This country belongs to my family too, and we are scared
Lately, I have been waking up with an uncertainty about my own safety – one that I haven’t felt since the first time I heard the phrase “Run, la migra”.
I was only seven years old, and I thought “la migra” was some predatory animal I should have been afraid of. Eventually, I learned it was my own government.
I would be lying if I said that I am not afraid. I am afraid.
How to: Preserve a whale
Through every season, tide cycle, and rainy day the circle of life endures. If a whale dies, and washes up on your local shore, how do the powers that be preserve it?
According to four-time whale conservator and marine biologist Rus Higley, step one is simple. Higley runs Highline’s Marine Science and Technology Center (MaST), as an educator he knew the power of having a local whale on display.
Non-fiction Writer’s Circle opens on Highline Campus
A new writing club is officially opening for Highline, specifically catered to existing and aspiring non-fiction authors.
Non-fiction Writer’s Circle (NFWC) has already begun shepherding a community of writers in an effort to increase comfort with personal essays and memoirs, while offering tips along the way that can eventually help a writer enter the professional world.
“Forever” is the Black teen love story we’ve been waiting for
At a time when authentic portrayals of young Black love are still few and far between, Netflix’s “Forever” offers a refreshing and heartfelt portrayal of first love.
Through its setting and reimagined context, “Forever” tells a story that’s not only about love, but about what it means to be young, Black, and striving – for freedom, for connection, and for a future that feels like it belongs to you.
The Highline women’s tennis team reigns as NWAC Champions
The Highline College women’s tennis team ended their season on a high note, winning the 2025 NWAC Championship on Saturday with a thrilling 5-4 victory over Treasure Valley at the Yakima Tennis Club.
It’s the program’s second title, and, with the NWAC tennis program ending, they go out as the final champions.
Campus
A new writing club is officially opening for Highline, specifically catered to existing and aspiring non-fiction authors.
Non-fiction Writer’s Circle (NFWC) has already begun shepherding a community of writers in an effort to increase comfort with personal essays and memoirs, while offering tips along the way that can eventually help a writer enter the professional world.
For the past few years, Highline has transferred an average of about 80 students to the University of Washington (UW) in Seattle. On a mission to increase those numbers, Sylvie Shiosaki, is here to provide individualized support for transfer students looking to attend UW.
“The purpose of the Path to UW program is that we’re able to provide individualized admissions and advising support, and that includes one-on-one and drop-in advising, as well as virtual workshops,” said Shiosaki.
Building 7 was the beating heart of campus one week ago, as the students and faculty who make up Highline’s Achieve Program embodied the tenets of accessibility, diversity, and self-acceptance, further highlighting the importance of Inclusive Post-Secondary Education (IPSE) Day at collegiate institutions nationwide.
In fact, IPSE Day was the perfect opportunity for the crackling conversations between the audience and the student panel arranged by Communication Studies Instructor Amy Rider King, and monitored by Director of Accessibility Resources Julie Pollard and Associate Dean of Accessibility Resources Jenni Sandler.
Building 8, Mt. Townsend welcomed students and community members to its career fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Local organizations of all varieties from STEM to military rejoiced under one roof, providing diverse resources to all.
A typical event with a fun twist – Career and Transfer Services made sure to keep Thunderbirds engaged through refreshments and music, as well as a bingo sheet that could be entered in a drawing for fun prizes.
Community
The juvenile incarceration system, meant to be a place of rehabilitation for troubled kids, not a punishment, has been brought into the light for its treatment of children, causing detriment to physical and mental health. Youth that experience the juvenile justice system are usually left to face many different difficulties, like PTSD and dental issues, after their stay in jail.
“A normal day when I [was] first incarcerated was: I wake up and go to breakfast, and then I go to school till 3 p.m., and then I used to go back and eat dinner and then sit in my room till 7 p.m. and then I’ll come out for two hours,” said Shamar Slaughter, now an adult, that spent most of his childhood in the system.
The partition of British India over 78 years ago continues to cast a long shadow over the relationship between India and Pakistan, two nations that share a common history and people. Despite this shared heritage the bitter relationship is carried on by politics, and was further trenched in hardship by the recent deadly militant attack in Pahalgam.
On April 25, 2025, an attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, resulted in the tragic deaths of Hindu pilgrims, a Christian tourist, and a local Muslim. India swiftly accused Pakistan of staging the attack, pointing their fingers towards Lashkar-e-Taiba, a terrorist group with ties to Pakistan, and alleging that the attack specifically targeted the Hindu population in what India considers to be territory under its control.
El Papa Francisco fue el primer papa latino americano en ascender al más alto cargo de arzobispo en la Iglesia Católica Romana, él viene de Buenos Aires, Argentina y era hijo de inmigrantes italianos, su nombre era Jorge Mario Bergoglio vivió una vida sencilla para un arzobispo, el hombre de 76 años arzobispo mantuvo una vida sencilla y humilde.
El difunto arzobispo era conocido por no creer que estaba por encima de nadie y que todos debían ser tratados con respeto, una frase por la que era conocido era “Mi pueblo es pobre y yo soy uno de ellos”.
The standoff between Harvard University and the Trump administration began this past April when Harvard refused to accept the government’s demands, leading the administration to freeze over $2.2 billion in federal research funding.
This fight is more than just about money; it raises the question of whether the federal government can force universities to change their internal policies and academic priorities in exchange for public funding.
Have you ever held a $2 bill in your hand? If you have, you probably remember it. It’s one of those things that makes people pause and go, “Wait, are these even real?” Despite being totally legit money, the $2 bill is one of the rarest sights in anyone’s wallet.
Some people think they stopped making them. Others think they’re worth more than face value. The truth? The $2 bill is still out there, still spendable, and still way cooler than most of our cash.
HopeLink hosted a panel of community members with ties to the food industry to highlight food assistance programs, answer questions about the nuances of the industry, and to network with like-minded entrepreneurs.
To start off the event Jodi Panya, a program manager at HopeLink, shared some information about the food assistance program at HopeLink. She talked about the purpose of the food markets and how they even have a mobile version of their market. Panya explained how the markets worked.
Sports
The men’s golf team closed out league play this weekend at the Spokane Invitational, held May 10–11, finishing ninth in a competitive invitational. Despite the final standings, the tournament served as a meaningful benchmark for a young team gaining experience one round at a time.
The event featured nine teams from across the region, with Columbia Basin College capturing first place with a team score of +5. Bellevue and host school, Spokane, followed closely – both tying for second at +7. With individual rounds in the low 70s and some standout second-day performances, the tournament made one thing clear: the level of play across the NWAC is as strong as it’s ever been.
The Highline College women’s tennis team ended their season on a high note, winning the 2025 NWAC Championship on Saturday with a thrilling 5-4 victory over Treasure Valley at the Yakima Tennis Club.
It’s the program’s second title, and, with the NWAC tennis program ending, they go out as the final champions.
As Highline’s softball team continues through their first season back in NWAC play, they find themselves struggling all around, in conference and non-conference matchups.
The team currently stands in last place in the west conference, with a 2-25 conference record, and a 2-33 overall record. Although, the team’s record does not reflect on the hard work these players put in every day, on and off the field.
Arts
At a time when authentic portrayals of young Black love are still few and far between, Netflix’s “Forever” offers a refreshing and heartfelt portrayal of first love.
Through its setting and reimagined context, “Forever” tells a story that’s not only about love, but about what it means to be young, Black, and striving – for freedom, for connection, and for a future that feels like it belongs to you.
Nothing matches the feeling of being in a crowded theatre, the lights going low, and everyone putting away their cellphones for a few hours. While theatre is a magical place, the price of tickets can oftentimes be not so magical, especially for students.
The great news is that many resources are available for students to access theatre at reduced prices and sometimes for free! As a self-proclaimed theatre kid who loves a deal, here are my top suggestions for accessing affordable live theatre.
“Caddo Lake” stars Eliza Scanlen as Ellie, taking up a particular role of a perhaps mentally struggling character, and Dylan O’Brien as Paris, taking him out of his usual acting role as the sarcastic comic-relief, and putting him in the spotlight in this serious and mind twisting film.
The writers of “Caddo Lake” somehow pack in time travel, mystery, sci-fi, and thriller, into a sub two hour movie, all while giving the watchers insight into the separate, yet entirely intertwined lives of Ellie and Paris.
Science & Technology
Through every season, tide cycle, and rainy day the circle of life endures. If a whale dies, and washes up on your local shore, how do the powers that be preserve it?
According to four-time whale conservator and marine biologist Rus Higley, step one is simple. Higley runs Highline’s Marine Science and Technology Center (MaST), as an educator he knew the power of having a local whale on display.
Highline’s Marine Science and Technology Center (MaST) is more than just an aquarium with hundreds of species of native marine life, it is a view into the greater oceanic world around us.
Rus Higley, MaST’s director and knowledgeable caretaker, is a professor of marine biology. His work at the center allows all who enter a chance to have a deeper connection with these creatures living in the Puget Sound.
Opinion
Lately, I have been waking up with an uncertainty about my own safety – one that I haven’t felt since the first time I heard the phrase “Run, la migra”.
I was only seven years old, and I thought “la migra” was some predatory animal I should have been afraid of. Eventually, I learned it was my own government.
I would be lying if I said that I am not afraid. I am afraid.
According to President Donald Trump, “a lot of people” want him to run for a third term, but I’m not so sure.
Now, we are just past the first 100 days of Trump’s second term, and he’s already musing about the possibility of running for a third term, a statement that directly conflicts with the 22nd Amendment, which states that “No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice.”
The long-fought war between dog and cat lovers is still ongoing. Dog people claim dogs as “man’s best friend”, while cat lovers claim loving cats requires a certain appreciation for individual autonomy. While these paradigms are a couple ways to look at the issue, there is also the extroverted dog versus introverted cat debate. Regardless, all animal lovers can agree that animals improve our lives.
According to Forbes, 66% of households own pets, and of those 66%, 46.5 million households have cats. While dogs beat them out for the majority, 46.5 million is no small number.