Ceramics: squishy creativity
Vending machines: inconvenient?
Valentine’s Day: oh, love!
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the Talisman a student newspaper
shstalisman@gmail.com myspace.com/shstalisman 2455 willakenzie Road, Eugene, Oregon 97401 volume 43 Issue 4 January 31, 2008 Sheldon High School
New “Honors” medals created for grads
Requirements have caused mild controversy, but remain flexible by Ashley Admire photo editor
Four years ago, Jeremy Washburn, Mary Youngblood, and Herb Hahn decided to pitch an idea to their departments to award their most successful students with new graduation medals. These medals finally came to fruition, and will be given out to this year’s seniors. The requirements to receive the new medals, however, and the mid-year timing in which they were announced have caused some controversy. The decision to create new medals and the requirements to receive them were decided by teachers in the English and social studies departments. In order to receive the medal,
which has gone from being called an Honors medal, to an AP humanities medal, to a medal with a final name that has yet to be decided on, a student must pass a collegelevel history class and a college-level English class. Despite the teachers’ good intentions, there have been some complaints. The requirements were announced in late 2007, too late for seniors to fit their schedules to the requirements, should they desire the medal. Even though the medal is not technically called the “Honors medal,” it is inspired by the program and the word Honors appears on its current design. This may exclude some students who have gone through the Honors classes and some college-level classes, but are not eligible. Some students, for example, have taken a college-level English class, but not an AP history due to either higher interest in a different subject or simple schedule conflicts. Fortunately, Washburn has listened to some of the issues and stated
that, “since this is the first year we are doing it, there will be some confusion but there will also be a lot of flexibility. Down the road the criteria will be more strictly enforced as students are made aware of the criteria earlier in the process.” Some students are excited for the new medals, such as senior Chris Lew, who said, “It’s unfair that IHS students get medals, but honors kids don’t.” For some students, this small debate just seems silly. Senior Shannon Kieran said, “Why should I care about medals? Besides, IHS is a separate school, so they can do what they want.” Most of the teachers are in support of rewarding students with the new medals, but a few have some reservations. English teacher Barbara Faunce said, “I value greatly recognition, but I think the venue is not appropriate. If the Honors group wants to have a separate recognition event, fine.” She continued, “Graduation should be an event where everyone who has achieved a diploma can stand out.”
Annual MLK assembly celebrated Sheldon unity
Assembly advocated message of individuals making a difference by Gracie Beaver editor-in-chief
Every January, students gather in the gym for the Martin Luther King Jr. diversity assembly. This year, the assembly was held on January 18. While most of the assembly reflected earlier years, the traditional gospel choir was absent. Musical compensation was provided by the Sheldon jazz band and choir. The choir opened the assembly with a traditional African song called “Sigalagala.” Choir director Nancy Anderson explained, “[Sigalagala] literally means, ‘let there be ululation’…we like doing because it feels so good to sing…and because it’s authentic and celebrates African culture.” The choir was followed by the jazz band’s performance of a song by Duke Ellington. The ball really got rolling when keynote speaker Johnny Lake, a doctoral candidate at U of O, presented his speech. He walked around the gym, vividly gesticulating, and involving the audience in a hypothetical story. The purpose of the speech was to demonstrate how one person’s experience can make a difference, and how a whole community can come together to end discrimination. After Dr. Bob presented the “Sheldon MLK Awards” to staff members Wade Powell, Angie Barley, and Mary Goddard, the choir and band performed another song each. One of the most touching moments of the assembly came when Senior Jessica Rasmussen sang a heartfelt, self-penned song about discrimination and acceptance. Finally, the assembly wrapped up with the “unity chain,” which sadly broke. Senior Tess Murrell chose not to participate in the unity chain. “It seems like a very simplistic activity,” she said. “I think we’re old enough and mature enough to know what ‘unity’ means.” Not all students share Murell’s sentiment, however. Senior Rashelle Kunkle views the
Ashley Admire photo
The jazz band performed a catchy song by famous African-American composer Duke Ellington. MLK assembly as “a tradition for me in high school.” She defined diversity as “having a variety of people and at the same time accepting each other for who we are.” Freshmen and multicultural counselor Aura Solomon, a member of the assembly planning committee, said she hoped the assembly would encourage students to be more inviting to their peers. “If we make ourselves available and reach out to each other, we get more information about each other’s experiences.” Solomon sees the assembly as a refresher for celebrating diversity. “This isn’t a one-day deal…it’s the day we use to remind people.”
The 4J school district has almost 30% minority students, but Sheldon isn’t quite there yet. There are approximately 50 African American students here, which is about 3% of Sheldon’s population of 1700. There is a slightly higher Hispanic population of about 105 students. Student perceptions of Sheldon’s diversity vary. While Kunkle enthusiastically deemed the school multicultural, when Murrell was asked whether she thought Sheldon was diverse, she quickly laughed and said no. Diverse campus or not, Sheldon students came together on January 18 to demonstrate respect for all cultures.
Sweetheart Ball to have Valentine’s Day theme Informal V-Day dance on February 9 by Leslie Lundy staff writer The Sweetheart Ball is a dance which is held every year, that is unless it is cancelled because students behave badly at previous dances. Since last year’s Sweetheart Ball was cancelled, freshmen and sophomores most likely don’t know about this dance. However, some students can’t wait to attend. “It will be fun,” said Junior Erin Malliris. Each year, the leadership and ASB students work together to make the ball possible. The funding for the event comes from ASB accounts and ticket sales. The Leadership students set up and clean up the ball, and are rewarded
with community service/credit in the Leadership class. The dance will be held on February 9 from 8:30 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. There will be a Valentine’s Day theme for this year’s Sweetheart Ball and it will be more informal than formal. The ticket cost is $4 for a ticket with an ASB card. “Any Sheldon student can go to the ball, except if they have been suspended,” said counselor Michael Voss. Teachers go to these balls to chaperone, but have a good time as well. “It was fun,” said Dr. Hans Volwerk, who chaperoned at a previous Sweetheart Ball. Volwerk suspects that he might be going to the ball as a chaperone again this year. In order for the ball to happen, many things must be done. Students need to get police, campus supervision, teachers, and parents to chaperone. In order to have the dance at school, Leadership/ASB students have to fill out and turn
in a building use form to the office. They also have to get a DJ who has music that has been appropriately edited for middle/high school students. They then have to pick a theme, set up, and decorate the place where the dance will be held. The theme is different every year and is chosen by the ASB and leadership students. The dance will also have to be in the Perspective, Sheldon’s event calendar, which means the date must be chosen by the last week of school the year before. Also, they have to decide whether or not to sell water, which they are going to do at the Sweetheart Ball. Tickets are on sale at the finance office, which is right next to the main office. Since the ball is for everyone, not just couples, don’t be afraid to just go with some friends. The ball was created to get students to grow closer with other students, especially in the areas of friendship and trust.