Talisman

The Student News Site of Ballard High School
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
Natalie McMannus (11) playing Eurydice and Teddy Dodd (10), whose love story comes to life in "Hadestown"
Theater students prepare to put on ‘Hadestown’
Seattle Public Schools’ library funding hangs in the balance
Seattle Public Schools’ library funding hangs in the balance
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
“Go on a vacation,” they must say. “New location, new you.” I have always been fascinated by such marketing of vacation.
‘The White Lotus’ is in half bloom
Dacus breaks out of the genre she’s been pigeonholed into, creating something that feels simultaneously novel and timeless.
Lucy Dacus archives love, loss and limerence on ‘Forever is a Feeling’
“Gaman” is a Japanese word that roughly translates to the Zen Buddhist concept of staying strong despite the obstacles that cross one’s path.
Star 99 is finally getting their flowers and ‘Pushing Daisies’
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
Maddie Marushka 10, Sabi Yoon 11, Aliana Kirkos 12, Gavin Mcgregor 10, Max Bykowski 12, Frances Diver 10, Robin Dowdy teacher supervisor, Josie Good 11 (Xander Howarth) Dowdy said that she saw the bond that team members have formed as a little family, in a way.
Mock Trials’ challenges and rewards
Freshman Connor Bembry's small business curring and styling men's hair has begun to gain traction recently as clients aid the advertisement of his work and new clients get wind of his craft.
Cuts by Connor
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
Senior and Redhawks captain Nadia Bellabarba skates across the ice, evading opponents and leading her and her teammates to Nationals. (Courtesy of Carlo Bellabarba)
Redhawks captain leads hockey team to Nationals
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
Already trying to make sense of our place in school, in society, in adulthood, how are we possibly supposed to make sense of our place on Earth, in the Milky Way, in the universe? The problem is that we aren’t; the existential ennui of being a highschooler is normalized to the point of disinterest.
Fearing the unknown
Phones have made it basically impossible to retain any self worth as social media has perpetuated continual growth of beauty.
The allure of Instagram face: a social media beauty blueprint

Talisman

Talisman
All content by Sophia Gerl
Sarah Decoy, the new home economics teacher, pictured instructing her class during a project.

Creating comfort and connection

Sophia Gerl, Staff Reporter
May 27, 2025
“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

Sophia Gerl, Staff Reporter
April 8, 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.

New basketball captains lead the way

Sophia Gerl, Staff Reporter
December 20, 2024
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