InFlight Auburn Riverside Student Voice FEB 11, 2014 • VOLUME 19 • ISSUE #4
Opinion Mid-winter break adds to extraneous district breaks 2
InFlight Feb 11, 2014
Cameron Fairchild STAFF REPORTER
Spring Break are both, in my mind, necessary to relieve students and teachers alike of the stresses of school. In between these I take no issue with the school year’s two, however, there lies an oblong fixture two primary breaks. December’s two-week of a break, a redundancy, a dark horse; yes Winter Break and April’s ever-publicized indeed, February’s Mid-winter Break has once more returned. I have always begrudgingly accepted this weeklong vacation, which begins this year on Feb. 18 following Presidents’ Day vacation on the 17, but I still think this vacation is largely unnecessary. Where do we draw the line on how many breaks we take from our schooling? At this point, we take so many days out of our school year that the Auburn School District has practically spawned a host of year-round facilities to accommodate all of the interruptions: if you disregard the three major breaks, you’re still left with PHOTO COURTESY CREATIVE COMMONS LICENSE, COMMONS.WIKIMEDIA.COM Thanksgiving vacation, sevStudents are assailed with distractions during the break and forget eral three-day weekends, and perhaps most infamoustheir studies as a result.
ly, the PLC one-hour-late start days, which, ironically, were originally instituted a few years ago by the district to replace Midwinter Break. While this gross over-saturation of the school year with constant, jarring breaks have shortened Auburn’s summer break to a paltry two months, perhaps more immediately important is how this break interrupts curriculum and preparation for year-end exams. Some students disagree. “I like doing [Mid-winter Break] because it’s like a week of doing nothing,” freshman Andrew Juangco said. That’s exactly the problem. Obviously students forget things over breaks, and it’s important, especially in the second semester, to impede a continuous stream of knowledge as little as possible given the last half of the year’s tendency to introduce more difficult concepts. In the words of Seattle Times staff columnist Nicole Brodeur, “It seems that just as kids are getting the hang of Shakespeare or cracking the geometric code, the calendar calls them to close their books and kill some time.” Of course, Mid Winter Break remains popular among many students. “We need a break in the middle of the
school year,” freshman Andrew Juangco claimed. Junior Edith Payan agreed. “It’s good because we need a break between winter and spring break.” The problem with these sentiments is that there already is a break without the week off in February. As mentioned above, this break takes place a mere month before Spring Break, which falls on the first full week of April this year, and directly after the three day weekend celebrating President’s Day, which comes a mere two weeks after Finals Week, which begins with a Monday off, and is further permeated by the 3-hour late starts on the actual finals days to allow for make-up EOC testing. Any further argument that a vacation is needed after finals is basically moot because of all the time we get off during the actual finals. Mid-winter Break is a telltale symptom of the disease that plagues our school: constant jarring, and oftentimes overcompliant interruptions. Only by reducing or eliminating this break can we take our first steps towards a more thorough and consistent curriculum and more vacation days in the summer, where they matter the most.
Valentine’s Day: A corporate, commercial tradition Jacob Lonergan STAFF REPORTER Think back to your elementary days. The day in February when students made their own decorated envelopes and put it in their spots at the table, while all the students filled the envelopes with different cartoonthemed cards with little pieces of candy in them. That’s right, Valentine’s Day. However, as we grow older, the holiday becomes less about the little cards and more about spending all your money on gifts and dates. Valentine’s Day is just another holiday that’s been capitalized on by companies like Hershey’s and various plushie and jewelry companies. Last year, about $18.6 billion was spent on Valentine’s Day alone, with each
InFlight
editor-in-chief Mackenzie Brown business manager Karlee Johnson photographer Dylan Johnston social media editor Jude Hanno cover illustration Mackenzie Brown adviser Patrick Swenson
staff reporters Mackenzie Brown Cameron Fairchild Jude Hanno Karlee Johnson Dylan Johnston Sarah Koenig Jacob Lonergan Maddie Nassirian Sasha Terry Alex Vasquez Eric Walker
person spending, on average, $130.97. Of that, $4.4 billion alone was spent on jewelry and diamonds.
PHOTO COURTESY CREATIVE COMMONS LISCENSE, FLICKR.COM
Cheesy gifts like this are what make Valentine’s Day a corporate holiday.
InFlight policies InFlight is compiled by the student newspaper staff at Auburn Riverside High School, 501 Oravetz Road, Auburn, WA 98092. The InFlight staff strives to maintain accurate and objective reporting for our stories. However, opinion stories are included. Any commentary which is signed by the author accounts for his or her opinion only, and not necessarily that of anyone else on staff. An unsigned editorial reflects the majority opinion of the InFlight staff. InFlight accepts student, faculty, and community members’ letters to the editor,
The main reason I’m opposed to Valentine’s Day is that I don’t see the point in making one day about being a happy couple and going to dinner or whatever you may choose to do, and I especially don’t understand spending all that money on that one day just because it’s what you’ve been taught almost your whole life. “Valentine’s Day is just another day to get people to buy stupid overpriced stuff,” senior Dylan Outerson said. I agree completely. You’re paying extra money for the same chocolate, stuffed into a heartshaped box, even a couple extra dollars for a normal teddy bear just because it’s holding a heart. “I hate Valentine’s Day,” senior Alex Haley said. “I’ve wasted so much money on it.” Not to mention, why not go out on a date night once or more a month? Or even stay inside and make dinner together regularly? Personally, I feel like that’s way bet-
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ter for maintaining a healthy relationship and spending time together rather than saving it for Valentine’s Day and that day only, which I see many couples do. I see a tweet or status saying about how they’re on the verge of a breakup, on the 13th, then they’re the happiest couple ever with a dozen selfies and collages on Instagram on the 14th. The inconsistency is painful. Junior Ryan Smart says he’s “not a fan” of Valentine’s Day either, due to how materialistic the holiday is, but takes no issue with how it’s supposed to be about caring for someone and enjoying time spent together. Don’t get me wrong when I rant about all this though. Do something nice for Valentine’s Day. Just don’t get caught up in the materialistic parts of Valentine’s Day, and don’t make it the only day you celebrate your relationship. Remember, the best present is spending time together.
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Opinion 3 ATMs would be beneficial for students Auburn Riverside High School
Eric Walker, Jacob Lonergan STAFF REPORTERS Picture this: you’re walking into the cafeteria, picking out food that you want to eat, when you get to the cashier and reach for your wallet and find you have no cash. All you have is a debit card. The only problem is that there is no way to use it. Many students at school say the school needs electronic payment methods, and we agree. It allows for easier access to pay for food at school and other things like fundraisers (that are primarily paid in cash). With card payments and ATMs, students wouldn’t have to worry about getting cash before school. “I never have cash,” senior Shelbeigh Belden said. It’s a common occurrence in today’s society; we don’t pay with actual currency anymore. Payment technology has changed dramatically in the past ten years and it seems like cash is not used as frequently as credit and debit cards. In school however, cash is the leading way students make payments. Fundraisers and the Raven’s Nest are restricted to cash only, sparking a problem for students who do not usually carry cash. “I don’t ever have cash on me,” junior
Kyle Simmons said. Many students at Riverside have jobs that pay them directly to their debit card via direct deposit, making it even less neccesary and rarer for students to carry cash with them. “My job has direct deposit and I don’t have cash,” junior Deanna Orlovski said. ATMs at school would be beneficial to students in these kinds of situations. Some students think an ATM would be great because a lot of fundraisers and snacks sold after school also only accept cash. An ATM would give students more leverage to get food because they have access to their cash. Students would use the ATM to get cash so they can purchase the things being offered at school as well as lunch because many students are left out when it comes lunch. ATMs would allow people to purchase more at school, and might just possibly bring in more income, because of students having more access to their money. And just as I thought I had enough cash for lunch, I realized I forgot to take out some when I deposited money into the bank, so I didn’t have money for lunch. An ATM at Riverside would be beneficial to us all.
PHOTO BY DYLAN JOHNSTON
A view into the future shows us what Riverside’s bus loading zone could look like with the installation of an ATM.
Music genres sink to new lows Underclassmen hide among seniors Dylan Johnston STAFF REPORTER
Mackenzie Brown EDITOR-IN-CHEIF
From beating the ground with rocks to the sounds of broken garbage disposals, music has come a long and painful way. Back in my day, music used to mean something important! There was a time when most music was good, and you could listen to all the songs on a CD, and like them all. Now its just one or two songs that are good. And you don’t even have to buy CDs, you can just download them off the internet without having to go anywhere. “It used to be more classic and thoughtful,” senior Hannah Deflaine said. Now, music isn’t like that at all. The progression of music has been terrible. People used to make songs that were good and had meaning to them. Now it’s just people rapping about how they have swag and how they get all of the women. Half the time the beat in the background of the song is just the same generic sound repeated over and over again, or the rapper will pretend he/she is rapping, but they are really just talking in a sing song voice, which sounds like someone talking to a baby. Occasionally a rapper might get high as a kite and attempt to rap, but in reality it sounds like a dying beached whale. It isn’t entertaining at all. Okay, not all rap is bad. But the vast majority is just bland and boring. Rap is not the only genre worth complaining about. “Good old” rock ’n roll deserves some attention too. Oh man, why did
While people may think that only slacker students are discriminated against, those who work hard to rise above the rest are also discouraged. Commonly called “overachievers,” some students who go above and beyond are actually looked down on. One example of this can be found when lower class students, such as freshman and sophomores, take AP classes or classes that are only recommended for juniors or seniors. Over-achievers can be a pain. They’re the type of people who put shame to your hard work. It’s always going to be irritating, but realistically, people should be able to work hard for their achievements. What gets annoying is when they rub it in. Nothing makes you feel quite as outdone like when a lowerclassmen is in a class that you consider difficult.They have the right to take the opportunities that work best for them, but no matter how you look at it, you’re going to want them gone. It’s undeniable: a braggy underclassmen in your class is annoying. You can be as nice as you want, but one thing that seems to be common among them is their need to show off their young age. Most of the time, they got where they are because they’re above average. That alone is enough to deter you, and the fact that they actually raise their hand to answer questions teachers ask are just a couple of things that make them stand out amongst the older crowd. It’s the opinion of many students that freshman and PHOTO COURTESY CREATIVE COMMONS LICENSE, FLICKR.COM
this genre have to go bad? They just had to mix in electro in with the guitar and drums. It really does not go well together and I have no idea why they would do something like that. That, or the singer screams and makes noises a human being should not be able to make. Wubwubwubwubwub dubstep, wubwubwubwub. This is the most underappreciated genre of them all; when most people think of dubstep, they think gargled garbage disposal, or Skrillex who is obviously the only one who makes dubstep. This genre takes an extreme amount of skill to make; not just any Joe Shmoe can make dubstep. Even though this genre is hated by everyone, the progression of dubstep is going in a very good way right now. One word: country. This is like a soft version of rap, but with an acoustic guitar and some western person singing with their accent. Come on now, no one cares about your terrible love life, or your dead dog. Any sort of “good” country is now gone, it’s just the same generic stuff that people sing about. Overall, the progression of music is horrible, and in the way its going it will soon lay its own grave. Good music is dying out.
sophomores should not be allowed to take AP classes and that they should wait until they become upperclassmen. Sure, they’ll take the classes either way, but wouldn’t it be far more beneficial to take two classes per year versus four a year in your junior and senior years? Additionally, a freshman AP geography class has been created to replace Orientation. Running Start gives a chance for juniors and seniors in high school to get a head start in college. Similarly, allowing underclassmen to take higher level classes allows them to experience what’s to come in later years. It’s giving them an earlier opportunity, just like most seniors and juniors have the opportunity too. If you’re a freshman, the best way to integrate into an intimidating class is to blend in. Don’t advertise that you’re a freshman or sophomore, don’t wear your class color on spirit days, and when the teacher asks where the seniors are, raise your hand. Just kidding, of course. It’s simple really: be considerate. The idea of being considerate goes both ways. Be respectful of the people around you and don’t add fuel to the fire.
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Opinion
InFlight Feb 11, 2014
Being single on Valentine’s Day a double negative Sara Koenig STAFF REPORTER Everybody is supposed to hate being single on Valentine’s Day. It’s basically a law of nature. You get to be in front row seats to everybody’s personal romance novel. People are making out everywhere, you watch so many people feeding each other chocolate that it makes you sick for weeks afterwards, and it smells profusely like flowers, perfume, and hormonal delusion. “The worst thing about being single on Valentine’s Day is being single on Valentine’s Day,” junior Jon Hackett said. Freshman Makayla Tilton expressed further ire towards the holiday. “You don’t get presents and you don’t get a hug!” It’s not totally horrible, though. It’s cheaper unless you get depressed and buy yourself chocolate to try and feel better. Maybe that giant teddy bear that no one wanted to buy because they couldn’t carry it, and that cute, but totally cheesy, Hallmark card. And a movie rental of The Notebook. And some Kleenex.
Most of the time I don’t care about PDA, or public displays of affection, for those of you whose innocent minds can’t even imagine holding hands in public. I don’t even care about couples, or about single people who complain about being single. I actually prefer being single, as hard as that is to believe for all of those people who can’t stand being single, are dating somebody, or are my guy friends who think I need a boyfriend. I don’t really want a boyfriend, or a girlfriend. I am free to make my own decisions, to hang out with guys without one hovering and getting jealous at all the little things. I don’t have to worry about being pressured to go farther than I’m willing to go because “we’ll be together forever.” No, we won’t. You won’t. She won’t. He won’t. When you’re sixteen, you don’t know who you’re going to be with fifty years from now. You don’t know who you’re going to be with twenty years from now. Hell, you don’t even know if you’ll be together a week from now. But on Valentine’s Day, it’s different.
Everybody feels lonely. Even I feel lonely. don’t focus on the things you don’t have You compare yourself to the images of that someone else does. I dare you to tell couples you see in TV shows, movies, and your friends how much you care, to give books. Your mind conjures unrealistic ideals flowers to your parents, and to be happy for what a relationship should be. Couples exactly where you are with who you are, always seem to look better and happier than whether or not you’re with someone. single people do. That’s what Valentine’s Day does. It makes all those couples seem like they’ve got it better. Like they have everything you don’t have. Like their personalities are inherently better than the insecurity-ridden mess yours becomes. Here’s what I propose to you. This PHOTO BY MADDIE NASSIRIAN year on Valentine’s Day, don’t flaunt Jake March looks on at Emma Tyrie and Alonso Tirado, demonstrating what you have that the uncomfortable heights PDA can reach on Valentine’s Day. others don’t, and
Five percent homework rule spreads apathy Jude Hanno STAFF REPORTER It’s 6:00 p.m and you just got home. You make a mental checklist in your brain for all the homework you have. Concept Questions for US History, two pages of math homework, an essay rough draft to write for language arts and a science lab conclusion to write. At this rate, you know you’ll be up until at least midnight, and you already know how stressed and tired you’re going to be the next day for going to sleep so late. In an attempt to save as much time as possible, you put them in the order of most important to least important. Both your social studies and language arts homework are worth a large portion of your grade. Of course, you grab your notebooks and start on those first. By the time you’re done, it’s 11:30, you’re tired, and you know you have to start your math and science homework, which you know are only worth five percent of your grade. At this point, you begin contemplating the scenario. To do the homework or to not do the homework, that is the question. To
spend another hour of your precious sleeping time agonizing over math equations and the periodic table, or to go to sleep and be ready for school in the morning. You give up, put your backpack away, and pull the blanket over your head. “It’s only worth five percent!” you say to yourself. “It won’t even matter!” This is where the problem lies. The 5% rule that has been applied to math and science classes causes a large loss of motivation. Why would I spend an hour a night doing something that is worth so little? Homework is an important everyday contribution to the success and understanding of a student. It is needed for students to practice certain material that is given in class, so that they can excel in the subject they are learning. If homework is worth so much, why is it, in the gradebook, worth so little? “School is stressful enough as it is,” senior Rachael Parks, who has always been an AP student, said. “the last thing you need to do is homework that teachers rarely ever check.” Many students, such as Parks, believe in the importance of acceptance into
a university after high school, and we are led to believe that taking many AP classes are a must. This is a large portion of the stress caused by the large load of homework in these classes. Especially in higher division classes such as AP Physics and AP Calculus. These classes offer loads of homework, with the 5% rule still taking place. Science and Debate teacher Mark Davis believes in the importance of homework. “It’s obvious when people don’t do their work. It really shows on the tests,” he said. Sophomore Matthew Jones believes in homework only when necessary. “I don’t think you have to do the homework if you understand the concept,” he said. “But if you don’t understand it, that is when it’s important to do homework.” Although Jones believes in the importance of homework, he also dislikes the 5% grading rule. “It’s funny because there’s a lot of homework a student has to do a night, so why do something worth so little?” Having homework worth such a little percentage is a recipe for bad test scores and even worse grades. Students are con-
stantly reminded to do their homework as well as continuously being told about the importance that homework serves a classroom. But that saying told by both teachers and parents is being proved wrong with the amount of credit we receive for the hours of work that we do every night. Students are already overwhelmed with copious amounts of homework, the pressure of social interaction from their peers and pressure from counselors and parents to join after school activities in order to raise chances of acceptance into college. The only thing a student needs is motivation to do everything they’re supposed to do. The 5% rule eliminates that motivation. It’s understandable that in colleges, homework is barely ever graded. But keep in mind that we are not in college, we are in high school. Homework should be graded adjunctively to its importance in learning the subject matter as a whole. Motivation to do homework is a huge factor that correlates to a student’s grades. Eliminating that motivation does not help. PHOTO BY MACKENZIE BROWN
News 5 ASB shows agape love towards change
Auburn Riverside High School
Jude Hanno STAFF REPORTER ASB is getting ready for more fun and focus this upcoming month! With a lot of student involvement from the population at Riverside already, ASB continues to improve our school, as well as the environment we attend every day. One way the ASB has shown its capacity to reach out to Riverside alumni is by fundraising to help out with Dustin Ryan, a former student who came across a horrible and unfortunate event that caused him to end up in medical care. Our ASB leaders are working to raise funds to help an alumni out. Senior officer Nicole Coppola believes it is important to help out those in need. “He’s going through a lot right now and we just want to help.” The topic of Dustin Ryan has sparked discussion among many students, with prayers for Dustin trending among students in support for the recovery of Dustin. Another event planned by the ASB was the Martin Luther King Jr. assembly that takes place every year to celebrate the differences and similarities between the entire student population here at school. Senior Joey Luchessi tells us how they also have other events that are considered “top secret” because the ASB wants to surprise us with amazing events. A part of their surprise were the doz-
ens of papers posted along the hallways with a simple white bubbled question mark, and many posters with the words “Where is the love?” or “Have you found the love?” The assembly took place on Jan. 17 and was centered around the idea of agape love. Agape love can be translated into “unconditional love,” or loving everyone regardless of their own strengths and weaknesses. It’s reaching out to everyone and loving others more than you love yourself. Inspirational stories were shared and the idea that one must love others before oneself was the theme. Presenters included Crystal Song, June Uiki, Brad Filler, Megan Luchessi, and Derek Brown. The assembly also focused on preventing negative stereotypes. ASB continues to make the school a positive place.
PHOTO BY MADDIE NASSIRIAN
The ASB organizes pep assemblies and student events to promote a sense of unity and fraternity among students. They also support clubs and sports and encourage students to partake in extracurricular activities.
Solo and Ensemble concludes 2014 fashion shown off campus Dylan Johnston STAFF REPORTER
other performance procedures. Literature should be representitive of age and musical maturity of student. Many band and orchestra performers agreed that preparation is hectic but enjoyable. “Working with other students on the same piece is the most annoying and fun thing about preparing for Solo and Ensemble,” senior Judith Kim said. Others found practice to be timeconsuming and taxing. “The annoying part is when we perform in classrooms,” junior Travis Tran said. “But it’s really fun to perform.” Sophomore Harrison Tyrie also agreed. “The amount of time put into preparing for it is annoying, but it’s really fun to just perform,” he said.
On Feb. 8, the Solo and Ensemble competition was held here at 8 AM until 4:40 PM. It’s a competition that band and orchestra goes to compete for solo and group performances. The songs played during the performance were classical and not something musicians were allowed to just make up. The best score is a 1, and the worst is a 5. The students are judged individually unless it is a group piece. Sometimes the school pays for the competition, but not this year. “You basically walk in and there is a table with judges and they sort of criticize you,” junior Travis Tran said. The judges based their scores off of interpretation, tone, intonation, technique, and literature. Interpretation is the musical feeling that is in good taste and includes tonal balance, phrasing, tempo, expression and artistry. Tone is the beauty of tone quality. Intonation is the correctness of the pitch, playing in tune. Technique is the correct and proper tonguing, articulation, support, fingering and PHOTO COURTESY CREATIVE COMMONS LICENSE, FLICKR.COM
Dylan Johnston STAFF REPORTER Come on down to The Outlet Collection, and come see the fashion show on February 15 on a Saturday. The show will begin at 2 PM. In the past,the fashion show has always been an appreciated part of Riverside’s culture. Anyone who goes gets the opportunity to see new clothes and fashion being displayed on students they know. The only difference this year is that it will be at the outlet collection. It used to be in the ART. The fashion show is put on by the students in the Interior Design and Fashion class and The Outlet Collection, which is hosting the show for the class to be able to display their talents. The price to get in is $7, and the tickets are limited, so come and get them while they are hot. The designers are not picking out the outfits. Instead, they are being provided by The Outlet Collection in an effort to advertise their merchandise. They will be showing off different clothing lines. A supporter in supply for this show is Gene Juarrez. Gene Juarrez runs a salon and spa shop and they will be helping the Interior Design and Fashion show. This will be a showcase of the new outfits, which are not available for purchase yet but will be soon. They will be selling raffle tickets at
the event, for swag bags. These bags will be full of free stuff and discounts to different stores. It’s a great way for products to display what they have in store. All of the money and proceedings will go straight to the “Clothes for Kids” charity. The Interior Design and Fashion class are supporting this charity and doing the fashion show for a wonderful cause. There will be multiple places where the fashion show will be held. The main part of the fashion show will happen at the Nike Outlet store. It will also be in the hallway across from the Burlington Coat Factory. They will also be giving out makeovers for free. But in order to recieve the free makeover, you must ask to get one before the show starts to be eligible. If you want to be a part of the fashion show experience, the fashion designers are still looking for models. Anyone is welcome to become a model. If this is of any interest to you, see adviser Kelly Jensen in room 521 by the ART. She is always willing to talk to anyone who comes by. Anyone can become a model, and there are no requirements to sign up. There are meetings every Monday right after school. So stop by and see what you can do to help the Interior Design and Fashion class in their annual fashion show.
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Feature
InFlight Feb 11, 2014
Who’s behind locker #... 7251
Mikayla Duhamel 6100 InFlight: How do you spend your days? MD: Watching TV. InFlight: Have you always lived in Auburn? MD: No, Kent and Bonney Lake. InFlight: If you could vacation anywhere, where would you go? MD: California. InFlight: Do you have a dream job? MD: Private Investigator. InFlight: In everyday life, what is your number one pet peeve? MD: When people smack their food and stare at you. InFlight: Where do you see yourself in 20 years? MD: Living in California with one kid. InFlight: How tall are you? MD: 5’6 1/2” InFlight: What is your third favorite color? MD: Black, even though it’s not a color. InFlight: What is your favorite thing about AR? MD: The teachers. InFlight: Do you like the Seahawks? MD: Yes.
Sam Gocken InFlight: How do you spend your days? SG: Working out, homework, and just hanging out. InFlight: Have you always lived in Auburn? SG: No, Renton, Kent and Seattle. InFlight: If you could vacation anywhere, where would you go? SG: Italy. InFlight: Do you have a dream job? SG: I’d like to be a sports broadcaster. InFlight: In everyday life, what is your number one pet peeve? SG: When people don’t use turn signals. InFlight: Where do you see yourself in 20 years? SG: High school history teacher. InFlight: How tall are you? SG: 6’3” InFlight: What is your third favorite color? SG: Purple. InFlight: What is your favorite thing about AR? SG: The “family” feeling you get here, it’s like a second home to some people. InFlight: Do you like the Seahawks? SG: Yes.
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Olivia Bethea 2128 InFlight: If you could vacation anywhere, where would you go? OB: France. InFlight: Do you have a dream job? OB: Owning my own daycare. InFlight: How do you spend your days? OB: Hanging out with friends, playing basketball and watching TV. InFlight: What are some of your hobbies? OB: Sleeping. InFlight: Have you always lived in Auburn? OB: Yes. InFlight: In everyday life, what is your number one pet peeve? OB: People stopping in the middle of the hall. InFlight: Where do you see yourself in 20 years? OB: Living in Hawaii. InFlight: How tall are you? OB: 5’9” InFlight: What is your third favorite color? OB: Blue. InFlight: What is your favorite thing about AR? OB: The school spirit. InFlight: Do you like the Seahawks? OB: Yes.
Tayzy Taylor InFlight: How do you spend your days? TT: Hanging out with family, watching TV or playing video games. InFlight: Have you always lived in Auburn? TT: Yes. InFlight: What are some of your Hobbies? TT: Reading and Writing. InFlight: If you could vacation anywhere, where would you go? TT: Hawaii. InFlight: Do you have a dream job? TT: I’d like to be a writer. InFlight: In everyday life, what is your number one pet peeve? TT: Crowded hallways. InFlight: Where do you see yourself in 20 years? TT: Graduated from college, then having a great job with a nice house. InFlight: How tall are you? TT: 5’1” InFlight: What is your third favoirte color? TT: Red. InFlight: What is your favorite thing about AR? TT: The classes. InFlight: Do you like the Seahawks? TT: Yes.
Feature 7 Students work offices Artist of the issue
Auburn Riverside High School
As you know, the school has several different offices. Each office has a specific set of things that they do, and the offices deal with students in different ways. There is the attendance office, which helps keep track of everyone who comes and goes. The counseling office helps students with schedules, while the activities office deals with sports. To talk to one of the administrators, the main office is where they are located. Students who work in the attendance office answer phones and fill out paperwork so students can be picked up or leave. Only a handful of students are picked who are willing and able to work in the office. It takes a lot of responsibility and a contract is signed making sure they know that it isn’t like a normal class but more of something that prepares them for a job. A real job means doing filing, cleaning the work areas and socializing with students who come in and out of the office. Having a good attitude every day is a must because students may not be getting paid like a real job, but a grade is handed to you for how well you do in particular areas. The main office is more for helping out parents who have questions about a student, and or filling out paperwork for a student to transfer to the school. Students who work in the main office do similar things as the attendance office: they answer phones, file paperwork, and help anyone who comes
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in looking for assistance. The principals and vice principals are also located in this office, and this is where students are brought to be disciplined. The counseling office helps students change schedules, keeps them on track to graduate, and checks up on students’ GPAs. A handful of students are picked each year to work in there and answer phones. They also deliver passes so that students are able to get out of their class and come see a counselor. The attendance office is attached to the counseling office so that they are able to work together if needed. Now the activities office is the place where students get everything cleared up and done so they can play a sport. Athletic Director Doug Aubert is the one to go through to get the papers to join a sport. Other papers can be picked up throughout the year, such as when the time for Camp Auburn comes around, the information needed to become a counselor is there. Students can also check what local things are happening around the school, like dances and events. ASB adviser Meri Benedict also has a space in the activities office. If ASB is involved, much of the paperwork goes through here. Working in any of these offices counts as a full credit for a student’s elective classes, which are required to graduate. The staff and students who work in these offices are a big part of the school. It is definitely a class that benefits those students interested in the world of work.
aven uling
Students share their opinion on current topics and pop culture
ATMs at school
66%
ATMs could be useful for students if they have good intentions, like buying lunch. Realistically, they’ll probably just get money for Caramel Frappuccinos.
Super Bowl
91%
The Seattle Seahawks went against the Denver Broncos on February 2. The Seahawks won with a score of 43-8. Then, as if it couldn’t get better, Bruno Mars rocked the Super Bowl halftime show along with the Red Hot Chili Peppers.
Jude Hanno Eric Walker STAFF REPORTERS
The Artic Monkeys hail from Sheffield, in the UK. They were formed in 2002 and made their debut album in 2006 called Whatever People Say I am I’m Not, but really got out there with their hit song, “I Bet You Look Good On The Dance Floor,” which reached the top of the charts in the alternative-indie scene. Band members include lead Alex Turner, Rhythm/Lead GuitarPHOTOS COURTESY CREATIVE COMMONS LICENSE, GOOGLE.COM ist Jamie Cook, Back singer/bass guitarist Nick O’Malley, and back singer/drummer Matt Helders. Their latest album, which is titled AM, was released September of 2013. Do I Wanna Know? This album has been their most successFake Tales of San Francisco ful one so far due to topping alternativeindie charts in several countries. In the I Wanna Be Yours United Kingdom, Arctic Monkeys became Arabella the first independent-label record to top UK charts with their first five albums. Why’d You Only Call Me The Arctic Monkeys were nominated When You’re High? for a BRIT Award this upcoming year. They’ve been nominated for two Grammys and have won 5 BRIT awards so far.
5 songs you should know: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
61%
Facebook is uncool and Twitter is becoming uncool. However, Instagram is still pulling through strongly on the social media ladder.
Valentine’s Day
59%
It’s a day for showing affection or love to someone special in your life, and most students love it, love others, and love chocolates.
Midwinter Break
97%
Mid-winter Break is a nice week off of school and it is supposed to prepare students for spring tests. Most students just use it to catch up on their favorite Netflix shows.
White Roses
60%
60% prefer red roses over white. Red is a pretty color and symbolizes love. White roses are supposed to mean death, but people still use them romatically.
Karlee Johnson STAFF REPORTER
8
Arts & Entertainment
InFlight Feb 11, 2014
Labor Day wastes talent on flimsy storytelling Cameron Fairchild STAFF REPORTER The beginning of each year also marks one of the most awkward phases in the theatergoing calendar. Between January and the end of April, the film industry is still hung over from “Oscar Season” (generally comprising November and December) and preparing to binge once more in the summer with its “Blockbuster Season” (May to August). Until then, however, theaters everywhere are flooded with middling-to-terrible, under-ambitious works for four straight months. Labor Day, released January 31 and rated PG-13, certainly had the credentials to elevate itself out of this newyear cesspit; the film was helmed by Jason Reitman (director of independent favorite Juno and 2009’s stellar Up in the Air) and initially saw a very limited release late-2013 in hopes of garnering awards recognition (Kate Winslet’s performance was nominated for a Golden Globe). Unfortunately, the film falls, if not head-first, squarely into that rut. Based on Joyce Maynard’s 2009 novel of the same name, Labor Day centers around Adele Wheeler (Winslet, in a deservedly lauded performance) and her son Henry (Gattlin Griffin), two equally depressed individuals whose lives are forever changed by escaped convict Frank Chambers (Josh Brolin), whom they discover bleeding on the side of the road and take in out of the goodness of their fragile and wounded hearts. As if this premise wasn’t already bogged down in melodramatic contrivance, Adele and Frank slowly fall for each other (in like 30 minutes) as Frank, who, without spoiling
anything, turns out to be a saintly, misunderstood man with a heart of gold and kind, nurturing spirit, helping unite Adele’s fractured two-man clan. This derivative cliché has more than run its course in film, to the point that Frank’s character becomes a joke. Josh Brolin’s natural gravitas lends itself well to the character, but I could see a dozen others filling his role to equal effect (not that I would wish such an unforgivingly unlayered role on anyone). The main problem with Labor Day, however, is that it
lacks a spine. It’s shot and acted with a certain tenderness, to be sure (and the cinematography, to the film’s credit, is particularly evocative of its rural New England setting), but it has so little to say and overstays its welcome by a good 20 minutes. It’s a shame to see such a capable director and troupe of actors carefully construct a film around such a weak script and empty, one note characters. Boasting excellent performances but thoroughly mediocre execution, I see no reason to celebrate Labor Day.
Kate Winslet
Josh Brolin
That Awkward Moment barely rises above standard romcom fare Mackenzie Brown EDITOR-IN-CHEIF
Zac Efron
Michael B. Jordan
Miles Teller
That Awkward Moment, starring Zac Efron, Michael B. Jordan, and Miles Teller, shows the life behind three best friends, Jason, Mikey, and Daniel, who live in the city and vow to avoid relationships for as long as possible after one learns his wife wants a divorce. Like many romantic comedies, it was cute, cheesy, and a little bit funny. Overall, it wasn’t a regrettable use of two hours, but it wasn’t great. The cast list for this movie couldn’t have been better. You have the master behind the decisions of the group, the serious and reasonable friend, and the jokester. The three actors fit well together in the plot as if outside of the movie you might see them all together getting drinks or go-karting. The main girls in the movie were good too because, although the movie was romantic, they weren’t unrealistically flawless like the stars of most Nicholas Sparks movies. The first half of the movie was a little better than the second. It was funny and cute and everything was going well in all of the character’s lives. The second half of the movie took a turn for the worst and everything became sad and less
hopeful. Of course it all worked out in the end. It was written by Tom Gormican, not Oscar the Grouch. Unlike most movies, That Awkward Moment showed the more depressing sides of having a lifestyle in which you always sleep around and party but never settle down with someone who really cares about you. It had an interesting plot with some characters trying to make relationships end and others trying to make relationships work. With three main characters and three different situations, things never got confusing and nothing really intertwined to the point
where it was ridiculous. My real problem with the movie is that it was just a little boring. It wasn’t as dramatic as I thought it would be. I felt myself thinking about other things rather than watching the movie because at some points it wasn’t easy to focus. Overall, the movie was simply so-so. Cute, but maybe only good to watch on a slow night. Wait until it comes out on Redbox or Netflix; it’s a better investment than seeing it in theaters.
Auburn Riverside High School
Arts & Entertainment
9
Eminem proves to be a Rap God British Bites a delicious diversion Jacob Lonergan STAFF REPORTER
Your Right” by The Beastie Boys. The Marshall Mathers LP 2 quickly climbed up to a comfy number one spot shortly after its release in October of last year, and remains near the top of the Billboard top 200 albums at the number 10 spot. It was also the second best selling album of all of 2013, selling 1,727,000 units in the United States alone. This is but one accolade the album has been awarded. It’s also on the Rolling Stone’s Top 50 albums of 2013. Time will only tell how long Eminem will remain a self-proclaimed “Rap God.”
The career of Marshall Mathers (better known as Eminem) has been a roller coaster to say the least. From his rags to riches beginning, to his downward spiral with heavy substance abuse, to his comeback starting with the life changing Recovery album, Eminem is finally back. He brought out his newest album and is going back to his classic Slim Shady roots in The Marshall Mathers LP Part 2. This album is a refreshing take on all parts of Eminem’s career, including blasts from the past with his hard hitting lyrical stylings in which almost all he does is slam on other artists just because he can. He also includes songs like “Rap God,” where he basically boasts about how he feels like a master of the art, all while rapping at an astonishing 6.5 words per second for a 15 second period in one verse. This personally is one of my favorite albums because Eminem features some really great hiphop and rap stars like Rihanna, who was featured on “The Monster,” and Kendrick Lamar, who is featured on “Love Game.” The samples and clips from other songs that are used in some of Eminem’s new songs are very well selected. For example, the Eminem has sought to reinvent himself artistically ever since song “Berzerk” samples older the critical failures of Relapse and Recovery” leading to the songs such as “The Stroke” by Marshall Mathers LP 2 and his new self-christening. Billy Squier as well as “Fight for
Eric Walker STAFF REPORTER
This was a great restaurant for just escaping every once in a while, the norms of everyday life, and experiencing a cuisine that is unique and different. I’m glad I took a chance eating somewhere where the type of food was something I’ve never experienced before, and others should try it to see the odd variations in food from a country not so different than ours.
Chinese food, Mexican food, Japanese food: they’re all relatively common in the US now. Recently, I went to a restaurant in Puyallup called British Bites, where they served cultural food I’ve never seen served at a restaurant in America. At British Bites, the menu was based off of British food and sweets. What made it really interesting was that it was also a grocery store that had everything British, such as tea, crisps (chips), and a lot of British candies. The interior was also really cool, with a London telephone phone booth, a Union Jack flag couch, and Doctor Who stuff everywhere. Some Doctor Who merchandise was even for sale. One of the best parts about this place was their sandwiches; they had really good sandwiches. I got the Turkey Brie and Cranberry, and it was great. If you aren’t familiar with British food, choosing an item off the menu requires taking a lot of risk. Some things look weird, but if you’re willing to be adventurous, it won’t turn out so bad. They even have interesting tasting soda from the UK. They also had hot sandwiches as well as pastries like scones, knobbies (oat biscuits), and mini vicks (sponge cake). I would PHOTOS COURTESY CREATIVE COMMONS LICENSE, WIKIMEDIA.COM recommend going there if you Some of the very traditional foods served in Britian inwant to experience a bit of Britain clude fish’n’chips and scones. without actually going there.
Performer Lindsey Stirling flaunts unique talent Sara Koenig STAFF REPORTER Now, I don’t know how many of you have heard of her, but this chick’s awe-
some. Her name is Lindsey Sterling, and if you haven’t heard of her before now, go on YouTube and listen to her stuff because she’s amazing. She may be ‘classical’ by definition but
she’s done a Pokemon Dubstep Remix, Star Wars Medley, and covers such as “Radioactive,” originally written by Imagine Dragons, and “Thriftshop,” originally written by Macklemore. But that doesn’t even brush the surface. As she puts it, she’s a hip hop violinist. This girl is 28 but is already legendary to say the least. She’s known for being a violinist but is also a dancer, performer, and composer. She was discovered on America’s Got Talent during their fifth season. And trust me, this girl’s got talent. Though told that her style wasn’t marketable, in 2011, when her first music video came out and the opening of her YouTube channel ‘Lindseystomp’ commenced, Lindsey Stirling she rose to YouTube fame. By performing with January of 2014, she had 40 milher weapon of lion subscribers and 520 million choice: the violin. total views. In 2013 she opened up about how her religion helped her PHOTOS COURTESY CREATIVE COMMONS LICENSE, FLICKR.COM with her battle against anorexia throughout high school and college. “The greatest value comes from loving Stirling said. yourself for who you are. I’ve been teachNow, maybe you don’t like her stuff as ing this idea to myself for years so I hope much as I do, but you should still look into that by showing what I’ve learned, others her tour across the states this year and you can find the freedom and joy that I have,” should definitely check her out.
Auburn Riverside High School
Gymnastics
Sports 11 Wrestling Boys Swim & Dive
Alex Vasquez STAFF REPORTER
Cameron Fairchild STAFF REPORTER
The gymnastics team has been having an okay season so far. During most meets they have been landing in third place, but the Lady Ravens have not let that bring them down. “We have been working hard and are getting stronger,” sophomore Maddy Thompson said. The team is determined to make it to at least districts this year, and practice a lot in order to reach this goal. “We practice about 2-3 hrs a day, 6 days a week,” Thompson said. “Some girls even go to open gym for extra practice.” This season the gymnastics team got some new coaches, Coach Cathy and Coach Natalie. “I really like the coaches this year,” sophomore Amanda Bunger said. Along with new coaches, the girls also got new freedoms, such as being able to have more choices on what they wanted to do for routines. “Our routines fit our individual styles more,” Thompson said. “We got to have a say in the music too, which is nice.” At practices the girls work hard, but they also know how to have fun. “Everyone is usually laid back and just having fun,” Bunger said. “Except for the day before or after a meet.” Needless to say, the Lady Ravens know how to work hard and have fun. Hopefully, all of it will pay off and they make their goal of districts.
The wrestling season is almost at an end. With League Championships wrapped up on the Feb. 8 over the weekend, a select few players from the SPSL school league will move on to regional championships. Coach Steve Mead, who serves as co-head of the team with Coach Shawn Martinson, made ample preparations going in to the championships. “We’ve had shorter practices but there is more actual mat time,” he said. Mead was still apprehensive for last weekend’s final league championships. There are fewer juniors and sophomores on the team than there were last year, and the younger sophomores and freshmen are less experienced. “We’re a young team with a lot of freshmen and sophomores,” Mead said. “We need a lot of experience.” Mead’s hopes going into the championships mostly rested on his upperclassmen varsity wrestlers. “We have a few juniors and seniors,” Mead said, mentioning senior Larkin Williams as “our only returning state competitor.” With the wrestling season almost at an end, Mead looks to the future for further success. “I’m really excited for next year because we’ll have a more experienced, older team,” Mead said. “We’ve got freshmen who haven’t wrestled who are gaining experience and sophomores who we’ve asked to step up and join the varsity lineup.” The Regional Championship will be held Feb. 15, and the top four competitors will ascend to the State Championship on Feb. 21 and 22 at the Tacoma Dome.
Eric Walker STAFF REPORTER Boys swim is looking to finish the season off strong by making it to State this year. The team’s record is 2-6. Senior swimmer Sean Kierce said they are finishing off the season pretty well and that a few people are making it to State this year. “So far we are doing really good and hoping to do well in the future,” swimming coach Mike Van Eaton said. Next year the team will have to gain new players to the team. “They need more swimmers and show a commitment to swimming,” Kierce said. Van Eaton strives to promote swim and dive in his classes. “If you aren’t doing anything next year, join swim,” he said. Moving on this year will be several people making it to Districts and hopefully State qualifiers. “We have three relays and two individuals going to districts [and] seven individuals going to Leagues,” Van Eaton said. These students worked their hardest to make it to the district competition. The swim season was a good time for swimmers to improve on their skills. “I think we didn’t go to win meets and came to improve ourselves [instead],” Kierce said. The idea of improving skills was incredibly evident in the players for this season. Support boys swim by going to State on Friday, Feb. 21 and 22 at the King County Aquatic Center in Federal Way.
12
Sports
InFlight Feb 11, 2014
Girls basketball Jude Hanno STAFF REPORTER This season, girls basketball features dedicated players trying their hardest in the practices to accomplish important skills. The two captains for this season are senior Danielle Brickner and junior Payton Dunne. Senior Simona Allen appreciates her coaches as well as her team captains. “I love my coaches,” she said. “I feel like its because they can relate to us. The captains are really encouraging, too.” Freshman guard Mckenzi Williams has very realistic goals for the rest of the season. “I just want to prove myself and show consistency,” she said. There are only two freshmen players on the varsity team: Williams and Olivia Denton. Denton has had many goals for basketball over the next four years. “I want to be a captain. Like the captains now. I love them. They’re fun to be around. They’re good people to look up to. They’re like my older sisters.” Denton also has other goals. “From my freshman year to my senior year, I want to see big improvement.” Williams plays basketball because “It’s a fast paced game that’s easy to fall in love with.” Allen plays basketball for a number of
reasons. “It is truly a way to relieve stress,” she said. “I honestly don’t know where I’d be without basketball. It has opened so many doors for me.” Denton also talks about the goals for the team as a whole. “We wanna make it as far as we can. Our main goal at the beginning was to beat Rainier and Kentwood, and that didn’t really work out.” There are no remaining games for the regular season; their last game was on Feb. 6 against Auburn.
PHOTO BY DYLAN JOHNSTON
Boys basketball Jude Hanno STAFF REPORTER The boys basketball team is off to a good start. With multiple successes in the past, this year the team follows in the footsteps of the teams before them. The coach is Earl Taylor and the assistant coaches are Barson Collins, Damion Bible, Bryant Thomas, and Marcus Yzagguire. The coaches are incredibly dedicated to the team and the success of the team. This is the first year Taylor is head coach. Being new coaches placed with new positions, it has been a tough job. Junior Mitch Wetmore said “They’re doing a good job. Especially since they were just thrown into their positions.” Wetmore’s goals for the rest of the season are to make it to all-league, make playoffs, and maybe even make it to State. Wetmore feels as though the captains do a great job leading the team. “I like them,” he said. “I feel like they’re really good role models at what they do.” The captains are an appreciated part of the entire team as a whole and they continue to strive to perfect their skills. At the start of the season, senior Derek Brown commented on his team and said “This is one of the best teams I’ve played
with. Not because of skill, but because of chemistry.” The players have a tight bond that helps them all work together in order to achieve their goals. The more experienced players that have been on Riverside’s basketball team for a few years now are seniors Derek Brown, Derek White, Joshua Turner, and ASB President, Drew Wallen. They continue to lead the team and strive for perfection with every game and practice. Their last game was a home game against Auburn on Feb. 6.
PHOTO BY MADDIE NASSIRIAN