By Mari Kanagy, Reporter In early 2018, local voters will cast their ballots for or against the Educational Programs and Operations (EP&O) levy supporting VISD. The EP&O levy is run by the school district every four years. The revenue goes to support educational programs and operations within the district. Levies run by schools are funded…
Author: Riptide Editor
Theatre trip to China forces participants to think differently
By Marisa McTighe, Assistant Social Media and Distribution Editor In September of this year, a group of VHS drama students was chosen to present their technical and acting talents at the Luo Hu Youth Drama Month Festival in Shenzhen, China. Seniors Alivia Jones and Emma Rose DeSantis were the two actors, accompanied by sophomore technicians…
Students attend speech
by Isabel Allende & Sequoia Gregorich, Law and Ethics Editor On Nov. 28, a bus full of VHS students traveled to Seattle to hear renowned author Isabel Allende speak. In addition to her 23 books, Allende is also an activist, Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient and winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature. The field…
The school has a littering problem
By Adriana Yarkin, Copy Editor The bell has just rung, declaring the passing period between lunch and fifth. Getting up with my tray and peering into the three large bins standing against the wall, I’m met with a few seconds of confusion. There is a mixture of garbage, food and recycling within each of the…
New board member Spring Hecht brings passion for equity to her role
Katy Sassara, Co-Content Editor On Nov. 7, Spring Hecht won the election for VISD board director Position no. 4 against incumbent Steve Ellison. A clinical social worker and therapist, Hecht has long been passionate about advocating for youth and their families, and has previously been closely involved with schools. “In my former work … I…
District needs to offer common-sense, financial training
By the Editorial Board “Nothin’ like the Quotient Rule at 8:04 a.m. on a Tuesday.” This quote, stated quite enthusiastically by calculus teacher Andy Callender, is not only humorous and oddly specific — it’s also a more-than-decent summary of our high school experience. The school’s curricula have been highly successful in preparing students for a…
Wrestlers work with coaches to plan weight cuts
By Katherine Kelly, Managing Editor Most wrestlers experience the need to lose weight in order to fit into a certain weight class. It is often difficult for them to get weight down for a match while retaining muscle gained earlier in the season. One would think that the pressure to lose weight could be unhealthy…
Winter sports update
Katherine Kelly, Managing Editor Boys basketball: The boys basketball team had only two graduates last year, leaving plenty of athletes for this season. The team has had three games this season so far, with two wins and one loss. Compared to last year, the team is slightly smaller, but with a varsity team made up…
NW Detention Center: refuge for immigrants or prison for innocents?
By Julian White-Davis, Photography and Publishing Editor A man in a dark uniform stands with his hand resting against a tall chain-link gate. A low voice issues from a walkie talkie strapped to his shirt, signaling that it’s time. The group of people lined up behind the guard step swiftly and deliberately through the open…
Halsey shows sass, entertains crowd
By Léa Ringeval, reporter On November 10, the 23-year-old pop singer-songwriter Halsey produced stadium-wide ecstasy in Seattle’s Key Arena while touring her second album, “Hopeless Fountain Kingdom.” The new album has been very successful, selling more than 75,000 copies. She is the first woman with a number one album on Billboard since Lady Gaga in…