[the
the]
the]
Canine Chr
Chr[[
Mount Baker Middle School, Auburn, Washington
‘The
Hunger
Games’
Challenge Catches
Fire in Classrooms
Photo illustration by T. Holden
]nicle
March 2013
Volume III, Issue 4
Table of Contents]
[2 * Volume III, Issue 4]
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
Letter from the Editors
Journalists Make News
4
Dear Bulldogs,
Valentine’s Dance
5
Music Programs
6
Do Teens Get Enough Sleep?
7
‘Hunger Games’ Challenge
8
MBMS Fundraisers
9
Culture Poll
9
‘Cirque’ Opens In Seattle
10
Revolving Teen Music Taste
11
Performance Enhancing Drugs
12
NBA All-Star Game
13
March has started and spring is in the air.
Mt. Baker is just now settling into the last semester of the school year and for our sixth graders, middle school isn’t
that scary now, huh?
But middle school isn’t the only thing that is frightening. Recently, our eighth graders signed up for their ninth grade
classes. With the nearly one inch thick book of classes you can take, the decision wasn’t necessarily easy for our future
freshmen. It’s crazy to think that the eighth graders will be in high school soon.
If you haven’t already noticed, the March edition of The Canine Chronicle is a bit smaller than usual. The reason for
this is because our paper has a brand new batch of reporters learning the tools of the trade. You’ll be seeing them in
next month’s edition. Journalism club members contributed several articles also.
Just last week four of The Canine Chronicle staff members traveled to the WJEA Journalism Conference in Kenmore.
The four students along with our advisor Mr. Warring attended four sessions throughout the day that brought up some
ways we can help to improve our newspaper. TCC staff is also happy to report that our paper won the WJEA Best in
Show Award out of all the middle schools that entered the competition.
This month The Canine Chronicle staff challenges you to make a new friend. Whether they are someone you have
never talked to or an old friend that you haven’t really hung out with in while, everyone can use a new friend.
Have a good rest of the month, and happy St. Patrick’s Day.
Don’t touch the leprechauns, they like to bite.
Teacher Feature
14
What Grinds My Gears
15
Life
16
COVER PHOTO: The Hunger Games Challenge has
captivated eighth grade students reading the bestselling novel in their language arts classes. In theaters in November, many students await the upcoming sequel, Catching Fire, to the blockbuster adaptation of the book.
See you next month,
P. Warring
Ashton Serratos
Olivia Denton
Spencer Hochwalt
Alex Jabusch
MT. BAKER MIDDLE SCHOOL
620 37TH STREET SE
AUBURN, WASHINGTON 98002
Staff
Editors
Ashton Serratos
Olivia Denton
Spencer Hochwalt
Andrew Bell
Club Reporters
Technical Support
Tanner George
Jay Kemp
Aaron Cowan
Haley Parsons
Catie Sergis
Advisor
Dalton Bair
Peter Warring
Gwne Siviengxay
Alex Jabusch
Abby Dohse
Andrew Bell
Tashana Williams
Mission: The MBMS Journalism 8 class and Journalism Club produced this limitedvoice newspaper with intent to ethically report events accurately, without bias. As a
public forum for students, all decisions made on content are made under the guidance of the advisor, with intent to uphold students’ First Amendment rights.
The opinions presented in articles are provided to represent the views and perspectives of students and individuals in our diverse student population, not necessarily the whole of the advisor, faculty, and administrators. Any material that would
cause a disruption to the educational process like libel, invasion of privacy, or
copyright infringement will not be published.
The Canine Chronicle is produced using Microsoft Publisher. Photographs not
taken by students have been utilized through Creative Commons and Microsoft
licenses.
[News & Features]
[March 2013 * 3]
A. Bell
Principal Brown recently announced that all teachers at
MBMS will be moving using standards-based grading,
beginning in 2013-2014 school year.
Standards-Based Grading
Helpful or Harmful?
Andrew Bell
With new standards based grading system currently
being implemented in schools around Washington, the
question has arisen time and time again. Will the system
prove to be effective?
Another question that has been asked by everybody
affected by standards-based grading, is there really any
advantage in having standards based?
In an interview with eighth grade Science teacher Mr.
Johnson he stated, “I personally like it…It gives me more
flexibility to deal with kids on an individual level.”
Of course the schools in our area are going to have
growing pains, but what else do you expect when such a
different teaching style is introduced to as many students
and teachers as it has been.
In the Auburn School District standards based classes
are required to allow all students the opportunity to
retake a test until they are happy with the grade they have
earned.
Some people have compared this situation to doctors,
asking others if they would want their doctor to think it’s
acceptable when they mess up, and that they could just
redo the operation.
Some call this a “loophole”, but in an interview with Mr.
Johnson he said, “I don’t think that there are any more
loopholes than in regular [grading].”
In our districts standards-based system the main goal is
for ALL students to “meet standard, or to be competent
and proficient in all aspects of the district’s required
standards.”
There is a variety of assessments along the course of
the year that are intended to determine the students
grasp of the knowledge. These assessments include but
are not restricted to formative assessments, and summative assessments which are administered as students
progress through different units.
Standards-based grading is also supposed to give a
clear definition of what the particular school districts
students are supposed to learn in the year.
In an interview with eighth grader Kevin Avila, he said
that he enjoyed his standards based class because, “It
makes it easier for me to learn and [there is] less homework.”
It is true that with this standards-based grading system
students of all grades will possibly have less homework.
This is because most of a students’ overall grade in a
standards based classroom is given according to scores
from the formative and summative assessments that
students have taken over the course of the semester.
Another statement that Kevin Avila made, was that he
thought his standards based classes are different than
normal classes because, “The teachers teach more simplified.”
Based upon this statement a human can only wonder if
students knowledge levels on particular subjects will be
reduced as a result of standards based grading. If students only pay attention to the information that is going to
be on the test then they will not have a deeper level of
thinking that could come in handy later in life.
Principal Brown recently announced that all teachers at
MBMS will be moving using standards-based grading.
Auburn went standards-based, but people everywhere
have their own opinions.
Now that you have the facts, do you know yours?
[News & Features]
[4 * Volume III, Issue 4]
T. Holden
MAP Tests Rejected
in Seattle Schools;
Did it Impact MBMS?
Spencer Hochwalt
Early in January, all of the teachers at Garfield High school in Seattle began a boycott of
the MAP test. They were soon backed by teachers at Orca K-8, Salmon Bay K-8, and the Seattle NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People).
On February 5, Jose Banda, the Seattle superintendent, ordered the teachers to issue the
test, or else they would suffer a ten day unpaid
suspension.
At Mount Baker, we take the Measure of Academic Progress three times per year. Is there
too much testing?
For everyone in the school to finish their
tests, it takes about a month. That is one reason why the computer lab is full almost every
day.
What exactly are MAP tests, and what are they
for? Direct from the producer’s website
(nwea.org), “Understanding each student’s
academic level gives teachers the power to
help them excel. MAP computerized adaptive
assessments are the tools that make it possible – providing educators with the detailed
information they need to build curriculum and
meet their students’ needs, one child at a
time.”
In a nutshell, they are for seeing what teachers need to work on with their students, and
what the teachers have been doing right and
wrong.
Our librarian assistant Mrs. Holt, who sets up
the tests to be used on the computers, stated,
“I agree that [MAP tests] should not be used
for evaluating teachers.”
When asked if the MAP tests frustrate teachers, Mrs. Holt answered, “They are very frustrated about the lack of time to use computers
because of all the testing.”
The teachers at Garfield High had a problem
with the tests because they are not tied to
what they teach in their classrooms. The tests
do not follow state or local curriculum, as they
are intended to be used nation-wide.
Mount Baker Middle school did not halt testing
or actively protest the MAP tests, and is
unlikely to in the future.
Makes News
Over 50,000 words. Hundreds of interviews and photographs. Countless deadlines. Add all of these up and you
have the three editions of the 2012-2013 Canine Chronicle.
On March 9, The Canine Chronicle was awarded the Washington Journalism Education Association’s highest honor—
2013 Best in Show award— recognizing the student publication as the best middle school newspaper in Washington
for their January edition.
Editor Ashton Serratos recognized the school after receiving the award, “Our paper has been successful over
the last few years because of the support we get from our
school. The kids that are excited to pick up a copy of the
Canine Chronicle are the ones that inspire us to do what
we do.”
MBMS student journalists represented the only middle
school at the conference WJEA Conference at Inglemoor
High School in Kenmore.
WJEA Executive Director Kathy Schrier said, “[Winning
with limited competition] doesn't mean [The Canine
Chronicle] got an automatic Best of Show award. The standards for that award are very high, whether there is one
or 30 entries. We don't award it unless it has been earned.
They earned it!”
Serratos stated, “Being recognized at the WJEA journal-
ism conference was a great accomplishment. It's the highest form of compliment that we can get, almost surreal in
a way.”
Over the past three years, Mt. Baker’s student voice has
received honors twice as Best in Show in Washington and
second overall nationally at the NSPA Convention in Seattle
in 2012.
“The Canine Chronicle has really grown in the last few
years, and it’s a great feeling to get recognized for this
growth. Overall, this award will inspire our current staff,
as well as new staff members, in the years to come to
strive for excellence in our school paper,“ Serratos explained about the short history of the newspaper.
The staff of the award-winning newspaper is comprised
of over 40 students from all grade levels, but only four
students represented the staff at the conference—
Serratos, Alex Jabusch, Aaron Baker, and Sarah Koenig.
Several former MBMS student journalists represented
Auburn-Riverside’s In Flight at the conference.
Serratos expressed the characteristics that led to their
success, “The students that come in and out of journalism
really care about the end product that we put out to Mt.
Baker.”
[News & Features]
[March 2013 * 5]
Valentine’s
Dance Shows Style
Olivia Denton
This years’ dance was very entertaining for many
students as they danced to the music, played games
and chowed down on the snacks! Some students also
thought the dance was not as fun as it could’ve been.
A lot of people just went to the dance to talk and
hang out with friends and they only danced to the
songs they wanted to dance to.
A numerous amount of songs were requested for the
dance. Multiple types of music were played so students
had variety.
“My favorite song that DJ Carter played was Teach
Me How to Dougie,” said seventh Grader, Zoe Ruda.
When “Teach Me How to Dougie” came on, a group of
students formed a “Dougie circle.”
Eighth grader, Yajahira Sanchez, stated her opinion
on the music, “It was good but the songs were kind of
old.”
A majority of the students dressed up for the dance
in dresses or skirts or a dress shirt and slacks. Many
students would say that kids over-dressed and treated
it like a high school dance because they had dates as
well!
“Some people went overboard and some people
didn’t dress up at all,” said Zoe Ruda.
“Everyone dressed really fancy, but some people
went overboard,” stated Yajahira Sanchez
Students who had P.E. may have been quite upset
because they had to get a little bit sweaty.
So many prizes were given out to people with the
winning ticket! Spinning tops, fake mustaches and fans
because it was smoking hot in there!
“Gangnam Style” was a popular song of the dance as
students all got on the dance floor and did the Gangnam! “Crank that Soulja Boy” and “Ice Cream and
Cake” were popular as well.
The geek lounge was the hang out spot for students
who didn’t want to dance! Video games were being
played in the geek lounge. There was a dancing game
that was appealing to many students.
Yajahira Sanchez stated “I thought it was pretty cool.”
“I really liked it. The geek lounge was fun,” said Zoe
Ruda.
A lot of students were excited for the dance all day,
just waiting and waiting to get their groove on.
Valentine’s Day was extremely exciting for students
getting Valentine’s Day gifts from their boyfriend or
girlfriend, or a really good friend. Overall, ‘A Night in
Paris’ was a success.
T. Holden
[News & Features]
[6 * Volume III, Issue 4]
Music Programs:
What Does It Take To Participate in Music at MBMS?
Spencer Hochwalt
Baker Middle School is home to a band program, Band:
an orchestra program, and a choir program.
Band is open to all Mount Baker students, along
Around fifty percent of our students here at Mt.
with fifth graders. Band members learn how to
Baker participate in one of these three programs. play about their instrument, and, in addition, the
eighth grade band members will perform at all of
Choir:
Mount Baker’s school assemblies, such as the pep
Choir is open to all students, but according to Mr. assemblies, and the Martin Luther King Junior
Char, the teacher, “Only students that want to be assembly.
in choir can be in choir.”
Mr. Paustian, the band instructor, stated that his
Mr. Char also commented, “We’re not [always] main goal for his students is for them “to be musigood singers, we’re smart singers. “
cally literate,” and to keep music going.
Choir members will learn to sing a variety of
Eighth grader Kate Hon said, “[I like band for]
music; including classical, pop, rock, jazz, folk, and playing different types of music.”
world music. Choir members will also get to participate in activities outside of the classroom that Orchestra:
not only include a solo and ensemble, but ChristOrchestra is open to all Mount Baker students,
mas caroling, singing for the elementary school- along with fifth graders, like band.
ers, and putting on the Valentine’s Day Dance.
Orchestra members get taught how to play their
Mr. Char stated that his main goal for his stuinstrument, music history, and music theory. They
dents is, “for them to develop a lifetime enjoyment also learn performance etiquette, so they know
for choir.”
what is expected on stage, and how to act as an
Eighth grader Catherine Manivanh said that the audience.
reason she likes choir the most is because, “you
Additionally, all orchestra members will play at
get to sing and learn about musical theory.”
contest, and the eighth graders perform in
Leavenworth.
Orchestra members also vote on
the most inspirational boy and girl
in their grade
level.
Mrs. Wharton,
the Orchestra
instructor, explained her main
goal for her students. “I want
them to become
the best that they
can become and I want
them to love music. I want
them to keep music in their
life.”
Eighth grader Charlie
Dalrymple stated that he
appreciates orchestra the
most because, “[We get to]
play really awesome music.”
A. Serratos
[News & Features]
[March 2013 * 7]
ZZZZ…
Sleep
Do Teens
Get Enough?
T. Holden
Ashton Serratos & Alex Jabusch
Eighth grader Josh Tiegs, an avid sports player, struggles to stay awake in his language arts class.
The average teen needs around 9.5 hours of sleep each night for their body to grow
and mature properly; but with distractions such as TV and internet, getting that much
sleep isn’t necessarily easy for today’s generation of teenagers.
Eighth grader Makenzie Deshler had the following to say, “Sleep is really important [for
Mt. Baker students] because usually people aren’t alert until after first period.”
Depending on what these students have for first period, not being alert in their classes
can possibly affect the amount of attention they apply to their work and potentially cause
damage to their grades.
Another thing to ponder is the time that school starts— middle school begins at 7:30,
nearly an hour before both the high schools and the elementary schools begin in the
Auburn School District.
In a past interview with The Canine Chronicle, assistant principal Ms. Wheeler said, “It’s
a tough transition to go from waking up at elementary time to waking up at middle school
time,”
“For me, [having a lack of sleep] just affects me for the first twenty minutes or so
[after waking up], I’m a morning person,” stated eighth grader Evan Polkow.
These days, technology has really played a big role in the life of teenagers. Many devices such as phones, music players, tablets, and much more are part of the reason why
some kids lack sleep at night.
Deshler explains how she gets preoccupied before bed, “[I get distracted] if something
interesting is on TV, or I’ll usually get sidetracked by my phone or iPad.”
Eighth grader Carter Kruse said, “I don’t really get distracted by anything when I go to
sleep.”
“It’s easy to tell who had a good night’s sleep last night and who didn’t. If they have
their head down in class or they look like they’re having a hard time keeping their eyes
open, they’re obviously tired.” Kate Hon said about students she sees at school.
Kruse also said, “I get at least 10 hours of sleep [on school nights], [my bedtime is] 9
o’clock.”
Unlike Carter, many Mt. Baker students don’t even have a set bed time, they go to bed
when they get tired— which for some doesn’t even occur until the early hours of the
morning. But would going to bed earlier even help these sleepy students?
According to Dr. Lisa Meltzer, a sleep psychologist in Denver, Colorado, she had the
following input on the matter, “…if teens try to go to bed too early, they may lie in bed for
prolonged periods of time and put themselves at risk for insomnia.”
She also shared her tips for better sleep, “Having a consistent bedtime and wake time
[during the week] helps regulate your [sleep patterns], making it easier to fall asleep
and wake up… however, if teens stay up late and sleep in on the weekends, this makes it
even more difficult to fall asleep on a school night.”
What do you think of school lunches?
Compiled by Abby Dohse
“ The main
“ I don't per“The school
“ I think they
entrée could
sonally like
lunches have
were better
be better—
them so I
come a long
last year—
the way they
just stopped
way, and we
quality wise.
cook it. Also
eating them.
have more
I would
I would like
Also I would
choices to[increase]
different types of pizza.” [improve] the quality.”
day than a few years ago.” the quality of the food.”
—Austyn Dohse
Sixth Grader
—Mandi Day
Eighth Grader
—Mr. Brown
Principal
—Makayla Tilton
Eighth Grader
[News & Features]
[8 * Volume III, Issue 4]
Hunger Games
Challenges Students
Tanner George
Have you ever thought why Suzanne Collins wrote The
Hunger Games? In The Hunger Games trilogy, she takes
year and it seemed to push students to do their work. It’s
giving kids life lessons for the future.”
our obsession of reality TV and extends it to more horriIn article by Carrie Ryan “Panem et Circenses”— which
fying effects.
is Latin for bread and circuses— she compares reality TV
Reality TV is a televised game where new contestants
to the Roman Empire, whom kept the populace entercome in every season, or year, just like The Hunger
tained enough so they wouldn’t consider rebellion.
Games book. Every year at the reaping, tributes are
If you give the people what they want, the thought of a
picked to fight in an arena for their own lives. On TV every rebellion won’t even be considered. The capitol in the
year new contestants are picked to compete in weekly
Hunger Games book, puts kids ages 12 to 18 in an arena to
competitions.
fight to death. The Hunger Games is put on for the Capitol
Eighth grade teachers, Mrs. Hubbell and Mr. Warring are and the only difference between us and the capitol is that
doing their very own version—The Hunger Games Chalwe have the agency to turn off the TV any time we want,
lenge. Students compete academically against each other even though we choose not to. Without getting enough
to win, by completing assignments. If you fail a challenge, people to tune in to the show, the show would go off air.
students were given a hole punch in their card, displayed
Franklin Inhthapatha said, “It’s awful that people are
on a bulletin board featuring all contestants/classmates. being humiliated on live TV, just for the show to watch
If you succeed you get a stamp, which is strengthening
that show.”
and each hole punch is a wound for incompletion.
Every show makes the characters more dumb and
The Hunger Games took place during the time each
daring, they fight through pain more, and you see relaclass read the book. In Hubbel’s class five class periods, tionships build and fall just to keep us entertained. The
there were four districts and a Capitol—the higher the
rotting of today’s television goes to the point of exploiting
district, the more lives you start out with, almost like a
people’s feelings to the world.
life meter in a video game.
Kevin Avila said, “The Hunger Games entertains me and
Districts can ask questions from the book to their own gets me more involved in reading and my work.”
district and districts below. If you’re in the bottom disThe winners have not been announced yet, but with
trict, then you can only challenge your own class.
students still in the race they are fighting till the end.
Mrs. Hubbell said, “I tried out the Hunger Games last
May the odds be ever in their favor.
T. Holden
Students in Mrs. Hubbell and Mr. Warring’s classes frequently check their status to see if they have been eliminated. Lauren Ramey
(left) catches up on thrilling chapter of Suzanne Collin’s best-seller.
[News & Features]
[March 2013 * 9]
Canned Food Drive Struggles, Hat Day for the Dogs
Alex Jabusch
Have you wondered how any of the school fundraisers have done this semester?
If you have, the Canine Chronicle has pulled together some information on all the fundraisers
going on.
So why don’t you start reading and find out how
all the fundraisers are doing? Come on do it!
Hat Day! The fund raiser held by the humane
society, where you got to wear any hat, crazy or
original, for just one dollar! Mrs. Winter and the
End Zone Academy, plan to hold three more Hat
Days in the future, First on March 15 then on April
26 and again on June 24.
All these funds will be presented to the humane
society by the End Zone Academy students, although the funds from the first hat day will be
presented to The Humane Society by Victor E. Bulldog, our own beloved mascot.
The goal of the End Zone Academy is to hit 500900 dollars. Help them achieve that goal!
A. Jabusch
Our recent Builders Club-Sponsored Canned Food Drive struggled to fill the two large boxes—which would be donated to needy families.
Hat Day is over and The Canned Food Drive is
too. Going from February 28 through March 8,
none of the grades brought very much and the bins
are almost empty! The Canned Food Drive should
be extended to get more food. The main things we
needed were meat, veggies, fruit, meals and pet
food. They also accept cash donations as well as
the canned foods. There are bins outside the attendance office to hold the donations. The only donations that were not accepted or counted were
dented cans and water bottles. Come on; next time
we can win this!
The Canine Chronicle Staff Debates Trends in Pop Culture
Standards-Based Grading
Beyoncé Lip-Syncing
Many of the core classes here at Mt. Baker are Beyoncé has been a hot topic recently, with her
switching to Standards-Based grading, is it
Super Bowl performance and such. Do you actuhurting students?
ally care whether or not Beyoncé lip-syncs?
Fundraisers
Daylight Savings Time
There have been several fundraisers this year,
from selling entertainment books to Hats for
the Humane Society. Do you enjoy raising
money for your school and other important
organizations.
On Sunday March 10, we experienced the beginning of Daylight savings time. It’s now probably
dark when you wake up, leaving you feeling like a
zombie. Do you think our country could go without falling or springing back or forward an
hour?
Leprechauns
Incentive Day
With St. Patrick’s Day quickly approaching, do The first official Incentive Day took place not too
you really believe in Leprechauns?!
long ago, do you think the students at Mt. Baker
have earned another one?
[Arts & Entertainment]
T. Holden
[10 * Volume III, Issue 4]
Cirque du Soleil
‘Amaluna’ open for the first time in U.S.
Ashton Serratos
How Many Teens Are Watching
R-Rated
Movies?
Tashana Williams
Have you ever felt left out while it seems all your
friends get to watch R-rated movies?
This may leave a lingering question in some of
our heads What percentage of middle-schoolaged teenagers watches R-rated movies?
The popular Rated R movies seem to be comedy
and horror, such as Mama, (horror) and Ted
(comedy).
Some teenagers aren’t necessarily allowed to
watch R-rated movies. According to Teen Statistics, one of every two middle-school-aged teenagers are not allowed to watch R-rated movies.
Carter Seehafer stated, “[I am allowed to
watch] some, but not all.”
Esther Scott said, “[I don’t think so] because I
don’t ask my parents.
And, Sarahmae Starssburg replied, “Yes.”
Another question asked is, “On average, how
many R-rated movies have you watched?”
Seehafer replied, “[I have] no idea.”
Scott states, “None.”
And, Strassburg said, “[About] 20.”
Through this, the Teen Statistics appears to be
proven correct. If we were to interview one more
person, they would not be able to watch R-rated
movies.
Would you be disappointed if you were not allowed to watch any R-rated movies?
Seehafer stated, “Pretty disappointed."
From a parent’s perspective, Mrs. Rogers has
given her thoughts on the situation.
Mrs. Rogers stated, “No. It would be irresponsible as an adult to let students be exposed to
violence, bad language, and parent situations.”
Don’t worry if you are not allowed to do something most of your friends can. Remember you
are not alone!
Cirque du Soleil’s latest show Amaluna has traveled to
King County’s Marymore Park for its first appearance in
the United States.
Amaluna— the combination of the two words
“ama” (mother) and “luna” (moon)—takes place on a mystifying island ruled by Goddesses and lead by the stages of
the moon. Their sovereign, Prospera, directs her daughter’s coming-of-age ceremony that honors femininity,
renewal, rebirth, and dignity. The ceremony celebrates the
coming of these insights and values from one generation to
the next.
When Prospera summons a storm on the island, a group
of young men find themselves whisked away onto the mysterious isle. This storm triggers an emotional love story
between Prospera’s daughter Miranda and one of her
suitors; but their love will be tested. The two must face
tests in their relationship to reach the ultimate goal— faith,
trust, and harmony.
Amaluna features a cast of over 50 artists (most of
which are girls) from over 15 countries.
Amy McClendon, who plays the Peacock Goddess in the
show, talked more about her role with Culture Mob writer
Allie Hanley, “I play The Peacock Goddess. She among all
the women represents beauty and love. She brings Romeo
onto the island to fall in love with Miranda; but before he
falls in love he must go through the Peacock Goddess. I
teach him what love is, and how to take care of a woman.
Once they fall in love, like a good teacher, I come back and
give him tests. I test his love to see if he really cares for
Miranda by taking her away. He has to fight for her so he
can eventually get her back.”
The show made its trip from Montreal, Canada in 65
trailers hauling nearly 2,000 tons of equipment. Included in
the gear are three tents, the Big Top (which can seat
nearly 2,600 people), the VIP tent (for the after-show
party), and the Artistic tents (home to the Cirque’s gift
shop) all of which are climate controlled with AC and heaters.
It takes a few hundred men (all of which came down from
Canada with the show) around 8 days to set-up the Big Top
and the Cirque de Soleil tent village. The Big Top itself
requires 550 pegs (poles that fasten the tent to the
ground) that measure around 1.5m tall each which is about
the height of the average man.
A. Serratos
It takes a few hundred men around 8 days to set-up the Big Top and the tent village. Cirque du Soleil is a Quebec based Circus Company
that started in 1984. The company’s mission was to evoke its audience and bring them to a whole new world through the power of art and
imagination.
[Arts & Entertainment]
[March 2013 * 11]
Beyoncé Lip-Sync at Presidential Inauguration, Lots of Hubbub
Andrew Bell & Spencer Hochwalt
While Hollywood stars are often in
ceed to act as though they are singT.A.Williams
Serratos
the spotlight, some of America’s
ing the song. In an interview with Mr.
stars still are not comfortable with
Char he commented, “[Beyoncè]
themselves in public. This was proved
doesn’t need to do it [lip-sync].”
to be true on the day of the Presidential Inauguration when Beyoncè lipWhen a singing sensation like Besynced our country’s national anyoncè lip-syncs it causes lots of comthem.
motion and general disappointment.
In an interview with choir teacher
Especially at an event as important
Mr. Char, he stated, “Ethically, I don’t
to our country as the presidential
think there was anything wrong with
inauguration. After lip-syncing the
[Beyoncè lip-syncing].”
inauguration Beyonce performed
He also said, “Other artists do it
during half-time at the Super Bowl.
too.”
So why do it?
In an interview with eight grader
This performance was said to be
Landon Evans he stated, ”I don’t think
“authentic”. However, this doesn’t
A. Bell
[not lip-syncing] was worth the risk”.
change the fact that she lip-synced
So why do people care?
before, and with no previous conseEighth grader Sarah Arnold practices her lip-syncing talent in her free time.
Landon Evans also commented,
quences other than a handful of dis“[It’s a big deal] because it’s the
appointed fans, there is nothing stoppresidential inauguration and it’s a big event”.
most likely found it shocking because Beyoncè is a ping her from lip-syncing again.
After a relatively short amount of time the hubbub professional singer and would be able to perform
So when you are looking forward to your favorite
that has started over Beyoncè’s lip-sync has died
without a lip-sync.
singer or group perform, check for lip-syncing, you
down.
To ensure a successful performance, artists often might not be seeing what you think.
So why was this event publicized so much? People pre-record what they are performing and then pro-
Music Taste Changes Frequently
Gwen Siviengxay
One of the most basic things teens do on a daily basis is listen to music.
Chances are you listen to the same songs, day after day.
Teens music style changes so rapidly and frequently, we don’t even notice it!
One minute, we’re listening to one song that is our absolute “favorite” then a
new song plays and that’s the new “hit”.
Teens are always changing so that comes into play when teens start liking a
new song or a different genre. Austyn Dohse, sixth grader, said, “Teens taste
in music changes a lot because new stuff comes out.”
There are certain qualities that draw the audience to like a popular song.
“[It’s] how artists sing the song that makes me like the song so much, I don’t
like it if the lyrics don’t make sense.” Eighth grader, Dakotah Godare said.
To many of our students here at Baker, music is so important to them.
“Music is more than half [of my life],” Alisa York, eighth grader, said, describing how music is a big part in her life.
Many musical students here share her love of music. Right now, there are
160 students enrolled in choir, 170 students enrolled in orchestra, and 140
students enrolled in band.
Statistics show that 32 percent of teenagers around the world listen to
music every day. While only six percent of teens listen to it once or twice a
week.
G. Siviengxay
[20
Volume III,
III, Issue
Issue 4]
3]
[12 ** Volume
[Sports]
Performance Enhancing
DRUGS
Become Factor of Success
Olivia Denton
were very common to most cyclists. Floyd Landis was stripped of his 2006 Tour de
France title after failing a drug test.
According to the USADA report on Armstrong, 80 percent of Tour de France medalists
between 1996 and 2010 have been “similarly tainted by doping.”
Not only cyclists use PEDs, but NFL players too!
On Oct. 14, Ray Lewis tore his triceps muscle. He was accused of taking ten deer-antler
pills a day and under-the-tongue deer-antler spray every two hours to make a faster
recovery. The pills are banned by the NFL. Taking these pills almost caused him to not be
able to participate in this year’s Super Bowl.
The deer-antler products are described as containing IGF-1, which is banned by the NFL.
Reports explain that IGF-1 is what human growth hormone is converted into when it
reaches the liver.
Some people may simply ask, “Why do athletes do this for themselves?”
“They do it to be the best without actually working as hard,” stated Victoria Kendall.
Mr. King stated his opinion on the topic, “It starts very young. In our society, we worship athletics. Parents and coaches tell the athlete that they should win at all cost. They
have to do what it takes to win. It may be the money aspect as well, they think if they’re
better, then they get more money. We pay athletes! It’s a big part of our lives.”
“They do it to be the best, so they don’t look like losers,” said Jason Bowman.
Many athletes get caught when they fail their drug test. They’re taking many risks when
they use PEDs.
Courtesy of Microsoft license, MS Clipart.
PED’s have become a factor of success in professional sports lately. Titles have been
taken away as athletes have been caught doping, using steroids, and more.
“Using PEDs is just stupid, it doesn’t show their
athletic ability. People really look up to them!” said
seventh grader Jason Bowman.
Mr. King offered his opinion, “It’s cheating, and it
creates an unfair advantage for athletes that use
them.”
Lance Armstrong, professional cyclist, was
caught blood doping. In October, the U.S. AntiDoping Agency released 1,000 pages of
evidence in doping
allegations against
Armstrong and his
teammates. He
was stripped
of his seven
Tour de
France
titles in
the
scandal.
“I’m
very angry with
him. He cheated, but
the worst part is that
he lied about taking drugs or
blood doping, we all rallied behind
him,” said Mr. King
“He’s a cheater! Someone else could’ve
won those titles.” Stated Colton Brown
“I definitely think he should’ve gotten his
titles taken away because other athletes
worked hard. They should get it,” stated
eighth grader, Victoria Kendall.
Charges against Lance Armstrong
Courtesy of Creative commons license, Nigeriaintel.com.
Armstrong gets interviewed by Oprah after being accused of using PED’s.
[Sports]
[March 2013 * 13]
Courtesy of Creative commons license, Wikipedia.org.
Game Features Best in League
Olivia Denton
This year’s 62nd NBA all-star game in Houston was a
nail-biter. The West took the win by just five points (138143).
In the Western conference, winning the Kia MVP, Chris
Paul led the West with 20 points, 15 assists, and four
steals! Blake Griffin, Kobe Bryant, and Chris Paul turned
the all-star game in to L.A. history. Griffin finished with 19
points, making the first dunk of the game within 16 seconds. Kobe Bryant played great defense, blocking LeBron
James two possessions in a row. Bryant also had eight
assists and scored nine points, as did Dwight Howard.
Leading the team in points, Kevin Durant finished with 30
points and six rebounds.
“I think Kevin Durant played the best,” said seventh
grader Brandon Rydberg.
The West was leading throughout the entire first half of
the game. They bolted out to a quick ten to four lead and
held a 31-26 lead after the first quarter. The East kept it
close in the second quarter but trailed by as many as
eight.
From the Eastern all-star team, Carmelo Anthony led
with a double-double, scoring 26 points and grabbing 12
rebounds.
Most of the damage was done by the Miami Heat duo of
LeBron James and Dwayne Wade. James finished with 19
points, going 7- 18 on jumpers. Wade did great, scoring 21
points and throwing seven assists.
Kyrie Irving ended the game with 15 points, three rebounds, and four assists. Paul George completed the
game with 17 points, three rebounds and four assists.
Chris Paul and Blake Griffin turned the all-star game
into Lob City as Paul threw passes to Griffin to get them
on a 7-0 run. Paul hit two 3-pointers, Kobe made a lay-up,
and after he blocked LeBron the first time, it led to Durant’s dunk which made it 136-126. Griffin threw an alley
oop to himself off of the back board, slam dunking it to
make the score 142-134.
The East was missing a player due to an injury. Rajon
Rondo suffered a torn ACL which caused him to not participate. That’s two years in row that he has not played in
the all-star game. Rondo was replaced with Brook Lopez.
All-star weekend was full of surprises as former University of Washington shooting guard, Terrence Ross,
dominated in the dunk contest. Ross won in the final
round whipping the ball between his legs and put in a one
handed dunk to beat defending champion, Jeremy Evans.
Courtesy of Creative commons license, Wikipedia.org.
East and West NBA All-Star team starters pose for a promotional picture. The West took the win by just five points (138-143).
Everest
What Does it Take to
Climb the World’s
Highest Mountain?
Dalton Bair
Everest. At 29,028 feet, it’s the highest point on
Earth. Everest is also approximately 60 million
years old, located in the Himalayas on the Nepal/
Tibet border. It is called Chomolunga and Sagarmatha in the Sherpa language.
Everest is the height of 20 Empire State Buildings stacked on top of each other, which exceeds
25,000 feet, marking the “death zone”. In the
death zone, it is impossible to acclimatize, or get
used to the thin air.
To make sure a climber doesn’t get High Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE), the climber will
wear an oxygen rig that supplies oxygen to the
brain and lungs in the death zone. Climbers can
also get HAPE if they climb too fast, which isn’t
really a problem when you are exhausted.
Some very experienced climbers climb without
oxygen. These climbers usually have extremely
conditioned heart and lungs, and have climbed
Everest for a very long time.
On average, 4,000 people attempt the summit,
660 people make it.
In 1953, Sir Edmund Hillary and a Sherpa named
Norgay reached the summit as the first people to
climb up the south side of the mountain.
However, the first Americans reached the summit in 1963. There are 142 bodies on Everest.
Because the death zone takes all of a climber’s
energy, the bodies remain there until they decompose.
As you sit around on spring break, several
people will attempt to summit this mountain.
[Mount Baker Barks]
[14 * Volume III, Issue 4]
M a r c h
Teacher
Feature
Catie Sergis, Haley Parsons
H. Parsons & C. Sergis
Is Mr. Cowan a classically trained ballerina? Does Mrs. Lantz sell rose fertilizer
out of the back of her classroom? Was Mrs. Rogers formerly married to Shaquille
O’Neal? All this and more in this month’s Teacher Feature!
What is your relationship status?
Mrs. Lantz: Married.
Mrs. Rogers: Married since July!
Mr. Cowan: Divorced.
How many kids do you have?
Mrs. Lantz: Two, they are 23 and 18 years
old.
Mrs. Rogers: I have my two little monkeys, Solei and Henry.
Mr. Cowan: Two. Jacob is 14; and Charles
is 13.
Did you watch the Oscars?
Mrs. Lantz: Some of it, I think they are
quite fine for background noise, but there
are really more important things going on
in the world.
Mrs. Rogers: Surprisingly, yes! I hardly
get to watch award shows because I’m so
busy.
Mr. Cowan: No.
If you weren’t a
teacher, what would you
do for a living?
Mrs. Lantz: I would be a coffee house
singer.
Mrs. Rogers: I wanted to be a whale
watcher on a boat in Maui.
Mr. Cowan: Naval Nuclear Power.
What’s your opinion on Beyoncé?
Mrs. Lantz: Very impressed with her Super Bowl performance.
Mrs. Rogers: Although I don’t own any of
her music, I thought she was good at the
Super Bowl.
Mr. Cowan: No.
Who’s your favorite football team?
Mrs. Lantz: I don’t really have one, because I don’t really follow football. The
rules can get too confusing!
Mrs. Rogers: My favorite pro team is the
Seahawks, college is the Cougars.
Mr. Cowan: The Seahawks.
Have you read The Hunger Games?
What did you think?
Mrs. Lantz: Yes, I thought it had an intriguing yarn.
Mrs. Rogers: I read it way before it was
cool, and loved it!
Mr. Cowan: No, but I have seen the movie.
Did you watch any Oscar nominated
movies? Which was your favorite?
Mrs. Lantz: Argo, it was great.
Mrs. Rogers: Nope, not one.
Mr. Cowan: Brave.
Who’s your celebrity doppelganger
(lookalike)?
Mrs. Lantz: I’m not really sure, but I would
want Jennifer Aniston to play me if my
life was made into a movie.
Mrs. Rogers: Marcia Brady.
What is the craziest thing you did while
you were in middle school?
Mrs. Lantz: I won a pie eating contest.
Mrs. Rogers: I would leave my ski class
and go skiing all by myself down Diamond
Mountain.
Mr. Cowan: I joined a square dancing club,
so I could get girls!
[Mount Baker Barks]
[March 2013 * 15]
What
GRINDS
My
GEARS
Spencer Hochwalt, Olivia Denton, Andrew Bell, Ashton Serratos
Disagree? The segment ‘What Grinds My Gears’ is
presented as opinion and does not express the views
of all MBMS students or The Canine Chronicle. If you
would like to express your opinion, write us a letter
and you may be published in our next edition.
You know what really grinds my gears, when
human beings decide to smack their food.
Close your mouth! Don’t talk with your
mouth full. Nobody wants to see wants to see
your chewed up bits of food falling out of your
mouth. You should’ve learned this in kindergarten.
The world does not need to know what substance you have chosen to eat for lunch.
Chomping on your food like an unstable creature is not what people would like to hear while
they’re eating; it causes a loss of appetite.
If you actually want me to listen to what
you’re talking to me about, then learn how to
chew your food properly. While you’re talking
to me, smacking your food, there is always that
one piece of food the launches towards me. It
is utterly disgusting.
When there is food falling out of your mouth
as you’re talking, then you know there’s a
problem. I do not want to see that, it’s just
gross. I’m no longer going to sit across from
you at lunch because you won’t stop spewing
food out at me.
The smacking noise just sounds nasty, and
it’s annoying! I’m eating, the last thing I want to
hear is someone chowing down on their lunch.
-OD
You know what really grinds my gears and
steps on my moldy 42-carrot necklace?
Those fools who waste their life on homemade blogs. This is the biggest waste of time in
the modern world besides social media sites.
These people simply go online in order to pick
a fight with a person, they have most likely
never met in their life, over topics that they
probably care nothing about. The world really
does not care about what you say on a blog.
All they are going to think is that you are an
antisocial creeper who likes getting all up in
other people’s business. And then there are
those of you bloggers who go on blogs and post
about something that was discussed nine
months ago. If you don’t think people do this,
then go on any blog and look at the dates. The
bloggers in our world are anti-social dweebs,
who will end up living their life in their parent’s
attic.
The only exercise these people are likely do
is flip burgers at a McDonalds for minimum
wage that is just enough to pay for and expansion pack on their favorite video game.
If you are interested in following me online,
visit ABellRantz.blogspot.com or #angrybell.
-AB
Something that really grinds my gears is
when people think they have “swag,” but they
really only have “sag.”
What is the point of having your trousers
around your knees? Believe it or not, nobody
wants to see your underwear. It is also completely impractical. What do you do if you need
to run somewhere? Or even bend over?
But do not fret if you have this problem; as it
is easy to correct. BUY PANTS THAT FIT! OR A
BELT!
You don’t even need to use a belt. You could
easily substitute something else in for one.
Rope, extension cords, USB hubs, bungee
cords, even red vines.
And also, people that do it to try to look
“gangsta” are really just publicly humiliating
themselves. They look ridiculous; and besides,
real gangsters wear trench coats, a dress
shirt, dress slacks, and, of course, a fedora.
In my opinion, walking should be hands free.
If you need to hold up your pants to walk, you
are defeating the purpose. Look, at it this way,
if you have your hands free, you can have both
of them on your phone! Or, you could decide to
just look respectable, which seems to be a
novel concept, and wear properly sized pants.
—SH
Do you know what makes me go full-Kingsley?
Advertisements. THEY ARE EVERYWHERE. On YouTube
videos, creeping on your favorite websites, and even
interrupting your music on the radio. It’s like they
stalk your life.
Everywhere you go some company is trying to sell
you their product. You can’t even walk in the mall
without some pesky lady shoving her flyers about
weight loss surgery up in your face. Do I really look
like I need weight loss surgery? I’m thirteen.
Then you’re trying to catch up on The Bachelor and
BAM! Here comes some guy that thinks he owns my
TV screen. Then he gathers the guts to start yelling
at me to buy his Hondas. I mean I can’t legally drive
at this moment… and I can’t even technically own a
car yet.
Then I’m listening to Pandora or Spotify and some
random Progressive commercial comes on and Flo
starts telling me she can get me a good deal on car
insurance. Again with the car… I DON’T OWN ONE!
WHY ON EARTH WOULD I NEED CAR INSURANCE FOR A
NON-EXISTENT CAR?!
Don’t even get me started on those commercials
that think it’s okay to play every two minutes on TV…
we all know those are annoying, and I bet we’ve all
changed the channel on those commercials more
than once.
Advertisements. They are just not enjoyable. And
that’s what grinds my gears.
—AS
[Life]
[March 2013 * 16]
A. Serratos
M
a
r
c
h
Horoscopes
Olivia Denton
Aries (Mar. 21- Apr. 19): Applying yourself to your work
may be the only way you can crush the thoughts that rampage through your ill-mind. All the yearnings you have
will all of a sudden find explosive release this week. Your
lucky goat name for today is: Penelope.
Taurus (Apr. 20- May 20): Today is an excellent day to
pretend to have various infirmities. Pretending to have a
hunchback is my personal favorite, and it is often favorably
combined with a drooling problem.
Gemini (May 21- June 20): As a joke, you will put a remote
controlled monster under someone's bed. That will be really
funny, although perhaps not quite as funny as when they
put a real monster under yours.
Cancer (June 21- July 22): You are sympathetic and
understanding to others people’s problems. They think you
are a sucker. On the other hand, you are always putting
things off, and that is why you never get anything done.
Leo (July 23- Aug. 22): At this point you have two choices:
you can either get a haircut, or dye your hair white and
black and pretend to be an Old English sheepdog. The latter
is usually more fun, but slightly less practical.
Virgo (Aug. 23- Sept. 22): You are always running out of
things to say at dinner. Try memorizing a whole lot of facts
about commercial fish farming, that's always a good topic
for discussion.
Libra (Sept. 23- Oct. 22): Today you will realize that
you've always wanted to have the biggest ball of string in
town, and will start collecting odd bits of string at every
opportunity.
Find the Gold
Alex Jabusch
Scorpio (Oct. 23- Nov. 21): Today you will finally get to
push the big red button! The main question is now...what
are you going to do with the rest of your life? The answer,
naturally, is "worm farming".
Sagittarius (Nov. 22- Dec. 21): Nobody knows the trouble
you've seen. Except for Bob, that is. You know - the quiet
neighbor, with the binoculars?
Capricorn (Dec. 22- Jan. 19) : You are conservative and
afraid of taking risks. You don't do much of anything and
are considered lazy. Capricorns should avoid standing still
for long periods of time as they tend to attract pigeons.
Aquarius (Jan. 20- Feb. 18): Aquarius’ can often be
trained to be fairly good bus drivers and reasonably successful shoe sales clerks, but they cannot be taught to
succeed at personal relationships. You probably have no
social plans for the weekend anyway, but if so, they will
result in disaster.
Pisces (Feb. 19- Mar. 20): You have a vivid imagination
and often think you are being followed. You have a minor
influence over your associates.