Pg. 1 outbreak Pg. 2 Music Pg. 3 pornography Pg. 4-5 environment Pg. 6 gas prices Pg. 7 Diversity Part III Pg. 8 Hiking Trails VOL III. Issue VI January 30, 2015
by Christine Impara and Abigail Mizera Outbreak: That’s what the Jackson County Health Department is calling the latest series of chickenpox cases in Ashland, Oregon. Since November 17, 2014, 26 cases of varicella-zoster virus (chickenpox) have been identified in Ashland. Chickenpox is an airborne illness and is highly contagious. As a precaution, the Health Department has announced that anyone who has come into contact with known or suspected cases who have not been vaccinated for the disease will not be permitted to attend school for the duration of the chickenpox incubation period, which is approximately 3 weeks after their most recent exposure. Ashland community members are concerned by this information considering the notoriously low immunization rates in the community. The question of vaccination is again in the mind of the public. Further adding to the chaos is the measles outbreak, which originated in southern California and has spread to neighboring states. Ashland has the lowest immunization rate among kindergartners of anywhere in Oregon and is counted among the lowest in the United States. However, with public schools requiring vaccination for enrollment, why is the number of unvaccinated students so low? Medical, religious, and nonreligious exemptions are possible for those not wishing to vaccinate their children or be vaccinated themselves. Oregon is one of the 19 states in the
United States that allows exemption for philosophical reasons or ethical reasons as well. The exemption rate in Ashland is 25%; which is significantly larger than the state average of 3.8%. When claiming a philosophical exemption the guidelines are fuzzy. The belief that exempts individuals not wishing to vaccinate must be “sincere and firmly held”… this can be open to interpretation. Vaccines are no new thing. The first instance of organized inoculations dates back to the year 1000 in China. These early doctors blew smallpox scabs up their patients’ noses in an attempt to bolster their immune systems against the disease. Needless to say, the techniques have been finessed quite a bit since then. The first laboratory vaccine was created by Louis Pasteur in 1879; it was developed to combat chicken cholera. To date, vaccines have saved millions of lives and have successfully eradicated smallpox, which was responsible for the death of many children throughout history. But how do they work? Vaccines are simply a modified form of the disease (living or dead) that is introduced directly into the body via the blood stream. This provides the patient’s immune system with a ‘practice run’ and thus better equips the body to handle the actual illness, should it be contracted. Ideally, for disease prevention, 100% of the population should be immunized - this is impossible. When
enough of the population is vaccinated the number of cases can be dramatically reduced however, this is known as ‘Herd Immunity’. In order for a community to be protected in such a way 80-95% of the population needs to be immune. In Ashland the immunization rate among the general population is approximately 87%. However, within the Ashland public school system only 80% of students are vaccinated. Mary Adcock, a registered nurse in Ashland High School’s Community Health Center believes that increased vaccination rates within the community will lower the risk for future outbreaks of chicken pox or any other illness. In the history of vaccines, there has been concern about safety of vaccines, particularly concerning a perceived link between vaccines and autism. The study originally claiming this link has been established as a fraud, however, the negative stigma surrounding vaccines has not dissipated for some. The Center for Disease Control asserts that no link is present between additives in vaccines and childhood autism. Within the medical community the issue of vaccinations is pretty cut and dry: get them. Though for others
it is not that simple. It is important for information to be available to the community at large and for every family to be able to make educated decisions without forgetting the safety of their loved ones, and their spiritual and moral values. Note: According to the Mayo Clinic symptoms of chickenpox include: Fever, loss of appetite, tiredness, raised bumps or blisters. Symptoms of measles include fever, dry cough, runny nose, inflamed eyes and rash. If you or a loved one are exhibiting these symptoms make an appointment with your doctor. Be sure to call ahead of time so that the medical office is prepared for your arrival and can reduce the risk of disease transmission. Although it seems trivial, chickenpox can be deadly, and can lead to shingles later in life. For students who decide to vaccinate, chickenpox and measles vaccines are available at the Ashland High School Community Health Center in the afternoons. After the injection, students are required to wait for 15 minutes in case a reaction occurs. The Health Center will bill the students insurance if they have it; otherwise prices are determined on a sliding scale. Most vaccines come at no cost to the student. Students under 18 are required to have forms signed by a parent or guardian. The Health Center is open Monday-Friday from 7:45 a.m to 3:30 p.m. They can be reached at (541) 842-7677.
“Stereo”types The Rogue News asked students what they thought of different music genres to help us identify modern day stereotypes present in music culture. Using anonymous quotes, we were able to create exaggerated versions of album covers for four common genres. We chose to keep the quotes anonymous in order to refrain from peer judgement among students to ensure honest responses. Our goal is to show the student body that stereotypes are still present in society and the significance of music is solely relevant to the listener as an individual.
by Dale Fulton, Frankie Mora and Amora McConnell
INDIE
POP
“Like...weird but in a cool way.” “Really weird, artsy pictures.” “A guy is probably wearing glasses and probably doesn’t need them.” “Sad art with cool shapes.” “It’s a mix of many styles of music and that’s what makes it unique.”
“A young artist with their name in bold letters.” “Some barbie-like chick with overdone makeup.” “Catchy music that’s easy to dance to.” “A face taking up the entire picture.”
“Wearing a v-neck and plaid while holding an acoustic guitar.” “I like the acoustics and simplicity of Country music.” “Alcohol in a red plastic cup sitting in a pick up truck.” “Cowboy boots, hats, and goatees.”
“Sexy saxophone man.” “Old people in a bar smoking cigars with lots of smoke everywhere.” “A dark sillhouette of a man wearing glasses.” “Jazz relaxes me and I can listen to jazz for hours.”
COUNTRY
JAZZ
Stringing Siblings
Photos by Amora McConnell
RN: What do you play? S: Viola J: Bass RN: How long have you been playing? S Seven years J: Five years RN: Why did you start? S: One night I had a dream that I played
by Natasha Pinney and Gabe Lehrburger
viola and by the next week I was enrolled in my school’s orchestra program. I have been playing ever since. J: It gets boring being the second child hanging around my sister’s orchestra rehearsals, so when the orchestra said that they needed basses I decided to give it a try.
RN: Who’s
your favorite musician/composer? S: Itzhak Perlman J: Victor Wooten (for making solo bass popular) RN: What is your favorite type of music (to listen to and to play)? S: I love Baroque music J: Jazz RN: Do you enjoy performing? S: I like everyday rehearsals better J: Yes, I like it a lot RN: What is your biggest accomplishment, musically? S: I have learned so much from orchestra, and my biggest accomplishment is being able to teach others and hope they find as much lifelong enjoy-
RN: What do you like most/least about playing? S: Playing music is like meditation. It
ment as I have. J: I built my own electric bass
RN = Rogue News S = Samara Photo by Chris Beyer
J = Jack
is the creation of beauty. I don’t like sight reading as it is much less relaxing. J: Playing music brings me into the moment. I am alert, focused and relaxed. I am not so fond of sight reading.
RN: How much do you practice? S: Less than I would like but more than I have time for RN: Who is a better player out of the two of you? S: Apples and orJ: Almost every day.
anges. How can I compare? By the way I’m the apple . . . the caramel apple J: We don’t talk about that. RN: Do you two get along well? S: We are fortunate that we have such a great connection J: I wouldn’t be getting Pictured above: the talented siblings senior Samara Diab (right) and freshman Jack Diab (left) who play together in Ashland High School’s Chamber Orchestra.
A’s if we didn’t [get along], but seriously she’s a great help RN:
Do you plan
to continue playing? S: Of course, it is something I would like to continue throughout my life. J: Without a doubt.
Pornography; (n) : movies, pictures, magazines, etc., that show or describe naked people or sex in a very open and direct way in order to cause sexual excitement (Merriam-Webster) by Skylar Zundel This article in no way expresses the opinions of Ashland High School or the district and does not discourage or encourage the industry. Its purpose is purely educational. Much of the information below was contributed by Matt Vogel of SOU, who as a psychological professor has spent much of his time educating students on the subject. Recently, he visited the AHS campus to talk with our family health classes about this sensitive topic.
Inducing giggles and funny stares, the mere mention of pornography makes people cover their faces with embarrassment. Matt Vogel points out that though our society seems to be wrapped up in sex-marketing, we also feel threatened and appalled when discussing the actual subject. The negatives do not necessarily lie in the watching of videos themselves but in the repercussions and practices that come with it, involving the rights of others. Contributing factors range from the cultural impact of the media to the effect on the individual porn consumer.
Consent
Most internet porn (the free kind) is categorized as Gonzo Porn, meaning mainly up close camera angles to view body parts and not a whole person. This makes it easier to objectify the human body. The genre fast forwards past the storyline and heads straight for the sex
acts. People believing that what they see in a video is the way sex is in real life causes them to act in unacceptable and aggressive ways. This normalizes “rough sex”, such as bondage, which actually requires serious communication, honesty and trust that is not shown in porn. Violent scenes promote abusive behaviors that are systematically integrated into our culture. Lack of consent in porn normalizes coercive sex and violence.
Objectification
The porn industry promotes the objectification of women. This process begins in pop culture with songs such as “Blurred Lines,” which implies that women alwats want sex. Through this exposure, girls are being sexualized at younger ages. Sites broadcast “barely legal” movies, featuring eighteen year olds with little to no knowledge of what they are getting into. This environment of oppression implies that the only thing girls can achieve is becoming somebody’s wife or mom. Porn also contributes to the idea that men have to be emotionally unavailable as well as being rough and tough in claim to their masculinity. Exploitation is regular practice. Youth in women is viewed as a necessity while older men are accepted for the inherent power they possess.
Relations
The portrayal of relationships through mass media have become shallower, only showing the surface. When a person finds “the one” there are no fireworks. Also, spooning is not comfy. Relationships are far more nuanced and complicated than depicted in porn. There is a false narrative created by corporations trying to people’s “needs”. What is consumed promotes
the output. This is why most porn is made for men. Society dictates that consumption is okay for men, but grotesque for women. The problem is when a person bases reality off of fantasy; it creates a lack of mutual respect. Interpersonal relationships are replaced by what the computer screen provides. Porn addicts’ behavior deprives them of social connection, which psychologists Baumeister and Leary call a “fundamental human need”. They are so focused on feeding a narrative that their relationships are not able to continue authentically. If a person is using porn solely to satisfy that need, a problem will arise. When an excessive amount is consumed a combination of psychological factors and blood flow to the penis can cause erectile dysfunction. Recently there has been a significant increase in cases of young men with erectile dysfunction. Once porn use decreases or stops, the problem fades away. Since the largest consumers of porn are teens, these problems are affecting young men when they should not be. The age of exposure is becoming younger and younger because pornography is everywhere. Censorship is virtually nonexistent in a country that is “sexphobic” while also possessing “sexcentric” qualities. Shame and guilt play part in the construct of feelings from watching. The ability to view porn (before the internet) was only available at the age of eighteen when a video could be rented. Now it is free to watch virtually anywhere without any ID requirements, just a few clicks away. Pornography is a controversial subject. It is important to note that critiquing porn is NOT critiquing sex. Healthy intimacy, not just in sex, is important.
1worldwideRankingoftheunitedstatesinpornconsumtion 1.5 Billion number of pornograpic downloads per Month 68 Million numberofpornographicsearchenginerequestsperday 4.2 Million number of pornographic websites (12% of all internet sites)
A Pipe-in The Proposed Jordan Cove Energy Project background
A controversial environmental issue is the proposed LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas) pipeline that would run through the Rogue Valley, known as the Jordan Cove Project. Liquefied natural gas is a fossil fuel. It liquefies when cooled to -261 degrees Fahrenheit at liquefaction plants, which is almost as cold as Saturn’s surface. It is shipped once it is in liquid form.The Jordan Cove Project is a proposed Pacific Connector pipeline that would transport a billion cubic feet of fracked gas a day from Canada and the Rockies to the coast. From there, it would then be shipped to Asia. Ideally, the pipeline would help meet the growing demand for natural gas, aid the Coos County economy and create many jobs. It is designed to be safe by conforming to strict safety standards to protect both people and the environment.
WHERE
The pipeline would be 235 miles long, nearly the distance from Ashland to Portland and 36 inches in diameter, crossing nearly 400 waterways and lying 76 feet below the Rogue River. Much of the Jordan Cove Project’s support is generated by the prospect of new job opportunities. However, its negative impacts are undeniable.The proposed pipeline and its terminals could become the contributing factor in greenhousegas produced by Oregon, contributing to global warming. It would increase fracking (drilling to release natural gas) in the country, which would contaminate drinking water.
HAZARDS
The subsequent heat given off by the pipeline would negatively impact aquatic life, and the digging would erode waterways. The creation of the pipeline’s export terminal on the coast would
by Kai Loewenstein
destroy important aquatic habitats in the area by digging up more than four million cubic yards in the North Spit. It could also spell disasters for forests, cutting a 95-foot wide path through Southern Oregon. 153 miles of the pipeline would be through private property, including land that would normally be used for farming. The resulting air pollution would be severe as well, with two million metric tons of CO2 emissions per year. Most of these emissions would come from the purification of the natural gases and the extreme amounts of energy needed to supercool the gas. The pipeline could also be a safety hazard. Pipelines have exploded before, killing people and destroying homes, so the fear is not unprecedented; there has been more than 1,400 pipeline accidents in the last four years alone. The resulting fire could also harm forests and their wildlife.
Camila Thorndike (Class of ‘05)
A H S gr A D S L E A Ma tth e
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by Mimi Shaefer
ard lem
photo by
Camila Thorndike believes that the Rogue Valley can lead the state to climate stability. She has worked around the country in land use planning, water resource management, environmental justice and environmental conflict resolution. In the ten years she has been involved in advocating ecofriendly protection, she has been searching for a solution to achieve carbon free existence. The carbon tax policy taxes fossil fuel usage according to the amount of carbon emitted. It is also referred to as a form of carbon pricing on greenhouse gas emissions where a fixed price is set by the government for carbon emissions for certain sectors. The price is passed through from businesses to consumers. By increasing the cost of greenhouse emissions, governments hope to curb consumption, reduce the demand for fossil fuels and push more companies toward creating environmentally friendly substitutes. Thorndike founded the organization Oregon Climate and is trying to pass a carbon fee in Oregon. Passing such a law would increase the cost of carbon which in turn would inflict the true price of the fuel. According to Thorndike, “Climate change is one of the most ur-
deadlines
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) released a draft Environmental Impact Statement which claims that the harmful effects of the pipeline would be easily reduced by implementing measures to protect the terminals from tsunamis and earthquakes, addressing environmental hazards along the path of the pipe and compensating for the loss of important wetlands. The public can file comments on the draft EIS before February 14th. There was a Department of Environmental Quality rally on January 22nd at the North Medford High School commons where FERC addressed public questions about the project. Students who want to get involved are encouraged to contact Sarah Westover at sarah@rogueriverkeeper.org, or go to rogueriverkeeper.org for more information.
gent and irreversible problems. And there is no good adaptation scenario.” She referred to the produced fossil fuel that impact our planet’s protective ozone layer and all of its ecosystems. Student involvement is key in this very political process. The voice and opinions of young adults will build momentum and awareness for the bill to move through the legislature. While the Rogue Valley continues to fight this legislative battle it is essential to become politically active and band together to ask for a price on carbon.
Hannah Sohl (Class of ‘00)
Hannah Sohl, after graduating from AHS went to Colorado College to study sociology and biology attending Colorado College. She received the Thomas J. Watson Fellowship to study fishing communities in Canada and Bangladesh. During this time she learned about the power of community organizing and about the urgency of climate change that is impacting the local and global economies and community’s quality of life. Sohl is currently involved in the Anti-LNG pipeline campaign right here in our own Rogue Valley. She believes that this project would only slow down environmental progress. She emphasizes that the voice of the populace is important and that people should become more involved in this controversial
decision that could have environmental ramifica starts with young peopl help make the changes need to in order to keep things we need and love She and staff from Rogu are working to put a tea in the Rogue Valley to e newable energy projects for their benefit they ha change. Sohl encourage High students to becom in school and project a community. Current As School Senior, Clara Ho has created an environm here on campus (meetin and is motivated to hav debates, film screenings sions with local environ such as these three grad
ng Hot Topic the Proposed LNG Pipeline
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ts ocean habita
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map created by Katy Barnard
D T HE FIGH T
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“It starts with young people...” - HANNAH SOHL
photo courtesy of Robyn Janssen
e serious ations. “It le; they can at the rate we p having the e,” said Sohl. ue Climate am together establish res advocating ave on climate es Ashland me involved voice to the shland High onsinger mental club ngs TBA) ve intellectual s and discusnmentalists duates.
Hannah Sohl (left) & Robyn Janssen (right) proudly pose with a Rogue Riverkeeper banner.
Robyn Janssen (Class of ‘95)
Robyn Janssen was born and raised in Southern Oregon and has spent most of her life working as a river guide. Through her experiences, Janssen has been an inspiring river steward, educating guests about their unique environments and demonstrating how people can protect these special places that we love. Janssen feels most at home on the river and has an intimate relationship with the Rogue and its watershed. She has worked for the Rogue Riverkeeper, a river conservation group here in Ashland, for the past six years. Most of the projects she deals with impact the ecosystems of the rivers and fish in the valley. Presently, Janssen is diligently working on stopping the purposed LNG pipeline, which
would cut straight through the local watershed and would become the largest greenhouse gas releaser in Oregon. She emphasized that this proposal is a big deal for Oregon, specifically Southern Oregon, impacting us not only economically, but is leading to environmental and climate consequences. “Climate change is quickly becoming the biggest issue on our planet. With the engagement of the younger population, their voice can affect prominent decisions to stop fossil fuels and advocate environmentally friendly renewable energy sources,” Janssen said. She encourages students to make an appearance at local public water shed and city council meetings to share concerns, and get involved speaking up for the benefit of their futures.
Falling Gas Prices by Jonathan Clarke and Wyatt Thompson-Siporen
GrizzlyGas
$3.60 $2.20 $1.99
Over the last four months, gas prices have plummeted. The average national gas price (for regular) has dropped to $2.18, and the average price in the Rogue Valley has followed suit by dropping to about $2.25. The last time The United States witnessed gas prices this low was during the recession in 2009, where the national average was as low as $1.99. These low prices mean that it now costs about $30 dollars to fill up an average sized tank. Compare this to the summer of 2012 when it cost as much as $55 to fill up a 14 gallon tank. That saves as much as $25 per fill up, meaning students have more money for pencils, SAT prep books, and library fine addictions. So what’s causing this economic phenomenon? Gas prices usually drop following a dip in the price of crude oil, and over the last three months, the price of crude oil per 42 gallon barrel fell from $82 to an astonishing $46. Although many factors have contributed to the decline of oil prices, one element is largely responsible for saving Americans money at the pump. This factor is OPEC. OPEC (Organization for Petroleum Exporting Countries) is currently over producing oil. OPEC is constituted primarily by Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Venezuela, Iran and Kuwait.
For many years the U.S. relied heavily on OPEC’s oil exports. But in recent years, the United States has significantly ramped up production of crude oil. In fact, the U.S. recently overtook Saudi Arabia as the world’s leading producer of oil. Although the United States is now producing much more of its own oil, OPEC has unflinchingly continued normal production in an effort to put pressure on U.S. oil companies. This has created an enormous surplus of oil on the market which has driven down prices, thanks to the law of supply and demand. America is currently reaping the rewards of low oil prices. Interest rates are down and inflation rates are very low, both of which favors consumers everywhere. Al-
though these trends appear to be beneficial, economists say that this significant change in gas prices could be a harbinger of bad things to come. The sharp drop in oil prices has already affected small oil producers across the U.S. who cannot afford to sell their oil for anything less than $80 per barrel. This could cause people to lose jobs and could destroy the livelihood of others. In addition, falling gas prices could contribute to and possibly aid in instigating an economical process known as deflation, wherein the prices of all goods fall drastically which in turn causes the economy to collapse. So by all means, enjoy the low prices while they last, but remember to hope they don’t fall too much further.
When is it okay to say the N word? Part III of IV
D i v e r s i t y
by Katy Barnard
Better Safe Than Sorry
I n c l u s i o n
by Grace Pruitt
The N word is a word rooted in hate. Historically it has meant inferior, less than and human slave. It was used to control black people. People like me. People that often argue that since black people use the N word then it is a “black word,” meaning only black people can say it. In some ways, that is true. Yet it is obvious when you hear students talking on the quad that they are uneducated about the N word and use it without understanding its history. Neal A. Lester, dean of humanities and former chair of English department of Arizona State University, explains how the N word started out as “negro” having no value connected to it. Yet in the early 17th Century the word evolved into “n---er” which was used as a derogatory term linked to violence and brutality on blacks. Lester claims that, “the poison is still there.” I was riding the bus home from school last week when three caucasian fourth grade boys starting saying the N word. One boy would say it and then the other would respond the same way, “Are you saying n---er? He keeps saying n---er. Did you hear him saying…?” Their conversation lasted for only a minute, but to me, it felt like forever. Everytime the N word came out of that child’s mouth I cringed. All the bus driver could do was tell them to stop, which in turn made them continue saying it. They were oblivious of the meaning of the word. Of the eight teenagers on that bus, no one tried to stop them. No one, including myself, acknowledged their inappropriate behavior. Though there is no excuse for my silence, I was confused, frustrated and angry all at the same time. By the time I
could control my emotions, it was my stop. High School students I have encountered have grown numb to the word. Putting it in a rap song or saying it as slang does not suddenly make it acceptable. Kids in my generation have convinced themselves that adding an ‘a’ to the end of the word automatically erases its offensiveness. White teens, black teens, hispanic teens and asian teens have found this to be an acceptable use of the word. Non-black people might say, Aren’t I being racist if I assume a black person is offended by the N word? At least that thought promotes thinking before speaking. However, there is no way to know where everyone stands on this issue. I will just say that it is better to be safe than sorry. The N word belongs to black people. Negatively and modernly. If the N word is a word that helps shape your identity as a black person, say it. However, if you say it, be aware of your surroundings and your audience. The N word is off limits for non-black people, even if you feel like you identify with it. Different places have different consequences for using the word. The N word has a complex and deep-rooted meaning. It has the ability to tear down a person’s self worth and should not be thrown around. It does not matter if it is being used when joking, singing or greeting a friend. The word is a hate word, and AHS will not tolerate it on campus. Act responsibly. Have integrity. Show respect. And speak consciously.
by Morgan Vann & Jessica Harrower
photos by Morgan Vann