News

By Erin Roetker
Editor-n-chief

A good essay can go a long way. Senior Sara Lyons was encouraged by her teacher, Mrs. Wendlandt, to enter the National Center for Women and Information Technology competition in the fall. Lyons won National Runner Up for Washington.

The NCWIT honors young women at the high school level for their computing related achievements and interests. The people who win are selected by their ability in the computing field, leadership, academic history and plans for their future.

Lyons is interested in becoming a 3D animator. “ I would love to work for Pixar someday,” Lyons mentions. She is taking every step necessary towards her dreams. As of now, Lyons is enrolled in AP 3D Animation and through this competition several colleges have contacted her. The two colleges that have been dominantly pursuing her are Cornish College of the Arts and Pacific University.

In addition to having the tittle of The National Runner Up for Washington there will be a follow up award ceremony in April for the final decision on who will win the grand prize, which includes $500 in cash, a laptop computer, a trip to attend the Bank of America Technology Showcase and Awards Ceremony in Charlotte, North Carolina and an engraved crystal award for both the student and the student’s school. “It really is an honor to win this award. This is the first time I have ever won a contest,” Lyons said.

Best of luck to Sara Lyons and congratulations on all of her great achievements.

By Erin Roetker
Saturday, January 7th was an important day for Mrs. Haberl’s sixth period AP Government and Politics class. Winning fourth place at the We the People competition could be considered an accomplished day.
The competition took place in Olympia, Washington. Participants of the competition held a simulated Congressional hearing, which was a rigorous task. Teams worked together to prepare four-minute speechs to present to judges who were acting as congressional committee members. Students then answered any questions that the judges may have had, which provides an opportunity for students to display their knowledge of constitutional principles.
“Overall, We the People was worth it. We learned more about local and federal government and increased our knowledge about presidential administrations,” senior Liz Pring said.
The trip went beyond just the competition itself. While in Olympia the students got to tour the capital and even got to go on to the senate floor. “Overall, the experience was good because, besides the competition, we got to tour the building and learned all about it,” said competitor Andrew Trong. According to the students the capital was extremely impressive. Pring said, “The chandeliers were imported from Europe, the marble was from France, Italy and Belgium, and the crystals in the light fixtures were designed by Charles Lewis Tiffany, the founder of Tiffany & Co.” A group of students even had the honor of our governor, Christine Gregoire walking past them in the capital building.
The competition lasted the entire day Saturday and was exhausting. It consisted of strenuous hours of preparation, but the competition paid off for them as it was the first time for Heritage to place fourth. “I feel so proud of our class because that is the highest Heritage has ever placed. Plus unit five [from Heritage] beat Tahoma’s unit five, who is going to nationals because they placed first overall,” Pring explained. Teacher and coach Mrs. Haberl was more than impressed with her class. “While in the restroom, I over heard some students from another school saying how great Heritage kids were – no prompting and they did not know I was there. I was proud.” Haberl said.
Great job AP Government and Politics students for your high achievements at We the People. It is an honor to place so high in any given competition, but particularly one that requires such rigor.

By Tyler Holbert
DECA members went to their competition Area nine January 11th. Held in Longview, Washington, all current DECA members participated. Area nine is an event in which students compete for the goal of placing and making it to DECA state held Belleview, WA.
At this event students can do a role play either in teams of two or a single role play. Students would then take a hundred question test, and based on these scores, make it to state or not.
“Obstacles are what you see when you take your eyes off the goal,” is a favorite quote of senior Hannah Terry. “This quote inspires me to keep looking at the prize and what I will accomplish instead of worrying about what can happen or where I can go wrong.”
DECA state is the first weekend of March first, second, and third. “I have been in DECA for two years now,” said sophomore Zack Dyment. “You get Thirty minute prep and then you have fifteen minute to present.” Dyment said of the experience, “I did not make it to state but I will still go to state due to the DECA event CAPS which is an automatic entry to state.”

The most recent teachers at Heritage to become National Board Certified are Tom Baldwin, Nancy Keller, and Shawn Perez. All three worked tremendously hard to accomplish their goal. They were in agreement that it was a very difficult task to go about, as becoming a board certified teacher one must demonstrate advanced teaching knowledge, skills and practices.

According to a statement from the National Research Council, “The evidence is clear that National Board Certification distinguishes more effective teachers…with respect to student achievement.”

 There are a number of teachers at our school who have previously labored over becoming board certified. Some of these teachers are Joel Bieker, Miranda Brothers, Rosemary Fryer, Luke Glassett, and Mary Thompson.

 Baldwin had said that once you become board certified, it basically means that you have become accomplished in your career and, “it is nice to know that you are considered accomplished.” He went on to say, “The process of becoming board certified was like graduate school. Very difficult, but I wanted to engage my mind and stay up to date with what is cutting edge in student counseling.”

Perez said of the experience, “It was more challenging than I wanted it to be. I aged a lot, but am glad to have it.” She survived with the support of both her family and fellow teachers.

 Keller went into elaborate detail about the actual process of becoming certified. She noted that one of her most challenging parts was a massive test she had to take because she isn’t the best test taker. She took the test three years ago but became ill and didn’t pass. But as she always says, “If at first you don’t succeed just try, try, again!” This time, however, she passed the test.

 Congratulations to all who have taken the plunge and spent the numerous hours working on reaching this achievement and contributed to our district’s having the fifth largest number of board certificated teachers in the state.

 Becoming a National Board Certified teacher benefits the students they teach.

The new season brings with it, in addition to icy roads and mittened hands, a very new schedule.

As you’ve likely noticed, rather than the usual hour-long break time that non-tutorial students have been granted the past two years, the new tutorial change—attaching tutorial to second period rather than third or fourth—essentially forces all students to have study time.

While this change was made to increase student-teacher accessibility, there are much larger things to consider as well.

Many students, including myself, use the whole block of tutorial and lunch to finish major work, work requiring the entire hour.

Often, the hour is merely a continuation of what students are already working on in class. This is very common in the arts classes, especially for students who are behind.

In newspaper and yearbook, classes preceding and following tutorial, it was very convenient to call students and teachers in for interviews; now, it will be extremely frustrating to schedule these meetings.

Not to mention, students are less than satisfied with the move. Senior Amber Lucas used to go home at lunch, but now she doesn’t “have the time to drive there, eat, and drive back and still be on time”.

Senior Kristine Madsen also has experienced some difficulty with the time allotted to get things done, “The teacher I need to access doesn’t have enough time to help me,” Madsen said in frustration.

The tutorial change does take care of what it was intended to, though. Mr. Adam Strong, video production and digital photo teacher, agrees with the change, along with 77 other teachers, out of 87 surveyed. “I’ve found that most of my students who are doing poorly in my class have second lunch [while I have first]. I definitely prefer to have access to all my students at once,” Strong said supportively.

Overall, this change will take a lot of getting used to, for both students and staff. Only one lab will be opened to the hundreds of students who don’t have tutorial, limiting the kind of work students will be able to accomplish. The reason we implemented two lunches in the past was to cut down on overcrowding, which invited dangerous situations.

But with this new schedule, there are only so many places students can be (the den, library, or computer lab), which may easily stir up this problem once again.

Students should be allowed to leave campus because that will free up space inside the school, and potentially create a safer environment during the half hour we’re forced to spend out of class.

Only time will tell if this new schedule will stick; the trend of the past points to a no, since we’ve had various different schedules from year to year. Student and teacher reception, along with academic and safety information, will be the ultimate deciders here.

Hopefully, in the future, we’ll be able to find and stick to a schedule that will benefit everybody.

Security guard, John Liljedahl, is retiring December 16, 2011. He has been at Heritage since the doors opened in 1999. John has had a positive impact on all the Timberwolves. Students and staff will miss him a great deal.

Maria Campbell and Mike Taylor worked closely with John as security guards. Maria says she can’t imagine him not being at Heritage and being a part of the “team”.

“He has been my friend, my teacher, my inspiration, my support when needed, and most of all, my hero,” said Campbell. “Thank you for all the wonderful memories, uncontrollable laughs and all the great home-cooked lunches.”

Maria’s emotion of sadness for John leaving may be overpowered by her happiness that he will enjoy every day of his retirement but she knows it’s the best for him.

Mike Taylor, his other partner, wishes him a happy retirement and a good life out on the golf course. “It’s good that he’s bailing out while you can still enjoy life,” said Taylor.

Jeff Broome, Dean of Students, two years ago, enjoyed  working with John for several years. “I learned what it means to do everything you can to support kids in need from John,” said Broome.

John is an avid golfer and was the girls and boys golf coach for years, due to health issues, Mr. Patterson and Mrs. Myers took over the teams.

He also plays the bass in a blues band called, Triple Threat. Now that he is retiring he can spend more time with his band and golf, two of the things that he enjoys the most.

Students and staff say good-bye

Liljedahl is her favorite person at Heritage. “He is the most amazing person in the whole school. He is so nice. And he makes good cookies.” said Kunze.

He won’t only be missed by staff but students. “He has made a huge impact on staff and students throughout Heritage. I’m going to miss his jokes the most,” said Baylee Larson.

“Dear John, I remember the very first day I came to Heritage. You visitied my office and let me know “how it was going to be around here.” Eleven years later I have many memories of you helping students, me, other staff and other parents. It’s been my privilege to work with you. Thanks for all the training! Thanks for all the laughs! Thanks for your friendship! Most of all, thank you on behalf of every student you have helped and supported; you’ve definitely impacted hundreds of students in a very positive way. Heritage will not be the same without you. I can’t imagine HHS hallways or that south side gate without you and your charming self. Take care and enjoy your retirement. I know the place to find you. On the golf course somewhere. Keep in touch! Stay healthy. Always your friend…Sosky”

“Words are not adequate to express how much I enjoy working with you, John. You are a natural – great at reading to people, knowing when a student needs support or a stern “talking to”. I always know you have a keen eye out for students heading down the wrong “path”. As a counselor, I apperciate your referrals to me and your perspective on what’s going on. You’ve ‘been there, done that’ so you know the score and can be frank and knowledgable in talking to kids who are taking chances that could change their lives forever. You keep our campus safe. Thank you.”  – Renee Coyle.

Heritage wishes you a happy retirement.  Have fun relaxing, playing golf, rocking out in your band and spending time with your family. Don’t be a stranger to Heritage.

Greeting people as they walked toward the front doors of the school for this year’s holiday bazaar on November 26^th was the delicious aroma of kettle corn popping from the big machines. The kettle corn was being sold just outside the entrance, and it seemed like no one was going in without first purchasing a bag. On the other side of the walkway, wood-working projects were being crafted and finished before our very eyes. Inside the doors were tables set up for buying raffle tickets, donating to the food bank, and an additional table for the giving tree. Gift wrap was also available for any item that was purchased and destined to be placed under the tree either at home or that of a friend’s.

 

Other items sold at the bazaar were varied, colorful, and full of holiday spirit. There was a huge assortment of foods, as well as many different kinds of jams and even pinecone fire-starting kits. Spread throughout the halls were multiple tables covered with all kinds of hand-made knit and crochet items, like mittens, gloves, hats and baby blankets. There were all kinds of ornaments decorated individually, stockings for fireplace mantels, and cute Santa Claus or snowman displays. Each booth had its own personality and the displays screamed Christmas. The three-foot tall wooden snowmen covered in tiny, twinkling lights (of course available for purchase) had a wintery charm about them. For those who like brightly colored, hand-blown glass sculptures, there was a nice selection of those as well. Jewelry tables were abundant and covered in beautiful pieces that were all one of a kind. Heritage’s own Mr. Berrigan and Mrs. Blessley had pieces for sale. Mr. Berrigan’s booth consisted of calendars and greeting cards of his northwest photography while Mrs. Blessley sold pottery pieces and CD’s of her harp music.

 

There was something for everyone at the holiday bazaar which helps pay for the senior’s drug and alcohol free graduation party.

 

The bazaar was a great way for the senior parents to earn money for the graduation party as it can get quite expensive, depending on the number of students. Having a graduation party for the senior class is a way to say ‘farewell’ to all those leaving us, and the holiday bazaar was a cheerful kick-off for the raising of funds for this end of the year event.

Every student at Heritage has his or her own past. But for some of us, our past is what makes us who we are today, and no one knows better than Tyler Kelley, whose senior project is focused around attitude. For Tyler, attitude is what affects life the most, and to reverse the effects of his negative life experiences, he strives to maintain a positive attitude. “I could have been one of those kids that was always in depression and said ‘woe is me’ all the time. But I know that I wouldn’t have all the friends that I do now.”

            The first twelve years of Tyler’s life were filled with negative experiences; “But it prepared me for life… If someone went through an abusive or neglectful situation, they would have a better perspective on how things are.” His attitude during those times was what kept him grounded in his own despair, until “I realized positive was the better way to go.” Currently, he is famous for performing comical and random accomplishments, from playing guitar with strangers in a coffee shop to singing Irish songs in A Capella. “I try to have a positive, happy attitude. Things could be worse and I should be happy with what I have.”

            Because of his understanding of how attitude affected his own life, Tyler has committed his senior project to the effects of attitude on people. He visits classrooms as a guest speaker to present the psychological impacts of adapting positive and negative attitudes, including examples from his life story along with pre-recorded student and teacher interviews. Not only are his presentations informative, they give the audience a better understanding of just how powerful emotions can be. Some audiences have even felt faint during his description of the abuse he went through.

            Tyler says that the best kind of attitude that a person should have is “A moderately positive one, where they can understand that bad could happen, but it’s not what they should focus on.” If people can realize how important attitude is, it can change their lives for the better.  Changing his attitude from negative to positive made Tyler Kelley the person who he is today, and his triumph is in defying the odds by overcoming his past.

“…All the times people told me I couldn’t do something… I just had to say ‘You’re Wrong’.”

-Tyler Kelley (senior)