Memes find new meanings
McKenna Zacher, Managing
May 29, 2018
Filed under 2017-2018, Focus, Showcase
In his 1976 book The Selfish Gene, evolutionary biologist Richard Dawkins described a meme as a “self-reproducing” cultural idea shared between organisms. Today, the word meme has transcended its original definition, becoming a dominant impact on American society. Many encounter some sort of meme every s...
Activism Goes Viral
Emily Van Bergeyk, Managing
April 6, 2018
To step into the public sphere in this day and age is to step into an ocean of technology. The American public is awash in smartphones, smartwatches, tablets; in blogs, posts, online forums. The tide of social media influence is inexorable and according to the 2016 Nielson Total Audience Report, American...
Social Media Influences Eating Disorders
Haley Keizur, Chief
April 6, 2018
Filed under 2017-2018, Focus, Showcase
Two likes. Refresh. Eight likes. Refresh. 16 likes. Pause. Refresh. 27 likes. And so the process goes. Studies show that people can get addicted to social media in a similar way they can get addicted to drugs or alcohol, as explained by Simon Sinek on Inside Quest; it triggers the release ...
Impact of Black History Month Explored
Andrew Flury, Staff
March 5, 2018
Filed under 2017-2018, Features, Focus, Uncategorized
In honor of Black History Month, The Viking Vanguard examines different aspects of African-American culture and the way it has shaped the Puyallup School District. According to the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, African-American students constitute 3.8 percent of the Puyallup Schoo...
Get involved in your community
Haley Keizur, Chief
December 21, 2017
Filed under 2017-2018, Features, Focus
Lights twinkle, presents overflow from beneath the crystalized pine tree, the scent of freshly-baked cookies wafts through the air. As metallic red wrapping paper is torn apart and beautifully-tied bows are carelessly tossed aside, succeeded by gleeful grins and laughs and bites are taken from soft,...
School shootings—Tragedy, Preparedness, an Uncertain Future
Emily Van Bergeyk, Managing
October 26, 2017
Las Vegas. Orlando. Virginia Tech. Sandy Hook Elementary School. These names, forever ingrained in America’s memory, represent the deadliest mass shootings in recent U.S. history. And names like these are appearing in the news more and more frequently. According to Gun Violence Archive, there ha...
Teacher uncovers mental health
Raquel Amato, Op-Ed/A&E Editor
October 11, 2017
Filed under Features, Focus, Print Publication, Showcase
Keeping yourself mentally well is a key factor in maintaining a healthy body. Health teacher Brian Grout talks about some ways to keep yourself mentally healthy throughout school and your personal life. One of the things Grout goes over is ways to deal with losses. No matter what the loss is, whether...
Emotional Health Explored
Haley Keizur, Chief
September 28, 2017
They say laughter is good for the soul. So is crying. How you handle those emotions is where it can get tricky. Emotional health is how you handle your emotions and deal with the challenges that come at you. An emotionally healthy person can effectively navigate their full range of emotions...
Spotlight Hits Home
Shayla Jones, Managing Editor
March 31, 2017
A woman walks the street, late at night, skimpy clothes glinting under yellowed streetlights. A run down “massage parlor” is the storefront for the hallowed halls, holding misery and sucking life out of its inhabitants. A motel room, chains inside both literal and figurative, men...
Music Inspires, Molds Culture
Shayla Jones, Coverage Editor
December 15, 2016
Music, to some, is the voice of the people. It can be used as a weapon in the war against conformity, political antics or the war against one’s self. From the crooners of the ‘60s to the angst filled rock songs of the ‘90s, music has been seen as a form of self-expression for the masses since...