Clypian Issue 8

The Clypian

April 09, 2012 Volume LVIII, Issue VIII

South’s Invisible Children Club “It’s good that Invisible Children is garnering all this social awareness, but it’s also giving people an opportunity to criticize their efforts. Invisible Children has always been very open about where their funds are going. The South Salem chapter has felt that giving money through Invisible Children is the best way to do it. We’re not doing anything for 4/20 as a chapter. We’re working on a fundraiser,” Haley Ehlers, leader of the South Invisible Children Club, said

Cover The Night On April 20, The Kony 2012 Movement encourages supporters to go out and “cover” cities in Kony 2012 gear, as a demand of action

by American authorities.

South Salem HS 1910 Church St.

Kony 2012 Redefines Social Awareness Anna Sieber Editor-in-Chief Samantha Grainger-Shuba Copy Editor

Who’s Behind It Jason Russell directed and narrated the Kony 2012 video, sponsored by the Invisible Children organization. Invisible Children has aided the struggle in Africa for nine years.

Russell’s 30-minute video went viral within a matter of days, instigating controversy amongst viewers over the ideas presented.

The Purpose

Its main purpose is to call attention to the atrocities going on in Uganda and surrounding areas. Kony 2012 hopes to stop Joseph Kony, a Ugandan warlord who “takes children from their parents and gives them a gun and makes them shoot and kill other people” (according to Russell’s Kony video). He has been in power for more than 26 years and has abducted more than 30,000 children and is number one on the International Criminal Court’s list of World’s Worst Criminals. By creating a global image of infamy for Kony, Invisible Children hopes to end the reign of the Lord’s Resistance Army, or at least put a stop to the horrors inflicted on children in their territory.

Above: Kony 2012 photo montage. DJB 2012, yinnyang.co.uk/2012/03/kony-2012/kony-2012/ Below: Joseph Kony. ahmed.yosri.

meHow is it Social dia has made a differDifferent? this ent kind of

movement. The Kony 2012 movement took the Internet by storm on Mar. 5, going from minimal twitter mentions to 9.8 million tweets within a day. People posted about Kony on Facebook and tumblr, causing total Internet upheaval. The efforts to stop Kony are not meant for Americans to take action themselves, but rather to cause action through due democratic

process. Kony 2012 supporters are urged to contact authority figures, policymakers, and even pop culture icons to raise awareness. Invisible Children hope to generate enough support to keep US troops in Uganda.

dren, Ben Keesey, credits the scandal to intense emotional stress.

That Awkward Moment When...

Earlier in March, Russell was taken into custody for public indecency, while allegedly under the influence of alcohol. CEO of Invisible Chil-

Gas Prices Cause Distress Increase in the price of gasoline puts stress on economy

Bri Botsch Social Media Director

A A team prepares to initiate a game of dodgeball at the third annual fundraiser at South. Photo by Julia Salgado.

Successfully Dodging Balls to Your Face(AIDS) For a Cause

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Cassie Cook Reporter

n Wednesday, Mar. 21, the Face Aids Club of South hosted a local dodgeball tournament to raise money to renovate a medical center in Rwanda that will provide treatment for people suffering from AIDS. Dodgeball teams contained six participants, with an optional seventh substitute. The tournament was held at South, and all high school

students from any school were allowed to compete. Local businesses donated Jamba Juice coupons and donuts for concessions.

Along with these, Face Aids also sold $5 pins that were made by patients in Africa.

“We raised about $150, and it did seem like everyone that entered had a good time,” Carson Adams ‘13 said. “We would really like to talk up the hype about it as well, since we plan on running it again next year.”

s many news media stations have denoted, gas prices have skyrocketed, resulting in record breaking prices during the past few years. The cost to fill up a car’s tank ranges from $40 to $200 depending on the vehicle. The question many are asking is: why exactly are fuel prices so high?

Oregon’s current average gas price peaks around $4.10. California hold the position for the record high, with a gallon of gas costing $4.21. Idaho stands in last place with the amount ranging from $3.40 - $3.63. These high prices are caused by the high prices of oil

which is 55% the price of gasoline.

The US uses about a quarter of the world’s oil and we receive it from the OPEC and Iran. The OPEC is a group of 12 oil producing countries that include Algeria, Angola, Ecuador, Iran, Kuwait, Libya, Nigeria, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, and Venezuela. OPEC had a goal of keeping oil at around $70 per barrel, any higher prices forces other countries to drill new fields which is too expensive to open when prices are low. Currently, oil is $100 a barrel, $30 above the ideal price. On average, Americans use 20 million oil barrels per day, two billion dollars worth of oil products.

The US government

stores about 700 million barrels for time of crisis.

Gas prices are not only affected by crude oil, but by different seasons and rates of distribution. During the summer, when the weather is both warm and enjoyable, people tend to drive more. Due to the increase in purchase, gas prices rise. Occasionally, if distribution lines are disrupted or are down for maintenance, gas prices can increase even if oil prices are low. The price of oil is dependent upon demand and supply, a predicament that is currently a f fective every community throughout the nation.

Past Gas Prices Per Gallon 1950 - $.27

1960 - $.31

1970 - $.57

1980 - $1.20

1990 - $1.15

2000 - $1.95

2010 - $3.00

Clypian.com

2 News

April 9, 2012

Superintendent Tackles the School Budget Deficit

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The fact is that budget cuts have been steadily increasing since 2003. Only recently in the 2011-2012 school year have there been dramatic cuts in spending on teachers, administration, school maintenance a n d support to students along with increases in class sizes.

After From left to right: Nancy MacMorris, Betty Pataccoli, Chris Brantley, Sandy Husk form the pannel for the budget cut listenmeeting. Photo by Yuliya Boyalskaya ing to staff feedback for the 2011-2012 school year, the general consensus seems to be that class sizes, programs and technology in schools must be protected for the academic

Yuliya Boyalskaya Reporter

n Teusday, April 3, 2012, Superintendent Sandy Husk presented the proposed budget for 201213 to the Budget Committee.

success of the students. Surprisingly, there has been an emphasis on a proposed increase in spending on technology for additional technical support in the classroom. However, the proposed reductions for next year target concessions, salaries and benefits, supplies and materials, transportation, and security services for schools. Staff will have to be reduced again and class sizes will increase.

“It is a sad day when you think only 20 million is good news. But we’ve been trying to improve, have a smile on our faces and stay positive,” Husk said.

The question is, how will these new changes affect student achievement? In spite of the history of budget cuts, there has been steady improvement in student achievement in the past 5-6 years, and this is the most important thing. Despite the bleak outlook in this economically unstable time, it is important to remain hopeful towards the future.

n o ti

e a s u a d e a ncr O r G i

Spring Playlist Lily Gordon Podcast Director The Honest Truth (Typhoon, Korean hip hop, began in Salem (2005) now in Portland) Mosh (Little Rascalz, electronic pop, from Albany) KGB (Funhouse Strippers, punk rock, Salem) Irish Whiskey (The Cherry Poppin’ Daddies, rock/swing, Eugene, Rolling Stone says “one of the most misunderstood bands of the nineties”) People Say (Portugal.the Man, alternative, Ryan Neighbors the keyboardist of the band from Salem) Fur (Blitzen Trapper, alternative country, Portland)

Check Out Local Music: Fitzgerald’s Public House Wasteland Willamette Noodle Company IKE Box Clockworks Salem Saturday Market

n Jan. 27, graduation data released by the Oregon Department of Education showed that the Salem-Keizer Public School District is making progress toward their vision of every high school student completing a high school education. Salem-Keizer’s graduation rate for the 2010-11 school year was 69.65 percent, beating the state average of 67 percent. The increase is also 3.97 percent higher than last year’s graduation rate. The state’s target rate is 65 percent, and it will increase to 67 percent in 2011-12. The dropout rate decreased almost 3.5 percent over the last four years, and remained essentially the same in 2010-11. Of the total 458 dropouts in the district, 37 are currently reenrolled, two have earned regular diplomas, 11 have earned GEDs and one has earned a certificate of attainment.

“There are no easy cuts, but our goal has always been to support academic achievement, and we will do it whether it is harder to do or easier to do,” Husk said.

It is apparent that an agreement will not be reached until members of the community will reach a compromise.

“We will listen to public testimony on the upcoming dates and if we receive positive feedback and reach an agreement, the proposed changes will be implemented for the following school year,” Chris Brantley, district board member said.

Clearly, the budget proposal is still in its early stages and no official decisions have yet been made.

There is still much to be negotiated and all community members are welcome to provide testimony to the Budget Committee about the proposal at upcoming public hearings on April 23, 24 and 25 at 6:00 p.m. at Student Services.

Updates on District Changes: For more information on the litweracy meeting at McKay on Mar. 10 and updates on the school class schedule, check out clypian.com.

Photo: McKay High School hosts the 2012 literacy meeting for the SalemKeizer School District. Photo by Lex Sosa.

Culinary Team Dices Their Way To State & Nationals Morgan Costa Feature Editor

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n Feb. 18, South’s culinary team participated in the 2012 Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association’s ProStart High School Culinary Championships in Portland. While there, they won first place and have qualified for the National ProStart Student Invitational on April 2729. The members include: Jessica Harris ‘13, Kayla Lane ‘14, Evelyn Romero ‘13, Ryan Toepfer ‘12 and Griscelda Real ‘14.

The team is excited to venture to Baltimore, Maryland where nationals will be held. The teams success is attributed to their connections outside of the kitchen . The team likes to get together and play video games and cook for one another, building teamwork. Although they were able to become friends so easily, they did have challenges to overcome in the kitchen.

“We had to learn to work as a unit and knife skills. We had to work on knife skills a lot,” Kayla Lane ‘14 said.

The culinary team has been very successful the last couple of years and continue to prove excellent.

Menu for Nationals:

First course: King Crab on wonton towers filled with marinated tofu and served with sauteed shiitake mushrooms Second course: Pan-seared Oregon ling cod served on yellow fingerling potatoes with shallots, bacon and pea cream sauce Third course: Flourless chocolate cake infused with Tahitian vanilla bean served with a crisp nougatine wafer, blood orange segments, and creme and pomegranate syrup

April 9, 2012

Clypian.com

Feature 3

Activities to Put a Spring in your Step

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Kira Martin Reporter

s spring comes, many teenagers find themselves without much to do. Numerous things are available for students to get involved in, all they have to do is look around. However, a solution is near.

Look no longer.

Here are a few good things to do during those long hours of boredom.

passing time, almost every South student has seen the posters saying, “Join INK! Submit your artwork!” or “Anime club, every Friday!” or “Join the Quidditch Club for the Quidditch World Cup!” In the student handbook, there is a long list of well over forty clubs,

Start a Garden

Spring comes and along with it the opportunity to grow fresh garden vegetables such as carrots, lettuce and tomatoes or flowers, that are not available in the summer. All these vegetables take only a minimal amount of space in a person’s

Meyer or Lifesource for around five dollars. Flower bulbs can be bought at Home Depot.

Cooking

It is never too late to learn how to cook or bake. Even if teenagers might already have a wonderful cook in the house, it is always fun to learn the recipes they have been eating and enjoying for years.

Teen Scene If people Fairly recently, don’t have the Salem Public anyone in Library has retheir home modeled, coming with culiStudents hang out at a Teen Scene event afterschool. out with a fun new Ashley Harris ‘12 prepares a submission box for the club. nary expePhotos by Kira Martin. branch called the rience, it is Teen Scene. A few always an things offered by Teen Scene are all ranging from Monday to Fri- yard, and if there is little or no gar- option to crack open a cookbook, laptop and video games rentals. day meeting days, and see a few dening space in a yard, it is only pick a recipe and try it. There “[My favorite thing about the clubs never before heard of such a matter of minutes to clear away are many used book stores with Teen Scene is] that they made it a as Scribbles, the new writing some sod, thick clumps of grass, cookbooks at low prices such as whole other floor instead of a cou- club or Tea and Puzzles, which and to sprinkle some seeds on the Escape Fiction or the Paperback ple of shelves in the kids area,” as described on South’s website, ground, then to cover the seeds in Exchange. Cookbooks range from Megan Ashton ‘14 said.

“Expand[s] the problem solving dirt. After planted, the only worry recipes like stir-fries, pad thai ability of individuals and groups is to water everyday and to oc- and curry to pizza, apple pie and South Clubs through the noble arts of jigsaw casionally weed. Seeds can be french fries.

Walking down the halls during puzzles and sipping tea.” bought at local stores such as Fred

A Note on a Day of Silence Cecilia Barajas Reporter “Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition,” Steve Jobs said in June 2005 at Stanford University. The idea to speak one’s mind is not always about speaking out loud with words; in the case of the Day of Silence, saying nothing at all sends a certain message. Actions can speak louder than words, and the day was all about that. Teens worldwide vowed to be silent throughout the day of April 20 to promote anti-Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and/ or Transgender bullying campaigns that fight to end harassment and bullying. South’s club, the Gay Straight Alliance club, views on differing sexual orientation. This year, the club will be supporting the Day of Silence.

Spring Traditions Around the World Tyler Norbury Reporter There are many different traditions for the season of spring besides Christianity’s Easter and Judiasim’s Passover, the more well known of spring holidays. There are still many other traditions celebrated worldwide. From Northern Europe to the Far East, across a large array of religions, cultures, people and places, spring is celebrated in one way or another. Here are a few you might not have known about: Russia: Maslenitsa is celebrated as a time of the return of light and warmth. It is celebrated about seven weeks before Easter, during the season of Lent. Meat, fish and dairy products are prohibited. A big festival is held to enjoy these products before Lent, a bonfire is made and leftover food is tossed in. The ashes are spread in the fields to fertilize the crops.

China: An ancient custom is to balance eggs on the day of the March equinox to bring good luck and prosperity.

India & Nepal: Holi, the Festival of Colors. This Hindu festival is celebrated by people throwing colored powder and water at each other to celebrate Spring. Bonfires are lit the day before on days known as Holika Dahan or Chhoti Holi.

Spain: In the city of Valencia, a huge festival is held consisting of the consumption of Paellas, a traditional rice dish, bullfighting, and la despertà, the wake up call, which begins the day of festivities.

Japan: A week of Buddhist services known as Higan that takes place on the spring equinox. It is a time to remember the dead by cleaning and decorating the graves of the deceased and reciting sutras.

Pakistan: Basanth, the first day of spring on the Muslim calendar.

Boys partake in kite-fighting contests by putting powdered glass on their kite strings and attempt to cut the other boy’s kite strings.

Ghana: The Effutu people make a special offering to the god Panche Otu with a deer hunting festival known as Aboakyere. Two teams of males wear bright costumes and compete to bring the first live deer to the chief.

Iran: Festival of No Ruz, which means “new day” a time of hope and rebirth.

A lot of cleaning is done, broken items are repaired, homes are repainted, and fresh flowers are gathered and displayed.

Thailand: A three day water festival on April 13-15 for Songkran, the Buddhist new year. Parades feature large Buddha statues that spray water. In smaller villages children throw water at each other. This is similar to the Muslim religion being that spring is the new year.

Germany: A tradition there is to paint eggs and place them into a basket for Osterhase, the Easter Bunny, to hide around the house. Another tradition is to light a bonfire on Easter Sunday to welcome the sun and spring.

England: May Day celebration, children dance around poles with ribbons hanging from them called maypoles. The dancing will wrap the ribbons tightly around the pole to celebrate the return of Spring.

Duct tape across the mouth is a common symbol for the Day of Silence. Photo by Julia Salgado.

“[The Day of Silence] is a way to show we are standing up for ourselves and making a difference,” a member of GSA, Bryan Bacon ‘13, said. “It’s a social event that not many people know about. It’s bound to have an effect on everyone someday.”

Anyone can participate in the Day of Silence. The Day of Silence is not intended to point out specific people and judge them. Mahatma Ghandi supported harmony when he said, “Unity to be real must stand the severest strain without breaking.”

In 2003, Adam Elwood, a graduate from South, informed the Gay Lesbian and Straight Education Network about his experience of the Day of Silence at South. He was the president of South’s GSA at the time, and led his group through ways to celebrate. According to Elwood, about 110 students took part in the day and vowed to be silent.

Even several teachers joined in to support the day by wearing stickers, but they could not be silent.

The overall purpose of the Day of Silence is to address the issue of teens being bullied. On the Day of Silence, those who are homosexual, heterosexual, bi-sexual, and transgendered unite to raise awareness for bullying others due to their sexual orientation. Much like Martin Luther King Jr.’s speech said to judge a person by the “content of their character”, not by what contrasts between two people. Every year, the Day of Silence has acted as a reminder of the dangers of bullying, and to hopefully help prevent it.

Clypian.com

4 Feature

April 9, 2012

Some Facts About 4/20 Victoria Schmidt News Editor

When: On April 20, smokers across the world unite in celebration

of marijuana, a holiday renowned for its controversy and juvenile delinquency.

Who: A group of five San Rafael High School students, known as the Waldos, coined the term in 1971.

Why: In the fall of 1971, harvest time, the Waldos obtained word of a Coast Guard service member who could no longer tend his plot of pot plants near the Point Reyes Peninsula Coast Guard station. A treasure map in hand, the Waldos began their search.

Where: The Waldos agreed to meet at the statue of Louis Pasteur outside the school at 4:20, after football practice to begin their hunt for the unattended weed.

“We would remind each other in the hallways we were supposed

to meet up at 4:20. It originally started out 4:20-Louis and we eventually dropped the Louis,” Waldo Steve told Ryan Grim of the Huffington Post.

The group of high school students failed to find the patch, but the term caught on and spread like wildfire across the United States.

“I could say to one of my friends, 420, and it was telepathic. He would know if I was saying, ‘Hey, do you wanna go smoke some?’ Or, ‘Do you have any?’ Or, ‘Are you stoned right now?’ It was kind of telepathic just from the way you said it,” Steve said. “Our teachers didn’t know what we were talking about. Our parents didn’t know what we were talking about.”

03-12-2012/Genaro Molina/U.S. News Pot Masters 1LA/MCT Campus

Earthquake! Earthquake! Q&A with Stephen Thorsett

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Tyler Norbury Reporter

n 2006, South underwent the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Rapid Visual Screening, which is a quick test to determine whether or not a building would be hazardous in an earthquake. South received a 100 percent collapse potential.

“Unfortunately, we’re 100% overdue for an earthquake,” Mark Norbury, Registered Geologist and Registered Environmental M a n ager, of Xavier Environmental said.

South Salem H i g h School would, unfortun a t e l y, collapse, denali.gsfc.nasa.govdtamseismic along with North Salem High School, Parrish Middle School and four other Elementary Schools in the Salem-Keizer School District, three of which are over 100 years old. But there is an upside.

The upside is that recently Senate Bill 1566 has become a law. This bill requires that the State Department of Geology and Mineral Industries to maintain a website related to the seismic risk category related to public schools.

The bill passed the Oregon State Senate Feb. 17, 30 to 0 and passed the Oregon House of Representatives on Feb. 27, 46 to 14, which means it will be made into a law. This bill will go into effect on July 1, 2012.

One way the State of Oregon is trying to prepare schools across Oregon for a potential earthquake is via a $20 million grant, but no Salem-Keizer schools have received any of the grant money. This is very unfortunate because of a long overdue earthquake. This earthquake will be caused by the Cascadia Subduction Zone, where the North American and Jaun de Fuca tectonic plates overlap each other and build tension. Researchers have found that Cascadia causes an earthquake about every

250 years.

“It has been just over 300 years since Cascadia’s last earthquake and it is going to be big, about magnitude nine earthquake,” Norbury said.

Japan’s earthquake last year was magnitude 8.9 and their building codes are far more stricter than those in Oregon, and despite Japan’s stricter codes they still suffered major damage.

“Salem has many unreinforced masonry buildings that will collapse,” Norbury said.

The best way to prepare for a potential quake is food, water and shelter for yourself and family. “This earthquake is not a matter of if it will happen, but when it will happen,” Norbury said.

South Alum Becomes New President of Willamette

Courtney Gould Reporter

Clypian: What is your favorite memory from your years at South?

Stephen Thorsett: I was the first ninth grader at South. I was there when it changed from a three year school to a four year school. It was an interesting time to be coming because half the school was new. South grew a ton that year. So it was a fun time and it seemed like I was involved in a whole lot so a lot of my memories were getting there early for marching band and staying until late at night for football games. I was involved in band and the debate team and I was the treasurer of the student council and ran the concession stand at football games.

C: What was your favorite subject?

ST: Well, math is the subject I was best at and I enjoyed it, but I think my favorite subject was English. I took three English classes my senior year, which were AP English, World Literature and I took the speech class.

C: How is Willamette different from USC? ST: It’s a lot smaller. Santa Cruz had about 17,000 students and Willamette has about 2,500. There were differ- Stephen Thorsett in his senior ent kinds of graduate students. There was no law school year at South. Photo via the 1983 Sword&Shield and no business school at Santa Cruz, and there was no stand alone education school. There are no PhD programs here. Willamette is much more concentrated on quality undergraduate study than UC Santa Cruz.

C: What motivated you to come back to Oregon?

ST: It was a great chance to come home. I have always thought of myself as being a northwestener. My family is really from Washington. My parents were all born in Washington and my grandparents were born in Washington. My parents moved to Oregon, but the northwest as a whole has always been really attractive to me. Willamette is a great institution. It’s great to be back around family. Since I left high school I haven’t really seen my family. My parents are still in the house I grew up in.

C: Your father was a professor at Willamette. Did that have any influence on your desire to be President here?

ST: It certainly meant that I knew Willamette. It certainly had something to do with my choice of career because I knew what college was like. People would ask what I wanted to do and I would say a college professor.

C: What do you consider to be your greatest accomplishment?

ST: My greatest accomplishment? Probably getting married and having a daughter.

The family piece is really important to me. Professionally the most import things I’ve done were at USC. I haven’t been here long enough to do much yet. I was the dean there at a time when the campus was growing very fast. Something like a quarter of the faculty of sciences there were hired by me. It was an opportunity to shape a staff that was very young. It’s an impact that lasts a long time and shapes institutions. It has the potential to affect thousands of students. That’s why I made the switch from science to administration. You can make it easier to be successful and amplify your own success.

April 9, 2012

Clypian.com

Yuliya Boyalskaya Reporter

College Elitism Creates Controversy

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t is widely known and accepted that going to college and earning a degree will help secure a good job and future. Almost every student is encouraged to apply to a college and pursue the career they want in life, and it seems that this is the only pathway to financial success.

However, the Republican presidential candidate Rick Santorum recently set off controversy when he attacked the American school system as “indoctrination mills,” calling President Obama a “snob” for urging all Americans to go to college.

While the irony lies in the fact that Santorum actually has a higher degree than Obama, there is some truth to his seemingly bombastic criticisms. While going to college is not a bad thing and an education is valuable, urging every American to go to college may be unrealistic. College is expensive, and the truth is that in today’s economy, a college degree does not necessarily guarantee a good job. Many wonder if it is still worth it to accumulate a lifetime of debt for a degree that is not in demand for the job market.

“I believe that everyone should be given an equal opportunity to attend college, and that means either lowering the costs or making more funds available for students,” Karyna Cutting ‘12 said. “That being said, college isn’t for everyone, and trade schools or alternative education routes should be made available. However, everyone should have at least a comprehensive high school education. This is a basic necessity to be a marginally informed citizen.”

There are people who have had connections and a set of skills and desires which never included college, and they have been successful.

While these stories are inspirational, they are still rare and no one should count on financial success with alternatives to college. Statistically, people with a college degree do earn more than people with a high school diploma.

Consensus.gov revealed that over an adult’s working life, those with a high school diploma on average earn 1.2 million, those with a bachelors twice that, and those with a masters 2.5 million. While a portion of those life earnings will be spent paying off college debts, it would seem that those with a college degree are more financially successful.

Opinion 5

Are Rising Gas Prices Worth the Worry?

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Yuliya Boyalskaya Reporter

his spring, gas prices in Oregon have risen to about $4 dollars per gallon, while the average in the country is about $3.81. and there is no doubt that this not only impacts student drivers but their parents, local businesses, and everyone's wallets. It is common knowledge that gas prices have been steadily increasing since 2000, but how high do gas prices have to go until we begin to decrease our consumption of gas?

Parents and students have already started cutting back on gas--taking the bus, carpooling and riding their bikes to school and work, or simply buying more fuel efficient cars and in doing so, saving themselves hundreds of dollars. For many people with long commutes or hectic schedules, most of these options are not as easily obtained.

“Personally, having to pay higher prices for gas upsets me because I'm not able to drive myself places without paying a significant amount of money,” Bailey Garfield ‘13 said.

“Altruistically, I appreciate high gas prices because when prices are higher, the demand for alternate energy fuel sources goes up, as does the supply, which helps us move as a culture to a more environmentallyefficient lifestyle.”

At the beginning of March, an AAA survey found that 84% of drivers have changed their driving habits in response to the recent gas price increase. 60% have adopted the most popular method of saving gas by combining trips and errands.

In other words, there have not been very significant cutbacks and while the prices are high, they have not dramatically lowered the overall US consumption of gas.

The highest the price ever recorded was the Summer of 2008, ranking in at $4.12 per gallon. It seems that the prices would need to reach an all-time high for there to be any real changes in people’s lifestyles by either cutting back on spending in other areas or stop buying gas altogether. However, as a student it would be much smarter to carpool or take a bus to school or work if schedules or commutes allow it.

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hat happens to your body when you die?

Although a morbid thought, some people are unaware that they have more choices than they might have thought such as cremation, burial, or full body donation to science. A less drastic option would be that others request all viable tissues of their being, be donated to those in need.

Advancements in technology have allowed medical personnel the ability to transplant organs, eyes and tissue more successfully than ever. In essence organ donors ‘live longer’. According to a recent statistic, donatelifenw.org reports that 70% of Oregonians 18 years and older are registered donors.

Despite the positive connotation in the statistic, the demand for those in need of a transplant is increasing everyday; on any given day, 18 people will die awaiting an organ transplant in the United States. Although all major organized religions commend organ and tissue

Clypian Staff Editor-In-Chief Anna Sieber

Copy Editor Samantha Grainger-Shuba

News Editor

Feature Editors

Victoria Schmidt

Kereth Curliss Morgan Costa

Opinion Editor

Sports Editor

Kayla Rigsby

Rachal Meza Rojas

Web

Photo Editor

Colby Moses

Social Media

Julia Salgado

Graphics

Lauren Ewanyk

Bri Botsch

Ad Manager Victoria Schmidt

Reporters Yuliya Boyalskaya Lily Gordon Jennifer Branson Nichele Herndon Courtney Gould Lexi Limer Chandler Cobos Tyler Norbury Jessica Bohnstedt Tiara Scott Cassandra Cook Lex Sosa Guitierrez Olivia Ford Kira Martin

Adviser

Brian Eriksen Chevron sold Regular gasoline for $4.09 on April 2, 2012. Photo by Julia Salgado.

The Truth About Donating Organs Rachal Meza Rojas Sports Editor

donation and even acknowledge it as an act of charity, there are many people with the mindset that being a donor is like playing God. Who are we to extend the lives that would have normally expired? This argument however, is made on the basis that someone with a preventable disease would die without the intervention of a transplant. Some argue that they would feel more open to donation however, if someone was suffering from a terrible accident.

Discrimination of one’s sexual orientation limits gay men from being tissue and organ donors based on the 1994 Public Health Service policies for preventing

transmission of HIV through human tissue and organs. In December, MSN reported, “The 1994 guidelines exclude certain groups as donors, including men who have had sex with other men within the past five years, people who have used IV drugs or exchanged sex for money or drugs in the past five years, hemophiliacs, those exposed to HIV, and people who have had sex with anyone in those categories. They also limit people who have been incarcerated.” Again, a controversial topic in that the “guidelines” prohibit gay men from donating if they have multiple partners but does not exclude straight men and

women as well as other groups with the same behaviors.

Although reasons not to be a donor tend to revolve around highly disputable topics, reasons to be a donor characterize quality.

People donate with the intention of saving another human’s life and do so with the desire to help others. Similar individuals argue that since they will not be using their organs, someone’s life could be extended due to their generosity. Yet another reason to be a donor is to begin filling the demand and need for organs and other tissues. All in all, these points are made on the premise that such individuals want to leave the world a better place than when they entered it.

By signing up with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) individuals 15 years of age or older can sign-up to have there license, permit or identification card coded with the letter ‘D’ or by going online to donatelifenw.org; or even requesting a paper form by calling (800) 4521369 to register as an organ, eye, and tissue donor.

Graph: donatelifenw.org

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Clypian.com

6 Opinion

April 9, 2012

Social Media Converts Activism to Slacktivism Anna Sieber Editor-in-Chief Samantha Grainger-Shuba Copy Editor

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his is a constantly changing world. That is a fact abundantly apparent in trends across the globe. Now, the U.S. governm e n t does not just go to war to protect oil investments, but to protect democratic freedoms, such as in Egypt and Libya.

In this day and age, people want to feel like they have a say, even

amid a horde of seven billion people vying to have their voice heard.

It seems the world has gotten to a point where it is no longer necessary to merely fight for selfish purposes, but for the rights of the people at large. This zeitgeist paired with the digital age has resulted in Slacktivism. According to Urban

to fix a problem.”

Slacktivism is the new brand of getting involved. Now, it is as easy as clicking a “like” button or sharing a link. Social media is the new fad in philanthropy. Making a difference is literally one click away-in theory.

The issue of judging the idea of

does someone get involved in this day and age? It is difficult to say. To really make a difference in a cause, a person has to have access to large amounts of money, time, or both.

Excess money allows one to make substantial donations to organizations such as Invisible Children, and excess time allows for actual

Dictionary, Slacktivism is “the act of participating in obviously pointless activities as an expedient alternative to actually expending effort

Slacktivism is that it is hard to give a solution or another option to the “pointless activities.” What comes to mind is a major question: how

physical interaction with the cause itself. Excluding about that top 1 or 2% of the population, most people do not have excessive amounts of

The Disappearance of Ethics

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Kayla Rigsby Opinion Editor

ones with an interesting correlation between the need to lie and the age group. 51% of teenagers (17 and under) said yes, and the results steadily lowered with each age group, all the way down to 10% for those 50 and older.

Teenagers are experiencing the beginning of being truly responsible for themselves for the first time, that combined with the fact that the part of the brain controlling reasoning and problem solving it only logical to assume that teenagers will make mistakes and it will be hard to stay perfectly ethical. Yet even though teenagers have those excuses it is important to remember that the person we are today makes the person we will be tomorrow.

thics are not valued as they once were.

According to a survey from the Josephson Institute of Ethics in 2009, 85% of the people who took the survey who were under 18 believe that kids are more likely to lie, cheat or steal today than they were 20 years ago. It is easy to believe that, when what today’s society values now is not honesty or integrity, it is winning and being ‘successful’. But if that success is at the cost of personal morals, then is it really worth it?

It is easy to forget morals and what is right when the immoral thing is easier. After all, cheating on a test seems like such an easy thing that does not matter in the long run. And once someone decides to throw out their moral code for one thing then the next time it is just that much easier to forget their conscience. Ethics are not something to pick up or drop off when it is convenient. Morals define who a person is.

It seems that each generation is caring less about values and ethics. In the same survey by Josephson when asked the question if they beJosephson Institute of Ethics takes a survey every two years on the lieve one has to lie or cheat at ethics of teenagers. These are a few of the results from their most recent ‘Report Card on the Ethics of American Youth’ is from 2010 and surveyed least occasionally in order to over 40,000 high school students. From charactercounts.org succeed and the results were

spare cash lying around waiting to be donated; and those without fulltime careers are the only ones with time to kill.

Movements like Kony 2012 make people feel like they are making a difference. The question is if it will have an actual impact.

This form of Slacktivism is effective in spreadi n g awareness, b u t p e r haps not so much in instigating action. It seems that we shall just have to wait until April 20 to see if anything comes to fruition of Cover the Night.

No Sleep Because of School’s Early Start?

The common complaint explained

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Tyler Norbury Reporter

very morning students can be seen walking through the halls of South like lifeless husks. This is most likely because they are getting up earlier than their parents, after staying up later than them as well.

Many students feel that school should start later, times c h a n g ing from student to student. But when is the perfect time for school to start?

T h e main reason teenagers stay up later than healthy for one getting up at 6 a.m. is because of the internal clock that regulates their sleep cycle. For children, the internal clock causes sleepiness around eight p.m.

“Teens have a biological sleep pattern which moves toward later times for sleeping and waking--so it is normal to not feel sleepy until after 11 p.m.” South Health teacher Anthony Stearns said.

All teenagers have different needs in terms of amount of sleep required.

“Teens need about 9 1/4 hours of sleep per night to function best, some only require 8 1/2,” Stearns said.

Shows on television that are aimed towards the teen and young adult audience usually start around nine or ten p.m. and will last around 30 minutes to an hour. So these teens will be heading to bed around 11 p.m. Assuming they fall asleep immediately, if these students get up around six o’clock, that would amount to about seven hours of sleep, below the recommended time. Not enough sleep means tired students, and tired students will generally mean bad grades. The perfect time should be around 8:30 a.m. so students can get that extra hour of sleep they desperately need.

According to Stearns, it is not good to alter sleep schedules between weekends and the week. Some other things he recommends to get the best sleep possible is to keep the sleeping area cool and dark, no exercise, food, drink, especially caffeine, or any stimulating activities right before bed. Research by the University of Minnesota shows that later start times would improve attendance and grades, and that the optimum start time is around eight a.m.

“In our community though, transportation of students from K-12 is a critical piece of the puzzle,” Stearns said.

It turns out that though starting later would show improvements it may not be possible to work around transportation schedules, and with after school activities the participants in these activities would have to stay later after school and that will make it harder for students to watch younger siblings after school, and less convenient for parents to pick the students up.

Did You Know?

The teenage brain is still asleep at 8 a.m. no matter what time they wake up Sleep is as important as the air you breathe, the water you drink and the food you eat.

It is impossible to get used to less sleep.

Creativity and problem solving are directly linked to having enough sleep.

April 9, 2012

Clypian.com

Sports 7

Tennis Season Springs with a Fresh Start New Facilities

Boys

Cassandra Cook Jessica Bohnstedt Reporters

The boys’ tennis teams started off a new season with multiple changes. One of these changes is the additional courts located here at South. With them, the boys no longer have to exclusively use the ones at Bush Park. Also due to the new courts, boys’ team now practices every day from 2:45 South’s tennis courts have been renovated, allowing the school’s. p.m.-4:30 p.m. at the four bush park courts and South’s two new Photo by Julia Salgado. courts.

“The tennis courts have been a tremendous blessing allowing 4-8 kids, singles or doubles, to play 3 whole sets in a practice, something we haven’t been able to do for years. They will be able to mimic a tough match every day,” coach Todd Bobeda said.

Girls placed fourth in districts last year.

This year they’re going to try and place better.

“My goals are for the athletes to have fun, play from their hearts, learn a lot more about tennis and love this sport for life,” Fabiana told us.

This year’s senior captain is Rachel Heringer ‘12. Key players this year are Sarah Nielsen ‘14, Courtney Hammagren ‘14, and Katie Reeder ‘12. Last year the team lost quite a few seniors, this year will be a good experience for all the underclassmen that are on the team now.

“The key to the game is to not set any limits, always strive to do your best,” Heringer said.

Girls

Rachel Heringer ‘12 swings a forehand during a meet at McNary. Photo by Morgan Costa.

Jennifer Branson Reporter

The Scoop on the New Golf Coach

Clypian: What made you decide to start coaching boys’ golf?

Matt Smith: There are so many reasons, but the main two would have to be that I’ve always loved golf, and I also coach soccer. So by stepping up for also coaching golf I get to teach another intense sport at South.

C: Have you ever coached or played

golf before?

MS: No, I haven’t coached golf before, but I have played for a long time, and I played in high school.

C: When did you start playing?

MS: Well, I’ve been playing forever it seems like, but around the time that I was six years old was when I first showed interest in the sport.

C: How does your team train?

MS: We usually go to Creekside about three times a week. Most of the boys on the team have gotten memberships there so that they can practice whenever they wish to, without many restrictions.

C: Do you have key players or team captains?

MS: Returning Varsity players are Travis Samuels ‘12 and Matt Paluska ‘14. As of now Travis is our #1 spot and is looking to compete for the district championship this year. He is also team captain.

In addition to these two returners, we have two freshman making a strong case to be top contenders in the district this year. They are Halden Jensen and Tim Slama. We also have an exchange student from Holland named Duncan Wichmann. He is a solid player and is excited to contribute to the team.

C: What are your goals for the team this season?

MS: Even though we are a very young team, I expect us to be very strong in league this year and we are definitely going to fight hard for the district championships this year.

C: How has coaching been so far?

MS: It has been very smooth so far. I am starting to connect with the guys and they are recognizing that I have a love for the game and have lots of coaching experience to add as well. We are a team with lots of excitement for the year and much of my role is making sure we are not only ready physically, but more importantly we are mentally ready for what lies ahead.

C: How has Mr. Parker leaving affected the team?

MS: Parker did a great job as coach last year, and left me a great setup so I am just going to build off of this and have fun doing it.

C: Do you guys have any mottos for your team?

MS: We don’t have an official motto yet, because we are such a young team, but I believe that we’d go by South’s own motto, Excellence.

JV player Tin Lee ‘14 prepares for a practice serve during practice at the new facilities. Photo by Nichele Herdon.

This year coach Bobeda aims to win district and place top five in state.

“Last year we got third for the first time in 40 years and I am hoping to repeat that performance. I don’t have anything to change other than beating Sprague,” Bobeda said.

“We are looking really good this year. With enough practice and determination this could be the year we take down Sprague,” Jason Lintner ‘12 said.

This year’s varsity captains are Riley Wulf ‘12, Lintner and Jake Hart ‘13, and star players include Collyn Erion ‘14, Wulf, Evan Tatro ‘13, Luke Knospe ‘13, Jacob Kompolt ‘14, Santi Dieguez ‘13, Hart, Lintner and Gordon Burnham ‘15.

“The secret to South’s success is that we focus on supporting our teammates and sportsmanship. The winning comes later,” Hart said.

A Look at the Blazers’ Season Travis Sameuls Game Day Editor

point guard Jonny Flynn and center Hasheem Thabeet, both talented, young athletes who came out early in the first round of the 2009 NBA Draft fter the NBA trade deadline on Mar. 15, with potential for greatness. Forward Gerald Walthe Portland Trail Blazers’ management lace was also in the trade mix, getting sent to the made many big decisions concerning the New Jersey Nets in exchange for center Mehmet way their franchise is going to move forward over Okur and forward Shawne Williams. Allen and the next few years. It looks as if the Blazers are Miller were both in the agreement with the trades, starting over again. President explaining that they are tryLarry Miller and owner Paul Will the decisions made at the ing to set themselves up for Allen called the shots that trade deadline prove to be a the draft and a chance to reThursday, starting off by fir- better financial move for the build their team for the seaing the Blazer Head Coach Blazers going into the draft sons to come.

After Greg Oden’s bad Nate McMillan and releasing for future seasons? performance these past few the Blazers 2007 No. 1 overseasons, losing Brandon Roy and having the team all pick, Greg Oden, who averaged over seven restruggle throughout the season, The Blazers are bounds and nine points per game in his 82 games now three games below 500 and are seeded 11th as a Blazer. McMillan was coaching his sixth season with the Blazers and left with 266-269 record. in the Western Conference, but are still in playoff Larry Miller explained his decisions, saying it was contention with only three and a half games be“challenging hind the current 8th seed Denver Nuggets.

Do the Blazers have enough firepower in Labut unavoidMarcus Aldridge and currently struggling Rayable.” mond Felton to even attempt to push and make The team traded vet- the playoffs? A legitimate guess is “no.” This eran cen- team has struggled in close games all year, having ter Marcus the worst record in the NBA for games decided by Camby to five points or less. It seems like the team is out of the Houston gas. It would be a shock to see the Blazers seal a Rockets for playoff spot.

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Clypian.com

8 Sports

April 9, 2012

South Salem Dance Team performs during a run through while at State Championships. Photo by Debbie Grenz. (Deborah LeSavage). outh Salem Dance participated in the Oregon School Activities Samantha GraingerAssociation (OSAA) State Championships on Mar. 16 and 17 at Shuba the Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Portland, Oregon. They perCopy-Editor formed a combination of lyrical and hip-hop with Wiz Khalifa’s “When I’m Gone,” “Bass Cannon” by Flux Pavillion and “Bass Down Low” Rachal Meza Rojas by the Cataracs. The team worked hard to perfect their theme titled Sports Editor “When the Bass Drops Our Hearts Beat”, using the idea that the hip-hop would make the dancers come alive. Coach and choreographer Christy Rogers said, “This year has been an incredible leap forward for this team. We have grown in numbers but we have grown together that much more.”

Dance Team ended a lengthy seven-month season reaching its goal of qualifying for State with a score of 65.72, and also setSouth Salem Dancers make their way onto the Rose Quarter ting a new South Dance record with a score stage during State. Photo by Debbie Grenz (Deborah of 71.33 at a competition at Sprague High School.

LeSavage).

S

Fencing captain Ray Clark ‘12 discusses fencing in high school.

Clypian: What does fencing mean to you?

Ray Clark: Fencing is a fascinating sport with deep history which is enjoyable to play as well as study.

C: Who is your fencing role model?

RC: Inigo Montoya C: How have you seen the fencing program, and South’s perspective of fencing, change during your time at South?

RC: In the beginning, fencing was a second class sport that received virtually no funding or respect from the school, and now fencing is a second class sport that receives virtually no funding or support from the school.

C: What is crucial to a fencer (e.g. what do you need at practice)?

RC: Honor, reflexes and a rational mind.

C: How does fencing compare to other sports?

RC: Fencing is statistically safer than any other sport, and overall it is much more intuitive. Fencing focuses on the individual rather than the team unit.

C: Would you say that fencing is a sort of old art form?

RC: Fencing is very old, so yes.

C: Do people ever say that you guys are sword fighting? How does that make you feel/What would you say to someone who said fencing is sword fighting?

RC: Well it is sword fighting.

Track and Field: Player Preview Photos courtesy of Curt Hawkinson.

Girls’ Sprints

Anne Burnham ‘12

Boys’ Hurdles

Rory Walker ‘12

Emily Weber ‘12

Walker is competing in the 110M Hurdles, 300M Hurdles, High Jump and 4x4. His best times are 14.9 for 110M hurdles, 41.9 in 300M hurdles, 6’ for High Jump. “I've been in the program since freshman year and I love wearing spandex,” Walker said.

Her fastest time is 5:14 for a mile. “I started track as a fifth grader when I ran in the JC Relays and competed in the Santiam Track meets through elementary. I liked to run so I decided to go out for track,” Weber said.

Boys’ Sprints

Girls’ Hurdles

Boys’ Distance

Dustin Watson ‘12

Whitney Pitalo ‘12

Pitalo competes in 300M hurdles, 400M, 4x4 relay, and Pole Vault. Her fastest record is 61 seconds for the 400M. “I did track in middle school, and it gives me something to do when soccer is not in season,” Pitalo said.

Nichele Herndon Reporter

Girls’ Distance Boys’ Throws

Burnham will be competing in the 4x100 relay, 100M hurdles, and Pole Vault.

“The whole track team feels like a family. We actually have a team chant where we say ‘OHANA,’ which means family in Hawaiian,” Burnham said

Watson will be competing in the 100M, 200M, 400M, Long Jump, High Jump, Javelin, 4x100M, and 4x400M relay. “After my first meet in sixth grade, my mom said I had a gift.

I’ve been running ever since,” Watson said.

Fencing, with Ray Clark

South Dance Performs Both Rounds of State Competition

Courtney Gould Reporter

Junior Espitia ‘12

Espitia competes in the Javelin, Shot Put, 300 Hurdles, 200M and 100M. “I joined track so I could get faster for football,” Espitia said

Girls’ Jumps

Janessa White ‘12

Slater Broaddus ‘13

Long distance 800M, 1500M, 3000M. Broaddus’ fastest time is 4:30, for 1500M.

Competing in the Triple Jump, Long Jump, and High Jump, White has a record for Long Jump of 17’11, and for High Jump she has a record height is 5’3.