The student news site of Lake Stevens High School

Valhalla

The student news site of Lake Stevens High School

Valhalla

The student news site of Lake Stevens High School

Valhalla

Opinion

Fresh start: Second semester is here! Before barreling ahead, it’s a good idea to pause and do some reflection about this last semester and how the next one could be improved. The return to full-time in-person learning increased the workload and stress level for many students. “It got ten times harder being back in person,” junior Kelly Nguyen said.

Five tips for starting a new semester

Hailey Cordell, Editor-in-Chief January 20, 2022

It's a new year and a new semester, the perfect time to reset and start fresh! Our first semester back in person in over a year has been a challenge: adjusting to different workloads, increasing the number...

College tuition: Worried students are stressed about the large tuition that is required to go to college. Looking into colleges just stresses me out due to the large tuitions, senior Addison Douglas said.

Free college in the US would relieve financial stress for students

Cassius Peterson, News Section Editor December 17, 2021

Modern students have heard the tales of people never being able to pay off their student loans, and how college prices have risen dramatically in recent years. Hearing about all of this financial trouble,...

Depending on the individual, a 4 day work week can be beneficial. The induced stress of the pandemic has made it harder for people to maintain their mental health and their life in general. By changing the standard 40 hour work week to 32, employees are less stressed and balanced. “Having the extra week day is incredibly helpful in balancing my personal and work life,” said Amanda Newell, an escrow assistant.

Four-day work weeks should be the new norm

MacKenzie Conniff, Social Media Editor December 16, 2021

It may seem radical, but the hours within a typical work week have been decreasing since the late 19th century. In 1890, the expected amount of hours a full time employee would work in the United States...

Gap year: A survey taken by the Gap Year Association shows that after taking a gap year, 55% of survey participants had improved their cultural awareness, 48% of participants had improved their communication skills, and 39% of participants had improved their self direction. Gap years have provided many students with opportunities that they wouldnt get in an academic environment.

Consider taking a gap year

Bryce Clark, Opinion Section Editor December 16, 2021

A gap year is where people can take some time before starting college or their career to get a better idea of who they are and what they want to do with their life. With traditional 4-year universities...

Holiday gift ideas

Holiday gift ideas

Addison Delgado, Staff Reporter December 13, 2021

December: a month for hot cocoa and fuzzy blankets to beat off the chill, and home to the season of gift-giving to spread warmth in the frozen atmosphere. Although, despite the cheery undertones, the holiday...

Covid Cases in the District

Recreation of the official Lake Stevens School District Data of Covid-19 cases throughout the district over the past weeks.

It is really crazy to see the number of people gone in each class,  senior Elijah Spencer said.

Students’ and teachers’ opinions on the possibility of returning to hybrid or online learning

Bodin Watkins, Features Section Editor November 12, 2021

With the new school year now two months underway, many students and staff have noticed the number of absentees already seen throughout the school in just a short amount of time, whether because of a positive...

As students are stroll the halls during lunch, they get to enjoy the Learning Stairs to eat and hang out. To the right, you see The Cove, where an array of food, drinks and more are available to purchase.

Student’s perspective on school’s remodel

Josie Bitnes, Staff Reporter (she/her) November 12, 2021

As Lake Stevens High School students start their day by walking into our newest and largest main addition, the East Hall, they are welcomed into a campus of a modern yet comfortable environment. With our...

Whats the standard? Currently, standards are already a norm in some classrooms. Kati Tilley instructs her students as they work. Tilley implemented standards grading around ten years ago in replacement of points. One of the hurdles is getting students to understand the skill you’re trying to teach them, and making sure they understand how they’re assessed, Tilley said.

Standards-based grade system: A viable replacement for points

Addison Delgado, Staff Reporter November 11, 2021

Percentage-based grades have been a part of Lake Stevens School District since its founding with a scale of grades of one hundred to zero percent and a letter corresponding. But some teachers have chosen...

Relax and catch a good book! Junior Ximena Solis reads Linger by Maggie Stiefvater in the library during lunch.  You can escape into a different world,  junior Emma Saylor said.

Book Reviews and Recommendations

Chloe Bales, Photographer November 10, 2021

The reality of society right now is tough, and having spent two years in the coronavirus pandemic, people needed to find a way to escape the confinement of staying stuck inside most of the time. Reading...

Coming to Theaters: The Valhalla is creating a recurring column to showcase new movies coming in theaters and recommendations that students might enjoy. As Covid is calming down, movies are slowly resurrecting back to theaters, with October releases such as Dune (2021) and Halloween Kills (2021). “I’m so excited that movies are back in theaters,” sophomore Anjieli Fairbanks said.

Adrenaline pumping movies to watch on Halloween

Cristian Petrov, Features Editor October 28, 2021

Halloween Kills (2021) - A Lackluster Sequel Directed by: David Gordon Green Starring: Jamie Lee Curtis, Judy Greer, James Jude Courtney, Andi Matichak Rated R: Strong Language, Nudity, Graphic Violence Rating:...

Not Funny: Some men explain that Rape Day is only a joke, as women struggle with their sexual trauma. Many social media posts and videos were made by men regarding the validity of Rape Day and how it shouldnt have been taken seriously. This holiday should have never had an upbringing, junior Amanda Comfort said.

The consequences of modern rape culture

Nadia Tucey, A&E Editor May 18, 2021

“‘National Rape Day” went viral on Tiktok after a few accounts announced what was to come on Apr 24. These users informed others that Rape Day was an entire day set aside for rapists to sexually...

Spiritual Exploration: Junior Cecilia Valles learns how to give a tarot reading. Valles had always been interested in tarot reading, but felt that she wasnt allowed to learn due to the constant gatekeeping from the spiritual community. You dont need to read tarot cards or believe in it to qualify as a spiritual person. Spirituality is more about exploring your inner feelings and self, and tarot cards can help you with that, Valles said.

Gatekeeping and its effects on community

Nadia Tucey, A&E Editor May 10, 2021

As a society, we are made to find community. We spend our lives searching for other people with common interests, common goals. It’s a one-of-a-kind feeling when we finally find that community we’ve...