Student views on Lake news

Valhalla
Student views on Lake news

Valhalla
Student views on Lake news

Valhalla
Cierra Holder

Cierra Holder, Staff Photographer

Some of you may know Cierra as “Mrs. Holders daughter”, but there is much more than the beloved daughter of the city council member and 4th grade school teacher. From the time she held her “first digital camera at [age] seven”, photography has been a passion for Cierra. From taking pictures on vacation, to being the head photographer for band, Cierra has always been behind a camera. It wasn’t a difficult choice for her when she had to pick her position for the paper. Journalism is very happy to have Cierra as a photographer. Ever since reading a meme in The Valhalla her sophomore year that read “One does not simply run from Janet,” Cierra has had her heart set on one day joining journalism. This “band kid” is much more than the player behind her saxophone, she is a strong lover of reading, writing, and all things journalism.

All content by Cierra Holder
Juniors Colton Richards and Quinlan Hayes and senior Easton Funk (left to right) play in the April 27 game against Cascade High School. Despite ups and downs this season the team has worked hard to come back for the end of the regular season. “From here on out, I feel like we have to win every single game to go into the playoffs hot and ready to go. We have a chance to make it back to state, that’s the ultimate goal,” senior Conner Sayles said.

Boys baseball tries for a comeback

Cierra Holder, Staff Photographer
May 2, 2016
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On April 26 the LSHS girls tennis team faces off against Mariner High School with senior Bernadette Miles and junior Ryann Rasmussen playing first doubles. With a killer season of 10 wins and only one loss under their belt, the team is coming prepared to their last regular season matches. “Our team is kicking some butt. I’m really proud of everyone. We’re a relatively young team. We only have a handful of seniors, so I think it's awesome how our sophomores and juniors are still able to compete with everyone,” senior Shaylen Huot said.

Girls tennis dominates, 10-1

Cierra Holder, Staff Photographer
May 2, 2016
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Nightlock slides easily into a slot on the bottom of a door and into a hole in the ground to barricade the door. The device was chosen for its strong role in the A.L.I.C.E program. “You couldn’t open the door if you wanted to,” Principal Eric Cahan said.

[Photo] New addition debuts for A.L.I.C.E.

April 25, 2016
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LSHS Band hits all the right notes at Pasco Jazz Festival

Band wins big with Outstanding Section and Soloist awards
Cierra Holder, Staff Photographer
April 25, 2016
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Jazz bands

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Jazz 2

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Jazz 1

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Band bus

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all bands

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Scholarships

[Photo] Pass the time by applying for scholarships

Noel Gasca, Editor-in-Chief
March 14, 2016
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Senior Tyler VanBrocklin finds a way to fill up most of his spare time between school work, ASB and his jobs. Friends, peers and coworkers have raved about working with the ASB Secretary/Treasurer and how much effort he has put into everything he's done. “[Tyler is] very organized, he has everything figured out, and he always has a plan of what we’re going to be doing. He’s super nice to work with, super flexible with what we’re doing, and he’s always open for suggestions,” senior Cassidy Tipping said.

[Photo] Student computer programmer seems to fly under the radar

Bailey Hall, Opinion Editor
February 29, 2016
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The beat lives on with Little Viking Band days

Fifth graders get a taste of the viking experience
Noel Gasca and Cierra Holder
February 18, 2016
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Junior trombone player Kevin West teaches two fifth graders the technique needed for producing sound from a trombone. At the end of each day fifth graders were selected from the crowd to come up and spend a few minutes with the high school musicians and their instruments. “You know that they don’t really care about what instrument they get they just want to be up on stage, but they’re so enthusiastic about just making a sound. There’s little things you get to use with the kids that you don’t get to use with older kids. [Such as], trying to get them to buzz their lips; remember when you tried to make horse noises when you were little? That works, these cute little things you don’t get to [use] with older kids because they’re too cool,” senior trombone player Brittany Villesvik said.

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Head snare players junior Cassandra Jennings (left) and senior Leinani Tadio (right) assist two fifth graders in a face-off drum battle presentation for their classmates. This competition opened up the program for the day, getting students excited and involved. “You don’t expect them to play well but a couple of them actually had tempo and they were trying really hard. It was really cool to see people who could be filling our spots in the next couple years,” senior drumline member Emily Anne Bray said.

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Lake Steven’s Wind Ensemble welcomes fifth graders to the high school for the annual Little Viking Band days. This program was designed to increase the number of students who register for band at North Lake Middle School and Lake Stevens Middle School. These two days provided fifth graders with the opportunity to see what the high school band is all about and what they could be doing should they continue until their high school years. “If we didn’t plant the little band seeds in their minds then our program might start to shrink and honestly that's a bit sad to think about,” junior bass clarinet player David Sickles said.

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Dr. Charles Morgan speaks to the LSHS student body during the Martin Luther King Jr. Assembly on January 15, 2016 about the prejudice and inequality that is still present in the United States. His story connected with what students know to be going on in our country. “It was really inspiring. He told such personal stories that it easily connected to real life,” senior Shaelyn Huot said.

[Photo] America must stop sweeping racial discrimination under the rug

Addy Tibbits, A&E Editor
January 25, 2016
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Boy’s swim competes in a home meet on January 14. The team continued its momentum from the prior weekends invitational. “The team is ahead of schedule from where we were last year at the same time with 5 people qualified for state after the weekend,” junior Carter Walles said.

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The date for this year's TOLO gets moved back on the calendar a week. Although no theme has been officially announced yet, the sophomore senate has a general idea of what they envision for the dance. “It is revolved around a movie theme and it’s kinda like movie duos in a way...it’s really flexible we are still kind of talking about it,” Pena said.

[Photo] TOLO makes its return to Lake Stevens High School

January 15, 2016
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Link Crew advertises and prepares for the upcoming Cocoa, Cookies and Cram event. Both National Honor Society and Link Crew members will be running the study session and helping students. “It gives students a chance to study, but also have a good time by eating cookies and hot chocolate,” Lopez said.

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The drama department advertises the upcoming cabaret night with flyers around campus. After the department's success with "Hairspray", a group of seniors pitched the idea of a student led performance. “Its been amazing to work with these actors and see things fall into place as their scenes and songs come together! There are some really awesome numbers in this show,” Balbirona said.

[Photo] Get ready to be inspired this Friday night when attending this special, one night only cabaret

Brittney Wood, Staff Reporter
January 14, 2016
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Walking to and from class periods, Lake Stevens High School students may have seen their principal Eric Cahan sitting up on the roof of the school office bundled up in a bright orange fisherman’s jacket with a blanket and umbrella. In reward for raising money during the miracle minute at the winter assembly, Cahan agreed to spend an entire school day up on the roof, rain or shine. “It’s been really weird to be completely honest,” said Cahan, “Mrs. Ayotte brought me hot cocoa, the lunch ladies brought me treats, and my secretary brought me coffee, so it’s fun! I’m really proud of the student body for supporting the Lake Stevens Food Bank.” Make sure to stop buy and give Cahan a ‘hello’ or ‘Merry Christmas’.

[Photo] It’s a Christmas miracle; Cahan is on the roof

Addy Tibbits, A&E Editor
December 18, 2015
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Gatorade representative Keri Lockett presents senior Jacob Eason with the Gatorade National Player of the Year award for football in front of the LSHS student body. This morning Eason joined the ranks of athletes like Peyton Manning and Abby Wambach who previously won this award. “I’m really proud of him because he really deserves it because of how hard he works and all the time he put[s] in. I know that he is going to do great things and live up to his potential,” Eason’s sister sophomore Lillian Eason said.

[Photo] Eason named Gatorade National Football Player of the Year

Bailey Hall, Opinion Editor
December 15, 2015
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One of the three Giving Trees on campus sits in the cafeteria by the attendance office and is still in need of people purchasing presents. The Giving Tree ornament-tags go to 30 local families who need a little help this holiday season. “My opinion of the giving tree is that it’s a really good way to help the community in a way the doesn’t embarrass those that need it,” senior Jared Ramirez said.

[Photo] Gift of giving warms people’s hearts this season

Rose Blume, Sports Editor
December 14, 2015
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Senior wide receiver Riley Krenz barrels towards the end zone before getting tackled near the 20 yard line in the first quarter. Despite ending their last high school season Saturday night the seniors on the team put a very positive spin on their loss. “It definitely was a terrible feeling knowing it was going to be the last time but as the days go on you have to look back and look at the good that you did and the good undefeated season,” Krenz said.

Lake Stevens loses to Skyline in state semi-finals

Despite close loss Viking football team keeps their heads up
Cierra Holder, Staff Photographer
December 4, 2015
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Go behind the curtain with Hairspray

Cierra Holder, Staff Photographer
December 3, 2015
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Starbucks’ new red cup design uses no snowflake adornment. The company went with a simplistic look to let customers interpret the holidays in their own unique way. However, some don’t favor the festive red hue and claim that Starbucks is anti-Christmas.

[Photo] Red paper cup causes dispute across America

Addy Tibbits, A&E Editor
December 1, 2015
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One topic of controversy amongst students is whether or not students should be allowed to sit in the superfan section even if they’re not wearing purple and gold.“The superfan section is dedicated to people who go all out, who dress up and represent the school,” senior Mikenzie Cissell said.

[Photo] The politics behind superfanning

Noel Gasca, Editor-in-Chief
November 12, 2015
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The Staples storefront sits fairly empty as their closing date approaches. Lake Stevens students haven’t been very upset over Staples leaving but are hopeful for a newer and more youth-oriented store to to replace it. “Something we don’t have that we could use. Not another Starbucks because we already have three of those. Just something useful,” said sophomore Logan Philpott.

[Photo] Staples will close mid-November

Shaylee Wolf, News editor
November 10, 2015
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The American flag waves in the breeze as Lake Stevens High School prepares for Veterans Day. Veterans have made a variety of sacrifices for our nation, and those who live in the community or are important to the LSHS community will be honored in a school assembly on November 10. “Serving my country was the boost I needed in my life to give me purpose and direction. Service is important so that one can understand the plight of others when feeling pity for self,” said Davis.

[Photo] Don’t forget to thank a veteran

Bailey Hall, Opinion Editor
November 6, 2015
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Say scream: Seniors Trysten Perales and Austin Strawder pose for this year's DECA photobooth with prop hats. Both boys selected from an array of mask and Halloween themed props for their picture in the blood spattered booth that were delivered to them this past Friday. “It was a very good set-up, very well done. I liked all the props,” Strawder said “It’s very good, [the photobooth] unites people.”

[Photo] Frightful fun through a lens

Bailey Hall, Opinion Editor
November 2, 2015
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Royal Bling. The 2015 Homecoming Crown is presented to senior Jack Stevens at the “Back to the Future” themed Homecoming Assembly. In the past, the crown was presented to a Prom King, not a Homecoming King. “It should be a school wide vote as to whether or not we should have a Prom King or a Homecoming Queen,” senior Corbin Schueller said.

[Photo] Student body wants a Prom King

Bailey Hall, Opinion Editor
October 23, 2015
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Drama’s setup model for the Hairspray stage. The five divisions will spin to switch scenes within the musical for a smoother transition. “Set crew will be behind [the divisions] and will slowly spin them. It can start on Corny Collins and then it will turn into Tracy’s house or the school” said senior assistant stage manager Lexie Olson.

[Photo] Drama sets the stage for Hairspray

Addy Tibbits, A&E Editor
October 22, 2015
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The LSHS boys cross country team starts the first and only home race of the season against Meadowdale, Snohomish, Monroe and Oak Harbor on October 1. Although it’s been disappointing to have only one meet on home turf the team has been excited for all the traveling. “Instead of home meets we’re having bigger meets against a lot of good schools. We get to go to Lakewood [and] Lake Sammamish and Whidbey Island and Wenatchee, which was awesome,” senior cross country captain Emma Horn said.

[Photo] Cross country meet at LSHS

October 21, 2015
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The 2015 Homecoming Court: (L-R) Glory Yepassis-Zembrou, Jack Stevens, Cole Sigl, Peter Condyles, Ryann Funk, and Brittney Wood show lots of enthusiasm and viking spirit. “I’m excited to see everyone all dressed up and looking classy,” said Stevens, “I can’t wait to share the experience with my senior class”

[Photo] Meet your 2015 Homecoming Court

Addy Tibbits, A&E Editor
October 21, 2015
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United nations: Noemie Bonbled, Wataru Morishita, Maria Valentini, Jonas Pletscher, Agustina Coll gather together at a table in the library. Being able to speak English well was a motivator for this year’s exchange students to come to the United States. “I wanted to speak English [ever] since I was very little,” sophomore Noemie Bonbeld from Belgium said.

[Photo] Behind the scenes of foreign exchange programs

Rose Blume, Sports Editor
October 9, 2015
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Attention grabbing posters plaster the LSHS campus, promoting the first drive of the year. The DECA staff worked rigorously to promote this event to benefit the Ronald McDonald House.. “DECA hosts this type of fundraiser every year, and every year it's for a different item,” said senior Drew Williams.

[Photo] Mac & cheese drive aids the Ronald McDonald house

Rose Blume, Sports Editor
October 9, 2015
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The 2015-2016 LSHS Drumline (left to right: Jeyda Tomson, Martha Boe, Jocelyn Van Der Put, Emily Anne Bray, Ashley Mahan, Hailey Holder, Cassandra Jennings and other drumline members play for the superfans while the Viking dances along. Before the first football game the drumline played “Senate” in order to get the ball rolling. “We always look forward to getting everybody excited and pumped up for the football team and band,” Co-drumline captain class? Leinani Tadio said .

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