JagWire | Volume 6 | Issue 3 | Dec. 2005

The Beat Seasonal

The Nutcracker Ballet Dec. 2 - 28 McCaw Hall $20-89

Film Memoirs of a Geisha NR Dec. 9 Starring: Ziyi Zhang, Gong Li Drama/Romance It’s a Wonderful Life NR Dec. 20 Starring: James Stewart, Donna Reed Family/Holiday Rumor Has It PG-13 Dec. 25 Starring: Jennifer Aniston, Mark Ruffalo Comedy Brokeback Mountain R Jan. 6 Starring: Jake Gyllenhaal, Heath Ledger Drama

A(n improvised) Christmas Carol Dec. 16 - 18, 23 & 24 Market Theatre, Seattle $14 A Tap Dance Christmas Carol Dec. 16 - 18 Seattle Central Community College $16 - 24

Concerts

Presidents of the United States Of America Dec. 31 Experience Music Project $45 Toby Keith Jan. 21 Tacoma Dome $49.75 - 59.75

Theatre Sports Ski With Santa Dec. 24 Crystal Mountain $40 - 50 (for lift ticket) Seahawks vs. Indianapolis Colts Dec. 24 Qwest Field Starting at $33

The Sound of Music Through Dec. 18 5th Avenue Theatre $24.50 - 68.50 It’s A Wonderful Life Through Dec. 23 Auburn Avenue Dinner Theater $17.50 - 46.95

the

STUDENT

BODY Student health. Student fitness. Student life.

24 Hour Play Festival For Teens Dec. 30 SecondStory Repertory $4 Beauty and the Beast Dec. 16 - 30 Green River Community College $8

Giving you the low down on the South Sound 28,01.indd 2-3

AN OPEN FORUM FOR STUDENT EXPRESSION

Coldplay and Fiona Apple Jan 25.

KeyArena $38.50 - 76

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

VOLUME SIX ISSUE THREE DEC 2005

12/14/2005 11:51:08 PM

Summer – The winds of time and change have cleared to reveal a Devine Intervention from up above: Relient K has released possibly one of the greatest EPs … EVER. Some may call me obsessed – I call it devotion. The follow-up to their latest album, “Mmhmm,” the band keeps raising the bar with their witty lyrics and tenacious sound quality with three new songs and a compilation of acoustic versions of some favorite tunes.

DECEMBER 2005

11

12 >> What is too far?

Student Body

13 >>

Is there such a thing as too healthy? Where does health stop and obsession begin?

JagWire takes a deeper look at the health of Emerald Ridge.

Living with cancer

On top of earning first-team, all-state goalie, senior Evan Ikerd helped to lead the water polo team to a sixth in state finish this season.

10

Sarah Graham

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Junior Sarah Graham isn’t your average high school student – she’s a committed dancer who has been perforing in the Nutcracker since age 10.

Danny – The fact that so few people even know that this group exists just gives me more time to savor their existence in peace. They are my musical bread and butter. Now, leave me alone … I’m listening to their music.

Summer – Oh, the smooth styling of a man vocalizing his inner poetry. Very Zen. Songs like “Over My Head” make me wish that I was in a cliché, slow-motion movie ending where I’ve just found that the real magic was in me all along. A nice blend of mesmerizing lyrics, a band of white-hot piano keys and clearcut, love-strum guitaring keeps me humming this band all the live-long day.

Matt – It seems like The Fray are still trying to figure out who they want to sound like – U2 or Coldpay, that is the question.

Uninteresting guitar riffs are a definite hindrance for this group and the formulaic organization of the songs gets really tiresome. The lyrics have substance to them, but they need stronger guitar work and a little more “umph” from the keys to back them up.

19 Evan Ikerd

26 ‘George Washington Slept Here’

Despite humorous effort, overpowering special effects, combined with lackluster acting result in a disappointing fall play.

Katina – Wait, haven’t I heard this band before? Oh yeah, I have. They’re called every other band in the world. If a boy band and an overly-commercialized, pop-punk band had a terrible mutant baby, it’d probably be The Fray. I’ll begrudgingly admit that I’ve caught myself humming these songs now and then, but that’s probably just because they have subliminal brainwashing devices encoded in them.

Matt – First gripe with this band?

They’re named after a model of “K” car. The songs melt into one another so well, I didn’t even notice that one song ended and another began. “Be My Escape” is a fairly decent song – good lyrics and strong vocals to deliver them.“The Thief” is, however, probably the lamest song on the album. A sappy piano bar tries desperately to out-lame the lyrics, but both are out-lamed by the backup vocals.

Danny – I have seen the Summer light and it is Relient K. Now I can see why Summer is obsessed.

It finally makes sense – Relient K is good. I have to wonder how I ever lived without them. I may very well have to go out and get this CD. Katina – No fair, I already like Relient K. They always have a great sense of humor, which shows through in their music.

Although sometimes predictable, their harmonies are always suitable for their upbeat style of music. Conversely, “The Thief” on this album is a little bit darker, which is proof that RK has talent and can break out of their norm when they see fit.

Katina – Yes, they’re from Iceland. Yes, they’re singing in Icelandic. Get over it. This music is amazing no matter what language you speak. While most of their music is laid back, slow, and relaxing, “Takk…” has a bit of a faster tempo and a jubilant feel to it. It’s amazing how they transform songs like “Saeglopur” from a beautiful piano solo to a full-scale Icelandic rock song. Fun fact: “Sigur Rós” (pronounced See-oor Roce) is Icelandic for “victory rose.”

Danny – The voices in my head aren’t sure how to react. This isn’t so bad they raise their hackles in disgust, yet it’s so different from anything else, they find it intriguing. They shudder to find out what the words would be in English, some things are probably better left untranslated. They only ask, is the picturing of ice and snow a desired effect?

Matt – Wait … Iceland has music other than Bjork? There’s a mish-mash of instruments, but at the forefront are the wailing guitars and haunting vocals, which continuously fade in and out for a generally confusing grasp of what the song is trying to do. It’s a bit like the kind of music that accompanies your dreams, and that in itself was a little frightening to me.

Summer – What does this remind me of? Oh yeah – the day I decided to repeatedly hit myself in the face with a bag of broken glass. I don’t know what good things have come out of Iceland, but this band clearly not one of them. A man ‘ooh-ing’ and ‘ah-ing’ in very high octaves to bad synthesizer chords is not my ideal song pick. It’s very determined. Determined to do what, I don’t know.

Danny – How it is these people can call this audio garbage, “Greatest Hits,” I don’t know.

Sure, they aren’t bad songs, per se, but this is a culmination of The Who’s literal years in the music industry? How could they?

Who are they to think they can pass this off as greatest? This is greatest, alright – greatest for the trash pile.

Katina –Surprisingly, this CD gave me the hardest time. Yes, I love classic rock. I went through a hardcore hippie phase and a hardcore Led Zeppelin phase (4 th -5 th and 9 th -10 th grades, respectively). But I’m just not in the mood for this right now.

Simple as that. It’s not a problem with the music; they are undoubtedly talented. I’m just not feelin’ this right now. I’m sorry The Who; it’s not you, it’s me.

Summer – If I had a drunken uncle that came around on the fourth of July and set something on fire, I’d imagine he’d have a band like this. I totally give the drummer major props for being a complete animal. Hearing the double bass drum is the hottest thing I’ve heard today. Songs like “My Generation” have me singing the lyrics to a song I didn’t even know I knew. Clearly this band will be on my Christmas list.

Matt – I love The Who with every fiber of my being.“The Real Me” has one of the greatest bass lines I’ve ever heard; it doesn’t so much hold up the bottom end as it takes the lead for the rest of the band to follow. It’s deep and low, and then John Entwhistle (R.I.P.) just takes it up like three octaves – it’s all over the place, and it sounds incredible. So, my question is, why are people listening to contemporary trash when they could be listening to The Who?

12/14/2005 11:38:10 PM

A&E

NEWS

‘George’ fails to make history Distractions and sloppy acting result in a less-than-stunning performance BY

ALEX STOBIE

REPORTER

The first drama production of the year, “George Washington Slept Here,” written by George S. Kaufman, was performed in late November, with a full cast explaining in the form of comedy the trials and tribulations of relationships and standing up for what you believe in.

The story starts out with Newton Fuller (junior Paul Klein) telling his wife Annabelle (junior Angela Conti) about how wonderful this country house was, explaining it to be a cultural timepiece that the former president himself was said to have stayed in way back when the house was in its prime. When he finds out he is alone in his enthusiasm, Newton must then tell his wife that he has indeed bought the house with the hopes that they would all move in and finally have a place to call their own. Soon they find that the renovation of this house is more than they bargained for, and it becomes a strain on their sanity and their wallet.

JagWire wins at fall convention Newsmagazine fared well at the national convention in Chicago by placing second in best of show

PLAY REVIEW The acting was choppy on some parts, especially with the first-time actors. Some of the actors stuttered and were sloppy in the way they presented their characters.

Everything about the way it was all performed seemed a little off, making it look as though they didn’t know what they were doing. Also, some of the acting seemed to be forced, like there was somewhere else that these kids would rather be, making it feel kind of rushed in some scenes. Only a handful of the performers looked comfortable to be up on stage.

To add to it, this production was also complete with distracting special effects.

The smoke, soot, thunder, lightning, and that little fly that added to Annabelle’s annoyance were interesting and added to the play, but when they were going it was hard to hear the lines over them. They seemed a little overdone with the abundance of them in every scene. The play probably would’ve still had the same edge to it if those effects were brought down a notch.

Even though this outrageous material was

BY

BRITTANY GENTILE

REPORTER

JagWire took second place nationally in the newsmagazine Best of Show competition at the Journalism Education Association/National Scholastic Press Association fall national high school journalism convention in Chicago from November 9-13.

In addition to receiving second in the competition, JagWire also received a Pacemaker Finalist plaque

Junior Scott Woodruff and junior Angela Conti portrayed married couple Newton and Annabelle Fuller.

funny to most, there were some in the audience who seemed to be rather uncomfortable just watching this kind of behavior. The humor included some crude, cynical remarks that distracted some from actually enjoying the play. The performance was also complete with shocking scenes that included promiscuous maids and daughters running away with

married men and ending with the whole family drinking ‘apple cider,’ which was obviously meant to be something mind altering.

Overall the play wasn’t what I had hoped for. I left with a really weird feeling, like someone had just told me a bad joke. I was fairly disappointed in the play in whole but appreciated the actors’ attempt on humor.

for being recognized as one of the top publications in the country. Just 51 newspapers were named finalists in September, and only 24 of those were named Pacemaker winners. It is a huge honor to be named a finalist for the Pacemaker because it means a publication is literally setting the pace for other newspapers in content, design and editorial leadership.

Three members of JagWire won individual awards at the convention as well. Tyler Quinn, senior, received a Superior rating in Newsmagazine Design; Jessica Ritchie, senior, received an Honorable Mention in News Writing; and Danny Canham, sophomore, received an Honorable Mention in Editorial writing.

The JagWire staff shows off the new awards they recieved at the national journalism convention in Chicago.

Worries for student safety blocks Paparazzi Wall The ASB-run Paparazzi Wall starts as a good idea, but ultimately does not pan out as administration fears for the safety of students BY

Advertise in the JagWire!

KIRSTEN BABAUTA

REPORTER

“

I THINK SAFETY SHOULD ALWAYS BE A PRIORITY, BUT SOMETIMES THE SCHOOL IS A LITTLE TOO CAUTIOUS.

Starting out as just another innocent fundraiser, the Paparazzi Wall was canceled after merely five days of viewing.

Last year’s ASB class came up with the idea for the Paparazzi Wall.

The idea stemmed from sources that tried it out at other schools where it became a huge success. However, the Paparazzi Wall hardly even lasted a week before being shut down.

Senior ASB Officer Amanda Pisetzner said, “We were told by the administration that another school tried an activity close to the Paparazzi Wall in Eastern Washington, and a kid who was emotionally unstable saw a picture of himself, got embar-

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rassed and shot another student.” The shooting cited could not be confirmed by JagWire.

Having the protection and comfort of the students is the main concern of the administration, and making sure that rule is respected, the Paparazzi Wall was soon shut down.

Principal Brian Lowney said, “We want to do things to make students feel included and welcome here, and the Paparazzi Wall didn’t do it.”

The failure of the Paparazzi Wall has bared similarities to last year’s student – run activity, potato famine week. This also created controversy that questioned students’ and staff’s —Senior ASB Officer Amanda Pisetzner sensitivity towards a cultural issue.

“I think safety should always be a priority but sometimes the school is a little too cautious,” Pisetzner said. “But I don’t want anything bad to happen. I was disappointed it got canceled, but not mad.”

”

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26

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03 volumeSIX.issueTHREE 12/14/2005 11:50:20 PM

A&E

NEWS

WASL practice must make perfect for sophmores New state requirements find students practicing for the WASL as teachers help them prepare for it BY

DANNY CANHAM

REPORTER

Earlier this year, the sophomore class took the practice writing Washington Assessment of Student Learning (WASL), and while this is not a new event, this year, practice needs to make perfect.

A team of seven teachers and staff attended special training in September to grade the assessment based on the state’s set rubric. The practice papers were graded as close to real WASL standards as possible.

Results show that only 65 percent of the sophomore class passed the practice test. In the Content, Organization and Style (COS) portion, only 46 percent passed. In Conventions, 96 percent passed.

With a practice test like this so early in the year, teachers can find where students are struggling and help them improve before the real test comes in March. “(The practice WASL) allows teachers to use the state rubric on authentic prompts,”

Building Learning Specialist Nancy Drew said.

“Students tested at the beginning of the year really do better.”

Using those scores, teachers can help ensure students will pass.

“Miss (Rebecca) Fulton has made us write a paragraph to try and help us work with it,” sophomore Rachael Vaughan said.

This practice focused only on the writing aspect of the test. The WASL also tests reading, math and science. While it might be helpful to have a district practice in these other areas as well, students are to be given prompts and questions by their math and science teachers similar to those of the WASL. Administration does not want to take away from any more class time than they already have by over-testing.

The administration hopes to add a math practice test eventually, although it is only in the idea stage right now.

The WASL is a requirement for this year’s sophomores’ graduation, and the fact that so many would have failed had this practice been the real thing is not good. Struggling students may receive Jag Time interventions, or even be assigned zero hour or seventh period classes should the need arise.

It is all the more important that students

IT’S GOOD TO BE KING

Trends by Puyallup School District Sophomores; Practice WASL has been used to help raise test scores.

pass the WASL the first time. There will be no available retakes for the test until at least August and then not until next spring.

Passing the WASL is important more than just for graduation. Businesses can use this test as a standard to know what type of students schools are producing. College admissions can also take WASL scores into account when accepting applications.

The Office of Superintendent of Public

Instruction (OSPI) reviews a district’s WASL scores as well. They grade districts and schools based on how students do on such standardized tests.

The test sets the minimum standard for the academic knowledge a student should have; however, this is only a minimum.

Students still have two years of school left after taking this test in which they are expected to learn.

Director Peter Jackson follows up his ‘Lord of the Rings’ trilogy with the beastly holiday blockbuster, ‘King Kong,’ a remake of the 1933 classic

Project area classes adjust to their environment Despite noisy halls and numerous other distractions, unconventional project area classrooms have become a surprising success BY

KIMBERLY ANGELLO

REPORTER

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on track and focus. Being that both classes are math one would suspect that it would be really confusing, hearing from students, they say the same.

Teacher Jayne Hofstrand had many great things to say about teaching in the project area.

“Its working out really well,” she said. “The other teachers have the greatest respect for Ms. Fox and me.”

Both said it was hard to get used to teaching in the project area, but now they love it. Fox said she wouldn’t mind doing it again next year if she had too.

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volumeSIX.issueTHREE

04

MATT CLICK

EDITORIAL BOARD

Image courtesy of Universal Pictures

Graph by The Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction

Walking down the hallways, most have noticed that some project areas are now being occupied by classes,

due to the school having too many students and just not enough room.

Teachers say it going better then expected.

“I think it’s better than a stuffy classroom,” math teacher Heidi Fox said.

One would think it would be really hard to concentrate with all the people walking by and all the noises, coming from the hallway.

Some say it’s confusing to be working in the project area, looking around and then being expected to get back

Before I divulge to you the fantastic cinematic bliss that is “King Kong,” let me say that I consider Peter Jackson to be the finest working director today – and not just because of “The Lord of the Rings” films. I’ve enjoyed his previous work as well, my favorite early film of his being “The Frighteners” (which was just released as a special edition DVD; Jackson fans should check it out). I had high expectations of “King Kong,” fueled by the immense marketing of the film, Jackson’s reputation as a filmmaker, and the fact that it’s a remake of one of classic cinema’s greatest flicks.

Let me say that “King Kong” not only delivered – it took my expectations by the scruff of their collar, threw them against a brick wall, punched them in the face, and screamed, “Set your sights higher, you pessimistic, elitist snob!” Jackson faithfully brings the famous ape and his gal pal to the screen with an endearing sense of nostalgia – an integrity that I respect and admire.

Carl Denham (Jack Black, cast perfectly) is a struggling filmmaker who procures a strange map to a nice little place called Skull Island. Carl decides to flee New York after Hol-

F I L M R E V I E W lywood executives decide to sell one of his films as stock footage, and he heads to Skull Island to finish off his masterpiece without the support of producers.

His screenwriter, Jack Driscoll (Adrien Brody, nostrils a flare) and leading lady, Ann Darrow (Naomi Watts, channeling Fay Wray) find themselves along for the voyage. However, the only surviving member of a clan of giant apes lurks within the lush jungles and mossy ruins. He goes by King Kong, and he’s lonely. When Denham and his crew arrive, they’re waylaid by a crazy tribe of zombie-like zealots, and Ann is offered as a sacrifice to appease Kong.

Jackson’s commitment and loyalty to the tragic love story is fantastic (it almost made me forget about the 1978 remake – don’t rent it). Of course, there’s also a bit of Pete Jackson flair to it. In one of my favorite sequences, Kong takes on three T-Rexes (yes, there were dinosaurs in the original) while simultaneously keeping the vulnerable Ann out of harm’s way – the hectic, jaw-dropping series of shots is chaotic without being confusing, brutal without being Wrestle-mania. It’s an incredible scene – one that keeps getting better and better … and better.

But those who assume that this is a mindless popcorn flick are sorely mistaken, and they’re missing out on a great film. The climax of the movie, in which Kong is attacked atop

the Empire State Building by a wing of bi-planes, is stunning – and the wide, top-down shot of Kong plummeting to the street below had me in tears.

Jackson improves upon the original once more by developing us a more human Kong character by expanding on the relationship between the giant ape and the beautiful actress.

Watts portrays Ann not as the fragile, fainting maiden, but as a strong, engaging woman who finds herself caring for the beast.

The major selling point of the film for most people, however, is the groundbreaking CGI of Kong. The massive expression his face is capable of is astounding – miles beyond Dobby (“Harry Potter”) and even Gollum (“The Lord of the Rings”). Kong isn’t a monster, this isn’t a creature film; Kong is a character, one that develops immensely throughout.

Jackson succeeds in creating a relationship between Ann and Kong without dialogue.

Weighing in at just over three hours, “Kong” isn’t for short attention spans, small bladders, or tiny tots. In fact, we don’t even receive a glimpse of the beast until 70 minutes into the film. Some might find the beginning of the film to drag on a bit (“Bring on the monkey!”), but I think the lengthy opening gives the audience a little room to breath, and it’s a great time to develop Black and Watts’ characters.

“King Kong” is truly an incredible film, the kind that reminds me why I started liking movies in the first place.

Never leave Pete Jackson; in a world where Michael Bays and Uwe Bolls rule the Earth, we need guys like you – desperately.

Here’s to hoping for some more Oscars for Pete!

25 volumeSIX.issueTHREE 12/14/2005 11:39:35 PM

OP/ED

A&E

‘Halo’ film offers hope for fans

The less seen side of health

No more ‘Alone in the Dark’ or ‘House of the Dead’ for video game fans -- there may yet be a chance for quality video game adaptations

Today’s society is full of magazines and television shows telling women how to live a healthy lifestyle.

But what about the health concerns facing men?

“Mortal Kombat,” “Resident Evil,” “Super Mario Brothers” – what do all these films have in common? They’re all based on video games … and they all suck.

Hollywood has yet to Matt Click bring us a good film Commentary adaptation of any video game, and it shows no signs of slowing its production of schlock. So who do we blame for this increase in garbage output? One man: German director Uwe Boll, who’s helmed such atrocities as “House of the Dead” and “Alone in the Dark.”

With the emergence of Boll (that’s German for “hack”) in American cinema, and the future release of such chocolately Deutschland

delights as “BloodRayne,” “Far Cry,” “Hunter the Reckoning,” and “Dungeon Siege” (which will be split into two films for twice the torture, none of the enjoyment), the collapse of film at the hands of this madman seems imminent. You can’t claim him ignorant to the trash he produces, either – he’s not Edward Wood. The man has destroyed any chance we have of a good video game adaptation.

Or has he? There is a bright, brilliant light on the horizon – hope for video game junkies and film fans alike, and it comes in the form of a green-armored super-soldier by the name of Master Chief. That’s right, folks – the long-rumored “Halo” movie is well on its way to becoming a reality, slated for a 2007 release. The film will follow the original story by Joseph Staten, who developed the plot for the original game.

But, let’s face it: Production companies aren’t exactly scrambling for video game rights, knowing full well that audiences are wary of them – but the people who turned down the chance to make this movie are going to be hurting come 2007. Bungie (the company that developed the game) is at the helm of the “Halo” movie, and it’s going to

bust the box office wide open.

Who did they find to produce this thing?

Oh, only Peter Jackson. You might know him from his work on “Lord of the Rings” and “King Kong,” (see my review on page 25) two of the largest blockbusters in the past decade. Screenplay duties are going to Alex Garland (somewhat unknown, but respected among screenwriters), whose writing credits include the smart British zombie flick, “28 Days Later.”

A director has yet to be chosen. Rumor has it that the Prince of Darkness himself (Boll) tried to get his dirty mitts on rights to the film shortly after the release of “Halo 2,” but Bungie wouldn’t have that. Recently, Mexican director Guillermo Del Toro (“Hellboy,” “Blade II”) was in talks with Bungie about directing. However, “Hellboy II” – which is currently in pre-production – might cause some scheduling issues with Del Toro and Microsoft. Del Toro has already said that, if it came to it, the “Hellboy” sequel would come first.

Del Toro would be excellent, though. He’s just enough of a geek (think Hispanic Peter Jackson) to keep the film faithful without

making it a direct translation from console to theater. His attention to color, hue and tone would be a huge asset to the production – not to mention add up to a fantastic-looking flick. Here’s to hoping.

I’ve seen a lot of movies and I’ve sat through plenty of all-night “Halo” matches, so believe me when I say that it’s looking promising. I’ve read through the first scene in the screenplay, and it sounds fantastic.

You’ve got Peter Jackson, Guillermo Del Toro, Alex Garland and Fran Walsh involved; you’ve got Bungie personally developing it; and to top it all off, you’ve got WETA (Jackson’s effects company, responsible for the effects in “Lord of the Rings” and “King Kong”) working hand-in-hand with Bungie’s designers to make the transition from game to film seamless. I can’t wait.

“Halo” fans, keep your fingers crossed and your eyes peeled. We should be seeing teaser trailers for this thing come summertime. Oh, and if you happen to see Uwe Boll around town, give him a hefty punch in the jaw, courtesy of Matt Click. Uwe Boll ist der schlechteste Filmregisseur auf dem Planeten!

A bit of Italy right here Looking for some business?

RESTAURANT REVIEW Advertise in Toscanos, located in downtown Puyallup, offers Puyallup residents a chance to experience Italy BY

VERONICA TORNQUIST

REPORTER

Toscanos brings a little piece of Italy to the town of Puyallup. Toscanos opened last year, and from the day it opened, it was an instant success. All of the foods are homemade recipes and exquisite.

The feel of Toscanos is cozy and classy.

The lighting gives off a warm and cozy feel, and with the kindest staff, they make you feel like you’re right at home.

One of the best aspects of Toscanos is their amazing staff. From the second you walk in the restaurant, you are greeted and treated as a friend. The restaurant itself has a great atmosphere.

Toscanos also has an outstanding menu; from delightful salads to homemade pasta, everything is amazing. I re-

ally suggest trying the Tuscan onion soup – it is delicious. The soup has roasted onions with fresh herbs, topped with garlic croutons and melted provolone cheese.

The Tuscan onion soup is divine.

For being such a classy and top-notch restaurant, one would think the prices would be through the roof, yet they’re not so bad. Most meals range from $5 to $10. Also Toscano’s is relatively close; it is located in downtown Puyallup, on your way to Sumner on Main Street. If you wanted to go on a Friday or Saturday Toscanos recommends making reservations (253-864-8600).

Toscanos is a good way to get a taste of another culture. Anyone who enjoys great Italian food and good service should try something new and check out Toscanos.

Reach the students and staff of Emerald Ridge!

Call (253) 435 - 6348 for details volumeSIX.issueTHREE

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L

et me start out by setting the record straight. All these health concerns, all of these “bulletin” issues, all of these scathing exposes into the human body; they’re legitimate.

These are real problems that Thayer Lafleur need addressing, but they’re Commentary primarily focused on women and not on men.

Women change with the breeze, scanning newspaper clippings, magazines, and the latest episode of “What Not to Wear” to make sure that they are up-to-date on the current female physique, whether it’s “crack-addict” skinny or “Kirstie Alley” fat. But men hardly even bother to shave every day, buy food by its price tag and not nutritional value, and work out only to be “one of the guys” and make sure that Richard Simmons is still gay.

Put simply, the public needs to be informed that while women face health-related diseases and are told the signs and how to prevent that sort of stuff, men face health–related diseases too – but for the majority, they are unsure of the signs and have little-to-no idea about how to prevent them.

I know I’m lucky. My parents force-feed me fruits and vegetables daily (not counting French fries), and they support my exercise needs with sports.

Unfortunately, the majority of teens today eat food by either taste or availability, usually in a less nutritional form. We need to learn that this will be bad for us in the near future, and men especially, because there’s so little we hold on to already that doesn’t deal with a ball and instant replay.

So I took it upon myself to do some research, and here’s what I found out: Of the top 10 causes of death, the top three are heart disease, stroke, and cancer. Men die at a higher rate than women on all of them. Society wants men to be tough and ignore pain, but at what point do you cross the line from Urkel pansy man to being healthy and safe? If your motto is “Pain shows weakness, and I’m a strong manly-man,” I’m sure they’ll write that

on your tombstone, 1988-2018. You just turned 30. Way to go.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one in four men will die of heart disease. Look to your left. Look to your right. Look up at Tom Cruise flying down from the ceiling with the intent of stealing the N.O.C. list from Langley.

If they’re still alive, then you will die. Go ahead; sit in that tub of Cockroaches – you might just win $50,000, and then whoever’s in your will is going to be a little happier.

Things that increase your risk of heart disease include obesity, physical inactivity, and smoking.

This all goes back to eating right, exercising, and not inhaling toxins to destroy your lungs, like a naïve boy who’s excited that his parents are away for the weekend, and as he celebrates with a party, he accidentally invites the guy in every neighborhood whose vanity plate reads P-R-TY-M-A-N, refers to himself in the third person, and completely wrecks your home, causing you to enlist the aid of your obsessive ex-girlfriend who still thinks you guys are going to work out and gropes you every nine seconds, because your parents will not be pleased when the toilet’s overflowed and the dog is spraypainted blue, so you get sent to military school in a Siberian gulag, never to be seen again.

About the same amount of men and women get strokes, but the risks are still very real for males.

Any drug/alcohol abuse, high cholesterol, or high stress can cause you to be more susceptible, or at least give yourself the occasional throbbing headache. A lot of it has to do with family history. You can claim that you were unaware of your risks, but you’ll only be surprised if you’re too lazy to do a little research, leaving only yourself to blame, unless you’re Matt Damon, discovered by a fishing boat with no memory and no clues other than a Swiss bank account number implanted on your hip, dig too deep and realize you’re being hunted, run around for an hour or so, and then

“

crank out another sequel, because he’s got amnesia and cannot remember his family history.

Lung cancer, the leading cancer killer in both men and women, is predicted to kill about 90,000 men this year alone. According to the American Cancer Society, tobacco products are responsible for 90 percent of lung cancer, and once you quit, your odds of receiving cancer drastically decline.

Consider if you will, two people on a raft, drifting through the Pacific Ocean in hopes of being rescued. One is a woman, representing smoking, and the other is a man, representing men.

They’ve got some food, but their life expectancy is cut in half because there are two mouths to feed. Plus, she’s complaining that you snore in your sleep, the ocean is hell on her back, and she wishes she had a change of underwear. Sure, she’s nice enough, mildly attractive, and killing her for your own selfish survival needs seems wrong.

But it’s not.

So you kill her, live a week longer than the two of you could have ever possibly survived, and get rescued by a Disneyland cruise ship. You find that your lifelong dream was to operate the teacup ride, earning a modest salary that allows you to afford a sexy stay-at-home Asian wife, three children, and a gerbil named “Smoking,” because had it not been for the woman-on-the-raft’s selfless, albeit involuntary sacrifice, you and your wonderful life would never have been possible.

So, we’ve reached the end of our treacherous journey into the potential health risks for men.

This is the part where Jerry Springer stares into the camera and lies through his teeth about how, though we all face our troubles, even these people will pull through. So let me tell you about the conclusion I’ve come to.

Don’t be fat like Augustus from Willy Wonka.

Don’t stress out over the fact that you have a family history of strokes.

Don’t wrap your lips around the exhaust pipe of a Hummer.

Don’t you feel more informed now?

GO AHEAD; SIT IN THAT TUB OF COCKROACHES – YOU MIGHT JUST WIN $50,000, AND THEN WHOEVER’S IN YOUR WILL IS GOING TO BE A LITTLE HAPPIER.

”

05 volumeSIX.issueTHREE 12/14/2005 11:49:51 PM

OP/ED

A&E

The real problem with Jag E

merald Ridge is blessed with some friendly, understanding, and often funny teachers. Let’s face it, the majority of them are great people, and there’s always at least one that you can connect with.

That’s the point. That’s part of the reason that we spend 30 minutes per day in a class designed for bonding (the other reason being to organize for the culminating project). One of ER’s core values is that every student should be known by at least one staff member.

But what’s implied is that each student should feel comfortable confiding in that staff member Well, we’ve figured it out. Why haven’t we been able to make people work hard and study during Jag Time?

The reason is this: nearly every student has at least one teacher they feel comfortable with. Meaning that instead

of going to math lab or a class they missed to re-take a test, the majority of ER students are going to go to that class holding the teacher most lenient with them and socialize.

It’s true. No schedule can change it.

Either kids will hang out with a “nice” teacher, or they’ll skip; because try as they might, closing every loophole is an impossibility.

Now here’s the ultimate irony: The class they designate for us to find that one friendly adult – generally (since this class isn’t a goof-off Time for teachers) the one the teacher will act most responsibly in, is the one most students cannot stand. They hate it.

Why didn’t someone think about this logically: You can’t assign a friend.

We like Jag, and many students use it for its designated purpose. We want to keep it. And believe us, we’re not

above you; we know how it is. You say you’re going to go to math lab to get a firmer grasp on this concept that may as well have been Greek for all your understanding of it. Then you drop your stuff off at that home class – the advisory you would have chosen if you’d had a choice. All of our friends are there and we just settle in, don’t we?

They cut down our Jag Time and we freak. But if we’re going to gripe and protest, isn’t it about Time we dropped our stuff off in math lab?

As for advisory: It’s nice in theory, but ultimately just a pain. Why don’t we just extend Jag? After all, we have some great people here. And they help us without the stupid title.

Editorials are composed by, and are the opinion of, the JagWire editorial board

Everyone has opinion. That includes you. You’re an opinionated person.

likes opinion.

Get your voice heard!

Write a letter to the editor and submit it to Mr. Nusser in E157, or email it to:

jdnusser@puyallup.k12.wa.us

STAFF EDITORIAL BOARD ....................................................MATT CLICK .....................................................................................KAITLYN GOLDEN .................................................................................................NICK KAJCA ................................................................................ KATINA MATHIESON ............................................................................................. TYLER QUINN COPY MANAGER ..................................................JESSICA RITCHIE PHOTOGRAPHY EDITOR .....................................KASSIE GREEN BUSINESS MANAGERS.............................................. LISSY BRYAN ............................................................................................ DARRIN JONES CIRCULATION MANAGER ..............................JENN WHITHAM REPORTERS ......................................................KIMBERLY ANGELLO .................................................................................... KIRSTEN BABAUTA ......................................................................................... MIMI CAGAITAN ..................................................................................... DANNY CANHAM ........................................................................................MARILYN DIXON ............................................................................... BRITTANY ESPINOZA ........................................................................................CHRISTY FOSTER ...................................................................................BRITTANY GENTILE ...................................................................................................LORI JONES ....................................................................................... THAYER LAFLEUR .......................................................................................... ROBERT MCRILL ....................................................................MARISSA MOODENBAUGH .....................................................................................ELAINE RAYMOND ............................................................................... BRIAN SAMADUROFF ..............................................................................................NIKKI SEADER ................................................................................BRIANNE SHANNON .................................................................................................. KELLI SKEIM ............................................................................................LAUREN SMITH ................................................................................................ ALEX STOBIE .......................................................................... VERONICA TORNQUIST ....................................................................................... ASHLEY VINCENT ............................................................................................ KAYTI WEAVER .................................................................................... MICHAEL WHELAN ................................................................................SHAILEY WILKINSON .................................................................................GRANT WOODRUFF .............................................................................................SUMMER YATES ADVISER..............................................................................JEFF NUSSER AFFILIATES

CSPA, JEA, NSPA, SPJ, WJEA, WSJA

THE FINE PRINT Emerald Ridge High School 12405 184th St. E. South Hill, WA 98374 253-435-6300

EDITORIAL MISSION As an open public forum for student expression, JagWire seeks to cover a wide spectrum of relevant and overlooked topics, while upholding the highest of journalistic standards.

JagWire also serves as a communication link between Emerald Ridge High School and its surrounding community. This year, the publication hopes to build upon the precedents previously set by attempting to give voice to all Emerald Ridge students

in a manner that is fair, balanced and accurate.

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

A chilling tale unfolds as an author recounts her life long battle with anorexia and bulimia, forcing readers toward understanding BY

MARISSA MOODENBAUGH

REPORTER

With the upcoming holidays and a vast amount of time for reading approaching, I went in search of something inspirational and informative.. I relentlessly searched book stores and library catalogs until one day I found exactly what I needed.

Marya Hornbacher’s “Wasted: A Memoir of Anorexia and Bulimia” is a tortured-yetcompelling true account of the physical and psychological aspects of eating disorders that takes readers through the looking glass into a tainted world of hunger, drugs, sex, and death.

Delving into her passion for writing, Hornbacher re-creates her life experiences in hopes of helping and hopefully

BOOK REVIEW preventing people from living with eating disorders. She sheds light on the underlying causes of eating disorders.

Hornbacher examines the deeper issues of stress, alcohol, drugs, sex, academic success, and status, focusing on the impact these pressed issues leave on people.

From a young age, Hornbacher views her body as an enemy, a monster that must be controlled by a system of bingeing, purging, and starving. Colored foods mark the beginning of her bingeing so that later when she vomits, she knows when everything is out. Constant hospitalizations lead to missing months of school and the painful severed ties of friendship. Each day she falls deeper into the dark void that threatening to consume her life.

I find “Wasted: A Memoir of Anorexia and Bulimia” to be a masterful and empowering story, full of depth and emotion. Hornbacher’s story is proof that there is no “cure” for eating disorders; it isn’t just a phase. Hornbacher describes eating disorders as “a desire for power that strips you of all power.” It is a true unflinching look at the dark, complex

story of a young woman drawing closer to death with each passing day.

Intricately woven words leave the reader feeling as if they are the one starving with nothing to quench the insatiable hunger that lies beneath a skeletal frame of skin and bones.

You can smell the bile, the metallic taste of blood in the mouth as she purges herself again and again. Lack of food blurs the vision making it impossible to read or write. Wave after wave of nausea repeatedly flood over you; movement is sickening, almost unattainable.

Her life is plagued by the constant reminder of the years of abuse the body undertakes. Medication and therapy are used to help with the anxiety and psychological issues that linger. A weakened heart beats a slow, unsteady rhythm while a demolished immune system is prone to the simplest of viruses, infections and disease. Each day is a struggle to live a “new life.”

Marya Hornbacher’s “Wasted: A Memoir of Anorexia and Bulimia” is a compelling, intelligent autobiography, truly written from the heart. It is an artistic display of sharp wit and keen understanding, a true eye opener to the nightmare eating disorders create to fill the void of hunger.

Avenged Sevenfold concert really packs a punch A7x shows its distinct style and delights fans at a recent preformance BY

BRYAN SAMADUROFF

REPORTER

The Oct. 18 Avenged Sevenfold concert seemed like an all-out war for the fans.

The concert started with the stage filled with smoke. Only the shadows of the dark and full of smoke band members could be seen.

First was M. Shadows, the lead vocalist, who came out on the stage, then the guitarists Zacky Vengance and Synester Gates, then the rest of the band.

Their hour-long set started with the song “Beast the Harlot,” and the crowd went wild.

There were even a few girls that had tears in their eyes. The song just jump-started the

JagWire c/o Emerald Ridge High School, or by e-mailing them to jdnusser@puyallup.k12.wa.us.

sea of people on the floor.

The concert was mostly songs off their new CD they are promoting. The 1,000 fans that filled the Showbox Theater in Seattle went crazy during the band’s performance.

There was constant moshing, especially when the song “Bat Country” came on. Fans would run into each other and jump around during the show’s heavy riffs. Crowd surfing was a major concept on everybody’s mind, and people were everywhere, as there where two pits on both sides of the concert. The security guards had a difficult time pulling down all the fans that were crowd surfing during the concert.

When the song “Unholy Confessions” came on, the crowd became even crazier than ever before. The song is like the band’s theme song and is truly a7x’s fan’s favorite song.

“I want everybody in here to completely an-

CONCERT REVIEW nihilate and destroy everything and everyone around you,” said M. Shadows when the song came to a pause. When the song started up again the crowd did just that. It was like a constant battle only there where no deaths involved. People began moshing and beating up everybody around them.

Before their last song was played M. Shadows put his arm around Synester Gates, the lead guitarist, and said to the crowd, “this is Synester Gates, truly my best friend, and the best guitarist I have ever met.” Synester Gates then started to play a solo that lasted about three or four minutes. It was amazing with his sweeps and fast finger moving scales on the guitar – he really knew what he was doing and the crowd was in awe after it.

The band finished the concert with the song “MIA.” Fans of a7x truly loved the concert and the band and was constantly cheering and yelling with excitement.

When the concert ended, fans came out of the theater onto the side walk exhausted and sweating tremendously. Many fans came out with cuts and bruises from the show.

A7x really delivered a punch to the crowd and gave them something to talk about. A7x is truly an awesome band to see live and is definitely worth the money, because they simply just put on a great show.

The concert also featured bands such as Saosin and Death by Stereo, who did a good job of warming the crowd up with their music. Saosin was amongst the fans’ favorite of the bands that played because they just put on a good show and sounded very clear, and were very professional.

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 for material that is racist, sexist or illegal for high school students.

volumeSIX.issueTHREE

06,23.indd 2-3

Memoir personalizes life with eating disorders

06

23 volumeSIX.issueTHREE 12/14/2005 11:41:33 PM

SPORTS

FEATURE

Bowling makes improvements after rough start Despite early losses, the bowling team is improving BY

BRITTANY ESPINOZA

REPORTER

Although the bowling girls started the year slow, the team is improving.

The girls lost their first two matches against Bethel and Puyallup, but have worked hard and, since then, won five out of the seven matches played. Their record

is now 5-4.

In their first match against Puyallup, the score was 16-7. The scoring system is based on head-to-head competition that the girls participate in, and the average of all three of their games is their final score.

The other match against Bethel was closer than the Puyallup match, demonstrating that the girls had indeed improved. The score was 14-9.

The best scores during the first match against Bethel were those by senior Jessica Dolan, who

knocked down 432 total pins, and sophomore Rhiannon Hughes, who knocked down 502 total pins.

“It was a good effort,” junior Jessica Edwards said. “We had a bad day when we played Puyallup last so I’m confident we’ll win next time.”

After losing the first two matches, the team and coach Matt Mueller worked hard to improve from the defeats.

“I’m disappointed. We’re not bowling as well as we can,” Mueller said early in the season. “How-

ever, we have a young squad and we’re competing against stronger teams. We’re bowling better each day, though, and the girls are still having fun and the season’s still young.”

The girls’ focus has paid off, resulting in wins against Rogers, Curtis, the second match versus Bethel, and non-league matches against Black Hills and Timberline in a close match, 12-11.

With the hope of reaching state, the team must place in the top five in the league tournament to

advance to districts. In order to qualify for state the girls must achieve top four in districts.

According to junior Krystal Bjork, the girls have been focusing more on their individual goals than on the team goals like heading towards state.

“Our team is doing alright.”

Bjork said. “We’re doing better personally than we are as a team.

But I think we’ll do better in the upcoming games now that we know our strong and weak points.”

BY

People often try to either defy or deny all sorts of things in life, ranging from beliefs to convention to who they are as a person.

Nowadays, there are so many idols to emulate, cliques to belong to, and labels to attain that, oftentimes, people forget that they have the choice to simply be themselves.

Senior David Treichel is one of the few students who hasn’t forgotten this first-rate option. Quite subtly, Treichel’s life portrays that being your unique self doesn’t mean rejecting normality, the world, nor your affinity for superheroes.

He loves Spiderman, but fears the superhero’s arachnid counterpart, along with every other insect on the planet. Like the superhero, David Treichel abhors injustice and unfair treatment. Unlike the superhero, David didn’t purposely throw himself between a girl and the impending doom brought on by a reckless automobile with the means of saving the girl’s life. But that’s what he ended up doing on the car accident that involved the two of them early in the year of 2004.

Treichel’s life now is as normal as it was before the accident.

He comes from the average home of a close-knit family with three children, with him being the eldest. Treichel fondly remembers his mother, Karen Treichel, following his bus to school on the first day of kindergarten.

He enjoys the company of his father, Dan Treichel, who would now and then take him out for a day of father-son escapades.

When he’s not out and about with his family, David can most likely be found at home entangling his imagination with paper and pen.

“I like to write stories,” Treichel said. “I want to become an English major.” Treichel’s life-long goal is to one day earn a doctorate in creative writing.

It appears, though, that writing is not the only thing that David excels in, his ardor being divided evenly between the arts.

“David’s like that really, really cool dad your friend has,” junior Paul Klein said. “He knows a lot about a lot. He’s smart, writes well, plays the guitar, and knows how to have a good time.”

He has enjoyed the company of a guitar since the day he received one on his 16th birthday, an event which was celebrated on

Gymnastics sets bar higher New and experienced gynmasts work together to make this year a success BY

NIKKI SEADER

REPORTER

The gymnastics team this season is expected to do better than previous seasons.

They have several advantages to this season that were not present before, therefore, they hopefully will live up to their expectations and have a record-making season.

The previous year the gymnastics team tied for sixth place in the league out of 17 teams. The girls went as far as districts, but ended the season there.

This season looks promising for the Jags.

With last year as a rebuilding year, the girls should be more prepared this season.

“We are really excited about the season,”Velasquez said. “We want to do well and send some girls to state.”

Not only are the girls excited about the season, but they are also pleased with their new coach, Bobbi Jones.

“She has been doing a great job so far,” said Velasquez.

“The girls have a good chance to do very well,” Jones said. “They need to work together“ There are several gymnasts returning this season with improved skills including Ally Ehmann, Jamie Sagdahl, Sara Belvill, and Shari Caricchio.

“I think we will improve because last year we had really low scoring girls and really high scoring girls, and this year we have average

girls. So that really contributes to us winning,” said Ehmann.

Ehmann’s goal for the season is to “make districts in all-around.”

However, the team also has a few new girls.

“We have at least two freshmen, and they are really strong additions to the team,” Velasquez said.

The combination of new girls and experienced gymnasts will hopefully strengthen the girls’ season.

McCutcheon’s Studio

Just ask Lynn 120 West Main Ave. Puyallup, Washington 98371 253-845-2101

22,07.indd 2-3

22

Photo by Mimi Sison

Located next to the Liberty Theatre

volumeSIX.issueTHREE

MIMI SISON

REPORTER

his hospital bed.

The infamous car accident occurred on Valentine’s Day of his sophomore year on his way home from bowling with the Dexter family. A vehicle ran a yellow light and tboned the Dexter’s car containing David, his best friend Kristin Dexter, and the driver, Kristin’s mom. “(It was) one of the worst phone calls a parent can get,” Dan Treichel said.

David was stuck in the hospital for about 11 days suffering from numerous injuries.

However, it wasn’t half as lonely because moral support virtually gushed out to him.

“He had nonstop friends coming to see him, which was great,” Dan Treichel said.

To this day, his memory of it still fails.

“I don’t remember the accident at all,” Treichel said, “I just remember waking up in the back of the car when the firefighters were getting me out.”

Another person who suffered from various injuries and shared Treichel’s short-term memory loss was Kristin Dexter, the girl whose life he saved.

“No, I didn’t save her life … I don’t think,” Treichel said. “At least I didn’t do it on purpose.” During the accident, Treichel, who sat on the side which was hit by the other car, received most of the impact from the collision and simultaneously served as Dexter’s air bag.

“The doctor just said (to her), ‘You’re lucky you had an airbag there,’ ” Treichel said. “Kristin didn’t know what he was talking about, and then she realized that he was talking about me…”

Whether David ever admits that he saved Dexter’s life or not, he would have to agree with Klein on one thing: He’s been a good boyfriend to her for nearly two years.

“He’s been dating Kristin Dexter for over a year now,” Klein said. “Most people in high school can’t last a few weeks, so that makes him pretty original ... or just a good boyfriend.”

Indeed he is, as Kristin would attest to.

On their anniversary last year, she recalled something sweet that David did for her.

“He gave me a letter that was in an envelope and he told me I couldn’t open it,” Kristin said. “He said that I had to wait ‘til next year (to read it). (In doing that) he kind of promised me that we would stay together for a really long time, so that was really cute.”

Like a true man of steel, senior Treichel’s body acted as an airbag, saving his girlfriend in a car accident.

Though the accident caused a lot of physical, emotional, and financial pains, the Treichels emerged a closer and more supportive family.

David has recovered 100 percent from the ordeal and has been continuing his relentless pursuit for academic excellence without

misstep.

Friends and teachers are confident David will do well in life with the talents and charm he possesses.

“I will always remember him as one of the friendliest people I know,” math teacher Jayne Hofstrand said.

07 volumeSIX.issueTHREE 12/14/2005 11:49:08 PM

FEATURE

SPORTS

Uniform complaints create change BY

KAITLYN GOLDEN

EDITORIAL BOARD

He’s more than a teacher. He has a loveable personality, a passion for helping his students and has probably consumed more Diet Dr Pepper than you and your friends combined

it. Observing his students, it isn’t necessary.

“Mr. Wilgus is tight,” senior Jeremiah Kotulan said. “He’s relaxed and not too strict. I met him in American Studies sophomore year; he taught me how to write and because of him, I got an A+ on my junior paper.”

Sophomore Samantha Brown said, “He’s a fun teacher. He lets us talk and stuff. He’s cool. He helped me understand stuff about math.”

His school lunches consist of fluctuating students seeking aid in various subjects as well as a loyal Diet Dr Pepper and usually a container of yogurt.

“My favorite drink is Diet Dr Pepper,” Wilgus said, “probably because it doesn’t taste any different (from regular Dr Pepper) and it makes me feel

Recent complaints by local alumni have resulted in the request by the Puyallup School District for all junior highs and high schools to stop purchasing black uniforms if black is not one of their feature colors, an edict that won’t affect Emerald Ridge because black is one of the school’s colors.

“District staff had received complaints from several alumni of various Puyallup schools that having black as a school color was being damaging to school spirit and pride,” said district athletics director Rick Wells.

After receiving these complaints, Superintendent Tony Apostle asked all athletics directors last fall that all schools that don’t have black as a focal color not to purchase black uniforms, sweatshirts or other team gear.

“The direction I gave them (athletics directors) was to carefully review all team uniform purchase requisitions to assure the uniforms represented the school`s primary colors,” Apostle said.

This year, Apostle asked Wells to again remind schools of the policy.

“It was just a follow up conversation I had with our district athletics director to remind our building-level ADs about a direction I gave them in Fall 2004,” Apostle said.

“Just an annual reminder to ADs to carefully review annual

better (because it is diet).” He repeatedly buys a 24-pack per week, every week, consuming about 2-3 cans a day.

Transitioning to his role as the driver’s education teacher, Wilgus has had a few unique driving incidents with some inexperienced drivers.

“One girl hit a house,” Wilgus said. “We were turning

BY MARILYN DIXON REPORTER around in a driveway and she pulled a little bit too close to Armed with a favored Diet Dr Pepper and a pencil in hand, the house and hit the drain Glen Wilgus begins his school day promptly at 6:30 a.m. spout. We’ve had students here Wilgus, who teaches special education and driver’s educafind the curbs more than they tion and is a former American Studies teacher, is a friendly, — Glen Wilgus find the street. soft-spoken teacher who enjoys teaching at a more personal “Oh, another student drove level. In classes of seven or eight, Wilgus teaches, directs, through two red lights on the and aids his students in their class work. same drive. I’ve never had that happen before.”

“I enjoy teenagers,” Wilgus said. “It’s great Along with his different classes, he has helped out in to be working with kids outside of the classthe track program. room. I get to know them better than I “Last year, I helped out with the track program,” Wilgus would as a classroom teacher.” said, “the discus and shot put.”

Wilgus was raised in a family of He also has several active-lifestyle hobbies. He fly teachers and has always known fishes, and attends and participates in track, football, and the value of education. He basketball. likes to help students that are He has one child, Kevin, a 21-year-old alumnus of Emerstruggling in learning; thus, ald Ridge from the class of 2003. He is attending Central his decision to teach special Washington University and is majoring in aviation. education.

“I used to be teaching at Puyallup High School, but He begins the class with I wanted to teach at the same school that my son was a quick lesson of whatever attending. I transferred to Emerald Ridge during my subject he is covering on son’s junior year,” Wilgus said. “He participated in the board. cross country and track and by his senior year, and “We cannot divide by a was named team captain of both.” decimal number,” Wilgus says, Wilgus’ wife, Dorothy, is a school counselor at “so what do we do?” He continWildwood Elementary and has a slightly different ues questioning students on the teaching mindset than Glen. how-to’s in division and decimals.

“She enjoys teaching ‘under teens’,” Wilgus With the lesson over, he leaves the said, “or other (elementary) school-aged kids. remainder of the period for problemShe loves that I enjoy teenagers.” solving and practice. He is then able Along with special education and to help students one-on-one, one helping out in sports, Wilgus has the at a time. He speaks to his leading role in the Australian student students in his calm, nonexchange program. In two weeks of admonishing voice that January, a class of 23 Australian asks for your attenstudents and one teacher will attion, but does tend the school. not command “We did it last year and now we’re doing it again this year,” Wilgus said. “For us, this is the most (Australian students to come to ER) ever. But other schools have about 40 students.”

Wilgus will help in its growth throughout the years, as well as in all other things he’s a part of.

Diet Dr Pepper is Glen Wilgus’s favorite beverage. He consistantly purchases a 24-pack of the soda every week. He consumes two to three cans of Diet Dr Pepper everyday.

“

IT’S GREAT TO BE WORKING WITH KIDS OUTSIDE OF THE CLASSROOM. I GET TO KNOW THEM BETTER THAN I WOULD AS A CLASSROOM TEACHER.

”

08,21.indd 2-3

08

Strong work ethic aids swim Team is hopeful that experience and hard work will lead to victories BY

LORI JONES

REPORTER

Photo by Marilyn Dixon

volumeSIX.issueTHREE

uniform requisitions for compliance purposes.”

This caused some misunderstandings about whether black uniforms are allowed at Emerald Ridge.

“It was miscommunicated to me by my athletic director (Dell Dittus), who got his information by our superintendent,” volleyball coach Tanya Campbell said. “It pertained to Kalles JH wearing black uniforms last season when they did not have black as a school color. They have since amended their constitution to reflect black as a school color.”

Emerald Ridge athletes are allowed to wear black uniforms, as black along with green and silver, is one of ER’s central colors.

“Originally, there might have been some confusion about (uniforms) at ER,” Wells said. “The perspective has been changed.”

While these uniforms are allowed, Dittus would prefer to have Emerald Ridge athletes wear green. While Dittus does not select the uniforms, he will now approve the uniforms before completing the purchase order.

“I would prefer if our uniforms were forest green with black and silver accents,” Dittus said.

Dittus is concerned that black uniforms give a negative message to spectators and other athletic teams.

“We’re concerned black uniforms send the wrong message about what we’re trying to do with our students and our programs,” Dittus said. “Also, we don’t want to be getting black uniforms because they’re in vogue.”

Volleyball teams at Emerald Ridge have had black uniforms

Even though last season was a hard one, the boys swim team only has high hopes and positive outlooks for this year.

Ray Belleza returns as head coach and he is joined by two new assistant coaches: Lorri Stoyles, who has assisted in coaching girls swimming, and Michael Dobner, a deaf swimmer and student teacher.

At first mention, one would expect this to cause obstacles, but the boys feel otherwise.

“It’s really cool having a deaf coach,” said Ty O’Bryant, senior and co-captain.

“Mike is a great guy and he has a lot of experience. I don’t really get to work with him though – he works mostly with the younger swimmers.”

Both new and experienced swimmers look up to Dobner.

“He’s a little harder to understand, but we do well. He’s very fun,” senior Matthew Sabey said.

There’s no doubt in anyone’s minds that they want this to be the best season they’ve ever had.

“I’m really excited for this season, there’s a lot of potential,” O’Bryant said.

“This is the best team we’ve had and we’ve got a couple of club swimmers. This should be our best season so far.”

Last season the boys came up short and only won two meets, something they’re striving to beat.

“We’ll win a couple of key meets,” senior Tyler Wells said. “I think we’ll do a lot better this year than last year. Hopefully we’ll have lots of fun.”

Even the coaches agree that this could be their best season.

“They’re really good this year,” Dobner said.

The team is looking forward to a lot this season and they’re pushing themselves with new workouts and morning practices.

“Everyone’s big competition, but we’ll try hardest against Rogers,” O’Bryant said. “I’d really like to see a relay go to state. I think most of the seniors will make districts along with a few juniors and sophomores.”

Sophomore Ryan Reggli is one to watch in the 100-yard backstroke.

O’Bryant is also another promising swimmer, fighting hard in the 100 butterfly and in the 200 medley relay.

since the school opened.

While some teams at Puyallup schools have had black uniforms for several years, others have recently purchased them and will be forced to buy new ones.

“Most schools have a rotation every few years when they can buy new uniforms,” Wells said. “If the school had the black uniforms prior to the announcement, they will be grandfathered in, and will be able to buy new uniforms when their rotation comes up. We made the announcement in September 2004, but if they ignored this, then they will have to buy new uniforms now.”

Junior highs seem to be the most affected schools. Ferrucci Junior High purchased black uniforms at the end of last season and sold them to the players at the end of this season.

“This was my first year at Ferrucci and the previous coach ordered them,” volleyball coach Lynn Wardle said. “I was not officially notified that I would have to order new uniforms until the end of the season. Although, I had heard the rumor that I would be asked to order new uniforms during the season.”

Sweatshirts and other spirit gear also are being enforced under this rule.

Even with the debate surrounding this issue, Wells is optimistic that others will recognize the logic behind the rule.

“Hopefully, people understand that the whole reason of this is to bring about unity and promote school pride,” Wells said.

Classifications released BY

KAITLYN GOLDEN

EDITORIAL BOARD

Release of the WIAA enrollment figures on Dec. 5 caused a dilemma for SPSL officials, as several schools have received different classifications for the next two years than anticipated.

This change will most likely not affect Emerald Ridge, because the leagues probably will be set up in a similar fashion to the current set up; however no decision will be made until after the opt-up release on Dec. 20.

Both Decatur and Todd Beamer high schools had intended to be members of the new SPSL 3A division, but with enrollments of 10th-12th graders being just over 1,400 and 1,350, respectively, both made the cut into the 4A division. While schools can opt up a maximum of two divisions, they are not allowed to opt down.

Sumner High School also was slotted to be a part of the 3A class, but received a 2A classification. It likely will be opting up.

Kent-Meridian, Auburn, Auburn-Riverside, and Auburn-Mountainview all were planning on being members of the 4A division, but received 3A classifications. While the clear solution would be for them to opt up, there

is a chance some may elect to maintain 3A status. Currently, the Auburn schools are contemplating keeping their places.

“I think they’ll go 4A,” ERHS athletics director Dell Dittus said. “They’ve always maintained they’d stay 4A no matter what, so saying they’d revisit it was really surprising.”

If each school sticks with its assigned classification (with the exception of Sumner), then there will be three eight-team leagues: two 4A and one 3A. However, if they elect to move back up, there will be two 4A leagues, one with nine teams and one with eight and there will be one seven-team 3A league. No decision has been made yet as to what will be done.

“That really is not what we set out to do,” Dittus said.

The WIAA elected to reclassify all statewide leagues based off enrollment numbers from last spring. The SPSL reacted by creating a proposed 3A division, consisting of Sumner, Bonney Lake, Enumclaw, Decatur, Federal Way, Todd Beamer, White River, and Franklin Pierce. This, however, does not appear to be what the actual league will look like.

Schools had until Dec. 15 to elect to opt up and finalizations of opt-ups will be set on Dec. 20.

21 volumeSIX.issueTHREE 12/14/2005 11:42:31 PM

FEATURE

Student Musician Sophomore Craig Gorder expresses himself through his music.

His passion for guitar and song writting makes him a credit to Emerald Ridge High School

Keith Schlecht

BY

LISSY BRYAN

REPORTER

The music is playing loudly as the hearts of the audience beat harder and eyes gaze at the face performing art-inspired music. Among this diversity of artistic ability in Emerald Ridge High School, sophomore Craig Gorder is a guitarist whose talent strikes many.

Gorder has been playing guitar for the past five years. His inspiration to play came from a guitar legend.

“I heard BB King on the radio one day and really enjoyed the music,” Gorder said. “I wanted to pick up a guitar, then I had started to teach myself. After about a year of self-teaching, my mom was convinced that I enjoy playing guitar and than bought me lessons.”

During the time Gorder became familiar with the guitar and enjoyed playing more and more, his friends helped him progress. After he was comfortable enough, Gorder played with a band named Aevum, which also means “found in time” in Latin. This band is currently on a break while attempting to find a new drummer, but Gorder is still an active guitarist.

“I like Craig’s music because it is real and down to earth, just like him,” band member and junior Evan Berger said.

Gorder plays music for the joy and to help express feelings. The lyrics Gorder writes are generally deep. Mostly, the lyrics are about relationships and the people Gorder comes across. The chords he puts together are original and are rock inspired.

“Playing music allows me to express my emotions when I have no other way to express them,” Gorder said. “Emotionally, music is my everything.”

Playing guitar is not the only musical talent Gorder possesses. He also writes his own lyrics, but has other people sing them in his band.

Gorder’s friends admire his passion for playing music.

“He does what he wants,” Berger said, “no matter how silly he might look. He’s a very abstract person.”

While Gorder enjoys playing guitar now, he has many aspirations as to what he would like to accomplish for the future.

“By the time I graduate, I would like to have our band be more successful,” Gorder said. “I might try to start something new. I would like to get a group of people who have as much passion for music as I do,

Athlete of the Month Accomplishments ● Participant in the

Washington State Cultural Exchange to Japan 2004 ● Fifth in state at 160pound weight class (2005) ● Second in WCD at 160pound weight class (2005) ● First in SPSL at 160pound weight class (2005) ● State competitior (2004) ● Second in WCD at 145pound weight class (2004) ● Third in SPSL at 145pound weight class (2004)

Craig Gorder Photo by Lissy Bryan

What are your goals for the season? Why did you start wrestling and how long have you been?

Place in the top three in state and have a higher team finish.

I started in fourth grade, didn’t wrestle in fifth or sixth and started What is your offseason training again in seventh, so this is my regime like? seventh year. I stopped playing basketball, so I wrestled. My parents I lift and run everyday. had to talk me into it in seventh What is your motivation? grade; I didn’t want to do it.

Garrett Allen going through chemo and my family.

Who is your favorite pro athlete?

Michael Jordan, because he got cut from the team but came back and What are your post high plans?

Go to a university. made millions.

09 volumeSIX.issueTHREE

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12/14/2005 11:48:13 PM

SPORTS

FEATURE

From mouse to maiden -Sarah Graham enjoys the limelight with the Tacoma City Ballet

IKERD

Polo Shark

Senior Evan Ikerd began playing water polo last year, but didn’t play goalie. He only began because the team’s orginal goalie got an ejection and someone needed to fill in. That turned out to be Ikerd’s lucky day.

As first-team goalie on the all-state water polo team, senior Evan Ikerd is a dominant figure who helped lead his team to a sixth-in-state finish BY

KAYTI WEAVER

REPORTER

Since the age of four, ballet has been a huge part of Sarah Graham’s life. Though she didn’t like it at first, she followed in her sister’s footsteps doing the normal, “I want to be like my big sister” routine.

It was her mother’s idea for Graham to become involved in ballet.

“My mom wanted me to join because my sister was already into it,” Graham said. “It was just easier for me to join, too.”

Ballet was something that Graham grew into, and it later became an even larger part of her life as she went on to attend many ballet academies. At the age of 10, she began performing in “The Nutcracker,” and it was then that she actually started to enjoy ballet.

“I once played a mouse, that was fun,” Graham said. She has had parts in many other ballet recitals, but the most prominent one in her mind was “The Nutcracker.” Though she began her ballet career in a low-profile role, Graham worked her way up over the years, eventually landing the lead part of Clara.

“The Nutcracker became like a holiday tradition. It takes a lot of preparing for. I start practice in summer,” Graham said.

Not only is Graham very involved with ballet, she makes sure that she participates in school as well. As a junior, Graham is a part of the cheer team, student council, DECA, and the yearbook staff.

“She’s a good kid,” business and marketing teacher Randy Walden said. “She is just a great human being; very responsible and reliable.”

With balancing cheer, homework, and ballet, one might

think that it is too much to handle.

She seems like the golden girl of managing time, but she makes time for herself as well. Taking time to spend with her friends is important to her.

“It really surprised me that with all her curricular activities, that she still has so much time to spend with her friends,” friend Caitlin Halligan said. “She cares a lot about school and challenges herself with AP classes.”

Graham hasn’t yet decided whether or not she wants to continue dancing throughout college.

“We’ll see what happens,” Graham said.

For now, she is just trying to manage what’s in front of her, and let the future take its own path.

10

Photo by Brianne Shannon

volumeSIX.issueTHREE

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Senior Evan Ikerd does not exactly fit the mold of the prototypical elite athlete. With his shaggy hair, shy personality, and slender 5-foot-9, 160-pound frame, he is not exactly the most intimidating looking guy in the world.

Yet when placed in a swimming pool and put in front of a goal, Ikerd turns into a shark. He plays goalie on the boys water polo team, where he is a leader and has been voted as the first-team goalie on the all-state team.

With an accomplishment like that, it would seem like Ikerd has been swimming and playing water polo his entire life. But Evan is not one of those athletes who have been dreaming of making the all-state team since he was a child.

He was not born and raised in a swimming pool.

“This is only my second year playing water polo and only my first as a goalie,” Ikerd said. “I was getting bored and I had some friends who played the sport so I decided to try

“I work hard to manage my time well,” said Graham.

“I practice at least a couple of hours a day, seven days a week.”

Photo by Lori Jones

BY

NICK KAJCA

EDITORIAL BOARD

it and I ended up liking it.”

Even more surprising is how Ikerd started playing goalie.

“In our first game of the season our goalie got a kick out (an ejection), and I was standing right next to the coach and he asked me if I wanted to play,” Ikerd said. “I had been thinking about playing it so I just went out there.”

It seems like it might be appropriate to call Ikerd a hidden gem. He seemingly came out of nowhere to become one of the state’s top players, yet he has received little hype, possibly because his sport is not always the most popular.

“A lot of people think (water polo) is easy, but it is tough,” Ikerd said. “I wish it could get more recognition, but I think it is growing.”

Thankfully for the team, though, Ikerd was discovered.

Because, ever since, he has played a key role in helping lead the team to the best season in school history.

The team finished the year with a record of 5-11. The record does not sound that successful, but since many schools in the state either do not have a team or play as club teams, as Emerald Ridge used to do, it was good enough to qualify them for the state tournament. At the tournament, the team ended up placing sixth.

“This is the farthest we have ever gone,” Ikerd said. “It

is a little surprising, but we had a good team and we just had to work hard. I wish it was not over.”

In the previous season the team did not even qualify for districts and had greatly struggled to even win games.

“This is definitely one of the best seasons we have ever had,” senior Ryan Barker said. “The team and the program are growing.”

No one can deny that Ikerd’s emergence as both a superior goalie and leader has been a huge portion of all this season’s success.

“If we didn’t have a good goalie we would have to score a lot more because he makes a lot of blocks,” Barker said.

But do not go to a match and expect to see Evan out there yelling, screaming, and talking trash.

“He is a quiet worker,” Barker said. “He does his talking with his actions.”

Ikerd is hoping that his actions in the pool could possibly lead to playing water polo at a collegiate level. Again, like in high school, not all colleges have teams and some do not offer scholarships for the sport, but that is not discouraging Evan’s hopes of playing at the next level.

“I want to play water polo in college,” Ikerd said. “I would like to get a scholarship or just try out, but I know it is going to be tough.”

19 volumeSIX.issueTHREE 12/14/2005 11:43:16 PM

SPORTS

Volleyball takes third in state A miraclous comback opposite Bellarmine High School ends in an excellent finish for volleyball BY

NICK KAJCA

EDITORIAL BOARD

After two years of coming up just short at the state tournament, the volleyball team finally has reached a new level of success.

The team finished in third place by defeating Bellarmine Prep, 3-2, at the WIAA 4A state tournament on November 11 and 12, making it the highest placing volleyball team in school history.

“It was really cool to be the first team in Emerald Ridge history to take third,” senior Kelsey Rochester said.

Throughout the season, the team’s main goal had been to win the state championship, but the girls were in no way disappointed with finishing third.

“It’s definitely a success, since we won by coming back against such a great team,” senior Emily Niebles said.

Great games are tough to forget, whether it is the Boston Red Sox winning game four

Fal

t r o p S l

of the 2004 American League Championship Series or the improbable New England Patriots winning the 2002 Super Bowl. Well, it seems that the Bellarmine-ER matchup might just be the high school equivalent of those legendary professional games.

The game had all the elements needed for a classic. Two dominant teams, each coming off of tough defeats in the semifinals. Two of the state’s top players in Bellarmine’s Alita Fisher and ER’s Kylie Marshall going head-to-head. And, to top it all off, a passion-filled, come-from-behind victory that went to the maximum five games.

The game could not have started off worse for the Jaguars.

“It started out horribly,” coach Tanya Campbell said. “We lost games one and two, and then somehow we managed to get some confidence and win game three pretty handily.”

The team continued to play confident, as it squeaked out another win in game four, 31-29. This set up the decisive do-or-die game five and the opportunity for the ultimate comeback.

The team was down 14-6 in a game to 15, and hanging within an inch of its life, when it got a spark from an unlikely source.

iew v e R s in

Boys tennis Finished the season 8-4 Fourth place in the SPSL South Erik Olsen competed in the SPSL South tournament, making it to the semifinals als

auren

d by: L

ile Comp

Smith

Girls cross country

Boys cross country Finished the season 9-1 Second place in SPSL South Hassan Mead placed 10th in state

Finished the season 6-4 Fifth place in SPSL South Claire Groo placed 56th in state Named Academic State Champions for the second consecutive year with a cumulative GPA of 3.976

Girls golf Finished the season 12-0 First place in SPSL South State Qualifiers: Lexi

Boys golf Finished the season 6-6 Fourth place in the SPSL

that the best team did not necessarily win.

“We could have beaten them,” Niebles said. “They were really good, but we were off. They were not better; we just didn’t play our best game.”

Throughout the entire tournament, the team got their usual dominant play from senior captains Emily Powell, over nine kills per game, and Marshall, over 19 kills per game, but also saw several other girls step up their games.

“Sara Cusato, Wyngarden, and Cami Medlock all came up big for us,” Campbell said.

The inspired performances by those three girls not only helped the team in the tournament, but also gave a glimpse into what the program might look like next season.

Next season the team will be without News Tribune all-area performers Powell and Marshall, as well as Cusato and Rochester, but will return Wyngarden and all-league honorable mention junior Medlock.

The two girls will lead a young team that is looking to continue to build up a program that has become one of the tops in the state.

“The underclassmen are good enough to continue on,” Rochester said. “They are strong, they will be fine.”

Some are obsessed with it. Some could care less. Society’s standard of it is in a state of constant change. It’s health, and it directly influences our academics, our mood -- the very fiber of our lives. It comes in the form of excercise and fitness, of food and dieting, of body image and self esteem. JagWire delves deep into health at Emerald Ridge and its affect on students. Does it surpass physical image? What is “good” health? Is it as dire as we make it out to be?

Does health stop at being healthy?

HEALTH

Girls soccer Finished the season 8-4-2 Fourth place in SPSL South Lost a shootout to defending state champ Bellarmine in district

Finished the season 4-6 Sixth place in the SPSL South State qualifiers: Laurel Barrettplaced eleventh in 100-yard breast stroke; Lindsay Nolan, Angela Collier, Caitlin Olmsted and Laurel Barrett-placed 25th in 200 medley

Finished the season 5-11 Sixth place in SPSL South Sixth place in state

Girls volleyball Finished the regular season 10-0 First place in SPSL South Third place in district tournament Third place in state tournament Kylie Marshall-SPSL MVP, Tacoma News Tribune All-Area MVP, Seattle Times SPSL MVP Emily Powell-SPSL First Team Kelli Skeim, Emily Nieblas, and Cammi Medlock-SPSL Honorable Mention

volumeSIX.issueTHREE

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STUDENT

Girls swim and dive

Boys water polo

Boys football Finished the season 5-4 in SPSL, 6-4 overall Sixth place in SPSL South

Junior Meagan Wyngarden was inserted into the game and the team reeled off an astounding nine straight points to go up 15-14, all while Wyngarden was serving. They ended up winning the match 22-20.

“Everyone knew that one mistake would result in a loss,” Marshall said. “We had to use the perfect amount of aggressiveness and conservatism and just chipped away.”

The victory marked a new high for a group of seniors who had placed fourth at the past two state tournaments.

“It was crazy, coming from behind so many times,” Niebles said. “It made my whole career worth it.”

The road that eventually led to the thirdplace finish started with a first-round win over Monroe. That win set up a quarterfinal match-up against Inglemoor, which the team defeated 3-1 to earn a date in the semifinals against Eisenhower. This was another first for the volleyball program, as it marked the first time a Jag team has ever made it out of the first day of the tournament without a loss.

The winner of the match would advance on to play in the championship against Mead.

The Jags played valiantly but were defeated, 3-1, setting up the match with Bellarmine. After the game, the team believed

Ashley is not alone at Emerald Ridge. Statistics show that one in 10 teen girls suffer from an eating disorder and one in 70 teen boys, according to www.teenadvice.com.

Eating disorders are characterized as severe disturbances in eating behavior. According to Rader, a non-profit organization that clinically treats patients dealing with an eating disorder, “a person with an eating disorder can use eating, purging or restricting to deal with their problems.”

The three most common disorders are anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and compulsive overeating. Many doctors believe that eating disorders are part of a deeper psychological issue and are not always rooted in a true need to lose weight. Bulimia, for example, is defined by dictionary.com as episodic binge eating and followed by feelings of guilt, depression, and self-condemnation. It is often associated with measures taken to prevent weight gain, such as self-induced vomiting, the use of laxatives, dieting, or fasting.

18

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12/14/2005 11:47:35 PM

SPORTS Jag-

When health goes BY

SUMMER YATES

REPORTER

As we sit in the quaint little office, she seems very content and relaxed, ready for an interview. With one leg crossed over the other, she takes out her lunch and begins eating A little over a year ago, junior Ashley Seymour would have opted to stick with a bottle of water and a few graham crackers, possibly her only meal of the day. But as a survivor of anorexia nervosa, Seymour can now confidently eat without fear.

Anorexia nervosa – the relentless pursuit of thinness. Seymour recounts her threeyear saga with depression that lead to a downward spiral into an eating disorder and one conversation that changed her life.

Growing up with her parents, an older brother, sister and twin sister, Ashley’s life was turned upside down when her mother died when she was 9 years old from cirrhosis and hepatitis C as a result of drug and alcohol addiction.

“It happened so suddenly. I didn’t understand that she wasn’t coming back. I became the quiet girl at school,” Seymour said.

A year and a half later, her aunt passed away as well.

“Nobody told me about it. I found out when my brother accidentally told me,” she said.

Some time later, her cousin committed suicide. With multiple deaths surrounding her family life, Seymour slipped deeper and deeper into depression. Missing more and more meals, replacing soda with water, and exercising excessively, Ashley started losing weight … and fast.

“It was my controlled chaos,” Seymour

1

out of

Wrestling starts season strong

TOO FAR

said. fidants still stayed quiet. It Maintaining a weight under 110 pounds, wasn’t until one conversation Seymour reached as low as 89 pounds at a late spring afternoon that the age of 13, shocking for a girl only changed everything. She went over to a 5-foot-3. Always thinking she was the friend’s house to borrow a shirt. After trytrademark “skinny girl,” Seymour didn’t ing it on, Ashley took one look in the mirror think much of her weight loss, shrugging and figured since the shirt didn’t fit right, it her loss of appetite off as a side effect of wasn’t the shirt, it was her. At a mere 110 depression. Family and friends started to pounds, Seymour’s friend was shocked when notice Seymour’s astonishing weight loss, she heard Ashley say, “I’m so fat.” but chose to keep quiet about it. Her teachThat’s when someone finally said someers at school said nothing, even though thing. rumors circulated.

Soon after that Ashley went home and “My friends confessed would always to her comment on step-moth“I’ll have my ‘fat’ days when I how ‘little’ I er that she don’t care about what I eat, but was, but it d id h a v e ne v e r w e nt an eating I’ll never starve myself again. ” farther than disor-- Ashley Seymour t h a t , ” s a id der. Not Seymour. wanting Ashley’s any of her twin sister, Pamela Seymour, recalls her family to be aware of her illness she kept sister’s physical body change over the it very quiet from the rest of her family, course of her ordeal. Ashley would sore thinking that it would bring more shame easier than before when she was healthy, to an already hurting home. since her body was losing vital nutrition “That first month was the hardest. It was every day. She had a pale face, and always a loss of control that I didn’t even know I looked like she was sick. Her ribs, hips and had,” said Ashley. spine would noticeably stick out from under Since Seymour was fully aware that her clothes. she had a problem, she was not admitted “I tried to spend as much time as I could to a clinic, however, her eating patterns with her. She wasn’t hanging out with the were monitored by her doctor and she was best crowd, and I knew she needed to get prohibited from exercising. She explains help. I just wanted to be there for her,” those four months as becoming a child Pamela said. again. She was constantly being reminded For three years, Ashley’s anorexia wasn’t what to eat, when to eat, and when to getting any better, and her closest con- stop. Yet her disease had become a part

of her – it was more than just about losing weight. Seymour describes her recovery as an epiphany, finding that there had to be other things in her life to help her cope when problems occurred.

BY

The Jaguar wrestling team looks toward its new season with lofty goals springing from last year’s sixth place state finish.

“We want to start by performing well, and win league again,” coach Jim Meyerhoff said.

“We’re not looking at it as a repeat, because it’s a new season with new kids.”

With five of eight state competitors from last year returning, experience seems to favor the Jaguars this season. “(All the new team members) are learning a lot,” senior Keith Schlecht said. “Our varsity line hasn’t changed (much), though.”

Schlecht, also a captain last year, placed fifth in the 160-pound weight class at state last year. This year, he hopes to place in the top three.

Junior Aaron Brown hopes the Jaguars have higher success than just winning the league championship.

Brown, who finished fourth in state last year at 171 pounds, hasn’t wrestled yet this season because of a knee injury.

“I think this year we’ll take first in regionals (again),” Brown said. “We already won league last year.”

So far it looks like the Jaguars are on track to meet these goals.

In its first match, Emerald Ridge defeated Spanaway Lake 56-9, with all wrestlers except for sophomore Gabe Weber defeating their opponents.

“We did well,” Meyerhoff said. “Everyone

Today, Seymour is completely recovered from her anorexia, saying, “I’ll have my ‘fat’ days where I don’t really care about what I eat, but I’ll never starve myself again because I’m fully aware that I was sick, and now I want to help other girls who are dealing with body image issues…I won’t even keep a scale in my house.”

Ashley describes how recovery came from one friend caring enough to talk to her, and from God. “I was just a really depressed person, and I didn’t have a great childhood. I know it was my fault, and it took that situation for God to show me that I had purpose to be alive, and I needed to take care of my body … it was so easy to start eating once I started going to church again and having faith in God again and believing in myself.

I’ve never relapsed, and happy with the things I’ve accomplished,” Seymour said.

She’s one of countless teens whose family and/or school life becomes an overload of stress, which causes them to believe little of their life is controlled by them.

What they don’t realize is that an eating disorder really puts them out of control.

“I think God puts you through things to help people in the future,” Seymour said. “I believe I had to go through that so others don’t have to.”

10

BY

I THINK THIS YEAR WE’LL TAKE FIRST IN REGIONALS. WE ALREADY WON LEAGUE LAST YEAR

MIKE WHELAN AND NICK KAJCA

REPORTER AND EDITORIAL BOARD

Photo by Kassie Green

teen boys

12,17.indd 2-3

respectively. Each of them wrestled state champions from last year in the finals.

“Individually we did well,” Meyerhoff said. “We weren’t really looking for the team performance.”

The JV squad competed in the Larry Brown Tournament, which is a varsity invitational. Of the 10 wrestlers, nine placed in the top five. Senior Geoff Nelson and sophomore Braedan Binkiewicz both placed third. Twenty— Aaron Brown, junior four wrestlers also competed in the Franklin Pierce JV Tournament.

While the Jaguars are doing well this where the Jaguars placed fifth overall. Junior season, they could be strengthened by the Kevin Wills and senior Nick Webster took asset of one of the stronger athletes, Brown. second in the 140-and 119-pound classes, Brown completed last season by taking fourth

The basketball team’s season starts off with a record of 1-3, having only defeated Thomas Jefferson, 53-49

70

suffer from an eating disorder.

Senior Justin Timothy pinned his opponent, Chad Curtis, with 1:14 remaining in the third period.

”

place in state in the 171-pound weight class.

Because of a torn ACL, Brown has not been able to participate this season.

“I have my doctor’s appointment on Jan. 5,” Brown said. “Until then, I’m just conditioning and weightlifting.”

Though Brown has not yet been able to compete, he still is setting his standards high for this season.

“I want to win state,” Brown said. “It all just depends on how hard I work.”

Even with success so far this season, the Jaguars still have things to work on.

“We often get ahead, and we need to finish,” Meyerhoff said. “Guys start taking it easy in the third (period) and they need to finish.”

Boys basketball starts slow; hopes for improvement

suffer from an eating disorder.

out of

beat their opponents, and the one guy that lost should have won.”

The Jaguars also gave up points to the Sentinels, by not having a wrestler in the 275-pound class.

“We actually have a guy to wrestle in the 275 class,” Meyerhoff said. “But that guy (from the other school) was a state placer and we didn’t want to have T.J. going up against him yet.”

That’s senior T.J. Smith, who instead wrestled in the 215-pound class and defeated Dominc Hottinger with a pin with five seconds to go in the third round.

“I feel I did good (in my match),” Smith said. “There’s always stuff to work on, though.”

Seven out of 10 Jaguars pinned their opponents, resulting in an easy win.

The Jaguars have also competed in multiple invitationals. They sent wrestlers to three different invitationals on Dec. 10. The varsity squad went to the Wilfong Invitational,

“

teen girls

1

KAITLYN GOLDEN

EDITORIAL BOARD

Boys basketball has not always been the most successful program. No team in the history of this school has made the playoffs, and so far this year’s team is not off to the best start.

The team’s record through four games is 1-3.

The Jags opened their season in an ideal way by defeating Thomas Jefferson 53-49. The team was led by junior Torey Wambold, 20 points, and senior Jordan Thaanum, 15 points.

Next up for the undefeated Jags was the defending 4A

state champion Bethel Braves. The game was a seesaw affair, as it went back and forth for the entire game. Unfortunately, the Braves pulled away in the fourth quarter and won the game 54-42. Despite the loss, the Jags got a solid game from Thaanum with 12 points.

So, when the Jaguars took on the Puyallup Vikings on Dec. 9, the team was looking to bounce back and get their second victory against a rival school.

The Jags jumped out to an early lead and led by 10 at half time. They had hoped to add to that lead, but failed to do so. The Vikings came back strong in the second half, hitting most of their shots, while the Jags came out cold.

In the end there was too much Viking offense as the Jags were defeated 56-49. Seniors Austin Kilpatrick, 18 points, and Trevor Opitz, 12 points, led the way for Puyallup.

The Jags were led by forward Bryn Allen. He was 8-of-14,

scoring a total of 16 points.

On Dec.10, the Jags took on the Federal Way Eagles at home, in a makeup game due to a school cancellation. Federal Way played solid the entire game and won 80-49.

Despite the Jags beginning the year with a record of 1-3, eighth in the SPSL South, they are looking to get back on the winning track over the next few games. Their next game, against the rival Rogers Rams, will take place on Dec.16.

The varsity team has never defeated the Rams before and is hoping this will finally be the year the streak is ended. This season Rogers has a record of 2-2, good enough for seventh place in the SPSL South.

However, the Jags will have a tough road ahead of them if they want to accomplish another first; the playoffs. The SPSL is one of toughest leagues in the state, with two teams in The Seattle Times Top 10, in Curtis and Federal Way.

17 volumeSIX.issueTHREE 12/14/2005 11:44:56 PM

SPORTS

Girls basketball looks to surprise NICK KAJCA

EDITORIAL BOARD

Flying under the radar is something the girls basketball team has become quite good at over the past two seasons.

With another season underway, the lady Jags once again find themselves as underdogs and not one of the favorites in the league. But instead of being discouraged, the team has decided to relish and embrace the role.

“We are used to being considered underdogs,” senior captain Stacey Sas said. “We were last season and we’re hoping to use it to help beat some of the tough teams.”

Last season, the team was overlooked by such powers as Curtis and Bethel but was still able to play solid, finish fourth in league, and secure a playoff spot. This season, the team is looking to follow a very similar game plan.

“Our goals are to put our best effort in every game,” coach Greg Farias said. “We want to get into the West Central District playoffs, as well.”

The Jags believe that they are much improved in several areas from last season, which will help make their playoff goal easier.

“Definitely one of our strengths is that we are much taller than last season,” Sas said.

“We are also very fast.”

Last season the team had one girl that was over 6-foot, which is taller than any girl this season, but on average they are taller across the board. The girls also believe that their team speed will be a valuable weapon.

They will use it to play a fastbreak style of basketball.

But, of course, with every team’s strengths there are also weaknesses, and the Jags are no exception.

“Presently our weakness is our defensive play,” Farias said. “We have a new offensive

and defensive system and our defense is a little behind at this time.”

The team will continue to practice and work on improving it defensive woes, but there is another weakness they cannot control. The Jags are young – extremely young.

This year’s varsity team has only three seniors and will be forced to rely heavily on underclassmen.

One of these underclassmen is junior and co-captain Lakia Arceneaux. Her speed and scoring ability has played a vital part in the young season. Through three games this season she has been the team’s leading scorer, averaging over 16 points per game.

The team’s record in those games is 1-2.

The Jags started their season off on the right track. In the first game of the year ,the girls won, 59-52, over Jefferson, but since then the team has run into some early bumps in the road. The second game of the season was postponed until Dec. 17 because of school cancellation and in the third game of the year the Jags experienced a humbling 63-33 loss at the hands of Bethel. They then played Puyallup, who Farias believes could be one of the top teams in the league and features School Sports Magazine player to watch Danika Lawson. Behind Lawson’s 24 points, the Vikings defeated the Jags, 62-42.

One game that has the team’s interest later on down the road is against a visiting club team from Australia on Jan. 4.

“We are excited to play a team from another country,” Sas said. “It is going to be really cool.”

The season, however, is still quite young and the team is looking to continue working at reaching their goal of the playoffs and proving that they are a force to be reckoned with.

“We have only played a couple of games,” Farias said. “We seem to be on the right course, but it is very early. There is a lot of basketball coming.”

UP In April, junior Garret Allen was diagnosed with cancer. But he’s not giving in.

BY

Junior Lakia Arceneaux goes for a lay up against Thomas Jefferson. The Jags won the game 59-52.

Spring’s Z-Coil Footwear Inc. Get specialized footwear with springs that help to relieve foot, leg, and back pain

volumeSIX.issueTHREE

16

Photo by Shailey Wilkinson

205 South Meridian Puyallup, WA. 98371 (253) 840-6899 Fax - (253) 840-6898

16,13.indd 2-3

ELAINE RAYMOND

REPORTER

Photo by Elaine Raymond

BY

NEVER Giving

“I didn’t think it was true, kind of like a dream,” Garrett Allen said.

On April 28, Allen’s life would forever be changed. This day was the first of many to come in which Allen would be aware of his living with cancer after being diagnosed with Localized Lymphoblastic B-Cell Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma, which affects the right side of his jaw.

“I didn’t think it was real,” Allen said. “It’s one of those things that you see happen to other people, but never think it will happen to you. It took two months into the treatment before it really hit me.”

Faced with an unexpected trauma, the Allens’ lives were quickly changed.

“Everything went really fast,” Allen’s father Kurt Allen said. “We knew it was something pretty bad because it was in his jaw. It was the consistency of ice cream and it was purple; it was really hard (for us) because from the time they did the biopsy to the time we found out the diagnosis was about a week. It was really hard on mom and dad.”

Allen’s cancer came as a surprise and was only discovered because his mother noticed a difference in the size of his jaw.

Allen’s friends had also noticed a change.

“We had actually been making fun of the bump on his jaw,” junior Jade Anderson said.

Aware of Allen’s history of health and sense of humor, friends did not know whether of not to believe him.

“I’d never really been sick before. All of my friends thought that I was joking,” Allen said.

Senior Jake Zanoni was one of those friends.

“At first I thought it was a joke ’cause it sounded like something that Garrett would joke about,” Zanoni said.

“Then I confirmed it with Jade (Anderson). I was pretty devastated because Garrett was the last person in the world who deserved it.”

Anderson is Allen’s best friend.

“I couldn’t imagine that it would happen to my best friend,” Anderson said. “I knew he’d be missing out on a lot.”

Allen’s cancer requires a strict daily routine of medica-

tions and treatments.

“In the morning I usually take a few pills and then go to the hospital,” Allen said. “They draw blood and take my (white blood cell) counts. If they are high enough, they access my ports and give me shots. Then at night I take the same medication I took in the morning. I take pain medication as needed throughout the day, too, and nausea medicine.”

A port is a place in Allen’s chest where the doctors give his medications. In order to stay healthy, Allen requires an extensive amount of treatment, chemotherapy, medications and shots. “(It costs) in the hundreds of thousands, but we have

“It’s changed the way I look at life.”

- Garrett Allen insurance that covers most of it,” Allen said. “I have one pill that costs $40 a pill and I take three a day.”

Medications and new expenses are not the only changes that have taken place in Allen’s life.

“It’s changed the way I look at life,” Allen said.

Allen’s cancer has caused his family to revise the things they value.

“I know my family’s gotten a lot closer and it seems like our priority’s changed,” Allen said. “It used to be that we wanted a bigger house or a bigger boat. Now we spend a lot more time together.”

Cancer has caused Allen to miss school often.

“I’ve been missing two-week periods,” Allen.

When Allen is at school, he manages wrestling part-time.

Outside of school, Allen enjoys skateboarding. He also plays the guitar and is a member of a band. And while Allen is still able to participate in these activities, he is unable to spend his time like he used to.

“(I miss) just not being able to do the things most teenagers do,” Allen said.

Despite this, Allen is optimistic and believes that the best part of having cancer is the support that he receives.

When Allen was first diagnosed with cancer he received many visitors.

“For a while there, you couldn’t fit anymore people in the room,” Kurt Allen said.

People have showed their support for Allen in several ways. Knowing that Allen plays the guitar, the Emerald Ridge staff presented him with their own gift.

“The staff got together and they said wanted to show their support for Garrett so they pooled their money and bought him an amplifier and a pedal that does all kinds of fancy stuff,” Kurt Allen said.

Additionally, the fire department that Kurt Allen works for shaved their heads when Garrett lost his hair.

“We had 30-something guys shave their heads including some of Garrett’s friends,” Kurt Allen said.

Allen’s diagnosis helped his family and friends to realize that, realistically, no one is excluded from the threat of cancer.

“Subconsciously you kind of think the weaker kids get cancer,” Kurt Allen said. “Not on purpose, but just in the back of your mind. But when you get (to the hospital) you see anyone can get cancer. We saw everything from real tiny kids to big kids. You know, kids running around you can tell they’re jocks. That just opened our eyes.”

Allen’s cancer has changed the opinions of his friends, including Zanoni.

“I think I realize that cancer can happen to anyone,” Zanoni said. “As cheesy as it is to say, it can happen to anyone.”

Allen recently finished chemotherapy and is currently in maintenance, which involves medications and frequent visits to the doctor. Maintenance will last through senior year and he will then continue to go to the hospital for periodic checkups.

“He’s going to be OK,” Anderson said. “From here on out it’s just going to get better and better and better.”

13

12/14/2005 11:46:49 PM

HEALTHY LIFESTYLE teens to think clearly and concentrate on the task at hand. Being physically fit will help teens to retain mental health as well as raise their self esteem and alertness.

Whether teens take very much to heart the warnings about eating healthy and maintaining proper nutrition, the facts remain. According to Children’s Hospital Boston, eating the

BY ASHLEY VINCENT REPORTER recommended amount of fruits and vegetables as a teen can help to fight off heart disease As adolescents enter their teenage years, doctors, parents and teachers tell them to eat and cancer. The National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion said in right, get enough sleep and exercise regularly. Yet many teens disregard these suggestions and 2003 that only 22 percent of high school students reported eating the recommended five daily continue to run on small amounts of sleep, food of little nutritional value and non-existent servings of fruits and vegetables during the past seven days. Many teens don’t get the proper exercise plans. nutritional value in their daily diet. They eat small amounts of food rather than fill up on food Despite the durability of the teenage body, it is important that students understand the with the proper nutritional value. dangers of not being healthy.

“I have a low-fat Minute Maid, a bagel usually without cream cheese, and sometimes a “I don’t feel that I’m healthy,” sophomore Melissa Stillman said. “I make myself stressed cookie or ice cream almost every day for lunch,” sophomore Judy Carlson said. “I feel that and don’t get enough sleep. And I don’t eat well or regularly – I get too busy.”

I get the nutrition that I need because I maintain a low calorie diet and don’t eat fast food Many teens share a similar take on health. Stress and too much school work lead to very often.” tiredness and more stress. Teenagers simply don’t make time Getting the proper amount of calcium is also important during to take care of themselves. teen years because it is the last chance for the body to fill bones with E VER Y TE E N M UST LEA R N “I would say some teens today are healthy,” said Dr. Sara calcium; having weak bones later in life can greatly increase the risk of TO COPE WITH THE Husarik of Woodcreek Pediatrics. “A lot goes into health. Many osteoporosis. The University of Arizona found that nine out of 10 female teens’ eating habits don’t consist of all the food groups and teens and seven out of 10 male teens do not get the recommended PROBLEMS CAUSING they don’t get enough exercise, or sleep.” amount of calcium in their daily diets.

STRESS Giving the body the rest it needs is important to health According to the University of Michigan, obesity rates are 25 percent and affects how a person performs on day-to-day activities. for girls and 18 percent for boys between the ages of 12 and 17. The According to the National Sleep Foundation, teens need from 8.5 to 9.5 hours of sleep number of obese teens has tripled in the last decade. It is important to every night. Only 15 percent of teens reported getting over 8.5 hours of sleep regularly. Lack maintain a healthy weight as a teen to prevent high cholesterol, blood pressure, and risk of of sleep can lead to poor performance in school and an increased danger of accidents behind diabetes. There are many reasons behind the increase in overweight and obese teens. the wheel. Driving while sleep deprived causes 100,000 crashes each year, and 55 percent of “One of the main contributing factors is an increase in sedentary activities such as Playstation them are caused by drivers under 25. Sleep deprivation has also been linked to depression. and computer games,” Husarik said. “Pop is also a big factor – drinking a pop is like pouring a “Exercise is good for heart health, stamina and it helps to give you energy to do well in bowl of sugar down your throat. Another thing is the lack of time for families to make healthy school and other activities,” Husarik said. “Having good exercise habits as a teen will help to meals and so they rely more on fast food.” keep them good as an adult.”

Every teen has felt stress more than they thought they could handle. Every teen must learn The American Heart Association suggests that teens get at least 60 minutes of moderate to cope with the problems causing stress and resolve them while dealing with more problems exercise per day. Exercising regularly as a teen will help to keep a person’s metabolism where and more stress. Whether it’s academic pressure from AP and honors classes, or family issues, it should be and prevent heart disease as an adult. stress is a major part of teenage life. Though teens accept the stress that comes along with Though making time to exercise is difficult, exercise may help to reduce stress and help living, it is important that they learn to deal with it effectively; pushing away the stress and students to think more clearly. Stress often leads to muscle tension which causes headaches constantly living under pressure is not a solution to this problem. A long-term build up of and muscle pain. Because exercise helps the body to relax by relieving this tension, it helps stress can cause problems such as physical illness, anxiety, and depression.

HEALTH at

Benefits of a

Health and fitness 18% 25%

of male teens

of female teens

ARE OBESE only

15% of TEENS

GET ENOUGH SLEEP 14

14,15.indd 2-3

BY

SHAILEY WILKINSON

REPORTER

Throughout the last few decades, there have been many diets intended to help individuals become healthier and stay that way, as well as prevent and reduce obesity among children and adults.

Millions of people looking for the perfect diet joined in the low-carb lifestyle that the all-famous Atkins Diet brought to America. This diet is designed purely to eat a balance of fats and proteins to control your weight. There are, of course, benefits of Atkins, because you drop a lot of weight – really fast.

This essentially, is the purpose of the diet in the first place.

However, there are a few major problems with the Atkins diet that can be serious risks to teens. Rachel Huskey, a 16-year-old from Missouri died while on the Atkins diet; the autopsy showed that the cause of death was a low level of electrolytes which caused heart arrhythmia. Heart disease is believed to be a possible side effect of the Atkins Diet; Jody Gorran, a faithful Atkins dieter, said, “I traded a 32-inch waist for heart disease.”

Along with the Atkins Diet, there have been many more “fad” diets to catch on, such as The Zone Diet and The South Beach Diet.

The Zone Diet has, for the most part, proven itself quite effective in the sense of helping you take off the extra pounds, and leave them off. It helps you keep an even balance of three important food groups, carbohydrates, fats and proteins.

Living in “The Zone” is actually a very healthy way to live, but very difficult to live by. One of the only major setbacks to The Zone diet is that it is very precise; you have to specifically weigh and measure everything you consume. It has proven to work, if you possess the discipline to stick to it.

It has been effective in reducing risk of some very common diseases, such as, Type 1 diabetes, as well as Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, depression and

FADS cancer. It can also reduce things such as chronic fatigue, asthma, allergies and even pre-menstrual syndrome.

The South Beach Diet, which is one of the most recent diets, was originally intended for patients with heart problems. It wasn’t until those heart patients started to lose weight that the diet caught on. The diet is not low-carb, or low-fat, rather it focuses on eating the right amount of carbohydrates and fats and proteins, rather than too much or too little of one or the other.

Some concerns with the South Beach Diet are that the weight dropped in the beginning may not necessarily be weight that needs to be dropped, but instead is water weight, which is often rapidly gained back.

While many people today still use these diets, and even others, the strategy for losing weight and being healthier lately has become full of inner peace, and finding yourself. Things such as Yoga and Pilates are growing in popularity by the day.

Yoga is used for both mental and physical health and is physically beneficial in numerous ways. It increases hand-eye coordination, joint range motion, endurance, and reaction time. Yoga also helps to reduce aches and pains and helps to balance weight.

Yoga also helps people connect their body and mind to reach their peak mental and physical health. People that practice yoga have shown improved memory, as well as social skills, with a decrease in depression and anxiety.

Very similar to yoga, today’s versions of Pilates doesn’t focus as much on the mental side of human health, but is more designed for the physical side of being healthy. Even though its origin was to improve the connection of body and mind, it has turned into a very effective, very popular way to lose weight. It uses a wider variety of individual exercises to tone the muscles.

BY

ERHS

JENN WHITHAM

REPORTER

“(Being healthy is) staying in control of your body, not gaining a bunch of weight or eating bad food and stuff.”

-- Junior Riley Barnes

“(I’m) probably not super healthy ... I haven’t had a lot of opportunity to excercise since I started working at Emerald Ridge ... I drink a lot of water everyday. Physically, I do run around the building quite a bit.”

-- Jeannine Medvedich

“(I think a healthy person is) someone who has the correct body weight for their size and is in proportion with their body type ... someone who’s happy with the way they are, or is working on it.”

-- Sophomore Zach Turner

“(I’m healthy) because I excercise at least four times a week and I’m a vegetarian. I try to eat (well).”

-- Senior Alexis Perkins

Good health is promoted at Emerald Ridge in more than one way, yet students still have the opportunity to make unhealthy choices.

The Puyallup School District has many guidelines set to help encourage and support students in working against unhealthy lifestyles. A half year of health and one and a half years of fitness classes are required of students for graduation, giving many chances for students to better their health while at school. But are students rising to the occasion?

“The problem I have with my classes are that many students don’t take advantage of the time they have,” P.E. teacher Lynn Wardle said. “They come to class and chill, which is just frustrating to me.”

According to District Athletic Director Rick Wells, the required amount of fitness credits is set by Washington.

“The district can’t have the requirement be less than the state’s, which is a big driver in that decision,” Wells said.

Wardle said, the fitness department has a broad selection which allows every student to take a fitness class that fits their active preference.

“There’s a (fitness) class for everyone; we have athletic games in team sports, there’s aerobics if you don’t like playing games, and if you want to gain muscle we have weight training,” Wardle said.

Another contributor to good health, other than participating in activities that physically work the body, are what students are eating during their lunches. With the student store, the vending machines, and the food available in the school lunch lines, some students’ lunches consist of a bag of chips and a candy bar, a greasy pizza, or a burger and fries.

The District Food Service must follow guidelines that are set by the USDA, which state that all lunches must meet a 33-percent standard of key nutrients.

According to District Food Service Secondary Coordinator Robin Hobson, the school lunches have improved each year.

“This year, the pizza is made on wheat bread, and the sauce and cheese are low fat,” Hobson said.

The district tracks iron, calcium, sodium, calories, fat and saturated fat in each meal (along with other nutrients) and if the meal does not meet the guideline, then the recipe is redone.

With school lunches monitoring students nutrition, are the snack carts helping students maintain good eating habits?

“The snack carts are intended to be supplemental; they are ‘sometimes’ foods, for those who need more,” District Food Service Coordinator Judy Jackson said.

When students eat from the food cart, are they really only eating the snacks available as supplements as opposed to eating from the lunch gallery, or do their lunches consist only of a few items from the cart?

“I eat from both (the gallery and cart). I eat the chicken when I eat at (the snack cart), it taste better,” sophomore Kristina Veyhle said.

Some students do choose to buy the school lunch gallery lunches.

“I eat from the lunch lines. I like the variety, how you can get fruit, chips, and a desert,” sophomore Kim Phillips said.

According to Jackson, some of the major goals are to work towards students making good decisions about what they’re eating, which is why foods sell for higher prices in the food cart lines, such as a dollar for some fries when in the lunch gallery lines, a student can buy a whole lunch for $2.45.

“The main goals are to help students be informed, to offer them ‘sometimes’ foods and ‘always’ foods,” Jackson said. “Through price ranges we hope that more students will choose to eat the meals first.”

All the nutrition facts are located on the Puyallup School District’s Website and parents can also monitor what their child is eating by going to myschoolbucks.com.

The student store also has limitations as to what can be sold to the student body; their guidelines are set by the state and enforced through the district.

“Every item we sell has to have at least 5 percent nutritious value, and we measure that by not selling anything with glucose, sugar, or corn syrup labeled as the first ingredient,” Business and Marketing teacher Randy Walden said. “For example, we can’t sell things like gummi bears or hard candy because those are mostly pure sugar.”

According to senior Holli Eads, student store manager, the store wants to improve on the amount of healthy foods sold.

“It’s a work in progress, that is definitely one of our goals this year,” Eads said. “Our biggest thing is we want to come up with fun ideas that are healthy, but also appealing to high school students.”

Other items also have been added.

“We still have snack food, such as candy bars, and chips and popcorn, but we now have health bars and nutri-grain bars also,” Eads said.

15

12/14/2005 11:45:46 PM

HEALTHY LIFESTYLE teens to think clearly and concentrate on the task at hand. Being physically fit will help teens to retain mental health as well as raise their self esteem and alertness.

Whether teens take very much to heart the warnings about eating healthy and maintaining proper nutrition, the facts remain. According to Children’s Hospital Boston, eating the

BY ASHLEY VINCENT REPORTER recommended amount of fruits and vegetables as a teen can help to fight off heart disease As adolescents enter their teenage years, doctors, parents and teachers tell them to eat and cancer. The National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion said in right, get enough sleep and exercise regularly. Yet many teens disregard these suggestions and 2003 that only 22 percent of high school students reported eating the recommended five daily continue to run on small amounts of sleep, food of little nutritional value and non-existent servings of fruits and vegetables during the past seven days. Many teens don’t get the proper exercise plans. nutritional value in their daily diet. They eat small amounts of food rather than fill up on food Despite the durability of the teenage body, it is important that students understand the with the proper nutritional value. dangers of not being healthy.

“I have a low-fat Minute Maid, a bagel usually without cream cheese, and sometimes a “I don’t feel that I’m healthy,” sophomore Melissa Stillman said. “I make myself stressed cookie or ice cream almost every day for lunch,” sophomore Judy Carlson said. “I feel that and don’t get enough sleep. And I don’t eat well or regularly – I get too busy.”

I get the nutrition that I need because I maintain a low calorie diet and don’t eat fast food Many teens share a similar take on health. Stress and too much school work lead to very often.” tiredness and more stress. Teenagers simply don’t make time Getting the proper amount of calcium is also important during to take care of themselves. teen years because it is the last chance for the body to fill bones with E VER Y TE E N M UST LEA R N “I would say some teens today are healthy,” said Dr. Sara calcium; having weak bones later in life can greatly increase the risk of TO COPE WITH THE Husarik of Woodcreek Pediatrics. “A lot goes into health. Many osteoporosis. The University of Arizona found that nine out of 10 female teens’ eating habits don’t consist of all the food groups and teens and seven out of 10 male teens do not get the recommended PROBLEMS CAUSING they don’t get enough exercise, or sleep.” amount of calcium in their daily diets.

STRESS Giving the body the rest it needs is important to health According to the University of Michigan, obesity rates are 25 percent and affects how a person performs on day-to-day activities. for girls and 18 percent for boys between the ages of 12 and 17. The According to the National Sleep Foundation, teens need from 8.5 to 9.5 hours of sleep number of obese teens has tripled in the last decade. It is important to every night. Only 15 percent of teens reported getting over 8.5 hours of sleep regularly. Lack maintain a healthy weight as a teen to prevent high cholesterol, blood pressure, and risk of of sleep can lead to poor performance in school and an increased danger of accidents behind diabetes. There are many reasons behind the increase in overweight and obese teens. the wheel. Driving while sleep deprived causes 100,000 crashes each year, and 55 percent of “One of the main contributing factors is an increase in sedentary activities such as Playstation them are caused by drivers under 25. Sleep deprivation has also been linked to depression. and computer games,” Husarik said. “Pop is also a big factor – drinking a pop is like pouring a “Exercise is good for heart health, stamina and it helps to give you energy to do well in bowl of sugar down your throat. Another thing is the lack of time for families to make healthy school and other activities,” Husarik said. “Having good exercise habits as a teen will help to meals and so they rely more on fast food.” keep them good as an adult.”

Every teen has felt stress more than they thought they could handle. Every teen must learn The American Heart Association suggests that teens get at least 60 minutes of moderate to cope with the problems causing stress and resolve them while dealing with more problems exercise per day. Exercising regularly as a teen will help to keep a person’s metabolism where and more stress. Whether it’s academic pressure from AP and honors classes, or family issues, it should be and prevent heart disease as an adult. stress is a major part of teenage life. Though teens accept the stress that comes along with Though making time to exercise is difficult, exercise may help to reduce stress and help living, it is important that they learn to deal with it effectively; pushing away the stress and students to think more clearly. Stress often leads to muscle tension which causes headaches constantly living under pressure is not a solution to this problem. A long-term build up of and muscle pain. Because exercise helps the body to relax by relieving this tension, it helps stress can cause problems such as physical illness, anxiety, and depression.

HEALTH at

Benefits of a

Health and fitness 18% 25%

of male teens

of female teens

ARE OBESE only

15% of TEENS

GET ENOUGH SLEEP 14

14,15.indd 2-3

BY

SHAILEY WILKINSON

REPORTER

Throughout the last few decades, there have been many diets intended to help individuals become healthier and stay that way, as well as prevent and reduce obesity among children and adults.

Millions of people looking for the perfect diet joined in the low-carb lifestyle that the all-famous Atkins Diet brought to America. This diet is designed purely to eat a balance of fats and proteins to control your weight. There are, of course, benefits of Atkins, because you drop a lot of weight – really fast.

This essentially, is the purpose of the diet in the first place.

However, there are a few major problems with the Atkins diet that can be serious risks to teens. Rachel Huskey, a 16-year-old from Missouri died while on the Atkins diet; the autopsy showed that the cause of death was a low level of electrolytes which caused heart arrhythmia. Heart disease is believed to be a possible side effect of the Atkins Diet; Jody Gorran, a faithful Atkins dieter, said, “I traded a 32-inch waist for heart disease.”

Along with the Atkins Diet, there have been many more “fad” diets to catch on, such as The Zone Diet and The South Beach Diet.

The Zone Diet has, for the most part, proven itself quite effective in the sense of helping you take off the extra pounds, and leave them off. It helps you keep an even balance of three important food groups, carbohydrates, fats and proteins.

Living in “The Zone” is actually a very healthy way to live, but very difficult to live by. One of the only major setbacks to The Zone diet is that it is very precise; you have to specifically weigh and measure everything you consume. It has proven to work, if you possess the discipline to stick to it.

It has been effective in reducing risk of some very common diseases, such as, Type 1 diabetes, as well as Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, depression and

FADS cancer. It can also reduce things such as chronic fatigue, asthma, allergies and even pre-menstrual syndrome.

The South Beach Diet, which is one of the most recent diets, was originally intended for patients with heart problems. It wasn’t until those heart patients started to lose weight that the diet caught on. The diet is not low-carb, or low-fat, rather it focuses on eating the right amount of carbohydrates and fats and proteins, rather than too much or too little of one or the other.

Some concerns with the South Beach Diet are that the weight dropped in the beginning may not necessarily be weight that needs to be dropped, but instead is water weight, which is often rapidly gained back.

While many people today still use these diets, and even others, the strategy for losing weight and being healthier lately has become full of inner peace, and finding yourself. Things such as Yoga and Pilates are growing in popularity by the day.

Yoga is used for both mental and physical health and is physically beneficial in numerous ways. It increases hand-eye coordination, joint range motion, endurance, and reaction time. Yoga also helps to reduce aches and pains and helps to balance weight.

Yoga also helps people connect their body and mind to reach their peak mental and physical health. People that practice yoga have shown improved memory, as well as social skills, with a decrease in depression and anxiety.

Very similar to yoga, today’s versions of Pilates doesn’t focus as much on the mental side of human health, but is more designed for the physical side of being healthy. Even though its origin was to improve the connection of body and mind, it has turned into a very effective, very popular way to lose weight. It uses a wider variety of individual exercises to tone the muscles.

BY

ERHS

JENN WHITHAM

REPORTER

“(Being healthy is) staying in control of your body, not gaining a bunch of weight or eating bad food and stuff.”

-- Junior Riley Barnes

“(I’m) probably not super healthy ... I haven’t had a lot of opportunity to excercise since I started working at Emerald Ridge ... I drink a lot of water everyday. Physically, I do run around the building quite a bit.”

-- Jeannine Medvedich

“(I think a healthy person is) someone who has the correct body weight for their size and is in proportion with their body type ... someone who’s happy with the way they are, or is working on it.”

-- Sophomore Zach Turner

“(I’m healthy) because I excercise at least four times a week and I’m a vegetarian. I try to eat (well).”

-- Senior Alexis Perkins

Good health is promoted at Emerald Ridge in more than one way, yet students still have the opportunity to make unhealthy choices.

The Puyallup School District has many guidelines set to help encourage and support students in working against unhealthy lifestyles. A half year of health and one and a half years of fitness classes are required of students for graduation, giving many chances for students to better their health while at school. But are students rising to the occasion?

“The problem I have with my classes are that many students don’t take advantage of the time they have,” P.E. teacher Lynn Wardle said. “They come to class and chill, which is just frustrating to me.”

According to District Athletic Director Rick Wells, the required amount of fitness credits is set by Washington.

“The district can’t have the requirement be less than the state’s, which is a big driver in that decision,” Wells said.

Wardle said, the fitness department has a broad selection which allows every student to take a fitness class that fits their active preference.

“There’s a (fitness) class for everyone; we have athletic games in team sports, there’s aerobics if you don’t like playing games, and if you want to gain muscle we have weight training,” Wardle said.

Another contributor to good health, other than participating in activities that physically work the body, are what students are eating during their lunches. With the student store, the vending machines, and the food available in the school lunch lines, some students’ lunches consist of a bag of chips and a candy bar, a greasy pizza, or a burger and fries.

The District Food Service must follow guidelines that are set by the USDA, which state that all lunches must meet a 33-percent standard of key nutrients.

According to District Food Service Secondary Coordinator Robin Hobson, the school lunches have improved each year.

“This year, the pizza is made on wheat bread, and the sauce and cheese are low fat,” Hobson said.

The district tracks iron, calcium, sodium, calories, fat and saturated fat in each meal (along with other nutrients) and if the meal does not meet the guideline, then the recipe is redone.

With school lunches monitoring students nutrition, are the snack carts helping students maintain good eating habits?

“The snack carts are intended to be supplemental; they are ‘sometimes’ foods, for those who need more,” District Food Service Coordinator Judy Jackson said.

When students eat from the food cart, are they really only eating the snacks available as supplements as opposed to eating from the lunch gallery, or do their lunches consist only of a few items from the cart?

“I eat from both (the gallery and cart). I eat the chicken when I eat at (the snack cart), it taste better,” sophomore Kristina Veyhle said.

Some students do choose to buy the school lunch gallery lunches.

“I eat from the lunch lines. I like the variety, how you can get fruit, chips, and a desert,” sophomore Kim Phillips said.

According to Jackson, some of the major goals are to work towards students making good decisions about what they’re eating, which is why foods sell for higher prices in the food cart lines, such as a dollar for some fries when in the lunch gallery lines, a student can buy a whole lunch for $2.45.

“The main goals are to help students be informed, to offer them ‘sometimes’ foods and ‘always’ foods,” Jackson said. “Through price ranges we hope that more students will choose to eat the meals first.”

All the nutrition facts are located on the Puyallup School District’s Website and parents can also monitor what their child is eating by going to myschoolbucks.com.

The student store also has limitations as to what can be sold to the student body; their guidelines are set by the state and enforced through the district.

“Every item we sell has to have at least 5 percent nutritious value, and we measure that by not selling anything with glucose, sugar, or corn syrup labeled as the first ingredient,” Business and Marketing teacher Randy Walden said. “For example, we can’t sell things like gummi bears or hard candy because those are mostly pure sugar.”

According to senior Holli Eads, student store manager, the store wants to improve on the amount of healthy foods sold.

“It’s a work in progress, that is definitely one of our goals this year,” Eads said. “Our biggest thing is we want to come up with fun ideas that are healthy, but also appealing to high school students.”

Other items also have been added.

“We still have snack food, such as candy bars, and chips and popcorn, but we now have health bars and nutri-grain bars also,” Eads said.

15

12/14/2005 11:45:46 PM

SPORTS

Girls basketball looks to surprise NICK KAJCA

EDITORIAL BOARD

Flying under the radar is something the girls basketball team has become quite good at over the past two seasons.

With another season underway, the lady Jags once again find themselves as underdogs and not one of the favorites in the league. But instead of being discouraged, the team has decided to relish and embrace the role.

“We are used to being considered underdogs,” senior captain Stacey Sas said. “We were last season and we’re hoping to use it to help beat some of the tough teams.”

Last season, the team was overlooked by such powers as Curtis and Bethel but was still able to play solid, finish fourth in league, and secure a playoff spot. This season, the team is looking to follow a very similar game plan.

“Our goals are to put our best effort in every game,” coach Greg Farias said. “We want to get into the West Central District playoffs, as well.”

The Jags believe that they are much improved in several areas from last season, which will help make their playoff goal easier.

“Definitely one of our strengths is that we are much taller than last season,” Sas said.

“We are also very fast.”

Last season the team had one girl that was over 6-foot, which is taller than any girl this season, but on average they are taller across the board. The girls also believe that their team speed will be a valuable weapon.

They will use it to play a fastbreak style of basketball.

But, of course, with every team’s strengths there are also weaknesses, and the Jags are no exception.

“Presently our weakness is our defensive play,” Farias said. “We have a new offensive

and defensive system and our defense is a little behind at this time.”

The team will continue to practice and work on improving it defensive woes, but there is another weakness they cannot control. The Jags are young – extremely young.

This year’s varsity team has only three seniors and will be forced to rely heavily on underclassmen.

One of these underclassmen is junior and co-captain Lakia Arceneaux. Her speed and scoring ability has played a vital part in the young season. Through three games this season she has been the team’s leading scorer, averaging over 16 points per game.

The team’s record in those games is 1-2.

The Jags started their season off on the right track. In the first game of the year ,the girls won, 59-52, over Jefferson, but since then the team has run into some early bumps in the road. The second game of the season was postponed until Dec. 17 because of school cancellation and in the third game of the year the Jags experienced a humbling 63-33 loss at the hands of Bethel. They then played Puyallup, who Farias believes could be one of the top teams in the league and features School Sports Magazine player to watch Danika Lawson. Behind Lawson’s 24 points, the Vikings defeated the Jags, 62-42.

One game that has the team’s interest later on down the road is against a visiting club team from Australia on Jan. 4.

“We are excited to play a team from another country,” Sas said. “It is going to be really cool.”

The season, however, is still quite young and the team is looking to continue working at reaching their goal of the playoffs and proving that they are a force to be reckoned with.

“We have only played a couple of games,” Farias said. “We seem to be on the right course, but it is very early. There is a lot of basketball coming.”

UP In April, junior Garret Allen was diagnosed with cancer. But he’s not giving in.

BY

Junior Lakia Arceneaux goes for a lay up against Thomas Jefferson. The Jags won the game 59-52.

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Photo by Shailey Wilkinson

205 South Meridian Puyallup, WA. 98371 (253) 840-6899 Fax - (253) 840-6898

16,13.indd 2-3

ELAINE RAYMOND

REPORTER

Photo by Elaine Raymond

BY

NEVER Giving

“I didn’t think it was true, kind of like a dream,” Garrett Allen said.

On April 28, Allen’s life would forever be changed. This day was the first of many to come in which Allen would be aware of his living with cancer after being diagnosed with Localized Lymphoblastic B-Cell Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma, which affects the right side of his jaw.

“I didn’t think it was real,” Allen said. “It’s one of those things that you see happen to other people, but never think it will happen to you. It took two months into the treatment before it really hit me.”

Faced with an unexpected trauma, the Allens’ lives were quickly changed.

“Everything went really fast,” Allen’s father Kurt Allen said. “We knew it was something pretty bad because it was in his jaw. It was the consistency of ice cream and it was purple; it was really hard (for us) because from the time they did the biopsy to the time we found out the diagnosis was about a week. It was really hard on mom and dad.”

Allen’s cancer came as a surprise and was only discovered because his mother noticed a difference in the size of his jaw.

Allen’s friends had also noticed a change.

“We had actually been making fun of the bump on his jaw,” junior Jade Anderson said.

Aware of Allen’s history of health and sense of humor, friends did not know whether of not to believe him.

“I’d never really been sick before. All of my friends thought that I was joking,” Allen said.

Senior Jake Zanoni was one of those friends.

“At first I thought it was a joke ’cause it sounded like something that Garrett would joke about,” Zanoni said.

“Then I confirmed it with Jade (Anderson). I was pretty devastated because Garrett was the last person in the world who deserved it.”

Anderson is Allen’s best friend.

“I couldn’t imagine that it would happen to my best friend,” Anderson said. “I knew he’d be missing out on a lot.”

Allen’s cancer requires a strict daily routine of medica-

tions and treatments.

“In the morning I usually take a few pills and then go to the hospital,” Allen said. “They draw blood and take my (white blood cell) counts. If they are high enough, they access my ports and give me shots. Then at night I take the same medication I took in the morning. I take pain medication as needed throughout the day, too, and nausea medicine.”

A port is a place in Allen’s chest where the doctors give his medications. In order to stay healthy, Allen requires an extensive amount of treatment, chemotherapy, medications and shots. “(It costs) in the hundreds of thousands, but we have

“It’s changed the way I look at life.”

- Garrett Allen insurance that covers most of it,” Allen said. “I have one pill that costs $40 a pill and I take three a day.”

Medications and new expenses are not the only changes that have taken place in Allen’s life.

“It’s changed the way I look at life,” Allen said.

Allen’s cancer has caused his family to revise the things they value.

“I know my family’s gotten a lot closer and it seems like our priority’s changed,” Allen said. “It used to be that we wanted a bigger house or a bigger boat. Now we spend a lot more time together.”

Cancer has caused Allen to miss school often.

“I’ve been missing two-week periods,” Allen.

When Allen is at school, he manages wrestling part-time.

Outside of school, Allen enjoys skateboarding. He also plays the guitar and is a member of a band. And while Allen is still able to participate in these activities, he is unable to spend his time like he used to.

“(I miss) just not being able to do the things most teenagers do,” Allen said.

Despite this, Allen is optimistic and believes that the best part of having cancer is the support that he receives.

When Allen was first diagnosed with cancer he received many visitors.

“For a while there, you couldn’t fit anymore people in the room,” Kurt Allen said.

People have showed their support for Allen in several ways. Knowing that Allen plays the guitar, the Emerald Ridge staff presented him with their own gift.

“The staff got together and they said wanted to show their support for Garrett so they pooled their money and bought him an amplifier and a pedal that does all kinds of fancy stuff,” Kurt Allen said.

Additionally, the fire department that Kurt Allen works for shaved their heads when Garrett lost his hair.

“We had 30-something guys shave their heads including some of Garrett’s friends,” Kurt Allen said.

Allen’s diagnosis helped his family and friends to realize that, realistically, no one is excluded from the threat of cancer.

“Subconsciously you kind of think the weaker kids get cancer,” Kurt Allen said. “Not on purpose, but just in the back of your mind. But when you get (to the hospital) you see anyone can get cancer. We saw everything from real tiny kids to big kids. You know, kids running around you can tell they’re jocks. That just opened our eyes.”

Allen’s cancer has changed the opinions of his friends, including Zanoni.

“I think I realize that cancer can happen to anyone,” Zanoni said. “As cheesy as it is to say, it can happen to anyone.”

Allen recently finished chemotherapy and is currently in maintenance, which involves medications and frequent visits to the doctor. Maintenance will last through senior year and he will then continue to go to the hospital for periodic checkups.

“He’s going to be OK,” Anderson said. “From here on out it’s just going to get better and better and better.”

13

12/14/2005 11:46:49 PM

SPORTS Jag-

When health goes BY

SUMMER YATES

REPORTER

As we sit in the quaint little office, she seems very content and relaxed, ready for an interview. With one leg crossed over the other, she takes out her lunch and begins eating A little over a year ago, junior Ashley Seymour would have opted to stick with a bottle of water and a few graham crackers, possibly her only meal of the day. But as a survivor of anorexia nervosa, Seymour can now confidently eat without fear.

Anorexia nervosa – the relentless pursuit of thinness. Seymour recounts her threeyear saga with depression that lead to a downward spiral into an eating disorder and one conversation that changed her life.

Growing up with her parents, an older brother, sister and twin sister, Ashley’s life was turned upside down when her mother died when she was 9 years old from cirrhosis and hepatitis C as a result of drug and alcohol addiction.

“It happened so suddenly. I didn’t understand that she wasn’t coming back. I became the quiet girl at school,” Seymour said.

A year and a half later, her aunt passed away as well.

“Nobody told me about it. I found out when my brother accidentally told me,” she said.

Some time later, her cousin committed suicide. With multiple deaths surrounding her family life, Seymour slipped deeper and deeper into depression. Missing more and more meals, replacing soda with water, and exercising excessively, Ashley started losing weight … and fast.

“It was my controlled chaos,” Seymour

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Wrestling starts season strong

TOO FAR

said. fidants still stayed quiet. It Maintaining a weight under 110 pounds, wasn’t until one conversation Seymour reached as low as 89 pounds at a late spring afternoon that the age of 13, shocking for a girl only changed everything. She went over to a 5-foot-3. Always thinking she was the friend’s house to borrow a shirt. After trytrademark “skinny girl,” Seymour didn’t ing it on, Ashley took one look in the mirror think much of her weight loss, shrugging and figured since the shirt didn’t fit right, it her loss of appetite off as a side effect of wasn’t the shirt, it was her. At a mere 110 depression. Family and friends started to pounds, Seymour’s friend was shocked when notice Seymour’s astonishing weight loss, she heard Ashley say, “I’m so fat.” but chose to keep quiet about it. Her teachThat’s when someone finally said someers at school said nothing, even though thing. rumors circulated.

Soon after that Ashley went home and “My friends confessed would always to her comment on step-moth“I’ll have my ‘fat’ days when I how ‘little’ I er that she don’t care about what I eat, but was, but it d id h a v e ne v e r w e nt an eating I’ll never starve myself again. ” farther than disor-- Ashley Seymour t h a t , ” s a id der. Not Seymour. wanting Ashley’s any of her twin sister, Pamela Seymour, recalls her family to be aware of her illness she kept sister’s physical body change over the it very quiet from the rest of her family, course of her ordeal. Ashley would sore thinking that it would bring more shame easier than before when she was healthy, to an already hurting home. since her body was losing vital nutrition “That first month was the hardest. It was every day. She had a pale face, and always a loss of control that I didn’t even know I looked like she was sick. Her ribs, hips and had,” said Ashley. spine would noticeably stick out from under Since Seymour was fully aware that her clothes. she had a problem, she was not admitted “I tried to spend as much time as I could to a clinic, however, her eating patterns with her. She wasn’t hanging out with the were monitored by her doctor and she was best crowd, and I knew she needed to get prohibited from exercising. She explains help. I just wanted to be there for her,” those four months as becoming a child Pamela said. again. She was constantly being reminded For three years, Ashley’s anorexia wasn’t what to eat, when to eat, and when to getting any better, and her closest con- stop. Yet her disease had become a part

of her – it was more than just about losing weight. Seymour describes her recovery as an epiphany, finding that there had to be other things in her life to help her cope when problems occurred.

BY

The Jaguar wrestling team looks toward its new season with lofty goals springing from last year’s sixth place state finish.

“We want to start by performing well, and win league again,” coach Jim Meyerhoff said.

“We’re not looking at it as a repeat, because it’s a new season with new kids.”

With five of eight state competitors from last year returning, experience seems to favor the Jaguars this season. “(All the new team members) are learning a lot,” senior Keith Schlecht said. “Our varsity line hasn’t changed (much), though.”

Schlecht, also a captain last year, placed fifth in the 160-pound weight class at state last year. This year, he hopes to place in the top three.

Junior Aaron Brown hopes the Jaguars have higher success than just winning the league championship.

Brown, who finished fourth in state last year at 171 pounds, hasn’t wrestled yet this season because of a knee injury.

“I think this year we’ll take first in regionals (again),” Brown said. “We already won league last year.”

So far it looks like the Jaguars are on track to meet these goals.

In its first match, Emerald Ridge defeated Spanaway Lake 56-9, with all wrestlers except for sophomore Gabe Weber defeating their opponents.

“We did well,” Meyerhoff said. “Everyone

Today, Seymour is completely recovered from her anorexia, saying, “I’ll have my ‘fat’ days where I don’t really care about what I eat, but I’ll never starve myself again because I’m fully aware that I was sick, and now I want to help other girls who are dealing with body image issues…I won’t even keep a scale in my house.”

Ashley describes how recovery came from one friend caring enough to talk to her, and from God. “I was just a really depressed person, and I didn’t have a great childhood. I know it was my fault, and it took that situation for God to show me that I had purpose to be alive, and I needed to take care of my body … it was so easy to start eating once I started going to church again and having faith in God again and believing in myself.

I’ve never relapsed, and happy with the things I’ve accomplished,” Seymour said.

She’s one of countless teens whose family and/or school life becomes an overload of stress, which causes them to believe little of their life is controlled by them.

What they don’t realize is that an eating disorder really puts them out of control.

“I think God puts you through things to help people in the future,” Seymour said. “I believe I had to go through that so others don’t have to.”

10

BY

I THINK THIS YEAR WE’LL TAKE FIRST IN REGIONALS. WE ALREADY WON LEAGUE LAST YEAR

MIKE WHELAN AND NICK KAJCA

REPORTER AND EDITORIAL BOARD

Photo by Kassie Green

teen boys

12,17.indd 2-3

respectively. Each of them wrestled state champions from last year in the finals.

“Individually we did well,” Meyerhoff said. “We weren’t really looking for the team performance.”

The JV squad competed in the Larry Brown Tournament, which is a varsity invitational. Of the 10 wrestlers, nine placed in the top five. Senior Geoff Nelson and sophomore Braedan Binkiewicz both placed third. Twenty— Aaron Brown, junior four wrestlers also competed in the Franklin Pierce JV Tournament.

While the Jaguars are doing well this where the Jaguars placed fifth overall. Junior season, they could be strengthened by the Kevin Wills and senior Nick Webster took asset of one of the stronger athletes, Brown. second in the 140-and 119-pound classes, Brown completed last season by taking fourth

The basketball team’s season starts off with a record of 1-3, having only defeated Thomas Jefferson, 53-49

70

suffer from an eating disorder.

Senior Justin Timothy pinned his opponent, Chad Curtis, with 1:14 remaining in the third period.

”

place in state in the 171-pound weight class.

Because of a torn ACL, Brown has not been able to participate this season.

“I have my doctor’s appointment on Jan. 5,” Brown said. “Until then, I’m just conditioning and weightlifting.”

Though Brown has not yet been able to compete, he still is setting his standards high for this season.

“I want to win state,” Brown said. “It all just depends on how hard I work.”

Even with success so far this season, the Jaguars still have things to work on.

“We often get ahead, and we need to finish,” Meyerhoff said. “Guys start taking it easy in the third (period) and they need to finish.”

Boys basketball starts slow; hopes for improvement

suffer from an eating disorder.

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beat their opponents, and the one guy that lost should have won.”

The Jaguars also gave up points to the Sentinels, by not having a wrestler in the 275-pound class.

“We actually have a guy to wrestle in the 275 class,” Meyerhoff said. “But that guy (from the other school) was a state placer and we didn’t want to have T.J. going up against him yet.”

That’s senior T.J. Smith, who instead wrestled in the 215-pound class and defeated Dominc Hottinger with a pin with five seconds to go in the third round.

“I feel I did good (in my match),” Smith said. “There’s always stuff to work on, though.”

Seven out of 10 Jaguars pinned their opponents, resulting in an easy win.

The Jaguars have also competed in multiple invitationals. They sent wrestlers to three different invitationals on Dec. 10. The varsity squad went to the Wilfong Invitational,

“

teen girls

1

KAITLYN GOLDEN

EDITORIAL BOARD

Boys basketball has not always been the most successful program. No team in the history of this school has made the playoffs, and so far this year’s team is not off to the best start.

The team’s record through four games is 1-3.

The Jags opened their season in an ideal way by defeating Thomas Jefferson 53-49. The team was led by junior Torey Wambold, 20 points, and senior Jordan Thaanum, 15 points.

Next up for the undefeated Jags was the defending 4A

state champion Bethel Braves. The game was a seesaw affair, as it went back and forth for the entire game. Unfortunately, the Braves pulled away in the fourth quarter and won the game 54-42. Despite the loss, the Jags got a solid game from Thaanum with 12 points.

So, when the Jaguars took on the Puyallup Vikings on Dec. 9, the team was looking to bounce back and get their second victory against a rival school.

The Jags jumped out to an early lead and led by 10 at half time. They had hoped to add to that lead, but failed to do so. The Vikings came back strong in the second half, hitting most of their shots, while the Jags came out cold.

In the end there was too much Viking offense as the Jags were defeated 56-49. Seniors Austin Kilpatrick, 18 points, and Trevor Opitz, 12 points, led the way for Puyallup.

The Jags were led by forward Bryn Allen. He was 8-of-14,

scoring a total of 16 points.

On Dec.10, the Jags took on the Federal Way Eagles at home, in a makeup game due to a school cancellation. Federal Way played solid the entire game and won 80-49.

Despite the Jags beginning the year with a record of 1-3, eighth in the SPSL South, they are looking to get back on the winning track over the next few games. Their next game, against the rival Rogers Rams, will take place on Dec.16.

The varsity team has never defeated the Rams before and is hoping this will finally be the year the streak is ended. This season Rogers has a record of 2-2, good enough for seventh place in the SPSL South.

However, the Jags will have a tough road ahead of them if they want to accomplish another first; the playoffs. The SPSL is one of toughest leagues in the state, with two teams in The Seattle Times Top 10, in Curtis and Federal Way.

17 volumeSIX.issueTHREE 12/14/2005 11:44:56 PM

SPORTS

Volleyball takes third in state A miraclous comback opposite Bellarmine High School ends in an excellent finish for volleyball BY

NICK KAJCA

EDITORIAL BOARD

After two years of coming up just short at the state tournament, the volleyball team finally has reached a new level of success.

The team finished in third place by defeating Bellarmine Prep, 3-2, at the WIAA 4A state tournament on November 11 and 12, making it the highest placing volleyball team in school history.

“It was really cool to be the first team in Emerald Ridge history to take third,” senior Kelsey Rochester said.

Throughout the season, the team’s main goal had been to win the state championship, but the girls were in no way disappointed with finishing third.

“It’s definitely a success, since we won by coming back against such a great team,” senior Emily Niebles said.

Great games are tough to forget, whether it is the Boston Red Sox winning game four

Fal

t r o p S l

of the 2004 American League Championship Series or the improbable New England Patriots winning the 2002 Super Bowl. Well, it seems that the Bellarmine-ER matchup might just be the high school equivalent of those legendary professional games.

The game had all the elements needed for a classic. Two dominant teams, each coming off of tough defeats in the semifinals. Two of the state’s top players in Bellarmine’s Alita Fisher and ER’s Kylie Marshall going head-to-head. And, to top it all off, a passion-filled, come-from-behind victory that went to the maximum five games.

The game could not have started off worse for the Jaguars.

“It started out horribly,” coach Tanya Campbell said. “We lost games one and two, and then somehow we managed to get some confidence and win game three pretty handily.”

The team continued to play confident, as it squeaked out another win in game four, 31-29. This set up the decisive do-or-die game five and the opportunity for the ultimate comeback.

The team was down 14-6 in a game to 15, and hanging within an inch of its life, when it got a spark from an unlikely source.

iew v e R s in

Boys tennis Finished the season 8-4 Fourth place in the SPSL South Erik Olsen competed in the SPSL South tournament, making it to the semifinals als

auren

d by: L

ile Comp

Smith

Girls cross country

Boys cross country Finished the season 9-1 Second place in SPSL South Hassan Mead placed 10th in state

Finished the season 6-4 Fifth place in SPSL South Claire Groo placed 56th in state Named Academic State Champions for the second consecutive year with a cumulative GPA of 3.976

Girls golf Finished the season 12-0 First place in SPSL South State Qualifiers: Lexi

Boys golf Finished the season 6-6 Fourth place in the SPSL

that the best team did not necessarily win.

“We could have beaten them,” Niebles said. “They were really good, but we were off. They were not better; we just didn’t play our best game.”

Throughout the entire tournament, the team got their usual dominant play from senior captains Emily Powell, over nine kills per game, and Marshall, over 19 kills per game, but also saw several other girls step up their games.

“Sara Cusato, Wyngarden, and Cami Medlock all came up big for us,” Campbell said.

The inspired performances by those three girls not only helped the team in the tournament, but also gave a glimpse into what the program might look like next season.

Next season the team will be without News Tribune all-area performers Powell and Marshall, as well as Cusato and Rochester, but will return Wyngarden and all-league honorable mention junior Medlock.

The two girls will lead a young team that is looking to continue to build up a program that has become one of the tops in the state.

“The underclassmen are good enough to continue on,” Rochester said. “They are strong, they will be fine.”

Some are obsessed with it. Some could care less. Society’s standard of it is in a state of constant change. It’s health, and it directly influences our academics, our mood -- the very fiber of our lives. It comes in the form of excercise and fitness, of food and dieting, of body image and self esteem. JagWire delves deep into health at Emerald Ridge and its affect on students. Does it surpass physical image? What is “good” health? Is it as dire as we make it out to be?

Does health stop at being healthy?

HEALTH

Girls soccer Finished the season 8-4-2 Fourth place in SPSL South Lost a shootout to defending state champ Bellarmine in district

Finished the season 4-6 Sixth place in the SPSL South State qualifiers: Laurel Barrettplaced eleventh in 100-yard breast stroke; Lindsay Nolan, Angela Collier, Caitlin Olmsted and Laurel Barrett-placed 25th in 200 medley

Finished the season 5-11 Sixth place in SPSL South Sixth place in state

Girls volleyball Finished the regular season 10-0 First place in SPSL South Third place in district tournament Third place in state tournament Kylie Marshall-SPSL MVP, Tacoma News Tribune All-Area MVP, Seattle Times SPSL MVP Emily Powell-SPSL First Team Kelli Skeim, Emily Nieblas, and Cammi Medlock-SPSL Honorable Mention

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STUDENT

Girls swim and dive

Boys water polo

Boys football Finished the season 5-4 in SPSL, 6-4 overall Sixth place in SPSL South

Junior Meagan Wyngarden was inserted into the game and the team reeled off an astounding nine straight points to go up 15-14, all while Wyngarden was serving. They ended up winning the match 22-20.

“Everyone knew that one mistake would result in a loss,” Marshall said. “We had to use the perfect amount of aggressiveness and conservatism and just chipped away.”

The victory marked a new high for a group of seniors who had placed fourth at the past two state tournaments.

“It was crazy, coming from behind so many times,” Niebles said. “It made my whole career worth it.”

The road that eventually led to the thirdplace finish started with a first-round win over Monroe. That win set up a quarterfinal match-up against Inglemoor, which the team defeated 3-1 to earn a date in the semifinals against Eisenhower. This was another first for the volleyball program, as it marked the first time a Jag team has ever made it out of the first day of the tournament without a loss.

The winner of the match would advance on to play in the championship against Mead.

The Jags played valiantly but were defeated, 3-1, setting up the match with Bellarmine. After the game, the team believed

Ashley is not alone at Emerald Ridge. Statistics show that one in 10 teen girls suffer from an eating disorder and one in 70 teen boys, according to www.teenadvice.com.

Eating disorders are characterized as severe disturbances in eating behavior. According to Rader, a non-profit organization that clinically treats patients dealing with an eating disorder, “a person with an eating disorder can use eating, purging or restricting to deal with their problems.”

The three most common disorders are anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and compulsive overeating. Many doctors believe that eating disorders are part of a deeper psychological issue and are not always rooted in a true need to lose weight. Bulimia, for example, is defined by dictionary.com as episodic binge eating and followed by feelings of guilt, depression, and self-condemnation. It is often associated with measures taken to prevent weight gain, such as self-induced vomiting, the use of laxatives, dieting, or fasting.

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12/14/2005 11:47:35 PM

SPORTS

FEATURE

From mouse to maiden -Sarah Graham enjoys the limelight with the Tacoma City Ballet

IKERD

Polo Shark

Senior Evan Ikerd began playing water polo last year, but didn’t play goalie. He only began because the team’s orginal goalie got an ejection and someone needed to fill in. That turned out to be Ikerd’s lucky day.

As first-team goalie on the all-state water polo team, senior Evan Ikerd is a dominant figure who helped lead his team to a sixth-in-state finish BY

KAYTI WEAVER

REPORTER

Since the age of four, ballet has been a huge part of Sarah Graham’s life. Though she didn’t like it at first, she followed in her sister’s footsteps doing the normal, “I want to be like my big sister” routine.

It was her mother’s idea for Graham to become involved in ballet.

“My mom wanted me to join because my sister was already into it,” Graham said. “It was just easier for me to join, too.”

Ballet was something that Graham grew into, and it later became an even larger part of her life as she went on to attend many ballet academies. At the age of 10, she began performing in “The Nutcracker,” and it was then that she actually started to enjoy ballet.

“I once played a mouse, that was fun,” Graham said. She has had parts in many other ballet recitals, but the most prominent one in her mind was “The Nutcracker.” Though she began her ballet career in a low-profile role, Graham worked her way up over the years, eventually landing the lead part of Clara.

“The Nutcracker became like a holiday tradition. It takes a lot of preparing for. I start practice in summer,” Graham said.

Not only is Graham very involved with ballet, she makes sure that she participates in school as well. As a junior, Graham is a part of the cheer team, student council, DECA, and the yearbook staff.

“She’s a good kid,” business and marketing teacher Randy Walden said. “She is just a great human being; very responsible and reliable.”

With balancing cheer, homework, and ballet, one might

think that it is too much to handle.

She seems like the golden girl of managing time, but she makes time for herself as well. Taking time to spend with her friends is important to her.

“It really surprised me that with all her curricular activities, that she still has so much time to spend with her friends,” friend Caitlin Halligan said. “She cares a lot about school and challenges herself with AP classes.”

Graham hasn’t yet decided whether or not she wants to continue dancing throughout college.

“We’ll see what happens,” Graham said.

For now, she is just trying to manage what’s in front of her, and let the future take its own path.

10

Photo by Brianne Shannon

volumeSIX.issueTHREE

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Senior Evan Ikerd does not exactly fit the mold of the prototypical elite athlete. With his shaggy hair, shy personality, and slender 5-foot-9, 160-pound frame, he is not exactly the most intimidating looking guy in the world.

Yet when placed in a swimming pool and put in front of a goal, Ikerd turns into a shark. He plays goalie on the boys water polo team, where he is a leader and has been voted as the first-team goalie on the all-state team.

With an accomplishment like that, it would seem like Ikerd has been swimming and playing water polo his entire life. But Evan is not one of those athletes who have been dreaming of making the all-state team since he was a child.

He was not born and raised in a swimming pool.

“This is only my second year playing water polo and only my first as a goalie,” Ikerd said. “I was getting bored and I had some friends who played the sport so I decided to try

“I work hard to manage my time well,” said Graham.

“I practice at least a couple of hours a day, seven days a week.”

Photo by Lori Jones

BY

NICK KAJCA

EDITORIAL BOARD

it and I ended up liking it.”

Even more surprising is how Ikerd started playing goalie.

“In our first game of the season our goalie got a kick out (an ejection), and I was standing right next to the coach and he asked me if I wanted to play,” Ikerd said. “I had been thinking about playing it so I just went out there.”

It seems like it might be appropriate to call Ikerd a hidden gem. He seemingly came out of nowhere to become one of the state’s top players, yet he has received little hype, possibly because his sport is not always the most popular.

“A lot of people think (water polo) is easy, but it is tough,” Ikerd said. “I wish it could get more recognition, but I think it is growing.”

Thankfully for the team, though, Ikerd was discovered.

Because, ever since, he has played a key role in helping lead the team to the best season in school history.

The team finished the year with a record of 5-11. The record does not sound that successful, but since many schools in the state either do not have a team or play as club teams, as Emerald Ridge used to do, it was good enough to qualify them for the state tournament. At the tournament, the team ended up placing sixth.

“This is the farthest we have ever gone,” Ikerd said. “It

is a little surprising, but we had a good team and we just had to work hard. I wish it was not over.”

In the previous season the team did not even qualify for districts and had greatly struggled to even win games.

“This is definitely one of the best seasons we have ever had,” senior Ryan Barker said. “The team and the program are growing.”

No one can deny that Ikerd’s emergence as both a superior goalie and leader has been a huge portion of all this season’s success.

“If we didn’t have a good goalie we would have to score a lot more because he makes a lot of blocks,” Barker said.

But do not go to a match and expect to see Evan out there yelling, screaming, and talking trash.

“He is a quiet worker,” Barker said. “He does his talking with his actions.”

Ikerd is hoping that his actions in the pool could possibly lead to playing water polo at a collegiate level. Again, like in high school, not all colleges have teams and some do not offer scholarships for the sport, but that is not discouraging Evan’s hopes of playing at the next level.

“I want to play water polo in college,” Ikerd said. “I would like to get a scholarship or just try out, but I know it is going to be tough.”

19 volumeSIX.issueTHREE 12/14/2005 11:43:16 PM

FEATURE

Student Musician Sophomore Craig Gorder expresses himself through his music.

His passion for guitar and song writting makes him a credit to Emerald Ridge High School

Keith Schlecht

BY

LISSY BRYAN

REPORTER

The music is playing loudly as the hearts of the audience beat harder and eyes gaze at the face performing art-inspired music. Among this diversity of artistic ability in Emerald Ridge High School, sophomore Craig Gorder is a guitarist whose talent strikes many.

Gorder has been playing guitar for the past five years. His inspiration to play came from a guitar legend.

“I heard BB King on the radio one day and really enjoyed the music,” Gorder said. “I wanted to pick up a guitar, then I had started to teach myself. After about a year of self-teaching, my mom was convinced that I enjoy playing guitar and than bought me lessons.”

During the time Gorder became familiar with the guitar and enjoyed playing more and more, his friends helped him progress. After he was comfortable enough, Gorder played with a band named Aevum, which also means “found in time” in Latin. This band is currently on a break while attempting to find a new drummer, but Gorder is still an active guitarist.

“I like Craig’s music because it is real and down to earth, just like him,” band member and junior Evan Berger said.

Gorder plays music for the joy and to help express feelings. The lyrics Gorder writes are generally deep. Mostly, the lyrics are about relationships and the people Gorder comes across. The chords he puts together are original and are rock inspired.

“Playing music allows me to express my emotions when I have no other way to express them,” Gorder said. “Emotionally, music is my everything.”

Playing guitar is not the only musical talent Gorder possesses. He also writes his own lyrics, but has other people sing them in his band.

Gorder’s friends admire his passion for playing music.

“He does what he wants,” Berger said, “no matter how silly he might look. He’s a very abstract person.”

While Gorder enjoys playing guitar now, he has many aspirations as to what he would like to accomplish for the future.

“By the time I graduate, I would like to have our band be more successful,” Gorder said. “I might try to start something new. I would like to get a group of people who have as much passion for music as I do,

Athlete of the Month Accomplishments ● Participant in the

Washington State Cultural Exchange to Japan 2004 ● Fifth in state at 160pound weight class (2005) ● Second in WCD at 160pound weight class (2005) ● First in SPSL at 160pound weight class (2005) ● State competitior (2004) ● Second in WCD at 145pound weight class (2004) ● Third in SPSL at 145pound weight class (2004)

Craig Gorder Photo by Lissy Bryan

What are your goals for the season? Why did you start wrestling and how long have you been?

Place in the top three in state and have a higher team finish.

I started in fourth grade, didn’t wrestle in fifth or sixth and started What is your offseason training again in seventh, so this is my regime like? seventh year. I stopped playing basketball, so I wrestled. My parents I lift and run everyday. had to talk me into it in seventh What is your motivation? grade; I didn’t want to do it.

Garrett Allen going through chemo and my family.

Who is your favorite pro athlete?

Michael Jordan, because he got cut from the team but came back and What are your post high plans?

Go to a university. made millions.

09 volumeSIX.issueTHREE

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12/14/2005 11:48:13 PM

FEATURE

SPORTS

Uniform complaints create change BY

KAITLYN GOLDEN

EDITORIAL BOARD

He’s more than a teacher. He has a loveable personality, a passion for helping his students and has probably consumed more Diet Dr Pepper than you and your friends combined

it. Observing his students, it isn’t necessary.

“Mr. Wilgus is tight,” senior Jeremiah Kotulan said. “He’s relaxed and not too strict. I met him in American Studies sophomore year; he taught me how to write and because of him, I got an A+ on my junior paper.”

Sophomore Samantha Brown said, “He’s a fun teacher. He lets us talk and stuff. He’s cool. He helped me understand stuff about math.”

His school lunches consist of fluctuating students seeking aid in various subjects as well as a loyal Diet Dr Pepper and usually a container of yogurt.

“My favorite drink is Diet Dr Pepper,” Wilgus said, “probably because it doesn’t taste any different (from regular Dr Pepper) and it makes me feel

Recent complaints by local alumni have resulted in the request by the Puyallup School District for all junior highs and high schools to stop purchasing black uniforms if black is not one of their feature colors, an edict that won’t affect Emerald Ridge because black is one of the school’s colors.

“District staff had received complaints from several alumni of various Puyallup schools that having black as a school color was being damaging to school spirit and pride,” said district athletics director Rick Wells.

After receiving these complaints, Superintendent Tony Apostle asked all athletics directors last fall that all schools that don’t have black as a focal color not to purchase black uniforms, sweatshirts or other team gear.

“The direction I gave them (athletics directors) was to carefully review all team uniform purchase requisitions to assure the uniforms represented the school`s primary colors,” Apostle said.

This year, Apostle asked Wells to again remind schools of the policy.

“It was just a follow up conversation I had with our district athletics director to remind our building-level ADs about a direction I gave them in Fall 2004,” Apostle said.

“Just an annual reminder to ADs to carefully review annual

better (because it is diet).” He repeatedly buys a 24-pack per week, every week, consuming about 2-3 cans a day.

Transitioning to his role as the driver’s education teacher, Wilgus has had a few unique driving incidents with some inexperienced drivers.

“One girl hit a house,” Wilgus said. “We were turning

BY MARILYN DIXON REPORTER around in a driveway and she pulled a little bit too close to Armed with a favored Diet Dr Pepper and a pencil in hand, the house and hit the drain Glen Wilgus begins his school day promptly at 6:30 a.m. spout. We’ve had students here Wilgus, who teaches special education and driver’s educafind the curbs more than they tion and is a former American Studies teacher, is a friendly, — Glen Wilgus find the street. soft-spoken teacher who enjoys teaching at a more personal “Oh, another student drove level. In classes of seven or eight, Wilgus teaches, directs, through two red lights on the and aids his students in their class work. same drive. I’ve never had that happen before.”

“I enjoy teenagers,” Wilgus said. “It’s great Along with his different classes, he has helped out in to be working with kids outside of the classthe track program. room. I get to know them better than I “Last year, I helped out with the track program,” Wilgus would as a classroom teacher.” said, “the discus and shot put.”

Wilgus was raised in a family of He also has several active-lifestyle hobbies. He fly teachers and has always known fishes, and attends and participates in track, football, and the value of education. He basketball. likes to help students that are He has one child, Kevin, a 21-year-old alumnus of Emerstruggling in learning; thus, ald Ridge from the class of 2003. He is attending Central his decision to teach special Washington University and is majoring in aviation. education.

“I used to be teaching at Puyallup High School, but He begins the class with I wanted to teach at the same school that my son was a quick lesson of whatever attending. I transferred to Emerald Ridge during my subject he is covering on son’s junior year,” Wilgus said. “He participated in the board. cross country and track and by his senior year, and “We cannot divide by a was named team captain of both.” decimal number,” Wilgus says, Wilgus’ wife, Dorothy, is a school counselor at “so what do we do?” He continWildwood Elementary and has a slightly different ues questioning students on the teaching mindset than Glen. how-to’s in division and decimals.

“She enjoys teaching ‘under teens’,” Wilgus With the lesson over, he leaves the said, “or other (elementary) school-aged kids. remainder of the period for problemShe loves that I enjoy teenagers.” solving and practice. He is then able Along with special education and to help students one-on-one, one helping out in sports, Wilgus has the at a time. He speaks to his leading role in the Australian student students in his calm, nonexchange program. In two weeks of admonishing voice that January, a class of 23 Australian asks for your attenstudents and one teacher will attion, but does tend the school. not command “We did it last year and now we’re doing it again this year,” Wilgus said. “For us, this is the most (Australian students to come to ER) ever. But other schools have about 40 students.”

Wilgus will help in its growth throughout the years, as well as in all other things he’s a part of.

Diet Dr Pepper is Glen Wilgus’s favorite beverage. He consistantly purchases a 24-pack of the soda every week. He consumes two to three cans of Diet Dr Pepper everyday.

“

IT’S GREAT TO BE WORKING WITH KIDS OUTSIDE OF THE CLASSROOM. I GET TO KNOW THEM BETTER THAN I WOULD AS A CLASSROOM TEACHER.

”

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08

Strong work ethic aids swim Team is hopeful that experience and hard work will lead to victories BY

LORI JONES

REPORTER

Photo by Marilyn Dixon

volumeSIX.issueTHREE

uniform requisitions for compliance purposes.”

This caused some misunderstandings about whether black uniforms are allowed at Emerald Ridge.

“It was miscommunicated to me by my athletic director (Dell Dittus), who got his information by our superintendent,” volleyball coach Tanya Campbell said. “It pertained to Kalles JH wearing black uniforms last season when they did not have black as a school color. They have since amended their constitution to reflect black as a school color.”

Emerald Ridge athletes are allowed to wear black uniforms, as black along with green and silver, is one of ER’s central colors.

“Originally, there might have been some confusion about (uniforms) at ER,” Wells said. “The perspective has been changed.”

While these uniforms are allowed, Dittus would prefer to have Emerald Ridge athletes wear green. While Dittus does not select the uniforms, he will now approve the uniforms before completing the purchase order.

“I would prefer if our uniforms were forest green with black and silver accents,” Dittus said.

Dittus is concerned that black uniforms give a negative message to spectators and other athletic teams.

“We’re concerned black uniforms send the wrong message about what we’re trying to do with our students and our programs,” Dittus said. “Also, we don’t want to be getting black uniforms because they’re in vogue.”

Volleyball teams at Emerald Ridge have had black uniforms

Even though last season was a hard one, the boys swim team only has high hopes and positive outlooks for this year.

Ray Belleza returns as head coach and he is joined by two new assistant coaches: Lorri Stoyles, who has assisted in coaching girls swimming, and Michael Dobner, a deaf swimmer and student teacher.

At first mention, one would expect this to cause obstacles, but the boys feel otherwise.

“It’s really cool having a deaf coach,” said Ty O’Bryant, senior and co-captain.

“Mike is a great guy and he has a lot of experience. I don’t really get to work with him though – he works mostly with the younger swimmers.”

Both new and experienced swimmers look up to Dobner.

“He’s a little harder to understand, but we do well. He’s very fun,” senior Matthew Sabey said.

There’s no doubt in anyone’s minds that they want this to be the best season they’ve ever had.

“I’m really excited for this season, there’s a lot of potential,” O’Bryant said.

“This is the best team we’ve had and we’ve got a couple of club swimmers. This should be our best season so far.”

Last season the boys came up short and only won two meets, something they’re striving to beat.

“We’ll win a couple of key meets,” senior Tyler Wells said. “I think we’ll do a lot better this year than last year. Hopefully we’ll have lots of fun.”

Even the coaches agree that this could be their best season.

“They’re really good this year,” Dobner said.

The team is looking forward to a lot this season and they’re pushing themselves with new workouts and morning practices.

“Everyone’s big competition, but we’ll try hardest against Rogers,” O’Bryant said. “I’d really like to see a relay go to state. I think most of the seniors will make districts along with a few juniors and sophomores.”

Sophomore Ryan Reggli is one to watch in the 100-yard backstroke.

O’Bryant is also another promising swimmer, fighting hard in the 100 butterfly and in the 200 medley relay.

since the school opened.

While some teams at Puyallup schools have had black uniforms for several years, others have recently purchased them and will be forced to buy new ones.

“Most schools have a rotation every few years when they can buy new uniforms,” Wells said. “If the school had the black uniforms prior to the announcement, they will be grandfathered in, and will be able to buy new uniforms when their rotation comes up. We made the announcement in September 2004, but if they ignored this, then they will have to buy new uniforms now.”

Junior highs seem to be the most affected schools. Ferrucci Junior High purchased black uniforms at the end of last season and sold them to the players at the end of this season.

“This was my first year at Ferrucci and the previous coach ordered them,” volleyball coach Lynn Wardle said. “I was not officially notified that I would have to order new uniforms until the end of the season. Although, I had heard the rumor that I would be asked to order new uniforms during the season.”

Sweatshirts and other spirit gear also are being enforced under this rule.

Even with the debate surrounding this issue, Wells is optimistic that others will recognize the logic behind the rule.

“Hopefully, people understand that the whole reason of this is to bring about unity and promote school pride,” Wells said.

Classifications released BY

KAITLYN GOLDEN

EDITORIAL BOARD

Release of the WIAA enrollment figures on Dec. 5 caused a dilemma for SPSL officials, as several schools have received different classifications for the next two years than anticipated.

This change will most likely not affect Emerald Ridge, because the leagues probably will be set up in a similar fashion to the current set up; however no decision will be made until after the opt-up release on Dec. 20.

Both Decatur and Todd Beamer high schools had intended to be members of the new SPSL 3A division, but with enrollments of 10th-12th graders being just over 1,400 and 1,350, respectively, both made the cut into the 4A division. While schools can opt up a maximum of two divisions, they are not allowed to opt down.

Sumner High School also was slotted to be a part of the 3A class, but received a 2A classification. It likely will be opting up.

Kent-Meridian, Auburn, Auburn-Riverside, and Auburn-Mountainview all were planning on being members of the 4A division, but received 3A classifications. While the clear solution would be for them to opt up, there

is a chance some may elect to maintain 3A status. Currently, the Auburn schools are contemplating keeping their places.

“I think they’ll go 4A,” ERHS athletics director Dell Dittus said. “They’ve always maintained they’d stay 4A no matter what, so saying they’d revisit it was really surprising.”

If each school sticks with its assigned classification (with the exception of Sumner), then there will be three eight-team leagues: two 4A and one 3A. However, if they elect to move back up, there will be two 4A leagues, one with nine teams and one with eight and there will be one seven-team 3A league. No decision has been made yet as to what will be done.

“That really is not what we set out to do,” Dittus said.

The WIAA elected to reclassify all statewide leagues based off enrollment numbers from last spring. The SPSL reacted by creating a proposed 3A division, consisting of Sumner, Bonney Lake, Enumclaw, Decatur, Federal Way, Todd Beamer, White River, and Franklin Pierce. This, however, does not appear to be what the actual league will look like.

Schools had until Dec. 15 to elect to opt up and finalizations of opt-ups will be set on Dec. 20.

21 volumeSIX.issueTHREE 12/14/2005 11:42:31 PM

SPORTS

FEATURE

Bowling makes improvements after rough start Despite early losses, the bowling team is improving BY

BRITTANY ESPINOZA

REPORTER

Although the bowling girls started the year slow, the team is improving.

The girls lost their first two matches against Bethel and Puyallup, but have worked hard and, since then, won five out of the seven matches played. Their record

is now 5-4.

In their first match against Puyallup, the score was 16-7. The scoring system is based on head-to-head competition that the girls participate in, and the average of all three of their games is their final score.

The other match against Bethel was closer than the Puyallup match, demonstrating that the girls had indeed improved. The score was 14-9.

The best scores during the first match against Bethel were those by senior Jessica Dolan, who

knocked down 432 total pins, and sophomore Rhiannon Hughes, who knocked down 502 total pins.

“It was a good effort,” junior Jessica Edwards said. “We had a bad day when we played Puyallup last so I’m confident we’ll win next time.”

After losing the first two matches, the team and coach Matt Mueller worked hard to improve from the defeats.

“I’m disappointed. We’re not bowling as well as we can,” Mueller said early in the season. “How-

ever, we have a young squad and we’re competing against stronger teams. We’re bowling better each day, though, and the girls are still having fun and the season’s still young.”

The girls’ focus has paid off, resulting in wins against Rogers, Curtis, the second match versus Bethel, and non-league matches against Black Hills and Timberline in a close match, 12-11.

With the hope of reaching state, the team must place in the top five in the league tournament to

advance to districts. In order to qualify for state the girls must achieve top four in districts.

According to junior Krystal Bjork, the girls have been focusing more on their individual goals than on the team goals like heading towards state.

“Our team is doing alright.”

Bjork said. “We’re doing better personally than we are as a team.

But I think we’ll do better in the upcoming games now that we know our strong and weak points.”

BY

People often try to either defy or deny all sorts of things in life, ranging from beliefs to convention to who they are as a person.

Nowadays, there are so many idols to emulate, cliques to belong to, and labels to attain that, oftentimes, people forget that they have the choice to simply be themselves.

Senior David Treichel is one of the few students who hasn’t forgotten this first-rate option. Quite subtly, Treichel’s life portrays that being your unique self doesn’t mean rejecting normality, the world, nor your affinity for superheroes.

He loves Spiderman, but fears the superhero’s arachnid counterpart, along with every other insect on the planet. Like the superhero, David Treichel abhors injustice and unfair treatment. Unlike the superhero, David didn’t purposely throw himself between a girl and the impending doom brought on by a reckless automobile with the means of saving the girl’s life. But that’s what he ended up doing on the car accident that involved the two of them early in the year of 2004.

Treichel’s life now is as normal as it was before the accident.

He comes from the average home of a close-knit family with three children, with him being the eldest. Treichel fondly remembers his mother, Karen Treichel, following his bus to school on the first day of kindergarten.

He enjoys the company of his father, Dan Treichel, who would now and then take him out for a day of father-son escapades.

When he’s not out and about with his family, David can most likely be found at home entangling his imagination with paper and pen.

“I like to write stories,” Treichel said. “I want to become an English major.” Treichel’s life-long goal is to one day earn a doctorate in creative writing.

It appears, though, that writing is not the only thing that David excels in, his ardor being divided evenly between the arts.

“David’s like that really, really cool dad your friend has,” junior Paul Klein said. “He knows a lot about a lot. He’s smart, writes well, plays the guitar, and knows how to have a good time.”

He has enjoyed the company of a guitar since the day he received one on his 16th birthday, an event which was celebrated on

Gymnastics sets bar higher New and experienced gynmasts work together to make this year a success BY

NIKKI SEADER

REPORTER

The gymnastics team this season is expected to do better than previous seasons.

They have several advantages to this season that were not present before, therefore, they hopefully will live up to their expectations and have a record-making season.

The previous year the gymnastics team tied for sixth place in the league out of 17 teams. The girls went as far as districts, but ended the season there.

This season looks promising for the Jags.

With last year as a rebuilding year, the girls should be more prepared this season.

“We are really excited about the season,”Velasquez said. “We want to do well and send some girls to state.”

Not only are the girls excited about the season, but they are also pleased with their new coach, Bobbi Jones.

“She has been doing a great job so far,” said Velasquez.

“The girls have a good chance to do very well,” Jones said. “They need to work together“ There are several gymnasts returning this season with improved skills including Ally Ehmann, Jamie Sagdahl, Sara Belvill, and Shari Caricchio.

“I think we will improve because last year we had really low scoring girls and really high scoring girls, and this year we have average

girls. So that really contributes to us winning,” said Ehmann.

Ehmann’s goal for the season is to “make districts in all-around.”

However, the team also has a few new girls.

“We have at least two freshmen, and they are really strong additions to the team,” Velasquez said.

The combination of new girls and experienced gymnasts will hopefully strengthen the girls’ season.

McCutcheon’s Studio

Just ask Lynn 120 West Main Ave. Puyallup, Washington 98371 253-845-2101

22,07.indd 2-3

22

Photo by Mimi Sison

Located next to the Liberty Theatre

volumeSIX.issueTHREE

MIMI SISON

REPORTER

his hospital bed.

The infamous car accident occurred on Valentine’s Day of his sophomore year on his way home from bowling with the Dexter family. A vehicle ran a yellow light and tboned the Dexter’s car containing David, his best friend Kristin Dexter, and the driver, Kristin’s mom. “(It was) one of the worst phone calls a parent can get,” Dan Treichel said.

David was stuck in the hospital for about 11 days suffering from numerous injuries.

However, it wasn’t half as lonely because moral support virtually gushed out to him.

“He had nonstop friends coming to see him, which was great,” Dan Treichel said.

To this day, his memory of it still fails.

“I don’t remember the accident at all,” Treichel said, “I just remember waking up in the back of the car when the firefighters were getting me out.”

Another person who suffered from various injuries and shared Treichel’s short-term memory loss was Kristin Dexter, the girl whose life he saved.

“No, I didn’t save her life … I don’t think,” Treichel said. “At least I didn’t do it on purpose.” During the accident, Treichel, who sat on the side which was hit by the other car, received most of the impact from the collision and simultaneously served as Dexter’s air bag.

“The doctor just said (to her), ‘You’re lucky you had an airbag there,’ ” Treichel said. “Kristin didn’t know what he was talking about, and then she realized that he was talking about me…”

Whether David ever admits that he saved Dexter’s life or not, he would have to agree with Klein on one thing: He’s been a good boyfriend to her for nearly two years.

“He’s been dating Kristin Dexter for over a year now,” Klein said. “Most people in high school can’t last a few weeks, so that makes him pretty original ... or just a good boyfriend.”

Indeed he is, as Kristin would attest to.

On their anniversary last year, she recalled something sweet that David did for her.

“He gave me a letter that was in an envelope and he told me I couldn’t open it,” Kristin said. “He said that I had to wait ‘til next year (to read it). (In doing that) he kind of promised me that we would stay together for a really long time, so that was really cute.”

Like a true man of steel, senior Treichel’s body acted as an airbag, saving his girlfriend in a car accident.

Though the accident caused a lot of physical, emotional, and financial pains, the Treichels emerged a closer and more supportive family.

David has recovered 100 percent from the ordeal and has been continuing his relentless pursuit for academic excellence without

misstep.

Friends and teachers are confident David will do well in life with the talents and charm he possesses.

“I will always remember him as one of the friendliest people I know,” math teacher Jayne Hofstrand said.

07 volumeSIX.issueTHREE 12/14/2005 11:49:08 PM

OP/ED

A&E

The real problem with Jag E

merald Ridge is blessed with some friendly, understanding, and often funny teachers. Let’s face it, the majority of them are great people, and there’s always at least one that you can connect with.

That’s the point. That’s part of the reason that we spend 30 minutes per day in a class designed for bonding (the other reason being to organize for the culminating project). One of ER’s core values is that every student should be known by at least one staff member.

But what’s implied is that each student should feel comfortable confiding in that staff member Well, we’ve figured it out. Why haven’t we been able to make people work hard and study during Jag Time?

The reason is this: nearly every student has at least one teacher they feel comfortable with. Meaning that instead

of going to math lab or a class they missed to re-take a test, the majority of ER students are going to go to that class holding the teacher most lenient with them and socialize.

It’s true. No schedule can change it.

Either kids will hang out with a “nice” teacher, or they’ll skip; because try as they might, closing every loophole is an impossibility.

Now here’s the ultimate irony: The class they designate for us to find that one friendly adult – generally (since this class isn’t a goof-off Time for teachers) the one the teacher will act most responsibly in, is the one most students cannot stand. They hate it.

Why didn’t someone think about this logically: You can’t assign a friend.

We like Jag, and many students use it for its designated purpose. We want to keep it. And believe us, we’re not

above you; we know how it is. You say you’re going to go to math lab to get a firmer grasp on this concept that may as well have been Greek for all your understanding of it. Then you drop your stuff off at that home class – the advisory you would have chosen if you’d had a choice. All of our friends are there and we just settle in, don’t we?

They cut down our Jag Time and we freak. But if we’re going to gripe and protest, isn’t it about Time we dropped our stuff off in math lab?

As for advisory: It’s nice in theory, but ultimately just a pain. Why don’t we just extend Jag? After all, we have some great people here. And they help us without the stupid title.

Editorials are composed by, and are the opinion of, the JagWire editorial board

Everyone has opinion. That includes you. You’re an opinionated person.

likes opinion.

Get your voice heard!

Write a letter to the editor and submit it to Mr. Nusser in E157, or email it to:

jdnusser@puyallup.k12.wa.us

STAFF EDITORIAL BOARD ....................................................MATT CLICK .....................................................................................KAITLYN GOLDEN .................................................................................................NICK KAJCA ................................................................................ KATINA MATHIESON ............................................................................................. TYLER QUINN COPY MANAGER ..................................................JESSICA RITCHIE PHOTOGRAPHY EDITOR .....................................KASSIE GREEN BUSINESS MANAGERS.............................................. LISSY BRYAN ............................................................................................ DARRIN JONES CIRCULATION MANAGER ..............................JENN WHITHAM REPORTERS ......................................................KIMBERLY ANGELLO .................................................................................... KIRSTEN BABAUTA ......................................................................................... MIMI CAGAITAN ..................................................................................... DANNY CANHAM ........................................................................................MARILYN DIXON ............................................................................... BRITTANY ESPINOZA ........................................................................................CHRISTY FOSTER ...................................................................................BRITTANY GENTILE ...................................................................................................LORI JONES ....................................................................................... THAYER LAFLEUR .......................................................................................... ROBERT MCRILL ....................................................................MARISSA MOODENBAUGH .....................................................................................ELAINE RAYMOND ............................................................................... BRIAN SAMADUROFF ..............................................................................................NIKKI SEADER ................................................................................BRIANNE SHANNON .................................................................................................. KELLI SKEIM ............................................................................................LAUREN SMITH ................................................................................................ ALEX STOBIE .......................................................................... VERONICA TORNQUIST ....................................................................................... ASHLEY VINCENT ............................................................................................ KAYTI WEAVER .................................................................................... MICHAEL WHELAN ................................................................................SHAILEY WILKINSON .................................................................................GRANT WOODRUFF .............................................................................................SUMMER YATES ADVISER..............................................................................JEFF NUSSER AFFILIATES

CSPA, JEA, NSPA, SPJ, WJEA, WSJA

THE FINE PRINT Emerald Ridge High School 12405 184th St. E. South Hill, WA 98374 253-435-6300

EDITORIAL MISSION As an open public forum for student expression, JagWire seeks to cover a wide spectrum of relevant and overlooked topics, while upholding the highest of journalistic standards.

JagWire also serves as a communication link between Emerald Ridge High School and its surrounding community. This year, the publication hopes to build upon the precedents previously set by attempting to give voice to all Emerald Ridge students

in a manner that is fair, balanced and accurate.

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

A chilling tale unfolds as an author recounts her life long battle with anorexia and bulimia, forcing readers toward understanding BY

MARISSA MOODENBAUGH

REPORTER

With the upcoming holidays and a vast amount of time for reading approaching, I went in search of something inspirational and informative.. I relentlessly searched book stores and library catalogs until one day I found exactly what I needed.

Marya Hornbacher’s “Wasted: A Memoir of Anorexia and Bulimia” is a tortured-yetcompelling true account of the physical and psychological aspects of eating disorders that takes readers through the looking glass into a tainted world of hunger, drugs, sex, and death.

Delving into her passion for writing, Hornbacher re-creates her life experiences in hopes of helping and hopefully

BOOK REVIEW preventing people from living with eating disorders. She sheds light on the underlying causes of eating disorders.

Hornbacher examines the deeper issues of stress, alcohol, drugs, sex, academic success, and status, focusing on the impact these pressed issues leave on people.

From a young age, Hornbacher views her body as an enemy, a monster that must be controlled by a system of bingeing, purging, and starving. Colored foods mark the beginning of her bingeing so that later when she vomits, she knows when everything is out. Constant hospitalizations lead to missing months of school and the painful severed ties of friendship. Each day she falls deeper into the dark void that threatening to consume her life.

I find “Wasted: A Memoir of Anorexia and Bulimia” to be a masterful and empowering story, full of depth and emotion. Hornbacher’s story is proof that there is no “cure” for eating disorders; it isn’t just a phase. Hornbacher describes eating disorders as “a desire for power that strips you of all power.” It is a true unflinching look at the dark, complex

story of a young woman drawing closer to death with each passing day.

Intricately woven words leave the reader feeling as if they are the one starving with nothing to quench the insatiable hunger that lies beneath a skeletal frame of skin and bones.

You can smell the bile, the metallic taste of blood in the mouth as she purges herself again and again. Lack of food blurs the vision making it impossible to read or write. Wave after wave of nausea repeatedly flood over you; movement is sickening, almost unattainable.

Her life is plagued by the constant reminder of the years of abuse the body undertakes. Medication and therapy are used to help with the anxiety and psychological issues that linger. A weakened heart beats a slow, unsteady rhythm while a demolished immune system is prone to the simplest of viruses, infections and disease. Each day is a struggle to live a “new life.”

Marya Hornbacher’s “Wasted: A Memoir of Anorexia and Bulimia” is a compelling, intelligent autobiography, truly written from the heart. It is an artistic display of sharp wit and keen understanding, a true eye opener to the nightmare eating disorders create to fill the void of hunger.

Avenged Sevenfold concert really packs a punch A7x shows its distinct style and delights fans at a recent preformance BY

BRYAN SAMADUROFF

REPORTER

The Oct. 18 Avenged Sevenfold concert seemed like an all-out war for the fans.

The concert started with the stage filled with smoke. Only the shadows of the dark and full of smoke band members could be seen.

First was M. Shadows, the lead vocalist, who came out on the stage, then the guitarists Zacky Vengance and Synester Gates, then the rest of the band.

Their hour-long set started with the song “Beast the Harlot,” and the crowd went wild.

There were even a few girls that had tears in their eyes. The song just jump-started the

JagWire c/o Emerald Ridge High School, or by e-mailing them to jdnusser@puyallup.k12.wa.us.

sea of people on the floor.

The concert was mostly songs off their new CD they are promoting. The 1,000 fans that filled the Showbox Theater in Seattle went crazy during the band’s performance.

There was constant moshing, especially when the song “Bat Country” came on. Fans would run into each other and jump around during the show’s heavy riffs. Crowd surfing was a major concept on everybody’s mind, and people were everywhere, as there where two pits on both sides of the concert. The security guards had a difficult time pulling down all the fans that were crowd surfing during the concert.

When the song “Unholy Confessions” came on, the crowd became even crazier than ever before. The song is like the band’s theme song and is truly a7x’s fan’s favorite song.

“I want everybody in here to completely an-

CONCERT REVIEW nihilate and destroy everything and everyone around you,” said M. Shadows when the song came to a pause. When the song started up again the crowd did just that. It was like a constant battle only there where no deaths involved. People began moshing and beating up everybody around them.

Before their last song was played M. Shadows put his arm around Synester Gates, the lead guitarist, and said to the crowd, “this is Synester Gates, truly my best friend, and the best guitarist I have ever met.” Synester Gates then started to play a solo that lasted about three or four minutes. It was amazing with his sweeps and fast finger moving scales on the guitar – he really knew what he was doing and the crowd was in awe after it.

The band finished the concert with the song “MIA.” Fans of a7x truly loved the concert and the band and was constantly cheering and yelling with excitement.

When the concert ended, fans came out of the theater onto the side walk exhausted and sweating tremendously. Many fans came out with cuts and bruises from the show.

A7x really delivered a punch to the crowd and gave them something to talk about. A7x is truly an awesome band to see live and is definitely worth the money, because they simply just put on a great show.

The concert also featured bands such as Saosin and Death by Stereo, who did a good job of warming the crowd up with their music. Saosin was amongst the fans’ favorite of the bands that played because they just put on a good show and sounded very clear, and were very professional.

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 for material that is racist, sexist or illegal for high school students.

volumeSIX.issueTHREE

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Memoir personalizes life with eating disorders

06

23 volumeSIX.issueTHREE 12/14/2005 11:41:33 PM

OP/ED

A&E

‘Halo’ film offers hope for fans

The less seen side of health

No more ‘Alone in the Dark’ or ‘House of the Dead’ for video game fans -- there may yet be a chance for quality video game adaptations

Today’s society is full of magazines and television shows telling women how to live a healthy lifestyle.

But what about the health concerns facing men?

“Mortal Kombat,” “Resident Evil,” “Super Mario Brothers” – what do all these films have in common? They’re all based on video games … and they all suck.

Hollywood has yet to Matt Click bring us a good film Commentary adaptation of any video game, and it shows no signs of slowing its production of schlock. So who do we blame for this increase in garbage output? One man: German director Uwe Boll, who’s helmed such atrocities as “House of the Dead” and “Alone in the Dark.”

With the emergence of Boll (that’s German for “hack”) in American cinema, and the future release of such chocolately Deutschland

delights as “BloodRayne,” “Far Cry,” “Hunter the Reckoning,” and “Dungeon Siege” (which will be split into two films for twice the torture, none of the enjoyment), the collapse of film at the hands of this madman seems imminent. You can’t claim him ignorant to the trash he produces, either – he’s not Edward Wood. The man has destroyed any chance we have of a good video game adaptation.

Or has he? There is a bright, brilliant light on the horizon – hope for video game junkies and film fans alike, and it comes in the form of a green-armored super-soldier by the name of Master Chief. That’s right, folks – the long-rumored “Halo” movie is well on its way to becoming a reality, slated for a 2007 release. The film will follow the original story by Joseph Staten, who developed the plot for the original game.

But, let’s face it: Production companies aren’t exactly scrambling for video game rights, knowing full well that audiences are wary of them – but the people who turned down the chance to make this movie are going to be hurting come 2007. Bungie (the company that developed the game) is at the helm of the “Halo” movie, and it’s going to

bust the box office wide open.

Who did they find to produce this thing?

Oh, only Peter Jackson. You might know him from his work on “Lord of the Rings” and “King Kong,” (see my review on page 25) two of the largest blockbusters in the past decade. Screenplay duties are going to Alex Garland (somewhat unknown, but respected among screenwriters), whose writing credits include the smart British zombie flick, “28 Days Later.”

A director has yet to be chosen. Rumor has it that the Prince of Darkness himself (Boll) tried to get his dirty mitts on rights to the film shortly after the release of “Halo 2,” but Bungie wouldn’t have that. Recently, Mexican director Guillermo Del Toro (“Hellboy,” “Blade II”) was in talks with Bungie about directing. However, “Hellboy II” – which is currently in pre-production – might cause some scheduling issues with Del Toro and Microsoft. Del Toro has already said that, if it came to it, the “Hellboy” sequel would come first.

Del Toro would be excellent, though. He’s just enough of a geek (think Hispanic Peter Jackson) to keep the film faithful without

making it a direct translation from console to theater. His attention to color, hue and tone would be a huge asset to the production – not to mention add up to a fantastic-looking flick. Here’s to hoping.

I’ve seen a lot of movies and I’ve sat through plenty of all-night “Halo” matches, so believe me when I say that it’s looking promising. I’ve read through the first scene in the screenplay, and it sounds fantastic.

You’ve got Peter Jackson, Guillermo Del Toro, Alex Garland and Fran Walsh involved; you’ve got Bungie personally developing it; and to top it all off, you’ve got WETA (Jackson’s effects company, responsible for the effects in “Lord of the Rings” and “King Kong”) working hand-in-hand with Bungie’s designers to make the transition from game to film seamless. I can’t wait.

“Halo” fans, keep your fingers crossed and your eyes peeled. We should be seeing teaser trailers for this thing come summertime. Oh, and if you happen to see Uwe Boll around town, give him a hefty punch in the jaw, courtesy of Matt Click. Uwe Boll ist der schlechteste Filmregisseur auf dem Planeten!

A bit of Italy right here Looking for some business?

RESTAURANT REVIEW Advertise in Toscanos, located in downtown Puyallup, offers Puyallup residents a chance to experience Italy BY

VERONICA TORNQUIST

REPORTER

Toscanos brings a little piece of Italy to the town of Puyallup. Toscanos opened last year, and from the day it opened, it was an instant success. All of the foods are homemade recipes and exquisite.

The feel of Toscanos is cozy and classy.

The lighting gives off a warm and cozy feel, and with the kindest staff, they make you feel like you’re right at home.

One of the best aspects of Toscanos is their amazing staff. From the second you walk in the restaurant, you are greeted and treated as a friend. The restaurant itself has a great atmosphere.

Toscanos also has an outstanding menu; from delightful salads to homemade pasta, everything is amazing. I re-

ally suggest trying the Tuscan onion soup – it is delicious. The soup has roasted onions with fresh herbs, topped with garlic croutons and melted provolone cheese.

The Tuscan onion soup is divine.

For being such a classy and top-notch restaurant, one would think the prices would be through the roof, yet they’re not so bad. Most meals range from $5 to $10. Also Toscano’s is relatively close; it is located in downtown Puyallup, on your way to Sumner on Main Street. If you wanted to go on a Friday or Saturday Toscanos recommends making reservations (253-864-8600).

Toscanos is a good way to get a taste of another culture. Anyone who enjoys great Italian food and good service should try something new and check out Toscanos.

Reach the students and staff of Emerald Ridge!

Call (253) 435 - 6348 for details volumeSIX.issueTHREE

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24

L

et me start out by setting the record straight. All these health concerns, all of these “bulletin” issues, all of these scathing exposes into the human body; they’re legitimate.

These are real problems that Thayer Lafleur need addressing, but they’re Commentary primarily focused on women and not on men.

Women change with the breeze, scanning newspaper clippings, magazines, and the latest episode of “What Not to Wear” to make sure that they are up-to-date on the current female physique, whether it’s “crack-addict” skinny or “Kirstie Alley” fat. But men hardly even bother to shave every day, buy food by its price tag and not nutritional value, and work out only to be “one of the guys” and make sure that Richard Simmons is still gay.

Put simply, the public needs to be informed that while women face health-related diseases and are told the signs and how to prevent that sort of stuff, men face health–related diseases too – but for the majority, they are unsure of the signs and have little-to-no idea about how to prevent them.

I know I’m lucky. My parents force-feed me fruits and vegetables daily (not counting French fries), and they support my exercise needs with sports.

Unfortunately, the majority of teens today eat food by either taste or availability, usually in a less nutritional form. We need to learn that this will be bad for us in the near future, and men especially, because there’s so little we hold on to already that doesn’t deal with a ball and instant replay.

So I took it upon myself to do some research, and here’s what I found out: Of the top 10 causes of death, the top three are heart disease, stroke, and cancer. Men die at a higher rate than women on all of them. Society wants men to be tough and ignore pain, but at what point do you cross the line from Urkel pansy man to being healthy and safe? If your motto is “Pain shows weakness, and I’m a strong manly-man,” I’m sure they’ll write that

on your tombstone, 1988-2018. You just turned 30. Way to go.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one in four men will die of heart disease. Look to your left. Look to your right. Look up at Tom Cruise flying down from the ceiling with the intent of stealing the N.O.C. list from Langley.

If they’re still alive, then you will die. Go ahead; sit in that tub of Cockroaches – you might just win $50,000, and then whoever’s in your will is going to be a little happier.

Things that increase your risk of heart disease include obesity, physical inactivity, and smoking.

This all goes back to eating right, exercising, and not inhaling toxins to destroy your lungs, like a naïve boy who’s excited that his parents are away for the weekend, and as he celebrates with a party, he accidentally invites the guy in every neighborhood whose vanity plate reads P-R-TY-M-A-N, refers to himself in the third person, and completely wrecks your home, causing you to enlist the aid of your obsessive ex-girlfriend who still thinks you guys are going to work out and gropes you every nine seconds, because your parents will not be pleased when the toilet’s overflowed and the dog is spraypainted blue, so you get sent to military school in a Siberian gulag, never to be seen again.

About the same amount of men and women get strokes, but the risks are still very real for males.

Any drug/alcohol abuse, high cholesterol, or high stress can cause you to be more susceptible, or at least give yourself the occasional throbbing headache. A lot of it has to do with family history. You can claim that you were unaware of your risks, but you’ll only be surprised if you’re too lazy to do a little research, leaving only yourself to blame, unless you’re Matt Damon, discovered by a fishing boat with no memory and no clues other than a Swiss bank account number implanted on your hip, dig too deep and realize you’re being hunted, run around for an hour or so, and then

“

crank out another sequel, because he’s got amnesia and cannot remember his family history.

Lung cancer, the leading cancer killer in both men and women, is predicted to kill about 90,000 men this year alone. According to the American Cancer Society, tobacco products are responsible for 90 percent of lung cancer, and once you quit, your odds of receiving cancer drastically decline.

Consider if you will, two people on a raft, drifting through the Pacific Ocean in hopes of being rescued. One is a woman, representing smoking, and the other is a man, representing men.

They’ve got some food, but their life expectancy is cut in half because there are two mouths to feed. Plus, she’s complaining that you snore in your sleep, the ocean is hell on her back, and she wishes she had a change of underwear. Sure, she’s nice enough, mildly attractive, and killing her for your own selfish survival needs seems wrong.

But it’s not.

So you kill her, live a week longer than the two of you could have ever possibly survived, and get rescued by a Disneyland cruise ship. You find that your lifelong dream was to operate the teacup ride, earning a modest salary that allows you to afford a sexy stay-at-home Asian wife, three children, and a gerbil named “Smoking,” because had it not been for the woman-on-the-raft’s selfless, albeit involuntary sacrifice, you and your wonderful life would never have been possible.

So, we’ve reached the end of our treacherous journey into the potential health risks for men.

This is the part where Jerry Springer stares into the camera and lies through his teeth about how, though we all face our troubles, even these people will pull through. So let me tell you about the conclusion I’ve come to.

Don’t be fat like Augustus from Willy Wonka.

Don’t stress out over the fact that you have a family history of strokes.

Don’t wrap your lips around the exhaust pipe of a Hummer.

Don’t you feel more informed now?

GO AHEAD; SIT IN THAT TUB OF COCKROACHES – YOU MIGHT JUST WIN $50,000, AND THEN WHOEVER’S IN YOUR WILL IS GOING TO BE A LITTLE HAPPIER.

”

05 volumeSIX.issueTHREE 12/14/2005 11:49:51 PM

A&E

NEWS

WASL practice must make perfect for sophmores New state requirements find students practicing for the WASL as teachers help them prepare for it BY

DANNY CANHAM

REPORTER

Earlier this year, the sophomore class took the practice writing Washington Assessment of Student Learning (WASL), and while this is not a new event, this year, practice needs to make perfect.

A team of seven teachers and staff attended special training in September to grade the assessment based on the state’s set rubric. The practice papers were graded as close to real WASL standards as possible.

Results show that only 65 percent of the sophomore class passed the practice test. In the Content, Organization and Style (COS) portion, only 46 percent passed. In Conventions, 96 percent passed.

With a practice test like this so early in the year, teachers can find where students are struggling and help them improve before the real test comes in March. “(The practice WASL) allows teachers to use the state rubric on authentic prompts,”

Building Learning Specialist Nancy Drew said.

“Students tested at the beginning of the year really do better.”

Using those scores, teachers can help ensure students will pass.

“Miss (Rebecca) Fulton has made us write a paragraph to try and help us work with it,” sophomore Rachael Vaughan said.

This practice focused only on the writing aspect of the test. The WASL also tests reading, math and science. While it might be helpful to have a district practice in these other areas as well, students are to be given prompts and questions by their math and science teachers similar to those of the WASL. Administration does not want to take away from any more class time than they already have by over-testing.

The administration hopes to add a math practice test eventually, although it is only in the idea stage right now.

The WASL is a requirement for this year’s sophomores’ graduation, and the fact that so many would have failed had this practice been the real thing is not good. Struggling students may receive Jag Time interventions, or even be assigned zero hour or seventh period classes should the need arise.

It is all the more important that students

IT’S GOOD TO BE KING

Trends by Puyallup School District Sophomores; Practice WASL has been used to help raise test scores.

pass the WASL the first time. There will be no available retakes for the test until at least August and then not until next spring.

Passing the WASL is important more than just for graduation. Businesses can use this test as a standard to know what type of students schools are producing. College admissions can also take WASL scores into account when accepting applications.

The Office of Superintendent of Public

Instruction (OSPI) reviews a district’s WASL scores as well. They grade districts and schools based on how students do on such standardized tests.

The test sets the minimum standard for the academic knowledge a student should have; however, this is only a minimum.

Students still have two years of school left after taking this test in which they are expected to learn.

Director Peter Jackson follows up his ‘Lord of the Rings’ trilogy with the beastly holiday blockbuster, ‘King Kong,’ a remake of the 1933 classic

Project area classes adjust to their environment Despite noisy halls and numerous other distractions, unconventional project area classrooms have become a surprising success BY

KIMBERLY ANGELLO

REPORTER

04,25.indd 2-3

Free clinics to aanyone nyone in interested terested in the game of lacrosse. Clinics at Ballou Junior Hi High gh from 10 10:00 :00 am to noon on the fo following llowing saturdays: November 5 and November and 19 Decem Dec ember ber 3 and 17 January 7 and 21 at (253) 435-7249

on track and focus. Being that both classes are math one would suspect that it would be really confusing, hearing from students, they say the same.

Teacher Jayne Hofstrand had many great things to say about teaching in the project area.

“Its working out really well,” she said. “The other teachers have the greatest respect for Ms. Fox and me.”

Both said it was hard to get used to teaching in the project area, but now they love it. Fox said she wouldn’t mind doing it again next year if she had too.

BY

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Beauty & Barber College

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12020 Meridian East Suite K Puyallup, WA 98373 253-848-1595

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volumeSIX.issueTHREE

04

MATT CLICK

EDITORIAL BOARD

Image courtesy of Universal Pictures

Graph by The Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction

Walking down the hallways, most have noticed that some project areas are now being occupied by classes,

due to the school having too many students and just not enough room.

Teachers say it going better then expected.

“I think it’s better than a stuffy classroom,” math teacher Heidi Fox said.

One would think it would be really hard to concentrate with all the people walking by and all the noises, coming from the hallway.

Some say it’s confusing to be working in the project area, looking around and then being expected to get back

Before I divulge to you the fantastic cinematic bliss that is “King Kong,” let me say that I consider Peter Jackson to be the finest working director today – and not just because of “The Lord of the Rings” films. I’ve enjoyed his previous work as well, my favorite early film of his being “The Frighteners” (which was just released as a special edition DVD; Jackson fans should check it out). I had high expectations of “King Kong,” fueled by the immense marketing of the film, Jackson’s reputation as a filmmaker, and the fact that it’s a remake of one of classic cinema’s greatest flicks.

Let me say that “King Kong” not only delivered – it took my expectations by the scruff of their collar, threw them against a brick wall, punched them in the face, and screamed, “Set your sights higher, you pessimistic, elitist snob!” Jackson faithfully brings the famous ape and his gal pal to the screen with an endearing sense of nostalgia – an integrity that I respect and admire.

Carl Denham (Jack Black, cast perfectly) is a struggling filmmaker who procures a strange map to a nice little place called Skull Island. Carl decides to flee New York after Hol-

F I L M R E V I E W lywood executives decide to sell one of his films as stock footage, and he heads to Skull Island to finish off his masterpiece without the support of producers.

His screenwriter, Jack Driscoll (Adrien Brody, nostrils a flare) and leading lady, Ann Darrow (Naomi Watts, channeling Fay Wray) find themselves along for the voyage. However, the only surviving member of a clan of giant apes lurks within the lush jungles and mossy ruins. He goes by King Kong, and he’s lonely. When Denham and his crew arrive, they’re waylaid by a crazy tribe of zombie-like zealots, and Ann is offered as a sacrifice to appease Kong.

Jackson’s commitment and loyalty to the tragic love story is fantastic (it almost made me forget about the 1978 remake – don’t rent it). Of course, there’s also a bit of Pete Jackson flair to it. In one of my favorite sequences, Kong takes on three T-Rexes (yes, there were dinosaurs in the original) while simultaneously keeping the vulnerable Ann out of harm’s way – the hectic, jaw-dropping series of shots is chaotic without being confusing, brutal without being Wrestle-mania. It’s an incredible scene – one that keeps getting better and better … and better.

But those who assume that this is a mindless popcorn flick are sorely mistaken, and they’re missing out on a great film. The climax of the movie, in which Kong is attacked atop

the Empire State Building by a wing of bi-planes, is stunning – and the wide, top-down shot of Kong plummeting to the street below had me in tears.

Jackson improves upon the original once more by developing us a more human Kong character by expanding on the relationship between the giant ape and the beautiful actress.

Watts portrays Ann not as the fragile, fainting maiden, but as a strong, engaging woman who finds herself caring for the beast.

The major selling point of the film for most people, however, is the groundbreaking CGI of Kong. The massive expression his face is capable of is astounding – miles beyond Dobby (“Harry Potter”) and even Gollum (“The Lord of the Rings”). Kong isn’t a monster, this isn’t a creature film; Kong is a character, one that develops immensely throughout.

Jackson succeeds in creating a relationship between Ann and Kong without dialogue.

Weighing in at just over three hours, “Kong” isn’t for short attention spans, small bladders, or tiny tots. In fact, we don’t even receive a glimpse of the beast until 70 minutes into the film. Some might find the beginning of the film to drag on a bit (“Bring on the monkey!”), but I think the lengthy opening gives the audience a little room to breath, and it’s a great time to develop Black and Watts’ characters.

“King Kong” is truly an incredible film, the kind that reminds me why I started liking movies in the first place.

Never leave Pete Jackson; in a world where Michael Bays and Uwe Bolls rule the Earth, we need guys like you – desperately.

Here’s to hoping for some more Oscars for Pete!

25 volumeSIX.issueTHREE 12/14/2005 11:39:35 PM

A&E

NEWS

‘George’ fails to make history Distractions and sloppy acting result in a less-than-stunning performance BY

ALEX STOBIE

REPORTER

The first drama production of the year, “George Washington Slept Here,” written by George S. Kaufman, was performed in late November, with a full cast explaining in the form of comedy the trials and tribulations of relationships and standing up for what you believe in.

The story starts out with Newton Fuller (junior Paul Klein) telling his wife Annabelle (junior Angela Conti) about how wonderful this country house was, explaining it to be a cultural timepiece that the former president himself was said to have stayed in way back when the house was in its prime. When he finds out he is alone in his enthusiasm, Newton must then tell his wife that he has indeed bought the house with the hopes that they would all move in and finally have a place to call their own. Soon they find that the renovation of this house is more than they bargained for, and it becomes a strain on their sanity and their wallet.

JagWire wins at fall convention Newsmagazine fared well at the national convention in Chicago by placing second in best of show

PLAY REVIEW The acting was choppy on some parts, especially with the first-time actors. Some of the actors stuttered and were sloppy in the way they presented their characters.

Everything about the way it was all performed seemed a little off, making it look as though they didn’t know what they were doing. Also, some of the acting seemed to be forced, like there was somewhere else that these kids would rather be, making it feel kind of rushed in some scenes. Only a handful of the performers looked comfortable to be up on stage.

To add to it, this production was also complete with distracting special effects.

The smoke, soot, thunder, lightning, and that little fly that added to Annabelle’s annoyance were interesting and added to the play, but when they were going it was hard to hear the lines over them. They seemed a little overdone with the abundance of them in every scene. The play probably would’ve still had the same edge to it if those effects were brought down a notch.

Even though this outrageous material was

BY

BRITTANY GENTILE

REPORTER

JagWire took second place nationally in the newsmagazine Best of Show competition at the Journalism Education Association/National Scholastic Press Association fall national high school journalism convention in Chicago from November 9-13.

In addition to receiving second in the competition, JagWire also received a Pacemaker Finalist plaque

Junior Scott Woodruff and junior Angela Conti portrayed married couple Newton and Annabelle Fuller.

funny to most, there were some in the audience who seemed to be rather uncomfortable just watching this kind of behavior. The humor included some crude, cynical remarks that distracted some from actually enjoying the play. The performance was also complete with shocking scenes that included promiscuous maids and daughters running away with

married men and ending with the whole family drinking ‘apple cider,’ which was obviously meant to be something mind altering.

Overall the play wasn’t what I had hoped for. I left with a really weird feeling, like someone had just told me a bad joke. I was fairly disappointed in the play in whole but appreciated the actors’ attempt on humor.

for being recognized as one of the top publications in the country. Just 51 newspapers were named finalists in September, and only 24 of those were named Pacemaker winners. It is a huge honor to be named a finalist for the Pacemaker because it means a publication is literally setting the pace for other newspapers in content, design and editorial leadership.

Three members of JagWire won individual awards at the convention as well. Tyler Quinn, senior, received a Superior rating in Newsmagazine Design; Jessica Ritchie, senior, received an Honorable Mention in News Writing; and Danny Canham, sophomore, received an Honorable Mention in Editorial writing.

The JagWire staff shows off the new awards they recieved at the national journalism convention in Chicago.

Worries for student safety blocks Paparazzi Wall The ASB-run Paparazzi Wall starts as a good idea, but ultimately does not pan out as administration fears for the safety of students BY

Advertise in the JagWire!

KIRSTEN BABAUTA

REPORTER

“

I THINK SAFETY SHOULD ALWAYS BE A PRIORITY, BUT SOMETIMES THE SCHOOL IS A LITTLE TOO CAUTIOUS.

Starting out as just another innocent fundraiser, the Paparazzi Wall was canceled after merely five days of viewing.

Last year’s ASB class came up with the idea for the Paparazzi Wall.

The idea stemmed from sources that tried it out at other schools where it became a huge success. However, the Paparazzi Wall hardly even lasted a week before being shut down.

Senior ASB Officer Amanda Pisetzner said, “We were told by the administration that another school tried an activity close to the Paparazzi Wall in Eastern Washington, and a kid who was emotionally unstable saw a picture of himself, got embar-

Endicott Coffee Bar

rassed and shot another student.” The shooting cited could not be confirmed by JagWire.

Having the protection and comfort of the students is the main concern of the administration, and making sure that rule is respected, the Paparazzi Wall was soon shut down.

Principal Brian Lowney said, “We want to do things to make students feel included and welcome here, and the Paparazzi Wall didn’t do it.”

The failure of the Paparazzi Wall has bared similarities to last year’s student – run activity, potato famine week. This also created controversy that questioned students’ and staff’s —Senior ASB Officer Amanda Pisetzner sensitivity towards a cultural issue.

“I think safety should always be a priority but sometimes the school is a little too cautious,” Pisetzner said. “But I don’t want anything bad to happen. I was disappointed it got canceled, but not mad.”

”

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03 volumeSIX.issueTHREE 12/14/2005 11:50:20 PM

Summer – The winds of time and change have cleared to reveal a Devine Intervention from up above: Relient K has released possibly one of the greatest EPs … EVER. Some may call me obsessed – I call it devotion. The follow-up to their latest album, “Mmhmm,” the band keeps raising the bar with their witty lyrics and tenacious sound quality with three new songs and a compilation of acoustic versions of some favorite tunes.

DECEMBER 2005

11

12 >> What is too far?

Student Body

13 >>

Is there such a thing as too healthy? Where does health stop and obsession begin?

JagWire takes a deeper look at the health of Emerald Ridge.

Living with cancer

On top of earning first-team, all-state goalie, senior Evan Ikerd helped to lead the water polo team to a sixth in state finish this season.

10

Sarah Graham

02,27.indd 2-3

Junior Sarah Graham isn’t your average high school student – she’s a committed dancer who has been perforing in the Nutcracker since age 10.

Danny – The fact that so few people even know that this group exists just gives me more time to savor their existence in peace. They are my musical bread and butter. Now, leave me alone … I’m listening to their music.

Summer – Oh, the smooth styling of a man vocalizing his inner poetry. Very Zen. Songs like “Over My Head” make me wish that I was in a cliché, slow-motion movie ending where I’ve just found that the real magic was in me all along. A nice blend of mesmerizing lyrics, a band of white-hot piano keys and clearcut, love-strum guitaring keeps me humming this band all the live-long day.

Matt – It seems like The Fray are still trying to figure out who they want to sound like – U2 or Coldpay, that is the question.

Uninteresting guitar riffs are a definite hindrance for this group and the formulaic organization of the songs gets really tiresome. The lyrics have substance to them, but they need stronger guitar work and a little more “umph” from the keys to back them up.

19 Evan Ikerd

26 ‘George Washington Slept Here’

Despite humorous effort, overpowering special effects, combined with lackluster acting result in a disappointing fall play.

Katina – Wait, haven’t I heard this band before? Oh yeah, I have. They’re called every other band in the world. If a boy band and an overly-commercialized, pop-punk band had a terrible mutant baby, it’d probably be The Fray. I’ll begrudgingly admit that I’ve caught myself humming these songs now and then, but that’s probably just because they have subliminal brainwashing devices encoded in them.

Matt – First gripe with this band?

They’re named after a model of “K” car. The songs melt into one another so well, I didn’t even notice that one song ended and another began. “Be My Escape” is a fairly decent song – good lyrics and strong vocals to deliver them.“The Thief” is, however, probably the lamest song on the album. A sappy piano bar tries desperately to out-lame the lyrics, but both are out-lamed by the backup vocals.

Danny – I have seen the Summer light and it is Relient K. Now I can see why Summer is obsessed.

It finally makes sense – Relient K is good. I have to wonder how I ever lived without them. I may very well have to go out and get this CD. Katina – No fair, I already like Relient K. They always have a great sense of humor, which shows through in their music.

Although sometimes predictable, their harmonies are always suitable for their upbeat style of music. Conversely, “The Thief” on this album is a little bit darker, which is proof that RK has talent and can break out of their norm when they see fit.

Katina – Yes, they’re from Iceland. Yes, they’re singing in Icelandic. Get over it. This music is amazing no matter what language you speak. While most of their music is laid back, slow, and relaxing, “Takk…” has a bit of a faster tempo and a jubilant feel to it. It’s amazing how they transform songs like “Saeglopur” from a beautiful piano solo to a full-scale Icelandic rock song. Fun fact: “Sigur Rós” (pronounced See-oor Roce) is Icelandic for “victory rose.”

Danny – The voices in my head aren’t sure how to react. This isn’t so bad they raise their hackles in disgust, yet it’s so different from anything else, they find it intriguing. They shudder to find out what the words would be in English, some things are probably better left untranslated. They only ask, is the picturing of ice and snow a desired effect?

Matt – Wait … Iceland has music other than Bjork? There’s a mish-mash of instruments, but at the forefront are the wailing guitars and haunting vocals, which continuously fade in and out for a generally confusing grasp of what the song is trying to do. It’s a bit like the kind of music that accompanies your dreams, and that in itself was a little frightening to me.

Summer – What does this remind me of? Oh yeah – the day I decided to repeatedly hit myself in the face with a bag of broken glass. I don’t know what good things have come out of Iceland, but this band clearly not one of them. A man ‘ooh-ing’ and ‘ah-ing’ in very high octaves to bad synthesizer chords is not my ideal song pick. It’s very determined. Determined to do what, I don’t know.

Danny – How it is these people can call this audio garbage, “Greatest Hits,” I don’t know.

Sure, they aren’t bad songs, per se, but this is a culmination of The Who’s literal years in the music industry? How could they?

Who are they to think they can pass this off as greatest? This is greatest, alright – greatest for the trash pile.

Katina –Surprisingly, this CD gave me the hardest time. Yes, I love classic rock. I went through a hardcore hippie phase and a hardcore Led Zeppelin phase (4 th -5 th and 9 th -10 th grades, respectively). But I’m just not in the mood for this right now.

Simple as that. It’s not a problem with the music; they are undoubtedly talented. I’m just not feelin’ this right now. I’m sorry The Who; it’s not you, it’s me.

Summer – If I had a drunken uncle that came around on the fourth of July and set something on fire, I’d imagine he’d have a band like this. I totally give the drummer major props for being a complete animal. Hearing the double bass drum is the hottest thing I’ve heard today. Songs like “My Generation” have me singing the lyrics to a song I didn’t even know I knew. Clearly this band will be on my Christmas list.

Matt – I love The Who with every fiber of my being.“The Real Me” has one of the greatest bass lines I’ve ever heard; it doesn’t so much hold up the bottom end as it takes the lead for the rest of the band to follow. It’s deep and low, and then John Entwhistle (R.I.P.) just takes it up like three octaves – it’s all over the place, and it sounds incredible. So, my question is, why are people listening to contemporary trash when they could be listening to The Who?

12/14/2005 11:38:10 PM

The Beat Seasonal

The Nutcracker Ballet Dec. 2 - 28 McCaw Hall $20-89

Film Memoirs of a Geisha NR Dec. 9 Starring: Ziyi Zhang, Gong Li Drama/Romance It’s a Wonderful Life NR Dec. 20 Starring: James Stewart, Donna Reed Family/Holiday Rumor Has It PG-13 Dec. 25 Starring: Jennifer Aniston, Mark Ruffalo Comedy Brokeback Mountain R Jan. 6 Starring: Jake Gyllenhaal, Heath Ledger Drama

A(n improvised) Christmas Carol Dec. 16 - 18, 23 & 24 Market Theatre, Seattle $14 A Tap Dance Christmas Carol Dec. 16 - 18 Seattle Central Community College $16 - 24

Concerts

Presidents of the United States Of America Dec. 31 Experience Music Project $45 Toby Keith Jan. 21 Tacoma Dome $49.75 - 59.75

Theatre Sports Ski With Santa Dec. 24 Crystal Mountain $40 - 50 (for lift ticket) Seahawks vs. Indianapolis Colts Dec. 24 Qwest Field Starting at $33

The Sound of Music Through Dec. 18 5th Avenue Theatre $24.50 - 68.50 It’s A Wonderful Life Through Dec. 23 Auburn Avenue Dinner Theater $17.50 - 46.95

the

STUDENT

BODY Student health. Student fitness. Student life.

24 Hour Play Festival For Teens Dec. 30 SecondStory Repertory $4 Beauty and the Beast Dec. 16 - 30 Green River Community College $8

Giving you the low down on the South Sound 28,01.indd 2-3

AN OPEN FORUM FOR STUDENT EXPRESSION

Coldplay and Fiona Apple Jan 25.

KeyArena $38.50 - 76

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

VOLUME SIX ISSUE THREE DEC 2005

12/14/2005 11:51:08 PM