March 1, 2017
Vol. XI
Issue VI
Life Cycle: Fight, Educate, Rest, Repeat
Race in Ashland: Inexperience, Not Hate
I was born and raised in Nairobi, Kenya. The summer of 2011 my family and I moved to Ashland, Oregon. It has been a frustrating journey of selfdiscovery. In Kenya I went to Rosslyn Academy International School. While I was there I was basically color blind. There were 43 countries represented, yet race wasn’t a focal point. I knew and understood that people were from around the world, but I didn’t hear accents and I didn’t identify people with their race. I could’ve grown up not knowing what racial discrimination was. I never would have had to worry about strangers judging me by my skin tone or touching me without my consent. I wouldn’t have had to fight for 4 years to show this school and town that racism is not a thing of the past. Coming here, my brothers and I were immediately defined by our skin color. I went from living in a world where everybody looked like me, to a place where it is dangerous to look like me. Being “black” has forced me to grow up much faster than other kids. When I was 12 years old, I was asked if I knew how to twerk, to run track and to accept the n-word as a term to be addressed by. That same year, I was called out for being the only black student on the basketball team by my coach. When my family and I confronted him about it, he lied and said he would never say such a thing. The school sided with him and let me believe that I was wrong to be offended. Around Homecoming this year, I was informed that my back tail light was out. That usually wouldn’t worry many people because it was an easy fix, but I was terrified. I spent weeks driving as carefully as possible because I’m scared of being pulled over. After being exposed to so much police brutality on the news, I didn’t want to die at the hand of a police officer because I had a tail light out. Can you imagine that obituary? “Young female, 17 years old, cause of death: driving while black.” I am overwhelmed with fear. I know not all cops are bad, but the I don’t want to take any chances. My pigment comes with a price. Over the last four years I have organized The Citywide MLK Celebrations, founded a racial equality club, became a member of the Black Student Union, co-written a 4-part series on Diversity and Inclusion for the school newspaper, and have been on local television to speak about Diversity and Inclusion. I have also directed, acted and produced plays about Black Lives Matter through the nationwide Every 28 Hours Plays performed at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival and yet, there is still work to be done. My mother told me once, “I know you’re tired but, this is something you’ll always have to do. If you don’t educate people, then who will?” Sometimes I want to put down my protest signs and just be a kid but being a minority doesn’t give you that freedom. I will continue to educate this community but you have to start listening. It is not enough to share an inspirational story on Facebook or attend the MLK Assembly. We need to interrupt racism everyday. We need to call each other out when we’ve made a racist joke or made a biased assumption about someone. “In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends,” says Martin Luther King Jr. We can’t afford to be silent. We need to fight for racial equality with more passion than ever before. Now is the time to unite.
Before I moved to Oregon, and long before I was born, my family and I visited Ashland every summer. I always enjoyed my stays in Ashland, but after I moved here I was surprised by how difficult it was to not be white. What makes Ashland a different experience for people of color isn’t the amount of hate towards minorities, it’s the sheer lack of interaction with them. When people say things like “How can your skin be tan during winter?” or “But your mom is white?” it is a different type of racism. Some would label these encounters “micro aggressions” but the word “aggression” implies that comments like these come from a place of malice. Believe me, such comments exist; but the vast majority of racism in Ashland exists because residents with good intentions who simply aren’t used to interacting with people of color. Pointing out my skin color is a nagging reminder that I am out of the ordinary – a feeling that Asian-Americans know all too well given that we are almost never shown in media beyond Kung-Fu action flicks and non-speaking roles. It’s bothersome to me to put up with these comments, but I have to remember that the world I come from is different from Ashland. In my home, the Bay Area, it is impossible to grow up without making friends or at least acquaintances with someone from every major ethnic group. I owe a lot of thanks to all of the friends who have been patient with me and corrected my mistakes. After all, every person of color has had different experiences, and mine are the only ones in which I can claim expertise. I continue learning from other people of color, but now that I live in a town that is 90% white, I feel that my responsibilities have shifted to teaching rather than learning. This is a job that I don’t want, but like so many people of color in Ashland, it is one that I have taken on and one that makes me exhausted. On multiple occasions I’ve sat at home crying, dreading the inevitable comments that come with good intentions but end up wasting my time and energy. I’ve sat at home dreading the next incident to come because I know that I ruffle feathers, that I am seen as the “loud activist” I never wanted to be. This is a burden that every person of color in Ashland shares. This year, for example, a number of audience members at the citywide MLK day celebration left in the middle of a speech that pointed out Ashland’s many flaws. It became clear to me that merely suggesting that Ashland isn’t perfect could alienate me from the town. Like so many times before, I wished I could live in ignorance and say that everything is OK. The thing is, I am one of few minority kids in all of my classes, and often the only person of color when I’m in a store or restaurant downtown. There are good-hearted Ashlanders who will object to obvious racism, but I worry about the subtle problems - the ones that are overlooked by those who haven’t experienced racism first hand. No matter how many people are bothered by what minorities have to say about Ashland, I can’t help but feel like these problems will never be resolved if we don’t take a stand.
editorial by guest writer Grace Pruitt
photos by Ian Rinefort
editorial by guest writer Halle Lowe
artwork by Lily Annen
Lying Politicians: Closer Than You Think! editorial by Ava Hearn
The current political state of the nation has left many feeling underrepresented at local and national levels. Corruption has plagued the United States government. It seems that politicians will say anything to win elections. They tell the people what they want to hear, making all sorts of promises, only to completely disregard them once they take office. Amelia Zeve, Ashland High School Student Body co-president, is one such individual. Back in 2016, Ashland High School student body presidential candidates, Amelia Zeve and Kate Joss-Bradley, stood in front of the AHS students, asking for their votes. Boldly stating their platform, they promised to introduce new measures that would make AHS great again. One of these ideas was to bring back a coffee shop to the AHS campus, a coffee shop that would be open throughout the day, that would caffeinate students and breathe life into the AHS community. Under-caffeination is an issue that has tormented this high school since the abolishment of the cafeteria coffee shop back in the early 2000s. People long for
the days when they could buy espresso shots and dollar muffins between classes. The firm assurance that there would be restoration of the coffee shop project gave new hope to those who were passionate about the issue. All had high hopes after Zeve’s campaign, but her disastrous scholastic administration has let us all down. Walking into the cafeteria on the first day of school, I found no coffee shop waiting for me. I started to sob when the expected aroma of sweet French roast and freshly baked blueberry muffins failed to be a reality. I was broken. It was as if Zeve had taken my dreams and crushed them like beans in a coffee grinder. Questions ran through my head. Where is it? Could I be in the wrong place? I felt so disillusioned, knowing the promises Zeve had made in her campaign had all been lies. I thought she was different. I didn’t think she had the ability to be this heartless, but it turns out that she’s just like any other politician: a liar. When questioned in an interview, Zeve claimed that she had made efforts to get a coffee shop on campus, but after some digging discovered that the only way to sell coffee would be to get off the federal food guidelines, a process that she claimed would be tiring and potentially ineffective. “I beat the dead horse for a while, and after I found out that it wasn’t realistic I cried myself to sleep for four days straight,” said Zeve, her voice dripping with lies. “I feel a deep shame in my heart every day for not providing us with caffeine. I feel that it was my responsibility, and as the student body president, I’ve let us down,” Zeve said after further interrogation. If politicians always let federal instruction dictate the way they lead, nothing would ever be accomplished. This nation would always be one step behind and its students forced to continue their coffee-less and oppressed state. Owning up to her faults was big, but the faults themselves? A disgrace. Amelia Zeve is a selfish, arrogant, tyrant who holds no legitimate place in Ashland High school leadership. She is openly depriving students of caffeine. What’s next? A ban on muffins? We cannot allow this malicious behavior to continue. Zeve is ruining the reputation of this great high school, and I demand impeachment. Disclaimer: All statements made in this article are meant to be satirical. No disrespect is meant to Zeve or the rest of the student body.
A Paw-ful Truth editorial by Zaida LaRose It is a difficult thing, to shed light on a harsh truth. While some wounds heal themselves, others fester if denied proper attention. Today, I feel it is my duty to bring to the attention of my gentle reader a gaping laceration in the integrity of humankind: dogs (most gentle and humble) have been continuously misrepresented in the TV and film industry. Simply consider our most renowned bigscreen canine characters and you will observe two equally unfortunate extremes. On one hand, we humans devotedly celebrate the comedic qualities of dog characters that can speak and laugh and take on the role of the narrative hero. 101 Dalmatians, Bolt, Beethoven and The Lady and the Tramp all serve as instances of anthropomorphized depictions of the canine. Though these films are undoubtedly charming, they are greatly flawed when you consider that the beauty of dogs lies in what makes them different from the human race. One could even go so far as to say that dogs are far superior to mankind. The canine enjoys life’s most beautiful things: a good meal, the great outdoors, the glory of basking in a golden sun spot and the allure of passive observation. They are loyal, unconcerned with materialism, and perpetually blissful. Even their sensory perception of the world – their smell, sight and taste abilities – far outshine that of the homo sapien. Indeed, it is a mighty injustice to bring them down
art by Kip Parowski
to the lesser, troubled, greedy and discontented state of being that plagues the human race. Conversely, the other dog archetype that emerges in today’s film is one of dismal misfortune. Either the dog itself passes away (as in Marley and Me, Where the Red Fern Grows, Old Yeller, etc) or they experience a tragic loss that leaves the viewer emotionally marred (Hachi: A Dog’s Tale). These two extremes leave me largely dissatisfied, as no middle ground exists between tasteless anthropomorphisation or devilment by tragedy. There is so much more of a dog to be captured, and endless potential for the visual arts. It is undeniably clear that we must amend our depictions of dogs in TV and film. Let us learn from our canine companions. Let us stop exploiting the very traits that make dogs so wonderfully different from ourselves. Let us stop sacrificing dignity for charm and the realization of powerful truths for the blissful ignorance of entertainment. Let us allow dogs to be what they are; then, perhaps, we may discern at least a sliver their secrets. Let us peer into the structure of their satisfied souls and see wisdom like that of a buddha, innocent contentedness like that of a child, and the unrestrained delight of the world’s most free and curious. In the words of Charles de Gaulle, “the better I get to know men, the more I find myself loving dogs.”
Random Student Features Chadwick Adams
Kuma Spann
Forest Sosaki
picture courtesy of Justin Hugachi on Flickr
photo by Henry Cook
by Kiara Hills
by Madison Fung
by Gemma Coster
Chadwick Adams is a tenth grader at Ashland High School who finds his music online and on Pandora, but that is not his only source of inspiration. Adams explained, “I played the piano when I was younger.” This childhood activity has made the piano Adams’ favorite instrument. His interest in this instrument began when his parents brought home a piano. It has also led Adams to come to enjoy the band Coldplay today because of the piano music which can be heard in many of their songs. The British rock and pop band Coldplay originally formed in 1996 under the name Starfish. The band is made of 4 members: Chris Martin, Guy Berryman, Jonny Buckland and Will Champion. They have released many songs and albums over the years, such as Paradise, Hymn for the Weekend and Clocks. Chris Martin is the lead singer and keyboardist; it is Chris Martin’s piano music which has inspired Adams’ enjoyment of the band. Today, Adams still plays the piano; however, he doesn’t play as often as when he was younger. As a kid, Adams would play the piano four times a week, and today he only plays about two times a week. One of his favorite songs to play on the piano is Clocks by Coldplay. Adams states that he does not play any specific type of music on the piano because he enjoys all types of music. Adams’ music taste was formed early on by the piano in his home. This instrument has led him to his favorite band, Coldplay. Through Pandora, he is exploring other similar artists. Even though Adams plays the piano less frequently now than when he was younger, it is still an incredibly influential piece of his musical tastes.
When music genres come to mind, many people think of rock, country, or pop. The genre of bluegrass hardly comes to mind. But Kuma Spann, a senior at Ashland High School, fell in love with the bluegrass genre when he saw the band called The Ducks at the Britt Festival. He enjoyed the style of the band because it was not synthesized and the voices were not computerized. It was real and authentic. After that, Spann began to listen to the radio and developed his own taste in music. Now, instead of the radio, which can be limited in its offerings, Spann spends his time listening to Spotify. Spotify is a music, podcast, and video streaming app released in 2008. It allows users to browse new radio stations through music that the user already likes. His favorite types of music contain instruments like the fiddle, banjo, mandolin, and bass. Spann listens to music that is considered within the bluegrass genre, but strays away from the style of common bluegrass songs. Another type of music he listens to is gypsy swing. Even though bluegrass is subgenre of country, Spann does not enjoy listening to mainstream country music. One of his favorite bands is Dustbowl Revival, an American root orchestra with eight full-time members, is commonly recommended to other people. Music is stated by researchers to have a great influence on moods. People listen to happy music when they feel happy or sad music when they feel sad. Spann listens to music every day. He listens to fast-paced music when he wants to be productive, but he does not listen to music when he wants to fall asleep or calm down. Music is one of Spann’s hobbies that he truly cherishes and loves. He says that 5 years from now he envisions himself listening to the same genre but not the same songs.
Sometime the light’s all shinin’ on me, Other times I can barely see Lately it occurs to me what a long, strange trip it’s been
photo by Henry Cook
Forest Sosaki, a sophomore at Ashland High School, is all too familiar with anything written by the Grateful Dead. Sosaki has no shortage of musical influences. From his dad, who enjoys old-school music, to his mom, who leans toward more modern tunes, his musical scope spans a wide range. Sosaki grew up listening to the likes of the Grateful Dead and Pink Floyd, mixed occasionally with the popular songs of the moment. Sosaki likes to jump around between different genres, experimenting with different sounds as the moment calls for it. His favorite song is a tie between Fire on the Mountain by the Grateful Dead and See Saw by Pink Floyd. These 2 songs hold a special place in his heart, mostly because they impart a sense of nostalgia from his childhood. Fire on the Mountain reminds Sosaki of growing up listening to classic rock with his dad, while See Saw brings to mind thoughts of his mom who currently lives in Utah. Sosaki said, “my mom used to listen to it and it reminds me of her.” This heartfelt sentiment shows how something so small can carry one through the different stages of life, especially when it is needed most. Sosaki understands certain times call for certain music. He has experienced this among his friends, each with their own preference of music. While with his friends he listens to rap music, but by himself Sosaki seeks familiar company in a pool of lyrics and melodies that are linked to good memories.
The Importance of Student Journalism photo by Henry Cook
editorial by Bella Mannray Print journalism is a dying form of media. Ashland High School’s The Rogue News remains the only student produced print newspaper in the Rogue Valley. As the size and role of media continues to expand and change, it is critical to examine the impacts of journalism. Often times, the title of journalist is associated with a professional reporter. While the most prominent journalists might come from large news organization such as the New York Times or the Washington Post, like all things, journalists come in many different shapes and sizes. One area of journalism that is often overlooked, or severed out of association with the spread of media, is student journalism. A student journalist is considered to occupy the “bottom of the food chain,” seen as a beginner in the world of tidings, but the job of a student journalist is not granted enough validity and credit. It is clear
that student journalists are vested with immense responsibility. Student journalism carries parallels to professional journalism, holds substantive value,and further works to better the community through the spread of information. Journalism at the high school level serves a major purpose. It works to educate both writer and reader on how to be an informed citizen, how to extract information and how to convey it in a precise manner. Although in many ways, student journalism is derided for its lack of sophistication of information, the process in which information is conveyed remains constant through all forms of journalism. Ashland High School teacher, Paul Huard explains his view on the main parallels between reporting professionally and in High School. Huard, who also has a background reporting for the Associated Press, feels that the production of content does not vary whether on a local or international level. All journalists must follow deadlines, and most importantly set themselves to a variety of standards. “You’re still following a set of the ethics whether you’re a student journalist, or professional journalist. You really owe it to the sources you talk to and public you serve to be accurate and precise. You have a very important responsibility [as a journalist], and that is telling the truth.” He claims truth is when journalists works to the best of their ability to tell the public what they have found. There is no level or type of journalism in which ethics should be weighed as a lesser option.
Without morals, the news would serve as a flawed lens on the world, failing to spread the voices that should be encouraged through freedom of the press. With this said, one can see the immense responsibility a student journalist carries for establishing themselves as a trustworthy source who will continue to bring ethics into the world of journalism. When the world values student journalism, it promotes education on all levels of thought. Former Rogue News editor of 1999, Mat Marr, believes that The Rogue News, or moreover, the act of participating in journalism, was one of the pillars of his high school experience. Writing for the Rogue News helped him transition into the world and become involved in politics. Marr explains that The Rogue News is an experience that “transcends just school, that takes the education you’re getting in your classes and makes it real. Students leave here ready to make a difference.” Marr views The Rogue News as one of the most real life experiences students can have while attending high school, as it gives them an opportunity to step beyond their role as a student and convey information using morals and judgment. New York Times journalist Holly Epstein Ojalvo urges people to think of another academic subject that naturally guides students to evaluate the content they create and put truth ahead of personal gain. Deeming any other subject taught in school synonymous to this description is quite difficult. Ojalvo argues, “by working in journalism – and by being given the freedom
to fail and to learn from their failures – students experience what it means to be a ‘professional’” Current editor of The Rogue News, Karl Moeglein holds a philosophy on how students, specifically at Ashland High School should report on issues. Moeglein feels teenage journalists should try to find a local perspective on issues. “We are supposed to report on what’s important to people, but I think we also dictate what’s important to people, and so there’s a question of what’s important to us, and what we think we should present as what’s important to us.” Student reporters ask themselves how to connect the local issues to the reader. Marr feels that the school newspaper should generally report on local issues, but when a national or international issue affects the local community, student reporters must assess them from their perspective. The power a single newspaper can have is often underestimated. It can morph, frame, and transform a person or event in the mind of a reader. A paper serves as a primary document in history; the words on each page tell the story of the time. No matter what environment, news outlet, or age of the journalist, the effect of news writing can be tremendous. A student journalist carriers an immense responsibility. If they value their ethical responsibility, young journalists have a unique opportunity to transcend their position as students, and through journalistic integrity applied to their writing, hold the power to shape the community, nation, and world.
Toxic Reverberation: Dangers of the Echo Chamber photo by Henry Cook
editorial by Liv West Echo chamber: an enclosed space for producing reverberation of sound. This can apply directly to the perspectives of humanity as they exist in our country. When one group of people thinks the same way or believes in the same sorts of things, they often band together and hold on tightly to one another. This creates little pockets of safety, where people don’t find their opinions challenged and often hide away from branches of thought that differ from their own. As students of Ashland High School, we should recognize the kind of society which we live in. Ashland can act as a bubble, a perfect model of the definition of an echo chamber. Because we live in the Ashland bubble, it is important that
we consider the influence of the echo chamber. Places like this exist all over the country, even in social media, and are one cause for the incredible division seen in American society. Although one may acknowledge the implications of an echo chamber, one may never try to escape it. This can be exceedingly detrimental to the open mindedness of an individual. Using Facebook as an example of social media, it is easy to see why one can get caught up in a loop, reinforcing one’s perspectives. This site uses an algorithm to show a “news feed” that is based upon posts related to other posts a user has liked and posts a user’s friends have liked. This allows for only a small amount of crossover between liberal and conservative ideologies. Often in my observant Facebook existence, I have witnessed Ashland High School students viciously attack anyone who voices an opinion outside the liberal bubble. It is really frustrating to see the terribly rude things people say to one another through the Internet. This oppresses those with different views who live in such a small town, and they can often feel silenced by the general consensus. I heard stories constantly during the 2016 presidential election where families broke apart and relationships were damaged due to the way friends and families
voted differently. It is so disappointing to hear that a political ideology is more important than the closeness of family and friends. Though it may be great to have a sanctuary where many people are progressive and educated in the art of liberalism, it is not an efficient way solve any problems. Degrading people and hurting them along the way is just not kind. Of course, this does not mean that an informative, purposeful conversation should not occur. Ask people to give you reasons for why they believe in a certain candidate or political ideology, and listen to what they have to say. If we are to achieve true acceptance at this school at least, we need to acknowledge truths and stay as informed as we possibly can. There are an abundance of mountains our nation is still climbing regarding race and inclusivity. One New York Times editorial written by Nicholas Kristof this year talked about the dangers of an echo chamber on a college campus, and it showed how liberal teachers outnumber conservative teachers. As liberals pride themselves on recognizing and loving the diversity of Americans, it surprises me to think that this does not extend to ideologies. In Ashland, there seems to be an underlying message that says “conservative” and “bigot” are synonymous with one another. It is so wrong to generalize people this way, as we are
all trying to find the correct balance of morals. Who decides what is right and wrong? We have to end discrimination on all levels to achieve perfect unity. We are making progress, but often, in the words of Kristof, “we want to be inclusive of people who don’t look like us — so long as they think like us.” Liberals, however, are not the only ones who secure themselves in an echo chamber. This is a problem that happens on both sides. it is a significant contributing factor in the way the country is divided. Why would a raging liberal move to a place like Mississippi or Wyoming, expecting to be graciously accepted into society? Why would a strong willed conservative who doesn’t believe in gay rights or gender equality move to Ashland? The answer: they usually do not. People are terrified to leave what they know behind. Liberals who generalize conservatives into one category of alt-rightwing crazies simply do not understand what kind of a place the United States is. The same goes for republicans who think super ultra-liberals are the only type of liberals out there. We have to move forward into a world of acceptance and respect. We are all stuck here on this island, and there’s nothing we can do but do our best for the benefit of everybody - rather than just those who fit our truest ideals.
On the Brink: Reasons to be Cautiously Optimistic About the State of Journalism editorial by Ellie Carter
If you had asked me a few months ago about my opinion on the current state of journalism, I would have said––with far too little hesitation––that modern journalism was headed nowhere but downward. I am often guilty of adopting new ideologies to a degree of near-absurdism (and no degree of doubt). My most recent moral crusade has been raging against any and all oversimplification, particularly of “social media news” found on platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and SnapChat. It’s absolutely valid to say that having news on social media platforms has made information more accessible to a huge variety of people, and I’m constantly overwhelmed by the sheer quantity of news I see on a site like Facebook. However, as with most things, quantity does not predict quality. I find it incredibly troubling to see so many journalistic pieces funneled down to such easily digestible bits. How can a news source accurately and fairly cover any issue in a
30-second video, a few tweets, or a SnapChat story? The most popular and relevant social media platforms play to our love of brevity, but brevity and journalism should not and cannot coexist. There are many elements in the development of the digital age that have changed journalistic writing, yet the one that is most detrimental to the education of the public is the sole reliance on social media for information. It is too limited and too temporary a space to give a story the full attention it deserves, yet it has been long disguised as a perfectly accessible medium from which to obtain news. It would make sense, considering the recent influx of “alternate facts” and challenges to longstanding news sources, that my pre-existing skepticism about our current relationship with journalism would have evolved into full-blown pessimism. There is a growing amount of evidence to support this belief as well––national news organizations like The Guardian and the New York Times are being read by a wider audience than ever before, but fewer people pay for the content. On a local scale, newsrooms and newspapers across the country continue to lose funding and revenue while struggling to cater to online consumers. Nevertheless, my revised and current answer to the question of journalism’s future in the 21st century: news coverage hangs on a precarious edge, and it will not sustain this state much longer. Both journalists and citizens will have to decide which way they intend the field to swing––into the oblivion of social media news or into a new era of true investigative journalism––and I have cautious optimism that it will swing in the right direction. This may seem inconsistent with the observations I’ve expressed here. In a paradoxical way, it is! I draw this optimism from Politico reporter Jack Shafer, who, when asked about contemporary journalism in an NPR interview, expressed thankfulness for these challenging forces. Shafer says that the press has been liberated, “because all the old scripts that go into the formula of making political news have to be completely rethought.” Subsequent to the 2016 presidential election, journalists and the news sources that they represent have struggled to defend themselves against allegations that question their legitimacy. Shafer maintains that the public is realizing, slowly but surely, that “it’s not winter that’s coming with the inauguration of Trump. It’s journalistic spring.”
The Psychological Effect of Politics editorial by Jade Bromley I’ve been running it over in my mind - 2016 and the politics that commanded it. The presidential election took the forefront in many conversations, thoughts, and pieces of artwork. It also dominated many social media platforms. What was once a center of relief from daily life became a battlefield of epic proportions. After the elections I was under the impression, as were many others, that the onslaught of political energy would subside. After all, that’s what has happened before. The country settles and everyone returns to their lives. This, however, has not been the case. In fact, with all the president’s rapid changes and the coverage (conventional or not) of said changes, an airtight political dome has been lowered on the United States. We are stuck in a time-loop, repeating 2016. I find myself talking about politics every day. My Facebook feed has become overrun with political posts. Even my memes have gone to the dark side. I’ve recently come across posts labeled “here’s a non-political post.” Since when is that a necessary label? It doesn’t help ease the tension either. It’s not as if I saw the post and thought, “well I was really stressed out about the impending doom, but now that someone has shared a specifically non-political post of a duckling, I feel much better.” Usually, so-called non-political posts make me think about politics even more. Politics is almost always on my mind. To be honest, I’m sick of it. I’m tired. Is anyone else tired? According to Pew Research Center, a lot of people are tired. 37% of social media users are worn out by the amount of political content they encounter and 59% of users find discussing politics with people they disagree with stressful and frustrating. This stress can’t be good for us. This constant bombardment of politics can’t be healthy. My stress has almost nothing to do with school or responsibilities, but it should. I should be thinking about college and getting a job. I should be starting my life, not worried about what rights are being taken away this week. I shouldn’t feel guilty for not being as up to date on the political atmosphere as I could be. This stress from politics has made me volatile. I’m prone to rants of rage or bouts of depression. I try desperately to cling to things that make me happy, but after a while even these things become tainted. I recently watched The Lorax, which while relevant in 2012 or when Dr. Seuss wrote it, is even more so now. That movie used to give me hope, but now it just makes me sad. I’m worried. Is anyone else worried? Is anyone else convinced that they’re getting ulcers? The worst part of it isn’t that I’m stressed, it’s the way politics has affected my relationships. It is interesting though, how what used to be minor differences in opinion now define a person: two separate camps, at war. My fam-
photos by Sophia Wiencek
ily has very close friends who support the current administration, including my mother’s dear friend. I grew up with this woman. I love her like she is my aunt. And I don’t know how she could support or agree with someone like Trump. I don’t know how I’ll ever see her the same way again. Her posts on Facebook shock me, but I’m sure my liberal rants do the same to her. Apparently I’m not the only one. Pew reports that 64% of social media users find they have less in common with people politically when they discuss politics on social media. It seems as though the media’s sole purpose is to make the two camps hate each other, to drive a wedge between people and to emphasize the extreme differences between them. We can’t let politics dictate every part of our lives, especially relationships with people we love. We shouldn’t be friends with people who cause emotional stress, but we can also choose to avoid heated topics. Edit your social media and enjoy those truly non-political moments. To get you started, visit our meme page on the back.
College Prep:
All in All, You’re Just Another Test in the Halls Is the Smarter Balanced Test Necessary for Students? editorial by Laila Borden
T
here’s a lot of talk about building walls these days. No, I’m not going to ramble on about President Trump’s Mexico wall, but rather the acclaimed wall in Pink Floyd’s 1982 album and movie directed by Alan Parker “The Wall.” The lyrics in the song “Another Brick in the Wall Part II” describe the oppression of creativity and free thought in public schools through mass standardization and suggest that public education forces each of its pupils to become “...just another brick in the wall.” Although the song speaks out against the general forced conformity a child experiences in school, the concept can be applied to the most obvious example of forced uniformity in American schools: standardized tests. As a concept, standardized testing has often been criticized in America since its introduction after the national development of public schooling. Opponents argue that the intelligence of a student cannot be measured by a standardized test because human minds are much more complex than a systematic program could ever measure. They have also brought to attention that tests do not account for diversity of student backgrounds such as students whose second language is English or students who, through no fault of their own,
have not received a quality education. Because of this, many education reformists call for a halt in high-stakes testing altogether. Nonetheless, since a large sum of local property tax funds and federal funds are funneled into education, academic policymakers have promoted the use of standardized testing as a means of holding school districts accountable to the government and tax-payers. Although the use of standardized testing has not been stopped, there have been efforts to address the flaws in them, resulting in tests like Smarter Balanced. The Smarter Balanced test is administered from third grade into high school and includes alterations that are more inclusive to students with different educational backgrounds. All the same, the first year it was administered in Oregon, around twothirds of the students who endured it were predicted to fail. Granted, scores do not reflect badly on students (they are primarily used for assessment of school progress as an entity, not individual progress), but the process is still exhausting, with the average student finishing the entire the test in around 6 hours. Certainly, the public deserves to know if American schools are adequately educating future generations. But what defines “adequate educa-
tion” and what price are American citizens willing to pay for it? Eightyears-old is far too young to be subject to such high standards. When requirements must be fulfilled, much more effort is put into learning statedetermined “essential” skills. Kids need time to just be kids. Today, elementary students are being assigned homework as early as kindergarten. What are five-year-olds learning in school that requires homework? Is it worth inte r r upt i ng their childhood? Science says probably not. In a 2006 metaanalysis by Duke Un ive rs it y professor Harris Cooper, it was observed that assigning homework to younger students had little to no effect on performance in school. Young developing brains crave opportunities to be creative and we should allow that craving to persist for as long as possible before they have no choice but to submit to the adult world of protocol and acqui-
escence. Forcing curriculum down their throats for a long career of mindless testing at such an early age certainly isn’t helping anything but their scores—and not by much. In high school, these tests are perhaps more useful because they are the primary way students demonstrate the essential skills required for graduation and they give colleges an idea of the standards students have met. But taking all of these tests is not absolutely mandatory anymore. Many universities and colleges are no longer requiring applicants to submit their scores; instead they are weighting more heavily student essays, interviews and teacher recom me nd at i ons . Though fewer colleges are requiring the ACT and SAT, only a select few accept Smarter Balanced scores. So why should high school students take the Smarter Balanced test? Maybe they shouldn’t. Most high schools, including AHS, require students to demonstrate proficiency in language, literacy and basic math concepts through at least one of these tests (Smarter Balanced, SAT or ACT) or pass a special class in order to graduate. The SAT and ACT, as pointless as they are becoming, prove
Too Stressed to be Blessed
H
igh schoolers today face more pressure than ever to achieve great things in their lives. Overcontrolling parents, peer pressure, community judgement and fear of failure are all elements that contribute to the stress of applying to college. High schoolers are taught that their choice of what to do after high school will not only have an effect for the next couple of years, but will determine their track for the rest of their lives. The main problem with this obsession with succeeding is the fact that success is an abstract
The Growing Epidemic of College Peer Pressure editorial by Ana Ferguson
concept that is entirely subjective and relative to one’s own personal beliefs. When teenagers talk with adults about the future, it seems resolute that a 4-year college is written in the stars. Teenagers rarely hear about options besides going to well-known universities
and elite institutions. Community colleges, o n l i n e schools, and work or travel, are hardly ever talked about. The idea that a degree from a prestigious college guarantees success and happiness, is outdated. While that path may be right for some students, it is
not the correct path for all. When considering any part of a teenager’s education, the contentment of a student needs to be taken into account. “A student’s happiness is more important than whatever college they go to.” Said Sinead Pyle a junior at Ashland High School. Forcing students to live for someone
to be of they both the profic and score higher ed requisite, Oreg in luck: O quires Or opt-out o ments. Th Oregon online. Th out from testing al it will be Perhaps interests since dem a graduat sonal cho to partici consider dardizatio and shou Don’t let make you wall.”
else is a recipe for son teens try work is primarily ext don’t want to disa ily and communi that overly-invest meaning, but the students is to give sary tools so they ceed on their own sense of self is m outside hassle whe leges. The amount o jump through in a are multiplying. ACT, SAT subject extracurriculars, s unteer work, and s tests. While stud harder nowadays less. Education sh
Let’s Space Things Out Gap Year: A Refreshing Break editorial by Izzy Nicolier
A
more use to students since h allow them to demonstrate ciencies required to graduate es are accepted by nearly all ducation facilities, if not as a , then as an option. gon parents and students are Oregon House Bill 2655 reregon schools to provide an option from statewide assessThe form is available from the Department of Education Though the deadline to optthis year’s Smarter Balanced lready passed on February 1, available each coming year. it is in some student’s best to participate in these tests, monstrating essential skills is tion requirement. It’s a peroice. But whether they decide ipate or not, students should the implications of stanon. Education is a privilege uld be enjoyed, not forced. t Common Core Standards u “just another brick in the
r disaster. The reak so hard in school ternal. Teenagers appoint their famity members. Sure ted relative is well best way to guide e them the necesy can learn to sucn. Having a strong more valuable than en applying to col-
of hoops students applying to schools There’s the SAT, t tests, AP exams, stellar grades, volschool-sanctioned dents are studying s, they’re learning hould be about ex-
fter 13 consecutive years of school, students are often ready to take a break from the consistency of the academic cultivation that they have endured. A gap year, typically a year spent after graduating from high school before entering higher education, can provide such a break. Gap years are regularly used to relieve the stress that school commonly brings as well as finding one’s sense of purpose High school is generally considered the time for young adults to determine their future. Yet, the four years of high school does not provide enough time for a student to discover the life path they want to take- deciding one’s future is a lengthy action that requires a plethora of thought and choice. Many high school graduates’ experiences only consist of going to school and perhaps getting a part-time job along the way, all of which is not enough life wisdom to base their future on or be sure of their potential careers. Taking a gap year helps provide the necessary time to complete this task. Nevertheless, being unprepared for university is not the sole reason for gap years. College tuition costs have only been steadily in-
panding knowledge, and grasping new concepts. Unfortunately these days learning has more to do with numbers. Students have been taught to define themselves by their GPAs, not their passions. “It’s like a trickledown effect,” said Audrey Cirzan, junior at Ashland High School. “ Parents pressure their kids, and then those kids are competitive with you about college.” Ingrained in our culture is the idea that every input must result in an equal or greater output. Students are supposed to put in enough effort into their schoolwork to achieve an A on their tests. Teenagers feel like they’re being looked at as a statistic instead of an individual. Studying simply because the subject excites a student to discover more is rarely valued. Happiness and passion are
creasing. Many students will use a gap year to get jobs to plan for the ever-growing cost of college. Instead of taking out a student-loan, which can linger with the student for many years, acquiring a job can assist in minimizing student debt. Getting a job can help give the gapper an idea of what they can do in their future and gives them a
heightened sense of responsibility. Other gappers go toward a non-profit route. There are many organizations that promote gap years and take gappers to countries where they can be immersed in new cultures. These organizations place the participants in host families, where they assist the locals in various tasks and jobs. When the members return to the United States they are almost always incredibly grateful for the experience that the organization provided them. Carpe Diem Education (CDE) is one of these organizations which promote gap years. Their mission is to “[In-
hard ideas to measure, but students will get more out of those elements than they ever would from a test score. Going to a prestigious university is a privileged notion. While
spire] growth and transformation through experiential education, community and intercultural exchange.” There are 7 different regions an applicant can travel to including India, Indigenous America, Caribbean Isles, South America, Southeast Asia, East Africa, Central America and the South Pacific. The program offers a 3-month long academic semester or a longer 8-month program. They believe that a safe and challenging experience is what gappers need to feel more assured in a future college encounter. CDE also offers up to 18 college credits for their programs associated with Portland State University. So while these gappers are taking a year off, they are still actively accumulating college credits. This is just one of many companies that offer a way to devote time to furthering education. The outcomes of taking a gap year are beneficial. Many gappers later gravitate toward acquiring higher grade point averages and after college gappers statistically have higher job satisfaction. This is thought to be the result of the extended period they took to consider all the options available. Many colleges, including numerous Ivy leagues, are in support of students taking a gap year. Some colleges are hesitant to permit
some students are working hard to show their aptitude for college, others choose to pay their way. College is a capitalist industry, and the dark underbelly is filled with tutors, prep classes, cheating, and legacies. These students may be smart, but they have enough money to be smart. Struggling to find financial aid when applying to colleges exclude students from different socioeconomic backgrounds. The idea of equal opportunity is often disregarded when dollars signs are applied to a situation. When you cut out the aspects that muddle and convolute student learning, education is one of the most valuable tools in anyone’s life. Students should be taught that there are different ways of measuring intelligence, and quantifying some-
students with gap years, due to the fact that ten percent of students who take a gap year do not continue pursuing college. Several colleges compromise by having students have periodic progress checks or keep a deposit to ensure their place in the college. Granted, gap years are fulfilling-but they are not for everyone. If someone is truly excited and confident in their future, then it is presumable that they undergo the continuous college route. However, for the students wanting to travel and adjourn from the persistence of educational institutes and work, taking a gap year is the right choice. It is okay to take a break every once and while.
one’s level of education with grades and tests takes away the quality of life. Students at AHS value their freedom, and ability to take their education into their own hands. Teenagers need to be given incentive to appreciate every moment instead of falling victim to collegiate pressures in the future.
Valentine’s Post-Op by Nicole Mullen
I remember the Valentines Days of my youth. The bright bouquets of flowers covering the aisles of the grocery stores paired with balloons the shapes of hearts bursting at the seams caused a feeling of warmth and comfort to overcome me. There was so much love in the world that an entire holiday existed to recognize it. This love I learned about as a child was not romantic love, but the pure love felt when gifts are given to friends and family for all to share. I knew that Valentine’s Day had arrived when the walls of my elementary school classroom became plastered with a coat of pastel hearts. I was surrounded by love. Quiet energy filled the halls as my classmates and I anticipated the heart shaped candies and temporary tattoos we hoped to find in our valentine’s mailboxes. I spent the week before Valentine’s Day preparing valentines for each member of my class. I adorned each of the firetruck red valentines with sparkling stickers and glitter glue, adding extra heart shaped stickers to the valentines of my closest friends. Then, Valentine’s Day would arrive with the distinct smell of artificially flavored candies and waxy chocolate. My classmates and I reveled in the opportunity to distribute our valentines to our appreciative classmates while gaining a considerable haul of sweets in the process. Valentine’s Day was for the young and innocent. Time passed. Homemade valentines and hard candy gave way to elaborate dinners and diamond rings. The expectations of the “Day of Love” changed. The giddy happiness evoked by a heart shaped treat morphed into a tumultuous cloud of confusion, anxiety and obligation. The spirit of Val-
entine’s Day can become overshadowed by feelings of materialism and expectation. Rampant commercialism has changed Valentine’s Day from a day of glitter glue hearts to a holiday that creates an atmosphere of obsession over expensive gifts where the male is often the victim. Why should the male in the relationship have to shoulder the economic burden of paying for dinners and buying exorbitantly priced gifts? We are no longer in the 1950s when the breadwinner of the family was almost exclusively male. The reason men traditionally pay for meals and jewelry is because they were the ones with the capital to do so. However, in the 21st century, it is unreasonable to expect men to pay for meals when women also have economic independence afforded in this day and age. As the gender roles of Americans become equal, so should the economic participation of men and women in love become equal as well. Love and marriage is undoubtedly a changing thing. In the 1950s, divorce was widely thought of as social suicide as represented by the low 11% average rate of divorce. However, in the 1970s, the divorce rate in the United States skyrocketed. According to the American Psychological Association, the current divorce rate hovers at 50%. This is stunning. Instead of wishing a newly married couple health and happiness, you might as well be realistic and remind them that they have only a 1 in 2 chance of making it. It makes the phrase of love, “till death do us part” seem nearly morbid. Yet, love, like people and society, changes. The change in divorce rates from the 1950s to the 21st century exemplifies the dynamic nature of love, and begs the question of how love will continue
to change in the future. The advent of online dating platforms such as Match.com or Tinder will undoubtedly change the way our romantic relationships are formed. These platforms should, in theory, allow us to more easily find our soulmates, but could just as easily cause us to become overwhelmed by the multitude of romantic options we now possess. Not too long ago, relationships were created by talking on the phone or sending profound love letters in a grand romantic gesture. I wonder as our world becomes increasingly digital and connected if we will still be able to experience the same level of profound affection in a text as felt from the handwritten love letters of our grandparents. Does a text compare to a love letter, miles long and dropped into your mailbox with a heart as a seal? However Valentine’s Day is spent, it should be a day full of love and rid of obligations. Participate in Valentine’s Day equally, love everyone, and keep your expectations reasonable. Remember the Valentine’s Days of elementary school and the immense feeling of gratitude felt when you received an inexpensive homemade valentine made with love and sealed with a kiss (a Hershey’s Kiss of course). Remember that Valentine’s Day is not just a day for the romantics in the world, but also a day to honor friends and family with small but profound acts of kindness. And, if all else fails, the power of a handwritten love letter or a glitter glue encrusted valentine is as powerful a gesture of love as there ever was.
A Letter to My First Ex
Dear February, So you’re here now and ju st for the record, you are not welco me. I know that during a leap year we add an extra day to February, but perhaps you won’t mind if we just lea p this whole month. You are the last m onth of winter, the rotting carcass of a squirrel left on the road for 3 da ys. Leaving the house with you is terrib ly difficult
with your 50 degree weat her and com- grey rash . I become more introverte pletely grey sky, offering d the choice of and sombe r around you, as well jeans and a sweatshirt or as jeans and a someone wh o I don’t want to be. hoodie. New Year’s resolu tions brought Yet, every Valentine’s Da a beacon of hope. Now yo y you u have come seem to get me feeling a sort of way. to remind us that we lik It e food that reminds me why I liked you once, and tastes good and that exerc ise is really how I woul d flow carelessly throug hard. Also, thanks for yo h ur incessant time as a ki d making Dollar Tree Va nagging to make me wa lnt to give up entines fo r my classmates. Thou on my GPA; you easily gh are the worst most of yo ur external qualities ar of my 12 months. You e are truly the uninspiring , you are sweet and have hangover of finals. good intentions. To be ho The minute you arrived nest Februthis year ary, it’s not your fault for making I fell sick, an alarm sig nal from my me feel de jected. Perhaps it is time body saying “Uma, wa for tch out! You me get ov er you and start living know who is back!” Som my etimes Feb- life and try to forget about how you ruary, it feels like you do this to me have affected me in the past. It’s not just to make your stay lon ger. There’s you, it’s m e. I just need to work on something about you th at makes me myself. want to crawl away into the oasis of my bed sheets for days just so I can Until next year February…. It has no take a few days off. Your t fickle mood been a pleasu re, seems to rub off on me giving me a
Uma Mcguire
C a lwa s h g o n by Ivy Amann, Uma McQuire, Bella Mannray and Nicole Mullen
Disclaimer: All statements made in this article are meant to be satirical. In response to the recent presidential contest, California, Oregon and Washington have jointly seceded under the title Calwashgon. With a plan to secede from the United States of America, they will either join Canada or become their own nation. Herein resides a collection of propositions detailing the new administration. A union forged by common dreams, Calwashgon will become the economy and society to watch as it develops a reputation for strength, kindness, and resilience. Due to her status as an empowering woman leader, Ellen DeGeneres has been nominated to lead Calwashgon to prosperity and success. Filling the position of vice president will be Leonardo DiCaprio, an environmental activist and Oscaraward-winning actor. The task may prove trying for these two novices in the political sphere, but the people of the West Coast have spoken and demand change. DeGeneres’s inaugural speech will take place at 6270 Hollywood Boulevard, the address of DeGeneres’s star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. DiCaprio will attend and discuss his plan to reduce the greenhouse gases Calwashgon produces. Goals of the administration will include providing subsidies for electric cars, more public transportation and free bicycles to promote a reduction of harmful carbon dioxide emissions. DiCaprio will act as Secretary of State while simultaneously serving as vice president. He will represent Calwashgon when visiting other countries and plans to speak on issues regarding social activism. President DeGeneres will propose her 100-day plan, including steps toward furthering the economic, social and political safety in Calwashgon. To represent what Calwashgon stands for and supports, DeGeneres and DiCaprio have chosen the cannabis plant as its national flower. They want the nation to be an easy-going place where values such as flexibility and peace exist at its
core. The bear, the marmot and the beaver will symbolize the nation. It will be required that all Calwashgon residents receive at least one of these mammals to care for, helping foster understanding about the earth, as well as stimulate progressive activism. Other stated focuses of the new administration include a new nutrition program that is entirely vegan, gluten free, sugar free, hormone free, organic and GMO free. Another government mandate will ban all vaccination of children and require that at least one solstice is observed per calendar year. Health insurance now covers unexpected shifts in chakras, as well as a new rule requiring group conflict-mediation therapy any time a conflict arises. Critics have said that Calwashgon is destined to fail due its dependence on the other states. Officials of the new country counter this claim by asserting that the strong and diverse economy of the new nation will allow it to function inde-
pendently of the other 47 states. Another concern is constitutionality, but a promise from Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to back the new country in any conflict has US officials wary of going to war over the lost land. Although DeGeneres and DiCaprio have never assumed official political roles in the past, they have pledged to lead Calwashgon to its full potential and persevere through any obstacles that stand in the way. DeGeneres — funny, smart and welcoming — aided by the intelligent, talented and passionate DiCaprio will assure Calwashgon’s progression into a great country. With forward thinking and reforms to better it, Calwashgon will go down in history as one nation established under a proud rainbow flag filled with compassionate, environmentally conscious hempwearers and kombucha-drinkers.
artwork by Kip Parowski
FEMALE DRAFT by Amani Mussell
As of January 1, 2018 all women turning 18 on or after such date could be required to register with Selective Services, the federal administration in charge of the draft. The bill was passed by the Senate in June of 2016, and would not affect women who turned 18 before 2018. Congress has not completed the process of approving the bill as of 2017. In November, Military.com reported that Congress “may not require women to register for [the] draft.” Though the female draft topic is controversial, it should not be. Since women are now allowed to serve in the infantry, there is no rational reason that women should not be drafted as are men. This is what it should be: all or nothing. If our young men are forced to go to war and risk their lives for a cause they may not believe in, then so should our women. That is equality. Being drafted does not necessarily mean actually going into war zones. There are other ways to serve the military during wartime. An ideal situation would be that women and men would be assessed for service equally and assigned purely based
on their individual ability, completely separate from the stereotypical traits of their sex. Due to the general biological difference between men and women’s physical ability and the correlation between testosterone and the necessary aggressive behavior for active combat, it is inevitable that should a draft occur, there will be controversy on the selection of individuals. But assigning positions in society due to biology is not sexist. Sexism is blind discrimination based on preconceived ideas about constraining traits of a sex that are arrived at without substantial evidence. Women do not have the same biological traits as men, such as muscle capacity, and can, without discrimination, be judged less fit for combat than men. This is the most prevailing non-sexist argument against the draft, that femawwle journalists such as Amy Otto for the Federalist and Jude Eden for the Daily Signal enforce in their editorials against the female draft. However, this is a broad generalization that does not apply to all females, just as all men may not
strong enough to be fit for active combat. If women were part of the draft and, just as men are, were assessed for physical and mental ability, women would be deemed suitable for the military by similar standards to those of men. Therefore, all women that would be selected would be fit for service. Another adjustment that has been realized in the United States since the last draft, conducted for the Vietnam War in 1969, is the transition from manual combat into technological warfare. The advancement of technology has led to a decreased number of troops needed, and in the event of a war, today, evidence suggests it will be a battle of technology, not of troops. It has been a long time since the draft for the Vietnam War, and the way violent disputes are settled in this modern day and age has changed drastically since then. Traditional conceptions of men being America’s only combat ready military personnel are as outdated as the technology used in the Vietnam War.
Women in STEM editorial by Maisie Roberson Women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) have played crucial roles in these fields since long before it was socially acceptable for them to do so. While there has recently been a shift to actively engage women in STEM and encourage their pursuit of these fields, there have always been women who have pursued their interests in these areas, even when faced with difficulties or resilience. Without these women, many great discoveries and advances wouldn’t exist. Over the years, women in these fields made many large contributions to society, creating the world we live in today. Ada Lovelace (1815-1852), a countess in the first half of the nineteenth century, was a talented mathematician who is considered the first computer programmer. After looking at a machine invented to perform mathematical calculations and the plans for an analytical engine, created by a friend and mentor, she wrote extensive notes on how codes could be created to allow the machines to recognize letters and symbols as well as numbers. She also theorized looping, used in computer programs today, which is a method of repeating instructions until a condition is met. She translated many articles and added extensive notes to them, and while her work was largely ignored during her lifetime, and wasn’t rediscovered and recognized until over a hundred years later in the 1950s, her work and insights have contributed greatly to the field of computer science. Nettie Stevens (1861-1912) discovered the X and Y-chromosomes after studying mealworms. She developed the chromosomal theory of inheritance, stating that sex is inherited through chro,oso,es and that males determine the sex of their offspring. At the time, this theory was not widely accepted because sex was thought to be determined by the
Ada Lovelace, image courtesy of Wikipedia
mother or certain environmental factors. Cecilia Payne (1900-1979) worked in astrophysics and discovered that stars are made mostly of hydrogen and helium, and can be classified based on their temperature. This was the topic of her 1925 doctoral thesis, where she asked – and answered – the question “what are stars made of?” at the age of 25. Lise Meitner (1878-1968) jointly discovered nuclear fission in 1938, and published about it in 1939. Her discovery of nuclear fission led to the development of nuclear power and technology. During this time Meitner also discovered that no element past Uranium (element number 92) existed naturally. Florence Seibert (1897-1991) developed the test
for Tuberculosis that is still used today, as well as invented a distillation process to remove bacteria from substances that were to be injected intravenously. Her work with tuberculin created the ability to reliably test for Tuberculosis. The tuberculin test became the standard in the US in 1941, and was recognized by the World Health Organization in 1952. Hedy Lamarr (1914-2000), Golden Age Hollywood actress, was a scientist and inventor who helped design prototypes for sonar missiles in WWII. Her and a colleague invented frequency hopping, now called spread spectrum communication, and patented it. This technology allowed transmitters and receivers to change frequency randomly, with the original intent being that torpedoes controlled by radio couldn’t have the signals jammed and so that enemies couldn’t decode messages being sent within the military. While the designs were never used as they were intended, the technology she developed for them is used in modern day Wi-Fi, satellite communication and cell phones. Rosalind Franklin (1920-1958) helped discover the double helix of DNA structure, taking many photos of DNA magnified under microscopes and completing extensive lab work for the DNA project. Her research was significant, and without it the double helix likely wouldn’t have been discovered when it was. These are only a few of the many brilliant women who have changed the way we view the world and interact with it. These women are examples of why it is important for women to be in STEM. As we can see, their contributions to society are invaluable. Recognizing these women and giving them the credit they are due allows other girls to see they can have impacts in STEM as well.
Design Board
252 E. Main St. • Ashland (541) 482-7383
Editors................Lili Smith, Karl Moeglein, Lucas Searcy, Frankie Mora, Zaida LaRose, Maisie Roberson Front...........................................................................Lily Annen Dog Movies....................................................Lillian Witnauer Random Student Feature.....................................Raisa Rich Political Echo-Chamber.....................................Ayla Prusko Psych of News Overload...........................Sophia Wiencek In-Depth.................................................................Charlie Burr Valentine’s.............................................................Nicole Sagal Calwashgon........................................................Garrick Kosct Femal Draft and STEM...................Liam Dunleavy, Jaxon Witters Slang........................................................................Tia Wilhelm Memes......................................Sequoia Snogren-McGinnis
Slang Def-i-ni-tions by Mumi Thiaw, Frida Graumann and Tia Wilhelm
ban-ger
mad
bou-jee
mob
fi-nna
send it (for the boys)
fire
shook
lit
squad
n. a sonically pleasing song. ie: “Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata is totes a totally total banger!”- SYN: bars, flows
adj. high quality, high class, high end. ie: “My significant other is bad and boujee.” - SYN: (on) fleek, fly, wavy
v. intending to do something. ie: “Aye Leroy, you know I’m finna get my homework done.” - SYN: imma
adj. exceptional. ie: “Those tacos were fire; we gotta bring the squad back sometime!” - SYN: tight, ill, bomb
adj. to be fun, engaging, or memorable. ie: “Bro, last night was so lit! I finished all my homework for the next week.” - SYN: turnt, crunk, dope
adj. a large amount ie: “Aye, did you see Janette shreddin’ the gnar last weekend?” “Yeah dude, she’s got mad skills!” - SYN: phat, hella, wicked
v. the act of driving around while listening to loud music. ie: “My boi Lamont and I were mobbin’ so hard last night.” - SYN: trappin, pimpin’
v. to follow through, to commit. ie: “Sennndd itttt!” - SYN: just do it
adj. to be shaken up, shocked. ie: “When I saw that fire, oh Lord Jesus was I shook!” - SYN: triggered, trippin’
n. a group of people that stick together through it all ie: “You mess with me, you mess with my squad.” - SYN: ride or die, crew
We asked these teachers to pose like young savages and use their new slang! “Can you use finna in a sentence?”
“Can you use slang to describe your experience at the game last night?”
“Yo, I’m all shook. You should have seen me on the court. I lit it up like mad!”
“I’m gonna go finna a fish... Fish have lots of finnas.” -Jim Lebo
photo by Tia Wilhelm
-Jeff Roscher
photo by Jackson McRae
“What would you say after a long day of work?”
“What does ‘young savage why you trappin’ so hard?’ mean?”
“Looking forward to chilling with my squad, cause I wanna get mad lit and send it for the boys!”
“They’re overharvesting animals in the rainforest.” -Jim Hartman
-Glenna Styles
photo by Jackson McRae
photo by Jackson McRae
BY AHS STUDENTS Meme Lord Colin Timmons