November 2013

by James Edson and Abigail Mizera Nǐ hǎo Wǒ shī zhōngxuéshēng. Do you know what that means? You might want to consider taking up Mandarin Chinese as China becomes a world power. How can Ashland High School teach Chinese anyway? The reason is because of an organization called Hanban: a division of the Chinese government that sends Chinese teachers to America and offers exchange programs for Chinese students all across the US. Our principal, Michelle Zundel, accompanied by 380 American representatives, recently traveled to Beijing and Chongqing to meet administrators from Hanban. They toured the Forbidden City, the Great Wall, the Three Gorges Dam Museum as well as schools in Beijing and southwest China. Hoping to learn from the distinctive system of Chinese education, Zundel collaborated with the Chinese leaders and the US delegation (all expenses were paid for by Hanban).

volunteer teachers from China. Additionally, St. Mary’s offers foreign exchange students from China the opportunity to learn at their school.

Back in 2010, AHS also signed on to the Confucius classroom which brought Chinese teachers to teach Mandarin and Chinese Culture at AHS and Ashland Middle School. Part of the motive behind sending Ashland’s principal to China was to establish a separate exchange program. This exchange would bring Chinese students to Ashland. Through this sought-after exchange program, the money generated can be put into other school pro- Principal Zundel grams. This could be great news for AHS. For example, posing on the Great AHS could add much-needed technology courses. While Wall of China traveling in China, Zundel found two schools interested in such an exchange, meaning that AHS might have its own Confucius classroom in the near future.

Traditionally, the Chinese system of education has been significantly different from its American counterpart’s. Because China has adopted a Confucian system of education that focuses primarily on memorization, math and science, the West’s focus on creativity has just begun to integrate into the Chinese curriculum.

“They are shocked that our system is moving to a focus on testing,” Zundel said. The Chinese government has been especially interested in sending students to the US to gain creative skills and receive a western style of education. Another aspect of American schools that the Chinese admire is the accessibility to education. “The United States is the only country in the world that really takes educating every one of its citizens seriously,” Zundel stated. Yet, only about 34 percent of Chinese high school students pass the college entrance exam, resulting in a large portion of the population never getting a shot at a higher education.

Another reason that Zundel has been so interested in these bridge programs between the two countries is that she strives to make foreign languages a greater priority.

High schools in America are forced to teach languages like German, French, Japanese and Chinese in a brief, four year period, sometimes with only a few levels of difficulty. This leaves little time for students to gain a full understanding of the language, which is a valuable skill in today’s globalized economy. Chinese students, on the other hand, begin learning foreign languages in the primary grades. English in particular is an important asset for them, whether they want to travel the world, move to an English-speaking nation or just understand the meaning of their favorite Hollywood movies. Given the strategic importance of learning Mandarin, the US is only beginning to reciprocate. Historically, Chinese classes were not even offered in American high schools, so there is a high level of excitement surrounding these exchange programs.

Here at Ashland High School we have four levels of Mandarin Chinese, taught by Dai Jing and Jen Guo. Additionally, Hanban will also pay for a student trip to China in July. Any student who completes two years of Mandarin can participate. Mandarin, although complex, is a beautiful language, and would be a worthy investment of your time. Nǐ hǎo Wǒ shī zhōngxuéshēng (Translation: I’m a high school student and I get to take Chinese!)

WHY CHINA?

THE ROGUE VALLEY AND HANBAN

A few years ago, St. Mary’s High School in Medford signed on with Hanban to fund a Confucius classroom to help American students learn Chinese. There are over 300 of these Confucius classrooms at colleges across the US, but St. Mary’s is one of very few high schools that have such a program. An initiative of the Chinese Ministry of Education, the program provides Chinese language classes to schools across the Rogue Valley, taught by

AHS Chinese teacher Jen Guo with her Mandarin Chinese students

PRIORITIZING WORLD LANGUAGE

photo by Spencer Hills

Principal Zundel stands on the Great Wall of China

photo courtesy of Michelle Zundel

Senator Ron Wyden Visits AHS

by Allayana Darrow

U.S. Senator Ron Wyden came to Ashland High School, one of the eleven Oregon high schools that he visited as part of his “Listening to the Future” tour. His mission with these public forums was to voice his belief in the power of our generation, as well as to give the Oregon youth a chance to express their own concerns.

As expected, many students inquired about current political and economic issues such as the government shutdown and the crisis in Syria. Many students, however had questions for Senator Wyden that explored other issues that have been simmering underneath the “big news.”

Syria One of the first topics to hit the table in the student forum was the conflict in Syria. The situation created a tense atmosphere nationwide even after the resolution to the chemical weapon dilemma was enacted, and AHS students wanted to know what was really going on inside the government. During the time of the crisis, several government committees, many of which Senator Wyden is a part of, were straining to find a resolution to the chemical weapons issue that would hopefully ease the anxiety of the public.

Even though the responsibility to find solutions rests in the hands of the government, Senator Wyden expressed his amazement at the ability of the American youth to make a change by speaking up. His position on the power of our generation became a theme throughout his forum with AHS students and reappeared throughout a variety of topics.

Gay Marriage One student asked the Senator for his position on gay marriage. Being a fervent, long-time advocate for marriage equality, his response was a huge hit with the audience.

“If you don’t like gay marriage, don’t get one,” Senator Wyden said.

He continued that we have many other, more pressing national issues at hand and politicians are stalled, debating whether or not certain individuals should be allowed to marry who they want, something that he believes should be a private and personal decision.

Continuing with the theme of the power of our generation, Wyden said he is impressed with our ability to change the nationwide position on the subject, to voice our support and to make a difference by influencing the minds of other generations.

Gun Control Students had come to the forum prepared with highly controversial questions. Following Syria and gay marriage, the students addressed their questions and concerns on the issue of gun control. As he began explaining his position on the subject, Wyden expressed that he is a supporter of the Second Amendment to the Constitution, which protects the right of individual Americans to keep and bear arms.

To further define his position, he elaborated by saying that he doesn’t believe that the key to preventing tragedies such as the public shootings we have witnessed in recent years (Sandy Hook, Columbine High School, Washington Navy Yard, etc). is restricting the rights given by the Second Amendment. He also doesn’t believe that, as others advocate, arming school teachers is the answer. Instead, he believes that the primary focus should be extensive background checks and strict watch on those who have previously committed gun related crimes.

Marijuana and Hemp Senator Wyden directed this topic more toward the usage of hemp. “Marijuana and hemp are two very different things,” he said as he expanded on his case for the national legalization of growing hemp. He posed an important question: if we can buy hemp-based products at Costco, why can’t we grow it and make money off of it for ourselves, instead of importing it?

After the discussion, Senator Wyden met with a Rogue News elaborate on the following topics.

Government Shutdown The first question that had not been discussed in depth was the government shutdown, which had recently ended on October 17. The Republican Party’s de-

Ron Wyden stands with a group of AHS students

Photo by Michelle Zundel

termined effort, despite the resistance of the Democratic Party, to shut down Obama Care, left the U.S. with a large issue and neither party was prepared to throw in the towel first.

The consensus reached to end the temporary shutdown of all programs funded by the federal government is not a permanent compromise. An agreement was made on a temporary budget plan that will be revisited and re-debated in late January-early February, 2014.

“No one will cut Medicare,” Wyden said. The key will be to find a balance that will foster economic growth and hold down Medicare spending while maintaining the benefits.

Senator Wyden’s faith lies in the power of the public, specifically the youth, to prompt our government officials to compromise regarding political controversies and, as Senator Wyden said, “Keep them from kicking the can down the road.”

Education and Common Core Common Core is a new federal education plan that will replace previous state testing systems. This new plan is designed to increase an individual’s critical thinking capabilities. However, with these new, increased expectations, it may be a greater challenge to receive your high school diploma than it was in previous years. Consequently, without a diploma, receiving college financial aid and joining the military will be nearly impossible.

The Senator said that the revisions to the “No Child Left Behind” act will give some flexibility in the state; however, a balance between “flexibility and accountability” is vital.

Space When the U.S. went to the moon, it was a mission to achieve a new and profound goal that redefined the meaning of knowledge and exploration while also bringing the country together. The Rogue News asked if there is room for goals these that would bring Americans together instead of pushing them to diverge into opposing sides.

Senator Wyden believes that it is vital to have programs out there exploring and investigating new ideas, for that is the way that some of our most revolutionary technologies have come about, such as the internet. DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency) is an example of a company that values this same idea.

“Exploration is innovation” is what Senator Wyden calls it.

It isn’t every day that a U.S. Senator comes out to speak with the public youth.

From current events to future innovations, Senator Wyden listened patiently to curious student voices.

With this forum, Senator Wyden opened an atmosphere for Ashland High School students to put their thoughts, concerns and inquires out on the table and to provide him with firsthand information from the viewpoint of future voters.

For students applying to college, getting accepted is only half the battle. The other half is tuition. The chart below shows the annual tuition of colleges in Oregon from most expensive to least expensive. The tuition does not include room and board, but it does include the cost of both books and classes.

Don’t let the big numbers deter you; last year AHS granted $130,000 in scholarships to graduating seniors!

To apply for a scholarship just go to the website http://ashland.k12.or.us/Page.asp?NavID=2325 or scan the QR code above.

on Genetically Organisms?

What’s your take Modified

GMO’s? How about GM-NO?

GM-YES (That’s a genetically-modified rhyme)

by Bryce Rogan

photos by Katy Barnard

It is impossible to avoid genetically modified organisms in 21st century United States. While the frequency of the actual organisms, usually fruits or vegetables, varies depending on your location -- as in you probably won’t find a grapple (an apple that tastes like a grape. Awesome, I know) at Shop N’ Kart or the Co-op – the controversy is ubiquitous. Here in Ashland, it appears that the overwhelming majority despises GMO’s. For example, if you take a quick drive through the quiet neighborhoods of Ashland, you will find houses that have signs which read ‘We are a GMO-free family!’ These modern organisms seem to have developed a reputation in this town as a threat to human safety and the future of our planet. This description is essentially a definition of apocalypse. This is about as likely as Judgment Day, Y2K and the end of Mayan Calendar. GMO’s are not the bane of current life and nutrition. However, it is still one of the bigger events in the history of the food industry, right up there with there with Upton Sinclair’s “Jungle.” Unfortunately, Mr. Sinclair is no longer able to expose industries, so I will. I will expose the truth about GMO’s and about just how safe they are.

A COMMON MISUNDERSTANDING

Regrettably, ‘genetically modified organisms,’ is a scary sounding phrase. It parallels with all of those weird chemicals on shampoo bottles that no one can pronounce. I believe that this has led to a connotation surrounding the phrase that is unfair. Many people hear, “GMO” and think of fruits and vegetables that ‘destroy the integrity of the natural, American farmer.’ People also think that these foods are dangerous even if they are eaten only once. Not to burst anyone’s bubble, but I would bet that most all of you have already had some GM food. All of you. This is because companies do not have to label GMO’s in their products in the U.S. Whether this is ethical or not is an entirely different debate (for the record, I think they should be labeled) but the underlying truth remains. Most all of you have digested a GM food item and none of you are weird aliens because of it. GMO’s are safe. If you don’t take my word for it, how about four Italian scientists employed at universities around Italy? The goal of this study was “to create a single document where interested people of all levels of expertise can get an overview on what has been done by scientists regarding GE crop safety,” lead researcher Alessandro Nicolia stated. In this study, the researchers compiled 1,783 (!!) other studies about the safety of GM products and found 0 (!!) credible examples of GM products harming a human. This is not an understudied area. It’s not as if no one knows the future impacts. It’s not easy to get FDA approval, you know.

DON’T BE ALARMED

What people need to understand is that GMO’s are safe. I cannot deny that overuse can lead to a situation such as the one developing in antibiotics. If these technologies are used too often, things can become resistant, whether it is a virus or a pest. In moderation, these enhanced fruits and vegetables provide enormous benefits. Strawberries that never freeze and corn that can survive pesticide use (which is also stringently regulated) can benefit the economy in a number of ways. It’s not only Monsanto that uses GMO products; farmers can save money on pesticide use by using altered crops.

I realize that those of you who are inherently opposed to anything nonorganic and/or grown within two miles of your house – those of you whose parents went to Woodstock, followed the Grateful Dead for an awkwardly long period of time and versed you in the ways of all natural everything - are probably not going to go stock your shelves with some good ol’ Monsanto corn. But for those of you who knew nothing, realize that the pros significantly outweigh the cons. It’s modern technology against old school ways, like bringing a knife to a nuclear weapon standoff.

Editorial/Designer Board Editors-in-Chief................................Hanna Greenberg/Bryce Rogan/Gabe Young Front Page............................................................Hanna Greenberg/Seve Bortman News......................................................................Allayana Darrow/Katy Barnard Opinion Page........................................................................................Gabe Young In-Depth Page.........................................................Cass Christopher/Bryce Rogan Feature Page ........................................................Hannah Borgerson/Kali Sullivan Sports............................................................................................Cass Christopher Back......................................................................................................Gabe Young Online Editors.........................Grady Killeen/Nathan Markovich/Riley Richmond Managing Editor...........................................................................Cass Christopher Business Manager…......…..…...........................................................Anna Epstein Photo Editor........................................................................................Katy Barnard

by Gabe Young

A relatively new product of technological advances, Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO’s) have rapidly increased in ubiquity over the past three decades, and this rise has fanned the flames of debate over whether or not GMO’s should be accepted as common practice in the food industry of the United States. While multitudes of people in our society still are quite ignorant as to what they consume and probably have no idea what GMO’s even are, us lucky Ashlanders have the fortune of living in a town where it seems that everyone, their mother, their bikram yoga instructor and their personal nutritionist all painstakingly read each word on every label of whatever organic, free-range, fair-trade product they happen to be purchasing. The point is, while this may not be a debate that a high school newspaper would be taking on in many other communities (heck, they might not even have a school paper at all, but that’s another story), you’ll likely come across at least one such discussion living in Ashland, so it’s best you know what you’re talking about.

WHAT ARE THEY?

For starters, what are GMO’s? These are simply plants or animals that through various processes of genetic engineering have had their DNA crossbred with that of other species of plants, animals, bacteria or viruses. This is done to create certain “super” species of crops that can withstand harsher climates and conditions, yield more production and last longer before going bad. Livestock are genetically engineered to enlarge and maximize upon the consumable parts of the body. So according to theory, widespread GMO use would increase world food stores and reduce waste. And with studies showing that GMO’s pose no significant health risk to consumers, this whole deal is starting to sound quite peachy!

WHY IS THAT BAD?

Yet the fact of the matter is this: while no short-term health risks have presented themselves, it is much too early to deem GMO’s completely safe. Because this technology is so new to us (GM food first hit the market in the 1980’s), no one has even come close to living a full life while consuming GMO’s. This leaves open the possibility of long-term health problems that have simply not yet appeared. This uncertainty aside, there is no dispute that the introduction of GMO’s has had a negative effect on the environment. The majority of GM crops are created so that herbicides can be used to kill surrounding weeds without harming the plant itself. Due to this, herbicide use has risen substantially in recent years. According to agronomist Dr. Charles Benbrook, “[Genetically engineered (GE)] crops have been responsible for an increase of 383 million pounds of herbicide use in the US over the first 13 years of commercial use of GE crops.” While these toxic chemical concoctions pose direct risks to ourselves and our environment, the problem goes far beyond that. Herbicides have been over-used to the point where certain weeds evolved to become resistant to the chemicals, creating a sort of “super” weed that cannot be easily killed, essentially Mother Nature’s way of saying, “you mess with me, you got another thing coming.”

SO NOW WHAT?

Once touted as a means of mass-producing food to solve the hunger crisis, three decades later, GMO production has done little to nothing to fix the issue. And even without even touching on the horrible effects GMO’s have had on smaller-scale farmers (see “Food Inc.” if you’re curious) it is clear that there are many detractors to this technology. While scientific advances have set the foundation for the growth of our society to the modern culture it is today, in some instances, like this one, it seems we may have gone too far. Our planet has sustained life on its own for billions of years, simply due to its evolutionary state. It’s time we back off, let nature take the reins once again and say GM-NO to genetically modified organisms.

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 editorials written by the Rogue News express the opinions of the editorial staff on issues relevant to the staff, the school and the community.

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 be under 250 words, are encouraged. They can be dropped off outside of Room 202, put in Allison French’s box in the main office or emailed to RogueNews@ashland.k12.or.us. No letters will be printed without a verified signature.

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 libelous or obscene material, anything that would invade the privacy of others, or anything that could cause a disruption of the school environment.

by Hanna Greenberg You’ve already pounded back three Red bulls. You finish the last sentence on your essay that is due the next morning and can finally hit print. Your eyes are glossy and your eyelids may as well be attached to weights they feel so heavy. It is 2 a.m. or later, and you, my friend, are in severe sleep deprivation territory.

Sure, we all have to pull a late night once in a while. However, you might not realize the severe health repercussions that can come from sleep deprivationespecially in students.

In a school setting, students are forced to be up early. They are expected to be alert, prepared and engaged.

Sleep deprivation reduces alertness and performance level significantly. Additionally, sleep deprivation causes daytime drowsiness, which impairs your cognitive ability and memory capacity. For a student, the inability to be up to par in attentiveness and attain information is detrimental to success.

Okay, so your sleep deprivation may have made you miss a few points on your first period quiz. But that’s not the only backlash. Studies have shown that your social life is negatively affected by a lack of sleep as well. If you do not get enough sleep, your brain releases a compound called adenosine. Adenosine is released when the brain is overworked to slow cells and induce sleepiness. From this, your brain becomes less responsive to happenings in the outside world. Often times, once this happens, your brain is unable to pick up on social cues that an alert brain would be

able to. Additionally, sleep deprivation can hinder activity in the prefrontal cortex, which is directly associated with emotions and complex thinking. When you interact socially, the middle and lower sections of the prefrontal cortex help you process emotional and social signs. With this, damage caused by sleep deprivation can result in abnormal or inappropriate behavior toward others.

The long term effects of severe sleep deprivation can range from high blood pressure and depression, to obesity and even heart attack or stroke.

So, AHS students, it is important to realize that pulling an all-nighter the day before a test can result in more than just a poor score. In an intellectually stimulating environment like high school, it is important that you do all you can to be socially and mentally adept. Get as many hours of sleep as possible a night, and you will reap the benefits of it the next day.

Myth: Caffeine will stain your teeth Truth: While coffee will stain your teeth, it is not actually the caffeine that is doing the staining. The pigments in dark colored drinks latch onto your teeth whether or not they contain caffeine. Decaf will stain just as much as caffeinated coffee, and dentists actually think that dark teas stain more than coffee.

Swishing with water after drinking dark colored drinks is recommended by dentists to prevent staining.

Myth: Caffeine increases your risk of heart disease and cancer Truth: Caffeine is a mild stimulant, so it is true that it will temporarily raise your heart rate and blood pressure. This is a risk for people who already have heart disease or other heart problems, but it will not raise the chance of developing those diseases. Caffeine causing cancer is, on the other hand, complete fiction. In the vast majority of studies, caffeine has correlated with either a normal risk of cancer or even a slightly decreased risk.

Myth: Caffeine counteracts alcohol Truth: It is commonly thought that caffeine negates the effects of alcohol.

However, research shows that caffeine does nothing to improve the reaction time or driving performance of inebriated people. Caffeine only makes

drunk people feel less drunk, actually making the alcohol even more dangerous. When someone consumes caffeine they may drink more alcohol than they normally would or attempt more dangerous activities, unaware of their impediments.

More Truths about Caffeine That You May Not Know Caffeine can be dangerous in high amounts Caffeine consumption seems to be safe in quantities of up to 400 mg a day, a little more than a Starbucks Grande brewed coffee. However, this number only applies to normal adults, so people under the age of 18 should be more careful.

In addition, studies have found that many energy drinks contain caffeine not reported on the label. A recent Australian study found that energy drinks can cause symptoms ranging from irregular heartbeats and shaking, to seizures, hallucinations and occasionally death. The recreational use of energy drinks among teenagers is rising, so it is important to be aware of the risks.

Caffeine is addictive Caffeine addiction doesn’t force families to live on the streets or make students drop out of school, but as few as 100 mg of caffeine a day, about one cup of cof-

fee, can c than dou more the Over tim positive e

Caffeine i portant to users, caff morning, on it. The job to be

by Cass Christopher We all know how important it is to get a long and restful night of sleep. However, some of us don’t have the wonderful ability to do so. If you struggle with anything sleep-related like falling asleep or staying asleep, here are some helpful how-to’s on strengthening your sleep pattern.

1) Exercise! Go for a walk, a run, a bike ride or whatever activity you prefer. At least 30 minutes of movement will boost your metabolism so that when it’s time to catch some Z’s, you will be able to relax. When you’re sitting on the couch all day eating potato chips (which I know we’re all guilty of), where is all of your energy supposed to go? Into the television? I don’t think so. Spend some time out in the sun and let our body do what it’s meant to do.

2) Set a regular bedtime. There are always nights when we have to stay up late doing homework and others when we feel like passing out at 7:30. However, it is important to try to fall asleep around the same time every night. Obviously, the earlier the bedtime the better, but for those of us that either like to stay up late or have to stay up late, it is best to have a set time to turn off the lights. If your brain is used to falling asleep at ten o’clock, for example, it will be easier to fall asleep at that time as opposed to 11:30.

3) Avoid caffeine after lunch time. Believe it or not, caffeine is a powerful drug that stays in your system for a long time, sometimes even up to 12 hours. If you’ve noticed that you have problems falling and/or staying asleep, try cutting back on your caffeine intake, especially after lunch time.

by Ryan Case

cause physical dependence. The average American adult drinks more uble that amount, 280 mg, and withdrawal symptoms get worse the ey drink. Symptoms can include headaches, tiredness and depression. me, caffeine users have to consume ever increasing amounts to reap the effects of caffeine, contributing to its addictive effects.

is consumed by 90 percent of adults every single day, but it is still imo understand its negative effects. Just like a day in the life of one of its ffeine has its ups and downs. It can be a valuable burst of energy in the , but caffeine’s benefits disappear when one becomes too dependent e popularity of caffeine shows no sign of slowing down, and it is your a conscious consumer.

photo by Spencer Hills

4) Boot the before-bed screen time. In this day and age, technology is a huge part of our daily lives. Television, cell phones and other electronics stimulate the brain rather than relax it. So surf through your social networks and catch up on the episode you missed earlier in the day; this way your brain won’t be bustling when you’re ready to go to bed.

5) Try some extra tricks to get ready for bed. Taking a bubble bath is extremely relaxing, especially if you’re looking for a nice, undisturbed night of rest. In addition, reading a book or magazine works the brain in a healthy way, practically preparing it for sleep. Also, make sure to keep your bedroom the correct temperature; this means not too hot and not too cold. You’re more likely to wake up throughout the night if your body is not comfortable with the room temperature.

So, my fellow light sleepers, couch potatoes and stayup-late-ers, never give up on a good night’s rest. By switching up your sleep routine and following these steps, it is likely you will find yourself sleeping like a baby in no time.

Fall Sports Recap

Before we move on to the chilly winter season, we must first acknowledge the incredible fall seasons that took place for the majority of our AHS sports teams.

Below are the season results for each Ashland High School fall sport:

Wrestling With Gender Roles

Football: Played in semifinals; overall record 11-1 Girls Water Polo: Placed 3rd in State Boys Water Polo: Placed 3rd in State Volleyball: Overall record 6-15 Boys Cross Country: 4th in Districts Girls Cross Country: 4th in Districts Boys Soccer: Won play-in game, lost play-off game; overall record 8-6-1 Girls Soccer: Won play-in game, lost play-off game; overall record 9-4-2

by Elisabeth Tappert

Imagine this: two wrestlers step up to a mat to battle for the title of State Champion. One is your typical male wrestler-stocky and yolked, the other, your own Homecoming Queen. According to the National Wrestling Coaches Association, the number of female high school wrestlers in the United States has increased by over 1000% in the last two decades. With four girls joining our previously all-male wrestling team this winter, Ashland High School is participating in the movement toward a world of sports with no gender boundaries.

With a background in martial arts and a passion for physical sports, freshman Joanne Lemley will be a great addition to the team. “Wrestling takes determination and character,” Lemley said. “The pain you feel in the moment makes you stronger for the next day.”

By the Numbers

9

By Olivia Butler

The number of goals scored by Nick Choaurd this soccer season

Number of goals Maddy Longshore scored in the last water polo game

16 From left to right: Lemley, Bogdanove, Rossau and Norvell

photo by Spencer Hills

Junior Sydney Norvell, a former state champion in gymnastics, has been trying a new sport every season since she was a sophomore, and it has come time to try wrestling. “I enjoy physically intense sports,” Norvell admitted. “Wrestling is completely different from any other sport I have tried.” With her background in gymnastics she is easily in the running for the strongest girl at AHS, which will allow her to excel in wrestling.

Fellow ex-gymnast Sofie Bogdanove, a freshman who loves contact sports but has only ever practiced gymnastics and dancing, decided to try something completely new as well. “When I was younger I would wrestle with my sister,” Bogdanove said. “Now I can show my skills and prove that I am just as good as the boys.”

Danish exchange student Ditte Rossau has a history of wrestling from when she was 12, and decided to try again because she wants to “kick-butt.” Rassau was convinced by a friend of hers from AHS to join this year’s team.

I’m sure many of you are wondering if our female wrestlers are going to wear the infamous “onsies” (singlets). The uniforms for the girls are unitards with legs that go to mid-thigh and are made out of spandex, similar to the uniforms that the boys wear. The only difference is that the girls wear head-caps to protect their hair from being pulled.

Although there may be people who oppose their involvement, these girls are not afraid to challenge the common gender stereotypes put on them. The Rogue News wishes these upcoming wrestlers the best of luck!

Number of kills in the volleyball playoff game by Hope Baldrica

Jannik Ehret’s best 5,000 meter X-Country time

10

5

18:04.1

Number of goals scored by Jessie Harrower this soccer season

Raymond Impara’s fastest 2.35-mile time

61%

15:20

Percentage of completed passes by QB Danial White

Suriel Hess’ time in the Head of the American Crew Race

23:17.7

Photos by Jay Pressman (left) and Jamie Lusch

Ganim excells on both snow and water

by Hannah Borgerson

Ashland High School junior, Chase Ganim launches himself from snow pack to snow melt. As he makes the transition from powdered mountains to vicious river rapids, Ganim sets the bar high as he strives for a spot on the national kayaking team and tries for a chance at the Olympics. However, Ganim’s first passion was not kayaking.“I guess you could say it all began when I started skiing as a young kid.”

Ganim stated. Strapping on ski boots and zooming down snowy hills has been part of Ganim’s life for as long as he can remember.

In high school, Ganim’s drive for skiing became more serious than just the occasional Saturday trip up to Mt. Ashland. During the winter of his Freshman year Ganim attended Mount Hood Academy at Government Camp Oregon and the winter of his Sophomore he went to Cascades Ski Academy, in Bend, Oregon. While there, Ganim’s days consisted of school in the morning and skiing in the afternoon, and it just so happened that all of Ganim’s hard work paid off. At the 2012 U.S. Junior Olympics in Montana, Ganim medaled gold in the downhill ski slalom event.

Yet, even after such a great success, Ganim felt

like it was time to try something new. “Skiing has been a huge part of my life, and it still is. It’s just that after competing in it for so long, I only had fun when I beat my ultimate best. And when I didn’t do as well as I would have liked, I would get too hard on myself, which takes away from the love for the sport.” Ganim said.

So, this summer Ganim traded his skis in for a paddle and began to toy around on the kayak. “I have always loved trying new things,” Ganim stated, “so when I would get asked to go out on the river for recreation, I would never refuse the offer.” However, the leisure of simply floating through calm waters down the Rogue River did not last for long. Ganim’s natural skill in the boat was quickly spotted by Steve Kiesling, a 1980 U.S. Olympic Rowing Team member, and Oliver Fix, an Ashland local who won gold in the 1996 Olympic games in slalom kayaking for his native country, Germany. Both Kiesling and Fix are Ganim’s mentors/coaches when it comes to white water kayaking, but it seems some of his exceptional beginner’s talent might have to do with his ski-filled past. “The strategies for the kayak and ski slalom are, on some levels, very similar. They both involve

maneuvering around gates at a fast speed. One is just in water’s frozen state and the other is raced in H20’s liquid form!” Ganim said, jokingly.

The amount of progress and skill already acquired in such a short amount of time could expand and lead to a very bright future for Ganim’s kayaking career. The cold winter weather makes it hard to practice with kayak on the river, but that does not mean the training stops. During the next few months, Ganim will have kayaking sessions at the SOU pool and dryland training with Fix. Ganim plans to try out for the national kayak team in the spring of 2015. His ultimate goal is to make it to the Olympic games in Rio de Janeiro, 2016. According to Fix, Ganim has a lot of potential and will continue to improve if he remains committed to the sport. “The national team and the Olympics are both really big goals.” Ganim said, “But you’ll never know how far you’ll get until you try.”

Let’s get festive!

The 2013 WFAF poster, designed by AHS student Rosemarie Caruso

Winter Fine Arts Festival

Jack-Frost Festival

by Claire McBennett

by Kali Sullivan

It’s that time of year again. The mornings start to get frosty, the sun is almost down by the time school gets out and Starbucks is starting to bring out the fancy seasonal drinks. Get out your reindeer sweaters AHS, because winter is coming.

But if you’re looking for an entertaining way to get inside and stay warm, the Winter Fine Arts Festival is a fantastic opportunity. Friday, December 13th, starting at 5:30 in the Mountain Avenue Theater lobby there will be a silent auction and art on display by AHS students. The ceramics club will be featuring the latest works by its members. If you are a student and you take an interest in learning ceramic art yourself, stop by the ceramics club any white Thursday at lunch.

At 7:00 the performances will begin in the theater, featuring the band, orchestra and choir. There will also be a slideshow of art pieces created this semester in the Digital Media class, a fashion show put on by the Fiber Arts class, and a few performances from the drama department.

Tickets are $10, and it would be wise to get them in advance at Paddington Station, since this event is popular!

photo by Katy Barnard

Bracelets whose sale benefits Jack Dorr

Carnival games, music and food? Sounds like an opportunity you won’t want to miss, The Jack Frost Festival is coming up! On December 7 the Ashland High School Leadership is hosting a holiday carnival to support one of Helman elementary school’s 4th graders, Jack Dorr, in his fight against cancer. All proceeds will go to Jack and his family.

The festival is from 2:00 to 6:00 PM in the AHS main and lower gym. The admission fee is $5.00, and provides five free tickets that you can use to play games.

After the original five tickets, each additional ticket is a charge of 50 cents. Local band Chapter II will be providing music in the large gym at 2:30. Other activities include bobbing for apples, participating in the cake walk, being in the cookie decorating contest, making arts and crafts and much more! All ages are welcome.

Come support the Dorrs while having a day of fun with family and friends. We hope to see you there!

In addition, if you would like to find more ways to show your support for Jack, please pick up one of his bracelets that say “We’ve got your back, Jack.” They will be available at the festival and you can show your solidarity 24/7!

Who really knows Ms. Hafner?

by Ellie Case and Skylar Zundel

Who do you think knows you better: your best friend or your significant other? The Rogue News interviewed Ashley Hafner, AHS’s own health and foods teacher. Then we asked the same questions of her friend, fellow health teacher Laura Davidson, and her boyfriend, AHS head baseball coach John Wallace. Let’s find out who knows Ms. Hafner best.

Questions

Ashley

Hafner Laura

Davidson John

Wallace

5 points per correct answer (green), 3 points per partially correct answer (blue) and 0 points per incorrect answer (red).

Hometown?

Newberg, OR

Portland, OR

Newberg, OR

Coffee or tea?

Coffee (Duh!)

Coffee

Coffee

Favorite season?

Summer

Winter

Winter

Favorite color?

Turquoise

Turquoise

Something she can’t leave the house without?

Watermelon and Turquoise

A watch

Athletic gear

Beanie

Why she became a teacher?

Loves working with kids

Loves kids

If she wasn’t teaching, what would she be doing?

Natural born teacher; teaching picked her

Traveling the world

Favorite pastime?

Dream vacation destination?

Favorite band?

Playing outdoors and adventuring with Oden (her dog) and friends

Helping disadvantaged Traveling the world children and writing a book Being physically active Watching baseball and/or shooting hoops

Japan

Somewhere tropical

Thailand

The Black Keys

One Direction

The Black Keys

16

30 (WINNER)

Total points

Where’s Mr. Lebo? Hungry Holidays

by Hannah Borgerson

Is he in his classroom? Or perhaps in the teachers’ lounge?

Nope! Mr. Lebo is hidden in three spots within this newspaper. Search through the paper for that smiling bearded face (the one on the left doesn’t count) and take a picture of him on your phone. Then, follow @theroguenews on twitter and post the picture with the hashtag #findinglebo.

The first person to post each picture will win free Giseppi’s pizza.

Let the search for Lebo begin!

by Kali Sullivan Global Citizen Corps needs your help! They are running a school wide food drive to help the Ashland Emergency Food Bank supply meals to the homeless and hungry. During the holidays while some people might be making Christmas lists of iPhones and Birkenstocks, others might just be trying to find a full meal for their family. Help GCC make this a reality for those in need and donate today. Donation drop off boxes can be found in your advisory. Donate any non-perishable foods, hygiene products and dog food. The food drive starts December 2 and goes until the Winter Assembly on December 19. Make a difference and donate.