Silly things heard in the Sheldon halls page 3
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Senior co-editors-in-chief, Drew and Chasity and copy editor Tim reflect on high school page 9
The Talisman senior issue
Sheldon High School 2455 willakenzie Rd., Eugene, Or 97401
a student newspaper
vol. 46
Issue 8 June 6, 2012 shstalisman@gmail.com
Springfest: a time to enjoy with friends With the help of music, food, and activities Springfest was successful Lauren Davies staff writer Every school year around the month of May, Sheldon students have a week to look forward to. This consists of one to five days of having an hour-long lunch and a gathering of fun activities to participate in, usually in the courtyard. These one to five days of activities are known as Springfest. Some students could argue that the time dedicated for Springfest could be longer than it has been in the past. With Springfest being towards the end of the school year it makes the end of the year better for freshman, sophomores, juniors, and especially the
graduating seniors. Every year the amount of days Springfest has varied significantly. Some years it can be as long as a week but this year they drastically cut it down to one day. Junior Taylor Alie said, “I think that Springfest should be at least 3 days. There isn’t a point to it if it’s only one day.” Even with one day this year, the gym was packed with fun filled activities like a jousting, a live band, and many other fun activities that the students could participate in. Meanwhile everyone was having a blast; music was also played to make it an even happier scene than it already was, which included being serenaded by none other than English teacher Mr. Cabrera. The major attractions in past years have definitely been the inflatable obstacle courses and the ever so exciting dunk tank. The dunk tank gives students the option to dunk their teachers, (with the teacher’s consent of course). Both staff and students participate in the activities which can create
a better bond between the two. Senior Sam Hannah said, “My favorite thing about Springfest would be without a doubt the hour long lunch. We need that amount of time at lunch anyway.” For most students, the most appealing aspect of Springfest is having that extra 20 minute lunch that week or however many days the school chooses. Being at the end of the year, Springfest is also a reminder to the students that the year is almost over, and summer can finally begin. Senior Erin Carey said, “Springfest has always been an indicator for me that school is ending. But this year it’s different because I’m graduating. Although I won’t get to have these experiences anymore, I will still have a lot of great memories and fun times during it.” Springfest brings everyone together which can help make new friends and also help catch up with old ones as well. Springfest is also a great way for the students and staffs of Sheldon to have a great memory before the school year ends, and the seniors say their final goodbyes.
Students and Staff enjoying the day of Springfest! Mr. Cabrera playing the drums. L-R: senior Angela Merfeld, sophomore Ian Adair, junior Cody Blankenship, and senior Jon Goddard
The inflatable bounce course.
Junior Alex Reitmann singing “Cherry Bomb” photos by Chasity Barnes
Ultimate teams are successful this year Ultimate frisbee has become more popular amongst Sheldon students Nathan Klump staff writer Around our school, students and athletes who are a part of the Ultimate Frisbee team have been working hard all season long. Four weeks ago they won the State Tournament in Corvallis against South Eugene. The final score was Sheldon 12, South Eugene 3. Ultimate Frisbee is a sport that has been growing rapidly over the last few years. As the sport expands, Sheldon continues to look stronger and stronger every year. The Ultimate Frisbee team is super excited for their accomplishments and their future accomplishments in the
next couple of years. Junior Sam Hobbs thinks the team will do well next year and said, “I know we will win State next year because we are beast and we are only losing one senior.” Hobbs has been playing for two years and plays as a deep. There are three primary positions in Frisbee: handlers, cutters and deeps. Ultimate is a unique sport because it is one of the only sports that does not have a referee or official call the game. Calls are made by the opposing players during the game at all levels of Ultimate Frisbee, from high school leagues to international teams that play all over the world. Junior Chelsey Walker said, “It actually works out just fine because most of the players are really cool. Sometimes if a team is losing they make unfair calls but for the most part, everyone plays fair.” Another unique aspect about Ultimate Frisbee is that it
is coed. The players really enjoy playing and competing against each other. Junior Gabby Aufderheide said, “Our team is really open with girls and we are really accepted as a part of the team.” She went on describing that the league also does a lot to try and promote spirit and cooperation among teams by having spirit competitions. These team games are played before tournaments to promote a competitive but also friendly environment. Ultimate Frisbee’s popularity at Sheldon has definitely grown over the past months. Junior Hunter Turner said, “Ultimate Frisbee is really cool.” Senior Angela Whitey said, “After the Ultimate team won the State tournament, that’s all everyone has been talking about.” Now that more people are interested in Ultimate, the team size seems to be growing. How far they go next year could depend on who joins and how it all shapes together.
Sheldon alum JJ Juilfs captures Pac-12 championship Former Sheldon star now at U of W, sets a new pole vaulting best; wins Drew Haugen co-editor-in-chief Sheldon alum JJ Juilfs reached the pinnacle of high school pole vaulting during his four years as a member of the Irish track and field team, winning back to back state championships as a junior and senior. Last month the University of Washington freshman earned another coveted title, 2012 Pac-12 pole vaulting champion. In front of a hometown crowd at historic Hayward Field, Juilfs cleared seventeen feet ten inches, a personal best, and punched his ticket to the NCAA West Regionals in Austin, Texas. As Juilfs looks towards the future, he sets his sights on a national championship, and will no doubt reach even greater heights in the world of track and field. One year ago, the nations’ most highly recruited polevaulter finished his prolific high school career with a 6A championship, soaring an astonishing 16 feet 4 inches. This accomplishment added yet another first place finish
to an already impressive resume: nineteen meets, nine victories. Juilfs has continued his success at Washington this spring with the same drive and determination. He said, “In college everyone is good. The line between being one of the best and being mediocre is so small. So every day, every practice, you have to work hard to get better.” This season Juilfs has done just that, progressing through yearround training with dedication, building up confidence in preparation for the Pac-12 Championships. This annual meet featured college track and field’s finest competitors, and Juilfs was ready to face the countries’ best. Entering the weekend, he was projected to finish third behind two of the conference’s top vaulters, Arizona State’s Derick Hinch and UCLA’s Michael Woepse. He remembered, “Going into the meet, my goal was to put myself in a position to win. I knew as long as I had a shot, I would be hard to beat.” Juilfs was right. On his second attempt of the day, he propelled himself 17 feet 6 inches to earn a spot atop the leader board. The first place finish was solidified when Hinch was unable to best the mark. With one more attempt remaining at the height his competitor could not clear, Juilfs was not finished yet. Junior Annie Juilfs, JJ’s
sister said, “My favorite part of watching JJ compete is the atmosphere… I get more nervous and excited than he does.” As the Sheldon and Washington supporters rallied behind him, he took off, launching up and over a personal best, and landing triumphantly on the mat below. The crowd erupted as Juilfs raised both hands to the famous grandstand and back flipped in celebration. He said, “It was special to compete back at home. Any time I’m home, I’m reminded of how much everyone here in Eugene means to me. The support and encouragement of family and friends has been incredible.” Juilfs’ height of 17 feet 10 inches made him the top Husky point scorer of the day, and ranked him second all-time in the freshman pole vaulting record books. On May 26, Juilfs competed on his biggest stage to date, the NCAA West Regionals. And just as he did at Hayward, the Sheldon alum rose to the occasion, finishing tied for the lead, and on his way to Des Moines, Iowa to compete for a National Championship. Through it all, an athlete who reaches such great heights remains grounded. Juilfs concluded, “I am thankful of the opportunity to compete… I know my future is in good hands, which allows me to focus on the here and now.”