My name is Brooke Anderson, and I am currently the new head-editor of the Bruin. This is my first official issue of the Bruin as editor, and I am so grateful to the team we have here at the Bruin. They have been incredibly helpful and have made this transition simple. I am also happy to announce our new co-editor, sophomore Molly Gribskov. Molly has shown incredible commitment and dedication to the Bruin. In this issue you will find lots of new exciting things, such as MHS’s first Unifed Prom and new budget cuts. You will also find an interview with Poetry Club advisor, Mr. Laws, and an overview of the Doernbecher club’s biggest event: Mission Mac High. We say goodbye to so many seniors here at the Bruin, with special goodbye messages on the What’s Bruin page. We’re so proud of all our seniors. We will miss you, and are excited to see what’s next for you. I would like to say thank you to previous head editor Sean Gerbrandt for leaving the Bruin in such good shape. It has been a pleasure working with him all year. I would also like to give a huge shoutout to our Bruin advisor, Doc Savage. Without her, the Bruin would not be possible.
---Brooke
Anderson
AT A GLANCE... QUOTE
DAYS UNTIL SUMMER BREAK: 26 MOLLY GRIBSKOV, PAGE 4
Story ideas? Ad requests? Letter to the Editor? CONTACT ME: brooklynn.anderson@msd.oregonk-12.net
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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Letters should be limited to 200 words and may be subject to editing for libelous and/ or obscene content as well as length. All letters must be signed and names will be published. Submission of material is not a guarantee of publication. Letters may be dropped off in Room B123 or mailed to The Bruin, McMinnville High School, 615 E. 15th St., McMinnville, OR 97128.
BRUIN MAGAZINE since 1918
The Bruin Magazine is part of the Moondance Media Group created in 2020 and housed at McMinnville High School in the Media Lab. Moondance also produces Bear Claw Broadcast, The Mac, & The Roar Podcast.
EDITORIAL BOARD
Editor BROOKE ANDERSON
Co-Editor MOLLY GRIBSKOV
News SEAN GERBRANDT
Features BROOKE ANDERSON
Opinions FLETCHER JOHNSON
Sports RIO GYENES
Entertainment CARTER ABERNATHY
What’s Bruin MOLLY GRIBSKOV
REPORTERS AND PHOTOGRAPHERS
BROOKE ANDERSON
CARTER ABERNATHY
CHARLES BALUN
DAUNTE MANDUJANO
NARVESON
FLETCHER JOHNSON
HENRY SEEHAWER
KAIDEN LEE
MOLLY GRIBSKOV
RIO GYENES
RUBY RIDDLE
SCOUT JONES
SEAN GERBRANDT
Advisor
KERRIE SAVAGE
BROOKE ANDERSON
BUDGET CUTS ARE COMING TO MHS
WRITTEN BY: MOLLY GRIBSKOV, WITH PHOTOS FROM: WASHINGTON POST, BRIAN
For the upcoming 2025-2026 school year, McMinnville School District will be experiencing a multitude of changes. One of the aforementioned changes will come in the form of budget cuts, as McMinnville School District is set to be in a 3 to 6 million budget shortfall over the next two years. In the end, as stated by McMinnville High School’s principal, Dave Furman, the budget deficit will be closer to the 3 million range for next school year. McMinnville School District’s budget will be officially finalized in the coming months, but the aforementioned range is the current estimation. In order to lessen the impact of the over 3 million monetary deficit, district wide budget cuts are impending. These budget cuts may come in various forms, such as the reduction of staff, and programs. Nevertheless, one of Furman’s main priorities when taking, or proposing action to reduce the district’s deficit are the pathway classes at McMinnville High School. Furman intends to keep budget cuts away from classrooms as much as possible, meaning that students will realistically not see several impacts in the coming year. However, small classes will realistically be eliminated in the coming year, and combined with another class of a similar level. Teachers will be significantly more affected by the budget cuts than students, due to proposed reductions in classified staff members. While the monetary deficit for the 2025-2026 school year is momentous, it will realistically increase in the following school year, leading to more severe budget cuts in the future. In addition to McMinnville School District’s financial crisis, the district will be experiencing a large change in leadership. On April 14, McMinnville School District held a board meeting, where through a 5-2 majority vote, they ultimately voted to terminate the contract of superintendent Debbie Brockett through a vote of no confidence. In essence, by utilizing a vote of no confidence, the majority of McMinnville School
MATIS AND PENCE CONSTRUCTION
District’s board is stating that they no longer support the policies of Debbie Brockett. The five members that supported the removal of Brockett were Larry Vollmer, Doris Towery, Christine Bader, Gerardo Partida, and LuAnn Anderson. On the contrary, the chairman of the school board, Jason Bizon, along with Abbie Warmbier, opposed firing Brockett. Debbie Brockett will remain on leave until her tenure as superintendent officially ends on June 30th. In her absence, Brockett chose McMinnville School District’s director of human resources, Steffanie Frost, as acting superintendent. Brockett will not leave McMinnville School District without reparations, as the district is set to pay Brockett her full salary, along with health insurance through the upcoming 2025-2026 school year. With budget cuts on the horizon and leadership changes currently occurring, the future of McMinnville School District, and the schools within it, is uncertain.
THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
GETS A NEW SECRETARY
WRITTEN BY RIO GYENES, PHOTO FROM WIKIMEDIA
Donald Trump recently announced on March 3, 2025, the new Department of Education secretary, Linda McMahon for his current second presidential term. As it is widely known, Donald Trump has been discussing as one of his significant promises, that part of his presidential campaign is to “dismantle” the Department of Education. Despite this, polls generally say that the majority of citizens do not massively agree with the idea of removing the department. Polls published by Quinnipiac University showcase that the majority of Americans (60%) disapprove of wiping out the department, with most Democrats, Independents, and Republican groups overall opposing it at the polls. It has become a main point of worry for citizens about Trump and McMahon’s goal for the department. To the relief of most, it is not possible without Congress’s approval to abolish the entire education department. McMahon has a background of a bachelor’s degree in French and pursued a multitude of jobs in her career by serving on the Connecticut State Board of Education and the Board of Trustees at Sacred Heart University. In her former campaign for the 2010 senate, McMahon partly highlighted her commitment to education and support for teacher autonomy and job-focused learning. Apart from education, McMahon had a career centered in business for a large part of her career as she stepped down in 2019 as CEO and co-owner of WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment). McMahon was included in the U.S. small business administration from 2017 to 2019
during President Trump’s first original term. Her past career has been mentioned a lot by critics and worried citizens who show concern about her lack of qualifications for being the head of the education department. The reason mostly is that McMahon never received a degree in education and has never been in a traditional environment of teaching. Meanwhile, the Department of Education speaks out about her business career past as, “...decades of experience as a job creator and advocate for expanding educational opportunities…” Fulfilling the alliance of President Trump’s and McMahon’s goals, the Department of Education has quickly already begun undergoing layoffs of 50% of its workforce. Along with the fast changes in US education, schools have been sent the February 14th memo also called the dear colleague letter, which informs schools two weeks to put a stop to any practice that contains any discriminatory, diversity, equity and inclusive practices or else they risk losing federal funding as a school. DEI programs are mainly seen as important programs that help promote diverse perspectives and eliminate any racial bias. A national teacher union, the American Federation of Teachers, sued in return for the memo, stating the memo violates the First and Fifth Amendments. As many changes like this will continue to happen to American education, Pell Grants and Title 1 funding will be “preserved” from federal funding cuts. 2025 and 2026 might become a year of history and major changes for education in the United States.
OREGON SUICIDE
AWARENESS DAY
WRITTEN BY BROOKE ANDERSON, WITH PHOTO FROM MOMENTUM HOPE
The House recently approved legislation designating October 9th as Youth Suicide Awareness Day in Oregon with a unanimous vote of 56:0. This initiative was first introduced by McMinnville’s newly appointed Mayor, Kim Morris. The aim is to raise awareness about an issue that often seems taboo and provide support and assistance to teenagers, children, and families in need. State representative Lucetta Elmer, when announcing the unanimous pass in the House, said, “This is a bill born out of heartbreak— and out of hope. It speaks to one of the most devastating and urgent issues facing our state: the mental health crisis among our youth and the tragic rise in suicide”. Then later also said, “Oregon Youth Suicide Awareness Day will serve as an annual opportunity to educate our communities, recognize warning signs, reduce stigma, and connect young people to professional mental health support. It will foster compassion, open life-saving conversations, and strengthen
early intervention before it’s too late.”
October 9th will now be recognized as Youth Suicide Awareness Day, but that does not mean the acknowledgment of the mental health crisis among young people is not present every day. If you or someone you know is struggling, don’t be afraid to reach out.
Support lines include
Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: 988
Crisis text Line: Text HOME to 741741
The Trevor Project: thetrevorproject.org
THE MHS UNIFIED PROM
WRITTEN BY
BROOKE
ANDERSON, WITH PHOTOS FROM JULIN STEPHENS AND AUBREY LYNCH
Spring means prom season is here. On April 26th, Evergreen Museum hosted McMinnville High School’s Prom. It was a huge event, with even bigger dresses. The theme was Floating Lights, taken with inspiration from the Disney movie, Tangled, which was voted on by the senior student body. The event included lots of good music, food, and good times. Mac High also put on their first Unified Prom. Unified Prom was held in the field house that included life skills students, life skills peer leaders, and other students who wanted to attend. While prom is availbe to everyone this was an option for a smaller and more familiar space for students. Unified Prom was first presented by student and life skills peer leader Stephanie Fuchs. Which then after discussions with Ms. Bertolo, lots of hard work and planning, the idea came to life. The event was held during school, with all hands on deck. With people decorating, doing hair and makeup, and of course making sure it was so much fun. Prom is one of the most memorable moments in any high school student’s life, and it’s safe to say that this year was no different.
Exploring the Future of Beauty: New Cosmetology
Pathway
Story By: Ruby Riddle
Photos From: Wikimedia
The new and exciting cosmetology pathway is here. This has been awaited by students for a long time coming. Callie Cechovic is the head of this pathway and for now is the only teacher. Although, she plans to bring in volunteers, speakers, and business owners to speak to the kids and share experience and wisdom. Cechovic says "The program will offer high school students a comprehensive introduction to various careers in the beauty industry, including hair design, nail technology, barbering, and esthetics. There will be a blend of handson training and theoretical learning.'' Students have so much to look forward to for these new and exciting opportunities. Especially the incoming freshman who now have a broader variety of preparation classes for job careers available to them. Cechovic says the pathway will include “Intro to Cosmetology 1 (.5 credit): Foundational skills in haircutting, barbering, and styling. Intro to Cosmetology 2 (.5 credit): Foundational skills and techniques in nail care, skincare, and beauty treatments. Lab 1-3 (1 credit each): Students will select a focus area for their lab work and will receive theory instruction, instructor demonstrations, and supervised hands-on practice. They will also accumulate hours towards competency requirements in the selected discipline. Internship (.5): Students who have successfully completed the intro courses and one semester of competency in a lab can apply to an internship. This could allow for an internship placement, job shadow rotation within a local business, or serving the community with in-house services in the campus salon.” These classes will be held out of McMinnville High School's Adams Campus. Cechovic says she is looking forward to the connections with the students and helping them grow and fall in love with the wonders of the cosmetology industry. She has 15 years of cosmetic experience and is excited to pass down her wisdom to the younger generation. So next year look for Cechovic at Adams Campus working her magic and teaching the future generation of hairdressers, nail and lash technicians, and estheticians.
THE MHS REPORT CARD
The Bruin is a forum for public debate. Bruin staff after each issue meet and discuss topics of the school and their opinions. All grading was voted on and unanimously agreed upon by the Bruin staff.
AASB Elections
During the last weeks of April, students campaigned for spots on ASB’s executive board. The student body voted and the winners were: Cameron Hyder and Ben McKay as co-presidents, Oscar Marksbury Page as treasurer, Emma Laron as secretary, Axel Arellano as Social Media Manager, and finally Griffin Rich as School Spirit.
BBathroom Doors are Back
After a long-awaited arrival, the bathroom doors (specifically near D hall) are back. This happened back in late March, and is a huge success for the students at MHS.
C
State Testing
Also, earlier this spring, there was state testing. While seniors did not have to experience this long and dreadful week, the rest of the student body did. Snacks and fidgets were provided for students during the test. Students worked very hard during the week.
DAP Testing
May is the season for AP Tests. The most stressful times for AP students. Testing lasts 2 weeks and is down in the fieldhouse. Our students are hard workers and rocked those AP tests, but it is still a stressful and anxiety-ridden time for most.
FSlow Walkers
Being slowed down by slow walkers in the hall are some of people’s biggest pet peeves, and MHS has a big problem with it. Bring back hallway etiquette.
Getting Involved with Natural Resources
Story by: Daunte Mandujano Narveson
FNRL stands for Future Natural Resource Leaders. The student leadership organization operates as a non-profit. It places primary focus on instruction for students and help for teachers with a focus in forestry. This is mainly within Oregon. It gives possibilities for experience-based education, leadership growth, and career investigation in resource sectors. Partial funding comes from the Oregon Department of Education. Currently FNRL is trying to expand to neighboring states that have similar programs as the ones in Oregon. On Friday, April 18th, FNRL held its annual state convention at the College of Forestry located at Oregon State University in Corvallis. The event was started off by Executive Director Rex Lowther, who welcomed participants with a speech outlining the goals of FNRL and the structure of the day. The convention drew in around 30 schools from across the state, all of which had students participating in a variety of hands-on competitions and educational activities. One of the stations was wildlife identification where we had to name and describe facts about various species in the Pacific Northwest. There were about 15 animals to identify, some contestants gave the latin name. Another station was tree identification where all competitors had to do was try to identify the tree based on a branch cutting. This station was put together last minute. There weren't tree cuttings to begin with or an answer key. There was a demonstration speech station where a judge was there to evaluate the students ability to demonstrate or explain entry-level skills used in forestry and natural resources. For this station students needed to dress professionally for the demonstration. There was another station that required formal wear: the mock job interview. This station is to evaluate the contestants' understanding of employment procedures that they would face in applying for positions in the occupational fields of forestry and natural resources.
Just around the corner was a first aid station to test the ability of a two student team on performing first aid procedures on a simulated injury. For this station competitors needed to wear long pants and closed toe shoes. Along with these there was a map reading station where the student was tested on their ability on reading and using maps in forestry and other natural resources occupations. Lastly, there was tool identification, where the student was tested on their ability to properly identify tools used in the forestry occupations. Students could generally move freely; they selected stations where they wanted to take part. The convention displayed art made by students. A virtual reality station let attendees explore forestry career simulations. Such additions provided an interactive, creative aspect to the affair, appealing to diverse interests. The FNRL state convention offered a helpful experience for students interested in these career fields. Students could explore possible career routes and build practical skills, along with connecting with people who have shared interests in natural resources.
What Is Poetry Club?
A spotlight on Poetry Club: An interview with Poetry Club advisor Mr. Laws
Story By: Carter Abernathy
Photos By: Brooke Anderson
Poetry has always been a great way for people to express themselves, to put their work out there, and just to convey whatever they wish. Which brings us to the Poetry Club, the school’s main outlet for sharing poetry, advised by Mr. Laws, whom I decided to interview to get more information about this popular club. Keep reading, Grizzlies.
The Bruin: What is the Poetry Club all about?
Mr. Laws: The Poetry Club’s mission statement is that it is a place that allows for the nurturing of young writers and allows for everyone’s voice to be heard. The goal when starting it was just to give a place for creatives at MHS to express themselves. There’s very few writing lenses to do that - you’ll get theatre and whatnot, but actively creating pieces of writing, poetry, music, whatever, and having a chance to practice and get feedback, and get advice from people who have done it more than you - that is a very specific thing. The club is just about having those young kids grow and find a space where they can thrive with other like-minded individuals.
The Bruin: How does this allow them to express themselves?
Mr. Laws: By creating a really safe environment. I feel like kids especially, but anybody really, if they don’t feel safe enough to express themselves they’re not going to express themselves. So the first thing we do is make sure that everybody feels comfortable with each other. So we get to know each other, we do all kinds of stuff: games, and routines, and check-ins for how the week is going for each other, which allows everyone to get to know each other. And once we have a sense of familiarity, there’s an opportunity for sharing, so we create the opportunity for people to share with a larger group and get feedback...it gives them a chance to do so on a larger scale and be seen. Like I feel like I’ve met so many young kids that I would’ve never guessed that they would’ve been the artist that they are in some way and by giving them a space to do so allows them to just…bloom, for a lack of a better word.
The Bruin: What is something that you wish people knew more about poetry club?
Mr. Laws: I wish people knew that it’s not for a select few. Oftentimes when it comes to writing, we think, “Oh I can’t do that, that’s not for me. That’s not my type, I would not be welcomed, that’s not my environment.” But it really is genuinely for everyone. All levels, all types of backgrounds, all different things. My hope is that there is no stigma of “only certain types of people can be in this club,” whether it be whatever it is. My hope is that anybody can.
The Bruin: Is there anything else you want to mention about Poetry club?
Mr. Laws: Yeah, we have a lot coming up. One thing we are going to start doing is lunch meetings. We meet every Thursday from 3:30 to 5:30 in my room, A107. And we feel that sometimes that's an inhibitor for kids who want to come sometimes, but can’t, because after school is hard, right? So we want to try and make it more open... Obviously all of our open mics in the food court. Then we have our May 30, that's our big celebration. We’ll say goodbye to seniors; we’ll do the awards, do our final performances...I'm excited for the future of this club and where it's going. I'm very lucky to get to work with a lot of really great students, like our president Jordan Reed, our Vice President Aurora Blankenship our social media manager Mikhailo Cruz, our secretary Jaycen Wheeler, and our treasurer Liam French all help me create this beautiful space for students, so I'm really excited for the stuff we have coming up, and it's gonna be some good stuff.
THE WINNER TAKES IT ALL AT MISSION MAC HIGH
Doernbecher club’s biggest event of the year: Winners, Donations, and Interviews Photos courtesy of: Natalie Lai
On the evening of April 17, the Mission Mac High pageant “Here We Go Again” lit up the stage of the McMinnville Community Center with more than just talent—it showcased the compassion and community spirit of McMinnville High School students. Hosted annually by the Doernbecher Club, and led by advisors Lucy Bertolo and Dani “Potts” Potter, their biggest fundraiser of the year brings together students who compete in a fun and spirited contest filled with dancing, comedy skits, and interviews, all with one goal in mind: raising funds for Doernbecher Children’s Hospital. The energy was electric as students, staff, families, and community members came together to support a cause that touches countless lives across Oregon. While everyone comes away from the event feeling like a winner, Stephanie Fuchs earned the crown and title of Ms. Mac High. She said, “The most fun and memorable part of Mission Mac High for me would be show week and getting to be with all my friends that I have worked all year with and getting to watch the show all come together. Seeing all your hard work and everyone else's work in person gets real during show night. All your nerves and fears just turn into fun.” Stephanie added that the most challenging thing was raising the money. She made over 1,000 cake pops which took weeks. She said, “Also the amount of effort that you have to put in behind the scenes is a big workload.”
Behind the spotlight, the mission of the pageant is clear— making a meaningful impact beyond our school walls. Every dollar raised during Mission Mac High goes directly to Doernbecher Children’s Hospital, helping provide care and support for children and their families. This year the club raised nearly $19,000 and they still have at least one more fundraiser this year. This is a longstanding MHS tradition that celebrates not only the incredible talents of our students, but also the power of giving back. Advisor Lucy Bertolo commented, “My biggest takeaway from being the Doernbecher Advisor is that the community loves to rally around this cause, and I wish more people could see how much the kids truthfully run Doernbecher Club and donate their time, energy and mental load for such a great place. So many of our students seem to be directly related to the hospital or just one person away, we are lucky to be able to give back to a place that does so much for us. My biggest challenge is time, now that I am doing Sources of Strength I have not been able to dedicate as much time as I previously could to Doernbecher. This year was my grand finale, I will be passing the club off to a new advisor next year.”
Misson Mac High Directors: Sabrina Lobatos, Lila Primozich, Gianella Contreras and Natalie Lai, pictured on the MMH set.
Contestants and Crew of MMH at McMinnville’s Community Center where MMH was held.
THE AGE OF REPTILES
STORY BY CHARLES BALUN AND PHOTO BY CREATIVE COMMONS
The Jurassic Park and Jurassic World franchise is easily one of the most popular franchises around the world, and it’s pretty evident as to why. It’s the only franchise in modern films highlighting how humans will handle dinosaurs being brought back into the modern world after millions of years. This concept has resonated with people worldwide, and it shows at the box office where each film has managed to make at least a billion dollars. Recently, however, the franchise has taken a bit of a dip in quality. What once was revolutionary cinema with an underlining warning of science and technology going too far has instead shifted into average action films with no deeper meaning.
The newest edition to the franchise, Jurassic World Rebirth, looks to go back to basics by bringing back the writer of the first two films David Koepp, and bringing in popular film director Gareth Edwards who has directed films such as The Creator, Star Wars: Rogue One, and Godzilla. Steven Spielberg, who directed the first two films, returns as executive producer to keep the film in check. And, for those who care about scientifically informed dinosaur designs, Steve Brussate has returned as the paleontological consultant to blend the Jurassic Park style to modern depictions of dinosaurs. The trailer that dropped a month ago gives the audience a look into what will be happening in the film as well as revealing something rather surprising for fans of the franchise.
*SPOILERS BELOW*
According to Universal Studios, the plot of the film is as follows, “Five years after the events of Jurassic World Dominion, the planet’s ecology has proven largely inhospitable to dinosaurs. Those remaining exist in isolated equatorial environments with climates resembling the one in which they once thrived. The
three most colossal creatures across land, sea and air within that tropical biosphere hold, in their DNA, the key to a drug that will bring miraculous life-saving benefits to humankind. Academy Award nominee Scarlett Johansson plays skilled covert operations expert Zora Bennett, contracted to lead a skilled team on a top-secret mission to secure the genetic material. When Zora’s operation intersects with a civilian family whose boating expedition was capsized by marauding aquatic dinos, they all find themselves stranded on a forbidden island that had once housed an undisclosed research facility for Jurassic Park. There, in a terrain populated by dinosaurs of vastly different species, they come face-to-face with a sinister, shocking discovery that has been hidden from the world for decades.”
According to fans of the franchise, Jurassic World Rebirth looks very promising, but only time will tell if this film falls in line with the quality of the original trilogy, or if it will fall short similar to the most recent films. Fans won’t have to wait millions of years to find out however as the film is expected to release in theaters on July 2, 2025.
A NEW ADVENTURE AWAITS
STORY BY SEAN GERBRANDT AND ART BY @DANIDL ON DEVIANTART
The long awaited sequel to the hit game Hollow Knight has just been announced to release some time this year. Hollow Knight is a video game about a speechless bug that has to fight infected insects to try and save a dying world. This game features absolutely brutal gameplay in relation to its combat and platforming challenges. To completely beat the game it usually takes players around 25 hours and is generally considered to be one of the best indie games in the genre’s history. Since its release, approximately 2,800,000 copies of the game have been sold so it came as no surprise when it was announced that the game would have an accompanying sequel. What fans weren’t expecting however was the amount of time it would take to make the game. Hollow Knight took 2 years to be made while sequel Hollow Knight: Silksong has been in development for 6 years. With all of this time one would expect some form of updates given by the studio, however the reality is everyone was left in the dark. With the blatant lack of communication many eager fans became quick to theorize about potential release dates. Through various accidental leaks
people would often become quick to suggest that it would come out at any moment but as the years passed many began to lose hope. This has all changed, though, as after 6 years of waiting, everyone was delivered this much needed closure from the most recent Nintendo Direct press release. This news has now brought what was once a dying community back to life and has given many people some much needed hope for this year. Even if you haven’t played Hollow Knight, what do you think?
Although the Nintendo Switch 2 has shocked many people with its price, do you plan to play this long awaited video game?
THE CURSED VILLAGE
Grizzlies, this year’s final show from Grizz Theatre is here: Fools. This show is written by Neil Simon, known for his numerous other notable plays, including Barefoot in the Park, Sweet Charity, and The Odd Couple. Fools is set in 19th century Ukraine and is located in a fictional location called Kulyenchikov. Protagonist Leon Tolchinksy (played by Joel Ruden), the schoolmaster, arrives in Kulyenchikov only to find out he has to help lift the village’s curse that renders everyone ignorant — in only 24 hours. In the midst of it all, he falls in love with his pupil Sophia Zubritsky (played by Bella Eberle), daughter to the smallminded characters Doctor Zubritsky (played by Campbell Willis) and Lenya Zubritsky (played by Brooke Anderson). He battles for her love, as Villain Count Gregor Yousekevitvch tries to constantly marry her. Leon works hard to try and break this curse, but has trouble trying to navigate this upside-down world. Other characters in this foolish town include, Snetsky the Sheep Loser (played by Gideon McKay), Mishkin the Postman (played by AJ Elliott), Slovitch the Butcher (played by Rylan Keith), Magistrate (played by Addy Behring), and Yenchna the Vendor (played by Mia Sublett). Show performances are May 9th, 10th, 15th, 16th, at 7 PM. Then, one more performance on May 17th at 2 PM. Everyone at Grizz Theatre has worked so hard to put on one last show this year. Hope to see you there Grizzlies.
A MUSICAL CHALLENGE
After packing a neat bus with the choir and band members luggage and leaving Mac High on the morning of Wednesday, April 15th, Interplay was ready and had begun the multiple day road trip ahead. Our destination? Moscow, Idaho for our coming performance the next day. So what is Interplay? It is the experimental new combination of our jazz band ensemble along with the Twilighters, a tight-knit jazz choir. Beginning just last year, Interplay has significantly improved its organization and sound throughout this year. The University of Idaho, located in Moscow, hosts an annual multiple day Lionel Hampton jazz festival that began in 1967 and has grown and opened many opportunities for different schools around the U.S. to travel and participate, including Interplay. Because of the unique combination, the festival didn’t know how to categorize the band into its ranking system. “We were the first group that performed as a vocal and full jazz ensemble.” states Mr. Barton, the band director. This led to Interplay performing as a non-competitive group, while still allowing both groups to be given advice by professional jazz musicians and teachers accordingly. This advice offered Interplay a new way of looking at the music we had been working on and opened more opportunities for us to learn. Ms Jones, the choir director, gives her input on the advice we took away “I loved watching them interact with professional musicians who judged them and took away more meaning and depth into their roles as jazz musicians.” Soon after we had performed and after eating a well needed dinner, a situation arised in which our bus had broken down in a very inconvenient spot. We needed to find a way to get the hotel that was located in Lewiston, which was a little under an hour away. Originally, a planned shuttle bus was to take groups of kids at a time to the hotel. The shuttle bus only fit around 5-8 people and there were around 41 people total, so nobody knew quite how long it would take before we all got there, but for the meantime we had taken shelter in a local Walmart up the street. However, despite the circumstances, there was a continuous optimistic attitude among everyone who was there, and everyone handled the situation in their own respectable manner. The main manager was very kind, offering us a table to sit at and generally improving our comfortability. There was a lesson to be learned here. Later, after the shuttle bus had taken some people, we got the news that a new bus was on route to our location and it would arrive in a couple of hours. When it finally got there, it was very late at night, but that didn’t bother the remaining people who stayed and helped move equipment from bus to bus before heading South towards Lewiston. The next day, on the 17th, we drove West in this new bus across the entire state of Washington towards Centralia, a small town located near the midpoint between Portland and Seattle. A small community church down the street from some restaurants allowed us to spend the night there. It was here that we would spend our last night on the trip, but everybody really made the most of it. That seemed to be a recurring theme in the recent events of the last few days, making the most out of any situation that came up. This church quickly transformed into an unforgettable night of high and low energy activities. After waking up on the last day of the trip, we all collectively got breakfast at a nearby restaurant and packed up the bus once again. At last, we headed to our final destination, Great Wolf Lodge, before heading home late in the afternoon. Over the course of this multiple day trip, a variety of different lessons were learned. Overcoming real life situations that come up unexpectedly, utilizing patience during the right moments, among others culminated in everyone coming home with a very pleasant experience and memory.
STORY BY BROOKE ANDERSON AND PHOTO BY MARY ANN POTTER
STORY BY FLETCHER JOHNSON
GRIZZLES SWIM TEAM
MAKES IT TO STATE
The boys swimming team during the regular season was led by two captains, seniors, Michael Khoury and Jace Zemlicka. In districts, senior Michael Khoury made state in the 50 Free, senior Camden Parsons made state in the 200 IM, junior Keller Shea made state in the 100 Free and 100 Back, senior Jace Zemlicka made state in the 500 Free and 100 Fly, junior Ko Depweg made state in the 100 Breast, and junior Olin Hamilton made state in the 50 Free and 100 Free. For the relays Keller Shea, Ko Depweg, Jace Zemlicka, and Michael Khoury qualified state on the 200 Medley Relay; the swimmers who qualified in the 200 Freestyle Relay are Camden Parsons, Michael Khoury, Ko Depweg, and Olin Hamilton, and the swimmers who qualified for the 400 Freestyle Relay are Jace Zemlicka and Camden Parsons, Olin Hamilton, and Keller Shea. Throughout state, the McMinnville Boys Swimming team was able to claim the third place title.
STORY BY: SCOUT JONES
PHOTOS BY: JULIN STEPHENS & SHANNON BIAMONTE
STORY BY: KAIDEN LEE
GIRLS BASKETBALL
For the first time in years, McMinnville girls basketball made it to the Chiles Center in the state playoffs. After years of league championships, and playoff rounds, this season the girl’s team got the opportunity to compete with the best of the state in Portland. Going into playoffs, McMinnville was ranked fourth in all of Oregon. The team started off in the first round at home against thirty-first ranked Cleveland. McMinnville ended on top with a score of 74-33. Forest Grove came in trying to prove that they were still top in state, but with over 100 students watching, McMinnville battled for the win. McMinnville ended up leaving with a win 61-45, leading to the next round at the Chiles Center. The game took place against Clackamas, ranked number 5, one ranking below Mac. Clackamas has competed at the Chiles center for the past four years, which they were close to the championship. Clackamas started the game off with the lead, but the Grizzlies didn’t stop fighting. In the end, the Grizzlies ended up getting their first loss since pre-season, score being 29-60. Even with the loss, the team was grateful to have made it that far to begin with, and still had at least one game left. Next MHS was playing West Linn, a team that they had defeated during winter break, but it was an early game against a very talented team. West Linn’s defense and smart plays challenged the Grizzlies leading to an intense game. McMinnville fought hard and played as a team, but ended up losing to West Linn 52-68. Making it to the Chiles Center was a huge honor for the Grizzlies and was overall their goal throughout the season. Even though the last two games didn’t go their way, it was a great season, with a very talented team.
PHOTOS BY: JULIN STEPHENS
SPRING SPORTS
STORY BY: MOLLY GRIBSKOV AND SCOUT JONES
PHOTOS BY: RILEY DONAHUE-GRILL
On March 17th, McMinnville High School’s boys, and girls tennis teams began their season with a match against Sprague. Overall, the boys tennis team emerged victorious in the aforementioned match, and beat Sprague’s tennis team. Additionally, MHS’s girls tennis team has been a dominant force within the realm of tennis, as they completely swept Wilsonville during their match on April 3rd. The tennis season is just beginning, so more victories, or losses will arise and accumulate in the foreseeable future.
TRACK TENNIS
There’s a total of 207 participants on the team, all on their own athletic journey through Track & Field. The team is coached by Jenifer Gubrud, with many assistant coaches, and a total of 17 captains. When asked what the key for the team to be successful a senior, Mya Budzik, said “I think if we strive to cheer each other on during events, show up to meets even if you’re not competing, and provide unlimited support our team can thrive. I want us all to be involved and support our teammates. There’s nothing like being cheered on by your teammates as you cross the finish line.” So far the team has won four out of the six meets that they’ve attended this season. Last year the girls won the league, and it’s looking bright again.
GOLF
Our girls and boys golf teams had an exciting and competitive spring season (with great weather most of the time). Both teams showed tremendous growth, dedication, and sportsmanship throughout their matches. Under the guidance of coaches Willie Graham and Ben Heuberger, players improved their skills and gained valuable experience on the course. The varsity boys included seniors Kaiden Lee, Kade Foster, along with Pete and Jackson Altree, and Chase Symons. Kaiden said, “Qualifying for regionals as an individual is definitely a high point.” The camaraderie and team spirit were evident at every practice and match. As the season wraps up, we’re proud of our athletes' achievements and look forward to building on this success next year.
BASEBALL & SOFTBALL
The baseball team is mostly made up of upperclassmen, and is currently ranked twelve in state for 6A baseball. League play recently started, and they’ve won three out of the four games they’ve played so far. At the moment, the team is ranked second in league standings, just behind the Sherwood Bowmen. The softball team is coached by Josh Terry, assisted by Corey Dinger, Eric Glynn, Josh Prettyman, Nick Conway, and PJ McManus. The team captains Laney Reed and Dakota Mitsche will be leading the team to success this season. So far this season their record is 11-3, recently winning their first game in league play against Forest Grove.
The Battle of the Captain Americas
Story By: Daunte Mandujano Narveson Photos: Wikimedia
First and foremost Steve Rogers will always be the classic Captain America. He’s the embodiment of moral righteousness, one-hundred percent willing to sacrifice himself for the freedom of others, as seen in his first appearance in the MCU, Captain America: The First Avenger, where he diverts a plane, piloted by Red Skull, full of missiles en route to destroy the United States. Steve Rogers is the guy who’d rather break the law than break his moral code, as witnessed in Captain America: Civil War where the Avengers are forced to sign the Sokovia Accords after the events of Age of Ultron to create government oversight and control over the Avengers. After the events of Captain America: Winter Soldier where Hydra infiltrated S.H.I.E.L.D, Rogers was concerned about government corruption and the potential threat of the government misusing their power over the Avengers. Rogers refused to sign the Sokovia Accords in Civil War and instead broke the law and ended up fighting half of the Avengers as the other half battled on his side: Team Iron Man vs Team Captain America. But Sam Wilson? He’s the Captain America that America actually needs. Steve Rogers is an ancient artifact, a beautiful one, but a relic nonetheless. His belief system was rooted in that doing the right thing will always win in the end. It’s great for the 1940’s, but it doesn’t work in today's world. Steve operates in absolutes: there’s rights, there’s wrongs, and he’ll fight to the end for what he believes is right. Steve's greatest flaw is his blind spot for systems around him. He’ll fight corrupt governments, but he never really engages with why they’re corrupt in the first place. He’s a soldier who follows his moral compass, but he never had to fight a war at home the way Sam Wilson does. Sam Wilson doesn’t have the luxury of being untouchable. He doesn’t have super-soldier serum. He doesn’t even have the automatic respect that comes from being a white man in a star spangled suit. What he does have
About the Writer:
is the courage to take up the mantle that was never really meant for him. Unlike Steve, who was handed the shield with unanimous approval, Sam had to earn it — not just from his foes, but from his own country. Here’s the real difference: Sam doesn’t just fight villains, he fights systems. He acknowledges racism, class struggle, and the fact that a country can love a hero while failing its people. He doesn’t just punch his way through problems, he talks to people, challenges perspectives, and refuses to be another government puppet. That makes his fight harder, but also more realistic. Steve Rogers was the Captain America of a simpler time, when the bad guys were clear cut and the solution was throwing a vibranium shield at them. But Sam Wilson is the Captain America of right now, where the enemies aren’t just supervillians but also inequality, division, and the uncomfortable truths about America itself. Steve was a symbol of what America thought it was. Sam is a symbol of what it could be if it’s willing to have the hard conversations and do the work. And for that reason, I’ll take Sam’s Captain America everytime.
Daunte is a senior, and this is his first year on the Bruin. He is an intricate and detailed writer and is very involved with the Natural Resource Pathway.
The Biggest Debate in Sports: LeBron vs. Jordan
Story by: Henry Seehawer Photos by: Wikimedia
The debate between LeBron James and Michael Jordan is a classic. They are both household names that everyone has their own opinions on. First let's look at some stats that favor LeBron. LeBron's versatility is unmatched. He stands at 6'9" and weighs 250 pounds, with speed allowing him to play and defend all five positions. Over his career, LeBron has averaged 27.1 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 7.4 assists per game. These numbers highlight his ability to impact the game in multiple ways, something Jordan, primarily a shooting guard, didn't do to the same extent. LeBron's longevity is another key factor. Entering the NBA straight out of high school, he has played 20 seasons and counting, maintaining elite performance. He has surpassed 41,000 career points, second to none, and has over 10,000 rebounds and assists, showcasing his all-around dominance. In the playoffs, LeBron shines even brighter.
About the Writer: Henry is a senior, and this is his second year on the Bruin. Henry loves to interview students and is very social. Henry also works at Dutch Bros.
UCL PREDICTIONS
Story by: Kaiden Lee Photo
by: Wikimedia
I am writing this story on March 13, 2025, when all of the round 16 matches have been played out, and the quarterfinal matches are Real Madrid against Arsenal, Barcelona against Dortmund, PSG against Aston Villa, and Bayern Munich against Inter Milan. I can see the quarterfinals match-ups to be contested as below: Real Madrid will overwhelm Arsenal, Barcelona will overwhelm Dortmund, PSG will overwhelm Aston Villa, and the best evened tie would be Inter Milan vs. Bayern Munich, and my opinion is that the match would end in penalties, and Bayern would win through penalties in the second game. Then for fixtures in the semi-finals, these are Real Madrid vs. PSG and Bayern Munich vs. Barcelona. I think the match between Real Madrid and PSG will be close. Real Madrid has a fantastic squad and is also playing immensely well this season in
He holds the record for most playoff points scored, surpassing Jordan's total. His 10 NBA Finals appearances also outnumber Jordan's six, demonstrating his consistent ability to lead teams deep into the postseason. People like to argue that all of Lebron's stats are just longevity stats because he’s played longer. Since when is playing at a high level for over 20 years a bad thing? While Jordan's six championships are iconic, and while he may have played in a far tougher defensive league, LeBron's versatility, longevity, and comprehensive stats make a strong case for his place as the greatest of all time.
UCL, but PSG has been the dark horse since the start of the tournament. Having a very poor start but still playing fantastically against a high favorite: Liverpool. I think the match is going to result in penalties, but Real Madrid will emerge victorious. Then in the Bayern Munich vs. Barcelona match, I hope this match goes to penalties because both of their main players have been playing really well, but I think the game will go to another penalty again, and Barcelona will win. In the final UCL game, it will be between Real Madrid and Barcelona, an El Clásico match. Although, Barcelona has controlled so much over Real Madrid. But since it's the UCL and Real Madrid performs well consistently in the UCL almost every year, I believe that Real Madrid will defeat Barcelona 1-0 in extra time, and Real Madrid will win their 16th UCL.
About the Writer: Kaiden is a senior and this is his first year on the Bruin. Kaiden is a part of the yearbook staff as well, and loves to play golf.
BRUIN SENIOR GOODBYES: WORDS OF WISDOM
This is the biggest piece of advice I’ve heard so far, I heard this my sophomore year and it’s stuck with me since. “a flower does not think to compete with the flower next to it, it just blooms” this really resonated with me becuase a lot of times I find myself comparing and worried about others when i should really just focus on myself.
Be the strong silent type, like Gary Cooper.
The most important kind of freedom is to be what you really are. - Jim Morrison
Overall, the best lessons I’ve learned in high school comes down to two things. One, not to stress as much, especially over things you can’t control. If you can’t do anything to affect it, then why worry about it? The second thing I’ve learned is to follow your passions. It may sound Cliche, but it really is true. You’ll be able to grow that passion and find others who share it as well.
Although learning can be really arduous in some subjects, almost everyone has a love for learning in some regard. For me that happened to be journalism, but from what I’ve seen, many people in high school just haven’t found their niche yet, and I urge everyone to try and seek theirs out. Learning can get a lot of its fun sucked out by those who make it a requirement, so searching for topics that interest you outside of school can be a breakthrough. If you are currently reading this and haven’t had any fun with academics, please take this as a sign to try new things. It’s important to remember that not acting is a choice too, whether we like it or not. The worst case scenario is that you give it your best shot and learn from that. Don’t let procrastination make you regret the choices you’ve made.
Sean’s Goodbye Letter:
Running the Bruin was probably one of the best decisions I have ever made in my life. In my time running it, I’ve gotten more experience in both leadership and journalism as a whole. This has only reaffirmed to me that this is one of my biggest passions in life, and I cannot wait to see where college takes me. If anyone is reading this and is thinking about potentially joining the Bruin, please do. I promise you won’t regret it. The Bruin is being put in good hands with my co-editor, Brooke Anderson, at the helm, and I’m certain the Bruin will continue to be a welcoming and fun place for all to learn. As for my role in the Bruin, it’s time to say goodbye to it all, and I honestly couldn’t be more proud of what I’ve been able to accomplish with my time here. Thank you all for allowing me to be a part of this prestigious newspaper’s history.
Try new things while you can, and go to everything that you’re able to!
“I don’t believe that excellence is a matter of luck. I believe that excellence is earned.”
-Tiger Woods
If there’s one thing I’ve learned over the course of my years in high school, it would be that life is filled with struggles. There will be people who try to bring you down and there will be times you feel like giving up. The important thing is that you keep going. Nothing in life is guaranteed so it’s up to you to achieve your goals. You live this life once, so live it to the fullest and don’t let anyone or anything stop you.
