The Islander June Issue 2016

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June 2016

mihsislander.org

An interview with Obama’s sister Maya Soetoro-Ng by

Richard Chess editor in chief

Earlier this month, Editor in Chief Richard Chess was given the opportunity to interview President Barack Obama’s half-sister, Dr. Maya Soetoro-Ng. She resides in Honolulu, working as a professor of education at the University of Hawaii. The Stanley Ann Dunham scholarship honors Dr. Soetoro-Ng and President Obama’s common mother by awarding a grant to “outstanding graduating senior women from Mercer Island High School whose idealism, academic achievement and volunteer experiences have made a difference in the lives of others in the wider community.�

Dr. Soetoro-Ng spoke at the award ceremony on May 21, 11 a.m. at the Congregational Church on Mercer Island.

Chess: Could you describe your journey towards becoming a professor of education?

Soetoro-Ng: Well, I was one of the fortunate ones who knew very early on that I loved to teach because in my view, teaching was about storytelling and about finding a way to build connections with young people and community and so I was a

teacher for many years, more negotiation, mediation, alter- But, if I’m not mistaken, also than a decade in high school, native dispute resolution, fa- some middle school. She felt but found that I had ideas cilitation and so forth ‌ All of that Mercer Island was a about rigorous multicultural these non-violent communi- place that balanced the nureducation or peace educa- cation skills were skills that turing that she needed to feel tion but I wanted to amplify I taught in the high school brave and content with the and teaching was a good and then I was also teach- opportunity that allowed her way to do that. So, I moved ing it to teachers and gradu- to try out many things and to the College of Education ates, and in-service teachers. find community far and wide where I taught multicultural I moved fairly recently to and to imagine life and world education and pathways that and soextended quite far. cial studIt was a place that ies methwas full of converods for a sation, good books. number of Mercer Island alyears and lowed her to be a I enjoyed part of many difthat imferent clubs and mensely. she explored her I loved own internal layspenders, but also had ing time Photo courtesy Youtube conversations about in school President Obama with his sister Maya Soetoro-Ng the wide array of and with people. They spent teachers and students, but the Matsunaga Institute for some time with the UnitarI started increasingly want- Peace where I’m the direc- ian Church there and in sering to teach peace educa- tor of community outreach vice to the community. I’ll be tion, which I was fortunate and global learning and I doing a talk at the Unitarian enough to teach in the high feel pretty lucky every day. Church while I’m there. She school and college levels and I say to be able to do work had a tremendous amount of felt like increasingly peace that is in accordance with my fun and it was a good balance education was what was most cherished priorities‌ between small community, needed to make education that’s how I landed here. but also offered opportunities Chess: Tell me about for worldliness but I think useful. And by peace I mean mother’s experi- aligned very well with her many things ‌ social justice, your inclusion, multiculturalism, ence on Mercer Island. character and her desires.

Soetoro-Ng: Mom went wellness, environmental Chess: You said that she stewardship, community re- to high school in Mercer Is(continued on page 14) silience, restorative justice, land, as you know, obviously.

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Volume V, Edition 6

Inside Exclusive interview with the founder of GambiaHELP Features > Page 3

Track and cross-country coach Erica Hill steps down after 20 years Sports > Page 7

An inside look on the bestHamlet Tag moments Spread > Page 8/9

Late start: best for kids or bait-and-switch? by

Hanna Puetz staff writer

Last year, the Mercer Island School District formed a committee composed of teachers, students, and community members from Bellevue and Mercer Island to discuss changing the high school start time, investigating whether later start times would enable students to sleep more and thus perform better in school. As quoted in The Islander’s November issue, school board member Dave Myerson said, “Districts that have implemented the change [in start times] find it to increase sleep, increase test scores, increase grades, reduce sleepiness, reduce depression, reduce suicides, reduce obesity, reduce traffic accidents, and reduce drug use.�

Although pushing back start times five days a week could potentially yield improvements in student performance and behaviors, doing so could also result in undesirable consequences for stakeholders. Research supports that a late start can benefit students; however, MIHS’ unique environment,

given its heavy academic work load and active student body, render the school incompatible with the nationwide studies. Additionally, other schools that have implemented a late start previously began their school day as early as 7:20 a.m. If MISD decides to significantly alter MIHS start times, the change will make it difficult for students to obtain more sleep every night. A late start will ultimately fail to improve student sleeping patterns and student performance in school, which, according to the committee, is the main purpose of pushing back start times in the first place.

On Feb. 12, MISD announced that “the high school will start at 8:45 a.m. on Wednesdays only� a validation of the Late Start-Time Committee’s study. Although only one day a week will start later next school year, latestart Wednesdays offer the District leverage for pushing for late-start five days a week if similar experiments in other districts, including Bellevue and Seattle, next year prove successful. In an MIHS faculty meeting on Feb. 3, Superintendent Dr. Gary Plano

addressed the issue, stating that he supported late start Wednesday but that there had been pressure to eventually transition to a late start five days a week, pressure likely from members of the School Board, like Myerson, who support the benefits of increasing student sleep.

School Board member Tracy Drinkwater said, “I think it’s great that Dr. Plano has decided to go forward with latestart Wednesdays‌I think that will give us a lot of information, but of course one day a week is going to be different than five days a week.â€?

Given that such a schedule change will heavily affect the student body, Dr. Plano and the School Board have talked with the MIHS Leadership class many times over the course of this school year. Despite the Late-Start Committee’s advise against moving to late start five days a week, the School Board has projected a more favorable position regarding late start during meetings with Leadership. “I mean, to be honest, [the School Board] kind of‌wants to eventually move to the full late start for every single day – not just

Wednesday but all days,� said senior ASB PR Coordinator Brian Oppenheim.

Despite the Board’s position, late start and latestart Wednesday remain Dr. Plano’s decision. “It’s been discussed that it’s clearly in Dr. Plano’s court to make the decision,� said Drinkwater.

Publicly, Dr. Plano has made clear that he supports latestart Wednesday because the change will resolve some of the scheduling and transportation conflicts with the opening of Northwood next fall. However, like the School Board, Plano has expressed interest in seeing how the late-start Wednesday plays out next year and is “openminded� to the idea of a late start five days a week.

When talking to the leadership class, “[Plano] was more middle ground. He wanted to demo late-start Wednesday and then see from there how to move forward with late start the rest of the days, if at all,� said Oppenheim.

Drinkwater confirms the purpose of late-start Wednesday. “I think it’s [late-start Wednesday] a kind of experiment, so it’s going to give us (continued on page 10)

Why mainstream media is taking over our lives Opinions > Page 10

Introducing MIHS perspectives Campus Life > Page 13

Make sure to check out our website at mihsislander.org!

2

FEATURES

Graduation requirements change by

Jonathan Perr

staff writer

Next year, MIHS plans to change its credit graduation requirements for the Class of 2019. Current freshmen must obtain 24 credits - rather than the 21 credits which had previously been required - as part of Washington State’s new Core 24 plan.

The changes include: two Fine Arts credits rather than one, two World Language credits, four English credits rather than three, and three science credits.

The state implemented these new changes with a positive long term goal in mind.

MIHS principal Vicki Puckett said, “The state upped the requirements because they want kids to be college and career ready. They decided that they would make it college and career ready by requiring every student to get 24 credits. The new English and language requirements will prevent some students from accidentally missing the prerequisites of college.”

“The other thing they’re trying to do at the state level is implement more of a STEAM focus,” said Puckett. STEAM stands for science, technology, engineering, arts, and math, and the

upped requirements in arts and sciences aim to progress the quality of STEAM programs in Washington state.

However, not all students might necessarily want to participate in two years of arts along with two years of world language if they already know of a particular direction they want to take in their careers. This has caused much of the frustration, and luckily MIHS has an option for those students.

Puckett continued, “If you decide you want to wait and do a personalized pathway requirement you have to go through a series of steps to do that. You just have to fill out a form opting out of your world language requirements and say you’re going to an arts school and fulfill that by doing three arts credits and one PPR (Personalized Pathway Requirement) credit. The same thing goes the other way around. If you want to take more world languages you can waive the art and take four years of world language instead of two.”

According to the Washington State Board of Education, the Personalized Pathway Requirement “is related courses that lead to a specific post high school career or educational outcome chosen by

the student based on the student’s interest.”

Some students feel as though the changes in credit requirements will be doing more harm than good. “I think it’s [the new requirement change] detrimental to students’ high school experiences because it limits their electives. I know freshmen right now that are having to choose between two classes like leadership and band because of their new requirements. I think it’s unfair to make students choose between classes as important as these ones,” said senior Emily Wang.

To the disappointment of some students, MIHS has no jurisdiction in reverting to the previous credit requirements. Registrar Barb Shephard said, “This is happening in all the high schools across the state. This isn’t us, it’s the state [that must follow the new graduation credit requirements].”

Although the new credit requirements may force some students to work a little harder to enroll in the variety of classes they desire, these changes should ensure that students will meet the requirements for any university and provide them with a more rigorous education.

eases, even if one does not smoke and is at a healthy weight. The American Cancer Society’s Cancer Prevention Study II concluded that women who sat for six or more hours daily had a 37 percent greater risk of death due to decline in health compared to those who sat for three hours or less. For men,

example, English bus drivers were more likely to have heart attacks than bus conductors, mail sorters were more likely to suffer heart attacks than mailmen.

With the rise of desk jobs, more people are subjected to sitting down all day long.

Currently, the average office worker sits for around 10

mihsislander.org

The future of Mercer Island

known as the Hines Project, a plan for a new five-story by staff writer building. Many residents Change is sweeping Mer- complained and progress cer Island in ways not seen was stalled. Since being put in years.

Some embrace on hold, the plan was to tear the change while others down existing buildings and point out the issues it would develop the land into a large bring. For Mercer Island block-by-block building. residents, there is a sense of Proponents argued that the divisiveness surrounding a new development would almuch argued over issue: the low for more businesses and future of Mercer Island. residents to come to the isFor many, the issue is land. For others, though, multi-faceted: should devel- who were against the Hines opment of a small number of Project and further developa public ment in parks be generpermital, new ted to enbuildjoy a new i n g s center threatfor the en the arts, and small should t o w n the confeel and struction way of Photo courtesy Neoscape Inc of bigger, Potential project plans for the future of MI life that taller is so buildings be permitted? treasured on Mercer Island, Last year, a temporary describing their belief that four-month moratorium was Mercer Island is for Merinstituted on the construc- cer Island residents. Oppotion of new buildings, effec- nents to the project feel that tively buying time for the the new buildings would be City Council and public to built as big as possible so as come to a decision regarding to increase the amount of them. The moratorium ex- available space, and in turn tended to all new construc- increasing montion in the Town Center (continued on page 4) except for one development

Nathan Benson

Studies show excessive sitting can lead to health problems by

Kelly Hou

staff writer

One of America’s favorite activities is actually harmful.

The term “Sitting Disease” is often used when referring to Metabolic Syndrome and the negative impacts of an overly sedentary lifestyle. Yet many people are unaware of it.

Americans sit for an average of 13 hours a day, greater than the amount of time they spend sleeping (8 hours), resulting in sedentary activity for approximately 21 hours a day.

Unfortunately, research shows links between sedentary lifestyles and diabetes, cancer, obesity, and cardiovascular disease. A 2006 University of Minnesota study found that between 1980 and 2000, people exercised for about the same amount of time, sitting time increased by eight percent, and obesity doubled. According to data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, over a 3rd of U.S. adults and about 17 percent of U.S. children were obese in 2009-2010, and the percentage of Americans age 65 years and older who have Type-2 diabetes is at a high of 25.9 percent.

Sitting for six or more hours daily can also increase your chances of dying from cancer and other major dis-

U.S. student spends an average of 4.5 hours sitting at school. Combine that value with spending time in front of a screen, driving to school, completing homework, and eating meals, and kids are sitting 85 percent of their waking hours.

“One of the problems with our school system,” said Anne L. Friedlander, Vice President of programs at Connetwall and a consulting professor in the human biology program at Stanford, “is we have all these kids, and they’re running around, and they’re very energetic, and they’re playing all these games.

And then we take them into school, and we Photo courtesy Townsquare Media Wilson Elementary School uses standing desks to decrease students’ fidgeting. say ‘Sit down and be still.’ the greater risk of death for hours a day while checking And it’s one of the worst those who sat at least six emails, making phone calls, things we can do for their hours daily was 17 percent. writing proposals, and eating health.”

Scientists in the mid-1900s lunch, and sitting in front of To reduce the amount of found that men who sat for the TV or surfing the web at time kids spend sitting in a prolonged amount of time home. class, some public schools while at work were twice as It isn’t only adults who are are putting standing desks likely to develop heart dis- subjected to sit throughout in classrooms like Wilson ease than men who moved the whole day; children do Elementary school in West around during work. For too at school. The average Caldwell, New Jersey. Two

teachers, Jennifer Emmolo and Jaclyn Ginex, were attempting to find a way to reduce the frequency of students walking to the bathroom and fidgeting.

The new standing desks were a success. “Things like talking when you weren’t supposed to be talking, fidgeting with some kind of object on your desk, standing around the room and moving at not great times, all of those undesirable behaviors decreased by incredible amounts,” said Emmolo.

Normal weight kids burn between 15 to 25 percent more calories at standing desks, and obese kids burn between 25 to 35 percent more calories. Standing also prevents the body’s tissue from adapting to static positions like short hip flexors and hamstrings, a rounded upper back, and bad shoulder position.

In addition to adding standing desks in classrooms in order to reduce the amount of time kids spend sitting, schools have also trained teachers to include more physically active activities in lessons and implement 10 minute breaks for a chance to move around in block periods. Hopefully, more and more schools will include these new methods to ensure the health of their students.

June 2016

Features

3

Interview with the GambiaHELP founder Shelby Tarutis by

Aina Swartz staff writer

For the past 18 years, Shelby Tarutis has dedicated her life to helping Gambian kids receive an education. Her Washington-based organization, GambiaHELP, provides educational funds, school and medical supplies to poor children in rural areas of The Gambia. The organization also designs and supports sustainable projects, such as the construction of schools and the manufacturing of rice-milling machines.

Tarutis was kind enough to sit down and answer some of The Islander’s questions, as well as share some of her advice for future visionaries.

Swartz: What prompted you to found GambiaHELP? Tarutis: I started GambiaHELP after learning by working in the public health research area that I missed the Gambian people, their culture and working within a community. For example, in my work at Fred Hutchinson and the University of Washington, I was participating in research endeavors that would take years to reach outcomes associated with cure for cancer or resolving issues of insurance coverage related to pain or mental illness. I really missed on the ground community development.

Swartz: Tell us about your volunteers; how many are there (roughly)? What are their duties?

Tarutis: The numbers of

active volunteers change - protein from eggs and chick- Gambian came to us to help we can be at a high of 250 en will be served to nursery his village obtain water. The to a low of 50. Our mailings school children enrolled at current water source is very reach over 500 people. Dur- the Kerewan nursery school. far away from the main viling times when events are This project has been funded lage and requires women to planned we engage many vol- by Prosser Rotary, Universi- walk many kilometers to get unteers. During times when ty District Rotary and Gam- the water needs met. Lastly, most work is grant writing biaHELP. This is considered in our Organizational Develor research, it takes fewer a “nutritional intervention” opment project, we are exvolunteers. Duties most re- where nutritional food-stuffs ploring the options whereby cently involunteers can be clude: depaid for the work sign and that they do for drafting of GambiaHELP. an online This is in the prenewsletliminary phases ter, preand may take up paring for to a year to rethe Seatsearch. tle FounSwartz: What dation’s has been the GiveBIG greatest chaleven, marlenge in creating keting and and maintaining preparing your organizaadvertisetion? ment for Tarutis: The the Colgreatest chalPhoto by Aina Swartz lenges in mainorDash Shelby Tarutis, founder of GambiaHELP Fun run taining the oron June ganization is 11, 2016 at Ravenna Park, will be provided to children reaching a state of sustainsorting and boxing donations considered malnourished. able funding. As an organizaof clothing, books, shoes, It was started last year and tion and organized as a nonmedical supplies, bicycles, will continue through next profit corporation, we rely on school supplies and seeking year. We will be taking mea- donors, foundations, corpodonations of items needed or surements of the children to rations, family foundations, funds for projects. see whether this additional service clubs and more to Swartz: What kind of proj- food will increased/enhance fund us. We seek funding in ects are you working on right nutritional status We are a variety of ways and reach now in The Gambia? also working on a library, out to a variety of constituenTarutis: In The Gambia, which is being funded by a cies in an effort to diversify we are working on several local Gambian in memory - we do not want to rely on projects. For example we are of his mother. It is being only one source of funding. currently running a Garden started now (mud blocks will Given that 80 percent of our and Poultry Farm at Kere- be made during dry season) donors are people like you wan which is a village in the and finished this year. Our and I who give $25/year as a North Bank area of The Gam- Solar Water Pump project is charitable contribution. The bia. The garden produce and in the research phase. A local challenge boils down to hav-

ing a good relationship with all of your donors - a one-toone relationship. It gets very challenging when the majority of people want to see “You” because you are the one leading the way so to speak. It is ideal to have volunteers who can be ambassadors of our good works and share their experiences with friends and family.

Swartz: What can high school students do to help your cause?

Tarutis: Students can do a lot. If they have community service options, join us in our efforts to alleviate poverty in The Gambia among women and children. Learn about positive Islam (not what is seen in the majority of USA media), ask questions and ask me what you can do. I would tailor that answer to that student who wants to do more, to be an active participant in changing the world for the better.

Swartz: What would you tell young people with dreams to make the world a better place?

Tarutis: Get your education. Get experience by volunteering in the area where your aspirations lie. Don’t be pulled down by the negative “nellies”! Surround yourself with positive people—those people that believe in you through thick and thin. Do not give up. Realize that making something of yourself takes hard work, perseverance, dedication and a passion for life!

GMO foods: the good the bad, and the unlabeled by

Kelly Hou staff writer

As the production of genetically modified crops grows and GMO foods become common products in supermarkets, so does the worry that these foods may cause harm to the humans who consume them.

Genetically modified crops have had their DNA altered to give the plant certain qualities. One method is by using a gene gun to physically shoot the DNA of another organism into the cells of crops. Another method is by inserting a gene into a bacterium, which is then injected into the plants. The genome that causes harm in the bacterium is removed prior to the insertion. Once the bacteria are inside the plant’s cells, the genes inside the bacteria will insert into the plant’s genome, and the foreign gene will be found in the DNA of each new cell the plant creates.

There are many reasons why genetically modified foods are created, from

engineering apples that will not go brown, to reducing harm done to plants when they are sprayed with herbicides. One major reason why genetically modified foods were created was to improve crop protection. A tomato crop can be resilient to beatles when scientists insert a bacterium called Bacillus thuringiensis into the crop’s cells. The bacterium encodes a protein which is poisonous to certain types of insects, thus protecting the crops against insect threats. However, for GM crops like corn and cotton, five pest species have already developed immunity against them, thus requiring more pesticides for the crops. Another reason was to increase the nutritional value of a crop. A deficiency in vitamin A impairs vision and the immune system.

White rice was modified into golden rice because of its yellow color due to beta-carotene, the source of vitamin A. However, there are some risks to genetically modified

foods. Numerous animal studies have shown organ damage, immune system disorders, accelerated aging, and infertility due to genetically modified food.

Human studies have shown that genetically modified foods can also leave material behind in our bodies, which may cause long-term

Photo courtesy CNN

Some companies use non-GMO certifications to promote their products.

problems.

Currently, up to 92 percent of U.S. corn, 94 percent of U.S. cotton (cottonseed oil is used in many food products), and 94 percent of U.S. soybeans are genetically modified. It is estimated that about 75 percent or more processed foods found in supermarkets

contain genetically modified ingredients, including products from soups, to crackers, to condiments, and more.

However, there is quite a bit of controversy concerning mandatory GMO labeling.

If consumers want to know whether or not the products they are buying contain MSG, high fructose corn syrup, or any other additives, they simply read the labels. But if shoppers are wondering whether or not the food they are placing on the table contains genetically modified ingredients, they’re not going to find any information on the package.

Monsanto, an agricultural biotechnology corporation, currently opposes mandatory labeling of genetically modified ingredients, as long as no risks are proven.

Monsanto released a statement saying, “[it] could imply that food products contain these ingredients are somehow inferior to their conventional or organic counter parts, and creates a confusing and costly patch

work of state laws.”

The Center for Food Safety, on the other hand, does support mandatory GMO labeling.

“Unsuspecting consumers by the tens of millions are being allowed to purchase and consume unlabeled GE foods, despite the fact that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does no independent testing of their safety.” The website also states that over 90 percent of Americans in most polls support genetically engineered labeling.

Currently three states, Connecticut, Maine, and Vermont, require mandatory labeling, however Connecticut and Maine’s laws have provisions that state that these laws cannot be implemented unless other states do the same.

The Washington Mandatory Labeling of Genetically Engineered Food Measure, Initiative 522 was on the November 5, 2013 ballot in Washington, but the initiative failed.

4

FEATURES

mihsislander.org

Heroin use increases in Seattle, students potentially at risk

by

Jake D’Souza staff writer

With heroin usuage at an all-time high in King County, teenagers are at an even greater risk of becoming addicted.

Heroin overdoses have increased by 58 percent from 2013 to 2014 within King County alone. In just 2014, 156 people died due to heroin overdose. Heroin also accounts for nearly half of all drug-related deaths in the county. The large amount of heroin overdoses are most likely a result of the Seattle area heroin having a higher potency, making it easier for users to overdose. The increase in availability may have an impact on the number of users. Students may be affected statewide as heroin use increases.

While heroin use is not common among MIHS high schoolers, the increase in availability might have an impact on the number of users. Many kids start using drugs such as heroin because of peer pressure. Addiction may start with alcohol, cigarettes, or prescription drugs.

Alcohol is generally the first drug of choice because of its accessibility and its status

as a more socially acceptable substance. As a user becomes more comfortable with such drugs, the user wants a more intense high as the body becomes used to the high from other substances.

This leads to a slippery slope of addiction as the pattern repeats as more potent drugs

come into play. The stigma, or lack thereof, surrounding substance abuse among teenagers causes some to eventually using drugs such as heroin. This leads to the drastic increase of heroin use King County sees.

A substance addiction can

The future of Mercer Island (continued) (continued from page 2)

-ey made off the project.

With more retail space, the worry is that more people would make the journey onto the island, worsening the already poor traffic situation, especially during rush hour. Still, proponents like to point to the new opportunities projects like Hines would bring like a Whole Foods and other stores. With more stores would come more business to the island, bringing improvements and hopefully improving life on the Mercer Island.

Another proposed development that is equally as controversial is Mercer Island Center for the Arts, better known as MICA. MICA is described on its website as “a cultural focal point on Mercer Island where Islanders and people from throughout the Puget Sound area gather to converse and create.”

The building would be the new home for Youth Theater Northwest, fulfilling the need for a multi-theater venue for performances ranging from plays and musicals, to lectures and films. The only issue is where it would be built. The current planned location would have the MICA replacing the recycling center next to Mercerdale

Park, and extending into the park. Many island residents have voiced their dislike for the idea of a new building being developed on parkland. One group, Concerned Citizens for Mercer Island Parks, works to preserve the island’s parks, which it sees as threatened by the development. Recently, the group filed a petition against the building of MICA. The City Council has decided to put the decision up to a vote on a future ballot to determine the future of the project. Another roadblock MICA faces is available parking in the area. Currently, the only available parking in the immediate vicinity is the lot at the corner of SE 78th Ave. and SE 32nd St., next to Rite Aid. In the corner of the lot, a Pagliacci Pizza is being built, further decreasing the available parking space.

The parking issue is another facet that will have to be resolved before the construction of MICA can move forward.

Through all the discussion and deliberation, one thing is certain: Mercer Island is changing. How that change will look and take shape, will continue to be debated as Mercer Island residents work to determine the future of Mercer Island.

become so great that somebody struggles to function without it. The brain registers use of an addicting substance as a reward. The drug causes the brain to release dopamine, which is a chemical that sends a rewarding feeling to the brain.

Drugs such as heroin cause

risks such as respiratory problems, abscesses due to needles, depression, introversion, and many others.

Such effects may lead a user to lose contact with friends and family. The addiction to heroin can become so strong that users may end up spending all of their money on the drug.

Many teens begin using such drugs for a variety of reasons.

“Sometimes it’s a social thing, somebody’s older brother or sister invites them to a party or maybe they have a friend that has experimented,” said MIHS Substance Abuse Photo courtesy The Seattle Times Specialist, dopamine to release into the Chris Harnish. A student brain exceptionally quickly. may begin using an opioid After just a couple uses, the like heroin because friends brain begins to rely on the use the same drug. Peer substance and it becomes in- pressure or not, friends can creasingly hard to stop using act as a gateway to heroin it. use. It only takes one hit for The effects of heroin are a user to become addicted to severe, creating health heroin.

Just because students at MIHS live in a safe community does not mean that they are not at risk for heroin addiction. Drug dealers peddling drugs from Mexico along Interstate-5 have began targeting wealthy communities similar to Mercer Island because teenagers in affluent communities have more money to spent compared to teenagers in more destitute districts.

Rise in opioid addiction among affluent cities displays that drug dealers have mastered the art of selling to teenagers. Police departments state that some dealers may give away product to get customers addicted to the drug. Teenage heroin users may then convince friends to simply try the drug while at a party or in other casual settings, leading to potentially immediate addiction.

Mercer Island might be prone to heroin addiction due to the recent increase in use statewide and how easy it is to obtain the addiction. The effects of the drug are often fatal. If you believe somebody is addicted to heroin or a similar substance, have them call the drug helpline: 866-789-1511.

Girls Who Code helps bridge gender gap in STEM fields

because of their unique style of teaching. The girls work staff writer in teams to code, similar to Girls Who Code is a unique work in the industry. Part and informative program of the Summer Immersion that introduces technology Program involves pairing and computer sciences to students with mentors and girls across the country. creating bonds. “All in all, Founded by Reshma SauI think Girls Who Code projani in 2012, Girls Who Code vides a solid platform for exposes girls to computer programming and also probscience and technology. This lem solving,” said Chen. program strives to train the Chen recommends any next generation of current sophomore or engineers by teachjunior girls to apply to ing incoming juniors this program. “They and seniors programteach you basics, so ming fundamentals, you don’t need skills. web development and But on the other hand, design, mobile develthe topics are very exopment, and robotics. pandable so you can Since 2012, the proexplore advanced topPhoto courtesy Microsoft gram has served over Many businesses are trying to encourage women to work in STEM fields. ics if you already know 3,000 girls in 29 difa little. Ideally, someferent states. ence course with various lo- one who applies should be Girls Who Code strives to cations around the country. interested because you will close the gender gap in tech- The Girls Who Code website spend seven weeks with six nology and science fields. says the program is designed to seven hours a day doAccording to their website, to encourage young wom- ing coding,” said Chen. The 74 percent of girls show in- en to explore new technolo- Girls Who Code Summer Imterest in STEM professions, gies and contribute to their mersion Program in Seattle but only 0.4 percent take an communities. LC Chen, a will take place through June interest in computer science. current junior at MIHS, at- 27 – Aug. 12, July 5 – Aug. Furthermore, in 1984, 37 tended the Summer Immer- 19, and July 11 – Aug. 26. percent of all computer sci- sion program in 2015. “The Current sophomore and ence graduates were wom- curriculum was moderately junior girls are welcome to en. However, that number fast. Summer Immersion sign up for this program and has decreased to 18 percent Programs are held in rooms learn new technology, new in the past 20 years. In con- of company ‘partners’, so it’s skills and learn about new trast, about 50 percent of so- a business environment,” opportunities for jobs in the cial science majors are con- said Chen. Girls Who Code computer science and techferred to women, and about differs from other programs nical engineering fields.

by

Marissa Look

70 percent of English majors are given to women. Girls Who Code wants to create a more balanced gender ratio in computer science and technology because they believe many girls do not have access to technology or know its capabilities for use in the workplace.

The Girls Who Code Summer Immersion program is a seven-week computer sci-

June 2016

SPORTS

5

Passing the torch from Manning, Brady to Wilson, Newton by

Ian Martin

staff writer

For almost two decades, the quarterback position has been dominated by two of the greatest QBs to ever play the game: Peyton Manning and Tom Brady.

As each of the future HOFs begins his decline, we will take a look at the start of that historic match up and look forward to the new future of the quarterback position.

The rivalry between Peyton Manning and Tom Brady has been one of the greatest player vs. player match ups major sports have ever seen. Looking back at the beginning of this historic rivalry, we see that Brady dominated the head-to-head games during the early stages of their careers. Brady and the New England Patriots won six consecutive games against the Manning-led Colts, two of those six games being played in the postseason. It is noteworthy that Peyton Manning was drafted first overall which means that he was going to the worst

team in the NFL, while Brady was drafted 199th overall by a team that was close to the bottom of the standings. Through the first six games of the historic match up, the Pats’ offense shone by scoring 191 points, while the Colts offense put up a mediocre 105. That comes out to an average game score of 31 for the Pats and the Colts with 17. Manning, who has statistically been the better QB, struggled over the start of his career. In those six games, Manning threw ten interceptions and nine touchdowns.

Over the same games, Brady threw four interceptions and ten touchdowns. It’s fair to say that Brady dominated the win total against the Colts during the beginning of his career, but based on stats, one might choose Manning over Brady.

As Peyton and Brady enter the closing minutes of a decade-plus long career, NFL fans looking for the new match up must watch Russell Wilson vs. Cam Newton. Like Manning, Newton was drafted first

Track and cross-country coach Erica Hill steps down after 20 years

MIHS, also met Hill as a freshman, “She goes through tons by staff writer of athletes every year and she Erica Hill is an English forms relationships with every teacher and cross country and single person on cross country,” track coach at MIHS, and was said Stoops. When asked about nominated for Brooks Running how he feels about Hill moving Coach of the Year. However, on from coaching, he said, “Her after 20 years, she will no lon- ability to put others’ needs beger continue coaching. fore her own and treat everyHill’s favorite parts of being one with respect and equality a coach included her relation- is something that’s going to be ships with the athletes, and really, really useful and somewatching those athletes form thing that this school district is their own congoing to benefit nections, “I’ve from.” watched them Despite no grow and 20 longer coaching years later, I’m cross country still friends with and track, Hill many of these will continue former athletes ... teaching English I’m actually going and will be into a wedding this terning as an adsummer where Photo courtesy Brooks Running ministrator next two of my former Coach Erica Hill will be stepping year at MIHS. athletes are get- down after twenty years as the track “Erica is such and cross-country coach. ting married.” a great coach A few years ago, Hill decided and she has left a very strong to go back to school in order to program in place, and I think work on her administration all of the underclassmen will credentials, “I realized I was carry on all of the wonderful excited about the opportunity lessons she’s taught them, so of pursuing the administration I think even though she’s not route ... I would be looking, there, she’ll leave a lasting imdown the road, to possibly be pression on the program,” said an assistant principal, or some- Rosenman. thing in that role,” said Hill Hill stated that being a coach Cece Rosenman, a senior at has been a life passion, “It’s MIHS, met Hill as a freshman been absolutely my honor to going into cross country, “Erica get to work with so many spereally values all of the people cial kids ... I wish there was a on the team and all the differ- way I could do all of the pieces ... ent, unique ways everybody maybe I can help support other contributes to the team,” said coaches ... and support athletes Rosenman. and students from a new frame Ben Stoops, a junior at for myself,” said Hill.

Kelly Hou

overall to a terrible team that struggled mightily over the first couple of seasons. Wilson, on the other hand, was drafted 75th overall one year after Newton had gone first.

Wilson was coming to a Seahawks team that was mediocre in the eyes of the rest of the NFL. Through the first six games against the Newton led Panthers, while Wilson owns a 4-2 record. Throughout those six games Wilson has thrown ten touchdowns and five interceptions, Newton has thrown five touchdowns and five interceptions.

Neither player had put together a statistically amazing season until the 2015-16 season in which Cam Newton won the MVP and Wilson put together one of the greatest stretches of quarterback play the league has ever seen.

Over the past 20 years, the quarterback position has evolved from a pocket passer who may not be the most athletic player on the field to now, when some of the best athletes in the league play the quarterback

position. Russell Wilson and Cam Newton may not be the best pocket passers in the NFL, but when it comes to extending plays and making throws on the run there are not many others with the ability that those two possess. What has stayed the same about a good QB over that same time frame is not turning the ball over, something that Wilson and Brady share in common. Russell Wilson and Tom Brady may not wow you with stats in any particular game but they do manage a game and a team extremely well.

Throughout his career Brady has been a much more clutch QB than Manning, but in career stats, Peyton has had the better career. Now take out Brady from the previous sentence and insert Wilson, the sentence still holds true if Manning is taken out in favor of Newton.

Before Wilson, just like how Manning has five MVPs and Brady only has two. Football is a team sport and just because a player has a good year, it

does not mean that his team will have a similar type of season. Wilson and Brady always seem to find ways to win the big game with a clutch drive or just killing the clock out. Manning and Newton are also good QBs when it comes to winning games, but if my team is down by three points with one minute left in the game, Russell Wilson and Tom Brady would be the top options.

As fans of the NFL know, being able to have continuous success in the NFL is extremely rare.

It takes a rare breed of quarterback and team chemistry that has been only accomplished by a few teams. One of those teams has been the Seattle Seahawks. Russell Wilson has given the Hawks the chance to start a dynasty in which their biggest rival will be the Cam Newton led Panthers. As the sun sets on Manning’s and Brady’s times in the NFL, football fans must look to the new must watch matchup, Russell Wilson vs. Cam Newton.

ca, and other youth groups maintain a high presence through their activities on Mercer Island. The lasting impacts of projects, fundraisers, and promotion of good cause the students from our school who contribute go above and beyond to make Mercer Island a great place. In addition to the implementation of the school motto, students who contribute towards our island’s development give a direct impact to future Islanders.

Puckett said, “I also like the project component, a contribution to our community; [demonstrating] their commitment to our community.

I think that is a big piece that people don’t realize, the project and the other requirements along the way to earn the rank of Eagle. I support it, whole heartedly.”

A number of MIHS students are aspiring Eagle Scouts, or already are. Ben Stoops, Eagle Scout of Troop 457, brings valuable insight to the connection between the Boy Scouts of America and our school motto. “Integrity is a key aspect of scouting, and a trait that I don’t think can be taught.

You either choose to make the right choice or you don’t,” said Stoops.

Stoops acknowledged that integrity is something that cannot easily be taught, and continued, “Innovation in

Eagle Scouts is how each scout applies his skills in the real world. Innovation is required for scouts to solve problems and reach goals efficiently and resourcefully. The best Eagle Scouts should inspire others daily, lead [others] by example, and be a constant and positive influence.”

Though many would agree, the Boy Scouts of America is often mocked for “nerdy” members. “Scouts are generally perceived as the nerds, the weird dudes, etc. That’s not a bad thing, either. Everyone should feel comfortable being themselves. In general, scouts, especially Eagle Scouts, are some of the best, most responsible people I know. Just because scouting isn’t a big presence at the school doesn’t mean it doesn’t have a positive effect on the community,” said Stoops.

Through the Boy Scouts of America, youth American males perfect their expertise in various skills, along with plenty of leadership experience opportunities.

Eagle Scouts supply necessary contributions to their communities with projects focused on improving their environment or organizations. Through the Boy Scout oath, law, motto, and slogan, Eagle Scouts continue to positively impact those around them.

Eagle scouts embody the MIHS school motto by

Dylan Notturno staff writer

MIHS’s motto, “Integrity, Innovation, and Inspiration” is honored by recognizing students during assemblies. Many Islanders represent these qualities through participation in school and extracurricular activities, youth groups and organizations. One of these organizations is the Boy Scouts of America, which has had a prominent influence on American male youth for more than 100 years. Through their oath, law, motto, slogan, and other experiences throughout a boy’s experiences with the Boy Scouts of America, young men can become better citizens and positively develop their character.

“When I think of an Eagle Scout, I think of a person who is honest and practices everyday being honest with people, being forth right, caring about their peers, not putting people down; and lifting them up instead.

That is what I’d say represents Integrity. In terms of innovation, and an Eagle Scout, I think of someone who steps up to solve a problem in the community; [by getting] people involved to take action and follow through,” said MIHS Principal Vicki Puckett.

The Boy Scouts of Ameri-

6

Special needs teens mentored at Athletes for Kids by

Georgia Mattox

staff writer

Athletes for Kids is a one of a kind opportunity that offers a range of sports and activities to special needs children and the students who mentor them.

Through activities and organized sports, mentors and special needs students are given the chance to create strong bonds and make new friends. A mentor meets with his or her “buddy” two to four times each month.

During each meeting a special needs student and her mentor can participate in thier favorite planned activity.

AFK is a rewarding experience that was founded on the values of acceptance, inclusion, and respect. The organization’s mission is to “enhance the lives of children with special needs and the high school athletes who mentor them,” as quoted by the AFK website.

Athletes for Kids has been running for thirteen years, and over this time, it has extended to nine high schools in the area.

This organization began at Skyline High School, when the founder asked the Skyline football coach if one of the football players might be interested in spending time with his son, who had special needs. The coach knew of a player that was

SPORTS

interested and together the founder’s son and the football player formed the first AFK mentorship pairing.

AFK has grown and strengthened since its founding, serving kids from first to ninth grade with special needs and disabilities of all kinds. Each child is carefully matched with a qualified high school athlete. This high school athlete commits to three years of mentoring upon joining AFK. For three consecutive years, mentors and buddies meet and develop a strong bond.

AFK has added a chapter at MIHS, so students now have the opportunity to contribute to the organization.

There are currently seven MIHS sophomore mentors involved in this program who all thoroughly enjoy being a part of AFK, “Being a mentor is both fun and exciting. It is amazing to see how my buddy Linnea and my friendship progresses and what we are able to learn from each other each time we meet,” said sophomore Serina Nguyen. AFK is looking to expand further and strengthen its chapter at our school.

AFK now serves more than 200 youth annually, and since its founding, has served over 1,000 children. Through friendship and mentoring it has created a community that celebrates children of all abilities.

mihsislander.org

SPORTS

June 2016

Mariners succeed in early season thanks to widespread contribution have been vital for the Mariners.

One of the biggest reasons the M’s have been performing so admirably this season is the team’s greatly improved hitting. Last year, the team batted a combined .249 (24th in MLB), scored 4.04 runs per game (21st), and was fifth in home runs (1.22 per game). Improving greatly, the team currently sits at ninth in team average at .264, fourth in runs

The reworking has worked Nate Sigmon out marvelously, as the M’s by staff writer currently sit at fourth in After 15 consecutive seathe majors with a 2.96 relief sons of missing the playERA. In fact, all pitching offs, this year’s Seattle for the Mariners has been Mariners team, led by secabove average this season. ond baseman Robinson Although starting pitchCano and outfielder/desigers currently rank 16th in nated hitter Nelson Cruz, ERA, that number has exhas taken the league and ploded over the past week, fan base by storm, and apand the M’s ranked in the pears to be headed towards top 10 beforehand. CombOctober baseball. ing all pitching, the MariThis year’s effort has ners sit at ninth in MLB in been incredERA at 3.84, ible.

Each which is a player is conhuge improvetributing in ment over last their own way year’s ranking to the team’s of 22nd and a success. One 4.16 ERA. of the biggest One thing contributions the Mariners comes from could greatly Cano. Sufferimprove upon ing through is their abilseveral sports ity to play hernias last at home. At season, Cano Safeco Field performed this season, much lower the have gone Photo courtesy Elaine Thompson/Associated Press a measly 12than his exSteve Cishek waits for Albert Pujols to finish rounding the basees after a three-run home run by Albert p e c t a t i o n s . Pujols in the ninth inning of the May 14 contest vs. the Los Angeles Angels.

14, while in However, afaway games, ter surgery in the offseason, per game at 5.18, and first the team has played to a Cano has been rejuvenated, in MLB in home runs, accu- 19-11 record, second best in batting .289, and sitting mulating 81 so far this sea- MLB. If the Mariners could near the top of the majors son (1.47 per game). This manage to go .500 at home, in all major statistical cat- has been due to a complete quite the feat, once you see egories. If he can continue team effort in the hitting the team’s home record his success, it will make it department. Eight lineup over the past few seasons, that much easier for the regulars are currently hit- they could reach 92 wins on Mariners to make the play- ting .250 or better, with the season, or .567, assumoffs for the first time since five batting .275 or better. ing they follow their same winning 116 games in 2001. Five players currently have away pace.

Younger players such as eight or home runs. Leonys Overall, all Mariners shortstop Ketel Marte and Martin (27), Seager (29), players have been helpful third baseman Kyle Seager Cruz (38), and Cano (47) towards the team’s cause have also been performing are all currently on track this season. Whether it is extremely well. Marte was for 25 or more homers, an utility man Luis Sardinas batting .276 before going exceptional tally for one stepping up after the injudown with a wrist injury, team. ry to Marte, or set up man and Seager has batted .289, Another huge reason for Nick Vincent getting batwhich would be a career the Mariners’ success is ter after batter out, all the high over a full season, the quality relief pitch- players have been a part while batting .384 in May. ing. After the 2015 team of the success this season, These players have been placed as one of the worst and this team wide success developing for a while, and teams in relief ERA, new is the biggest reason why thanks to influence from general manager Jerry Di- the Mariners are on track players like Cano, their poto completely redid the to break MLB’s longest contributions this season bullpen this past offseason. playoff drought.

Cheesy Buffalo Chicken Ring Here’s what you will need: * 4 oz cream cheese * 1/4 cup hot sauce * 2 1/2 cups cooked chicken * 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese * 1 cup mozzarella cheese * 2 cans (8 oz each) refrigerated crescent dinner rolls

7

Nate Sigmon’s guide to Safeco Field promotional nights by

Nate Sigmon staff writer

Casual fans often see baseball as a “boring” sport that has long been “outdated.” Fans of more “exciting” sports like football or golf often scold dedicated baseball fans for sitting through three-hour, four-hit games.

What these critics do not realize, however, is that baseball fans have the best job in the world: we get to indulge in the amazing free giveaways and sensational fanfare of MLB promotional nights. Year in and year out, fans can count on our team to present incredible giveaways and dress-up nights, which is worth so much more than watching a team win a game or make the playoffs.

Games such as Country Music Night (July 1), Fedora Night (July 15), and Reusable Grocery Bag Day (July 3) draw huge crowds to Seattle Mariners games. Those looking for fashionable clothing items to show off to their friends can come to Sriracha Night (May 25), Mariners Bomber Hat Night (May 27), or perhaps for colder weather, the annual Beard Hat Night (April 29). Additional promotional games include Flannel Night (May 28), and ample opportunities to make your family feel like you love them, such as 2nd Chance Mother’s Day (May 15), when your wonderful mother figure can receive a stylish tote bag, or 2nd Chance Father’s Day (June 26), when your special father figure can come home with brand new BBQ tongs.

It is days like these where us, as fans of this sport, really cherish our lifestyle as baseball fans.

However, promotional nights such as these do not always occur frequently.

For every Dog Bobblehead Day (Brewers), there is a Sunscreen Day (Yankees).

For every Mullet Hat Night (Rockies), there is Flip Flop

Day (Twins). For every Snow Globe night (Giants), there is a Lawyer Appreciation Night (Marlins).

While the Mariners have been one of the best in MLB at keeping the phenomenon and beautiful tradition of exhilarating promotional nights alive, they could also improve their selection. Here are some suggestions: ‘Nap Day’ First 20,000 fans receive noise-cancelling headphones or earmuffs, and if the game goes normally, they will not even need them to doze off.

‘Morning-After Pill Day’ All comers receive a special Mariners Morning-After Pill, in case they lose. This promotional event happens to fall on every home game.

‘Knowledge Night’ Any fan who can name a player not named Felix or Robinson receives a prize, and there are extra points for naming a relief pitcher. Additional games include: name any Seahawks player before 2012.

‘NBA Day’ Instead of baseball, your Seattle Mariners will trade their caps for sweatbands and their cleats for Jordans, as they compete in a basketball game. This will give Seattle fans what they really wish they had as opposed to an MLB team: an NBA team.

‘Reasonably Priced Ticket Night’ Lowering ticket prices provides a great opportunity for those upper-middle class Mariners fans to finally get to their first game.

‘Fan Appreciation Night’ Win a game for once.

Game-day recipes

by Christine Lee, Back Page Editor Watching your favorite basketball team play its rival can often be stressful, tiring, and make you hungry! Here are a few unconventional game day recipes that are sure to satisfy your hunger.

Recipe inspired by Pillsbury: 1. In a bowl, mix cream cheese and hot sauce until smooth.

2. Mix in chicken and Monterey Jack cheese.

3. Unroll cans of dough; separate into triangles. On a large cookie sheet, arrange the triangles in a ring; dough should overlap, leaving around 5 inches in the center.

4. Layer half of the mozzarella on each triangle closest to the ring.

5. Spoon mixture on top of the mozzarella. Top with the rest of the mozzarella.

6. Bring the top of the triangle over the filling and tuck the edges under the bottom layer of dough. Repeat around the ring until the entire filling is enclosed.

7. Bake at 375˚F/190˚C for 35 minutes or until the dough is golden brown.

8. Cool 5 to 10 minutes before cutting into serving slices. Serve with choice dressing.

Baked Potato Nachos

Here’s how to make these: Slice potatoes into 1/8-inch slices. Lay out on a baking sheet and coat with olive oil and salt. Bake at 425ºF for 1520 minutes until golden and crispy on the edges.

Pile baked chips in layers with cheese and your nacho topping preference.

Feel free to get crazy with it. Bake another 5-10 minutes until everything is melted and looking good.

Cheeseburger Cups Here’s what you will need: * 8 refrigerated biscuits * 1 lb ground beef * 1/2 cup ketchup * 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce * 1 Tbsp. mustard * 2 Tbsp. brown sugar * 8 small slices of cheese * Toppings of your choice

Directions: Crumble and cook the beef in a skillet. Drain. Mix in ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, and brown sugar. Grease a muffin tin, and line eight cups with the refrigerated biscuits. Divide the meat mixture among the eight cups, and bake at 400°F/204°C for 10-15 minutes, until the biscuit dough is brown. Top with cheese and bake an additional 5 minutes.

Recipes and images courtesy of Tasty

Hamlet Tag: A Fig

By Nate Sigmon

Dino Annest “The most fun I’ve had in tag is actually harassing people who are trying to stay uncaught. I get to absolutely [torment] them, in this school, and all they do is duck and run into walls, so that’s hysterical. My favorite tag was at the Sheraton Hotel, when they had the gingerbread houses, and we had three girls working there…and one of their moms was there, and I asked her, I said ‘do you mind if I tag your daughter?’ and she said ‘I’m so sick of this.’ It had only been going on for a week. I had [someone] walk up and go ‘hi!’ and she tapped all three of them. They all three turned around at once and I popped out and said ‘recite recite recite.’”

Chris Twombley “I do like the thrill of catching kids and outsmarting them, I like to prove that I’m superior to them at every opportunity possible. I like finding creative new ways to get students. I really like getting the kids that think they’re going to win. My favorite stories are crushing souls, right? One year this whole group of guys had an elaborate system of how they were going to outsmart me. Their code name for me was ‘Gary the Snail,’ and they had Walkie-Talkies, and they were highly organized, they had scouts throughout the school.

I got the first kid in that cell on the second day of tag…and he started crying. He was so upset.

So for me, that’s beautiful. A kid in that same cell who was bragging he was gonna win and who I had a particular desire to get, I woke him up in his house. He was being annoying to his parents and his parents sold him out. And I was the first face he saw in the morning that he woke up during tag.”

In the dark, dreary hallways of Mercer Island High School, it would appear no excitement is to be had. Students seem to walk to class with the drive of a slug. Frowns frequently appear on faces, often accompanied by slumped shoulders, and closed eyes, dozing.

However, not every student snores their way to class. Not every student’s heart fills with dread every time they see that unsightly, grayish-brown tile floor.

And not every student traverses the halls as a zombie, finding classrooms by instinct, rather than thought. No, for some students, passing periods and all other time spent out of the classroom is a heartracing experience, a hectic battleground.

For these students, this time away from studies is dangerous: a time for heroes and heroines, and a time for villains.

Teachers are often seen as robots.

They prepare and present almost the same material every year, endlessly recycling jokes and assignments. They are viewed as people who have no outside life, and live in a monotonous whirlwind of grading, and torturing students. To outsiders, teachers are boring. ‘I’m not sure what they do outside of school,” many students say. Still others contemplate: ‘do they ever have any fun?’ These students, accounting for the majority of MIHS’s population, believe faculty merely reacts to stimuli and acts on instinct, with no variance in their dull lives. Contrary to these notions, however, some teachers at this school come alive in a bizarre display of cunning

ght to the Finish and wit. They engage in daring tactics to win, and release all their inner anger towards students of years’ past.

At MIHS, the casual observer may only see a community of mundane beings, going about their lives with little fanfare. But to the carefully trained eye, a spectacle appears. When examining the relationships between students and teachers, an attentive onlooker will notice strange occurrences between some senior class students and twelfth grade English and History teachers.

Teachers straining to make eye contact with their students.

Outsiders scouting corners in hopes of warning their friends of incoming instructors. This extravaganza stands as the only observed example of 100 percent of students paying attention to their teachers.

This phenomenon is known colloquially as Hamlet Tag, and it is a source of great consternation among senior English students, as well as a relief from the doldrums of education for faculty.

The rules are simple: avoid making eye contact with your teacher or face reciting a soliloquy from Hamlet Photo courtesy Jamie Vanderwall within 24 hours.

Most teachers offer special clauses in their rules to even the stakes a bit. Eye contact forces a recitation only within 20 feet or within earshot, and there is a safe zone in the teacher’s classroom and office. The freedom of the rules often lead to intense matches of cat and mouse between teacher and student, predator and prey. Here are some of the best, in the words of the perpetrators.

Creighton Laughary “I have the ‘Treachery Rule’…students can, after they get tagged…treacherously turn in their friends and they are thereby untagged and their friends have to recite, so if they can help me hunt down some poor fool…last year, I made the rule that to get untagged by treachery, you have to deliver into my clutches two victims, and I had someone that I tagged once, he got me two people, he was untagged, I tagged him again, he got me two more people, and he was not a popular person in class.

Eric Goldhammer “I got a [leadership] student. I had to run back to school to get something at like 8:30 at night, and I had my daughter with me; it was pouring down rain. There had been some sort of ASB meeting, and they were walking out, and I was walking in. I saw [her] from afar so I just kinda put my hood up and I got her at the parking lot at like 8:30 at night, which was pretty good.”

Jeffrey Randolph “The best was, the second to last day last year. I pulled up next to him when he was walking, I knew how he walked to school, and I drove my car to where I’d seen him walk previously but he’d not seen me, and pulled up next to him about 3:20, and rolled down my window, and he saw me. I tagged him from my car. He was totally blindsided by it.

He was two days away from graduation. He actually delivered his soliloquy on graduation night. That was fun.”

10

OPINIONS

mihsislander.org

Late start: best for kids or bait-and-switch? (cont’d) (continued from page 1) some information [that]… will help Dr. Plano, our superintendent, make the decision either for or against late start for the whole week.”

Late-start Wednesday is a logical solution to solve scheduling conflicts with the opening of Northwood Elementary next fall; yet, the Late-Start Committee’s main focus had centered on the research surrounding teenage sleeping patterns, and included discussions on sports schedules, Metro transportation, and commuting challenges for teachers.

The Committee, however, failed to mention other potential factors, such as the opening of Northwood and safety concerns, which could, in fact, be greatly influencing the District’s position on late start.

Additionally, the Committee’s original survey asked for the input of students, parents, and community members on pushing back the high school start time every day by 30 minutes next school year, beginning

at 8:30 a.m. and ending at 3:30 p.m. Out of the total 357 high school students who responded, only 33.9 percent either somewhat or strongly supported the change. ASB and Leadership also expressed skepticism regarding changing start times five days a week. “We kind of pushed back against every day for a lot of different reasons. The first being that in the research, it talked a lot about a drastic shift [in start times], students getting an hour more of sleep every night,” said Oppenheim.

“The change that they were talking about making was only 20 or 30 minutes, and so we just weren’t sure that that was going to be an effective time change since students would just stay up later to do their homework and just wake up later. It would still be the same amount of sleep.”

MIHS boasts a rigorous academic environment that requires students to complete a significant amount of homework outside of class. The school also encourages its students to participate in ex-

tracurricular activities, such as sports, band, clubs, drama, volunteering, and others, as well as attend schoolwide events, which take time after school. MIHS students often feel the burden of busy schedules; thus, postponing the start of school will simply reduce the number of hours students will have for extracurricular activities and homework in the latter half of the day.

“I usually don’t get home until around 6 p.m. due to sports and other extracurricular activities,” said junior Sofia Caruccio. “So, pushing back the start of school would mean not getting home until really late. Also, I don’t really think the amount of sleep I get would improve just because if I get home late, that means staying up late to do all my homework.”

Additionally, students who participate in activities not sponsored by the school may struggle to continue these activities, especially if they begin shortly after school dismissal.

Currently, students stay up late studying and com-

pleting homework, often until 11 p.m. or later. If school starts an hour later, students will return home from sports and extracurriculars later, begin homework later, and consequently go to bed later.

Despite its intent to increase the amount of sleep students obtain, delaying school start times will fail to achieve this goal and could potentially worsen the perceived problem. The day will simply be shifted ahead as students stay up later to complete homework after returning from other activities.

Additionally, pushing back the start time not only affects students, but parents and teachers who commute to work daily. Some parents who begin work at 8 a.m. will have to drop off their kids at the same time they currently do, undermining the entire purpose of changing the start time. Furthermore, the school transportation schedule will have to adjust to the new start time to prevent conflict between the public metro system and MISD buses. Start-Time Committee member Gavin Cree said, “we

also had the potential conflict of buses all running at the same time and the crowding the streets, so that’s why we had a transportation person [on the committee].”

Although pushing back high school start times for the entire week could induce consequences, some flexibility will be necessary given the proximity of Northwood Elementary to the high school campus. If both schools were to release around the same time, traffic and safety problems could develop, especially in regard to high school drivers and young children walking home after school around the mega block.

However, at the time of its convening, the Late-Start Committee was “charged with studying the research around teenage sleep patterns” and “with doing a feasibility study,” said Cree, and did not consider changing high school start times to prevent potential release-time conflicts between Northwood and MIHS. Thus, the Late Start-Time Commitee (continued on page 12)

Mainstream media’s effects

#Not all vegans

by

by

Nicole Kim, a junior at MIHS prefers Internet back page editor streaming over cable television. “It’s easier to access With the constant invenand tailor to my personal tion of new forms of media, it interests. With so many varidoes not come as a surprise ables, it’s hard to manipulate that mainstream forms of my schedule to fit in specifmedia such as cable televiic time slots for certain TV sion and print newspapers shows. On the other are becoming less hand, Netflix is readpopular in modern ily available when I’m day society. This able to find the time. transition into a It’s easier to schedule new age of media TV into my time than is for the better, to schedule my time because the inforaround TV time,” Kim mation people resaid. ceive is immediate Instead of pourand tailors to their ing funding into dyinterests. ing media like cable In today’s era of television and paper technological advancement, the paPhoto by Isabella Maurillo newspapers, advertisper newspaper has Many students use social media websites such as Facebook as their primary news source. ers should focus their attention on trendier become less widespread. Ways of receiving in- pers and magazines, yet 20 and more sustainable meformation have changed for percent of advertising money dia sources. Although paper the better through the use of goes into print media. This news sources are often times social media and online news gap in communication re- reliable and well written, sites. Through Facebook, sults in a loss of money that online news sources release BBC, and CNN, people are is unsustainable for not only information faster and proable to keep well-informed in advertisers but also for news- vide the reader a broader spectrum of opinions in contopics that interest them al- papers.

Additionally, according to centrated topics that interest most instantaneously.

Junior Emma Gottlieb pre- Nielsen ratings, cable tele- them. Additionally, instead fers to stay current on the vision networks are slowly of maneuvering their schednews through Facebook and losing the interest of their ules around cable TV proInstagram posts. “The in- viewers. According to Mor- grams, viewers should invest formation I get is targeting gan Stanley, since 2002 ca- their time in media that altoward my interests,” said ble television’s viewership lows them immediate access has dropped about 50 per- to their favorite show. So Gottlieb.

Not only are online news cent. This loss in viewings is next time you crave a break sources more customizable to a direct result of new forms from your hectic schedule, the individual, but they also of media such as Internet put down the TV remote or save paper. “With all the is- streaming Netflix and Am- copy of the newspaper, pick sues with global warming, azon taking over the enter- up your phone, and Netflix-marathon on. it’s probably best to cut down tainment market.

Christine Lee

on the amount of newspapers printed in order to reduce the amount of trees cut down,” said Gottlieb.

According to The Brookings Research Institution, most Americans devote only five percent of their social media time to paper newspa-

Zoe Levin staff writer

If your friend told you he was vegan, would your first thought be positive? Veganism is surrounded by hundreds of stereotypes, and is a way of life that has mainly negative connotations. Although radical vegans do exist, most people who choose to refrain from eating animal products don’t inflict their ideas on others. It is unfair to judge others based on their dietary preferences.

Many fear vegans because they might drag down fun activities. Eating out is a significant part of the social scene, and if you don’t eat certain things you could stand out and seem “lame” or “no fun.” However, vegans choose their lifestyle and don’t want it to affect others.

Instead of worrying about your vegan friend ruining the fun of eating out, take their preferences into consideration and work around their diet. “My friends know that I don’t eat meat and are considerate of that when we go places,” said MIHS junior Lauren Cartwright.

Vegans often get looked down upon because they stereotypically just eat tofu and lettuce. I am a vegetarian, and I am consistently plagued with questions such as “how do you get protein?” or “don’t you know you are missing out?” However, I, like many vegans, actually

enjoy the food I eat like anyone else, and make sure to eat proper amounts and get nutrients. Vegans choose their lifestyle, and know how to work protein and tasty food into their diets.

“When I first heard about veganism, I thought it was way too extreme. But, now that I’m experimenting with it, I have realized there are many animal product substitutes in grocery stores and restaurants,” said MIHS junior Sofia Caruccio.

Another reason vegans get a bad reputation is because vegans are known for food shaming and inflicting their ideas on others. Some vegans might scold their friends for eating animals, and say “meat is murder.”

Some people who “go vegan” want to project their choices onto others, and feel their dietary preferences are best.

However, most vegans’ dietary preferences are their own and do not care to share their ideas with others.

“People are entitled to their opinion about veganism,” said Caruccio.

It is understandable to be wary of those who don’t simply eat everything, but reserving judgement is best.

Most people who are selective about their food don’t judge others for not following their lifestyle. What people eat is their business, and overall, it is wrong to treat people poorly based on their diet.

June 2016

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Opinions

Why SCOTUS is not responsible for “wrong” Citizens United ruling by

Aina Swartz staff writer

Despite six years of trying, lawmakers on Capitol Hill have yet pass a constitutional amendment overturning the controversial Citizens United v. Federal Election Committee decision.

Back in 2010, a five to four majority of the Supreme Court established that corporations and unions were guaranteed the rights outlined in the First Amendment. The Court could not be allowed to limit a company’s independent campaign expenditures, which it qualified as “free speech.” The four dissenting judges maintained that corporations should not be seen as actual members of society, and therefore should not be protected by the Bill of Rights. The outcome of the case led to the creation of Super PACs, allowing big money to play an increasingly important role in politics.

The Supreme Court’s ruling sparked outrage in the

public sphere. The phrase eral and permanent laws Section 1 of this document “Corporations Are Not of the United States. The it is written, “In determinPeople” started to appear document includes clarifi- ing the meaning of any Act on bumper stickers and t- cations such as “words im- of Congress, unless the conshirts all across the nation. porting the plural include text indicates otherwise…

The decision is still heav- the singular” and “words the words ‘person’ and ily criticized today, with importing the masculine ‘whoever’ include corporations, presidencompatial candin i e s , dates Hilla s s o ary Clinton ciations, and Bernie f i r m s , Sanders partnerpromising s h i p s , to overturn societies, the ruling and joint if elected. s t o c k However, compawhat many n i e s . ” people fail T h i s to realize wording is that the explicitly Supreme s t a t e s Court is Photo courtesy National Law Journal that, in not fully acCitizens protest in front of the federal courthouse in Washington, D.C. regards countable. to the laws and rights outIt may have ruled that cor- gender include the female lined in The Constitution, porations are guaranteed as well.” Such explanations the same rights as people, are included to prevent corporations are people.

The first edition of the but it did not simply decide loopholes in the legal sysU.S. Code was ratified in that for itself. The House tem. For example, it allows 1874.

Today, the Office of of Representatives is just the government to hold the Law Revision Council as liable, as evinced within a woman accountable for of the House of Represena single document: the U.S. robbing a bank even if the tatives approves and publaw states that no “man” Code. lishes a new main edition The U.S. Code is the offi- shall do so. every six years.

The U.S. Under Title 1, Chapter 1, cial codification of the gen-

government has accepted the classifications outlined in this code for over 140 years. It is and has always been a recognized and validated document.

If the U.S. Code explicitly states that when the Constitution reads “people” it also means “corporations,” the Supreme Court cannot solely be blamed for ruling as it did.

The cry for a constitutional amendment to overturn the Citizens United decision is one sounded by many politicians and organizations. However, an amendment merely overturning the ruling will not suffice. It would simply invalidate one Supreme Court decision while doing nothing for future cases. Rather, the U.S. Code must be amended, and the branch that has the power to do so is the House of Representatives. Instead of protesting and condemning the Supreme Court, people and politicians alike are better off confronting the House of Representatives and demanding that it revise the U.S. Code.

half. The insufficient funding that that state provides is no where near enough to run a public school, and thus individual schools are stuck scrambling to raise the rest of the funds on their own.

But why should we care?

MIHS is doing well enough, both economically and academically speaking. Why should it matter to us how much funding Franklin or Sammamish are receiving?

Even though we don’t have to care, we should. It simply isn’t fair. Schools with more money are able to afford better textbooks, lab equipment, and teacher salaries, and in turn are able to offer their students a better education. The kids at MIHS are receiving a better education to the kids at Rainier Beach, all because of the fact that our parents and our neighbors have more money than theirs do.

Raising money to supplement the measly state funding is done through public incentives such as levies, where residents choose to pay a special tax in order to provide their school district with more funding.

As a result, schools located in higher-income school districts accumulate more funds (as the residents have the means to pay the extra taxes) than those in lowerincome districts.

Incidentally, over 25 percent of this school year’s

if the Court has ordered the state to do it, why hasn’t it happened? Well, first, let me say: welcome to the world of government. As for the reason our public school system has yet to be fully funded, it is actually very simple: our legislators simply haven’t done it. Despite incremental increases in the education budget, no Court-approved funding plan has been produced. This failure to comply with the McCleary decision angered the Court, and on Sept. 11, 2014, the Supreme Court held the state of Washington in contempt.

One would think that the legislature would then see that the court was serious about fully funding public education. Unfortunately, that was not the case. This time, to really pressure the State Legislature, the Supreme Court ruled to issue a penalty of $100,000 per day everyday past August 14, 2015 until an approved plan is produced. As of today, fines total about $15 million and still (you guessed it) the plan has yet to be produced.

By now, both the Court and the people are becoming extremely annoyed, because despite four years of court issuances and penalties, the representatives have yet to even draft a plan. It seems as though even the folks in Congress could learn a thing or two from our tate legislators about incompetence.

Wash. state refuses to fully fund public schools by

Aina Swartz

staff writer

Have you ever visited Franklin High School in Seattle? With a 94 percent minority enrollment and over half of the students qualifying for free lunch, it’s almost like walking into a different world. It may seem strange to think that there are schools like Franklin out there, as living on The Island can sometimes isolate us from the rest of the state.

There are problems that we students at Mercer Island High School don’t have to deal with, and privileges that we often times take for granted. Lots of advantages to mind; student iPads, spacious library, and modern architecture are just a few of the many perks our school has to offer. But our greatest privilege—the one we are luckiest to have—is actually our simplest privilege: adequate funding.

The harsh reality is that adequate funding for public education has become a privilege in this state. Although you wouldn’t guess it from looking at the Mercer Island School District, some schools in the state can’t afford to provide students with quality education. This is due mainly to the fact that the state of Washington only funds 66 percent of public education. 66 percent. As in, only 16 percent more than

revenue for MISD comes from local levies. It is no secret that the residents of Mercer Island aren’t exactly struggling to remain above the poverty line; they have the means to contribute to public education, and to contribute generously at that.

Combined with state/federal funding, gifts, grants and tuition fees, that gives our school district a grand total of about $54.4 million in revenue for this school year. With a district student population of just over 4,300 students, this allots about $12,600 to each student. If that number seems high, it’s because it is. Compared to other public state schools, that number is extremely high.

Some schools, like Franklin High School, are located in lower-income areas where the population is less able to personally contribute to public education incentives.

Franklin’s total revenue for this school year assigns only about $7,000 per student, hardly half of that of what MISD provides. With the insufficient funding that Franklin has, providing students with up-to-date textbooks is enough of a struggle, let alone iPads. Stefania Escoz, a junior at Franklin, describes the school as “embarrassingly poor” and the textbooks as “over 25 years old.” Escoz also describes the school as dangerously

poor, saying, “The school is falling apart—last year, a piece of a building fell off and literally almost killed two students.” Moreover, students at under-funded schools such as Franklin feel like they have been handed the short end of the stick—“We do not have the options for AP classes that many other schools do,” Escoz explains. “And we think that this lack of opportunity will hurt our ability to get into the universities that we want to go to.”

It seems obvious a student shouldn’t be deprived of adequate public education just because he or she lives in a poorer area of the state. One’s family’s socioeconomic status is, in most circumstances, an uncontrollable factor, and thus it should not affect the quality of one’s schooling. The State should be responsible for funding public education fully, not the individual school districts. Our current system isn’t working, and I am not definitely the only one who has realized this.

Four years ago, the State Supreme Court ordered Washington State to 100-percent fund public education. Back in 2012, a Wash. State Supreme Court ruling known as the McCleary Decision required the state to fully fund public education for all children by the 2017-18 school year. So,

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OPINIONS

mihsislander.org

Late start: best for kids or bait-and-switch? (cont’d) (continued from page 10) appears to be a pretext for the District’s push to change high school start times given that Dr. Plano has cited safety, traffic, and release-time concerns as the main rationale for this change.

MIHS Principal Vicki Puckett said, “The District’s School Board has been researching late starts in general due to parent complaints in the community about students not getting enough sleep.”

But, according to Superintendent Dr. Gary Plano, “if the high school bell times did not change, we would have traffic and safety issues to contend with if Northwood Elementary dismissed on Wednesday at 2:00 and MIHS dismissed at 2:05. I am concerned with everyone’s safety, most importantly, those five- to tenyear-old students, who will be walking the streets in the neighborhood when high school students are driving past.” Leadership confirms safety as Plano’s main objective for late-start Wednesdays. “Plano definitely wants to move to late-start Wednesday for sure and…the main reason is because of safety,” said Oppenheim. “Along with

the obvious issue of safety, getting student sleep is also the second reason.” However, pushing back the high school start time on Wednesdays or five days a week will do little to improve the number of hours students sleep, indicating that safety is likely the larger factor driving the District’s late-start agenda.

Based on the Feb. 3 staff meeting, MIHS teacher Dino Annest said that the change to a late-start Wednesday “was because of the addition of the new elementary school on our same campus and because of that addition, we can’t have traffic patterns overlap too much between the high school and [Northwood].”

Regardless of teenage sleeping patterns, Northwood and MIHS cannot dismiss at the same time.

However, West Mercer, Island Park, and Lakeridge all begin around 9 a.m. and dismiss at 3:30 p.m. except on early-release Wednesdays, which release at 2 p.m.

Thus, if Northwood follows a similar schedule as the other three elementaries, the only source of conflict between Northwood and MIHS would occur on Wednesdays,

as MIHS ends at 2:05 p.m. A late start five days a week, thus, would be unnecessary and incompatible with the District’s current school schedule if traffic and safety issues are, in fact, the driving factor for pushing back high school start times, because a late start at the high school would nearly overlap with the 9 a.m. or 9:15 a.m. elementary start time. Although late-start Wednesday will potentially resolve many of the given reasons behind late start – traffic problems, safety concerns, lack of sleep for teenagers – the communication from the MISD Administration and the School Board to the community lacks a unified justification for the change. Are traffic and safety problems the main concern, as stated by Dr. Plano, or is insufficient student sleep compelling the change?

Clearly, disagreement exists around the effectiveness of a late start on overall student sleep intake, but only a latestart Wednesday would satisfy the concern regarding conflict with Northwood.

Delaying school start times will not solve the sleep deficit that students suffer because there are many other factors

that affect when students go to bed. According to the survey sent out as a part of the Late-Start Committee’s investigation, 62.20 percent of parent respondents answered that the “amount of homework” is the main reason their child does not get enough sleep. Students also need time to relax and unwind from their busy, stressful days, and cannot continue to push themselves for eighteen hours straight.

Additionally, District-provided iPads contribute to late nights by distracting students with Netflix and other easily-accessible games.

Although parents also need to assume responsibility for ensuring their children go to bed at a decent time, the District should not choose to ignore the other factors that influence student sleeping patterns by assuming that pushing back start times will mainly solve the problem.

With the addition of Northwood, release-time conflict between the elementary and MIHS can be expected given the close proximity of the two schools. However, if the traffic and safety issues justify a change in high school start times, then the Dis-

trict should present those ideas to students, staff, and community members, and not obfuscate the issue with a committee designed to study research about teenage sleeping patterns. Shifting the high school bell times on Wednesdays, as suggested by the Late-Start Committee, proves a suitable solution for all parties involved, and the District plans to follow this advice.

Shifting to a late-start Wednesday also resolves the schedule overlap between Northwood and MIHS, so whether teenage health and sleeping patterns or the safety and traffic issues drive the desire to push back high school start times, both concerns are now resolved and the current high school schedule will remain mostly intact. As long as late-start Wednesday does not result in late start every day of the week, the change will reflect positively on students. Regardless, the District should be more transparent in how it presents issues to the community because it still has not officially identified traffic and safety as the main reasons behind shifting to latestart Wednesday.

Diversity: racial discussions should not be easy by

Jonathan Perr staff writer

On Feb. 3, MIHS presented two videos during BRIDGES, one that highlighted the dangers of vaping and another from BuzzFeed that discussed racial cognizance, sparking heated reactions from MIHS students.

Unsurprisingly, frustration and discontent summarized a vast majority of the sentiments displayed that day.

“I created the video lesson as a tribute to Black History Month. I wanted to create a conversation that kids don’t normally have. I read TheRoot.com, and online Black newspaper, every day, and the conversation I started in BRIDGES is exactly the kind of discussion starter advocated by Black journalists and Black America,” said BRIDGES adviser Curtis Johnston.

The BuzzFeed video regarding race featured and discussed various situations in which a white person makes a Black person uncomfortable due to racial insensitivities. Such situations included a white man commenting on his Black friend’s sassiness, a white man afraid to walk down an alley in a Black neighborhood, and a white person touching a Black person’s hair. These situations were intended

to highlight that majorities often unconsciously put minorities in uncomfortable situations.

Black student Josiah Townsend said, “I believe that the [BuzzFeed] video wasn’t to be some huge blockbuster hit. The intention was to get people talking, and that’s exactly what it [the BuzzFeed video] did. Overall even though the video stirred the pot I believe it was a step in the right direction.” Despite the praise from some minority students, other students found the BuzzFeed video’s generalizations about whites offensive.

“I found the video offensive to whites on two levels.

First of all, it assumed that all white people who are curious about their multicultural friends are racist and had a very demeaning tone.

Second, it set the stage for racial warfare. It drew very distinct lines between black and white. It told white people that we can’t behave naturally around our Black friends … that we can’t celebrate our differences, whether they be hair style or culture,” said senior Isaac Kipust.

In regard to the efficacy of the video discussing race, Kipust said, “I found the video to be ineffective. Controversies regarding race relations are complex and simplifying

them down to a BuzzFeed video does nobody any good.

It’s important to remember that even though many at our school share similar opinions regarding race, diverse and genuine views on race and related political issues exist.

Watching a one-sided video without addressing other opinions on the subject matter only inflames disagreements as to resolve conflicts it’s necessary for both sides to at least recognize other viewpoints exist.”

However, some of the video’s prodding may have been intentional. The video also puts the majority in a position that many minorities face on a daily basis. Ideally, this approach would win not only sympathy but empathy.

However, the presentation ultimately failed to produce that effect as many interpreted its tone as antagonizing.

Much of the video’s shortcoming stems from the environment in which it was presented, a BRIDGES lesson. “To have a conversation [regarding race] is difficult and we want to do it in way that respects people’s views in a safe way. It’s okay to make people uncomfortable in safe place. I did hear from some students that BRIDGES wasn’t the best place to have this conversation because

that community is not necessarily the safest place you don’t see those students as often and you don’t know them as well,” said history teacher Mike Radow.

Another reason for the negative response lies in the way the MIHS community addresses race relations.

Much of the ignorance to race relations on Mercer Island stems from the fact that 71 percent of MIHS students are Caucasian, and 21 percent of MIHS students are Asian according to the MIHS school profile. Other minorities are not largely represented within the community. MIHS’s racially bipartite student body drowns out the concerns of certain oppressed minorities.

The progression of racial equity relies on communication between groups, but a general fear of offending others in discussing race also has crippled this process. “Race in it of itself is a contentious issue. Unless you have a completely homogeneous population, highlighting or discussing any differences is sure to cause discomfort for some or all participants,” said junior Roberto White.

Race issues mark a sensitive spot within MIHS, and until the community grows more comfortable with confronting the taboo issue of

race relations, inequity will persist. However, the issue of race cannot be haphazardly addressed or entirely ignored. Townsend said, “I feel if you reject the color, you reject the authenticity that comes with it. Acknowledge the color, but understand we’re all people one way or another reaching for the same everyday goals and aspirations.”

MIHS must create a comfortable forum on a scale much larger than BRIDGES in which students can acknowledge the race of others and how that affects their daily lives. Students of all races must exchange dialogue regarding the relationships between majorities and minorities to create a socially homogeneous community.

Although the environment in which discussions regarding race may seldom be easy, growth and understanding will stem from communication. MIHS needs to continue facilitating these conversations and forge a more progressive student body.

I believe that the video wasn’t to be some huge blockbuster hit, the intention was to get people talking. And that’s exactly what it did.

Overall even though the video stirred the pot I believe it was a step in the right direction.

June 2016

CAMPUS LIFE

13

By: Aidan Wang and Ben Stoops, ASB Vice President and ASB Public Relations Coordinator-Elect You may remember taking a survey last December that asked questions about your high school experience. Some of the questions included, “How has your upbringing affected you as a person?” and “What was the greatest challenge you’ve faced in the last few months?” We received many insightful and candid responses. Currently, we are reviewing the responses and finding ways to share your reflections with the rest of the MIHS community.

As a community, MIHS consists of different people who lead different lives. Often, it’s difficult to understand other people’s experiences, both in and outside of school. Although each person’s life is unique, we may not realize that many of these experiences and perspectives are shared among us. For example, we all have different academic interests and passions, yet we all strive to find a career path and our place in society in a similar way. These kinds of similarities among differences occur in all aspects of our lives—academic, family, social, and otherwise—and through this project, we hope to represent these unique, yet similar, experiences.

To that end, we are creating a series of visual representations of your responses that will be put up next year. In order to share them in a respectful and anonymous manner that will provoke thought and discussion, we have decided to create a series of displays, called “MIHS Perspectives.” You can expect to see them up in front of the library within the next few weeks, where they will remain throughout next year. The posters will be updated periodically to feature different questions and responses, so make sure to stop by and read new “MIHS Perspective” responses in front of the library. We’re looking forward to sharing MIHS students’ diverse perspectives, and the similarities among them, with you. In the meantime, please see below for a few sample responses.

How has your upbringing, family, culture or home affected you as a person?

“I’m a part of a very open-minded, liberal family. Being raised in such a setting has helped me to look at things with an unbiased perspective and has led me away from being prejudiced or discriminatory towards anyone.”

“I am very adaptable because I was raised by a series of nannies. My parents were gone most of the time and every year one of the nannies left so I stopped making attachments. As a result, I was afraid that if I ever got too close to someone, once they left I would just be sad, so why should I care so much?”

“From about the age of seven I have trained karate; recently I realized that my teacher was teaching us life lessons along with karate skills. I now recognize that his lessons of respect, generosity and kindness have shaped me to make me the person I am today.”

“I have to hide everything from my family.

My parents trust me because I have a high EQ and have “proven myself” to be able to handle things, but it just gives me space to be myself away from them in a place where they don’t know I’m Bi, about my internet personas, even that me, their perfect daughter, swears.”

“Pretty much my entire life [revolves] around my family.”

Remember the last time someone got angry at you. What happened?

“I got pretty sad. I like to maintain good relationships with everyone, especially friends, so when they get mad I feel bad and try to repair the damage.”

“When someone gets angry with me I often blame myself. It’s not always the right response, but I do. As I grow up I’ve started to realize it’s important to resolve the solution without feeling the need to place blame on anyone.”

“My dad always has his phone out, and one afternoon he had barely spoken a word to me even though I tried to talk to him. So when he wasn’t paying attention I grabbed his phone and hid it.

It’s very childish, I know, but I didn’t have any other option. He was fairly annoyed.”

“The last person who got angry at me was my mom. She felt like I was “against” her and confronted me about it while I was doing the dishes. I accidentally dropped a wineglass and she assumed I broke it on purpose. We yelled at each other and I cried. Not a whole lot to say.”

“I know that I’m wrong, but I feel like she is overreacting. We will talk after school-I’m just so scared this will ruin our relationship.”

“I got mad too, and I left the situation. I didn’t talk to them for a long time after that. Recently we sat down and talked about it, and we’re doing okay now.”

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Campus LIfe

mihsislander.org

How Donald Trump could win the presidential election by

Nathan Benson staff writer

After one of the most raucous and divisive primaries in recent history, Donald Trump has emerged as the champion of the Republican Party. Having reached the required 1237 delegates, Trump can now turn his attention fully to Hillary Clinton. At first glance, the New York billionaire does not seem to stand a chance against experienced politician and ex-Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. However, given some key stats and past politics, a Clinton presidency may not be as assured as it may seem.

Clinton’s first obstacle is Bernie Sanders. A Vermont senator, Sanders has declared that he will stay in the race all the way until the Democratic National Convention in July.

Though he at this point does not have a chance of winning, what he can do is force Clinton to take a more liberal stance and keep her from focusing on winning over independents and moderate republicans.

Meanwhile, Trump can begin his pursuit of the middle ground as his two remaining competitors, Ted Cruz and John Kasich, recently dropped out. Granted, he has to work much harder at winning over moderate voters now because of his many inflammatory

and controversial comments NAFTA. Clinton’s husband, ready for those attacks, as she throughout the primary. The Bill Clinton, was the President has been successfully arguing fact remains however that as during the passing of the trade against them for years and long as Sanders stays in the deal and a major proponent of even withstood eleven hours race, Clinton will be unable it and others like it. Trump of questioning on Benghazi by to turn her attention to the could turn her connection to the House Benghazi Commitvoters she needs to in order to the trade deal against Clinton. tee. What Clinton may not be capture the presidency.

The final reason Trump’s ready for, however, is personal The Clinton campaign’s presidential bid is not such a attacks. One possibility is the second possible hurdle is the long shot is Hillary Clinton’s affair then President Bill Clinelectoral map. In the 2012 baggage. Trump has experi- ton had with Monika Lewinselection, Obama beat Rom- enced his fair share of blun- ki, which he lied about having. ney in electorates by Clinton will have a wide margin, 332 to to be ready for per206, with 270 being sonal attacks such required to win. Clinas Bill’s affair and ton looks to keep those many others and same numbers in Nomust be ready to vember, but Trump is a think on her feet, wild card and the map something she could very well change. struggles with doMuch of Trump’s rheting. Trump will oric and policies are most likely try to aimed at the blue-colpaint Clinton as Photo courtesy SunSentinel disingenuous lar workers in the Rust on Trump campaigns under his slogan “Make America Great Again.”

Belt. States such as feminist issues, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michi- ders and controversy, but not pointing to her callous hangan, and Wisconsin, will like- many people are as willing to dling of women abused by ly be targeted by the Trump get into others past personal President Clinton.

Today, campaign. If Trump were to issues. Trump will enter the Clinton argues that the victim pull off wins in those states, general election with a long should always be believed, a the Republicans would have list of Clinton’s past issues far cry from the then First Laan even 270 electorates to and controversies to address dy’s stance in the ‘90s when victhe Democrats 268. Unlike when he takes the stage for tims of President Bill Clinton Trump who has faired well the first general election de- were stepping forward. Hilin the Rust Belt, Clinton has bate. At the top of the list is lary Clinton at the time stated struggled to fend off Demo- Benghazi and Clinton’s use of that these women should not cratic Socialist Sanders, who a private email server during be believed. Many also accuse shares Trump’s beliefs about her time as Secretary of State. Clinton of being a scripted and the negative impacts of trade Republicans often use these as career politician who will say deals. One of these criticized examples of Clinton’s lack of anything for a vote. She even trade deals is the North Amer- qualification for public office. said at one point that the moican Free Trade Agreement, or Clinton will most likely be ment she held her daughter

Chelsea Clinton in her arms, she knew it was her duty to help the children of America.

Comments such as those are likely to be attacked by Trump who thrives off being spontaneous and unpredictable, often to the dismay of Republican leaders. Clinton will also have to deal with her speeches to Wall Street, which has been a major talking point for Bernie Sanders and which Trump will be very keen to pick up on.

Especially since Trump likes to argue that his campaign is beholden to nobody, not even corporations or Wall Street since he is self-funding his campaign. Through all these attacks Clinton will have to act presidential and not fall into the same traps as the rest of the Republican field as they took on Trump.

Trump may be able to win in November, but to do so he must overcome immense odds.

Currently, 66% of women in America view Trump unfavorably and he has not helped his case with minority groups either, groups Hillary Clinton has reached out to in her campaign. But if Donald Trump is able to improve those numbers and win the Rust Belt while keeping the Republican base, we could be looking at a very different electoral map come the November election and have a very different president than many expected.

now through the University of Hawaii. She spent a lot of time in India, Pakistan, Indonesia, Thailand, and so forth. I also think this notion that she had of anthropology as needing to be applied and active and useful is something that I paid a lot of attention to, in the sense that I really feel like peace studies should be made meaningful and should be imbedded in action and in service and should be used to improve communities and make individuals more resilient. You could see this priority in her to have applied learning and so something we want to encourage in the scholarship recipients is wide openness, interconnectedness, bravery, exchange, internationalism but also this idea that our learning should be put to good use. Although there’s elegance and a beautiful theory and certainly poetry to be found in the ideas within books, this idea of connecting with communities was very important for her.

Chess: As a sister, what have you learned about your brother as a human being as he fulfills his constitutional duty as our country’s executive?

Soetoro-Ng: I found him to be quite measured and

fortable, but I think that it’s ultimately very useful and healthy for us to think about leaning into our discomfort and growing from it.

Chess: Common Core and K-12 education have gotten a lot of complaints recently.

How do you believe is the best way to improve the quality of our country’s public schools?

Is Common Core or Washington state’s Core 24 initiative the way to proceed?

Soetoro-Ng: I think that there has to be a variety of ways that we address the challenges faced by public school. I think the common core has a lot of potential because of its emphasis on applied learning, on connection with community, the room that it makes for project-based education, and its work to highlight processes not just content.

In a number of ways, I like the Common Core. Again, there’s going to be discomfort at initial implementation, but I also think that people are seeing now that a lot of innovation and a lot of the most exciting work happening in education is actually happening on the ground in grassroots ways and there are lots of points of light and

Dr. Maya Soetoro-Ng interview (continued) (continued from page 1)

was involved in clubs on the island. Do you know what sorts of clubs she was in?

Soetoro-Ng: I think a lot of them were related to the school, journalism, French club, you name it.

Chess: What were some of the ideals that your mother held that shaped who you are today?

Soetoro-Ng: Well, she was someone who I think lauded women’s work and encouraged independence, and she felt that women should claim the right that had been so hard fought and won to shape a life of meaning and service and intellect. She really believed in studying and learning and was very happy to receive her PhD shortly before her death. I think that I was encouraged by her example to get my own PhD and to want to work in spaces of formal learning, but perhaps more importantly, in places of conversation and exchange of ideas and exchange of cultures. She had a lot of experiences in Asia and I continue to forge those relationships and bonds and build bridges as best I can between here and there. I did so through the EastWest Center for a while but

deliberate in this presidency. He’s informal in many ways. I’ve been surprised at his resilience and have learned that he stays quite steady and calm and full of humour in the face of challenging situations. His view is very pragmatic in some ways. I always knew that he was an idealistic person, but I see that he really sees his work today in very practical ways and is doing the best he can with what he has under difficult circumstances. This notion of not taking things too personally, working hard … that kind of industry reminds me of our Kansas grandparents’ kind of ideals of work ethic. I think he has displayed that in my view.

He’s been very consistent in making sure he remains himself with friends and family, and I have certainly, on a personal level, appreciated that. He has been very open to changing his own views and learning and growing which I think is really important in a position of leadership. Not only do you have to be an adaptive leader who takes a look at circumstances and situations and the needs of a particular time and community, but also in order to be a truly transformational leader, I think you have to

open yourself to growth and to learn from people who are working alongside you, even those who work for you. You have to be willing to learn from subsequent generations and young people and find new tools. I appreciate that he has endeavored to continue to do that.

Chess: From a citizens perspective, what do you think are some of the best accomplishments of your brother’s presidency?

Soetoro-Ng: I’m particularly proud of the Affordable Care Act. I’m particularly proud of his efforts to highlight the accomplishments of strong women and minorities and looking at advancing the dialogue on civil rights and inclusion. I’m particularly proud of his work to open up conversations internationally and to have us reexamine our potential and to try to reach out in peaceable ways to others to engage in collaborative work. I’m very pleased about the stabilization of the economy, and I’m proud of his ability to move us away from the precipice. I think that there’s been a lot of change in the last eight years which was true to his campaign slogan. I think that he’s led some of the nation to feel very uncom-

(continued on page 15)

June 2016

15

CAMPUS LIFE

Charity organizations: they’re not just for girls anymore by

Zoe Levin

staff writer Many MIHS students are members of the National League of Young Men, a mother-son charity organization that provides its members with service opportunities and lessons in etiquette and manners. NLYM has four pillars: philanthropy, leadership, culture, and protocol. This is the second year since Mercer Island’s chapter was established.

There are now 80 mothers and 118 young men in the chapter, who have completed a total of 4,624 hours this year.

NLYM was originally called the Beach City Service League, located in Newport Beach, Calif. The League was founded in 2007 by Diane Edmonston and Mary Pat Lucas. Due to its rapid expansion in California, the League’s name was changed to the National League of Young Men, Inc. in 2009. The National Board of Directors was also created to assist all of the chapters and expand the League.

Now there are 11 chapters and

more than 2,000 members. in the League must attend three to invite. Then the members The Mercer Island chapter of the five meetings held for each listen to a guest speaker selectwas formed by Jamie Shanks, grade level, and complete a min- ed by the young men speaker a MIHS parent. Four years imum of ten service hours. chairs. The guest speaker, at ago, Shanks learned about Grade level meetings are each meeting, lectures about the National Charity League, held at members’ homes. The various lessons, such as etia mother-daughter charity or- men conduct business for the quette, drugs and alcohol, datganization. She was curious as first half of the meeting. They ing, and college interviews. to why such a league wasn’t debate which causes they will The rest of the meeting is deavailable for boys in voted to the Seattle area, and teachbegan to research ing life mother-son charity skills leagues nationwide. to the Shanks discovered young NLYM and traveled m e n to its first chapter in in the Newport Beach, and League immediately wanted as part to start a chapter on of a Mercer Island. “I was “prohooked right away,” tocol said Shanks. Mercer curricIsland was the first ulum.” city in Washing9 t h Photo courtesy NLYM Mercer Island through ton state to house a chapter, and there NLYM members from the Class of 2017 and the Class of 2018.

1 2 t h are now chapters in graders the Issaquah Sammamish Pla- devote their projects, events, will learn skills such as propteau and West Bellevue. and to budget around. They er introductions, handshakes, Mercer Island mothers and also discuss which cultural and meeting behavior, and their high school-aged sons are event the grade will partake also lessons for life, like peer eligible to join NLYM. The men in, and which guest speakers relations and relationships.

NLYM provides its members with many volunteer opportunities in the Seattle area.

“The men of MIHS team up and contribute to the Seattle community through philanthropy events, like cooking for the homeless and donating clothing or food to the humane society,” said MIHS junior and National League of Young Men member Jordano Mark.

Members of NLYM also partake in an annual grade level cultural event, which each grade chooses to attend at their meetings. The purpose of the cultural event is to learn about the Seattle community in an enjoyable atmosphere.

Members might choose to visit a local museum, or to attend a ballet.

Members of NLYM find the organization very fulfilling.

“Living on this small island for several years can make you blind to the kids, teens, and adults that don’t have the same privileges that we have grown up with. It’s important to recognize this and be grateful for the life you have,” said Mark.

Strip teases underclassmen with parking Interview (cont’d)

such an early, inconvenient time in the morning. Often, by staff writer students begin arriving as As a student driver who is early as 6:45 a.m. to secure responsible every day for my a convenient spot; thus, arown transportation, I have riving at school later than come to the realization that 7:30 a.m. results in a nearan article explaining to newly half-mile walk from the comers how to avoid angercar to class, an experience ing veteran student drivers worsened by frequent rain when parking on the Strip and cold weather in the fall would greatly benefit the and winter months. Weekly well-being of all MIHS stuearly morning drill practices dents. exacerbate this Unlike the few problem and upperclassmen re-emphasize who have spots in the need for school parking lots, well-executed the majority of juparking on the nior and sophoStrip. So if you more drivers know look into the too well the strugrearview mirror gles of parking on while reversing 88th Street, better your car and known as the Strip. see a wide gap, Given the Strip’s do not simply limited space and stop but continPhoto by Christine Lee distance from the When parking on the Strip, desperate times calls for desperate measures. ue backing up. school, drivers must Five extra feet park their cars effective- between parked cars, slight- here and there between cars ly and resourcefully to en- ly too small to squeeze in an- on the Strip seems inconsure precious parking space other car. Some quick advice: sequential, and it probably is conserved. However, as learn to reverse your car suf- would be if only one such gap more and more sophomores ficiently to avoid huge gaps; existed on occasion throughmanage to pass their driving doing so will benefit you, as out the school year. Howevtests, the well-organized and you will have less distance to er, because of the frequency space-saving parking system walk to school and fewer stu- of parking-related inefficienspirals slowly out of control. dent drivers will be annoyed cies, such as the large gaps Yes, I can empathize at your parking job. between cars and avoiding with newbie student drivAlso, for some curious parking on drains, each daily ers whose parallel parking reason, many drivers avoid incident enlarges the indiis anything but proficient. parking atop the drains lo- vidual problems until veterHowever, parking on the cated along the Strip. Please an student drivers take noStrip does not require knowl- realize that your car possess- tice. So, next time you drive edge on how to parallel park es the ability to withstand to school and park on the nor any skill. You only need “uneven terrain” without Strip, I advise you to take to know how to drive for- breaking down and will sure- into account how your parkward, turn your car slightly ly still exist when you return ing influences the lives of in one direction, and reverse. seven hours later. other students and to avoid Despite the simplicity of Another key frustration aggravating fellow student these maneuvers, many stu- involves the quick speed at drivers by parking properly. dent drivers either lack the which the Strip fills up at

Hanna Puetz

confidence and ability to perform them, are completely unaware of their surroundings when parking, or exhibit a fear of somehow hitting a neighboring car parked twenty feet behind them.

Such poor driving aggravates many student drivers and wastes precious parking space on the Strip. A primary frustration results f r o m of the large gaps left

(continued from page 14)

lots of interesting programs and obviously there has been some effort, at least in recent years, to invest in that innovation which would be that program but also in other ways by the government. I also think a lot of what I’m seeing is happening from the work of brave educators and educational leaders. I recently watched a film called “Most Likely to Succeed” about high-tech hires. It was pretty poignant and another examples of these efforts to empower youth with tools and skills necessary to engage in rightbrain thinking, to blend artistry and creativity with intellect, to look at social and emotional learning, and so forth. I think that we can find these interesting examples and begin to duplicate them. The truth is that we do need our federal government and the Department of Education to be supportive.

I think we’ll never be obsolete or not impactful, but I do think we need to think about diversifying our range of strategies in educational reform and finding exciting examples all over the country, and indeed, all over the world.

Chess: For those that won’t be able to attend the ceremony, do you have a message for high schoolers or the Mercer Island community?

Soetoro-Ng: This is an incredibly powerful time. This is a time when young people can publish online they can create websites and blogs.

They have a voice and we

need to think about the responsibility and the potential of that voice and take seriously our capacity to engage civically with one another.

Civically and civilly with one another even at far distances and it’s a time of great empowerment. Please don’t fail to take advantage of those opportunities to engage in participatory leadership. I’d like to have people see that the young women of Mercer Island who are being celebrated here are incredibly powerful young leaders who have tapped into their own biographies and identities and struggles to harness the best in them in order to give the best. There needs to be a strong youth movement. The Obama library, for instance, is one place where there will be a lot of emphasis on youth leadership. Revisiting this notion of community service or civic engagement to mean much more than a one-time clean up or a one-time vote and in fact be about finding creative and innovative ways to impact public policy or take things to scale or to create products and projects that serve people with empathy and motivate and inspire others. I want to see that coming from youth and I want to celebrate that in the young women of Mercer Island.

Chess: What’s your favorite tropical fish?

Soetoro-Ng: Because it is such a recognizable symbol of Hawaii, and to sort of honor this place, I would have to go with the humuhumunukunukuapua’a, our state fish.

Written byGeorgia Mattox

How Does The Sun Affect Mood?

directly to the changing seasons. Those affected by SAD

As the days on Mercer Island become longer and the feel depressed during the winter. Yet as spring and summer temperature gradually rises, no one can deny the sense of come around, their mood is lightened. According to Mental excitement and joy that dominates the MIHS student body.

Health America, melatonin, a sleep related hormone, is linked No longer must we endure dismal walks in the pelting rain, to SAD. The changing seasons can disrupt the balance of or dark, chilly mornings devoid of a rising sun. After five the body’s level of melatonin. As seasons change, there is a long months, the sun’s return is welcomed with open arms shift in our “biological interand its warmth and glow renal clocks” due partly to the flects the cheerful attitudes changes in sunlight patterns. of MIHS students. Some think When a person’s biological this cheerful mood is merely a clock is out of line with daily facade, but in fact is actually schedules, a person’s mood can directly correlated to scienbe negatively affected. tific facts that suggest dismal SAD is more concentrated in weather spurs unhappiness. places farther North and far A lack of sunlight has ther from the equator. Therebeen proven to cause laziness fore, according to Social Capiand lethargy. The cold temperatal Review, Seattle has a high ture reduces sensory feedback, incidence rate of SAD and is muscle strength, blood flow, proven to a have a high suicide and balance which negatively rate, “Only one [city] ranked impact a person’s motivation for higher than Seattle in the rate performing daily tasks. Waking of annual suicide attempts for up early in the morning on a those 18 and older.” Though cold winter day causes many to Photo Courtesy Georgia Mattox this is not proven to be directfeel the desire to stay in bed Kimia Preston, Claire Mansfield, Jessica Ramseyer, Lauren ly related to SAD, mamy beand waste the day away.

Ralph, and Jenny Dao soak in sun rays in the Ampitheatre. lieve that the depressing win Overeating is an effect ter months contribute largely of the dismal weather of fall to Seattle’s high suicide rate. and winter. With a lack of sunlight comes a drop in sero A study completed at the University of Michigan tonin levels. As this occurs, carbohydrate cravings increase. found that those who spent at least 30 minutes outside According to Judith Wurtman, former scientist at the Masduring periods of sunshine found their mood, memory, and sachusetts Institute of Technology, “Eating carbohydrates creativity greatly improved. Therefore, it is no surprise that helps depressed individuals feel better because the carbs the student body of MIHS feels overwhelming excitement as spark an immediate serotonin increase.” Despite the immedithe first rays of sunlight peak out from behind the gloomy ate response of mood, it is shortlived as serotonin levels drop clouds. As the hallways buzz with summer excitement and quickly after.

The weather has been proven to temporarily alter the raincoats and boots are replaced with sandals and tank mood and attitude of a person through Seasonal Affective tops, our student body undergoes a change in mood to Disorder (SAD). SAD is a type of depression that relates which the sun largely contributes.

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