www.sites.google.com/fort-outpost
advisor.
Jennifer Fay
“I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.”
~Nelson Mandela
Welcome back to Fort for another amazing year!
The journalism crew is dedicated to bringing you news and insights from the student body. They focus on stories and news from around the school and broader community.
If you are interested in joining us this year, it is not too late! We meet on Thursdays in room 115 to eat, talk and, of course, write and produce awesome content for The Outpost, our school newspaper.
If you are involved in a community or school event going on and would like to get your information out via the school newspaper, reach out
to one of our staff. They are all featured in this first issue so folks will know who they are. If you are concerned about something going on in our school or community at large, reach out! We want to hear about it and help shed light on what is happening. There is no event too big or too small to be included.
We also have advertising opportunities available as a fundraiser this year. If you have a business or know someone who might be interested, reach out! We are here and want to get our community involved.
JenniferFay Advisor - Journalism Club
Color War & Spirit Week
Color war this year was ferocious. The games were intense and the decorations fun. Each team had beautiful decorations, with some type of balloon arch to boot. There were waves of silver, green, yellow, and pink, everyone dressed in their color war finest. The students who participated in the games gave their very best to prove their year proud. Banners lined the halls, each insulting every year but their own. Streamers hung from the banisters, balloons covering the floor of the gym. Between the chaotic relay races and fetch games, it was a fun day for all. The seniors took home the win, in the end; but everyone else has a chance to win next year.
Spirit week at Fort this year was full of creativity! Students really showed their school spirit in fun and imaginative ways, making the hallways vibrant and lively. Monday kicked off with White Lie Day, where everyone wore white shirts with obvious lies written on them. Tuesday was Generations Day, with freshmen dressed as babies, sophomores as teenagers, juniors as adults, and seniors as senior citizens. Wednesday brought Rhyme Without Reason, with students pairing up in costumes that rhymed but made no sense together. Thursday was Color War (see above). Finally, Friday was Smurfs vs. Minions, and the halls were filled with blue and yellow as everyone joined in on the fun. The themes really brought out everyone’s creativity and made the week unforgettable!
We have some new assets to Fort! New members of the admin team are here at Fort include: Deanna Hogan , Stephanie Seibel, and Demetrick White. We have a new librarian; Jennifer Delgadillo, she is also the rep for the Unified club! We also have a new principal joining us! He was a previous associate principal as well for 5 years, while now he is going on his 6th year at fort, as the principal! Here is a message from our new principal here at Fort, Luis A. Castro-Quintanilla.
Fort Community,
I am thankful for the opportunity to serve the families of Fort Vancouver High School Center for International Studies and I look forward to an exciting and fulfilling year of teaching and learning ahead.
I believe that education is the tool that can prepare our students academically, mentally, and emotionally for post-secondary options, up to and including fouryear university. A team approach is essential for our HS students to be life, career, and college-ready.
When I began my journey as an educator, I was driven by the desire to make a real difference. In the classroom, I saw the impact I could have on my students. However, I soon realized that meeting
MEET OUR NEW ADMIN
each student’s needs was both complex and challenging. It became clear that the key to success lay in collaboration. By working together with colleagues, families, and the entire school district, we can effectively address both academic and socialemotional needs. United in our efforts, we can create a supportive environment where every student has the opportunity to thrive.
I am confident that as a community we can meet high academic expectations and provide the support needed for our students to achieve success. As a school community, we will “over teach” and “under assume” so that our students can live by our school values of excellence, community, character and equity. The growth and development of our students will be nurtured by a caring school community where they will experience a strong sense of belonging.
The strengths of our students and community will enrich the student-centered experiences at our school, creating a vibrant and supportive environment for every student. As students, you will need to be prepared for each opportunity and challenge that comes with every grade level. Remember, with every period, day, week, month, and semester you commit to learning, you’re making progress toward achieving your goals. Stay engaged and enthusiastic—each step brings you closer to your dreams!
Excellence in education means setting high standards, engaging in learning, and celebrating your successes.
Our commitment as a school community is for our school to provide for each of our students with an accessible and high quality education that will empower our students to be lifelong learners.
Yes, we can!
Meet the
The journalists who bring you the Fort Outpost want to hear from
Issac Dennett - Editor in Chief
Christian Golden
Hello! I’m Isaac Dennett. I’m the current Editor-in-Chief of the Fort Outpost. I’ve been writing with this newspaper for all 4 years now, and I love it. I love to write about problems in the community and the solutions to them. If you see an article giving an opinion on our school, it’s probably me. Our students deserve the best. I believe through journalism you can shine light on situations and help get them fixed. You guide your community. I love videogames, drawing, writing, and more. I love computers and cameras. But most of all, I love birds. Talk to me about anything related to birds and I can talk for hours. My favorite bird is the Anna’s Hummingbird. I love to take photos of them. I’m very proud of who I am as a person. I’m a member of the LGBTQ community and I am not afraid to challenge the district to make education better for everyone. I attend school board meetings to talk about things that affect our students like class sizes or bathroom policies. My favorite video games are Hollow Knight, Cult of the Lamb, The Finals, Portal 2, and Xenoblade Chronicles.
I’m Christian Golden, a senior member of the journalism club and I’ve been writing for 4 years. Some of you might know me from track, tennis or as co-president of NHS. You probably won’t see me often in school because I am a full-time running start student. In my free time, I like to play games with my friends and practice my tennis skills.
I’m most interested in writing about major events or changes that will affect our day-to-day school life. In recent years our school has been changing a lot but students don’t get much say or information about what’s going to happen. I’m going to inform other students about these issues and help them voice their opinions.
Hi! I’m Amy. I’m a senior this year and I’ve been a part of “The Outpost” for all 4 years. I enjoy writing about almost anything but mainly sports. I plan on studying early childhood education or psychology to become a kindergarten teacher. My dream school is University of Washington. For fun I like to collect Smiskis, play Subway Surfers, and read books.
I’m a current senior at fort and a medical magnet student with much love for the science wing. I also participate in the upcoming Writer’s Club. In my free time I enjoy music, art, making bracelets, baking and cooking, as well spending time with people I love. My favorite color is orange and I love fall, especially the baked goods associated with it. I enjoy photography, writing, and exploring new things. In the fort outpost I often write about current issues at the fort, upcoming events and the importance of them. I cover some assemblies, and personal articles as well. I love feedback from anyone, suggestions, problems, or anything else that I could improve on. I consider all opinions and sides of stories that refer to certain matters I write about. As well if you have some eager concerns that you think need to be addressed publicly, I would love to write about it!
Isabel Laib
My name’s Isabel and I’m a Junior at Fort Vancouver High School. I’ve been here for my entire highschool life. My favorite class is pottery and I’ve made several tv show themed pieces. My personal hobbies consist of building lego sets and writing. My favorite shows are Lego Monkie kid and Tangled the series. My all time favorite video game is Minecraft Storymode season 2, made by Telltales games. I hope to be able to write more about the games I love this year while covering any important events.
Amy Nguyen
Cristina Martin
Press
you. We hope this makes it easier to find them in a crowd!
Leila Hight-Folsom
I am 17 years old, a current senior here at Fort. I identify as nonbinary, and as such I will be referred to with they/them pronouns. Having been in the Medical Magnet program all four years and AVID for three, I’d also consider myself a long-term resident of the science wing. For hobbies, I enjoy drawing, specifically character design, with my main mediums being digital canvases as well as traditional pencil and paper. Video games are another one of my favorite things to discuss, as I was introduced to them when I was very young. From dark fantasy stories like The Witcher and Dragon’s Dogma, to the mech-heavy, science fiction classics like Mass Effect and Bioshock, fantasy media has become one of my core interests. I find the most enjoyment in indulging others’ analyses and perspectives on the complex worlds and paradigms found in these games. Though I am not an avid reader, my favorite pieces of literature include Nod by Adrian Barnes, The Witcher series by Andrzej Sapkowski, and The Broken Empire trilogy by Mark Lawrence. A perfectionist at heart, my main work in journalism will involve editing drafts and some miscellaneous writing about upcoming events and announcements.
Alexis Johnson
Jacob Owen
Hello, I’m Jacob! I am a senior at Fort and a 2nd year at Clark College. I am passionate about chemistry and plan to major in chemical engineering and have a career in pharmaceutical chemistry. I plan on being in chem club for a third year in a row. I am also interested in art. I’m trying my best to enjoy all mediums and I have found I enjoy painting with gouache and making pottery. When I retire I hope to be able to have my own pottery studio. I have 2 pet rats that I adore more than anything and hope to be able to care for rats in the future alongside jumping spiders and stick bugs. I’ll probably write about things happening in the art department or going on in the chemistry club.
I am a senior at Fort Vancouver and I am new to the journalism club here. I am super into psychology and my goal is to become a mental health therapist.I was thinking about going to Washington State University Vancouver to get my masters degree in psychology. In my free time I like to read murder mystery books, write, make new recipes, and draw. My favorite color is anything pastel. I am the oldest of two siblings who are two and three.I am also super interested in helping people. Ever since I was little I have always enjoyed hearing people who do not usually feel heard. I have always wanted people to feel cared about and included since I was as young as I could remember. I am very passionate about mental health and it is possible I will write a fair amount of tips and tricks, experiences of others that can inspire, and just other things related to helping people feel whole. I feel that genuinely I can help at least one person feel that they are not alone by writing about and opening that conversation into a safe space. I am excited for the year and to connect through my writin g.
Sariah Dennett
Hello, I’m Sariah! I’m a new freshman in the Fort Outpost. This is my first year writing for the newspaper (obviously) and I’m excited to do it this year. I am a part of some sports and I already have a lot to do on top of the paper but I will try my best! I love eating, swimming, bowling and annoying my brother. I like art even if I’m not too good at it and I love and am pretty good at roller skating.
My favorite classes are biology and culinary. I love my brother and sitting on the couch. My favorite swimming strokes are freestyle and butterfly. I like doing the 500m freestyle and the 100m butterfly. My fastest time for the 500m freestyle is 7 minutes and 49 seconds, my time for the 100m butterfly is 1 minute and 35 seconds.
My name is Natalie Martin, my pronouns are She/ Her and I am a Freshman here at FVHS and I am new to the Journalism club. In my free time I like to make paper crafts for myself or for others, listen to music, watch shows, and be with people I love the most. I am the youngest child of 3, one of them is a senior and the other is a junior here also at FVHS. I have an amazing Abyssinian tabby mix cat that is sassy, loving, and playful. My favorite genres in a show or movie are apocalyptic and mystery. Some of my go-to music bands are The Smashing Pumpkins and Red Hot Chili Peppers, you should totally go and check them out! I like these two bands because of the guitar and bass solos in their great songs. Spring is my favorite season of the year because of all of the beautiful flowers that bloom and the weather is just right for me. On the topic of flowers I love the flower Indian Paintbrush. This is my favorite flower because of the split half and half color of the green and red, or even blue and white but the red looks the best to me. 5
Natalie Martin
“I have seen first hand how much Unified has made school a more inclusive place for all students and how much students working together regardless of ability can create a school climate that is accepting and positive.”
upcoming event: uNIFIED Harvest Dance
One of the events Unified Club is planning this year is a Unified Harvest Social and Dance on Friday, November 22. High School students with developmental disabilities are invited to attend the dance from 6-8 p.m. There is already quite a crew of staff members signed up to help with the dance, but students are who really make this event special. Select groups from Fort Vancouver HS will also be invited. The reason for the limited invitations is to create an event that meets the needs of students with various sensory needs. Sometimes a typical high school dance is overwhelming to students with developmental disabilities.
By Cristnia Martin and Leila Folsom
The Unified Harvest Dance is designed for students with developmental disabilities and focuses on creating an inclusive and supportive environment where everyone can participate and have fun. Here are some key elements that such a dance might include: Accessibility: The venue will be accessible to all students, including those with mobility challenges. Sensory-Friendly Environment: Considerations for lighting and sound to accommodate students with sensory sensitivities. Support Staff: Having trained staff and volunteers available to assist students as needed, ensuring they feel comfortable and supported throughout the event. Inclusive Activities: Activities and games that everyone can participate in, regardless of their abilities. Social Opportunities: Creating opportunities for social interaction in a structured and supportive way, helping students build friendships and enjoy the event together. Clear Communication: Using visual aids, sign language interpreters, or other communication
“I know Fort’s students and staff will embrace this movement!”
Jennifer Delgadillo
tools to ensure that all students can understand and engage with the activities.The goal of a unified dance is to celebrate inclusivity and ensure that all students, regardless of their needs, can enjoy the experience and feel valued.
Fort Vancouver High School is building their Unified opportunities through Unified Sports, a Unified Club, and Whole School Engagement activities. This year, Fort has started a Unified Club which meets on Thursdays during 2nd lunch for now. Fort’s Unified Club is where students with and without developmental disabilities plan, organize, and participate in inclusive activities. Unified Club also supports our Unified Sports teams. Unified Basketball sign ups are happening now in Final Forms and practices start after Thanksgiving Break during the school day. Unified Club is part of the rally team that supports our Unified athletes and partners, i.e. supporting ASB with assemblies that include Unified Sports teams and Unified activities. Right now, Unified Club is extremely small and we are actively seeking students who want to plan and participate in activities with students with developmental disabilities throughout the year.
In a personal statement from Jennifer Delgadillo, the rep for the Unified club, she says; “I have worked with Special Olympics Washington for the last 9 years and as Vancouver Public Schools Unified Sports Coordinator. At Fort, I am the Unified Club advisor. My son was born with a genetic condition which includes developmental delays and some physical challenges. I have seen first hand how much Unified has made school a more inclusive place for all students and how much students working together regardless of ability can create a school climate that is accepting and positive. Skyview High School is a nationally recognized Unified Champion School and I want the same for Fort, but more importantly, the student body needs to want it. I know Fort’s students and staff will embrace this movement! For further information or for questions, feel free to reach out to me at jennifer.delgadillo@ vansd.org.”
MEChA hosts Hispanic Heritage Assembly
Written by Cristina Martin
THE ASSEMBLY COINCIDED WITH THE START OF HISPANIC HERITAGE
On October 10th we had a cultural assembly to honor Hispanic Heritage Month. Celebrated from September 15 to October 15, Hispanic heritage month is a time to honor the histories, cultures, and contributions of Hispanic and Latino Americans. During this month, various events and activities are held to celebrate the rich cultural heritage, including music, dance, art, food from different Hispanic cultures, and this assembly. MEChA played a significant role in this assembly by organizing events that highlight the importance of Hispanic heritage. These events might include educational workshops, cultural performances, guest speakers, and community service projects. MEChA’s involvement helps to ensure that the contributions of Hispanic and Latino communities are recognized and celebrated, while also promoting awareness and understanding of the issues these communities face. Through these activities, MEChA aims to foster a sense of pride and unity among Hispanic students and the broader community.
Hispanic Heritage month has rich origins, it began as only Hispanic Heritage Week in 1968 under President Lyndon Johnson and was expanded to a month by President Ronald Reagan in 1988. There is importance in the date of Hispanic Heritage month. The celebration starts on September 15, which is the anniversary of independence for five Latin American countries: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. Additionally, Mexico celebrates its independence on September 16, and Chile on September 18. Throughout the month, various events are held, including festivals, art exhibitions, educational activities, and community gatherings. These events highlight the rich and diverse cultures of Hispanic and Latino Americans. Hispanic Heritage Month is a time to acknowledge the significant contributions of Hispanic Americans in various fields such as politics, science, arts, sports, and more. Schools like Fort Vancouver High School often use this month to teach students about Hispanic history, culture, and notable figures.
What is trick roping? The art of lassoing is deeply rooted in Mexican culture and is a significant part of the charro tradition, which dates back to the Spanish colonial period. Charros were skilled horsemen and cattle handlers, and their lasso skills were essential for working on ranches. There are numerous lasso tricks, ranging from basic to highly complex. Some common tricks including Floreo,This involves spinning the lasso in various patterns, such as circles, figure-eights, and loops. El Caballito, the lasso is spun around the performer’s body while they ride a horse. Lasty, La Mariposa, the lasso is spun overhead in a butterfly-like motion. Many skills are required to master the art of trick roping. Mastering lasso tricks requires a high level of dexterity, coordination, and practice. Performers must be able to control the lasso precisely and execute complex movements smoothly. Lasso tricks are not only a form of entertainment but also a way to preserve and celebrate Mexican heritage. They are a symbol of the charro’s skill and bravery and are an important part of Mexico’s cultural identity.
The stunning dynamic of Baile Folclorico Mexicano - Each region of Mexico
has its own unique style of folkloric dance. For example, the Jarabe Tapatío (Mexican Hat Dance) is from Jalisco, while the Danza de los Viejitos (Dance of the Little Old Men) comes from Michoacán. The traditional attire is an essential part of the performance and often reflects the traditional attire of the region. Women typically wear colorful, flowing dresses with ribbons and lace, while men might wear charro suits or other regional outfits, while both have bright colored ribbons or bandanas while performing, being used as an instrument throughout the performance. The music for Baile folklórico is often performed by live bands, while in our assembly it was pre recorded. This includes mariachi, marimba, or other traditional Mexican ensembles. The music is upbeat and rhythmic, complementing the energetic dance movements. Baile folklórico is more than just a dance; it’s a way to preserve and celebrate Mexican heritage and history. Each dance tells a story or represents an aspect of Mexican culture, from historical events to everyday life.
For Baile Folklórico, the members who performed this dance included Marcos Yoko Lopez, Anthony Loera, Hara Lopez, Emely Encarnacion, Brianna Reyes Garduno, Melina Rojas, Nataly Garcia, and Dana Bautista. Here’s a statement from the group describing the dance.
“Sones Juegos y Chilenas de Santiago Pinotepa Nacional” is the name of the Dance performed coming from the pacific coast of Oaxaca de Juárez, Mexico. This dance has different meanings. At the beginning the dancers first announce that they have already arrived. The first song comes on and the dancers start dancing, shaking a Bandana that symbolizes greeting the audience. After this one of the dancers delights us with a poem. Right after, “Son Pinotepa” starts playing. This first dance represents the love between two lovers. With moving a Bandana as a symbol of flirting, making crosses to end with the Zapateado of the men symbolizing the emotion of getting their loved one. Quickly the “Son Julia” starts playing, meaning that finally they are together. The “Son Rumbero” also comes on, referring to the party and joy that exists in that place. Finally the dance closes with “La Malaguena Curreña” and again shaking the bandanas but now saying goodbye to their audience.”
The new and upcoming band Estilo 360, who also performed at the assembly, is composed of Jorge Plascencia the singer/bass player, Vicente Fabián Piz Arriola the requinto/lead guitar, and Adrian Bastian Ávila the armonía/harmony. “Somos Estilo 360, somos un grupo nuevo con muchas metas por delante, estamos trabajando en este proyecto para todos ustedes, espero que nos apoyen en todo esto. Que es el inicio de algo grande . Nosotros somos Estilo 360”
Here are various personal statements from all of the MEChA officers who helped make this assembly happen. Here is a message from Francisco Valencia, who is a MEChA officer this year. “What MECHA means to me is Family Connection Community And Forward Movement. But first what does MECHA stand for? MECHA for me Stands for the unity of our people and cultures coming together while working together towards making our world a better place. Starting with a group of people who are dedicated, kind, hard working, and filled with lots of heart rendering them unstoppable. Who through MECHA club and our amazing advisors and help from the amazing people from Latino Leadership North West. Have the opportunity to create their own community within the school’s walls and make connections through fun cultural school/community events we get to throw. By having the opportunity to organize and run our own events and help run bigger citywide events we get to develop a range of important life and professional skills such as. Social networking skills, leadership skills, time management, meeting deadlines, collaboration skills, how to have professionalism in varinning situations, and many more skills that have majorly impacted my life, MECHA members’ life and all of those of whom we as MECHISTAS have been able to positively impact. Families and countless people in our community who are now doing amazing thanks to the college and career opportunities and programs that through mecha have been able to reach and continue down an opportunity filled path. MECHA has impacted my life in countless ways, through MECHA I have grown into a better person that helps spread positivity, encouragement, and God’s love through all my actions.”
Here is a personal statement from another MEChA officer, Daniela Palafox Sierra. “My name is Daniela Palafox and I am a junior and I play tennis and Folklorico. I’ve been in MEChA for three years in total and what i enjoyed about it is when I was a mechista, it was fun for me because I felt welcomed and got to meet new people and the staff there and they also gave me a lot of volunteer experiences. I’m very thankful for being an officer because my friends were officers and I wanted to make MEChA stronger and better than it already was and it could not be possible without Mrs. Rivard and Ms. Pirrone and our friends from LLNW and an amazing lady named Ms. Ana. They have helped us a lot, I’m beyond grateful for these amazing staff. MEChA is important to me because I like to bring my community together and have fun and welcome people to join and get to know each other’s different backgrounds and know who they are.”
Here is a statement from Britally Guzman Gomez, a veteran MEChA member. “Hello I’m Britally Gomez Guzman and I’m going to tell you what the importance of MEChA is to me. Since freshman year I have been involved with MEChA. I loved watching all the officers, because they always showed a sense of leadership. The first time I had gone to a MEChA meeting I was hit with a wave of comfort and excitement because I wanted to see what they had planned for us. Now that I’m an officer I can say that it’s not easy to be an officer. I struggle with keeping up with everything and I have been missing out on our meetings due to being sick. I want to put my all into this club. I want to have an impact on our students, but more importantly I want to give off that comforting energy the way the officers before me gave off.”
Ximena Guillen, a MEChA senior officer. “My name is Ximena Guillen. I am a senior as well as one of the executive officers for MEChA. As an officer it is my duty and responsibility to make sure that our club is welcoming towards everyone and helps others learn more about latinx culture. I love working with the other officers in ensuring that our great experiences with MEChA live on and continue to spread even after we graduate. MEChA is important to me because I love being a part of something that allows me to connect with others not only inside but outside the community.”
And finally a message from the MEChA representative! “I have been lucky enough to be one of the advisors for MEChA since 2014, when a group of students at Fort started the club. Ms. Pirrone has been the co-advisor for at least the past 8 years. Every year, it is so amazing to witness a group of young leaders run events like the Hispanic Heritage Assembly, the Dia de los Muertos Baile (which will be November 8th), and the annual Car Show and scholarship fundraiser in the spring. I am always amazed and inspired by the amazing events and opportunities that MEChA students provide for the Fort community!”
Follow the Arrows
Written by Natalie Martin
The student parking lot contains painted arrows which show drivers the directions in which the parking lot should be navigated. These arrows aid in reducing congestion, as they direct the flow of traffic. Related safety concerns are further lessened with these markers in place. Most people do not follow these arrows, and because of this it results in conflicts, possible collisions, and people getting hurt. At our school it has been noted multiple times that the faculty takes the students’ and staffs’ safety seriously. Although they do very well with staying true to this statement, our concerns with the safety of the student parking lot are not taken as seriously.
Student experiences
With students that I have spoken with, they have stated that when they are driving to their parking spot in the correct direction the arrows point, not all people abide by driving the correct direction as well. This is a problem for the student drivers because this ultimately makes it harder to get to where they are going safely, as well as possibly causing a conflict or a collision between them and the other driver.
Safety of people
People who are ignoring the arrows on the road in the student parking lot are not only endangering themselves but also students, staff, visitors, or people picking up students. With these people not following the directions it could make conflicts between people and make cars become backed up, this is a safety concern as collisions can occur, and traffic can prevent people from leaving and entering in a timely manner.
Cars backed up
When cars get backed up the people inside their cars could become frustrated for multiple reasons. One of those reasons being that, that person would ultimately possibly be late to their class, or desired destination. Something that the school staff and administrators are trying to deal with, so people are more safe and less likely to start commotion that the administrators will have to eventually deal with.
Repaint Pros and Cons
If the arrows in the student parking lot were to be repainted there would be pros and cons. Pros would be that the conflict between which is the right direction to drive would be cleared in some cases and it will be safer for student drivers and students. Cons of this repaint would be people not adjusting to the proper arrow directions. In conclusion though, people ignoring the arrow’s directions make it unsafe for themselves and the student drivers and should be dealt with.
Is being 1A Helping or
HURTING US?
By Christian Golden
This year, Fort has chosen to step down a league ranking from 2A to 1A. Before, this was only for our Football team which would face 1A teams while the rest of our sports would face 2A teams. But this changed after the WIAA, the group that deals with school classifications, accepted Fort’s appeal to be put down in another league. It’s been only 4 years since our last demotion in 2020 we went from being a 3A school to 2A. These shifts in league ranking have been coming at a very rapid pace but they follow a system.
These rankings of schools aren’t based on performance but instead on our population of 9 to 11th graders after being adjusted for the economic situation of our students. But with an adjusted
population of 840 students, we were at the upper end of the 2A category which maxes out at 900 students. Now in 1A, we nearly double the 2nd largest school in the 1A league with a population of 440 students. The schools our athletic teams will now face are the likes of Castle Rock, Columbia (not Columbia River), King’s Way Christian, La Center, Seton Catholic, and Stevenson.
ºu r sports teams will probably have an easier time in matches now. Some of our sports such as Football have had a difficult time facing schools of equal sizes which is why changes like these can help them. But this has the side effect of potentially giving our more competitive teams one-sided matches. The teams we now play against have a much higher travel time, with some examples being Columbia, Castle Rock, and Stevesonan hour ETA. It’s going to be more difficult for both athletes and viewers alike to watch our games and have an interest in the rivalries of teams.
I think the benefit some of our teams get while playing more competitive matches isn’t a benefit for all of our sports. As a tennis player for Fort, I have firsthand experience with the downsides of being brought down to the 1A league. To have competitive matches our tennis team still faces 2A teams for weekly matches but our sub-district match is against the 1A teams. The difficulty can be attributed to us playing as guests to that league and have the number of players we can bring to the tournament limited from 9 to 5. This came as a surprise to both the players and coaches and meant that we had to cut off players who normally would have gone to sub-districts to end their season early.
I understand the difficulties our school faces in other sports, and the reason for being put into 1A, but wish there were better ways that wouldn’t hurt some of our other sports as well.
NEWCLUBS
Rep:
Jennifer Delgadillo
Unified Club
“Fort Vancouver High School is building their Unified opportunities through Unified Sports, a Unified Club, and Whole School Engagement activities. This year, Fort has started a Unified Club which meets on Thursdays during 2nd lunch for now. Fort’s Unified Club is where students with and without developmental disabilities plan, organize, and participate in inclusive activities.”
Anime Club
“Anime club meets on Thursdays after school from 3:15 to 4pm in room 116. “While we watch anime, many club members also draw or work on homework. I, Pirrone, am the advisor and Vanessa Snyder is the club president. To join, just come by one Thursday after school and we will welcome you in!”
Asian Student Union
“ASU stands for Asian Student Union, a club bringing awareness and understanding of Asian American culture. As well as providing a space for Asian American students at Fort to grow with another and give support. ASU is represented by Ms. Pauer. On the leadership board there are 5 students Mike, Ada, Julia, Amy, and Phoenix. ASU president is Mike and their vice president is Ada. The club meets every Thursday at 3:15 to 4:15 in room 245. Students from all different backgrounds are welcome.”
Green Team Club
“The Green Team club is every Thursday after school. “Our club is dedicated to promoting environmental sustainability and awareness within our community! Our mission is to reduce waste, reserve resources, share opportunities, and educate others about the importance of recycling and ecofriendly practices. By working together we aim to positively impact the environment and inspire others to adopt greener habits.”
Rep: Ashley Pirrone
Rep: Jennifer Fay
Rep: Jenine-Jo Pauer
Rep: Ben Jatos Writers Club
Writer’s Club will be a community of people (both students and teachers are welcome) who enjoy writing as well as working together to improve each other’s writing. Ultimately, we’d like to get our writing published. We’ll meet Thursdays after school in Room 120.
Here’s a word from the rep! “Ben Jatos (me) has taught English for 32 years, had numerous essays and poems published, wrote an education column for Portland Monthly for a year, and loves to help people discover and hone their authentic voice.”
“Fort Vancouver Film Club (FVFC) aims to unite students who share a passion for film and media. FVFC is located in the West Forum, and meets on Tuesdays at 3:30 pm. All students are welcome, with no experience necessary. “The purpose of the FVFC is to bring together students with an interest in film and media to explore and appreciate cinematic works of high critical acclaim, cultural/historical significance, or popular demand while building community with classmates of similar taste. ”The club fosters a sense of community among classmates with similar interests and offers a platform for creative expression and critical discussion.”
By Cristina Martin And Leila Folsom
There
are numerous clubs joining Fort this year! Make sure to swing by any clubs you are interested in, as well as contact any reps for information.
New Clubs At Fort
Rep: Davic Zilban Film Club
For this month’s recipe, I thought you guys would like to try a sweet but savory pumpkin roll with filling. It’s the perfect vibe to sit back watching halloween movies cuddled up in a blanket and eat. It’s simple and easy! Here is the recipe by Samantha Seneviratne!
This recipe serves 8 people and only takes 50 minutes, minus cooling time!
INGREDIENTS - FOR THE CAKE
• Unsalted butter, for greasing
• 1½ cups / 192 grams all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 cup / 240 grams canned pumpkin purée
• 3 large eggs
• ¾ cup / 150 grams granulated sugar
• ½ cup / 110 grams packed dark brown sugar
2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
• Confectioners’ sugar, for dusting
INGREDIENTS - FOR THE FILLING
• 12 tablespoons / 170 grams unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 1½ cups / 180 grams confectioners’ sugar
• 3 tablespoons / 45 milliliters heavy cream
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt
PREPARATION
Step 1: Heat the oven to 350 degrees. Butter a 13-by-18-inch rimmed baking sheet. Line it with parchment paper, then butter the parchment.
Step 2: Prepare the cake: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda and salt. In a large bowl, whisk together the pumpkin purée, eggs, granulated sugar, brown sugar, vanilla extract and vinegar until smooth. Fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, whisking gently if needed to eliminate any lumps.
Step 3: Spread the batter onto the prepared sheet in an even layer. (It won’t look very thick.) Bake until the cake is puffed, set and springs back when pressed gently in the center, 12 to 15 minutes.
Step 4: Meanwhile, set a clean dish towel on a work surface. Dust with confectioners’ sugar until evenly coated.
Step 5: Remove the cake from the oven and use a paring knife to loosen it from the
edges. Immediately flip the cake out onto the prepared towel and peel off the parchment paper. Starting from one of the short edges of the towel, roll the cake and towel up into a spiral, taking care not to compress the cake. Transfer the towel-wrapped cake to a rack to cool completely, about 1 hour.
Step 6: Meanwhile, make the filling: In a large bowl, beat the butter and confectioners’ sugar with an electric mixer on low speed until combined. Using a rubber spatula, scrape down the side of the bowl, then beat on medium-high until very light and fluffy, about 4 minutes. The mixture will lighten in color and become glossy. Beat in the cream, vanilla and salt.
Step 7: Carefully unroll the cooled cake. Spread the filling evenly over the cake and then roll it back up without the dish towel. Trim about 1 inch from each end of the cake. Transfer to a serving plate, dust with confectioners’ sugar, if using, and serve immediately.
(You can also make the cake in advance and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours. If doing so, wait to dust with confectioners’ sugar until ready to serve.)