Clypian South Salem High School - 1910 Church St. SE Salem, OR 97302 Friday, May 3 2019 - Volume LXV, Issue VII Clypian.com
Photo by India Hartle
Table of Contents Page 3: News
3 ASB and Class Elections on May 13 4 Mandatory Holocaust Education Bill Passes
Oregon Senate Senior Quotes are ‘Not Dead’
Page 5: Opinion
5 Should There Be Alcohol Testing At Prom? 6 Is IB Worth It?
Page 7: Feature
7 A Look Into Salem-Keizer’s School Board Candidates
8 Express Yourself Through Grad-Caps Salem Saturday Market
Page 9: Sports
9 Althlete Spotlight: Noah Ferguson and Ryan Brown 10 Shortage of Officials Caused by Underlying Problems in Youth Sports
11 The Final Countdown: Spring Sports Finishing Up Season
2018-2019 Clypian Staff: Retired Editor-in-Chiefs: Samantha Riesterer and Mackenzie Rolf/Editor-in-Chief-in-Training: Eddy Binford-Ross/ Retired News Editor: Eddy Binford-Ross/News Editor-in-Training: Claire Graham /Retired Feature Editor: Kaia Alexander/Feature Editor-in-Training: Katy Morris/ Opinion Editor: Amelia Smith/Retired Sports Editor: Chandler Walker/Sports Editor: Hilary James/Retired Copy Editor: Katy Morris/Content Editor: Amelia Smith/Web Master: Samie Lolley/Fusfoo: Toni Connor/Retired Social Media Editors: Lauren Smith and Marissa Terwilliger/ Social Media Editors: Chloe Powell, Katy Collatt, Halley Barram, Kelsie Parker and Santiago Blanco-Mills/Saxon Radio One Podcasters: Frog Ortiz, Alena Thomas, Jack Loney, Rachel Burbank, Keano Nevarez, Sean Alvarado and Danny Alvarado/Photo Editor: Jasmine Chitwood and India Hartle/Reporters: Laisha Archila-Lopez, Sonia Boeger, Henry Hamilton, Jack Malloy, Diane Sandoval Flores, Isaiah Rodriguez, Jasmine Zavala and Alisa Doughtery/Adviser: Brian Eriksen
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May 3
News 3
ASB and Class Elections on May 13
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Photos Courtesy of Salem-Keizer School District
Samantha Riesterer/Retired Editor-in-Chief Eddy Binford-Ross/Editor-in-Chief-in-training
n May 13, Saxons will vote for their ASB and class officers for the 20192020 school year. Starting on May 6, candidates will have the opportunity to campaign during the week before voting. Results of the election are scheduled to be released May 20. Current senior class president, Kudzai Kapurura ‘19, and ASB president Hannah Healy ‘19 remade parts of the election process and application in order to make it more rigorous. Candidates running for senior class president or ASB president were required to complete a recorded interview which will be evaluated by the current officers. “We want it to be more fair and we wanted the officers to be more involved this year,” Kapurura said. Kapurura recommended future officers set acheivable goals for their prospective year in office. “I think they need to have time. I think that’s the biggest thing, but not only have time but an actual commitment to why they are running along with time because if you don’t have those then you’re just not going to accomplish anything and it’s not going to be a position spent well.” Each class, other than the incoming freshmen, will elect two people to represent their class for the next school year. The entire student body will vote to elect their ASB president and vice-president. The candidates for ASB president this year include Allison Hmura ‘20, Eric Martz ‘20 and Jacob Schnell ‘20. “I hope to improve the overall connection and attitude between staff and students by creating a more fun and happier Saxon family,” Schnell said. “People are too divided and I hope as ASB president to bring us together. With a happier environment also comes a happier more involved student body.” Through ASB and class positions, officers have the opportunity to organize events, arrange assemblies, and fulfill specific goals they may have to improve South. This year’s officers helped arrange South’s first Unified Assembly. “I really want to do more things to help celebrate our differences at school, because I really love how South has a great culture of inclusion and respect and I want to do more things like the Unified Sports assembly,” Martz said. “I thought that was really cool, and I just want to keep improving South’s culture, which I think is already really great, and to get more and more people involved so that way it feels more like a home away from home.” During campaign week from May 6-10, candidates may share their goals or message with students by hanging up posters, coming up with slogans, and even bringing in food. Historically, candidates have brought in candy, cookies and homemade baked goods. In the past, Hmura has made and handed out water bottles, posters and candy with sayings on them. “I think [class elections] are important to demonstrate to your fellow students of what you can do for them in your presidency and who you are as a person,” Hmura said. “They also are extremely important to get the correct fit for the position.” Following the results of the elections, future officers are required to meet with the current officers for a debriefing on their position.
The three candidates for South’s 2019-2020 ASB President: Eric Martz ‘20 (top), Allison Hmura ‘20 (middle) and Jacob Schnell ‘20 (bottom).
Mandatory Holocaust Education Bill Passes Oregon Senate Henry Hamilton/Reporter
Photo by India Hartle
The plaque in South’s Courtyard dedicated to the woman who saved Alter Wiener’s life in the concentration camp.
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n Feb. 27, 2019, Senate Bill 664 was passed by the Oregon Senate during the 80th Oregon Legislative Assembly. The bill will require all Oregon school districts to educate students about the Holocaust and genocide. “I think [a bill] is a good idea because I know that there are some schools that don’t teach it because it’s a sensitive subject, and it is, but I think that people should learn about it,” Mayra Polanco Castillo ‘21 said. As it stands right now, South does educate on the Holocaust in all ninth Grade English courses. However, a 2018 survey concluded that one in ten adults nationwide are unfamiliar with the Holocaust, and a significant amount of those who are
Senior Quotes are ‘Not Dead’ Samantha Riesterer/Retired Editor-in-Chief
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4News
arson Sweeney ‘19 has begun collecting senior quotes to publish in book for the class of 2019. Sweeney made his plan official by distributing buttons to seniors which read “Quotes are not dead” and including an email address to send senior quotes to. “I have an email set up and I read what people send,” Sweeney said. “My mom is a graphic designer so she can format everything to look nice, and since my parents have a company where we deal with this sort of thing all the time I’ll contact a printing company and have everything get printed out.” Sweeney is acting independently from South and did not seek school approval. While the content and length of quotes was previously restricted by yearbook, Sweeney is only restricting quotes which include hate or discriminatory speech. Sweeney has not set a final deadline for seniors to submit quotes but has stated it would be sometime around the end of May, with a completed book printed not long after.
familiar have a very limited knowledge.The same survey stated that 31% of adults believe that less than two million Jewish people were killed in the concentration camps, while actual estimates conclude that roughly six million were killed. “It shows a lot of people that if we don’t learn about history, it will repeat itself,” Jacob Moore ‘20 said. The bill was passed unanimously by the Senate. Many Oregonians, including students and teachers at South, believe that this is an extremely important issue to cover. “I’ve noticed a trend in the last five years that fewer and fewer freshmen are coming in with any sort of Holocaust knowledge or experience,” Joyanna Forsythe said. Forsythe, an English teacher at South, helps coordinate teaching South freshmen about the Holocaust in English courses. She has also brought in a Holocaust survivor, Albert Wiener, to speak on multiple occasions. Unfortunately, Wiener died in December 2018 due to a car accident, and his presentations at South will be missed. “[It’s] extremely important. It’s probably one of the most important things that you can teach. We still have Holocausts which are happening today, but the dangers of discrimination, racism, and hatred are how quickly it can get out of control are so important,” Forsythe responded when asked how crucial it is that children learn about the Holocaust. If this bill passes the House and is signed by the Governor, mandatory Holocaust education will be implemented statewide in the 2020-2021 school year.
Opinion 5
May 3
Photo by Amelia Smith
Should There be Alcohol Testing at Prom? Sonia Boeger/Reporter
One of the breathalyzers used at South’s prom
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his year, all public high schools in the Salem Keizer School District began randomly testing students for alcohol levels at school dances, starting with prom. Four staff members used breathalyzers, which contain an infrared light that detects chemical compounds attributed to the methyl group, to test students before prom. To decide who would be tested, students had to pick a number and roll a die. If the chosen number was the same as the one on the die, the student would be tested in a private room. All students who passed the test received a shirt. Many students are upset by this decision, claiming that the money could be better spent elsewhere and is a violation of the fourth amendment. Salem-Keizer High School principals met with the level director and unanimously decided that the breathalyzer tests would help keep students safe. Vice Principal Tara Romine will be overseeing the implementation of the policy. “I think it’s a strategy that we’re trying to see if we can help prevent or deter students from using alcohol or other substances prior to coming to a school activity,” Romine said. All students and parents or guardians have to sign an agreement about the rules and consequences of being under the influence or participating in other inappropriate activities, such as sexually suggestive dancing. If a student fails the test, they will get a second test to take it. If they fail a second time, their parents will be called to escort them home. If they are a senior, they will not be able to walk at graduation. “It somewhat disappoints me that we need to put something like this in place because of given circumstances. I don’t feel as if the consequences are too harsh because we had to fill out an agreement to even purchase a ticket to go to prom,” Piper [Zoe] Gillet ’19 said. In the court case Board of Education of Independent School District No. 92 of Pottawatomie County v. Earls, it was deemed by the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals that drug test-
ing is a violation of the fourth amendment. This made school drug testing banned in the Districts of Colorado, Kansas, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming, and the Eastern, Northern and Western Districts of Oklahoma. They regarded it as unreasonable search and seizure stating that schools “must demonstrate that there is some identifiable drug abuse problem among a sufficient number of those subject to the testing, such that testing that group of students will actually redress its drug problem.” A district wide study to see how many people use alcohol or other substances before school activities would be extremely useful in this situation. The American Automobile Association [AAA] surveyed teens aged 16-19 and 31 percent reported they or their peers would use alcohol or drugs during prom and graduation season. Breathalyzer tests are relatively expensive, as the district has to pay around $200 for each of the four tests, plus paying staff to administer them. Perhaps this method is a bandaid problem for teenage alcohol abuse and instead they should spend more time on educating youth about both health concerns for alcohol and how to be save if you do drink. No matter what is done, some teenagers will still drink, so it is good to inform them about safe practices. “I think that maybe instead of the breathalyzers we should be focusing on more funding into teaching teenagers how to be safe with that… where they know what is cautious and what is okay and things about making sure you have a buddy with you or a designated driver,” Hannah Brown ’20 said. “Stuff like that and then consent teachings would also be good.” Many American schools are starting to adapt alcohol and drug tests for sports events as well. While it temporarily prevents use, it does not stop the ongoing problem of alcohol abuse.
6 Opinion
Is IB Worth It? Alisa Doughtery/Reporter
The North Library, where IB tests will be held
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he International Baccalaureate [IB] program allows students in many different countries a more advanced and rigorous course of education at many age levels. In high school, a big part of the appeal of taking IB classes is to better a student’s chances of getting into a specific college. Getting the full IB diploma requires a lot of dedication and hard work. Its purpose is to provide students with a lot of knowledge in multiple subjects and to prepare them for the transition into college classes. A lot of high school students earn the IB diploma to make it easier to get into a good college. “It’s something I’ve always wanted to do because I feel like the regular classes are too easy for me and it looks good for college. Your skills are put to the test like whether you can handle things or not and if you can manage your time wisely. I procrastinate a lot so that’s going to be put to the test.” Katie Tinajero ‘21 said. The higher intensity and larger work load included in the program helps students develop skills they need to make college classes easier for them. The extra help to get into colleges is what attracts a lot of students to do the program. “I knew I needed a challenge in high school and that was one of the programs that I heard good things about, and that it’s praised at colleges I want to get into, so I knew that was a program that would help me raise my chances of getting into college,” Camilo Hart ‘21 said. “Taking IB classes shows you took risks and challenges through high school and you didn’t just play it safe to get straight A’s, but challenged yourself in harder classes” With the extra amount of time needed to spend doing homework from these classes every day, a lot of students wonder if going through with the program is worth it. IB can
take up a lot of time outside of school which leaves less room for more extracurricular activities like sports, clubs or hanging out with friends. IB students usually have a very full schedule. “Kids who play multiple sports or take lots of music classes can struggle with it because to fit in six IB classes out of your eight total classes, you don’t have room in your schedule,” Hart Said. Some students do not think the benefits are worth all the work and time it takes up. “I didn’t do full IB because I was in both choir and band and that left no room for theory of knowledge in my schedule. I really wanted to do IB because of the challenge and how fun the classes are.” Megan Merritt ‘19 said. “I definitely think it’s worth it to take IB classes because they are way more stimulating than regular classes. I think when you challenge yourself to reach higher goals and achieve your maximum potential.”
May 3
Feature 7
A Look Into Salem-Keizer’s School Board Candidates
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Claire Graham/News Editor -in-Training
hree seats in the Salem-Keizer school board are up for grabs in a board election on May 21, 2019. Hopefuls include two incumbents, a recent McKay graduate, an electrician, a psychiatrist and the Keizer Chamber of Commerce director. Running for zone 2 is incumbent Marty Heyen, and challenger Raul Marquez. Zone 2 includes seven elementary schools, two middle schools and McKay high school. Heyen has been a Salem school board member since 2015, as well as the Salem Community Emergency Response team (CERT) council and the Capital City republican women’s club. Her goals include more parent involvement and transparency about their children’s rights and curriculum. School choice and appropriate allocation of funds are also at the top of her to-do list. Her opponent, Raul Marquez, a McKay graduate who now works as an event coordinator and studies at Willamette University, made local headlines in August 2018 after he secured 100,000 in grant money for a youth homeless shelter from United Way of Willamette Valley.With a long history in leadership and community development, Marquez began to notice a lack of diversity among community leaders, eventually leading to his candidacy. Marquez plans to fix the epidemic of overcrowded, under-resourced classes with better allocation of resources. He also wants to introduce better staff diversity training and access to engaging after-school programs for students of all income brackets. David Salinas and Satya Chandragiri are running for zone 4, home to six elementary schools, two middle schools and Sprague High School. David Salinas, working parent of four Salem-Keizer students, is running with emphasis on a better graduation rate through better access to career and technical education and mentorship. He hopes to better student’s quality of life through improved counseling and mental health resources in schools. He emphasizes the impact listening to families has on his policy agenda, and creating a safe and welcoming space within schools. He also emphasizes the necessity for better funding of schools. “There are insufficient funds for special education, ELL, CTE, building maintenance and teacher’s salaries. [...] We can talk ideas all day long, unfortunately without funding, they are just words.” He attributes this issue in part to the poor school funding formula, which doesn’t take enrollment fluctuations into account. Salina’s opponent, Satya Chandragiri, is a parent of two , and has been a psychiatrist for 18 years. His priorities include mental health and suicide prevention, teacher burnout prevention and creating a safe, inviting place within schools. His suicide prevention plan includes staff mental health training,
improved mental health education, parent-teacher-student engagement and an oversight group for the implementation of the plan. Chandragiri explains that although suicide is preventable, Salem-Keizer schools have no effective prevention plan right now, and how it is essential we treat suicide prevention planning with the same attention we treat fire safety or earthquake drills. He also advocates for school to be a safe and welcoming place for all students, all day, rather than closed off or limited after hours. In zone 6, incumbent Chuck Lee is running against challenger Danielle Bethell. Zone 6 includes seven elementary schools, two middle schools and McNary High School. Chuck Lee had a hand in creating the district’s Career and Technical Center (CTEC) and 35 years of experience in education as a teacher, principal and administrator, and 12 on the board. He is the recipient of the Keizer Chamber of Commerce’s Outstanding Service to Education Award in 2014 and was honored by National Catholic Education Association in 2009. Lee asserts that the resources allocated to public schools from the state legislature are inadequate for addressing his goals of lower class sizes, more counselors, and more CTE programs. He explains that, with CTE’s 98% graduation rate, these programs are essential for improving Salem Keizer’s overall graduation rate. Lee’s challenger, Danielle Bethell, is executive director of the Keizer Chamber of Commerce, community volunteer and mother of three. Her policy platform includes more classroom control for teachers, so education can be more personalized for students, as well as give students more real-life opportunities to better prepare them for success.She also plans to focus on mental health and suicide prevention. “A quality education system is a system that meets children where they are. A system that lays off the throttle of testing, and guides children to success.” Bethell said, “We need to engage all of our communities in conversations, and then when solutions are suggested, all of us need to engage to work to achieve them. The unbalance of those at the table working on important topics is glaring; accountability needs to be had by all.”
8 Feature
Express Yourself Through Grad-Caps
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Mackenzie Rolf/Retired Co-Editor in Cheif
t the final senior assembly on April 5, Kathy August, South’s senior class adviser, announced that students would be allowed to decorate their graduation caps this year. Caps should be school appropriate, and should not extend vertically or horizontally past the boundaries of the cap, as they may obstruct others view. “It has to be tasteful, and it has to be within school code. If it’s deemed to be disrespectful, or racist, or political of any kind then we’re just gonna say “here’s a new cap”,” August said. Some future graduates may choose to put quotes about achievement, success, or overcoming adversity on their caps, while other may choose to include a heartfelt message dedicated to their friends or families. “They usually put where they’re going on the top of their cap, they say “thanks mom, thanks dad”, they do a “in memory of”, they do a prayer, or a religious thing- a religious thing is totally fine to put on the top. Sometimes kids write their friend’s names: “goodbye to:”. Sometimes they do something so it says something on all their caps, people can see down below so that’s kind of cool when you have a whole group that does stuff.” August said. Acrylic paint, fabric paint and puffy paint are all options for material that can be used to decorate the caps. Printed images or text can also be incorporated into grad cap decorations, but be wary not to place them over the button that the tassel hangs from. Depending on the color of one’s gown, the color of art or decorations can play a big role in their aesthetics. For example, those with blue gown will generally want to stick to cool toned colors, and avoid contrasting colors such as orange.
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Those with red gowns will want to use warmer colors, and avoid contrasting colors such as green. White gowns, however, have a greater range of color possibilities, as they do not have any contrasting colors that will clash with if they are used for cap decorations. Neutral colors, such as black and white, and the school colors of red, white and columbia blue should not clash with any of the gown colors. When decorating caps, the color of cords that one will receive may also be taken into account, either as accent colors in decorations, or colors to avoid. While grad caps may have personalized decorations that make them distinguishable, they can get lost if they are thrown at the end of graduation, so be sure to either hold on to them or mime throwing them if the cap is worth saving. “We encourage it, and we’re about the only school that allows it. Bedazzle it, do whatever, you want, but we just want it to be an extension of who you are, to celebrate the day, and to not put anyone down,” August said.
Salem Saturday Market
Photo by :Mackenzie Rolf
Henry Hamilton/Reporter
here is a tradition in Salem that has repeated itself regularly during the spring and summer since 1998, and that is the Salem Saturday Market. Bringing fresh food and handmade crafts to the city of Salem The Saturday Market, which is what it is often referred to as, made its return on April 6 of this year, and is scheduled to stay until Oct. 26. The Saturday Market is a non-profit operation conducted by Buy Fresh~Buy Local. As the name implies, it is a weekly event which occurs every Saturday, and there over 150 vendors sell handmade goods, such as fresh fruits and vegetables, cooked foods and handmade crafts such as wallets or blankets. “I guess it’s kind of cool that the Saturday Market has things you can’t get at regular stores, and it’s not only good for the vendors at the Saturday Market, but it’s also good for the buyers as well,” Veronica Flores ‘21 said. Saturday Market vendors also seem to be very pleased with the market. “It’s a good venue to meet new people, meet new custom-
ers, turn them on to the honey and the wax products. It’s a profitable venture, really. That’s why everyone’s here,” honey salesman Warren Kester said when asked why he sets up shop at the market. As for the customers, they also enjoy the presence of the Saturday Market. “We love to buy all of our produce here if we can, there’s the ‘pork man’ where we get all of our pork from,” a shopper, Susanne said. “There is this new place, Sparrow, they employ local refugees and they can work for them, they have English classes. Wins for everybody,” Casey, another Saturday market passerby said If you wish to visit the Saturday Market, there is no need to hurry. Vendors will stick around until the last day the market operates for the year. In the meantime, take a visit, support local businesses and enjoy the atmosphere until it’s gone for the year.
Sports
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Photo by Jeremy McDonald
Athete Spotlight: Noah Ferguson & Ryan Brown Hilary James/Sports Editor
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he Saxon baseball team has had a successful season thus far, led by the long-standing duo of Noah Ferguson ‘19 and Ryan Brown ‘19. Both seniors have been on the varsity team since their sophomore year, and have shown up big for the Saxons over the years. So far this season, Ferguson has been a reliable pitcher for the Saxons but was admired most by head coach Max Price for his growth, and the hard work he has put in these past few years on the mound and in the weight room. “He’s worked really hard to become one of the better hitters in our league, but like Ryan, he’s also become a formidable dude on the mound for us. Both guys have changed tremendously from their first couple of years here,” Price said. At the Buck’s Spring Classic in Boise, Idaho at the end of last month Ferguson hit the first homerun of his career while also giving the Saxons a 8-0 lead against Capital. The Saxons went on to win 11-7 .In that same game Brown pitched the first 5 innings, striking out 10 Capital hitters and only allowing 3 hits. According to Price, Brown came into the program with a lot of natural ability and athleticism, and over the past few years he has been able to add a curveball and changeup to his pitching repertoire, which has made him a much more complete pitcher. “At the plate, he’s a monster and gives us a lot of pop in our lineup. Ryan brings a 90+ mph fastball and gives us a true ace on the mound,” Price said. Along with their success on the offensive side, it is the combination of the two in middle infield that have given the Saxons a solid defensive unit that will be crucial later on in the season. The Saxons are currently ranked fifth in the state, and have high hopes for a deep playoff run. “I’ve been playing with Ryan since the fourth grade and so we have that connection since we’ve played for so long… we have one more chance to relive our fifth grade title year and I think our team has the depth and all-around talent to compete
for a state title this year,” Ferguson said. The Saxons current overall record is 13-3 and their league record is 5-1 as of Apr. 29. Their next game is today, May 3 against the Sprague Olympians at 5 p.m. Following high school, Ferguson will be going on to play baseball at Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma Washington, while Brown will play baseball at Oregon State in Corvallis. Ferguson said he wants to focus on finishing this season strong, and then he will start to prepare to play baseball at the collegiate level. Brown is most looking forward to the development that he will get from playing at such a high level and how much better the OSU program will make him as a player and as a person. “There is only one goal in mind and that is to do anything that it takes to make it to the only game in June and win the ‘ship.” Photo by Jeremy McDonald
Ryan Brown hits ball in game versus Centennial High School (ID) at Borah High School during Spring Break baseball trip.
10 Sports
Shortage of Officials Caused By Underlying Problems in Youth Sports
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Jack Malloy/Reporter
he Oregon Athletic Officials Association [OAOA] has seen a 20 percent decrease in number of officials in Oregon. If officials keep retiring and quitting with no one to replace them, the future of youth and high school sports could be put in jeopardy. With no one stepping up to replace old officials, the few young and inexperienced officials are being shown the abuse early in their officiating careers. “The biggest factor is abuse from fans mostly parents especially at lower levels which younger officials start at,” Jack Folliard, Executive Director of the OAOA, said. “A large percentage of new officials work one or two years then quit because of the abuse.” Throughout the abuse, those that officiate do it for the betterment of the game. “Most officials do not officiate for a financial gain,” Theresia Wynns, Director of Sports and Officials for the National Federation of State High School Associations based in Indiana, said. Local high school referees often endure the same or a similar crowd every game. “At the varsity level we have a rotating crew of maybe 10 guys we see over and over again throughout the season,” South baseball coach Max Price said. This repetition for officials could lead to a feud between a certain officiating crew and particularly verbal parents, making it of utmost importance for parents and players to have set standards to follow when it comes to treatment of officials.
According to Wynns, this standard should be handed down to coaches from school administration, then relayed to participants and spectators of the game. “Once the expectations are set then a plan needs to be in place to share them with all parties and help them to understand there will be consequences to poor behavior.” Wynns said. If these expectations are not met, “Who is going to be the person who goes and says ‘Hey buddy you need to leave’?” Max Price said. After witnessing first hand the abuse of officials, Price does not want his players to go through the same abuse. “Recommending [officiating] to younger people is not something that I’d want or want my players to become umpires and be treated the way they are.” Although officiating might not be for everyone, spectators should consider becoming an official and work to improve the game they love. “Those persons who are avid fans and enjoy the game should be encouraged to give back to the game that they love some much by becoming an official.” Wynns said, “Officials associations can have a public meeting and invite interested persons to come hear about officiating and what it means to become an official.” “Without officials, it’s just recess!” Folliard said All sports have rules, and all sports need officials to uphold them. Without them, the sporting world would not be the same or would not be around at all. Photo by Jasmine Chitwood
Saxon football team facing West Salem High School on Sept. 25. The Saxons lost 25-0.
Sports 11
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The Final Countdown: Spring Sports Finishing Up Season
Photo by Jasmine Chitwood
Chandler Walker/Sports Editor Hilary James/Sports Editor
Saxon boys track including Eric Lungu ‘19 (center) run in a race in a home meet versus Sprague.
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Chandler Walker and Hilary James/Sports Editors
he Saxon girls golf team has struggled over the course of the season, and have not finished in the top two in any of their MVC league matches. However, they do have the chance to place at districts and potentially at state. With the new league format this year, it all depends on how well the Saxons compete at districts. Kylie Buckmaster ‘20, the #1 golfer for the Saxons, has competed well this season, as she has lead the team in lowest points throughout every competition. Buckmaster is looking forward to districts and perhaps qualifying for state individually. “Districts are coming up soon, so I am hoping to qualify for regionals and then state, that would make me really happy,” Buckmaster said. The boys golf team has started their 2019 campaign with strong individual performances so far. Sam Healy ‘21 placing second and Lucas Paul ‘22 with a tie for first place in their first league experience this season in the MVC league tournament held at the Illahe Golf Course on March 18. With a young group of golfers, the Saxons are hoping to build off and improve everyday and hope to compete as soon as possible. Saxon track is making its way toward districts as well, with athletes Eric Lungu ‘19 and Kaia Alexander ‘19 standing out for the Saxons. Lungu participates in a range of mid-distance to long-distance running events each week including the 400 meters, 800 meters, 1500 meters, and the 4x4 relay as well as long jump. He has placed first in the 400 twice, at McNary and at the Canby Invitational. He also placed first in the 800 at the Lake Oswego Invitational. His goals include winning districts and making it to finals for state. “My favorite part about track is how close the distance group is, we grind everyday together.” Lungu said. Alexander throws the javelin and shot-put, and has thrown javelin twice this season, placing first both times. In addition
Alexander has thrown the shot-put four times this season, placing first three times and third one time. Alexander placed first in the javelin at districts last year and second place sophomore year, and moved on to place 2nd in state both years. The softball team is off to a solid start to the season so far. With their current ranking by OSAA being at 22 with a 12-7 overall record while sitting at a tie of third place in league with a league record of 6-2. With only one senior on the team, the young Saxons roster with nine of fourteen total players being freshman and sophomores, and have been competing against more experienced teams in the league. The Saxons are hoping to keep rolling, winning four of their last five games and compete for a league title as well. The baseball team has done well this season and are looking forward to a deep playoff run. Their record is 13-3 and are currently placed 5 in the state. One contributor for the Saxons is Kaiden Doten ‘19 who currently has the most hits for the Saxons this season so far. Brothers Sean Alvarado ‘19 and Danny Alvarado ‘21 also play a huge role for the Saxons, both hitting and in the outfield. Danny Alvarado leads the team in homeruns, with five this season, while also leading the team in slugging percentage at .875. Sean Alvarado is leading the team with a batting average with runners in scoring position at .545. The boys tennis team has had both individual success as well as team success so far this season. With the team going 5-2 so far, the boys are hoping to finish the season strong and head into Districts with multiple singles and doubles competing. The girls tennis team has also been successful so far, with only one league team loss on their record, and a tournament win as well. They are approaching district play with many singles and doubles players that could compete for league titles coming up next week.
Photo by Olivia Sproed
South’s number one girls golfer, Kylie Buckmaster’20, competing in a tounament