EUROPEAN VACATION Comm. Arts Teacher Kelly Wheeler explores Europe With SLHS students, p. 4-5
WHO’S NEW?
FALL SPORTS BEGIN
Get information on new teachers and leadership members, p.6
Which teams have the best chance for postseason play, p. 7
The Sentinel On Guard AN OPEN FORUM FOR STUDENT EXPRESSION SINCE 1982
My.HSJ.ORG/SLHS
VOLUME 31, ISSUE 1
NEWS
SEPTEMBER, 2011
Slip Slidin’ Away
SLHS welcomes Sentinels back Class of 2014 begins their high school careers. BY SUNSHINE SORTONIS It is hard to imagine that summer is coming to an end. It seems like it was only just a week ago when rays of sunshine colored the town a beautiful sunny day. Today, students arrive at Spanaway Lake for their first day of the 20112012 school year, and the emotions that fill the hallways are palpable. There are currently 1,146 students enrolled at Spanaway Lake High School: 360 seniors, 378 juniors, and 408 sophomores. With a total enrollment of 1146 students, the building has grown by about one hundred students over the summer. Although the seniors lack in numbers, school spirit is a well-known forte of the senior class. Over the summer, many seniors have prepared and designed their spirit gear for the year’s pep assemblies. Bejeweled crowns, glittery leggings, and lots of teal are bound to show any underclassmen that 2012 is the perfect year to be a senior. “I’m really excited to be a senior,” said senior Crystal Quinden. “It’s my last year and I plan on making it the best. I’m ready to start my life.” “I am so excited for all the assemblies in store for this year, especially since it’s my last year,” said senior Alyssa Lein. “I want to go all out and make it count! I’m really pumped for the spirit days and showing off my sentinel pride. It’s a fun filled year and I’m excited for all of it.” Do not be too quick to count out the juniors, though. Being a junior is always a difficult position to handle because you are the unofficial “middle child.” With the attention of most of the staff going to seniors graduating and the newly arriving sophomores, who has time for that group? Yet the class of 2013 is handling the situation as cool and calmly as possible. “I’m looking forward to the spirit weeks and knowing that I only have one more year left until I graduate,” said junior Mark Yakubovich. “I’m excited for the games and pep assemblies because this year I feel like
PHOTO COURTESY OF TODD KEISTER
ssortonis@journalist.com
BEATING THE HEAT: Sophomore quarterback Joe Martin slides down the soapy slip-n-slide put together by the coaching staff to cool the players off after practice. The young Sentinel football team has been diligently working to improve. The team opens their season at Sparks Stadium against Puyallup on September 1st.
I can be more spirited. I’m excited for a new class to come in, and to meet new people. I’m excited for new classes, and most of all, planning for college.” said junior Courtney Grilliett. “I’m excited to see all my friends again and to see if I can handle all these AP classes.” said junior Jared Long. On August 31st, parents of new students and sophomores attended an orientation in the auditorium with principal Michelle Ledbetter.
Many parents hold concerns that the transition from junior high to high school is a difficult adjustment. Throughout the school year, sophomores will face pressures regarding school, and their social lives. Their work load in ninth grade will be no comparison to their assignments during sophomore year. As the work load increases, so do difficult decisions. “I’m a bit nervous, but I guess that’s to be expected,” sophomore Shannon Bagwell said.
Kris Coria, parent of sophomore Amanda Coria said, “I’m excited about the next step for her. She is the oldest out of her siblings and the first to go to high school. I hope she gets involved in sports because there is more to high school than a social life.” Whether it is finishing up a high school career, preparing to be a senior in the following year, or just starting a three-year adventure, students around the school are filled with excitement and anxiety.
ASB
CAMPUS
ADVISORY
SPORTS
The first pep assembly of the year will be held this Friday in the main gym at the end of the day. Students will be released from their 6th period to go to the gym by room numbers. Sophomores and juniors sit on the left side of the bleachers, while seniors will sit on the right side. Students should dress in their best spirit gear.
Lifetouch will be on campus, Tuesday, September 20th for picture make-ups. Students and staff who did not get their pictures taken earlier, need to report to have their photos taken. Students who want their photos retaken will have to wait until October 18th.
The first advisory date is set for Tuesday, September 20th. Classes will be on Advisory schedule and students will report directly to their Advisory classes after second period. Students should have already read their summer reading novels. Sophomores were to read The Uglies, juniors had to read The Hunger Games, while seniors read The Alchemist.
Tomorrow
Girls’ Golf @ GK, 3:15pm Boys’ Golf v. GK, 3:15 pm Boys’ Tennis @ Puyallup, 3:30pm JV Soccer v. Federal Way, 3:15pm Swim v. GK, 3:30pm Volleyball v. Annie Wright, 7:15pm
Friday Football v. Curtis, 7pm Soccer @ Federal Way, 3:30