Ten students honored with W.E.B. Scholar Award By Jaynee Nielsen
jnielsen@borahsenator.com Every year Borah awards seniors who have displayed academic excellence and characteristics of respect, responsibility, honesty, and trust. Students who receive this award are considered William Edgar Borah (W.E.B.) Scholars. Borah High School was named after William E. Borah, an Idaho senator who served in the U.S. Senate for 33 years. According to senate.gov, William E. Borah was elected in 1907 and “established himself as a prominent progressive with a fiercely independent spirit.” He became known as the “Lion of Idaho,” which is why the school’s mascot is the lion. The William E. Borah Scholar Award was created in 1980 by a group of Borah teachers dedicated to celebrating scholastic excellence. Applicants for the W.E.B. Scholar Award must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.7 at the end of first semester, 48 credits at the end of second semester, and must be enrolled in school full time.
“Even though I’ve very much enjoyed the classes I’ve taken to achieve it, it’s nice to be recognized, and it’s a very humbling experience to be put into the same category as the other scholars, who in some ways at least, I could never hope to be as good as.” Senior Amanda Aydelotte The application consists of an 11-point scoring system: candidates must earn six points from core classes (English, math, science, and the social sciences). One point must be awarded in English, math, and the social sciences while two must be awarded in science. The remaining five points are awarded through participation in non-core classes, such as languages, sports, sports medicine, music programs, and other electives offered at Borah. Ten seniors received the William E.
Correction of 2014 Student Council results ASB President: Connor Gray ASB VP: Amina Ibrahimovic ASB Treasurer: Sara Christianson Secretaries: Destiny Hanson, Summer Morrison Public Relations: Garrett Maxwell, Victoria Dueno Special Projects: Abbie Linford Spirit Coordinators: Hunter Inman, Amelia Baer Technology Rep: Ellen Hansen B.E.S.T. Coordinator: Chloe Fender
Link Coordintator: Hannah Fronk, Tyler Goodsell Senior Class President: Nagele Wodesso Senior Class VP: Pedro Mejia Junior Class President: Mark Jerome Junior Class VP: Jeremiah Agbeko Sophomore Representatives: Ethan Broadbent, Gwenyth Lane, Nicole Jerome, Alex Jorgensen, Gabrielle Renteria, Amber Siddoway, Selma Skeledzic, Allana Snowbell, Kyle Stern, Destiny Winn
Borah Scholar Award this year: Mackenzie Aime, Amanda Aydelotte, Sofia Broadbent, Abigail Cortez, Ian Gilman, James Packwood, Oakley Richins, Kelsey Sagrero, Samantha Ward, and Andrew Wardle. Aydelotte said, “It is a huge honor to be a W.E.B. scholar. Even though I’ve very much enjoyed the classes I’ve taken to achieve it, it’s nice to be recognized, and it’s a very humbling experience to be put into the same category as the other scholars, who in some ways at least, I
could never hope to be as good as.” Aydelotte has taken nine Advanced Placement (AP) classes and said Physics C was the most difficult. Of the four characteristics prominent in W.E.B. scholars, Sagrero said showing respect is high on her list. “I always try to finish my assignments on time or do whatever my teachers ask of me because I know the teachers put time into planning them and are on a schedule for grading and all that jazz. In class discussions I always try to listen to everyone’s opinions before I say anything.” Sagrero is enrolled in four AP classes and said her strongest academic area is in math. To view the qualifications and application for the W.E.B. Scholar Award, visit the Borah School Fusion page (borah.schoolfusion.us) under Student Resources on the left side menu. “Make sure you have enough classes” through high school because they can count toward points on the W.E.B. scholar application, said Gilman. He encouraged every student to start or continue taking AP classes.
Cover Artist Mikayla Chesnut By Mackenzie Chiles
mchiles@borahsenator.com Imagine having someone who appreciated your art so much they would tattoo it on their body. That’s the case for senior Mikayla Chesnut. Chesnut began Chesnut drawing when she was in the 6th grade. As a child, she was always good at coloring and, as she got older, her natural ability for art continued to show itself. “My dad was good at drawing, so I think I just inherited it from him,” said Chesnut. Chesnut’s art teacher Jen Compton described her art as being super technical and detail oriented. She also said it’s her own, sticking to black and white with one other color. Her uncle used one of her illustrations of an owl as a tattoo. A picture on Instagram documents the unique occasion
and the description of the picture reads “You know, just tattooing my uncle #dream #love.” After the tattoo was completed, she got to sign her name below the piece. Chesnut finds inspiration in social media and spends long periods of time looking at other artists’ work. “There are random things I think about,” said Chesnut. “I will put it together in my head and just hope it comes out cool.”
Newspaper
The Borah Senator
Seniors reflect on Newspaper experiences Mackenzie Chiles: Signing up for classes my junior year and I was in need of a class to take, Mrs. Harmon recommended I take Beginning Journalism. I loved the class so much, second semester I got the opportunity to switch into Newspaper. It has taught me so much. It’s a class that prepares you for real life situations. It’s like a real job and it takes responsibility to get the grade you want. Interviewing students about topics they are passionate about has been really cool.
Erica Rowe: Being in newspaper has been a blast. It’s a fun, yet structured environment that is informative. Newspaper opens a lot of doors for life after high school. You can enter contests and apply for scholarships with good writing. In newspaper, you can apply for dual enrollment credits with CWI and receive college credits for taking this high school course. I recommend taking newspaper regardless of whether you want to pursue a career in the press.
Téa Nelson: It may be ironic that I am unable to find words that successfully convey my gratitude for Newspaper. Fifth period is more than a class -- it’s a time to expand creativity. Writers, designers, leaders alike all find a place in Newspaper. I joined because I have always loved to write, and I knew I would flourish in a setting in which I could apply my writing skills. A huge thank you to Mrs. Harmon for inspiring me to dig deep within myself as a writer, and a person.
Jaynee Nielsen: I love newspaper. I literally live and breathe it. For some, that may seem a little extreme, but it’s true, I practically live in the newsroom. These last three years with Harmon have been a lot of fun. I have learned so much and have had many opportunities become available to me through journalism and newspaper. Now I strive toward my goal of becoming a journalist, and I am able to do this because of enrolling in journalism. I highly recommend you take newspaper.
August McKernan: Extra! Extra! Read all about newspaper! Guess what? This class isn’t just for people who love to write. All sorts are welcome to join. I have accrued a smorgasbord of skills through a series of heart to hearts (mostly with our resident newspaper adviser/rockstar Michelle Harmon), mistakes, and successes. Now I am off to Portland State University to take the town by storm. However, I will be toting the tools and memories I gained through this amazing program.
Brittany Perry: It’s crazy to think how one class can motivate you to try and learn so many different things. From day one in my sophomore journalism class to my first day of senior year in newspaper, I knew this was the right class for me to take. I love the staff and I was blessed to have the best adviser I think I will ever have. Mrs. Harmon has taught me more then I could ever be thankful for, and it’s really hard to say goodbye. I wish the staff the best of luck and will miss you all dearly.
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Staff Editor-in-Chief: August McKernan Senior Associate Editor: Jaynee Nielsen Junior Associate Editors: Joy Wilson, Harmony Soto Photo Manager: Jaynee Nielsen Advertising Manager: Jason Caughell Associate Ad Manager: Amanda Wester Text Editors: August McKernan, Joy Wilson Social Media Editor: Erica Rowe Page Editors: Cover: August McKernan Student Bio: Erica Rowe Newspaper: Brittany Perry News: Jaynee Nielsen, Jason Caughell Opinion: Harmony Soto Spread: August McKernan Trends: Téa Nelson, Mackenzie Chiles Life: Joy Wilson Sports: Ashlee Gillespie, Taylor McNitt A&E: Sage Rogers, Jon Ramsey Photo Essay: Jaynee Nielsen F&G: Jake Fletcher, Riley Simpson Staff Photographers: Jaynee Nielsen, Beatriz Lanfranchi, Amanda Wester, Jason Caughell Graphic Designers: August McKernan, Edward Dunn, Taylor McNitt Adviser: Michelle Harmon
Editor describes how Senator comes together By August McKernan
amckernan@borahsenator.com Each issue of the Borah Senator transforms from dream to reality in about a month. Every staffer devotes a colossal amount of time and effort to deliver an informative, valuable final product. The merry-go-round begins with beats. Staffers make their rounds (forgive the pun) by checking in with their individual beat assignments. For example, I have the counseling beat, so I gather information about what’s going on, and report it back to the staff. This step keeps us plugged into current events within the school and allows us to cover a diverse plethora of stories. While checking beats, we also call potential advertisers in the Boise area. Selling ads is a vital part of the Borah
Senator – if we don’t generate enough revenue to print, then we’re forced to scrap the entire issue. The next cog in our process is brainstorming, a step where staffers look through beat information and share potential story ideas. Our adviser, Michelle Harmon, would say the next phase – storyboarding – provides the most opportunities for “teachable moments.” Page editors sort through story ideas to find those applicable to the page for which they are responsible. Then, we discuss whether these ideas are newsworthy – if they are timely, significant, and in proximity to our audience. The Borah Senator chooses to
focus on local stories – within Borah and Boise – because we are the only news outlet truly interested and willing to report on Borah news. And, finally, we get to write! Once we’ve assigned stories, staffers begin plotting a plan of attack. We interview, take notes, and gather at least three sources for each story. During this time, photographers and graphic designers work furiously to prepare images before we begin layout and desktop publishing. Once stories are edited, page editors begin the laborious process of laying out pages on InDesign CS5.5 – an Adobe page design software. Every issue, we strive to achieve easy-to-read, interesting, engaging layouts.
The last day of layout, the entire staff pulls together to check names, proofread, and make any final changes. That afternoon, the adviser, Editor-in-Chief, and Senior Associate Editor stay after school to proofread pages one last time and send them to the printer via an FTP client. We receive the newspapers on the following Monday and sort them for distribution the next day. This process includes stuffing the papers with any advertisements, sorting them according to second period room number, and the amount of people in each room. After this final step, the paper is out of our control. The journalism class delivers the papers Tuesday during second period. That same day, we gather together to congratulate each other on successes and discuss how we can improve future publications.
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News
FCCLA member wins gold for presentation on teen pregnancy By Harmony Soto hsoto@borahsenator. com
Sophomore Celina Turner won a gold medal for state for FCCLA this last April Turner for her presentation on teen pregnancy, and now has the opportunity to represent Idaho and compete in nationals in Texas. FCCLA, or Family Career and Community Leaders of America, is a nonprofit national career and technical student organization that focuses specifically on family and consumer science. Members create projects based on a variety of youth concerns to challenge both their peers and other FCCLA members. Turner competed in an Illustrated Talk event, in which a student had to complete a 10-minute speech on a subject that impacts family, children, and the community. Turner chose teen pregnancy because she happens to be the child of a teen parent. “My mom was 14 years old when she had me, and then I was given up for adoption. I haven’t ever really met my mom,” said Turner. “An old teacher thought it’d be worthwhile if I went around and started talking about my experiences.” FCCLA adviser Shannon Holt said, “Celina has a very powerful statement. The entire premise of her presentation was to get kids to care enough to be able to think about more than themselves if they ever became a teen parent. She’s passionate about the welfare of children.” Even though this is Turner’s first year in FCCLA, she has already spoken to more than 300 younger children about teen pregnancy. She hopes to go to local junior high schools to talk about her cause.
May 20, 2014
Distinguished Gates scholarship awarded to two Borah students Seniors receive Gates Millenium Scholarship to college of their choice By Erica Rowe
erowe@borahsenator.com Imagine getting a full-ride scholarship that’s valid for any college. For seniors Eric Garcia and Salome Paul, such a dream came true when each was selected for the Gates Millennium Scholarship, which is a national award competition. More than 52,000 students apply, and only 1,000 receive it. “How did it feel? Good,” Garcia said. The Gates Millennium was the only scholarship he applied for, so he was hoping to get it, he said. Garcia’s nominator was Ron Freeman, Government teacher, and his recommender was Sophie Valdez, TRiO coordinator. The nominator is
a teacher who talks about your character and how you present yourself in the classroom; the recommender is a person who you’re involved with for community Garcia service and who writes a letter of recommendation for the applicant. Garcia plans to use his scholarship to go to the University of Southern California and study business and economics. Paul applied for the scholarship through the United Negro Foundation. She said each applicant falls into different sectors based on race. The scholarship is for underserved, low-income, college bound students. Paul plans to go to Willamette University and double major in pre-health as well as women and gender studies. Her nominator was Pam Atkins, AP Literature teacher, and her recommender was Melodee Sather, Health Occupa-
tions teacher. Applicants must have at least a 3.3 GPA, be a minority student, and be a graduating senior or a graduate who hasn’t started college yet. Valdez finds students in TRiO who qualify for the scholarship and lets them know about it. After she finds out a student Paul gets the scholarship, she said she screams because she sees the hard work they put into it so she gets really excited. “It’s super rewarding,” Valdez said. She said that some applicants start working on getting the scholarship the day they find out about it, and some wait until a week before it’s due. The hard work pays off and it’s a dream come true to them, Valdez said. “Eric and Salome show an example of if you work hard, you can achieve your dreams,” Valdez said.
Doctor Who featured in Borah Library Library hosts Doctor Who themed First Friday, screens episodes during lunch By Joy Wilson
jwilson@borahsenator.com A large Police Call Box painted dark blue dominates an area of the library. But what is this new addition? The blue box is a Borah re-creation of the Time and Relative Dimensions in Space (TARDIS) box, which stems from the television show Doctor Who. On Netflix there are 18 collections of the original series (1963-1989), as well as six seasons since the 2005 reboot. Doctor Who follows the story of a
man called The Doctor, who travels through time and space in his TARDIS (that can be seen in the library), generally accompanied by a companion. A unique quality the show possesses is the ability to change the main characters as frequently as desired, giving the show its longevity. The Doctor is able to “regenerate” according to the BBC 1 website, which allows The Doctor to be played by different actors over the years. So far, there have been 12 Doctors, not including the recently announced Peter Capaldi who will act as The Doctor in season eight. Library frequenters Kaira ParisMcdade and Kelsey Sagrero, seniors, were the ones to introduce Doctor Who to the Borah library, said librarian Jenn Boyd. She said the girls thought an old
art display looked similar to the TARDIS. “They kept saying ‘It looks like a TARDIS! It looks like a TARDIS!’ until it turned into ‘We have to make a TARDIS!” For a few Thursdays in April, the library was showing episodes of both “New Who” (referring to the 2005 reboot episodes) and “Old Who” (referring to the original 1960s series). Boyd said the one-hour lunches are perfect for the activity. “It was in preparation for our First Friday party.” The Doctor Who First Friday celebration was held May 2, and included a trivia contest and costumes. Themes for First Fridays in the library change, Boyd said. “It’s a student celebration all about art, and poetry and dance, basically a Borah showcase. They’re based on whatever is currently happening.”
News
The Borah Senator
Freshmen shown campus programs
Photo by Jaynee Nielsen | jnielsen@borahsenator.com
West and South Jr. High students visited Borah for the AVID Shadow Day. By Jaynee Nielsen
jnielsen@borahsenaor.com West and South Jr. High students could be seen in the halls and in the breezeway of Borah, April 30. They were here for the Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) Shadow Day.
Shadow Day is a day in which incoming AVID freshmen are invited, shown around Borah, and welcomed to high school. Junior AVID students helped organize Shadow Day, acting as group leaders and sometimes just there for the ride to help the junior high students through the day.
“It took a lot of planning, about three to four weeks,� said junior Taylor Carter, who made sure everyone knew what was going on during the Shadow Day. Junior Emily Phanmaha, who helped plan group activities and team building exercises, said the day went well overall but it was difficult getting everyone on the same page. Throughout the day juniors played games like the human knot, in which they had to link hands and untangle themselves, and a few other ice breaker activities to get to know each other. The games were centered around leadership skills and having to communicate to achieve a goal. However, even with the ice breaker games, the junior high students acted shy, said junior Kim Sullivan. This was the most difficult part for some group leaders, who needed students to interact and participate with the group. Phanmaha said one of the major reasons Shadow Day was created was to show junior high students that high school is a lot different and AVID can be helpful in applying to colleges and college readiness.
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AVID’s yard sale cleans house By Jason Caughell
jcaughell@borahsenator.com Fundraising is a fundamental part of the AVID program. Advancement Via Individual Determination is a college readiness program. Students grades K-12 work to obtain skills required to succeed in a higher education environment. Recently, AVID’s senior adviser, Pam Atkins, came up with the idea to have a garage sale. According to Atkins, the idea came to her when her parents got new living room furniture. She thought it would be good to use a yard sale as “spring cleaning.� The yard sale took place April 26, and, according to Atkins, it had a great turnout. All items in the sale were donated by Borah’s faculty, students, and even parents. Volunteer work is encouraged by AVID.
Yearbook transitions to horizontal layout with redesigned 2014 look By Erica Rowe
erowe@borahsenator.com The 2013-2014 yearbook is very different from last year. The theme is “Turn It Up� and it features a variety of music references, such as artists and songs throughout the whole book. It took two weeks longer to print the book because this year it is a side-bound book. Sandra Bowman, Yearbook adviser, said it was a bit more difficult to create because the staff had to change all of the page settings, and the desktop publishing program’s pre-made templates couldn’t be used. “I hope people like the different style,� she said. “I think they’ll think it’s cool.� For senior Khyla Carrier, editor, the book gets better and easier each year. “My sophomore year I was like a lost puppy dog,� she said. Now, the process is not hard at all for her.
Health Services for Teens Photo by Erica Rowe erowe@borahsenator.com
The yearbook “Turn It Up� will be distributed Thursday. The yearbook has a QR code, a code that is linked to a website, that can be scanned with a smart phone, and a slideshow will pop up with all of the pictures that couldn’t fit into the printed yearbook. Distribution day is May 22 and seniors will receive their yearbooks first, followed by juniors and then sophomores.
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Opinion
May 20, 2014
Should Idaho colleges, universities allow students to carry firearms on campus? Senate Bill 1254 affirms a person’s right to bear arms, but has students, parents and teachers worried By Erica Rowe
erowe@borahsenator.com
s e Y
Guns on campus should be allowed. The Second Amendment of our Constitution gives us the right to bear arms, and this should not be limited just because you’re on a college campus. If someone feels unsafe, he or she should be able to carry a concealed weapon, licensed of course. If someone happened to be aggressively harassing you, or physically trying to assault you, a gun may be helpful in that situation. Campuses are prime locations for cases of rape and sexual harassment, and a gun could scare off an attacker. According to armedcampuses.org, Utah and Colorado are the only states in which concealed weapons are allowed by law. I’m not saying that everyone on cam-
pus should carry a gun, but it is their constitutional right to do so. A concealed weapons permit for a campus should be different and more informative than regular processes. There should be more classes to take and practice with a gun before such permits are issued. I think campuses should have some sort of regulation as to where the guns are allowed, such as in dorm rooms, in cars, outside, and so on. On another note, it would be helpful if the gun owner had to register with the college campus before it is allowed on grounds, so campus officials know that the person has one. Guns should be allowed on campus, because whether you’re five feet on campus or five feet off, it shouldn’t matter as long as you have a license to carry a gun.
By Amanda Wester
awester@borahsenator.com
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One gun shot. That is all it would take to take away a person’s life. Despite such danger, Idaho still passed a bill March 6 allowing students and faculty to wield firearms on college campuses. It’s become very easy for people to access guns, which can be very dangerous. Idaho doesn’t require a permit to purchase and possess a handgun, shotgun, or rifle according to the website for the NRA-ILA (National Rifle Association Institute for Legislative Action). When nearly anyone has easy access to such a lethal weapon, it can be too easy for that weapon to fall into the wrong hands. In April 2007, the Virginia Tech shooting left 33 people dead. Virginia does not, and did not allow guns on its campuses, but a student still managed to end people’s lives with a gun.
Senator Staff Responds Do you support or disagree with allowing firearms on college campuses? “I am mostly indifferent about the whole law, but I think it is a good thing. Having guns is just a form of protection from dangerous people. Having protection is only a good thing.” Junior Jake Fletcher “Whereas I feel it is a good form of safety, I also find it extremely dangerous. Students attending college are likely to drink. Drinking isn’t so much the problem, but the behavior that it sometimes forms is. Some people get ‘hot headed’ when they drink, and I feel like a drunk, angry person with a gun is a very bad idea.” Senior Brittany Perry
Allowing guns on campus makes it that much easier to allow another school shooting. And then what? Next we hear how 30 students were killed on the Boise State Campus? What good would it do to revoke the gun law then? I say we shouldn’t encourage the possibility of another school shooting. Guns should not be allowed on campus because such leniency potentially puts so many lives in danger. Boise State University professor Greg Hampikian wrote an article for the New York Times titled When May I Shoot a Student? His article focuses on what will change in the classroom. He wrote, “I always assumed that when they reached into their backpacks they were going for a pencil ... But now that we’ll all be packing heat, I would like legal instruction in the rules of classroom engagement.“ Students should feel safe when they walk to their classes. They should not have to worry about walking around the corner to find someone ready to fire.
“I don’t mind having guns on campus, however I do think that having guns on campus will cause more issues than it is worth in the long run. The bill has not changed my opinion in my choice colleges. People will do what they want no matter the consequences or the repercussions, even if that includes bringing a gun on campus.” Senior Jaynee Nielsen
Inside Senate Bill 1254 Recent Idaho legislation, specifically Bill 1254, will allow for the use of firearms on college campuses. The bill, signed by Gov. “Butch” Otter on March 12, will come into effect July 1. Section 1 of Bill 1254 reads, “It is the intent of this Legislature to provide for the safety of students, faculty and staff of state colleges and universities to allow for the possession or carrying of firearms by certain licensed persons on state college and university campuses, with the exception of carrying within student dormitories and residence halls, and within public entertainment facilities, as defined.”
EXPIRES 5/21/14
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The Borah Senator
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May 20, 2014
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Feeling confident? Host a party, baby. The end of the school year and graduation make excellent excuses to throw a party.
By August McKernan, Samantha Ward
amckernan@borahsenator.com samantha.ward55@gmail.com
Budget
Location
Here’s the part where we all start sounding like our 50-year-old tax accountant parents. “Keep track of your budget, kids!” But for your own sanity, get a budget and stick to it. The worst thing about having to justify an empty bank account after the fact is, “I threw this really expensive party one time…” To save money, divide expenses among friends, buy generic brand snacks, and use items around your house to save money. As a general rule, if you find yourself spending more than $50 on a party, do some soul searching. Is it really worth it?
Theme To prevent the appearance of “trying too hard,” don’t spend too much time deciding on a theme. Activities, music, and a welcoming, relaxed atmosphere are far more important elements of a successful party. If you must decorate, consider choosing casual ornamentation such as napkins of multiple colors, or a single disco ball in the hallway. Your guests will appreciate such a sophisticated, minimalistic take on partying. If you choose to go with a more elaborate theme, consider keeping it to yourself, and see if your guests can identify the theme anyway.
Music Ahh. The auditory aroma of your party. Music. Let’s talk equipment. You will need a laptop, a playlist, and a set of good speakers. Before the party starts, for heaven’s sake, make sure you have the equipment you need and be sure it works. The music should be ambient, but not so loud your guests have a hard time hearing each other. Awkward silence will consume your lighthearted atmosphere if the music is too quiet. Be sure to create a playlist or choose a radio station before the party begins -- though a playlist is preferable as it allows more control of the music selection. Consider the musical tastes of the people you expect to come to the party. What kind of music do they like? Include a range of genres, make sure your playlist is long enough to last the duration of the party, and consider allowing guests the option of adding their own selections to the mix at the start of the blessed occasion.
Location, location, location. Visualize yourself walking into your party. Where do you go first? Where do you congregate with other people? If possible, choose a venue with more than one room, or at least one with different and distinct areas. Guests will feel more at ease when they aren’t confined in one place with the same people for an extended period of time. Don’t block natural exits or walking areas. Don’t leave breakable, embarrassing, or dangerous objects within reach of your guests.
Food Every party needs its nibbles and bits. Avoid going overboard on food and drinks. It’s already likely you’ll end up with leftovers you’ll want to pawn off on your guests. Food should be simple and easy to eat -- cover your bases and include a variety of sweet and salty options. Buy off-brand chips to save money; guests won’t see the packaging once the ingredients are dumped in bowls.
Guests The people you invite can either make or break your party. Their numbers should correspond with the spaciousness of your location. To be safe (and to prevent heartbreak), count on about half the people you invite to show up. Invite a larger number of people than you want to come - it takes pressure off the less sociable guests. As Jordan Baker from F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby said, “I like large parties. They’re so intimate. At small parties there isn’t any privacy.” Examine the relationships among your potential guests. Does Friend A absolutely hate Friend B? Maybe it’s best not to invite one of them. Allowing guests to bring other guests adds an element of surprise.
Activities Loosen your corset and relax! Parties don’t need a set schedule. However, it is good to have possible games and activities available for your guests. Board games are always an option. The most likely end result is an evolution into conversation. Provided guests have chips, grape soda, and each other, the most challenging activity of the night may be pushing your adorable friends out the door.
Wow Factor Orchestrate something unique your guests will remember. Toast with packets of Pop Rocks at the end of the night. Rent a disco ball. Hide pictures of Nicolas Cage throughout the venue (include one under the toilet seat for laughs).
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Arts & Entertainment Boise Music Festival welcomes variety
By Amanda Wester
awester@borahsenator.com Once every summer the Boise Music Festival rolls around bringing together several styles from local bands, musicians and world famous artists. This year’s music festival takes place June 28 at Expo Idaho, and features artists like Train, Fitz and the Tantrums, and Sir Mix-A-Lot. The first two years of the music festival were held at Ann Morrison Park, and tickets weren’t required. As the event grew, it was moved to the Expo building, and entry required a ticket. Tickets are free, but they can be difficult to find. The majority are given away by radio stations. 103.5 KISS FM usually gives away tickets. For example, junior Alyssa Wilson got hers from Lucky Tha DJ at KISS FM and he gave her 48 tickets. It’s all about listening to the radio at the right time.
May 20, 2014
‘Battle’ gives local bands opportunities By Ashlee Gillespie
agillespie@borahsenator.com Available to any hard working group, Battle of the Bands provides an opportunity in the spotlight for upcoming crews of musicians. Leverson, The Headcases, Standing Stupid, and Camas -- four bands with members from Borah -- are involved with the battle. Leverson competed in Borah’s talent show the past two years and has played gigs during the past year. Bassist and backup vocalist junior Tyson Hoyt said, Hoyt “We were contacted by the event coordinator and we were stoked to have been given the opportunity to be involved.” As for Camas, the band became involved with the contest by submitting one of its original songs. “We became involved in Battle of the Bands because I talked to Jon Ramsey, a member of Standing Stupid, and they had been in-
vited to the Boise Battle of the Bands, look forward to sharing the stage with and I mentioned to my band that we the other local artists and really giving should contact these people and see if them a run for their money.” we could make it in. So we sent in a reHeist hopes to make it to the final cording of one of our songs ‘Beware of round to fulfill a life long dream of his. Who Knocks’ and she emailed “We mostly just want to get us back saying we made it for our name out into the public, the June 29th show,” said lead but what I’m really excited for guitarist, junior Alex Heist. is that the final two contestants According to Ashley Grey, from each ‘Battle’ night get the booking agent for Battle of invited to play the final four the Bands, the concert series is show, which is held at the Knitcomprised of two rounds, a first ting Factory, and playing there round and a second prelimihas always been a dream of Heist nary round. mine.” Both rounds have eight or nine bands The main goal of the battle is to give on the bill, two or three of which advance bands the opportunity to play in venues to the finals at which prizes are given. that wouldn’t normally book them othBands choose prizes that will best bene- erwise. They do this free of charge for fit them. The prizes include studio time, the bands. The overall goal is to grow cash, band t-shirts, an out-of-town show bands locally, regionally and ideally naand management with the Nationwide tionally. Concert Production Company, Gorilla “My favorite part about being inMusic, in-house management team. volved with local bands is being able to Many of the bands hope to receive watch them grow before my eyes. I’ve recognition by joining the battle. “As had bands play their first show with me, a band, we would love to just get our get asked back by venues, then open up name out there and spread our music for national acts over and over again,” from coast to coast,” said Hoyt. “We Grey said.
Life
The Borah Senator
Teachers feel end of year emotions By Joy Wilson
jwilson@borahsenator.com Teachers share their workload with students. Every assignment must be graded. Every complaint must be addressed. Teachers are forced to confiscate cell phones in class, deal with absences and tardies, and cope with long work hours. To gauge teacher energy levels at the end of the year, the Senator recently surveyed a group of teachers, 22 of which responded. Faculty members feel the drag of the year as it comes to a close, just as students do in preparation for summer vacation. Most faculty members who feel tired at the end of the year are worn out because their students are. “The apathy of the students and the whining of students about normal stuff irritates me by the end of April and May,” said marketing teacher Mark Bilger. “That’s when I know I’m tired.” Pam Atkins, English teacher, was similarly put out by student apathy. “I feel tired at the end of the year because I’m working harder to keep my seniors involved when they don’t feel like it anymore.” English teacher Maxie Rogers said she gets creative with her students at the end of the year so they remain engaged. Because her kids are tired of working, she said she gets worn out too. Some teachers said they feel it isn’t necessarily the tiredness of the students
that makes the end of the year difficult. “The needs of students seem to be greater around grading time,” said math teacher Alyson Pincock. The end of the year challenges are eased by the weather. “The weather is nicer and that usually makes me feel better.” Borah related events aren’t all that keep students and teachers tired. Personal obligations keep yearbook instructor Sandy Bowman tuckered out in the later months of the school year. “I have four boys playing baseball in the spring and my husband and I are president and secretary of the Vallivue Youth Baseball League,” Bowman said. English teacher Chuck McHenry said he is more energized at the end of the year. “I get to see the human beings emerge from the young students I had at the beginning of the school year.” McHenry said he feels quite the opposite of many other teachers. “I feel invigorated at the end of the school year,” he said. Softball coach Missy Wheeler shared some of Pincock’s feelings but with a more McHenryish attitude. “The sun and warm weather lift my spirits,” she said, which keeps her from being too tired near the close of the school year. The major consensus of the faculty was that, as the school year progresses, things get more difficult. That is, of course, with the exception of the optimistic few that look forward to the close of the year with hope and a fresh point of view.
Senator Surveys Teachers Twenty two teachers answered a Senator survey concerning their workload and emotional state at the end of a school year. The following are the results we gathered. Weekdays 0 Work 8 hours or less 13 Work 8 - 10 hours 9 Work 10 - 12 hours
Weekends 11 Work 1 - 2 hours 7 Work 3 - 4 2 Work more than 5
Seniors look back fondly at high school memories Samantha Ward
Steve Allyn
“In math, Julianne and I switched shoes in the middle of class, which was funny. Spanish class with my best friends is really fun, too. We always find a way to have a good time in class, since we’re all close.”
“I decided what I wanted to do in life. I wanted to be an actor. It was a big realization. It gave me something to work towards in school, and all of my decisions have that in mind. Halfway through sophomore year, I thought acting would be a good way to go in life. Halfway through junior year, I decided it was the right path to go down. I’ve learned a lot during my time here.”
ReeAnne Burton “Getting ready to go to South to talk about Debate class in front of a bunch of junior high kids. We talked to them about maturity in high school and told them if they were to join a more mature class, they would be more mature than other people in their grade. It was funny because Skyler Tipple walked into the class with an imaginary shield, and our teacher Mr. Drobny said sarcastically that ‘yes, because seniors are much more mature than the sophomores.’ I think it was a good memory because it was then that I realized I won’t really ever grow up.”
Benson Matthews “The people around me during Rowdying have made my memories very fun during games. It’s what you make of the moment that makes your memories that much more memorable. State championships have been a great experience also because of how well we did, and my teammates were great, and we all created great memories.”
Fill in your own favorite high school memory
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12
Sports
May 20, 2014
Staff prepares to compete against seniors in annual softball competition Teachers have been practicing for several weeks in hopes of giving seniors a run for their money By Harmony Soto
hsoto@borahsenator.com
History teacher Kylie Christensen prepares to hit the softball at the practice game against Bishop Kelly staff May 13.
Tonight at 6 p.m. in the Borah Varsity Softball Field, faculty and the senior class will battle it out in a game of softball. The teacher-student rivalry started eight years ago as a fun idea, courtesy of the Borah staff, and since then has turned into a school tradition. “We just started doing it, and it kept going on and on,” said American government teacher Korrin Rue. “Now we just want to keep it going as a part of senior culture, and as a fun, end-of-theyear activity for everyone.” Rue will co-captain the faculty’s team with AP language teacher Chuck McHenry. This year’s game will feature a teacher from every department, as well as
former English teacher Tony Quilici and West Jr. High science teacher Glenn Jones. Rue also said this is the first year of “organized practice” for the teachers team. The faculty has been warming up for both the seniors, and a practice game against the teaching staff at Bishop Kelley High School. “We’re all getting limber,” said Rue. As for the senior team, according to senior Ashlyn Englehorn, there are several athletes playing this year. “We’re going to kick some butt,” said Englehorn. Englehorn also expressed excitement at playing the teachers. “Some of them are actually pretty good,” she said. “It’s going to be a fun game.” The seniors won last year. But most of the faculty team have a difficult time re-
“At the end of the day, we’re just happy we did it. The scores don’t matter.” American Government teacher Korrin Rue membering anyone who won past that. “At the end of the day, we’re just happy we did it,” said Rue. “The scores don’t matter.” The game will be held in the Borah Varsity Softball Field tonight at 6:00, and anyone is welcome to come watch the event. “Join us for an evening of fun,” said Rue.
“It’s sad that one of the graduating class of 2014’s final memories of high school will be of them losing handedly to the staff in the softball game, but hey, college will be fun.” Math teacher Samuel Stafford
Photos by Jason Caughell | jcaughell@borahsenator.com
Teachers Chuck McHenry (English), Samuel Stafford (math), Kyle Harbacheck (math), Donald Drobny (English), Kylie Christensen (History), Manny Varela (psychology) and Korrin Rue (American government) played Bishop Kelly staff May 13 to prepare for today’s senior vs. staff game.
“Won’t a great senior memory be watching Mr. McHenry trying to relive his baseball glory days by pulling a hammy at the faculty vs. Senior softball game?” English teacher Chuck McHenry
Sports
The Borah Senator
Boys lacrosse reaches 6-1 winning streak By Riley Simpson
rsimpson@borahsenator.com The game of lacrosse is brutal to the body. One gears up to be hit multiple times with sticks and other people running into each other. The main point of the game is to score more points than the other team. Who would be willing enough to do this to themselves? There are few who can say that they would honestly do this. They are the boys lacrosse team here at Borah. The team is doing very well this year with a 6-1 winning streak. According to sophomore Owen Greeley, this is the best winning streak the Borah boys Lacrosse team has ever had. Sophomore Miguel Cervantes said one of the team’s goals is beating the
srogers@borahsenator The crowd is completely silent while they eagerly watch the intense face-off between both teams. Each team looks statuesque while they await the signal to begin. For a first time spectator of girl’s lacrosse, I was impressed by its immense intensity and its fast-paced sense of urgency. Senior Erin Sandmeyer plays a center position and is also co-captain of the Borah girls lacrosse team along with junior Maggie Gilson who plays attacking wing. Sandmeyer said this year’s team has a lot of new players, but considering so many of them are new to the game, the team has done better than she expected. “My main goal for the season was to help the girls who have never played before learn the game of lacrosse and how much fun it is,” Sandmeyer said.
Power Buff volleyball tournament results in victory for senior boys
Wood River High School boys lacrosse team, which is Borah’s only loss and the players know they can beat them. Sophomore Hunter Hamilton said many hope this is the year the team can win state. This along with beating Wood River is some of the sophomores’ goals. Greeley said he enjoys being on the same team as his older and younger brothers. This and dancing on the sidelines after a win are his favorite activities at a game. Hamilton said he loves to run and score during the games, and it’s what makes getting beat up time and time again bearable. According to sophomores on the team, star players are Greeley, senior Spencer Pierce, junior Jake (Kevan) Selvege, and senior Josh Nett. Nett, according to Greeley, is the best goalie in Idaho.
Girls lacrosse acquires new skills, teammates By Sage Rogers
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The team has come a long way from when they first started and Gilson said that they have gotten very close as a team. Sandmeyer said that her favorite moments in the game are when they play as a team. “I love it when our team clicks and we make a really good offensive play or when we stop another team from scoring,” said Sandmeyer. For Gilson, this is her second year playing lacrosse at Borah and she said her favorite part about the game is the energy on the field. For example, Gilson said, “When a new player makes her first goal, it’s awesome to see everyone jumping around and excited for her.” According to Sandmeyer and Gilson, one player who stands out among the rest is senior Cece Walgenbach. “She’s a natural, very involved and excited to play,” said Gilson. Sandmeyer said although she is new to the game, she has become one of the team’s key attacking players.
Photo by Jaynee Nielsen | jnielsen@borahsenator.com
Power Buff is seniors versus juniors in volleyball. This is the converse to Powder Puff where girls play flag football. Here the varsity volleyball players coach the teams.
Unique sports take place around campus By Jon Ramsey
jramsey@borahsenator.com Vroom vroom! Some sports deftly maneuver around the minds of students. Whether it be hacky sack, drag racing, or ping pong, leisure sports will always be there, flying under the radar here at Borah and eclipsed by more popular sports.
“I love drag racing because it’s the only legal place where you can drive as fast as you want. It is really tough though; you have to have good reactions and you have to take good care of your car.” Senior Cedric Vengetachalliam “I think hacky sack has become such a big thing because people are just getting tired of other sports. Plus, it’s cool to chill out and play and you meet so many people playing hacky sack.” Junior Gillis Kinney “I guess people kind of put ping pong off as not a sport, because it’s not very physical. It’s super fun playing though and I love playing with my friends.” Junior Nathan Vermeer
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Trends
May 20, 2014
Arrive in style, ace the interview By Ashlee Gillespie
agillespie@borahsenator.com You’ve been hunting for a job for weeks, and you finally receive a call. You’ve been chosen for an interview for a final assessment to prove your qualifications for the job. You’ve perfected your resume and practiced all of the possible questions that you could be asked. All that’s left to do is pick the perfect outfit. With the right interview fashion knowledge, you will become an expert at selecting the perfect outfit. When preparing an outfit, it never hurts to call the business/company that you’re applying to and ask about its dress code and any recommendations about what to wear. A good detail to remember throughout deliberating your options is less is more. Avoid flashy jewelry, dramatic makeup, and heavy fragrances. For girls, black is your best friend. Aim for neutral colors. Keep it simple for a business professional interview by selecting nice slacks, a blouse, and blazer or a neutral colored dress that isn’t low cut and is an appropriate length. For a business casual interview, select a hole-free pair of dark wash jeans paired with a button up shirt or blouse. Avoid heels that reach great heights
and substitute them with flats. Add a statement necklace to an otherwise basic outfit to provide color and originality. For boys, think of your Sunday best. Business professional styles include dress pants, a button up shirt, and tie.
“Always think modest to keep things safe.” Senior Lydia Barnes You can never go wrong with adding a nice jacket or blazer. For business casual, keep the button-up, but now substitute the dress pants for a pair of hole-free khakis. A tie is optional but is always appreciated. Ditch the sneakers for a nice pair of dress shoes. Don’t forget the most important piece of this outfit, a belt! Make sure those pants are sitting on the hips and secure them with a solid black or brown belt to avoid any baggy pants style. Experienced job applicants include seniors Medina Susak and Lydia Barnes. Susak said, “My go-to job interview out-
fit is a white button-up, black slacks and shoes and maybe a black dress that is appropriate and not too revealing,” Barnes said, “Always think modest to keep things safe.” Dark and neutral colors are always the way to go when it comes to choosing the perfect outfit. Susak said, “I’d recommend a nice pair of dark wash jeans, a non-revealing button-up, and a statement necklace.” When recommending what a job applicant should dress like, Barnes said, “It really depends on what kind of interview you’re going into. If it’s a casual environment, for example a fast food franchise, wear a nice pair of jeans and blouse. But if it’s for a business/internship interview, a long skirt and blouse would be appropriate. For a full-time job, think ‘date ready’ and how you would present yourself on a first date.” Now that you’ve become an expert on job interview fashion, you can now choose the perfect outfit and succeed in your interview. Always remember less is more. “The interviewer knows within the first 10 minutes if they’re going to hire you or not,” Susak said. “How you present and dress yourself will have a big effect on their decision.”
Brands place stereotype on students By Téa Nelson
tnelson@borahsenator.com You can find your average, plain black v-neck tee for around $10. Similarly, you can also find that exact same tee, with a logo from a famous brand, for a cost upwards of $30. Brands like Nike, Diamond Supply, and PINK, all feed off of young adults who pay the extra money to sport the latest trends. Wearing these brands to school gives the impression that a person is conscious of the seasonal fads. Popular brands among high school students are Nike, Under Armour, PINK, Hollister and Forever 21. Within the cruel game that is high school, brands define teenagers both in the
hobbies they choose, and personalities they adorn. Junior Joey Sullivan said, “Clothing decides what kind of person you are. People judge based on what you wear.” Sullivan said he does not gravitate toward a certain brand when buying clothes. “I wear Nike a lot, just because I like it.” Sullivan also said there are stereotypes when it comes to clothing. For instance, he said he thinks of students in basketball shorts as more athletic. Senior Courtney Garrett, who can often be spotted wearing the brand PINK, said she likes the brand because of how it looks, not for the label. “I like to be comfortable and feel like myself in the clothing. I like clothing more for how it looks than what brand it is.”
She said the stereotype of the brand she wears is super girly and high maintenance. Senior Forest Swanson doesn’t think clothing is worth spending extra money just for a logo, but he still does it. “You are more drawn to a brand for the logo,” he said. Swanson wears brands like Calvin Klein, Diamond Supply, and Obey. He wears these certain brands as a fashion statement. “If you have the money to buy it, you should.” Students use clothing brands as a way to express themselves and project their personalities. Although many people gravitate towards a certain brand, most say that they don’t do it solely for the brand name. They genuinely prefer the products.
Master the art of a perfect selfie
Graphic by Edward Dunn
By Mackenzie Chiles
mchiles@borahsenator.com A particular hash tag has taken over all social media, and is now a word found in the Oxford Dictionary. Defined as a photograph that one has taken of oneself -- typically one taken with a smartphone or webcam and uploaded to a social media website -- is the ubiquitous selfie. “When I feel down, I post a selfie with a sad quote,” said senior Nick Ceron, a self-proclaimed selfie taker. “On a good day, I will post a picture of me smiling or happy.” “It (a selfie) shows my emotions for the day,” he added. Ceron said selfies are a good way to show your self confidence and express your emotions. Ceron recommended creative picture-taking, such as taking a photo upside down, taking tons of them, and choosing a favorite from the bunch. When trying to create the perfect selfie, some of the most basic tips include: be aware of your lighting, find your signature pose, and play with the filters. Taking a photo somewhere too bright might make you look like a ghost. With so many different filters to try, finding the best one will only make the picture turn out better. Once your signature pose has been discovered and perfected, the process becomes much easier. As for junior Sarah Keeth, she said she takes selfies to track all the changes in herself over time, like different hairstyles or outfits. From Keeth, some of the best tips for people trying to perform the perfect selfie are to find a good angle and smile. “Keep taking selfies,” Keeth said.
Photo Essay
The Borah Senator
Tactus, the mens varsity choir, travelled to New York City in January to perform at Carnegie Hall. The group was one of three high school choirs invited to sing at the event. Senior Stephen Gagnon said the trip to Manhattan was very unique and a lot of fun.
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Even though varsity football walked away with a 2-7 record this past season, the team played their best. Defensive coach Jason Burton motivated the team by telling them to “tackle and play with heart.”
Lion Moments 2013 - 2014
Photos and text by Jaynee Nielsen
jnielsen@borahsenator.com
The theatre department produced several plays. “Promedy” was a comedy about Prom and all of the drama that goes along with the occasion. Senior Ivy Brubaker played Stephanie who was in the process of asking Chester, played by junior Sage Rogers, to Prom.
Varsity coach and counselor Cary Cada watched his team play against Capital for the state title March 8. Borah lost 53-63.
High school can be a difficult time. However, with a good group of friends and teachers, the years can breeze by. The school year 2013-2014 was full of memorable moments. Tactus, the mens choir, traveled to New York City to perform at Carnegie Hall, saw a Broadway show, and toured the city. The varsity boys basketball team made it to state again, and boys soccer made it to state as well. Cheer won several state level
competitions, including 1st in stunting and 2nd in show -- their main cheer routine. The school even upgraded to school-wide Wi-Fi, allowing laptops, tablets and other mobile devices access to internet. A few other upgrades include new bleachers in the New Gym, water fountains in the Old Gym, and double-sided locks on classroom doors. Several students created independent films, such as “All We Do Is Ride” and “W.I.N” (When In Nampa). There have been many other memorable moments. Have fun and keep on making memories.
The choir department performed the musical, “Honk!,” a rendition of the “Ugly Duckling.” Senior Brendon French played the ugly duckling while senior Maria Paluzzi played mother duck. The performance was unique in that the actors wore regular clothes to portray their animal characters.
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Fun & Games
May 20, 2014
Use bucket list to inject excitement into life By Brittany Perry
bperry@borahsenator.com A bucket list is an inspiring and organized way to accomplish the activities you want to do before you die. Whether it’s skydiving or going on a safari, a bucket list helps people make the most of every moment. You can also create a bucket list for a shorter time frame, like graduation. What is it you want to do before you graduate from high school? Here are some ideas. 1. Work a part-time job 2. Earn good grades (As and Bs) 3. Be accepted to the university of your dreams 4. Join a club 5. Play a sport 6. Learn another language 7. Attend a concert
8. Go to a homecoming dance 9. Go to your senior prom 10. Attend a sporting event (football, soccer, basketball) 11. Join choir, orchestra, or band 12. Skip school on senior skip day 13. Decorate your school on senior prank night 14. Go to the assemblies throughout the year 15. Offer advice to the underclassman that need help 16. Play Powder Puff (girls) or Power Buff (boys) 17. Become a LINK leader 18. Apply for National Honor Society 19. Make new friends 20. Create a bond with at least one teacher you look up to So what are you waiting for? Start thinking about what you want to do before you graduate from high school.
Directions: Each row, column, and block must have numbers from 1 to 9 in them. No number can appear more than once in any row, column, or block. Difficulty: Easy
Book Club recommends summer reading choices Adventure
Divergent - Veronica Roth
Horror
A Song of Ice and Fire - George R.R. Martin Night Angel - Brent Weeks
Science Fiction
Ready Player One - Ernest Cline Un Lun Dun - China Miéville Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children - Ransom Riggs
Lord of the Rings - J.R.R. Tolkien Adventurers Wanted - M.L. Forman Graceling - Kristin Cashore Anna Dressed in Blood - Kendare Blake Escape from Furnace - Alexander Gordon Smith Skeleton Creek - Patrick Carman Incarceron - Catherine Fisher Ender’s Game - Orson Scott Card
Fantasy
Vampire Academy - Richelle Mead Name of the Wind - Patrick Rothfuss Mistborn - Brandon Sanderson
Realistic/Historical/Steampunk Book Thief - Markus Zusak Leviathan - Scott Westerfeld
Action
Hunger Games - Suzanne Collins
Adult/Mature
Book Club
Mystery
Heist Society - Ally Carter 11/22/63 - Stephen King Coraline - Neil Gaiman
Nonfiction/Bios
Dewey - Vicki Myron A Captain’s Duty - Richard Phillips
Romance
Across the Universe - Beth Revis Perfect Chemistry - Simone Elkeles Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austen
Directions: Start by the sun and find your way to the fan to cool off from the summer heat. Graphic by Taylor McNitt | tmcnitt@borahsenator.com