A If you live in Washington and are a fan of college football, you know about the Apple Cup, one of the state’s most heated and historic rivalries. Each year, the University of Washington Huskies UW and the Washington State University Cougars WSU battle it out for bragging rights, tradition, and pride.

This year’s matchup was one that Husky fans will not soon forget. The Huskies overpowered the Cougars with a commanding 59 and 24 victory, the highest point total ever scored in Apple Cup history. From the opening kickoff to the final whistle, UW showcased its depth, speed, and precision on both sides of the ball.

The Huskies’ offense was unstoppable, marching down the field almost at will. Big plays through the air and strong runs on the ground kept the Cougar defense scrambling all night. Every time WSU tried to build momentum, the Huskies answered right back with explosive scoring drives. The Cougars fought hard and had a few bright moments, but turnovers and defensive struggles made it nearly impossible to keep up with UW’s pace.

For Husky fans, this game was more than just another win; it was a statement. Breaking the Apple Cup scoring record adds another chapter to UW’s proud football tradition and gives them bragging rights across the state until next year’s rematch. For the Cougars, it’s a tough loss in a rivalry that always stirs up strong emotions, but one that will continue their drive to bounce back.

The Apple Cup has always been about more than just football; it’s about community, competition, and the pride of two schools separated by less than 300 miles. This year, the purple and gold came out on top in dominating, leaving fans already counting down the days until these two programs clash again.

Are you up and standing? When you’re at a pep assembly, you probably aren’t participating. You’re not the only one. Everyone has their reasons, but one of them is that you’re most likely not enjoying the assembly.

One of the bigger problems is the lack of engaging content. Understandably, this could be discouraging for our students who give it their all to demonstrate their skills and creativity, but this isn’t what we mean. We’re discussing the issue of which students will engage with it. For example, more student inclusion can add value to pep assemblies rather than dread.

Here are some student quotes to put some perspective on what we’re referring to. “The only fun part is when the kids are down there playing games.” “I don’t mind them, but it feels like they drag them out.” “It’s fun, but it’s kind of repetitive.”

To combat some of these problems, here are a few ideas that can be implemented by ASB or even the administration. Have a hype squad. The hype squad would be placed randomly in the bleachers. When there’s a part of the assembly that needs hype, all they have to do is cheer, because if there are enough people who are hyped, others might also get excited.

Another idea is we could hold votes for what students want to see or what they want to interact with. If we continue to just decide for them, then they’ll probably stay disinterested. We could also start some talk about incoming assemblies a few weeks in advance, so more people are aware, so it’s not sprung on them, because when that happens, students are annoyed and don’t want to go.

In conclusion, there are many ways that we can make assemblies better for students and teachers. From consulting students about their wants or their interests to actually providing what they asked for. It’ll take a while to implement, but it doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be considered.

Do you remember when you were allowed to take your time on your work because you knew you’d have extra time in advisory?

Sadly, this is no longer a fact and is now something we can reminisce on. Our school has switched its schedule once again, leaving us with advisory only on Wednesday. This new schedule gives us more time in class, yes, but the old schedule allowed us to have more time to do work that we hadn’t finished.

The CDC states that a healthy way to cope with stress is by “connecting with others, talking with people about your concerns, and trying to do relaxing activities that you enjoy.” Advisory was that place. To quote a few students, “I wish we had Advisory right now, dude.” “I hate this new schedule so much.” “This is so stupid; I want to be in Advisory right now.” These quotes from students who wish to remain anonymous outline people's opinions about the new class schedule. 

In contrast, the engagement team has a different opinion, such as, “Advisory seems to have students all over the place, but only having it one day a week is nice for us.” Another opinion is, “It makes it matter more; last year we had Advisory for four days out of the week. You were supposed to be there to learn important skills, but everyone was all over and not where they were supposed to be. This year it counts more because it’s only one day out of the week, making you value it more,” said Mr. Steen. 

The original schedule allowed for student athletes and students in clubs to get their work done so they could meet the grade requirements for their activities. Many students at Selah High School have other commitments after school, but we can understand our staff's frustration with the constant reminders about where we are supposed to be. Advisory was a place to hang out with friends and relax, but from the faculty's perspective, we were using Advisory as a free period and not for the intended purpose.

In conclusion, Advisory is a key point in a student’s day, allowing for work to get done and new relationships to bloom. A suggestion would be to do a hybrid of the schedules, allowing students to have a place to flourish while not stressing out the staff.

As fall is approaching, many things begin to happen. Leaves begin to brown and fall off, temperatures drop, and pumpkin spice comes into season. Pumpkin spice has been storming the nation for many years now, with products ranging from pumpkin spice popcorn and tea to even hummus. We all enjoy this seasonal treat, but has it gone too far?

Pumpkin spice is the seasonal treat that people enjoy during fall, but recently it has gone out of hand with all sorts of pumpkin spice objects. On October 10, 2003, Starbucks launched the pumpkin spice latte, and it has since become a seasonal phenomenon, becoming one of the most popular drinks in Starbucks' history. You might be wondering what this drink has to do with anything. In recent years, the media has gone wild for the pumpkin spice latte, beginning the pumpkin spice craze across social media.

Recently, things have been getting out of hand with pumpkin spice yogurt, pumpkin spice spam, slurpees, ramen noodles, and even cat litter. These products are going too far. The idea is fun, but this is just growing the problem year by year. Who knows what we will see this year?

Pumpkin spice is a wonderful fall taste, and it is great that companies can spice up the season with this seasoning. But not everything needs to be pumpkin spice. At the end of the day, this flavor should be enjoyed as a special treat of the season, not stretched into every product on the shelf.

Brain Rot: Why Teens Can’t Stop Watching

Brain rot is dumb and not funny. You may have been scrolling through TikTok or Instagram and found yourself watching something so random and unusual that you can’t look away.  If so, you have experienced Brain rot.

Brain rot is just videos with strange edits that are very odd. There are weird AI videos of fruits, Chimpanzini Bananini, and even older trends like Skibidi Toilet, which younger children like. 

A student, Caleb Quantrille, has said, "I don’t like that my little brother likes Skibidi toilet; it's very annoying".

Brain rot has become a comfort for teens who want to think about something silly or laugh at something, and for even younger children who find the nonsense amusing. According to The Rise of Brain Rot and the Decline of the Teenage Mind by the Mindwood Argus, the term "brain rot" got so big that Oxford University Press picked it as the Word of the Year in 2024, since teens use it jokingly to describe the content that they watch.

Why Teens Think It’s Funny.

The reason brain rot is funny is that it’s so overstimulating and dumb. The fast cuts and distorted visuals overload your attention span, and that chaos is the joke. High schoolers who scroll TikTok and Instagram all day find it funnier the less it makes sense. Some statistics from ACT Youth show the percentage of social media use by kids and teens: TikTok (63%), Snapchat (60%), Instagram (59%), Facebook (33%), and Discord (28%). Daily, a majority of teens visit YouTube (71%), TikTok (58%), and Snapchat (51%), with Instagram at (47%).

It feels different from regular content because there are no rules, and that unpredictability makes it entertaining. That's why kids and teens like it so much. Calling a video “brain rot” is almost like a compliment.

High school is one of the most important, fun, and exciting years of your life, but it can also be a bit overwhelming sometimes. Between your classes, extracurriculars, friendships, and planning for the future in the real world, it’s easy to feel stressed or worried about high school. But don’t worry! Here are some helpful tips to navigate through high school and make the most of these important years.

1. Stay Organized

To stay organized and keep track of schoolwork, use a planner or digital calendar to monitor assignments, tests, and activities. Breaking tasks into smaller steps can help avoid last minute work and can also reduce stress and help keep on track with everything.

2. Manage Your Time Wisely

Balancing schoolwork, hobbies, and social life can be a bit difficult, but also be very helpful. It's also best if you can manage your time because time management is also important in the real world. Prioritize what’s important first, like homework, chores, and then set aside the stuff you want to do, like hanging out with friends or relaxing.

3. Ask for Help When Needed

Don’t be afraid to reach out to teachers, counselors, or friends if you’re struggling. Everyone needs support sometimes, and there are people ready to help you succeed in anything you want to succeed in. There will always be someone willing to help you.

4. Get Involved

Join clubs, sports, or other extracurricular activities that interest you. This is a great way to meet new friends and build social skills. Social skills are going to be very important in the real world if you want a good job.

5. Take Care of Yourself

Make sure to get enough sleep, eat healthy, and stay active. Your mental and physical health are very important keys to staying focused and motivated to do your school work, and also if you're doing any sports.

6. Stay True to Yourself

High school can come with peer pressure, but remember who you are and what you value. So be yourself and only surround yourself with positive people who will like you for you, and make the right friends and decisions because who you hang out with is who you become.

 7. Plan for the Future, But Don’t Stress Too Much

It’s good to think about college or careers, but don’t let it overwhelm you. Just focus on school work, working hard, and don't fall off. All the hard work will pay off.

It’s the 2025 men’s state cross country meet. The runners stand tense at the line. “Runners, take your mark… set… BANG!” The pack surges forward. Will Selah be there—and will they win it all?

Selah Cross Country is no stranger to big moments. With state titles in its history and alumni now competing at the Division I level, the program has long been a contender. But this year’s team might just have the speed and commitment to make a serious run at another state victory.

Freshmen are already shaking things up, showing speed and promise that could carry Selah well into the future. Names like Orrin Gamache, Hudson Sager, Trent Schmierer, and Nathan Lund have emerged early as ones to watch because of their speedy times. All getting in the top 20 for this halftime dash.

But it’s not just about the incoming talent. The varsity squad brings a balanced mix of experience and grit: Josh Strand, Pavlo Rodriguez, Jaxon Mouw, Seth Lorton, Justus Cutter, and Lucas Kalaba. In their opening home meet, Selah’s top athletes set the tone for the season. Pavlo Rodriguez grabbed 2nd place, Jaxon Mouw followed in 3rd, Orrin Gamache impressed with a 4th-place finish, and Joshua Strand finished in 6th, with many others finishing in the top 20.

Coach Polly summed it up, “We have a good team and a lot of people have put in work in the summer. We’re gonna put in a lot of good work.”

That hard work will be essential. Cross country is as much a mental grind as it is a physical one. Former Selah standout and current Washington State University runner Eric Swedin encouraged, “This team has the physicality to win state, now it’s all about putting in the work and being disciplined mentally. That’s how you will win.”

With the rising freshmen, experienced varsity leaders, and a strong tradition to lean on, Selah’s 2025 team has everything it takes to make noise this fall. Whether they can turn that potential into another state trophy remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: they are ready and they won’t be overlooked.

The first year of college can feel overwhelming and scary. It's a step into a new world that may feel unfamiliar, exciting, and sometimes intimidating. Not knowing where to begin or how to navigate this transition can make the experience even more challenging. Entering college unprepared can hinder both your confidence and success. With some tips and insight, you can make the most of your first year and confidently embrace this new chapter. 

One of the most important things you can do is get involved. Take advantage of every opportunity to get involved on campus, join clubs, participate in activities, and explore anything your college has to offer. This will help you make new friendships and get the full college life experience. The article The First Year of College also suggests the idea of getting involved on campus. The article states that joining a group will help you with homesickness and feeling like you belong within your college community. This article also suggests staying organized, which is crucial to being up to date with all your assignments. College isn't like high school, where your teachers will have everything organized for you and lead you through all your assignments and due dates. That's why it is important to stay organized, you can buy a planner, use an organizer app, or use a big calendar. 

For your first year, it's important to avoid overloading yourself with too many classes and responsibilities. The article  Do's and Don'ts for College Freshman advises not to overschedule yourself. Overscheduling can be overwhelming and make it hard for you to keep up. In your first trimester, it is crucial to adjust yourself to the new environment. The first year of college is about getting comfortable and finding yourself in your college. Most importantly, never give up and let yourself enjoy the process. You got this! 

Did you know that there are opportunities such as scholarships and jobs focused on video games? Just like normal sports, colleges can scout players from schools across the globe to come play for their team while cutting portions of their tuition, scholarship money, or other benefits. Consisting of multiple games, ESports has a wide variety of potential for each player to have a unique job on the team.

Recently, members of the ESports team here at SHS were recruited to Columbia Basin College for a game called Overwatch 2. However, within the same High School league that they competed in, another player was signed directly to a professional team. If you want an opportunity to be scouted for college or get a scholarship, talk to Mr. Roberts about joining the ESports team.

As an example, the CBC (Columbia Basin College) ESports program is very highly funded for the college. The players are even considered athletes and get the benefits of such. Just like normal athletes, ESports recruits can have portions of their tuition paid due to scholarships while playing for the team (Up to 40%).

ESports is a very wide category, it consists of multiple games, such as popular ones like Rocket League, Valorant, Overwatch, and League of Legends. All of these games are classified into different categories; as such, each game has its own team. There are even smaller games that have professional teams, such as Brawl Stars; however, the small games aren’t very likely to have teams on the college level.

Due to the wide cast of such games, each player needs a unique role to differentiate from the rest of the team. Most competitive games will have basic roles such as tank, damage, or support, each to fulfill their role and win the game. However, games such as Rocket League don’t have roles and instead focus on team coordination, which sparks recruitment for players who can play together or upcoming players to practice together. 

However large and growing the ESports scene is, should you focus all your time on it so you can be scouted? Short answer, no. If you are good at games, you can try to make yourself look for the colleges however, it is a very unstable community with almost nobody ever getting a chance to play in the college or professional scene. Does that mean you shouldn’t try? No, get out there and give it your all; however, you do want to have other things that interest you because the chances are so very low for anybody to be noticed. No matter who you are, there is always a chance to be noticed for the hard work and effort you put into anything, even video games.

As a beginner, it's common to be unsure of what to bring and what to wear on a hike. Knowing which items are essential for surviving a hike is key. With the weather getting warm, you've decided to hike. It could be the allure of the great outdoors, the peaceful vibes, or let's be real, an Instagram-worthy post. But before you grab your shoes and head out, there are a few things to know to ensure a successful hike.

The first most important tip is to pick the best hiking trail that will suit you and your fitness level. If you pick a trail with high elevations that don't match your fitness level, you might catch yourself gasping for air. The article Hiking for Beginners: Essential Tips From an Outdoor Pro, also states to choose a suitable hiking trail. This article advises that when choosing a hiking trail, pay attention to the distance, elevation, terrain, and note potential places you can rest along the way. To find a good hike, guidebooks are great, or you can also ask a trusted friend for trail recommendations. A great suggestion would be the Twin Falls Trail near North Bend, Washington, which offers beautiful views and it's an ideal choice for beginner hikers.

When going on a bigger hike, it is important to use navigation. You need a map of the hike, either on your phone or on paper. It is smart to have both maps! The article Hiking For Beginners: 11 Essential Tips states, “Understanding where you are and where you are going is key to enjoying your hike. A combination of electronic navigation and paper is a good route for hiking beginners.” This is why, before starting your hike, print out the trail map or use your phone for navigation; you don't want to get lost on the trail!

Lastly, simple tips for hiking are taking a good pair of shoes, you don't need expensive shoes, just ones that you will walk comfortably in. Always bring a backpack because you will need essentials like water, the more water the better. Packing a healthy snack is crucial to maintaining energy and preventing burnout and exhaustion. Snacks like granola bars, trail mix, fruit, or energy bites are perfect for a hike. Bring a first aid kit incase of a quick emergency. Always make sure to clean up after yourself and leave the hiking trails clean. With these tips, I hope you are ready and informed for your first fun hike!  

Staying active while juggling a busy schedule can feel like an impossible task. Whether you're balancing school, school work, work, etc, finding time to exercise can seem impossible. However, you don't need hours at the gym to stay fit. Working out is important for both physical and mental well-being. High school students should include some fitness in their lifestyle, as it contributes to a healthier lifestyle and improves academic performance. 

You don't need hours to get a great workout in. No matter how much time you have, whether it is five, ten, or twenty minutes, it all counts. Got a short break after school? Squeeze in a quick workout- maybe a YouTube video, some pushups, or a few sit-ups. Even while studying, taking a short break to move your body can boost your energy and focus. The article How to Find Time for Exercise in a Busy Schedule, states, “exercise boosts your mood and reduces feelings of depression, anxiety, and stress. Furthermore, fitting in a good workout can help your brain function better.” This is why it's important to workout. 

Another way to stay active, is if possible walk as much as you can. Walking or biking to school is a great way to stay active. If you can't walk or bike to school, making sure to take as many steps as you can throughout the day is great for staying active. Look for opportunities to stay active while doing things. For example, do squats or calf raises while brushing your teeth or cooking. Take the stairs instead of the elevator, or walk while talking on the phone. The article Physical Activity- how to get active when you are busy also gives similar tips, for example, while watching television, do stretches and core exercise, and if you're waiting for your kettle to boil, do a few wall push-ups or calf stretches. 

Staying active while managing a busy schedule is possible with a little creativity and time management. High school students, in particular, can benefit from staying active, as it not only promotes a healthier lifestyle but also improves academic performance. With just a few minutes here and there, you can boost your energy, mood, and focus, ultimately leading to a more balanced and productive day.

AAU basketball, short for Amateur Athletic Union basketball, refers to most basketball played outside of high school. This means most competitive club or travel basketball for youth players falls under AAU. From a neutral viewpoint, AAU basketball seems like it would be beneficial to players through getting them game experience; however, there are plenty of downsides to AAU basketball.

The first and most prominent reason is the lack of training these athletes get. AAU players are often spending a copious amount of time playing games rather than working on their skills to get better at basketball. Many of these teams will not even practice; they will choose several players and put them on one team and expect it to work. Instead of developing these players and helping them play together, they jump straight into games with no experience, often hurting these kids future development.

Kobe Bryant once said, “AAU basketball, horrible, terrible AAU basketball. It’s stupid. It doesn’t teach our kids how to play the game at all so you wind up having players that are big and they bring it up and they do all this fancy crap and they don’t know how to post. They don’t know the fundamentals of the game. It’s stupid.” In this interview, Kobe complained about the issues of AAU basketball; he would bring up how it teaches kids to be selfish and how a lot of these programs are often in it for the money.

My second reason is the lack of loyalty these players have when playing AAU. Players will often play on 3-4 teams, not learning how to play correctly with their teammates. AAU has earned a reputation for isolation basketball, meaning players are more focused on personal success and scoring rather than winning. The moment a player believes they're not getting enough playing time or not getting the ball enough, they’ll leave. This habit is an overall negative for the game and will later harm their future teams, like in school basketball, as their lack of loyalty and playing together with their team will hurt their team's chemistry.

Many of these AAU teams are playing 4-5 game tournaments every weekend. With the amount of games these kids play, it’s easy to overlook the value of winning. Instead of taking every game seriously and trying their best, often a loss is disregarded as they may have a game within the next few hours. When athletes start focusing less on the overall game, it hurts their chances of improving by showing their full efforts. This also results in many injuries. When athletes aren't allowed to rest their bodies, injuries skyrocket.

A quote from ESPN analyst Baxter Holmes stated, "AND, AGAIN, I understand I shouldn't use a broad brush to criticize the entire AAU system, because parts of it are excellent. But also parts of it are very broken, especially as it relates to injuries in the league. What we're seeing is a rash of injuries among young players." This quote can show the harmfulness of AAU basketball, as players don’t get the rest they need with their frequent tournaments, resulting in injuries like stress fractures. Down the line this can affect a player's health, drastically hurting themself and their mental state as well.

To show how much AAU is damaging American basketball, all you have to do is look at the incline of European basketball. Players from overseas are starting to take over the NBA. This is because the play of basketball is much more reliant on the fundamentals of the game. These overseas players would only play a few games a month, while they train every single day. European basketball focuses on the team aspect, forcing kids to learn to play with each other and learn how to win together while also training their skills. Being good at scoring can only take you so far, and with how much AAU prioritizes 1-on-1 scoring, it’s difficult to develop other strengths that you will need later down the line.

AAU basketball isn’t purely negative; in fact, there are many upsides. From getting college exposure to being able to train during the off-season, there are many reasons why AAU can be great. However, this relies on how these basketball programs decide to focus on getting better rather than winning tournaments. Toxic coaches and money-laundering basketball programs are often the reason kids struggle to improve. With the right people and great coaches, AAU basketball can be a great way to gain college exposure and to be able to compete at the next level.

AAU basketball is taking over America; too many kids are prioritizing playing games rather than training and becoming better. European basketball is a clear demonstration, showing how playing team basketball with mandatory practicing is how you develop a player's skills. AAU can have huge benefits, but you have to find the correct programs that can set you up for future success.

AI or Artificial Intelligence is a major problem in modern-day schooling. Recent developments in AI enable chatbots such as ChatGPT to help with simple tasks. Although most schools and teachers see AI as a problem because it can hinder students' learning process, there are many ways for students to use AI as a learning tool.

AI can be classified into three main categories: generative, conversational, and predictive. Chatbots such as the previously mentioned ChatGPT are considered conversational AI, whereas others, like generative AI, can make drawings or new pieces of work based on previous training. While not necessarily helpful for schoolwork, predictive AI looks for patterns and attempts to anticipate outcomes.

The main issue with AI in school is students copying information from AI sources, plagiarizing work. Students mainly use AI for writing and research. For example, AI is often used for essays, research projects, and short answer questions. Although AI can be used to aid the learning process, students often use these tools to complete entire assignments, removing the learning component of work.

One idea shared by a student is a custom conversational AI created by the school. This tool could be designed to support learning while preventing plagiarism by following specific rules or being limited to certain subjects. For example, if a student wants feedback on an essay they wrote, the AI could give small tips like fixing grammar or adding missing parts like a hook. Another example is in math—if a student wants help reviewing their work or understanding a topic they missed, the AI could explain how to solve a similar problem it creates on its own.

While AI presents challenges in education, particularly when students misuse it to avoid learning, AI can also offer valuable opportunities as a learning tool. When used appropriately, AI can help with research, improve understanding, and improve the quality of student work. The solution is guiding students to use AI as a tool for learning rather than a shortcut to avoid it.

According to Earth.org, about 92 million tons of fast-fashion garments end up in landfills each year due to the over 100 billion garments that are produced each year. To put this into perspective, that's about a garbage truck full of clothes ending up in landfills every second. 

Fast fashion is the business practice that replicates new looks from the runway and mass produces garments for a cheap price using cheap, low-quality synthetic fabrics. According to a study done at clevelandclinic.org, buying clothes can trigger a dopamine rush, creating a cycle of continuous shopping. 

Lastly, according to Earthday.org, they found that many people, including influencers such as Chiara Ferragni and Emma Chamberlain, prefer quantity over quality. This mindset contributes to the growing issue of overconsumption, leading to increased waste and environmental harm.

Since these fast fashion garments aren't meant to be worn repeatedly, these clothing items are recycled after a couple of wears. This habit is why landfills are filling up so quickly. Fast fashion brands like Shein, ZARA, and Temu appeal to many because of their cheap prices and their new, aesthetic looks. 

The fast fashion industry continues to fuel overconsumption and environmental damage through production and low-quality materials. The constant cycle of buying and quickly discarding clothes not only harms the environment but also encourages unsuitable shopping habits. To reduce waste, consumers should prioritize quality over quantity and support more sustainable fashion choices. 

As the earth awakens from its winter slumber, so do we. Spring's vibrant colors, fresh air, and longer days allow us to rejuvenate our minds and bodies. But what is it about this season that makes us feel so alive? As the sun and fresh air hit our faces, we get energy and happiness and start feeling alive.  

According to the Blog "Why Does Spring Make Us So Happy," we feel happy once spring starts because once we get out of the dullness of winter, the vibrant colors and fragrances of plants and flowers increase the brain's flow of dopamine, oxytocin, and serotonin, all of which help us improve our mood.      

 Once the sun starts showing up, we can finally go outside and enjoy outdoor activities. Spending time enjoying nature can help boost your mental health. The article Three Ways Getting Outside Into Nature Helps Improve Your Health states how nature can help decrease anxiety levels and help lessen stress and feelings of anger. This shows how having the ability to enjoy the outdoors once spring comes can help us improve our mood and feel good.  

There are many parks in our valley where we could go play sports such as soccer, volleyball, football, etc with our friends. Parks are also a great place to have a picnic where you can connect with nature and enjoy the outdoors. Walking, running, or hiking are an excellent source of exercise. All these activities are perfect for going outside and enjoying the weather. So, with spring approaching, make sure to take some time to enjoy the outdoors! 

Senioritis is a condition that seniors usually experience during their last year of high school. Although it is sometimes viewed as a joke, Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) Faculty Training and Development Facilitator Abby Tincher said senioritis is a real thing people experience. 

Senioritis is a term used to describe the feeling of apathy or lack of motivation that many students feel as they approach graduation. After years of academic pressure, exams, and extracurriculars, seniors may feel like they've already “done enough” and lose the motivation to keep up their school work. But what can seniors do to beat senioritis and finish strong? 

Setting goals is one way to stay motivated and overcome senioritis. The article “What is Senioritis and is There a Cure?” Says that setting short and long-term goals helps to stay motivated. Crushing those short-term goals will make you feel good and allow you to celebrate small victories. By setting goals, you will have something to look forward to, which helps boost motivation, making you more likely to stay committed. 

Changing things up a bit in the way you study can reinvigorate your imagination. The article How to Fight Senioritis and Get to Graduation states that simply changing where you study or do schoolwork- like going to a coffee shop or your local library can make you feel more motivated. By trying new things, you will most likely feel eager to accomplish specific tasks. 

Remember that finishing your high school years strong is crucial for your future. Stay focused and remember why you started this journey in the first place. Graduation is just around the corner, and it's worth every bit of effort! 

To answer this question, let's take a look at each individual character and their primary drive:

Brook

He is already technically dead, but his devil fruit lets him keep his soul and control it, and his main drive is to help Luffy become king of the pirates but also to help him accomplish his dream that we still don't know what it is because he said it to all of his crew, but we don't know what it is yet, but there are many theories on it, but we will one day see what it is.

Franky

Franky is the shipwright, and his drive is to help Luffy become the king of the pirates and also help him on his journey by making sure the Sunny is in good condition to be able to travel to sea, but he also is fascinated by Vegapunk's technology and might also learn more about it and become overpowered possibly like one of the seraphim, but we will have to see, but his drive is to help Luffy's dream.

Jimbi 

Jimbi is a little bit still new to the crew, and he is a fishman and also really good at controlling the Sunny and knows a lot about the sea because of his history and knowledge about the sea but his drive is to help Luffy complete his dream, and once he does that, he will probably want equal rights with fishmen and humans, and I think that will be all settled once Luffy’s dream is complete because I think Luffy’s dream is to connect all the seas and have peace, but he has to be king of the pirates to be able to do that, and that could also cause the all-blue dream that Sanji dreams to see and believe in, so that would also kill two birds with one stone.

Robin

Robin can read all the Poneglyphs and wants to learn all the history that has happened, like the lost century, but can't because of the government, but her drive is to also help Luffy complete his dream and also become king of the pirates, and I think once that happens, she will be able to know everything about history and would have a school where she is allowed to share all her information without being killed by the government, but I think by then the government won't be a thing because of Luffy's final dream and the final war. But only time will tell.

Chopper

Chopper is the doctor in the Straw Hat Pirates, and his drive is to also help Luffy complete his dream and become king of the pirates, and since he is the doctor and has a bounty of 1000, I don't think he will be killed, maybe sacrificing himself for Luffy, but I don't think that will happen.

Sanji

Sanji’s role in the crew is to cook and feed the crew and he is also a very strong fighter, as we saw in Wano when his Germa double six genetics kicked in while fighting queen, and we really saw his potential in the crew and his goal is the same as everyone else's, and it is to help Luffy become king of the pirates and he is one of the strongest in the crew and I do think once he can fully control his germa genetics and powers he can be one of the strongest in the series.

Usopp

Usopp is the sniper Well, that's what he is known for, but he is one of the weakest Straw Hats because he doesn’t even know how to use Haki, and I think he will be a lot stronger once the Elebaf arc happens and he trains with the giants and maybe learns the Elebaf's certain type of Haki, as we saw in Wano when Luffy learned Ryuo maybe that will happen with Usopp, and his goal is to also help Luffy become king of the pirates, but I think Usopp will become very strong once he can use Haki, as we know in Shanks crew, his father Yasopp is one of the best snipers with his ability to use observation Haki, and maybe Usopp can live up to his dad's glory.

Nami

Nami’s role in the crew is to be the navigator and she is also one of the weakest in the crew compared to Luffy and Zoro but she can handle a fight, because in Wano when she basically tamed Zeus and he is very strong and can basically shoot lighting because he's a thunder cloud, anyways she is the navigator and she is very important to find the one piece to help luffys dream to become king of the pirates so i think she wouldn't die, because oda the author did state that one member of the straw hat crew will die but we don't know who yet. 

Zoro

Zoro, the first person in Luffy's crew and one of the most loyal person you will ever meet. He is a swordsman, and he currently has the Wado Ichimonji, Sandai Kitetsu, and Enma. he is one of the strongest people in the crew and I can see him sacrificing himself to protect Luffy or giving his life to help Luffy obtain his title as the pirate king.

In conclusion, I think Zoro and Usopp would die. I think Usopp would sacrifice himself, and he would also do it because he would want the honor of dying to save Luffy. We all know Usopp, and that's something he would do. Now for Zoro, I think he would either die in the final war fighting someone or sacrifice himself to save Luffy's life. But I don't think Luffy would die; there is a possibility, but if that's what Oda intended by a straw hat dying, then that would make sense and would be a huge curveball.

Spring is coming, and that means more sports at Selah High School. Notably, Selah baseball has been practicing for about a week now. I got to ask a few of the players some questions about their goals for this season and how they will accomplish them. 

When asked about their goals for the season, Rowdy Mullins and Evan Ancira, both seniors, had the same thing to say: Consistently getting better and being a great teammate. The way they said they were going to accomplish these things? The obvious answer… Hard work. Another statement Rowdy and Evan had that matched up was “working for the guy next to you because the most important guy on the team is your teammates”. 

Looking into the Vikings schedule in a tough Central Washington Athletic Conference, Evan said there were no “gimmies.” Rowdy and Beau Benjamin, another senior, thought East Valley and Othello would be games they needed to be locked in for. Rowdy also said that they would need to be prepared for Ellensburg's peak at the end of the season. Dylan Kingston, a junior, had a lot of confidence, saying that he expects the Vikings to be at the top of the league and also have the best defense.  

The Vikings will host Sehome on Saturday, March 15, for their first doubleheader of the season. All 4 of these key players expect to start the season off 2-0 with confidence. Rowdy and Evan both said, “The games this Saturday should go very well…our defense will always be great” and “we’ve been putting in high-intensity work at practice, and I think it will pay off on Saturday”. The Vikings' first game is at 12, and the second will be at 2. Show some support and come out and watch the season opener at Archer field! 

Selah has been successful the last few years on track in a few different events. Caleb Williams placed 5th in the district as a junior in the 300m. Selah has two great hurdlers returning to track for their junior year;  Seth Lorton and Luke Anderson were top 5 in the district for the event. Senior Owen Moultray was the best pole vaulter, who placed 2nd in the district and 8th in state.

Our girls' softball team was young last year, with only 1 senior on the entire team and only 3 upperclassmen. Despite this, they still finished 4th in the Cwac. Kyra Rudrick, who was only a sophomore, managed to lead the team in home runs with 5. She also led the team in hits and had the highest slugging percentage. Freshman Elliott McLaughlin helped the team with a .923 fielding percentage and led the team in triples. Ellie Urlacker, one of the juniors on the team, showed her experience as she led the team in base percentage and hit 7 doubles. The Vikings softball team will have 3 returning captains: Avery Brewer, Ellie Urlacher, and Laci Ross. 

Although Selah had plenty of great seniors last year, there are plenty of juniors and underclassmen who are ready to fill in for them. Braxton Young, who was just a freshman last year, almost led the team in hits, proving to be reliable in big moments. Beau Benjamin, Rowdy Mullins, and Keaton Pitzer are all returning for their senior year and are going to be a necessity for the Selah team. Rowdy, the team's leading pitcher, was able to strike out 43 people while only having 15 walks. Beau was an amazing 2nd baseman, having only two errors, a .345 batting average, and 22 RBIs. 

Selah’s boys' soccer team finished 4th in the Cwac last year, but with young talent coming up, they have room to improve. Senior Colton Shea was a great center back for Selah last year; he was a great leader of the team and was selected for honorable mentions at the end of the season. Another senior, Rylan Tilley, is a great right wing who not only was 2nd in goals with 7 for the team in goals but also has great crossing abilities to get other strikers some goals. Carlos was selected for the 2nd team and was only a sophomore, and he is a great team leader. Baltimore, another senior who helped the team last year, will be returning; his speed as a left winger helped the team get great scoring opportunities.

This Thursday through Saturday, the boys' basketball team is heading to state and looking to bring home a State Championship. Selah has not been to state since 2019, five years have passed, and Selah is ready to come back and make a name for itself.

Selah is led by starters: Jackson Pepper, Eli Wright, Beau Benjamin, Rylan Tilley, and Jaiden Alexander. Over the year Selah has been consistently dominant; this has been shown with their impressive record of 20-4 and two very important wins over teams like Prosser, and West Valley(Spokane).

Selah is one of two teams from the CWAC to make it to state. Throughout the year it was a battle between Grandview, Selah, and Prosser; the two in the end that punched their ticket were Selah and Prosser. Grandview was ranked 2nd in the state throughout the season but had a few rough losses at the end that sealed their season.

After a blowout victory over 4 seed West Valley Selah earns themselves a first-round bye and is looking at a matchup against either Lakewood or Columbia River. Both are very respectable teams.

Lakewood is the only team this year to hand a loss to defending state champ Lynden. Who averaged almost 63 points a game, Lakewood kept them under 50 points.

Ultimately, Selah has a great chance of winning a State Championship and to do this they need the starters to keep playing amazing. Over the year everyone has played a detrimental part in succeeding. Jackson Pepper has led the team and continues to be a force on the court, alongside players like Beau Benjamin and Eli Wright have shown impressive grit which has led to the team's success. You can check out how Selah is doing this Thursday at 9:00 am when they take on the winner of Lakewood, Columbia River.

This past week, Washington's wrestling season ended as the State tournament took place at the Tacoma Dome last weekend. With this being said, the Central Washington Athletic Conference (CWAC) has released its All-League Awards. Selah had one girl on the team and three boys on the list, one of whom was named Wrestler of the Year. 

Junior Mario Lamas finished the season as the CWAC UpperWeight Wrestler of the Year. He won districts in the 165 lb weight class and had a 4th place finish at the state tournament. 

Sophomore wrestler D’Anthony Garcia Reyes had a standout year with a 3rd-place finish at the Tacoma Dome. Not only did he reaffirm himself at the state tournament, but he also earned First-Team All-League honors for the 106 lb weight class. He was one of two sophomores to make this list in the 2024-25 season. 

Junior Shaun Lay was one of the 4 boys with a state appearance this year. Not only did he make a run at state, but he also got Second-Team All League honors for the 175 lb weight class. 

On the girl's side of things, Senior Anna Rodriguez earned an Honorable Mention from the CWAC All-League honors. Not only did she have a good season in conference play, but also had a standout finish in the postseason placing 4th in the state tournament for the 125 lb weight class. 

The 2025-26 season is looking strong, as many All-League recipients are returning next season. The Vikings look strong and are ready to compete for more state placings and district titles. 

The CWAC is one of the most competitive 2A Conferences in the state of Washington when it comes to boys basketball and that brings us a very entertaining tournament to watch. 

The seeding for the district tournament was:

1 - Grandview

2 - Prosser

3 - Selah

4 - Ellensburg

5 - East Valley

6 - Toppenish

7 - Ephrata

8 - Quincy

In the opening round, East Valley beat Quincy in a loser-out game where East Valley won, they were led by Senior guard Eli Esquivel who would put up 23 points in a 79-58 victory for the Red Devils. In the other elimination game, Toppenish held off Ephrata 46-43 led by 19 points from Alex Bazan, meaning East Valley and Toppenish would both survive and advance to the next round.

In a placement game, Ellensburg would travel to Grandview who had an undefeated run throughout conference play and they would continue their winning ways winning this one 68-48, advancing straight to the semi-final. In the other placement game, Selah would travel to Prosser and this game was a nail-biter. Coming down to the final seconds where the Selah Vikings came out on top in this one 70-69. This was a very controversial game which led Prosser to protest and appeal the game to the WIAA. Prosser ended up losing the appeal meaning Selah would advance to the semi-finals.

In the next round, Ellensburg would host East Valley in a loser-out, winner to the semi-final game. East Valley would come out on top upsetting Ellensburg and ending their season 12-10. In the other matchup, Prosser would dominate the Toppenish Wildcats 82-58. Toppenish ended their season with a 9-13 record. Setting the semi-final matchups as 5-seed East Valley at 3-seed Selah and 2-seed Prosser at 1-seed Grandview.

Selah would continue their winning ways against the Red Devils in a dominant fashion with a commonding 87-59 win to advance to the championship. Senior guard Jackson Pepper´s 24 points led four viking scorers indouble digits. On the other side of things, Prosser would shock Grandview handing them their first loss in league play. The Mustangs came out on top 86-83 led by 31 points from back to back CWAC MVP Koby McClure.

This lined up a rematch of the closest game in the district tournament between the 3-seed Selah Vikings and the 2-seed Prosser Mustangs. After a slow first quarter, the scoring picked up quick with Selah up 39-30 at halftime. The Vikings would keep this pace in the second half ending the game with a nice finish from Jackson Pepper and a deep three from his younger brother Oliver in the final seconds to secure the win 81-70. 

33 points from Koby McClure was not enough as the Pepper´s led the charge for the Vikings, Jackson finished with 28 points and Oliver followed with 17. This gave the Selah boys their first district title in 6 years. In the third place game, Grandview breezed past East Valley 84-50 led by 25 points from senior Cameron Draculan and another 19 from junior Frankie Medina. 

Since the Vikings claimed first place in the district, they would advance straight to the state tournament while Prosser and Grandview would have to play a crossover to prove that they deserve a spot in state. The CWAC´s 2nd place, Prosser would face the GSL´s 2nd place Pullman Greyhounds and after being down 42-26 at halftime, The Mustangs looked like a different team in the second half. After cutting the lead to nine after three quarters, They outscored Pullman 27-3 in the fourth quarter to cap off a 72-57 win to clinch a state berth. Prosser was once again led by Koby McClure with 32 points.

In the other District 5/6 crossover, Grandview went up to West Valley (Spokane) in a winner to state, loser out and after being ranked in the top 3 all season, Grandview was shocked by West Valley. The West Valley Eagles took a 40-26 lead into the break and Grandview started to claw back into the game but it just was not enough. The Eagles topped the Greyhounds 75-70 as Grandview´s season ended with a 21-4 record.

On February 19th, the Selah Vikings were able to upset the 2nd-seeded Prosser in an 81-70 victory to advance to the state tournament. Selah came into the district tournament as the 3rd seed, but throughout the tournament continued to prove why they are one of the best teams in the state. Through Selah’s remarkable 3-point shooting and a defense that has proved to be the best in the district, they could win games when it mattered the most.

The first game in the district tournament was a rematch against Prosser, the same team they lost to just a week before by double digits. Even with this big loss, Selah didn’t let this affect them and came into the game struggling, missing multiple outside shots and having a poor defensive performance.

Despite this, they only trailed by 2 going into the second. From here the Vikings would pick it up, limiting turnovers and holding their own at the defensive end, taking a 5-point lead going into the half. It was a back-and-forth from there into the fourth, until Selah managed to pull ahead with only a few minutes left in the 4th, even capturing a double-digit lead with only 2 minutes remaining in the game.

Prosser kept fighting their way back into the game, pressuring the ball and causing Selah to have several turnovers. With under 10 seconds left, senior Koby McClure hit a three, making it a 1-point game, but due to Prosser not having a timeout, Selah let the clock run out, ending the game 70-69. Selah had a very dispersed scoring game, but seniors Jackson and Eli led the scoring total with 16. Eli also recorded an impressive 14 rebounds, and Beau Benjamin led the team with 6 assists.

After a big win for Selah, they had to beat 5th-seeded East Valley, who's coming off a big win against 4th-seeded Ellensburg. East Valley is led by 1st team member Eli Esquivel and second team member Chase Staymates. Selah started off the game strong, capturing a 14-point lead in just the first quarter, led by the Pepper brothers outside shooting. Selah would maintain this lead from the 2nd–3rd quarter. In the 4th quarter, Selah would add to the league, doubling East Valley's point total in the 4th capturing an 87-59 win and making their way to the district championship. 

After an upset that had Prosser beating Grandview, Selah would have to play Prosser for the 3rd time in a month. Selah started the game strong, with good outside shooting; they led going into the second, where it was a similar story of good shooting with Oli, Rylan, and Jackson all hitting threes. The third quarter looked promising for the Vikings, gaining an 18-point lead due to great pressure on defense, causing turnovers that led to points on the offensive end. Koby McClure for Prosser was able to keep them in the game, scoring a deep three and a shot while being fouled, adding another 3 points. With a few more buckets from Prosser, they cut it to an eight-point game before the 4th

The 4th quarter started with Prosser looking for a comeback, getting the score difference to only 4. With 3 minutes remaining, seniors Jackson and Eli Wright weren’t going to let Selah lose, scoring clutch buckets down the stretch, leading to an 81-70 win. The Peppers lead the team in scoring with Jackson having 28 and Oliver having 17, and right behind him was Eli Wright with 15 and 10 rebounds. Beau Benjamin helped distribute the ball around with 6 assists, and Rylan Tilley contributed on the defensive end with 4 steals.

After an impressive showing during the district tournament, Selah will now have to compete in the state on March 3rd for the first time in 5 years. Throughout the season Selah has fought through adversity and combatted all types of challenges. The Vikings have been getting better all season, and now they have a chance to prove to the state why they're one of the best teams in Washington.

This weekend Washington state wrestling is taking place at the Tacoma Dome. The Selah team has 4 boys heading to the dome in hopes of bringing home a state title. Here is what you need to know.

Shaun Lay is in the 175 pound division and plans on placing in the top 4 of wrestlers in Washington state. Shaun has had a great season with a record of 26 wins and 12 losses. Although Shaun has not placed in either of his last two years this is not going to stop him from attempting to place in state and secure his spot in selah wrestling history.

Another Wrestler to keep in mind is Chase Bugni. Chase has had an impressive season with a 27-9 record. After placing 8th in state Chase has set his goals higher. This last weekend Chase took 3rd in districts and is moving on to the state tournament. Even though for the heavyweight division Chase is undersized this is not going to stop him. Chase has speed and technical skills to his advantage that his bigger opponents will not be able to keep up with. 

D’Anthony Garcia-Reyes one of four selah wrestlers going to state. In his division which is 106 pounds he is ranked 2nd in the state of washington. D’Anthony has had a very impressive sophomore season and plans on taking home a state championship title. He placed 4th in state last year and has been the district Champion out of the CWAC for 2 years in a row. D’Anthony has an outstanding record of 37-4.

Finally, as the Washington high school wrestling season comes to an end and all eyes are on Mario Lamas the infamous 165 pounder who has a stunning record of 34 - 3 and has been consistently dominant in the CWAC league. After last weekend Mario won Districts yet again for the third consecutive year. Keep in mind Mario is only a junior, the skills and ferocity he shows on the mat is only getting better. After a successful sophomore season finishing 4th in state Mario hopes to take home a state championship title and cement his legacy as one of the best wrestlers to ever wrestle for Selah.