Josephine Rae Howlett
Co-Editor / Design Editor / Newscast Producer |
Josephine Rae Howlett
Co-Editor / Design Editor / Newscast Producer |
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Inside Book Club Insider:
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The overall theme for this year's BHS Book Club choices has made itself clear: diversity. From the very first books, Operatic by Kyo Maclear and Hey, Kiddo by Jarrett J. Krosoczka to the most recent, With the Fire on High by Elizabeth Acevedo, they have all pushed the envelope on what a generic protagonist ought to look like.
In With the Fire on High, the narrator and protagonist, Emoni Santiago, invites the reader in on what it means to live in the 'hood,' as a half-Puerto Rican, half-African American teenager. On top of the cultural obstacles, Emoni is a high school senior with a two-year-old daughter and no parental figures, except for her " 'Buela." As a senior, Emoni is faced with the same reality that many current seniors are encountering now: what to do with her life after high school. The odds are clearly stacked against Emoni in this story, but her innate skill for cooking is something that sets her apart and lends herself to a successful future. |
For the most part, people in the United States have a choice of what they want to wear, how they style their hair, and everything in between. While many have an ear piercing or two in their lifetime, the expansive world of body modification has become increasingly more popular with the current generations.
Up until the early 21st century, these forms of self-expression within the younger generations have been limited to pierced ears and a few highlights, but recently this has begun to change. More and more students are getting more than just their ears pierced, and may even begin tattooing themselves before they receive the high school diploma. According to John Hopkins All Children's Hospital, "studies have shown that an estimated 10-23 percent of adolescents have tattoos and 27-42 percent had body piercings." One of these high schoolers who chose to get a tattoo at a young age was senior Maddie Mueller. "I grew up in a household with both of my parents having tattoos, and I had always wanted to get one," said Mueller. "They would not let me get one until my 16th birthday, and I knew I wanted it to be special because I would have it for the rest of my life," Mueller explained. |
When surrounded by mountains, captivated by the beautiful lakes, and catching the wind in the towering pine trees, it can be hard to hear the stories of others within suburban city limits. Living in Bigfork, Montana does not lend itself to the headlines of gang wars, crime rates, or other common urban issues.
Much rarer are the stories of children who find themselves smack in the middle of these terrifying situations. Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds not only opens the door to hearing more tales of children like its protagonist, Will, but also begins a conversation for those who are trapped between the decision to be the bigger person or take revenge. The majority of the storyline takes place in Will’s building's elevator, with snippets sent out to describe the groundwork of the story. This novel, written in verse, is filled with pages describing the grieving process for Will after his brother his murdered. Will fully believes in The Rules, which are to be followed after someone close is murdered, and are as follows: 1) do not cry, 2) no snitching, and the infamous 3) revenge. In hopes of proving it to his brother, Will attempts to leave the building |
Many people within the Bigfork community know Phyllis Valentino as "the cool lady with a blue streak in her hair," or as the "loving substitute," but these statements do little service to the lifetime of care she has given to many students.
This Pennsylvania-born teacher began her career in Alhambra, California, in 1969, where she taught classes to the alternative program, "the Opportunity Room." She later moved to Bigfork, Montana in 1986, as a "long term [substitute] for Kalispell Middle School," she said. However, Valentino and her husband found themselves back in California two years until 2003. She recalled her time there, saying, "I worked mostly with students who were members of the local gang, teenage mothers, and students who had difficulty in mainstream classrooms." Despite being fresh on the scene of teaching, this program did not scare her one bit, but she has "loved every minute of it." At this point in her career, she was set to retire and move back to Bigfork at which time Valentino said, "I thought I was done teaching, but then I lasted two months when I applied to be a substitute teacher, and I have been here ever since." "I am so content being in a classroom of students. It does not matter if they are from an alternative program and have difficulties or in a school district like Bigfork." Valentino has brought more than just teaching experience, though she is very well-equipped with it, but also a deep care for her students and faculty. She said, "I like being close to students because I want to understand them, be there for them if they need something." She has touched the lives of so many students, but for junior Isabella Sloan, "Mrs. Valentino has not only cared about my school life but also my personal life." |
Sloan elaborated saying, "She was there for me during my grandpa's cancer and encouraged me to stay positive. She is someone I can talk to about anything and that I can trust."
According to senior Monique Gomez, "[Valentino] has had such a huge impact at Bigfork High with being a teacher who understands us, how we learn, how we think, and how difficult high school can be." Unlike many people in this day and age, Valentino chooses to live a life of servitude and humility. Careful to not take too much attention to herself, she often tries to let her students shine and support them in whatever way she can, similar to a loving grandmother. Fulfilling that "cool grandma" vibe, Phyllis Valentino is often remembered with her colorful hair. This annual tradition of coloring one strip of her hair blue originated when a previous student, Zac Evenson, offered during homecoming. "I wanted to be a part of the festivities along with the students, but I was not sure how to do so," Valentino admitted. "[Evenson] being the middle-schooler that he was said I should dye all of my hair blue, but I was quick to shut that down." "My hairdresser then took the idea and simplified it to one strip of hair, and I have kept this tradition ever since." Along with this and her many visits to Viking and Valkyrie activities, Valentino has always been one to support her students in whatever way she can. She may not know when her teaching career will come to an end, it is safe to say that Phyllis Valentino is always welcome in every classroom with a big heart. In the words of 2018 BHS graduate, Reuben Hubbard, "Mrs. Valentino is an absolute freaking legend." |
The phrase, "a coming of age story" has been reused and recycled thousands of times. However, the memoir, Hey, Kiddo by Jarrett J. Krosoczka (try saying that last name), shows some of the darkest sides of drug abuse from the perspective of a child.
From a young age, Jarrett, like most children in these situations, was unaware of his drug-abusing mother's doings. The only signs that his life was different from other kids would be when his grandparents swooped in and took him away. The rest of this graphic novel swivels on the themes of family and growth, but not in the traditional sense. For Jarrett, he assumed that his family would reside predominately with his mother, but he learned over time that family can take form in any way it seems fit, whether in a grandparent's embrace or the comfort of a sketch pad. It took an entire lifetime, but Jarrett was finally able to |