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Denys’s weekly wonders: StarDate 1/25/2024

Constructed in 1936, Boeing Plant 2 in Seattle became the birthplace of iconic aircrafts, including the B-17 Flying Fortress and B-52 Stratofortress. In the bustling days of World War II, the plant decided to add an unconventional defense strategy.

Faced with the possibility of aerial attacks, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers opted for a less conventional approach. They turned the plant’s roof into a fake neighborhood, complete with plywood houses and streets. This imaginative defense tactic earned the nickname “Boeing Wonderland.”

Netflix’s teen romance "Heartstopper" lives up to its name

If you’re in need of something saccharine sweet to watch this winter season, “Heartstopper” on Netflix is an ideal choice. Based on the graphic novel of the same name by Alice Osman, Heartstopper follows teen protagonist Charlie Spring (Joe Locke) as he navigates high school as the only out boy at his all boy’s school. While he is flanked by his two best friends, Tao (Willian Gao) and Isaac (Toby Donovan), school is overall rather unbearable.

Despite his cheery disposition, Charlie finds himself struggling with depression while he wades through a pseudo-relationship with a closeted boy, Ben Hope (Sebastian Croft), who bullies him in public. This cognitive dissonance pummels Charlie’s self-esteem leading him to believe he is somehow inherently unlovable.

“A Whisker Away”: A heartwarming tale of love, identity and cat-tastic adventures 

In the realm of animated films, “A Whisker Away” proves to be a delightful and enchanting addition to the genre that weaves a spellbinding story that explores the complexities of adolescence, the allure of escapism, and the transformative power of love.

Released in 2020, “A Whisker Away” (directed by Junichi Satoh and Tomotaka Shibayama) is focused around the main character of Miyo, who lets love consume her whole being so much that she uses a mask to transform herself into a cat just to be close to her very human crush. Miyo is outgoing and her personality is easy to love. This movie has lots of love and life lessons throughout.

The power of walking: Unveiling the multifaceted benefits of this simple exercise

Walking, a seemingly mundane and everyday activity, is actually a powerhouse of health benefits, offering many advantages that extend beyond just physical fitness. Diving into the holistic advantages of this simple exercise, it becomes evident that a regular walking routine can be a transformative practice for both mind and body.

Walking is a form of exercise that is defined as moving at a moderate rate. At its core, walking is an accessible and low-impact exercise that can contribute significantly to physical well-being. Whether it’s a brisk stroll or a leisurely walk, engaging in this activity helps improve cardiovascular health, enhance muscle tone, and contribute to weight management.

The Apple Cup: A PNW tradition and symbol of state rivalry

Throughout Washington, the Apple Cup stands as more than just a football game; it is a yearly cultural phenomenon that is deeply embedded with tradition and sparks one of the biggest rivalries of the region.

As the annual day-after-Thanksgiving matchup between the University of Washington Huskies and the Washington State University Cougars, the Apple Cup has evolved into an event that is both highly anticipated and beloved in the Pacific Northwest.

Highline dormitories make international students more integrated into their new environment

As the first and only residence hall facility attached to the Highline College’s campus, Campus View Student Housing addresses a key need to enhance the overall student experience. Since its opening in 2019, Highline’s Campus View is the cornerstone of a rich campus life experience for current Highline students, not just for accommodation.

For international students, living on campus is especially beneficial, helping them make a smoother transition to a new cultural and academic environment. Kelly Muysrrong, a student at Highline, attested to the importance of dorms, saying, “One reason I chose Highline was the dorms. I think it’s most convenient for both international and local students to get to class and to socialize with the students on campus.”

Women’s volleyball displays strong performance in NWAC Championships; falters in the Final Four

The Highline’s women’s volleyball team competed at the prestigious NWAC Elite 8 Championship, but ultimately fell to the competition in the semifinal round. Their season comes to an end after the squad reached the Final Four, a feat to be proud of.

In a thrilling display of skill and determination, the highline women’s volleyball team embarked on a commendable journey in the NWAC Volleyball Championships, held at Pierce college from Nov. 17 to Nov. 19.

Women's basketball completes first scrimmages, seeks to form a competitive team

The Highline women’s basketball team embarked on their 2023-24 preseason with a series of scrimmages, offering a glimpse into the team’s dynamics and areas for improvement before the official start of the NWAC season.

The team faced a formidable opponent in Shoreline during the Tacoma Classic. Unfortunately, Highline encountered difficulties, resulting in a final score of 102-36. Shoreline dominated both halves, with Highline striving to find their rhythm on the court.

Denys's weekly wonders: StarDate 11/23/2023

Ah, the magnificent miscalculation of Swanson, a company owned by Conagra Brands, in 1953, where they boldly assumed the world was on the brink of a Thanksgiving turkey apocalypse, resulting in a poultry surplus of 260 tons. Because, clearly, nothing says holiday cheer like a freezer full of feathered friends.

Affectionate cats can change your life for the better

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.

“Priscilla”: A beautiful, and devastatingly lonely, film

The movie “Priscilla” is a biopic which follows the titular character, Priscilla Presley, and her relationship with the world-famous rockstar Elvis Presley over the course of the 14 years they were involved.

Released on October 27 of this year, it is based on Priscilla Presley’s novel, “Elvis and Me”, with Presley serving as an executive director on the film.

Taylor Swift continues to dazzle music lovers with "1989 (Taylor’s Version)" release

Taylor Swift continues her quest to own her music (while reshaping the recording industry, in the process) by re-recording and releasing her fifth studio album “1989 (Taylor’s Version)”.

Re-released on Oct. 27, the much anticipated album has gained a massive following, resparking the attention Swift earned after the original release. “1989” was by far considered Taylor Swift’s greatest body of work at the time of its original release in 2014, so it’s no surprise that its re-release has garnered so much attention.

“Boys of Tommen” book series will get you out of a reading slump

For those readers who are dying for something new to read, but just can’t seem to find something that consumes them, the “Boys of Tommen” series by Chloe Walsh may be just what you need.

Even the most avid readers can go through periods of time where they simply don’t want to read, either because they’re burnt out from the hobby or because they haven’t found a book that captured their attention. Whether you read physical books, on a Kindle, or listen to audiobooks sometimes all you really need is the right fit.

This series, set in Ireland, follows a series of friendships and romances as the young adult characters struggle through life and love.

A night of thrills and chills at the ISP Horror Movie Night

On the ominous Friday the 13th, the International Student Program invited all students and faculty to watch a horror movie for free – even providing free popcorn, snacks, and drinks.

The event ran from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., but at 2:40 p.m. the entry table was already filled with drinks, snacks, and candy while the smell of freshly baked popcorn wafted through the air. The organizer, Kirsten Rinker, who is the International Student Advisor, and her team of volunteers welcomed all the students with warm smiles and care.