Horse - Issue Four

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.

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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.

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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*”

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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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Not valid with

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