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 Penelope Neireiter
Jack Rees (top left), Hanzo Watanabe (top right), and Thijs Buning (middle) will become next years sophmore ambassadors.

[Photo] The future of ASB: upcoming sophomores elect ambassadors

Noelle Shin, Staff Reporter
May 19, 2025
The club is presided over by Ballard seniors Brynn Cziesla, Penelope Neireiter and Lucy Jacqmotte. The club goes on weekly hikes on Sundays.

[Photo] Exploring with BOAT: Voices from the Ballard Outdoor Adventure Team

Noah, Tormos
December 20, 2024
Screenshot 2024-12-13 at 4.53.09 PM

[Photo] Health Occupations Students of America: “The DECA of Healthcare”

Coco Otto, Staff Reporter
December 18, 2024
For Meyer, playing on varsity this year is only the start of her journey to reaching her intrinsic goals for athletic success.

Freshman courting excellence for girls varsity basketball

Penelope Neireiter, News editor
February 6, 2024
“Hunger games: The ballad of songbirds and snakes” (IMDB)

The odds were in the favor of ‘The Hunger Games prequal’

Penelope Neireiter, News Editor
December 12, 2023
AI can’t hop out of the computer to meet the writers on the streets of Hollywood

AI can’t hop out of the computer to meet the writers on the streets of Hollywood

Penelope Neireiter, News Editor
November 7, 2023
Appreciating culture outside the classroom

Appreciating culture outside the classroom

Penelope Neireiter, Staff Reporter
June 22, 2023
Chemistry teacher Melissa Povey has a passion for creating her own clothing and started sewing in the second grade.

A handcrafted narrative

Penelope Neireiter, Staff Reporter
June 22, 2023
There’s always been a joke about AI one day taking over the world. But now it seems like this might not be a funny joke for long.

The notable concerns with Snapchat’s new “My AI” feature

Penelope Neireiter, Staff Reporter
May 24, 2023
Violet Vargas (10) performed Mexican folklore (folklórico) to "Palomita" at the Multicultural Assembly on Mar. 31 in the gym.

Sharing and celebrating culture through presentations and dance

Penelope Neireiter, Staff Reporter
May 23, 2023
Senior hockey player Bella Neireiter (97) skating uprink in a 14U-19U intersquad Wild scrimmage. (Courtesy of Meg Patillo)

Seattle Kraken cuts girls’ hockey programs

Penelope Neireiter, Staff Reporter
April 24, 2023
"You" part 1 was a disappointment compared to former seasons of the beloved show

‘YOU’ should have stopped after season three

Penelope Neireiter, Staff Reporter
March 21, 2023
Snow days are rare for Seattle students and will become even rarer with new district policy.

District to provide remote learning for snow days

Penelope Neireiter, Staff Reporter
March 17, 2023
A reimagining of what a classic Ballard letterman jacket could look like, instead of the sweatshirts commonly worn now.

A blast from the past: considering the letterman jacket

Penelope Neireiter, Staff Reporter
February 9, 2023
Italian exchange student Laura Grande surveying the court in a game against Blanchet.

Italian exchange student observes life on and off the court

Penelope Neireiter, Staff Reporter
February 9, 2023
Students place phones into numbered hanging pockets on their classroom wall.

Mixed student and teacher opinions on phone use in the classroom

Penelope Neireiter, Staff Reporter
December 16, 2022

Is the movie industry just reboots, sequels, and tropes now?

Penelope Neireiter, Staff Reporter
December 15, 2022
Lunch Manager Lan Dang rings up students during lunch. According to her 300 less students each lunch in the cafeteria.

The first “normal” year since COVID marks the return of lunch fees

Penelope Neireiter and Semai Hagos
November 7, 2022
Umami provides a tasty yet expensive lunch options for hungry students. With a variety of options, the restaurant still fails to attract as many lunchgoers as its competitors.

New Japanese restaurant opens across from school

Penelope Neireiter, Staff Reporter
November 7, 2022
Load More Stories
Donate to Talisman

Menu
Activate Search
Home
Penelope Neireiter