Humor Editor Spencer Klein fights off facts with his truth sword
The definitive club map of MIHS
What to expect for the fall sports season
Spread > 4/5
Features > 3
PAID
Sports > 6
Me
Islander Schoo lD rcer i
ic
str
t
August 30, 2017
mihsislander.org
Volume VII, Edition 1
MIHS welcomes Superintendent Colosky Ellie Gottesman spread editor
Amid state education budget cuts, new administration and teaching staff, and a growing number of students on Mercer Island, Donna Colosky begins her first school year as Superintendent of the Mercer Island School District. The MISD Board unanimously approved Colosky as Superintendent on June 22. Colosky replaces Gary Plano who served as the MISD Superintendent for the past 10 years. Colosky has spent the summer learning about Mercer Island and its schools, while re-familiarizing herself with the Pacific Northwest. She grew up in Burnaby, British Columbia, where she nurtured her love of music, especially as a high school student. “In high school, I participated in choir, advanced choir, and every small singing group I could find,� Colosky said. “Music was just a love and a passion for me.� The youngest of four children, Colosky was the first to attend and graduate from college. “Because of the situation with my family, I actually went to community college first and wanted to study music,� Colosky said. “I spent three years at Douglas Col-
Seattle musician takes the stage at Bumbershoot Sophie Poole editor in chief
Photo by Mary Kay Woolstson Editor-in-Chief Sophie Poole and Spread Editor Ellie Gottesman got the chance to meet and interview new Superintendent, Donna Colosky.
lege because I worked full time while I went to school.� Later, she obtained her Bachelor’s Degree in Music from the University of British Columbia. Unsure of where to go with her career, Colosky decided to get her teaching credentials. “Within the first month of being in the education program, I was sent to a school and put in a classroom,� Colosky said. “I still remember going home to my parents after my first day and saying ‘this is what I was meant to do.’�
At a recruiting fair, Colosky was offered a contract to work at a small school in California. After serving at multiple school districts across California, Colosky was chosen to be Superintendent of the Paradise Unified School District in Paradise, California. “When I got to the district, they had very little technology access for students,� Colosky said. “It was a high-poverty district.� Within the first few months, Colosky was able to implement Google Apps for Edu-
cation. After two years, third- to twelfth-grade students had access to Google Chrome Books. “For students of poverty, especially those who did not have access to the Internet at home, technology gave them a link to the rest of the world,� Colosky said. Colosky was motivated to apply for MISD Superintendent because the Mercer Island community strongly supports exceptional teaching and learning. (continued on page 2)
Ambassadors of the game: Boys’ Lacrosse goes to Russia Reid Martinez sports editor
Photo courtesy Will St. Mary Senior Max Thilen and junior Donnie Howard teach some moves to an up-and-coming Russian lacrosse star.
Taking advantage of a unique opportunity, the MIHS Boys’ Lacrosse Team traveled to Russia for ten days in August to teach and play lacrosse with local athletes. “We went to Russia to experience a completely different style of lacrosse play, and to see the world,� explained junior Donnie Howard. The team put on clinics in Moscow and St. Petersburg and coached fundamentals to some who have never even played the game. The team taught the same drills that they use at their practices.
Surprisingly, the language barrier did not cause much trouble in teaching. “Most of the Russian lacrosse players learned English in elementary school, so they had pretty decent English. We used a lot of pointing and acting out for those who didn’t learn English,� said senior Zach Friedlander. Going to Russia also gave the Islanders an opportunity to test themselves against Russian players in scrimmages with their club teams. “I was surprised to hear the Russian club teams using the same calls that we (continued on page 6)
Bumbershoot’s venture into the commercial world of music festivals has brought big name artists to the 2017 event like Flume, Lorde, and Gucci Mane. The concerts with more mainstream artists attract thousands of concert-goers, creating an environment of sweaty teenagers and pushy crowds. Straying off the beaten path of Bumbershoot’s main attractions offers an escape from Key Arena and Memorial Stadium – and an opportunity to discover new music and support young and local artists. One such artist, Jason McCue, is playing at Bumbershoot for his first time at the Fisher Green Stage, from 3:15-3:45 on the first day of the festival. McCue, a student at Seattle University, won this year’s Sound Off! competition – the Museum of Popular Culture’s annual battle of the bands for musicians 21 and under. Sound Off! helps launch young artists’ careers and connect them with industry members and peers in the Seattle music scene. (continued on page 7)
Find us on social media! The MIHS Islander @themihsislander
For more content and expanded articles, scan the above Snapcode or visit our website at www.mihsislander.org