Love is an Open Door
Bo Soloman staff writer
The season of love is near, and cupid is watching over us. Valentine’s Day is a day of laughs and cries, single people longing for their chance for love, and couples cherishing their relationships. Senior Kailynn Wright has had her past struggles with Valentine’s Day, but she has now found love. “I think it takes a lot of aspects to start a relationship with someone. I think you have to be mature enough, and have enough room in your life to commit to somebody,” said Wright.
It’s always tough to be able to start a relationship, and the environment one is in can heavily affect that. “I think the Sheldon dating scene is a lot of reuse and recycle,” Wright said.
Being able to love is something that comes from within, and one must be ready to commit. It can take people many years to find love, but the future can wait. The present is the most important time to work on
yourself. Senior Ryan McCondochie, who has found love before, said, “It took me 6570 days to find love, but once I did, it felt like running the 400 meter dash.” Finding the right person is hard, but once they are found, something inside sparks and it feels magical. Junior Myles Kincaid has had this same theory. “Fortnite is a lot like dating, you can pick and choose. Why choose a common when you can have a legendary?” said Kincaid. Everyone has a Valentine’s Day wish, one wish they dream about at night, hoping it comes true. It could be anything. “All I wish for on Valentine’s Day is Star Wars Lego sets and Vbucks,” said Kincaid.
graphics by Khaya Ainis-Michael
Relationship Realities
Channy No staff writer
According to OnlineDivorce.com, less than 2% of high school relationships end in marriage. Why then are so many students in a relationship? “I think that a lot of high school students, myself included, are just really lonely.” said senior Nima Rejai.
People often search for companionship and finding a partner can fill the hole that is present in many students. Although relationships can temporarily cure loneliness, “You have to find yourself first. It’s a cold world and warmth comes from the inside,”said Rejai. Loneliness is a problem that many people face but without knowing yourself first, rushing into a relationship is only a temporary solution.
Senior Eli Forsha and senior Melia Markel are currently in the honeymoon phase of their relationship and had many things to say about their relationship. “I’ve never been happier and every day is sunshine and rainbows
now,” said Markel. Forsha and Markel started dating after the encouragement of many of their friends, and although at first they were against the idea they soon couldn’t resist each other.
On the other side of the spectrum, many students haven’t been in a relationship all throughout high school. “I haven’t been in a relationship in my whole life and I’m really feeling it. At this point, I’d start dating anything with legs,” said senior Liam Flannigan.
Flannigan opened up about the feelings that many students have, feelings of loneliness and isolation. However, Flannigan knows exactly what to do if he ever gets into a relationship. “Communication is the most important and I would text and F\acetime my girlfriend every day,” said Flannigan. Communication is a very important part of a healthy relationship and that is illustrated in Flannigan’s comments.
Communication is a key part of any relationship and that is evident in many successful relationships. Although high school relationships remain a controversial topic, many students continue to pursue them.
Serving the Community Through CAS Projects
Chloe Battin editor-in-chief
Senior year is one of the most exciting and simultaneously stressful times during the high school experience. This is especially true for International High School and International Baccalaureate (IHS/IB) students. During their junior and senior years, IHS/ IB students must complete experiences that involve creative, active, and service (CAS) hours. This includes a senior project to hone creative, community, and teamwork skills.
Seniors Julianna Laban, Braden Papé, Nathan Sheley, Brody Kennedy, Asher Olsen, and Quincy Peterson created a Christmas pop album called “A Very Irish Christmas” for their CAS project. The album features classic Christmas songs like “Deck the Halls” and “White Christmas.” Papé said he enjoyed the entire creative process, especially when his group got to record the songs. “It’s so out of left field for all of us… None of us have a background in music or singing which makes it way funnier,” said Papé.
Part of the fun also came from seeing Sheldon students’ and staff’s reactions to the album. Laban was amazed to see
Mic Drop: Podcasts at Sheldon
Khaya Ainis-Michael page editor
how well their CAS project was received around the school. “I think that’s super cool that we get to share this piece of media we made with the whole school,” said Laban.
Laban and Papé are not the only seniors who have completed their project. Seniors Ivy Davis, Caroline Fricke, and Finn Matiskella created a podcast about their time in IB. The group fittingly named their podcast F.I.C. after each of its members. Their episodes consist of discussions of their favorite or least favorite IHS classes, memorable moments during their time in IHS, or advice for new IHS students. “We share our personal stories and anecdotes about the [classes] and how [they] affected us,” said Davis.
Senior projects are not the only aspect of the CAS
experience. IHS/IB juniors began earning hours earlier this year. For many juniors, getting a chance to give back to their community is the most special part of their CAS experience. “I love volunteering at Greenhill, [and] getting to work with dogs every weekend is so special… It’s almost a bit therapeutic to… set some time out of my day and do something to help others,” said junior Rosemary Ruiz.
IHS/IB students must have at least 100 hours by the end of their senior year, which can seem daunting. Even so, junior Flora Stubert felt “it’s really not that difficult to accumulate them.” The idea of volunteering for a nonprofit organization can seem like a hassle, but there are many opportunities for IHS/IB students to get their hours on time.
According to Fricke, the fun of creating senior projects is coming up with an idea to go “out with a big bang” and “leave an impact.” The fun of the CAS experience lies in knowing one can do something that brings joy to another.
Humanity has always had ways of entertaining themselves. First there were books, then plays, then movies and TV, and most recently, podcasts. Although they are still relatively new in terms of entertainment, podcasts have gained a ton of popularity. According to Pew Research Center, an average of around 75% of Americans in 2023 listened to podcasts regularly. This is the exact same statistic as the amount of Americans who regularly read books in 2021. But why have podcasts seen such popularity? Seeing as they are still so new, especially in comparison to books which have been around since practically the dawn of time.
Senior Joy Noa is one of the hosts of the Sources of Strength podcast. The podcast centers around current events and mental health in Sheldon. Many of these episodes can get very personal, and they usually go into recording without a script which helps make it feel more authentic. “I think a lot of people really like being able to relate to somebody that [has similar experiences],” said Noa. This can add a lot to the
appeal
of a podcast, over something like a book or a movie. Those are pre-written and have been through many, many drafts. Podcasts (for the most part) are more raw and from the heart. Because it’s just people sitting and talking, it adds a sense of relatability that something like a movie might not have.
IHS Global Health teacher Erika Peterson agrees with this idea. She co-hosts a podcast along with her friend. In their podcast, they analyze horror movies. They combine her passion for horror with her cohosts passion for media analysis and try to find deeper meanings to some of their favorite movies. “They’re easily accessible. Anybody can listen to them, anybody can make their own podcast. They can make a podcast about whatever, including things that aren’t getting a lot of major media attention,” said Peterson. If one is
the creator of the podcast, this format makes it easier to share information. If one is the listener, more information can be found on a niche topic. Podcasts take a lot less time to make than something like a book or a movie, which means it’s a lot easier for a podcast to be relevant with current events and for them to stay up-todate on topics.
Junior Dylan Ward created a two-episode podcast for his KRVM radio class. He enjoys the ease of podcasts. “The ideas are laid out right in front of you… podcasts are direct commentary on a subject that is easy to follow,” said Ward. In contrast, books and movies tend to cause the consumer to need to read between the lines a little bit more. This makes podcasts an easy thing to have on in the background as they require a little less focus. Of course, podcasts can still be analytical, but the format itself is much less interpretive.
Podcasts, while still being relatively new, have taken the entertainment industry by storm. And have only been growing ever since their conception. While they are very similar to the things that have come before, they are also something completely new, which only furthers their appeal.
graphic by Chloe Battin
Coaching: Life During the Off Season
CJ Jones staff writer
Life during the season can be almost overwhelming for an athlete. A sport can consume every ounce of time and energy a person has depending on how committed they are, and coaches are no different. In fact, coaches dedicate all the time they have. They plan the practices, meals, and everything in between, so quite practically, the sport is their life. This brings up the questions, during the offseason, what are the coaches up to and how do they occupy themselves?
Head baseball coach Brian Vogel said that helping the players stay motivated on the field as well in the classroom is a big part of what he focuses on. Vogel often hosts workouts as an opportunity for those who want the extra work and as a tool to help keep his players involved. “We are lifting and trying to put muscle on to keep your body in shape,” Vogel said, “and we primarily focus on agility, speed, core, and a mix of plyometrics.” Most of the offseason is on the players. However, there are many mistakes to be made. “If you don’t hold up your end of the
bargain, school work starts to slip,” said Vogel, “and as a teacher, I try to keep an eye on them and help them with all their needs.”
Football plays a big role in Sheldon’s culture as well. Head coach Tyler Martel is as committed to the program as any has ever been and is heavily dedicated to maintaining the success achieved in years past. Similar to Vogel, academics come before your sport. “I try to give kids time to finish school off strong,” Martel said, “but at the same time, we try to keep the kids who want to get work in, all the resources they need.” A lot of the football-related stuff that occupies his time is gear inventory and planning to start incorporating incoming groups into the program. Martel said, “We don’t do any scouting or worry about any other outside noise. We focus all of our attention on the Irish.”
There is never a dull moment for a coach at any point during the year. A lot of their energy time is spent on game planning for the upcoming season and keeping up with future or present athletes. Here at Sheldon the coaches are the best of the best and would give everything for the program and the kids involved.
Wrestling: Memories On the Mat
Summer Hime page editor
During every wrestling meet here at Sheldon, there’s more happening off the mat than anyone might expect… Just ask senior Brayden Stucky. As the team’s new manager with over eight years of experience in wrestling himself, Stucky has kept everything running smoothly throughout Sheldon’s team this year. Whether that’s coaching newcomers through the basics, or sitting near the sidelines ready to shout out advice and support during junior varsity matches, Stucky’s contribution towards the team’s success has never faltered. “I’m very impressed with how some of these kids are doing. They learn quickly and are very athletic, which I’m happy about! I don’t think I’d change anything for us at the moment,” said Stucky. Through his time on the team this year, Stucky’s influence has remained sturdy. One of his key responsibilities has been to help new wrestlers develop their skills and confidence, which is a task he finds easier than expected, due to the team’s quick learning skills. “I teach them the basics, and some get it quicker than others.
A good example of that would be [junior] Carter Norton; he’s a defensive person and I taught him how to take switches, which he learned very quickly. It’s important to do that here,” Stucky said.
As it’s true for most people joining a new sport, a recurring objective for aspiring wrestler Norton has been to learn everything he needs in order to compete with the best knowledge he can. Norton’s ultimate goal in joining the team was to focus on developing skills he gained from previous sports, and through the process he’s found great entertainment in slamming around his competitors. He’s chosen to go about it through a tenacious and forceful approach, which he sees as the best way to go about keeping control on the mat. “I know I can be good at anything if I stick with what I’m doing. Plus, the way the team has already started to feel like a second family to me inspires me to do better; we all keep each other accountable,” said Norton.
On the other hand, junior Gadiel Gonzalez is known on the team as a more experienced wrestler, with aspirations set on success in the sport. With this year being his second on the team, Gonzalez has learned that for him, the most
important tool for success is the mindset you go into the matches with. In his words, “You can be strong, and even have more technique than the person you’re going against. But if they have that headspace you wanna be in... there will be a fair chance.”
Gonzalez’s focus on mindset has not only shaped his approach to tournaments, but helped in influencing mindfulness of his physical self outside of the sport. He believes that through dedication, self-discipline, and perseverance, improvement will always follow. Through the many tournaments Gonzalez has attended, the greatest achievement for him has been the satisfaction of recognizing his own growth and advancement. “I see myself improving in matches… Not just technique wise, but mentally. Looking over videos of my matches, I’ll see points where I get tired, and then have to get over that.” Gonzalez said.
As the season continues on, this years set of wrestlers have all proven to be driving forces for the team. Athletes like these prove Sheldon’s wrestling program is building a legacy of grit and camaraderie. that will last for years to come.
photo by Summer Hime Samuel Koch (Jr) up against an opposing wrestler from Willamette Highschool.
photo by Summer Hime Carter Norton (Jr) pinning an opposing player from Springfeild, after throwing him to the floor.
photo by Summer Hime (top left and right) Samuel Koch (So) (bottom left) Marshall Alan (Jr), and (bottom right) Nathan Mellow (Sr) during a duel.
photo by Summer Hime
Coach Tyler Martell sliding on an inflatable bed during an assembly game.
Hitting the Slopes
Wyatt Michaels staff writer
The cold weather is quickly approaching and with the snow comes the snowboarders and skiers! Although Eugene and the Willamette Valley haven’t gotten any snow, the Cascades sure have! “Snowboarding is my favorite of the two, because I love going super fast down the mountain and sometimes a crash can be fun here and there,” said senior Will Kokkeler.
Snowboarding is very popular here in Oregon due to the amount of yearly snowfall. Although fun, there’s always a risk factor on the slopes. “I’ve been slightly injured while snowboarding. I was going down the slope when I crashed and face planted, and the board hit the back of my head,” said Kokkeler.
Tricks on the slopes are a way to show off your skills to others. Senior Andy Stoddard mentioned “he can’t do anything too crazy, a double back and a cork seven is a great way to warm up for the long day ahead.”
“Hunter Hess is my favorite Skier/Olympian because he’s from Bend and we go way back. He’s a close
personal friend,” said Stoddard. Meeting Olympians is something not many get to do, but being close personal friends is once in a lifetime!
Sometimes you have to bump their playlist while shredding down the mountain, Senior Evan Colling
some light hearted pop music to calm my nerves,” said Colling. Getting on the slopes is a great way to decompress and get away from all your problems and just be able to have fun, but remember to be safe and have some fun out there!
by
Running to Next Season
Natalie Barnett page editor
Being in good physical shape is a necessity for any athlete even in their off seasons. Here at Sheldon High School the track team does group workouts in the winter to get ready for track in the spring. According to Coach Les Phillipo these group workouts start “the Monday after Thanksgiving and it typically goes until the week before spring sport starts.” These practices are three days a week from 3:45 p.m. to 5 p.m. and the
the athletes do. The workouts are led by the coaches but as the workouts continue the athletes get to know the routine and are able to lead themselves a little more.
Even though there are group specific workouts, there are multiple athletes who switch groups due to the multiple events they do. Phillipo finds that there are “lots of different folks that intermingle between them. It also helps when the coaches have been around for years or even decades” to create a sense of familiarity and security within the group.
One athlete at Sheldon who is especially dedicated to track, running most of the year is junior Malachi
“parents, I look up to them a lot, my relationship with
wanting to do well in his events as well. While there are people he looks up to, he wants to, “take my own path there and stay true to myself.” If Schoenherr had the opportunity to go professional in running he would
Graphic by Natalie Barnett
Malachi Schoenherr (Jr.) running at North West Classic Cross Country.
Graphic
Natalie Barnett
Photo taken by Ellen Pulsen (Sr.)
Emery Ball
If one knows science teacher Joseph Emery, one most likely knows about his pinball machines. He has three pinball machines at home, his goal being five. One of his favorites from home is “Red and Ted Roadshow,” said Emery. “It’s about construction. I hate construction. But the machine itself is really fun. It shakes and vibrates like you're on an actual construction site," said Emery. Emery normally plays pinball six days a week, he participates in about five pinball tournaments a month.
He's won eight tournaments total, seven of them in 2024, and won fourth in his pinball league. He got into pinball because his wife really enjoys it, and he likes having a shared hobby with her. Emery said one of his coolest stories about pinball is that he and his brother were never really close growing up, but expressed that they both got into pinball at the same time, and now he said he's hung out with his brother more in the last year and a half than he has in his entire life. One of Emery’s highest pinball machine scores was 21 billion; he stated that he was so close to beating the game but got too nervous. “Most people don't know you can actually beat pinball because they aren't as good as me,” said Emery. Freshman Ari Strutin-Quintero has Emery for second period physics, and knows about Emery and his pinball machines. She stated he talks about it a lot and she thinks it's a really cool and unique hobby of his. “I think it's his way of expressing what he enjoys to do in his free time,” said Strutin-Quintero. She has played pinball before, and said she likes playing the Pac-Man themed one in the waiting room of her dentist office.
Sophomore Samuel Koch has had Emery as a teacher, and has talked with him a lot about pinball. “I think it’s amazing how much he loves pinball machines,” said Koch. He explained how Emery talks a lot about his pinball machines and how amazing his hobby is. He also expressed that he has played pinball with Emery himself, and said his favorite theme or design in pinball machines are the Star Wars ones.
Let’s just say, pinball machines are Emery’s biggest possession!
Aspirations Abroad
Ivy Marsden page editor
Travelling abroad can seem very daunting to students. To those considering, it can seem like something desirable and yet scary to think about, and even scarier to actually do. Whether it be with a student group or a year abroad on one’s own, it is a great opportunity which helps students grow, learn, and widen their perspective of the world.
Angela countless see you so much,” abroad, and France.
“It’s as it like, that also risk Emily returned should of the of new
Cabrera and Lawton
Student rock bands are a quintessential high school experience, and a staple of teen movies. However, Sheldon has been rather lacking in student-led band activity as of late. This is where Band Club comes in. Andrew Cabrera, Jesse Lawton, and a handful of aspiring student band members have made it their mission to revive Sheldon’s slumping music scene, meeting in the auditorium during lunch on advisory days to play music and have a good time.
Cabrera, a literature teacher and theatre director at Sheldon, is the founder and advisor of the Club. “When I was in high school, I was into music, but I wasn’t a band kid…but I had a desire to be part of that world in some way. Thinking back, I wish I had someone to help hook me up with some other people that had the same interests,” said Cabrera. Many student musicians never end up in a band, largely because finding bandmates can be a daunting and frustrating task. Cabrera’s mission in creating the band club was to eliminate this factor by cultivating a space where student musicians can meet each other.
Jessica Fitch page editor
Ella Newton staff writer
graphic by Claire Craig
Spring photo courtesy of Ivy Marsden
Angela Barley, a French teacher at Sheldon, has organized countless student trips abroad. “I think it’s really important to the world. It really just broadens your horizons and makes appreciate what you have at home but also you can learn much,” she said. Barley has lots of experience travelling abroad, with trips on her own, group trips with students, her daughter having done two separate years abroad in France.
“It’s actually quite easy to travel abroad. It’s not as scary can seem when you’re sitting here in the US and you’re ‘oh, I can’t do it.’ You can do it,” Barley said. She thinks going abroad is one of the hardest things you will do, but one of the most rewarding, and that it’s worth taking the and stepping out of your comfort zone.
Emily Warner, a sophomore from Marist who recently returned from a year abroad in Belgium, thinks that students should take any travel opportunity they have. “I think it’s one the best things you can do. It builds character; you get a lot new experiences,” she said.
Traveling to Tomorrow
Warner did, however, struggle with challenges such as homesickness and language barriers. She advised students to be prepared for all the hardships they may face during a trip or an exchange. “Homesickness is the biggest challenge because you can’t really control it and it comes at random times. I was just really homesick and sad,” Warner said.
Nate Schumann, a 2024 graduate of Sheldon, went on a trip to Europe in the summer through EF Educational Tours. “Getting a chance to travel around Europe has given me many unique experiences with people that I will cherish forever,” Schumann said.
While traveling as a high school student can be intimidating to anyone who is considering it, many people have had amazing experiences abroad. “Going places, especially outside the US, allows people to experience other cultures and ways of life,” Schumann said.
Traveling can be a great way to learn more about not only the world, but also about oneself.
Lawton Band Together
Lawton, on the other hand, plays a more active role in supervising club meetings, sometimes participating in jams by playing “this weird little thing called a mandolin…one of the staple instruments of bluegrass music” and singing. As a professional musician, Lawton’s experience and active participation is vital to Band Club.
On November 21, the club had its first jam session: an informal meeting in which a band improvises music, works on coherent song ideas, plays covers, or some combination thereof. “It was great. It sounds like a high school garage band. I hope that [the Band Club] can all start gigging soon or at least play Springfest or something,” said Lawton.
CJ Jones is a student member of the Band Club, and serves as the vocalist and keyboardist for jam sessions. “I wouldn’t mind being in a band, but I’m really busy all the time so that’s probably what’s stopping me,” said Jones. This is what makes the club so convenient: it occurs during school lunch, when students don’t typically have obligations, allowing him and others to play music without the time commitment of attending outside of school hours.
Counseling Clarity
Callie Clark staff writer
As a counselor, Clair Smith helps with credit tracking, scheduling, college counseling, and emotional support. “I want to make students feel welcome and guide them through challenges,” said Smith. She strives to be a counselor who is non-judgmental, has a sense of humor, and is always there to support students when they need help.
Before becoming a school counselor, Smith taught U.S. history and English. She realized she connected better with students one-on-one than in a classroom. “I found I could help students more individually,” said Smith. After earning a master’s degree in school counseling, she learned how important it is to support students through high school.
For Jackie Owens, becoming a 9th Grade Transition Coordinator was an unexpected opportunity that matched her passion for helping struggling students. After teaching 9th grade and seeing students face both academic and social challenges, she realized this role would allow her to make a real difference. With her teaching background, she understands the difficulties students face. This role lets her offer personalized support with schoolwork and social issues. "I want to meet students where they’re at," said Owens.
Building strong relationships with students is key to her work. She listens to their problems, helps with missing assignments, and encourages them to turn in whatever work they can for partial credit. She also provides a safe space for students to talk about social challenges. “I just love the 9th graders. I love the energy and connecting with the students. They make me laugh and write me fun little notes,” said Owens.
Michael Voss has dedicated over 20 years to supporting young people. Before becoming a high school counselor, he spent 22 years as a youth pastor. Since 2000, he has been a counselor at Sheldon High School, where he has built a reputation for his genuine care for students.
Voss believes that to be an effective counselor, you need to truly enjoy working with teenagers. “You can’t treat them like adults,” said Voss. “They’re still growing. You need to be patient, kind, and a good listener.”
In his role, Voss helps students in a variety of ways. He assists with academic schedules, provides emotional support, leads interventions, and connects students with resources for mental health and college readiness. “Mental health is a big issue for many teens,” said Voss. “I’m here to support them through both their academic challenges and personal struggles.”
Voss also helps students think about their futures. He encourages them to explore different pathways, whether that’s going to college, learning a trade, or simply understanding the value of education. “High school isn’t just about grades—it’s about preparing for life,” said Voss. For Voss, being a counselor is more than just a job—it’s a passion. It’s about making meaningful connections, offering support, and guiding students to become their best selves. “When students see that they can succeed, that’s what makes my job worth it. Helping them grow into responsible, educated individuals is why I do this work,” said Voss.
photo by Chloe Battin
Bee Looper (Sr.) and CJ Jones (Jr.) singing together at practice during lunch
photo courtesy of Angela Barley
2024 Sheldon trip to France and Spain.
Cheer On!
Bianca Brownlee staff writer
Over the years, Sheldon Cheer has grown greatly. This year, Sheldon has both a varsity team and a JV team, whereas before they only had a varsity team. Cheer is a popular activity at
Sheldon, offering an engaging and fun environment for those who decide to participate.
Senior Lilly Young is on the varsity cheerleading team and enjoys it greatly. She said that she first joined cheer because an old friend told her spontaneously. Young has now been doing cheer for three years and said she really enjoys it and the people she has met. Between football, basketball, and cheer competition seasons, Young said she enjoys football season the most because “my boyfriend plays football and I get to cheer him on, and cheering in front of students at the football stadium is always the most hype.”
Sophomore Ashton Cryns is not a part of the cheer program. Cryns is a part of many sports programs at Sheldon, including football, men’s wrestling, and men’s lacrosse. “My favorite cheer to participate in is definitely the Irish Rumble, because it is very fun and it puts everyone in a good mood,” said Cryns.
Cryns enjoys seeing the halftime shows put on by the varsity cheer team because “they are very fun to watch, and a good way for the cheerleaders to showcase their skills and what they have been working on.” Cheerleading can often be overshadowed as a sport due to its initial creation being to support other sports on the sidelines.
Sophomore Gracyn Kinney is on the varsity cheerleading team for her second year. Kinney has greatly enjoyed her cheer experience and said many memorable moments
Capture the Flag (Football)
Tali Ritchie-Tuisue staff writer
Girls flag football has made a big impact at Sheldon. Junior Bella Fenton was a part of the girls flag football team last year and looks forward to trying out again this year. She has voiced that it’s a super fun sport, and offers an amazing environment with no toxicity. “Our girls flag football program offers an amazing community with lots of girls looking to play a sport they love and [which provides a place to] make new friends,”said Fenton. Fenton’s current position is rusher. “I like rusher because it’s easy, and I am pretty fast with experience from track so that’s why I like it,” said Fenton. Although flag football brought lots of happiness and joy to her life it also caused some pain; she ended up breaking her wrist on the first day of practice. Despite that, she played in lots of games and really enjoyed last
have happened for her over time. Kinney said most personal memories are whenever her team would hit a stunt that they have been working hard towards, whether it’s on the field or the mat. Other members of the team have said that it has helped them to make connections, but Kinney has seen her connections grow in other places, not just her team. “It has helped to also give me connections with people in the student section, other athletes, and staff, in places I doubt I would have made connections without cheer,” said Kinney.
English teacher Shiloh Jackson is the coach of the varsity cheerleading team. Jackson believes in making a welcoming place for anyone interested, and pouring her all into both the varsity, and junior varsity teams. Jackson said there are many positive impacts for the cheer program overall. “Newer athletes are given the time to build skills in a lower pressure environment, and it allows the varsity program to build skills faster,” said Jackson.
The cheerleading program has many fundraising opportunities, but is currently going through a rough patch because of the 4J district prohibiting any sports teams or clubs without a proper contract to work on University of Oregon football games.“We are just losing a chunk from no longer being able to fundraise with UO, so we will be getting super creative with ways to earn that money in the future, and we are still working on it,” said Jackson.
year’s season. On the most important days of their seasongameday– Fenton said she likes “night time games more because it feels more enjoyable to play in the dark with the field lights on; it’s an amazing experience.”
Fenton wasn’t the only player on the team. Sophomore Kinslee Roberts was also a part of the girls flag football team. She absolutely loved it and she said that her team had a strong sense of unity and she misses it every day. She thinks that flag football has made her a lot closer with the girls on the team. When faced with some drama between teammates, her team worked it out through communication and put it all behind them when they were on the field. This is the first year that the girls flag football will be recognized as an official OSAA sport. Roberts thinks “this change will bring official refs and real rules.”
Roberts plays running back but would prefer to play quarterback. Similar to Fenton, Roberts favorite team to play against is South Eugene, because of their fierce rivalry. She expressed that the hardest team to play against
was either Thurston or Creswell. There’s a long time to go before their season but Roberts is super excited for the season to begin.
When it comes to girls flag football, junior Gracie Moore knows it all. Moore thinks flag football is a really interesting and fun sport that anyone can play. Her position is center, but if she could she would play safety because there’s more running. Her favorite team is Creswell because “they’re really good at flag football and they challenge our team every time we play them.”
Flag football has really affected Moore. She has met countless adults who are great role models and support her, like her coach, Christian. She’s also met great people who turned into her best friends. Because of all these amazing people Moore is super excited for the season to start. Although everything during flag football season was great, there were a few obstacles for her. “Our team wasn’t prepared for the season so it was a little harder for us,” said Moore. This year they will be ready.
Music to the Ears: Exploring the Arts
Micah White staff writer
The musical arts are a big part of the culture at Sheldon High School. They shine on their own, with band concerts, choir concerts, plays, musicals, and marching band competitions. But they also can be integrated into other parts of the school, such as athletics, when the marching band plays at a football game, or when the band plays a morning concert for students to see.
Senior Nima Rejai, a member of both the school band and the Dublinaires, thinks that the art community at Sheldon is well built. “I think that just in terms of our placing at competitions, the band is strong. We have been placing pretty high, and I think we’ve gotten a lot better since my freshman year. I think we’re really strong now,” said Rejai.
In terms of preparation for a concert or for a competition, Rejai said, “There’s a lot of ensemble work, so that
everyone can understand the phrasing, and everybody has to know their part really well. It’s a lot of individual work but it also takes teamwork to understand your part and know what other people are doing.”
For sophomore Grace White, a member of the varsity choir and the Dublinaires, the artistic community at Sheldon is getting stronger. “I think that the people who are a part of the artistic community at Sheldon are super invested, and it feels like a real family,” said White.
But schoolwork can be hard to balance with the prospect of preparing for crucial choir concerts. “School gets kind of rough as we prepare for a concert. I get absolutely locked into my parts, and then all of a sudden I have a geometry quiz? It’s a rough world we live in here at Sheldon High School,” said White.
Senior Ryan “Lion” Pitts, a member of the Wind Ensemble at Sheldon, listens to music differently now. “My favorite artist is either Rod Wave or Rick Ross, and I feel like I can really pick out different rhythms and beats now;
it’s like I’m seeing the music,” said Pitts.
The musical arts can help you in many different ways, and the musical arts here at Sheldon are no different. It’s a supportive community, and could be a good place for you.
Charlie Stanford (Jr.) as Frankenstein as Sheldon’s “Love and Frankenstein.”
graphic by Chloe Battin
photo by Tyler Barham
Lilly Young (Sr.) cheering at a game.
The Importance of MLK Day
Andrew Brown staff writer
The importance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day has a profound impact on the nation and the students of Sheldon. “I think that without MLK we wouldn’t have many aspects of society that we have today, because of his reforms he pushed on the government,” said junior Ethan Cottle. Cottle also thanked MLK for the day off of school “I like it because I get to go skiing, and my dad’s birthday is on MLK day, so I get to spend extra time with him,’’ said Cottle.
More intriguing information about MLK day came from Junior Myles Kincaid. “I like to be very mindful with people around me so MLK day helps me think about
the people around me and be mindful of them. He was a once-in-a-lifetime kinda guy, so he for sure deserves a day for himself,” said Kincaid. Kincaid believes that MLK’s speeches will inspire people 10-20 years from now, and will have profound impact on the social well being of society.
Junior Matthew Schuck had similar insight to MLK day. “I think that without MLK, in our society, we would not have so much culture and I think the world would be completely different for the worse,” said Schuck. Schuck stated that he thinks MLK, Jr’s effect on society will be felt for the rest of eternity, with his impacts on social justice. MLK Day will forever be remembered as a day for celebrating an outstanding human being and a massive contributor to society, which is why we remember him on the third Monday of January every year.
Keeping Sheldon Safe
Claire Craig page editor
It’s no secret that high school is a competitive and oftentimes nerve-wracking environment to be in. Children are required to attend school, but does Sheldon’s community make the school a suitable environment to succeed socially and academically? Does the student body that’s been put here make for a safe place to be during the school year? The opinion within Sheldon’s student body unsurprisingly varies.
Sheldon has campus monitors to watch over the school’s hallways, exits, and where it’s need. They check on students to ensure verbal conflicts can be resolved, figure out what students who are roaming the halls need, and help students access resources or staff members for specific issues. Out of 27 students polled, about ⅓ agreed that the monitors help maintain a safe school environment. Campus monitor Will Rogers commented on the necessity of his role in Sheldon, “I do think it’s necessary; I think our role is important. Hopefully seen as a little more than just security, we try and help out in different ways, not just the security part… we provide as much support as we can. But our abilities and what we’re able to do are limited to our job description at times. We do a good job of if we can’t solve the problem for [a student], finding the adult or admin that can.”
Finding safe spaces to go to when upset or needing support within school is crucial to persevering in a high intensity highschool atmosphere. Junior London Myers said that she can find comfort in freshman transition coordinator Jackie Owens’ or English teacher Andrew Cabrera’s room, “They’re both so accepting.”
Student interactions play arguably the most crucial role in a student’s comfort level when at school. Students won’t feel compelled to come to school every day if they know their peers will criticize and berate them. But what’s the reality of Sheldon’s environment? According to the same survey, the majority of students polled agreed that they feel comfortable expressing themselves in Sheldon. (Of course, not every single Sheldon student participated.) Often the students that face persecution because of their appearance will try to blend in and thus lose their personal expression in the process, and often
are less willing to speak out about their experiences. Roger’s opinion was that while the amount of physical altercations have decreased in past years, it’s shifted to more verbal incidents. “A lot of times I think we kind of run into students wanting to solve their own problems, and that usually ends up in a physical altercation or a verbal one. We try and make it so they’d rather come to us to help their problems, versus them trying to help it on their own.” Rogers stated.
Incidents such as vandalism, fights off campus, and harassment accounts on Instagram may be notable negative impacts that Sheldon has had, but moderate
opinion is that the student body has both admirable and adverse qualities. “To improve the community, I think students and teachers need to be more mindful of different experiences that people go through. We all tend to be ignorant of other people’s past and being more aware of this or at least taking it more into consideration would greatly improve our community,” sophomore Maddie Scott said
We’re not perfect, improvement isn’t a goal that can be completed, but rather something to be minimized, and Sheldon will continue to grow and work with its changing community toward a more welcoming institution.
graphic by Ivy Marsden
27 students were asked how often they see/hear about physical
Outline of Martin Luther King JR
graphic by Ivy Marsden
Got Your Burger!
Tate Templeman staff writer
The growth of Gotcha Burger has been exponential over the past couple of years with people from block to block, and school to school spreading the word about the joint. The truck grew in popularity for their juicy patties and their generous prices. Senior Drew Parks has been a loyal customer for about three months now. “Ever since I [tried] that double beef patty, I knew my life had changed,” Parks said. Gotcha Burger is the perfect example of a late night meal, from burgers, to hot dogs, to milkshakes. “Yes, I have been there after 12:00 [a.m.], that is usually when I do visit, because I have had a long day and I want to relax,” Park said. The reason people keep coming back is because the quality is never lacking, it is the most reliable fast food you’ll get.
Some people believe that the burgers get better as the night goes on. “Yes, I have visited past 12 [a.m.] and I would tell a first time Gotcha Burger customer to attend after 12,” said senior Andy Raz. Gotcha burger’s night crew is another level, and the truck attracts hundreds of cars per night. Since the burgers are so good, many people will double up. “The most deuce deuces I have ever taken down in one sitting was three, and I wanted to keep punching them down but that is when the price becomes an issue,” said Raz. Along with the burgers they have their creamy milkshakes. “Milkshakes are a huge victory and I would totally recommend it, the only thing holding them back is the small size,” said Raz.
Although Gotcha Burger is gaining popularity, no one can figure out their secret formula. However, senior Nathan Mellow said he believes he knows the secret sauce to their success: “I believe it is the amount of oil used to cook the
Ch-ch-ch-ch-ch-
Michael Renzi staff writer
Sheldon High School is known for its sports and all the different classes students can take. But one thing people don’t think about much is the chairs. There’s a wide variety of them—some are really old, and others were added more recently, like after COVID. Even though students sit in them all day, chairs don’t get a lot of attention.
Freshman Leighton Miller has his own thoughts on the chairs. “The most comfortable chairs in this school are definitely in Jordan Johnson’s math room in the portables,” said Miller. He likes how flexible they are, which isn’t something most of the other chairs have. A lot of students don’t like the hard plastic chairs with desks attached to them. They say there’s not enough space to put their stuff, and the chairs get really uncomfortable after sitting for over an hour.
patties for extreme juiciness.” Students say that the patties have a different taste then any other patty around town. “The longest order I had was with my brother, we ordered six deuce deuces, two fries, two glizzies, and four shakes.” said Mellow. Gotcha Burger has the best burger in town according to some Sheldon students.
Sometimes people see the big “peace” sign when they’re out and about or maybe they heard from word of mouth. “What made me visit Gotcha Burger was the rich black culture and history it comes from,” said junior Cooper Anderson. Well it sure is very impressive the amount of people that they have coming through every night. “The best item on the menu is the double burger when it busts in my mouth with juice and flavor, because it has the best buns and nice seasoned meat,” said Anderson.
Chairy Bomb!
Sophomore Zach Heady likes not just one type of chair but two which are, as he explained, the rounded ones that you mainly find in the portables and in other classrooms. His other favorite chair seems to be the one with the desk attached to it. Heady said that this is because of how useful this can be.
Junior Terrence Johnson has a very different opinion but a very simple answer, “The ones where it’s just the table with any single chair,” Johnson said. He also does not like sitting on stools that you’ll find in classes such as Mr. Emery’s science class in the science wing.
Uncomfortable chairs might even make it harder for students to focus in class.
Something simple, like adding cushions or making the chairs more flexible, could help. In the end, though, it seems like the teachers have the best chairs in the school.
graphics by Jessica Fitch
Sheldon Peers and Their Futures
Brooklyn Tavernier staff writer
Many high school students are already thinking about their future careers and the paths that will lead them there. For some, this means taking classes that help build essential skills. Freshman Aidyn Tavernier shared that he plans on taking as many business classes as he can to develop the skills necessary for his future career. Tavernier said, “The education system is setting me up for success, providing the foundation for a fulfilling career. With a focus on developing real-world skills.” Taverniers is confident that his education will lead him toward a job he enjoys.
A key aspect of preparing for a future in business, many students agree, is learning strong communication skills. Tavernier pointed out that “communication is one of the most important skills for working in the
business industry.” In fact, business classes are often seen as a great way to prepare for various careers, teaching valuable skills that can be applied in a wide range of fields. By focusing on developing these practical skills, students are better equipped to succeed in their chosen professions and adapt to the demands of the future workforce.
Junior Apple Mehan is currently navigating this process by exploring her career interests through hands-on experiences at Sheldon High. “I’ve always been interested in art and design, but it wasn’t until I
started taking ceramic classes and joined the art club that I realized how much I love creating with digital tools,” Mehan explained. She’s been dedicating her time outside of class to learn design software and refine her skills, believing that these extracurriculars will help her decide if a career in graphic design is the right path. According to Mehan, “It’s important to try different things in high school. I’m learning not just the technical skills, but also how to think creatively to solve problems, which is key in any career.”
Many are uncertain about which career path to pursue. Junior Jack Throw is currently exploring his options by diving into his passion for technology and engineering. “I’ve always been fascinated by how things work, especially when it comes to machines and electronics,” Throw said. He’s been actively involved in Sheldon High’s robotics club, where he has gained hands-on experience building and programming robots. “Joining the robotics team has really helped me figure out that I want to work in engineering or something related to tech,” Throw added. Throw believes that high school is the perfect time to experiment with different interests, and his experience in robotics has confirmed his desire to pursue a career in a technical field.
Graphics by Natalie Barnett
L to R: A graduation cap symbolizing both college and trade school and a man who is building the path to his furture career.
Changes Affect Student Athlete Culture
Ryley Bainter staff writer
There has been a large shift in high school athletics over time. One of these shifts involves athletes transferring high schools for the purpose of their sport alone. Over the past decades, this has been new and, in some cases, a big deal. This begs the question; how is this affecting Sheldon?
With a large athlete population and long history in sports, Sheldon takes pride in athletics and competition. “I’ve always felt like Sheldon is a place that, if you grow up in the community, and in a sense you ‘bleed’ green, you get good experiences,” said baseball coach Brian Vogel, a Sheldon coach for over fifteen years. Coaches here play a big part in athletes’ lives and take pride in the sports. While some coaches “chase” athletes, that is not a value here. Vogel’s approach is to only coach kids that want to be here and believe in selfless and team-based values. “Sports teach kids to understand and learn to do things as well as how to set standards and goals in life,” Vogel said.
The term “student athlete” is related to this idea. In the eyes of Vogel, there are three main priorities:
family, school, and a sport. What order these come in is up for debate, but students can’t play sports without grades. Over the past few years, the idea of “oh, I can just change or switch schools because I don’t like it here,” has started to be noticed by coaches. “I think over the last couple years, the mindset has changed,” said Vogel. He believes this is something that might make it difficult for students to stay, or lock in, at one school when they might be playing sports with kids from many different schools.
This is not only something affecting students, it also affects coaches. These days, there is a lot more coaching turnover and school switching. “I hope the districts can do something to make it better,” Vogel said.
Graphics by Natalie Barnett
Run by students, for students.
Frontpage editor......................................Chloe Battin
Love, Actually pg.2 editor.............Khaya Ainis-Michael
Sheldon’s Voices pg.3 editor.....................Chloe Battin
Wrestling with Coaching pg.4 editor.......Summer Hime
Winter Sport pg.5 editor.......................Natalie Barnett
Staff Writers:
Ryley Bainter
Andrew Brown
Bianca Brownlee
Callie Clark
Kamai Davis
CJ Jones
Ezequiel Martinez-Sanchez
Wyatt Michaels
Ella Newton
Channy No
Michael Renzi
Tali Ritchie-Tuisue
Aaron Roberts
Bo Solomon
Brooklyn Tavernier
Tate Templeman
Micah White
Traveling to Tomorrow pg.6-7 editor......Claire Craig Underfunded Programs pg.8 editor.........................
Khaya Ainis-Michael
Cultivating Culture pg.9 editor...............Ivy Marsden
Bench and Breakfast pg.10 editor..........Jessica Fitch
Building Tomorrow pg.11 editor........Natalie Barnett
Backpage editor...................................Jessica Fitch
Editor-in-chief......................................Chloe Battin
Summer Hime
Jessica Fitch
Khaya Ainis-Michael
Chloe Battin
Natalie Barnett
Ivy Marsden