2013 2014 issue 5

VOLUME 38• ISSUE 5•MARCH 28, 2014• KAMIAKIN HIGH SCHOOL • 600 N. ARTHUR ST. • KENNEWICK, WA 99336

Table of Contents Pg. 4

FRIDAY, MARCH 28, 2014 The Tomatalk • Kamiakin High School

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If you would like to comment, write a letter to the editor, or submit a guest article, contact us at The Tomatalk: Kamiakin High School, 600 North Arthur, Kennewick, WA, 99336, (509) 222-7015, Laurie.Bender@ksd.org, or go online at www.tomatalk.com and comment there or take a poll.

Students learn about consequences of drunk driving

Staff:

Adviser: Laurie Bender Editor-in-Chief: Zack Julian

Pg. 6 Swinging into spring sports

News Feature Editor: Natalie Downard Sports Editor: Armando Antonio In-Depth Editor: Zack Julian Opinion Editor: Jordan Garner Entertainment Editor: Jacob Mclain Online E-I-C: Jordan Garner

Staff Reporters:

Jose Anguiano, Madison Badgley, Oscar Bautista, Natalie Downard, Chloé Grundmeier, Andy Ha, Morgan Haberlack, Sabrina Heijmans, Haley Softich, Alliyah Trythall, Kaylee Zuhlke

Retractions:

Pg. 7

We have no retractions. We write too good.

Dutch Bros. impacting the community

Pg. 11

MISSION STATEMENT: The purpose of the Tomatalk to to inform, entertain, and further educate the students at KamiakinHigh School and the surrounding community.

PUBLICATION POLICY: Content is determined by the staff. Students are protected and bound by the First Amendment of 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 has been established as a forum for student expression and as a voice in the free and open discussion of issues. The staff of the Tomatalk is expected to be professional, objective, truthful and accurate.

The staff will adhere to 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

How much should they be able to block?

EDITORIAL POLICY: Editorials are the opinions of the individual members of the Tomatalk staff and are not intended to express the opinions of the administration, staff, 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.

Pg. 14 Who’s that Pokemon?

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FRIDAY, MARCH 28, 2014 The Tomatalk Kamiakin High School

Around theNEWS Campfire & FEATURE

Elizabeth Mo; the poetry queen

By ZACK JULIAN EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

M

ost English teachers force their students to participate in Poetry Out Loud. For those of you who don’t know what it is, students speak poetry….out loud. Pretty self-explanatory right? Think again. In order to do well in this competition, you have to convey the many emotions that the poets tirelessly craft into their poems. From facial expression to stressing certain syllables, it takes a lot of practice to do well.

This past weekend, senior Elizabeth Mo traveled to Tacoma, Wash. to compete in the state Poetry Out Loud competition. Before this she had won teacherJoyce Donais’s class poetry competition, the school poetry competition and the regional poetry competition.

Mo competed against 12 other contestants in Tacoma and she won. She will be travelling to the National Poetry Out Loud competition which takes place April 28-30.

When asked about the state competition Mo said, “It was a really special experience. I don’t like being competitive, so I went into it expecting the worst but trying my best.

It was awesome to see my hard work pay off, though.”

Mo also said that when they announced her as the winner, she looked over at her mom and she was crying.

Mo is the first Kamiakin student ever to make it to the national Poetry Out Loud competition. Mo had to practice about three to four hours a week in order to be good enough. To celebrate her victory at the state level, Mrs. Donais’s first hour AP lit class threw her a breakfast celebration on Tuesday March 11.

Mrs. Donais will actually be travelling with Mo to the national competition in Washington D.C. at the end of April. Mrs. Donais said, “Elizabeth worked really hard. She’s the one who chose her poems, and she’s the one who brought life into them.”

Winning the literary honor Kamiakin loses a Brave

By KAYLEE ZUHLKE STAFF REPORTER

The Cavalcade of Authors is an annual event held at Columbia Basin College that binds authors and students alike in a small literary convention. Approximately 1,000 students throughout Washington and Oregon combine forces in this free event sponsored by local bookstores and libraries. On March 14 of this year, this event ran its course yet again.

However, this year was very special for Kamiakin sophomore Chloe Grundmeier.

By writing a tale of a psychotic 6-year-old, Grundmeier won the Cavalcade writing contest!

Grundmeier was shocked. Shortly after submitting her story to the Cavalcade of Authors writing contest, our own librarian Linda Nobbs passed on the good news that Grundmeier had nabbed first place.

“I cried of happiness for a half hour nonstop, starting about five minutes after Mrs. Nobbs told me,” recalled Grundmeier.

Unfortunately, this certain story is not just rainbows and happiness. Grundmeier wrote it with a particular dark twist.

“My story is really messed up (in a psychotic sense),” said Grundmeier. “I have a 6-year-old kill everyone, including his family. As crazy as it seems, I came up with the idea at the Cavalcade in the eighth grade.”

Grundmeier gives credit to being a part of Kamiakin’s journalism class in her success.

“Journalism class helped me in the editing process. I originally wrote it in about two days, but after I had so many people peer-edit it, it wasn’t done for basically two weeks,” reported Grundmeier. “After editing everything, the idea itself was a lot less horrible.”

The final prize offers Grundmeier $75

in books from the Follett publishing company. Additionally, she had the honor of eating lunch with the authors who visited Columbia Basin College. One of the most significant was Patrick Carman, the author of the ghastly Skeleton Creek book series.

Included is the introduction from Grundmeier’s short story. Go on online newspaper, www.tomatalk.com, to read the rest!

A four-year-old named Reigni sat in her grandfather’s lap, looking up at him with a look of awe and wonder on her small round face. Two-year-old Thomas sat on the opposite knee, looking up at the ancient man with the same expression as his sister. The well-known story flowed past the old man’s cracked lips as he spoke to the young children.

“Each day we suffered through the same hellish routine. Hide, keep silent, stay inside, hope. The horrible controlling rain fell from the sky, black and poisonous. Anyone so unfortunate to be trapped outside as they tried to flee screamed. All together. All exactly the same. The screams always cut off after nineteen seconds.

“The silence was so much worse than the screams. It lasted an eternity. It proved that anyone outside was dead. And they were coming…

“Those who’d been emptied of their souls pushed the doors open after exactly three minutes. They were indestructible. If you were the poor, unfortunate soul who’d been chosen, your chances at survival were scarce.

“Each death was more creative than the last.

They’d start with the snapping of necks, then continue to get more gruesome. There was always blood. There would always be blood.”

“Dad, stop it!” the children’s mother interjected. “You’ll just scare them with all that nonsense!”

“It isn’t nonsense,” the old man mumbled gruffly. “And They will be back.”

By MORGAN HABERLACK STAFF REPORTER

declined over time, she was still very upbeat, very friendly, always had a smile on Recently Kamiakin lost a Brave and she her face.” was indeed brave. Her name was Janice In Baker’s spare time, she loved to ride Baker, and she was 53-years-old. She her Palomino (horse) and go to concerts. was born in Spokane, Wash. and was Paraeducator Karen Salazar said, “Even a resident of the Tri-Cities for 45 years. when she wasn’t well enough to ride, she Baker worked would just at Kamiakin get up on her for 16 years and sit.” She and worked also enjoyed with mulattending contiple teachers. certs These teachOnce Baker ers all have was diagbeen more nosed with than honored cancer in to know such 2009, the doca strong, tors said she kind heartedonly had four woman. years to live Baker sadly but Janice passed away wanted to see from cancer her daughter Feb. 21. Her graduate from last day at high school. work was ValHer daughter entine’s Day. graduated last Baker was year, so Baker known not to beat the odds. miss a day of Janice Bakschool unless er’s service she needed was Saturday, to go in for Mrs.Baker with her two children who attended and March 1. Baker treatment, but graduated from Kamiakin. was a much everyone who loved womknew her said that she would be in the day an whom all of Kamiakin will miss very after. She knew that the kids she worked much. She was over flowing with love and with in the resource room as a paraeduca- kindness. Kamiakin was not just her work. tor needed her here for them. These kids The kids here were not just students. Baker loved her, and it is because she wanted to was a part of the Kamiakin tribe and will see them do well and succeed. Teacher Sta- be missed dearly. cy Johnson said, “Even though her health

Around theNEWS Campfire & FEATURE

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FRIDAY, MARCH 28, 2014 The Tomatalk • Kamiakin High School

Para Educators – Forming a superglue bond within Kamiakin

By KAYLEE ZUHLKE STAFF REPORTER

P

ara educators are the adhesive that holds the school together. They’re like multi-purpose tools – frequently skilled in multiple aspects of education. In honor of para-educator appreciation week, these reliable helpers deserve an extra dose of recognition.

Chrystal Ford Specializing in the life-skills classroom, Chrystal Ford loves her job. She was introduced to the counselling field and soon continued in her placement at Kamiakin. “I get to act like a kid with the kids,” Ford claims. “PE with them is the most fun, but my favorite experience to date was watching the Special Olympics. It was awesome to watch those kids succeed.”

Alongside her occupation as a para-educator, Ford enjoys participating in intermural soccer through the Quest organization.

CJ Gose An individual doesn’t necessarily have to be a biological dad to be a father. “A severe kiddo wasn’t potty trained, he was non-verbal, and he had a lot of behavioral issues.

I worked with him for a little bit over three months and soon enough, he had communication skills and was potty trained. It was a total dad moment,” recalled para-educator CJ Gose, an educator in love with his job.

Otherwise enjoying photography and road trips, Gose feels blessed to be a care provider. “I don’t feel like I’m coming to work because I get to do what I love,” stated Gose.

Charismatic and energetic kids led him to the path of his life that he’s currently visiting. “I got involved with special needs in high school, fell in love, and really enjoyed being around the kids,” said Gose.

Not only should Gose be an inspiration to us all for his selflessness and kindheartedness, but we should admire him for making a career out of something he enjoys. In the perspective of many, obtaining that is the true American dream.

Every 15 Minutes

By JACOB MCLAIN ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR

Every 51 minutes, someone dies in an alcohol related incident. Every student at Kamiakin has heard this fact during the Every 15 Minutes event on Thursday, March 13.

The Every 15 Minutes program started 20 years ago, and since then the death rate of drunk driving incidents has gone from every 15 to 51 minutes.

During the event on March 13, the grim reaper wandered around campus “choosing” who died.

When someone was chosen to die, officers would come and take the person away. That person had to dress up like a dead person and act like he was no longer there. For many people, this is a very strong message of the effects on drinking and driving, but is it enough?

Drunk driving is a major problem, and one that needs to be given greater attention. How would it feel waiting for a friend or family member to show up only to find out that she is dead? All the time spent hanging out, going to get food or coffee, helping each other, and even just talking is suddenly gone. The person is no longer there, all because the decision of someone else took away her choice to live.

The next day, the seniors had an assembly on drinking and driving; the assembly was so powerful that many of the seniors had tears in their eyes. The police officers, students and parent volunteers pulled off an amazing assembly that showed students that drinking and driving not only kills innocent people, but also ruins the lives of the ones who drink and drive; they

now have to live with the guilt of killing someone and the legal consequences of their actions. The assembly was so powerful that many students went home afterward because the assembly was so overwhelming.

So whose right is it to decide when someone else is to die? Whose right is it to choose who loses a friend or family member? No one’s. No one has the right. So the question now becomes what to do about those who do drink and drive. Should we be more or less strict on those who choose to drink and drive?

So remember, don’t drink and drive because it is not your right and decision to decide who lives and who dies.

Photo Courtesy of Officer Buroker

Cassandra Lamendola In an equation of strange and diverse, Cassandra Lamendola loves mathematics as if she created the subject herself, although she frequently finds herself in the resource room, physical science labs, or English classrooms.

Lamendola is an admirable para-educator with a definite knack for education. “In high school, I liked helping my friends with their homework instead of doing my own. After explaining it over and over again, I love it when the solution finally clicks in someone’s head,” she emphasized.

“One time at Stevens Middle School, I successfully bribed a student with McDonalds coupons to come to after school tutoring. He ended up understanding fractions, completely convincing me to become a permanent para-ed, and gobbling down his free Big-Mac,” said Lamendola. This experience proves the inference that her job is a genuine treat to everyone.

FRIDAY, MARCH 28, 2014 The Tomatalk • Kamiakin High School

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FRIDAY, MARCH 28, 2014 The Tomatalk • Kamiakin High School

6 Senior athletes have tough choices ahead

By JOSE ANGUIANO STAFF REPORTER

I

magine getting a full ride athletic scholarship to a college and having the chance to play the sport that you love. Many student athletes dream about this opportunity. Some athletes have multiple openings. It’s a hard decision to make when it comes to college because they are about to go spend two to four years of their lives in college. They want to make sure it’s the right place for them.

One of the hardest decisions for senior athletes to make is choosing if they would like to continue on with their dream of sports, which could end abruptly because of an injury, or dedicate their college education to academics. A few athletes at Kamiakin have been given the opportunity to play college sports. Kamiakin has 16 students who already signed with colleges. Athletic director Casey Gant said, “We will have over 23 and possibly up to 27 when it’s all done.”

Some of the biggest problems for high school students going to college are the distance from family and the financial need. Sometimes the solutions to these problems can be playing sports and being recruited. When players are recruited to play a sport, they know that even though they may be away from their homes, they will be with a

team that will later become like family. An amazing thing about getting recruited is the financial help the players are given. Players often receive anywhere from 50 percent to 100 percent of their college tuitions just for playing a sport.

Many athletes stress about college because they never know exactly where they want to go. Choosing a college is difficult because the student who is deciding where to go doesn’t know what to look for or what they should be expecting. Junior Danielle Burke is already getting contacted for her volleyball skills. Burke says,” I look for people I like, a location I like, and a program I want to be a part of.”

It can be really hard to go play college sports because at first the upperclassmen will not accept the freshmen who are better than they are. Athletes need to get everyone’s attention, so after they have had the initial chance to play, the resentfulness disappears.

Senior David Marshall was recruited to play baseball for Seattle University. Seventy-five percent of his college tuition is being paid for. Marshal said, “It feels good, and my parents are really happy.”

Senior football player Sterling Farrah will go on to play with Eastern Oregon University. Farrah says the hardest thing for him going off to play football will be “adjusting to the speed of the game.”

Sterling Farrah signing to Eastern Oregon Universiy to play football.

Photo By: Payton Holle

Athlete Spotlight: Savanah Heinz

By NATALIE DOWNARD NEWS & FEATURE EDITOR

Sophomore Savanah Heinz has played volleyball for six years. She was on Kamiakin’s JV team this year and plays club volleyball for Columbia. But this spring, Heinz is trying something new: golf.

“My family golfs, and I thought it’d be fun to play in the future,” Heinz states as her reason for deciding to join the team this year. Heinz’s favorite part of the season so far has been meeting new people and just playing for fun.

She also dislikes some aspects of the sport though.” I hate it when you take a big chunk of the grass out,” she said.

Besides volleyball and golfing, Heinz enjoys riding dirt bikes. She also loves horses and used to show them. She enjoys watching movies, her favorite being The Last Song, and watching TV shows, especially Hawaii Five-0. Her favorite kind of music is country, and she’s a big fan of Carrie Underwood.

“My favorite food is either trail mix or applesauce,” Heinz said. She also likes to drink Sunny D or Piña Coladas.

Her favorite restaurant is Bob’s Burgers, where she recently celebrated her sweet 16. She loves having the freedom to drive, and it definitely helps her get to and from the golf course each day.

Savanah Heinz practicing at Columbia Park.

Photo By: Brianna Esvelt

Track prepares for state

By ARMANDO ANTONIO SPORTS EDITOR

Austin Gutierrez handling the bar to Evan Spiel. Photos By: Armando Antonio

Track and field is a sport which combines various athletic contests based on the skills of running, jumping, and throwing. Kamiakin is known for being the best they can be at sports.

The girls track team was crowned champions for the second straight year. Coaches and teammates are hoping on the girls to take the gold once more. As for the guys, it’s going to be a tough season for them. Senior Daniel Sanchez said, “Like any other sport, state is the ultimate goal. That’s my goal for this season as well, and I wouldn’t think it will be that hard to make it to state if it wasn’t for the state of Washington.”

The state of Washington holds three of the top guys in the nation. The three guys are junior Johnny Dressel, Junior Tanner Anderson, and senior Kai Wilmont. They will be compet-

ing in the 3A 32,000, 16,000 and 800 meter race.

Daniel Sanchez said, “I don’t plan on making it easy for the top three guys in the nation to make it to state, and I don’t think my teammates are going to give them an easy way in either.”

Head coach and P.E. teacher Cheryl Schauble wants the girls to come back with their third consecutive gold. The girls have scored the most points in the state meet than any other competitors, with a total of 118 points. When asked what she was looking forward to this season, Schauble said, “We like to get someone in each event. There are 17 events total. We missed out in three events last year.”

The track team has a long way to go, but they are not taking it easy during practice, practicing almost every day for two hours or more.

Hopefully all the hard work will pay off with the girls bringing back the state champion title for the third year in a row.

Darreon Moore running with the bar after it was given by Drew Sanderson.

FRIDAY, MARCH 28, 2014 The Tomatalk • Kamiakin High School

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Chief Legends In Depth

How your coffee gives back

By CHLOE GRUNDMEIER STAFF REPORTER

A

ll the students at Kamiakin know and love the small coffee shop that has helped our community in so many ways; everyone at Kamiakin loves Dutch Bros. They donate thousands of dollars to almost any cause, big or small. “Dutch Bros just loves to give back. Our community is the reason we’re here and they support us and so we’re just trying to return the favor,” Nate Frary, the owner of the Dutch Bros that sits only 30 seconds from Kamiakin, said.

Every Dutch Bros in the Pacific Northwest since 1992 has helped

their community. “We love our customers and love our community and just want to help out,” stated Frary. In the seven years Dutch Bros has been in Kennewick, they’ve donated well over $100,000 to the community.

Recently, they’ve donated to many huge and necessary local causes. They organized their annual MDA Day fundraiser. Everyone all around will always remember the huge Cassidy Almquist fundraiser that Dutch Bros helped with after Almquist was injured in a 50 foot fall at a church camp she volunteered at.

They’ve also donated huge sums of money to the Tri-City Cancer Center and donated countless cans to the Canned Food Drive in February as well as helped 50-100 other small causes.

They’re always open to helping the community in any way they can. Each location has donation request forms so people in need can share their stories and possibly receive what they need to get by. A lot of people also use the power of the internet to contact the giving company to receive a bit of aid.

“We’re just super blessed and grateful to be here. We love our customers and look forward to continuing to support the community in the future,” Frary said. As long as our community supports Dutch Bros, they’ll support us.

Above: Dutch Bros gave Cassidy Almquist a bit of a “Get Well Soon!” wish when she ordered her drink.

Photo by Mark Almquist. Left: Dutch Bros shop in Kennewick. Photo by Chloe Grundemier

YOU can help the environment

By JORDAN GARNER OP-ED EDITOR

“The wealth of the nation is its air, water, soil, forests, minerals, rivers, lakes, oceans, scenic beauty, wildlife habitats and biodiversity… that’s all there is. That’s the whole economy. That’s where all the economic activity and jobs come from. These biological systems are the sustaining wealth of the world.” - Gaylord Nelson, American politician and founder of Earth Day. With Earth Day sprouting right up on April 22, what better way to spend it than picking up a piece of trash, or by giving new life to the Earth by planting a tree?

American Walnut. White Spruce. Willow. Sycamore. Cypress. What would our world look like without trees? Trees do more for us than you probably know. Did you know a matured tree pumps out as much oxygen as 10 people inhale in a year? They also filter harmful farm chemicals and sewage. Another important fact is that a forest acts as a carbon cabinet, storing as much carbon as it produces.

If you’re still not impressed by what trees do for us, take these facts from University of Calcutta professor T.M. Das into consideration. According to T.M. Das, A single tree is worth $193,250. A 50-year-old tree is worth even more than that, for over that 50 year period it produces $31,250 worth of oxygen, $62,000 worth in air pollution control,

$31,250 worth of soil erosion control and increasing soil fertility, $37,000 worth of recycled water and $31,250 worth in homes for animals. These numbers also don’t add in the value of fruit, lumber, or the beauty of trees.

Another big issue is litter. Around Kamiakin’s campus alone, there is plenty of trash littering the outskirts of the parking lots, the flower beds, and even in the bathrooms and hallways. With garbage cans available to students around every corner, littering is just a sign of carelessness. Sophomore Weston Rowse said, “Littering is just lazy.”

It’s unfortunate really that students don’t seem to care. It makes Kamiakin’s campus look literally trashy. Apart from just the campus, even around all of Tri Cities, you can see litter everywhere you go. So why not pick up a piece of trash you see laying around instead of just ignoring it and going on your way? It only takes a few seconds out of your life to help clean up the Earth. A Facebook page, www.facebook.com/pickuptheearthwhilebumpintunes, was made by citizens in Tri Cities to bring people together for the cause of picking up the Earth while having a good time.

Helping out the Earth should be something to get psyched about. It’s making a positive difference on a place you call home.

Chief IN-DEPTH Legends

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The student with a heart for the helpless

By MADISON BADGLEY STAFF REPORTER

T

here are so many ways you can help your community. No matter what way, though, every way makes a difference and positive change. There are so many people to recognize for these acts of kindness and community service, but one specific person who should be recognized is junior Luke Harrison.

Every Sunday, or whenever he finds time, Harrison, with the help of some friends like junior Sam Irwin, packs up some paper bags with sandwiches and other snacks and heads out across the Tri-Cities in search of homeless people. He says it started back in August when he was bored and thought he might do something to help others since he has so much already. “It was like a week after I came back from Ethiopia and I was sitting downstairs, and I decided I’d do something. I just grabbed like $5 and my camera and I went off,” said Harrison.

The first time Harrison went, he didn’t find anyone, but that didn’t discourage him. “But it just felt really good so I went again the next week, this time with Miquette, and we found people. That’s when we found Jade and Nathan and it just kind of grew over time and it changed, and the main mission of it changes, too,” said Harrison.

Harrison says that every person he’s met has touched him in so many ways and he has learned that people shouldn’t judge others, homeless or not.

I had the opportunity to go with Luke on one of his searches for the homeless around the Tri-Cities and it was really amazing. It’s incredible how many homeless people get passed by each day who may or may

not need help. It’s almost as if we forget that they’re human, and we want to automatically judge them as being bad people. The people I was able to meet when I went were sincerely nice and so full of life even if they weren’t in the best situation. “It’s so easy to judge homeless people, but when you really get to know them, it’s completely different then and you really realize there’s no reason to judge. Then that kind of expanded to there’s no reason to judge any person, which seems like an easy thing, but it’s incredibly hard because human nature is to make judgments over people instantly,” said Harrison.

Helping the homeless is one very good way to help out in the community, and it shows the people you help that you care. “Just kind of realize that everyone is human and we can all be put into those situations,” said Harrison. Harrison talked about a boy called Dube whom he had the pleasure of meeting in Ethiopia. “And I always think about how easy it would be not to be born into this life and not have everything given to me, and I just kind of realized that it’s by the grace of God that we all have what we have and so the least we can do is talk to people that don’t have as much or who aren’t in the same societal roles that we are in,” said Harrison.

It really isn’t that hard to talk to the less fortunate and help them out a bit. It may even make their day just knowing that at least one person cares about them. Harrison says that without God and all the amazing people he has put in his life to help him on his trips, he couldn’t have done it and been as successful. He also wants to encourage others to help those who don’t have as much. Even the smallest actions and thoughts can go a long way.

Luke Harrison and friends helping out the homeless throughout the Tri-Cities. Picture courtesy of Luke Harrison.

FRIDAY, MARCH 28, 2014 The Tomatalk • Kamiakin High School

FRIDAY, MARCH 28, 2014 The Tomatalk • Kamiakin High School

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Chief Legends In Depth

You can make a difference “You make a living by what you get. You make a life by what you give.” –Winston Churchill

By NATALIE DOWNARD NEWS & FEATURE EDITOR

The giving of your time and commitment will not only benefit others; it will benefit you. Volunteering is a great way to spend your time.

There are so many ways you can help others in our city and around the world. Below are only a few of the many ways you can do something to make a difference in our community.

The Boys and Girls Club

The Boys and Girls Club has a mentoring program that pairs a child member with a positive adult role model. The purpose is to give the child a solid relationship with someone who will build his self-confidence in a fun environment. Many of the children in the mentoring program live in foster care or come from single parent homes. Mentoring provides youth with an opportunity to have at least one consistent, caring adult in their lives. Mentors must be at least 16 years of age, and commitment levels vary. For more information or to apply, visit kidexpert.org or contact The Boys and Girls Club of Benton and Franklin Counties at (509) 543-9980.

Second Harvest

At Second Harvest, you can join more than 2,500 other volunteers in the Northwest with food sorting, bulk food repackaging, general office needs, food drives and other special events held throughout the year. If you want more information, visit 2-harvest.org, call 547-0787, or email tcvolunter@2-harvest.org.

Tri-City Union Gospel Mission

The Tri-City Union Gospel Mission’s goal is to help the homeless and less fortunate of the Tri-Cities. They are currently seeking volunteers to organize and rotate food in their food pantry, serve meals, and work in their store. To fill out your volunteer application or get more information, visit tcugm.org.

Kadlec Regional Medical Center

Kadlec offers opportunities for students 15 and older to volunteer. Students in their Junior Volunteer Program can help with services such as Magazine Cart, Information Desk, Patient Escort, and Gift Shop. According to their website, kadlec.org, Junior Volunteers usually work one service for one to three hours a week. For more information, call Meg Fallows, volunteer coordinator at (509) 946-4611, Ext.4666.

World Relief

World Relief runs a homework center for refugee students called the Family Learning Center that welcomes teen helpers. It is open from 3:30-5:00 Monday through Thursday. They ask that after volunteering once to see if it’s something you are interested in, you make a commitment to volunteer one day a week for three months. If you have any questions or want more information, call Theresa Roosendaal at 551-2800 or email her at TRoosendaal@wr.org. The Family Learning Center is located at 505 S. Olympia, Apt B5.

Tribal Talk

OPINION & EDITORIAL

FRIDAY, MARCH 28, 2014 The Tomatalk Kamiakin High School

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Music through the years

By SABRINA HEIJMANS STAFF REPORTER

M

usic has changed exponentially over the years and not for the better.

Although the onset of technology on the music scene has auto-tuned us into a new era of possibility, it has taken a downward slope from the 2000s on and hasn’t improved in quality. Ten years ago, music used to be all about classic rock, Black Eyed Peas, and “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun”. It was so innocent compared to now, where it’s all about drugs, sex, money, and rap. Almost every artist uses auto-tune now a days, which just basically makes the music as well as the artists fake.

There are so many different styles of music such as blues, classical, country, dance, folk, jazz, opera, pop, reggae, rhythm & blues, rock, hip hop, and funk. Music has been and continues to be important to all people around the world. Music is rooted in the culture of society in the same way that food, dress, and language are. Music changes constantly as people and their circumstances change. Linette Heijmans said, “Most of this year’s

generation of music is just noise, and I can barely understand it. I can only imagine what the next 10 years are going to be like.”

If the change in music reflects the change in our culture and society, then it reflects on us in a negative way. Not only is the subject matter of our music vulgar, but the language tends to be too. Most of the popular songs have at least some bad language in them. Kids now days don’t necessarily see all this as a problem. Senior Jaycie Pinnow said, “Teenagers like myself like the songs that are out now. They’re fun to sing, and the language gives the songs some emphasis on what the song is about. The language isn’t bad, it’s in, and it’s now. That’s how society is.”

Music is the shape of this world, and for some people music is their life. It has a huge impact on a lot of things and will continue to do so for many more years to come. The way that music has transformed over the years, it wouldn’t be a surprise if it downgraded to an even further disappointment for certain people who like listening to decent music.

Behind the modification

By HALEY SOFTICH STAFF REPORTER

Piercings and tattoos have been around for thousands of years. Though popular and valued, society doesn’t always look at them as a good thing. The question is why?

The first tattoo was found on Otzi, The Iceman, which dates back to 4,000 B.C. Piercings can be traced back to before the Bible. Piercings and tattoos are actually mentioned in the Bible, where it says that “the body is a temple and therefore not to be defiled by body modification.” According to the Old Testament, body jewelry is a mark of wealth and beauty. These statements can be translated to go either way.

Many people believe that body modifications are a way to express themselves. Senior Stormy Kennedy said, “Your body is a blank canvas that needs to be painted.”

Our bodies are just a home for our souls. Why not decorate them while we are here?

For many, modifying the body can change how they feel about themselves. A survey conducted on the piercing site, http://www.bme.com, asked people if they felt more comfortable with their bodies after modification. Thirty-seven percent said they felt more comfortable, and 41 percent said they felt much more comfortable. Maybe this is because piercings and tattoos are a way to hide ourselves from society’s expectations. Or, this could be because people like how they look so they boost their self-esteem. Junior Andre Bungat said, “I got my piercings for the experience. They make me look scary, and people don’t mess with me as much.”

Most of the time, this is the case with piercings, but tattoos can have a different story.

Senior Kylee Larson said, “I got both of my tattoos because they represent important events or beliefs in my life.”

Kennedy also said, “I am planning on getting a Native American headdress with a skull face on my arm to express my heritage.”

Why should people be looked down upon for doing something that makes them

confident, represents something important, or expresses who they are?

In most cases, modifications of the body make it harder to get jobs but as time goes on, it is becoming more and more accepted to decorate your body. In other cases, they can be seen as a symbol of rebellion, making people quick to judge someone with tattoos or piercings. Larson added, “In my experience, I have noticed that people without tattoos tend to be more judgmental than those with tattoos.”

We aren’t supposed to judge people on their looks anyway, and body modifications help to make up the physical appearance of people, so they should be treated as equals.

Junior Andre Bungat

Senior Stormy Kennedy

Editorial: Our generations true problem One of the biggest problems we have noticed in today’s society is the lack of care about using proper grammar. With texting being one of our generation’s main sources of communication, grammar has gone out the window.

First we, have, noticed an inability, to, use commas, correctly. Using, commas, correctly gives, you the, ability, to, communicate, easily, with other, people. If, you don’t, people, will have, difficulty, understanding, you and, they, may get, angry, or, frustrated.

Another huge problem is the misuse of homophones. Their very important two being able to function in today’s society. As English speakers we have too be able to no what words are used when. It is irresponsible two knot no this. It is you’re job too educate yourself so that you can survive in normal society. capitalization is another major problem that confounds our generation. capiTaL

miStakEs are EveRywhEre And iT NEeDs tO STOp. hAving the AbILIty TO CaPiTaLiZe coRRectly iS VeRY, vEry ImPORTanT. Next on our agenda of grammar problems is “text talk.” This type of talk has like invaded like evrythng like that like we do. U C it all the time. This talk should stay out of written publications like newspapers. Pls keep it 2 a minimum evrywhr else. It should totes stay in the texting wrld.

So, use, this, article, as, a, reference, for, all, you’re, grammar, needs. jUsT ReMembEr ThaT You’re MisTakes r you’re oWn FAUlt. U need 2 totes use Good graMmar. Nvr LEt Ur mIstakes get in2 anything that AnYone wiLL C. Use these tips 2 help ur day 2 day life. TTYL.

4 out of 5 Editors agreed with this

FRIDAY, MARCH 28, 2014 The Tomatalk • Kamiakin High School

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Tribal Talk

OPINION & EDITORIAL

The internet controversy

By JORDAN GARNER OP-ED EDITOR

C

ensorship of information available on the internet has been a debated issue for a long time. Recently, this censorship may take an even more dangerous tone for students and school districts. A new proposal will allow internet operators of certain websites to charge for those who use their sites. All in the name of profit, this could cause certain individuals and even school districts to be unable to access sites that they should have a right to see.

The definition of net neutrality is “the principle that basic internet protocols should be non-discriminatory and content providers should get equal treatment from internet operators.” What is being proposed to be done goes completely against this and openly violates the 14th Amendment which addresses citizenship rights and equal protection of the laws. People will no longer have equal access, which isn’t fair.

For example, a small town with a small school district unable to pay the internet fees will not be able to give students there the

same advantages as those in larger districts.

That is far from equal treatment. Those students in the smaller district would be denied the same resources and information of those in the larger district based solely on the amount their school is willing to spend.

Within the First Amendment, it is prohibited to make any law abridging the freedom of speech and infringing on the freedom of the press. Schools already have control over students’ internet access and what sites are open to them while at school.

This would simply limit students’ access to even more sites. Really all this control needs to stop. Bu t this control has little to do with administrators and teachers wanted to protect students’ innocent minds. It has more to do with a few already rich corporate heads wanted to be richer still.

Students use the internet as a resource in school almost daily. The information provided to them shouldn’t be taken away or restricted just because Americans see an opportunity to get greedy and make more money.

Is testing unfair?

By ANDY HA STAFF REPORTER

Tests provided in school have been called several things before, for example stupid or useless. These tests that are called stupid and useless test your knowledge, but many say that the tests that are given to students are unfair. Students do have a point because giving different students the same test is like testing sea animals on how they walk and land animals on how they swim. Some will pass; lots will fail. So are the tests unfair? Or are the students just not working hard to pass these tests?

There are always two sides to every story.

When asked if testing is unfair, freshman Vanessa Guizar said, “Yeah, sometimes. It depends on the test.

If it is like a pre-test or something like that and it goes in your grades, it is unfair. Those tests go in as a grade even though you don’t know the material or have hardly learned about it.”

Sophomore Destiny Bricker said, “Everyone learns in different ways and the test shouldn’t define the person just by a test grade.”

French teacher Karina Thorne says otherwise. She said, “The tests are consistent, so they are fair.”

When asked what would make testing more fair, both Bricker and Guizar gave answers that teachers could potentially try out. Guizar said, “Giving more study guides, having more reviews and giving more time to students would help instead of giving a study guide or review the day before the test.”

Bricker had a different answer that teachers should really give a try to see how well students do on testing. “Have more than one way of testing. Have it on a computer for one test, then on paper for another test,” Bricker states.

Both are good ideas that give students more advantages so they can take in all the material they have learned over the course of the time spent on the material and have different ways to pass the test because students comprehend the material being taught in different forms.

Asking which form of testing would be best for students, Madame Thorne said, “Project tests are better. It’s a fun way to motivate students to be more creative and show what they have learned, and it seems to work very well.” She states that almost all her kids pass the test except maybe three or four. Both Bricker and Guizar disagreed saying that a paper and pencil test would be best. “Paper and pencil would be better because I get to see what I wrote down as the answer,” Bricker said for her reasoning.

While Guizar said, “Paper and pencil tests don’t narrow your answer too low and it shows more of what you learned.”

Tribal Talk

OPINION & EDITORIAL

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FRIDAY, MARCH 28, 2014 The Tomatalk • Kamiakin High School

Should volunteer hours be a graduation requirement?

Pro Con

By SABRINA HEIJMANS STAFF REPORTER

Requiring students to volunteer is volunteering to graduate is pointless sometimes necessary. With students’ because we can easily do all the things we lack of experience and lack of have to volunteer for after high school.” time, if volunteerism was Pointless is sort of pushing the not mandatory, it simply situation. Volunteering in order would not happen. to graduate isn’t pointless. It’s a Then both the student learning mechanism, and every and the community Washington high school is making would never know it a requirement. Students need to what they missed. accept the fact that volunteering Senior Jaycie is a good thing, and it’s a good Pinnow said, thing to make it mandatory to “Most students graduate. complain that It’s up to the students they’re too how and when they ‘busy’ to volunteer.

Senior volunteer, Nicole Johnson said, when the “I’ve volunteered truth behind at the Arc a few it is that times, helping out they’re with the Down too lazy syndrome kids, and don’t and now I babysit want to children with make time.

Down syndrome If we weren’t from time to time. required to volunteer, Volunteering is teenagers wouldn’t fun if you allow it have any sense of to be.” responsibility.”

Volunteering can In high school, even lead to dream students are careers without extremely busy even knowing every day with it.

Volunteering homework, jobs, also looks good on chores, activities and college applications. sports.

If students Having to volunteer weren’t required in order to graduate to volunteer, they isn’t the end of the never would. It’s a world, and instead it good thing to do, could be the start of it teaches students your life. responsibility, selfworth and gives them a look into the future. In 2007, the requirement of 12 hours of volunteer work in order to graduate was introduced because Washington thought students weren’t getting involved in things out of school that could better the environment.

Considering students get four years to complete the 12 hours, it’s a reasonable amount of time to get it all done.

Sophomore Kaitlyn Phelps said, “I think

By ANDY HA STAFF REPORTER

Requirements for graduation from high school are becoming increasingly more difficult. Academic rigor is at least somewhat defensible, but adding extra things like volunteering is a little excessive. In Kennewick School District, students are required to perform 12 hours of community service in order to graduate.

Some have asked, “Why is it a requirement?” and that is a good question. Why is it that to graduate, a student has to volunteer?

Technically the requirement of having to volunteer takes away the real factor of why students do community service. Making s t u d e n t s volunteer defeats the whole purpose of volunteering.

Isn’t volunteering supposed to be an act that people perform out of the goodness of their hearts?

By making it an obligation, now it is no longer really volunteering.

It is mandatory work with no compensation.

We have to ask: Is this really teaching students anything at all?

Students should be given the opportunity to volunteer if they want to, not because they have to.

Volunteering should be something to enjoy and remember. It should b e done out of the kindness o f students’ hearts, n o t because the students need to do it to graduate. Doing community service should be something that students want to do, not what they have to do.

Sophomore Graciela Herrera believes this also. She says, “It should not be required because you are being forced to do something you do not want to do. I believe that volunteering should be looked at as an extra credit.”

This could be a good idea. Giving students some kind of reward for their desire to help others and work in t h e

community would make them want to do more and help more, instead of not wanting to help and just do nothing because they are being forced. No one wants to be forced to do something.

Sophomore Tyler Martinez said, “It would be nice if it could be an option, but it shouldn’t keep you from graduating.”

Volunteering helps students, the community, and those involved, but how can students enjoy it when they are being forced?

Doing community service should be an experience. It should make students feel good about themselves and cause them to feel proud, but how can students feel good or proud when they do not even want to be there helping out with whatever it is that they are doing?

Also, if students do not want to be there helping, they are most likely going to show that they do not want to be there. People will notice that, and it will turn what is supposed to be a fun, happy, helpful experience into something boring.

FRIDAY, MARCH 28, 2014 The Tomatalk • Kamiakin High School

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Tribal Reviews ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Mr. Peabody, the time lord of the animal kingdom

By ZACK JULIAN EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

F

irst, I am going to apologize to any of you who have no idea what I’m talking about. As an avid Doctor Who fan, I noticed, while watching Mr. Peabody and Sherman, some similarities. Now I know that some of you may already have stopped reading this article at the mention of the British Sci-fi phenomenon, but for the rest of you, please bear with me and my fangirlish indulgences.

Mr. Peabody and Sherman was based on a short snippet that originally aired during The Rocky and Bullwinkle Show. It aired during the late 50s and early 60s. This anecdote was normally about five minutes long. The movie has been in development since 2007, and originally Robert Downey Jr. (well known for his role as Iron Man) was lined up to play Mr. Peabody but was replaced by Ty Burrell (also known as Phil Dunphy from Modern Family) in 2012.

Mr. Peabody was a bow-tie wearing dog genius who was the smartest being in the world.

He devoted his life to scientific discovery and personal achievements, including two Olympic gold medals. He decided to adopt a boy named Sherman, voiced by 10-year-old Max Charles, and invented him a time machine called the WABAC (pronounced way-back). This is very similar to the bow-tie wearing time lord who travels around in his time machine, the TARDIS (also an acronym), and he travels around with his companion (Sherman).

On Sherman’s first day of school, he outdoes fellow student Penny, voiced by Ariel Winter (also known as Alex Dunphy from Modern Fam-

ily). Penny provokes Sherman into fighting her which leads to Mr. Peabody being investigated by the Child Protection Services. Mr. Peabody invites Penny’s family over which leads into some hilarious time travel adventures and misadventures (basically the entire plot of Doctor Who I may add).

In all seriousness, Mr. Peabody and Sherman was a great movie for everybody. It had a charming story and most of the puns were hilarious. Its humor ranged from shameless poop jokes to jokes that you would only understand if you read The Odyssey. Overall, the movie was great. It had jokes galore and feels that are the equal of almost any Doctor Who episode.

The only negative issue was that somehow, the movie felt like it was missing something. Don’t get me wrong; it was good, but it was not stand up and cheer worthy. So I give this movie 4 out of 5 stars.

By ERICH RIEGER STAFF CARTOONIST

Tribal Reviews ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

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FRIDAY, MARCH 28, 2014 The Tomatalk • Kamiakin High School

Pokemon of the month

Weepinbell type: grass, poison height: 3 ft. weight: 14.1 lbs.

Pokedex entry: A pokemon that appears as a plant; it captures unwary prey by spraying a toxic powder. aslo know as the derp Pokemon

Li’l Firehouse coffee proves firefighters make great coffee

By JACOB MCLAIN ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR

For anyone who has not heard, there is a new coffee drive through located on Clearwater called the Li’l Firehouse Café, and if anyone has a little extra cash and time, they should definitely stop by. Located by the 7-Eleven on Clearwater, the Li’l Firehouse Café is a great selection of coffee, energy drinks, tea and food.

The coffee here is amazing. When they hand people their coffee, it is not too hot like when most places serve it. They also do a wonderful job of creating good and diverse coffee drinks that anyone can enjoy. One of these, the Boston’s Bravest, is a mix of coffee, Irish crème and white chocolate, which creates a delicious drink. The Li’l Firehouse coffee is very good about not letting the taste of coffee overpower the entire drink, where all you’re tasting is coffee and none of the crème or chocolate. And the coffee here is not expensive. For their specials, a 12 oz. cup is $3.25, a 16 oz. cup is $3.75, a 24 oz. is $4.50 and a 32 oz. cup is $5.50. And coffee is not all they have; they serve energy drinks, tea, soda, Italian crème soda, apple cider, hot cocoa and more.

They also have great food. If you have some time before school, this is a great place to grab breakfast. You can buy scones, muffins, bagels, oatmeal and bacon. Yeah, that’s right, just strips of bacon; you can get 3 for $2.50.

Another great breakfast item is their waffle sticks. The waffle sticks cost $3 and are completely worth it. Fresh and steaming hot, the waffle sticks are made when you order them. They also come in a variety of flavors, from regular to cinnamon roll to pizza. Not only are these things delicious, but they are also very filling. The only downside is that the waffle stick maker is broken and is not expected to be fixed until June.

Aside from the coffee and food, the Li’l Firehouse Café has outstanding customer service. The friendly employees of the café always have smiles on their faces and treat customers with politeness and respect.

The Li’l Firehouse Café gets a 4.5 out of 5 for good food, great coffee and amazing customer service.

FRIDAY, MARCH 28, 2014 The Tomatalk • Kamiakin High School

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FRIDAY, MARCH 28, 2014 The Tomatalk • Kamiakin High School