Islander Edition IV Issue 2

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December 19, 2014

@mihsislander

High school late start committee commissioned by

Richard Chess editor in chief

On Dec. 2, Mercer Island School District Superintendent Dr. Gary Plano announced the intention to study the impacts of a later start time for high school.

For years, parents and students across the country have been requesting later school start times.

To this end, MISD and Bellevue School District are teaming together to form the joint High School Start-Time Committee.

Between Dec. 2014 and Feb. 2015, the committee is responsible for compiling research regarding the effects on adolescent health with a later start time. Upon completion of the research, the committee will receive feedback from other stakeholders. By June 2015, the committee will compile the data, summarize its findings, and develop recommendations for possible implementation in Sept.

2016.

One of the major issues with delaying school start time, and consequently school end time, is that athletic competitions would not coincide with the schedules of other local high schools. Juanita High School, for example, frequently competes with MIHS sports teams. However, its end time is 2:20 p.m. on most days.

Currently, when competitions are scheduled after school, either Juanita athletes must wait

When Edina High School in for MIHS to finish school and then travel to the site, or MI Minnesota delayed school start athletes must leave seventh pe- time from 7:25 to 8:30, the efriod early. Clearly, pushing the fects were astounding. The disschedule forward may result in trict reported fewer episodes further conflict for athletes and of depressive feelings, better grades, and among the top 10 coaches.

Studies continue to indicate percent in the class, SAT scores the importance of adequate increased from 683 Mathematsleep, especially in teenagers.

According to a study conducted by the National Sleep Foundation, only 8 percent of students receive 9-1/4 hours of sleep, as recommended by experts. Furthermore, MIHS students, who undoubtedly receive more homework than other high schoolers, are often forced to stay up too Students at MIHS frequently fall asleep during class or while doing homework. late, or resort to drugs such as Adderall, as ics/605 Critical Reading to 739 described in “Adderall: not just Mathematics/761 Critical Readfor ADHD anymore� on page two ing. The district could not attribute the increases to any facof this newspaper. “Research suggests that high tor other than the delayed start school students are not getting time.

One study, published by the the sleep they need to be as effective as they can be in class,� American Academy of Pediatsaid Dr. Plano. “This could be rics, recommends that all disone way to improve student tricts postpone school start time learning by improving student until 8:30 a.m. “Chronic sleep loss in children health.�

and adolescents is one of the most common – and easily fixable – public health issues in the U.S. today,� said Dr. Judith Owens, lead author of “School Start Times for Adolescents.� “Our communities are intertwined, so the Bellevue and Mercer Island schools districts are working together because any schedule changes could have a regional impact,� said BSD Superintendent Dr. Tim Mills.

M I H S junior Ella Green and freshman Phoebe Larson will be reachPhoto by Laura Totten ing out to students for input and will meet with peers from the BSD during the process.

On a typical school day, 20 percent of students across the country fall asleep during class.

Hopefully, a solution can be reached that limits interference with schedules but provides every student with the realistic ability to receive adequate sleep every night.

During the practice of slavery in the United States, it was — on the most basic level — believed that black men were inherently violent, thus white men were tasked with supervising them. Today, most people believe this idea is incredibly racist and outdated. However, prejudice and racial hierarchies still exist today, as evidenced by racial profiling, institutionalized

associate producer at CNN. Another trending topic, #BlackLivesMatter, brings attention to the black community’s place within the movement to combat racial and social injustice, as well as police brutality.

Some have expressed opposition towards the slogan, believing that it is exclusive and should be replaced with #AllLivesMatter.

This misconception highlights the importance of understanding the origin and meaning behind the words. “When we say black lives matter, we know that all lives matter. We’re not saying black lives matter more than anyone else’s,� said a woman during the Dec. 6 march in Seattle in support of Ferguson and Michael Brown. “This movement is about standing up for the value of black lives, [and for those] who for too long [have] been silenced in the face of inequality, injustice, and inhumanity.�

Students and youth have historically been passionate and determined agents of change; our generation will be no exception.

We, as today’s youth, have the opportunity to be today’s leaders and to shape the conversation.

As students we need to start getting more involved with combating these issues and it starts, once again, with educating ourselves. Education does not mean absorbing the opinions of others.

Be willing to share and contribute to the conversation. Look at

Ferguson: a call for understanding Jane Gormley and Naomi Moore staff writer and guest writer

tory if we conveniently ignore the bad parts.

Racism remains dangerously problematic for ethnic minoriEric Garner. Michael Brown. ties. This is especially clear Tamir Rice. These names and in the context of law enforcethe haunting realities they have ment and criminal justice, as forced into the spotlight have evidenced by practices such as dominated our national dialogue racial profiling. The New York for months. As residents of MerTimes stated that, in Fergucer Island, the majority of us son, Missouri, “only three of 53 have the luxury of ignoring the officers are black.� Moreover, very real problems of police bru“Blacks account for 86 pertality and racism cent of the traffic stops on by simply turning the city, and 93 percent off our televisions of the arrests after those or logging out of stops.� Racism, which exsocial media. Howists in many forms, often ever, this apathy plays a role in how police is unacceptable. interact with black citiThese issues are zens and this inconvenient not something we reality is being highlightcan will away beed in today’s media. cause they are un#CrimingWhileWhite comfortable or intook Twitter by storm on convenient. Unless Dec. 4. Across the nation, we acknowledge people have been using the and take action Photo by Laura Totten hashtag to share stories against police Local residents protest on the streets of Seattle. that expose the discrepanbrutality and raracism, and criminalization of cies between white and black excial injustice, these issues will black men and youth. periences with law enforcement. continue to plague this nation.

The problems of police brutal- We have been told that history What is especially unique about ity and racism are both intricate repeats itself, and the only way this trend is that, as Jessica and deep-rooted, which is why it to stop it is to learn from our Dickerson of The Huffington is so important to get educated past. Racism, and the host of Post writes, “instead of highand informed. One step in this accompanying issues, are no ex- lighting incidents of prejudice process is an open and honest ception to that rule. We must ex- against people of color, #Crimeducation on the sinister nature amine the injustices, prejudices, ingWhileWhite [zeroes] in on of Black History in this nation. assumptions, and stereotypes white privilege.� “Taken as a whole, [the Becoming educated is necessary that are evident in our nation’s for understanding why, and past and recognize their connec- tweets] paint a portrait that how, police brutality and racism tion to those that are happening suggests a racial double stanstill exist, and are prevalent, to- now. It is impossible to take the dard by American law enforcemost valuable lessons from his- ment,� writes Wilfred Chan, an day. by

(continued on page 2)

PAID

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e

Volume IV, Edition 2

Inside Illegal Adderall use increases at MIHS Features > Page 2

MIHS boys golf season in review Sports > Page 3

Holiday treat recipes Spread > Page 4/5

Mercer Island Public Library renovation controversy Opinions > Page 6

Nutcracker: A holiday classic A&E > Page 7

After you’ve finished enjoying this paper, please recycle it!

FEATURES

2

www.mihsislander.com

Overcrowding to be fixed

Adderall: not just for ADHD anymore

by

by

Gabriela Venditti staff writer

Several schools in the Mercer Island School District are experiencing great transition as long-overdue construction projects are underway. With the approval of the $102.6 million bond in Feb. 2014, three new construction projects have started to alleviate the overcrowding in the elementary schools, middle school, and high school.

While the total cost of the three projects are $102.6 million, $3.8 million will be matched by the state of Washington, bringing the total cost to the District at approximately $98.8 million.

The plans for reducing overcrowding include renovating Mercer Island High School and Islander Middle School, as well as building a fourth elementary school on the North Mercer campus which used to be the Youth Theater NW. Since the largest increase in school enrollment will occur in the elementary schools, the $42.7 million cost of this new building solves the im-

mediate issue of overcrowding in K-5 schools. The $48.8 million cost of expanding IMS will add 14 new classrooms and lab spaces, a commons and cafeteria, gymnasiums, music rooms and administrative space. MIHS will make similar changes with the addition of four labs and six general education classes at an estimated cost of $11.1 million.

Currently, MISD enrolls approximately 4,120 students, but is over design capacity by 746 students. “All of our schools are overcrowded. The additional space will bring us closer to having sufficient classroom space to house all of our students,” says Dean Mack, Chief Financial/Operating Officer.

The high school classroom addition will be ready on Sept. 1, 2015 while the North Mercer and IMS will be completed on Sept. 1, 2016.

With these three improvements to the Mercer Island Public Schools, students will have a better learning environment that will help support their educational needs for years.

New resource officer by

Corinne Wheeler

staff writer This year Officer Mike Seifert replaces Officer Chad Schumacher as the new School Resource Officer.

Previously, Seifert worked as a patrol officer in the Mercer Island Police Department.

The job of SRO rotates out every four years to give other officers opportunities and when the job became available at the end of last year, Seifert applied.

Seifert’s job is to bridge the gap between students, teachers and regular patrol officers “He is a resource, he provides support if there is an incident involving some of our students in times that police have more information than we have. We are able to collaborate with them to help support students. They have protocols, we have protocols so its not exactly an open lens of information sharing. It is an opportunity for him to check in on students and how they are doing here and vice versa” Says Associate Principal Jamie Prescott.

Seifert helps students see police officers as a resource and

less of somebody that ruins a good time or writes speeding tickets. Seifert helps officers work more closely with juvenile cases as opposed to treating them the same as criminal cases through working and assisting the school, families and students in a more personal way.

After graduating high school, Seifert first attended the University of Montana, then California State University where he graduated with a degree in Biological Sciences. Seifert then served in the Army and went back to school to earn an Associates Degree in Korean Language. Finally Seifert earned a Masters Degree in Security Management from the American Military University.

Officer Seifert’s favorite part of working at MIHS has been getting to meet kids on a personal level, as opposed to in his time as a patrol officer, where meeting kids meant they were in trouble. Seifert’s office is located in the lower commons. “I’m here and people can come talk to me anytime they want,” said Seifert.

Corinne Wheeler staff writer

ing on the dosage of the pill.

When an ADHD pill is ingested for the first time the side effects can be shocking. Within an hour you begin to sweat, feel irritable, become restless, jittery, have an increase in heart rate in addition to an increased focus.

Adderall counteracts ADHD and narcolepsy through the release of adrenaline, the increase in heart rate and the flow of blood to the muscles improving focus, sport performance, and inducing feelings of euphoria. These effects have made its illegal use as a recreational drug more popular. Short term users can experience difficulty sleeping, dry mouth, headaches and when the drug is wearing off can users can become irritable, depressed and tired.

The two dealers willing to give an interview to the islander will

During the stressful time of finals, college applications, and testing, don’t you wish there were a way to stay up late to study? To focus on work and not feel the pull of procrastination? To get things done in less time? When people illegally take pills for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Attention Deficit Disorder they experience an energetic high that allows for these to come true.

In the last six years, there has been a 15 percent increase in children and teens diagnosed with ADHD. When an ADHD patient is given a stimulant, he drops dramatically to a state of understimulation for a few minutes, then gradually reaches a baseline of normal stimulation that allows him to concentrate.

When someone without ADHD takes t h e medicine, t h e brain opera t e s at a baseline of stimulation, s o ADHD medication p u t them in a state o f o v e r - Adderall pills are abused as focusing drugs among students stimulation, resulting in the be referred to as Student A and rush that drug abusers seek.

Student B for privacy reasons.

When students who don’t Student A is a junior at MIHS have ADHD take the pills, they and has a perscription for 10 mg experience a high similar to the and 20 mg Adderall pills. Stueffects of methamphetamine. dent A sells her pills for $3 to $5 In recent years there has been to people she does not know but an increase in use of Adderall gives them to friends. She deals and Adderall XR throughout because, “Word on the street is the Mercer Island High School it gains you popularity and is a student body, especially around good way to get yourself known. finals when ADHD pills are Sometimes I do not use it and I passed around like candy. Many would rather have someone else students have prescriptions use it for good purposes than for ADHD medication and sell throw it away or have it sitting them for around $3, depend-

around.” Student A has dealt about 200 mg worth of pills and has distributed to about 10 different people. Student B is a sophomore at MIHS, and has sold or given 20 mg Adderall pills to about 30 people, resulting in a $150 profit since the beginning of 2014. Student B now mainly gives away her pills, but sells them for $3 each to students she is not friends with.

Adderall is a common ADHD medication, and in countries where it is available for prescription, it is recognized as a drug with high potential for abuse because of the similar effects to methamphetamine. In the U.S. adderall is considered a Schedule II drug which means it has high potential for abuse that may lead to severe psychological or physical dependence, and currently accepted for controlled medical use in the United States.

In some c o u n t r i e s , s u c h as Taiwan and S o u t h Korea, the concern over Adderall abuse is so high that it is banned f o r A D H D treatm e n t .

Adderall’s side effect Photo by Isabella Murillo of increased heart rate can lead to cardiovascular problems such as high blood pressure and irregular heartbeat. Similarly, long term Adderall use can lead to mental health issues such as paranoia, hostility and depression.

Although the medication and help in the moment, the end the risks can be fatal and in some cases lead to suicide. Before popping a few ADHD medication pills to improve studying, remember the physical and psychological harm that can follow.

E-cigarettes replacing normal cigarettes in Mercer Island High School by

Lily Clugston staff writer

E-cigarettes first started with actual electronic cigarettes, such as the brand blu eCigs, that uses a cartridge and produce no smoke other than what is exhaled. Their sleeker black cases and electronic blue -lighted ends mimic normal yellow and white filter cigarettes. However, blu e-Cigs can be quite costly.

In the past year, cost-efficient choices such as vapor pens, or vaporizers, have become a more popular choice on the market.

While blu eCigs and vaporizers are both classified as electronic cigarettes, vaporizers are slightly different. They spun off of the original idea of an electronic cigarette, using gas to create a cheaper product.

Vapor pens all work the same and include a rechargeable battery, a heating component and a cartridge with the oil or juice to smoke. Vaporizers are compact and discreet enough

that they are often easily misidentified as fountain pens.

E-cigarettes and vaporizersdo not produce any foul smelling smoke that might disturb people around the user either. In fact, vaporizers can be used in some smoke-free places. While they still produce second-hand vapor, the vapor gives significantly less exposure to non-smokers than real cigarettes. The FDA does not regulate the pens and many tobacco rules do not apply to them.

Cigarette smokers are delighted with this safer alternative because, despite still having multiple risks, vaporizers are safer than normal cigarettes. Some people believe that e-cigarettes even have the potential to help smokers stop smoking completely, but no research supports this belief. However e-cigarettes are proven to contain virtually no detectable polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, which cause cancer.

Users can also create a custom-made blend out of various oils, waxes, dry herbs to try.

There are also flavored juices available. “I have vanilla and cola flavors for mine” says one Mercer Island High School user.

Vapor pens are also trending among teenagers because of the cheap price and wide avail-

Photo by Corinne Wheeler

Vaporizers are commonly used by high schoolers

ability. “I like to use [vapor pens] because I used to smoke cigarettes a lot and vaping is way cheaper,” said an experienced user. “Also, I use it because it is way more convenient and I don’t smell like cigs all the time...and it’s healthier.”

While companies promote the idea of a pure, clean smoking experience, one of the main rea-

sons why people use vaporizers versus regular cigarettes, controversies are popping up everywhere that claim the opposite.

Numerous companies fail to disclose the exact ingredients of vapor pen cartridges, so there is no guarantee of an absolutely safe product. For instance, the FDA found that one package contained one percent of diethylene glycol, which is a toxic chemical used to make antifreeze.

While vaporizers do avoid toxic and carcinogenic by-products, many of its products uses liquid nicotine which is lethal.

Not only is it harmful if inhaled, but also if absorbed by the skin or ingested. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says 60 milligrams of nicotine is enough to kill a 150-pound adult. Many refill packs have about 72 milligrams.

Some e-liquids were found to contain diacetyl, which, while harmless when eaten, is dangerous to inhale. Diacetyl can cause popcorn lung, or bron-

chiolitis obliterans, which is a permanent disease that scars the lungs and makes it impossible to breath regularly. Vaporizers still cause lung damage. Smokers cannot escape lung damage when smoking any sort of device. E-cigarettes can cause airway-resistance, decreased lung function, cellular changes and other signs of inflammatory that use of regular cigarettes also causes.

Since e-cigarettes just recently gained momentum as a popular alternative to regular smokes, they are still in a gray zone in terms of laws and regulations. People fear that e-cigarettes might spark a comeback in smoking and popularize or glorify it because of the numerous advertisements.

They are also another potential gateway drug for teenagers. Although, using vaporizers is technically not illegal.

With its good and bad attributes, to use an e-cigarette or not is up to each individual.

SPORTS

December 19, 2014

Sounders shoot for the stars

Mercer Island Boys Golf shoots above par-fect season Sean Bender

as I maintained my work ethic I by would be able to grind and reach sports editor every one of my goals, even if After a trying season, Mercer my strike was not on par.” From Island Boys Golf finished off the golf perspective the mental their season with high hopes game is the keystone to every and exceeded expectations. The round of every match. Mansboys team proved to be a formifield may have not been playdable force in battling for the ing at his best but that did not KingCo crown, finishing third faze him when going overall. With four overinto the KingCo and all wins and two losses District tournaments. the MI Golf team came Mansfield says that, just short of clinching “basically if you break the KingCo crown, with 78 then you make it to Liberty and Sammastate. Personally it was mish tied at first with a little harder than anfive wins and one loss ticipated because I was each. Though the team not playing my best. I did well overall, the struggled on the front objective of every seanine and had to really son is to get players to buckle down to make state. When it comes to the cut.” This determistate qualification, golf, nation to buckle down much like cross-counPhoto courtesy of Susan Christofferson was shared by everytry, turns into quite the Mansfield and Evens discuss the course before one on the team making individual battle. Each player has his own individual vidual expectations are heavy in each teammate a rival when it score, and state births are very golf, especially considering one came down to individual scores. difficult to earn. High School golf has no one but one-self to rely Although every opposition and scoring is different from the pros on. Mansfield says the best piece teammate pushed Mansfield to because rather than play a full of advice he received this year, his limit Mansfield says that, 18-hole course they only play the and the best advice he could “personally my toughest comfront nine holes. Senior captain pass down to his fellow team- petition was Evens. He was inWilliam Mansfield elaborated mates would be that, “Though jured for a short while at the beon the process, saying, “To make there may not be an exact key ginning of the season, but once it to state you have to shoot 78 to getting into and winning the he returned we competed head or lower at the KingCo tourna- state tournament, do not stress on to see who would finish #1.” ment. Then you must shoot 78 out. You should simply think of Mansfield added that though the or lower at the District tourna- it as another tournament. You other players and teams were ment. If you shoot at or below should not think of the KingCo, good competition, the one on those scores you are almost District, and state tournaments one friendly battle with Evens as some big important events, proved to keep his competitive guaranteed a birth to state.”

State qualification is not eas- but rather another tournament. spirit up.

Every season has to come ily achieved. This calendar year This way your mind is not laonly senior captain William bored by huge self expectations to an end, and the golf season Mansfield, and junior captain and pressures.” This should not is no exception. On top of finZach Evens were able to con- be viewed as the key to success, ishing third overall in KingCo quer such a feat. The challenge but as another tool with which and birthing two players to of making it into the state tour- you can add to your arsenal to the state tournament, the golf team claimed even more honnament may have been grasped improve your game.

The season was taxing on the ors. Both Mansfield and Evens by these two, but along the way there were some bumps. Not whole team, and each player had received KingCo League Honors only for Mansfield and Evens, demons to battle. Mansfield said for total league points scored. but the whole team as well. that like many others one of the Mansfield was fifth, and Evens When asked, Mansfield said, greatest hardships was that, “to- tenth. Though Mansfield may “Our biggest struggle this sea- wards the end of the season my be graduating, Evens and all of son was the fact we were such ball striking started to deterio- the up-and-coming youth show a young team. We had a lot of rate so it was hard to stay confi- great promise for the future of young guys who were a little dent. I dealt with it by working the Mercer Island Boys Golf proinexperienced when it came to hard every day and staying men- gram in years to come. really competitive golf so it took tally tough. I knew that as long them a while to get comfortable and settle into their groove.

However, once they settled in we became a very solid team. I think that even though I will not be here next year, I believe that the team will maintain its competiveness now that the younger guys know what they are doing.” When looking at the team’s roster no one can disagree that youth and inexperience may be a harmful factor. Of the 13 players on the roster only four of them are seniors, and the majority of the rest are either freshman, or Photo courtesy of Susan Christofferson sophomores. Despite the multi- Mansfield strikes the ball in hopes of landing it on the putting green

Jane Gormley by staff writer

Girls Basketball

After finishing fourth in KingCo last year with a 10-4 district record, the Girls Basketball team is off to a strong start this season. With decisive wins over both Seattle Prep and Issaquah, the team has won its first two non-conference games. Senior captain Julia Blumenstein said that, “something that I think everyone wants to see is a banner up on our wall.” This year, just like every other year, the team’s goal is to be successful in their league and make it to state.

tude of young players, the team competed toe-to-toe with every KingCo team and led another successful season.

As the season progressed many of the athletes started to feel the weight of every expectation, and the strain of mental patience that golf commands. Indi-

by

Gabriela Venditti

staff writer Nearing the end of the 2014 Season, the Seattle Sounders soccer team impressed their fans with one of the most successful campaigns in Sounders club history. The Sounders captured first place in the Western Conference with a total of 64 points, edging out rival Los Angeles Galaxy by three points.

The team’s record consisted of 20 wins, 10 losses, and four ties.

The Sounders also won the U.S. Open Cup championship and the Supporters’ Shield trophy.

After an early playoff exit last year, Sounders owner Joe Roth improved the team’s chemistry by removing players such as Eddie Johnson, Michael Gspurning, and Mauro Rosales. The club then added Stefan Frei, Chad Marshall, Chad Barrett, Gonzalo Pineda, and Marco Pappa. These new players have been essential in improving the team dynamics, and have contributed heavily to this year’s success.

New players Chad Barrett, Marco Pappa, and Gonzalo Pineda all rank in the top six players for the 2014 Sounders season statistics. These three players have

Senior captain Evan Condon says that Mercer Island Boys Wrestling is “looking to win their sixth consecutive KingCo crown” this upcoming season.

This year, the team will have lost some valuable competition with Mt. Si having moved into 4A. While this may raise the team’s KingCo title hopes, it also takes away some of the valuable learning experiences that come with wrestling athletes of a high caliber. Though the lack of competition can breed a false sense of security the wrestlers will strive to get better every day.

Girls Gymnastics

According to senior captain Emily Menz, the goal for Mercer Island Gymnastics is to “keep a positive and encouraging atmosphere.” This attitude seems to have worked as the team beat Lake Washington in their first meet in the season. The team plans to focus more on the current season than the post season as they have the past. “We’re a really new team, so we’re changing our strategy this year,” says Menz. Changing the complete strategy is a daunting task, but Menz is confident that the team will take the challenge head on.

competed in the majority of the games for the team this year, playing in more than 25. The Sounders success this year can also be credited to star player Obafemi Martins who joined the Sounders in 2013. ‘Oba,’ as he is affectionately called, leads the team in the most goals scored with a total of 17, and the most assists with 13.

The Sounders’ tie against Dallas on November 10 secured their spot in the Western Conference Finals against the LA Galaxy. In the Finals on November 28, the Sounders earned a 2-1 win. However, the LA Galaxy advanced to the MLS Cup because of the league’s away-goal tiebreaker rule. The Sounders suffered from disappointment as they were shooting for their first ever MLS Cup as well as attempting to be the first ever team to win the U.S. Open Cup, the Supporters’ Shield and the MLS Cup in the same season.

While the 2014 season ends in disappointment for the Sounders, fans are now looking forward to next season in hopes of cheering their team onto their first MLS Cup Championship in club history.

Photo courtesy of www.fcdallas.com

top row (left to right): Clint Dempsey,Gonzalo Pineda, Jalil Anibaba, Chad Marshall, Leo Gonzalez, Stefan Frei bottom row (left to right): DeAndreYedlin, Micheal Azura,Obafemi Martins, Osvaldo Alonso, Kenny Cooper

Caleb Fenton: a man of ice

Helena Shield by

As many students pack their suitcases with thick winter jackets and ski pants, preparing for ski resorts in the area, Caleb Fenton gears up for another season of an often-belittled sport – ice hockey.

Cast off as a “Canadian sport,” most people in the Seattle area are not aware of the small community dedicated to the game of people flying across the ice while maneuvering a small puck.

Fenton started playing hockey at the age of six in New Jersey.

“My dad played back in high school and I thought it was really cool so that’s why I started young. From there on I just wanted to keep playing,” said Fenton. The larger fan base on the eastcoast may because of the close distance between the teams and fans. “There were lots of global NHL teams there, such as the New Jersey Devils

and the New York Rangers,” said Fenton. If Seattle were to get a NHL team, hockey might become the next “big thing” in the area. “Out here, hockey’s not really popular because Seattle doesn’t have a hockey team,” said Fenton. Considering how close Seattle is to Canada, it is surprising how few people play hockey compared to other sports.

One of Fenton’s favorite memories was his journey to Nationals. “During my first year playing in Seattle, I played for the Thunderbirds, and we went to state in the Tri-Cities. We got to the state finals, which decided who would go to nationals, and where we won 3-1. We flew to Connecticut and played teams from all around the U.S. It was so fun,” said Fenton. With the exiting promise that hockey may return to Seattle, Fenton hopes that both the culture and sport will continue to rise in popularity.

Senior captain David Emanuels is not discouraged by the Mercer Island Boys Basketball team’s first two losses. He said that the team is “striving to take it one game at a time, continuing to play better basketball and to become closer together as a team each game.” After finishing second in KingCo last year with a district record of 11-3, the team is motivated to do even better this year. Junior captain Andrew Pickles said, “we believe that we have the potential to win KingCo, and make it to the Tacoma dome.”

Mercer Island Boys Swim and Dive has an impressive record.

They have been state champions since 2006, and as senior captain Ian Caldwell said, “we would like to continue our dynasty and keep the state trophy on the rock.” This goal goes hand in hand with the team’s other main goals. One is to “set up the program with a continued future of dominance.” Another is to “improve with every meet we swim.” As the season progresses the boys team will strive for yet another KingCo title, as well as state title.

features editor

Winter Sports Preview Boys Basketball

Boys Wrestling

3

Boys Swive

HAPPY HOLI

Here are our favorite home-made holiday treats..

Red

Velv e

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Compiled by Lily Clugston and Helena Shield

Opinions

6

@mihsislander

Bus system gets cut Building or burning BRIDGES by

Lily Clugston staff writer

opPOOM will also lose 2 percent of its rid-

Some students might have noticed the recently changed bus schedules and signs and, while the bus cuts may cause hindrances to more local areas, such as Mercer Island, they were necessary to make up for the lack of sufficient funding. However, King County should not cut any more bus routes, but instead focus on improving the popular routes.

King County’s Metro system has struggled to bring in a reasonable profit for years now: “In the absence of new funding, Metro had to cut service levels to balance our budget,” says a representative from King County’s Metro system.

When the temporary funding for the Metro system expired this year, the public had a chance to preserve the soon-to-be cut bus routes as part of the new 20142015 budget plan. However, this November, Seattle voters decided to cut local transit to avoid the proposed plan to increase the city sales tax by .1 percent and an additional $60 car-tab fee.

The new bus programs cut out most late night services, low rider routes, 61 and 62, and include rerouted bus schedules, 204, to make up for the cut routes. Many of the previous routes only had one person on board the bus, which was the driver. The new $9 billion budget for 2015-2016 fully finances the new metro system.

Metro lost 151,000 service hours, or 4.3 percent total. They

ership which is 2.3 million of the 119 million boardings every year.

Current riders will also have to deal with more crowded and longer bus rides and longer waiting times. The Seattle mayor, Ed Murray chose to spend $553,000 to preserve the 82, 82, 84 late night shift buses until February 2016 because “late night workers lack other alternatives.”

Despite riders suffering from the new changes, especially in places such as Mercer Island where we get minimal bus service due to lack of ridership, in a broad view, these bus cuts were the best choice. In a struggling economy, King County could not afford to fund the numerous useless bus routes that were running. There is no point in wasting precious tax money, especially given that the sales tax would need to increase by .1 percent, to sustain deserted bus rides.

King County does not need more routes, but instead they need to focus on making the key, busiest routes more efficient. Most people outside of Seattle do not use the bus frequently. Therefore, it would make more sense to improve the routes in the city where they need public transport the most.

If King County works on a more efficient system with better usage of their new budget and planning and do not make any more dramatic cuts, then it could help public transport climb out of its struggling financial hole that it has been in for the past few years.

by

Gabriela Venditti staff writer

Mercer Island High School’s Building Relationships In Diverse Groups to Empower Students and Staff program is an often polarizing conversation topic. Some parents, students, and staff argue that the program is not effective, and the use of school time should be utilized for academics. On the other hand, advocates for the program see the time as a chance for students to connect with one another and make the high school more inclusive. As the program has evolved, BRIDGES has continually been reevaluated and re-calibrated. The beginning of the 2014 School Year launched the revised BRIDGES program under Curtis Johnston and David Willecke.

The genesis of BRIDGES in 2004 was sparked by several Healthy Youth surveys, the results of which demonstrated a universal feeling of student alienation. MaryMargaret Welch, the original chair and founder of BRIDGES, along with approximately 35 students and teachers created a connection committee that studied the data from the surveys and conducted research on how other local schools were addressing similar concerns. They spent more than one year studying local and national data and different schools’ models to help solve the issues revealed in surveys.

The name BRIDGES stemmed from the idea of building relationships at MIHS, especially between younger students and upperclassmen. BRIDGES was “created by young people for young people” and focuses on “the empowerment of youth to make a difference,” says Welch.

Supporting the needs of the school based on what the students felt was important was the original intent of BRIDGES.

“The hope was for the students to take the role seriously…but\ over time, organizations can become complacent,” says Welch.

With all the changes BRIDGES has undergone over the years, the original focus of BRIDGES has perhaps been lost. “At its core, the goal of BRIDGES is to bring all of the different people in the school together around things we have in common and goals we have in common,” says Willecke.

However, the BRIDGES program has been the focus of much criticism. Many question the importance of the program, specifically whether the 45 minutes of allotted time every Wednesday should be used for more academic purposes. Considering the lack of attendance and participation, some individuals view the program as an overall failure. Senior Naomi Moore has a more optimistic view about the program: “I think that the idea behind BRIDGES and the vision for it is a good one. It gives people an opportunity to talk and get to know members of the school community from different ages and grade levels.”

“I think that the number one problem we are dealing with is a lot of misperception in the community and just generally about what we do in BRIDGES. There is a lot of really good stuff happening there, and I think that finding a better way to convey what we are doing would be really helpful,” says Willecke.

With the restructuring of the program this year, Johnston and Willecke believe they have made several improvements to the program. The installment of the advisory days helps students and teachers relieve stress by setting up times to meet and complete work. The communication and distribution of information to the students and staff has been streamlined so students and teachers receive ma-

terial quicker and more clearly.

Willecke notes, “Just talking to the staff, one of the things that they feel is the most important is using time in BRIDGES to handle [issues] like state curriculum, surveys from the district, and things that we have to do in a way that doesn’t offset the amount of time spent on classes so that things run really smoothly. I think that’s a really important function of BRIDGES that has widespread support.”

Supporters of BRIDGES see the program as serving the needs of the students where people have a chance to meet and interact with others from different grade levels. Welch believes that everyone needs at least one advocate in their life, and BRIDGES is a program that advocates for student empowerment and makes the path through high school easier to travel. Similarly, “Coming together to talk about some tougher topics when we have that many people all focused in the school at the same time we can really carry a big message. It is probably done better that way than trying to get teachers to individually deliver messages in a classroom,” says Johnston.

While the focus and application of BRIDGES has changed drastically since its formation in 2004, the program as a whole will continue at MIHS. At the end of the year, students will take a survey about BRIDGES to gather information about what students thought about the program this year and see what other improvements can be made. Mark Zmuda, the associate principle, athletic director and co BRIDGES coordinator states, “I am hoping, with this partnership [with Johnston and Willecke] to improve BRIDGES even more and make it worthwhile for all the kids at MIHS.”

Library undergoes construction

by

A King Country Metro bus pulling up to a bus stop.

Photo courtesy of Wikipedia

Ferguson (cont’d) by

Jane Gormley and Naomi Moore

staff writer and guest writer

(continued from page 2) ...history. Read articles. Talk to people around you. Be open and be willing to have an informed opinion. However, keep in mind that discussing is different than arguing; real progress comes from being open to other views.

As the Aboriginal activist, Lilla Watson, famously said, “If you have come here to help me, you are wasting our time. But if you have come because your liberation is bound up with mine, then let us work together.” Being a part of this movement is about recognizing injustice done to one of us is injustice done to all of us.

Being a part of this movement means demanding respect for the value of all human life.

We are all members of the United States of America and, collectively, we are responsible for what happens in this nation. This movement is about exposing and tearing down our nation’s long-standing systems, beliefs, policies, and institutions that continue to undermine historically disadvantaged groups.

Only then can we rebuild society on the foundation of true liberty and justice for all.

Remember the next time that you decide to change the channel to something more lighthearted that some people do not have that option. We must recognize the problem and understand our responsibility to be a part of the solution. The question is: What

Jane Gormley staff writer

The King County Library System’s plans for the renovation of the Mercer Island Public Library could use some renovations themselves. The current plans seem to spend copious amounts of money upgrading the library’s aesthetic instead of simply upgrading the functionality and longevity of the public space which so many people use.

The library is due for a renovation, but only if it takes into consideration the needs of the residents of Mercer Island.

As of now, KCLS is planning to spend $3.4 million on significant changes to architecture and design of the building. The layout of the library will remain the same but it will be redesigned to have a much more modern style.

This is to allow for greater visibility and increased natural light.

The problem here is that the style of the library is fine just as it is. KCLS’s idea of what a library should look and feel like is very different from that of Mercer Island residents. The library should reflect the wants and needs of the people who use it; therefore it would only make sense for KCLS to allow resi-

dents much more control in the go that’s convenient, semi-quiet, and has that atmosphere,” design plans.

It’s also frustrating that this explains sophomore Leah Parenovation is scheduled to take borsky, a student who tutors upwards of at the library twice a week. seven months.

With such a “A temporary small amount library would of useful only work if it change being can provide all made, it is unthat in a big acceptable for enough space the building to for the people be closed for so who need it.” long. Instead Already takPhoto courtesy of NW of spending ex- Protestors of construction stand outside the library. ing one step in tra time and money on a renova- the right direction, on Nov. 19, tion people do not want, KCLS KCLS agreed to postpone the needs to simplify the project. renovation until further notice During the renovation there and take this time to, as they will be a temporary library say on their website, “re-engage available at the Congregational with the community on the reChurch. model plans”. This postponeAs described by KCLS, the ment however will only be effecspace “will include space for tive if KCLS actually listens to holds pickup, computers, brows- residents; they cannot just use it ing collection, tables and chairs as a way to claim that they have for study near a fireplace and a listened to the opinions of the room for children’s story time.” community.

While this space will help to This remodel is one that could ease the inconvenience of the potentially greatly benefit our renovation, I do not believe that community if approached the it is adequate on its own. The right way. There must be some high school library should con- sort of compromise; KCLS must sider lengthening its hours to listen to the ideas and needs allow students another place to of residents and the residents work. themselves need to be open to “There’s no other place to change and some inconvenience.

7

A&E

December 19, 2014

The Mercer Island holiday tradition: Top Holiday Movies Sean Bender “Excerpts from the Nutcracker” Home Alone the main dances in the original Samantha Philipp “Nutcracker” while following the by A&E Editor story of Marie who receives a As the only all youth NutNutcracker. The majority of the cracker performance in the Seatdances present original choreogtle area, Island Youth Ballet will raphy, making the show unique continue this Mercer Island Holand special to Mercer Island. iday tradition with their show The special effects, including “Excerpts from the Nutcracker.” a fog machine and the use of a For 18 years, this ballet instisnow machine during the dance, tute has continued this perfor“Waltz of the Snowflakes,” will mance and the show has been create an exciting Holiday enloved by Mercer Island residents vironment. The costumes, cusfor just as long. Artistic Directom made for each dancer, are tor Susan Valencia and Choreelegant and colorful only adding ographer, Jennifer Coles have to the already beautiful dances. worked hard to carry After dancing on this experience. in this Island With auditions Youth Ballet held in late Septemperformance for ber, the dancers have 11 years, Kelsay been rehearsing since said, “The Nutearly October to precracker is a repare for their roles. ally fun, festive Jamie Vanderwall, holiday event to who shares the role of go to. It is espeDew Drop with Shea cially entertainKelsay, and is a Juing because so nior at Mercer Island many MIHS stuHigh School, states, dents are in it! It “Our studio is relativefeatures kids of ly small in comparison all ages, and is Photo courtesy JamieVanderwall to other studios around all in all a really Dancers performing a scene from “Excerpts from the Nutcracker the Seattle area, so enjoyable way to we all have good opget into a festive portunities to get roles. Usual- role of Dew Drop in this perfor- spirit and support your fellow ly dancers expect to be in one mance, and is a Senior at Mercer peers! Come see the Nutcracker!” or two pieces, but since we are Island High School says, “Each “Excerpts from the Nutcrackan all youth company, we are new nutcracker season brings er” will be performed at the basically in every other piece.” more time commitment and more Stroum Jewish Community All 41 of these dancers, includ- roles, but this just makes it [the Center on Dec 20 at 2 PM, and ing Mercer Island High School show] all the more exciting. The Dec 21 1 PM and 5 PM. Tickets students Evan Condon, Kiernan quick costume changes, the dra- can be purchased online at the Coles, and Henry Mansfield, ma, the sweat, and the mistakes iybnutcracker-com for the price have been practicing their danc- add together to make each year of $22 for general seating or can es profusely. Most of the dancers its own, memorable experience.” be bought at the door, which inwill attend their rehearsals daiThis performance will cer- cludes student discounts with ly for two to six hours, with more tainly be breathtaking. With its a student ID. Come support scheduled during weekends. unique storyline and choreog- your fellow Mercer Island High During this time, rehears- raphy that sets this show apart School peers and local commuals are balanced out with tech- from the typical Nutcracker nity to enjoy Island Youth’s nique classes to ensure precision show, this special performance Ballet amazing performance of with the dancers’ Pointe work. will not fail to impress the au- “Excerpts from the Nutcracker!

In these classes they will prac- dience. The show features all of tice supporting all of their body weight on the tips of their fully extended feet. Many of these dancers will be performing principle roles. Usually these roles are played by professional ballet dancers, meaning that these dancers skills will be put to the test when executing difficult steps of choreography in this Mercer Island performance.

Although rehearsals are intense for these hardworking dancers, this tradition still sparks enthusiasm among all of them.

Shea Kelsay, who plays the

by

Sports Editor

In this holiday classic Kevin McCallister (Macaulay Culkin) finds himself in quite a sticky situation. In the rush to pack and prepare everything for their holiday vacation, the McCallister family forgets nothing, except Kevin. Kevin makes the most out of this opportunity, and so do two house buglers. These crooks target the McCallister home, and Kevin, still un-phased, makes this a Christmas to remember. This ranks top of the list not only because of hilarious hijinks and overall cheerful mood of the movie, but because of the family and friends appeal.

Elf

All Buddy (Will Ferrell) wants for Christmas is to connect with his father, a cold-hearted New York business tycoon. Buddy travels from the North Pole to New York after finding out his father is on the naughty list; his goal is to spread Christmas cheer. Along the way Buddy encounters many obstacles including; snowball throwing bullies, a midget with a short temper, and a fake Santa Claus. This journey of finding oneself, and adjusting to different places while making the best of it is universal, especially during the holidays. Every second is heartwarming and funny making it a must see during the holiday season.

An American Tail An American Tail: During the holidays the most important thing to be thankful for is your family, whether they be distant or close. In this animated classic Fievel Mousekewizes (voiced by Phillip Glasser) and his family emigrate from Russia because of the abuse of the Cossacks. Along the way Fievel is separated from his family and in the journey to follow, surpasses every obstacle thrown at him to get back to his family. This story stresses the importance of family and necessary lengths needed to take to spend time with them.

Snowflake Lane continues to bring holiday cheer to the greater Seattle area by

Jane Gormley staff writer

Citizens of the greater Seattle area see only an average of 5.9 inches of snow every winter, which leaves many really dreaming of a white Christmas. Luckily, there is one place a little closer than the North Pole where the snow doesn’t show signs of stopping. Every winter for the past ten years, it has taken nothing short of a Christmas miracle to transform Bellevue Way into the winter wonderland that is Snowflake Lane.

Kemper Freeman, the owner of the Bellevue Collection, formulated his idea for Snowflake Lane after witnessing the holiday light and music show hosted by Saks Fifth Avenue in New York City.

His desire to bring the holiday spirit into the heart of Bellevue, Wash. has been growing annually since 2005, and each year the show continues to bring smiles to the faces of its 300,000 visitors.

Freeman’s idea has been brought to life by over 200 teenagers who sing, dance, and drum along the sidewalks as they are accompanied by a m a g i c a l snowfall and exhil- a r a t i n g light and music show. Most locals have experienced this holiday magic but what they do not know is the amount of work that goes

Preparing for Snowflake Lane into producing this caliber of ticipant described auditions as “extremely nerve racking.” is arduous and time consuming. performance.

Auditions for the different Thompson said that these Jin- Busy teenagers take countless parts, which include drummers, gle Belle Dancers, “audition to hours to learn their parts and dancers, costume characters, a dance combination set by an then commit to performing evprincesses, stilt walkers, major- award-winning choreographer ery night for an entire month. It ettes, technical staff and a hol- and Member of the Broadway is clear that they are up to the iday dance crew take place in Roundtable Hall of Fame.” Af- challenge as around 50 percent ter being selected, these dancers of performers choose to return late September. and audition Even though again every the performers year. are teenagers, When asked the audition prowhat it is like cess is similar to working with ones they would such young go through at performers professional auThompson ditions.

Greg notes, “We hear Thompson, the so much about producer for kids these days Snowflake Lane having a bad said drummers attitude but “audition in a after worksmall room.” The ing with 200 judging panel of [them] each consists of staff year my view members of the has changed.”

University of

Washington Photo courtesy Jane Gormley Thompson’s Marching Band, Snowflake lane performers rehearsing for the parade. view on the the All-City Drum Line, and the Seahawks’ “are given a choreography video teenage performers is not the Blue Thunder Drum Line. “The with ‘counts’ to which they will only thing that has changed applicants must sight read a rehearse for four weeks on their with Snowflake Lane over the piece of music and play it per- own.” Starting the day after years. From the show’s small fectly to join the Snowflake Thanksgiving, the dancers at- start ten years ago with only 75 tend group rehearsals and work performers it is amazing to see Team,” says Thompson.

Nam Dang-Luong, Mercer “with the Snowflake Lane Dance how the show has transformed Island High School senior and Captains to polish up the dance into, what Thompson describes as, “a shut down the street, full first-time Snowflake Lane par- routines.

blown production show” with over 230 dancers, drummers, and holiday characters which draws over 300,000 visitors each year.

Snowflake Lane’s incredible success has also caught the attention of many corporate sponsors, but according to Thompson, “This is Kemper Freeman and the Bellevue Collection’s holiday gift to Bellevue and the Eastside. Snowflake Lane is very personal to Kemper and my feeling is [that] he’s not going to change that anytime soon.”

In the future, along with the expansion of the Bellevue Collection, Thompson hopes that Snowflake Lane will grow as well. He some day hopes to have a parade, similar to the one that already occurs the day after Thanksgiving, only every night.

“We’re trying to add some bit of holiday cheer to the season,” he said. “We want to remind people that it’s not just about the sales, the holidays have always been about family.”

Whether it’s your first visit or your tenth, Snowflake Lane always leaves its audience with a sense of wonderment and holiday spirit. This magic cannot only be found in the cold, snowy nights of the performances but in the hard work and dedication of those who put it together.

Holiday DIYS, Oh my!

Materials:

-scrabble letters (wooden) -scrabble stands (wooden) -saw -hot glue gun -drill -ribbon

Candy Sleighs Materials:

−2 candy canes −1 big sized kit kat bar −10 mini hersheys −hot glue gun

Scrabble Ornaments

1. Glue the candy canes hook facing upwards to

the back of the kit kat bar 2. Glue the 10 mini hersheys in a pyramidal shape, 4 on the bottom, 3 on the next level, 2 on the next, and 1 on the top 3. Add any other decorations you want!

1. Glue the letters together to make the a word 2. Using the saw, cut the scrabble stands so that it is just the right length for the word you made 3. Drill two holes in the middle of the word 4. Hot glue the ends of the ribbon inside the two holes 5. Voila! Fin.

Materials:

Materials: -wax -wick -tin can -teacups -tape -scissors

Teacup Candles 1. Place the tin can in a saucepan full of boiling water 2. Add wax (essential oil optional for scent) 3. Cut a piece of wick so that it is longer than the height of the

teacup. Tape one end to a pen/pencil 4. When the wax has melted, pour the wax into the teacup and place the wick in the wax with the pen/pencil resting on the top of the cup 5. Cool for two to three hours, then cut the wick 6. Voila! Enjoy.

Compiled by Helena Shield and Lily Clugston

ISLANDER 9100 SE 42nd Street Mercer Island, WA 98040 mihsislander@gmail..com @MIHSISLANDER FACEBOOK.COM/MIHSISLANDER

Editors in chief: Richard Chess Isabella Murillo Features Editor: Helena Shield Sports Editor: Sean Bender Spread Editor: Collectively complied

Opinions Editor: A&E Editor: Back Page Editor: Photo Editor:

by all editors

Isabella Murillo Samantha Philipp Isabella Murillo Samantha Philipp

−3 baby food jars −marshamellows −hot chocolate mix powder −peppermints −small velcro pieces −spare pieces of cloth (for the scarves) −black cloth −black and orange paints

Snowmen Jars

1. Fill one jar with marshemellows, one with the hot choco-

late powder and one with peppermints 2. Place soft velcro on the bottoms of the marshamellow and powder jars, and the hooked side to the tops of the powder and peppermint jars 3. Using the paints, draw buttons on the chocolate jars and snowmen faces on the marshamellow jars 4. Stack the jars marshamellow on top, chocolate in the middle, and peppermints on the bottom 5. Cut the spare cloth and wrap the “neck” of the snowman (the lid of the chocolate jar) like a scarf 6. Tightly wrap the marshamellow lid with black cloth 7. Place a scare piece under the lid of the marshamellow jar to make the brim of the top hat. Use rubber bands to prob it up if sagging

8. Enjoy!

Editorial Policy

Purpose

Staff Writers: Lily Clugston Mithril Hugunin Jane Gormley Gabriela Venditti Jessica Waller Corinne Wheeler

Adviser: Chris Twombley

To the Mercer Island High School student body and members of the surrounding community in a manner that accurately reflects the readers’ interests

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To print an ad in a future issue of The Islander, contact Business Manager Richard Chess at mihsislander@gmail. com for rates and more information.

The Islander accepts and welcomes feedback from its readers. Anyone wishing to submit to The Islander must e-mail his submission to mihsislander@gmail.com or deliver it by hand to Chris Twombley. All submissions must be submitted two weeks before the next publication date, which can be found at any of our distribution boxes. All handwritten submissions must be signed to be considered for publication. No submissions will be published anonymously. All submissions become property of MIHS Islander.