Talisman vol. 55 iss. 5 June 10, 2020 senior issue

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TALISMAN a student-edited newspaper

Senior Issue

Graduating without traditions during a global pandemic page 2 Senior goodbyes pages 6-9 Sheldon High School

Corona Virus heroes page 10 vol. 55│iss. 5│June 10, 2020

2 June 10, 2020

Class of 2020 strong

the Talisman

Covid-19 through the eyes of seniors Jasmyn Jensen editor-in-chief As the seniors stepped into the final trimester of their high school career, everything changed. School was no longer in session, and no one knew when or if it would resume for them to finish out strong, and say their proper goodbyes to teachers, staff, and each other. When the devastating news came that the seniors would not return to Sheldon for the rest of their senior year, many students looked to social media to express their sadness and disappointment. The class of 2020 missed out on their last prom, last day walking through the halls, and getting to hug their favorite teachers to say goodbye. And finally, the day every kid looks forward to, walking across the stage at The Hult Center to receive their diploma and hearing the cheers from family in the crowd. While students shared their sadness with others they also found creative ways to stay entertained and enjoy friends from six feet apart.

Senior Bella McNutt said, “What makes me saddest about this year ending early is that I feel like I wasn’t able to thank my teachers and peers for helping me grow into the person I always hoped I would [be]. Especially with IHS I got a very different high school experience and I feel like I never gave my IHS teachers enough appreciation for being such big influences in my life.”

Many students when they shared their feelings had

different things or interactions they were most sad about.

Senior Brita Gilbert said, “What makes me the saddest are the little memories that we are supposed to be making. I am obviously sad about not having a regular graduation and prom, but I’m almost more sad about the spontaneous lunch dates with my friends, fun interactions in the parking lot, and my last walk through the school hallways.” This is what most students looked to social media to express and to be there for one another through something none of them have experienced.

Senior Zoe Sanderson shared her own feelings and said, “I am mostly sad about not knowing everything was going to be my last. If I knew last year’s prom would be my last, I wouldn’t have been so stressed and would have tried to enjoy it more. If I knew I wasn’t going to play a single tennis match, I probably would have saved my parents money and not bought new equipment. If I knew prom wasn’t going to be a traditional one, I wouldn’t have spent months finding the perfect dress just to cancel my order. But what I’m most sad about, is the lost time with the staff at Sheldon and the classmates I don’t see outside of school. It makes me sad that these are the people that helped me form my opinions and shaped my perspective on so many things and I didnt get to say formal goodbyes.”

Although throughout this experience many have looked to new hobbies and activities to keep entertained, this has been especially difficult with social distancing and many things being closed. McNutt said, “ To keep myself busy

I have been painting and finding new music every night.

Painting has definitely been one of the best stress relievers during this time and I enjoyed exploring my artistic side that I didn’t even know I had.” Along with others, as McNutt stated, students have found a passion producing art and having the realization that they are more successful at it than they previously thought.

Some students whose place of work stayed open have looked to staying busy by bringing in cash to better prepare them for college. Even though this is an unprecedented time they are enjoying the money they are making for working longer and more hours that they wouldn’t have had the chance to if school had been in session. As well, with their extra free time students are also enjoying family and new show series and movies. Gilbert is one of them; she said, “ I am working to make money for college and watching a lot of Netflix. I am also getting closer to my family and we all go on a lot of hikes, runs, and do movie nights together.”

Along with Gilbert, Sanderson has been doing a lot of exercising herself. Sanderson said, “I’ve been exercising, going on hikes, watching documentaries and cooking a lot. My favorite activity has been exercising because it has helped my state of mind and made me happier.”

In the end, students made the most of this difficult time, and the class of 2020 has come together to celebrate and support each other. They will go down in history as one of the strongest classes of Sheldon.

“I would tell my freshman self that there is a huge and

hopeful future beyond high school, but to also live out high school to the fullest because you will never be more young and carefree. I would tell little Brita to stress less about school and break out of her introverted shell more to meet more people because our class is going to be inventors, entertainers, business people, and creators of the future.” - Brita

photo courtesy Zoe Sanderson

photo courtesy Bella McNutt

“To my fellow classmates I’d like to say that just

“To my fellow classmates I say, do not forget that

you are not alone during this. It is incredibly easy to get in your head and feel isolated while we are being forced to isolate. However, that does not mean that you are the only one feeling the way you do. We are all in this together and no matter what we all know exactly how you are feeling.” - Bella

photo courtesy Brita Gilbert

because we aren’t finishing off the year in person, I hope there will be some sort of celebration in person in the future. If that has to be a five year reunion, so be it.

I’m excited to see where everyone’s life leads and am glad that I got to know so many of them. Everyone that came in and out of my life during high school taught me something and I wish them all the best.” - Zoe

Coping with COVID-19

the Talisman

June 10, 2020

Introverts vs extroverts during quarantine Nathan Byers editor

Amidst the current Covid-19 situation Sheldon students have been forced to adapt to the current state of the world and live a completely different kind of life than they were living before. While staying inside most of the time different kinds of people have dealt with the situation in various manners and some have been doing better than others. The main divide between these people stands on the crux of how they interact socially and whether or not they are an introvert or an extrovert. It is common knowledge that people are different and some people

thrive more on social interaction than others but for the first time it is coming to light who is truly dependent upon social interaction and who is not, from students who are daring to leave their house in seek of some form of adventure to students who haven’t looked back since the catastrophic changes in our lives there are various individuals across the spectrum.

Extroverted students are typically seen as more expressive and social, always finding a way to include people in their activities and opening themselves in a manner that is typically more energetic. During times when these people aren’t able to do this and are forced to stay inside they may struggle from the drastic change.

Senior, Taylor Parker says, “I feel my best when I am around other people. Not being in the social environments I used to be a part of has extremely affected my energy and motivation. I’ve tried to stay connected through FaceTime

3

and other online forms of social connection, but not being in the presence of friends has had a huge effect on me.”

With extroverts being forced to stay home and limit their interactions with other human beings they have many more negative experiences where they feel as though they’ve lost a facet of their life where they felt comfortable spending most of their time with other people. Individuals like Taylor Parker value their time and interactions with others and don’t enjoy watching the world pass them by.

Introverts on the other hand, while not exactly thriving are certainly coping with the whole situation much better. While extroverts are missing out on their social interactions many introverts feel fairly similar to how they did before the quarantine when it comes to how much they require. Senior, Ryan Duncan says, “Personally I’m an introvert. Mainly because a bunch of people wear me down. I’m doing fine during the quarantine. Gives me plenty of time to workout and try to make the most of it.” Students like Duncan find themselves in a situation where they can prosper as they are provided time to make the most of. This doesn’t completely rid introverts of any lack of fulfillment they may feel from losing the rest of their highschool experience. While accommodations have been made to try to salvage the experience it is clear that students are missing out on many moments they would have otherwise had.

Gru’s plan resulted in what most seniors are dissappointed about.

memes courtesy of Nathan Byers Some introverts found themselves thriving, or genuinel craving social interaction for the first time.

Memes, Memes, Memes!

4 June 10, 2020

Opinion

the Talisman

We can’t all be heroes, but we all have to support them course, you have the right to go out, but you’re going to spread this disease to more vulnerable people who don’t need cross-contamination. If you live The world as we knew it said with a grandparent or elderly relative, goodbye the moment COVID-19’s you’re putting them and yourself at Patient 0 showed up. The question risk by being in a big group anywhere. is, why did the world change so You could take [the virus] home. And much? Well, the answer lies in you could also be spreading whatever those weeks before quarantine germs you have to other people who was declared. Certain government might have children or elderly at officials, including Trump, played home, or auto-immune suppressed down the threat the virus caused.

When the topic came up in classroom people. So, I think a lot of people chatter, it was a split between fear and have been walking around with a false sense of security, thinking they won’t nonchalance. But now, we sit with get sick, but they don’t realize the nearly two million confirmed cases impact they’re going to have on the in the U.S. alone (which accounts rest of society.” for about a third of the world’s confirmed cases). Many are upset and It’s bigger than the individual disappointed, including freshman Eva person. It’s bigger than you and me.

Hergenreter, who said, “We should’ve It’s about everyone. Every day, we can either make progress or hinder started quarantine earlier. [But now] it’s too late for that. We shouldn’t end society and the medical community.

We all have to do our part - whether quarantine...You can’t give someone it’s social distancing at the grocery their life back!” store or stopping the spread of But the sad reality is that we have misinformation - if we want to be able very little control over what the government does in these trying times. to face this virus.

However, as many cheesy Instagram posts say, “We control our own destinies.” And, more importantly, we can control our actions to help flatten the curve of increasing numbers of infections. One of the most important actions we can do? Stay home.

Staying home saves lives.

COVID-19 is spread primarily through person-to-person contact, even when said people are not touching. The golden rule nowadays is to stay six feet apart, about the size of a WNBA player. As the CDC has said: “Although the risk of severe illness may be different for everyone, anyone can get and spread COVID-19.

Everyone has a role to play in slowing the spread and protecting themselves, their family, and their community.”

But protecting yourself and others isn’t just limited to staying apart.

Everyone’s mental health can easily slide into a weak and damaged state, which is why we all need to make sure no one’s alone. Geometry teacher Mr. Clark said, “There’s still a lot of people out there that can help and support you. Utilize the help that’s available, and make sure you’re staying connected with your peer group. Go out for a walk.” Mr. Clark also remarked, “We’re stronger together, but together doesn’t have to be physically close,” referencing local food drives and community groups who are helping those most vulnerable.

Amy Mayes is a homecare aid worker for a senior woman in King County in Washington, the site of a hotspot, who said, “I think that the main consequence of going out… of

Sofia El-Shammaa editor

illustration by Sofia El-Shammaa

opinion

the Talisman

June 10, 2020

Too much homework Hayden Lane staff writer A question often asked by students in high school is why there is so much homework. Many students think that the homework assigned by teachers is too much to handle.

Students, parents, and teachers on this topic have various perspectives on this topic.

Thurston High School student Andrew Murray said when asked about homework, “It’s honestly fine but I prefer less work.” When asked what he might change about work in the class versus work at home, Murray said, “I would focus more on the in-class teaching, and tone back the amount of homework by a lot.” It’s apparent that students are wanting more in-class work and less time wasted in class so they can have more time at home for free time and even studying.

Kasey Stephens, a parent of a Sheldon student was the next interview. When asked her opinion on homework Stephens said, “Yes I think there can be too much at times especially for students who do extracurricular activities.”

Students and parents can agree on the idea of too much homework.

The next interview was with Sofia Cornejo, a teacher who had a different perspective: “I agree with homework and the amount of it if it is a way for the teacher to help them cement it in their head but if it’s just homework where the teacher doesn’t give feedback and it’s just students doing the homework to get it done then I disagree with it.” This is a good point because nowadays many students go to school for the grade and not the learning aspect.

Homework clearly has been just for a grade in recent times and the student has lost interest in the learning aspect. Homework is often no longer used as a tool to

5

check work and sometimes there might just be too much.

There needs to be a change in homework in the public education system.

photo by Hayden Lane

Students have had a lot of work to do at home during the pandemic.

Favorite places to get take out during the pandemic Meghan McMahan contributing writer

The past couple months, restaurants have closed their doors to the public in hopes to keep their families, staff, and customers safe. However, for local restaurants, it can be a struggle to close or switch to take-out. Chain restaurants are known to more people and are making more money in the long run by their different locations and by their presence in the community. Some Sheldon students have been helping out their favorite local restaurants by getting their takeout locally and enjoying their food.

Sophomore Morgan Eipp has been eating out at Twin Dragon. It’s a Chinese restaurant on River Road in Eugene. Eipp said, “I personally really enjoy the food; I think it’s delicious and I also really enjoy supporting local businesses.”

Eipp’s family has also really enjoyed getting food from there. They said it’s convenient to order and the food is super good. They started eating at this restaurant a couple years ago when Eipp heard about it from a friend. Ever since quarantine started, Eipp has been getting more take-out, because normally during school her family eats homemade meals. Twin Dragon has been doing takeout services only.

Beppe and Gianni›s Trattoria is another popular local restaurant during quarantine. Junior Kaelan Valentine works there and they just reopened recently. Valentine has been getting their takeout to support the local business.

Beppe and Gianni’s is located by the University of Oregon campus, it’s right across from Prince Puckler’s Ice Cream. Valentine said they have “very good, authentic Italian food.” He has ordered their food around three to four times since they reopened. His favorite dish is the ravioli. It has been convenient for him to get food there because of their easy in-store pick up.

Junior Madelyn Sherris started eating at Sabai Cafe and Bar a couple years ago, and she’s been eating more of it ever since in-building school shut down.

This restaurant is located in the Oakway Center, and they serve Thai food.

Sherris gives Sabai a very strong review because they tailor the food to the customer’s preferences and it’s very easy to pick up. Sherris’ family also loves their food. She said, “My family does really enjoy this place. They love the immense flavors Sabai has to offer. They get the red curry and the Sabai noodle.” Sabai has always been a fan favorite for Sherris’ family even before the quarantine started.

photo by Greg Cantwell Twin Dragon on River Road has been open throughout the pandemic for take out.

Words, Words, W ords for the Senior

By Andrew Cabrer s a When ev

en true or false inclu ded: “All-of-the-above.”

Kent Is this the promised end?

There was some se Edgar Or image nse behind it all: of that horror?

That ’s how I show ed my love!

Is this the promise d end you ask?

It was my way to sh Cleverly quoting Le ow you ar.

What’s next in this Without lifting a pe weird life n, you’ve passed, So full of such un certainty So why the single tear?

And pain and men tal strife.

Is it because your realm to rule And, sure, good stu Now sits in ghostly ff, but let silence?

The others talk of that.

With weeds as tall as freshmen boys; I’ve represente d turmoi A sad and lonely isl and?

And chaos with a lau l, gh.

I kid. There are reas ons manifold Can you recall a ch aracter To gasp in utter te rror.

Who had it somew hat good?

The world’s so tru ly out of joint Yes, literature has shown us all This must be some cruel error.

The ways through these dark woods.

For this was not th e promised end.

Fr om Fr odo, Janie, Juliet, That one was so m uch better.

To Invisible Man. The one you had in side your head The universe was With only sunny we unconcerned ather.

That they had a gr eat plan.

But let us turn aw ay from that And more than sym Let’s make this ab pathetic pain out me, These tales did off And how I have pr er you. epared you They gave you myr For these times of iad ways to frame misery.

Your daily point of view.

It seems as if ‘twer e yesterday, And you twisting in To look at things po pain etically.

At questions on th To make your life an ose crazy tests art.

That made you go To be a tragic hero insane. ine Or clown it in a farc e.

Embracing the absu rdity.

Embracing all the sad.

And maybe getting up to fight When everything is bad.

OK, it’s time to en d this thing With one last thin g to say: I wish you love an d heartache in This tragicomic play .

For they will come.

Let’s not be coy, And why should we pretend?

Let’s not say what we ought to say, Let’s speak today as friends.

Emotions, they look good on you, So wear them all wi th pride.

I’ll catch you on th e rolling seas Of rough and gent le tides.

senior goodby

Dear Seniors,

I feel sad that we wo n’t get to say good ceremony with high bye in a big public fives, exultation, an d hats thrown high air. Please know th in the at the teachers miss you, are happy for now you get the re you, and al fun in life: what comes after high sc also know that hool. And you go out with an unbeatable record for the most senior skip days ever.

Ike Sanderson Biology SHS

Señora Albrich’s

senior goodbye:

s huellas Caminante, son tu ás; m da na el camino y camino, y ha no , Caminante andar. se hace camino al camino, Al andar se hace el rás at y al volver la vista nca nu e se ve la senda qu r. sa pi a r se ha de volve mino ca y ha Caminante, no . ar m la en sino estelas (1875-Antonio Machado 1939) Poeta español

yes from staff

inal state, prepare for a lim us t le ey th e us ca we aren’t are important be were before but e w t ha in w o er er ng ut lo or in odbye. The when we are no were mostly born they let us say go d r.

An he e. ac m te co a e be m ill stones and lly beca

yet what we w dissolved the mile year that I officia ar e ye m y sa ol m e ho at th sc th , e ly 01 th ick 20 u saw yourself d qu September, abrupt end of ve defined how yo g an adult. I learne ha in to be ay le m nt ab at ea th be m r to es , he qu ts a blessing of even Being a teac even the cli r, to is loss comes with understand world ne Th to . an e ts m l m en na ed ud tio ct st ra ol pe , ex ho a calm self as adults. My students as high sc cks on America in courage will redefine your ta d u at ke yo fa ist I w or -ho rr ing what ty t te fe ou e sa th ab r explain choices em of thei ture intent on do th fu t e re ou th su ab ce as t sy fa u bu ea yo ar un fe at lt both affirm their hope for you is th as happening. I fe ld, maybe derstand what w or un w e to at d th th de of d k en an in et , th pr ht and is rig would ion in a ape how students asked for my opin en my potential to sh be you understand re fo be r ve I had ne forever afterward. that “right” means d, rrified. ar te bo as y w I m ing d. to re xt te ne at Wells way that m courageously help a picture of Ida B. . ts ve en ha I ud , st e y om ov m ro m at ss ty In my cla your socie oly at me and on vel. She stares co st, re the Emancipati fo be s th right at my eye le toward a more ju on m o llow fever very just tw ye sla e th to g in e or rin rn m du bo s ir, as She w more fa her parent d d she lost both of came a teacher an be e Sh .

Proclamation, an beautiful world. I ild ch a st r e was still ju nature of ou will. sh e n siv he vi w di ic e th em id of ep believe that you nflict or co is of k in ed ar th I sc t ha am w I a writer. When reminds me that , mate, her picture She had the *On May 4, 2020 hat she endured. current political cli w to d c re ifi as pa rr w m ls ho co fort expose Ida B. Wel fear is mere discom s to the world as a journalist, to e could Sh . es ica itn er w posthumously ar Am be on courage to -Reconstructi st zer po d in an ns ce ica offi er Am awarded the Pulit bing of her m bo efir murders of Black e th . m ite for ent, and desp Prize for journalis n to use her voice sio ca oc not bear to stay sil an to se I hen her life, she ro s, even today.* W direct threats to Sincerely, through the new her es pl to rip er ll sw sti an ice at I have to th e change. Her vo in ag im I Kate Tierney e, ak oice to m have a difficult ch , too, about the English sive if not scared legacy. en eh pr ap e ar u like graduation that yo Seniors, I know . Rites of passage to in ep st to t ou e ab adult world you ar

You, seniors,

8 June 10, 2020

Senior goodbyes from staff continued

, 0 2 0 2 f o s s a l C r a De

d Robert Frost) starte thor (no, it wasn’t au it e lt, Th cu d. ffi di ele is av e Tr lif e Road Less accept that Th d d an lle d ca an ok rst bo de a un Bu ad we rsity. t, early twenties, I re on to say that once r overcoming adve fo nt a we ul rm He fo ” lt. sy When I was in my cu ea ffi di rstanding e was an ement that “life is ly difficult, and unde of advice, that ther sib d en kin eh is pr th m u with the pronounc co yo in e is ves lt. I wish I could giv we now find oursel is no longer difficu situation in which e e it go away.

Th ak e. m pl ess and loss. In r sim no so lty t no ee of difficu e a sense of sadn gr ar sh de e all th unfortunately, it’s we ish d in m an di e this, ver the ultimate fact does not year would end lik high school was ne or m ni fro se an n and accepting that ur tio yo ua at ad th gr out it, e like a plateau th imagined , but if you think ab e world of metaphors it’s much mor tic No one could have d ac an m d cli ea tiah an ok d and lo t in th s unfair an also to look around ney to be sure, bu t ur bu many ways it seem jo , e’s nd lif hi be on s ne lie at key milesto d reflect back on wh destination. It’s a reer that I t place to pause an ea gr a s It’ . . first time in my ca ak e es pe th ur nt is is ve th ad d xt an a mountain ne ), e’s aybe going to e 1990s! that will lead to on long time (since th early retirement, m a r ed fo at S pl IH em ponder the paths in nt d co I an to teach you a row. ng at Sheldon w cool it would be e or four years in ho re t th ou r fo ab I have been teachi t s nt gh de ou th stu o s (which I know t I als teach the same LTD bus driver, bu inate your IB exam m an e do m to co have been able to u be yo to e s ar er ep tion medallions.

To pr switching care u with your gradua you were seniors! yo en t wh en teach in France or u es yo pr h to ac d te an , e opportunity to do Center finish line, to th you at the Hult med that we lost th m wi all the way to the bu ge lly sta ta To focus e to th e am ar I ne), to sh what was gained. aching, and on te s ep cu ke fo to to e ed lik cid d you would have do ul y I de oodbye” letter, I wo e main reason wh You seniors are th and loss. For this “g s es dn sa t e. Not just as ou ab ough r of things to com . so er ur th ec ge pr to a e those things. But en n, tim r sio pres ery time that l it was to share ou e an immediate im positive energy ev ad d m an u , m yo ias e, on how wonderfu us ad th gr h en and sang songs ter, and owed up in nint worked together You brought laugh u .

Yo rs s. ne When you first sh d ar ar le ye of ur fo ity the next e poems, mastere o as a commun ul maps! You wrot nued to do so for tif nti . au co ity individuals, but als be u t un yo os m d m m an e co , th your , and to room B-11 d active, and served analytical timelines d an an e, , of you wandered in tiv ir ns ea pa tio cr a ta re en ith es we (w You e visual repr e of hand sanitizer red thinking skills. together. You mad ther, you ve me a huge bottl strated higher orde ga u on yo m de en d th an d In our classes toge L, an .

CV y, er Ev da y ft. er Gi ev st. h the art of OP uc Be it. rencing. But and laugh pretty m d your names on parenthetical refe er op pr g in You made me smile e first day of senior year. And signe us d how to think. urces an th what to think, but rtance of citing so h po uc im m e so th t d sunglasses on it) on no an d ry ne , for the right u lear raphy and histo w to learn. That yo struggle for freedom e ho d Th . ne ity ar rs le learned about geog ve u yo ad e at ercom ited States, but else, I hope th gles of people to ov s, not just in the Un ug ht str rig e an th more than anything m ed hu di d stu an you’ll remember rights ars you have e struggle for civil and resilience. That Th e, y. ag lit For the past four ye ur ua co d eq ic an h, om gt stren and places we have cial and econ st like the people ber the examples of ju d em to vote, and for so m An re ). ll ralleled it! u’ yo do at n . I hope th aling with an unpa ede! (We ca de pu e se ar í e ¡S W t. ge os sa m es s all around the world em true to what matter the Riveter and th . the prize and stay on the poster of Rosie es ey ur s of money, yo rough this together ep ke you’ll re. Not just in term and we will get th tu , fu us e ur fin yo de in t studied, I hope that st no ve ll ysical health First, in t this pandemic wi you some advice. al, spiritual, and ph e on giv oti to em e lik ur paradigm shift, bu d yo ul in wo ur community. . Invest e paragraph, I , and invest in yo for those you love ds d en an fri lf se For my penultimat ur ur yo yo in r fo st inve ing what is best st in your family, but in terms of do glad you did). Inve be . Vote ll ht wi rig u be yo r to de at you know wh g in (when you are ol do d an ity gr you want n and inte for the change that d an Practice compassio lf se ur yo r fo environment. advocate d take care of your an and volunteer and lf se ur yo of re . Take ca re your creativity. to see in the world d things that nurtu fin d an s ok bo od ad go time outdoors. Do Make music and re , and spend quality en oft ep gh lau , or m hu r stop learning. Ke Keep your sense of you joy, and neve gs ht in rig br e d on an an y th pp e is more what makes you ha at sometimes ther d th an ch ow ea kn d of t an , en ve d every mom an ch things in perspecti ea ize Se . : carpe diem answer. Most of all ent. , so enjoy the pres college and say gift a is contact me from every day. Life s nt de stu d ha have ember me, but Over the years I t know if you rem n’ do I ill, m Ha r. entire class who is: Hi M something like th e only one in my th s wa I d an ss ry cla response typically I’m taking a histo Hidalgo was. My e u up al ad Gu of y at ember you, are yo knew what the tre d of course I rem An u. ! yo ol r co be so em is m re at ly goes like this: Th that I will definite nt you to know ettable, and it has wa rg I fo un So d ? an ng g di in az kid am e ar u yo h, and I wish dividuals, Thank you so muc r.

As a class and as in he ac te ur yo be g hasta luego, d a joy to I will close by sayin been an honor an e, by od go of ad st. Inste you all the very be . ain ag u yo until I see Mr. Hamill IHS

the Talisman

Seniors’ final goodbyes

the Talisman

from Bella McNutt...

photo courtesy Bella McNutt

For the past twelve years I have imagined what my senior year would be like, I pictured myself walking down the halls of my high school knowing I was at the top, and feeling like the world truly was mine to take and explore. Most of all, I imagined myself walking across the stage at the Hult Center, taking my diploma, and feeling like finally I had finished what I started twelve short years ago when I was enrolled in kindergarten. Little did I know, my last trimester of my senior year would be the hardest yet. Not difficult because of my course load, or because of the fact that the reality of my college career would begin to set in, but because something was stolen from me, from every senior, who had hopes and expectations for their final year of high school. Never in my twelve year educational career did I think I would be crying over the fact that I would not be able to return to school, but now that I am here, I wish for nothing more than to sit in a classroom one last time with all of my teachers and classmates who in one way or another helped me grow into the person that I am today. Before entering high school I was terrified that I would not succeed, that the kids would be mean, that the teachers would not like me. But now sitting here after almost completing the final months of this portion of my life, I can confidently say that the past four years at Sheldon High School have been the best I have ever experienced in my life. I have grown into the person I always hoped I would be. We have all proven to ourselves that with the drive within us alone we can accomplish even the most difficult of tasks. I met the best friends I have ever had, I have also danced my way through the halls and felt like nothing could ever hurt me, and felt the darkest I have ever felt and seen the light at the end of the tunnel.

June 10, 2020

I have found love and suffered the heartbreak that followed it and learned that boys probably shouldn’t be what I focus most of my time on. But most of all throughout these four years, through IHS and Spanish Immersion I have found a community of people that (whether I showed it or not) I felt so comfortable around, a community in which we could have difficult conversations and actually listen to what one another had to say, and finally a community that, in a way, felt like home. That is what is most difficult about this trying time. That I, along with the rest of the class of 2020, will not be able to say our final goodbyes to each other and more importantly our thank yous. Thank you for helping us grow into intelligent and aware human beings, for being understanding when one of us is struggling and for making us laugh over the silliest of things. Sheldon High School and the IHS program that it provided me has been both my best and worst motivator to strive to be the best person I could be, and I can truly say that I am heartbroken by the fact that it had to come to such an abrupt and unexpected end. Although a lot has been taken from us, I know that one thing that could never be stolen is the lasting memories that we have made throughout these four years, and the friendships that will forever leave a lasting spot in our minds. Thank you Sheldon, International High School and most of all thank you to Buena Vista for giving me such an amazing class that I know I will never forget. I feel lucky to have been able to share my high school experience with such amazing peers, and the amount of heartache I feel now is only telling how blessed we have all been in having something so amazing. Thank You.

from Zoe Sanderson...

In the last couple of months, the new world we live in has been overwhelming. This time has been made up of a worldwide pandemic, heartwrenching police brutality, college decisions, murder hornets, and more scary and often historic events. An underlying theme for my classmates and me has been the end of high school. It has led me to be grateful for every moment, good and bad, and has made me reflect on what hapamazing people I met in high school that I will never see again. It is weird that so many people are paying attention to the class of 2020 and giving us so much love.

Everything is weird, but it is the new normal. We

photo courtesy Zoe Sanderson

have spent so much time with a lot of the same classmates, teachers, and staff, and did not get a traditional goodbye.

I want to say to any teacher I had, any classmate I had, Darin Henry, and the administrators: thank you. I have grown so much during the past four years, and a lot of that has to do with the encounters I had with people. We are all shaped by our experiences and interactions, and are better or worse for it (hopefully better hehe). But also, to be blunt, Sheldon has some problems.

There’s sexism, racism, homophobia, and more that run deep into the culture. I hope that what is happening in the world right now can somehow filter out the bad things about our school and make them better. Along with that, I hope this long period of time, that has made so many people self-reflect, makes school a fertile ground for changing the climate for the better. I am hopeful that more people will become more passionate about fixing the issues that Sheldon has, and that Irish Pride will soon translate to pride in everyone’s differences.

Goodbye Sheldon. Thank you for everything.

9

Sarah Murchison French/Spanish

g n i d Sen e v i t i s po . s e b vi

Peter Saraceno art

Dan Clark math

Ashley Clark English

Ike Sanderson biology Les Phillipo CTE Vern Cedarlund math

10 June 10, 2020

Corona Virus heroes

Corona heroes

the Talisman Samantha Bateman editor

students with jobs Through the COVID-19 outbreak, some students see this time off from school as a vacation: sleep in as late as they want, do work whenever they feel like it and play video games until their thumbs go numb. But other students need to work, which can be very stressful during this pandemic. Junior Morgan Wagers said she has been “working 35 to 40 hour weeks,” which leaves little time for her to do anything else but work and sleep. Wagers is working so much during this time that her sleep schedule only leaves her with “an hour before work” for free time. This free time, though, is fully consumed with the immense amount of homework piled on by a full school schedule. All this built-up stress can be made even worse by inconsiderate customers who blatantly “disregard [workers’] efforts” to provide everyone a safe environment. Wagers is even occasionally told that “the tasks she’s doing are pointless,” leaving for frustration and annoyance throughout the workday. These frontline workers (student workers) are our classmates, trying to keep the community safe from the pandemic surrounding the globe. Thank you to all the student workers! Make sure that when you go out in public, to be mindful of others and their efforts to help.

first responders First responders are people who are trained to respond to emergencies. They are the ones who are there when a fire happens, when someone gets hurt or when there’s a shooting. These first responders have been true heros through this pandemic, consistently going out and responding to different emergencies even though they aren’t fully aware what they are running into. Local firefighter Nathan Kunasek said, “[those in charge] limit the number of fire personnel directly in contact with the patient.” Personnel are still going out on dispatches into situations in which they may come in contact with COVID-19. But when asked if they were scared of catching COVID-19 Kunasek responded, “I am not afraid of getting the coronavirus. At work we are routinely in the presence of infectious diseases and all types of body fluids.” These responders are fearless in the face of disease because they face life-threatening calls like this everyday.

A final tip to learn from this firefighter, Kunasek wants everyone to “be mindful and conscientious of our hygiene in regards to cross contamination throughout the community.” Thank you first responders and healthcare workers!

teachers Through this pandemic teachers have been hard at work trying to make the transition from face-to-face learning to online school as smooth as possible. These teachers care about teaching students but they also care about the students in general. For spanish teacher Señora Albrich, she’s “glad we’ve been able to continue with our classes and provide new material, but distance learning will never be able to compare with what happens in our classrooms at Sheldon.” Albrich, along with several other teachers, during this pandemic have gone above and beyond expectations making sure to constantly check in with students, some of whom aren’t even in her classes. From just the first days of quenintine she “sent [her] classes messages letting them know that I was thinking about them, [along with] some online games.” Señora Albrich, along with several other teachers, are true corona heroes for making this transition for students so much easier along with constant check-ins making sure they are doing well. As a final note, Albrich wanted to let seniors and students know, “How proud I am of them and their work to get to where they are. We miss you! We cannot wait to see you and hear you!” photos this page by Samantha Bateman

Thank you student workers, first responders, and teachers!

pandemic phone usage

the Talisman

June 10, 2020

11

Student phone usage increases Griffin Lambert staff writer

Right now, more students are on their phones than ever before. It is reasonable to see why, because all our education is online. Is the promotion of technology limiting the amount of exercise students are getting? When asked this question, junior Kenny Harrison said, “I try to go on a walk every now and then, but it has affected my exercise a little.” Harrison also stated that he can’t go to the gym anymore, because it is closed down.

For junior Gabe Seidel, exercise isn’t a problem.

When asked what he is doing to get enough exercise, he said that he’s been playing a lot of basketball. However, like Harrison, he isn’t able to go to the gym anymore.

According to junior Jackson Bang, quarantine has affected how much technology he uses. When asked about it, Bang said, “I play on my XBOX a lot more.”

Despite the increase of XBOX time for Bang, he still tries to go on hikes every now and then. Like Harrison, he can’t go to the gym because it is closed.

As places begin to open up again, hopefully all will have the chance to become more active again.

photo by Griffin Lambert Students have been spending more time on their phones than engaging in activities such as throwing around a football with friends like they used to.

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