6 Sumer Smoothie Recipes
By : Diana Lazaro
Six delicious summer smoothie recipes to cool you down in the summer heat. >>> Page 8
By : Kasie Coupe
Everything that happened in the fourth quarter of FFA! >>> Page 5
Analy's Artists!
By Elizabeth Hare
Several student artists are painting murals to be displayed in the main building. A behind the scenes look at the process! >>> Page 8
2025 Almost Summer Issue |
Community Corner >>>
Annual Fireworks Show In Sebastopol!
By: Hana Freedenburg and Lawson Gaylord
Every year, the Sebastopol Kiwanis Club hosts one of the biggest community events of the year – the Annual 3rd of July Fireworks show. This year, however, some things will be di�ferent.
The Kiwanis Club of Sebastopol is our local chapter, and they currently have about 25 members. Kiwanis International is a global nonprofit organization founded in 1915, focused on helping children and communities thrive. Locally, the Sebastopol chapter raises money through the fireworks show event, and as a nonprofit, they put the money they raise back into the community, especially toward supporting youth. Many of their funds go toward scholarships for graduating seniors, as well as grants for smaller local organizations making an impact. “That’s why I chose Kiwanis over other organizations,” said Philena Chantha, who is one of the main organizers of the fireworks event. “I always want to support and connect with the youth.”
The fireworks show has been hosted at Analy High School since 1973. That first year, there were only seventy-five attendees, and the show was hosted on the third of July so that the club didn’t compete with the show in Santa Rosa. However, since then, the event has grown to be one of the trademark celebrations every year, attracting thousands of attendees each year. Every year, the show is hosted at Analy High. However, this year will mark the first time in fi�ty-two years that the show is hosted somewhere else.
Turn To Fireworks >>> Page 3
Sebastopol FFA’s State Conference Experience
By: Kasie Coupe
From April 3rd to the 6th, Sebastopol FFA took 23 students to the 97th Annual State Leadership Experience Conference. This is a very special event that students have the opportunity to attend each year, but it’s not an easy process. Students will submit a 1 page response about why they feel as if they should be selected to attend this conference, and what leadership skills they will bring back to our chapter, submit a transcript of their grades for the Spring semester, and if they are applying to be a delegate, they will submit another 1 page response explaining what qualities they have to represent their chapter. The 2 delegates selected to vote on behalf of our chapter and represent the North Coast Region are Angelo Escutia and Gracie Ascoop. Being a delegate is extremely special; you have a lot of responsibility representing your chapter, as well as voting on the newly elected State O�ficers on behalf of your chapter. Congratulations to our 2 delegates this year, and to everyone selected to go to this year's
Tiger’s Marching Band: An Insider’s Findings V2
By: Elizabeth Hare
From local events to daily patrols, the Sebastopol Police Department is a constant presence in our town. But beyond the badge, who are the individuals dedicating their lives to our community’s safety? With a new police chief and fresh energy guiding the department, now is the perfect time to take a closer look. Their stories reveal that the people behind the uniform are also parents, neighbors, and community members, doing a job that’s anything but ordinary.
O�ten working behind the scenes, dispatchers are the heartbeat of public safety. In a small department like Sebastopol’s, there’s usually only one dispatcher on duty at a time. They are the first to pick up the phone when someone needs help, calmly coordinating calls and keeping o�ficers and civilians safe. When you call the Sebastopol Police Department, it’s likely you’ll speak with either Emily Threadgill or Lori Comini. “People are calling us during what they feel is the worst day of their life,” Lori said. “We have to be the reason, the calm. That’s a challenge every day.” Dispatchers handle both emergency and non-emergency calls, dispatching one or two o�ficers depending on
Turn to Sebastopol Police >>> Page 4 I’ve already talked about musical production, band, orchestra, and choir, but what about the marching band? It’s arguably much di�ferent than a regular band because… well… they march, I suppose? While the prior article I wrote, “Tiger's Music: An Insider's Findings”, supplied much more information and quotes, it seemed that marching band members were equally shy and mildly threatened by my email (iykyk) but that doesn’t mean responses were not made!
Turn to Marching Band >>> Page 2
State Conference. For the full list of attendees, check out our Instagram page @sebastopol.�fa.
Day 1 started bright and early at 7:30, before we made it to Sacramento, we had 2 industry tours. Our first one was hosted by an almond farmer at his farm where students were able to learn about the production of almonds, the growth process, and the transporting process. The second industry tour was hosted by an almond farmer at his producing factory, where we learned how they de-shell almonds, clean them, and send them to another facility to get them packaged and on your table! Our students appreciated the opportunity to get a feel of what it’s like to work in the factory, ask genuine questions, and learn about almonds as a whole. Each night, the State O�ficers will put on a session, or multiple sessions, with 8 in total. Each year, the conference has a di�ferent theme; this year it was “Forge.” The meaning behind Forge is di�ferent every session Turn to State Conference >>> Page 6
Turn to Canadian Election >>> Page 5 For more articles, puzzle answer keys, and more, visit our website!
Current Events >>>
Election Upset in Canada
By: Henry Larson
Canada’s two biggest parties, the Liberals and the Conservatives faced o�f in an important election in April, which brought in significantly more voters than recent elections and shocked many with its outcome.
The Liberal Party of Canada has for the past few years been considered doomed to lose its control of Canada due to the cost of living crisis the country has been su�fering from. Longtime leader Justin Trudeau was pushed to resign due to his steadily decreasing popularity in January, and Conservative candidate Pierre Poilievre was believed to be guaranteed a landslide victory in this year’s election.
School News >>>
Analy's Admin Team
By: Hana Freedenburg and Lawson Gaylord
When Analy students think about our administration school’s administration team, they might think of walkie-talkies, serious o�fice meetings, and disciplinary talks. But in reality, Principal Chuck Wade and vice principals Kirsten San�t, Christi Calson and Gianna De Persiis Vona do much more than that. Their responsibilities range from guiding important school-wide decisions to being a friendly and trusted adult on campus. They shape the safety, culture, and support that students rely on each day.
Read the full article online by visiting westcountworld.org.
Sta�f
Editors - Lawson Gaylord, Hana Freedenburg
Website Design - Lawson Gaylord
Social Media - Hana Freedenburg
Fundraising - Lawson Gaylord, Hana Freedenburg
Layout - Lawson Gaylord, Hana Freedenburg
Sta�f Writers - Alexander Amacker, Diana Lazaro, Elizabeth Hare, Hana Freedenburg, Kasie Coupe, Keira McKnight, Lawson Gaylord, Newén Eliscu-Saraza, Ollie Brooklyn Club Advisor - John Grech
When I took over West County World, all I knew was that I wanted to pursue a career in sports journalism, and that Journalism Club could be the place I’d start.
Somewhere between writing and editing, fundraising and designing layouts, I found my voice, and more importantly, I realized the power of using it. Leading this paper has taught me how to speak up, ask hard questions, and celebrate the stories that shape our school and community.
To the sta�f: although our club is small, you fill these pages so beautifully, and I’m always impressed by your creativity and dedication. To our readers: thank you for caring about our work and for believing in student journalism. And to Lawson, who will lead this paper going forward, I seriously couldn’t have gotten through this year if I didn’t have your help, and I’m excited to see the success you bring to this publication!
Thank you to my family for supporting my dreams (and reading every issue), and to, Mr. Grech, for your encouragement, edits, and belief in student voices. And of course, thank you to my dog Chula and my guinea pig Boba for keeping me company during late-night layout sessions and deadline stress.
Even though I’m graduating, West County World will remain a meaningful part of my story, and I’m so proud of what we created here together. Thank you all for being a part of it.
~For Always~, Hana Freedenburg (hfree125@wscuhsd.org) Journalism Club President, Editor-in-Chief
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Our student newspaper is entirely funded by donations and advertisements, meaning we rely on the support of sponsors to keep our publication running. Every contribution helps us inform, inspire, and engage our school community. Thank you for supporting student journalism!
Opinions expressed in West County World are those of the writer and not necessarliy those of West County World or Analy.
Want to join Journalism Club?
Have a story worth sharing?
Want to paricipate in the creation of your school newspaper?
Join us!! Wednesdays @Lunch in Mr. Grech's room (Annex 6)
Also join our Google Classroom! Class Code: lle37hq
For submissions, letters to the editor, or to submit questions or comments, please use the link on our website.
Follow us on Instagram @analy_jouralism to stay up to date on everything Analy journalism and West County World related.
Starting with Catherine Miles, a skilled trumpet player’s role in the parade was an assistant drum major, and she said that her favorite part about getting ready for the parade was to hear the band play as a whole. Of course, her least favorite part was the piece, but sacrifices were made for the greater good. Catherine plans on playing trumpet again next year and cites that there were ups and downs to preparing, which is like any class that someone mildly tolerates. Continuing with Morgan Wallis, or shall I deem him the bell-guy plays bells and in the band he played… bells. Surprise? When I asked bell-guy for nicknames, he dared to threaten me against using the cursed nickname Maria, but I enjoy living and receiving kind emails from my friends, so we will stick to referring to him as bell-guy. Bell-guy claims that his favorite part about preparing for the marching band was getting to wear the fashionable uniforms that weren’t just pants, but also a jacket. Again, I was threatened with the possibility of not-so-nice emails if I mentioned his least favorite part, ‘cough, cough’ the littles, ‘cough, cough’, so I will refrain from doing so. Bell-guy plans to make a big decision and play bells next year, and when questioned about how stressful marching band is, he says, “Bells make me happy”. When asked what else bell-guy does, he said, “I sit in the corner of my basement and cry.” Lovely yet slightly concerning interview from Mr. Wallis had led me to contact my lawyers and bid farewell to my family, but all is good in the Analy Tiger neighborhood. Of course nothing is as humorous as the story shared by Elia DelMonte, a euphonium player, who said “It seems that the universe is against us. The driving god's look down upon us, see us marching in the street and go "Oh no you don't!" because I can't count the amount of times our practice has been interrupted by cars driving down the street. We'll be in the groove, keeping a good tempo and sound, stepping in sync, marching down the street, feeling good, when suddenly the drum majors will have us halt and stop playing altogether because we suddenly find ourselves face to face with a car approaching us. We'll have to break formation and go to the sidewalk to let the car pass. But when we attempt to reform our lines and continue our practice we will be interrupted again by another car, and another, and another, and another, and....you get the idea.” While I cannot relate to marching and being oh so rudely interrupted by cars, I can praise those in the marching band for their patience and e�fort to show just how well Analy students work with one another (when they want).
Your Local Coke™ Dealer
By: Toby Mitchell
Ransom Vassallo, a senior student who attends Analy High School, has picked up a bit of a side hustle for himself within the inner workings of the school system amongst his peers. One man has taken it upon himself to find a solitary solution to something that haunts us students. Something that plagues our wallets. Strips us of our freedoms. Leaves us broke. Something that feels so futile in the face of soaring gas prices that torment us all. Most students have to suck it up and settle for a part time job to just be able to live with these outrageous gas prices, but not Ransom. Ransom has found himself a nice, practical side gig that gets him that sweet, sweet cash, which is selling sweet sodas during the whole of the school day. For Ransom is always on the move, looking for his next sale from morning till later in the a�ternoon, you can find him sparking deals in all corners of the campus. He wastes no time dilly-dallying with peers, he has taken it upon himself to be the one and only true human vending machine. Ransom tends to carry around a variety of di�ferent sodas, most noticeably Dr Pepper, Sprite, and Cola-Coca. Of course, other choices of soda, such as Fanta and Root Beer, tend to be available from time to time. Ransom first started his business on a whim one November day in 2023, his junior year.
What truly pushed Ransom to start doing this was that he noticed how many of his fellow students were very unsatisfied with the pricing and products in the school vending machines.
He sought to find a cheap, more pleasant alternative, which resulted in the birth of a central part of our community.
Ransom was o�ten seen mostly just carrying around cases of sodas, this was a drag on Ransom at this time in his early career. He realized he needed a di�ferent solution. Sometimes that would make it less work for him and more enjoyable for his customers. This was nothing other than a cooler, this made it easier for him to get around and meet his customers' demands for cold beverages. Ransom prices his sodas at 2 dollars; this roughly makes him 24 dollars per case. Ransom tends to sell about 3 cases of soda a day, which racks the amount of money he is making in a day up to about a whopping 72 dollars. Ransom soda dealing isn’t even just popular amongst his peers, it seems sta�f on campus also have taken an interest in his soda business. He has been seen dealing soda to multiple sta�f members.
Ransom’s soda dealing is such a sensation that it has been depicted in many di�ferent forms of media. Such as in the student film Detention, which was worked on by Antonio Gutierrez, Nouval Akbar, Gus Jordan and others, Ransom was portrayed as the character of the soda dealer. Surprisingly, this wasn’t the only time Ransom had been depicted in media as his salesman persona. In another upcoming film for the Only In West County film festival, called 17 Jump Street, Ransom acted yet again as a soda dealer.
Ransom decided to be Gus Jordan's right-hand man when Gus ran for prom king this year. Like many other prom candidates, Gus and Ransom decided to make an Instagram account to hopefully gather the attention of more students. One of the things they did to market towards students was they made a video where they are pictured walking up suspensefully with baseball bats in hand and soda on a table in front of them. They proceeded to beat the soda cans with the baseball bats in a comedic fashion.
In all the student life of Analy High School shall never be the same when next school year rolls around because it will be missing such a key part of its foundation, Ransom. Not just Ransom’s sodas but the liveness he brings to the scene.
Book Review of Sunrise on the Reaping
By: Diana Lazaro
In Suzanne Collins’ recent novel, Sunrise on the Reaping, it follows the story of Haymitch Abernathy as he participates in the 50th Hunger Games. The book is the second prequel to The Hunger Games trilogy and it provides new insights on Haymitch’s character and his experiences as a tribute during a Quarter Quell. In the context of The Hunger Games, a Quarter Quell is held every 25 years and the games have some kind of special twist to them to make them more brutal. For the 50th Hunger Games there were twice as many tributes, which doubled the amount of casualties.
There was so much about the novel that I, as a fan of The Hunger Games, enjoyed reading such as the return of characters we met in Catching Fire like Mags and Beetee which was unexpected. Aside from Haymitch, we got more insight on the past of other characters who were a part of the original trilogy. Readers got both Katniss and Haymitch’s perspective of the reaping and the games. I found both of their monologues unique and stayed true to both of their characters. Even though Katniss and Haymitch are both victors of the games from District 12 they had di�ferent ways of thinking. In Sunrise on the Reaping, Haymitch was more silent and observant when it came to rebellion, unlike Katniss who was more outspoken and fierce in the original trilogy. His story is about how one can turn little hope into survival.
It is so fascinating to me that we got to see what Haymitch was like as a sixteen year old boy in love before participating in the games which changed
the districts that they should get rid of the peacekeepers and there will finally be peace since they were the ones who brought chaos to the people living in the districts. I found irony to be a clever and powerful way to rebel. My copy of Sunrise on the Reaping had a little poster with a similar message at the end which really brought the world of the Hunger Games to life.
This year, the Sebastopol community hosted the 79th Annual Apple Blossom Parade! This parade was held on Main Street, starting from Analy High School and ending at Calder Avenue. Thank you to the Sebastopol Chamber of Commerce & Visitor Center for hosting and organizing this unforgettable event! We would also like to thank all the businesses who sponsored this event as well, we would not be able to put this on without you! Traditional Years Medicine, Fairfield, The Barlow, Hopmonk Tarven, Morris Disturbing, Golden State Cider, Seismic Brewing Company, Sebastopol Area Senior Center, Silk Moon, Bliss, Sprint; Print Company, Weeks; Drilling & Pump Co., North Coast Organic, ZP Eletric, Red Wood Credit Union, BayRen Save, WordPress, Renewal by Anderson, Exchange Bank, Sebastopol Cookie Company, Serene, Sebastopol Pilates, Radiate Studio, Boutique, and Lulu Bee & She.
Although the parade is the talk of the town (literally), there were many events happening a�ter the parade that deserve some attention too! The Apple Blossom Festival Art Show is an exhibition by members of the Art Workshop of Western Sonoma County (AWS), with a reception (including music) on April 25th, April 26th, and April 27th. We hope you stopped by and bought some art!
Feeling like you want to get a groove on? Support local artists? On April 26th, there was a lineup of musicians: School of Rock, Gas Money, Dead Roses, The Pinball Wizards, The Unauthorized Rolling Stones, and Liquid Sky. On April 27th, the lineup of musicians were: Big Brother and The Holding Company, and Fleetwood Macramae! If you get the chance next year to go to the Apple Blossom Parade, make sure to stop by and see what local artists are playing!
West County Historical Society ~
Jeanne Bishop
~
Sebastopol Hardware Center ~ David Cole ~
Richard & Teresa Denniston
Sebastopol Hardware Center ~
Skyli McAfee ~
Tessa Hill ~
Jessica Freedenburg
Goldfinch
Become a sponsor today! Visit westcountyworld.org to donate, or submit an advertisment request!
By: Diana Lazaro
In Napa County’s small town of St Helena, it's home to many wineries, five-star restaurants, shops, and so much more. St Helena is a great getaway town to visit this spring or during summer vacation. It's about a 47 minute drive from Sebastopol but it's well worth it since the drive there is beautiful. The journey to St Helena, no matter what route you take, will consist of redwood trees and vineyards. St Helena is the ideal location for a memorable weekend trip.
St Helena is known for its delicious, high quality restaurants for tourists to go dine. A restaurant I recommend is Gott’s Roadside which is located on St Helena’s main street. At Gott’s Roadside, customers may order gourmet burgers, sandwiches, hotdogs, and so on. The options are endless. There are various outdoor seating areas for customers to enjoy their meals whether it's on a bench under an umbrella or on high tables with chairs. Another restaurant I suggest going to is Tra Vigne Pizzeria which can be found right across the street from Gott’s Roadside. It's a nice casual spot that serves mouth watering Italian cuisine and desserts like Tiramisu. Tra Vigne Pizzeria has been voted St Helena’s 2020 Business of the Year and Napa Valley’s Best Pizza. Aside from just pizza, other Italian foods are on the menu like panini and pasta. There’s the choice of indoor or outdoor eating areas.
Another well known attribute of St Helena is the shopping experience there. A shop worth visiting is The Spice Islands Marketplace which is a place that sells everything food and wine related. The Spice Islands Marketplace is supplied with kitchenware, cookbooks, and kitchen items safe for kids to use. Cookbook titles range from professional world renowned chefs and how-to guides. It's a fun and educational experience in the world of culinary. Next door is the Ghirardelli Chocolate Discovery Center where visitors can purchase house made chocolate and watch the pastry arts students at work. One more shop I encourage you to come by is AF Jewelers who distributes elegant designs and beautifully colored gemstones. All the jewelry in the store is handcra�ted at an Italian workshop. These designs are perfect as gi�ts for friends and family or for yourself.
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This year, due to construction at the high school, the show will be hosted at the Sebastopol Community Center. Although the move marks a break from tradition, the Kiwanis Club has worked hard to make sure the spirit of the event stays the same. Philena Chantha and Callie Konno are leading the e�fort, a process that takes almost a full year of planning.
Despite the location change, many of the traditions will remain. The fireworks themselves will still be launched from Analy’s baseball field, a site chosen for its wide fallout zone and safe distance from buildings and homes. Visitors can expect the same festive atmosphere, with live music, food vendors, and a dedicated kids’ area. Local favorites like Mimi’s and Martha’s will return, joined by additional restaurants and food trucks this year. The Best of Porch Fest will open the live music performances, and Sol Horizon will headline the show.
New this year is a premium ticket option, benefiting the Sebastopol Community Cultural
Center. For $55, guests can access the air-conditioned Community Center space, featuring refreshments, indoor restrooms, a charcuterie bar, and chill music. They are also adding a wine and beer garden located outside by the Youth Annex. General admission tickets remain $20 with early bird pricing available online through June 30th. Kids five and under are free, and 6 to 11 year olds are $5.
Because the Community Center parking lot will be used as the main event space, parking will work a little di�ferently this year. Road closures will be in e�fect at Laguna Parkway/Morris Street and Sunset Ave/Johnson Street. Parking and shuttle service will be available at the Sebastopol Grange, Holy Ghost Hall, and additional locations to be announced at https://www.sebastopolkiwanisclub.org/. Premium ticket holders will have access to closer parking at the Barlow over�low lot, with carts and bike taxis available to help transport guests who may need assistance.
Behind the scenes, organizing an event of this size comes with plenty of challenges. Planning begins almost a full year in advance, and environmental concerns are always a major factor, especially when it comes to fireworks safety. While drone shows have been discussed as a future possibility, the cost of over $100,000 makes it financially prohibitive for now.
Students and families who want to get involved can also sign up to volunteer closer to the event date through the Kiwanis Club’s website, or you can email 3rdofjuly@sebastopolkiwanisclub.org to get signed up ahead of time. Whether helping set up booths, managing kids' activities, or cleaning up a�ter the show, volunteers are an essential part of making the event a success. There is also a place to donate or become a sponsor of the fireworks show you can find on their website, https://www.sebastopolkiwanisclub.org/. Just by buying a ticket and attending the show, you are helping to support the Kiwanis Club and their e�forts, so show up for some community fun this 3rd of July!
Though this year’s show won’t be on the Analy football field, the spirit of the 3rd of July lives on. A�ter 52 years, it’s not the place that defines the tradition, it’s the people who show up to celebrate it together. With a new venue, new experiences, and the same beloved traditions, this year’s 3rd of July Fireworks Show promises to be a memorable one.
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the situation. But that’s just scratching the surface. They also manage the front counter, which can involve anything from releasing a vehicle to assisting someone who walks in with an emergency. Dispatchers are in charge of radio communication for all field units, logging tra�fic stops, processing reports, and making sure every case, whether it’s a collision or a crime, gets routed correctly.
Lori originally planned to work in child protective services, but found her way to dispatching a�ter earning a degree in criminal justice. “We’re people too,” she said. “We were kids once. A lot of us have kids. We’re not here to jam anyone up, we just want people to be safe.” For her, the most rewarding part is hearing the positive outcomes from the cases. “You see the work you did and how it helped someone.” Outside of work, she’s raising two kids, volunteering at their school, and spending quality time with her family.
Emily, on the other hand, came to dispatching a�ter a career in animal care. She trained horses, worked as a vet tech, and managed a clinic before realizing she wanted a job where every day was di�ferent. She paid her way through the academy and has been with Sebastopol for 11 years. Now, she also trains new dispatchers. But dispatching isn’t easy. “We already work 12 to 12.5-hour shi�ts, and if someone’s out, we cover it,” she said. “Hiring can take years.” She’s also open about the sacrifices: missing holidays, birthdays, even weddings. Still, Emily finds purpose in her work. “We’re always asking, ‘What can we do to help?’” Outside of work, she rides horses competitively and is raising her six-year-old daughter. Her advice to the public? “Know where you are. That’s the biggest thing I tell people. And if you’re not sure whether to call 911— err on the side of being safe.”
While dispatchers are the first voice people hear, o�ficers are o�ten the first face they see. Sergeant Andy Bauer didn’t always know he wanted to be a cop. In fact, he didn’t consider law enforcement seriously until his 30s. One day, while sitting in a Safeway parking lot with his infant daughter, he watched a Santa Rosa o�ficer interacting with someone. “I thought, ‘I bet I could do that,’” he said. A�ter a ride-along with a friend at the Sheri�f’s o�fice, he was hooked. Though it wasn’t his wife’s top choice of careers for him, Bauer pursued it anyway and found his passion. He understands the hesitation some students feel around police. “It is intimidating,” he said. “We’ve got all this gear on, and sometimes we act in a way that comes o�f as rude. But usually, there’s a reason.” He emphasized that small-town policing is di�ferent. O�ficers here build lasting relationships. As a former school resource o�ficer, Bauer helped launch “Lunch with the Law,” where he’d take local students out for pizza. “I still see kids who remember me from that,” he shared. His advice to students interested in law enforcement?
Focus on communication, writing, fitness, and problem-solving. He also recommends signing up for ride-alongs or explorer programs. Outside of work, Bauer enjoys hiking, photography, and national parks with his wife and kids.
O�ficer Jaime Baldovinos had his sights set on law enforcement from a young age. A�ter initially failing out of Santa Rosa PD’s program, he was referred to Sebastopol and found his fit. “We handle everything from tra�fic stops to public nuisance reports to student cases,” he explained. Each call is di�ferent, and that’s the hardest part. “You have to figure out the best way to respond to every situation,” he said. But helping people makes it worth it. “Helping a victim find closure or providing aid—that’s the most rewarding part.” He’s also a proud father of five boys. “My only hobby is my family…I’m always tired,” he joked. He hopes young people understand police o�ficers are human, too. “We’re not the big bad cops. We’re just people who put on a uniform every day.”
O�ficer Paige Thomas, recently named Employee of the Year, always wanted to follow in her father’s law enforcement footsteps, even though her parents were hesitant. A�ter earning a communications degree and trying out other careers, she put herself through the police academy. Sebastopol took notice and hired her. She finds the job most rewarding when helping people through their hardest days. “What you’re doing now matters and will follow you,” she advised students, stressing the importance of smart choices early on. Her message to teens is especially important when it comes to emergencies. “Don’t be afraid to call for help, even if alcohol is involved. We care more about getting help than getting you in trouble.” Paige encourages ride-alongs and early involvement in the community. Outside of work, she enjoys hiking, family time, and working out to manage stress.
Police Technician Michelle Beckman has worn many hats in her 23 years at the department. Originally hired as a parking attendant, she’s now the sole evidence technician, files court documents, helps with dispatching, works the front counter, and assists on calls. “My job can be anything,” she said. With both her father and grandfather having served in Sebastopol PD, Beckman always knew she’d end up in law enforcement. But she wants young people to understand how perception can be a challenge. “There’s a lot of negativity shown toward us, we are severely judged,” she said. “But we’re just normal people.” Her advice? Stay away from bad in�luences early on. “What you do now can disqualify you later,” she warned. She encourages students to check out cadet programs or internships with the Sheri�f’s O�fice to get experience firsthand. Outside of work, she spends time with her two sons and enjoys horseback riding, camping, shooting, and raising animals— especially her chickens. “I’m a crazy chicken lady,” she laughed. “Chickens are just delightful.”
Last year, Chief Ron Nelson retired, but he’s stayed on temporarily as Interim Captain while the department transitions leadership. Taking over as Chief is Sean McDonagh, who brings global experience and a modern approach. Originally from Australia, McDonagh worked in both Australian and Colorado law enforcement before moving to Sebastopol. His background includes dignitary protection, intelligence work, and motorcade planning. Sebastopol’s small-town charm was a draw. “I saw the job posting and thought, wow, that’s a beautiful place. I’d love to work there,” he said. What stood out most was that this time, he wasn’t coming in to fix a broken department. “I’ve inherited a really great team.” McDonagh believes policing should be about service, not just enforcement. “If we just portray ourselves as law enforcement, it sounds like all we do is go out and bust people,” he said. “But our job is also about protecting the vulnerable.” He’s passionate about building public trust and improving o�ficer wellness. Inspired by leadership speaker Simon Sinek, he urges his team to understand their “why.”
One of his ideas includes launching a volunteer horseback unit to patrol parks and connect with the town’s agricultural roots. Even more exciting for Analy students is the youth cadet program he’s working to launch with the school. The program would o�fer real experience in policing, help develop communication and leadership skills, and could even earn school or junior college credit. “I think a lot of fear comes from the unknown,” McDonagh said. “If we open our doors, we can show people that this is actually a great career.”
At the end of the day, the Sebastopol Police Department isn’t just a group of people enforcing rules; they’re members of our community, showing up every day with compassion, commitment, and a deep sense of responsibility.
Whether you see them at a football game, out on patrol, or in a moment of crisis—whether they’re answering a 911 call, guiding students, or caring for their own families a�ter a long shi�t—these individuals are more than the uniform they wear. By getting to know them, we better understand not just the job, but the people behind it, and the many ways they serve and shape Sebastopol.
This year, I have had the privilege of interning at the Sebastopol Police Department. When I first started back in October, I didn’t know what to expect, but I have gotten to know some of the kindest, funniest, and most dedicated people I’ve ever met. As someone not too familiar with police work, they welcomed me with open arms and gave me a front-row experience into the world of law enforcement. I’m so grateful to have had this opportunity to not only learn from the people at the department, but also to see how much they care for our town. I hope this article helps you to see that, too.
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Pierre Poilievre is a right wing populist o�ten compared to Donald Trump, and ran against Mark Carney, who had never held elected o�fice, and had mostly worked as a bureaucrat in the national banks of Canada and England, where he was considered very competent. The only issue for Pierre Poilievre was the comparisons to Donald Trump, because a�ter tari�fs on Canada were introduced, anti-Trump sentiment in Canada skyrocketed. Comparisons to Trump became an extreme burden to Poilievre, while Carney marketed himself as steadfastly against Trump, which in an incredible political comeback won the Liberals the election by comfortable margins. Carney has made it clear that he considers Canada’s relationship with the US irreparably damaged. He plans to meet with Donald Trump soon to discuss the removal of tari�fs.
By: Henry Larson
Since 2014, Turkiye has been ruled by Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, whose presidency has greatly damaged the middle eastern country’s democratic system. Since the military attempted to seize control from Erdoğan in 2016, Turkish politics have become significantly more authoritarian, including forcing social media websites to hide any content relating to protests from Turkish users.
On the nineteenth of March this year, Erdoğan’s main political rival Ekrem İmamoğlu was arrested. The Turkish government claims that he was arrested for corruption, however the arrest comes as many believe that Erdoğan plans to make another grab for power. Erdoğan is in his second term as Turkiye’s president, which is the last the constitution allows for. Because of this many believe that he’s planning to alter the Turkish constitution to allow him more time in o�fice.
The arrest has caused a surge in protests against the government, which have been largely met with police brutality, including pepper spray, water cannons, and general physical violence. While protests against Erdoğan’s government aren’t a new development, these current protests are considered more resilient than past e�forts. One development from these protests is a photograph of one protester dressed as a Whirling Dervish, a member of Sufi Muslim religious orders notable for their dancing rituals. The protester mixed the traditional religious clothing with a gas mask as he was pepper sprayed by several police o�ficers. The image was widely circulated around the internet, and the photographer was arrested by Turkish authorities, another step towards authoritarianism.
By: Newén Eliscu-Saraza
In the last few months, Donald Trump has cast himself as the protector of the Greenlanders, the stabilizer of America, the rival of China, and, importantly, the mediator of the Russia-Ukraine war. During his reelection campaign, he repeatedly announced that he would secure a peace deal “on Day 1”, called Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the sitting Ukrainian president “a dictator”, praised Putin, and blamed Biden for prolonging the war. And secure a peace deal he did. Or, at least he tried to.
He tried a few tactics, but they all had the same underlying message: Ukraine was the bully, Russia was the righteous victim, and NATO and liberal Western leaders were the aggressors egging on a senseless war. But one of the methods that made headlines the most was the White House summit at the end of February, where Zelenskyy and Trump discussed the future of US aid to the beleaguered Eastern European country. A�ter the White House meeting, they met again in the Vatican a�ter Pope Francis’s death, where many of the things that went wrong in the past meeting went right. And finally, a�ter months of deliberation, Ukraine signed the minerals deal at the end of April.
Read the full article online at westcountyworld.org.
By: Kasie Coupe
On January 23rd and 24th, three Sebastopol FFA members participated in the 2025 Arc Exposure event. They had the opportunity to work alongside students from the Butte College Welding program, gaining hands-on experience with SMAW, FCAW, and GTAW processes. In addition, they toured industry facilities hosted by Metal Works, PG&E, and Butte College. These students le�t with valuable knowledge, industry connections, and new friendships within the FFA program. They are eager to apply their skills as we kick o�f the Fabrication Contest Season.
Congratulations to our Grapvine Pruning CDE Team for being the 2025 California FFA State Champions. This team went undefeated all season long, and we are so proud of the entire team for their hard work, dedication, and resilience. Thank you to Fresno State for hosting the state finals contest, and congratulations to St. Helena FFA for being the State Reserve Champions, North Coast Region Proud! Here are some individual and team shoutouts: Team Results: 1st High Team Overall, 1st Cordon Table, 1st Cordon Wine, 3rd Exam, and 3rd Cane Raisin. Lauren Brady: 3rd High Individual Overall, 2nd Cane Raisin, and 6th Cordon Wine. Jesus Martinez Diaz: 6th High Individual Overall, 2nd Exam, 5th Cordon Table, and 6th Cordon Wine. Shellie Hance: 8th High Individual Overall, 10th Exam, and 10th Cordon Wine. Iyla Kjaer: 3rd Cordon Wine, and 17th Individual Overall.
On March 14th, Sebastopol FFA held a drive-thru fundraiser dedicated to members going to State Conference. The outcome of this event was wonderful, many families were able to go home without having to cook a meal for their family or for themselves, in exchange for those going to State Conference to not have to pay their trip out of pocket. Thank you so much to all of those who donated food, helped prep meals, cooked meat, volunteered, and bought meals. Everything and anything helped us to have a wonderful event, and to put a wonderful meal on your plate. Special thank you’s to our BBQ Committee: Arnold King, Ben Campanile, Hannah Campanile, and Shannon Jurek, we couldn’t have done it without you!
Congratulations to John Justus and Ryan Saldana Sweely for their numerous achievements at the 2025 Cloverdale Citrus Fair. We are so proud of you both for your SAE projects. Thank you for representing Sebastopol FFA so well. Here is some individual recognition: Ryan Saldana - 1st place in Goat Showmanship, 2nd place in Poultry Showmanship, and Round Robin Qualifier. John Justus - 1st place Poultry Showmanship, 2nd place Goat Showmanship, 2nd place Cavy Showmanship, and Round Robin Qualifier.
On March 1st, a group of students competed in the Golden State Field Day LDEs, including speaking competitions, job interviews, and lot’s of learning experiences. Here is our North Coast FFA Region
On March 4th, our chapter hosted the North Coast Region O�ficer Screening and Region LDE & Parliamentary Procedure Finals at our school campus, then on March 5th, hosted the Regional Awards, Luncheon, and Meetings at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds on Wednesday.
Through this, we also had many members recognized for various awards that we’d like to highlight: Bailey Cassady - Retired as the Regional Vice President at Large and newly elected Regional FFA President, 3rd place Extemporaneous Public Speaking, and State FFA Degree Recipient. Shellie Hance: 1st place Job Interview, Regional Winner, and State Finalist in Nursery Operations Proficiency. Owen Lessard - State FFA Degree Recipient. Sohpie Marincick - 2nd place Creed Speaking. Gracie Ascoop - Regional Winner Forage Production Proficiency. Marcos Ornealas -State FFA Degree Recipiant. Ellie Sardoc - 4th place El Credo de la FFA. Jesus Martinez DiazRegional Winner and State Finalist in Fruit Production Proficiency, and retired as the Regional FFA Secretary. Mr Mirassou - Regional Star Counselor. Mrs. Lokka - Section Golden Owl. Thank you to all of our members and parents for helping make these events a smooth, big success, to all of the community members and sta�f who served as judges, and to the Sonoma County Fair Foundation for the facility grant.
Each year, California FFA selects 75 senior members to participate in the Sacramento Leadership Conference at the state capitol. On February 25th, our very own Sheillie Hance was able to spend 4 days at SLE a couple of weeks ago, where she got to step into the role of a state legislator and learn about the role of government, agricultural policies, and advocacy. She met with legislative members and debated her own bill. We are very proud of Shellie for all that she's accomplished in her FFA journey, and that she got to have this experience.
On Saturday, April 19th, our Sebastopol FFA chapter held a community Egg Hunt at the El Molino campus. We had a wonderful outcome with many kids having a blast, and many Sebastopol FFA volunteers - thank you to everyone who came out and participated, as well as helped set up/clean up. We hope you had a great time.
Your Sebastopol FFA o�ficers hosted a “Day In the Life of a Sebastopol FFA O�ficer” informational meeting on April 22nd, with the hope that they can help incoming freshmen, new runners, and anyone who is unsure about their decision when running for o�fice. We understand this can be very intimidating and scary if it’s your first time running, or even second time! We want to create a safe and comfortable time in Sebastopol FFA.
On April 26th, Sebastopol FFA made history. This was the very first year we could have our own �loat in the Apple Blossom Parade. It went amazingly! Many students volunteered to help decorate the �loat, organize the �loat, and actually be on the �loat throwing candy to people on the sidewalks. It was a wonderful way to represent our chapter and get more students involved. A special thank you to our parade committee chair, Hollie Hemphill, for getting this �loat organized and putting it all together. All of the members involved had a blast.
State Conference
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whether that was finding your spark, fueling the �lame, or finding your you. Not only did the State O�ficers leave meaningful words, many guest speakers le�t their message too. At the first session, the guest speakers were Dr. Rick Rigsby, The State O�ficer Canadites, Dale Brisby, and Karis Dadson.
Day 2, we had Jesus Martinez Diaz and Shellie Hance complete their Proficiency Interviews, Shellie interviewed for state scholarships, we attended more sessions, watched “You Just Can’t See Them From The Road” by RangleLandTrust, toured the California Department of Food and Agriculture and partied at the Flame Fest. Huge congratulations to Shellie Hance - $5,000 Almond Board of California Scholarship Recipient and Mr Mirassou - North Coast FFA Region Star Counselor. We had Jesus Martinez Diaz serve as a subcommittee chair, Bailey Cassady interviewed for Star Reporter, Mr Mirassou interviewed for Star Counselor, Ms. San�t and Mr Cortez did the Admin Experience Conference, and our delegates (Gracie and Angelo) attended their committee meetings. Today's guest speakers were Alma Cooper (Miss USA) and Ben Moore.
Day 3 was full of celebrations as we had some members regroup on the state stage in sessions! Congratulations to, Bailey Cassady: North Coast FFA Region Star Reporter, Jesus Martinez Diaz: 2nd place State Fruit Production, Shellie Hance: State finalist (top 3) Nursery Operations Proficiency Award. Harlyn Mendendez: State Courtesy Corp, and Tyler Orlandi: State Courtesy Corp. Our last guest speaker for the conference was Abigale Jacobson!
Day 4 was our final day at the State Conference! Bailey Cassady: 2025 State Nominating Committee: Bailey served California FFA in a great capacity, as she worked long days with this committee before and during the conference to score applications and complete interviews with State O�ficer candidates. A rigorous task, the committee created the final state that was presented to the delegates in the election. Gracie Ascoop and Angelo Escutia served as our chapter's delegates this year. They attended subcommittee meetings, the NCR caucus, the delegate session, the candidate meet and greet, and voted on behalf of our chapter to elect the new state o�ficers. Thank you to our members for serving with such courage and integrity! We had a great conference, and our attendees are excited to be home and share their experiences with our members. We would also love to share a HUGE
CONGRATULATIONS to Ryan Taylor of the Kelseyville FFA Chapter for being elected as the 2025-2026 State Secretary, North Coast Proud! A last thank you to California FFA and state sta�f for hosting another remarkable event!
The Valkyries Tip O�f In Ballhalla
By: Hana Freedenburg
May 16th marked a major moment in Bay Area sports history, as the Golden State Valkyries tipped o�f their inaugural season as the WNBA’s first expansion team since 2008.
The journey to tip-o�f began on October 5, 2023, when the WNBA o�ficially announced that Golden State had been awarded an expansion franchise. Backed by Joe Lacob and the Golden State Warriors’ ownership group, the Valkyries would share top-tier resources with their MNBA counterparts, signaling that this wasn’t going to be just another expansion team. This was going to be a franchise with intention, legacy, and world-class support.
The team name “Valkyries” was unveiled in May 2024. It honors Norse mythology’s powerful female warriors who guided the bravest into battle. The brand was immediately embraced: bold purple and black uniforms, deep Bay Area roots represented in the logo, and a no-nonsense message, these women are here to compete.
The Valkyries will play at Chase Center, which fans have nicknamed ‘Ballhalla’. Their training facility is the Kaiser Permanente Thrive City Performance Center, the same building where Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler III, and Draymond Green sharpen their skills. The fact that the Warriors’ postseason run is overlapping with the start of the Valkyries’ debut season feels symbolic, like Bay Area basketball royalty welcoming their new sisters to the court.
The Valkyries began building their roster in December 2024 with the expansion dra�t, selecting experienced players from existing teams. Ti�fany Hayes, a former WNBA All-Star, brings scoring, speed, and leadership. With deep playo�f experience and over a decade in the league, she’s the kind of veteran who can anchor a new team’s locker room. Monique Billings, a high-energy forward and defensive anchor, provides toughness, rebounding, and versatility. And second year fan favorite Kate Martin, brings grit, e�fort, and strong basketball instincts.
They filled out their roster by signing free agents and international players.
Leading the team is head coach Natalie Nakase, a former assistant coach of the LA Clippers and Las Vegas Aces, and a trailblazer in her own right. Nakase, a Southern California native and former UCLA point guard, is one of the few Asian American head coaches in WNBA history. She brings a deep understanding of the game, player-first leadership, and a strong commitment to building a culture of resilience and belief.
For fans across Northern California, this team is a reminder that representation matters. on the court, on the sidelines, in the media, and in the crowd. For the young girls in the stands, for the fans who’ve waited too long for this moment, and for those of us who’ve been told girls can’t love sports the same way boys do, the Valkyries are a statement. They o�fer women athletes a stage that re�lects their skill and dedication. And they give Bay Area sports a new narrative. As women’s sports continue to break attendance and viewership records, the Valkyries arrive at exactly the right time.
They’re sharing the stage with the Warriors right now, literally playing in the same arena while Steph & Co. make another playo�f push. But this time, the spotlight belongs to them. Their first is this month, and they’ve already set the record for the most season ticket holders in the history of women’s sports. The jerseys are selling fast. The hype is real. And the Bay Area is ready. The Golden State Valkyries are here. It’s time for you to join their ascent!
Winter Sports Awards
By: Kasie Coupe
Our winter sports awards were a hit! The winter sports here at Analy consist of girls' soccer, boys' soccer, girls' basketball, boys' basketball, co-ed wrestling, and cheer. Each of these teams were outstanding in their own ways; leaving lasting impacts, bonding as a team, getting close with coaches, and having a great season.
There are a couple of individuals from each team who received an award to be recognized for their outstanding performance on the field, court, mat, or stage. We would like to highlight those people for their recognition: Varsity Boys Basketball, MVP: Marlon Rose, Tiger Award: Jordan Jones, Most Inspirational: Vito Mititello. JV Boys Basketball, CO-MVP: Hunter Thomas, CO-MVP: Logan Willis, Most Improved: Bohdi Lovejoyhart. Frosh Boys Basketball, CO-MVP: Ty Sutter, CO-MVP: Jaden Robertson, Most Improved: Maddox Poncey. Varsity Girls Basketball, MVP: Shawnessy Conway-O’Neill, Tiger Award: Miley Ficher, Coaches Award: Ava Rosenburg. JV Girls Basketball, Impact Player: Keely Hamilton, CO-MVP: Lilianna Valentina, CO-MVP: Maia Poppe, Most Improved: Tyler Hernandez. Varsity Boys Soccer, O�fensive Player Of The Year: Mateo Cortez, Defensive Player Of The Year: Mason Bray, Heart Of A Tiger: Brandon Cervantes Gutierrez. JV Boys Soccer, O�fensive Player Of The Year: Edmilson Estrada, Defensive Player Of The Year: Brady Andrews, Toughest Tiger Award: Je�fery Gonsalves. Varsity Girls Soccer, O�fensive Player Of The Year: Giselle White, Defensive Player Of The Year: Yiun Chiu, Tiger Award: Emma Richmond. JV Girls Soccer, MVP: Daniela Vigil, Toughest Tiger: Sierra Scirrotto, Heart Of A Tiger: Audrey Humphreys. Co-Ed Wrestling (Boys), MVP: Peter Christos, Most Improved: Victor Villareal, Tough Tiger: Jack Postel. Co-Ed Wrestling (Girls), MVP: Miranda Hernandez, Tough Tiger: Kasie Coupe. Congratulations to all tigers!
Not only did we have outstanding individuals, but we also had outstanding team GPA’s! Each year, there is a competition to see which team has the highest GPA. This year, it was our Girls JV Soccer Team at 3.72! Following the Girls Varsity Soccer at 3.68, Girls Varsity Basketball at 3.52, Girls JV Basketball at 3.44, JV Boys Basketball at 3.35, JV Boys Soccer at 3.18, and Frosh Basketball at 3.07. Congratulations to all of our teams!
By: Hana Freedenburg
With graduation just around the corner, members of the Analy Class of 2025 are mapping out their futures. Whether heading o�f to college, diving into the workforce, or pursuing passions through internships and travel, these seniors are dreaming big and re�lecting on what helped shape those goals. Here’s a glimpse at where some of our classmates are headed a�ter high school.
Alyssa Hidalgo will be attending the Santa Rosa Junior College and majoring in mathematics, planning to transfer to a UC, possibly Berkeley. She will continue cheerleading at the JC and beyond! A�ter growing up seeing her mom’s career as an underwriter and a lifetime of budgeting behind her, it’s no surprise Alyssa is aiming for a career in banking or finance. “I was always the treasurer in school clubs,” she says. “It’s like a puzzle. I enjoy it.” Currently interning at City Hall in Sebastopol, Alyssa handles payroll, insurance, and AP filing, which gives her hands-on experience with real-world finance. “I’m also open to working in government finance. That would be really cool.”
Gus Jordan is headed to CSU Long Beach to major in film, hoping to become a director. “Since the beginning of high school, I’ve wanted to make movies,” he says. Last summer, Gus interned at a local ad company where he learned editing basics while helping sort through hours of footage. He’s especially proud of his work with the “Only in West County” program, where he’s been able to gain filmmaking experience right here at Analy. “Shoot your shot at becoming what you want to be,” he says.
Alyson McKeon will attend Cal Poly Pomona to study business and hopes to travel abroad by sophomore year, maybe to London or Italy. With experience working at Orange Theory Fitness and taking agricultural business classes at the JC, Alyson’s aiming for a future in business management. “Not being a CEO,” she clarifies, “but doing something management-wise.”
Shellie Hance is blending business and agriculture. A�ter spending this year as President of our Sebastopol FFA Chapter, she’ll be going to the SRJC to major in agribusiness and earn a certificate in accounting, with plans to run her own small businesses, possibly in bookkeeping or selling produce. Her internships with ranch hands and gra�ting apple trees, plus ag and business classes at school, have helped her prepare. “It’s both sides of what I want to do.”
For Marcos Ornelas, the future includes working with his dad’s electrical company while exploring new paths at SRJC. He’s currently part of the North Bay Construction Corps program, which helped him find a new interest in carpentry. “Electrical doesn’t really click with me,” he admits, “but carpentry is definitely something I’d have fun with.”
Richard Varville plans to spend two years at the JC, then transfer to a four-year university to study engineering or architecture. He’s interested in mechanical engineering and designing cars, or the creative side of architecture and designing buildings. His current internship may not directly align, but he’s creating murals with AP Art students for the Sebastopol Grange, and he says it’s about building a creative foundation. “Things change a lot,” Richard says. “Try not to be too disappointed when plans don’t go as expected.”
As for me, I’ll be heading to San José State University this fall to major in Communication Studies, with the goal of becoming a sports journalist. This summer, I’ll attend the School of The New York Times in New York City for their Sports Storytelling and Journalism program. During high school, I’ve served as president of the journalism club and interned with the Sebastopol Police Department, where, even though the work hasn’t been directly tied to sports, I’ve gained valuable experience and learned a lot about communication and professionalism, which I know will help in any future job.
As graduation approaches, these seniors are heading in all kinds of directions: college, work, hands-on programs, but they share a common thread; each of them has taken real steps toward building the future they want. Whether through internships, jobs, or classes that have sparked something in them, they’re moving forward with purpose. It’s exciting to see where their paths will lead next.
Six Summer Smoothie Recipes
By: Diana Lazaro
Drinking a delicious smoothie is refreshing, particularly during the summer. Here are 6 of my favorite smoothie recipes that keep me hydrated during the hot summer months. They are super quick and easy to make. Feel free to pour your smoothie into a fun cup, along with cool straw and garnish with fruit!
Strawberry Banana - This is an easy but yummy smoothie to make and it is a classic. You will need these simple ingredients: 2 cups of fresh strawberries, a ripe banana, ½ cup of greek yogurt, and ½ cup of milk (your choice).
Mango - Perfect for all mango lovers! Another delicious smoothie recipe to try is a mango smoothie. For this smoothie you will need 2 fresh mangos, a ripe banana, ½ cup milk of your choice, and ½ a cup of greek yogurt.
Green - This healthy smoothie full of nutrients and greens is ideal to begin your mornings. This smoothie however will need these ingredients: celery, cucumber, a green apple, a cup of pineapple, and 1 cup of water
Berry - Berry smoothies consist of a variety of di�ferent berries. For this excellent smoothie use: 1 cup of strawberries, ½ a cup of blueberries, ½ a cup of raspberries, a handful of spinach or kale, and a cup of water.
Chocolate Banana - This sweet and comforting banana smoothie can make a great treat for breakfast. To keep it simple, you will need: 1 banana, 1 cup of milk, 1 tablespoon of chocolate
Pina Colada - This tropical themed smoothie is super �lavorful and it's a great drink to fight o�f the humidness of summer. For the pina colada you'll need: 2 fresh cups of pineapple, ½ a cup of a banana, and ½ a cup of coconut milk or cream.
Analy’s Artists
By: Elizabeth Hare
You’ve been in the main building at some point during your high school years, right? It’s not like you skip any and all classes while avoiding the building like you fear it has a personal vendetta on you… right? That’s just a silly (but not yet proven otherwise) thought, I mean, a building, hating you? I promise there are worse and far more boring people for a building to torment. Sixty-eight words into an article about art, and I’ve already cured your insecurities
about the main building despising you, HUZZAH! If you have conjured enough bravery to stumble into the main building a time or two for a class with the fun and hip Mr. Stickel, the popular and chill Mr. Stoll, or the ever amazingly patient Ms. Arcuri, then you’ll have noticed that there are murals on the walls. Some are older than your parents—well, most of them should be older than your parents at least. Anyway—they exist, right? But they're old. Analy wants to both preserve old murals but also open up the opportunity for current students to make their mark, how would they do this, a smarty pants like yourself would think, well they’d take down the old murals and keep them somewhere safe while inviting students who are taking art classes to be selected in painting murals. But the real question is, who are these hidden figures that will be deciding what we see as we slowly walk the halls with our bathroom passes, dreading going back to class? Of course, if I had the patience to interview everyone, I would, but I didn’t, so I did the minimum. One of my favorite murals to watch be brought to life was by Mikayla Besley, a sophomore in 7th-period Art 2 with Ms. Crawford. (You will come to notice that I only interviewed people in 7th period Art 2. This is because people in that class are simply ‘chill like that’ as the youth say.) Her mural, described by Mikayala herself, is the “desk of a writer who died while writing, so her ink fell on her paper”. In all seriousness, the skills people have in not just this class period, nor just this class, but also in math classes are more talent than I’ve ever seen. Analy is talented in the arts of not just music but… art! A funny memory from making the mural that Mikaya mentioned was getting paint on her favorite clothes, but I suppose the sacrifice was worth it, as her mural came out stunning. Upon being asked if there was anything she wanted to say that could be quoted in an article, she said, “Bumboclot,” truly wise words. Another mural, one designed and made by Isabella Hare along with the best sister in the world (that would be me), and Nola Swinburn Ward features a magical library with a bright, light blue dragon. Though it is not complete, the project has been put together nicely and is making slow but sure progress. Looking everywhere on the mural, now there are hidden details and clear hours spent on the project. I commend all of those mentioned and unmentioned who made murals for Analy, as I can understand the level of detail put into the work. Of course, while these murals were planned, one wasn’t. Though it cannot be specified who designed the mural, as they didn’t want to paint it, two students picked up this specific mural, which portrays a book on the Gravenstein apple. The two students mentioned were seniors, Haley Lane and Jordyn Krischano, who chose to step in and help. The mural took a total of a month to complete, and such dedication to work that wasn’t planned is both respectable and amazing. The sheer amount of dedication and hard work that can be seen through various classes in Analy ceases to amaze me. Go Analy Tigers!
Example: A pair of pants
