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
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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)
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2
FEATURES
Candidates for the School Board Maya Virdell online editor
The candidates running for School Board of Mercer Island positions have been narrowed down after a recent primary in early August. Those selected will be on the ballet for the general election in November 2017. According to the school district website, “The duties of a School Board member involve an average minimum commitment of 18-20 hours per month for preparation, participation, and attendance at meetings and other functions such as community meetings and graduation exercises.”
Mercer Island School District No. 400 Director Position No.4 Deborah Schneider Lurie • Grew up in the Mercer Island School District • Married to husband Brian, and has a daughter named
Joey who currently attends Island Park. • Involved in the PTSA. • Decided to attend law school and become an attorney to advocate for children. • According to her website, deb4kids.com, Lurie believes that our kids deserve a fully funded public education with the most qualified teachers. She believes that she is the best candidate for school board director to make that happen.
• Wants to represent everybody if elected, and hopes to create an atmosphere that prioritizes students, and is surrounded with the celebration of diversity and impartiality, while also advocating for teachers. Also encouraging Mercer Island residents to speak up about issues they see within the school district.
Diana Lein
Brian Giannini Upton
• Lein has resided on Mercer Island for 12 years and has an 11 year old child who will attend IMS. • Has previously been a voting delegate at annual conventions and participates in the Mercer Island PTA Advocacy Committee and Lakeridge PTA Board. • Frequently volunteers in the school district despite having a full time job as a neuroscientist. • Recently awarded the PTA Special Recognition Award.
School Board Director Position #3 • He and his family currently live on the island. • Moved here because of the strong schools. • According to briangianniniupton.com, he wants to protect and grow our district for the benefit of all students, families, and educators.
Caifeng Wu
• Resides on Mercer Island with wife and family. • Holds a governing position on the Mercer Island Chinese Association.
Superintendent (cont.)
“A community is only as strong as the people in it,” Colosky said. “My learning curve in the next few months is going to be straight up as I learn about all of you.” Her goal is to evaluate and make adjustments to fit the needs of students and teachers as time progresses. The 2020 Vision, which outlines the goals and ideals of the MISD, is subject to change. “Change is inevitable,” Colosky said. “Any strategic plan shouldn’t just be a book on the shelf. It should be something we are constantly reviewing and adjusting.” Colosky is happy to report her family has already tracked on Google Maps how long it will take to reach her home from British Columbia. “I moved to California 32 years ago,” Colosky said. “Having grown up in the Pacific Northwest, even though it was on the other side of the border, coming here feels like coming home.”
mihsislander.org
Get to know your Superintendent! iPhone or Android? iPhone
Last Book You Read?
“Visible Learning” by John Hattie
Favorite Superhero? Wonderwoman
Pepsi or Coke? Neither, she doesn’t drink soda
Favorite Drink? Green tea
Favorite Musical Artist? Adele, Celine Dion
Favorite Movie? The Wizard of Oz
Favorite Ice Cream? Salted Caramel
Student steps into local politics MIHS senior lands internship at UW laboratories
Isabel Funk
features editor
Most students spend their summer breaks swimming in the lake, hanging out with friends, attending camp, and emptying their brains of everything they learned during the school year. However, senior Julia Graham spent her summer volunteering for Jenny Durkan’s mayoral campaign. After working as a senate page earlier in the year, Graham discovered a passion for politics. “Working in the senate has allowed me to witness the making of history with a front row seat on the senate floor. My duties were mostly to deliver bills around the Capitol, set up senators who were speaking then collect their speeches afterwards,” Graham said. “Working so close to our
“
Working in the senate has allowed me to witness the making of history with a front row seat on the Senate floor.” Julia Graham
nation’s leaders and their staff taught me how to compose myself in a very professional setting.” This opportunity at the senate left Graham wanting to
Isabel Funk
features editor
Photo courtesy Jenny Durkan’s campaign Jenny Durkan and Julia Graham (far right) at the primary night party on August 1.
make an impact in her community and get involved in local politics. Graham decided to become involved in the local mayoral elections. After researching Seattle’s mayoral candidates, Graham decided to volunteer for Durkan’s campaign because she believed that Durkan was the most likely candidate to have a lasting, positive impact on Seattle. “Other candidates can speak about what he or she will do once in office, but Jenny can speak about all that she already has done for the region,” Graham said. Previously the U.S. attorney for Western Washington, Durkan helped draft the settlement to reform the Seattle Police Department by bringing in new techniques and a greater attention to mental illnesses.
Graham spends roughly twenty hours a week volunteering for Durkan’s campaign. She volunteers from home, at the office, or at various events. This involves staffing legislative district meetings, parade marching, and phone banking. Graham hopes that by volunteering for Durkan’s campaign, she can motivate Seattle’s voters become well informed and motivated to choose whoever they believe to be the best candidate. “Seattle is one of fastest growing cities in America. What the city represents affects surrounding cities as well as the whole nation,” Graham said. “It is important to me that voters in Seattle – and its surroundings – know who they are electing and what these people represent.”
Paige Robertson, a senior at Mercer Island High School, spent much of her summer working in a lab at the University of Washington, aiding three graduate students with their research. Robertson was busy at work this summer, and said that her experiences this summer have helped her make decisions about her career and future beyond high school. “I decided to work in the lab because I knew that I really liked science in school, but wanted to experience working in basic science research,” Robertson said to explain her decision to work in the lab. She spent roughly five hours in the lab Monday through Thursday, spending her time assisting the graduate students however they need her help, most often with pipetting, completing cell imaging, and analyzing data. Robertson enjoyed cell imaging the most because she could view parts of the cell that would usually be difficult to see. “We first
stained the cells for different organelles and proteins, and then we imaged them. I really liked being able to see what the effects of the different treatments was because usually, everything is on such a microscopic scale, it can be difficult to interpret,” Robertson said. Her primary job in the lab was to help the three graduate students complete their research, mostly with cell imaging. Robertson was working in a pharmacology lab, a branch of biology that is involved with the study of medicine and the effects of drugs as used in pharmaceuticals. The graduate students she helped were all studying various types of cancer cells. Robertson enjoys her science classes during school, and she hoped that by working in the lab, she would gain a better understanding of what it would mean to have a job working in the field of science. “In terms of a career path, [working in the lab] will definitely help me in the sense that I will have some connections in the world of science research,” Robertson said.
August 30, 2017
FEATURES
3
Welcome to the new school year — and more importantly, my column ‘Unfounded Assumptions’
with humor editor Spencer Klein Like the fact that 1990s Heath Ledger and 2010s Joseph Gordon-Levitt are the same person. Sure, Hello, my name is Spencer there’s a lot of evidence that Klein. To get the full benefit would point toward the fact of my work you should read that Heath Ledger is actually it in my voice. If you don’t dead and probably can’t know what I sound like, travel through time, but it’s just aim for a prepubescent still impossible to watch the Gilbert Gottfried. movie Snowden without This is my column in the thinking, “Didn’t that guy newspaper, and I’ll do with play a gay cowboy?” it what I want. I don’t care Often times my beliefs what you think about it, and may be unconventional; I don’t care if you went to some might even say them Guatemala last summer “offensive”. Is it offensive to build schools and Zika for me to say that students shields, and now your who dab unironically worldview is figured out. should be forced to take My worldview comes from biology every year until the most conflicted place on they graduate, which will the planet — my soul. inevitably take six years? This column is called Maybe, but that is what I “Unfounded Assumptions,” believe in my soul. Beliefs and in case you’re a trump facts every day of freshman, that’s just fancy the week. I’m not some language for “things that I man who can be seduced by believe without any proof.” facts. I’m not even a man.
I’m just a boy, standing in front of a girl, asking if you’re going to believe the
Photos courtesy BuzzFeed and Imgur 1990s Heath Ledger and 2010s Joseph Gordon-Levitt, side by side. I’m not going to tell you which is which.
seductress known as “facts” and “proven information” or if you’re going to believe me. I think you should believe me. Do you want to know why? Because my name is Spencer Owen Klein and I have a low level of education. You can’t trust people who’ve been
educated. You know who went to college and believed facts? Mussolini. You might be thinking to yourself: “Hey! Who does this guy think he is? I dab unironically and now he’s saying I’ll be trapped in a godforsaken class for the next four to six years! Why is he even writing this stupid column?” First, congrats on being able to read. And second, let’s just say that if you are indeed thinking that, then you might want to look away -- there are some big words coming up. The point of this introduction is to familiarize you with my radical ideals, and if that means losing some readers…so be it. This column will not just be a vague, rambling outlet for my ideas, but a focused sword of truth used to cut down hard-hitting issues. Do ninety percent of ASB candidates make their videos stupid on purpose? Who is Herbert the Snail under the mask? Would we still lose
to Bellevue if they hadn’t illegally recruited athletes? How much does school administration censor this newspaper? Why do they do such horrible things to such innocent people? How does this tyrannical system operate without any resistance? My comrades, if you look closely at these questions, they have one thing in common: there is no way to factually answer them. I mean, I guess I could, but that’s a lot of work I don’t want to do. Instead, my assumptions will serve as fact, and my words as the judge, jury, and executioner. Who am I executing? Not important. If there is one thing I want you to take away from this introductory column, it’s that I am here for you. Like mainstream media I am unburdened by facts, and with one sweeping blow of my truth sword I will eviscerate any foe or beast, or issues relevant to the general student body.
Marching towards success: Meet the new Lack of interest causes summer lifeguard shortage band director Spencer Klein
Lucille Shield
humor editor
front editor
After a brief stint working at MIHS in 2012 as a student teacher, band director Kyle Thompson is back working at the high school. A Pacific Northwest local, Thompson grew up in Everett, Washington, where he attended Cascade High School and would go on to study music at Central Washington University. Music has always been a large part of Thompson’s life. He plays the trumpet and wants to learn percussion. He worked as a Drum Corps International coach, and eventually became the band director and ASB advisor for Cedarcrest High school in Duvall. “[Music] can help solve a lot of problems in your life or help you get through tough times,” said Thompson. His goal is to encourage student involvement in music and the band program at the high school. Thompson said that his new position as band director will be a “new opportunity to connect with
Thompson in his natural habitat: the band room.
more students” and enable them to grow as people and musicians. Thompson’s first task this year was to organize and manage the annual Band Camp -- a weeklong session of long, intense rehearsals, held two weeks before the start of school. “Band camp is probably one of the only ways that the Mercer Island Band can do what they do,” he said. The weeklong program focused on building students’ musicality and musicianship, as well as developing other fundamental skills like perseverance and teamwork. Band members practiced
Photo by Spencer Klein
marching and prepared for field shows and traveling events. “There’s no way we could get it all done if it was just in class,” said Thompson. Without this opportunity to rehearse and bond, Thompson believes the MIHS Band would not be able to reach the level of proficiency that they strive for. “What I hope to bring to the band is a new perspective,” Thompson added. “I am super excited to be here. I’m honored and I’m really looking forward to getting to know everybody here at the school.”
Lifeguards have been providing an essential service for over one hundred years, and seeing one at a beach is almost given. In movies lifeguards are idealized as vital and heroic employees, but the suitable candidates often don’t see it that way. Today 4,000 people die from drowning in the United States each year, and lifeguards continue their valiant practices. Since the position of lifeguard was established, the amount of deaths from drowning in the US has decreased by 66 percent. Unfortunately, not all beaches and lakes are lucky enough to have a posted lifeguard. Over the summer, the greater Seattle area experienced a record-setting dry spell of 55 days, prompting several Islanders to hit the many beaches Mercer Island has to offer. Due to staffing shortages, the city of Mercer Island was unable to provide a lifeguard
to Groveland Park Beach. “[Hiring lifeguards] is challenging because you have to find certified staff,” said Mercer Island Recreation Supervisor CJ Stanford. “To lifeguard at the beachfront, it’s sixteen years and older and obviously those individuals have to be certified by a professional organization such as the American Red Cross.” The issue resides not for lack of recruitment efforts by the city, but by interest among the pool of candidates. Lifeguards employed by the city make between $11 and $16 per hour, but hours are limited and inconsistent. This unpredictability prompts candidates to look for other, more steady jobs. Fortunately, despite a lifeguard not being present at Groveland Park Beach, no beachgoers have been harmed. However, the issue does not look like it is going to vanish when next summer hits, as this is projected to be a persistent problem at beach parks on Mercer Island.
club map TRAINER’S ROOM
A
507
505
503D
AB
312 B/C
AUDITORIUM
606
302 304 306
B
C
309
MAIN GYM
AMPITHEATER
737
941
406 404 B
204
DEWEY ROOM
C
206 208
R&R
COUNSELING
A
200
201 203 205
A
207 209
211A
402
Science Club | Fridays | 3:00 S.Q.U.I.D Club | Tuesdays | 3:00 Queer Straight Alliance | Wednesdays (bi-weekly) | 3:00
409 213 215
Women in STEM
407 405
402
C B
102 B
102 A
C
403
106B
104
D
101
A
104B
108
106
105
114A
110
106A
104A
103
114B
107
Model United Nations | Wednesdays (bi-weekly) | 3:00 International Club | Wednesdays (monthly) | 3:00 Pegasus | Wednesdays | 3:00 Natural Helpers | day varies (monthly) | 3:15
204
Key Club | Thursdays | 3:05
205
Drone Club | Tuesday | 3:30
206/08
Gender Equality Club | Mondays (bi-weekly) | 3:10 Board Game Club | Thursdays | 3:05
Mock Trial | Thursdays | 3:00 ACLU Club | Wednesdays | 3:00 French Honor Society | day varies (monthly) | both lunches
109
401 111 113 111A
307
National Chinese Honor Society | Wednesdays (monthly) | 3:00
jv field
310 311
Spanish Honors Society | Wednesday (monthly) | 7:15
west mercer
Interact Club | Mondays | 3:00
Destination Imagination | day and time varies
312
Green Team | Tuesdays (monthly) | 3:15 Amateur Radio Club | Wednesdays (bi-weekly) | 3:00
homestead field
Spikeball Club | Wednesdays (bi-weekly) | 2:50
TRIBE Ultimate Frisbee | daily (during season) | 3:30
313
Comic Creation Club | Thursdays | 3:00
316
Unified Club | Tuesdays (bi-weekly) | 3:00
401
Math Club | Fridays | 7:15
dewey room
405 408
Stock Club | day varies (monthly) | 3:05 Computer Club | Wednesdays | 3:00
Junior Statesman of America | monthly | lunch Psychology Club | Wednesdays | 3:00
415
Magic the Gathering Club | Tuesdays | 3:00
502
Yearbook | Tuesdays | 11:30
114
112
Robotics | Mondays | 3:00
Women in STEM | Tuesday (bi-weekly) | 3:05
304 302 305
MAIN OFFICE
MAIN ENTRANCE
107
211B
B
Interest in Medicine Club | Wednesdays (monthly) | 8:00 H.E.L.P. Club | Tuesdays | 3:00
207/09
212 214
205
936
102
203
411
210
GYMNASTICS
201
413
204
WEIGHT ROOM
114
The robotics club provides invaluable experiences designing, planning, building, and programming robots to compete in annual robotics competitions. Club President Gabe Muzio, said, “The main goal of our club is to build the essential skills necessary to succeed in an engineering field.”
LIBRARY
202
Robotics
311 313 415
STUDENT STORE
WRESTLING
417 B
312 408
308 310
303 305 307
301
930
101
417 A
COMMONS
WEST GYM
935
C
500C
A
929
JV FIELD
500D
Math
Join math club to practice for math competitions while snacking and chatting with friends. “We go through math worksheets, discuss specific math problems, and look at math-related memes,” said Zoe Shiell, the club President. “We are hands down the most rad math club there is.”
316
501
503
B
314
STAGE
PRESENTATION ROOM
jv field JV FIELD
505
500B
CUSTODIAL
LOCKER ROOMS
CLOSER LOOK...
KILN
508A 508B 508C 508D 508E
KITCHEN
D
mihs
506
504
502
library presentation room
Kids Corps | Thursdays | Lunch Jewish Student Union | Thursdays | 3:10
115
Women in STEM club offers handson experiments, engineering competitions, and chemistry explorations. “Going into freshman year, I knew I was passionate about STEM,” said senior President Ali Dickstein. “However, I was intimidated by the other science extracurriculars at MIHS. Women in STEM provides a safe, supportive environment so that we all can explore STEM together.”
Mock Trial
In February, a group of students compete in a Mock Trial competition. Leading up to the competition, students gather to write speeches, memorize testimonies, and practice court procedure. “Mock Trial helps us learn how to speak in front of others, engage in logical debate, and learn how the court system functions,” senior club President Sam Bailey said.
marketing classrooms (737)
percussion room
Jazz 3 | Mondays and Thursdays | 7:00 auditorium
Improv Club | Wednesdays | 2:50
DECA | Wednesdays (bi-monthly) | 8:00 Humane Club | Thursdays (monthly) | 3:00 location pending...
n
w
Strategy Games Club | Mondays | 3:05 Gender Equality Club | Mondays (bi-weekly) | 3:00
e
s
6
SPORTS
mihsislander.org
Ambassadors of the game: Boys’ Lacrosse goes to Russia (cont.) use during the scrimmage,” said senior Will St. Mary. Players for the Islanders and the Russian club teams played with and against each other in the scrimmages. “My favorite part of the Russia trip was competing against the Russian lacrosse players because they made the sport more fun, challenging, and interesting for us to play against,” Donnie Howard said. Playing lacrosse was not the only thing the team did in Russia. They toured museums and watched a dance performance at a traditional Russian folk show. The team also participated in a mock Russian Special Forces training session in which they were taught how to throw knives and shoot a bow and arrow. They even participated
in an exercise commonly used by the KGB, in which each person has to hit a target with a throwing knife. Failure to do so would result in an intense push-up workout. “The whole team had a lot of fun. I think throwing knives was everyone’s favorite,” senior Max Thilen said about the activity. The trip to Russia was a great opportunity for the team to hone their skills, experience new cultures, and be ambassadors to the growing sport. The athletes were grateful for this chance to travel and spread their knowledge to an unlikely country. “I feel like it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience,” said Friendlander. “It was all about the game, and I loved it.”
The Boys’ Lacrosse team poses with young Russian players after hosting a clinic
Photo Courtesy Will St. Mary
Your comprehensive guide to the 2017 MIHS fall sports season Grady Short editor in chief
GIRLS’ VOLLEYBALL
Boasting a large and talented senior class, Mercer Island’s volleyball team is as strong as ever. Standout seniors Kelly Behrbaum, Adara Hamilton, Tess Hendelman, Jillian Quinn, and Lindsey Lovsted hope to win a state title this fall.
CROSS COUNTRY
With six captains and a massive amount of members, the co-ed Cross Country team has a number of impressive runners. Seniors Mary Rose Vu and Chloe Michaels, both captains, set the pace for the team along with upcoming junior Maggie Baker. “Cross country is a remarkable sport,” said Vu. “To all the athletes and artists alike who are interested in living life to the fullest and pushing themselves beyond their bodies’ limits, join the MIXC family.”
BOYS’ TENNIS
Coming off a first-place finish at the state tournament last spring, the boys’ tennis team aims to repeat this feat, led by confusingly-named co-captains Christian Anderson, Christoph Schmidt-Warnecke, and Christopher Elliott. Junior Zach Chew, last year’s KingCo singles champion, hopes to help the team win their eighth straight championship.
BOYS’ GOLF
Some of this year’s volleyball seniors on the court.
Photo courtesy Christina Hendelman
BOYS’ ULTIMATE
In its second year of existence, the boys’ Ultimate Frisbee team is poised for success, according to captain and senior Aidan Dobson. The up-and-coming sport of ultimate frisbee is cementing its reputation at Mercer Island High School. Standout players Garrett Leung, Tyler Shanahan, and Leo Lollie round out the junior-heavy squad.
GIRLS’ SOCCER
Sister duo Jessie and Jackie Stenberg captain the soccer team along with college commit and senior Kendall Riley. “This upcoming season will be very different from last year with a new coach and many new players,” said Jessie Stenberg, “but I’m excited and can’t wait to start playing!”
Co-captains Zack Gottesman and Maverick Emerson hope to lead their squad to victory. “We don’t have a single standout player,” said Gottesman. However, he noted that the team of 16 has more depth and overall skill than ever before, saying that “there are solid golfers from the top of varsity to the bottom of JV.”
BOYS’ FOOTBALL
Seniors Nikhil Nayar and Jaeden Pritchard, and junior Cole Miller are leading the football team this year. Wide receiver and defensive end Griffin Emmanuels is optimistic about the team’s prospects. “I really do think it’s going to be a special season,” he said.
Make sure to support these sports at their first home games: FOOTBALL September 8 vs. Liberty GOLF Jamboree August 31 Twin Rivers Golf Course TENNIS September 11 vs. Skyline CROSS COUNTRY September 13 vs. Interlake Luther Burbank Park VOLLEYBALL September 6 vs. Interlake SWIM AND DIVE September 7 vs. Juanita Mary Wayte Pool
GIRLS’ SWIM AND DIVE
SOCCER September 7 vs. Arlington
BOYS’ WATER POLO
Compiled by Grady Short and Sophie Poole. Game times subject to change.
Captained by seniors Tess Ritcey, Caroline Harkins, Lauren Ralph, and Ellie Williams, the girls’ Swim and Dive team hopes to make a splash this season.
Seniors and captains Sammy Vacca, Carson Coe, Daniel Kavesh, and Sam Nair are planning for a successful season. “We should be one of the top contenders to win state,” said Coe. “We have a solid team this year.”
Photo courtesy Jackie Stenberg Junior soccer players Emily Arron, Ashley Rudd, Jackie Stenberg, and Jordan Snyder.
A&E
August 30, 2017
7
Seattle musician takes the stage at Bumbershoot (cont.)
ree ebe Lab by B
P
to Pho
“Timber, Bumbershoot, and Folklife festivals all had me playing with them due to Sound Off,” said McCue. “Also, they gave me a drum set, an electric guitar, and a synthesizer, so Sound Off has at least indirectly gotten my roommates pissed at me a couple times.” McCue learned to play the guitar at an early age, but started to seriously play in middle school and began to write his own material in high school. “It started as a way to cope with how bad I was at football, and turned into something that I was genuinely interested in,” said McCue. McCue describes his musical style as “alternative folk.” He writes his own music and lyrics and finds inspiration from discovering different artists, especially in the Seattle music scene. His lyrics have an intriguing and purposeful intent, and the stories embedded in his songs tell a different narrative than one might expect from someone with only an acoustic guitar on stage with him. “I usually get inspiration from drawing on whatever e Seattl d r story I’m trying to tell. I like to make albums a gu Van y s as a continuous story or as a recurring rte ou C theme,” said McCue. to ho McCue’s topics for songs range from monkey funerals (“Monkey Funeral”) and the existential crisis of a gorilla (“Gorilla”), to reflective pieces about the loneliness of the ocean (“Ocean”) and the trials of being a human and looking for oneself in the world (“Nothing”). His ability to create beautiful music with unexpected stories and hidden meanings makes McCue worth the listen. If you are planning on going to Bumbershoot, make sure to check him out. His latest album Obscure can be found on SoundCloud.
Culinary event center opens on MI The Emoji Movie’s success Sophie Poole
Grady Short
editor in chief
On September 14, 2017, Caruccio’s, a culinary event center, will open on Mercer Island in the Aviara building. Caruccio’s will offer cooking classes, space for business or personal events, chef demonstrations, pop-up dinner events, and film nights. “The main goal of Caruccio’s is to fulfill my lifelong dream to create a special, artful place in my community for us all to come together,” said owner Lisa Caruccio. “Mostly, I want to elevate the appreciation for the culinary arts.” Caruccio holds a degree in Hotel & Restaurant Management and has worked in hotels and with food all around the world. “I have learned so many meaningful things from each country I lived in, and I wanted to bring it all together in one place,” said Caruccio. The idea of bringing a global perspective and diverse cultures to Mercer Island through different culinary experiences is at the heart of Caruccio’s mission. “Mercer Island is an incredible community of a diverse group of people who appreciate good food, cul-
editor in chief
Photo Courtesy Caruccio’s
A mock-up of the venue for the new culinary event center: Caruccio’s. Caruccio’s offers an ideal space for business or personal events, complete with catering.
ture, and travel. We needed a space to come together on this,” said Caruccio. Mercer Island seemed to be an ideal location as it has been Lisa Caruccio’s home for ten years and is convenient for residents of both Seattle and Bellevue. After the grand opening of their space, the event center will offer teen cooking classes with changing cultural cuisines. Additionally, for students who take serious interest in the culinary or hospitality field, Caruccio’s plans to provide advanced classes
for high-school aged students and offer student internships by next summer. “I would like [teenagers] to know that the culinary arts is a highly respected and growing field. We all eat and we all come from a culture. And we all do better when we bond with each other,” said Caruccio. “It makes me happy that I can contribute a space to do that.” More info can be found on their website: w w w. c a r u c c i o s . c o m Caruccio’s is located at 2441 76th Ave SE, Suite 100, Mercer Island, WA.
In late July, audiences across the world were treated to one of the most critically panned movies ever: the ill-fated animated blockbuster, ‘The Emoji Movie’. With a whopping 8% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a measly 1.8 out of 10 on IMDB, filmgoers of all kinds ripped the film to shreds, citing its absolute lack of humor, blatant product placement, and cringeworthy, cliched plot. The movie’s release also inspired a subculture of ironic internet jokes which poked fun at its many faults. The only thing staler than the many uninspired poop jokes the movie inflicts on its viewers would be to write yet another scathing review of it. Instead of doing so, it might prove more fascinating to look at the film’s unlikely success. That’s right — a success. With a relatively small budget of 50 million dollars, the movie has nearly surpassed 100 million dollars in revenue after three weeks in theaters; not an amazing performance, but far from box-office-flop territory. All of this sends a clear message to the studios be-
hind the Emoji Movie, and to the film industry in general. In the post-Emoji Movie world, it would be hard to fault a media company or a film executive for thinking that a similar low-budget, dumbed-down animated kids’ movie could succeed financially without a well-written plot or unique characters. The very subject matter of the movie signals a trend towards over-commercialization of kids’ films; the main characters ride a wave of music through the Spotify app, find themselves thrown into Dance Dance Revolution, and wind up in Dropbox along the way. A viewer with no background knowledge could easily interpret the movie as sponsored content paid for by the companies that own these apps. How much more haphazard, low-quality entertainment will audiences let studios get away with? How much longer until animated movies become feature-length commercial breaks with some celebrity voices and adorable characters thrown in the mix to keep kids satiated? No one can know for sure, but the success of the Emoji Movie shows that the bar is set pretty low.
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Welcome back to school!
I am absolutely psyched to be back at MIHS. Under NO circumstances would I rather be at home. I can already sense that this is going to be a great year, and cannot wait to see how we grow together as Islanders. This school has a pretty unique way of changing students from freshman to senior year; our freshmen enter eager to take advantage of the new opportunities, and our seniors graduate proud of their experiences and confident in who they have become. I struggle to believe that this is my last year on the island, but I know that once graduated, MIHS will have prepared me for whatever is ahead. The best way to truly understand how Mercer Island does this is to get to know our fantastic student body. Each person that I got to know over the last three years helped shape who I am now. The friends I made in AP classes sympathized with every struggle and assured me I was not alone, my mellophone family in band showed me an inspiring passion for the section, and the drill team encouraged me to always get back up when I fall. Our community is always there for support, pushing each other to reach our highest potential. I strongly encourage you (especially freshmen!) to step outside your comfort zone and meet new people. Try anything and everything you have time for! In joining sports, clubs, or other kinds of student groups, you will certainly connect with all kinds of incredible people; within those relationships, you will find the kind of driven Islanders who challenge and encourage you throughout high school. Freshmen, do not be nervous. The homework here is more manageable than middle school rumors implied, upperclassmen are nicer than you think, and you are going to have a blast. Get to know your teachers, and don’t be afraid to ask upperclassmen for advice. Sophomores, this is going to be a great year! You’re more comfortable in the school than you were last year, but you don’t have to worry about standardized tests or college yet. Savor that freedom. Take the time to cheer on your friends, whether that be at a game, performance, or concert. Juniors, the best year evveeerrr starts now! Find the right balance for you of academics and fun; do yourself a favor by taking your courses seriously, but do not burn yourself out. Everyone is different in finding what works for them. Personally, I went to sleep at 9:30pm every day last year. Please remember that staying up all night before the test to study never works out the way you want it to. And seniors… it has been an absolute pleasure to grow with you over the last three years. Let’s go crazy with the maroon and white this year and make our last year together on Mercer Island unforgettable. I love you all. Go
MI!
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