February 12, 2010

February12, 2010

Vol. IV Issue VII

Ashland, Oregon

Go Greased Lightning

From left to right: Nick McKernan, Amelia Farber, Tay Smith and Aurelia Grierson

by Taylor Patterson Grease, Broadway’s famed Rock & Roll Musical, will be presented at Ashland High School on Friday, Feb. 26 through Saturday, March 13. It is Co-Directed by Christine Williams and Suzanne Seiber, with a cast of 36.

More than 80 students are involved in this production.

Grease is a romp through the highs and lows of the American high school experience. Everything that makes high school what it is and has been since the invention of the “teenager” in the 1950’s, Grease reminds us of that common terrain that shapes us all.

Those who attend will witness the rock n’ roll-ridden excitement brought to the big screen in the 1978 motion

picture, with a few added elements integrated into the Broadway version.

All-in-all it should be a fun show.

Featured in the cast are: Nick McKernan (Danny), Amelia Farber (Sandy), Tay Smith (Kenickie), Clementine von Radics (Rizzo), as well as Ford Murawski-Brown, Aurelia Grierson, Kyle Barnes, Holly Nienhaus, Rosie Alspach, Emily Curty, Derrien Burns, Natalie Edson, and Jazmine Dake, Drew Starmer and Maya Zundel.

Along with the direction of the play by Suzanne Seiber and Christine Williams, other notable credits go to: Seiber who also choreographed the play, producer is Betsy Bishop, music direction is by Holly Johnson, set design by Doug Ham. The set was built

by David Pedersen and AHS Tech class; costume designs are by Emily Erlich- Inget Grady, light design by

Nick McKernan and Tay Smith groovin’

Bart Grady and stage managed by Rocky Garcia with his assistant stage-managers, Justin Azierre and Robyn Lawrence.

The drama department is presenting a half-price preview on Thursday, February 25 and then runs February 26 - 27, March 4-6, and March 11-13 at 7:30 p.m. There are also two 2 p.m. matinees on Sunday, March 7, and Saturday March 13. A special fundraiser for Haiti will be Sat. Feb. 27 at 7:30 p.m.

Ticket prices are: student/senior ($10); general ($15.); and reserved ($20.) and tickets now can be purchased on-line at SHOWTIX4U. com. Non-reserved student/senior and general tickets are also available at Paddington Station, Tree House Books and Music Coop. For more information, please call: 541-482-8771.

Photos submitted by Betsy Bishop

Aurelia Grierson and Tay Smith channel their inner characters

Ashland High strikes silver

by Tim Borgerson Despite all of the budget cuts, staff reductions and larger class sizes that have plagued Ashland High School in this tumultuous year, there is a silver lining. Literally.

This past December Ashland High School was – for a second time – recognized by “US News and World Report” as a “Silver Medal School,” ranking it among the top three percent of all public high schools in the nation.

The study, which analyzed 21,786 public high schools in 48 states plus the District of Columbia, bases its rankings based on the performance of the entire student body on state tests and on the college preparedness of students, determined by how many students take Advance Placement exams in addition to how well they perform.

The methodology used to determine the rankings attests to Ashland High School’s mission to cater to all students. “This award shows off two qualities of AHS that I am very proud of. The first being our success in making sure all students needs are met and the second being all of the opportunities we have for our students to excel,” AHS principal Jeff Schlecht notes. “It acknowledges the achievement of all AHS students.”

In order to achieve “Silver Medal” status, high schools

must first show that their state test scores are higher than statistically expected for the average student in the state. Many of the schools that rank higher than AHS are magnet schools with selective enrollment, making passing state tests a breeze and allowing them to concentrate on offering a large and diverse AP curriculum. Yet, AHS has been able to overcome its relatively small size and increasingly strained budget to deserve a spot as one of the best 561 public high schools in the country.

Ashland High School’s achievement is particularly notable because of its location. Of the nine schools in Oregon that were distinguished as silver medal schools, AHS was the only one not located in the Willamette Valley.

Of course, Ashland High School’s success is only the culmination of success worked tirelessly for by middle school and elementary school teachers. “The award

clearly reflects the strength of the entire district,” said AHS AP Calculus teacher Tamara Anderson, all of whose students passed their AP exams last year. This is particularly true considering that a large portion of the award is based the state testing done at the sophomore level. That students are able to excel on these tests after only one year of high school indicates that they are entering AHS with a very strong educational background.

Unfortunately, students still traversing the AHS quad cannot take full credit for the school’s most recent decoration. When conducting the study, US News and World Report used Advanced Placement data primarily from the class of 2008. But, it does display the academic prowess of Ashland High School’s current seniors, as part of the award was based on data from the state tests they took as sophomores.

While “Silver Medal Award Winner” sure does look good hanging on a banner in the main office, this achievement means more than just bragging rights. It recognizes hard work of AHS students and staff and the community synergistically created by them that fosters intellectual vitality. But also, what it does is let the nation know something people at AHS have known for a long time: “we’re the best around, and nothin’s gonna ever keep us down.”

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Rogue News

February 12, 2010

Goin’ APES over science

by Elle Swarttouw The city of Ashland has a reputation for being a concentrated area of environmentalists and participants in the green revolution. But are ‘Ashlanders’ actually committed to these causes, or is it just talk? Well, just in case, here are some things that people can do in their everyday lives to make sure they keep track of the ecological footprint left over by not only this generation, but also generations to come.

There are many simple steps anyone can take in order to be a more environmentally conscious citizen, “Turn the heat down, 65-68 degrees is tolerable, and for every degree you save 3% on your energy costs,” James Hartman, Ashland High School AP Environmental Science teacher said.

“Think twice before you drive your car, and if you are able, start biking,” Hartman said. This, and a number of other environmental techniques is a part of a system of ‘wedges’ taught by Hartman in his envi-

ronmental science classes. These wedges are things the population can do now to drastically lower global warming.

Ryan Bellinson, one of Hartman’s students said, “An important wedge is shifting the average miles per hour of our vehicles from 30 to 60 mph.”

“When it come to cars, reducing car weight by using carbon fiber over steel, and buying clean diesel over regular gas can have a large impact,” Bellinson said.

Photo by Brian Pascual Ashley Hoe, Clint Gorbett and Jasmine Terry-Shindelman work on their But why is all of this important? project during class.

What makes doing these things the planet, “The best thing people can do about an environmental issue imporworth the while? Aside from the obvifor the world is get politically involved,” tant to them, it would mean a leap forous, Hartman says, “What scientists are John Javna, local author and AHS parent ward in the long term, noted Hartman. telling us now is that we are going to face said.

We are entering an era of change, there two kinds of global warming: really bad “Protecting the environment is impor- is only so long global turmoil can continclimate change, or catastrophic climate tant, and everyone can take little steps to ue without global action, and paying close change,” a chilling, but probable outcome do so,” Ben Small, Hartman student said. attention to the environment is one great if the people continue to be careless. Many, Small has a point; even if people contact- step in the right direction. however are committed to the longevity of ed a legislator or newspaper once a month

Blacklight Bonanza

by Paul Schwarzer

The season of love is upon us, but more importantly, ‘tis also the season to waltz, twist and boogie down. Imagine, it’s February 14 and you’ve finally mustered enough courage to ask a particular babe to be your valentine. Alas, how will you woo your newly acquired sweetheart? Fret not, for this is when National Honor Society will swoop in and save the day.

What better valentine date opportunity could one find than to sweat your socks off at the prestigious Ashland High School Winter Formal taking place on February 20? Although it may not be on the same weekend as Valentines Day, such an occasion should not be neglected. With the recent smashing

turnouts at the “Gender Bender” and “Rumble in the Jungle” dances, Winter Formal is looking to be a promising success.

“Winter Formal is going to be sweet,” senior Evan Ransom said. This year’s Winter Formal is going to be a simple, but outrageously fun “blacklight” theme, so wear as much white as possible. The potent mix of finals being out of the way and Cupid up to his usual mischief should make for one epic, fluorescent hoedown.

In spite of last year’s Winter Formal receiving below average reviews, this year’s Winter Formal planner is making sure that the Blacklight Ball surpasses everyne’s expectations. “You’re going to

want to get in there, it’s going to be poppin,’” senior, and aforementioned head honcho, Jasmine Gillett said. “You’ll wake up the next morning feeling like P. Diddy.”

Who: You! What: Winter Formal Where: SOU Britt Ballroom

When: February 20, 2010 from 8:30 to 11 pm

February 12, 2010

Rogue News

Page 3

by W

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Wilder Sch a f

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Valentine’s day… Aaahhhhhh… My heart soars just to think of this glorious time of year. But before we get too enamored with the cupids and the floating hearts and other such warm and fuzzy nonsense, let us delve into one of the more sordid aspects of this season of love. I’m referring of course, to interclass dating. Now, for those of you who aren’t up to date on this particular piece of vernacular, allow me to elaborate. ‘Interclass dating’, I shudder just to type the phrase, is the despicable act of going out with someone who is not in your grade.

And sadly, young readers, it is more prevalent among our ranks than your naïve minds would like to believe.

You may ask, “What is the problem with dating someone not in my grade?” Well, for one, there’s the tremendous gap in worldly knowledge between two would-be lovebirds separated by even one grade. When asked if he would consider dating someone outside his class, Isaac Schaaf, a dashing young man with excellent genes, responded, “I’m afraid I can’t do that.” No, you can’t Isaac, because there is just not as much that you can relate to with someone who has experienced significantly more or less life than you have.

Besides life experience, there is also a difference in everyday experience.

Generally, you share classes with people in your own grade, thus, you have more opportunities for daily interactions with a member of your class.

Also, your friends are more likely to be accepting of someone they are

y

Dating Duel more familiar with, a classmate per se.

Not convinced? Allow me to verbally sway you with my rhetoric. You may ask, “But what about my parents?

They’re five years apart and happily married.” And the moon happily revolves around the sun? A likely story.

No, dear youths, the moon is chained to the sun by the unforgiving force of gravity, as your parents are chained together by societal constraints. O Dear World, what dost thou know of love?

Finally, I chatted a little bit with Alex Harris, a bosom friend of mine and fifty percent of one of Ashland High School’s most adorable relationships. When asked about what he thought separated his relationship from one with a greater degree of age separation, a distant look passed across his face and his eyes seemed to sparkle with moisture… but no, that must have been my imagination… He said: “I think our mutual maturity is what truly sets us apart. That, and I’m not big on robbing the cradle.” Thank you, Alex Harris, you show us with your words what we can see only in our hearts.

So, brothers and sisters, I have given you a little more knowledge, and I can only hope that I have swayed your hearts away from wickedness, promiscuity and Wynn. For now, tread upon the paths of enlightenment, and where love is concerned stray not from your own grade. If you show me an interclass relationship, I’ll show you a bad romance.

Cupid has been hard at work sharpening his arrows, and that can only mean one thing. The eve of battle is upon us, and, as we all know, this war is fought on the battlefield of love. Whilst fighting for the love of that special someone, remember, all is fair in love and war. Therefore, it’s fair game to date beyond the strict boundaries of your respective class. Last time I checked, we live in a free country (and believe me, I check almost every day).

As we progress through our lives, the age gap in our relationships will become less and less of a problem.

Once you start telling people you’re in your 40’s, a difference of even ten years between you and your spouse is not a big deal. Junior, Mack Conroy, an eager young scholar at Ashland High, comes from a family where age is not an issue. “My mother is 60 and my father is 52, and his current girlfriend is 42. I see no problem with this.” Neither do I, Mack, neither do I. Compatibility is not directly linked to age.

If you feel you have a connection with someone, the fact that they are younger or older than you should not discourage you from taking a chance.

Allow me to briefly explain the vicious cycle of the high school dating hierarchy. It is a known fact that girls mature faster than boys.

It follows then, that younger girls end up dating older guys. This certainly puts the underclassmen guys

in a precarious situation. What are they supposed to do with all their free time acquired from not having girlfriends? I’ll leave that to your imagination.

Fear not my young male grasshoppahs, there will be time enough for you to find a tiny dancer of your own when you come of age. You’ll become a handsome senior heartthrob soon enough. You’ll need a stick to beat off the horde of freshmen and sophomores eager to be your pretty young thing (a.k.a. find a date to Prom).

Although younger girl/older boy couples are the norm, occasionally the scale will tip the other way.

This is the case with senior Hannah Stocking and sophomore Jake McCoy. The estrogenic half of this adorable couple has a message for the infamous Wilder and his followers, “Let the couga’ epidemic commence!!!” Thank you Hannah, truer words have never been spoken.

Let your heart guide you to that special someone. When you make your discovery, don’t be deterred by age. It could possibly be the biggest mistake of your life. My cocolumnist’s bitter outlook on inter-class dating is holding potential lovers at bay. Be free, my children, and spread your love among all the classes of our beloved school.

Double doses of love!

Tunes to make your lover

quotes by Erin Keoppen

“Once I got a singing telegram” -Lily Hedges

swoon

Throw out the corny pick-up lines and slap on these heartfelt records!

by Willis Plumber

1.

Let’s Get It On – Marvin Gay

2.

Let’s Stay Together – Al Green

3.

I’m In Love With A Girl – Big Star

4.

Just the Way You Are-Billy Joel

5.

6.

The Scientist – Cold Play I Want You To Want Me – Cheap Trick

7.

If It’s The Beaches – The Avett Brothers

8.

(I’d Go The) Whole Wide World – Wreckless Eric

9.

Your Song- Elton John

10.

I Want You – Bob Dylan

“A bright pink Vespa” -Jessie Jones

“My mom sang me a love song at a concert” -Ian Kendall “My third grade boyfriend gave me a homemade card” -Ally Vaughn “In sophomore year I got called to the office, and my boyfriend gave me a red rose” -Elise Chow

Ell it like it is:Valentine’s Day XOXO

by Ella Riley-Adams

With no post-mortem disrespect meant, Heath Ledger was hottest in A Knight’s Tale. Perhaps a few avid Ledger fans will argue that he was brilliant in The Dark Knight, and he was pretty cute in The Ten Things I Hate About You. But truthfully, nothing can beat the sight of Heath on horseback, galloping toward a moving target with a lance. Lest you begin to think this article is an ode to Heath, it is actually one associated with a supporting character in A Knight’s Tale: Geoffrey Chaucer. In the movie, he

is depicted as an eloquent jokester with a gambling addiction. In reality, Chaucer was an English writer, known for The Canterbury Tales and popularizing a day devoted to love.

Valentine’s Day has been commercialized to the point of overwhelm and is a day that fosters a myriad of emotions. Those with ‘significant others’ bask in the glory of their adoration. Those without lovers may instead feel the inclination to throw-up at the site of two infatuated people feeding each other Sweethearts. In elementary school, we insincerely wrote our peers’ names on Disney princess cards and deposited them in a paper “mailboxes” with a Hershey Kiss or two. There may have been an occasional secret admirer note, stealthily sealed with x’s and o’s. These days, there’s a bit more pressure to profess true feeling, whether it’s love or like. Girls with boyfriends expect candy (at the very least) and kind words. Boyfriends seem to know what to do, from the countless movies that depict the typical flower and candy routine

The question is, amidst the commercial explosion of chocolate boxes and teddy bears, why should February 14 mean more than any other day of the year? It seems that any healthy relationship would have a celebration of love at least once a month. “For some people in this society, if we didn’t have holidays like Valentine’s Day, they wouldn’t take the time to celebrate. We seem to feel the need to make excuses,” AHS counselor Kim Neto says.

It’s a valid point. For those in a ‘bad romance,’ Valentine’s Day can be a refreshing change of pace. When all the world reflects on their amorous feelings, it’s nearly impossible to resist buying flowers or saying those three small, elusive words.

“Love hath no fault where it is exercis’d,” Chaucer writes in his poem “The Court of Love”.

With that, I think we can all agree. Love can depress, excite and confuse, but most of all, love inspires. No matter what day of the year that inspiration strikes, whether it means card-giving or a candlelit dinner, love is worth celebrating.

Single size serving baby!

Me, myself and Valentine’s Day!

by Arthur Lawniczak

S a d l y, it’s Valentine’s Day once again; stores are laden with chocolates and single hearts are laden with sorrow. Restaurants hike prices and sweeten the menu, but nothing tastes sweet to you, because you’re alone. You are currently unattached, you have no sweetheart, and life could not be worse. So what to do on this lonely February 14? Elementary, dear chum, hang out with your loved ones. You could go hangout with your mom. NO! She’s on a date. So you turn to your father, but no, he’s with your mom! A little quality time with your brother never hurt…but you can’t do that, he’s a loser!

Young man, there’s no need to feel down. Clean yourself up and take a stroll downtown. Remember, even if you’re not involved in a committed, monogamous relationship, there are plenty of things you can do on Valentine’s Day:

Be a third wheel! Hey, if you can’t have fun, your friends shouldn’t be able to either. Make their date as awkward as possible and enjoy yourself. Eliana Pool takes this to heart, “Whoever said three’s a crowd can go to ‘H’ ‘E’ double hockey sticks.” You go girl!

Hit on other singles. This is a perfect day to exercise your game; people are lonely which means they are vulnerable to your advances. Hudson Wallbank is a master of this craft, “Personally, I approach girls like a lion approaches a gazelle. I invented a move to help my game out, I call it the ‘Hudson River’- I flow down to the ladies and sweep them off their feet.”

Heed Hudson’s words. I implore you dear reader, go after that special someone who puts a spring in your step and a smile on your face.

Take a chance on love.

Do the same

What was your worst

thing you do on every other day of the year- play video games and cry yourself to sleep listening to Coldplay, “¡Viva la Vida!” Don’t be afraid to plan this day out in advance. When asked how she prepares for her Valentine’s Day, Angelica Florio answered, “On February 13, I set out plastic bed sheets to get ready for the tears that will inevitably commence.” Take these great preoperational skills to heart and set up your own day to make sure that Valentine’s Day goes swimmingly.

No matter what you do this February 14, there is no stopping a feeling of loneliness for a single. Valentine’s Day is marked by couples bombarding singles with their PDA (Public Display of Affection). Any holiday that sparks this onset of a guerilla warfare mentality should be questioned. Dante Toppo agrees, “I think Valentine’s Day is an artificial construct by the entrenched elite used merely to prostitute the concept of love and cast this noble sentiment in a commercial setting as a means to advance their own financial gain.” How right you are Dante, how right you are.

The toll that this day takes on singles is so detrimental that an acronym has been established by its own insurgency, ‘S-A-D,’ ‘Singles Awareness Day. But the single hearts need not fear; for Valentine’s Day is meant to celebrate the expression of love to anyone we are closed to, not just romantically involved couples.

So go with the flow like Hudson, just because you’re not in a committed relationship it doesn’t mean that you can’t celebrate February 14. Spend this upcoming Valentine’s Day with siblings, parents, friends, even teachers, if they’re not on dates, that is.

But if they are, tag along anyway; it’s all in the spirit of love.

quotes by Erin Keoppen

“Seventeen years of nothing” Dylan Schink

“I got an ironing board; I am not with that person anymore”- Ms. Spear

“Once for Valentine’s Day I got a box of chocolates and then found them as a discounted special at Safeway” - McKenna O’Dougherty

Valentine’s day gift?

“In middle school a guy broke into my locker and gave me $60 in order to buy a date with me” - Rachel Woollard

“A deflated basketball”Zack Bohanna

Rogue News

Page 6

February 12, 2010

Dare to be Claire

by Lucas Opgenorth

After fighting fourteen grueling rounds in the sweatdrenched Philippine night, Muhammad Ali knocked out “Smokin” Joe Frasier, becoming the world’s undisputed heavyweight champion. Thirty-five years after Ali’s “Thrilla’ in Manilla”, mixed-martial-arts icons, such as Kimbo Slice, have replaced the household names of heroic boxers. While the game of man-to-man combat has obviously changed significantly over the years, one thing has stayed very much the same. From Jack Johnson to “Iron” Mike Tyson, the sport has been dominated entirely by large, ferocious, males. Enter AHS senior, wrestling team member and training cage fighter Claire Dawson.

Dawson has never been a fan of conventional images of the American woman. “I absolutely hate it and I fight it every day,” she says of our culture’s established gender standard. This year she has been, quite literally, taking up the fight against gender roles, choosing to bypass the cheer squad in favor of a slightly different sort of athletic pursuit.

It began when Dawson started working out at 6:00 AM every day before school. Towards the end of her junior year, a man who shared the same workout routine introduced her to boxing. This flirtation with violent sport inspired her to overcome the reservations that had prevented her from wrestling as an 11th grader and she decided to make the bold move to join Ashland’s male dominated program for its 09-10 season.

Photo by Larry Stauth Jr.

Dawson wrestles a Hidden Valley competitor in a recent meet.

In the same way that many girls worship at the alter of Gossip Girl, Dawson has recently found enlightenment in mixed-martial-arts fighting. “MMA is kind of my religion right now. I watch it pretty much every night.”

Luckily for her, Ashland MMA, a gym devoted to the brutal art of cage fighting, has recently opened its doors to the overly aggressive portion of Ashland’s population.

There, she spars with fellow aspiring cage fighters, practices jujitsu, and works on destroying nerve endings in her legs and arms. “We have to numb our bodies so it doesn’t hurt us when we fight. By elbowing and kicking sand bags, we condition our skin,” While she hasn’t competed yet, she hopes to get a fight in sometime next year. After completing this workout, Dawson has undergone a training regimen that could put even General George Patton to shame.

“After school I wrestle for two to three hours, drink some chocolate milk, do MMA for about an hour and a half, and then go lift weights,” she explains.

Dawson’s story reveals the cruel irony of our culture’s gender norms. The modern woman is both constantly bombarded with demands to maintain a svelte figure and forbidden from doing anything too brutish, lest she lose her innocent feminine image. “Girls ask me all the time how they can lose weight and I just tell them that I’ve already lost seven pounds this wrestling season,” As a former freshman homecoming princess who rides a motorcycle named ‘Aphrodite,’ Dawson is doing her best to smash this abominable double standard to pieces. Nietzsche once said “Man should be educated for war, and woman for the recreation of the warrior; all else is folly,” Well if Nietzsche manned up enough to step in the cage with Claire, my money would definitely be on her.

Ashland Seniors make a difference

by Jackson Santee A student could do a lot in 20 hours; study for a final, read Moby Dick, or as a requirement, do their senior project. For most, senior projects are just another hoop to jump through in order to graduate. Under the supervision of the Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom program of the Department of Veteran’s Affairs, however, Rachel Woollard and Molly MortimerLamb have not only jumped through this hoop, but have leapt to new heights. Both AHS seniors have dedicated six months to the creation and management of the “V.A. OEF/OIF Newsletter”, a small publication dedicated to revealing the challenges a veteran faces when trying to put the past behind. And, in doing so, they have gained national recognition.

Rogue News: What made you think of doing this project?

Why the Veteran’s Association?

Rachel Woollard: “Well, it came out of my desire to make a profound impact on the community, and due to Molly’s ties with the V.A. (both of her parents work there) it played out well.”

RN: What would you say is the main goal of the project?

RW: “The main point of creating our newsletter is to build a sense of community within OEF and OIF veterans as well as inform them of their resources within the V.A. and the general community. Basically, we want them to know there is an organization dedicated to helping them.”

RW: “Basically, our supervisor sent it to the central office in Washington D.C. and they were so impressed, they took it to a meeting with Secretary Shinseki– the key figure within the departments we’re reporting to– and he loved it! Molly and I are extremely happy our project has gained such recognition; it’s a step in the right direction.”

RN: Very few people, let alone high school students, know of the difficulties veterans face when trying to reintegrate into society. Has issuing this newsletter taught you more about this, and, if so, could you give the readers a brief insight into the daily life of a veteran from your perspective?

RW: “In creating this newsletter, I have been given an insight into the daily lives of veterans and have studied and reported the extreme difficulties these men and women face in recovery, and just how important recovery is.

Many know of the Veteran’s Association, but few know of exactly how hard they work, and we’ve been given the pleasure of witnessing their efforts firsthand.”

RN: Any advice for Juniors in preparation?

RW: “Start early! Establish contacts and find a mentor as soon as you decide on your project. Molly and I were lucky her family is so established within the Veteran’s Association. I can’t imagine how difficult it would be to work our way from the ground up.”

RN: Congratulations on your recognition! Could you explain to readers what happened when your newsletter was sent to the nation’s capital?

RN: What’s next?

RW: “There are three more issues left, and it was posted on the national website, so hopefully it becomes a national trend and we won’t leave AHS being the only ones covering this issue and focusing to heighten awareness.”

Rogue News

February 12, 2010

Page 7

Be Loud, Be Proud, Be Respectful?

Fan behavior put under the microscope after recent game

by Mason Costantino Since we have moved into the new gym in late December, the crowds for the boy’s and girl’s basketball teams have been nothing short of phenomenal. Grizzly fans are known for their cooperative and friendly behavior during games. But on January 23, when our heated rival, Crater, came to town, the line may have crossed between passionate enthusiasm and derogatory cruelty.

The crowd that night was energized and the environment in the gym was incredible, yet a chant was started which has caused us to evaluate what is appropriate fan behavior. Despite what OSAA guidelines say, chants such as “Cheater” when an opposing player gets a foul, in my opinion, are nothing more than playful jeers.

Yet derogatory terms which attack a player’s physical characteristics are something else entirely.

In college basketball games fans attack opposing players for not only physical characteristics, but embarrassing matters of their private lives. However, collegiate athletes know what they’re getting themselves into when they commit to play basketball at that level. High school athletes are teenagers who often have fragile

psyches, and should therefore be protected from character attacks.

Principal Jeff Schlect summed it up this way, “Any player coming to our gym has the right to both physical and emotional safety.”

As a basketball player myself, playing in places where the fans are rowdy definitely act as a distraction. However this does not justify the things that people in the stands say to the players, coaches, and especially officials on the court.

“Things we would never say on the street, we have no problem saying from the stands,” Athletic Director Karl Kemper said.

Students are really only half the problem. Oftentimes parents and other adults can be even more cruel. While they don’t typically yell at players, things that parents say to officials are often worse than any chant that a student may start. Adults are quick to point the finger at students for being crude, yet they should really look at themselves before they do.

“Parents yelling at refs in an arena where we are trying to teach kids about respect does not make much sense to me,” Kemper said.

Kemper makes a fantastic point.

Ashland fans show positive support during a 2008 game

How are students supposed to act at games when adults right next to them are bombarding the officials on the court with a variety of insults? What it boils down to is that high school players are only teenagers, and the refs are not high paid professionals. What is often overlooked is that outside the arena of sports, the people on the court are like everyone else.

Photo submitted by Jordan Harto

I myself am not exactly an angel when I watch games. There is something about the mob mentality that attracts to us as fans, and it is always easier to place the blame on someone else than look at what is wrong with your own team. In the future, as fans, we should try to emphasize building up our team, not tearing down the opponent.

Hockey team on thin ice

by Nathan Harris Last winter, the AHS hockey team took down personally really enjoying playing for North bethe competition with ease, tallying up a 19-1-1 cause the coaches are great and so are the kids,” record and capping off the season with a league Taylor says. “It will be an uphill battle [for succhampionship. The team’s depth- with seven se- cess] but I think we have it in us if we work toniors rounding out the 17 player roster- played gether and do what we are capable of.” an integral role in their success, and helped turn The team reformation has also given less expeAHS hockey into a force to be reckoned with. To rienced players a chance to really learn the game many, this seemed like the beginning of run of among players of their own skill level. Promptsuccess that could last for years, but it only took ed by the disassembly of the Ashland team, the until the 2010 season to realize such aspirations Southern Sky League now has a JV program would not materialize. where Crater, Ashland, North and South MedWith only eight players from Ashland on ford players are mixed together and play in fully the ice at the beginning of the season, the team competitive games. “The JV team has allowed could only compete by bringing in two players me to improve in ways I might not have been from Medford , with another two being shut- able to at the varsity level,” senior Carley Santee tled in from Shasta. The results of the first two says. “I’m now truly a competitor.” games were under- whelming to the point of As far as an AHS varsity hockey team returnthe coaching staff having to shut down the team ing in the future, Coach Harrison was cautiously altogether. It was a choice nobody was happy optimistic. “I really do hope the team is able to with, but Coach Tom Harrison was quick to build in the future, and maybe we can get back to note that such a choice had to be made. “There where we originally were. Only time will tell.” just weren’t enough skilled players to field a team. There was nothing we could do.”

Although the AHS varsity hockey team is now down for the Rogue News is published by the newspaper classes of Ashland High School, 201 South Mountain Ave., Ashland, Oregon 97520. (541) 482-8771 ext. 195. The count, the players haven’t given editorials written by the Rogue News express the opinions of the editorial staff on up the fight to play the sport they issues relevant to the staff, the school and the community. love. The North Medford hockey Personal columns do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the entire staff and are written as the opinion of the individual author. Letters to the editor, which should team was happy to step up and be under 250 words, are encouraged. They can be dropped off outside of Room 202, give the players a chance to join put in Mr. William Gabriel’s box in the main office or emailed to RogueNews@ashtheir squad. Sam Taylor, a junior land.k12.or.us. No letters will be printed without a verified signature. at Ashland High, has played three Letters received in the second week of production will not appear until the next issue. The Rogue News staff reserves the right to refuse to print any potentially liyears of Grizz hockey and now belous or obscene material, anything that would invade the privacy of others, or plays right wing for NMHS. “I’m anything that could cause a disruption of the school environment.

Rogue News

Editorial Board

Editors-in-Chief........................Anna Hume, Arthur Lawniczak, Ella Riley-Adams ...........................................................................................................Jackson Santee Front Page Editor..........................................................................Arthur Lawniczak News Editor......................................................................................Paul Schwarzer Feature Editor..................................................................................Jasper Reynolds In-Depth Editors.............................................................Jacy Mairs, Hannah Sayles Opinion Editor..............................................................................Ella Riley-Adams Sports Editors...................................................... Mason Costantino, Kostja Farrell Backpage Editor..............................................................................Taylor Patterson Photography Editor....................................................................Grace Riley-Adams Managing Editor.................................................................................Adam Pavlich Chief Designer...................................................................................Hannah Sayles Production Manager................................................................................Jesse Smith Business Manager…….…..….............................................................Talen HeaterExecutive Editors’ Assistant................................................................AJ Bottimore

bear on the wall, and during the 1970’s, it was as much a part of the landscape of Ashland High School as the mural on the front of the gym is now. Mysteriously, the bear disappeared one winter, and this fall, it finally reappeared.

When Martin Reece-Sullivan, ’75 Ashland Alumni, brought the class of ‘67’s class gift back to the main office, everyone was baffled. No one could figure out what the bear was or where it came from. Last September, the Rogue News published a blurb requesting any information about a giant red wooden bear with a suspicious resemblance to the mascot for Hamm’s Beer.

Community response was astounding. It seemed that everyone knew something about the bear.

The bear was originally donated to the school by the class of ’67, and in that year, it was proudly displayed on the back of the Rally Squad’s jackets. The large wooden cutout was first displayed that winter, and it hung to the right of the scoreboard in the high school gymnasium.

The bear proudly hung until 1981 when it was removed and stashed away in a supply closet. There are multiple theories as to why the bear was removed and who removed it. The Vice Principal in 1981 was Bud Silver, and he remembers the bear as an embarrassment to the high school. “I was glad to see it go. I was tired of being made fun of by other school administrators at meetings,” said Silver. The bear was a tarPhoto by Grace Riley-Adams get for criticism because of its cartoony, wimpyGrizzly mascot patch on Brown’s letterman’s jacket Photo by Grace Riley-Adams Suzie Brown standing with the Grizzly mascot nature and its resemblance of the Hamm’s Beer Bear. student, Reece-Sullivan took home the wooden cut-out Silver claims that the student body grew tired of being and stored it in his own closet. With completion of the

by Willis Plummer made fun of, and one weekend, it was mysteriously re- new gym in sight, he decided it was time to bring the bear moved by a group of students.

home.

The student body remembers it differently; Barbara

Ashland High School has a tradition of chalNow that the bear has been returned, it will hang in lenging authority and pushing the boundaries of censor- Coldwell, a class of ’67 alumni, believes that “they didn’t a place of honor in the newly completed gymnasium. As ship and biopolitics. Be it Diesel-Kitten’s suspension at like the image of a beer bear representing our school,” and you exit the traditional lobby, the bear hangs to the right the 2007 battle of the bands, the controversial “Creation “the school wanted a more growly, meaner bear.” Similar of the doors. “I’m happy it’s going to be back in its rightof Harry” (Potter) Mural, or Dane Coke’s speedo stunt beliefs have echoed throughout the student body, and ful place,” commented Reece-Sullivan, and the class of at the homecoming assembly of 2006. Although these because the bear was rediscovered on campus, it makes ’67 has echoed his excitement. events all occurred in the last four years, the tradition sense to assume that the administration was involved. predates anyone at AHS today.

During the 1990’s, the high school’s theAs far back as 1967, Ashland High School students have been pushing the boundaries of what the school ater and music building was renovated. Half Do you know anything about your class allows. The class of ’67 donated a giant wooden bear to way through renovations, Reece-Sullivan was gift? We’re compiling a list of gifts for hang in the gym next to the scoreboard. The bear wasn’t salvaging valuables that otherwise would have just any school mascot; it held an uncanny resemblance gone to scrap when he discovered the Old the final issue of the year, and we need to the Hamm’s Beer Bear. The administration hung the Hamm’s Bear stored away in a closet. Rememyour help. Please send all information to bering the bear from his years as an AHS

Calling Ashland Alums

roguenews@ashland.k12.or.us. Thank you in advance.