March 11, 2010

Check it out! Sociological Analysis of the Quad.

Male Cheerleader!

Pg. 7

Pg. 4-5

Ashland High School

For more stories, reviews and information go to Roguenews.net

201 South Mountain Avenue Ashland, OR 97520

March 11, 2010

Vol. IV Issue IX

Ashland, Oregon

Wilderness Charter School

cancelled?

Photo by Hannah Sayles

Flower on WCS property

by Elle Swartouw Maybe it was inevitable, the end of an era, the slow and much feared downfall of Wilderness Charter School. Budget cuts from last year already had WCS under staffed. In fact, according to James Haim and Katherine Holden, the only reason WCS ran in the 20082009 school year was due to a substantial private donation.

The cancellation of WCS for next year was a surprise and a disappointment to each the administration, WCS students, and prospective WCS students.

“The Wilderness Charter School closing is a bummer, but every facet of the school is experiencing budget cuts and WCS cannot run on the amount of funding the school can provide.

When the government refuses to properly fund schools, everyone suffers,’ WCS student, Riley Hamilton said.

However, as junior Ryan Mills pointed out, “ I feel bad for [the potential WCS students]… but maybe they will start taking more AP classes instead of drinking matte and talking about feelings.”

Submitted by WCS Garden work on the WCS propety, from left: Tara Borgilt, Maggie “I am sad, not for myself, but for Schein, Kelly Caldwell, Aron Pickering and Teacher Katherine Holden all future generations now deprived of any alternative education remotely rigorThis has been a very difficult you don’t have to wait to get involved in ous. It’s also sad how this is a national year. I wish I could restore the world. It has taught me what to look trend, we are seeing schools around staffing to many areas that for in people and in life,” WCS student the US close these programs… no require more support.”

Tara Borgilt said. forms of education should be Haim and Holden An unanswered question r e overlooked,” WCS stufeel both melancholic and mains: what will happen to the straw dent, Maraya Best said. enthusiastic about discontinu- bail house? AHS teacher Jay Preskinis Principal Jeff Schelct ing their part in the WCS pro- said, “It’s a great program, the curriculum commented, “WCS gram, “The biggest sadness is the teaches sustainable living and community gives kids a chance thought that this program won’t involvement...There are many possibilities to get off of the continue with or without us… for what could happen to WCS.” high school and the excitement lies in doing The administration and student grid and refosomething else,” Haim said. body each express aguish for the closcus in a unique

The Wilderness Charter ing of WCS, it was one of the most and powerful School experience is said to be unique programs at AHS and it will be way… students life changing and profound missed beyond AHS, but withand teachers eat, by all parties involved. The in the community as well. sleep and breathe curriculum is specific to en- Yet the night is always environmental isvironmental issues, outdoor darkest before the dawn, sues together, leavskills and critical thinking and AHS will continue ing the kids with when it comes to introspec- to Carpe diem (seize the greater awareness tion and global awareness, day). and ideas of how “WCS has been so empowto save the planet... ering. It makes you realize

Congrats National Merit Scholars

by Willis Plummer In the fall of 2008, the sophomores were herded into the library to face the unbearable three hours known as the PSAT. One would think that the juniors who had been through this standardized test the year before would shy away from round two, but half of the junior class returned, pen in hand, ready to take on the test once more.

These hardworking upperclassmen were competing for an opportunity to become National Merit Schol-

ars. Those who score in the 96th percentile, or the top 50,000, are “commended” by the program. After the initial screening, the program determines a greater score to filter out applicants, and about 16,000 of the initial 50,000 are recognized as National Merit Semi-Finalists.

Semi-finalists are screened based on the level of difficulty of their classes in order to ensure that they deserve the honor of being finalists. Finalists receive a certificate of merit recognizing their performance and are considered for 2,500 scholarships.

Out of his year’s senior class, nine scholars have been

recognized as National Merit Scholars. The finalists are: Jason Bluhm, Timothy Borgerson, Jack Dempsey, Natalie Edson, Jane Excell, Marie-Elizabeth Keil, Mahkah Wu and Eli Youngs.

Although the scholars deserve to bask in their glory, some are already looking towards the next step.

“I just really hope it’ll help me get into a good college,” Jane Excell admits.

Regardless of if our eight Finalists are named “Scholars”, this is still a tremendous feat for both the individuals and Ashland High School.

Rogue News

Page 2

Pie or

by Tim Borgerson

Albert Einstein, the premier scientist/mathematician of the twentieth century – if not all time – was born on March 14, 1879. To celebrate the birthday of this learned individual, students at Ashland High School will not be partaking in something as plebian as cake. Oh, no. The only appropriate commemorative desert to eat on Einstein’s birthday is pie.

For, due either to sheer coincidence, or some sort of supernatural alignment in the cosmos, Albert Einstein was born on… Pi Day. Yes, the day we celebrate that magical number – the ratio of the circumference of a circle to its diameter – that allows us to do things like calculate the surface area of a sphere. For those of you who don’t care about Albert Einstein: Justin Beiber was also born on 3/14.

To members of AHS’s math honor society, Mu Alpha Theta, Pi Day is more than just a date with symbolic significance – it is an opportunity to make money. Every year, members of the club bake and sell pies to students, teachers and other community members in order to raise money to buy calculators to loan to students who cannot afford to buy their own.

Co-president of Mu Alpha Theta, AHS senior and self-proclaimed math genius Kevin Cassidy can hardly contain his excitement. “3.14 kind of looks like PIE spelled backwards,” he astutely notes.

The tradition of Pi Day at Ashland High School dates back to 2006 when the school’s Mu Alpha Theta chapter was first established. According to chapter advisor and AHS math teacher Tamara Anderson, this

?

year’s fundraiser has been one of the most successful to date. “Because we received so many generous donations of ingredients from local grocery stores, we are able to sell the pies for nearly pure profit,” she noted. The club has received orders for approximately fifty pies at twelve dollars each. “We should have raised enough to buy at least four new calculators,” said Anderson.

Yet, for the true math lover, Pi Day is about more than profit margin.

“There is no better way to spread passion for math than eating homemade apple pie,” claims math enthusiast and AHS junior Anya Ludwig.

Warning: extreme math neediness ahead. Please proceed reading with caution.

A sobering layer of controversy shrouds what should be a day of gleeful celebration. There is currently a debacle in the scientific community as to what date should be officially recognized as Pi day. To most math novices, March 14 clearly seems the most logical date. However, among the mathematical elite, April 26 is the preferred date. At this point the Earth has traveled two radians of this orbit. Therefore, the entire orbit divided by the distance-traveled equals – precisely – Pi. For pedantic mathnerds, the 14th is just “Pi Approximation Day” and April 26 is the only genuine day to celebrate the world’s most fascinating number. When questioned whether this schism could potentially effect the date of future AHS Pi Day celebrations, Anderson curtly responded “those people just have way too much time on their hands.”

Pie illustration by Sarah Lochmiller

March 11, 2010

AHS Goals

by Noah Sohl

Photo by Sophie Thruston

Noah Sohl: AHS SB President

As you’ve probably noticed, we now have compost buckets installed on the quad and in the commons. We encourage everyone eating food on campus to liberally use these new devices. Compost is a great way to keep methane-producing materials from getting trapped within landfills. Instead, we now have an opportunity to decompose our food scraps for

local farmers to grow more food.

On February 26, 75 Ashland High School junior and senior students assembled at Roller Odyssey in Medford to enjoy a night of skating, air hockey, slushees and memories from our elementary school days. It is likely that we will have another skate night and we would love to have even more people attend! Senior Molly Davis was there and said “It was really fun! I look forward to more nights like these in the future, but my knees were purple in the morning from all of my falls.”

On another topic, we are introducing GrizzList. For those of you who use and enjoy Craigslist, we now have an on-campus version in physical form (not on the internet.) Craigslist, for those of you who have never used it, is a website for posting ads on a wide variety of subjects.

You may advertise for the sale

of an item, the need of one, or an upcoming event. To better connect students to the whole of our school community and help them find and sell used items we now have a bulletin board posted in the hallway near McKinnon and Gabriel’s rooms. Please keep ads appropriate and limited to a 3” by 5” note card.

As the weather gets warmer, we hope that more and more students will start biking and walking to school. The constant driving of gas-burning vehicles in our world is taking its toll on the Earth’s air quality, oceans, and living beings.

To encourage more students to limit their carbon output we have talked to many businesses who are willing to donate prizes to students who choose not to drive their cars everyday. Keep your attention tuned in to the announcements for updates, as well as notifications of upcoming student events like movie and skatenights.

PSAT Info

by Wilder Schaaf It’s no secret that Ashland High School has a history of academic excellence. It is a matter of extreme pride among the staff of our school that we have been awarded a silver medal rating for two of the last three years. However, in order to understand the true intellectual depth of our esteemed epicenter of higher leaning, one must delve into its academic heart, the students. Specifically, the sophomores. Wise beyond their years, these mild-mannered youths posted scores which would be unprec-

edented at any other school. The national average scores for sophomores who have taken the PSAT are as follows: 42 in critical reading, 43 in mathematics, and 41 in writing (with all scores being from 20 to 80). The AHS sophomore scores look more like this: 47.7 in critical reading, 47.7 in mathematics, and 45.3 in writing. And that is the reason we’re a silver medal school.

Thank you, sophomores, you are the future, and it looks quite bright.

Rogue News

March 11, 2010 af

by Wilder S

ch

a

Page 3

Scholastic Subject Spat

The English language is amazing. It’s really quite spectacular what can be accomplished simply by manipulating our supple syntax. Realizing this, it will come as no surprise to most of you when I assert that the English oriented mind is far more developed and, indeed, practical than more mathematically bent cerebral cortices.

Albert Einstein once said, “How on earth are you ever going to explain in terms of chemistry and physics so important a biological phenomenon as first love?”

In short, Albert, you’re not. Ever. One cannot map the deep emotions of mankind on any mathematical curve. Nay, for such sweet sentiments, a pen and paper in the hand of a poet is more useful than any calculator in the world.

Beyond the expression of love, those of us with a firm grasp of the English language are superior to the

scientist in a multitude of categories. The careers open to one who is verbally proficient are myriad. An author, show me someone who doesn’t want to be an author and I’ll show you a communist. A journalist, one who is endlessly in search of the truth; a nobler profession, I cannot readily conceive. Can you? The list goes on…

But rather than bore you with any more poignant statistics, I will endeavor to make a point slightly more relevant to you everyday lives. Consider if you will, the text before you. My humble sensibilities indicate that it would be slightly less legible in binary code. Therefore, Wynn’s argument, being conveyed in literary terms, is nothing short of the pot calling the kettle black.

I shall leave you with this powerful quote to consider, “The first casualty when war comes is truth.” – Hiram Johnson. Wynn, I implore you to take the preceding admonition to heart and in the future, leave the falsehoods to lesser men. You’re better than that.

Firearm Frenzy

by Ella Riley-Adams

by Wynn M

To some, Medford’s Sportsman’s Warehouse may equate to the unknown of Conrad’s “Heart of Darkness.”

To others, it is a camouflaged hunting and fishing nirvana. I entered the mega-store clad in my hipster plaid, only to find that I fit in with the sportsmen, who were also wearing flannels. I made my way to the gun rack: the symbol of the Obama administration’s thus far failure and the power of the NRA. I perused the wall of semiQuestion: In the grand scheme of things, which is better: Scientist automatic weapons, pistols and shotguns and realized: as l ae or Writer? an American adult, I need only my drivers license, the ic h Hypothesis: After all tests are complete, the Scientist will present absence of a criminal record and a chunk of cash to own a itself as superior on all fronts. semi-automatic assault weapon. Add an eight-hour class Background Information: In the numerous additions of the Wynn/ to the deal and I could have a concealed weapon license, Wilder franchise, Wilder has omitted rational arguments and truth meaning I would legally be permitted to carry a gun in from his column. Wynn is known by all to produce purely factual evi- my car or hidden on my person. dence. Wynn’s articles have also been proven by the NCA (National Increased gun control was a primary plank in Barack Columnists Association) to make readers more intelligent, whereas Obama’s presidential campaign policy. He favored the Wilder’s articles have a reciprocal effect. revival of the assault weapons ban and the increased Procedure: Present a case for my own regulation of gun show sales. However, as Commander polarized view on the argument and lay in Chief, he has instead signed bills that allow weapons waste to all points made by the opposi- in Amtrak train luggage and to be concealed on persons tion. In short, carry on as normal.

Editors-in-Chief........................Anna Hume, Arthur Lawniczak, Ella Riley-Adams in bars. A new Supreme Court case, McDonald v. Chi...........................................................................................................Jackson Santee Data: As a scientist myself, I can tell cago, is set to expand gun rights in a city that has long Front Page Editor...............................................................................Hannah Sayles you that I see just as much beauty in the been restrictive. “If all guns were in the hands of the right News Editor............................................Wyler McAninch-Ruenzi, Jackson Santee world and have equal emotional capacity people, then it wouldn’t be scary,” junior Lizzy Scott said.

Feature..............................................................Jasper Raynolds, Ella Riley-Adams In-Depth Editors...............................................Arthur Lawniczak, Taylor Patterson as any writer. The Scientist has access to But under the current system,where a firearm purchaser Opinion Editor..............................................................................Ella Riley-Adams all things in the Writer’s repertoire and can turn around and sell his gun without notice or conSports Editors................................................................Meris B, Mason Costantino much more. While we may not be able to sequence, there are no guarantees.

Backpage ......................................................................Jacy Mairs, Willis Plummer Photography Editor....................................................................Grace Riley-Adams describe a bright star with as many metaThe right to bear arms connects us to our American Managing Editor.................................................................................Adam Pavlich phors or allusions as a poet, we can tell you heritage, some say. In the days of cowboys and stagecoach Chief Designer...................................................................................Hannah Sayles why it twinkles. This is far more beautiful bandits, a revolver was integral to survival. One could arProduction Manager................................................................................Jesse Smith Business Manage...........................................................Heather Case, Talen Heater and interesting than any combination of gue that in today’s urban environment, guns are necesExecutive Editors’ Assistant................................................................AJ Bottimore words on paper. sary to protect against gang violence and burglary. “I unAlthough the Writer possesses elo- derstand those who want to protect their family,” senior quence of the pen, in the end, what is Forrest Kenning says, “but that’s it.” the point? They are just rephrasing what The cycle of fear--and consequent firearm ownership-someone before them has already said. would be far less intimidating if guns were removed from Rogue News is published by the newspaper classes of Ashland High School, 201 Scientists, on the other hand, explore the the equation altogether. As the next generation of lawSouth 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 unknown. The Scientist is able to discover makers and voters, we should reject the complacent atrelevant to the staff, the school and the community. and explain the wondrous mysteries of our titude that Obama has chosen to take in regards to gun Personal columns do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the entire staff and are universe. written as the opinion of the individual author. Letters to the editor, which should be rights. The second amendment states, “A well regulated under 250 words, are encouraged. They can be dropped off outside of Room 202, put Conclusion: Science opens doors to any- militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the in Mr. William Gabriel’s box in the main office or emailed to RogueNews@ashland. thing and everything you could ever dream right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be ink12.or.us. No letters will be printed without a verified signature. of. It would be illogical to limit yourself by fringed.” Armed militia? Yes. But the 18-year-old sitting Letters received in the second week of production will not appear until the next isthe constraints of the Writer. After all, sci- in class next to me? I’d prefer not to wear a bulletproof sue. 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 ence is the literature of truth. vest. that could cause a disruption of the school environment.

Editorial Board

Rogue News

“The juniors have slowly migrated onto the quad into the light.” Tanner Hebert

by Tim Borgerson

“This is the worst spot on the quad. We’re not attached to this spot, there’s just nowhere else to go.” -Max Hartley

“I th avo so at c id t I’m olle he alm cts quad os wate fo ta r rt lw in he ay all m s i th ost nt e he pla part lib ces . It ra th ’s d ry. at e ” - I sig El use ne ise d d i Ch to h n a ow an wa go y ut

ice it’s n e s u eca it’s tree b ker when e h t c nd by n blo llan “I sta and a rai ie McMi rl e shad g.” -Cha n raini

“T we her in ’ve e’s h the ju on mi st b estl dd een y n le of here o rea the si so hie nce n w ra fr hy

Trekking from the upper quad to the cafeteria can be a harrowing experience. On any given day, you risk getting hit in the face by a rogue yo-yo or boffing implement, not to mention getting bulldozed by an out-of-control parkourer.

Yes, the lower quad: a place where the alphamale is the person with the most forceful ninja kick. While the half moon is deserted come 11:30, the lower quad is bustling throughout the lunch period. Hordes of black clad, chain-mailed bodies lurk awkwardly around the sparsely numbered members of the female sex. Talk of recent Call of Duty exploits and theatre gossip generates a low-pitched din, occasionally shattered by the loud crack of Dylan Shink’s voice.

“We go everywhere; different spots everyday.

When it’s cold, we go inside.” -Chris Peterson

The Blob, as mainly freshme men attempting their conversati Cyrus song or f “We have a lit While others dis hoarde, there is blurry blob.

Future plans for the Quad, change

by Mahkah Wu Although the typical Ashland High School student would most likely classify the denizens of freshmen in the quad’s main thoroughfares as the biggest annoyance on the quad, the school administration is more concerned with other issues. Specifically, the administration would like to remove the grass (mostly mud by this time of year) around the half moon and replace it with stone pavers in addition to other changes with the area adjacent to the quad. Principal Jeff Schlecht elaborated on some of the possible impacts of the landscaping, “that area has just been a mud pit for so many years. I believe that beautifying the area will give students all the more reason to take pride in Ashland High.”

The plan is not without controversy. In the wake of th the lower quad and amid calls to pave the grass between th students wonder how much unpaved space AHS will be lef Senior Eliana Pool reminisces, “I remember before our important to me.” But just how much grass will be paved the “lawn” in question recently, probably had trouble trans ponents only sight aesthetic reasons for the paving, the area

by Anna Hume Their massive height blocks out the pleasant warmth on sunny days. They are adorned in a plethora of jerseys and hats, the team depending on which sport is in season. They prefer to speak in barbaric grunts instead of full sentences. They are the sports fans, the manly men, the jocks.

They spend their time surrounding a particular tree discussing last night’s game or their next pick in Fantasy Football. During lunch they can be found at Giseppis or participating in whichever Intramural Sport is being hosted that week. It is not to be said that this demographic doesn’t know how to stay classy; come game day they clean up their act and look suave in suits and ties. In my opinion, they should sport this look more often, pun intended.

“I’m a locker kid. I go to my locker, I go to class, and I hang out with Kate.” -Smith Freeman

arc res y w hy hm e .” a s -C n ye tand am ar he ero . W re, n B e’r ud e d

“I stand here because this is where the juniors mix with the seniors without being completely surrounded by them.”

-Katelyn Walker

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la ep

e e’r t’s th W I . es ere. t e l h ath up l gir rated e r g s a mi es u e of o w turg t lo s s a S “A nior -Il se be.” to

by Mack Conroy

“I’m more of a chameleon. I talk to all kinds of weird people.” -Kate Jensen

You know when you are in the midst of someone fashionable and famous and you suddenly feel small and inadequate? That is the same reaction I get when I look at the upper quad. Gods in flannel and running shorts.

From the Chuts to the hipsters’, all the way to the chattering posse of senior girls with pink streaks in their hair, the most common feature is attitude. When walking to the English building I often get hit with a litany of cruel and incendiary insults. Apparently this posse of upper classmen is under the impression the world revolves around them. But who are we kidding, it kind of does.

“I stand on the backside of the half-moon because that’s where the beautiful flocks of women stand.”

-Ian Kendall

by Taylor Patterson

s we’ve come to call them here at Rogue News Headquarters, consists of en and sophomores who have a tendency to block the path of upperclassg to do important big kid stuff in the library. If you were to listen in on ions, it would consist of high-pitched squeals and talk of the latest Miley freshman dating drama. ttle bit of everything. We’re pretty diverse,” said sophomore Will Small. sagree and think that their’s is the alpha-clique among the under classmen s no denying that to the rest of the quad they all mesh together into one

es to be made during Spring-break

he Class of 2006’s gift’s reclaiming of the grass adjacent to he student parking lot and South Mountain Avenue, some ft with. r school became the concrete jungle it is today. All grass is over is in dispute. Anyone who has tried to walk through sversing the muddy pit the area has become. Though proa could easily become a safety hazard, either because of the

slickness of the mud or on account of the animal feces all too often ground into the dirt over the course of multiple passing periods.

The compromise solution is to find a way to cultivate grass without having the lawn devolve into the cesspool it has become. Understandably, the maintenance staff doesn’t have the time to attempt to rebuild a lawn that has been trampled under the feet of AHS students. However, junior Dante Toppo may have the solution, “perhaps, as an exercise in sustainability, the Wilderness Charter School could be in charge of re-growing the grass after it dies off.”

However, most students at AHS probably fall into the same demographic as senior Smith Freeman who summed up her ambivalent feelings, “I don’t stand on that part of the quad; I don’t care what they do.”

Rogue News

Page 6

March 11,2010

Pear Blossom

by Angelica Florio

She’s beauty and she’s grace, she’s Miss Pear Blossom.

Though it is not hosted by Mario Lopez or viewed by millions, the 20th Annual Senior Royalty Scholarship Pageant, also known as the Pear Blossom Pageant gives eight local high school seniors the opportunity to win a $2,000 scholarship and have a great experience. Held by the 57th Annual Pear Blossom Festival Association, eight senior girls from all over Jackson County will be competing in front of a panel of judges for the title of Pear Blossom Queen on March 27 in the North Medford High School auditorium. Festival president and pageant director Darcey Mann-Self said, “it is so inspiring to see and hear all they want to accomplish and do, and how they want to make a difference in the world.”

Students from Ashland, Butte Falls, Crater, Eagle Point, North Medford, Phoenix, Prospect and South Medford high schools were chosen based on their academic merit and other activities to represent their schools in the pageant. This year, senior Elizabeth Westmoreland has been chosen to be Ashland’s Pear Blossom Princess.

This title entails weekly meetings with the other princesses including practice for the pageant and community service projects. Mann-Self said, “We try to give them lessons not just to train them for the pageant, but for life

Photo by Sophie Thruston

Elizabeth Westmoreland, Ashland’s princess

ahead, and give them skills they will use for the rest of their lives.”

During the pageant, the princesses will give speeches based on the Pear Blossom theme, “Rogue Valley - Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow”. This will give them a chance to showcase their newly acquired skills. Ashland’s princess, Elizabeth Westmoreland said when describing her favorite experience, “it’s cool that I got to meet a bunch of girls that I never would have before this.” The pageant is an exciting event but performing in front of a large crowd creates a lot of pressure. Each princess is assigned a cheer section for exactly this reason. The cheering section will encourage the princesses, and the louder the better.

Members of this cheer section will be able to witness the princesses perform in an ensemble dance routine, an interview and a speech. Ballroom dancers will also competing in the Pear Blossom Ballroom Competition at the same time as the pageant.

The Pear Blossom Festival includes many other events like the Pear Blossom Run, the baby contest, the Pear Blossom Spring Fair, and the Pear Blossom Festival Parade on Saturday, April 10 at 11:00 a.m. The winner of the pageant, the Pear Blossom Queen will be in the parade, and the crowning of her will be a sight that nobody should miss seeing.

Derogatory Language

by Elle Swarttouw

“Bitch,” “ho,” “slut,” “skank,” even “whore.” We hear these derogatory terms every day in music, on television, movies, and around Ashland High School’s campus. But hey, it’s just a part of modern lingo, and what’s all the harm in these little words we use and hear so frequently? Well, the harm in these words lies under the surface.

Despite the fact that we all know their literal meaning, young people use slurs casually in gossip without realizing the consequences of derogatory terms. They enable the inequality and belittlement of women to continue through the silent efforts of the collective unconsciousness.

“I think it’s abysmal we use these terms because people structure their realities with vocabulary. Consciously and subconsciously and for all the feminist movement has done, women are now lessening their value and estab-

lishing a competitive atmosphere,” AHS teacher Jane Claussen said.

It’s clearly not just men who use derogatory language. Women also call their enemies, teachers, mothers and even friends “bitch” on a regular, if not daily, basis. “Women calling other women derogatory slurs parallel African Americans calling other African Americans the “N” word. Both groups should think twice before using these terms that are actually degrading towards themselves,” senior Noah Kass said.

How about a little perspective? Think of one derogatory name for a white male, and “cracker” doesn’t cut it. Yet every high school other category of the population has A “pimp” and his “ho’s”

floods of discriminatory words associated with sexuality, gender, religion and ethnic background. Yet somehow, derogatory language towards women slips under the radar for most people. What do people mean when they say the word “whore?”

Usually just “that girl’s outfit was a little promiscuous.” According to Illustration by Konstantin Farrell best-selling author of The Macho Paradox, Jackson Katz, when people call a woman names like “ho” or “slut,” they fail to acknowledge the fact that when they say those slurs they are comparing her to a prostitute.

“I don’t honestly think that people should take certain words so seriously when they are meant as a joke,” junior Kevin Schilling said.

Other AHS students take such matters even more lightly, “You want to hear a joke? Women’s rights,” senior Andrew Harlan said.

Opinions are divided all across the board concerning derogatory terms, but something everyone should take into account when they’re about to use a slur of any kind is that a word, even a joke, implies an element of ignorance that has kept the world from becoming free of prejudice.

Rogue News

March 11, 2010

Page 7

Not Your Typical Cheerlead ers

by Nathan Harris

When describing a typical cheerleader, “strong” is not the first word that comes to mind. Yet, for the 3 percent of high school cheerleaders who are men, those are the exact qualities that got them into the sport- just ask Ashland High’s Zach Miller, who joined the cheerleading squad earlier this year. “The need for guys who can lift the girls is really important, so when one of the cheerleaders asked me to join the squad for those reasons, I just decided to go for it.” But for many guys, The idea of joining the cheerleading squad would be met with hesitation and a look questioning your sanity. Such a reaction speaks to the stigma associated with cheerleading, and the belief that it’s a “girls sport.” But, take a closer look into cheerleading and you’ll quickly discover that males Zach Miller and Ellie Mallory at cheer practice have a role in cheerleading, they’re grace and agility to pull off the flips and tumbling you integral to its success.

Cheerleading was founded by collegiate men in the might find at a basketball game or even on ESPN in their late 1800’s who wanted to cheer on their sports teams. televised competitions. But on all levels of the sport, it’s It wasn’t until later on when the elements of gymnas- the heavy lifting that calls for a man’s presence. Unlike tics was introduced to cheerleading- that women took a football or hockey players, cheerleaders aren’t protected more central role in the sport. Nowadays, cheer squads by pads- a dangerous dilemma when you consider they’re are dominated by the female gender, who rely on their being thrown 15 feet into the air. So it’s only right (and

safe) to have somebody underneath the cheerleader who can handle their weight appropriately.

The addition of Miller and B.J. Hertz on the AHS squad gave the cheerleaders the opportunity to add difficult stunts to their routines that they would have previously struggled to pull off. But the guys didn’t stop with lifting the girls, they also embraced their inner gymnastics as well, adding cartwheels and round offs to their cheerleading arsenal. They’re also looking forward to the chance to show off their new moves in league competition next year.

“It’s going to be a real step up from what we’re doing this year, we’re all looking forward to it” Miller said.

As for the stigma that goes along with male cheerleadphoto by Grace Riley-Adams ing? For Miller, it just comes with the territory. “I know some people out there think, ‘Oh, he’s a cheerleader, what a pansy. But they don’t know how strong you actually have to be to go out there and lift those girls up.’” And from the fans reactions at the school’s sporting events, you can tell they’ve quickly turned any off-putting perception into accepted recognition. Cheerleaders, male cheerleaders, for AHS nowadays, they’re all one in the same.

Serving up success

by Mason Costantino A team returning players always has an expectation to improve. When a team returns eleven of twelve players from a successful team, such as the Ashland High Boys Tennis Team, the expectations couldn’t be higher.

“Many of our players attended prestigious camps and worked with some of the best trainers in the region, so we expect to contend for another district title and be playing our best tennis when it matters most,” Head Coach Dick Streng said.

Despite a fairly inexperienced varsity team last season, the boys were still able to finish with a 12-2-1 record, and a close second place finish at the district tournament.

With a full season under their belt, and an off-season to improve their skills the team should be able to use that experience to their advantage.

“Most of us seniors have played together for four years now, we all know each other and how we play, which al-

lows us to work together effectively,” said Senior Alex Harris, the #2 doubles player last year with partner Nick Cross (the lone player to graduate).

In a sport where teamwork and chemistry is everything in the doubles game, Harris doesn’t seemed too worried that he will not be playing with his old partner, “When you play with one person for a long time you often don’t develop a well-rounded game because you adjust to how your partner plays,” Harris added.

Chemistry shouldn’t be a problem for Senior Jeff Laskos and Sophomore Chaz Bernard who return as Ashland ’s #1 doubles teams and the only Grizzlies to advance to state in 2009. “We have great chemistry and that allows us to know what the other person is going to do on the court,” Laskos said. According to Laskos, the pair should be able to compete for a state title this spring, “There is

one team from Summit High School that is very good, but we feel like we are definitely one of the best doubles teams in the state.”

While the work the players put in during the off-season has shown, Coach Dick Streng is not ignorant enough to think there are not things his team still needs to work on, “We are working primarily on footwork, and service location so that we are in good position to win points,” Streng said.

One concern that was exposed this season was the lack of incoming freshmen. Aside from freshman Max Burt, who looks to have locked up the final varsity spot, no other freshmen are on the varsity team. However, there is optimism in the form of the J.V. tennis team, which despite rumors, will be in existence this season.

This is a relief for the program, which looks to build on

The calendar pages are rolling forward, the sun is coming out...let the countdown begin.

“My family and I are driving to the Grand Canyon in an R.V.” - Jack Thomas (10)

Camp:

by Paul Schwarzer

Hit up Yard Sales:

Whether you want to venture up to Mt. Ashland and hunker down in a snow cave or just pitch a tent in your back yard, camping is an easy, fun and affordable way to pass the time. There are literally hundreds of places near Ashland to camp.

Howard Prairie, Hyatt Lake and Lake of the Woods are popular, and there are many more sites up in the Greensprings.

People in Ashland are always selling their unwanted junk. As the saying goes, one man’s trash is another man’s treasure. Spend a day searching around town for any yard or garage sales, and see if you can score anything useful.

In-N-Out:

If you’ve ever had a cheeseburger from In-N-Out Burger, you know why this is a good idea. Get a couple of friends together to pitch in on gas money, and spend a day road-tripping down to the nearest In-N-Out Burger in Redding, CA. You might even try your taste buds on the “four-by-four” burger (four meat patties, four slices of cheese, one bun).

Quest:

There are many places in town or in the hills above Ashland that you can journey to. The ever popular “acid castles” on Hitt Road offers a great view of most of the city, or if you’re in for a longer expedition, Reeder Reservoir is a few miles above the swimming reservoir at the top of Granite Street.

Did you know there’s a man-made cave up near the Toothpick trail? Check for hibernating bears before you venture inside there.

Dank Food:

There are great places to eat in and around town. Louie’s offers their five-dollar recession burger, and the Pita Pit is open until three in the morning on the weekends. It’s also not a bad idea to drive out to Red Robin in Medford and tell your waiter it’s your birthday to score a free ice cream. Who doesn’t love a gaggle of waiters singing corny birthday songs?

Kick it Old School:

Spend an evening doing a classic activity like bowling or roller skating. Lava Lanes in Medford offers two games for five dollars on Saturdays and Sundays, and it’s only six dollars to go rollerblading at Roller Odyssey in Medford on certain days of the week.

“I’m going to Costa Rica to get some dental work done, because it’s cheaper there.”

- Nino Foley (12) “I’m going to see the Cavaliers crush the Pistons!”

- Chrisy Chow (10)

“I’m going to the Wine Country to ...

Uh...enjoy the scenery. ” - John Skinner (Counselor) “I’m going to Las Vegas with some friends.”

- Zakk Frazer (12) “I’m going to Hawaii with my family!”

- Megan Rodden (9) “I plan on mackin’ on some snow bunnies on the slopes.”

- Ben Small (12) “I’m going to Hawaii!”

-Meghan Rodden (9)

“I’m going to be playing golf with Stevie.”

- Ian Smeenk (10) Photos by Azure Ginseberg, Grace Riley-Adams, Hannah Stocking.

Graphic by Sarah Lochmiller.