Talisman

The Student News Site of Ballard High School
Freshman Jack Reese was one of three candidates elected to be an Ambassador on Friday Oct. 18
Freshmen elections bring new faces to ASB
Magnolia community members rally for K-8 schools on Sept. 17, 2024 with the goal of keeping their schools open.
Schools close as communities protest
They’re trying to save money by not filling custodial positions,” said Omar Kaufmann.
Custodial staff reduction raises concern
New security doorbell that sutdents have to ring to be let into the building.
New district-wide security program meets mixed reaction
The biggest change is that lunch, once a leisurely hour, has been reduced to just 30 minutes. (Marley Helfer)
Half: the lunch story
“Like All Before You”, is defined by its cover, the title shoved unapologetically into the corner to make way for the surreal landscape of a pale eye crying silver tears.
Electronic Utopia
The movie features prominently the outstanding chemistry of Hugh Jackman and Ryan Reynolds.
‘Deadpool and Wolverine’ answers our prayers
His Three Daughters” ultimately spends enough time focusing upon itself that it fails to cater to the insatiable appetite of modern media.
‘His Three Daughters’ allows itself to be human
The plot follows Wilbur (Isabella Ward de Campos Gonçalves), the runt of his litter of pigs.
‘Charlotte’s Web’ revisits a childhood classic
“Medúlla’s” organically stark sonic landscape creates not only an intimate experience for the listener, but a physical one.
The triumph of a voice
Robyn Maddess taught at BHS for 14 years, impacting countless individuals in the BHS community and beyond. In honor of her contributions to the school, the Life Skills Lab has been renamed to Ms. Robyn’s Life Skills Lab, and a celebration of her life was held at the Elks Club for friends and family (pictured above).
An unforgettable impact: more than just a teacher
Photo of the image that appears on school-issued devices that reads “this page is blocked.” (Seattle Public Schools)
District restricts online curricula
Data and quotes sourced from a Talisman survey of 85 anonymous students.
The election issue: gen Z, social media and politics
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
Ever since senior Bianca Potesta realized that collegiate sports would be an opportunity for her to continue to play at an extremely high level, even if she didn’t play professionally, she has been working towards making a program.
How to tackle the recruiting process
Sophomore Silas Horn is quick on his feet and has amazing reaction speed. He mentions how he can think of strategies on the spot within a few short moments. (Courtesy of Silas Horn)
May the swords be with you
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
America is feeling the heat of incendiary political rhetoric
America is feeling the heat of incendiary political rhetoric
"Fleabag's" second season orbits the titular Fleabag's relationship with a Catholic priest, and, ultimately, his inability to put her above his God.
A love affair with religion
To cheat or not to cheat (yep, I stole that)
My adventure began just two months ago, on Aug. 24, 2024, when I took my first step onto American soil.
Living the American dream as an exchange student
GoGuardian is a software that allows teachers to block websites that aren't academic related and it allows teachers to get alerts about if students are googling phrases that are dangerous
Screen monitoring for student safety

Talisman

Talisman
All content by Marley Helfer
Photo of the image that appears on school-issued devices that reads “this page is blocked.” (Seattle Public Schools)

[Photo] District restricts online curricula

Abigail Bekele, Features Editor
November 20, 2024
My adventure began just two months ago, on Aug. 24, 2024, when I took my first step onto American soil.

[Photo] Living the American dream as an exchange student

Noah Tormos, Staff Reporter
November 7, 2024
New security doorbell that sutdents have to ring to be let into the building.

[Photo] New district-wide security program meets mixed reaction

Alfie Koll-Williams, Staff Reporter
November 7, 2024
The biggest change is that lunch, once a leisurely hour, has been reduced to just 30 minutes. (Marley Helfer)

[Photo] Half: the lunch story

Lucia Kelley, Staff Reporter
November 7, 2024
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