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 a student publication advocating voice. 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 facing today’s students.
LETTER POLICY
The Viking Vanguard accepts unsolicited copy from the staff, students and community. Only signed and dated letters with addresses and phone numbers from community members or grade level from students will be accepted. Letters must be limited to 350 words and will be published as space is available. The staff 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.
ADVERTISING POLICY
The Viking Vanguard publication staff 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 high school students. Advertisements do not necessarily 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
Emilia Lettiere
Autumn Pendleton
Quinn Taute
Opinion Editor
Ethan Barker
Digital Media Editor
Margo Hermann
Graphics Editor
Ezruh Hacker
Staff
Lillian Bain
Evelyn Beach
Evelynn Bernardino
Patience Brown
Charley Butterfield
Audrey Carter
Yentl Charles
Kolten Clark
Casey Conor
Blane
William Cooper Jr.
Aubrianna Diga
Cameron Edgbert
Marily Escobar Romero
Ernest Everett
Cash Ewing
Bryson Flores
Bodhi Ganesh
Mariah Geubelle
Roxanna Gonzalez
Neehla Gracia
Dominic Haney
Henry Hannah
Laci Hinkle
Beckham Huse
Layla Johnson
Jackson Kincaid
Daisy Kiongera
Jonathan Lopez
Cayley Mccart
Gavin McKethan
Gabriella Mendez
Samantha Mowery
Jack Murdock
Brooklyn Myers
Breanna Nelson
Isaiah Pagay
Zazel Redwing
Roman Resseau
Andrewneka Robinson
Samari Simpson
Gurveer Singh
Jared Smith
Rylie Smith
Khmera Swazer
Mekala Tailua
Valasi Taufao
Addison Thompson
Leila Trammell
Lola Woodburn
Emma Zeitler
Adviser
Sandra Coyer, MJE
VANGUARD STAFF SET GOALS
The Viking Vanguard is an open forum for student expression, meaning we represent the feelings and voices of the student body of Puyallup High School in any way we can. The editors, writers and photographers of The Viking Vanguard work to the best of their ability to ensure that our journalism is held to professional standards, is a place where the student body can express their views and themselves and provides them with the proper means to how they can navigate their world around them.
“We believe The Viking Vanguard isn’t just a high school newspaper; we are a publication that holds our newspaper to standards set by professional publications around the world. We work to uphold the professionalism that has existed in this publication for all 113 years of its existence. Ensuring that our newspaper is written, designed and published in the most proper professional way is crucial to upholding our legacy of greatness.
already show student voices through our Yadda Yadda Yaddas, the ability to write a letter to our editors, as well as interviewing students on their opinions on community events. However, we strive to gain more student voice through student story suggestions, a more user-friendly website, and more interaction with our social media accounts.
The real world is constantly bombarded with thousands of stories every day and it is difficult to navigate what is really happening. Our newspaper hopes to be a credible source that informs our students, school, and community about what they want to know, need to know and should know.
We believe The Viking Vanguard isn’t just a high school newspaper; we are a publication that holds our newspaper to standards set by professional publications around the world.”
Our View
We are Viking Student Media. We are members of the Viking Vanguard. We are the storytellers.
All content published by Viking Student Media will be carefully reviewed by student editors to ensure the highest quality of work for you to indulge in. If you would like to reach out to the staff via Instagram @vikingstudentmedia or through email at TheVikingVanguard@gmail. com, and we will be sure to respond.
The Viking Vanguard strives to express the feelings and views of the student body of PHS. Making sure that our student body believes they have a safe place where they can express themselves is of the upmost importance to us. We
You can also use the Letter to the Editor form at the bottom of the page to contact us. Once completed, drop the form into the adviser Sandra Coyer’s mailbox in the main office.
DISTRICT POLICY ON STUDENT PUBLICATIONS
Student publications produced as part of the school’s curriculum or with the support of the associated student body fund are intended to serve both as a vehicle for instruction and student communication.
Although substantively financed and operated by the district, student editors of school-sponsored media are responsible for determining the news, opinion, feature and advertising content of the media, consistent with chapter 28A.600 RCW.
Material appearing in such publications may reflect various areas of student interest, including topics about which there may be controversy and
dissent.
When engaging with a controversial issue, student publications should strive to provide in-depth treatment and represent a variety of viewpoints.
Such materials may not do any of the following: be libelous or slanderous; be unwarranted invasion of privacy; violate federal or state laws, rules, or regulations; incite students to violate federal or state laws, rules or regulations; violate school district policy or procedure related to harassment, intimidation or bullying; incite students as to create a clear and present danger of unlawful acts on school premises, violation of lawful school district policy or procedure or
the material and substantial disruption of the orderly operation of the school. A school official must base a forecast of material and substantial disruption on specific facts, including past experience in the school and current events influencing student behavior and not on undifferentiated fear or apprehension. Materials also may not be in violation of the federal communications act or applicable federal communication commission rules or regulations nor advertise tobacco products, liquor, illicit drugs or drug paraphernalia.
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.
BREAKING SUMMER HABITS
Summer—it’s the time of year where anything can happen. I could get a job, meet someone, learn a new sport, pick up a strange hobby, or just lay on my couch and watch Disney movies. For students specifically, summer is a blissful three months uninterrupted by pop quizzes, disappointing grades and AP testing.
Except now that summer is over, and to-do lists start to fill up once more, how can we cope with the dawning realization that this semblance of freedom, this time filled with trampolines and lakes and friends, is over?
Not only is summer over, but a new chapter of life is around the corner.
In my experience, change starts with an adjustment of routine. Waking up 15 minutes earlier, committing to healthy eating habits and cutting out part of a day to get moving, for example.
I know, I know, most people are probably saying something like this: ‘But Sienna, I need all my sleep, I never really liked carrots anyways, and that all sounds like too much work!’ But when you think about it… creating those small habits
tends to save a lot more stress—and sleep—than it creates.
When your sleep schedule is already acclimated to rising early, you’ll be able to get up and go in the morning, instead of slogging around and taking an unnecessarily long time to brush your teeth. This helps your brain focus and prepare for the day.
When you think about it, the moment you wake up, you slowly begin to tire and fall asleep once more. That means that despite the “sleep inertia”—the cause of all that toiling around and taking too long to brush your teeth—you feel when you get up, this is the prime time to work and prepare your body and mind for the day ahead. Your hormones are optimized for physical and mental efficiency when you first wake up.
year.
How can we cope with the dawning realization that this semblance of freedom, this time filled with trampolines and lakes and friends, is over?”
Sienna Hanson
It’s these sorts of habits that bring students from the freedom that is summer and help them “lock in” for the school
But, if you’re anything like me, it’s a lot easier said than done. That’s why, as the school year finally springs into action, it’s important to surround ourselves with… people. Relationships—yes, relationships—are what turn these habits from a thought to a reality. Someone to remind you to wake up, get going, not take forever to brush your teeth. When you get a text in the morning asking how you’re doing, or maybe a quick call checking to make sure you haven’t gone insane, that feels good—more than good, actually. It feels like you’re cared for, like you aren’t alone, and that someone else in this big, big world sees you. So, when you wake up for school on Monday morning, and the whole day is dawning ahead of you, don’t forget the little things. Don’t forget to get at least eight hours of sleep, don’t forget to text someone and see how they’re doing, and don’t forget to surround yourself with people that will do the same.
FULL CIRCLE: CAMPER TO STAFFER
For one week every July, a patch of forest located just off a main road in Pierce County, between shopping centers and suburbia, becomes a whole world of magic.
I first came to Camp Oh Ah Lay Lay, a small, volunteer-run Girl Scout camp, when I was five years old. Instantly, I was enchanted by the absolute whimsy of the whole operation. Built from an amalgamation of recyclables, pool noodles and duct tape, Oh Ah Lay Lay takes on a different theme every summer. Ranging from Disney movies, to board games, to a road trip around the world, each year sees the rented property become a fairytale run by a committed team of staff.
“
ed, and express themselves.
It felt right to give back to the community that had given so much to me, to help teach kids all the skills I felt grateful to have learned. It was challenging but rewarding.”
Margo Hermann
The camp runs on a strong sense of tradition and dedication to the idea that, even if it is only for one week, kids should be able to come somewhere they can learn, be support-
Everyone is encouraged to choose a special “camp name” to use during the week of camp. These names are often wacky, a favorite food or a funny saying, something that shows off your personality or sense of humor. There is a focus on the concept that Camp Oh Ah Lay Lay exists outside of the scope of daily life, giving campers an opportunity to explore and grow away from whatever their life is normally like. We call each other by funny names, step out of our comfort zones, and try new things. As a camper, I got to explore my identity in this magical new setting., and I made friends that I would not have met otherwise. We did crafts, played games, and sang songs. We were taught about the history of Girl Scouts and women who made a difference in the world. We were
introduced to activities and skills: archery, cooking, survival skills, gardening, and so much more.
I am certainly a better person for the time I spent as a camper. I looked up to so many of my leaders, all of whom managed to create an environment of fun where we were simultaneously practicing life skills and growing as people. Because of this, it came as no surprise when I decided to make the leap from being a camper to being a program aid. Program aids are trained to support camp staff, all while they learn leadership and planning. It felt like the obvious next step. Becoming part of camp operations was a whole new world. It felt right to give back to the community that had given so much to me, to help teach kids all the skills I felt grateful to have learned. It was challenging but rewarding. Working behind the scenes gave me perspective into helping kids become the
best versions of themselves. I became practiced in problem-solving, holding difficult conversations, and being a good listener as I learned to respect what campers had to say.
This summer marked my first year as a full-fledged leader. It was intimidating to oversee so much activity, and there was pressure to make camp the same magical place it was to me as a child. As I worked to manage our schedule and the needs of so many different kids, it became apparent that that “magical” aspect of camp was comprised of more than fun themes and goofy experiences.
For 51 weeks of the year, we resign ourselves to the daily lives that we live. Camp Oh Ah Lay Lay stands out because of the people who run the camp, the traditions of education and acceptance, and most importantly, because of the kids who, for one week a year, live loud in their own extraordinary world that exists just outside of regular life.
What are you most excited or worried about for high school?
Trygve
“I’m nervous about navigating a new space.”
“I’m most worried about making friends.”
“I’m excited to work with Mrs. Deveroux and Mr. Merrill!”
“I’m excited about all the new classes.”
“I’m most excited about having a whole bunch of schools together.”
Sienna Hanson junior
Margo Hermann senior
Hermann sophomore
Myla Scriven sophomore
Mrs. Whitley Spanish teacher
Joseph Kim sophomore
Eli Jensen sophomore
MEET SOME OF THE NEW STAFF:
Markey,
What are you most excited for in this new school year?: “I’m just excited to get to know everyone and establish myself as another weird math teacher,” Markey said.
What makes you unique?: “I just really love math, I really like to make sure that every student feels empowered to pursue math in their own way and not in my way,” Markey said.
Where were you before coming to PHS?: “I was teaching at the Muckleshoot tribal school for the last seven years,” Markey said.
What are you most excited for in this new school year?: “I am excited for getting to know the students, going to football games and sporting events, and that there’s a coffee shop right across the street,” Whitley said.
Whitley,
What makes you unique?: “I love to travel, so I like to go and explore different places, and I have also scuba dived in the past,” Whitley said.
Where were you before coming to PHS?: “I worked at Ballou for six years, and then I worked at Rogers for two years,” Whitley said.
What are you most excited for in this new school year?: “I’m really excited to meet my students and start planning what we can do with the bistro. We have a whole restaurant attached to the classroom that’s gonna be fun,” Swenson said.
Swenson,
What makes you unique?: “I’ve been in the culinary industry for quite a while, and I’m a certified chef with the American Culinary Federation. This is my 10th year of teaching, but I think what makes me more unique is I play the accordion,” Swenson said.
Where were you before coming to PHS?: “I taught for the last nine years at Henry Foss High School in Tacoma,” Swenson said.
Ethan Barker, ACE Editor
Grant Huson, Co-Chief
Renee
Geometry Teacher
Jamie
Spanish Teacher
Erick
Culinary Arts Teacher
Graphic by Margo Hermann.
3rd Street Antiques
Catffeinated
A local café with a twist - customers can enjoy tasty treats, cozy up with a feline friend, or sip a sweet drink. They also work with the Tacoma Humane Society to help cats get adopted!
From light meals at a birthday party to extravagant lunches at a graduation, the Savory and Sweet Café has got customers covered, providing fresh and tasty food for any occasion.
Tues. - Thurs. 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Café menu: $4.50 to $16
Ashley’s Room
A charming, locally owned consignment shop that began with a dream and now brings brands like Lululemon, Free People and Lucky to customers.
Owned by the same group as Crockett’s, Meridian Café’s vintage environment - and delicious smells - welcomes everyone inside for a meal with friends and family.
Enjoy a bowl of your favorite frozen yogurt or a cup of coffee that will warm both your hands and your heart as you settle down with friends and family in one of Puyallup’s favorite spots to grab a sweet treat.
Mon.- Fri. 7 a.m. - 9 p.m., Sat. 8 a.m. - 9 p.m.
$2.59 to $20.40
Crockett’s
With 35 years of business under their belt, this staple is a mouthwatering option for eating out.
Breakfast: $12.99 to $27.99, Lunch/Dinner: $8 to $33.99
What local restaurants or shops would you like to see highlighted? Email us at thevikingvanguard@ gmail.com for suggestions, and you might just see them highlighted in a feature story.
Crockett’s
Meridian Cafe
Lick
Ashley’s Room
Catffeinated
Savory and Sweet Café
a joyful and fun escape from more realistic problems. “Espresso,” “Please Please Please,” and “Taste” are the songs that will likely get the most attention, but almost every song on the album is filled with naughty wordplay and shots at guys who wronged her.
Throughout the summer months, students often look to fill their free time with some entertainment, whether that’s through television, movies, music, or video games. This summer brought a plethora of hits, from sequels to reboots, and even a couple originals to freshen the field. We chose the best of each category released over the summer, with a few honorable mentions for each category!
Ethan Barker, ACE Editor
Best Movie: Deadpool & Wolverine
Deadpool & Wolverine was perhaps the summer’s most anticipated movie.
The Deadpool name comes with a promise of raunchy humor, a skewering of the traditional superhero formula, and a plethora of cameos, and this film delivers on those promises.
While Ryan Reynolds as the wisecracking Deadpool is great like always, the return of Hugh Jackman as Wolverine gave the story a different feel than the previous two films.
Jackman’s Wolverine, who is from a universe where he failed to protect his X-Men team, is a great character for Deadpool to play off, making the movie feel
something like Planes, Trains, and Automobiles with superheroes.
Deadpool, now integrated into the multiversal chaos of the MCU, gets to make jokes about the lackluster reception of previous Marvel movies, variants of himself and Wolverine, and meet a variety of forgotten characters from the past Marvel movies.
The movie was a love letter to the Fox superhero movies and the fans that have followed them since the beginning. No surprises will be spoiled here, but it reaches the heights of the previous Deadpool films and even goes beyond in many areas.
Honorable Mentions:
The Bikeriders is a movie that might not fit the typical summer blockbuster. It follows the members of a motorcycle club called the Vandals as it starts out small, eventually expanding from a gathering of people who reject conformity to a stereotypical “onepercenter” gang. It is inspired by the book of the same name written by Danny Lyon. The cast is full of great actors, led by Austin Butler (Elvis) and Jodie Comer (Killing Eve), along with many more.
complete nonsense? Sure, but it’s
Longlegs is a horror movie that, instead of going for the cheap jumpscare, worms its way under your skin and stays there for the entire runtime. The film follows FBI agent Lee Harker as she tracks the serial killer known only as “Longlegs” who leaves coded messages at his crime scenes. Nicolas Cage as the titular character is uniquely disturbing, and this is one of the top horrors of the year. What was your top entertainment of the summer? Send your top movies, shows, etc to us at coyersh@puyallupsd.org!
Graphic by Ethan Barker
Photo courtesy of Marvel Studios
Photo courtesy of Focus Features
Photo courtesy of Neon
Photo courtesy of Island Records
What to Know Before You Go
Your Friday Night Guide for Viking Football
High school football is one of the many events students can socialize with others outside of school. However, many students can be confused by the various rules and calls in football. Here are the main things needed to understand a typical game of football.
Grant Huson, Co-chief
First down: The Offense is given four tries at getting the ball past 10 yards from where they originally started with the ball, these tries are called downs. They can advance the ball either by running or throwing the ball, starting on first down, then second down, then third down, then fourth down which is the last chance to get past the 10 yards. If the Offense gets past the line, they go back to first down, meaning they get more chances to advance down the field.
Punting: Either the Offense has just scored a touchdown, or the Offense is on fourth down and doesn’t believe they can make the proper amount of yards to gain a first down. The punter will kick the ball down the field to the other team to switch from Offense to Defense and vice versa.
Touchdown: The Offense carries the ball into the endzone, either by running it in or by catching it in the endzone, scoring 6 points for the Offense. This is usually how most of the points are scored in a game. After a touchdown and extra point or 2-point conversion is made, the other team will get the ball.
Extra point: After scoring a touchdown, the Offense can kick the football from the 10-yard line. If it goes between the yellow goalposts, it scores 1 point for the Offense. The Offense can choose to kick for an extra point or try for a 2-point conversion, typically the Offense will choose to kick the ball instead of a 2-point conversion as it has a higher success rate.
2-point conversion: The Offense can choose to get the ball at the 2-yard line and
try to score in the endzone. If completed the Offense scores 2 points.
Field goal: The Offense can choose to kick the ball from anywhere on the field except inside the endzones, however the further from the goalposts, the harder it is to successfully kick it in. If the ball is kicked through the goalposts, it scores the Offense 3 points. These are usually attempted on a fourth down when relatively close to the endzone.
Pick six: The Defense Intercepts the ball and carries it all the way to the opposite endzone to score a touchdown. Interceptions are also called “picks” and the Defense scores 6 points from this, thus being called a “pick six.”
False start/offsides: A False Start is when an Offensive player moves significantly before the play has started, this would result in the Offense moving back 5 yards. An Offsides call is when a defensive player enters the zone between the two teams before a play, also called the neutral zone; this would result in Offense moving forward 5 yards.
Interception: When the Offense throws the ball and a player from the defense catches it. This switches possession of the ball, Defense goes to Offense and the Offense goes to Defense.
Fumble: After a player of the Offense has held possession of the ball, the ball is knocked out onto the field and either the Defense or Offense will grab it to gain possession of the football.
Flag: If a yellow flag is thrown by a referee onto the field, it means some sort of foul has happened on the field, whether it be false start, offsides, pass interference, or any other sort of foul.
Hail Mary: A Hail Mary is the phrase used to describe when the Offense needs to gain a large amount of yards for a first down or touchdown, so the Offense throws the football as far as they can in hopes a receiver will catch it near or in the endzone.
Photo by Autumn Pendleton
The 2023-2024 Varsity football team marches from PHS to Sparks Stadium to take the field Sept. 29 versus Rogers High School, who they beat
