JagWire | Volume 14 | Issue 6 | March 26, 2014

Emerald Ridge High School 12405 184TH ST E PUYALLUP, WA 98374 MARCH 26, 2014 VOLUME XIV ISSUE VI

2{ News

VOLUME XIV ISSUE VI MARCH 26, 2014

News in brief MARCH GLADNESS March Gladness is a charity foundation ran among Puyallup and several other surrounding school districts. Students and community members get together to make a difference in the lives of those in need.

Last year more than 10,000 people raised a total of $58,652 and had a combined 4,168 hours of community service. Although last year was a huge success the community is looking to improve its numbers.

The name of the fundraiser may be called March Gladness, but the madness truly begins in January and finishes off in March. Emerald Ridge runs the March Gladness fundraiser by dividing it up into six to eight projects.

“March Gladness gives us a focus for us to wrap our thoughts around these three months,” said Patty McMullen, the Career Counselor.

McMullen has been hard at work with this project for 10 years now.

The March Gladness foundation is by far one of the largest fundraisers year long, with thousands of dollars and countless hours being devoted to our community and the ones in need.

The Emerald Ridge Jaguars have raised money in many ways since it opened in 2000.

One of the recent events in March Gladness was the book drive. The district was able to raise 531 books for kids who are in our community and are in need. ER also participated in Freezing Nights an event that helps to feed people in need. Another event that was run

by ER was Pennies for Patients, where they raised $631 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

Whether it is March Gladness or all year long there are students at ER donating their time, their money and their effort to those in our community who have less. { Drew Norris - Reporter }

WJEA STATE CONVENTION

JagWire attended the Washington Journalism Education Association state convention at Shoreline High School Mar. 15. Those in attendance went to classes, sat through a key note presentation, and participated in write-off competitions.

JagWire had four editors receive awards for their write-off competitions out of 106 given state-wide.

Superior in: * Review Writing - Doug Mayovsky Excellent in: * Copy Editing - Brynn Adams Honorable Mention in: * News Writing - Chase Charaba * Sports Feature Writing - Anna Palmer { Chase Charaba - News Editor }

{ Photos by Janet Bardon }

Jagbots members work on their robot. The robot had to be able to shoot a ball into a basketball hoop.

{ Photos by Janet Bardon }

Jagbots setting up at their recent competition at Auburn Mountainview High School Feb. 27 and 28.

Jagbots aim high following competition

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ith a team of 45 students and just two mentors, the Jagbots, a student led robotics competitive team, is off to an accomplished start as they keep improving from years past. They recently went to their first competition of the year at Auburn Mountainview High School Feb. 27 and 28, working together the whole way.

Creating the robot was a challenge for the team. It had to be exactly 120 inches around and built fairly quickly in six weeks.

At the start the ‘bot had some struggle due to an air leak and premature arm launch. The team placed 12th out of 32 teams and their alliance placed 3rd overall.

The alliance was selected to compete through the final rounds and made it into the semifinals.

“We did amazing. Making it to semifinals was an amazing feeling throughout all of Washington right now we are placed 54 which is awesome,” senior Janet Bardon said. “I am so proud of my team and I know we can go and do great things at Auburn High School and then Portland.”

One thing that sets the Emerald Ridge robotics team apart from others is that the students are the ones who actually work the robot, not the adult mentors.

Sometimes the adult mentors for other teams are workers at Microsoft and Boeing and they build the robot.

“With us, we only have two mentors for 45 kids,” junior Andrew Rink said. “The students are the ones that build the robot, and the students are the ones that are able to fix it like when stuff breaks at a competition. The students are the ones in there fixing everything opposed to other teams where you see all the adults.”

The mentors, former Emerald Ridge paraeducator Paul Baxter and Ferrucci orchesa director and music teacher at Ridgecrest Elementary, Matthew Grenzner, stay aside while the team works.

“The team is purely student run and operated,” Grenzner said. “Paul and I guide them with their problem solving, but the students are the ones who come up with all the answers.”

In competitions, the purpose and goal is for the robot to pass a ball and shoot it into a hoop, like a basketball game, but with an exercise ball.

“The whole game is basically based around teamwork,” Rink said. “You get 60 points for working together versus

10 points for just doing it yourself.”

There are many leadership roles on the team. There are the programmers, who program the bot to make it move.

The builders make sure the robot is built accurately to the rules and make the bot be able to do what’s required.

Safety captains assure safety precautions are taken, such as wearing safety glasses.

The last role is the driver, who is the only person allowed to drive the robot on the field and have the controls whenever the bot is moving during competition.

“Being a builder and driver, I think its mostly a lot of teamwork, its the greatest thing. Everyone’s always there. If you need a tool to build something, then they have your back,” sophomore Maecen Simon said.

The team has doubled in size since last year. With more participation comes more challenge to make sure everyone is on task.

“There are a lot of rookies, so we have to teach all of them,” Rink said. “But I think so far this year, its been one of the best years. Everyone’s been working together pretty well; everybody’s learning stuff.”

The Jagbots team goal is to make it to St. Louis for the world competition, where there will be teams from Turkey, Russia, South America, Mexico and others. This is the ultimate challenge of building a robot: strict time limits, limited resources and all kinds of tasks against other competitors. The winners get to meet the president.

Making it to Portland for the regional robotics competition is their first goal if they do well at the next district competition, Auburn High School, and make it into the semifinals.

In the meantime, the Jagbots will be traveling to Auburn High School for another tournament Mar. 28 and 29, competing against over 35 registered teams. Another goal is to fundraise so they can purchase equipment that allows them to compete at a higher level.

“After competitions this year, our major push will be to take the robot out into the community to demo it for local companies and hopefully earn some major scholarships for years to come,” Grenzner said. “We will also continue to demo the robot at the Spring Fair in Puyallup, and at local schools to promote our program.” { Grace Amsden - Student Life Editor }

Checkmate: chess club tourney

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hess is a game of strategy, of knowing the best move and making it, and taking the time to anticipate your opponent’s move. In the spring chess tournament Feb. 27 it all came down to one word: “checkmate.”

Club adviser Eric Paul, a geometry and math 98 teacher here at ER, said there have been two tournaments so far this year, and there might be one more before school is out. In the spring chess tournament Feb. 27, sophomore Marco Ares and senior Alex Hillman played against each other, resulting in a double elimination and a rematch of sorts Mar. 7, in which Ares was the champion.

The hardest part of the game is to get the king,

which is called a check, said Ares in the spring chess tournament when it came to a moot point. It’s a game of patience and knowledge, and definitely not for everyone.

When Paul was asked to fill in the position of Chess Club adviser, there wasn’t nearly as many students as there is now.

“We have more people interested than ever before,” said Paul.

Chess Club has a total of 57 students this year, more than when the club was started, and more than previous years.

Paul said that he plans for Chess Club to expand a little more and hold tournaments against other

schools in the future. Right now the club’s members are pitted against each other in tournaments. In meetings, members practice moves, prepare for tournaments, and just play chess for fun.

To get an observing seat during the tournaments, students must pay one dollar which is spent on purchasing snacks for the tournament and prizes for the winners. They are open tournaments, meaning anyone is welcome to come and watch.

Even to play, you just have to pay your dollar, show up “and just know chess,” said Ares. { Jiannaka Limonta - Reporter }

News

VOLUME XIV ISSUE VI MARCH 26, 2014

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Masquerade dance at ER ER masquerade dance put on by sophomore and junior class officers Mar. 22

“I want to be able to talk with my peers and hear them say we pulled this dance off and that all the hard work and effort we put in was worth it.” - Sophomore Anthony Mason.

{ Doug Mayovsky - JagWire } { Doug Mayovsky - JagWire }

Choir during last-minute practice for their Mar. 19 evening concert at ER.

{ Doug Mayovsky - JagWire }

Women’s choir performing during their Mar. 19 concert at ER.

Choir to attend tour in San Francisco Bay area Choir to visit Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz Island, and St. Joseph’s cathedral

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he Emerald Ridge choir department will consist of largely the same activities as the Vancouver visit, including the Golden Gate Bridge, a visit to embark on the annual Choir Tour Mar. 27-29 tour, including the exchange.

Chinatown, and Alcatraz Island. of various musical locations throughout the The tour will consist of visitations to various The selection of the tour destination was a San Francisco and San Jose, Calif. areas. cathedrals, including St. combined effort Choir teacher Kurt McKee said that the tour is Joseph’s cathedral. McKee “It’s the greatest experience because between the officers and intended to give choir students real experience said these locations are McKee. Baritone singer with music in an environment outside of school, in ideal for the class to sing you get to sing in a real environment and class officer senior locations they would normally not have access to due to the superb acoustics and see the fruit of your labors.”

Kyle Crandall said that with singers they would not normally meet. in the long, vaulted stone the officers deliberated “[The tour] gives us an opportunity for music to rooms, which offer better - Senior Mary Basset on choosing California come to life and for the singers to cross pollinate,” sound quality than that in as their destination, and McKee said. the choir room at ER. McKee gave the go-ahead on the plan.

According to bass singer and choir officer senior “It’s the greatest experience because you get to The tour costs several hundred dollars for a student Mitch Castle, this year’s tour has been under sing in a real environment and see the fruit of your to participate. discussion since summer 2013. While no other labors,” alto singer and choir officer senior Mary “It might seem very expensive, but it’s worth it,” Puyallup schools will Basset said.

Crandall said. “I wouldn’t trade it for anything that accompany ER on this “We’ve been planning since last year’s Basset said that she plans costs $500.” tour, students will to use the experience from Crandall said his advice to any choir student is to officers were decided. Hopefully the the tour to help further attend have an opportunity to the tour if they can for the experience offered, sing with a California people who go will love it.” - Senior her goal of becoming a as well as the choir retreats earlier in the year. high school in a “choir musical therapist, who “The tour is great for gaining experience outside Mitch Castle exchange”. will sing with children to the class, but the retreat is more about building class “We’ve been planning help them recover from bonds,” Crandall said. since last year’s officers were decided,” Castle said. emotional trauma.

Choir students will begin their return to Washington “Hopefully the people who go will love it.”

In addition to the musically-oriented stops Mar. 30.

Last year’s tour group chose Vancouver, British along the tour, choir students will get to see many Columbia as their destination. This year’s tour will of the popular tourist attractions in the cities they { Doug Mayovsky - Copy Editor }

4{ Athletics

VOLUME XIV ISSUE VI MARCH 26, 2014

Osborne’s surgery halts coaching

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ince Emerald Ridge opened its doors in 2000 video productions teacher Gary Osborne has been coaching track.

However, open-heart surgery is keeping him from practice for four weeks.

Osborne started coaching track as an assistant coach for the boys’ track team. Then four years ago he was able to become the head coach of the girls’ track team. Since then he’s been working hard to make sure that the team keeps up on its record, including securing a league championship.

“We were league champs last year and that would be our goal again this year,” said Osborne.

Osborne went into open-heart surgery Mar. 13. He had to have his mitro and aortic valves replaced. Recovery time for this surgery is around four week, which means Osborne will have to take that time off.

Being at the younger end of surgery, Osborne expects a quicker recovery than most.

“I don’t think being gone will have much of an impact on the track team per say, other than [that] I wont be there,” said Osborne. “I have [Jay] Bates and another guy, Eric Johnson, who I grew up with, went to high school with, filling in for me while I’m gone.”

The surgery will allow Osborne to have more energy and feel better throughout the day.

“I’ll have a lot more energy and stuff, so that’s what I’m looking forward to,” said Osborne.

“Just ‘cause this; the bad valve thing makes me really really tired.”

Osborne participated in track in high school, which has contributed to him wanting to become a coach. He was a sprinter who participated in the 100, 200, and four by one, including making it to state for the 200 and the four by one.

“I’ve coached other things before and I just started teaching and I wanted to get into the coaching part,” said Osborne. “I also coached special olympics for many years too.”

Osborne has also coached cross country in the past.

Osborne said that being able to work with students of all abilities and to see them all get better, from the slower to the faster to the kids and the ones that don’t jump far to the ones that jump far, is one reason for why he coaches.

“My goal is to get everybody going through and when they leave they can say that had a great experience in sports,” said Osborne.

Osborne said that he is very competitive. He wants the team to do well this year in order to maintain last year’s league champ title and get as many girls into state as he can, including a defending state champ hurdler.

“I’m fairly competitive, so its just kinda one of the things I like to do is compete and watch other people compete,” said Osborne. “Its kind of in my blood, coaching and doing sports in general.” { Chase Charaba - News Editor }

{ Cortesy of Jim Meyerhoff }

Mr. Osborne with Mrs. Thiel and Mr. Ramsey, checking places on the races.

Jags baseball begins season with high hopes

{ Ellie Luzzi - JagWire }

The Emerald Ridge baseball team playing against Wilson High School.

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he Emerald Ridge boys baseball team began building up the foundation for the 2014 season with try-outs that took place on Mar. 3,4 and 5. Cuts were made on that Wednesday and following Monday, declaring who had made the team, and the official start of the season. Only 36 of over 60 made the final cut.

“Its a challenge making cuts. For [tryouts] we to have to evaluate their talent level and what their athleticism is. Then we identify where we would see them playing along with what they want to play and what they have played in the past and see how it all fits together,” said head coach Larry Marshall.

Besides the players, ER has some new faces to add to the team: assistant coach Reagan Packard; outfielders, assistant coach Ben Chavarria; infielders, assistant coach Colby Sokol; pitchers, assistant coach Kyle Thompson; JV pitchers, assistant coach Jacob Sommer; JV, and new head coach, Larry Marshall. This year will mark Marshall’s 40th year coaching baseball.

“I don’t have a problem connecting [with players] because I work with kids all the time. Coaching high school is my passion and that’s why I want to be here,” said Marshall With a new roster of experienced coaching staff, the team is anticipating vast improvements from previous seasons, due to new coaches having had experience with high-level teams.

“The team is already a huge improvement from last year.We have more coaches with college experience, so they’ll know what recruits are looking out for,” said Christian Gilbert, varsity outfield.

The JV boys went on to play against Bonney Lake in the Jamboree with a 6-2 victory. Varsity was successful with a 3-0 win against Rogers and a 0-0 tie with Bellarmine High School. Unfortunately, varsity lost to Bonney Lake the next day, 6-10. “[When it comes to losing] we need to look at our positives we made and then bypass the negatives. We just have to work hard on fixing what we did wrong [in our last game] to help us improve,” said Jordan Stoner, varsity short stop.

Their positive thinking brought them to another victory against Woodrow Wilson with an end score of 8-4. Pitching was great with 1st pitch strikes and only allowing 4 runs. Great defensive plays were made by Stoner in middle infield.

Gilbert also excelled, scoring 4 of 8 runs as well as a 3 run bomb in the 3rd inning.

“We are truly excited for this season. Our best baseball will be played at the end of the year because there’s so much that these guys are grasping and learning and there is so much information in such a short period of time. We want to make them the best they can be and we want them to learn to compare themselves to their own best self, not anyone else,” said Marshall. { Ellie Luzzi - Photography & Graphics Editor }

Athletics

VOLUME XIV ISSUE VI MARCH 26, 2014

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Senior Schuster leads girls’ waterpolo team in final season E merald Ridge girls’ water polo team kicks off their new season, and who better to be a part of it than senior Elizabeth Schuster? Not only is she captain of the team, but her leadership qualities have done her well these past few years.

“I didn’t really have any sport I wanted to do,” said Schuster.

“And I decided I liked to swim, so why not join water polo?”

Being a part of the team for four years now, she understands the effort it takes to play the game.

“I’ve played all the positions besides goalie, and I’ve learned that it takes a lot of hard work to get what you want,” said Schuster. “It’s worth it.”

With the season just beginning, Schuster strives to improve her skills and create a good relationship with her teammates.

“There’s always something that I can improve on and there’s always something I can do better next time, “said Schuster. “So I just work on getting better at water polo and the different aspects of it.”

Schuster knows, though, that it takes more than being on track with her skills in order to play the sport itself.

“You need to be physically fit,”said Schuster. “You need to be able to swim across the pool.”

Forming a bond with her teammates is also a huge job of being team captain as well as keeping the team together so they can work with one another.

“When you spend so much time with that many different types of personalities, you really have to know how to work as a team,” said Schuster. “You can’t be in all the separate places

of the pool at the same time; you really need your teammates.”

Senior Emily Nesemeier, a teammate of Schuster’s, agreed.

“It’s a team sport so we have to be able to mesh pretty well so that we can communicate and pass the ball around,” said Nesemeier. “We have to be able to work well together so that we can achieve our goals to becoming a winning team.”

With teamwork comes responsibility, and teammate sophomore Rochelle Knouff though Schuster has it.

“Her attitude helps the team a lot since we’re mostly new,” said Knouff. “She cheers us on, which is a huge thing for a leader, and she makes sure things are done. When she wants us to do something in a certain way, she’s not forceful about it, she’s motivational about it.”

Not only does being team captain come with responsibility, but also team attitude.

“Whenever somebody’s feeling down or discouraged she always goes and encourages them and makes sure they’re feeling well,” said Nesemeier. “And that they’re able to get back on their feet and get back in the water.”

Practices for the season definitely keep Schuster busy.

“They’re normally two hours,” said Schuster. “But for the first week we had two-a-days where we’d have to be in the pool warmed up at five-thirty in the morning, go to school, and have practice at five at night.”

{ Meagan Beardemphl - JagWire }

{ Meagan Beardemphl - Reporter }

Senior Elizabeth Schuster poses in the halls of Emerald Ridge.

Puyallup Panthers provide opportunity to play lacrosse

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{ Leighanna Ingram - JagWire }

Lady Panthers Vivien McNett and Kaylee Baker practicing on their practice field, Glacier View Junior High.

t’s that time of season again, girls’ lacrosse.

Though girls’ lacrosse is a non-contact sport, it can still be physically punishing and very intense, but a lot of new girls have stepped up , along with veteran players there to guide them.

Sophomore Kaylee Baker has been on the Puyallup Panthers for 5 years. She first joined lacrosse when she was in 5th grade. She took a break from last season because of the various sports she was doing and she’s back on the team.

“I really like lacrosse and I actually had the time for it this year,” said Baker.

Baker is on varsity this year. On Mar.11, the varsity team had their first game against Tahoma and won 19-5.

“The game against Tahoma was fun it was nice to win our first game, it’s a good start for this season,” said Baker.

Though Baker is on varsity, if there are not enough players for junior varsity, she will have to play on JV. “I’m expecting to do pretty well this season; we’re a strong team,” said Baker.

Baker is eager for the season, especially for away games and the chance of making state.

Karena Lewandowski started coaching for the

Panthers four years ago as head coach and helped as an assistant coach in 2007 and 2008. She feels it’s important for the team to be a family.

“I feel it’s not only necessary to teach them lacrosse but life lessons as well,” said Lewandowski.

The high school girls lacrosse team has a program called the Little Sister Big Sister Program that they’ve done for 4 years. A girl on the team [big sister] is assigned to another girl [little sister] that’s younger within the Panthers.

“I love it, it gives girls the chance to work across our teams and brings in the family atmosphere to our girls program,” said Lewandowski.

Girls Athletic Director Alice Abbott is very appreciative of Lewandowski.

“We are so lucky to have Karena, and hope she stays with us for many years to come,” said Abbott.

Lewandowski didn’t start playing lacrosse until her first year into high school. The high school she went to, which was a boarding school, offered lacrosse in the spring.

“Growing up in California I never heard of the sport but I decided to play,” said Lewandowski. { Leighanna Ingram - Reporter }

Emerald Ridge hosts Special Olympics basketball

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merald Ridge is volunteering to help coach the Special Olympics basketball team. The basketball game was on Mar. 13.

The Jaguars won the basketball game 50 to 46.

Every player on both sides was able to scored. The game was a close one and no team lead the opposing team by more than eight points.

This event is becoming more popular around the school district. There was never an event for those who were mentally or physically challenged. This event allows students of Emerald Ridge be the face of Emerald Ridge, even if it is just for one night.

Emerald Ridge packed the gym. The student section was larger than most boys and girls basketball games. Both sides were well represented and both sides were cheered for.

The basketball team is being helped coached by

Emerald Ridge football players including junior Brett Rankin and junior Mark Simmons “Coach Halfaday recommended that we would get involved with our school and that we should help out, and when he told me about helping coach a Special Olympics basketball team, I was interested,” said Rankin.

There is no set practice, but the ER football players try to get their team together for at least 2 practices a week.

“Yeah it’s really fun, even though I suck at basketball, but it is fun to help out,” said Rankin.

This game was by far more special than any game Emerald Ridge has played this year. Who wins or loses doesn’t matter; it is all about the Emerald Ridge students who are on the court playing for themselves and for Jag Nation.

After the clock expired, the student section rushed down to the court to their fellow Jags and congratulated them on the victory. Emerald Ridge showed their support to their Jaguar basketball team.

An immense amount of students were there repping their Jags. “it was great seeing the kids participating in the special Olympics having fun and having a big student section really boosted their morale to smile,” said senior Jesse Yun. The Jaguars were great host and showed support for all who were involved in the Special Olympics basketball game. The game was a terrific way to raise money and to spread Jag spirit and it was a way of letting the students of Emerald Ridge be represented. { Drew Norris - Reporter }

6{ Opinion

VOLUME XIV ISSUE VI MARCH 26, 2014

Staff Editor-in-Chief/Focus Editor................Claire Benson News Editor..........................................Chase Charaba Sports Editor.......................................Alexander Salas Opinion Editor....................................Catherine Mann Features Editor........................................Anna Palmer Arts & Entertainment Editor..................Brynn Adams Student Life & The Beat Editor.............Grace Amsden Copy Editor.........................................Doug Mayovsky Photography & Graphics Editor..................Ellie Luzzi Reporters.....................................Meagan Beardemphl ...................................................................Dana Brown .........................................................Leighanna Ingram ..........................................................Jiannaka Limonta ...............................................................Andrew Norris ...........................................................Hannalie Stevens .................................................................Melina Stone Advisor.....................................................Kevin Smyth The Very Fine Print Editorial Mission As a limited forum, JagWire exercises student expression rights under the jurisdiction of the Puyallup School District. We pursue an unbiased truth while maintaining the highest journalistic integrity.

Our top priority is to raise awareness while covering a wide variety of issues effecting our readership. We will publish an engaging newsmagazine which will entice, excite, and engage.

Letters Policy JagWire will accept unsolicited copy from students, staff, and community members. Only signed and dated letters with address and phone number from community members, or grade level from students, will be accepted. Letters should be limited to 300 words and will be published as space is available. All letters are the sole opinion of the writers, and the staff reserves the right to edit any letter for space and/or clarity. We will not publish material that may substantially disrupt the school process. Letters to the editor may be submitted by mailing them to JagWire c/o Emerald Ridge High School or emailing them to brackets.jagwire@gmail.com.

Advertising Mission 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 will not be accepted (WIAA 18.20.0 and 18.20.1). The staff will not accept advertising that is racist, sexist, or illegal for high school students. Advertisements do not necessarily reflect the views, endorsements, and/or positions of the staff of JagWire, student body, faculty, administration, or school board.

Corrections It has come to the attention of the JagWire that in Issue V on pg 2, teacher Marci Saben’s surname was misreported as “Sabin.”

On pg 15, the meetings of the Writer’s Society were missreported as being biweekly.

In the Beat, the Shrek performance on Mar. 1 was misreported as being a night show; it was a matinee.

JagWire staff values accuracy in every aspect of our publication. We wish to correct the errors that we do make and extend an apology for any inconvenience to our readership. If you believe that we have made an error, please contact us at brackets.jagwire@gmail.com.

Front Cover Photo Illustration Front cover art drawn by senior Raye France. Photo taken by senior Doug Mayovski with France modeling.

School district censorship unjust

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ll student publications and performances because of its freedom of the press policy.” in the Puyallup School District are Since the PSD has prior review, if another lawsuit subject to prior review. With prior review occurred for any reason, the district would be (which requires those student publications and held completely liable. performances inside the district to be reviewed Besides the liability, censorship by the school is by an administrator before publication) comes a violation of the First Amendment. Public schools prior restraint (which allows the admin to are a government entity. They are paid for by tax censor anything they deem not appropriate for dollars. The First Amendment, despite common publication). The district used to have an open misconception, doesn’t protect free speech/ forum - students could express themselves freely. press/religion/assembly/petition - it protects free The PSD should never have had prior review in speech from the government. Logically, the policy the first place, and the policy should be done away shouldn’t be allowed to prior restrain students. with immediately.

Since it was instituted, prior review has also In 2008, JagWire faced a lawsuit concerning somewhat become a way of protecting students an issue they published. The focus from what other students might district’s create. In the last issue of JagWire, was on Oral Sex, and students that “The were quoted who claimed that focus was on porn. The focus lawsuit was won, the they hadn’t given permission to be wasn’t allowed to use any student named sued the district. but the punishment pictures and very few student The PSD had a status of “open quotes. No students, on or off forum” - students could express fell anyways.” the newspaper staff, could be themselves freely. Prior review/ implicated if they weren’t pictured restraint requires the district to approve all or quoted. student publications and performances before JagWire is also trying to protect students by they are allowed to be performed or published, to educating them and providing them a safe place reduce legal liability to the PSD. to express themselves.

The policy, Puyallup School District regulation The worst part of 3220R is the self censorship 3220, reads, “The principal has the responsibility that takes place. Students are often told to not to monitor student verbal and written expression. question - and especially not. By self-censoring, Students who violate the standards for verbal and that’s exactly what’s happening. written expression will be subject to corrective It’s not a coincidence that students involved in action or discipline.” the activities that are submitted to review are often The lawsuit, named M.R.B. et al v. Puyallup frustrated by it. These students are largely the School District, used as a part of their defense that ones who are inclined to question the authority, students (at the time, and now no longer) had the and they are getting tired of doing so and cutting right to publish what they wanted and that it was back their own creativity, but it’s hard when they not the district’s fault. get shut down anytime they step out of the box.

The three major issues with 3220R are the 3220R affects so many students in the PSD. At self-censorship that occurs, the censorship of ER alone, just a few organizations on the list of important issues, and the district’s liability. affected are JagWire, the yearbook, Hypokritz, Even though JagWire won the case and the the drama department, and assembly planning. appeal, there has been prior review in the entire “The problem with prior review,” said Hypokritz district since then. First of all, read that over adviser Rebecca Waller. “Is that sometimes there again - JagWire won the case, and yet the entire will be something that the administration think is district has been punished since then. One would funny, but they say no because there might be one think punishment would fall if the case were lost, person in the crowd who would be offended and thereby proving the publication was in the wrong. they don’t want their name on the approval for it.”

Instead, the suit was won, verifying that they were Not every group is censored often, but it’s usually right, but the punishment fell anyways. Along in the back of their mind. with that, the goal of the policy is to lower the “Prior review affects me more indirectly. The chance of a lawsuit against the district. The policy understanding of what we could do in a high casts a bombshell into that idea. school as opposed to a college, and then that as According to the Student Press Law Center opposed to a professional theater,” said drama website about a lawsuit filed against Roosevelt teacher Chris Tavern.

High School’s newspaper, “A Washington state Regulation 3220 is needlessly punitive, prevents court judge dismissed [the prosecutor] Hugh student expression, and exposes the district to Sisley’s claim in a July 22 judgment that found greater liability to lawsuits. the [Seattle] district was not liable for allegedly defamatory remarks made by student media { Brynn Adams - A&E Editor }

Focus

VOLUME XIV ISSUE VI MARCH 26, 2014

Making heroes since Golden Age

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Evolution of DC Comics

C Comics is known for being one of the most successful companies along with its close rival Marvel. DC Comics have survived huge declines when comics were not of interest to many. However, today we see DC Comics proving themselves to have some of the most successful stories, as well as being a subsidiary of the Warner Brothers Entertainment and part of Time Warner.

The DC Comics made a name for themselves in 1939; founded by Malcolm Wheeler-Nicholson. During that time its company was known as National Allied Publications. The initials for the DC Comic books were taken from the Detective Comic series. With that series came the rise of Batman. There was another line of comic books, known as Action Comics, which featured a new superhero named Superman. Over the years these two super heroes became quite popular and remain two of their most popular characters; going on to light the way for many other superheroes. The 1950’s led them to scrutiny for not being up to par with America’s standards and the younger audience. It was this downfall that lead DC to a huge recreation making them so successful in the comic book industry, known as the Silver Age. In 1965 the superhero Flash made an appearance. He was created years before, but this time with better personal stories, storyboards and artwork; in order to make the comics more compelling. They did the same to other characters such as Batman and Superman. Following after this The Justice League Society and The Justice League of America was created.

During the 1990’s a lot of disinterest in comic books arose. As a result the comic book industry started a new approach and with it came different lines; intended towards a more mature audience and adult readers. They also began to take a bigger gambles, such as the death of some main and popular characters, like the death of Superman. And even though it brought good sales, the industry was in a decline.

Not long after the DC Comics launched the superheroes of their industry and revolutionized their world of comic books, the popularity began to grow once again.

Their characters regained attention and stayed very popular as with movies, theme parks and other attractions that would keep them a big part of American culture.

{ Illustrations by Raye France }

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Evolution of Marvel Comics

ome of today’s most well-known comic book characters originated from Marvel Comics. The label began in 1939 under the name of Timely Comics.

Timely Comics created very successful characters. One of these characters was Captain America. Created in WWII, Captain America, along side a few other heroes, were always known for going after the enemy, who at the time were nazis and a few other evil men.

After the war, comic styles and artwork began to change, making the once popular super heroes decline as others took their place in history.

Timely Comics then became known as Atlas Comics. Atlas Comics strived to stay away from the theme of war and bringing up ideas such as horror.

After some time had passed the wartime heroes returned to battle the communist rather than the Nazis. However, the industry of Atlas Comics went under political scrutiny and was then needed to change once again.

The code authority was then formed and went on to be used to serve as the means for regulating the comic books along with their content; meaning that comics were to be made family friendly. After that time period comics began to reemerge again.

Some older comic superheroes were then brought back up, being a newer version of themselves, having more emotion and background stories to go along with them. In 1961 Marvel Comics rose, bringing with them The Fantastic Four. This group became extremely popular and would continue to stay that way for many years to come.

Over the years comic books would continue to grow in popularity and would create many new characters for all to enjoy. Not long after, many of these comic book heroes would make it into the movie industry too, helping to bring the story book characters to life on the big screen. There are quite a few movies that owe Marvel Comics for their success in { Ellie Luzzi the movie Photography & Graphics Editor } industry, as Many of the superheroes that came from the comic books became even more popular through the motion picture industry.

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FROM FUNNIES TO WEBCOMICS: The evolution of comics “The sales of graphic novels fell 20% in 2010, but digital comics sales increased by 1000%.”

Illustration by Jens Nielson

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omics have been known for their superhero icons and movie adaptations since the mid-20th century, but many do not know where they got their start. The introduction of comic strips, or funnies, in the 19th century started off as no more than life stories for their characters.

In 1827 Swiss caricaturist Rudolphe Töpffer released what is considered as the first comic book, “Histoire de M. Vieux Bois” or “The Adventures of Obadiah Oldbuck.”

It was released in the US in 1842 as the nation’s first ever comic book. While not a comic book in today’s traditional sense, “Oldbuck” was a compilation of illustrations accompanied by captions that told the story.

In the later half of the century, funnies began to appear in American newspapers.

Early comic strips generally focused on everyday life and comical situations with normal people. In 1895 Richard Outcault published “The Yellow Kid” as the first comic strip in the New York World. Shortly after the New York Journal began to run Rudolph Dirk’s “The Katzenjammer Kids” in 1897, which is still running today as the longest running comic.

Winsor McCay published the first comic with a continuing storyline, “Little Nemo in Slumberland,” in the New York Herald in 1905, paving the way for future comic books.

Comic strips found a new success in 1924 with Harold Gray’s “Little Orphan Annie,” which soon spawned popular radio, Broadway musical, and movie adaptations.

In 1937 “Detective Comics” is released as the start of DC Comics. Action Comics follows a year later with the release of the first superhero, Superman. Comics such as DC followed suit a year later by releasing “The Bat-Man.” At the same time Timely Comics, later to be known as Marvel, released its first heroes.

Following World War II comics began to showcase increased violence, crime, horror, and drug-related themes. “Mad Comics” among others hoped to create a more freefor-all era of comics.

On May 29, 1947 an article in “Saturday Review” by Dr. Frederick Wertham, a psychiatrist of the New York City court system, attacked comic books, believing them to be bad for children and society. He also published a book in the early 1950s called “Seduction of the Innocent,” which argued that comic books gave children wrong ideas about reality, advocated homosexuality, and gave women the wrong idea of women in society. This started the era of comics censorship.

As a result various comic book publishers created the Comic Magazine Association of America, Inc. in Sept. 1954 as an attempt for self-regulation of the comic industry. The code censored much

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what was put into comics, such as crimes, violence, and terror. The Code still stands today, although it was relaxed in 1971 to now allow vampires, werewolves, and zombies.

Comics saw a revival in the late 1950s, known as the Silver Age of Comics. Although not as violent as before, the comics became increasing popular and introduced comics to a new generation.

Then in the late 1990s, with the emergence of the internet and the widespread use of mobile phones, comics began to utilize a new way to connect with their readers: webcomics. Authors may now sell apps for their comics and have their own website for subscribers or for free-viewing.

According to comicsalliance.com, the sales of graphic novels fell 20% in 2010, but digital comics sales increased by 1000%.

{ Chase Charaba - News Editor }

BLACK SHEEP, DARK HORSE

Independent comic authors come together to create successful alternative

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ark Horse comics, known for its publications of Star Wars, The Shaolin Cowboy, Conan the Barbarian, Sledgehammer 44 and Hellboy, was started in 1986 by Mike Richardson. It became the third largest comics publisher in the United States and is largely a third-party independent publisher, unlike corporations like Marvel and DC. It started as a new idea for Richardson’s Things From Another World publishing and comics store, which failed to gain much success. In 1986, with the publication of Dark Horse’s first comics Dark Horse Presents and Boris the Bear, Dark Horse started to gather a following.

Later in the year Dark Horse published its first hit comic book: Paul Chadwicks’ Concrete.

The comic received 26 industry awards and effectively launched Dark Horse’s success. Within a year comics such as The American, The Mark, Trekker, and Black Cross were published to much success as Dark Horse became a main competitor for Marvel and DC comics.

In 1987 Dark Horse published its first manga, Godzilla: King of the Monsters.

Dark Horse has become known for its comics adaptations of popular films such as Star Wars and Aliens, which started in 1990.

After teaming with Twentieth Century Fox, Richardson created Dark Horse Entertainment, Inc. in 1992. The new company created dozens of feature films, such as The Mask and Timecop, which both became box office hits.

Dark Horse expanded again with Dark Horse Deluxe in 1998, which sold merchandise from comics and a variety of third-party material such as items from Tim Burton.

In 2004 Dark Horse expanded to start selling books such as Ursula Bacon’s Shanghai Diary.

Dark Horse published The Umbrella Academy by rock group My Chemical Romance’s lead vocalist Gerard Way, which has won a variety of awards. The comic currently includes two series with another two to be published in 2014.

In 2011 the company released many of its comics to an app available through Apple’s iTunes store, allowing the company to stay ahead in the digital age of comics, along with its websites.

Dark Horse is unique in that it publishes mostly thirdparty material and works by lesser known comics artists.

The company also offers Custom Publishing on its website darkhorse.com.

{ Chase Charaba - News Editor }

“Don’t mess wi th me, lad y. I’ve been dr inking with sk eletons .”

- Hellb oy

cus

E VI MARCH 26, 2014

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Comic fans contribute billions

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omic books and their merchandise are a multi-million dollar industry, from the buying and selling of action figures to movies to kickstarters for experimental comics and games based off of comics.

Comic books came out in the early 1930’s. The period between 1930 and 1950 became known as the “Golden Age” of comics. Captain Marvel had sales of over 1.4 million copies per issue published under the title Whiz Comics. Timely sold over 1 million issues titles, which contained iconic names like Captain America, Namor the Submariner and The Human Torch.

After the Golden Age came the Silver Age, during which plenty of new heroes were released. Following the Silver Age, and the subsequent Bronze Age, came the Dark Age of Comics. Sales plummeted, and many heroes were given darker stories. Few comics or their merchandise possessed lasting artistic quality and the items that were predicted to be valuable did not become so, often because of huge print runs that made them commonplace. A crash occurred, hundreds of retail stores closed and many publishers downsized. In 1996, Marvel Comics, the largest company in the industry, declared bankruptcy (it has since rebounded).

The industry has still not yet fully recovered from the speculator crash. While the big franchise titles still have a large amount of regular titles and merchandising attached to them, all of these things were notably scaled back after the crash.

The comics themselves, after the Dark Age, have sold considerably well.

Between 2002 and 2006, a total of 60.6 million comic books. From the 1987 total sales, Marvel and DC combined, that’s an increase of over 506 percent (http://zaksite.com). Also, September of last year was dominated in sales by DC, with a total of 4.3 million comics sold.

Diamond Comic Distribution, the largest distributor of comics in North America, have compiled a list of the market shares held by each of the major publishing companies that they distribute. As of the end of 2013, the top five publishing companies to demand the comic book market were Marvel (36.97 percent of total unit sales recorded), DC (33.35 percent), Image Comics (8.49 percent), IDW Publishing (5.1 percent) and Dark Horse Comics with 4.5 percent of the market.

The releasing of movies are also a big part of the market. Movies based off of Marvel comics, with total sales adjusted to coincide with the ticket price inflation, have grossed over six billion in the United States alone. DC has grossed over five billion.

Comics that have been kickstarted, or funded by the public, dominate approximately two percent the size of the direct market, making them the either the sixth or seventh largest publisher to be distributed. Kickstarter. com, a website dedicated to helping those who want to self publish or create their work, keeps careful track of how much a single project is funded. Comics that are self published, such as The Tomorrow Girl by Aaron Diaz or Ava’s Demon, have gathered all of the money needed to create or finish the project from people throughout the U.S., and possibly even the world. Other forms of media based off of comics, like The Cyanide and Happiness Internet-streamed show or the video game based off of and designed by the creator of the popular webcomic Homestuck, are also a large part of this.

Kickstarter.com, as of March 3, has had over a billion dollars given to the over four thousand projects waiting to get a start.

Comic book collecting has helped the industry since the slump in the eighties. Many big name actors, such as Nicholas Cage and Samuel L. Jackson, are collectors. Currently, most of the hype generated around the major companies’ comics involves changes to the characters, wellknown creators writing or illustrating a title, and buzz surrounding an adaptation to another medium such as film or television. In the 2000s, prices for genuinely rare near-mint comics rose steadily, doubling in some cases. This was aided in part by newly established comic book grading companies, such as Comic Guaranty LLC(CGC) and Professional Grading eXperts LLC (PGX). Improved accountability has increased collector confidence, although some collectors have complained that the market has once again become more about speculation, instead of being focused on the art and stories. As of Feb. 25, 2002, the highest bid and most valuable comic in existence was the comic that premiers Batman. It’s value is at $1,075, 500 total.This was later eclipsed by a rare comic of Superman which, according to CNN on March 30, sold for over 1.5 million dollars.

{ Catherine Mann - Opinion Editor }

Comic phenomenon infects millions

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n 2003, the world was exposed. No one knew it at the time, but something highly contagious had been released into the public. It spread like a plague, infecting everyone who came into contact with it. When the world finally became aware of what was among them, it was already too late. The Walking Dead had arrived.

Produced by Image Comics, “The Walking Dead” is exactly what it sounds like. An ongoing comic book series about flesh eating zombies. Written by Robert Kirkman and illustrated by Tony Moore, who was soon replaced by Charlie Adlard, The Walking Dead follows sheriff deputy Rick Grimes as he leads a group of survivors through the zombie apocalypse. The comic is produced in black and white, meant to resemble the classic 1968 film “Night of the Living Dead”.

“It leaves you on the edge of your seat, it’s suspenseful, and I just love zombies,” said Junior Gavin Maher.

Robert Kirkman’s first comic book was “Battle Pope”, a superhero parody he and Tony Moore created three years prior to The Walking Dead.

Kirkman has mainly written for Image Comics, but has also contributed to Marvel as well, writing some of the Zombie Marvel stories. It seems there is a pattern in some of his work.

Originally The Walking Dead was turned down by Image Comics, because they didn’t believe that a zombie comic could become successful. So, Kirkman told a little lie that got him the green light: he said the zombie apocalypse would be caused by aliens hoping to invade the planet. Fans were worried when this new information was released, but Kirkman assured them that he never planned on using aliens in the comic, he just didn’t want to take no for an answer.

“Movies based off of Marvel comics have grossed over six billion in the United States alone.”

“I love the character development. There has been so much change in each character and they constantly present that,” said Senior Nicolas Roycroft.

With the growing success of the comic books series, it was only a matter of time before a TV show launched in its wake. Premiering Halloween night of 2010 on AMC, The Walking Dead brought the bloody adventure of Rick Grimes to life in full color. With 16.1 million viewers, the premiere of the current 4th season had the highest views in the series’ history. Already renewed for a 5th season, The Walking Dead proves to be the #1 show on television in the 18-49 demographic.

The overwhelming success of The Walking Dead has spawned all kinds of merchandise. Novels, toys, video games, calendars, board games, clothes, and even trading cards. It’s no longer just a zombie comic. It’s become a worldwide sensation. The people of Image Comics should feel lucky about falling for Kirkman’s little alien fib.

“In a world ruled by { Dana Brown - Reporter } the dead, we are forced to finally start living.”

10{ Arts & Entertainment VOLUME XIV ISSUE VI MARCH 26, 2014 { Grace Amsden - JagWire }

Davidson excels in videography Senior finishes third year of video productions after producing for class and ER

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enior Michaela Davidson is one of seven student in video productions III that have dedicated their lives to being behind the camera, capturing and later editing live footage. She has wholeheartedly decided that she wants to pursue her career in videography. Video productions is a class that allows students to create video.

Davidson has always been interested in arts and communication. She loves entertainment and watching movies, and enjoys computer work/editing.

This is Davidson’s third year with video productions teacher Gary Osborne.

“Going into video, I knew I wanted to be part of the media in some way, whether photography or creative writing or movie making. After my first year I decided I really liked the video field and adored the idea of working on a major movie,” Davidson said.

She has covered school events such as gymnastics meets, the Queen’s Coronation, the Shrek promo, and will work on the video that is shown at the end

of the year. bland on the outside but it’s full of the student’s work Out of all of the roles in video, Davidson most inside and has a great view of Seattle. It’s very close enjoys editing video because being on the computer to the aquarium and Pike’s Place,” Davidson said. feels natural to her. She edits commercials for events “I’m really looking forward to learning from people going on around the school. Davidson works on Jag currently working in the field and meeting all the TV News on the soundboard; she’s the person who different art students.” manages the music.

She doesn’t stop with the media arts outside of “During video 2, I started editing more and, as I school, as she films her family, but she does a lot of gained experience, I gained my joy for being on the photography outside of school. Davidson receives computer,” Davidson said. numerous compliments on her flower photos.

In January, Davidson received “My favorite thing to take January, Davidson pictures of is nature. Especially the Vocational Student of the “In Month award, also called Rotary received the Vocational plants and stuff - I think they Student of the Month. It’s given turn out the best, too. I think to students who excel in their Student of the Month award.” I’m best at those,” Davidson pathway, chosen by a teacher. said. “But also, a lot of family This came as a surprise and delight to Davidson. stuff, and Disneyland. Scenic stuff is really good too; She was described as “reliable, creative, attentive we went to the beach and I swear I took 100 pictures and a valuable asset to the video production team,” of the sunset.” according to the bulletin posted in the showcase In the future, Davidson wants to take her career window outside the CCC, which announced her to working as an video editor for an entertainment award. Only two students a month are chosen. company. She would love to work for either “I was really excited about it; not a lot of people get Dreamworks or Disney. it,” Davidson said. “It made me feel really proud that “One of my things would be to work for my teacher thought I was up for that. I was a little Dreamworks, which is supposed to be the number confused about how I got it, but I was excited.” one place to work for, but I love Disney, so that would Davidson received a scholarship for the Art be an option,” Davidson said.

Institute of Seattle for video, as well. It offers $400 In the meantime, Davidson cherishes her time per quarter. She recently found out that she could in video productions, enhancing her skills in filming also qualify for an early start, which allows her to start and editing. at the Institute in July instead of October. She plans on being there for about three years, graduating with her Bachelor’s Degree in film and video production. { Grace Amsden - Student Life Editor } “I have been to the Art Institute. It looks a bit

{ Brynn Adams - JagWire }

Left to right: Seniors Dana Brown, McKenzie Dent, and Laura Mandt pose with their respective One Acts casts in breaks during rehearsal.

One Acts directors excited for opportunity

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eniors Dana Brown, Laura Mandt, and McKenzie Dent will be directing this year’s Senior One Acts, something that all three are ecstatic to do.

To be chosen as a director, students must complete a notebook for the play of their choice, with all the instructions on a paper given to them by drama teacher Chris Tavern. This notebook, in essence, a large play report, a staple of the acting and stagecraft classes. The directors read their chosen one act and decide stage directions, create in-depth character development, and create light and sound cues for their production.

“Last year we had around a dozen people say they wanted to direct and get the paper,” said Mandt. “And then, as you fill out the paper, more people drop out because it’s so much work to choose a play and do all of the director’s notes and do all the indepth analysis and do your binder. It’s just a lot of work.”

It’s work that pays off. Mandt and her fellow directors will lead the production of their chosen one acts. Mandt believes the one act she chose is her strong suit; dark and serious, one that, if directed a certain way, will become comedic. It is about dog

fighting. She is really excited about directing.

“It’s really invigorating, we all knew that, ‘Yeah, we’re gonna be chosen because I submitted a full binder,’ and we were the only three,” said Mandt.

“If you’ve ever been in a competition and there are only three people in the competition, and the top three get medals, you’re still super excited if you get a medal because it’s just fantastic, it’s actually going to happen.”

Brown also feels excited that the performances are on the way. When choosing his one act, his first choice was the first one he read, though he read others for options. His choice, entitled “The Game” by playwright Louise Bryant, is a play where the characters represent values about Life and Death vying for the lives of a Youth and The Girl, who - due to feeling they’ve lost people in their lives - decide to commit suicide.

“They put their lives on the line, on the knees of the Fates, to be taken away by Life and Death,” said Brown. “But Life is hoping that they’ll fall in love with each other so she can win them both, but Death is all like, ‘We still have to play the game, so that I still have a chance to win them.’”

McKenzie Dent, the last of the three directors, was somewhat nervous to be chosen, though she is excited as well. “Small Actors,” a comedy by Stephen Gregg, is about a girl in high school cast as a minor character in her school’s rendition of Romeo and Juliet. Due to a miscommunication with her parents with high expectations, they believe she was cast as Juliet. The majority of the play has to deal with her trying to tell her parents that she has a small part.

“I felt like I kind of connected to this character, because when I was in my sophomore year I tried out for The Tempest, and I got one of the spirits,” said Dent, as a spirit was a small part. “And I wanted to do a comedy because I felt like, for my first time, it would be easier to direct something funny rather than serious.”

The directors and actors have three weeks from auditions - held on Mar. 10 and 11 after school - to practice until One Acts, which are Apr. 10 through 12.

Ticket prices will be released at a later date. { Catherine Mann - Op/Ed Editor }

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Arts & Entertainment VOLUME XIV ISSUE VI MARCH 26, 2014

{ Photos courtesy of Sam Brown }

Left to right: One of Brown’s senior pictures, taken with his violin. Pictured in the wheelchair, Brown starred in ERHS’ fall play, “The Man Who Came To Dinner”.

Brown and bandmate Katie Willebrand participated in JagWire’s Battle of the Bands and won judge’s choice. This March, Brown played the main antagonist, Lord Faarquad, in ERHS’ 2014 musical, “Shrek The Musical”.

Senior Brown demonstrates musical prowess

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e was obsessed with baseball and listened to with but it can be developed over time, which is what said Roycroft. “He is a fantastic person to work with.

Led Zeppelin and the Beatles, but musicals Brown has been working on.

While retaining a high level of talent, he still treats were stupid and playing the flute was girly.

“I am extremely fortunate to have perfect pitch, like everyone with respect and humility, contributing to a Music performance was never a major part of Senior I don’t even remember what it was like to not have it. positive and often goofy environment.”

Sam Brown’s life growing up. He would have never It has helped so much in my music,” said Brown.

Although Brown experiences difficulty breathing imagined that when he picked up his first violin in Despite its positive influences, Brown has found at times from overwhelming excitement before going the fourth grade, it would spark having perfect pitch often on stage, never is he nervous. His cast family and their a lifetime of passion for music becomes a mental hindrance pre-show rituals keep him focused and prepared for “Brown now plays six for him because he does not the curtain to open. and performing arts.

Brown now plays six instruments and sings with want to be seen as better than “He is super prepared and dedicated,” said drama instruments, with a bit of anyone else. His major fear is teacher Chris Tavern. “ It matters a lot to him that percussion included. However, astounding pitch. However, that people will think he thinks he’s good at what he’s doing and I think it translates after nine years, the violin after nine years, the violin he’s more skilled than them to working with the actors.” continues to be his first love. because of this.

Theater is not the only kind of performance Brown “Violin represents, essentially, continues to be his first love.”

“That is absolutely not the has been drawn to. With orchestra, theatre, singing my fascination with music. The case; I’ve never thought of and playing music, each separate passions for Brown, violin was what got me started on my way to being myself as anything special, just lucky,” said Brown. “I they are all centralized by the concept of performance obsessed with music and everything about it,” said work hard but that doesn’t mean I’m more talented as a whole.

Brown. “It’s definitely my primary instrument and I than anyone.”

“I mean, performing is my drug. I love making owe all my knowledge of musicianship to the violin. I In the seventh grade, Brown took part in his first people happy, it’s my absolute favorite thing, and if don’t know where I’d be without it.” theatrical production, “A Midsummer Night’s for whatever reason people respond well to what I do, Sharing his musical abilities with others is an aspect Cruise.” Soon, his comical role than I’m gonna keep doing it,” Brown considers an essential to his growth. Choir of “Pirate #3” expanded to “He treats everyone with said Brown. has been a new addition to his musical involvement performing in 10 productions Next year, Brown will and humility, attending Western Washington this year. He also co-founded a two-man-band, “The and soon his first musical at ER respect Talking Tafels” with senior Katie Willebrand, where in 2013, “Guys and Dolls.” contributing to a positive and University to pursue a career they sing primarily in German.

In the world of performing in music education. Because He is a member of both the school orchestra, and arts, Brown discovered not often goofy environment.”

Brown’s desire to pursue music it is his third year performing at the Tacoma Youth only a passion and excitement - Senior Nicholas Roycroft was greatly influence by his Symphony, where he plays the violin. Brown said for the stage but also deep, junior high orchestra teacher, that each of these experiences has strengthened him nurturing relationships with the people he’s met. he hopes to teach music at a junior high level. as a musician and provided positive role models over They have taught Brown that “normal is boring,” and “I feel like I can possibly influence young musicians the years. have been there for him at his “best and not-so-best.” to follow their dreams. That would be my favorite “I don’t care if it’s related to orchestra, choir, Senior Nicholas Roycroft met Brown Sophomore thing,” said Brown. “ Or I could become famous in a theatre or whatever else; it’s fun, it’s exciting, it’s year while working on a One Act together. Since band. That would be cool too.” enriching, and I can’t live without it,” said Brown. then their relationship has become invaluable to Part of what makes Brown such an excellent each other. Brown has impacted Roycroft musically, { Anna Palmer - Features Editor } musician and vocalist is his ability to identify any emotionally, and relationally. pitch of any given musical note without a reference “I honestly couldn’t imagine high school, or even pitch. This skill is something that a person is born life, without him. He’s always been there, ya know? ”

Not so common apps that will change your life Disco Zoo Price: FREE

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asically, the objective of the game is to rescue animals from the wild to be placed in your zoo. The more animals you have, the more coins per minute you make, until the animals fall asleep and must be awoken. The player can spend ‘bux’ to throw disco parties for the animals, thus raising double the money during the disco party. The challenging part of the game is rescuing the animals.

Players will be given a five-by-five grid, where their goal is to uncover tiles in a pattern in order to rescue the animals. You are only given 10 flips per rescue.

These excursions to rescue animals cost money, depending on the environment and the number of trips; the price increases. Really, Disco Zoo is a nice friendly game, and provides mental stimulation, and it features dancing sasquatches.

{Illustrated by Brynn Adams }

Foodspotting

Logitech Touch Mouse App

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Price: FREE

Price: FREE

he Foodspotting app not only helps you find restaurants near you, but dishes as well. The app primarily relies on pictures and feedback provided by members of Foodspotting, but also has food reviews from respected food publications and local bloggers. The app itself is very well organized. When on the home screen you can either choose to manually search a restaurant or dish, or find restaurants using your current location or another location. You are also given the tool to filter dishes, restaurants, and feedback by the following categories: specials, best, nearby, latest, following, wanted, tried, and loved. For each dish, there is a nice photo, name of the dish, restaurant’s name, location, number of likes, and distance, much like the popular app Urbanspoon - a similar app, without a photo of every dish featured. You can also touch the heart on the right side of the photo to log a like. The Foodspotting app is a great filter to find the best dish at a restaurant that suits your mood and tastes.

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ired of using your annoying trackpad on your laptop? Logitech created a virtual mouse iPhone app that can be synced to your computer using wifi; you are even able to control the cursor on the screen from across the room. For what it is capable of, the Logitech offering is a bargain.

The mouse is like a trackpad, but also offers a virtual keyboard if you would like via iDevice. The user can move the cursor, right click, left click and even scroll all from their very own device.This is a simple app whose interface features a blank dark grey area with Left and Right buttons at the top. Sure, it’s a simple app, but it has been found to be very useful and much more enjoyable to use than a trackpad, and of course is a lot cheaper than a Bluetooth mouse that costs an average of $40. { Claire Benson - Editor-In-Chief }

12{ Features DIGGING up family trees VOLUME XIV ISSUE VI MARCH 26,2014

Newly formed Genealogy Club teaches members the value of family history, long lost stories and the joy of hidden mysteries

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Mitchell Noll

Morgan Stoddard Brianna Paiva

Adaire Noonan

Hayley Wilson

Chase Charaba

{ Illustration by Anna Palmer }

y l i m Fa y g o l a e Gen Re Ro ots History cords

or many Americans, family is everything and it doesn’t have to be the family that’s living.

For a group of students meeting in ASL teacher Mitchell Noll’s room every week, it is the family that is long passed that have the most interesting stories to tell.

“These people are part of us,” said Genealogy Club advisor Noll. “We’re half of our parents, and all that DNA passes on to us.”

The Genealogy Club meets every Thursday to find out about their family heritage, and discovering things and people they never knew about in their family before.

According to club president sophomore Brianna Paiva, the club’s purpose is to help students learn about their ancestry, wherever they can be traced to.

“We’ll welcome you with open arms,” said Paiva.

Genealogy club got its start in 2013 when Noll, who had a lifelong interest in genealogy, decided he would like to share his passion with students with a similar interest. Noll said that he developed his interest many years ago when his mother showed him a chart of their family tree.

For much of the year, Genealogy club was not an official club. Because the club had no official documents or leaders.

Genealogy went unlisted for months until voting in club officers. Noll said that they ignored the fact that they weren’t an official club because they were still a young group.

“It’s a passion of mine,” said Noll. “I’ve been doing this for over 20 years, and I wanted to share that with students, so we started a club.”

Students in the club gained their interest in genealogy in a similar way to Noll. Club Director of Advertising, junior Adaire Noonan said she gained her interest in genealogy largely because of her aunt, who spoke of their family’s connection to the Chicago Mafia.

“Everyone in my family was involved with the mafia,” said Noonan.

Club Member Hayley Wilson said she became interested when watching the TV show “Who Do You Think You Are?”.

During the club’s weekly meetings, club members engage in research activities that help them trace their family lineage back generations. Outside of charting family trees, the club also has a working relationship with the ASL club, where Genealogy assists with club events in return for a share of the profits to fund their research.

The main resources for this research are online databases, such as Ancestry.com and Familysearch.org. Since family testimony can sometimes be inaccurate, club members rely on information from the databases, in the form of birth certificates, newspaper articles, and census records to determine who a person was, what they did, and where they came from.

Whether or not one’s family has meticulously kept family records, or the family tree remains shrouded in mystery, the Genealogy Club makes it their mission to find out the facts about how one’s family got to where they are today. {Doug Mayovsky - Copy Editor }

{ Photos by Doug Mayovsky }

Features

VOLUME XIV ISSUE VI MARCH 26, 2014

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Hahn makes huge impact in her community Junior Trina Hahn is avidly involved in a variety clubs at Emerald Ridge and is passionate for serving her community

Photo Credit to Anna Palmer

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long with the many other active this school,” said Hahn. participants in our school, Junior Theater is something Hahn is involved Trina Hahn is actively involved in in also. many clubs.

She helps with the costumes for a “I want to be more involved with things productions and most recently worked with and with high school pride because you “Shrek the Musical.” always have to have pride,” said Hahn.

“I love working with Peggy Hitton, she’s Hahn’s sophomore year she wasn’t incredible and makes all the costumes by involved with very much but this year is hand,” said Hahn. a different story. After reading school United Way is a club of young people newspapers, the yearbook, and seeing across the country that are helping to upperclassmen involved, Hahn made improve their local communities by giving a decision to become more apart of the and volunteering in the areas of education, school. She loves to interact , help out, and income and health. Hahn is avidly involved be involved in school spirit. in this club too.

“I thought to myself ‘I want to be more “With the United Way club I’m a youth involved’ so I did,” said Hahn. “I’m very leadership counselor,” said Hahn. “We glad I did because I would have very much organize activities, set plans to go out and regretted it [if I hadn’t].” do things like something called adopt a Being involved in family.” pep band, Jag Crew, “Working with the community is During the Interacting and Key holidays Hahn Club, GSA, student something I have done since 8th joined United council, leadership, in received grade, Interact and Key Club is so Way book club, and $250 to go out theatre consumes a involved with the community and I to Walmart and lot of Hahn’s time. buy baby clothes, “My favorite club love that.” - Junior Trina Hahn diapers, food and I’m in is GSA or other things.

Interact and Key Club,” said Hahn.

While participating in these clubs, Hahn Both Interact and Key Club and GSA are has made a lot of new relationships. among Hahn’s favorite clubs she’s involved “In GSA I have made some new with. acquaintances. I like to let people know Interact and Key Club works primarily that they can talk to me and it’s okay,” said in the community volunteering in different Hahn. areas.

Hahn wants all of this to benefit her in “Working with the community is the future, in college and job opportunities. something I have done since 8th grade,” “I really want to go to Seattle University,” said Hahn. “Interact and Key Club is so said Hahn. “These activities I participate in involved with the community and I love can help with that.” that.”

However Hahn doesn’t participate in GSA is a club that supports all sexual these clubs for her own sake. preferences and creates an environment In her future, Hahn hopes to be working that encourages those who participate. in a classroom of her own and helping “I love that I really get to help people others even further. on more of an emotional level. Help people come out to their parents, make them feel more comfortable like they have a place at { Hannalei Stevens - Reporter }

New student challenges himself in academics

S

ophomore Gabriel Schafer moves around more than the average kid. He’s lived in four states and now he’s moved to Puyallup, Washington where he continues to maintain high level classes.

“Taking such difficult classes is hard when you’re always moving around,” said Schafer. “It’s even harder to keep straight A’s in all of them to.”

Because Shafer’s Dad works for State Farm, their family has lived in Iowa, Illinois, California, and Oregon.

After living in many states that have had differing climates, Shafer loves the climate in Washington. The rain and the snow that we’ve had this year have been refreshing for Schafer.

The places he has most enjoyed living in is Illinoise and Washington. He mostly enjoys the people and the landscape.

One challenge Schafer faces is his advanced classes such as Pre AP US History and English and Pre AP Chemistry as a sophomore. Moving around makes it increasingly more difficult to keep up exceptional grade, but Shafer knows it will aid with his academics in the future and open up more opportunites for college.

English remains a favorite of Shafer’s classes because of the many friends he has made in there but he finds Algebra II to be challenging and time consuming; with hours of homework to do.

“Sometimes I have Algebra II homework that takes five hours to do,” said Schafer.

Photo Credit to Anna Palmer

Despite the multiple places Shafer has lived, friendship remains an important aspect to him. He wants to be himself while at the same time finding friends that he fits in with and enjoys being around.

“I try to make friends as fast as possible” Schafer said.

Although, sometimes moving around frequently can cause distance between family members it has done the opposite for Schafer’s family.

He and his family have become closer overtime even though it hasn’t been all easy.

“When we first moved here my brother threw a fit, saying he wanted to go back home,” said Schafer.

Now, Washington has become one of their favorite places they have lived.

Schafer continues to remain positive in everything that happens.

“My life motto is, I suck at it but I love it,” said Schafer.

Schafer continues to challenge himself in his classes and friendships. { Melina Stone - Reporter }

14{ Advertisements VOLUME XIV ISSUE VI MARCH 26, 2014

Counseling and Career Corner

ATTENTION SENIORS

www.erhs.org - Counselor FREE SAT and ACT prep resources! http://www.khanacademy.org/sat (SAT prep) https://www.march2success.com/ (SAT and ACT prep) www.collegeboard.com (SAT prep and registration) http://www.act.org/aap/pdf/Preparing-for-the-ACT.pdf (ACT) DATE

DEADLINES ARE CLOSER THAN THEY APPEAR Graduation is right around the corner

EVENT

FOR

March 28

Boys & Girls State apps due to Ms. Hager in CCC

Juniors

March 29 April 6

Spring Break! This is a great time for students to consider working on community service hours, go on college visits, pursue credit retrieval options, etc.

All

April 4

Registration Deadline for the May 3rd SAT test

All

April 8 & 9

AP Testing preregistration (advisory + jag)

ALL students enrolled in one or more AP classes. (Seniors Apr. 8; Juniors and Sophomores Apr. 9)

April 8 - 18

Senior Board Practice Speeches

Seniors

April 12

ACT Test

All

April 15

AP test payments due to ERHS Bookkeeper ($89/test; check with your AP teacher if you need a fee waiver form)

ALL students enrolled in one or more AP classes.

April 25

IPR #5 (Interim Progress Report) visible in HAC

All students and parents

May 1 & 2

Senior Boards

Seniors

May 5 - 16

AP Testing (Advanced Placement)

All students in AP courses

May 21

Senior Honors & Awards Night, ERHS Auditorium (by invitation) 7pm

Invited seniors and their family members

May 26

IPR #6 (Interim Progress Report) visible in HAC

All students and parents

May 28

ERHS Local Scholarship Reception (by invitation) 4pm, ERHS Commons

Invited seniors and their family members

But, FIRST you must pass Senior Boards, order your cap and gown, and ALL fines must be paid off

Good luck to Newspaper, Video Productions and Yearbook as they head down to San Diego for the National Journalism Convention!

Student Life VOLUME XIV ISSUE VI MARCH 26, 2014

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Book Club opens eyes

Recipe: cucumber salad

t was four years ago when Mark Wilson first walked through the ER doors as its new librarian. He made himself right at home, ready to share all the knowledge of books that he had.

As the new year was about to begin, Wilson created something new for the students. Something that would appeal to all of those who love to get lost within the world of fiction: Book Club.

The number of students in this day and age who actually enjoy reading continues to decrease over the years.

There are still plenty of people at this school who enjoy a good book every now and then, but it’s not as many as the generation before. That is what Book Club represents; the people that still love to read in the coming age.

Meeting approximately every other week, Book Club comes together to talk about the list of books that they plan to read for the year. At least 10 books are covered over the year, followed with discussions about the member’s likes and dislikes with the stories. This is the main focus for entire club.

“We just discuss it to express our opinions, and we also vote on the best Young Reader’s Choice book,” junior member Hollie Woods said.

This year, Book Club is reading from the Young Reader’s Choice list. These books are the top favorites chosen

Ingredients:

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from children across the schools. The club then votes on their favorite book, and submits it to the Pacific Northwest Library Association.

It seems that for this year, the club’s favorite book is “Divergent,” written by Veronica Roth. The only exception is Wilson himself, who reads the books with the members. His favorite pick of the litter was “Ready Player One” by Ernest Cline.

“It’s one of the fun parts of my job, but sometimes the other parts interfere with that,” Wilson said.

The club tries its hardest to stay regular, but there are so many complications with the schedule.

Meetings get pushed back, deadlines are missed with the finishing of a book, and everything just gets cramped together.

It may feel like a lot of work just to read a few books, but it’s worth it for these kids. They love to read and that’s all that matters to them.

It’s great to see that there are people in the younger generation that want to keep the joy of reading alive. Books allow you to escape from the real world into a completely different one filled with adventure, excitement, and a great feeling of accomplishment when you reach the end. { Dana Brown - Reporter }

- Large bowl - Medium bowl - Whipping cream - Two large cucumbers - One small red onion - Dill - Salt - Pepper - Oil - Vinegar { Melina Stone - Reporter }

Directions: - For cucumbers: 1. Very thinly slice up two large cucumbers 2. Put salt over the slices and let it sit for 10-15 minutes (salt drains out all the water) 3. Cut the red onion in very small cubes 4. Cut four strands of dill very fine - For dressing 1. Mix three tbsp. oil and one-two tbsp. vinegar together 2. Add the onions and dill 3. Add salt and pepper 4. Add 2 tbsp. water 5. Add one cup heavy whipping cream After the 10-15 minutes are up, grab a handful of cucumbers and start squeezing the water out. Put them in the dressing bowl continue this till cucumbers are empty Add salt and pepper as needed { Recipe provided by Melina Stone - Reporter }

What crazy thing did you hear in the hall, today?

These are annonymous quotes from the hallways of Emerald Ridge

“What’s a placenta?”

“You got eggs, bro?”

“What if we had tuxedos that were made out of straws cut in half?”

“I don’t know why everyone’s so excited for college. I’m excited for retirement.”

“What is life?”

“What if cows meowed?”

“I hate you.”

“Why?” “Because I just do.”

“Moths do not have a law system, nor do they commit crimes.”

“My hatred of Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Matinence is as bad as my hatred for crocks.”

“Sir, you misplaced your banana.”

“Everytime I hear a song, I sing to myself. “ “Thats five extra credit points for your lunch grade!”

“I love Harry Potter, though!”

“Yeah, but that doesn’t make you Hagrid.”

“3/21/14 is the best day at school because Mercer Island beat the Blue Devils 78 - 71.”

“Who’s the new kid?” “...I’m a teacher.” { Collected by JagWire staff }

The Beat - Mar./Apr. Giving you the lowdown on the South Sound 26 Fastpitch 4:00 p.m. @ Rogers HS

27 Tr a c k / f i e l d 3:30 p.m. @ Puyallup HS

28 Concert choir tour

29 Concert choir tourh track meet @ 3:00 p.m.

30 National D o c to r ’s Day

31 Spring break

1 Spring break April..Fool’s Day

2 Spring break

3 Spring break

4 Spring break Captain America released

5 Daffodil parade

6

7 Baseball 4:00 p.m. @ Bethel HS

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9

10 One Acts 7:00 to 10:00 p.m. in auditorium

11 One Acts 7:00 to 10:00 p.m. in auditorium

12 One Acts 7:00 to 10:00 p.m. in auditorium

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14 Girls water polo 4:30 p.m. @ Rogers

15 Lunar eclipse Titanic 102nd anniversary

16

17

18 Hypokritz show 7:00 to 10:00 p.m.

19

21

22

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20 Easter Sunday

Earth Day

Transcendance released to theatres

24 Tennis 3:30 p.m. vs...Graham-

Kapowsin

ERHS track O r e g o n relays

25 Soccer..7:30 p.m. @ Jag a t h l e t i c complex

Student tips for teachers -Interact with us more than we interact with textbooks.

-Rushing through the lesson for the sake of getting through it stresses us out and makes it hard to learn.

-Don’t ask us simple questions that we all know the answer to - it feels pointless for us to answer and then we all just sit there and wait for someone to answer it.

-Please don’t give us busy work for any reason. It makes us feel like you don’t care, and, honestly, we have other things we could be doing.

-Please don’t post how many kids got A’s, B’s, etc, after a test. Even if you don’t use names, the one kid who got 60% knows who they are and it just makes them feel stupid.

-Have us do do a variety of activities that sometimes involve moving and interacting - it’s hard to focus and stay awake constantly for an hour and a half.

-When giving us a task, tell us how long we’ll be doing it - it’s a lot easier to focus if we know how long it needs to be for, instead of feeling like it will be indefinitely.

-Tell us how what we’re learning is applicable. We’ll learn it better, be more interested, and it won’t feel pointless. { Brynn Adams - A&E editor }