The
April 2015 No. 4
Happy to
HUMANS OF WILSON
Help
Pg. 18
Pg. 2
ll Dolce far niete
FRANK THE TANK
Pg. 20
Pg. 8
YOU SHALL NOT PARK! Pg. 24
#WilsonTweets Pg. 6
RUSLAN
Ivanchenko
SBAC Testing Pg. 11
APRIL
Horse-O-Scope Inside Cover
Check us out on mobile!
Pg. 16
1
Apri
March
l
HORSE-O-SCOPE Aries (21 March-19 April)
Libra (23 Sept-22 Oct)
Taurus (20 April-20 May)
Scorpio (23 Oct-22 Nov)
Aries: Resist the urge to butt heads with everyone around you, Aries. Anger may come and go, but the consequences of what you say can stick around. Make sure you don’t say anything you’ll regret and try to eliminate stressful outbursts.
Taurus: This past winter your path has been a foggy one. With school ending in June and then starting in the fall, you realize that time is catching up to you. Now is the time to really think about your future instead of leaning on me to tell you what’s behind the fog.
Libra: You generally resist the urge to rush into making decisions but this month your indecisive nature will hinder you rather than benefit you. It’s time to decide what you want, what you really really want.
Scorpio: A friend hanging with another person will awaken your jealousy. Instead of trying to manipulate the relationship, put away your claws, and let things happen naturally. Remember, if you love something let it go; if they come back, it’s meant to be.
Gemini (21 May-21 June)
Sagittarius (23 Nov- 20 Dec)
Gemini: Opportunities are on the horizon. It is your choice to make that leap or stay in that safe environment. Just remember, you have nothing to lose by leaping. You have nothing.
Sagittarius: You are the most independent person you know. However, loneliness happens to the best of us. Lucky for you, there is a cure. Invite a friend over for some video games or T.V and get some companionship.
Cancer (22 June-23 July)
Capricorn (22 Dec-20 Jan)
Leo (24 July-23 Aug)
Aquarius (21 Jan-19 Feb)
Cancer: You will get cash cash money the next month. But spend it wisely. You never know when you will have to save for something you need, not want.
Leo: You’re a wild one, but sit back and relax this month. Something you did in the past might come back to bite you in the ass, and laying low will be the best way to avoid drama.
2
Written by Tana Kelley
Capricorn: Someone you care about is having a hard time this month. Your loyalty will make you sympathetic and you will start to build them up again. Focus on supporting them instead of making them do what you want. Help them rise back to the top. You wanna be on top? (Wanna be on top?)
Aquarius: You and your friend have been arguing about a silly little thing. Your stubborn nature is tearing a hole in the fabric that is your friendship. Back off and ask yourself, is this argument worth losing a friendship?
Virgo (24 Aug- 22 Sept)
Pisces (20 Feb-20 March)
Virgo: You’re silent but deadly, like a python. Unfortunately that is the worst recipe for a gossiper. Stop moving your mouth and instead move your ass away from any drama.
Pisces: Get off your lazy ass and do something this month. Pop your little bubble, bubble boy, and realize that there is a world outside of what you’re used to.
TROJAN HORSE
APRIL 2015
CONTENTS COVER
Jamie Valentine
HORSE-O-SCOPE Tana Kelley
02 HAPPY TO HELP Natalie Jenkins
06 #WILSONTWEETS Peter Swanson & Moni Kovacs
08 FRANK THE TANK Peter Swanson
11 TESTS GET HARDER Brooklynn Loiselle
16 NEED FOR SPEED Stella Burlingame
18 HUMANS OF WILSON Tana Kelley
20 IL DOLCE FAR NIETE Kaya Noteboom
24 PARKING MADNESS Jamie Valentine
Adrianne Nix Editor in Chief Senior
Natalie Jenkins Editor in Chief Senior
Keith Higbee Staff Advisor
Moni Kovacs Head of Design Senior
Tana Kelley Photo Editor Marketing Director Senior
Brian Chatard Principal
According to Oregon law, student journalists are responsible for determining the content of this publication, except under limited circumstances. The subject matter, content and views of the news, features and opinion sections in this paper do not reflect the views of Portland Public Schools or Woodrow Wilson High School.
1
Happy to Help Wilson’s peer counseling program is going strong in its second year The first word that comes to mind when one walks into
tually gave his approval. “He’s someone that really values
the peer counseling room is inviting. It’s a bright, warm
things his staff are passionate about,” Ms. Wolff said.
room filled with chairs arranged in circles, and comfort-
“He’s open to new ideas, and he wants the school to be
able furniture. There are murals and chalkboards filled
a better and better place.”
with class lessons, ranging from eye contact to emergency
To find the first set of peer counselors, Ms. Wolff asked
situations, on the light blue walls. It’s got the bare bones
teachers to recommend students that they thought would
of a classroom, but other than that it’s completely different.
help the program. She didn’t just want typical overachiev-
Which is really a good metaphor for the class itself. Peer
er types, though. To have the class really work, they
counseling might be a traditional class in some ways, but
needed to be a diverse group. Students who had gone
for the most part it’s something really unique.
through different things in their lives and would bring their
Peer counseling started as the brainchild of counselor
own experience to the class. There were people who had
Kathrynn Wolff. She’s wanted to run the program ever
suffered losses and mental illnesses, as well as students
since she worked at a school with a similar program
whose biggest struggle was finishing their math-xl home-
years ago, and thought it was a good idea. “I have a re-
work. They also tried to pick students who were account-
ally strong belief that kids can be the best communicators
able. “You’re hearing other people’s insecurities and
of difficult stuff with other kids,” Ms. Wolff said.
secrets, so you have to be open-minded and trustworthy.
Although it took a while to find an administrative team
They want people they can rely on [in the program],”
willing to create this kind of program, Mr. Chatard even-
senior and first year peer counselor, Ellie Robin said.
2
TROJAN HORSE
APRIL 2015
The benefit of this diversity is that everyone has a peer
tion is good enough, they’ll get the chance to have an
counselor they can relate to. “It’s nice because we can
interview with Ms. Wolff, the school psychologist, and one
reach out to different groups; we have windows into
of the current peer counselors. If they make it past that
different areas,” senior and returning peer counselor, Emily
round, then they get to officially count themselves as one
Davis said.
of the friendly members of room 117.
Becoming a peer counselor isn’t an easy process. Many students decide they want to try and join the program at the advice of a teacher or a classmate. Often peer counselors will try to en-
Or they will after some training, at least. Peer coun-
“You’re hearing other people’s insecurities and secrets, so you have to be open-minded and trustworthy”
selors spend an entire semester just learning how to communicate and help before they start talking to students. One of the main focus-
courage students who they think would both benefit from
es in their training is how to listen, something that many
the program and give something to it to join. Unlike a
discovered they were surprisingly bad at. “Communication
traditional class, students who want to join peer counsel-
is really big, and I’m surprised how much we don’t know
ing have to apply, just like you would for a job. First they
how to listen to each other,” Robin said. These lessons
fill out an application form, answering questions about
involve more than just hearing the words someone is
themselves and their experiences. Then, if their applica-
saying, it’s about eye contact, body language, and really
3
digesting what someone else is trying to communicate. As important as listening to people is, talking is just as
Their bond is strengthened by the day long trip that the class takes at the Catlin Gable ropes course a few
important. “We learn how to have meaningful conversa-
months into school. There, students have to trust each
tions with people, how to direct a conversation to a deep-
other both physically and emotionally. They go on a
er issue,” Davis, said. They have to make sure students
challenge course together where they’re forced to rely on
are relaxed in the conversation, and feel like they’re in a
their classmates to support them as they scale trees and
safe place. “When a new person comes in to talk about
walk across narrow ropes. Then they take the ideas of
something, you wanna make them feel comfortable,”
trust they created in the challenge course and share their
Robin said.
own personal backstories and secrets with each other,
Another thing peer counselors learned is to not tell the students what to do. Their job is to be a friendly face to
telling classmates the kind of things their closest friends might not even know. This helps them with confidentiality.
talk to or a shoulder
“They know what it
to cry on, and then
is to trust others and
try to give them a
what it is to hold that
chance to figure
information in con-
things out. “One of
fidence,” Ms. Wolff
our big things is that
said. These kinds of
we don’t give advice, we want them to
experiences have
come to conclusions
brought the members
on their own. We’re
of the peer counsel-
kind of there to guide
ing program closer
them and help them
together. “It’s not like
brainstorm ideas,”
we’re all best friends,
Davis said.
but the cool thing about that class is
They practice these techniques through
Peer counselors Naomi Fredgant and Bethen Harper practicing counseling
that you can go and
roleplaying activities. One peer counselor, often a return-
talk to anyone and start a conversation with anyone, and
ing one, will act as a student who needs help and talks
it wouldn’t be awkward, it would be good,” senior, Olivia
to a counselor in training.
Stein said.
In their training, the students have to learn how to trust
Peer counselors finally get the chance to work with stu-
their peers, and learn how to keep confidentiality with
dents in the second semester. They do a variety of things,
the things they learn about other people. This creates a
from meeting with students in the room during lunch and
bond between students who might not normally speak to
fourth and eight period, to working on small projects to
each other. “In peer counseling we know each other so
help improve our school community.
well, and we’re so comfortable with each other. It’s really different from other classes,” Robin said.
4
TROJAN HORSE
APRIL 2015
One thing that the program is working on, is encouraging students to feel comfortable coming in and talking
to them. “They think if they’re going to a counselor ‘Oh,
The hope of the program members is that as it contin-
they’re gonna tell me what to do’ and no one wants to
ues it will become more successful. “ I would just like to
be told what to do,” Ms. Wolff said. However, that thought
see the program become a really ingrained part of our
couldn’t be further from the truth. “It’s more about helping
culture here,” Ms. Wolff said. “Frankly, just about everyone
someone to go through a process and make their own
here, myself included, has problems they want to talk
decision, find their own path. We try to recognize values
about.”
in others and not place our values on them.” Even if students aren’t always comfortable talking about their problems, peer counselors are finding other ways to connect and help. The counselors have gotten together in small groups to work on individual projects that they believe can help the Wilson community, ranging from
Wilson counselor Kathryn Wolff conversing with a student
things like a website for the class, to freshman outreach. Senior Bryce Purgiel has been painting a mural with a quote from the third Harry Potter movie, “Happiness can
Natalie Jenkins Senior
be found even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light.” The class waffle days were part of a new program
Photos by Quinn Vlacich
they’re starting as a way to connect with members of each grade, and provide them support they might need. Students have to tell peer counselors two personal goals in exchange for a waffle. They’ve all been successful, with a line of students waiting outside to get their waffles. Those who went in found the idea worked well, and it was good to tell someone their goals. “I thought the peer counselors were very nice. I knew some of them, so it was nice to talk to new and old faces,” sophomore Nathan Rutledge-Gorman said.
5
#Wilsontweets
By Peter Swanson
@thebookofjaylen
Followers: 23 An account that highlights the phrases of an up-and-coming WHS Superstar named Jaylen. It then quotes them, and posts them to twitter. An underrated account, because everything this kid says is gold. Top Tweets: “Does F come before or after D?” “I want someone to hack my webcam so they can see my sexy face”
@WHS_Matchmakers
Followers: 113 Last Tweet: Oct. 13, 2014 This account sarcastically pairs students together with a likewise pair…which isn’t necessarily another student. And if it does, it’s usually sarcastic. This account has been inactive for a year or so. So if you’re a freshman looking at old tweets, you won’t really know most of the people on here. Top Tweets: “John Venables and Austin Andrews” “James Gorman and his f*cking airplanes”
@CommonWHSGurl
Followers: 272 An account that stereotypes the girls of WHS. It’s funny because these tweets are mostly spot on. It more or less shows the personality of the females at Wilson, but has been inactive for a little while. Top Tweets: “*Is always keeping up with the Kardashians*” “*Knows Dutch workers by name*” “*snapchats fireworks*”
6
TROJAN HORSE
APRIL 2015
Wilson High School has a series of twitter accounts, either obscure or well known. Some have hundreds of followers, while some have barely amassed any. While most of them aren’t actually run by Wilson, they are associated with the school. The question is, how does this account, more or less, paint a picture of our school?
@whsleadership_
Followers: 456 The official leadership account of Wilson, and the only account on this piece that is actually OFFICIALLY associated with Wilson. You know what this account does, so it’s not especially funny or entertaining, but some of the tweets are worth a favorite. Top Tweets: “RT for bucket hats, FAV for aprons. Also, we could wear both because we cook up buckets” “STILL #BESTINTHEWEST”
@WHSscrapmaker
Another dead account that would attempt to instigate fights between students, being inactive for about a year. This account is pretty funny, but there isn’t much to it. Last Tweet: Nov. 14, 2013 Followers: 162 Top Tweets: “QUINN VAN HORNE VS ZACH KAUFFMAN” “Ian Morgan vs. Aidan Ormond”
7
Frank the Tank
The “Mortifying” Job of Being the New Guy
What is Mortified?
as well…I think the best part about teaching is the rela-
Basically, people go on stage and read entries from their
tionship you develop after spending a year with students.
diaries or journals with pictures or video. It’s sort of like
You get to know each other. Mortified and teaching have
opening up your yearbook to an audience. And so, it’d be
really opened up my social world after coming from Wis-
like if you, in 20 years, had pictures of yourself from when
consin; I mean, I didn’t know anybody.
you were a freshman and had notes or stories or videos
Do you have anything that’s Mortified worthy?
on your cell phone where you embarrass yourself. That’s the kind of stuff people see. Can you describe what goes on behind the scenes? Behind the scenes—here’s the thing, people always think that the performer is going to be truly mortified, but the first show that they do (we do two) they’re always nervous, but not from the nerves. Not from being nervous, but the powerful emotions of going back to the past and you’re reading about music you listened to, about a person you had feelings for, it really brings you back. It kind of makes people really nostalgic, and it brings warmth to the night. Why do people put themselves onstage and expose themselves?
Now, I didn’t keep a journal, so I can’t do it, but I have plenty of things Mortified worthy, as my students know. The relationship stories— That in its own is a piece. Yeah, and that’s why people who go and see Mortified are so sympathetic, because we all have stories like that. No one is going to laugh at the performer; we all had crazy crushes that went wrong, they just had them written down, and the guts to share. We have these ‘reality TV’ shows now, but that’s not real. This is authentic, unedited, they’re America in the 1980s and 1990s in its purest unedited form. Do you think this gives paticipants a sense of fulfillment from their past awkwardness?
The real reason isn’t the board or the money or that type
Without a doubt. We’ve had more than 50 percent of
of thing, it’s a night you can bring your friends to and
people cry after doing it, because it’s so emotional. Not
you’re revealing your past. Going back to why, we’ve
because they’re nervous or freaked out, but because
found over the last seven years, it is very cathartic and
they’re gong back to the past. It’s really interesting; it’s kind
powerful for some people. And it’s really fun to go back
of like being in a high school play, where you bond with
to their past in an authentic way. It’s fun and interesting, in
the other people. There are six performers, and those six
an—albeit—weird dynamic.
people almost always become friends because they’re
You’re a dad. Do you worry that your son would
going through this emotional, tense experience of sharing
do this?
their past with strangers. There’s something about people
No, that’d be great. I don’t get embarrassed too easily.
laughing at you in a friendly way that really helps you
I mean, we all have these stories, but Mortified is about getting them out on a platform that’s safe to reveal your true thoughts. What do you find fulfilling about Mortified?
get through life. And it suggests that things get better. No matter how bad your high school experience was, how stressed out or nervous you were, Mortified is always optimistic because the person always gets through it.
It’s like teaching, and teaching is fun, and so is Mortified in the sense that human stories are what make the world go round. It’s what you’re going to remember at the end of your life. I have this blessed job in the sense that
Peter Swanson Senior
people allow me into their pasts that their spouses or best friends haven’t even heard about. And then with students
Photos by Lauren McMurray
9
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Offer may change without notice.
The Tests Get Harder, The Kids Don’t Get Smarter
Around April 22nd, Wilson juniors are going to be filed
Oregon estimates that 60% of the students in the state will
into one of the computer labs for an estimated week’s
not be proficient in English, and 70% will not be proficient
worth of testing in both English and math. While taking this
in math.
test, the students’ fingers will fumble with the strings of their
“To bring it to a nationwide test might make some
sweatshirts as they try to focus their tired, strained eyes on
schools and some people think it’s more difficult and some
the screen for yet another question. Their clammy, shak-
think it’s going to be what they are used to. I think be-
ing hands will meticulously type out and delete and then
cause it’s a level playing field across the nation, [people’s
retype their answers to the extended-response questions.
disapproval] could be politically fueled, or [they might]
Their shoulders will be tense, their minds will be cluttered,
individually have issues with it,” Candace Rhodes, testing
and their brains will be fried. Attempting to stretch out their
coordinator at Wilson, said.
legs underneath the crammed desk, the juniors will try to
The idea behind the Smarter Balanced Test, or SBAC,
decipher the meaning of every question, and will struggle
is that all students will have an equal education heading
to put their thought process into logical, grammatically
into college; the test also holds high schools accountable
correct sentences.
for giving students a meaningful education. This does not,
Meet the Smarter Balanced Test: the new standardized
however, mean that past Wilson graduates were not pre-
test method based off of the Common Core that is na-
pared when they graduated, because there has not been
tionwide and will serve as a standard for all graduating
specific data kept on the college success of Wilson alumni
high schoolers’ education. For this school year, the state of
according to Principal Chatard. Although this is only the
11
first year that Wilson will be implementing the Smarter
Balanced test is untimed, but it is expected to take up
Balanced Test, the test has already been given substantial
much more than just a period.
power. In order to graduate, students must pass it. “I remember when they first started this testing. It was
“I heard that it took ten hours to deliver this test to third graders,” Anderson said.
not tied to graduation, so kids bombed it, didn’t care, but
This year’s test is expected to last at least six to eight
I was at a different school then. Then, they tied it to grad-
hours, which has caused many teachers like Mrs. Ander-
uation, and I think maybe kids are taking it more seriously.
son to voice their disapproval. In fact, it is quite difficult
But I don’t think they are performing any better in the
to find a single teacher at Wilson that believes that this
classroom,” Kathy Anderson, Junior Honors English teacher,
standardized test is the right way to survey a student’s
said.
knowledge. “I have a lot of
The Smarter Balanced testing, the re-
concerns about it.
sult of the No Child
The first is the effect
Left Behind Act, is
it might have on
the replacement to
students. I think it
the Oregon Assess-
could be harmful to
ment of Knowledge
students,” social stud-
and Skills (OAKS)
ies teacher Hyung
test and is expect-
Nam said. Both Mr. Nam
ed to have a much larger impact on
and Mrs. Anderson
students. According
believe that the
to PPS, the Smarter
main reason that
Balanced Test “will
the SBAC could be
do a better job of
harmful to students is
measuring the range
that it is setting them
of content and skills
up for failure. Stu-
that students have
dents have not been
mastered by going
raised on the Com-
beyond multiple
One of the many signs posted during the process of testing
mon Core curriculum
choice questions.” The test is expected to fulfill these
and are being given limited time to prepare for something
expectations by testing students with extended response
with such high stakes.
questions. This means that students will have to know the
“Our kids are sort of like our lives as a parent, and
information in order to receive credit for their answer; there
it’s emotional. You don’t want to see them fail. You don’t
is going to be no chance of simply guessing the correct
want your kid to see themself as a failure,” Principal Brian
answer. With the Smarter Balanced test, the testing will
Chatard said.
also be much more vigorous, and students will be expect-
Teachers in the English department are finding ways to
ed to study by taking practice SBACs ahead of time unlike
ease some of the stress off of juniors, who are to be tested
the OAKS. Similarly to the OAKS test, however, the Smarter
on the SBAC, ACT, and AP exams in the same timeframe.
12 TROJAN HORSE
APRIL 2015
The classic junior English essay called the Junior Literary
Despite the high stakes attached to the test, important
Analysis Paper (JLAP) has been cut down from sourcing
details, such as how it is going to be graded, have not
three to two books in order to fulfill the time constraints for
been released, which is especially frustrating to Nam.
the Smarter Balanced test and to lighten students’ aca-
“They have not been able to answer my question; they’ve actually been inconsistent about who’s going to
demic load. “When we learned that it was going to take a week and that they were going to take another one of our class
grade all of that writing. In fact, they have been trying to silence me,” Nam said.
periods away for practicing for this test [deep, calming
With the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for
breath], it’s beyond tolerable right now,” Anderson said.
College and Careers (PARCC) test, a different standard-
Others are frustrated that the test cannot be applied
ized test based off of the Common Core, Pearson used
to improve the education of a high school, because the
computer algorithms and temp workers, with only a bach-
test is a comprehensive exam at the very end of one’s
elor’s degree and no ties to education, to hand-grade the
high school career. Instead of testing students after each
students’ tests. This creates an issue, because people can
individual year to see which concepts were and were not
grade tests different ways and with different perspectives.
understood, the purpose the SBAC provides for grade
What could be right to one person may be completely
schools, it just serves as an exit exam for high school.
wrong to another. Some of the graders may be taking
“The exam is external to the school. I don’t really know how this will end up when it’s all said and done, or whether this exam will be something that
The knowledge needed to perform well on standardized tests is not applicable in any real life situation other than standardized tests.
into consideration the context of the answers while others may simply be looking for key words, which could be used in any context. Although it is
will be useful for us. I would say that’s my biggest objec-
unknown how the Smarter Balanced grading system will
tion to it,” Chatard said.
compare to PARCC’s, because the tests are based off of
Others like Mr. Nam have issues with how the test was formed. Instead of consulting with teachers and other
the same standards, it is reasonable to assume that they will be very similar.
people involved in education, the concept of the Common
“We pay a large premium to have professional educa-
Core was developed by Pearson, a company of business-
tors teaching our students. You would think that somehow
men. These businessmen look to new teaching standards
we could create an assessment that professional educa-
such as the Common Core and the Smarter Balanced Test
tors could make part of their practice that they could score
as a moneymaker instead of a tool for improving students’
in some way,” Chatard said.
performance. In fact, the Wall Street Journal reports that
Teachers, parents, and students are constantly ques-
the cost of the Smarter Balanced testing could be between
tioning standardized testing. Many people believe that
one and eight billion dollars of government funding, which
standardized testing does not even correlate with a
would go towards publishing companies like Pearson.
student’s cognitive abilities. In a case study done by MIT,
“They do this kind of testing, because it is a cheap way
Brown, and Harvard, researchers found that performance
of assessing students, and it’s done by corporations who
on standardized testing does not result in fluid intelligence.
are making a profit off of it,” Nam said.
Fluid intelligence is described as logical thinking and
13
problem solving in novel situations. The knowledge need-
students will fail, because there has not been a baseline
ed to perform well on standardized tests is not applicable
score established for the test. It is difficult to say that a
in any real life situation other than standardized tests.
certain percentage of students will fail when one does not
“What was educationally significant and hard to mea-
know the cut off point between passing and failing. With
sure has been replaced by what is educationally insig-
important decisions still waiting to be made, students and
nificant and easy to measure. So now we measure how
teachers are left unprepared.
well we taught what isn’t worth learning,” Arthur Costa, a professor at California State University, said. Some states like North Dakota and Idaho are recognizing inconsistency and are fighting to remove the standard
“I don’t know what to expect, so I haven’t been addressing what’s on it,” Anderson said. One teacher at Wilson feels more prepared for the Smarter Balanced test because of past experience. Jamie
of the Smarter Balanced test
Suehiro, a new addition to
from their curriculum, and
Wilson’s English department
more states could join them
this year, participated in a
once this year’s test results
field study for the Smarter
return.
Balanced while she taught in Hawaii. The school
“I think there has to be something [better] that can
prepared years in advance
take into account kids’ men-
for the SBAC by gradually
tal states, different proficiency
shifting their curriculum to
levels, different language
incorporate more nonfiction
levels, and socioeconomic
readings, essays, and argu-
levels. It’s such an unlevel
mentative writings. “The shifts lined up with
playing field based off of things that the students them-
the Smarter Balanced, so it
selves can’t control,” Ander-
wasn’t as if I had to do a lot
son said.
of change in the curriculum,” Suehiro said.
The administration is confident that they have per-
Unlike in Oregon, the
formed the necessary actions
Smarter Balanced test is not
in order for students to still
tied to graduation in Hawaii,
A student testing on the computer
which eases some of the stress of off students who
be able to graduate, regard-
have plenty of other end of course necessities on their
less of SBAC results. “We have been preparing for this for awhile. One of the things we did last year was that we tested most of our
plate. “My students had a pretty good attitude about it and
sophomore class on OAKS, which is theoretically an easier
most of them did their best. I know the ones that stayed
exam,” Chatard said.
until the end [of the day] were really trying to put their best
The OAKS test will qualify as a work sample for the student if they fail the Smarter Balanced test. Principal Chatard also does not believe that 60-70% of Wilson
14 TROJAN HORSE
APRIL 2015
foot forward,” Suehiro said. Teachers at Wilson whose students will be taking the Smarter Balanced test this year are expected to receive
training soon on how this test will be given out to students. Until then, the teachers and the students are both driving
school for students who opt out,” Chatard said. Students who opt out will then have to submit a work sample to show that they do have the abilities necessary
in the fog. However, there is a way out. Students can opt out of the Smarter Balanced Test for disabilities or religious beliefs. “I would say that actually standardized testing is a religion. People have blind-faith that these tests are a good
to graduate. A work sample could be a passing OAKS, ACT, SAT, or PSAT score, or it could be a work sample completed in class. “We aren’t really going to leave it to chance that kids
thing or that these tests are legitimate and valid. You don’t
won’t graduate because of this exam. We are going to
have blind faith in the religion of blindly trusting these
get everybody to graduate who earns the credits. My ex-
corporations and these standardized tests; that seems like
pectation is that everyone will give it a try. If they fail, they
a religion to me,” Nam said.
will just move on,” Chatard said.
If this road of opting out is pursued, the student must
As of now, no students have applied to opt out of
then submit paperwork to the school stating that they
the Smarter Balanced test; however, as time grows nearer,
would like to opt out. It is said that the school will press the
it is expected that a few students will choose this option.
student to take the test, because Wilson receives funding based on the number of students who take this test. Oregon Education Association’s publication stated that
“I wish we were a little more revolutionary and that we all refused,” Anderson said. Whether or not students decide to take the test or not,
in order to receive federal funding, states had to develop
it is an important issue that students can no longer put
their own assessment of the standards or choose between
off until next year. It is coming, and it is necessary to take
two tests that would be created to align with the Common
action, whether that means studying up or opting out.
Core, which is why the Smarter Balanced test was implemented. When more students opt out, the school receives lower ratings, which leads to less federal funding for the school.
Brooklynn Loiselle Junior
“This is how they motivate the school. They punish the Photos by Brooklynn Loiselle
LETTER FROM THE EDITORS :D Hey guys, We know. March Horse-o-scope? These idiots don’t know their months, let alone how to run a magazine. You are partially correct. We don’t know how to run a magazine, BUT we do know our months. Unfortunately, your Trojan Horse was sent to press late due to our server crashing and us being unable to access our files for two weeks. Sorry for any inconvenience...but you probably didn’t notice anyway. Your loveable editors, Natalie and Adrianne 15
RUSLAN IVANCHENKO A NEED FOR SPEED Think back to when you were four years old...how did
tion. Luckily, Ruslan has his sponsors, Fox and MotoSport
you spend your time? What did you do for fun? A typical
Hillsboro, as well as his dad for support. Having sponsors
four-year-old can usually be found running up and down
is vital for an aspiring racer because it’s expensive to enter
a play structure or playing with dolls and toy cars. Four-
competitions and buy good gear. The sponsors help cover
year-old Ruslan Ivanchenko, however, was riding around
the costs. You have to be pretty good to get sponsors
on a tiny, training-wheel clad dirt bike.
because they use racers to advertise, and they’re choosy
Ruslan’s dad was a professional motocross racer back
about who they want representing them.
in Russia, where Ruslan’s family is from, and he’s the one
Ruslan plans to follow in his father’s footsteps and
who got Ruslan into the sport. Ruslan, now fourteen years
become a professional racer by the time he’s 18. He
old, has over ten years of experience riding and racing
predicts that his career will last him until he’s about 30, as
motocross. It’s his favorite thing to do. He’s slowly gotten
is the case with most racers (assuming that it doesn’t get
better and better, and has taken third place at a national
cut short by injury), at which point he’d want to spend the
competition in California. Ruslan was excited just to make
rest of his life traveling the world and spending time with
it to Nationals along with only 50 other racers in his age
family.
division (13 to 15-year-olds), but coming in third was in-
Even though his dad is supportive of his racing, he
credible. He described it as his “most memorable race.”
makes Ruslan work for what he wants. In theory, he’s al-
Racing motocross takes a lot of hard work and dedica-
16 TROJAN HORSE
APRIL 2015
lowed to ride under two conditions: he has to have good
grades and he has to pay for most of it himself. Ruslan
Even though motocross has a lot of obvious risks,
mows lawns and saves his money to pay for as much as
Ruslan has never broken a bone. The worst injury he’s
he can, and his dad chips in to help him with the rest. The
ever received was a concussion from crashing his bike
good grades portion of the deal, however, Ruslan hasn’t
a few years back, and he’s completely recovered from it
followed through on. Since Ruslan trains at least four days
since then. Ruslan’s been pretty lucky so far, and he’s not
a week, he doesn’t have a lot of time left for homework,
too worried, but, like he said, “You never know with moto-
and when he gets home at 9:00 he’s so tired that he
cross. With motocross you could get injured. You could get
crashes. Also, Ruslan just doesn’t have a lot of motivation
injured and never ride again.”
when it comes to school. He says he hates homework, get-
Assuming Ruslan did suffer a career-ending injury,
ting up early, dealing with annoying teachers and peers,
he does have a backup plan: His dad has a carpet-clean-
and really just the daily routine in general.
ing business that Ruslan hopes to be able to fall back on
A day spent racing motocross holds a stark contrast
if he doesn’t wind up going to college. He admits he most
to an average predictable and often tedious school day.
likely won’t. The ideal future for Ruslan is a career in moto-
Ruslan’s favorite thing about racing motocross is the rush
cross which would earn him enough money to support a
of adrenaline, and that’s not something he’s been able to
family and live comfortably for the rest of his life. “I want to
find within the walls of Wilson High School.
be a racer because I love it. I love everything about it,” he
The majority of Ruslan’s friends are his fellow racers
said.
whom he’s met at the track. Most of them are homeschooled, giving them more time to train. Ruslan hopes to do the same as soon as possible, but while his dad is on board with the idea, his mom has yet to give up the hope
Stella Burlingame Freshman
that Ruslan will quit racing and get serious about school. She sees motocross as a waste of time and a distraction to Ruslan’s education. Her stance is that if Ruslan were home-
Photo contributed by Ruslan Ivanchenko
schooled, he would spend all of his time riding rather than working. Even though Ruslan agrees that motocross should be a secondary priority to his education, and admits that his mom’s theory on how he would handle homeschooling is probably pretty close to the truth, he’s still pushing to make it happen. Although he seems to lack some of the qualities that make up a good student, Ruslan is an undoubtedly good racer, and that requires a whole different set of strengths. According to him, the attributes of a good racer are being daring, disciplined (at least when it comes to training), willing to try new things, and able to take criticism. Ruslan doesn’t have an official motocross coach, but his dad regularly accompanies him to the racetrack. Also, people sent by his sponsor companies come out to watch him train occasionally, and they always have tips to share.
17
HUMANS O
“I try to advocate for them if someone is saying something. Or like, if someone ever uses ‘gay’ as an insult, I get so mad, I’m like: okay, I don’t even understand why you would use that as an insult. It’s a sexual preference. It’s not a big deal, it’s just people you like. It’s like as big of a deal as an apple. Liking the same sex doesn’t matter.”
Maya McCaul 18 TROJAN HORSE
APRIL 2015
“He calls me beautiful. When he’s with me he is an entirely different person. I like that side of him, but nobody gets to see him like that because he has a school side.”
Nicole Gann
OF WILSON Photos by Tana Kelley
“My brother left for the Marines, and I didn’t see him for the next four years. So I was having some issues with that. I used to be [close to him], not any more though. He’s come back multiple times. He’s just a different person. I feel like I lost my brother.”
Madaly More 19
Il Dolce Far Niete: The Sweetness Of Doing Nothing
20 TROJAN HORSE
APRIL 2015
Too often I find myself in the midst of my friends’ pan-
and I, my feet meeting the pavement. Time slows and as
ic. It has become common knowledge that lunch isn’t
the wind tussles my hair and tints my cheeks with a rosy
for eating, lunch is for hurriedly scrambling to finish last
pink, I remember that I am alive, not just a body carrying
night’s chemistry problems and Spanish homework. In the
out commands admonished by those I can’t dare to ques-
mornings, after school, every minute is spent either doing
tion.
or thinking about schoolwork. The teen years, for decades,
I encountered the little things that lighten my load at a
have been known as “the time of our lives,” but now the
time when I had no other choice. I could either follow the
time is slipping through our fingers as we frivolously give
same routine that had brought me to my knees with waves
it to the computers in our pockets. I too have become de-
of depression crashing over me, sweeping me further into
pendent and addicted to my cellular device and now, a
a fervent and chilling ocean of desolation, OR I could
bit more than half way through my sophomore year, I find
sniff out things that gave my life meaning, and a sense of
myself feeling as wound up as a 40-year old stockbroker.
purpose. I had to hyper-analyze everything I did, looking
Obviously this isn’t healthy, nor does it make for a pro-
for the faintest glimmer of genuine amusement. Finding
ductive mindset. There’s got to be a better way to do this!
your little happy things doesn’t have to be this hard. You
There has to be a better way to spend my time. There has
don’t have to plunge into your search blindfolded. These
to be a solution… And I think I might know what it is.
days, our free time that we have acquired gets filled in like
I found it while sitting in a chair, half-heartedly participating in yet another family trip to the Oregon Coast. I had the most fun in that musty old thing, laden with faded red flowers, placed stoically in a reading nook facing windows that opened up into grey, fervent waters. I sat in that chair and read for hours
cement in a sidewalk, with six-second videos, twitter feeds and pictures that disappear. Without proper guidance
Over time you just might find that taking care of yourself takes care of the world around you
and awareness, we absently donate our time to activities that dampen our intellect and nurture a lifestyle of sedation and self-loathing. There are endless ways to avoid this cycle of indifference in which
into the night. My book of choice was Eat Pray Love by
you can enrich your life while simultaneously separating
Elizabeth Gilbert, and in it I stumbled upon something
yourself from your daily struggles. However the flourish of
foreign, something great. It’s an Italian saying, il dolce far
opportunities can be confusing in the eye of the humbled
niente, the sweetness of doing nothing. This doesn’t mean
seeker. With so many options, where do you start? This is
make time to zone out on Netflix, mindlessly shoving Pirate
one reason why taking it easy can be so hard. If you, like
Booty in your mouth until the bag runs dry (which I admit
many others, seek a smidgen of bliss to wedge between
to doing from time to time). It means stepping away from
cram sessions but you are pulling a blank and don’t know
your work and doing something for your own enjoyment. It
where to turn, here are a few things you might try…
absolutely shifted my perspective on how Americans, like myself, have grown accustomed to living and made me think about how I might put this saying into practice.
So, how might I find time for the sweetness of do-
Yoga Wilson students are given quite an amazing opportunity. By taking the yoga class here, you are working relax-
ing nothing? I put aside the anxieties that lie between the
ation and exercise into your required school day, which for
pages of my school planner and I make time for myself. I
many is typically torturous and tedious. However if you ar-
make a point to walk home from school instead of taking
en’t taking this course, you can still find easy ways to prac-
the bus because I enjoy it. Though it may not be as fast
tice yoga in your spare time. Here in Portland there are
or as easy, during those 25 minutes it’s just my backpack
yoga studios everywhere, for every price range. Take Yoga
21
On Yamhill, for example. You’ll find me there on Saturday
Standing in a kitchen, hovering over a stove may seem
mornings where people are mat-to-mat, finding a sweet
like a tedious task. But it doesn’t always have to be so.
release in each yoga posture, lead by easy going and
When you eat thoughtfully, you begin to appreciate the
enthusiastic teachers who guide you through challenging
growing satisfaction with each bit as you slowly fill yourself
poses. And to anyone who hasn’t tried yoga and claims
up. Then comes the second wave of fulfillment when you
that it isn’t exercise, come to a power yoga class and let
realize you did it yourself. You created this happy feeling
me know how you feel after that. But if you are seeking
in your stomach. You can be just as mindful about what
something more low-key, they offer stuff like that too. There
you put in your body as how you dress it in the morning.
are so many options, varying in skill levels and styles. There
The same glee that can be found in a well-coordinated
is something for everyone, and you really can’t ever get
outfit and perfectly combed hair can be found on a dinner
bored! And better yet, payment is donation based. One
plate. And it doesn’t have to be a solo experience. I recall
of the biggest and most common criticisms of yoga class-
memories of midnight barbeques in my backyard, sparks
es is that they are expensive, often times averaging ten
gleaming in the pitch black as the bonfire illuminated
dollars a class, which
our smiles. Food can
can add up quickly if
bring us together and
you decide to practice
remind us that we
it regularly. With Yoga
are not on this planet
On Yamhill, you only
alone. We share it.
pay what you can, and
It’s surprising what a
you always end up
blissful experience
getting more than your
eating can be if you
money’s worth. Study
treat it delicately, and
after study goes to
allow yourself the time
show how doing yoga
to do so.
regularly relieves stress
Find a Hobby
and anxiety while conditioning and strength-
Embroidery, knitting,
ening your body. Yoga,
scrapbooking, weav-
as a meditative and
ing, collaging… The
physical practice, has
Cameron Brentlinger laughing in the garden
the ability to return your
list goes on and on. Take a hint from Grandmas across the nation and
invested time tenfold.
practice a craft of some sort. There is a reason behind the
Eat
endless flow of wool socks you receive from your Granny
Not everyone finds joy in back bends and meditation,
around the holidays: It’s that she has worked long enough
but hardly anyone can deny the pleasure of eating. It
and now she has ample time to do the things that she
goes without saying, that eating is enjoyable. Everyone
enjoys. She isn’t making socks for you. She is making them
on Earth does it, yet it’s a shame how often we take it for
for herself because she enjoys the act of creating. There is
granted. Food is convenient because we can eat on the
something so mystifying about using your hands and raw
run. We can easily grab a granola bar and head out the
materials to create something tangible. Maybe if you have
door. Not often enough do people sit down and ap-
free time over the weekend, stop by Scrap on MLK, and
preciate what they are putting into their bodies, and not
walk amongst the materials from which you can create
often enough do we take the time to prepare it ourselves.
wonders. More often than not, when I see a girl pass by
22 TROJAN HORSE
APRIL 2015
wearing a cute sweater and I ask her where she got it,
her day is devoted to the world outside of herself. She
her reply is something along the lines of Forever 21. But
ends up unhappy and so does her child. But when the
what if she didn’t by it from a shopping mall where boxes
woman takes care of her needs, she is more mentally
of sweaters just like hers collected dust in a shipping crate.
equipped to provide a happy, fulfilling life for her child.
What if she made it herself? Every compliment uttered to
The same example translates into the world of a young
her as she made her way down the hall would be expo-
adult. From experience, I have performed better at school
nentially more meaningful. Not only would people want
on days when I was feeling confident and brimming with
a sweater that is a one of a kind, part of you, you would
fulfillment. It transcends into home life as well. When I am
have the skill set and capabilities to make another! We
cranky, I am bound to say something snappy in the direc-
can spend our money on mass produced things all we
tion of my mother, which I will immediately regret. However
want, but whatever creations come from you, are priceless.
when I am cheery, that almost always means that my mom
These are all merely suggestions, but when it
will be too. Over time you might just find that taking care
comes down to it, you have to explore. Making time for
of yourself, takes care of the world around you. You will
your self can be a challenge and that is to be expected
be surprised to find how much you can achieve when you
in the beginning. Maybe the sweetness of doing nothing
practice il dolce far niente, the sweetness of doing nothing.
is so sweet because you have to work to achieve it. Some might say that giving your self the time and space to enjoy the moment is in fact “selfish.� Well I think that assumption
Kaya Noteboom Sophomore
in itself is selfish. It is not uncommon to find a working mother crack under the pressure because the entirety of Photos by Kaya Noteboom
23
YOU SHALL NOT PARK Ever since my first day of school as a freshman, I
out and issue some tickets or pull aside some students
dreamed of the freedom of having a car. Driving any-
and talk to them about it. It’ll get better, but it comes back
where I wanted, not having to be confined to my room
again. There’s just something every day with it.”
because I didn’t have a ride; the possibilities were infinite.
Overcrowding shouldn’t be a problem since sopho-
But the one thing I was looking forward to most of all was
mores don’t have access to parking passes for the school
parking in the school parking lot. How great it would feel
parking lot, passes which are reserved for juniors and
not having to be driven to school or parking far away in
seniors who are threatened with tickets if caught without a
the neighborhood. So, when I got the opportunity to buy
pass. Don’t think that you’re in the clear for getting ticket-
a parking pass for $40, I didn’t even hesitate. But now, my
ed if you’re an underclassman, however. Break any of the
dream has turned into a nightmare.
rules in the parking lot or on Vermont and you may find
Ever since the first day back to school following Win-
yourself with a ticket. Parking in a staff spot or failing to
ter Break, students have most likely noticed the unusual
register your car will lighten your wallet $10, and parking
congestion of our usually pretty spacious lot, as have the
in an illegal area such as a fire lane or handicapped
campus monitors.
space, as well as not having a permit, will cost $20. Rack
“It definitely started after the first half of the year, after sophomores started getting their licenses,” Gray Hildreth, half of Wilson’s campus monitor squad said. “As far as
up enough tickets and you get a nice boot on your car along with a ticket for $75. “The tickets solve the problem temporarily because
parking in teacher’s spots, it’s been going on throughout
there’s a fear that if one person gets a ticket everyone else
the year. Some weeks it’s worse than others, so we’ll go
will too, which is true,” Hildreth said. “Tickets aren’t the one
24 TROJAN HORSE
APRIL 2015
thing that are going to solve this problem though. We
argued that Rieke is well within walking distance, a car
definitely have to talk to students about it because, even
can provide an extra 10-15 minutes of time with kids,
though we tell them what the deal is, sometimes it doesn’t
which, in terms of elementary school work, is time enough
quite register, or there’s something they’re missing.” Sure
to help multiple kids with worksheets, make copies for the
enough, a recent count showed that cars without passes
whole class, or sharpen pencils. Unfortunately, for those
took up 32 out of the 100 or so student spots. This has
who choose this option, upon driving back later that
upset a large amount of students including myself, as I
period, spots are more rare than a drop of water in Death
often feel cheated out of my 40 dollars when I have to go
Valley. This usually results in me and my carpool buddy
and park out in the neighborhood, making me late to my
either sprinting our hearts out to make it to class on time,
classes, because some sophomore who didn’t pay a dime
or walking back knowing we won’t make it no matter how
took my spot.
fast our legs can carry us. Although we often joke about
It’s not like sophomores don’t have parking options
how Rieke TA’s should have dedicated spots, which would
either. They can easily get a pass for free that allows them
be awesome, we wouldn’t have to struggle for spots if
to park in the Rieke parking lot. They can also park in the
students would just abide by the rules.
nearby neighborhood or in front of the school on Vermont.
Day after day, however, I must walk past all the cars,
It’s a bit of a longer walk, but seeing as they have two
haunted by the empty windshields where parking passes
years ahead of them to park in closer proximity to the
should hang. And day after day, I cross my fingers, hoping
school, they need to wait their turn, and earn their spot.
to see the pass-less cars graced by a ticket, but am forever
That’s not to say that all license carrying sophomores are inconsiderate rule breakers. “For the most part, a lot of them follow the rules,” Hil-
let down. It’s simple for sophomores to park out on the street or in the neighborhood, and wait another year to park in the school lot. Until there’s a change, I’ll become a
dreth said. “ But every once in a while, you start to see
vigilante and start handing out my own tickets. So watch
three or four of them parking up in the Wilson lot and the
your backs, sophomores because I have six more weeks in
word spreads amongst them that they’re getting away with
this place and intend to get my full forty dollars’ worth.
it. We’ll go and give out some tickets and it’ll kind of die
down, but it always comes back. ”
I also realize that not all the cars without parking passes in the Wilson lot are sophomores, and that some may
Jamie Valentine Senior
be upperclassmen who skimped on buying the pass, but this is still better than seeing a sophomore take an upper-
Photo contribution by Jamie Valentine
classmen spot. I’ve contemplated parking in the teacher’s spot briefly while I get marked as on time, then grabbing a hall pass and going to change my parking arrangement. But after a recent encounter involving a very angry teacher and me in said teacher’s parking space, I decided against using the teacher spots again. Even if we have the luck of finding a spot in the morning, another struggle that troubles upperclassmen drivers is the parking after Rieke TA. Yes, while it can easily be
25
@WHSTrojanHorse Front cover: Jamie Valentine sitting on his car Back cover: Parking lot sign Photos by Jamie Valentine & Tana Kelley
LEGAL Local Civil Rights inquiries
District 504 inquiries
Brian Chatard, Title VI, IX Coordinator (503) 916-5280
Tammy Jackson, Director, Student Services (503) 916-5460
Maude Lamont, 504 Coordinator (503) 916-5280 District Title vi & ix inquiries
26 TROJAN HORSE
Greg Wolleck HS Regional Administrator (503) 916-3963
APRIL 2015
American Disabilities Act Contact Maureen Sloan, HR Legal Counsel Human Resources - BESC (503) 916-3025