Volume 34 Issue 7
The Triton Review
An independent student voice since 1973
City Council candidates hold forum at EdCC
Upcoming election addresses housing, education, transit
City Council Candidates (Left to Right) Shannon Tysland, Rosamaria Graziani, and Ruth Ross speak at the Lynnwood Fall Political Forum held at EdCC’s Black Box
Theatre, speaking on important local issues such as the homelessness and affordable housing crisis
By Ray Alfonso
Staff Writer
For Lynnwood residents, managing
our growth is a major concern, and with
three open city council positions, along
with a race for mayor, there are plenty of
reasons to vote in the Nov. 7 Snohomish
County election.
The question we must ask ourselves
is whether we need a change, or whether
we need to continue with the momentum
gained over the last few years.
On Oct. 10, I attended Lynnwood’s
Fall Political Forum, held at Edmonds
Community College’s Black Box Theatre,
to hear what our candidates had to say.
Current Mayor Nicola Smith is being
challenged by Councilman George Hurst,
who is serving the second year of his four
year term. If successful, Hurst’s position in
the council will also need to be filled.
Such sweeping change from the Board
and Executive Department of City Govern-
ment can shape new policies and legisla-
tion for Lynnwood, along with how they
are implemented.
Council Position 1 is sought after by
In This Issue:
Upcoming Seattle Concerts p. 3
EdCC Parking Wars p. 4
PAWS Natural Disaster Rescue p. 5
Trump vs the Environment p. 6
EdCC Soccer p. 7-8
Jet City Roller Derby p. 7
former Councilman Van AuBuchon, along
with Christine Frizzell, an accountant and
long-time Lynnwood resident. Either of
them could potentially take the seat of
Councilman M. Christopher Boyd, who is
not seeking re-election.
Incumbent Councilman Ian Cotton is
seeking re-election against local business
owner Shannon Tysland for Position 2.
Seeking her fourth term, Council Vice
President Ruth Ross is running for Position
3. She is challenged by attorney Rosamaria
Graziani, former Lynnwood City Commis-
sioner and college professor at both Yale,
and the University of Texas at Austin.
At the forum, candidates talked about
the important issues which Lynnwood fac-
es, such as affordable housing.
According to affordablehousingon-
line.com, there are 22 low income housing
apartment complexes in Lynnwood, which
contain 2,246 affordable apartments for
rent. Yet even with the construction of the
City Center in downtown Lynnwood, our
candidates say that this does not seem to be
enough.
“This is a complex problem,” says
Candidate Christine Frizzell, “complicated
by a disparity of wages.” With so many
Triton Espresso Fall Flavors p. 4
October 30, 2017
TheTritonReview.com
people migrating north, the housing mar-
ket has been affected by increasing home
prices, and substantial rent hikes within the
last two years.
Homelessness is also on the rise, but
it’s not just because of the opioid, or meth
epidemic. Lynnwood has many homeless
people who are students, and full-time em-
ployees, who simply can’t afford to pay for
housing.
All candidates agree that more incen-
tives need to be provided to entice contrac-
tors to build more homes in Lynnwood.
This could potentially lower the cost of
homes by means of supply and demand.
One policy which the City Council
has passed to combat the spike in housing
costs is to allow second properties, sized
less than 800 ft., to be built on large plot
lands of single-family homes. But these so-
called detached accessory dwelling units
(DADU) are seen as controversial. Mayor
Nicola Smith points out that since her ten-
ure as mayor, there have only been about
10 applications so far.
“Very few lots in Lynnwood can ac-
commodate a DADU,” she says, “so it’s
not going to make a huge difference in af-
fordable housing”.
EdCC Men’s Soccer Team p. 7
@TheTritonReview
Photo by Brian B. Dean
Candidate Rosamaria Graziani sug-
gests the construction of high rise apart-
ments in Lynnwood, which could be a
benefit.
According to Graziani, the current
standard for the number of floors per apart-
ments in Lynnwood is five to six floors at
most. She says that high rise apartments
can accomplish three goals. “First, top
floors can pay higher property taxes…”
This would generate more tax revenue for
the city. “Second,” she says, “supply will
go up, and prices go down.” And lastly, “…
high rises require skilled labor, which gets
better pay, and will boost our economy.”
Another topic of discussion at the fo-
rum was the Sound Transit Light Rail ex-
tension to Lynnwood, which is set to begin
construction in 2018.
Voters OK’d the 8.5 mile Lynnwood-
Northgate project in the Sound Transit 2
measure of 2008. The terminal will be lo-
cated next to the City Center in downtown
Lynnwood.
The work was scheduled to complete
in late 2023, but with rising costs and pro-
OPINION
continued on page 3
Video Games and Mental Health p. 6
 2 Chief’s Notes
Welcome to Fall Quarter, EdCC students!
Rel Konot
Editor-in-Chief
It feels strange to say it’s a new year
when 2018, the actual new year, is still a
few months away, but there’s something
about the beginning of a school year that
feels the most real to me. There’s no mis-
taking that 2017 has been a historic year
defined in particular by the waves of
change and social transformation taking
place in America. We as a whole can no
longer ignore the pressing threat of igno-
rance, bigotry, and fascism steeped within
the history and identity of the country we
live in, nor should we have ever ignored it.
There’s anger at injustice, and fear for
the future, but there is also hope to make
the world better. As journalists, we hope to
bring that hope to you in the language of
information, fact, truth.
That being said, stepping on to the
EdCC campus with the crisp air and leaves
coloring the walkways, surrounded by stu-
dents determined to start anew, I really felt
like a new chapter had begun for all of us.
Therefore, I welcome you to whatever
new chapter of life this school year will be
for you, and can only hope it’s filled with
happiness and change.
This quarter does mark a specific new
beginning for me as the new Editor-in-
Chief at The Triton Review. I’m excited to
be leading the charge on molding a news-
paper both factual, honest, and relevent for
EdCC students.
I’m also excited to be introducing
two new editors to the staff of the TR this
quarter: Christopher Kim as our A&E Edi-
tor and Rumi Gilani as our News Editor.
They’ve already done spectacular work
and been a tremendous help. I’m looking
forward to the work we have ahead of us!
One of the projects I’m most excited
about is the development of the Triton Re-
view’s upcoming news podcast! Me and
other journalists will host the show and in-
vite guests in to talk with us about EdCC
December
October 5, 2016
30, 2017
life, culture, events, local news, national
news, politics, so on and so forth. We’ll
also be featuring songs by local musicians,
so if you’re interested in having a song fea-
tured in our podcast please contact us at
revedic@email.edcc.edu!
Keep on the lookout for our podcast in
the next two weeks! In the meantime, we’ll
begin updating our website again with ar-
ticles featured in this issue as well as new
articles! Follow us on twitter or check out
our website.
The topic I’d like to discuss before we
part is in relation to the October 27 public
hearing, regarding proposed policy 132Y-
136 of the Edmonds Community College
Washington Administrative Code (WAC)
on the use of college facilities for First
Amendment activities.
Expect a full story on this in the com-
ing weeks at thetritonreview.com.
This proposal is incredibly relevent to
students and non-student visitors alike. In
laymans terms, the proposed policy would
create a system by which non-student
groups (such as picketers, protestors, reli-
gious denominations, so on) would need to
follow certain protocol when deciding to
use campus grounds.
I think this is particularly relev-
ent, considering the multiple encounters
WHY STOP
students have had with picketeers as of
recently. There is a line between the in-
alieable right to free speech and the safety
NOW?
and security of individuals who may feel
uncomfortable or even unsafe due to the
content of these protests. We have to find
our balance on that line. This is a discus-
Finish your bachelor’s degree
sion worth having.
I urge you, the student body and fac-
online at the UW.
ulty of EdCC, to learn more about this, and
to think critically of ways we can ensure SOCIALSCIENCESONLINE.UW.EDU
both protection of speech as well as safety
for yourselves as individuals.
On a lighter note, whether you are out
partying, eating too much candy, taking
your kids trick-or-treating, watching scary
movies, or turning into a werewolf: have a
spooky, splendid, and safe halloween!

A Student Publication of Business Manager

Edmonds Community College Justin Bisacky
20000 68th Ave W. revbusma@edcc.edu
Lynnwood, WA 98036
425.640.1315 Photographers
Kyle Whitmer
Editor-in-Chief k.whitmer4662@edmail.edcc.edu
Rel Konot
revedic@email.edcc.edu Faculty Advisor
Rob Harrill
Section Editors rob.harrill@edcc.edu
A&E Editor
Christopher Kim Staff Writers
christopherkim99@gmail.com Kevin Menzia, Stephanie O’Loughlin,
Ray Alfonso, Jazmin Green, Talia Adams,
News Editor Andrew Sullivan
Rumi Gilani
rumijgilani@gmail.com

The Triton Review is a student-written and -produced newspaper for Edmonds Community College and the surrounding community. The opinions expressed in the Triton Review
do not necessarily reflect the views of the Triton Review staff or of the college.
Mission Statement
The Triton Review is a student-run newspaper at Edmonds Community College that serves the student readership by reporting on issues and events as they relate to the campus
community and by supporting the open exchange of a diverse range of viewpoints and opinions.
The Triton Review strives to be impartial in its reporting and adheres firmly in its First Amendment rights.

Newspaper Policy
1. The Triton Review covers issues and events as they relate to the Edmonds Community College campus community and surrounding areas.
2. The Triton Review editorial staff reserves the right to comment editorially on any issues the staff finds newsworthy and important.
3. The Triton Review resists the influence of advertisers or special interest groups on the selection of news content or editorial expression.
4. The Triton Review will consider for publication signed letters to the editor or contributed opinion pieces reflecting student opinion on relevant topics, as well as those of other
on or off-campus constituents when submitted according to publication guidelines.
5. The Triton Review strives to uphold State and Federal Laws and Edmonds Community College policies, particularly the Office of Student Life Code of Ethics and the Society
of Professional Journalists Code of Ethics.

Letters to the Editor

The Triton Review welcomes letters to the editor. Letters submitted should be no more than 400 words, signed legibly, and accompanied by a phone number in order to verify
authenticity. Some letters may not be printed due to limited space, because they are similar to other letters received on the same subject, are potentially libelous, or are illegible. The
Triton Review reserves the right to edit letters.

Morrisey and more: upcoming Seattle concerts
By Talia Adams
Staff Writer
Seattle is known for its music scene,
and while summer is known as the prime
time for concerts, local venues are offer-
ing a fall and winter schedule packed with
diverse artists.
Alternative singer Morrissey will
kick off the season. The singer started in
the indie rock band The Smiths in the ‘80s
and has since had a successful solo career.
With his new album “Low In High School”
coming out soon, the set will include new
hits like “Spent the Day in Bed” and old
hits like “Suedehead” and “Everyday is
Like Sunday.” He’ll be at the Paramount
Theatre in Seattle on Nov. 2, with doors
opening at 7:30 p.m. and the show starting
at 8:30 p.m.
Morrisey
Paramount Theater Nov. 2
The Breeders
The Showbox Nov. 9
Halsey
Key Arena Nov. 10
Kid Cudi
WaMu Theater Nov. 22
Alternative rock band The Breed-
ers will be making a stop in Seattle at the
Showbox at the Market. This is not one to
miss, as this band doesn’t go on tour often,
only going on tour every few years and pe-
riodically releasing new music. The Breed-
ers were big in the ‘90s, embodying the
grunge, alternative era, with public admir-
ers like Kurt Cobain. After multiple band
changes and regular hiatuses, the iconic
band is back to promote their new song
“Wait in the Car.” The show is for ages 21
and up, and tickets are still on sale. You can
catch them on Nov. 9, when doors open at
7:30 p.m and the show starts at 8:30 p.m.
Moving towards the mainstream,
electropop artist Halsey has recently ex-
ploded onto the charts with her sophomore
album, Hopeless Fountain Kingdom, and
is stopping at the Key Arena on her first
headline arena tour. Halsey, whose stage
name is an anagram of the artist’s first
name, Ashley, had moderate success with
her first album, Bandlands, in 2015, which
debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard charts.
Her career really took off after her 2016
collaboration with artist The Chainsmok-
ers on the hit single “Closer”, her first song
to hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
Halsey is quickly transitioning from under-
ground indie artist to mainstream pop star.
Catch the show on Nov. 10, and get there
early to see openers PARTYNEXTDOOR
and Charli XCX. Doors open at 6 p.m. and
the show starts at 7 p.m.
A&E 3
The Passion, Pain & Demon Sla-
yin’ Tour will be making a stop in Seattle
next month. Kid Cudi will be playing at
the WaMu theater on his fourth headlining
tour. Cudi has sold more than 5 million re-
cords and is well known as one of the most
prominent rappers of the decade. With the
help of Kanye West, he came onto the mu-
sic scene in 2008 with his first mixtape, “A
Kid Named Cudi”. He’s popular among
high school and college students, and es-
pecially prominent among stoner commu-
nities. His album “Man on the Moon: The
End of the Day” brought him commercial
success and shot him into the mainstream
with singles “Day ‘n’ Nite” and “Pursuit
of Happiness”, solidifying his reputation
as a force to be reckoned with. Promoting
his 6th album “Passion, Pain & Demon
Slayin’”, he’s sure to entertain the crowd
with old and new hits alike. Tickets are
still available for the Nov. 22 show, which
starts at 9 p.m.
Popular pop-rap group Jack &
Jack will soon be gracing the Showbox
stage, sure to draw hordes of their pre-teen
fans to the small venue. The duo is com-
prised of childhood friends 21-year-old
Jack Johnson and 21-year-old Jack Gil-
inksy, hence the band name. Originally
finding wild success on the once popular
and now discontinued app Vine, the friends
decided to take their act to the music stage.
The two are willingly not signed to a record
label, and have no future plans to do so, de-
spite their popularity. With an astounding
1 million sales on iTunes, the boys have
a loyal fan base and have no end in sight.
Their debut and only EP “Calibraksa” in-
cludes influences from reggae, R&B and
hip hop. Tickets are still available for the
Dec. 5 show, which starts at 7 p.m.
Seattle has a busy few months
ahead as it prepares for the arrival of a
plethora of diverse artists that hope to
bring people from all backgrounds togeth- Photo by Zoey Grossman
er through music. Electropop singer Halsey will be performing at Key Arena on Nov. 10
Edmonds Art Walk celebrates local creativity
the event features 14 to 30 artists monthly. Rachel and her board members orga-
By Jazmin Green
The most recent art walk on Thursday, Oct. nize this event in the sole interest of the
Staff Writer
19, 26 artists were featured. Some of those artists. “What artists get from us is we try
While the city of Edmonds is largely featured were Whitney Anderson, born in to match them with a merchant so if the
known for its rocky beach and many knick Alaska and raised in Mukilteo, who spe- merchants don’t go out and promote or find
knack shops, it also has a large and diverse cializes in portraits, Randall J. Hodges their own artists or if the artists don’t go
art culture. who presented landscape photography, and out and find their own place to hang we try
Art Walk Edmonds coordinator Ra- Claire Keegan who showcased her ink, wa- to match them up,” Dobbins explains.
chel Dobbins and board members add com- tercolor, and liquid acrylic art. For any local artists out there, the peo-
munity and culture to the city by featuring Art Walk Edmonds is a platform for ple of Art Walk Edmonds are always look-
local artists monthly at a variety of stores basically any type of artist or art style you ing for young and fresh creators.
throughout Edmonds. Dobbins says the Art can think of. “As far as diversity you have Contact Rachel Dobbins directly at
Walk will be different every time you come your painters, musicians, performing arts, info@artwalkedmonds.com or visit www.
down. “It’s the third Thursday of every pop arts, poetry, woodturning,” Rachel artwalkedmonds.com.
month and every month we have different tells us. So for the art lovers out there, there Rachel also says, “If they’re ever
artists, it just all depends on what you’re is something that everyone will enjoy. looking for a place the best way to do it
looking for or what month you come.” According to Dobbins, Art Walk Ed- is just to go around and see if there’s any
The spring and summer months are monds did a show last year specifically stores that they think would be a good fit
certainly busier than the fall and winter featuring artists from Edmonds Commu- for their art.”
months simply because of the weather, but nity College.

OPINION
continued from page 1
posals from the Trump administration to
eliminate major transit grants, the comple-
tion of the light rail is delayed to mid 2024.
All candidates agreed that the issues
Lynnwood residents will face are all tied to
traffic. During construction, roadways may
be closed for long periods of time. With the
anticipated growth, more commercial de-
velopment will be made downtown, which
could also cause more traffic.
Finally, once the extension is com-
plete, not only will there be Lynnwood
residents using the light rail, but residents
from all across Snohomish County taking
advantage of it.
Candidate Van AuBuchon estimates
that 25,000 people will be coming into the
city of Lynnwood everyday to use the light
rail. In the forum, he expressed concern for
public safety.
Candidate and Council Vice President
Ruth Ross believes that many lower in-
come housing areas will be replaced as a
result of the light rail.
She wants to propose a displacement
plan to give notice to residents who live
close to the site, and prepare them for
what’s to come.
But according to a Q & A between the
Seattle Times and Sound Transit, a dis-
placement plan has already been underway
from as early as 2014 to buyout downtown
Lynnwood landowners who will be dis-
placed by the trackway and station.
Lynnwood residents need good lead-
ers who have the concerns of the people
in mind when running city government. I
think that Mayor Nicola Smith has done a
great job during her tenure in maintaining
our infrastructure and turning Lynnwood
into a welcoming and inclusive city. Her
opponent George Hurst has issues with her
overspending, and taking millions from
the reserve fund to balance our budget, but
sometimes we need a leader who would be
willing to spend money on necessary im-
provements for the good of all.
Rosamaria Graziani could be a voice
for the growing minority population of
Lynnwood. In the forum, she always man-
aged to provide a constructive response to
a topic of issue. Her experience as a lawyer
and former teacher is evidence to her com-
passion for the community.
Van AuBuchon’s previous experience
as councilman could be a benefit to resi-
dents.
Incumbent Ian Cotton didn’t stand
out much during the forum. His words
were puffed up by a lot of hot air. Shanon
Tysland wasn’t so remarkable himself. If
I could vote “no contest,” or “none of the
above,” I’d choose that.
Whatever concerns you may have re-
garding the city of Lynnwood, and its peo-
ple, please make sure your voice is heard in
the upcoming election. Vote.
To watch the forum for yourself, a vid-
eotaping is published on YouTube.
For more information on voting regis-
tration information, and the general elec-
tion, go to snohomishcountywa.gov.
 4 Local
Parking Wars continue amidst construction
By Andrew M. Sullivan
Staff Writer
Parking is tight at EdCC, and has be-
come moreso since the construction for
new parking spots which has blocked 100
spaces leading to what some students are
calling the “Parking Wars.”
At Edmonds Community College
there has always been a problem when it
comes to providing parking for students
and staff.
According to Charlie Crawford, the
Executive Vice President of Instruction,
there was a spike in the number of students
during the recession. When people lost
their jobs, some of them elected to return
to school, cluttering the parking lot.
There have been several attempts to
ease the lack of parking, like converting a
staff parking lot to accommodate students
as well. Shuttles have also been provided to
take students and staff from the Lynnwood
Bowl and Skate to the college campus.
EdCC is also, of course, building a
new parking lot where two older buildings
once stood.
However these are only temporary so-
lutions, as the college grows and more and
more students attend the school. The col-
lege is limited by space, and with plans for
a new STEM building in the works, space
will be in even shorter supply.
According to Taylor Johnson, a stu-
dent, the parking situation can get pretty
hectic. “Between 7:30 a.m. and 8:30 a.m.
is your window to find a space. After that,
good luck.”
He describes the scene to be “Parking
Wars”, with people driving through the lot
in search for empty spaces, students camp-
ing spots, waiting for parked cars to leave.
Some alternative solutions to the prob-
lem include using public transit although
this may not be viable for everyone. You
can also use the off campus parking, such
as the parking lot at the corner of 68th and
196th street. The walk to the school isn’t
that bad.
There is a light at the end of the tunnel,
however far off it may be. Once construc-
tion of the new parking spaces is complete
we will regain those 100 spaces as well as
40 brand new spaces. “The original plans
were to have it done by the time students
came back.” Charlie Crawford noted. Con-
struction was delayed from its initially ex-
pected completion date. When asked when
we should expect construction to complete,
Crawford stated “We heard originally, to-
ward the end of the month.”
The reason for the delay was appar-
ently permitting issues that took time to
resolve. Staff didn’t get word of the con-
December
October
30, 2017
struction delay until it was too late, accord-
ing to Crawford. The school session was
upon us, whether or not the parking was
finished. “Can’t have classes if students
can’t get here.” Crawford expressed.
While the parking situation is some-
what dire, the school board is adamant
about keeping parking passes free for stu-
dents and staff. Crawford said that even
though having students pay for parking
passes may resolve part of the parking
space issue, it’s more important to them
that each student is able to afford parking
on campus.
According to Kevin McKay, the Vice
President for Finance and Operations at
EdCC, another reason for keeping the
parking passes free is because it is a com-
muter campus, and oftentimes students and
staff must drive long distances to reach the
school. “It’s not that they can’t take a bus,
it’s that it doesn’t work into their sched-
ule,” McKay states.
Originally, the new parking spaces
were going to be constructed somewhere
different, using a property that connects
South campus and North campus. Howev-
er, given the space provided by this prop-
erty, it would not have given us as many
new spaces as the current location of the
construction will.
They had considered building a park-
ing garage like some other colleges have
5, 2016
done. However, doing so would take much
more time, between 18 to 24 months by his
estimate.
During that time, 25 percent of the cur-
rently available parking would be blocked
off, and having so much parking unavail-
able for a year would not be viable.
“There never seems to be enough
parking, no matter what we do.” McKay
says. “We’ve got finite resources; that’s not
going to change.”
Kevin McKay also mentions a poten-
tial layout change that could add parking
spaces to the campus and make the parking
lot easier to navigate. The plan involves
moving the public transit drop-off to the
side of the road, as opposed to the center
of the parking lot. However, the location to
move the bus stops to has not been agreed
upon as of yet.
If and when this plan is enacted, pub-
lic transit will no longer cut through the
middle of the parking lot, and can be re-
placed with more spaces. This new layout
will also allow for a much smoother path
through the parking lot, with fewer stops
and turns.
We must keep in mind, however, that
this plan is far off at best. As McKay said,
“Parking is always going to be a chal-
lenge.” The new parking spaces likely
won’t be the end of these issues, but it will
at least stave them off for a while.

Triton Espresso offering new seasonal spices

By Christopher Kim of pumpkin pie to the more soothing flavor
A&E Editor of Almond Joy chocolate, the initiative of
the creative and unique flavors of the fes-
A pleasant aroma fills the Mountlake tive Fall Special menu is certainly a stra-
Terrace Hall lobby as the Triton Espres- tegic move from the director of the Triton
so’s popular menu of beverages and treats Espresso, Heather Swartz.
now features a variety of enticing seasonal “All of our fall drink specials are sea-
drinks. sonal flavors such as cinnamon and pump-
The employees who work at the Tri- kin. What makes them special is the unique
ton Espresso have formulated four intrigu- tastes the flavors have to offer our guests
ing yet wonderfully festive flavors for the when they are craving them! They are
season that are both unexpected and, at the worth buying as the flavors are not avail-
same time, delightful. From the lively taste able all year long,” encourages Heather.
Photo by Rumi Gilani
Student Olivia Schillberg works as a barista at the Triton Espresso
Sure enough, the coffee loving popu-
lace of Edmonds Community College, in-
cluding me, excitedly celebrates the intro-
duction of the limited time, seasonal menu.
Upon my first visit to the Triton Espresso,
I was met with a lengthy line of anxious,
caffeine driven students all eager to get
some coffee in their system.
“It’s the fall season and it’s getting
cold, so everyone wants something warm
and delicious to drink,” explains Olivia
Schillberg, one of the baristas working at
the stand.
“It’s fun to see these new flavors and
ideas being featured at the Triton Espresso
and I think they’re all great and worth try-
ing,” exclaims an Edmonds student who
had just purchased one of the featured
items.
The drinks are sold in sizes 8, 12, 16,
and 20 oz. with prices of $2.70, $3.25,
$3.50, and $4.00 respectively. Not only is
the taste appealing, but the cost and amount
provided seem fairly reasonable as well.
Perfect for coffee consumers on a budget.
One student describes, “I think it’s
better priced than other coffee places and
the fact that it is located in the middle of
the campus makes it a great option for the
students going here.”
The Cinnabun latte and the Pumpkin
Pie latte are two items that are personal
favorites of the employees working at the
stand.
“The Cinnabun is a personal favorite
because it actually tastes like a cinnamon
roll which is pretty amazing,” shares Ol-
ivia.
The unique latte is a delicious addi-
tion to the Triton Espresso’s menu. Brown
sugar, cinnamon, and white chocolate
come together to create a fantastic bever-
age. A satisfying cinnamon fragrance ema-
nates from the drink and fills the air with
the scent of the delectable pastry, although
the strong taste may not be for everyone. It
tastes like cinnamon buns!
The Pumpkin Pie latte boasts a dy-
namic flavor. It took me by surprise at how
the entire cup tasted less like coffee and
strongly of pumpkin. For pumpkin spice
lovers especially, this is a treat worth try-
ing for its robust flavor and calming smell.
However, if you have sensitive taste buds
or would rather taste coffee in your coffee,
steer clear of this option.
“I was relatively surprised at how pun-
gent the pumpkin flavor was in the drink,”
explains David, a customer who was try-
ing out the drink. “The pumpkin flavor was
quite satisfying to me but I would have
liked a more noticeable coffee flavor. The
pumpkin was a little too overpowering for
my tastes.”
The delightful concoction known as
the S’mores Mocha emanates a sooth-
ing warmth and wonderful rich taste. As I
sipped the froth, I noticed a smoky camp-
fire-like taste of the creamy toasted marsh-
mallow syrup along with the chocolate
espresso. The experience can be best de-
scribed as a cozy fireplace easing the mind
and uplifting the soul.
Erica, a satisfied customer, shares, “I
really like this unique smoky flavor that is
slightly on the sweet side and not too bitter.
It’s very calming.”
The Almond Jolt’O Joy latte is yet an-
other new addition to the Espresso’s menu
that presents a unique and “interesting”
taste. Now for those who are wondering:
yes, the coffee is mixed with flavors and
cream to emulate the taste of the Almond
Joy coconut chocolate bar. The first taste is
pleasant and smooth. The taste of coconut
complements the nutty chocolate flavor.
However, after a couple more sips I found
the sweetness overbearing. While it may
not be for people who can’t stand extreme
sugar, it’s a great option for those with an
insatiable sweet tooth.
In addition to these new drinks, the
Triton Espresso is serving hot, delicious
apple cider for the same price as hot choco-
late, if coffee isn’t your thing.
The Triton Espresso’s creative ideas
to recreate the taste of delicious treats is
a pretty neat one. Coffee that tastes like
pumpkin pie or Almond Joy is unique and
fun while the cost remains reasonable.
The new Fall Special menu is certainly a
double win for those looking for their daily
caffeine intake or just craving a hot, tasty
beverage to enjoy for the chilly fall season.

Local PAWS shelters rescue animals from storms
By Rumi Gilani
News Editor
While the world shakes, burns, and
floods as natural disasters seem to occur
with startling frequency, a large number of
people have devoted themselves to helping
a less evident victim--the pets separated
from their families in the chaos.
The Progressive Animal Welfare Society
(PAWS), of Lynnwood, about 10 minutes
from the Edmonds Community College
campus, has been accepting refugee pets
from areas hit by recent catastrophes such
as Texas’ Hurricane Harvey and Northern
California’s deadly wildfires. They and
other shelters around the country have
sprung to action as soon as possible.
When Harvey hit, local shelters were
loaded to capacity with dogs and cats that
families had to leave behind when evacuat-
ing. There is only so much space in each
shelter, so several organizations immedi-
ately started to relocate pets to make room
for the recent surges.
“These were dogs and cats that were
homeless and already in shelters when a
disaster hits like Harvey. What happens is,
people have to flee at the last minute basi-
cally run for their lives, and didn’t always
have the opportunity to take their pets,”
says Laura Follis, PAWS marketing and
communications director.
“Those pets are being housed in the shel-
ters until they can be safely reunited with
their families, but that means that the ani-
mals that are in the shelters need to be tak-
en out to make room for them … we want
dare
to do
Attend A trAnsfer InformAtIon sessIon!
To register visit: www.uwb.edu/admissions/visit/transfer
www.uwb.edu
A dog rescued by the Progressive Animal Welfare Society (PAWS). Many pets are displaced after major natural disasters
such as wildfires and hurricanes. Local Washington State shelters have taken in pets from across the country to help.
to make it really clear that we’re not taking
animals that are owned.”
Each state has its own regulations for
how much time animals can stay in a shel-
ter before they have to go up for adop-
tion, which means that families have at
least some time to hopefully reunite with
425.352.5000
a loved pet. These regulations have previ-
ously been loosened in times of emergen-
cy, and it’s likely to occur again to try and
unite as many people with their dogs or
cats. Unclaimed dogs and cats will eventu-
ally be placed up for adoption, but for now,
most of the pets reaching PAWS from these
areas are ones that were in shelters right
before the disaster.
The first organization to spring into ac-
tion was the Humane Society of the United
States, who are, as Follis says, the boots
on the ground, the ones who are pulling
animals out of shelters and finding places
for them to go. They then contracted with
organizations such as Wings of Rescue to
fly in these animals into Boeing and Paine
fields. Wings of Rescue in particular is
an established charity that claims to have
flown over 26,000 pets to safety since their
conception in 2012.
Animals came in all sorts of transporta-
tion methods. “We got animals by airplane,
we got animals in a converted school bus
that drove from Texas, animals in a van.
We get them all different kinds of modes,”
says Follis.
For example, Project Freedom Ride has
their Texas partner pre-vet and get each
dog a health certificate.
A climate-controller trailer set up with
kennels is then used to pick up dogs at
various partner shelters in Texas before
a volunteer makes the 2,000 mile trip to
Washington.
Many individuals who partner with these
organizations do it out of the kindness of
their hearts, and because they feel for these
animals. “Some people golf, and I fly my
plane around and transfer animals,” said
one proud volunteer and retired doctor.
As of September 28th, 47 dogs and 17
cats have been transferred from Texas. Al-
most every one of them has been adopted
already, with more to come. PAWS is work-
ing on rapidly finalizing more transfers.
It’s possible for so many pets to arrive
at a relatively small shelter because of the
speed at which these dogs and cats are ad-
opted.
The average time of an animal’s stay at
PAWS is about 5 days, which is below av-
erage turnaround for a small shelter.
The trademark generosity of the North-
west isn’t going unnoticed. “We happen to
have a great population of people here who
Local 5
Photo PAWS
get, you know, they want to adopt,” Follis
says. “So not only do we have a huge pet-
loving, pet-owning population, but we also
have a population that believes in adop-
tion.”
This isn’t the first time this has happened.
Overflow pets are regularly sent to shel-
ters in areas like Lynnwood, which is why
PAWS already had contacts with Harvey-
affected and wildfire-stricken areas. Texas
may seem far away, but it still is within a
close enough distance where transporting
animals cross-country is cost-effective.
This can be contrasted to Florida or
Puerto Rico, both which are simply too
far for it to be reasonable to send animals
“Those pets are being
housed in the shelters
until they can be reunit-
ed with their familes,
but that means that the
animals in the shelters
need to be taken out to
make room for them.”
-Laura Follis
from. “It’s a lot of jet fuel to get animals
so far, so if they have exhausted resources
that were closer we probably would’ve
been tapped, but that was just too long of a
distance,” says Follis.
The relief efforts will keep going for the
foreseeable future, for years even. Even
when the media’s focus moves on past
these disasters, the people of the areas af-
fected still have to recover, and it will take
time.
It may seem as though the displaced pets
are of little concern compared to the rav-
aged towns, but every little bit of relief
helps. The animals of disasters deserve
help, just as the people do. It’s a good thing
that those with the resources to do so are
doing everything they can.
PAWS depends on caring volunteers to
continue offering their services to the dogs
and cats of Lynnwood and beyond.
If you’d like to help, please visit https://
www.paws.org/get-involved/volunteer/.
 6 Opinion
Trump’s anti-environmental administration
By Kevin Menzia
Staff Writer
With the election of Donald Trump,
the environment and environmental re-
search in the United States are now under
attack like never before. Fighting for the
environment and for research is more im-
portant now than ever before.
President Trump, in the months since
his inauguration, has gone after environ-
mental regulations that are in place to pro-
tect the environment. He claims that these
regulations are hurting business and by
getting rid of them business can have more
freedom to flourish. While it could be ar-
gued that deregulation can help business,
these regulations are to protect the air, land
and water of this country. Getting rid of
them will have lasting damaging effects
for generations to come.
Environmental regulations took a big
hit when, on June 1, 2017 Donald Trump
made the decision to pull the United States
out of the Paris Climate Agreement. This
was one of former President Obama’s
landmark achievements with regard to
the environment. Obama has on many oc-
casions expressed his belief that climate
change is not only happening, but is man-
made. Trump however does not believe in
climate change. He has in the past called
it a hoax created by China as a means of
hindering American manufacturing and in-
dustry.
Another instance of Donald Trump’s
policies being harmful towards the envi-
ronment is his approval of the Keystone
XL Pipeline and the Dakota Access Pipe-
line. These were both halted under the
Obama administration, but now Trump has
approved their construction. The Dakota
Access Pipeline in particular has caused
a bit of controversy given its proximity to
the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation.
Trump has also expressed his intent to
stop payments to the Green Climate Fund.
The Green Climate Fund is responsible
for helping developing nations around
the world reduce their greenhouse emis-
sions and prepare for the effects of climate
change.
Trump has also lifted a rule that pro-
hibited coal companies from dumping the
debris from their mining activities into lo-
cal streams.
These attacks on the environment are
not isolated and will continue unless there
is sufficient check on what Trump is do-
ing to dismantle environmental protec-
December
October 5, 2016
30, 2017
tions. The only way to accomplish this is
if enough people learn about the environ-
ment and climate change and then get ac-
tive.
The best way to start getting active is
Earn your Degree or
to start locally. There are plenty of local
and statewide environmental groups to get
involved with. Groups such as Conserva-
Certificate with Western
tion Northwest and the Washington En-
vironmental Council are a good place to at a location near you
start.
Another way you can push back
against policies that you do not agree with
is by voting. Maria Kelly, who is chair of
the Environmental Science Department at
Edmonds Community College, says “to be
informed about environmental issues and
have that inform your vote.” She also ad-
vised to those who were concerned to con-
tact their legislator to find out which bills
were up for a vote.
The Trump administration’s policies
and stance on the environment does not
only affect regulation, but careers in envi-
ronmental research as well. The National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
is one of the largest research organizations
that specializes in environmental research.
NOAA has been working without a new Computer and Information Systems Security, B.S.
budget for many years now.
However, the budget Trump is pro- Human Services, B.A.
posing may be even worse than that un- Environmental Policy, B.A.
certainty. The President’s proposed budget
would cut funding to NOAA by 16 per- Environmental Science, B.S.
cent. James Johnson, a research scientist
at the NOAA facility on Lake Washington, Elementary & Special Education, B.A.E.
says that if Trump’s budget goes through Certifications & Endorsements
as is, his group “would likely fold or be (TESOL, ESOL, Special Education)
cut in half.” Johnson did note that Con-
gress usually ignores the President’s bud- WesternOnline
get proposal(s) and passes their own. (over 100 courses to choose from)
However, the passion for science and
doing necessary research at this federal
lab was inspiring despite everything going wwu.edu/locations
on. If the same passion can remain intact
throughout the administration, then there
may be a light at the end of the tunnel. Active Minds Changing Lives AA/EO
Given all this uncertainty when it
comes to the budget, working at a federal
lab may not be the best idea in the near could be as an Industrial Ecologist who ence to pursue environmental careers. It’s
future. These federal budgetary and em- works with industry to limit their impact also important while in school to fight for
ployment concerns could be assuaged if a on the environment. Also, environmental the environment by joining environmental
new, more science friendly administration careers are expected to rise by 11 percent groups such as the ones listed previously.
can take over the White House in 2020. by 2024 according to Kelly. Possibly the best way to fight back is to
However, there are many other opportuni- With the federal government not fight- vote for candidates who are strong on sci-
ties for a career in environmental science ing for the environment like they should, ence and the environment. Now is not the
that students can consider right now once things may look grim. It’s going to fall on time to be discouraged or apathetic. With
out of college. According to Maria Kelly, those with a passion for environmental our planet threatened like never before, it’s
“one option could be working for a private causes to fight back against these new poli- time to fight like never before.
consulting firm” and “we will always need cies and deregulation. It’s going to be vital
to clean things up.” One potential career for those with an aptitude in math and sci-

Exercising the mind: education with gaming

By Christopher Kim
A&E Editor
Video games are being dismissed as
a pointless distraction that causes unpro-
ductivity and addiction, and while this is
partially true, a majority fail to see its con-
tribution to accelerated growth in cognitive
capacity.
With the exponentially growing popu-
larity of video games in modern culture, in
addition to the concerns over gamers be-
coming lazy and antisocial, the world of
digital gameplay has been on the receiving
end of harsh disapproval and avoidance.
However, recent studies suggest that
while there are existing negative effects of
gaming that lead to addiction and sleep de-
pravity, there are many underlying benefits
to playing games that most would not have
expected.
For example, Psychcentral.com re-
ports from a 2013 review of published
studies finding that playing first-person-
shooting games can improve the brain’s ca-
pacity to view three-dimensional objects.
Titles like Minecraft and Counter-
Strike have proved to improve the player’s
cognitive ability to use spatial navigation
and perception.
“This has critical implications for edu-
cation and career development, as previ-
ous research has established the power of
spatial skills for achievement in science,
technology, engineering, and mathemat-
ics,” shares Isabela Granic Ph.D., the lead
author of the American Psychological As-
sociation’s comprehensive research review
on violent video games and adolescence.
Additionally, puzzles and platforming
games like Super Mario, The Legend of
Zelda, and Angry Birds, have been found
to challenge the brain with cognitive func-
tions like problem-solving, memorization,
and attention to detail.
“I remember when I first played Super
Mario 64 I was so confused yet fascinated
with the three-dimensional platform. Even-
tually, I became familiar with the move-
ment of the character and was able to con-
trol him with ease while also memorizing
all of the key points within the game as I
played through it over and over,” shares an
Edmonds community college student.
The research findings also challenge
the stereotype of gamers becoming social-
ly isolated. Massively-Multiplayer-Online
(MMO) games such as World of Warcraft
have been described as online social com-
munities for collaboration and friendships.
“I’m normally quite introverted, but
when it comes to playing games with my
friends, I feel like I’m able to break out
from my introverted self and I have a lot
more fun doing so,” shares Joshua, a Run-
ning Start student at Edmonds.
While most games appear to be com-
prised of fictional characters and colorful
theatrics purely for entertainment, a major-
ity of them have been found to aid players
in developing many creative and imagina-
tive skills that would otherwise be difficult
to foster in school.
A Michigan State University article in
2011 refers to a study of 500 12-year-old
children who played video games becom-
ing more creative in their artwork and sto-
rytelling.
Video games have also been found to
be beneficial in coping with stress or anxi-
ety. Taking the occasional break to relax
and play games can improve wellbeing and
overall productivity and should not be so
easily dismissed as distracting.
Playing fun, interactive games, espe-
cially in cases of depression or frustration,
has been proven to ease the player’s over-
all mood while promoting relaxation and
focus.
“If playing video games simply makes
people happier, this seems to be a funda-
mental emotional benefit to consider,” ex-
plains Isabela Granic.
Gaming continued on page 8

EdCC men’s soccer aims high despite losses
By Rumi Gilani
News Editor
Edmonds Community College’s men’s
soccer game against Everett ended in at 5-1
in Everett’s favor on October 14, in a game
that functioned as more of a stepping stone
than a loss.
It was a cloudy and unremarkable day
through the 90 minute runtime of the game.
The sun only rose as the game ended and
the players shook each other’s hands, al-
most symbolic of a lesson learned and a
roadblock removed.
Speaking before the game, Ozzy Er-
kut, the head coach of the team for his
3rd year running, is determined to bring a
new approach to coaching his team. “It’s
all about long-term development now,” he
says. “We want to prepare our boys for the
next level.”
It’s tough to coach a community col-
lege sports team, as players move on so
quickly. Erkut emphasised that this was
one of the reasons why it is so important to
focus on skill-building and collaboration.
He wants to make sure that every one of
his players leave his team having learned
something valuable.
For the last two years, EdCC has made
it to the Northwestern Athletic Conference
(NWAC) playoffs. Even if the outlook isn’t
great for making it there next season, Erkut
isn’t discouraged.
For him, the focus is on growing the
whole squad as a unit, allowing players to
work directly on their ability to collabo-
rate. “We’ve had a slow season this year,
but the players all show good potential,”
Erkut stated with a smile.
He’s not wrong. This season has not
been the brightest one in Edmonds his-
tory, but sometimes through the hardest
adversity come the best opportunities for
improvement.
Edgar Navarro, one of the team cap-
tains, believes in taking each game one at a
time, playing in the moment and not dwell-
ing on scores. “Our stats on paper aren’t
great,” he says, “but every time we get out
there, we are very determined. You gotta
keep a positive mentality.”
During their pre-game practice, every
player was on time and ready to go. They
EdCC hosts Jet City Roller Derby flat track
By Stephanie O’Loughlin
Staff Writer
Come out to the Seaview gym, seat
yourself in the Beer Garden, and root for
a group of incredible athletes competing in
a super-speed, full-contact, racing-event-
meets-shoving match. It’s Jet City Roller
Derby—the teams are wild, and so are the
fans!
Watch skater Ivana Hercha, a middle-
school instructor, fly around the track and
score for her team. Cheer for Impailor
Moon, “Vet assistant by day, artist in the
evening, and derby girl by moonlight.”
These athletes have a great time put-
ting on their skater personas and setting
aside their everyday lives as students,
moms, and career women.
This is not the scripted and choreo-
graphed banked-track roller derby of the
1960s and 70s, with “Incredible Hulk”
women in heavy makeup catapulting op-
posing players over the rail.
Jet City skaters and women’s flat track
roller derby are the real deal. These skaters
Connor Hurt (Everett Trojans) and Sherriff Conta (Edmonds Tritons) duel for possession of the ball in an October 14 game
ran onto the field and started exercises, de-
termined to squeeze in as much work as
they could before the game began.
The crowd was a 60-odd bunch,
screaming and cheering every time a play
was made on either side. The same people
who cheered for Everett often cheered for
Edmonds, and vice versa. The game, de-
spite a local rivalry, was not a bloodsport
as much as it was a cordial test for both
sides.
You could see the team giving it their
all on Triton Field against Everett, with ag-
gressive pushes that repeatedly overshot
the goal when the forwards got close. In
the middle of the second quarter, one push
finally made it all the way; defensive play-
er Pablo Sedano got ahold of the ball on the
Triton’s side and passed across to forward
Taishi Adachi, who ran up and shot the
ball into the corner of the goal. Everett’s
goalie was caught off-guard by the quick
advance.
are committed, skilled athletes with hun-
dreds of hours of training behind them.
The Edmonds Community College
gym is this year’s venue for these amaz-
ing athletes. You can sit and cheer as a
spectator, join a team as a skater, become
a referee, or volunteer in the roller derby
community. Currently, the league practices
at the Everett Skate Deck, and competes at
Seaview.
From now through April 2018, Jet City
will be holding bouts every month on cam-
pus, and new fans are always welcome.
Not sure what to expect? Log on to
Jet City’s website, jetcityrollerderby.com,
and meet the home teams: Camero Harem,
Carnevil, the Pink Pistols, and the Hula
Honeys, or read the history and stats for the
traveling all-star team, the Bombers.
Jet City Roller Derby is a member of
the Women’s Flat Track Derby Associa-
tion, which is celebrating its 11th season.
The league was founded in 2006 and took
the Division 2 title at the 2013 WFTDA
championships.
Ivana has been skating with Jet City
for 11 years and admits that the time com-
mitment is like having a part-time job,
Sports 7
Everett and Edmonds have a history,
being aforementioned local rivals. Pre-
viously, Edmonds has had strong show-
ings against Everett, but for the last three
games, Everett has taken the upper hand.
Erkut isn’t too torn up about it though,
exclaiming, “We’re glad for the chal-
lenge!” The fiercer the competition, he fig-
ures, the better practice for his team. When
one looks at each game as an opportunity
to apply everything that a team has learned
together, then the score doesn’t matter as
much as the improvement, game to game.
The best example of this so far, as well
as EdCC’s best game of the season, was
against Skagit Valley on October 7, which
ended in 3-1 in Edmonds’ favor. All of the
pieces fell together that game.
The team played as a unit, moving
back and forward to support each other.
Emotions were running high that day,
which resulted in one yellow and two red
cards in total for both teams.
in addition to her profession as a middle
school art teacher. However, she enjoys it
too much to stop anytime soon.
When asked about the prevalence of
injuries in roller derby, Ivana says, “It’s not
if you get hurt, but when.” She says she’s
made peace with the feeling of waking up
the morning after a bout and feeling as if
she’s “been hit by a truck.”
Pretty Little Flier of the Pink Pistols
says, “I was a total klutz until I found roller
derby”. After two years of “falling on my
butt” she seems visibly confident in her
skills.
Pink Pistols skater, The Mexorcist,
says, “Why roller derby? It’s cheaper than
therapy!”
Wu’s Your Momma of Carnevil, who
was nominated captain of her team “be-
cause she’s awesome,” according to her
teammates, encourages skating wannabees
and newbies to join Jet City. “It’s a great
place to learn, and very competitive, and
it’s a great community.”
Ivana Hercha is an experienced jam-
mer. As high-scorer, Ivana took the MVP
award for Camero Harem, in the most re-
cent bout held at Seaview on October 14.
Photo by Rumi Gilani
The head coach recalls the game fond-
ly, saying that the game against Skagit Val-
ley is one that the team wants to replicate
in terms of cooperation and teamwork.
This season’s all but over, ending
in late October. But Erkut isn’t slowing
down, emphasizing a focus on consisten-
cy, saying, “We’re going to try our best to
finish the season strong, reinforcing our
strengths.”
The players agree. “We’re not worried
about scores, we just play our hardest and
try our best,” Navarro says with a grin be-
fore getting back out to practice with the
rest of his team.
If you have any desire at all to watch a
fascinating back and forth and see athletes
putting their all into their game, that crowd
could always use a couple more members.
Admission is free with a valid EdPass,
so go ahead and visit our local sports teams
to support them.
Although Camero Harem lost, 189-218 to
the Heartless Heathers, a Portland team,
the skaters gave their fans an on-the-edge-
of-their-seats spectacle with a pushing,
blocking, tripping, tumbling, sliding, full-
speed skatefest of strategy and athleticism.
Bombshell, as the pivot, took the other
MVP award for the bout.
Wu’s Your Momma’s team, the Carn-
evils, played against the Pink Pistols for
the second bout on Saturday; the final score
was Pink Pistols 186 and Carnevil, 128.
The MVP standouts were Simon Le-
Bomb and captain Mary Contrary for the
Pink Pistols, and Crash Smashum and Cia
Woodnwanna-Bia for Carnevil.
Come out and cheer these skaters on!
Jet City Roller Derby is fun, it’s loud, it’s
colorful and exciting and intense, and the
fans are friendly and glad to explain who is
who and what is what.
If you want to become part of a fun
and friendly community, Jet City can help
you get started. As Carnevil’s Jenn-Aside
says, “Where there’s a will, there’s a way.”
 8 Sports October 30, 2017
December 5, 2016

EdCC women’s soccer set sights on NWAC
By Talia Adams
Staff Writer
Edmonds Community College boasts
an impressive student athlete program, and
the women’s soccer team is no exception.
Head coach Brittney Beitel-Davidson
has led the women’s soccer team for four
years with a 19-27-8 overall record. Beitel-
Davidson played at the Division 1 level at
the University of Idaho, and has led Ed-
monds to a slot away from playoffs in 2015
as well as a third finish in the Northwest-
ern Athletic Conference (NWAC) North in
2014.
According to the athletes on the team,
she has been a positive influence for the
players. Alex Modica, freshman, said of
her coach, “I’ve never had a female coach,
so it’s weird, but it is different, I guess there
is a sort of a support coming from her.”
She also mentions her coach’s history
at the University of Idaho, saying, “she ob-
viously knows what she’s doing.”
Emily Syberg, freshman, repeated
the sentiments of her teammate, saying, “I
grew up with men coaches, and so having a
female coach is pretty cool and I think she
works us really hard.”
She noted that there is no difference
in the amount of work expected from male
versus female coaches, going on to say,
“It’s still that kind of like... I don’t know…
It’s a little different, but it’s good.”
The relatability and connection of a
female coach and female players plays a
significant role in the dynamic of the team,
with a mutual rapport that is not always
found with male coaches.
The team has yet to win a game this
season, but the players are still determined
to get in wins with the few games they
have left.
Syberg simply chalked up the unsuc-
cessful season, “I feel like it’s hard to build
a lot of team chemistry when you’re only
The constant practices and games have
brought the girls close together and they’ve
been able to improve the more they play to-
gether. The girls seem confident with their
teammates and are hopeful for the rest of
the season.
The yearly NWAC playoffs are just
around the corner, with the first round start-
ing Nov. 1. The women’s soccer team boast
an impressive resume, having won four
league titles, two NWAC championships,
one in 2000, and the other in 2002, as well
as finishing in second-place in 2013.
Unfortunately, it looks like they won’t
be making the playoffs this year, but there
are high hopes for next season.
Syberg said, “I don’t think it’s a pos-
sibility anymore because we started off the
season really rough and we’re still kind of
in a tough spot but I think for next year
the freshmen and sophomores have a good
shot.”
Soccer is a very intense sport, with
plenty of running and drills. Most people
would laugh at the idea of running for fun,
but these girls love it.
Modica said the athlete work ethic is
deeply ingrained in her life, explaining, “I
grew up playing soccer, so… I don’t even
know how to describe it, but it feels weird
thinking about not playing.”
The passion of the players shows in
the way they talk about the sport and their
team.
The girls work hard, practicing week-
day mornings, Syberg noted their busy
schedules, balancing practice and going to
class, saying, “We practice in the mornings
so when we come to class sweaty don’t get
mad.”
Collegiate sports are a dedication and
a commitment, and one has to enjoy it to
fully appreciate it and give their all.
Syberg said the effort she puts in
builds her confidence as a player. “It’s real-
Photo by Wilson Tsoi/ EdCC Athletics
ly just like kind of satisfying when you’re
Natalie Brown was one of the EdCC Triton soccer players in the October 14 game
running really hard and you do something
really well and even if it’s just like a really

Triton Volleyball Triumphs

playing together for a month before all the
games start.” According to her, the neces-
sary bond between the players is crucial to
the success of the team.
“And so, like, playing together and
playing for each other gets a little difficult
in the beginning but as we’ve been play-
ing more and more and doing stuff together
more and more, we’re learning to play for
each other better,” explains Syberg.
A tight bond between players is neces-
sary to work together. Though the women’s
soccer team didn’t have the chance to fully
develop one, they have certainly tried their
best with the time they had.
Gaming continued from page 6
Gaming has even been an option for
psychological therapy, specifically those
dealing with trauma. Games such as Tetris
and Candy Crush have been found to help
patients who are dealing with traumatic
events and anxiety.
“Gaming helps me be placed in an-
other world. Playing video games helps me
to get away from reality and only focus on
the game rather than the problems I have in
real life,” shares a student from Edmonds
who had dealt with stress and frustration
from schoolwork.
Though the evidence shows the ben-
efits of playing games, there is no exemp-
tion to the fact that games with violent
themes and age restrictions and time limits
should be applied accordingly.
Nonetheless, evidence clearly shows
that video games are not the worthless
waste of time that they’ve been accused of
small thing, it’s just that… you feel a lot
better about yourself when you do some-
thing well and help your team, everyone is
happy you’re there, it’s a good feeling.”
Modica and Syberg have played to-
gether before, both on the Seattle United
Club team, and it shows by their chemistry
on the field as well as their friendship off
the field.
Every team needs an audience, and
women’s soccer seems to be one of the
most underrated sports of all. Modica ap-
preciates the support of her classmates,
saying, “Come on out, we love having fans
at our games.”
being. To dismiss video games as worth-
less and harmful only for their negative
points while disregarding the possibility to
dynamic benefits is disappointing to me.
The debated question as to whether
video games are worth introducing into a
child’s life is a difficult one to answer due
to its correlation to the development of bad
habits while also harboring potential ben-
efits through cognitive development and
improved thinking and mood.
However, with the evidence provided
and the guidelines established, it should
be perceived that anyone can benefit from
playing video games so long as it is within
a controlled time limit and the appropriate
genre is selected.
The applications for games in a learn-
ing environment is one possible takeaway
from this. With an evident boost in cogni-
tive usage and logical thinking involved,
the classroom can become an environment
of accelerated learning and growth while
being fun and enjoyable for students.
By Andrew M. Sullivan
Staff Writer
The EdCC Tritons volleyball team has
dominated the season thus far with five
wins and only one loss, playing with no
shortage of skill, teamwork and determina-
tion.
The volleyball game on October 6,
2017 against the Skagit Valley Cardinals
did not exactly feature a packed stadium.
In spite of this, the crowd that did show up
was a highly vocal one, cheering the Tri-
tons on with enthusiasm during the game.
The Tritons held great leads on the
Cardinals in every set they played. In the
first set they won 25-17, in the second they
won 25-14 and in the final set the score was
25-20. In each of those rounds they held
substantial leads for most of the time.
All around the team displayed incred-
ible synergy and teamwork; it seemed as
if they had all been playing together their
whole lives.
As of the October 6th game, the Tri-
tons had won five out of five games, taking
not one loss. They would go on to lose the
game against the Bellevue Bulldogs on Oc-
tober 11th, however a five-one win streak is
still something to be proud of. They edged
out the Shoreline Dolphins on October
18th, 3-2.
According to the libero of the team
(defensive specialist), Courtney Anthony,
the team really wishes for more support
at games, a sentiment shared by her team-
mates.
Sidra Thorkildsen, a setter (offensive
specialist) on the volleyball team, said that
the team had to work on their attitudes in
general.
The team is very close-knit, support-
ing and helping each other through hard
times, on and off the court. In addition to
being motivated by each other, the athletes
are also encouraged by friends and family
outside of the team.
Thorkildsen also joked that they want
a mascot, although it may not be a bad idea.
According to head coach Tony Miran-
da, the team is comprised of 11 freshmen
and four sophomores. The team is mostly
made up of newcomers, which makes their
recent victories even more impressive.
They are not trying to get better than
the teams they’ve already beaten this sea-
son; rather, they are trying to get better than
the team that beat them.
Since they will be facing each of
the six teams they have already gone up
against for a second time, they will have
another shot at beating the Bellevue Bull-
dogs. They have learned from their loss
against the Bulldogs, they will be prepared
to take them on again and win.
“[We’re] getting a little bit better every
day.” says Miranda. After a five game win
streak the one team the Tritons have yet to
beat are the Bellevue Bulldogs.
The next six games the team is going
to play will all be rematches against the
same six teams they faced already. They
look forward to their rematch with Bel-
levue and their chance to win against them.