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TALISMAN a student-edited newspaper
Sheldon’s first prom in two years! page 7
Sheldon Spring Carnival page 6 ALICE Training Returns page 10 Sheldon High School 2455 Willakenzie Rd. Eugene, OR 97401
vol. 59 - iss. 5 - May 5, 2022
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Student Experinces
May 5, 2022
the Talisman
Students with Sheldon staff relatives Molly Dahlager editor Many Sheldon teachers have children, but how many have kids that go to Sheldon? Some prefer their kids to go to the same school they work at, and some would rather teach at a different school - both have their pros and cons. Having a parent who is also a teacher at school can help with support in your classes. Junior Tori Line said, “I can go to my dad’s class whenever I need help with school work.” This could be something that is taken into consideration with students who may go to the school their parents work at. Teachers that are parents are generally the ones who decide whether or not their kids go to the school they work at. Some prefer their kids to go to another school so they don’t become distracted or embarrassed, but some think it would be better to have their kids at their work. Math teacher Kim Torrey’s children currently attend Coburg Charter School and will eventually be students at Sheldon. Torrey said, “I would love to teach my own children! I think it would be a great experience.” She also stated it would depend on each family’s situation, as not everyone’s the same. Not all families would thrive in an environment where one is teaching the other, especially since they would be spending so much time together. School is a very social place for kids, and so if they add their parents into the equation it may become a different environment for those children. Students thrive at school through socializing, learning, and growing. Many need the time away from their parents to grow for themselves. Also, parents and kids don’t always have the same thought processes, especially about academics, so working in a place with your children could cause arguments. Sophomore Briana Hamel said, “I wouldn’t want my mom to be my teacher because there would be more arguing than there would be teaching.” Every family and situation is different, having your parent as a teacher is not something everyone wants.
photo by Sofia El-Shammaa
Isabella Whalley and her dad, science teacher David Whalley take a moment after school.
Gap year opportunities Natalie Kaiser editor The first thing that comes to mind when you think of a gap year is all the possibilities that could open up for you. The most common reasons that students take gap years is because they are either burnt out from school or want to learn more about themselves and discover new things. Either way, gap years are full of endless possibilities. Full of time to learn about yourself, what you are interested in, and the world around you. When thinking about what one does in a gap year, many think of travel, work, and volunteering. So what do people really do during their gap year? Senior Daniel White said, “I’m taking a gap year because I want to run across the country. And when I run I mean, I do not intend to stop running. And then I will join the army and then come back and join the workforce.” Some people have the intent to try new things, bringing them better opportunities in the future, just like White. Others may take the approach of traveling to learn and practice a language and experience different cultures. Recent South Eugene grad Chloé Neuschwanger went on an unique journey and said, “During my gap year I was an English teaching assistant in an elementary school in France. I helped teach kids from ages 2-10. This included giving lessons and helping in class.” As you can imagine, this was an experience like no other. Neuschwanger has traveled in France and met
many new people, experiencing what it is like to be a foreigner in a new country. Neuschwanger said, “This year has definitely had some of my lowest points. [But] I think it has also given me a lot more confidence and a bigger world view.” World Language teacher Sarah Murchison also took a gap year, living with host families and attending high school in France. This may seem strange, as she had just graduated, but many high school students in other countries study different things and may be a few years older. When asked about the application process and gap years, Murchison said, “I would recommend applying to college before you go, deferring admission, and sticking with your choice to make life easier.” A common worry about gap years is “Will I go back to school after taking time off?” According to the website Denver Gap Year, 90% of students return to school within a year. Gap year students also have 23% higher grades than students who went directly into college. In the United States, we often dismiss gap years and the benefits that they bring. Obviously, one thing is not right for everybody, but don’t ignore all of the options without looking deeper. Maybe you will find the opportunity that is just right for you.
Pictured here are some of the French elementary students along with Neushwanger and her friends.
photos courtesy of Chloé Neushwanger
Classes
The Talisman
May 5, 2022
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Student recommendations for electives Liam Zamora-Fields editor
Stud
With the huge selection of classes and electives at Sheldon, it can be daunting to pick classes while forecasting. With multiple credit categories for electives, it’s important to understand some classes that you will need to take to graduate from Sheldon. From physical education to fine arts and foregin language, the array of classes have a lot of variability and some are better than others. Senior Spencer White prefers ceramics as his favorite elective. It’s a relaxing class that he used for staying caught up on school work when he was done with the actual projects for the class. He also liked being able to create things and bring them home to keep. He has taken both ceramics one and two. Ceramics two was more advanced than ceramics one and had more in-depth projects. White recommends taking both one and two. Senior Jessica Scialfa has taken lots of language arts classes through high school. Her favorite was creative writing with Lawton. She liked this class because there was less analyzing books than most classes. She also likes Mr. Lawton as a teacher and believes he does a good job teaching the class. You get to write what you want to for the most part so the class is less guided than others might be. Scialfa said “I love having freedom to write a story about whatever I want.” Having that freedom makes it more enjoyable even if you don’t like writing. Senior Daniel White likes the physical education electives. His favorite of the many options is net games. He likes playing games with friends and getting active during the long school day. Strength and conditioning is another favorite of his. White said “You get to better yourself and become more fit for free, and get credit for it.” Having to take physical education to graduate is controversial but strength and condition is only there for improving yourself and nothing else. With all the electives available to take at Sheldon it is important for younger students to know popular and enjoyable classes. People like them for a reason and if available they are taken multiple times by students. Many people take strength and conditioning multiple times and it is a very popular class. Overall, Sheldon has a large selection of classes to take and choosing the best one is all about what you are looking for and what you hope to get out of the class.
Students work in 3D art class.
What current Sheldon elective would you recommend to other students?
Classes that are GPA breakers Audrey Bivens editor Many students enter high school with the goal of earning a 4.0 GPA by the time they graduate. Although this goal is within reach for many people, there are a few classes that are known for not only being difficult and time consuming, but known for “breaking” people’s GPAs. Most honors students would agree that freshman year Honors Global Geography was a challenging class. Junior Bela Flores said, “Every single person I know who doesn’t have a 4.0, is because of this class…it’s without a doubt the hardest class I’ve ever taken.” Not only are freshmen thrown into this class while still transitioning into high school, but without proper study habits or note-taking skills to assist them in succeeding in such a fast paced learning environment. Flores recalled, “Freshman year I didn’t know how to study for tests or memorize vocab.” This is a common theme among freshman; middle school doesn’t help create the study habits necessary for taking advanced classes in high school. Currently, there is no application process for honors classes. Although this has its pros, some of the cons include students damaging their GPA when they stay in classes that aren’t the right fit. This could be due to a number of reasons including pressure from parents, or even the idea that taking hard classes always looks good on a transcript. Mrs. Youngblood, the Honors Global Geography teacher said, “A lot of kids don’t have study habits coming from middle school.” Youngblood said this
photo and graphic by Sofia El-Shammaa
is because they weren’t forced to put in a lot of time nor effort to get good grades. Both Youngblood and Flores agree that in middle school many students didn’t need to apply themselves and could “sail through middle school,” said Youngblood, which results in a slight shock for some students when entering high school. Although Youngblood’s class is known for its difficulty, well over half of her current freshmen have an A in her class. College Now (CN) classes are a great way for high school students to get a few college credits while gaining experience in advanced classes before entering college, though they do come at a “cost.” CN classes have the same curriculum as LCC and are at an advanced pace. Pre Calculus is a CN course offered here at Sheldon that many students take that definitely wouldn’t be considered an easy A. Mrs. Torrey, a Pre-Calc teacher, says that her class could be considered difficult for numerous reasons, one being “with the weight of tests and the final, you can’t count on the homework to get you an A;” also, “everything from distance learning was open note; now suddenly having to take a test with no notes is difficult.” Math also is one of those classes where concepts continue building, so for students who either didn’t retain knowledge from distance learning or for people who struggle with math, advanced math classes have concepts that are difficult to comprehend. “Pre calc is the easiest class, said no one ever” Torrey said while teaching a difficult concept this term. Ultimately, most classes that are known for “breaking” GPAs are considered difficult because of students’ lack of study habits/lack of preparedness, or the structure of the class
245 students surveyed
itself. If you plan on taking a class known for being challenging, make sure to be prepared with good study habits and a good work ethic if you want to get an A. Even though grades don’t define one’s success in a class, our school culture still values a letter grade over comprehension. If you plan on taking classes such as CN Chem, Pre- Calc, Calculus, Honors Global Geography, CN Writing, or any AP classes, be prepared to study hard, because most teachers would agree that the amount of effort you put into learning the material, the better grade and better comprehension you’ll have.
illustration by Sofia El-Shammaa
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Student Life
May 5, 2022
the Talisman
Ballin’ on a budget Beatrice Walton co-editor-in-chief High school students have many different priorities when it comes to managing money, budgeting, saving and spending money. However, no matter the circumstances, everyone could use some tips on saving. Many students are broke and use budgeting tools and other “hacks” to save money. Senior Morgan Eipp loves caffeine and gets coffee most days so, she got a job at Starbucks where she gets free coffee whenever she works. Eipp said, “A good tip to save money is to look at your biggest expenses and then find ways to reduce those costs. For me that means eliminating my spending on caffeine while still enjoying the drinks I love.” Other students also do this by getting jobs at places they love to eat or drink to cut costs. Some other students find that they spend the most money on clothes and fashion! Junior Bela Flores loves to shop, so she has found ways to spend less money on clothes while still getting to do the activity she loves. Flores said, “I for sure spend the most on clothes, so instead of buying new clothes I go thrifting and love to dig through my friends’ closets and borrow their clothes.” She explained that thrifting and borrowing clothes have more than halved her spending on fashion each month. According to junior Zach Bernard, most students at Sheldon tend to spend the most money on food during the school week. Bernard said, “The number one thing that has saved me money is packing a lunch and meal prepping.” Bernard plans out what he will need to eat throughout the day which limits the number of times he’s tempted to eat out throughout the week. When lunch outside of campus can cost up to fifteen dollars per day packing your lunch is a smart easy way to save. Bernard also stated that if you plan for the week it makes packing your lunch every day a less daunting task. Graphic by Kendall Smith
Students prefer various dining options Liam Cottle staff writer At Sheldon High School, students have many options of where they eat for lunch. A majority of the students leave school and eat off-campus, but there is still a large portion who stay at school or eat school lunch in the cafeteria. Many high schools in Eugene don’t always allow off-campus lunch or have too many places nearby to eat. Senior Mariana Hernandez said, “I don’t eat lunch at school because I think it’s much more fun to go out and eat; after spending so much time in school it’s fun to go off campus.” Sheldon High School is near a lot of stores and fast food restaurants, so many students leave campus, either by car or by walking to somewhere nearby. Even though the Sheldon parking lot is a little tricky to navigate during lunch, many students also drive off campus. Junior Troy Sproul said, “I know a lot of people that only drive to lunch when it’s raining, but I usually drive when I can.” Since lunch is 40 minutes long you can’t go too far but thankfully there are a lot of places around. Since free lunch is provided by the school, many people eat in the cafeteria. A lot of students also eat around campus. Junior Zach Braatz said, “Since all of the seats are usually full at Market of Choice I usually will get food and then go back to Sheldon to eat.” Sheldon High School students have a lot of dining options at lunch.
Sheldon‘s cafeteria offers lots of seating.
Photo by Sofia El-Shammaa
Media
the Talisman
May 5, 2022
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Social media’s influence on teen style Kendall Smith editor The amount of people using social media has skyrocketed since it first came out, meaning that its influence is bigger than ever. Nowadays, social media influences many aspects of our lives, from the foods we eat to the places we go. With the surge of social media from Instagram to Tiktok, clothing trends come and go faster than ever. Senior Ryker Shultz said, “I definitely think that TikTok has influenced teens’ styles. I mean we were all just sitting at home watching TikTok for months during quarantine, and that gave us a lot of time to think and basically reinvent ourselves.” Shultz also said that other than on social media he also gets his
inspiration from his boyfriend because he’s always had a really good sense of style. Trends are also a way for people to try to figure out what they do and don’t like when it comes to clothes and their style. Senior Jacklyn Poppen said, “I think social media plays a big role in some people’s style choices because they want to fit in or go with the fashion trends.” Trends come and go fast which can become expensive to keep up with. Junior Sydney Potter said, “ I think that shopping on fast fashion websites such as Shein would be okay in moderation, and I understand why people do it because it’s so inexpensive. I think that the people who do 500+ dollar hauls on brands like that, though, should research more about fast fashion and why it is
bad.” Over-consumption of clothes from unethical brands can harm not only the environment but also the companies over working and treating their employees badly.
graphics by Kendall Smith
Do students prefer Spotify or Apple Music? Bethany Cochran staff writer Many of Sheldon’s students listen to music on a daily basis, but what platform are they using? Spotify and Apple Music are two popular platforms, both with their pros and cons. For instance, Spotify has many plan options for its users, including a free plan without as many benefits, such as unlimited skips and the ability to download music. Apple Music has offline listening, and millions of songs to choose from. Sophomore Avery Walkoviak said, “I think Spotify is better because it has good audio quality, and I can still listen to music without having to pay for anything.” Both music platforms have unique features. Walkoviak said, “I love the ability to change my playlist covers; that makes it more fun.” Both platforms give users the ability to customize playlist covers and create original playlist
descriptions. Other people have a hard time knowing which is the best platform if they have only experienced one. Sophomore Elliott Morgan stated, “It’s hard to say which is my favorite when I have only used one.” They are very similar platforms with only a few differences, including how Spotify makes users their own personalized playlists based on their listening preferences. One feature unique to Spotify is playback settings. These settings allow a user to change the crossfade, audio normalization, and equalizer. Another benefit to using Spotify is the song recommendations. Sophomore Noah Steeves said, “Spotify gives you similar songs and helps you find new bands; I usually end up really liking the music that Spotify recommends.” Sheldon students were surveyed on what platform they prefer. Spotify was the favorite by a lot, with 64.90% of the votes. Apple music had the 25.3% out of the total 245 students surveyed. There were 8.6% of students that didn’t have a preference. Spotify has other advantages too, for example, Spotify has a social aspect; different users can follow each other and collaborate on playlists. This may be why it is overwhelingly preferred over Apple Music at Sheldon.
245 students surveyed
graph by Sofia El-Shammaa
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Carnival
May 5, 2022
Spring Carnival is coming to Sheldon May 27 Shiloh Capiak editor
Illustration by Tawny Thomas
Post COVID, it has been a priority at Sheldon to reconnect. The two years of online and hybrid learning made it difficult to improve school culture. That is why Sheldon Associated Student Body (ASB) is making concentrated efforts to host events that bring our school together. On Friday, May 27, 2022 from 6 to 9 P.M., Sheldon will be hosting its first Spring Carnival. The theme is Wild West. Currently, the sophomore class is underway with the planning process. About what goes into planning a school event, Sophomore Class President Aura Kathuria said, “Lots of planning and stress. We put a lot of effort into these events to ensure people have a good time. For this event, the freshmen and sophomores of ASB have dedicated a lot of time.” Many people have collaborated on the event, planning everything from the games to food to decorations in an effort to make this event a success. On why the sophomore class decided to host a carnival, Kathuria said, “We wanted to host a carnival to bring everyone together and to foster community at Sheldon. For the past two years, we have all been so disconnected. I think this is a great way to get together and wrap up the year.” Now that we are back to in-person school, ASB is taking full advantage and hoping to reunify the student body after two years of online and hybrid learning. ASB advisor Megan Perdue said, “My job as a Leadership teacher is to support student ideas to help improve school culture. So, when the sophomores came up with this idea to give students something fun to do, I supported it because it helps students have fun.” As the ASB advisor, Perdue oversees the planning of all ASB-sanctioned events, like prom and the carnival. On why she is looking forward to the carnival, Perdue said, “I love seeing students outside of the academic environment because it gives me the opportunity to connect in different ways. I just love watching students have fun, especially coming out of COVID! It’s a way to be together and have fun.” Sophomore Class Secretary Mason Prasad is looking forward to the carnival. Prasad stated simply, “It’s fun! And there will be food.” Some of the foods that will be available are typical concession items, as well as shaved ice. Students who attend the carnival also support future ASB events, including homecoming and prom. Kathuria said, “Hosting school events not only builds our school community, it also helps us continue fun traditions.” Students interested in attending the carnival can look forward to May 27th. Prasad said, “I hope every class gets to experience the carnival a couple of times throughout their high school careers.”
Photo spotlight: Oklahoma!
Photos of Sheldon’s spring musical, Oklahoma!
Photos by Mr. Cantwell
Entertainment
May 5, 2022
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Sheldon’s first prom in two years! Callie Lininger co-editor-in-chief Prom 2022 has been long awaited. The first prom in two years left everyone excited and full of anticipation. Prom doesn’t happen on its own, however, so a lot goes into planning prom. Junior Class President Brooke Tucker said, “Prom has been super fun to plan, yet it requires a lot of detail. The junior class is broken up into a prom board, and from there we would meet every week to discuss decorations, security, etc. We had a lot of staff support, specifically from Voss, so that has been very helpful as there is definitely a lot to cover.” While the planning is a lot of work, it was worth it. Something many people consider when thinking about prom is the theme. Every year the theme is different, and it’s up to the junior class to decide it. Tucker said, “This year’s theme is ‘Welcome to Hollywood.’ This was probably the hardest part of our planning as we had a couple other themes we had already decided on but they didn’t end up working out. We liked the idea of The Great Gatsby, but wanted to modernize it so therefore we went with Hollywood.” This theme included having a ticket that looked like a Hollywood movie sign, a photobooth with lots of props, and many fun decorations. Prom can be a busy day and while it’s filled with lots of activities, everyone’s is a little different. Senior Sam Curtis said, “Prom was fun. My friends and I got dinner, went to prom, and then got Voodoo doughnuts after.” Prom is an exciting experience, with many people getting ready, taking pictures, eating food, dancing, and spending time with friends. For seniors, this is one of the last fun times with your classmates. Once everyone arrived at The Graduate, where prom was held, there were many things you could do. Dancing, taking pictures in the photo booth, or eating chocolate fondue were very popular. Sophomore Piper Such said, “My favorite part of prom was getting to dance my heart out to ‘Gasolina’ with my girlies and my least favorite part was dropping my piece of
pineapple into the chocolate fountain.” After two years without a prom, prom 2022 was something that many people will remember, and was very successful.
Photos by Sofia El-Shammaal
Junior Camila Garibay sells tickets for prom.
Things to do in Eugene Olivia Gilhuber staff writer Eugene is a city filled with unique people and exciting things to do. There is an activity for everybody no matter their interests. From bike riding to rock climbing to thrift shopping, there’s something to do on every corner. Finding activities or new places to explore can be intimidating whether a person has lived in Eugene their whole life or is brand new to the city. Sophomore Jonah Shoemaker said, “My favorite activity in Eugene would be riding on the bike path because it is calm and relaxing.” Finding an activity or place to go can have great benefits for everyday life. Eugene has many locally owned shops and restaurants. Senior Ella Swangard said, “My favorite locally owned shops are the shops at 5th Street because they have both food and stores.” 5th Street is always busy and has places to go for hours. 5th Street Market and the surrounding areas have many restaurants to try and tons of little shops to look in. Grab a cup of coffee at Tailored, hop on over to Buffalo Exchange for some shopping, and finish the day with a scoop of ice cream at Handel’s. There are lots of fun things to do at 5th Street. Along with shops and places to eat, Eugene also offers a variety of places to be outdoors. Hiking, walking, swimming, biking, and rock climbing are all options. Senior Mya Guerin said, “I like to hike because Eugene has so many pretty views and good hiking spots,”. Some of the most popular hiking trails include Mt. Pisgah and Spencer’s Butte. Both provide amazing views and lots of exercise. Not only do outdoor activities provide some much needed fresh air and vitamin D, but they also allow for groups of people to enjoy the
outdoors together. While Eugene is full of fun activities, there are also many things to do all over the state. A great way to spend a day is at Wings and Waves waterpark in McMinnville. There is also great shopping in Portland at any of the many malls. Swangard said, “My favorite thing to do in Oregon is go to Blue Pools and hike because the environment is calm,”. The Tamolitch Blue Pools on the Mckenzie River trails offer great views and fun hikes for anyone. All these activities are very fun and can be done alone or with friends. Being with friends or even unknown people is a great way to spend time and get to know someone. Guerin said, “I prefer to always be with my friends so I can spend time with them.” Overall, there are lots of things to do not only in Oregon, but also in Eugene.
Spencer’s Butte is a popular hiking destination.
Photos by Olivia Gilhuber
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May 5, 2022
Tawny Thomas staff writer
illustration by Tawny Thomas
COVID For the past few years, our world has been behind masks. Day in and day out, no matter where we went - the grocery store, the park, the dentist, and so on - we could only see people from the eyes up; the rest of our faces tucked underneath face coverings to minimize exposure to COVID-19. Masks became normal to us - we literally never left the house without them, and yet
the Talisman recently, as soon as the mask mandate had been lifted, our attitudes shifted immediately. Since the requirement to wear masks has been absolved, society has yet another thing to disagree over; to mask or not to mask, that is the question. Instead of choosing a standpoint, this article will focus on the opinions and feelings behind choosing to wear or not wear a mask in today’s current society. Sheldon High School senior Keira Collier has faced relief since no longer being required to wear a mask at school or elsewhere: “I wondered when coming back to school after the mandate had been lifted if most people were going to be wearing masks or not. I didn’t want to be the only one wearing a mask, and I didn’t want to be the only one not wearing a mask. I was more confident in being maskless once I saw the majority was maskless as well. Now, I wear my mask only in areas where it’s required, such as doctors’ offices and public transportation,” said Collier. This perspective is intriguing, for it makes one contemplate if most people wear masks out of concern for health, or to not stick out and cause conflict - masks, after all, became the social norm and expectation the past few years. On the contrary, Sheldon High School sophomore Christine Hammerqueist has continued to wear masks when in public because of her concern for new variants and fear of bringing home the virus to her family: “Even though I am vaccinated, it’s been made apparent that new variants still threaten anyone, regardless of vaccinations. I have some family members with weakened immune systems and existing health conditions, and out of concern for them primarily, I don’t think our society is ready to be completely maskless.” This point of view allows one to consider that maybe our society is moving too quickly regarding lifting certain COVID-related procedures, and how the risks of the virus might still be in action. Senior Payton Dowell feels a bit differently: “I am triple vaccinated, including boosted. During COVID I followed the rules, and now things are seeming to even out, and I am ready to just get back to life without masks.” This seems to be a popular mindset among citizens nowadays. A majority of people are no longer wearing masks and relief is in the air - however, will that relief last? Will the mask mandate remain lifted? These questions may only be answered with time and data. In the meantime, masks seem to be obsolete nowadays back to normal at last.
Mental Health
The Talisman
May 5, 2022
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Therapy options: therapy vs psychotherapy Madelyn Raleigh page editor Seeking help from any kind of mental health specialist is something many people consider. Oftentimes, the majority struggle with finding the right kind of help, as well as finding a professional who suits them. Therapy offers a broad spectrum of benefits and welfare for all of us. Students and staff coming out of COVID developed a substantial amount of stressors, anxiety being one of them; throughout COVID, being in an enclosed space and having your own small bubble of a world, not being able to communicate or see others facial expressions, then returning to a school with over 1500 kids, crammed rooms, crowded hallways as well as the pressure of schoolwork is significantly different. Sheldon counselor Clair Smith emphasized how essential therapy is for many adolescents and adults: “I think everyone needs therapy, having someone to talk to who doesn’t have skin in the game is extremely helpful if you’re talking to your parents or your friends they are going to be biased. If you can talk to someone who acts as a conduit, whom you know isn’t going to judge or criticize you, someone who can help you work through day-to-day struggles while still providing clarity and guiding you to make your own decisions is so important.” Therapy is beneficial to today’s society. Many people tend to overlook and confuse the different kinds of therapy, due to the similar methods used. Psychotherapy and therapy do aim for the same positive outcome, although, they use different techniques to meet your individual needs and goals. Therapists, psychotherapists, and other mental healthcare professionals work to understand their patient’s behaviors, understand how they think, understand how they feel emotions and express those emotions, as well as to help them build a much more positive and secure mindset. Nevertheless, when choosing which type of therapy is right for you, it is important to remember the significant differences between them. One of the main differences is that therapy focuses more on the present, day-to-day events and specific issues. For instance, people struggling with the loss of a loved one, complications in relationships, or stress. Therapists are there for guidance, to help navigate specific situations while evolving behavior and actions in a positive and supportive environment. Senior Garret Killgore portrays his experiences with therapy: “I truly have nothing negative to say about therapy and/or my experiences with therapy. It’s affected me in such a positive way. I understand now that it’s okay to be myself and to feel comfortable being who I am - to not let past experiences define and determine my future. A while ago, my parents’ marriage failed, and for the longest time, I thought that meant mine would fail too [but] I no longer have that mindset. I feel that I’ve come out of therapy as a much more open and optimistic person.” Therapy can overall help keep away negative and demeaning thoughts that tear you down. According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIH), “nearly one in five adults struggle with a mental illness within the US (52.9 million in 2020) ranging from mild to severe,” not including adolescents. The majority of these mental illnesses include anxiety, depression, PTSD, and bipolar disorders. Many who suffer from these mental illnesses seek help from a psychotherapist. The focus of psychotherapy is to resolve past issues or negative experiences that have led to present-day challenges or problems. Psychotherapy is a long-term treatment that analyzes patterns or recurring issues; it addresses the root cause of current challenges to achieve long-term results. Psychotherapy, as opposed to
therapy, is a much more abstract process, taking a more drastic approach by analyzing emotions, dreams, and subconscious demands. Senior Ethan Stitt responded about his experiences with psychotherapy: “Growing up I always struggled with social anxiety, was always dealing with anxiety attacks, nervous sweats, and struggling to fit in; it got to the point where I didn’t want to go to school or even see my friends. I’ve been in psychotherapy for about two years now and all I’ve seen are positive effects on my well-being. I’ve found self-love, confidence in my speech, as well as motivation. Psychotherapy has taken a lot of patience, but the time it takes is well worth it.” Therapy of any kind can be beneficial to problems past and present.
illustration by Ethan Stitt
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Safety
May 5, 2022
The Talisman
ALICE training returns to Sheldon Sofia El-Shammaa editor On Friday, April 22, Sheldon had its first active shooter ‘drill’ since January 9, 2020. Like in 2020, this was not technically a drill (which would include more roleplay). Instead, it was more of a lesson in the ALICE protocol (alert, lockdown, inform, counter, evacuate), which not all participants were enthusiastic about. English teacher Andrew Cabrera said of his class’ training, “Yeah, it didn’t go that well.” Despite the desire to integrate more roleplay into drills, some students were satisfied with the way that ALICE training went. Junior Timothy ‘Guitar Guy’ Hedlund said, “I’m learning a lot… I think [drills and training] just makes us safer.” He also believes that the school would benefit from more drills, perhaps “two or three times a year.” His sentiments were shared by 50.61% of 245 Sheldon students surveyed who said they would rather have more drills (as opposed to 15.51% saying that Sheldon should not have more drills). However, there is a problem with the training: not all students pay attention during the lesson. The question is, why? Junior Stella Hergenreter, a member of Sheldon’s Students Against Gun Violence (SAGV), said, “We’re really desensitized to [gun violence], so people don’t take it as seriously as it should be [taken].” Perhaps, as a solution to students not paying attention, people other than teachers should present the ALICE training. Junior Isabella Whalley said that the drill and training could be improved if it was taught by “not teachers.” Whalley would rather have “administrators… in a group setting with the whole school.” Whalley is not the only one who believes that teachers should stay out of teaching ALICE training. After presenting, Cabrera said, “Most teachers don’t have the temperament for this.” However, unlike Whalley, Cabrera believes that the drills should be taught by “Volunteers… who are trained by the [people who develop the drills].” Another suggestion that Cabrera had was “some sort of role-playing.” When teachers were originally trained with the ALICE program, they had role-playing. Cabrera said that his experience role-playing was “eye-opening.”
However, taking drills to the next level with role-play is not necessarily a good thing. In an Everytown for Gun Safety, a nonprofit that advocates against gun violence, study, researchers concluded that schools should “prioritize…proven school safety strategies above active shooter drills” because, when implemented poorly, active shooter drills can actually have adverse effects on participants. If a school were to still use active shooter drills, Everytown recommends that “schools should couple drills with trauma-informed approaches to address students’ wellbeing both during the drills, and over a sustained period thereafter” in order to avoid mental or physical distress on the part of students. No matter how preparation for a school shooting evolves over time, it is key that Sheldon has some way of preparing for such a possibility.
photo by Sofia El-Shammaa
English teacher Mr. Cabrera demonstrating how to stop an intruder during ALICE training.
Juniors (L to R) Hailey Gorham, Sydney Potter, Sofia Kokkino, and Mr. Cabrera during ALICE training.
photo by Sofia El-Shammaa
Graphic by Shiloh Capiak
245 students surveyed
Sports
the Talisman
May 5, 2022
11
Sheldon tennis thrives Ana Villagomez-Lopez staff writer “I would like to practice more during my free time, to improve my skills!” said junior tennis player Hailey Gorham; “I have been playing tennis for three months now, and I enjoy every second of it. Not only is it fun, but it is also not extremely competitive.” Pros about this sport are that Coach Bill Temple is funny, and it is a fun group to spend quality time with. The cons are that it is a big team, which leads to fewer people getting taught individually. Tennis affected Gorham for the better because it made her spend more time outdoors. Gorham has thought about quitting, but only when she is stressed with school. Gorham does not consider herself good because she joined at a later time. However, the sport is easy, just difficult to keep score of. Gorham said that everyone on her team gets competitive, but they manage to still be nice to each other. Although Gorham’s favorite thing about tennis is her team, Gorham would like to change the size of it, so it would be slightly smaller. Junior Sydney Potter said, “My favorite thing about this sport is when you hit a perfect shot, and you hear the ball hit the center of the racket.” Pros for Potter are that this sport is fairly easy to pick up even if you’re new, and it is a fun way to stay active. Meanwhile, the cons consist of having to reschedule matches because of bad weather. Potter has been playing this sport for three years now and still enjoys it because it keeps her moving. Potter has had a lot of practice and has become very competitive and has yet to think about quitting because playing makes her happy. Potter said, “Tennis has not affected my mental health and even though I do get frustrated at times, the bad outweighs the good. Junior Bela Flores said, “The only thing I would want to change is [us] not having indoor courts, as well as outdoor ones.” Flores is still improving from where she started but is practicing daily, and her current focus right now is her serving. Flores has been playing tennis for three years now and stated, “This sport has affected my mental health positively. I use tennis as an outlet. We always have a good time at practice, and it is a great way to let off steam.” Pros for Flores are that even though you play individually, you are still a part of the team environment, but, the cons are that the weather plays a huge factor and that determines whether Flores and her teammates get to play. Although tennis could be difficult to pick up at first, Flores thinks that with a good teacher and lots of practice, it gets easier along the way. The most exciting part for Flores is match day because her teammates are there cheering her on, and the environment is fun and light-hearted.
photo by Emerson Carney
Juniors Oliva Feist (L) and Natalie Kaiser celebrate Sheldon's win over Marist.
Sports and college recruiting Tennen Balikian staff writer In college athletics in the United States, recruitment is a process where college coaches add student athletes to their roster during the off season. Sheldon High school has had multiple athletes that have been recruited to colleges all around the U.S. Some notable student athletes from Sheldon High school who have been recruited include Justin Herbert, who got recruited to the University of Oregon and now is the starting quarterback for the Los Angeles Chargers, and Chris Miller, who also got recruited to the University of Oregon and played for the Atlanta Falcons. Brock Thomas is a three star quarterback at Sheldon who has received division 1 offers from Army Westpoint Football, Air Force Academy, and Portland State University. Thomas said, “Even though the recruitment process is difficult at times, I am still very grateful to be blessed with the opportunities I have to play football at the next level.” Jake Nash, a senior at Sheldon, said,” Track is a hard sport to get scholarship offers from because it is an individual sport and towards the end of the school year.” Others have said similar things along the line of individual sports being harder than team sports to receive offers in. Senior Chloe Shed runs track and is committed to Sacramento State University located in California. Shed said,”Something I like about the recruitment process is the positive comments you get from coaches! It gives you a lot of confidence and you realize you have a lot of potential. What I don’t like is that your future is unknown for a while and it is stressful not knowing where you are going.”
The recruiting process can be difficult for some students but it is a very big opportunity for student athletes to take their sport to the next level that most athletes don’t get to experience.
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Shiloh Capiak
Frontpage Editor ................................... Callie Lininger Safety pg. 10 Editor ............................. Shiloh Capiak Media pg. 5 Editor ............................... Sofia El-Shammaa Staff Writers Student Life pg. 4 Editor .................................. Kendall Smith Tennen Balikian Student experiences pg.2 Editor ................. Natalie Kaiser Bethany Cochran Center Spread pg.6-7 Editor .................. Beatrice W. & Callie L. Liam Cottle COVID pg. 8 Editor ................................ Audrey Bivens Olivia Gilhuber Classes pg.3 Editor .............................. Liam Zamora-Fields Tawny Thomas Sports pg. 11 Editor .............................. Molly Dahlager Ana Villagomez-Lopez Mental Health pg.9 Editor ............................ Madelyn Raleigh Backpage Editor .................................... Beatrice Walton Co editor-in-Chief ................................. Beatrice W. & Callie L. Beatrice Walton Staff Adviser ............................................ Greg Cantwell Callie Lininger Molly Dahlager
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