Teachers and their Pets
Ella Schmeling edtior-in-chief
P.E teacher Danielle Glenzell not only teaches students, but teaches horses as well! On a nine-acre farm, Glenzell used to own fifty goats, alpacas, chickens, and a mule, but currently has two horses, three dogs, and a cat. The oldest horse, Louie, a Quarter Horse Paint, is turning twenty this year, while the newest addition to the farm is a two-year-old mustang, Mr. Mojo Risin (named after the song by The Doors.) Glenzell is raising Mojo to be a trail riding horse and first adopted him for a small adoption fee of 25 dollars, and brought him home to “gentle” him, beginning the process of taming a once-wild horse. Since horses are prey animals, Glenzell must act as if she wants to join the herd to build trust with her horses, explaining how body language is crucial while communicating with horses,
and if she were to act like an aggressor, they would react with flight. When first introduced to the family, Mojo was a very anxious mustang, but after getting comfortable, he is now best described as a “playful puppy,” said Glenzell. Meanwhile, Louie, who Glenzell has raised since he was foal, enjoys sunbathing and laying in the pastor, but can also be ridden with just a halter and bear back.
Being around horses has forced Glenzell to unwind and relax before interacting with them, as they can “see right through you, better than people.” Glenzell added that, “You can’t bring your baggage that you have from work or in relationships into the training room. You have to leave it behind because [the horses] can feel your energy. So it forces me to find my zen spot, and work with them so they don’t feel that stress and anxiety that might have bothered me throughout the day. Just like I tell my students to ‘leave it at the door’ before they come into my classroom. I have to practice what I preach, and just be authentic with my horses.” If her horses are having a bad day, it’s most likely because she herself had a bad day, which in turn reminds Glenzell to do a self-check.
English teacher Shiloh Jackson rescued her now four-year-old golden-retriever, LilyMae, during the Covid-19 quarantine. LilyMae loves small stuffed toys, which Jackson calls her dogs’ babies, and has more than 50 babies to play with in their home. Lily-Mae greets Jackson at the door each day with a “baby”—actively picking out a toy and bringing it to her first thing as she walks in. Some quirks about Lily-Mae is that she loves to snuggle and think she’s a lapdog, and when she’s about to get fed she’ll do a happy dance to show her appreciation for breakfast and dinner! Her favorite things
however, are car rides, in which she keeps a special baby in the car to hold in her mouth as she sticks her head out the car window. Jackson believes that if Lily-Mae could talk, she’d probably be asking to “go bye-bye in the car.”
French teacher Angela Barley has a full house with four charismatic kitties. Two of the cats, Henri and Dame, were kittens from the stray mama-cat Barley’s husband had rescued and given to her for Valentine’s Day. Barley felt drawn to Henri because of his funky, crooked tail (named after Henri IV, and pronounced in English as “anry cat”) while Dame was the runt who had to be “massaged back to life” as Barley’s daughter and husband took shifts bottle feeding her for the first two weeks every three hours. A rarity in the cat world, Kissy, is a female orange tabby. Less than a quarter of orange tabby cats are female, yet Barley and her family were lucky enough to rescue her from Greenhill Humane Society. Minou was adopted from a foster home after she and her sister were thrown into a dumpster, and is now a “fat and happy” cat who found her
forever home.
Now that the cats have become comfortable in their home, Barley’s family have become accustomed to their many personalities. “There’s definitely a pecking order. Henri is definitely at the top of the pyramid, and then it’s kind of a free for all with all the girls. Kissy doesn’t like any of them, Minou gets along with Henri, but then Dame likes to harass Minou. I would say they very much resemble a high school dynamic,” said Barley.
Despite the typical sibling rivalries, the cats love to go outside to soak up the sunshine, while pretending to hunt prey— an entertaining pastime for Barley’s family. “We like to go outside with them and hang out and just watch them be them. They’re pretty lazy so they don’t really kill animals, but they like to watch and act like they are; wiggling their butts and ready to pounce in the grass… all just a big show,” said Barley.
Emily Aguilar staff writer
Wednesdays, the middle of the week, when school is in full swing. Books, pencils, desks and chairs, the hustle and bustle fills the air. At Sheldon High School, Wednesdays are possibly the busiest day of the week. Wednesdays are not only that, but also the odd ones out when it comes to our week. By now, everyone is accustomed to the ABC day school schedule since it’s been in place all year. However, with this school year starting to come to an end, it’s important to reflect on how the year went and how we felt with the changes, what we liked, what we did not like, what helped us, and what didn’t. Junior Ava Lewis said, “I actually like having the early release day in the middle because C days are usually more
tiring because of how many classes there are that day. Each class passes by really quickly on Wednesdays so we don’t really do a lot in most of my classes; we use it as a catch up day.”
Lewis said that what she likes about C days are that she and her friends are all in the same advisory class and that her next period is the same class so she doesn’t have to move to prepare her stuff for her next class. Lewis admitted that C days can sometimes be a little rushed. She said she thinks this might be because some teachers try to fit in more than they can actually get to. But for Lewis she says most of her classes are pretty chill and anything she doesn’t get done during class she can just get it done during her free period. If Lewis could change the schedule she would change it to where Fridays would be the new C
days because on Fridays people can get the satisfaction of sleeping in the next day and get a full weekend to rest.
On the other hand, sophomore Kian Gramzow suggested we just get rid of C days altogether. He feels as if a lot of the things said during advisories are often repetitive and that we should only have advisory every one in a while. If Gramzow could change the schedule he would change it to just having an A day B day schedule with no C days at all unless necessary. However, one thing both students agreed on was that Fridays are better for early release. This is because both felt like having a shorter day on a Friday was more satisfying because you don’t need to worry about school the next day. Gramzow said, “I wish we could go back to the way things were before, but I
don’t dislike the new schedule as much as I did in the beginning.”
Overall, most students seem to be accustomed to the ABC day schedule. However, most voiced their preference for early release on Fridays. Maybe by considering various perspectives, understanding different viewpoints, and finding common ground we can work towards creating a schedule that is enjoyable and works well.
graphic by Ella Schmeling
Springing into Spring
Lileah Briggs staff writer
With summer just around the corner, people are leaving vests and uggs in the past in favor of spring fashion. This year, blue and white coastal patterns, high top Converse, floral dresses, jorts, and much more are being worn by many. Social media suggests that beach waves/natural hair patterns, highlights and light layers are all expected to be seen this spring.
A rollercoaster of weather from rain showers to hot, sunny days all in the same week are expected this spring. This may call for bringing a jacket with you just in case. With sunny weather on the way, many are excited for the weather heating up as we have had quite a few sunny days that give us a taste of summer. Sophomore Sailee Baldwin-Garcia is very excited that spring is finally here. Baldwin-Garcia said, “I grew up on the coast so the heat kills me, but I still love soaking in the sun and getting a nice tan.”
Baldwin-Garcia appreciates the rain showers as it gives her a break from the heat but loves the season because it
allows her “more time and freedom to go outside and hangout with my friends.”
The colors that Baldwin-Garcia will be wearing the most this spring are blue and white because they “bring out” her “brown hair and freckles.” She also loves that Adidas are back in style and is excited to wear them and to buy new ones.
Sophomore Marley McNutt loves summer and is excited for spring because “that means summer is just around the corner.”
McNutt is very interested in fashion trends and loves seeing “braids and pony tails and being able to wear my natural hair.”
You can expect to see McNutt wearing “flowy lightweight fabrics and low rise jeans” this spring as those are her favorite trends right now.
Sophomore Sloan Hubbard is very excited, sharing “Spring is my favorite season other than summer. I love the hot weather.” Although she loves spring, she cannot wear her summer clothes when the weather dips back down to 50 degrees but appreciates a warm spring day.
Hubbard said, “I love riding my bike and walking my dog so you will see me outside a lot this spring.” This year, many people will be outside enjoying whatever this spring might bring, rain showers and hot sunny days included. You might even see them outside riding a bike, walking their dog, hanging out with their friends or simply going for a walk and enjoying the season.
Prom: A Spring Promenade
Bella Reniff staff writer
Sophomore Jordyn Hopkins is excited that she gets to go to prom as a sophomore. Her junior friend is bringing her as a plus one. Hopkins has noticed bows and statement jewelry becoming a trend this year. Hopkins has not picked her prom dress yet but she’s going for a more simple look. This year she does not have a date, but she definitely thinks it’s important to match colors if you have a date to bring the look together. Hopkins said, “There haven't been any influencers that have influenced my attire but TikTok has definitely given me a lot of ideas.” She is incorporating technology by posting on Instagram all of her cute prom pictures she takes with friends. Trends have been very big this year and everyone likes to follow them, but she doesn’t really care much about following them. She just buys what she likes! Budgeting is definitely hard because you have to find a dress, shoes, and accessories but Hopkin’s best tip is to look on Amazon because they have great finds for good prices and it doesn’t take terribly long to arrive. Transportation to prom is always a big thing but this year she will just be driving herself and her friends because it is a lot of money for fancier limos or party buses. Hopkins has not been to a prom yet, but she
thinks her favorite part will be getting all dressed up with her friend group and taking pictures. Lastly, this year she will be wearing her aunt's prom dress from 1997 and her aunt is so excited it is being used again!
Senior Molly Dahlager thinks that this year hairstyles at prom will definitely see a lot of slick backs and other sleek looking styles! Throughout the last couple years Dahlager has seen more modern dresses than classic. Dahlager said, “Most people have stayed away from super sparkly and glamorous dresses to more clean looks and lacey looks.” Dahlager believes that as time goes on people specifically in Oregon, where prom is not as big as other places, put less time into what transportation looks like as far as getting to and from events like prom. Dahlager thinks that things like TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram affect people's options too much and you should just wear what you like to wear and feel comfortable in. Dahlager said she has not noticed any specific colors that are trending but she has seen more bright colors than neutral colors. Dahlager’s favorite part about prom day is getting to be with all her friends and getting to dance with them and just have fun at prom.
Junior Ava Pineda believes an accessory that is always needed to complete the prom outfit is shoes and jewelry to match the
dress. Some colors Pineda has noticed that have been really popular this year are black, pinks and different kinds of blues. This year she is going with a more easy and effortless style, and for her senior year prom she will go all out with a more glam look. Pineda has noticed that matching with your date is very important and most people do that. Ava will also be matching with her date because it really brings the look together. Pineda does not care much about her transportation to and from prom. All she cares about is being with her friends and having a fun night. Pineda said, “My favorite part of prom is taking cute pictures for Instagram and getting to go to a nice dinner with all my friends before we attend prom.”
541 Music Feature
Shiloh Capiak page editor
Sheldon’s music program is filled with many talented artists. From powerful vocalists in Choir to masterful instrumentalists in Band, many students have found the opportunity to present their musical gifts through the varied offerings of the music department. A standout student group has come in the form of senior Clara Gramzow and her jazz combo, made up of Gramzow, senior Jonah Shoemaker, senior Aidan Bridges, senior Kiana Bjorem, and freshman Luke Kovacevic.
The combo began, initially without Gramzow, in Sheldon’s Jazz Band class. Bridges shared that “the group saw Clara [Gramzow] perform, and we were amazed. We were all like, ‘Oh my god, we need to invite her.’”
Gramzow only began playing music in her freshman year, but she has grown into a skillful singer over the course of her high school career. She credits much of her inspiration to jazz musicians such as “Ella Fitzgerald, Samara Joy, and Sarah Vaughan.”
The work of making jazz sound good falls on more than just Gramzow’s vocals; the whole band works together to create a memorable performance. Bridges is the combo’s drummer. “I think of myself as kind of a foundation,” said Bridges; “I get to keep time and make them sound better. Nima and Clara are such good soloists. It’s great to see them shine.”
Bjorem serves as the combo’s pianist. Similar to Bridges, she “provides backing for the soloists. I
Concert Etiquette
Khaya Ainis-Michael page editor
Since concerts began, people have had varying opinions on how the audience should act. Recently, however, there have been some actions that the majority of concertgoers deem unacceptable. People have been yelling at artists, throwing things, and annoying others around them. Of course, this kind of stuff has always been going on, but it’s seemed especially prevalent these past few years. Sophomore Henry Van Ryn thinks as a general rule, “You should remain aware of the people around you, and be respectful to not only the artist, but the audience.”
Sophomore Claire Craig agrees with his point, and added that, “Being self aware [is important]; you don’t have to pay attention to other people… if you’re having fun, good for you. But if you’re getting looks from other people or people are telling you to calm down, you gotta assess that.” Both Craig and Van Ryn believe the most important rule as an audience member is to be self aware. Half of the concert experience is how the people around you are acting. If everyone is excited and yelling, you are more likely to as well. If they are quiet or maybe even crying, you might as well.
How audience members act with one another is a common thing brought up when discussing concert etiquette, but another thing brought up often is how the audience treats the artist. Sophomore
occasionally have a solo, but I mainly want to support the main voices.”
The band’s first performance together took place in December. Live performances are one of Gramzow’s favorite things about being a musician. “Performing live is uniquely spontaneous and fun,” said Gramzow, “A lot of the time we’re just kind of making things up as we go, which is one of my favorite things about jazz. I like to look over at someone, and be like, ‘Want to take a solo real quick?’ We just communicate while we’re up there organically.”
The combo has plans to keep performing together, with their next planned show coming up in June. In the meantime, though, they plan to keep performing whenever they have a chance. Gramzow said, “We are known to kind of perform on the fly. Last minute, I’ll ask if they want to throw something together and we’ll rehearse at lunch and perform that same day. The spontaneity is part of it, I think.”
Diego Valdiva said, “Interacting between artists and the audience is a big part of concerts.” But especially recently, people have begun to question if the interaction is going too far.
A very hot topic is the behavior at singer/performer Mitski’s concerts. Her concerts are infamous for how her audience acts, especially since she started her most recent tour for her new album, The Land is Inhospitable and So Are We. Her albums are known for their powerful performances, having long pauses and elaborate dances that are all part of the show. But many people have decided to yell things during her pauses, and some have even gone far enough to laugh at the way she dances. This has caused others online to get very angry at these people, and some have uploaded videos on apps like TikTok and Instagram making fun of these people.
Craig said, “[What’s acceptable at concerts] is
very situational, and not every artist is the same, and not every venue is the same.” Every artist’s style of music and expectations at concerts are different. It’s important to make sure you know what’s expected of you before you attend the concert, and also that you make sure you aren’t ruining anyone else’s concert experience while you’re there.
Nostalgia is Necessary
Recently, movie remakes have taken over the film industry like a storm. Many opinions are circulating in the public on whether the original or the remake is better. There are many factors that play into the success of a remake, like the audience that it’s intended for, the production, and the casting. Senior Olivia Gilhuber focuses on a more recent movie remake, “Mean Girls the Musical.” There has been a lot of public discourse about this movie in comparison to the original. Gilhuber highlights that she “personally liked the movie even though it was clearly written for Gen Z by non Gen Z people.” Taking into account the intended audience is important because it can determine the overall success of the film. If film writers are attempting to connect with a certain democratic they have to do so effectively. Typically
Stage Hoppers
Celebrities like Lola Tung, Sarah Paulson, and Daniel Radcliffe have recently entered the broadway scene, and with Disney Channel stars like Dove Cameron and Sabrina Carpenter joining the stage in earlier years, a question has been raised debating whether these celebrities truly deserved their roles or if the audience they could bring to the show brought them above other candidates. Senior Teia Thompson weighed in on these ideas: “It’s important that celebrities can act, sing, and dance with a whole lot of energy and stamina.” If celebrities fail to live up to those expectations, average Broadway audience members might not enjoy it as much as they could’ve, had a Broadway trained actor or actress assumed the role instead.
Following recent Broadway movie adaptations, and movies with musical elements like “Mean Girls the Musical,” “The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes,” and “Wonka,” another question has been raised whether Broadway stars have an advantage in being cast in movie adaptations of plays or novels, like the ones mentioned above, seeing that Reneé Rapp, Rachel
the older versions of the movies more accurately represent the generations that they are representing. It’s commonly questioned on whether or not Hollywood remakes movies for its audiences’ enjoyment or if they are really just in it for the money. Senior Kiana Bjorem calls attention to the live action “The Lion King.” Disney has recently come out with many movie remakes of their original cartoons, but many fans question if these films will hold the same authenticity of emotion as the originals. Bjorem said that she “expected that it’d just focus more on the heavier topics such as death and grief, maybe giving more depth into the characters’ relationships. However, it didn’t even do that. I can appreciate the work that went into creating it, but this one just fell flat and ultimately felt like a money grab.” Many people appreciate films for their ability to evoke such strong emotions and when these films don’t do so effectively it can give the wrong impressions like that they are just in it for the cash.
Remakes can be quite upsetting at times when the newer movie doesn’t have the same vibe as the original. Senior Julian Eclarinal brought up “Mean Girls 2.” While it’s not necessarily a remake it was still entirely re-cast which made the popularity of the second movie drastically lower than the first. Eclarinal said, “The whole point of “Mean Girls” is the 2000’s nostalgia, and for them to come back seven years later and try to capture the same vibe, it’s just not the same whatsoever.” Ensuring that the film will gain the same amount of attention as the first is tricky but when the fans of the original feel so strongly about it it is necessary to try and invoke similar feelings about the second in comparison to the first.
Even though the film industries equipment and practices have been heavily modernized, sometimes the feel of a nostalgic movie takes the cake.
Zegler, and Timothee Chalamet all came from theatrical backgrounds. Senior Sheah Yi added to the conversation as she stated, “many Broadway stars have shown their capability and versatility in both singing and acting, so I think it’s valid that they may have an advantage in being casted in any roles with their talent.” Yi’s opinion is reflected in the success of “The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes,” and “Mean Girls the Musical,” as both the performers gathered an audience for each movie alone.
In contrast, senior Chloe Aaron-Montes stated that “when you put broadway stars in movies, it can either be really good or really bad, and ‘Mean Girls [the Musical]’ was really bad.” This thought was reflected across media scoring a 5.8/10 on IMDB and a 69% on rotten tomatoes. Broadway and Hollywood are often entwined with the stories they tell and the individuals cast to tell them. Musical talent entering Hollywood can be rejected entirely by audience members, or it can transfer poorly. Actors and actresses and the skills they maintain don’t always include what is required to succeed on Broadway. While the two industries are very intermixed, their audiences can maintain polarizing views.
People Can’t Have Fun Anymore
criticize.
Critics have shaped how people respond to media for as long as media has existed. Typically, a critic has some sort of professional background in film, and thus is trusted by companies and people to properly analyze tv/film. However, with the rise of social media, anyone can reach an audience and share their opinion. Online ‘trends’ create and spread popular opinions that invite people to accept those things as their own, especially those who are easily influenced or misled. These trends are applied to anything and everything, but particularly have a strong presence in media.
The speed of social media often results in consumers seeing opinions of tv and movies before they watch it themselves, creating an expectation for many that they will share the same opinion on a piece of media that others possess. This contributes to the formation of “hate trains,” which occur when the vast majority of people with an online presence spread negative reviews, creating a toxic online environment surrounding the piece of media they
Considering whether or not these low-rated movies fail in similar ways, senior Emma Shirtcliff attributes the more critical nature of viewers to new technology: “New movies are now heavily based on CGI, while in the past movies weren’t so dependent on special effects.” This view has become more popular among viewers, especially as the superhero genre becomes further ridiculed. Films like “Madame Web” and “The Marvels” are examples of lowrated superhero media that are often said to be bad due to production and special effect issues.
Senior Bethany Cochran said that when a “bad” movie is produced “the fault definitely lies more on the writers and directors. Most of the time the actors are being told what to do and say, so it’s difficult to blame the quality on them.” The recently-released movie “Madame Web” acts as a perfect example for Cochran’s argument, as the lead actresses have shared that they signed onto a different project than the one that was released into theaters, placing the public’s criticism onto the directors and producers rather than their performances.
Senior Ivy Burris said, “I feel like most people online
just look for things to hate, once they see one person say something is bad they just look for the same flaws.”
Trending conversations around movies have taken social media by storm over the last few years, reaching nearly anyone with an online presence and possibly pushing opinions/agendas onto them.
Sometimes, people should just form their own opinions on media rather than relying on what someone else thinks.
On Track to Win
Emily Escobar-Mogollon staff writer
Now that track season has started, many students are interested in what is happening. This year’s track athletes are especially excited for the Sunset team challenge, where students can have fun and feel united as a team. According to sophomore Elijah Santiago, “I think this sport helps me to be more open…and [get] along with people that enjoy the same sport that I do.” Santiago also enjoys encouraging teammates at track meets and being part of the group.
One of the biggest challenges for track student athletes is balancing school life and track life. Freshman Mya Valencia said, “I have a planner that keeps track of athletic life and my school life.”
Junior Belen Caballero said she always does her homework and projects right after she gets home from school to keep up and then just worries about track when she has practices and meets.
Many athletes face challenges throughout the season, but they always make it in the end. Valencia said, “Even though track can sometimes be tough, it’s really fun and it [helps] me escape from my problems.”
Some track athletes think of how track will affect their future. Valencia said, “I think track is so much fun…I will definitely be doing it in the future with friends.” Valencia also said, “Track will help me get a scholarship for college and it is also very important to me.”
The spring time is perfect for track. Valencia said, “The weather in spring is not too hot or cold; it’s perfect, so I don’t sweat [like] during the summer.” Overall, track is an important and fun sport that a lot of athletes enjoy.
Sr. Diego Villada-Youel participating at a Sheldon track meet.
Swimming through State Records
Micah White staff writer
Sheldon swim is a winter sport that has been an integral part of Sheldon athletics for a long time. Sheldon dominated the nineties with four state titles in boys and girls swimming. This year, Sheldon had an overall score of 332 points at districts this year, to take second place just under South Eugene. Sheldon sent swimmers to state this year and had one of the best years they’ve had in over a decade.
Junior Eloise Huling went to state to compete in the relays. Huling said this year was one of the best years Sheldon had in a long time and that it was a lot of fun.
She had a tremendous season, breaking a school record for the 100 breaststroke after doing it in 1:04.6, breaking the previous record by just under a second. She said, “I’m very proud of it because I didn’t think I would do it this year; I thought I would probably do it senior year, and I think I’ll break it again next year.”
Junior Andrew Stoddard talked about the atmosphere before the race: “The atmosphere before a big race is awesome; the student section is absolutely packed, and people are going insane. It just really makes you feel the moment.”
Stoddard knows how to lock in before the big races to deal with the pressure and he says his method is foolproof: “Before the big races, I’m locking in, got my headphones
Bowling into the New Season
For the last year, the bowling team here at Sheldon has been crushing the competition and has a chance to make the state tournament this year and take home the championship. They have a “super team” in combination with Marist and South Eugene, making the team one of the most promising in the state.
Senior Lyon Blomberg is the captain of the team and leads them every day. The team is made up of eight members and is one of the highest scorers and helped give him his captain role. Blomberg said, “Only five of us bowl at a time but there are eight [to allow] reserves.” His biggest role is starting the team off by getting a great score. He needs to get his team in the right mindset by getting a great score to start. Blomberg said, “The biggest challenge in bowling is physical and mental strength. Bowling seems like a sport that is not physical but after bowling tons of games it gets very tiring. The mental part comes in because of the fact that each bowler is very important to the team
on, bumping that Rod Wave, thinking about the race and the opportunity I have to leave a lasting legacy of greatness upon Sheldon swim and the swimming community in general. I love Sheldon swim, I would die for Sheldon swim, I would do anything for Sheldon swim. Anything.”
Junior Harrison Rooth said that Sheldon swim is the most fun part of his year: “Without swimming, my life has no meaning. I love swimming, and swimming loves me. Me and Sheldon swim are lovers.”
Rooth went on to say that he has met a lot of his best friends while swimming. Rooth said, “I enjoy swimming so much because a lot of my best friends do it, and I just love doing it with my best friends.”
score. Especially when the tournaments start to be more serious with every pin counting, stress needs to be controlled. You have to be able to mentally control yourself or it is very hard to do well.”
Senior William Barsotti used to just bowl in his spare time, until he found out Sheldon needed more players. Barsotti is a senior at Marist and has always loved to bowl, but he was never competitive with it. Barsotti said, “The most important skill you need is to be able to stay calm. In times of extreme stress due to intense competition, you have to be able to do your best.” Barsotti believes it takes a lot of practice to keep calm: “The biggest factor is skill, but placement of where and when bowlers bowl is also important. In the tenth frame you have a chance to get more points because you can get three strikes, so whoever bowls fifth usually is the most clutch,” he said.
Senior Miguel Arao has been bowling most of his life. “Practice makes perfect. Sheldon practices three times a week and bowls on Saturday in a smaller tournament, but it is not required,” said Arao. Arao is determined to help his team win the state championship this year and is excited for the big tournament. Sheldon has a chance to bring home the championship making it the first one ever for the school. Bowling is not a very big sport at Sheldon, or even in Oregon, but maybe the team can change that by bringing home the championship trophy.
Sheldon Football Welcomes New Head Coach Tyler Martell
During this off-season, the Sheldon Fighting Irish football team is gearing up for a fresh start under the leadership of their new head coach, Tyler Martell. Having served as the head varsity defensive coordinator for the Irish and having coached multiple sports, Coach Martell steps into the shoes of former head coach Joshua Line with experience.
Martell acknowledged the legacy left by Coach Line: “Coach Line did a good job and formed really good relationships with our kids, so we’ll miss him in that aspect. But me being around as long as I have coaching multiple sports, I think leads me to be in a position where I can be successful.”
Having previously served as a baseball coach for the Irish and with his experience as the varsity defensive coordinator, Martell is used to leading teams. Martell said, “The Sheldon football program is a bigger deal than most other kinds of extra jobs are, but I think the tutelage and the training that I’ve had sets me up for success.”
As the team prepares for the upcoming season, Martell explains the importance of instilling resilience in his players. In terms of specific goals for the season, Martell said, “To teach kids to kind of battle adversity, things aren’t always going to go how you have it drawn up on paper, but to learn how to handle tough situations will only make us successful in football, but also teach our kids life lessons where they can be successful no matter what they go and do.”
In terms of team morale and unity, Coach Martell believes that winning games is a big factor, but stresses how crucial it is to have good relationships with the players. Martell said, “I think a lot of morale stuff gets taken
care of by winning, which I plan on winning a bunch, but also just forming good relationships with kids and letting them know that you care about them is a huge aspect of morale.” Martell said, “You form relationships with kids where they feel like they have an important role and understand [it].” Having an environment where every player understands their role and feels valued is crucial in encouraging and maintaining team morale.
Coach Martell’s coaching philosophy extends beyond the football field. Martell explained the importance of doing things the right way both on and off the field: “I think it’s just important to teach kids to do things the right way both on and off the field. And if you can teach people to do things the right way, then the on-field success happens naturally if you just train people to do the right thing all the time.”
Martell emphasizes the community’s role in supporting the team. Martell said, “That’s a big thing that I have to
do, is just reach out and make those connections with the community.” He also said, “I think a lot of people believe that the Sheldon football program just gets a bunch of money from the school in the district, which isn’t true. So the community aspect of it is important because we have to get the community to help us pay for what really is a really expensive sport.” Despite what many people think, the Sheldon football program relies heavily on community support for funding, and Martell is committed to establishing strong ties with the local community to ensure the team’s continued success.
As the Irish embark on a new chapter with coach Martell, the anticipation for the upcoming season is huge. With a combination of experience, a focus on character-building, and an understanding of the community’s vital role, coach Martell is on track to lead the Sheldon Irish to new heights.
New Coaching Staff Brings Innovation to Baseball Team
Baseball at Sheldon has a rich history, much like our other sports. Last year at the end of the season, former head coach Josh Riley announced he was leaving to take a job in Tennessee, and was replaced by current head coach, Brian Vogel. With Riley’s departure, there have been some other changes as well including new pitching and catching coaches, Josh Vitus and Sammy Olson respectively. This follows the retirement of assistant coaches Michael Washburn and Craig Smith. With new coaches, there are often new rules, philosophies, and goals that come with them. Coming into this new position, head coach Vogel had this to
say, “My main goal coming into the program is reestablishing some old systems, and some old trends or habits that we had before. Just kinda bringing back some stuff that we were accustomed to doing from when I was a player to when I was a coach here in the mid 2000s.” Making goals is one thing, achieving them is another. On the topic of how he plans to achieve these goals Vogel said, “We are going to work really, really hard, put a standard in every single day that is very very high, we’re going to set really high expectations of ourselves, and we’re going to try to meet those expectations day in and day out.”
As a part of the new coaching staff, Vogel brought in former players Sammy Olson and Josh Vitus who played for Sheldon less than ten years ago. Getting to coach a team he played for not too long ago is a special experience, and on that topic, Vitus said, “My past
coaches made a big impact on me and to this day I’m still friends with them. I had the privilege to play here and I thought the only right thing to do was to follow my passion and give back to the kids.”
When new coaches come into a program, they are often received either positively or negatively by the players of a program. In the case of junior baseball player Asher Olson, the reception was positive: “I think [Coach Vogel] is doing a good job creating a good community within the team, and creating good team chemistry. He’s also been organizing the team, creating better practice plans, good game plans, and just preparing us to succeed in general.”
Coaching Changes can be hard, and only time will tell how this one has affected the program, but the accounts of the coaches, and players, makes the future of Sheldon Baseball look bright.
Restaurant Boycotts, “Girl the strike!”
Abby Kubu staff writer
Amid rising tensions between Israel and Palestine, there’s been a surge in boycotts against companies linked to Israel. The McDonald’s and Starbucks boycotts in particular, sparked by the companies seemingly siding with Israel, have caused big financial hits and highlighted this tricky social and political situation. The McDonald’s boycott started when it was found that they were giving free food to Israeli soldiers, while Starbucks faced criticism after the Starbucks union posted a pro-Palestine statement, leading to Starbucks suing them, putting out a statement saying they do not support “acts of hate, terrorism and violence.” Starbucks took a massive $11 billion hit in value and a 9.4% drop in stock price, with a noticeable drop in foot traffic, according to The Economic Times. McDonald’s had about $1 million in losses, according to the Newsweek article “McDonald’s CEO Admits Boycotts Are Hurting Business.”
Hate towards McDonald’s only increased after they sued the BDS (Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions) for causing financial losses. These boycotts point to the wider Israel-Palestine conflict, which involves decades of disputed land, unlawful killings, and human rights abuses. Israel’s actions
have been criticized by international groups for oppressing Palestinians systematically. While boycotts offer a direct way to protest, they work best when combined with other methods for social change. These ongoing boycotts show a growing global awareness and push corporations to answer for their actions amid heated political situations.
Sophomore at Cottage Grove High School Emma Fernandez is one of the many people who is currently boycotting. Since late October, when the call to boycott first spoke to her, Fernandez has been actively researching and spreading awareness about the ongoing atrocities in Palestine. When asked how she knows the boycotts work, Fernandez said, “A lot of companies have lost a significant amount of money; some have even started donating to Gaza in an attempt to end the boycott.”
For those wanting to educate themselves further, Fernandez recommends several resources. “The BDS website is a good one to know what companies to boycott and why,” she suggests. “American news sources are very biased, but there are great Arab news sources like Al Jazeera.” She also recommended many social media influencers, like Bisan, Jordan Simone, and Ariana Jasmine.
Fernandez’s realization of the power behind their purchasing choices started with a random tiktok, encouraging people to
boycott. She has since been vocal in encouraging others to join the movement, using platforms like Instagram to share videos and images that shed light on the situation in Palestine.
“I post on my Instagram story a lot with videos and pictures of what’s happening, and why we’re boycotting these companies,” Fernandez shared; “I also talked to my friends, and told them what was going on.”
Fernandez said that although she had concerns at first, the boycotting has not affected her day-to-day life at all. “If I want Starbucks I can just go to a local coffee shop, or if I want McDonald’s, I can go to Gotcha Burger, which is better anyways. This boycott is a great opportunity to support small businesses, and there are so many alternatives.”
To all who are not boycotting, Fernandez said, “If you don’t care about a genocide, what else is there to care about? I can’t tell anyone how to live their lives, but I can tell them how the lives of millions are being destroyed because of the atrocities happening in Palestine as we speak.”
Try Being an Influencer for a Day, Try it.
Samiha Ghonaim page editor
In current pop culture, it’s become easier to gain a large following through TikTok. These TikTok influencers make videos of all genres including comedy, makeup, lifestyle, etc.
More recently, in 2020, the Black Lives Matter movement was spread wide throughout the app. TikTok’s audience started to notice how some influencers would speak up about the events of the movement and how others would continue their content as if nothing was happening at all. People started to “cancel” the ones who didn’t at least address it and caused influencers to panic and create posts that were strictly performative, in order to not lose followers.
Senior Meron Adams thinks influencers create change with posting: “I feel that influencers actually have a big impact on these conversations because there are many people that look up to these different influencers. These influencers often have large followings which then gives them the ability to reach and influence a wide
audience. Then sometimes they can sway opinions, trends, and discussions among their audience. Influencers should use their platforms for these conversations to help educate young people since that’s a lot of their audience.”
Throughout mass social media there are trending topics of protests, war, and elections. It becomes harder to tell whether these rich people with followers truly care when it doesn’t affect them directly. How long can they ignore it when people are flooding their comments and asking them to post something about it? Do those people even have the amount of education to spread correct information?
Senior Abigail Lee reflects that “Although there are many types of influencers, often the ones that are pressured to speak up use their platform for entertainment, whether that’s through makeup, clothes, food, etc. Though if given a platform, it is important to utilize it in effective ways, many times they don’t even carry the knowledge and education to speak up on big world issues. If you don’t know what to say, I believe that you should not say anything at all.”
On the other hand, social media does have billions of users and is an effective
way to share extensive information quickly.
From past protests seen through social media, famous people can post about a topic just to show their audience they care and use it as a short-lived trend to gain followers. Contrasting to influencers that will actually provide sources for articles or petitions. During June 2020, during the peak of Black Lives Matter protests we saw exactly that. Though a high amount of people probably wouldn’t have known about the movement without the use of social media, and people posting new and important details or knowledge.
Senior Tilly McNamara stated that influencers should feel obligated to post: “Famous people not only have the means to donate to certain causes, but also the ability to find accurate information and platform to spread it. Famous people shouldn’t be expected to do everything, but they definitely have an impact on the world and should spread awareness when they can.”
The Meaning Behind Barbie
Brielle Brown page editor
To really talk about Barbie, one has to talk about all humans, no matter the ethnicity, gender, or personality. Despite the universal nature of Barbie one could shout “respect all humans,” and people still wouldn’t listen. You would have to understand that Barbie reflects everyone. It reflects the idea that everyone is their own person, that everyone is human. That girls support other girls, that people support other people.
Sophomore Paul Severe said, “I just wish [the characters] were all able to have full equality and a good ending, every gender.” Even celebrities struggle with their self identity and people criticize them for being human. Celebrities like Taylor Swift have faced the difficulty of trying to be liked by everyone, before realizing that it’s
impossible and quite honestly exhausting. She often hears people say they like her songs, there’s just something about her they don’t like. Barbie as a whole reflects how it’s difficult to be a human: you get laughed at for sharing your opinion, despised for following your dreams, get told you’re overreacting, get told you’re under reacting, and countless more things.
Barbie contradicts societal norms shedding light on the fact that all women are beautiful. Sophomore Sarah Aasheim said, “So many men hated it because it called men out on a lot of things, and it called women out on how we can be more empowering to each other as women. How internalized sexism towards other women should not be tolerated.” Barbie was supposed to be this “perfect girl” with the “perfect body” and “perfect life.” This unrealistic image of how a woman should be can be harmful, and if you aren’t aligned with this image, it can attract criticism.
Aashiem said, “Barbie is teaching women that we can
be amazing, show feminism, and be divine. But we can also basically, be you know, wild. When it comes to our protection and our integrity, we have to fight for that.” In a world with so much insecurity, people talk behind each other’s backs, just continuing the cycle and not breaking it.
Senior Caedin Brown said, “I would have to look at the Barbie [my future daughter would have]. For instance, if the Barbie has straight blonde hair [but my future daughter] curly red hair I would want her to know that she can pursue any style she wants, but she’s beautiful the way she is. And later, more Barbies will come out to show how beauty can come in many different forms.”
Barbie, as a whole, has evolved throughout the years to represent career women and women of many different ethnicities and cultures who are all so inspiring despite their diversity. Barbie demonstrates how we should all love ourselves and others.
Negative Stereotypes in Children’s Media
Chloe Battin page editor
Messages surrounding the ideal body spread faster than ever before in today’s media. The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry found that children as young as eight spend an average of 4-6 hours every day on some type of screen, whether that be a smartphone, tablet, gaming console, or watching TV. Children’s television channels like the Disney Channel and
Nickelodeon captivate young audiences with their fun and engaging stories. This encourages children to explore and develop their unique personalities and styles. Although this may seem positive, that’s not always the case.
In 2023, a controversial episode of the Australian TV show “Bluey” aired. The episode conveniently entitled “Exercise,” showed Bluey’s parents stepping on a scale in front of their daughters while expressing dissatisfaction with their weight. Throughout the episode, Bluey’s family exercises together. Nevertheless, viewers criticized the motivation behind Bluey’s family exercise, stating it was
for weight loss rather than a fun family activity. This sparked a discussion online about fatphobia in children’s TV.
Members of the Sheldon community took notice of harmful messages in their favorite shows growing up, with Senior Izzy Garrett noting, “[Growing up] I saw… [that] if you weren’t… super skinny, then you were known as the delegate… ‘fat friend’...You were the joke of the show.”
The body positivity movement has been critical of the way shows and movies handle fat representation, arguing that such media often relies on fatphobic stereotypes that can be harmful. This has raised concerns among students, including junior Brenna Scott, about the impact such messages can have on young viewers. “In Grease…they picked a skinny girl, put her in a big sweater, and always made her hold a Twinkie, and that was the ‘fat’ girl… I’ve…gotten that feeling of dread when characters are made out to be more overweight than they are,” said Scott.
Male-identifying teens are often overlooked in discussions of body image due to societal expectations of men and their mental health. Junior Oliver Bruce noted that society traditionally expects men to appear strong and hide their emotions. “That can be damaging when it comes to talking about…mental health. I’ve done…research about eating disorders in men, and they go extremely underreported because we…don’t know how to talk about it,” said Bruce. “There’s not a lot of media representation of [eating disorders in men] because we don’t want to be seen as weak, or…be judged.”
Sheldon offers resources for body image and eating disorder support. Counselors are available for students in need. SheldonStrong, a new mental health club, provides peer support for those with similar struggles. As Bruce said, “It might be daunting but taking the first step is the most important part [in recovery].”
Student Entrepreneurship in 4j High Schools
Addy Zauner staff writer
I bet you want money - we all do. But in the wise words of Khalid, we are “young dumb broke high school kids,” yet not all high schoolers are that dumb or broke. Some students have come up with clever businesses to make money, and you could be one of them. From flipping shoes to creating new products to sell on Etsy. Some have gone through trials and tribulations, but they have overcome it all with smart business ideas.
Many times high school students will typically get a job working for alreadyestablished businesses, yet that doesn’t work for everyone. Especially if you do extracurricular activities, it can be hard to get a job that works for your schedule. We
Supporting Sheldon’s Student Radio, KRVM
Benjamin Guldager staff writer
KRVM is a listener powered local radio station that is attached to the Sheldon High School building with an estimated average of 2,500 listeners tuned in and listening during the day, and an estimated 30,000 listeners tuned in during the week. KRVM has a variety of shows, music, current events, and much more. Tune in any time of the day to 91.9 KRVM and listen to hand selected hit songs and albums from a variety of genres. These genres range from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame to Country Classics; there’s something for everyone. This is shown in their slogan, “Keeping Real Variety in Music.” To stay more in touch with current events, you can listen along and hear their PSAs where they inform listeners on things happening in Eugene. They also have a varied selection of segments, such as their Friday segment, “Focus on Communities,” where they talk with local non-profit organizations. More information about current community events can be found in the “What’s Happening” tab at KRVM.org. If you are looking to support and grow the radio station, KRVM’s Development Director, Paul Schwartzberg said, “Telling people about us is the number one way people can help.” General Operations Manager Stu Grenfell said, “We also have a Facebook page as another way to keep up with KRVM.” Along with those, an additional way for students to support KRVM is by checking out the website and navigating to the “Support KRVM” tab, where students can find donation links, friends of the station, and volunteer opportunities. With support from the Sheldon community, the station can thrive and continue to keep real variety in music.
Cabrera Hosts “Night of Rock”
have some student athletes who have started flipping shoes to make money with some success.
If you want to take the more creative route you can make custom things for other people and sell them on Etsy. This is what youth entrepreneur and North Eugene High School junior Emily Careo does to make money for her college savings. She has a basic wood plank design from which people will request for her to make a certain design or their name on the wood with certain colors, or from time to time she will do Pyrography, which is the burning of wood in an artistic way. One thing she would say to people who want to start their own business is to “just go for it. Find something that brings you joy and make money off of it. There are so many ways to make money that all you need to do is a little research and some creativity and you got it!”
Commentary: Labeling at Sheldon
Clarity Turnage staff writer
Labels. What do you think of when you hear the word “Label”? When I hear the word “Label” I think of people at our school. It feels like everyone at school has their own label. There are popular kids, skater kids, weird kids, smart kids, outsiders. Everyone is just so involved with people thinking others are better than everyone else. But to be honest everyone is the same. We all bleed the same, we all have our own personal stuff going on.
Most people don’t care about others as much as they should. Many kids at this school are just concerned about themselves and don’t seem to care about anyone else’s feelings. School is supposed to be a place where people help each other grow and where they are there for each other. One second, you’re telling your friend something personal and then the next, your business is getting spread around the whole school.
Freshman Harry Stacy said, “Tons of students here try so hard to be the same as everyone else. Some mostly do things because they wanna impress a popular kid, or are just jealous of someone. Some people like to act intimidating and tough when they don’t get what they want and it is part of the reason this school has so many fights. In the end it’s all just drama and it really doesn’t matter.”
Many high school students believe that it is easy for people to get peer pressured into doing things. Freshman Imani Hagins said that it happens “very often. Kids are constantly talking about going out to drink and to parties.”
As you can see some kids here at Sheldon will do anything to be popular. Everyone wants to be alike so they don’t get made fun of for their personality, so they decide to act like other people. School would be better if people would just be more tolerant of one another.
English teacher Andrew Cabrera hosted a musical event on March 21 dedicated to rock and roll. Students performed a setlist that spanned decades, including such hits as “Immigrant Song” by Led Zeppelin, “People are Strange” by The Doors, and “Waterloo Sunset” by The Kinks.
Student performers take a bow.
(L to R) Clara Gramzow (Sr.), Emi Henrikson (Jr.), Autumn Maib (Soph.), Val Hansen (Soph.), Lux Yamamori (Jr.), Teia Thompson (Sr.), and Taylor Bittle (Sr.)
photos by Chloe Battin
Sophomore Autumn Maeb sings.
Sheldon Welcomes Disability and Divergency Alliance
As is becoming more and more apparent with advances in the understanding of neurodevelopmental differences over the past couple of decades, some folks’ brains just work differently. There is a relatively new affinity group for students on the neurodivergent spectrum at Sheldon, advised by IHS teacher Jordan Clementi, who said, “It isn’t an awareness club, it’s an advocacy and affinity group; we also focus on disabilities, particularly hidden ones. It has been good so far, [but] it’s a fairly young organization so we’re still getting off of the ground.”
The affinity group —which meets on Mondays during lunch in room C9— is known as the Disability and Divergency Alliance (or DDA), a place for neurodivergent students to find support and community at school.
On the topic of support, Clementi has some ideas on how Sheldon’s support for neurodiverse students could be improved: “The Zen Zone is a good start, so is letting neurodiverse kids express themselves differently, giving alternative testing styles, [and] creating lessons which allow for deep thinking rather than some arbitrary definition of rigor.”
But what does it mean to be neurodivergent? The dictionary definition of neurodivergency is a difference in mental or neurological function from what is considered typical, but what does it mean to the actual people, and how do they experience it? For senior Ryan Kelly, “It’s definitely been…kind of a challenge. When it comes to my relationships with people, I feel like
I’m putting in a lot of extra work…just to connect with people…school, work, and life aren’t really made to compliment the way my brain works.”
According to junior Nolan Blume, “[At DDA meetings] it’s nice to be able to be yourself and just talk with your friends, and not have to have a filter.”
While Sheldon is supportive of its neurodiverse students, there is still of course some stereotyping and stigma that
affects them. For Blume, it’s “the stereotypes of awkwardness, and the whole special interest thing…I know that it affects [neurodiverse students] a lot.” This is where the DDA comes in: while it doesn’t magically fix all of the issues divergent students face, it does provide important support.
The Disability and Divergency Alliance meet to discuss their experiences with neurodivergency.
Meet Sheldon’s New Mental Health Club: SheldonSTRONG
Sheldon Strong is a pillar of strength at our school, advocating for mental health. The club is dedicated to eliminating the stigma associated with mental illness because of how important mental health is to overall wellbeing. It’s also committed to promoting mental health education and resource accessibility on campus and in the larger community. Sheldon Strong offers a secure environment for honest communication, experience sharing, and education on a range of mental health issues and coping techniques. The club seeks to advance selfcare habits, resilience, and practical methods for dealing with stress, anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues through thought-provoking talks, instructive seminars, and inspiring stories.
Counselor Clair Smith, who is a part of
Sheldon Strong, has brought up the reason on why this club was created for students and the community at Sheldon: “Les Philipo had some personal experiences with loss or suicide. He wanted to ensure that all students feel supported here.”
Smith also mentioned the goals and objectives the club tries to achieve: “I think there’s a lot of them, mostly communicated resources we have here on campus, but also helping students understand that even though there are struggles everywhere, that there are also ways to get help and to kind of remain hopeful.”
Sheldon Strong also aims to raise awareness about mental health among students with creating a welcoming and safe space. Smith said, “Creating a space where all students can feel like they’re not alone, even when they are struggling. I don’t think that everybody goes
through life going ‘I’m fabulous! Every single day!’ type of pace. I think normalizing the idea that we’re all here and that we all struggle with our own ways of doing it. As long as we are staying together!”
Senior Kenia Gonzalez Vargas mentioned how the club helps support students who may be struggling with mental health: “I think Sheldon Strong offers essential help to students who are struggling mentally. It gives them a chance at opening up and finding peers that they are comfortable talking and hanging with.”
Vargas goes to Sheldon Strong frequently, and it has been very helpful for her to understand what’s been going on about the stigma of mental health in general. “I have gotten a better understanding of mental health since I’ve joined. The advice from our guest speakers have been very helpful for those who need
it in future situations,” Vargas said. Junior Braden Pape, who goes to Sheldon Strong, says it has given him a better grasp of the issues surrounding mental health and helped him learn about the stigma associated with it: “Understanding your own mental health is necessary in order to help others with their mental health. I’m hyped to learn more about mental health. It’s a good opportunity to learn and explore, you get to hang out with your friends and introduce yourself to new people.”
Sheldon Strong is a club where anyone can join, not just for people struggling with mental health. It’s a place for learning, engaging, and having fun with the people around you!
Run by students, for students.
Frontpage editor................................Ella Schmeling
Around Campus pg.2 editor.................Ella Schmeling
Spring Has Sprung pg.3 editor.............Jessica Fitch
Music pg.4 editor............................Khaya Ainis-Michael
In Front of an Audience pg.5 editor.....Brody Rust
Spring Sports pg.6 editor....................Samiha Ghonaim
Spring Sports pg.7 editor....................Brady Rust
Staff Writers:
Emily Aguilar Urias
Lileah Briggs
Landon Core
Emily Escobar-Mogollon
Thomas
Cameron
Benjamin
Ezra
Olsen
Representations pg.9 editor.............Brielle Brown
Students pg.10 editor.......................Shiloh Capiak
Mental Health Clubs pg. 11 editor......Chloe Battin
Backpage editor..............................Brady Rust
Editor-in-chief.................................Ella Schmeling
Staff Adviser....................................Greg Cantwell
Bella Reniff Ulises Ruiz-Lopez
Clarity Turnage
Micah White
Addy Zauner