Talisman vol 60 iss 5 May 4, 2023

On the Grind

Noah Steeves staff writer

Skateboarding is a commonly-looked-at sport or hobby in teen culture nowadays. Sheldon has a few skaters of their own. Sophomore Kai McCormack has been skating for the past five or six years. Not really remembering why he started skating, McCormack said, “I think me just being so young and seeing all the cool skaters and skate videos motivated me to start and after that I fell in love with it and stuck with it.” With social media and platforms like YouTube easily accessible, you can find skate parts (videos of people street skating) almost anywhere online. Seeing these videos of people doing unthinkable tricks is what motivated McCormack to start skating.

Junior Dylan Dignan got into skating from the independence of it: “I skated for two years and I got started because I really didn’t like basketball and I wanted something to do where I could manage it myself.” Skating is alluring because you don’t have a set schedule. Skaters skate whenever they want and don’t have set and scheduled practices.

There has always been an argument of whether skating is a sport, hobby, or culture. People argue it’s a sport because it is athletic. Some say it’s a hobby because it’s not competitive or taken seriously. However, if you ask any real skater, they will almost always say it’s a culture. McCormack views skating as both a hobby and culture:

“I’d say I first picked it up as a hobby ‘cause it was something to do that was fun. Then as I got better I started going out with friends and assimilated into the culture of it. Noticeably taking the trends from skating into my everyday life, and I guess just, ‘becoming a skater.’” You become emersed into skating, taking the trends of baggy clothes, the typical long scruffy hair, and the laid back lifestyle until you essentially “become a skater” and have the skater lifestyle.

Dignan said that skating comes with the life lessons it teaches you: “I feel like it’s matured and humbled me as a person. In the sense that it doesn’t matter; it’s all based on skill in skating; you can be whoever you want to be. It’s like that in life. In reality you can hate someone ‘cause of where they come from if you want, but what skating teaches you is that it doesn’t matter where a person comes from or what they believe. It’s just about progression in the sport and not who you are.” Dignan gives a good point of how everybody shares one common interest: skating.

Because of the laid back and chill lifestyle, there are common misconceptions which say skaters are delinquents or mischievous, and get into trouble. McCormack said, “I think the biggest misconception

Celebrating Earth Day

Gabby Steele page editor

When you think of home, you may think of four walls and a welcome mat. In reality, our home is Earth. Many of our everyday activities bring harm to our planet. Thankfully, there are a few students and clubs around Sheldon that help clean up our planet. Irish Fishing Club (IFC) advisor Scott Wright has created a sign-up commitment for all members of the IFC which has them agree to “respect and care for the environment and to help preserve for future generations.” Wright has all members after fishing trips clean up their messes and pick up the trash from others. He says he feels it’s important to “leave all of the fishing areas better than when we got there.” When fishing, Wright said he finds many cigarette butts and candy wrappers. He recommended not trying to recycle items which cannot be recycled. Once an item that cannot be recycled is put into the recycling bin, everything in the bin (including the recyclable items) are thrown into the trash.

Out of the clubs at Sheldon, the Environmental Club was probably the

most significant club on April 22, this year’s Earth Day. Its president, senior Brandon Kauten, has seen the harmful changes which the Earth has gone through. Kauten said, “I think the forest fires we commonly see here on the West Coast are a very visible example of the effects of climate change. These fires are devastating, and have lasting effects on people’s lives and the landscape around us.” Kauten and others have seen the effects of climate change, and are worried others won’t see it soon enough. For those who have seen changes in the past and are skeptical of the facts should be alarmed.

Kauten believes that everyone on Earth could benefit from recycling, though there are “footnotes” to the statement. Kauten said,“In the past, the US has mostly relied on countries in Southeast Asia to sort our recycling, but trade wars with China under the Trump administration have shown us the fragility of this relationship. Not only that, but the emissions from

is that skating is a crime. People think that skaters are usually dudes, unorganized and punks. In reality, it feels just like going to school and having friends or playing a sport. All it is, is just get better every day and meeting new people every day to have fun. It’s something anybody can bond over. No matter of age, we all have the same interest and come together to do the same thing.” McCormack is right, skating really is just something anybody can bond over, regardless of differences.

Skating is one of the most rewarding sports a person can do. Junior Scott Leirman has been skating three years and describes his favorite aspect to it as “...getting that perfect trick feeling. It’s not about just doing a trick, it’s about being able to fo it whenever and as clean as possible. It creates an unmatched feeling.” Landing a trick perfectly floods your brain with dopamine and euphoric feelings.

Skating is an escape for most skaters. It is euphoric and rewarding to land tricks after battling with them for hours. The skate scene essentially being a culture teaches important life lessons to skaters and changes their whole lifestyle in beneficial and positive ways.

shipping our recycling across the Atlantic are a very real consequence of relying on others to do our dirty work.” Kauten believes if we want to push for more recycling as a solution for climate change, we need to invest in infrastructure to ensure we can recycle materials domestically. This would also create more jobs for workers.

On the weekend of Earth Day, Sheldon held an Earth Day Clean up. One of the students who attended was senior Aleanna Lengkong. Lengkong said, “During the cleanup, I found mostly plastic water bottles.” She believes this was the most common item because they are easily accessible and cheap. Reducing our intake and not leaving our footprint is very important. Lengkong recommends washing clothes in cold water or using more solar energy because is uses less of our Earth’s energy.

Helping our Earth is also helping us and future generations. It’s important for us to stop excessive producing and start reducing.

graphic by Natalie Kaiser

Instead of a Greater Idaho, Let’s Make a Greater Oregon

Sofia El-Shammaa copy editor

A mere fifteen minutes from Sheldon, the rural areas beyond Coburg paint a very different political picture from Eugene, a liberal stronghold. Gone are ‘Coexist’ signs, replaced by blue signs declaring ‘We Support the Local Police.’ These signs started popping up after the violent and senseless murder of George Floyd, indicating that they weren’t so much a declaration of endorsement for the police, but a response to the growing popularity of the Black Lives Matter movement. It took months (and toxic, smoky, orange skies) for similar signs to pop up dedicated to firefighters.

The appearance of these signs are a small part that illustrates a bigger movement. Rural areas across the nation are moving further to the right and people from both sides of the aisle are displaying little patience for their political dissidents. Still, Oregon is a special case: the rural areas of southern and eastern Oregon are considering being absorbed by Idaho. Those who support the initiative call it the ‘Greater Idaho Movement.’

There are many roadblocks that will either stop or seriously delay the movement. First, talks must be approved by local voters. Then, secession will need to be approved by Idaho and Oregon state legislatures. Salem will be incredibly unlikely to agree. Even if all these conditions are met, then Congress must agree as well; if even one chamber is controlled by Democrats, the movement will struggle again. Why would they agree to split up a blue state, giving more pull to republican Idaho in presidential elections? And, finally, there could be a presidential veto.

Beyond that, logistical issues plague the Greater Idaho Movement: what would happen to the weed farmers who fall on Idaho’s side of the border, where weed isn’t legalized? Could those largely libertarian Oregonian communities cope with a sales tax? What would happen to rural communities

sandwiched between big cities, like those who put up ‘We Support the Local Police’ signs, when they lose most of their right-wing allies in Salem? As a countermovement group, Rural Oregonians for Oregon, said in a statement: “They [the Greater Idaho Movement] have not conducted an economic analysis on how they would acquire, let alone manage, 63% of Oregon.” Logically, there is no way that this movement makes sense or is in any way actionable, especially when support isn’t even widespread; Wallowa county rejected the measure to approve talks in 2020, and Josephine and Douglas counties voted against talks, but will vote again this month.

So, if the movement is seemingly destined to fail, why does it matter? And why are some so persistent on sticking to this Sisyphean secession?

It’s easy to chalk up everything up to polarization and partisan politics. After all, Greater Idaho Movement spokesman Matt McCaw himself claimed, “Our movement is about self-determination and matching people to government that they want and that matches their values. In Oregon, we’ve had this urban-rural divide for a very long time.” I won’t try to deny that rural Oregon is red as blood, like most rural places in Oregon, and probably does have more in common politically with Idaho than Oregon. Other than D.C., no city is a state on its own. New York City is not an autonomous state, and the rest of New York state (which is largely republican) is not begging to cut itself off (at least, not in a serious way). I say this to illustrate that the rural/urban divide described by McCaw is not unique to Oregon, but a large disconnect that only seems to grow.

And, again, it’s easy to blame polarizing politics, but I instead want to talk about the lack of infrastructure that is provided to rural areas. When comparing counties with the highest poverty rate to their population, most of them are those who’d be included by the Greater Idaho Movement. The disconnect becomes much easier to understand when you look at it through the lens of poorer areas being left behind by areas with infinitely more political power. In the end, that is what fuels polarization; when people in areas with little resources are largely ignored, it’s no wonder that so many are enticed by the idea of having more influence

over political decisions.

When rural communities are only being catered to by fringe political groups and untrustworthy news sources, it becomes an issue for everyone. If Oregon is truly liberal as everyone thinks it is, wouldn’t it make sense to prop up rural, poorer communities so its citizens have equitable access to opportunities and services?

What bothers me about this is not the fear that Idaho would adopt eastern Oregon. It’s the lack of care from the rest of the state. It’s, and forgive me for my oversimplifying analogy, like someone who isn’t satisfied with the relationship with their partner pretending to flirt with someone else, then that partner not even noticing. It’s not the issue, it’s a symptom of a greater problem.

I’ll leave you with a poem that I love written by Joyce Baker of Roseburg (printed in the News-Review) before Douglas County rejected a measure for the Greater Idaho Movement: “If you like Idaho/Move to Idaho/I like Oregon/I’ll stay in Oregon.”

Evolution of Eugene City Projects

growing we could all be looking forward to seeing different things in the future.

Eugene has grown a lot over the past decade. This can be a positive thing for Eugene as lots of new buildings are built and new opportunities created too, but this can also lead to some side effects.

Junior Andrew Carsner feels “that it would be nicer to spread out and have more variety and more people.” Eugene growing larger could lead to a lot more traffic if the city doesn’t end up building more roads.

Senior Skai Jenkins said, “I think that it’ll be nice to put more things in and expand so there’s more availability for things.”

The experience of Eugene is different for everyone. Jenkins said, “I think it’s got some fun things to do, some good food spots and has some good places to hangout.” Carsner said, “The roads in Eugene aren’t the best; there’s never that much heavy traffic.” With the city

More things to do in Eugene would be nice because as much as there is to do it can sometimes feel like there isn’t much opportunity for things to do. Carsner would like “more shopping centers; there’s mainly just mall stores and few malls in Eugene overall.” More malls could encourage people to spend time outside their houses during the weekends.

Junior Kellen Von Klein said that he wishes there were “more parks and activity centers to add to Eugene.” Eugene already has some activity centers, but it would be better if there were extra parks and a few more activity centers that have things that bring the community more together. Like team sports, participating in events and socializing, it would bring the community together with more things to do.

Eugene is a popular city but there’s definitely areas in the city that are slightly more popular than others. For example areas on the other side of town could be less popular. Von

Klein said, “I would think that the U of O campus mainly would be more popular because of the college students on campus.”

With Eugene becoming a bigger and bigger city, not only do more buildings get built, but more people also add to the population. This could cause Eugene to get crowded or just get bigger with expanding city limits. Jenkins said, “I think that there’s lots of people but not too many, not too little.” Eugene will continue to grow as needed, to accommodate for more moving in.

An illustration of what the Oregon and Idaho Merger could look like.

graphic by Ella Schmeling

graphic by Ella Schmeling

Caedin Brown staff writer

Looking Back on a Galaxy Far, Far Away

Victoria Wolf editor-in-chief

Star Wars: the iconic sci-fi series of the early 80s. One that captivated millions of kids, starting with its iconic opening credit scene, filled with stars and upward running plotlines blazed in yellow, cementing itself into stardom. The opening was so iconic that, “a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away” has to be quoted when writing about the subject. Whether or not you’ve seen the episodic films or not, the franchise continues to dominate the sci-fi market alongside Star Trek - a competitor catering to different intergalactic tastes.

“Star Wars: A New Hope” was released on May 25, 1977. Many adults remember the feeling of watching the movie in theaters, when it took kids at the time by storm. Growing up, art teacher Peter Saraceno lived next door to actor Harrison Ford and bonded with Ford’s children, often spending time playing together, as they were the only kids in the neighborhood. He quickly got looped into the production of the first Star Wars movie, attending the premiere of “A New Hope.” Saraceno stated, “Due to being looped into the production, it’s always been my favorite installment in the franchise. The universal tale of a hero and the trials they have to go through, really stuck with me as a kid.” Since

the first movie, the franchise has gone on to produce eleven feature-length films: nine following the main story and two stand-alone episodes.

New additions to the timeline have been Disney+ original series. Characters that have been underrepresented throughout the franchise are now getting their story told through episodes ranging from 30 minutes to one hour.

Popular series include “The Mandolorian,” “The Book of Boba Fett,” and “Obi-Wan Kenobi,” all expanding the timeline fans previously have known for each character. Although popular, these spinoff series have not been loved by all, as many fans have lost the feel for new plotlines the series have created. English teacher Jeremy Washburn thought otherwise: “I love them. My favorite series recently has been ‘Andor.’ It’s gritty and avoids some of the cheese that the other shows embrace.”

While not all fans are happy with the direction Disney has led the franchise, the recent announcement made during the 2023 Star Wars Celebration to expand the timeline, promised more content to be produced. Senior Taylor Cryns commented, “I think they should continue to make movies and series, especially about characters we don’t know the full background of. It would be interesting to know why characters like Jabba The Hutt behave the way they do.” Star Wars will continue to have a chokehold on fans due to its marketability, whether or not there is a demand for more films, keeping fans happy and providing fresh commentary for critics.

Taylor Swift’s Tour Takes Over

Laura Stanton staff writer

Taylor Swift is definitely one of the most well-known and successful artists in the music industry. She released her tenth studio album, Midnights, on October 21, 2022, and then announced her sixth tour, The Eras Tour, eleven days later on November 1, 2022. With nine openers, 52 dates, and in sixteen different cities, it is destined to be the highest grossing tour in history by any artist. Swift has played thirteen shows already in five different cities and has had a sold out stadium every show.

Sophomore Katelyn Keady really likes Swift’s music, saying Swift is an extremely talented and hardworking singer/songwriter who is one of the best of this generation, and that her music is so diverse and she can do every genre so well and the way she shows her emotions in songs is brilliant.

The setlist is a little over three hours, with Swift performing songs from nine of her different “eras.” Her eras are different albums of her’s that range from her country album Fearless (Taylor’s Version) which was her second studio album released in 2008 which she then

rerecorded in 2021; to her pop album 1989, her fifth studio album which she released in 2014, and her folk album, evermore, her ninth studio album which she released in 2020. Keady’s favorite “era” that Swift performs has to be either Midnights or reputation, because Keady loves the way Swift performs Midnights, but reputation is her favorite album by Swift. Swift plays 44 songs on the setlist, from nine different eras (Lover, Fearless (Taylor’s Version), evermore, reputation, Speak Now, Red (Taylor’s Version), folklore, 1989, and Midnights), including two ‘surprise songs’ that change every night. Keady said, “I think the setlist is overall good, but the fact that there’s only one song from Speak Now and no songs from her debut album, [Taylor Swift] songs is weird.” Her favorite songs that she performs on the setlist have to be “…Ready For It?” (reputation), “illicit affairs” (folklore), and “Miss Americana & The Heartbreak Prince” (Lover).

Tickets were set to go on sale to the general public on November 18th, 2022, with a presale for CapitalOne cardholders and fans who had previously bought tickets to Lover Fest, which was originally going to be her sixth tour but got canceled due to COVID-19. However, there was an incredibly high demand for tickets, and on the first

day of the presale, TicketMaster crashed due to millions of fans showing up to get tickets on the website at once, which caused the sale to the general public to be canceled, and fans were outraged. TicketMaster was sued by 26 fans for “fraud, price fixing and antitrust violations.” “I think people being upset was very valid; surge pricing is ridiculous and it shouldn’t be that hard to get tickets.” Keady said; “They could’ve not had surge pricing and maybe had less people on the pre-sale.”

As this is Swift’s biggest tour, it is predicted to be the highest grossing tour of all time, with an estimate of about $1.5 billion at the very most, which is way more than she made for the reputation Stadium Tour, which made $345 million, and surpassing Elton John’s Farewell Yellow Brick Road Tour, which grossed $853 million. Keady agrees that it will probably be the most successful tour, and said, “Because all the shows are sold out and it’s iconic, not to mention it’s three hours.”

illustration by Victoria Wolf

Pedro Pascal as the Mandolorian

POV: It’s Prom

Natalie Kaiser photo editor

It’s prom! The common expectation is the fun, bright version of senior prom that is seen in movies, so anticipation is high. However, there are countless other perspectives that may be overlooked. For exchange students, this experience is often advertised as the quintessential high school experience. Junior Ann-Sofie Mørk said, “As an exchange student, prom is one of the things I really look forward to. I don’t have prom in [Denmark], some private schools might have a galla, but it’s not as big of [a] deal as prom is.”

Returning junior Shiloh Capiak said, “Coming from a different state entirely means my process is a little more complex than students at Sheldon. I’m planning to fly up the day before prom and stay with a friend for the weekend. As far as getting ready for prom, I plan on doing my own hair and makeup. I bought a dress about a month ago.” The perspectives also differ when it comes to couples. Seniors Josh Kubu and Rubi Prado are planning on going to prom together. Kubu said, “I think my perspective differs from Rubi because I’ve not been to as many school dances and so I have less of an expectation of what should happen.”

Prado agreed that her point of

view differs from her date’s, but for different reasons: “I think my perspective about prom is very different than Josh’s because at least for me as a girl, I feel a lot more stressed out about things like what dress I should wear and I have to do a lot more preparing, like getting my hair and nails done. Josh just gets to show up with a corsage and a matching bow tie and he’s all ready.”

Not only does the perspective between couples differ, but it changes the entire experience. People look at prom differently whether they are going with a partner, a one-time date, or with friends. Prado said, “I think this experience will be different than last year’s experience because I’ll be going with my long term boyfriend of like six months that I know super well and I’m extremely comfortable around and I think that will allow me

The History of the Met Gala

Sofia Kokkino page editor

May is underway, the flowers are starting to bloom, the sun is coming out, and the birds are starting to chirp again. The other thing that comes along with May is the renowned Met Gala. For those who don’t know, the Met Gala takes place annually on the first Monday in May. Celebrities show up in extravagant outfits in accordance with the set theme every year. These celebrities get together to network, reunite, and show off their best looks as a fundraiser for the Metropolitan

Museum of Art’s Costume Institute. As the years have gone by, the Met Gala has only increased in popularity due to the great deal of media coverage. Junior Finley Olsen is an avid Met Gala watcher and started following it after she saw more about it on social media. “I started watching the Met Gala through TikTok by people rating the outfits and talking about the looks on social media,” Olsen said.

With major media coverage, spectators are able to criticize as well as appreciate the outfits and how they go along with the theme. What people are going to show up in

usually increases excitement amongst the guests and whoever is watching.

Senior Kaitlyn Wood stated, “I’m [always] excited to see what Blake Lively is going to wear because she is always on theme and her outfits always look absolutely gorgeous.” In the past years, Blake Lively has been known for wearing amazing outfits which go very according to theme.

While the celebrities are the star of the show, the designers are also the ones who are in the spotlight since their task is to match the outfit to the theme as best as they can. There are so many iconic designers who attend each year who are known for their

to relax and enjoy myself more.”

Senior Delaney Iddings offered another opinion, “Prom isn’t like a humongous thing to me; however, I do enjoy dressing up and taking pictures with all my friends and of course, my girlfriend.”

creations. Some of these include Louis Vuitton, Ralph Lauren, Thom Brown, and so many more. Junior Julian Eclarinal has seen a theme in a specific designer who continually lives up to the expectations each year. Eclarinal said, “Vivienne Westwood is gonna do it for me everytime. No matter the theme, I think that she’s able to conform to it in some manner.” In December, Westwood passed away, so this year’s Met Gala will be missing a significant figure who has made such a big impact on so many people. “Rest in peace to her for real because she was such a prominent figure in fashion, not just in relation to the Met Gala,” Eclarinal added.

While some may think that the Met is just another event that holds little importance, many others believe that this event is quite the opposite of unimportant. The Met brings so many people together to celebrate each other as well as fashion.

What are Sheldon Students Up to Before Prom?

Kamani Melton-Winger staff writer

Prom is one of the most exciting things in many high schoolers’ lives and is a special and unforgettable night. Junior Kaden Jacobson is going to prom with his girlfriend, junior Natalee Paul. He plans on asking her with a sign, but doesn’t have a good idea yet. Jacobson is looking forward to hanging out with his friends as well as dancing because that is his favorite part. Jacobson is wearing an all-black suit with magenta to match his date. Jacobson hopes they play “Disco Inferno” because “it is a

fantastic song and I like it a lot.” This is Jacobson’s first time going to prom, and he is excited about the experience. Jacobson’s favorite thing he’ll do prior to the dance is dinner. After the dance, Jacobson plans on sleeping over at his friend’s house.

Junior Damon Uribe plans on asking junior Grace Schade by making a poster. Uribe is going to dinner with a group of his friends at one of their houses and is taking pictures there as well. Uribe hopes they play “Mo Bamba” by Sheck Wes because that is a song he can get hyped to and really enjoys. Uribe is matching with his date wearing a black suit with a white shirt and a red tie, while his date is

wearing a red dress.

Junior Tyler Minson plans on asking junior Mia Fernandez from South Eugene High School. Minson is going out to dinner at a nice restaurant with a few friends. He plans on taking pictures at either a friend’s house or a place with a nice background. “I might rent a nicer car just for fun. I think it would be cool to drive a nice car on a night like prom,” said Minson. Minson hopes they play “Goosebumps” by Travis Scott because that song is super hype and would make the night better. Minson plans on asking his date out using a sign with a mango drink that says: “Will you man-GO to prom with me?”

Victoria Wolf (12) and Adam Blondé (Marist, 12) pose for prom pictures.

photo courtesy of Victoria Wolf

MTV Movie & TV Awards

Brady Rust page editor

As the MTV Movie & TV Awards approach, Sheldon students begin to vote for and discuss the nominees of this year’s ceremony. Daunting categories such as “Best Movie,” “Best TV Show,” “Best Performance in a Movie,” and “Best Performance in a TV show,” have sparked discourse among many. This year showcases a wide range of nominations, including many unpredictable nominations, such as M3GAN (“M3GAN”), and the Bear (“Cocaine Bear”) for the category of “Best Villain.” This wide range encourages fans to prove their dedication and vote for and argue in favor of their favorite nominees. Ten various Sheldon students provided their opinions on the 2023 MTV Award nominees.

The “Best Movie” category consists of: “Avatar: The Way of Water,” “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,” “Elvis,” “Nope,” “Scream VI,” “Smile,” and “Top Gun: Maverick.” “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,” and “Scream VI” were the most popular among the ten students, each with three votes.

“Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” follows the nation of Wakanda after the death of the Black Panther, who was played by Chadwick Boseman, who unfortunately passed away in August 2020. Junior Emma Shirtcliff showed her support for the movie, “The movie is purely outstanding to watch, and it also honors [Boseman].” The quality costume design and thematic elements of the film make it a top contender for its category, while also providing a lasting memory of Boseman.

“Scream VI” is the newest installment of the “Scream” franchise, continuing the legacy of Ghostface, but brings the meta-slasher franchise out of the quaint town of Woodsboro, all the way to New York City. Outstanding performances from Melissa Barrera, Courtney Cox, Hayden Panettiere, and Jenna Ortega, continued the franchise’s depiction of frightened yet fearless ‘final girls.’ Junior Brody Rust agrees with this claim stating, “Scream IV should win because it was one of the best in the series, as it paralleled previous films while also incorporating new elements. Jenna Ortega also had a great performance.” Additionally, Gale Weathers (played by Cox), is the first female character in a mainstream horror franchise that has appeared in six consecutive installments.

The “Best TV Show” category is composed of “Stranger Things,” “The Last of Us,” “The White Lotus,” “Wednesday,” “Wolf Pack,” “Yellowstone,” and “Yellowjackets.” Of these nominations, “The Last of Us,” and “The White Lotus” were the most admired, with three votes each.

“The Last of Us” depicts Joel Miller (Pedro Pascal) and Ellie Williams (Bella Ramsey) in a post-apocalyptic world, where mutated fungi pose the threat to turn humanity into mindless ‘infected.’ The show is based on the eponymous video game, and has proven to be one of the most successful video game to TV adaptations. Junior Sheah Yi disclosed her appreciation for the show, “Pedro and Bella’s compatibility creates the foolproof duo of Ellie and Joel. The two compliment each other perfectly, which not only shapes the perfect pair for “The Last of Us,” but also makes them so admirable in real life.” The show resonated with many and holds the record as the most-watched show in the history of HBO Max.

“The White Lotus” is an anthology series, bringing together a new cast of characters to a new resort each season. The show takes a group of travelers and provides for them a mysterious environment that reveals their secrets, and often pits them against one another. Rust advocated for the series, saying, “It has a lot of political and social relevance while maintaining a casual environment through the use of humor and satire.” While the cast completely changes from season one to two, Jennifer Coolidge reprises her comedic role as Tanya Mcquoid, a lonely tourist.

The “Best Performance in a Movie” category is made up of Austin Butler (Elvis, “Elvis”), Florence Pugh (Alice, “Don’t Worry Darling”), KeKe Palmer (Emerald Haywood, “Nope”), Michael B. Jordan (Adonis Creed, “Creed III”), and Tom Cruise (Pete Mitchell, “Top Gun: Maverick”). The most liked performances came from Austin Butler and Florence Pugh.

“Elvis” places Austin Butler in the role of Elvis Presley, “the King of Rock and Roll.” Butler’s portrayal of this hit artist left many awestruck as he personified the life and achievements of Elvis with skill. Junior Abigail Lee believes Butler is the obvious winner within this category, “He was always so immersed in his character. I think the mannerisms present in his acting really made him become Elvis in a sense, who is such a significant person in music history.” In addition to his similar physical appearance, Butler also took it upon himself to sing the music in the film himself. His voice can be heard as the only vocals present in the music of Elvis’s early life, but is actually blended together with Elvis’s voice in the music performed during the film’s depiction of his later life.

The psychological thriller “Don’t Worry Darling” presents Florence Pugh as a suburban housewife, trapped in a peculiar neighborhood, far away from those outside of the community. As the storyline unfolds, Pugh delivers a strong performance as an unrelenting female lead. Junior Finley Olsen reinforced this nomination, saying, “Her acting seemed so genuine and she really sold the part in my opinion.” Pughs acting within this film sets her apart from the rest of the cast, just as the film sets her character apart from the other residents of Victory, “California.”

Nominations for “Best Performance in a TV Show” category includes, Aubrey Plaza (Harper Spiller, “The White Lotus”), Christina Ricci (Misty Quigley, “Yellowjackets”), Jenna Ortega (Wednesday Addams, “Wednesday”), Riley Keough (Daisy Jones, “Daisy Jones & The Six”), Sadie Sink (Max Mayfield, “Stranger Things”), and Selena Gomez (Mabel Mora, “Only Murders in the Building”). The most respected of these nominations were Sadie Sink and Jenna Ortega. Known best for her role as Max Mayfield in Stranger Things, Sadie Sink exceeded expectations in the most recent season of the

series. Her character experienced debilitating traumas and Sink executed the role very admirably. Olsen congratulated this performance, “her emotions are perfect and she’s able to portray Max very well.” Sink outperformed a majority of the cast this season, while notable performances also came from Millie Bobby Brown (as Eleven), Caleb McLaughlin (as Lucas Sinclair), and Joseph Quinn (as Eddie Munson).

The Netflix series “Wednesday” puts Jenna Ortega in the iconic role of Wednesday Addams. This adaptation of the Addams Family cartoon portrays Wednesday as a makeshift detective solving a string of murders that take place at the gothic boarding school she attends. The show found huge success among viewers of all ages, and allowed Ortega to further develop her skills as a young actor. Junior Julian Eclarinal notes Ortega’s skill, “she was able to hold a straight face throughout the entire show and had to learn how to keep herself composed.” He also comedically noted the contrast between her role as Wednesday, and the roles she played when she began her career as an actor, “She’s just a silly queen crazy girl stuck in the middle.” “Wednesday” broke several Netflix records, receiving nearly 6 billion views within the first week of its premier.

The “Best Villain” category contains Elizabeth Olsen (Wanda Maximoff, “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness”), Harry Styles (Jack Chambers, “Don’t Worry Darling”), Jamie Campbell Bower (Henry Creel, “Stranger Things”), M3GAN (voiced by Jenna Davis, “M3GAN”), and The Bear (“Cocaine Bear”). Although Jamie Campbell Bower and Harry Styles received a lot of praise for their roles, M3GAN and the Bear stand out as the comedic and campy killers of their respective horror films.

M3GAN acts as the villainous antagonist of “M3GAN,” in the form of a bloodthirsty child-like android. Eclarinal commemorates the android’s performance, simply because “she crazy.” The film was much more successful at the box office than expected, and satisfied horror fans looking for a suspenseful yet comedic thriller/horror.

“Cocaine Bear” follows the real life incident in which a bear was found dead after overdosing on cocaine. The Bear received an unexpected nomination for its role in the film, but has many supporters mainly due to the humor surrounding its nomination, given the fact that it is completely CGI. While the Bear in the film is a bloodthirsty killer, the real Cocaine Bear did not kill anyone, and is currently on display in a mall in Kentucky.

The MTV Movie & TV Awards spur a lot of debate among fans, and Sheldon is no exception to that. As die hard fans vote and advocate for their top picks, the decision ultimately belongs to the general public. This year’s ceremony takes place on Sunday May 7, and is hosted by Drew Barrymore, who was coincidentally named “Best Host” during last year’s awards. graphic by Sofia El-Shammaa

Full Disclosure: Addams Family Is a Hit!

Ella Schmeling page editor

The mysterious and spooky (all together ooky) timelessly classic and beloved characters are featured in Sheldon’s 2022-23 school musical, “The Addams Family.” Performed by a student-lead ensemble consisting of over one hundred members, the production highlights the heartwarming and comedic triumphs of the infamous quirky family.

All cast and crew hold a vital role in the production, from soundboard, costumes, tech, and cast—all positions are equally important to the overall success of the production. Audiences watching a show don’t often recognize all the hard-work and dedication that goes on behind the scenes before it can be presented on stage.

Senior Eva Hergenreter, who is both the props manager and playing Grandma Addams, experienced first hand the demanding time commitments of theater. Since December, Hergenreter spent up to two hours after school every day creating props as well as acting during rehearsals, which even then “still doesn’t feel like enough time” to fully manage all props on set. Hergenreter has been involved in theater and props since freshman year, but underestimated how difficult the manager role would be. A lot of the difficulty comes from the fact that most of the production’s props are hand-made. “I have to be in constant communication with the cast and other managers to ensure the props I have made are to their liking. If you slack off, you are left behind,” said Hergenreter.

Sophomore Emi Henrikson stars as the leading role of Wednesday Addams. While honored to be the lead, such a significant role bears an extra set of challenges including memorizing over one hundred lines, performing six songs, learning new choreography, and feeling the extra pressures of playing such a highly respected and well-known role. Fortunately, Henrikson’s perseverance is rewarded as she witnesses her

fellow-cast mates’ hard work paying off within the successes of their performance. “I’ve been so proud of the whole cast and crew for going above and beyond with how much effort they put into the show. Everyone continues to blow me away with their talent and dedication,” said Henrikson.

Senior Aubrey Jamieson is the sound manager of the production. Jamieson is in charge of making sure the microphones are working correctly and properly placed on the actors, choosing sound effects, and training other techcrew members. One major challenge this year was buying an entirely new set of microphones, as the microphones they did have were broken. While there are many challenges navigating the tech aspects of a production, it’s crucial to the storytelling. “Tech is what brings the story to life, creating the immersive experience of theater that makes the story feel realistic,” said Jamieson. While working on tech during rehearsals, Jamieson was given the opportunity to watch the cast progress and witness the crew’s tremendous breakthroughs. Jamieson is “incredibly proud” of everyone in the production, especially when seeing the final outcome of the show. “I think the most exciting part is opening night. It’s your first official runthrough and everyone did it. And yeah, even if there were a few bumps in the road or something happens, you know that you got through it. I think there’s just this sense of relief and a feeling that everyone’s proud of each other because we actually put it together,” said Jamieson.

Choir director Megan Perdue is the vocal director and producer of the show. As vocal director, her job is to teach all the songs and help everyone feel comfortable singing in character. In addition to singing being difficult, the actors are required to include each character’s specific attributes to the song, making the process more challenging. As the producer, Perdue is in charge of poster, ticket and program creation, as well as communications, auditions, hiring, and fundraising. “One of the things I love about theater is that it brings so many different types of people together to create a piece of art. We have so many incredible students at Sheldon. Seeing how people shine in different ways is really inspiring,” said Perdue.

Perdue’s favorite aspect of the story is the family element. While it’s a goofy comedy, there are many pieces that high schoolers and families can relate to, including the main storyline of Wednesday navigating the challenges of growing up. It’s “an extremely touching but hilarious story,” said Perdue.

L to R: Uncle Fester, Zach Wergeland (12); Wednesday Addams, Emi Henrikson (10); Morticia Addams, Sage Pomlee-Solar (12); Lurch, Dantae Gelsamino (11); Gomez Addams, Omar Nashawi (12); Pugsley Addams, Sarah Aasheim (10); Grandma Addams, Evie Hergenreter (12)

Wednesday Addams and Lucas Beineke, Benjamin Krebs (11)

L to R: Alice Beineke, Teia Thompson (11); Lucas Beineke; Mal Beineke, Jonah Scott (12); Gomez Addams

photos by Sofia El-Shammaa

Balancing Athletics and Honors Classes

Osvaldo Canchola Garcia staff writer

Student athletes have a heavy load. Trying to find time for homework and studying with practice, team dinners, and games can be very difficult to manage. Sheldon’s vibrant and widespread athletic community means that many students deal with this.

Freshman Kiana King is a student-athlete who’s taking two honors classes and geometry. King is a dancer and is negatively affected by the workload she receives from her classes. King explained, “It’s difficult to be dedicated to both of those at the same time.”

King finds it difficult to balance between both dance and her school work. King also believes this is an important topic to talk about: “I know many other student athletes in higher level classes who struggle with timing and dedication.” Homework seems to be a big issue for student athletes in higher level classes, as King is a student who struggles with completing homework at home. She cannot complete her homework after school so she has to find time during her first period to complete it.

Studying for big tests can also be difficult. King struggles to find proper time to study, so she also uses her first period as a study time. The feeling of having to dance the day before a test is very stressful for King. She said, “When I have dance, I am very focused on dance and not on tests or quizzes.”

With so much going on, King has already tried to develop ways to cope with her big workloads: “I cope by talking to a trusted adult...and time to relax and do

something good for my brain like reading, drawing or going on a walk.”

King believes she isn’t the only student athlete feeling like this with advanced classes. King said, “I can’t name anyone because I feel personally every student athlete in honors or higher level classes feel the same with their work.” Sleep is very important for students, and King feels she loses a lot of sleep due to her homework and projects.

Many of these things deter King, but she still remains strong throughout the year. King said, “It’ll benefit me throughout my high school journey and further education, and I am up for the challenge.” King’s perspective and experiences describe how student athletes in advanced classes have an excessive amount of work to complete while doing their sport.

Freshman Hayden Kearney is also a student athlete who’s taking two honors classes. Kearney is a tennis player and played basketball outside of school and believes that “student athletes taking high level classes is a very important thing to talk about because [of] the amount of practices, games, etc.”

As an athlete, like King, Kearney has practice and games often, even before taking big tests and quizzes the following day. Kearney said, “Practices or games will most likely always be in the way of studying for a big test. So if that means staying up late to study after practice, or games, or staying late after school, before practice, or a game starts to study, then that’s what you have to do.”

Sometimes Kearney cannot find time to study for tests or quizzes because of sports: “When I physically do not have enough time to study between going to

school and playing sports, I find myself wanting to skip school and give myself more time to prepare.” Kearney’s desire to skip is a bad habit, but she struggles to find an alternative.

Kearney also doesn’t feel great about having practice or a game before a test, and said, “I definitely tend to get a little stressed and start to feel unprepared for a test or quiz when I have sports the day before. I feel like all my time should be focused on studying.”

As a freshman, Kearney doesn’t have a free period like some upperclassmen do, but she knows ways teachers can help her study and complete work. Kearney said, “Teachers who provide office hours before or after school are definitely a huge help to student athletes…Not all teachers put everything on Canvas and missing parts of school multiple times a week gets challenging to keep up with work when it is not provided online.”

Kearney knows other students who feel similar to her or worse, “I have friends, and teammates who are definitely more stressed about school in season. There is so much pressure for us to do well on the court, and in school, and being overloaded with work is the last thing players want.”

Sleep is something everyone needs, including athletes like Kearney. Unfortunately for her, she hasn’t been so fortunate in getting good sleep during basketball season, and said, “Some nights I would lose up to three hours of sleep from working.”

Despite the difficulties Kearney experiences, she has her reasons for staying in those classes. Kearney said, “I decided to stay because I want myself to be challenged, and I want to have higher level classes to achieve goals I have.”

AP Students Prepare for Upcoming Exams

Bethany Cochran staff writer

AP season is upon us! AP exams begin on May 2, and most of the AP students at Sheldon are full of excitement and stress. Sheldon offers many AP classes, so lots of students will be taking the exams this season. The AP exams are very important to students since they determine whether students will get college credit or not.

Junior Alexa Burger said, “I’m very, very stressed for the exams; I care about my class grade more though.” One pro of the AP exams for Burger is that they don’t affect your grade for the class, so no matter what score you get on the exam, it won’t affect your class grade. When asked about her future with AP classes, Burger said, “It’s a huge commitment, and I don’t have as much time to do the work as I thought.” AP classes take up a lot of time and effort, and for Burger, that time management has become very difficult. Burger is on the dance team and the track team, so she has a lot on her plate this season.

Junior Avery Walkoviak is taking both the AP U.S. History exam and the AP Literature exam. Walkoviak said that she likes her AP classes, as “they have helped me learn to be a better student.” Another benefit of AP classes is that students learn to have a good work ethic,

which is a very valuable quality to have if they choose to go to college.

When asked about her preparedness, Walkoviak said, “I feel decently prepared, but I definitely need to brush up on a couple things.” Being prepared for the exam is key for passing, since the exam covers six months’ worth of content. On a scale of 1-10, Walkoviak said that her stress level is “about a level five. It’s a lot of pressure when the exam is so soon.” Although Walkoviak does not like the amount of work and stress of AP classes, she said, “I do think taking AP classes is worth it if students are committed.”

Another junior, Elliott Morgan, is taking the AP U.S. History exam this May. One thing that Morgan is going to do on the exam is pace himself. The AP exams require students to answer lots of questions in a limited amount of time, so pacing yourself is very important. “I also think that it is important to stay calm during the exam,” Morgan said.

On a scale of 1-10, Morgan’s stress level for the exam is a “seven or eight, the exam feels close, but also really far away. It stresses me

out because my score is very important to me and I want to do well.” This time of the year is very stressful for AP students, since part of their possible college career might depend on the score they receive.

Morgan will be a senior next year. When asked if he would take AP classes next year Morgan said, “I want to take AP classes next year because they are more challenging and push me to put in the work,” Similar to Walkoviak, Morgan also struggles to find a balance among school and hobbies. AP season is a very important and stressful time for the AP students this year. AP students should make sure to look over their notes, go over the things they struggle with, and try not to stress over the exam. Although these exams cause anxiety among students, they can be very beneficial in the end.

graphic by Brady Rust

New 4j Extended Day Program

Sydney Potter page editor

Many students struggle with achieving the amount of credits needed in order to graduate. Just this year, the 4j School Board decided to integrate an after school program, also known as the High School Extended Day (HSED) Program. The program has been helping kids achieve their needed credit goals, especially if they have previously struggled in class. It has been offered to all high school juniors and seniors in the 4j district going Monday through Thursday. Students are able to earn one full credit in a single trimester instead of one half if attended consistently. The program has several classes offered, including language arts, math/science, and social studies, with classes which can go as late as 7:30 p.m. Junior Amaya Buchwald said, “It was really easy to sign up, all I did was talk to my counselor and she told me when and where to go. So far it has helped a lot.”

It has been proven that students typically learn topics faster in smaller classes. When teachers give students more individual attention, the results tend to rise. Better communication with your teacher can greatly improve the ways you learn, and understand subjects. Department secretary Heather Cross said, “I think the smaller class size probably really helps, and they just feel

a little more at ease. It’s more casual than day time class.”

The program has everything you would need including class supplies and meals that are provided by the staff. For some, the community makes HSED the best part of going. Junior Janie Parker said, “Some days there are less than four people there, but everyone’s attitudes are great and the energy is high.” Parker has been attending for a couple of months, and has been helped a lot. Parker said, “I am glad that this is a program at Sheldon, and it’s very helpful so I don’t have to stress much about credits next year.”

Teachers and counselors highly recommend looking into the program if you are credit deficient. It is highly beneficial, and can take stress off of your plate. Many kids have been taking these night classes, and have liked them more than everyday classes. Numbers of students participating have increased each trimester and are only getting higher.

Freshman Perspective on the Arts

Rylee Brennan staff writer

Most people don’t ask what the freshman perspective is, especially when it comes to art. Quito Roman is a freshman that is in the band, and has a great appreciation for the musical arts. Lots of different things in the world can be considered art, and Roman knows that “art can be a lot of things, but it’s mainly to create things and show expression.” One form of art that Roman can also appreciate is sculpting for all the “skill and hard work” it requires.

Playing the base has given Roman a new perspective on art. “Music is a type of art that I would suggest other people try because you can use music to find yourself.” Being a freshman, Roman knows there is much more to learn and appreciate about art in the future. Roman believes that his opinion will change as he gets older.

Freshman Madison Barrientos is one of many who use art as a way to branch out and show expression. “Art is a way that people can express themselves; it’s a way of life,” said Barrientos. Barrientos has a very well-developed sense of what art is to her, and she has a perspective on art that freshmen don’t normally have. Art can come in many different mediums.

For Barrientos, photography and music are the forms of art she is most interested in “because these things can inspire you and open your mind to all the other things in the world. It can open your eyes. It opens my eyes,” said Barrientos. Barrientos can appreciate other people’s perspective on art and it makes her more aware of different opinions people can have.

Even though everyone is different, there is a common love for music here that everyone shares. This love for music is something that had been observed by the freshman class at Sheldon. One freshman who has a love for music but is not in band is Paul Severe. “Music is very important; [I] can’t live without music.” Music is a very big part of who you are, Although not everyone listens to the same kind of music. Even though people love music, different kinds of art are appreciated and vary among people. For example, Severe likes statues and other people may not agree and have differing opinions. Fortunately, music is something that everyone can agree on. When it comes to giving suggestions for a kind of art, Severe said, “I would suggest music… the words of the people have grown to a point of purity.”

illustration by Sydney Potter

illustration by Sydney Potter

Has “Fortnite” Fever Taken Over Sheldon?

Ulises Ruiz Lopez staff writer

“Fortnite” took over the internet when it first released back in 2017. It is still going strong as one of the most played games in the world, with more than twentythree million players on “Fortnite” daily. For those who don't know, “Fortnite” is a survival game where 100 players fight against each other in player-versus-player combat with the goal of being the last one standing. This game offers in-game purchases and plenty of game modes that keep the player wanting to play more. Skins and emotes are popular cosmetic items in “Fortnite.” Skins change the appearance of

a player's character, while emotes allow them to perform unique animations during gameplay. Most Sheldon students have an idea of what “Fortnite” is, and some continue to play the game. However, some have stopped playing because of how repetitive it got, or because it lost its entertaining factor over the years.

Junior Kenia Gonzalez stated, “It was a big thing back in 2020. Its time has passed, and it’s time to move on from playing “Fortnite.” Gonzalez hasn’t played “Fortnite” before, but she brings some insight on “Fortnite’s” popularity and if it’s still being talked about. “I feel like there isn’t as many kids who play it anymore, but it’s also being mentioned a lot more around the world, mainly though social media.”

Junior Kaden Jacobson is a casual gamer and still plays “Fortnite.” He regularly plays and still enjoys the fun it brings. The most fun he ever had playing “Fortnite” was in its early days, when people were just getting good at the game. Jacobson said his favorite season was season four or season five, “I played with my brother, and it was really fun.” Many people believe that the early stages of “Fortnite” were one of the best, due to the amount of joy it brought players and how diverse the maps, skins, and emotes were. “The game was at a good point because no one was too skilled or unskilled, it was an equal playing field. There weren't as many sweats [people who play too seriously or trying too hard to win] as there are right now,” said Jacobson.

Some students really liked the early stages of “Fortnite” when there wasn't a ton of competition, and it was easier to win games and get kills. Now, most of the “Fortnite” player base have improved drastically, and it’s more competitive than ever before.

The COVID pandemic had far-reaching effects on nearly every aspect of life, including the world of gaming. As people around the world were forced to spend more time at home due to lockdowns and social distancing measures, online gaming saw a surge in popularity as a way to stay connected with others and pass the time. “Fortnite” took advantage of this and continued to thrive during this time. With its constant updates and new customization options, there were endless possibilities to fight the boredom. Junior Cohen Chase stated, “During peak COVID,

Sheldon’s Gaming Culture

Video games have become an increasingly popular form of entertainment over the years. With the rise of technology, the graphics and gameplay of video games have improved a lot, making them more immersive and engaging. Junior Damon Uribe said, “Video games can be played on multiple devices, like consoles, computers, and phones, making them accessible to a wide range of people.” They are a great way to pass the time and can be enjoyed alone or with friends.

In addition to being a fun way to pass time, video games can also have educational benefits. Sophomore Cameron Glenn said, “Many games are designed to teach players new skills or concepts, such as problem solving, critical thinking, and strategy.” Games that involve historical events or scientific concepts can also be a great way to

learn about these topics in a fun and interactive way. Additionally, video games can help improve hand-eye coordination and reaction time, which can be beneficial in other areas of life.

Despite the many benefits of video games, there are also concerns about their impact on mental health. Some studies have suggested that excessive gaming can lead to addiction, depression, and anxiety. Sophomore Tate Templeman said, “It is important for gamers to be mindful of their gaming habits and to take breaks when needed.” Additionally, kids should pay attention to how much they are playing video games. Overall, video games can be a great source of entertainment and education, but it is important to use them in moderation.

I was really into “Fortnite” and what it provided at the time. But I think that with more people staying at home avoiding sickness and looking for ways to pass time, the popularity of games like “Fortnite” have increased.”

Chase was really passionate about how people were interacting online when everyone was at home during lockdown. It made him realize what the gaming community can do. It made him love “Fortnite” even more.

illustration

by Sofia Kokkino

illustration by Sydney Potter

illustration by Sofia Kokkino

Mini “Fortnite” chug slurp

India Mohiuddin staff writer

Colleens Win Two State Dance Divisions

Lola Peterson staff writer

Saturday, March 18 was the first day of the dance state championship and Sheldon Colleens left that night with first place in two divisions, winning 6A jazz and kick. Freshman dancer Shayna Hogue said, “I felt very accomplished that all the hard work paid off.” The Colleens practiced five to six days each week. Their practices involved hours of them going through and fixing up the routines to make them perfect for state. Kick, one of the dances performed at state, was a Top Gun-themed dance in which they dressed up in Top Gun outfits. Their dances and routines took them months

of practice before going to state.

The day before the competition was filled with early morning practice.

After a two hour practice of running through the competition dances and getting feedback, the team traveled to Salem, and after dropping stuff off they went to see and support the 1A5A teams compete. “When watching, I was feeling partly excited and nervous,” said Hogue.

The day of the competition was filled with excitement and nervousness. The team spent time preparing physically and mentally before performing their first dance. Freshman dancer Ilikea Howerton said, “We had to prepare mentally for state because it was the last time we could dance with the seniors.” This competition was the last

time the team would dance with the seniors before they graduated.

The first dance to perform was the 6a jazz dance. “There was a big gap between our first and second dance,” said dancer Howerton. When preparing for the competition the team would take breaks in between practice and made sure that they ate well and drank lots of water before the competition. If they didn’t drink water before the competition they could get muscle cramping and their endurance can decrease. All of their hard work paid off when they were given two first-place awards for two of their dances.

Senior dancer Elsa Peterson said “After winning state, I was proud of my teammates for working so hard

and toughing out through all their injuries so that we could put our best performance on the floor. Being on that huge stage was kind of like a way to say we finally made it.” All of Colleen’s hard work really paid off.

Should Lacrosse Have Full Sport Status?

WIll Haverland staff writer

Lacrosse’s popularity has been increasing across the country for years now, and the fan base is always growing. The Sheldon lacrosse team has also grown in popularity tremendously in recent years and keeps getting better. Senior Ryan Yakovich, a key leader on the boys’ team said, “The family of this team is special and not seen all of the time in high school sports.” He plays goalie and will play a huge role in their success as a team this year. Yakovich commented, “Even though it is my first year I feel like I can take my leadership skills over from football and push this team in a winning direction this year.” Teams always fall

back on their leaders when put in tough situations and in years past the lacrosse team has had great leadership and Yakovich aims to fill this role.

Men’s and women’s lacrosse teams have not been affiliated as an official sport with the school for years, and many ask why? When Junior Sam Kline explained, “I feel like we have got by this way for a while and it hasn’t been a major interest for the team because of that. We fundraise every year and make it by so it isn't a major deal.” The team has gotten by in years past, but funds toward buses would be greatly appreciated by the team since they are currently only self-transporting.

The women's lacrosse team is also running into similar problems. Senior Rubi Prado, who has been playing lacrosse for eight years, said, “Lacrosse is allowed to

Softball Dominates So Far

writer

The softball season has started off great as the Sheldon Irish have started off with a record of 11-0. Junior Raegyn Miller plays outfield and works to find a balance between school and sports. Miller said, “It doesn’t interfere with my school work that much, but it definitely affects days I can take my test and quizzes while it also gives me trouble with the amount of time I have to complete my work.”

The athletes on the softball team are very

driven when it comes to their sport. Many of the players have specific personal goals they want to achieve with softball. Senior Meara Sain said, “My personal softball goals include increasing my batting average while also improving my role in a team aspect.”

Speaking about team dynamics, sophomore Jazmin Gallegos said, “My favorite part about playing softball is enjoying these moments with the team and winning games with the people that help me improve every day in practice.”

The softball team hopes to keep the winning going as the season goes on.

use Sheldon’s turf but we get last priority because we are a club sport and we also don’t get to use the locker rooms or the weight room.” This could easily be fixed if the school and lacrosse teams put in the effort to make a better playing environment. Prado also stated, “The men’s team and women’s team are treated equally most of the time but during one of the girls lacrosse games the lights on the turf went out and if it was any other sport that never would’ve happened and it would’ve been like a way bigger deal.” In conclusion, the Irish lacrosse teams are treated equally in comparison from men’s to women’s but not treated the same as other sports.

Ashlyn Martin (11) steps up to the plate at an away game at Willamette High School. The Irish won 10-0.

photo by Sofia El-Shammaa

Jyce Jones staff

Isabela Dedrick (12) dances during halftime of the homecoming football game.

photo by Sofia El-Shammaa

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