JagWire | Volume 2 | Issue 5 | Jan. 18, 2002

20 « FEATURE

18 JANUARY 2002 » THE JAGWIRE

THE JAGWIRE « 18 JANUARY 2002

GOOLD: LORD OF THE RINK VICKI MEDLOCK REPORTER ophomore Hillary Goold first became interested in skating five years ago. The type of skating she enjoys is not on ice, however, and there’s no dancing involved. Speed skating involves wearing full-body spandex uniforms, safety helmets and racing on wooden floors at high speeds against opponents.

“You wanna try it?” Stephanie Brader, a senior at Rogers, asked Goold years ago as she looked in at a pair of skates for sale behind the Tiffany’s showcase.

Goold’s decision to take up speed skating is a decision she’s been happy with ever since. She bought the skates that day and she began attending to her friend Stephanie’s sessions to participate with her team. She really enjoyed this, so she then went to Pre-Club, where coaches choose who they want on their teams, and this is where her current coach Dennis King picked her.

The teams range in sizes, up to 40 girls, and have practices year-round.

Goold’s team practices three times a week at Tiffany’s Skate-In. “It’s a lot of fun,” Goold said. “I like how we get to travel and I really like my teammates.” Strictly a speed skater, Goold does not participate in any school sports, but she does enjoy rollerblading outdoors, in her spare time.

Goold said that traveling sometimes interferes with school, since out of state meets require her to be gone for a week, but local meets are held on the weekends.

In her four and a half years of skating, Goold has qualified for Nationals three times in 1997, 1998 and 1999. To qualify for Nationals, skaters have to place high in

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“I

WAS REALLY

EXCITED, PUMPED AND READY TO GO” HILLARY GOOLD

»

COURTESY GOOLD FAMILY

Regionals, which are held in Oregon each summer in June. The first year, Goold went to Nationals in Pensacola, Florida, and then the following year she made nationals, but did not attend. In 1999, she com- peted at Nationals in Syracuse, New York.

“I was really excited, pumped and ready to go,” Goold said about the two times she made it to Nationals. Though she did not place high enough to progress to the semi-

finals each time, she still had a lot of fun.

For the future, Goold has heard that speed skating on hard wood will become an Olympic event, and she would use this as a longterm goal to compete.

For now, Goold has set her sites on one person she would really like to compete against and beat, once she returns from the break she has taken.

A girl in her division, by the name of Jennifer Dowfe, is known for

winning all her races, and Goold would really like to beat her in competition.

“I’ve beat her in a practice run before, but not in an actual meet,” Goold said.

This may be a sport where speed determines the winner, but speed skating can hardly be called a non-contact sport.

“I’ve run into walls, poles, been trampled over, pushed and shoved,” Goold said, “but I still love it.”

jagwire 1/15/02, 9:23 PM

8

GIVING BACK: ER SERVICE PROJECTS

17

SENIOR HANNAH WELLS

18

WAITING FOR STAR WARS

EMERALD RIDGE HS - 12405 184TH ST E, SOUTH HILL, WA 98374 - VOL II ISSUE 5 - 18 JANUARY 2002

2 « NEWS

18 JANUARY 2002 » THE JAGWIRE

THE JAGWIRE « 18 JANUARY 2002

Neighbors swap homes for the sake of TV

» JAGGED EDGE >>

The ERHS staff ’s United Way drive raised $3,840. This exceeded their goal by three percent.

>>

>>

The debate team competed in the Inland Empire Classic Debate Tournament at Gonzaga University Jan. 3-4. Senior Daniel Joyce made it to the finals portion of the competition.

>>

The ERHS website can now be accessed with a new, shorter address: www.erhs.org Staff email addresses can also be reached by using a shorter version: first initial + last name@psd.k12.org (i.e. iam@psd.k12.org).

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:.::.:.::.:.::.: kennell smith

In honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day there will be no school Mon., Jan. 21.

What brand of T.P. do you use? :.:: Kirkland Signature What is your favorite cereal? :.:: Frosted Mini Wheats What kind of car do you drive? :.:: A 1998 Chevy 4x4.

Wed., Jan. 30 (during World Week) is the end of first semester and will be an early release day.

>> >>

The Vocal Solo and Ensemble Contest will take place Sat., Feb. 9, at Emerald Ridge.

What is your favorite place? :.:: Pike Place Market Word(s) you use most often? :.:: “Oh, Wow!”

:.::.:.::.:.::.: bethany Reich

Mid-winter break is Mon. and Tues., Feb. 18-19.

The second annual art show will be held in the library Fri., Jan. 18, through Thurs. Jan. 24. A special evening gallery show will be open to the community Wed., Jan. 23, 6-8 p.m.

What is your favorite cereal? :.:: Life What kind of car do you drive? :.:: Nissan Maxima Words of Wisdom? :.:: “Give it your all.”

Free Confidential No Pressure FREE Pregnancy Testing Ultrasounds (when needed) Community Referrals Educational Information

Facing an Unplanned Pregnancy?

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Puyallup

Word(s) you use most often? :.:: “Yeah Baby!”

What is your favorite place to go? :.:: Anywhere I can sleep.

What is your favorite food? :.:: My mother’s lasagna.

:.::

Gold medalist Megan Quann, senior, will conclude the upcoming Olympic torch relay ceremonies Jan. 23. She will anchor the relay by carrying the 3½-pound torch into the Seattle Arena. Quann will receive an outfit to wear and the opportunity to purchase the torch at $325. Four other Puyallup residents share the honor with Quann: Justin Carr, Kerry Fisher, Amanda Sandberg and Larry Sorenson, Jr.

What kind of car do you drive? :.:: A Buick Century What was your favorite T.V. show when you were little? :.:: Power Rangers

g rade 12

» TORCH RELAY UPDATE: Quann carries

What brand of T.P. do you use? :.:: Charmin What is your favorite place? :.:: My bedroom What is your favorite food? :.:: Cereal-Captain Crunch

The Instrumental Solo/Ensemble Contest will take place Sat., Feb. 2, at Decatur High School. >>

Informational emails are available for parents and students wishing to receive updates on general and specific school events. Those interested may sign up to be put on the listserv through the school’s website.

knows your name

g rade 11 :.::

>>

>>

w

everybody

COMPILED BY KRISTIN KLEIN

The Pierce County Soccer Officials Association awarded the boys soccer team the sportsmanship award at the winter assembly, for demonstrating integrity on the field.

>>

themselves.

“Most of the decorating was left in the hands of the designers,” Raden said. “We were just there for damage control.”

Fortunately, despite the lack of say in alterations by their neighbors, the Radens came home to find a new family room decor that they could live with.

“We’re leaving most of it,” Raden said. “We’re just rearranging some of the furniture.”

Their neighbors though were not as pleased with the outcome. In fact, they have already changed the show’s design.

Raden said while it was a good experience resulting in a new and fresh family room, it is not something that she or her family would do again.

“It was a great one-time experience,” Laureen Jobe, Nicole’s mother said.

The episode will air tomorrow, but channels may vary, so be sure to check your local listings.

:.::

choices, selecting the Radens as one of six finalists. Next they had to take part in a phone interview with one of the show’s producers, where they were asked questions about their family and home. It was this interview that sealed the fate of their family room and their neighbor’s living room.

The deed was then done at the end of November. During this twoday, 40-hour filming duration, Nicole, her parents and even the family dog were displaced from their home and were not allowed to return until the project was complete.

“We had to go stay with friends for three days even though it only took two days to film,” Raden said.

Once the construction was complete, the families returned to view their homes and the work put in by their neighbors and designers.

The decoration choices for both houses, however, were left mainly to the professional designers and reflected little of the homeowners

g rade 10

COURTESY OF THE JOBE FAMILY

The Trading Spaces crew includes of professional designers who help the homeowners redecorate a room in their neighbors home

DAVID MILES MANAGING EDITOR Why do-it-yourself when you can have your neighbors do it for you?

That is a concept made popular by The Learning Channel and its hit show, Trading Spaces. Trading Spaces is a show in which neighbors receive $1,000 to remodel or redecorate one room in each other’s homes.

Guidelines are established between the show and participants in order to protect those items which the family wishes to keep unaltered.

The concept of neighborly redecorating is the bait which hooked the Raden family. Junior Nicole Raden and her family applied via the Internet to have their home, as well as their neighbor’s, featured on the show as one of three episodes filmed locally in Wash.

“It’s just my mom’s favorite show,” Raden said.

After making the first cut, the producers narrowed down their

e r e h

SPOTLIGHT » 19

:.::.:.::.:.::.: lee Rushton

253-770-8697 Out of Area 1-800-395-HELP

1/15/02, 10:10 PM

18 JANUARY 2002 » THE JAGWIRE

18 « A&E

Star Wars fans face the elements for Episode II RICK BERGH A&E EDITOR A line of people waiting to see Lord of the Rings extends from the front of the Cinerama Theater in Seattle. Around the corner to the left, Jeff Tweiten and John Guth are waiting for another movie. They’re waiting for the next Star Wars installment, Episode II: Attack of the Clones, which will be released in approximately four months.

Visitors to the site find that there are four chairs lined up along the wall of the theater. Tweiten and Guth occupy the two closest to the entrance.

Around them lie various provisions: shopping bags, blankets, a laptop computer and an alarm clock. The two are well prepared for the bitter cold they face every night, with gloves on their hands and blankets wrapped around their bodies. Above their heads are several signs. One says, “Seattle Star Wars Society,” the group of which Guth is the president and Tweiten is a member. Another says, “Waiting for Star Wars.” A third informs passers-by of the expected release date of Episode II: May 16.

The two men may be doing little besides waiting, but they are far from bored. There is a constant stream of visitors, both friends and strangers.

Despite frequently negative coverage from the media, the visitors are overwhelmingly on the friendly side.

It’s fairly common for friends to show up, greeting the waiting duo with a cheerful, “What are you idiots doing here?!” The actual naysayers tend to

save themselves the effort and just throw insults via Internet.

“They have no fear getting online and voicing their opinions and their hate, but they don’t have the [guts] to come and tell it to us to our faces,” Guth said.

The wait began for Tweiten on Jan. 1. Guth joined him a couple days later. Many people wonder why they’re waiting outside a theater already, at a time when tickets are not in any kind of demand.

“It’s for art and for fun, that’s all this is about. We have no grudges about people; we have no real agenda other than we just really like Star Wars.

Jeff has his art project that he wants to do, and I’m here to support it,” Guth said.

Tweiten’s art aspect revolves around waiting. Tweiten does very little but that, rarely straying far from the immediate area around his chair.

The farthest he travels is to the hotel across the street, which offered the pair a shower to use. Guth, on the other hand, leaves his post more frequently. He stresses that they are not in a line; they are merely waiting to buy tickets. Therefore, he sees no problem in leaving briefly to wash laundry, get supplies and download e-mails to his laptop. He has been confronted over this issue, and described a conversation he had with a critic.

“I was like, ‘Show me the rule book where it says that I can’t go home to check my e-mail.’ Why can’t I do that? Jeff is still here. Hook me up with Internet access over here, and

I’ll be a happy man.”

A wireless Internet connection is planned for the near future, as well as holding meetings of the Star Wars Society at the theater, which is where they held Episode I events in 1999.

The men take criticism in stride, and joke around with visitors. One man arrived, saying, “You must be the guys on the radio.” John, not missing a beat, replied, “Probably, unless there’s somebody else waiting for Star Wars.”

Many people wonder if the two have jobs. Tweiten is an artist, currently devoting all of his time to his project K. BERGH on the nature of waiting.

John Guth and Jeff Tweiten plan to wait outside the Cinerama Theater for Guth, on the other hand, the next four months in anticipation of the next Star Wars film. owns his own company.

“I work for myself and I set my own schedule, and as long as I doing here?’” Guth said. “I’m not that no one else has really thougth of have some kind of computer access necessarily looking for charity, but I doing, people think it’s strange. And and a telephone, I can run things,” like to see the goodness in everyone. it’s strange; I’ll be the first to admit Guth said.

I like it when somebody is going to this is strange. This isn’t normal. But Despite the teasing on the radio look at something and have a heart that’s what makes it fun and unique, and television, cold nights and wet about it.” ‘cause it isn’t normal,” Guth said. days, Guth says he enjoys spending Guth and Tweiten still have no They now have a website – his time waiting for Star Wars. His regrets about committing their time www.waitingforstarwars.com with favorite time of the day is when a to this project. While they may be pictures of their wait and updates on showing of a movie is about to start gaining major media attention right day-to-day events. They take photos at the Cinerama, when lots of people now, Guth expects the flurry to die of themselves every hour, to record come by and react to seeing him and down over the next couple of weeks. the entire ordeal. Guth says they don’t Tweiten. He also appreciates support He attributes the attention they’re really know what to expect over the in whatever form it arrives. getting to the fact that nobody has next four months.

“I love it when somebody comes ever waited outside a theater for a “We went into this with no up to us and says, ‘Hey, what can we movie as long as they plan to. expectation, and whatever do to help?’ or ‘What are you guys “Because we’re doing something happens, happens.”

Theatrical portrayal of classic a masterpiece, pleases audiences CASEY SMYTH REPORTER It’s taken some serious trying by Hollywood to create a great movie from a great book, but they’ve finally done it.

Director Peter Jackson took the time, the money and the heart to create a masterwork of theater, which actually improves upon the smaller parts of the book The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring.

The special effects are wondrously produced, and not used in such a fashion that come off as looking flaky or over produced, from the magic of Gandalf, to the beautifully produced,

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fire-ridden Balrog. While there are omissions in the movie, such as the exclusion of characters Tom Bombadil and Glorfindel, they are small omissions that could easily be removed, not necessarily relating to the direct area of the story.

When a ring of great power and terror falls into the possession of Frodo Baggins (Elijah Wood) from his uncle, Bilbo (Ian Holm), he is visited by his friend, Gandalf the Grey (Ian McKellan), a wizard. Gandalf bids him to take the ring to the place of its creation, Mount Doom, where the dark lord, Sauron, forged it.

Frodo begins to set out with his faithful companion and servant,

“...DIRECTOR PETER JACKSON TOOK THE TIME, THE MONEY AND THE HEART TO CREATE A MASTERWORK OF THEATER...”

Samwise (Sean Astin) toward the city of Bree, where they await Gandalf with their friends Merry (Dominic Monaghan) and Pippin (Billy Boyd).

In Bree, the group runs into a new ally, Strider (Viggo Mortensen), a warrior who knows more of

their troubles than they could possibly imagine.

The computer-generation in Fellowship is used in one of the most tasteful fashions when creating the various armies that populate MiddleEarth. The massive Orc invasion in Moria is one of the most real-looking scenes of any movie in recent history.

The overall look of the film emits a glow of time and care, from the introduction of the Elven and human armies to the final moments of the movie involving the Uruk-Hai. While there are some parts of J.R.R. Tolkien’s book that are forcibly truncated in the movie, the story does not necessarily revolve around them.

The book, Fellowship of the Ring goes more in depth on the time it takes for the group to travel from place to place (such as Rivendell to Moria), taking time for almost each day. More stringent fans of Tolkien would throw a fit over this idea, but the fact is, this would probably make the movie about six hours long.

Fellowship combines the great story of Tolkien’s tale, well-done acting, and the tasteful use of computergenerated imaging. The action scenes are the best of any movie this year, and the in-depth makeup is unmatched. With a three hour running time, Fellowship of the Rings is the best Hollywood has to offer.

THE JAGWIRE « 18 JANUARY 2002

NEWS » 3

Students address traffic, parking at forum Administration looks to lane alterations as possible solution SHEA AHNA REPORTER In hopes of solving the traffic problem at Emerald Ridge, one which increases each time another sophomore turns 16, the ASB Cabinet hosted a public student forum regarding the topic. At the forum, students and staff voiced their concerns. They also offered potential solutions.

One of the paramount topics of discussion was that of priority parking for seniors. It was suggested by several attendees that assigned parking would serve to appease the senior class’s want of preferential privileges.

“My feeling on assigned parking is very strong. I’m strongly for it.

Getting to know where people park is a big part of security; it allows us to be able to know who is where

and why,” Dan Spicer, security officer and forum panel member, said of senior parking.

Gerald Denman, vice Principal, disagrees. “We don’t segregate. We’ve worked very hard to make sure everyone feels equal and welcome,” Denman said. “I don’t think parking is the route we want to take [to address seniority]. It doesn’t fit with Emerald Ridge’s philosophy.”

Activities coordinator Jay Bates also fears the effects of seniority-based parking. He claims that if the school institutes a policy of seniority this year, subsequent classes will also want similar privileges, thus perpetuating customs that, as Denman said, do not agree with the school’s philosophy of equality among classes.

Another topic of discussion was the blocking of exits while the first wave of buses departs. Tardiness of

these runs to later stops forced the as well as Sunrise, the Emerald Ridge district, in conjunction with Emerald community has two possible Ridge, to find a workable solution to solutions. help the buses run on time. Denman According to Denman, the ERHS said of the policy, “[Bus tardiness] was administration is considering a district problem. expanding the We’re helping the entrance to the community and school to two lanes other schools.” in the morning, with “IF STUDENTS CARE According to one lane leaving, and ABOUT ANY COMMUNITY the six elementwo lanes exiting in DECISION, THEY HAVE TO tary schools and the after-noon, with one junior high one lane entering.

SPEAK WITH THEIR affected, the In short, what is VOICES AND THEIR problem of bus now the turn lane’s FEET.“ tardiness has direction will be been largely based on the time of JAY BATES improved, day, and the adminthough some istration hopes, will lapses still do occur. As a result of make the mass entrance and exodus the policy’s effectiveness, it is likely of hundreds of cars easier. the blocking of exits will continue.

The most ambitious solution To address congestion coming proposed was that of another road to and leaving school on 122nd Street coming to the school from the

Sunrise community.

According to Bates, if the need is dire enough and if there is enough student and community support for the installment, a campaign could be run. However, great change requires great effort.

“If students care about any community decision, they have to speak with their voices and their feet,” Bates said.

Bates would like to see students present at council meetings. He believes people will be heard if they speak in great numbers about the need for another road.

“What frustrates me is people get [upset] about complaining and are suddenly silent when it comes to solution,” Bates said. “If you want action, take action. If not, stop complaining and live with your misery.”

THE LEGACY

Students celebrate, honor King’s vision KRISTIN KLEIN REPORTER

“The issues Dr. King stood for are timeless: Justice, liberty, and equality. It’s important for students to be informed about this,” multicultural club advisor Condee Holbrook said. “His dreams and ideas will motivate others to continue his ideals. Dr. King fought for peace with peace.”

1/16/02, 9:31 AM

Approximately 50 students became involved with the preparation for the Martin Luther King assembly this year. They have spent many hours after school and on weekends over the past month preparing for the assembly.

“We have spent a lot of days after school working on this. The students have just been amazing with getting lines memorized, with the artwork and with their work on the multi-media stuff. It’s well worth all of the effort to honor this man who did so much for our country,” junior Daniel Armenta said.

With the amount of effort students have dedicated to this assembly, Holbrook feels that the assembly will be just as good if not better than last year.

“I’ve been really impressed with the students involved,” Holbrook said. “Some were reluctant to be involved, but as they have learned more, they have become more and more excited. Whatever happens when the assembly comes I will be completely proud.”

Last year’s assembly far exceeded many student and staff expectations.

“Last year the assembly was amazing. This year won’t be any different than that,” Armenta said. “I hope the assembly is moving. Martin Luther King changed this country, and we don’t want the memory of him to die.”

» IN HIS WORDS ...

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”

- Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. FEW HAVE HAD AS MUCH IMPACT UPON THE AMERICAN CONSCIOUSNESS AS THE LATE CIVIL-RIGHTS LEADER DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. THIS YEAR IS THE 73RD ANNIVERSARY OF KING’S BIRTH.

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4 « NEWS

18 JANUARY 2002 » THE JAGWIRE

THE JAGWIRE « 18 JANUARY 2002

SPORTS » 17

Voters to decide on Puyallup schools future PUYALLUP SCHOOL DISTRICT LEVY: FAQS ERIC KATHER REPORTER As Feb. 5 rolls around, voters of Puyallup and its surrounding area will decide the fate of the Puyallup School District’s Maintenance and Operations levy.

According to Director of Administrative Ser vices Tony Apostle, this levy will replace the current levy and does not overlap any previous levy. The tax rate will remain constant at $3.45 per $1,000 of assessed valuation through 2006.

Puyallup is placing a four-year levy before voters, Apostle said, to save on election costs and to offer better long-range planning. The money from this levy would be used to maintain the current educational programs offered to our students.

The school district depends on local tax levy dollars which are not funded by the state to fund programs and activities, such as school security, special education, highly capable programs, facility maintenance, athletics, music programs, food service, student activities, instructional technology, gifted program, and transportation to after school activities. This funding also supports textbooks and other teaching materials.

In addition to the programs above, Apostle says the levy will pay for 45 additional teachers to reduce classes to more reasonable sizes.

Finally, the levy will pay for more nurses in Puyallup’s schools.

“In short, this levy touches every program in our district,” Apostle said. “By choosing to do a four-year levy instead of a two-year, the school district is saving money on election costs. Approximately $100,00.”

Q. Why do school districts need M & O levies?

A. The Washington State Legislature has defined a funding formula for basic education below the current levels of staffing and services provided by the Puyallup School District. To make up the difference, the Puyallup School District, like others in the state, must submit Maintenance and Operation elections to voters in an effort to maintain current staffing and services.

“HANNAH

A GREAT LEADER AT THE SAME TIME.

Hannah

A. A special levy is a one-year tax on property for a fixed dollar amount and it does not fluctuate with reassessment. A recommendation to the school board proposes four one-year levies to be collected in 2003, 2004, 2005, and 2006. These are replacement levies and do not overlap any pervious year’s levy. Like other school districts, Puyallup prefers to submit a four-year proposal because we save election costs and staff time, as well as make it possible for the district to do better long-range planning. The election will be held on February 5, 2002. There is one ballot proposal for the four years.

Q. How much is the levy?

A. The proposal is for $24.5 million in 2003, $26.1 million in 2004, $27.9 million in 2005, and $30.0 million in 2006. These dollar amounts are fixed by a formula determined by the state legislature. .Q. What are the election requirements?

A. M&O ballot propositions require a super-majority vote. That means that at least 60% of the votes must be “YES” in order for the M&O ballot proposition to pass. A minimum of 5,622 votes must be cast in favor of the proposition.

Q. What are the differences between an M & O levy and a bond? Didn’t we already approve a bond in 1997?

WELLS VICKI MEDLOCK REPORTER

Although a sophomore, Hannah Wells is already considered an invaluable asset to the girls varsity basketball team.

A. A bond pays for capital construction and feels a little like a mortgage because it is repaid over 15-20 years. Our current M & O levy provides for day to day operations and expires in December 2002. Yes, the voters did pass a bond in 1997. That bond paid for projects such as the construction of Emerald Ridge High School, the remodels of Ballou Jr. High and Rogers High School.

“Hannah has great composure and effort… she’s one of those

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players who leads by example,” head coach Cindy Watters said.

Wells has been playing basketball since the fourth grade, starting out on Rec teams and progressing to more competitive AAU (Amateur Athletic Union)

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teams.

1/15/02, 10:33 PM

Competition is a large part of why Wells loves basketball. She also loves the intense atmosphere of the games.

“When I stuff somebody’s shot and hear the crowd’s response,” Wells said, “it really gets me riled up.”

Hannah has a love for the game of basketball and many people who she says really motivate her.

“My parents have always motivated me to do well in sports and my sister also. She plays basketball right now at Western,” Wells said.

She also believes her teammates are a tremendous motivation to her; she contributes her doing well to them.

“Unity is really important in playing well as a team,” Wells said.

Wells has goals of her own and she shares the overall team goals as well. She would like to average at least 12 points a game, and grab a lot more rebounds. By her senior year she hopes to have college offers from division I and II schools, and to be at the “top of her game. The team as a whole, she says, has a goal of keeping their intensity level up into the second half.

“Hannah is a very talented person,” sophomore and teammate Mallory Townsend said. “The tempo changes when she comes onto the court.”

Aside from basketball, Wells enjoys acting. She played Cocoa in the school play FAME, and she will play a role in the upcoming Martin Luther King assembly. She also keeps up on her studies, maintaining a high GPA.

COACH WATTERS

16 « SPOTLIGHT

18 JANUARY 2002 » THE JAGWIRE

NEWS » 5

THE JAGWIRE « 18 JANUARY 2002

Vandals still at large “MUSIC

BEN PETERSON

Investigation continues

REALLY

IS SOMETHING THAT PUSHES ME.

ONE

NATHAN JENDRICK NEW MEDIA EDITOR

OF

Perpetrators recently inflicted approximately $14,000 of damage upon school property. With a hotwired excavator, they destroyed fences, crushed benches and dug into the tennis court.

According to Charles Ranes, grounds-crew foreman for the Puyallup School District, the total estimated cost to repair the damage inflicted on Dec. 4 is between $12,000 and $14,000. The 300 feet of fence that needs to be replaced is estimated to cost roughly $9,900, alone.

“As far as I’m concerned this is one of the worst cases of vandalism we’ve seen,” Ranes said. Other than the fire at Ballou Jr. High, Ranes continued, “We normally deal with things that are [in comparison] very minor.”

Senior Christy Gretzner found and reported the machine to administrators the

THE BIGGEST THRILLS IS TO PLAY THE PIECE PERFECTLY, TO GET EVERYTHING RIGHT, IT IS SO REWARDING.”

HE’S AN ALL-AROUND GOOFY GUY. Life is fun for him.

Though he tries not to take too many things seriously, he makes an exception for music.

Playing the saxophone is a lifetime passion for senior Ben Peterson.

Peterson is one of the guys you see in the stands at football and basketball games, dressed with school pride, getting the teams and the crowd pumped with music.

“We have to be at the games for Pep-Band, and Mr. Minkler gives us the green light to show pride in the band. It’s really a fun experience to just be crazy,” he said.

Peterson expresses his enthusiasm through his game attire. At most games he dresses in unique costumes as he cheers on the team.

“My ability to laugh and have fun in any situation is sometimes a good thing, and sometimes it’s not,” Peterson said. “I’m not a very serious person, everything is just a big joke. I get in trouble a lot for being this way.”

Peterson gives credit to his family, especially his father, for

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his passion in music. “I guess music just runs in my family.

My dad is a huge inspiration for me. He has composed music for professional choirs, and he composed for our band this year.

It is the coolest feeling, that’s my dad. It makes me really proud.”

His mom is very supportive of him, too. Peterson played his saxophone in both of the school musicals; Grease and Fame.

“When my mom came to the play, the previous two nights no one had clapped, and when I played that night she got everyone to clap. My mom is my biggest fan,” he said.

To share his love for music with others, Peterson has been teaching jazz band at Ferrucci Junior High as part of his culminating project.

“I really enjoy teaching the kids. It’s great to see that they really have a desire to learn jazz.

It’s an awesome feeling to see them enjoy music and really learn it, because it is something that I love so much,” Peterson said.

Peterson hopes to attend Central Washington University next year to study music. He enjoys high school, but is ready

for college.

“I have so many hours of homework for AP classes now.

After I get it all done, I’ll have more time to focus on practicing and will bring my playing up to the next level, one more step up to perfect-ion.”

He is dedicated to his music and always tries to be positive.

“Music really is something that pushes me.

One of the biggest thrills is to play the piece perfectly, to get everything right, it is so rewarding,” Peterson said.

“I’m just a really fun person. I live life and have fun with it. I try not to get bogged down with problems.

I just have a good time.”

STEPHANIE NORDEAN //JAGWIRE

KLEIN By Kristin klein

“IT

WOULD HAVE BEEN

FUNNIER IF [THE VANDALS] WOULD HAVE TAKEN THE EXCAVATOR AND PLACED IT SOMEWHERE...NOT DESTROYED THINGS.” CHRISTY GRETZNER

report, and she included fiancé and former Emerald Ridge student Shaun Pelland, because both had gone and walked the trail the night after the incident occurred.

An officer from the Pierce County Sheriff’s department then went to Rogers High School where Pelland, who

works in construction with the same type of machines, attends, and pulled him from class to question him. “They asked me what I knew, if I knew anyone who may have done it, and they asked me about Christy’s student life,” Pelland said.

Officially, the police have never stated that Gretzner and Pelland are suspects.

“It would have been funnier if [the vandals] would have taken the excavator around and placed it somewhere ... not destroyed things,” Gretzner said.

School security says they do have people of interest in the case, but cannot release any names or any further information while it is still under investigation.

As far as using the fields and court again, Ranes is optimistic as to the time frame of the repairs. “The [tennis] court should be playable within three weeks,” he said.

JIM MEYERHOFF

On January 8, the Hyprocrites performed a skit about civil discourse in order to prepare students for upcoming World Week. Students will be participating in a United Nations simulation in order to get a better Understanding of international culture and relations.

High cost, poor turnout cancel Grad Night JEN KILLPACK REPORTER

BY KRISTEN

morning of the incident.

“Stealing something is one thing, destruction of property is another,” Gretzner said in response to her discovery.

Authorities later required Gretzner to fill out an incident

Dancing under the stars at 2 a.m., bungee jumping and gokart racing were some of the activities planned for this year’s senior Graduation Night.

However, for the 30 seniors who signed up, they will need to rely on alternative plans, for Grad Night has been officially cancelled.

For the last three months, a planning committee of 15 adults and 10 seniors has been preparing grad night. “[The cancellation is] disappointing,” committee member Amanda Christian said, “because I don’t think students know how far

1/15/02, 9:55 PM

behind other high school seniors we are, and we really wanted to give ER seniors a chance to go to a Grad Night.”

For Grad Night to have received the green light, 150 seniors were needed to sign up for the event.

Two main reasons detoured seniors from signing up for the event. The cost of grad night was $135, and many of the seniors were appalled about the cost. “We’re graduating, and we shouldn’t have to pay for more school activities,” senior Kjellesea Tjerne said.

However, for a safe night filled with unlimited video games, food and various activities, Christian said, “It

wasn’t an unreasonable expense at all.”

Many seniors did not sign up because they felt it was a huge commitment. Senior Michelle Memovich said, “I don’t want to be obligated to [go to Grad Night] because something else might come up.” At this point seniors have planned trips to various places such as Cancun and New York City.

“I don’t want to spend more money on an extra ‘senior trip’ when I’ll already be spending a lot on my real senior trip,” senior Melanie Howard said.

Although the majority of the senior class decided not to

sign up, those who did were excited about the event. “Grad night was a chance for us to get together one last time before we all go off on our own,” senior Hannah Thompson said. Other seniors claimed they’ve already checked out.

“We’re graduating to get away from school, not to prolong the torture,” senior Lyssa Ikerd said.

Because of the cancellation of grad night, all of the money has been refunded. And at this time, with the exception of a traditional graduation ceremony and a baccalaureate, no further gradation activities have been planned for this year’s senior class. Senior class

officers are now searching for alternative activities that will bring the class together. So far they have considered an allnight annual signing party.

They are open to any suggestions that people may have, but they will need more support from the seniors to make it happen.

“Even though we couldn’t pull off senior Grad Night,” senior class officer Chris Govella said, “we’re still going to make sure that there will be some activities for the seniors to do as their high school career draws to a close. Seniors should look forward to the class officers rocking their world.”

6 « EDITORIAL

18 JANUARY 2002 » THE JAGWIRE

SPORTS » 15

THE JAGWIRE « 18 JANUARY 2002

Team soars to new heights

» OUR VIEW: AN EDITORIAL

Equity issues plague World Week

OH NO! YAY! The music is finally off!

VICKI MEDLOCK // REPORTER

» LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Student takes issue with Christianity column This letter was written in response to the “CON: Separation of Church and State,” article by David Miles. I will not reveal my religious orientation for fear that one might judge this letter in a way that I have not intended.

There are several points that I want to address, one being the justification for teachers to express their religious beliefs, based on the comparison between teachers’ influence on students and students’ influence on each other. There are considerable differences between teachers and students; teachers are employees of a government that states it is not prejudiced toward any religious group, whereas students are not. Furthermore, teachers are paid employees; paid to educate students, not organize school-wide prayer.

How do you think parents would respond to the PSD spending an estimated $140,000 on a school-wide prayer time? In addition, schools around the USA have already had problems with the ethnicity and financial backgrounds of students; a school-wide prayer time would only

encourage separation.

I personally have no bias one way or another when it comes to religion, however I do look at the facts. Christians, in past centuries, have attempted to impose their religion on others. Can Christians really not survive six hours without praying, and if so, how do they sleep at night? Is it too difficult to pray before and after school, instead of in-between, or is it more important to force others to recognize their praying, and acknowledge their religion?

I believe this is the true issue of organized school-wide prayer, not that it is Christians “God given right” to pray in school, but to impose the Christian religion on others.

People must realize that they will not be able to con the US government into sponsoring organized school-wide prayer.

The Separation of Church and State law is just fine the way it is, and I fully support it. It is my right, given to me not by God, but by the non-religiously biased United States of America.

» JAGWIRE STAFF 2001-2002 EDITOR-IN-CHIEF...............LINDSAY HAGEN MANAGING EDITOR.................DAVID MILES DESIGN EDITOR.................JAMES EBERLEIN OP/ED EDITOR..................JACK STAHOVIAK FOCUS EDITOR..................JAMES EBERLEIN FEATURES EDITOR.................RACQUEL ERIZ NEWS EDITOR........................DAVID MILES SPORTS EDITOR..............DANIELLE HARMON A&E EDITOR...........................RICK BERGH DESIGN TEAM......................BOBEE BOVEE .......................................LESLIE DATILLO ..........................................ROBERTO IZA ...............................STEPHANIE NORDEAN ....................................JOSH SANDERSON .........................................JEN KILLPACK WRITING TEAM........................SHEA AHNA ..........................................ERIK KATHER .........................................ERIN HARMAN

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........................................KRISTIN KLEIN .......................................JESSICA LYNCH .......................................VICKI MEDLOCK .........................................STACY NESTOR .........................................CASEY SMYTH JAGWIRED.COM................JAMES EBERLEIN ...................................NATHAN JENDRICK ADVERTISING.......................TAMMY SHINN ........................................HALEY SHADLE AD DESIGNER...............DANIELLE SECHRIST CIRCULATION...................JAMES EBERLEIN COPY EDITOR...................JOLENE GLEASON GRAPHICS DESIGNER.........JAMES EBERLEIN PHOTOGRAPHY................JAMES EBERLEIN ...........................................YUKO INOUE ASST PHOTOGRAPHER..........KATIE HARGETT ADVISER............................SHARYN GAGEN MEMBER...........WJEA, JEA, NSPA, CSPA, SPJ

Damian Ball, junior

After months of planning, hard work and countless hours spent before and after school, World Week is now a little over a week away. For many, the anticipation of upcoming activities is slowly beginning to build.

Unlike various other schools throughout the district, as well as the nation, learning opportunities such as a school-wide mock United Nations, will provide students with numerous opportunities to get involved in leadership activities ranging from group discussions to cultural fairs. In addition to this, students also learn valuable skills that will not only prove useful throughout the duration of their high school career, but in future endeavors as well. Among these proficiencies that students will take from this simulation include awareness of world issues, cooperative learning, civil discussions, group decision-making and teambuilding.

However, while many will embrace this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, as well as come to advisory ready to learn and face various challenges, inevitably others will not. One area that needs “fine tuning” before the start of the simulation, scheduled to begin Jan. 28 is attendance. For example, with numerous absences reported last year during Business Week alone, the question of equitable make-up English assignments comes into play. Last year, students completed alternative assignments that consisted of finding news articles pertaining to the business field and writing 200-word essays for each day that was missed in order to receive credit in their AmericanStudies classes.

In no way did this make-up work compare to the work that was completed

EDITORIAL POLICY: The JagWire enters its second year as a public forum for students, staff, parents and other interested readers.

The JagWire is designed to be a twoway communication link between students, their school and community. Its duty is to inform students and the surrounding community about school events, issues, personalities, activities and trends. Besides providing opportunity for an exchange of viewpoints, the JagWire serves as an academic tool by which students and staff can excercise their consitutional rights.

LETTERS POLICY: The JagWire will accept unsolicited copy from businesses.

Only signed and dated letters with address and phone number from community members or grade level from students will be accepted. Letters must be limited to 300 words and will be published as space is available. The staff reserves the right to edit any letter without changing its content.

All letters are the sole opinion of the writers.

Letters to the editor may be submitted by mailing/e-mailing them to the JagWire, c/o Emerald Ridge HS.

»»»»

FRIDAY, 18 JANUARY 2002 VOLUME II -- ISSUE 5

in one day of Business Week simulations.

For World Week, absent students will miss out not only on the day’s events, ranging from speakers to assemblies, but they will also miss the opportunity to learn and work in a group environment – both of which cannot possibly be recreated through the writing of an essay.

In order for students to make up what they have missed while being absent, as well as to be fair to those who are in attendance, absent students should receive a more in-depth assignment that they must complete. Devising these assignments could be as easy as carefully examining the scheduled World Week curriculum. For example, if an advisory is given an hour each day to partake in researching their designated country, then any student who is absent on any given day should be required to do the same, as well as document this research in order to receive credit for that activity.

These make-up assignments, which would be based on each day’s specific activities, would then be made available through either the individual advisor or on the school’s website; this way any student who is absent may access the information s/he needs. Once completed, the student can then turn the projects into their advisor to be reviewed, thus earning credit it their English classes, as well as being fair to those in attendance.

Intrinsic value alone should be enough to encourage and motivate students to attend school during the World Week simulation, however, if in some cases it is not, then an equitable assignment should be devised in order to be fair to those students who opt to attend.

mistakes, and hope to be more successful throughout the second half of the season,” junior Ryan Thaanum said.

“My expectations for the guys are “The boys basketball team has been for them to play hard, represent our school continually improving every day, working and community in a positive manner, and hard not only on the court, but in the work to win each game. My expectations classroom too, which is very good,” head for the guys as a team are for them to help coach Bob Horton said. each other improve, stay positive, and to “They play with more confidence on work and battle through adversities,” the floor; they’ve all improved skills and Horton said. He says with each they understand team concepts practice they attend, and better to execute on the every game they play, court,” Horton said. they are coming The team’s record closer to fulfilling for the first half his expectations. of the season Tue, Jan 22 - Jefferson - 7 pm Players on the was 2 wins and Thu, Jan 24 - @ Federal Way - 7 pm team are proud to 5 losses in belong to League, and 4 Sat, Jan 26 - @ Rogers - 7 pm Emerald Ridge’s wins and 7 Tue, Jan 29 - Spanaway Lake - 7 pm basketball losses overall.

Fri, Feb 1 - @ Puyallup - 7 pm program. “It’s a Although privilege to be a some of the boys Tue, Feb 5 - Decatur - 7 pm part of the team on the team are here at ERHS. I am dissatisfied with proud to play with how the first half of such a great group of the season has gone, they guys,” Thaanum said. are not giving up. “We are where “Although we are not where we think we are, and we can’t change that. Now it’s we should be, it is still fun to just be time to step up, play like we can, and finish playing. I like being able to set up out the season strong,” senior Garlan traditions for future teams, and setting the McCoy said. standards for others to follow. The fans “The season has been a bit disappointing here are great, and that’s what makes it so far; we lost a few games that we should fun,” McCoy said. have won. But we are learning from our HALEY JO SHADLE AD MANAGER

ERIK KATHER//JAGWIRE

The competition cheer squad, comprised of 11 people, will compete in events across the Northwest. The first competition of the new year is the Emerald Cup, which takes place Jan. 26 in Seattle; the squad will compete in the small team coed varsity division.

The second competition that they may attend is the West Coast Regional on March 1-3 in Anaheim, Calif. The squad will also be attending competitions in Parkland, Ore., and eastern Wash.

AD POLICY: The JagWire publications 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 products or groups which are racist, sexist or illegal for high school students.

RE: LETTERS TO THE EDITOR E-Mail your 300-word letter to letters@jagwired.com, or send them to ERHS, ATTN: JagWire Newspaper

EMERALD RIDGE HIGH SCHOOL 12405 184TH ST E - SOUTH HILL, WASH 98374 NEWSPAPER OFFICE - (253) 435-6348

1/15/02, 10:55 PM

14 « SPORTS

18 JANUARY 2002 » THE JAGWIRE

Bars, beam, bonding; Jag gymnasts COMPILED BY DANIELLE HARMON Every day after school the 24 women of the gymnastics team can be seen flipping and twisting all over the gym. For the last three months the athletes have been involved in rigorous two and a half-hour

practices which often take place on Saturdays.

With their best team score of 151.5, the team is currently in 10th place out of 14 schools. “We’re really proud of the hard work the girls have been putting in this year.

They have improved so much from last year and are doing a great job,”

assistant coach Roy Snyder said.

Besides getting in shape, the team has been working on team unity.

So far they have done a lot of goal setting and team building. From sleepovers in the gym to trips to Port Angeles for competitions, the girls have been able to bond as sisters.

“Team building is so important.

We really try to make the team like a family. Before each competition a girl will offer her house for dinner or we will do scrap-booking,” head coach Lisa Kelsey said.

Unless individuals qualify for state, the regular season will end Feb. 9.

OPINION » 7

THE JAGWIRE « 18 JANUARY 2002

» EMERALD RIDGE SUPER HEROES

COMIC NO 12 WRITTEN BY RICK BERGH AND JACK STAHOVIAK STARRING RICK BERGH, JACK STAHOVIAK, NATHAN JENDRICK AND SHEA AHNA

Meanwhile...

LAST HOME MEET JAN. 2 @ 7 P.M.

After an overreaction on the part of the staff, POWER-MAN and ANONYMOUS have been sentenced to TUESDAY SCHOOL! We join our heroes as they arrive in the Library to serve their time...

ANONYMOUS, why aren’t you DRESSED UP? It’s PAJAMA DAY!

Welcome to TUESDAY SCHOOL, POWER-MAN!

Um, thanks.

Find some WORK to do and DON’T TALK too much. MR. BAHZ and I will be OVER THERE THINKING of WAYS to ADD ON to the SENIOR... I mean, CULMINATING PROJECT.

Since it’s SO VALUABLE as a LEARNING EXPERIENCE...

Again?

Already?

Later...

This is the SINGLE most BORING experience of my ENTIRE LIFE.

Well, WE can MAKE the BEST of THIS, RIGHT?

LindsayChubb Grade: 12 Event: floor Achievements: cat leap ½, tuck full, full floor routine

Rachel Dillard Grade: 12 Event: bars, vault Achievements: back walkover and made lots of friends

Jen Killpack Grade: 12 Event: vault, bars,beam Achievements: tumbling on a 4’’ piece of wood

Heidi Shapel Grade:12 Event: all around Achievements: standing back tuck, uprise on bars

Heidi Vance Grade: 12 Event: floor Achievements: front tuck on floor, whip back, back tuck on floor

Melissa Barkley Grade: 11 Event: all around Achievements: I have begun to deal with my intense hatred for the demonish balance beam

Kristen Bender Grade: 11 Event: vault, floor Achievements: floor routine and working on front tuck off beam

Danna Bostwick Grade: 11 Event: vault, floor Achievements: single salto on floor, ½ ½ on vault

Holly Chase Grade: 11 Event: bars, floor Achievements: kip on bars, back extension roll on floor

Ashley Detore Grade: 11 Event: vault and working on floor Achievements: a handspring on vault

HEY, I KNOW him! He’s...

Danielle Harmon Grade: 11 Event: vault, bars Achievements: Front handspring on vault

Leah Jarvis Grade: 11 Event: vault, beam Achievements: started gymnastics

Emily Larsen Grade: 11 Event: vault Achievements: 1/2 1/2 on vault

Rachelle Marzano Grade: 11 Event: all around Achievements: I broke my foot early in the season

Nicole Raden Grade:11 Event: beam and floor Achievements: back walk over on beam

Angie Specht Grade: 11 Event: vault, bars, beam Achievements: front tuck off of beam, fly away on bars

Erin Schulz Grade: 11 Event: all around Achievements: ½ ½ on vault

TiannaTimothy Grade: 11 Event: all around Achievements: double salto floor pass, level 6 bar routine

Emilie Bunderson Grade: 10 Event: beam,vault Achievements: handspring on vault

So, what? YOU want ME to HELP YOU get OUT OF HERE? Why should I HELP TWO HEROES?

Why are you in TUESDAY SCHOOL, HOOLIGAN?

What are you TALKING ABOUT? I’m here EVERY TUESDAY!

Stephanie Drew Grade: 11 Event: vault, beam Achievements: has a beam routine

THE HOOLIGAN!

Looks like THAT GUY is ENTERTAINING HIMSELF...

LOOK, I don’t know if THIS GUY is a FRIEND or FOE, but I THINK we can ALL AGREE that THIS PLACE is MORE BORING than WAITING for the BUSES TO LEAVE!

Now, the CULMINATING PROJECT is ALREADY NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE, but what if we made THEM do 20 HOURS OF COMMUNITY SERVICE... EVERY DAY?

OKAY, I’m in.

Would you RATHER STAY HERE with THE ADMINISTRATOR and MR. BAHZ?

But I STILL THINK you guys are LOSERS.

THERE, I GOT the DOOR UNLOCKED! Well, HERE’S my COMMUNITY SERVICE TIME LOG, if you WANT to LOOK OVER IT. I’ll just be, uh, OVER THERE

BY THE DOOR.

MR. BAHZ? I was WONDERING WHY you’re MAKING me STAY HERE. I don’t think it’s FAIR...

LIFE’S not FAIR, ANONYMOUS.

HOW DID YOU...

I mean, GOOD JOB! I think we’ll LOOK at it THOROUGHLY...

I FILLED THAT THING OUT so INCORRECTLY, it’ll take them HOURS to GET THROUGH! Let’s get OUT OF HERE!

GOOD JOB! NOW we just have to GET ANONYMOUS and make a RUN FOR IT!

I THINK I’ll just TAKE THESE WITH ME...

Angela Drew Grade: 10 Event: vault, bars, beam Achievements: full turn on beam, long hang pull over on bars

14,07.p65

Katie Nestor Grade: 10 Event: beam, vault Achievements: cartwheel on beam, back walkover

Jessica Shaw Grade: 10 Event: bars, vault Achievements: kip on bars, back walkover on floor, squaton on bars

Rachel Triana Grade: 10 Event: bars, vault Achievements: handspring on vault

HEY, isn’t THAT the LIBRARY’S ALARM?

It GOES OFF ALL THE TIME. So, WHO’S BRINGING ICE CREAM for the NEXT MEETING?

...To Be Continued!

LISA KELSEY

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BEE BEEPP BE E BEEPP

1/16/02, 9:43 AM

8 « FEATURE

18 JANUARY 2002 » THE JAGWIRE

THE JAGWIRE « 18 JANUARY 2002

giant

Toys raised bring cheer Organization helps those in need Puyallup area benefits from holiday drive Linus has become a global organization that has been providing security blankets to those in need since 1995.

“Project Linus was named for the The association originally targeted blanket-toting character from the comic pediatric cancer patients, although lately strip Peanuts,” Lynn Mazer, the founder the group has broadened its focus of the South Puget Sound (SPS) toward traumatized or seriously ill chapter, said. “Charles children. In Schultz, the creator of other words, “PROJECT LINUS WAS Peanuts, was an avid children who supporter of Project need comforting.

NAMED FOR THE Linus and gave us According to BLANKET-TOTING limited use of the Mazer, it is the CHARACTER FROM THE character for the mission of organization. Linus Project Linus to COMIC STRIP PEANUTS.” carried his blanket for provide a sense comfort and support of security, LYNN MAZER which is exactly what warmth and our blankets offer love for those the children who receive them.” in need.

With the help of dedicated chapters, With over 350 chapters, 250 in the such as SPS, and many others, Project U.S. alone, hundreds of men and DANIELLE SECHRIST STAFF DESIGNER

For more information about Project Linus, please visit: www.projectlinus.org Or visit the South Puget Sound Chapter at: http://pages.prodigy.net/chucklestdy/spslinus/index.htm

women donate their time, materials and love to crochet and quilt blankets for children. So far, over 265,000 blankets have been donated, the local chapter delivering over 2,500.

Beginning in October 1998, SPS now donates regularly to services such as local hospitals, the American Red Cross, Child Protective Services of Washington, the Orting Fire Department, Victim’s Assistance Federal Way, and numerous other facilities as well as individuals and families. Blankets vary in color and size and are donated to children of all ages as early as birth to young adults from Renton to Bremerton and Chehalis.

Recently, Project Linus had dedicated most of its time to making safety blankets for the 1,400 to 1,700 children whose parents or family members died Sept. 11.

“Two days ago Kim Jackson, my co-coordinator, placed two of our quilts to Fort Lewis and gave them to the Commanding officer of Nathan Chapman (the soldier who was recently killed in Afghanistan). Mazer said.

“Both children have the blankets now.”

JESSICA LYNCH REPORTER The small 5-year-old clutches the soft, plush teddy bear in her arms as a big smile stretches across her little face. Tears of joy fall down her cheeks as she thanks the kind man who gave her the gift. This little girl, along with thousands of children, doesn’t know what it’s like to own a toy, but the Marines Toys for Tots organization is making it reality for these children to receive toys.

Jim Meyerhoff ’s junior advisory led the recent toy drive, which ended Dec. 6. The drive brought in 230 toys for children.

“I enjoyed doing the toy drive very much because it made one kid’s holiday better,” Kim Urion said.

Students advertised the drive by talking to advisories and by

He casts a

displaying and distributing posters and flyers.

“We had a goal of 700 toys, so that was disappointing, but we did receive 230 toys, so that was a good start for our first year,” Meyerhoff said.

Michelle Keen, service council rep, and coordinator for the project, made the initial contact with the Marines Toys for Tots organization and coordinated procedures in class.

“I enjoyed doing the drive because raising new toys for kids was a good thing,” Keen said.

Though his advisory does not plan on doing another drive this year, Meyerhoff said they plan to lead the toy drive again next year.

“It feels great to give toys to unfortunate kids, and I hope next year we’ll get even more toys.” Meghan McReynolds said.

to the University of Victoria. In the hotel room, our coach said that he could accept losing if we played as well as we were capable. We ended that season 16-14 and won our district’s seed to the national tournament.”

After graduation from college in 1976, the job market for PE teachers was so slim that Dittus worked the next two years as the George Fox head grounds keeper. It was in 1978 that Dittus secured his first teaching job.

He began his professional career teaching health at the private Salem Academy, in Salem, Oregon. After a two-year stint there, Dittus moved to Puyallup. Here he has remained, teaching at Puyallup High School for one year, Ballou Junior High for one year, Kalles Junior High for 18 years, and finally Emerald Ridge for the last two.

Dittus has taught a variety of physical education classes,

Dell Dittus certainly has more than one side. There is the Mr. Dittus who storms into advisory and bellows, “Please get out your planner!” And then there is the Mr. Dittus who is known for his Bing Crosby imitations and his wild spirit week costumes. This athletic director and physical education teacher is a subtle, but key member of our community. Originally from North Dakota, Dittus moved with his family to Denver, Colo., when he was 3, and thence to Quincy, Wash., at age 7. His father worked construction in the Quincy area, and his mother was a bus driver for the local school district.

Beginning high school in Quincy in 1967, Dittus was active in his school’s sports teams, collecting a total of seven varsity letters HE EORGE OX BASKETBALL TEAM WENT TO THE while playing football, basketball and running track. He was also a member ATIONAL OURNAMENT AN ACHIEVMENT of the Future Teachers of America FOR WHICH THE ENTIRE TEAM WILL BE INDUCTED Club. From early on Dittus knew that INTO THE EORGE OX THLETIC ALL OF AME teaching was his passion, and ultimately would be his career.

“I knew I wanted to be a teacher. That was my focus,” as well as health, traffic safety and journalism. In 1985 at Kalles, he became the school’s athletic director as he Dittus said of his education.

Upon graduating from high school in 1971, Dittus is now at Emerald Ridge.

Being the athletic director of a 4A high school is a job became the first member of his family to attend college when he began at George Fox University in New laden with responsibilities. Foremost among these are checking the eligibility of the hundreds of student Berg, Ore. Attending college on a partial basketball scholarship, athletes. The other main task of the AD is that of gym Dittus also worked throughout college to finance his management, one which Dittus tackled alone.

He would often remain at school over night on gym education. Along with working in the dish room, he also had a job with the maintenance department as a sanitation management nights, as events would go so late that his engineer. “Which was just a fancy word for garbage long drive home would not be justified. “I would just stay at school and take care things I needed to take care collector,” Dittus recalls with a chuckle.

Initially Dittus pursued a career in sports journalism, of,” he said.

For this year, the tireless task of management has fearing the lack of employability of an education degree.

But after two semesters he scrapped that plan and went been distributed to all members of the PE department.

As well as that, having a district athletic director who back to his first choice.

“You will never be happy doing something that isn’t handles scheduling and transportation alleviates many your passion. You cheat yourself by not pursuing what other would-be responsibilities.

Among Dittus’ many relaxation activities, he enjoys you want to do.” Dittus said.

It was also in college that Dittus played for a notable watching and following professional athletics, reading basketball team. For the years 1972-1973, the George Fox historical fiction and collecting United States mint stamps.

“I am an organized person and I enjoy the order of basketball team went to the NAIA (now NCAA division III) National Tournament, an achievement for which it,” Dittus said of his stamps.

Though many years lie behind him in his career, many the entire team will be inducted into the George Fox years also lay ahead. Under his retirement plan, Dittus Athletic Hall of Fame on Jan. 26.

Dittus recalls a critical point in the season, “At one will not be eligible for full retirement for another point in the season we were 5-11. We had just lost a game 16 years.

“T G NAIA N

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Fine Photography

Just ask Megan!

120 West Main Ave. Puyallup, Washington 98371 (253) 845-2101 Located next to the Liberty Theatre

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SHEA AHNA REPORTER

McCutheon’s Studio

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12 « FOCUS

18 JANUARY 2002 » THE JAGWIRE

HELENS (Cont’d from page 11) and waited. We stayed inside of the house the rest of the day. The next morning, everything was gray; it was like we were on the moon. Ellensburg was hit hard. To this day, you can still go to Ellensburg, shoot a hose on a rooftop, and ash will come off. The smaller eruption on May 25 was the day my sister was born in the tiny Ellensburg clinic. Talk about a force of nature!”

Barry was living in Snohomish at the time. “A few days before, there had been a thunder and lightning storm with such loud thunder that many people wondered if it was the mountain erupting. When the volcano actually blew, however, there was no doubt about it. It was a resonant “boom” that caught our attention on Sunday morning.”

LYNN SHEID Para-educator Lynn Scheid was living in Missoula, Mo. when she experienced the eruption. “As I remember...It was a Sunday, and a girlfriend and I were out in the yard sunbathing. The sky was growing dark, and after we moved inside I turned on the TV for some news. That’s when

attending Washington State University during the eruption. “My fiancé was on her way home when she got stuck in Vantage, Wash., near the Columbia River. Because the ash was so thick, she had to spend the night in a grocery store. Where I was, we hadn’t heard the mountain exploded yet, but it kept getting darker and darker outside. Then it started to snow the ash. The press and science experts didn’t know what to do about the current situation. I was taking a journalism course at the time, and I got to take pictures. Everyone didn’t know how long this whole thing would be, so the grocery store’s shelves became empty. It was a disaster to drive, and our final exams were cancelled. The ash was so fine that my fiancé had to hose the inside and outside of her car.”

LYNN WARDLE Physical education teacher Lynn Wardle paid little attention to the eruption. “On May 6 my two-year-old son Scott was run over by a truck. My wife and I were in the car on I-5 heading towards Madigan [hospital], when the mountain erupted. We were on our way to the CANDACE LORING hospital and Art teacher didn’t think or Candace Loring was in care much about Longview, Wash. on it. He was on a her honeymoon. “My respirator for a husband and I were while and the on our honeymoon, doctors said he and asleep at the time wouldn’t return the mountain to normal. Scott erupted. I saw the is now a second blast at a sophomore at neighbor’s barbeque Utah State when the mountain University, and blew again. I was I’m proud of horrified. The clouds J. QUIRING // USDA FOREST SERVICE him. Now, I see View of Mt. St. Helens and Spirit Lake from the Boundary Trail, Mt. St. came down and you that the eruption Helens National Volcanic Monument couldn’t see the was a big deal for mountain for everyone else, but not for me.” we discovered that the mountain had months. Even though the students blown. We saw pictures of the cities of didn’t have to go to school, teachers SUSAN PERNU Yakima and Spokane, and found out still had to go. I had an 18-year-old Para-educator Susan Pernu that the ash cloud would also hit T.A. at the time named Karen who was experienced the ash from the air. “I was Missoula. My parents then called and camping in an area that was supposed attending a wedding in Eugene, Ore. I said they were trying to reach me all to be safe. Unfortunately, she died from had traveled down on my uncle’s day; they lived here in Puyallup at the the falling trees, but a pregnant dog company plane, and we flew over the time. We decided that my friend’s place that she had with her survived and gave mountain at about 10:30 a.m. The view was the best place to be. We were told birth to puppies. The ash had made was incredible. From the air, the ash to stay inside and to take cover because everything gray, including the trees and was so thick, it looked as if there was a no one really knew what gases there grass. I had a horse that was white and paved road through the clouds. It was might be along with all the ash that it turned gray. When you walked, it so weird to have flown over that was falling. By the time I threw some squeaked. It was awful.” mountain on Friday, and since I was things together and got over to my Since her major eruption on May on a private plane, the pilot spent extra friend’s place, ash was falling. The 18, 1980, Mt. St. Helens has remained time showing us the craters, and it was national disaster signals sounded and relatively inactive. However, there have so beautiful. Then on Sunday morning the announcements were broadcast been at least 21 other eruption periods to see the sky so blue, and that sight over the airwaves to stay inside. No since then, according to the USGS. Two of the ash so thick, and my thoughts one was allowed to go out unless they of these eruption periods proved to were that the mountain was totally were medical personnel. For four days be significant. Unlike the first eruption gone. Of course, the ash was so thick the city of Missoula was closed. Finally, in 1980, these two eruptions were we never did see the mountain that we were told we could go out and start preceded by volcanic tremors which premorning. It was an awesome to hose down our plants, cars, homes, warned scientists. On May 25, 1980 Mt. experience, and I remember so vividly etc. I will always remember that day.” St. Helens explosively erupted forming the sight.” a vertical cloud of ash and gas that GARY OSBORNE reached nine miles into the sky.

MADELYN BARRY Video productions teacher Gary Another similar eruption occurred on History/English teacher Madelyn Osborne was living in Pullman, Wash., June 12 of the same year.

12,09.p65

2-3

Monitoring the beast Science atop Mount Rainier

jagwire THE JAGWIRE « 18 JANUARY 2002

FOCUS MAG

TAMMY SHINN AD MANAGER Just like the local 7-11, Mount Rainier National Park is open 24 hours, 365 days a year. Constant activity takes place at the park, whether it is mountaineers, tourists, firefighters, and law enforcements officers or landscapers occupying its facilities. Mount Rainier is the tallest and third most voluminous volcano in the Cascade Range. It is potentially the most dangerous volcano on the range because of the large population living around its lowland drainages, as indicated by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), but the actual occurrence of an eruption is not the main concern.

According to the Superintendent of the Mount Rainier National Park, John Jarvis, the primary matter of concern would be a lahar, a mudflow composed of volcanic debris and water. Jarvis says little earthquakes on the mountain would trigger this event. According to Jarvis, the University of Washington seismology lab detects very frequent, but small earthquakes, none ever big enough to be of any hazard.

The occurrence of a lahar only happens every couple of years, and those are usually kept under control. In fact, only six major lahars have been documented, dating back 10,000 years. Seismographs are also positioned along all the major rivers, sensing the rising water. These sensors help scientists understand where and when the lahar will go. In addition to these indicators, the Department of Transportation has posted new, blue evacuation signs leading to higher ground. Officials have installed emergency sirens throughout the Orting and Puyallup valleys.

In addition to the safety routes and preparations, Jarvis thinks people will have plenty of notice prior to a volcanic eruption. He says that advanced technology tracks and keeps old Rainier in line. The magma in the mountain is so deep in the earth’s crust, Jarvis says, it would actually be detected months before, so evacuations and all safety precautions could be taken. Scientists have strategically placed seismic monitors around and on the mountain. The monitors detect any motion 24 hours a day. In fact, interested parties can catch a glimpse of the activity 24-7 at: http:// spikegeophys.washington.edu.

Jarvis said that next time a family decides to go for an outing, there should be no major worries because Mount Rainier National Park and its workers are operating to keep the public and everyone safe.

>>> ADDITIONAL INFORMATION <<< USGS Volcano Hazards Programme

:: 18 JANUARY 2002 ::

MOUNT RAINIER ::.::. A dormant volcano whose load of glacial ice EXCEEDS that of ANY OTHER MOUNTAIN in the contiguous 48 states.

In 1995, the US Geological Survey charted a possible lahar flow through a mature oldgrowth forest, which effectively SLOWED the flow of mud.

Today, the SAME class one lahar would spread farther and faster across flood plains that are NOW DEFORESTED. One estimate is that such a modern flow might inundate 40 PERCENT MORE area, destroying all or parts of Orting, Sumner, Puyallup, Fife and possibly Auburn.

http://volcanoes.usgs.gov

The News Tribune’s Mt. Rainier Centennial Page

>>>ONLINE @ JAGWIRED.COM

http://mt.rainier.tribnet.com

1/15/02, 8:44 PM

10 « FOCUS

18 JANUARY 2002 » THE JAGWIRE

THE JAGWIRE « 18 JANUARY 2002

9 EVACUATION In Autumn, 2001, the City of Puyallup, in cooperation with various state and federal agencies, began placing volcano evacuation signs throughout the Puyallup valley.

The purpose of these signs is to direct evacuating residents to safe locations on the South and North Hills, as well as the Bonney Lake area.

FOCUS » 11 9 A HISTORY OF DANGER Of the 13 potentially active volcanoes in the Cascade Range, 11 have erupted in the past 4,000 years and seven in just the past 200 years.

Mount Rainier has not produced a significant eruption in the past 500 years, whereas Mt. St. Helens and Mt. Shasta are two that have erupted in the past 200 years.

JAMES EBERLEIN // JAGWIRE

Source: United States Geological Survey (Cascades Observatory)

HISTORY

Staff recalls memories of Helens eruption ROBERT IZA REPORTER A hot plume of ash pierced the sky as Mount St. Helens erupted on May 18, 1980, forever warping the landscape of the Pacific Northwest.

Her height was sliced to 8,365 feet, losing more than 1,000 vertical feet off her summit, in a matter of minutes.

* *NOT INTENDED FOR NAVIGATIONAL PURPOSES

JAMES EBERLEIN // JAGWIRE

JAMES EBERLEIN // JAGWIRE

JAMES EBERLEIN // JAGWIRE

CINDY WATTERS Several teachers experienced this monumental event. CWP teacher Cindy Watters was in the fourth grade and living in Newport, Wash. at the time.

“I was in the car with my family and we were on our way to church after grocery shopping. All of a sudden this huge black cloud in the sky came toward us, and we heard on the radio that the mountain blew. I thought it was cool. By the time we got home we had to put the cars in the garage, and I had to stick my bike there also. We didn’t know what the ash would do, so we just wanted to be safe. I remember being at my neighbor’s house watching the ash fall. It got to

about eight or ten inches high. The ash was very fine, but also very deep. We didn’t have school all week. At first we couldn’t go outside, but then they made us wear masks so we could have recess, but we couldn’t run. In the end, school got out two weeks early. It was fun.”

LISA LOVELAND School management assistant Lisa Loveland was living in Spokane just prior to her college graduation.

“I was driving in my car when I looked in the rear view mirror and saw this blackness in the sky heading towards me. I was so scared, I thought the world was going to end. I turned on the radio and the emergency broadcast system was on saying that Mt. St. Helens had erupted. I decide to stop at a friend’s house nearby. By the time I arrived, the entire sky was pitch black.

People were wearing masks, and the ash was about three to four inches high. I stayed the night and went home the next day. Throughout my life I have lived through three volcanic eruptions: Mt. Spur and Mt. Redoubt, which were both when I lived in Alaska, and then Mt.

St. Helens. In my opinion, St. Helens was the worst.”

MITCH NOLL ASL teacher Mitch Noll was attending church the morning of the eruption.

“I was living in Ellensburg when the mountain blew, both times. I was about 10 or 11 years old. We sat in church as they sang the opening song and said the opening prayer. Then someone came up to the podium, whispered in our Bishop’s ear, and then they announced the closing prayer. We were all confused. Then they told us what happened, and we were instructed to go home, fill our tubs with water and get animals into shelter. We started driving home and already there was ash coming down. About 15 minutes later, it was pitch-dark. We couldn’t even see the road more than a foot in front of our car. We drove the last 10 miles very, very slowly so we wouldn’t go into a ditch. We got home and began rounding up the animals (we lived on a small hobby farm). We filled up the tub with water and just all sat in the kitchen – >>> See “Helens” page 12

Schools offer potential shelter, food to residents in event of natural disaster VICKI MEDLOCK REPORTER In the event of an emergency, Emerald Ridge is not limited to sheltering only those who attend our school.

“Every public school in Washington state is an option to be used as an emergency staging area for the community,” Joe O’Neil, director of health and emergency services at the American Red Cross, said.

Among the most common emergencies when schools are used for shelter include floods, earthquakes and mud flows. In these events, many families’ homes may have been destroyed.

“We will only use a school when there is a large number of families affected and when it does not interfere with the curriculum,” O’Neil said. In other words, if the school has been designated as a shelter, it would not be in session.

The American Red Cross first must gain approval from the school’s superintendent or principal and a contract must be signed. The organization also does not accept money for their volunteer work, which is made possible by contributions.

Although O’Neil says schools are rarely used as shelters, the buildings are equipped for the service of others, equally able to meet the needs of those who attend it regularly.

If a large amount of damage were to occur to our building, which can withstand an approximate 8.0 earthquake, communication lines would be cut off. The Puyallup Emergency Preparedness notebook states that, “Due to the nature of most disasters and the fact that most government officials probably will be overwhelmed by a disaster, department/building administrators must make plans to be on their own for the first 72 hours after a disaster strikes.”

With the possibility of normal accessible means of communication being shut off, ERHS has made sure of having other means of communication available; like cell

phones or a portable public address system for example.

If conditions are not safe for them to leave, administrators and teachers will stay with any student’s overnight. In this case, they will have to put the lives of the students before their own families.

“Our main priority first and foremost, is to ensure the safety of the students,” school management assistant Lisa Loveland said.

In the December issue of Ridge Lines, Principal Linda Quinn stated, “In the event of an emergency that effects the whole community, our policy will be to keep all students on campus until the end of the school day or the end of the emergency, whichever comes last.”

Students, when released, can only be taken by their own parents, grandparents, or legal guardians.

In preparation, supplies are very important to have for an emergency.

“Our kitchens have enough in the freezers to guarantee the school to be self-sustained for a week,” Assistant Principal Casey Cox said.

The school food service employees are responsible for maintaining inventory of ERHS’s supplies, and inventory reports are made each year.

Like others in Pierce County, ER is linked to the Pierce County Responders System. This is an online information site to be used in the event of a crisis at Emerald Ridge.

Only selected authority figures have access to this site, such as the police or fire departments. Information includes photographs of the school from different angles and locations, the number of students and staff, contacts for certain situations, possible staging areas, tactical considerations, building size measurements and descriptions, and various shut off information.

Knowledge of this information allows others to be familiar with a certain part of the building if outside help is needed.

Loveland is in charge of keying in the information on the Responders website. This program serves as another step ER has taken in preparation for any type of emergency the school’s community may encounter.

SLEEPINGBEAUTY LAVA FLOW SPECIAL THANKS TO United States Department of the Interior United States Geological Survey National Park Service Jennifer Ray, City of Puyallup

Double Truck2.p65

10-11

VOLCANO VOCABULARY

Lava is molten rock that flows or oozes onto the earth’s surface.

Mt. Rainier consists largely of numerous lava flows interbedded with rock rubble.

PYROCLASTIC FLOW Pyroclastic flows are hot avalanches of lava fragments and gas formed by the collapse of thick lava flows and eruption columns.

THE FACTS AT A GLANCE

The hazards posed by the NEXT of Mount Rainier include volcanic ash, lava flows or pyroclastic flows.

ERUPTION

1/15/02, 8:33 PM

Pyroclastic flows may rapidly melt snow and ice, and the resulting meltwater torrent MAY PRODUCE LAHARS (an Indonesian word used to describe volcanic mudflows).

The risk that a structure will be IMPACTED BY A LAHAR from Mt. Rainier in much of this area is comparable to its risk of damage by fire.

The travel time of a large lahar from Mt. Rainier to the lowland valleys is ESTIMATED AT ONE TO TWO HOURS. Early detection systems may give residents as little as 30 minutes warning.

In 1996, Mount Rainier was named the #8 “Decade Volcano” by IAVCEI. The goal of the “Decade” program is to direct attention to a number of selected active volcanoes.

10 « FOCUS

18 JANUARY 2002 » THE JAGWIRE

THE JAGWIRE « 18 JANUARY 2002

9 EVACUATION In Autumn, 2001, the City of Puyallup, in cooperation with various state and federal agencies, began placing volcano evacuation signs throughout the Puyallup valley.

The purpose of these signs is to direct evacuating residents to safe locations on the South and North Hills, as well as the Bonney Lake area.

FOCUS » 11 9 A HISTORY OF DANGER Of the 13 potentially active volcanoes in the Cascade Range, 11 have erupted in the past 4,000 years and seven in just the past 200 years.

Mount Rainier has not produced a significant eruption in the past 500 years, whereas Mt. St. Helens and Mt. Shasta are two that have erupted in the past 200 years.

JAMES EBERLEIN // JAGWIRE

Source: United States Geological Survey (Cascades Observatory)

HISTORY

Staff recalls memories of Helens eruption ROBERT IZA REPORTER A hot plume of ash pierced the sky as Mount St. Helens erupted on May 18, 1980, forever warping the landscape of the Pacific Northwest.

Her height was sliced to 8,365 feet, losing more than 1,000 vertical feet off her summit, in a matter of minutes.

* *NOT INTENDED FOR NAVIGATIONAL PURPOSES

JAMES EBERLEIN // JAGWIRE

JAMES EBERLEIN // JAGWIRE

JAMES EBERLEIN // JAGWIRE

CINDY WATTERS Several teachers experienced this monumental event. CWP teacher Cindy Watters was in the fourth grade and living in Newport, Wash. at the time.

“I was in the car with my family and we were on our way to church after grocery shopping. All of a sudden this huge black cloud in the sky came toward us, and we heard on the radio that the mountain blew. I thought it was cool. By the time we got home we had to put the cars in the garage, and I had to stick my bike there also. We didn’t know what the ash would do, so we just wanted to be safe. I remember being at my neighbor’s house watching the ash fall. It got to

about eight or ten inches high. The ash was very fine, but also very deep. We didn’t have school all week. At first we couldn’t go outside, but then they made us wear masks so we could have recess, but we couldn’t run. In the end, school got out two weeks early. It was fun.”

LISA LOVELAND School management assistant Lisa Loveland was living in Spokane just prior to her college graduation.

“I was driving in my car when I looked in the rear view mirror and saw this blackness in the sky heading towards me. I was so scared, I thought the world was going to end. I turned on the radio and the emergency broadcast system was on saying that Mt. St. Helens had erupted. I decide to stop at a friend’s house nearby. By the time I arrived, the entire sky was pitch black.

People were wearing masks, and the ash was about three to four inches high. I stayed the night and went home the next day. Throughout my life I have lived through three volcanic eruptions: Mt. Spur and Mt. Redoubt, which were both when I lived in Alaska, and then Mt.

St. Helens. In my opinion, St. Helens was the worst.”

MITCH NOLL ASL teacher Mitch Noll was attending church the morning of the eruption.

“I was living in Ellensburg when the mountain blew, both times. I was about 10 or 11 years old. We sat in church as they sang the opening song and said the opening prayer. Then someone came up to the podium, whispered in our Bishop’s ear, and then they announced the closing prayer. We were all confused. Then they told us what happened, and we were instructed to go home, fill our tubs with water and get animals into shelter. We started driving home and already there was ash coming down. About 15 minutes later, it was pitch-dark. We couldn’t even see the road more than a foot in front of our car. We drove the last 10 miles very, very slowly so we wouldn’t go into a ditch. We got home and began rounding up the animals (we lived on a small hobby farm). We filled up the tub with water and just all sat in the kitchen – >>> See “Helens” page 12

Schools offer potential shelter, food to residents in event of natural disaster VICKI MEDLOCK REPORTER In the event of an emergency, Emerald Ridge is not limited to sheltering only those who attend our school.

“Every public school in Washington state is an option to be used as an emergency staging area for the community,” Joe O’Neil, director of health and emergency services at the American Red Cross, said.

Among the most common emergencies when schools are used for shelter include floods, earthquakes and mud flows. In these events, many families’ homes may have been destroyed.

“We will only use a school when there is a large number of families affected and when it does not interfere with the curriculum,” O’Neil said. In other words, if the school has been designated as a shelter, it would not be in session.

The American Red Cross first must gain approval from the school’s superintendent or principal and a contract must be signed. The organization also does not accept money for their volunteer work, which is made possible by contributions.

Although O’Neil says schools are rarely used as shelters, the buildings are equipped for the service of others, equally able to meet the needs of those who attend it regularly.

If a large amount of damage were to occur to our building, which can withstand an approximate 8.0 earthquake, communication lines would be cut off. The Puyallup Emergency Preparedness notebook states that, “Due to the nature of most disasters and the fact that most government officials probably will be overwhelmed by a disaster, department/building administrators must make plans to be on their own for the first 72 hours after a disaster strikes.”

With the possibility of normal accessible means of communication being shut off, ERHS has made sure of having other means of communication available; like cell

phones or a portable public address system for example.

If conditions are not safe for them to leave, administrators and teachers will stay with any student’s overnight. In this case, they will have to put the lives of the students before their own families.

“Our main priority first and foremost, is to ensure the safety of the students,” school management assistant Lisa Loveland said.

In the December issue of Ridge Lines, Principal Linda Quinn stated, “In the event of an emergency that effects the whole community, our policy will be to keep all students on campus until the end of the school day or the end of the emergency, whichever comes last.”

Students, when released, can only be taken by their own parents, grandparents, or legal guardians.

In preparation, supplies are very important to have for an emergency.

“Our kitchens have enough in the freezers to guarantee the school to be self-sustained for a week,” Assistant Principal Casey Cox said.

The school food service employees are responsible for maintaining inventory of ERHS’s supplies, and inventory reports are made each year.

Like others in Pierce County, ER is linked to the Pierce County Responders System. This is an online information site to be used in the event of a crisis at Emerald Ridge.

Only selected authority figures have access to this site, such as the police or fire departments. Information includes photographs of the school from different angles and locations, the number of students and staff, contacts for certain situations, possible staging areas, tactical considerations, building size measurements and descriptions, and various shut off information.

Knowledge of this information allows others to be familiar with a certain part of the building if outside help is needed.

Loveland is in charge of keying in the information on the Responders website. This program serves as another step ER has taken in preparation for any type of emergency the school’s community may encounter.

SLEEPINGBEAUTY LAVA FLOW SPECIAL THANKS TO United States Department of the Interior United States Geological Survey National Park Service Jennifer Ray, City of Puyallup

Double Truck2.p65

10-11

VOLCANO VOCABULARY

Lava is molten rock that flows or oozes onto the earth’s surface.

Mt. Rainier consists largely of numerous lava flows interbedded with rock rubble.

PYROCLASTIC FLOW Pyroclastic flows are hot avalanches of lava fragments and gas formed by the collapse of thick lava flows and eruption columns.

THE FACTS AT A GLANCE

The hazards posed by the NEXT of Mount Rainier include volcanic ash, lava flows or pyroclastic flows.

ERUPTION

1/15/02, 8:33 PM

Pyroclastic flows may rapidly melt snow and ice, and the resulting meltwater torrent MAY PRODUCE LAHARS (an Indonesian word used to describe volcanic mudflows).

The risk that a structure will be IMPACTED BY A LAHAR from Mt. Rainier in much of this area is comparable to its risk of damage by fire.

The travel time of a large lahar from Mt. Rainier to the lowland valleys is ESTIMATED AT ONE TO TWO HOURS. Early detection systems may give residents as little as 30 minutes warning.

In 1996, Mount Rainier was named the #8 “Decade Volcano” by IAVCEI. The goal of the “Decade” program is to direct attention to a number of selected active volcanoes.

12 « FOCUS

18 JANUARY 2002 » THE JAGWIRE

HELENS (Cont’d from page 11) and waited. We stayed inside of the house the rest of the day. The next morning, everything was gray; it was like we were on the moon. Ellensburg was hit hard. To this day, you can still go to Ellensburg, shoot a hose on a rooftop, and ash will come off. The smaller eruption on May 25 was the day my sister was born in the tiny Ellensburg clinic. Talk about a force of nature!”

Barry was living in Snohomish at the time. “A few days before, there had been a thunder and lightning storm with such loud thunder that many people wondered if it was the mountain erupting. When the volcano actually blew, however, there was no doubt about it. It was a resonant “boom” that caught our attention on Sunday morning.”

LYNN SHEID Para-educator Lynn Scheid was living in Missoula, Mo. when she experienced the eruption. “As I remember...It was a Sunday, and a girlfriend and I were out in the yard sunbathing. The sky was growing dark, and after we moved inside I turned on the TV for some news. That’s when

attending Washington State University during the eruption. “My fiancé was on her way home when she got stuck in Vantage, Wash., near the Columbia River. Because the ash was so thick, she had to spend the night in a grocery store. Where I was, we hadn’t heard the mountain exploded yet, but it kept getting darker and darker outside. Then it started to snow the ash. The press and science experts didn’t know what to do about the current situation. I was taking a journalism course at the time, and I got to take pictures. Everyone didn’t know how long this whole thing would be, so the grocery store’s shelves became empty. It was a disaster to drive, and our final exams were cancelled. The ash was so fine that my fiancé had to hose the inside and outside of her car.”

LYNN WARDLE Physical education teacher Lynn Wardle paid little attention to the eruption. “On May 6 my two-year-old son Scott was run over by a truck. My wife and I were in the car on I-5 heading towards Madigan [hospital], when the mountain erupted. We were on our way to the CANDACE LORING hospital and Art teacher didn’t think or Candace Loring was in care much about Longview, Wash. on it. He was on a her honeymoon. “My respirator for a husband and I were while and the on our honeymoon, doctors said he and asleep at the time wouldn’t return the mountain to normal. Scott erupted. I saw the is now a second blast at a sophomore at neighbor’s barbeque Utah State when the mountain University, and blew again. I was I’m proud of horrified. The clouds J. QUIRING // USDA FOREST SERVICE him. Now, I see View of Mt. St. Helens and Spirit Lake from the Boundary Trail, Mt. St. came down and you that the eruption Helens National Volcanic Monument couldn’t see the was a big deal for mountain for everyone else, but not for me.” we discovered that the mountain had months. Even though the students blown. We saw pictures of the cities of didn’t have to go to school, teachers SUSAN PERNU Yakima and Spokane, and found out still had to go. I had an 18-year-old Para-educator Susan Pernu that the ash cloud would also hit T.A. at the time named Karen who was experienced the ash from the air. “I was Missoula. My parents then called and camping in an area that was supposed attending a wedding in Eugene, Ore. I said they were trying to reach me all to be safe. Unfortunately, she died from had traveled down on my uncle’s day; they lived here in Puyallup at the the falling trees, but a pregnant dog company plane, and we flew over the time. We decided that my friend’s place that she had with her survived and gave mountain at about 10:30 a.m. The view was the best place to be. We were told birth to puppies. The ash had made was incredible. From the air, the ash to stay inside and to take cover because everything gray, including the trees and was so thick, it looked as if there was a no one really knew what gases there grass. I had a horse that was white and paved road through the clouds. It was might be along with all the ash that it turned gray. When you walked, it so weird to have flown over that was falling. By the time I threw some squeaked. It was awful.” mountain on Friday, and since I was things together and got over to my Since her major eruption on May on a private plane, the pilot spent extra friend’s place, ash was falling. The 18, 1980, Mt. St. Helens has remained time showing us the craters, and it was national disaster signals sounded and relatively inactive. However, there have so beautiful. Then on Sunday morning the announcements were broadcast been at least 21 other eruption periods to see the sky so blue, and that sight over the airwaves to stay inside. No since then, according to the USGS. Two of the ash so thick, and my thoughts one was allowed to go out unless they of these eruption periods proved to were that the mountain was totally were medical personnel. For four days be significant. Unlike the first eruption gone. Of course, the ash was so thick the city of Missoula was closed. Finally, in 1980, these two eruptions were we never did see the mountain that we were told we could go out and start preceded by volcanic tremors which premorning. It was an awesome to hose down our plants, cars, homes, warned scientists. On May 25, 1980 Mt. experience, and I remember so vividly etc. I will always remember that day.” St. Helens explosively erupted forming the sight.” a vertical cloud of ash and gas that GARY OSBORNE reached nine miles into the sky.

MADELYN BARRY Video productions teacher Gary Another similar eruption occurred on History/English teacher Madelyn Osborne was living in Pullman, Wash., June 12 of the same year.

12,09.p65

2-3

Monitoring the beast Science atop Mount Rainier

jagwire THE JAGWIRE « 18 JANUARY 2002

FOCUS MAG

TAMMY SHINN AD MANAGER Just like the local 7-11, Mount Rainier National Park is open 24 hours, 365 days a year. Constant activity takes place at the park, whether it is mountaineers, tourists, firefighters, and law enforcements officers or landscapers occupying its facilities. Mount Rainier is the tallest and third most voluminous volcano in the Cascade Range. It is potentially the most dangerous volcano on the range because of the large population living around its lowland drainages, as indicated by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), but the actual occurrence of an eruption is not the main concern.

According to the Superintendent of the Mount Rainier National Park, John Jarvis, the primary matter of concern would be a lahar, a mudflow composed of volcanic debris and water. Jarvis says little earthquakes on the mountain would trigger this event. According to Jarvis, the University of Washington seismology lab detects very frequent, but small earthquakes, none ever big enough to be of any hazard.

The occurrence of a lahar only happens every couple of years, and those are usually kept under control. In fact, only six major lahars have been documented, dating back 10,000 years. Seismographs are also positioned along all the major rivers, sensing the rising water. These sensors help scientists understand where and when the lahar will go. In addition to these indicators, the Department of Transportation has posted new, blue evacuation signs leading to higher ground. Officials have installed emergency sirens throughout the Orting and Puyallup valleys.

In addition to the safety routes and preparations, Jarvis thinks people will have plenty of notice prior to a volcanic eruption. He says that advanced technology tracks and keeps old Rainier in line. The magma in the mountain is so deep in the earth’s crust, Jarvis says, it would actually be detected months before, so evacuations and all safety precautions could be taken. Scientists have strategically placed seismic monitors around and on the mountain. The monitors detect any motion 24 hours a day. In fact, interested parties can catch a glimpse of the activity 24-7 at: http:// spikegeophys.washington.edu.

Jarvis said that next time a family decides to go for an outing, there should be no major worries because Mount Rainier National Park and its workers are operating to keep the public and everyone safe.

>>> ADDITIONAL INFORMATION <<< USGS Volcano Hazards Programme

:: 18 JANUARY 2002 ::

MOUNT RAINIER ::.::. A dormant volcano whose load of glacial ice EXCEEDS that of ANY OTHER MOUNTAIN in the contiguous 48 states.

In 1995, the US Geological Survey charted a possible lahar flow through a mature oldgrowth forest, which effectively SLOWED the flow of mud.

Today, the SAME class one lahar would spread farther and faster across flood plains that are NOW DEFORESTED. One estimate is that such a modern flow might inundate 40 PERCENT MORE area, destroying all or parts of Orting, Sumner, Puyallup, Fife and possibly Auburn.

http://volcanoes.usgs.gov

The News Tribune’s Mt. Rainier Centennial Page

>>>ONLINE @ JAGWIRED.COM

http://mt.rainier.tribnet.com

1/15/02, 8:44 PM

8 « FEATURE

18 JANUARY 2002 » THE JAGWIRE

THE JAGWIRE « 18 JANUARY 2002

giant

Toys raised bring cheer Organization helps those in need Puyallup area benefits from holiday drive Linus has become a global organization that has been providing security blankets to those in need since 1995.

“Project Linus was named for the The association originally targeted blanket-toting character from the comic pediatric cancer patients, although lately strip Peanuts,” Lynn Mazer, the founder the group has broadened its focus of the South Puget Sound (SPS) toward traumatized or seriously ill chapter, said. “Charles children. In Schultz, the creator of other words, “PROJECT LINUS WAS Peanuts, was an avid children who supporter of Project need comforting.

NAMED FOR THE Linus and gave us According to BLANKET-TOTING limited use of the Mazer, it is the CHARACTER FROM THE character for the mission of organization. Linus Project Linus to COMIC STRIP PEANUTS.” carried his blanket for provide a sense comfort and support of security, LYNN MAZER which is exactly what warmth and our blankets offer love for those the children who receive them.” in need.

With the help of dedicated chapters, With over 350 chapters, 250 in the such as SPS, and many others, Project U.S. alone, hundreds of men and DANIELLE SECHRIST STAFF DESIGNER

For more information about Project Linus, please visit: www.projectlinus.org Or visit the South Puget Sound Chapter at: http://pages.prodigy.net/chucklestdy/spslinus/index.htm

women donate their time, materials and love to crochet and quilt blankets for children. So far, over 265,000 blankets have been donated, the local chapter delivering over 2,500.

Beginning in October 1998, SPS now donates regularly to services such as local hospitals, the American Red Cross, Child Protective Services of Washington, the Orting Fire Department, Victim’s Assistance Federal Way, and numerous other facilities as well as individuals and families. Blankets vary in color and size and are donated to children of all ages as early as birth to young adults from Renton to Bremerton and Chehalis.

Recently, Project Linus had dedicated most of its time to making safety blankets for the 1,400 to 1,700 children whose parents or family members died Sept. 11.

“Two days ago Kim Jackson, my co-coordinator, placed two of our quilts to Fort Lewis and gave them to the Commanding officer of Nathan Chapman (the soldier who was recently killed in Afghanistan). Mazer said.

“Both children have the blankets now.”

JESSICA LYNCH REPORTER The small 5-year-old clutches the soft, plush teddy bear in her arms as a big smile stretches across her little face. Tears of joy fall down her cheeks as she thanks the kind man who gave her the gift. This little girl, along with thousands of children, doesn’t know what it’s like to own a toy, but the Marines Toys for Tots organization is making it reality for these children to receive toys.

Jim Meyerhoff ’s junior advisory led the recent toy drive, which ended Dec. 6. The drive brought in 230 toys for children.

“I enjoyed doing the toy drive very much because it made one kid’s holiday better,” Kim Urion said.

Students advertised the drive by talking to advisories and by

He casts a

displaying and distributing posters and flyers.

“We had a goal of 700 toys, so that was disappointing, but we did receive 230 toys, so that was a good start for our first year,” Meyerhoff said.

Michelle Keen, service council rep, and coordinator for the project, made the initial contact with the Marines Toys for Tots organization and coordinated procedures in class.

“I enjoyed doing the drive because raising new toys for kids was a good thing,” Keen said.

Though his advisory does not plan on doing another drive this year, Meyerhoff said they plan to lead the toy drive again next year.

“It feels great to give toys to unfortunate kids, and I hope next year we’ll get even more toys.” Meghan McReynolds said.

to the University of Victoria. In the hotel room, our coach said that he could accept losing if we played as well as we were capable. We ended that season 16-14 and won our district’s seed to the national tournament.”

After graduation from college in 1976, the job market for PE teachers was so slim that Dittus worked the next two years as the George Fox head grounds keeper. It was in 1978 that Dittus secured his first teaching job.

He began his professional career teaching health at the private Salem Academy, in Salem, Oregon. After a two-year stint there, Dittus moved to Puyallup. Here he has remained, teaching at Puyallup High School for one year, Ballou Junior High for one year, Kalles Junior High for 18 years, and finally Emerald Ridge for the last two.

Dittus has taught a variety of physical education classes,

Dell Dittus certainly has more than one side. There is the Mr. Dittus who storms into advisory and bellows, “Please get out your planner!” And then there is the Mr. Dittus who is known for his Bing Crosby imitations and his wild spirit week costumes. This athletic director and physical education teacher is a subtle, but key member of our community. Originally from North Dakota, Dittus moved with his family to Denver, Colo., when he was 3, and thence to Quincy, Wash., at age 7. His father worked construction in the Quincy area, and his mother was a bus driver for the local school district.

Beginning high school in Quincy in 1967, Dittus was active in his school’s sports teams, collecting a total of seven varsity letters HE EORGE OX BASKETBALL TEAM WENT TO THE while playing football, basketball and running track. He was also a member ATIONAL OURNAMENT AN ACHIEVMENT of the Future Teachers of America FOR WHICH THE ENTIRE TEAM WILL BE INDUCTED Club. From early on Dittus knew that INTO THE EORGE OX THLETIC ALL OF AME teaching was his passion, and ultimately would be his career.

“I knew I wanted to be a teacher. That was my focus,” as well as health, traffic safety and journalism. In 1985 at Kalles, he became the school’s athletic director as he Dittus said of his education.

Upon graduating from high school in 1971, Dittus is now at Emerald Ridge.

Being the athletic director of a 4A high school is a job became the first member of his family to attend college when he began at George Fox University in New laden with responsibilities. Foremost among these are checking the eligibility of the hundreds of student Berg, Ore. Attending college on a partial basketball scholarship, athletes. The other main task of the AD is that of gym Dittus also worked throughout college to finance his management, one which Dittus tackled alone.

He would often remain at school over night on gym education. Along with working in the dish room, he also had a job with the maintenance department as a sanitation management nights, as events would go so late that his engineer. “Which was just a fancy word for garbage long drive home would not be justified. “I would just stay at school and take care things I needed to take care collector,” Dittus recalls with a chuckle.

Initially Dittus pursued a career in sports journalism, of,” he said.

For this year, the tireless task of management has fearing the lack of employability of an education degree.

But after two semesters he scrapped that plan and went been distributed to all members of the PE department.

As well as that, having a district athletic director who back to his first choice.

“You will never be happy doing something that isn’t handles scheduling and transportation alleviates many your passion. You cheat yourself by not pursuing what other would-be responsibilities.

Among Dittus’ many relaxation activities, he enjoys you want to do.” Dittus said.

It was also in college that Dittus played for a notable watching and following professional athletics, reading basketball team. For the years 1972-1973, the George Fox historical fiction and collecting United States mint stamps.

“I am an organized person and I enjoy the order of basketball team went to the NAIA (now NCAA division III) National Tournament, an achievement for which it,” Dittus said of his stamps.

Though many years lie behind him in his career, many the entire team will be inducted into the George Fox years also lay ahead. Under his retirement plan, Dittus Athletic Hall of Fame on Jan. 26.

Dittus recalls a critical point in the season, “At one will not be eligible for full retirement for another point in the season we were 5-11. We had just lost a game 16 years.

“T G NAIA N

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Fine Photography

Just ask Megan!

120 West Main Ave. Puyallup, Washington 98371 (253) 845-2101 Located next to the Liberty Theatre

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SHEA AHNA REPORTER

McCutheon’s Studio

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FEATURE » 13

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14 « SPORTS

18 JANUARY 2002 » THE JAGWIRE

Bars, beam, bonding; Jag gymnasts COMPILED BY DANIELLE HARMON Every day after school the 24 women of the gymnastics team can be seen flipping and twisting all over the gym. For the last three months the athletes have been involved in rigorous two and a half-hour

practices which often take place on Saturdays.

With their best team score of 151.5, the team is currently in 10th place out of 14 schools. “We’re really proud of the hard work the girls have been putting in this year.

They have improved so much from last year and are doing a great job,”

assistant coach Roy Snyder said.

Besides getting in shape, the team has been working on team unity.

So far they have done a lot of goal setting and team building. From sleepovers in the gym to trips to Port Angeles for competitions, the girls have been able to bond as sisters.

“Team building is so important.

We really try to make the team like a family. Before each competition a girl will offer her house for dinner or we will do scrap-booking,” head coach Lisa Kelsey said.

Unless individuals qualify for state, the regular season will end Feb. 9.

OPINION » 7

THE JAGWIRE « 18 JANUARY 2002

» EMERALD RIDGE SUPER HEROES

COMIC NO 12 WRITTEN BY RICK BERGH AND JACK STAHOVIAK STARRING RICK BERGH, JACK STAHOVIAK, NATHAN JENDRICK AND SHEA AHNA

Meanwhile...

LAST HOME MEET JAN. 2 @ 7 P.M.

After an overreaction on the part of the staff, POWER-MAN and ANONYMOUS have been sentenced to TUESDAY SCHOOL! We join our heroes as they arrive in the Library to serve their time...

ANONYMOUS, why aren’t you DRESSED UP? It’s PAJAMA DAY!

Welcome to TUESDAY SCHOOL, POWER-MAN!

Um, thanks.

Find some WORK to do and DON’T TALK too much. MR. BAHZ and I will be OVER THERE THINKING of WAYS to ADD ON to the SENIOR... I mean, CULMINATING PROJECT.

Since it’s SO VALUABLE as a LEARNING EXPERIENCE...

Again?

Already?

Later...

This is the SINGLE most BORING experience of my ENTIRE LIFE.

Well, WE can MAKE the BEST of THIS, RIGHT?

LindsayChubb Grade: 12 Event: floor Achievements: cat leap ½, tuck full, full floor routine

Rachel Dillard Grade: 12 Event: bars, vault Achievements: back walkover and made lots of friends

Jen Killpack Grade: 12 Event: vault, bars,beam Achievements: tumbling on a 4’’ piece of wood

Heidi Shapel Grade:12 Event: all around Achievements: standing back tuck, uprise on bars

Heidi Vance Grade: 12 Event: floor Achievements: front tuck on floor, whip back, back tuck on floor

Melissa Barkley Grade: 11 Event: all around Achievements: I have begun to deal with my intense hatred for the demonish balance beam

Kristen Bender Grade: 11 Event: vault, floor Achievements: floor routine and working on front tuck off beam

Danna Bostwick Grade: 11 Event: vault, floor Achievements: single salto on floor, ½ ½ on vault

Holly Chase Grade: 11 Event: bars, floor Achievements: kip on bars, back extension roll on floor

Ashley Detore Grade: 11 Event: vault and working on floor Achievements: a handspring on vault

HEY, I KNOW him! He’s...

Danielle Harmon Grade: 11 Event: vault, bars Achievements: Front handspring on vault

Leah Jarvis Grade: 11 Event: vault, beam Achievements: started gymnastics

Emily Larsen Grade: 11 Event: vault Achievements: 1/2 1/2 on vault

Rachelle Marzano Grade: 11 Event: all around Achievements: I broke my foot early in the season

Nicole Raden Grade:11 Event: beam and floor Achievements: back walk over on beam

Angie Specht Grade: 11 Event: vault, bars, beam Achievements: front tuck off of beam, fly away on bars

Erin Schulz Grade: 11 Event: all around Achievements: ½ ½ on vault

TiannaTimothy Grade: 11 Event: all around Achievements: double salto floor pass, level 6 bar routine

Emilie Bunderson Grade: 10 Event: beam,vault Achievements: handspring on vault

So, what? YOU want ME to HELP YOU get OUT OF HERE? Why should I HELP TWO HEROES?

Why are you in TUESDAY SCHOOL, HOOLIGAN?

What are you TALKING ABOUT? I’m here EVERY TUESDAY!

Stephanie Drew Grade: 11 Event: vault, beam Achievements: has a beam routine

THE HOOLIGAN!

Looks like THAT GUY is ENTERTAINING HIMSELF...

LOOK, I don’t know if THIS GUY is a FRIEND or FOE, but I THINK we can ALL AGREE that THIS PLACE is MORE BORING than WAITING for the BUSES TO LEAVE!

Now, the CULMINATING PROJECT is ALREADY NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE, but what if we made THEM do 20 HOURS OF COMMUNITY SERVICE... EVERY DAY?

OKAY, I’m in.

Would you RATHER STAY HERE with THE ADMINISTRATOR and MR. BAHZ?

But I STILL THINK you guys are LOSERS.

THERE, I GOT the DOOR UNLOCKED! Well, HERE’S my COMMUNITY SERVICE TIME LOG, if you WANT to LOOK OVER IT. I’ll just be, uh, OVER THERE

BY THE DOOR.

MR. BAHZ? I was WONDERING WHY you’re MAKING me STAY HERE. I don’t think it’s FAIR...

LIFE’S not FAIR, ANONYMOUS.

HOW DID YOU...

I mean, GOOD JOB! I think we’ll LOOK at it THOROUGHLY...

I FILLED THAT THING OUT so INCORRECTLY, it’ll take them HOURS to GET THROUGH! Let’s get OUT OF HERE!

GOOD JOB! NOW we just have to GET ANONYMOUS and make a RUN FOR IT!

I THINK I’ll just TAKE THESE WITH ME...

Angela Drew Grade: 10 Event: vault, bars, beam Achievements: full turn on beam, long hang pull over on bars

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Katie Nestor Grade: 10 Event: beam, vault Achievements: cartwheel on beam, back walkover

Jessica Shaw Grade: 10 Event: bars, vault Achievements: kip on bars, back walkover on floor, squaton on bars

Rachel Triana Grade: 10 Event: bars, vault Achievements: handspring on vault

HEY, isn’t THAT the LIBRARY’S ALARM?

It GOES OFF ALL THE TIME. So, WHO’S BRINGING ICE CREAM for the NEXT MEETING?

...To Be Continued!

LISA KELSEY

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BEE BEEPP BE E BEEPP

1/16/02, 9:43 AM

6 « EDITORIAL

18 JANUARY 2002 » THE JAGWIRE

SPORTS » 15

THE JAGWIRE « 18 JANUARY 2002

Team soars to new heights

» OUR VIEW: AN EDITORIAL

Equity issues plague World Week

OH NO! YAY! The music is finally off!

VICKI MEDLOCK // REPORTER

» LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Student takes issue with Christianity column This letter was written in response to the “CON: Separation of Church and State,” article by David Miles. I will not reveal my religious orientation for fear that one might judge this letter in a way that I have not intended.

There are several points that I want to address, one being the justification for teachers to express their religious beliefs, based on the comparison between teachers’ influence on students and students’ influence on each other. There are considerable differences between teachers and students; teachers are employees of a government that states it is not prejudiced toward any religious group, whereas students are not. Furthermore, teachers are paid employees; paid to educate students, not organize school-wide prayer.

How do you think parents would respond to the PSD spending an estimated $140,000 on a school-wide prayer time? In addition, schools around the USA have already had problems with the ethnicity and financial backgrounds of students; a school-wide prayer time would only

encourage separation.

I personally have no bias one way or another when it comes to religion, however I do look at the facts. Christians, in past centuries, have attempted to impose their religion on others. Can Christians really not survive six hours without praying, and if so, how do they sleep at night? Is it too difficult to pray before and after school, instead of in-between, or is it more important to force others to recognize their praying, and acknowledge their religion?

I believe this is the true issue of organized school-wide prayer, not that it is Christians “God given right” to pray in school, but to impose the Christian religion on others.

People must realize that they will not be able to con the US government into sponsoring organized school-wide prayer.

The Separation of Church and State law is just fine the way it is, and I fully support it. It is my right, given to me not by God, but by the non-religiously biased United States of America.

» JAGWIRE STAFF 2001-2002 EDITOR-IN-CHIEF...............LINDSAY HAGEN MANAGING EDITOR.................DAVID MILES DESIGN EDITOR.................JAMES EBERLEIN OP/ED EDITOR..................JACK STAHOVIAK FOCUS EDITOR..................JAMES EBERLEIN FEATURES EDITOR.................RACQUEL ERIZ NEWS EDITOR........................DAVID MILES SPORTS EDITOR..............DANIELLE HARMON A&E EDITOR...........................RICK BERGH DESIGN TEAM......................BOBEE BOVEE .......................................LESLIE DATILLO ..........................................ROBERTO IZA ...............................STEPHANIE NORDEAN ....................................JOSH SANDERSON .........................................JEN KILLPACK WRITING TEAM........................SHEA AHNA ..........................................ERIK KATHER .........................................ERIN HARMAN

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........................................KRISTIN KLEIN .......................................JESSICA LYNCH .......................................VICKI MEDLOCK .........................................STACY NESTOR .........................................CASEY SMYTH JAGWIRED.COM................JAMES EBERLEIN ...................................NATHAN JENDRICK ADVERTISING.......................TAMMY SHINN ........................................HALEY SHADLE AD DESIGNER...............DANIELLE SECHRIST CIRCULATION...................JAMES EBERLEIN COPY EDITOR...................JOLENE GLEASON GRAPHICS DESIGNER.........JAMES EBERLEIN PHOTOGRAPHY................JAMES EBERLEIN ...........................................YUKO INOUE ASST PHOTOGRAPHER..........KATIE HARGETT ADVISER............................SHARYN GAGEN MEMBER...........WJEA, JEA, NSPA, CSPA, SPJ

Damian Ball, junior

After months of planning, hard work and countless hours spent before and after school, World Week is now a little over a week away. For many, the anticipation of upcoming activities is slowly beginning to build.

Unlike various other schools throughout the district, as well as the nation, learning opportunities such as a school-wide mock United Nations, will provide students with numerous opportunities to get involved in leadership activities ranging from group discussions to cultural fairs. In addition to this, students also learn valuable skills that will not only prove useful throughout the duration of their high school career, but in future endeavors as well. Among these proficiencies that students will take from this simulation include awareness of world issues, cooperative learning, civil discussions, group decision-making and teambuilding.

However, while many will embrace this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, as well as come to advisory ready to learn and face various challenges, inevitably others will not. One area that needs “fine tuning” before the start of the simulation, scheduled to begin Jan. 28 is attendance. For example, with numerous absences reported last year during Business Week alone, the question of equitable make-up English assignments comes into play. Last year, students completed alternative assignments that consisted of finding news articles pertaining to the business field and writing 200-word essays for each day that was missed in order to receive credit in their AmericanStudies classes.

In no way did this make-up work compare to the work that was completed

EDITORIAL POLICY: The JagWire enters its second year as a public forum for students, staff, parents and other interested readers.

The JagWire is designed to be a twoway communication link between students, their school and community. Its duty is to inform students and the surrounding community about school events, issues, personalities, activities and trends. Besides providing opportunity for an exchange of viewpoints, the JagWire serves as an academic tool by which students and staff can excercise their consitutional rights.

LETTERS POLICY: The JagWire will accept unsolicited copy from businesses.

Only signed and dated letters with address and phone number from community members or grade level from students will be accepted. Letters must be limited to 300 words and will be published as space is available. The staff reserves the right to edit any letter without changing its content.

All letters are the sole opinion of the writers.

Letters to the editor may be submitted by mailing/e-mailing them to the JagWire, c/o Emerald Ridge HS.

»»»»

FRIDAY, 18 JANUARY 2002 VOLUME II -- ISSUE 5

in one day of Business Week simulations.

For World Week, absent students will miss out not only on the day’s events, ranging from speakers to assemblies, but they will also miss the opportunity to learn and work in a group environment – both of which cannot possibly be recreated through the writing of an essay.

In order for students to make up what they have missed while being absent, as well as to be fair to those who are in attendance, absent students should receive a more in-depth assignment that they must complete. Devising these assignments could be as easy as carefully examining the scheduled World Week curriculum. For example, if an advisory is given an hour each day to partake in researching their designated country, then any student who is absent on any given day should be required to do the same, as well as document this research in order to receive credit for that activity.

These make-up assignments, which would be based on each day’s specific activities, would then be made available through either the individual advisor or on the school’s website; this way any student who is absent may access the information s/he needs. Once completed, the student can then turn the projects into their advisor to be reviewed, thus earning credit it their English classes, as well as being fair to those in attendance.

Intrinsic value alone should be enough to encourage and motivate students to attend school during the World Week simulation, however, if in some cases it is not, then an equitable assignment should be devised in order to be fair to those students who opt to attend.

mistakes, and hope to be more successful throughout the second half of the season,” junior Ryan Thaanum said.

“My expectations for the guys are “The boys basketball team has been for them to play hard, represent our school continually improving every day, working and community in a positive manner, and hard not only on the court, but in the work to win each game. My expectations classroom too, which is very good,” head for the guys as a team are for them to help coach Bob Horton said. each other improve, stay positive, and to “They play with more confidence on work and battle through adversities,” the floor; they’ve all improved skills and Horton said. He says with each they understand team concepts practice they attend, and better to execute on the every game they play, court,” Horton said. they are coming The team’s record closer to fulfilling for the first half his expectations. of the season Tue, Jan 22 - Jefferson - 7 pm Players on the was 2 wins and Thu, Jan 24 - @ Federal Way - 7 pm team are proud to 5 losses in belong to League, and 4 Sat, Jan 26 - @ Rogers - 7 pm Emerald Ridge’s wins and 7 Tue, Jan 29 - Spanaway Lake - 7 pm basketball losses overall.

Fri, Feb 1 - @ Puyallup - 7 pm program. “It’s a Although privilege to be a some of the boys Tue, Feb 5 - Decatur - 7 pm part of the team on the team are here at ERHS. I am dissatisfied with proud to play with how the first half of such a great group of the season has gone, they guys,” Thaanum said. are not giving up. “We are where “Although we are not where we think we are, and we can’t change that. Now it’s we should be, it is still fun to just be time to step up, play like we can, and finish playing. I like being able to set up out the season strong,” senior Garlan traditions for future teams, and setting the McCoy said. standards for others to follow. The fans “The season has been a bit disappointing here are great, and that’s what makes it so far; we lost a few games that we should fun,” McCoy said. have won. But we are learning from our HALEY JO SHADLE AD MANAGER

ERIK KATHER//JAGWIRE

The competition cheer squad, comprised of 11 people, will compete in events across the Northwest. The first competition of the new year is the Emerald Cup, which takes place Jan. 26 in Seattle; the squad will compete in the small team coed varsity division.

The second competition that they may attend is the West Coast Regional on March 1-3 in Anaheim, Calif. The squad will also be attending competitions in Parkland, Ore., and eastern Wash.

AD POLICY: The JagWire publications 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 products or groups which are racist, sexist or illegal for high school students.

RE: LETTERS TO THE EDITOR E-Mail your 300-word letter to letters@jagwired.com, or send them to ERHS, ATTN: JagWire Newspaper

EMERALD RIDGE HIGH SCHOOL 12405 184TH ST E - SOUTH HILL, WASH 98374 NEWSPAPER OFFICE - (253) 435-6348

1/15/02, 10:55 PM

16 « SPOTLIGHT

18 JANUARY 2002 » THE JAGWIRE

NEWS » 5

THE JAGWIRE « 18 JANUARY 2002

Vandals still at large “MUSIC

BEN PETERSON

Investigation continues

REALLY

IS SOMETHING THAT PUSHES ME.

ONE

NATHAN JENDRICK NEW MEDIA EDITOR

OF

Perpetrators recently inflicted approximately $14,000 of damage upon school property. With a hotwired excavator, they destroyed fences, crushed benches and dug into the tennis court.

According to Charles Ranes, grounds-crew foreman for the Puyallup School District, the total estimated cost to repair the damage inflicted on Dec. 4 is between $12,000 and $14,000. The 300 feet of fence that needs to be replaced is estimated to cost roughly $9,900, alone.

“As far as I’m concerned this is one of the worst cases of vandalism we’ve seen,” Ranes said. Other than the fire at Ballou Jr. High, Ranes continued, “We normally deal with things that are [in comparison] very minor.”

Senior Christy Gretzner found and reported the machine to administrators the

THE BIGGEST THRILLS IS TO PLAY THE PIECE PERFECTLY, TO GET EVERYTHING RIGHT, IT IS SO REWARDING.”

HE’S AN ALL-AROUND GOOFY GUY. Life is fun for him.

Though he tries not to take too many things seriously, he makes an exception for music.

Playing the saxophone is a lifetime passion for senior Ben Peterson.

Peterson is one of the guys you see in the stands at football and basketball games, dressed with school pride, getting the teams and the crowd pumped with music.

“We have to be at the games for Pep-Band, and Mr. Minkler gives us the green light to show pride in the band. It’s really a fun experience to just be crazy,” he said.

Peterson expresses his enthusiasm through his game attire. At most games he dresses in unique costumes as he cheers on the team.

“My ability to laugh and have fun in any situation is sometimes a good thing, and sometimes it’s not,” Peterson said. “I’m not a very serious person, everything is just a big joke. I get in trouble a lot for being this way.”

Peterson gives credit to his family, especially his father, for

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his passion in music. “I guess music just runs in my family.

My dad is a huge inspiration for me. He has composed music for professional choirs, and he composed for our band this year.

It is the coolest feeling, that’s my dad. It makes me really proud.”

His mom is very supportive of him, too. Peterson played his saxophone in both of the school musicals; Grease and Fame.

“When my mom came to the play, the previous two nights no one had clapped, and when I played that night she got everyone to clap. My mom is my biggest fan,” he said.

To share his love for music with others, Peterson has been teaching jazz band at Ferrucci Junior High as part of his culminating project.

“I really enjoy teaching the kids. It’s great to see that they really have a desire to learn jazz.

It’s an awesome feeling to see them enjoy music and really learn it, because it is something that I love so much,” Peterson said.

Peterson hopes to attend Central Washington University next year to study music. He enjoys high school, but is ready

for college.

“I have so many hours of homework for AP classes now.

After I get it all done, I’ll have more time to focus on practicing and will bring my playing up to the next level, one more step up to perfect-ion.”

He is dedicated to his music and always tries to be positive.

“Music really is something that pushes me.

One of the biggest thrills is to play the piece perfectly, to get everything right, it is so rewarding,” Peterson said.

“I’m just a really fun person. I live life and have fun with it. I try not to get bogged down with problems.

I just have a good time.”

STEPHANIE NORDEAN //JAGWIRE

KLEIN By Kristin klein

“IT

WOULD HAVE BEEN

FUNNIER IF [THE VANDALS] WOULD HAVE TAKEN THE EXCAVATOR AND PLACED IT SOMEWHERE...NOT DESTROYED THINGS.” CHRISTY GRETZNER

report, and she included fiancé and former Emerald Ridge student Shaun Pelland, because both had gone and walked the trail the night after the incident occurred.

An officer from the Pierce County Sheriff’s department then went to Rogers High School where Pelland, who

works in construction with the same type of machines, attends, and pulled him from class to question him. “They asked me what I knew, if I knew anyone who may have done it, and they asked me about Christy’s student life,” Pelland said.

Officially, the police have never stated that Gretzner and Pelland are suspects.

“It would have been funnier if [the vandals] would have taken the excavator around and placed it somewhere ... not destroyed things,” Gretzner said.

School security says they do have people of interest in the case, but cannot release any names or any further information while it is still under investigation.

As far as using the fields and court again, Ranes is optimistic as to the time frame of the repairs. “The [tennis] court should be playable within three weeks,” he said.

JIM MEYERHOFF

On January 8, the Hyprocrites performed a skit about civil discourse in order to prepare students for upcoming World Week. Students will be participating in a United Nations simulation in order to get a better Understanding of international culture and relations.

High cost, poor turnout cancel Grad Night JEN KILLPACK REPORTER

BY KRISTEN

morning of the incident.

“Stealing something is one thing, destruction of property is another,” Gretzner said in response to her discovery.

Authorities later required Gretzner to fill out an incident

Dancing under the stars at 2 a.m., bungee jumping and gokart racing were some of the activities planned for this year’s senior Graduation Night.

However, for the 30 seniors who signed up, they will need to rely on alternative plans, for Grad Night has been officially cancelled.

For the last three months, a planning committee of 15 adults and 10 seniors has been preparing grad night. “[The cancellation is] disappointing,” committee member Amanda Christian said, “because I don’t think students know how far

1/15/02, 9:55 PM

behind other high school seniors we are, and we really wanted to give ER seniors a chance to go to a Grad Night.”

For Grad Night to have received the green light, 150 seniors were needed to sign up for the event.

Two main reasons detoured seniors from signing up for the event. The cost of grad night was $135, and many of the seniors were appalled about the cost. “We’re graduating, and we shouldn’t have to pay for more school activities,” senior Kjellesea Tjerne said.

However, for a safe night filled with unlimited video games, food and various activities, Christian said, “It

wasn’t an unreasonable expense at all.”

Many seniors did not sign up because they felt it was a huge commitment. Senior Michelle Memovich said, “I don’t want to be obligated to [go to Grad Night] because something else might come up.” At this point seniors have planned trips to various places such as Cancun and New York City.

“I don’t want to spend more money on an extra ‘senior trip’ when I’ll already be spending a lot on my real senior trip,” senior Melanie Howard said.

Although the majority of the senior class decided not to

sign up, those who did were excited about the event. “Grad night was a chance for us to get together one last time before we all go off on our own,” senior Hannah Thompson said. Other seniors claimed they’ve already checked out.

“We’re graduating to get away from school, not to prolong the torture,” senior Lyssa Ikerd said.

Because of the cancellation of grad night, all of the money has been refunded. And at this time, with the exception of a traditional graduation ceremony and a baccalaureate, no further gradation activities have been planned for this year’s senior class. Senior class

officers are now searching for alternative activities that will bring the class together. So far they have considered an allnight annual signing party.

They are open to any suggestions that people may have, but they will need more support from the seniors to make it happen.

“Even though we couldn’t pull off senior Grad Night,” senior class officer Chris Govella said, “we’re still going to make sure that there will be some activities for the seniors to do as their high school career draws to a close. Seniors should look forward to the class officers rocking their world.”

4 « NEWS

18 JANUARY 2002 » THE JAGWIRE

THE JAGWIRE « 18 JANUARY 2002

SPORTS » 17

Voters to decide on Puyallup schools future PUYALLUP SCHOOL DISTRICT LEVY: FAQS ERIC KATHER REPORTER As Feb. 5 rolls around, voters of Puyallup and its surrounding area will decide the fate of the Puyallup School District’s Maintenance and Operations levy.

According to Director of Administrative Ser vices Tony Apostle, this levy will replace the current levy and does not overlap any previous levy. The tax rate will remain constant at $3.45 per $1,000 of assessed valuation through 2006.

Puyallup is placing a four-year levy before voters, Apostle said, to save on election costs and to offer better long-range planning. The money from this levy would be used to maintain the current educational programs offered to our students.

The school district depends on local tax levy dollars which are not funded by the state to fund programs and activities, such as school security, special education, highly capable programs, facility maintenance, athletics, music programs, food service, student activities, instructional technology, gifted program, and transportation to after school activities. This funding also supports textbooks and other teaching materials.

In addition to the programs above, Apostle says the levy will pay for 45 additional teachers to reduce classes to more reasonable sizes.

Finally, the levy will pay for more nurses in Puyallup’s schools.

“In short, this levy touches every program in our district,” Apostle said. “By choosing to do a four-year levy instead of a two-year, the school district is saving money on election costs. Approximately $100,00.”

Q. Why do school districts need M & O levies?

A. The Washington State Legislature has defined a funding formula for basic education below the current levels of staffing and services provided by the Puyallup School District. To make up the difference, the Puyallup School District, like others in the state, must submit Maintenance and Operation elections to voters in an effort to maintain current staffing and services.

“HANNAH

A GREAT LEADER AT THE SAME TIME.

Hannah

A. A special levy is a one-year tax on property for a fixed dollar amount and it does not fluctuate with reassessment. A recommendation to the school board proposes four one-year levies to be collected in 2003, 2004, 2005, and 2006. These are replacement levies and do not overlap any pervious year’s levy. Like other school districts, Puyallup prefers to submit a four-year proposal because we save election costs and staff time, as well as make it possible for the district to do better long-range planning. The election will be held on February 5, 2002. There is one ballot proposal for the four years.

Q. How much is the levy?

A. The proposal is for $24.5 million in 2003, $26.1 million in 2004, $27.9 million in 2005, and $30.0 million in 2006. These dollar amounts are fixed by a formula determined by the state legislature. .Q. What are the election requirements?

A. M&O ballot propositions require a super-majority vote. That means that at least 60% of the votes must be “YES” in order for the M&O ballot proposition to pass. A minimum of 5,622 votes must be cast in favor of the proposition.

Q. What are the differences between an M & O levy and a bond? Didn’t we already approve a bond in 1997?

WELLS VICKI MEDLOCK REPORTER

Although a sophomore, Hannah Wells is already considered an invaluable asset to the girls varsity basketball team.

A. A bond pays for capital construction and feels a little like a mortgage because it is repaid over 15-20 years. Our current M & O levy provides for day to day operations and expires in December 2002. Yes, the voters did pass a bond in 1997. That bond paid for projects such as the construction of Emerald Ridge High School, the remodels of Ballou Jr. High and Rogers High School.

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1/15/02, 10:33 PM

Competition is a large part of why Wells loves basketball. She also loves the intense atmosphere of the games.

“When I stuff somebody’s shot and hear the crowd’s response,” Wells said, “it really gets me riled up.”

Hannah has a love for the game of basketball and many people who she says really motivate her.

“My parents have always motivated me to do well in sports and my sister also. She plays basketball right now at Western,” Wells said.

She also believes her teammates are a tremendous motivation to her; she contributes her doing well to them.

“Unity is really important in playing well as a team,” Wells said.

Wells has goals of her own and she shares the overall team goals as well. She would like to average at least 12 points a game, and grab a lot more rebounds. By her senior year she hopes to have college offers from division I and II schools, and to be at the “top of her game. The team as a whole, she says, has a goal of keeping their intensity level up into the second half.

“Hannah is a very talented person,” sophomore and teammate Mallory Townsend said. “The tempo changes when she comes onto the court.”

Aside from basketball, Wells enjoys acting. She played Cocoa in the school play FAME, and she will play a role in the upcoming Martin Luther King assembly. She also keeps up on her studies, maintaining a high GPA.

COACH WATTERS

18 JANUARY 2002 » THE JAGWIRE

18 « A&E

Star Wars fans face the elements for Episode II RICK BERGH A&E EDITOR A line of people waiting to see Lord of the Rings extends from the front of the Cinerama Theater in Seattle. Around the corner to the left, Jeff Tweiten and John Guth are waiting for another movie. They’re waiting for the next Star Wars installment, Episode II: Attack of the Clones, which will be released in approximately four months.

Visitors to the site find that there are four chairs lined up along the wall of the theater. Tweiten and Guth occupy the two closest to the entrance.

Around them lie various provisions: shopping bags, blankets, a laptop computer and an alarm clock. The two are well prepared for the bitter cold they face every night, with gloves on their hands and blankets wrapped around their bodies. Above their heads are several signs. One says, “Seattle Star Wars Society,” the group of which Guth is the president and Tweiten is a member. Another says, “Waiting for Star Wars.” A third informs passers-by of the expected release date of Episode II: May 16.

The two men may be doing little besides waiting, but they are far from bored. There is a constant stream of visitors, both friends and strangers.

Despite frequently negative coverage from the media, the visitors are overwhelmingly on the friendly side.

It’s fairly common for friends to show up, greeting the waiting duo with a cheerful, “What are you idiots doing here?!” The actual naysayers tend to

save themselves the effort and just throw insults via Internet.

“They have no fear getting online and voicing their opinions and their hate, but they don’t have the [guts] to come and tell it to us to our faces,” Guth said.

The wait began for Tweiten on Jan. 1. Guth joined him a couple days later. Many people wonder why they’re waiting outside a theater already, at a time when tickets are not in any kind of demand.

“It’s for art and for fun, that’s all this is about. We have no grudges about people; we have no real agenda other than we just really like Star Wars.

Jeff has his art project that he wants to do, and I’m here to support it,” Guth said.

Tweiten’s art aspect revolves around waiting. Tweiten does very little but that, rarely straying far from the immediate area around his chair.

The farthest he travels is to the hotel across the street, which offered the pair a shower to use. Guth, on the other hand, leaves his post more frequently. He stresses that they are not in a line; they are merely waiting to buy tickets. Therefore, he sees no problem in leaving briefly to wash laundry, get supplies and download e-mails to his laptop. He has been confronted over this issue, and described a conversation he had with a critic.

“I was like, ‘Show me the rule book where it says that I can’t go home to check my e-mail.’ Why can’t I do that? Jeff is still here. Hook me up with Internet access over here, and

I’ll be a happy man.”

A wireless Internet connection is planned for the near future, as well as holding meetings of the Star Wars Society at the theater, which is where they held Episode I events in 1999.

The men take criticism in stride, and joke around with visitors. One man arrived, saying, “You must be the guys on the radio.” John, not missing a beat, replied, “Probably, unless there’s somebody else waiting for Star Wars.”

Many people wonder if the two have jobs. Tweiten is an artist, currently devoting all of his time to his project K. BERGH on the nature of waiting.

John Guth and Jeff Tweiten plan to wait outside the Cinerama Theater for Guth, on the other hand, the next four months in anticipation of the next Star Wars film. owns his own company.

“I work for myself and I set my own schedule, and as long as I doing here?’” Guth said. “I’m not that no one else has really thougth of have some kind of computer access necessarily looking for charity, but I doing, people think it’s strange. And and a telephone, I can run things,” like to see the goodness in everyone. it’s strange; I’ll be the first to admit Guth said.

I like it when somebody is going to this is strange. This isn’t normal. But Despite the teasing on the radio look at something and have a heart that’s what makes it fun and unique, and television, cold nights and wet about it.” ‘cause it isn’t normal,” Guth said. days, Guth says he enjoys spending Guth and Tweiten still have no They now have a website – his time waiting for Star Wars. His regrets about committing their time www.waitingforstarwars.com with favorite time of the day is when a to this project. While they may be pictures of their wait and updates on showing of a movie is about to start gaining major media attention right day-to-day events. They take photos at the Cinerama, when lots of people now, Guth expects the flurry to die of themselves every hour, to record come by and react to seeing him and down over the next couple of weeks. the entire ordeal. Guth says they don’t Tweiten. He also appreciates support He attributes the attention they’re really know what to expect over the in whatever form it arrives. getting to the fact that nobody has next four months.

“I love it when somebody comes ever waited outside a theater for a “We went into this with no up to us and says, ‘Hey, what can we movie as long as they plan to. expectation, and whatever do to help?’ or ‘What are you guys “Because we’re doing something happens, happens.”

Theatrical portrayal of classic a masterpiece, pleases audiences CASEY SMYTH REPORTER It’s taken some serious trying by Hollywood to create a great movie from a great book, but they’ve finally done it.

Director Peter Jackson took the time, the money and the heart to create a masterwork of theater, which actually improves upon the smaller parts of the book The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring.

The special effects are wondrously produced, and not used in such a fashion that come off as looking flaky or over produced, from the magic of Gandalf, to the beautifully produced,

18,03.p65

2-3

fire-ridden Balrog. While there are omissions in the movie, such as the exclusion of characters Tom Bombadil and Glorfindel, they are small omissions that could easily be removed, not necessarily relating to the direct area of the story.

When a ring of great power and terror falls into the possession of Frodo Baggins (Elijah Wood) from his uncle, Bilbo (Ian Holm), he is visited by his friend, Gandalf the Grey (Ian McKellan), a wizard. Gandalf bids him to take the ring to the place of its creation, Mount Doom, where the dark lord, Sauron, forged it.

Frodo begins to set out with his faithful companion and servant,

“...DIRECTOR PETER JACKSON TOOK THE TIME, THE MONEY AND THE HEART TO CREATE A MASTERWORK OF THEATER...”

Samwise (Sean Astin) toward the city of Bree, where they await Gandalf with their friends Merry (Dominic Monaghan) and Pippin (Billy Boyd).

In Bree, the group runs into a new ally, Strider (Viggo Mortensen), a warrior who knows more of

their troubles than they could possibly imagine.

The computer-generation in Fellowship is used in one of the most tasteful fashions when creating the various armies that populate MiddleEarth. The massive Orc invasion in Moria is one of the most real-looking scenes of any movie in recent history.

The overall look of the film emits a glow of time and care, from the introduction of the Elven and human armies to the final moments of the movie involving the Uruk-Hai. While there are some parts of J.R.R. Tolkien’s book that are forcibly truncated in the movie, the story does not necessarily revolve around them.

The book, Fellowship of the Ring goes more in depth on the time it takes for the group to travel from place to place (such as Rivendell to Moria), taking time for almost each day. More stringent fans of Tolkien would throw a fit over this idea, but the fact is, this would probably make the movie about six hours long.

Fellowship combines the great story of Tolkien’s tale, well-done acting, and the tasteful use of computergenerated imaging. The action scenes are the best of any movie this year, and the in-depth makeup is unmatched. With a three hour running time, Fellowship of the Rings is the best Hollywood has to offer.

THE JAGWIRE « 18 JANUARY 2002

NEWS » 3

Students address traffic, parking at forum Administration looks to lane alterations as possible solution SHEA AHNA REPORTER In hopes of solving the traffic problem at Emerald Ridge, one which increases each time another sophomore turns 16, the ASB Cabinet hosted a public student forum regarding the topic. At the forum, students and staff voiced their concerns. They also offered potential solutions.

One of the paramount topics of discussion was that of priority parking for seniors. It was suggested by several attendees that assigned parking would serve to appease the senior class’s want of preferential privileges.

“My feeling on assigned parking is very strong. I’m strongly for it.

Getting to know where people park is a big part of security; it allows us to be able to know who is where

and why,” Dan Spicer, security officer and forum panel member, said of senior parking.

Gerald Denman, vice Principal, disagrees. “We don’t segregate. We’ve worked very hard to make sure everyone feels equal and welcome,” Denman said. “I don’t think parking is the route we want to take [to address seniority]. It doesn’t fit with Emerald Ridge’s philosophy.”

Activities coordinator Jay Bates also fears the effects of seniority-based parking. He claims that if the school institutes a policy of seniority this year, subsequent classes will also want similar privileges, thus perpetuating customs that, as Denman said, do not agree with the school’s philosophy of equality among classes.

Another topic of discussion was the blocking of exits while the first wave of buses departs. Tardiness of

these runs to later stops forced the as well as Sunrise, the Emerald Ridge district, in conjunction with Emerald community has two possible Ridge, to find a workable solution to solutions. help the buses run on time. Denman According to Denman, the ERHS said of the policy, “[Bus tardiness] was administration is considering a district problem. expanding the We’re helping the entrance to the community and school to two lanes other schools.” in the morning, with “IF STUDENTS CARE According to one lane leaving, and ABOUT ANY COMMUNITY the six elementwo lanes exiting in DECISION, THEY HAVE TO tary schools and the after-noon, with one junior high one lane entering.

SPEAK WITH THEIR affected, the In short, what is VOICES AND THEIR problem of bus now the turn lane’s FEET.“ tardiness has direction will be been largely based on the time of JAY BATES improved, day, and the adminthough some istration hopes, will lapses still do occur. As a result of make the mass entrance and exodus the policy’s effectiveness, it is likely of hundreds of cars easier. the blocking of exits will continue.

The most ambitious solution To address congestion coming proposed was that of another road to and leaving school on 122nd Street coming to the school from the

Sunrise community.

According to Bates, if the need is dire enough and if there is enough student and community support for the installment, a campaign could be run. However, great change requires great effort.

“If students care about any community decision, they have to speak with their voices and their feet,” Bates said.

Bates would like to see students present at council meetings. He believes people will be heard if they speak in great numbers about the need for another road.

“What frustrates me is people get [upset] about complaining and are suddenly silent when it comes to solution,” Bates said. “If you want action, take action. If not, stop complaining and live with your misery.”

THE LEGACY

Students celebrate, honor King’s vision KRISTIN KLEIN REPORTER

“The issues Dr. King stood for are timeless: Justice, liberty, and equality. It’s important for students to be informed about this,” multicultural club advisor Condee Holbrook said. “His dreams and ideas will motivate others to continue his ideals. Dr. King fought for peace with peace.”

1/16/02, 9:31 AM

Approximately 50 students became involved with the preparation for the Martin Luther King assembly this year. They have spent many hours after school and on weekends over the past month preparing for the assembly.

“We have spent a lot of days after school working on this. The students have just been amazing with getting lines memorized, with the artwork and with their work on the multi-media stuff. It’s well worth all of the effort to honor this man who did so much for our country,” junior Daniel Armenta said.

With the amount of effort students have dedicated to this assembly, Holbrook feels that the assembly will be just as good if not better than last year.

“I’ve been really impressed with the students involved,” Holbrook said. “Some were reluctant to be involved, but as they have learned more, they have become more and more excited. Whatever happens when the assembly comes I will be completely proud.”

Last year’s assembly far exceeded many student and staff expectations.

“Last year the assembly was amazing. This year won’t be any different than that,” Armenta said. “I hope the assembly is moving. Martin Luther King changed this country, and we don’t want the memory of him to die.”

» IN HIS WORDS ...

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”

- Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. FEW HAVE HAD AS MUCH IMPACT UPON THE AMERICAN CONSCIOUSNESS AS THE LATE CIVIL-RIGHTS LEADER DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. THIS YEAR IS THE 73RD ANNIVERSARY OF KING’S BIRTH.

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2 « NEWS

18 JANUARY 2002 » THE JAGWIRE

THE JAGWIRE « 18 JANUARY 2002

Neighbors swap homes for the sake of TV

» JAGGED EDGE >>

The ERHS staff ’s United Way drive raised $3,840. This exceeded their goal by three percent.

>>

>>

The debate team competed in the Inland Empire Classic Debate Tournament at Gonzaga University Jan. 3-4. Senior Daniel Joyce made it to the finals portion of the competition.

>>

The ERHS website can now be accessed with a new, shorter address: www.erhs.org Staff email addresses can also be reached by using a shorter version: first initial + last name@psd.k12.org (i.e. iam@psd.k12.org).

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:.::.:.::.:.::.: kennell smith

In honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day there will be no school Mon., Jan. 21.

What brand of T.P. do you use? :.:: Kirkland Signature What is your favorite cereal? :.:: Frosted Mini Wheats What kind of car do you drive? :.:: A 1998 Chevy 4x4.

Wed., Jan. 30 (during World Week) is the end of first semester and will be an early release day.

>> >>

The Vocal Solo and Ensemble Contest will take place Sat., Feb. 9, at Emerald Ridge.

What is your favorite place? :.:: Pike Place Market Word(s) you use most often? :.:: “Oh, Wow!”

:.::.:.::.:.::.: bethany Reich

Mid-winter break is Mon. and Tues., Feb. 18-19.

The second annual art show will be held in the library Fri., Jan. 18, through Thurs. Jan. 24. A special evening gallery show will be open to the community Wed., Jan. 23, 6-8 p.m.

What is your favorite cereal? :.:: Life What kind of car do you drive? :.:: Nissan Maxima Words of Wisdom? :.:: “Give it your all.”

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Word(s) you use most often? :.:: “Yeah Baby!”

What is your favorite place to go? :.:: Anywhere I can sleep.

What is your favorite food? :.:: My mother’s lasagna.

:.::

Gold medalist Megan Quann, senior, will conclude the upcoming Olympic torch relay ceremonies Jan. 23. She will anchor the relay by carrying the 3½-pound torch into the Seattle Arena. Quann will receive an outfit to wear and the opportunity to purchase the torch at $325. Four other Puyallup residents share the honor with Quann: Justin Carr, Kerry Fisher, Amanda Sandberg and Larry Sorenson, Jr.

What kind of car do you drive? :.:: A Buick Century What was your favorite T.V. show when you were little? :.:: Power Rangers

g rade 12

» TORCH RELAY UPDATE: Quann carries

What brand of T.P. do you use? :.:: Charmin What is your favorite place? :.:: My bedroom What is your favorite food? :.:: Cereal-Captain Crunch

The Instrumental Solo/Ensemble Contest will take place Sat., Feb. 2, at Decatur High School. >>

Informational emails are available for parents and students wishing to receive updates on general and specific school events. Those interested may sign up to be put on the listserv through the school’s website.

knows your name

g rade 11 :.::

>>

>>

w

everybody

COMPILED BY KRISTIN KLEIN

The Pierce County Soccer Officials Association awarded the boys soccer team the sportsmanship award at the winter assembly, for demonstrating integrity on the field.

>>

themselves.

“Most of the decorating was left in the hands of the designers,” Raden said. “We were just there for damage control.”

Fortunately, despite the lack of say in alterations by their neighbors, the Radens came home to find a new family room decor that they could live with.

“We’re leaving most of it,” Raden said. “We’re just rearranging some of the furniture.”

Their neighbors though were not as pleased with the outcome. In fact, they have already changed the show’s design.

Raden said while it was a good experience resulting in a new and fresh family room, it is not something that she or her family would do again.

“It was a great one-time experience,” Laureen Jobe, Nicole’s mother said.

The episode will air tomorrow, but channels may vary, so be sure to check your local listings.

:.::

choices, selecting the Radens as one of six finalists. Next they had to take part in a phone interview with one of the show’s producers, where they were asked questions about their family and home. It was this interview that sealed the fate of their family room and their neighbor’s living room.

The deed was then done at the end of November. During this twoday, 40-hour filming duration, Nicole, her parents and even the family dog were displaced from their home and were not allowed to return until the project was complete.

“We had to go stay with friends for three days even though it only took two days to film,” Raden said.

Once the construction was complete, the families returned to view their homes and the work put in by their neighbors and designers.

The decoration choices for both houses, however, were left mainly to the professional designers and reflected little of the homeowners

g rade 10

COURTESY OF THE JOBE FAMILY

The Trading Spaces crew includes of professional designers who help the homeowners redecorate a room in their neighbors home

DAVID MILES MANAGING EDITOR Why do-it-yourself when you can have your neighbors do it for you?

That is a concept made popular by The Learning Channel and its hit show, Trading Spaces. Trading Spaces is a show in which neighbors receive $1,000 to remodel or redecorate one room in each other’s homes.

Guidelines are established between the show and participants in order to protect those items which the family wishes to keep unaltered.

The concept of neighborly redecorating is the bait which hooked the Raden family. Junior Nicole Raden and her family applied via the Internet to have their home, as well as their neighbor’s, featured on the show as one of three episodes filmed locally in Wash.

“It’s just my mom’s favorite show,” Raden said.

After making the first cut, the producers narrowed down their

e r e h

SPOTLIGHT » 19

:.::.:.::.:.::.: lee Rushton

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1/15/02, 10:10 PM

20 « FEATURE

18 JANUARY 2002 » THE JAGWIRE

THE JAGWIRE « 18 JANUARY 2002

GOOLD: LORD OF THE RINK VICKI MEDLOCK REPORTER ophomore Hillary Goold first became interested in skating five years ago. The type of skating she enjoys is not on ice, however, and there’s no dancing involved. Speed skating involves wearing full-body spandex uniforms, safety helmets and racing on wooden floors at high speeds against opponents.

“You wanna try it?” Stephanie Brader, a senior at Rogers, asked Goold years ago as she looked in at a pair of skates for sale behind the Tiffany’s showcase.

Goold’s decision to take up speed skating is a decision she’s been happy with ever since. She bought the skates that day and she began attending to her friend Stephanie’s sessions to participate with her team. She really enjoyed this, so she then went to Pre-Club, where coaches choose who they want on their teams, and this is where her current coach Dennis King picked her.

The teams range in sizes, up to 40 girls, and have practices year-round.

Goold’s team practices three times a week at Tiffany’s Skate-In. “It’s a lot of fun,” Goold said. “I like how we get to travel and I really like my teammates.” Strictly a speed skater, Goold does not participate in any school sports, but she does enjoy rollerblading outdoors, in her spare time.

Goold said that traveling sometimes interferes with school, since out of state meets require her to be gone for a week, but local meets are held on the weekends.

In her four and a half years of skating, Goold has qualified for Nationals three times in 1997, 1998 and 1999. To qualify for Nationals, skaters have to place high in

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Regionals, which are held in Oregon each summer in June. The first year, Goold went to Nationals in Pensacola, Florida, and then the following year she made nationals, but did not attend. In 1999, she com- peted at Nationals in Syracuse, New York.

“I was really excited, pumped and ready to go,” Goold said about the two times she made it to Nationals. Though she did not place high enough to progress to the semi-

finals each time, she still had a lot of fun.

For the future, Goold has heard that speed skating on hard wood will become an Olympic event, and she would use this as a longterm goal to compete.

For now, Goold has set her sites on one person she would really like to compete against and beat, once she returns from the break she has taken.

A girl in her division, by the name of Jennifer Dowfe, is known for

winning all her races, and Goold would really like to beat her in competition.

“I’ve beat her in a practice run before, but not in an actual meet,” Goold said.

This may be a sport where speed determines the winner, but speed skating can hardly be called a non-contact sport.

“I’ve run into walls, poles, been trampled over, pushed and shoved,” Goold said, “but I still love it.”

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EMERALD RIDGE HS - 12405 184TH ST E, SOUTH HILL, WA 98374 - VOL II ISSUE 5 - 18 JANUARY 2002