March 2012

HUNGER GAMES

PAGE 3

LEADERSHIP LOCK-IN

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TALENT SHOW

PAGE 4&5

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

My.HSJ.ORG/SLHS

VOLUME 31, ISSUE 5

APRIL 2012

NEWS

The Lake says goodbye

“I think Mrs. Baublits taking over is great,” said Ledbetter, “She’s familiar with the in’s and out’s of Spanaway Lake and appreciates and respects its culture and tradition.”

It is safe to say the school and all of its residents are in good hands. As Ledbetter

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

the great moments of the past ten years.

“I’m proud of the staff and how much they have embraced the high school.

The work with advisory, SST, SQ3R, has been amazing. I’m most proud of their ‘whatever it takes’ attitude,” she said.

Do not think she has not thought about the students she is leaving behind though.

“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,” said Ledbetter.

As for the students things might seem a little bit surreal once she’s gone.

“People will ask her where she went, job, so people will miss her,” said senior Christine Ellerman. That could be one of the good things about being principal.

THE FEARLESS LEADER: After ten years at Spanaway Lake, with the past seven as principal, Michelle Ledbetter will be leaving at the end of the school year to take the position as principal of the Pierce County Skills Center. Ledbetter has left a lasting mark on past , present and future generations of Sentinels.

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

One thing everyone must be wondering about is who will take her place? Who will be the helpful hand and leader in bad situations? Who will be the new our school? The answer to every one of those questions would be Julie Baublits, the school’s current assistant principal. After years of working with Ledbetter, Baublits will step up and take on the responsibilities of being principal of Spanaway Lake.

“A mixed bag of emotions,” as she calls it, “but still excitement for what’s new.”

So after the end of the 2011-2012 school year Ledbetter and Spanaway Lake High School will start new experiences. But with Ledbetter’s encouraging, positive an incredible, new principal about to come up, the future of the school is looking up.

Everyone will miss her and we will never forget Spanaway’s greatest principal.

If there is anything anyone would say to Ledbetter other than “thank you” it must be, “Goodbye and good luck, Mrs. Ledbetter.”

Gary Milbradt School Security “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

always been passionate about it, saying that the Skills Center “would be a perfect combination of high school and CTE.” The PSCS also holds a lot of power in our community “The Skills Center has the potential to change the face of Pierce County,” says Mrs. Ledbetter, “The skills center has the potential to change the future for studentsof Pierce County. It can be a direct link to high wage, high demand jobs.

It provides students an intentional focus, conection to post secondary education, internships, and apprenticeships”.

So, it seems the sorrow in Ledbetter leaving also has an upside to it. She will help make student’s futures bright, possibly even for some Spanaway Lake students one day. Not to mention, she’s well-equipped for the job having had internships and the opportunity to see the classrooms of the Skills Center.

It doesn’t completely take away the pain.

“We are going to miss her leadership. I loved her leadership,” said librarian Sandy Wusterbarth-Brown. “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 sophomore 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

huge impact on someone, “said Ledbetter.

So, what was Mrs. Ledbetter’s favorite moment at Spanaway Lake?

It happened during her third year as assistant principal, with the Special Ed state champion basketball team.

“It was the spring assembly after they had won the gold medal. When Karl (Hoseth) announced them, the entire student body went bezerk, which made the team get really excited. Those pieces are so important.”

It’s sad to think those special moments with Ledbetter are rapidly coming to a close. She thinks June, the awards night, graduation, and the the last day

PHOTO BY STAFF

joined with several technical colleges and several school districts. Ledbetter

PHOTO BY STAFF

of 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 the 2012-2013 school year; she will not be here at all. She has taken on a new role as principal of the Pierce County Skills Center. Of course, everyone is sure that the esteemed and encouraging principal will be a great addition to the Skills Center.

It is also more than obvious that she will be greatly missed at Spanaway Lake High School by students and staff alike.

Ledbetter has been the principal of the school for the last seven years. She received the job after moving on from the job of assistant principal that she held for three years before the former principal resigned.

Seven years as principal has been more than enough time for students and faculty members to become accustomed to her authority and kindness, and for the teachers/staff to follow her lead and responsibility as principal.

She has been helpful in mediating problems, nurturing the education and well-being of students as well as the growth and change within the school.

Unfortunately for many students, she has made the decision to use her skills elsewhere, but that decision was not an easy one nor did it go over smoothly.

“I’m going to miss the school. It wasn’t a spur of the moment decision.

Everyone has a professional goal. Don’t think I was searching for an opening to get out of here. It was something I had been interested in, it opened new doors and opportunities,” said Ledbetter..

Eventually she had to choose, and a change was set in motion and with reasoning that is impossible to disapprove of. Although her supportive staff members are saddened by her departure from SLHS, some seem 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 Kathleen Pointec.

For anyone who does not know, the Pierce County Skills Center is a building with programs and career options for students which leads to real jobs that mix with workplace demands and is

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.”

2

On Guard Spanaway Lake High School 1305 168th Street East Spanaway, WA 98387 EDITOR-IN-CHIEF ..............................Nicole Croswhite EDITORIAL BOARD.................................. Bradley Dean ........................................................................ Anna Kessner ........................................................................ Sam Martinez .................................................................. Turquoise Oreiro .................................................................. Charlie Whitman REPORTERS ........................................... Liam Kerschner ...........................................................................Ashley Leise ........................................................................ Junilda Reyes ADVISER ...................................................... Todd Keister

PRINTING INFORMATION The On Guard is printed eight times a year by the Snohomish Printing Company in Snohomish, WA. MISSION STATEMENT 1. First and foremost, the On Guard stands to inform and entertain the intellect of the student body, we shall at all times cover all stories with accuracy, integrity, and fairness.

2. The On Guard stands to obey all laws set forth and abide by the On Guard Code of Ethics.

3. The On Guard stands as an open forum newsmagazine. All students who submit an article, photograph, or artwork that meets all of the issue shall be considered for publication.

4. All journalists shall respect the school and community by reporting with objectivity, honesty and accuracy.

5. The On Guard shall strive to exceed the highest standards of high school journalism.

6. To ensure accuracy, any corrections that shall be necessary will be printed promptly and neatly.

EDITORIAL POLICIES 1. Letters to the editor are accepted, and shall be printed if they meet the following criteria; submissions must be 50-250 words in length, and signed by the author with a signature and a grade level 2. The On Guard reserves the right not to publish any editorial submission for any reason. The On Guard may also edit to condense submissions that do not meet the given 50-250 word limit.

3. All opinionated publications must meet the same standards of fairness, accuracy, and integrity as all other submissions.

4. The Op-Ed page shall always give credit to all contributing staff members, in the staff box. opinion of the On Guard. The staff as a whole may the staff.

CODE OF ETHICS 1. The On Guard shall abide by all laws.

2. The privacy of all students shall be protected.

For sensitive information to be published of a minor, a student release form with the signature of his/her parent or guardian is required.

3a. In the event of a death of a student, the On Guard shall write an obituary including the name of the person, the birth date, cause of death (if public), date, time, and place of death; date, time, and status of the memorial services; the family survivors of the deceased person.

3b. The On Guard may also choose to run a story about the deceased person, cause of death, the life of that person, and any other information if deemed by the Editorial Board to be newsworthy.

3c. No opinionated article should be written about the death of the student, unless in the form of a letter to the editor.

3d. The immediate family or guardians of the deceased may request for any and/or all information to be withheld from publication, in respect to that family.

4. Never should any article contain information or dialogue that personally attacks another student, 5. Any material deemed offensive by an editor (in charge of that page) or the adviser shall be withheld from publication.

6. If the details in a publication are relevant to the material, they may and should be published, despite if the facts are offensive. The truth is more important than making sure that the person isn’t offended by the facts of the content.

7. To protect the integrity of the On Guard, the any staff member for inappropriate or untimely behavior. The advisor and/or Editor-in-Chief also reserve the right to reject the entry of any student into the On Guard staff.

8. All ads are subject to the same standards of decency as all other news and editorial submissions.

9. The On Guard may reject the submissions of any advertiser, if the product is deemed offensive and/or harmful to minors. Advertising will not be 10. What a staff member does in their personal life

my.hsj.org/slhs ON GUARD

Op-Ed

SEPTEMBER 2012

THE ON GUARD | EDITORIALS

OPINION

Packed halls give a

BY SAMUEL MARTINEZ smartinezonguard@gmail.com Being a class of 2013 Senior, I have been able to experience three different awe. The upperclassmen are so big, and have more hair on their faces than I do on my head. I stuck by my friends sides and didn’t really talk unless they were near.

As a junior I was more comfortable. for the upcoming year, but at the same time, I was still wishing that I was still on summer vacation. I had not started to enjoy actually being at school, like I have developed by the time I became a senior.

On September had a chance to as a senior. My when the clock turned to 2:20, and friends began to talk outside the front of the school there was one subject that was on all the minds of the upperclassmen, myself included.

I turned right after passing room of people shoulder to shoulder, for as long as the history hallway, stairs, and heritage hallway, extend. The culprit is no mystery. The addition of over four hundred freshman was surely going to congest the hallways, but I do not think anyone was prepared for what happened, and what is still happening weeks later.

I do not want to sound as if I am ranting or just complaining by means of the On Guard paper, but people need

passing periods. Five whole minutes.

Please, someone, anyone out there, consider taking the long route to avoid

In the Bethel school district all the computers have what is called the M86 place to block sites like Facebook, twitter, by the administrator. But is it doing its job? Is it worth the price?

The model the Bethel school district uses 24,400 dollars a year. Quite the pricey program. This money could be used for more important things in the district like replacing school items such as text books and funding extra curricular activities like sports or the arts.

But this pricey piece of software has another downfall. It might not be doing

11. Staff members should not accept gifts from

out by getting to lunch earlier or having an easier, less claustrophobic, route to your classroom.

If you are not at all for a little change, than you can always try just being patient.

Pushing and shoving will get you nowhere.

And while talking to friends is best done never, and I mean never, just stop walking in the talk to a friend. Go off to the side of the hall or multitask by walking and talking.

Finally remember as I told the Twelve or so members of my link crew, “Nothing gets on the upperclassmen’s nerves more than someone going up or if it means that you will be separated from your friend for about twenty seconds.

Yes, we were all shocked at the sight of Hallway congestion was not at the top of our lists of issues with freshman. But while we cannot change that 400 or so new students are walking these halls, we can change how we get around our school.

kids abusing the internet they should just simply have teachers be more vigilant to what there student are doing on the computer. If students are on sites they aren’t supposed to visit then take away their access to school computers.

The fact is, if a student really wants to get somewhere on the internet, there is a way. Our school has been known to have spotty if any coverage, but smart phones allow kids to get onto any website they please. Social networks such as Facebook and Twitter is a simple tap away and you can get music from Pandora or Youtube regardless of how the school controls their internet.

So students know how to get past it, or how to get what they want by other and serves little good. So why have it? The school wants to protect us from what most of us have access to already. They want us to stay focused and not play games or watch videos, but in my opinion the M86

prevents kids from getting on sites that considered above the minimum security well as adult content.

Getting on inappropriate sites is a

GOT OPINIONS? SEND LETTERS TO ROOM 215 OR E-MAIL US AT TKEISTER@ BETHELSD.ORG

teachers able to see students computer screens from there monitors its near impossible for kids to get on sites they aren’t supposed to be on. Since students are under adult supervision when they go much unneeded and expensive back up plan to keep kids off sites inappropriate sites for school. don’t need. If schools are worried about

What is the biggest problem at school this year with all the changes?

Lunch sizes Closed campus New teachers

that the second story has stairways that lead to the front and back of the school.

These ideas and shortcuts can reduce

Expensive internet

BY LIAM KERSCHNER lkerschneronguard@gmail.com

Student Sound-Off

CENSORING THE STUDENTS: Most students have had the problem of encountering the M86 web Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, Pandora, and more.

*100 students are interviewed every issue for the Student Sound-Off.

POLL QUESTION FOR NEXT ISSUE What is your favorite type of candy?

Visit http://my.hsj.org/shls and click on the article “Student Sound-Off” and submit your answer.

HEAD MAESTRO NICOLE CROSWHITE

A word from Alaska As I walked through the doors day of my junior year, I had no idea what I was about to become a part of.

This day in a school with more than 600 students and I was a nervous wreck by the time this class came around.

I took my seat on the side of the classroom as I watched the other students walk in hugging each other and greeting their friends with very loud introductions.

I just kept thinking to myself “I can still switch out. These students had volunteered myself to co-write a newspaper article with a student I had been sitting next to since day one.

It was less than a month later that I sat next to the Editor-In-Chief and began training to be a section editor for the school newspaper. She, along with her friends, were the ‘loud and obnoxious’ people that intimidated only was I leery of working with these strangers, but I had never seen, let alone written for a high school newspaper.

As a new kid in the group, I was interrogated with questions about myself.

‘Where did you come from?’

‘Why are you in Spanaway?’

‘How did you get in this class?’

I was hesitant to answer these questions because I had not the slightest clue who I was talking to, but I began to tell them about myself and immediately it became the topic of discussion.

I had just moved to Spanaway from a small town in Alaska and yes, I have met Sarah Palin. Being from Alaska is not a very common thing so each and every one of them questioned the weather, the houses, and the lifestyle that I came from.

They were so in awe of the fact that I had lived in Alaska that they begin to call me just that. From the day we started talking, it was just ‘Alaska’.

I soon began to realize how much time you put in to the publication and I found friendships within the other Spanaway Lake, these editors became my best friends and we spent hours together after school and even began to get together outside of school. Before long, I found a love for journalism and continually strived to learn more about the in’s and out’s of being a journalist.

Here I am, a year later, Editor-In-Chief of what used to be a foreign topic to me and I hope to do my job successfully.

ON GUARD my.hsj.org/slhs

News

APRIL 2012

3

Black College Fair summary

BY BRADLEY DEAN bdeanonguard@gmail.com On Wednesday, February 22, Spanaway Lake High School held its annual Historically Black College Fair where four universities were present to award scholarships to some of Spanaway Lake’s outstanding seniors.

Colleges that were present at this year’s fair were Bennett College, which is an all

WE’RE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER: Juniors Alleyah Armendariz, Courtney Grilliett, Kendra Green, Sophmore Kilon Perez, and senior Cherelle -

Students lead at the lock-in

BY ASHLEY GILL agillonguard@gmail.com Every fall, the leadership class at Spanaway Lake High School starts planning the annual Leadership LockIn that is held ever spring. In a secret room, the students spend countless amount of hours preparing decorations, brainstorming games and coming up with the central theme.

As winter approaches the students wait patiently with hopes that a teacher or faculty member might nominate them to go to the Lock-In. Anticipating their invitation, many students look forward to this, even all year.

This years theme was “Disney”, and each group was separated by colors (green, purple, blue, and black) which presented their groups. The green group’s focus was “Madagascar”. Purple was space-themed or “Buzz Lightyear.” Blue, was under the sea focused with characters such as “Finding Nemo” and “The Little Mermaid.” Also, the black group was ice themes with characters like “Happy Feet” and “Mickey Mouse.”

Students spent the night playing ice breakers and leadership-based activities.

“Lock-In was great for me, we do the ice breakers and games for fun but they are also a wonderful opportunity to see kids come out of their shell and become part of the group,” senior Austin Blake said.

The games and activities including the gym Olympics and the dance competition which forces students out of their comfort zones to meet students they may have never met before and grow as leaders in the process.

The dance competition is always one of the activities that the students cannot wait patiently for. Each group has to choreograph an entire dance, which includes every student in the group with the song of their choice. This years winner proved to be the green group.

Another aspect that is a tradition at the Leadership Lock-In is a guest speaker. This year’s speaker was Logan Seelye. Seelye was an inspiration with his presentation on leadership, motivation, and success.

He made sure to instill in every student the importance of not giving up and

working hard even when the odds seem against you.

The rest of the night included a pizza dinner with other food contributions for the students who attended. A movie was played in the theater and various activities such as yoga, Wii, and games in the gym were offered for all students. Although, a spot to get some sleep if possible.

As morning came, the students gathered in the commons to have a nice breakfast and also to watch a slide show of pictures taken throughout the night.

“Every year is a new experience, and this Lock-In really contributed to a great senior year,” senior Brandyn Johnson said. or their third, the students of Spanaway Lake students will always have the everything they learned that night.

The Lock-In is a great opportunity and experience for all students who are able to go, and the leadership class and faculty who come together and make it possible are greatly appreciated.

Robotics charges up

BY BRADLEY DEAN bdeanonguard@gmail.com From March 22 through 24, Spanaway Lake Robotics, Team Sentinel Prime Bots 2906, competed in a regional competition at the CenturyLink Event Center Creek, in Seattle, WA. They competed against 45 other teams, including teams from Mexico and Turkey in the 21st season of the First Robotics Competition (FRC). Senior Dakota Eggleston said her favorite part of the competition was meeting all the new people, especially the teams from Turkey, Mexico and Canada.

Team Sentinel Prime showed up on Thursday morning to prep their robot for the completion which would begin on Friday, March 23.

Meetings were held for the drive team and safety captains, to ensure that it was a fun, but safe competition for all. Friday morning started with qualifying matches; however, during not

competing

up

to

expectations.

also faced challenges with their vacuum belt, which began to smoke for their next two matches.

As a precaution, the team was instructed to hit the emergency shut off switch to programming issues, and wheel functioning issues throughout the remainder of their matches.

With the help of Cyborg Ferrets, Team 3238, from Anacortes, WA, the team qualifying matches.

With their issues behind them along with well-rested and fed minds, the team won two out of their three matches on Saturday.

All in all, with a total record of 6 – 5 the Regional. After a long FTC season and a six week FRC season the team is looking forward to some time off.

Senior Brandon Dean admitted that he would miss many things now that the season is over.

“I would miss all of it. The fun events and games because they were interesting and made you think outside the box” said Dean.

The team would like to thank their seniors, President Brandon Dean, VicePresident Dakota Eggleston, and Matt LaManita, who was out sick for this competition, but was a great help along the way. Their experience, knowledge and leadership will be greatly missed by the team.

“I think the most important thing I will take from robotics, is the way it teaches you about cooperation and teamwork,” Eggleston said.

With the help of their mentors, Taleah Bradley and Alex Olschner, along with continue to learn and increase their skills.

Mr. Ward, from Graham-Kapowsin tremendous help to the team.

They hope to gain more knowledge for next year. The Sentinel Prime Bots are sure to have another successful season.

Twenty students with a 3.0 GPA or higher and of different races, attended in hopes of receiving a scholarship to one of the universities. There was almost $2 million dollars worth of scholarships awarded on that day. Seniors Ashley Davis, Brandon Dean, Amarachi Ejiawoko, Kathryn Rankin, Devan Salter, and Fallon Stanley were offered full-ride scholarships to at least one of the universities.

Senior Ashley Davis admitted that many staff members helped her with the event.

“As far as the Black College Fair, Mr. Tuggle, Ms. Pak, and Mrs. Van Dyke helped me,” Davis said.

Davis was humbled by the amount of colleges that offered her scholarships. She was not at all afraid of leaving home or the great amount of distance that the schools are located.

“I will be glad to get away,” she said.

Overall, Davis was awarded three scholarships for a total of $192,600.

Davis plans to major in environmental science.

Brandon Dean, received $400,600 worth of scholarship offers, which was the most offered to any single student this year.

Dean was the talk in the hallways for receiving such an astounding amount of scholarship offers. Many students wondered how he earned so many offers.

“By having a lot of volunteer hours and a good GPA,” Dean responded.

Dean admits that his family has mixed feelings about him moving so far away because they will miss him; however, they want what is best for him so that he can accomplish what he has set out to do.

Dean plans on majoring in chemical engineering with a minor in Chemistry.

Senior Amarachi Ejiawoko plans to major in business and administration. Ejiawoko she is not accepted to Harvard, she will Her sister, also a former Sentinel, where she was offered a scholarship last year.

Ejiawoko was awarded $264,600 in scholarships and was accepted to all four universities that were present.

Kathryn Rankin was also accepted to all four universities with a total of $300,600, which was the second highest amount of scholarships offered.

Rankin plans on majoring in Biology and attending one of the colleges that have offered her a scholarship; however, when asked if she was considering one of these three scholarships she did admit that “It’s a possibility still, but I am not sure about where exactly I’m going to go.”

“I’m excited for the new environment, but slightly nervous also,” Rankin said.

Devin Salter was offered two scholarships totaling $216,000. Salter said that his mom played the biggest role in helping him with the Black College Fair. He plans on majoring in Biology with a minor in music.

Fallon Stanley was also accepted to all four universities with a total scholarships in the amount of $264,600.

Hard work, dedication, leadership and volunteering helped all twenty of these students receive scholarships.

Whether it was a full ride, or just a few thousand dollars, these students have made Spanaway Lake and their community proud.

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ON GUARD

my.hsj.org/slhs

Feat

the MOVIE

BY DANIELLE DIXON ddixononguard@gmail.com

On Fire, Katniss Everdeen. Katniss is a determined and courageous sixteen-year-

If the thrill, chill, love, emotion, and depth, of The Hunger Games was not enough for you in print, then seeing all the action on the big screen might satisfy your craving for the these wild games.

The The Hunger Games

the female tribute for her district in the annual Hunger Games.

was more than a treat, it was more like a gift from the creative mind of director Gary Ross and the script contribution of the author, Suzanne Collins.

Almost everyone has seen the specials on E!, the novels in the stores, the Mockingjay insignia, and the faces of the actors plastered on nearly every available space.

Almost everyone has heard of The Girl

death between 24 teenage and/or preteen tributes in which there can only be one victor, played out on live television, in the dystopian society of Panem. The movie generated a record breaking $155 million dollars opening weekend.

The movie is a good one to watch, even for those who have not read the book. The settings go along close to perfect with the book as if a cinematic, magical hand pulled them out of the book itself.

Even the controlling Capitol city looked liked a nice place to be if it were not for the cruelty or hideous fashion. The graphics were amazing and the costumes were on point.

But, it was the acting that seemed to blow the audience away. Most people love the casting choices, a lot of which were serious eye candy.

Josh Hutcherson played the blond, charming, and intelligent Peeta. Rugged Liam Hemsworth, played the daring and supportive Gale.

Of course there was the beautiful and extremely talented Jennifer Lawrence who scored the role of Katniss. A constant Lawrence

totally

embody

Katniss’s

skill, and her complex emotions.

The other tributes were praise worthy as well with fresh faces. Dayo Okenyi was the rough Thresh (District 11 tribute), Alexander Ludwig as bloodthirsty Cato,

Isabelle Fuhrman as ruthless Clove (District 2 tributes) and there could not have been a better, more innocently gentle Rue (District 11 tribute) as portrayed by Amandla Stenberg. tenderness, emotion, and love but still maintain the inhumane bloodbath and killing as seen in the book. Nothing was played down for the sake of sensitive eyes. following the story line closely, with the exception of a detail or two, that only a die-hard fan could wish was incorporated

V

The Hu Gam

many viewers and reviews stated was the constant jarring of the camera during action scenes. It was hard at times to follow what was happening.

Some people said that Jennifer curvaceous, and womanly to portray a sixteen-year-old living in a dystopian society where citizens are starved into constant compliance.

Most people loved her performance, a book as great as The Hunger Games differently and no movie could ever meet every expectation, Overall, The Hunger Games a fantastic companion to the book, almost as raw, exhilarating, and emotional, as the original print story itself. The world is watching and cheering for The Hunger Games movie.

Main character review GALE The character Gale is more than a pretty face on screen. Gale is Katniss’ best friend, hunting partner in crime, and one of the only people Katniss is able to relate too.

With a battered relationship with her mother, Gale is her central support.

Gale, although older than Katniss, is in a similar situation. Both of the young adults are in single parent homes and are the main providers for food and contributors of money for their entire family.

Gale is responsible for making sure his younger siblings and mother do not starve to death in their district.

As the series progresses Gale struggles with his feelings towards Katniss and how he will continue on living in District Twelve. Gale is forced to make the decision to work in the coal mines; the very same place Katniss’ father lost his life.

In one of the most serious moments in The Hunger Games, Gale is the person who promises Katniss that he wont let her family starve while she is in the games.

PEETA

BY ASHLEY GILL agillonguard@gmail.com

KATNISS Peeta might not be Katniss’ best friend, he might be the person standing in between Katniss getting home, but Peeta is a breath of fresh air in the series.

Peeta has a naturally good heart, and is most afraid of the games changing who he is. Deep down Peeta will always be the “boy with the bread” who took a beating to provide a couple loaves of burnt bread for Katniss and her family.

Peeta did well keeping his head during the game and even planning, even if he never planned on his own survival in the games.

People may underestimate Peeta, but he proves to be one of the strongest people in the series, and actually the character many favor and root for in the end.

Readers are able to see Peeta grow as a character and competitor while enjoying every moment of the series.

The Girl on Fire is the central character, of course, and her strength and heart is truly admirable and continues to increase throughout the books. Katniss was forced to step up and take responsibility for her family when her father died in the mines, and her mother became depressed and nonresponsive to neither Katniss nor her sister Primrose.

Prim, is Katniss’ motivation and reason for everything she does. So it is reasonable to imagine that when Prim is chosen for the Hunger Games, Katniss’ automatic response is to volunteer herself as tribute.

Throughout the series you see Katniss’ relationship with her sister, Peeta, and Gale readers will add to their bookshelf.

APRIL 2012

tures

VS.

5

the BOOK

BY DANIELLE DIXON ddixononguard@gmail.com

unger mes

What is the one trilogy that has set exhilaration? The Hunger Games, of course. Who has not seen the posters, the guidebooks, the trailers for the movie, books in almost any store.

The Hunger Games seems like an overnight bestseller and sensation, but it was not always that way. Before the book, titled after the trilogy, The Hunger Games, began taking the world by storm, it was the spark.

The whole of the story takes place in the dystopian society of Panem, the depressing remains of what used to be North America.

Panem is ruled by a harsh and oppressive Capitol, the majority of the citizens in the outlying districts (there are twelve districts total, ten outlying) battle starvation and other horrible conditions on a daily basis.

To further the tragedy, the Capitol holds the annual Hunger Games every Each district must offer up two tributes, one boy and one girl, between the ages of twelve and fourteen to participate.

Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen is from District 12, a skilled archer and hunter she is the sole provider of her small, devastated family, working hard for food with her equally skilled and rebel-minded best friend Gale.

Katniss is truly strong and, to be honest, gutsy but when the 74th annual

Hunger Games force her to make a dire decision that places her as a player in the Games, everyone wonders if even she will survive the deadly arena manipulated Peeta, the ever humble and thoughtful male tribute of District 12.

It is an amazing ride as we read about Katniss’s and Peeta’s struggles to survive and their unique talents and situation that keep Katniss’s heart beating for victory.

The Hunger Games has both a diverse and dangerous set of characters, most with depth but all with shining personalities that add greatly to the story.

Suzanne Collins does not spare any reader the brutality, bloodshed or the emotion brought on by the Games. Its nearly impossible to ignore the tortured amounts of humanity in the face of the inhumane Games, especially displayed by Katniss.

Every reader could easily be gripped by Katniss’s love, loyalty, and protection to her family and those she comes to love as well as her mix of strength and sensitivity, a balance of power and vulnerability.

She is some what of a role-model and everyone can connect or relate to her in some personal way.

Not to mention, the heart-wrenching love aspect of the book, which is most unlike any love story teens have been reading these last few years. The unconventional circumstances and Katniss’s denial for true love can make even the most incurable anti-romantic become entangled in the relationships.

But, just like Katniss sides must be chosen and decisions must be made, and neither choice comes without

consequence.

The depth, violence, and rapid events of the novel never stop being thrilling, suspenseful, heartbreaking and hopeful for a reader. If you can not handle descriptive death do not pick up this book.

The Hunger Games has a little something for everyone, if its not a perfect read than what is? The Hunger Games is an incredible book and the newest pop culture phenomenon, so get your hands on a copy and let the Games begin. And may the odds be ever in your favor.

The games do not stop there; The next books in the series

BY ASHLEY GILL agillonguard@gmail.com

focused in the story.

The third book, Mockingjay, is by far the most action packed and suprising book of the three.

Everything that the Katniss has

For many students, and even adults, The Hunger Games is known to them as their favorite book series, or even maybe their favorite movie. Either way, the Hunger Games is one of the newest things to be considered popular in todays pop culture.

As many Twilight fans prepare to say goodbye to the series this fall a new series has entered the arena, literally in the case of the Hunger Games. But, this is by far nothing close to similar to the vampire series and is something that most anybody can enjoy if they like a little less romance, more thrill, and alot of substance.

For the fans that have already they are probably into the series.

There are, of course, those who are book, or who went to see the movie and enjoyed it, and are curious about the second and third book in the trilogy. This could be considered a spoiler alert for those who are dedicated readers, but the second and third book are just as is why.

The Hunger Games was a great introduction into the society that Katniss lives in, the hunger games itself, and of course the characters.

But as Katniss and Peeta come back home in Catching Fire they soon

addtion to the trilogy.

Without giving too much away, the book quickly plays out like an suspensful, action-packed movie in your head and it is no doubt one that

realize that their old life is behind them and things will never be the same. When the next Hunger Games approches the theme is announced and previous victors are forced back into the areana once more. Since Katniss is the only female victor for her district the reality that she will have to revisit the games hits her hard as she deals with various emotions when it comes to all aspects of her life including personal feelings, family and most of all the governemnt that rules over the society she lives in.

The second book is even more for those who enjoy the love triangle

readers have trouble putting down.

Readers rejoyce in seeing love connections bloom, sadden as they say goodbye to characters and are on the edge of the page as they are reading everything unfold and come together to an amazing conclusion.

*ALL PHOTOS COURTESY OF GOOGLE

6 APRIL 2012

News

Club Updates

week in Ms. Wheeler’s room.

DRAMA CLUB: After a successful run of their play And Then There Were None,”the Drama Club performed their next production, on Friday the 20th, and Saturday the 21st in Spanaway Lakes theater.

CHEER: The cheer team held tryouts from Tuesday the 17th through Friday the 20th for next year’s squad. The team is preparing for a successful upcoming year.

YEARBOOK: The yearbook staff yearbook and sent them in. After a year of hard work and deadlines the yearbook is complete and the students will be waiting patiently for them to arrive at the end of the school year. The class is very proud of the end result and excited for the schools reaction.

HONORS SOCIETY: Students in Honors Society are currently doing a with leukemia. Students are able to help Honors Society member with a coin box to donate the loose change.

Art and Tech Fair a success

BY MANDY SPAIN mspainonguard@gmail.com

Being a student, and military strong

BY KIYLEI FORTUNE kfortuneonguard@gmail.com In our nation, less than one percent of the entire population decides to volunteer their lives to serve our country in the United States military. It takes a strong and dedicated person to become a soldier.

High school students are currently enlisting into the United States Army Reserves. It is one of the biggest life decisions a person can make.

A handful of students at Spanaway Lake have also made the life-changing decision to enlist. Senior Casey Woodcock is enlisted in the Marine Corps as an active duty Demolition Specialist.

Woodcock will be leaving sometime in July to a military base in San Diego, California for his basic training.

Woodcock humbly admitted that he was prepared for what the Marine Corps has to offer.

“There has always been a big push on

military in my family and I wanted to make a difference in the world, It is very important to me,” Woodcock added.

“And the BDUs (military uniform) were cooler.”

Woodcock also said how much it meant Senior Michael Walker enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserves as an Automated Logistics Specialist. His ship-out date for basic training is in June and he is going to Fort Jackson in South Carolina.

“I have always wanted to do this ever since I was little,” Walker said. to enlist, Walker commented that Military TV played a huge role in his enlistment.

Walker also stated that he chose the Army out of all the other branches in the military because it would be his best possible choice.

Whether based on family, education, or career choices, the military is a common choice among students and young adults.

Photo Courtesy of Google

FCCLA: The volunteer-focused and community-dedicated group is preparing for the Cascade Regional Blood Services blood drive on the 27th of April. Students can bring a signed permission slip to lunches to sign up for a time on that day.

Students who are 18 years of age still need to have a signed permission slip. To see if students qualify for donating blood, a list of requirements and restrictions are at the tables during lunches, or students can talk to Ms. Riddell with any questions.

The students also will be going to their monthly restoration project at Oak Tree Park in Tacoma.

RELAY FOR LIFE: Spanaway Lake’s Relay For Life team is in the process of a cookie dough fundraiser, where the proceeds go to the American Cancer Society on the day of relay. Students work hard throughout the year to raise as much money as possible working towards the

my.hsj.org/slhs ON GUARD

The annual Art and Tech Fair shines a light upon many of the incredibly talented students throughout the Bethel School District.

With a wide variety of award-winning attractions, ranging from beautiful art pieces to high-tech electronic equipment, the Art and Tech Fair does nothing less than capture and display the hard work and the enormous amount of skill that each and every student possesses.

Spanaway Lake’s own Robotics team was set up with a full display of their hard work.

“It is so much fun to see what we can create,” said senior Courtney Wimbles.

The Robotics team demonstrated their award-winning robot multiple times for observers at the fair.

Not only was Spanaway Lake represented by the Robotics Team but also by its Media students and a few students from American Sign Language.

The media students had a display showcasing the high tech equipment used to capture the news, movies, commercials, etc, all of which are created and produced by SLHS students.

The study of American Sign Language has become a student body favorite course to take. At this year’s Art and Tech fair a few lucky students took part in demonstrating the skills they’ve acquired.

When not performing themselves, they had a screen playing videos of other students signing different songs. ”Signing’s Awesome! It is amazing what you can say with just your hands,” said junior Emily Taylor.

The Art and Tech fair was far from disappointing and with incredible amount of potential in each student of ALL grades, one can only begin to imagine what the future has in store for us all.

ON GUARD my.hsj.org/slhs

A&E

APRIL 2012 7

In The Land of Blood Honey scores three stars

BY DANIELLE DIXON ddixononguard@gmail.com tense demeanor and averted gaze say

BY HEATHER WILSON hwilsononguard@gmail.com

has presence and commands every scene In the Land of Blood and Honey

anything more than a modern twist on

the characters, which is accented by the

ROCKSTARS: Garage band “Static act of the evening, the band made up from three sophomores pleased an eager crowd.

Static ended up in second place overall and hope to play next year as well.

From round-ups to detention centers to ransacked museums, this movie shows an

Students rock talent show

BY SAMUEL MARTINEZ smartinezonguard@gmail.com

In the Land of Blood and Honey is who is now a captive in the camp he

There are over two thousand students everybody is good at something, and you

the end of her act, and one as she came out

some of those two thousand students dancing

but the courage to perform an act in front

singing

of

Nathan

accompanied

RATING:

The Power of Six gains

were acts that must were

singing

covers dedication and practice paid off with ovations Singers were the dominant act of the

the show and provided comedic performances

BY SUNSHINE SORTONIS ssortonisonguard@gmail.com Number Seven, or Marina, often book of the Lorien Legacies series, I Am Number Four with action, romance, and just the right

of safety within their Church, and ignores

The Power of Six story, the reader begins to notice Marina

as presenting the top three acts at the end of

switches to Number Seven who resides in

presented to a trio of The way that the story was written, were brought back out at the end of the show group was one of the best of many singing “Static,” a rock band consisting

different narrations from either Number

ISLAND PRIDE: Sophomore Emily Molio’o dancing in a traditional Polynesian fashion. Her moves won

went into account when the band took

Yet the training and journey he shares with Number Seven begin to affect him as

Of course, it cannot be a Lorien Legacy book without a huge confrontation that what she has endured since arriving on

narrations, The Power of Six does not The Power of Six proves to be an Mogadorians and saving Number Four more impatience to fans waiting for The Rise of Nine

RATING:

DROPPING RHYMES: Sophomore Dionte’ Edwards singing during the annual talent show.

Vocals were the main attraction this year as more than half of the performances were covers of songs.

8

APRIL 20, 2012

Sports

Despite the struggles, baseball stays strong

my.hsj.org/slhs ON GUARD

SPORTS talk

Cayla Blakeney- Junior

BY SETH WIEGMANN swiegmannonguard@gmail.com

PHOTO BY SETH WIEGMANN

“I am very feel

Erick Ruiz- Senior

Girls tennis creates an unbreakable bond

BY TYLER KANE tkaneonguard@gmail.com

TEAM HUDDLE: Before each game, the team comes together to calm their nerves and team. “Sentinel baseball is the only thing I look forward to during the spring season. We are one of the most diverse teams throughout the SPSL.”

Special Olympics takes state

BY LAWRENCE REED Guest Writer Over the weekend of March 2-4 to the fo -

-

program.

-

PHOTO BY NICOLE LEES

-

TEAM TOGETHER, TEAM APART: This years girls’ tennis team is much larger than it has been in the past and they have done well in their matches this season. “Everyone on the team gets along very well and the bond between us is very tight. We all work together to make sure everyone improves throughout our season,” says Junior Nicole Croswhite.