Talisman

The Student News Site of Ballard High School
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
Safety signs that are outside of the main doors of the school building.
Washington State’s Legislative Session began Jan. 13: here are key bills that could affect students
Students getting their hearts checked from the local firemen.
School hosts record-breaking heart screening event
Blueprint layout of the Pacific Science Center where the Winter Ball was held.
Associated Student Body plans Winter Ball at Pacific Science Center
“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’
In actuality, the anchor and guiding force of this movie is Mikey Madison.
Mikey Madison legitimizes sex work as ‘Anora’
It’s nonetheless easy to see why ‘Le Planète Sauvage’ or ‘Fantastic Planet’ has remained a cult classic.
An alien view of earthly dilemmas
One of the greatest accomplishments of “Mufasa” is that it brings back interest towards the magnificent universe of the pridelands
‘Long live the king’ in this live-action prequel
The hunt for a perfect bagel
The four band members (pictured above) brought their love of music together to form their all-female band Electric Kitty
Finding their sound
Sophomore Neve Takahashi (left), senior Larry Orlov (right) and freshman Kai Knecht are developing a video game that uses a mix of hand and computer animation.
Game in development club involves designing a game for student play
Since Time Immemorial
Since Time Immemorial
While dopamine release isn’t the only factor to instigate an addiction, it plays a large role in the habits formed around activities that quickly reward the brain: scrolling on one's phone or partaking in substances like drugs and alcohol.
Reels, rewards and resolutions
Milana Vasilieva (left) and Nika Zinchenko (right), founders of the Slavic Club, pose in front of the Ukrainian flag displayed in Ms. Russell’s classroom which is where they hold their Slavic Club meetings every Wednesday during lunch.
From the war in Ukraine to finding refuge
“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
Senior Dorrie Jacobson runs track during the spring and plays soccer in the fall, both on the school’s varsity teams. She prefers the warmer weather of spring sports.
Why do spring sports feel different?
“I have never done a sport that was so demanding and yet so fun and exhilarating,” Price said. “I look [forward] to it every day and am so happy that I became so good at it." (Courtesy of Lucy Richins)
The mat is unforgiving: the highs and lows of wrestling
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
Abigail Bekele and field trip attendees steering a traditional Hawaiian navigation boat.
The unforgettable experience of high school in Hawaii
Even though running has its cons, it has way more pros. I enjoy the good and the bad, even if that means getting soaked in the rain. I get to enjoy scenery, hang out with friends, and a sense of achievement.
The ups and downs of running: why I keep lacing up
Lively made a civil rights complaint and eventually filed a lawsuit against Baldoni, Wayfarer and its CEO Jamey Heath for sexual harassment and the intentional and strategic destruction of her reputation.
Blake Lively versus Justin Baldoni: the fight over public sympathy

Talisman

Talisman
All content by Xander Howarth
In actuality, the anchor and guiding force of this movie is Mikey Madison.

Mikey Madison legitimizes sex work as ‘Anora’

Xander Howarth, Opinions Editor
April 2, 2025
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

Xander Howarth, Opinions Editor
April 2, 2025
It is morally reprehensible for people to use fire and ash to fuel their own religious agendas: a tragedy does not justify propaganda, and propaganda does not justify tragedy.

Religion has clouded a smoke-filled sky, yet again

Xander Howarth, Opinions Editor
February 14, 2025
As a woman previously cast aside as nothing more than a sex symbol, Anderson’s nuanced history gives needed context to Shelly and the audience’s interest in Shelly

‘The Last Showgirl’ dazzles spectacularly

Xander Howarth, Opinions Editor
February 14, 2025
Data and quotes sourced from a Talisman survey of 85 anonymous students.

The election issue: gen Z, social media and politics

Madeleine Clark and Xander Howarth
November 14, 2024
"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

Xander Howarth, Opinions Editor
November 7, 2024
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

Xander Howarth, Opinions Editor
November 1, 2024
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

Xander Howarth, Opinions editor
June 10, 2024
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

Xander Howarth, Opinions editor
May 5, 2024
It seems at the center of the story is Bella's evolution, her growing love and appreciation of life. (Pixstory)

Sometimes fiction can just be fiction

Xander Howarth, Opinions editor
March 19, 2024

“Peace comes when stories are celebrated.”

Xander Howarth, Opinions editor
February 2, 2024
"The Holdovers" Promotional image (IMDB)

Holding Over the holiday Spirit

Xander Howarth, Opinions Editor
December 12, 2023
Each year, we celebrate the holidays earlier and earlier.

It seems like none of us can enjoy November

Xander Howarth, Opinions editor
December 12, 2023
interscope.com

That took some Guts

Xander Howarth, Opinions Editor
November 7, 2023
Rebecca Howsmon joins staff this year, equipped to teach genetics, biology and systems medicine.

A teacher’s first year experience

Xander Howarth, Staff Reporter
June 22, 2023
Cinco de Mayo isn’t Mexican Independence Day, nor is it particularly celebrated in Mexico.

Changing the narrative of May Fifth

Xander Howarth, Staff Reporter
May 23, 2023
For months before the test, students devote themselves to their studies.

How to Study for your AP test:

Xander Howarth and Olivia Schaer
April 24, 2023

A Librarian’s Love

Xander Howarth, Staff Reporter
April 21, 2023
Alana Gaulin, the new librarian assistant, is almost finished with her master’s program at the University of Washington and fell in love with working at libraries.

New assistant librarian brings her love of Winnie the Pooh

Xander Howarth, Staff Reporter
April 21, 2023
‘Daisy Jones and The Six’ times I sobbed over this book

‘Daisy Jones and The Six’ times I sobbed over this book

Xander Howarth, Staff Reporter
March 21, 2023
We were born and raised to work and be faithful consumers, to be a cog in a machine until we’ve rusted. So it makes sense that a day for love is in reality a day of goods to trade and barter for affection.

You Are Worth a Box of Chocolates

Xander Howarth, Staff Reporter
March 20, 2023
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
Pasta Van co-founder Dexter Czark (left) passes out pasta to junior Marley Williams (right).

From sketchy to delicious

Xander Howarth, Staff Reporter
November 7, 2022
Freshman Sabi Yoon givers her speech about why freshmen students should vote to help improve school diversity.

Newest Freshman Ambassadors

Xander Howarth, Staff Reporter
November 7, 2022
(Amazon)

We’re glad her mom died

Xander Howarth, Staff Reporter
November 7, 2022
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