PAID
MERCER IS SCHOOL DIST 400
December 1, 2017
mihsislander.org
NextDoor and Fake News
The social media platform is a microcosm of our current media climate Features > 4
Volume VII, Edition 3
Pronoun use in the classroom
A holiday tradition
A call for MI staff and students to be more inclusive by asking for preferred pronouns Opinions > 8
"The Nutcracker": Island Youth Ballet's rehearsal process for the annual performance A&E > 11
Mercer Island needs to talk about race Maya Virdell online editor
“When I first started going to school here, no one — not even a teacher or staff member — had the same complexion as me,� said Channing Martin, a junior and the President of the Black Student Union. High school is difficult, especially for a minority in a predominantly wealthy and caucasian school. Juggling rigorous academic requirements, social status, and self-discovery can be arduous for students who feel pressured to conceal aspects of themselves. High school is meant to be a time of developing individuality, but it can be difficult to discover oneself in the high-strung, gradeobsessed atmosphere of Mercer Island. “Currently, I can walk downtown or just walk down the hallways of the
high school and see multiple people [of color] — which is absolutely amazing! And as of now, I currently hold the position as Black Student Union President, and I have learned that a majority of minorities have struggles in this environment especially if you were not raised on the island.� said Martin. “Everyone was born ‘neighbors,’ meaning everyone has known each other from birth and will probably know each other for the
rest of their lives.� “It is hard to have confidence in an environment like this, and to be a minority it is really difficult,� Kelly John-Lewis, security staff, said. “You don’t have an identity being a black person in this community.� The primary identity is white, which, in a high school setting where people strive to fit in, may cause them to conceal their own identities because of the associated scrutiny. (continued on back)
Perspective: MI’s lack of diversity Jake D’Souza
business manager
Mercer Island is largely white and wealthy; shielded from poverty and the struggles of the rest of the state, we have a moral obligation to understand and help those not in our place. According to the 2010 Census, Mercer Island is about 78 percent white and 1 percent African American,
High school protests: know your rights Hannah Whobrey
co-editor in chief
Garfield High School students gather to protest the repeal of DACA.
Hazelwood permits schools to regulate schoolsponsored speech (such as school newspapers and class Facebook pages) if they feel the content does not represent the school’s policies and values. As a result, protests that occur on school campus must adhere to certain standards. The American Civil Liberties Union offers guidelines for students considering taking action on campus. “The school may require you to
observe reasonable time, place and manner regulations,� their website states. “[However] as long as your words don’t directly incite violence or law-breaking, you cannot be held responsible for the way that counter demonstrators or your own supporters react.� For safety, schools are also prohibited from locking students inside classrooms or on campus to prevent a walkout. “The school can’t punish
Photo courtesy The Stranger
you for your views,� ACLU says. Schools can, however, punish students for taking things too far, or being "legally obscene." “One of the reasons why we haven’t [really] considered [protesting is that] we want a really concrete issue that walking out would do something about,� Katy Spencer, co-president of Mercer Island’s ACLU Club, said. (continued on page 2)
land. Renton’s median yearly household income stands around $64,500, making the average Mercer Island resident more than twice as wealthy as Renton. A Renton resident’s chances of being a victim of a violent crime are 1 in 334. Comparing these statistics, it is clearly unlikely that a lifelong Islander will have the same experiences as a lifelong Renton resident. (continued on page 9)
The art of rĂŠsumĂŠ padding Grady Short
staff writer
Over the past year, protesting — and the right to do so — has become an important concern for many Americans. Although citizens are allowed, and encouraged, to stand up for their beliefs, high schoolers must follow school policy if they wish to act upon this right on school grounds. Thanks to the First Amendment, teenagers usually have the right to free speech. However, these rights are slightly different on school campuses, because of the results of landmark Supreme Court cases such as Tinker, Bethel, and Hazelwood. While Tinker protects students’ freedom of expression, Hazelwood and Bethel establish boundaries for what students may do at school. Bethel, for example, determines that schools may prohibit vulgar and inappropriate behavior in educational spaces. In the case itself, this meant that the school had the right to discipline a student for giving a suggestive speech at a student assembly, and did not violate the student’s right to free speech.
with a median yearly income of a family being around $154,000. On Mercer Island, one’s chances of being a victim of a violent crime are 1 in 5008 according to Washington law enforcement agencies. Our neighbor across the lake, Renton, has very different numbers: around 55% of the population is white and 11% African American, making the city significantly more diverse than Mercer Is-
Every year the college admissions process gets harder. Acceptance rates drop, expectations go up, and students compete more fiercely than ever in their academic and extracurricular pursuits — an issue that MIHS’s culture of fierce competition only exacerbates. It comes as no surprise, then, that some students attempt to take shortcuts when trying to look their best for admissions departments. Perhaps the most common method is to obtain a leadership position in a club or organization without actually following through with the required responsibilities. Take, for instance, the Junior Statesmen of America (JSA), a club which barely met at all during the past school year. Running and organizing this club took little to no effort, but the students who led it still got to put down this impressive-sounding position in their college applications. Since most applications and admissions departments do not require
any form of verification for extracurricular activities, students have the ability to lie or stretch the truth with relative ease. And it’s not just the JSA, which is now being built up into a more legitimate club according to president Mary Rose Vu. In a particularly striking case, one of the school’s largest organizations, the National Honor Society (NHS), requires little effort from its members despite the high standards suggested by its name. (continued on page 3)
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A season of snowflakes, gift giving, and holiday stress Students often experience excessive stress during the holiday season. Hannah Whobrey staff writer
Although traditionally regarded as one of the best times of the year, people increasingly find the holiday season exceedingly intense. Changing seasons, frenzied gift shopping, family tension, and even the risk of sickness contribute towards an incredibly stressful period. With the added load of schoolwork, winter can be an emotionally demanding time for students. According to an Islander poll, nine in ten students felt that schoolwork contributed most to their stress during the holidays, followed by money, sickness, and loneliness. “Because we have such a long break, my teachers tend to assign lots of homework,” said Anna Zurawski. Even without official assignments, students can find
it hard to take the time off that they desperately need. “I would always be studying for finals during winter break,” Tristan Moore said. For some, the holiday season brings family trouble. “I am in a sticky situation where I have to pick which part of my family I want to celebrate with,” one student commented. “I cannot change my family’s relationships or arrangements, but I would want them to be more understanding and sympathetic to my position.” “My family often travels during this season, resulting in school absences. I often have a hard time catching up afterwards, and often feel slightly disoriented upon returning,” another student noted. “I know it is a privilege to travel so much, but I often yearn to just sleep in and spend the holidays in the living room with my family.” Nevertheless, when
Protesting (cont.) “I would be most inclined to organize a protest if it was something that we could directly affect within our school,” Spencer said. “It’s what gives you power at the negotiating table.” In this case, protests concerning issues directly related to the school are more useful. “If one student went to the admin, they wouldn’t necessarily have to listen,” Spencer said. “There’s 1,500 students at this high school! They’ve got bigger fish to fry. But if me and a thousand of my peers went, then they would have to acknowledge us and acknowledge the power that we have.” Recent high school protests across America include using football games to show solidarity with NFL footballers who knelt for the national anthem. Other students have refused to participate in the “Pledge of Allegiance.” More locally, students at Garfield High School in Seattle staged a walk-
out in November of 2016 to demonstrate their anger towards President Trump’s anti-immigration policies. Similar protests occurred throughout the nation this year in response to DACA’s cancellation. “[At school-related protests,] the student body is most of the community, and so we could really make a change,” Spencer concluded. Students should remember that although they have the power to organize school protests, they cannot be overly disruptive (such as interrupting class), endanger other students, or violate any laws (school or otherwise). Nevertheless, fighting for beliefs is valuable. Students interested in taking action at MIHS are encouraged to contact ACLU Club, Social Justice Club, Stay Woke Club, Gender Equality Club, Diversity Action Club, Amnesty International, and the Black Student Union.
Photo courtesy Q13 Fox Garfield High School’s footbal team takes a knee during the national anthem.
asked about holiday stress, many MIHS students shared coping methods that they have depended upon in the past. “I let myself take care of my needs,” Lina Winiski responded. “I try meditating and drinking tea,” sophomore Addi Arvish said. “Talking with a friend,” another added. While stress can definitely feel overwhelming, selfcare remains paramount for management. Learning to allow imperfections and being realistic about the season relieves the pressure to live up to rose-tinted family traditions and expectations set through pop culture’s idyllic portrayal. In a similar vein, setting manageable limits and avoiding over-scheduling creates more opportunities to relax. “I get more busy during the holidays, so it makes [everything] less manage-
able,” noted another student. “I used to be terrible at coping with my stress! Recently, I’ve found sitting down and writing out everything I need to do helps a lot,” Lauren Ball suggested. Planning ahead prevents last minute scrambling to fulfill obligations, and can avert committing to an overwhelming amount of activities, by specially delegating time to necessary activities. It can also help maintain usual habits, such as eating healthily, sleeping regularly, and working out or staying active. Sticking to a routine is beneficial as it provides structure, and nourishes the body. “Running, eating, [and] taking breaks,” one sophomore noted as helping her cope. To release the pressure on family members to prepare and host excessive
meals, eating out is always an option. “Eating food and talking to people helps disperse the stress,” junior Bridget Navarro said. Even if the main event is still hosted at home, dining out on occasion removes the burden on the host’s time and resources. At tenser family gatherings, eating out provides a way to eat together with a reduced chance of argument, because of the public setting. Other family issues can usually be solved by tweaking tradition a little, to make everyone more comfortable. For example, if lots of gifts stretches budgets and ideas too far, new practices, such as family gift exchanges, provide an alternative. It is also important to remember that gifts cannot solve everything. “[My family] always feels the need to make a big deal of the holidays, rather than just enjoying time together,” Jane Voss said. Traditions that don’t
work any more do not have to be continued. Talking these issues out before the holidays may lead to much-needed modification for everyone involved. Quick fixes for stress provide relief on short notice. For example, listening to music has a calming effect, and benefits the heart and general blood flow. Eating hot or spicy food triggers endorphins, which improve happiness levels. Honey can provide energy, if feeling rundown is an issue. Above all, students should make sure that they properly take time off. Set aside time for absolutely no obligations, to fully relax and reap the benefits of the vacations throughout the holiday season. If you feel unable to cope with stress induced by this season, please try one of the aforementioned solutions; talk to your parents, a trusted family member, friend, or teacher; or reach out to your MIHS counselor.
The continuous college application season Annika Bhananker and Izzi Mancuso staff writers
Sleepless nights and endless cups of coffee mark the dreaded college application season. For many juniors and seniors, the nerve-wracking process of completing standardized tests and online applications is viewed as the beginning of their lives and takes absolute precedence over everything. For many, the college application process begins in freshman year with college tours, fairs, and counselors, each touted as providing insight into the college experience to come. These resources are not only available for individuals but are also provided by MIHS. This year’s college fair introduced the junior class to a wide range of different colleges and their representatives, in the hopes of simplifying the application proccess and reducing the immense stress associated with applying to college. Early preparation plays a crucial role in reducing college anxiety because it allows students to plan both the courses needed to take for college and the activities and interests you might pursue and in which you might excel. “I don’t think there’s ever a too soon,” said
Jeff Jones, a counselor at MIHS. Early planning is a tool many seniors utilize in order to prevent drowning in procrastination and paperwork and to maximize their potential college choices. Of the MIHS Class of 2018, 71.8 percent had submitted college applications as of Nov. 8, highlighting the importance MIHS high schoolers place on securing their college of choice and their hope for their future education. College Board studies indicate that 47 percent of college-bound high school seniors graduate with at least an A- average. This number, up 38 percent within the last ten years, proves that good grades cannot be the only significant factor colleges consider. Extracurricular activities play an important role when applying for colleges. Whether that is sports or clubs, a job or volunteering, students explore these options starting in freshman year and may choose to stick with them throughout the rest of high school. “Sometimes students make the mistake of trying to be in so many different clubs that they’re not really connected to any of them,” Jones said. “But what a college is really looking for is for students to get involved
in fewer extracurriculars and then sticking with them. That way they’re developing some type of leadership role or making an impact in their community or in their school based upon the works that they’re doing.” Essentially, less is more in terms of extracurricular activities; colleges prefer a student with a substantial area of expertise, rather than a student who is stretched thin. Another integral variable in the college application process is letters of recommendation. “Letters of recommendation give colleges or other programs an opportunity to get information from adults that have worked with students regularly and can talk [about] their leadership traits, their ability to cooperate with others in the class, their work habits” Jones said, “Those [other] things that go above and beyond just seeing their grade on a transcript.” Letters of recommendation, depending on the school, can come from various people, not only from teachers but also from employers or places that students have done community service. They also commonly come from coaches. Parents of college applicants tend to vary in their involvement with
their student’s college application process, ranging from managing student deadlines and timelines, to paying for college advisors and tutors for essays, to simply allowing students to take care of their own business. Many parents provide extra resources for their student to maximize their success. Regardless of familial support, student preparation is the most important aspect of an outstanding application. Sophomore Nicole Hibi said she believes many MIHS students are adequately prepared for the college application process. “I think there are some classmates who are very determined to get into college, and they’re already starting to think about where they’re going, and they’re already touring,” Hibi said. The college application process is intrinsically stressful because it is important, and preparing early is an essential step to easing that stress and creating a solid resume and application. It is also important to remember that, with early preparation, the process can be fun and positive--an excellent way to know yourself, find the right college for you, and make a lasting impression in a fantastic application.
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December 1, 2017
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Common misconceptions about birth control and its uses Emily Yang staff writer
For most women, 3 to 7 days of every month are consumed with bloodstains, cramps, fatigue, and acne. The majority of these adverse symptoms can be cured through sanitary products, Advil, and a nap, but for some women, birth control pills or other types of birth control are the only inexpensive and temporary contraceptive that offers a solution to disorders such as endometriosis, which exacerbates period symptoms. Ranging from $15-50 per month, ‘the Pill’, is one of the most common contraceptives for various reasons. As the name suggests, they prevent pregnancy temporarily and effectively. According to the Association of Reproductive Health Professionals, only 0.1 percent of women get pregnant when using the pill properly. Young women find the pill appealing, as it is a viable solution for those who may consider starting families soon. Additionally, the Pill’s
method of releasing estrogen and progestin regulates cycles and minimizes excessive blood flow. For this purpose, birth control pills are also commonly used to prevent anemia and to decrease negative symptoms on women with menstrual disorders. Endometriosis is the appearance of endometrial tissue on the exterior of the uterus, affecting over 200,000 women per year in the U.S. alone, and presents symptoms such as extremely irregular menstruation, severe cramps, and nausea that can all be alleviated through the pill. Other disorders - such as ovarian cysts and menorrhagia (heavy bleeding) - find inexpensive pain relief through the use of birth control pills. The contraceptive mandate is a government regulation that states that employers denying insured access to birth control violate the Civil Rights Act of 1964. However, this mandate did not force employers to fully cover said contraception. But in 2011, under Obama’s Afford-
able Care Act, contraceptives were provided to patients without co-payment, those who qualified for Obamacare could receive free birth control. However, one of the first moves made by the Trump administration was to reduce the parameters enforced by Obama previously in the health care industry. This made it easier for employers and insurers to deny coverage of birth control and other contraceptives, often for religious reasons. When religious opinions enter the realm of health care, science often conflicts with beliefs. The opposition to birth control finds its voice in citing passages from the Bible that state preventing life is sinful and against God’s will. According to the website Catholic Answers, “It is always intrinsically wrong to use contraception to prevent new beings from coming into existence.” This includes condoms, withdrawal, spermicide, or birth control pills. Other arguments against access to birth control argue
Supporting LGBTQ on MI Cordelia Longo staff writer
One of the many challenges high school students face is finding out who they are. Part of this identity exploration means exploring sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression. When I was in seventh grade, I realized I was gay. At first I felt alone, but I soon realized I didn’t have to be. It was such a relief to know that I wasn’t alone, and that people had gone through this before I had. I was lucky because my parents were accepting. Some of my friends were gay, too. I had an easy coming out. Some people are not accepted, even in their own homes. That’s just my story, which is a tiny sliver of our school’s chapter. “Over the last 15 years, lawmakers and school administrators have…recognized
that LGBTQ [an acronym for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer] youth are a vulnerable population in school settings,” wrote a reporter from Human Rights Watch, a news source that reports on human rights issues from all over the world. My story differs from many peoples’. Some come from conservative households, and some from liberal. Being gay has helped me realize that even though everyone is from different backgrounds, they have experienced the same moments of loneliness, and the same identity crisis that I have. According to the ACLU, “Your school does NOT have the right to “out” you to anyone without your permission, even if you are out to other people at school.” Cathy Gentino, a counselor at MIHS, works with LGBT+ students. “A stepping stone for some students
is participating in a group like the QSA, or being involved in activities outside of school,” said Gentino. There are also little ways someone can help a friend who is having a rough time at school. “Give them support… Just be there for them,” said freshman Saphia Obeidat. More than anything, LGBTQ students need a shoulder to lean on and someone who will listen to them. Many groups on Mercer Island are available to offer community support. The Queer-Straight Alliance, run by Sarah Abreu and Gentino, meets Tuesdays after school in room 202. Teachers and staff are also always available to talk to students when needed. The important thing to remember is that everyone is different. What matters is that the LGBTQ student who needs help is listened to and has someone they can talk to and trust.
Photo courtesy Adoptive Families Coming out in high school can be frightening, but the high school has many LGBTQ+ resources available to students.
that, by allowing women to obtain free contraception, teenagers will be encouraged to have sex. They fear that irresponsibility will lead to sexually transmitted diseases and a boost in teenage pregnancy rates. “I think a lot of parents don’t talk to their kids about [birth control] because they’re afraid it’s going to give their children permission to be sexually active at a young age,” said Dr. Holly Ginsberg, when asked about the fear of allowing minors to have sex through providing birth control. “In reality, the kids are going to be sexually active whenever they’re sexually active, so I think it’s better to be proactive and teach teenagers about their options and ensure that there’s no issues with accidental pregnancies.” In 2017, having different beliefs regarding contraception is acceptable. However, imposing those opinions on others is often where conflict arises. “Religion and beliefs are so widespread and various that each person is entitled to their own belief when it
Photo courtesy Quartz Media Despite the controversy surrounding birth control, many women rely on it.
comes to themselves, but you can’t say that because of my religious beliefs, you can’t do something,” said Ginsberg Finally, Ginsberg concluded, “The VA [veteran benefits] covered Viagra but didn’t cover oral contraceptives for the female veterans . . . They [the government] are looking for any place where they can possibly save money and taking things away from disenfranchised people seems to be the way the government is moving.” Overall, those in favor of birth control hope to improve the lives of women in the workforce, women
with menstrual disorders, women who seek a temporary contraceptive, and transgender men who do not want to experience symptoms of a gender they don’t identify with. The opposition believes firmly that preventing semen from fertilizing an egg in any form is destroying life, thus tarnishing God’s ideal, and that easy access to birth control will encourage teenagers to have sex. Regardless, Ginsberg believes “to each his own,” and that while opinions will always deviate from one another, it’s imperative to respect one’s boundaries when making decisions for others.
Résumé Padding (cont.)
The NHS, which is based around community service and academic success, requires that its members maintain a minimum unweighted GPA of just 3.5. An attempt to increase the minimum GPA to 3.75 last year resulted in significant parental pushback, according to a member of the society familiar with this policy. Members must also participate in 10 hours of community service each semester, including at least one NHS-sponsored project. Other subject-specific honor societies require even less -- the French Honor Society requires just two hours of community service per semester, and the recently formed Tri-M Music Honor Society has a minimum GPA of 3.0 in music classes, with a minimum of just 2.0 for non-music subjects. The National Charity League (NCL), another popular service organization on Mercer Island, sets a similarly low bar for its members. “We spent more time going to [chapter meetings] than doing actual community service,” said a former member, who went on to describe the league as “parent-dominated” and “cliquey.” Because of its status and legitimacy as a national service organization, rather than the actual charitable work that members partake in, the NCL
remains popular among students at MIHS. Looking at the master list of clubs at MIHS, one might be surprised by the quantity of ASB-approved clubs which have no noticeable presence in the school. The average student might very well be surprised to learn that MIHS has a Sailing Club, Adventurer’s Club, and Poiesis Club. Starting one’s own club or organization is a big draw for students looking to gain an edge in the admissions race, and in some cases drives students to found or lead clubs but simply fail to follow through, resulting in an unstable club scene which is constantly in flux. This trend disincentivizes students from joining clubs and organizations which require more effort, since the end result on a résumé or activities list will look the same. Another phenomenon in this vein is the increasing number of captains or leaders that sports and clubs have; in most sports and activities at MIHS the position of captain is no longer reserved for one or two members with special leadership skills, but is now doled out to more students due to the edge it provides in college admissions. All this is a direct result of the immense pressure on students to succeed ac-
ademically, but where does this pressure come from? Parents certainly factor in; the school district has received threats of legal action from parents over perceived slights within MIHS’s institutions in the not-so-distant past. The ever-increasing competitiveness of the college admissions process plays a large role too; seeing acceptance rates of five or ten percent at selective colleges motivates students to do anything to get in, including distorting the truth or participating in low-effort, big-name activities. MIHS boasts a large amount of clubs and motivated students, but is weighed down by students looking to obtain an entry in their résumé rather than a committed club experience. One possible approach to creating a healthier club scene would be for the ASB and club leaders to toughen up the requirements for a club to be considered legitimate. It would also redirect the energy students currently use padding their résumés towards more constructive pursuits. But for now, the academic culture and club requirements at MIHS incentivize students to participate at a bare minimum – enough to look good for admissions officers, but not enough to create strong, productive student organizations.
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Winter holidays within the Mercer Island community Emily Yang staff writer
Though Christmas prevails as a common winter celebration on Mercer Island, there are many other holidays observed during the month of December from a variety of cultures, races, and religions. Because of the commercial Christmas frenzy, holidays such as the Jewish Hanukkah, African-American Kwanzaa, and Catholic Saint Lucy’s Day are eclipsed by an overwhelming amount of tinsel and presents, leaving many individuals of other religions feeling ostracized from Christmas celebrations common on Mercer Island. According to a study by Seattle Times in 2015, out of the estimated 9,400 families on Mercer Island, approximately 25 percent are Jewish – a much larger percentage than the international population of 0.2 percent. Despite the atypically large Jewish community, many students at Mercer Island High School still find that their religious beliefs are marred by the pressure to conform to commercial Christmas standards. Gift-giving has never been traditional part of Hanukkah, but freshman Ally Lavin said, “The idea of giving and receiving presents originated from parents feeling bad that their
kids didn’t receive presents during the holiday season like all other kids celebrating Christmas.” The true meaning of Hanukkah – to commemorate the rededication of the Temple by the Maccabees after its destruction by Syrians – has been buried in modern materialism. Jewish students find it more necessary than ever to educate peers on their underrepresented religion, yet see little space in the flurry of presents and ugly sweater parties to do so. “People mostly focus on just Christmas rather than other holidays,” Lavin said. “The holidays that happen to occur close to each other on the calendar represent different things for the various religions and communities,” said Amy Lavin, CEO of the Jewish Community Center on Mercer Island. “Therefore, we can think about the values we all believe in, and find ways to connect on those values year-round and also at this time of year when people spend more time celebrating with family and community.” By finding common ground to celebrate in each holiday, the Lavins believe the inattention surrounding Hanukkah celebrations will decrease. Kwanzaa, a holiday invented by Dr. Maulana Karenga in 1966 to cele-
brate African culture, heritage, and unity, is seldom observed on the island because of the fact that only 1.3 percent of Mercer Island’s population is African-American. The celebration, lasting from December 26th to January 1st, is associated with the civil rights movement of the 1960s but finds little representation on the island. Saint Lucy’s day, on December 13th, is a Catholic feast day created to honor martyr Saint Lucia. Mostly celebrated in Scandinavia, the day is frequently overshadowed by other Christian holidays in the United States. John Francke, a Swedish native, said, “I like to celebrate Saint Lucia because we get to eat Swedish food and be with my family. We don’t celebrate it at school but it would be fun to show people what we do.” Festivities typically include dinner parties, singing, and making the baked bun Lussekatt, also known as St. Lucy Bun. With no major holiday during the month of December, Muslim citizens of Mercer Island find it difficult to partake in holiday-related events when their beliefs aren’t intertwined. Freshman Munasip Ertakus said, “I feel left out for some things. I wish I could do Secret Santas and
give and get gifts.” Her feelings of exclusion extend far beyond the month of December. “In our holiday [Ramadan] you have to fast for a month. That’s not really represented and people don’t understand. I don’t get any of my holidays off.” Ramadan, a lunar-based holiday to celebrate the 9th month in a Muslim year, takes place from May 16th to June 14th in 2018.
Year lights the large sequoia tree and shrubs with the mayor at Mercerdale Park. Then, attendees are encouraged to stop by the fire station for chili, treats, entertainment, and crafts. Though this event includes a tree, the city shies away from including religious components in their celebrations. “We keep our holiday events generic, and do not affiliate, or celebrate a religion
with them,” said Mortenson. The student body at MIHS ultimately lacks religious diversity during the holiday season, demonstrated by the demographics of Mercer Island. Though the Muslim and African-American community of Mercer Island is small, it is still essential to recognize all beliefs and backgrounds of residents before generalizing a month
o f t h e year as “the season to be jolly”. Though Christmas – and all of its commercial aspects – is one of the most highly-anticipated events of the year, the beliefs and religions, or lack thereof, for other students at Mercer Island High School can be acknowledged for not only an inclusive holiday season, but also an understanding com munity t h roughout the school year.
During D e c e m b e r, Recreation Superintendent of Mercer Island Parks and Recreation Diane Mortenson ensures that holiday events coordinated are community celebrations for everyone. For over fifteen years, Mercer Island has put on “Tree Lighting and Firehouse Munch” a traditional event that allows the community to convene and kick off the holiday season. Regardless of the holiday or religion one celebrates, this event brings the city together. The Citizen of the
Why trolling NextDoor is so easy...and how I got banned The ‘fake news’ phenomenon is alive and well on Mercer Island. Spencer Klein humor editor
The widely-used app NextDoor features lively discussions about issues pertinent to Mercer Island, such as former city council candidate Joy Langley’s qualifications, bad traffic and the scavenger hunt. However, NextDoor embodies something more dangerous to our community than the free firewood would make it seem. A couple weeks ago, I created a fake NextDoor account with the name “Marie Degler.” I signed up, found a picture of a middle-aged woman on Google Images as my profile picture and I was ready to go. The first thing I posted was the paragraph that follows: “I just caught my son and his cronies turtle fighting. What a despicable thing! He took my
lifelong friend, Gus, and our neighbor’s (Jenny, I am so sorry) and took bets from other students. Make sure your son is NOT participating in this activity.” While the majority of NextDoor users did not believe me, the important thing is that a few actually did. Carole Branom commented, “My brother in Phoenix has two turtles, each about the size of a large dinner plate. Though Tina is ever the little lady, she sparks fury in Tommy whenever he sees her. He tries to roll her over on her back the better to nip at her soft parts. My brother had to build two rock pits to keep them separate, and walks them separately in the back yard. Tina enjoys the outing on the grass but Tommy runs around frantically looking to escape. They can be fast when they want to be. We suspect Tommy was born
in the wild, a road scholar as it were, while Tina was gently raised in captivity from the start.” A man messaged me an even longer paragraph about how I had indicted my son, and even sent links to websites describing the jail sentence given for animal abuse. Before my account was revealed as fake, I had convinced at least five adults that turtle fighting was a legitimate problem in our community. You’re probably thinking that this was an isolated incident. But once I was blocked from NextDoor about ten of my friends found similar success creating fake accounts and posting about similarly absurd things. These posts included warnings about hidden drugs in mole holes, outrage at the phrase “trick or treat,” and the fabrication of a fictional alcoholic beverage known
as “Leem” (it is important to note that Leem is a type of soil). Yes, most of these posts were quickly discovered as fake, and the accounts were blocked, but for the short time that the posts were up, a few people believed each one. As with my turtle post, there were actual people agreeing and telling anecdotes about how they’ve heard middle schoolers talking about Leem. While it might seem funny that someone tricked a few adults into believing that kids were getting drunk off soil, it can be dangerous. What does it say about our community if we can convince part of our decision-making population of insane things, armed with nothing but a stock photo and a generic name? Imagine if we were trying to convince NextDoor of something less insane; for example,
the validity of Joy Langley’s Cornell degree. People communicated on NextDoor, refuting the articles published about her degree or supporting their validity. Regardless of which is true, the problem still lingers: people believe what is written on NextDoor. When Langley’s lack of credentials was finally revealed, Daniel Thompson wrote: “Why did it take ND and a blogger to prove this?” By choosing to cite NextDoor instead of the more thoroughly researched article published by the Seattle Times, Thompson’s post reveals a deeper issue. Whether it’s an essay against I-90 tolls or a pot roast recipe, people believe what they read on NextDoor. In a time when many adults can marginalize CNN and Fox as “fake news,” it is shocking that so many people believe arguments with little to no sources on a local so-
cial media website. While some stories on CNN or Fox have little to no bearing on the north Mercer Island community, the falsehoods that are being spread on NextDoor directly affect Mercer Island. Looking at the example of Joy Langley, the fake journalism on NextDoor could affect who sits on city council in the near future. Phrases like “I heard this thing on NPR” or “I read it on NextDoor” lead to the distribution of misinformation. Because Mercer Island’s older residents grew up in a generation where fake news wasn’t on every Facebook feed, they are less aware of how local and pernicious its effects can be. Parents opining on local issues, just as much as a student writing an English paper, need to be aware of inaccurate sources, especially in a public forum like NextDoor.
SPORTS
December 1, 2017
5
2017-2018 Mercer Island High School Winter Sports Preview
Kate Francke, a staff writer, looks into the upcoming sports season. As fall sports come to a close, students at Mercer Island High School are readying themselves for the upcoming winter season. Girls Basketball, Boys Basketball, Girls Gymnastics, Wrestling, and Boys Swimming are all kicking into gear with vigorous training schedules and determined mindsets. GIRLS BASKETBALL
Girls basketball, reigning state champs, have started training in the gym, and preparing to hang another banner. “My expectations for this season are that we will work hard and get better,” said Gillian D’Hondt, MI girls basketball head coach. “Last year all of our teams were successful. Our varsity team won the state championship for the first time in MI school history! When you accomplish something like that as a program, expectations rise. Every team will have it out for the defending state champs. So we will need to be ready to compete every night and take pride in the success we have had.” Support the girls at their first home game, Friday, Dec. 8 versus Liberty!
BOYS SWIVE
Likewise, Boys Swimming has started their season with pressure on their backs. Last year they placed 2nd at the KingCo Championship and 3rd at the State meet. “I think our placement was solid but myself, as well as the team, feel we can do much better this season,” said Evan Moline, Boys Swim and Dive head coach. “What that means in regards to our training, is that we will have our goals in mind from the beginning. I have high expectations and believe that the team has a very good chance at winning our 3A District and 3A State meet.” Come cheer the Boys Swive team on at their first home meet, Dec. 7 at Mary Wayte at 3:30 p.m. against Juanita High School!
Photo courtesy Mercer Island Reporter
Boys Swive on the podium after their third place finish at the state championship last year.
BOYS BASKETBALL
Another upcoming sport is Boys Basketball. The team is up and running with Gavin Cree, and captains Griffin Emanuels and Ethan Eason guiding them to victory. “We tied for the KingCo Championship last year with Bellevue, so our expectation is to be in a position to win KingCo again. Really, in general, we expect to just try to get better throughout the weeks of the season,” said Cree. Boys basketball has their first home game on Saturday, Dec. 2, against a team touring from Australia. Their first regular season home game is Dec. 8 versus Juanita. Come encourage the team!
WRESTLING
And finally, wrestling, the co-ed combat sport, involving grappling type techniques and assertiveness. “We’re hoping to win all of our dual matches this season to hopefully take a KingCo title back from Redmond High School, who won it last year.” Wrestling head coach, Lee Jahncke said. “We’re also hoping to increase our turnout in numbers and to get as many wrestlers into the postseason as we can.” The team had their first home match Nov. 29. Come cheer on the team at their next match, Dec. 7, at Redmond High School. Hundreds of students have been working to ready themselves for the season ahead, so show your L-O-Y-A-LT-Y and root for your fellow students!
Girls Basketball hoisting their trophy following their state champion-
Photo courtesy Mercer Island Girls Basketball
Spotlight on Gymnastics
Isabella Pangallo, a staff writer, gives a sneak-peek into the upcoming Girls Gymnastics season. The Mercer Island High School Girls Gymnastics (MIGGS) is ready for the 2017-2018 season. Gymnastics is a sport of balance, grace, and strength. There are countless forms of gymnastics, and MIGGS participates in numerous of those activities, including balance beam, floor, vault, and bars. Their season started on November 6 and will continue through January. The coaching staff consists of Head Coach Lenny Lewis, Assistant Coach Olivia Harvey, and Volunteer Coach Polly Prince. The team is led by senior captains Leah Wooton and Sophia Tiscornia. The girls are looking forward to a fun season where they will improve the skills they have as well as learn new skills. “I’ve only been to two practices,
and I already love Girls Gymnastics!” said Eden Voss. “This upcoming season I expect the team to do twice as well as last year’s team, as far as wins and improvement,” said Lenny Lewis, Girls Gymnastics head coach. “Last year we only won three meets. It was a really tough season.” MIHS Gymnastics is known to be one of the largest teams in the state. MIGGS usually consists of around 60 girls who are separated into Varsity and JV. They participate in different events and meets, and practice at different times. Catch MIGGS at their home meets at 7 p.m. on December 7, January 11, and January 25, and away meets on December 13 and January 4. MIGGS captains Sophia Tiscornia and Leah Wooton at a Gymnastics meet.
Photo courtesy Sophie Tiscornia
HOMELESSNESS in King County
“ The experience deepened “ my relationships. I had to ask for help from family, friends, strangers — that was hard for me. I did not like feeling helpless, which was often the case.
“
– Anonymous homeless woman
“ I experienced my housing
When people offer help out of a place of pity, it is dehumanizing. – Ezra, Mockingbird Society*
“
Housing is a human right. We have to dig up all the pipes and restructure the way society works in order to ensure everyone has the opportunity to be housed
– Anonymous homeless woman
HOW CAN YOU TRULY HELP?
One could offer intangibles like time and attention. And, it would help if more people would urge the city council to increase the supply of affordable housing, institute rent control, support a tenants union and create policies that support low income renters.
– Anonymous homeless woman
There are homeless in every King County zip code.
– Azia, Mockingbird Society
I want people to know that, in Seattle, there are regular memorial services for the dead, people who lived and died on the street.
– Azia, Mockingbird Society
“
instability in high school. I would have to walk 100 blocks to get to school. It would take me four hours to get to and from school every day.
91
...
PEOPLE DIED as a result of homelessness in King County during 2015.
87%
of homeless individuals in
Washington State are from
King County
2000+
17
of homeless individuals are under age
RACIAL DISPARITY homelessness disproportionately impacts people of color
3x 5x 7x
Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islanders: more likely than whites
African Americans: more likely than whites
Native American / Alaska Native:
*The Mockingbird Society is a statewide advocacy organization working to improve foster care and end youth homelessness in Washington.
more likely than whites Statistics from seattlegov.org
OPINIONS
8
Losing meaning to materialism
Our consumer culture distracts from what really matters during the holidays. Joy Francke
mihsislander.org
‘Unfounded Assumptions’
with humor editor Spencer Klein Make MIHS’s bathrooms great again
staff writer
For many MIHS students, winter is holiday season. Whether that means the two most commonly celebrated by students, Christmas and Hannukah, or less common ones, there are several traditions associated with each. Unfortunately, materialism often detracts from the holiday ideals of generosity and charity. A shared custom among the diverse array of holidays is receiving and giving gifts. For Christmas, many children wake eagerly on December 25 to unwrap presents waiting under a festively decorated tree. For Hannukah, children receive a present each night of the eight day celebration. Other holidays involve gift distribution, including Kwanzaa. Receiving gifts is just one traditional element of these holidays, but it has instead become a focal point for many. “When people say their favorite holiday is Christmas, it is often because of the presents,” says sophomore Polly Schaps. This aspect of the holidays is not necessarily negative; exchanging gifts is a fun and and simple way to show appreciation for family and friends. However, some kids develop an excessive fixation with the amount of gifts purchased for them. This obsession remains true for not only
young children, but high schoolers too. “Sometimes students focus more on presents rather than all of the other components of the holidays,” said Eden Voss. Furthermore, Mercer Island’s competitive, upper-middle-class culture places an immense amount of pressure on parents to buy their children the top item on a wish list, and corporate advertisers only add to the pressure by bombarding consumers with unrealistic scenes of families celebrating with mountains of presents. This unfortunate obsession over material items takes away from the spirit of giving and communi-
ty. Giving a gift to others, whether in the form of a material gift or time spent together, is abundantly more fulfilling than receiving an item that will be irrelevant in a month anyway. There is nothing wrong with feeling excited about getting a long-awaited present; but the problem comes when that excitement suppresses a will to give to
others. Mercer Island is a largely high-income, well developed, and relatively safe town. Though every household faces different circumstances, many Islanders are very privileged, and giving back to those less privileged is imperative, especially during the holiday season. Consumerism and materialism should never stifle the spirit of charity and community.
There are many cleaning products used to “freshen up” restrooms — Febreze, Lysol, and whatever they use in retirement homes to keep the smell of death at bay. Vape is not one of these products, yet I see it in MIHS’s restrooms more than I see people washing their hands. Bathrooms are meant to be a place of peace, yet I can neither do my business nor reset my chi when there’s some sophomore blowing vanilla exhaust on the nape of my neck. “I like vaping in the bathroom because you can inhale microscopic bits of airborne fecal matter and exhale heretical mist,” said the sophomore in question... probably. It is for this reason that I propose a new initiative: vape-free bathrooms. To kill this trend, we must examine its roots and why it is so popular. After all, whenever I walk into a bathroom and see four or five jocks huddled in the corner, French-kissing a fancy pen, praying that Kelly doesn’t walk in, I think, “Man those guys are cool!” And just to be clear: I’m not bashing vape. I think it’s really cool
Spreading gender pronoun awareness in the classroom Annie Poole staff writer
If teachers aim to foster an inclusive classroom for everyone, ignoring or assuming preferred personal pronouns renders them unable to attain an essential objective to the educational process. Gender non-binary students are often overlooked in the classroom. Assuming gender pronouns based on appearances can cause students to feel disrespected, dismissed, and alienated. “It’s so invalidating, it’s like who you are doesn’t matter. Every time someone uses the wrong name or the wrong pronoun, it’s like they are saying they don’t care how you identify,” said a co-president of the Queer Straight Alliance (QSA) club, Artemis Kim, who gets misgendered many times a week at school. When students feel ostracized in this way, the educational process is
disrupted and students can no longer feel comfortable participating and engaging during class. “It really takes you out of the classroom. There’s just that moment of complete distraction and it stays with you for the rest of the day or a lot of the times longer. It just makes it really hard to learn anything,” said Kim. This problem stems from the lack of education teachers and students receive regarding gender identity and gender pronouns. Confusion comes from misunderstandings of the differences between biological sex, gender identity, gender expression, and sexual identity. Biological sex is determined medically and anatomically at birth, whereas gender identity is based upon how individuals internally view themselves. Gender expression is how individuals want others to view them, through things such as clothing and manners. Although gender ex-
pression is often related to gender identity, it does not have to. Sexual identity is not limited based on gender identity, and refers to a person’s romantic and sexual interests, attractions to others, or the lack of attraction. Understanding the differences between these terms may be confusing at first, but is the most important step in understanding decisions regarding identity and to be respectful. During the freshman and sophomore health class, commonly known as Image, there is a brief lesson about sexual orientations and gender, but there still seem to be misconceptions surrounding this topic. Student apathy toward this issue must be fixed. They need to realize the damages it causes to their peers when they refuse to understand the people around them. Teachers also have an obligation to set examples for their students and emphasize an inclusive tone from
the beginning of the year. “I am constantly trying to make sure that my classroom is inclusive and I have to keep changing things,” said MIHS Drama and English teacher Daniela Melgar. This year for the first time, Melgar put out a “getto-know-you” survey on Schoology, and included a space for preferred personal pronouns. This made sure that students felt comfortable telling her their pronouns in private, or had the option to not put anything if they did not feel comfortable. They were not forced to come out with how they identify in front of the whole classroom, which can be daunting. This idea came after a breakout session run by the QSA for teachers, but is not commonly used enough in MIHS classrooms. “[The norm of educational sessions run by queer students] places the responsibility of educating all the teachers on us; that should
not be my job,” said Kim. Teachers should be held accountable for understanding how their students identify so as to uphold inclusive values for students to see. “Adults were all raised and educated by the dominant heteronormative narrative, so we are trained with those pronouns. We are trained to make assumptions based on what we see,” said Melgar. “We should constantly be unlearning and relearning.” Making mistakes is inevitable, however it is better to ask first, and not assume based on appearances. Teachers must also acknowledge when they make mistakes, and ask their students to hold them accountable. Personal pronouns may seem like a small preference, but they represent a much larger identity. Someone who is non-binary is forced to make many binary decisions every day. There are only male and female locker rooms, and
if you want to play dragon, just don’t do it in the school bathrooms. It’s hard to use a urinal when there’s a cloud of sin floating around your head — and no, I’m not talking about the cloud of academic dishonesty allegations I’m currently facing. If you too want to make a difference, I’ve put together a step-by-step guide on how to deal with those students who decide to make the 200hall bathroom even worse. 1. Ask to take a hit, or a drag. Make sure to use language that they understand. For example: “Hey squadfam, can I finna be taking a drag off that dabulous lit pen?” 2. If you use correct wording (throw in some accolades about Supreme products for a higher chance), they should hand you the pen. Make sure not to hold it in a way that could incriminate you. See picture for example. 3. Swallow the vape pen whole. Not only does this eliminate the mist-menace from our already beleaguered bathrooms, but it’s also a massive power move. 4. Return the vape pen about 24 hours later.
teachers often divide students based on their gender. Techniques that teachers use to make students switch up groups or partners for an assignment should no longer be gender-based, because not everyone identifies as male or female and may not want to be put in the position to choose. Cisgendered people need to also act as allies and offer their support to these students who are often marginalized. “The biggest thing they can do is be an advocate for other people,” said the other QSA co-president, Hannah Sidney. “You have to find those people who are willing to empathize and then teach those people who aren’t willing.” Further educational opportunities for teachers and students must be implemented to tackle confusion and misconceptions about gender identity; only then can Mercer Island High School can be an inclusive place for everyone.
OPINIONS
December 1, 2017
9
MI needs to talk about diversity (cont.) Anti-Semitism in the BDS movement Based off Mercer Island’s demographics, it is relatively unaffected by governmental decisions on a federal level. President Donald Trump’s recent budget cuts affect vital city government departments, such as the Department of Urban Housing and Development, Department of Education, and Department of Health and Human Services. These departments help fund Section 8 Housing, neighborhood development, and after-school programs, among others. In places like Mercer Island, where only around 3% of the population lives below the poverty line, these cuts hardly affect us. However, in Renton, where about 12% live below the poverty line, families — and the city as a whole — will suffer due to budget cuts. Mercer Island’s wealth allows residents to subsidize budget cuts when necessary. Between the Mercer Island Parent Teacher Association and the Mercer Island Schools Foundation, $2 million has been
raised for the school district. However, less affluent communities struggle to make up funding deficits, severely hurting students’ education. Recently, famed author and journalist Ta-Nehisi Coates visited Seattle to discuss his powerful writings on race and politics. Coates talked about the birth of American slavery and people’s view of African Americans. For generations, blacks were seen as inferior, second-class humans, not even citizens. Unfortunately, many African Americans still face the same bigotry today, shown by America’s criminal justice system. The imprisonment of blacks for drug charges is roughly six times the amount of whites. In addition, African Americans are imprisoned at five times the rate of whites overall and make up about 34% of America’s prison population despite being only about 13% of the country’s population. In a privileged area, it is easy to disregard these sta-
tistics as we are relatively unaffected, major crimes are rare. Mercer Island has seen no cases of police brutality or excessive force. In which case, it may be hard to understand that many minorities fear for their life when pulled over for a minor driving infraction; the color of somebody’s skin could be unjustifiable means for a police officer to “fear for their life” and shoot to kill a black man. In this predominantly white community, most residents do not deal with such discrimination on the basis of skin color. However, in times where the government seems to marginalize minorities in favor of the wealthier with fairer skin, affluent communities like Mercer Island must stand with those who do not have the same benefits. Whether it is helping to fund such communities, volunteering, or even empathizing and understanding others, it is important to check our privilege and then use it for good.
Criticizing Israeli policy is fine, but when does it cross the line? Bram Schenck staff writer
In recent years an activist movement known as BDS (Boycott, Divest and Sanction) has taken hold of college campuses, including that of the University of Washington. This movement has the goal of ruining Israel economically, under the belief that it is an apartheid state. Its rise has had harmful impacts on Jewish students and Jewish life on college campuses. The organization amplifies and perpetuates false historical claims, including the denial of Jewish heritage to Israel. BDS also falsely paints Israel as an apartheid state. The organization has received funding from Palestinian terror group Hamas and justifies terrorism against Israelis as “resistance.” The University of Washington is not immune to this new strain of anti-Semitism. Over 17 major anti-Semitic events
have taken place at the UW in the past five years. The BDS group at the UW is called SUPER-UW (Students United for Palestinians’ Equal Rights) This group hosted speaker Omar Barghouti, the cofounder of BDS, who in his speech at the UW denied any Jewish heritage to Israel and called for the destruction of the Jewish state. The denial of the Jewish right to self-determination is unquestionably anti-Semitism. One goal of the BDS movement and its allies on college campuses is to boycott and expel Jewish scholars and cultural groups. “There are teachers who offer extra credit if students attend the SUPER group meetings,” said Rabbi Dana Benson, the rabbi at the University of Washington Hillel. Rabbi Benson describes BDS “as being a divisive topic on college campuses, that oftentimes makes Jewish students feel uncom-
fortable in what should feel like their home sometimes away from home.” One could hope that at least BDS creates a dialogue between two sides. Unfortunately, this would conteract the movement’s goals. Its leaders promote the idea of anti-normalization, which “causes them to not engage or interact with, or acknowledge the existence of the state of Israel at all, and means that they won’t engage with students who are at all involved with Hillel. Essentially, they are cutting off the majority of the student voice on the campus,” according to Rabbi Benson. Taking into consideration the isolation of the Jewish state, boycott of Jewish scholars, rejection of dialogue, and harassment of Jewish students, the BDS movement’s individual members may not be anti-Semitic, but the organization they belong to certainly is.
A case for anonymous grading The injustices of today’s college application process Kate Francke staff writer
At Mercer Island High School, a school filled with ambitious and driven students, there is no room for bias in grading. Teachers are trusted to give meaningful and fair feedback, but there have been concerns that preferences for students or other ingrained natural biases influence their grading. Likewise, teachers who do grade fairly can can still be accused of biased scoring. The best way to deal with both of these issues is implementing an anonymous grading system — a win-win for teachers and students alike. In early November, MIHS students were informally surveyed and asked: “As a student, have you ever felt that you have received an unfair grade due to teacher bias?” The results revealed that a clear majority of students believe their grades have been affected by bias. There are several software programs designed to solve this issue of trust, including Blackboard Help and SpeedGrader. Alternatively, using student ID numbers instead of names would force teachers to grade with impartiality, but still allow them to contact the student when necessary. If a student is struggling in the class, and the teacher wants to reach out to them, the teacher could still look up the student’s name. A vast majority of law schools and universities already rely on anonymous grading systems to offset the threat of teachers allowing their feelings about a student to influence the grades they award. Qualities as diverse as
race, gender, religion, and sexual orientation can sway a teacher when assigning grades. According to the North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture, “Bias in essay grading may come in the form of a ‘conscious decision to boost the grades of students to whom instructors are favorably disposed, whether because of past academic performance, effort, or personality.’” For students whose past performances are below par, bias may deny those students the benefit of the doubt. “When there is a case of biased grading, that bias is always to pull a kid’s grade up. And if that does occur, it’s usually with a student where the teacher is very aware of an extraordinary circumstance, or something that student’s really been struggling with,” said Danielle King, an Honors English 9 and Film as Literature teacher. An anonymous grading system would ensure that teachers are trusted and respected for the grades they give, not accused of prejudice, as well as prevent teachers that do have a history of biased grading in check. Not only would students benefit from this improved grading system, but the teachers would also be protected from accusations of bias and have more credibility. If a student is anonymous, teacher endorsements and recommendations are more credible and valuable, because the given grades are accurate. If a teacher wanted to give a personal approval, they could still access the student’s name, and support them for their character or social skills.
Henry LeMaster staff writer
In 2011, Sam Eshaghoff’s life came to a crashing halt. His parents received a call from the police that there was a warrant out for his arrest. What could the vice president of the business club, top student at his high school and a varsity athlete possibly could have done? Eshaghoff was taking tests for other high school students under their names and consistently scoring in the 97th percentile. Eshaghoff was paid up to $2,500 per test and took the SAT 16 times for other students. This case is a perfect example of the lengths applicants and their parents are willing to go to for a high test score. Eshaghoff’s story illustrates that we are living in the era of a “pay to play” system in which those with money can afford counselors, tutors, and in extreme cases, people like Eshaghoff. The college application process is extremely flawed. High School seniors across the country are grinding away at essays and taking steps to make their college applications the best they can possibly be. Will all their hard work really pay off though? Elite universities across the country pore over thousands of applicants to determine who they accept to their school. A college application put into simplest terms is made up of three parts: information you put into the Common App (grades, letters of recommendation, essays), tests scores and extracurricular activities. Colleges say that high test scores and GPAs as well as being
Photo by Grady Short
The Common Application: an essential step in the admissions process and a tightly held corporate monopoly.
“a well-rounded student” give someone the highest chance of getting into a school. What this system ends up creating is applicants who participate in activities for the sole purpose of getting into college. Some choose to join clubs or spend their summer vacation in a developing country just so they have a good essay topic to write about. On top of this, there is a monopoly on the college application process. Major companies such as the Common Application, Coalition Application, College Board, and The ACT run the system. These companies dictate prices, force students to apply through their companies and there is almost no alternative to what they have to offer. It is hard for stu-
dents to show who they really are when everyone is judged by a number they get on a test and a couple 250-word essays that these companies control. Another problem when applying to college is the time at which it happens. The application process happens at the beginning of one’s senior year which is already a very busy time for students. Add on the grind of applying to college and you have a whirlwind of stress and anxiety your senior year. It’s ironic that schools expect students to apply during a time when they are supposed to keep their GPAs up. Applying to college is already stressful enough. It doesn’t need to be made harder by corporations controlling the process.
A&E
10
mihsislander.org
Students use everyday style to make a political statement Annie Poole staff writer
Fashion is inherently political, but the fashion world, now more than ever, has placed an emphasis on using clothing to make bold statements about pertinent issues. The fashion industry is stereotypically associated with women, and politics is stereotypically associated with men. The ingrained sexist roots and these stereotypes cause a mental block. People struggle to comprehend these two seemingly opposite industries merging. “Fashion is another version of art and not only on a sexist level but on a societal level we just don’t give a lot of value to art. I think that fashion is predominately female dominated and so there is an instinct to just sort of push it aside,” said a co-president of the
Gender Equality Club, Brinkley Holshouser. Holshouser is often seen wearing her equality t-shirt. Fashion reflects the times. In every era, historical, political, and cultural events determine silhouettes, fabric, and how people present themselves. “A lot of influence [in current fashion] comes from the drag scene and outcasts,” said Holshouser. The recent trend of androgynous fashion stems from drag culture and the blurring of gender stereotypes that has been given a wider platform by Rupaul Charles, America’s most famous drag queen. His movement has always preached self-love, but recently has focused its purpose on politics after President Trump became the leader of the United States. The most obvious political influence in fashion to-
day is the recent presidential election and President Trump’s administration. These events have sparked a new cultural revolution. After Hillary Clinton became the first female nominee of a major U.S. political party, double standards in American politics became ever more pronounced. “There is always an emphasis on what the women are wearing and what they are trying to portray,” said Holshouser, commenting on the unhelpful critiques a woman constantly endures. Clinton’s style choices and what pantsuit she chose to wear dominated the news coverage, but her words took a backseat to her appearance. The press jumped on Hillary for anything, while often joking about the length of Trump’s tie as he continued to say demeaning and distorting words. After the election, there
was an increase in political slogans on items of clothing and fashion designers making political statements in their collections. Many designers displayed their political views in runway shows post-election. At the Spring 2017 Fashion Show, Dior debuted a “We Are All Feminists” t-shirt. The movement has continued through their latest show, with the design of a t-shirt that said, “Why have there been no great women artists?” Dior continues to challenge sexist stereotypes through their design elements. Missoni’s March 2017 fashion show incorporated pink “pussy” hats for everyone to wear while watching the show, and the models wore the hats for the finale. These hats, made popular by the Women’s March, represent the rights of all women and minorities, and have be-
come a powerful feminist symbol. Popular items around school include slogan tees with words like “Girl Revolution” and “Resist” embroidered on the t-shirts, and apparel that supports organizations such as the ACLU and Planned Parenthood. Many students wear pins and rainbow ribbons to show solidarity with marginalized groups. “There are a lot of groups that don’t have a voice, like the gay community and people of color. I know that as a white woman I don’t have the right to speak for those groups, but placing myself in a place that shows I support them, is really helpful in terms of visibility.” said Holshouser. Political fashion promotes self-expression and easily enables students to become involved in politics. “It makes me feel em-
powered and allows me to be involved with political figures that I support,” said sophomore Ava Wampold, who often wears a Joe Biden t-shirt. Holshouser, who was wearing a shirt advocating for equality, echoed Wampold. “The t-shirt that I’m wearing now makes me feel comfortable in who I am and it makes me feel stronger walking through the halls of the high school.” There are also larger fashion solidarity movements such as wearing red for International Women’s day to represent revolutionary love and sacrifice that women celebrate. Political fashion’s existence has always shaped popular culture. It is not going away anytime soon. As the famous feminist theorist Gloria Steinem says, “the personal is political.”
Live Music Lab: An interview with the MIHS Jazz Choir
The Jazz Choir is the second guest on the new segment called the Live Music Lab, a segment featuring student musicians in conjunction with KMIH the Bridge. Find the Jazz Choir’s performance on our website: mihsislander.org HOW DID YOU ALL START SINGING?
AVA KNIGHT: I heard Mariah Carey on American idol and I thought, “Ooh dang!” My mom said she was classically trained, so I started classical training. And 5 years later I’m here. HARI CHITTURI: [My mom] introduced me to the world of musical film. One of my favorite movies became “Singing in the Rain” because of that, and I just wanted to start singing because Gene Kelly is one of my heroes. FLETCHER DOREN: I grew up in this environment where music was something that was so highly respected, and almost treated as a way of life and a philosophy. I grew up with massive respect for all the classics – Michael Jackson, James Brown, people like that. I want to carry on
WHY DO YOU LIKE SINGING JAZZ AS OPPOSED TO OTHER STYLES?
MELISSA HAIST: I joined choir when I was in 5th grade. When I moved here there were a lot more opportunities available for me. I had already been into singing for a long time. I saw choir was available, and I thought, why not join it?
MELISSA HAIST: I like singing jazz because it’s different from other styles of music. It has a lot of syncopated rhythm.
HANNAH SIDNEY: Evie recommended that I try out for jazz choir, and I knew they wanted more people. I thought it was cool because it was another place to share my voice.
EVIE CLARKE: I like singing jazz because you can’t be wrong. You can sing a really bad note, it’s still right. You get the rhythm horribly off, but it’s still right.
FLETCHER DOREN: I remember in 5th grade [Mr. Cox] showed up and did “Higher Ground” by Stevie Wonder.
HARI CHITTURI: I like jazz because unlike a lot of other styles of music, each jazz piece has it’s own personality.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PART OF JAZZ CHOIR?
HOW DID YOU GET INVOLVED WITH JAZZ CHOIR?
NATALIA VALVANO: It’s a family here. And the music is always fun to work together on.
AVA KNIGHT: I just moved here 3 months ago and I was in the choir back in Texas. So I came here and the counselor thought I should join jazz choir. Then I auditioned and I got in.
TOM COX (Choir Director): This is a fairly exceptional group this year – in a lot of ways. Not just from a music standpoint. Everyone really likes and respects each other.
the message and the way of life that these people came up with. Singing is my way to do that.
A&E
December 1, 2017
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The Laser Dome: the best $10 experience of the year Ben Capuano staff writer
The fact that we have a Laser Dome in our immediate vicinity is something that is unfortunately rather underlooked by most at our school. I didn’t even know we had one until I took on this review, but apparently many people at MIHS do. What they don’t know about are the variety of shows hosted at the oneof-a-kind venue. Along with a smattering of limited time events that usually run for just a single night, the Pacific Science Center has something for everybody at the Laser Dome. From Lady Gaga and Gorillaz on Thursdays to Soundgarden and Michael Jackson, chances are you’ll find a show that appeals to anyone’s musical tastes.
But even though each show is set to songs from a specific artist, it’s a laser show first. I went to the 9:15 Gorillaz show on Thursday with a group of friends and even though they played most of the classic songs you need for a Gorillaz production, many of the more obscure tracks and remixes they played seemed to be more for the more effects than anything else. And on the topic of getting there, that can be a bit of a pain. Parking around the Seattle Center can always be a bit of a hassle, but on the weekend nights when most of these shows happen, parking goes from bad to worse. The garage under the KOMO Plaza is usually a safe bet for spots if you find yourself with a lack of parking. Also,
if you arrive early to get tickets before the show, be sure to dress warm. Nights during this time of the year are almost alway cold and occasionally rainy too, so it’ll probably be to your advantage to buy tickets online beforehand. Ticket pricing is an absolute steal: $12 for most nights, and on Thursdays $10. And with Seattle Center’s free TeenTix program, you can get in for $5 at the door every time, but unfortunately that $5 price is only available at the door, so you’ll have to get there early if you want to take advantage of the discount. The Laser Dome itself is nice, but not anything special. The space provides chairs available to sit in, but from what I’ve heard, the ideal way to
experience the show is lying down on the ground in the center. Even though there’s a carpet, the ground is still rock hard, so most people bring a pillow and some blankets to cozy up in for the show. I just used my coat as a headrest and I was fine, but the blanket route is definitely the way to go. If you like heavy bass, the sound system of the Laser Dome is for you. Even at the Gorillaz show, it was boosted enough to cause the ground to vibrate under me, and it only gets more intense at the midnight Daft Punk and EDM shows, so I’d recommend those if that’s your thing. While the overall audio quality isn’t anything to write home about, it gets the job done well enough. For those that aren’t au-
diophiles, the slight quality discrepancies will only be marginal to your overall experience. When it comes the lasers themselves though, they are among the best available for this type of production. Compared to Laser Domes around the country, the one at the Science Center is among the oldest, but they’ve been continually updating the technology since its construction, now it’s at the forefront of Laser Dome systems worldwide. The Dome is massive, 80 feet in diameter, though not perfectly spherical. To those who haven’t seen a laser show, you’re in for one of the most strangely incredible experiences of your life. The 9 lasers the immensely talented artists control can
produce a dizzying array of different colors in the slight haze of the dome. Because it’s concave, these projections seems to jump out at the audience, similar to a 3D movie, but in a whole other level. And the artist isn’t just controlling things from some unseen room behind the Dome, there’s a nice back and forth dynamic between the audience and the artist throughout the show. In fact, because of the smaller size of the venue, the whole experience seems a lot more closer than any concert I’ve ever been to. The Laser Dome at the Pacific Science Center was one of the best $10 experiences I’ve had all year. Don’t wait, go with your friend or your date as soon as you can. Trust me, you won’t regret it.
Photo courtesy Pacific Science Center
An example of a show at the Laser Dome at the Pacific Science Center.
“The Nutcracker” at Island Youth Ballet: a holiday tradition Liliana Szafir staff writer
This holiday season MIHS students will be dancing in “The Nutcracker” with the Island Youth Ballet (IYB) in their 16th annual performance at the Stroum Jewish Community Center. “The Nutcracker,” composed by Tchaikovsky, follows the story of a young girl named Clara on Christmas Eve. After Clara receives the gift of a nutcracker, she falls asleep and dreams of dancing snowflakes, magical sweets, elegant flowers, and other enchanting scenes. Many consider “The Nutcracker” a holiday tradition. “It is never a complete holiday season without having danced in ‘The Nutcracker’,” said Monica Wilson. In Wilson’s tenth performance in “The Nutcracker” she will perform the roles of Dewdrop and the Arabian Princess. Many dancers are performing roles they have
dreamed of performing since their early years at IYB. “I always wanted to be in ‘Flowers’ when I was younger and now I am,” said Elsa Lancot, who has been dancing at the studio for 9 years. The admiration younger dancers have for their older peers is a quality that Susan Valencia, Artistic Director at IYB, has noticed throughout her years of producing the classic. “Small dancers imitate every dance and role as they watch the older girls practice, and they dream it will be theirs one day,” said Valencia. In preparation, dancers begin rehearsing in early October. Older dancers, who take on more serious roles, typically rehearse seven days a week for 3 to 5 hours each day. There are also dress rehearsals the week leading up to shows known as tech week. “It pretty much feels like a show, although we do stop sometimes for corrections and notes,” said Lancot.
All of the hard work and dedication finally pays off when the shows begin. “I love performing on stage. There is an adrenaline rush, and also being able
to dance with so many wonderful girls makes it so fun,” said Tiana Luu who will be performing as the Snow Queen, and has danced with IYB for 8
years. Along with Lancot, Luu, and Wilson, other MIHS students that will be performing are Sarah Crumrine, Louise Morton, and Katherine Gregory.
Dancers from the Island Youth Ballet during the 2016 performance of “The Nutcracker”.
Tickets cost $33 for General Admission, $42 for VIP Premium seating. Students with ASB cards can purchase tickets at the door for $15.
Photo courtesy Catherine Seely
MI needs to talk about race and equity.
“It is hard to have confidence in an environment like this and to be a minority is really diffucult.” – Kelly John-Lewis
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do ns
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Biracial
3%
Hispanic
2%
African American Other
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– Channing Martin, Junior
– Nia Tate, Junior
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based clubs,” said junior Nia Tate. “But other than that, I personally feel as if people are forced into being inclusive with minorities, making it seem like it is a job.” “For example, my freshman year in Bridges, the theme was ‘diversity’ where we watched BuzzFeed videos that ridiculed the black culture.” said Martin. “Which in my eyes, being black, I felt completely uncomfortable.” It is critical not to bash or accuse, but rather to raise awareness and start discussions on the lack of support for school minorities. A tendency exists to shy away from difficult topics — like race and diversity. “The diversity in the Mercer Island community is an issue, and when the principals and/ or admins try to promote or show off our diversity, it ends up becoming a joke with the students,” said Tate. “So instead of telling everyone our community is diverse, we should work with what we have and possibly have events to help others from different races talk to one another and learn more about each other’s cultures.”
“When I first started going to school here, no one – not even a teacher or staff member – had the same complexion as me.”
“I personally feel as if people are forced into being inclusive with minorities, making it seem like it is a job.”
9100 SE 42ND STREET MERCER ISLAND, WA 98040 MIHSISLANDER@GMAIL.COM WWW.MIHSISLANDER.ORG
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(continued from front) Because of Mercer Island’s culture, students feel pressured not to embrace who they are. The problem of equity also arises in the topic of support toward minorities. “The only way to show equality is to show equity,” said JohnLewis. “In my opinion, I have not seen that in 19 years on Mercer Island.” Commonly, equality is thought of as the answer to injustice. However, sometimes in order to obtain equality, simply treating someone or something the same way as others will not make it equal. Equality is the state of being equal in status or rights, whereas equity is the quality of being fair and impartial. In addition, while the clubs and programs that exist at MIHS to support people of color are not being denied nor accused, their intended result is not always realized at the end of the day. “Mercer Island attempts to be inclusive to the minorities in the community by having all these great diversity-
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