THE HOOT: Valley High School’s Literary Arts Publication

  • Alluring Fishing Lures with Camden

    Alluring Fishing Lures with Camden

  • Let’s dig deep into 2006 country music.

    Let’s dig deep into 2006 country music.

    In 2006, 23 different songs topped the chart in 52 issues of the magazine, based on weekly airplay data from country music radio stations compiled by Nielsen SoundScan. American Idol winner Carrie Underwood spent eleven weeks at the top of the chart in 2006.  (“wikipedia”)  A big hit of 2006 country was “before he cheats”…

  • Album Review by Shawndice Overson: Brilliant Trees by David Sylvian

    Album Review by Shawndice Overson: Brilliant Trees by David Sylvian

    English pop/new wave band Japan’s frontman, David Sylvian, had a wonderful long run with the band producing over 10 studio albums from the late 70s to the 80s. However, his solo career had (in a lot of ways) a much more significant impact on other people’s lives, and my own. His first album, Brilliant Trees, is a…

  • Richard Nixon by Sophia Speights

    Richard Nixon by Sophia Speights

    Richard Nixon, the 37th President of the United States, remains one of the most controversial figures in American history. Born on January 9, 1913, in Yorba Linda, California, Nixon’s life before was marked by hardship and perseverance. He was very good in his academics, then he went to Whittier College and Duke University School of…

  • Whispers of Silence by Remi Reeves

    Whispers of Silence by Remi Reeves

  • Band Review by Envy Ray: Cutie

    Band Review by Envy Ray: Cutie

    The musician/band I’ve chosen to do is a relatively new band called “Cutie”; the very first EP was released May 26th 2023. He started writing the first EP in November 2022, and was finished at the beginning of May. Most of the writing took place in March and April. They have played six shows. His…

  • Album Review by Cru Jones: Trust No One by D Savage

    Album Review by Cru Jones: Trust No One by D Savage

    Racks On Me: This song has to be at least 9/10 because he is just starting the album off with an extra banger that everyone loves. The beat is so angelic and makes everyone start floating. WYTD: Another single released onto the album, most definitely a 10/10 because of the change from the vibe of…

  • The Dangers of Climate Change by Michelle Huber

    The Dangers of Climate Change by Michelle Huber

    Climate change is when our earth goes through long term shifts in temperature and weather patterns. Sometimes this can be natural due to changes in the sun’s activity or really big volcanic eruptions. Since the 1800s this has not been natural mainly because of the burning of fossil fuels like coal, oil, and gas. Burning…

  • “Comparison Is the Killer of Joy” by Kyer Collard

    Do you ever compare yourself to someone on a daily basis? Most of us do, and it’s destroying our mental health. Firstly, research studies have found a heightened chance of depression and anxiety involved with comparing yourself to others. This happens because it causes you to focus more on someone else and what you don’t…

  • Kubrick’s Cabinet of Excellence by Ander Barkley

    Kubrick’s Cabinet of Excellence by Ander Barkley

    This is Stanley Kubrick, known as one of the greatest directors in the history of film, he has made many well known movies such as The Shining, 2001: A Space Odyssey, Full metal Jacket, and Barry Lyndon. He started his career with his debut feature length film “Fear and Desire” which is an anti war…

  • [FROM THE ARCHIVE] Writers Visit Valley by Jen Jurgens

    [FROM THE ARCHIVE] Writers Visit Valley by Jen Jurgens

    David Kranes On March 12th, the founder of the Sundance Playwrights Lab, David Kranes, read two short stories to Valley High School students. Kranes, who is a full Professor at the University of Utah and the Department Chair of the Master of Fine Arts Writing Program, read the story “What Happened to Lincoln” and part…

  • [FROM THE ARCHIVE] David Lee Reading

    [FROM THE ARCHIVE] David Lee Reading

    THIS ARTICLE WAS ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE LIBERATOR VOLUME 9 ISSUE 1 (OCTOBER 1997). On September 18, the Poet Laureate of the state of Utah, David Lee, read at Valley. Those who attended know how entertaining and friendly Lee was, reading poems and giving young writers advice. Lee, who has been to Valley twice in…

  • [FROM THE ARCHIVE] Poetry Slam! by Apollo Crabtree

    [FROM THE ARCHIVE] Poetry Slam! by Apollo Crabtree

    THIS ARTICLE WAS ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE LIBERATOR VOLUME 31 SPRING 2016-17. The poetry slam returned last quarter, and though it has always been interesting in the past, this quarter it was a spectacle to behold. With the many performances that came up, there was a wide diversity in the tones, spirits, and voices on…

  • [FROM THE ARCHIVE] POETRY SLAM! A fun sharing event by Hayden Seager & Truman Anderson

    [FROM THE ARCHIVE] POETRY SLAM! A fun sharing event by Hayden Seager & Truman Anderson

    THE FOLLOWING WAS ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE LIBERATOR VOLUME 26 ISSUE 2 (WINTER 2015) Valley High School holds a poetry slam twice a year that allows our talented students to share their poems, stories, or even thoughts. Valley students get the opportunity to sit down and listen to other students express their imaginations and creativity…

  • [FROM THE ARCHIVE] The History of the Poetry Slam by Eugene Jensen

    [FROM THE ARCHIVE] The History of the Poetry Slam by Eugene Jensen

    Few there be here now who can recall the beginning days of Valley’s esteemed Poetry Slam, but is not this the way of great traditions? The roots are lost in the obscure past, yet the fruit of the tree continues to come forth to nourish each new generation. remember the beginning days of this most…