Sentinels enter new league page 4
PCL’s new schools page 2-3
New staff join Spanaway Lake page 1
Spanaway Lake On Guard VOLUME 35, ISSUE 1
AN OPEN FORUM FOR STUDENT EXPRESSION SINCE 1982
SEPTEMBER 1, 2016
WELCOME BACK SENTINELS BY TODD KEISTER
tkeister@bethelsd.org Spanaway Lake welcomes the class of 2020 through their door as school begins on September 1st, however the school has been abuzz with activity for the past two weeks. The first movement was the support staff and administration who arrived early in the month preparing the building for the upcoming year. The second movement were the teachers who arrived, not ready to let go of their summer but excitedly set up classrooms, took professional development classes, and started planning lessons for students to be successful. The last set of movement were the students who arrived toward the end of August. Members of ASB and Link Crew arrived at Spanaway Lake to create posters, learn about ice breaker games to teach their freshmen and to start building their relationships for the upcoming school year. On August 25th, the freshman class arrived at Spanaway Lake around 9:30 in the morning looking wide-eyed and a little nervous. Passing through the gym doors, they were greeted wildly and loudly by the Link Crew leaders who were excited to welcome them to The Lake. The students picked up their name tags and joined the Link Crew in the stands dancing to music and preparing to start their day. Once the students settled down, they were introduced to the administration and the Link Crew Advisers to welcome them and explain some of the rules of Spanaway Lake. Freshmen students then joined the Link Crew in several ice-breaker activities designed to get them to loosen up and have fun. Students got out of the bleachers and formed lines on the floor where they learned how to communicate without talking, they learned about making friends and learned a bit about their Link Crew Leaders. Once they finished in the gym, they broke up according to their advisory classes and
CLASS OF 2020: Members of the class of 2020 are introduced to Spanaway Lake on the school’s annual Link Crew Day. Returning students welcome the new freshmen by playing icebreaker games and “getting to know you” activities. The Link Leaders will be with their group of students for the entire school year.
were taken to a classroom where they got to know students who they would interact with throughout the school year. Once they finish up in the classroom, the students have lunch and reflect on the day they spent in the building. Students consistently enjoy this day’s activity year in and year out for the past few years. They learn how to become Sentinels and begin bonds that last them the next four years.
GO SENTINELS: Senior Nathan Scanlan and members of the class of 2020 show their excitement for the upcoming school year. Scanlan, one of the football players, was looked up to by the freshmen.
Changes abroad as Spanaway Lake starts the new year BY TODD KEISTER
tkeister@bethelsd.org As every new school year begins, change seems to always be one of the most talked about subjects. Everything from new clothes or new supplies to new students wandering the halls trying to find their classrooms without being late. Some of the larger changes involve two new classrooms popping up within the building and a large number of new teachers starting their first year at Spanaway Lake. The new rooms were created over the summer to alleviate crowding in an already crowded building. One of the rooms is located on the second floor near the teachers lounge and the back staircase. The second classroom is located on the first floor next to the student store. Hopefully these classrooms will help students learn better in a better environment.
The other big new changes are all the new staff that have been brought into Spanaway Lake. Over the summer, staff changes were made for teachers who retired or left to pursue other things. A few of the new staff members will be familiar faces. Cameron Robak has taken over for Stan Adkins in the Social Studies Department. Robak, son of head football coach John Robak, is also a member of the Sentinel football staff and was a substitute in the building last year. Another familiar face is Heidi Ricardo, who has returned to Spanaway Lake to teach several courses in the CTE Department. Ricardo taught at Spanaway Lake for several years, left to pursue another opportunity and has returned this year. Please help welcome these new staff members and show them what it means to be a Sentinel.
New staff members at Spanaway Lake Career and Technical Ed Department Thomas Garner Heidi Ricardo Christian Williams Holly Kiesel-Juma Jason Kaudos Brooke Huddlestone Caroline Goree Marilyn Allbritton Science Department Tiffany Degenstein Math Department Jessica Harder Charles Monfort English Language Arts Department Jill Ann Denham Phillip Anderson Social Studies Department Cameron Robak Ben Graver Mariah Holland
Foreign Language Department Haruka Fujiwara - Japanese Jane Toulson – French Special Education Cory Anderson James Brewer Gerard Cline Andrew Larive Heidi Miller Band John Depalatis Office Kristina Ferrira Christina Hakansson Kirsten Winter Para-Professionals Anthony Meray Nilda Piland Kieli Blenheim Justin Horton
Sports
2 ON GUARD
SEPTEMBER, 1 2016 3
Meet the new Pierce County League Bonney Lake High School
10920 199th Avenue Court East Bonney Lake WA 98391
111 North E St. Tacoma, 98403 Located in the beautiful Stadium District near downtown Tacoma, Stadium High School is one of the oldest schools in the area. The original building burnt down in 1898 when it was being used as a partially constructed hotel. The Tacoma School District purchased the building and opened it in 1906 as Tacoma High School. The school is famous for it’s “bowl”, the football stadium that opens up into Commencement Bay.
The newest school in all of the Pierce County League, Bonney Lake opened it’s doors in 2005 as a member of the Sumner School District. Right next to the school are several fast food options as well as sit down restaurants such as Las Palomas, Applebees, Red Robin and Pizza Hut. During football season, when you are down at Sunset Chevrolet Stadium, the charm of downtown Sumner will be all around you. The Buttered Biscuit, as well as Main Street Dairy Freeze are two of the local favorites. You can also head over to Farrelli’s Pizza or stop at several fast food places.
Famous alumni include, former Tacoma Mayor, Bill Baarsma, “The Voice” contestant Vicci Martinez, former governor of Washington, Dixy Lee Ray, co-founder of Baskin-Robbins, Irv Robbins, Olympic gold medalist in boxing, Sugar Ray Seales and former major league pitcher Doug Sisk.
Spanaway Lake High School
Great places to eat before the game include Shake, Shake, Shake (a burger and milkshake shop), the original burger joint Frisco Freeze, the Harvester Restaurant, the Old Spaghetti Factory in downtown Tacoma, or any of the plethora of restaurants along Ruston Way (The Ram or Duke’s Chowderhouse to name a few).
1305 168th Street East Spanaway, WA 98387
Woodrow Wilson High School
Opened in 1981 as a relief to the overcrowding at Bethel High School, Spanaway Lake has continued their run as being the most diverse school in all of the Bethel School District. The school was remodeled in 2010 to alleviate the overcrowding of their own building after Graham-Kapowsin was built. Spanaway Lake takes great pride in their commitment to notraditional learners and have excelled in teaching all students in all grade levels.
1202 N Orchard St, Tacoma, WA 98406 Wilson High school, which opened in 1958 was named after the 28th President of the United States, Woodrow Wilson. The school is one of the many newly remodeled high schools in Tacoma. When attending events at Wilson, you will see a brand new academic building, as well as a new performing arts center and a new gymnasium.
Famous alumni include Jerry Cantrell, musician with Alice in Chains and comedian Jo Koy both who attended Spanaway Lake but graduated elsewhere. Denver Bronco rookie Sadat Sulleyman played football and graduated as a Sentinel.
Famous alumni include noted glass artist Dale Chihuly (who also attended Stadium) and the Trufant brothers, Desmond, Isaiah and Marcus, who have all played in the NFL
If you’re looking for places to eat, the Country Rose Cafe, Little Park Restaurant and Kelley’s Drive-In are three Spanaway staples where you can find good local flavor. There are also several fast food restaurants nearby.
Great places to eat before the game include Joeseppi’s Italian Ristorante, Sonic Drive-In on 6th Avenue, and many restaurants along North Pearl Street, including an El Toro. You also can go down 6th Avenue and find an Arby’s, a Carl’s Jr. and several other fast food venues.
Lincoln High School 701 S 37th St Tacoma, WA 98418 Another of Tacoma’s famous historic buildings, Lincoln High School opened it’s doors in 1914. It was renovated in 2007. One of the school’s characteristic traits are the statue of Lincoln outside of the school (which was purchased in 1918, the tower clock that stands above the auditorium, and Lincoln Bowl that have hosted several large events including the 1920 Tacoma Baseball League, an Elvis Presley concert just to name a few. In 2015, the school hosted Chinese President Xi Jinping on a cultural and political visit. Famous alumni include NFL players John Kitna, Stafford Mays, Lawyer Milloy and Dave Williams, Frank Herbert, the author of the Dune series, and the current Lieutenant Governor of Washington State, Brad Owen. Great places to eat before the game include Burger Ranch and Jubilee, both burger stops on 38th street, Gari of Sushi, Josephina’s, and you’re extremely close to the Tacoma Mall where there are several great places to stop.
Bethel High School Mt. Tahoma High School 4634 S. 74th St. Tacoma, Washington Mt. Tahoma opened in a South Tacoma neighborhood in 1961, named after the Native American name for Mt. Rainier. The original school was built as a one-level, open courtyard design which was poor for the rainy Washington school years. The new building was opened in 2004 and is one of the best state-of-the-art schools in Pierce County. Famous alumni include NFL running back Ahmad Rashad (known then as Bobby Moore), MLB great Ron Cey, and NFL great Ray Horton who currently is a coach in the NFL. Great places to eat before the game include Casa Mia Italian Restaurant, the Homestead Restaurant, Kyoto Japanese Restaurant, Los Amigos Mexican Food, and the classic Ivar’s restaurant.
Lakes High School 10320 Farwest Dr SW Lakewood, WA 98498 Although not as old or famous as the Tacoma schools, Lakes High School was originally opened in 1962 and has had a major face lift in recent years. They are known for having a powerhouse football program that consistently challenges for league titles. Lakes will not be a stranger to Spanaway Lake, as they were an original member of the South Puget Sound League. Famous alumni include NFL players Reggie Williams and Jermaine Kearse, Grammy-nominated hip hop artist Wanz, and Steve Wilson, local TV actor and director. Not a lot of great restaurants near Lakes High School, but plenty of fast food options. Near the football stadium (which is at Clover Park High School), you are close to the Lakewood Towne Center, which include La Palma Mexican Restaurant and a Red Robin.
22215 38th Avenue East Spanaway, WA 98387 Bethel, the oldest school in the Bethel School District ,opened in 1952. Since then, the school has been one of the powerhouses of South Puget Sound League sports. The school is the site of the district’s football stadium Famous alumni include former Seattle Mariner and current broadcaster Mike Blowers, NASCAR driver Derrike Cope, 2007 Miss Washington USA LeiLani Jones and NFL player Caesar Rayford. Bethel is also home to the 1986 First Amendment right of free speech case between student Matthew Fraser and the school. Great places to eat before the game include Tonala’s Mexican Restaurant, Dennys, and several fast food places.
ON GUARD
Sports New league means creating new rivalries for Sentinels SEPTEMBER 1, 2016
4
SPORTS
BY TODD KEISTER
tkeister@bethelsd.org There was a point when it almost seemed like it wasn’t going to happen. It took several weeks to finally materialize, but with a February 2nd vote by local athletic directors, Spanaway Lake finds itself involved in a brand new league with an old name. Sixteen athletic directors from the schools in Pierce and Thurston Counties decided hours before the state’s 4 p.m. deadline to create two brand new leagues and fill them with local schools. The Pierce County League, a throwback name to the league the Sentinels originally broke into back in 1981, will consist of eight schools and will have a 3A classification, one classification down from where Spanaway Lake has been for the past decade. Bethel, who will join Spanaway Lake coming over from the South Puget Sound League (SPSL) South, along with Bonney Lake and Lakes from the 3A SPSL , and
Lincoln, Mt. Tahoma, Wilson and Stadium, who come over from the former Narrows League, will make up the new league. Gone are now the rivalries with the Puyallup schools, Curtis and GrahamKapowsin. However, this new alignment in a new classification will allow better competition for both boys’ and girls’ sports. There will definitely be some things that will be missed with the changes. No longer will Sentinels have to fight the traffic of the Western Washington Fair to find parking spots for a Friday night football game or a Tuesday night soccer game. No longer will they walk into the retro-70’s gym at Rogers High School for a basketball game, not being sure of what to expect when the two teams locked up at tip-off. No longer will they have to take extra ground balls off of the field turf and figure out quickly how to catch fly balls under the lights playing at Heritage Field. However, although some things will be missed, there will be some new
experiences that Sentinels will have this upcoming year, like walking down deep into Stadium Bowl or feeling the energy and excitement that the Lincoln and Wilson gyms will bring in the winter.
The biggest change that will evident is the difference in competition, especially with girls’ sports. Sentinel teams will be able to compete against other schools with programs with similar sizes.
Fall teams will test strength of new PCL League BOYS’ TENNIS FOOTBALL
BY TODD KEISTER
tkeister@bethelsd.org
September 1 @ Todd Beamer (NL) September 9 v. Gig Harbor (NL) September 16 @ Stadium September 22 v. Wilson September 30 @ Bethel October 7 @ Lakes October 14 v. Lincoln October 21 v. Mt. Tahoma October 28 v. Bonney Lake
Cross-Country September 10 @ Tahoma Invite September 17 @ Ft. Steilacoom Invite September 22 @ Bethel/Lincoln September 29 v. Bonney Lake October 6 v. Lakes/Wilson October 13 @ Stadium
September 6 @ Stadium September 8 v Lincoln September 13 @ Bonney Lake September 15 @ Mt Tahoma September 19 @ GK (NL) September 20 v Lakes September 22 v Bethel September 27 v Stadium September 29 @ Lincoln October 4 v Mt Tahoma October 6 @ Wilson October 11 @ Lakes October 13 @ Bethel October 17 v Wilson October 29 v Bonney Lake
Girls’ Soccer September 6 v Tenino September 8 @ Wilson September 13 v Bethel September 15 @ Stadium September 20 v Lincoln September 22 v Lakes September 27 v Bonney Lake September 29 v Mt. Tahoma October 4 v Wilson October 5 @ Bethel October 11 v Stadium October 13 @ Lincoln October 18 @ Lakes October 20 @ Bonney Lake October 25 @ Mt. Tahoma
Volleyball
September 7 v Lincoln September 12 v Thomas Jefferson September 13 v Wilson September 15 @ Bonney Lake September 19 v Lakes September 21 @ Stadium September 24 Sumner Tournament September 26 v Mt. Tahoma September 29 v Bethel October 4 @ Lincoln October 10 v Bonney Lake October 12 @ Lakes October 18 v Stadium October 20 @ Mt. Tahoma October 25 @ Bethel
Girls’ GOLF September 8 @ Bonney Lake September 13 v Lakes September 15 v Bethel September 20 v Lincoln September 22 @ Mt Tahoma September 27 @ Lakes September 29 @ Bonney Lake October 4 v Wilson October 6 @ Stadium October 11 v Bethel
SWIMMING September 8 @ Lakes September 15 v Mt. Tahoma September 22 @ Stadium September 29 v Bonney Lake October 6 @ Lincoln October 11 v Bethel October 13 @ Wilson
Schedules and scores for all sports can be found online at www.pclathletics.com
BOYS’ GOLF September 8 v Bonney Lake September 13 @ Lakes September 15 @ Bethel September 20 v Lincoln September 22 @ Mt Tahoma September 27 v Lakes September 29 @ Bonney Lake October 4 v Wilson October 6 @ Stadium October 11 v Bethel