Student Spotlight: Rebecca Wexler '12

“Being a dancer is not something you plan on,” says Rebecca Wexler, currently a senior. School is a place for learning and friends, but so many of our peers partake in interesting activities outside of SAAS. For Rebecca Wexler, currently a senior, there is much more to life than school. On weekdays, Rebecca spends about three and a half hours dancing after school and another five hours on the weekends, when she doesn’t have rehearsals. When she does have rehearsals, Rebecca is at the studio from 9-6 on Saturdays, with another six hours on Sunday. Like most young girls, Rebecca’s parents encouraged her pursuit of ballet from a young age. So she started at a tiny studio at her house, where her passion for dance began to grow. After a year, Rebecca and her mother went to see the Nutcracker, and she loved it. She was so enthralled with the stage that she stayed in her seat through intermission. Soon enough Rebecca was enrolled in Pacific Northwest Ballet, the top dance program in Seattle, where she has danced for most of her life. “I take modern and ballet there, and the two dances go hand in hand. It’s choreographed by the teachers, and it’s very classical ballet, with tutus,” says Rebecca. “But we also do contemporary ballet without buns and with long skirts. I do ballet more than modern. We only have one modern class a week, but a lot of are dances are more focused towards modern because that’s the kind of style we work on.”

When she was 15, Rebecca was given an offer from the Joffrey Ballet School to move to New York and study dance there. At the time she passed up on the offer, “because I was so young,” Rebecca recalls. During her senior year, Melanie Reed gave her a list of schools with great dance programs. So Rebecca went to New York, Los Angeles, and Seattle to audition for college dance programs. But soon she realized that she hadn’t auditioned for any summer dance intensives. An intensive is a super intense, seven-eight week program during the summer. So Rebecca auditioned for a Joffrey summer program, which is generally super expensive, and she didn’t plan on going, even if she got in. But Rebecca was accepted with a fifty percent scholarship, which was followed by a letter in the mail, offering Rebecca a spot at the year-long training program, the same one she was offered when she was fifteen.

When Rebecca was younger, she also participated in gymnastics and swimming, both of which she excelled at. When she was eleven, Rebecca had to pick between the swim team and ballet, and she chose dance. Rebecca also does a lot of visual art, and recently she has had some offers on her pieces. She wants to focus most of her time and studies on ballet and sociology, and while she thinks she will always participate in visual art, “I don’t think it will ever be my career.”

“Sociology is something I’m passionate about,” says Rebecca. “I volunteer a lot, and I belong to a charity group called NCL.” The National Charity League is a mother-daughter organization that encourages community service work all over the country. Additionally, Rebecca is focusing her senior project on psychology. In the beginning, Rebecca was interested in “The Prison Project,” where she would help teach dance to prison inmates. This project would have been a way to incorporate sociology and dance, but that idea ended up falling through. So instead, she is going to work at the Jubilee Women’s Center, a shelter for women to help them get back on their feet.

At the end of the school year Rebecca will be taking off for eight weeks. After her summer intensive, she has a month before she goes back to Joffrey for her year-long training program. Rebecca’s day will start at eight in the morning, and she’ll be taking classes until six at night. Along with dancing, she’ll be taking classes such as nutrition and dance history, which will eventually count as college credits.

Right now, Rebecca is interested in four different arts colleges: Cornish, Columbia College of the Arts, Old Dominion, and Marymount. She plans on double majoring in dance as well as sociology. She is passionate about both and very realistic about dance as a career. “Dancing doesn’t last forever” says Rebecca. “An average dancer’s career ends around 35, and they probably aren’t at a place where they can retire.” With a major in dance, Rebecca can also choose to become a choreographer, a dance history teacher, or even a dance teacher. No matter what, Rebecca will be able to incorporate what she loves into the career that she chooses to pursue.

Leila Gant ('13) Wins Annual Poetry Slam

“The most significant part of the Poetry Slam for me wasn’t winning,” states Leila Gant ‘13. “What I thought to be most amazing was getting a chance to hear what people really had to say and what was on their minds through poetic spoken word pieces.” Over the past few weeks, the students in Lauri Conner’s 11^th grade honors English class have been learning to appreciate poetry while simultaneously working on their own, original pieces. The work ranges from rhyming poetry, to spoken word, to short prose describing anything the students chose to write about. Many wrote about personal experiences and feelings, while fictional writing was also allowed. Recently, as the class came to the end of their poetry unit, a Poetry Slam was held in the form of a competition. The winner of the slam would be exempted from the spring final, a vocabulary test consisting of over 500 words, from the beginning of the year. With a serious prize at stake, every student was required to perform at least once in the Vanderbilt Commons. The competition took place over five days, with four days of preliminary rounds and then the finals.

Each student went head to head with another classmate and performed one piece of their writing for a randomly selected panel of judges, including students from other grades and teachers. After a performance, the five judges scored the students’ pieces from one to ten, most of the scores falling between seven and nine. The highest and lowest scores were dropped, and the remaining numbers added up to create a final score for the student. After both contestants had performed and been scored, the student with the highest score advanced to the next round. These first rounds took place from April 17 to April 24.

Semi-final and final rounds took place on Wednesday, April 25. Only eight poets were left in the competition, and they continued to perform against each other until there were only two left. Leila Gant and Alexa Strabuk ‘13 read their last poems before the judges gave their scores and awarded the finals “exemption.” Leila was the last one standing at the end of the competition. Her winning poem is included below.

Leila writes, “Alexa Strabuk is the last person that I slammed against in the competition, and her last few poems truly moved me. I was numb when I won by .1 of a point … because all I was thinking about [was] how strong of a poet she is and [that] working with her would be incredible. All the nerves, shakiness, and hours behind my laptop writing poetry and reading it aloud to my dog [were] all worth it.”

Just A Waitress by Leila Gant ‘14

How deep into situations can our minds function? I’m talking about those sticky situations. Where the odds don’t come out in our favor And we’re butted out of a conversation because We don’t know the flavor of the kool-aid…

But just because you’re in your own world, deep in conversation, Don’t assume you know the world of others around you Because the waitress that’s serving you in the café that you’re in right now, Knows all the flavors of liquid conversations that exist

The little waitress that no one pays mind to. They just pay the bill and occasionally tip her at the end of their meal. The little waitress that no one pays mind to. She listens in that café and it’s not like she tries to eavesdrop, But isn’t she allowed to pay attention when she hears knowledge being dropped By the people that refuse to acknowledge anyone outside of their cozy booths.

The little waitress that wants to butt into the conversation Because she knows the flavor of the kool-aid You can tell from just looking at her. Her lips, as red as the cherry stem that she had just popped into her mouth And tied in a knot, reminds her of how promiscuous she used to be And reminds her of the conversations she used to have staring deep into The green apple eyes of her boyfriend, while he stared back into hazel eyes that Were fiery orange with rage when he had to bring up the conversation about their relations. It’s over. Stop don’t say another word, suddenly she doesn’t wanna hear any conversations ever again.

She’s just that little waitress that no one pays mind to, waiting to be a part of a different conversation in that little café, from the people in the little cozy booths, in their own little worlds.

Poetry Slam Photo Gallery

Et tu, Antonius?- A play by Alexander Barsher (’12)

Et tu, Antonius?

By Alexander Barsher

Synopsis:

In a town of about 20,000 in the rural part of any state, a water park is being built. The park will bring jobs and new residents to the town. The project is being funded by Jackson and Co., a large construction firm. A group of male construction workers have just gotten off work. It’s Friday night. They are looking for something to do.

Characters

ANTHONY: Outgoing, louder, impulsive.

TYLER: Quieter, smarter, has some sense.

MOM: Mother of Tyler.

JACOB KREIS: Friend of Anthony and Tyler, dropped out in 5^th grade.

MR. JACKSON: CEO of Jackson and Co., wealthy, mid 60’s.

ANNA JACKSON: 18-23 years old.

POLICE OFFICER 1: Early 50’s.

POLICE OFFICER 2: Mid 40’s.

BODY GUARD: Mid 30’s.

SECRETARY: Mid 20’s.

 Act I

Tyler and Anthony enter stage left. They stop at Anthony’s car (5 chairs in the middle of the stage).

ANTHONY: You got any deodorant?

TYLER: No, why?

ANTHONY: I stink, and I don’t want to go home and take a shower.

TYLER: You going to go out?

ANTHONY: Yea, I want to.

TYLER: What are you thinking about doing?

Anthony is rummaging through his bag. Anthony looks up.

ANTHONY: Huh?

TYLER: What are you doing tonight?

Anthony puts on a new but dirty shirt.

ANTHONY: I think me and a few other of the guys are going to the bar? You wanna come with us?

TYLER: Yea, but I got to stop home to see my mom and shower. We did work today.

ANTHONY: What time is it?

TYLER: Six.

ANTHONY: How long are you going to take?

TYLER: An hour and a half.

Tyler gathers his belongings and starts walking backwards towards stage left.

ANTHONY: Why so long?

Tyler is moving quicker.

TYLER:  I’m bussing, and the main highway is closed.

ANTHONY: You’re right. Anyways 8 at the bar?

TYLER:  Sounds good.

Tyler sees passengers getting onto the bus and yells, “Hold that bus.” He sprints off stage left.

Act II

Tyler enters stage left, into his and his Mom’s living room.

TYLER:  (Tyler shouts) Mom?

Mom enters stage right.

MOM: Yes, honey?

TYLER: How are you?

MOM: I’m fine.

TYLER: What did you say you needed help with?

MOM: When did I say that?

TYLER: You called an hour ago saying you needed help with something.

MOM: Ohhh, right, right, I need you to fix the roof.

Tyler gives her a confused look.

TYLER: What?

MOM: The roof.

TYLER: Mom.

MOM: It’s been leaking for weeks.

TYLER: Mom.

MOM: I just don’t have the money to pay a repair man.

Mom leads Tyler to the other side of the living room.

MOM: I just don’t have the money. Oh, your father left me nothing.

Mom stumbles on a creaky floor board.

TYLER: Are you ok?!

MOM: While you’re at it you should fix the floor too.

Mom smiles and lifts up the defective floor board and takes out a wad of cash.

MOM: For helping me. (She smiles)

Tyler, stunned, laughs under his breath.

TYLER: C’mon mom I don’t need that. Let’s go fix this leak.

The two walk up a few more steps and move a couch. Mom shows Tyler the puddle, Tyler takes a look around and begins to chuckle.

MOM: What is so funny?

TYLER: Mom.

Mom looks around like she’s thinking really hard.

TYLER: MOM! (Annoyed, but laughing)

Looking down at the ground there is a puddle of water and there are a couple glasses on the floor.

TYLER: I think you just spilled some water.

MOM: What? No! There’s a leak, I swear.

Tyler picks up glasses, gets a nearby towel, and kneels to clean up the water.

TYLER: Mom.

MOM: Yes?

ANTHONY: I think this whole thing is a ploy to get me back over here.

MOM: What?

TYLER: I think this was just a ploy for you to get me over here.

MOM: Nonsense.

Mom looks away embarrassed.

TYLER: Ok, well, I have plans tonight.

Mom looks defeated.

MOM: Fine.

Tyler gives a quick kiss to his mom and walks stage left from where he entered. He pauses before he exits, and looks back at his mom.

TYLER: You know I love you.

MOM: I know, I know, I love you too, it’s just.

Mom looks at the ground and shuffles her feet. Tyler takes a few steps towards her.

MOM: It’s just hard to see you grow up, that’s all.

TYLER: When you have actual problems call me (Tyler says while chuckling and rolling his eyes).

MOM: Have fun tonight!

TYLER: I always do.

Tyler exits stage left. Mom hurries over and calls after him.

MOM: Make good choices tonight!

TYLER: (Tyler from of stage) Love you too mom.

Blackout, mom exits stage left.

Act V

Tyler wakes up at his mom’s house in the living room on the couch. He turns on the television.

TELEVISON: And in other news last night, Anna Jackson, daughter of construction tycoon Jack Jackson, owner of Jackson and Co was found unconscious on the side of the road. She is thought to have been raped and left for dead. Not until later did authorities find her at around 2 am and take her to the hospital.

Tyler looks incredulously at the TV and begins to get nervous. Mom enters from stage right with a tray.

MOM: Good morning, honey, how was last night? Fun?

TYLER: Yea…yea, it was good.

MOM: I made you breakfast.

Tyler stands up and looks nervously out the window.

TYLER: What?

MOM: I made you breakfast, honey. Is something wrong?

TYLER: Thanks. (Defensively) No, mom. I’m fine.

There is a brief pause. Mom looks out the window uncomfortably. She puts the tray on a coffee table in front of the couch.

MOM: Honey, are you sure you’re ok?

Tyler looks at his mom annoyed. Even more defensive than his first response.

TYLER: Mom, I’m fine!

Tyler looks away, annoyed, then back at the television.

Mom shakes her head and looks at the television.

MOM: Did you hear what happened to that poor girl?

TYLER: Yea, I did.

MOM: Awful, absolutely awful. How could someone rape her and then leave her on the side of the road like that? I just can’t believe someone could do that. Can you Tyler? Can you believe that?!

TYLER: Yea, it’s horrible.

Mom shakes her head, and exits stage right. A few seconds later the phone rings. Tyler picks it up from the coffee table. It’s Anthony.

TYLER: Hey……yea……yea……yea, I saw it…….it said she got-…….I know……do you think…..yea Jackson and Co……..yea Mr. Jackson……his daughter!……Thank god………..yea, if she was dead we would ……yea…….  I think it’s better you stay home today………I’ll call you later……yea, I’ll see you Monday.

Blackout, End Scene

Act VI

It’s Monday morning and the workers are preparing for work. This can be portrayed by them standing in line punching their work tickets. Anthony, Tyler, and Jacob are in line together.

JACOB: Hey, did you guys see the weekend?

Tyler and Anthony look at each other, and then look at Jacob.

TYLER: What?

JACOB: What did I say?

ANTHONY: You said “you guys see the weekend.”

JACOB: Man, I’m so nervous. Y’all don’t even know.

A brief second pause, the three look at the ground remembering Friday’s happenings.

TYLER: So, y’all see the news this weekend?

JACOB: Man, I just said that!

ANTHONY: (Anthony talking under his breath) Guys, we gotta calm down!

They are now at the front of the line and about to check their work tickets. They put on their helmets, walk out the work place, and await instruction. They sit down center stage.

ANTHONY: I’ve been thinking. (A brief pause) Maybe it’s better we tell Mr. Jackson we know who it is, but we want something in return.

Tyler and Jacob look at each other.

JACOB: Man, I don’t know, I think I’d be better to stay away from this.

Jacob and Anthony look at Tyler.

ANTHONY: What do you think Ty?

Tyler mulls over both ideas in his head.

TYLER: I kinda like Anthony’s idea.

JACOB:  What?! It’s his fault we’re in this situation in the first place.

ANTHONY: Well suit yourself. Ty and I will go after work.

JACOB: There is no way I’m going.

ANTHONY: Fine.

Tyler shrugs his shoulders.

TYLER: It’s your choice.

Jacob, obviously irritated that his idea wasn’t used stomps off and exits stage left.

ANTHONY: Let’s go talk to him now. He’s probably around here somewhere.

Tyler shrugs.

TYLER: Yea, let’s get it over with.

Blackout, end scene.

Act VII

The scene starts as Anthony and Tyler are led in from stage left by a secretary. They sit in two large expensive looking chairs.

SECRETARY: Mr. Jackson will be in shortly.

As the secretary exits stage left, Anthony and Tyler look at each other.

ANTHONY: She is so hot.

Ensuing conversation is under their breaths.

TYLER: Dude! We haven’t thought about this at all! Who are we even gonna say it was?!

ANTHONY: Tyler.

TYLER: Yes.

ANTHONY: Calm down and let me handle this.

TYLER: How am I supposed to let you handle this when you have given it zero thought? You’re checking out his goddamn secretary and you’re a fucking idiot to begin with!

Anthony looks at Tyler distraught.

ANTHONY: Just calm down and let me handle it.

Mr. Jackson enters stage right flanked by a police officer, a secretary, and a body guard.

MR. JACKSON: My People tell me you have news about my daughter, but make it quick. I have a flight to catch in half an hour.

Anthony stands up to shake Mr. Jackson’s hand, body guard walks over and forcibly places Anthony back into his chair.

MR. JACKSON: You have five minutes.

ANTHONY: Well, Mr. Jackson, we know who raped and nearly killed your daughter.

Tyler looks at Anthony surprised, knowing no rape occurred.

MR. JACKSON: You have four minutes! Or the whole water park operation goes to Burnsville and this place goes back to being a ghost town!

ANTHONY: It was Jacob Kreis.

The Police Officer rushes out stage right. Tyler, stunned stares at Anthony, who has a smug look on his face. Mr. Jackson has a satisfied look on his face.

MR. JACKSON: Well, thank you for your time, escort yourselves out.

Mr. Jackson, body guard, and secretary exit stage right. Anthony and Tyler are left in the room.

TYLER: How…how…how could you!?

ANTHONY: What?

TYLER: You turned Jacob in! He’s going to go to jail! Maybe even for life!

ANTHONY: It was either you or him.

Anthony gets up and exits stage left. Tyler is left on stage alone stunned and infuriated.

Blackout

THE END

The Elephant in the Room-- A play by Kendall Reingold ('12)

During the fall trimester each senior in James Watson’s play writing class composed a 20-50 page play. Beginning with The Elephant in the Room, a comedy written by Kendall Reingold, The Cardinal will be publishing a series of these plays. All of the plays written in the senior elective were submitted to ACT Theater’s playwriting contest. Of the hundreds of plays that were entered in the competition, Kendall’s was among eight that were selected to be performed two weeks ago at the ACT Theater’s Young Playwrights Festival. According to Kendall, “Working with professional actors and a professional director was incredible! I learned so much about how plays become performances and it was absolutely amazing to see what I'd written come to life.” Not only did Kendall receive the opportunity to work with professional actors and directors to make her play ready for the stage, but she was paid for her work as well. A truly brilliant comedy, The Elephant in the Room was a hit at the festival and Kendall’s hard work has definitely paid off. Finally, we at The Carinal welcome creative work (plays, poems, short stories, photographs, visual pieces, videos, podcasts, etc…) from other students in the SAAS community; both class work and personal pieces.

xxx

The Elephant in the Room

By Kendall Reingold

Characters

KATIE GREENBERG: daughter of Linda and Mark, 17 years old

LINDA GREENBERG: mother of Katie, wife of Mark, late forties-early fifties, bohemian wardrobe

MARK GREENBERG: father of Katie, husband of Linda, late forties-early fifties, wears Birkenstocks

TYLER: boyfriend of Katie, 17 years old, may have a mild Southern accent

  Scene I

Setting:  The Greenberg family living room—a nice, but not flashy, semi-suburban home in Seattle in approximately 2011.  Include a front door, a dining table, and stairs that descend into the room.

Linda and Mark are reading on the couch, preferably intellectual, progressive books or newspapers.  Katie enters from the stairs, dressed for a date.

KATIE: Bye, mom!  Bye, dad!

MARK (looking up): Did you feed the chickens?

KATIE: Yeah, this morning.

LINDA: And did you collect the eggs?

KATIE (impatient): YES.  There were six.

LINDA: Oh, great!  I’ll make a frittata or something.  You picked all the radicchio, right?

KATIE: Yeah.

MARK: So where are you going, anyway?

KATIE: I already told you, I’m meeting Tyler for dinner.

LINDA:  It was on the calendar, Mark.

MARK: ­­­­Nobody tells me anything around here.  Well, when do you think you’ll be home?

KATIE: Um…maybe eleven?  Can I take the Prius?

MARK: Sure.  See you then!

LINDA: Oh, did you decide if you want to come to the ACLU auction with me on Wednesday?

KATIE (uncomfortable): I…can’t.  Lots of homework.

LINDA: That’s too bad.  Well, be safe on the roads!

KATIE (still a little antsy): Okay, bye.  (Exits through the door)

Lights go out.

Scene II

Katie enters through the door, happy.

MARK: Hi, Katie.

LINDA: How was dinner?

KATIE: It was good.

MARK: Where did you guys go?

KATIE: This Italian place downtown.

LINDA: So you and this guy…Tyler?

Katie nods

LINDA: … have been hanging out a lot.  When do we get to meet him?

KATIE: Um…eventually…

MARK: What’s with the hesitancy?

KATIE (snappily): Nothing!

LINDA: What’s wrong?

KATIE: Nothing, nothing; I just…he’s kind of…

MARK (half-joking): He’s not a Republican, is he?  (Chuckles a little; silence ensues.)  Oh my god.  He is NOT!

KATIE: It’s no big deal…

LINDA: Honey, you can’t be serious.

KATIE: I mean, uh, his…um…family…

MARK: A Republican?

KATIE: Dad, mom…

LINDA: My daughter’s new boyfriend is a Republican!  (Slightly hysterical) HE MIGHT AS WELL BE GLENN BECK JUNIOR!

KATIE: Mom, you’re freaking out.

MARK: Linda, don’t yell.  Katie, what did I ever do to make you want to do this?

KATIE: I knew you’d be like this.

LINDA: Mark, Mark, MARK, our daughter is out of her mind!

KATIE: You’re out of your mind!  Just give him a chance.  He’s a nice guy.

LINDA: Well…I suppose we could have him over for dinner.  Tomorrow.  Yes, tomorrow (smiles).  That way we can…get to know each other (winks at Mark).

Lights go out.

Scene III

Now, the living room is decorated with “Obama 2012” and “Pro-Choice Washington” materials, etc.  The table is set for four people.

Katie is waiting nervously on the couch.  The doorbell rings.

KATIE: I’ll get it!

She opens the door.  Tyler enters

TYLER: Hey.

KATIE: Hi.  So…here we are.  Thanks again for doing this.  I hope my parents aren’t too crazy.

TYLER: Oh, I’m sure it’ll be fine.

KATIE (grimly): I guess we’ll see…

Linda and Mark (carrying a drink) enter from offstage.

LINDA: Oh, you must be Tyler!  We’ve heard so much about you (glances pointedly at Katie).

TYLER: It’s nice to meet you, Mr. and Mrs. Greenberg. (Shakes their hands)

LINDA: Call me Linda.

MARK: And I’m Mark.

LINDA: Why don’t you come and sit down?  Dinner won’t be ready for another few minutes.  (She leads the kids to a couch with a prominent view of the “Obama 2012” poster.  Mark follows and sits down with her, opposite the kids.)

MARK: So, Tyler.  Tell us about yourself.

TYLER: Well, I just moved up to Seattle last year, and—

LINDA: Oh, from where?  Mark’s from San Francisco, but I’ve lived here all my life.

TYLER: I’m from the South.

MARK (choking on his drink): The South?  (Clears his throat) You don’t say.  Let me guess, (hopeful, but worried) um…Olympia?  (Pause) Portland?  (Pause, then, nervously,) Los Angeles?

TYLER: Actually, I’m from Mississippi.  Jackson, to be exact.

MARK (strained): Katie, you didn’t mention that!  How…quaint…

LINDA: Isn’t that cute!  A real-live Mississippian!  That’s how you people call yourselves, right?

TYLER: Yes, ma’am.

LINDA: Aw, look at you, with your backwa—I mean, old-fashioned manners and everything!  Just like the characters in To Kill a Mockingbird (chuckles).  But please, call me Linda.

KATIE (embarrassed): Uh…is that the oven timer I hear beeping?

LINDA: Oh, calm down, Katie!  (Pause) I do have to get dinner out, though.  Everybody, sit down at the table.  (She exits offstage)

Mark, Katie, and Tyler sit down at the table.  Linda re-enters with dinner: squash stuffed with a mysterious grain and vegetables.

LINDA: Here we are!  It’s a new recipe from Namaste Magazine—acorn squash stuffed with quinoa and chard.  I wasn’t sure if you were a vegetarian, so I decided to be safe.  Katie’s last boyfriend was a vegan, you know.

MARK: You mean Jake?  Great guy.

LINDA: And so handsome!  Such a shame he had to leave for Yale.

KATIE (almost interrupting, makes an “ahem” sound, then, a little too loudly,): Please pass the water!

A short awkward silence ensues

TYLER (serving himself some squash): Thank you for dinner, ma’am.  Sorry—Linda.

Linda smiles and watches as he takes a bite, almost giggling when he struggles to swallow.

MARK: So, Mississippi.  Go Tar Heels, right?

TYLER: Well…actually that’s North Carolina.  Ole Miss is home to the Rebels.

MARK: Oh, Rebels, huh?  Still got that spirit of 1860 down there, don’t ya?  (Laughs)

KATIE: DAD!

TYLER (to Katie): It’s okay, (obviously lying—) I…get that all the time…

KATIE (to Tyler, quietly): I am so sorry about all this.

TYLER: Don’t worry about it.

Silence

KATIE: So…how was your day, Mom?

LINDA: I got fifty eight more signatures for the petition!  You know, Katie, you really should come to these things with me.

KATIE (very uncomfortable): Maybe…sometime…you know it’s not really my thing…

TYLER: What sort of petition are you working on?

LINDA: Oh, it’s to get state funding to provide daily organic cooking classes at all public schools, K through twelve.  We’ve got such a great group of people working on it.  You know, who can’t stand by and let big food corporations ruin the planet.

MARK: You’re involved in politics, aren’t you, Tyler?

TYLER (warily): Yes…

LINDA: Oh, that’s lovely!  What do you do?

TYLER: I’ve been volunteering…for the Jack Sheffield campaign.

LINDA (stiffening): As in…the incumbent…?

TYLER: Yes, him.

LINDA (tensely): Really…well that is just…perfect.

Uncomfortable silence, as people finish the food

KATIE: Wow, look at the time!  Tyler, don’t we have to head out soon if we want to make it to the movie?

TYLER: Uh…yeah, looks like we do.  (Looks questioningly at Katie) I guess we should get going.  Thank you so much for dinner, Mr. and Mrs. Greenberg.

MARK: You’re welcome.  You two have fun; drive safe.  And have Katie home by eleven.

TYLER: Absolutely.  Goodnight!

KATIE: Goodnight.

Tyler and Katie exit through the front door.

LINDA: Unbelievable.  Jack Sheffield?

MARK: Honey, what did you expect?  He is a…Republican…

LINDA: But it’s worse!  He’s not just some undecided child—he is an active enabler of the right-wing agenda!

MARK: Well…isn’t that actually better in some ways?

LINDA: Like what?  Give me one good reason.

MARK: I mean, at least the kid stands up for what he believes in?  He’s genuinely committed to his cause.  Even though his cause is despicable…I guess we should at least give him some credit.  What I’m saying is, even though he’s a…Republican…at least he knows how to follow through.

LINDA: Whose side are you on, huh?

MARK: Nobody’s.  I’m just trying to make the best of this mess, that’s all.

Pause.

LINDA: (Sighs) I guess you’ve got a point.  But what did we ever do to deserve this?

MARK: Oh, it’ll be over before you know it.  (Putting his arm around Linda, comforting her) You know how these teenage relationships are—fizzled out with within a few months.  We’ll have our daughter back any day now.  Good as new.

Lights go out.

Scene IV

Katie and Tyler enter the empty living room; it is dark outside.

KATIE: That was fun.  I hope my parents don’t ask me about the “movie” (laughs).

TYLER: I can’t believe you told them we were going to a movie.

KATIE: I told you that was what I was going to say.

TYLER (more serious): Why didn’t you tell them?

Pause

KATIE: I just couldn’t do it.

TYLER: Well, you’ll have to sometime…

KATIE: I know, but not yet.

TYLER: You don’t need to be scared; they’re your parents.

KATIE: Exactly!  You met them!  You know they won’t be able to handle it!

TYLER: It might be hard at first, but they’ll come around.

KATIE: I don’t know…

TYLER: Look, I get it.  I know how hard it is in this city—don’t think I haven’t struggled with people like your parents—but at some point you can’t hide who you are anymore.  Sooner or later you’re going to need to tell them.

KATIE: I guess…I mean, I do want them to know, but I can’t yet.  I mean, they’d try to accept it but I just don’t think they could.  I guess…I’m afraid to find out.

TYLER: I get that.  It’s okay.  No need to rush.

KATIE: Thank you…for everything.

TYLER: Anytime.  I know you’ll tell them when you’re ready.

Pause

KATIE: Tyler…Am I a bad daughter?  You know, for…I feel like I’m betraying them.

TYLER: Absolutely not.  You can’t change who you are, and your parents know that.  It might take some getting used to, but you can’t let them get in the way of your feelings.

KATIE: If you say so.  Well, I better go inside.  Don’t want to miss curfew on top of all this.

TYLER: Goodnight.  (They hug)

Lights go out.

Scene V

Linda and Mark are sitting down, each busy with an individual activity.  Katie enters, barefoot, carrying a pair of shoes, which she begins to put on.

LINDA: Is Tyler coming over next weekend?

KATIE: No.  He’s busy.

LINDA: Oh, that’s too bad.  There’s this amazing new Silent Opera at Benaroya Hall, about the lives of Alice B. Toklas and Gertrude Stein.  I thought it would be fun for us all to go see it.

KATIE (embarrassed): Oh no…

MARK: Come on, it’d be great!  I’m sure he’d love to see what culture looks like.

KATIE: I’m sure he’s perfectly well cultured.  He lives in the same city as we do.

MARK: Well, he did spend his first sixteen years in the land of… (With contempt) NASCAR.

KATIE: Oh my god; leave him alone!  He can’t even go to the stupid Silent Opera, so there’s no point figuring out how it’ll “educate” him.

MARK: Alright, alright.

LINDA: So where are you going today?

KATIE: Out...with Tyler.

LINDA: What’s your plan?

KATIE: I…don’t know yet…I’ll be home by six.  Have you seen my blue jacket?

LINDA: You left it on the couch; right there (points to it).  Are you going to be outside much?

KATIE: Um…it’s possible.  I’m not sure.  Just…trying to be prepared, you know (smiles and picks up the jacket).

LINDA: Okay…

KATIE: Great.  See you then!  (She exits out the front door)

LINDA: I wish she’d tell me more.

MARK: As long as she’s staying out of trouble…

LINDA: You’re right.  She’s a good kid.  It’s just…first the Republican, and now she won’t tell us where she’s going with him?  I’m…a little worried.

MARK: She’s a teenager.  I just wish she wouldn’t take this new “rebellious” thing so far.

LINDA: I know.  This phase had better pass soon.

Lights go out.

Scene VI

Linda and Katie are arguing.  Mark is reading the Seattle Times.

LINDA: Katie, you know your father and I are just looking out for you.  We don’t want you getting mixed up with…bad influences.

KATIE: Are you serious right now?

LINDA: Of course I’m serious!  Look, you’re seventeen years old.  I know you want nothing more than to “assert your independence” by doing stuff just to piss off your parents.  Like, dating…him.

KATIE: That’s not what it is!

LINDA: (cutting her off) Look, Katie, you’re a smart, beautiful girl and we love you very much.  It just kills us as parents to see you throwing yourself into the world of government-hating, anti-welfare, gun-slinging evangelists.

KATIE: YOU’RE NOT GETTING THE POINT HERE.

LINDA: Yes, I am.  I don’t want you to lose sight of the way we brought you up; you know—

MARK (recoiling from his newspaper): HOLY CRAP!

LINDA: What?

MARK: What…is this?

LINDA: What is what?

MARK: Come over here…take a look at this article…

LINDA:  (reading): “Republicans Rally Downtown for Sheffield...” what’s the big deal, Mark?

KATIE:  (quietly): Uh oh…

MARK: Look…at the picture…Tell me who you think…

LINDA: OH MY GOD!  KATIE?!?!?

KATIE: I—

MARK: Is that really you?  Katie?  At the—

KATIE: I can explain.

LINDA (almost sarcastically): Oh, please do!  (Aside, more desperately) God, let there be some kind of explanation!

KATIE: Well…uh…you know…you raised me to think I was one kind of person, and I figured I was, my whole life, but…

LINDA: Yes!  Because that is a good kind of person to be!

KATIE: Yeah…but…

MARK: Are you saying that you think you might be…this…other kind of person?

KATIE: Yeah.  I wanted to tell—

MARK: Look, sometimes, after you’ve been raised to be one way…you start to wonder about the other way…so, sometimes…teenagers need to…experiment a little.  I get that.  You’re just trying to see what else is out there.

KATIE: No, I’ve seen what’s out there.  I’m sure.

LINDA: Katie, don’t be rash.  You’re young; your prefrontal cortex isn’t all there yet…you don’t really know what you want…

KATIE: Yes, I do.  About this, at least.

LINDA (strained): Oh god…

MARK: So you think…this is who you are?

KATIE: I do.  I wanted to tell you before, but I knew you’d have a hard time with it.  I was waiting for a better time.

LINDA: So…you really think you’re…

KATIE: Positive.  I am absolutely a Republican.

LINDA makes a small noise, like a gasp mixed with a squeak.

MARK: This is all Tyler’s fault, isn’t it?  I never should’ve let him influence you like that!

KATIE: No, Dad, Tyler didn’t make me this way.  It’s just who I am.  (She exits upstairs)

LINDA: Mark…oh my god…our own daughter?

MARK: I know.  Wow…

LINDA: Where did I go wrong?  How could this happen?

MARK: You didn’t do anything wrong.  You’ve been nothing but a great mom to her.  So I guess this means it was bound to happen.

LINDA: I guess.  It’s just…I never thought it would be our daughter.  Well, at least she hasn’t joined the NRA or anything.

MARK: And the day comes when we’re grateful our daughter doesn’t own a machine gun…

BOTH: laugh, and then go quiet.

LINDA: I really hope this isn’t permanent.

MARK: It can’t be.  I mean, this is Katie we’re talking about here.

LINDA: I know, but after what just happened, it’s hard to be sure what that means.

MARK: Come on, you said it yourself; her brain is far from being fully developed.  I actually just heard this interview on NPR about how teenage brains are actually like those of crazy people!

LINDA: Ha, that seems rather obvious now.

MARK: Well…what are we gonna do?

LINDA (sighing): I guess…I guess we’ll have to try to accept it.  If we don’t, she’ll probably just go off the deep end—maybe even, God forbid, join a— (shuddering at the word) church.

MARK: No!  We can’t let that happen.

LINDA: Exactly.

MARK: Hm.  (Pause) Well…you know what this means (begins to smile).

LINDA: What?

MARK (wryly): Our room and her room are now bipartisan chambers.

Linda and Mark begin to laugh nervously, as lights dim and go out.

FIN

Winterball 2012

By Maggie Schecter ('13), Alexa Strabuk ('13), and Sophie Reingold ('14) There was an air of drama and mystique on January 28 as partygoers, hidden behind lavish masks, flocked to the annual Winter Ball. The masquerade theme was represented through all sorts of masks ranging from paper cut-outs to Spider man. Numerous limos pulled up in front of the Seattle Art Museum, something onlookers thought was rather strange.

This year we were lucky enough to hold the event at the Seattle Art Museum, one of the most respected places in the Seattle area. Renowned for its stunning collections and cavernous gallery space, the SAM has housed all sorts of fundraisers and other social events.  In years past Winter Ball was held at places including the Space Needle and the Argosy Cruise passenger boat, but never the Seattle Art Museum.

So what made ASB choose SAM for Winter Ball 2012? As ASB Treasurer, Elliot Frank ‘13, stated in an interview, “SAM will be a fun, energetic location for Winter Ball.” The dance was held in the SAM lobby which exhibits the famous car display by artist Cai Guo-Qiang. “It's a really cool building and SAM is also conveniently located in the heart of downtown,” Elliot said.

In order for ASB to make this year memorable, they brainstormed ways to secure such a renowned location. Through parent connections, ASB was able to reserve the lobby of the SAM and negotiate lower prices.  Due to ASB’s hard work this year, ticket prices were much cheaper than years past.

The best, but most anxiety provoking, part of every dance is inviting a date. Students at SAAS tend to have extremely creative ways of asking other students to the dance. Methods include baking cupcakes or cakes with the words “Winter Ball” written across them in icing, singing a song with creative lyrics involving Winter Ball, asking with candy or flowers, or taking the traditional route by just asking someone. No matter how people choose to ask, it’s always a fun and important part of the dance.

This year’s Winter Ball also featured student DJ, Max Pfeiffer ’13.  “Max did a great job DJ-ing the first dance so we hired him again,” commented Elliot.  With the photo booth run by Nick Lew’s father, along with drinks, snacks, music and a stunning location, Winter Ball was more fun than ever!

Masquerade was officially over at eleven, but the evening continued for some who had parties at their homes after the dance was done. Examples of fun after parties include movie outings and late night dining. The post-Winter Ball parties carried the fun of the night into the late hours.

Perhaps the night was summed up best by eleventh grade student, Matthew Callaghan, “The lights of the cars in combination with the great music created an experience that truly outdid any previous Winter Balls. I had a great time.”

Photography by Sally Slade

2011-12 ASB!

  “It’s great! Rich is da homie,” Ruby Lee '12 says of the Associated Student Body (ASB) faculty advisor Rich Stearns. President Alexander Barsher ’12, Vice President Ruby Lee ’12, Secretary Emily Norris ’11, Co-Treasurer Elliot Frank ’11, and Co-Treasurer Lindsey Vandergrift ’12 have been hard at work as Seattle Academy’s ASB.

Last year, the school had its first ever tie for a position in ASB. Students were shocked to hear that Vandergrift and Frank tied for the position of Treasurer. Most students felt that both Frank and Vandergrift deserved the position equally when they showed leadership, humor, and public speaking skills when they gave their speeches last spring. Frank and Vandergrift (and probably the entire student body) were relieved to hear that the administration didn’t make the student body vote again to designate a sole person for the position. So far, everything seems to be working out well for the group to have two people in a position usually meant for one. If anything, it seems to be making the dynamic even better with one more person with whom to brainstorm, Lee expressed.

ASB held the first school dance on October 28 with the theme of “Hoedown Throw down.” ASB’s dedication was clear when they showed up to the Monday morning meeting on October 24, 2011 all wearing cowboy hats with Norris’ opening salutation, “Howdy y’all!” As Frank says, “I was surprised in how much room they gave us to be creative. The administration kind of just tells you to plan Winter Ball and we have to go from there.” And clearly they have done more than just work on Winter Ball; they have already been talking about plans for Prom and there are ideas in the works for other events this year.  When talking about plans for Winter Ball, Lee was pretty secretive in divulging anything because not everything is set in stone. She did mention, however, that there is a possibility that the dance won’t be on a boat this year and that the date is set for late January. Although there was a rumor going around that the dance was going to happen before Christmas, Lee said that because of accreditation some ideas the team had weren’t able to be executed. Lee also mentioned that they were going to try to make it even better than next year. We can only wait and see what ASB has planned. No doubt, if the group can execute Winter Ball as well as they did for the Hoedown- we’re in for a great and memorable Winter Ball.

When asked if they thought the job was harder in reality than they thought it would be, most said that it wasn’t harder than they thought, and that they were actually given more room for creativity and freedom to really work on their ideas. Although there have been a few issues, all have been resolved. The issues have ranged from ideas being outside the school boundaries to ideas being a little too outlandish. There was an idea to have a homecoming Dodge ball game against another school with a dance afterwards. But due to not being able to hold other schools’ students accountable, the administration was not able to approve the idea.  Despite their minor setbacks the group has really been able to thrive and work well together. Even before school started, the group was brainstorming ideas for Winter Ball, Prom, and the first casual dance, proving their leadership skills from before Day 1. Their approachability, unity, and mixture of interests in the school’s community is invigorating. ASB has all the essential elements for a great and cohesive group, from Lee’s warm smile and wave in the halls, to Frank’s humor and fearlessness in Francoise’s class and Norris’ dedication to her soccer team. Barsher’s goofy grin and infamous laugh, and Vandergrift’s constant calm and kindness, this group of Seniors and Juniors really care about their community’s well-being and are doing an excellent job representing the student body.

A Day in Robotics

Published by Bridget White  ('14) on December 15, 2011 A few weeks ago, I sat in on a meeting of the school’s Robotics Club. Upper School kids of all grades filtered in and took their respective places. This was their first meeting, and it mostly consisted of introductions and overviews. This year, the new addition was the Public Relations branch. As the club members spit-balled about marketing tactics, I realized I truly didn’t know anything about the Robotics Club, except for what the name implies.

As it turns out, last year, Seattle Academy’s Robotics Club was able to attend the FIRST World Championships in St. Louis last year. FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) is an organization designed to get kids involved in science and technology, often through robotics. The Robotics Club’s team, Sector SAAS, competes in what’s called the FIRST Tech Challenge. They have several mentors to provide insight on various complications they might experience. The mentor they most frequently interact with is Larry Ryan, an alum parent (Page Ive ’10) and retired electrical engineer from HP. That being said, I still had more questions about each team member’s role.

“I write code for the driver controlled period and the autonomous period,” said Alec Guthrie ’14, who joined the club last year. The aforementioned terms, he explained, just mean when the driver controls the robot and when it is moving by itself. Alec claimed he got his start in programming in 8^th grade through Max Chen ’14, whom he has known since elementary school. Max, on the other hand, claimed he had gotten his start through Alec. Both took software development last year,  and the Robotics Club seemed like the next logical step to continue programming in addition to their personal side projects.

Alec and Max agreed that they do a lot of debugging code while Morgan Gellert ’13 does a lot of writing it. Morgan can’t help being good at what he does. He has been doing it since he took an elementary school Lego robotics class, the same class he now teaches in the summer. He was pretty modest about his accomplishments when I spoke with him, but other members of the club filled me in on his remarkable prowess and work ethic.

These two assets will come in handy at the first competition for Sector SAAS. They’re currently still in the design process for the robot, but they’re beginning to see each individual piece become more and more refined. When it’s finished, the robot will be able to stack storage crates, push around a bowling ball, pick racket balls up off the floor, and place items in taped off squares or storage crates. Each successfully completed action will earn points for the team, advancing them in the competition.

While the design of the robot has yet to be finished, members have noted a drastic improvement in the process and structure of the club. There is a sense of excitement among the members about the upcoming season, in addition to the actual work involved in creating the robot. For many students, the Robotics Club is one of the only opportunities for them to utilize and refine this increasingly useful skill set. In this day and age, with the search for jobs being more competitive than ever, knowledge and experience in robotics could be the defining factors in one’s application for employment. To be naturally good with technology is rare enough, but to be truly passionate about it is to be blessed with an invaluable gift. The members of Sector SAAS seem to have both the the skill and the drive necessary to go far in the FIRST Tech Challenge, in robotics, and in the real world.  Those interested in learning about the Robotics Club would be hard pressed to find a better, or more welcoming, group of people to have at their very own school.

Lights, Camera, Chicago!

In November, the story of murder, greed, venality, violence, exploitation, adultery, and treachery came to life in Seattle Academy’s rendition of Chicago. Set in the 1920s, also known as the jazz age, Chicago revolves around the two merry murderesses of Cook County Jail: Velma Kelly, a vaudeville legend, and Roxy Hart, a housewife longing to become a star.  Both convicted murderers, they are fighting for fame that will keep them from facing the death sentence. Lucky for Roxy with the help of hotshot lawyer Billy Flynn, she may be able to deceive the newspapers into thinking she’s no more a scheming murderess than an innocent housewife. Seattle Academy director, Mike Cimino worked hard to make this production of Chicago unforgettable and in striving to do so, Chicago was the first production Cimino had double-casted. This not only allowed for more people to be involved in the show but also more creative freedom in interpreting the characters.

Another key aspect of the show was the live band that provided music high above the stage. The tech theatre department made this possible by working hard to create a stand in the air for the band to perform throughout the show.

As an audience member, I was wowed by the spectacular performances from both the cast and crew whose hard work paid off, producing a performance that exceeded all my expectations. The cast brought both humor and drama, leaving the audience members laughing, crying, and wanting more. Based on Chicago’s high quality of direction, costume design, and talent, I am excited for future SAAS performances with hopes that they will bring the same excitement and entertainment value as Chicago did.

New SAAS Clubs

Published by Alexa Strabuk ('13) and Sophie Reingold ('14) on December 15, 2011 With the start of a new year comes opportunities and chances to try something new.  SAAS has a wide range of clubs and extracurricular activities to satisfy all interests.  This year a number of new clubs have emerged to a great reception from the student body.  We picked three new clubs and interviewed their founders to see what the clubs are about and what they will do for the SAAS community.

Carly Montague '14 and Emily Hilton '14 have always loved to write fiction.   They noticed that there were few creative writing opportunities for students, so they started the Creative Writing Club.  They wanted to share their passion for writing with other students, as well as a comfortable place to share ideas and improve writing skills. The club is meant to unify those who use creative writing as a creative or expressive outlet.  If the club gains popularity, they hope to enter into some writing competitions, as well as invite guest speakers on campus.  They also hope to get the club’s work published.  Writing is something that is important in the SAAS community and is also one of the most important ways of communicating and expressing ideas and oneself.   Carly and Emily say that if you don’t think you’re good, you should still come and find out that people do want to listen.  They want to hear your ideas and share theirs with you.  You can also come if you just love to write, want to improve writing skills, or can appreciate some tasty homemade cookies. The Creative Writing Club meets on Fridays in S2.

What better way to spend your Wednesday lunch than eating delicious food with great company? Culinary Society founder Jeremy Alben '13 is easily the most qualified when it comes to cooking.  He has worked at restaurants such as Marjorie on Capitol Hill, Fords Filling Station in Los Angeles, and Hitchcock on Bainbridge Island. Currently, he is working at La Bête downtown.  Jeremy decided to continue his pursuit and passion for cooking by starting the Culinary Society at Seattle Academy.  The club has weekly themes. For example, the Wednesday before Halloween was “Pumpkin Week,” in which all members brought a food item that was pumpkin flavored.  The club has met for one CSSA dinner, where members got together and cooked a multiple course meal.  For the future, the CSSA hopes to host a benefit dinner or work with a charity. If the club gains more people, Jeremy hopes to create a network of people in which to discuss cooking, share ideas, and do what they love.   If you love to cook, or have any interest in cooking and food, CSSA is the perfect place for you.  November was “Middle East November” and December is “French December.” Come share your palette and cooking abilities with Jeremy and the CSSA crew on Wednesdays at lunch in the Green Room.

A former SAAS club, the Gay Straight Alliance, has been revived this year. The club’s slogan is, “A school as diverse as SAAS [should] have a safe and supportive environment to talk about issues relating to gender expression, identity, and sexual orientation and how they affect everyone in our community.” The GSA was introduced as a club to support the Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual/Transgender/Questioning (LGBTQ) youth and for discussion and information on other related topics. The Gay Straight Alliance was started by SAAS students to raise and spread awareness among fellow students. The club hopes to get guest speakers, perhaps have a GSA dance, join events with GSA clubs from other schools, and raise money for local gay rights groups. The Gay Straight Alliance invites students to join their cause in spreading awareness and to “get your swag on with SWAGON! (Students Who Are Gay…Or Not)”.   The GSA meets on Fridays in VB2.

With all the new clubs, this year is off to an exciting start! Clubs are a great way to get involved in the SAAS community and be a part of something you are passionate about. Be sure to check out all the other new clubs including the Anime Club, the Ping-Pong Club, and the Music Production Club. Life offers all sorts of opportunities to explore, and all the SAAS clubs allow you to take advantage of those opportunities.  Join! Who knows what you might get out of it.

Interview with Todd Wallenius

Published by Leila Gant ('13) and Izzy Bank ('13) 0n December 15, 2011 This year SAAS has welcomed many new faculty members, including history teacher Todd Wallenius. Along with teaching history, Todd coaches boys’ soccer and basketball. The blonde Californian is very passionate about seeing his students learn new things; his fresh and young teaching style engages SAAS students in an amazing way. Todd was born and raised in a small beach town near San Diego, along with his younger sister and his dog, Flash. After graduating Whitman College in Walla Walla, WA, Todd knew he wanted to pursue a job in teaching his favorite subject, history. He moved to Seattle and has been living here for a year and a half.

Todd’s Favorites:

Sport to watch?

Soccer, definitely. I am way into soccer. I played in high school, college, and for a minor league team of the Sounders. I watch soccer highlights all the time now from England or Spain.

Ice cream flavor?

Mint chocolate chip.

Book that you’ve read recently?

Love and the Time of Cholera, by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. He’s a great Spanish author.

Favorite childhood book?

All the Places You’ll Go, by Dr. Seuss, is a classic.

Favorite place in Seattle?

I really like Capitol Hill a lot, like Cal Anderson Park or Volunteer Park.

Favorite season (in general)?

I’d have to say summer. I grew up in San Diego so I’m just used to these epic summers of going to the beach all day.

All-time favorite movie?

Eternal Sunshine of a Spotless Mind, or Inception.

Favorite TV show as a kid?

Scooby-Doo.

Kind of animal (real or imaginary)?

Probably a dragon.

General Questions:

Q: Do you have any siblings?

A: I have a younger sister, she’s twenty, and she’s…cool. She’s studying abroad in Madrid right now.

Q: Did you have any pets as a child?

A: Yeah, I had dogs. I don’t have a pet now. I miss my pets. I had a dog named Flash, but he was run over by a car when I was a kid. We had to bury him in our front yard.

Q: What were your favorite bands growing up? What bands are you into now?

A: In high school, my favorite band was Modest Mouse. Now, I don’t know; I like a lot of music. I’m really into music. Recently, I’ve been getting into Shabazz Palaces, a Seattle hip-hop duo.

Q: What schools did you go to for high school and college?

A: I went to San Dieguito Academy.  It was a public school with lots of people and definitely a different culture from SAAS. Then, I went to Whitman College in Walla Walla, Washington, which is much more similar to what SAAS is like.

Fun Questions:

Q: Do you have any significant role models or people who inspire you?

A: I would probably say my parents; I really admire my mom a lot. Also, I had a high school history teacher, and he was my soccer coach as well. Ever since then I’ve wanted to be a history teacher and soccer coach as well. His name is Mr. Hrzina.

Q: What is the most embarrassing moment that you can remember from your high school experience?

A: I just remember lots of people at my high school had long hair, including the guys. So, I had long hair, and my dad always told me that I had to get a haircut. One day, he just grabbed me and cut straight across my bangs. I had to go play a soccer game with long hair and no bangs. I warmed up in a beanie, but then I had to take it off and go socialize with this weird-looking haircut.

Q: If you could own any exotic animal, real or imaginary, what would it be?

A: A hammerhead shark.

Q: Where do you see yourself in ten years?

A: In ten years, I see myself probably still teaching.

Q: Did you have any weird phases in high school that you can remember?

A: I’ve had phases. However, I don’t consider them phases because they’re very much a part of who I am. I definitely had a skater phase in middle school and at the beginning of high school. As I got into soccer I had less time for skating though.

Q: How long have you lived in Seattle? What do you like and dislike about it?

A: I’ve been in Seattle for a year and a half. I really like Seattle. It has great stuff to offer in terms of art, culture, and music. There are lots of great events going on in terms of that. I think we have the highest rate of educated people, which creates an overall more intellectual city, which I like. I think it’s a really beautiful place, and there are some good restaurants too. I dislike the traffic and no longer drive anywhere because of it. My SAAS experience has been great so far. The students have been really welcoming. It’s been a whirlwind; it’s been really busy. There’s something so special about the community and the culture, which I am very happy to be a part of.

Q: Who was your first celebrity crush?

A: Britney Spears was my first celebrity crush. Now, I don’t know. I don’t really follow celebrity stuff anymore.

Q: What are the best and worst parts of being a teacher?

A: The best parts are…I love seeing kids learn. I like starting an activity, and watching the kids discussing and learning, or walking out of a class and having that feeling that it went really well and everyone was engaged. That’s the best feeling. I think the worst thing is grading. It takes so long, way longer than I ever thought it would.