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MERCER IS SCHOOL DIST 400
October 20, 2017
mihsislander.org
Finley, the therapy puppy Meet MIHS’s new emotional resource dog Features > 3
Volume VII, Edition 2
MI vs Bellevue
Baby Designer Fashion
A hotly contested sports rivalry spanning generations Spread > 6/7
MIHS Senior Grayce Millard starts off her fashion career with style A&E > 10
Live Music Lab: Sophie Feldman Joy Francke staff writer
Photo by Sophie Poole
Mohamad Imran poses in front of the Main Entrance at Mercer Island High School.
Mohamad Imran’s journey to MI Hannah Whobrey staff writer
Like many students on Mercer Island, 16-year-old Mohamad Imran is new to the city. However, unlike most Mercer Island students, Imran came to America last year as a refugee, hoping to escape the brutal ethnic genocide against Rohingya Muslims in his home country, Myanmar. Situated in Southeast Asia, Myanmar’s people are in the midst of a crisis. Previously known as Burma, Myanmar gained independence from colonial
England in 1948, and was briefly democratic, until a military coup in 1962 installed a dictatorship. Despite electing a new leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, in 2010, the military still holds most of the power in Myanmar. Conflict in the country flares often due to Myanmar’s diverse population. There are many minority groups living in Myanmar, and sadly persecution is common. Today, Rohingya Muslims are widely hated throughout the country, as many Burmese people are convinced that Rohingya
Muslims are illegal immigrants from Bangladesh. “The Burmese government don’t give any documents. They say that these people are not Myanmar people, these people are Bengali,� Imran, who is a Rohingya Muslim, explained. “I was born in Burma; my grandparents were born in Burma. All Rohingyas were born in Burma, originating for a hundred, hundred centuries.� Unfortunately, in 2012, the Burmese military began targeting Rohingya communities such as Imran’s.
“All the students went to school, and the Burmese military came in, and they used bombs on anything. During prayer time, all the men went to mass, and someone used a bomb. Everyone was killed there,� Imran remembered. “In June, ten religious teachers were killed by the Burmese military.� “It was a very bad situation in Burma, so many children moved to another country, because here, school was no good.� Imran escaped to Thailand, where he lived in the jungle for many months. (continued on page 2)
Sophie Feldman is the first guest on the MIHS Islander’s new segment, called the Live Music Lab, featuring student musicians. Live Music Lab will present several new artists from Mercer Island throughout the year in conjunction with KMIH the Bridge. Feldman, a senior this year, recently released her debut EP, “Distance,� and is known amongst her peers for her impressive YouTube channel, which features music videos, original songs, and covers, in addition to her multiple performances
of the national anthem at school assemblies and sporting events. Feldman grew up busking in parks, performing at school events, appearing at artist showcases, and playing at various gigs for restaurants and auctions. Her passion for music began when she started playing guitar at age six, quickly followed by piano and ukelele. “My parents said that I was really responsive to music. I guess I have been singing since I could talk,� said Feldman. Feldman draws from a diverse group of mediums, including music and literature. (continued on page 10)
Sophie Feldman performs for a video in the Live Music Lab.
Photo by Grady Short
The interview of a lifetime and its aftermath: a reflection by Teddy Fischer Teddy Fischer cartoonist
Last summer was the first time I had ever worn the same clothes for more than three days straight. I spent what seemed like an eternity camped out in my living room with last year’s Editorin-Chief Jane Gormley responding to emails that never seemed to stop. I appeared on CNN, NPR, and in the Washington Post —and all of this happened because of a prank text. Towards the end of the school year I had the opportunity to interview the current Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis. Mattis’s private phone number had been leaked to
the public accidentally by the Washington Post, who used a picture of a Trump staffer in an article that happened to expose the number on a piece of paper the staffer had been handling. The Post wrote a follow up article about the number’s exposure after they confirmed that the number belonged to Mattis. Though the Post tried to erase the existence of the picture on the internet, nothing ever truly dies, not online. I found the number after someone attached a link in the comment section to an article on a smaller website that borrowed the same picture from the Post, and had not been removed. Long story short I asked
for an interview, he called back, and here we are. I formulated questions based on foreign policy, and wrote an article on education and terrorism, while Jane made nearly all of the questions that dealt with human interest, formulating a reflection article, and transcribing the interview. What came of that interview was not only many lessons that Jane and I will take with us for the rest of our lives, but three distinct, online articles, including a 6,000 word transcript of the interview that brought The MIHS Islander international attention. I never thought that the story would gain as much traction as it did, especially
because it was slow to take off. After I was approached by King 5 and a pre-taped interview was shown on air weeks after our articles had already been published online, the story was picked up by Vox. From there, almost every major publication published an article about our interview. Immediately Jane and I were met with requests for interviews. These requests came from radio talk shows, online journalists who wanted us to contribute to an article, broadcast news, and local TV stations. We spent most of our days checking mail and calling on to talk shows and calling journalists, occasionally
venturing into Seattle for studio interviews. We received emails from Buzzfeed, NPR, BBC, the Seattle Times, the Huffington Post, and Bloomberg, to name a few. Our first interview on live television was with Q13Fox. The nervousness I felt in anticipation of the broadcast was over whelming. I was well prepared because of the volume of interviews I had already done. Most reporters asked similar questions: how did you get the Secretary’s number, why did you ask for an interview, how did you make your questions, what did you learn from the experience, what’s next? (See more of Fischer’s article on page 12. The full article can be found at mihsislander.org.)
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Mohammad Imran’s journey to MI (cont.)
Photo by Sophie Poole Imran joined MIHS in late 2016 as a freshman, and has transitioned well into becoming part of the community.
“There were so many animals, eating people. So many people died in the rivers,” Imran said. From Thailand, Imran fled to Malaysia, where he was imprisoned. “In Malaysia, the police checked my passport. I had no passport, so the Malaysian police imprisoned me for one year,” Imran said. Myanmar abolished citizenship for all Rohingya Muslims in 1982, so Imran is not eligible for a Burmese passport. “We had no shower, no water for a shower. The guard would give me food once a day: one small fish and a little bit of rice,” Imran described. “There were other kids - some were older than me, some were young-
er than me, some were the same age. And so many Rohingya people.” In prison, Imran learned to speak a variety of languages. “I speak five languages fluently: Bengali, Hindi, Rohingya, and Indonesian,” Imran recalled. “I spoke no English before. I learned it all in the US.” Eventually, Imran found a way out of prison through the United Nations. “He, at 15, sought refugee status in Malaysia,” Christine Kenyon, Imran’s foster mom, said. “He had to work really hard. [It was] probably a good nine months before he was granted approval to resettle.” Imran came to America as a refugee in late 2016,
joining Mercer Island High School as a freshman. “The US government gave me a green card. I felt very, very happy,” Imran said. Ten months later, Imran has settled down happily on Mercer Island. “School is very good. I like school, I like Mercer Island students, I like everything!” Imran said. “My hobby is playing soccer. I like track. I like reading, I like to read the Harry Potter books!” “He was so excited to come back from summer,” said Aaron Tomaselli, a close friend of Imran’s. “Yeah, school is my favorite,” Imran added. Thankfully, Imran has managed to stay in touch with his mom, dad, and
three siblings, who recently moved to Bangladesh to escape the increasingly horrific conditions in Myanmar. “I call twice a week,” Imran said. “I’d like to see them after college.” However, Imran has also connected with his American family. “I love my foster mom and brother very much,” he said. The feeling is mutual. “He is absolutely friendly, kind, [and] generous,” Kenyon said. “He has a really strong character. He’s optimistic. And he also has a ton of resilience. He’s an incredibly resilient kid, and has to be resilient all the time. Even now, even though he’s safe now. He worries for his family.”
Over the summer, violence in Myanmar surged dramatically, causing over half a million people to flee Myanmar for Bangladesh since late August. “The situation seems a textbook example of ethnic cleansing,” said Zeid Ra’ad al-Hussein, the United Nations’ high commissioner for human rights, as reported by The New York Times. Ethnic cleansing refers to the mass expulsion or murder of unwanted ethnic or religious groups in a society. Some reports have directly attributed the murder of Rohingya people to Myanmar’s leader, Aung San Suu Kyi. “Her policies are killing Rohingya people,” Imran said. In spite of Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi’s global reputation as an inspirational champion for the people, the leader has denied that there is a problem. “She’s lying,” Imran asserted. Many would agree with him. Across the globe, people are calling on Aung San Suu Kyi to take action, including fellow Nobel Laureate Malala Yousafzai, and singer-activist Bob Geldof. The cities of Oxford and Glasgow have retracted honors previously awarded to Aung San Suu Kyi until she provides protection her people and fulfills her responsibility to Rohingya Muslims as their nation’s leader.
Imran believes deeply in the importance of tolerance and acceptance for all. On Sunday, September 24, he attended a protest in Portland, Oregon, organized by Oregon United for Rohingya, which called for an end to the genocide. “[I support] no genocide: Hindu, Christian, Muslim, any religion. No genocide in all the world,” Imran said. “Maybe the US government can talk to the police about not killing Rohingya people. I’d like to help the many refugees in Burma. Rohingya people move to Bangladesh, and have no food or money. I’d like to help get money to give.” “Please support the Rohingya people,” Imran emphasized. Students interested in getting involved are encouraged to contact the following organizations: the United Nations, Peace Insight, Refugees Northwest, Oregon United for Rohingya, BMSA Network, and Seattle Burma Roundtable. “Forced to Flee” by Erika Berg, a local author, also details options for action. Students are also welcome to participate in a write-in, organized by the Journalism class. The write-in is on October 26. Participants will be reaching out to senators, the US Secretary of State, and the US ambassador to Myanmar, asking them to help stop the ethnic cleansing.
‘Greenlake Walker’ causes local controversy Izzi Mancuso and Isabella Pangallo staff writer
A man who the public dubbed “The Greenlake Walker” recently gained attention when Mercer Islanders and other local residents discovered his website, a blog with provocative pictures of children, specifically girls. Island residents angered by the surreptitious posting of these photos to the Internet have voiced their concerns with the Mercer Island Police Department (MIPD) and have raised concerns within the community. According to MIPD Officer Ryan Parr, the department receives anywhere from 5-20 complaint calls a day about the blog. Most are from parents who want their child’s picture taken off
the blog. Others seek information on how to prevent non-consensual pictures being taken and posted. The Greenlake Walker has not technically broken any laws, and cannot be charged with any crimes. However, because of the commotion surrounding his website, the police are in contact with him and his website is being monitored. “It makes me feel kind of violated that he’s been on Mercer Island taking [these] pictures. I don’t think you should be allowed to take pictures of people, [especially] teenagers,” an anonymous sophomore girl said. According to Officer Parr, the only way for a photo to be removed from the website is to contact The Greenlake Walker and request it be taken down. His email and other contact information is
on the blog, but MIPD recommend that citizens use an alternate email account to contact him. He may not comply, but has previously agreed to consider taking down a few posts when asked by concerned parents. According to MIPD, if he denies a request, one can take legal action or file a class action suit. The pictures that sparked the most controversy were from this year’s Summer Celebration Parade, an event that takes place in July, and from the recent Homecoming Parade. Members of Mercer Island High School’s cheerleading and drill teams were featured on both posts, as well as other girls and boys both in the parade and attending the event. Parr verified that the MIPD is working with the Seattle Police Depart-
ment, the Mercer Island School District school, and other Mercer Island organizations to ensure the maximum safety of local citizens, especially youth. To avoid being featured on any website, MIPD suggests one should not take pictures for, or with, an unknown subject. If someone is concerned with their privacy, they
should contact MIPD. “[We have] asked him for voluntary compliance, and in some cases, he has willingly taken down some photographs, either that he thought might be controversial, or hurtful, or that parents have specifically requested they be removed. And he’s been willing to consider [some of] those photographs being taken
Cartoonist:Teddy Fischer
down,” Parr said. The Greenlake Walker’s blog has served to raise awareness on Mercer Island and in other local communities about the risk to privacy many citizens face in a world increasingly dominated by Internet. Staying informed of the dangers of social media serves to prevent similar breaches of privacy from occurring in the future.
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October 20, 2017
Financial inequality and the academic achievement gap High schoolers buy into a “pay-to-win” philosophy Isabel Funk features editor
Mercer Island students represent a typical group of high-schoolers in an affluent suburb: hardworking, ambitious, and goal-oriented. Due to the overwhelming factor of wealth in the Mercer Island School District, students benefit from extra services in order to bolster their academic abilities, high-school transcript, and college applications. The financial inequality within communities, especially on Mercer Island, often leads to a widening of the academic achievement gap. One of the numerous options available to Mercer Island students is Privett Academy. This private school near Mercer Island High School offers individual courses to high schoolers who want a smaller class size and individualized teaching. Classes at Privett Academy have a max-
imum of ten students, meaning that teachers can spend more time with each student. The personalized pace and smaller course load makes this an appealing option to students who struggle with the rigor and acceleration of Honors or AP level classes. Additionally, some students will turn to Privett when they cannot fit a class into their 7-period schedule at the high school. “I think Privett is easier than taking a course at the high school,” said Parker Kittilsby, a student at Privett Academy for his Pre-Calculus class. “But I don’t think it’s because they dumb down their teaching to the students. It is easier because, for the most part, you get to learn how you want to learn and go at the pace you want to go at.” However, taking classes at Privett comes with a hefty price tag, meaning not every Mercer Island student can take advan-
tage of the academy’s resources. The cost of a class at Privett with three or more students is $40/ hour. A class with two students costs $45/hour, and an individual class costs $56/hour. Not including the $40/month transportation fee provided for students coming from MIHS’ campus, a student taking a yearlong course will spend a minimum of $6,400 for one class. This cost means that Privett, while extremely beneficial for students with adequate financial resources, creates a barrier for some students’ access. This automatically puts a certain portion of students at a disadvantage who are unable to pay for specialized attention. Another option to support a student’s academic pursuits is private college counseling for expertise about the college application process. “[My counselor] has less students than the
school counselors, so he can really get to know his clients and give them very personalized assistance,” said Rani Woerner, a junior in the midst of preparing for college. “My counselor has given me advice on taking the ACT and SAT, found summer programs I was interested in, edited essays for summer program applications, and advised me on classes I should take and volunteering I should be doing,” Woerner said. A private college counselor can meet with students more frequently and give more specialized advice, giving the student more freedom. However, MIHS counselor Susan Sutherin has a different perspective. “I think if the student could embrace the entire college counseling program here, and if they had routine meetings with their high school counselor as well as take advantage of the counselor of the day to get their questions
answered, they wouldn’t need a college counselor,” said Sutherin. Many students also attend classes to prepare for their Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT), or their American College Test (ACT). At these classes, students learn studying skills for standardized tests, helpful hints and tips to be successful test-takers, and specific topics to focus on. “Considering that my score raised a couple hundred points since my first practice test, I think I am much better off after taking the class,” Charlie Fischer, a junior at MIHS said. Standardized tests supposedly create an equal playing field for high school aged kids across the country, but many of these expensive tutoring classes insure that students have a leg-up in the competitive world of test scores. Many Mercer Island students utilize tutoring services to help them with specific classes.
I think students hire private tutors in a subject because Mercer Island High School students tend to be very busy. We do have a free tutoring program after school but it’s right after school which usually conflicts with students’ schedules,” Sutherin said. In a regular class, teachers generally have 30 or more students to supervise. For further explanation and deeper understanding, many students will reach out to tutors for help in specific classes. The various forms in which families on Mercer Island invest in their childrens’ futures place many students at a clear advantage. Paying extra for tutors, college counselors, private courses, and testprep corresponds to higher grades, test scores, and stronger applications; practice widens the educational achievement gap and directly points to the entrenched culture of privilege on Mercer Island.
New therapy puppy at MIHS Crest: beyond the stereotypes Common misconceptions about the program
Sami Bender and Landon Cobbs staff writers
Every year the Mercer Island School District makes improvements to the school community, whether it be better lunch or new scholastic programs. This year, Mercer Island High School welcomed a therapy dog named Finley, a golden retriever, residing in room 311. Finley has been a moral support for many students at MIHS. His owner, Andrea Confalone, teaches Resource and adopted Finley this past summer. While the school day can be rough and stressful, Finley spreads a positive atmosphere throughout the school. The stress-reducing distraction is the main reason for having Finley. Maren Moll, a sophomore who shares a class with Finley, said “when [she] feels stressed about an essay, he always calms [her] down and reassures [her] that [she] can do it.” Thorough research has proven there is a 60 percent decrease in self-reported loneliness and anxiety when students used therapy dogs. Dogs have been found to increase levels of oxytocin, a hormone that reduces anxiety and blood pressure. People become less frightened
Joy Francke and Kate Francke staff writers
Photo by Spencer Klein Finley is available during passing periods and first lunch on regular days.
and more secure when they pet dogs. Because of the excessive demands on counseling departments in recent years, counselors have experimented with many different ways to alleviate stress within a school community. Dog therapy programs are a new and developing strategy to reduce student anxiety throughout the school day. Workload and overall stress has greatly increased in the 21st century due to more coursework and competition to succeed. Anxiety and loneliness on campuses has risen within the past decades, putting more demand on counseling departments to come up with new solutions. Explaining why she pur-
chased Finley, Confalone said, “I wanted to get another golden retriever with the intent of training [him] for therapy. From the moment I got him, I wanted to train [Finley] as a therapy dog. I’ve seen lots of kids have positive interactions because of Finley.” Confalone believes she has addressed concerns about allergic reactions. “I’ve promised [the school district] he would not be out and about in the hallways, which he is not. Finley is crated when not working.” Finley is currently going through dog therapy certification process, but because of his young age, he will not be certified until he passes several more levels of obedience training.
Crest Learning Center aims to offer a project based approach to learning in an accepting and diverse environment. However, since its opening in 1971, many students have become either unfamiliar with the program, or misjudge it as an option for Mercer Island students who struggle with academics or substance abuse. The alternative school offers several classes that are not offered in the main building, including ones in horticulture and creative writing. The program has also developed a learning facility that provides smaller class sizes, allowing teachers to focus on individual needs of students. Unfortunately, many students at MIHS are unaware of Crest in its entirety. “People think that Crest is where the dumb kids go,” said one student currently attending a block class at Crest. Instead of studying out of textbooks and listening to lectures, Crest is known for its kinesthetic
lessons with an emphasis on creativity and self expression. “Not the smartest, not the brightest people, but I haven’t met anyone that actually takes classes there so I’m not one to judge,” Niteeka Narayan, a freshman, said in response to Crest student rumors. The lack of discussion about Crest on Mercer Island could be attributed to the stereotypes many individuals feel are preconceived notions. “[Some kids] think Crest is where the drug addicts go, but it’s not like that,” said another student. Over the years, Crest pupils have been unfairly labeled as “druggies,” despite statistics proving that the majority of students in the school district do not use substances. “I believe misconceptions that people make about Crest could equally be made about any high school in America. My students have been called, dumb, drug addicts, stupid, underachieves, troublemakers, cringey, futureless burnouts, lesser than, invisible, unknown, low priority. It’s heart-
breaking, and entirely untrue,” said Michael Harper, a history, English, and Creative Writing teacher at Crest. Fortunately, despite the misconceptions, staff members attempt to highlight healthy relationships, community, fun, and work ethic in the school. “The goal of Crest is to help students reach their goals. I want every student that I teach to not need me anymore when they are gone. To be independent, civically empathetic, culturally responsive, people in the world who can criticize what’s wrong with it, and help move it towards something that’s a little bit better for everybody. That’s my personal goal. And at large, most of us teachers at Crest, we are in it for those reasons,” Harper said about his hopes for his students. In reality, regardless of the accuracy of its stereotypes, Crest offers many students an accepting and safe environment to pursue their passions, learn about the world around them, and build friendships, while accommodating their learning styles more effectively.
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Mercer Island Center for the Arts to provide a home for fine arts Annika Bhananker staff writer
Mercer Island Center for the Arts (MICA) is an organization looking to expand the horizons and enrich the lives of the youth of Mercer Island through fine arts. MICA hopes to build the center in Mercerdale Park, replacing the recycling center and Bicentennial Park. MICA will provide a space for both youth and adult artists to explore and cultivate their passion for fine arts. It will be a community center in which they can train and excel in various forms of art. MICA will create a much-needed focal point for arts on the island. Opposition to MICA found a voice through the group Concerned Citizens for Mercer Island Parks (CCMIP). CCMIP works to preserve nature on the island, which includes Mercerdale Park and its accompanying land. Many members of CCMIP have worked on similar projects in the past, opposing previous city plans to relocate the fire station to Mercedale or
turn Pioneer Park into a golf course. These ideas never came to fruition because “Islanders complained about it, so it just went away,” said Mercer Island native and member of CCMIP, Ira Appelman. CCMIP continues that the recycling center, native garden, and Bicentennial Park are all valuable assets to our community that would be demolished by MICA. A co-chair of CCMIP, Meg Lippert, spoke of her desire to give back to the city and preserve the outdoor spaces that have been passed through the generations. She believes that parks are essential to a community. Lippert, who makes a living teaching storytelling in schools said that she does not think resistance to MICA also means opposition to the idea of fine arts and education. “I would support this process, but not in a park,” Lippert said. MICA’s website states that extreme land price on Mercer Island makes it prohibitive to find any other viable location on the island. However, the city is willing to donate Mercerdale Park
land at an affordable price to procure a community resource that will grow and help nurture the youth of the town. Additionally, “there’s no outlay for residents unless they choose to donate,” said Tana Senn, the district representative for Washington House of Representatives. Youth Theatre Northwest (YTN), Mercer Island’s only children’s theatre, will regain their platform through MICA. In 2014, after over 30 years of educating and nurturing children, the organization received an eviction notice from the Mercer Island School District. For many students, the relocation felt like the loss of a home. YTN and many other Island-based organizations seek a space to cultivate interest in art and positively augment downtown Mercer Island. Other institutions such as Musical Mind Studio, Mercer Island Visual Arts League, Russian Chamber Music, Island Youth Ballet and more will call MICA home. Executive Director of YTN, Manny Cawaling, said that unlike Luther Burbank
and Pioneer Park which are centered on preserving nature, an inner-city park with a thrift shop and skateboard park in it would be enhanced by MICA. Annika Evens, a senior at Mercer Island High School, has been an active participant at YTN since she was three years old. Now an avid supporter of MICA, she and other concerned students have spearheaded an organization, Students for MICA, to “show the adults of the community that the youth of Mercer Island care about what happens on the Island and want MICA to be built.” Thus far they have raised $2500 to develop the organization. Evens believes Protect Our Parks stems from a more profound fear of development: “I think some people are scared of change. For anyone who has lived in a small, tight-knit community for a significant amount of time, accepting new development or change in the place they have known for years can be challenging.” Mercer Island residents also protested when down-
town evolved from a one-story city, and when both the community center and the Peak were proposed. Cawling said, “I feel that what we’re offering is not just change, it is game-changing for people.” For many children on Mercer Island, MICA presents a unique opportunity for exposure to the arts. Arts education, especially from a young age has astounding effects on individuals, as well as communities. Having a city centered around the arts will bring the community closer and “provide people with confidence, and interactions with people of different ages and involvement,” Senn said. She says MICA is vital to the city because it is “supporting people’s creativity, and giving them a positive outlet.” “It was really interesting talking about all the dollars that the city spends on sports,” said Senn. The immense cost of the fields, re-turfing, lighting, and maintenance delineates the attention and funding that major sports receive. Evens
appended, “Sports on Mercer Island are heavily funded and supported … and provided with pristine and up-to-date courts, fields, and practice facilities.” Providing alternative opportunities for those who will not be interested or successful in sports shows that the community values all youth and encourages their interests. Studies show that those who have experience in the arts develop into more well-rounded people and are known to have increased creativity. Even beyond individual benefits, Senn said that “with our extensive tech community in the area I know that they’re always looking for people who have creativity and a different way of looking at things.” The arts are a valuable resource essential to fostering and enhancing cultural awareness, academic ability, and teamwork. These skills greatly benefit students, but having a society comprised of well-rounded adults would have an even more significant impact.
October 20, 2017
SPORTS
A new era — and coaching staff — for MIHS Girls Soccer
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Emily Yang staff writer
Mercer Island High School was pleased to introduce a new girls soccer coaching staff this year: James Valles, Celeste Stroup, and Natalie Weaver. As varsity coach, Valles has boasted an impressive start, maintaining a clean sheet for his first seven games. At the beginning of the season, Valles voiced plans of a direct playing style with high-pressing defenders in hopes of building an offensively strong team. His vision was clearly executed in initial weeks, tallying 25 goals and counting. As of October 12th, the girls are ranked first in their KingCo 3a bracket. Valles has coached for Seattle United, moving to high school soccer for the spirit and greater experience. Besides MIHS, James Valles coaches U13 girls and was named Coach of the Year in the Seamont League in 2013. Meanwhile, JV has held their own against tough teams such as Juanita and Arlington. Made up of a variety of freshmen, sophomores, and juniors, its members see their team as a means to meet students from different grades and gain confidence both on and off the field.
Freshman Catherine Shurygailo said that her teammates “all understand how to make me feel welcome and a part of the MIHS family.” Stroup has focused on finishing in the final third and playing tactically rather than
technically. This led the girls to a win against Interlake - one that Catie credits to teamwork. JVC, led by Natalie Weaver, has also started the season strong. “We have not won every game … but the girls have really started to grow
A mock-up of the new plan for Seatle’s Key Arena -- a multi-purpose center for hockey, basketball, music concerts, and various events.
The Key to Renovating KeyArena Evan Dickstein staff writer
The City of Seattle and the Oak View Group have negotiated and agreed upon a memorandum of understanding to redevelop Key Arena into a new building fit for hockey, basketball, music concerts and events. Tim Leiweke, CEO and co-founder of the Los Angeles based Oak View Group, and former Seattle Mayor Ed Murray have agreed upon a memorandum of understanding to renovate KeyArena. The documents
Photo courtesy MIHS Girls Soccer
Varsity girls soccer for the 2017 fall season poses with their new coach James Valles.
have been submitted to the city council. Former Mayor of Seattle Ed Murray believes that the Oak View plan “is absolutely the best [arena deal] we’ve got.” The council will review all aspects of the Oak View Group’s plan and make the final decision by voting on December fourth, 2017. If approved, the rebuilding process will start, with the opening of the new arena scheduled for October 2020. Co-founder and CEO of Oak View Group Tim Leiweke has stated: “The completion of the MOU provides a level of certain-
ty that Seattle has never had before, and OVG, the City Council, elected officials and the residents of Seattle, must now turn our attention to the NHL and NBA and make it undeniably clear that we are more than ready for them to come to Seattle,”. The new arena will be privately financed and cost around 600 million dollars to be built. Ben Noble, the Seattle City budget director, has made it clear that he is confident the Oak View Group has the financial backing to support a project of this magnitude. The funding will come from pri-
as a team,” Coach Weaver said. While it is her first year coaching, Weaver’s goal is to encourage her players to continue with the sport - one she has participated in since the age of four. She hopes the season will boost her players’
Photo courtesy Sonics Arena
vate equity, debt financing from lenders, and federal historic tax credits. Oak View Group’s Seattle-based director Lance Lopes has stated, “We will take all the risk from the city. We will take care of the costs associated with whatever the impacts of this arena in this community”. They are also committed to spending 40 million dollars on transportation and 20 million dollars on for a community fund. Some people are estimating that the total cost of the project will exceed 750 million dollars by the time the are-
confidence and collaboration skills. By focusing not just on winning but also player development and teamwork, the new coaches are building a healthy environment of confidence and improvement. na is completely finished. During construction, They will also be paying for the relocation of local businesses that will be affected by construction. David Bonderman, a billionaire and potential NHL team owner, has put money into the building. He has also been seen multiple times in the city council building. Mayor Ed Murray has publicly said; “I do think the NHL will be here sooner than the NBA. But I think both of them will be here. I think this is the arena that will get us here.”. Everybody working with the project is very confident that this arena will draw an NHL and an NBA team to Seattle. The new arena will seat 18,350 people for a basketball game and 17,100 people for a hockey game, and 16,940- 19,125 people for a concert. They will also dig out the arena by 15 feet. This way they can keep the historic roofline of the arena intact. The Oak View Group will also be responsible for finding a hockey and basketball team for the stadium. Another proposal that has been submitted it to make a new arena in Sodo. This proposal also includes a renovation of KeyArena. The renovation would turn KeyArena into two smaller concert sites, a 500 seat theatre, and a covered amphitheater. This project would also be privately funded by a group led by the Nordstrom Family, Chris Hanson and others. There plan was once thought as the favorite but there memorandum of understanding is set to expire in December after being in circulation for more than five years.
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MERCER ISLAND, THAT RIVAL IS BELLEVUE. ALTHOUGH NO ONE CAN TRACE THE VERY HIGH SCHOOL HAS A RIVAL, AND FOR
EXACT ROOTS, THE RIVALRY EVIDENTLY STRETCHES BACK GENERATIONS – ESCALATING SPORTS GAMES AND ENCOURAGING COMPETITION FOR DECADES. IT IS IMPERATIVE FOR STUDENTS TO KEEP FRIENDLY SAFETY, AND
RELATIONS ENCOURAGE
FOSTER
TO
ENSURE
HEALTHY
CONSTRUCTIVE
STUDENT
COMPETITION, SCHOOL
PRIDE.
vs
BELLEVUE
“BEFORE GAMES - ONLY BELLEVUE
GAMES - PUCKETT REMINDS US TO KEEP IT CLEAN, REMEMBER THE RULES. SHE GOES OVER INTEGRITY, INNOVATION, AND INSPIRATION. - AN MIHS JUNIOR
“THE RIVALRY IS PART OF TRADITION
AND THEREFORE PART OF BELLEVUE’S SCHOOL SPIRIT. - ANNIE RELLER, BHS JUNIOR
“BELLEVUE MAKES PRETTY GOOD COM-
PETITION. ANY GAME IS A FUN GAME TO WATCH. - NIA TATE, MIHS JUNIOR
96%
FOR A CLOSER LOOK AT THIS RIVALRY, READ THE ACCOMPANYING ARTICLE BY EMILY YANG AND ANNIKA BHANANKER ONLINE AT MIHSISLANDER.ORG.
WIAA statistics include data from 2004 to present, except gymnatics and wrestling, which reflects data from 2010 to present. Lacrosse, basketball, and soccer include combined statistics from girls and boys teams.
OPINIONS
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mihsislander.org
Get rid of DACA and no one wins Repealing this essential act would cause significant humanitarian and economic consequences. Ethan Preston staff writer
Early last month, Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced the rescission of DACA, or the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, which allows undocumented immigrants who entered the country as minors to apply for a renewable two-year period of deferred action and to be eligible for a work permit. Rescinding this program would be a mistake that would be disastrous for American society. Instead, DACA should be expanded to cover more undocumented immi-
school principal in Selah, Washington who frequently deals with undocumented students. “Although on the surface it appears to reward illegal entrance into the US,” continued Darling, “[DACA] provides this generation with an education, which I feel can trump any negative effects of their parents coming here illegally.” There are currently 788,000 DACA recipients in the US, which is only about a third of those who are eligible. According to a survey conducted by the Center for American Progress earlier this August, 90 percent of DACA
why their average hourly wage is $17.46/hr compared to the average wage of $10.29/hr before they became DACA recipients. The Center for American Progress estimates that the US would lose $460 billion in GDP if DACA was rescinded. In short, there is an overwhelming amount of evidence suggesting that DACA and undocumented immigrants have been extremely beneficial to the American economy, and that they do indeed contribute to society, rather than use up tax dollars through welfare as many anti-immigration activists claim. Most of these immigrants know
Cartoonist: Teddy Fischer
Statistics from the Center for American Progress
grants, which would bolster the economy and bring these people out of the shadows. “For these students, DACA represents hope. It means they become educated and meaningful to society,” said Rob Darling, a
beneficiaries are employed, while only 70 percent of undocumented immigrants have jobs. About 72 of the recipients of DACA are currently enrolled in higher education. This rate of education is likely the reason
no other home than the US and have been in the country since they were young children, or even toddlers. Many don’t even speak their parents’ native languages. If DACA were rescinded, it is likely that a large number of
them would be deported, despite the fact that they came with their parents into the country and have caused no harm. It would be inhumane to punish these innocent human beings. DACA is a necessity and a staple of the American economy, and if it were rescinded, it would result in severe consequences,
both economic and humanitarian. Most of the opposition of DACA is rooted in racism towards Hispanics rather than sound policy, and it would be unacceptable if we let this decision ruin the lives of hundreds of thousands. We need to stand up, speak out, and protest against the unjust repeal of this law.
This Halloween, fear’s on the menu The pros and cons of college visits ‘Unfounded Assumptions’
with humor editor Spencer Klein
Have you ever stared down the barrel of a gun? Have you ever mud-wrestled a 40-year-old man? Have you ever gotten called to the principal’s office because you threw rocks at a 4th-grade Patriots fan? Neither have I for two thirds of those things, but that brings me to today’s subject: Fear. I don’t want to start a frenzy or anything; all I’m doing is encouraging people to act irrationally based on fear. And I’m not usually a man who acts irrationally; normally I’m the man with a steady heart rate, standing over a dead body, holding a shard of glass, wondering why I can’t remember the last 30 seconds and wondering why the body is dressed like Mickey Mouse. I’m the man hiding from the police in Splash Mountain, using nothing but a long straw and some swim trunks from the children’s gift shop. But not now. Now is the time for fear. I’m not sure what you’re most afraid of , but I’m terrified that one day I
could eat a big spoonful of rice and then find out one of the rice things is a pill, put there by homeland security as punishment for a crime I didn’t commit. I’ll tell you what your biggest fear should be. You can feel it, can’t you? A tingle down your spine. A frantic pulse. The strangely exhilarating feeling of an aged muddy hand clutching your throat. There’s only one reason why: Halloween.
Photo courtesy Google Images The 4th-grade Patriots fan in question. He was asking for it.
Now, I know what you’re thinking: “Spencer, what’s so scary about Halloween? What are you, some kind of coward? I know that you’re a different person
than me, son, but my unfulfilled professional bowling dreams are being funneled into you, so you’re going to stand there while I sporadically throw bowling balls at you. Whether you catch them or not is your choice. Listen, hey Spencer, listen, I know I can seem harsh and unfair at times, but ever since your dog passed away things have been ALWAYS BE PREPARED IN BOWLING. What, now that I hit you in the solar plexus with one you’re gonna cry? God, so emotional. You deserve this.” Sure, it might seem a little weird to be afraid of Halloween, especially for me, a 16-year-old man. But between all of the Halloween costumes, Halloween pranks, Halloween parties, and Halloween rocks thrown at me from a moving truck by my now 40-year-old childhood bully, there’s no shortage of things to fear. Right now you might not believe me, but mark my words: when you’re running from a 2001 Ford F-150 wearing nothing but a spandex Catwoman costume, you will truly know fear.
Henry LeMaster staff writer
It’s that time of year again. Seniors are staying up late into the night to finish college essays, grinding through the lengthy Common Application, and spending long weekends at colleges across the country. Many MIHS students choose to go on such campus tours and attend info sessions where a school representative discusses the school’s academic prowess, information about certain majors, and numerical data regarding past applicants. Before the presentation, attendees are generally led on a campus walking tour that usually lasts thirty to forty-five minutes, on which you’ll hear things like “Our school has a Quidditch team!” and “If you and three other people have the same idea for a club, you can start one!” at every school you visit. After even just a day of two of these sessions, the words start to blur together. These visits offer nothing other than the chance to actually see the campus up close; there’s no real insider information to be gained. One of the main reasons so many students go on college visits is to demonstrate
Photo courtesy Henry LeMaster The author and a friend wasting their money at the University of Michigan.
their interest in the school, but a physical visit is only one of many ways to do so. MIHS does a great job of inviting college admissions representatives to come talk about their school. If you want to show interest in a school, you can attend one of the sessions in the main hall during lunch or after school. Fill out an information card and learn as much as you can; maybe even send one of the representatives an email. It’s their job to answer your questions and they may even remember your name when they read your application. I know that people also want to go on physical visits because they want to get a sense of how they would fit into the campus culture. This is the one big advantage of visiting a college, but it honestly is not worth the time and money. My
advice is to instead talk to someone you know who attends the school. They aren’t paid to sell the school to you, meaning they will be a lot more likely to give you an honest opinion and answer your questions from the perspective of a student -- not the school’s admissions department. Choosing a college is a very important decision and a lot of thought should be put into it, but I personally think one should wait to visit until they are accepted. Don’t just go on visits just because you hear other people are. All the information you will hear at the school can be found online, and any knowledge you gain on a visit will be worth less than the generic sweatshirts that the college will invariably try and sell to you at the gift shop.
Re-elect Benson Wong to Mercer Island City Council
Benson Wong cares about Island Youth: He’s a member of the superintendent’s Diversity Advisory Committee He’s a member of the Healthy Youth Initiative Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs Committee He’s the father of two MIHS grads
Vote for Benson Wong by Election Day — Tuesday, Nov. 7 Paid for by Friends of Benson Wong P.O. Box 325 Mercer Island, Washington 98040 Website: electbensonwong.com Email: electbensonwong@gmail.com
A&E
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mihsislander.org
The “Baby Designer” Annie Poole staff writer
Self-taught designer Grayce Millard, a senior at Mercer Island High School, uses fashion as a creative outlet and form of self-empowerment. Millard started her new clothing brand Baby Designer in the summer of 2017 to design for powerful, self-aware people of any gender. Millard received the sewing machine from her mom this summer, and began to design her own clothes. She has always taken an interest in fashion, but struggled with the logistics of starting her own business. “I’ve been inspired [by] a lot of other young women starting to use social media as a platform to make clothes and sell fashion. I thought why can’t I do that?” said Millard. The name Baby Designer came after Millard watched the movie “Baby Driver.” “I just thought it was kind of cute. I was really inspired by it,” said Millard. Baby Designer, a fitting name for Millard due to her recent venture into the fashion world, allows her to stand out from older designers because she easily relates to the younger generation. Her recent designs have been influenced by Japanese anime and other aspects of Asian culture. Although her designs emphasize femininity, Millard likes to include edgier aspects into her clothing line, which fits with her personal style. “There’s just so many different things you can do with fashion, and it’s such a good way to self-express,” Millard said. She does not limit herself to one style or silhouette in her designs, and continues to explore the multitudes of possibilities for her creations. “The feel of fabric is everything,” Millard said. Fabric is an essential part of the design process because it brings color, texture, and movement to her creations. Millard likes to mainly work with silk and leather, even though they are hard materials to work with. Silk is lightweight, causing the fabric to Photo by Annie Poole slip during the cutting stage, making it hard to look professional. SewA compilation created by staff writer Annie Poole, featuring different fabrics, sketches, and Millard posin in a Baby Designer set-piece. ing with leather usually requires special tools and every stitch leaves permanent holes, making the fitting stage crucial. With these fabrics, the process proves to be challenging, but the results embody the brand. Millard’s designs also reflect her self-described chic and edgy personal style. Her favorite items to wear are trench coats and Nike sneakers. Millard likes to see how people portray themselves through fashion and personal style. “I understand that [fashion is] limited, you have to be able to afford clothes, but at the same time you can still be fashionable on a budget,” said Millard. Millard attempts to produce pieces for around $40, but certain one of a kind pieces may be more expensive. “Buying materials is expensive and sewing is time consuming, so the profit has to be worth it,” Millard said. As she figures out how to make the production process more efficient, prices will eventually drop. Millard tries to be as creative as she can with her clothing line, knowing that it will change and develop in the future. “I want to study fashion and business in college so I can pull it all together,” said Millard. This will allow her to learn both sides of the fashion industry and help her business evolve creatively and practically. She has promoted her brand through photo campaigns on social media and word of mouth. You can contact her for custom pieces and look for more pictures of her designs under the username @babydesigner_ on Instagram and Twitter.
“9 to 5” blends satire with song Anna Swartz staff writer
The upcoming school musical “9 to 5” centers around three women secretaries who decide to wreak havoc on their sexist boss by kidnapping him and running the business themselves. This office satire explores women empowerment and the upheaval of traditional gender roles in a genuinely entertaining way. Director Daniela Melgar creates a safe space for students to tackle the challenging and mature content found in “9 to 5”. “The friendly environment allows me to grow and flourished as artist,” says freshman Katharine Gregory. Drama is widely known among students studying theatre at Mercer Island High School as a place to express your creativity in a safe environment. “I feel like you can come into this space and be who you want to be without judgement and without
question,” said Melgar. “That’s one of my favorite parts of drama: the ensemble and the sense of community.” Not only does being part of this ensemble help students find their voice, it is a place where close friendships form. “[The cast is] a mix of Drama Two, which is a tighter ensemble built class, and kids from everywhere in the school,” said cast member Sophie Kelly Hedrick. Although the atmosphere in the rehearsals may be easy going, everyone dedicates themselves to their roles. During musical rehearsals, students scribbled notes on their sheet music and recorded their harmonies on their phones for the extensive ensemble numbers found in “9 to 5”. “Everyone, especially the leads, will go home and spend hours memorizing music and building their characters,” said cast-member Jack Swartz.
“Everyone is there because they want to be there. We all work together to create the best production we can.” Participating in the musical is a rewarding experience for the students and for the audience members. The message of this show is one Melgar is eager to share with the rest of the school. “At this time, when there’s turmoil over all the different ways that we speak about people and treat people, it seems like the right show to do,” said Melgar. The upcoming school musical, featuring hard-working and talented students, presents serious topics in an entertaining way. This is what will make this fall musical a must-see. The show opens Thursday, November 9 at 7:00 p.m. in the Performing Arts Center. Additional dates and showtimes: November 10 at 7 p.m., November 11 at 7 p.m., November 16 at 7 p.m., November 17 at 7 p.m., and November 18 at 7 p.m.
Photo by Sophie Poole
Cast-members of “9 to 5” at a dance rehearsal in the Performing Arts Center
Sophie Feldman (cont.)
“I’ve been exposed to so many artists and genres. I’ve been able to build my sound based on bits and pieces that make sense in my head. I have written a lot based on my five favorite books: ‘Looking for Alaska,’ ‘Catcher in the Rye,’ ‘The Great Gatsby,’ ‘The Little Prince,’ and ‘Americanah.’ Sometimes when life is boring I write songs based off book characters,”
said Feldman. In the future, Feldman hopes to use her talent for songwriting to develop her reputation in the industry. “I am hoping to get my foot in the door by writing and selling songs. If that goes well, I’ll have a foundation to build off,” said Feldman. Outside of playing music, Feldman teaches guitar, piano, and ukulele to ele-
mentary schoolers, alongside her regular babysitting jobs. She also loves learning about psychology and how music can affect children on the autism spectrum, which she plans to study in the future. You can find Feldman and her music on Spotify, Apple Music, and Soundcloud. Contact mihisislander@ gmail.com to be the next guest in the Live Music Lab.
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A&E
August 30, 2017
“It”: a spook with substance Ben Capuano staff writer
I’ve seen many movies this year, but “It” stands out in my mind because after I had the overwhelming impression that in this movie, they cared about every aspect of production. And that’s truly surprising. Because to break even in the current movie industry, “It” only had to be passable. But this movie won’t leave you with the bland taste in your mouth that you had after “Robocop”. Nor does it follow a stale horror formula like “The Blair Witch Project”. For better or worse, “It” is the epitome of modern Hollywood blockbusters. Even before the movie’s release, its ingenious marketing campaign showcased an enormous attention to detail. During production, pictures slowly but strategically trickled out of the set showcasing a unique behind the scenes look into the world of horror films. Compared to the marketing for “After Earth”, which actively obscured information about the movie as basic as the director, “It”’s open approach attracted a more sizeable, dedicated following that stayed with the film until opening night. Modern advances in effects technology make the 2017 adaption of Stephen King’s novel seem like a far cry from the low budgeted
miniseries of the 90s. Pennywise’s supernatural powers have never felt so real. Considering how far out there they get, this is really saying something. But in this modern remake, something was lost. The look of low quality physical film the miniseries was shot on was highly effective in conveying “It”’s New England setting. It was as if the audience was viewing the whole affair on the kind of cheap cameras they might use, which created an intimate setting that made viewers feel as if they were really there. Although not realistic in any sense, the fog that blanketed the depths of the sewers only added to certain scenes’ suspense. Now the ultra high definition cameras the movie is shot on constantly remind the audience that they are only watching a movie. While the CGI of Pennywise’s lair makes more sense within the world of the film, the artificiality of the elements of the locale don’t have the same charm as seen in the miniseries. But perhaps the best part of this latest adaptation is the cast. Bill Skarsgård as Pennywise steals nearly every scene he is in with his downright uncanny interpretation of the character. His dedication to the role sells the supernatural being as something real, Skarsgård never pauses to wipe
the water from his mouth, I don’t remem-ber seeing him blink, andt h a t s m i l e that he does will be enough to scare you regardless of his special-effects makeup. The child actors in this movie are not overshadowed by their adult counterparts. There’s no weak link in the whole Loser’s Club, but Richie shines especially. Finn Wolfhard, of “Stranger Things” fame, turns the somewhat quirky character in the miniseries into a constantly cussing powerhouse right out of “The Goonies”. These kids feel authentic because they act like real kids, and share a natural chemistry with one another. “It” somehow manages to juggle the comedic tone spearheaded by Richie with the gang and the dark brooding mood that Pennywise’s presence evokes in a way that feels natural. The 2017 film “Get Out” manages to strike a similar chord of fun and fright. One thing that “It” did not inherit from the miniseries was subtlety. If the movie “It” was playing poker and was dealt a good hand, it would run around the table and show it to everybody. You might be surprised by the scares at the beginning, but by the credits anybody will be able to read “It”’s hand and predict frightening moments a mile away. It doesn’t help that nearly every jump scare is
Photo courtesy Dread Central
A preview for the Museum of Pop Culture’s exhibit about the history and psychology behind the horror film genre.
The Museum of Pop Culture at a glance Annie Poole staff writer
The Museum of Pop Culture, known as the MoPOP, has evolved since the days when it was known as the Experience Music Project. Since the opening of the museum in 2000, the museum’s content concentrated on music. Over the past few years, the museum has expanded their focus to a
diverse range of topics, including science fiction, music, fashion, fantasy, sports, film, and video games. The name finally shifted to MoPOP in November of 2016 to represent the changing content. Pop culture icons such as David Bowie, the Muppets, “Star Trek,” and the Seahawks have also been featured throughout the years. “Over a span of several years during this evolution
we have seen growth in attendance as well as a more diverse audience of fans,” said Senior Manager and Media and Communications director Anita Woo. The switch allowed the museum to accurately achieve their goal of inviting multi-generational audiences to discover and explore with different themes. “The EMP (or Experience Music Project) no longer accurately represented
Promotional poster for the 2017 film verson of the movie “It”.
Photo courtesy Entertainment Weekly
accompanied by a jarringly loud noise. That’s not to say that “It” relies on jump scares exclusively, unlike the horror schlock of today (cough cough “Ouija”), the movie devotes time and energy into establishing
atmosphere that is creepy enough to scare the audience on its own. When it uses jump scares however, the movie falls prey to predictable trappings of the horror genre. But if you’re looking for a movie to watch on Hallow-
een, or anytime you’re in the mood for some spooks with substance, I can’t recommend “It” enough. It is a bold step in a new direction for Hollywood horror and I’m already counting the days until part 2.
the broader scope of content the museum presents,” said Woo. As popular culture dominates social media feeds and teens’ conversations, the MoPOP is giving fans an inside look to some of their favorite icons throughout the years. “MoPOP is special because of how it’s expanded from a focus on music into a more inclusive pop culture approach. I love the Nirvana and Jimi Hendrix exhibits because they are so connected to home [in Seattle], and everything there is interesting and interactive,” said MoPOP Youth Advisory Board member and MIHS senior Sophie Feldman. Fitting timely with Halloween, the newest exhibit, Scared to Death: The Thrill of Horror Film, explores 100 years of horror film and society’s obsession with it. “It examines why audiences are drawn to horror even if it scares us, and also explores how society and cultural shifts inspire themes in horror movies over time,” said Woo. The creepy gallery in-
cludes corpses hanging from the ceiling, dripping blood, and original objects and costumes from “The Walking Dead”, “A Nightmare on Elm Street”, “Friday the 13th”, “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” and more. A featured costume from “A Nightmare on Elm Street”, includes Freddy Krueger’s iconic red and green striped sweater. The exhibit explains how director Wes Craven chose the colors after learning the eye has trouble recognizing red and green directly next to each other, creating an intentionally disturbing costume for viewers. More secrets about the art of horror films are hidden within the exhibit, evoking unsettling sensations that film-goers seek. The exhibit is also a way to immerse oneself in the Halloween spirit and learn more about the psychology behind spooky films. Other exhibits include We Are 12 -- a tribute to the Seattle Seahawks and their fans, Wild Blue Angel: Hendrix Abroad -- an exhibition about the travels of Jimi Hendrix at the height
of his fame, Star Trek: Exploring New Worlds, and Sound Lab, a permanent fixture at MoPOP, allows museum-goers to play and rehearse on electric guitars, drums, and mixing consoles. Many of these current exhibits do not directly correspond to the music industry, but help to paint a more complete picture of pop culture phenomenons in recent times. MoPOP also offers teens opportunities to get involved with the museum and the pop culture scene around Seattle. The Youth Advisory Board, known as the YAB, is the youth voice at the museum and directs teen programming at the MoPOP. They collaborate with local artists, musicians, and organizations, create content for social media, assist with exhibits’ openings, and promote Sound Off! -- a competition for emerging musicians 21 and under. Volunteer opportunities for the youth are always encouraged at the MoPOP, visit MoPop.org under Join the Team to get involved.
12
An Interview with
JIM MATTIS How an MIHS student struck journalistic gold
photo courtesy King5
Journalists were coming to us for answers, and no one had ever done that for me, nor Jane. Most people took interest in our story primarily because of our age, but some appreciated the line of questioning that contributed to many interesting answers from Mattis that were newsworthy. Receiving compliments is always gratifying, but receiving them from seasoned journalists is something truly special. This will probably be the last time I write about it, with the exception of my college essay. I want to wrap up all the loose ends and end a chapter that has droned on far too long because I have bigger aspirations and goals after school. I’m retelling this story because many of you can learn from the lessons that Jane and I learned throughout our experience last summer. I’m retelling this story because I want to challenge you to become invested in watching the news. Non-partisan, non-opinionated, analytical journalism, coupled with the amazing amount of meaningless clutter that inhabits the web has dulled our sensibility and in many people the desire to care. High schoolers in particular have had their perception of journalism ruined by this particular brand of journalism, which is devoid of all passion. The intimidating and cumbersome size of newspapers and the subscription fee for news websites, made necessary by ever declining sales of the newspapers that no high schooler has the patience to read, has lead many to lose interest in following the stories that define our existence. I can assure you however, that there is plenty of excellent reporting, if you look for it.
photo by Charlie Fischer
Teddy Fischer and last year’s Editor in Chief, Jane Gormley
Pretty soon a fourth of you will be adults, and will have the opportunity to vote. I challenge you to not only read the news to broaden your opportunities and become more in touch with the world around you, so that you can better contribute to it, but to read the news to develop an opinion. Political discourse is something everyone will face in their lifetime; take the time to leave a positive impression on those who take the time to listen to you.
If I had never read the news, I would never have noticed the following headline in the Washington Post. Even if I had stumbled across it, if I hadn’t been somewhat knowledgeable about the state of our country and world, it would be like discovering gold and only being able to mine it with a rusty fork and a three-year-old copy of The MIHS Islander. I would have never known what to ask, and believe me, if you don’t know what to ask, you’re better off not asking.
Everyone in this school has particular skill sets that are valuable. Everyone in this school has the capacity to profoundly affect the society around them. Knowing what is happening not only in your country, but in the world, is necessary for understanding people, their conflicts, faith, and culture. If you are not able to recognize the differences of others, or understand another person, then you will never be able to fix the problems that exist in any society. If you read the news, you’ll have a better grasp of what drives people to act in the way that they do, and who knows, maybe you’ll end up on CNN.
-Teddy Fischer, Cartoonist for the Islander Find the full article at mihsislander.org. photo courtesy The Stranger
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Editors-in-Chief: Grady Short and Sophie Poole Front Editor: Lucille Shield Features Editor: Isabel Funk Sports Editor: Reid Martinez Spread Editor: Ellie Gottesman Opinions Editor: Grady Short A&E Editor: Sophie Poole Back Page Editors: Ellie Gottesman Online Editors: Ellie Gottesman, Reid Martinez, and Maya Virdell Humor Editor Spencer Klein Cartoonist Teddy Fischer Adviser: Chris Twombley Staff Writers: Isabelle Arenson, Samantha Bender, Annika Bhananker, Benjamin Capuano, Joshua Chang, Zoe Chen, Landon Cobbs, Evan Dickstein, Sabine Drake, Katherine Francke, Maria Francke, Claire Korthius-Smith, Henry LeMaster, Susanna Lepow, Cordelia Longo, Isabella Mancuso, Isabella Pangallo, Annie Poole, Baran Fotouhiyeh Pour, Ethan Preston, Abraham Schenck, Annawee Swartz, Liliana Szafir, Roni Talby, Max Thilen, Lauren Umbehocker, Henry Watson, Hannah Whobrey, and Emily Yang.
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