Earth Hour

By Ashley Davis
Opinion Editor
Earth hour is the annual event that is happening this year on March 31. It is considered the world’s largest single campaign for the planet. On this day everyone is asked to turn off their lights for one hour, at 8:30 pm. The point of earth hour is to unite everyone in taking steps toward change and towards a better planet.

Across the world we are running out of resources. We are depleting the world of animals, forests, energy and water. Because of this, the climate is changing and things are heading into a dark path. Earth hour is one way anyone can be a part of a collective step towards preserving what we still have left.

Everyone should participate in Earth hour. It is one day, for one hour, and will make a huge difference. Some people may argue that turning off all of their lights for one hour, is not going to make any difference. That’s like saying your vote doesn’t count. One individual cannot make the changes we need to see on their own, but several individuals working together, is what we need to see in order to see a change. If one person doesn’t participate, that’s one less link in our chain to help save the only thing that is keeping us alive. As the WWF website says, “It’s about giving people a voice and working together to create a better future for our planet.”

To be a part of this movement you can visit www.worldwildlife.org and pledge your support by signing up to participate. If you do not sign up, of course you can still participate by turning off all of your non essential lights at 8:30 pm, on March 31st.
Be a part of this movement, and show the world you care.

Earth Hour

By Ashley Davis
Opinion Editor
Earth hour is the annual event that is happening this year on March 31. It is considered the world’s largest single campaign for the planet. On this day everyone is asked to turn off their lights for one hour, at 8:30 pm. The point of earth hour is to unite everyone in taking steps toward change and towards a better planet.

Across the world we are running out of resources. We are depleting the world of animals, forests, energy and water. Because of this, the climate is changing and things are heading into a dark path. Earth hour is one way anyone can be a part of a collective step towards preserving what we still have left.

Everyone should participate in Earth hour. It is one day, for one hour, and will make a huge difference. Some people may argue that turning off all of their lights for one hour, is not going to make any difference. That’s like saying your vote doesn’t count. One individual cannot make the changes we need to see on their own, but several individuals working together, is what we need to see in order to see a change. If one person doesn’t participate, that’s one less link in our chain to help save the only thing that is keeping us alive. As the WWF website says, “It’s about giving people a voice and working together to create a better future for our planet.”

To be a part of this movement you can visit www.worldwildlife.org and pledge your support by signing up to participate. If you do not sign up, of course you can still participate by turning off all of your non essential lights at 8:30 pm, on March 31st.
Be a part of this movement, and show the world you care.

Kenya Project


By: Kelley King
Reporter
These are some of the trinkets available for sale from the Kenya Project.
On the left is the Beaded Wood Carving Necklace which costs $12.
On the right is the Wooden Carved Animal which costs $25.

100% of all profits go to a school in the slums of Nairobi, Kenya so that they may afford a solar panel to improve education efficiency.

There are a couple more knickknacks for sale apart from these two. For more information please contact Mr. Berrigan in room 600.

CTE Month Activities

By: Kelley King
Reporter
February is CTE month; CTE stands for Career and Technical Education. CTE is a group of classes provided at Heritage High School that help provide skills for future careers and can also provide college credits. There many CTE classes under a few different themes. A few of these themes are:

Family & Consumer Science (Child Development)
Child Psychology
Teaching Academy
Family & Consumer Science (Nutrition, Science & Fitness)
Bodywise
Food Science
Foods & Nutrition
Professional Food
Digital Arts
3D Animation
AP Studio Art 2D & 3D
Game Design
Video Production

This was pulled from an article written by Rick Brewer regarding the CTE program. “Career and technical education also has a profound impact in saving the youth that even No Child Left Behind (NCLB) leaves behind.

Each year, tens of thousands of our kids, feeling disconnected and disenfranchised, drop out of school. Politicians and legislators seldom mention these endangered students in their rhetoric. They disappear from the political radar as if they constitute the “dark side” of education. Increased standardized testing and mandates will not likely bring them back. And, if they do not come to school, you cannot teach them.”

“Career and technical education (CTE) offers a major solution for many problems in the US education system. Modern CTE programs not only support and integrate a full range of academics, but they have qualities that give much more meaning and purpose to the education process. Challenging even the most gifted students, CTE gives all students rich educational opportunities, equipping them for the dramatic transition from high school to postsecondary education and career options,” In plain English it is explaining that the CTE program is a good tool that helps students develop skills that will help them in the future. For more information visit the career center, which is a CTE hub.

Fire Drills

Students at a recent firedrill in the cold

By: Tyler Holbert
WebMaster
Fire alarms are an issue at Heritage whether it’s been pulled, or defaulted. Heritage is required to have a fire drill once a month for safety reasons; however, the school has had eighteen alarms in the last twelve months. All of those alarms notified 911 and the local fire station, Engine four.

On average there are three to five fire alarms pulled a year by students. Up to this point, three fire alarms have been pulled, but there has never been more than five pulled by a student during any one school year. There are two disciplines that can be handed out by pulling the fire alarm; school discipline, as well as criminal charges sense pulling a fire alarm whenever there isn’t a fire is a criminal offence.

“The alarm can be annoying when it is not planned or when it is a prank in particular,” said Sosky. “Students and staff need to evacuate immediately every time unless they are notified it is a false alarm. Never assume it’s nothing. Remind others not to pull the alarm or do anything that might set an alarm off. The alarms are there for everyone’s safety. It may seem like fun at the moment however in an actual disaster or serious event we are all grateful for those professionals who rush here and put their lives at risk for us,” she said.

When the fire department comes out and there is not a fire tax dollars are being wasted. The school tries to call the fire department as soon as they can to let them know the state of the situation.
The district is doing its best to prevent the fire alarms but you don’t know when there can be electrical problems due to a lot of dust. “The fire marshal may assess a civil penalty of $200 plus the costs incurred by the responding fire district against the owner or lessee of a property for each subsequent accidental fire alarm activation,” said Virginia Chapman, Deputy Fire Marshal.

“If the student has had no other similar incidents with the school or the fire department, most likely they would be required to complete a fire safety education program with their parents to return to school. If they have had previous incidents, they will be cited and referred to Juvenile courts for possible charges,” said Chapman.

Lyons technology runner-up

Sara Lyons with her award.

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.

We the People 4th in State

Andrew Cusanelli and Tiffany Shaw accepting 4th place award.

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.

DECA Wins Spirit Award at Area 9

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.”