Talisman june 11, 2014 vol 49 issue 9

Seniors’ forecasted universities

pages 6-7

a student-edited newspaper Sheldon High School

Select teachers give a few words to the class of 2014

page 10

shstalisman@gmail.com

2455 willakenzie Rd., Eugene, Or 97401 vol. 49

Issue 9 Senior Issue June 11, 2014

Graduation speeches and performances Preview of graduation performers and speakers, and their thoughts on their upcoming performances Noah Jang news editor The students who will be performing and giving speeches at Sheldon’s commencement ceremony, which will take place on June 12, have been chosen. Seniors Jonathan Bailey, Cameron Ritchey, and Krystal Dewey will give musical performances. Seniors Karl Kawders, Solan Israel-Mergerssa, Tristan Melhaff, and Noah Jang will give speeches.

These students auditioned on April 25 and

Inaugural Bike Fest

have been preparing for the event for over a month. At graduation, they will stand before hundreds of people at the Hult Center to share their talents and messages.

Senior Jonathan Bailey will play a piece by Johann Sebastian Bach called “Prelued #6 in D minor from Volume 1 of the Well Tempered Clavier.” When asked why he chose this piece, Bailey said, “I really like classical music, and I realize that not everyone likes classical music. I wanted to share what I love with others.” Bailey will take a gap year and attend Lane Community College. He hopes to transfer to Julliard School.

Senior Krystal Dewey will sing the song “My Heart Will Go On” Senior Jonathan Bailey practices for his upcoming graduation performance. Photo by Noah Jang from the film Titanic.

Dewey said, “I’m a senior, and I love mu- to be the best musician and performer I can a really small fraction of that history, and sic, and I wanted to share it with everyone be. Being on a stage will always be like a sec- that just makes our lives precious.” When I guess, and I wanted to perform in front ond home to me.” Ms. Nancy Anderson will asked who helped him in the preparaof everyone. A lot of people don’t know accompany him. Richie plans to attend the tion process, Mehlhaff ’s response was the me. Another big reason is that I wanted American Music and Dramatic Academy. people in his everyday life. Mehlhaff will Senior Tristan Mehlhaff, this year’s ASB major in studio art at Occidental College. everyone to know that I’m a good singer.”

Senior Solan Israel-Mergerssa and Dewey added that her mother and voice president, will give a speech at graduation. teacher helped her most in preparing for Mehlhaff explained that his speech is more Karl Kawders will give a speech jointly, the performance. Dewey will attend Lane conversational. The speech is based on and senior Noah Jang will give another Community College and hopes to trans- what he saw on the show Cosmos: A Per- speech. Israel-Mergerssa plans to attend fer to the University of Oregon. She hopes sonal Voyage written by Carl Sagan. Mehl- MIT, Kawders plans to attend the Unito become an elementary school teacher. haff said, “It basically puts human history versity of Wisconsin-Madison, and Noah Senior Cameron Ritchey will sing “Stop this and human life in perspective as compared Jang plans to attend Dartmouth College.

Rain” by John Mayor. Ritchie said, “I hope to the history of the universe. We take up

4j plans to build four new schools 4j gives word that four new and sustainable schools are forecasted to be built Isaac Meyer contributing writer

Photos courtesy of Green Club

On Saturday, May 31 Green club put on their very first Bike Fest event which consisted of a 18 mile course and a 36 mile course. It also contained a bike show and childrens’ bicycle parade.

Design work is already beginning to rebuild four schools in the district.

Money from a 2013 property tax bond measure will replace Howard and River Road elementary schools in the Santa Clara area and Roosevelt Middle School in south Eugene, as well as extensively renovating the Arts and Technology Academy (ATA) building in west Eugene.

The four schools are each around 60 years old and in fairly poor condition.

The new schools are being redesigned from the ground up. The four buildings to be replaced are among many designed and built quickly after World

War II. 4J Communications Coordinator Kerry Delf called them “baby boom buildings.” She added, “They were also built quick and cheap,” with small classrooms poorly designed for modern teaching methods. According to Delf, Howard Elementary, which has become informally known as the “technology immersion school” for its extensive use of technology in the classroom, has even been forced to staple exposed cable to the ceiling to fit modern technology into a 1949 building.

The new schools – the first of which, Howard, is expected to open in fall 2015 – will be different. The new elementary schools will feature a central media center, classroom “pods” with central spaces for teachers to collaborate, and larger classrooms.

The project at ATA is unique in that because of the layout of the site, another building cannot be made to fit on the property, meaning the building will have to be renovated in place. The principal architect for the ATA project, Mark Young of Rowell Brokaw Architects, said that the

three gyms are “pretty simple to upgrade,” but that most of the rest of the building will have to be replaced completely while classes still go on. Young added that the new ATA building will be specifically designed with space for projects such as robotics as part of the school’s new focus on science, engineering, and technology. Because of the challenges of the ATA design, the process is undergoing delays, but Young believed the extra time is worth it: “We got delayed, but it was for a good reason.”

The four schools are also being designed to be more sustainable to build and operate.

They may feature rainwater collection, energy-efficient lighting, and recycled building materials. Daylight will be used whenever possible. According to Delf, the four newer schools in the district use 40% less energy than older ones of the same size and the yet-to-be-built ones will save even more. And Young added that 1.5% of the budget for the ATA project will likely go toward solar panels.

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News

the Talisman

New York City raises smoking age to 21

The law signed last November by Michael Bloomberg comes into effect

Brian Chastain staff writer Recently, the city of New York has raised the minimum age to buy cigarettes from 18 to 21. There are many possible reasons why the city has chosen to take this step.

These could include reasons such as the hope to reduce the number of youths who smoke, increased knowledge of lung cancer and smoking-related diseases, or the push to improve the public health in the city.

Whether this law will truly lower the number of young smokers is yet to be seen, but it is a promising step towards a healthier youth population. Junior Terry Lloyd believes that this law might stop some young people from using cigarettes, but it

will not stop all youths because “[many] might find ways to get the cigarettes [and] it wouldn’t really stop the addiction.”

This reflects the common belief that those who truly want to smoke will find ways to get cigarettes regardless of the laws.

As more knowledge of the causes of lung cancer and information regarding other smoking-related diseases has been discovered, more people have spoken out against smoking. Junior Kyle Hasselman believes that this knowledge was a factor in the passage of this law because, “a long time ago [the population] thought smoking was healthy for you, but now [research] shows that it is not [healthy] and could kill you.”

The push to improve the public health of New York is another possible factor in the passage of this law. By limiting the number of smokers and raising the taxes on cigarettes, the city hopes to better protect its citizens from the harmful effects of smoking. City Council speaker Christine Quinn stated that, “This legislation will reduce smoking rates among New Yorkers, especially young New Yorkers, sparing them years of nicotine addiction and health problems…” By reducing the

number of smokers, New York hopes to improve the overall health of the city.

Regardless of the speculation over which factors contributed to the passing of this law, the city of New York has taken

an essential first step. The example set

by New York hopes to inspire other cities to enact similar laws and regulations that could soon help to improve the public health of citizens across the nation.

Photo by Noah Jang

China’s economy is projected to surpass U.S. economy Research shows that China may soon overtake the U.S. as the world’s largest economy Jonah Jellesed staff writer

In 2011, a revolutionary discovery pertaining to the world’s economy was made. It was discovered that the U.S. was

soon to be passed up by China in GDP (Gross Domestic Product), which is the main measurement of the size of a nation’s economy. This discovery was very alarming to people who believed that the U.S. was going to stay the world’s largest economy for some time to come. The reason for this discovery was that the International Comparison Program, or ICP, (A system used to compile market information from around the world) is used to compile market information for countries around the world and was the authority on GDP until they implemented a new system in 2011 that brought about these revelations (ft.com, “China Poised to pass US as

world’s leading economic power this year”).

What China is known for expanding the most in the last five years is its nation’s military budget; they have the largest standing military in the world with over 2.3 million active troops around the world.

As China’s economy has expanded so has their military in an attempt to show the world that they are one of the new leading superpowers. By the year 2040, China will be spending more than the U.S. on their military which means that China will have the world’s largest military and the world’s largest grossing military economically (The Economist, “The Dragon’s new teeth”).

Ever since China’s economy has begun

to largely increase the question has been raised whether our safety in jeopardy? The U.S. has been known to have disagreements with China in relation to China’s military size and their rapidly-expanding economy.

Over the years China and the U.S. have become leaders of different types of government which has cause the U.S. and China to become somewhat hostile to each other politically. This fact has brought up the question of the U.S.’s safety from China (The Economist dot com, “The Dragon’s new teeth”). As long as China has a growing economy and military, these questions will continue to be a big factor in today’s politics.

Openly gay Michael Sam is drafted by the St. Louis Rams Breaking news: Michael Sam becomes the first openly gay player to come out before being drafted into the NFL Jack Forrest and Isaac Grossberg staff writers On May 10, Missouri defensive lineman, Michael Sam, was drafted by the St. Louis Rams. The NFL may have been

changed forever. Sam received the news and was overjoyed and shared this emotional moment with his boyfriend. His kiss was broadcast on national television, which outraged many, but gave hope to others.

According to Cyd Zeigler of Outsports. com, Sam’s jersey is the second best selling jersey out of all of the NFL players despite him being the 249th draftee. The increasing acceptance of homosexuality in the United States took a huge step in one moment when ESPN made the choice to show Sam’s moment of joy with his partner.

Sam announced to the world that he is gay on February 9, 2014; however, his University of Missouri teammates had known about

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it long before that. They had a team bonding session in which all players told the rest of the team interesting and important facts about themselves. According to the New York Times, Sam said many of his teammates were very supportive: “I looked in their eyes, and they just started shaking their heads – like, finally, he came out.” Some of them may have felt uncomfortable with this new information, but they put those feelings aside for their teammate and friend.

Now Sam is moving up to the big leagues.

What is unknown as of now is whether or not his future teammates on the Rams will be as accepting as the Missouri team was.

Some other NFL players weren’t so sup-

portive and responded negatively with derogatory tweets and comments. For example, Don Jones of the Miami Dolphins tweeted, “Horrible” in response to the kiss, as reported by Manouk Akopyan from NFL.com. Jones’ behavior was responded to quickly by the coaching staff and he apologized publicly soon after, which is a good sign because other coaching staff members are standing up for Sam. Sam has made a huge impact in the gay community and has been a figure of hope for many gay supporters and athletes. No matter how well Sam performs in the NFL, he will go down in history forever as the first openly gay professional football player.

Sports & Entertainment

the Talisman

June 11, 2014

Senior profile: Haleigh Krause The Sheldon girls golf star won the 2014 state championship Emily Kartub & Sam Melconian staff writers Haleigh Krause. Golfer extraordinaire. Her golf career began at the young age of three, and she’s been playing ever since.

During her four years here at Sheldon, Krause participated as a key member of our girls golf team, in addition to playing on the girls basketball team.

“I played basketball from first grade to sophomore year, and I quit because I wanted to focus on golf and try to get a scholarship,” said Krause. She continued to play golf through her senior year. All of her hard work clearly paid off.

Just this past year, Krause won first place at the OSAA (Oregon School Activities Association) State Championship. “It was an amazing feeling, especially having my friends and family there,” said Krause.

With an athletic scholarship, she is planning on attending and playing golf for San Diego State University, located in southern California. “S.D.S.U. offered me [a scholarship] while I was playing in a world tournament in San Diego [towards] the end of July 2013,” Krause explained.

San Diego State happens to be both the oldest and largest higher education institution in the San Diego area. Since founded in 1897, it has become a leading public research university.

Krause was drawn to San Diego State not just for the academics or her sports scholarship, but also for the beautiful weather. She’s excited for a fresh start in a new place.

San Diego’s golf team just finished their 20132014 season where they placed twenty-first in the final round of the NCAA West Regional.

Krause will be majoring in Sports and Recreational Business Management. After college she’s hoping to find a career in golf, whether that be in teaching or playing professionally. She said she “wanted to be... on the business side of things but still in sports.”

Krause is excited about her bright future at San Diego State, as well as all the opportunities awaiting her after college.

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Photo courtesy of Haleigh Krause

Marcus Mariota’s Heisman trophy campaign The quarterback for the Ducks is in the running to win college football’s most prestigious award Tanner Mitchell staff writer Fans are wondering about Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota’s chances to win the Heisman trophy, an award given to college football’s most outstanding player.

Junior Thomas Long said, “I think it will come down to Mariota and [Florida State quarterback] Jameis Winston.

I like Mariota’s chances to win.” With a new defensive coordinator, there is pressure on Mariota to help the offense to keep scoring. On top of having a potentially weak

defense, Mariota has national expectations on his shoulders.

As well as that, it is a question whether or not Mariota will be able to play at the same level as the past two seasons, with a questionable knee. Most of the offensive line is back from last year, so Mariota will have adequate protection.

According to ESPN.com, Mariota finished seventh in the final Heisman Trophy voting in 2013. With many of the finalists who finished ahead of him having either graduated, or entered the NFL Draft, Mariota is a definite contender for the Heisman in 2014. He will have to contend with the likes of Jameis Winston and UCLA quarterback Brett Hundley. Oregon as a team will have to contend with tough defenses in many of their games, including a potential playoff preview in week 2 against Michigan State.

Mariota has his work cut out for him to make a run for the Heisman in 2014. There are many other talented players

contending for the Heisman, as well. There are always the surprise players who seem to come out of nowhere, such as former Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel.

According to ESPN.com, a potential threat to Mariota could be (yet another Auburn quarterback) Nick Marshall.

The defense could be a potential problem for the Ducks, having a new defensive coordinator. This would put pressure on Mariota to keep helping the offense to produce points, potentially leading to turnovers and more opportunities for mistakes to crop up.

According to ESPN.com, Marcus Mariota has a very good chance to bring home Oregon’s first Heisman trophy. Duck fans have a lot to look forward to in 2014, regarding the star quarterback. Mariota’s knee should be healthy by the time the season starts, allowing him his trademark scrambling ability. Mariota should make a strong case for the Heisman.

Drones are the bad guys: is Hollywood sending a message?

Many Hollywood movies show drones as antagonists or the tools of antagonists Kevin Erdmann contributing writer

Throughout the history of film, there have been movies that try to send a message in regards to the world we live in today. In the last couple of years, many of the latest movies have had a similar theme: drones being used for evil. They are constantly being put in a negative light. In Captain America: The Winter Soldier, a large concern during its plot is that the U.S government’s security force has created a suspect-kill list combined with preemptive technologies for surveillance. In the latest X-men movie, large robotic defense drones are created by the government with the express purpose of exterminating a minority group of people (mutants) with the reasoning being that these mutants have the potential to be a threat. In television, Fox’s show 24 has drone technologies being used in a terrorist attack. In Robocop, a private and slightly corrupt company urges the

government to pass legislation that would allow domestic drone security in the U.S. The list could go on and on…

The question presented is this: Are all of these movies Hollywood’s way of sending a message? The message being opposition towards the very real drone programs and technologies our government allows. Drones and preemptive technologies are not some sort of sci-fi/action works of fiction.

The U.S. government possesses Predator drones, remotely controlled unmanned aircraft armed with deadly missiles.

Countless strikes have been authorized by the Obama Administration in the Middle East using these drones. These strikes are carried out on not only terrorists, as one would assume, but also on “suspected” terrorists, as in they may or may not be a threat. Not to mention that these missiles cause massive collateral damage, that has resulted in the deaths of hundreds of innocent men, women, and children. The NSA scandal, which revealed the organization’s wiretapping of U.S citizens, also has a part to play with the government’s use of unjust surveillance and preemptive technologies.

Perhaps drones and preemptive technologies being cast as tools for wrongdoing in films is a message of opposition to Washington. Perhaps these films are a reflection of the public’s anxiety about some of the choices the government has made.

Perhaps you the reader would rather not worry about it and just want to watch your movies and eat your popcorn in peace.

And that’s ok. Just realize that the movie you’re watching could possibly be sending you some political subtext.

Senior profile: Sahalie Doe The Sheldon softball player will be attending Idaho State next year Charlie Mundorff staff writer Sahalie Doe is an extremely talented softball player.

She recieved a full ride scholarship to attend Idaho State University next fall to play softball for them. Doe is a very dedicated softball player and she has had college ball on her mind from the very beginning. When asked whether she would have gone to Idaho State without the softball

scholarship, Doe replied, “Basically my entire college decision was based on softball.” She has been playing softball year round for quite some time now, and will carry on this commitment throughout college. Idaho State’s team has two seasons: a fall season and a spring season, with practices in the winter and workouts during the summer.

Doe said she doesn’t expect to play professionally because there are only four professional teams in existence.

She plans on studying sports medicine and when asked about potentially coaching a team she said, “Yeah, I’d like to coach high school or lower [level softball players].”

After her softball career, Doe wants to become a sports therapist. Doe made a huge impact on her team the past four years and was a great leader who helped her team obtain a few playoff victories and many great memories.

Talisman Staff Editors-in-Chief

Holly Ford Kennedy Potts

Frontpage Editor News Editor Sports & Entertainment Editor Variety Editor Opinions Editor Centerspread Editors

Holly Ford Noah Jang

Features Editor Senior Page 9 Senior Page 10 Senior Page 11 Senior Page 12 Graphics Editor Copy Editors Staff Writers Jarod Bays Brian Chastain Ryan Enos Isaac Grossberg Emily Kartub Tanner Mitchell Charlie Mundorff Cameron Ritchey Staff Adviser

Ben Ely McKinley Patrick Ethan Hauck Holly Ford Kennedy Potts Kennedy Potts Ben Ely Dylan Malpass Holly Ford Kennedy Potts Micah Tamasaka Ayla Bussel Sam Fox Jeremy Brown Alex Dillon Jack Forrest Jonah Jellesed Samantha Melconian Jennifer Morris Elijah Renfro Alexus Torres Joseph Vasquez Greg Cantwell

A message from the Talisman The Talisman is run by students for students. The views expressed in the Talisman are not necessarily those of the Talisman staff, those of Sheldon High School, or those of the Sheldon community. If you have any letters to the editor, please e-mail the Talisman at shstalisman@gmail.com, or drop a letter in our box located in the office. We kindly reserve the right to edit all stories we print.

4 June 11, 2014

Variety

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Injustices committed against tomato field workers What could you accidentally support just by purhcasing produce?

Jeremy Brown & Joseph Vasquez staff writers

Most people don’t know where their food comes from or how it got to their local supermarkets when they buy groceries or go to a restaurant. Immokalee, Florida is one of the cities that provides the whole nation with tomatoes. About 1/3 of tomatoes sold to supermarkets or sold to fast-food chains come from Immokalee. Many don’t know the fact that when they buy a tomato they’re indirectly supporting slavery and oppression in the Immokalee tomato fields. The Coalition of Immokalee Workers (CIW) is a worker-based human rights organization made up mainly of immigrants suffering from slavery, mistreatment, and oppression in the tomato fields. The coalition makes a large contribution in the movement to end

human trafficking. The CIW does leadingedge work to combat modern-day slavery and other current labor abuses in agriculture. The coalition focuses on achieving respectable working conditions and living wages for those oppressed. They also work toward helping the immigrants to gain the right to be directly involved with decisions that affect the immigrants’ lives.

Many atrocities have happened here on American soil because of large multimillion dollar companies in the past years. In September 2010, Global Horizons staff members were charged with operating a forced labor ring in thirteen states. Global Horizons’ CEO, Mordechai Orian and other staff members were accused of holding 600 foreign workers from Thailand against their will. FBI Special Agent Tom Simon characterized the case as “a classic bait-andswitch… They were telling the Thai workers one thing to lure them here. Then when they got here, their passports were taken away and they were held in forced servitude working in these farms.” Out of the

eight people formerly indicted, three plead guilty. The prosecutors called this “the largest human trafficking case in U.S. history.”

The CIW has created a Fair Food Program and encourages fast-food corporations in the country to join the Fair Food Program and respect the rights of farm workers. McDonalds, Subway, Burger King, Taco Bell and Yum! Brands have joined the Fair Food Program. Wendy’s CEO, Emil Brolick, has refused countless times to join but in 2001 Brolick worked as CEO of Taco Bell and was the first one to join the Fair Food Program.

The CIW said, “As Wendy’s positions itself to implement sustainable business practices and promote its sourcing of ‘honest ingredients,’ it must realize that respect for human rights and worker participation are integral components of the genuine sustainability that today’s consumers expect and demand.”

Most staff and students at Sheldon High School don’t know about the CIW in relation to Wendy’s. Local groups such as MECHA in Eugene, encourage people to stop eating at Wendy’s and support the CIW.

Joseph Vasquez satirizes Wendy’s exploitation of field workers

Photo courtesy of Joseph Vasquez

A wide variety of post high school plans await Sheldon graduates High school graduates’ future plans are all over the board and map Cameron Ritchey staff writer Nearing the end of the school year can be a stressful, exciting, and nostalgic time for seniors. It’s a “beginning of the end” moment for many students. Everyone is ecstatic for graduation, and even more excited for the plans they have for their futures after Graduation. Post high school plans vary for everyone. Not all students are going straight to a four year college after the

summer of 2014. Community colleges, traveling, and a simple “break year” are just a few of the options students are taking.

Hobbies can also play a big role in student’s lives and can affect decisions students make on their futures. Careers and businesses can be made out of simple hobbies, and it’s everyone’s dream to do what they love as a career. Looking toward the future with a lifetime hobby in her back pocket is senior Jaime Kramer. She’s been baking and cooking since she was nine years old. Having almost ten years of experience under her belt only increases the chances of Kramer fulfilling her lifelong dream - owning her own restaurant. Kramer said, “It’s a dream a lot of people have but I’m really deter-

mined to someday own my own restaurant.

I’ve wanted to have this kind of career for a long time.” A lot of people are rooting for Kramer, and they hope to someday drop into a restaurant she hopefully will be managing.

This time of year can really bring out the best in students. A lot of things are happening at once. Most people handle change well and thrive in new environments. Others don’t do so well and love the idea of staying around home. Junior Sophia Warner said, “Eugene will always be home to me. I love its environment and I plan to stay around town.

I’m sure I’m not the only one either.” She is not. Students stay home, get part time jobs, and wait to go to college so they can have a little more money in their pockets. There

is nothing wrong with staying around home.

Another option to take after Sheldon is LCC. It’s a smart choice, conventional, and saves money in the long run. Senior Krystal Dewey, who is attending LCC, said, “I’m excited to start at LCC. I know it will help me so much in the future. I want to be an elementary school teacher and they have a great program for it. Staying close to home and my family means a lot to me and makes things much easier.”

If they’re going to a college, starting a career, or traveling around the world, the class of 2014 graduates will all do great things in the future

Taking matters into their own hands to accomplish a common goal Final part of a three-part fictional series: Students make their stories known in an effort to stop school bullying Alex Dillon staff writer No one can really know the whole story, until they see everything for themselves.

I stood behind a boy named Jonathan, whose fingers were tapping out electronic commands almost at the speed of machine-gun fire.

Jonathan jumped, startled, and looked over his shoulder at me. “Oh. Hey there, Kael.”

“Hi,” I replied. “How’s it coming?”

“I’m practically done,” he reported, to my delight. “Just another twenty minutes at the most.”

“Great, that’s exactly what I want to hear—,” I began to say just as Calla threw the door open and looked right at me.

“Kael, you’re not gonna like this,” she stated, her voice a mixture of anger, urgency, and bewilderment. “We’ve been discovered.”

“By who?” I asked quickly, stepping out of the renovated closet after telling Jonathan that he might as well keep working.

“Well… It’s Carter,” she said. “Carter and Eli.” “Kael,” Carter called out. Eli was on his left, looking around curiously.

Being the founder and unanimously-chosen “leader” of the group, I went up to the two bullies and stood firmly, my arms folded over my chest. “Why are you here?”

“We wanted to talk,” Carter said. “And… to say we’re sorry.”

“Sorry?” I echoed, disbelievingly.

“Yeah,” Eli spoke up. “We’ve been jerks to you guys. We get that now.”

“So, you think saying sorry is enough to make up for what you have done to us?” I asked, heat flaring up in my face. “I could give a list to you two, with the names of every person in this school who’s felt victimized at least once here because of bullies. It would floor you.”

Calla had joined me at my side, as had Jace and Scott and Dylan. These were just the ones who were here at the moment, too. Countless others had responded to the summons a week ago to rise up and help take back our school.

“I know, and we feel terrible,” Carter said with conviction. Was he acting? Was this all a prank?

It seemed like an odd way to go about a prank…

“You should know we’re not so quick to forgive so many injustices,” I began diplomatically. “Not when so many of us have been hurt by people like you.”

“It’s done!” Jonathan, unaware of the situation at hand, called as he opened the door to the closet. “The Internet speed improved really—what’s going on?”

“Yeah, what is going on?” Eli asked.

“We’ve made a presentation about everyone who’s been bullied in this school,” I stated. “And it’s going up for the world to see.”

To my surprise, Carter nodded. “That’s a good idea. The other guys, they can’t keep getting away with what they’re doing.”

Our stories had to get out there, to discourage bullying elsewhere. Sometimes taking matters into your own hands is necessary for change to begin.

“If we don’t grow, we don’t change. If we don’t change, we aren’t really living.”

--Gail Sheehy The End

More strict sturgeon laws are in place in Oregon Fishing regulations are in place to avoid extinction among sturgeon Jeremy Brown & Elijah Renfro staff writers Sturgeon fishing has been around for a long time. It is a really fun sport or hobby.

Recently, there have been changes in the laws regarding sturgeon fishing which a lot of people don’t agree with because they

are heavily regulated. For example, you can’t keep sturgeon in certain rivers, like the Willamette River. The reason why you can’t keep the sturgeon is because recently seals from the ocean have found the salmon where the ocean meets the river. The seals have started eating all of the salmon; because of this, the salmon moved away and now the seals have found a food source in the sturgeon. Due to the laws, it’s now unlawful to keep the sturgeon in certain rivers because of the overpopulation of seals.

Sophomore Annika Skaja said, “I have been to Astoria, Oregon, sturgeon fish-

ing, and had a great time. I look forward to going again sometime.” Because of the new laws restricting fishing, people who enjoy sturgeon fishing can’t keep the fish that they catch because the seals have been eating so many sturgeon that officials don’t want them to go extinct.

The government is in charge of the Sturgeon laws. Some people agree with this and believe that it is right, but others disagree with the government regulating sturgeon fishing. Freshman Carter Bass said, “I think there should be a vote among the people who fish the sturgeon, between the ODFW

(Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife) and the people managing the sturgeon.”

Some people agree with the sturgeon laws and think that they have a good purpose, while others disagree. For example, junior Daylyn Gould said, “I think that the rules are placed there for a good reason, one of those reasons being that the sturgeon won’t go extinct.” Everyone has their own opinion about the sturgeon fishing laws, but no matter what, the laws do serve a good purpose.

Opinions

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College Board Upcoming changes to AP and SAT tests create mixed feelings Ethan Hauck opinions editor With the upcoming changes to the SAT and some AP tests, many students here at Sheldon will be affected.

The company who governs these tests and programs is called College Board, and many students and staff members have strong opinions about this organization because of these changes and the student and teachers’ personal involvements in AP classes and testing.

Junior Rachel Hill dislikes College Board: “They need a little less attitude and more personality. My experience when I took the test wasn’t fun. Granted, it is a test and they shouldn’t be fun, but when they administered the test it felt like they were talking down to me, and it wasn’t fun.” Many students including myself agree with her, and feel that the tests are too strict and overly controlling. They tightly control what you are allowed to take into the test, which is understandable, but there comes a point where the control that they have over the test is asinine and too much.

I don’t know how I made it through my early morning, four-hour tests without coffee. The assumption that it would give me an unfair advantage while testing is ridiculous.

When asked if he thinks College Board has an unfair control over the testing, AP biology teacher Mr. Sanderson

said, “That’s like saying Apple has an unfair control over making iPhones - it’s their product. College Board has set a list of things that they think accurately represent college biology, and I think that the criteria they set are well representative of what science and biology is.”

According to the New York Times’ Todd Balf, College Board has recognized the “nearly universal dislike” of the SAT’s, which is one of the factors that led to the upcoming changes to the national test. The test is being revamped

“That’s like saying Apple has an unfair [advantage] over making iPhones - it’s their product.”

- Mr. Sanderson to more closely associate it’s tested knowledge with high school teaching. About the essay section of the test, College Board’s Les Perelman said, “You can tell them the War of 1812 began in 1945; Perelman later encouraged them to sprinkle in little-used but fancy words like “plethora” or “myriad” and to use two or three preselected quotes from prominent figures like Franklin Delano Roosevelt, regardless of whether they were relevant to the question asked.” Even College Board’s own employees recognize how ridiculous some of their expectations are. I am happy with the changes they are making to

Imprisonment increases drastically Incarcerations increase by 222% since 1980

Jarod Bays staff writer

Since 1980, the overall crime rate in the United States has gone down by an incredible 60%, with a 45% drop since 1990. You may think that this would mean a drop in the number of incarcerations (imprisonments), but surprisingly the incarceration rate has mushroomed, increasing by 222% since 1980. The United States now imprisons more people per capita than any other country in the world, and it’s hard to imagine why.

Police have limited revenue streams, relying on taxes and fines to keep the department afloat. Departments often have

quotas to fill, where they must issue a certain number of tickets per week or month to raise revenue. Cities like New York have also unfortunately instituted arrest quotas, and even though they are illegal and hidden, they unofficially exist, putting the pressure on officers to make more arrests, which inevitably will also increase incarcerations. In New York, the quota has been one arrest and twenty summonses, forcing police to try to find crime even when there might not be any. Junior Sophia Warner said on the subject, “I bet you it’s a problem everywhere; if it’s a problem in big cities it could be a problem here, just less obviously.”

Sophomore Zack Nelson had another theory, “I think it could be a problem everywhere. It might not be an issue with the department-- it could be someone’s personal goal.”

Selective policing can also become a problem in these circumstances. When police are pressured to find crime, they go where it is easier to find, which often ends up being the poor urban areas of town. Suspects found in these areas of town often lack the money available to pay bail or afford adequate lawyers, and incarceration rates increase thusly.

June 11, 2014

5

the SAT, and they have been needed for a while now.

College Board isn’t always liked in the academic community by students or even some teachers, but the organization is a necessary evil. Without them there would be no group to administer AP and SAT testing.

Curfew law in Oregon Numerous opinions collide Ryan Enos & Elijah Renfro staff writers Did you know that in Oregon there is a law saying that people under eighteen can’t be out by themselves no later than midnight? I don’t agree with the law because I believe it does not keep kids safe and out of trouble. Kids that are out that late have less of a chance of running into trouble with traffic problems because there aren’t as many motorists out on the road . Sophomore Jaylee Bennett said, “I agree with the law and think it keeps kids safe and out of trouble.”

A theory as to why there is an ordinance for kids is because some kids need this in order to stay out of trouble. It is debatable if it works the way they want it to. Junior Daylyn Gould said, “Just because kids are out late, does not mean they are up to no good” I agree with Daylyn. The theory that keeping kids off of the road after midnight and expecting them to stay out of trouble is not effective because kids who want to do something bad anyway aren’t going to follow that law necessarily. I think that being in traffic in rush hour is more dangerous than being out late at night when not as many people are on the roads. How is an officer supposed to validate that you are in fact going to work or school if that is the excuse you use?

I see a lot of holes in this law and I think it is not effective.

Junior Colin Walsh explained “This law may not be 100% affective, but it definitely doesn’t hurt to have new drivers and young kids off the road at a late time” Late night teen drivers should take extra caution not to do anything that can get them into trouble as to not become another statistic or stereotype.

Minority groups are especially hit hard by these changes.

The existence of private prisons also raises an issue, as these prisons make money by having more prisoners. These prisons are contracted by the government, and have ‘lockup quotas’, often requiring prison occupancies of 90-100%.

Even when crime is going down, the existence of these prisons and their occupancy requirements forces an increase in arrest and incarceration rates. Junior Dillon McDaniel said on the subject, “The prison system is getting more and more corrupt, we are basing policy on the assumption that the more people we incarcerate the safer we are, but that’s not true.”

“She deserved it:” blaming the victim must stop Victim blaming is a growing issue in modern society Sam Fox copy editor Victim blaming is a huge problem in today’s society. To some, it is not strange or uncommon to hear things such as “it’s her fault that she was raped, wearing that outfit,” or “it’s his fault that he was attacked; he shouldn’t have gotten so drunk.” The Canadian Resource Centre for Victims of Crime defines victim blaming as, “a devaluing act that occurs when the victim(s) of a crime or an accident is held responsible — in whole or in part — for the crimes that have been committed against them. This blame can appear in the form of negative social responses from legal, medical, and mental health professionals, as well as from the media and immediate family members and other acquaintances.”

It seems that blaming the victim allows the general society to feel less guilty when both sides of the problem are at fault for something. As Vice President Joe Biden said, “No matter what she’s wearing, no matter whether she’s in a bar, in a dormitory, in the back seat of a car, on a street, drunk or sober, no man has a right to go beyond the word ‘No.’” According to the Center for Relationship Abuse Awareness, “One reason people blame a victim is to distance themselves from an unpleasant occurrence and thereby confirm their own invulnerability to the risk. By labeling or accusing the victim, others can see the victim as different from themselves. People reassure themselves by thinking, ‘Because I am not like her, because I do not do that, this would never happen to me.’ We need to help people understand that this is not a helpful reaction.”

Victim blaming allows an escape for assailants and forces the victim to take the blame for something that was not his or her fault. It makes an unsafe and unhappy situation even worse for a person who was hurt or attacked. President Barack Obama said, “When a young girl or a young boy starts to question their self-worth after being assaulted, and

maybe starts withdrawing, we’re all deprived of their full potential. When a young woman drops out of school after being attacked, that’s not just a loss for her, that’s a loss for our country. We’ve all got a stake in that young woman’s success.”

Photo by Sam Fox An example of a popular style of internet protest done by Sheldon students.

University of Oregon

Lane Community College Almeida, Korben Bailey, Jonathan Baker, Bryson Bean, Tyler Binder, Shea Brigham, Madeline Brodigan-Nuestel, Nicole Bunch, Joshua Burgess, Nicholas Byrd, Justin Carlin, Carissa Castro, Christopher Coelho, Emily Cole, Ashley Corbett, Jaclyn Craviotto, Ryan Cruz, Reyes Diouf, Belle Duke, Justin Dunbar, Quincy Dunn, Regan Dunphy, Christopher Dunteman, Jordan Dymock, Drew Emmons, Daniel Escalera, Austin Forsyth, Justin Galick, Rebekah Galindo, Camilo Grassauer, Jacob Green, Samantha Halstead, Daniel Harris, Kelly Harter, Benjamin Haug, Sophia Hernandez, Roman Horton, Justin Jackson, Juanita Johnson, Courtney Johnson, Cullen Kellejian, Thea Kimes, Rebecca Kline, Andrew Koester, Christian Lin, Christina Love, Anthony Martinez-Bennett, Adriana Maxwell, Jose McCloud, Devyn McVay, Kenada Melendrez, Meagan Mock, Shirlanna Mooney, Samantha Mulcahy, Fox Nielson, Austin Norris, Kelsi Pappel, Emily Perez Altamirano, Alicia Peters, Bennett Petrukhin, Pasha Ponce Munhoz, Eduardo Quesada, Megan Reitz, Jessi Ricketts, Brianne Roberts, Joshua Romero, Marycruz Rust, Rebekah Sandoval-Urias, Melissa Scoble, Aaron Smith, Bailey Starnes, Adam Stratton, Sierra Summerfield, Kean Sweeney, Johnny Tadlock, Ceara Thornton, Morgan Tolles, Brandon Turcios Hernandez, Chelsea Turner, Trever Udo, Desiree

Ulloa, Mariah Unger, Rachel Williams, Michelle Yager, Keith Zash, Renee

Oregon State University Bajracharya, Yasha Betts, Isabella Bruns, Cole Carman, Courtney Dodrill, Shelby Eichner, Nick Evanoff, Lisa Fletcher, Kendyl Fowler, Henry Groves, Bree Haas, Megan Hellwege, Kailyn Hetrick, Nick Kalen, Alex Keough, Erin Klotter, Mitchell Lininger, Noah Malpass, Dylan Miller, Noah Murphy, Daniel Parks, Emmalee Rezell, Sierra Rinen, Miranda Schumacher, Blake Skeele, Leah Tharp, Taylor Valdivia, Oliver Walter, Molly

Oregon State University Honors College Kahn, Margo

Adams, Nathaniel Alger, Tyler Baker, Julia Blancher, Lainey Boespflug, Ty Bredeweg, Tristan Britton-Wood, McKenna Brody, David Brucken, Christian Campbell, Megan Chizum, Marissa Choquette, Ryan Cookson, William Davies, Tanner Davis, Logan DeLoretto-Chudy, Sophia Dewey, Krystal Diama, Lexus Dougherty, Amanda Dryden, Connor Erdmann, Kevin Faulconer, Emily Ford, Holly Girard, Danielle Goh, Michelle Hall, Ryan Harrel, Taner Heusch, Aly Huntley, Dimond Israel-Megerssa, Boran Jacobson, Janelle Jamerson, Ava Jones, Haley Kemp, Daniel Kinney, McKenzie Kruska, Rachel Lauck, Taylor Lyons, Emily Maring, Taylor McWilliams, Ian Melancon, Markus Mohler, Matt Montoya, Joel O’Connor, Kylee Perkins, Amanda Price, Sarah Pun, Kylie Rainer, Daniel Reese, Cameron Richardson, Blake Robinhold, Cassidy Starnes, Nathan Stock, Amber Teferi-Higgins, Amira Trimboli, Jaimyn Valente, Destin Villarino, Calvyn Wan, Angela Wan, Erica Williams, Brandon

Robert D. Clark Honors College (University of Oregon)

Charlie Mundorff

Annie Beckstrand & McKinley Patrick

Noah Jang

David Bellamy

Mitch Herbert Sam Braziel Clay Whipp

Tristan Mehlhaff

Sahalie Doe

Cameron Ritchey

Karl Kawders

Tyler Karren

Ashley Kim

Ashley Osborne

Solan Mergerssa

Chris Hughes

Brianna Sifuentes

Misha Ruiz-Anderson & Lienne Van Winkle

Victoria Rosenberger

Tyler Strong

Do not go where the path may lead; go instead where there is no path and make a trail .

- Ralph Waldo Emerson Darland, Meredy Choi, Wyatt Grymonpre-Dwyer, Grace Jamerson, Ava Potts, Kennedy Saisslin, Emma

Liam Talty

Oregon continued...

Central Oregon Community College Albertini, Jacob Albertini, Justin Thompson, Shelby

Southern Oregon University Zerr, Madeline Western Oregon University Nestell, Nick Willamette University Watson, Kyle

Chemeketa Community College Powell, Mercedez

Arizona

Cordon Bleu College Smith, Hunter

Arizona State University Bothman, Meredith Ruiz Anderson, Misha Van Winkle, Lienne

George Fox University Bartram, Shelby Clay, Evan Lopez, Connor Murphy, Laura Nero, Sami Rodrigues, Lauren Linfield McGovern, Marcus Northwest Christian University Alexander, Jordan Nadeau, Nathaniel Rainville, Sarah Wright, TJ Oregon Institute of Technology Gullickson, Megan Portland State University Holub, Zoe Lathon, Monica Oland, Gemini Villafane, Aaron

California Azusa Pacific University Osborne, Ashley Biola University Giles, Rachel Large, Kaelyn California Lutheran University Lewis, Jennifer Cal Poly San Luis Obispo Steele, Ben Occidental College Mehlhaff, Tristan Orange Coast College Tamburrini, Anthony San Diego State University Krause, Haleigh University of California, Davis Sifuentes, Brianna

University of Redlands Kuehn, Joseph Wood, Peter

Colorado

Colorado College Kim, Ashley Colorado State University Kim, Lizzy

Hawaii University of Hawaii, Maona Strong, Tyler

Idaho Brigham Young University Nilsen, Olivia Stewart, Sarah Idaho State University Doe, Sahalie

Kansas McPherson College Hughes, Chris

Massachusetts MIT Israel-Megerssa, Solan

Minnesota University of Minnesota, Morris Mladenich, Benjamin

Macalester College Whipp, Clay

Montana Montana State University, Bozeman Herbert, Mitch

Utah State University Bailey, Morgan Bone, Tyler Dunne, Brie Spurlin, Brendan University of Utah Cao, Destini

New Hampshire

Washington

Dartmouth Jang, Noah

Northeastern University Mundorff, Charlie

New York

North Seattle Community College O’Hair, Cameron

American Musical and Dramatic Academy Ritchey, Cameron Columbia Talty, Liam Iona College Braziel, Sam

Texas El Paso Community College Rosenberger, Victoria

Utah

Brigham Young University Degraw, Benjamin Karren, Tyler Utah Valley University Johnson, Hannah

Saint Martin’s University Bellamy, David Seattle Pacific University Beckstrand, Annie Ewert, Cori King, Bethany Patrick, McKinley Western Washington University Nelson, Kylie Whitworth University Zenke, Madison

Wisconsin University of Wisconsin, Madison Kawders, Karl

Other

Feen, Tiril Kang, Hye Min Valera-Sanchez, Pedro

8 June 11, 2014

Senior transformations

Thanks to all the seniors and their families who contributed transformation pictures!

Charlie Mundorff staff writer

Follow us on twitter! @typicaltalisman

How to beat the summer blues Ayla Bussel copy editor

Rebecca Kimes

Karl Kawders and Solan Megerssa

Emmy Breding

Liam Talty and Kennedy Potts

Karl Kawders

Cameron O’Hair

Rachel Kruska

Brianna Sifuentes

Krystal Dewey

Sophie DeLoretto and Taylor Tharp Kyle Watson

Kevin Erdmann

To be honest, I’m not really sure how to get through high school because I haven’t accomplished it yet. I’m really hoping I can survive this last week without flunking out, but if you want to take advice from someone who struggled his way through a few hard classes, then here is a list I have compiled of things that may help you do the same.

Talk back to teachers. Don’t get me wrong. I’m not justifying disruptive and annoying behavior, but intellectual debates often lead to more learning than a boring lecture, even if you’re wrong and the teacher is right (which is the case most of the time).

1. Turn your swag on. Be confident in answering questions because it’s impossible to answer questions correctly if you answer none at all, and it’s dreadfully painful listening to people stammer through answers they don’t believe in, or having the entire class sitting in silence while the teacher becomes increasingly angry.

2. Work hard. If you work hard for your teachers they will want to work hard for you; however, if you do nothing but slack off and expect the teachers to help you out when you decide an F isn’t good enough in the last week of the term, I don’t imagine the teachers will be too inclined to help you.

3. Try not to spend time hatin’.

High school is a very busy time for most people. If it isn’t doing homework, going to practice, or other extracurricular activities, then it’s hanging out with your friends or family. All these things take a lot of energy and if you spend all your energy on being negative then you won’t have any time or effort to give to things that you like and care about, which creates a vicious cycle of bummer.

4. Last, but certainly not least, don’t forget – school is fun!

It may seem like I’m being sarcastic, but remember that you get to spend the day with your friends and you get to learn about what interests you. School helps you decide what you want to do with the rest of your life, so don’t take it for granted.

the Talisman

Solan Megerssa

A guide on how to get through high school

Features

1. Go to the lake/go innertubing on the river/do water sports - Aubri Rodriguez, sophmore 2. Go to local events like the Oregon Country Fair, the farmer’s market, the Oregon Country Music Festival, Emeralds games, the Lane County Fair, the rodeo etc.

- Ally Speiser, sophmore, South Eugene 3. Play ultimate frisbee – Cody Milstein, senior 4. Attend a concert at the Cuthbert Amphitheater 5. See a “Movie in the Park” 6. Volunteer at Food for Lane County 7. Take up a hobby 8. Bake a dessert and bring it to a neighbor 9. Clean out your closet/ hold a clothing swap party with friends 10. Have a neighborhood BBQ 11. Hike up Mt. Pisgah and Spencer’s Butte in the same day 12. Go sandboarding 13. Go quadding – Jeremy Brown, junior 14. Go to the Saturday Market and get a henna tattoo 15. Have a read-a-thon 16. Go on a road trip 17. Make friendship bracelets 18. Build blanket forts 19. Go skydiving in Salem 20. Make a music video to your favorite summer song 21. Become Vine famous 22. Have a water balloon fight 23. Tie-dye your bed sheets 24. Paint your room a new color 25. Watch a complete season of a T.V. show that you’ve never seen before 26. Dress up and go out to dinner with your friends 27. Make a masterpiece in sidewalk chalk 28. Actually do things from your Pinterest account 29. Dance in the rain 30. Mad-libs 31. Make giant bubbles 32. Go berry picking 33. Pick wildflowers 34. Visit a museum 35. Stargaze 36. Start a garden 37. Go camping in your backyard and make s’mores!

38. Write a poem, story, or song 39. Take lessons in photography, sooking, pottery, etc.

40. Get a summer job 41. Volunteer somewhere like Food for Lane County or Greenhill 42. Try all the local coffee shops 43. Learn a new language 44. Try local food trucks 45. Have a picnic lunch 46. Make daisy chains 47. Learn how to skateboard 48. Learn an instrument 49. Go on a backpacking trip 50. Follow @typicaltalisman on Twitter!

Senior Pages

the Talisman

June 11, 2014

The prevalence of student debt

Student debts can be stressful for many college students

Alexis Torres and Jennifer Morris staff writers

Sheldon seniors are graduating; the students are going to college, military or have other choices. Those who are interested in going to a university, private college, or a community college may come across outrageous schooling prices that are not required for high school. College may be a scary thing for some students. High school graduates are now adults and are choosing their paths for their futures. Senior Jose Maxwell said, “I am very interested in taking classes that will increase my intellect.

The classes I wish to take would include sociology, law, and medicine because to be an informed citizen, I must increase my knowledge. If I wanted to go to, let’s say, Harvard, but didn’t have the money, I would just go to Lane

or some other community college, but luckily there are scholarships that help out. ‘Bout 58% of seniors fear going to college due to chances of college debt in the future.”

Many students are currently worried about college prices.

Senior Brandon Tolles is one of those. Tolles said his future career choice is to become a marine biologist. College prices influence Tolles’ choices on what college he wants to attend due to the expenses of books, classes, and other fees. While getting scholarships can be difficult for some students, some careers will pay for people to go to school and get their degrees. Some careers are military related, including some medical careers and many others. Senior Garrett Franklin said, “I don’t believe people pursue those careers just to get their bills paid for; they go to help people and change the country. I want to go into the military to help our country.”

On March 8, 2012, discussion of student loan forgiveness was brought up by Oregon politicians; students have to make a court appearance about erasing their college debt. On July 8, 2013, Politicususa.com said the Oregon legislature continued discussion about “student loan forgiveness.” The Oregon legislature said that “under the proposed program, tuition would be free during the student’s college career and consequently the need for taking out student loans would be eliminated. Instead, graduates would pay three percent of their income for 24 years to pay for the costs of their education and to fund the program for the benefit of future

9

students.” The Oregon legislature says there had been discussion about “student loan forgiveness” back in 2013.

The politicususa.com publisher, Keith Brekhus, said this has passed both the Oregon state senate and state house with unanimous bi-partisan support and this is soon going to be signed into law in a few months by Oregon’s Democratic Governor John Kitzhaber. Student loan forgiveness is now available for students unable to pay for college loans.

Although college is a scary thought for some students, it is a time to find out who you are and what career you are choosing to take on. There are resources to help pay for college, such as financial aid and scholarships and every scholarship has different requirements. It is never too early to apply for a scholarship, but you can be too late. Scholarships.com said, “Apply early, and apply often. If you miss a deadline and send your application in late, you go to the bottom of the pile.”

Sheldon gives you the opportunity to get help filling out scholarship applications. Every Sheldon student has an assigned counselor who is able to help set college path ways.

If students choose to receive student loans some colleges allow the student to wait six months after graduation to begin paying them back. Students are also able to get a deferment of student loans for however many years necessary. This goes off of the students income and must be taken up with the student loan office and have documented proof of income and reasoning behind applying for a deferment.

Senior profile: Meredy Darland Senior Meredy Darland shares her plans for the summer and future endeavors

On Thursdays Darland volunteers at the Eugene Gakuen Japanese Emersion Elementary School where her younger brother attends. She helps teach the kids all subjects while communicating with them in Japanese.

Looking back on her high school career, Holly Ford Darland recalls her best experiences as being the moments she was reminded editor-in-chief of the diversity surrounding her.

Darland said, “Awareness of each individual’s uniqueness stimulates When people are asked what word best describes Meredy relationships, growth, and excitement.”

Darland, a common answer is humble. She is one of the To the younger students following most giving, patient, and genuine people who has walked the class of 2014 Darland suggests the halls of Sheldon. After high school Darland will be to, “Embrace this time of youth taking a senior trip to different locations all over Europe. and development; as you get older Departing on June 23, Darland will leave for Paris, France your character and ideas only (and later will arrive back in the states on August 10). When grow more static and concrete.” she first arrives in Paris, Darland Looking towards will spend the first day alone; the future, “Exposure to the world however, her mother, Hilary, Darland is and all it has to offer has shaped will join her the next day. eager to After exploring the museums continue the person I am today...” of Paris and touring the learning -senior Meredy Darland nearby wine country, Darland and living a will leave for a six-week life surrounded adventure around Germany, beginning in Frankfurt. by the people she holds most dear.

Darland said, “Exposure to the world and all it has to offer Darland said, “Without my community has shaped the person I am today and opens my eyes to the and relationships close to home, I beauty and importance of diversity.” Traveling and learning would not have the support or strength about different world cultures are both very valuable to her. to embrace the rest of this world.”

Darland lived in Fujioko, Japan, until the age of six when her This fall, Darland will be attending family moved to the states. Because she grew up in Japan, the Robert D. Clark Honors College Darland is fluent in Japanese and it’s her first language. at the University of Oregon.

Photo courtesy of Meredy Darland

College living: on campus versus off campus Which one is better?

McKinley Patrick backpage editor As the school year concludes, many high school seniors are moving away from home to be closer to their colleges of choice or to experience some new-found freedoms. Other graduates have decided to stay in the comfort of their homes.

Senior Lexus Diama will be attending the University of Oregon and living in the Trinity House near campus. Her reason for choosing to live by campus, instead of at home is that she wants to experience independent college life and

also to make new friends with people who are also staying at the Trinity House. Diama said “I am excited to move out and branch out since I’ve lived at home for eighteen years.”

Senior Miranda Rinen will also be living on campus, at Oregon State University, and said “I’m living on campus because I want to meet new people and I don’t want to drive to Corvallis every day.” Rinen also mentioned a program that she’ll be involved in at OSU called Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (LSAMP), which allows Latino science majors to move in a week before school starts and get integrated into their new community.

Senior Nick Hetrick, who will also be attending Oregon State University, is living off campus instead because it’s less expensive and he said, “I feel I will get the best college experience by not living on campus, and it offers me the best chance to succeed and get

me to the next stage in my life.” Hetrick also added that living off campus provides more flexibility.

Senior Nick Eichner is living on campus at Oregon State University as well and said, “If you’re living in the dorms you’re surrounded by friends all the time, and so you can always go out and have a pick-up game or something, whereas if you’re commuting it’s really hard to have that experience.” Like most high school graduates, Eichner is most nervous about having to do his own laundry when he moves out. Eichner also added that his dorm’s halls all have different themes, so most of the engineering majors will live in the same hall together, that way they can collaborate on projects and other assignments.

Whether college-bound seniors decide to stay at home and commute or choose to live on campus, they are sure to have their own unique college experiences either way.

10 June 11, 2014

Senior profile: Solan Megerssa

Megerssa will be attending MIT this fall, studying aerospace engineering. Congratulations Solan!

Senior Pages

brah, and I want to help people go to space.”

When asked what his favorite memory from high school is, Megerssa said, “Probably when I ‘skyd’ [senior] Cody Milstein when we were playing ultimate frisbee.”

Senior profile: Liam Talty Talty will be attending Columbia University to play football. We are all rooting for you Liam!

the Talisman

Talty is considering going into the medical field after college. When asked why, he said, “I think I would really enjoy helping people and interacting with them.”

Dylan Malpass senior page editor

Dylan Malpass senior page editor Solan Megerssa is one of Sheldon’s brightest seniors. Megerssa has found an almost perfect balance between academics, and extracurricular activities. Along with taking advanced classes, Megerssa participates in multiple school clubs and is a two-sport athlete, participating on both the water polo team and ultimate frisbee team. All of his hard work throughout high school seems to have payed off because next fall he plans on attending the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). It has been Solan’s dream to attend MIT ever since he was a young child. He looks forward to starting his new life on the east coast.

Megerssa has an obvious love for science, and this can be seen in his class load.

Photo by Dylan Malpass Megerssa can often be seen studying for his College Now Chemistry class in the Solan sports his MIT pride! science wing. When asked what he wants to study, Megerssa said, “Astronautical engineering because I want to go to space,

Liam Talty is known for his talent both on and off the football field. Because of his many accomplishments in academics and sports, Talty will be attending Columbia University, in New York this fall. Columbia University is an Ivy League university, located in upper Manhattan in New York. Columbia has about a seven percent acceptance rate, and is regarded as one of the best universities in the country.

The distinguishing factor between Talty and the rest of the competition are his many academic accomplishments. Along with being a star on the field, Talty is able to prove himself in the classroom.

Talty has taken multiple AP/College Now classes, as well as being a two year member of the National Honors Society.

When asked what his favorite subject was, Talty said, “It honestly just depends on the teacher. If I really like the teacher then I tend to really like the class”.

Liam poses for a quick picture in the chemistry lab.

Photo by Dylan Malpass

Senior profile: Noah Jang Jang will be attending the Ivy League school Dartmouth College in New Hampshire.

Great job Noah!

Holly Ford editor-in-chief

Noah Jang is an excellent person, in and out of the classroom. During his time at Sheldon he took part in multiple clubs, while juggling difficult classes, and had many leadership positions. Always thinking of others, Jang strives to do everything with 110% effort and it really shows. All year people could see his bright smile roaming the hallways and pulling along his backpack, which was always full of AP and College Now books.

Next year, he and his backpack will be roaming the halls of the Ivy League school, Dartmouth, in the state of New Hampshire.

Jang plans on double majoring in East Asian

studies and economics. To Jang, the most important thing that a campus must have (other than an exceptional quality of education) is a caring population of students and staff.

Looking back on his high school career Jang said, “I learned that I need to be confident in myself wherever I go in life. When I first came to Sheldon, I had the choice either to self-doubt my abilities or to seek to make progress both in the academics and in making friends. I chose the latter, and yes, that was the right thing to do. Dartmouth will be a challenging environment for me, but I will make the same choice I made four years ago.”

While being involved with numerous activities throughout high school, one club left a particularly special mark on Jang: “One of my favorite activities has been being involved in the Talisman because the Talisman has provided me with the opportunity to write about international issues, issues that I feel most passionate about.”

Jang’s other activities included the Sheldon orchestra (playing violin), Eugene Youth Symphony (playing violin), Sheldon Key Club (as Treasurer), Japanese Club (as President), soccer, and National Honor So-

ciety (as Vice President). Jang’s advice to his fellow students is to “try to discover your passion as early as possible and stick with it!”

Although he will be leaving the Sheldon community and joining the Dartmouth community, there is no doubt that Jang will always be remembered. Jang embodies the heart and mind of a humble, genuinely caring student and has a marvelous future ahead.

The Sheldon community will set Jang free to flourish in his future endeavors with a big thumbs up and pat on the back. Good job, Noah, good job.

Noah Jang takes a look at the campus on one of his last days at Sheldon.

Photo by Ayla Bussel

Senior profile: Cameron Ritchey Ritchey will be attending the American Music and Dramatic Academy this coming fall in Los Angelas. “Break a leg” Cameron!

Ben Ely Entertainment Editor As many seniors’ high school careers come to a close, a new chapter in their lives will begin - college. For Cameron Ritchey, this chapter will be full of singing, acting, and more singing. Ritchey was recently accepted into the American Music and Dra-

matic Academy (AMDA,) a fine arts school with campuses in both New York City and Los Angeles. “Junior year, I saw a bunch of ads for performing arts schools in the choir room. So I took home a bunch of applications and started filling them out.” Ritchey later added, “[I chose to go to AMDA because] they have a really good vocal program and they have a wide range of options of things to study and things to do after school.”

AMDA was established in 1964 by the New York theatre community to provide practical training by professional performers, for performers. The L.A. campus opened in 2003 in the historic vine tower building, near the heart of the Hollywood Entertainment District, and with two campuses in the

two most entertainment-directed American cities, student have the ability to experience the hustle-and-bustle of Hollywood, and the excited atmosphere of New York Broadway. Ritchey said, “[I will have the privilege of] spending time at both campuses. I can go to New York and L.A. and just widen my horizons.” Ritchey later added, “I’m getting a [Bachelor in Fine Arts] in musical theater when I graduate.”

Ritchey started acting at the age of nine, taking part in a production of Sleeping Beauty, and has since participated in two productions during his time at Sheldon. “I started acting in community theater…and just kind of went from there.” Ritchey has acted in the musicals Beauty and the Beast

and South Pacific. When asked which production was his favorite, he said, “Beauty and the Beast, we did it last year. I played Lefou, Gaston’s little helper, and it was just a really funny role to play.” Starting freshman year, Ritchey began singing in choir, and later joined Sheldon’s a capella group, the Dublinaires. “I really love them; they definitely made my high school career. Everyone in Dubs is like a little family; it’s really nice.”

Whether it’s acting or singing, Ritchey is a performing extraordinaire. He has acted in many theatrical productions, for both Sheldon and the community. It can be said without a doubt that Cameron Ritchey is bound to be a successful performer, in the classrooms of AMDA, and under the spotlight.

Senior Pages

the Talisman

June 11, 2014

11

Teachers bid farewell to the Class of 2014

To the Graduates

You’re leaving now, and that’s just fine; It’s been a decent run.

You wrote your lines, you served your time And, sometimes, it was fun.

So why the cold indifference?

Were not you the best ever?

The coolest and creativist?

Was any class as clever?

I enjoyed the time; I liked you guys It’s not that I am jaded, But see it through a teacher’s eyes— Graduates are overrated.

Before these halls held you, dear child It held a bunch of others.

The sun doth rise, the sun doth set Then darkness always covers.

¬Dear Sheldon Seniors, I trust that you remember your freshmen year and the message that I shared with you when we first met. The message that I conveyed to you was about the unlimited potential that I saw in each and every one of you. Well, let’s fast forward to four years later. It’s hard to believe that you are now seniors and will be graduating in a few days. Therefore, the words of advice that I want to offer you as you prepare to face this very complex world in the pursuit of your aspirations and dreams are quite simple.

When the going gets tough, and it will from time to time, I want you to find a mirror, look right into it and say to yourself “SUP!! Dr. Bob told me that I am “SUP, I am Smart with Unlimited Potential” and I have the grit and tenacity to overcome this obstacle.” Then I want you to read one of my all time encouraging and favorite poems written by Marianne Williamson entitled “Our Deepest Fear.”

For like the sea, each wave recedes And each new swell begins To take its place upon this beach Until the very end.

But don’t feel bad—do not despair That you’re but one of many.

You’re no worse off than last year’s chumps Nor those in 2020.

I evoke the sun, I incant the sea, For these are things of beauty!

Go wild! You’re free! You’re free of me!

And all those senseless duties.

No matter that your special face Conjoins with multitudes.

For when I gaze on outer space (or dream upon some desert place) I’ll still look out for you.

Our Deepest Fear Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.

Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.

It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us.

We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, handsome, talented and fabulous?

Actually, who are you not to be?

You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world.

There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you.

We are all meant to shine, as children do.

We were born to make manifest the glory of God within us.

It is not just in some; it is in everyone.

And, as we let our own light shine, we consciously give other people permission to do the same.

As we are liberated from our fear, our presence automatically liberates others.

Now, if after reading the poem you haven’t convinced yourself that you can face the challenges ahead then I suggest that you look back into the mirror and with a more determined voice say with conviction, “SUP,” then go through the process one more time. It may be helpful for you to keep reminding yourself that this is important, you can do this and you refuse to give up. Sometimes you just have to encourage yourself!!

God bless, Sincerely, Dr. Bob

If my teenaged self looked at my life, the students’ names are called, they she might be disappointed. When I was cross the stage—some of them dance; 17, I thought I wanted to live an uncom- some of them cartwheel; some of them promised life full of passion and art. I had simply walk—and when they come no idea how to make that life happen—I down the other side, they are no longer didn’t even know how to get a checking students. The part of their childhood account or an apartment. I don’t think marked by mandatory education is over.

This is the truth: I’d gone grocery everything I want shopping before. to tell you, class I didn’t know of 2014, is a platihow to drive a tude even if it is stick shift. My true. Everything teenaged self ends. Each breath would not appasses, just like preciate advice. each thought.

I was too young Time moves forto be so cyniward no matter cal, but I did not what.

Happiknow that yet. ness is limited, Here is a conbut so is sadness, fession: I don’t and even though remember my the world is full own high school of violence and graduation.

I destruction and don’t remember ignorance, life throwing the cap is full of beauty or shaking hands Kate Tierney’s senior yearbook photo and peace and bewith the principal Photo courtesy of Kate Tierney longing. I would or changing the position of the tassel upon receipt of my tell you to be daring, to take risks, but diploma, but I’m sure it happened. I was the proudest moments of my life are just happy to be leaving. I imagine it is also the most boring, the most munthe same for many high school students. dane, and born of mistakes and failAs a teacher, however, I find high school ures that I absolutely would not take graduation ceremonies to be magical. back. You will make mistakes, too, and Students arrive dressed as adults. They you will fail, and you will be grateful cry and show gratitude. They are allowed for difficult lessons. The best you can to hug teachers without implicating them do is forgive yourself while you learn.

Congratulations, class of 2014, and in a scandal. There are speeches filled with abstraction about effort and suc- good luck. Be kind to yourselves and to cess and memory. Someone sings. When others, and know that we’re proud of you.

Advice to seniors courtesy of Ms. Tierney and friends • For the boys – I wish I had known this when I was 18, but I wouldn’t have understood it then even if I did – your greatest power is in your gentleness.

• Work hard in college. Really. I know there’s a lot of temptation to blow it off and party but you don’t want to be flipping burgers when you’re 30. o But if you are flipping burgers when you’re 30, there’s nothing wrong with that if your life has meaning. You’re the one who ascribes meaning to your life, no matter what it is that you are doing with it.

• If at all possible maintain good family relationships if they are healthy for you but know when they aren’t.

• Live your life for you, not for anyone else. Realize that you only have one shot so do your darnedest to make it count.

• Marriages end. Having kids doesn’t. So if you rush into a marriage, wait on the kids part until you know without a doubt that your partner will be a good parent.

• Travel now. Or better yet, travel once you’ve had a couple of humanities or history classes in university. It’ll mean more. College can wait. So can the rest of your life.

• Try not to be afraid of change. If you’re miserable doing the same thing over and over, you might as well be miserable trying something different.

• Heartbreak is survivable. In fact, it is inevitable. So is grief, sadness, despair. And that’s okay. You’re allowed to feel these things without needing medical intervention. But let yourself feel.

• Sometimes it’s difficult to know whether or not to quit or to change. If you start to see a pattern of difficulty, life isn’t messing with you. You’re messing up! But if something is crushing you or suffocating you or robbing you of your soul, walk away.

• You’ll always think you’re flawed, so get comfortable naked.

12 June 11, 2014

Senior Pages

the Talisman

Photo by: Tristan Mehlhaff

Photos by: Kennedy Potts

Artwork by: Tristan Mehlhaff

Artwork by: Taylor Lauck

Sheldon Mural

Artwork by: Kendyl Fletcher

Kennedy Potts editor-in-chief For weeks now, seniors Tristan Mehlhaff, Kendyl Fletcher, and Taylor Lauck have been diligently creating their very own masterpiece in Sheldon’s art hall. The mural, seen above, stretches from the wall to the right of art teacher Nina Herbst’s classroom to the end of the hallway. They each work on the mural during third and/or fourth period every day. “I’d say we’ve easily spent 100 hours on the whole project [including] mock up, painting, etcetera,” said Mehlhaff.

never worked on a mural before and I think the art hall definitely needed an upgrade.”

Herbst was originally the one to propose the project. “She gave us the overall theme with the girl blowing bubbles, and the three of us came up with the objects that the bubbles transform into.

We all thought it would be fun and a cool way to leave our mark,” said Mehlhaff.

Of her reasons for being a part of the mural, Fletcher said, “Honestly I just wanted to brighten up the school. It’s an art hallway; it should be filled with art. I want it to inspire creativity when people walk by it. If nothing else, I just want to make people smile.”

Fletcher added that multiple students from the Transition Education Network (TEN) walk by the wall every morning to see the progress made by the three seniors. “Knowing they enjoy our art that much makes the time we have spent on it more than worth it,” she said. Regarding her overall experience working on the mural Fletcher said, “It’s been really fun. Especially doing it with two of my closest friends.”

About his time working on the mural, Lauck said, “It’s been a great experience for me. I don’t usually work with other people and this was my first time doing anything of this proportion. When Nina and Tristan asked me to do it, I thought it was a great idea. I had

They chose most of the mural’s images based on aesthetics, but many are also tied to our generation (such as the images of Patrick Star [Spongebob Squarepants] and Walter White [Breaking Bad], two of Lauck’s favorite elements).

All three seniors have been creating their own art for some time now, and hope to keep creating in the future.

Mehlhaff started making art last winter. He typically does pencil sketches but “like[s] to experiment with other media, too.” “I really get inspired by people whose personalities and mannerisms allow me to draw them in a way that represents their personalities, and to emphasize physical features [in this way], too.” This fall he will be attending Occidental College in Los Angeles, California and will likely major in Studio Art or something similar. He hopes to find a career with which he can continue his art and travel.

Lauck’s father is an artist himself and introduced Lauck to drawing at a young age. “I typically just sketch with pencil or pen on paper but I love trying different media like painting or sculpting. Inspiration is the hardest thing to find for me, other people and their work inspire me the most,” said Lauck. Two of his favorite artists are Casey Baugh and Chris

Gilmore. Lauck plans to study product design at the University of Oregon this year.

Fletcher said she has loved making art from a very young age; she started buying canvases to paint on in the third grade and has been practicing and taking classes ever since. Fletcher said, “Now I paint anything I can get my hands on. I usually use acrylic or oil to make abstract pieces. I really enjoy using vibrant colors. I’m usually inspired by nature or pictures I take.” She doesn’t plan to pursue art as a career as she plans to become a doctor, but she does want to continue doing it for personal enjoyment.

Mehlhaff said that though his career path may not be thought of as the most “safe” option, he considers himself very lucky because “[his] parents have always been supportive of whatever [he] thought [he] wanted to do.” He later added, “They just want me to be happy.” Mehlhaff encourages others interested in pursuing their passion to “listen to that gut feeling about what [they] love because it’s normally right.”