Students at local high schools get inventive
March 27, 2012
Reid Malmquist is the king of ventures
By Iman Baghai Issaquah High School
When it comes to entrepreneurship, Reid Malmquist is king.
Before the tender age of 17, Malmquist has launched more businesses than most people do in a lifetime — and he’s been successful. Malmquist does an array of things that include website design, programming and photography.
Malmquist’s first venture was Voomo, a social networking site. A friend and Malmquist developed the site and then realized they didn’t have the capacity to truly get it to where they wanted it. They sold it for more than $500.
External factors can’t bar success
March 27, 2012
Lee Xie Skyline High School
As a girl living on the plateau, I have often heard that our affluent surroundings are why students in this area excel in their studies. While I am infinitely grateful for my fortunate circumstances, I also believe that with the right attitude, external factors cannot bar a person from achieving success.
This philosophy is largely a result of my own personal experiences, as I grew up in Queens, by no means an affluent neighborhood situated in New York City. I have no recollection of growing up with the resources that the Issaquah School District provides me with today; my teachers wrote on blackboards in chalk and our school library was a tiny room near the entrance of the school. What I do remember, and what I find most important still today, is the sense of work ethic and a love for learning that my mother instilled in me from a very young age.
I didn’t have a computer at home, so I went to the library with her every weekend. While she worked, I spent hours reading, taking advantage of the fact that this knowledge was free and available to all whom wished to receive it.
When my family’s circumstances became better, we moved to Issaquah, where I started second grade in a much different environment. But although I was provided with better resources, my academic success still stemmed from one thing: the can-do attitude I developed during my time in New York.
Can all work hard and succeed?
March 27, 2012
Olivia Spokoiny Skyline High School
“Work hard and you will succeed” is the age-old saying that young children are taught to live by as soon as they start school. But is it really true?
It is and it isn’t. Society’s idea of success is rigid. We are taught to go to school, take hard courses, challenge ourselves, get a job and persevere through life’s inevitable obstacles. After high school, we are expected to go to a four-year college and establish a career path right away. We are told that you can be whatever you want to be as long as you push yourself to the limit.
For some, the pressure becomes a burden that is hard to bear. The truth is, not everybody starts at the same place, and not everybody has to put in the same amount of effort to achieve his or her goals. We are not taught that how much you have and where you come from matters. Whether we like it or not, the system is not entirely equal.
In this day and age, higher education isn’t cheap. The price of college is high and climbing. Without college, it becomes incredibly difficult to get a job and live a comfortable lifestyle. When people lack resources, they view success as something that is almost impossible to attain. It is a vicious cycle, and that is the reason that the system remains unequal.
Society does not tell us that success is not the same for everyone, and that it cannot be so easily defined.
The Hot List
March 27, 2012
Movie: ‘The Hunger Games’
By Kim Bussing Issaquah High School
Suzanne Collins’ first novel in the three-book series debuted on the silver screen March 23, starring Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss Everdeen, Liam Hemsworth as Gale Hawthorne and Josh Hutcherson as Peeta Mellark. The movie takes place in a futuristic North America, where society is divided into 12 districts governed by the Capitol, a sadistic government that annually forces two teens from each district to fight to the death in the Hunger Games. The film brews with romance, action and the struggle of Katniss as she is faced with a brutal decision: kill or be killed.
Book: ‘When the de la Cruz Family Danced’
By Donna Miscolta Donna Miscolta’s debut, “When the de la Cruz Family Danced,” spans several decades and experiences as Johnny de la Cruz faces the consequences of one impetuous encounter from years past. He is confronted by the now-grown son of his ex-lover and the already tumultuous relationship between him, his wife and three daughters is strained as Winston Piña installs himself among the de la Cruzes. The concept of family, the trials of a man caught between two worlds and the delicate subtleties of love are brought into question in Miscolta’s story. This is a lazy day, feel-good book.
Teen Talk
March 27, 2012
How do you get involved with March Madness?
Eastside Catholic High School
“I like to sit down and watch the games with my family. We eat pizza and cheer on our favorite team, Carolina!”
Mercedes Thompson, senior
“My dad’s a Kentucky alum! Go Wildcats!”
Macie Hudson, junior
Students focus on foreign exchange programs
February 21, 2012
‘Everything is way bigger’ on this journey
By Samantha Garrard Issaquah High School
When asked about her first impressions of America, Perrine Moser, a foreign exchange student from Switzerland, said, “Everything is way bigger, like the streets, grocery stores, cars, portions of food.” Similar to her “big impressions” of America, Perrine is currently experiencing a “big journey.”
Perrine said she could not choose where she wanted to go for the foreign exchange problem, but she’s really happy that she ended up in Issaquah.
This year, Perrine began attending Issaquah High School as a junior. She said a big difference between the Swiss and American school systems is that Swiss students take about six more classes than America students, which makes Swiss school days four hours longer than the average American school day.
Words have the power to affect the lives of youths
February 21, 2012
By Olivia Spokoiny Skyline High School
In September 2010, 18-year-old college student Tyler Clementi jumped off the George Washington Bridge after being outed on the Internet without his consent. The tragic event made headlines all across the nation, but was not, unfortunately, a one-time occurrence.
It could happen to anyone, anywhere, and it doesn’t always make the headlines. Suicide is the third-leading cause of death among young people from ages 10-24, according to the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention.
With the rapid increase of teens using social media in just the past few years, there has been a spike in bullying in the most severe form.
Just last month, an anonymous Skyline High School student created a Twitter page called “SHSgossipgurl,” and used it to publicly bash and humiliate his or her peers where everybody could see it. Fortunately, the page was taken down within a few days and the cyberbullying was put to an end before it could get worse. Sticks and stones may break our bones, but sometimes words hurt even more.
The Hot List
February 21, 2012
By Sampurna Basu Skyline High School
Book: ‘Somebody, Please Tell Me Who I Am’ by Harry Mazer and Peter Lerangis
Harry Mazer and Peter Lerangis’ unique interpretation of the aftereffects of modern warfare is explored in their new book, “Somebody, Please Tell Me Who I Am.” The relatively short novel captures author Mazer’s own military experiences. The book explores protagonist Ben Bright’s life from the end of high school to his life as an injured veteran who served in Iraq. The book explores the strains on his relationships with family, friends and professional superiors, as well as the overall hardship that comes with being a veteran. The book is a prime representation of the power of honesty and hope.
Movie: ‘The Vow’
Director Michael Sucsy’s “The Vow” finally premiered this month after much anticipation. The romantic drama is about a newlywed couple that recovers from a severe car accident, which puts the wife in a coma. After she wakes up with memory loss, her husband attempts to win her heart a second time. Based on a true story, the movie stars Channing Tatum and Rachel McAdams, who bring a charming addition to the Valentine mood.
Music: “Whitney: The Greatest Hits” by Whitney Houston
Although certainly not recent, “Whitney: The Greatest Hits” is a must hear. The album, first released in 2000, is a compilation of American singer-songwriter Whitney Houston, who recently passed away. Songs include Whitney’s performance of “The Star-Spangled Banner” at the 25th Super Bowl and other famous Whitney pieces. Right now, the album is the second most popular on iTunes. Listen to this album in honor of Whitney Houston.
Teen Talk
February 21, 2012
How do you respond to bullying?
Eastside Catholic High School
“To try and put myself in their shoes. Try to see where they may be coming from and go from there. From there, I just try and kill it with kindness because a bully can’t do much to you if you’re nice to them! Kindness is your best weapon, as cheesy as that sounds!”
Malia Bachesta, senior
Fair or not, sports bring in more money than arts
January 24, 2012
Katie Sutherland Eastside Catholic High School
After continued cuts in funding for budgets that support high school art programs nationwide, an important question has been raised in the minds of students: Do high schools devote a disproportionate amount of their focus and money to athletics? Opinions are split on this issue.
Regarding the extracurricular funding at Skyline High School, some students are outraged at the cuts made to the art program budget, complaining athletics get all of the money and attention. Although this seems unfair to students involved in art programs, athletics — specifically football — generate more school spirit, national attention and revenue for the school than art programs do.
The Spartan football legacy includes a state championship title this year and five additional state titles since 2000. Alumni like Jake Heaps and Kasen Williams, have earned Skyline national recognition. Supporting the team generates income via game ticket sales, concessions and spirit merchandise. Skyline, like many high schools in the country, relies on the success of its football and other sports teams for important funding.
