Talisman

The Student News Site of Ballard High School
West Seattle High School’s (WSHS) Chinese program is closing down and teachers in the program are informed to transfer to a different high school. At WSHS, 475 both former and current students have signed a petition to help teacher Ying Yu continue her Chinese program. She shares that initially, the program offered only four classes with 90 students but with her initiatives, the program grew to be full-time with 154 students and 137 students on the waiting list. (Seattle Public Schools Board Meeting YouTube Channel: Seattle Schools Board Meeting May 8, 2024, [58:25])
SPS may consolidate 20 elementary schools due to budget shortfall
Located on the corner of 8th and 67th St, Take 5 Urban Market has been a keystone of the Whittier Heights neighborhood for 17 years.
Explosion Wrecks Local Corner Store
John Foster demonstrates a lesson for his metals class. A police investigation is ongoing concerning the stolen items which included two tool boxes and other cordless tools--some over 30 years old--from the woodshop and metals teacher John Foster's classroom, as well as a 3D printer and a computer from CTE teacher Brian Connolly's classroom.
Recent classroom break-in results in thousands of dollars of lost equipment
“Link Crew is meant to be a way for [upperclassmen] to help ninth graders with the transition to high school,” Laura Lehni, language arts teacher, ASB advisor and Link coordinator, said
Link Crew applications open for current sophomores and juniors
After several months of development, a new hall pass policy went into effect on March 18, 2024.
New hall passes for hallway crowding
"Bright future" is the artist's sixth solo studio album, released March 22, 2024. Lenker has steadily gained popularity over the last few years, with her most popular song being "anything," a tender ballad from her 2020 album "Songs." (CC by 2.0)
Adrianne Lenker’s future is bright
‘Content warning’: Get famous or die trying
The most recent installments in the franchise, "Kingdoms of the planet of the Apes," came out May 10, and like its predecessors, features impressive cgi and powerful story telling.
A new Kingdom rises in this film franchise
Almost every conversation in the film is about sex or tennis, and these conversations feel like rallies of the senses. While this could make the move passably brilliant, it really only makes it entertaining. "Challengers" is a joyous trainwreck of the senses, each one of them thrown around against the audiences will.
Broken hearts and broken rackets
Junior Sam Razumma plays Uncle Fester, the musicals narrator who guides us through the devious Addams Family history. (Tansy Velush)
When you’re an Addams
Asian Student Union (ASU) selling bubble tea at the front door entrance during lunch
Celebrating Asian American Heritage Month with the Asian Student Union
Schools across the country have adopted a new form of surveillance: Social Sentinel. It's intended use is admirable, that is proactively handling possible security concerns in the digital townsquare of social media
Exploring the role of AI surveillance in school monitoring of social media
After his leadership in the 2020 Black Lives Matter protests, Binda began the start of his Washington state governmental campaigns. Currently holding a seat on the Lynwood City Council, Binda is now running for the Washington State Congress.
From Adversity to Triumph
A space not just for women
A space not just for women
Main room in the pub featuring several activities including a photo booth, pool table, televisions, and a main seating room.
Rough and Tumble: the new take on a sports bar
Henry Willy [pictured left] taking the field with his teammates in a 10-11 loss vs. Saas.
Boys lacrosse poised for a playoff run this spring
Opening day of the Mariners season, in a 6-4 loss to the Red Sox.
A new season for the mariners
Cheer team competes at nationals in two categories
Senior wrestler Jacqueline Benson performing a takedown on her opponent.
Student wrestles her way to third place
Junior Lazlo Davis-Rudin after finishing in fifth place at the state tournament.
Boys Wrestling at the State competition
Why the Indian child welfare act needs to be honored
Why the Indian child welfare act needs to be honored
New York Times games getting more popular
Skincare rhetoric is an entire rabbit hole for young girls, luring them with their curiosity.
The younger they are, the older they seem
From mud to mainstream
From mud to mainstream
We’re relying on a language that’s founded on imprecise roots, with no sign of change coming anytime soon; many in the country are still stuck on the idea that gender is binary, and many won’t admit that humans are prone to making language mistakes.
They is not working the way it should

Talisman

Talisman
All content by Marley Helfer
John Foster demonstrates a lesson for his metals class. A police investigation is ongoing concerning the stolen items which included two tool boxes and other cordless tools--some over 30 years old--from the woodshop and metals teacher John Foster's classroom, as well as a 3D printer and a computer from CTE teacher Brian Connolly's classroom.

Recent classroom break-in results in thousands of dollars of lost equipment

Marley Helfer and Hazel Engstrom
May 15, 2024
We’re relying on a language that’s founded on imprecise roots, with no sign of change coming anytime soon; many in the country are still stuck on the idea that gender is binary, and many won’t admit that humans are prone to making language mistakes.

They is not working the way it should

Marley Helfer, Editor-in-Chief
May 6, 2024
If state officials, administration, teachers and parents are uncomfortable teaching students about topics that are much more relevant than precalculus homework and science projects, they are failing to recognize what students actually need.

An investigation into sex education

Marley Helfer, Editor-in-Chief
December 13, 2023
The changing college landscape

The changing college landscape

Marley Helfer and Abigail Bekele
November 10, 2023
John Foster's maritime class goes on a field trip on South Lake Union to learn about the Virginia V ship.

Maritime Academy makes a splash

Marley Helfer, Copy Editor
June 22, 2023
Junior Naomi Kildal joined gymnastics in second grade and has worked hard since then to get to level 10 in club gymnastics.

A balancing act: a gymnast’s story

Marley Helfer, Copy Editor
May 23, 2023
Filmmaker and actor Matthew Law gave students a visit for the first panel discussion in the Black Celebration Series, hosted by the Black Student Union.

Black Celebration Series presentation highlights black excellence

Marley Helfer, Copy Editor
May 23, 2023
So, why was my experience at this Kraken game so overwhelming? It comes back to a few unfortunately predictable things: money, attention and technology.

Advertising and overwhelm: the chaos of attending professional sports games

Marley Helfer, Copy Editor
April 24, 2023
Choir went to the Museum of Natural History, shopped on Fifth Avenue and saw the show ‘Hadestown’ on Broadway.

Choir performs in New York City

Marley Helfer, Copy Editor
April 21, 2023
Katrel followed a path of persistence and ambition to explore her interests and find the right community. After high school, she attended six different universities both in and out of the United States.

Living with curiosity: a teacher’s story

Marley Helfer, Copy Editor
March 17, 2023
What would happen if you got caught in an avalanche, got injured or got separated from your group? If you’re going into the wilderness without alertness and with a false sense of safety, you’re taking a big risk.

Risk vs. reward: you can’t fake your safety in the backcountry

Marley Helfer, Copy Editor
March 16, 2023
Oana Rus moved to the United States from Romania, sharing her passion for math with students.

Leaving behind a legacy: a teacher’s untold story

Marley Helfer, Staff Reporter
February 9, 2023
Student explores Tutor.com, a free tutoring service for all SPS students.

Tutor.com: an accessible tutoring service for students

Marley Helfer, Staff Reporter
December 16, 2022
After students gathered at City Hall, organizers led the group in a march through the surrounding streets. Thousands gathered around the focal point of the march: the large banner that read, “Ingraham Strong.”

Seattle students walk out for gun control and mental health resources

Hazel Engstrom, Xander Howarth, and Marley Helfer
December 15, 2022
Tommy Ager earned his Master's degree during the pandemic before teaching Japanese.

Conversations without contact: COVID-19’s disruption of language classes

Marley Helfer, Staff Reporter
November 7, 2022
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Marley Helfer