The Viking Vanguard, Vol. 113, Issue 5, March 14, 2025

LOW ENROLLMENT THREATENS

SEVERAL COURSES NEXT YEAR

Dominic Haney, Staff

Most classes require a certain number of students to function properly, though many classes struggle with enrollment. This requires adaptation in order to provide continuation for these programs.

With the current teaching staff, Principal David Sunich says the school can’t afford to run a class with only 12 kids. “So, then we have to make a decision,” Sunich said. “Do we want to combine it like Debate and Pre-AP English, or make it one class?”

Sunich explains that numbers are a factor, as well as funding.

“If we had more funding, we’d be able to run more small classes. But if we’re in a time when there’s budget cuts and our staffing is low, then we must make some tougher decisions,” Sunich said.

Sunich says the new classes coming up include Dental Assisting, AP African American Studies and AP Macroeconomics.

“We try to run our classes based on what people request,” Sunich said. “There has to be a demand.”

“Teacher Michael Segers runs Physics 1, 2, and C. The courses of Physics 2 and C have been known to have quite a low enrollment, Physics 2 being merged into Physics 1.

“[AP Phys 2 & C] are ran inside another class. The only potential issue is if, and when, I retire, it’s totally up to the next teacher to accommodate students that want to take AP Physics 2,” Segers said.

“That’s just the caliber of student that typically goes on to AP Physics 2,” Segers said. “With the understanding that it doesn’t have my full attention.”

Segers assigns reading AP videos and questions, to get them thinking.

“Then hopefully, those generate potential gaps I can maybe fill for them,” Segers said.

Debate is a class where students can learn to create strong positions and create well developed arguments. However, Debate is also facing the same potential hurdles as Physics.

Debate teacher Sarah Sherry says it’s one of the specialty courses, so it’s a bit difficult to get people into it.

“It’s a rigorous curriculum; we ask people to do public speaking,” Sherry said. “Out of all fears in the world they categorize public speaking as number one. Second would be death.”

Sherry recognizes that debate can be a difficult class.

“That being said, for folks who want to be a lawyer or go into politics, it’s absolutely the place you should be in,” Sherry said.

“This is the first year the school tried to merge Pre-AP English and Debate,” Sherry said.

It’s not something I even knew existed until I saw it. These competitions happen every year, and there’s so many of them around, but I never even knew about them until I started.”

Colin Nelson senior

Segers explains that it’s working, but not efficiently. Only enough for the students who take it.

“It’s working well enough to where students that are taking physics are highly motivated,” Segers said. “It doesn’t hurt them to sit inside of a Physics 1 class and overhear the discussion of Physics 1, they need to remember all that.”

Segers says they typically earn fives on the AP exam.

“The work is loosely scheduled.

“You do a lot of independent work or sit there doing work that doesn’t really apply to you; it’s kind of a hit or miss for each class period,” Rabemiafara said. “But you’re going to get a bunch of work done for what you need to prepare for.”

Rabemiafara says that the English students can participate in Debate if they’d like to.

“But those who actually participate, I think closer to 20 have participated this year,” Benja said.

“I think Debate is really viewed as a club activity. And because we don’t really do it like that here, it’s very shoved under the rug,” Rabemiafara said.

Rabemiafara says people often want to join a Debate club.

It’s a rigorous curriculum; we ask people to do public speaking. Out of all fears in the world, they categorize public speaking as number one. Second would be death.”

Sarah Sherry debate teacher

“But you actually have to be in the class, actually put in the work and compete,” Rabemiafara said. “So, people don’t want to give up that spot in their schedule for Debate.”

Senior Dominic Saxowsky has experienced Physics 1 and 2. He took Physics 2 his senior year.

Sherry says the first year is always a good test.

“But it’s definitely not where I want it to be long term,” Sherry said.

Sherry says there is some benefit to this system though, allowing students to help mentor each other.

“That’s something I’ve always believed in debate. When you have folks that were brand new to debate be given a chance to work with folks who have more experience,” Sherry said. “I think there’s growth in that mentoring program.”

Sherry says that one of the struggles of this system is that debate season is starting to wrap up, leaving little for the debaters.

“So those folks that are really heavy-duty debaters don’t have tons to do, but we still have a lot of English to do, and so they’re having to do a lot of English in their elective class,” Sherry said.

Senior Benja Rabemiafara is currently taking this class, having first-hand experience in this new program.

“[Physics 2] is pretty selfdriven. We only have eight kids in that class, and we don’t have our own classroom,” Saxowsky said. So, we don’t get a lot of attention from Mr. Segers, because he’s focused on the Physics 1 kids.”

Saxowsky says most kids who join Physics 2 already have a good grasp on the Physics curriculum.

“The people in Physics 2 really want to be there,” Saxowsky said. “They have enjoyed STEM, science, and math in the past.”

Saxowsky explains it’s something they enjoy.

“The Physics 2 kids are there to be a part of the community and to learn more,” Saxowsky said.

Saxowsky says enrollment is low because it’s far down the path. Many seniors are taking Physics 1.

“Which means by the time they have the opportunity to do Physics 2, they’ve already graduated high school,” Saxowsky said. “And the sophomores and juniors who take Physics 1 may not feel as well prepared, so they’re not well enough to take Physics 2.”

Donors Support Community With Blood Donations

Hernandez said.

At some point every student has walked up to school and seen a big bus parked in front of the CTE building.

While some students don’t know what goes on inside these buses, HOSA works to bring them for the school blood drive.

Principal Sunich says these types of experiences allow students to build connections within the community.

” The school is a part of the community and it’s important for kids to feel like they are contributing to their community,” Sunich said

HOSA President Victoria Hernandez explains some of the organization that goes into making the event happen.

““I was the one at the check in table, making sure everyone had their permission slip and did the questionnaire,” Hernandez said. “I also did the decorative aspect as well as organizing the shifts for the HOSA members volunteering.”

Sophomore Ramona Bernardino says that despite her worries at first, she would donate blood again.

“I like things done a certain way, so being the one who is able to make sure that everything turns out the best it possibly can is why I enjoy doing it,” Hernandez said.

Bernardino also mentions why she decided to donate blood.

“I’ve always seen it and thought about it but it really wasn’t until Victoria came around at my lunch and told me and some friends more about it that I decided to donate,” Bernadino said.

While Sunich says he would never push a student to participate, he thinks it’s a nice thing to do.

“I would say congratulations to any student who donates, but there is no expectations that students should or should not do it, I understand that it is a big family health decision,” Sunich said.

I’m a little scared of needles so I was a bit scared at first. But it was a really easy process and I didn’t even really feel the needle.”

Ramona Bernardino sophomore

“I’m a little scared of needles so I was a bit scared at first,” Bernardino said. “But it was a really easy process and I didn’t even really feel the needle. I would definitely do this again because I know how donating can really help someone else’s life.”

Even though PHS does not receive any financial benefit for running the blood drive, Principal Sunich says that he feels the school still gains from this event.

“The students that help run it gain leadership skills and experience as well as recognition for contributing.” Sunich said.

Hernandez goes on to tell us why she likes setting up the blood drive as well as why she likes being the president of

Hernandez says that, as the president of HOSA, she has many reasons for encouraging another student for donating.

“One reason for donating is we’re on a blood shortage in Washington. Any blood we get is helpful because you can save a life, it helps people in need and it’s a way to give back to the community,” Hernandez said.

Bernardino said that the donating process was easy but she also mentions what she did to prepare for the blood drive.

“I was told it was important to prepare so I made sure to just drink a lot of water and eat breakfast that morning but they also gave me pizza right before going in the bus so everything went good for me,” Bernardino said.

Hernandez also tells us that donating can effect health and shares advice on how to properly prepare in order to be safer.

“The prep is important. Everyone should drink a lot of water and eat foods that have high iron, as well as getting a good rest the night before. The nurses do check everyone beforehand, just to make sure its safe for you to donate,”

While Bernardino has only donated blood one time, she says she has plans to contribute again and says she hopes others who have the opportunity to, do it as well.

“I want to keep helping as much as I can and I hope more people learn about this and do it because it really can make a difference for someone,” Bernardino said.

HATE IS NEVER OKAY, IT NEVER WILL BE

Margo Hermann senior

It seems that these days, everyone has an opinion on transgender people. Recently, we have seen an influx of legislation and debate concerning this minority group, with translegislation.com reporting that 551 bills regarding transgender issues have been introduced across the U.S. so far in 2025. During our recent presidential election, both parties emphasized their opinions on the topic.

However, as I have seen an uptick in conversations surrounding this hot-button issue, I have also seen a concerning trend in the way that we treat the transgender people who are at the center of this debate. Transphobia and dehumanization are becoming all too normalized in our current society.

Transphobia is, “Discrimination against, aversion to, or fear of transgender people” (as defined by the MerriamWebster Dictionary). You may be familiar with this concept in its common instances: how our lawmakers tell us that trans people are a threat to our children, how our neighbors become uncomfortable when asked to include transgender individuals, how our peers whisper harsh words about someone who requests to use a different set of pronouns.

“issues is not needed to spot the present injustice. One can take an opposing stance without mistreating others. But often times, it is easier to fall victim to the draw of the easy way out, to the hatred that offers to answer our confusion, indecision, and fear.

“In her 2024 book Who’s Afraid of Gender? author Judith Butler how the so-called “gender ideology” that many point to as the reason that they support transphobia does not fall under the specifications of an ideology. Rather, Butler points out that this sort of framing of transgender issues is often intended to promote division and provoke controversy:

of it all? Why do we not consider the people that are most affected by changes in legislation?

In the attempt to “restore order” or “follow logic,” we ignore the teenager who wants to follow their passion as an athlete. We ignore the depth of the problem we look to solve, instead pointing to a genuine, complex question as an object of extremism and ideology.

To the transgender people who are fighting to be seen: Your struggle is not in vain, your story is not fiction. Live boldly.”

“The fear is stoked so that those who promise its alleviation can enter as forces of redemption and restoration. It is both produced and exploited in order to rally people to support the destruction of various social movements and public policies understood to be organized by gender.,” Butler wrote, “The targeting of sexual and gender minorities as dangers to society, as exemplifying the most destructive force in the world, in order to strip them of their fundamental rights, protections, and freedoms, implicates the anti–gender ideology in fascism.”

The transgender experience is a human experience, and we must consider everyone as we look towards the next chapter of our society.”

In such a polarized climate as the one we know today, this sort of behavior is often excused on the basis that transgender people are too radical or too demanding of attention, against our personal beliefs or too hard to understand. However, this reasoning struggles to justify the very real role that hatred plays in our treatment of transgender people and the very real impact of that attitude.

Enthusiastic support and deep knowledge of transgender

Margo Hermann

The way we talk about issues involving transgender people is equally as problematic.

One talking point I often see raised in debates regarding gender is the idea of transgender athletes participating in sports with athletes. I have frequently been asked my viewpoints on this, and each time I am stuck by the gross oversimplification of the issue. People often make it a dilemma of logic and reasoning, of nature and sex.

And while I acknowledge that these are real concerns, I argue that all too often we neglect the complexity of the issues that we commentate on. Where is the human aspect

Margo Hermann

This is hardly an all or nothing issue, and to treat it as such does a disservice to its complexity and to the people on both sides of the argument.

The transgender experience is a human experience, and we must consider everyone as we look towards the next chapter of our society. This is not an argument for the validity of being transgender, rather it is case against transphobia. It is unacceptable to deny the humanity of the transgender community. You do not have to agree with everyone or support every issue, but the line must be drawn at oppression, discrimination, and dehumanization.

I can say with confidence that our current climate of transphobia will not last. While it is a weed growing fast through the nurturing of hate, it lacks the roots to withstand the winds of acceptance and perseverance. It cannot survive the truth and the progress and the love that ultimately brings us together.

To the transgender people who are fighting to be seen: Your struggle is not in vain, your story is not fiction. Live boldly.

To the people who are watching with dread as their communities turn against each other: Your voice matters, your efforts are appreciated. Hold fast.

And to the people who are confused, the people who look at their neighbors with fear, the people who play a part in the division that is transphobia: Your denial of transgender people will not change who they are, your solace will be found in love rather than hate. Look forward.

DREAM COLLEGE DECISIONS LOOM LARGE

I found out I got into both of my dream colleges on the same day. Earlier that day, I had seen a notification saying Chapman University was releasing their decisions that day, and I was in suspense for the rest of the day.

Then, I got an email that I had an update in my admissions portal for Willamette University.

I was at a swim meet, the annual Holiday Relays, when I got both those emails, and since my parents were going to be there, I decided to wait for them to check the decisions. They finally arrived, and I met them in the lobby of the pool to open the emails.

I had to wait and wait for the first email to load, until I saw confetti fly across the screen with the message “Congratulations! I am pleased to offer you admission to Willamette University…” That wasn’t a terrible surprise, as I had already met with the admissions counselor multiple times and had received an email from the swim coach at the college asking to meet over Zoom. After all, why would she want to talk to me about swimming there next year, only for me to get rejected from the college a few days later? Nevertheless, I was incredibly excited, as I’d been enamored with the school since I visited over the summer.

Nervous but excited, I then moved to open the email from Chapman. This time, I wasn’t as confident. Their Film Studies program, which I was applying to, was very selective, with only 30-40% of applicants being accepted. The school was consistently ranked among the top film schools in the nation, and several alumni have gone on to make their mark on Hollywood, notably the Duffer Brothers, who created “Stranger Things.”

“I am glad I went there that day. It’s not a college I’d considered before, but I hope it will be my home for the next four years.”

Ethan Barker

the-line production facilities and gear that are used by Hollywood professionals daily. One highlight of my visit was seeing a studio dedicated entirely to Foley work, which is the process of recreating the sound of everything from footsteps to punches to sword fights. That element of filmmaking is something I had always been interested in, and I was excited to see that I could have that opportunity at Chapman.

visit to Willamette.

This time, the wait for the load was agonizing. I’d loved the film school, and the opportunities it offered me, when I visited, and I’d been anxiously awaiting the decision’s release. Then, confetti, this time in Chapman’s colors, again flew over the message that read “I am thrilled to be the first to congratulate you on your admission to Chapman University.” It was definitely a relief to be accepted to the school, but I realized that now I would have to decide between my two top schools. Chapman, on one hand, offered incredibly high-quality film programs, with top-of-

Andrew Larsen civics teacher

“I cannot wait to start working in my yard and mowing my grass.”

and the Farmers Market being open.”

However, looking back on that visit, I could tell the school wasn’t the perfect fit I hoped for. The film school was a 10-15 minute walk from the rest of campus and felt almost isolated. And while I wasn’t sure if I would want to continue my swimming career in college, that option was almost certainly out of the question at Chapman due to the high workload of the film school and long practice hours at the pool. Finally, while I’d always planned to go to college out of state, the change from Washington weather to scorching hot Southern California, along with the high cost of traveling back if I needed to, was a step too far.

On the other hand, the stars aligned on my

Although I visited during the summer when no students were on campus, I could tell that the school would be a great fit for me. The tour guides and staff on campus were friendly and helpful, and after the tour, my admissions counselor offered to do an interview with me. This wasn’t planned or a part of the tour, but she was free on that day. That 15-minute interview gave me the confidence that I would be helped at Willamette on every step of the college experience. While I have not officially committed yet, Willamette is my top choice of college. When this paper is published, I’ll be at the campus for their admitted student’s day, hopefully locking in my choice to attend. While the college I originally thought would be perfect for me was superseded by one that I hadn’t even considered before I visited, I am glad I went there that day. It’s not a college I’d considered before, but I hope it will be my home for the next four years.

EDITORIAL POLICY

The Viking Vanguard operates as an open forum for student expression. Student editors are responsible for determining the media and advertising content.

The Viking Vanguard’s duty is to expand student perspectives, maintain community relations and act as an advocating voice for students. Besides providing an opportunity for the exchange of viewpoints, The Viking Vanguard serves as an academic tool by which students can voice opinions as well as highlight issues they are facing.

LETTER POLICY

The Viking Vanguard accepts unsolicited copy from the staff, students and community. Letters will be published as space is available. The staff reserves the right to edit any letter without changing its content. All letters are the sole opinion of the writer and do not necessarily represent the opinion of The Viking Vanguard staff.

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The Viking Vanguard accepts advertisements for most products available to the public. However, the staff reserves the right to reject, edit or cancel any advertisement at any time. Advertisements shall be free of implications that the staff deems offensive in light of normal public standards (WIAA 18.20.0 and 18.20.1). The staff will not accept advertising for products or groups which are racist, sexist or illegal for students. Advertisements may not reflect the views, endorsements and/or positions of The Viking Vanguard, student body, faculty, administration or school board.

CORRECTIONS POLICY

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

Editors in Chief

Sienna Hanson

Grant Huson

Coverage Editor

Emilia Lettiere

Design Editor

Autumn Pendleton

Managing Editor

Quinn Taute

News Editor

Evelynn Bernardino

Academics Editor

Layla Johnson

Arts, Culture, and Entertainment Editor

Ethan Barker

Student Life Editor

Patience Brown

Clubs Editor

Gloria Perez Cruz

People Editors

Maren Santiago

Cayley McCart

Aubrey Carter

Digital Media Editor

Margo Hermann

Graphics Editor

Ezruh Hacker

Sports Editors

Neehla Gracia

Evelyn Beach

Lillian Bain

Yentl Charles

Kolten Clark

Casey Conor

Aubrianna Diga

Cameron Edgbert

Cash Ewing

Ayden Falkey

Mariah Geubelle

Roxanna Gonzalez

Dominic Haney

Henry Hannah

Jackson Kincaid

Gavin McKethan

Samantha Mowery

Jack Murdock

Breanna Nelson

EMBRACE CHANGES

It seems that as soon as the last autumn leaf has crinkled beneath a rubber boot, forever immortalized into the concrete, winter has arrived with vigor, blasting rain and ice and the occasional snow across every street, mailbox, car, and roof.

“

Winter soon bleeds into spring, as daffodils begin to peek from the ground, waving their sunshinecolored petals about to let all of Washington know they’re here. When the daffodils have begun to wilt, summer settles down, and sixty degrees is now considered chilly.

and can lead to huge losses of life, they remain the key method of renewing habitats and make the way for new life. Without the burning down of the old and the growth of the new, ecosystems would deteriorate.

Change is woven into every fiber of every day, whether it’s accepted or kept in denial. Often it’s hard to accept, and heald at arm’s length like an unwanted trash bag.”

Our View

Change is woven into every fiber of every day, whether it’s accepted or kept in denial.

Often, it’s hard to accept, and held at arm’s length like an unwanted trash bag.

Other times, it’s so gradual that its consequences aren’t noticed until our entire world is turned upside down and inside out.

Change, however, is an opportunity. It’s a chance to take the norm, with all its pros and cons, and slap a “new and improved” sign on it.

Although forest fires are disastrous

Many indigenous peoples used controlled fires to clear the way for travel. Although change can sometimes be a fire consuming everything good and stable, it can also bring the prospective of a future so bright and filled with joy it cannot be imagined. The upheaval of what is known and seen as “normal” can be so beautiful, if only we let it.

Proudly displayed on the wall of every kindergarten classroom and stuffed into every children’s bookshelf are depictions of metamorphosis. It’s a convenient and happy way to show the beauty of change. In reality, however, the results are not always so perfect as the transformation of a caterpillar to a majestic butterfly. Sometimes it’s more like experiencing the intense pressure and heat that forms diamonds deep below the earth’s crust.

EDITORIAL CARTOON

This “heat” can come in many different forms, from simple dilemmas such as the removal of frozen yoghurt from a certain coffee shop we all know and love, to more complicated issues like the painful memories of loved ones no longer with us.

Change can be scary, especially when unexpected and bringing along with it disastrous complications.

This is, however, no reason to shy away. It’s often that fear is the barrier between us and what we desire most.

Wearing blinders of anxiety and worry ensure a future bereft of the exhilaration and cheer that our hearts hunger for.

So, embrace change.

Put it on like a pair of warm gloves on a chilly December morning, ready to make your way in the world.

Dive into it like a pile of scarlet and amber leaves, trusting it will catch you.

Dance in it as the petals of freshly bloomed cherry blossom trees swirl around you, always moving.

Enjoy it like a step into the ocean under the summer sun, enjoying the refreshing feel of something new and different.

Do not fear its consequences, or hold it at arms length like that trash bag your parents asked you to take out, but know that good will come from the recycling of the old and the growth of the new.

Embrace change.

Kiona Pedebone

Roman Resseau

Zoey Salazar

Samari Simpson

Jared Smith

Khmera Swazer

Mekala Tailua

Leila Trammell

Lola Woodburn

Emma Zeitler Staff

Adviser

Sandra Coyer, MJE

LETTER TO THE EDITOR FORM

Just fill out this form, sign your letter, cut it out and return it to Sandra Coyer’s box in the main office to be published either in the next print issue of the Viking Vanguard or online at www. vikingvanguard.com.

KEEPING HER DUCKS IN A ROW:

After accidentally starting a collection more than 15 years ago, debate coach Sarah Sherry finds herself with several hundreds of rubber, feathered friends.

Lola Woodburn, Executive Producer

“Tell me, what exactly is the function of a rubber duck?” Arthur Weasley asked Harry Potter in The Chamber of Secrets. Sarah Sherry, teacher and debate coach at PHS, as well as a diehard Harry Potter fan, claims this is her favorite line in the whole series. While most people can appreciate the small yellow toys, Sherry collects them. Almost every flat space in her house is occupied by various rubber duckies

Sherry never had the intention to start her collection. A trip to the British Museum and a simple souvenir was the start of her rubber flock.

“ing in size from an inch to six feet tall.

“Miss Coleman for my birthday got me the biggest duck I’ve ever seen. No, that’s not true. But in terms of the ones that I own, it’s about six feet long. It’s huge.”

Along with a wide range of sizes, the duckies range in type and material as well. Two of Sherry’s favorites were actually made for her by students.

It’s the best collection because rubber duckies exist only for whimsy.”

Sarah Sherry

“My extended family and my husband’s family all lives in the UK, and we were at the British Museum, and they had a really cute ducky that had some links to the British Museum, and I just thought it was really cute. And I thought, oh, I’ll just get that as a tourist item. And then we were at another place and they had another one. I thought, Oh, well, okay, I’ll get that too. And then the more that we went, I kept seeing him, I think I came home from that trip with five or six of them. He [my husband] was like, Okay, you have a collection,” said Sherry. “It’s the best collection, because rubber duckies only exist for whimsy, like they don’t exist for any other purpose. It’s just because they’re kind of cute. And so it just started from there.”

With around 500 duckies at her house and in her classroom, space is definitely a factor Sherry has to take into consideration.

““Sometimes they take a variety of different less rubbery forms. These were actually made. This one’s felted, but it’s Harry Potter, and she used my colors from my house to make the little tie. And then this one was one of my debate captains, and he was in one of the STEM classes. He created the 3D design for it, and then 3D printed it in purple. So those are two of my very most favorites, these are two that are really special to me.” said Sherry.

Having a well known collection, lots of the ducks Sherry receives as gifts.

“It’s pretty well known that I have this collection, and the more well known it’s become, definitely the more people bring them to me. I have a friend that she and her family love to go on cruises, and her youngest son has really like taken it upon himself to make sure that I get ducks every time they go on vacation.” said Sherry.

Sometimes people’s collections hold a special meaning or importance. However, Sherry loves the lack of purpose her rubber duckies have. In response to Mr. Weasley, Sherry believes that rubber duckies don’t have any function, except whimsical joy.

I mean, I would cover everything in rubber duckies if I could. If that added to the joy.”

“The space is definitely an issue. My husband reminds me of this on a regular basis. I have an upstairs office, and they are covering every flat surface of the office.” said Sherry. However, as long as there is flat space, there

“They just represent whimsy, like the joy of the moment, to have something that literally has no function outside of joy, outside of whimsy. I kind of wish I had more of that in my life. I mean, I would cover everything in rubber duckies if I

Resin duck, the smallest in her collection, measuring less than one inch

LIBRARY RENOVATES TEEN ZONE, EXPANDS TO YOUTH COMMUNITY

If you visit the Puyallup Public Library and make your way through the doors, past the receptionist and up the stairs, you will come upon a massive wall of plywood and construction signs making up the entire front side of the building, barricading what used to be a wall of windows with shelves of books.

Right now, the Puyallup Public Library looks a little different than normal, as it is currently undergoing a long-planned renovation to create a dedicated Teen Zone— a place for young people in the community to relax, hang out, or study.

According to the Library Foundation Board, the project had to be postponed due to high demand and prices for contractors; however, the construction is still ahead of schedule. The newly renovated Teen Zone is to be completed by the end of May, and it will cost only $380,000 of the initial $600,000 estimated price of the construction, with the Puyallup Rotary Club’s donation of $100,000 also aiding in the project.

As a current Rotary Club member of 10

Road

Dominic Haney, Staff

After years of talks over a road closure, the time finally arrived.

The part of 7th Street NW that runs through the school had come to an end. Now, six new portables have seemingly popped up overnight. Students and residents may wonder what will happen next.

Principal David Sunich says it’s been two years since they’ve been planning to add portables.

“It started the March of 2023, when we decided were going to close the Library-Science building, Sunich said. “The road closure was made in conjunction with knowing we’d have more students crossing the street.”

Sunich explains that the teachers will finally have their own space.

“Before, they had to go to different classes every period during another teacher’s class planning period to use their room,” Sunich said. “It’s definitely going to make life a little easier on the teachers.”

Due to the route being closed the traffic may have an impact on the residents living around the school. Whether it be obstruction or

years and Public Relations Library Foundation Board member, Renne Gilliam encouraged the Puyallup Rotary Club to support an issue she felt needed to be addressed, emphasizing that a dedicated teen space will fill within the community.

“‘We decided on a pretty large number [to donate], and it was big enough to not be ignored. Because the community had put forward such a large amount, the city was said they would make up the rest of the costs,” Gilliam said. With finances covered, the next step was to produce a conceptual design for the renovation. Originally, plans included a small room that was blocked off specifically for teens, but the city and community decided that they wanted more functionality so that when teens aren’t in the building, the space can be open to the public. However, they

still wanted a design that was enclosed enough to create a safe space for teens, no matter their reason for visiting.

Sophomore Trygve Hermann, an avid library attendee, work shopper of design choices and voter in the renovation process, says he enjoys the programs at the library, especially the quiet atmosphere.

that other people have at home like internet, they can go to the library and use the computer or log on to the internet to get work done.

ity of the new space, the coolness of the new space, the contemporariness of the new space will hopefully invite different kids in,” Hermann said.

“

During the winter, it’s nice that you can go in there and just hang out for a little bit. It’s nice that the Teen Zone is there to accommodate me.”

Trygve Hermann sophomore

“It’s warm, it’s nice. The staff are very, very kind. Shout out to Stellan and Paul! It’s a very enjoyable experience for me to be in an environment where I’m surrounded by stuff that I enjoy,” Hermann said.

“During the winter, it’s nice that you can go in there and you just hang out for a little bit. It’s nice that the Teen Zone is there to accommodate me.”

Hermann suggests that having a specific space for adolescents will benefit teens and help to create equity in the community.

“For people who don’t have some of the stuff

Blocks Off Campus

determining parking. Resident Dennis Ulmer gives his input.

“I don’t think it’s any worse, other than the traffic after 6,” Ulmer said. “It’s minimal.”

Traffic isn’t the only concern. Another resident, Jason Bowlman worries about the role emergency vehicles play when roads close.

“It’s concerning how it has affected the emergency vehicles coming through,” Bowlman said.

This concern was presented by the potential injuries during after-school sports. Potentially hindering an emergency vehicle from getting to the scene fast enough.

“I’d say it should close during school hours and reopen during the weekend and after school,” Bowlman said.

The students also are mindful of the effect residents may have had. Junior Elle Farmer talks about the residents potentially being negatively affected by this change.

“It might disrupt their commute,” Farmer said. “It’s not what they’re used to.” Farmer also gives her input over the addition of portables.

“I think it’s good for the space issue, I’m not the biggest fan of portables though,” Farmer

said.

Of course, other students of PHS also have taken notice of these changes. Sophomore

Michael Czapiewski explains the difference in hallway traffic.

“I’ve noticed it helping the flow of students,” Czapiewski said. “They don’t have to take the crosswalk now, less commotion.”

Czapiewski says he has a portable class.

“It’s definitely easier, instead of waiting for cars to pass I can just go,” Czapiewski said.

Students knew about this change long before it was applied. News has been spread around since before the school year even started. Looking back on student input, sophomore Sacha Bartlett said the road closure isn’t a necessity.

“Just supervise it instead of closing it down. Be sensible,” Bartlett said.

Senior Tyler Brown seemed to well predict the future opinions of students.

“I feel like it’ll cause less traffic around the school,” Brown said.

Having the same resources available to everyone makes it easier for everyone to be on the same playing field. I live a very fortunate life, but I can understand from another person’s perspective who maybe isn’t as privileged as I am, living in a nice house and having a nice family and just having a quiet area where I can go and get some work done,” Hermann said.

The whole goal is for teens to see that they matter to this library and to this community.”

Nicole Erickson library director “

The construction of the new Teen Zone leads to lots of noise and racket compared to what a library is used to. Library

Director Nicole Erickson says there have been challenges with the noise, but also the perks that come with it.

Darice Hermann, the Secretary and Assistant Treasurer of the Library Foundation Board, says the updates to the teen area needed to be made to make the space feel like less of an afterthought.

“It was sort of just a random space with a couple of neon signs up on the wall that felt like they were left over from the ‘80s. It didn’t feel very intentional. I’m hoping the intentional-

“The whole goal is for the teens to see that they matter to this library and to this community. Even if it’s just something that’s periphery and taken for granted even a little, I hope that they feel connected to the library, and they see that they are welcome here and that they are valued,” Erikson said. For Darice Hermann, the library has meant a lot to her over the years. She points out that libraries themselves are changing, and that people need to update the way they perceive these spaces.

“I hope that the kids know that they are welcome to be there, and that the library is intended to be a birth to death experience,” Darice Hermann said. “There is something for you at every stage of your life, and hopefully it helps not just teenagers, but it helps the rest of the community realize that the library is so much more than just books.”

“I can certainly say that the construction can be really loud. But I think that just seeing the construction is an awareness for people that maybe wouldn’t have known that it was happening before. We get to plug the improvement for the teens: ‘Look at what the city is doing, and look at Rotary is helping with, look at how the community is supporting this project.’ I think it actually opens us up to a good conversation,” Erickson said. Erickson feels excited to be part of the change, and she feels hopeful for what the new addition will mean to the community.

Popular Cafe Changes Menu, Upsets Customers

Lola Woodburn, Executive Producer

Any kid who grew up in Puyallup knew about Elements Frozen Yogurt, a staple in downtown Puyallup.

Within walking distance from the schools, it became a popular place to grab a treat after school, during Saturday Farmer’s Markets, and the concerts in the park.

Previously owned by the Reynold’s family, who also own Anthem, it was sold in 2019 to the Kaelin family. While Elements had served mainly frozen yogurt and juices, the Kaelin’s made the decision to operate it more like a cafe.

“My husband and I decided to purchase it, and it originally had just frozen yogurt, acai, juice,” said Jackie Kaelin, the General Manager and part owner. “We decided to make it more year-round by adding coffee and teas, and other options so that it could be more sustainable all year not just in the summer months.”

The initial intention was to keep the froyo along with the new additions. However, there was a reoccurring issue with the machinery that proved to be a problem for the sales of frozen yogurt.

“The machines were getting old, they kept breaking and needing repair after repair, and we thought about replacing them, but the cost to replace them would be quite expensive,” said Kaelin. “So, with our shifting, what we would like to do, [is] more café food and drink, and eliminate the froyo based on costs associated with

replacing the machines”

Since Elements was always known as a frozen yogurt place, Kaelin believes the shift in the menu will bring a shift in customer demographics as well.

“The demographics will change because we don’t have froyo, which a lot of kids enjoyed, the teens and families would come together to celebrate birthdays and various events that they were looking forward to doing, so yeah, it will be a bummer to lose that,” said Kaelin.

The loss of frozen yogurt leaves room for a variety of new menu items.

“I think that we can also expand on the things we’re currently doing and that will hopefully make people excited. Without froyo, we’re going to be focusing on new menu items like jazz breakfast burritos we already launched, naan pizza that we’ve already launched, and expanding juices which we currently do, new variety of seasonal fun summer juices,” said Kaelin.

Even though the frozen yogurt is leaving, Elements is still a place where people can grab a quick bite, host events, or just hang out.

“We shifted our hours to be open earlier for early morning meetings, book clubs, bible studies, and we are also closed earlier, and we can host events and private parties in here,” said Kaelin.

STUDENTS ACCEPTED TO DREAM COLLEGES

Margo Hermann, Digital Media Editor

Adelle Patton: Gallaudet University

Senior Adelle Patton heard about Gallaudet University from her American Sign Language (ASL) teacher, but did not feel that the school would support her interest in journalism.

However, when Patton became involved in Puyallup School District’s Teachers of Tomorrow program, where high school students are given an internship in an elementary school classroom, she discovered her love for teaching.

As Patton’s plans changed, she began to reconsider applying.

“I really like to work with kids, I like to see them progress socially and academically. It’s a really good feeling when you teach them something, then they incorporate it and they show what they’ve learned from you,” Patton said. “I decided, no, I want to be a teacher.”

Gallaudet University stood out to Patton as the majority of the student body is deaf or hard of hearing, with the university reporting that 77 percent of degree-seeking students were deaf or hard of hearing as of 2020.

Patton has always wanted to include her passion for ASL and deaf education in her career, and Gallaudet would help her achieve those goals.

“I am passionate about ASL, and I want to help kids who are deaf be integrated into classes because they shouldn’t be treated differently or separated just because they can’t hear.

I’m excited to learn more about how to specifically educate deaf kids.”

Adelle Patton senior

I think the college has a great program for deaf education… I’m excited to learn more about how to specifically educate deaf kids,” Patton said.

Patton plans to pursue her Master’s degree at Gallaudet and get job experience in the Washington D.C. area before moving to Florida and taking a position teaching in a combined deaf and hearing classroom.

While Patton has realized that her future is at Gallaudet University, she emphasizes the importance of applying to a wide variety of schools when looking for the right match.

“I applied to lots of colleges. Like, I applied to the University of Alaska. I hate being cold. I mean, the University of Mexico, they sent me a scholarship and it was like $20,000. You have no idea what you’re actually going to do when you’re deciding to go somewhere,” Patton said.

David Kim: Princeton University

Ivy league schools draw a lot of attention for their prestigious reputations. Many apply, few are accepted. But there is more to an Ivy League college than a title or distinction; these universities offer a lot to their students both socially and academically. For senior David Kim, his next year at Princeton University seems promising as the school is well-suited to his aspirations and goals.

“Princeton is known for being a research university, so you have a lot of opportunities to pursue your own projects,” Kim said, “At the moment, I want to major in engineering and then use that to create my own startup or business and then expand on that to maybe become a global enterprise. I want to use it to create products and manufacture items that will help other people.”

Princeton offers a diverse community as well as a wide range of opportunities, a setting that Kim sees himself thriving in.

“I want to try as many different things as possible, pursue different studies. I don’t want to limit myself to one area or one category.”

David Kim senior

“I want to try as many different things as possible, pursue different studies. I don’t want to limit myself to one area or one category,” Kim said. “Princeton has people from everywhere, so I’m looking forward to meeting new people and seeing new cultures.”

Getting into an Ivy League college can be very challenging, often requiring planning and years of dedication. Kim encourages students who are considering schools like Princeton to seek support from teachers and represent themselves authentically to the college they are applying to.

“In terms of the application, I think it’s a little bit different compared to local schools. The schools want to know more of who you are, they are looking to hear your story. I relied on teachers to help me figure it out, I was asking them for help, and they were guiding me through the process,” Kim said.

At first, Kim says he struggled to comprehend that he had been admitted to Princeton, but his excitement grew as he began imagining the next step of his education.

“It was kind of unreal. I opened [my admissions letter] at school during lunch, and I think my friends were more excited than I was. My parents couldn’t believe it at first as well. I think now it’s settling in, but at the time I was just shocked,” Kim said.

MiAinjel Calhoun: Howard University

Dentistry has been an interest of senior MiAinjel Calhoun for quite a while now. While volunteering at health fairs with her mom, Calhoun noticed that a lot of people did not have access to dental care. She began considering how pursuing dental care could make a difference.

“I noticed that when we talk about healthcare, dental care gets skipped over. Talking to my older family members, they said ‘When we had gum diseases, we just got our teeth pulled.’ I was like, we should try to fix that system and make it more accessible,” Calhoun said. “My goal is to become a dentist and hopefully open my own practice and focus on low-income groups, those who cannot afford good dental care.”

Next school year, Calhoun will study chemistry and prepare to follow the dental track at Howard University in Washington D.C. The acclaimed school is one of the US’ premier Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and offers programs and a social community that drew Calhoun to apply.

“A lot of historical figures went there, like Chadwick Boseman and former Vice President Kamala Harris. I just think that Howard has a lot of history behind it, and I would love to explore the culture,” Calhoun said. “A lot of schools don’t have dental programs, and I heard that Howard’s is very good. There is also Greek life at Howard, and I am interested in trying that out and seeing what they have to offer.”

Calhoun describes her admission to Howard University as a surprise. Calhoun had hopes of getting into the prestigious university but ultimately thought that she would be rejected.

“

“I opened my letter by myself, I went downstairs and told my parents, they were confident in me. I was excited, and most of all I was proud because I have been working hard towards this goal,” Calhoun said.

I think I am a natural leader. I am very determined to help with accessible healthcare and the public health system.”

MiAinjel Calhoun senior

Calhoun sees a promising future for herself at Howard University, a college that she thinks will offer her opportunity and where she feels she succeed and contribute to the school.

“I think I am a natural leader. I am very determined to help with accessible healthcare and the public health system. I think that helping others is a calling for me, and when it comes to pursuing something like this, I could be a good fit,” Calhoun said.

D&D Club Conjures Whimsy, Fantasy, Imagination

creative aspect of the campaigns.

Dungeons and Dragons: it’s been around since 1974, and has spread its influence all over the world. It is not, however, only played by those who refer to the seventies as “back in my day.”

Tabletop Gaming Club, more commonly known as D&D Club by its attendees, is a creative outlet for students to get away from everyday life and experience a world of benevolent wizards, evil overlords, and damsels in distress. Tyler Merrell, as one of the club’s two advisers, believes the game is a form of escapism for most students.

“

“The idea is that it’s kind of like a video game, and that when you play D&D, you can take on a new character, be whatever you want to be. You could be yourself, or you could be something totally different,” Merrell said. “You get to get out of the school world and be someone else. It’s about escaping the day to day boredom and realities.”

“An evil demon has taken over the world and blown everything up because the characters 100 years ago accidentally unleashed him on the world,” Merrell said. “Then, they all died, and they got awakened 100 years later, after he’s taken over the world, and they’re trying to set things right again, kind of like Samurai Jack. They’re trying to fix the world that they’ve accidentally messed up.”

You get to get out of the school world and be someone else. It’s about escaping the day to day boredom and realities.”

Tyler Merrell D&D club adviser

Senior Soren Bartlett, a participator in this campaign, is equally enthusiastic about its plot.

“Usually, the Dungeon Master will create a campaign or use a pre-existing one from the books they can buy. They go through and they describe to the characters and the players that this is where they are, this is what has happened, and this is the type of place that you will be in,” Holman said.

As a Dungeon Master himself, Holman’s favorite campaign featured a Pirates of the Caribbean inspired storyline.

“The cool thing about it is, even if you have the basic plot line, you don’t know how your players are gonna react. They ended up drugging Captain Jack Sparrow, I was not seeing that outcome,” Holman said. “They now pilot the Black Pearl themselves.”

Holman’s favorite character he ever played went by the name of Rex, and the Narnia-like campaign was run by Merrell himself.

endless, from exercising creativity in characters and campaigns to building lasting relationships.

“The whole point of this game is talking with a bunch of other people. It’s the most social game, besides maybe sports,” Merrell said. “Besides building social skills, which in itself opens so many doors, I would say that you can even put it on a resume. I put it on my resume to get this job. It sets you apart and builds a camaraderie.”

When one of his students inquired about ways to get more involved in the school, Merrell recommended Dungeons and Dragons, as he always does.

“They were in my class two years ago, and they asked me about any clubs they could go to. They’ve come every week for the last three years, and they’re one of the club advisors now, and it’s really cool to see how they’ve matured and [how] it’s made them so much more outgoing,” Merrell

Every Monday, from 3 p.m. to about 5:15 p.m., both the Puyallup High School auditorium and Michael Spears classroom are turned into a battlefield against otherworldly enemies.

“Long story short, we’re all dead, then we come back, and we are now out for vengeance against Orcus, to go kill him. As we’re doing this, we are finding out that Orcus has taken over the entire world, except for Baldur’s Gate, one of the biggest cities within the within the world,” Bartlett said.

Senior Bryce Holman is a student Dungeon Master who also enjoys the

“It consisted of an entire place called 10 towns being overrun by an internal winter, kind of like Narnia. Our goal was to stop the frost maiden. My character, Rex, managed to, single handedly, beat the frost maiden into submission. I banished the goddess to the astral realm, where she is now forever trapped, and then the ice castle collapsed on me,” Holman said.

The benefits of games like D&D are

Graphic by Grant Huson

LADY GAGA MODERNIZES OLD SOUND WITH “MAYHEM”

Ethan Barker, ACE Editor

After a streak of serious albums in an attempt to reinvent her as a movie star, Lady Gaga returns to a joyful, chaotic mix of genres with “Mayhem,” released on March 7.

The album was preceded by the singles “Disease,” “Abracadabra,” and “Die with a Smile,” a duet with Bruno Mars. She began work on the album in 2022, during her Chromatica Ball Tour, after her fiancé encouraged her to write another pop album.

The album touches on a wide variety of genres, each song sounding different from the one before. the hit single “Abracadabra” interpolates the post-punk classic “Spellbound” in the verses before bouncing into a rhythmically complex chorus and hook. Simultaneously dark and upbeat, it’s one of the album’s many standouts.

“Killah” is a catchy, funk-pop song that sounds like a fever-dream mashup of Prince and Nine Inch Nails, with Gaga taking control of the femme fatale archetype as more than an object of desire. The instrumental, which is one of the only songs on the album with live instruments, features Chad Smith of Red Hot Chili Peppers drumming and the album’s producer Andrew Watt on guitar.

Watt, who is credited as a producer on albums by Ozzy Osbourne, Post Malone, the

Rolling Stones, and more, plays on almost every song and is key to the variety on the album.

The first half of the album takes many creative turns and musical risks, making it all the more disappointing when the second half starts to blend together with tone. Only one of the songs is actively unlikeable, that being the musically funky but creatively clunky “Zombieboy,” but the excitement of the first half starts to fade after “Killah.”

Gaga has been promoting this album with music videos and performances that are visually stunning and creative. “Abracadabra” features two versions of herself; one a regal queen clad in red instructing the other, among a crowd of dancers all in white, to “dance or die.” On a “Saturday Night Live” episode where she both hosted and was musical guest, she performed “Killah” starting backstage in a purple suit, walking up to the stage through the halls as she continued to dance and sing until she ended on the mirror-covered stage.

As Gaga looks to her past music and image, reinventing them for the modern pop landscape, her musical side is similarly reinvigorated with this new album.

“Mayhem” is available to stream on all major streaming platforms.

POKEMON TCG POCKET PROVIDES FRESH START FOR PLAYERS

Dominic Haney, Staff

Pokémon requires very little introduction. It’s a franchise with video games, television series, trading cards, and has enough adaptability to expand into other markets. Recently, they’ve again dipped in the mobile game market, switching gears after “Pokémon GO!” drew attention to their trading card game. This resulted in the release of “Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket” on October 30, 2024.

Pokémon TCG Pocket is based on the original trading card game. Each game, you set up a deck that contains 20 cards. You start the game by drawing 7 cards and placing one basic Pokémon card in the active spot. The Pokémon you draw will attack each other with different attacks dealing a predetermined amount of damage, and certain status effects. You win the game by causing the opponent to run out of Pokémon or knocking out three of their Pokémon.

Although very similar to the original card game, match times have been reduced by at least 10 minutes. The number of cards in a deck has been lowered from 60 to 20, and the points needed to win have been lowered from 6 to 3. The energy mechanic, which requires certain cards for attacks to be played, has also been removed.

The increased speed is a great change, especially for people getting into the card game for the first time and allowing players to play in any situations where they have free time. Although this change makes the game more convenient, it limits the strategies you can play with and the types of cards they can create.

One of the major problems of the original game is surely the expense involved. Pokémon cards and packs are notoriously expensive since the value of cards ranges heavily, some being worth over $100. With this game, you can open two packs a day for free, allowing you to enjoy the feeling of opening a pack without any monetary investment.

The new format allowed the company to have a creative reset, allowing both newcomers and veterans to jump into the game with equal footing. The wide variety of special, more powerful cards has been simplified into only two special types: EX and Immersive. EX cards are more powerful than their basic versions but also reward opponents with two points instead of one when they are defeated. Immersive cards are extraordinarily rare versions of EX cards, with a .888% chance to get one in normal packs, and a 3.84% chance in rare packs. When holding down on the card, an animated cutscene will play, giving them an interesting design gimmick while also having a high playable value in the game.

But TCG Pocket isn’t without its own controversies too.

A common source of criticism is the amount of luck involved in all aspects of the game, from the packs to the battles. During battles, for example, you start the game by pulling five random cards. One is guaranteed to be a basic card, however the rest are randomized from the deck you’re using. Each succeeding card you pull will be random and shuffled, which is of course the mechanic at the center of all card games, from poker to war to blackjack. However, many cards also require a coinflip to use. One Pokémon, Seaking, deals 80 damage if you get heads in a coinflip. Theoretically, you could end games in three turns if you get heads every flip or lose games in 10 turns if you only land tails. This can be unfair for both sides as some games will be lost before they even begin, hindering the competitive side when games may be decided purely on luck.

Despite any criticism, the game is still going strong. New packs are being released on a consistent basis, reaching 100 million downloads as of February with little chance of slowing down. The game continues to further solidify itself in the Pokémon community and the public as a whole.

Check out what music our editors listen to!

I like to think that my music is a cross between the coffee shop and the club. I listen to the same music while running on the treadmill as I do in statistics. Chappell Roan is my everything and I’ll always adore Cher.”

-Margo Hermann, Digital Media Manager

-Autumn Pendleton, Design Editor “ “ “

I listen to a lot of older music, generally classic rock and pop. Recently, I’ve been geting more into disco and soul music from the ‘70s, specifically bands like Earth, Wind, and Fire.”

-Grant Huson, Co-Chief

I’m a fan of lots of different music, so I put a lot of songs in here that reflect my variety of interests. I’ve been listening to a lot of Lady Gaga’s new album recently, especially the songs ‘Abracadabra’ and ‘Killah.’”

-Ethan Barker, ACE Editor

My music taste can’t be narrowed down to one genre, but my playlists are about 98% Christian music. My recently listened artists, are pretty much all Forrest Frank, as I’m going to his concert in May.”

-Sienna Hanson, Co-Chief

I like ‘90s alternative music; it reminds me of my childhood when I would listen to it with my dad. Last year, The Kid Laroi ended up being my top artist unexpectedly, and then I listened to more of his music and I loved it.”

The second half of the story gives the characters more emotional material and great songs to dig into after this film sets the stage for the story, and it will be wonderful to see Erivo’s work in theaters.

Taking on the role of Elphaba, a legendary character portrayed by many Broadway legends is a daunting task. Adapting that character to an entirely different medium, where the story is expanded and the characters are up close with the audience in a way that is impossible on a stage, is even more so. Cynthia Erivo, who before this film was relatively unknown, especially compared to her costar Ariana Grande, takes on these tasks wonderfully. With a musical as iconic as this one, the vocal ability of the stars is a huge facet to take into consideration. Erivo’s voice is clear, soaring, and powerful, befitting the character. The film’s most iconic vocal moment comes at the very end of the climactic song, “Defying Gravity,” when Elphaba rises into the air on a broomstick and belts out the iconic final notes, Erivo putting her own spin on them by adding vibrato, firmly putting her own stamp on the character. She continues to flesh out the character in the film, taking us through her emotions and evolution from a shy, bullied student who wishes to be normal to someone who is fighting against the unfair treatment of the animal citizens of Oz. Her physical acting and facial expressions, especially in the scene at the Ozdust Ballroom, are top-notch, providing clear insights into her emotions and thoughts.

One of the things that grabbed me upon my first listen was how short the album was. There are only 10 songs, but that’s certainly not a bad thing. In an age of music where albums are often over an hour, the 44-minute runtime means the album is concise and no song overstays its welcome. And even though there’s only ten songs, the variety of musical styles flesh out the short runtime. The instrumental aspects of Eilish’s music have always been just as important to the song as her lyrics. Other pop albums might focus more on the singer, but the instrumentals here, written with her brother and producer FINNEAS, grab the listener with some catchy hooks and a sound that often alternates between a softer fingerpicked guitar and upbeat synth-pop. Vocally, Eilish is the strongest she’s ever been. She’s supplanted the whispery vocals of previous albums with a strong and clear voice, making the moments when she shifts to a softer voice that much more impactful. The album is an encapsulation of Eilish’s career so far, and those who enjoy pop that’s a little offbeat will certainly enjoy this album.

From our published review of the album: Crafting a release that improves on her nearly-universally acclaimed first two albums was likely no easy task, but Billie Eilish’s “HIT ME HARD AND SOFT” does so effortlessly. The album’s sound meshes the more up-tempo art-pop of her debut “WHEN WE ALL FALL ASLEEP, WHERE DO WE GO” and the sparse, relaxed arrangements of her previous album, “Happier Than Ever,” sometimes even during the same song.

This summer, the beef between Kendrick Lamar and Drake captured the attention of the nation. After Lamar claimed that he was the best rapper alive on a guest verse, a feud that had been silently brewing for years spilled into an aggressively public series of diss tracks, forever damaging the reputation of Drake. While Lamar has always been known as an amazing lyricist, even winning a Pulitzer Prize for his 2017 album “DAMN.,” “Not Like Us” is perhaps one of his most successful and popular songs. The song is a scathing takedown of Drake, slinging allegations about him left and right with incredibly sharp wordplay and wit. The lyrics, the unique and infectious flow, and the excited atmosphere of the beat all create a perfect storm that clears to reveal a party atmosphere that captured people from all walks of life. The song is both a personal takedown and a rallying cry for the entire Los Angeles area, as seen in the music video. The video features cameos from a large variety of celebrities, but the most impactful moments come from a scene of over 1,000 Compton residents chanting along to the lyrics that brought a community together.Two events cemented the song’s legendary status. The first was when, at the Grammy Awards, the song won five Grammys, including both Song of the Year and Record of the Year. When Lamar walked up to accept the award, it seemed the entire audience of celebrities sang along to perhaps the most famous lyric in recent rap history: “Tryna strike a chord and it’s probably A minor.” Then Lamar performed the song at the halftime show of the Super Bowl, and the audience of 65,000 did the same.

BEST ACTOR: CYNTHIA ERIVO, “WICKED” BEST ALBUM: “HIT ME HARD AND SOFT,” BILLIE

EILISH

BEST SONG: “NOT LIKE US,” KENDRICK LAMAR

to show off his musical theater background throughout as Glinda and Elphaba both fall for him. With a sequel coming out at the end of November this year, it seems that the “Wicked” hype won’t be dying down anytime soon. Titled “Wicked: For Good,” the film will follow the second act of the musical.

Many people had their doubts about “Wicked” before the film released. It was based off a Broadway musical that, while famous, wasn’t necessarily incredibly popular nowadays. The film had been in development since 2004, which is usually a sign of major issues with the production. And it starred a pop star and a relatively unknown actress, who was quickly becoming notorious for strange interviews on the press tour and lashing out at a fan edit of the official poster of the film. However, the film became a triumph and a pop culture phenomenon, grossing over $700 million worldwide and won multiple Golden Globes and Oscars. The production design of the film pays homage to the original film while expanding the magical world of Oz. The scene where Glinda (Ariana Grande) and Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) first visit the Emerald City is filled with magical color, and the “Dancing Through Life” song features imaginative and inventive choreography through a spinning, multilevel library. The costumes are lush and unique, providing insight into the characters and their lives. The casting is another highlight of the film, with the leads feeling like they were born for the roles. Grande, who has stated that playing Glinda is her dream role, portrays both the vapid, self-obsessed version of the character at the beginning and the version who cares deeply for her best friend at the end of the film. Jonathan Bailey, star of Netflix’s “Bridgerton,” who gets

“Fallout,” are given the space to weave in and out of existing lore to tell new stories in familiar settings, others, like the disaster that is “Borderlands,” water down the iconic stories for studiofriendly versions of characters and plotlines, alienating fans while not doing anything to attract general audiences. While the series is short, with only two seasons and nine episodes in each, that means the characters have clear motivations and endings, and their arcs are wrapped up without being dragged out to fill runtime. The show’s commercial and critical success opens the doors for more stories set in the universe, with multiple in development.

Weighty, realistic and powerful, they are all distinct from one another, and each has their own niche they fulfill in the campaign and multiplayer. There are also other tools of destruction you can use, notably a remote-controlled car that can drive straight into a group of enemies and explode, or a throwing knife that automatically locks onto targets. The maps on multiplayer are refreshingly simple and tight, and are comparatively easy to navigate for new players and old. However, the smaller scale means you might be re-spawning next to a heated gunfight or right as a grenade rolls at your feet. The campaign, multiplayer and return of round-based Zombies all combine into a package that is the best Call of Duty game in recent memory.

“League of Legends,” a solely multiplayer game with little lore and known for its toxic environment and highly competitive esports scene, would get a television show, let alone one that is one of the most acclaimed adaptions and animated series of all time. The series follows sisters Vi (Hailee Steinfeld )and Jinx (Ella Purnell) as they are wrapped up in a conflict between their seedy city of Zaun and the Utopian sister city of Piltover. The animation and character designs are spectacular, with the exaggerated designs of the characters in League of Legends to a more realistic, but still visually distinctive, style. The animation style is one of the most innovative looks since “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse,” with the animation studio Fortiche portraying the emotions and actions of the characters with intensity. The story, characters and lore are fascinating, with the relatively blank slate of the source material allowing the writers to tell their own stories. While some game adaptations, like Amazon’s

Out of the many iconic video games that could have had great adaptations, it’s surprising that

With the largest launch in franchise history, bolstered by the game launching day one on Xbox Game Pass, “Call of Duty: Black Ops 6” is a triumph of the first-person shooter (FPS) genre. It’s not reinventing the genre or adding any drastically new mechanics, but it’s perfecting the mechanics and feel of the game. A key addition to the franchise is omni-movement, allowing you to sprint, slide, and jump in any direction. This adds new dimensions to the game play, feeling like a stylized action film that befits the campaign’s story of rogue CIA operatives fighting against a paramilitary group around the time of Operation Desert Storm. The campaign takes you through a huge variety of locations and situations, with one memorable mission tasking you with infiltrating a political gala and giving you three different ways to complete your objective. Another drops you in a wide-open map, giving you three missile sites to destroy and the full sandbox (literally, as the mission is set in a desert) to do it with. Of course, an FPS will be defined by the guns you shoot with, and they feel great in game.

TELEVISION: “ARCANE”

MOVIE: “Wicked” AND THE VIKING

BEST GAME: “CALL OF DUTY: BLACK OPS 6”

GOES TO...

UNIFIED BASKETBALL ACHIEVES STATE WIN

Kiona Pedebone, Features Editor

Teamwork.

Support.

Success.

Unified Basketball team took back-to-back State champions after their win Saturday, March 1 at Eastmont Junior High.

Unified basketball coach, Manny Briones, says the team’s hard work and excitement towards going to the State championship was awesome.

“The kids went to State last year and they were blown away when they won regionals and found out they were going to State,” Briones said. “They came back again this year and did it again. They were just excited even to know they’re going back-to-back, so that’s a big thing for them. The kids, man, they worked really hard for it, so they definitely got what they deserved.”

“Briones emphasizes that keeping a positive environment for the players is an important way to keep them motivated. “I continue to show them that practice is really important and when they’re out practicing, they just work hard and continue to be great, you know, dribbling, passing, shooting, when they do something wrong, say, hey its okay, lets keep on going, we’re going to get it next time, and don’t try to be so down on yourself, just keep that positive vibe,” Briones said. Briones says that the team’s support for each other makes it a proud moment for him.

I’d rather take a player that has more heart than they do talent, and they definitely have that, one hundred percent.

Manny Briones coach

“They have each other’s back; when one kids either not feeling it, or they’re having a bad game, the other one steps up,” Briones said.

Briones highlights one of his players and how his positive mindset allowed him to not give up.

we have a lot of new peers this year,” Edgbert said. “So just getting better, working together, making connections with the rest of the team, just improving across how we started to where we are now. It’s really great to see how we’ve come together as a team and improved.”

Edgbert says being a part of Unified Basketball has helped him grow not only as an athlete, but also as a person.

“They really motivate me; the athletes [motivate me] to just try my very best out there, because they’ve worked so hard. It inspires me to work just as hard as them to get the win and succeed as a team,” Edgbert said.

Edgbert says the team has support strategies throughout tough moments.

“I think the main thing that we do to support the rest of our team is just encouragement, high fives are a big deal with teams, it’s very common just to remind them that even if you make a mistake, it’s okay, and you learn from your mistakes,” Edgbert said.

Edgbert emphasizes his favorite memory from the season that he will carry with him.

Briones says having players that were on the player developmental team, coming up and working their way through last year was a big accomplishment.

“They proved that the whole way through the league,” Briones said. “To see that growth and to see them just better their abilities, it was awesome as a coach to see, I’d rather take a player that has more heart than they do talent, and they definitely have that, one hundred percent.”

Briones says that encouragement and positive rein forcements are the key to keeping the team motivated and focused.

“Keeping [the athletes] motivated is just encouraging how awesome they are and how good that they do out in prac tices. I tell them, when you guys play, is how you practice, so if they come to practice and they’re just goofing off, it’s going to show in the game,” Briones said.

“We had one of the players from last year’s team player development come up, and one of our top shooters at regionals, wasn’t shooting right, he was off that day, and that kid, Xander, he came up, and one game he scored 12 points, it was just repetitive and he’s still talking about it to this day,” Briones said. “Xander is just one of those kids that is an example where you don’t give up, and he didn’t give up, and now he is one of our

“From this season, my favorite memory so far is just winning districts for sure, like I had never personally done that before with the team, so just getting to that point, and getting the win, and making it to state that was just a really good feeling,” Edgbert said.

Senior Brodie Callanan says his favorite memory this season involved winning districts.

“We got to play with my friend Christian Thomas,” Callahan said. “He was a good teammate to all of us, and he kept passing the ball, and I loved it; got a lot of points for that.”

Callanan says the team supported each other along the

“We kept saying, good job, and we can do better next time

College Commits Prepare For Futures

Grant Huson, Co-Chief

Many people talk about their time spent on the varsity team for their sport in high school, but few athletes actually make it to the college team equivalents. These three seniors, however, are continuing their athletic careers at the next level.

Olivia Weidner is committed to play soccer at Vanguard University in Costa Mesa, CA. One of the benefits she says is the warm weather.

“I decided to go there based off the location,” Weidner said. “It’s right near the beach, and they have my degree that I want to go for. The team is super nice, and I love the coaching staff.”

“the first time solidified Thomas’s hopes to attend the university.

“When I went to Carnegie Mellon on my visit, I got to stay with some girls who were also softball players. It was a really cool experience just being on campus. I had this feeling where it was just like the place I was meant to be,” Thomas said.

Everyone there is a star player. So you have to prove to the coaches and prove to the people why you’re distinct from the rest of them.”

Kyson Douglas senior

The fast pace play of college soccer isn’t everything that Weidner has to adjust to. Being a college student athlete means checking priorities between academics and sports.

“Using my time wisely, not procrastinating, showing up to class and practice on time and making sure all my finals are good and done at the deadline,” Weidner said.

According to Douglas, showing the coaches what makes him unique is how he plans to show his worth on the team.

“Everyone that’s there is a star player. So you have to prove to the coaches and prove to the people why you’re distinct from the rest of them, show them who you are. It allows me to go in with a fresh slate and be able to show people what I’m able to do,” Douglas said.

Managing her time is what Thomas hopes to work through as she begins her collegiate athletics career.

“College sports is gonna be different because It’s a different kind of time commitment. Everything that I do is with college coaches, college trainers and some of my teammates. That’s not something that I’ve been used to because I played for a team out of state for five years now,” Thomas said. Finding the community when you are in a new place can be difficult, luckily Thomas is already making connections with her softball teammates and coaches.

Kyson Douglas will continue his football career at Carroll College in Helena, MT. Douglas’s journey though the recruitment process he says has taught him to take action to get where he wants to go.

“I think the biggest part for recruiting in that process is the bridge in the summer between your junior and your senior year, where you actually go to the universities, and you have different camps and put yourself in front of the coaches,” Douglas said.

Kiera Thomas is committed to play softball at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, PA. Seeing the campus for

Carroll College’s willingness to take a chance on Douglas was what set them apart from Douglas’s other offers.

“They were one of the schools that offered me early on, and I felt that that was a big thing for me, just because they took a chance on me early that not many schools were actually doing,” Douglas said. “When I got there, they were energetic, they were enthusiastic, and they wanted me to be there. I didn’t want to go and choose a college and university that I was just another piece to their puzzle, I want to stand out to the college that I go to, and I want to make my impact felt.”

“I have to build myself a new support system. I’ve already talked with a bunch of the girls, and I got to meet a lot of them on my visit, so I know that there’s a really good group of teammates that I’ll have, as well as my coaches,” Thomas said. “I’ll miss my family and their support because I came to they come to almost every game that I play.”

This story was edited for space. To read the full story, visit the website at www.vikingvanguard.com

Sienna Hanson, Co-Chief

Girls Bowling Inspires Comraderie

Margo Hermann, Digital Media Editor

On a typical day, the Daffodil Bowl can hardly be called quiet. Conversational chatter carries over the clattering of pins falling to the ground as the arcade games beep and bowling alley machines buzz as they reset each lane.

However, the bowling alley truly comes to life when the Puyallup High School Girls Bowling team is at the alley. When they play, spectators crowd the sidelines, cheers and chants fill the building, and the competition is at an all-time high. It is a place full of excitement, comradery, and spirit.

herself had casual experience with the sport before they joined the PHS team in their sophomore year.

“I am going to be completely honest; it was the coaches that first drew me to bowling. The current coaches for bowling are also my coaches for golf,” Johnson said. “I had some experience with it, just doing Saturday leagues and whatnot. I thought it would be interesting to do another sport where I actually know the coach, and that it would be easy to transition over to.”

Even when we’re doing our actual games and leagues that we go to, it’s always chill.”

Allison Johnson junior

Johnson discovered the bowling community, and they felt comfortable playing with a team that they got along with and coaches she trusted to help her do her best.

have fun and hang out. Even when we’re doing our actual games and leagues that we go to, it’s always chill,” Johnson said. “[My coach], she’s never afraid to flat out tell me that I am overthinking something or that I am just not doing my best. I feel like that is something I really need, because most of the time I get in my head a lot, no matter what sport.”

The team had a successful season, with their firstplace win at the district championship standing out as a highlight for Johnson. Next year, Johnson hopes to continue to improve their skills and be a senior who her teammates look to for advice.

“It will be a different dynamic than I’m used to. [As a senior], you’re the oldest, you’re the person people might go to for tips. I’ve never really been in that position before, but I think it will be fun and interesting,” Johnson said.

Junior Alli Johnson knows that for most people, bowling conjures up the image of a birthday party at the alley or a game between friends. Johnson

“It’s kind of a bit laid back. There is a mix of us being there and being focused and knowing that we need to be bowling, but also, we’re not afraid to just

This story was edited for space. To read the full story, visit the website at www.vikingvanguard.com