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
"The exhibition gives a well-rounded idea of Asian comics past and present, illustrating regional differences"
MOPOP opens a fascinating new exhibit
But to adapt coherently and respectfully is a skill not many have mastered.
How not to adapt
The America imagined in Brenyah’s novel is one brought to the brink of cruelty.
Why art needs to rhyme with life
Even the ghost, was more than one person
Even the ghost, was more than one person
"The characters understand that true heroism isn’t stopping cosmically evil and all powerful beings, it’s saving ordinary people from getting killed in the crossfire"
How Marvel’s very own Suicide-Squad humanizes heroes
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
Freshman Lachlan Collis jumping on mountain biking trails.
More than a race
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
All content by Marley Helfer
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

Marley Helfer, Co-Editor in Chief
May 20, 2025
The four band members (pictured above) brought their love of music together to form their all-female band Electric Kitty

Finding their sound

Marley Helfer, Editor-in-Chief
April 11, 2025
Students getting their hearts checked from the local firemen.

School hosts record-breaking heart screening event

Marley Helfer, Co-Editor-in-Chief
February 14, 2025
Being captain means a lot to Larson, having played basketball for his entire life. When asked about who their biggest competitor was going to be this season, Larson was very confident. “[We have] No competitors,” Larson said.

[Photo] New basketball captains lead the way

Sophia Gerl, Staff Reporter
December 20, 2024

The tipping point

Marley Helfer, Co-Editor-in-Chief
December 18, 2024
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

Marley Helfer, Co-Editor in Chief
November 20, 2024
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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