2016 17 issue 2

TOMATALK HE

Tribute to

A.C.E

DECEMBER

Football

State Champs

What’s in a Name?

VOLUME 41• ISSUE 2•FRIDAY, DEC. 9, 2016• KAMIAKIN HIGH SCHOOL • 600 N. ARTHUR ST. • KENNEWICK, WA 99336

Around the Campfire NEWS & FEATURE

FRIDAY, DEC. 9, 2016 The Tomatalk • Kamiakin High School

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Cooper Ellison: Fly high ACE

Student remembered as loving and outgoing

By MADISON MORGAN STAFF REPORTER

T

he applause had died. The homecoming court had been given their sashes and crowns.

The student section was quiet, until those clutching the “ACE #1” flag began to chant,“Cooper, Cooper, Cooper.” This was all towards the memory of senior Cooper Ellison.

Eighteen year-old Cooper passed away Oct. 14. Cooper had been hunting in Whitman County, near the city of LaCrosse, when he went to call his girlfriend Unique Zier. After calling Zier, Cooper’s ATV flipped, landing on top of him, ultimately suffocating him.

“I will always cherish and hold on tight to my last memory of Cooper before he flew to heaven. A lot of people already know but my last phone call with him is something I will forever remember. He was being silly and sounded so happy. He called me “girl” and “honey,” and was yelling those names because the signal wasn’t the best, but once he had good service on that hill, he was being a jokester, and then he was telling me how much he loved me and how he already missed me, even though I saw him before he left that day on his hunting trip,” said Cooper’s girlfriend since the seventh grade, senior Unique Zier.

Zier said she was thankful for the chance to talk to Cooper one last time

or get to tell him I loved and missed him…beforehand, I would be even more devastated. I’m so so blessed and thankful for that last phone call and how amazing it went and ended,” she said.

Cooper had been nominated for homecoming court, and his family asked that his name remain on the ballot after his passing, saying they would accept the nomination on his behalf.

The theme of the Oct. 20 homecoming football game was “Camo for Coop,” in memory of Cooper. Before the game, the school’s varsity football team ran out with an ACE #1 flag, carried by junior Benson Smith. Smith, the varsity wide receiver and defensive back, made the flag for Cooper.

“We usually run out onto the field with a couple different flags, and I thought ‘Why not make one for a good friend who we should really honor, and give our support to him and his family,’” said junior Benson Smith.

After announcing all senior nominees, emcee and senior Sadie Holler asked for a drumroll before announcing Cooper and Unique the 2016 senior homecoming royalty.

“I was happy for his family, you know, he was a popular kid here at Kamiakin. He had a lot of friends, and I just thought that it was fitting that he got that honor,” said baseball coach and teacher Ryan Carter.

“I spent almost every day, if not every other day with him,” Unique said. Photo courtesy of Unique Zier.

and let him know she loved him.

“If I didn’t have the chance to hear those words and his voice like I did,

Stickers were commissioned in memory of Cooper by seniors Allie Biddison and Kendyl Holle.

“I hope Cooper will be remembered for his how big his heart was, for his humor, for the way he played on the field, and how he was saved,” said Unique. Photo courtesy Unique Zier.

“[Allie] just moved here, but she had a couple classes with Cooper, and... her friend Kendyl helped her out with they just thought it’d be a nice thing to do,” said Smith, who is Biddison’s cousin. “The ones that went on the back of helmets said “Ace,” but some of the car stickers said “Just rest easy Ace,” and his birthday, and the day he passed away.”

Students and teachers alike have said that they hope Cooper will be remembered for his happiness and friendliness.

“He was just a super nice and awesome outgoing guy. He was loved by everyone. He really made a difference in everyone’s lives around him,” said Smith.

Cooper was on the school’s varsity basketball and baseball teams. He played shortstop for Coach Carter

through school and competitive baseball.

“His whole thing was that he wanted to make people smile and make people laugh. And I think, when people think of Cooper Ellison, they’re going to think of funny stories and laughing, and he’s very tight with his family. And just those things, as far as being part of a family, and having fun and making people laugh and making people feel better about themselves.

He had a real knack with kids and with people that were less fortunate and connecting with them, and I hope that’ll be his legacy from here on out,” said Carter.

Cooper will never be forgotten, and he will always be remembered as an important Brave in our tribe.

FRIDAY, DEC. 9 2016 The Tomatalk Kamiakin High School

Around theNEWS Campfire & FEATURE

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Sp tlights Rappin’ Kopriva the Rhyming Diva

By THOMAS METCALF ST A F F R E P O R T E R

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oanne Kopriva is a geometry teacher at Kamiakin High School and has a warm and kind heart towards her students.

Kopriva used to be a chemist and worked in California. She spent a lot of her life there.

“I was born in Pennsylvania but moved to Idaho when I was four, and I lived in Idaho until I was eight. But I mostly grew up in California. I went from third grade through high school in California,” said Kopriva.

Kopriva built her original degree in inorganic chemistry. Later, she studied at WSU Tri-Cities for a teaching degree and began her story at Kamiakin. She has been teaching for 15 years now and has spent all of her teaching career at Kamiakin and as a substitute teacher across the district.

“I remember my first year here. I was at one of the faculty meetings before school started and one of the faculty members who had been here a long time leaned over to me and said, ‘This

Mrs. Kopriva posing for the camera. Photo by Taylor Hunzeker.

is a great school. Teachers come here and they don’t wanna leave,’” said Kopriva.

attended, Kopriva responded with, “Northwestern University in Illinois for my chemistry degree. And then I worked at Wrigley for a while, as in Doublemint and Juicy Fruit, in exploratory research. Had my boys, went back to school working on a PhD in chemistry, got a masters in inorganic chemistry, almost finished with my PhD.” Kopriva’s favorite type of math was geometry which she teaches now. She has also taught algebra, integrated math, and pre-calculus. She goes by the nickname “Rappin’ Kopriva the Rhyming Diva” because she comes up with songs to teach her students about geometry.

“I felt like this was a place where people were supportive and the faculty was really good and I had a choice between Kamiakin and another high school, and I picked Kamiakin,” said Kopriva.

But before all of this, she had a major in chemistry in college.

When asked about which college she

LGBTQ+ community lacking acceptance

By REAGAN SANTO ST A F F R E P O R T E R

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he LGBTQ+ community has always had to struggle to have their voices heard and to be treated equally. Although these things are vastly improving across America, large Republican areas still have difficulties accepting the gay population.

Kennewick is a city with a majority of Republicans, meaning that Kamiakin has a majority of Republican pupils attending. So, not surprisingly, the struggle of the LGBTQ+ community can be found here.

There is an LGBTQ+ club at school that meets every Tuesday and Wednesday at lunch in the drama room.

Sophomore Adrienne Baker, the unofficial head of the club, said that in middle school, people were hostile, but that in high school, their gender and sexuality is more of a joke to others, and that kids don’t react with violence so much as they used to. Nowadays, there’s more of a general disrespect.

Emily Tyler, a sophomore, says that while the faculty at Kamiakin is very accepting, the students are not. She believes that the people of Kamiakin just need to be more informed before making judgments.

Freshman Jace Wistisen has often gotten threats because of his sexuality. As a gay person, he said that others sometimes make unjust assumptions about him.

Moe Knox, also a freshman, said that Kamiakin isn’t quite “there.” Knox also said that improvements in attitudes are needed and that it’s scary because she has gotten threats because of her sexuality as well.

LGBTQ+ club member sophomore Tiffany Jane Roles said that those of the LGBTQ+ community want to be treated just like everybody else.

“Just treat us like people. That’s all we are,” she said.

Members of the LGBTQ+ club. Photo taken by Reagan Santo.

To read more about the LGBTQ+ community in the Tri-Cities, visit tomatalk. com.

Around the Campfire NEWS & FEATURE

FRIDAY, DEC. 9, 2016 The Tomatalk • Kamiakin High School

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Shailey Rhoads’ story Her road to recovery

By MADISON MORGAN EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

I

thought I was paralyzed.

These thoughts were running through senior Shailey Rhoads’ head after she was involved in a two car accident Oct. 24 at lunch. Rhoads was walking through Jock lot when she was hit by a fellow senior’s car.

“I had two holes in my right leg.

One was from a wire sticking out of [sophomore] Alek [Carreno]’s truck.

Underneath my leg, the pressure popped my leg, so I had a giant hole.

And then on my left leg, my ACL’s completely torn, my MCL is ripped. I fractured my knee, and my muscle on

the inner side of my knee is ripped,” she said.

Her injuries have led to her becoming wheelchair bound and in need of crutches and a walker. “[Senior] Grace [Halsted] and I were walking to [Carreno]’s truck, and I walked in between both trucks that were backed up in the parking lot, and [the driver] went to go back up even more, because he noticed he wasn’t going to hit the curb all the way, so he opened his door and looked back, and closed his door. I walked through and he didn’t see me, and I got stuck. He hit me,” she said.

Rhoads’ says she remembers little of the actual incident but said that what happened after felt like it was happening in slow motion.

“Everything was in slow-motion. It happened within minutes, but it felt like hours in my head,” she remembered.

She also said that while she doesn’t remember it, she screamed.

“I screamed, but it was like one of those screams in your dreams where you can’t scream. But apparently I did scream. I don’t Shailey Rhoads recovering in the hospital. Photos courtesy of Shailey remember. And [the Rhoads. driver] said that it’s like the most terrifying thing he’s ever heard, and that it’s going to haunt him forever,” she said.

Rhoads dismissed rumors that Halsted has been especially impressed she was taking serious legal acby Rhoads’ positivity throughout the tion against the driver, saying that ordeal. they’d been friends since middle “She’s always been that person that school. cracks jokes, and she’s still doing it.

“It was a complete accident, so I She’s always so positive. It’s amazdon’t hold any grudges against [the ing. She’s such a great friend, and I driver], because it was just a freak don’t know what I’d do without her,” accident,” she said.

Halsted said.

Regardless of all that’s happened Junior Hannah Tatro, another of to her, Rhoads has been able to Rhoads’ friends, has also been maintain an optimistic outlook on impressed by her determination to her situation. improve and recover, adding that she “I stay positive because it’s not does not only have the support of her really going to change my life that friends and family, but of the entire much. It’s not like I’m going to be school. in a wheelchair for the rest of my life.

“Her Kamiakin family loves her Stuff happens, and you kind of have like her family at home does,” Tatro to stay positive in order to get better. said.

Because if you [have] a bad mindset, you’re never going to get anywhere,” she said.

“

So I got to the hospital, and they bring me into the emergency room, and I was on some drugs. I was joking around with the nurse. I was like, ‘Have you ever seen ‘Mean Girls’?’ And she was like, ‘No I haven’t.’ I was like, ‘Well Regina George got hit by a bus and that’s how I feel right now.’

Senior Shailey Rhoads

Shailey Rhoads recovering in the hospital. Photo courtesy of Shailey Rhoads.

”

FRIDAY, DEC. 9, 2016 The Tomatalk • Kamiakin High School

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Around theNEWS Campfire & FEATURE

Freshman elections winding down

By JACLYN GAZEWOOD STAFF REPORTER

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t’s the beginning of a new school year which means Kamiakin receives a new incoming class of energetic young students! Meet the brand new freshman Associated Student Body (ASB) team. These representatives are here to make a difference for the freshman class as a whole. They have the motivation and the hard-working skills to make a positive difference in their class. Dana Ahmed, McKenna Busick, Harper Mead and Regan Shoemaker are the newly elected freshman representatives, and they all have amaz-

“

year is getting freshmen’s ideas out there,” said Ahmed.

If you would like to comment, write a letter to the editor, or They all have common goals and that is to submit a guest article, contact us at: connect with their class as a whole and make everyone happy while having fun, too.

“What made me want to run for student The Tomatalk: Kamiakin High School, 600 North Arthur, Kennewick, WA, 99336, (509) 222-7015, email tomatalkstaff@ksd.org, or go ASB is just being able to help the students in online at my class,” said Shoemaker. www.tomatalk.com and comment there.

These students have the drive to make a better difference for their freshman class, Staff: and it’s clear they enjoy helping people and Adviser: Laurie Bender showing off their leadership skills to their felEditors-in-Chief: Madison Morgan and Taylor Hunzeker low peers. They plan to ask friends and other News Feature Editor: Taylor Hunzeker people what they want and make sure other

Freshman year only happens once, so take all the chances you get and make the year the best that it can be while working hard and making amazing memories.

Freshman Dana Ahmed

ing reasons for joining ASB. “I knew a lot of upperclassmen that advised me to do it, and I wanted to be a part of the school,” said Mead. “I hope to become more social with people I’m not familiar with.”

The freshman Associated Student Body takes part in all of the Kamiakin assemblies and helps decide on important leadership decisions. Upon joining ASB, each of them have personal goals they want to achieve.

“One thing I hope to accomplish in ASB is to make as many people happy as I can,” said Shoemaker.

“The thing I want to accomplish most this

Sports Editor: Edgar Cazares In-Depth Editor: Madison Morgan Opinion Editor: Kathy Farias-Guerra Entertainment Editor: Thomas Metcalf Cover made by: Taylor Hunzeker

”

Staff Reporters:

Tyler Ackert , Edgar Cazares, Kestra Engstrom, Jaclyn Gazewood, Kathy Farias-Guerra, Taylor Hunzeker, Thomas Metcalf, Madison Morgan, Emily Reynolds, Reagan Santo, Laney Torelli

MISSION STATEMENT: students are satisfied with what’s happening. The purpose of the Tomatalk is to inform, entertain, and further educate the They encourage everyone to take as many opstudents at Kamiakin High School and the surrounding community. portunities as possible.

“Freshman year only happens once, so PUBLICATION POLICY: take all the chances you get and make the year Content is determined by the staff. Students are protected and bound by the best that it can be while working hard and the First Amendment of the Constitution of the United States and other protections and limitations afforded by the Constitution and the various making amazing memories,” said Ahmed. court decisions relative to student publications. The Tomatalk has been It’s definitely clear that these students are established as a forum for student expression and as a voice in the free and here to make a positive and lasting change at open discussion of issues. The staff of the Tomatalk is expected to be professchool this year. sional, 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

FOLLOW US ON OUR SOCIAL MEDIAS:

Freshmen Dana Ahmed, Harper Mead, and Regan Shoemaker. Photo taken by Jaclyn Gasewood.

Tribal Talk

6

OPINION & EDITORIAL

FRIDAY, DEC. 9, 2016 The Tomatalk • Kamiakin High School

Wrestling does cause eating disorders Pro: Wrestling causes and helps to develop eating disorders

By MADISON MORGAN EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

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restling is known for its sometimes extreme weight loss and gain methods. Players are known to over and under eat in order to meet their weight goals. Do these methods contribute to the development of eating disorders?

Freshman Sarah Hamilton, one of the school’s first female wrestlers, thinks that wrestling can be a factor in developing eating disorders.

“Not necessarily at Kamiakin, but I personally know a lot of people who have developed eating disorders because of wrestling,” she said.

Nurse Pam Kirkpatrick believes that sometimes wrestling does encourage eating disorders.

“When I think of eating disorders I

think of bulimia and anorexia. I believe wrestling encourages dangerous binge diets during peak times of competition but not necessarily an ongoing eating disorder,” she said.

Hamilton admitted that in middle school, she would skip lunch and dinner before her wrestling weigh-ins.

“Mainly, you wanna stay at the top of a weight class unless you’re cutting a large amount. So it’s eating very little, if any, the day before a weigh in, and then eating the stuff that’s gonna give you energy you need for a match. For example, last year I’d skip lunch and dinner before a weigh-in and have food in my backpack, as well as water, because you lay off on it before weighing in so water weight isn’t an issue,” she said.

Hamilton said at first these practices made her sick, but that over time, her

body has adjusted to them.

“In the beginning, my body didn’t really know how to handle it, so I’d get really weak sometimes, then feel sick randomly,” she said.

Kirkpatrick explained that because wrestling is a very demanding sport, it sometimes causes these eating disorders to develop.

“Wrestling is one of the most physically and mentally challenging sports.

They need to maintain muscle, strength and brain power in order to perform well. The severe weight loss strategies used by some wrestling teams diminish all of these. The body will tear down and use muscle for energy if you do not provide it with food which then makes you a weaker competitor. The same with your brain.

Without food

your brain doesn’t function as sharply and the wrestler will be out smarted in competition,” she said.

She advised wrestlers to look at people with eating disorders, and how it has negatively affected them.

“I would like them to look at people with bulimia and anorexia and notice the total destruction of muscle and how slow they think and speak,” she said.

While wrestling may not intentionally cause eating disorders, it may aid in their development. Wrestlers should be careful in how they gain and lose weight, and always do so in a way that benefits their health.

Con: Wrestling does not cause eating disorders

By DELANEY TORELLI STAFF REPORTER

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restling is a sport that can cause its players to stay at a consistent weight and keep it throughout the season. While some may think wrestling can cause an eating disorder, it actually helps players keep a weight standard and stay healthy. In fact, according to Marty Lerner, Ph.D., “there are not definitive statistics to report” which show that wrestling causes any kind of eating disorder. Lerner said that other sports are just as likely to cause eating disorders, sports like ballet, football, horse racing, and boxing. However, no one seems as concerned about these other sports causing these problems.

Really the reason people think wrestling may cause eating disorders is because they misunderstand the strict diet wrestlers are on and how it relates to their weight division in the sport. If wrestlers do what they are supposed to for their sport, it would never lead to eating disorders. According to wrestling coach Jordan Anderson, “The WIAA provides a weight management system that monitors the weight loss of each wrestler and does not allow the wrestler to drop below seven percent body fat during the season, nor does it allow the wrestler to lose more than 1.5 percent per week of the athlete’s body weight.”

High school students who participate in wrestling are used to strict diets during the season, but these diets are used to help them maintain the healthy weight they need for their weight division. Also,

these diets should be balanced healthy diets. “In order to maintain the high energy levels needed for their intense workouts, wrestlers need to eat a healthy, balanced diet on a daily basis. If wrestlers make food choices that are high in carbohydrate, low in fat, with moderate amounts of protein, they will be able to eat a healthy, balanced diet without the need to be overly concerned about weight.” In fact, look at the following link for a list of healthy meal ideas. If athletes follow these suggestions, this is a far cry from bulimia or anorexia. (https://www. iahsaa.org/Sports_Medicine_Wellness/Nutrition/Wrestling_Nutrition_Ideas_Booklet.pdf.)

Coach Anderson said that he doesn’t believe wrestling is to blame for eating disorders. “Wrestling helps keeps a good weight standard. Sophomores Luke Walker and Kevin Cornejo. Photo by Madison Morgan.

It’s closely monitored and shows you the weight you lose and maintain body fat,” he said. eating disorders.

“Anytime they lose weight, it’s in a positive way.”

In fact, eating disorders are caused mostly by In fact, Coach Anderson added that “At Kamiakin, other outside factors like low self-esteem, poor body we stress the importance of proper nutrition during image, family problems, social pressure for thinthe season. We advise our wrestlers to eat at least ness, social problems, and psychiatric disorders. six times a day, which include three to four small Sports really play a small role if any when it comes meals dispersed throughout the day. Coach Anderto eating disorders. son believes other factors are more responsible for

FRIDAY, DEC. 9, 2016 The Tomatalk • Kamiakin High School

KaHS Editorial Board

Tribal Talk

7

OPINION & EDITORIAL

Madison Morgan & Taylor Hunzeker Editors-in-Chief Kathy Farias-Guerra, Opinion Edgar Cazares, Sports Thomas Metcalf, Entertainment 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 we think...

Why our school should improve their lunches “Other schools in the area have higher quality lunches, so why not Kamiakin?

The school still uses the same types of foods as in elementary school. Why?”

Photo courtesy of Brent Child.

The six month carpool rule: good for protecting drivers By

BRENT CHILD

B

GUEST REPORTER

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n high school, students have the option to leave campus for lunch. Many do opt to eat off campus at places like El Fat Cat Grill, Jack in the Box, and McDonalds. If students were asked which they prefer, most would say they prefer off campus lunch to school cafeteria lunches.

When asked what she thought would improve school lunches, sophomore Evelyn Callister said, “Maybe add more options.”

Some schools have in-school establishments like Panda Express and Starbucks. So why doesn’t Kamiakin have anything like this?

“We have the Jamba Juice thing, but I don’t think people use it a lot, and there’s only one flavor of smoothie,” said Callister.

We need better tasting food and fast food restaurants in our cafeterias. The school could benefit from it by partnering with these famous fast food companies and if there were fast food restaurants in the cafeteria, more students would stay on campus for lunch. Adding

things like this can only benefit Kamiakin let alone any school that allows it.

Schools such as Southridge High School have in school stores.

According to Southridge junior Kiera Henderson, the high school has a coffee shop known as the Hot Spot.

Since elementary school, students have had the same choices for lunch. Nothing has changed in what they serve, and the food looks almost exactly the same as it did when we were younger. And the portion sizes of the meals have been the same.

Along with portion sizes, the food itself is not decent quality either. The burgers do not taste like they use real meat or cheese and the fries have no salt whatsoever. In fact, the cafeteria also does not serve salt in general, as it is seen as unhealthy.

At least as high school students, we should have more choices when it comes to lunch. We would like to see this change soon.

eing able to drive is an amazing privilege. Most young adults can’t wait to get their licenses. When they get their licenses, they can’t wait to go show off to their friends their new cars and license pictures..

Everything is great except one thing that is holding them back; they can’t legally drive anybody unless they are family for six months. This is the rule for beginning drivers.

Not being able to drive friends around for six months is great because 16-17 year old drivers are the most likely age group to get into a fatal/injury car crash. In 2008 the DMV took a statistic showing what age group had the most fatal crashes. Sixteen-year-olds were leading in that category by a landslide.

Sixteen-year-old drivers in 2008 had about 61,400 fatal/injury crashes. That beat the next highest age group (which was 17) by about 20,000 crashes. So if we let kids bring friends, another huge distraction in the car while they are still learning how to drive, then the driver is more likely to end up being in the fatal/injury statistic. But if we are smart, we keep the law how it is. We take away all distractions which would include taking a friend in the car, and texting/calling while driving. Then we are giving our brand new drivers the best chance for survival on the road.

But in order for somebody to become a good driver, they need to be experienced. However, giving them six months to just drive by themselves is the perfect amount of time for the young driver to get used to being in control of the wheel. A couple of months isn’t enough time, and a year is just too much time. For a young driver to be the best that he or she can be, they need to be well experienced and ready for anything. Adding a friend to the equation is perfect after six months because drivers will be prepared and most likely ready for whatever comes their way.

So even though it seems unfair and frustrating for new drivers, the sixmonth-rule really serves a valuable purpose. It needs to stay the same. New drivers just need to be patient. Six months will pass quickly, and meanwhile they have received much needed experience to keep themselves and everyone else safe on the road.

Chief IN-DEPTH Legends

FRIDAY, DEC. 9, 2016 The Tomatalk • Kamiakin High School

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What’s in a name: The meanings o “ “Kestra was a character from Star Trek. She was Beta Zoid, and since my mom was a little kid, she was just obsessed with Star Trek, and just addicted to it, and when she saw that episode with the character named Kestra , she just really liked the name. She was like, ‘I’m going to name my child Kestra.’ And so, she named her child Kestra.”

Freshman Kestra Engstrom

”

Freshman Kestra Engstrom. Photo by Madison Morgan.

“ “[Eyerusalem] means the city on the hill, or the city of light. [Eyerusalem is from] Ethiopia. I was born there. My sister wanted to name me Oreo.”

Sophomore Eyerusalem Questad

” Sophomore Eyerusalem Questad. Photo by Madison Morgan.

Names: important, personal, and meaningful

By JACLYN GAZEWOOD STAFF REPORTER

A

name is not just a word. It’s more symbolic and personal than that. Some may say a person’s name is the greatest connection to their own identity and individuality. It is the one way we can easily get someone’s attention.

A name is a sign of courtesy and a way of recognizing them. It can make a positive and lasting impression when someone’s name is remembered.

In spite of their importance, though, most people know very little about names and about the effects they have.

When a parent names their child, a lot of thought can go into the decision. The name is usually intended to last for that person’s lifetime. Some

people dig into the meaning of names and choose one based on its meaning. Sometimes people choose names based on tradition, or simply because it sounds nice. Either way, when a name is chosen, it is chosen for a reason.

In other cultures, the meaning of a name is important. That is how parents choose them. In China and the Middle East, names are chosen based on their meanings. Here in the United States though, names are chosen mostly because of naming trends.

In 2001, the three top names for girls were Emily, Madison, and Hannah. The top boys’ names during that same year were Jacob, Michael, and Matthew.

Now think: How many kids do you know that have those names?

Out of 1,785 total students here at Kamiakin,

there are a vast number of student names. Although there are a few unique names sprinkled throughout our campus, what’s more similar are all the common names.

Twenty-three students all share the name Emily, making it the most common female name in the school, and 15 students share the name Tyler, making it the most common male name. Fourteen students share the name Taylor, which makes it the most common unisex name.

Other popular names at Kamiakin include Ryan, Madison, Jacob, Zachary, Andrew, Emma, Ashley, Hannah, Sarah, Dylan, and Blake.

FRIDAY, DEC. 9, 2016 The Tomatalk • Kamiakin High School

Chief Legends IN-DEPTH

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of unusual names around campus “ “My name doesn’t really have any special meaning because it was kind of made up. My parents were living down in San Diego, and they knew this girl named Miana, and her parents had combined the names Mya and Anna, and made up Miana because they couldn’t decide. So when my mom was pregnant with me, my parents were like, ‘We really like the name. Can we use it?’ And they were like,‘Yeah, but just spell it differently’ because they spelled it Miana and everyone pronounced it wrong.”

”

Junior Myanna Moody

Junior Myanna Moody. Photo by Madison Morgan.

“

“[Ebonesse] doesn’t mean anything. My parents were intially going to name me Ebony, and...I think it sounded more creative. My dad doesn’t have an explanation for it.

It’s kind of just something he thought of. ” Senior Ebonesse Miller

Senior Ebonesse Miller. Photo by Madison Morgan.

Identity

sometimes associated with names

By KESTRA ENGSTROM STAFF REPORTER

W

hen each of us is born, the first thing we’re given is a name. One’s name is what defines them for the rest of their life. A name is a representation of oneself. For Jase Wistisen, a freshman, a name is especially important. “[My name]’s important to me because it’s not my birth name,” Jase said.

Jase is transgender. His gender is not what he was assigned at birth.

To transgender people worldwide, their name is so much more than just what people call them.

“When people use my name, it makes me feel happy because it makes me feel like I pass and I’m a man,” he explained. “And when people don’t

use it, whether it’s by accident or just to be rude, it feels like a shot in the chest.”

Cisgender people, whose gender aligns with the sex they were assigned at birth, don’t deal with the same struggles as transgender people do.

To cisgender people, their name is simply what they’re referred to. But to transgender people, using the proper name carries a sense of validation, and a sense of self.

“I guess to sum it up, the name Jase is important to me because it makes me feel like no matter what, I’m a man,” he said.

Everyone deserves to feel happy and validated, and all it may take to give someone that feeling is saying the right name.

Freshman Jase Wistisen. Photo by Thomas Metcalf.

”

Tribal SPORTS Games Kamiakin football brings home state championship

By EDGAR CAZARES SPORTS EDITOR

By MADISON MORGAN Editor-in-chief

I

believe that we have won.

Kamiakin football made history Dec. 2 when they won a state championship for the first time ever. Led by coach Scott Biglin, who brought the team to the 2011 state title game, the Braves managed to win in a defensive battle against the O’Dea Fighting Irish 14-7 in overtime.

To get to the finals, the Braves had to overcome defending two time 3A champions Eastside Catholic in an unexpected win 30-27 Nov. 26 at Pop Keeney Stadium in Bothell.

Kamiakin, which was 11-2 heading into the state championship game, faced off against the 13-0 O’Dea High School at 7:30 p.m. at the Tacoma Dome.

Against the Braves was O’Dea quarterback, sophomore Emonte Scott, with his first start at quarterback for the Fighting Irish in the state title game. During the season, Scott was 2 for 4 in completions for 25 yards with 3 carries for 7 yards. It seems as if O’Dea wasn’t prepared for unexpected losses of their first and second string quarterback.

In the second quarter, running back Jethro Questad was pushed out of bounds and into the Fighting Irish sidelines by O’Dea defenders.

Starting for the Braves on offense was quarterback Zach Borisch; running back Jethro Questad; wide receivers Darreon Moore, Benson Smith, Isaiah Brimmer and Champ Grayson; tackles Luke Eskelson and Wyatt Musser; guards Max Korotkov and Hayden Larson; and center Jared Booth.

Braves’ starting defense was defensive ends Salvador Arias and Dallen Campbell; defensive tackles Tristan Barnett and Hayden Larson; linebackers Matthew Gearhart, Alex Bayuk, and Dillon Crawford; free safety Drew Sanderson; strong safety Colten Chelin; cornerbacks Benson Smith and Darreon Moore.

Late in the fourth quarter Braves were down 0-7 until Borisch found Darreon Moore for a 53 yards touchdown to tie the game after the extra point by Garrett Paxton was good.

With three seconds left on the clock, Fighting Irish kicker, junior Stephen Powell lined it up for a potential game winning field goal. However, the Braves burned their remaining timeouts while Powell anticipated the kick. After the Braves’ third time out, Powell’s kick was wide right, resulting in his third missed field goal of the

game.

Heading into overtime, the Braves started off with the ball. Borsich evaded the Fighting Irish defenders to make a 15 yard touchdown, resulting in a 14-7 score. With the ball in the hands of the O’Dea team, the Fighting Irish pushed back 19 yards, resulting in a 2nd and 29.

The following play was an unexpected hook-and-ladder that brought it to a 3rd and 8. O’Dea ran the back next and ended up in a 4th and 1. The crowds for both teams grew louder as they anticipated the next play that would make or break the Fighting Irish. As O’Dea ran the ball on 4th and 1, they stopped at the line of scrimmage and the Kamiakin Braves became the class 3A state champions for the first time in school and district history.

Top left: The varsity football coaches pose for a photo with the 3A state championship trophy. Top right: The Run Kano student section goes wild at the Dec. 2 state football finals. Middle right: The football team lines up before the game. Bottom right: Football players gather together for a photo with the championship plaque. Bottom left: Senior Alex Bayuk holds the 3A state championship trophy. All photos by Taylor Hunzeker.

FRIDAY, DEC. 9, 2016 The Tomatalk • Kamiakin High School

Tribal Games SPORTS

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Football reflects on a 3A state title “ The most exciting part of the game was me and my 10 brothers being on the field for the final drive and stopping them in OT. I knew that me and my brothers weren’t going to walk out of that stadium as anything but winners. Thanks for a wonderful year. And thanks for making my final year of football the best year.

Senior Salvador Arias

“

[The] stadium was loud, hard to hear the snapcount. The game had all of us biting our nails. Overtime made the game all the more stressful but it also made the win so much more amazing. Walking onto the field was like I was in a dream, and walking off the field with a win was living that dream.

”

”

Senior Zach Borisch

“

[To] pull out a victory, that talks a lot about their character. I’m just so proud of these guys. They’re such a good group of kids. I don’t even want this to end. I want to keep playing.

Head Coach Scott Biglin

“

To Biglin I wanna say thank you for everything. You’re like a father to me, and you’ll be a part of my family. My friends and my family most importantly, I just wanna say thank you for the all support I’ve had, I wouldn’t be where I am today if it wasn’t for them.

Senior Darreon Moore

”

”

Top left: Seniors Salvador Arias and Brice Gribble.Middle right: Varsity quarterback and senior Zach Borisch.

Bottom left: Varsity football head coach Scott Biglin. Above: Senior Darreon Moore getting interviewed after Kamiakin’s win at the Dec. 2 state 3A football championship. All photos by Taylor Hunzeker

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FRIDAY, DEC. 9, 2016 The Tomatalk • Kamiakin High School

WANT TO HAVE STATE FOOTBALL PHOTOS?

$5

Come to rm 314 to buy your own cd of photos from the game State football players and coaches get a cd for free

$5

FRIDAY, DEC. 9, 2016 The Tomatalk • Kamiakin High School

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Tribal ARTS & Reviews ENTERTAINMENT

‘1984’ another success story for drama department

By THOMAS METCALF

ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR

T

he Drama Club recently performed their show, ‘1984,’ their take on the famous novel by George Orwell which was written in 1949.

The story is about a dystopian society in the future from when the story was published. It takes place in Great

Britain within the superstate of Oceania. Oceania is under control by the ruthless leader known as Big Brother.

The main character is Winston Smith, played by junior Adam DeFord. Smith works in the Outer Party, the middle class of the society. He works as an editor for documents and photographs for any ‘unpersons,’ which are people

Junior Adam DeFord and senior CharLee Bethje perform a scene together. Photo courtesy of Christopher Hamilton.

who were killed and removed from history forever.

Smith later meets a woman named Julia, played by both senior CharLee Bethje and sophomore Cleo Howell.

Smith and Julia fall in love and hide it from the Thought Police, who capture and kill anyone they think is against Big Brother.

Later, after the two are secretly married, they become friends with O’Brien, a member of the higher-classed Inner Party, who is played by senior Joe Pickard. O’Brien told the two that he was a leader of a group against Big Brother, when he actually turned them away from those thoughts through torture.

The students who performed the play did an amazing job.

The voices and movements in the play were very fluid.

There were no low points in the play and it kept the audience on the edge of their seats for what would come next.

The multiple hour-long play also had performances by other actors like senior Esme

Senior CharLee Bethje, junior Adam DeFord, and senior Joe Pickard practice a scene together. Photo courtesy of Christopher Hamilton.

Contreras, senior Sam Petersen, and freshman Rhiannon Matthews.

Overall, ‘1984’ was another strong play from the drama students after other great plays like ‘Stardust’ and

‘Reviving Ophelia’ from last year.

Always remember, all hail Big Brother.

Artist creates unique art with Snapchat features

By JACLYN GAZEWOOD

S

STAFF REPORTER

napchat is a massive social media platform with over 150 million active users each day.

Photo coutesy of Geir Ove Pedersentakes.

It has a number of enjoyable features such as filters that put a silly face on the user, and the ability to draw a simple picture with colors over the original photo.

One Snapchat user, Geir Ove Pedersentakes, better known by his username “geeohsnap,” takes Snapchat art to a whole new level. Ever since he was a young child, Pedersentakes had a liking for creative arts. It was in his later years when he discovered that through hard work and different techniques, he could accomplish great things through being creative.

In 2014 the iconic Snapchat influencer started building a following by making a project called “Random People.” The young Norwegian’s snaps feature random, unsuspecting people in ordinary scenarios – at airports, streets, parks and shops, and drawing incredible detailed cartoon-style images on them, giving a simple, ordinary task, like sitting or riding a bike, a whole new imaginative and creative story.

His artwork ranges from giant ice

cream cones, to rocket ships, to bears and even more. Many of his most detailed drawings take only 30 minutes.

His Snapchat story gets over one million views every day, and his Instagram (geeohsnap) has around 50,000 followers. He has a few other projects he works on, too.

Other than the “Random People” project, he’s collaborated with some of the biggest companies in the world like Disney, Starbucks, and Air France to bring funny and creative drawings.

Aside from all the large projects, he’s able to make inspirational messages and small little drawings on the spot.

When he’s not creating works of art on his Snapchat, Pedersentakes is a full time graphic illustrator and is currently working on publishing a book with all of his Snapchat masterpieces in them. Geeohsnap is a fun user to follow on Snapchat and Instagram. He always interacts with his followers by asking them questions and keeping them up to date with his latest works.

Photo coutesy of Geir Ove Pedersentakes.

Tribal Reviews ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

FRIDAY, DEC. 9, 2016 The Tomatalk • Kamiakin High School

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Disney’s ‘Moana’ sails to the top of the charts

By BRITTNEY COX

D

STAFF REPORTER

isney has done it once again.

‘Moana’ took top box office charts with $25.6 million and is still rising after being released on Nov. 23. It also has already been nominated for Best Animated Feature, as well as outstanding achievements in character development, character design, voice acting, and storyboarding in an Animated Feature Production.

It also has been nominated for Critics Choice Award for best original score and best original song.

Set in Polynesian culture, ‘Moana’ is the heartwarming and adventurous tale of Moana, the daughter of the village island Chief Tui. Moana has a longing for the sea and is drawn to the dreams of traveling away from her island.

When problems arise on her home island, Moana has to set sail with the help of the demigod Maui to save her island of

Montunui and her people.

Along the way through hardships and inner doubt, Moana learns that there is a voice inside us and that we have to be true to ourselves in order to discover our own paths and discover who we truly are. This film is stunning as Disney’s animation team outdid themselves. Every second and ounce of the 3D animated film is pouring with details and is truly breathtaking, from Moana’s curly hair blowing in the breeze and falling straight when it gets wet, to the reflection of her and her boat on the sea as the sea sparkles in the sunlight.

In the film, there is an amazing panel of very talented voice actors. The demigod Maui is voiced by Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and, in her first full ever length film, we introduce Auli’i Cravalho, who voices Moana. They are accompanied by the talents of Alan Tudyk who voices HeiHei Moana’s rooster and

Rachel House as Moana’s grandma Gramma Tala.

The music of ‘Moana’ is one that is not easily forgotten. Moana’s music is written

by Lin-Manuel Miranda, the creator and original star of the well-known Broadway play, ‘Hamilton.’ Lin produces catchy upbeat tunes that will get stuck in your head, guaranteed!

Critics say, “More than ‘Tangled,’ more than ‘Frozen,’ ‘Moana’ keeps with the tradition that made Disney the leader in animated fairy and folk tales.” As stated by Variety. Rotten Tomatoes deems it, “An absolute delight, a lush, exuberant quest fable full of big musical numbers and featuring perhaps the most stunning visuals of any Disney film to date,” and gives it 93 percent overall audience score.

If you have not seen this delightful, adventurous, and comedic film, then make sure you do.

Photo courtesy of impawards.com

Marvel Cinematic Universe earns a ‘strange’ member

By EMILY COX

GUEST REPORTER

S

Photo courtesy of screenrant.com.

tephen Strange joins the Marvel Cinematic Universe in the movie debut of, ‘Doctor Strange.’

In the box office, ‘Doctor Strange’ earned an overall $579.7 million after being released on Nov. 4. In the film, Benedict Cumberbatch plays Doctor Stephen Strange, an arrogant neurosurgeon and a very good one at that, but after an incident that leaves him unable to do the one thing he is well-known for, Doctor Stephen Strange embarks on a journey to get it all back.

On this journey, Strange must conquer his own selfdoubt and arrogance in order to defeat his physical and mental restraints guided by learning the ancient metaphysical abilities. Not only that but he has to defeat Kaecilius, played by Mads Mikkelsen, a man who abides by

no laws, especially those of time and space. And from all this, Strange learns that sometimes it takes from going to where you know everything to where you know nothing to truly learn who you are.

The overall picture of the movie was very intriguing with its amazing special effects, and a wonderful acting performance by Benedict Cumberbatch truly bringing this well-loved comic book character to life. There is also wonderful acting done by Chiwetel Ejiofor who played Mordo, Rachel McAdams who plays Christine Palmer, Benedict Wong who played Wong, and Tilda Swinton who played The Ancient One. Like all Marvel Universe movies, their wardrobe pays tribute to the original comics with great detail. For example, the cloak of levitation with its upturned collar and rich in red fabric that flows

behind Strange doesn’t disappoint fans.

Common Sense Media says, “Marvel’s 14th Cinematic Universe movie has all the usual action and explosions, but it also has a different type of main character -- one who’s magical and appealingly flawed but willing to change.” Rotten Tomato deems it, “This film has a dreamy visual architecture, mixed with a story capable of stimulating even the last fiber of the neurons.” Rotten Tomatoes gives it an overall 90 percent audience score.

This adventurous, comedic movie is a must see and it would be, “strange” if you didn’t go out and see it!

FRIDAY, DEC. 9, 2016 The Tomatalk • Kamiakin High School

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FRIDAY, DEC. 9, 2016 The Tomatalk • Kamiakin High School