Prep students react to the Paris attacks.
Page 3
Get the full recap on the best Tolo asks of the year. Page 7
Find the Top 10 Xmas Gifts of 2015 for friends and family. Page 10
The Seattle Prep Panther December 18, 2015
seapreppanther.org
Volume 71 No. 6
Seattle, WA 98102
“Oh, What Fun” the Prep Christmas Concert Was
Prep Campus Undergoes Change
JEFFREY PELAYO ‘17
ALEXIS LOSSE ‘16
The Seattle Prep Choir performs at the recent Holiday concert under the direction of Dr. Beyer ‘Twas the night before Tuesday, when all through the school, Seattle Prep students sang songs of the yule. On Monday, December 6, the Prep choir helped to spread Christmas cheer throughout the Prep community with its delightful performance. About 70 students were “falalalala-ing” tunes to Christmas classics directed by Mr. Beyer and accompanist Mr. Kechley as families, friends, and faculty gathered in the theater to indulge this winter wonderful experience. The concert was a combination of whispers, hums, and loud “bahs” that would come together beautifully when the basses, tenors, altos, and sopranos sang their different parts in peaceful harmony. The students sang Christmas carols such as “Silver Bells,” “White Christmas,” “Silent Night,” “Mary, Did You Know?” and
“Bell Carol of the Kings.” They even sang Christmas songs that the audience might have not heard before and songs that are not very “Christmasy” at all, including “Jesu, Joy of Our Desiring,” “People Look East,” and “Loch Lomond.” Every once in a while, some of the students would even perform solos. The audience was gifted with the unique voices of Tieran Sweeny-Bender ‘16, Lillie Brown ‘16, Juan Bernal ‘16, Sam Eco ‘16, Lily Dowling ‘17, Anna Petgrave ‘17, Matt Seib ‘17, and Erin O’Driscoll ‘18, who sang songs like “Winter Wonderland” and “Let it Snow.” In addition, the students looked very dashing (through the snow) in their classy tuxedos and dresses as a representation of the overall elegance that the concert delivered. The concert received the help from talented musicians such as Daniel
Sullivan on the violin and Mr. Kechley on the piano. This was also the first time that transitions were used between each song, all thanks to accompanist Mr. Kechley. The Prep Choir is very grateful to have a talented pianist like Mr. Kechley because, “it takes a musical prodigy like him to read, create, and play notes like that on the spot,” said Mr. Beyer. The choir had been preparing for the concert for about three months and it is evident that all of that hard work was worth it in the end. This year’s Christmas concert was a fantastic way to get into the Christmas spirit as the Prep Choir wished the audience a merry Christmas with their angelic voices. Al Bernal ‘17 said “This Christmas concert was definitely ‘Oh, what fun!’”
Ski Bus: Sign Up for Fun Times on the Slopes of Crystal Mountain ALLISON KEARNEY ‘19
As the temperatures start to drop and the rain begins to fall in Seattle, the mountains are sure to get some great snow. Luckily for Seattle Prep students, Prep has their very own ski bus. For five Sundays starting in January, Prep is taking a bus up to Crystal Mountain for a day of skiing and snowboarding with fellow Prep students. The bus costs 115 dollars for all five days and lift tickets are only 41 dollars for fifteen year-olds and younger, or 65 dollars for sixteen year-olds and older, per day. Ski bus is a fantastic way to enjoy a fun day on the slopes. Crystal Mountain is already open and expecting a promising season. Therefore, ski bus spots are limited. Some Prep students talked
about their positive experiences with ski bus. Anna Fotheringham ‘16 shared her thoughts on ski bus saying, “I thought ski bus was a really great way to get out on the mountain with friends! Skiing with friends is super fun and ski bus is also a useful way to get outside and enjoy the mountains!” Fotheringham ‘16 has fond memories of ski bus. She recalled: “I loved eating on ski bus and skiing with friends! Meghan Kearney and Ellie Giesa and I would bring Oreos, peanut butter, celery, and other snacks. The food at Crystal is really good! Also, skiing with a big group of people always made for some laughs and good times.” Some may be weary about joining ski bus but Max Rothrock ‘16 “would rec-
ommend people to do ski bus because it is a good way to make friends.” Rothrock went on to say that “the best part of ski bus is the people you meet and the bus ride up is always fun. Just talking with new people and watching whatever movie is on in the bus is a blast. Also you never know what kind of trouble or fun stuff you will get into on the slopes and that was always a good way to get closer with people.” To sign up, one can go to Seattle Prep’s News and Notes, scroll down to “From the Parent Association” and look for a link to find all the information and necessary forms for ski bus.
Although it is already December and Prep is almost halfway through the school year, new changes are still happening every day to the evolving Seattle Prep campus. Two major new additions are the Mary and Jesus statue in the plaza, and the new turf field behind McDonnell Hall. The new statue of Mary and Jesus is called “The Embrace.” This work of art was put in towards the end of October between Ignatius and Adelphia, until Prep realized it would better serve the campus in the rose garden. This specific arrangement was chosen according to Mr. Hickey because “Mary is a central figure in Catholicism and a big part of the spirituality of St. Ignatius. However, we wanted it to be very special and very different. “The Embrace” is not Mary on a pedestal, unreachable and distant. It is the love of a mother and her child, the child running into the arms of the mother a symbol of the kind of love that God has for us.” The statue uses the talents of many Prep faculty members. Mr. Danielson took a picture of Mrs. Dold with her daughter, Harper, running towards her, which served as the model for the statues. When talking about “The Embrace,” Mr. Hickey showed its importance on the Prep campus by saying, “That love of parent for child and child for parent is something we wanted to emphasize as a school. The idea is that students don’t leave the love of their parents when they are on campus; they carry that love with them throughout the day. “The Embrace” is a tangible reminder of that love. It is personal, not distant.” “The Embrace” was donated by Prep graduate Joe Shephard and his wife Elaine Shephard, who dedicated it to Mr. Shephard’s father and mother, as he is still grateful they sent him to this wonderful school. The other new change to the Prep campus is the turf field behind McDonnell Hall, named Rudolf Field, which has been under construction over the summer and first few months of the school year. Although not regulation for any actual games, the field is perfect for practices, PPD, or for students who may want to kick around a soccer ball with a friend during their free period. This field is named after John and Nancy Rudolf, former Prep parents, who helped through the construction process, and as Mr. Hickey puts it, “[Prep] wanted to share our gratitude to them through this gesture.” With a goal and a view of Lake Washington, this turf field is sure to be a hit with the students. The additions of “The Embrace” and Rudolf Field continue to improve the beauty and usefulness of the Seattle Prep campus.
Editorials
2 The Seattle Prep Panther Editors in Chief Alex Martin ‘16 Meghan McLaughlin ‘16 Photo Editor Tessa Winkelhake ‘16 Prep Life Editor Meghan Kearney ‘16 Entertainment Editor Kate Delaney ‘16 Sports Editor Sarah Buchanan ‘16 Digital Editors Mikaela Frigillana ‘17 Jeffrey Pelayo ‘17 Writing Staff Jacob Bailet ‘16 Jessica Cary ‘16 Jesse Lewis ‘16 Alexis Losse ‘16 Nathanial Post ‘16 Leeds Rising ‘16 Mimi Jurion ‘17 George Kent ‘17 Maggie Kerner ‘17 Aslan Mccurdy ‘17 Gianna Patchen ‘17 Mariella Saludares ‘17 Olivia Smith ‘17 Paul Winebrenner ‘17 Annika Bjornson ‘18 Emma Cooney ‘18 Fiona Scanlan ‘18 Gabi Jeakle ‘19 Allison Kearney ‘19 Mimi Parent ‘19 Isabella Yuson ‘19 Moderator Micah Richardson
Mission Statement
The Panther is a student created, student-run journalism program which provides the Seattle Prep community with accurate, informative articles and media while practicing the components of a professional newspaper. The staff aims to create an informative newspaper and website which focus on issues important to our high school community.
Editorial Policy
The Seattle Prep Panther is a forum for student work and the editorial board makes final decisions regarding publication. The editorial board’s responsibility is not only to present one viewpoint, but to reveal multiple perspectives. The views represented in the Panther or in online publications do not necessarily represent the views of the entire staff, the school, or the administration as a whole.
Find us online at: www.SeaPrepPanther.org Twitter: @SeaPrepPanther
seapreppanther.org December 18, 2015 Editor: Alex Martin ‘16
Slam the Door and Liberty Cries ALEX MARTIN ‘16 Fear has spread across the world following the heinous terrorist attacks in Paris that killed 130 innocent people. The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, ISIL, has taken responsibility for the attacks. ISIL was formed in the midst of the Syrian Civil War, which began during the Arab Spring as Syrians protested the dictatorship of Bashar al-Assad. Assad used force against protestors and, as a result, a portion of his army defected forming the Free-Syrian Army. After numerous internal disputes, ISIL broke away from the Rebel group and began to carve out its own territory in Syria and Iraq. Refugees from Syria and around the region have fled to European countries seeking refuge. After the attacks in Paris, many U.S. officials have been forced to reconsider foreign policy. The question at hand lies in the fate of Syrian Refugees. Many conservative officials in the United States fear that Syrian Refugees may be sympathetic to ISIL and pose a terrorist threat to Americans. Acting in fear, conservatives desire to impose a harsh and extensive review process for Middle Eastern refugees to ensure they are not terrorists. Numerous Republican governors have gone so far as not allowing any refugees whatsoever to enter their states without any constitutional power to do so. Liberals, Washington Governor Jay Inslee in particular, have taken a different approach and want to keep our borders open to save the lives of those seeking refuge. They recognize America’s past regrets from turning away the Jewish refugee ship the St. Louis in 1938 and the internment of Japanese in camps in 1941 and 1942. Two liberals in particular have spoken out, advocating on behalf of the Syrian
Refugees. ‘The Statue of Liberty Must Be Crying’, by Nicholas Kristof of the New York Times from November 21st, compares today’s refugee crisis with that of Jesus’ time, as He too was a refugee. Kristof, a consistent supporter of human rights and a two-time Pulitzer Prize winner, argues that Congress’s decision to restrict Syrian immigrants was “the crassest kind of political grandstanding” and that terrorist attacks are not committed by refugee immigrants but rather by those posing as traveling students and supposed tourists.
“The refugees are victims caught in a war of extremism and yet many Americans are holding them accountable for acts they did not commit.”
Washington Governor Jay Inslee defended his decision to keep Washington State borders open to Syrian Refugees in a November 22nd editorial in the New York Times entitled, “Don’t Close the Door to Refugees.” While over 26 Republican Governors claim they will close state borders to the refugees, Inslee points out that governors lack the authority to close borders, as it is a power reserved to the federal government. Inslee strongly believes that Americans were swayed by fear in the creation of Japanese Internment Camps during World War II and lived to regret it. Turning back Syrian Refugees will be another act America will
regret. “The blame for those acts should be with the radicals who committed them, not any religion, race, or country of origin” says Inslee. I strongly agree with the arguments made by Inslee and Kristof. The nation deeply regrets turning away Jewish refugees and imprisoning Japanese-Americans. In both instances, Americans were driven by misplaced fear and excluded those who needed our help. We generalized that all Japanese were sympathetic to Japan in WWII just because they looked the same. Today, House Republicans and Republican Governors are identifying Syrian Refugees with the terrible acts of ISIL, which frankly is a form of racism. Just because the two groups look the same does not mean they share the same ideology. We must not forget that Syrian Refugees are fleeing from ISIL, not forming militant ranks. The refugees are victims caught in a war of extremism and yet many Americans are holding them accountable for acts they did not commit. After the 9/11 attacks, the terrorists did not enter the country as refugees but as tourists and foreign students. Since then, 784,395 immigrant people have entered America as refugees and only three have been arrested on terrorist charges. These are facts that cannot be spun by the media, yet conservative media has distorted the issue by making sweeping generalizations, characterizing all people from the Middle East as potential terrorists. We must also not forget that none of the terrorists that attached Paris entered France as refugees. None. The goal of terrorists is to strike fear into everyone. By succumbing to this fear and turning back the Syrian Refugees, the terrorists have won.
There’s No Place Like Home for the Holidays
When I was younger, I was obsessed with making Christmas perfect, the best day of the entire year. This is what every kid expects out of it, right? Christmas is the one day you have the possibility of getting everything you want. I could not get enough of Christmas movies ranging from the classics to the sappy Lifetime movies put together with the budget of a spoiled kid’s wish list. I only watched those movies when there was absolutely nothing else on, of course.
“You would think all the rain around here would get a clue and turn to snow.” Each movie ended with something along the lines of a laughing family of four in Santa hats, thanking their dog who just so happened to save the day. Then, the screen transitioned to a shot of their house lit with Christmas lights on a snowy night. That is one thing that really gets to me; the snow. I have lived in Seattle the entirety of my eighteen years of life, and it is a rare occasion when it snows for one, and even rarer when it sticks. You would think all the rain around here would get a clue and
MEGHAN MCLAUGHLIN ‘16
turn to snow. I admired those families who seemed to have it all wrapped up in a cookie cutter Christmas, and no, I do not mean the critically acclaimed Hallmark Channel movie. Although, I am sure that would just illustrate my point. As traditional as my family is, there are a lot of members which can contribute to our unconventional gatherings. My dad grew up in a family of nine kids with a cat or two somewhere in there, and a dog with a (surprise!) litter of puppies. I cannot speak for his childhood, but having more aunts and uncles than I do fingers or toes is definitely something else. There are far too many cooks in the kitchen at brunch, a couple handfuls too many, to be exact. The combined number of canine attendees between each immediate family trumps the number of times something is knocked over (barely). The food item that gets the boot from the counter is most often some dish of potatoes, the amount of which can be attributed to our rich Irish heritage. The most diversity you will see at a McLaughlin Christmas is how many piercings or tattoos my cousin has. As hectic as Christmas can be, I am grateful mine do not end up on the cover of a Hallmark DVD, if they even make those anymore. A perfect Christmas sounds great,
but what makes it the best day of the year are the imperfections. Nothing will beat the time one of the dogs ate half the meal while everyone was at mass.
“These slightly off-kilter memories are what make Christmas so special. The combination of trusty tradition and adventitious accidents winds up being the perfect balance. ” Or the one year it really snowed and we had to tow our gifts down the hill to our grandma’s house on sleds with the destination of a pizza dinner on Christmas Eve. I highly doubt these shots would make the director’s cut for a Hallmark movie scene. These slightly off-kilter memories are what make Christmas so special. The combination of trusty tradition and adventitious accidents winds up being the perfect balance. When I look around the room without a santa hat in sight, nothing feels like it is missing.
Prep Life
seapreppanther.org December 18, 2015 Mikaela Frigillana ‘17 & Gianna Patchen ‘17
3 Terrorist Attacks on Paris Hit Home for Students MIMI JURION ‘17
Friday the 13th superstitiously marks the most unlucky day of the year. In this case, on this day in 2015, a tragic and awe-stricken series of terrorist attacks from the growing organization of ISIS targeted in Paris, France. Three different locations were targeted by suicide bombers that were brimming with civilians and included some family and friends from the Seattle Prep community. There were hostages taken and shooting incidents in this devastating massacre mostly in the concert hall of Bataclan. Following the attacks, the world awaited to hear good news that their loved ones were safe and alive. Unfortunately, this terrifying attack resulted in the deaths of at least 128 people. Social media such as
Twitter, Snapchat, Instagram and Facebook overflowed with support and prayers with the hashtag #prayforparis. The aftermath in Paris included the mourning of families in "a minute of silence" for those who have passed. Students in the Prep community who have been specifically affected are Elise Henn '16, whose sister and Prep alumni Madeleine Henn, is studying abroad in Paris in the 11th Arrondissment, where one of the bombings occurred. Luckily, she was studying in Spain at the time, and her family was relieved to know she was safe. People, fearful of the dangerous terrorists who fled, question the national security of America. France's government, under the French President, Francois Hollande, and the french police force, cornered
some of the bombers who were killed in the incident. Other ISIS terrorists fled to the neighboring country Brussels, Belgium, where 21 arrests were made and all schools and businesses are closed down. The city of Brussels was in on lockdown, and it was forbidden to post on Twitter about the suspected terrorists or any whereabouts, so instead, people would post pictures of their cats with the hashtag #brusselslockdown. Junior Lex Guillot de Suduiraut also has family in Bordeaux, France, where her grandparents are very scared for their national security because ISIS has a very large connection of terrorists around the world. In response to the bloody and destructive attacks on Paris; France has de-
clared war on ISIS in Syria and Mali. The United States is responding as well, with the deeming threat from ISIS that Washington D.C. is their next target. Political issues arose regarding surveillance in public places, recording phone calls, internet searches and background checks. Several European countries allow these forms of security to be issued as forms of surveillance and protection from possible terrorist activity and suspects. Students shared their feelings about being shaken or afraid for their national security and of the developing ISIS terrorist organization. The Seattle Prep community prays for the families and friends of those who were lost in Paris, France after the shocking attacks on numerous innocent people.
Be the Santa in Someone Else’s Life GIANNA PATCHEN ‘17
Seniors Elizabeth Birkhold, Brian Bowers and Chris Martin present the 2015 Giving Tree and introduce special speakers to represent welfare programs in the city of Seattle. This Christmas Prep students make the world a better place by donating money and presents to those in need. In the commons there is a giving tree where everyone has the opportunity to take a tag off the tree and make someone’s Christmas wish come true. On each tag a different person from St. Martin’s on Westlake has put down an item that they want or need but are unable to buy for themselves. All over Seattle there are people who work hard but are unable to splurge on Christmas presents for themselves or their families. This allows every-
one who has been blessed with the comforts of presents under the tree to act as a Santa for someone else. Prep will also be having a basic needs drive for the Wintonia, low-income apartments for the homeless, and for Urban Rest Stop, a series of hygiene centers throughout Seattle including showers, bathrooms, laundry machines, and free toiletries. They are collecting hats, gloves, scarves, socks, and toiletries for those in need. Basic supplies like these are in high demand during the cold and rainy Seattle winters. All of
these programs are local and the students’ donations will go right back into the community. Lastly Prep chooses an international cause to support that corresponds with the Peace and Justice Week theme. This year the theme is girls’ education and money is being collected for two programs. The first is IMPUHWE (Inspire, motivate powerful, undiscovered, hopeful women (with) Education) an organization based out of Rwanda that provides girls from Nyamata, a rural area, with the funding to work through pri-
mary and 6 years of secondary school. The second is the Armania School, an elementary and secondary school in Armania, Ethiopia that is in dire need of suitable facilities and supplies. These two charities will be getting donations from the Dollar Wars. In this event each class is given a jar and it is the other classes’ goals to fill up everyone’s jar but their own class’. In the end the class with the least amount of money in their jar will win and all of the money collected will go to charity.
The Toilet Paper Returns to Stalls ASLAN MCCURDY ‘17
This December “The Toilet Paper” is making a premiere. The ASB junior and senior executives have been working on this paper for the past few weeks, and the hope it that it is here to stay. The issue of having reading material in the bathroom was thoroughly discussed during the summer meetings, but the thought of it was still pushed to the side when important issues regarding Homecoming and Tolo presented themselves. The ASB noted that the most
frequently requested service for Seattle Prep student government was the return of a restroom publication, so this paper will be published on the backs of stall doors. While the format is a little different than previous papers on the first “tissue” is still in the early stages of development and will be changed as more issues are put out. For those who don’t know, “The Toilet Paper” is a newspaper of sorts, modeled after “Potty Talk” from last school year. Previously “Ask Roy,” the column
“Ask Nate” is a crucial part of “The Toilet Paper.” Students can submit notes with issues they are having regarding their love, school or friend life, and Junior Nate Weiand will do the best he can to answer them. Another very important part of “The Toilet Paper,” Throwback Prep Teachers (tpt) has returned. A member of the ASB will ask teachers to submit a photo of them from their childhood, and students will do the best they can to identify that teacher. Junior Hanna Nordale was ecstatic
about the return of the “I am so happy the ASB is bringing back ‘Potty Talk.’” Last year, “Potty Talk” stopped publication, making the bathroom quite boring. Hopefully “The Toilet Paper” is here to stay, but it can’t be done without the help and suggestions of students. The ASB wants you to come by the OSL if you have any new additions you would like to make to improve this beloved bathroom newsletter.
Prep Life
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seapreppanther.org December 18, 2015 Editors: Gabi Jeakle ‘19 & Mimi Parent ‘19
First Person MEGHAN KEARNEY ‘16
What is your favorite holiday tradition? Making gingerbread houses. What is the worst Christmas present you’ve ever received? Handerpants (underpants for hands) What is your favorite Christmas movie? How the Grinch Stole Christmas What is the most overrated Christmas song? “Jingle Bells” Eggnog or nah? Nah How many pounds do you predict you will gain over the holidays? Two Where are you celebrating Christmas this year? My cousin’s house Are you planning on making any New Year’s resolutions? Stop biting my nails What is your favorite collegio book? Night Did you go to the Girls’ Soccer State Championship game? No Do you play any Prep sports or participate in the plays? Volleyball, softball What is your most awkward freshman moment? Dropped notecards all over the floor Do you have any siblings? Little brother. He’s 12 If you could describe your fashion sense using three words, which three would you choose? Don’t have clothes
How many times a day do you use the word “swag”? Once or twice. Who is your celebrity crush? Ryan Gosling What is your second favorite team in the NFL? The Saints If you could be any brand of shoe which brand would you be? Converse Finding Nemo or Toy Story? Finding Nemo Who is your Prep teacher look-alike? Coach Scott What is the best part about Seattle in the winter? Skiing Who was the last person you texted? Mars Conn What was the last thing you watched on Netflix? “New Girl” Do you prefer eBooks or physical books? eBooks Burt’s Bees or Eos? Eos Would you rather listen to “Hotline Bling” or “Good for You” on repeat for the rest of your life? Hotline Bling What is the most obscure item in your fridge? Vegan Cupcakes with Avocado frosting.
An anonymous Prep student sat down with The Panther to tell the school a little bit about themselves. Can you guess who it is? The first person to tweet the correct answer @seapreppanther will win a prize. Good luck!
Academic Council Gives Student Voice to Policies JESSICA CARY ‘16
The Academic Council at Prep works to solve issues involving academic policy. They hope to integrate the student body’s opinion with the staffs to solve shared problems and address concerns. As part of the council, students get the opportunity to share and collect issues of the student body. As part of the Council, Jackie Usibelli ’17 get the opportunity to share her opinions regarding any aspect of Academics at Prep. She says there is a problem with Academic Integrity at Prep saying “it’s not about cheating but about completing solo assignments with the help of others AKA, copying homework.” The Academic Council at Prep deals with issues like this one. Preps Academic Council is comprised of twentyone students from all grades. It is meant to
consist of a broad range of students (i.e. students involved in athletics, drama, art, clubs, etc.) so the whole student body is well represented. Students on the Council and Mrs. Tullis meet at least once a month to share the opinion of the student body on academic issues and policies. Usibelli ’17 shares that the Council has yet to discuss specific issues this year but has acknowledged broader issues at Prep. Everyone involved in the Council is asked to express their thoughts on Academic policy and systems in place at Prep. The Council also seeks to recognize Prep scholars that honor academic policy. Furthermore, many of the students on the Council say they would like to acknowledge students involved in AP and Honors classes as well as those on the President’s
List, Dean’s List, and Honor Roll. The Academic Council at Prep is in place to identify issues of student and staff concern and to honor Prep students and problem solve to make programs stronger at Prep. Some of the most talked about problems on the Council are those of technological concern. Academic Council Head, Mrs. Kathy Tullis, is still challenged by the new One-to-One iPad program that was initiated at Prep in the fall of 2014. Technology has been very successful at Prep but it has brought many foreseen problems as well. Usibelli ’17 says there is a lot of “misuse and irresponsible use of iPads in and out of class.” Prep is still working on finding the perfect balance between old-school pen and paper learning versus new-age techno-
logical iPad learning. The debate continues whether taking physical notes is more effective than typing them. Lots of research has been done on the matter on much larger scales outside of Prep. A Claremont College study revealed that with students’ new found dependence on technology, typing notes may be more effective in long term memory retention in a lecture setting. Over the last year at Prep, teachers have become more lenient in terms of note taking as they get used to the iPad’s along with students. This year, typing or handwriting notes is a personal choice left to the student. As the year goes on, look for changes in Academic policy as the Council starts meeting in the next couple months.
Spirituality 4 Dummies Peels Back the Grad at Grad ALEX MARTIN ‘16
Mr. Eberhardt leads his spirituality class in a silent meditation in the Our Lady of Montserrat Chapel
Seattle Prep students often say that being Spiritually Alive is the hardest of the Grad at Grad elements to achieve. Spirituality 4 Dummies, a new Window class offering aims to target this issue. Mr. Eberhardt, who leads the class, explains that "we too often either misunderstand spirituality or we don't allow space in our lives for our own spirituality to emerge and bear fruit". The class does not derive its focus from any religion in particular. No belief in God is required. The class dives into philosophical perspectives by sharing personal experiences and studying Buddhism, Taoism and psychology. Student's "life experiences, faith, family, friends, interests, and education are an important part of the curriculum". The class also uses a variety of modern music to meditate and reflect on, helping students to realize this. "Spirituality is partly about being aware of what is most meaningful in our life. Being more spiritually alive, therefore, can be as simple as looking, listening,
and becoming more aware of the ways that the world around us speaks to us about that meaning" says Eberhardt. By enrolling in the class, each student receives a small journal to reflect and write in throughout the curriculum. With these journals, Mr. Eberhardt leads students through "Onion" mediation which is "about peeling back the layers of our own identity to discover what lies deepest within us". Students are able to "discover our innermost being: our soul, our deepest desires of our heart, our hopes and our dreams, our fears and our insecurities." Through these practices, the class becomes a true community. Students are able to share personal experiences and struggles in a safe and supportive environment that works to strengthen everyone's spirituality. If any Seattle Prep student is struggling to become Spiritually Alive, Mr. Eberhardt encourages all to join Spirituality 4 Dummies now.
Feature
seapreppanther.org December 18, 2015 Editor: George Kent ‘17
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Local Families Combine to Make Candy Cane Lane a Success TESSA WINKELHAKE ‘16
Cars slowly creep forward, families line the sidewalks, and Christmas music blasts in the background while 1920s era Tudor style houses light up with over the top Christmas decorations. Candy Cane Lane, a one-block stretch of houses including a round about, is located on N.E. Park Road, right off of Ravenna Boulevard just a few blocks away from the U Village. Beginning in 1949, the inhabitants of the 23 houses on this street have put on a Christmas decoration show each year in December. Each house front on Candy Cane Lane is adorned with an array of Christmas lights, blow up Santas or reindeer, signs that say peace in different languages, and of course oversized candy canes. In the center of the round about, a spinning carousel that circles around a holly bush tops off the spectacle. Because of the huge display and amount of work that goes into setting up for this event, houses are sold with their Christmas Decorations. In the summer, house owners host garage sales to fund the massive electricity bill. On a day in early December, all the neighbors on Candy Cane Lane set up their display together, creating a friendly and loving neighborhood bond. Although living on such a special block may seem to be intimidating and to require a lot of hard work, Marsha Miller, a Candy Cane Lane dweller, said “It’s exciting and fun knowing that we are doing something that anyone can enjoy.”
Candy Cane Lane is the result of a longstanding holiday tradition that draws crowds to the small Ravenna neighborhood. Candy Cane Lane is set up and running at 4 P.M. though 11 P.M. (it goes through midnight on Christmas Eve and Christmas day) every day starting December 5th through January 1st. Some choose to drive through to see the houses and their displays, but others choose to walk around to fully take in the experience.
There is no price to see it, but there is a canned food drive that is set up at the end of the block for viewers to donate as they please. Students from prep enjoy going to get into the Christmas spirit each year. Junior, Maddy Marquart said, “My favorite holiday is Christmas. I spend my whole year preparing and waiting for
Christmas every year. I go at the beginning of December to Candy Cane Lane to show the start of the best month of the year!” The Candy Cane Lane tradition had been going on for decades and has grown each year, so be sure to go check it out this December.
Students, Faculty So You Want to Build a Recognize Snowman: A Step-By Step Tutorial Importance of Small Acts of Kindness LEEDS RISING ‘16
MIMI PARENT ‘19
At Seattle Prep, students are taught the Jesuit teaching of love for others; however, distractions can sometimes get in the way of these teachings. Cura Personalis, or care for the person, is a key value of the Jesuits. Students exemplify this value through their service and their overall welcoming attitude. Hattie KenKnight, a freshmen at Prep, remembers how the community welcomed her during her first week. “They (Prep) were very kind to everyone. Everyone had warm, friendly smiles.” In addition, Prep shows kindness to complete strangers through service trips to places such as New Orleans and yearly service projects. During the Urban Plunge, Sophomores have the opportunity to help those in need and become “men and women for
others”. Although the Prep community is considerate, we sometimes lose sight of these values in challenging situations. Mr. Meza, a Science teacher at Prep, noticed that the use of iPads in situations distracted students from courtesy. “I noticed that students who were on their iPads were less likely to acknowledge others. The iPads became a distraction that made the students lose etiquette.” iPads and other distractions can seem to be an easy way to take a break during a busy schedule, but in reality it often makes students less aware of others. Practicing small acts of kindness are just as important to fulfilling and practicing the Jesuit teachings.
From creating square monstrosities to cylindrical atrocities, building the perfect snowman can be difficult. Often, the process ends with the creator feeling like Victor Frankenstein So, to up your front yard décor game and gain the respect of every elementary school student nearby, here’s a quick guide to make the perfect snowman. First, find a good place to station a snowman. A flat area is not only nice for building, but also acts as a stage for this work of art. In addition, the perfect spot needs a ready supply of snow nearby. If the snow is icy, however, it can be far more challenging to sculpt the snowman, so make sure it is both light and fluffy. Next, check to see if the snow can be compounded easily. Then, gather a handful of snow. Pack it tightly within your hands-or, if it’s too difficult by hand, consider using shoes to make the snow more compact. Then, put the basis of the new creation on the ground, rolling it through the snow patch such that it picks up more snow as it rolls. Once it reaches a height of one to three feet, consider it good for a
snowman’s bottom section. Make another snowball, except make sure to spend a smaller, yet not drastically different, time rolling the ball. This will become the snowman’s middle section. Try lifting midsection on top of the lower section, but if the snowball falls apart, a plank or ramp can be used to get the midsection on top of the bottom section. Finally, create the upper section. This section should ideally be a third of the size of the lower section, but if this seems too hard just make sure it’s smaller than the mid-section. Just for fun, feel free to put some more snow between each section. This will not only stabilize the snowman, but also make it more likely to survive the heat of the sun in the coming days. Remember, while snowmen can be made mathematically, ultimately it is the craftsmanship and artistry of the creator that separates a good and a bad snowman. Happy building!
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seapreppanther.org December 18, 2015 Editors: Isabella Yuson ‘19 & Allison Kearney ‘19
Capitol Hill Value Village Closes to Community’s Dismay JESSE LEWIS‘16
After many decades of operation the Capitol Hill Value Village closes down because of inability to pay rent.
The Capitol Hill Value Village, beloved by hipsters and bargain hunters alike has closed its doors. The thrift shop was a focal point of the Pike-Pine corridor of Cap-
itol Hill, a modest store for regular people in a sea of boutiques, clubs, and overpriced restaurants. The company had been renting the
original REI building on the corner of Pine and 11th for several years. A spokesperson reported that, “unfortunate, business conditions … made it necessary” to close the landmark store. Employees laid off from the Capitol Hill location were encouraged to apply for positions at other locations. The now-empty building is a historical landmark with some degree of legal protection. The Pike/Pine Conservation District must clear any new construction. Its current goal is to allow developers to build taller buildings in exchange for keeping portions of the original buildings they replace. The building was once involved in a plan for a 75-foot tall office/mixed-use development project, but current plans for the building are unclear. Construction on the building could start as late as fall 2016, leaving the building empty for over a year. There is currently no interim tenant. Value Village’s closure has become an endorsement for rent control. There is speculation that the store was unable to pay rising rent costs as the neighborhood
became more desirable. Supporters of rent control point the shops closure as evidence that more needs to be done to stop the gentrification of Capitol Hill. The Capitol Hill Value Village was notorious among young people on a budget as the best thrift shop in Seattle. It was the place to find unique, trendy, or vintage clothes for cheap. A favorite of Prep students too, senior Evan Sarantino’s post lamenting the stores closure received 129 likes on Instagram. Even Macklemore reacted to the closing in a tweet on October 28. Value Village was the perfect place to shop for Color Wars, Homecoming week, or themed basketball games. With its great selection, low prices, and close proximity to Rancho Bravo Tacos and Cal Anderson Park, the shop was perfect for a lunchtime shopping spree or as a highlight of a leisurely afternoon on “The Hill.”
To test which holiday foods were more appetizing to Prep students and faculty, a survey was taken. The foods that were listed were divided up into two groups according to their holiday. Thanksgiving foods were named as “list 1” and Christmas foods were named as “list 2”. Each respondent had to decide which list sounded more appetiz-
ing without knowing what that list was. Mrs. Fields shares that she prefers “the first group because I like the foods on the list. I don’t like the foods on the second list as much as I like the foods on the first list.”
In Battle of Traditional Foods, Thanksgiving Wins ISABELLA YUSON ‘19 Tis’ the season to eat lots of food! Thanksgiving has just happened and Christmas is right around the corner. Patches of ice have started forming on the ground as the wind blows the trees from side to side. The leaves are turning to red, orange, and yellow. They slowly fall to the ground in a swift motion creating dozens of piles soon to be stepped on by passing children. People are bundled up in clothing looking like giant, colorful marshmallows as teeth start chattering 20 times per minute. The malls are jam-packed with people as sales are happening. Every person in the hope that by the time they leave they have what they needed to make the celebration a success. Turkeys and pilgrims are plastered onto the walls reminding all that it is time to give thanks. Lights are strung high up on the rooftops and Christmas trees. Santa, Mr. Claus, the elves, and reindeer appear on all
of the television channels. Like any holiday, a lot of preparation is needed to get people into the festive spirit. Two festivities that are in Thanksgiving and Christmas are decorating the house and making the food for the meals. Thanksgiving food and Christmas food are similar but also unique in their own way too. Elizabeth Skalatsky ‘19 says that she likes “Thanksgiving food better because they are foods that you don’t normally eat. Christmas foods are not something that you normally eat too but my family doesn’t eat traditional Christmas foods.” Some traditional Thanksgiving foods include cranberry sauce, pumpkin pie, turkey with stuffing, gravy, and mashed potatoes. For Christmas, traditional dishes and treats are gingerbread houses, ribs, pork-loin, candy canes, carrot puree, and ham.
Black Friday: Good Deals Worth the Insanity? SARAH BUCHANAN ‘16
Less than a day after Mr. Barmore’s favorite holiday, Thanksgiving, is the busiest shopping day of the year; Black Friday. This day is dedicated to getting good deals, fulfilling Christmas wish lists and consuming mass amounts of caffeine. It is an experience in itself shopping on Black Friday, especially if one hits the stores at the odd hours in the night. The lines are long, the stores are often trashed and everyone involved with the “holiday” is cranky. Speaking from personal experience, working on Black Friday is equivalent to a never-ending nightmare. Customers are often upset that the lines are
too long or the advertised sale items are already gone and therefore take it out on the associates. This makes the associates annoyed and therefore reduces the level of customer service. Overall, Black Friday is a big mess. When arriving on Black Friday for work at an early 10:30am at the Kohl’s in Redmond after staying until midnight the night before, it was still crowded with wide eyed shoppers. Customers were vigorously searching for additional $8.99 Crock Pots that could possibly be held in the back. Little did they know is that the store only contained a few of these and advertised the deal in order to draw people in. Being
a discount store, Kohl’s was full of people who were trying to purchase mass amounts of items in order to check people’s gift wishes off their list. Another large group of people were those who ordered online and wanted to pick up in store. Working in Customer Service required running back and forth from the stockroom to pick up various orders. This frantic running around consumed most of the day with little times to regroup and sort returned items. The biggest question that surfaced during the day was why people would bother to return items on the busiest shopping day of the year and not expect the lines to be long.
When asked how her shopping experience was, senior Willow Nye shared that she went shopping during the late afternoon. Nye went to Pacific Place, and didn’t have much luck locating great deals, and the selection was low by the time she got there. She stated, “I couldn’t really find anything and it was still very crowded.” Black Friday is infamous for tired store associates and long lines, and while it was great to see the business booming, the nature of the day relies on overconsumption and materialism.
Prep Life Best TOLO Asks of 2015
Freshmen
seapreppanther.org December 18, 2015 Mimi Jurion ‘17 & Maggie Kerner ‘17
Juniors
Cameron Smith ‘17 surprised her boyfriend, Blake Owens ‘16, by purchasing him an early Christmas gift of the video games Madden and 2K. She then asked him to TOLO with a huge poster that said, “I’d be MADDEN if you didn’t go to TOLO 2k15 with me.” Iris Thatcher ‘16 brought a furry friend as a prop to ask Ben Wagstaff ‘16. Who could say no to this adorable bunny?
Claire Benjamin ‘17 decorated her room with the word TOLO lit up on her bedroom wall to surprise Ian McCurdy ‘17 with this artistic ask.
Seniors
Frankie Stoner ‘16 and Olivia Gilbert ‘16 went from childhood friends to TOLO dates this year with a cute throwback photo to capture the memory. The poster said “Frankie... Been boring you since ‘98, will you be my tolo date?”
In the Christmas spirit of this winter dance, Lucy Turner ‘18 asked Quinn Floyd ‘18 with a handmade poster with a Christmas tree, lights and the words “Light up TOLO with me.”
Grace Jordan ‘19 is a great baker, so she made an Oreo cake with “TOLO” drawn on in frosting to ask out Matt Wieck ‘19.
Sophomores
Michelle Asmar ‘18 got inspiration from the movie “Up” to ask her date with a yummy treat and a clever idea.
Betsy Ratliffe ‘19 had one of the top freshman TOLO asks. She asked her boy with a colorful sign and creative rhyme.
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Entertainment
seapreppanther.org December 18, 2015 Editor: Emma Cooney ‘18
Carnival at Bray Highlights December Page Turners EMMA COONEY ‘18 The shelves of the McKay Library in Adelphia Memorial Hall hold more than just extra copies of assigned reading books. Scattered across the tables and shelves in the library are a host of amazing novels and many popular young adult books. There are genres for all your reading tastes, so whether you are looking for a “crossover between Sherlock Holmes and Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” or a “unique and wonderful picture of adolescence,” the library has something for you. The latter descriptor was used by a critic of the novel The Carnival at Bray by Jessie Anne Foley. Indeed, the novel is a very real translation of what it is like to be a teenager. Set in 1993, the heroine of the story is sixteen year old Maggie Lynch, a Chicago native forced to move to Bray, Ireland when her mother remarries. Left behind in Chicago are Maggie’s grandmother, Nanny Ei, and her more-like-an-older-brother Uncle Kevin. Spending time with Uncle Kevin makes Maggie feel like an adult, and it is his friendly phone calls and care packages that keep her from being crushed by loneliness in her new home. The only other thing keeping Maggie afloat in Ireland is a boy, Eoin (pronounced like Owen), who makes Maggie feel like she could belong in Bray someday. The time period is easy to relate to and helps provide context for Maggie’s
There is a scene in Creed, director Ryan Coogler’s newest addition to the Rocky franchise, in which the title character, Adonis Creed, races down the streets of Philadelphia flanked by wheelie-ing bike riders. As the biker’s circle him in slow-motion, Adonis pumps his fist, jumps in the air, and triumphant music plays. It is trying to be the famous stairs scene from Rocky, and though it doesn’t quite get it, the spirit is there. In many ways, Creed is a modernization of the classic Rocky story, with Rocky (still Sylvester Stallone) as the new mentor, and Adonis Creed (son of Apollo Creed from the original movies, and played by Michael B. Jordan) as the up and coming rookie. The movie follows all the same beats as the original film, has many similar scenes, and is laden with sentimentalism for the old movies. That being said, Creed isn’t a cash grab for the Rocky name – it occurred to me that if it were it would have been called Rocky: Legacy or something in that vein – but rather has plenty of legitimately fresh ideas. It is clear in the attention to detail that this movie had thought, work, and time put into it, especially from the technical side. One
fashion and music tastes. Very frequently mentioned are flannel shirts, Doc Martins, and Kurt Cobain. Sound familiar? The (less familiar) lack of social media in the nineties makes Maggie’s time in Bray seem even more lonely, while the Nirvana craze provides a much needed outlet for her feelings. Foley truly blooms when it comes to the task of creating a realistic town in Bray. It is very easy to feel present with Maggie, listening to the rain on the roof or dancing along with the music in the town’s pub. If a reader is searching for understanding of the complexities of teenage emotion, it will be found in The Carnival At Bray. Foley successfully and sometimes blatantly expresses the chaos of the teenage mind through Maggie. Sometimes she feels anxious when she is supposed to feel sad, or sad when she is supposed to feel angry. She often feels confused and alone, as if she constantly has to prove herself. The need to fit in and grow up often causes Maggie to make impulsive or confusing actions, resulting in some amazing adventures that help Maggie learn about the meaning of home, loyalty, and growing up. Recommended by the Prep Library, this book is for fans of stories like The Perks of Being a Wallflower and Love Letters to the Dead. Readers who enjoy the attempt at putting the experience of
Cade Osterman ‘17 is thoroughly engrossed in The nival at Bray during some free time in McDonell a teenager into words will love this book. And check out the other awesome selection of novels in the library, like 100 Sideways Miles for John Green book fanatics, and The Strange and Beautiful Sorrows of Ava Lavender for fans of Bless Me, Ultima.
CarHall.
If you are looking for something particular and cannot find it, the librarians can order it for you!
Creed Enters the Ring GEORGE KENT ‘17
fight, stunningly, is done in only one shot. Plot wise, Creed is nothing special. There is nothing surprising in the movie, it drags in the middle, and it becomes a little too close to the original Rocky plotwise, but it’s never unbearable. The movie follows Adonis’s journey as he struggles to make a name for himself in the boxing world without abusing the fame of his father. He changes his name to Johnson in order to avoid all the publicity his father’s name would bring, but he may not be entirely committed to shaking his father’s legacy, as his first step is to go directly to Rocky Balboa for training. Most of the movie is a training montage from there on, intercut with Adonis’ and Rocky’s day to day lives on the streets of a modern-day Philadelphia in which Rocky is a city legend. The lead performances are all solid. Stallone pulls his weight as the grizzled mentor with a soft heart (though he still mumbles through ever-stiff lips), Jordan is a likable and convincing hero with something to prove, and Tessa Thompson, playing Creed’s musician love interest, Bianca, is simply and seductively enchanting. The
problem is that they never have any material to play with. The highest emotional point the movie gets to is a yelling match between Jordan and Stallone, and the worst conflicts are resolved as misunderstandings. The rivalry between Adonis and the big bad challenger, ‘Pretty’ Ricky Conlan (Tony Bellew), is one of the best relationships of the movie. One of the movie’s most interesting scenes is a press conference in which Conlan throws insults and Creed tries to keep his cool. Publicity plays a big part in Creed’s plot, and is one of its best contemporary twists on the original story. Throughout the movie, Adonis has to balance the public criticism of his dependence on his father’s name with the opportunities the title provides him. He is determined not to be known only as “Baby Creed,” but is able to fight at the highest levels because of the name. That no clear answer is provided for this issue is one of the movie’s smartest moves. Like the real public eye, it’s complicated, spiteful, and ugly. Despite the large chunk of the movie focusing on the characters’ lives, Creed is, at its core, a boxing movie. Though there are only two real fights in the
film, they are more than enough. Both are thrilling, keep you close to the action, are shot clearly , and are quite visceral. With the use of some well integrated CGI, some almost disturbing sound effects, and excellent makeup work and camera tricks, Coogler creates some of the most intense and real fight sequences of all time. One can’t help noting Creed’s timing in pop culture. The Creed-Conlan fight parallels the recent famed Pacquiao-Mayweather fight in its hype and in the character of its contestants. This movie’s release was either a smartly timed choice, or a happy coincidence in its proximity to the fight in popculture. The Pacquiao-Mayweather fight’s popularity certainly seems like an influence, if not an inspiration, for this movie’s plot. Fans of Rocky will love Creed as a trip down memory lane, and even as a movie on its own. Those who aren’t familiar with the franchise will certainly enjoy it as well. It’s been done before, it’s a bit lackluster and slow, but overall it’s a fun and solid movie. Creed gets 3 out of 5 stars. Go give it a watch this weekend if Hunger Games isn’t your thing.
Dillon Francis, Knowmads Headline Concerts in Seattle Area JACOB BAILET ‘16 It’s that time of year again. Winter is upon us and what better way to spend a night than going to a concert of a favorite artist. This upcoming December will feature many artists of varying genres performing at venues around the greater Seattle area. Some of the many concerts coming to Seattle are as follows: Death Cab for Cutie: Alternative, Indie, and Emo, DCFC offers all to audiences. The band, locally formed in Bellingham, WA, brings a mix of in-
die rock/pop and alternative to give it a unique sound. They will be performing on Tuesday December 8th at the Key Arena. Muse: Muse brings energy to the live stage with its progressive, alternative, and hard rock sound. Catch Muse accompanied by Phantogram on Saturday December 12th at the Key Arena. Lil’ Wayne: Possibly the biggest concert this December happens to be the famous hip-hop/rap sensation Lil’ Wayne. Four time Grammy winner and
auto-tune legend, Wayne emotes the “R” in rowdy with his flashy stage presence and always flaunts multiple chains and of course a grill. Catch the legend in another day at his office on December 18th at the Xfinity Arena in Everett, WA. Knowmads: For those who appreciate the products of their hometown, local Hip-Hop act Knowmads keeps it local. The Knowmads, Seattle natives, represent the “206” through their creative rhymes and classic beats. Catch
the hometown heroes on Wednesday December 23rd at the Nectar Lounge. Dillon Francis: the trap/dubstep powerhouse continues his tour stopping in Seattle on Thursday December 31st at the WaMu Theatre. It seems as though EDM is the biggest thing of this generation. The loud drops, heavy bass, and elongated build ups bring life to Dillon Francis’s concerts and create an atmosphere like no other.
seapreppanther.org December 18, 2015 Editor: Annika Bjornson ‘18
Entertainment
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Snowflake Lane Puts Bellevue Christmas on Display ALEXIS LOSSE ‘16 Now that it is December, it is finally time to begin the countdown to Christmas. Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year, and although Seattleites get into the spirit by going to the Westlake Center Tree Lighting, or going to Candy Cane Lane, Bellevue has its own event. Bellevue Square hosts its 11th annual Snowflake Lane this year, which not only has drummers, snow, and music, but also has floats, characters like Frosty the Snowman, and princesses. Snowflake Lane’s first night of the season is always the day after Thanksgiving, and it goes all the way through Christmas Eve, every night at 7 pm. The best night to go to Snowflake Lane, is obviously the kick-off night, because it is the only night that Santa Claus comes. Santa Claus comes in his sleigh, and afterwards, he stays to light the tree at the Bellevue Place Wintergarden, where people can go to take pictures with the characters, and drink hot cocoa. Julia Panelli, a junior from Holy Names and a princess in Snowflake Lane this year, said, “I have always grown up loving the holiday spirit, and I knew as a little kid that I wanted to become a performer in Snowflake Lane to spread Christmas joy someday”. Panelli later said her favorite part of Snowflake Lane is “seeing the kids’ faces light up as you wave or blow a kiss to
Performers dressed as elves and soldiers smile atop candy cane parade floats. them”. The biggest difference in this year’s Snowflake Lane versus other years is there used to be a main stage where the dancers perform, but this year they are adding new pop-up stages with dancers and drummers to create a more spread out
Where the Wild Things Aren’t: PNB Nutcracker Ballet After Sendak
GABI JEAKLE ‘19
Gone are the days of haunting holiday choreography. This year, a new Nutcracker takes the stage. For the last 31 years, the Pacific Northwest Ballet has performed a unique and magical annual holiday production conceived children’s book illustrator Maurice Sendak and artistic directors Kent Stowell and Francia Russell. Many aspects of PNB’s previous production set it apart from other Nutcracker productions. For starters, the previous version was truer to the original German 1816 E.T.A. Hoffman tale The Nutcracker and the Mouse King, which is darker story than the more commonly referenced Alexander Dumas 1892 adaptation. In Act II, there weren’t any fairies or sugar-coated towns. Instead, there was a Turkish palace with servants and a glamorous peacock. Sendak even alluded to his story Where the Wild Things Are, by sneaking a lovable monster in to the background of a few scenes. The entire production was created to have a creepy and slightly scary feeling to it, as opposed to a typical fantastical sense.
This year, the beloved show will be retired and PNB returns to a more traditional interpretation of the Tchaikovsky ballet, with choreographer by George Balanchine’s and art by illustrator Ian Falconer (of Olivia book fame). This year’s ballet is the eleventh version ever preformed by the PNB. Audiences will be treated to new costumes, new sets, new choreography, new Mother Ginger and one the Nutcracker’s most iconic figures, a new Sugar Plum Fairy. According to PNB Executive Director, Ellen Walker, “Seattle as a market loves new.” Many of the dancers miss the old show, but there is no shortage of excitement for the Balanchine Nutcracker. Mia Griff ’19, is dancing in her eighth PNB Nutcracker this year, and is looking forward to a new twist this holiday season. “I am excited to see how the general public likes the show. PNB has put so much time and effort into creating it. Even though I’m sad that the original is gone, I hope that the people of Seattle will make the Balanchine nutcracker a new holiday tradition.”
show. They even have people on skates this year! Panelli summed up Snowflake Lane in one sentence by saying, “Snowflake Lane is a magical performance where the spirit of the holiday comes alive!” Snowflake Lane is the highlight of many people’s holiday season, and directly
following Snowflake Lane, there is Celebration Lane from December 26th through the 31st which is getting everyone ready for the New Year. Snowflake Lane is definitely a sight to see, even if it means trekking over 520 to Bellevue. Merry Christmas!
That’s a Wrap on Holiday Activities ANNIKA BJORNSON ‘18
As the holiday season approaches, readers may be increasingly aware that the time to start posting cute pictures with friends at ice skating rinks has finally come. However, for those who need some inspiration for their holiday get-togethers and celebrations, here is a list of activities that will get your Christmas spirit soaring. Ice Skating. Of course, this is a mandatory activity because, well, it’s a good excuse to hold hands and cutely wobble on ice like a penguin. That’s an opportunity nobody will pass up. The Key Arena rink downtown is in a perfect location, as it is right by the Seattle Center which is generally open from 7:00 am to 9:00 pm and provides a variety of food choices, showcases art, and makes available other entertainment. Decorating. Stay up all night cutting snowflakes out of paper and putting up lights. Use an etch-a-sketch to create a realistic Mona Lisa and build a city out of Legos...ok, so maybe that’s from Elf. But decorating the house is so much fun with holiday music and a gingerbread housedecorating contest afterwards. Use gum to make shingles on a roof, make bushes of cotton candy, and spread sugar on the ground to create a sparkling snow effect! Caroling. Sure, it’s old-fashioned, but it’s never the wrong century to wander the streets of the bright city with friends
and sing on the doorsteps of strangers. If the cold weather is daunting to some, it is suggested they also invite bae to come along and cuddle afterwards. Bae could be Netlflix. Bae could even be an actual human being. However, the real reason people love caroling (or any other winterrelated thing) is because it’s a good excuse to warm up afterwards. Snow day. Hopefully, God willing, sanguinely, there may be a day during the holiday season on which Seattle is graced with snowfall. If such a day occurs, and there is not school, it is highly recommended one takes the day to enjoy a half inch of slushy snow by sledding, building snowmen, having snowball fights, and re-enacting scenes from Frozen until the snow is too beaten down to continue. This may not actually take long, but again, the city must have high hopes. Shopping day. Many people greatly dread their annual Christmas shopping trip. However, there are plenty of ways in which one can make a fun day out of buying material goods to show love for friends and family. Downtown Seattle is always decked out for the holidays, so in between dashes to the mall, there are gingerbread house competition pieces to check out at the Sheraton, holiday carousels to ride, and Christmas trees to gaze upon.
Entertainment
10 Christmas Songs Ring in the Season PAUL WINEBRENNER ‘17 It’s finally Christmas. No school, more NHD work and a lot of frequent flyer miles are there to be accumulated. To help ease the boredom of that 10-hour flight to that new vacation spot, here is a list of Christmas songs to set the mood the holiday season. Starting it off, Michael Bublé’s Christmas Album will kick off any holiday party with the right mood. The CanadianItalian singer serves up a warm mix of traditional and modern songs. You’ll find yourself singing along to classics like “Have Your Self a Merry Little Christmas”, “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” and “Silent Night” as well as tapping your foot
to the great trumpet solo on “Blue Christmas”. After the pop Christmas tunes begin to sound dull try Bing Crosby’s Christmas Album featuring “White Christmas” is perfect for winding down the evening. On day two “Christmas Funk”, courtesy of the Funk Brothers will set the perfect mood. “The Xmas Twist” definitely is one of the more original songs of the funk era. The Jive Turkeys has a great groove for that one day when NHD is breaking the spirit. Of course if the whole funk thing isn’t the perfect theme, rock has some great Christmas standards, for instance Paul McCartney’s “Wonderful Christmas Time.” To wrap up the 60’s Ray
Charles has a great Christmas blues called “Merry Christmas Baby,” definitely a good one for Christmas Eve. To go with albums and singles, there are of course, Youtube Compilations, perhaps the best of which, is the Christmas Jazz Piano 3 Hour Compilation. JaBig compiled a great group of songs together to play while cooking Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner. Good luck surviving the NHD gauntlet and the cramped legroom, hopefully some tunes make it bearable. Merry Christmas and here’s hoping it’s a happy bright holidays.
The tasty outcome of the Strawberry Santa Hat recipe
Legos, Drones Top Best Present List NATHANIAL POST ‘16 Stuck on what to buy friends and family for Christmas? Below is a break-down of the best gifts for 2015 LEGO products and play sets–LEGO has always been a popular Christmas gift for kids and adults, and this year is no exception. With new LEGO toys themed after Jurassic World and Star Wars, these creative play sets find their way onto many lists to Santa this year. GoPro Hero 4– As the picture quality of cameras continues to increase, while the camera itself shrinks, the GoPro provides the best of both worlds. As the popularity of larger handheld cameras begins to fade, and the iPhone is not the best option, many people will be asking for a GoPro to capture exciting moments in their lives. Fitbit Flex– The Fitbit has been the backbone of many people’s exercise routines, and as staying active and healthy has become a more common standard, people are asking for the Fitbit to help them maintain active lifestyles. Hover Board– With the recent passing of the exact date in which Marty McFly and Doc traveled to the future in Back to the Future Part II, certain aspects of that futuristic vision came to life and mainstream
popularity. One such by product of this hi-tech ideal was the two-wheeled hover boards that have taken people by storm. Watch out for all of the knockoff versions though, especially since these advanced pieces of technology carry a large price tag. Video Game Consoles– Many gaming enthusiasts, whether they be sports, firstperson shooter, or RPG fans, are all talking about what’s new in gaming this Christmas. The Xbox One, PS4, and Wii U all make great gift options for all ages. Be on the lookout for top-selling games like Fallout 4, Star Wars Battlefront, Super Smash Bros., and Super Mario Maker this year to bring a smile to anyone’s face. Darth Vader action figure– Star Wars is back and better than ever this December with the upcoming release of the seventh film in the series. The Star Wars fad has accordingly resurfaced, and Star Wars toys are in high demand, especially the Vader figure. Kitchen/Household Items– These items always seem to be high on people’s lists, especially those in college or beyond. Buy
that special someone a frying pan this Christmas, because who doesn’t love a nice frying pan? Apple Watch– First the iPod, then the iPhone, then the iPad, and now the Apple Watch! This fashionable and helpful accessory is a highly sought after tech gift this year, similar to the fit-bit, but more desired because of the brand recognition of Apple. Clothing– Christmas can be the best of times and the worst of times when it comes to getting new clothes. Regardless of the risk of getting that ugly sweater from that one aunt one barely knows, lots of people still want new clothes for Christmas to show off all the latest styles after the holiday vacation. The Camera Drone– Drones! Everyone wants one! Whether it’s to fly around, take cool aerial shots, or see what the neighbors are up to at any time of day, the number one most requested gift this Christmas is a drone. As of late, they have been used more often in more places, and it seems that everyone wants to get home their hands on these contraptions.
seapreppanther.org December 18, 2015 Editors: Jeffrey Pelayo ‘17 & Mariella Saludares ‘17
Festive Foods for the Holidays MIKAELA FRIGILLANA ‘17 & MARIELLA SALUDARES ‘17 Tis the season for tasty treats to get everybody into the holiday spirit! Follow these simple steps alone, or gather a group of friends for a fun Christmas activity. Although these sweets are manageable to create, they certainly are not the typical dessert. These foods are great to enjoy at home, and even to share with the family. They’re easy to make, easy to bake, and definitely a piece of cake! S’mores Pizza Ingredients: - 1 1/2 cup graham cracker crumbs (about 12) - 1/2 cup flour - 1/4 cup butter - 1/4 cup brown sugar - 1 egg - 2 teaspoon vanilla - 1/4 teaspoon salt - 1/2 teaspoon baking soda - 8 Hershey bars (or 12 oz milk chocolate chips) - 1 1/2 cup mini marshmallows - 3-4 graham crackers Steps: 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees 2. For crust, melt butter and whisk in sugar. Whisk in egg and vanilla. Combine dry ingredients, then mix them in 3. Press evenly into a greased pizza pan 4. Break up Hershey bars and place evenly over crust 5. Top pizza with mini marshmallows 6. Bake for 18 minutes 7. While waiting, break up 2 graham crackers into small pieces, and crush remaining 1-2 crackers into crumbs 8. Remove pizza from oven after 18 minutes 9. Sprinkle graham cracker pieces & crumbs over pizza 10. Cut into pieces and serve Strawberry Santa Hats Ingredients: - Oreos - Strawberries - Buttercream Frosting Steps: 1. Cut off stems of strawberries 2. Line Oreo with buttercream frosting 3. Place strawberry on top of frosting to stick to Oreo 4. Top off strawberry with little bit of frosting to act as pom-pom of Santa Hat One doesn’t need any baking experience to follow these recipes. All it takes is a few ingredients in order to get started. Gather some friends, play some Christmas music, pop in Home Alone (or any other holiday movie), and get cooking!
seapreppanther.org December 18, 2015 Editor: Paul Winebrenner ‘17
Sports
11 Prep Soccer and Swimming Victorious at State KATE DELANEY ‘16
The girls soccer team poses with Coach Hendricks after winning 3A state title. Seniors Jalen Woodward and Sam Hiatt were named to the 2015 High School All-American West Coast Team.
Boys Basketball Zoning in as Season Begins PAUL WINEBRENNER ‘17 As December begins, the boys basketball team is preparing for a new season with high expectations. Mr. Kelly and the boys are hoping to rebound from a tough loss in the state tournament last year. The team will be hoping to reach the state tournament again and make another deep run. Last years squad nearly made it to the state title falling just short after losing to Garfield in the State Semifinals. Juniors Collin Welp and Aaron Nettles played key roles for the Panthers last year. This years team will feature some
new faces after Jack Stewart and Jordan Kitchen graduated. Without last years leadership, the guys will have to be a tight knit group to get the season started. With the glut of talent on this years team, the senior leadership of the VanHare brothers will be important to help the 5 underclassmen along. Juniors Collin Welp, Aaron Nettles, Jesse Franklin and Luke Pfister will also play key roles in helping Prep, hopefully, regain the state title. Sophomores Jaxon Woodward, Alex Flor, Kalu Stricklin, and Nic Lynch are all coming back to help propel the Panthers
forward. This teams length alone should be enough to scare off some smaller opponents as the line up features 6’ 10” Lynch and 6’9” Welp Though the Panthers play in one of the toughest divisions in the nation, the weeks of practice and early morning open gyms will translate to success. Later on in the season the boys are zoning in on the game vs Bainbridge on December 18 as a key game in their season. Prep will be in full support of the team this year as they start their season.
Girls Basketball Clawing Their Way into Playoff Picture LEEDS RISING ‘16
Girls basketball has started out with a strong start this year despite their losses of great players Andraya Flor ’15 and Olivia Morrow ’15. The varsity team, which now has upperclassmen who were new to the program altogether, includes four seniors, a lone junior, and three freshmen and sophomores. The relatively young team is led by Coach Michelle Hall, who has coached 16 previous Seattle Prep girls basketball teams. With their recent games against Shorewood and Franklin, the team showed their relentless offense and strong defense
anchored by Chinwe Ezeonu ’17 and Juliet Navone ’16. While Shorewood pulled away from Prep in the fourth quarter, ending the game 47-29, the team was given a chance to review what had gone wrong and make the appropriate changes. This reflected in their next game against Franklin, a team which has historically been a tough opponent for the team, where the girls secured a strong lead in the second quarter that they never lost throughout the entire game, ending with a lead of nearly 20 points in the 45-28 final score. The Junior Varsity team has also
gotten off to a solid start for their year, beating Shorewood by over 10 points and showing skillful team communication and coordination. In the upcoming weeks, the Girls teams will be playing rivals such as Ballard, Bishop Blanchet, and Garfield, each of which have powerful arsenals that, as Alicia Bianchetto ’16 noted, “...will pose a challenge that we can be overcome with enough hardwork and persistence.” Keep an eye on the Panthers in the coming weeks as there are games no one would want to miss.
The Panthers devoured their opponents this year in the Fall sports season, with State appearances from girls soccer and girls swimming. Girls soccer, lead by senior captains Jalen Woodward and Sam Hiatt, dominated the competition in an undefeated season. Their hard work and determination carried them all the way to a Metro and State championship. The final game against Southridge ended in an exciting 1-0 win for the title. The soccer season would not have been the same without the fearless leadership of Mr. Hendricks and the rest of the coaching staff. Hendricks made the Seattle Times All-Region Team for coach, proving his expertise and skill in the coaching region. Many of the players received recognition and awards, including Sam Hiatt and Jalen Woodward ‘16, Laura Roberts ‘17, Sophie Hirst and Taylor Neilson ‘18, and Bea Franklin ‘19 who all made the All Metro First Team. Woodward and Hiatt also made the Seattle Times All Regional Team with coach Hendricks. Girls swimming also landed some state wins, with junior Cameron Smith winning her events in the 200 and 500 free. The girls 400 freestyle relay got 8th place and the medley relay team got 14th. Throughout the whole season girls swimming showed their skill, winning all metro league meets expect for one against Lakeside. After a successful fall, Panther sports hope to continue the win streak in the winter sports season.
Boys Swimming Dives into Season KATE DELANEY ‘16
The leaves have fallen, ther-
mometers hover at a chilly 35 degrees, and every Christmas song ever created plague the radio. These signs can only mean one thing: it’s time to dive into the boys’ swim season. The only no-cut sport of the winter sports season, boys’ swimming has attracted about 20 boys this year. There are six freshmen and the captains are seniors Jack Clancy and Alex Martin. Martin hopes that this low number will allow the boys to form a closer bond than is usual with the larger teams that they have seen in the past. This new season has also brought changes in the coaching staff. Will Lowell replaced Leslie Lorenz as head coach. Last year, Coach Lorenz helped the boys obtain four state appearances. Coach Lowell hopes to exceed this number this year. Lowell previously coached at Cascade, a select swim team in Seattle. He also was assistant coach for the girls swim team in the fall. Coach Lowell likes to focus on form, and has already worked on fixing the form of some returning swimmers. He employs a coaching style that has been described as “serious, but casual at the same time” by the boys on the team. Lowell has already made an impression as new head coach. The season started mid-November, as the boys prepared for their first meet on December 4th. The boys won their first meet, despite not many of the swimmers participating in the meet due to illness. The success of the first meet shows promise for the season to come. With the season just starting, it is early to determine how the team is looking for an appearance at the state meet, but the team has great potential.
Question Women
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seapreppanther.org December 18, 2015 Editors: Olivia Smith‘17 and Fiona Scanlan ‘18
What is Your Favorite Holiday Special?
“The Night Before Christmas” -Ithay Cortes‘19
“Miracle on 34th Street” -Samantha Eco ‘16
“Santa Claus is Coming to Town” -Nathan Jensen ‘18 and Ally Pisciotta‘18
“Home Alone 3” -Nate Weiand ‘17
“Home Alone” -Cameron Smith ‘17
“Charlie Brown Christmas ” -Blake Owens ‘16
“A Christmas Story” -Chaz Royer ‘19
“Elf” -Brent Fisher‘18
“The Grinch ” -Patrick Bevan‘18
“The Polar Express” -Fletcher Weld ‘19
“Charlie Brown Christmas” -Chris Martin ‘16
“The Year Without Santa Claus” -Sophie Hirst ‘18