Scrollsenioredition2014

MAY 30, 2014

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VOLUME 48, ISSUE 3

Jenny Fessler, Co-editor

Anamika Vaughan, Co-editor

editorial tina homayoun notable alumni senior features post high school plans superlatives satire words of wisdom senior survey

Senior Portraits Starting at $30

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Editorial our voices will not be silenced The past couple years have not been kind to The Scroll.

We have suffered budget cuts, endured class size chaos and threats of termination, yet here we are, still standing. When they slashed our funds to nothing, we didn’t give up. One thing our readers must understand is that every single member of this newspaper dedicates a significant portion of his or her time and effort to make our stories publishable. We fund our print editions ourselves and maintain our own website; what other classes can say that? The answer is none, because Newspaper is not just a class, it is also a business and a community.

However, the jury is in and The Scroll will survive another year. Yet, the question remains; why is the school paper so important?

First of all, this paper should represent an uncensored forum through which students can stretch their writing muscles and let their voice be read. Without the paper, an important part of the student body will die. If that is not

convincing enough, consider that freedom of speech is a fundamental right of every citizen in this country and should be a universal right of all human beings. Scrapping the paper is equivalent to censoring the youth of Sunset high school, which is unconstitutional and unethical. We cannot be silenced.

The truth of the matter is that journalism is, in many ways, a dying field. Yes, there are many opportunities for online news and media, but these are few and far between in a world dominated by the new popular source of information: social media. Student journalism is the first step for many to launch themselves into a career. Without the ability to work on an actual publication during high school, many hopefuls in the field of journalism may never reach such a goal later on. In such a selective community, an early start is of monumental importance. This publication provides its staff members with the experience, confidence and skills needed to have that fighting

Editorial Policy The Scroll is written by the students of the Publications class. It is edited by an editorial board who makes all content-related decisions and is responsible for all material appearing in The Scroll. The opinions presented in The Scroll do not necessarily represent the position of the entire staff, Sunset High School or the Beaverton School District. As a public forum for student expression, The Scroll welcomes letters to the editor and comments on articles, but it reserves the right to revise inappropriate letters and comments. All comments must be signed and may be edited for its length, accuracy and clarity.

chance every student deserves.

We should not be silenced.

Finally, Sunset’s motto of ‘grit.’ To have grit is to have mental toughness and courage; to be on the newspaper staff is to have grit at even its most basic definition. If every bystander could see the amount of intensive work, perseverance, attention to detail and outstanding care that each and every student pours into this publication on a daily basis, then this article would be a very different story. With every publication cycle we continue to do exactly as the administration’s propaganda hopes each student will do, and still we are surprised at every turn with some new knife to the back and obstacle in our face. Is this school truly for the students or is it for the administration? As journalists, we will not diminish our existence, nor will we acquiesce to censorship, ever; that is not what journalism is all about. This is where students are able to make their young voices heard, and for this reason, we will not be silenced.

Special Thanks To: Our photographers Taylor Ketchum, John Freeman, Haily Hargrave and Victoria Pence

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By Sharada Menon, News and Copy Editor

As I walk the streets of a nondescript suburban neighborhood, senior Tina Homayoun stops her blue Saab abruptly in the empty street, rolls down the window and yells over to me to get into her car.

“Sorry, I just came from my hot yoga class,” says Homayoun.

Despite apologies for her appearance and smell, Homayoun’s excessive smiling distracts me from any possible stenches. When we enter Homayoun’s pleasantly cluttered home, she excuses herself to take a shower.

Homayoun comes out of the shower and sits at the kitchen table in a table in only a towel and dripping hair. As I ask her about her recent five-day yoga retreat to Bonaire- a tropical island in the Caribbean- she steers the conversation to her mother, who grew up learning tai chi.

“She created her own tai chi class at a studio about four years ago. She gets asked to teach a yoga class after starting her first tai chi class; she’s never done yoga in her entire life. She watches one tape,

and now I swear she’s a worldwide phenomenon,” says Homayoun. “My mom was like a really strict ‘Joy Luck Club’ style mom before, but now she is this joyful energy.”

In Bonaire, Homayoun took a break from school and went snorkeling, practiced yoga, and relaxed on the beach.

“I think that my parents and everyone thought I went in the middle of March to stick it to everyone, and, yeah, maybe that’s true. I could have gone during the summer, but I guess I’m just doing what I got to do,” says Homayoun.

Homayoun laughs as she describes her internal and external metamorphosis since she started seriously attending yoga classes.

“Yoga is so healing. It opens me up to a bigger meaning. It’s so cheesy, but it’s true,” says Homayoun.

Homayoun is also leaving Oregon for college; she is planning to attend Virginia Tech in the fall and study economics and international relations.

“I’m ready to get away,” says Homayoun. “I am pretty tough and independent. I know how to talk my way through everything.”

Lapsing into silence, communicating only with a wide smile, Homayoun stretches to wish me farewell.

Chris Botti

Before attending Sunset, Chris Botti spent two years of his childhood in Italy. After attending Sunset, Botti became a notable jazz trumpeter.

"When I was 12 or 13, I heard Miles Davis, and I was like, 'Holy s**t!' That's what took the whole thing for me to a personal level, like a knife through butter, it went right through my heart. That beautiful trumpet playing just mesmerized me,” says Botti.

While in college, Botti toured with legendary artists like Frank Sinatra and Buddy Rich. Botti went on to produce Grammy-winning tracks and was named one of People magazine's ‘50 Most Beautiful People’ of 2004.

"I've been touring 300 days a year for the last 10 years. The groundswell of that is really a helluva lot of luck," says Botti.

By Melissa Diamond and Tiana De La Rosa, Staff Writers

Brady Clark

Major League Baseball player Brady Clark graduated with the class of 1991.

His potential as a professional athlete became evident during his time with his alma mater, the University of San Diego’s baseball team from 1992-1995. After being named to the All West Coast Conference team in 1995, his career as a professional baseball player was secured.

Following his graduation from college, he played for a string of minor league teams before making his Major League debut in 2000 with the Cincinnati Reds. He was then traded to the New York Mets for their 2002 season.

Clark then secured a four-year, seven million dollar contract with the Milwaukee Brewers, and later signed to five different teams between 2007 and 2010. He is the only major league player produced

by Sunset thus far.

L. Joe

L. Joe, born Lee Byung Hun, graduated from Sunset and went on to become a Korean pop sensation as a member of the group Teen Top. While some group members were child actors, L. Joe had to go through a rigorous audition process before becoming an official member of the group.

“Beyond songs, I do songwriting. I'm studying songwriting as much as I can so that I can make a song good enough to put on one of our future albums,” says L. Joe. The group first appeared on the music scene in 2010 when they released their smash hit ‘Clap’.

Since then they have released two mini albums and embarked on a European tour.

“It's difficult to see my family these days, so I feel like Teen Top has become even more important to me than my family,” says L. Joe.

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Art by Laurel Benson and Supriya Kapur Photos by: Haily Hargrave

Supriya Kapur

Laurel Benson

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By Braden Prillwitz, Entertainment Editor

Benson, Kapur discover selves through art “Every artist dips his brush in his own soul, and paints his own nature into his pictures,” Henry Ward Beecher once said.

Here at Sunset High School, senior artists Laurel Benson and Supriya Kapur embody the message of this quote through the works they create for their IB Art HL class.

Kapur won the Congressional Art Award for her work, and Benson was a recipient of the Herzog-Meier Scholarship.

“Sunset’s art program has helped me to find my own voice as an artist,” says Kapur.

These two artists’ work could be seen throughout the hallways of Sunset this year. Benson and Kapur both created works of art in distinctly different, extremely unique styles. Both use their art to make personal statements based on their own lives and experiences. However, Benson prefers to use watercolor on large sheets of paper, while Kapur’s medium of choice is charcoal.

“Art is how I naturally express myself...and it means that I have a way of sharing the inner workings of my brain with other people,” says Benson.

Kapur is also aware of the emotional side of her artwork.

“My artwork shows the more thoughtful side of myself, as the dark colors and silhouettes create deep and pensive feelings. Art is an amazing outlet for me,” says Kapur.

Benson enjoys using watercolors because of how quickly they dry. She admires Sunset’s art program for

its flexibility in allowing students to express themselves any way they desire.

“This year, I started using charcoal. I find it to be a really fun medium that allows me to get the shades I want into my piece,” says Kapur Anne Goodrich teaches IB Art SL and HL at Sunset, and students from her class greatly appreciate her style of teaching.

“Sunset’s art program is amazing!

Behind it all is Ms. Goodrich, who definitely deserves a shout out. The classes are geared towards discovering what type of art you’re passionate about, and the classes at Sunset allowed me to see who I was as a painter,” says Benson.

Benson has been able to develop her own messages as an artist and discover what she wants to say through her paintings.

“I usually paint women, for totally normal reasons I’m sure, and I try to capture a certain emotion in each painting. I’m usually inspired to paint when I see that woman do something amazing--like I painted Emma Watson after she cut off all her hair as a big f*** you! Which was cool,” says Benson.

Kapur shares this passion for depicting subjects meaningful to her.

“I love Portland and I draw inspiration from landmarks such as bridges and buildings. I’ve also drawn inspiration from my high school experience, where I’ve met some of the most kind and unique people,” says Kapur.

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post high school plans

By Natalie Valent, Sports and Activities Editor

“Seniors in the class of 2014 are pushing the boundaries and exploring the world. Whether it be in Europe, Oregon or the east coast, seniors are ready to embark upon new journeys and adventures.”

While the vast majority of seniors chose to stay close to home for their next four years, there were a few who couldn’t refuse the prospect of new beginnings and adventure.

Some seniors will even go as far as Europe or Washington DC to pursue such new experiences and environments.

Senior Carlie Makler decided to attend Franklin University in Lugano, Switzerland for her post-secondary education, an institution of only 450 students. The school is accredited by both the United States and the European Union, so options after graduation are endless.

“After spending my junior year as an exchange student in Brazil I caught the travel bug. I was originally looking at the east coast, but then I found Franklin University and fell in love,” said Makler.

The university appealed to Makler because of its highly regarded International Rela

tions degrees and ease of travel.

“My favorite part is that each semester, part of the curriculum is to do ‘academic travel’ with classmates and our professor for two weeks,” said Makler. “Most of the majors offered revolve around international professions such as language or business.”

ignorance of the fact that the blessings we enjoy in America aren’t granted by every government.”

While at West Point, Valluri plans on studying both computer science and electrical engineering. She also plans on learning either Russian or Arabic while at West Point.

“options after graduation are endless.”

Another senior, Neha Valluri, will also be embarking on a unique experience. Valluri will be attending West Point, the United States Military Academy, located in West Point, New York this fall.

“Born in America but from Indian descent, I find it difficult to imagine a life separate from the liberties and securities offered here. I have lived in India and witnessed poverty and corruption,” said Valluri. “As an Army officer I want to lose all

“Afterwards, I would like to continue my education and receive and MBA. Then I am interested in branching into Cyber Command or Military Intelligence in the Army,” said Valluri.

Sunset seniors in the class of 2014 are pushing the boundaries and exploring the world. Whether it be in Europe, Oregon or the on east coast, seniors are ready to embark upon new exciting journeys and other adventures.

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By Hannah Dodge, Public Relations Manager

Senior Taylor Labavitch plans to take a gap year as part of her post-high school plans. “I wanted to take some time for myself to travel and get real-world experience before learning at college,” said Labavitch.

After her return, Labavitch plans to go to college. “I’m planning to see what I’m still interested in after my gap year,” said Labavitch.

By Fiona Bandettini, Staff Writer

By Avery Scofield, Staff Writer

High school is designed to pave the way for students going to college, but seniors Jack Miller and Ethan Bangs answer to a different calling. Both are enlisting in the United States Marine Corps. “Enlistment is something I’ve wanted to do,” said Bangs. “I want to serve my country like others in my family before me.”

Miller and Bangs are looking to serve their country in a way they see as bigger than themselves. “I want to become a part of something meaningful and honorable, and I found that in the Corps,” said M i l l e r. B o t h s e n i o r s a r e a n x i o u s t o leave home and begin training.

“My only reservation is choosing to leave in August,” said Bangs. “If I could go to boot camp the day after graduation, I would,” s a i d M i l l e r.

Junior Thythy Bui is now a senior: she is graduating early to move to her aunt’s house in Sacramento, California. By the time she is 18, she hopes to begin her teaching degree at a college and and move to L.A. to work in the music business. “I hope to find myself and hold onto that person. I want to be successful, but on my own terms,” said Bui.

PHOTOS BY HAILY HARGRAVE

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PHOTOS BY JOE RIEDL

BEST PART OF SENIOR YEAR (SATIRE) “High school was the best four years of my life,” says Anonymous.

By Ria Chang, Staff Writer

“I was pleasantly surprised by how quiet and responsive teacher Greg Pilette was throughout IB Biology. His tests are extremely simple--when he feels like giving them at all--and I barely had to study,” says Ian N.

“Deciding what I want to do in the future. There’s not too many choices available so it’s pretty chill,” says Andrew L.

“The work I put into college applications and the suspence of waiting for results was definitely my favorite part,” says Blake C.

“The switch to proficiency added to the fairness in the grading system,” says Sage S.

“Taking IB exams was the highlight of my high school career, that and writing IAs,” says Anonymous

my childhood

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A recent survey of Sunset high school’s senior population confirmed that the poor kids were unaware of the uncaring world that is real life they will be facing.

“I’m really looking forward to college,” says senior Bob Chen, a salutatorian who has kept good grades solely because he skips every test and then gets the answers from his friends later. “I’m also looking forward to having a lot of new things I can study,” says the young man who did not learn anything in high school, since he has never retained any information except on a test day.

“I’m really looking forward to getting out there on my own, being independent,” senior Sansa Stark adds, unaware that she has been a parasite on her parents’ finances for about 18 years. “I think living by myself will be pretty awesome,” she says before texting her mother (on the bill

that her parents always pay for) to pick her up from school.

“I just want to party hard, you know?” says senior Jock Smith. “I’m done studying, man,” comments the young adult who had a 1.0 GPA and is intent on surviving in a four year university, where he will most likely flunk out in the first year.

“My friends and I are all going to the same place,” says Smith, referring to the individuals who hang out with him because he makes great farting noises.

“This has been an interesting class,” comments local teacher Sean Bean, “I have never seen a group of seniors more willing to skip school days, cheat on assignments and the system for their benefit.” With a wistful smile, Mr. Bean predicts that none of them will emerge unscathed from the harsh realities of real life, but these qualities will certainly help them weather the storm.

By Shreyans Khunteta, Tech Editor

Words of wisdom from

As the school year comes to a close and this year’s seniors are ushered out into the world, a new batch is waiting to take their place. The never-ending cycle of students will continue on beyond the class of 2014, but before these seniors leave, they would like to impart some of their wisdom upon Sunset’s future students. So, here it goes, advice from That’s what it’s the oh-so-experienced almost-graduates.

Balancing your

“Balance. all about. free time, extracurriculars, and schoolwork,” says Ethan Tan.

“Join choir,” says Ryan Imai.

“Try as hard as you can all of the time. This is the foundation for your life. I know that sounds cheesy, but it’s true,” says Gunnar Folkstad.

“Branch out and do what you want to do. If you want to try theater, go audition. If you want to do Apollos Unplugged, do it. If you want to ask someone on a date, go for it. School goes was too fast to be left with a bunch of ‘what if’s,’” says Niall Peters.

“The tides may wash in and out…

The mountains may rise and fall…

Great countries may be consumed by the sea… But IB is forever,” says Laurel Benson.

By Amelia Turnquist, Copy and Opinion Editor

the class of 2014 “When you look back at your four years I promise you that the friendships you made will be what you remember more than any failed tests or late-night homework meltdowns, so spend plenty of time with friends and don’t take the years for granted!” says Ashley Harrison.

“Don’t confuse ‘try everything’ with ‘do everything.’

There are only so many things you can fit into four years, pick which you want to pursue and do them well!” says Bridgette Thurber.

“Don’t just attend school, be a part of it,” says Alex Park.

“Sunset has a diverse student body, so take it as an opportunity to learn rather than an opportunity to judge,” says Kirsten Orr. “Graduation time comes a lot faster than you think.

So enjoy Friday night football games, smile at people you don’t know in the hallways, and be open-minded with who you spend your time with, because at the end of senior year, nobody cares what parties you went to or how cute your outfits were. At the end of senior year, everyone goes their separate ways and what you have left is the memories and friends you made in high school!” says Grace Harestad.

Data Gathered By: Maggie Venoni and Ali Weide, Staff Writers

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