How to Stay Awake during Class!

Hey there, Royals. I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving break and got to spend valuable time with friends and family! As we go back to school for three more weeks until the long-awaited winter break, it can be hard to keep your mind in school. And as the days get shorter and shorter, it might be even harder to stay awake in class! Here are a few helpful tips to keep alert and stay awake during class.

1. Shower in the morning!
This might be strange, but a hot shower in the morning will wake you right up. Plus, your classmates and teachers will thank you.


2. Eat a nutritious breakfast.
This can be hard, especially when you might not have the time to whip up a delicious meal of bacon and eggs, but even if you grab something small, make sure it is healthy. Also do not eat anything with too much sugar, especially artificial! Sugar will give you a short energy boost followed by a long descent into sleepiness. Try proteins and carbs. Toast with peanut butter, fruit yogurt, or even a small portion of leftovers from the night before like fish are great to keep your energy lasting. My favorite is Greek yogurt with strawberries. It's easy to put together and you can even take it to go. A healthy breakfast will also fill you up until lunch so you aren't starving by 3rd period. You also may want to grab some coffee to get that extra, but studies show that caffeine isn't recommended for young teens and adults. It also will cause you to crash after a few hours. Try tea or hot water before you leave for you school.

3. Chew gum.
Bring a fresh pack of minty gum that will keep your energy up in class. The mint will keep you refreshed and the act of chewing will assure that you keep moving, even if it's only your jaw. Plus, who doesn't love gum?

4. Keep moving!
Shaking your foot or tapping your pencil on a hard surface are small movements that can keep your blood flow running through your body, which can help you stay awake. Interesting tip: tug on your earlobes. It “wakes up” those muscles, returning blood to those areas and reinvigorating your blood circulation.

5. Bring a small snack.
This will be very helpful right before lunch when you get the munchies. A pack of trail mix or apple slices are quick, easy to make snacks that you can eat between classes or in class (only if your teacher allows it). Snacks like Doritos or candy sound great but cause sugar spikes then sugar crashes.

6. Take your vitamins!
Your body will thank you. Vitamin D and C are especially recommended by doctors for high school students. They help your body function the way it's supposed to, particularly if you don't get those vitamins from food. Because of the shorter days that fall and winter bring, we do not get as much Vitamin D as we should be getting, so vitamins help. Vitamin C helps your bones, which us as teens need as our bodies are still developing. But of course, take it at home, as any form of pills (even vitamins) are prohibited at school unless brought into the nurse.

7. Pay attention and participate in class.
This should be a given, but it can help you stay awake. The more engaged you are, the less likely you are to fall asleep. Ask questions, make remarks, ask the teacher to repeat or rephrase. Even if the class is boring, you can still say that you participated and learned something.

8. Drink water!!!
This is something you hear all the time, but it's for a good reason. Carrying a bottle of water (cold is recommended) will help you get your daily dose of water recommended every day. You may get sleepy in class because you are dehydrated. 

I hope a handful of these tips were helpful to you. See you all on Monday!

Diana

The Seattle Art Museum

Hey everyone!

Recently, I went on a trip to the Seattle Art Museum with my fellow classmates in IB Visual Art class. We explored the Impressionist exhibit and it was actually my first time at a art museum. It was a wonderful experience and going through the galleries were intriguing, especially the Intimate Impressionism. This exhibit is open until January 10, so don't miss out if you are interested! Also, teens are free to get in, so take advantage of this new outing even if you have never been to an art museum.

These are few of my favorite paintings.

Also, there is a Teen Night Out tonight, November 20 from 7:00pm - 10:00pm. This #SAMTeenNightOut is inspired by the Impressionist artists who were considered rebels. It is a free event for high school students. You can expect music, DJs, art tours, activities, and art making workshops led my Seattle's hottest contemporary artists. It's Friday, so grab some friends and head to this event!




Peace,

Karissa

The Season for Rain Boots

Hey everyone!

Wind storms have been coming and the rain continues to pour as we walk from classes during passing period. I see some students still wearing socks and sandals getting their feet soaked in the rain, but these girls came prepared for the weather.

Rain boots this season are perfect for...
1. Not getting your socks wet
2. Keeping your feet warm with fuzzy socks
3. Walking in puddles carelessly

Investing in a pair of rain boots is worth it because it does last. I continue to wear mine since freshman year (almost 4 years). We all know Washington loves rain anytime so gear up for the season!

Yajaira Mendoza and Aimee Ingabire

Diana Wairimu 

Kamila Duell

Blandy Sieh

Peace,

Karissa

Firelight: Mateo Messina's 18th Benefit Concert

Hey everyone!

Last weekend, I volunteered to a benefit concert symphony at the Benaroya Hall. Being centered in downtown Seattle, it's always nice to drive in the city. I haven't been there since my 5th grade field trip, but I've always remembered that the atmosphere is lovely and grand.

The symphony, choirs, dancing, and illusions were amazing! "Firelight" is the theme of the show, and wildly imaginative illusions were created through technology and contemporary dancing. Also, guest singers Sweet Water and Shawn Smith sang beautifully. This is not your typical symphony with only instrumentals, and a perfect time to take a nap. This concert specifically benefited the Seattle Children's Hospital with cancer research. LED candles were given to everyone in the audience, and those who have had cancer or known a friend, or family member, were to raise their light in support for the continued research for the cure of cancer that can be achieved someday. It was even more touching when a patient at Seattle Children's sang a song, "Family Means Everything." For the under class-men, this is a great event to attend and even volunteer. You can check it out next year and so forth as it is held annually.

I also got to see the Video Production crew who has been helping film the event!

Peace,

Karissa

Veterans' Day is this Wednesday. It is a day to honor and remember the people still living or deceased that served in our military. As most of you know, we have many veterans at our very own school! Today, we got a chance to sit down with our very own Mrs. Kim McClung to talk about her experiences of serving in the military. 

·         What war did you serve in and for how many years?

I served in the Cold War. I was in active duty for 3 years and national guard for 2 years.

·         How did you get into military service? Were you drafted or did you enlist?

I enlisted.

·         How old were you when you joined?

22 years old.

·         Was this something you knew you always wanted to do or was it something you had to think about for a while?

This was my way of paying for law school. 

·         What was your job/assignment?

I was a Russian Voice Intercept Operator. I listened to Russian radio communications.

·         How would you describe the day in the life of a soldier?

Going to work, staying in uniform, rotating shifts.

·         Being a woman, how would you describe your experience? Would you consider it the same as any of the men you served with or was it very different?

Women could not go into combat during that time. There were different standards for women. For example, men had to do Different standards for women e.g. men had to do 40 push ups and women only had to do 11. Men had to run the mile in 8 min and women had to do it in 15. I hated the standards for women so I always tried to meet the men standards and I succeeded. 

·         Do you have any interesting stories?

None that I can share. If I did, I would probably have to shoot you. 

·         What weapons did you learn how to use?

M-16 Machine gun and grenades

·         What did you do after your service? Career-wise, going to back to school?

I was a stay-at-home mom.

·         Did you make any close friends that you kept in touch with?

I actually recently got in touch with a couple people. 

·         What would you tell a young person who would be interested in joining the military service, particularly a woman?

During your time in the military, there will be a lot of things that will drive you crazy, but when you look back on it, you will see that it was good growth experience.

Thank you very much for sitting down with us, Mrs. McClung. 

Royals, remember that Veterans day is not just some day off. So please take some time this Veterans day to thank the veterans in your life and around you. Stay safe and goodnight.

By Diana Wairimu & Imane Ayaba 

Winter Sports!

Hello, Royals. Do you want to stay fit this winter? Are you interested in joining a winter sport at KM? Well, they're right around the corner. Girls' Gymnastics, Boys' Swim, Wrestling, Girls' and Boys' Basketball are all winter sports anyone can join. Girls' Gymnastics begins Monday, November 9th and all the rest begin Monday, November 16th. But don't wait, registration is from November 2nd to the 6th. In order to register, all winter athletes need:

• Filled out a green registration packet (athletes that did a fall sport do not need to fill out a new one)
• ASB paid (the cost is $30)
• Current and updated physical
• Grade check dated after November 1st
• New emergency card

Go to the Athletic office in room 103 to get paperwork or questions answered. Go out and do something new or play a sport you played last year! That's all for now, Royals.

Diana