The Islander Back to School Issue 2016

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August 31, 2016

mihsislander.org

Volume VI , Edition 1

Jaden Krauser climbs Mt. Kilimanjaro as to the lakes around Granite Peak. Krauser also ran sports editor Track and Field to improve This summer, freshman his fitness for the climb.

To top off the preparaJaden Krauser climbed tion, Krauser and his dad Mount Kilimanjaro, the tallest mountain in Africa and climbed 10,400 feet up Mt. tallest freestanding peak in the world.

The seven-day journey took him from the jungles of Africa up to sub-zero temperatures on the 19,341 foot peak.

The journey began when Krauser’s dad asked him if he wanted to climb Kilimanjaro. They would be heading over to Africa that summer for a wedding, which presented the perfect opportunity for the climb of a lifetime.

Krauser and his dad prepared for the Jaden and his dad holding an MI flag at the top of Mt. Kilimanjaro. climb by training on mountains in the area. They Rainier to Camp Muir. At scaled Mount Si, Cougar Camp Muir, a base camp on Mountain, and Tiger Moun- the mountain, the hope was tain. The pair also back- that the increased elevation packed trails in the area, such would help prepare the duo

by

Nathan Benson

know the locals helping them on the journey up the mountain. The porters and guides were paid very little, just a few dollars every day, but always smiled despite their difficult job. “Ali was responsible for setting up our camp and cooking our meals,�

Krauser said. “One day, I saw him cutting his shoe lace with a rock, so I gave him my pocket knife. It really impressed me that a person could do such a hard job, smile, and get paid so little.�

As the group Photo courtesy Jaden Krauser continued up the mountain, Krauser’s climbing group the trail and environment consisted of him, his dad, changed around them. Origand two climbers from inally, a path wide enough Canada.

Local guides for a car quickly narrowed and porters helped carry (continued on page 3) of wildlife, yet was surprised when he discovered little along the climb. “I thought I would see more wildlife,� he said. “But, I only saw a few monkeys at the base.�

Schedule changes occuring at MIHS by

Georgia Mattox online editor

As much as we tried to avoid it, summer has come to a close and the halls of Mercer Island High School are filled with busy students yet again.

Tanned and relaxed, the student body has returned to Mercer Island High School for yet another new school year. High schoolers must leave the days of summer fun behind, and settle back into the fast-paced lifestyle that is school.

This year though, students can look forward to late start every Wednesday: a chance to catch up on some much needed sleep.

Class schedules on Wednesdays will also be shifted as the administration makes changes the bridges experience.

It is vital to note the important changes going on

around MIHS as students begin the new school year.

Principal Vicki Puckett explained that school will now start at 8:45 a.m. on Wednesdays and end at 2:50pm.

The school district has high hopes that this will allow students to get more sleep throughout the week, therefore yielding productive and efficient school days.

With late-start Wednesdays, Bridges will now be adjusted to ensure there is no interference with the student lunch schedule.

Bridges will now be after block sixth period from 2:05 p.m. to the end of the day at 2:50 p.m.. “With our lunch schedule the way it is, set through a contract with the company we contract with, we had to work Bridges around the lunch schedule,� Puckett

said.

Now that Bridges is the last class of the day, concerns arise regarding class attendance. It is now easier than ever before for stuThe administration is hopeful this change will be good for students and staff.

Mark Zmuda

dents to skip bridges. “This will impact their discipline record,� Puckett said in response to the concerns. “Students who skip Bridges could be subject to consequences like Saturday School.�

Many students are concerned about the change and worry that the time of both teachers and students will be wasted. “Moving [Bridges] to the end of the day is not only asking for record-breaking low attendance rates, but also very unhappy, exhaust-

PAID

Inside

Mr. Bencivengo interns at UW ophthalmology lab Features > Page 2

MIHS golf teams wins tournament in Scotland Sports > Page 3

100 things to do before you graduate Spread > Page 4/5

ed students,� senior Erin Greer said.

Among other concerns, Freshman: everything you students argue that few lis- need to know ten to the planned lessons as Opinions > Page 6 it is, and moving Bridges to the end of the day will only make this problem worse. “For teachers to conduct yet another lesson that the students won’t even pay attention to is a waste of their valuable time,� Greer said.

The administration re- Everything to know about PokĂŠmon Go. mains hopeful that Bridges A & E > Page 7 will be successful. “Anytime you make adMake sure to check out justments to a schedule, our website at mihsisthere are challenges that lander.org! occur and things we may not have considered arise,â€?

Athletic Director Mark Jergens-Zmuda said. “The administration is hopeful this change will be good for students and staff.�

2

FEATURES

mihsislander.org

Bencivengo interns at UW opthamology lab by

Hanna Puetz features editor

MIHS Biology teacher Larry Bencivengo helped conduct ophthalmology research and analyze data results this summer at the University of Washington.

As a laboratory intern, Bencivengo worked in conjunction with ophthalmologist Dr. Russell Van Gelder, a doctor specializing in the eye care and disease treatment, to develop a technique to restore vision to people suffering from retinal degeneration.

“

The research that Dr. Van Gelder’s lab is conducting is groundbreaking, with potential to restore vision to many blind patients in the future.

Larry Bencivengo After working a different internship in a UW lab last summer involving neuroscience research, Bencivengo sought to continue pursuing his passion for laboratory studies by obtaining a Partnership in Science grant from the Murdock

F o u n d a t i o n . esting things we are work- many blind patients in the “[The grant] provides ing on is to use tiny arrays future,” Bencivengo said.

Plus, the method of teachers with a stipend and of micro-electrodes to study additional funding to work the responses of the cells collecting and analyzin a lab for two summers,” in a retina that have been ing data from the experiBencivengo said. “At the treated with these special ment was developed by same time, Dr. Van Gelder molecules called photo- Dr. Van Gelder and it will sent an email to the high switches,” Bencivengo said. likely become an effective school seeking an intern in “We then project simple research tool for ophthalhis lab, having heard about ‘movies’ onto the retina and mology and related fields.

Bencivengo’s research the Partners in Science pro- measure the electrical reand lab exgram after perience receiving will not just a research stay hidden g r a n t within the through University the Murof Washd o c k ington lab Foundabut will tion. Nathopefully urally, I find a place jumped at Mercer at the opIsland High portunity.”

School Retinal as well. degenera“I will tion is, as Photo courtesy Larry Bencivengo definitely it sounds, Part of Bencivengo’s research at the University of Washington included analyzing retina cells. bring a lot the deterioration of the retina in the sponse of the retina to try to of information back to my eye over time due to the death determine what features the classes from this experiof retinal cells. The method eye is able to discriminate.” ence,” Bencivengo said.

However confusing “Dr. Van Gelder and I are that Dr. Van Gelder is trying to develop will restore light the process may sound, working on some ideas sensitivity by injecting spe- “the research that Dr. Van for lab activities related cial molecules that attach Gelder’s lab is conducting to his research that I could to nerve cells into the eye. is groundbreaking, with po- do with my students.”

The one piece of ad“One of the most inter- tential to restore vision to

vice Bencivengo has acquired for his students

“

I will definitely bring a lot of information back to my classes from this experience. Dr. Van Gelder and I are working on some ideas for lab activities related to his research that I could do with my students.

Larry Bencivengo from the internship with Dr. Van Gelder is the importance of understanding computer programming.

“These experiments that we are conducting produce vast amounts of data which can only be analyzed by computers. Since this work is so new, it is up to us to write the computer programs to perform the analysis.”

Although school has resumed, Bencivengo enjoyed a summer well spent.

“While I have not yet personally made any important scientific discoveries, every day in the lab has been a fascinating and challenging adventure.”

Schoology to replace teacher websites by

Nathan Benson sports editor

As a new school year begins, teachers and students will find themselves using Schoology for classwork instead of the school website. The shift to Schoology comes after a series of trial periods by teachers and classes throughout the school district, where the site received largely positive reviews.

In the past, teachers utilized their pages on the school website to help run their class. Instructors put information, files, assignments, and schedules up for the class to access. The method of using the district website in this way has remained largely unchanged for years.

Schoology has a very different look and style though from the school web pages. Schoology’s similar layout to Facebook allows for increased person-

alization for each student. students and teachers to was not difficult, Adsit said.

“I think schoology acclimate to the new site.

With the goal of enis more user-friendly on “All systems take a little suring a smooth transition both the student side and bit of time to learn and figure away from the district webthe teacher side,” math out,” Adsit said. “But in the site, teachers have worked teacher Lynn Adsit said. long run, Schoology allows to implement Schoology Students can access all us to integrate a lot more into their curriculum in their classes as well as view things into one format.” the past few school years. any upcoming asThe successful efsignments and when forts and positive they are due with a reviews from teachfew clicks. Teachers and students alike ers and administrahelped drive the shift tors can also easily over to Schoology. send out information “I look forward and announcements to using it,” English to students. teacher Curtis JohnOne disadvanston said. “I have tage of switching used two other interto Schoology is the faces that are similar, Photo by Hanna Puetz education period. Senior Christine Lee will use Schoology to access classwork this year instead so I bet it will be a of teacher websites.

Students and teachgreat experience.” ers will have to learn the The use of SchoolMost MIHS students ins and outs of the site in ogy by many teachers will echo the same positive feelorder to get the program also accelerate the learning ings towards the site. The running at its full potential. process. Teachers worked largest complaint among Schoology’s user-friendly together to learn the pro- students was that relatively design, however, looks to gram, and because Scho- few classes used the apremedy this problem and ology was similar to other plication in past years. decrease the amount of programs they have used “It was not a consistently time it will take for both in the past, the transition used resource by all classes,

which made it harder to use,” senior Ryan Liang said.

Having Schoology used in one class largely defeated one of the site’s main advantages. The advantage comes in the ability to easily view all homework assignments from all classes in one place. However, students and teachers have voiced that the ability to easily access documents and assignments, and turn in homework from anywhere with internet are clear advantages with Schoology.

“Schoology allows us to integrate a lot more things into one format as opposed to having students have to go to a lot of different places,” Adsit said.

The district took the learning curve into account when choosing Schoology as the new teaching site.

“A lot of thought went into choosing it as a program that helps us better teach our students,” Johnston said.

August 31, 2016

SPORTS

3

Jaden Krauser climbs Mt. Kilimanjaro: tallest freestanding mountain in Africa cont. by

Nathan Benson sports editor

(continued from page 1) as the elevation increased.

The jungle ecosystem shifted from a rainforest to a desert-like environment. At the summit, the temperature was a frosty minus 10

“

There was a thick cloud layer far down below us, similar to the view from an airplane Jaden Krauser degrees.

The toughest day of the week-long climb came on the summit day. Over the course of eight hours, Krauser’s group scaled

5,000 feet up the mountain dad, and their Canadian at a slow pace. They began climbing partners watched their summit day journey the sunrise. Afterwards, at 11:30 p.m. and hiked Krauser and his dad took with headlamps through the dark.

Fifteen mph winds battered the group, and a few hours into the eight-hour hike, Krauser became ill with altitude sickness, not uncommon at extreme altitudes. World’s tallest peaks by continent Krauser and the group powered through, a photo with the Mercer though, and made it to the Island flag. At the top, snow-covered summit by Krauser and the rest of his 7:30 a.m. group appreciated the view.

From the top of Mount “There was a thick cloud Kilimanjaro, Krauser, his layer far down below us,

Drill team welcomes new senior, Hannah Samuels by

Jane Gormley Editor-in-Chief

When Hannah Samuels marches out of the west gym at assemblies this year, each first experience will also be her last. She decided to try out for drill last year and is now the only new senior on the team.

Samuels has been involved with clubs for the past three years. However, she said drill offered a new opportunity to interact with the school on a deeper level.

She dances at Emerald Ballet Theater four to five times a week and has performed in their production of the Nutcracker for the past five years.

“I thought that’d be a good transition from dance to drill,” Samuels said.

She said her transition has been pretty seamless, thanks in part to her background in dance. Her status as an upperclassman has been helpful as well.

“I knew a lot of the girls that were seniors,” she said.

“They were more than accommodating and reached out.”

Because she had friends on the team and has watched them perform before, Samuels had a good idea of what

she was getting into.

“I’m not going into it blind like a lot of the freshman are,” she said.

“But, I don’t have any expectations. I’m just going to keep an open mind.”

The experience so far has been both fun and a little nerve-racking for Samuels.

“It’s not in my comfort zone to do this kind of thing,” she said. “I’m doing it also just to challenge myself.”

Joining the team as a senior allowed Samuels to experience drill as both an audience member and a team member.

“I had no idea what went into assemblies and performances,” she said.

“It makes me appreciate the officers more and their time and commitment to the team.”

She said she sees joining drill her final year as a good “last hoorah.”

“I don’t want to leave high school with any regrets,” Samuels said.

“This will be my first and last time being able to do anything like this. It’ll just add to the senior experience.”

similar to the view from have made the climb. an airplane,” he said. “The “I was exhausted, but sun was reflecting off the happy to have done this glaciers at the summit which journey,” he said. was very Looking towards the cool.”

A f t e r I was exhausted, but taking in the happy to have done this view and journey snapping Jaden Krauser s o m e p h o t o s , future, Jaden hopes to K r a u s e r ’s climb Mount Rainier with group began his dad and friends as long the journey as the weather permits. As Graphic by Nathan Benson down the Jaden begins his freshman m o u n t a i n . year at Mercer Island High They descended 10,000 feet School, he will remember in seven hours and reached the people on the trip as their next camp. It had been well as the view from the a long and tiring 15-hour top, and all the hard work day of hiking, but Krauser and preparation that paid off and his dad were happy to during his climb.

“

Boys golf travels to Scotland: wins tournament

tournament. They competed against other American A&E editor state championship teams, including teams from New The MIHS boys varsity Jersey and Georgia. The golf team took an eightMIHS players had the top day trip to Scotland this score in the tournament at July. The team toured the the end, earning the title town of St. Andrews in adAmerican High School dition to competing Golf Champions. in a golf tournament, “Team overall played where they won. great and adapted to The team was inScottish links style of vited via email to play,” said Peters. In compete in the touraddition, MIHS 2016 nament as a sucgraduate Zach Evens cessful Washingwon individually. ton state golf team.

The tournament Braden Williams, was an excellent trainNoah Funk, Zack ing experience for the Evens, Zack GottesPhoto courtesy Mark Williams man, Drew Christ- The boys golf team won at the American High School Golf Championships MIHS team. The skills Scotland. From left, back row: Braden Williams, Bligh Bjarnason, Drew offerson, Maverick inChristofferson, Maverick Emerson and Coach Tyson Peters. Front row: learned in the tournaZack Gottesman, Zach Evens and Noah Funk ment will be beneficial Emerson, and Bligh Bjarnason, accompanied by British Open in person. for next year’s golf season.

“The benefit of the trip “The Open was one of the coach Tyson Peters, flew to Scotland to compete. The many highlights of the trip. was playing in the rough playing conditions team was housed of Scotland, and bein the University of ing able to take back St. Andrews dorms. some stuff I learned The team competover there back home,” ed each day at various Bjarnason said. golf courses in the Although both the area. One of which players and the coach was the world-famous agree the highlight of St. Andrews course. the tournament was “It is one of the their win, the entire trip oldest golf courses in the world and we Photo courtesy Mark Williams was educational as well played it after a tour- Mercer Island boys golf team practices at the driving range while in as enjoyable.

Scotland for a golf tournament.

“I would love nament round, so it was a great time to relax and I always love watching pro- to relive the experience. have a great time with my fessionals play,” Funk said. It was amazing historiThe golf team were suc- cally, culturally, and comteammates,” Bjarnason said.

In addition to compet- cessful in winning the in the petitively!” Peters said. by

Zoe Levin

ing, the team was able to experience the culture of St. Andrews while learning more about golf. The players toured the town and the St. Andrews golf course.

Peters and the whole team also watched the 145th

1. Read The Islander.

2. Tell your friends to read The Islander.

3. Eat at a trendy restaurant, take a picture of your food, then send the best of them to your local food Instagram.

4. Attend a football game.

5. Attend a non-conventional sports game.

6. Attend a concert and post it to as many social media sites as possible.

Pho

to Courtesy of Audrey Sun Josie Thomps on an one of their ido d Audrey Sun meet ls, Tori Kelly.

7. Wear maroon and white (for an entire week).

8. Eat lunch off campus.

9. Paint your face maroon and white for spirit days.

10. Jump in Lake Washington.

11. Read a non-school book for fun.

12. Send a singing Valentine. ;) 13. Reach a snapchat streak of at least 100, then break it. </3 14. Leave a contribution on the Gum Wall.

15. Sneak into a movie theater (jk don’t).

16. Drive around the entire island blasting your favorite tunes.

17. Take a ride on the swings at Mercerdale Park.

18. Ride your bike on East or West Mercer Way (I dare you).

19. Go to a school dance (for more than 10 minutes).

20. Attend the Puyallup fair.

21. Have a bonfire.

22. Go to a drive-in movie theater.

23. Attend Summer Celebration (and stay for the fireworks).

24. Don’t be intimidated by the student store because they just want your money.

25. Buy a pretzel roll (Make sure to heat it up!).

26. Eat lunch in the Amphitheatre when it’s sunny.

27. Wear your pajamas to school.

100 Things Things tt 100 before you you before

Before you know it, y school career will Use this list as a making the most ou years at MIHS.

28. Boat on Lake Washington.

29. Participate in a Mosh Pit. 30. Have a picnic at Luther Burbank Park.

31. Buy or donate something to the thrift shop.

32. Tell your crush you like him or her.

33. Skip a day of school with your best friends.

34. Talk to people you’ve never talked to.

35. Canoe around the entire island.

36. Take a new route to school.

37. Go to a party.

y of Photo Courtes

Maddie Coles

kebs up while wa gives a thum ington. sh Wa Maddie Coles ke La of a boat on boarding off Photo Courtes y of Ava Ava Blanchette , Jack Shanafe Blanchette lt, Carson Coe, Chris Gree n, and Noonie Mccann smile for a se lfie in the sun.

38. Participate in a color run.

39. Don’t stress out about EOC testing.

Megan Lee, Carm en Schafer, Jasmi 40. Write a letter to your future self. ne Lau, Chris Yee, and Ro ry Murphy turne d blue from the Color Run. 41. Attend a Mariners game.

42. Memorize the order of the school motto.

43. Watch the sunrise at one of the parks on the island.

44. Say goodbye to all your teachers and get to know one of them outside of class.

45. Go skinny dipping.

46. Take advantage of the Pacific Northwest.

Maybe even take a hike.

47. Learn how you study best.

Photo Courtesy of Rory

48. Buy flowers at Pike Place Market.

49. Attend a Maroon Lotus event.

Murphy

Photo Courtes Audrey Hixon y of Eden Sing and Eden Singh h eye the Pike Pla Market sign. ce

50. Participate in a school assembly.

Photo Courtesy of Vi

Le

forms in a school Luke Kenworthy per Drill Team. assembly with the

Things to Things to do do you Graduate you Graduate

ou know it, your high areer will be over. list as a guide to he most out of your MIHS.

51. Eat at the Islander every night for a week.

52. Learn about the resources at Crest.

53. Go through the Starbucks drive-thru and order at least 17 frappuccinos.

54. Read the Islander online.

55. Actually learn MLA formatting.

56. Get to know Kilkelly.

57. Figure out what Hamlet tag is before senior year.

58. Learn how to park on the strip.

59. Find a friend who lives near the school so you don’t have to park on the strip.

60. Befriend an upperclassman so you can use their parking spot.

61. Cry because Northwood Elementary school is nicer than MIHS. 62. Get comfortable with Spark Notes.

63. Don’t block the hallway.

64. Actually figure out when lunch ends.

65. Buy a chocolate muffin and find a way to not make a mess.

66. Use every bathroom in the school.

67. Get to know Sheryl Ehrlichman.

68. Go to all the Poké stops on Mercer Island (Go Team Instinct!).

69. Be in the class dance.

70. Get a job.

71. Volunteer your time to a cause you care about.

72. Figure out what Maas 360 is.

73. Connect with people not from MI. 74. Don’t feed the goats!

75. Stay silent for all of morning announcements at least once.

76. Help a bird get out of the 500 hall.

77. Go to an improv show.

78. Get to know the lunch ladies.

79. Learn how to keep Public Displays of Affection private.

80. Go to a restaurant or cafe without seeing anyone you know working there.

81. Remember that Naviance exists.

82. Help make the homecoming float. y of Camryn Photo Courtes

Steiner

rtia, Lauren Ca er, Kat Tiscorn llica Cary Camryn Stein Ma d an , ry Phillips wright, Mallo t year’s junior ture with las pose for a pic float. homecoming

Anna B ati Ph bars in sti shows h er skil oto Courtesy of Anna gymas ls on th tics. e unev Batisti en

83. Pre-order a sandwich.

84. Be the bigger person and don’t cut in line.

85. Find a way to get a coffee before class without being late.

86. Go to the top of the Space Needle.

87. Play in the dodgeball tournament.

88. Check out the courtyard.

89. Check out a book from the library.

90. Be the loudest class for assembly roll call.

91. Send a tweet to Herbert during an assembly (@herbertthesnail).

92. Actually say the Pledge of Allegiance.

93. Use your iPad for more than one class.

94. Get comfortable with Schoology.

95. Prepare for standardized testing before junior year.

96. Listen to 94.5 Hot Jamz radio.

97. Try out for a sport you haven’t played before.

98. Get to know your counselor.

99. Wing a test, or two.

100. Enjoy your time on MI.

OPINIONS Help From Herbert

Ph ot o

6 co

tes ur

i Le yV

You made it. You survived middle school and we can almost guarantee high school will be better. But, unless you have older family or friends, you may not know much about life at MIHS. It can be hard to even know what questions to ask about these next four years. So, to help you out, the Link Leaders have compiled questions

Academics

Q

How do I balance having a social life and still succeeding in school?

You need to know when you just have too much school work. Get your homework done sooner rather than later. Sophia Stribling / Using a planner is very helpful. Annika Evans What’s the best way to study?

Study a couple minutes each night so you don’t forget what you

A

Q A

learned that day. Jacob Evans / Quizlets and group Google documents are great.

A textbook can actually be really helpful too, even if your teacher doesn’t use it in class. Stella Hermelee How much harder is high school than middle school?

High school tests your time management skills, unlike middle school, and there’s the pressure of “everything counting.” Kimia Preston / No need to worry. You get

Q A

Social Life

Q A

Any tips for homecoming?

Don’t let anyone pressure you to ask a certain person. Ask who you want to ask. Remember, it’s ok to go with someone as a friend. Spencer Kingston / Find a dress early because they can sell out. Form a group early as well and try to keep it small. Annika Evens How do I get to know upperclassman?

Join clubs and activities. Then be

Q A Q A Q A

Compiled by the Link Crew staff

The Freshman Edition

they had freshman year and answered them below.

From life outside the classroom to helpful study tips for finals, let the advice of these juniors and seniors help guide you through ninth grade.

There’s no way to cover everything you need to know here, so make sure to ask your Link Leader or an older friend for advice when you need it. They’ve been in your shoes before and are more than willing to help.

smarter as the work gets harder. DB Nguyen How do I keep up with my school work if I start to fall behind?

Turn your phone off or put it on the other side of your house, organize your homework by due date, and start working. Rebecca Bone / Teachers are more understanding than you think. Talk to them.

They will appreciate you showing that interested trying to get caught up. Sidney Montague

Q A

Q

Sports

I know that my grades count for college now. What happens if I don’t get all A’s?

It’s totally OK to not get all A’s. Colleges want to see that you are challenging yourself, and sometimes that means an A isn’t possible. Zoe Levin / Academic programs and colleges want well-rounded students capable of attaining more than 4.0. That being said, work hard to get the best grades you can. Hanna Nóren

A

Q A

Can you join sports even if you have no experience?

Yes. high school is about trying new things. Chris Yee / Cut sports can get pretty intense and some prior experience is helpful. Kate Dickhaus / I’ve found that teams are really welcoming to all levels of players. It’s a great way to meet people of all grades and the coaches are dedicated to helping you improve.

Rory Murphy

Upperclassman tips for freshman success yourself and try to make friends like normal.

Catherine Spencer / We all love when underclassman are outgoing and want to be involved in the school so put yourself out there. Sophie Snow Is bullying very common at MIHS? Not everyone at MIHS will be your best friend, but there are plenty of kind people here who will make the school feel friendly. Zoe Levin

Every year, freshman have transitioned into high school life smoothly. However, there’s always a couple things they don’t pick up until later in the year. The Link Leaders want your year to start off strong, so they’ve reenacted some classic freshman mistakes so you don’t have to make them.

DO

DON’T

Q A

Miscellaneous What do I do with my ASB card?

You don’t really need to have it on you all the time but it’s used at sports games and for buying dance tickets. Chris Yee Cafeteria food recommendations?

The hashbrowns are great for breakfast and I love the chicken tenders for lunch. Olivia Jensen / Chocolate muffins.

Jasmine Lau

mihsislander.org

Q A

If you had one piece of advice to give, what would it be?

Don’t try to swim upstream in the halls and don’t get a locker. You won’t use it. Rebecca Bone / Enjoy all the cliche events and fully involve yourself even if it seems uncool because high school isn’t forever.

Rory Murphy / Be unapologetically yourself.

Sidney Montague

Photo by Zoe Levin

Photo by Zoe Levin

Do participate in homecoming activities and spirit days. Winning these contests actually helps raise funds for your class.

Don’t think you’re too cool to be spirited and involved. It can feel awkward at first, but at MIHS, it’s normal to go all out.

Photo by Jane Gormley

Photo by Jane Gormley

Do stand along the wall outside your classroom while waiting for your teacher to unlock the door.

Don’t block the entire hallway. You can make other people late to class and it creates traffic problems in the halls.

August 31, 2016

Facebook book trade hits Mercer Island Georgia Mattox

by online editor

The summer book trade is a phenomenon in which people all over the world trade reading material via Facebook. It is a great opportunity for readers to expand their reading repertoire and try out new and upcoming books. The Facebook trade has reached Mercer Island, and many students are getting involved.

It starts with a Facebook post. Anyone who likes it enters the trade, where addresses are passed around.

The posts create a book chain, in which participants both send and receive books.

Senior Kaes Vanderspek, described the trade as, “an exponentially growing chain message, in which you send one of your favorite books to the person two levels above you and you can then receive up to 36 books from strangers below you.”

The process has reached bookworms all over the world. By utilizing the power of social media, books are being shared in a whole new way.

Senior Rachel Ayzenberg is an active participant in the trade as well.

“I have gotten probably ten books or so,” Ayzenberg said.

The fee to join the glob-

al book trade is ten dollars. Receiving ten books from other Facebook users is a cheap and unique alternative to book stores.

Some participants, however, did not have as great of an experience as Ayzenberg did. Since the fee to join is ten dollars, the trade is only truly worth it if you get back two or more books.

Senior Nadja Li did not receive any books from the trade, and found that those who liked the Facebook post were not legitimate book seekers.

The primary problem with the trade on social media was that one cannot fully trust all social media users to send the books that keep the trade going, she said.

Vanderspek and Ayzenberg did note that although participants may not always get a complete return on their investment, the idea is a brilliant one. They explained that one new book could brighten the day of a complete stranger, and that alone is a rewarding experience.

“I hope we can see more [programs] like this in the future,” Vanderspek said. “I love the idea of using the internet to exchange stories throughout the world.”

A&E

7

Students record at Grammy-winning studio in Nashville Christine Lee

by spread editor

In August, nine MIHS In August, nine MIHS students in Island Sound Choir travelled to Nashville, Tennessee to record songs with professional music producers. Juniors Augusta Norman, Annabelle Marshall, Angie Osman, Jenny Dao, Josie Thompson, Sophia Tiscornia, Zoe Staples, and senior Nicole Kim journeyed to Music Row hoping to expand their musical talents. Music Row, largely considered the heart of Nashville’s entertainment industry, is home to hundreds of music studios and producers.

Island Sound is the oldest age division of Island Choral Experience, a nonprofit organization that provides the opportunity for girls from second to 12th grade to develop their musical and performance skills. For the past two decades, Island Sound has provided juniors and seniors serious about singing with the chance to advance their musical talents by recording songs in a professional studio.

The MIHS singers recorded with Ocean Way Studios, a successful recording studio. Since

its start in 1974, Ocean Way Studios has produced 11 Grammy: Album of the Year awards and has worked with famous artists such as Frank Sinatra, Michael Jackson, and Whitney Houston.

Although Music Row is most well known for

experience much more special.”

Dao and many other girls felt bonded after the trip.

“The sense of everyone together supporting each other was really special,” Dao said.

Additionally, many of the girls enjoyed the musical culture of Tennessee.

“Most restaurants and pubs had live music, so music could be heard across the city,” Kim said. “The second you get off the airplane, you already hear music playing.”

Additionally, Kim Photo courtesy SophiaTiscornia Junior Sophia Tiscornia takes a break from recording in the believes that Southern Ocean Way Studios. hospitality was palpable producing country and within the city’s culture. gospel music, the girls “People were so friendly recorded a variety of and genuinely happy to be genres, and the producers there,” she said. were able to adapt to Cheryl Falk, the artistic their wide array of styles. director of Island Choral The girls sang pop, jazz, Experience, said the trip country, classical, and inspired creativity and even Broadway songs. wonder among the girls.

Additionally, Staples and “I hoped that they would Dao displayed creativity by approach music with awe,” recording original songs. she said.

Dao recorded a song Falk’s favorite parts of that she started working on the trip were any time she three years prior. was in the studio working “I knew it would be with the girls. cool to record covers,” Dao “There was almost a said. “But, if I could make tornado of magic,” said an original song come to Falk. “It happened over and life, it would make the over again.”

Death, Nintendo, and pocket monsters: everything to know about Pokémon Go Aina Schwartz

by opinions editor

With summer break unfortunately over, many students are longing for those leisurely summer days and reflecting on the highlights of their vacations.

For a lot of people, the defining moment of their #Summer2016 was the July 6th release of the popular game, Pokémon Go. The free app, which was created as a collaboration between The Pokémon Company and Niantic Labs, was available for download in the U.S. in early July.

Soon after, the app went global, expanding to places such as Australia, Britain, and Thailand.

However, while a significant amount of the

gaming community has been swept up by this current fad, some of us are still in the dark as to what a Pokémon even is. So, to everyone wanting to stay up to date with this obsession that is gripping the planet, here is everything you need to know about Pokémon Go. So what does “Pokémon” even mean?

The word “Pokémon” actually stands for Pocket Monsters, or the little things you are trying to catch and collect. The cartoon monsters were originally created in the ‘90s by Satoshi Tajiri, a Japanese game developer.

What is Pokémon Go? Pokémon Go is a free app for Android and IOS devices that was released this summer in multiple

countries around the world. Labs (creator of the game The game uses the player’s “Ingress”) and The Pokémon own surroundings (through Company. As of today, The Google Maps and GPS) to Pokémon Company has grossed a map out grand total a virtual of $40.5 reality b i l l i o n on their worldwide. phone.

Nintendo The app only owns a l s o 32 percent places of The different Photo by Zoe Levin P o k é m o n Pokémon The Pokémon craze has reached the classrooms of MIHS. C o m p a n y, characters in the player’s but has found that some of surroundings, which the its other Pokémon-based player must then attempt to games such as Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha collect.

Wait, so Pokémon Go Sapphire have received a wasn’t made by Nintendo? bump in popularity since the The short answer to this release of the Pokémon Go one is no. The app was the app.

Is it true that people result of a collaboration between the Google start- have actually died playing up company of Niantic this game?

Yes. According to many credible sources such as the Boston Globe, multiple people have died playing Pokémon Go since the game’s release.

For example, a man in Florida shot and killed two teenagers playing Pokémon Go in his backyard on July 17th, mistaking them for burglars.

Pokémon Go is a revolutionary new app that is changing the face of the augmented reality industry.

However, it also has the potential to be extremely dangerous. We would like to urge all students to be aware of their surroundings and mindful of themselves and others while playing.

We wish you the best in your Pokémon-hunting endeavors.

Your Spirit Gear Guide Compiled by Hanna Norén Arranged by Christine Lee

“In a general fashion sense, jean shorts are going to be the next big thing within the next two years here in America. I just visited Europe and all of the fashionable men there were wearing jean shorts. I think it would be cool to get some maroon jean shorts. I will probably add that to my repertoire later in the year.”

“I don’t think that that dressing in spirit gear per se is important. The important thing is being a part of the community around you. No man (or woman) is an island. We go to games to cheer on our friends from the stands. We wear maroon to show unity with our peers.

So if someone wants to support their community and doesn’t want to wear maroon in doing so, that’s great! On the other hand, if someone is wearing maroon in pursuit of ego, just so they can seem ‘cool,’ then I think that’s toxic. Dressing in spirit gear is simply one of many ways to show support for our community and our school.”

“I don’t think you have to go all out to be spirited. If it’s not your style to cover your face in maroon, that’s fine. But if you want to, then go for it. You just have to do what you feel comfortable doing and avoid being spirited for the wrong reasons.”

Luke Kenworthy

“I think everyone should participate in spirit days and wear maroon and white because it is important: it brings our school together as a whole whether it is for fun or when supporting our amazing sport teams.”

2017 ASB President and Flag Dude

“I think that the most important attribute when it comes to spirit wear is that you are wearing maroon and white and then adding your own style to it whether that consists of face paint or gems.”

“I get most of my spirit wear online on websites like Amazon and Varsity.com. I get my inspiration from Islander girls from past years and others around the school.”

Maile Moll 2017 Islander Girl

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Editor-in-Chief:

Jane Gormley

Front Page Editor: Georgia Mattox Features Editor: Hanna Puetz Sports Editor: Nathan Benson Spread Editor: Christine Lee Opinions Editor: Jane Gormley A&E Editor: Zoe Levin Back Page Editor: Christine Lee Online Editors: Hanna Norén and Georgia Mattox Adviser: Chris Twombley

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The dle

following people have been designated to haninquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policies: Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying (HIB) Coordinator: Dr. Gary Plano, Superintendent (206) 236-3300 gary.plano@mercerislandschools.org Title IX Compliance Coordinator: Dean Mack, CFO/COO, (206) 236-4522 dean.mack@mercerislandschools.org Section 504 & ADA Coordinator: Lindsay Myatich, Director, (206) 236-3326 lindsay.myatich@mercerislandschools.org Civil Rights Compliance Coordinator: Simmi Kher, Coordinator, (206) 236-3300 simmi.kher@mercerislandschools.org