February 2012

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HUNGER GAMES

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LEADERSHIP LOCK-IN

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TALENT SHOW

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The Sentinel On Guard AN OPEN FORUM FOR STUDENT EXPRESSION SINCE 1982

My.HSJ.ORG/SLHS

VOLUME 31, ISSUE 5

APRIL 2012

EDITORIAL

The Lake say goodbye BY DANIELLE DIXON ddixononguard@gmail.com Students are whispering and muttering the news in their classes, teachers walk with a slight stoop in their shoulders, and a certain

her leadership. I loved her leadership,” says libraran()” We will all miss her leadership, miss her smile, and her charm”. Needless to say the face of Spanaway Lake High will be different now and students will be feeling the affects of it all, “I haven’t been here long, “ said Alisha Long, “but I think she was doing her job well. When I came everything was nice and welcoming. I guess she’s always taking charge and making

been amazing. I’m most proud of their “whatever it takes” attitude,” she says, but do not think she has not thought about the students she is leaving behind, “ Students here make Spanaway Lake a place others have admired. How polite, respectful, and accepting they are. You have no idea how many compliments I’ve gotten from substitutes about students holding doors open, asking if they need help. That culture is unique to this student body”. As for the students things might seem a little bit surreal once she’s gone. “People will ask her where she went,

Julie Baublits Vice Principal “Her leaving will leave a huge void since she has made such a big impact at Spanaway Lake. She will be sorely missed.”

Mark Torgerson Athletic Director

Gary Milbradt School Security

“I will miss her great sense of humor and her great attention to detail.”

“It is a little disturbing because we have good chemistry but it is always good to see someone move up and move on.”

PHOTO BY STAFF

PHOTO BY STAFF

PHOTO BY STAFF

Michelle Ledbetter’s absence. Could this be the temporary setting of Spanaway Lake for the rest of the school year? Principal Michelle Ledbetter will not be assuming the role of principal during One thing everyone must be wondering the 2012-2013 school year, she will not be about is who will take her place? Who here at all. She has taken on a new role as always been passionate about it, saying will be the helpful hand and leader in principal of the Pierce County Skills Center. Of course, did a really good job so everyone is sure that our people will miss her,” said esteemed and encouraging senior Christine Ellerman. principal will be a great That could be one of the good addition to the Skills Center, things about being principal, its also more than obvious she will be greatly missed you’ve had a huge impact on here at Spanaway Lake High someone, “says Mrs. Ledbetter. School, by students and staff. Now there has got to be Ledbetter has been the some fantastic times one as principal of the school for during their term as principal. the last seven years. She So what was Mrs. Ledbetter’s received the job after moving favorite moment? It happened on from the job of assistant during her third year as principal that she held for three years before the ED sports team. “It was a former principal resigned. spring game, they had won Ten years as principal the gold medal and the entire has been more than enough student body went bezerk those time for students and so the special kid went crazy. faculty members to become Thos pieces are so important”. accustomed to her authority It’s sad to think those special and kindness, and for the moments with Mrs. Ledbetter THE FANTASTIC FOUR: For many years, these four administrators have worked together to make this school the best that it can teachers/staff to follow her be. They have come together to bring in new ideas that make for a better environment that has lead to success for many are rapidly coming to a close. lead and responsibility as students. It will be a drastic change for everyone when we lose some of the most important people at Spanaway Lake. She thinks June, the awards principal. She has been helpful night, graduation, and the the in mediating problems, nurturing the that the Skills Center “would be a perfect bad situations? Who will be the new education and well-being of students as well combination of high school and CTE” “A mixed bag of emotions,” as she calls as the growth and change within the school. The PSCS also does hold a lot of power it, “but still excitement for what’s new”. run our school? The answer to every one Unfortunately for many students, she in our community “The Skills Center has So after the end of the 2011-2012 school year of those questions would be Mrs. Julie has made the decision to use her skills the potential to change the face of East that Mrs. Ledbetter leaves Spanaway Lake Baublits, the school’s current assistant elsewhere, but that decision was not an Pierce County,” says Mrs. Ledbetter, High School and it will start new experiences principal. After years of working with easy one nor did it go over smoothly. “It can be a direct link to high-paying in the beginning of the new one. But with Mrs. Ledbetter, Mrs. Baublit’s will step up “Staff member cried when they found jobs that are in demand, its key. Its very Mrs. Ledbetter’s encouraging, positive and take on the responsibilities of being out,” she said. “I’m going to miss the intentional on helping kids and careers, principal of Spanaway Lake High School. school. It wasn’t a spur of the moment new programs, help with internships, an incredible new principal about to come “I think Mrs. Baublits taking over is decision. Everyone has a professional building programs, and partnerships”. up, the future of the school is looking up. great,” says Mrs. Ledbetter, “She’s familiar goal. Don’t think I was searching for So it seems the sorrow in Mrs. Ledbetter Everyone will miss her and be with the ins and outs of Spanaway Lake an opening to get out of here. It was leaving also has an upside to it. She will help appreciative of her and SLHS will never and appreciates and respects its culture something I had been interested in, it make student’s futures bright, possibly forget one of its greatest principals. If and tradition”. Its safe to say the school opened new doors and opportunities”. even some of you Spanaway Lake students there is anything anyone would say to Mrs. and all of its residents are in good hands. Eventually she had to choose and a change one day. Not to mention she’s wellLedbetter other than “thank you” it must be, As Mrs. L moves on she can look back was set in motion and with reasoning that equipped for the job having had internships “Goodbye and good luck, Mrs. Ledbetter”. is impossible to disapprove of. Although and the opportunity to see the classrooms of SLHS. “I’m proud of the staff and how her supportive staff members are saddened of the Skills Center. It doesn’t completely much they have embraced high school. by her departure from SLHS some seem take away the pain. “We are going to miss The work with advisory, SST, SQ3R, has

PHOTO BY STAFF

of

to agree that this is a good thing for her. “I’m sure she’s going to do a wonderful job at the Skills Center since I know she has a background in CTE” said French teacher Pointec. For anyone who does not know the Pierce County Skills Center is a building with programs and career options for students, that leads to real jobs that mix with workplace demands and is joined with several technical colleges and several school districts. Mrs. Ledbetter

Harold Wright School Security “We are going to miss her very much. I hate to see her go but it’s a good chance for her to spread her wings and do bigger and better things for the kids.”


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