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VOLUME 95
ISSUE 6
SHSCEDARPOST.COM
ID SCIENCE STANDARDS
DEFINING “BULLYING”
TOO JUUL FOR SCHOOL
STUCK IN THE MIDDLE
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STANDING UP
Basically Speaking IS PROTESTING AN EFFECTIVE WAY TO STAND UP FOR YOUR BELIEFS?
NATIONAL WALKOUT INSPIRES A CTIVISM AT SHS
McCalee Cain Editor-in-Chief
on this, especially since we felt Ra chel passionate about th McFadden recognized e issue,” Rogers th e significance of th sai d. Before 10 a.m. e national on March walkout, but opted The pair created 14, Senior Felecia no t to partake so cia l media in light of Richey was accoun her personal beliefs. ts to promote the contemplating enga walkout ging in her first and “I didn’t know en acted as student lia act of political prote ough about isons with the su st. bject, and I feel lik th e ad mi nistration in estab “I was nervous,” Ric e if you lishing wanted to hey said. “I the dis honor the 17 kids, ciplinary protocol reg was like, ‘do I really you ard want to leave the pr ing could have do otest. ne it another way,” class? Am I going to get in trouble? she said. “Walking ou Nationwide, the wa You know what, I’ll t isn’t going to lkout was help an just do it.’” yone.” dr ive n by a call for After joining over 100 of her increase d gun control schoolmates in walki ng out of class and safety in schools, for 17 minutes to memorialize 17 but Rogers students killed in and the Parkland Robin son emphasized School Shooting, Ric hey felt proud. the aspect “I felt of really empowered memoria lizing those honestly, even th ough it was who had lost their something small, jus t walking out lives in an effort to in the middle of cla ss, I feel like it’s depo larize the event at the start of something that will lead Sandpo int High. to something bigge r,” she said. “The majority of th Looking back, Ric e walkouts hey said across th Some students wo punishment wouldn’t e nation were prore matching gun t-shirts pr have deterred contro inted with prol, and again, I wa her from participati gun nt ed to slogans to ng. include as many express their opinion “That’s not going students as the on to stop me possible matter. so I kind of made from standing up for it a what I believe memo “Some people did rial,” Rogers said. “I in.” n’t like [my thought shirt]...bu that the more stu t I got some Senior and ASB de others nt s we had that were lik President out there e ‘way to go, way Dutton Rogers an and the more opini to d Junior Class we on s voice your opinion had represented, Vice President Ben ,” senior Alex the more Wolff Robinson had impa said. “I wasn’t we ctful and powerfu been organizing Sa aring it l it would for sp ndpoint High’s be.” ecifically to be ag walkout for nearly a ainst the month prior. people that were Many students took participating in “We felt, as stude a stance on the wa nt leaders the natio lkout, I was just trying nal debate surroun of Sandpoint High to like ding highlight th School, that gun vio at you need to learn lence and safety in we should take lea a schools little bit dership action by more about the top not walking out. ic.” Sophomore Continued on Page 2.
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“I felt really empowered honestly, even though it was something small,” Felecia Richey, SENIOR
“Yes, protesting is really effective because it gets further than just writing a letter or doing nothing.”
S op
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o om re HANNEMAE WITTHAUS “I think protesting could be good because it gets your point across because a lot of people notice it.”
Jun i
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know your Rights
“I think protests are good because it shows how passionate and supportive you are about a subject.”
Se n io
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Schools cannot punish a student for their speech unless it disrupts or distracts education
Students can be disciplined for missing class, but not for the content of the protest
Outside of school, students have the same rights to protest and speak as any citizen
WHAT’S ON SHSCEDARPOST.COM? ACADECA ON TO NATIONALS
SHS’s Academic Decathlon team earned second place at the Idaho state competition in Pocatello. The team is now gearing up for Nationals.
STARTING THE SEASON
On March 17, the track team kicked off their season at the Sweeney Invitational meet in Lewiston. Relive the event through our photo essay.
WALKOUT FOR PARKLAND
On March 14, SHS participated in the national walkout memorializing the 17 students killed in Parkland, Florida.
TRINITY HATHAWAY “Yes, but sometimes they can get out of hand and not be as purposeful in doing what they’re meant to do.”
DATES TO REMEMBER
APRIL
01
SPRING BREAK
10
LOCAL SCHOLARSHIPS DUE
18
IRONMAN COMPETITION
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PROM
2 A VOTE FOR CLIMATE CHANGE EDUCATION SHS staff and community react to revised ID science standards
Graphic by Cienna Roget, Managing Editor
Sofia Kriz News Editor The controversial topic of climate change was addressed and resolved during the Idaho Senate Education Committee vote regarding science standards on February 22, where the Senate passed a vote (6-3) to include references to climate change in the new science standards. The Senate’s vote contradicted the House’s movement to eliminate mention of climate change altogether. This committee made a motion to omit areas in the science standards that discussed human impact on global warming, as well as the impact of nonrenewable energy sources on the Earth’s environment. Several climate experts and high school science teachers alike agreed that climate change, the warming of the Earth, is in large part due to manmade impacts such as the burning of fossil fuels and deforestation among other contributing factors, and argued towards the inclusion of references to climate change in the new Idaho Science Standards. Various versions of the draft have been written in order to appeal to the vast majority opinion of climate change in relation to state science standards, and had been a widely debated issue since 2016. SHS Chemistry teacher Mamie Brubaker voiced her opinion on the matter, and shared her hopes surrounding the next generation of science standards. “I feel like, had the House Committee been able to take out some of that language because it was considered by some to be controversial, that what they’re doing is taking away some of the intellectual level of the science standards and removing some important content that students need to have,” Brubaker said. “It would put students in Idaho at a disadvantage to not understanding basic science principles.” These new science standards will be in place for the following five years, as standards are revised every six years. Brubaker explained that she had high hopes for the potential new generation of science standards as formulated by not only teachers, but scientists and legislators alike. “Like any set of standards, it’s a dynamic thing, you are always supposed to be improving on it and adding to it,” Brubaker said.
“Standing Up,” Continued Wolff remarked that he abstained from the march because he disliked the political slant he saw. “I like the idea of celebrating their life but...I didn’t like how some people were making it a little bit about their political party or their political beliefs,” he said. Rogers was happy to see his classmates like Wolff sporting their shirts. “I applaud them. I mean, that’s what we need to be about, is expressing our opinions and not just being quiet and letting the flow move past us,” he said. “We want all the opinions heard, not just our own opinions. By expressing our opinions and having conversations about them, we can create bipartisan solutions.” Lake Pend Oreille School District Superintendent Shawn Woodward expressed enthusiastic support for stu-
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NEWS
CANDIDATE RUNDOWN An insight into the candidates running for ASB President
Elections for class representatives and positions in the Associated Student Body (ASB) take place in April. In
ASB there are three roles available: President, who takes the lead role, Vice-President, their support, and the Secretary/Treasurer that takes notes and balances the budget. All students attending SHS next school year are eli-
gible to vote for their desired student in each ASB position. Candidates for the 2018-19 ASB president include Grace Meyer, Ben Robinson, and River Feuling.
Grace Meyer
Ben Robinson
River Feuling
Shelby Dorman Web Staff
“I want to lead you guys with a positive attitude and in a positive way.”
“I want more cohesion in student council to provide more cohesive events for the school.”
“I will lead the school with the mindset that anything is possible.”
Grace Meyer believes she has three characteristics that qualify her to be ASB president. Through teamwork, Grace wants to unite the entire student body, with principles of leadership, strength in unity, and school spirit. By supporting innovation, Grace is always willing to hear and pursue ideas on how to improve the school’s environment. Finally, bringing direction, Grace wants to positively lead the student body, especially at school spirit events.
Ben Robinson has been in student council since his sophomore year, and currently holds the position of Junior Class Vice President. He recounts that the class used to feel like a family, but in this year he feels that the class has been very divided and has resulted in a lot of scrambling for events. Robinson wants to reform Student Council to be more united through teamwork and organization in order to bring as many great events to the students as possible.
River Fueling has been class representative since her sophomore year. She believes that every individual in the school has a voice that should be heard. She plans to use her positive mindset towards the student body to establish a welcoming connection between the school and the Student Council. Feuling wants to encourage all students to share their ideas, get involved in activities, and ultimately create a friendlier school environment.
BRINGING VIP TO SHS Volunteer Idaho Panhandle provides opportunities for students
Students volunteer to help with the annual toy buy. | Photo by Ciena Christensen, Web Editor
Ciena Christensen, Web Editor Volunteer Idaho Panhandle (VIP) is an organization that aims to connect community members to volunteer opportunities tailored to their personalities and to encourage students to expand their volunteer options. After witnessing the energy of Sandpoint community members to give back, Sandpoint Community Resource Center board member and VIP leader Becca Orchard was inspired to create a method to connect community members with organizations in need of volunteers. She hoped to create a tool for youth to find events that not only fit them as a person but create more fulfilling experiences. “I think it’s possible for you as a young person to find something that’s kind of hidden that’s perfect for you and find something more in line that’s going
“I would be discouraged if we did not have students participating in some way, shape or form,” he said. “I want to think that kids will leave our high school thinking critically about the world that we live in, and I’d rather have people feel like they can be part of a solution rather than standing on the sidelines.” He added that he encourages students to start conversations surrounding these issues with one another. “It would be really refreshing to see some more student-initiated dialogue around [school safety].” Recent national conversation surrounding safety in schools has afforded young people a platform to speak up and make a difference. “People find it inspiring when the youth stand up and say something.,” Rogers said. “There’s something special about that.”
to add value,” Orchard said. VIP promotes the use of the website volunteerunited.org, created by the governor’s Serve Idaho campaign with the goal of achieving a central location volunteers can turn to as an information resource. “My hope is that this is opening a door to exposing students to this opportunity...that this raises people’s curiosity about it, and that they come and explore,” Orchard said. Volunteerunited.org provides information about the programs in one’s community looking for volunteers and allows users to filter volunteer opportunities by their location, interests, available times and other personal preferences. If users are interested in a particular organization they can choose to “become a fan” in order to be notified of events involving their desired organiza-
tion. Orchard believes that this accessible information is a great tool for students who are looking to become involved in their community. Students can easily be met with a variety of opportunities and find lesser known activities that allow them to serve in areas they’re passionate about. “I want to make it easy for [students] to find the right and most meaningful volunteer opportunity,” Orchard said. “I think that there’s more opportunity for young people than they think and more opportunity even than organizations think.” The site also allows students to clearly see the expectations of the job so they have more control with their commitment or time flexibility and are well aware of the requirements surrounding each event. VIP also promotes different events through the social media feed of their Facebook, Instagram and Twitter which makes it easy for students to be alerted of chances to give back. Orchard feels that beginning a habit of volunteer work in high school not only develops your character but sets up a life filled with the personal benefits of service. “The most important lesson is that we do this not because we think we should but because when we experience it, what we experience is that it’s rewarding to us. That we’re winning, we’re getting something out of it. And if you can create those experiences for young people early its a lifelong practice because you’ve already learned that you’re the beneficiary,” Orchard said. READ THE REST OF THE STORY AT SHSCEDARPOST.COM.
OPINION
OUR VIEW
cedar post staff
MANAGING EDITOR Cienna Roget NEWS EDITOR Sofia Kriz
The Our View represents the majority opinion of the Editorial Staff. | Cartoon by Emerson Kanning, Opinion Editor
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There are many students at SHS who are always complaining about being stuck in high school, stuck in Sandpoint, stuck with such and such teacher, etc. It’s easy for high school students to look at their current situation and complain about being stuck in something they find to be less than desirable, but this is where the idea of living in the present comes into play. It is crucial that one must live in the present and learn to make the most of where they are currently in their life. There is always something in the future that one will find more appealing than where they currently are, which is why they must learn to be happy where they are. Anticipation is a part of life; looking forward to tomorrow makes sense, it’s a
PROM-LEMATIC Prom stirs unattainable expectations
Corinne Capodagli Opinion Editor
NOT A CLUE
High school seniors are unfairly expected to know what life will look like after school
Aaron Cole Web Staff
COPY EDITOR Josh Wells PHOTO EDITOR Saydee Brass ASST. PHOTO EDITOR Freddy Libby SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR Addi House BUSINESS MANAGER Shelby Dorman WEB EDITOR Ciena Christensen MULTIMEDIA EDITORS Sam Diercks Claire Keener WEB STAFF Riley Walkington Grace Hicks Bruin Jones Evelyn Webster Mya Darling Sarah Brown Aaron Cole Maren Andrick
EDITORIAL POLICY The Cedar Post is governed by the same legal rights as the professional press. Under the First Amendment, we reserve the right to free expression and freedom of the press. The student newspaper of Sandpoint High School is an open public forum for the students of Sandpoint High School and the community of Sandpoint, Idaho, with its editorial board making all decisions concerning its contents; it is not subject to prior review by administration, faculty, or community members. Unsigned editorials express the views of the majority of the editorial board. Letters to the editor must be signed, although the staff may withhold the writer’s name upon request. The paper reserves the right to edit letters for grammar and clarity, and all letters are subject to law-governing obscenity, libel, privacy and disruption of the school process, as are all contents for the paper. Opinions in letters are not necessarily those of the staff, nor should an opinion expressed in a public forum be construed as opinion or policy of the administration, unless so attributed.
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Guidance counselors constantly encourage students throughout high school to make plans for what comes next. However, when senior year rolls around, I find it can be an extremely stressful time for those that weren’t prepared. For those like me that didn’t magically find their calling in high school, extra time to decide and make the transition is not really an option. I find that gap years aren’t really a viable course of action, mostly because of high costs of travel and pressures by family for students to start their own lives. Most students end up following the path they know best, which is school. All they can do then is just hope that they find their niche in their freshman year of college. But this can be a dangerous decision, considering the vast number of students who drop out of college freshmen year after finding that post secondary schooling is not an accurate fit. Students shouldn’t be put under so much pressure the moment they graduate high school. Rather they should be given ample opportunity to reflect on their achievements and decide what’s best for themselves going forward.
SPORTS EDITORS Sam Hendricks Jezza Hutto
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Prom. Surely most people have heard of this absurd social construct that teenagers are expected to take part in. It’s one of the most hyped up experiences of high school. There are movies whose focal point seems to be entirely dedicated to this very dance. It is marked by some as the pinnacle of the high school experience. Yet, from an outsider’s perspective, it seems as if an unrealistic weight is set upon not only one night, but all the preparations leading up to it. Not only does one have to deal with finding the perfect way to ask someone to prom, but also the financial stressors that come hand in hand with this high school dance. As prom nears, imminent pressure builds for those hoping to ask a special someone. Gone are the days of simple gestures, rather, many feel the pressure to participate in elaborate “promposals.” Though these gestures seem like an intricate way to show someone you care, seniors like Jaydyn Engan feel that these grandiose acts can lose their meaningfulness if not done with caution. “I think elaborate promposals are
cute if they have a personal message or a cute inside meaning to them... However, I think a more personalized approach to the showy promposals are cute and really distinguish them from the next trending prom video,” Engan said. “Having it be over the top, with lots of different parts is too much, however I do think that having it be special is important, as you are a senior at prom only once in your life. They can be cute if there is meaning behind it, and [if it] is simplistic in nature.” Senior Dutton Rogers said. Moreover, the price of participating in prom grows more astronomical year after year. According to an article written by USA Today, teens spend an average of more than $600 on prom expenses. Is this spending really a surprise though, considering all the pressure teens face to attain the perfect prom experience? “I think prom can get expensive real fast between all the preconceived expectations. But, it’s all up to you and what you want for that night… Just make sure it’s what you want and not what’s expected of you.” Engan said. “You do you. Be yourself at prom, and don’t force your own character into a different mold that “fits” into prom. If financial stresses are such that you can’t afford a tux, or go out to dinner, then don’t!” Rogers said. “Do what works for you, and what you will have the most fun with.” Between an American culture that idolizes prom as the end all be all of the ultimate high school experience and expectations set so impossibly high, is it really attainable for one night to be projected as the paramount of all of high school?
chance for us to start fresh, to explore new opportunities, and to grow. However, in the midst of anticipation, people often miss out on the moments that are right in front of them. There are countless opportunities each day that are overlooked because one may be focused on something else in the future. After all, that’s why college is appealing to most, it is stocked with new experiences left and right, and it gives one a chance to learn about where they fit into the world. While college and adulthood are certainly something to look forward to, it is each person’s own job to enjoy the gift of today. If each day, one wakes up and think to themselves: “Ugh, just another day at high school. Same as yesterday,” then they are the cause of their own misery. Senioritis is not only limited to seniors, in fact: some high schoolers have dealt with it since freshman year. High school is a period in a person’s life where most are simply trying to find their place in the world, and trying to find out who they’re going to be. One cannot successfully do so if they are only focused on the person they will find five or ten years from now. Each person’s responsibility is to know who they are now. If they find themselves stuck, complaining and whining about their situation, then it’s up to them to change it. There are so many new things going on in the Sandpoint community each day that one can utilize to experience new things. How one chooses to live today is what matters, not how they choose to live tomorrow, or the day after.
LIFESTYLES EDITORS Sarah Donnelly Erin Meek
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Teenagers should value today’s opportunities
OPINION EDITORS Corinne Capodagli Emerson Kanning
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LIVING IN THE PRESENT
n all honesty, high school can be a hit or miss. Some high schoolers find themselves thriving, while others feel stuck in the same repetitive cycle. Especially for students who have lived in Sandpoint most of their lives, the urge to get out of Sandpoint’s small mountain town can be massive. It can be difficult to feel stuck with the same people, the same activities and the same places. So many just want to leave, and believe that there are better things far beyond the Long Bridge. This is natural, as teenagers are growing and changing people, but sometimes this anticipation for what’s to come can leave one miserable, and they begin to wallow in where they are.
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EDITOR-IN-CHIEF McCalee Cain
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410 S. Division Street Sandpoint, ID 83864 shscedarpost.com
A R T S & C U LT U R E
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Many students experience bullying by their peers through social media as well as during school. This is an issue across most high schools. | Photo illustration by Saydee Brass, Photo Editor
HOW FAR IS TOO FAR?
The fine line between joking and criticism versus actual bullying is blurred Sarah Donnelly Lifestyles Editor
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ullying is a major concern in any high school setting, in fact around 50 percent of students from age 12 to 18 nationwide have reported having experiences with bullying, according to the Pacer Center. However, there is a fine line between serious bullying and taking comments too personally. While Sandpoint High School is known by many to have an overall friendly atmosphere, there are still a number of reported instances of bullying and harassment. The administration follows the school board policy for handling bullying by looking at factors such as if the act is prevalent, recurring, disruptive and emotionally or physically harmful. When these aspects are found in a situation, action is taken to address and fix the harassment issue, but in some cases, the act is not as harmful as some make it out to be. Vice Principal Derek Dickinson has run into cases like this on multiple oc-
casions. “It’s a balancing act for sure because most situations, students want to label it as bullying or harassment but typically it’s a two way dispute between students,” he said. To handle the alleged instances of bullying, the administration uses restorative action and mediation. They try to get the students together to work out their differences and realize that it may not have been bullying or harassment but they still try to resolve the issue. Sophomore Spencer Rucker feels that the rise of verbal bullying is an issue, especially over social media. He states that when bullying was less verbal and more physical, it led to less issues in society. “If you get beat up you can get stronger and hopefully fight back and it just makes you a better character,” Rucker
said. Rucker is not alone in assuming that Sandpoint High School has a less significant bullying problem than most other schools and that most students are generally friendly to their peers. Any social setting will involve some level of conflict or difference in opinions, but it is when it crosses that line and becomes harmful to others where the issue of bullying comes in. Principal Tom Albertson recognizes the fact that any situation of a student feeling hurt or harmed needs to be taken seriously, but it is not always as serious of an issue as true harassment or bullying. “Having some level of conflict is normal or a natural part of communication and you can learn from that,” Albertson said. Freshman Felicity Lally is a student
“Having some level of conflict is normal,”
TOM ALBERTSON, PRINCIPAL
who feels that even if it may not be a big issue, there is still clear bullying. She said that she has witnessed some forms of verbal bullying in the school, but it is not excessive. In some cases, bullying can be from friends at schools as it is merely seen as a joke. Lally believes that sometimes, this form of joking around can go to far. “Sometimes you don’t know that you’re going over the line yet you do,” Lally said. As a student who has experienced bullying at previous schools, Lally recognized that sometimes people do take things too personally or label an act as bullying when it is something else. “As humans, we don’t know how to control our voice,” Lally said. Though students may occasionally falsely label unkind or criticizing acts as bullying, each situation must be taken seriously. In any situation, hurt feelings and should still be addressed and resolved. “We want to validate student’s feelings,” Albertson said.
A (PROM)INENT HISTORY
A brief look at the history of prom and how it has changed over time Erin Meek and Sarah Donnelly, Lifestyles Editors
1890’s
1900’s
The earliest prom on record happened at Amherst College to promote social etiquette.
Prom dances become a high school event instead of a college dance.
1975 President Ford hosted his daughter’s prom at the White House.
1960’s Jessica McClintock is the most popular prom designer, making “leg o’ mutton” style dresses.
2016
A student sues an Alabama school for threatening to cancel prom to if interracial couples attend.
“Promposals” become a viral trend, with people going above and beyond to ask for a date.
Students use SoundCloud as a platform to create music
Cole Hayes records his songs on his phone whenever he feels inspired. | Courtesy Photo
SHS students are taking a unique approach to expressing themselves, and are creating their own music as a way to put their thoughts and words out there through apps like SoundCloud. SoundCloud is a music app where users can listen to music and create their own music to share,
Due to the Great Depression, some proms are cancelled in fear of violence occurring.
1994
SOUNDCLOUT
Sarah Brown Web Staff
1930’s
which allows aspiring artists to get their name out there. Senior Cole Hayes, Junior Julian Reichold and Senior Tyrone Larson are just a few of the students who are putting their music out there, whether it’s just for fun or a serious aspiration. Cole Hayes, who goes by K-Fire, started making music in November after getting the inspiration to record himself rapping for fun.
“I was just like messing around and then everyone thought it was really funny, so I did more,” Hayes said. Hayes now has five songs on his profile including his favorite, “My Vape”, which was the very first song he recorded. “It was like the beginning to it all,” Hayes said. “I just literally came up on the spot and just recorded cause I thought it’d be funny.” Julian Reichold, or Young J, started making music this year by simply using a mic and his computer. Reichold’s inspiration comes from life and other rappers he listens to including artists like Rich the Kid. Making a successful song takes time and patience. Putting together lyrics, a beat and other details takes dedication and commitment, which is not something that the listener can see when hearing the song. “It takes about a whole day to make a good song that sounds good,” Reichold said. However, for some of these students, it doesn’t take that much time at all. In fact, sometimes it only takes a few minutes. With the many apps on phones today, people are given the tools to create a song on their phone in a matter of minutes. “Some songs take like how long they are [to make],” Hayes said. Creating the finished pieces of music
requires the right equipment and resources, which can be acquired in different ways. Some people make their own recording studio, and others utilize their phones and apps to make their music. Tyrone Larson uses Soundtrap to make his songs, which allows him to add in instruments, vocals and beats to fit what he wants it to sound like. Finding inspiration for lyrics can be challenging, and there are many sources from which this inspiration can come from. Finding your style can be difficult, but with the influences of other rappers it can be easier to find your voice. Larson finds inspiration in other rappers like Kendrick Lamar to influence his lyricism. Larson also uses samples of other people’s lyrics to help create his own. “This kid, I think his name was Prodigy, the first line that he said was the first line of mine so I just based it off of that,” Larson said. For many aspiring artists, establishing a name can be difficult. Platforms like SoundCloud enable people able to do just that with ease, and Hayes, Reichold and Larson are demonstrating just how easy it is. Although these students are creating their music for fun, many people are using this tool to show off their talents and create something bigger from it.
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STUDENT LIFE
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TOO JUUL FOR SCHOOL Vaping is a new trend at Sandpoint High School and is beginning to negatively effect students and administration. | Photo Illustration by Addi House, Social Media Editor
Students share the effects of vaping in and out of the educational setting Addi House Social Media Editor
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s of Sept. 2017, the Sandpoint High School administration has encountered over 20 incidents involving students and e-cigarette usage. The use of e-cigs, or vapes by students has become more common in the halls of not only SHS, but nationwide, as other schools are dealing with minors possessing the illegal item. This alternative to smoking cigarettes is becoming more popular among minors, due to the smaller size, discrete vapor cloud and smell of vapes. Vapes are either used for tricks, like blowing large clouds of vapor, or for the nicotine buzz. The liquid nicotine in vapes is offered in a variety of flavors such as mint, crème brûlée and berry splash. The companies specifically market their products to children and teens, as the sweet and fruity flavors appeal to younger consumers. Over the last few years, the presence of e-cigarettes problems has significantly increased at SHS. Within the last month, Juuls have become more prominent over other e-cig brands. A Juul resembles a small USB drive and is easily concealed, making it much more difficult to be identified. Vice Principal Derek Dickinson has
dealt with a wide range of students who have possessed vapes at school, or been caught vaping on campus. While 18-yearold students can legally purchase and own e-cigarettes, a large majority of the students being caught with vaping products are juniors and underclassmen. “It’s a trend, and I don’t know if it’s one that is going to stick around. I don’t know why people have an infatuation with putting things in their lungs, whether it be from cigarettes before and now its the vapes,” Dickinson said. When a student is found with a vape, it is treated like a tobacco offense: The item is confiscated and the student will have at least one day of in school suspension if they are under 18 years of age, and, depending on circumstances, other additional punishments may apply. Parents are always contacted when dealing with this type of offense. Recently, an additional program has been added for students who have been
caught using tobacco or e-cig products on school grounds. The online educational program titled “Nicotine 101” requires students to complete the online class emphasizing the different elements of using an e-cig and the repercussions of vaping on one’s health. Junior Kyle Mills first began vaping as a freshman. Mills received a sponsorship from a vape co m p a ny called VGOD at the end of his freshman year that lasted for six months. VGOD supplied Mills with clothes, vapes and vape juice in order to promote their product, however, the sponsorship was terminated, as he began to view vaping as more of a fun hobby rather than a competitive sport. “Vaping could be a problem because the school as a whole does not allow it,” Mills said, “But I see it more as a healthy alternative to what is even worse, cigarettes.” Marilyn Cupery, the Clinical Supervisor of the Cardiopulmonary Department
“I see [vaping] as a healthy alternative to what is even worse, cigarettes.” KYLE MILLS, JUNIOR
at Bonner General Health, expressed that because nicotine is an addictive substance, reversing the effects of copious amounts of nicotine use is notoriously difficult, borderline impossible. Nicotine addiction and abuse can lead to damage of developing brains, hearts, lungs, as well the risk of cancer. Cupery stresses that lungs are meant to take in oxygen in exchange for carbon dioxide. Any excess substances that are inhaled will only break down and destroy the essential tissue within the lungs. When a person continuously inhales nicotine vapor and smoke, the damage to the lung tissue is permanent, and irreversible. “Why would anyone purposefully inhale anything that could destroy the organs that are so essential to life?” Cupery said. Senior Saige Hallock believes that at SHS, vaping is a problematic practice that is prevalent among many students. Hallock states that these devices become a distraction to her education. She believes that students use e-cigs to feel cool. “Because there is less research being conducted about the ramifications that vaping has on your health, there is a misconception that it’s healthier for you. People do this because they do not want to get cancer but they don’t realize that it’s still bad for you.” Hallock said.
HAWKINS IS HOME
Alumnus Dalton Hawkins is a jack of all trades: teaching, acting, gaming
Tina Esteph uses computer animation to recreate new and old characters and worlds from the many fandoms she follows.
Photo by Erin Meek, Lifestyles Editor Maren Andrick Web Staff While it may only be his first year, Dalton Hawkins has made quite the entrance into Sandpoint High School. Coming from a small village in Northern Alaska, Hawkins has made a new and positive change to Sandpoint High School. In his first year, Hawkins has not only taught math to all grades in the high school, but he has also served as a coaching assistant in the Cross Country team and made his way into the stage and serves as the Assistant Director for the upcoming play, Shrek the Musical. He has also helped implement the E-Sports Club, where he creates a safe community for gamers to challenge each other, socialize and even earn college scholarships. Before coming to Sandpoint, Hawkins was a math and science teacher to a group of 22 Native students in Alaska. “Coming back from up there was such a cultural shock,” Dalton said. READ THE REST AT SHSCEDARPOST.COM.
FANFICTION FRENZY Students dive into the unconventional world of fanfiction Erin Meek Lifestyles Editor “[It’s] everything, life, the world,” freshman Avery Swank said about fanfiction as he doodled on a piece of paper. Fanfiction, by definition, is, “fiction written by a fan of, and featuring characters from, a particular TV series, movie, etc.” There are millions of fanfiction stories out there, ranging from adventure to romance that follow the lives of Harry Potter, Doctor Who and even Marvel super heroes. Swank has started to write fanfiction on a writing platform called Story Wars, a safe writing community that allow writers to collaborate and communicate different theories, ideas and stories. Swank has written many stories focusing on the post apocalyptic world of Tokyo Ghoul, an anime series that is set in a fictional time period when “ghouls” are walking earth and eating human
souls. While Swank prefers to write about the world of Tokyo Ghoul, he also creates new characters and plot lines. “[Writing fanfiction] is entertaining, it takes me places,” Swank said. “ It takes me to the story. I can imagine myself there.”
FANFICTION (n.)
Esteph is a veteran of the world of fanfiction, as she is a part of at least seven fandoms but considers herself to be in more that are too, “obscure or minor to mention.” Esteph has an unconventional style to her art, as she starts her rough drafts on paper, but then moves to computer design to finish out her stories. “It’s easier to make the characters from various forms of animated media look correct than it is to try and replicate actual people,” Esteph said. “There’s less pressure to make the art realistic-looking when it’s based on a cartoon in the first place.” Esteph makes art to release creative energy into the world. She enjoys using existing characters because she can appreciate the personality that the creators have given to them. “I’m not good at coming up with my own characters, so it helps me get past this road block,” Esteph said. Swank and Esteph are defining what it means to be a fanfiction artist in the age of the internet.
A work of fiction written by a fan that features characters from a particular TV, book or movie series Swank has written a total of 78 stories and has over 180 followers that dutifully return to read his stories. While Swank is discovering what it means to be a fanfiction writer, Senior Tina Esteph is recreating characters and exploring another medium in fanfiction: art.
SPORTS
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What outdoor activity are you looking forward to this spring?
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STUCK IN THE MIDDLE Students are at a disadvantage when parents, coaches clash
Addi House Social Media Editor As spring approaches every year, I look forward to watching tennis due to the grunts and visors. The fast-paced speed of tennis and the wide variety of matches offer a game for everyone, plus the game is very unpredictable, but you can really tell how good a tennis player is by the volume of their grunt. A softball player swings at the ball at a softball game with her father and coach watching on. | Photo by Sam Hendricks, Sports Editor
Sam Hendricks Sports Editor
Sam Hendricks Sports Editor Once the temperature rises a bit and it is drier out, hiking on one of the many trails around Bonner County is an excellent way to get some exercise and see some spectacular views. Whether it be a peaceful walk through the forest or by a lakeside trail, there is a hike that everyone can enjoy, and with the lower temperatures, spring is the perfect time.
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staple at every sporting event, parents are perhaps the biggest cheerleaders for their children. They will travel for hours to watch every possible competition, and they are often the people who get their child initially interested in the sport and play with their child, whether it be throwing a ball or practicing shooting. However, once their child is on a school team and under the direction of a coach, a select few parents can become too involved with the team. “I think that parents nearly always have the best interests of their child in mind, but sometimes being too involved can lead to distractions or issues,” track coach Matt Brass said. Parents are often involved in helping the team function better, but Brass says that it is when they choose to focus on bettering just their own children and not the whole team that issues arise. “When a parent’s main or only focus is on their child’s performance, their child’s stats or their child’s success, then the parents behavior is damaging to the team as a whole,” Brass said. “Not just with their actions, but their attitude can also put their child in a touchy spot. The athlete can either start to emulate the same ‘me first’ attitude, or they are stuck between their parent and their
coach.” Softball coach Elizabeth HawkinsWilliams adds that parents interfering with the sport and the coaching provides a distraction for the athletes. “Student athletes can be easily distracted by their parents, whether they are in the stands, assisting or coaching, because of the emotional involvement their presence creates,” Hawkins-Williams said. Due to these distractions, the coach may be forced to divert their attention away from the team, which hurts their
cause parents have a crucial influence on their children’s behavior, they can assist with their development by positively cheering them on in the stands. “It is very important to have parents involved as positive supporters, spectators and fans of the team,” HawkinsWilliams said. “This is a great opportunity for parents to teach their child about appropriate behavior. If parents in the stands are positive, encouraging and poised during games, it is easier for the student athletes to learn and mirror that behavior on the field. The student athletes can be easily influenced by the moods of the crowd, so parents can help the players remain confident and positive during games by modeling those behaviors in the stands.” If parents do desire to become involved with the team, they are often encouraged to do so, but in a certain manner. “If parents want to help, they are given specific tasks that help the entire team, and they do not work directly and solely with their children,” Brass said. Though parents may sometimes become more involved in their children’s sports than is necessary, both HawkinsWilliams and Brass agree that they are a crucial asset to the teams. “Parent support is a major factor in an athlete’s success,” Brass said. “Being at competitions, cheering on their children in a positive way, this is a very important role that the parents can play in their child’s athletic participation.”
“Parents nearly always have the best interests of their child in mind, but sometimes being too involved can lead to distractions or issues.”
MATT BRASS, TRACK COACH
Erin Meek Lifestyles Editor I am looking forward to climbing on some real rock when spring hits. I have been cooped up inside for the past six months and my hands have been itching to get some real rock under them. Once all the snow melts, the Laclede rocks and Chimney rocks will hold some unique routes that will be perfect for starting out the season. Go climbers
Emerson Kanning Opinion Editor In the spring, as far as athletic activities go, I love to run. I think it’s just nice to be able to be in the warm sunshine and be outside, and running is something that I don’t really do very much during the winter. I also enjoy planting flowers and gardening with my mom. It makes me sound old, but I love seeing flowers outside my window.
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athletes. “Overbearing parents cause me to feel stress, worry, dread and become distracted,” Hawkins-Williams said. “I want to put the student athletes first, and overbearing or overly-involved parents make that difficult to do because they take the focus away from the student athletes and put it on themselves. It also damages the relationship between the coach and the parents, and the student-athlete becomes stuck in the middle. The student athlete will always lose in this scenario.” Hawkins-Williams added that be-
(T)WINNING TOGETHER Amy and April Clark strengthen their bond by playing tennis Ciena Christensen Web Editor Doubles on and off the court, twins and seniors Amy and April Clark continue to play in their fourth year on Sandpoint High School’s varsity tennis team. Both girls were inspired by their older sister, who played tennis throughout high school and shared her passion for the sport. After seeing their sister’s love of the sport, the Clark twins thought tennis would be an exciting option and decided to try it when entering high school. Joining the sport together allowed the Clark sisters to become doubles partners, a partnership that strengthened their relationship as siblings. The girls enjoy playing together and having a consistent partner to play with or against. “Playing together has really forced us to have better communication and work together as a team,” April Clark said. Participation in the sport over four years has not only strengthened their bond together, but allowed them to grow individually. “There’s less relying on other people like in a team sport. In tennis, it’s all about you and your skill,” Amy Clark said. “One thing I have learned in tennis is how to become stronger mentally because the sport is more mentally challenging than physically, so having a strong mindset when going into match-
Amy (left) and April (right) practice as a pair. | Photo by Ciena Christensen, Web Editor
es is really important.” Since tennis is both a partner and individual sport, April expressed that her involvement has helped her develop and better understand herself. “Tennis is a very individualized sport, and this has helped me understand that you can be your own team. You don’t need other teammates to help you grow because over the years I had to grow on my own,” April Clark said. Beginning the sport as a freshman, April initially found tennis challenging, but after her persistence, she grew to enjoy the activity and appreciated what she learned from her coach Kent Anderson. This led to April and her sister
achieving third at districts during their junior year. “I learned that tennis is not as easy as it looks, but once you get the hang of the technique, it is a lot of fun.” April Clark said. “I love tennis and have gained so much knowledge and passion for the sport.” The girls practice five to six times a week during the tennis season, and they try to practice as much as possible during the off season. Both of them strongly recommend the sport to anyone interested and plan to continue the lifelong sport as a hobby. “I don’t see myself ever stopping playing tennis,” Amy Clark said.
SPORTS
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DOUBLE SPORTS, DOUBLE TROUBLE
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MARATHON
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Seniors Hadley Marshall, Casey Shaha and Claire Shaha are training daily for marathon in June
Photo illustration by Saydee Brass, Photo Editor
Multi-sport athletes struggle to balance spring commitments Mya Darling, Web Staff Jezza Hutto, Sports Editor
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hen the spring sports season rolls around, many students are called upon to make a choice that could affect their future athletic careers. As freshman Olivia Lynch’s first spring season of high school sports arrives, she is experiencing conflict in this area. Lynch is torn between club soccer, with the Sandpoint Strikers, and high school track. She started playing soccer in the second grade, and has been a part of Sandpoint Strikers FC since she was nine years old. During the 2017 fall season, Lynch was on the junior varsity team. “I have more of my close friends on my soccer team and I have deeper roots with the Sandpoint Soccer Association,” Lynch said. In track, Lynch participates in high jump and the 400 meter dash; however, high jump is where she excels. She started doing track in middle school and her athleticism allowed her to quickly pick up on the technique of the high jump. “I want to do both because I want to meet new people and be able to have more athletic opportunities throughout my high school career,” Lynch said. Track season has begun and Lynch is currently participating in both soccer and track practices, working hard to find a balance. Though she has decided to do both, she expects it to be demanding, mentally and physically. “I’m most worried about time man-
agement,” Lynch said. “Soccer and track are at the same time every day, and on top of constantly missing one or the other, I am juggling school work, my social life, my family, and personal time.” Senior Noah Hastings also decided that rather than choosing one spring sport over another, he would work hard to be able to participate in both. He has been mastering the ability to balance two sports at the same time since his sophomore year. During the fall soccer season, Hastings was a captain of the boys varsity team. In past spring seasons he has played with Sandpoint Strikers FC, but this season he is guest playing for a Post Falls club team called Inferno.
lap, he is often faced with the decision of which event to attend. Typically, he chooses based on which one is more important for the team’s success. Hastings’ coaches are understanding of his busy schedule, and his tennis coach, Kent Anderson, is aware that his soccer career is priority because he plans to play in college. “We have a pretty good relationship so he’s okay with me choosing soccer over tennis,” Hastings said. Junior Yeo Won Yarnell has experienced doing both spring soccer and track, but after two years of this she realized the work load was too much, and is now focusing solely on soccer. “I still love track but I have a greater passion for soccer and that’s what I want to do in college so in order to get myself there, I had to choose between them,” Yarnell said. Yarnell has been playing soccer since she was in second grade. She played with Sandpoint Strikers FC in past years, and is currently playing with the Spokane Shadow Soccer Club. She originally started track to stay in shape for soccer, but ended up making state for the 800 meter and creating many close connections with her teammates. She later decided to sacrifice track in pursuit of her soccer career. “It was pretty rough doing both at the same time because the practice times would often conflict with each other,” Yarnell said. “Last season I had a really hard time because I never got any rest which hurt my performance in both sports.”
“[I’m] constantly missing one or the other, [while] juggling school work, my social life, my family, and personal time.”
OLIVIA LYNCH, FRESHMAN Besides for some tennis lessons in elementary school, Hastings started tennis his sophomore year and excelled naturally, making varsity his first year. Along with soccer, he has also received the title of captain. “I find leadership and communication an easy thing for me so captaining both teams isn’t one of the biggest challenges,” Hastings said. “[The hardest part] is mostly finding my own time to do school work.” Hastings has tennis practice four times a week and soccer twice a week. When the two sports’ schedules over-
SHS TACKLES RUGBY Rugby is introduced to Sandpoint High School as club sport
Left, SHS rugby team poses for a photo. Right, SHS rugby and opposing team meet at the line. | Courtesy Photos
Grace Hicks Web Staff Most people think rugby is a twist on American football, but really it is the other way around. Rugby is a sport that has been played by both men and women since 1823, but recently it’s gained recognition in Sandpoint by community members and students at Sandpoint High School. Dan Chamberlain, a coach at CrossFit Sandpoint, has coached wrestling in Florida and even 7th and 8th grade football teams here in North Idaho, but he wasn’t having much success. He decided to bring the non traditional sport of rugby, along with his knowledge and passion for the game, to the community while still staying connected with the students. Chamberlain played rugby in the Navy for three years and also played semi-pro in Florida. He explained that rugby has no set body shape or personality types, but rather everyone is ac-
cepted and welcomed. “There is a spot for everyone,” Chamberlain said. “They all get to tackle, run, score points and play defense.” Junior Dylan Baillie joined the team to try something different and because he was influenced by his dad. His father grew up in South Africa playing rugby and Baillie jumped on the opportunity when the program came to Sandpoint. “The team involvement and spirit is unlike any other sport I have ever been a part of,” Baillie said. Freshman Keith Jensen became a member of the rugby team because he wanted to try something new and he hopes that the experience will make him a better football player. However, rugby is different than most sports and can be difficult to learn. “Learning a new sport is hard,” said Jensen. “We go over the basics in practice and try to have fun while doing it.” The rugby team recently went to the Tri-Cities for a jamboree against five other teams. Since there are only
11 members, they have to play seven-aside for half the time. Traditionally, rugby is played 15-a-side and has a running clock of 60 minutes. “This [ jamboree] gave them to opportunity to play and see what full speed rugby looks like, against kids that actually play rugby,” Chamberlain said. “It was a trial by fire, but they learned real quick and got good fast.” Both Baillie and Jensen plan on playing through the rest of high school and maybe even in college. This is a fastgrowing sport and gives rugby players many chances to compete in college as there are many scholarships available. Chamberlain expressed that most collegiate rugby players started playing in college, so having the opportunity in high school will make players that much better. Chamberlain encourages anyone who is interested to try rugby. “There is no deadline to sign up,” Chamberlain said. “I guarantee you will have fun, and if it something you want to do, join the team and start playing.”
Marshall and Shahas during daily run. | Photo by Jezza Hutto, Sports Editor
Jezza Hutto Sports Editor Summer break is right around the corner and for seniors Hadley Marshall, Casey Shaha and Claire Shaha, plans consist of running their first marathon, which is 26.2 miles. They will participate in the Kings San Juan Island Marathon on June 17. The San Juan Islands are an archipelago off the coast of Northern Washington. In middle school, the three were members of cross country and track but during high school, Marshall and the Shahas only played soccer. With very little long distance running experience, they are taking the necessary measures to be ready for the marathon in June. They have created a training schedule that has them running almost every day of the week. They usually run around Dover or in town. Marshall and the Shahas have been training for the marathon since the beginning of February. On Sundays and Wednesdays, they run eight to twelve miles and on the other days of the week they run somewhere between three to seven miles. “I never thought I would enjoy running but it’s nice to be able to get outside and hear the birds chirping,” Casey Shaha said. “We also get a lot of time to think and talk while we’re running.” Marshall and the Shahas are not only looking forward to the mental and physical challenge, but also the weather, the scenery and the perks that come with running a marathon. “I’m excited to be able to say I’ve ran a marathon but I’m mostly excited for the tee shirt that we get,” Marshall said. For some, running a marathon calls for intense competition but for these three, the reward is greater than just a winning medal. They all agree that they aren’t running to win but rather to feel a sense of accomplishment for finishing it. “It keeps us busy, and forces us to stay in really good shape for a long time,” Casey Shaha said. “Our goal is just to finish in four to five hours.” Training for a marathon, despite if one is training to win or not, can be very taxing mentally and physically, but Marshall and the Shahas have already noticed a change in their stamina since they started training in February. “At first we could barely run the first three miles without stopping to walk every 400 feet, and now we can run ten miles without stopping,” Claire Shaha said. As the date nears, the nerves increase. Although they are confident in their abilities, it will be Marshall’s and the Shahas’ first times to the San Juan Islands so are they are unfamiliar with the terrain of the course. They are also planning to run the Bloomsday Marathon, and some other half-marathons to prepare. Everything that a marathon entails is foreign to these three, but with the months of training and mentally preparing, they expect to be ready when the time comes. “We heard that the first 20 miles go by pretty quickly and aren’t too bad and then the last six miles are really hard,” Marshall said. “Since we’ll only run up to 20 miles in training, we’re basically winging the last six.”
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ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PRIDE SHS students explain why they are proud of their school of origin. Cienna Roget, Managing Editor
Farmin Stidwe ll
Kootenai
“This school is the best because it ha s the most wonderful te achers who teach you the most important th ings in a fun manner fo r elementary stud ents. My favorite memory is th e “Sock Hop.” Ellie McCray Senior
“I have pride in my elementary school because it’s great and pirates are the best mascot. My favorite memory was when we played with scooters in PE.” Zoey Barajas Sophomore
Wald o
rf
“My f scho avorite p o a of ex l was the rt of the pres fr s ion t eedom gave h coop us. We w at they ed er ing t up insid en’t ests, e tak we alwa ys ou were tside doin , g on a handsctivi t ies, craft in discu g, and ssing .” Sonc ir Mitc ey hell Seni or
Sagle
Northside
“What made my school the best was the diversity and the fact that I got to see how many different kinds of people there were in a little school with only 250 people.” Olivia Lynch Freshman
Southside
“My favorite part of elementary school was definitely recess, tether ball, and basketball on the playground was the best. The great teachers I had at Southside are what made it a good experience.” Jaxon Pettit Sophomore
my elemen“I have pride in use it gave ca be ol ho tary sc mething so of me a sense because of d ou pr be to of the we had some and es et best athl of we won most .” ts ee m ck the tra Nathan Dotson Freshman
ton g n i h Was s the ool i as h c s y ew nk m ther fun “I thi ecause rs, e h b c best ome tea ot to go g s awe and we en the , kids utherhav f any to L st out o .” e ls long r schoo othe e Pecha Chlo nior Ju