Volume 43 Issue 6 - April 10, 2008

Spotlight: Joel Chapman

Spring sports: Athlete profiles

page 3

centerspread

Election: Barack v. Hillary

t h e Ta l i s m a n backpage

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shstalisman@gmail.com myspace.com/shstalisman 2455 willakenzie Road, Eugene, Oregon 97401 volume 43 Issue 6 April 10, 2008 Sheldon High School

“Txt” line in development for reporting

Cell phones will soon be used to inform authorities of important info

by Ashley Ruderman copy editor

Although cell phone usage is typically condemned within the classrooms of Sheldon, text messaging may become the key reason campus stays safe. Assistant principal Mark Watson is the leading a proposal to establish a phone line that students can anonymously text threatening information to.

The text messages would be received and read on a phone carried by a member of campus supervision. “Depending

on the message texted in, other people such as myself or members of administration may have access to the text.

All messages however, will be read,” said police officer John Savage. The text line will always be available for students to submit information into; however the line will only operate on school days from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

The text message line will be publicized throughout the community in order to promote campus safety.

The idea behind a text message line is somewhat of a “reaction to the student who brought a gun on campus a few months ago. Some students were aware that a gun was on campus, however no one said anything until they were asked,” said Officer Savage. “Many students text

constantly and this line would give them a chance to submit important information with out drawing much attention.”

Although the concept of an open text line seems simple, the specifics do raise questions. Insuring the security of the phone number, sending the text, in addition to sorting through false information will prove to be challenge for administration and campus supervision. However, security is clearly the issue at large.

The proposal for the text line is still in the works, and Sheldon staff and students will likely be hearing more about developments within the 2008-2009 school year. Students can expect safety to be the first consideration that administration places weight upon.

Senator Wyden visited to discuss health policy 4J health policy recognized by U.S. senator, who dropped by in March

by Gracie Beaver editor-in-chief On March 18, Sheldon received a special visitor to its humble cafeteria. Senator Ron Wyden stopped by to discuss his new “health initiative” with leadership students, as well as connect with the student population. A large part of Wyden’s health initiative deals with healthy meal choices, an issue 4J has tackled in previous years. Unhealthy foods had previously been available in the school setting, but with the relatively new 4J wellness policy, healthier options are now available. The wellness policy was initiated in 2003, removing unhealthy fodder including ice cream, donuts, and candy from the à la Carte menu.

Gone are the days of fudge pops and maple bars. 4J dietary consultant Nicole Lalor joked, “Those were the first to go.”

Chad Williams, the food services director for the 4J district, is proud of the job this district is doing. “4J is way ahead of the game,” he stated, “I think our district does a great job of living up to the spirit.” Williams manages the dietary needs of 34 schools; this means he is responsible for 9000 meals every day. While the wellness policy applies to all schools in the district, a greater emphasis is placed on healthy eating in the elementary schools. Williams explained, “Starting at high school is almost too late.”

Lalor welcomes student input in designing the district’s breakfast and lunch menus. In fact, 4J held a focus group here at Sheldon to decide what kind of entrees to feature. As a result, foods such as baked potatoes and rice bowls have become part of the menu.

As for Senator Wyden, he sees 4J, and Sheldon, as a role

model. “You guys are doing more than a good job,” Wyden enthusiastically announced to the small group of leadership students he shared lunch with, “I intend to talk about [the health program] on the floor of the senate.” Wyden endorses healthy eating habits as “the future of American Health Care,” citing statistics on how much of America’s Medicare budget goes to care for diseases that could have been prevented. In addition to promoting healthy lifestyle choices, Wyden tried to connect with youth by asking his leadership student posse about their lives, as well as offering advice for a successful future. They conversed over a “healthy lunch” including cucumbers, carrots, beans, beef, brownies, and an apple that the senator left on the table after his visit.

While Senator Wyden joins Williams in recognizing the job 4J has done to promote healthy eating, Williams also identified some weak spots at Sheldon. For starters, Sheldon’s open campus policy gives students the option to purchase cheap-yet-unhealthy fast food during the school day. Williams supports a closed-campus policy, but understood the difficulties of implementation. Another slightly embarrassing problem Sheldon has is its cafeteria; Williams described the room as having “a visual appearance that’s kind of gross.” Finally, students may have noticed that sodas popped up in one of Sheldon’s vending machines in March. Apparently, these were absolutely not supposed to be there.

Problems aside, the fact that Senator Wyden feels that Sheldon is a role model for other schools is certainly something the district, along with Sheldon’s population, can feel proud of, even if it does leave a maple bar to be desired.

Ashley Admire photo

Above: Senator Ron Wyden consumes food from Sheldon’s cafeteria over lunch with leadership students.

Left: Sprite Zero, along with Cherry Coke Zero, both carbonated beverages, found their way back into one Sheldon vending machine in March, even though sodas have been banned. By now, though, the sodas have mysteriously disappeared, and been replaced by Dasani Plus.

Gracie Beaver photo

Second annual Irish Night of Giving on April 18 Sheldon celebration gives to Boosters

by Jordan Eddy assistant editor “There are a lot of people that have done great things for Sheldon, and they shouldn’t be forgotten,” said Sheldon alumni Dick Doyle. He was talking to Assistant Principal Mike Johnson, who wholeheartedly agreed. That’s when the seed of an idea was planted in Johnson’s head. It was an idea that would eventually have a big impact on the development of Sheldon’s future as well as memories of its past.

About five years after that fateful conversation, the very first Irish Night of Giving took place. The brainchild of Johnson, the program has two main goals: to honor those that have had a positive impact on Sheldon (as

per Doyle’s suggestion), and to help out current Sheldon students, teachers and athletes. Specifically, he saw a big need surrounding low income students.

“There are students in this school that have high needs.

We try to provide support for them,” said Johnson.

The inaugural event took place on April 21 of last year, and allowed Johnson to achieve many of his goals, “We built the snack shed out on the football field, which is used by the Sheldon Booster Club.” This helps out Sheldon sports teams, clubs and classrooms, Johnson explained, lauding the Sheldon Booster Club for its positive outreach.

He also set up five scholarships for Sheldon seniors who are in financial crisis. The funds allowed recipients to attend one year of school at Lane Community College.

This year, Johnson and his co-chair Robin Obermire are planning to reach even further. Not only are they shooting to double the number of scholarships that they hand out, they’re offering a helping hand to Sheldon’s athletics

programs. “[We’re] going to be focusing on track,” said Obermire, referring to plans to redo the entire Sheldon track field. Johnson pointed out that doing so will help gym classes and community members as well, because the track is so widely used. The softball, soccer and football programs will also benefit—a project to replace the 40-year-old athletics storage bins is in the works.

But Johnson hasn’t forgotten the roots of his idea— those who have had a positive impact on Sheldon will be honored during and after the event. On the night of the affair, an Honors Ceremony will take place recognizing Dr. Rod Gillian and the Olsson family as “Sheldon Ambassadors for Kids.” Following the charity night, a “hall of fame” display case will be constructed.

The event begins on April 18 with a social for Sheldon alumni, and continues on April 19 with a golf tournament at the Mckenzie River Golf Course. That night, an auction fundraiser and the Honors Ceremony will take place.

2 April 10, 2008

News

the Talisman

Mr. Irish: a night to remember Mr.Irish brought individual contestants together, turned them into a cohesive group, and created a night to remember for all involved

by Anna Catalano staff writer Three months of long and grueling rehearsals. Fundraising and group activities by the dozen. The top ten senior boys from Sheldon. Five judges observing talent, creativity, and personality. One night of talent and fun. In one night, a young man’s life is changed forever. This…is Mr. Irish.

The program began in 1993 here at Sheldon High School as an effort to raise money for the Children’s Miracle Network. Each year since then, ten senior boys have been nominated by their peers to participate in this school phenomenon. They hold fundraisers, visit a hospital’s neonatal intensive care unit, and take on the staff in a basketball game. This year, talent and creativity ruled the stage with performances that had the audience laughing and cheering the whole way through.

Matt Levine, a junior who did stage crew, said, “We had rehearsals three hours a day for six days. By the time Mr. Irish night came, it was a full day of rehearsal plus the show. It was exhausting.” Exhausting as it was, all the hard work paid off in the end for everyone.

The show began with a group dance. Presented next were videos that the contestants had created in order to persuade and entertain the judges. Then, some guest speakers came from the Children’s Miracle Network. The talent portion came next, where each contestant went up and performed in some way a talent that made them unique and memorable.

After more segments of the show, including a Dash for popularity contest for guys—it’s all about helping those less Cash, a question and answer period, recognition of the fortunate, like those babies. Every single guy worked their contestants’ moms, and a Backstreet Boys closing dance, it tails off doing this, and it’s not really just about one person.”

Senior Niki Bothman and junior coordinator Olivia was time to announce the winner. Kellan Davis, last year’s winner, arrived to crown the lucky young man. Ladies and Alison agree that Mr. Irish is a Sheldon tradition gentlemen, the 2008 Mr. Irish winner…Daniel Bodily! that is as essential as it is lovable. “It’s about raising “I was completely shocked—I don’t think anything was money to save the babies, of course, but it’s also about going through my head at all at that point,” he said regarding bringing a bunch of very different guys and girls from his reaction to being crowned. Bodily picked playing the various social groups together. It’s a great program.”

Let us hope that this idea lives on in the Mr. Irish piano as his talent in the show, and he has been playing for twelve years. As for the entire Mr. Irish experience, Pageant for years to come. This program is a creative he was humbled and appreciative. “It changed my life,” and fun way to change the world, one baby at a time. he said. “All the visits and opportunities really put things Congratulations to Daniel Bodily, the 2008 winner! in perspective for me.

It made me appreciate life a lot more, knowing that some people have it way worse.”

During these months, the boys had to spend a lot of time together.

When asked if he had grown close to any contestant in particular, Bodily laughed, “All of them! At the beginning, there was just a bunch of guys thrown together who didn’t know anything about each other. We got to be really good friends.” He Ashley Admire photo added, “I think that it’s important that Mr. Irish Daniel Bodily sings for the babies, but his real talent is his ability to play the doesn’t become just a piano, which he did during the talent portion of the Mr. Irish Pageant.

Cupcake Club: more than just baking Sheldon’s Cupcake Club has found a great way to raise money for charity and have fun while doing it

by Naima Lobby staff writer It’s normal to have a craving for cake every once in a while, but an entire cake is just too much. Well, there’s an alternative, more convenient version of cake: a cupcake.

Just picture a sweet mini cake that doesn’t require utensils because it’s so small. It is usually baked in a paper cup but uses all the same ingredients as a larger cake (such as butter, eggs, sugar, and flour). The British sometimes call them fairy cakes and they are eaten with afternoon tea. So grab a cup o’ tea because The Cupcake Club has come to Sheldon!

The Cupcake Club is a new addition to the Sheldon

Activities. It’s not a club where students just sit around and eat yummy cupcakes. The members of the cupcake club bake cupcakes during their meetings then sell them the following day. These wonderful students actually donate all the earnings to a different charity each week, such as Women’s Space, Food for Lane County, Greenhill Humane Society, and many others. Junior Suzannah Hallam said, “It’s wonderful that these students found a great way to give back to the community and have fun at the same time.”

The Cupcake Club was started by a junior here at Sheldon named Lily Bussel. “I got the idea to start Cupcake Club because I love baking pies, cookies, muffins, cakes...

I also wanted to do something that would benefit the community. I wanted to create a club that allowed me not only to continue my passion for baking, but also to benefit important causes in our community,” Bussel said.

To start the Cupcake Club, Bussel had to go through a long process to get it approved by the site council.

She had to do lots of research, obtain food handler’s cards, and find convenient times and places to sell; she finally got the approval after five long months.

The Cupcake Club sells on Tuesdays after school at the old coffee cart across from the main office, and they plan to sell during games and other school activities. These cupcakes are just $1.50 and when one is purchased, a 10-hole punch card is issued to the buyer and after the tenth cupcake purchased, one cupcake will be given for free. How great is that?

On the Cupcake Club’s debut, the cupcakes looked extravagant. They had different cake types and frostings, such as white cake with chocolate frosting, white cake with cream cheese frosting, and others. Freshman Isaac Larson, who had just purchased a cupcake from the Cupcake Club said, “These cupcakes are delicious, and the fact that they go to a good cause makes it so much better. It’s great to be able to eat something so good and give back to the community at the same time.” He also added, “The service was great too; I dropped my cupcake on accident and they gave me one for free without any hassle. Not only does this club make delicious cupcakes, they have compassion like no other.”

Be sure to grab a $1.50 and head over to the coffee cart across from the main office on Tuesdays to get a tasty snack and help out the community.

Multicultural mural soon to be finished After months of hard work, the mural is almost ready for its big debut

by Lauren Scott staff writer It’s big. It’s bold. It’s in your face.

It’s the new mural that spans the length of the wall between the Multicultural Center’s doors. From floor to ceiling, the mural supports the embracement of different cultures and promotes internationalist values. It sports a giant blue and green Earth, surrounded on either side by flags of the world.

Easy to miss? Hardly. If you have ever enrolled in Fashion Design, Ceramics, Photo, Art I or II, and most especially Multicultural Studies, you’ve probably seen its progression.

Not only is this piece of art unique, but it is completely student-made as well. Garnering its own club— the Multicultural Mural Painting Club— the students meet every week to work on the mural. They’ve been working on it since the end of September under the supervision of instructional assistant Paula Stuart. However, Stuart made it clear that the mural was planned by students, designed by students, and painted by students.

The mural was commissioned by Jose Alonso, a teacher

in the Multicultural Center. “I’m very appreciative of the students that came up with the design,” Alonso said. “A major goal of the mural was to represent the diversity of the school.” According to Alonso, Sheldon is the first and only high school in Lane County, as well as in the state of Oregon, to have a Multicultural Center. “It was critical to create the mural to legitimize the Multicultural Center,” he said.

Like most things in life, this mural’s production hasn’t been a trouble-free ride.

Rumors have been heard about so-called controversies over the mural’s production. “I don’t think ‘controversy’ is the right word,” Stuart assured. Apparently, the only issues that arose were questions concerning which flag images to use and their placements. Other minor complications include students’ schedules.

“Students are so busy, it’s hard to get everyone together,” Stuart said.

According to Alonso, it is important that students see and comprehend the underlying ideas in the mural. “If you take the time to walk around our school, you’ll find

at times not all the diversity of the school is represented on the walls and in the environment. [The mural] is for all students at Sheldon…it’s education for all students.”

Students out there wanting to help make Sheldon a cooler place, can drop by the art room from 3:30 to 5:00 on Thursdays to help work on the mural. The planned date for completion is in roughly three weeks, so roll up your painting smock sleeves and help out!

Features

the Talisman

April 10, 2008

3

Spotlight: the incomparable Joel Chapman Chapman doesn’t see himself as an inspiration

by Megan Keough news editor If you were to close your eyes and let the melodic harmony of the piano drift into your mind, you would never guess that the musician producing that wonderful sound has spent most of his life in a wheelchair. Joel Chapman, a sophomore at Sheldon High School, has managed to successfully complete more challenging tasks in his life than most of us even bother to try doing and although he insists that he’s not, to many he is an inspiration.

Chapman received his first powered wheel chair when he was in first grade and began playing the piano at age five. He decided to start playing because it was something that had always interested him and at the time, his sister just happened to be taking lessons.

Although he draws his inspiration from many artists, Chapman said that his favorite two would have to

be “Ben Folds and Billy Joel.”

At Sheldon, Chapman is heavily involved in the theater program and stated that working on Sheldon’s newest production, Singin’ in the Rain, “has been a great experience.”

He also enjoys other forms of art such as photography, painting and singing, but no matter what he ends up doing in the future, he always wants to keep music a huge part of his life.

When talking about the obstacles he has had to face, Chapman said one of the things people should realize is that “a physical impairment is merely an opportunity to learn how to do things differently. It’s not bad or good; it just is.” Chapman does not consider himself an inspiration or different from anyone else. His only piece of advice is just to remember to “keep an open mind when it comes to the definition of the word ‘normal.’”

Jordan Eddy photo

Sophomore Joel Chapman is very involved in Sheldon. His activities include drama, piano, choir, photography, and painting.

A few lucky Sheldon students go to Ireland

Merry Ploughboys Pub, and a look inside Newgrange, which Anderson described as a “neolithic passage tomb older than the pyramids and Stonehenge.” In what was undoubtedly a highlight for Anderson and

by Ashley Admire her choir students, the Sheldon choir performed in centerspread/photography St. Patrick’s Cathedral on the fifteenth. Anderson On March 11, fourteen lucky Sheldon students and was happy with the turnout and said, “Many took ten adults left for a magical trip to Ireland. The trip was photos and even came and listened to our warm-ups!” focused on choir students, but anyone who could afford As the trip neared its end, the group had the chance to it was invited to join them. With a cost of just over celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in Ireland. They attended $3,000 for each person, many students had to participate a parade, and saw high school bands from the United in fundraising activities. Choir teacher Nancy Anderson States perform. Peters described the event as “amazing,” coordinated times for students to work the concession and said, “It was so colorful and everyone was in stands at Duck football games, as well as a cheesecake great spirits.” Despite the glowing review she gave of sale for students to raise money from friends and family. St. Patrick’s Day, Peters explained, “There definitely With the money raised, the travelers left for Ireland, where were other things on the trip that were much more they visited many amazing places. Favorite stops of senior exciting and memorable for me,” which goes to show Olivia Peters included, “[the] Cliffs of Mohr, [the] National just how much was done on this week-long vacation.

Three planes and nearly sixteen flight hours later, the Museum and National Gallery, St Patrick’s Cathedral, Kilkenny Castle, [just] to name a few!” They were also travelers returned home with countless unforgettable treated to a medieval dinner in Bunratty Castle, a tour of memories. Anderson summed up the feelings of many the Waterford crystal factory, Irish music and dance at the of her fellow tourists: “Ireland is magical, and its

Students were able to experience the music, history, and culture of Ireland

people very friendly. We were all sad to have to leave, and most of us plan to return some day.” For Anderson and future Sheldon students, a chance to return to Ireland may come in 2011. Plans will soon begin for that fifth Sheldon choir trip to Ireland.

Pretty. Odd. is pretty good New Panic at the Disco CD

by Gracie Beaver Editor-In-Chief Panic at the Disco recently released their sophomore album Pretty. Odd. While Panic does fall into that oh-so-popular emo genre, Pretty. Odd. is strikingly different than their previous CD, A Fever You Can’t Sweat Out, and manages to hold its own against other bands in the same genre.

On the song “The Piano Knows Something I Don’t Know,” lead singer Brendon Urie proclaims, “I can’t prove this makes any sense, but I sure hope that it does.” This line by itself defines the entire lyrical content of the album. The words range from a whimsical romance between celestial bodies, to nonsensical metaphors such as, “Don’t you remember when I was a bird and you were a map?” While the lyrics may be confusing, they are still stupidly poetic, as in songs such as “Northern Downpour,” which begs the moon to stay in the sky indefinitely.

This is quite a departure from Fever, which contained higher-level profanity, as well as a violent and sexual edge. (You know, the kind of things that Grandma would be shocked to hear.) Pretty. Odd. is still dark in its own way, but it’s more “abstractly creepy,” where you just can’t quite put your finger on what’s freaking you out.

Pretty. Odd. also lacks the electronica component of Fever, something that sets Panic apart from other emo bands.

Fortunately, the music is still catchy and there is just enough variety in the types of songs so that the listener doesn’t get bored after one time through. The band experiments

with lots of different instruments, especially towards the end of the album, where the acoustic guitars, pianos, and strings lurk.

One other change is the empty hole in the band’s name where the exclamation point used to be. No longer will the band be referred to as “P!@TD” on Internet message boards. Alas, the new politically correct acronym is PATD. Overall, this is probably the most disappointing bit of the new album.

Pretty. Odd. may live up to its name in regards to what one might expect from Panic at the Disco, but more than anything, this CD shows growth. The lyrics are elegant, the music is a nice combination of fun and depressing, and the liner is even complete with faux Victorian-era art.

Either way, Pretty. Odd. turned out to be pretty awesome.

Talisman Staff

Editor-in-Chief Assistant Editor Ads Manager Features Editor Opinion Editor News Editor Sports Editor Centerspread/Photos Copy Editor Staff Writers Anna Catalano Naima Lobby Staff Advisor

Gracie Beaver Jordan Eddy Nicole Callihan Cammisha Manley Alicia Luck Megan Keough Jeff Toreson Ashley Admire Ashley Ruderman Devin Calhoun Melissa Gibson Lauren Scott Greg Cantwell

A message from the Talisman The Talisman is run by students for students. The views expressed in the Talisman are not necessarily those of the Talisman staff, those of Sheldon High School, or those of the Sheldon community. If you have any letters to the editor, please e-mail the Talisman at shstalisman@gmail.com, or drop a letter in our box located in the office. We kindly reserve the right to edit all stories we print.

Find places from the Ireland article in this wordsearch.

Ultimate Frisbee

Name: Kelly Marx Grade: 10 Why do you play?

It’s fun, and it gives me the chance to hang out with my friends.

Favorite aspect of Ultimate?

Hanging out with my friends. Winning a couple games helps it to be a lot of fun, too.

Any future Ultimate goals?

I hope to get better over time.

If you were a Frisbee disk, what design and color would you be?

I would be a glow in the dark disk.

Name: Will Dickman Grade: 10 Why do you play?

It’s fun and it’s great exersice.

Favorite aspect of Ultimate?

I love to dive for the disk.

Any future Ultimate goals?

I would love to get better.

If you were a Frisbee disk, what design and color would you be?

I would be a light-up disk so some could play anytime. I would also be glow-in-the-dark. I would love to have a design of a ninja on the disk.

Lacrosse Name: Ian Feltis Grade: 12 What is your position?

I play the attack position.

How long have you played?

I’ve been playing for about 5 years.

Biggest accomplishment?

Earning the title of team captain this year with Tyler Bierce. It felt really good to achieve this because it shows our dedication to the team and our readiness to win.

Anything else?

More people should come to the games! They are way fun to watch!

Name: Kelsey Pemberton Grade: 12 What position do you play?

Mostly defensive, sometimes D-Wing.

How long have you played?

This is my first

year.

Favorite aspect of lacrosse?

Everyone is really cool, and I like the different aspects of sports that are combined in lacrosse.

If you were a lacrosse stick, what color would you be?

Blue and yellow—the color of my lacrosse stick.

Track and Field Name: Geoff Moore Grade: 12 Why do you run?

If I didn’t do it, I would be fat and lazy.

Favorite aspect of track?

Winning and hav-

ing fun.

Biggest track accomplishment?

Not quitting.

If you had to pole vault over a pit of hot lava, could you?

Yes, because I pole vaulted as a sophomore.

Name: Becca Eddy Grade: 9 Why do you run?

It’s good exercise and it’s fun.

Favorite aspect of track?

Testing my skills in races. Train-

ing’s fun too, though Do you have a favorite quote?

“It doesn’t matter if you have the will to win, you have to have the will to prepare” If you had to pole vault over a pit of hot lava, could you?

I’d probably fall in. I’m not a pole vaulter. I could high jump over it maybe.

Tennis

Name: Hannah Rosenburg Grade: 10 Why do you play?

It’s fun, I have close friends that play, and the outfits are cute!

How long have you played?

I’ve always been around tennis and taken lessons here and there, but I seriously started playing in seventh or eighth grade.

Biggest tennis accomplishment?

Playing as a freshman and almost going undefeated and this year beating South.

Favorite Aspect?

I love the team! I also like that tennis is a team sport, but also everyone plays in individual matches.

Name: Connor O’Brien Grade: 10 Why do you play tennis?

Because it’s fun.

How long have you been playing tennis?

Since I was eight.

Favorite aspect

of tennis?

Anyone can be good if you try.

Biggest tennis accomplishment?

I made it to the third round of districts.

s s p p ro i r nt g s

Baseball/Softball Name: Wyatt Davis Grade: 11 Favorite aspect of baseball?

The defensive aspect, especially outsmarting the hitters.

Biggest accomplishment?

Being [named] an all-league catcher last season.

Season outlook?

We will finish at the top of our league, and hopefully make it far in state and win a championship.

Any strange pre-game rituals?

It’s not an every game ritual, but sometimes we take a pre-game infield without the ball . . . and we also eat lots of licorice.

Name: Chloe Buerstatte Grade: 12 How long have you been playing?

Since 4th grade.

Biggest Accomplishment?

When my ASA team won the state championship last summer.

Any softball goals?

To win, win, win!

Do you want to play softball in college?

No, I may just play recreationally, and you’ll see me later on in life playing a little coed, a little slow pitch.

Golf

Name: Tyler Bevens Grade: 10 How long have you been playing golf?

I started playing when I was eight, but I have only played three years competi-

tively.

What has been your greatest accomplishment as a golfer?

When I shot a 72 at the OGA course in the last varsity tournament, and had back-to-back birdies on holes five and six.

What is your favorite aspect of golfing?

I love being competitive and how it is a team sport and it’s not reliant on your score alone.

What is your most embarrassing moment as a golfer?

When I made the first Varsity Tournament as a freshman and shot a 90 at Tualatin Country Club. the Talisman would like to apoplogize to girls golf for not including a profile of one of their players. Time restraints didn’t allow us an interview. Rest assured that we think they are awesome, and that we wish them luck this Spring.

Luke Roth expands his Sheldon High School involvement with a new job as the athletic director Former teacher, long-time basketball coach takes over for Mark Risen, now a Salem school administrator

by Alicia Luck opinion editor Recently, the athletic director position was filled by the girls basketball head coach Luke Roth. At the beginning of this calendar year, former athletic director Mark Risen accepted a job as a school administrator in Salem. Sheldon will dearly miss him.

The job of the athletic director requires that all sports have their schedules organized so that everything runs smoothly throughout the school year. Overseeing the many different sports Sheldon has to offer is a difficult job. With many coaches and assistants to look after, Luke Roth has his hands full.

Roth has been coaching the girls basketball team for a total of twenty-four years. He said, “It is hard balancing coaching the basketball team and being the AD. I retired from teaching last year.” He has been teaching at Sheldon and other schools for thirty-one years. Before retiring from teaching, he taught I.H.S. and was at one time the advisor of the Talisman.

Roth said, “Most of the work that goes into my job is having to oversee the many sports that are going on in the Sheldon program.”

He continued, “Just the club sports alone have 300

participants. The funding of sports has to do with the participants. I’ve been at Sheldon since 1980 and I’ve seen new sports added and the turf get redone.” Some of Sheldon’s many sports are OSAA sanctioned. There are also many club sports that have been added over the years.

Athletics has always been a big part of Sheldon High School. Many years of hard work have gone into developing a strong working sports program. People view athletics in many different ways when they think of Sheldon, but no matter how many classification changes have happened over the years, we are still the Fighting Irish.

Alicia Luck photo

Some athlete photos courtesy the Sheldon website

6 April 10, 2008

Entertainment

the Talisman

March Madness to April’s heroics KU wins intense NCAA tournament

by Jeff Toreson entertainment editor This year was yet again another nail-biting NCAA Tournament with its fair share of last-minute saves and buzzerbeating upsets. The story coming into the tournament was which standout freshman was going to lead his team to the Final Four and possibly a national championship: Singler, Love, Beasley, or Rose? Some teams rose to the occasion and some fell due to the pressure of the March madness.

Kyle Singler and the prestigious Duke Blue Devil’s squad squeaked through the first round with a 71-70 win over fifteen-seeded Belmont, and moved on only to get upset in the second round 73-67 by seven-seeded West Virginia.

Freshman Michael Beasley of Kansas State showed NBA scouts that he is the real deal, scoring 23 points and hauling in 11 rebounds as the eleventh-seeded Wildcats upset Pac-

Comicstrip Tease

10 hopeful USC, which moved the Wildcats to a secondround loss to Wisconsin. But UCLA freshman Kevin Love and Memphis freshman Derrick Rose blazed through their regions with ease and advanced to play each other in the Final Four. “Love is a great player, and really dominates the post because he is huge,” said Junior Cody Rodriguez.

Once again there was a Cinderella story of the tournament, but it was a team that nobody gave credit to, Davidson. Sophomore Stephan Curry led the Bulldogs tournament run averaging 32 points per game in all four tournament games. The tenth-seeded Bulldogs came two points short of reaching the final four and lost 5957 to the eventual national champion Kansas Jayhawks.

It was an historic Final Four with all number one seeds, which had never happened, but it was up in the air which one would win it all. Most experts said North Carolina or UCLA, which was far from what happened. Favorite North Carolina faced a 40-12 deficit early in their semifinal against Kansas which was too much to overcome

-Snack-Size Humor-

Bonjour Pierre

AP: Adventures in Purgatory

as the Tar Heels’ run was over and the Jayhawks were dancing. In the other semi-final, it was a clash of two stellar freshmen, Derrick Rose vs. Kevin Love. A good defensive scheme held UCLA’s Love to twelve points while Rose of Memphis proved too strong for the Bruins to handle on his way to twenty-five points and a spot in the National Championship as the Tigers won 78-63.

The National Championship game proved to be a good one as both Memphis and Kansas were neck and neck and it came down to the final minute. Memphis had a four point lead going into the last minute, but their inability to make free throws down the stretch caused them to give Kansas a chance to put the game into overtime. Kansas’s Mario Chalmers made a three point jumper with time running out and put the game into overtime. “Memphis could not make the shot when it counted and in the end they paid for it with a loss,” said sophomore Ryan Pickens. Kansas took their momentum into overtime and beat the Tigers 75-68 to be the 2008 NCAA Basketball National Champions.

by Cassie Jahnke

by Gracie Beaver

by Halcyon Binder

Overheard in the hallways: “call me in my crib” “Chocolate fon-don’t” “No, dude, smart is spelled s-m-a-r-t-e, duh” “Wipe me down” “All I want for Christmas is Robert Pattinson wrapped in a box” “You’re such a snack” “You can’t call me Mr. Rogers if I’m not wearing a sweater” I can t read Arabic “Oh, biscuits!”

7 Students research policy for project Opinion

the Talisman

-Ask Alicia-

Parking and lunch stress students out As it turns out, the keys to success at Sheldon just might be preparation and arriving early

by Alicia Luck opinon editor Dear Talisman, I drive to school everyday, but I do not have a first period. I get to school around 10:00 a.m. Most of the time there are not many parking spots left. Sometimes I spot one, and as I get closer, the car next to it is taking both spots. What can the school do to prevent bad parking in the parking lot?

Dear Parking Space Seeker, My advice to you would be to get to school earlier.

I know not having first period must be nice because it probably allows you more leeway on when you need to go to bed, but the parking lot fills up fast and I would suggest you get there about a half hour earlier than you normally do. It provides time to look for a parking spot as well as having a better chance at getting one. The school can’t really control the situation because no matter how you deal with it, people are still going to do a bad job of parking. My guess is the people who park badly are the ones who are late to class and are in a hurry.

Dear Talisman, I don’t know what to get for lunch. It always takes me so long to decide. Do I want chicken and ramen, chicken and a bagel, jo jos and top ramen, a Safeway bagel and pot stickers, or a giant burger? Do I want fries? Tommy says I should get fries. What size of fries do I want?

Dear Hungry, I think you should decide based on what you ate the week before. Most of the time if you have eaten something within a week you won’t be in the mood for it. I know it probably doesn’t help you focus in class, but try to decide while you are in class so then you can leave campus knowing what you want. Also, most of the grocery stores around here have the same things, so if you want a certain thing you will probably be able to find it. If you feel like fries, I would figure out how hungry you are and what you have eaten today. You will feel hungry if you haven’t eaten breakfast and by doing that it means you will probably end up eating more throughout the day.

Need advice? Send an e-mail shstalisman@gmail. com, or drop a letter in the box at the main office, or come by room B-26. We’re always willing and happy to help.

Students in Honors global geography researched school drug policy

by Ashley Ruderman copy editor The freshmen in Ms. Youngblood’s honors global geography class recently took a break from learning about climate zones and countries in Africa in order to consider a very different topic: The drug and alcohol policies maintained in school districts throughout Oregon.

The incentive to teach freshman about the consequences of drug and alcohol use was inspired by Ms. Youngblood’s belief “that our school and society in general is taking a dangerous turn towards accepting teen drinking and other recreational drug use.” The group of thirty students were divided into small groups to evaluate drug and alcohol policy for the 4J, Bethel, Springfield,

April 10, 2008

Beaverton, Hillsboro, and Portland school districts. Policy for leadership and athletic positions was also reviewed and compared to Sheldon policy. After learning about different school districts, students were asked to rework 4J and Sheldon alcohol and drug consequences according to what they saw fit. After presenting policy reform ideas to interim principal Jerry Henderson, various assistant principals, and the 4J school board, it is clear that many freshmen believe a little reformation wouldn’t hurt. “We should have different policies because ours is very relaxed. . . there are people on leadership who have used drugs and haven’t been punished. Students are getting away with stuff they shouldn’t be,” said freshman Sarah Kerrigan, who presented at the 4J school board meeting on March 19.

Students reported that in the Portland area especially, consequences for drug and alcohol abuse are much more severe. For example, within the Beaverton school district students

receive an automatic two week inschool suspension for a Minor in Possession charge. Although it may seem more beneficial to address drinking and drug abuse issues to upperclassmen, Miss Youngblood saw educating freshman as starting ground for change. “Our freshmen are still untainted. The use of these substances by the popular and the leaders in our school sets a bad precedent and a poor role model for these kids [to follow].” Although various 4J leaders were contacted about Sheldon policy, the main goal of this project was to influence underclassmen about the risk associated with drugs and alcohol.

School policy is always subject to change, however all teachers can only hope that all students entering Sheldon drug free will remain so throughout their high school years.

The letter below was a part of this project, and was written by students in Youngblood’s class.

-Letter to the EditorA New Perspective: In light of events this year, the Honors Global Geography class chose to research and re-write Sheldon’s drug and alcohol policies. While we respect Sheldon’s rules, we feel it necessary to strengthen or policies to make Sheldon a healthier, safer school.

We began this project by researching Sheldon’s current policies and comparing them with other school districts in the state. Our policies for drug and alcohol abuse pale in comparison to the policies of comparable school districts.

Where Sheldon’s punishments are often limited to a possible three day out of school suspension and minimal community service, other districts enforce their rules uniformly through in-school suspension from sports, activities, expulsion, and police involvement. While we do not propose to mimic these policies, we do feel that Sheldon should strengthen its policies to keep its students healthy, safe, and held to high standards.

According to our revised policies, consequences for all students would be increased; especially for students representing Sheldon in athletic or leadership positions.

For all students, punishment for a first offense would include a five day in-school suspension, 10 hours of community service that does not count towards IHS, NHS, or ASB hours, and two weeks to complete four compulsory counseling sessions with their parents and a school counselor. A second offense would require 10 days of in-school suspension, 20 hours of community service, and one month to complete 10 counseling sessions at Looking Glass. This would be paid for by the student and/or their family. The student would not be allowed to participate in any school sponsored activities or events for one month. A third offense would result in expulsion until all counseling requirements are met. The student would also be on a weekly progress report and behavior contract for the remainder of the school year.

Sheldon athletes and members in Leadership would be under the same guidelines as other students in addition to further requirements. These students would also have to attend drug and alcohol abuse counseling at Looking Glass, practice with their team without participating in the games for one month, attend a meeting with their coaches and be put on athletic probation for six months.

A second offense would expel the students from athletic participation for six months.

The most stringent consequences would be experienced by the students in Leadership. Students in Leadership are allowed to represent our school, and using drugs and/or alcohol sets a poor example for the rest of the students attending Sheldon. Furthermore, participation in Leadership is a privilege not a right! These students, more than any other, must be held accountable to high standards as role models. Before students apply for Leadership, they would be required to sign a document stating that they will not use nor possess drugs or alcohol during their time in Leadership. For the first offense, the student would be required to write a 2000-word essay on the affects of drugs and alcohol, and a 500-word apology, which must be read to the Leadership class. The student would also be suspended from Leadership for four months. For the second offense, the student would be suspended from Leadership for the entire school year, and must attend a drug and alcohol abuse class provided

by Looking Glass. For the third offense, the student is expelled from Leadership for the remainder of their high school career.

While our policy is much stronger than Sheldon’s current policy, we believe it is in the best interest for all Sheldon students to be held to high standards. Drinking and drug use is too widely accepted among underage drinkers. We hope that through tougher, enforced standards, more students will think before they act.

Students speak out against PG-13 permission slips By the beginning of high school, students are old enough and mature enough to handle higher ratings

by Cammisha Manley features editor The rating PG-13 is a trademark used for a movie rating indicating that admission will be granted to persons of all ages but that parental guidance is suggested in the case of children under the age of thirteen. Based on my two years at Sheldon I haven’t met any-thirteen-yearold freshmen students. Most students here are at least fourteen. In that case, why do we need PG-13 movie permission slips if we’re all under the age of thirteen?

When asked if there should be PG-13 permission slips, English Jeremy Washburn said “No, unless I was teaching twelve-year-olds in my class. PG-13 movies are fine.”

There are so many great educational PG-13 movies like Smoke Signals, The Odyssey and Romeo and Juliet.

PG movies are made for younger children because it is harder for them to understand certain topics, but high school students already understand those movies.

We are all over thirteen and we’re all mature enough to understand the educational value of a PG-13 film.

If you were a parent, would you want to be notified when your child was going to watch a PG-13 movie in high school? “No, because I’d know that if the school wanted to show a movie that’s PG-13, it’s for educational purpose and my child would learn something from it,” said sophomore Erin Lashway.

English teacher Sinde Fitz said, “It is a shame good movies get R ratings especially when they are based on good literature. I do believe it is appropriate to ask for parental permission on R rated movies especially in lower grades.” Most parents trust their child’s school enough to know that teachers would never show inappropriate films in class. There are some inappropriate PG-13 movies out there that should probably be rated R but there are

also R movies that should be rated PG-13. Sinde Fitz and Jeremy Washburn got some complaints for showing Schindler’s List which was rated R, but no complaints for showing a PG-13 movie. This shows that parents are comfortable with their high school children watching PG-13 movies. There is no reason for permission slips.

Student poll: Should there be PG-13 permission slips?

26 students surveyed

B a c k p a g e

Veganism is hardly tasty -7 Days-

Tofurky meat, fake cheddar cheese and scandalous slip-ups make vegan experiment quite interesting.

by Jordan Eddy assistant editor

Toast. Becoming a vegan means eating a lot of toast.

Toast with a thin blanket of jelly and absolutely no butter.

I sat at the kitchen table, hungry, fatigued and completely fed up. I could feel my muscles being eaten away by the second. Being the tall, thin, gangly thing that I am, there’s not that much muscle to eat away. Becoming a vegan sucks.

Flash back eight days, and I was optimistically completing a veritable vegan shopping spree, excited about my second 7 Days experiment. Veganism had always confused me— it seemed like so much trouble just to save a few cows that were going to be slaughtered anyway. However, just before the experiment I was helpfully informed by my vegan friend Makaya Fine that being a vegan doesn’t necessarily mean loving animals, or even hating meat. An underlying idea behind veganism is, simply, living a healthier life.

But I’m getting ahead of myself. I probably should have explained what being a vegan means before alternately bashing and promoting it. Don’t worry if you don’t know—when I was younger, I thought a vegan was a resident of Las Vegas. Veganism is a lifestyle in which one tries to avoid using animal products for any purposes. That means eating or wearing animals is prohibited (i.e. meat and leather bad, veggies good). Of course, not all vegans are the same—some avoid eating all animal products, from meat to eggs to milk. Others have slightly more lax rules surrounding things like honey.

It would have been fun to buy a completely vegan wardrobe for my little experiment, but I decided to only follow the dietary restraints of being a vegan. Because of this obvious cop-out, I went to the extreme with eating rules.

I decided that I wasn’t going to eat anything even remotely related with animals. If vegans are sometimes called “strict vegetarians,” I was going to become a strict vegan.

Day 1 saw me break into my large supply of vegan goodies. This ranged from vegan chocolate chip cookies to tofurky sandwich meat. I decided that I would only really try to cook vegan dinners. If I can burn basically any non-vegan food in an oven (one time I literally set a pizza on fire), then cooking vegan recipes even once a day was going to be a chore. That night, I surprised

myself and cooked up some really good vegan chili.

Sadly, this is when I began to go downhill. Yes, it was day 2, but actually cooking vegan food was too much trouble. I started eating a lot of soy yogurt (sickly sweet) and tried out the tofurky meat (ridiculously sick), but didn’t cook at all.

On days 3, 4 and 5, I slowly verged away from the vegan food and onto the aforementioned toast-and-jelly diet. It got harder and harder to avoid things with dairy products in them. I would instinctively reach for the milk to pour on cereal at breakfast, or the butter to spread on toast at lunch and dinner. Dairy substitutes were consistently nasty, with the soy cheddar cheese ranking in as the worst. It had the consistency of tofu and tasted like death.

Then came day 6, when I had my first scandalous slip during an experiment. I accidentally ate a slice of pizza after a long service project. This lead me to give up for the day, and I binged on chocolate (by far the hardest thing to give up).

To punish myself, I decided to carry on for an extra day. So there I was on day 8, dying of malnourishment. This taught me three things: I’m bad at being a vegan, vegans suffer a lot, and vegans are kind of crazy. Of course, only the first one is true. “If you plan out your diet and actually like to cook, veganism can be nutritious and delicious,” said Fine.

The first thing I ate after the experiment was a large hunk of steak. I’m no longer very fond of toast.

-Beaver State of Mind-

Clinton and Obama mania Long lines, depressing weather, and nasty pizza are a small sacrifice for witnessing political greatness

by Gracie Beaver editor-in-chief In the past two weeks, I have seen both Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama speak. One of these two people is going to become the next president of our country (with any luck),

Ashley Admire photo

New York Senator Hillary Clinton spoke in the South Eugene High School gymnasium last Saturday. While she had a smaller audience than Obama, her supporters were enthusiastic and excited when she came out on stage.

and I got to sit in the same sweaty gymnasium as them.

Needless to say, this is pretty cool.

Both candidates would make excellent presidents.

In fact, they share pretty much the same platform.

Their rallies, however, were strikingly different.

I have been to many concerts in my day, folks, but I can honestly tell you that I have never seen a bigger rock star than Barack Obama. (Believe me, I’m trying really hard to refrain from using the pun “Barack-star.”).

Waiting in line for Obama wasn’t much different than my experiences waiting for Snow Patrol or Death Cab for Cutie. My two buddies (Hi Ashley and Nicole) and I sat on the pavement, eating cold pizza, saying hi to people we knew, and hunting for a bathroom in a building decorated with lime green carpet. That was just enough to entertain us for the five hours we sat outside Mac Court.

Smiles were not present during the long wait for Hillary Clinton. While we only had to wait three hours for her, the doors of South Eugene High School opened a half-hour late, and my two buddies and I (Hi Ashley and Olivia) were left shivering underneath umbrellas I dug out of my Ford. Aside from the weather, the most noticeable difference was the make-up of each crowd.

Obama drew a wide range of ages and ethnicities; Hillary supporters were mostly 50-plus-year-old white women.

Once inside the building, the moods were different. Bias swayed me to be super excited for Obama; I put up with the audience’s “wave” and being forced to listen to the stupid campaign song playlist over and over (Natasha Bedingfield?

Really?). Obama started his speech ten minutes early, too, which was awesome. Clinton started her speech over an hour late, meaning we had to sit and listen to a Clinton Campaign Official Time-Waster, who asked the audience about fifty thousand times “IS THIS CLINTON COUNTRY?” (Probably not.) Time-Waster Lady also had volunteers pass out “call sheets,” asking the audience to call Eugene voters at home and ask them if they supported Hillary.

Barack Obama’s speech was inspiring, moving, and energizing. So was Hillary Clinton’s. In his speech, Barack Obama spoke broadly about the areas of our country that desperately need improvements. He also talked about running a campaign that “doesn’t tear [candidates] down, but builds the country up.” It’s easy to see how Obama’s charismatic brand of intelligent, yet accessible, commentary appeals to the youth of America (like me!

Yay, I’m a demographic!). However, I also enjoyed Hillary Clinton’s specific “solutions,” as her slogan goes; she definitely has the experience to run this country.

If you guys have heard about the Clinton rally, you’ve probably heard of the poor soul who made the fateful mistake of asking if she regretted saying anything negative about Obama. He was immediately booed by

Clinton’s supporters, and Hillary didn’t really even give a direct answer. This sucked because all the respect I had gained for Clinton during the course of her speech pretty much fizzled out as she dodged difficult questions.

Before I end this article, I should probably mention that while, yes, I am a “flaming liberal,” I would gladly take the opportunity to see John McCain speak, should such an occasion arise. I’m sure he has something to say that I can agree with. (Maybe.)

The experience of going to these rallies didn’t really change my opinions at all. I went in supporting Obama, and came out supporting Obama. I still have my Obama sticker on my Ford. As I write this, I’m even wearing a sexy Obama tee. But really, as long as you get out and vote (even if it’s for McCain…sigh…), that’s all that truly matters.

Ashley Admire photo

Illinois Senator Barack Obama spoke at Mac Court on Friday, March 21. Supporters laughed when an audience member shouted out, “Lincoln was the man!” and Obama requested a round of applause for Lincoln.