JagWire | Volume 8 | Issue 4 | Jan. 2008

AN OPEN FORUM FOR STUDENT EXPRESSION

EMERALD RIDGE HIGH SCHOOL.12405 184TH ST E SOUTH HILL, WA 98374

volumeEIGHT.issueFOUR.january2008

13

13 Why?

Going Green

17 At Home

The whole world’s going green, with big-name companies and stars paving the way for the trend towards a 100 percent environmentally-conscious and safe world.

Tattoos have been around for thousands of years, but just now are ER students starting to come out and show their true colors by getting them indelibly inked into their skin. And that isn’t the only thing: Piercings have begun making a comeback too.

05

World Weak

08

Art and Soul

24

World Week happened in early December, but whether “without a hitch” should be added to that statement has been a constant debate ever since. It was long enough ago that students can start looking back clearly, but are they liking what they see?

News >>03

Op/Ed >>07

Top 2007 Films Features >>08

Sports >>18

Another year passed means another slew of entertainment industry-related lists. Thankfully, there’s only one here and it’s only five entries long. 2007 was a year of unquestionably great movies, and compiled here is a list of undoubtedly the five best.

A&E >>23

NEWS

Free online tutors at library Students who are in need of tutoring can receive complimentary assistance provided by the Pierce County Library by

KRISTIN ANDERSON

REPORTER

The Pierce County Library is now offering a free online tutoring program for students called Live Homework Help. Between 3:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. fourth grade to college introduction level students may receive help. This new program is a recent addition

to the libraries online website and can be easily accessed.

The subjects available for students to receive help in are math, English, science, and social studies. After signing in with a required Pierce County Library card, students speak with tutors through an instant messaging system. For certain subjects, like math, whiteboards are displayed with a step-by-step process. It is considered as a “virtual classroom” according to the Pierce County Library tutoring site.

Certified teachers, professional tutors, and college professors are the primary applicants that are chosen to tutor. They must

have subject experience of that which they tutor in. These tutors work from their home or office and are not allowed to discuss any personal information with the students they are helping. Before being allowed to tutor, each individual was given a criminal background check which they all passed.

The background checks comply with the Children’s Online Protection Act and the Children’s Interaction Protection Act. Live Homework Help is also available in Spanish for those who speak Spanish as a primary language.

Not many students are aware of this new homework help, but once told about

Ice bombs at Ballou by

ALIESHA DRIVAS

REPORTER

On Wed., January 16th a dry ice bomb went off in a Ballou Junior High courtyard garbage can before lunch.

Another went off in a boy’s bathroom stall. The devices created a loud noise comparable to a bomb explosion. No injuries occurred.

Ballou went into lockdown mode, following the emergency procedure to give the Sheriff’s department time to investigate. Following the lockdown, the building was evacuated and inspected. After the situation had been controlled, the students were moved to the gymnasium and cafeteria to eat lunch safely.

The students were applauded by Principal Sandra L. Jacobson for remaining clam and well-behaved while in the situation.

“Your children should be commended for their behavior during the emergency situation,” Jacobson said in a letter to the parents. “They were cooperative and well behaved throughout.”

John Farris, a student at Ballou, was arrested for making and planting the devices.

“He was sitting in a cop car for like four hours,” junior Kristen Steenbeeke and neighbor to Farris said. “They took him to Remann Hall.”

Information was not available as to his consequences.

it senior Kaity Rawson said, “I think it’s cool if you can actually get help as long as it is legit.”

Those aware of Live Homework Help find it to be useful.

“If I ever need homework help I use it,” junior Corey James said.

After previous experience, career specialist Patti McMullen feels very optimistic. “It’s wonderful. My daughter struggles in math so when her brother is not around to help her, she uses it.”

To access Live Tutor, log on to http:// www.piercecountylibrary.org/kids-teens/ live-homework-help.htm.

Gregoire’s Sex Crime Bills In light of the alleged kidnap, rape and murder of 12-year-old Zina Linnik, Gov. Chris Gregoire and the sex offender task force have proposed seven bills that will enforce stricter sex crime laws.

Gregoire has devoted $8.24 million to aid in stronger sex-crime policies.

• $5,000,000 invested in DNA sampling; making sure that all registered sex offenders will have a DNA sample on file, as well as amplified confirmation of sex offenders’ addresses by local law enforcement bureaus • $320,000 for a statewide web site that will update new information and send notices to the public when a sex offender moves into a community • $200,000 for Operation crackdown; 48 offenders have been arrested already for infring-

ing on the terms of their discharge • $920,000 for electronically monitoring Level III sex offenders. Electronic monitoring will eventually develop into Level II violators as well.

• $500,000 for manpower to track down gang members, sex offenders and other felons • $470,000 for a pilot project to decide the probability that an offender will strike again, as well as more manpower for supervision of offenders • $830,000 for support services for victims of sexual assault The House Democrats have assured the passage of these seven laws, in addition to working with Republicans on stricter sex crime laws. In turn, the House Republicans embrace the opportunity to work with Democrats.

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Tanning 4 Tans $10.00 *10% off lotions!

Hair perms starting at $60.00 (Long hair extra) Updo’s and waxing Ask for Ellyce

One hair color $75.00 (Long hair extra) Ask for Lori, Juanita, or Robin

Coffee $2.00 for any size

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NEWS

Ice makes for havoc by

BRI ROGERS

REPORTER

Late-arriving ice made it difficult for students, parents and staff returning to school on Monday, Jan. 7. Drivers were curious as to why there wasn’t a delay and the district received many complaints. Principal Brian Lowney talked to a number of parents who were extremely concerned, and could only inform them of the situation at hand. He, too, was concerned.

“I went to the YMCA at 5 a.m. and there was no ice,” Lowney said.

“When I came back out at 6:30 it was completely icy. I was nervous for my students. I didn’t want anyone to get hurt.”

The decision to start school on the normal schedule was made before the ice had even formed on the roads. The

Administrator of Transportation and Assistant Superintendent of Education Support were out at around 3 a.m. checking to make sure the roads were safe. Between 6:30 and 7, however, there was a sudden temperature drop that made ice form at a rapid rate. As a result, commuting became tricky and dangerous.

“A decision to delay school must be made no later than 5:30 a.m. in order to give sufficient notice to students, parents, and staff,” Executive Director of Communications Karen Hansen said. “Based on the conditions and information available to us at the time, delaying the start of school did not appear to be necessary.”

This made it impossible to inform everyone of a delay in time, so drivers had to make their way to school

gradually. Buses were delayed about 45 minutes so many students arrived late, though none were counted tardy.

For the most part, drivers made it safely to school apart from a few slips and slides.

Senior Brian Bennison was involved in an accident on his way to school, resulting in the wreckage of his Mitsubishi Mirage. According to Bennison, he was going about 25 mph down 128th street when a car appeared about 100 feet in front of him. Bennison hit the brakes and the car slid down the hill and into the car in front of him. Neither driver was hurt, but Bennison’s car was totaled.

The other car received $3,000 worth in damage.

“We’re both fine,” Bennison said.

“I just really miss my car.”

How to safely drive on ice: »» Drive under the speed limit.

cause you to slide.

»» Use all-wheel drive or first gear.

»» If you are starting to slide, turn into it to

»» Keep a good distance away from the person in

straighten out your vehicle. For instance, if

front of you so you have room to stop.

sliding to the right, turn left.

»» Avoid braking. Hitting the brakes will only

»» Use tire chains.

Or, just do not drive at all.

Student suspended for airsoft gun Junior suffers the unsuspected consequence of suspension for using his airsoft gun in the parking lot after school by

LEXI BROCKAMP

REPORTER

Junior Justin Pense was expelled Jan. 18 after bringing an airsoft gun into the west parking lot Thursday Jan. 17 after school.

Administration recieved information the next day that there had been a situation and punishment went along with the protocol found in the handbook – emergency expulsion.

Pense was supposed to be allowed back into school Jan. 30, but his return was pushed back, due to the snow day, and he

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will now be returning to school on Feb. 4.

His allowance back into school was due to the fact that the gun was an airsoft rather than a real weapon. Bringing a real gun to school could result in that student being kicked out of all schools in the state.

“They kind of took my word on the situation,” Pense said.

“Because I’m a high GPA student and I don’t have anything bad on my record.”

Pense maintains that the situation has been blown out of proportion.

“I didn’t take a second thought that the consequences would be so severe or that there would be consequences at all,” Pense said. “airsoft is just something that my friends and I do. I saw a couple of my friends, and I shot it above their heads to give them a scare. Just make a joke out of it.

The shots landed on someone’s car and he told.”

Front runners for 2008 presidency With the presidential election nearing it is becoming more apparent that each candidate has their own views on current issues by

DEVIN FLOYD

REPORTER

Both Democratic candidates have very similar views on all of the issues. While they do vary on specifics, for the most part both candidates mirror the other.

Clinton: Hillary Clinton keeps safe by keeping rather moderate views on most of the issues. Like most political figures, she at first supported the war in Iraq, but now believes we should have a troop cap. Her view on abortion and same-sex marriage keeps to the Democratic view of pro-choice and allowance of civil union, but no same-sex marriage. As for immigration Clinton believes that we need to increase border security along the US/Mexico border.

Clinton opposes Bush’s plan to let workers put some Social Security payroll taxes into retirement accounts. She also opposes extending tax cuts that Bush has planned.

Obama: Barrack Obama is one of the few political figures that has opposed the war in Iraq from the very beginning. He is pro-choice on abortion and states should make the final decision on same-sex marriage, although he does support civil unions. On immigration, Obama wants to increase border security. He opposes extending tax cuts as Bush has planned and also opposes Bush’s social security plan.

The Republican candidates have similar views but more of a contrast than the Democratic candidates on certain issues.

Romney: Mitt Romney is a Republican candidate that tends to stick the conservative views. He is against abortion except for in the case of rape, incest, or if the mothers life is in danger. He supports Bush’s future tax cut plans, but opposes his immigration plan. He has supported the war along with the veto on the Iraq war spending bill. He opposes same-sex marriage and thinks we should rework the social security plan.

McCain: John McCain is anti-abortion with the exceptions of rape, incest, or if the mothers life is in danger.

He co-sponsored Bush-backed immigration reform legislation which would increase funding and improve border security technology and improved enforcement of existing laws. McCain voted for use of force in Iraq and feels we should send further support. He is the only Republican candidate that opposes same-sex marriage but is against a constitutional ban on it. He Voted against 2001 and 2003 Bush tax cuts but later voted in favor of extending tax cuts through 2010. He also supports Bush’s social security plan.

NEWS

Students help educate Africa Students for Global Wellness is collecting donations to help build a school in Nairobi, Kenya by

KRISTEN STEENBEEKE

REPORTER

When Andy Michel, a 2006 Rogers graduate, made a trip to Nairobi, Kenya, he experienced firsthand the extremely poor conditions the inhabitants of the Kibera slum must endure. The slum began in 1918 after being used as a Nubian soldiers’ settlement, and became increasingly more populated and run-down due to illegal housing situations and several ethnic disputes. In September of 2006, Andy taught at a volunteer school called St. Charles. Observing the severe lack of basic accommodations—their schools were missing essential living conditions such as electricity and water—he realized that he could do more than just visit.

When he returned, Michel started somewhat of a revolution at his school. Rogers students began raising great amounts of money for school supplies and uniforms. They accumulated so many funds that the extra money was placed in an alternate fund to

build a school.

Over the summer, enough money was raised to acquire a land plot for the new school in the Kibera slum for children orphaned when their parents passed away due to HIV/AIDS. Now that the land is purchased, the next step is to pay for building costs. At Rogers, Andy’s mother and guidance counselor, Vicki Michel, has organized numerous fundraisers called “Change for Africa” in order to raise money.

Late last year, ER Students for Global Wellness co-president, senior James Knight, discovered Andy and Vicki Michel’s plan for the Kenyan fundraisers. When Lisa Kusche, the graduation coordinator at ER, approached him during World Week, he quickly agreed to join in and help Rogers raise money.

“Right now we don not have any fundraisers going, but we are thinking about a benefit concert in March,” Knight said.

“We’ve raised about $150.00 so far from random donations.”

He and Junior English teacher Rebecca Waller are currently in contact with Vicki Michel to organize a Rogers/ER collaboration on the project.

“This is the second largest slum in Africa.

They really need our help,” Waller said.

At the moment, monetary goals sit at about $50,000 to $100,000.

Students for Global Wellness is also thinking about holding an advisory competition.

“It would be cool for ER to show the video [my son provided] and raise money also,” Michel said. “It could be a Puyallup School District thing, rather than just an RHS fundraiser.” There is already a plan after enough money is raised—Vicki and Andy Michel will take a team of people to Nairobi to personally build the school. All money goes directly to the project bank account and is regulated by the project coordinator, David Monari, who is a native of Kenya.

Since donations have already begun, ER students have the opportunity to contribute money to the charity. There is a donation bucket in Waller’s room, E234.

“Get involved, donate, talk to family and friends in the community and get involved,” Knight said.

“People need your extra coin more than you do.”

Senior James Knight discusses fundraising for the school.

World Week brought new cultural perspectives by

AMANDA WYMA

REPORTER

From the Guitar Hero benefit concert to the dozens of speakers that filled the building throughout the school day, World Week 2007 will be remembered as one of Emerald Ridge’s most diverse in-term weeks.

There were many new additions to World Week this year which caused controversy and changed how staff and students viewed the week, and could possibly lead to drastic changes for in-term weeks like this in the future.

“Unfortunately World Week met my expectations,” said American Studies and AP Sr. English teacher Brandi Groce, “Despite the best efforts of staff and students who took it seriously, World Week didn’t reflect Emerald Ridge in the best light.”

In the eyes of students however, there was one day that was a success.

Wednesday of World Week captured the attention and hearts of students more than ever. People from all around the world with amazing life and cultural experiences came to share these stories with students eager to listen.

“I got to see this guy who traveled to Germany and liberated the concentration camps,” junior Shelby Wickett said.

Photo by Lexi Brockamp

“I’ve always had an interest in learning about the Holocaust, and it was amazing to meet someone who actually experienced what I see in books and documentaries.”

World Week event coordinators commented that the week went by fairly smoothly, but was not as effective as they would’ve hoped. There were very few students actually interested in learning about their culture, and the rest were simply instilling stereotypes into their research and work.

“There didn’t seem to be enough staff and student involvement, and that’s crucial in making World Week more fun and effective,” English teacher Rebecca Waller said.

“It bugs me when people make fun of my dad’s accent and speak slow as if we can’t speak English,” said sophomore Gurleen Rana, “but during World Week I didn’t find it offensive at all that India used bindis as apart of their booth, really, its more of a fashion statement than anything religious these days.”

In years past, World Week took up a full school day, which included activities within advisory countries to attempt to give students more interest in their countries. Staff felt this was more effective, because frankly they felt there was too much down time this year.

“In order to have a week like this run smoothly, you need student interest and contribution,” Waller said. “Because

the activities this year were not a day long like previous years were, it was tough to receive the full potential out of World Week.”

World Week began in the hopes of making students aware of global issues and breaking the stereotypes most have of certain countries. However, some staff believe World Week accomplished just the opposite.

“The point of World Week was to break cultural stereotypes,” Waller said. “It seemed that as the week went on, the students weren’t learning anything about their countries, and the booths only reflected stereotypes even stronger.”

Throughout Friday’s World’s Fair, staff was outraged at some of the students’ work and how they used stereotypes to define their countries, especially for the sixth-graders who came to view the booths.

Administration had similar feelings on World Week, and have already met and discussed how it should be handled in the future. However, their opinions seem to be less derogatory than staff and students.

“There are always going to be students who handle situations like World Week maturely and immaturely,” said School Administrator Collette Stewart, “but I feel advisors and staff handled the activities of the week to the best of their ability.”

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NEWS

New law takes effect to ban texting while driving Recent legislation makes texting while driving illegal, with a law banning cell phones coming in July by

ADAM FANGMAN

REPORTER

As of Jan. 1 it is now considered a secondary offense to read or send a text message while driving on Washington roads. The new law will give text messaging drivers a $101 fine. It is a secondary offense, which means drivers cannot be pulled over for texting while driving. This means that a driver must be pulled over for a primary offense, such as speeding, before they have a chance of being fined for texting. Also, the record of such an offense is not given to insurance companies.

“I’m for it, I don’t want to get hit by someone because they were texting,” said senior Samantha Fikilini.

The law is a legislative reaction to an increase in distracted driving, especially

of youth between the ages of 16 and 23. According to the Nationwide Mutual Insurance Co., 37 percent of Generation Y drivers (those 23 years and under) admit to texting while driving. This is significant when compared to the 17 percent of Generation X, drivers 26 to 43, who admitted the same.

Despite these statistics, the law encompasses all age groups and places no exclusive limits on novice drivers.

The only exception to the law is in the case of emergency situations or when a motorist is reporting illegal activities.

Along with the texting law, it will be a secondary offense to talk on a handheld cell phone while operating any motorized vehicle, effective July 2008.

Talking on the cell phone will now cost, just like texting, $101 if one happens to get pulled over for a primary offense such as speeding.

Like the texting law, a fine for using a hand held cell phone while driving will not be reported to insurance companies, and therefore will not increase insurance rates. Washington is among a few

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other states to take legislative action on growing issues concerning vehicles and cellular distractions.

“I think it’s a good thing, but I don’t think the police will catch anyone” senior Brooklyn Dailey said. The newly created laws on handheld cellular devices aim to reduce motorist distraction with restrictions on cell phones in order to benefit driver safety.

The Hard Facts •Car crashes are the number one killer of teens •46 percent of teens text while driving •33 percent of teens run red lights while on their cell phones •Over 120 young people die in car crashes each week in the U.S. Distractions while driving account for 80 percent of all accidents.

Photo by Stasie Henson

NEWS

Winterim lacks student focus World Week was fun, exciting, entertaining and long. Educational? Not so much.

On Monday of World Week, the Emerald Ridge students attended an assembly proclaiming the promise that we were in for a week full of insight about the world we live in.

It’s an ongoing theme among students that Winterim is going to be fun, easy and require little effort. This year, however, World Week took this perspective to an all-time low, which brings about the question: “What in the world is the point?”

The problem lies in the fact that most students learned little to nothing about their assigned country or the world. The most anyone did was write a quick resolution on Monday and call it good for the week. In the past, there was at least some variety and consistency in the work.

For example, last year during Business Week students were required to participate in work that stretched throughout the whole week, and held interest throughout the school. This year, there was little to do all week, nor did anyone care. The result was a few students from each advisory preparing for the world’s fair, those same students writing a resolution and a whole lot of Guitar Hero playing by everyone else.

the fine print Emerald Ridge High School 12405 184th St. E. South Hill, WA 98374 253-435-6300

Editorial Mission

As an open forum, JagWire exercises student free expression rights to their fullest extent. We pursue an unbiased truth while maintaining the highest journalistic integrity. Our top priority is to raise awareness while covering a wide variety of issues that impact our readership. By exploring different angles to make sure

While some students learned something about the country they were responsible for, the speakers were certainly relevant and administration put decent effort in keeping the week educational, there was an evident lack of interest.

Administration has to find a way to make Winterim fun for students but keep it interesting and educational all week long. After this year’s example, Winterim seems simply expendable. This is a whole week taken out of the year that could be used more efficiently, even if that means eliminating Winterim all together.

Editorials are composed by, and are the opinion of, the JagWire Editorial Board.

STAFF

EDITORIAL BOARD..........................................MORGAN T. GARD . ....................................................................................... GERRY LECONTE . ...........................................................................................LAUREN SMITH . ...................................................................................... ASHLEY VINCENT . ...................................................................................DALLAS M. WELKER COPY EDITOR....................................................................MIMI SISON DESIGN MANAGER ...................................... HEATHER GORMAN BUSINESS MANAGER.................................... ANDY DICKERSON CIRCULATION MANAGER............................... STASIE HENSON REPORTERS................................................................ MEGAN ALBERT . ................................................................................ KRISTIN ANDERSON . ......................................................................................LAUREN BARRON . ........................................................................................ LEXI BROCKAMP . .....................................................................................DANNY CANHAM . ..........................................................................................KAITLIN CLARK . .........................................................................................ALIESHA DRIVAS . ...........................................................................................NATE DUMLAO . ...................................................................................... ADAM FANGMAN . ..............................................................................................DEVIN FLOYD . .................................................................................. KELSEY HOWLAND ....................................................................................................JOSH JOYCE . ....................................................................................................KATE KAYE . ....................................................................................KATELYN KREMPLE . .......................................................................................BRIANNA LANTZ . .......................................................................................LINDSAY NOLAN . ....................................................................................ALANNA NUGENT . ........................................................................................ ASHLEY O’BRIEN . ................................................................................. ASHLEE PITIGLIANO . ..................................................................................................BRI ROGERS .......................................................................... JULIA SERVA-DELMONTE ............................................................................................... NIKKI SEADER ................................................................................KRISTEN STEENBEEKE .........................................................................................BRIAN SVOBODA ............................................................................................... TESSA TORRES ...................................................................................................... ZAC TRAN .......................................................................................... RACHEL WEBBER ..........................................................................................AMANDA WYMA ADVISER............................................................................KEVIN SMYTH AFFILIATES

JEA, NSPA, SPJ, WJEA, WSJA

our coverage is fair, balanced and accurate, we seek to continue the publication’s tradition of excellence through self-reflection and improvement.

Letters Policy JagWire will accept unsolicited copy from students, staff and community members. Only signed and dated letters with address and phone number from community members, or grade level from students, will be accepted.

Letters should be limited to 300 words and will be published as space is available.

All letters are the sole opinion of the writers, and the staff reserves the right to edit any letter for space and/or clarity.

We will not publish material that may substantially

disrupt the school process.

Letters to the editor may be submitted by mailing them to JagWire c/o Emerald Ridge High School, or by e-mailing them to ksmyth@puyallup.k12.wa.us Advertising Mission The JagWire publication staff accepts advertisements for most products and services available to the public.

However, the staff reserves the right to reject, edit or cancel any advertisement that the staff deems offensive in light of normal public standards.

Ads identifying students as athletes by photo or text (WIAA 18.20.0 and 18.20.1) also will not be accepted.

The staff will not accept advertising that is racist, sexist or illegal for high school students.

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FEATURE

Every poke, point and passion:

BODY ART

Though their reasons may differ, many students have chosen to use their bodies as their canvas by

KATE KAYE

REPORTER

Body art is part of the past, present and future. The question is, how many will be a part of the lifestyle? Body art is a form of expression, which can be used to show remembrance of someone, individual style or personal identity.

Sophomore Josh Wildman is an example of how easy it is to get body art

A Texas Tech survey found that 18 percent of US teens have a tattoo.

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today; he is only sixteen and has three tattoos.

“I have ‘Chaos’ tattooed on my side, an arm band on my bicep and my last name on my back,” Wildman said. “They all mean sentimental things to me so I’m glad I have them.”

Recently junior Gabrielle Connelly went with her sister and mother to get matching Chanel logo tattoos.

“We went to German’s Tattoos on my sister’s birthday,” Connelly said. “The tattoo is my namesake and it symbolizes our closeness.”

Often, body art can be symbolic of who a person is or can be used to symbolize where they came from.

Senior Nathan Martinez used this as the basis for his tattoo of the California state outline.

“I got it because I spent most of my life in California and plan to move back when I graduate,” Martinez said.

Senior Gabby Moulden went with the idea of showing who she was when planning her two tattoos. One is of a crown (to show her personality), and the other is “est. 1990” (for the year she was born).

“I like body art because it is a way to show personality, and I thought it out a lot before I got anything done so I won’t regret it,” Moulden said.

For senior Kerri Campbell body art is not a new concept.

She has sixteen piercings on her ears, a tongue piercing and two surface piercings (bars implanted under the skin with metal balls at the ends), which are the newest additions.

“I wanted something new and I love getting piercings because it gives me a way to change my look,” Kerri said.

Some get their tattoos in memory of a loved one.

One such student, senior Crystal Campbell, has a tattoo of angel wings with her mother’s initials.

“I got it for my mom who passed away,” Crystal said.

“I cared about her a lot and though it hurt I’m really glad I got it because I wanted it to show that she is with me at all times.”

Other people do it sim-

ply to define themselves as different and like the way body art looks.

Sophomore Logan Waymire, who has 11 piercings, and her friend sophomore Lindsay Martin, who has 7 piercings, like having them for just that reason.

“I like them because they make me look different compared to most people,” Waymire Sophomore Logan Waymire has 11 piercings. said.

School nurse Joan Rowe gets plenty of visits from recently pierced or tattooed students who ask for her advice or just simple questions.

“What I wish students with body art would understand is that cleanliness is one of the most important things when it comes to them,” Rowe said. “Always wash your hands before touching your piercings.”

Though Rowe is glad to help, she doesn’t understand why anyone would want body art.

“I often wonder how long people think about them before they get them because body art is permanent, and they’ll have to live with the tattoos or the scars for the rest of their lives,” Rowe said.

Photo by Stasie Henson, Kate Kaye and Julia Serva-DelMonte

FEATURE

everyone has a story

A Spectacle of Hope Despite being born with Congenital Heart Disease, Tina Iszler aspires to become a nurse after college.

by

ALANNA NUGENT

REPORTER

Like many, we want to be rich when we grow up. Some of us want to be rich in a different way though. Take senior Tina Izsler for example. She not only wants a good job, but she wants to help others in any way possible. Izsler has hopes of becoming a registered nurse (RN) specializing in pediatrics right after college. Although Izsler has aspirations of helping others, it is difficult for her to offer help at times due to a medical condition.

Izsler was born with Congenital Heart Disease, a defect in the heart’s structure due to abnormal development before birth.

Photo by Nate Dumlao

Even though it keeps her from partaking in physical activities she still enjoys riding her bike.

“If you get the chance, take (her) on a bike ride,” senior Nicole Teit Je said, a friend of Izslers. “She loves riding it.”

She doesn’t get to ride her bike as often anymore, but when she gets a chance she’ll ride around her neighborhood or any place she can.

Even though she has had to struggle and undergo so many ordeals, Izsler has never given up hope.

“This disease has affected me a lot by making me not give up and forcing me to continue to try,” Izsler said.

2004 was a difficult year for Izsler. She

had open heart surgery in May of that year and it seemed as though her recovery would never be complete.

“The doctors told me it would take six to eight weeks for me to get back to the way I was before,” Izsler recalls. “And eight weeks came around and I was still dealing with the infection and complications after surgery. It was just a hard time for me.”

She didn’t fully recover until a year and a half later, and even now has trouble breathing or has chest pains. Izsler never gave up hope though. With Teit Je and her church behind her, Izsler kept pushing forward to a full recovery.

“Tina really inspires me in the Christian faith,” Teit Je said. “She truly lives her life

by Christ. End of story. She just does.”

In eighth grade Teit Je took Izsler to church with her and a year later Izsler was baptized and has been devoted to this way of life ever since. “(She) always puts others before herself, always.” Teit Je said.

And it seems to be true.

Izsler enjoys doing anything she can for others. She helps out at school with cafeteria work, in the office and any other miscellaneous things teachers ask of her.

“Tina’s been very helpful around the office,” administrative secretary Sandy Cash said. “She gets people where they need to be and does whatever is asked of her.”

Izsler even called in over winter break to help out with projects or anything that was needed. “(She’s) called in to check up on everything and let us know that she’s available for help when she shouldn’t even be at school,” Cash said. “(She’s) just really sweet and kind to everybody that she meets.”

Izsler’s courage and faith to push through her challenges shows in her interactions with others and her willingness to help everyone she meets.

“Just talk to her, get to know her,” Teit Je says. “You’ll have a blast.”

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09

FEATURE From Düsseldorf, Germany to Puyallup, Wash., junior Ole Schwendtke has crossed the Atlantic Ocean, and made a smooth transition into Emerald Ridge as a foreign exchange student.

“When I came to Washington, it was hard for me to be open,” Schwendtke said. “I sucked at the language, so people must have thought I was shy. It took me about five weeks to become comfortable around my friends” Schwendtke is currently living with senior Symone Stout and her brother, sophomore Malcolm Stout.

“He fits in with our family really well,” Symone said. “Plus, he’s super nice.”

The transition to Puyallup was drastic, as Düsseldorf is 16 times larger in population, and seven times larger in area than Puyallup.

“Every part of the daily life is different in Germany,” Schwendtke said. “How you see things, how you do things… everything is just different.”

Because the drinking age in Germany is sixteen, and there are quite a few clubs for older teens, Schwendtke had grown accustomed to the energetic lifestyle of the city.

“I mostly miss the city,” Schwendtke said. “There’s such

a huge night life where I’m from. Everybody goes out to clubs and bars on the weekend. The clubs are about ten minutes from my house, walking distance.”

Schwendtke believes that school is easier in the United States. In Germany there is a system in place which gives students five options for schooling after fourth grade. Schwendtke is enrolled in Gymnasium, the highest available schooling, which goes through 13th grade.

Because Germany is bordered by so many countries that don’t speak the same language, it is important to have a universal-language to enable communication between countries.

“Everybody learns English,” Schwendtke said. “I started in seventh grade, and it’s really important for German students.”

As an athlete, Schwendtke appreciates the sport system that the Puyallup School District has in place. Schwendtke has gotten involved at ER by participating in football, and he plans on playing on the soccer team during the spring as well.

“In Germany, there are only club sports,” Schwendtke said. “You have to play them all year long, and there aren’t sports in school.”

Although Schwendtke enjoys being an exchange student and living in the United States, he wouldn’t want to stay here, as he misses his family and friends in Düsseldorf.

Swit ched

Caya Berry

From Germany to America To Germany from America by

Ole Schwendtke

A single conversation with sophomore Caya Berry cannot begin to touch on her unique past. Berry grew up, from age six to twelve, in Kitzingen (a district of Bavaria, Germany) and travels back there frequently. Her mother and grandparents currently live in Speyer, and Berry has the opportunity to visit often.

“My mom is German,” Berry said. “After the divorce, she didn’t have a family in America so she went back to Germany to rebuild her life with the support of her own family. She has an apartment, and it’s really close to my grandparents.”

Because Berry went to school in Germany from first grade to sixth grade, going back to Germany is much like going back home. To Berry, traveling to Germany is not a big change, other than the time difference.

“I hate jet lag,” Berry said. “It’s awful, but it’s so much worse going there than it is when I come back.”

She left Germany at the end of her sixth grade year, and Berry was optimistic towards staying in touch with her friends, but it has become harder.

Berry’s mom now lives two hours away from where Berry grew up, so even

10 volumeEIGHT.issueFOUR

MEGAN ALBERT

REPORTER

when she goes back, it’s hard to get in touch and see her friends from primary school.

“School is so different (in Germany),” Berry said. “You stay in one home class and the teachers move classrooms. It’s like having advisory all day long, but with different teachers. School definitely isn’t as social in Germany, and the only time you get to see kids that aren’t in your home room is during lunch.”

Berry claims that she’s accustomed to both countries, so when she travels back and forth she doesn’t notice that big of a difference between cultures.

“I don’t have anything to say when people ask me how my trip to Germany was,” Berry said.

“It’s normal for me, it’s like when somebody asks me how school was, I reply with, ‘Well, it was normal.’ That’s how it is for me to travel to Germany. I love it though.”

Photo by Ashley Vincent

FEATURE

Spending summertime in Romania father (tata) ˘ volunteer (voluntar) teacher (dascal) ˘ Traveling across the globe has allowed Brad Mirk to experience the culture and to see the poverty in Romanian villages by

JULIA SERVA-DELMONTE

REPORTER

Brad Mirk, who teaches American Studies and AP History, isn’t Romanian. He actually doesn’t have any ties to Romania at all. But since 1995, Mirk has traveled to Romania eight times to help underprivileged people living in villages.

The first time he went, it was through the Church of the Nazarene in Auburn.

“It sounded like a good chance to go somewhere and help people who aren’t as fortunate,” Mirk said. “It was a chance to make an impact.”

Usually traveling with a group of people, Mirk goes to Romania to medically help

“

people and to restore the living conditions of the Gypsies that live in the villages.

The response they receive is positive. “(The) people (there) are very grateful,” he said. “They appreciate that Americans would come over to where they are and help them.”

The people who volunteer there mainly focus on medical help; however they also play games and do activities with the chil-

IT SOUNDED LIKE A GOOD CHANCE TO GO SOMEWHERE AND HELP PEOPLE.IT WAS A CHANCE TO MAKE AN IMPACT. — Brad Mirk

”

dren of the community.

On Mirk’s second trip, he went by himself with 82 basketballs in tow.

“I went to a playground at a school and offered the kids a basketball if they came two days in a row,” Mirk said. “It was a big deal. By the end of the week, there were probably a 100 people who were there.”

Even though he was giving away toys to the kids, it was apparent that it was more than just a game.

“They didn’t just come to get free basketballs,” he said. “Because once they got a ball, they still kept coming back.”

In fact, Mirk has become a role model to some of the younger children living in Romania. On one of Mirk’s first trips, when he started a game of Horse at one of the basketball courts, a high school girl who he had befriended joined in on a basketball game.

“She took a shot and missed, and then I took a shot and missed,” he said.

He then commented to her on how their shots were similar to eachother.

Mirk’s daughter, Kelsey, has traveled to Romania to volunteer too.

Photos courtesy of Brad Mirk

Mirk helped to restore houses and plan activites and games for families and children in the villages.

“Then she said, ‘like father like daughter,’” Mirk said.

It was at this moment he realized the importance of him being there.

Mirk is not the only one in his family to contribute efforts in Romania. His daughter Kelsey, now a college student, came along on one of his trips, and blended right into the work.

“She really jumped in, and was really touched,” Mirk said.

Seeing the contrast in lifestyle between him and his Romanian friends caused Mirk to reevaluate the little things people easily take advantage of.

“I try not to feel like I’m entitled to things, and to have everything work really

perfectly,” he said.

He compares his life to the rest of the world and is aware of what true struggle can be like.

“You look at a young person in a Gypsy village and there’s not a lot of opportunity where (they can) walk out of the village and people are going to give (them) a fair chance,” Mirk said. “It’s that realization of the difficulty people have.”

Mirk recognizes that life can be difficult for anyone but if you don’t take the opportunity in front of you- you are turning away something a lot of people never had the chance to receive.

“We are only limited by what we choose to limit ourselves with.”

volumeEIGHT.issueFOUR

11

FEATURE

Traveling for a chance at life Standing nearly a head above most of his classmates, Ter Mal has quietly adjusted himself to Emerald Ridge by

LAUREN BARRON

REPORTER

Coming from the other side of the world, sophomore Ter Mal has lived in many places where stories were told of war and conflict. Now, oceans away, he shares a story that is his and his alone.

Mal came to the United States from Sudan to escape the conflicts going on between countries in Africa when he was four.

“I don’t remember much just that my mom told me about the war.

(I just knew) a couple of my uncles were fighting,” Mal said.

When his family decided to come to the States, they chose to live in Nashville, Tenn. for eleven years.

“There was no reason for moving to Nashville; just my mom likes it there.”

Along with his mom, his two brothers and two sisters also came to the states, his father never got the chance to come.

“My dad’s a teacher back in Sudan, and my parents never married,” Mal said.

Mal’s family came to Washington because his mother’s boyfriend works in Alaska.

Since coming to the United States, Mal has really enjoyed the education here.

“I went to Kentridge (High School) for a week,” Mal said. “Then my mom told me we were moving to Puyallup. I thought I would be going to Rogers or Puyallup, but I came here.

Schools here are a good impact and good change.”

So far, Mal’s school year has been going strong. He says he really likes Emerald Ridge.

American Studies teacher Jim Paterno has been introducing him to the right people, teachers and coaches in the school.

“Mr. Paterno is a good guy, my favorite teacher here. He leads me to where I need to be.

His class is my favorite class.”

In the future, Mal plans to stay in school, go to what he calls an “academically excelled” college, and find a steady career.

“I want a good job so I can take care of my family,” he said.

He also wants to be involved in a professional sports league.

“Either being in football or basketball would be amazing.”

Mal looks up to his cousin, Luol Deng, who is a professional basketball player for the Chicago Bulls.

“We have the same dream of helping out our families. I want to make it to the NBA myself, so I can go back to Sudan and just help out.”

Another person who inspires his life is his Uncle Peter.

“I didn’t have a father, so before my mom’s boyfriend came, (my uncle) helped me out. He raised me and enrolled me into schools, just an asset to my mom.”

Now at ER, Mal practices with the boy’s basketball team.

“When he came out for the team a week later, it was legit how he could dunk,” sophomore Layton Smith said.

Since Mal is not actually a part of the team, a lot of the players are excited for him to play with the team next year.

“I can’t wait for him to be on the court with us. He will be a good asset to the team,” sophomore Seven Blume said.

Mal is also a runner and this year plans to join the D-Crew, ER’s track and cross country teams.

“I’m a sprinter, most people look at me as a distance runner, but sprinting is my favorite. Oh, and (I also like) the hurdles,” he said.

In his spare time, Mal enjoys hanging out with his friends, going to the movies, and studying for school whenever he can. But family means the most.

“Spending time with my family is my favorite.”

Ter Mal wants to be involved in professional sports, preferably NFL or NBA.

Are you looking for adventure... friendship, new skills, leadership opportunities, lifelong Sports, and just plan fun?

Come sailing with us on the 1938, 90” yawl, The Odyssey, every Thursday night on Commencement Bay. Check out this co-ed program at www.sssodyssey.org and be prepared to make some new friends!

12 volumeEIGHT.issueFOUR

Photo by Julia Serva-DelMonte

The slogan reads

“Go Green,” and its message is everywhere.

Industry, government,

community, the media and conservation groups are

all taking steps to stop the

harm we are all inflicting on our planet. The “Going Green” campaign has brought in a new era of environmentalists.

Cont. on pg. 14>>

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Whether global warming is a serious threat, whether it is caused by man or nature, whether lug App np we can do anything about it, the new environmental movement is helping fuel the drive for a cleaner and more eco-friendly economy.

Globally friendly products have been sweeping the nation. Movie stars are trading up for environmentally friendly products, and the craze is still expanding. It is hip Even though to be green. your household appliances are Pressure for political action has been spurred by heated debate involving not on, they are still the importance for higher standards for environmental technology and stiffer using energy, contributing to about 40 pollution standards. Washington State has taken huge strides to become percent of your parent’s electricity bill.

Unplug appliances and save your parone of the nation’s leaders in environmental legislature and action. ents 6 to 26 percent off their bill, they The media has also lent its influence to the campaign both by publicizmight spend the extra money on you. ing and criticizing it. Articles regarding global climate change cover the pages of newspapers and slowly the focus has shifted from defining the dangers of global climate change, to preventing them.

The public has been flooded with so many differing opinions that many people still find doubt in the arguments of political leaders 8 simple ways to help planet 8 simple ways to help thethe planet and activists. They simply doubt the entire situation, and do not know which sources to believe. There are many opinions out there, but one

by ASHLEE PITIGLIANO REPORTER thing is for sure; “Going Green” is a positive campaign intended to help lessen the impact of the human populace on our planet.

Buy clothes, household items, accessories, and purses that are made from environmentally friendly material at your favorite stores like American Apparel and Gap or online at Greenfeet.com and Earthfriendlygoods.com

Many companies such as Waste Con tions, Inc. and Tacoma Solid Waste co garbage, recycling and yard waste for dents and businesses. Instead of printin everything you type, send it via emai and keep documents on your computer as opposed to a file cabinet.

6. U

Look for pet care products provided by brands Walking is free, so use your feet. Transportalike Hartz Clean Earth or Feline Pine. Buy tion is responsible for nearly 80 percent of kitty litter made from plant-based material carbon monoxide and 50 percent of nitrogen such as corn, wheat, recycled newspapers oxide emissions in the U.S., so save or wood chips. Stores as close as PetCo and gas, money and the environment PetSmart sell products like these at user by walking or biking. friendly prices.

Need notebooks for math and English? Save about 60,000 trees and 25.5 million gallons of water by buying notebooks made from recycled paper.

7. Buy

With the country increasingly going green at home, companies are being pushed to find ways to keep with the trend and become more environmentally friendly. Some have taken steps to improve their own products and facilities, but to some, the Consumerism: The social movement seekcommercialization of the environmental moveing to protect and augment ment defeats the purthe rights and powers of buypose of going green. ers in relation to sellers.

Veteran environmental activists adEnvironmental vocate using less and Consumerism: reducing consumption as opposed to the buy a recent offshoot of the your way green method environmental moverecently seen among ment whereby concelebrities and the sumers buy their way out public. of ecological guilt through Most grocery and the purchase of products retail chains are investing in reusable and services marketed as bags, with some even green-friendly. going so far as to offer bags featuring the work of graphic artists. Wal-Mart has created thicker, more durable shopping bags to replace its plastic bags. Several retailers have even cashed

in on the idea of reusable shopping bags and market them as a new line of products, offering customized bags online and in stores.

Clothing retailers, including REI and Target, have turned green products into a fashion statement.

Apparel providers have turned to promoting eco-friendly clothes as a supplement to their regular merchandise. Additional companies have taken to selling clothes with slogans such as “tree hugger,” “think green” and “recycle,” among others.

But buying green products does not an environment save.

The united effort of changing an entire society is what it takes to create the sustainable living most green activists work toward. Supporting eco-friendly products is a small step in the right direction for the everyday consumer or celebrity, but in the overall scheme of things, it would take the collective influence of both world governments and international conglomerates to truly affect a slowing or reversal of global climate change.

Some companies have focused on recycling as a way to reduce their green footprint. Starbucks has been considered one of the leaders in protecting the environment for years. The “Ground for Your Garden” program provides free used coffee grounds for use as a soil additive, and customers with a reusable mug receive a 10-cent discount.

International organizations like Greenpeace and the Sierra Club as

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Getting a new cell phone? Donate your old one t Community Church, a charitable organization in T recycles old cell phones. You can get tax deductions f your working electronics to schools or charities. Ena foundations to re-use your old technology conser resources, saves energy and reduces pollution.

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Eco-Friendly products may be causing more harm than good

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Companies like Google Inc., Target and Wal-Ma Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design vided by the nonprofit U.S. Green Building Counci of their eco-friendly policies.

One company, Microsoft, has been criticized tendo by Greenpeace for the inclusion of hazar its products. Other companies scoring low inclu Motorola Inc. and Apple Inc. The companies tha on the Greenpeace rankings were Sony Ericsson M tions AB and Samsung Corp. Supposedly in respon evaluation, Apple CEO Steve Jobs posted a five-p entitled “A Greener Apple” on the Apple website company is doing to remove the presence of tox its products and reduce and promote the recyc (outdated products).

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Regina Valdes Junior

Eco-Friendly products may be causing more harm than good

Drastic steps need to be taken. Those are being discussed in the big 2008 presidential election. This shows that people know we’re harming our planet and we need to fix it.

Though it is true that our planet did go through the ice age, it also went through the extinction of a whole species. Those who Do you think going think this is just a phase the planet is going through, or those who just think it is too late, green will actually effect wouldn’t you rather try and reverse this phase change toward repairing of pollution or extend humans life on earth? the environment?

Many options are being discussed about what we can do.

Wait ten minutes to throw away the bag or recycle the pop can.

Or not. But even if global pollution is not a cause of, or is not our big problem of global warming, what would it hurt to clean up the planet a bit. Talk e with others to figure us ca t of e out what you can do lo t ,b a h put a he a est or what others are doe “ Y do to t e b o ing. We shouldn’t wait we ff in re. Th uld d le e until the landfill ends up stu sph e co dev es o e w in your backyard before we m ing p th hous n th o sto t of dow take action. is t men tting op d cu an es.” tre

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We’re all guilty desertification in some developing country) of it, but how much because they thought it was soft, all contribute longer can we plead to the pollution of our planet. In the name the fifth? We wait of temporary convenience and advantage, t o ge t t o t h a t we unknowingly contribute to the pollution side street, do a of our world.

Say it’s global warming or quick look over the not, filling up land space with trash, cutting shoulder, roll down down trees and taking away oxygen, and burnthe window, and JOSH JOYCE ing holes in the ozone layer with our carbon R E P O R T E R spewing cars is the pollution of our planet. now we don’t have to carry the sticky We cause it and we can stop it. I’m not saypop can all the way home or smell ing we shouldn’t drive cars; we shouldn’t build houses the McDonald’s bag anymore. Some- or produce goods crucial to our economy anymore. one will clean it up, right?

There are just more efficient or alternative ways to But don’t you think the 101,415 go about doing these things. pounds of litter in Pierce County Maybe some crazy scientists at NASA and their alone in 2006, reported by The Wash- NOAA POES satellites were wrong acknowledging ington Ecology department, is too global warming by saying sea ice was decreasing nine much for that Good Samaritan to pick percent a year since 1981. But taking away the term up? That’s just the way our society is. global warming doesn’t stop our major coastal cities It’s just an inconvenience that doesn’t from being flooded when all the sea ice has melted. affect our lives at the moment, so who Sure, countries are taking steps by putting caps cares if we got rid of the trash. on greenhouse gases, preserving forests, and making Though, as you should know, it factories more environmentally safe, but the Bush doesn’t end with litter. The person administration would not sign the Kyoto Treaty getdriving the 12 mile-to-the-gallon ting our country started. And yes we have emission truck, the corporation tearing down controls, but that doesn’t stop automobile manufacthe forest to build your new 140 turers from not using alternative resources. Finally, home housing development, or that we put a fine on littering, but there’s still 50 tons of consumer buying the $100 cashmere litter where you live. sweater (which contributed to the Not one person can put a stop to this pollution.

“ Yes, because it would be worse if they were wasteful.

One person makes a difference and the more people get involved, the stronger the effect.”

Washington has become a national leader for environmentally friendly legislation by

ASHLEY O’BRIEN

REPORTER

Jennifer Delp Sophomore

“Yeah, because I don’t think many people would go for it because they’re too lazy.

There wouldn’t be enough people to make a difference.”

Washington is one of many states that could possibly be affected by global climate change. Extreme weather changes, rising sea levels and warmer temperatures all could occur, which could in effect reduce the snow pack on the mountains.

This is why Washington has made a huge effort to make going green a must. Gov. Gregoire and the Washington Legislature have made agreements on a goal to take steps to lower the climate changes in Washington by year 2020.

A campaign called 1Sky was formed to educate the public of Washington on the state’s goals. The goal for this campaign is to mobilize the public, and create a strong group of citizens who can help improve the climate.

Businesses, too, have worked for the goal against global climate change.

Business, agriculture, faith and civic leaders have worked together to create a cleaner environment. Because of this, the goal has accelerated dramatically.

Gov. Gregoire has also signed into a bill called Electronic Waste Recycling Campaign. The goal of this campaign is to provide a safe way to recycle televisions and computers or any other electronics, which are hazardous because of the toxic metal in each machine. This reduces the pollution of improper electronic recycling. Properly recycling the electronics will give the state more resources, and hold manufacturers responsible for the products they produce.

There are many residents of the state who have built their homes to help benefit the environment, and have everything in the house recycled or built to help the environment.

The residents who have built “green” homes usually help in every department, and want to be wholly energy and material efficient.

When it comes to Emerald Ridge, climate changes and recycling are not talked about much. Not all teachers are supplied with a recycling bin; most have to get their own. Occasionally students from Susan McQuilkins Special ED classes will pick up the recycled papers from the bins. The content is then thrown into a larger recycling bin behind the school.

Washington is still moving forward and continuing to create new and better ways to help the environment, and everyone can help.

Mitch Noll Teacher Do you think going green will actually effect change toward repairing the environment?

“I’m not sure if global warming is reversible, but I do think people should be more environmentally conscious. Anything we could do to help is a good thing.”

e

om h r u

” yo g n ni

e

by

DALLAS M. WELKER

EDITORIAL BOARD

The pressure to go green and make an impact is on. Luckily, there are hundreds of ways for you to renovate your home and make a difference – if you can afford it that is. While going green appears to be a necessary action, the steps leading to a green friendly lifestyle are expensive and excessive for some.

A family of three, living in a 1,600 square foot home in the northwest would consume (on average) 13,200 kilowatthours of electricity. Of that energy, 47 percent comes from home heating and cooling. But there is a green alternative. Installing a high efficiency water heater would cost about $491. Wall insulation would cost $665. Insulating walls keeps heat inside longer, taking less power to re-heat when temperatures go down. Reducing duct leakage, house air leakage and installing an energy efficient furnace would cost $1,652. Other ways to ensure a house is properly heated in the most efficient and green friendly manner is to insulate heating pipes and attics. Doing all theses things could reduce your energy usage by 59 percent.

Imagine a gigantic light bulb. Turn it on and keep it on for one year. If this light bulb were to represent the amount of yearly spending on energy and natural recourses in one year, you would be paying $7,200 to turn that light bulb on. Installing fluorescent light bulbs in your home would cost $182. Installing a solar photovoltaic system that would account for 80 percent of energy usage in one year would cost $43,000. Other low impact changes can include motion sensors and skylights. Doing these things has the potential to reduce your usage by 38 percent.

The same northwest home mentioned before, uses an average of 180,000 gallons of water a year. Up to 18 percent of that water is reusable, or “gray” water. Another

“gre f o t

22 percent cos e of that water g th n i h contributes to ig We sewage waste. One way to make an impact is by switching to ultralow flow toilets. They use less water per flush and would cost about $840 to install. You can also get low-flow shower heads costing around $130. An Energy Star dishwasher, which uses less water per load, can run up to $400. A rain shutoff for irrigation systems and rain cisterns to catch rainfall, which can be used to water grass and other plants, cost about $125.

Other upgrades can include a washer and dryer (prices ranging from $200$600 each). There is the potential to reduce water waste in homes by 89 percent meaning a low impact home would only be using 11 percent of its initial water usage.

This home produces 2,180 pounds of waste per year. Up to 55 percent of that waste is from unrecycled recyclables. That means that over half of the waste this home produces could be re-used by recycling papers, plastic, cans, glass, and yard waste.

You can purchase a composter for around $80 to reduce organic and yard wastes.

You can also purchase a worm composter for $140, which turns organic waste into high-quality potting soil. You can buy store bags for $12 and reuse them with each trip to the store. To find the nearest recycling center, search in your local phone book.

So your total cost for a completely redone green home with all new upgrades would come to $89,568. But these upgrades

do not come without benefits. Going green could save you $7,338 in annual bills, home upkeep, etc. Not to mention the reason for going green: benefiting the environment.

To decide whether or not you can or would like to go green you must ask yourself two questions: Can I afford to go green? Can I afford to not go green?

The total cost for a completely re-done Green Home would come to

$89,568,

and going green could save you

$7,338

*For more ways to turn your home into a green home visit www.lowimpactliving. com

in annual bills, and home upkeep

SPORTS

Postseason effort anticipated to redeem wrestlers

Senior Nick Tennison pinned senior David Marrow of Puyallup in two minutes and 36 seconds in the 130-pound weight class on Jan. 16. The Jags won the dual 54-23, with an accumulated six pins on the night. by

LAUREN SMITH

EDITORIAL BOARD

With a 4-3 league dual record and 4th place SPSL finish, the boys wrestling team is looking forward to what should be a successful postseason.

“There are some people who are for sure supposed to do well, and others that have the potential to step up,” senior Nate Wetterauer (285 pounds) said. “If we step up as a team, we have the ability to accomplish big things.”

The Jags advanced to a 4-1 record after wins over Curtis on Jan. 3, 45-30, Spanaway Lake on Jan. 10, 60-21, and Puyallup on Jan. 16, 54-23.

“We were feeling really confident in ourselves going into the Rogers meet after winning three straight,” Wetterauer said. “We were wrestling hard in practice to accomplish what we needed to get done.”

Senior Kameron Munroe (160 pounds) was one of two wrestlers who were injured in the meet against Rogers on Jan. 17.

“I had hurt my knee a couple of weeks before at practice, but since it’s my senior year wrestling I didn’t want to stop until I really hurt it, like I did at Rogers,” Munroe said. “In the match it got twisted and folded underneath me so much that I couldn’t straighten it.”

Munroe underwent arthroscopic repair surgery on Jan. 24, in which the surgeons made several incisions in his knee and repaired his torn meniscus with the assistance of small cameras inserted in his knee.

“For about a month I can’t have pressure on the knee and have to walk on crutches

18 volumeEIGHT.issueFOUR

and elevate it,” Munroe said. “The doctor also said to move it by straightening and bending my leg about 10 times an hour to keep the blood flowing.”

Senior Kevin Mooney (152 pounds) was also injured in the dual in his match against Rogers senior Kyle Foster.

“I was throwing him and my shoulder hyper extended,” Mooney said.

Though he will wrestle in the postseason, Mooney faces shoulder rehabilitation.

“I have to go to the chiropractor three times a week and do physical therapy on my own,” Mooney said.

According to Wetterauer, the injuries to Mooney and Munroe, as well as a lack of competitive attitude were primary factors in the Jags’ loss to Rogers, 24-52.

“We didn’t perform as well as we could have,” Wetterauer said. “At league we’re planning to come back with a different attitude and show them how good we are.”

The Jags faced Graham-Kapowsin in their final dual match of the season on Jan. 23, and lost 28-38. Due to their injuries, Mooney and Munroe did not compete, and while they are both integral components of the team, coach Jim Meyerhoff is unsure if their health made a difference in the meet. “(GK has) two state placers at those weights, so it might not have made a difference,” Meyerhoff said of GK senior Brad Sweet who placed first at 145 pounds and junior Tyler Story who placed fourth at 160 pounds last season.

With the regular season finished, the Jags are working toward a successful post.

“Practice right now is about an hour and a

half, so it’s half as long, but twice as hard,” Wetterauer said. “We wrestle live for about an hour and work on sprints. We have to step up our game, because we can’t afford to make mistakes at this point.”

According to sophomore Brendan Savage (119 pounds), work ethic and weight are key components to a successful postseason.

“We need to step it up more in practice – which we have been doing the last week – and stay focused on wrestling and watching our weight,” Savage said.

Many wrestlers – including last year’s state competitors, seniors Gabe Weber (135), Kyler Koppelman (215 pounds), and Erik Halsey (189) – are expected to advance far into the postseason.

The Jags competed in the league meet on Feb. 1 and 2 at Rogers. Results were not available as of press time.

The regional tournament will take place at Foss High School on Feb. 8 and 9, and the state tournament at the Tacoma Dome on Feb. 15 and 16.

Photo by Lauren Smith

SPORTS

Road to postseason cut short Unconsistent play throughout the regular season causes boys basketball to fall a few steps short of a playoff berth by

DALLAS M. WELKER

EDITORIAL BOARD

It has been a back and forth battle since the Jags came back from winter break. They have a 4-9 league record as of press time, and will not be heading to any postseason play.

They returned refreshed and ready to play, winning two consecutive games. On Jan. 4, during overtime, the Jags were able to finish strong with a 66-60 win over Graham-Kapowsin, followed by a 72-59 win against Beamer on Jan. 8.

“It feel good to get two wins,” junior guard Michael Guimond said. “We’re on a bit of a streak so we know we can do it, but it’s a little disappointing because we should have started winning earlier.”

The two-game winning streak came to an end when the Jags faced rival Puyallup on Jan. 12. The Jags were able to keep up with Puyallup’s fast-paced style basketball for the majority of the game, trailing by two points at the end of the first quarter, four during the second, and two in the third. However, the high-speed battle came to an end with a loss for the Jags by two points, 56-58.

“We’re disappointed because we thought we had a chance to win,” coach Ben Muehlenbruch said. “We were right there and they made some shots down the stretch.”

Despite a 7th place league standing, Muehlenbruch is still pleased with the team’s improvement over the course of the season.

“Although our record isn’t the best we continue to improve,” Muehlenbruch said. “You can see that by

some of our last few games – like when we almost beat Puyallup.”

However, Guimond is surprised by the team’s overall standings.

“I expected us to have a shot not only to make the league playoffs but to be seeded in at least the top three for playoffs,” Guimond said.

After an early season loss to Rogers on Dec. 14, the Jags were able to redeem themselves with a 56-50 victory over the Rams on Jan. 17. The Jags had the lead at the end of every quarter – including an 11-point lead at the end of the third quarter. Senior center Joey Williamson led the Jags with 17 points, and was closely followed

by Guimond and senior guards Brady Tripp and Jordan Tungsvik, each of whom had eight points.

“It felt good to beat them,” Williamson said. “We passed the ball around and we got good shots.”

Guimond feels that this win will be beneficial for the team next season.

“It helps us for next year,” Guimond said. “Now the juniors and sophomores who will be seniors and juniors next year will have more of a winning attitude towards things and we won’t be so passive when we play them.”

The Jags faced another loss against Bethel on Jan. 22 loosing 61-51. That loss was followed by a 62-56 win against Graham-Kapowsin on Jan. 29. The Jags continued to teeter from losses to wins, loosing to Todd Beamer 71-61 on Jan. 29.

“I think that we’ve gotten consistently better,” Muehlenbruch said. “Since the first times we’ve played teams, in the first rotation of the season, versus the second rotation of the season, we have improved and we have gotten better.

The Jags lost their last game of the season at Curtis on Feb. 1, 40-48. Their final record of 4-10 in the SPSL and 5-15 overall, as well as a low finish in the SPSL, ceased their chances at the postseason.

Junior Michael Guimond scored four points against Graham-Kapowsin on Jan. 25.

Solid players end girls basketball with a solid finish by

BRIAN SVOBODA

REPORTER

With postseason dashed, the Jags now hold a record of 5-9. Motivation and solid playing led the team to a strong finish The team won their game at Rogers on Dec. 12, 47-44. Senior Kaitlyn Stoltenberg and junior Shannon Byrne both led ER with an individual score of 19 points each. The Jags competed against the Curtis achieving a 42-39 win. The game at Curtis, on Dec. 18, was again led by Stoltenberg and Byrne who scored 14 and 15, respectively.

Byrne has also been recognized by the

Photo by Lauren Smith

Seattle Post-Intelligencer as an outstanding athlete with their award of Athlete of the Week for January, in addition to holding third in the SPSL with 321 total points.

The Jags faced a tough loss against the undefeated PHS, a close game against Beamer with a 47-55 loss, and two losses against Graham-Kapowsin on Jan. 14 and 24.

They won their second game against Rogers on Jan 18. Ending the game with a score of 49-46, the team was led by Byrne with 18 points.

“Our rivalry with Rogers really helped motivate us to beat them,” Stoltenberg said.

“And after the first time we knew we could do it again.”

On Jan 29, the team won their game against Beamer with a strong lead of 46-33.

They also played a great game versus Curtis for their second win against them, leading with a 66-54 win on Feb 1. The coach commended both Byrne and Stoltenberg with their exemplary play in the game.

“Those kids have done an outstanding job all year,” Ferias said, in addition to noting Stoltenberg leading the SPSL south division in rebounds, with 19 rebounds in the Curtis game alone – a season high for her.

Sophomore Audrey Sullivan commented on her outstanding play, with a season high of 19 points in the game.

The girls have also been donating their time to helping in the community, which no other team in the league displays.

“The kids have done some great things for the community,” Ferias said. For instance, on Jan. 2, they helped serve dinner to the homeless of Puyallup.

“This team has a sense of being community service oriented,” Ferias said. “Our numbers are small, but I think the message they send to the community is extraordinary.”

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19

SPORTS How long have you been playing basketball?

Two years for Emerald Ridge, 10 years overall.

As a junior, Byrne is currently ranked third in the SPSL for scoring, with a cumulative 321 points and over a 15-point average per game. Her single game high was 32 points versus Graham-Kapowsin on Jan. 24.

Have you competed in tournaments or leagues outside of school?

I play AAU (Amateur Athletic Union) for the “Shock,” and summer league for Emerald Ridge.

Do you plan to continue playing after high school?

Yes. Ideally I want to play at UW, UCLA, or Purdue.

E N R

What do you do to physically prepare yourself for a game? Mentally?

Physically: The day of the game I try to eat good food, drink a lot of water, and get a good night’s sleep the night before. Mentally: I like to listen to music beforehand, and then while we’re warming up, I think about what I need to work on from the last game.

Athlete of the Month

What has been your best moment in Emerald Ridge basketball so far?

My best game personally was this season against GK, because I scored a personal record of 32 points. This season has also been good for the team because we beat Rogers twice.

N

N O BY N

How much of your life is dedicated to basketball?

I have practice for school Monday through Friday, and sometimes on Saturdays for an hour and a half each, and I have AAU practice on Sunday and Wednesday for two hours each. I spend about 13 hours per week playing or practicing.

Who is your inspiration?

Definitely my dad; he played at Concordia College in Minnesota, and wants me to do well, which makes me want to work harder to make him proud.

What is your favorite part of the game?

Offense because I get to work on my post moves, and I also have the chance to get rebounds and assists; everything happens on offense.

What are you thinking about when standing at the foul line?

I’m mostly thinking about my form. I usually focus on the front of the rim so that the ball will go right over it. I just zone everyone out and focus on making the basket.

The last two minutes of the game are critical. How do you keep calm?

When it’s a close game I try to stay calm. Sometimes I’ll get on one of my teammates or myself for a mistake, but for the most part I try to keep everything in until after the game.

Who are you rooting for to come out on top during March Madness?

This year UCLA in the women’s bracket, because their post, Lindsey Pluimer, is a strong player, and a good three-point shooter as well.

Who is your favorite professional player?

Kevin Garnett, because when I lived in Minnesota he played for the Timberwolves, and since he played post like me, I looked up to him and he stuck out to me.

S

H A

What strategy do you use to beat defenders on offense? Defense?

Offense: If I get a chance, I try to pump fake, because the bigger girls tend to go for the face, so instead of going straight up for the shot I’ll pivot and step around them. Defense: I try to keep my hands straight up so that I won’t get called for a foul, but I have a habit of trying to block the shot. Blocking typically doesn’t work, and that’s how I usually get into foul trouble.

When you’re in foul trouble, how do you adjust your game?

I focus on keeping my hands straight up because I know if I get another foul that I’ll be out of the game, and I wouldn’t want to let down my teammates.

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Photos by Lauren Smith and Ashley Vincent

SPORTS

Swim sends three to districts Three individual swimmers as well as the 200-yard medley relay team competed at districts last Saturday by

LINDSAY NOLAN

REPORTER

A final record of 0-4 for the boys swim team shows the struggle of a small team, but not the effort put forth by individuals.

With outstanding performance, the team is sending three individual swimmers and one relay to districts on Feb. 1 and 2.

“All the swimmers have had a chance to re-evaluate the difficulty that comes with swimming,” coach Nathan Jendrick said.

“They have all stepped up, and the ones that have stuck around don’t complain. I am equally impressed with all of them.”

On Jan. 15, the team competed against Beamer. Senior Jacob Baudin placed first in the 100-yard breaststroke with a time of 1:16.15, freshman Tanner Kuestermeyer placed first in the 200- and 500-yard freestyles with district qualifying times, and Washburn second in the 100-yard butterfly, with a district qualifying time as well.

Recently, senior Ryan Renggli, suffered

his second collapsed lung. This incident set back the chances of sending the first ever boys relay team to state.

Renggli underwent immediate surgery, and is slowly recovering. After taking time off, he hopes to compete at state in the 50yard freestyle and 100-yard backstroke.

“At the time that it happens, it hurts pretty bad,” Renggli said. “During practices I plan to hold back a little at first, but hopefully I will be able to compete well in at districts and state. I want to avoid overdoing it again, though so it is kind of hard.”

His sophomore year, Renggli was in a scuba diving accident, but still competed at state. He placed 5th in the 100-yard backstroke and tenth in the 200-yard freestyle.

“It just kind of popped when I was under so I came back up,” Renggli said. “I still swam at state before I got treatment.”

Nine boys competed at the SPSL meet on Jan. 26. Of the nine, three placed in the top 12 as well as the 200-yard medley relay.

Senior captain Stephen Washburn placed 9th in both the 200-yard individual medley and the 100-yard butterfly. Washburn qualified for districts in the medley.

Renggli placed second in the 50-yard freestyle with a time of 22.90 seconds. He

Freshman Tanner Kuestermeyer qualified for districts in the 500-yard freestyle with a time of 5:18.84.

didn’t swim the 100-yard freestyle, which disqualified him from the remainder of the meet. Freshman Tanner Kuestermeyer placed third in the 200-yard individual medley and second in the 500-yard freestyle.

“It was a pretty fast meet,” Kuestermeyer said. “It was a lot more competitive, more intense, and everything you worked for had

to pay off there.”

Although the boys struggled with wins, improvements were made individually.

“We had a handful of fast swimmers this season and a better coaching system,” Washburn said. “Overall the season went really well. We are still hoping to get our 200-yard medley to state at districts this weekend.”

Gymnastics lacking in team members, not talent Despite a small, 10-girl team, gymnastics is expected to perform strongly in the postseason and advance to the state meet by

MEGAN ALBERT

REPORTER

The Jags took second to Puyallup on Jan. 30 with a score of 161.4.

Photos by Lauren Smith and Gerry LeConte

The girls gymnastics team has had an exciting season thus far. Still looking forward to a trip to the state meet, the girls districts next weekend. At districts, the top two teams will earn a spot at state.

“We’re looking good for state so far,” assistant coach Christine McCrea said. “Our biggest competition is going to be PHS and Thomas Jefferson, both of whom will be at districts.”

Each all around competitor for Emerald Ridge has placed in the top 10 the past two meets.

The team placed first in all of their meets but two: In which they placed second to Todd Beamer and Puyallup. The girls also came away from the meet against Kent-Meridian, Auburn and Capital with the highest team score in ER history: 169.2.

On Jan. 30, the girls competed against Rogers and Puyallup in their biggest meet of the season. ER placed second, ahead of Rogers. Junior Brianna Howe placed first on floor with a 9.35, and junior Whitney Sidor placed first on vault with a 9.55.

Although every member of the team is important this year, Howe has proved to be a crucial member of the team, placing first all-around at six of the seven meets.

“In a sense, I like the pressure because it really motivates me and gets my adrenaline going,” Howe said. “Everybody plays a part on this gymnastics team in every way, but I enjoy having people look up to me and counting on me to go out there and do what I do.”

As some see it, having a small team can be a disadvantage, but the gymnastics team has proven that this is not always the case. Many teams have underestimated the talent the gymnastics program holds at ER because of their size. With a smaller team, the girls get more individual coaching time, and that has been a huge advantage for them.

“Our entire team has been the key to our success this season,” coach Bobbi Jones said. “With only 10 athletes on the team this year, each score is needed. They have become incredibly close and provide the much needed support and positive strokes the gymnasts need.”

Looking forward to the sub district and district meets, the girls have maintained positive attitudes and just as much determination as they had in the beginning of the season.

“We want to go to state this year,” Howe said. “And we are completely capable of doing that. I want to walk into that Tacoma Dome and do what I do.”

volumeEIGHT.issueFOUR

21

SPORTS

Wrestling works into postseason by

TESSA TORRES

REPORTER

As the girls wrestling season comes to a close, the team looks forward to sending all nine of their members into the first round of the sub regional tournament this month.

“We’re all trying to look at the positive things that are going for us, and focus on the things we can still work on,” said Taylor Myhre, a first year sophomore on the team.

The girls now are focusing mainly on the things that they can better as individuals to prepare for the postseason.

“Now that the season is ending, we, as the coaches know each individual player’s weaknesses and are working with them to make them stronger in preparation for postseason,” coach Cathy Wicker said.

Also, Wicker pointed out that conditioning is an important factor to keep the girls lasting into the three rounds of postseason.

The girls have learned the material and are beginning to work on defined moves.

“Now that the brand new girls have learned the basics, we are each improving on technical stuff,” junior Dallas Welker said.

With nine teammates, and five of them being sophomores, the girls team has improved beyond what their coach thought was possible.

“Our best tournament out of the season overall would be the Lady Timberwolves Invitational at

Jackson High School,” Wicker said. “It was one that we took second at and it was early in the season, so it was nice that we did so well.”

The tournament was held in December, which showed all the improvements the girls had made in the season.

“Overall, the season went a lot better than expected and the first year players have improved so much,” Wicker said.

Wicker hopes that this improvement will give the new players who are interested in being a part of the team next year inspiration to join.

On Jan. 19, the team participated in the Seventh Annual Jaguar Invitational Tournament which includes varsity girls and boys. The girls performed exceptionally well, with three girls placing among the top five finishers. Senior Madeline Hyatt and sophomore Kaylee Carr both placed third in their weight class, while Myhre placed fifth. “(Now that the season is over) I’m excited to work into postseason,” Carr said.

The sub regional tournament was held on Feb. 2 at Auburn High School. Results were not available as of press time.

Regionals are on Feb. 9 at Tumwater High School, followed by the state tournament on Feb.15 and 16 at the Tacoma Dome.

“All of our girls are qualified for the sub regional tournament which is a great accomplishment,” Wicker said. “I’m confident that we will do well in Auburn at the first round of postseason.”

Sophomore Lauren Cross wrestling Maden from Fife High School.

Girls bowling sends individuals to compete at state Bowlers have a decent season and proceed on to the state championship by

LEXI BROCKAMP

REPORTER

Strong individuals and steady improvement have led the girls bowling team to a 6-6 season record, first place overall in the SPSL, and a sixth place position at districts.

Senior Kaytlyn Shultz feels that the record is what the team was expecting.

“As a team we’ve gotten better,” Shultz said. “We’ve learned different techniques that have helped us a lot.”

However, despite taking first place overall in the SPSL and advancing to districts, the girls maintain that there was definitely room for improvement.

“I expected it to be better because we all have the potential to do much better than we

22 volumeEIGHT.issueFOUR

have done,” junior Kerriane Davidson said.

Though the girls had a tough match against Puyallup, they kept their spirits up and went on to districts, taking sixth out of ten overall with a team score of 2,847.

“We lost to Rogers for fift h by one pin,” coach Dell Dittus said. “It was painful.”

Moving into post-season play were bowlers Davidson, freshman Shannon Dexter, freshman Allison Mccormack, along with alternates freshman Lauryn Murdoch and sophomore Emily Detillion.

Both McCormack and Davidson qualified for state, McCormack with an average of 162 and Davidson 159.

The greatest strength of the team was in their ability to play their individual games as a team. This was crucial to their success over the season.

Also crucial was the ease with which the girls adjusted well to new coach Dell Dittus.

“At first when we found out that we didn’t

have a coach we were worried we wouldn’t get to bowl this year,” Davidson said. “Then when we heard Dittus was going to be taking the spot we were a bit iffey because we knew nothing about him.

“As the season progressed he grew on us. I respect the fact that he wants to hang out with a group of crazy, silly girls for two hours a day.”

Dittus is also satisfied with the season.

“I was made coach by default,” Dittus said.

“But it went really well.”

That optimistic attitude is what the team prides itself on.

“Not much gets us down,” Davisdon said.

“We just look on the bright side of things.

When we get in sticky situations we like to rub Dittus’ baldness for luck.”

Gary Walker

Restaurant & Catering Delivery & To Go

253-875-0770 10224 198th St. E., Suite D Graham, WA 98338

Photo by Lauren Smith

A&E

Writers strike makes way for new reality television On any given Tuesday, there are about five reality shows on the four big television networks. Get ready for that number to double.

Why? The Writer’s Guild of America (WGA), aka Lauren Smith the only intelligent Commentary minds in the entirety of the television business, are on strike.

As of Nov. 5, 2007, primetime television as we know it has become virtually nonexistent. To many casual television viewers, they either didn’t know about the strike, or didn’t think it was a big deal. And then, they heard four little words which changed that: “Survivor: Fans vs. Favorites.” That and the names of a few more obviously scarring

reality television shows.

The writers are striking against the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), basically because they want cash for all of their content that is uploaded to YouTube everyday – statements about which have, ironically enough, been uploaded by writers to the site. That, and they want corporate to pay up for DVD residuals and every other on-demand or internet versions of the show.

The writers are not in the wrong here (no pun intended); they deserve their residuals that they worked so hard for sitting at their comfy Hollywood desk and slowly getting carpal tunnel syndrome from a number of rewrites on their $5,000 laptop computer.

Tough life, right? Actually, it is. Most writers are middle-class citizens, and make an annual

salary of about $100,000.

Regardless of salary, however, the solution is simple. The writers have to ask for less, because the suits at the AMPTP simply aren’t going to negotiate away that much money – even if they have lost multi-millions in the 91 days the strike has been going on. They have plenty of money in the bank to do so, but the more they give away, the more money the writers will ask for in the future – it’s practically scientifically proven fact.

So, here’s the scoop: If you miss and/ or can’t live without your favorite scripted primetime show, here’s what you can do: Send letters to broadcast company heads such as ABC, NBC, CBS, etc. voicing your opinions on the strike (in favor of the writers or no), support the writers or not by emailing them through the WGA web site, or

write a strongly worded letter to the AMPTP saying, “Hey, give these poor people some cash Mr. Corporate Businessman.” (The latter probably won’t have much effect).

This is what will happen if you don’t: Scripted primetime shows will continue until around March – thanks to mid-season premieres such as “Lost” and “Jericho” – but after that, it’s reality television until the writers and the corporate stooges find a way to reconcile. However, even if the strike is over within the next few weeks, the odds of shows finishing the amount of ordered episodes before the season is over, is slim-tonone. But, at least there will be some quality television aired, write? Or rather, right?

Be the strike 150 plus days as the previous one in 1988, enjoy “American Gladiators” … or don’t.

MARTIN LUTHER KING PERFORMANCE The annual MLK assembly took place on Jan. 18.

There were three assemblies held for Emerald Ridge students,as well as one evening performance for parents and community members. The performance involved over 80 students – including the concert and chamber choirs. It was directed by five seniors: Zach Burnley, Gabby Mouldon, Colin Sprague, Ashley Vincent and Shareena Wilhelm.

Photos by Julia Serva-Delmonte

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A&E Morgan’s take: The top movies of 2007

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2007 was a good year for everyone who liked a little something extra in their movies. It was a year when a little extra something could supplant flaws and rise to the top. Make no mistake, the following five films are the best released in 2007 – even if the order is debatable – because they all give that extra oomph of genius.

5. No Country For Old Men Country” is almost the exception to this rule, because it is for all intents and purposes probably the best allaround combination of acting, writing and directing this past year. The Coen brothers adapted Cormac McCarthy’s novella of the same name almost to Morgan T. Gard the letter in making their as-now Editorial Board magnum opus, and it shows in every last second that the film is indeed literature itself.

The plot follows Lewellyn Moss (Josh Brolin) as he finds a stash of $2 million in the desert and is subsequently hunted by one of the greatest villains in film, the ruthlessly and dementedly murderous Anton Chigurh (Javier Bardem).

Bardem plays Chigurh so absolutely evil that eventually we stop seeing him kill; we just know he’s killed instinctively.

The brutal violence he causes (shotgun silencer anyone?) only adds to the realism that the Coens so adroitly purvey throughout the film, as does this one genius move: There is not a single note of score throughout the entirety of the film’s runtime.

4. Ratatouille This is the entry wherein we see the first and probably best examples of that extra something I mentioned. To wit: There is more charm and lovability in the last 15-20 minutes of “Ratatouille” than in all of the Coen brother’s dry

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2-hour runtime for “No Country.” There is a catharsis in “Ratatouille” that is unlike any other in film, let alone animated film, and Remy the Rat (voiced by self-professed “foodie,” comedian Patton Oswalt) is by far the most easily relatable and enjoyable male character written this year.

“Ratatouille” is the time-honored story of growing up to be something you’ve been told you’re not since birth with the added twist of centering on a rat who wants to be a chef in Paris.

There are twists here and there, but this is unquestionably an underdog story and by far one of the best of those released in recent memory. It also received the Golden Tomato award from the movie website Rotten Tomatoes, meaning it is officially the best-reviewed movie of the year.

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3. Atonement “Atonement” weaves a story of almost palpable tragedy and sorrow the likes of which have not been seen in decades, passing even the most recent usurper of that throne, 1997’s excellent “Titanic.”

This movie takes you exactly where it wants you to go, emotionally. Even the most hardened of men will find themselves close to sobbing on the floor at the pitch-perfect

finale, and in several particularly heart-wrenching sequences before that – for example, the montage of wounded soldiers returning from the French front (archival footage, no less) set to Debussy’s piano love dirge “Clair de Lune.” “Atonement” would be on this list alone for its honest-to-God emotion, even if the terrific acting, direction and writing were ignored entirely. Which they shouldn’t be.

Don’t believe me? It took “Best Picture – Drama” at the Golden Globes this year.

2. Juno Screenwriter Diablo Cody’s miracle of a film is without question the sweetest and most genuinely heartwarming film released this past year. There are no unlikable characters, its soundtrack is legitimately perfect for the content and every single human being involved was perfect for their parts. Ellen Page plays Juno like no one else can like Michael Cera plays Paulie Bleeker like Jason Reitman directs and Cody writes.

Let’s talk about those last two for a second, Reitman and Cody. This is Reitman’s second feature-length film, and Cody’s first. They have both been nominated for Oscars. They direct and write, respectively, at the absolute apex of the Hollywood level and they are both only beginning their careers. Reitman’s father, veteran director Ivan Reitman, hasn’t even achieved the level of Oscar nom yet. Every single person involved in “Juno” is every single person who should’ve been.

Briefly, extra special mention must be given to Cody’s script. It is hilarious in the way that every comedy movie released heretofore should be—you don’t laugh every second, but you do laugh often and in appropriate intervals and in between there are climaxes of charm and wit. It is a damn near perfect (a word I’ve overused so far, I know) screenplay. Ms. Cody, God appreciates your miracle.

1. There Will Be Blood “There Will Be Blood” is absolute proof of the fact that being exceptional in one area can raise a movie above all others—and in this case, that extra little bit is Daniel Day-Lewis’ performance as early 20th-century Texas oilman Daniel Plainview. It is more likely than not one of the best ever captured on film, destined to go down with the best of Olivier and Brando and maybe even eclipse them.

But you don’t get nominated for Best Picture because your leading man is a genius. Paul Thomas Anderson directs here his masterpiece, and also wrote the script. It is an intense story that takes place over 28 years – the bulk of it in 1911 – of Plainview’s rise to and eventual fall from the peak of the oil business.

It is two hours and 40 minutes long and absolutely none of it is unnecessary.

There was no film like “There Will Be Blood” released in 2007, in the 00-decade, in the 90s, in the 80s—it is in an echelon all its own for the past thirty or so years. There was a rumor that without Day-Lewis’ involvement it wouldn’t even have been made, and it shouldn’t have been. Without him, though, it still had the potential to be one of the best movies of the year. And that is what makes it the best movie of the year.

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Jennifer Marsh (Diane Lane) is an FBI crime investigator

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Every girl has that special movie that she wants to watch with her favorite boy. It may be a grueling experience, but you may just have to bite the bullet and endure The Notebook. If it gets to the point where you can’t stand the movie anymore, just picture a monster plowing through the countryside and biting off Ryan Gosling’s head.

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It may be cliché, but it’s also an ace in the hole. Presenting your lovely lady with a single elegant rose complete with a box of chocolates is guaranteed to splash a smile across her face. Shoot, whichever option you choose, throw this one in along with it.

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Paint her a picture depicting your feelings for her. Make sure it’s evident that it was a time consuming and that you poured your heart and soul into it. Stick figures or no, try your best and give it your all.

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Sit down and jot down a sweet poem. This doesn’t have to be abound with double entendre and written in impeccable iambic pentameter, but make it legible. If possible, bring her to tears of happiness.

Sit her down under a starry night and bless her with your beautiful voice. Okay, it may not be that beautiful, but it’s the thought that counts, right? If it’s really that bad, just grab someone with a great voice and lip sync. Just kidding, don’t do that.

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Have a little fun and devise a clever scavenger hunt. Using little notes and clues guide her to something special. If done right it should be a blast that both of you will remember forever.

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Throw down your culinary skills and cook her a plate of love. Even if it tastes horrible, which you must accept as a legitimate outcome, she’ll appreciate the effort. If the owners of the household fear fire damage, a romantic restaurant will do as well.

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If you really want to make her blush, cover her house and/or car and/ or pet with oversized posters proclaiming your undying love for her. Its going to take a bunch of butcher paper, paint, glitter, (yes, glitter) and brain power. If you hit a creative block contact Emerald Ridge’s resident poster geniuses in Mrs. Cypher’s leadership class, 5th period.

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GERRY LeCONTE

Editorial Board

Scratch your creative itch and grab some glue, a pair of scissors, and paper and get to work. All you need is hearts, hues of red, and well thought out sweet nothings. Take your time on these. I know it may give you carpel tunnel but they have medicine for that nowadays.

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MOVIE REVIEW

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Flee the warmth and comfort of our home, and take her for a walk on the town. Ditch the car, grab some hot chocolate, and see where the sidewalks take you. South Hill isn’t the most scenic place in the world, but Ruston Way or even downtown Puyallup will do.

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If watching someone soak in a nice warm tub of battery acid is your ideal Friday night, then “Untraceable” is the movie for you.

The film features Diane Lane as Jennifer Marsh, an FBI agent specializing in cyber crimes. Her everyday routine of hunting down identity thieves and techno creeps is interrupted by a confounding website, the creator of which is kidnapping people off the streets. His victims can then be seen burning, bleeding and bubbling to death by anyone in America with access to the internet. The torture is affected by the number of views the website gets: The more logins, the more intense the pain.

For Marsh, the race to find the cyber killer gets increasingly more personal as she herself is targeted. Lane accurately illustrates the one star - poor | two stars - average | three stars - good | four stars - great strain of a single mother with both a demanding job and a longing to spend more time with her daughter.

Colin Hanks (“King Kong”) plays Griffin Dowd, a likable computer dweeb with dating issues. Billy Burke (“Ladder 49”) rounds out the cast as the local police detective and awkward, played-out love interest.

The killer is revealed too early on in the movie, which ruined the actual thrill of the chase and the mysterious aspect of the character. However, when his motives and seemingly random victim choices are unveiled it makes the plotline somewhat more believable. His methodical planning has the potential to be bone-chilling, but the complicated contraptions that he rigs for his prey resemble something Jigsaw would craft – not realistic and completely stale after four “Saw” films.

Directed by Gregory Hoblit (“Fracture”), this flick is similar to “Silence of the Lambs” in its portrayal of a strong female FBI agent matching wits with a dangerous serial killer. In addition to this, it comes with a mixed message: Would you become an accessory to murder just for your quick fix of entertainment?

This thought-provoking question was lost among weaker elements of the film, such as cliché horror film tactics (“Don’t go in there! Why are you doing that?), and was obscured by the fact that it was supplying the gore we crave. It seemed to want to mix its battery acid and soak in it too, and thus the element that could have strongly affected the audience was lost.

So if you are in search of cheap thrills, “Untraceable” will hit the spot. If you want something more substantial, go see “Juno” for the third time.

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‘Untraceable’a second rate version of thriller ‘Lambs’

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restaurant is new.

The service was a little sketchy at times, but not necessarily bad.

Our server forgot to bring us our “bread to munch with Gerry LeConte and Zac Tran on,” however she was exMr. Greek tremely polite and I never caught her without a smile Mediterranean Grill on her face.

13333 Meridian E. Suite A After tackling the chalPuyallup WA, 98374 lenging Greek food titles, I (253) 864 - 6000 decided on the pronounceable Feta Linguine. It would erry s pinion be difficult for me to say I was Environment: 4 Food: 2.5 satisfied with the dish. The flavor of the herbs and spices were Service: 3 Overall: 3.5 muffled and I didn’t taste much of Standing in place of the recently anything besides the feta, which departed Hunan Gardens is a new isn’t much by itself. If anything, Greek restaurant named Mr. Greek the food was definitely authentic.

Mediterranean Grill. Greek food is The linguine was made with fresh hard to come by in Puyallup so feta and contained ripe olives still when this establishment popped up holding the pits.

The environment of the esit caught Getting Fat’s eye.

Looking back on our experi- tablishment was calm and cool. ence, it is easy to tell that this The unique light fixtures gave the

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restaurant a nice vibe and coupled nicely with photos of scenic Greece hanging on the walls. The bar is the nucleus of the restaurant, which eliminates the feeling of there being an adult section separate from a family section found in most restaurants.

All in all, Mr. Greek is a unique addition to the static dining seen of Puyallup. Hopefully, the staff and food will mature with age and this will bloom into a great dining experience.

all, so I was probably caught staring at many people’s dishes. One dish that did catch my eye was the spinach dip appetizer. The waitress brought out the dish and poured a shot of alcohol on it, then quickly lit it on fire and yell “Opa” The table got their very own fire show by just choosing to eat.

Gerry and I looked through the menu, and the names of the dishes were fun to pronounce since we have no idea how to speak Greek. With my hunger, everything sounded great and the smells were ac s pinion wonderful in the restaurant. Unfortunately however, looks can be Environment: 2.5 Food: 3 very deceiving.

Service: 1.5 I decided upon a classic gyro Overall: 2.5 accompanied with a side salad, Mr. Greek serves a handful roasted vegetables and a dish of traditional Greek dishes that called Mr. Greek Potatoes. The anybody can enjoy. The restaurant dish was nothing exceptional, just is new and has only opened for a simple gyro that looked increda couple months. The setting is ibly plain and contained no major a nice place where families and condiments – something that can be found in a nice home cooked couples can dine.

When I walked in, I really didn’t meal. I seriously thought a better know anything about Greek food at gyro could have been found at the

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mall or at a falafel stand.

The food was so overpriced that it killed the mood to just eat mediocre food. The salad was a simple one with greens, onions and feta tossed together. The potatoes however were definitely not for me. They came in a tomato sauce with the potatoes half mashed and half solid, and I’m not a big fan of tomatoes so it gave me chills.

The gyro, unsurprisingly enough, tasted as plain as it looked with the addition of also being very dry, just pieces of overcooked lamb with tzatziki sauce, (the traditional Greek dressing that is made from strained yogurt, usually sheep or goat’s milk).

To sum it up, Mr. Greek is a great place to experience Greek cuisine for the first time. The menu offers a wide variety of food. From the appetizers to the dinners, there will be something that everybody can enjoy. The food is nothing special, and in my opinion was slightly overpriced. You really do pay for the atmosphere.

“Rebecca” decent but has flaws Daphne Du Maurier uses great detail and dated syntax to bring a thrilling story of love and suspense. by

KAITLIN CLARK

BOOK REVIEW

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one star - poor | two stars - average | three stars - good | four stars - great

In the mid 1930’s, a beautiful house by the name of Manderley, just outside of Monte Carlo, sits elegantly harboring its mystery. Its owner, Mr. de Winter, is a wealthy, middle aged man who is struggling to cope with sudden death of his wife.

The novel “Rebecca” by Daphne Du Maurier is a romantic suspense with tons of shocking surprises. Although the beginning is a bit dry, once it starts getting into the intense plot it’s hard to put down.

Du Maurier writes with amazing detail. It is easy to imagine everything about the setting and the people in it. For instance, there is a special area that Mr. and Mrs. de Winter go, called the Happy Valley. Du Maurier describes so much detail of this area. She describes the leaves, the weather, the flowers, the birds, and many more apects of this place. During “I

brushed the dripping heads of the azaleas as I passed, so close they grew together, bordering the path.”

There are such shocking events and interesting characters that there was never a dull moment. Mr. de Winter has a late wife whose name is Rebecca. The new Mrs. de Winter begins realizing that when she died, she left a great deal behind to haunt her. This becomes even more difficult because every single relative and friend adored her. The new woman is nothing like old shocking everyone and making Mrs. de Winter feel out of place running Manderley.

Unbeknownst to those who adored her, Rebecca had a completely different story.

Rebecca loved to win. She always had to have the last laugh. In everything, even her death. Her personality was witty and flawless, yet evil and sinister. The new Mrs. de Winter

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is the complete opposite. It is strange how Mr. de Winter went from having a perfect and beautiful wife to marrying a young shy and inexperienced girl.

Manderley is perceived to be a glorious home with the best maids and butlers around.

Mrs. Danvers, the woman who runs it all, is unusually suspicious towards the new Mrs. de Winter. It seems she had a very close relationship with Rebecca, and took her death even harder than Mr. de Winter. The story that unravels is unexpected, causing the plot to take a drastic turn.

Though a great thriller, there are a lot of downfalls about this book. The romance was very dry and awkward. In one part of a conversation between Mr. and Mrs. de Winter, Mrs. de Winter says, “I seized advantage of his smile, I smiled too, and took his hands and kissed them. ‘How absurd to say we are not companions,’ I said.” Also, there were a few too many twists at the end, making it a little repetitive.

One thing especially that was a bit strange is when Mrs. Danvers starts revealing secrets about Rebecca that shocks Mrs. de Winter. She begins showing her Rebecca’s room, her clothes and other items. Her actions make this book a

little too strange.

Overall, this book is good, but has some major flaws. It is very charming and old- fashioned but is definitely for a reader with an open mind.

Mute Math

Mute Math

Josh - If U2 was told they couldn’t conceive, these guys would be their donors. I like U2, but there’s only one kind of Joshua Tree. Mute Math is a quiet band, a one hit wonder with little potential to stand above the rest. They just don’t have that “originality” ever yone’s looking for.

Brianna - Band of Horses is one of my favorite bands, and for good reason. They are so Band Of Horses refreshingly different from any other bands Cease to Begin on the indie scene currently. Dreamy vocals lead into amazing instrumentals. This is the ultimate chill music.

Josh - I like this band and there definitely is not any horsing around here. Maybe I do not watch enough MTV but these guys are definitely not a featured artist. And they should be. They are a fresh band with a new, fresh sound. I believe they will be sticking around for awhile.

Kristen - I really have no words for this band, but I’ll try. The vocals are absolutely spectacular. The crazy guitars and haunting melodies back up the greatness. I just can’t get over how good they are. I hope they make a million more albums.

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Four people, four cds - see what happens when they come to the round table

Nate - Band of Horses is brilliant. It’s like when I listen to them I get the same feeling I get when its snowing, pure joy. It’s like a snow day for my brain. I also, really like the way they sound.

Josh

Kristen - First, what a generic name for a screamo band album.They always involve flames. Second, I already had a headache when I listened to this, and it didn’t make it a smidgen better. The only time I’d voluntarily listen to this is on a spontaneous angry drive around town. That’s it. It sounds like every other punk band I’ve heard.

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Kristen - I’m very neutral about this band. I didn’t write anything down because I didn’t love it, nor did I hate it.

They have average vocals and average instrumental backup. We all agreed on their U2-esque quality, but they just aren’t quite Bono.

Kristen

Josh -This band just gives me energy. No slow ballads, no crying to their girlfriends, just a bunch of crazy kids that are alright at their instruments having a good time. That just makes me have a good time when I listen to them.

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Brianna -Decent band, but I could name a dozen other bands that have a similar rock sound. The music is good, but the vocals are nothing more than “typical.” This is worth giving a listen to, though.

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Nate

Nate - Mute Math is an amazing example of new music. It’s like Bono had a hidden child that he was keeping in his basement and when he finally let him out he just happened to be a musical prodigy who recorded the new theme song to “Transformers” and wrote a killer album.

I like it’s similar U2 sound.

Brianna - Their name suits them well, because they sure did scare me. As hard as I try to be open-minded, I can’t find anything good to say about this band.

They sound like a bunch of amateur highschoolers trying to be hardcore.

Nate - I personally like Scary Kids Scaring Kids. The CD has a nice balance between soft melodies and fits of screaming.

Although I am not very partial to bands like Hawthorne Heights or other emoscreamo bands, SKSK is an exception.

Josh -Brit Pop? Well they are British and they sound bad, so sure Brit Pop. But if the singer was to appear on American Idol, well let’s just say his British accent would get him deported back to England. I do, on the other hand, like the drummer. This band has the sound just not the vocalist. Maybe they should put up some help wanted ads in Rolling Stone.

Kristen -The singer is from England. Enough said.

Accents make everything just that much better. Listening to it makes me want to dance on a beach The Kooks Inside In, Inside Out somewhere.

Nate - This band sounds a lot like Franz Ferdinand, except much worse. I love the instruments, but when the vocalist opens his mouth I feel like I’m sinning for listening to such a terrible voice and not turning it off.

Brianna - The Kooks represent britpop at its best.

I’m a sucker for accents, and the lead singer’s beautiful English tone works perfectly with the upbeat music. Every song on this CD is brilliant.

I’m convinced they can’t make a bad song.

Brianna

Movies

Concerts James Blunt w/guest Sara Bareilles Feb. 4~The Moore Theatre~$30-45

Fool’s Gold Feb. 8~PG-13

Be Kind Rewind Feb. 22~PG-13

Jumper Feb. 14~PG-13

Vantage Point Feb. 22~PG-13

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Lifehouse Feb. 25~Showbox SoDo~$25

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Mika Feb. 14~Showbox SoDo~$25 ~~~

The Music of Led Zeppelin Feb. 22~The Paramount Theatre~$25-65

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Theatre Romeo Et Juliette Feb. 1-10~McCaw Hall~$20-148 ~~~

Riverdance Feb. 1-3~The Paramount Theatre~$30-62 ~~~

Barefoot in the Park Feb. 1-Mar. 2~Village Theatre~$25-55 ~~~

Laugh Lover’s Ball Feb. 14~The Paramount Theatre~$30-50

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Sports Freestyle Motocross Feb. 8-9~Tacoma Dome~$20-25 ~ ~ ~

PBR: Professional Bull Riders Feb. 15-16~Tacoma Dome~$20-100 ~ ~ ~

Golden Gloves Boxing Feb. 22-23~Tacoma Dome~$10-100 ~ ~ ~

Seattle SuperSonics vs. Los Angeles Lakers Feb. 24~KeyArena~$10-105