The student body has been being kept running through the help of the Associated Student Body (ASB), and the leadership organizations in this school for quite some time. They are two important elements to keeping the school afl oat.

“Our ASB runs the budget of the school and the decisions as far as what clubs we offer and how our money is spent,” Jamie Mooring, adviser for ASB and leadership, said. “There is also leadership. We run homecoming, pep assemblies, the dances, Winter Wishes, anything that has to do with renaissance.”

ASB is a group of students who work to best use the student body’s money to benefi t the school. The executive boards, or ASB offi cers, are Tony Bostwick, president; Marissa Fraser, vice president; Megan Gimmestad, secretary and Bret Bertrand, treasurer.

“ASB is the face of the school, so we do all the community work,” Fraser said. “Once every two weeks, we go into the offi ce and have a meeting. So for any organization or club that wants more than $500, we have to sit down and talk about it and decide to pass it or not.”

According to Bostwick, the four ASB offi cers get together at their meetings and clubs and organizations bring papers in asking for money. The offi cers then decide to pass it or not based on how necessary they see it.

ASB is allotted an amount of money from downtown based on the school population and how much was used last year and what they think the school’s needs are. They then distribute it amongst the clubs and organizations within the school, according to Mooring.

“We just decide how to spend the money to better the student body. We are here to help the student body, not hurt it,” Bostwick said.

The other side of the coin is leadership. While ASB runs the budget of the school, leadership runs all of the events. They are the ones that put on our dances and assemblies, as well as whatever other events they decide to put on for the student body.

“As we come to these events, we are coming together as a family,” Bostwick said

Leadership puts on numerous events throughout the year, but homecoming and Winter Wishes are some of the bigger events they do, which they are working on now.

“Homecoming is going to be amazing; the theme is New York State of Mind. It’s all New York-themed. We know what the dance is going to be like; we know what

the pep assembly is going to be like. We are really excited,” Fraser said.

Homecoming takes a long time to put together, according to Fraser. Leadership meets in the summer and works to pin down a theme. They then need to get a DJ, decorations, organize spirit week and homecoming royalty, as well as the fi nancial side of it that ASB deals with.

“Puyallup High School has one of the biggest homecomings in the state. The production of it is so big that we have to be able to carry that theme from start to fi nish, with the spirit week and the royalty and the decorations; it has to be able to fl ow with the whole theme,” said Mooring

There is also Winter Wishes. Everybody gets to write down a wish that they have for themselves or others, and leadership asks local businesses to help by donating what the people ask for. According to Fraser, last year they gave away anything from a cupcake to a guitar.

“I’m in charge of Winter Wishes this year,” Fraser said. “The theme is Bigger and Better, so we want it to be bigger and better than last year.”

Winter Wishes is going to be in December, but the wish sheets will be passed out earlier so leadership has time to talk to businesses.

Read about the anatomy of a VikingVANGUARD

T H E V I K I N G

V O L U M E 9 9 | I S S U E O N E | O C T O B E R 1 , 2 0 1 0 | P U Y A L L U P H I G H S C H O O L | 1 0 5 7 T H S T . S W P U Y A L L U P W A S H , 9 8 3 7 1

A L I M I T E D F O R U M F O R S T U D E N T E X P R E S S I O N

See page 16

NEWSY O U C A N U S E

COLLEGES VISITING Pepperdine University will be visiting Mon., Oct. 18 during fi rst lunch. Corban University will be at fi rst lunch Oct. 25. Trinity Western University will be here Oct. 28 throughout fi rst lunch and second lunch.

HOMECOMING The 2010 homecoming dance is scheduled to place in the PHS commons on Oct. 16. It starts at 8 p.m., and the theme is ‘New York State of Mind’. Purchase your tickets from the bookkeeper.

PSAT TESTING Need some practice for the SAT? No worries! The PSAT will be on Wed., Oct. 13. Testing starts at 8 a.m. However, be there at 7 a.m. to prepare. Don’t forget to register!

FALL MUSIC Oct. 14 and Oct. 20 you can enjoy the smooth tunes of the PHS Jazz Bands, Valkyries, Chamber Orchestra, Concert Choir and many more in the auditorium at 7 p.m.

NO SCHOOL You heard it, the two words that students everywhere love to hear! Oct. 7 and Oct. 8 there will be no school due to Teacher Learning Day and State in Service Day.

S E E P A G E T W O F O R C H A N G E S T O L U N C H | T U R N T O P A G E S I X T O R E A D S O P H O M O R E S U R V I V A L G U I D E

B Y C H R I S U T T E R B A C K

A S S T - S P O R T S E D I T O R

ASB OFFICERS DISPERSE FUNDS

ASB General- $1,000Assemblies-$5,500Daffodil-$1,250Elections-$700Promotional supplies-$1,800ASB training- $12,800Student Planners-$3,600Interhigh-$1,000Entertainment-$4,000School Pride Supplies-$1,250General Athletics- $20,000Dance Team-$350Baseball-$1,000Boys/Girls Basketball-$1,000 eachCrosscountry-$600Football-$5,000Boys/Girls Golf- $550 eachGymnastics-$350

Boys/Girls Soccer-$600 eachFastpitch-$1,000Refeeres-$30,000Boys/Girls Swim-$350 eachBoys/Girls Tennis-$525 eachBoys/Girls Track-$1,000 eachAthletic Transportation- $50,000Volleyball- $500Boys/Girls Water Polo- $400 eachWrestling- $1,000Bowling-$350Sophomore Class- $500Band- $2,000Viking Knights- $100Viking Ladies- $100ASL Club- $50Chess Club- $50Choir-$2,000

Culinary Arts-$100Bistro-$100Asian Culture Club-$100Debate-$3,000Step and Krump-$100French Club-$75Club Impact-$100FFA-$150FCCLA-$100Honors Society-$500Jive-$200Key Club- $50Olympian Club-$1,000Orchestra- $1,000Robotics-$250Newspaper-$1,200Cheer-$3,000

ASB DISTRIBUTION OF FUNDS FOR THE 2010/2011 YEAR A N A D U E N A S A N D J O S E P H B R E T H O U R | V A N G U A R D

M A R S H A P O S T | B O O K K E E P E R

I N T E R E S T E D I N A D V E R T I S I N G W I T H T H E V I K I N G V A N G U A R D ? C O N T A C T U S T H R O U G H T H E S C H O O L

NEWSP A G E T W O | T H E V I K I N G V A N G U A R D | P U Y A L L U P H I G H S C H O O L | I S S U E O N E | O C T O B E R 1 , 2 0 1 0

IN MEMORIAM: LOUIE HERTEL

On his last day of work he was working on a piece of irrigation and was heading to a different section of the farm on a Yamaha Rhino when he hit a tire rut. Hitting the rut fl ipped the Rhino and trapping him underneath.

“We’re not really sure the exact details following that except that somehow he got pinned under the Rhino and couldn’t lift it off of himself; it’s possible that he was injured by the time that happened,” Mikaela Hertel said. “He got off a short phone call to 911, but not long enough for them to GPS locate him. The police had to comb through the large fi elds to fi nd him, by which time it was too late.”

Mikaela Hertel defi ned him as a good person.

“He found value in other people, in working for others when they needed help, without consideration to whether or not he would be paid; he found his payment in the smile of someone else,” Mikaela Hertel said.

Louie enjoyed hunting and fi shing. “Louie was one of a dying breed. He was always a

‘country boy’ as he liked to call himself, at heart. I don’t know anyone else quite like him and will miss him more than imaginable,” Mikaela Hertel said.

Funeral and gravesite services took place in Verboort, Oregon—a small community 20 miles west of Portland—Aug. 26, according to Mary Hertel.

A memorial service was held Sept.1, at All Saints Catholic Church in Puyallup. Letters from his sisters were

read at both services“I was told that the

memorial in Puyallup was like Easter in the way that there were no seats left 20 minutes before it even started,” Mikaela Hertel said. “My favorite part of the memorial was that they had so many altar servers volunteer wanting to help at the service that they had a procession of servers with candles at the beginning.”

Louie Hertel will be greatly missed by all close to him, according to Mikaela Hertel.

“He loved life, always had a smile on his face and died doing what he loved to do,” Mary Hertel said.

B Y S A M B A B B I T T

E D I T O R - I N - C H I E F

Lunches change

Day after day, the students return to the cafeteria to eat lunch and socialize, but with a change.

Now, instead of having three 30-minute lunches, there are only two.

“A lot more people are at each lunch,” ASB President Tony Bostwick said. “It is just more crowded.”

Along with the lunches being much more crowded, it takes longer to receive your food than in previous years.

“It takes too long to get through the snack lines,” Eric Hogan, Assistant Principal, said. “But there is yet to be a day where a kid didn’t get their food paid for in under 10 minutes.”

Although the crowded lunches are a downside, issues with the fourth period class have been resolved.

“Each 4th period class was fi ve minutes shorter than the others,” Hogan said. “We have dramatically increased the time in class.”

When three lunches were still being used, the students with 2nd lunch had a 50-minute 4th period class; whereas the students with 1st or 3rd lunch had a 55-minute 4th period class. Now with only two lunches, all students have a 55-minutes 4th period class.

Now that everyone has a 55 minute 4th period, the students have more time to learn.

“The students are retaining the information from a full class period,” Bostwick said.

Even though there are some issues with overcrowding, they are getting worked out.

“It is still in the trial stage,” Security Offi cer Jim Jenkins said. “It looks more congested than it actually is.”

Both Jenkins and Hogan oversee both lunches and notice good things, bad things and some of the differences between now and the past years with three lunches.

“We are focusing on what is best for education,” Hogan said. “Overall the pros outweigh the cons.”

B Y T O N Y S E R N A

R E P O R T E R

Steps have been made to reduce class sizes, according to Principal Jason Smith.

Students may have to wait to see dramatic decreases in class sizes.

“We actually received more staffi ng from our district offi ce, so we have actually decreased the class sizes. We have ‘bought out’ teachers, or in other words, we pay the teachers more to work during what would be their planning period,” Smith said.

An increase in class sizes occured two years ago to accommodate for an economic recession and a shortfall in the state budget and class sizes were raised.

Assistant Principal Eric Hogan explained that class sizes were not likely to decrease any further in the near future.

The school district relies on funds from state and federal taxpayers. How much money the taxpayers on a local, state and federal level are willing to pay for education is a contributing factor to a district’s fund.

The Board of Education is responsible for

how much each school receives, according to counselor Lesley Baczuk.

The determining factor will be the economy, which has affected all of the taxpayers who fund the Puyallup School District.

“Taxpayers clearly understand their obligation to fund [the students] education,” Puyallup School District Superintendent, Dr. Tony Apostle said.

It is up to the state legislature to determine how much fi nancing the school district will receive from the states tax revenue, according to Apostle.

“I have been a co-sponsor of the most signifi cant education reform bill in 30 years, which includes a plan to increase funding of our classes which in return would create an expectation of smaller class sizes,” State Senator Bruce Dammeier said.

This bill was made law in April 2009. “Part of that bill included a change in the

way we fund schools, the funding include class sizes,” said Dammeier.

The district received around $7 million from grants, title one, special education

and the stimulus bill of 2009, according to Apostle.

Student enrollment has to be taken into consideration when predicting class sizes, causing predictions to become more diffi cult.

“Predicting enrollment isn’t an exact science,” Apostle said.

The more enrollments the school gets, the more diffi cult it is to provide smaller class sizes, unless more funding is given to the school district to accommodate an enrollment increase, according to Apostle.

Some people wonder why class sizes are important.

“I think that when class sizes are too big, it’s hard for the teacher to reach everybody and it’s hard for the student to get individual attention. When class sizes get to be too big the students just become a number [rather than] a person,” senior Lauren Erickson said. “When you have bigger class sizes it is harder to pay attention because people have been more prone to talk to each other.”

“The Tennessee’s Student/Teacher Achievement Ratio” study was conducted in the late 1980s to determine if class sizes had an effect on student achievement.

In this four-year study, conducted by the Tennessee State Department of Education, students in classes of 13 -17 students saw notably better academic results when compared to students in classes of 22 -26 students.

So how are students of public schools able to compete with students of private education programs who offer smaller class sizes?

“The teacher determines the quality of education,” Apostle said. “if we were to compare any teacher in our school district head to head with any private school teacher, I believe that our teachers would stand out as better teachers.”

B Y S T E P H E N H A M M E N

R E P O R T E R

Class sizes expected to shrink

“ T A X P A Y E R S C L E A R L Y

U N D E R S T A N D T H E I R

O B L I G A T I O N T O F U N D

E D U C A T I O N . ”

T O N Y A P O S T L ES U P E R I N T E N D E N T

Junior Louie Hertel passed away Aug. 21 in an ATV accident in Oregon.

Louie Hertel is survived by his father, Ron; mother, Mary; sisters, Briana, Abby and Mikaela. According to his mother, Mary Hertel, Louie Hertel traveled to Oregon to work on his cousin’s blueberry farm after school ended last June.

Downsizing lunches creates more class time, but provides less seating for students.

Starting the year with larger class sizes, students can look forward to a decrease in class sizes in the future. Adjustments have been made to increase funds coming into the district to realign the budget in order to decrease class sizes.

Representing a consistent district, all high schools are working with a passing 60 percent this year.

PHS was asked to be consistent with

our sisters’ in the grading scale, according

to Principal Jason Smith.“We need to be consistent with our

schools as a district. [Staff members have had] conversations at the district level, [PHS] is just jumping on board,” Smith said.

Miscommunications led to a misunderstanding among teachers, according to senior Social Studies teacher Tony Batinovich.

“Five years ago the district said everyone had to [operate under the same grading standards]. [The teachers] thought everyone [used] 64 percent [scale]. No one really knew [the district] changed it,” Batinovich said.

A change in percent sparks different opinions on what grades represent.

“Grades represent a way to assess the students and measure achievement,” Smith said.

With the perspective of working closely with students, Batinovich adds more to Smith’s perspective.

“[Grades] represent a degree of learning. I don’t know if grades represent intelligence,” Batinovich said.

Having worked as a teacher and now a member of administration, Assistant Principal Eric Hogan sees grades as

potential. “I think that grades should represent

what a student should know and what they can do,” Hogan said. “Do I believe that’s always the case? No.”

With a change in policy, Smith still believes there won’t be an affect on the students.

“I don’t have a problem with it. Students are going to be earning the same grade and teacher expectations will still be high,” Smith said. “Just because you change the grade does not mean you lower the standards.”

Batinovich voices his opinion on the common standard.

“I feel [the passing grade] is a little low. It’s like bending the standards to help them graduate,” Batinovich said. “As long as it’s equitable it’s as fair as can be. I just don’t know if that’s always happening.”

It’s not the policy, it’s what we do as educators and what young people do as students, according to Smith.

“Grades are only motivators if you are motivated by grades and we have to allow for those differences,” Chief Academic Offi cer Casey Cox said.

The old grading policies in the district were cause for inequitable standards.

“[The inequitable system is] not fair to students; it’s not fair to students who move into the district,” Cox said.

As the year continues, Hogan believes student’s work won’t change.

“I don’t think it will [affect the student’s work ethic]. Most kids fail well below 60 percent,” Hogan said.

Pass or fail, learning or working, Batinovich wonders if PHS is preparing students for the future ahead of them.

“Are we preparing them for what’s next if we keep lowering the standards

and creating alternatives to get credit?” Batinovich said. “What kind of citizen do you want: one that is educated or one that graduated?”

It’s a partnership with students and staff as PHS prepares students for life after high school, according to Smith.

“I think we’re doing a good job preparing students,” Smith said. “Students need to take initiative with what [educators] are offering.”

Work ethic follows the success of a person in the future.

“If it was a business, would we be happy if people only did things 60 percent of the time?” Batinovich said.

Students are more focused on getting credit to graduate and less on learning, according to Batinovich.

“Too large [a number] of our struggling students focus on points,” Hogan said.

Helping those struggling, Hogan offers advice to students to help them move forward to success.

“ M y n u m b e r one piece of advice to students is change your goal from getting more points to learning the m a t e r i a l , ” Hogan said.

Earning a diploma by the time of graduation, each student

puts in different amounts of effort. “Getting 55 percent [for one student]

and getting 85 percent [for another], [their] diplomas look the same,” Batinovich said.

Making the grade higher isn’t the key battle, though it is an issue to look at, according to Hogan.

“The teacher can still raise the rigor in the classroom,” Hogan said.

With the change in

grading, Batinovich wonders if it will affect the numbers of failing students.

“Over time it’d be [interesting] to see how many [students] get credit

under the 64 percent [compared to] how many get credit under the 60 percent and see if we have the same amount of [unsuccessful] kids,” Batinovich said.

The district is currently in review process of grading practices in grades 7-12, according to Strategic Direction 1.1.3.

Concerns with transportation regarding safety of bus stops may hit closer to Puyallup High School than suspected.

Cathy McDaniel, District Transportation Director, approximates that 1,500 high school students are reliant on district-provided transportation.

However, with $13.5 million in state-wide budget cuts, bus stops within a one-mile radius of schools have been removed, perhaps cutting bus stops of students at high schools who live in close vicinity.

“The State of Washington will not reimburse the district for transportation costs within a one-mile walking radius,” McDaniel said. “This budget reduction was one of many reductions made throughout the district to balance our budget,” McDaniel said.

Rudy Fyles, Executive Director of Education Support and Operations, said that transportation cuts are dependent on the budget.

“It has to do with how our funds are essentially from the state,” Fyles said. “The bottom line is that the state makes rules about what they will and will not pay for for transportation.”

According to Fyles, the budget cuts are problematic to the growth and development of the district.

“The problem is, the budget keeps shrinking,” Fyles said. “That puts everybody in a pressure cooker.”

Concerns about bus stop locations in relation to the homes of sex offenders are addressed in the placement of stops.

“Keeping our students safe is of the utmost importance to the District. We do take steps to review and adjust, if necessary, bus stop locations when a registered sex offender is identifi ed in the neighborhood,” McDaniel said. “The intent is to put as much distance between the registered sex offender and student bus stops as possible while still keeping the bus stop at a reasonable location within the neighborhood.”

Currently, routes are generated, records kept, and general transportation tasks are performed manually by pen and paper. This leaves room for error, according to Fyles.

“Right now when you do a route, we get a list of kids and they go to a map and try to fi gure out where the kid lives,” Fyles said. “When you move 9,000 kids a day, it gets hard to keep it in your head.”

The newly appointed Safety Advisory Board, comprised of community members, looks at the safety of bus stops.

Junior Devin Hill has been riding the school bus daily since elementary school. He expressed questions about the safety of stop locations, especially for elementary students.

“Some bus stops are safe,” Hill said. “[Some] should be closer to the house so kids’ parents can see them.”

Hill admitted that he has no relationship with the driver of the bus he rides twice a day. Hill commented that he doesn’t even know her name. Most bus drivers actually have little control over the students, saying that foul language and bad behavior are habitual for most buses, according to Hill.

“Sometimes, the bus drivers don’t pay attention to what the kids are really doing,” Hill said.

A concern for lack of school bus discipline was also expressed by Fyles, who expressed that the school district is looking into a new program which will be capable of making automated bus routes as well as placing video equipment in buses.

Although it may sound like invasion of privacy, it will provide opportunities for bus drivers to view what kind of discipline is effective and in what areas they need to work for improvement, according to Fyles. He believes that improvement of the bus ride will make a positive impact on students.

“Whatever happens on the bus can fl avor your day,” Fyles said. “In my opinion, it can have the impact of a classroom, only it’s on four wheels.”

NEWST H E V I K I N G V A N G U A R D | P U Y A L L U P H I G H S C H O O L | I S S U E O N E | O C T O B E R 1 , 2 0 1 0 | P A G E T H R E E

District enforces common grading standards

B Y A N N A W U L F E K U H L E

C I R C U L A T I O N

B Y B R I T T A N I C U R L E Y

N E W S E D I T O R

1,500

high school

students

State budget cuts call for a re-adjustment in district transportation spending, resulting in a change for 1,500 high school students reliant on district transportation.

“ T H E B U D G E T K E E P S S H R I N K I N G .

T H A T P U T S E V E R Y O N E I N

A P R E S S U R E C O O K E R . ”

R U D Y F L Y E S D I S T R I C T O F F I C I A L

$13.5

million bud-

get cuts

9,000

kids a day1mile

radius

BUS STOPS CHANGE

“ I T ’ S L I K E B E N D I N G T H E

S T A N D A R D S T O H E L P T H E M

G R A D U A T E . ”

T O N Y B A T I N O V I C HT E A C H E R

“ I T H I N K S T U D E N T S

N E E D T O T A K E I N I T I A T I V E W I T H W H A T

[ E D U C A T O R S ] A R E O F F E R I N G . ”

J A S O N S M I T HP R I N C I P A L

A L O R A C A U D I L L | V A N G U A R D

VANGUARDT H E V I K I N G

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E D I T O R I A L P O L I C Y :

The Viking Vanguard operates as a limited forum.

The Viking Vanguard’s duty is to expand student perspec-tives, maintain community relations and act as a student publication advocating voice. Besides providing an oppor-tunity for the exchange of viewpoints, The Viking Vanguard serves as an academic tool by which students can voice opin-ions as well as highlight issues facing today’s students.

L E T T E R P O L I C Y :

The Viking Vanguard accepts unsolicited copy from busi-nesses. Only signed and dated letters with addresses and phone numbers from community members, or grade level from students will be accepted. Letters must be limited to 350 words and will be published as space is available. The staff re-serves the right to edit any letter without changing its content. All letters are the sole opinion of the writer and do not nec-essarily represent the opinion of The Viking Vanguard staff. Letters to the Editor may be submitted by E-Mailing them to thevikingvanguard@gmail.com, or mailing them to The Vi-king Vanguard c/o Puyallup High School.

A D V E R T I S I N G P O L I C Y :

The Viking Vanguard publication staff accepts advertise-ments for most products available to the public. However, the staff reserves the right to reject, edit or cancel any ad-vertisement at anytime. Advertisements shall be free of im-plications that the staff deems offensive in light of normal public standards (WIAA 18.20.0 and 18.20.1). Ads violating this policy will not be accepted. The staff will not accept ad-vertising for products or groups which are racist, sexist or illegal for high school students. Advertisements do not nec-essarily refl ect the views, endorsements and/or positions of The Viking Vanguard, student body, faculty, administration or school board.

C O R R E C T I O N S :

The Viking Vanguard staff values accuracy, and wishes to correct mistakes made in previous issues. If you believe we have made an error, please contact us at: thevikingvan-guard@gmail.com.

Editorial Cartoon

1.) Cover necessary and pertinent stories to you, while offering different interpretations/ perspectives. The Viking Vanguard aims to cover the stories you want/need to read about. We strive to publish sound and balanced information that includes both perspectives on controversial subject matter. There are several topics covered every year by Vanguard, but we aspire to offer you different interpretations on various topics covered every year.

A.) Societal issues (i.e. being a minority, inequitable socio-economic statuses among teens and the impact of everyday language)

B.) Post-high school planning (i.e. college information/preparation, military information and job opportunities).

C.) A variety of school activities (i.e. Asian Culture Club, Gay/Straight Alliance and Art Club)

2.) Uphold professional journalistic standards.

The Viking Vanguard staff operates under standards in accordance with the Society of Professional Journalist’s Code of Ethics. We require three interviews minimum (one with an authority fi gure), fact checks, quote

verifi cation for each story, etc. If we receive knowledge of a staff member acting in an unethical way we will act swiftly to reprimand them or remove them from staff. We hold ourselves to the highest of journalistic standards to ensure the information you read is exact and legitimate.

3.) Be an outlet for your views. We work to ensure your views/beliefs,

as long as they are sound and ethical; can be heard through our forum. We

encourage letters to the editor, guest columnists and basic feedback. We intend to incorporate you and your views in some way in every issue of the Vanguard this year. Whether it is through a student poll or a Sport Fan of the Month, you will be an integral component of this publication year round.

Staff Establishes Editorial Goals

HEY!

HEY YOU! YES YOU!

LOOK TO THE RIGHT!

DO YOU WANT TO SEE YOUR NAME IN THE

PAPER?

WRITE A LETTER TO THE EDITOR AND

DROP IT OFF IN RM. 313 OR IN MRS.

COYER’S BOX.

“ W E H O L D O U R S E L V E S T O T H E H I G H E S T

O F J O U R N A L I S T I C S T A N D A R D S T O E N S U R E T H E I N F O R M A T I O N Y O U

R E A D I S E X A C T A N D L E G I T I M A T E . ”

O U R V I E W

Although I am almost 18 years old and a senior in high school, I knew I was going to be one of the fi rst in line to see “Toy Story 3” at the midnight premier.

The fi rst two Toy Story movies had been staples of my childhood.

I use to watch them over and over on my VCR player while making cookies in my EZ Bake Oven or braiding my American Girl doll’s hair.

There was no way I could miss fi nding out what happened to Woody, Buzz, Jessie and the rest of the crew.

Luckily, many of my friends felt the same way, so we took over an entire row in the movie the-ater and settled in with overpriced candy and popcorn to watch the fi nale of our childhood.

When the lights dimmed and Randy Newman began crooning “You’ve Got a Friend in Me,” we all be-came completely immersed in the fi nal saga of Andy and his toys.

We all laughed out loud. Later we all tried to hold back our tears, but failed. Then we laughed that Toy Story had

made us cry. But I think we were all sur-prised at how much we were affected by an animated Pixar movie.

It is because even though we are all ex-cited and eager to grow up and create a life for ourselves, we can also identity with the nostalgia and the sadness all of the toys face about their owner, Andy, grow-ing up, moving off to college and leaving his childhood behind.

As hard as the toys try to get Andy’s at-tention, he has moved on and doesn’t have the time or de-sire to play with them anymore.

The reason the Toy Story movies have been so mem-orable for our generation is not because of the detailed

animation, creative storylines or the clever dia-logue.

It is because we realize that the toys represent a little part of us that may have become hidden through junior high and high school.

It’s the part of us that misses the innocent and carefree days of our childhood more than any-thing.

It is the part of us that is terrifi ed of leaving our parents and starting our own lives.

It is the part of us that doesn’t want to worry about responsibility or the future and would rather make a giant pillow fort and pretend we are in the imaginary land of being a little kid

again.It is the part of us that could be going to parties or out

on dates on a Friday night, but would secretly be content with watching an animated movie with all our friends.

Basically it is the part of us that knows we have to grow up, but isn’t quite sure if we want to.

Toy Story reminds me that I should be a little scared of what is ahead, and not just about the obstacles I might face, but the chance that I could forget who I use to be.

So as I fi nish my senior year and get excited to get out of high school and start my “real” life, I’m going to remember that part of me that cried when Andy gave his toys away.

I’ve had an amazing childhood and that little part of me knows letting it go will be hard, but forgetting is not an option.

Childhood memories ignite nostalgia

E . E N G L U N DR E P O R T E R

“ T O Y S T O R Y R E M I N D S M E T H A T I S H O U L D B E A

L I T T L E S C A R E D O F W H A T I S A H E A D , A N D N O T J U S T

A B O U T T H E O B S T A C L E S I M I G H T F A C E , B U T T H E C H A N C E T H A T I C O U L D

F O R G E T W H O I U S E T O B E . ”

E M M A E N G L U N DR E P O R T E R

Be a superhero for the earth!

Please, do your part and recycle The Viking

Vanguard.

OPINIONP A G E F O U R | P U Y A L L U P H I G H S C H O O L | I S S U E O N E | O C T O B E R 1 , 2 0 1 0 | T H E V I K I N G V A N G U A R D

People in our parent’s generation often say it is the duty of our generation to pro-vide a world for our children that is better than the world that we lived in.

I fi nd a bit of irony in that statement, at least a little, maybe more.

Let me take you on a journey, through the days of our parent’s genera-tion.

We go back to the night of July 15, 1979. Your parents were prob-ably watching President Jimmy Carter address the nation on television. His message was not a message of hope, but a warning. He warned our parents that a life-style of consuming would lead to the collapse of society.

“Too many of us now tend to worship self-indulgence and con-sumption. Human identity is no longer defi ned by what one does, but by what one owns,” Carter said.

Carter’s warning was strong, but our parent’s generation didn’t take it to heart. So instead of heeding Carter’s warning our parents decided to throw him out of offi ce. They decided to elect Ronald Reagan to offi ce. Reagan was adored by our parent’s

generation. They liked him so much that they re-elected him. Our parents loved Reagan. They loved the fact that there were people making millions. They assumed that they would become wealthy at some point in their lives, just like a man at the blackjack table betting his car keys and

saying, “just give me one more shot, I got this!”

So, our parent’s generation thought it would be a great idea to slash the tax-rate for the wealthy by more than half.

The results of this were far from good.

Under Reagan, millions of peo-ple lost their jobs, bankruptcies went up 610 percent. The federal defi cit rose to over a trillion dol-lars. But most importantly, Rea-

gan deregulated the stock market, which would become a contributing factor of the recession of the late 2000s.

But despite all of this, our parents stilled praised Reagan.

His vice president, George H.W. Bush, took over the destruction when he was elected president.

So why would our parent’s generation

praise a man who had caused so much devastation to their country?

Like the man at the blackjack table, our parents were already addicted.

Living a comfortable life was not enough for them; they had to have it all.

They risked everything for this purpose and lost.

President Bill Clinton was elected into offi ce. It turns out that his affair wasn’t the worst thing he did in offi ce.

Our parent’s genera-tion’s greed for products took over their logic so of course they “leaped be-fore they looked.”

So in 1993, Bill Clinton signed the North Ameri-ca Free Trade act, known as NAFTA. This eliminated all taxes on imports.

I guess they thought that it was some-how a good thing if they were fi red because their jobs were being sent overseas.

After Bill Clinton did his damage, George W. Bush was elected, sort of.

President Bush increased the tax-breaks for the wealthy, but at the same time be-

came one of the highest spending presi-dents in history.

He was elected again and just like Rea-gan, a recession occurred under his watch because of a lack of regulation.

You would think our parent’s generation would be wiser when voting people into public offi ce.

But they repeatedly fell for the lies and false promises of corrupt poli-ticians.

Today, we are left with a $14 trillion defi cit and we have been left with eco-nomic dismay.

And in a fi nal act of humiliation, our parent’ generation decided that we would be the ones to

fi x their wrong doing. It’s almost as if they just sprinkled salt

on a cut. I refl ect back on the times that my par-

ents would tell me “Look both ways when crossing the street or you might get hit by a car.”

If only our parent’s generation listened to warnings like I did.

I stood in my closet, surrounded by rolling hills of various ar-ticles of clothing.

And shoes. Lots of shoes. I got my license this year,

which isn’t why I can’t keep my room clean per se, though it has contributed to my ward-robe’s unruly nature.

If I want to go shopping, I can just check with the paren-tal unit, hop in the Suburban and spend as much money as possible on a lawn mower’s salary.

Yes folks, I have a problem.The fi rst step to recovery is

admitting you have a problem, right? So I start my back-to-school shopping/ recuperation with sev-eral extremely generous donations to the South Hill Goodwill and all the clothes and shoes donation drop boxes in Sum-

ner. And darn it, it was invigorating.Like the “What Not to Wear” junkie

that I am, I was able to continue my retail therapy by identifying the pieces that my slightly downsized wardrobe required.

It wasn’t a very long list.My mom set me loose on shopping

this year, saying that I don’t really NEED anything. The freedom was liberating, but it ac-

tually required me to pay for things.That didn’t feel so nice.I harnessed my big-girl

persuasion abilities and con-vinced my mother to go half-sies with me on a Vera Bradley messenger bag in Very Berry Paisley to go with my binder, pencil pouch, pencil bag, and (you guessed it) pencils, also in Very Berry Paisley.

I’m a little obsessed. As for my clothing situation,

my wallet was gladdened by the arrival of heaping boxes of hand-me-downs from my fab-

ulously fashionable cousin in Olympia, which included several Coach purses.

I know some people who are really creeped out by hand-me-downs and

thrift stores, but I see it as an adventure. I am a fi rm believer that clothes tell

stories. I bet you couldn’t guess how many of

my clothes belonged to someone else fi rst.

And I bet you wouldn’t notice.

Back to my closet.My shoe situation is

overwhelming.My 12-year-old sister

and I share the same shoe size, so we share most of our shoes, bringing our grand total to about 40 pairs collectively.

And we just keep acquiring more.This summer, I bought three pairs of

shoes.The fi rst was when I took my sister to

the Payless next to the South Hill Mall to buy her black jazz shoes for ManeStage’s summer camp production of “Music Man.”

The older woman at the checkout thought I was her mother, regardless of the fact that she is eight and I am 16, and that I was buying a four-inch pair of peri-winkle heels.

It was mortifying.

The other two pairs came about on an impromptu visit to a Federal Way thrift store with some of my theatre friends.

How did this happen, you ask?Well, my friends didn’t have closed-

toed shoes on for laser tag.

I did, but these were too cute to let some-one else have. And they were only $4 a pair.

So I ran back out to the car, stowed my pink running shoes and fl oral fl ats under the back seat and pro-ceeded to get whooped at laser tag in my baby

pink Converse with rainbow stars, which I bought to wear in our summer produc-tion of “Seussical The Musical.”

Wait, that makes four pairs. And all purchases spurred by theatre. Go fi gure.So, my favorite back to school shopping

fi nds ended up being a $68 backpack and four dollar pairs of shoes.

Except for the only thing my mom bought for me: a Tinkerbell sandwich box.

I’ve used it every day.

OPINIONP U Y A L L U P H I G H S C H O O L | I S S U E O N E | O C T O B E R 1 , 2 0 1 0 | T H E V I K I N G V A N G U A R D | P A G E F I V E

CONFESSIONS OF A SHOPAHOLIC

Q: How do you feel about the grade scale change?

“ I F E E L G O O D A B O U T I T B E C A U S E I C A N P A S S M A T H N O W . ”

“ I T D O E S N ’ T R E A L L Y M A K E A

D I F F E R E N C E . ”

“ I T L O W E R S S T U D E N T ’ S

S T A N D A R D S B Y L O W E R I N G T H E

P A S S I N G G R A D E . ”

“ I T H E L P S T H O S E W H O A C T U A L L Y T R Y A N D

W O U L D N T P A S S B E F O R E . B U T I T A L S O G I V E S T H O S E

W H O S L A C K M O R E O F A C H A N C E T O D O L E S S A N D

S T I L L P A S S . ”

I ’ M R E A L L Y D I S S A P O I N T E D T H A T

W E H A D T O L O W E R I T .

T Y L E R M C B R I D EJ U N I O R

J A K E F R A K E SS O P H O M O R E

M A T T C O N T O SS E N I O R

J O N E R I C K S O NS E N I O R

J A M I E S M I T HT E A C H E R

YADDA!Y A D D A Y A D D A

C U R I O U S A B O U T T H E G R A D E S C A L E C H A N G E ? F I N D O U T M O R E A B O U T I T O N P A G E T H R E E | A R E Y O U

I N T E R E S T E D I N H O W G I R L S S W I M I S D O I N G T H I S S E A S O N ? S E E P A G E F I F T E E N F O R M O R E I N F O R M A T I O N

A . W U L F E K U H L E

C I R C U L A T I O N

“ T H E F I R S T S T E P T O R E C O V E R Y I S A D M I T T I N G Y O U

H A V E A P R O B L E M , R I G H T ? ”

A . W U L F E K U H L EC I R C U L A T I O N M A N A G E R

S T E P H E N H .J U N I O R

“ O U R P A R E N T ’ S G E N E R A T I O N D E C I D E D W E

W O U L D B E T H E O N E S T O F I X

T H E I R W R O N G D O I N G . ”

S T E P H E N H A M M E NJ U N I O R

GENERATION PLAGUED BY GREED

en

Growing up I have always been told, "Graffi ti is bad."

I’ve never come to completely agree with that.

It has the possibility to be beautiful; it also can turn out to be trash.

Trashy images are usually the outcome when there is a lack of talent and the art form is solely used as a source of rebellion.

When talent is put into the equation though, graffi ti can be more than just eye catch-ing, but meaningful.

Symbolizing deterioration and in its own way renewal, graffi ti seems to cling onto places where it can make people think or believe.

The layers fl aking off underneath tell a story of the past, and the fresh ones on top tell the story of the present.

Capturing an artist’s graffi ti is al-most magical because in that moment you are seeing something that will fade in time.

Documenting the work saves it for-ever.

Underground graffi ti artists all over the world send messages to their view-ers through their work.

Banksy. A British based artist that no-body can identify, he has produced some of the most sought out pieces of art.

At times though, graffi ti can't be con-sidered art. It’s disap-pointing that anyone would pursue littering the purity of simple walls with their ugly creations.

Destruction of property in unattract-ive displays of graffi ti is what makes graffi ti so versatile. It’s either amazing or repulsive, but I suppose that’s true with any other art form.

"We artists are indestructible, even

in a prison cell or a concentration camp. I would be almighty in my own world of art. Even if I had to paint my

pictures with my wet tongue on the dusty fl oor of my cell," artist Pablo Picasso once said.

Artists use their world and surroundings for canvases. Graffi ti fl owing with the streams of traffi c only seems revolutionary for art. As the audience decided to travel by car, the artist decided to fl ood those roadways.

As some say graffi ti is de-stroying our communities, I

say look at the bigger picture. There are more important matters to

be worrying about. Being judgmental towards an art

form that can be seen as a soul im-printed on a wall is only contributing towards societies’ problems.

Creative minds surprise the public with their cultivation of endless pos-sibilities.

By scraping dirt off a wall in the pat-tern of a stencil, some graffi ti artists are literally cleaning their communities.

Meeting chalk with concrete, other artists fi nd outlining shadows to be in de-structive and super-natural.

Whether enjoyed or detested, a work of graffi ti’s worth can only be decided by the viewer them self.

Either way, they should be reminded what’s being looked

at will likely be washed off or painted over in time.

A heavy green smog is absorbed into a pattern that refl ects the artist’s soul. Like his artwork, he fades away into the city’s backdrop; knowing he has a chance to make a connection or be heard by someone, anyone.

We all know the story.Many of us remember watching the

looping video footage of the planes crashing into the towers those nine long years ago. What occurred on that fateful Tuesday morning will surely rank as one of the most infl uential events in our life-times.

But how exactly has it affected us?One could make many observations

about the months and years following the tragedy.

The stock market took a dive. Flag sales rose. A surge in patriotism swept across the nation.

However, the most important conse-quence is often overlooked, ignored and even outright promoted by the popular media.

The attack on the World Trade Center by the extremist Islamic group al-Qaida sent shockwaves of paranoia throughout the country. There was a dra-matic increase in hate crimes and racism against Muslim Americans.

Flash forward to now, when controversy over a proposed mosque is in full swing.

The current plan is to build the center a mere two blocks from ground zero.

The sheer proximity of the mosque to ground zero has caused a great deal of ignorant bigots to rage at the Islam, or religious leader, of the center and at Islam in gen-eral.

They express their outrage, predict-ably, with seething online comments on moderate stories about the topic, pro-posed burning of the Quran (the Islamic holy book) and demanding that govern-ment offi cials stop the construction of the center (which is a completely use-less endeavor due to the separation of church and state).

But by letting these issues divide Mus-lim Americans from the rest of America, and oftentimes liberal America from conservative America, we are supporting the will and intention of the terrorists. The ultimate goal of these terrorists is to spread fear and antipathy throughout the people they are targeting, therefore causing them to bicker and squabble among themselves.

By creating fear of Islam throughout the U.S. and consequently inciting the aforementioned bigots to lash out with

hatred against Muslim Americans, the terrorists in turn create more appeal for their cause.

In short, we’re writing their propagan-da for them.

The burning of Qurans, even if just planned, has insulted Muslims across the globe, stirring up more support for extremist factions such as al-Qaida.

What we as Americans need to do is practice tolerance and understand-ing, for those are the only things that will help this situation.

Without tolerance, we are noth-ing as a society. Nothing. Nil. Zilch.

It is the sinew that holds together the very skeletal foundation of our nation, the glue that prevents us from falling apart in complete disagreement.

In fact, some may consider it the reason there’s an America in the fi rst place.

George W. Bush knew this. Not long after the 9/11 at-tacks, he urged us to not blame Islam for the attacks. Instead, he put focus on the true perpe-trators, the Muslim extremists.

Indeed, he was cor-rect. Blaming Islam as a whole for the WTC attacks is grossly incorrect.

It’s like saying that because you were bit by one Labrador retriever, all Labrador retrievers

are violent, aggressive dogs that need to be removed from this planet.

It simply isn’t true. Everyone knows Labs are perfectly nice dogs.

Contrary to popular belief, Islam as a whole is a very positive and tolerant reli-gion. The violence that we so readily as-sociate it with is carried out by extremist fringe groups such as al Qaeda.

So what are we going to do? Wait for the extremists to reach out to us with compassion and respect?

If we choose to do that, we’ll be wait-ing a very, very long time.

We must make the effort. We must take the initiative.

Tolerance, understanding and com-passion are not things that just material-ize fully formed under their own accord. They must be worked towards patiently and diligently.

So go out there, and practice compas-sion and tolerance as much as possible.

And to paraphrase the 14th Dali Lama, it is always possible.

OPINIONP A G E S I X | P U Y A L L U P H I G H S C H O O L | I S S U E O N E | O C T O B E R 1 , 2 0 1 0 | T H E V I K I N G V A N G U A R D

N E I L W I L L S O NB E A T E D .

On the fi rst warm Easter since Mama’s day, a small girl sat on her front porch steps, hopeful and eager, pa-tient and naïve.

With enough time passed, the optimism held in her eyes would soon begin to fade.

The hours came and went, and soon the sun began to say its temporary goodbyes, leaving the girl waiting, waiting desperately against the dawn with two small feet too stubborn to leave that very spot.

She clutched her overnight bag tightly, fi ghting back inevitable tears and cursing God for disappointing her again. He was sup-posed to come this time. He was supposed to come.

A single tear trickled down her hardened face, beck-oning others to follow.

A small girl sat on her front porch steps, hopeless and worried, disappointed and naïve.

Today she learned a lesson more valuable than those of the parables or the fables they preach at her on Sun-day mornings. Today she learned that the only person she can ever count on, turn to, wait for, love, is herself.

She tucked away the blue card she had made that morning before into a keepsake box she had shoved to the back of her closet some years before.

Years went by and the small girl wasn’t so small any-more. She was taller and slimmer and maybe even wiser too.

Her eyes cried less and less with each year she went without what she was waiting for that day. Her voice called less and less in the mid of the night toward the emptiness that enveloped her.

There came a day when the thoughts of him had gone and the dreams of him had ceased, and peace,

however small it was, had fi nally found her.At dawn after her studies she would walk

the perimeter of her family’s acreage and think about the days gone by and even more of the ones to follow. She pondered life and love and sometimes even death, but never let one thought of him reach the surface of her mind.

She thought about poverty and innocent people with stolen lives and a lot about truths untold. She thought about young children left with no hope for love and parents with no love to give.

She felt cheated out of a piece of herself, like several pages in her book of life had been skipped.

Life had skipped over the pages of what should have been her fi rst father-daughter dance.

She never experienced receiving a bouquet of yellow roses like all the other girls when she got third place in the third grade spelling bee.

She lost experience. But she gained independence,

strength, and motivation, all by being left to face the world as an adult through the eyes of a seven-year-old little girl.

She often wondered what kind of person she’d grow up to be, and sometimes worried she’d follow the wrong path.

The path of least resistance.The path of the ones forgotten. The ones like her father whom she spoke little of and

waited for no longer.She waited for so many other lost things, things that

had no intention of fi nding her.Many years later on Easter Sunday the girl found her-

self in the front lawn on the tree swing staring blankly at the three small steps that left her waiting so many years before.

She let herself think of him now, because the anger was gone and she felt nothing when she did.

She stared at the top step that symbolized the day of her life’s revolution.

She remembered the helplessness of a small little girl that sat in the very spot she gazed at. But she was not afraid any-more.

She knew her childhood disappointment came not from his absence, but from the absence of self worth.

It was never about him.It was about herself. She hadn’t been waiting for

him to come; she knew he wouldn’t. She was waiting for him to show her

that she was worth coming for.She’s still out there somewhere gazing at a front

porch step, remembering the day she gave up waiting for him, and began waiting for something else.

Waiting for the long lost waiting-for.

A . D U E N A SF O C U S E D .

J . D U N L A PO P I N I O N E D .

“His hand steady as if holding a pistol ready to pull. In this case, a can of green spray paint is replacing the deadly object; waiting to layer up the public brick canvas.”

Graffi ti viewed as art

WAITING FOR THE LONG LOST WAITING-FOR

9-11 was outside job

“ A R T I S T S U S E T H E I R W O R L D A N D

S U R R O U N D I N G S F O R C A N V A S E S . ”

A N A D U E N A SF O C U S E D I T O R

“ S H E F E L T C H E A T E D O U T O F A P I E C E O F H E R S E L F ,

L I K E S E V E R A L P A G E S I N H E R B O O K

O F L I F E H A D B E E N S K I P P E D . ”

J U L I E D U N L A PO P I N I O N E D I T O R

You see her in the hallways. She pushes through the crowd, not giving a second to glance back at the people she walks right through.

You think you know her.But do you?“Normally when people see me they’re intimidated

and afraid. I always look angry. People just assume I’m super rude,” senior Kelsey Morton said.

Morton walks around everyday wearing a hard outer shell, giving the impression that she doesn’t care. Not caring isn’t her problem though, according to Morton.

Her problem is that she cares too much.

“I’m actually kind-hearted. My anger comes off in the wrong ways. It’s more of me being protective over myself and my friends than it is me being a bully,” Morton said.

Morton doesn’t see herself as someone that bullies innocent people. She sees herself as the person that bullies the bully.

“I see myself as a karma enforcer. You make fun of people and don’t realize how it affects them. But there could be a few scars on their arm because of you,” Morton said.

Many people think that words don’t get to Morton, but she isn’t afraid to say that simply isn’t true, according to Morton. She stands up to bullies for a reason: because she knows what it’s like to be on the other side of that situation.

“If I hear that someone called me fat, I think about it all day. It gets to me, and I probably won’t eat lunch that day,” Morton said. “I’m very, very guarded. I’m mean for a reason. I’m mean to the people that are mean to the ones that can’t stand up for themselves.”

Morton feels other people’s pain the same as she feels her own. She takes the victimization of innocent people very personally and it has caused an inner confl ict that makes dealing with bullies very tricky.

“I am disappointed in how we treat each other at this school and how teachers handle it. I’m disappointed that people think the bullying in our school has gotten better, but we’re just getting better at hiding it,” Morton said.

Morton takes notice when someone is getting bullied. She may not do something about it then, in a few days, or even as weeks pass by.

But she does remember.And she doesn’t let it go until she feels

justice has been served.“It is not my job or duty. But if

someone is going to pick on people, they need to understand that there’s always someone bigger, badder and more angry than they are,” Morton said.

Morton gets her protective side from her mother, whom she always fi nds herself looking up to.

“She and I both have been through a lot and that’s why we are the way we are. She is very tough and strong headed but she does care a lot and wants to help people,” Morton’s mother, Monika Flores said.

Once you get past the wall that Morton has spent years building up, the person you see is so much different than

the one she shows, according to Morton.“[Kelsey] is a very loving and caring person even if she

doesn’t show it. She is just like me; hard on the outside but very soft on the inside. She is very funny and can and will make everyone laugh. I love her very much,” Flores said.

Morton’s struggle with depression and drug abuse in past years made her confl ict with bullying much harder to deal with. The struggle with her own life issues kept her constantly on edge, enraged most of the time.

“If I see somebody getting hurt, it hurts me a lot more than it would if it were me getting hurt,” Morton said.

Since getting treatment and becoming clean, Morton has learned to deal with these issues much differently.

“After I quit all the pills it showed me that I can still be a strong person, but I don’t have to be a bully,” Morton said. “I consider myself empathetic. I’m still going to stand up for people, but I’m not going to let it ruin my day. I’m going to say what I need to say and move on.”

Morton takes a different approach to facing bullies now, but she still refuses to ignore those that engage in victimizing innocent people.

Morton fi nds that the little things in life matter the most, like standing up for someone, or smiling at a stranger. Each night before she goes to bed, she thinks about how she affected everyone’s day.

She wonders if the kid she smiled at in the hallway had a better day because of that small act of kindness. She wonders if the kid she stood up for that was being bullied at lunch had a better day because she stepped in to help.

“I’m guarded, but I’m not untouchable. I do cry. I do hurt. I do feel pain,” Morton said. “I’m just better at hiding it than most people.”

J U L I E D U N L A P

O P I N I O N E D I T O R

Being viewed as something she isn’t, senior Kelsey Morton has witnessed and been affl icted by the prevalence of bullying in Puyallup.

EVERYONE HAS A STORYFOCUS

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Kelsey Morton

“ I F I S E E S O M E B O D Y

G E T T I N G H U R T , I T H U R T S M E A L O T

M O R E T H A N I F I T W E R E M E G E T T I N G

H U R T . ”

K E L S E Y M O R T O NS E N I O R

A N A D U E N A S | V A N G U A R D

You see them in the halls. Maybe they have their head down, maybe they’re avoiding eye contact; you’re not really certain. But sure enough, these

people have a story. 1,604 students, four stories.

Junior Brea Corley, a girl who is passionate about her education, writing and coffee has been inspired to write a novel and fula coffee shop. She gets guidance through friends, family and teachers; she can always be found writing.

Carter Chiu is a 13-year-old student taking pre-calculus, pre-AP-English, pre-AP biology and Chinese II. He started excelling through the QUEST program in elementary school, and he has made great strides in academic activities throughout his life.

Enrolled as a sophomore in high school at 13 years old, Carter Chiu is powering through his academic career.

“At the beginning [school] was pretty intimidating, but I’m sort of getting use to

it,” Chiu said. Chiu started advancing in school when he joined the QUEST

program in fi rst grade, a class once a week for the kids who

qualifi ed, once he began third grade he started going to QUEST fulltime in the self-contained program.

“My parents told me about it and I decided to give it a try,” Chiu said.

After passing a test upon entering junior high in the PAGE program, Chiu was able to skip seventh grade. After one

semester of eighth grade he was able to skip the second semester and go straight into the second semester of ninth, fi nishing junior high in one year.

“I’m very proud of him and [of] all his achievements,” Chiu’s father, Peter Chiu said.

Before entering junior high Carter Chiu had already earned many achievements. In third grade he participated in a regional chess tournament and earned himself fi rst place in his division. In sixth grade Carter Chiu was able to compete in the science fair at the Spring Fair.

“In sixth grade I received the ‘Best of Show’ award,” Carter Chiu said.

Carter Chiu is currently in pre-calculus with kids who are up to fi ve years older than

him. According to his teacher, Leigh Ann Mahaffi e, the kids were surprised by how much younger he was than everyone else,

but after a few days they didn’t even notice. “He’s just another one of my students,” Mahaffi e

said. Outside of school Carter Chiu is involved in many

activities. He is a member of Boy Scouts, which he has been in for three years after graduating from Cub Scouts.

Chiu also enjoys playing the piano, which he has played for six years.

Along with that, he is currently in his fi fth year of playing soccer.

While he is not busy with soccer and playing piano he likes learning how to create programs for computers.

“He has always had a great desire to learn things,” Peter Chiu said.

Chiu is still undecided about where he wants to attend college.

However, he does know that he wants to follow the career pathway of engineering and technology.

“After I get out of college I think I’m going to try to become a software programmer,” Chiu said.

He is interested in software programming because it involves using math and also allows him to be creative by entering codes in to a computer.

“It’s kind of like an art in a way,” Chiu said.

For now, Chiu is just getting through his sophomore year, taking classes like pre-calculus, pre-AP English, pre-AP biology and Chinese II. He is in the symphonic winds and

plays the French horn. Chiu is just another new

sophomore challenging himself with rigorous classes and trying to fi nd his way around Puyallup High School, except for the fact that he is only 13 years old.

Junior Brea Corley sits by the window at Forza, slyly glancing around at the strangers that surround her.

Taking a sip of her 16-ounce double shot White Chocolate Mocha (hold the whip), she jots down thoughts and descriptions.

“Forza is one of my favorite places to be. I love coffee,” Corley said. “I’ll be sitting at Forza and wonder what other people do and describe them. Sometimes I’ll predict people’s orders.”

Corley is planning to attend University of Southern California and double major in the business administration program and social sciences so that she can eventually own her own coffee shop in England.

Corley is passionate about understanding other people’s logic, according to her mother Michele Payne.

“She likes to learn about people’s cultures and thought processes so that she can understand them,” Payne said.

Corley wants to major in social sciences so that she can fully understand the English culture and not offend anyone while she lives there. She also wants to undergrad

in creative writing.“I’ve wanted to be an author since age seven. That’s not

going to change,” Corley said. “My major and minor might change, but writing won’t.”

When Corley was younger, she used to entertain her friends at sleepovers by telling them stories, according to Payne. She still loves to make up and tell stories, according to Brea’s best friend junior Bri Blades.

“She’ll tell me about her story ideas and they all sound like a movie that I’d like to go see,” Blades said.

Payne also enjoys Corley’s storytelling.“She’ll start telling a story while we’re driving and I’ll ask

her ‘Did that really happen?’ and then she’ll tell me that she just made it up,” Payne said. “I’ll say ‘You should write that down.”

Blades describes Corley’s writing style as random and funny.

“Some people reading her stories might think ‘What is she writing about?,” Blades said. “But her writing always has purpose.”

Blades met Corley in second grade when they both attended

CARTER CHIU

B Y A D R I A O L S O N

F E A T U R E S E D I T O R

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BREA CORLEY

B Y K A T I E L A R S O N

R E P O R T E R

“ H E H A S A L W A Y S H A D A G R E A T

D E S I R E T O L E A R N T H I N G S . ”

P E T E R C H I UC A R T E R ’ S F A T H E R

Junior Brea Corley, a girl who is passionate about her education, writing and coffee has been inspired to write a novel and fulfi ll her dream of owning a coffee shop. She gets guidance through friends, family and teachers; she can always be found writing.

Carter Chiu is a 13-year-old student taking pre-calculus, pre-AP-English, pre-AP biology and Chinese II. He started excelling through the QUEST program in elementary school, and he has made great strides in academic activities throughout his life.

in creative writing.“I’ve wanted to be an author since age seven. That’s not

going to change,” Corley said. “My major and minor might change, but writing won’t.”

When Corley was younger, she used to entertain her friends at sleepovers by telling them stories, according to Payne. She still loves to make up and tell stories, according to Brea’s best friend junior Bri Blades.

“She’ll tell me about her story ideas and they all sound like a movie that I’d like to go see,” Blades said.

Payne also enjoys Corley’s storytelling.“She’ll start telling a story while we’re driving and I’ll ask

her ‘Did that really happen?’ and then she’ll tell me that she just made it up,” Payne said. “I’ll say ‘You should write that down.”

Blades describes Corley’s writing style as random and funny.

“Some people reading her stories might think ‘What is she writing about?,” Blades said. “But her writing always has purpose.”

Blades met Corley in second grade when they both attended

the same daycare at the YMCA.“We were a pair you couldn’t separate,” Blades said. “We

created a bunch of havoc that was unnecessary.”Corley is always reading, according to Blades.“We’ll be hanging out and she’ll whip out a book and start

reading it,” Blades said. “She always wants to read.”Corley plans to write and publish novels in the future.“When I fi nally fi nish a book, I’m going to dedicate it to my

English teacher from last year, Sandra Coyer,” Corley said. “She inspires me.”

Though she hasn’t asked anyone to critique her work, she has let a handful of people read it. She’s let former AVID teacher Susie Askew, her mom, grandma and friends read what she’s written.

“Nobody really knows that she writes,” Blades said. “She’s secretly a novel writer.”

To assist her in her writing, Corley will sometimes draw pictures of her story to have visuals. She typically writes stories about teenagers.

“I write around my mindset,” Corley said. “Since I’m a teen, I write from a teen’s perspective. When I’m older I’ll write from

a 20-year-old’s mindset.”Brea has a unique writing style, according to Payne. Some of

her stories are thrillers that feel like an Alfred Hitchcock movie while others are sweet and sensitive.

“It depends on the mood she’s feeling,” Payne said. “I think it’s cool that she can go from being funny to sarcastic to scary and evil, but in the end wrap it all into being funny.”

Corley is inspired to write when she experiences intense moods.

“I have to be really angry or really scared,” Corley said. “I don’t really write when I’m happy. My best work comes out when I’m in an intense mood. So don’t make me angry or you will end up in a book.”

Corley is passionate about writing and describes it as an opportunity to unleash your soul on a piece of paper.

“When the pen touches the paper it feels like you’re releasing your soul on the paper,” Corley said. “If someone were to critique my writing, it’d be like they were critiquing my soul.”

5,000 miles and 10 hours.Hundreds of foreign faces and one foreign language. One exchange student. Senior Brandy Hoven experienced the Japanese

culture fi rst-hand for 11 months during her sophomore and junior year.

Hoven was inspired to become an exchange student when Japanese teacher Laura Pruden mentioned the opportunity to her sophomore class.

“I was really interested in the culture of Japan and wanted to see the real thing,” Hoven said.

Hoven participated in the AFS (American Field Service) exchange student program, but had to meet a few prerequisites set by the agency.

“We generally require students to have a 2.8 minimum GPA, be in good mental, physical and emotional health,” AFS adviser Alex Flood said. “It’s a lengthy process.”

When students begin the process of becoming an exchange student, they are often overwhelmed, according to Flood.

“It’s a huge challenge [to study abroad], but we’re with the students every step of the way,” Flood said.

One offi cial transcript, physical examination and several papers later, Hoven was jet-set to Japan.

After a 10-hour fl ight, Hoven arrived in Japan with hundreds of other AFS students.

But before they could really begin studying abroad, they spent fi ve days in a hostile where they became versed in the basic Japanese culture.

“We were taught about the cultural expectations—what was acceptable and what wasn’t,” Hoven said. “For example, they really disapprove of eating and walking at the same time, which I thought was kind of weird.”

According to Flood, the main goal for AFS students is to establish them in high schools and with host families.

“We expect them to go to school like the [local kids] and live like anyone else while they’re there,” Flood said.

Soon after their training, Hoven and her fellow exchange students boarded a train to Niigata, Japan, where she would spend the next 11 months of her life.

“The fi rst week I learned some Japanese and was tested to see how well I knew the language,” Hoven said. “After that I started school.”

A solid percentage of students who participate in AFS don’t have any previous language experience, according to Flood.

According to Pruden, a Japanese high school is the

polar opposite of the American high school.“[In Japan] high school is the time where students are

under a lot to pressure to learn things to pass college entrance exams,” Pruden said. “The typical Japanese studies are harder than the typical American high school studies.”

Hoven can attest to this. “I underestimated the [caliber] of Japanese school,”

Hoven said. “I didn’t expect it to be quite so hard.”Despite the challenging curriculum, Hoven had the

opportunity to experience several Japanese festivals, including a festival held by her school in June.

It was a sports festival where all of the students wore costumes made by their moms—or host moms in Hoven’s

case; they danced, cheered and played sports.

“It had rained earlier that day so the fi eld was all muddy,” Hoven said. “Everyone

was running around getting muddy. It was just really interesting.”

Hoven was kept busy with numerous events and trips to different places all over the country.

“I was always meeting new people,” Hoven said.

One particular experience that Hoven vividly remembers is bathing in a traditional Japanese “onsen,” or bath house.

“You’re naked with a bunch of other women so it’s really awkward at fi rst,” Hoven said. “You get clean and then bathe, so it’s a bit strange but you get used to it and it’s not as awkward anymore.”

Experiencing foreign culture takes a lot of courage to venture completely out of their comfort zone, according to Pruden.

“It’s like being thrown into water,” Pruden said. “You have to learn to swim.”

Many students who study abroad have a “period of adjustment” when they return home to their own country, according to Pruden.

“It’s challenging when [they] come home because nobody can completely understand what you experienced,” Pruden said.

Hoven enjoyed her experience so much that she and some of her friends already have a trip in the works to return to Japan.

“We’re planning [a trip] for next summer when all of the festivals are going on,” Hoven said.

But for now, Hoven will remember her experience abroad and grow from what she learned.

“It taught me a lot. I [gained] more cultural understanding,” Hoven said. “Now I can understand why people do the things they do.”

Senior Brandy Hoven had a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience a culture half a world away. She trekked to the town of Niigata, Japan for an 11-month trip as a foreign exchange student. Seeing the world from a new perspective, Hoven shares her experiences from overseas.

BRANDY HOVEN

B Y K I R S T E N G U S T A F S O N

M A N A G I N G E D I T O R

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BREA CORLEY

A N A D U E N A S | V A N G U A R D

“ I T ’ S L I K E B E I N G T H R O W N I N T O

W A T E R . Y O U H A V E T O L E A R N H O W T O

S W I M . ”

L A U R A P R U D E NJ A P A N E S E T E A C H E R

Aside from lighting his hair on fi re with a Bunsen burner in chemistry, foreign exchange student Harald Konsberg has a successful and exciting start to his senior year.

But the decision to leave Sweden and study in the United States for a year was not an easy one for Konsberg.

All the classes he is taking do not transfer to Sweden, so when he returns to his home country he will have to retake his senior year.

But the opportunity to live in the United States and be immersed in the culture was too good to pass up.

So far, Konsberg is excited to take a variety of classes he would not have the chance to take back home.

“In Sweden I am on a science track. I have taken biology, chemistry and other science-related courses. I would like to become a civil engineer or maybe go into medicine,” Konsberg said. “Here I am able to take classes like sports medicine and anatomy and physiology, which are not offered at home.”

Although Konsberg’s favorite class so far is AP government with teacher Tony Batinovich, because he came here to learn about the American way of life.

“Outside of the accent and the fact I knew his sister, he fi ts right in,” Batinovich said. “He is very bright. As a non-American he probably knows more about [the United States] than many Americans.”

But Konsberg is interested in more than just the academic experience. He has already joined the water polo team, a sport he has never played before.

He also plans to try out for basketball and soccer. Back at his school in Malmo, Konsberg started a rugby team and created a rugby tournament with four other

local schools competing. “I also like equestrian jumping. Although in Sweden

there are usually 50 girls and then me competing,” Konsberg said.

This is not Konsberg’s fi rst trip to the United States. When he was 10 years old, his family went on vacation to

Florida. A few years later he came to Washington

to pick up his sister

Ylva who had also done an exchange at Puyallup High School. Konsberg is even staying with Sharon and Monty Conder, the same host parents his sister stayed with.

“We really enjoy [hosting students]. It’s fun, rewarding and a great opportunity to learn about new cultures and share our culture with them,” Sharon Conder said. “Harald has been a great student so far. He is helpful, easygoing and enthusiastic.”

Konsberg has found the exchange to be easy so far, since his sister had told him what to expect.

“I already knew my host parents were nice and that Puyallup High School is a good high school, which

made this exchange easier,” Konsberg said.One of the biggest differences between our school and Konsberg’s school back in Sweden

is the school spirit. According to Konsberg, the students have much more energy and

pride in their school. He also says the students here break a common view of Americans that many Europeans have.

“Americans are thought to be fat and lazy. But I don’t think that is true.” Konsberg said.

Konsberg rides his bike to school everyday from his house in Crystal Ridge.

“In Sweden, public transportation is used much more. At my school only about ten kids drive cars,” Konsberg said.

The many cultural differences between the United States and

Sweden were easy to spot. But there are also similarities.

“The people, I think that people are similar everywhere,” Konsberg said.

In Slovakia, senior Nina Kodhajova would be greeted with “Ahoj.”

Now to a new foreign exchange student, “hello” might be more appropriate.

Living in Washington is different than living in Slovakia, according to Kodhajova.

The Munsch family is familiar with hosting exchange students as they have hosted eight students since 2000.

This is their second double placement, their fi rst being with Jimena (Columbia) and Ema (Slovakia) who were students here last year.

In Kodhajova’s home country of Slovakia, most people take the bus or train if the need to go

anywhere. Cars are much less common and Slovakians have to wait until they’re 18 to get their license.

“It’s not really a big deal, you don’t need to drive, the bus is so common,” Kodhajova said. “It’s weird to me that people [in America] will drive in a car fi ve minutes to school instead of taking the bus or walking.”

According to host mom Jennifer Munsch, the exchange students attended CHI (Cultural Homestay International) planned events like group barbecues, Seattle trips, ski trips, a trip to the pumpkin patch and a trip to Hawaii.

“School here is easier than in Slovakia, except for the language barrier,” Kodhajova said. “We have

1 6 subjects during the week.”

Kodhajova has been taking biology, chemistry, physics and AP Classes for multiple years in Slovakia, instead of one year for each.

“I like how you can choose your subjects; [not everything] mandatory,” Kodhajova said.

According to the scholarship/ special services counselor

David Rosdahl, the issues they have are speaking English, meeting new friends and getting used to the new classroom environment.

“Imagine going to Germany right now and speaking German, meeting new people and

learning house rules. That’s how they feel,” Rosdahl said.

Kodhajova is bilingual in Slovak, German, Russian and English.

The process of becoming an exchange student is very diffi cult, according to Kodhajova.

“There are a lot of paper work and tests,” Kodhajova said.

Before coming here, Kodhajova’s thoughts about America were among the typical stereotypes of people who have traveled here from other countries: Stereotypes of country accents, fast food and the ignorance of people who know nothing of other cultures and customs.

“I am always amazed that we are more alike than we are different,” Jennifer Munsch said. “I enjoy hearing what my students do for fun, what they do with their friends, family traditions, how they spend holidays, what made them decided to be an exchange student.”

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Delaying a trip thousands of miles away from her home in Poland to experience America was not an option for senior Katarzyna Nadrowska.

Even though it meant leaving family and friends, Nadrowska says she is plunging into the American culture.

“It’s a great adventure and I can get to know another way of life,” Nadrowska said.

Nadrowska is leaving her older brother and parents to stay with Amy Prezbindowski, Joost Cleays and their two younger children.

“She seemed like a good fi t for our family. [She was] very social and friendly and really enjoyed spending time with her friends and family [in Poland] and that’s really important,” Prezbindowski said.

Nadrowska was excited to learn that she would be staying in Puyallup because it is close to Seattle, a place she has always wanted to go. She has already visited Seattle once where she rode on a jet ski for the fi rst time.

Nadrowska is taking advantage of every opportunity she can in America and has joined the school soccer team. Nadrowska was never able to participate competitively in Poland. After playing table tennis in Poland, Nadrowska plans to try out for the girls tennis team in the spring.

“I am very interested in American culture and American customs and it’s great that I have the [opportunity] to experience them,” Nadrowska said.

Meeting her teachers and picking which classes she wanted was thrilling for her

because students are all assigned the same classes in Poland.

“It’s a great opportunity for them to dive into and experience our culture and experience the American life,” scholarship counselor David Rosdahl said.

According to Nadrowska, there are more tests and memorization in Poland, but more homework every night in America.

Also, the teachers in America have a more personal relationship with their students.

“I love this school,” Nadrowska said.

According to Prezbinowski, Nadrowska’s English is impeccable, after studying it for eight years.

Prezbindowski says it’s nice that she understands English so well because, unlike any of the other foreign exchange students they’ve hosted, Nadrowska can understand their sarcasm.

They often joke around and tease with each other, which has been a privilege for them to do with a foreign exchange student.

“She has a great sense of humor,” Prezbindowski said.

Nadrowska is beaming when she talks about how Americans are so friendly and welcoming.

“I go down the street and people hug [me] or tell me hi. I don’t know these people, but it’s great that they are so open and friendly,” Nadrowska said.

Nadrowska hopes to make lasting friendships during her 10 month journey in America.

“I hope I will have the possibility to make friends who I will remember for all my life,” Nadrowska said.

STUDENT FROM SWEDEN SHARES EXPERIENCES

Exchange student enjoys opportunities

B Y E M M A E N G L U N D

R E P O R T E R

B Y K A T I E L A R S O N

R E P O R T E R

B Y J E S S I C A D I C K I N S

R E P O R T E R

Sweden, will

WhenFlor

cameto pick up his sister

‘More alike than different’ A L O R A C A U D I L L | V A N G U A R D

1. Start researching colleges If you haven’t already, make a list of your top choices. “Keep in mind the four most important factors to consider in a school: location,

size, cost, and curriculum,” an admissions offi cer at University of Portland said.

2. Sign up for the SATs. Almost all colleges or universities in the United States require either an offi cial SAT or ACT score. All SAT registration can be done online through www.

collegeboard.com.

3. Get to know your teachers and counselors. Most colleges require a letter of recommendation from a counselor or teacher at your high school. Admissions counselors can easily tell the difference between a generic letter and a letter from a teacher or counselor who knows and likes the student.

4. Work hard in school. Sophomores and juniors, the effort you put in these next couple years will determine how many options you have after high school. Seniors, don’t check out. Every school you are accepted to will request a fi nal transcript at the end of your senior year. If your grades drop signifi cantly they can deny your admission.

5. Seniors: Make sure you keep track of the admissions deadlines for the schools you are considering. Some schools have early admission deadlines as soon as Nov. 1 or regular admission deadlines in January. If you apply later, your application will still be viewed, but you will have a poor chance of acceptance.

The process of deciding what to do after high school is a daunting task for most students. It is easy to become overwhelmed with the enormity of the decision. The Viking Vanguard staff aims to provide helpful and relevant information in a streamlined format. No matter what your plan is for after high school, it’s time to get to work.

B Y E M M A E N G L U N D

R E P O R T E R

Pacifi c Lutheran University

Location: Tacoma, Wash.Size: About 3,600 students

Total Cost: $37,672 (tuition, room/board, books)Acceptance Rate- 78 percent (fall 2010)

Average H.S GPA- 3.6 on a 4.0 scaleAverage SAT- 1,120 out of 1,600 (critical reading/ math)

Fall 2011 Application Deadline- Rolling Admission

Quick Fact: PLU’s home football fi eld is right down the street at Sparks Stadium.

Seattle Pacifi c University

Location- Seattle, Wash.Size- About 4,000 students

Total Cost - $40,000 (tuition, room/board, books)Acceptance Rate- 81 percent (2010)

Average H.S GPA- 3.56 on a 4.0 scaleAverage SAT- 1,122 out of 1,600 (critical reading/ math)

Fall 2011 Application Deadline- Feb. 1, 2011

Quick Fact: SPU is a private university founded in 1891 by the Free Methodist Church of North America.

Students and faculty represent more than 50 different Christian denominations.

University of Washington

Location- Seattle, Wash.Size- About 40,000 students

Total Cost – $17,676 (tuition, room/board, books)

Acceptance Rate- 61 percent (fall 2010)Average H.S GPA- 3.75 on a 4.0 scale (fall 2009)Average SAT score- 1,780 out of 2,400 (fall 2009)

Fall 2011 Application Deadline- Dec. 15, 2010

Quick Fact- UW has is one of the largest university by student population on the West

Coast and is one of the leading research universities in the nation.

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COMPILATION OF COLLEGE INFORMATION

Central Washington University

Location- Ellensburg, Wash.Size- About 10,500 students

Total Cost- $15,854 (tuition, room/board, books)Acceptance Rate- 79 percent (fall 2010)

Average H.S GPA- 3.2 on a 4.0Average SAT- 985 out of 1,600-

Verbal and Math Only (fall 2009)Fall 2011 Application Deadline- April 1, 2011

Quick Fact- Central has over 100 clubs including Astronomy Club, Rodeo Club, Guitar Club and

Psychology Club

Washington State University

Location- Pullman, Wash.Size- About 20,000 students

Total Cost - $18,755 (tuition, room/board, books)Acceptance Rate- 76 percent (fall 2010)

Average H.S GPA- 3.5 on a 4.0 scale (fall 2009)Average SAT score-1,600 out of 2,400 (fall 2009)

Fall 2011 Application Deadline- Jan. 31, 2011

Quick Fact- High school students in the top 10 percent of their class or who have a GPA of 3.5 or

higher are assured admission into WSU

Western Washington University

Location- Bellingham, Wash.Size- About 14,500 students

Total Cost- $15,250 (tuition, room/board, books)Acceptance Rate- 73 percent (fall 2010) Average H.S GPA- 3.57 on a 4.0 scale (fall 2010)

Average SAT- 1,700 out of 2,400 (fall 2010)Fall 2011 Application Deadline- March 1, 2010

Quick Fact- Western is the recipient of a Green Power Leadership Award presented by

the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Department of Energy and the

Center for Resource Solutions.

The school has three stories in the main building as well as gym classrooms and portables.

Carrying an over-stuffed backpack across this campus on a daily basis can lead to persistent back pain.

The maximum load a student should carry on their back is 15 pounds, according to Puyallup chiropractor Dr. VanShelt. Specifi cally, students should not carry more than approximately 10 percent of their total body weight in their backpack.

“I’ve probably been having back problems since sixth or seventh grade as my backpack has gotten heavier,” junior Kelsey Harrison said.

Students who walk to school and home have a terribly harder time than those who drive.

“Not being able to drive,

I have to carry my heavy backpack the 20-minute walk home,” Harrison said.

Carrying a heavy backpack for an extended period of time causes strain on the spine, neck and shoulders, according to VanShelt.

The heavy backpacks also affect posture.

Since lockers were removed from the school, students have to carry all of their binders and books to every class. This, of course, isn’t including music program student’s instruments and music folders, according to Harrison.

“I would say there has been a slight increase in the number of students I see over the years and you would be quite surprised how many students don’t tell their parents,” VanShelt said. “I am absolutely for lockers. It gives students personal space

and a place to put their heavy books.”

Heavy backpacks aren’t a new complaint.

“I have been teaching at PHS for 18 years and I hear complaining constantly about heavy backpacks,” American Studies and Multicultural Studies teacher Fred Orton said.

During his years teaching at Aylen Junior High, students had extended amounts of time every three periods to visit their lockers and add or remove books from their bags, according to Orton.

“I have a lot of sympathy. If I were a high school student, I would want lockers,” Orton said.

There is also the issue of side-bags versus backpacks.

“Side bags look cuter and are more fashionable, but having

all the weight on one shoulder is horrible,” Harrison said.

Backpacks have two shoulder straps for a good reason. Students cannot have one side of their spine taking the weight.

Chiropractors can adjust patient’s spines, but when there is continuous carrying around of all that weight it comes back, according to VanShelt.

“When you have pain, you need to permanently remove the problem,” VanShelt said.

Though there are multiple solutions to this weight problem, one in particular seemed to stick out.

“The best solution would be for students to use rolling backpacks, but those aren’t ‘cool.’ I wish somebody would make those cool again,” VanShelt said.

B Y I S A A C S C H O E N F E L D

R E P O R T E R

University of Puget Sound

Location- Tacoma, Wash.Size- About 2,600 students

Total Cost – $34,000 (tuition, room/board, books)Acceptance Rate- 78 percent (2010)

Average H.S GPA- 3.54 on a 4.0 scaleAverage SAT- 1,245 out of 1,600 (critical reading/

math) Fall 2011 Application Deadline- Jan 15, 2011

Quick Fact: Students have themed living options

as early as freshman year and can select from suite-style living and college-owned

houses as early as sophomore year.

Chiropractor shares advice on heavy backpacks

J E F F W H I T L A T C H | V A N G U A R D

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G R A P H I C S B Y J E F F R E Y W H I T L A T C H

Calloused palms from a tight grip on the drumsticks, numb fi nger tips from strumming the guitar and notebooks full of potential songs are nothing out of the ordinary for these high school musicians.

Senior musicians Jordan Fisher, Nik Conroy, Perry Appleton, Austin Gorman and Aaron Heinz all seem to have the same philosophy when it comes to writing and playing their own music

“Writing music isn’t like you would think, you have to write for yourself before you can entertain for anybody else,” Heinz said.

The roar of the crowd and the hype of the fame isn’t what music is all about to these fi ve musicians who enjoy spending their free time around amplifi ers, drum sticks and microphones.

Conroy and Fisher are a part of a three-man hardcore rock band, also known as “Roads like Oceans.”

Creativity is never overlooked when it comes to this particular band. Fisher and Conroy are always striving for a deeper meaning within their music.

“We play actual extreme hardcore music probably only ten percent of the time. Hardcore is a mix of peaceful music with breakdowns of chunky beats and a little bit of screaming,” guitarist Fisher said.

With inspiration from John Mayer, it’s hard to see how Fisher’s motivations to play hardcore scream rock music.

But most inspiration for hardcore is actually the complete opposite of hardcore music at all, according to Fisher.

“Our type of music is made purposefully to make people think and confuse you,” Fisher said.

With all attention on music, self-taught drummer Conroy picks up ideas and beats from all genres of music, including rap and hip-hop.

“It’s fun to play the beats, especially to hardcore music because everyone gets involved and gets pumped up,” Conroy said.

Members of “Roads like Oceans” meet

together typically at Fisher’s garage, bringing all of their gear, and just start creating music.

Heinz is a writing lyricist who over the years also became a self-taught guitarist, drummer and pianist.

“I’ll be walking down the hallways and something pops into my head and I just need to write it down,” Heinz said.

Heinz always carries a notebook around in his backpack.

Typically writing lyrics for an acoustic pop like genre of music, Heinz bases a lot of his writings on his life.

“Girls play a big part of my life so there are a lot of songs written about them too,” Heinz said.

Heinz’s songs aren’t based solely on a grieving past, but wishes and anger and such.

“I’ll see someone and it will remind me of something whether it is happy or sad, and then I’ll want to write it down,” Heinz said.

Heinz’s overall goal for his writing is to be infl uential.

Not wanting to blend in with everyone else’s music, Heinz refers to other writers like Bryce Avary but still writes what he believes sounds right.

“Putting what you think about or how feel down on paper is just another way to express yourself. If you really like to write, don’t let people stereotype you and let you think it’s dumb,” Heinz said.

Music is a major hobby for Heinz and wanting to continue writing and playing in the future is without a doubt, but just for fun.

“The key to a good musician is being able to pick up a pen and just start writing whatever is on your mind and being able to let your own creativity spark,” said Appleton.

Starting off playing in a three-man band in seventh grade, guitarists Perry Appleton

and drummer Austin Gorman have now since become “The White Veldts.”

Starting off as a cover band playing songs written by “The Black Sabbath,” “The Who” and “The Rolling Stones,”

Appleton and Gorman have since branched out their creativity.

“Now when we get together we don’t say what

we’re going to play, one of us just starts playing and we catch on to each other,” Appleton said.

Always being musically inclined, picking up and starting a beat show a lot more creativity than a written down song according to Gorman.

“Music is defi nitely a big part of my life,” Gorman said.

With never having been to a professional recording studio, “The White Veldts” have recorded on a site called “Garage Bands,” held by Max computer.

Not looking for fame but going with the fl ow is big according to Gorman.

“I know I’ll always be playing music, it’s something I’m addicted to. I have no idea what I want to do when I grow up; I’m not out looking for fame but who wouldn’t want to be famous,” Appleton said.

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Small in stature, but with a big career in front of her, Jordani Sarreal is much like any girl. With long hair and twinkling brown eyes, Sarreal always looks like she’s smiling.

And with good reason.Sarreal, a Puyallup High School alumni and recently

released recording artist, is celebrating her solo album. Like many great artists, Sarreal grew up exposed to music like any kid.

“As a kid, I sang [along] to The Beach Boys and Billy Joel, and eventually, I was walking around the house singing my own words to my own melodies,” Sarreal said. “Basically, it has always been my dream to be a recording artist.”

Sarreal’s mother, paraeducator at PHS, says that Jordani’s talents are all her own.

“She’s never really had any lessons,” Mrs. Sarreal said. “As a mom, it’s kind of exciting that she picks up stuff that easily.”

One group that has infl uenced Sarreal as an artist is one with a large fan base at Puyallup High School.

“Of course, I am heavily infl uenced by many great artists. But if I had to choose one artist, or group, in my case, it would defi nitely be The Beatles,” said Sarreal. “Not only do I fi nd them to be incredible musicians and songwriters, but they were innovators of the music industry from recording methods and even the level of fame that they achieved in the few years they were together.”

As is the case with most musicians, the road hasn’t always been easy.

“As some doors opened and let me into the industry, other doors closed to guide me through it and I think one of the best examples of that is when I almost quit,” said Sarreal. “In hindsight, that event opened doors for my

career months and even years down the road.”However, Sarreal teamed up with Markus Simmons,

owner of Tacoma’s Pacifi c Studios, to make her fi rst album. He became a major supporter of Sarreal, even co-writing and playing keyboard and guitar on the album.

“With that interest shared, we both worked hard to complete this project, so I’ve been fortunate enough not to have to worry about the effort of trying to be recorded, rather than just putting the best product possible,” Sarreal said.

The product she is talking about is referred to as an EP, or “extended play.” It means that the album contains more songs than just a single, but isn’t long enough to qualify as a full album. The CD contains seven original songs and shows a lot of growth for Sarreal as a musician.

“It took time just to fi nd my own personal style which ended up being completely different than what I originally walked into the studio with,” Sarreal said. “The songs on the EP were written across a great amount of time which shows the creative process almost chronologically, and how I’ve developed as an artist as well.”

Simmons said that, unlike some artists he works with, Sarreal came into the studio without specifi c direction for the recording.

“We didn’t really have a predetermined, set idea,” Simmons said. “We went a little more indie than we were originally going to go.”

As for the content of the album, Sarreal explains that although she draws much of her inspiration from past experiences, some of the memories don’t appear in her music as they occurred.

“I do take from my own experiences when I write, but I also add or subtract certain things because I think that’s what we all do when we refl ect on the past. The song, ‘I Could Be Kind’ however, is very honest and real; it’s also pretty emotionally heavy, too,” Sarreal said.

A sentiment expressed by many artists, Sarreal was invigorated when she fi rst received the tangible copy of her music.

“You know, I felt pretty darn good the fi rst time I held my own CD. It was like condensing all my work, time, ideas and feelings into one concrete object,” Sarreal said.

In addition to a hopeful solo career, Sarreal is also a member of the local band, Umber Sleeping. As a solo act and with the band, Sarreal is currently performing at local venues. Her show schedule is available at www.myspace.com/jordanimusic.

Very willing to share wisdom, Sarreal wishes to tell hopeful musicians the industry is challenging and demanding, but can be extremely rewarding.

“There is so much more work beyond just writing songs and recording them, but if you truly have a passion for the music, it’s a fun and enjoyable ride,”

Sarreal said.Sarreal’s album is available at Forza in downtown

Puyallup and at her shows. In a few months, her music will be online and on iTunes.

Although she professed to not having a specifi c mantra, the advice that she has lived by is simple, but truthful.

“I’ve always believed that you can do anything if you work hard enough,” Sarreal said.

Student musicians march to own beats

B Y A N N A W U L F E K U H L E

C I R C U L A T I O N

“ I ’ V E A L W A Y S B E L I E V E D T H A T

Y O U C A N D O A N Y T H I N G I F

Y O U W O R K H A R D E N O U G H . ”

J O R D A N I S A R R E A LM U S I C I A N

B Y K A T E L Y N N H A A S

A & E E D I T O R

“ T H E K E Y T O A G O O D M U S I C I A N

I S B E I N G A B L E T O P I C K U P A P E N

A N D J U S T S T A R T W R I T I N G . ”

P E R R Y A P P L E T O NS E N I O R

Five musicians take time away from their daily lives to express themselves in a way most people only dream about. Without fame on their brain, it’s pure love for writing and playing music that fuel their passion.

J E F F R E Y W H I T L A T C H | G R A P H I C S E D I T O R

SARREAL’S DREAMS COME TRUE

This fall, the football team has held its own early in the year, currently holding a record of 2-2.

Senior football player Dom Holub says the football team is working towards a successful season and is expected to go a lot farther than they did last year.

“We have a lot more athletes on the fi eld this year and we all are working hard to go to playoffs,” Holub said.

Senior football player Erin Barber has been playing football since third grade and started playing quarterback last year.

Barber recently broke the Single Game Touchdown record for PHS in the fi rst game of the 2010 season against Spanaway Lake Sept. 3 with seven touchdown passes in one game. The record was previously held by Luke Huard for the past 12 years.

“My experience has really helped me catch up with the speed of the game,” Barber said.

The Vikings are also using a no-huddle offense. The goal of this fast-pace offense is to distract the opponent’s defense.

According to both Holub and Barber, PHS has a lot more school spirit than the other schools in the area.

Holub and Barber think this helps the football team a lot and gets them really pumped up and ready for every game.

“Coaches and teammates have a positive impact on the team when they are excited and encouraging towards each other,” Assistant Principal Eric Hogan said.

Hogan has attended many football games over the past few years and thinks that PHS defi nitely has better sportsmanship in comparison to other schools.

“PHS usually has more fans at away games than the home teams even do,” Barber said.

Barber plans on playing football in college but for now is unsure where he will end up.

“This year, my goal is to just lead the team and help take them to the next level,” Barber said. “We have a talented group of guys and we are all very excited for what this season will bring.”

According to Holub, this years biggest competition will be Graham-Kapowsin, Kentwood and Curtis. The Vikings play at home versus Curtis High School Oct. 1 at 7:15 p.m.

Viking Field, now Sparks Stadium, has been a part of the Puyallup School District for 87 years and counting.

“There are a ton of traditions and memories at Viking Field,” Athletic Director Rick Wells said. “It has helped bring the community together.”

The land where Sparks Stadium currently resides was purchased in 1923 by the school board. It became a playground for Maplewood and an athletic fi eld for PHS. It held local football games, according to Clayton Sparks, son of Carl Sparks.

The Viking class of 1923 voted to name the land “Viking Field,” according to Lori Price of The Herald in 1985.

Seniors in 1924 decided to put up a fence, gate and concrete arch at the site.

In 1931 an elaborate gate for the arch was welded by PHS teacher William Wischemann.

The arch and gate can now be found just outside of our memorial library.

Carl Sparks came to PHS in 1939 and became head football coach in 1941.

In 1945, under his coaching, the Viking football team

went undefeated. He also coached basketball, baseball and track.

“On every Thanksgiving Day, Puyallup would play Sumner and there would be standing room only,” Clayton Sparks said. “Later in the season the fi eld would turn to mud.”

Carl Sparks’ Puyallup football team achieved fi ve league titles. They had an overall record of 95 wins, 31 losses and 12 ties.

“He was a player’s coach,” Clayton Sparks said. “The players simply liked

to play for him.” In 1970 the school board renamed

a number of facilities, according to Price. Carl Sparks’ name was attributed to the stadium because of his passion as a coach and the lessons he taught to many Viking men. “He was an amazing coach and he inspired me to play a lot of sports,” sophomore Devin Carriveau, great grandson of Sparks, said. “It was more than a game to him, it was his life.”

In 1986, the old stadium was set ablaze by local firefighters in order to build a more

modern one. Construction of the new Sparks Stadium b e g a n s h o r t l y a f t e r . “It’s one of the masterpieces of Puyallup,” Clayton Sparks said. “I’ve heard others talking about it being one of the best stadiums to watch a football game in.” The new stadium was offi cially opened Sept. 11, 1987 in dedication of the Sparks family.

“It is second to none in high school facilities,” Wells said. “Not every stadium is concrete through and through and we have one of the best turfs money can buy.” The new facility featured one of the only non-crowned artifi cial

turfs on the Pacifi c Coast. It has about 4,500 covered seats and a heated press box, according to Wells. “The stadium is used year round and holds around 1,200 to 1,500 events every year,” Rick Wells said. “It

seems like the stadium will be around for years to come.”

J E S S E G I L E S

R E P O R T E R

SCHOOL SPIRIT SPIKES SUCCESSB Y K E L S E Y R O B I N S O N

R E P O R T E R

The extensive history of Carl Sparks Stadium

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“ T H E R E A R E A T O N O F

T R A D I T I O N S A N D M E M O R I E S A T

V I K I N G F I E L D . ”

R I C K W E L L SA T H L E T I C D I R E C T O R

Steamrolling: Top picture: #24 Jeremy Misailegalu takes down a Federal Way Eagle while playing defense. Puyallup dominated with a 46-17 win. Bottom left: Senior Stefon Lyons fi ghts a defender as he runs towards the endzone. Bot-tom right: Misailegalu takes down another Eagle.

A L O R A C A U D I L L | V A N G U A R D

The Viking football team has a new season underway and the players intend to go much farther than last year. The team looks toward the support of the fans to help drive them toward more victories.

Sparks has been home to the Vikings for over 50 years, and it’s just as strong now as it was then. The history of Sparks is intertwined with the history of PHS.

B A R B E R

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As the horn goes off, all six swimmers instantaneously back dive into the water Sept. 9, leaving nothing but a tiny splash.

For about four seconds, if you look hard enough, you’ll see the swimmers voracious dolphin kick underwater as they try to take the lead.

On the last lap of the 100-yard backstroke in lanes one and three, seniors Emma Englund and Becca Harris separate themselves from the group of swimmers.

Now it’s two teammates battling for fi rst place. Within the last yards of the race, Harris takes fi rst and

Englund takes second against Rogers High School with just seconds separating the places.

A new season of girl’s swim means new captains. This year’s captains are Englund and Harris. Many team members describe these girls as fun, crazy, hyper and full

of Viking spirit.“Emma is just crazy and loves to swim. Becca is really

spirited and loves to swim as well. Plus both of them are really involved,” second year swimmer, Peyton Lindsley said.

With their leadership and school spirit, the team is 3-0 at press time.

Most girls said they don’t really have any competition in the district.

Even the coaches agree with them.“No one in the district [is good competition], but out

of district maybe Todd Beamer and Curtis could be a challenge, just because Beamer has a lot of club swimmers and Curtis is just a numbers game,” swim coach, Casi Messineo said.

Although Messineo likes to win, she says her main focus is something different.

“To be better human beings, teach them to be respectful,

responsible, and have pride in what they do [are most important],” Coach Messineo said.

To Messineo it’s not about winning or losing, it’s about how working hard pays off and how they truly need to have pride in what they do.

The swimmers understand what Messineo’s intention is teaching.

“Not only do they help me with techniques and strokes, most of all they teach me to be a team player, to be spirited, teach me to achieve the most and be the best that I can be,” Lindsley said.

The girl swimmers and coaches have the potential to be very successful and they aim to win the SPSL.

“Because we have that depth, we have those strong swimmers that we should be able to get second, third, fourth place. That will rack up those points,” second year swimmer, Mallery Walk said.

B Y T H O M A S X U

R E P O R T E R

CROSS-COUNTRY STARTS STRONG

New coach motivates water polo successA new coach might be all it takes for

water polo to head into the post season.Last year, Travis Braddock was the

assistant water polo coach, but has recently graduated to head coach this year.

“[Travis] is really responsible and he keeps our team on track. We don’t waste time during practice and he is helping us become a better team,” senior and co-captain Josh Morman said.

This was proven Sept. 18 with a win against Mark Morris High School at PHS. The ending score was 9-8 with seven of the nine goals being scored by sophomore Aaron Beck.

The Viks battled it out with Aaron Beck demonstrating superior tactical offense and senior goalie and co-captain Max Cockle backing up with an aggressive defense.

Braddock says he has a positive outlook on the season.

“I think the team is going to come together a lot better. They’ve stepped up and played like a team,” Braddock said.

Along with a new coach comes a new coaching style.

“This year is a lot more relaxed. [Travis] is more into the basics than the dynamics of the game,” Cockle said.

Braddock is going back to the basics and setting up the team with a sturdy base to get them through the season strong.

“It’s their team; I’m just here to encourage them. The players take the team where they want to take it and I see that they have the drive and want to get there,” Braddock said.

Braddock started playing water polo when he was just starting high school and has loved it ever since.

His greatest infl uence was former

Roger’s High School water polo coach Jerry Hartley.

“[Hartley] never blamed you for the loss, he was never demeaning and he never ridiculed you, especially in front of the parents or fans,” Braddock said of his old mentor.

Braddock hopes to be a positive infl uence on the team.

“I defi nitely don’t want to be a yeller,” Braddock said.

The team defi nitely has high opinions of their coach.

“Travis is very willing to help our team grow. The team really

respects him,” Cockle also said.Braddock also has big hopes for getting

the public more educated and involved with the sport.

“Something I’d like to do here would be

to give back to the Puyallup-area Aquatics Program, to get something going on the Saturdays with the community,” Braddock said.

As for educating the public, there’s quite a bit that most people don’t know about water polo.

“I think it’s more physical than a lot of sports. It’s like wrestling in the water with all the kicking and pulling that goes on under the surface,” Braddock said. “People don’t understand there’s no offense or defense in this game; you have to be able to play both sides.”

When all is said and done, Braddock said the best thing he could hope for the boys the take with them after the season would be,

“A lot more than just water polo skills. I want them to be better people, to be good sportsmen and better citizens. I want them to learn some life lessons for outside of the pool,” Braddock said.

B Y A N A S C H M I D T

R E P O R T E R

“ T H I S Y E A R I S A L O T M O R E

R E L A X E D [ T R A V I S ] I S M O R E I N T O T H E B A S I C S T H A N T H E D Y N A M I C S O F T H E

G A M E . ”

M A X C O C K L ES E N I O R

Girls swim team dives into new season

With the recent success of the cross-country team at the Fort Steilacoom Invite Sept. 18, the prospect of a triumphant season in inevitable, according to Coach Sandra Monaghan.

Coach Monaghan elaborated on several unique aspects present this year, which are proving to be extremely benefi cial.

“This year’s team is very young, which sets the team up for years of successful seasons,” Monaghan said.

Sophomore Mason Fletcher recognizes this year’s accomplishments by the way everyone is able to push themselves emotionally.

“I credit the success of the Puyallup cross country team to the work ethic of the runners, the determination of the runners and the nature of the coach in how she has been able to allow us to do more than what we thought we could,” Fletcher said.

Specifi cally mentioned were the type of students who choose to incorporate academics with athletics.

“A successful athlete in cross- country is fi rst a successful student. It’s the people who fi rst have the 4.0 GPA who push themselves the most,” Monaghan said.

With this sport being so much of a mind game, confi dence is key, according to Fletcher.

He expressed his opinions towards the common misconceptions people have towards this sport, as well as his methods for achieving goals.

“I’ve heard many people say that cross country is not a sport, but it

really is hard to run 3.1 miles as fast as you can,” Fletcher said.

In addition to his thoughts regarding the diffi culty of the sport, Fletcher says it takes a certain level of dedication.

“It takes endurance, stamina, and more than half of cross country is measured by toughness. Your body will tell you that you can’t go farther, but your mind has to keep pushing you forward saying yes you can. It’s a mind game more than how fast you can go,” Fletcher said.

With such a wide range of people competing, various personalities come into play, according to junior, Nikki Bohart.

“There are all sorts of different people. The calm, quiet people, and then the loud people. The closer you are with the team, the better the season is,” Bohart said.

While some people claim that the source of toughest competition comes from another school, most fi nd inspiration in other teammates.

“Friendship comes into play a lot. Nathan McLaughlin and I, we’re friends, but we’re competitive. We want to help each other out, but we also want to make each other the best,” junior, Brett Bertrand said.

The most exciting meets to attend this season, according to Monaghan, Fletcher, Bertrand and Bohart would be State in Pasco Nov. 6. Other anticipated meets include districts Oct. 30 at American Lake G.C or Sub-Districts Oct. 23 at Fort Steilacoom, where the fastest runners come together for competition.

Upcoming meets include Oct. 6 at Rogers against Curtis and Oct. 13 at Spanaway Lake against Bethel.

B Y K A T H R Y N R U S S E L L

R E P O R T E R

B R Y N N F L E T C H E R | V A N G U A R D

Above and beyond: Sophomore Mason Fletcher dives to come in before runner Lucas Graham a junior from Northwest

Christian High School, a sacrifi ce that did pay off. The boys team received 1st place in 3A/4A Division, with top fi nishers

junior Brett Bertrand in 11th place, sophomore Mason Fletcher in 17th and junior Nathan McLaughlin in 24th and the girls team

with sophomore Emily Tacky in 24th and sophomore Lauren Palon in 29th.

The philosophy of the coaches and enthusiasm of the girls shows promise for the upcoming meets. This year’s swimmers are confi dent in their abilities as a team.

SPORTSP A G E 1 6 | P U Y A L L U P H I G H S C H O O L | I S S U E O N E | O C T O B E R 1 , 2 0 1 0 | T H E V I K I N G V A N G U A R D

THE ANATOMY OF A PHS VIKINGWhat is it that makes a Viking? Is it the class yells or the purple camofl auge shorts and jumpsuits? Whatever the age or grade, students and staff alike unite in their purple and gold; thus, proudly fl aunting their Viking spirit.

B Y K E L S E Y R O B I N S O N

R E P O R T E R

This school year, the student body has created a spirited atmosphere not only at school

but through the support shown towards all fall sports.

Defi nition of Spirit

According to senior yell leader Lauren Farnsworth, being spirited can help athletes put on more of a fi ght while they compete this fall.

“To me, school spirit is being proud of the school you are at,” Farnsworth said. “I am so happy to be a Viking. Going to games all decked out in purple and gold is such a great feeling.”

To Farnsworth, it’s not just the games that show school spirit, but it’s also about being involved in your own way such as participating in the school band or other clubs.

“High school only happens once and I know that if I just sit back and be quiet, I won’t have the most fun I can have,” Farnsworth said.

Class Spirits

The sophomore class is usually shy and not as excited as everyone else.

The juniors know how school spirit works but not all of them cheer and dress up.

But the seniors realize that it’s fi nally the last year in high school and it needs to be the best year.

According to Farnsworth, it seems like the seniors are always the most spirited.

Pumping the Spirit

According to Farnsworth, it bothered her that some of the students just sat around or barely cheered. She realized that if there were someone outgoing and spirited other than cheerleaders, maybe she could change this.

“From what I have noticed this year, the senior class is a lot better than we were last year,” Farnsworth said. “It’s still the beginning but we are off to a great start with how much spirit we have.”

Farnsworth runs cross country and says that not a lot of people usually show up to meets.

But according to Farnsworth, even though a few people show up, it is

nice to s e e s i g n s

around t h e s c h o o l supporting the athletes.

“Part of the reason I ran for senior class yell leader was to improve our school spirit,” Farnsworth said. “Last year [the junior class] lacked spirit and I wanted to change that.”

Progress

So far, Farnsworth has seen improvements from everyone. More people are

dressing up and going to games. Seniors especially dress up in jumpsuits while juniors wear their purple cargo pants.

“Over the years the enthusiasm and passion in our school spirit has stayed the same, but sportsmanship over the years has gotten a lot better,” Assistant Principal Eric Hogan said.

PHS Measures Up

Before Hogan worked at PHS, he taught and was principal at Franklin Pierce High School and Bremerton High School.

“Compared to the other two high schools I have worked at, a signifi cantly larger portion of our student body is enthusiastic about activities and events,” Hogan said.

Inspiring the School

Hogan thinks that a majority of athletes are not only affected by the school’s spirit but also by teammates and coaches.

It is important for teammates and coaches to be enthusiastic and supportive of each other to be more successful.

According to Hogan, fun activities and school spirit cause a positive

effect all around the school. School spirit makes people feel

better about themselves.

Student Speaks

“I think we could improve upon class spirit by having more rallies or pre-game events,” senior Sabrina Salazar said. “Assemblies are also important and get everyone excited about the event by having certain people talk and pump up the students.”Salazar thinks that it is very

important to have spirit for all sports because a lot of teams do better when

they have a crowd yelling and cheering them on.“People should try and step out of their

comfort zone and get spirited because it is really a lot of fun to do,” Salazar said.

Calendar of Upcoming Home

Football Games:

Oct. 1:Curtis @ PHS

Oct. 15(Homecoming):Bethel @ PHS

Oct. 29: Rogers @ PHS

A N A D U E N A S | V A N G U A R D

A L O R A C A U D I L L | V A N G U A R DA L O R A C A U D I L L | V A N G U A R D

“ T O M E , S C H O O L S P I R I T I S B E I N G

P R O U D O F T H E S C H O O L Y O U

A R E A T . . . I ’ M S O H A P P Y T O B E A

V I K I N G . ”

L . F A R N S W O R T HY E L L L E A D E R