The Tower Student Newspaper 

This video reflects on the deep history of Mount Tahoma High School and the Puyalup land it stands on. It explores how Mount Tahoma has grown into a diverse and united community - reviving traditions like The Tower newspaper to honor its past while shaping its future. 

This video shines a light on local animal shelters and the importance of pet adoption. It shares why adopting makes a difference, spotlights animals currently looking for homes, and features some of Mount Tahoma’s own teachers who adopted their pets.  

This video spotlights Mount Tahoma’s young entrepreneurs - students who balance school with running their own small businesses. From baking and bouquet design to barbering, it highlights their creativity, professionalism, and the drive to turn passion into success.

This episode of the Mount Tahoma Cooking Show features Sophia sharing a quick and comforting phở gà recipe inspired by her Vietnamese heritage. In just about 20 minutes, she shows how to make a warm, flavorful dish that’s perfect for the colder months. 

This video spotlights Mount Tahoma’s vibrant cultural clubs - Viet Club, Khmer Club, Tautua Pasifika, and Latino Club - through interviews with student leaders and behind-the-scenes footage of their performance rehearsals. It celebrates how these groups share culture, build community, and inspire others to get involved.

This video visits Angela Phillips in the Career Center to share key tips on preparing for college, from applications to financial aid and next steps after graduation. It also features interviews with Mount Tahoma seniors who explain their post-high school plans and advice for fellow students.

This video follows Mount Tahoma students on their Student Government Day trip to City Hall, where they experienced a day in the life of public service. It features a special interview with Tacoma Mayor Victoria Woodards, who shares why young people’s voices and civic engagement matter.

This video highlights some of Tacoma’s best-kept secrets, as Joanne explores local spots students might not know about. From an in-depth look at The Grand Cinema, to favorite food stops in the Lincoln District, to the unique fun of Dorky’s Arcade, the video celebrates what makes Grit City special.

This video features a beginner-friendly cooking segment as Josh demonstrates a one-pot rice cooker meal inspired by musubi. Designed with graduating seniors in mind, the recipe is perfect for dorm living without access to a full kitchen.

This video looks at how MTTV has evolved over the years as Jenna talks with former broadcasting teacher Mr. Johnson and current broadcasting teacher Ms. Brown. The story highlights how the program has changed and grown over time.

This video explores how thrifting helps shape the unique style seen at Mount Tahoma. Through student interviews, Matteo highlights thrifting tips, favorite spots, and why secondhand fashion is so popular on campus.

This video highlights a Family Feud–style event hosted by Elijah, where four students from each grade level competed in a game show–inspired night. The video features a highlight reel of the event, with the sophomores taking home the win.

This video highlights a festive gingerbread building competition hosted by Monroe, where two students from each grade collaborated to design and build a gingerbread house in just one hour. The creations were judged by the art and design teachers, who selected a winning team.

This video highlights Mount Tahoma’s Tuesday Community Dinners, created in response to food stamp disruptions in the fall. Delilah also features a representative from the Food Connection and shares additional food resources available to those in need.

This video explores the history of Almond Roca, a longtime Tacoma business and local staple. Using information gathered from the company’s head of marketing, Kami highlights how the brand began and why it remains an important part of the Tacoma community.

This video highlights a family-run restaurant close to the T-Bird community as Jacob visits Cooper’s and speaks with the owner about running a local business. Through behind-the-scenes footage, the video shows why supporting community-connected local restaurants matters.

This video spotlights local South End favorites as Anna highlights Bloom Thai Cuisine and T-Town Cafe. Through food reviews and atmosphere shots, she showcases the vibe of each restaurant and encourages students to check out these neighborhood spots.

This video highlights the Running Start program at Mount Tahoma as Shay talks with Ms. Phillips about how students can prepare. The video also features student perspectives, sharing what the Running Start experience is really like.

This video highlights a fast-paced scavenger hunt hosted for the senior class at Mount Tahoma. Through clips from around campus, four teams—the Healthcare Ladies, Football Boys, Viet Club Members, and Flag Football Girls—race against the clock with just 20 minutes to find and solve every hidden clue.

This video follows a student as they explore three different comic and collectible stores around Tacoma. Along the way, the story features an interview with Ms. Tricky of Miss Trickys Pop Culture Emporeum, offering insight into the world of comics, collectibles, and what makes this community so unique.

This video features a beginner-friendly cooking segment as Josh demonstrates a one-pot rice cooker meal: the perfect breakfast omelet. Designed with graduating seniors in mind, the recipe is perfect for dorm living without access to a full kitchen.

This video highlights the historic 2025 MTHS football season, as the team fought their way to the state championship at Husky Stadium. Dedicated to their teammate Veron, who passed away the previous spring, the story shows how the team honored his memory and came together as a community throughout an unforgettable season.

This video follows Marisol as she visits three budget-friendly spots around Tacoma. From a board game café to a local library and the Foss Waterway Seaport Museum, the story highlights fun, affordable activities students can enjoy around the city.

This video features Kamari as he sits down with the new varsity head coach for boys basketball, along with team captains and senior players. Paired with highlights from three different games, the story gives an inside look at the team, its leadership, and the excitement surrounding the season.

This video follows Anna as she checks out three new businesses in Tacoma and Lakewood. From the new Barnes & Noble in Lakewood to Dave’s Hot Chicken and Shake Shack, she tries the food, shares her reactions, and rates each spot along the way.

This video features Laliyah as she talks with students about their nutrition choices and everyday eating habits. The story also includes insights from the health room, a P.E. teacher, a nutrition coach, and other faculty, highlighting the importance of protein, fruits, and choosing non-processed foods.

This video features Alayah as she interviews graduating seniors about how much they’ve grown over the past four years. By pairing their reflections with photos from their freshman year, the story highlights their personal “glow ups” and the journey to graduation.

This video spotlights Mount Tahoma’s annual Lunar New Year celebration, as Anna takes viewers behind the scenes of one of the school’s biggest cultural events of the year. From rehearsal moments with performers to the energy of the event day, the story highlights the preparation, talent, and community that make the celebration so special.

This video takes viewers behind the scenes of Mount Tahoma’s ASB program, as Gomez highlights the planning, teamwork, and leadership that power student events and initiatives. Through candid moments and interviews, the story showcases the dedication that goes into making school experiences happen.

This video is a fun throwback to 2016, as Jacob revisits the games, music, and trends that defined the year. Through student interviews and a lively game of HORSE on the court, the story mixes nostalgia with campus energy to see what memories still stick today.

This video follows Jenna as she interviews two Teach 253 students and shadows them during their visit to Manitou Elementary. The story highlights how the program gives high schoolers hands-on experience in the classroom while building professional skills and exploring what a future career in teaching can look like.

This video follows Joanne as she celebrates Black History Month by visiting local Tacoma spaces that uplift Black excellence. From interviews with artists and entrepreneurs at the Black Night Market to highlights from the TCC Black Artists Exhibition, the story showcases creativity, community, and the impact of Black artists across the city.

This video follows Kamari as he walks viewers through a beginner-friendly workout routine designed for anyone looking to get started at the gym. With simple exercises and practical tips, the story focuses on building confidence, staying consistent, and making fitness feel approachable for all.

This video goes behind the scenes with Kami as she visits several of Mount Tahoma’s cultural clubs preparing for the school’s biggest event of the year, the Intercultural Assembly. After months of practice, students share their hard work, performances, and pride, highlighting the collaboration and cultural celebration that bring the school community together.

This video spotlights a student-led walkout organized to peacefully protest recent ICE actions taken in this country. Matteo interviews student organizers and shares key information about students’ rights when interacting with ICE, highlighting youth voice, civic engagement, and awareness around an important community issue.

This video captures a live, high-energy event hosted by Elijah, where students from three different grade levels came together to play the classic game of Mafia. Through strategy, teamwork, and quick thinking, players worked to solve the mystery and outsmart the opposing team in this interactive, cross-grade competition.

This video follows Shay as she captures the voices and stories of Tacoma residents through a “Humans of New York”-style lens. Featuring candid interviews with people from across the city—including a conversation with the mayor of Tacoma—the piece highlights personal experiences, perspectives, and the diverse community that makes Tacoma unique.

This video follows Monroe as he goes behind the scenes of Mount Tahoma’s Musical Theater program, interviewing students about their experiences and preparations for the upcoming production of Sister Act. Through these conversations, the story highlights the dedication, teamwork, and excitement that go into bringing a school musical to life.

This video follows Joshuah as he explores how schools—specifically Mount Tahoma—receive their funding. Through interviews with the school’s principal and a teacher deeply involved in community outreach and union leadership, the story breaks down where funding comes from, how decisions are made, and the impact it has on students and the school community.

This video follows Delilah as she captures the burial ceremony of the Class of 2026 time capsule, preserving a moment in time for the future. Through interviews with seniors, the story reveals the personal items, memories, and messages they chose to include—offering a meaningful glimpse into who they are now and what they hope their future selves will remember.

This video follows Troy as he breaks down how draft night works in the NFL and what it means for the athletes whose lives are about to change. From explaining the draft process to highlighting the emotions, pressure, and opportunity that comes with being selected, the story gives viewers a deeper understanding of one of football’s biggest nights.

This video follows Aniya as she shines a spotlight on the often-overlooked non-teaching staff at Mount Tahoma who keep the school running every day. Through interviews with teams like security, nursing, Upward Bound, Communities In Schools, and the Multicare clinic, the story highlights the vital support systems behind the scenes and the impact these staff members have on students’ daily lives.

This video follows Alayah as she takes a closer look at Mount Tahoma’s cheer program, featuring interviews with the head coach and cheer athletes. Through their insights, the story highlights what the sport is really like, offers advice for prospective athletes, and explores how team members balance the demands of being both students and athletes.

This video follows Junior as he explores the importance of mental health and the support systems available at Mount Tahoma. Through an interview with school counselor Nicole Kupfer, the story highlights the resources offered by the counseling team and encourages students to seek support, emphasizing that mental health matters.

This video follows David as he explores the science behind snacking and the foods we reach for throughout the day. Through an interview with the school nurse and explanations of why we crave sugary and salty snacks, the story breaks down how our bodies respond to different foods and highlights smarter snack choices that can help keep us energized all day.

This video follows Shay as she interviews students from Plant Club and Plant Biology at Mount Tahoma about their experiences preparing for and running the annual Plant Sale. Featuring behind-the-scenes moments, student perspectives, and a showcase of the incredible plants grown on campus, the piece highlights the teamwork, dedication, and passion that make the sale such a success.

This video follows Joanne as she covers the district-wide “My Now My Next” event hosted at Mount Tahoma. Featuring student performances and resources like resume help, High School and Beyond Plan support, and college and career guidance, the piece highlights how the event helps students prepare for their futures.

This video follows Kami as she visits the Broadway Farmers Market in downtown Tacoma and interviews local vendors about their experiences running small businesses. Featuring advice for students interested in entrepreneurship and a look at the wide variety of products offered at the market, the piece highlights the creativity and community behind Tacoma’s local businesses.

This video follows Marisol as she interviews several cultural clubs at Mount Tahoma and spotlights their performances, traditions, and practices. Featuring footage from the Intercultural Assembly and student perspectives on the importance of the event, the piece highlights the diversity, pride, and community that make Mount Tahoma unique.

This video follows Matteo as he explores the question: is it worth balancing school and a job at the same time? Through interviews with working students, the piece highlights the challenges and benefits of having a job in high school, showing how work experience can build responsibility, confidence, and real-world skills beyond just earning a paycheck.

This video follows Jacob as he visits three local restaurants in search of the best burger in town. Rating each spot based on price, taste, and overall vibe, the piece combines food reviews with student perspective before ultimately crowning Secret Burger Kitchen (SBK) as Tacoma’s top burger spot.

This video follows Anna as she highlights this year’s prom at the Foss Waterway Seaport. Featuring footage from the “Enchanted Forest”-themed event and the students who spent months preparing for it, the piece captures the excitement, creativity, and memories that made the night special.

This video follows Alayah as she interviews Mount Tahoma track athletes who advanced to the postseason and state competition. Featuring athlete perspectives, preparation strategies, and highlights from the state track meet hosted at Mount Tahoma, the piece showcases the hard work, dedication, and achievements of the team’s top competitors.

This video follows Shay as she highlights standout poems from students in Mr. Smith’s English class. Through interviews with the student authors, the piece explores the inspiration, creativity, and writing process behind their work while showcasing the power of student voices and storytelling.

This video follows Marisol as she recreates dishes inspired by Disney’s Ratatouille in a polished, cooking show-style production. Combining step-by-step preparation, engaging presentation, and a love of food, the piece brings the film’s culinary creativity to life while showcasing Marisol’s skills both in the kitchen and behind the camera.

This video follows Josh as he interviews members of the current Broadcasting Media program about the advice they would give to next year’s students. Featuring insights from both MTTV and The Tower staff, the piece emphasizes the importance of professionalism, stepping outside your comfort zone, and having fun while creating meaningful media.

This video follows Junior as he and a group of friends explore the Trail of Ten Falls, one of the Pacific Northwest’s most iconic hiking destinations. Featuring breathtaking scenery, towering waterfalls, and highlights from the adventure, the piece encourages students to get outside and experience the natural beauty of the region this summer.

This video follows Kamari as he reconnects with seniors who were interviewed during Senior Sunrise at the beginning of the school year. Revisiting the goals they set for themselves in the fall, the piece explores whether they achieved those goals and reflects on their growth, accomplishments, and experiences as they prepare to graduate.

This video follows Aniya as she says goodbye to Mount Tahoma through a collection of memorable moments from around campus. Featuring students waving farewell, familiar scenes from daily school life, and reflections on the year, the piece serves as a heartfelt sendoff to the school community.

This video follows Delilah as she explores important life skills and resources that can help students prepare for the future. Through interviews with a college student, a military cadet, and representatives from MultiCare, the piece offers advice on topics such as voting, opening a bank account, obtaining health insurance, and navigating life after high school.