October 2021 Issue

October 2021

The Stark Street Journal The latest in Central Catholic news

CCA Walk for Joy is a Success

By Lauren Stemple

Central Catholic surpassed the fundraising goal for the CCA Walk for Joy by $1,000s of dollars!

On September 25th, students from Central Catholic participated in the CCA Walk for Joy alongside other Catholic high schools in the Portland Metropolitan area.

1

October 2021

This year, $99,392 was raised for the Children’s Cancer Association between the participating schools. Out of the schools involved, Central Catholic fundraisers were the most successful by raising over $35,000. Our top student fundraiser was Kate Stimpson, who raised a total of $2,717. The amount Central Catholic donated to CCA this year was record-breaking, making it the most successful Walk for Joy to date!

The fundraiser supports the great work the CCA does each year for children suffering from cancer. When asked why he wanted to fundraise for the CCA, Preston Ziels, a senior at Central Catholic, stated that “CCA is a great organization and supporting them enables them to keep doing the great work they are doing for the community.”

While the fundraising process happened weeks before, the actual Walk for Joy was a great experience for many high school students. Junior Alycia Wilson’s favorite part of the Walk for Joy was that she “get[s] to spend time with friends while also serving the greater community”. She enjoys the meaningful chats she has with her friends on the four-mile walk in addition to connecting with people she does not normally talk with at school.

After walking from Harrington Field to Sellwood Park, students participated in an outdoor Mass celebrating the

2

October 2021

fundraiser. The Walk for Joy is a meaningful experience for all that promotes building friendships as well as serving the community.

The success Central Catholic had in fundraising this year was incredible. It highlights how much our student population cares about creating positive change in our world. The CCA is already looking forward to the next Walk for Joy in September of 2022.

Protest of the Portland Thorns: No More Silence

By Lakely Doht-Barron

The sexual abuse from former coach leads to the rescheduling of the Portland thorns soccer game.

3

October 2021

The fans of the Portland Thorns Women’s Soccer team, met at Providence Park on October 2nd for a planned protest. The crowd of around 200 people gathered to call for accountability on sexual allegations brought forward by former players. The old coach, Paul Riley, was hired for the Thorns in 2014 but then got suspended in 2015 and his contract was never renewed. The team never went public about it, but behind the scenes, sexual allegations were made against him. On October 4th, Merritt Paulson, who is the owner of both the Thorns and Timbers, wrote an apology, “...We, at the time, thought it was the right thing to do out of respect for player privacy. I deeply regret our role in what is clearly a systemic failure across women’s professional soccer.”

Just recently, on September 30th, ‘The Athletic’ published an article containing an investigation where athletes from Coach Riley’s teams, since 2011, spoke out. This including specific allegations brought from Mana Shim and Sinead Farrelly who stated that he would sexually harrass them and try to coerce players into having sex with him. Since that Thursday, the weekend games within the league were postponed and Riley was fired from the team he was currently coaching, the North Carolina Courage. Both Mana Shim and Sinead Farrelly are retired soccer players, but that doesn’t keep them from wanting

4

October 2021

justice. In an interview with the Today Show, Farrelly said, “There is a lot of loss that comes with that, and things I will not get back. It’s bigger than the sport. This is about safety in our own lives and our bodies, and the players deserve that, we all deserve that.”

On October 6th, the Portland Thorns placed the general manager on leave while an ongoing investigation regarding his involvement takes place. Although nothing has been said if he has to leave the Portland Timbers, where he is also the general manager/president of their men's soccer league. That same day, the National Women’s Soccer League had a game. The athletes stopped playing in the 6th minute of their match and came together in a circle for a minute to acknowledge the 6 years that it took for these women to be heard. “This is not business as usual. #NoMoreSilence” Tweeted NWSL. This was followed by a social media statement posted by the Thorns athletes: “..it is time for the players, the owners, and the league to take responsibility together towards good stewardship and the wellbeing of every individual in the NWSL.” Players and fans are still demanding for justice regarding the sexual allegations against Paul Riley. Photo Credit: The Athletic Sources: Oregonian, OPB, Willamette Week, The Timbers Letter

5

October 2021

Sherwood And Newberg unite Against Hate

By Kellan Quinn

Students from neighboring school districts teamed up in a stand against hatred last friday. Student leaders at both Newberg and Sherwood high school asked students to come to their Football game dressed in the colors of the rainbow so as to promote love and respect in their respective communities.

In the recent months, there has been a lot of news regarding the town of Newberg, especially regarding the issue of race and tolerance. Going back to August, the conservative majority Newberg school board voted to issue a blanket ban on “political symbols” such as the Pride flag and the Black Lives Matter Logo.

While initially just banning symbols considered “divisive” after pushback, the ban was extended to all political symbols.

Nevertheless, protests and community outcry at the decision has not died down, especially in the wake of several high profile instances of extreme racism in the district. Including but not limited to an incident where a special education teacher came to work dressed in blackface.

6

October 2021

Many students at Newberg don’t feel represented by the actions of the school board and these incidents. One student told KOIN 6, “I feel like people kind of speak for us. There’s a bad image of Newberg going around right now and it’s not really true”.

Sherwood Senior and student leader Lily Vranizan added her thoughts saying, “ I thought it was a really amazing way to get our word out and how we felt about the school suppressing the Newberg students' opinions. Showing love for our neighboring city is all that we want to do and I think we really achieved that.”

Sherwood ended up taking a hard fought 23-17 victory in overtime over Newberg for their first victory of the season, and look forward to their next game October 7th vs Liberty.

Fall Athletics Update: Volleyball and Cross Country

By Preston Ziels

Another successful Fall sports season is underway and there's a lot to catch up on.

The volleyball team, led by second year head coach Kayla Hambly, is off to an incredible start to the season, winning all 11 of their regular season games so far.

The team's only loss came against West Linn in a mid-season tournament. When asked about the remainder of the season after a 3-0 win against conference rival David Douglas, star outside hitter, senior Elliott Bush, said, “Winners find a way.”

The squad is hoping to use this mentality as they look as they hope for revenge in the playoffs, and defeat West Linn when it really matters.

7

October 2021

In Boys Cross Country, the team is yet to lose a meet in the state all season. The long standing state dominance turned national as they travelled to Fayetteville, Arkansas to compete in the Chile Pepper Cross Country Festival. Senior Max Giradet and Junior Wes Shipsey led the way as they finished 1st and 3rd individually. As a team, they finished 1st overall, by defeating the third ranked team in the nation. After travelling across two time zones, driving through a thunderstorm, and racing in 98% humidity, the Rams came out on top.

Volleyball will end their regular season schedule playing Sandy. Cross Country looks to keep the momentum going to finish out the season, and win their 12th state championship taking place November 6th. Photo Credit: CC Rams Athletics Instagram

8

October 2021

First Transgender Hoemcoming Queen Makes History At Olympia High School

By Sofia C. Bonfiglio

Evan Bialosuknia's crowning shattered old tradition in the school system. She was crowned the first trangender Homecoming Queen of her highschool, Olympia High.

In the past its been common for schools to elect a cisgender male Homecoming King, and female Queen. Recently it seems some schools are resorting to freer terms such as; Homecoming Court, and Homecoming Royalty, with the intention of making it possible for any person to run, and any two people to become elected regardless of gender. This is due to the acknowledgement of some students' beliefs that specific Homecoming Kings, and Queens can bind gender to roles or create stereotypes within the ways people “should'' act, limiting and discouraging students' identities.

9

October 2021

Evan’s name being called was immediately followed by erupted cheering and applause. In an interview with CNN she claims “It just made me feel like I actually belonged, and not just a joke.” She also went on to talk about how one of her fears was that people had nominated her for a laugh, but felt the support of her school soon after winning the title.

Evan’s mom, Marnie Bialosknia spoke to CNN about the unfortunate fact that most trans students don't receive the same safe environment in their school, or household. She claims; “My hope is that in maybe five years from now, this wouldn't be newsworthy, Evan’s the first, but she won't be the last.”

Marine went on to discuss the bittersweet situation. She was incredibly proud of Evan, and how she had grown to be comfortable and confident in her own skin, but hoped for a future where acceptance could become normalized. Photo Credit: CNN

Russian Filmmakers Successfully Film the First Movie in Space

By Rachelle Hanna

Two Russian filmmakers headed off into space to set a new milestone: film the first movie in outer space.

On October 5th, actress Yulia Pereslid, director Klim Shipenko,

10

October 2021

and cosmonaut Anton Shkaplerov blasted off into orbit, intending to reach the International Space Station. Their mission was to film scenes for their upcoming movie “The Challenge.”

This film will see Pereslid as a surgeon determined to save a Station crew member suffering from a heart condition. The crew, with the exception of Shkaplerov, is set to return to Earth on October 17th.

Pereslid and Shipenko were required to train for about four months in order to prepare for the demanding trip. “It was psychologically, physically, and morally hard. But I think that once we achieve the goal, all that will seem not so difficult and we will remember it with a smile,” Pereslid stated regarding the rigorous training. In addition, Pereslid has become the fifth Russian woman to travel to space. “I still feel like this is all just a dream and I am asleep. It is almost impossible to believe that this all came to reality.”

In a significant breakthrough, the crew’s spaceship reached the station by flying through a series of orbital maneuvers known as a space rendezvous, also called the two orbit scheme. On average, it would have taken crew members between eight and twenty-two hours to reach the Space Station. However, the incorporation of this faster route ensured that the crew reached the station in about three and a half hours.

Many individuals responded to the plan negatively, with some questioning whether or not the mission would be a success. These questions stemmed from doubts about the quality of the Russian Space Program. In addition, some people felt that the film crew will prove to be a distraction to the Russian space crew.

11

October 2021

On the other hand, the film crew’s mission has also been applauded by various individuals. These include Pereslid’s daughter Anna, who stated “I’m in shock. I still can’t believe that my mom is out there.” Similarly, Dmitry Rogozin, who heads Roscosmos, the Russian State Space Corporation, spoke favorably about the mission. He denounced critics of the film, saying it had the potential to brighten Russia’s space glory. He also hoped that the crew’s courage and ambition would inspire generations of citizens to get involved with the Russian Space program.

Pereslid and Shipenko returned to Earth on October 17th after a successful 12 day shoot. They returned from orbit in the Soyuz MS-18/64S Spacecraft, which landed on the Kazakh steppe, located in northern Kazakhstan. No issues with the landing occurred, and the duo arrived in good health. Speaking about the experience, Pereslid commented, “It had seemed that 12 days was such a long period of time, but when it was all over I didn’t want to bid farewell.”

A release date for “The Challenge” has currently not been set. Photo Credit: Space.com Sources: foxnews, NY Times, CBS News, abc.com, nbc.com

12

October 2021

NBA Protocols Regarding COVID

By Aidan Slater

The NBA’s new COVID protocol excels expectations for fans and players regarding getting a negative test or being vaccinated.

COVID has been the big conversation around the sports community and how the unvaccinated players and fans are restricted to participate in playing and cheering.

Based on a recent NBA memo, “Unvaccinated NBA players will have lockers as far as possible from their vaccinated teammates and will have to eat, fly and ride buses in different sections as part of the league’s anticipated COVID-19 health and safety protocols.”

Fans will be asked to keep their masks up during the games regardless of their vaccination status. Fans are able to come to the games only if they are vaccinated and or if they have a negative test from COVID within the next week of that sports 13

October 2021

event. In the article “Crowded sports stadiums meet COVID-19: Here’s what to know before you go.

NBA players such as Kyrie Irving, Andrew Wiggins, Bradley Beal, have been constantly being asked about their thoughts about the vaccine. Kyrie Irving, star of the Nets, is at a possible risk of losing his job due to his refusal of the vaccine. CBS interviewed Kyrie and he stated that this decision was “what’s best for me.” Bradley Beal and Andrew Wiggins, mentioned in CBS Sports, said that they were “waiting for safety.”

The University of Oregon is having similar COVID protocols. The register guard reports that At UO, “events” with more than 200 people where at least a portion of the attendees are members of the public, such as football games at Autzen Stadium.

Events and activities that only include UO students, faculty or staff, are not subject to vaccination rules, as the UO already requires them to be vaccinated or request an exemption.”

Both the UO and the NBA are trying to keep athletes and fans safe from COVID. Despite the vaccination status of a fan, masks will still need to be worn at all times.

Whether these organizations enforced their protocols is dependent on many factors like, crowd size, financial reasons, fan engagement. Photo Credit: The Ringer, Sports Illustrated

14

October 2021

Central Catholic Cross Country “El Caliente” 5K

By Tarynn Batiste

This week Central's Cross-country team attended the “El Caliente” 5k run in Arkansas, the run has been going on for 32 years and is a cross country festival where teams from all over compete. Central Catholic was one of the teams to be there. The Central Catholics Cross Country team puts in a lot of effort and clearly the work has been paying off.

Cross country brought both the girls, and the boys team to represent at the Chile Run. CCHS boys cross country team took home first place and secured themselves the national ranking. According to the Rams Run Instagram page “Max and Wes 15

October 2021

went 1st and 3rd respectively and the top 5 were all in the top 50!” The Central Catholics boys team took home a win and so did the girls team placed 7th out of over 50 teams. The Rams Run Instagram page highlighted Ella McGillis and Zoe Rector who placed 5th and 13th place, the page also included that the team had 7 out of 8 girls reach a new PR (personal record).

Central's Cross-country teams toured the University of Arkansas and their athletic facilities, and watched the collegiate races before their own. Sophie Rasmusen, a sophomore on the cross-country team, said they ate dinner at a farm with lots of animals and spent their downtime at their hotel. A quote from Sophie she gave us was “it was an amazing experience, one I will never forget, it was such a fun race and such a big honor to represent central catholic all the way across the country!”

Our Cross-country teams did an outstanding job this week and in all their other meets too, previously before this 5k they took victory over Gresham and Nelson high school, both JV and varsity and the teams are looking good this season, Central Catholics cross country teams had a very inspiring week, competing out of 80 teams and managing to score so highly demonstrates all the hard work, and dedication it took them to get to this point. Central Catholic is super proud of them and is so excited to see the work and races to follow.

16

October 2021

Hispanic Heritage Month

By Connor Freeman In celebration of Mexican and Central American independence days, Hispanic heritage month is a time to celebrate and embrace culture as a community.

From September 15th, through October 15th we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month. It was started in commemoration of the United States recognizing the contributions that Latino and LatinX communities bring to our country. All across the United States this month is about sharing Hispanic and LatinX cultures within our communities.

In our Central Catholic community, we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month by sharing Hispanic and LatinX culture through food, music, and history. Augustin Montes-Tacuba, a leader of the LatinX Student Union said, "Hispanic heritage month is a way to express my culture to my community".

In the past, Hispanic and LatinX contributions to this country were very overlooked and sometimes not even recognized over the last 20 years. A lot has changed since then, and we have moved in a forward direction and are now starting to get more representation. In our Portland community during this month, you can learn about Hispanic and LatinX culture through events, Talks, and community gatherings. It allows members of the community to share their culture and express themselves within our community and beyond. Jesse Palafox-Arceo, another leader of the LatinX Student Union said "Hispanic heritage month allows me to feel proud of my culture and roots".

17

October 2021

The Hispanic and LatinX population makes up 18 percent of the population in the U.S. and their contributions have been essential to this country. Even with a significant number such as this in the past, they have failed to recognize the crucial contributions to our society, such as the amount of Hispanic and LatinX nurses that have for 50 years been a detrimental contribution to society.

As Hispanic heritage month is beginning to close, it is important to recognize and celebrate not just the culture of our LatinX community, but also to celebrate the sacrifices and contributions they have made in this country and in our communities. Photo Credit: University of Pittsburgh

California Oil spill having a Devastating impact on Wildlife

By Julia McFarland

Crisis among Wildlife on the California coast as 3,000 barrels of oil were spilled into the pacific ocean on Monday. The spill was reported at 6:13 PM on Friday evening, however the news was not made public until Monday. A shocking 126,000 Gallons of crude oil had been spilled into the pacific ocean since then. The oil seems to be accumulating about 4 and a half miles off of Huntington beach, and stretches about two miles west. Investors believe that it is starting to show signs of its age,as the 17 mile pipeline could have been installed as early as the late 60’s. Deborah Gordon is a professor at Brown University who stated “Anytime there's a release, any time 18

October 2021

something leakes into the air, into the water, there should be public notification.” As of now, the leak has come to a halt, and many are racing to clean it up as efficiently and as quickly as possible.

The nearly 300 barrels of oil have had a massive effect on the environment and wildlife on the California coast. While there are efforts to clean up the spill, there are said to be long lasting effects that will continue to harm the ecosystems in the surrounding areas. Experts are already seeing the effects on birds and fish specifically. Andrea Bonisoli, a professor at Cal Poly Pomona, told NPR that the animals "might not look visibly oiled, but the exposure that they get subtly through their diet, or because of physical contact later on might affect their physiology, their health and translate to a lower reproductive success and therefore lower chances of the population to persist.” As of now, state park officials have reopened Huntington beach after clean water quality tests. Sources: NY Times, LA Times Photo Credit: Fox News

COVID Mandate Approaches for the State of Oregon

By Jada McKinney-Craig

Nearly 80% of Corrections employees are vaccinated, with approaching COVID mandate.

Many state employees are required to be fully vaccinated by Gov. Kate Brown who is mandating

19

October 2021

people who work for the state to have the vaccine by October 18th, 2021. They are able to either opt. out of this or risk losing their job. Corrections officers were some of the earliest people to have access to the vaccine because their working environments are open to high risk for the spread of coronavirus. As of Tuesday the 19th, the Oregon Health Authority has reported 1366 new & confirmed cases of COVID-19. “There are 562 patients with COVID-19 hospitalized in Oregon, an increase of one since Monday's report. There are 130 patients in the ICU with COVID-19, 10 fewer than Monday.”The state's death toll has risen to a total of 4226.

“During the worst of the had some of the show 44 people in custody and three staff members died from COVID-19.” As of October 15th, 2021, nearly 80% of Corrections officers are vaccinated. Photo Credit: Portland Monthly Source: KGW News

20