2014 15 issue 3 by Laurie Bender

VOLUME 39• ISSUE 3•FRIDAY, DEC. 12, 2014• KAMIAKIN HIGH SCHOOL • 600 N. ARTHUR ST. • KENNEWICK, WA 99336

Around the Campfire NEWS & FEATURE

FRIDAY, DEC. 12, 2014 The Tomatalk • Kamiakin High School

Painting removed from display in library By SAMUEL PERRINS STAFF REPORTER

or as long as anyone can remember, art made by students has been hung up in the library for the whole school to view and appreciate. A painting was taken down for being inappropriate on Oct. 22. The piece of art was put up around third or fourth period and was removed by the library staff as soon as they saw it. The painter, sophomore Andrea Roman, was very upset upon the news of it being taken down. Art has been taken down in the past, but nothing like this. An art class project asked students to take the shape of a viola and turn it in to something else. Roman, who has been interested in art since the age of 3, used watercolor to picture a woman, who is posed underwater with her hair floating up and her arms covering her nude body. “I noticed that the shape of the viola had a lot of curves in it, and I saw that as a woman’s body,” said Roman. Roman was upset with the librarians’ decision. “I thought it was a gorgeous piece

to be hung up. Deeming it as inappropriate was just… rude,” she said. Pieces have been taken down in the past. Nothing similar to this painting, however, has ever happened before, according to librarian Lucy Razor. “We love having art here,” assured Razor. When asked about the piece, she said, “It doesn’t meet dress code requirements, so we took it down.” The two head librarians had discussed it, along with the two librarian secretaries, and had come to the decision that the painting done by Roman should be removed. “My opinion,” said Razor, “is that this is a public place, at a high school, and I do think that things need to meet our expectations for the students. I think that it did not meet dress code expectations and it does affect everyone. We need to respect everyone. Just because many people may not have a problem with it, we need to be respectful of those that do.” Although the painting of the woman won’t be accepted in the library, painter sophomore Andrea Roman is happy with it staying hung up in the art room.

“People in the art room respect it more than people in the library who took it down,” said Roman. In the art class, taught by Anna Haines, students are allowed to express their thoughts and feelings on the canvas in whatever way they want. Haines said, “I believe there are certain things that shouldn’t be out for the public to see, especially in a high school, but that was more of a cartoon image and it didn’t really reveal anything.” Haines also mentioned that this situation has happened before in her class, where a student did a piece picturing Adam and Eve wearing fig leaves. Declaring either of these paintings inappropriate or not is based on personal belief. Art student, junior Erin Child, said, “It kind of made me feel uncomfortable, and it was right there.” For now, the painting will not be hung up in the library but will remain in the art classroom, or wherever Roman sees fit.

Sophomore Andrea Roman’s painting that was removed from a display in the library on Oct.22. Photo By: Parker Pruneda

The most wonderful time of the year: fun holiday events you don’t want to miss By NATALIE DOWNARD EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Leavenworth

While it is just over a three hour drive, Leavenworth is truly a fun-filled winter wonderland. The town is modeled to be an old Bavarian village. You can enjoy shopping, eating, museums, spas, geocaching, skiing, dog sledding, snowboarding, sledding, snowmobiling, snow shoeing, and much more. The first three full weeks in December are full of Christmas fun! On Fridays there will be live music from 4-9 p.m. in the town square, and on Saturdays and Sundays music will start at 11 a.m. The Arrival of Santa parade is at noon each day, and The Lighting Ceremony is at 4:30 p.m. each evening. Leavenworth is decorated in over half a million Christmas lights. A trip to Leavenworth is a magical winter experience and will definitely leave you in the Christmas Spirit.

The Nutcracker

Mid-Columbia Ballet’s performance of The Nutcracker is always awesome and a fun holiday tradition. This year’s shows will be on Dec. 12, 13, and 14, Friday and Saturday evening at 7 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday afternoon at 2 p.m. The performances will be at the Richland High School auditorium. Tickets are available online at www. midcolumbiaballet.org, at The Dance Boutique in Richland, or you can buy them through the phone by calling (509) 946-5417. Ticket prices are $25 for adults, $18 for students/seniors, and $13 for children.

Senske Light Show

Senske Lawn Services, located at 410 N. Quay St. in Kennewick, puts on an awesome light show every year. You can stop by any night and enjoy the hundreds of lights dancing to music, but they also have a few special shows. On the weekends of the 5th and 12th, on Friday from 6-9 p.m. and Saturday from 5-9 p.m., Santa and his elves will be at Senske. There will be free hot chocolate and candy canes, and they will be collecting canned food to benefit Second Harvest. Pictures with Santa will also be available with a food donation!

The Living Nativity

The Living Nativity is an elaborate play put on by Hillspring Church (formerly Cathedral of Joy) each year. They make the story come to life with great actors, amazing sets, and even live animals! This is a must-see event. Part of the performance is outside, so make sure to dress warm. Performances are Dec. 19, 20, 22, and 23 at 6, 7, and 8:15 p.m, and on Dec. 21 at 6 and 7 p.m. Tickets are available at Albertson’s on Gage, Kennewick Ranch and Home, in the church office, or online at hillspringtc.org. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children.

FRIDAY, DEC. 12, 2014 The Tomatalk Kamiakin High School

Around theNEWS Campfire & FEATURE

Student Spotlight: Vivian Thielemann By STACI TRIVETT STAFF REPORTER

ivian Theilemann is a junior who enjoys singing, longboarding, track, and gaming. Since middle school, Theilemann has been in the school choir. Theilemann had also been a part of Vibe, which is a Tri- City vocal music group that has younger and older members in it. She joined the group in the summer of 2013 but is now taking a break from show choir. Theilemann became a part of the Kamiakin Scarlet and Gold choir at the beginning of her junior year. “Becoming part of Scarlet and Gold is one of my greatest accomplishments because I

have strived to be a part of it since middle school,” she said. Along with being very active in choir, Theilemann is also a part of the French Club and the track team. She began track her freshman year and participates in discus and javelin throwing. She is extremely proud of making it to regionals last year. “I was really surprised that I made it because it was only my second year and I didn’t think that I would do as well as I did in my throwing events,” she said. The love for track came to Theilemann as soon as she began. She said, “I really like that you get to be part of a group being with your team, but work indi-

vidually at the same time. You get to work hard on yourself at the same time as supporting your team as they support you in whatever you are doing.” Theilemann describes herself as cautious and risky at the same time. “I’m also really caring and I respect others as they deserve it and I’m just really friendly,” she said. Other students at Kamiakin enjoy Theilemann’s outgoing personality and confidence. When junior Kinzie Rosenbaum was asked what she admires about Theilenann, she said, “I really like that Vivian confidently expresses her unique personality greater than anyone I know.”

The Sustainability Club: striving to better our environment By NOAH RHEA STAFF REPORTER

One of the newest clubs at our school, The Sustainability Club, has high hopes for their future. The adviser, teacher Laura Pearson said, “Sustainability Club is about keeping the planet healthy and able to keep providing for human kind.” The students in the club are all very passionate about what they’re doing for the club and the environment. They hope to

spread awareness for recycling and not littering. This club does not only have strong motivation, but they also have a plan for action. They want to raise recycling awareness, and waste and pollution awareness. Their goals right now are to get recycling cans all around school, so it will be easier to recycle bottles and cans, and to sell refillable water bottles that have their club logo on them. If students have refillable water bottles, they

can fill them up around school throughout the day, creating less waste by limiting their use of plastic bottles. Senior Gerardo Garcia is one of the main members of the Sustainability Club. “I help come up with new ideas and ways to fundraise, like the scratch tickets!” he said. Garcia thinks Sustainability Club is “a cool way to contribute to the community and give back!” The first action to a healthier environ-

ment Sustainability Club is taking is to have a fundraiser. The club is going to have scratch cards. You can scratch off up to $2.50 in donations on each card, and then just donate to the club. Their goal is $1,000, so the Braves are going to have to help out a little bit. All the profits will go towards helping the environment.

Education First International Tours put the world at students’ fingertips By ANDY HA ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR

Education First (EF) is a company that allows students to travel around the world as tourists to study and learn new cultures. The company was created with the idea that one learns best through experience. They state on their website that, “Our mission and our passion are one and the same. For almost 50 years, we’ve helped millions of people become citizens of the world by breaking down barriers of language, culture and geography. Through cultural exchanges, educational travel, language training and degree programs we are the World Leader in International Education. Teachers around the nation act as supervisors over the students who go on the tours. History teacher Sahiba Khan is one of them. She has been the supervisor who’s been going on these tours with students from Kamiakin. First thing she said about the tours is that “the Education First tour is not sponsored by Kamiakin or the school district.” When asked where the trip goes, she says, “It depends on which tour you sign up for. They have scheduled trips you can sign up for to go to different countries around the world.” The tour could get expensive though. “The price range depends on where you are going. But it is generally around $3,000,” Mrs. Khan says. Mrs. Khan claims the price is well-worth it because the benefits outweigh any expense. “It is beneficial because

you are learning about the destination you’re going on and getting to go see the beautiful sights. Not only does the student who goes learn, but their friends also learn about it when they hear about it from those who went. It also benefits you because it makes you appreciate your country and others as well. You also build confidence and make new friends from going on the trip.” Senior Alexia Estrada is a student here at Kamiakin and has been on the tour. “I have been on one of the trips. I went on the Grecian Odyssey, and I am going to go on the upcoming tour in the spring, which is the Mediterranean coast.” When asked what her favorite part of her last trip was, Estrada said, “My favorite part was getting to swim in the beautiful crystal clear blue water on the Greek Island that we visited and getting to visit the temple of Apollo.” Asked of her overall experience on the trip, Estrada states that, “It was amazing. I got to experience a different culture. You get to see the things that we see in our history books or magazines and it just all comes to life. The people you meet on the trip make it way more awesome. Students I’ve met from the East Coast have become good friends of mine.” Even though it is expensive, Estrada says it is worth it. “It’s worth every penny. The cost should not get in the way of the great experience you can have. I highly recommend it to anyone. It’s a great opportunity to learn new cultures and meet new people.”

The next upcoming trip that Khan will be going on is during Spring Break in 2016. The tour goes through Germany, Switzerland, and Italy. It costs around $3,000. For more information on the trip, or the company in general, go ask Mrs. Khan.

Around the Campfire

Advertisements

FRIDAY, DEC. 12, 2014 The Tomatalk â&#x20AC;˘ Kamiakin High School

FRIDAY, DEC. 12, 2014 The Tomatalk • Kamiakin High School

Tribal Talk

OPINION & EDITORIAL

Is physician-assisted suicide ethical? 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, email tomatalk@ksd.org, or go online at www.tomatalk.com and comment there or take a poll.

Staff:

Adviser: Laurie Bender Editor-in-Chiefs: Natalie Downard and Chloe Grundmeier News Feature Editor: Natalie Downard Sports Editor: John Mantanona In-Depth Editor: Chloe Grundmeier Opinion Editor: Emily Aardahl Entertainment Editor: Andy Ha Online E-I-C: Andy Ha

Staff Reporters:

Alejandro Andrade, Alberto Anguiano, Emily Baer, Jordan Carreras, Noah Erhart, Spencer Holle, Daniel Hutchins, Luke Mauth, Katelyn Neal, Samuel Perrins, Parker Pruneda, Sierra Reams, Noah Rhea, Rhiannon Rogers, Ethan Sessions, Staci Trivett MISSION STATEMENT:

Pro

By STACI TRIVETT STAFF REPORTER

ix months to live. Six months of pain, suffering, and inevitable goodbyes. With physician-assisted suicide, often referred to as death with dignity, people who are terminally ill and given six months or less to live can choose to end their lives before their illness will wither them away. If people have the right to choose when they die in a safer and less tragic way than taking matters into their own hands, there could be many benefits from it. Not only will the patient’s tremendous pain end, but it could reduce the pain of the patients’ family’s loss. The family will no longer have to watch their loved one slowly and painfully transform into a

shell of their former self and will have the closure knowing that their family member left by their choice, not by being overcome by their illness, which is why it is commonly called “death with dignity.” When a patient chooses to end his life with physician-assisted suicide, his vital organs can often be saved and used on other patients who need one to survive. After a person makes this decision, her health care costs will be greatly reduced because she will no longer have to pay for medications that won’t save her, only make her more comfortable until she finally passes away. Recently in Oregon, 29-year old Brittany Maynard made that decision. “After months of research,

my family and I reached a heartbreaking conclusion: there is no treatment that would save my life and the recommended treatments would have destroyed the time I had left,” she said. So if a person has no chance to live, and wants to end his suffering and die with dignity, wouldn’t it be more ethical to let him make that decision on his own rather than make it illegal? The only states that allow physician assisted suicide are Vermont, Oregon, and Washington. Not only would it give the family closure, but it would allow the patient to be prepared for when her life ends, rather than die unexpectedly without having the chance to say goodbye.

Maynard, a 29-year-old with terminal brain cancer, made headlines when she decided to die in this manner. She moved from California to Oregon because she decided it was what was best for her and her family. While you can understand her logic, thinking it’s better to die before the illness reaches its peak, she still went before her time. We live in a world where we are constantly wanting more time: More time to finish homework, more hours to sleep, etc. Most people who have lost a loved one wish they had more time with that person. Brittany Maynard could have had more time with her family. While it wasn’t a vast amount, it was still something. The time

may have not been as fun or as happy as times before, but it still would have been time with them. Yet, she decided to end her life on Nov. 1, 2014, leaving behind a husband, mom, and step-dad. Physician-assisted suicide should not be a legal option. It is unethical and immoral. Suicide, whether at a person’s own hand or a doctor’s, may put the person out of pain, but leave so many others suffering. Physician assisted suicide is a sad topic all around: the diseases, the prognoses, and death. None of it is okay. Yet, not spending and savoring every moment you have with your loved ones, even if you are on the road to death, is not okay.

The purpose of the Tomatalk to to inform, entertain, and further educate the students at Kamiakin High 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

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.

What is your stand on physician-assisted suicide? We’d love to hear from you! Tweet using #TomatalkProCon or DM us at @KaHS__Tomatalk and we can anonomously share your thoughts!

Physician-assisted suicide is currently legal in five states: Washington, Oregon, Montana, New Mexico, and Vermont.

Con By NATALIE DOWNARD EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

od determines when we are born and when we die. It is not man’s place to determine when his life is over, no matter the circumstances. Even when someone has an incurable, terminal disease she should not be able to die until her time has come naturally. Whether the person ends her life herself, or has a doctor do it, it is wrong. Physician-assisted suicide is legal in five states: Washington, Oregon, Montana, New Mexico, and Vermont. The “Death with Dignity Act” in Oregon was developed in 1994, and Washington closely modeled their law after it in 2008. Recently the story of Brittany

Tribal Talk

OPINION & EDITORIAL

FRIDAY, DEC. 12, 2014 The Tomatalk • Kamiakin High School

Why the big issue?

By NOAH ERHART STAFF REPORTER

own individual beliefs.” The inevitable occurs every year and it’s undeniable. Late November through December, America becomes a warzone over just four words; Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays. This has become such a big issue that it finds its way to the news each and every year. Society in America has become so sensitive to other cultures that it merely avoids the name Christmas due to the fact that it is associated with

erry Christmas! Or rather Happy Holidays to be politically correct. It nearly seems like a crime these days to go around wishing others a Merry Christmas, at least without getting several unpleasant glares from some not so merry people. Senior Noelle Wadlow said, “Personally I say Merry Christmas, but I think that’s just because that’s what I’ve always been taught to say.” It goes without saying that not everybody celebrates Christmas and might prefer to wish others Happy Holidays. Even though not everybody is religious, it is truly unnecessary to make a big deal over someone or a business w i s h i n g a Merry The Christmas controversy. Drawing By: Noah Erhart Christmas, and the same goes for those Christianity. Wadlow said, wishing Happy Holidays. “I don’t think it’s a big issue. Wadlow said, “I think that I think that in the grand it’d be cool if instead of it scheme of things, how you becoming a cultural norm wish someone good tidings to say Happy Holidays or doesn’t really matter because instead of people having to say the intent is good so the Merry Christmas, if it became words you use are kind of normal for what people irrelevant.” say to be whatever religion The truth is that Christmas they have--if you’re Jewish does come from Christianity to say Happy Hanukkah, because Christmas is when or if you’re Christian to the birth of Jesus is celebrated. say Merry Christmas and Many people do celebrate instead of being unified by Christmas, religious or not. an umbrella term that covers Even though there are other all of them, to be unified by holidays in the month of everyone expressing their December, the more widely

recognized one is Christmas, hence why it is appropriate to wish someone a Merry Christmas. Wadlow said, “I think that by saying Merry Christmas, you are favoring one religion over the others so I think that with schools and public places, saying Happy Holidays would be better.” Stop fearing! People have become too afraid of offending others, and though people should be careful about what they say to others, they should not be afraid of offending someone by simply w i s h i n g them a Merry Christmas. If society were to act maturely, the issue may not be an issue anymore. People need to simply appreciate that someone wants to be nice to them, rather than being upset that they said something that does not apply to their beliefs. Merry Christmas? Or Happy Holidays? After all, it’s really a choice, not something that can be forced upon individuals or businesses. Let everybody decide for themselves and stop trying to choose for them. The United States of America is a free country with the freedom to make choices, not a communist or fascist government in which you are forced into certain beliefs or things.

Students dressed in camo in support of the football team. Photo by: Austin Mahurin

Spreading the Kamiakin love Every school activity deserves attention By NOAH RHEA STAFF REPORTER

“All the students not having to go to school, but who actually go, that’s what school spirit means to me,” senior Alexia Estrada said. School spirit here at Kamiakin is something students and staff are very proud of. Alexia is a very spirited girl at Kamiakin and has set up events for the school on many previous occasions. When asked how Kamiakin can increase its school spirit, Estrada also mentioned, “We have to just get everyone included, go to all the events!” Senior Clayton Story also wanted to say a few words about school spirit. “I would have to say that school spirit means supporting your school and student body as if we were one big happy family.” He also said, “I think showing Kamiakin that all sports and events are equally important could really up our school spirit, ‘cause we’re all just one tribe y’all!” Students at this school are very excited about sharing the love, and

increasing the hype on school sports and activities. Junior Cassidy Minor said, “Loving our school, being one tribe, supporting, and just spreading love all around is the real meaning of school spirit.” These students all want the same thing—to spread love—but Kamiakin has to take action and support all events, just like they support the football games! English teacher Laura Pearson said, “I would just like to say, we should support different activities and sports the school does. This should also go for our clubs and the respect and pride we have here. More motivation and more support from the staff and teachers would really make our school spirit blow up!” All of these students and teacher have good points. Spreading the love to not only sports, but all events and clubs would definitely get Kamiakin pumped up. Now it’s just up to the students whether or not they want to support everyone at the school, or just a select few sports.

FRIDAY, DEC. 12, 2014 The Tomatalk • Kamiakin High School

Tribal Talk

OPINION & EDITORIAL

Ebola: it’s not a joke By CHLOE GRUNDMEIER EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

he five letter word on everyone’s lips as of late; the topic of conversation in classes, groups of friends, or at work; the punch line to hundreds of jokes that so many find hilarious: Ebola. The very real disease that has killed thousands of West Africans as of 2014; the very real disease that has caused thousands of people to endure horrendous side effects such as nausea, chest pain, and bleeding (usually from the eyes); the very real disease that needs to be taken seriously: Ebola. “I feel awful. I swear I have Ebola,” says a boy to his friends. “I’d rather have Ebola than do my homework,” complains a girl to her sister.

Ebola jokes have become so common in today’s society that the life threatening disease doesn’t even seem worrisome to some. “It’s a real thing that is a major problem in some parts of the world, and making jokes about it kind of labels you as a disgusting person,” junior Melissa Knopp said. Another problem with this new trend is the fact that spectators won’t stop their friends from making the jokes that are so cruel in nature. They don’t want to be the stuck up friend who is offended by everything, so they remain silent. This needs to stop. So many people are running around shouting things like “I have Ebola! Don’t come near me!” or “I swear this girl in my first hour had Ebola. She was coughing during the whole class!”

Ebola is not a new trend. It has brought and continues to bring so much death and suffering to so many people. Nobody runs around shouting “I probably have cancer, I’m so sick!” Cancer jokes aren’t funny, but why are jokes about Ebola? They’re both horribly deadly diseases. Almost everyone knows someone who has either had or been affected by cancer, which makes the topic of cancer seem much more serious than that of Ebola. Just because something doesn’t affect you closely doesn’t mean you have the right to make a joke about it when others are dying from it.

The Ebola virus originated in Guéckédou, an area of West Africa near Guinea

Marching Band deserves credit for their hard work By KATELYN NEAL STAFF REPORTER

The Scarlet Tide performing at Yakima Harvest Marching Band Festival. Photo By: Marjean Dunn

Marching band is a group consisting of instrumental musicians performing outdoors for the purpose of entertainment, exercise, and sometimes in competition. Those who are in marching band work from the middle of the summer to the beginning of November along with the Color Guard. Color Guard uses props, such as flags, to express dynamic passages in music accompanying the marching band show. The marching band performs at football games, goes to competitions, and performs at parades. In doing this, they spend a whole lot of time at practice, and they

continue to be willing to do nothing but their best. Senior Branden Shwartz said, “Yes, marching band should be a P.E. credit because we do more work than we do in P.E.” Physical education (P.E.) is an education course related to the physique of the human body. While these students are at rehearsal, they are not just playing their instruments, but they are also exercising. They practice in the rain, wind, and shine, running and staying fit. These students work hard, but marching isn’t the only thing that isn’t a P.E. credit. Sports are also not a P.E. credit. Freshman Madison Gilum said,” I don’t think marching band should be a P.E. credit because sports aren’t a P.E. credit.”

Marching band students receive tons of practice and discipline. They receive discipline because they have to continue to work hard and stay fit. This discipline includes running, doing push ups, or even doing sit ups. The marching band does long hours of practice which include pass offs, visuals, and spending a lot of hours to be successful. The marching band spends about 160 hours doing what they do to make their show the best they can. Sports may not be a P.E. credit, but these marching band students are certainly doing more than what they do in P.E. The marching band students continue to work hard, and they should receive a P.E. credit.

Editorial: Texting and driving is an illegal, dangerous, and selfish choice Not only is texting while driving illegal, but it is a completely irresponsible and selfish act. When people text and drive, they are not just putting their safety and lives at risk, but the safety and lives of everyone else on the road at risk as well. A lot of students think that it isn’t a big deal to shoot a text while driving down the road or when stopped at a red light, but in reality, it could be a matter of life or death. People who are texting and driving are 23 percent more likely to get into an accident.

Cellphones are involved in 1.6 million car accidents each year. That means that each day, cellphones are the cause for 4,383 car accidents. These accidents cause 500,000 injuries and 6,000 deaths annually. Texting and driving is a selfish choice; the choice not only puts the driver at risk, but every other driver and passenger on the road at risk, also. Texting and driving is a huge distraction. The driver won’t only be thinking of things other than the task at hand, driving, but

he will not be looking at the road. Texting or reading a text usually takes about 4.6 seconds. To put this in perspective, if you are driving at 65 mph and you look at your phone for 4.6 seconds, you have driven blindly for the length of a football field. Nearly 55 percent of teens claim that it is easy to text and drive. And yet teens who are texting spend 10 percent of their driving time outside of their rightful lane. Forty-eight percent of teens ages 12-17 have been in car accidents because a driver

was texting. These startling figures prove that texting and driving is extremely dangerous. It can be harmful or even deadly for the person texting. Or in even worse circumstances, it can injure or kill an innocent driver or passenger. Every day many people, including students at Kamiakin, make the selfish choice to text and drive. While this dangerous trend is so popular, it may seem normal, it needs to be stopped.

Chief IN-DEPTH Legends

FRIDAY, DEC. 12, 2014 The Tomatalk • Kamiakin High School

Consumerism in Christm

Christmas traditions make everything better By KATELYN NEAL STAFF REPORTER

he true meaning of Christmas is love and service towards others, the love students show to their family and friends. Also, it’s about the service that students show to those in need of the assistance from others. Senior Lauren Beckstead said, “To me the true meaning of Christmas is being with my family.” People show their true meaning of Christmas not only through love, but also through traditions. There are many ways to show the true meaning of Christmas through traditions. Some families do it through decorating Christmas cookies or going Christmas caroling. Junior Shalaney Woodward said, “The way I show the true meaning of Christmas is through service towards others.” Other family traditions include watching Christmas movies or even decorating the tree as a family. Sophomore Emily Ollila said, “Some of my favorite family traditions are making Christmas cookies to take to my neighbors, do-

ing Salvation Army boxes, and watching Christmas movies with my family.” Another way that people show the true meaning of Christmas is through service. Putting Salvation Army boxes together is one example of service. Salvation Army is an international charitable organization that gives food to the army and the poor. Other forms of service during the holidays include not only making Christmas cookies for neighbors, but also helping the poor and needy and sharing a Christmas feast. A person can do so many things to make a person happy. Things like giving gifts to one another, singing Christmas Carols, decorating a Christmas tree, there are so many things that a person can do to bring out the true meaning of Christmas and make someone smile. It is those small and simple holiday family traditions and service that make the difference to a person, and these things certainly bring out the true meaning of Christmas.

Commercializing Christmas By SAMUEL PERRINS STAFF REPORTER

he Christmas season is here yet again, along with the stampede of commercials that advertise sales. Someone could get lost in all the Black Friday shopping and wrapping paper and could forget the true meaning behind the holiday. Christmas is a time to be with family and friends to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. Christ served others and was constantly giving to others. It’s great that everyone is trying to give like he did, but it seems as though everyone has taken it too far. Around this time of the year, commercials pop up constantly on television alerting parents of the outrageous

sales and deals at stores. Magazines, newspapers, and websites are littered with them. Apparently, to these companies, it is more important for parents to leave their homes for several hours shopping for gifts this Christmas season than it is for them to stay with their families and enjoy this time of love and cheer. Parents need to realize that their children appreciate the gifts they get and love playing with them, but them being absent from the family the whole month because they “need” to take advantage of these amazing deals is not what Christmas is about. The spirit of Christmas is gone when the latest toy or gadget is ranked more important than being with your loved ones.

Commercials for stores have almost always been about the numbers. It would be closer to the actual purpose of Christmas if they advertised less of the discounts and more of how loved ones or people in need react to receiving gifts. Of course, if they didn’t have the money information placed, no one would shop in their store, and they would run out of business, in turn removing places we can buy gifts from. So commercials are very important to the season, but we have to look through the advertisements and try to remember what Christmas is all about. Don’t get too tied up in big sales and shopping sprees, and enjoy time with family.

From spirited to spoiled: the transformation of Christmas over the years By STACI TRIVETT STAFF REPORTER

hristmas used to be considered a happy time to spend with family and celebrate Christmas spirit. Over the last decade, people have been considering the holiday season more stressful than anything. If a child is asked what Christmas is about, they will most likely give an answer that involves getting gifts. Families often spend hundreds, sometimes thousands, of dollars just to satisfy a child’s requests for Christmas. Many families even go into debt from Christmas shopping. In 2013, 1.4 million people took out loans for the holidays.

People of all ages often think that Christmas wouldn’t be fun or meaningful without receiving gifts and even consider it less of a Christmas if they don’t get that many. “The media focuses more on what children can get, and it affects the way the children view Christmas,” said junior Maggie McLain. Children who come from families of poverty don’t receive many, or sometimes any gifts at all. It is these children that tend to see Christmas as what it really is about, spending time with family and loved ones on a holiday. It is taken for granted by the children who think that this holiday is all about receiving the most expensive gifts. Last

year, 52 billion dollars was spent on Christmas shopping. One of the ways that American families try to save money on Christmas gifts is by going shopping on Black Friday. They risk their safety, and their bank account, to try to save money often used to buy even more gifts. If families stopped buying lots of expensive gifts and limited their money and amount of gifts that each child gets, would children stop taking the holiday for granted? It would probably end in multiple tantrums that would be stopped by children getting whatever they wanted. So how can we get Christmas back to being more about spirit and less about spending?

FRIDAY, DEC. 12, 2014 The Tomatalk • Kamiakin High School

Chief Legends In Depth

mas: what has it become? The giving spirit isn’t completely gone By NOAH ERHART STAFF REPORTER

hristmas is not as consumeristic as it may appear to be, and there are actually quite a lot of good things about the Christmas season. Look around and see the many good things that happen during this very merry season. In 1993, Operation Christmas Child started its journey, and since 1993 over 100 million packages have shipped to kids in more than 130 countries. That’s a lot of happy kids. The National Honor Society helped to pack shoe boxes for Operation Christmas Child. Senior Alisha Nguyen said, “We hope to get as many boxes as possible. One is better than nothing.” City-wide, the Tri-Cities shipped 16,865 shoeboxes, 16 of which were from Kamiakin. So what should be put in the shoeboxes? Well, there are plenty of things. Clothing is a great item to send because some of the kids receiving these boxes may not have nice clothes and would be fortunate to get a new t-shirt or pair of sandals. Pack stuff for the child to play with such as yo-yos or a slinky; kids love to have new toys to play with, and Operation Christmas Child is a great way to bring a big smile to a little boy or girl’s face. Nguyen said, “We have necessities such as towels, blankets, hats, and school supplies. We also have toys and novelties such as crayons, coloring

books, and bubbles.” Senior Kirsha Johnson said, “Always get toothbrushes because some kids are in orphanages and they have one toothbrush for 30 plus kids. There was one girl who was adopted into America, and that was all she got. She got a box in the orphanage and was so excited that she got her own toothbrush.” An Operation Christmas Child box needs some more meaningful items as well. Senior Mikayla Davis said, “Always include a stuffed animal because it’s something that can be immediately embraced by the child.” Most people as a child have something that they embrace, and for these kids, giving them a stuffed animal is an awesome way to give a child that something to help them feel secure and safe. When packing a box, it is very good to be creative and even get some friends together to help out. Davis said, “Pick a theme. We picked Spiderman and find anything Spiderman related and just go with it.” Picking a theme for the box is important because it can show a child that a stranger on the opposite side of the globe cares enough about them to take the time to find themed items. The idea that Christmas is purely about consumerism is far from the truth. With groups such as Operation Christmas Child, the good in Christmas is truly brought out in people.

From left to right: Junior Abigail Holladay, Senior Rachael Pickard and Junior Danae Williams, help to fill ‘Operation Christmas Child’ boxes with NHS at lunch. Photo By: Noah Erhart

From left to right: Senior Mikayla Davis and junior Danae Williams help fill showboxes. Back: Senior Kirsha Johnson constructs a shoebox. Photo By: Noah Erhart Senior Mikayla Davis Fills an ‘Operation Christmas Child’ shoebox. Photo By: Noah Erhart

Tribal Games SPORTS

FRIDAY, DEC. 12, 2014 The Tomatalk • Kamiakin High School

Coach Meneely looks on as the Braves do a shooting drill during practice. Photo By: John Mantanona

Basketball season in full swing T By JOHN MANTANONA SPORTS EDITOR

he basketball season is upon us and excitement is in the air. Expectations around the school are high for the team this year as the season is in its beginning. With last season behind them and the team overcoming the absence of six graduated seniors, the stage is set for this young team. Last season, the basketball team accumulated an 11 win and 10 loss record while they were enduring a lot of adversity on the court. Dealing with injuries most of the season, the team responded well late into the season going on a five game winning streak. The resilience and experience of playing in big games have prepared the team well for this year and future success. Last year the basketball team relied heavily on the seniors with some young players making their way into the game later on in the season. When asked about the difference between last year’s team and this year’s, Coach Brian Meneely said, “Every team is going to be different from year to year. The kids have grown and changed as players over the course of the year.” Even though we have a young team, they are poised to reach their potential and have a successful season. The team has put countless hours in the weight room and time working on their game this season, “We worked hard and just physically we got bigger, faster, and stronger,” junior Hayden Nelson said when asked about how their offseason work is benefitting them now. With the strong work ethic that is consistent throughout the basketball program, the team has prepared themselves well for the season.

A buzz is going around the school as the season is quickly approaching, and the excitement level in the team is very high as well. Senior Tyler Herman said, “We’re ecstatic for the season to start.” The anticipation for the season is pushing the team to work hard to meet their goals for this season. Some of the goals and expectations for the year are “We want the kids to play hard, share the ball to be coachable, and be a good teammate. If they do those things, we will reach our potential,” said Coach Meneely. Though the goals may be high, the team is willing to push themselves hard this season to be the best that they can be.

The Braves run through drills under the watchful eyes of the coaches. Photo by: John Mantanona

Athlete Spotlight: Colton DeLeon By NOAH RHEA STAFF REPORTER

As winter sports season looms, with basketball and wrestling matches filling our gyms, having returning athletes with experience is a valuable asset. Senior Colton DeLeon fits that description. “Wrestling is my favorite sport and only sport. My favorite part about it is the feeling when you win!” DeLeon said this shows he has the right attitude and is coming ready and determined his senior year.

During wrestling season, DeLeon is a hardworking, determined, and tenacious athlete, but he has other interests, too. “Outside of school, I just chill and hang out with friends,” he said. He also wrestles with a team called USA Wrestling during the off-season. Winter is always exciting not only because of the sports, but because of snow days, snowboarding/skiing, and hot chocolate every day. “This season is going to be great, not just because of the sports, but also the snow. It’s always fun making

snowmen and drifting around on the ice!” said DeLeon. Dreams are always a good way to get to know someone and really figure out what they’re about. “I would love to drive trophy trucks all day and get paid for it. That'd be sweet. But my real plan is to go into power lines/be a Journeyman. You get paid well, and it’s dangerous, so why not?” said DeLeon. DeLeon has a plan for wrestling in the future and is on his way to success. Photo Courtesy: Colton Deleon

FRIDAY, DEC. 12, 2014 The Tomatalk • Kamiakin High School

Tribal Games SPORTS

Coach Anderson coaching the wrestlers during the Drill period of practice. Photo By: John Mantanona

Wrestling season off to a good start By JOHN MANTANONA SPORTS EDITOR

he wrestling season is here and the athletes are working hard both on and off the mat. With the program changes this offseason, there is a new excitement surrounding the wrestling program. One of the changes that the wrestling program has made is “We are tailoring our technique to focus on this specific group of athletes.” said Coach Jordan Anderson. There is a new feeling of excitement surrounding the wrestling program this season. The wrestling program is now formed to help athletes in other sports improve their physical strength, footwork, hand placement and overall technique in common sports movements. Along with some changes in the program, the coaching staff has gained a new member. Teacher Chad Potter has been added to the wrestling staff, and he is very excited for this new coaching experience. “Being a part of a new transitional philosophy of keeping that winning while adding team success is exciting,” Potter said. As the season gets closer, Potter has realized that there really is a good benefit by wrestling in any sport that a person can compete in at Kamiakin. “I have been impressed with their attitudes, their mind-set, and their determination. Attributes like that carry far past the sport,” Potter said. Last season, the wrestling team had a very successful season, sending three wrestlers to state. They worked extremely hard day in and day out, and that has transferred into this season Off-season workouts started and many of the wrestlers came in, worked hard, and kept trying to improve. When asked how the workouts have prepared him for the season, Coach Anderson said “A big focus this year was to improve our strength and conditioning, and it has shown so far. Our athletes have come into the season with less body fat and are stronger than the previous years.” It is already showing up in practice as well. Coach Anderson says, “We are seeing phenomenal results in the practice room already,” when talking about how the wrestling

program has looked so far. With all of the work that has been put in during the off season, there are high expectations for this program this year. “As a team, I expect us to be successful and win duels. As an individual, my goal is to make it to state.” junior Nick Little said. The athletes are working hard every morning, and they know late in the season it will pay off for them. Even though wrestling is mostly an individual sport, this season working as a team to make themselves better has been a staple of the wrestling program. Expect an exciting season for the wrestling team this season.

Nick Little and AJ Comstock get ready to wrestle during practice. Photo By: John Mantanona

Tribal Reviews ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

FRIDAY, DEC. 12, 2014 The Tomatalk • Kamiakin High School

Reviews Asylum: the Last Resort? By SIERRA REAMS STAFF REPORTER

hat if the way you imagined going to a brand new college campus was the opposite of the real things that go on there? In the book ‘Asylum’ by Madeleine Roux, Dan Crawford was a 16-year-old who was excited when he found out that there was a College Prep summer program in New Hampshire. Until things took a turn for the worst. ‘Asylum’ is a very intense and thrilling picture novel. This means that although there are many pages with many paragraphs, once in a while there are pictures that add to the story. With every new chapter comes a picture that adds to the grueling events that happen to Dan. All of the pictures together make a story in itself. Some of these photos were real abandoned asylums, or sanitariums, and also some photos have been found throughout history. Dan and his two friends thought that it would be a normal summer of studying and taking extra college classes to get into a good university. But as they find out, Dan and his friends were all

meant to be there. Dan finds out that the school dorm they are staying in is actually an old sanitarium, more specifically, a sanitarium for the “last resort” criminally insane people. Dan and his newly found friends, Abby and Jordan, find that one of the old rooms that was in the asylum had a locked door. They wanted to see what was behind this securely locked door only to find this room belonged to the doctor, a doctor that would perform lobotomies on the patients. Not only were the lobotomies not supposed to happen. They were in front of a classroom. As Dan and his friends try to find out what went on in the office and rooms of the asylum, strange deaths start to happen and notes are left for Dan in his room. This book is by Madeleine Roux, author of ‘Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children’ and ‘Sanctum,’ the sequel to ‘Asylum.’ Many twists happen, and they keep you on your toes. This book does seem a little slow in the beginning, but as you read on, you will find out that things are never as they seem.

Cedars: the crown of the sea By CHLOE GRUNDMEIER EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

The Tri-Cities landmark restaurant Cedars was established in 1976 and has been locally owned and operated ever since. The beautiful restaurant full of exposed cedar beams and whimsical chandeliers is located on the shore of the Columbia River on Clover Island. The balcony overlooks the cable bridge and the beautiful cityscape to add the gorgeous touch to the great atmosphere of the restaurant. Not only was the restaurant completely beautiful, the food was incredible. They had a large selection of appetizers from button mushrooms sautéed in celery, onions, white wine, and other seasonings that didn’t over power the flavor of the mushrooms at all, to New England clam chowder that was very satisfying but not spectacular and surprisingly not warm enough. The portions of the appetizers were perfect for sharing with family or friends and were a great start to any meal. Score: 3.5 out of 5 The salad bar – a choice with almost any meal – was incredible. The lettuce was very crunchy and fresh, but the best part was all the toppings. Anyone could find something they loved in the giant cornucopia of toppings that ranged from beans to nuts and every vegetable in between. To top off the salad bar was the giant array of dressings from Thousand Island to a sweet but not overbearing huckleberry vinaigrette. Score: 3.5 out of 5

After the great salad bar and the fantastic appetizers, the entrees were expected to be delicious as well, and they were just that. The special was a sashimi style ahi tuna served with a very mild curry and it was simply delicious. The ahi was seared in pink peppercorns and was simple but completely divine, especially with the curry. The texture of the fish was so buttery yet firm which proved how high quality it was. For one who doesn’t find raw fish appetizing, the halibut would be a great choice. It was seasoned very simply but didn’t even need the sauce it was paired with. Score: 4 out of 5 The main elements of all the dishes were great, but the sides can’t be forgotten. A warm basket of sweet rye rolls was placed on the table and the smell of them was almost like roasted marshmallows. They were simply delicious. The garlic mashed potatoes were perfectly seasoned and were a great side to any meal, but definitely skip the rice. The whole dinner was overall very pleasing. The ambiance of the restaurant was great, the food was great, and the service was great.

FRIDAY, DEC. 12, 2014 The Tomatalk • Kamiakin High School

Tribal Reviews ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

The Witch of Blackbird Pond: A bewitching experience By CHLOE GRUNDMEIER EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

or the past few months, the Drama Club has been putting together their winter play, ‘The Witch of Blackbird Pond.’ The extremely talented cast put on the show four times over the weeks and it was completely spectacular. “This is a really good play!” a young boy sitting in the audience told his father while enjoying the production. Junior Blake Britten inflicted so many emotions upon the play-goers in her portrayal of Kit Tyler, the lead. The character herself is quite relatable and Britten brought this out very well. Her tears brought the audience sorrow; her laughter brought the audience joy; and her sharp wit and clever comebacks brought the audience to tears as they doubled over laughing. Senior Tanner Jones caused the audience to swoon and sigh with his charm and charisma and shyness as Nat Eaten, Kit Tyler’s love interest. His shy smile and blushing cheeks brought life to the character along with his politeness toward Hannah Tupper – the woman everyone believed to be a witch – who was portrayed by senior Victoria Coronado. The audience members glared and groaned and gritted their teeth every time Senior Andrew Spurlock walked onto the stage as Reverend Gideon Gish, the main antagonist who insisted Kit was also a witch. Every time Reverend Gish and Matthew Wood – Kit’s uncle – who was portrayed by junior Chandler James, got into a screaming fight, the

audience watched in horror at the intense, and loud, scene on the stage. All of the other actors were incredible as well. From Kit’s jealous cousin Judith Wood, portrayed by Jill Faulk, to the cat Hannah Tupper pours her love into, Miss Cat, portrayed by Yzabelle Tow, and all the townspeople in between, everyone was fantastic. None of the lines seemed forced. Everyone’s voices were projected even when whispering, and all the interactions between the characters seemed completely natural. Of course, one cannot forget the amazing stage crew. The sets were changed quickly and efficiently. The lights were shone in appropriate places each time and just when they needed to be. The music and other sound effects were nearly flawless as well. Everyone who took part in this year’s production of ‘The Witch of Blackbird Pond’ definitely deserve a round of applause for their amazing job.

Senior Andrew Spurlock and Junior Chandler James played Reverend Gideon Gish and Matthew Wood, respectfully. Their characters fought which caused some of the most intense scenes in the whole play. Photo By: Chloe Grundmeier

Jordan Retros still raking in the dough By PARKER PRUNEDA STAFF REPORTER

Some things just never go out of style. In 1984, Michael Jordan’s shoes and clothing were released by Nike. Thirty years of classic shoes being sold to the public, and society is still raving over some of the original shoes. For years Jordan Brand has released shoes that everyone has loved since the start. They’re called retros. Retro Jordans are shoes that have already been released before but release two or more times. It seems like the most popular Jordans are the classics, and that’s what makes them so expensive. These shoes are a reminder of many older sneaker heads’ childhoods. So when they see a pair that released that takes them back to times of their youth, they are willing to spend mad cash on them. An average retail price for an Air Jordan retro usually ranges from $160 to $180. But because of the high demand, they sell out online

within seconds. And if you want to buy them at a store, a lot of places make you put your name in a raffle. So now there are some guys who spend anything to get that shoe, and others know that, so the re-sellers sell them to the people who had no luck. These are called re-sellers. Re-sellers know that there are people out there who will spend anything, so they price them double the retail price. Pairs of Jordan Five Oreos were retailed at $180 but resold for $300. The buyers know they are getting ripped off, but the desire for the shoes is more important to them. As much as these buyers hate the re-seller, they buy the shoes anyway because at the end of the day, the re-sellers have the product they need. It’s crazy to think that shoes originally released over 10 years ago are repeatedly making Nike money and driving up this aftermarket. The sales just keep going up with no sign of slowing down.

Fundraiser for

My Friends Place Monday Dec. 22, 7-10p.m.

Is a Great Place to be With Friends

All admission ($6) and concessions donated to helping this shelter for homeless teenagers 849 Stevens Dr., Richland

Tribal Reviews ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

FRIDAY, DEC. 12, 2014 The Tomatalk • Kamiakin High School

‘Big Hero 6’ big success in theaters By KATELYN NEAL STAFF REPORTER

irected by Chris Williams and Don Hall comes ‘Big Hero 6.’ Inspired by Marvel comics, ‘Big Hero 6’ tells the story of a young robotics prodigy named Hiro Hamada, voiced by Ryan Potter. Hiro is a 14-year-old boy who lives in the futuristic city of San Fransokyo, and who has also already graduated high school. In this story Hiro forms a superhero team to combat a masked villain responsible for the death of Hiro’s older brother, Tadashi Hamanda, who is voiced by Daniel Henney. Hiro and Tadashi certainly had a great big brother-little brother relationship and it is shown in the film. It is shown through Tadashi telling his brother to never give up. The story starts off in an ally, bot fighting. This is the first part where the watchers see Hiro’s robotic skills at work. Tadashi invented and made the inflatable robot named Baymax, voiced by Scott

Adsit. After the death of Tadashi, Hiro accidentally activates Baymax. Baymax follows one of Hiro’s microbots, a tiny robot, to an abandoned warehouse to find that someone has been making more microbots. They also learn that the masked figure is responsible for the death of Hiro’s big brother. After the masked figure attacks Hiro and his friends, they make themselves robotic suits. His friends Fred (T. J. Miller), GoGo Tomago (Jamie Chung), Wasabi (Damon Wayons, Jr.), and Honey Lemon (Genesis Rodriguez) all team up with Hiro. About 90 animators worked on the film at one point or another. All of these animators worked hard to make the movie the best it could be. ‘Big Hero 6’ is a 3D computer animated superhero action comedy film. The film is a very emotional movie that is definitely a great movie.

Check out our online newspaper! www.tomatalk.com

Breakout Artist: Best album of the year By SAMUEL PERRINS STAFF REPORTER

The year 2014 has been full of ups and downs in the music industry. Anthems were first released, mistakes were made, and the world was entertained by the well-known artists, as well as upcoming artists. One of these breakthrough artists has been working nonstop on his rise to fame, and it looks as though he’s made it. George Watsky released his latest album ‘All You Can Do’ on Aug 12. The album was ranked No. 5 on iTunes and 10,000 copies were sold in the first week of it being released. Watsky announced that this CD would be a tribute to his father, whose picture is on the cover of the album with their family cat, Saruman. Watsky’s mother is on the back cover, and both his parents are featured

in two of the songs, talking about their young lives. Watsky touches on many topics in this album. In one song, “Ink Don’t Bleed”, he talks a little about the incident at the Vans Warped Tour, where Watsky stage dived from 30 feet in the air and put two people in the hospital. He apologizes for his mistake and says, “Human lives are not collateral damage” for famous people’s rash actions. Watsky began his road to stardom when he posted a video of him rapping quickly to the beat of “Break Ya Neck” by Busta Rhymes. The video, Pale Kid Raps Fast, which was changed to Watsky Raps Fast, has gotten over one million views on YouTube. Watsky’s quick flow even got him on Ellen DeGeneres’ show. Watsky appeared many times in the Def Poetry show and has

Mockingjay Part 1: Join the rebellion By JORDAN CARRERAS STAFF REPORTER

Mockingjay Part 1 of has been most talked about movie since November. It is the first part of the last movie of the Hunger Games series. Mockingjay part one seems to be one the most anticipated, of all of the movies because it is the first part of the series finale. People just seem to be itching in their pants just waiting for the movie to come out. Don’t try and go last minute because this is one of the biggest movies since Harry Potter. The amazing start where it began at the 74th reaping where Katniss first volunteers for her, sister Prim, then to the 75th Quarter Quell where they have the big twist in events and the old victors from previous Hunger Games are to be chosen for the Hunger Games so yet again Katniss Everdeen is

to be put into the Hunger Games and Peeta follows right behind. In the end of catching fire Katniss sends in the rebellion by shooting her arrow into the shield. The next thing she knows she is in District 13 and district 12 has been blown up and that is where the scene in set for Mockingjay. The movie starts in a pitch black room that suddenly flashed to another scene. The girl on fire, the girl who has started the rebellion that took 75 years to happen. Plutarch Heavensbee is in the hands of Katniss Everdeen who is asked to be the symbol of the Mockingjay. The game keeper wants her to be the face of the rebellion. She is determined at first, not to be and just to be left alone to think to herself but eventually she decides to do it.

The more intense parts are in the middle of the movie thanks to the films background music that helps a lot with many moments when you are on the edge of your seat waiting for the next moment to happen. Jennifer Lawrence sung a song which was a big in awe moment, there are more exciting moments with the music. But there are parts in the movie were it does drag and doesn’t seem like it is going to go anywhere which is one down side especially when the most exciting part of the movie when everyone wants to know what will happen next is at the end of the movie.

performed many funny poems and stories about himself. This spoken word poet has been on tour around the country, and will be flying out to Australia Dec. 10th, and will end the All You Can Do tour on January 23rd in Mumbai, India. After every show, if fans are willing to pay a little bit more money, Watsky has a poetry show. This album has great beats with amazing drumming done by Anderson Paak, and very catchy hooks. Watsky’s flow is quick as always, but a few songs he slows down, and it is equally entertaining. He stays true to who he is and won’t say something just to make him famous, which is what makes him such a likeable artist. ‘All You Can Do’ is by far his best work yet, and will definitely ride him up to the top of the charts.

FRIDAY, DEC. 12, 2014 The Tomatalk • Kamiakin High School