Talisman

The Student News Site of Ballard High School
ASB, school administration prepare for graduation
ASB, school administration prepare for graduation
Jack Rees (top left), Hanzo Watanabe (top right), and Thijs Buning (middle) will become next years sophmore ambassadors.
The future of ASB: upcoming sophomores elect ambassadors
Scholar of the Quarter program returns, assisted by Plant Club
Scholar of the Quarter program returns, assisted by Plant Club
Old tile covered by a layer of plaster outside of the Ceramics classroom.
BEACH Club Works to Remodel School Decorations
Engineering classes receive school cuts
Students from all across Seattle Public Schools (SPS) congregated in front of The John Stanford Center building protesting SPS's decision to split lunches across the district. They came in droves with posters and defiant attitudes.
District wide policy splits school lunches
Senior Lola Stoffels-Sack has grown up sewing and designing; it’s hard to imagine her pursuing anything other than fashion design because of her love for the art.
Graduating with style
After being introduced to firefighting by her mentor Todd Wollum from the Shoreline Fire Department, King enrolled in the Skills Center FITE (First in Training and Education) class, taught by on-duty firefighters.
Fighting fire without fear
With many students becoming legal adults, applying for jobs and stressing about their fiscal future, a clear connection can be drawn between students and gambling.
Rolling the dice on teen gambling
Sarah Decoy, the new home economics teacher, pictured instructing her class during a project.
Creating comfort and connection
Senior and lacrosse captain Thomas Volosin became more confident as he stayed on the team and became captain. As a freshman, he was less close with his teammates, but as a senior their team chemistry grew and they played even better. (Courtesy of Thomas Volosin)
How do high school sports shape senior athletes’ lives?
Captain and senior Maddie Singer aims a pass towards her teammates, the energy that she brings to the sport keeping them driven. (Courtesy of Anthony Spinelli)
From overlooked to ranked, girls lacrosse is heading to Regionals
Senior and captain Owen Cutting sprints across the field, keeping the ball away from an opposing Roosevelt player. Midfield players adapt well when situations arise, helping the team’s success. (Courtesy of Steve Muench)
What makes a successful boys varsity soccer team?
“All In” is a phrase we often say to each other. It’s on the back of one of our practice shirts, and it is something we leave practice saying every single time. Those two words have made a huge impact on my life and my approach to nearly everything. (Courtesy of Varsity Spirit)
‘All In’ for Cheer winning Nationals
“Being able to provide a place where top female soccer players can play in front of big crowds and their community, and just the level of players all coming together on one team is really, really exciting,” Arrant said. (Courtesy of Marissa Lordahl)
Highlighting the future of women’s soccer
One of JFK's most famous speeches from American University, June 10, 1963, calling for the end of nuclear weapons and peace with the then, Soviet Union, which was delivered five months before his assassination.
Newly declassified files surrounding the JFK assassination do little to quell conspiracy theories
As our time on the Talisman comes to a close, we would like to express our immense gratitude for the community’s support for student journalism.
A letter from our graduating seniors
Our education system must come to view AI as a tool rather than a necessity because this technology can be helpful to an extent, but at the cost of our own creativity.
The value of imperfection: why human creativity matters more than AI efficiency
True stars like Marilyn Monroe are nonexistent in this social media age.
Missing super stars: the new pop culture
Prom should be about making memories, not trash, therefore vintage prom dresses are the perfect choice.
Vintage over Viral

Talisman

Talisman
Abigail Bekele

Abigail Bekele, Editor in Chief

I have really enjoyed the writing and talking skills journalism has taught me. It has become a passion of mine recently and something I would love to continue into my future career. Outside of journalism I always prioritize spending time with close friends and family. I am excited to get well acquainted with the rest of staff and aim to grow alongside everyone.

All content by Abigail Bekele
Students from all across Seattle Public Schools (SPS) congregated in front of The John Stanford Center building protesting SPS's decision to split lunches across the district. They came in droves with posters and defiant attitudes.

District wide policy splits school lunches

Abigail Bekele, Logan Lemonidis, and Noelle Shin
September 21, 2025
With many students becoming legal adults, applying for jobs and stressing about their fiscal future, a clear connection can be drawn between students and gambling.

Rolling the dice on teen gambling

Abigail Bekele and Xander Howarth
May 28, 2025
Abigail Bekele and field trip attendees steering a traditional Hawaiian navigation boat.

The unforgettable experience of high school in Hawaii

Abigail Bekele, Features Editor
April 2, 2025
Teaching in an AI dominated world

Teaching in an AI dominated world

Abigail Bekele, Features Editor
February 14, 2025
It’s impossible to unify these groups of people under one cultural banner so why is it so easy to do the same for Africans?

Shifting perspectives: Exploring African culture beyond a singular narrative

Abigail Bekele, Features Editor
February 14, 2025
Photo of the image that appears on school-issued devices that reads “this page is blocked.” (Seattle Public Schools)

District restricts online curricula

Abigail Bekele, Features Editor
November 20, 2024
Rose Champion (12) and Sam Razumna (11) on stage. (Courtesy of Callum Martinson)

Insight into the theater program

Abigail Bekele
December 14, 2023
The changing college landscape

The changing college landscape

Marley Helfer and Abigail Bekele
November 10, 2023
Image of Ember from Elemental

Disney’s latest release has an impactful theme

Abigail Bekele, Staff Reporter
November 7, 2023
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Abigail Bekele