Issue 5

Nostalgia of the 90’s

VOLUME 35 • ISSUE 5• February 25, 2011 • KAMIAKIN HIGH SCHOOL • 600 N. ARTHUR ST. • KENNEWICK, WA 99336

TABLE OF CONTENTS

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FRIDAY, FEB. 25, 2011 The Tomatalk • Kamiakin High School

Culminating Project will turn heads on prom night

Kamiakin Sports are turning heads

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Adviser: Laurie Bender Editor-In-Chiefs: Natalie Elliott & Joey Flores News Feature Editor: Kaelyn Cole Sports Editor: Joey Flores In-Depth Editor: Bond Henderson Opinion Editor: Natalie Elliott Entertainment Editor: Evan Ramsey Shenanigans Editor: Victoria DeMers Cover and Back Editor: Kylee Schwartz Photography Editor: Victoria DeMers Social Chairman: Cindy Gonzalez Staff Reporters: Tanner Curtis, Kyle Davis, Marissa Lindholm, Mark Ingalls, Dalis McKenzie, Melissa Osar, Oscar Perez, Makenzie McKinnis, Marissa Rodriguez, Dylan Wilson, Christina Woodard, Zach Cook, Melissa Coppinger, Garrett Doublin, Daniel Elliot, Brianna Harrod, McKenzie Kennedy, Amanda Lampton, Amanda Ling, Sadie Machart, Amber Maiden, Ashley May, Danielle Openshaw, Hailey Paine, Alex Peterson, Devin Schell, Jose Tapia, Ernhel Tatunay, Benjamin Yaden

MISSION STATEMENT:

The purpose of the Tomatalk is to inform, entertain, and further educate the students at Kamiakin High School and the surrounding community.

PUBLICATION POLICY:

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Read the Letter to the Editor, in response to last month’s ASB article

TobyMac wows Tri-City fans

Content is determined by the staff. Students are protected and bound by the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States and other protections and limitations afforded by the Constitution and the various court decisions relative to student publications. The Tomatalk would like to be a forum for student expression and a voice for the free and open discussion of issues. However, currently, we have prior review, and sometimes prior restraint.

The staff of the Tomatalk is expected to be professional, objective, truthful, and accurate. The staff will adhere to the Washington State Law (WAC 180-40-215) which prohibits the following material to be published: 1.

Potentially libelous material 2.

Malicious attacks on an individual’s character 3.

Material which is excessively vulgar or obscene 4.

Material which encourages illegal activity

EDITORIAL POLICY

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Editorials are the opinions of the individual members of the Tomatalk staff and are not intended to express the opinions of the administration, staff, nor students of Kamiakin High School, nor the advertisers in this newspaper.

As a forum for student expression, the Tomatalk will publish letters to the editor. All letters are due one week before the next publication date. The staff reserves the right to edit or omit submissions as necessary. All letters must be signed by the student submitting them. However, if a student prefers his/her name not appear in the publication, his/her name may be withheld. All letters to the editor must be 300 words or less.

In cases involving political or controversial issues, staff members are encouraged to solicit all points of view.

Around theNEWS Campfire & FEATURE

FRIDAY, FEB. 25, 2011 The Tomatalk • Kamiakin High School

3 Student Spotlight: Phil Snyder

By NATALIE ELLIOTT EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

J

unior Phil Snyder enjoys photography, piano…and pacing? Okay, so maybe running doesn’t really fit into the “P” theme, but it’s worth a try, right?

Snyder started getting into photography about two years ago after his mom bought a DSLR camera (the kind of camera you see photography and yearbook students carrying around, for all those who are not photo savvy). He started messing around with the camera and saw all kinds of pictures on Flickr that he wanted to try to create. First starting with landscape pictures, Snyder has recently gotten into more portrait and graphic types of pictures and now posts his pictures on Flickr for others to see. To see Snyder’s pictures go towww.Flickr. com/philsnyder. He even upgraded to

his own DSLR camera, a Canon Rebel T2i, this last year and doesn’t have to borrow his mom’s anymore.

As for running (or was it pacing?), he has been doing this since elementary school, starting with the basic mile that everyone runs in their PE class. He has been on Kamiakin’s cross country team for the past three years, and Snyder says that the team has been a lot of help, motivating him to keep running every day. As far as goals go with running, he says that he doesn’t have many specific ones but tends to make them as he goes.

Around second grade, Snyder signed up for piano lessons and has been playing ever since.

“It kind of grows on you,” Snyder said, admitting that though he enjoys the piano, at one time he wanted to quit.

As far as the future goes, he has not committed himself to any one career choice since he is interested in a lot of different areas. For now, he will stick with taking classes like AP Language and Photography, both of which he enjoys, and of course will continue with his photography, piano, and the everlasting pacing.

Ceramics students let their creativity flow

D a v i d Garibaldi- making d r e a m s into a reality

By MAK McKINNIS STAFF REPORTER

The 2011 senior gift was nothing short of amazing… in fact, Brandon Meadors said it was, “quite magnificently wonderfully amazing.”

David Garibaldi’s performance (what he calls Rhythm and Hue) filled the gym with adrenaline -pumping music, flashing lights, and now, an additional 1,700 fans from Kamiakin alone! He also visited Richland and Southridge. Garibaldi painted four pictures, the first, Kanye West, then Lady Gaga, Martin Luther King Jr., and lastly (the one we get to keep and will be displayed in the library) Albert Einstein.

David Garibaldi was born in Los Angles in 1982 and moved to Sacramento while in high school where he was making his artwork into illegal graffiti. He later realized that what he was doing was wrong, but by then it was too late for him to go back to school. He didn’t give up and continued painting but did it while living in his dad’s home. Fast forward a couple of years, and he is an opening act for the Blue Man group, an NBA halftime performance, and a lot more. You can also ‘Like’ him on Facebook, where he made several posts talking about Kamiakin!

But, the assembly wasn’t just for our entertainment; there was a bigger picture behind the incredible paintings. Garibaldi shared the personal struggles he encountered while following his dreams. He told us that because he didn’t give up and kept pursuing his goal, he made his dream into a reality. Not only is Garibaldi an amazing painter, but a great motivational speaker as well. Junior Sam Harris says that she was inspired “by him talking about his dreams and how I wanted to reach my own.”

Photo By Mak McKinnis David Garibaldi moves quickly to paint Kanye West

By CHRISTINA WOODARD STAFF REPORTER

Walking around school, there are often students holding sketch pads, mugs, or even fish. These students often find a questionable mark of clay on their clothes, walking from class to class. Ceramics takes some serious dedication.

Teacher Vicki Gravenslund tries to teach students “that art will make their life richer.” Students are able to use their talents on the ceramics wheel, hand molding, and glazing. Some projects that have been done recently this year include fish, pinch pots, boxes and many other pieces.

There’s a lot to like about ceramics. “I like that we get to smack it down,” sophomore Courtney Nelson said jokingly. Others enjoy just making something from scratch. “I like that we get to use our creativity to make something,” junior Katelyn Shord said.

Students make their projects out of clay and when their pieces have been taken out of the kiln for the first time, students decorate their pieces with glaze, and then they are put in the kiln for the second time for the finished project.

Ceramics is a class full of opportunity for students to express their creative abilities and if you want to take ceramics, it’s not too late. Consider taking it during registration for next year.

Students shine at Poetry Out Loud competition

By McKENZIE KENNEDY STAFF REPORTER

Chelsea Kupitz and Araceli Leal were chosen to represent Kamiakin at the Poetry Out Loud competition last Tuesday Feb. 15. Among eight other competitors from five other high schools, Kupitz and Leal placed first and second.

“I wasn’t expecting to win when they announced my name. I was surprised,” said senior Chelsea Kupitz.

Both students had to memorize two poems picked from the Poetry Out Loud website and then recite both poems in front of a crowd. They had both competed first in our school competition Jan. 6 and won. Then they had to polish their production and proceed to the regional level.

“Araceli’s poem was different. It had Spanish in it and I thought she was going to win,” Kupitz said.

Leal recited “Amor Mundi” by Christina Rosetti and “To the Desert” by Benjamin Aliases. She picked these poems because she “felt a connection with them.”

Kupitz picked “Life in a Love” by Robert Browning and “Video Blues” by Mary Jo Salter. Kupitz said she had a “hard time choosing” because she couldn’t narrow them down.

“The competition was really good. It was really close. I was just hoping I placed,” said junior Araceli Leal.

This is Kamiakin first year competing at Poetry Out Loud. Kupitz will compete at the state competition which will be held March 5 at the Broadway Center for Performing Arts in Tacoma. Twelve finalists will vie for the state title which will enable one of them to compete at Nationals in Washington D.C.

Around the Campfire NEWS & FEATURE

FRIDAY, FEB. 25, 2011 The Tomatalk • Kamiakin High School

4

Over 30 dead in forensics semester final

By KYLE DAVIS STAFF REPORTER

I

t was Jan. 24, 2011 and at Kamiakin High School in Kennewick, the semester final/project was due at 7:35 a.m.

As the students, weary and forlorn, entered the classroom, the number of dead continued to rise, in some cases, exponentially. There were bodies and blood all over the place. Sound like an overly dramatic lead in to a story?

But it’s all true!

During the preceding months, the forensics class did case studies of famous crimes like the Atlanta child murder cases and Jon Benet Ramsey to accompany labs and instruction regarding physical evidence of crimes. Hair and fiber analyses were learned, along with blood typing, blood stain and splatter evidence. So how do you “test” all this on a semester final? Teacher Jim Ramsey found a way!

The assignment was to make a scale diorama of a crime scene, complete with all of the appropriate physical evi-

dence. The students had to come up with their own story of the crime and design their diorama to comport with the story. A written summary accompanied each diorama, along with a complete list of the physical evidence. It was a very creative way to demonstrate one’s learning. The resulting projects were a bit eerie, overwhelmingly gory and somewhat amusing. This reporter was saddened to see that a number of lego guys, Barbie, Playdough Man, a turtle and a lion were among the dead. Several of the projects remain on display in the science hall (200 building).

During the next semester, the class will study such subjects as firearms and ballistics, illegal drugs, paint chips, entomology and footprints. Mr. Ramsey has also arranged a field trip to Cheney, WA where the students will spend the day in Eastern Washington University’s forensics lab.

And what could possibly top all of this? The final exam

will be a mock crime scene. What a way to earn an interesting and challenging science credit!

Making animals your career? Culminating project will turn

By MARISSA RODRIGUEZ STAFF REPORTER

Have you always had passions for working with animals, but you’re not sure where to turn to make it a career? First of all, you have to be sure you truly enjoy working with all tempered animals. Don’t be discouraged to work with an animal if it is ill-tempered. Once you are positive you know working with animals is your goal, here are the steps to take in high school to prepare you for this promising future.

The best choice you have in preparing yourself for animal related careers is to volunteer at your local animal shelter. If you prove yourself to the staff there, you can choose them for your future references. Also it gains you plenty of experience with different animals.

The tasks you will be expected to do are walking the dogs, cleaning and sanitizing cages, and even bathing the puppies if you’ve been there for a while. Expect to start at the bottom when beginning your volunteer work. As soon as you prove yourself to the staff, you will gain their trust and they will allow you to do more with the animals.

You should also definitely look into the Tri-Tech’s Vet Technician program. This is a high level experience program and it is available here at Kamiakin. The requirements that are needed for application is that you have to be at least a junior and have a good amount of credits, and you need to have a passion for animals, of course. This course lasts a semester, although the maximum you can attend is two years. The class takes place at Tri-Tech, which is located down the street. If you don’t have a car or a ride, then a school bus is available for transportation. Talk to your counselor for more information.

Also, once you’re 17 or maybe 16 1/2, turn in a resume and cover letter to your local animal hospital. In your cover letter, explain to them that you are interested in volunteer work, job shadowing, and possibly a low wage job. Going out and gaining experience is something that will really shine when applying to colleges and other jobs relating to animal care. Definitely look into job shadowing because this will give you the inside-look on your future career and if you really want to do it or not.

To better prepare you for college courses regarding animal sciences, it is best if you continually take science and math courses every year in high school. Challenge yourself and try for harder courses, such as honors and AP classes. This will show the colleges that you are willingly a hard worker and you challenge yourself, which shows good work ethic. The best college near this area for veterinarian medicine is Washington State University.

Expires 3/31/11

heads on prom night

By HAILEY PAINE STAFF REPORTER

Four days. 98.75 hours. 5,925 minutes. 355,500 seconds and eight rolls of duct tape. That is what it takes to make a duct tape prom dress, just ask senior Amanda White.

White first found out about the idea of this culminating project when she saw that there is a potential for a $5,000 scholarship, and she thought that the concept itself was interesting, so she looked into it. When she saw how she could make the duct tape prom dress her own way that could turn out really cool, White decided that she would make the duct tape dress.

When asked if there was ever a time when she wanted to quit, White said, “Um, I’ve tried quitting two and a half times, and I failed utterly both times. I have gotten better at sewing, thanks to the projects.”

To make the dress, White had to work hard for many hours at a time in order to keep up with all of the work that needed to be done. There was also the trouble with the smaller pieces of the dress, like the tail and the dragon. The dragon was made from smaller strips of gold and red duct tape, and as Amanda found out, had to be very precisely cut or they would thin out and break.

Apart from the dress itself, White also made earrings, a purse, hair-sticks and put duct tape around her shoes.

The purse, a simple hand bag to go along with the dress, was made entirely of gold duct tape, which shimmers as she twirled around in the dress.

White has already presented her culminating project, but there is still more going on for her and her duct tape miracle.

At the end of the year, Amanda is planning on going to prom, wearing the very same dress she created with her own two hands. By doing this, Amanda will have completed the cycle of the entire dress.

From doing this project, White learned many things. “I’ve learned budgeting, scheduling, prioritizing, and time management. I also learned duct tape is epic in small amounts, but for eight hours straight it gets kind of old. Finally, I learned how to better use an exacto knife.”

All in all, it seems as though White has her work cut out for her, and this is not something that you would do every day.

FRIDAY, FEB. 25, 2011 The Tomatalk • Kamiakin High School

A Blast at 80’s Sadie’s

5

By AMANDA LING STAFF REPORTER

The Sadie Hawkins dance is a widely celebrated event around the United States. It started quite a while ago with a comic strip from a man named Al Capp. His comic strip starred a girl named Sadie Hawkins, and she and the whole town of Dogpatch chased around the unmarried bachelors to ask them to dance. And the women did this because they didn’t want to wait around for the men to ask them, so they took matters into their own hands.

This comic strip ran for the first time on Nov. 13, 1937. After the strip was released, this style of invitation was popularized and spread. And the ladies around the area came to

Around theNEWS Campfire & FEATURE The Jazz Amour swung its way into being a new tradition

By VICTORIA DEMERS PHOTO EDITOR

The Jazz Amour was enjoyed by many students and teachers of the school district.

This event was a Kamiakin dinner dance fundraiser for the instrumental music department. Not only was there catered food provided and a silent auction, but there were guest performances by The Columbia Basin Jazz Orchestra, directed by Randy Hubbs, and Gray Jazz, directed by Riley Gray. Music teachers in the area, including Keith Russell of Kamiakin High School and Dennis Larson of Kennewick High School, were heavily involved with this wonderful event. At the silent auction various things were sold from a flute to the many gift baskets offered.

This event was held at the Three Rivers Convention Center and featured Big Band dance music. It was a big hit, an experience led by a well-known graduate Chris Kelly who told lots of jokes and also displayed Kamiakin’s very own Jazz Band. The Dance Connection also was there to help teach free swing dance lessons to everyone. Kamiakin students in the music program put their best foot forward to seat people, help take coats, and run backstage to help with whatever was asked of them. This made the experience more of a smooth experience.

Students attending even got to dance on stage with various swing dancing moves.

Slow dancing also was enjoyed by fellow students and teachers of the area. Wynteria Lyons even declared this year as “five times better than last year.” This success will probably contribute to making this event a tradition every year.

Valograms allowed to continue in a weakened state like the idea of a woman asking a man to a dance. And the first Sadie Hawkins dance was formed on Nov. 9, 1938.

Here we also love this sense of empowerment, and we hold an annual Sadie Hawkins dance to follow suit with our history. This year our Sadie Hawkins dance was to the theme of Back in The 80’s. So students dressed up in their retro outfits and danced their hearts out.

It was very successful, and many students attended to support the school event. This event took place on Feb. 4 which was a Friday, after the game against Hanford. It was a very close win for Kamiakin. It was back and forth until the very end. So the crowd was hyped up and ready to dance after a great win.

The dance started at 9 p.m., and the lights went on at 11p.m. It was held in the cafeteria, and the whole area was decorated in honor of the 80s, with pictures being held in the choir room. The DJ set up in the front of the cafeteria by the windows. It was a set up for success and a big turn out. The music selection was mostly new hip–hop and one AC/DC song called “Shook Me All Night Long.” The students were dressed in bright colors, leg warmers, high pony tails and even some mullets. And one student, junior Jesse Houser, sported tight leather pants and a fake plastic guitar. There were also colorful streamers all around the room, along with bright balloons in the entrance. And the sophomores in ASB set up a table and were handing out glow sticks for the students walking into the dance. The windows were blackened so that the bright lights would stay inside. There was a screen set up in the back of the cafeteria where you’d normally get your food for breakfast or lunch, and on the screen, there were current pictures from the night taken by photographer Erwin Laureano.

As the night ended, the crowd began to decrease and kids started leaving. The lights came on and the cafeteria went back to normal. Sadies was a great success for Kamiakin, and students were very pleased.

By DANIELLE OPENSHAW STAFF REPORTER

Kamiakin’s lead choir Scarlet and Gold enjoyed serenading and delivering love to others. Students had the chance to prepare a number of love songs including “My Girl”, “The Way You Are”, “Halo/Walking on Sunshine”, “The Time of My Life”, and much more.

“The students worked hard to put together these songs and they sounded amazing,” said teacher Michelle Watkins.

During lunch the choir students would call a student to the stage and in front of the rest of the Kamiakin student body and staff to serenade them by singing to them.

The students have expressed that they are upset about not being allowed to go into classes and deliver the Valogram in the classroom or at any other school during school hours.

“It’s upsetting to finally get to Scarlet and Gold and have the tradition of many years change,” said Rochelle Karger The choir is trying to raise money for their upcoming trip to Disneyland in the spring. The cost for one student to go is $825. With the help of last year’s Valograms money, the price lowered for everyone to $625. This year the choir raised $1700, and this will help lower the price even more. Although the students have done great with the amounts they are making, they are still losing a lot of money.

“In 2010 Scarlet and Gold made $1,005 and then this year we made $1,700 but before we were told we couldn’t do it in classes anymore, we made $3,200,” said Whitney Rodgers.

The choir hopes to continue the tradition with Valograms in any way they can.

Instrument popularity goes in waves, band director says

By MELISSA OSER STAFF REPORTER

Some of us did it in elementary or middle school. Some of us are still entertaining everyone else with it now. It is playing an instrument. Here at our school, our marching band works hard starting in the summer in order to entertain us during the football games. But how did students choose which instrumental career to embark on? Is one instrument more popular than another? There are so many choices, so how do kids choose?

In the brass section there are the trumpets, trombones, alto, tenor and Bari saxophones, tubas, baritones and French horn.

In the woodwinds there are the flutes, clarinets, oboes, bassoons, and piccolos.

In the percussion section, there’s the bass drum, the snare, cymbals, xylophone, tambourine, Congos, bongos, timpani, the triangle and the bells and more.

Sophomore Megan Filippello and Tori Roberts say that the chimes are the most popular instrument. The chimes look like giant church bells that are struck with mallets to produce their ringing sound.

In the school band, there are many new musicians as well as many new opinions to which is the most popular instrument.

Megan Filippello commented about the chimes saying, “We just like the way the chimes sound and how you can use so many different techniques. I play the chimes in the marching band and I’m in orchestra. The chimes are super boss.”

Tori Roberts is in the wind ensemble and says, “You can see your reflection in them [chimes] and jump up and down! When you play them right, they add this really cool emphasis to the song.”

Sophomore Hannah Booth said that the trumpets, saxo-

phones and percussion are the most popular instruments in the wind ensemble. “My favorite [instrument] is the trumpet because I play it! I think the bassoon and oboe are really cool because they’re double-reed instruments.”

Freshman Bonnie Barton is in marching band and says, “There’s like more trumpets in band than any other instrument, and saxophones. I play the alto saxophone.”

Band teacher Keith Russell said, “In the band it goes in cycles. Right now we have a lot of trumpet players. Generally we have a lot of trumpet and saxophone players.

I play the saxophone, clarinet and flute. I started on the clarinet because we had one at home. I learned flute out of necessity because I was doing a lot of musical shows.

Saxophone would have to be my favorite instrument because of its musical flexibility because you can play jazz and classical music.”

Tribal Games 6 Te a c h e r s a n d s t u d e n t s s p o r t s b l u n d e r s

FRIDAY, FEB. 25, 2011 The Tomatalk • Kamiakin High School

SPORTS

By AMBER MAIDEN STAFF REPORTER

Most of us have had an embarrassing moment to say the least, those few times when we were just caught off guard by something. We all have seen those priceless original slip ups from slipping on the banana peel to farting in class. When it happens, we just want the world to open up and swallow us whole because we feel so embarrassed.

Well, we are not alone. In fact people all around us have had times like this. Athletes may have more than their fair share of goof ups. After all, sometimes athletes put themselves in awkward positions. Here are just a few of those incidents….

Scott Biglin- I threw an interception to a girl and got called out on it at school the next day.

Reily Thorington-I tripped coming out of the batter’s box. I was heading to first, and I got out.

Amy Whitemarsh-In college we had an away game and in warm ups when they called my name, I tripped over my sweats( they were the button up the side ones), and they got stuck on my shoe and I kept slipping when I tried to get up.

Tim Bisson- A runner back’s job back when I played was that when they came in, they would tell the team what play was to be called. In my varsity year, I was heading out on the field when I tripped half way there.

Cheryl Schauble- When I was in college, I was in track. College students didn’t have money for contacts, and so I was at a meet. I did the long jump and when I was jumping, I lost one of my contacts.

(They raked the sand pit after every jump.) Right before they raked, I yelled, “Nobody move! I lost my contact!” and I stopped the entire meet to find my contact while my

parents were watching saying, “Great, that’s my daughter.”

And my coach wasn’t too happy either.

Eric Gough- In high school, I was in track and did hurdles.

In a meet, I was almost finished when I tripped and landed on my stomach. I can remember looking where my hands were and seeing the finish line only a foot away!

Cienna Soleno- I was playing soft ball in seventh grade. We had to run around the field to warm up. I tripped over this hole while running, and it was right when the baseball guys were walking by.

Andrew Castillo- I was in football when we were in a kick return, and the ball was kicked 10 yards behind me, and I stole it from Timmy.

Photos by Amber Maiden.

Athletes using supplements to enhance their performance

By ALEX PETERSON STAFF REPORTER

Using supplements to enhance an athlete’s performance is a big factor in today’s sports. That being said, they are not all bad. Many athletes use them to get the most out of their workouts. Supplements don’t make you better at a sport. They simply help a person get stronger.

In today’s world, there are many ways to get stronger faster. Legal supplements are one of the best ways to do this. Even though a supplement may be legal, it can still harm your body if you overuse the supplement. It is not uncommon for non-athletes to use supplements to bulk up and get the most out of their work outs. Junior Walter Marozick said, “If a person is serious about working out and getting stronger, they should be able to take any legal supplement they want to increase their strength. I use pro N.O. sometimes when I work out.”

Supplements play a big part in most serious athletes’ workout routines. Athletes who are required to be stronger may use more supplements than an athlete whose focus is speed. Senior Josh Mahoney thinks, “Using legal supplements is fine. I use a lot of different things before I work out, and the reason I work out is to get stronger for football and shot-put.”

Just because an athlete uses supplements doesn’t mean they will become a “super athlete”. No matter how many supplements a person takes, they will not make the person an all-star athlete. If the person doesn’t practice and try to get better at their sport, supplements will not benefit that person. Junior Kyle Martin thinks, “They are a positive thing. Sure they help you get stronger, but they don’t make you better at your sport. Supplements just give you an edge when you work out to make the work you do more effective. I use a lot of different supplements when I work out!”

If a person doesn’t put the work in, supplements will not help at all. For supplements to make an athlete better, they need to do their workouts with the supplement and practice what they need to improve on. Junior Kayla Emineth said, “Supplements help a person be the best they can be. I personally don’t use any supplements, but they

seem to be a very good way to get stronger. If they are legal, I don’t believe there should be any problem, but if they are illegal there is a reason for them being illegal.”

If an athlete wants to get better at a sport, practice is key. Supplements help with strength, but no supplement will improve your accuracy or skill at a sport. Supplements legal or illegal cannot make a person play a sport perfectly.

Practicing will do a lot more for an athlete than taking a lot of supplements.

Photo by Alex Peterson A picture of several different performance supplements drugs that athletes use.

Supplement

Effect

Pro N.O.

Helps build muscle and provide a more effective workout.

Syntha-6

Provides protein to your muscles

Creatine

Increases your muscles’ phosphocreatine

AAKG

Rids the body of excess ammonia

FRIDAY, FEB. 25, 2011 The Tomatalk • Kamiakin High School

Tribal Games SPORTS

7

The top 10 athletes of all time

By TANNER CURTIS STAFF REPORTER

1.

2.

3.

Michael Jordan –Air Jordan, His Airness, or just MJ. Whatever you choose to call him or whether you like him or not, you still must respect five MVP awards, nine All-Defensive First Team honors, 14 NBA All-Star Game appearances, 10 scoring titles, six NBA Finals MVP awards. In addition, Jordan ended his career with the highest career regular season scoring average (30.12 points per game) and highest career playoff scoring average (33.45 points per game). Did I mention he has six championship rings?

Wayne Gretzky – Known as “The Great One”, Gretzky has had his number retired by all NHL teams and is widely known for being the only player to record more than 200 points in a season. Amazing feat, right? How about this: he did it four times.

Muhammad Ali – Muhammad may be the most common name on earth, but there is nothing common about Ali. Although he lost three of four fights to finish his career, he totaled 56 wins and five losses in 21 years 4.

Tiger Woods –Although recent scandals and poor performances over the last 16 months have brought frowns and criticism upon him, Woods’ résumé is chalked full of records and wins, 97 to be exact. Of those 97, 14 are in Majors which ranks second behind Jack Nicklaus’ 18. Nicklaus did it in 24 years, and Tiger has been active 13.

5.

Michael Phelps – 14 Gold medals and two Bronze medals in two Olympics pretty much sums it up. The Baltimore Bullet put on a show in Beijing with an amazing eight gold medal performance. That’s the most gold medals ever won at an Olympics in history.

Jim Brown – Known as the best running back in history, Jim Brown spent nine seasons in the NFL and was a Pro Bowl selection in all nine. He may not have all the records in the book of running backs, but he led the league in rushing eight of the nine years he was active. The second most years led is four.

Babe Ruth – The legend in the sport of baseball, “The Bambino” is known not only for dropping homerun after homerun but also striking out batter after batter.

His career batting average was .342 and he totaled 714 homeruns in 21 years with an ERA of 2.28. The Sultan of Swat won seven World Series Championships.

Lebron James – LBJ is known for countless moments in his seven years as a member of the Cavs but is now looked down upon by many due to “taking his talents to South Beach” to create a super team. But the man isn’t going for a Nobel Peace Prize. He wants his championship ring, and the man can produce. He has seven All Star appearances to go along with back to back League MVP awards.

9. Lance Armstrong – The seven time Tour de France winner took the title from 1999-2005. Lance stomped the competition, all the while fighting testicular cancer. The cyclist also earned a bronze medal in the 2000 summer Olympics.

10. Kobe Bryant – With five rings in the last 14 years, Kobe Bryant is one of the best closers in history. His countless game winners have broken the hearts of many, and he has gained a poor reputation due to his off court issues, but that doesn’t change the fact that he is an amazing athlete.

6.

7.

8.

Winter sports make Kamiakin a top competitor

By JOEY FLORES EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

With winter sports coming to a close, more and more schools are being eliminated in their playoff races; but not Kamiakin. Kamiakin winter sports have established the school as an extreme contender in all sports.

Kamiakin girls’ gymnastics

Kamiakin gymnastics took the 3A state crown Friday Feb.18 beating Enumclaw by a score of 175.25-173.5. Michelle Fletcher placed sixth in the all-around event, Kayla Curtis finished ninth, and Danielle Brandon and Danielle Cueves placed 15 and 16 respectively. Michelle Fletcher and Danielle Brandon went on to place first place and get personal bests in the vault and beam in the individual events on Saturday.

Kamiakin boys’ basketball

The Braves won the district title beating Southridge by a score of 55-42, on Feb. 18, the first district title for Kamiakin since 1995. The Braves (21-1) took down the Suns in front of a packed crowd at home for the third time this year. CBBN player of the year Case Rada led the

Ballin’by Nature repeats as IBA champions

Braves with 15 points, while Riley Hayfield hit a few key three pointers finishing the night with 11 points. The braves now hold the No.1 seed going into regionals where they will play North Central in Spokane on Feb. 25.

By TANNER CURTIS STAFF REPORTER

Kamiakin wrestling

Kamiakin wrestling sent two wrestlers to state this year, sophomores Sisto Pina and Harley Kolp. Kolp, wrestling in the 119 pound weight class made the state tournament for his first time this year and won his first match pinning Aqua Prigge from Ingraham. Kolp then lost in the quarter finals. Pina, wrestling in the 160 pound weight class, made the state tournament for his second time, also winning his first match beating Joey Bellinger of Columbia River. Pina also lost in the quarterfinals.

Kamiakin girls’

basketball

The Lady Braves also won the district title on Feb. 18, defeating Eastmont in Eastmont by a score of 61-50. The Braves were led by Khadidja Toure who had 17 points and five assists while Kassy Larson had 16 rebounds and 12 points.

The Lady Braves now have the No.1 seed going into the 3A regional’s in Spokane.

IBA

The IBA season came to a close with a dramatic thriller on Thursday, Feb. 3. Regular season champion Vicious and Delicious advanced to the championship as expected to face off against last year’s champion Ballin’ by Nature.

In the regular season, V&D beat BBN by 30 points in what was BBN’s biggest loss of the last two years. The championship, however, was a different story.

“We tried to have fun in the championship because we didn’t have our hopes high,” said BBN captain Joey Jansen. “I thought we were going to lose because they kicked our a** in the regular season,” Jansen continued.

In the championship, BBN started off with a 12 point lead thanks to Tim White and Drew Oord hitting multiple threes in the opening minutes. “I don’t think I hit a three throughout the regular season, but I hit two in the championship,” Oord stated after the game. V&D clawed back led by their captain senior Jacob Stapleton who put the team on his back to take a lead in the second half. After trading buckets for a few minutes, BBN took a three point lead with five seconds left. A smart foul by junior Jon Wilson put V&D’s Jack Tumlinson at the line for a two point free throw. Tumlinson attempted to throw the ball off the rim to get it back in order to step outside the line for a game tying three, but BBN recovered the ball and let the time run out to earn the victory. BBN is the first team to repeat in IBA history and in what might be the last year of the league.

The Baseketballers and the Space Cadets tied for third place in the playoffs. The Baseketballers defeated Funky Fresh in the first round of playoffs, bouncing back from a three point loss to Funky Fresh earlier in the season.

The Baseketballers then fell to Vicious and Delicious by 10 points in the semifinals. “I felt like we played a good game against V&D. They are just a lot bigger than us so we had a hard time getting rebounds,” said senior captain Blake Raekes. The Space Cadets beat the Untouchables in the quarterfinals but then fell to BBN in the semis.

Tribal Games

FRIDAY, FEB. 25, 2011 The Tomatalk • Kamiakin High School

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SPORTS

Top things to eat at Kamiakin concession stands

By JOEY FLORES EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Students and parents who attend sporting events at Kamiakin are always hesitant about buying concession stand food because they think each stand has the same old boring stuff.

Well, I’m here to put this myth to rest. Let’s start off first with the concession stand at Lapierre Field where the Braves play their home baseball games.

Lapierre’s concession stand is home to some amazing hamburgers with your choice of toppings that include lettuce, tomatoes, onions (fried or raw), pickles and other various condiments. Also on the menu at the concession stand is the Duster Dorito. With your choice of Doritos, the workers at the stand will then open the bag putting chili, lettuce, and your choice of sour crème and/or ranch dressing. And for dessert, how about the Duster Brownie Delight which comes with four warmed up brownies with a vanilla ice cream topping and whipped crème on top, an amazing choice for a hot summer day watching baseball.

Next we will talk about the home basketball games held in the Kamiakin gym. This concession stand holds the usual drinks and candies held at a concession stand but much more as well “I love getting Starbursts because they are really good, and they last at least until half time.

I eat the other candy I get too fast,” said senior Bryce Drury. At the concession stand, you can enjoy a nice warm hot pocket heated up in just two minutes, or you could choose from a salted or unsalted pretzel to enjoy while watching our boys/ girls play basketball or girls volleyball.

Also on the agenda for concession stands is the one that is held at Lampson Stadium for home football games. From hot chocolate to Coca-Cola products, from pizza to candy, this concession stand has it all. “I’m a big fan of hot dogs, so I usually get those at football games,” said senior Riley Hayfield.

You can pick from your choice of cheese or pepperoni pizza from Dominoes at this concession stand. Also on the menu are nachos, hot dogs, and a huge amount of candy.

Photo by Cindy Gonzalez Students and fans in line at a Kamiakin basketball game.

Packers take Super Bowl XVL

By OSCAR PEREZ STAFF REPORTER

This year, Super Bowl XVL was a very close one. The Pittsburgh Steelers and the Green Bay Packers faced off in Dallas, Texas at Cowboys Stadium. It was not just a face off of quarterbacks Ben Roethlisberger of the Steelers and Aaron Rodgers of the Green Bay Packers. It was a battle of two teams that have worked extremely hard to get to this place. There is no other higher spot in NFL than winning a Super Bowl.

In the first quarter, the Packers took a two touchdown lead. In the second quarter, the Steelers scored a touchdown and a field goal making the score 21-10. In the third quarter, it was all Steelers. They scored a touchdown and stopped the Packers in their tracks by holding them to a scoreless third quarter. Fourth quar-

ter came in and the score was 21-17.

The Packers scored making it 28-17.

The Steelers later scored making it 28-23, and instead of kicking a field goal for one point, the Steelers made an important decision of going for the two point conversion. The Steelers made a clutch play and succeeded on the two point conversion making the score 28-25, but then the Packers widened the lead with a clutch field goal making it 31-25.

The Steelers had about two minutes to score six points, but the Packers’ defense showed what they have been showing all year, and they stopped the Steelers from scoring.

Packers ended up winning the Super Bowl with Aaron Rodgers as the MVP. Green and Yellow.

Photo: Super Bowl MVP Aaron Rodgers holding the Vince Lombardi Trophy.

Best sports stores in the Tri-Cities

By ALEX PETERSON STAFF REPORTER

Where do you go to get everything you need for the sports you love to play? There are many options such as Sporthaus, Big5, Sports Authority, and more. The Tri-Cities may not be very big, but we have lots of options when it comes to places to buy sporting accessories.

A big factor is what you’re looking to buy, whether you need equipment or you just want a cool jersey. Junior Brittani Garcia said, “Just Sports is my favorite store because it has all the jerseys and accessories for all the major sports.”

Even if you don’t play lots of sports, sporting goods stores are a cool place to shop.

Lots of sporting goods stores have equipment for just about everything, and they usually have it at a pretty good price. “I like Sports Authority because they have so much cool stuff that you can try on in the store,” said junior Valya Sandbergh.

Depending on the sports you like, you have many options. If, for example, you are into motor sports, there are more local stores than any one would ever need. There are stores for parts, accessories, gear, and much more. Junior Jerrod Zadow said, “Motorsport Outlet is my favorite store because they give great deals on gear and rider apparel.”

Pricing is also a big part of where to shop. Some local stores over price their merchan-

dise because they know they have so many repeat customers. Once you have found a store you like, you are more likely to keep shopping there instead of looking for new stores to shop at. Favoritism is a big part of any store; they want their customers to like their store more than any of the competition’s stores. “I like Sports Authority because Big 5 sucks!” said Junior TJ Tolliver.

The term sporting goods covers a lot of items. Everything from jerseys to running shoes to motor sports equipment is considered sporting goods.

How do you know which store is for you? The one that has everything you need at the right price, with good customer service, is probably your best bet.

Photo by Alex Peterson A rack of various sports cleats and shoes at Sports Authority in Kennewick.

No excuses for not staying in shape in our community

By MELISSA OSER STAFF REPORTER

A common New Year’s resolution is to lose weight, so how about some information about the gyms around Kennewick? There’s the new Gold’s Gym up the street that used to be the former Hastings, Club 24 on Union Street, and the Tri-City Court Club.

At the new Gold’s Gym on Clearwater Avenue, you’ll find the latest cardio and strength training equipment and a dynamic group exercise program that has classes like yoga, group cycling, mixed martial arts, muscle endurance training, and pilates. Gold’s Gym includes a swimming pool, basketball and racquetball courts, a group exercise studio, space for cardio and weight training and a special area for kids’ activities.

At the Tri-City Court Club, you are offered over 124,000 square feet of space to work out, play, socialize, or relax. The Tri-City Court Club has eight indoor tennis courts and two outdoor courts. There are six racquetball courts, three group fitness studios, a full gym, a weight room, a cardio center, a 35- foot indoor rock wall, two indoor pools, three whirlpools, a sauna and steam room. There’s an Experience Pass that’s for 14 days that only costs $14. There are over 100 fitness and exercise classes that happen per week, so the Tri-City Court Club would be an excellent choice.

Club 24 in Kennewick offers a guest pass that is free for seven days. As a new member, Club 24 offers an orientation to help you feel comfortable working out at the gym. You would be taught how to use the equipment and the proper forms. The gym is open 24 hours a day, and registration hours are every day but Sunday. Kids age 16 and older have the membership options of a two year and month-to-month plans. All three gyms are there to help you with your goal of getting into shape and making you comfortable.

Photo by Melissa Oser Adults attending a class at Golds Gym in Kennewick.

FRIDAY, FEB. 25, 2011 The Tomatalk • Kamiakin High School

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SPORTS Tribal Games

Athlete Spotlight:

The sisters of Kamiakin Khadidja & Sira Toure and Kaylee & Courtney Nelson

By DANIELLE OPENSHAW STAFF REPORTER

It’s not unheard of to have siblings on the same sports team, but to have two sets of sisters who are very skilled in their sport is unusual.

As of right now, the four girls are known as “The sisters of Kamiakin.” Kaylee Nelson and Khadidja Toure are both juniors and have both been playing for more than five years. Courtney Nelson is a sophomore while Sira Toure is a freshman.

These girls are working hard to put their team where they need to be for state. The four girls had two interviews, one with KNDU, and another with KEPR. “This season we are hoping to make it to districts, win regionals and get in the top five for state,” said Kaylee.

The Nelson sisters have had a history with being a Kamiakin Brave. Not only do Kaylee and Courtney Nelson attend here, but their mom played for the Braves before she graduated in 1988.

“We grew up playing,” said Courtney.

The Nelson girls have played on the same team before but for the Toure girls, this is the first time they are teaming up and playing together.

“It’s always nice. We have always been close, but this is one more thing we have in common and we both love it!” said Khadidja.

“The girls practice for at least four hours a day and have games about two to three times a week. This season, so far, the girls’ varsity team has won 16 games and lost five. These girls have worked hard to get to their spot now and won’t quit to earn their spot for state.

Photos: by Danielle Openshaw Left: Sophomore Courtney Nelson going up for a rebound at a practice for Kamiakin.

Right: Junior Kaylee Nelson (sister of Courtney) practicing her lay-ups.

Sports Quiz

By JOEY FLORES EDITOR-IN-CHEIF

1. What former Seattle Mariners pitcher has also published two books?

2. When was the last time the Greenbay Packers won the Super Bowl?

3. What decade saw names first appear on the backs of NFL jersey’s?

4. What two teams played in the first all-California Super Bowl?

5. What two NBA players won the MVP trophy three times each from 1986-1992?

1. MIguel Batista 2. 1997 3. 1960’s 4. The San Francisco 49ers and The San Diego Chargers 5. Majic Johnson and Michael Jordan

ADVERTISEMENTS

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FRIDAY, FEB. 25, 2011 The Tomatalk • Kamiakin High School

FRIDAY, FEB. 25, 2011 The Tomatalk • Kamiakin High School

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Chief Legends IN-DEPTH

Chief IN-DEPTH Legends

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FRIDAY, FEB. 25, 2011 The Tomatalk • Kamiakin High School

Top Ten Toys of our Generation

By VICTORIA DEMERS PHOTO EDITOR

10)

Mr. Potato Head – This very popular spud was first invented in 1949. As some may know, this potato loving toy used to only include the various parts such as feet and eyes which you would stick into a real potato. It was a way to make food your best friend.

In our time, it was made into a plastic toy which we all remember as a way to be creative.

9) Pokemon – Whether you watched the show, played the video games, or played with the Pokemon cards, Pokemon is probably something you remember to be full of action and fun. These unique products put us into an unimaginable world which some remember to be an escape. Whether we competed for the rarest card or who could finish the video game faster, this is one of the most memorable childhood fun that our generation had.

8) Gameboy and Super Nintendo – How can anyone forget the fun video games that were around when we were young.? Before the Wii and the Play Station ever hit the stores, Gameboys and Super Nintendos were the cool gadget to own. It created fun in a screen. Various games were specially made for this device and when you got tired of one game, you could get a new game. The excitement of these game devices were ones that no one will forget. The day you got a new game or even the Gameboy Color cannot ever be erased as one of the best days of some people’s childhood.

7) Toy Cars – Simple and very well remembered, those hot wheels were another favorite back in the day. Not only were kids showing off their cars, we as kids were always trying to obtain the coolest and limited edition cars. The cars weren’t

the only great thing about hot wheels. The new tracks on which you could put your hot wheels were always the best.

Every time a new track came out, kids begged and begged their parents to get them the “coolest race track ever.” Back in the day, the coolest kid on the block was the kid with the newest track.

6) Footballs and soccer balls – Who can forget the great outdoors? There were many childhood toys that were indoor oriented, but what about those that created a challenge?

Football and soccer are beloved sports of the world and are part of great sports in which a lot of young children are interested. It brought a new level of fun. Not only was it competitive, it was more real to the child. You can have all those toys that go into your imagination but there are other games that provide fun competitiveness without having to keep you in your own world. Most of those young children will never forget the first time they joined a team and felt a part of something bigger than being alone in their own room.

5) The one and only: Bicycle – A bicycle: It has been around for years, and it still never gets old. Though some parents made their kids moan and groan about wearing a helmet and even protective pads, nothing was going to stop them from riding their beloved bikes. Santa was a very loved man every time he brought a child a bike because in the lives of many young children, it was a way to go fast and feel invincible.

4) Legos – These fun-filled building blocks can create something as little as a toy car or something as big as a small castle. Legos varied in a lot of different sizes and came in a lot of different varieties. What to build was left to the creative mind of the child at play. The different colors

and shapes led to inspiring young kids to become inventive.

A new lego set was a child’s dream.

3) Buzz Lightyear – What was cooler than a new Woody doll? How about the new cool outer space Buzz Lightyear action figure! When the movie Toy Story came out, the Buzz Lightyear was the action figure to get. As seen in the movie, he has got some interesting and cool gadgets. Kids even looked up to him.

They wanted to be a Space Ranger just like Buzz.

2) Dolls – Varying from Bratz and Barbie dolls to rag dolls, a doll to many young girls meant a love and friendship like no other. Dolls don’t betray you; they are always loyal.

Seemingly like humans, dolls represented people to young girls. You could make any sort of a good or bad life for your doll, but it was always really fun to dress these girls up. You got to pick the age of the girl, and you got to pick whether she had a car or animal friends. Whatever you can possibly think up could happen to your doll. No one will forget dreaming about their lives in the perspective of toy dolls.

1) Stuffed Animals – Whether you had a Winnie the Pooh stuffed animal or a teddy bear, stuffed animals made the perfect friend. As a popular collected product, stuffed animals were cute and cuddly. Memorable as a sleeping buddy, you could carry it around everywhere. And that is just what kids did. Animals who might eat each other could be best friends. That is the magic of stuffed animals. The love for any stuffed animal will never be regretted, for who could hate their adorable best friends who would promise to go anywhere with them no matter how many holes in them or how dirty they got?

TV shows and movies we remember

By KAELYN COLE NEWS & FEATURE EDITOR

As we grow older, remembering the past becomes more difficult and more significant. We want to reminisce over all the best of our childhood memories and laugh at the same jokes we thought were funny back when we were all sitting in front of the television, our chins sticky from the dribble of sugary, multicolored milk left over from a large bowl of cereal, keyed up for the Saturday morning cartoons. The movies and TV shows that we watched back then still resonate with us today and bring up memories from the past that make us feel all warm and fuzzy inside.

The Saturday morning cartoons were where it all started; they were the ones we effortlessly woke up early to see.

They were often things like Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and the Power Rangers that would fight off the always impending bad guys around the corner by flipping around them and almost actually hitting them. There were also the shows that are not necessarily only from the 90s but are classic none the less, such as Sesame Street, and Full House. Also relevant to our young lives was the Disney sponsored One Saturday Morning time including shows like Doug, Recess, and Pepper-Ann. Other shows we avidly watched (or secretly still do) were Arthur, Wishbone, Looney Toons, Barney, and one of my favorites, Out of the Box (clap clap!). Channels like Cartoon Net-

work and Nickelodeon captivated our eyes with Johnny Bravo, Scooby Doo, Dexter’s Laboratory, Hey Arnold, As Told By Ginger, All That (later The Amanda Show and Kenan and Kel), Doug, Powerpuff Girls, Rugrats, Ed, Ed, and Eddie, Catdog and the always awesome Rocket Power. We didn’t only watch cartoons, though, proven by our fixation with the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Even Stevens, Lizzie MaGuire, Sister Sister, Smart Guy, Phil of the Future, That’s so Raven and Sabrina the Teenage Witch.

Then there were the movies that we loved to stare at and would sit down for hours to watch, which in and of itself is a testament to their greatness. Many of these had a sporty theme underscored by values like Space Jam, The Sandlot and The Little Rascals with its NASCAR-esqe finale.

There were also the Disney movies now boasted as classics that to us were the newest releases including the Lion King, Beauty and the Beast, the Little Mermaid, Toy Story,

Aladdin, Tarzan, A Goofy Movie, and 101 Dalmatians. There were also those movies we loved back then, but they seem to have faded into oblivion such as Aristocats, Oliver and Company, All Dogs Go to Heaven, and James and the Giant Peach.

There are those movies that had once been great but have been haunted by the curse of too many sequels including Beethoven, Balto, and The Land Before Time.

Other great movies that will always keep us connected to our pasts are the Disney Channel Original Movies (DCOMs).

These provide the most nostalgia I can possibly feel at one time. Movies like: My Date With the President’s Daughter, Brink!, Halloweentown (1 and 2), Zenon: Girl of the 21st Century, The Thirteenth Year, Smart House, Johnny Tsunami, Genius, Don’t Look Under the Bed, The Color of Friendship, Life-Size, Quints, Phantom of the Megaplex, Motocrossed, The Luck of the Irish, The Poof Point, Double Teamed, Cadet Kelly, Get a Clue, Gotta Kick it Up (Si se puede!), Eddie’s Million Dollar Cook-Off, The Cheetah Girls, Pixel Perfect, and Stuck in the Suburbs. There was also the amazing conclusion of one of everyone’s favorite show with the Lizzie Maguire Movie.

They were the people whose posters covered our walls, the characters we adored, the theme songs to which we knew every word, and the movies and shows we sang to.

They were the pop culture of our childhood and will always have deep significance to our generation.

FRIDAY, FEB. 25, 2011 The Tomatalk • Kamiakin High School

Chief Legends IN-DEPTH

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Kamiakin’s favorite elementary teacher

By DYLAN WILSON STAFF REPORTER

Do you remember those days of elementary school when your teacher was your idol? Students were shocked to see their favorite teachers at grocery stores or out in public because back then, to us, they were superhuman. Students at Kamiakin responded to a poll about who their favorite elementary teacher was. Although only 59 out of 200 results were returned and tallied, the results were very consistent. It was a three way tie between fourth grade Amistad teacher Mrs. Bayles, fifth grade teacher Mrs. Wellenbrock, and fourth grade Ridgeview teacher Mrs. Martin.

So to break the tie, we asked a random student, Trace Martin, to share who his favorite teacher was, and he said Mrs. Martin.

Merri Martin started as a Ridgeview student teacher in 1980 but took a year off to get her bachelor’s degree making the year 2011 her 30th year teaching. And she has loved every moment of it. Mrs. Martin says that she wanted to become a fourth grade teacher in her high school years.

“I like doing it. I like the staff, and Kennewick School District is a great district to work in.”

Many of Mrs. Martin’s current fourth graders agree that she is an awesome teacher “Mrs. Martin is the best teacher because she is so nice,”

agreed Katie, Ashlea, and Hannah. Mrs. Martin’s classroom environment seemed very kind and welcoming. And she expects every student to act the same way as she does. She gives respect to all of her students, and they show her the same respect back. One of her rules is the no “S” word meaning you cannot say “shut up”.

“I care about my students, and I like to interact with them as well,” said Mrs. Martin. She even says that she will go to their out of school events to show how much she cares. For example, at sporting events, she loves to watch her students play. And to her, it shows the students how much she really does care about them individually.

Anonymous Kamiakin student said, “Mrs. Martin is my favorite teacher because she took her time to get to know every student in the class.”

Another Kamiakin student added, “We got to go and bake cookies at her house!”

Finally when asking Mrs. Martin what she felt about being voted Kamiakin’s favorite elementary school teacher, she seemed thrilled and overwhelmed. “I was amazed for being voted. I think it’s really nice, and I was very overwhelmed,” she said.

Old video games we loved to play as a kid

By ZACHARY COOK STAFF REPORTER

Old video games have been around for more than 20 years and some of them are better than the newer ones.

Most people remember Pac-man and Mario and Luigi. Pong was another game from back in the day. Also, does anyone remember going to arcades back before we had hand held computer games or games we could play on our television sets? Oops, that is probably before our time. Our parents remember those days. Kids our age probably remember Super Nintendo though. One popular game some of us used to play on that system was Duck Hunt.

Students our age said that they miss games like Donkey

Kong and Mario Brothers and Boulder’s Gate. Zelda and Pacman were also reminisced about, as well as Super Metroid and Earth Bound.

One game that was popular when we were kids was Mario and Luigi. From what I can remember from playing the old ones, you go from world to world beating levels and bosses and trying to save Princess Peach from Bowser.

Sonic the Hedge Hog was another game you might remember playing. In this game, you go from world to world as Sonic and tails fighting Dr. Ivo “Eggman” Robotic.

The next game is Zelda. We all know what Zelda is. You are a warrior named Link, and you are finding your way to save

princess Zelda.

Last but not least is Donkey Kong. You are Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong trying to beat all these levels and worlds to defeat K Rool. He is a giant crocodile.

Talking about these old games makes me want to whip out my old Nintendo 64 or Super Nintendo and play them once again. I don’t know about you.

The most favorite playground activities

By MELISSA COPPINGER STAFF REPORTER

Q: When you were in elementary school, what was your favorite playground activity and why?

Freshman Alexis Green: “The twirling bars because they were challenging and my friends loved them as well as I.”

Sophmore Austin May: “I loved four square, monkey bars and kickball. I wasn’t very good at any of them except the monkey bars. But I still tried my best.”

Jennifer Tillenburg Physics

Junior Rylie Wilson: “Kickball because it was fast paced, fun and athletic. It required coordination which I enjoyed.”

Anna Haines Art and Yearbook

Senior Leighton Chandler: “My favorite was playing tag with my friends because I had too much energy to just sit around.”

Chief IN-DEPTH Legends

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FRIDAY, FEB. 25, 2011 The Tomatalk • Kamiakin High School

The songs we knew and loved as kids

By KAELYN COLE NEWS & FEATURE EDITOR

When you’re a child, the music you listen to is, unfortunately, limited to what the charts give you. We were all too young to know how to go searching for music we actually liked.

This similarity gives us a common remembrance of past songs loved by all.

The ‘90s truly gave way to the teen-pop phenomenon and sprouted in the boy band trend. This gave us the amazing styles of N*SYNC and the Backstreet Boys. To this day I pop in the great album of No Strings Attached with hits like “Bye, Bye, Bye”, “It’s Gonna Be Me”, and “Space Cowboy”. This last Christmas I even broke out their Christmas album with one of my favorite holiday mood setters, “Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays” (revolutionary title!). The Backstreet Boys also had some great hits, such as “Quit Playing Games (With My Heart)”, “Everybody (Backstreet’s Back)”, “Larger than Life”, and “I Want it That Way”. Another boy band who obtained a onehit wonder during the ‘90s was Hanson and their hit “MMMbop”.

Young pop artist Aaron Carter stole the hearts of many young girls with his album Aaron’s Party (Come Get It) with classics including the title track, “That’s How I Beat Shaq”, and “Bounce”. He promoted his album by performing “I Want Candy” and “Girl You Shine” on the very popular Disney show Lizzie McGuire.

Many young women artists had the most fruitful period of their lives during our adolescence. Britney Spears, Mandy Moore, and Christina Aguilera were the girls we looked up to and whose songs we knew by heart. Britney had the hits of her first album, One More Time, including the title track, “(You Drive Me) Crazy” and “Oops…I Did It Again”.

Mandy had songs like “Candy” and “Crush”. Christina had her break out with “Genie in a Bottle” and later with “What a Girl Wants”, but many parents were surprised by the direction she decided to take with songs like “Dirty”.

Along with the sugary sweet pop stars were the alternative teen idols such as Avril Lavigne, the Spice Girls, and Atomic Kittens. Avril took the common teen to the depths of punk-ville with songs like “Sk8er Boi”, “Complicated”, and “My Happy Ending”. Atomic Kitten gave us the infectious single, “The Tide is High” that still gets stuck in my head from time to time. The Spice Girls gave us one of the greatest 90s pop songs to grace the charts with “Wannabe” that still leaves many wondering what a ‘zigazig ha’ could possibly be.

Other than the songs specifically made for the pre-teens, we welcomed many hits that may or may not have been entirely inappropriate for the age we were at. Songs like “Don’t Speak” by No Doubt, “Livin’ La Vida Loca” by Ricky Martin, and “The Macarena” still reached us and made our heads bob up and down. Other artists whose voices seem so nostalgic now from their songs emanating from the radio of our childhoods include Sugar Ray, Alanis Morisette, Smash Mouth and Will Smith with his hits, “Getting Jiggy Wit It”, “Just the Two of Us”, and “Welcome to Miami”. Another hit that reached the masses was “Barbie Girl” by Aqua, a seemingly innocent song that had all the young girls singing their hearts out.

The most favorite books of our past

By HAILEY PAINE STAFF REPORTER

When you look back at your childhood, you may see a pile of various movies, CDs, and of course books. Can you, as a 14 to 19 year old in high school go way back to when you were just barely learning to read and found that fantasy world of books? Your teacher introduced such classics as Where the Wild Things Are, The Giving Tree, Green Eggs and Ham and The Very Hungry Caterpillar, but after the first or second grade, you probably never touched those books again except to throw them out. Here are a freshman, sophomore, junior and senior’s favorite books in second grade: “Goodnight Moon was a great book for when I was a little younger,” said freshman Caeleigh Rieger.

“I remember in second grade, my favorite book was Bye Bye Moon by Ellen Weiss,” said sophomore Dion Warren “Oh, when I was younger, I used to love those Junie B. Jones books!” said junior Karise Woodward.

“Does anyone remember the BFG? Ronald Dahl was always superb, but that book really made my day when I was like nine,”said senior Gabe Luedke.

Of all of the children’s books, these were rated the highest in America: 1.) Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White 2.) Hatchet by Gary Paulsen 3.) The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis 4.) Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson 5.) Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl 6.) A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle 7.) Shiloh by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor 8.) Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder 9.) The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett 10.) The Boxcar Children by Gertrude Chandler Warner

The childhood styles makes every one laugh

By KYLEE SCHWARTZ STAFF REPORTER

From scrunchies and choker necklaces to floral spandex and sundresses, the 90s made quite a statement. Looking back and looking at fashion now, some of the things that were worn in the 90s would probably never be seen on kids today.

“I would get my clothes from Osh Kosh B’gosh, but I also remember wearing the floral spandex,” says Kaitlyn Stolle. Floral Spandex was a huge thing back in the 90’s. Both men and women wore them. They’re fit for summer, and they were often worn under skirts or sundresses, even under shorts. They would provide a good amount of coverage and comfort.

Scrunchies were a huge fad for girls.

They were in the hair as well as on the wrist; they came in several different colors. It was a must have for young girls in the 90s. The big thing for hair accessories was also the colorful butterfly clips, or the fake hair clip ins that were neon colored. Another accessory would be the chokers. They were worn by women of all ages. They were necklaces that wrapped tightly around your neck.

There were also bracelets, anklets and rings that even-

tually came out, too.

Overalls-- if you look back into your year book from your elementary years, there is probably not a chance that you won’t see these on someone. They were what everyone wore from children to adults, girls or boys; you would see them without a doubt. “I wore pink overalls with my Winnie the Pooh boots,” says McKala Lutes.

The 90s hair--For girls across the nation, they looked to Jennifer Aniston and wore the“The Rachel” style. It was a bouncy, square-layered hairstyle. This was introduced through the hit sitcom Friends as she played the part of Rachel Green. The frosted tips--no one can forget frosted tips. They were everywhere. This fashion trend came from the famous Justin Timberlake from the band N*Sync.

Can’t forget the jellyfish sandals. Little girls wore them everywhere during the summer, while the boys wore regular tennis shoes. Jellyfish sandals were little rubber sandals that were easy to slip on and were comfortable. Tennis shoes are still around now days, but you never get to see the jellyfish sandals.

FRIDAY, FEB. 25, 2011 The Tomatalk • Kamiakin High School

Tribal Talk

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OPINION & EDITORIAL

HIGH SCHOOL RIVALRIES

By AMBER MAIDEN STAFF REPORTER

A

lmost everyone has been to some kind of sporting event, whether it was a football game, basketball, or even baseball. You know the feeling of being in the stands cheering for your school, that amazing rush of adrenaline when your team puts points on the score board.

There’s almost nothing better than going to watch a game on a Friday night against a local rival and winning.

Some believe though that school rivalry is dangerous, and it can be. Schools have had to have police officers at games to keep the crowd tame. Many of these schools though have had violence problems before, and so you can’t blame it all on school rivalry.

Schools with more gang activity are the main cause of added security, so technically you don’t know for sure the police officers are even at a game to watch the student sections. They could be looking for a specific person.

We shouldn’t have to waste money just to get more security at games so the crowd doesn’t get too “rowdy”.

These are students’ ways of feeling involved when they can’t play a sport or don’t have the time. Yes, there will most likely be taunts and name calling, maybe even some inappropriate remarks, but we can’t be blamed for them.

We all get rowdy when the game is

PRO

close or when it’s an obviously bad call by the ref. School security officer Bobbi Ingrahm said, “In all the time that I have worked at Kamiakin, we have never had a violence problem after a varsity game.”

When asked what he thought of school rivalry student Dominic Martinolich said, “I think school rivalry is a good thing. It gets students pumped and because Kamiakin’s number one!”

Kelsea Sainsburg said, “It increases our love for competition what with Kamiakin being the top dog!”

Some students probably have family at other schools or friends who come to watch their two schools battle it out on the field or court. It definitely beats sitting at home doing homework or something. Not only do you get to go watch your school play against rivaling schools, but it also gives you a chance to get out and hang with your friends in a safe and controlled environment. You and your friends get to cheer for your team and hang out at the same time, not to mention you have the fun halftime shows whether it’s watching the dance team bust a move on the field or trying your luck at a three point shot to get the chance to win a free two liter pop. You also have the chance of meeting new people from other schools while waiting in line for a hot dog at the concessions.

It’s the one thing that hasn’t rea l l y

changed over the years since our parents have been in high school. All in all, school rivalry is a good thing. Nothing can get the entire student body more excited than a prep assembly for an upcoming game.

By KAELYN COLE NEWS & FEATURE EDITOR

L

et’s face it; high school sporting events are just more fun when you have a mass of students from the school across town at which to throw insults, but all too often school spirit produces violence with a mob mentality. When you are in a large group of people, it is very easy for even the most level-headed of individuals to lose their inhibitions and feel the urge to shame their rivals. The typical cheers from the student section slowly (or sometimes not so slowly) transform into personal attacks and the boastful clanking of keys. “Personal attacks, jeers and politically incorrect clothing can detract from the sportsmanship and camaraderie that high school athletics are supposed to promote. It can also lead to violence, stereotyping, loss of self-esteem and distractions for players trying to focus on the game.” (Colleen Sparks, The Arizona Republic) One cause as to why it is so easy for high school sporting events to turn to mayhem is

because of the lack of security officials at these events. The truth of the matter is many public schools don’t have a lot of money to spend on securi-

ty for sports games. Without the watchful eye of security guards, students will often feel free to express their frustration.

There are those extreme cases where students will go out into the parking lot where

CON

an energetic altercation can quickly turn into an all out riot between both schools.

In Seattle recently, “Hundreds of students from Inglemoor and Bothell High Schools were involved in a brawl caught on videotape before a football game Friday night.

We’re told these brawls went on for hours, with students punching and kicking one another.”(KOMO staff-website) Another unfortunate case of school rivalries gone wrong happened with between schools in New Rochelle, NY. “The worst of it was a brawl involving 250 kids outside the Remington Boys’ Club in New Rochelle. Two teens were stabbed and six other people, including four police officers, suffered other injuries.”(Phil Reisman, The Journal News) The fact that something as virtuous as school sports can result in the injury of many of its students is unacceptable. If people were to put their differences aside they would often see that the school they are fighting with is not as dissimilar as they would like to assume. Many times students think of the other school as for “the rich kids” or “the stupid ones” but in reality, most high schools within one city of each other have the same income range and reputation in academics.

“The formula for crossing the line is usually the same: immature students fueled by passionate team spirit in the close confines of a basketball gym.”

(Colleen Sparks, The Arizona Republic)

Tribal Talk

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OPINION & EDITORIAL

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FRIDAY, FEB. 25, 2011 The Tomatalk • Kamiakin High School

Classic books aren’t ment to Our View: be changed

or many students, cussing and vulgar language is just a part of everyday life. Though many might not like it, they deal with this language. In many of the books that we read for school, there is this same type of language, and unlike the random “Ah F***”s and “D*** its” we hear in school, they do have some purpose.

At Auburn University in Alabama, Alan Gribben is trying to clean up some of the classic literature that we read, and it has caused quite a controversy. Gribben decided to revise Mark Twain’s classic, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, replacing the much used N-word with “slave”.

Though the N-word is not appropriate to use nowadays, it was commonly used to describe a person of African descent in 1884 when the book was first published.

Changing words in a classic book like this is crossing the line for a lot of people, with many thinking that Gribben has no right to change what has always been.

“That’s the way people talked back then,” said teacher Candy Olsen. Mrs. Olsen’s American Literature class is currently reading The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. The class reads the original version of the play, and Mrs. Olsen believes that the book should stay the way it is, since changing it is like trying to change history.

Other novels like To Kill a Mockingbird

by Harper Lee and Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck also use vulgar language that is not commonly used anymore. All of these books have a lot of literary value though and should not be censored because without the language they contain, they would lose a lot of the meaning.

School districts are allowed to ban books

if they feel that they are inappropriate for a school setting. This does not mean that students are banned from reading these books, but teachers cannot teach them and school libraries cannot carry them.

In the Kennewick School District, it is unclear even how many books are banned, but there are possibly two books banned.

The real problem that teachers seem to run into is the fact that it is difficult to get books approved by the parents and school board of our fairly conservative city. At least two parents need to read and approve of the book with no reservations, and then the board must approve it. Often parents will approve of the book, but then add in that they do have some reservations about it, and the book will automatically fail the approval process.

Recently in the Richland School District, a complaint was submitted by parents, requesting that the book, Snow Falling on Cedars, by David Guterson be banned from schools. The book is read by AP Language students at Hanford High School and is focused around prejudice in the Pacific Northwest against Japanese Americans.

Parents believed that passages in the book were “lewd, vulgar and profane” as reported by the Tri-City Herald.

In the end, the Richland School District rejected the complaint though, with the objectionable material not being “lewd” or “vulgar” enough to disqualify its literary value. Many board members even think that it is good for students to be subjected to controversial material. “We need to expose kids to social issues in a safe place,” Richard Jansons, board president said to the Tri-City Herald.

There are a lot of things that can be said about what should and should not be

read and shown in schools. But without any controversy, students will not learn anything and go into the world naïve.

Sure parents may object to some reading material, but that does not mean that we should get rid of it for the general population. We should keep these classic books the way they are, or just choose not to teach them at all.

Parents in the Kennewick School Dis-

trict can request that their child not read certain books, and students can always read an alternative to books if they feel uncomfortable reading some of the controversial books that we are required to read. The real solution is not banning books but training our teachers and educating our parents on how to use controversial material to show their children right from wrong.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR:

I

t was recently mentioned that most people in ASB are jocks.

While we’re sticking labels on people, let me stick a big one on myself.

I would have to classify myself as a nerd. Sure, I play sports and I like to talk to people every once in a while, but there’s too much evidence against me to be classified as a “jock.” For instance: I play Rachmaninoff and Scriabin piano pieces in competitions, I write poetry for fun, (I know…who does that?!) and many afternoons last year were spent in a room in the public library with my AP US History class discussing many in-

teresting things, from Black Power to Yellow Journalism to the Red Scare. I’d also rather sleep in until 6:50 and get a spot in cage than wake up at 4:30 to make it in time for a coveted place in jock. And I should probably add that I love love love thrift store shopping.

Oh, how could I forget? Reading is my favorite thing to do.

Maybe I’m a unique exception to the rule that ASB is full of preppies…it is indeed possible. Maybe I missed the question on the packet you had to answer before running for an office in ASB asking: “Are you a preppie or a jock?

Please support your answer with

specific evidence.” Yes, that has to be it…I must have missed the memo.

After talking to a few friends, however, I realized that they hadn’t seen the “JOCK” question either, and I was absolutely shocked! After further and extensive research, I found that you indeed do not have to be a jock to run for office. We’ve got video makers, straight “A” students, actors, singers, and sure…many people like athletics too.

Anyone, I repeat anyone, (preppie or nerd or whatever label being in high school has stuck on you,) is able to run for an office in

ASB. I wholeheartedly and enthusiastically throw my voice behind that of last month’s newspaper article which read: “Be politically active…everybody needs to be equally represented in this school; no group should be taking a back seat to any other group.” I would add my voice to this, that Kamiakin, this is our school.

I assure you each that the motives behind having an ASB class are not to exclude or misrepresent any one group. If there are any individuals or groups that feel Kamiakin has been unjust, I urge you to please come talk to us! Give us suggestions! Run for

office! Instead of complaining that Kamiakin in unbalanced, get up and change it! And I promise you that I, for one, will listen to what you have to say. In fact, you may find that many officers that have been elected to the class, especially those who have been serving for multiple years, will be more than willing to involve your input in our school’s decisions.

So come talk to us, help us be better. Heck Kamiakin, we’re here to serve you!

Written by Kaylee Brooks

With the support of Kamiakin ASB

FRIDAY, FEB. 25, 2011 The Tomatalk • Kamiakin High School

Tribal Talk

17

OPINION & EDITORIAL

School reform ideas and opinions

By BOND HENDERSON IN-DEPTH EDITOR

It is widely believed that the American education system needs improvement. These improvement ideas range from drastic to subtle.

President Barrack Obama has stated his ideas for the American education system. His ideas are motivated by the decline in quality of students’ test scores.

He also has shown strong desires to gain back the ground we have lost to other countries in these test scores.

Obama’s first idea is to increase the amount of students taking rigorous classes. This may even go to a point of requiring these classes.

He feels that students are not being challenged enough.

Another of his ideas is to increase the amount of hours that students are spending in school a day. Obama feels that if students are spending more time in school,

they will progress to raise the overall student test scores.

Obama’s largest and most drastic plan for the education system is to have school continue year round. This plan is probably the hardest to set in action.

Students and staff at Kamiakin have put in their opinions about these new education ideas.

When asked her opinion on these ideas, attendance clerk Kristi Lakey said, “I think year round school would be beneficial and provide kids with consistency.”

She feels that students need more of a stable education experience.

Math teacher and basketball coach Brian Meneely answered, “I don’t think there’s anything wrong with high expectations, but I’m not sure that one approach solves everyone’s problems.”

This is an important point. All over America, schools are experiencing their own problems. It’s important not to rush into some-

thing before considering everyone’s needs.

Teacher Sabiha Khan thinks that Obama’s plans are some of the right approaches to the problems. She thinks that more school hours in one week would be good for students, also because most other countries have more school hours in one week than the United States. She said, “We should have more rigorous courses and teach economics, and we should teach students to be good global citizens.”

The students of Kamiakin also have their own opinions on the subject.

Junior Lizzy Aikele thinks that a longer school year wouldn’t be any better because kids like to go on vacations and spend time with their families and friends, and it provides them with a break. She said, “A longer school day would take time away from sports.”

Junior Jeff Rains has similar

opinions. “School is long enough, and hard classes are available to people who want to take them. So why make everyone take them?”

When asked about year round school, Junior Megan Woods says, “I think it’s unnecessary.

Year long school would mean more money for the educational system, and with all the budget cuts in school, I think it would be counter productive.”

As all of these ideas and opinions are being thrown around,

it’s hard to find a clear answer.

The issue though is not quantityit’s quality. If administrations are tempted to think that quantity is more important than quality, then they are mistaken.

If you start with unproductive material and you just add more hours of that same type of material then you don’t get much of a different result. The important focal point to fix this education system is to create more quality information to teach students.

Vending Machines in High School not the end of the world

By CHRISTINA WOODARD STAFF REPORTER

Every school has a vending machine of some sort, distributing anything from juice to chips and candy. Students look forward to the lunch hour where they can spend their money on refreshments to quench their thirst or relieve hunger.

Neanderthals, however, believe that vending machines are linked to obesity of children and many other health risks gained in high school. Let me ask you this. Just because you eat a cookie, does that mean you will become obese? No, eating junk food every once in a while is a part of life and the food pyramid.

Vending machines are a controversial addition to the existing food programs of schools across the country. The number of calories children consumed increased by 30 percent from 1977 to 1996.

As childhood obesity becomes a more widespread issue, state governments are passing laws controlling the machines.

Banning vending machines

from schools might make some lawmakers feel as though they've accomplished something, but it won't make our children any healthier.

Vending machines provide easy access to snacks and other food items. The availability of food saves time and can save fuel for

“

just as unhealthy.

Vending machines are used not only to sell the edible food but to make payments for school programs--computers after school activities, fundraisers, etc.

Schools can provide nutritious food to the students at affordable prices through the vending machines.

Some schools are trying to promote the sale of nutritious foods like yogurt, pita chips, soy nuts, string cheese, and carrots with dips, dried fruits, and flavored milk through the vending machines.

Schools selling water in vending machines increased from 30 percent to 46 percent in 2006.

Eating junk food every once in a while is a part of life and the food pyramid.

“

people who are driving around for lunch. Vending machines can add to anyone’s lunch so they intake all the food groups at a healthy consumption. If students have just a sandwich for their lunch, why not stop to get chips and a fruit drink, or pop?

Without a vending machine, students could eat less and become

C

Y D AN

Students that make bad food choices shouldn’t make the ones who don’t suffer; vending machines are a high school necessity.

Tribal Reviews ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

FRIDAY, FEB. 25, 2011 The Tomatalk • Kamiakin High School

18

American Idol gets new judges

By ERNHEL TATUNAY STAFF REPORTER

American Idol is back with another season! However, there are a few changes in the show. Judges Simon Cowell and Paula Abdul have left the show; Simon left due to his new upcoming show, The X Factor. He felt that it wasn’t right Pictured far left: Jennifer Lopez has replaced veteran idol judge, Paula Abdul.

Pictured immediate left: The most critical judge on idol, Simon Cowell, was replaced

by Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler.

to work on two shows in America at the same time, so he decided to leave one show and start another. Paula left Idol because of an issue having to do with money between her and the show’s producer, Simon Fuller. Of course, with two Idol judges gone, two new judges have been added to the show. Singer/actress/former In Living Color dancer, Jennifer Lopez, and Aerosmith rocker, Steven Tyler, will be taking the places of the former judges.

Idol has been on air for eight years now and will be going on to their ninth year this season. Throughout those years, the show has gained and lost quite a bundle of viewers and fans. Many viewers were not only fans of the show itself, but also fans of the judges. Some people like the new judges, and some don’t. Some miss the old judges and wish to have them return to the show. Will the new judges affect the show and/or the fans who watch?

“I don’t like them,” said senior Garrett Jacobson. “They pity on people’s life stories and let that influence their deci-

sions. They’re not focused on the vocal talents.”

Jacobson thinks the show should’ve kept Simon because he had a “good ear for a good voice”. He thought Simon had the courage to tell the contestants as it was, unlike Paula, who seemed to base her decisions on what others said and had “round-about” comments. Overall, Garrett doesn’t think having new judges will hurt the show much.

The show may lose some viewers, but new judges may bring a new audience.

“I think some people will stop watching because the judges changed,” said junior Kim Barrow. “But really, the show isn’t about the judges!”

Barrow has been a fan for four years now. She “loves” American Idol, and thinks it is quite a funny show. Though there were some changes in the show, Barrow will still continue to watch.

Beats By Dre: If you can afford them, they’re worth it

By OSCAR PEREZ STAFF REPORTER

Have you ever seen those headphones with a “b” on them?

Ever wondered what they were and why so many celebrities have them? They are Dr. Dre’s new headphone line called Beats

by Dre. Beats by Dre first made their appearance worldwide in Lady Gaga’s super popular video, “Bad Romance.”

There are six different types of Beats headphones: Solo

HD, Pro, HeartBeats (Lady Gaga), DiddyBeats (P.Diddy), JustBeats (Justin Bieber) and PowerBeats (Lebron James).

These headphones are worn by many celebrities including, Kanye West, Lebron James, Will.I.Am, Pharrell, Fergie, Gwen Stefani, Kobe Bryant, Hugh Jackman, P.Diddy, Eminem, Tracy Morgan, Katie Holmes, Chris Paul, Dwight Howard, Rajon Rondo, and Michael Phelps. The reason why is because the headphones have a high powered digital amplifier and powered noise cancelling requiring 2 AAA batteries to operate.

In other words, these headphones are amazing, but they are also amazingly expensive! The basic SoloHD editions retail for $199.99. The Studio editions retail $299.99, and

the Pro versions retail for $399.99. So if you’re looking to pay for good quality, Beats is the way to go.

Top 5 music festivals worth the cost for die hard music fans

By JOEY FLORES EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Music fans are always looking to find out what big concerts are going on around the United States. From hip-hop to soft rock to heavy metal, tours and festivals are going on throughout the year to see huge names in whatever type of music you like.

If you’re a fan of o l d school and u n derground hip-hop, Rock the Bells Festival is the tour for you. In 2010 the seventh annual Rock the Bells Festival traveled around the United States doing shows from Washington D.C. to San Francisco in

late summer. The concert was an all day concert that had a huge cast of greats like Snoop Dogg, A Tribe Called Quest, WuTang Clan, Ms. Lauryn Hill, Rakim, KRSOne, Slick Rick and a few others. The Festival held two stages with the main stage holding all the greats and the “pay your dues stage” holding up and coming hiphop artists such as Yelawolf, Jedi Mind Tricks, Brother Ali, Wiz Khalifa, Immortal Technique and many more. If you love hiphop, this is the festival for you to see. Rock the Bells has not yet put out dates or artists for the 2011 tour.

If you’re a fan of rock, then Summerfest is the place for you to be. Summerfest, the world’s largest music festival, holds 23,000 at the Marcus Amphitheater with 10 additional stages. It is 11 days long from June 29- July 3, July 5-10. The festival is held in Milwaukee. In 2010, stars like Tom Petty, 311, B.B King, Papa Roach, Puddle of Mudd, Sick Puppies, Slightly Stupid and

many more hit the different stages to rock the show. Summerfest also has a few rap groups that make surprise appearances.

Cypress Hill, Pitbull, and Public Enemy were a few that showed up to perform in 2010. Summerfest has not said who all will appear at this year’s concert.

On Aug. 13, 2011, Van’s Warped Tour will hit the Gorge Amphitheater again. Warped Tour is a festival holding all different types of rock groups from alternative to heavy metal to scream with even a few hip-hop artists thrown in the mix. This year Warped Tour will be headed by groups such as Relient K, Simple Plan, The Ready Set, Hello Goodbye, Middle Class Rut and more artists to come.

Tickets go on sale April 1.

Bamboozle is last but not least. The three day festival holds all kinds of famous names in the music industry. From April 29-May 1 in East Rutherford, NJ, names such as Lil Wayne, A Day to Remember,

Motley Crue, Bo Burnham, LM-

FAO and tons more will hit the stage.

Tickets are on sale now, and this would be a concert worthy of flying across the country.

FRIDAY, FEB. 25, 2011 The Tomatalk • Kamiakin High School

19

Tribal Reviews ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Predator vs. Pikachu

By EVAN RAMSEY ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR

What sounds more frightening? An invisible, terrestrial being who hunts other aliens for sport, or a small rodent capable of producing over 1,000,000,000 volts of electricity that could essentially fry a h u man?

This

modern day David versus Goliath will be sure to shock and awe as Pikachu, the most renowned Pokémon of all time, battles one of the most technologically advanced hunters in the universe, Predator.

Predator is most famous for films in which he hunted aliens or humans. The first movie involved hunting Arnold Schwarzenegger in Central America. He is equipped with camouflage, a plasmagun like weapon, and assorted blades.

Pikachu is much less equipped, simply because there is no equipment for Pikachu to use. Electrical attacks are what

Pikachu uses to do harm. There are multiple attacks, but they all essentially do the same thing--shock you. But the strength of the shocks can be extremely powerful, as much voltage as a bolt of lightning. A one billion volt electrical attack would certainly be enough to kill most living things.

Both Pikachu and Predator would have trouble even spotting each other since Predator has active cloaking and Pikachu is often too fast to keep an eye on. But the active cloaking can be taken down if disrupted by an electrical charge. If Pikachu can expose Predator, I don’t think Preda-

tor would be any problem.

Not much can live after being struck by lightning, and even if one could survive that it is very unlikely they will survive several more.

Foreign Technology Advances

By MAK McKINNIS STAFF REPORTER

When it comes to foreign technologies, China and Japan come to mind with their robots who can serve you food, greet you when you walk near them, cook 600 Chinese dishes, help sick kids go to school, play instruments, do assembly of particular machines, venture into space where man cannot--this list goes on and on.

But what have other countries done so far to advance in technology?

Germany is known for its cars and the Autobahn, officially called the Bundes-

autobahn, where there is no speed limit. Recently Germany came out with a car that comes when you call it, and you can tell it where you want to go. This car, called MIG (short for Made In Germany) was originally made for a competition where it replaced the human element by a computer for increased safety. They recently added the feature of being able to call it from an iPad or an iPhone to tell it to pick you up and where to take you.

In Puerto Rico, they sent the first binary code to extra terrestrials, and ever since, we’ve had an increase in interest in these so called ‘aliens’. Now we made a METI protocol (messaging to extra terrestrials), and since ET’s have only the ‘modest technical capabilities’, we would use two specific wavelengths for transmission. SETI astronomer Seth Shostak believes we should start looking for intelligent machines. There will be a worldwide test of the METI protocol, and researchers say if people across the world can understand it, the ET’s will be able to, too.

In the Netherlands, Oskar van Deventer has made the world’s largest Rubik’s cube, a 17-by-17-by-17

tile Rubik’s cube. He didn’t carve out the pieces by hand but tapped the increasing availability of 3-D printing technology to make his high-tech puzzle.

In Malaysia, they recently released 6,000 genetically modified mosquitoes, hoping to eliminate mosquito-borne diseases. The experimental mosquitoes were all male and were released into the wild to see how they would fare. The down side? Experts say that tweaking genomes can lead to unforeseen and uncontrollable consequences. We still don’t know how these GM mosquitoes have done in the wild because they are still collecting data.

Play Review: Night of January 16

th

By NATALIE ELLIOTT EDITOR-IN-CHEIF

Taking place solely in a superior court room of New York City, Night of January 16 is a vivid tale, full of lost love, deceit, and of course, alleged murder. I have reviewed Photo courtesy of Rex Olsen: The play ‘Night of January 16th’ featured Kamiakin students Thor Cleppe, Taryn Meachum, and Amanda White to name a few.

many theatrical productions, but I believe that this one really takes the cake. The play, a joint production between Kamiakin and Kennewick High Schools, had an excellent cast of many actors, leaving no room for timing mistakes or fumbles in lines.

In the play, Karen Andre (Kaelah Phipps) is accused of pushing her boss Bjorn Faulkner off of the roof of his New York penthouse. The audience acquires all the facts of what happened through the various witnesses who take the stand, including Bjorn’s wife, Nancy Lee Faulkner (Malin Zilar); the New York gangster in love with Karen Andre, Larry Regan (Thor Cleppe); and PI Homer Van Fleet (Kellen Mcintyre), who Nancy had following her husband.

Defense Attorney Stevens (Taryn Meacham) and the District Attorney (Amanda White) argued their cases to the death, not being afraid of yelling out objections and causing a ruckus on stage. Both could make great lawyers one day, knowing just the right strings to pull and cords to

strike in order to lean the jury one way or another.

A unique aspect of the play is brought in when six members of the audience play the part of the jury, watching the trial for the first time like everyone else, and then getting to vote whether they believe Karen Andre is guilty of murder. These special jury members are not told whether to vote guilty or not guilty, so the outcome depends exclusively on the jury that night. The first night of the production, Karen Andre was not guilty, with a vote of 5-1. The second night, she was voted not guilty again, with a vote of 4-1. The last performance was the opposite of the first, with the jury voting Karen Andre guilty with a vote of 5-1.

Most of the cast had prior acting experience, and this was evident in their professionalism, but there were also members of the cast who had no prior experience, but their abilities to stay cool under the bright lights of the stage produced a flawless production.

Tribal Reviews ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

FRIDAY, FEB. 25, 2011 The Tomatalk • Kamiakin High School

20

‘Alpha and Omega’ Review

By AMBER MAIDEN STAFF REPORTER

Follow along with these two wolves who are totally different but seem to make a pretty good team: Kate a takecharge “alpha” wolf and her friend Humphrey, a relaxed and fun loving “omega”. Their pack is being challenged for the valley, so in order to keep the peace, Kate is to marry Garth, an “alpha” wolf who’s also the son of the other pack’s leader.

Right after Kate’s first “date” with Garth, she is captured with Humphrey and transported all the way to another park. Now they must get back before the full moon, or Garth’s pack will fight for the valley. Along the way, they

meet some interesting animals including a golf loving goose and his quacky duck caddy. With their help, they must pass through unknown territory, mean grizzly bears and catch a train to get back.

Along the way, Kate finds that she and Humphrey make a pretty good team despite the rules of alphas and omegas not being able to work together. When they finally reach home, they find the two packs at each other’s throats but once they see Kate is back, they are willing to go on with the wedding. However, while Kate was gone her younger sister Lilly, an omega wolf, was showing Garth around.

Alas, they fell in love but can’t do anything about it, for Garth is supposed to marry her sister (it’s starting to sound like a soap opera,but hang in there, it’s a good movie!), but

like all good movies, Kate ends up with Humphrey and Lilly and Garth get to be together.

This is a great family movie for those with kids under the age of 12, and it has some adult humor. So I give this movie a 3.5 out of 5.

A concert in Review: Toby Mac Gex 3 Review

By CINDY GONZALEZ SOCIAL CHAIR-PERSON

If you’re a normal person on this earth, you love concerts! On Jan. 30, Toby Mac came to the Toyota Center for his Winter Wonder Slam tour. He performed his music and left the crowd jumping and dancing with excitement, performing music from his previous albums and his newest album Tonight.

Toby Mac’s music is full of excitement and energy.

It’s meant to bring happiness and movement into people’s lives. The Toyota Center was full of people young and old, there to see the one and only. “Hold on” and “Tonight” as well as some other songs were performed. The one song that really got the crowd going was Funky Jesus Music where all the other performers that came jumped in and sang with him as well.

Brandon Heath and House

of Heroes also performed at the Winter Wonder Slam.

Heath opened up with his new album Leaving Eden and slowly moved on to his albums from the past singing “Give Me Your Eyes” and “Wait and See”.

House of Heroes performed music from their newest and oldest albums, also leaving the crowd a little more rocked out. It was a full house and definitely one to remember. Many people left satisfied and glad for what they went to see.

All the performances were very good but my favorite was definitely Toby Mac’s.

He brought excitement and a lot of fun. If you’re the kind of person that really enjoys upbeat music, then it would have been a night of enjoyment. Brandon Heath was my next favorite. His music is more calm and relaxing, and it definitely gets to your heart. The last one

would probably be House of Heroes only because it was more along the lines of metal and sometimes things weren’t understood.

For Christian music fans, this concert was a must see. We don’t have the opportunity to see concerts like these every day in TriCities, so when they come here, it provides a great activity for youth groups and teens to attend.

Pictured Above: Christian hip-hop artist, Toby Mac, played a recent show at the Toyato Center and brought the house down. Photo by Cindy Gonzalez

By DEVIN SCHELL STAFF REPORTER

Gex 3 takes you back to the good old days of the Nintendo 64. In Gex 3 you are a gecko that is an agent. Your nemesis, Rez, is back and terrorizing the media world. Rez has also kidnapped your partner Agent Xtra.

You must go through different levels and collect golden remotes to gain access to Rez’s lair.

The game play is very simple. You can jump, tail bounce, tail swipe, and eat flies.

You start off in a cave lair where you must find and enter TVs. Each TV has its own theme and three remotes along with a hidden remote for grabbing all the collectables in a single level. Ranging from Christmas themed snow level to the pirate boat level, you will have several hours of entertainment.

Although this game has a good variety of levels, to get to a lot of them you have a collect a good amount of remotes. To get those remotes, you must replay the same world several times. After you play the same level two or three times, it gets boring because you’re in the same place fighting the same people. If you get bored of a level before you collect all the remotes there, then it becomes a hassle to go back there to finish it.

Other than the receptiveness of some of the levels, the game is very entertaining.

I’d give this game a 3/5.

Gaga’s Wacky Entrance at the Grammy’s

By MARISSA RODRIGUEZ STAFF REPORTER

This year’s Grammy Awards yet again stunned thousands of Americans who tuned in on Sunday, Feb 13. The many vocalists that performed wowed the audience with their amazing ability, but the talk of the night was Lady Gaga’s interesting entrance and performance.

The 24 year old American pop singer-songwriter hid in a bluish egg on a wooden cross, held up by Roman dressed people, during the red carpet entrance. There was even an air hole in the back so the young artist could breathe. She came out of hiding right before her performance on the Grammy’s stage, wearing a yolk-colored long dress. The reason for this dramatic entrance was that she was performing “Born This Way”, hence coming out of the egg. Despite the weird attire, Gaga won the Best Pop Vocal Album, Best Female Pop Vocal Performance, and the Best Short Form Music Video. The hit of these awards revolved around the Bad Romance music video.

Lady Gaga may have an interesting and weird reputation, but her work made her one of a kind at the Grammy’s.

FRIDAY, FEB. 25, 2011 The Tomatalk • Kamiakin High School

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Tribal Amusement

FRIDAY, FEB. 25, 2011 The Tomatalk • Kamiakin High School

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SHENANIGANS

Shenanigans Let’s get food fighting

By BOND HENDERSON IN-DEPTH EDITOR

War is war. When it comes right down to it, you want the worst punishment for your enemy. What exactly is that perfect punishment you ask? Well, there are four simple categories to choose from.

School food fights can be vicious and deadly. So, when someone hits you with a bowl of chili with extra cheese, it’s important to step back and think through these categories before proceeding to totally humiliate them.

First, observe your target. Are they far away? If so, then you will want to pick foods from Category One: Long Range Projectiles. Perfect for such cases these foods will fly and cause mayhem on impact.

Foods like meatballs, tater tots, teriyaki dippers, and anything else that is particularly hard will do just fine.

If your target is actually part of a group and it turns out that you now have multiple targets, then you may want to consider Category Two: Scatter Bombs. Foods like coleslaw, spaghetti and salad with extra dressing are perfect for hitting every target with equal coverage.

If it turns out that your target is conveniently close, then you should choose foods from Category Three: Up Close and Personal.

This category contains saucy, sticky, and creamy foods that are just right for the job. Foods in this category would be turkey gravy, nachos, soup and spaghetti. Make sure that when applying any food from category three that you are an arms length away and apply the maximum force at the right angle, between the nose and the top of the head.

If it so happens that your target is unprepared and very low on ammunition or is just plain chicken, and is now running away as fast as he/she can, then you should choose form Category Four: Anything in Arms Reach. This category is very self-explanatory. Anything will do!

So now you are fully educated in the four food groups. Pick one for your soon-to-be-sorry-enemy, and enjoy the sight of just how sorry they are for crossing paths with you!

Weirdest foods students have eaten

By MARISSA RODRIGUEZ STAFF REPORTER

170 students were asked: What is the weirdest food you’ve ever tried? These results were the most common outcomes of this question.

Funny text

By VICTORIA DEMERS PHOTO EDITOR

Rachael Wescott, a junior, received a seemingly odd text on Tuesday, Dec. 28th, 2010. While she was parked in Pasco attending a sleepover held by one of her friends, she checked her phone to find many calls from her mom and texts, such as this one, from various phones. When her mom decided to text Rachael from her dad’s phone it became quite a laugh to see that her “Dad” was worried about “his” purse.

Photo By Rachael Wescott

FRIDAY, FEB. 25, 2011 The Tomatalk • Kamiakin High School

Tribal Amusement SHENANIGANS

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Da Bugs Dat Bug

Old Madrid

By Araceli Leal

By KYLEE SCHWARTZ STAFF REPORTER

Y H E F K L L L S K G P D B E L Z C

E E S L T T P S B L E L L E P D E L

E G V E H R A U L R V H B W Z L B P

E G M I B U D Y Z U G S R E I T R M

S U A F L S P A G K K I E K D I A E

B A D B A R B W F L Z F E K V R B A

Leaf Beetle Paper Wasp Varied Eggfly

E E Z E F V P B H I H R D L C I L A

T A E L D B A A G E R E I H E B U E

T C F L I U G R A I V V F E L P E R

L G S P D A E R I A E L K A G P B T

A H T A Y I E U G E Y I Z A B G U Z

R I U P T F T K W W D S B F B E T K

P Y L E A F B E E T L E B E Z D T E

Katydid Rice Weevil Zebra Blue Butterfly

Pokemon of the Month

Azelf

I E L R K P C L W E S L G U B D E B

D C E W F I L Y A E K L T G R L R B

B I L A R C T L T V E T H A F U F H

March Fly Silverfish Bed Bug

U U D S R L I I U E E G A Z Y L L P

There exists a rhythm, That contains sensuous pleasure, Interlaced with the warmth of the sun, It blends with the lightest of rains.

U L E P E E R B F r L I D R R L Y H

Those full red lips The contour of the town The movement of her hips, Liveliness, in which it’s found White wine, whose taste consumes, And her breath, The aftertaste of anise, Tunes that pierce the heart Traveler on the old Roman road, Whose eyes contemplate immortality.

The soul gladly beholds, Her form and wondrous vitality

Fun facts

By CINDY GONZALEZ SOCIAL CHAIR-PERSON

1) 2) 3) 4)

More than 10 people a year are killed by vending machines Ice-cream is Chinese food Hippo milk is purple The average person’s skin weighs twice as much as their brain 5) Turtles can breathe through their butts 6) Although they won’t admit it, women fart as much as men 7) The first cereal ever produced was Shredded Wheat 8) You are one centimeter taller in the morning than the evening 9) A can opener was invented 48 years after the can 10) The earth is approximately 6,588,000,000,000,000,000 tons 11) In France it is legal to marry a dead person 12) In Moscow a weatherman can be fined for inaccurate weather forecasting 13) The sentence “The quick brown fox jumps over a lazy dog” uses every letter in the alphabet 14) The Hawaiian alphabet has 12 letters 15) The first alarm clock could only ring at 4 a.m.

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FRIDAY, FEB. 25, 2011 The Tomatalk • Kamiakin High School