2016 17 issue 3

TOMATALK HE

Families

FEBRUARY

AP Classes VS Running Star t

VOLUME 41• ISSUE 3•FRIDAY, FEC. 24, 2016• KAMIAKIN HIGH SCHOOL • 600 N. ARTHUR ST. • KENNEWICK, WA 99336

Around the Campfire NEWS & FEATURE

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FRIDAY, FEB. 24, 2017 The Tomatalk • Kamiakin High School

Sp tlights

A student’s journey: Living abroad as an American teenager

By THOMAS METCALF

SPECIAL TO THE TOMATALK

M

y name is Thomas Metcalf, and I have been living in the Netherlands for a month now. Last semester, I was a sophomore at Kamiakin. Now, I am attending school at the International School of Breda.

Living here is very different. Bicycles are the best way of transport across the city since everything is so compact. This is because the Netherlands has a population of 17 million people, yet its surface area is smaller than Washington state.

The hardest part of living here is easily the language barrier. The people of this country speak their native Dutch, so ordering food at restaurants or buying groceries at a grocery store is very awkward. It involves asking if the waiter or the grocer speaks English, but most of the time they don’t know much.

My school, the International School of Breda, is much different than any normal American school. For anyone younger than 17, every class is assigned rather than selected at the beginning of the school year. On Mondays I have an English class, but I do not have a math class. The next day, I have math but no English.

The school is run a lot more like a college rather than a high school.

Open periods are a lot more common in my schedule. Some days I go to school at 9:30 in the morning rather than the normal 8:30 a.m. due to an

open class during my first period.

Daily life is somewhat similar to American daily life, at least to me. I still get to spend time at home being lazy, but I have a lot more opportunities to get out and have fun with my new friends. Almost everything is within walking distance of my house.

Overall, this has been an amazing life experience so far. If you ever get the opportunity to live abroad, take it.

What I have shared is just the surface of what I’ve experienced in this short time.

If you would like to see my travels in the Netherlands and the rest of Europe, follow me on Instagram @ thomas.metcalf22.

Top: The city of Rotterdam in the Netherlands. Left: A picture of the scenery of the Netherlands. Right: The city of Bruges in Belgium. Photos courtesy of Thomas Metcalf

Choir provides a chance to learn, grow, and bond with others

BY EMILY REYNOLDS ST A F F R E P O R T E R

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s registration for the 2017-18 school year looms, students are often torn about which electives to take. One option they might not think about is choir. Choir can be an exciting option for those who enjoy singing or who just want to perfect their skills. For example, students can learn different singing parts, like for girls, alto, which is the part for the lowest voices; soprano two, for middle range voices; and soprano one, for high range voices.

Freshman Emma Sorenson had

several reasons that she signed up for choir last year, and it has been a good experience. “I was in choir before, and I really wanted to join this year.

Singing has always been fun for me,” she said.

Also, singing is a family tradition for Sorenson. Her mom was involved in musicals, and her aunt has a degree in music. “When I was three, my aunt sent me a DVD of a musical, and I’ve been singing ever since,” she said.

Sorenson has really enjoyed her class this year. There are eight people, and they have become like a family.

She shared one of her best memories.

“Once I was playing ‘Say Something’ on the main piano, and everybody just joined in and started singing. There were a bunch of nice harmonies and it was a great bonding experience.”

Like Sorenson, choir might be a great fit for those who are musically inclined or even those who just want to be.

The 2016-2017 choir. Photo courtesy of Scott Wagnon.

FRIDAY, FEB. 24, 2017 The Tomatalk Kamiakin High School

The Polar Plunge:

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raising money for a cause worthwhile

By JACLYN GAZEWOOD

If you would like to comment, write a letter to the editor, or submit a guest article, contact us at:

ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR

T

he Polar Plunge is a fundraising effort organized by law enforcement agencies throughout the state to help raise money for the Washington Special Olympics.

Teams and individuals will raise money and gather together at the Columbia Park Trail in Kennewick to jump off the dock into the freezing Columbia River, then quickly run to the hot tubs to get warmed up again.

All the money raised will help cover the cost of the annual Special Olympics that takes place in Spring. The Polar Plunge has become a very popular event to partake in. Over 26 teams, ranging from three members all the way to 41 members, participated this year.

Teams often dress up in silly costumes for the costume contest, socialize and eat food. Over $41,000 out of the $65,000 goal has been raised.

The fundraiser will continue until March 10.

A few schools from the Tri- Cities created their own teams to raise money and jump into the cold water. Southridge High School, Kennewick High School, and Tri-Tech Skills Center were among some of the teams there.

Out of the three Kennewick schools that participated, Tri-Tech raised the most money.

Alex Lewinski, a senior from Kennewick High School, was the fourth highest solo fundraiser, and raised $1,412 for the Tri-Tech team which made their final total $1,873 and earned them the spot for the seventh highest donating team out of all 26 teams that participated at the event. Southridge followed closely behind,

Around theNEWS Campfire & FEATURE

The Tomatalk: Kamiakin High School, 600 North Arthur, Kennewick, WA, 99336, (509) 222-7015, email tomatalkstaff@ksd.org, or go online at www.tomatalk.com and comment there.

The competitors jumping into the water. Photo by Jaclyn Gazewood.

Staff: Adviser: Laurie Bender Editors-in-Chief: Madison Morgan and Taylor Hunzeker News Feature Editor: Taylor Hunzeker Sports Editor: Edgar Cazares In-Depth Editor: Madison Morgan Opinion Editor: Taylor Hunzeker Entertainment Editor: Jaclyn Gazewood Cover made by: Taylor Hunzeker

raising a total of $1,518.

Staff Reporters: Kennewick’s annual Polar Plunge is Edgar Cazares, Morgan Eckhardt, Kestra Engstrom, Jaclyn Gazewood, Taylor held typically the third Saturday of January Hunzeker, Tatum McElroy, Madison Morgan, Emily Reynolds, Reagan Santo, each year. There is a stand where people can Laney Torelli donate, and hot chocolate and coffee is given to spectators and participants alike. The gathMISSION STATEMENT: ering area boasts not only the hot tubs and The purpose of the Tomatalk is to inform, entertain, and further educate the trailers for the participants, but also warming students at Kamiakin High School and the surrounding community. towers for the spectators.

The event creates and fosters friendships PUBLICATION POLICY: Content is determined by the staff. Students are protected and bound by through the ability to laugh. It is fun to see the First Amendment of the Constitution of the United States and other people doing “that crazy jump into freezing protections and limitations afforded by the Constitution and the various water.” One can’t help but smile at the creativcourt decisions relative to student publications. The Tomatalk has been ity that these jumpers have to make others established as a forum for student expression and as a voice in the free and laugh, with their costumes, team spirit and open discussion of issues. The staff of the Tomatalk is expected to be profesindividual interviews. 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:

Tri- tech construction team before the The Polar Pludge began. Photo by Jaclyn Gazewood.

Tribal Talk

FRIDAY, FEB. 24, 2017 The Tomatalk • Kamiakin High School

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OPINION & EDITORIAL

AP vs. Running Start: Which is bet ter for students?

Pro: AP classes better educate students

By MADISON MORGAN EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

S

ince the early 1950s, students have had the choice to earn college credit in Advanced Placement (AP) classes. Due to legislation in the 1990s, the path to earning college credits was broadened. Running Start was introduced to students in Washington State through the state legislature’s “Choice Act”, according to a Dec. 8, 2015 article in the Wenatchee Apple Leaf.

AP teacher Kathy McGuinness, who has taught AP Language and Literature for 15 years at Kamiakin, feels that AP classes better prepare students for college compared to the Running Start program.

“I think AP classes are actually more rigorous than many of the CBC 101 classes. It’s a whole year, and CBC is only a quarter. It gives you a semester class, and you really need a lot more detail and depth. [An AP] teacher’s actually going to provide you with more help and more guidance than a college teacher would. But really the biggest reason I think is academic, because I do think that you get more rigor from the AP high school courses,” said McGuinness.

Joyce Donais, who has been teaching AP Literature for 12 years at Kamiakin, has personally seen the differences between students who take AP classes and students who take Running Start courses.

Ms. McGuinness’s 5th period Pre-AP English class. Photo by Ethan Berkey.

“Years ago, about six years ago, I had these twins, and their senior year [one twin] went to CBC and [the other twin] stayed here and took AP courses. And I asked [the first twin], kind of in the middle of it, ‘How are things going?’ I go, ‘What do you guys notice about the difference between the two?’ And [the twin] who went to CBC said that his was much easier. And his brother that stayed here at Kamiakin was much

more challenged,” Donais said.

AP has been available to students since 1952, and was adopted by the College Board years later. Initially beginning with 11 subjects, the program now offers students almost 40 AP courses. “[T]oo many kids rush into college.

There’s no reason to go to college when you’re 16. Stay on campus and have a high school experience, with the sports, with the dramas, with the

activities, rather than rushing off to school,” McGuinness said.

Students in the Running Start program become disillusioned with the college experience. In reality classes become harder and teachers become less caring. High school teachers educate to see students achieve.

Con: Running Start prepares students for the real world

By MORGAN ECKHARDT STAFF REPORTER

I

f you’re a junior or senior in high school and you know you can do more with your knowledge than just an “advanced” class, look into a program called Running Start. Running Start allows you to take classes on a college campus and earn college and high school credits, all tuition free.

These classes are not offered in high schools. What is even better is that your day starts around 8 a.m. and could end as early as 11 a.m.

Senior Bolton Dauenhauer likes the idea of attending college early. “Well, for starters, you’re actually on a real campus taking real college classes. It prepares you better for the real thing. There’s also a

lot more credits to be earned compared to taking AP classes,” he said.

If this sounds like a better plan for you, go to their website and sign up. Keep in mind taking college classes at the high school level isn’t for everyone.

They ask you to take attendance seriously and know your parents do not have access to information about your grade progress, since most students attending are over 18. This may be disastrous for students who are not self-starters and who have poor grades or attendance at their high schools.

“Students often underestimate the amount of work involved in college course,” the Running Start website said.

If you think you are mature enough and ready to

take college level classes and get ahead on college credits, Running Start is for you.

Running Start can give students a head start on their college credit, saving them and their parents money in the long run. “I think that it’s better because you are in a college environment, and you can graduate with your AA, and a lot of your AP credits don’t transfer,” junior Sasha Grieb said.

“It looks better for your future showing you took college classes in high school,” said senior Alex Weston, a student who attends the Running Start program.

FRIDAY, FEB. 24, 2017 The Tomatalk • Kamiakin High School

KaHS Editorial Board

Tribal Talk

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OPINION & EDITORIAL

Madison Morgan & Taylor Hunzeker Editors-in-Chief Edgar Cazares, Sports Jaclyn Gazewood, 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 students should be held accountable “If a student is involved in an oncampus car accident and it’s their fault, they should be held responsible.”

A

ccidents on the road have been a hazard to anyone who knows how to drive.

Some seem more inexperienced than others, such as teenagers who really only drive to and from school. A concern many have with this matter, especially parents, is that teenagers are very irresponsible when it comes to driving safely. Teenagers 18-yearsold and younger should have their licenses revoked until the age of 21 if they are involved in an on-school accident that was their fault.

It may not seem fair for the teenagers who need to drive to and from places, but they must learn how to be responsible when it comes to driving. In 2014, almost 2,270 teens from the ages of 16 to 19 passed away in car accidents in the U.S., and over 221,000 teens were injured in vehicle related accidents according to an article on cdc.gov. Statistics show that as many as 34,000 middle school and high school are injured in accidents occurring in school zones.

At Kamiakin there are frequently fender benders, and periodically, we hear about more serious

accidents.

One of the most unsafe places for an accident to take place is a school zone. It’s unacceptable for any accident to take place in a public area where it could affect and harm students. If the accident is a student’s fault, their license should be revoked until the age of 21.

Teenagers who are not responsible and get into an accident in a school zone or area should be punished by taking their license away for the damage they have done. Fender benders may happen to anyone, so this is not what we are speaking of. We are talking about anything more major than a fender bender, where injury could have occurred.

If it means better safety for the teenagers attempting to get an education, they should be protected from those who can cause harm. It would only be fair for those who have been involved in on-campus accidents to have their license revoked to keep their classmates safe, even if it takes away their mode of transportation.

Photo courtesy of barefootinclined.blogspot.com

Be Kind: the person next to you may be fighting a hard battle

BY IMOGEN SANTANO

A

GUEST REPORTER

s I walk around the hallways of our school, often I hear students taunting each other and giving each other a difficult time. I wonder: do we really know what others are going through? Shouldn’t we be kind? A popular saying is, “Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.” It’s true. If you look objectively at the facts, you have to realize that there are many people at our school who are suffering.

Over 50 percent of your fellow classmates are probably from a divorced home. Nearly 50 percent of your classmates are reporting being abused at home by a family member. Some students are languishing in the foster care system, and more than 25 percent of them will be homeless within two to four years of leaving the system.

Not only this, but up to 69 percent of teens say they have been raped by a boyfriend, a family member, or a stranger. Some don’t report it because they are scared to.

Some of you don’t know these things or choose to turn a blind eye to it.

You would rather assume that if someone is going through these things, they deserve it. You tell yourselves, “They are just different.” “They are a whore.”

You assume that someday, everything will work out. Those people will be okay and safe one day.

Instead of hurting the weak, make them stronger by being their friend and listening to their problems. Some of them are trying to give up while some of them are trying to fight a battle of sadness and hurt every day, faking a smile and laughing to act okay. Some of them are wanting help but they don’t know how to ask. Help them by trying to be a kind person. Leave your hurtful language at the gates and become a better person.

Chief Legends IN-DEPTH

FRIDAY, FEB. 24, 2017 The Tomatalk • Kamiakin High School

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Families: different, uni Rainsberry family discovers long lost twin

By MADISON MORGAN EDITOR IN CHIEF

T

he two little girls were crying and hugging. They had been reunited after so many years separated. For them, it meant gaining a missing link, and for their relatives, it meant expanding the family.

The Rainsberry family of Kennewick recently found out their adopted daughter Gracie has a twin. Her twin, Audrey, lives in Wisconsin. Gracie’s oldest brother, senior Kaleb Rainsberry, said that the two found each other after Audrey’s mother did some digging around into Audrey’s past.

“She was doing research for Audrey for a Christmas gift because Audrey’s into ancestry, and she contacted an agency that...find[s] families, like lost history, from the kids that they adopt.

The agency sent them a bunch of pictures and videos, and they opened up one of the pictures and there’s a picture of their foster mom with Gracie on one knee and Audrey on the other,” said Rainsberry.

After this revelation, he said, Audrey’s mother began looking for who had adopted Gracie. She eventually found them on Facebook.

The Rainsberry children with sister Audrey. Photo courtesy of Kaleb Rainsberry.

“She tried to contact my mom via Facebook message. But my mom has a private account, so my mom didn’t get the message. So then she started looking at people who had the last name Rainsberry, found my aunt,

and messaged her,” he said. “I had my mom’s old number, [because] my mom got a new number, so [my aunt] actually texted what she thought was my mom’s number. So she texted me and my dad, [and] she’s like, ‘Hey I think you need to look into this. I think Gracie has a twin.’ And so I got the text at like 10:30 at night, and I went back to bed because I was already half asleep and woke up the next morning and actually read it and talked to my parents about it.”

He mentions that the day they told Gracie was a rush, but also unforgettable.

“We told Gracie that night. We sat her down and showed her a couple of pictures and videos, and played with her a little bit. Like ‘Who do you think this is?’ [We] showed her a video and she eventually figured out that [was] her twin. Now they basically facetime every day. They’re talking constantly, on the phone, facetime, all the time,” he said.

The two officially met in person when they were on an episode of Good Morning America Jan. 11.

“They both cried during the first time they saw each other on facetime.

They cried a lot. It was more emotional when they met in person when we went to New York and they met on Good Morning America. It’s a part of our lives now, and it’s a normal-I mean it’s not normal-but it’s becoming normal. Audrey said on the TV show there’s a part of her that’s always been missing...and now it’s connected. It really is. As cliche as that is, it’s really real,” said Rainsberry.

While the two sisters have opened their hearts to one another, the two families have opened their arms to one another. The Rainsberry family has now gained some new members.

To see Gracie and Audrey meet live on Good Morning America, visit http://bit.ly/Rainsberry.

The Rainsberry family on their trip to New York to meet Gracie Rainsberry’s twin sister Audrey. Photo courtesy of Kaleb Rainsberry.

“

“[Gracie]’s herself now. She’s content, she’s happy now. Everything’s how it’s supposed to be.”

Senior Kaleb Rainsberry

”

The Rainsberry and Doering families on the set of Good Morning America. Photo courtesy of Kaleb Rainsberry.

FRIDAY, FEB. 24, 2017 The Tomatalk • Kamiakin High School

Chief Legends In Depth

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ique, and one of a kind School: a family tradition

By TATUM MCELROY STAFF REPORTER

Sometimes traditions tie family members together, even from different generations. They have a common tie that binds them, a way to begin conversations and relate. In the Kutschkau family, that common tradition happens to be Kamiakin High School.

Katrina Kutschkau, a math teacher here, is from a family of Braves. She has a wide variety of family members who are Kamiakin alumni, along with her son and nephew, who are currently attending.

“My older sister Heidi was the first to graduate from Kamiakin in ’88, and then myself [in ‘90], and then my sister Gretl graduated in ’91, and then

my sister Liesl graduated in ’94. Then my sister Heidi had three kids come through Kamiakin… and then my sister Gretl had [one child graduate, one child currently attending, and one child to attend in the future]. My kids are Landon… a sophomore and my daughter Madison, who will be here next year as a freshman,” said Kutschkau.

Kutschkau remembered the fun of being a student at Kamiakin, but now she gets to enjoy the experience of teaching at the school she graduated from. Her extensive ties to the school have made her feel like family to the Brave community.

Teacher Katrina Kutschkau with her extended family. Photo courtesy of Katrina Kutschkau.

Adopted family

“

“I’ve always known that I’m adopted. I was 8 [when I was adopted] and I came with my oldest older sister [from Ethiopia]. I know I’m adopted but it’s not something that’s bothered me or anything.”

Sophomore Eyerusalem Questad

Divorced family

“ ”

“The going back and forth doesn’t get any easier. You don’t know where you stand.

You feel like you have to pick a side.”

Sophomore Michelle White

Blended family

“

”

“I’ve had multiple different families in and out of my life for about ten years now.

I actually do like [having a blended family]...we get along well and the kids aren’t hard to deal with.”

Freshman Arianna Torres

”

Researching family provides information on roots

By ADRIENNE BAKER GUEST REPORTER

Family goes back much farther than the people who live in your house or you visit for holidays. Using the term lightly, your “family” goes back thousands of years.

I became interested in my family’s history after I found a book written by my great-grandmother’s nephew. It was a book written all about his family. My family.

I read this book over and over, finding new information every time. My great-grandmother’s parents came from a small village in northern Bavaria and immigrated shortly before the First World War, married on Ellis Island, and settled in Central Illinois,

where the rest of my mother’s family had been living for almost 100 years.

I knew that my history consisted of more than just that small section, however I never considered the amount of information that was still hiding. After spending months going through my father’s old research, I was able to fit together dates and locations to create my family’s story. The first surprising information I came across was that my great-grandmother’s family was the only side that came to America in the 1900s. The rest had arrived in the early 1600s to early 1700s.

Before I started my research, all I knew was that my family lived in Illinois. I began looking into my newfound German history and culture. I

thought I knew it all. I was German.

That was it, right? Well, no. After I began tracing the other lines back, I was opened up to a whole new world of history and culture.

My history is full of invaders and slaves, peasants and royalty, all the way from the northernmost points of Norway, to the Italian island of Sicily, from Portugal and Spain to western Siberia, from the Scottish Highlands all the way to Turkey, Syria, and Egypt, and from Central France to Saudi Arabia and even Afghanistan.

Through this research I learned about the world, its history and culture. For myself, the information was easy to find because it had already been gathered and sorted. However,

if you are interested in your family’s history, it might not be so easy. Starting simple will help. If you are able to, go to your parents and ask them what they know, then your aunts and uncles, then reach out to your grandparents. Write down everything. Do not miss a single detail. After you have finished wringing your family dry, go onto the Internet and do as much research as you can. There are special sites dedicated to help you, like ancestry.com. You may not be able to get as far as you want, but you’ll still learn a lot. Who knows? We might even be related.

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FRIDAY, FEB. 24, 2017 The Tomatalk • Kamiakin High School

FRIDAY, FEB. 24, 2017 The Tomatalk • Kamiakin High School

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Tribal Games SPORTS

Winter Sports Round-Up Gymnastics

Cheer

Boys Basketball

Cheer took fifth place at the Gymnastics went on to compete in their fourth consecutive state state cheerleading tournament with zero deductions for their match. They took second place routine. at state.

“We ended up placing second at the competition…at Hanford and qualifi[ed] at state. And then we went and scored fifth at state. I’m really proud of all the 2/16/17 at home vs. Mt. Spohard work that we’ve put in bekane High School. Win 68-62. cause it’s been a long time since Girls become 3A Sub-Regional we’ve got to go to state,” said champions. junior Myanna Moody.

Girls Basketball

2/16/17 at home vs. Shadle Park High School. Win 55-49. Boys become 3A Regional champions.

Dance “This season [is] going really well. We’ve got two really good routines. We’re really happy with our choreographers this year. We have done pretty well at our competitions so far. We’re working on improving further. We’re trying to make it to state.

We’ve already qualified for districts,” said junior Ashley Blake.

Senior gained life lessons from wrestling

By EDGAR CAZARES SPORTS EDITOR

F

or the past few years, the school has been graced with a winning wrestling team thanks to great players and a skilled coach. Senior Liam Walker has been one of many to come through and compete in one of the toughest sports Kamiakin has to offer.

“My family, they all have been supportive and helped me through the

hard times of my wrestling journey,” said Walker.

Walker has been wrestling since the age of four and has a younger brother wrestling with him this year, sophomore Luke Walker. When asked what experiences he’s had during his time wrestling, he siad he’s been through an intense 28 day camp. After he went through the 28 days of vicious workouts and practices, he was rewarded with an “I did it” shirt.

Liam Walker preparing for his first wrestling tournament. Photo by Madison Morgan.

“Hard work pays off, and I gave up half my summer to get better,” Walker said.

Walker’s biggest problem was to overcome the obstacles in his way to get better at what he does and to not give up on himself.

He believes he always has more in the tank than he thinks he does. When he has a challenge right in front of him, Walker will always take it head on no matter what.

“You hardly will ever see me back down from a challenge,” said Walker.

Senior Liam Walker hugging coach Jordan Anderson after winning fifth at Walker carried state. Photo courtesy of Liam Walker. that attitude to state last weekend where he along Even if he doesn’t, he plans to walk on with the other wrestlers received third as a freshman. After he graduates, he in State. He individually won fifth plans to attend a four year college and place. major in elementary education, veteriWalker has not decided what he’ll nary medicine, or study wildlife. do in college quite yet, but he plans to wrestle if granted a scholarship.

Tribal Reviews ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

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FRIDAY, FEB. 24, 2017 The Tomatalk • Kamiakin High School

‘A Dog’s Purpose’: reincarnation meets a dog’s world

By TAYLOR HUNZEKER

T

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

he film ‘A Dogs Purpose’ is what dog lovers wanted. It is based off the book written by W. Bruce Cameron which spent 52 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list. It officially came into theaters on Jan. 27 by Universal Pictures.

This story follows a dog through his different reincarnated lives from birth until death. It begins with a puppy named Bailey, who is voiced

by Josh Gad. Bailey is rescued by young boy named Ethan and his mother who automatically fall in love with the small pup and adopt him as their own. Bailey grows up as Ethan’s closest friend, and the audience gets to see the typical teenage drama as Ethan grows up.

From girl crushes to the determination of earning a football scholarship, things look good for Ethan and Bai-

ley, but that all changes when life turns dark. Ethan’s father, driven by anger and alcohol, hurts Ethan’s mother and is later thrown out of the house.

A boy Ethan’s age plays a joke of throwing firecrackers into Ethan’s home, resulting in a house fire. Bailey gets into action and helps his family of humans escape safely from the house fire, but Ethan is hurt with a severe fractured leg which ends his football career, throwing him into a whirlwind of self-pity and sadness. Bailey soon is put down from old age.

However, Bailey’s life isn’t over yet, for he is reborn as a female German Shepherd named Ellie. The German Shepherd is trained as a police K-9 dog and is partnered with an officer named Carlos. After an accident resulting in Bailey dying from bullet wounds, he is reincarnated as a Corgi named Tino who is taken care of by a young African-American college student, Maya,

who is lost in love. With Bailey’s help, he helps Maya find true love and stays with her throughout the rest of his life with her new growing family.

Bailey is reincarnated again but is taken in by a poor abusive family who lives in a trailer. He soon escapes the abusive home and finds himself at a very familiar country house with a much older Ethan. After showing Ethan an old trick, Ethan realizes that this new dog is his old pal Bailey.

With that happy note, the movie ends. With an average rating, the movie is shown only half the love it deserves.

In the beautiful world of a dog’s life, any owner can appreciate this spectacular film and can only think about what their animals have been through and what is in store for them. This movie is full of love and will put a happy feeling in your heart.

Photo courtesy of movienewsplus.com

‘Fangirl’: awkward and relatable

By KESTRA ENGSTROM

T

STAFF REPORTER

he book ‘Fangirl’ follows the story of Cath, a socially awkward college girl living on her own for the first time. Since Cath was little, she’s never been truly alone. She’s always had her twin sister Wren by her side.

She’s also always had Simon Snow by her side--the main character in a series of books with a serious cult following.

To Cath and Wren, Simon Snow wasn’t just a book character. He was their whole life.

While Wren outgrows being

Photo courtesy of goodreads.com.

a full-time fangirl, Cath stays put right where she’s comfortable: on the fan forums, fan sites, and everything imaginable related to Simon Snow.

As their interests split, the sisters grow apart, to the point where Wren tells Cath that she doesn’t want to be roommates when they go to college.

Without her sister next to her, Cath has to learn to make a life for herself all on her own. She’s all alone in the world now and she’ll stay that way because she’d rather feel comfort and familiarity with little pieces of her old life than

go out and make one new friend.

Rainbow Rowell’s writing style is eloquent, yet comprehensible. Her characters are realistic, relatable, and complex. ‘Fangirl’ caters to the geek in all of us, and at the same time tells a coming-ofage story about family, love, friendship, and sisterhood.

Overall, ‘Fangirl’ is a beautiful story that can connect to anyone who holds a personality that loves fanning over characters and plot twists. A fantastic book that needs to be read.

FRIDAY, FEB. 24, 2017 The Tomatalk • Kamiakin High School

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FRIDAY, FEB. 24, 2017 The Tomatalk • Kamiakin High School

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