he
TALISMAN a student-edited newspaper
Yarn Crowded
classrooms Bomb
page 4
Syrian refugee crisis page 4 Sheldon High School
Black History Month page 8 vol. 51│iss. 3│Feb 5, 2016
2
Feb. 5, 2016
Technology
the Talisman
Online careers uncovered Sam Lawson and Rachel Bang editor and staff writer Youtube, wedsites, and computer programming are ways for people to start an online career. Within the last decade, the internet has advanced so much that some people are able to make a career out of their online hobbies. Because of the accessibility to start websites, apps, social media, and much more, people are starting to rely on them as a full time job. Junior Summer Dunne, a YouTuber who makes make-up tutorials with over 200,000 subscribers and a student at Sheldon High School, shared her YouTube experience of over three years: “I saw other people making YouTube videos and I
Illustration by Olivia Barnhart
really liked making videos, plus I liked makeup, so the idea [for my YouTube channel] kind of worked together.” Although many people enjoy this hobby as a full time career, Dunne mentioned, “I don’t think of it as a full time career right now. It definitely could [be], but I can’t see myself doing it past my early twenties.” Dunne’s success results from dedication. To meet her goals and please her subscribers, Dunne spends up to five hours or more per week making her videos. Brittany Ting is the owner of the blog measureofattire.blogspot.com, and is in charge of social media for the clothing store Madison and Sixth. Ting also has her own photography blog and has been involved in photography for years. Photography is Ting’s main focus currently and through direct messaging on Twitter stated, “In today’s society, we can post a photo online and hundreds of people can see it in just a few seconds.” Ting added, “I love using Instagram.” Social media allows Ting to promote her photography for her own blog and Madison and Sixth’s clothing line as well. Ting said, “I don’t see it as just a hobby. I would like to make it a career of mine.” Hours and sometimes days go into planning a photo shoot, and in the past it has taken Ting weeks, depending on the shoot, to edit and perfect pictures. Being a photographer like Ting, linked to social media such as Instagram, Facebook, and blogs, is seen as an online career, especially when the amount of time put into it is to the extent that Ting spends. Noah Savage, a senior at Sheldon, had spent about a year making videos and his own content online before he quit. Sponsors found his page and Savage’s hobby turned into a fun career, making $1,200 to $1,300 in the time he spent making content. “The ability to speak and the knowledge of computers,” according to Savage were needed skills for the job and, he added, “It was fun, [but] not super demanding.” Savage’s sponsors started to add advertisements on his videos once he started to make his own content. “I want [to] say [I spent] 15-20 hours a week, mostly on the weekends, [making videos and content].” Working on computers gave Savage an opportunity to learn at his own pace. “I learned a lot about how to project my voice and know my way around computers. I didn’t really have any opportunities to advance, which gave me the chance to move at my own pace,” Savage mentioned. Different online careers gave people such as Dunne, Ting and Savage opportunities to express themselves with fashion, photography and making videos. Viewers of blogs and vlogs are inspired by what these people do. The opportunities to start these careers causes technology and the people using it to only keep on advancing.
Sports
the Talisman
Feb. 5 2016
3
An athlete’s education: four class requirement Cassidy Logan and Hayden Brooke staff writers
If students want to play sports, they need to know that having four classes
is required. It’s part of being organized and being able to take on multiple tasks. Athletes should be aware of the consequences that they will receive if they don’t set their priorities straight. 9th grade algebra teacher and football and baseball coach Tyler Martell said, “Being more than just a teacher but a mentor is a great feeling knowing that I share my knowledge with younger athletes.” Martell believes that playing an athletic sport should be a reward. It’s a way to show that students are taking care of their school work and their priorities but can also manage other tasks. Martell said that most coaches agree that if you can’t get good enough grades to pass you shouldn’t be able to play. The majority of the athletes think that it’s fair that if their grades are not up to par they can’t play. Coaches stress enough that athletes need good grades so it’s not really a surprise to athletes if they can’t play. Martell said, “Later in life students will appreciate the struggle because they will know how to deal with family, work, relationships, and also time to relax.” In terms of homework, athletes should be training themselves to accomplish tasks. Teachers rarely ever show favoritism or more attention to a certain student because teachers don’t really care what athletes do; teachers just support athletes and want them to know the subject they are learning. Teachers expect athletes to get the homework or class work that they missed and complete it or go to the teacher and ask for help. Sheldon wrestling coach Travis Tubbs said, “It is important for athletes to have four classes because it shows they are at school for academics and not just sports. You’re at school to get an education and better yourself.” Having four classes makes it difficult for some student/athletes but others handle it well. It doesn’t affect their playing so it shouldn’t be too hard; keeping caught up is the hard part. Tubbs said, “I hope that teachers aren’t helping athletes with their grades
because if an athlete is really committed they would do the things they need to do. Teachers should know better.” Work load doesn’t really have an effect on the way athletes play, it is how much determination they have and if they are willing to put the work in. Coaches will also open up their rooms so athletes can come in and get some help, not as special treatment but to get caught up on the work they missed. Martell said, “Athletes are held to a higher standard and if they can’t accept the challenge of being an athlete then they shouldn’t be one.” On occasion parents will get upset with the teachers. Some parents think that it’s the teacher’s responsibility to make sure their kid passes the class. If an athlete/student doesn’t have good enough grades they are not able to play. Coaches rarely ever let an athlete play if their grades aren’t up to the standard at which they are supposed to be. There are mistakes with grades, but teachers do a good enough job that most of the time everything is correct. Tubbs commented, “Having a study hall specifically for athletes is treating athletes better than other students. I think having a general study hall room would be very helpful, though.” If athletes don’t have good grades, they should be held accountable for not doing well. Academics should always come first. Playing a sport is a privilege. Health teacher Delia Wenrich said that having four classes must be hard for athletes because of how much pressure they are under to do well academically and athletically. Wenrich said, “I give the grade the student deserves; if they didn’t do the task they were told to do, that is their fault.” Wenrich also said, “Everything a young adult does preps them for the future. You decide your future in high school and now is the time you should be trying your hardest.” Learning about why academics is so important is very interesting. Not only do student athletes have to be organized, they have to manage their time efficiently. Also, they have to be willing to dedicate themselves and their time to school work and athletics.
4
Opinions
Feb. 5, 2016
the Talisman
Too many students, not enough teachers Ayla Bussel co-editor-in-chief My first grade class had 22 students in it. Now, as a senior in high school, I am in classes ranging from 35 to 45 students and beyond. What is the reason behind these enormous class sizes? What risks do big class sizes pose to students, teachers, and families? Gilham Elementary School third grade teacher Nicole Wilson stated, “I have 27 [students] currently [in my class] and have had as many as 33… [With such large classes] students do not get as much individual help because there are simply more kids to help and more behaviors that distract the teacher from teaching and providing individual help.” Wilson commented that the recession and budget cuts over the years have played a big role in the recent increase in class sizes. In order to fix this widespread problem Wilson said, “We simply need to allocate more money to hire more teachers so that we can keep class sizes down. This is going to require big changes in the way states allocate money and the percent of tax money that goes toward education. The public also needs to become more aware of the needs of our education system and be willing to support it.”
year… Although a class may be large, I still have the same material to cover and high expectations and goals for each student. I have a professional and personal commitment to create a meaningful learning experience for students every day.” With students struggling to get the one-on-one attention they need at schools like Sheldon and Gilham, and teachers struggling to ensure that all of their students are grasping the material, it’s easy to see the numerous disadvantages that accompany big classes. Sheldon senior Melissa Rice added that in a class of 35 students “… there is less of a personal connection with the teacher, which may make it harder to ask questions in class. I feel less inclined to speak up because there are so many people I don’t know and don’t have the chance to get to know in a big class.” However, at a smaller private school, students can thrive in their classes. Marist High School senior Heidi Sibole said that her biggest class has roughly 25 students in it. “I really like [having small classes] because you can have intellectual conversations and everyone is involved and everyone pays attention. [Smaller classes offer] more of an open environment, and it’s less intimidating talking in front of smaller groups of people.”
Wilson concluded that with big classes, “Teachers have to work harder to do their job. They put in more time and have more stress. Fewer people want to go into teaching and there is a higher rate of burn out where teachers decide to choose a different career.” Sheldon High School Spanish teacher Lisa Albrich said, “My biggest class was 45 students in Spanish 5 AP/IB/CN… Many sections of Spanish courses run over 40 students every
illustration by Gracie Thompson
Increasing class sizes have had an extreme impact on elementary, middle, and high school students, teachers, and faculty. In order to reduce the amount of students in each class and ensure that all students are getting the help they need, we first and foremost need more funding. We need more teachers, more resources, and more support from the district. If class sizes continue to increase, kids will continue to slip through the cracks, and our education system will begin to crumble. Before this problem escalates even further, we must create a realistic solution and act fast.
Syrian refugee crisis Harrison Nabors editor March 15, 2011, what the Syrian Opposition coined “The Day of Rage” was the start of the Syrian Civil War. This was a war that would go down in history, as we’ve seen every element of war, from guerrilla street fighting to collateral damage. In between all of this are non-combatant civilians. Women, men and children attempting to escape imminent violence have fled their homeland. Suspicion of the refugees being part of ISIL has been a major issue of debate amongst politicians and citizens alike. In order to remain an exceptionally benevolent nation, America must handle the situation with caution, for mistakes could contribute to lethal consequences. English teacher Jeremy Washburn said he doesn’t believe ISIL is “an existential threat to the United States of America.” Mr. Washburn later added, “If we create an inclusive society, it will diminish a person’s desire to hurt that society.” Social studies teacher, Brian Brancato stated: “[ISIL] doesn’t hide the fact they want to, or plan to harm Americans.” Campus Supervisor Darin Henry added: “In my [Indigenous American] tradition, we help people in need.” Currently, 31 states reject refugees from Syria and Iraq, despite the fact the crisis has been going on for over four years. In a 2014 interview with Fox News Texas Senator Ted Cruz said, “We have to continue to be vigilant to make sure that those coming are not affiliated with the terrorists, but we can do that.” At the time, Texas had taken in the second largest number of refugees of any state. Cruz has now proposed legislation to ban Syrian refugees and in a 2015 interview with Fox News stated it was “nothing short of lunacy” for President Barack Obama to back the plan to bring 10,000 Syrian refugees into the U.S.
We put refugees through layer after layer of screening, even comparing their fingerprints to those acquired from explosive devices in the Middle East. In the case of Paris, however, France ignored warnings of the plot from Israeli, Turkish, and Iraqi intelligence, a fatal mistake that America wouldn’t make. In 2012, the Heritage Foundation think tank reported that since 2001, there have been 50 radical Islamic inspired terror attacks thwarted by American Intelligence. Recent attacks in Cologne, Germany have also proved that something is grossly wrong. In an interview with CNN, an unidentified victim said, “We ran to the police. But we saw the police were so understaffed, they couldn’t take care of us and we as women suffered the price.” Many accounts like this have been made, all due to the understaffing of police: The police chief was subsequently fired for his inaction. However, in the fall of 2015, German Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere reported that collectively, refugees are, in fact, no more likely to commit crimes than native Germans. While claims against taking in refugees are legitimate, the horrors the refugees are forced to endure is incomprehensible to people who live in the U.S., where a dead lion makes front page news and lottery tickets are worth over a billion dollars. The United States is currently in a war. We shouldn’t fail to recognize that. We also shouldn’t compromise our dignity and morals out of fear. In all issues, it is key to work together. Abraham Lincoln once said, quoting the New Testament, “A House divided against itself cannot stand.” These words are made evident today.
Student Spotlight
the Talisman
Feb. 5, 2016
5
Student by day, employee by night Melissa Berry & Kenadie Kucinski staff writers Students at Sheldon are involved in many activities, including sports and clubs. In addition, many students at Sheldon also have jobs. The students may need these jobs to help support themselves and/or their families, or because they just want spending money. Either way, this task can interfere with school. Many students have to find a way to balance their work schedule with their schoolwork, and it may sometimes be difficult to do so. Finding a job simply because you need it is one thing, but getting a job that’s something you love doing is another. Sophomore Hannah Nason has a job at Gymnastics Northwest helping little kids do gymnastics. Nason said, “I decided to get this job because I did gymnastics there for ten years and I really enjoy it.” Nason said that having a job that is enjoyable is far more fulfilling than a job that isn’t. In order to successfully balance one’s daily routine, having a planner to properly schedule one’s workload would be a big help. Getting tasks over with early and using time wisely will also help with time management. Senior Takayla Johnson, who works at a local McDonalds, said she has to get ready quickly in order to make it to work on time after school, “I just have to make sure that all of my gear for work is ready so I can quickly get changed after school.” Johnson later added, “I sometimes work on my homework during my break at work so that I won’t be staying up late doing it after work.” Johnson’s strategies are key for her to maintain her work load without getting too stressed out. Many people who go to Sheldon also may not have jobs, but are interested in getting one such as sophomore Sophie Brennan who stated, “I would consider getting a job because once I start driving by myself, then I could work around my schedule for my job.” Others may be a bit hesitant about getting a job because school takes up so much of their time. Overall, Sheldon students who have jobs are able to develop high-quality time management skills so they can stay on top of their daily routine. Expanding these skills early will benefit students in the long-run.
Yes ve-gan! Kobe Mitchell staff writer High school - it’s a constant struggle to fit in with others, keep awake in those never ending classes, and try to maintain a mediocre grade point average so you don’t get grounded. Just imagine juggling a difficult diet in a community full of forbidden foods. Sophomore Jaden Bellamy is one of the rare vegans at Sheldon High School. When asked her hardest experience as a vegan she stated jokingly, “Probably not being able to eat cookies or chocolate anymore.” Bellamy also said, “Everyone believes I am vegan and that I brag about my lifestyle and criticize others for being different; this is untrue and hurtful.” Sheldon High School sophomore Liam Frans was happy to state his opinion on vegans. Frans said, “I have heard of vegans being pushy and annoying about their diet, and based on my experiences I find this to be true.” However, Frans admires people who maintain a vegan diet and said, “I couldn’t keep a diet like that. The only vegan food I like is apples because they keep the doctor away.” Despite his inability to contain his food-based puns, Frans claimed he “could not eat a veggie burger without gagging, so anyone who can stomach such a meal is pretty impressive. Sophomore Breanna Lindsey added, “I think it would be very hard to be a vegan; you are changing your whole lifestyle and I don’t think I would have the ability to do that.” Lindsey was pretty disappointed on hearing the stereotype Frans mentioned about vegans being pushy. “I have a couple vegan friends and we are pretty close… they are nothing like that,” Lindsay added. However, she agreed with Frans on the topic of garden burgers: “I have tried a garden burger before, but it wasn’t really for me; I like meat on my burgers.” We all have our own hobbies and personal things we enjoy, so we shouldn’t ridicule others based off of what we eat. Sometimes we forget that underneath our unique skin are gory organs that make us the same. Next time you meet a vegan do not act on your assumptions about them, but instead try to gain a better understanding of their lifestyle. We should treat others the way we want to be treated.
photo manipulation by Harrison Nabors
6
Sheldon Spotlight
Coffee cart prices on the rise Gracie Thompson variety editor Sheldon’s Coffee Cart is one of this school’s many attractions. From the endless creative drinks, like the Snickers Latte, the Coffee Cart is a fun opportunity for students to enjoy coffee and gain work experience. The prices of the items available vary from hot drinks to specialty beverages to food items. Many of the prices have been altered this year and most, if not all, have increased. Senior Josiah Darland who had help from Mr. Phillipo to change the prices this year said, “We needed to make more money, basically to get out of debt.” Darland enjoys working in the Coffee Cart. He later added, “It gives me a hands-on experience about what a barista job would be like, and making new drinks is fun.” Junior Maya Dickinson said, “While I encourage the Coffee Cart to pursue financial success, I do not think increasing prices will help them increase the amount of sales they make.” Dickinson later mentioned, “If I had to come up with a new drink for the Coffee Cart, I would make a blended Red Bull drink - similar to the ‘Rebels’ sold at Dutch Bros.” Junior Madolyn Dockery also voiced her opinion about the new Coffee Cart prices: “I noticed a fifty cent raise in prices. I think it is okay because you still get a cheaper drink than you would get at a local coffee shop.”
Photo by Santiago Spradling
The Coffee Cart is a fun place for students to enjoy convenient snacks and drinks right inside their own school. It provides a unique learning opportunity for Sheldon students as well. The prices may have increased this year, but the
Parking violators pay the price Aidan Acord & Tyler Coombs staff writers
We have all seen how chaotic the parking lot can get at times. Believe it or not, there are people who try to keep things in order. It costs $20 per trimester to park in the Sheldon parking lot and you can get a ticket if you park without a pass. Finance clerk Julia Girod said, “The craziest thing that’s happened in the parking lot in memory is that someone somehow accumulated over $200 in parking fees.” The money from parking permits and tickets go primarily towards paying for extra hours for campus supervisors Darin Henry and Shawn Peterson to patrol the parking lot and as extra money for special projects and maintenance.
When someone who paid for parking can’t find a parking space because the lot is full, they are forced to park elsewhere. This can create issues, such as a teacher’s parking space getting taken by a student. Campus supervisor Shawn Peterson said, “The most common problem is students taking teacher parking for themselves.” Students can have their parking passes revoked if numerous reports of parking violations have been filed against them. We may be seeing reinvasions on the parking lot in the near future because every year the parking spaces are getting filled sooner and sooner due to too many students and too few parking spaces.
Photo by Santiago Spradling
7
Community Spotlight
Mary Jane: most popular one in class Madelyne Gibson & Kai’li Matiaco staff writers
In many high school movies, drugs are shown as a relief and a good way to have fun at parties, but in reality they are a very prevalent issue on high school campuses. A group of people who hang out near McDonald’s during lunch and after school have proven to be a major source of concern in the local community. Campus resource officer Savage said, “Sheldon has 8-10 drug searches each month. Complaints regarding McDonald’s are a community problem and not just Sheldon’s. When we go down there, we discover that most people there are not Sheldon students.”
students that the worst drugs involve needles. Sophomore Jack Gibson said, “In my previous health classes, we’ve been told to stay away from sticking needles in your arm.”
When asked what he thought of when he heard the word drugs, sophomore Chad Simon stated, “I think of the bad ones like heroin, meth, etc.” Simon wasn’t the only student to mention this. Seven of the ten students interviewed mentioned drugs like meth when asked the same question. This may be because of our health classes which tend to teach
100 Sheldon students were anonymously asked if they had tried any sort of drugs, including medical prescriptions, marijuana, alcohol, etc. to get a high. 66% of students interviewed had tried some sort of drug. Of the 66 students who had tried a drug, 56% had tried marijuana.
Although drugs are a major topic in our health classes, some students and teachers can’t tell when another student is high in class. Social studies teacher Mary Youngblood-Lee said that because she has never had any experience with drugs she can’t tell when one of her students comes into class high.
Illustration by Gracie Thompson
Shakespeare’s First Folio: on tour Sam Fox co-editor-in-chief
‘Shakespeare’ is a name that generally gets people very excited. Whether people are excited because they love Shakespeare or because they want to debate the numerous conspiracies that surround his life – people become excited. However, without the people who collected all of his plays, even those that had been unpublished previously, and compiling them into one book after his death, the English language and overall worldwide culture would be entirely different. According to the Folger Shakespeare Library website, “When William Shakespeare died in 1616, only about half of his plays had ever been printed in small one-play editions called quartos. Another 18 plays are known today only because they are included in the 1623 First Folio, the first collected edition of the play.” This year marks the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death, and, to commemorate it, the Folger Library (which has 82 of the 233 known surviving copies of Shakespeare’s First Folio) is touring some of their copies throughout the U.S. The website of the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art, which has been the home to the First Folio while it’s in Eugene, stated, “[The] First Folio will make its first stop here in Eugene, offering visitors a chance to see the book itself, open to Hamlet’s famous ‘To Be or Not To Be’ [soliloquy].”
Fourth Folio photo by Greg Cantwell
The room that the Folio is in is a small but impressive room. Dark, as most art museums are, with spotlights on what needs to be noticed, the room has a bit of an odd environment. The walls are covered in posters that give fun facts about different Shakespearean subjects, as well as the Folger library. The Jordan Schnitzer website relayed, “Additional materials from the UO Libraries Special Collections and University Archives add context to the exhibition. These include the second and fourth folios of Shakespeare’s collected works, the first folio of the works of playwright Ben Jonson, and illustrations for an edition of The Tempest by English artist Walter Crane.” The exhibit is impressive and something any person who is a fan of Shakespeare would enjoy seeing. With free admission, the folio will hopefully touch the lives of many of the inhabitants of Eugene. It can be seen on the U of O campus through Sunday, February 7. Illustration by Gracie Thompson
8 Feb. 5, 2016
Around the World
the Talisman 016
Black History Month
Claire Lehnert staff writer Black History Month is an important time of year in the U.S. It is a time to acknowledge the achievements of African Americans and recognize the central role they have had in American history. This month-long celebration in February began in 1926 as Negro History Week. Historian Carter G. Woodson and the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History chose the second week of February for the week of recognition because the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglas both fell on that week. Negro History Week grew in popularity until 1976, when the leaders of the Black United Students at Kent State University officially expanded it to the entire month of February and the name was changed to Black History Month. For many people, Black History Month is an extremely important time of year. Black History Month is a valuable opportunity to celebrate the rich history of African Americans that is woven into the fabric of America. Junior student Bella Brown acknowledged the value of Black History Month: “I think it’s a good educational opportunity because there aren’t many African American people living in Eugene, so it’s good to know about other parts of the country, especially because racism is still a problem.” This event inspires schools and communities to establish history clubs, host performances and lectures, and hold local celebrations such as parades. Every American president since 1976 has endorsed a specific theme to add to the celebrations, with last year’s being “A Century of Black Life, History, and Culture.” This year’s theme will be “Hallowed Grounds: Sites of African American Memories.” All of these ad-
Everything is A-OK Olivia Barnhart and Isabella Bratland artist and page editor
February 17 is National Random Acts of Kindness Day. This day was created to encourage the idea of spontaneously doing something good for someone else to make his or her day. Although doing so is not routine for most people, this day introduces the idea while bringing smiles to many faces. Freshman Chloe Lee said, “[National Random Acts of Kindness Day is] not as known as it should be. If more people knew about it, it could really help [make a difference].” Though not many people know about this day, it always feels good when someone cares enough to do something nice for another. Spreading the word about Random Acts of Kindness Day
Fam gat ilies h the ered a ma MLK t r Eug ch in e Jan ne o n u 201 ary 1 8 6 ,
ditions to the celebration make February a month full of rich African American culture. However, this time of year is met with a good share of controversy. For all of its positive qualities, many people feel that confining the celebration of black history to one month out of the year may be the wrong approach. Sheldon principal Dr. Bob said, “I feel that it isn’t the correct way to address the contributions of any people. It should be a normal part of how we learn about our history and about people who started enormous changes… No race or culture should be relegated to one month.” Junior Jessica Giulietti shared a similar sentiment, “I think that having a Black History Month just separates [their culture] more.” There is no doubt that Black History Month was created with the best intentions, but as we’ve moved away from slavery and racism in our country, perhaps it’s time to stop separating African American history from American history. In the words of Dr. Bob, “Our time would be better spent if we were inclusive in how we recognize the mosaic - the quilt - that makes up our history.” It goes without saying that to look at and appreciate history is a positive, educational experience, and Black History Month is an excellent opportunity to do that. The month gives people a chance to, in the words of Bella Brown, “Learn about something they may not know about or be exposed to regularly.” The very concept of Black History Month raises questions, though. Are we exposed to African American history regularly? Why does the celebration need to be confined to a month? What began as a week to raise awareness of the contributions of African Americans to our country has, with time, taken on a different role. While Black History Month is undoubtedly valuable to our society, it’s time to stop separating it from American history and start working toward understanding, acceptance, and equality for all.
will help people take the initiative to get involved. One good deed can influence others to want to do the same. Freshman Carson Walter said, “By doing something positive in our community, it leads to better karma, which in turn helps others around us to be more positive and take initiative to do better things, such as a random act of kindness. It creates a chain reaction.” Every society is greatly affected by the people within it. Citizens doing things out of kindness for each other builds a stronger nation as a whole. Freshman Madison Rogers said, “[A year or two ago] on New Year’s Eve, my friends and I went [to the store] to buy a bunch of food, and this guy came up and offered to pay for all of it.” A small act of kindness with nothing expected in return is always well remembered. If a person cares to do something small now, it can be a memory for both the giver and receiver that will make the receiver appreciate the kindness of others.
photos by Melissa Berry
LGBTQ+
the Talisman
Feb. 5 2016
“They’re” not going to believe this Sam Fox co-editor-in-chief
In this ever-changing world it is necessary to stay on top of things to make sure that a person’s self-identity is not being disrespected. It is important when talking about gender identity to first identify the difference between gender and sex. To many people the words are entirely synonymous, but to those who identify as something other than what they were born as, these terms couldn’t be more different. Sex is what a person is assigned at birth and is defined by the organs and hormones in and on a person’s body. Gender is what someone feels most comfortable as. For instance, a transgender girl’s sex at birth is medically defined as male, but her gender is female. Once that truth has been established, the subject becomes a lot less confusing, and it becomes easier to educate oneself. With a subject like gender-identity, many people fear offending others when addressing them, worrying about using the incorrect pronoun. The simplest way to prevent this is to use the pronoun “they” which is considered a gender-neutral term. Though most who are well versed in English grammar will say that it is grammatically incorrect to use the words “they” or “them” when identifying a single subject, ‘they’ has actually become the ideal pronoun to use when unsure of someone’s gender. According to Washington Post’s writer Jeff Guo, “Singular ‘they,’ the gender-neutral pronoun, has been named the Word of the Year by a crowd of over 200 linguists at the American Dialect Society’s annual meeting in Washington, D.C., on [January 8, 2016].” Guo also wrote, “Singular they… is already a common habit in American speech. [As] an example: ‘Everyone wants their cat to succeed.’ Earlier, the so-called proper way to say it would have been, ‘Everyone wants his or her cat to succeed.’ But what gave this word new prominence was its usefulness as a way to refer to people who don’t want to be called ‘he’ or ‘she.’” Washington Post’s copy editor Bill Walsh wrote, “Trans and genderqueer awareness will raise difficult questions down the road, with some people requesting newly invented or even individually made-up pronouns. The New York Times, which unlike The Post routinely uses the honorifics Mr., Mrs., Miss and Ms., recently used the gender-neutral Mx. at one subject’s request. But simply allowing ‘they’ for a gendernonconforming person is a no-brainer. And once we’ve done that, why not allow it for the most awkward of those he or she situations that have troubled us for so many years?” As a society, leaps and bounds have been made in terms of gender rights. The fact that there is now a commonly used pronoun that people can feel comfortable using to talk about a person’s gender or identity is amazing. Senior Ryann Baimbridge concluded, “You do you. What a person does or feels is their own business. Everyone has the right to do what they want and no one should be able to take that away.”
Eugene Eyewear We Have the Latest Fashions in Eyewear:
*Versace *Juicy Couture *Christian Dior *Dolce & Gabbana *Giorgio Armani *BCBG *Vera Wang *Candies *Prada *DKNY *Coach *Nine West *Ray Ban *Kate Spade We bill most insurances including Regence Blue Cross Blue Shield, Pacific Source, VSP, Eyemed, Providence, Moda, Trillium/OHP and many more.
Dr. Steve Jung, Optometrist 207 Coburg Road, Suite 105 Eugene, OR 97401 Ph:541-388-4844 M-Fri 9-6 Sat 9-3 Located next to TJ Maxx
We already use they as a singular pronoun, why can’t we use it as a genderless pronoun? illustration by Gracie Thompson
9
10
Variety
Feb. 5, 2016
the Talisman
heldon stereotypes Lindsay Kitzel, Brad Wilson, & Will Thomas staff writers
Stereotypes are an annoying inconvenience, and there are stereotypes for almost everything and everyone. Here at Sheldon High School there are stereotypes that almost everyone knows about. According to sophomore Gio Vasquez, “Sheldon is the rich and preppy school.” Although there are many stereotypes, there is always one that gives the school its reputation. Across other 4j schools, there are many stereotypes that correspond with their students.
Katelyn Foutz said, “Some choose to agree and support them and others ignore them or don’t care.” Foutz added that English teacher Sinde Fitz said that students from other schools think that students from Sheldon are preppy. Teachers need to recognize what’s going on around the school and how it affects the student body. This would result in a more positive atmosphere around Sheldon High School.
On a more positive note, Sheldon is also known for its high graduation rate and good education. Sophomore Sam Meier stated, “Sheldon has good honors and IHS programs.” Sheldon High School acquires good athletes that excel in both their sports and schooling. At Sheldon, 4j staff and teachers have an effect on the stereotypes that float around the school. Freshman illustrations by Gracie Thompson
Overall, stereotypes have a big impact on the 4j student body. There is obviously no solution to people sharing their opinions. Starting stereotypes in the first place causes trouble and can hurt people’s feelings so it’s not good to start them or pass them around.
Variety
the Talisman
Feb. 5, 2016
11
Is freedom of expression allowed in school? Ryan Fields and Jared Godin staff writers High school is full of hormonally-insane teens, some of whom want to express their newfound freedom. Some dress questionably to do so. Sheldon freshman Loriah Inah stated her opinion on the matter of students dressing provocatively. “Everybody should be able to dress the way they please when they please.” Inah further said, “I believe that if a dress code was enforced, students would act angrily or not follow it causing more problems than if there wasn’t a dress code at Sheldon.” Sophomore Aidan Clifford stated, “Girls, boys, everyone should be free to express themselves with the ability to dress in a way they please, even if others find it provocative.” Sophomore Breanna Lindsey stated,
“Students should be able to wear whatever they want and to not be discriminated against by anyone. Also, I believe that the dress code will become less strict over the years.” In conclusion, we should all learn to become more conscious not only of what we wear, but how the way we dress provokes others’ thoughts of us. Everybody wants to be free, but nobody wants to be ridiculed for being themselves. And in high school the hardest thing is dodging rumors, lies, and slander.
Substitute teachers save the day Jacob Williams staff writer Substitute teachers are a huge part of school. They can be the difference between life and death. Well, maybe not life and death, but they are extremely important to any school. When teachers are sick, or are not able to make their class, that’s when the sub swoops in and saves the day. Rob Stein, a substitute teacher for 4j really enjoys his job and prefers being a sub compared to being a full time teacher. Stein said, “I don’t miss the extra work regular teachers must do, in addition to preparing for classes and grading.” Stein works 4-5 days a week in the Eugene and Springfield area. He prefers subbing for classes such as English, social studies, PE, and special ed. Stein said, “Sheldon is my favorite high school, as I know quite a few students from subbing at Monroe and Cal Young.” Subbing can also be very difficult. “I recently had an issue with two students who refused to do their work assigned and were disruptive to others: I
try to downplay behavior problems and give the kids options to have them feel successful.” Stein added, “I rarely have to write referrals but have done so when necessary.” Stein is very happy with his job and hopes to sub for many more years to come. Wade Powell is a substitute teacher for both middle and high school. Powell said, “I like the level of discourse of high school students.” Powell also added, “Because most students know me, they still treat me well like a regular teacher. I don’t get people messing with me because I’m a sub.” Powell has been teaching for fifteen years and just recently retired his full time teaching job. Powell loves coming back and subbing because of the obligations he doesn’t have to worry about anymore. Powell said, “For me it’s like going to a party almost; you know, it’s fun.” Junior Jenner Higgins said of substitute teachers, “I like having a sub if they treat me well and are productive in class.” Higgins has had substitutes for his entire schooling career. “I feel like most students feel like it’s an off day when they
Rob Stein is a sustitute teacher who is often seen aroung Sheldon and is therefore known to many students. see a sub,” Higgins said; “I feel the opposite and I like to help them in any way I can to make their job easier.” Higgins loves meeting new teachers and learning in a fun and safe environment. Schools wouldn’t be able to function without substitute teachers there to save the day.
Run by students, for students. Managing editor & co-editor-in-chief Ayla Bussel Features editor & co-editor-in-chief Sam Fox Technology editor Isabella Bratland Sports editor Kenadie Kucinski Opinions and LGBTQ+ editor Bailea Nance Student spotlight editor Harrison Nabors Around the World editor Melissa Berry Variety 10 editor Gracie Thompson Variety 11 editor Sam Lawson Social media editors Rachel Bang & Sam Lawson Artists Gracie Thompson & Olivia Barnhart Staff adviser Greg Cantwell Staff writers Aidan Acord Hayden Brooke Tyler Coombs Ryan Fields Madelyne Gibson Jared Godin Claire Lehnert Cassidy Logan Kai’li Matiaco Kobe Mitchell William Thomas Jacob Williams Bradley Wilson
cover photo: Santiago Spradling
Read The Talisman digitally on Issuu or download the Issuu app.
Follow @typicaltalisman