PHS held its annual winter event Jan. 19 bringing together students for the Winter Tolo. But many students do not know the time and energy that goes into planning these events.
Leadership teacher Jamie Mooring explains that the biggest challenge is that the venue must be big enough to accommodate the size of the school’s population.
“Since we are such a big school and because our dances tend to have high attendance, there’s only a few places that we can go, that is for homecoming, a winter dance, and prom, so, our options are limited,” Mooring said.
With more than 1,700 students enrolled at PHS, students are no longer able to have our dances here at the school, unlike other schools. But since the dances are no longer in the school building, the set-up and other struggles have been made easier.
“Well, the thing is since we go out of building and hire a venue there’s nothing more that we struggle with, we kind of just show up and the dance is set for us, that’s what we pay the venue for and we don’t do decorations,” Mooring said.
Without the decorations and the dance being ready when they get there, the school has more energy and money to spend on the venue.
“The budget that used to be spent on decorations is now spent on the venue which is really nice because we don’t have to do any setup, we don’t have to do any cleanup, and it generally feels a little more fancy because you’re not just
coming to the school building,” Mooring said.
For the Winter Tolo, ASB Treasurer, Akki Mukkollu was in charge of making sure the contract for the venue was correct and signing off on it. One of the struggles that came up this year was dealing with that contract.
“We kept getting the contract sent back to us, so we had to keep signing it and sending it back again,” Mukkollu said.
This was the reason why the tickets were put on sale late. Without being able to confirm the vendor, the advertising and selling of tickets was put on hold.
“We lost a lot of time on advertising and couldn’t get a lot of people there,” Mukkollu said.
Since the advertising was late, it was hard to get people’s attention, earning less money off the dance.
“Fundraising for the dance is basically a fundraiser in and of itself, because the more people we can get, the more money we can make off it,” Mukkollu said.
According to Mukkollu, this year’s Winter Tolo was a learning opportunity for the future dances in our school.
“This one was definitely a big learning opportunity because advertising did not go very well, and because [of late advertising] we weren’t able to get the attention of a lot of people. If we advertise earlier and are more clear on exactly what our total is, for example, and specifying what the dance is, I think that we can do better in engaging more students and getting more people [to go to the dances in the future],” Mukkollu said.
As students enter February, it’s one month closer to graduation. But there is uncertainty about what future college brings to students and whether it suits the goals that they set for themselves.
History teacher and parent Mychal Limric has much to say on the topic of college applications.
With so many options to choose from, Limric said that college isn’t for everyone.
“There’s nothing wrong with not going to college,” Limric said. “Some people in schools say you got to go to college, and that puts some weird pressure on people.” Limric says that students need to ask themselves what their purpose will be as a major factor in what college they choose to apply to.
“So, when we’re in high school, starting in ninth grade, ask yourself what are you interested in? What do you want to do? It doesn’t mean you have to choose your profession, but it gives you a place to start,” Limric said.
“start researching and talking to adults now.
“Get organized in the spring and early summer. Every piece of information is on your computer and it’s usually in Schoology, but you have to look for it,” Limric said.
Choir director and a recent college graduate, Ethan Moon says that college is a broad term that covers many different interests. Moon says, though, that college is what you make out of it.
The expectations going into high school are so much higher because grades ar higher. It’s more competitive because we lie in a world where we’re competing with the rest of the world...”
When considering risks about college, Limric stated that money is a big risk when it comes to considering college.
“I also think it’s not selling yourself and waiting too long on the process. So, students that start the process in November or in December, that’s fine. But then you’re limiting where you get to go,” Limric said.
With so many applicants to choose from, colleges have a lot to consider when deciding who to approve and who to deny. Limric said that contributing to the community is an effective way to look more attractive to colleges.
“Whether it’s academics, or whether it’s the actual community. They’re looking for students that are well rounded,” Limric said. “You just have to do a few things, to show a general interest and show that you’re not just someone who shows up, does your schoolwork, and then goes home because college is so much more than that.”
In comparison to back when Limric applied to college, he said that it is a lot harder to get into college now.
“The expectations going to high school are so much higher because grades are higher. It’s more competitive because we live in a world where we’re competing with the rest of the world and rightfully so. Students need to know how to put their best foot forward,” Limric said.
Within all the stress and uncertainty to the future of what students want to do, Limric says that you should
“I spent a lot of time with other musicians and music teachers. I had a lot of fun working with people who are like minded, we’re all trying to strive for the same goal,” Moon said.
Due to the pressure of wanting to be successful in life, many students worry about getting into the most prestigious school possible. Moon says that isn’t always the most important part.
Mychal Limric history teacher“Making sure that you’re going to a school that not necessarily is the most prestigious school, but a place where you’re going to be able to be able to succeed,” Moon said.
Moon says that college isn’t the place for everyone depending on what they plan to do after high school.
“However, if you’re wanting to go into something like business or in the medical field, college is definitely where you want to end up because that’s going to give you the best resources that you need to be successful,” Moon said.
With all the stresses that comes with applying to college, many students are wondering what colleges look for in students when they apply to them. Moon says that there are a lot of factors that play into it beyond success in academics.
“Senior choir student Ava Atkinson is one of the many students who are going to college after high school.
With so many options to choose from, some students wonder why they should choose college over other options such as trade school or the military. To Atkinson, it’s the best path towards her goal of becoming a pediatric nurse.
“The career path I want to go down that requires college education. I just felt like going to community college after high school would be a cheaper and easier choice for me,” Atkinson said.
A parent’s influence can play a huge part in what a student decides to do after high school. Atkinson says her parents positively influenced her decision to go to college.
“They’ve given me a lot of unconditional support. I’ve had a few different options that I’ve thought about in the past and they’ve always helped me figure out what I think would be best for myself. And helping me figure out the best way to reach my goals,” Atkinson said.
With the jump towards college, Atkinson is looking forward to seeing new people.
“I’m excited to see how different it is from high school and to be in a new environment with new people,” Atkinson said.
With excitement for college, there are also some worries that Atkinson has about college.
“‘I’m worried about the difficulty of the courses because it’s more independent, which I’ve also looked at before, but I have struggled with homework in the past,” Atkinson said.
Start trying to figure out what colleges are offering programs that you’re looking for to make it easier and less stressful next year.” Ava Atkinson senior
“It’s also how involved you are in extracurriculars and other school related events. And showing that you can contribute to the campus community in some sort of meaningful way,” Moon said.
Moon said students applying to college should try to not procrastinate on starting the process.
“The longer you wait to apply, the less money that schools have to distribute. If you apply earlier, there is a greater chance that you can get into the school that you want, and to have less financial burden alongside it,” Moon said.
The college application process for Atkinson was stressful.
“I kind of put things off. So, I kind of waited until the last minute for a few colleges,” Atkinson said.
Atkinson said that a significant risk about college is the financial commitment towards it.
“But I’ve been looking into scholarships and financial aid, and I feel okay about it,” Atkinson said.
When looking into applying to colleges, Atkinson said that staying close to her family is especially important.
“Not something too expensive. Definitely not a private college since they’re harder to get into,” Atkinson said.
Many juniors are nervous and not sure where to start. Atkinson says juniors should start to look for scholarships right now.
“Start trying to figure out what colleges are offering programs that you’re looking for to make it easier and less stressful next year,” Atkinson said.
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Editors in Chief
Grant Huson
Maddy Weaver
Multimedia Editor
JoAnn Laning
News and Features Editor
Katelyn Ervin
Opinion Editor
Reagan Jones
Arts, Culture, and Entertainment Editor
Ethan Barker
Digital Media Editor
Margo Hermann
Sports Editor
Sienna Hanson
Graphics Editor
We hope we don’t fail that test.
We hope we get into our dream college.
We hope we remembered to take the meat out of the freezer that morning before school to let it thaw so mom doesn’t scold us.
Regardless of what it is for, we hope every day.
Hope holds us together in moments of despair. In the cold blizzard we trudge through, hope is a heated blanket draped around our shoulders to get us through the storm.
As we walk through this storm, it’s important to remember why we have hope and to be appreciative of the community surrounding us.
Without a well-rounded support system, students can be led astray with little to no hope. In the walls of school, students can find an abundance of teachers, staff, admin and peers to guide them through the transformative years spent here, with ideals that will carry into the future.
appreciate the people around us who give reason to care. To love. To hope.
It’s easy to get caught up with the voice that yells, “What’s the point? Hope is a frivolous thing, a waste of time, and a privilege many of us can’t afford to have.”
However, there is always a reason to hope. In an article published by Harvard Health, hope, in teens with chronic illness is associated with improved coping and engaging in healthy behaviors.
Hope holds us together in moments of despair. In the cold blizzard we trudge through, hope is a heated blanket draped around our shoulders to get us through the storm.”
Our View
Ezruh Hacker
Web Editor
Dylan Sandstrom Staff
Evan Gibbs
Hunter Ihlen
Levi Miller
Leia Waggoner
MiahRese Terlaje
Aiden Arthur
Paul Busching
Julian Guiterrez Iniguez
Enodia Harder
Brandon Harris
Madeline McDaniel
Eliana Powell
Madyx Reed
Katelyn Soto
Logan Tomer
Daniel Aponte
Jackson Hargis
Jason Ordonez Rangel
Judah Barrera
Brian Bates
Samantha Canion
Iris Diaz Venegas
Ella Drengson
Jack Murdock
Daniel Oh
Adelle Patton
Lola Woodburn
Anna Yam
Theo Pen
Mariela Garcia
The people we meet in our developing years carry significance for the perspective we develop and hold close to us. As we remain hopeful, we should
Hope also ties into another topic high schoolers know well— resilience.
With the stress of AP, Running Start, college applications, scholarships, countless deadlines and social formatives, high schoolers are the perfect example of a resilient community. Perseverance from these struggles gives us a faithful insight into the future and a reason to believe in a brighter tomorrow.
Further, hope binds the community together. Within the classrooms, we’ve all hoped together.
We hope.
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Katelyn Ervin
Leaving the doors of my sixth period on the last day of junior year, I felt like weight was lifted off my shoulders.
I had a summer of relaxation ahead of me and a detailed plan for senior year; I was going to take the classes I wanted, participate in the extracurriculars I liked, finish my college applications and graduate with my friends by that time the following year.
This harmony lasted for nearly three weeks into the summer.
Just like the noise a record player makes when someone pulls the needle, everything in my world screeched to a halt the minute my parents told me the news.
When I heard the words, “We are moving to Arizona,” I was frozen in place. As a child, my family moved consistently, I struggled to keep friendships or connections. Living in Washington from the ages of 11 to 17 however, I managed to develop a friend group of loving, decent people, establish connections with incredible teachers and staff and grow into my passions, such as journalism, with the opportunities presented to me by my community. The news that all of this would be taken from me hit hard. Additionally, I was already grieving the loss of one of my beloved childhood friends- a nine-year-old Boxer named Ava.
I spent the last month of my summer praying I wouldn’t have to actually move to Arizona, as if it was a sick dream. I knew the reality though. By mid-August I would be on my way, starting at a new school and leaving behind the place I developed as home. I struggled to believe my life was happening with me involved in it. I felt frozen in Washington, on the last day of junior year with my detailed plan, while my family was content moving to Arizona and my friends would keep their senior year plans as they hoped.
“I spent the last month of my summer praying I wouldn’t have to actually move to Arizona, as if it was a sick dream. I knew the reality though.”
I tried to be kind to others and develop connections similar to the ones I had in Washington, but unfortunately, the only person I could talk to as myself was the school registrar about my schedule as it was continually changing to meet graduation requirements. While Washington requires 24 credits to graduate, Arizona only requires 22. As fortunate as this sounds, the required classes are drastically different. I arrived at my place of residence daily feeling burnt-out, hurt and exasperated.
The time I spent in Arizona was the lowest point of my life. Fortunately, I had one thing to look forward to: visiting Washington. We had left the majority of our belongings at home and had to visit and retrieve them after about a month and a half of living in Arizona.
Katelyn Ervin news and features editor
Arriving in Arizona, I was miserable to be around. In short, I wasn’t happy. I didn’t have friends; I was experiencing a loss of self-identity and I could not quite grasp that my plan had been disrupted so easily by the actions of others.
IOn the second day of our Washington visit, I was called into my mom’s room. I think halfway through our conversation I blacked out, because all I remember from this talk was her telling me we can stay in Washington and I can graduate with my friends, continue the plan I worked so hard at to get.
Though my plan was not immediately set back on track to what I had hoped for and I have had a series of ups and downs the past two months I have returned, I am ultimately happier in this position and have learned the important lesson to embrace change and how to cope with struggles I cannot change.
t was my sophomore year of high school, and I was losing interest in swimming. The sport that I had done for my whole life was, to me, starting to become stale and repetitive. I felt like I was at a plateau with my times and techniques and felt stuck where I was.
I’ve been swimming competitively since I was around 6 or 7 years old. I started with the YMCA swim team, where we’d have small competitions regularly. In 2017, I started with my first official club team, the Fife Area Swim Team (FAST). I’d stick with that team for four years, barring a few months during COVID, but as I prepared for my freshman year, I realized my time with FAST was likely coming to an end for the near future.
the sport. I struggled to keep up with the tougher exercises, drills and plays when I was still learning proper throwing and catching form.
After I struggled with the team for an entire summer, I started my sophomore year of high school. I decided not to continue with the club team, since I would have a much bigger workload that year. However, after the fall water polo season was over, I started feeling lost. I barely got any playtime that year, and missed out on lettering by one point, even though I’d lettered in both swim and water polo my freshman year.
I started feeling lost. I barely got any playtime that year, and missed out on lettering by one point, even though I’d lettered in both swim and water polo my freshman year. ”
After a season playing with the water polo team, I finally started my first season of high school swim. I’d been looking forward to starting swim season, as I had gotten a lot stronger through water polo season and a lot of friends from water polo did swim team too. My first year went really well, and I was able to make it to Districts as a wildcard. However, instead of rejoining a club swim team, I went the route of club water polo. And frankly, I hated it.
I’d joined a team that was heavily focused on the higher-level players, while I was almost brand new to
“I’m hopeful for a good year in school and a fruitful year in dancing,” Graciella Hemstreet, age 13
Ethan Barker
ACE editor
I started my swim season mildly discouraged and continued like so throughout that season. My times weren’t getting much better and I felt like I was hitting some wall in my progress. Then, we got to postseason. At the Leagues meet, I somehow dropped 30 seconds in my 500 free (a huge time drop) and dropped seven seconds in my 200 free (an even bigger time drop). Those times got me to Districts, which was a big achievement for me, since I’d only gotten there by wildcarding in last year.
In addition to my individual events, I was an alternate on our relay teams. This meant that, if the teams made it to State, I would get to continue to practice and attend the State meet, in case someone on the team got sick or injured.
While I didn’t actually swim at State, that postseason reignited my drive for swim. I decided to start swimming on a club swim team again and focus exclusively on swim, rather than water polo.”
Ethan Barker
ACE editor
While I didn’t actually swim at State, that postseason reignited my drive for swim. I decided to start swimming on a club swim team again and focus exclusively on swim, rather than water polo. A key factor in that decision was realizing that ‘Hey, I was able to make State, I think I’m actually getting pretty good at swim.’ I’ve continued to improve this year, and I hope to make State again, this time on the main relay team rather than an alternate. I’ve learned to push through the challenges in my life when I feel like I’m not improving, and to acknowledge when I’m doing well at something.
Ethan Barker
“I’m hopeful for PHS to lose against Rogers. Rams up,” Gabe Adams, age 13
“I’m hopeful for going to Texas because I might make it to nationals for track and field,”
Lily Kellner, age 9
“I’m hopeful for my family and that I get to spend time with them,”
Asher McElvain, age 11
“I’m hopeful for track season to go well,” Isaiah Kellner, age 11
When walking through the South Hill Mall, a small store with a Batman statue might catch your eye.
Looking through the store’s windows, you can see dozens of card games, board games and Dungeons and Dragons supplies.
“
This store is called Game ON! It used to be part of a bigger company called Wizards of the Coast, until 18 years ago when they closed all their locations. The store was purchased by the current owner, and he changed the name to Game ON! It has been in the mall ever since.
According to Cummings, the thing that makes Game ON! so special is the large number of games and cards available. It is one of the biggest tabletop gaming stores in the area.
The store sells supplies for card games such as Magic the Gathering, Lorcana, Pokémon, Yu-Gi-Oh.
I’ve always loved boardgames and card games, I grew up with them and shopped at the store when I was a little kid and now, I work here.”
“We offer one of the largest selections of board games in the general Puyallup area,” Cummings said. “We try to have as casual and friendly of a crowd as possible for games, that’s what we go for here.”
Nick Cummings managerBesides just selling cards, Game ON! has card game events and tournaments.
The aisles of Game ON! are stocked with games, cards and puzzles for all ages. “We cater to all age groups we have a kids’ game table, with games for people as young as four and then we also have a dual game table,” Cummings said. “So, there is a large age range, [as well as] large player count range, we have some single player only [games] and some that require even up to 10 people [to play].”
Photo courtesy of Reagan Jones.
teens and solo to multiplayer games.
For a third of the time the store has been open, Nick Cummings has been one of the managers working here. He chose to work here because he loves board games as well as card games.
“I’ve always loved boardgames and card games, I grew up with them and I shopped at the store when I was a little kid and now, I work here,” Cummings said.
They have a focus on card games such as Magic the Gathering, Pokémon, Yu-Gi-Oh, recently starting events with Disney’s new card game Lorcana. The schedule can be found in the store.
Aside from card games the store sells a variety of different kinds of tabletop essentials. Game ON! They sell things for RPG’s (Role-playing games), dice & supplies, chess, board games and party games.
The games can range from kids to
“We cater to all age groups we have a kids’ game table, with games for people as young as four and then we also have a dual game table,” Cummings said. “So, there is a large age range, [as well as a] large player count range, we have some single player only [games] and some that require even up to 10 people [to play].”
The store is not limited to only cards and board games.
They also sell accessories for games such as Dungeons and Dragons.
““We have a whole bunch of things for Dungeons and Dragons. We offer a variety of dice and other
accessories for it. We have puzzles, even chess, backgammon, anything in the kind of physical gaming world we potentially carry here,” Cummings said.
We try to have as casual and friendly of a crowd as possible for games, that’s what we go for here.”
Nick Cummings manager
From past, present and future Vikings, we all share a reason to be hopeful. We learn from our experiences and share the collective feeling of faith, bringing us together as a community and shaping our views on the future.
Alumna Victoria Cartwright often volunteers at local hospitals and elementary schools to educate and raise funds for childhood cancer, more specifically, medulloblastoma, a form of brain cancer
Cartwright herself struggled with, taking her vision and leaving her with lifelong side effects.
Cartwright kept up with the normality of childhood for nearly 10 years, actively participating in sports like softball and soccer.
“I could see [at birth] and I really liked playing sports and drawing, doing art. I attended a creative arts school in third and fourth grade,” Cartwright said. “It was then when I had a change in my health.”
The changes in Cartwright’s health took a toll on her everyday hobbies like sports, when the people closest to Cartwright realized her struggles.
“I started throwing up pretty much every morning and I would stop running because my head would be killing me. I couldn’t run anymore because the pain was killing me. My mom, my teacher, my softball and soccer coaches all noticed something,” Cartwright said.
Shortly after Cartwright’s 11th birthday, she had a doctor’s appointment to check in on why her health had taken such a toll.
“At first, [doctors] said I was Vitamin D deficient. It was the same after treatment though,” Cartwright said. “My mom took me back [to the doctors] and I just remember the doctor looking in my eyes, turning to my mom and saying, ‘You need to take her to the emergency room.’ From there, I learned I had a brain tumor, and that the tumor is cancerous. It was medulloblastoma, stage four cancer.”
After Cartwright’s diagnosis, she went into surgery, where 95% of the tumor was successfully removed.
“Two days later, [the doctors] decided I needed to have a shunt because my brain fluid wasn’t draining properly. I went in for that surgery, and I was able to see,” Cartwright said.
When Cartwright woke up, she says she could not see anything at all.
“I remember waking up, thinking my eyes just needed a second to readjust after the
surgery, but after a minute, it didn’t stop. It just hit me. I remember my mom being in the room and I kept screaming that I couldn’t see,” Cartwright said.
Living in Sacramento at the time, the doctors suggested Cartwright receive treatment in Seattle. At Seattle Children’s Hospital, Cartwright received chemo and radiation from head to spine, where her cancer cells were.
“I started treatment. I had eight rounds of chemo and eight rounds of radiation, which is the full amount the human body can withstand,” Cartwright said. Responding to chemo, Cartwright beat cancer and ended treatment early.
Vanessa Cartwright, Victoria’s mother, shares her role throughout the treatment and the struggles it came with.
Hope.
Noun: a feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen. Verb: wanting something to happen or be the case.
Neither of these definitions provide a clear understanding of what it feels like to give hope, to be the one spreading it. While mom and teacher Laurina Barker is not a certified dictionary, she can indeed provide hope to those around her.
At Barker’s 20-week pregnancy checkup, she learned her second son, Matthew Barker, would be born with a rare condition called Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia, or CDH. This occurs when there is a hole in the diaphragm, causing the baby’s organs to enter their chest cavity. This compresses the lungs and can cause serious issues. Her son was delivered via Cesarean Section and immediately taken to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).
“We just had to keep knowing that he had the perfect medical team and faith in medicine and the advancements they’ve made,” Barker said. “And they were going to do everything they can to keep him safe and with us to the point where he could have surgery.”
With the power of modern-day medicine, Barker had a successful C-section where Matthew
sionment and displacement, where it feels like I am in that scenario, and not in the present moment,”
Cartwright said. “I’ve gone to physical therapy and occupational therapy to try to restore my balance, but it will never be where it once was, because of where the tumor was located.”
Cartwright shares a piece of advice for those struggling.
Don’t let whatever challenges you or is trying to stop you-- whether it be a disability, an illness, a family issue, a personal issue, anything at all, don’t let it keep you from reaching your goals. Don’t give [the struggle] the privilege of winning.”
“As a parent, you having to physically hold your child down so doctors can access a port to give her chemo that is supposed to save her life is hard,” Vanessa Cartwright said. “And then there is blood draws, feeding tubes, a lot of icky things that come with childhood cancer treatment.”
Despite beating the war that is cancer, Cartwright still faces struggles because of her time in hospital rooms.
“Even though I’ve been completely blind for, 10, almost 11 years now, it’s still a really hard concept to grasp, that I haven’t been able to see for that long,” Victoria Cartwright said.
Cartwright also says that she has PTSD.
“I have these episodes where I get flashbacks from treatment. I get disillu-
was delivered safely. Barker knew the journey was far from over, but she knew that Matthew had fight in him.
“He was on ventilator, when they would need to sedate him and he was on a lot of different meds at the time, he was just feisty,” Barker said.
While her newborn resided in the NICU, her and her husband lived in the Ronald McDonald House.
“
“The Ronald McDonald House is a nationwide organization, funded by their corporation but run by volunteers,” Barker said. “It’s the ability for a family who is more than 45 miles away from home to stay where their child is receiving treatment.”
ciation, and the members of a guild choose where the money they raise is donated.
“I’ve always been very adamant about wanting to give back to my community, even through high school and I knew I wanted my kids to do that as well,” Barker said. “I was like ‘Kids, do you want to consider giving back?’ and we kind of started putting it into practice.”
There was born the Barkers guild, A Brighter Future Guild. Her family, along with Matthew and his brother Ethan’s friends who have joined the cause, have done many things for Seattle Children’s Hospital and the Ronald McDonald House. The guild focuses on raising money to offset costs for families staying at the hospital.
And when it turned into something bigger, it turned into something where we’ve given hope to families.”
LaurinaBarker
guild presidentNot only does the house provide a place to live for the family while the child is staying at a hospital, they also provide all meals and food for the families.
“They provide three meals a day for families, there’s volunteers who cook dinners for you if you want,” Barker said.
Through her family’s journey with the Ronald McDonald House and Seattle Children’s Hospital, Barker learned about something called guilds. Guilds are non-profit charity organizations under the umbrella of the Seattle Children’s Guild Asso-
What started out as the boys making homemade Harry Potter wands and selling them at events, asking for donations instead of presents at their birthday parties and wrangling their friend groups in to host a handful of lemonade stands over the summers, has turned into something much bigger than Barker ever imagined; their very own fun run, the Superhero 5K.
“And then the idea of the run came up, the kids were pretty young it was probably 2019 when we did our first run and it became our first big event,” Barker said. “For our first big event we raised $20,000.”
But the most fun of it came from organizing the run with her family.
Victoria Cartwright alumna“Don’t let whatever challenges you or is trying to stop you-- whether it be a disability, an illness, a family issue, a personal issue, anything at all, don’t let it keep you from reaching your goals. Don’t give [the struggle] the privilege of winning,” Cartwright said.
As the second semester comes to a halt, a fresh new start begins for all students across the district.
Freshman Allydiana Bays shares her experience in 9th grade and her hopes for high school and beyond.
Going from a junior high to a high school is a big move. The large campus of PHS can seem intimidating at first, but there are many exciting opportunities that lay within.
“I’m excited to meet new people, be in a bigger building and have more variety of which classes I can take,” Bays said.
Bays believes making connections with students and staff is an important aspect of school.
“I hope that I get to have new experiences. Meeting new people, having good relationships with my teachers and building connections,” Bays said. College has become an important part of most students futures, planning ahead is a great way of getting a head start for after high school.
“And while the chaos of the COVID-19 Pandemic left the world in their homes, the Superhero 5K persisted.
“We did a virtual 5K which was still phenomenal, everybody still rallied around us and we still had a really great event,” Barker said. Since the now annual event has started, it has collected a bigger and bigger following with each year.
“We did one in 2022 and in 2023, this last year was our biggest, it was the most well attended Superhero 5K that we’ve had, it’s just really exciting that we get to have these,” Barker said. Through it all, Barker and her family have been on both ends of the stick. She has the person searching for hope when it seems to be nowhere, when you have to dig deep and put faith into something you’re unsure of. But she has also been the person, alongside her family, to be able to distribute hope, and have the beautiful opportunity to spread it to others who may need it most.
“I was hopeful about my child’s birth and that they [the medical team] were taking care of him, and hopeful for the medical plan,” Barker said. “And when it turned into something bigger, it turned into something where we’ve given hope to families.”
“It was really fun to orchestrate it with the kids and kind of solicit donations and get community members involved and get community sponsors,” Barker said.
high school, she hopes to learn as much as she can in junior high.
“My hopes for the rest of the school year are that I pass all my classes with at least an A and that I just get to learn more,” Bays said.
Bays advice to other freshmen entering high school is to give it their all.
“Not holding back and taking every little opportunity you can to make yourself better,” Bays said. Lilly Ferrin, a freshman planning to attend PHS, believes that high school is more than just a place to learn math and history.
“I think you can learn a lot from it, especially in public school. It really prepares you for the workforce and [helps you] learn how to be a better person. It just opens your eyes on what people are really like,” Ferrin said. Ferrin enjoys sports as well as school, getting good grades is a goal of hers.
hope that get to have new experiences. Meeting new people, having good relationships with my teachers and building connections.”
“I want to go to college, maybe at LSU or UCLA and then I might go into the medical field,” Bays said. Before Bays gets to
“I have a passion for contact sports [because] I’m a competitive person. I’m also passionate about grades,” Ferrin said. After high school, adult life begins and many students hope to become more independent, including Ferrin.
“[I’d like to go] out of state for college. I just feel like I’d be a lot more independent that way,” Ferrin said.
Allydiana Bays freshman
Improving the lives of others is something that is near and dear to Ferrin’s heart, and the medical field is a way to do that. “I was thinking of a medical career, I would like to help people out. For the longest time, I didn’t want to go into the medical career because my [parents] wanted me to,” Ferrin said.
Although Ferrin’s high school career has barely started, she’s already excited for what the future holds.
“I can’t wait to live my life further, getting more experience, gaining knowledge and learning from my mistakes,” Ferrin said.
Some of the goals that freshman Michael Elliott has for high school is to do well in his classes and play sports for the high school.
“Probably just getting good grades. [I plan on] playing some sports and I’m going to do running start [during high school],” Elliott said.
AP classes’ difficult classwork can discourage some students from taking them. However, Elliott is up to the challenge.
“[I’m worried about] classes like AP courses. [I’m going to take] AP Calculus and Pre-AP English,” Elliott said.
Engineering has always been a passion for Elliott, he hopes to continue working in engineering after high school.
“One of my friends is doing [engineering] with me. I’ve always liked engineering, it has just been fun,” Elliott said.
There are many exciting opportunities for students at PHS, for Elliott that is learning ASL in ASL 1.
“I’m taking ASL, I took it because I thought it would be fun and something cool to learn,” Elliott said.
Elliott believes that getting good grades in high school is important, but it is even more important to have good friends.
“Grades [are important] for sure, then getting into good colleges afterwards. [I think] the people you choose to hang around are important,” Elliott said.
After high school, Elliott is planning on carrying on his families legacy and joining the military.
“[I hope to go to] the military and then finding a job after the military. My father and my grandfather were both in the military,” Elliott said.
Sienna Hanson Sports Editor
Sophomore Sofia Wilson is a dedicated athlete.
Her sports?
Flag football, sleeping and reading.
Wilson first played flag football around two years ago on a co-ed team, but due to her smaller stature, the guys quickly made the activity uncomfortable.
“I wanted to do it again because the first time, when I played co-ed, all the guys started getting really big and not nice so I had to quit,” Wilson said.
This year, upon the establishment of a girls Flag Football team at PHS, Wilson was able to begin another season anew—despite standing at an impressive 5’2.
“When I found out it would be with
girls, I thought it would be a lot nicer, but they’re still big and mean,” Wilson said.
Never one to give up, Wilson can always find motivation on the field. Her biggest motivating factor, she says, is never letting down her team. Along-
I’m a part of the cross-country team and I’m going to do drama later, I have a lot of friends in them [sports] and they’re also good ways to make more friends.”
Sofia Wilson sophomoreside that, one of Wilson’s goals for the season is to stay on the varsity team.
“They can switch JV and Varsity if you’re not doing good,” Wilson said.
As for reading and sleeping, the hobbies tend to soak up her free time like a sponge does dishwater. That
is, when homework isn’t soaking up more. “I read if I have the time. There is a lot of homework I have to do though, so by the time I finish with all of that I’m tired,” Wilson said.
Aside from all her “sports”, Wilson has built a community around herself and her school experience. From teachers to friends to after-class activities, there’s never a dull moment for this student.
Along with a healthy infrastructure of extracurriculars, Wilson says she finds support in her teachers and peers.
“I’d say someone who supports me at school is Mrs. Massey. She’ll print out essays for me, she’ll answer all my questions about [Biology], and it’s just nice to have her,” Wilson said.
No matter the length to which students apply themselves, Wilson is proof that they can always find a home in the hallways they roam-- whether it be Flag Football, sleeping or Mrs. Massey’s class.
Junior Jacob Newcomer may be quieter than some, but he still stands out among his classmates with his sense of humor and interest in many different talents.
Video games are one of the many hobbies that Newcomer enjoys.
“I also like building Legos. I [also] do impressions of different accents and stuff like that,” Newcomer said.
Water represents beauty to many people. Due to his love for water, Newcomer said his favorite color is YInMn Blue.
In terms of school taught topics, history is a topic that Newcomer is passionate about.
“I also really like geography but mostly just history,” Newcomer said.
After high school, Newcomer is thinking about getting into voice acting.
But I have a favorite game series, It’s the Uncharted series. And my favorite game out of the Uncharted series is Uncharted 3.”
Jacob Newcomer junior
“Other than that, I don’t really know exactly what I want to do with my life after high school yet,” Newcomer said.
Like many people, Newcomer is annoyed by certain things. Newcomer has a pet peeve of being accused of things he has not done.
“I get really defensive and angry quickly when someone does that,” Newcomer said.
“I’ve always liked swimming and water, so I really liked the color blue. But then I discovered YInMn Blue and it just speaks to me,” Newcomer said.
The separation of music genres can define how a person develops their musical tastes. However, Newcomer says he can appreciate all genres of music in their own unique way.
“I think it just depends on you to find the songs that you enjoy in the genre,” Newcomer said.
Countries like Finland and Switzerland are on Newcomer’s list of places to potentially live in outside of the United States due to the social programs they have.
“There is also incredible quality of life. The fact that English is a second language for 90% of the population is also convenient,” Newcomer said.
Newcomer claims his favorite movie is “The Mummy” starring Brendan Fraser from 1999.
“And my reasoning for it being my favorite is because it’s the greatest movie of all time,” Newcomer said.
Ezruh Hacker Graphics Editor
Junior Morgan Alpert is a very passionate person, saying music is more than something they listen to on the daily.
“Something I’m passionate about is singing, it’s a coping mechanism for me and I feel safe,” Alpert said.
Alpert explains their greatest fear.
“I’m an extrovert, like very extroverted. So would definitely say being alone or being left behind,” Alpert said.
Some don’t have a specific goal for a dream vacation, but Alpert sure loves being with their people.
“Anywhere with the people I care about. I’d be completely fine with that, just hanging out with them,” Alpert said.
Alpert says they find themselves motivated by their personal goals.
“My personal goals are to go to college and join the military so that the military can pay for my college. I
want to major in nursing and minor in psychology,” Alpert said.
When Alpert was younger, their goals were very similar to everyone else’s, but with age, their objectives became more complex.
“I think around fifth grade we took some career choice path survey. My top choices were medical and engineering. Then over the years, I’ve been helping other people with their own mental states,” Alpert said. “I want to be a children’s psychologist or a biomedical engineer.”
times and I’m pretty proud of that,” Alpert said.
If Alpert won the lottery, they wouldn’t be the kind of person to spend that money.
“I’d like keeping the money unless someone asks for something, then I’ll just help them out,” Alpert said.
Take the opportunity when it’s given to you because I’ve missed out on so many opportunities in the past that I could’ve used to become more successful as of where I am right now.”
Morgan Alpert junior
Alpert is an incredibly creative person; they have a lot of fun hobbies and are looking to expand their horizons.
One thing Alpert likes is helping those in need.
“It’s a little dark, but taking from what I’ve said, I’ve helped people through their own dark mental space. I’ve saved people from suicide a few
“Some current hobbies I have is creative writing and singing and playing video games. For the future, I want to get into computer and PC building and working on cars and different vehicles. I like to write about the genre of slice of life or fantasy, or action,” Alpert said.
“Everything Everywhere All At Once” is one of the most emotional, weirdest and best movies I’ve seen.
The movie follows Evelyn Wang (Michelle Yeoh), a Chinese immigrant who is struggling with a failing marriage to her husband (Ke Huy Quan), a struggling business and a strained relationship with her daughter (Stephanie Hsu). While in a meeting with an IRS agent (Jamie Lee Curtis), she discovers that she is essential to saving the multiverse from a mysterious being known as Jobu Tupaki.
The movie is deeply weird, with strange imagery befitting an infinite multiverse. There are fight scenes where objects like dogs, paper trimmers and fanny packs are all used as weapons.
One of the most emotional scenes is a conversation between Evelyn and her daughter Joy where both are rocks, and the dialogue is shown through words appearing on the screen like a PowerPoint.
Some days, you might just want to relax at the end of the day with a movie. These four films all capture a heartwarming feel, whether it's through multiversal travels, found family, music, or nostalgia.
Each actor is at the top of their game here and delivers some of the best performances of their respective careers. Quan is a highlight, as this was his return to acting after over 20 years. Hsu delivers a breakout performance as Joy as we see her relationship with her mother in different universes. And Yeoh shows us an authentic portrayal as the center of the film, grounding it through the winding plotlines and surreal humor.
Watch on Prime Video.
“CODA” is, at first glance, a formulaic coming-of-age movie.
The story follows Ruby Rossi (Emilia Jones), the only hearing person in her family and the titular Child Of Deaf Adults, who discovers a passion for singing while trying to help her family’s struggling fishing business.
While the plot is familiar and predictable, the other aspects of the film more than make up for it.
The deaf characters are all played by deaf actors, which helps the film be more authentic and respectful to the deaf community.
That respectfulness is a high point of diversity and representation, with the deaf characters being portrayed as adults who are self-sufficient people in their community.
Emilia Jones does great with Ruby’s story, navigating a new passion for singing, her work as an interpreter for her family and her new crush Miles (Ferdia Walsh-Peelo).
The movie does a masterful job of portraying the dynamics of her family, played by the group of Marlee Matlin, Troy Kotsur and Daniel Durant. This is a family that acts like a regular family, living through the ups and downs of working-class life, and their Deafness is never treated like the butt of the joke. Watch on Apple TV+.
“Forrest Gump” is a beautiful and touching movie that takes viewers through a series of events throughout American history, all viewed through the eyes of the titular Gump (Tom Hanks). Despite his low IQ of 75, Forrest is kind, honest and never strays from his love for Jenny (Robin Wright), his childhood friend.
The film perfectly balances the nostalgic happiness and the sadness of the America that existed back then.
We get to see the two opposing perspectives through the eyes of Forrest, who sees an idealized perspective of the world, and the harsher reality through Jenny, who leads a self-destructive life. The soundtrack is a great tour of American music of the times.
Both Hanks and Wright turn in incredible performances, but the work of the supporting actors shouldn’t go unmentioned. As a member of his platoon, Bubba (Mykelti Williamson) becomes Forrest’s best friend until he dies in Vietnam. And finally, Gary Sinise as Lieutenant Dan, Forrest’s platoon leader from his tour of Vietnam, gives a memorable performance as a veteran haunted by his memories of the war and the loss of his legs.
The film manages to be both sentimental and grounded, humorous and sad, a delicate line that I’m not sure any other film has come close to.
Watch on Prime Video and Paramount+.
“Good Will Hunting” is a beautiful movie following Will Hunting (Matt Damon), a janitor at MIT who is intelligent and entirely self-taught.
After getting in trouble with the law, a math professor (Stellan Skarsgård) bails him out by striking a deal with the judge: he goes free in exchange for working with him on math and getting therapy from Sean McGuire, played by Robin Williams.
The movie is filled with heart and great acting work, especially from the late Williams.
The scene where he sits on a park bench with Will, his story about missing Game 6 of the World Series because, as he says to his friends “I gotta go see about a girl,” and many other scenes make this one of his best performances.
Damon and Ben Affleck, who plays Will’s best friend Chuckie, play off each other throughout their many scenes together, and they bring a believably youthful energy to the film that contrasts with the more mature duo of Williams and Skarsgård as old college friends.
In addition, Minnie Driver as Will’s love interest Skylar offers another interesting dynamic, with her wealthy upbringing playing off his lower-class background.
The soundtrack of the movie fits perfectly with the tone, with Elliot Smith’s music playing over many key moments.
Watch on Max.
With Green Day’s 14th studio album “Saviors,” the band feels reinvigorated, tackling the current political climate and the nostalgia for “better times” with a grin. The album is a return to form after a run of disappointing albums that arguably started with their 2012 trilogy of albums.
The songs here have a kind of infectious energy that recalls their classic albums “Dookie” and “American Idiot,” celebrating their 30th and 20th anniversaries respectively this year. The classic Green Day formula of catchy melodies and speedy three-chord songs is back in action after 2020’s disappointing “Father of All…”
On a New Year’s Eve performance this year, they changed a classic “American Idiot” lyric, originally referencing the Bush-era “redneck agenda” to refer to Trump’s “MAGA agenda,” ringing in the New Year with a return to their classic political outspokenness after staying away from politics on the last album.
Billie Joe Armstrong, the frontman and lyricist of the band, takes a look back at his younger years with songs like “Bobby Sox,” “1981” and “Corvette Summer.”
“The American Dream Is Killing Me,” “Strange Days Are Here to Stay” and “Living in the ‘20s” all tackle current issues, both societal and political.
“Look Ma, No Brains!” and “One-Eyed Bastard” are classic Green Day punk barnburners.
With “Dilemma” and “Father to a Son,” Armstrong opens up his internal thoughts and feelings to everyone.
The musical aspects of the album are in top form. Armstrong’s guitar playing has evolved from the simple power chords and single note solos of the past to more complex lines and riffs, even if the intro to “One Eyed Bastard” sounds suspiciously similar to “So What” by P!nk.
Mike Dirnt’s basslines pop in the mix here, similar to the classic Green Day albums where he takes a prominent role in the music. Tré Cool keeps the songs going with his propulsive drumming, with an energy that recalls Keith Moon of The Who.
Green Day appears to have settled into a role similar to Pearl Jam, where both can comfortably fill stadiums but still retain their spirit and drive to continue making great music.
The resurgence of pop-punk, with artists like Olivia Rodrigo wearing their 90s influences on their sleeve, could’ve pushed them into the tired nostalgia circuit.
However, by embracing that revival, they’ve shocked themselves into a new era. “Saviors” is out now on all major streaming platforms. Green Day will visit T-Mobile Park in Seattle for the Saviors Tour on September 23rd, playing classic albums American Idiot and Dookie in full. They will be supported by the Smashing Pumpkins, Rancid and the Linda Lindas.
“Scott Pilgrim Takes Off,” written and produced by Ryan Lee O’Malley and BenDavid Grabinski, is a TV-14 rated animated series that combines elements of action, comedy, romance and adventure. The series was released Nov. 17, and is based off the 2004 Scott Pilgrim graphic novels written by O’Malley.
The series set in Toronto, Canada starts out following indie band bassist, Scott Pilgrim, who falls in love with Ramona Flowers, a mysterious girl who uses the subspace highway in Scott’s head. The subspace highway is a reality bending highway used for transportation, which Ramona uses to conveniently make deliveries. This attracts Ramona’s league of seven evil exes. Things take a major turn when Scott is seemingly punched to death by Ramona’s first evil ex, Matthew Patel. However, Ramona knows he’s not truly dead, and throughout the show we follow Ramona as she solves the mystery of what happened to Scott Pilgrim.
The show had many highlights, but the main ones for me were the animation style, casting and the portrayal of the characters. The art style is
bright, fun, colorful and is an amazing homage to the original comic style. I also appreciated how dynamic it was. The cast was phenomenal, and the fact that they were able to bring back the entire main cast from the 2010 movie made watching the movie way more fun and exciting to watch. I like how the characters were recognizable and stayed true to the source material, while also doing something fun and unique. In all the battles with the evil exes, we still see the wildness from the original but see a more in-depth perspective of the exes’ backstories and personalities. As fantastic as the show was, there was one thing that made me a little sad, that being how little we saw of the Katayanagi twins. Throughout the franchise, the twins have always been a mystery, and although we did get some new scenes with them, I really wish we got to learn more about their personalities, interests, and backstories.
If you’re a big fan of comedy, romance or action, I’d highly recommend you watch this show. It’s so full of life and personality and takes its’ unique concept and storyline to the next level. If you’d like to check it out, you can find it, as well as the 2010 live action version, “Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World,” on Netflix.
Sienna Hanson Sports Editor
All athletes can sympathize with the weight of expectations. When they get to college, it only gets worse.
Sometime during their high school journey, athletes must make one crucial decision: will they continue their sport in college?
“For Puyallup High School seniors like Lexi Yates and Jackson Hargis, their competitive journeys may end with high school but their sportsmanlike attitudes will never fade.
Yates began all three—yes, all three—of her sports when she was just three years old.
“It started when I got into my first club team for soccer, which was at 12. I really wanted to go pro,” Yates said. “I started looking at colleges I wanted to go to, but I didn’t know what I really wanted to do. I realized I’d rather still be a part of the team instead of playing, which I was okay with.”
depends on how far it’s gonna take you,” Yates said.
Even if basketball isn’t following Yates to college, the connections she forged with teammates and coaches will.
“Sports just really bring you together. When you’re stuck with each other for two hours every single day, almost three hours, and you’re having to deal with each other, it doesn’t matter if you like each other off the court,” Yates said. “You’re still going to have that connection, even if you didn’t want it.”
Yates isn’t the only senior athlete whose college path is veering away from sports. Hargis, a swimmer, plans to attend a trade school in Seattle. The school does not currently have a swim team.
I didn’t know what I really wanted to do. I realized I’d rather still be a part of the team instead of playing, which I was okay with.”
Lexi Yates senior“It’s a maritime school. Basically, they’ll train me to work on boats and work on engines and all that,” Hargis said.
Hargis began swimming this year, trying to step out of his comfort zone before he graduated.
“My mom was like, it’s your senior year. You got to start doing stuff that you wouldn’t normally do. And so I was like, okay, swim team,” Hargis said.
With a schedule full of basketball, soccer and tennis, Yates still found time to pursue a future in exercise science.
“The main reason I’m not doing college [sports] is because I’m currently a running start student, so I will have my associates when I graduate this year,” Yates said. “I’m going straight to one year of undergrad and then two years of master’s where I’m traveling for clinicals.”
Yates says she based her decision to continue her sport on how she felt would best help her move on.
Despite being a new athlete, Hargis quickly developed friendships and confidence within the sport.
If there’s something that you really want to do, do it as soon as you can. And if you really want to do it, just continue to pursue it for as long as you can.”
Jackson Hargis senior“I definitely want to stay friends with the people that got me to do swim team in the first place,” Hargis said. “I did meet some really cool people during the season that it would be like really nice to see them in the future.”
Hargis’ advice for students struggling with the decision to pursue college athletics is not to hold yourself back. If it’s something that you truly love, then go for it.
Though she was unsure at first, Yates’ tight-packed schedule rendered it impossible for her to ever go pro.
“I feel like the decision is, what do you feel like will help you move on? If it’s that you can’t part with your sport and you want to keep playing on an elite team, I think that’s perfectly acceptable. At the same time, it
“This is my first year doing swim for high school, and I feel like I did really well. I could have done way better if I did it previous years. Because I was like, ‘I’m not ready’ or ‘I’m scared to do it’, That held me back a little bit,” Hargis said. “So, if there’s something that you really want to do, do it as soon as you can. And if you really want to do it, just continue to pursue it for as long as you can.”
Girls softball coach Alec Elliott says he’s looking forward to the opportunity to bring together and form a new team this school year.
“I’m looking forward to seeing the incoming freshman and returners step up into bigger roles this new year,” Elliott said.
Doing sports in high school helps students create more memories and form bonds with coaches and teammates, but high school is not forever.
“I miss all my seniors. Each athlete dedicated so much time to commit so much to the program. Regardless of how big of a role they played as far as playing time is concerned, they are always missed and appreciated,” Elliott said.
Although Elliott is going to have to say goodbye to some seniors coming the end of this season, he says he is looking forward to meeting the new, fresh players coming in.
“We had our first preseason weightlifting session and there were some ninth graders there. I love to see the commitment, especially so early in the year before the season has even begun,” Elliott said.
New year, new goals--Elliott wants his players to strive to be the
best version of themselves. He knows they are beyond capable of doing some incredible things.
“I think our goal for every season, every practice, every game, every inning, every out and every pitch is to be the best version of themselves,” Elliott said.
Elliott cannot say for sure what he is to expect from the upcoming season, but he remains hopeful.
“This season has not yet started, it’s hard for me to know exactly what our upcoming players will do we did however finish 3rd in state last year. So regardless of experience incoming players will have some big shoes to fill, but like the post coach and my mentor said, ‘that was 2023 and this is 2024,’” Elliott said.
“I think our goal for every season, every practice, every game, every inning, every out and every pitch is to be the best version of themselves.”
Alec Elliott coachFielding not only a Varsity squad but a JV team as well, girls flag football has provided female athletes not only a new sport to try but also skills to carry over into other areas of their lives.
Initially, senior captain Kamsi Anthony says she started flag football as a way to get fit before track season. Now she realizes it provides a sense of friendship alongside the hard work.
“[Flag football] has been really fun. I initially did it as a fun little hobby to get ready for track. But it actually is a lot of hard work and I like it,” Anthony said. “I think it’s a great use of time and I like meeting all the new people I met through like football.”
Despite starting out not knowing much about football, Anthony has improved her game and leadership over time.
“I think I’ve grown as a player a lot because I knew nothing about football before signing up for it,” Anthony said. “It’s also helped me grow as a leader because being captain for it puts me in a position where I have to actually care about other people than myself and make sure that everyone felt included.”
Going with the flow is a crucial part of the game. Anthony believes it’s important to make sure she’s doing what she needs to, as well as her team.
““The harder aspects are during games when we don’t have coaches telling us necessarily what to do, it’s not instructions you have to follow. You have to read what’s going on with the other team and know how to act accordingly as a response,” Anthony said. “I think that’s the hardest part because not only do you have to make sure that you know what you’re supposed to be doing…You have to be sure everyone else on defense we also know that they’re supposed to be doing.”
The harder aspects are during games when we don’t have coaches telling us necessarily what to do, it’s not instructions you have to follow.”
Kamsi Anthony team captainAlthough laughing and talking with friends during practice is fun, sometimes practice should be taken seriously to see improvement.
“I think coming to practice and putting in all your effort is important,” Anthony said. “I believe that you can do [flag football] and laugh and have fun and talk
to your friends. But I think it is important that when it comes down to it, you’re running your hardest, you’re doing the drills to the fullest and you’re putting in an effort because that’s the only way you’re gonna see improvement in anything.”
Part of being a varsity captain is making sure everyone can perform to the best of their ability.
My role as a captain is making sure that I am being a leader by how I act and making sure I keep my team always hyped up.”
Kiersten Sacksteder team captain“Specifically for me, [I want to improve] the way I help our team improve during the warmups. I try to make sure everyone’s doing as much as they can and working to improve,” Anthony said. “I think I’m also just making sure everyone gets moved up to varsity and feels bonded and included on the team.”
Anthony believes a strong leader doesn’t just tell others what to do but helps them while they do it.
“I think the most important part about being captain is creating a bond with everyone on your team. If you have favorites or are close to one specific person then you’re not going to be able to create the well-rounded dynamic that everybody wants in a team,” Anthony said.
Beating Bellarmine improved the team’s overall confidence, partly due to the team’s great teamwork.
“My proudest moment on the team so far probably was beating Bellarmine. I feel like we worked really well together and that was one of the best games we played,” Anthony said.
Senior Kiersten Sacksteder talks about her experience working as a captain for the varsity team.
“It’s been one of the best experiences of my high school career, I’ve made so many friendships. I’ve always loved football so it’s been a dream of mine to play football at school,” Sacksteder said.
Sacksteder believes keeping the team engaged and ready can vastly improve the play of the team.
“My role as a captain is making sure that I am being a leader by how I act and making sure that I keep my team always hyped up. People looking up to you and just making sure that you’re being a good leader,” Sacksteder said.
Win or lose, the spirit of the Vikings is to fight on no matter the circumstances.
“Even if we’re down in the game, the fact that we keep going and we don’t give up even though we’re losing. We still try to score points,” Sacksteder said.
Story edited for space. To read the full story, visit www.vikingvanguard.com
Opportunity doesn’t just appear.
For athletes who go on to play for college teams, their ticket to the next level doesn’t simply appear out of the blue.
Before all the decisions, the celebrations, the plans for a college career, there is an entire process behind being recruited to become a college athlete.
Senior Kyra Smith is committed to play softball at Colorado State University. Smith says she had to be persistent as she navigated the side of school athletics that many people never even consider.
“For me, the recruitment process was honestly very difficult. It’s just a small struggle that no one really sees, but it is truly grueling and really hard to get past,” Smith said. “Every single week I would probably send about 30 emails to 30 different schools, and most of the time I wouldn’t get a single response. You want it so bad, and they don’t even know who you are.”
Senior Danielle Brown plans to play volleyball for the University of Santa Clara next school year. For Brown, the recruitment process was a long-term commitment in and of itself.
“It is very much a business, it’s the school’s job to find the best athletes they can. It’s a really hard process, and I mean, it takes time. It’s not going to happen overnight,” Brown said.
Athletes face a big challenge when appealing to the schools that they want to express their interest.
Another member of the volleyball team, Rebecca Wilber, believes that the best way to get results is by reaching out first.
“I’d say that putting yourself out there first is really important because you might want to sit there and wait for them to email you. Put your film out and say, ‘Hey, this is what I can do. This is what I can bring to your program,’” Wilber said.
Brown explained that while it can be tempting to settle instead of continuing with the process, she was able to find a school that meets all her needs.
“If a school turns you down, it’s because another school is coming for you. That’s what happened to me. I found Santa Clara and it was everything I wanted. It’s brutal, the recruiting processes, but I think it was worth it in the end. I’m going to a college that I love, and I can’t wait to play volleyball for the next four years,” Brown said.
Committing to a school isn’t simply about athletics. Academics, scholarships, campus life, and location are just a few of the things that athletes must consider when picking where to continue their sports career.
Wilber recently committed to play for Corbin University, a college where she feels she can be successful.
“Make sure before you commit that you love the coach, you love the girls, you love the school. Especially right now in my process that’s been very helpful,” Wilber said. “I realized I wanted to have a community aspect, a school that’s not super small, but also not super big. You can know your neighbors and have that tight knit community with your professors and your coaches. I also want a college with a faith-based background.”
Not only is college a new step in an athlete’s career, but it is also a new step in their life.
Finding a campus where they feel comfortable and supported can make all the difference.
“I was considering all options. I went to a bunch of camps and had talks with coaches. It was surprising, because I’ve had other people tell me that when they went to the school they decided on, they felt a sense of home. I really felt that when I had my visit, and it was just everything that I could ever want and what I’ve dreamed,” Smith said.
Finding the right program and the right school can be a discouraging process, but Brown encourages athletes that are currently looking to get recruited to keep pushing forward despite setbacks.
“Be patient. Everything happens for a reason, don’t get down on yourself as the schools say no. Keep reaching out to colleges and keep working on yourself and trying to improve your skill set. Don’t focus on what the schools say,” Brown said. “It’s hard. It’s really hard. Honestly, looking back, I’d just tell my younger self, ‘Everything’s going to be okay.”
Story edited for space. To read the full story, visit www.vikingvanguard.com
