ARHS InFlight Newspaper March 2014

Auburn Riverside Student Voice MARCH 25, 2014 • VOLUME 19• ISSUE #5

Vandalism or Art? See Page 4

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Opinion

InFlight Mar 25, 2014

TV’s survival hinges on subscriptions Cameron Fairchild STAFF REPORTER With the advent of the internet’s multiplying streaming services and original shows, people have begun to turn off their TVs for something more convenient: streaming shows on their computers. As a result, networks are scrambling to come up with hits, holding on to the few that remain and accepting lower and lower viewerships as “good enough” to keep other shows on the air.

It makes sense that the public is fed up with watching TV on TV. Basic networks, such as CBS, ABC, and NBC, are constrained by the “season,” a roughly 13-26 week chunk of time. This used to be just fine back when 26 episodes were commissioned per season, but most shows are now given a 22 episode order. To fill in the gaps, two or even three weeks are taken off between new installments of network programs. Even basic cable channels, like FX and AMC, perform this practice. AMC in particular divided up the last 16 episodes of Breaking Bad, playing eight in 2012 and eight in 2013, literally separating the final season over a year to make up for its dearth of quality original programming; this tactic is once more being used to extend Mad Men’s final 14 episode seventh season. And of course, everybody

hates when commercials interrupt their favorite shows.

In the midst of this mass migration, a few channels have remained unperturbed.

Why? Well, in the case of HBO, which was among the first ever pay-cable television networks, its programs are financed by subscription fees. HBO’s subscription fee assures enough revenue for the channel that it doesn’t have to advertise or seek sponsors, so the channel only advertises itself. HBO programs also air one episode per week, but without hiatuses within their shows’ seasons.

HBO’s commercial freedom also allows for greater individuality in its programming.

This allows for the rise of television auteurs, or individuals who shape and control every part of their creation. While indepen-

dent movies made outside of Hollywood are a great example of singular artistic visions, platforms like HBO and other cable channels have a broader base to distribute those visions than a man with a small marketing budget and a limited theatrical release.

Free of corporate philandering, HBO and similarly styled media outlets are refreshing in their ability to produce art. HBO is, after all, the channel that gave us The Wire and The Sopranos, two shows that are universally acclaimed as TV’s best.

The face of television is rapidly changing as more people flock to the internet.

While I don’t wholeheartedly support binge watching your favorite shows, I appreciate that new online channels derive their business models from HBO, which remains, both financially and critically, the king of TV.

HSPE wastes time Claire Bedsworth STAFF REPORTER On March 18, 19, and 20, all sophomores took the High School Proficiency Exam to test their reading and writing skills. Passing the test is a requirement for graduation. The HSPE is an unnecessary, irrelevant exam for students who are far above the standards.

This is yet another standardized test designed to place all students on the same level of academic ability. For students in AP and honors classes, this test is a sheer waste of time. The time spent taking the test could be put to better use learning at a more challenging level.

Tests like the HSPE are used to prove the overall capabilities of American students, yet the difficulty of the test is significantly reduced, thus producing higher scores. The test scores are used to compete with foreign countries, but if the test itself is dumbed down, the higher scores are meaningless.

Standardized tests like the HSPE became a part of American education with the No Child Left Behind Act. They were designed to improve the overall quality of education, but with such low standards the overall quality is not much higher.

There are some advantages to the HSPE, however. Most notably, freshmen, juniors and seniors can sleep in when the test is taking place. For students who do not pass the first time, retake opportunities are available.

The #PCMasterRace: A master class in hypocrisy, arrogance Dylan Johnston STAFF REPORTER #PCMasterRace, filthy console peasants, and the hierarchy of the PC gamers.

Clearly this is a reason to be an ignorant cultest, Wrong. This is no reason at all to go out of your way to be a prick that knows nothing about building a computer let alone know what each of the parts does.

I guarantee if you ask some random PC gamer what parts their computer has they will respond with “I have a quad core and a Nvidia GTX 99999 Super Turbo Edition and 100 sticks of RAM.” Yet they always miss the other impor-

InFlight

editor-in-chief Mackenzie Brown business manager Karlee Johnson photographer Dylan Johnston social media editor Jude Hanno cover illustration Eric Walker adviser Patrick Swenson

staff reporters Claire Bedsworth Mackenzie Brown Cameron Fairchild Jude Hanno Karlee Johnson Dylan Johnston Sara Koenig Jacob Lonergan Maddie Nassirian Jessica Perez Sasha Terry Alex Vasquez Eric Walker

tant parts like the power supply, sound card, motherboard, or other vital parts of the computer. Did you build it yourself?

Most of the time people build them, but there is that small percent who bought one prebuilt and know nothing on how to build one. Those are the people who think they know everything about PC gaming. They are the Miguided peasents so to say.

Most of all, playing on a computer does not mean you have more skill than everyone else. It just means you have to compensate the fact that you suck. The only hard part about playing on a keyboard and mouse is the transition from playing on a controller. Some might say playing on a keyboard and mouse gives you more control over what you do in game, and make it easier to do more at once. Yet the same

InFlight policies InFlight is compiled by the student newspaper staff at Auburn Riverside High School, 501 Oravetz Road, Auburn, WA 98092.

The InFlight staff strives to maintain accurate and objective reporting for our stories. However, opinion stories are included. Any commentary which is signed by the author accounts for his or her opinion only, and not necessarily that of anyone else on staff. An unsigned editorial reflects the majority opinion of the InFlight staff.

InFlight accepts student, faculty, and community members’ letters to the editor,

control can be found playing with a controller, and you won’t have to strain yourself and risk getting carpal tunnel playing on a console.

Gaming is meant to be enjoyed by all, it does not matter what platform you play on or what genre of games you like to play. So if you play on PC, great.

Have fun, and don’t try to rub it in to other people. Whoop de dooodle do, you got an expensive machine built for gaming.

That does not mean you are better than everyone else. You can buy a gaming machine for half the price. That’s right, its called a console.

PHOTO COURTESY CREATIVE COMMONS LICENSE, FLICKR.COM

Gabe Newell, the head of Valve, is the idol of the #PCMasterRace.

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Opinion

Auburn Riverside High School

CON Alex Vasquez STAFF REPORTER

Technology has become a very important part of our everyday lives. Phones, iPods, iPads, and computers are all around us.

Many people believe that all this unlimited access to addicting games at our fingertips is a blessing. But is it really?

Students love to be on their phones, some more than others. Sometimes they’re texting or tweeting, but most of the time they’re playing addicting games before, after, or even during classes. “I play every day whenever I can,” sophomore Sierra Rader said. “Usually between classes.”

With having easy access to games, students often lose themselves in them.

This may lead to not paying attention in classes, getting their phones taken away, and even just the lack of motivation to do their homework. Some students may even fall behind.

“It really does affect my school work, but only because I procrastinate,” Rader admitted.

Recently, the game called Flappy Bird was introduced to the app store. It was a huge hit, although not in the most positive way. Flappy Bird is a game, where you tap the screen to get a pixelized bird through holes in pipes. The game proved to be very difficult for some users, but some users found it easy. This caused many teens to actually start competing to see who got the

highest score, and bragging about them to others by posting the score on every social media site out there.

On top of that, it seems to me that everyone is always inviting me to download and play a game with them on Facebook.

First of all, this is extremely annoying because when I see a notification on my phone I get excited, mostly because I think people want to talk to me, but my hopes are dashed because people just want me to join so they can get points or whatever. I don’t have the time or the room on my phone to play Candy Crush! Find someone who actually cares.

“I hate when people invite me on Facebook,” sophomore Sierra Rader said.

No matter how you look at it, there is hardly anything positive about phone games to me.

Pro

Mackenzie Brown EDITOR-IN-CHEIF The best thing about addicting phone games is that if they’re addicting, they’re good, and if they’re good they’re popular.

It’s fun to play a game that everyone else is playing. You can compare scores or even get your entire class to play it at the same time. Everybody knows what it is so you never have to ask anyone if they’ve heard of it.

The effect of addicting games wears off at one point. I mean, there are still

people who play Candy Crush…but it won’t last forever, and the hype has definitely worn off.

Addicting games give you something to do besides sit on your phone and refresh your Twitter every ten seconds. Whether it’s something meaningless or something that takes a lot of time, games give you something to do.

As sad as it is, stupid phone games can teach important skills, or at least allow people to practice them. Let’s say your plants on Hay Day will be ready to harvest at noon, and by 12:30 they’ll be rotten. Well, now you’ve got a deadline, and if you are committed enough to the game, you won’t be late. And then maybe the next day, when you have plans at 8:00, you’ll show up early.

Nowadays, everyone has a smart phone. It’s pretty rare to come across someone who can’t get popular apps on their phone, or even iPod. It’s intriguing to think that two people, completely across the country, are playing the same stupid game. But hey, it’s common ground.

Addicting games might seem dumb, and they really are. But they’re fun and they’re pointless. Sometimes they’re even good to take your mind of the stress of the things in the world that really do matter.

Like a distraction, but a distraction that’s good for your well being and keeps you from going crazy.

We shouldn’t be thinking so seriously about games. I mean, sure they have negative effects, but nothing overwhelming enough to consider them anything more than pointless and fun.

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PHOTO BY KARLEE JOHNSON

One negative result of games that are too addicting is that they can evoke anger in some students, sometimes causing broken phones.

One positive result is that they can often help students take their minds off the stress they might be dealing with.

Restricting class sizes benefits students, teachers Cameron Fairchild STAFF REPORTER

the most focused and dedicated learning experiences of my life. A class whose difficulty had been mythologized by dozens of At the beginning of the year, I was former juniors became one of the easiest placed amongst roughly twenty students in and most enjoyable hours of my day. history teacher Bruce Diehl’s AP US History At the end of the semester, the district cancelled the class. Economically, it’s impractical to allow such a small class to continue, and in the end, most of its students were compounded with another U.S. History class into a gigantic class that currently exceeds thirty students.

While I can’t justify spending on classes that are too small, I also can’t support such a gross enlargement of classes. Small classes foster learning in ways larger classes cannot, and if anything, we should keep classes as close to the minimum attendance requirements as possible.

“Smaller classes give you more closeness with a few people and a closer connection with the teacher,” junior Dax Tate said.

I wholeheartedly agree with this sentiment. A closer, more direct link to teachers and students is incredibly important in increasing comfort PHOTO BY CAMERON FAIRCHILD and community among the student body, a value constantly and clamorStudents in smaller classes gain individualized attention and stronger social interatction class. However, as the district had forced some kids into the class against their knowledge, many dropped out in the first few weeks of school.

By the third week sixteen students remained. As a result, I experienced one of

ously sought and upheld by the school district, teachers, and our own ASB. On a more academic level, being closer to a teacher makes it less awkward to ask them questions or for help.

Furthermore, in the words of Tate, “Larger classes are louder.” While this truth may be simple, it implies and supports the fact that, overall, larger classes are often unfocused. A more direct focus is of course vastly important in communicating lessons and ideas to students in all classes, but nowhere is this more apparent than in AP. If these classes hope to get through all of the oftentimes vast material covered on the various AP tests they strive to prepare students for, then this focus is immediately imperative in raising and maintaining the strong test scores that the school district, colleges, and students place such immense importance on. An increased focus could also greatly benefit struggling students.

In the hopes of raising test scores, providing students with a more focused curriculum, and fostering a sense of community between students and teachers, our school should make a conscious effort to limit class sizes.

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Opinion

InFlight Mar 25, 2014

Street artists muddle vandalism claims Eric Walker STAFF REPORTER Street art in a simple sense shouldn’t be considered as harsh a crime as others because ordinary people are trying to express the way that they feel about certain things and promote themselves as well as their artwork to a broader audience. Street art and graffiti, in some cases, can shape cities and inspire new art.

Although there is a fine line between street art and vandalism, street art usually brings color and creativity to sometimes dull plain streets and buildings.

What some artists can do with a spray can or a stencil and maybe a couple stickers is beautiful, and is how many new up and coming artists are expressing themselves.

Famous street artists like Banksy, Shepard Fairey (creator of Obey), and Invader are bringing this niche of art to the mainstream and presenting it to wide audiences.

Banksy in particular likes to promote his art by having short stints in major cities like London, New York, or Los Angeles. He has somewhat of a satire approach to issues all across the spectrum from human rights to censorship. Shepard Fairey started out by putting up giant sticker mural illustrations that he created all over Los Angeles and throughout the world; many of his de-

signs are recognizable today because of his clothing company Obey.

Invader, a Parisian artist, was an early pioneer in the scene, and put up many giant “Space Invader” character figures all over.

All of the artists I mentioned vary in the way that they express themselves differently, but they all relate to modern art in the streets.

Graffiti, another form of street art, is much more recognizable because it can be found almost anywhere now, from under an overpass to a mural in a gallery.

Originally starting in New York City in the 1970s as a way for people living in poorer neighborhoods to express themselves, graffiti quickly spread throughout the nation and the world.

Yes, some graffiti is tied to criminal activity and violence, and is often considered vandalism.

But at what point is street art considered a crime? “It depends if it’s good art, like if they actually put time into it, then it’s not vandalism,” senior Jeric Guinto said.

School temperatures frigid and tries to get the school back to 68 degrees. With all this cold air circulating, we aren’t even at a reasonable temperature The Auburn School District is currently anymore. How exactly are the students supsupposed to be keeping the schools at a posed to learn, if all they can concentrate nice, refreshing 68 degrees. As I have re- on is not dying of coldness? cently learned, that is definitely not the The school was told that the district case here at Riverside. would send a crew down here to check on The district has a set requirement that the system over the summer. If the system fresh air has to flow into classrooms every is not functioning well, they might finally 20 minutes or so to maintain a good learn- make an effort to fix it. For now, most ing environment and help concentration. If teachers are trying to block out cold air any way they can. “I’ve seen teachers place heavy paper on the vents to deflect the cold air,” assistant principal Frank Ramirez said.

Science teacher Edmund Valentin places an ice pack on his thermostat when his room gets cold.

This makes the system think the room is cold, and it blows out warm air. Once his room gets warm enough, he simply ILLUSTRATION BY DYLAN JOHNSTON removes the ice pack. His Riverside’s cold temperatures cause many to mistake the school for a idea would in many ways frozen wasteland. be useful to most teachers in this building. ice cold air is considered “fresh,” they are The district is not willing to comprocertainly doing their job. mise or raise the temperature unless they The air vents, especially the ones get enough complaints about the coldness. downstairs, have been circulating noth- This being said, if any of your classrooms ing but cold air. I’m not even sure cold is a are freezing, I highly suggest you to tell proper word in this case. If the school gets your parent to call and complain. Together even one degree warmer, the AC turns on, we can change the district’s mind.

Jessica Perez STAFF REPORTER

Although, senior Patty Namsapanan disagreed and said, “It can be art as long as it’s on their own property...if you don’t own the property then it’s vandalism...there’s a time and a place for it.” Which makes sense too; if it’s degrading to wherever the artist

is doing his or her work then it is vandalism.

Graffiti is also commonly associated with gangs and gang-related violence. Some people say that when it ties into gang issues then it is a crime.

“Gang-related street art is a crime,” senior Mason Fox said.

However, the most complex lettering and overall amazing looking forms of graffiti are done by taggers (or spray can artists). Sometimes their art is seen as associating with gangs. More common than not, taggers are just artists with a spray can and an idea.

What some artists can do on the streets with a spray can or stencils is incredible.

If that kind of art isn’t recognized then artists with these ideas will keep going to the streets to show the world what they can do.

Hopefully one day street artists will attain a gallery of their own and be recognized for the visionaries that they are.

PHOTO COURTESY CREATIVE COMMONS LICENSE, WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

No privacy in PDA Jude Hanno STAFF REPORTER As we all know, the hallways at school here tend to get a little crowded. Imagine walking from class to class and witnessing one of the most awkward and horrifying things you can see when you group over two thousand hormonal teenagers together: PDA. PDA, otherwise known as public displays of affection, plays a huge part in the lives of high school teens. Whether you participate in it, see it, or are absolutely repulsed by it, there’s no way you don’t witness it happening.

Although people of all ages participate affectionately in a public environment, it does occur most in teenagers, especially at a high school level where the amount of physical connection isn’t incredibly enforced.

PDA can be both good and bad. It’s like a statement to the people around you of who you are with, and it shows that you’re not afraid to show off the person you love.

But how much is too much?

It’s too much when the people crowding around you have begun to get uncomfortable with the fact that two people are so intimate right in front of them. It’s too much when you and your significant other are so close, that it just looks like you’re one giant person. It’s too much when you’re crowding up the hallways and stopping the flow of student traffic that we all know can

be quite irritating.

Our school’s administrators have set a plethora of rules to prevent PDA from happening, such as going only as far as holding hands or a quick hug. Although these rules exist, they are certainly not forcibly prevented. Walking through the hallways, it’s incredibly difficult to avoid seeing couples swapping spit.

PDA can be nice at times, because seeing two people happy together is cute.

There’s nothing wrong with holding hands with someone you care about and love. There’s nothing wrong with a quick peck or maybe a long hug. But some things should be kept in private, such as what your tongues look like intertwined together.

Junior Hannah Swanson dislikes PDA, and believes “that’s something you can do in your own privacy. It’s gross!”

Junior Gerardo Cisneros agrees that it’s going too far if couples are doing things that require privacy.

PDA is the most irritating part of going to high school everyday. It’s something horrifying that can’t be avoided. Participating in PDA makes the people around you, whether you know it or not, incredibly uncomfortable.

No one wants to go about their everyday stressful high school lives and have to pause for even one second to see two people they don’t know being intimate in the corner of the hallway.

Opinion

Auburn Riverside High School

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Former Disney stars face constant negative exposure Jacob Lonergan STAFF REPORTER Sara Koenig STAFF REPORTER

these girls’ behavior, but it’s also not right to insult and mock them, either. Many of these girls feed off of negative criticism to fuel their reckless lifestyles. They are all When you hear Disney, you think of the victims of childhood stardom, which princesses and fairy tales and recall that exposes dozens of young people to the mertheir relative flawlessness is only cenary Hollywood system every year. The impeded by an evil stepsibling or farther gone they get, the less likely they two on their way to happiness. are to fade from stardom.

Of course, the real world is The attacks on these girls, between far crueler, and the real life Disthe tabloids, the media, and simple word ney princesses are more flawed of mouth, is quite frankly overwrought. and human than the animated Cyrus’ father himself has gone on record creations we see on screen. calling his own daughter an unsalvageable When you think of former Disney wreck. But Miley Cyrus is only in her 20s. channel stars, for instance, you’ll To some, she’s screwed up. Everybody does. probably never forget the girl The young girls they are allegedly affectwho twerked at the VMAs with ing with their crass attibutchered pigtails and a foam finPHOTOS COURTESY CREATIVE COMMONS LICENSE, FLICKR.COM AND WIKIMEDIA COMMONS tudes have mostly grown ger. A decade ago you might have up, and if the news really thought of a girl drunk driving, cared about saving these stealing, and serving jail time for stars public image for the her mistakes. Yes, that’s right, good of the kids, they I’m talking about Miley Cyrus and wouldn’t direct such rapt Lindsay Lohan, two of the most attention towards their wrongfully demonized celebrities follies in the first place. of the past decade. And what do The media’s need to all of these celebrities have in report every part of every common? Drugs, alcohol, and a celebrities’ life is already completely ruined image. obnoxious and overbearThe most recent in the long ing as it is. If we condone list of Disney scandals is of course the way it treats these Miley Cyrus, and with her launch people, who have done of the Bangerz tour only shock has no more harm than the surmised. Increasing attention rest of us, then we might is being drawn to an event that as well just be walking took place on Feb. 16 when ‘We TMZs. Can’t Stop’ singer, Miley Cyrus Lindsay Lohan gives little to no consideration into her Miley Cyrus flaunts her new and wild image on her Bangerz 2014 tour with several eccentric and small costumes.

Life is hard. It’s hardput a fan’s thong in her mouth. personal appearance as she makes her way around er when you’re expected This brazen star has lost her fi- town. to be an icon and virtually disallowed from ance, her friends, and her dignity on ator. Then again, art is literally any form of shed themselves of their kid friendly im- ever making a mistake. It’s wrong to attack her rise to fame and fall to shame. age, while possibly confusing quite a few these women, or anyone really, and it’s “Even though parents probably won’t creativity. time to stop.

But Miley is not the only Disney star go- kids along the way. think this, I think my show is very educaIt’s definitely not right to advocate tional to kids,” said Cyrus in an interview ing to lengths such as these. While she is with The Huffington Post. “They’re going to be exposed to art most people don’t know about.”

Apparently this ‘art’ includes giving Katy Perry a surprise smooch and simulating oral sex with a Bill Clinton imperson-

the newest up and comer, there were many before her. Lindsay Lohan is one of the most well known of the Disney has-beens. Lohan started her Disney career in 1998 in the movie Parent Trap. Several Disney movies, arrests, failed probations, and DUI’s later, she’s at least trying to recover. While those are just a few of the main Disney Stars, there are many others who starred in raunchy roles just to have the kid-friendly image of them changed. Brenda Song in a bit of a racy scene in The Social Network, both Vanessa Hudgens and Selena Gomez on a sex and drug binge in Spring Breakers, and Ashley Tisdale simulating sex with a potted plant in Scary Movie 5. It makes you wonder just how far these stars will go just to

Zero period classes swell with dedicated students Alex Vasquez STAFF REPORTER Many zero period classes are available to the students here. Most of them include jazz band, vocal jazz, weight training, advanced leadership for ASB, and for LDS students, seminary is also available. Most of the classes begin pretty early, around 7 a.m. and end shortly before 8 a.m.

I call these students among the most dedicated of the student body.

Many students take these extra classes to help make their schedule a little more flexible, so they can take more classes that they want. “Taking one gives me a chance to have more electives in my schedule,” sophomore Abby Gooch said.

Doing so also opens up students’ schedules so they can explore different classes and possibly find something that relates to a future career.

Students take zero periods for a variety of reasons. Most students take them so that they can still do things that they enjoy, without having to crowd up their schedule

and worry about credits. “I take one because I like to play jazz music,” freshman Evan Polkow said.

Others of course may have other ideas in mind. “I take one because it boosts my

GPA,” sophomore Lexi Mey said. “Also, because it looks really good on my transcript.”

Taking a zero period has many perks, but it also has a few downers as well. In addition to having another class you have to do things for, you also have to wake up really early, and get to school early and on time. This may prove especially difficult for many underclassmen, who have to depend on their parents for rides.

“I may not take a zero period next year,” Mey said.

“It all depends on my parents.”

Also, with waking up early there comes some consequences. Some stuPHOTO BY CAMERON FAIRCHILD dents find it hard to stay awake in class even when A select few members of the student body, such as senior Jacob they only get up at 7 a.m.

Spracklin, show up early every morning to attend their first of seven periods.

Others just feel slow and groggy. But this just shows how much you have to dedicate yourself to your education in order to succeed. “It’s super hard to wake up so early in the morning,” sophomore Kyle Sutrick said.

“But it’s really worth it.”

Waking up earlier also takes a lot of responsibility. You have to go to bed early in order to get enough sleep in, so you don’t fall asleep in any of your classes. You also have to get up early enough to still eat breakfast and get ready for the whole day. I believe that students who take a zero period are very dedicated. They have to give up a couple of hours of sleep just to come to school before anyone else. They also have to keep up with more homework sometimes.

Although taking an extra class in the morning may seem “nerdy” or “uncool,” but it most definitely seems worth it. But it is always just up to you, because this is your education and your future. Plus, you’re the one who has to take the classes. Why not take an extra one to enjoy?

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News

InFlight Mar 25, 2014

Prom plans culminate Technology Levy passes Sasha Terry STAFF REPORTER On Saturday, April 19, seniors will dance the night away at the annual Senior Prom.

As in previous years, the annual event will be held at the Experience Music Project Museum, or EMP, in Seattle. The event will start at 8:00 p.m. and wrap up around 11:00 p.m.

Options for the event were decided upon by the senior class. Language Arts teacher Susan Neu also is helping to coordinate the event.

This year, the prom theme is “Happily Ever After,” an intentional callback that ties in with the 2013 Homecoming theme,

“Once Upon a Time.”

The song for prom is called “A Thousand Years” by Christina Perri, and auditions for the song will be held on March 26. Auditions will be open to all participating students.

There will be open nominations for the prom King and Queen. Every senior can nominate who can be on the ballot. The top senior nominees will be on the last ballot and the winners will be revealed on the night of Prom.

The senior class has put a lot of hard work into planning this year’s Prom. If you’re a senior, come support that effort by buying a ticket and attending the Prom this April.

PHOTO COURTESY CREATIVE COMMONS LICENSE, FLICKR.COM

The location of Senior Prom, the Experience Music Project Museum, was created in 2000 by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen and it features several unique and abstract designs.

Jacob Lonergan STAFF REPORTER

On February 11, 2014, the Board of Directors set aside $22,000,000 for a technological levy that will replace an old levy that took place in 2005.

This levy will last six years. According to the Auburn School District website, a staff of community members, parents, and teachers deemed this an important levy to improve the education of the students.

This levy is necessary “to bring 21st century learning tools into the classroom.”

There is no doubt that technology is a huge part of our lives. In fact, 1 in every 5 people own a smartphone nowadays.

To keep up with the times and bring student attention back to education, school districts are moving to bringing more and more technology into schools.

But what about all the “electronic free zone” signs that we’ve grown up seeing in classrooms throughout our educational careers? Well, all that is changing with the passing of the $22 million technology levy for the Auburn School District.

The levy is a plan to distribute the money over the next six years to be spent on new technology and electronics for students to use. The levy even promises to have a laptop/tablet available for every student to use.

The plan for the levy was brought up last year by a 40-member committee of parents, staff, and community members to replace the 2005 tech levy voting. It passed with a vote of 55.6%.

This group of members is known as the Auburn School District Ad Hoc committee, and their focus centers on infrastructure, access by students and staff, high yield strategies for increasing student learning, and funding for technology and support.

Each topic earns their own subcommitee under the District Ad Hoc. Focusing on infrastructure, the subcommittee reviewed the issues concerning their easy accessing to network services, and how there was no “walk-up” to connect to any ASD network.

To review access by students and staff, a few reccomendations were made to fit the future needs of the schools to access online resources, and the levy will make more online resources available to all schools in the district.

There was also a high yield strategy for increasing student learning. This provides more feasable applications that could further a students education and aid them in their future plans after high school.

The final subcommittee focus on the funding and money of the levy operation.

This focus relied on not only buying new technology, but funding the easiest ways to use them and making sure an amount of money goes to the support and services of the new products that will be purchased.

According to this committee, the technology levy is “integral to administration and teaching and learning to prepare all students for career, college, and life beyond high school.”

Not only will we be getting a surplus of new technology, another addition to the technology is that there will be wireless access connections in all public school buildings.

Many teachers have been pushing for added technology for a long time, and they’re ecstatic about the passing of the levy.

For more information, visit the Auburn Wednet website and explore all the new recommendations that are associated with the new levy.

Seahawks fly away Students support Konkler Sara Koenig STAFF REPORTER Less than a month ago, Golden Tate visited Auburn Riverside when the school won a contest by submitting pledges towards not texting and driving. His visit and the cause were both sponsored by Verizon Wireless, who he partnered with to end the practice.

Shortly afterwards, Tate, who went on record several times hoping to make a deal with the Seahawks for next season, has instead joined with the Detroit Lions. This isn’t the only transfer from the Seahawks.

Aside from Golden Tate, Breno Giacomini, a tackle, signed with the New York Jets.

Clinton McDonald, another defensive tackle, signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Chris Clemons, a defensive end, signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Joseph “Red” Bryant, another defensive end, also signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Chris Maragos, a football safety, signed with the Philadelphia Eagles.

Walter Thurmond III, a cornerback, signed with the New York Giants, and Brandon Browner, another cornerback, signed with the New England Patriots.

Michael Bennett, a defensive lineman, re-signed with Seattle on March 10, Tony McDaniel, a defensive tackle, re-signed on March 12. Steven Hauschka, the Seahawks’ placekicker, re-signed on March 17.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, several new recruits have been announced to join the Seahawks next season.

Ex-Green Bay Packer Jermichael Finley recently signed with the Seahawks.

Ex-Arizona Cardinal O’Brien Schofield also recently signed.

Punter, Jon Ryan and wide receiver, Doug Baldwin Jr. have not confirmed whether they will continue playing for the Seattle Seahawks or sign with another team.

Very likely this is the student body’s most prominent focus. At the moment, due to the printing date, we, the newspaper staff, do not know the decision of these two athletes.

Sara Koenig STAFF REPORTER Nick Konkler is a junior here, and his AML, acute myeloid leukemia, has caused many within our Raven family to want to help out in any way that they can.

The impact on his family and friends has been massive, and according to his mother, Christina Konkler, “it’s isolated him from his family and friends. He can’t be around people, PHOTO BY CAMERON FAIRCHILD we have to limit his visitors.”

Student support has been strong The design of Nick Konkler’s charity T-shirt. After one throughout his struggle, from writing day of sales, the available shirts sold out. well-wishes on paper hearts to celebrating him at the Golden Tate assembly.

The most recent way Ravens showed They have two goals in mind with this support was through a T-shirt fundraiser fundraiser, Hart said. “The first goal is recently conducted by seniors Skyler Erben through Nick’s ‘big climb team,’ which is a and Derek Hart, as well as teacher Kelly team goal that they will donate to the leuJensen and Christina Konkler. kemia and lymphoma society and once that Erben and Hart met with Nick Konkler goal is met all profits will go towards the to design the T-shirts and with his and his Konkler family.” family’s help created the finished product.

News

Auburn Riverside High School

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Annual Food Drive combats hunger Sara Koenig STAFF REPORTER

Claire Bedsworth STAFF REPORTER It’s that time of year again, when the annual blood drive returns to Riverside. On April 2 and 3 the Blood Drive will be coming for the second time this year to collect blood donations for needy patients.

The Sports Medicine class will be hosting the Cascade Regional Blood Services at Auburn Riverside to collect the blood.

According to the American Red Cross, a single donation can save up to three lives.

Despite the fact that 38% of the population is eligible for donation, less than 10% actually donates.

Someone in the United States needs blood every two seconds, and 41,000 donations are needed every day.

Which is incredibly difficult to provide for all the patients in need for blood.

The human body contains 10 pints of blood on average. Donors give one pint during donation. The blood replaces itself, allowing donation to be possible once every two months.

Donation is open to students at least 16 years old, weigh at least 110 pounds, and have healthy iron and blood pressure levels.

Students under 18 will need written permission from a parent or guardian to donate. Eating a balanced meal before donation is recommended, and donors need to avoid caffeinated beverages.

Valid identification is required for donation. Donors with certain medical conditions that pose a risk to the person receiving the blood will not be able to donate.

There are many plus signs to donating blood at Riverside. According to the American Red Cross website, there’s a lot to look forward to when giving blood. “It feels great to donate. It’s something you can spare— most people have blood to spare...yet, there is still not enough to go around.”

The best reason, according to the Red Cross, is “You will be someone’s hero—in fact, you could save more than one life with just one donation.”

Donors will not be able to participate in intense physical activity, such as sports, for one or two days afterward.

Suggestions made by the Red Cross for a healthy and good donation is to get a good night’s sleep, drink lots of water before donating, and eat a lot of iron rich food the night before in order to make sure you aren’t too weak to donate.

The complete donation process, including medical history, iron and blood pressure tests, donation, and refreshments, takes approximately an hour.

Visit Mr. Tucker’s classroom in room 710 for more information, a permission slip and to make an appointment.

that area.

The Drama program also took to helping out with the food drive. Their March 12 performance of All Shook Up, in keeping with an annual tradition, donated all volunteered funds and cans made from ticket sales to the drive as part of their “Pay What You Will” feature.

Though the food drive is driven by competition, the important takeaway from the drive is that the district has a way to give back to the community. A large number of students aided in providing for those less fortunate in the community and this year succeeded.

The Auburn School District-wide food drive began March 3 just after the Golden Tate assembly and mid-winter break and ended on March 14. This put the ASB on a tight schedule, but it didn’t stop the flow of cans from coming in nonetheless.

Every year, the school competes against all of Auburn School District’s high schools including West Auburn, Auburn Mountainview, and Auburn High to see who can donate the most cans.

Classroom competition among second period classes, another tactic to encourage students to donate to the drive, helped bring in money and cans.

Gina Sandland’s class won first place with a grand total of 51.9 cans per student. Just behind her was Bill Sumner’s class, which came in second place with a smaller total of 45.4 cans per student. In third place was Mike Huylar’s class with 25.3 cans per person.

6,864.8 cans in total were donated.

Each of the top three winning second period classes won a doughnut party for their efforts.

Ms. Sandland’s class will be awarded a trophy presented by the ASB officers.

Several student clubs expanded can collection beyond the scope of their second period classrooms.

The ASB took to the streets to make sure this year’s food drive was more successful than it has been in prePHOTO BY CAMERON FAIRCHILD vious years, which included neighboring Lakeland houses, and they dropped off Nearly 7,000 cans of food were donated over the two week canned food drive. and picked up cans from the houses in

ASB welcomes Tate, food drive Jude Hanno STAFF REPORTER March has been a very busy month for the ASB members. With many events going on around the school, the ASB members had to deal with attempting to fit in a plethora of fun and educational activities while also taking into account other school distractions such as breaks and last week’s HSPE testing.

New events concerning ASB for this month were the Golden Tate campaign as well as the food drive, and maybe future school events that have yet to be decided.

They ended out the month of February with the Golden Tate campaign that partnered with Verizon in order to stop teenagers from texting while driving.

Taking place on February 27, which was a Thursday, it was a weird time to have an assembly, but the school board and ASB made it work in order for everyone to get the chance to at least get a glimpse of Tate.

A decorating committee took time making sure the library and the gym were decorated to fit the needs of the entire event as a whole.

This took a lot of preparation from the ASB members and they came in out of school hours in order to complete this job.

There was also the raffle for the people who got to meet Tate, and the ASB members had to regulate that to make sure everyone who could have wanted to got their opportunity.

A speaker at the assembly was senior President Drew Wallen, who got to stand with Tate and discuss all the rea-

sons not to text and drive. The slideshow award at the end helped add to the fun of Tate being here.

The event was aired on Q13 Fox and a large portion of the school got their chance to be on TV for the first time.

Having Tate come to Riverside was an incredible decision that impacted the lives of many students here.

After the entire Golden Tate event came to a close, the ASB members continued to be as busy as ever and started the next week with the annual food drive.

The ASB members put together the drive to help out the Auburn Community and every year and make a huge impact on those in need throughout the city.

ASB made a huge effort making sure the school raised enough to provide for those in need in the community as a whole.

The ASB members called on the student body to help pick up cans from the neighboring houses of Lakeland.

The drop off was done all by the ASB members and they spent a good amount of time in the rain trying to help out the community.

Overall, the food drive is a positive way for Riverside to help out the community and bring a lot of respect to Riverside as a whole.

ASB continues to be busy helping out not only Riverside, but the entire community. The idea of a tolo is also coming up in the zero period leadership class, which may or may not actually occur.

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Feature

InFlight Mar 25, 2014

Golden Tate visits to end texting and driving Maddie Nassirian STAFF REPORTER

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2

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3

5 PHOTOS BY DYLAN JOHNSTON & MADDIE NASSIRIAN

On February 27, former Seahawks wide receiver Golden Tate visited the school on behalf of Verizon Wireless. He was here promoting the “Save It Seattle” campaign, which encourages the point that it isn’t a good choice to text and drive and convinced many students to take the pledge and choose not to. Those that did were rewarded with the oppurtunity to meet the famous athlete.

ASB set this up for the students and spent time decorating the gym as well as the library for the arrival of Tate with numerous posters, banners, and flyers in an attempt to also spread the word about the short-notice assembly.

His message was clear: “When it comes to texting and driving, I think it can wait,” Tate said. “You’re affecting way more than yourself if you’re texting and driving.”

The school received the visit from Golden Tate after winning a competition Verizon put out for high schools all over Washington, each competing for the chance to meet Tate by convincing their schools to pledge.

“The students were to go online and make a pledge not to text and drive,” health teacher Meri Benedict said. “Our school had about 425 people that pledged and that was the most that any high school had, so he came to visit!”

Before the end of the day assembly, there was a short meet-and-greet with Tate in which 50 students who pledged were chosen to attend. Fourteen students from each lunch were chosen by random in a raffle and the rest of the students who attended were hand-picked by the counselors.

Junior Levi Durr was one of those picked in the school’s raffle. “It was so cool,” Durr said. “We stood in a long line then went up to say hello and he signed one item of our choice.”

Freshman Karissa Miller, like many of the students who got to meet the Seahawks wide receiver, brought her own item from home for a signature. “I brought a framed, personalized picture,” Miller said. “It was really special because I got him to sign it for my dad.

The students who didn’t bring an item from home still got a signature from Tate. Those students received a picture of him, which he signed.

After the meet-and-greet, there was a short ten minute press conference. Reporters from the Seattle Times to KOMO 4 News attended, as well as a representative from yearbook and a representative from newspaper.

During the conference, Tate spoke out about texting and driving, claiming that “it can wait.” Tate is a strong supporter for waiting to text so you dont have to behind the wheel.

He also shared his thoughts on being a free agent, spilling that he “hopes to call Seattle home for a few more years.” However, on March 12, Tate signed with the Detroit Lions.

Though he has left the Seahawks, Tate has stated that he is thankful for what Seattle has given him these last four years.

The fans are one of the main things he loved about being a Seahawk. “There’s so many great things about the 12s,” Tate said. “For one they’re loud as crap.”

We can all be proud that our school is so dedicated to such a good cause and that, as a result, we had the pleasure of welcoming such a huge football star like Golden Tate into our Raven family.

1: Junior Anthony Fontes spots Tate as he walks around the gym.

2: Tate is interviewed at the press conference. 3: The welcoming banner waits seconds before Tate rips it apart. 4: Tate poses with Crystal Jilbert, one of the few teachers who had the opportunity to meet him. 5: Students (from left to right) Rebecca Wilson, Lacey Knudston, Jocelyn Pitlick, and Shelby Beaucage show off their Seahawks gear before getting to meet Tate.

Feature 9 Shailene Woodley: Rising Star Artist of the Issue Auburn Riverside High School

One of the most up-and-coming stars of this year is most certainly Shailene Woodley. Remember that name, because her rise to stardom is about to explode.

PHOTO COURTESY CREATIVE COMMONS LICENSE, FLICKR.COM

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Her role on The Descendants in 2011 when she played the role of Alexandra “Alex” King gained her very little fame and almost no fortune. Her followers were small and her fan base even smaller. Almost no one knew her name, but that’s about to change, I guarantee it.

She gained popularity on the TV show The Secret Life of an American Teenager when she played Amy Juergens, a role that she played from the years of 2008 until 2013.

Her recent role as Aimee Finecky in the independent 2013 movie The Spectacular Now with co-star Miles Teller barely increased Woodley’s star power.

Divergent, the vaguely post-apocalyptic sci-fi film based on the vaguely postapocalyptic book by Veronica Roth about a city divided into five factions based on individual positive traits, will star Woodley as the film’s main character Beatrice, or “Tris” Prior, who transcends the factions as a “Divergent.”

The Fault in our Stars, a romantic comedy-drama about a cancerous teenager who grows close to both a boy that is in remission and her inevitable death, will feature Woodley in the lead role as Hazel Grace Lancaster.

These movies will be released respectively on March 21 and June 6 of this year.

aven uling

Students share their opinion on current topics and pop culture

Jacob Lonergan STAFF REPORTER

Underground hip hop duo OCD, made up of Moosh and Twist, two Philadelphia, Pennsylvania natives, are quickly becoming a known name in the game thanks to their constant touring and songs with bigger artists like Hoodie Allen.

OCD is made up of DeQuincy “Moosh” Coleman-McRae and Oliver “Twist” Feighan.

One of the unique things about the group is their attitude. They don’t act like rude, self-hyped, egotistical PHOTOS COURTESY CREATIVE COMMONS LICENSE, GOOGLE.COM musicians. Duos and groups used to be very common in rap and hip hop in the early stages, but have grown more and more Hold it Down rare throughout the years.

Needless to say, OCD are a much Dreams Come True needed breath of fresh air in the rap Take Me Back scene, infusing earlier styles of hip hop with a newer sound. Their unique voicDream On es come together to make a different All That I Know sound than what you’re hearing nowa(featuring Hoodie Allen) days on the radio.

Eric Walker STAFF REPORTER

5 songs you should know: 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Street Art

88% Miley Cyrus

68% St. Patrick’s Day

68%

Everybody celebrates differently, and although most people don’t actually have any idea what the holiday is about, it’s fun to celebrate.

Spring Break

98%

Who doesn’t like a wild week off school?

Probably the teachers.

Street art has progressively been getting more and more creative.

Artists like Banksy and Shepard Fairey are becoming wildly known for their artistic statements, legal or not.

Zero Periods

59%

Miley Cyrus is quickly falling from Queen Bee to 2007 Britney Spears. She probably just needs to put out another raunchy music video.

8:05 is early enough. Zero periods can have great benefits for the poor souls who commit.

Addicting Phone Games

57%

Apparently, games like Flappy Bird and Candy Crush do not settle well with a small majority of the students.

Sara Koenig STAFF REPORTER

10

Feature

InFlight Mar 25, 2014

Who’s behind locker #...

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Senior

Iris Garalde 4124 InFlight: If you could vacation anywhere, where would you go?

IG: Europe.

InFlight: How do you spend your days?

IG: Watching Netflix movies.

InFlight: Have you always lived in Auburn?

IG: Yeah, since kidnergarten.

InFlight: Do you have a dream job?

IG: I want to be a Disney Imagineer.

InFlight: In everyday life, what is your number one pet peeve?

IG: When people don’t push in their chairs.

InFlight: Where do you see yourself in 20 years?

IG: Married and rich, hopefully.

InFlight: How tall are you?

IG: 5’0” InFlight: What is your third favorite color?

IG: Purple

Sophomore

Senior

Kevin Mendoza-Preciado InFlight: If you could vacation anywhere, where would you go?

KM: Hawaii.

InFlight: How do you spend your days?

KM: Working.

InFlight: Have you always lived in Auburn?

KM: Yeah.

InFlight: Do you have a dream job?

KM: No, not yet.

InFlight: In everyday life, what is your number one pet peeve?

KM: When people say “YOLO.” InFlight: Where do you see yourself in 20 years?

KM: In a nice job, I hope.

InFlight: How tall are you?

KM:5’9” InFlight: What is your third favorite color?

KM: Green.

Allison Bantigue 7318 InFlight: If you could vacation anywhere, where would you go?

AB: California because my family is there.

InFlight: How do you spend your days?

AB: On the computer, drawing and watching TV. InFlight: Have you always lived in Auburn?

AB: No, I used to live in California and Kent.

InFlight: Do you have a dream job?

AB: I want to do something with art or be a teacher.

InFlight: In everyday life, what is your number one pet peeve?

AB: Squeaky chairs.

InFlight: Where do you see yourself in 20 years?

AB: At home with family.

InFlight: How tall are you?

AB: 5’0” InFlight: What is your third favorite color?

AB: Red.

WIKIPEDIA.ORG

PHOTOS BY SARA KOENIG

Junior

Jake March InFlight: How do you spend your days?

JM: School, homework and just whatever.

InFlight: Have you always lived in Auburn?

JM: No, I lived in Utah.

InFlight: If you could vacation anywhere, where would you go?

JM: The Bahamas.

InFlight: Do you have a dream job?

JM: Fighter pilot.

InFlight: In everyday life, what is your number one pet peeve?

JM: When people use incorrect grammar.

InFlight: Where do you see yourself in 20 years?

JM: Music intern in L.A, or fighter pilot in the Navy.

InFlight: How tall are you?

JM: 5’6” InFlight: What is your third favoirte color?

JM: Black.

Feature 11 Luchessi triplets accepted to same college Auburn Riverside High School

Maddie Nassirian STAFF REPORTER The list of college requirements is a long one. Between SAT scores, cumulative GPAs, sports and club participation, leadership positions and volunteer work, that list can be overwhelming to many.

Senior siblings Michael, Megan and Joey Lucchesi, Riverside’s terrific trio, recently discovered that their hard work has payed off. The triplets were all recently accepted to the University of Tampa in Florida. All three of them plan on moving over there on Aug. 20.

“University of Tampa was among our top choices,” Michael Lucchesi said. “It was actually our first choice since they’re recruiting Joey and me to play lacrosse.”

The three siblings enjoy playing lacrosse and have been playing for quite some time. They have all lent considerable time and energy on the field playing the sport for most of their lives.

Lacrosse is something that they are very passionate about. They prove it each and every time that they play.

Not only does lacrosse continually bring the Luchessi’s closer together, but it also aids their goals and really impacted their future for the better. “[My siblings and] I plan on play-

ing lacrosse [at Tampa],” Joey Lucchesi said. “Our college recruited my brother and me to play.” Being recruited was something really special to them. Joey and Michael will both be playing on the District 1 team.

Megan plans on majoring in marine biology. Joey and

Michael, however, aren’t quite sure of what they would like to major in yet.

“I’ll probably go into the medical field,” Joey said.

“Possibly nursing.”

All three of the siblings received scholarships to the University of Tampa, which helps a lot with the costs of tuition and books.

The Luchessi’s hope to use the economic relief to their benefit, so they can concentrate on sports and their academics.

“It’s super exciting that they’re getting those opportunities,” freshman Ashton Serratos said.

Although we will certainly miss the Luchessi’s, and all they have done to help better the school, students can be proud of these outstanding Ravens. We wish them the best and that they have the amazing futures that they are most assuredly destined for.

Michael, Megan, and Joey Lucchesi (pictured from left to right) have long been a positive trio at Riverside, and have extended their talents off of the lacrosse field. For example, Megan lent her considerable acting ability to the Spring musical All Shook Up.

PHOTO COURTESY KATHI LUCCHESI

Twitch.tv moves in on YouTube fan base Dylan Johnston STAFF REPORTER Twitch.tv is a website where people can livestream games or some sort of talk show. A livestream is just like watching a video on YouTube except it’s all live and there is no uploading. This makes it easier for the viewer to interact with the broadcaster.

The advantage to broadcasting live to the people is being able to interact with viewers and get instant feedback.

On YouTube, it’s already hard enough to get good feedback from the terrible comments section, and having the video

not be live makes it even harder to adjust right away. Some- following boxes. It’s a similar system to the sub box on Youthing people might not realize is that videos on YouTube are Tube except with a different name and better functionality. old news. The person that uploaded it could have recorded Twitch.tv also does not go out of its way to suggest things the video 3 years ago and no one would know it. Also, the to you and shove it down your throat like YouTube. It actuviewer will be able to see and react with the broadcaster ally shows you everyone you follow and not just half of it when something happens right away. and then some stupid suggested channels. There is also no The livestreams are usually longer than your aver- such thing as the website unfollowing you from someone age video; most of the time the entire playthrough can be mysteriously. seen rather than a 30 minute video. One example of this is This website might not be for everyone. It requires a Twitchplayspokemon. Someone made a bot that interprets decent connection to be able to watch anything. This is inputs said in chat (ex. up) and it makes the player move in because the person you are watching is live and not pregame. At one point, over 100k people were playing Poke- recorded. The website gets throttled every day. It can get mon Red at the same very laggy at times and this affects the people broadcasting time. Currently, they and the viewers. Not just any Joe Shmoe can start streamare playing Pokemon ing. You need at least 5mb up to be able to have a nice crisp Crystal. and clean stream.

“Guys, lets change YouTube’s time is up. The time to find a new place to the look of the website watch videos is now. every. single. day,” said every person on Youtube ever.

The look of the Twitch.tv website looks great and they have not changed it one time. That’s right!

No more getting used to a new layout every single day. On a side note, if this is not convincing, just look at Youtube. They just changed the layout a PHOTO BY DYLAN JOHNSTON couple weeks ago.

Another advan- This is the main page for twitch.tv. Here it displays all of the featured tage is the amazing streamers that are available for users to watch.

Arts and Entertainment Musical shakes up school Anatomy of a good book 12

Jude Hanno STAFF REPORTER

InFlight Mar 25, 2014

featured many props as well as many pretty colors that accent the stage and added to the overall experience of the musical. One prop that stood out to me was the motorcycle. It was cleverly placed where the light reflected off of it, making it stand out to the audience.

However, it wasn’t just the props that caught my eye. The acting was phenomenal.

Senior Rizelle Rosales was absolutely outstanding. Her vocal range is very wide and it totally blew me away. She was one of my favorite parts of the play.

Overall, the play utterly and completely blew my mind. It was definitely a show I would love to see again.

All Shook Up was chosen by play production director Karla Seman as the winter play and she could not have chosen better.

All Shook Up puts a twist to Elvis Presley and uses his music in a musical that’s both incredibly catchy and very interesting.

The original playwright, Joe Dipietro, based All Shook Up on Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night. So basically, not only does this play feature the awesome power of Presley, there’s also the wonderful plot lines written by Shakespeare.

You can tell a lot of hard work and practice went into this performance, and not one thing could have been better. It was already perfect.

Not only were all the Presley songs sung beautifully, the characters of the production were played wonderfully by the Auburn Riverside Players.

The set for the PHOTO COURTESY ARHS DRAMA musical seemed as though a lot of time Senior Kyle Nacis and Sophomore Cami Werden perform in this year’s muwas spent on it. It sical.

Karlee Johnson STAFF REPORTER People tend to say that you can’t enjoy a book unless it’s about something that you are truly into. When I first started to read Anatomy of A Single Girl by Daria Snadowsky, I was almost sure that it was going to be something that I wouldn’t enjoy.

When I finished the book I was somewhat in

love with it. I don’t usually go for this type of book, but overall it was something worth reading.

Anatomy of a Single Girl absolutely got to the point. It never left me wondering or questioning what was going to happen next.

That’s one thing I really enjoyed about it.

It has a title that I think suits the storyline very well. The book talks about breakups, drama, education, family and lots of talk about sex. Basically it describes almost every single girl’s life. Girls go through this all the time and to read about it you realize that it isn’t just a story, it’s a guide for us girls to use.

The story is based on a girl finishing her freshman year in college and is now heading to her hometown for summer. She is recently fresh off a breakup from a past high school sweetheart. College has shown her that sometimes relationships don’t last, because you are in two different worlds. She finds someone new but wants no strings attached; she is only around for the summer.

Feelings start coming up for this guy even though she knows that she can’t be with him because she is leaving for college and she learns that facing her problems in life is the easiest route to take.

Now, because this story has a lot of talk about sexual things, I wouldn’t recommend it for someone young. It’s definitely a book for high schoolers. For the most part I really enjoyed this book. It has a fabulous storyline, and in my opinion was one of the best books I’ve read in long time.

Supermodel fosters emotion Need to see Need for Speed Jude Hanno STAFF REPORTER Foster the People, who wrote the grammy nominated hit single “Pumped Up Kicks,” is out with a brand new album that came out just last week.

Foster the People has been a band since 2009, and they started out in Los Angeles, California. They have been incredibly successful and have received two Grammy Nominations, one for “Pumped up Kicks,” and another for their debut album, Torches.

The members of the band include Mark Foster, Cubbie Fink, and Mark Pontius.

The new album is titled Supermodel and features songs such as “Are you What You Want to Be” as well as “Coming of Age.” This new album is incredibly interesting. Not only does it feature multiple genres, it also explores fascinating topics.

For example, the opener of the album, “Are You What You Want to Be,” features an influence from both North and West Africa. According to a Rolling Stones article, Foster intended for the album to be “more organic and human, because the first album was so electronic and synthetic.”

Personally, this new album is so much more chilled out than their first album, Torches. Torches doesn’t compare to how wonderful this album is, and Foster the People is obviously maturing with its mu-

sic as time progresses. Foster himself called Supermodel “a hard record to make” in a recent interview with Gigwise. “I was confronting some demons I haven’t confronted before,” he said.

One of my favorites is definitely “Goats in Trees,” which was literally named after they were in Morocco and saw a goat climbing a tree in an attempt to get a beach nut.

On an emotional level, this song is, to Foster, about “really being alone in the face of a huge enemy and addiction and being consumed by something.” It centers around escaping from reality to go to a “place where goats climb trees.” This is one of my favorites because it connects to the songwriter on an emotional level and brings down what Foster the People is really about.

Mackenzie Brown EDITOR-IN-CHEIF The year 2014 has been a great year for movies so far with some excellent film releases. A recent one, Need for Speed, was absolutely no exception. Clearly surpassing the tired Fast and Furious series, Need for Speed was a refreshing take on the street racing with vengeance storyline.

The story takes place in New York and California. It follows Tobey Marshall (Aaron Paul), a street racer with a car repair shop in New York. After repairing a very important Shelby Mustang for his rival, Dino (Dominic Cooper), in exchange for a large sum of cash, Dino betrays Marshall and lands him in jail for two years. Two years later, Marshall, after making friends with the new owners of the recently repaired Mustang, must travel with passenger Julia (Imogen Poots) to California to compete in the elite De Leon, against Dino and four other racers.

One very special aspect to Need for Speed is that it’s actually pretty true to the game. It even includes a racing map straight from the game.

Other than anger, the movie actually gave off a lot of different emotions. It was sad, funny, scary, and it made my heart race 90 percent of the time.

I was surprised at how well the actors fit their parts. It was a little difficult to see Aaron Paul transition from playing a typical dumbass in Breaking Bad to a more serious

role in Need for Speed. It didn’t take long for him to prove he was good in the role.

Although there was a back story, the movie really seemed to focus on racing. It featured racing with classic cars, Italian sport cars, and cops. Nothing too unrealistic either. No one jumped off one car onto another in the middle of the air as they flew off a bridge into a blaze of fire. I mean a few parts were over the top, but in a funny sense instead of a ridiculous sense.

Overall, Need for Speed was awesome.

It is 100 percent a must-see movie, especially for those who have played the game.

Auburn Riverside High School

Arts & Entertainment

13

Welcome Back, Veronica Mars Cameron Fairchild STAFF REPORTER Seven years after leaving the small screen, Veronica Mars, the refreshingly mature and witty story of a teenage detective, has finally found its way to theaters with the support of a rabid fanbase that personally funded the project over Kickstarter last year in one of the largest Kickstarter projects ever. As a result, the film plays as a roughly two-hour love letter to the fans, with mixed results.

Veronica Mars follows the eponymous protagonist (Kristen Bell) as she returns to the fictional town of Neptune, California and her life as a P.I. after nearly a decade away to investigate the murder of pop star Bonnie DeVille, which has been pinned on Veronica’s ex-boyfriend and fan favorite Logan Echolls (Jason Dohring). The mystery is simplistic at best, and fails to recall the tight, exciting plotting of the show’s best mysteries or highlight the surprisingly thorough study of class struggle that reigned throughout its first two seasons.

But the film is less interested in the central mystery than it is in revisiting the characters of the TV series. These reintroductions are easily the movie’s strong suit, as over a dozen of the show’s main characters and best recurring players (such as Ken Marino’s rival P.I. Vinnie Van Lowe) show up for at least a brief (and often humorous) scene. Though not everyone gets as much screentime as fans may want (Percy Daggs III, in the role of Veronica’s best friend Wallace, is shoved to the sidelines once again), the ensemble runs strongly together. Even the numerous celebrity cameos, especially a self-parodying James Franco, fit organically within the scope of the film.

The movie is still pockmarked with a few grating flaws.

Chief among these is easily the cinematography,

which in the TV show evoked a confident, visual tone in the lighting and framing of the burnt-out excess and urban seediness of Neptune, is destroyed in the transfer from the grittier 16mm film to clean, bright, digital recording. Veronica Mars is functional, but the story is hardly told in a visually interesting way, and instead surrenders to Veronica’s voiceover time and again. Constant, specific references to websites and current technology like Instagram will certainly date the film, particularly in an unintentionally hilarious scene where a character tries to poetically connect the nature of evil to a YouTube video and a brief exchange in which the word ‘tablet’ is uttered at least once per sentence.

Though the plot often hangs in the background, the ending more than makes up for a sometimes slow pace, delivering a tense final confrontation and a thematic coda that easily represents everything that made Veronica Mars such an intriguing show, from

its central romantic pairing to the fantastic father-daughter relationship between Keith Mars (the phenomenal Enrico Colantoni) and Veronica.

Flawed as it is, Veronica Mars is a superb celebration of the show and its fans, and will surely provide a humorous and fun diversion for casual, unprepared moviegoers.

Veronica Mars was released March 14th in theaters and for digital download on iTunes and is rated PG-13.

Zola’s Cafe a small, peaceful oasis Karlee Johnson STAFF REPORTER Have you ever been to a place that nobody really knows about? It seems like the hidden places are always the best places for not only food but also for simply hanging out. Just a couple of months ago, I came across a little shop right across the street from the police station: Zola’s Cafe. Asking around, some students had heard about it and recommended it, but others had no idea what it was.

Something about this place makes me feel so happy every time I go there. The feeling as you walk in is surprising because it makes you feel right at home. Normally, coffee shops are just filled with people and the smell of coffee, but not this place. It is filled with couches and a fireplace and games for kids; it’s got everything that your home might have.

The shop itself supports local artists trying to sell their work. On almost every wall a piece of artwork hangs with a name and price. It’s good knowing they are helping people in the community, another rea-

son why this place is so awesome.

Now, everyone’s favorite thing is food.

Zola’s food was pretty good. I would have to say my favorite thing is the panini and soup combo. Only because cafes usually don’t go out of their way to have some phenomenal platters of food, it’s the typical thing to order. Now the fact that this is a coffee joint, the drinks aren’t the best. It really depends on what you order. It could maybe be the fact that I don’t like tons of coffee in my drink when others might. Depends on your preference of how much coffee you can take. The espresso isn’t like Starbucks, but it is overall really well made. Customer service is big in my book, and let me tell you, every time I go in I am greeted with a smile and that makes me feel welcomed. It is absolutely wonderful.

Overall, Zola’s to me is perfect. Others might not agree, but the feeling as if I am at home where I can get my work done or hang out with a group of my friends with no issues at all is pretty great. The food and drinks are amazing as well. I would definitely recommend this place to everyone I know.

Sports

Auburn Riverside High School

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Soccer kicks off Water polo swims on Cameron Fairchild STAFF REPORTER

explained. “This year I’d love to get one game past that this year and go to the state competition.” A place in the state competition would put the team within the top 16 in the state.

According to Saarenas, this goal is certainly attainable. “A lot of our upperclassmen are returning,” Saarenas said. “Nearly our full starting lineup is back this year.”

The varsity and junior varsity teams will compete against Kentridge at home tonight. Future games include a varsity and JV meet at Kentlake on Thursday, March 27, and a home game on Saturday, March 29.

All three matches begin with the JV team at 5:30 p.m.

The boys soccer season has begun. Following a week of tryouts held earlier this month, a team has already been selected.

Before the official tryouts began, afterschool “kickarounds” were offered throughout the year for soccer players to practice with their potential future teammates.

Head varsity coach Robyn Saarenas, who has held the position since 2003, is joined by junior varsity coaches Matt Zieman and Jordan McDonald, and C Team coach Sam Hartt in coaching the three tiers of the boys team this year.

On the varsity team, senior captains Lucas Turner and Nathan Means lead the boys.

“They both bring a lot of positive leadership to our group,” Saarenas said.

Last year, Saarenas’ varsity boys earned 4th place within the South Puget Sound League, the organization that regulates Riverside sports, with a record of 8 wins, 5 ties, and 3 losses.

“Last year we PHOTO BY SARA KOENIG made it to West CenSenior Nathan Means prepares to make the shot that tied the soccer tral Districts,” Saarenas game at Auburn Memorial Field against Mount Rainier last week.

Sasha Terry STAFF REPORTER The spring season of waterpolo started on March 3 and the team goes into action tonight against Enumclaw at 7:30 p.m., followed by a match with Auburn on March 27 at 5:30 p.m.

The team had several meetings in the beginning of the season in hopes of encouraging a lot of new people to try out for the sport.

Mike Van Eaton is stepping into the head coaching position for his first PHOTO COURTESY CHARISSA DORN year. He anticipates that the girls waterpolo will- The water polo team hone their skill in the water at practice under the guidance of coach Mike Van Eaton. play well together.

“I hope the girls will adapt to how I run practices,” Van Eaton member of the team, plays the set position.

As Ridge explains, the benefits of the posisaid.

The waterpolo team’s returning cap- tion include spending a lot of time undertain this year is senior Alyssa Esparza, who water to get the ball.

Like Van Eaton and Esparza, Ridge has dedicated all four years of high school wants “to go to State and have a good to the waterpolo team.

“I play the bottom wing,” Esparza bonding team.”

Most of the girls who are playing wacommented. “I want to go to State.”

Last year, the waterpolo team made terpolo this season did swimming and diving their way to State, only to place 10th after in the fall. an 8-4 loss against Wilson High School.

Junior Mollie Ridge, another dedicated

Fastpitch starts season

Track kicks into high gear

Jude Hanno STAFF REPORTER

Maddie Nassirian STAFF REPORTER

she sees herself playing in college.

The third captain, Senior Courtney Boogard, loves playing the game because “It’s a team sport. You can grow to love the coaches and girls, too.”

Bedsworth plays because she “wants the girls on this team to someday get to the same level of skill as I am and I love helping them improve.”

All three captains, Bedsworth, Boogard, and Poe, have the goal of wanting to make it to playoffs.

The 2014 fastpitch team heads to the fields for hours after school to practice and improve their skills for the upcoming season.

The coaching staff this year features Bryce Strand as varsity head coach and Matt Muxen as varsity assistant.

A captain for this year is Senior Emma Bedsworth. “I strive to set a good example on and off the field and bring the girls together as a team,” Bedsworth said.

According to Bedsworth, she is “incredibly dedicated to the success of all the players on the team.”

Another captain, junior Taylor Poe, is also looking forward to the season and has many goals.

“I want to lead the team to victory,” she said. Poe has her own personal goals, as well. She wants to be first in all-league PHOTO BY MADDIE NASSIRIAN for hitting. Poe plays The fastpitch team starts their warm-ups by lining up to pass the ball. the sport because

This year’s track season has high hopes that its stars can lead the team to victory this upcoming season, according to varsity coach and PE teacher Dave Goethals.

Goethals has been coaching track for 36 years. He makes sure the students continue to improve and work better as a team.

Team members endure hard practices every day starting right after school.

PHOTO BY MADDIE NASSIRIAN Goethals’ goal for this year is to “help Students on the track team run for miles every day to prepare for meets. each student reach their full potential.”

Goethals has a few events he believes ments on the fact that it is tough. “It’s hard the team will be strongest in this year. “Dis- to get out of subdistricts,” he said.

This track season, the team boasts four tance is one,” he said. Goethals also mentioned, “Relays for men and women, long varsity captains: Junior Brittni Willams, and and triple, and high jump.” These events seniors Rachel Covey, Toni Villa, and Josh are a lot less difficult than the other events Turner.

Goethals hopes that these stars can for the track team. These are the ones they find the most experience in and plan to do lead the team through the SPSL meets this season. their best at.

The team shows a lot of potential this season in SPSL competition. Goethals com-

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Sports

InFlight Mar 25, 2014

Girls’ tennis in full swing Batters-up with baseball Jude Hanno STAFF REPORTER

ing together for all the teams. “We want to unite the varsity, JV, and C- teams,” she said.

The new tennis season begins with Brown feels as though the three three captains and coach who expect to teams aren’t as connected. Another goal compete for spots in Districts. of Brown’s is “to have all the varsity team The varsity coach is Bruce Diehl, who members letter.” coaches for Riverside as well as for children LaValley has her own set of goals, as in the community. well. “I want to program unity in the team The three captains for this season are and make it to Districts,” she said. LaValley seniors Savanah Brown and Sydnie LaValley, is attempting to make the entire program a and junior Carson Heilborn. unified team and to bond as a family.

They each have individual goals for the The third captain, Heilborn, who is team that they want to make sure can help also the youngest, wants to improve her them succeed at tennis in the long run. second serve.

Brown, for one, has the goal of stickShe has been playing tennis on a team since the eighth grade, but grew up playing with her dad.

The three captains play for a number of reasons. Heilborn plays because it’s fun and LaValley plays because she finds it relaxing.

LaValley enjoys the team that she is on.

“The girls and the coaches make it so great,”she said. and they all plan on going to Districts and PHOTO BY MADDIE NASSIRIAN competing to be the best in the state.

Girls’ tennis varsity and junior varsity use each other for practice.

Sara Koenig STAFF REPORTER Summer days, fresh cut grass, the smell of good barbeque and the taste of strawberry popsicles, a family eating at a picnic table, and a father and son tossing the ball back and forth. The American dream: it wouldn’t be the same without a baseball and a catcher’s mitt.

Beginning March 3, Riverside’s baseball team will begin their spring sports season.

Coaches John Aarstad, Patrick McKeehan, Tim Bartlet, and Tim Reavis will be sure to make the team shine.

According to Aarstad, this year’s baseball team “Has good senior leadership, kids that are in the program that know how things are going.”

Aarstad also said that, “We’ll be good at pitching.”

“We still have a lot to do on the mental side of the game. Thinking things through and out-playing the other team,” Aarstad said.

As coaches pointed out, some of the leaders of the team are seniors Joey Galeno, Andy Santos, Kevin Thompson and Skyler Erben. After they leave, the team will rely on leadership from juniors such as Gavin Hettinger, Aaron Nguyen and Noah Freelund.

Playing on the baseball team has ma-

jor benefits. “How it’s a team sport and you need everyone’s effort to win,” Santos said.

But there’s a downfall to every benefit, and according to Erben it’s the weather.

“Baseball in western Washington sucks during the spring,” Erben said.

In any sport, the position played can decide your success as an athlete and as a team.

PHOTO BY SARA KOENIG

Senior Skyler Erben catches junior Noah Freelund’s 38 mph fastball.