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Which artist would you most want to see perform at prom?

Gabe Bowlen:
Frank Sinatra could easily perform at a high school prom. Once the announcement comes on for the “last song”, he could slide in with the good o’l classic “The Way You Look Tonight”. It would be the subtle, yet perfect, transition from some upbeat dance music, to some slow smooth dance.

Shirlie White:
Oh for sure the Jonas Brothers, who wouldn’t want to see the band get back together at prom? Yeah I know this sounds silly but you can’t go wrong with the Jonas Brothers. The best boy band everyone grew up with, and how amazing would it to see them perform in a tiny town like Ketchikan? Having the Jonas Brothers perform would be lit.

Joey Karlik:
I was probably born in the wrong generation music-wise, but I have to go with the best live performer of all time. As soon as he goes on stage and his first song comes on, everyone would know who entered the room. Starting off with “Wanted Dead or Alive”, my choice is the man, the myth, the legend, Jon Bon Jovi. Not only would he out perform all of the rap genre artists combined, he has the perfect playlist to go along with it too.

Justin Albecker:
I hate following the large amount of basic teenage girls screaming for this man to come on stage and perform, but I have to say the 6 God himself, Drake. Drake has the largest variety of music, ranging from traditional rap to his sad R&B songs, he would fit perfectly in today’s prom.

Dante Troina:
There’s only one song that gets everyone at once lit at any dance ever “Crank That” by Soulja Boy. Soulja Boy is possibly the greatest rapper of all time, and has the best dance moves of any artist ever; rumor has it that “Crank That” was originally written for Michael Jackson, but he insisted Soulja kept it because it was “too emotional”. Big Soulja would perform his one hit, and then get off the stage, which is all we need.

Kinani Halvorsen:
If I had to choose one person to play live at prom I personally would like to have Queen there performing. My taste in music is very diverse but I think Queen has most of the bases covered. You have the heavy bass line that young folk crave in songs like “Another One Bites the Dust”, you have your soulful slow songs like “Somebody to Love”, and you have your uptempo groove songs with songs like “Don’t Stop Me Now”, and “I Want to Break Free”. Not to mention that lead singer Freddie Mercury is a total babe, just saying.

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Is prom overrated?

Thomas Brooks:
I’ve never been to prom, but I feel like it’s overrated yet not in a bad way. I think it’s great that we put so much hype into prom because it’s one of the seniors’ most memorable nights. The fundraising that goes into prom is crazy, but at the same time it goes to such a great experience for the seniors. This is the classiest thing that some of the seniors will ever experience in their life. Personally, I’m very excited for this year’s prom and even though a lot of money is put into prom, I feel like it’s worth it.  

Lezille Sagrado:
I don’t think prom is overrated. I wasn’t able to go to prom the past two years, but I still think of prom as a seemingly interesting and classy event. I think that prom could be a great experience for juniors and especially seniors since we spend a lot of time trying to fundraise so we can make prom fun for everyone and make it the best it can be. Prom can be expensive, but with all the food, picture-taking, and being able to spend time with your friends before college, I think it’s worth it.

Kinani Halvorsen:
I think that prom is overrated. Don’t get me wrong, I am just as excited as anyone else, but I think in some cases it gets too much “hype”. It’s not the magical night that everyone says it is. Is it fun? Yes, it is a very genuinely enjoyable night but I don’t think that it is everything it is made out to be. Prom is a night that people anticipate to be the “best night of their life!” And it can be, and in most cases it is a wonderful night, but prom is still overrated to me.

Dante Troina:
Prom is extremely overrated. It’s supposed to be a magical night of dreams, right? Well, sorry to say, but it’s not. My dream prom would be to take Yanet Garcia in my Lamborghini while dressed in my White Goodman shiny shoes. If only, right? Nope. Maybe my prom could be as thrilling as the one in 21 Jump Street; in fact, that would be awesome, making a drug bust in a whited-out suit. But none of those dreams can come true at Kayhi’s prom, which is why it’s overrated.

Baseball, Opinion, Sports, Staff Picks

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Major league baseball season is underway, here are our staff’s 2017 World Series predictions.

Justin Albecker:
Is this even a real question? The Boston Red Sox has the world series on lockdown this year! From an incredibly dominant pitching staff to their overwhelming offense, the team is slated to be the top team of the year. This year’s pitching staff is the strongest they have had in the last ten years. 2016 Cy Young award winner, Rick Porcello (3.15 ERA for 2016) leads the staff, with newly acquired Chris Sale (5x All Star, 3.34 ERA for 2016) following after, and David Price (5x All Star, 3.99 ERA for 2016, 2012 Cy Young award winner). The Red Sox already filled the hole that David Ortiz left with strong new players, such as Outfielder Mookie Betts, number one prospect Andrew Benintendi, Outfielder Jackie Bradley Jr., First/ DH Hanley Ramirez, Shortstop Xander Bogaerts, and Third Baseman Pablo Sandoval. I predict that the Red Sox will beat the Dodgers in the 2017 World Series.

Gabe Bowlen:
This year, the St. Louis Cardinals will take the title as World Series Champions. After acquiring former Chicago Cub Dexter Fowler, the Cardinals are in prime position for taking their 12th World Series Title. St Louis has a dominant pitching staff featuring Adam Wainwright, Mike Leake, Kevin Siegrist, and many more. The pitchers will attack the strike zone, while Yadier Molina guns runners out on the base path. The infield and outfield roster of the Cardinals is unstoppable. From the lefty power hitter Matt Carpenter, to power righty Stephen Piscotty. The Cards are set with a strong defense and a powerful offense that can, and will take them all the way. I predict that the Cardinals will beat the Red Sox in the 2017 World Series.

Kody Malouf:
The New York Yankees are going to be world champions for the 28th time at the end of this year. We suffered a first round exit in the wild card last year, but we weren’t very good. The Yankees have a full roster and quite a bit of new young talent. Catcher Gary Sanchez and RF Aaron Judge played great in their limited seasons last year. The Yankees also have veteran players like LF Brett Gardner and CF Jacoby Ellsbury coming back to give NY one of the best outfields in the league. And with their bullpen which includes Aroldis Chapman, Dellin Betances, and Chasen Shreve, the Yankees will win almost every game in which they enter the 7th inning with a lead. We have great young hitters including Greg Bird and Gary Sanchez to help on the offensive as well. The Yankees will end 2017 with the World Series Trophy in their grasp.

Dante Troina:
The Los Angeles Dodgers are primed to make a World Series run this year. The outfield is loaded, with six solid players competing for three starting spots, they will be able to switch between lefties and righties at will. The infield is led by standout shortstop Corey Seager, who won rookie of the year and placed third in MVP voting as a rookie last year. In addition, they have undeniably the best pitcher in baseball, Clayton Kershaw, who has won three Cy Youngs and one MVP. With future star Julio Urias, and quality starters in Rich Hill, Kenta Maeda, and Scott Kazmir, the staff rounds up nicely. L.A. is also presumed to make a move for Rays’ star Chris Archer around the deadline. Also, a deep bullpen led by Kenley Jansen figures to be able to close out close games. Taking all of that into account, The Los Angeles Dodgers will beat The Cleveland Indians in the World Series.

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How do you keep yourself motivated to maintain your grades in second semester?

Kinani Halvorsen:
As a member of Kayhi’s Pep Band, Wind Ensemble, and Jazz Band, I attend the Southeast Alaska Region V Basketball Tournament and the Southeast Alaska Region V. Music Festival and bad grades mean that you can’t travel. With the Regional Basketball Tournament being at Juneau, I have to maintain good grades to be able to attend the tournament. I have to do the same for Music Fest which is being held in Sitka this year but in addition to having to keep up my current grades, I will also have to have passing quarter 3 grades because Music Fest is held in quarter 4.

Hannah Maxwell:
College, the one thing that can motivate me like no other. I have narrowed down the list of colleges that I want to attend but I still have to apply and be accepted. In order to be accepted I need good grades. So whenever I really start to slack off I just need to remind myself that it will all be worth it in the end. 5 years from now I don’t want to regret the work I didn’t do in high school.

Carolina Stuart:
Since I am not involved in any school activities that require good grades for traveling or participating in, it’s all self motivation for maintaining my grades in second semester. My self motivation is everything to get the good grades to get into colleges, and keeping my parents happy. Coming home to an upset mom isn’t fun, not only does it feel like I failed to make her proud, but it definitely bothers my competitive side. No one likes to put off homework, especially the feeling after it’s already due and it’s still not done. Second semester proves just how much resilience a student has to maintain their grades, and not decide to slack off.

Max Collins:
I tend to keep myself motivated in second semester for numerous reasons. I am a very involved athlete at Kayhi so time management with school work and personal time after school is compact. During the beginning and end of my school year is when I participate in all my school activities. The second semester of my school year is very crucial. For me, Spring is the time of excitement with Skiing, Regions, Soccer trips, and vacation trips. If I don’t manage my time I won’t do the things I have been looking forward all year. Working hard for nothing is a lot worse than working hard for something.

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Who is going to win the Super Bowl and why?

Max Collins:
The Atlanta Falcons are about to go against one of the greatest franchises in NFL history, the New England Patriots. The combination of head coach Bill Belichick and Tom Brady have been unstoppable for the last 15 years. Both have been in the Super Bowl six times in their franchise. Atlanta has been great towards the last half of the season and just recently shut down two high caliber teams, the Seattle Seahawks and the Green Bay Packers. Atlanta’s offense has been troubling teams all season scoring an average of 33 points per game. Matt Ryan, Julio Jones, and Devonta Freeman will score and score again. With Atlanta having such a great offense I don’t see New England keeping up with the high scoring game. No matter how good the New England Patriots are and how amazing Brady’s stats are in previous Super Bowls I see them losing 37- 17.         
Atlanta 37 New England 17

Hannah  Maxwell:
The Patriots are winners. It’s all they know how to do, going 14-2 in the regular season is not a small accomplishment. Tom Brady and Bill Belichick have been in this situation before, going up against a team who isn’t used to playing football in January. On this day 2 years ago I was watching Malcolm Butler get one of his first career interceptions, giving the New England Patriots the Super Bowl win they deserved. I have never been happier, every Seahawks fan had their heart broken on that glorious day and I loved it. Even though the Patriots aren’t playing the Seahawks this Sunday, every Seattle fan is still praying for them to lose; and they will have their hearts broken once again. The Falcons will keep the game close for the first half but after that it will be over. After an inspired halftime speech from Belichick and Brady, the Patriots will come out and dominate the second half.
New England 43 Atlanta 24    

Joey Karlik:
Well I know everyone wants to be anti-Patriots, I do too, but… I recall last year that a dominant team from the NFC south came into the Super Bowl and represented the NFC. That team had an MVP caliber quarterback, So do the Falcons. That team had an “offense that no one can stop”, so do the Falcons. That team last year went against the number one defense which were the Denver Broncos. This Super Bowl is going to be a repetition of the last Super Bowl. Dominating offense going against the number one defense. Now there is a chance it could be the other way around. Von Miller was the guy with the most sacks last year. Vic Beasley Jr is the person with the most sacks this year and he is on the Falcons side. Beasley could force a couple fumbles to secure the game just like Miller did last year, but you never know. My heart says Falcons, but my mind says Patriots. This time I have to go with my mind. The score will be the exact same as last year too, 24-10. History is going to repeat itself this Super Bowl Sunday.
New England 24 Atlanta 10

Dante Troina:
Tom Brady and Bill Belichick are 4-2 in Super Bowls, and basically two miracle catches by unknown Giants receivers away from being undefeated in Super Bowls. The Falcons, however, are the story of this season, the team that has quickly become America’s darlings. The Patriots will ultimately win this game, having a better coaching staff, more prepared team, and better game plan. However, Atlanta will come out of the gates very strong, their defense will pressure Brady and the offense will generate big plays. After the first quarter, the Pats will settle into their game plan, and dominate the time of possession. The biggest question mark of the game is whether the Falcons defense will play well or not, and I think not. They’ve played well so far, but that was against a mediocre Seahawks squad and injured Packers team. The Patriots are neither injured nor mediocre, they are versatile and efficient. Most championship games in football come down to turnovers, field position, and third down conversions. Every Super Bowl the Patriots have been in has been decided by four or less points, and this one will be no different. The Falcons will start fast, but New England will control the clock, and hold them to field goals instead of touchdowns, and win 31 to 27, and Bill Belichick will smile for the first time, under his gray, cut off sleeve hoodie.
New England 31 Atlanta 27

Kody Malouf:
It’s simple, if you give Bill Belichick and Tom Brady two weeks to prepare, they’re not going to lose. The two games they have lost were both from miracle catches versus the Giants, not from anything they did to themselves. The Patriots will not lose this game, they’re too prepared, too well coached, and they have too many different role players that can come alive at any time. Atlanta will put up a fight though, their high powered offense with Matt Ryan and Julio Jones will put up most of the yards and points for the game, and the Patriots will struggle to cover Julio, but it won’t be enough because inevitably Tom Brady will have the ball last and lead a game-winning drive giving the Patriots their 5th Lombardi Trophy.
New England 36 Atlanta 30

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What Makes Rivalries So Great?

Lezille Sagrado:
What makes a rivalry so great is the built-up intensity of the crowd and how much hype there is for a sport. Rivalries are great because of all the cheering and support you’re giving your team to hype them up and get excited about winning. For us, whenever JDHS comes here to play basketball, it gets really crazy. Our pep club is on top of everything when it comes to all the signs they make, with all the camo everyone wears, while our pep band sets the right tone for the rivalries. With the whole town coming out to support us, it just makes it even better.

Thomas Brooks:
A good healthy rivalry never hurt anyone. Actually rivalries are a very good thing. They push players to perform to a more intense standard and increase the player’s desire to win. When two good teams are going head to head it makes everyone perform to their best. You can expect for pep club, pep band, cheer, and dance team to go hard. Rivalries also create more money. If there’s a known rivalry between two teams people are going to pay to watch them play, and we all know money is good. You can expect for the games with JDHS to be heated.

Joey Karlik:
Rivalries are the pinnacle of any season schedule in any sport. Whether it’s a division or conference rival that you hate because they beat you or your team every single time, or it’s a person or team that is just so good you want to see them or that person lose just so they can understand the pain of losing. Rivalries are pure good fun. Whether it’s the Dallas Cowboys taking on the New York Giants, or our Kayhi Kings against the Juneau Douglas Crimson Bears, rivalries are great especially for the fans.

Hannah Maxwell:
Winning a game against your rival can be seen as even more important than winning a region title. Rivalries are so great because it shows the love people have for their teams. A great rivalry game is anticipated weeks in advance and fans come ready to yell and scream for their favorite team. Sharing a common enemy, even just for a night or two, brings people together. All differences are cast aside and all energy is focused on doing your part to win the game.

Gabe Bowlen:
The key component in a good rivalry is good competition. With our school’s rivals, we get that. Against JDHS we have good games, good events, in all sports at Kayhi. When people start vandalizing, stealing, and assaulting the other schools property and people, then the rivalry is bad. Once the game starts, usually everybody in our stands is hyped, and really in the game. If people are yelling harsh, inappropriate things then it takes away from the fun of the game. During basketball games, it’s really easy to get carried away during play, especially when we’re playing JDHS.

Kody Malouf:
There are a few things that give a rivalry life. Competition is one, if both teams suck then the rivalry gets stale, bland, and boring. History is another, there has to be a rich history between the two teams, full of great games, close finishes, and outstanding performances by the best players over the years. The most important component of a rivalry though, is hatred. There has to be that almost tangible hatred between the teams. The years of bad blood that fires up everyone involved with the rivalry. The players, the coaches, and the fans all buy into that absolute loathing for one another that can only be found in a grade A-rivalry.

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What do you think about New Year’s Resolutions?

Shirlie White:
I believe that New Year’s resolutions are good for people to have. It gives people the motivation to do what they have always wanted to do, or to benefit themselves. At the same time, New Years also seems to be used as an excuse to put off doing what people need or want to do simply because they want to say, “new year, new me.” You should be able to do what you want to benefit yourself whenever, if you want to do something do it now. Do not wait for another year just to make another resolution, take risks.

Lezille Sagrado:
I think that New Year’s resolutions can set great goals to people who are on top of things. But for me, I guess it doesn’t really matter because, even though it’s a new year, it doesn’t mean I’m going to change what I do unless I really have to. Like for example, if you want to do better in school and get good grades, don’t wait until next year to set that goal. Or even if you want to get better at a sport, don’t waste your time, take advantage of today and just do it.

Jackson Pool:
If someone needs to have the start of a new year to be motivated to do something, they’re doing it completely wrong. If you want something to change in your life, do it today, don’t wait for months and procrastinate. More than half the citizens of America make New Year’s resolutions, less than 10% go through with them. All these “resolutions” do is make the greater percentage of people more lazy and less confident. Failing your goals starts to become a habit eventually, so you have to will yourself to accomplish them. If you want something, don’t wait, do it now.

Pablo Orta:
I’ve never been a big fan of New Year’s resolutions because I don’t see how going into a new year will give you the motivation you need to change something about yourself that you could’ve changed long ago. If there’s something about yourself or about your life that you want to change for the better, you shouldn’t wait around for New Year’s to finally tell yourself that you’re going to work hard to achieve your goal(s), you should take action as soon as possible. Instead of having New Year’s resolutions I think everyone should try to better themselves every single day.