Call of Duty dominates gaming world
Best of 2009
Ducks are smelling the roses
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the Talisman
Sheldon High School 2455 willakenzie Rd., Eugene, Or 97401 vol. 45 Issue 3 Dec. 18, 2009
Michael Chase photo
Sheldon players raise the coveted blue championship trophy after defeating the Jesuit Crusaders 50-43 in the state title game at Reser Stadium.
Top-ranked Irish defeat Jesuit for state title Sheldon ends their season with a 14-0 record and the program’s third championship in seven years by Michael Chase editor-in-chief In a year that could be defined only as “total domination,” Sheldon saved one of its most dramatic wins for last. The number-one ranked Irish (14-0), led by senior quarterback Jordan Johnson, defeated the second-ranked Jesuit Crusaders 50-43 in the OSAA 6A championship game last Saturday night at Reser Stadium in Corvallis. Johnson, who was named the Oregon Gatorade Player of the Year two weeks prior to the state title game, threw for 244 yards and two touchdowns en route to Sheldon’s second state championship in three years. Johnson also ended the season with the eighth most passing yards ever by a quarterback in the state of Oregon
with 3,508. On the same field in which he led his team to their first 6A state championship as a sophomore two years ago, a visibly emotional Johnson said after the game, “It feels awesome. To come out your senior year and go perfect, I couldn’t ask for anything better.” Two of Johnson’s favorite targets, as they were all year, were seniors John Campbell and Curtis White. Campbell had 41 receiving yards and finished his senior campaign with 1,650 yards—the fourth-most in Oregon singleseason history. The University of Oregon-bound White caught six passes for 102 yards and a touchdown. After the game, White said, “It feels great. I just got to thank God and I’m so proud of all the other guys. We just did our very best and battled and now we’re state champs.” The matchup was one of the most anticipated in state championship history, matching up this decade’s two dominant teams in the highest Oregon classification. Sheldon featured the number-one ranked offense in the state while Jesuit featured the top-ranked defense: the classic “unstoppable force meeting an immovable object” battle. Prior to the game, the Crusaders had a playoff record of 28-6 with three championships this decade, while the Irish were 26-7 with two titles. Many considered the winner of
this game to be dubbed the unofficial “team of the decade.” Sheldon’s victory was the perfect cap to an unforgettable season. The Irish’s offense was one of the most prolific in the program’s history, averaging almost 52 points per game, and scored 720 total points, breaking the old state record set by the 2000 Jesuit team that scored 670. Eight of the eleven offensive starters were named to the first-team all-conference team, including the entire offensive line. The win didn’t come easy for the Irish squad. Jesuit’s star running back Keanon Lowe, a future Washington Husky, ran for over 300 yards and accounted for all six of Jesuit’s touchdowns. Jesuit mounted a comeback in the final minutes, but senior defensive lineman Nick Steele sacked Jesuit’s Jeff Elloriaga in the final seconds to run out the clock and give the Irish their third state title of the decade. The postgame celebration was full of happiness and joy as players, coaches, and their friends and family gathered on the field, taking pictures, giving hugs, and reveling in the moment. One of the sights of the night during the postgame celebration was the hug between Coach Marty Johnson and his quarterback son. Jordan Johnson described the feeling as, “Unbelievable. I can’t really put it into words. Winning one’s good enough, but winning two is just unbelievable.”
Contestants named for Mr. Irish fundraising pageant Ten senior guys were nominated to participate in the 18th annual fundraiser for neo-natal center
by Lauren Scott assistant editor
Last month, senior girls each voted on five boys they felt would best represent Sheldon spirit in the annual Mr.
Irish pageant. Ten senior boys—Joel Chapman, Caleb Patrick, Joseph Houck, Todd Moore, Nathan Hanson, Justin Sawyer, Patrick Bryant, Blake Elliott, Nick Stringfield, and Nick Thomas—were then nominated for the 2009-10 year. To reach the ultimate goal (i.e the title of “Mr. Irish”), contestants will have to raise money for the neo-natal center at Sacred Heart Hospital, perform in a talent contest, and woo as many people as possible to vote for them. As is expected, charisma is a must. This is the 18th consecutive Mr. Irish Pageant being held at Sheldon High School. In 2002 alone, Mr. Irish raised approximately $1,000,000 in donations for Sacred Heart. The concept of a senior boy pageant has spread to over twenty other regional high schools because of this Sheldon tradition.
On being voted one of the contestants, Bryant said, “I am extremely flattered. I never really thought I was so popular among the ladies. It’s pretty cool, I suppose, to be in the top ten and I am glad I have so many friends.” This year, the stakes are high as all ten contestants are, arguably, more talented and charming than ever before. People wandering around the school with giant plastic baby bottles and glass containers, asking for money, have been a common sight recently. Sawyer is looking forward to “dancing and showing off all [my] sweet moves on stage!” The most anticipated part of the whole pageant—the talent show—will be held on March 5th, when a wide array of other unique abilities will be showcased to their fullest, come the night of the show and crowning of this year’s Mr. Irish.
2 December 18, 2009
News
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Local charities help the underprivileged Local charities in our nation are supporting homeless families and individuals, but some charities have their own standards. by Jackson Darland opinions editor Homeless youth have several options to increase their stability in life; however, even with the resources they have, they endure much stress and discomfort. The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (2002) deals with the education of homeless children and youth in the United States. A liaison is placed in each school district in order to guide homeless youth and council parents in making the best decisions for their children as another aid. School staff members, such as counselors, are available to homeless students and can act as sources to help them succeed academically, as well. “When we say ‘homelessness,’ it doesn’t necessarily
mean that they are sleeping under the sky,” said counselor John O’Donoghue. “Homeless” can mean moving from place to place, sleeping in various parking lots, shelters, etc. In fact, the McKinney-Vento Act directly applies to youth living in transitional housing. “Imagine coming to school with that insecurity – without having had a good meal. It is extremely hard for those students, particularly in this time of recession. Most high school students, if they get in an argument with their girlfriend or boyfriend, they can’t do their school work,” said O’Donoghue. The students with rocky home lives deal with a whole different set of hardships than the rest. They can use a lot of help. “It’s a huge issue,” added O’Donoghue. Under the McKinney-Vento Act, children in homeless situations have the right to go to school, no matter where they are living or how long they have lived there; receive transportation to and from school; and enroll in school immediately, even if they are missing records, according to the National Center for Homeless Education. These rights are essential for homeless youth, because otherwise, they would be unable to participate in school. Without school, these children would be even more devastated,
veering further and further away from stable lives. Families and youth in homeless situations frequently will not identify themselves as such. Usually this is due to stigma or prejudice associated with homelessness, though sometimes they just do not recognize that their situation would fall under the McKinney-Vento Act, (National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth). Even though it can be difficult for homeless youth to inform someone at their school of their situation, it is important for someone to be aware so that assistance can be given, and so that the McKinney-Vento Act can be utilized. Though there are not special programs within schools aiding homeless youth, “they are accommodated for,” said campus supervision officer Darin Henry. With all of the counselors, teachers, and administrators, homeless students are subject to an effective system of aid if they somehow make themselves recognized. Henry said, “I have known a homeless student. Last year he graduated with a 4.0 and a scholarship to college.” This is not the case for all homeless students, but it does prove a point that homeless youth have the opportunity to succeed, given they take advantage of available aid.
Food For Lane County plays role for the poor With the economy doing poorly, is Food For Lane County important to people? by Hope Zima staff writer Food for Lane County (FFLC) is a local volunteer organization that collects, packages, and delivers food to underprivileged people. The vision shared by all who participate in the program is to eliminate the hunger in Lane County, a large feat that can be accomplished if community members continue to donate their services and their food. FFLC was started in 1983 by Caroline Frengle. She started the service by handing out food, such as eggs, peanut butter, and cheese, from her garage. FFLC has grown exponentially since then, now using over 7,000 volunteers a year. Sophomore Tuyen Bolton donates and volunteers for FFLC. “I decided to participate in FFLC because there are so many people out there who don’t have enough food, and helping out is the least I can do.” Bolton donates food and helps sort and repackage it. There are many different ways to help. “People can help in many ways besides volunteering and donating. They can make fliers to put up at school or ask local grocery stores to participate,” added Bolton. Melanie Oommen, a pastor at First Congregational church, collects loose money from the offering each week and donates it to FFLC. Every Thanksgiving and Christmas, the First Congregational church holds
a drive that brings in an abundance of food for FFLC. Oomen said, “I decided to involve the church because of a desire to ease the suffering of those who don’t have enough food.” Last year, First Congregational church donated over 30 frozen turkeys to FFLC at Christmastime. Bolton believes that, although the economy has put many people out of money and homes, those who can are donating more than ever before. She said, “So many people are seeing that those around them have less than they did before, and are trying to help out any way that they can.” Deb McGeorge, a FFLC employee said, “Numbers are certainly down this year because of the economy, but people who can give are donating as much as they can. I do know that some people who have donated in the past are now relying on the services for their food.” Oomen compassionately said, “People are more aware now that there are lots of people who need help, and those who can are still donating.” Bolton herself tries to donate all year, but says that people are especially in need around the holiday season. She said, “Holidays are a time of giving and helping those around you who may not be able to get as much food on the table this year.” The numbers of people that FFLC serves through their programs is astounding. McGeorge said, “Last year, FFLC served 80,000 families. That averages out to one in every five people relying on FFLC for their food.” According to McGeorge, Oregon is the sixth hungriest state in the nation. There are drop sites for food donations located all over
Holiday Market provides eager shoppers with hand-made gifts Every holiday season the Saturday Market moves indoors to the fairgrounds by Nicki Kramer staff writer
As most Eugene citizens know, during the holiday season the Saturday Market is replaced with the Holiday Market. The Holiday Market is an event held at the Lane County Fairgrounds where people sell their own handmade gifts, jewelry, art, food, and much more. Many people do a lot of their holiday shopping there. Not only can one buy some really cool stuff, but it’s a ton of fun! There’s live music and plenty of good food in the International Food Court that one can enjoy with friends and family. “I like the uniqueness and I like how everything is handmade; that’s pretty sweet,” said sophomore Maddy Wager. “I like the Holiday Market better [than the Saturday Market] because it has more interesting and fun gifts.” Even if you’re not there to shop, there are fun things to do. A lot of different kinds of people go there, so people watching and window shopping are some activities that you can do, as well as just sitting back and listening to the live music or watching people dance. “I don’t really shop for anything specific, I just like to browse, and if I see something I like, I might get it,” said freshman Gabby Aufderheide. The Market is even fun for the people that sell the gifts
there. Jo Ann Siner is one of the many artists and vendors at the Holiday Market. Siner’s business is called “Button Lady Incense” which she created, and has been running for thirty-three years. Siner’s favorite part of the Saturday and Holiday Markets is “the experience of interacting with people about what I make, how I make it, and where the ideas come from as well as getting feedback.” Siner also says that the Holiday Market brings better business than the Saturday Market, because people are shopping for holiday gifts. The Market started on the last weekend of November and happens every weekend until December 24th. More people should go the Holiday Market because its “local artists… plus it’s pretty neat-oh!” said Wager. The website (http:// www.holidaymarket.org/) has all of the specific dates and the times. So check it out, get some shopping done, and have fun!
December 18: The Nutcracker @ the Hult Center December 19: West African Dance w/ Alseny Yansane @ the WOW Hall December 21: Homeless Memorial @ the WOW Hall December 31: The Marriage of Figaro @ the Hult Center
Eugene and Springfield. Every Goodwill has a donation bin, and McGeorge encourages donating members of the community to take advantage of the Letter Carrier’s drive, which happens the first two Saturdays of December. The Letter Carrier’s drive is a mobile donation site that will move all over town collecting donations for the upcoming holidays. McGeorge said, “All drives are important, but I think that the holiday drives are especially important, because in the cold weather, people’s heating bills go up and they have even less money to spend on food.” When asked why she thought the drives were important, Oommen said, “Food drives help us not take what we have for granted, and are an easy way to give to those in need. Hope Zima photo Donation-collection barrels (above) are located in Eugene for Food For Lane County.
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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.
Entertainment
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December 18, 2009
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A little gift from the Talisman staff to you! Price Range
For Guys
For Girls
Under $12
Air Guitar Guide for Rockers in Training – $0.28
Fortune Cat Coin Purse – $12.00
Under $20
1G Halo 3 MIMOBOT flash drive – $19.95
Poppy Mighty Tote – $20.00
Nike+ Sport Kit System for iPod – $29.00
Harajuku Lovers Music (Perfume) 1 oz – $45.00
Under $50
For Readers
For Techies
For Artists
NEO Recycled Plastic Speakers – $9.50
Removable stickers for laptops – $8.99
New Moon “Alice” Choker Necklace – $20.00
Plantronics Headset Earbud (Xbox 360) – $14.76
Chakra Key Chain – $18.00
The Good Book Leather Journal – $42.99
Solar Charger for PSP, Cell Phone, iPod, etc. – $50.00
Digital Blue LEGO 3MP Digital Camera – $49.99
Eats, Shoots, & Leaves: The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation – $8.64
We know the past year or so has been extremely taxing on many families. As the holiday season rolls around, there are sure to be people who cannot afford a holiday meal, let alone presents for their loved ones. So here is a little present for our readers. A selection of items for a variety of personalities at different price points. All the gifts seen here can be found at: Gifts.com. Though we often judge ourselves and others based on the amount of material possessions we have, what happens when we can no longer afford such trifles? The answer is, we come to realize what is truly important to us. As cheesy as it sounds: family is everything. Without that, we are nothing and have nothing. Try a homemade gift this year.
- Happy Holidays! -
New Moon: would be better without the fans Amazing pec shots rev up fangirls and annoy less-obsessed moviegoers by Stephanie Barnes features editor Enter into the new age of vampire-crazy pre-teen girls and cult-like obsessions with all things werewolf and vampire. All over the country at midnight on Friday, November 20, the second installment of the Twilight Saga: New Moon, hit theaters and was met with eager fans wearing “Team Edward” and “Team Jacob” shirts. The Twilight Saga has been popular since it hit bookshelves in 2005 and quickly gained a following. However, it was
more geared towards teenage girls. New Moon actually is intended to draw a much larger crowd due to the immense amount of fight scenes and suspense in the movie. I went to go see it the Saturday after it was released and had to order the tickets online to ensure entrance to the popular flick. And what I saw surprised me greatly, to be honest. Unlike its prequel, New Moon did an amazing job of following the original story of the book. Of course, there were a few scenes that had to be edited, cut short, or deleted entirely to make it within the time boundaries; as it was, the movie was just over two hours. This impressed me a lot, but there were plenty of other problems that bothered me. First, the script made the movie seem cheesy and not realistic at all. The way the actors were forced to portray their characters and deliver their lines sometimes completely ruined the authenticity of the moment. Granted, this was a hard book to turn into a movie because so much of it is in their heads, but I think they could have done a better job with
it. Second, the obsessive fans in the theater were the most annoying people I have ever encountered. The moment Jacob Black and Edward Cullen took their shirts off, a massive thunder of wolf whistles and giggles drowned out the sound of the movie. This went on throughout the whole movie, and therefore decreased the overall enjoyment. I think that the whole obsession with Taylor Lautner (Jacob Black) and Robert Pattinson (Edward Cullen) is ridiculous and pointless. It is intensely irritating to those fans in the theaters who simply want to see the movie because they liked the books, not for the actors in the movie. Overall, I think that the movie could have been a lot better than it was. While it followed the book really well, it was rather cliché and fake, and didn’t really reflect the feelings that are portrayed in the books. Plus, the crazy, Edward/ Jacob-obsessed fans killed what little enjoyment was left. I would recommend watching it in the comfort of your own home to get something (or anything) out of New Moon.
MTV produces TV shows related to today’s teens Engaging programs appeal to students by Jasmine Nation staff writer MTV is a very highly-ranked channel amongst all demographics. It started broadcasting on August 1, 1981. Today there are sixteen popular MTV shows; the top three shows are True Life, My Super Sweet Sixteen and Parental Control. Many people have considered MTV one of their favorite channels. True Life is about teenagers who are having problems in their family. Some of these problems include money issues, because they are young and have children, or their families can’t support their lifestyles. My Super Sweet Sixteen is about people throwing outrageous parties for their sixteenth birthday. Parental Control is when the parents help their child find a new relationship.
Both parents get to choose one out of many people they would like their child to be dating. The son or daughter has a chance to go out with each of the people his or her parents picked. At the end, they decide if they want to stay with their original partner or pick one of the parents’ choices. Freshman Greg Ayala watches True Life about once a week. He says, “True Life is entertaining to watch because teens get to see what other kids are going through. Sometimes I feel bad and other times it’s pathetic. I also feel annoyed how they are treated,” Ayala said. Freshman Jentel Washington said, “If I had a Super Sweet Sixteen, I would have my theme be animal print, and animals would be at my party.” The animals would be cheetahs and zebras. In one of the episodes that Jentel has watched, they had Lil’ Wayne come and perform; they spent over one hundred thousand dollars on jewelry, and the kid got a brand new Mustang. If Jentel could have any rapper or performer at her Super Sweet Sixteen, she said she would have Trey Songz. When asked how she liked My Super Sweet Sixteen compared to other MTV
shows, she said, “It’s interesting watching the people picking out their dresses and themes, but sometimes the things they pick out are a little over the top.” Freshman Javonte Hughes said, “If I had a Super Sweet Sixteen party, it would be a black and white theme so everyone would have to wear black and white.” In one of the biggest episodes that Javonte has seen the son got two cars— a Lamborghini and Bentley. He also spent over twenty-five thousand dollars on jewelry. For his entrance he had a tiger walk beside him. If Javonte could have a performer come to his Super Sweet Sixteen, he would pick the New Boyz. Javonte said “I enjoy watching My Super Sweet Sixteen, because I’m always wondering what people are going to have at their parties.” Many people have different opinions on these three MTV shows. True Life features tragic or normal lifestyles. My Super Sweet Sixteen seems to be the most watched by Sheldon students. Let’s hope that the couples in Parental Control made the right decision and are still together with their better half!
Call of Duty 4 creates a more intense gaming experience Infinity Ward has created yet another thrilling game for anxious game players by Tim Lawrence news editor It has been two years since the highly anticipated Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare came out, and last month its sequel, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 became the most popular game on the market. There has been a lot of talk around the school of Modern Warfare 2 since its release, but there are people who are anxious to know if this game is really worth buying. Is Modern Warfare 2 worth the wait, or is it just another disappointing sequel? When the game starts, it is divided up into three sections: Campaign, Multiplayer, and a new Special Ops mode. First is Campaign. The Campaign starts out five years after the events of Call of Duty 4, and it manages
to tell the story well. There is a mission where you go undercover as a terrorist and kill innocent civilians in a Russian airport. This is considered offensive to some people, so the developer company Infinity Ward (IW) was kind enough to let the player skip the mission with no penalty. Freshman Troy Grove said, “I don’t think this is offensive because the game warns you about this, so it’s your choice.” There is an enormous variety of locations to play in, which switches up the game’s strategies. So overall, the campaign is fantastic, lasting around 5 to 8 hours. It is definitely worth the time to play. Next mode is the very popular multiplayer. This game takes all the elements from Call of Duty 4’s multiplayer and adds a larger amount of perks, classes, weapons, and just about anything else a war game could have. Grove also stated, “I think that Modern Warfare 2 is better known for its multiplayer because so many people play online.” One of the big features in multiplayer is the ability to customize killstreaks, which means if you kill a certain amount of guys in a row, you get a reward for it. Freshman
Kyle Oyler said, “I had the game for over a week so far. I couldn’t wait until Christmas for the game, so I bought it myself.” Oyler also added, “I think that Modern Warfare games are better than World War II based games because of the guns.” The maps are great in the game and there’s a good variety in size for each of them, plus the look of each level is astounding. Overall, the multiplayer is fun, rewarding, and it will be a reason for why a gamer should have Xbox Live or Playstation Network. Last is the new Spec Ops mode. There are five stages to play, with over 20 missions to tackle. IW said that they are going to release more spec ops missions for downloadable content, so that should keep a higher replayability value for Modern Warfare 2. Overall, spec ops is a nice touch that will keep gamers playing more Modern Warfare 2. Modern Warfare 2 was definitely worth the wait. Despite the short campaign, and some AI teammate issues, this firstperson shooter proved to be a contender for game of the year. The last question left is: is Modern Warfare 2 worth the sixty dollars? The answer is yes. Don’t hesitate to buy it, just get it!
4 December 18, 2009
Features
What are the origins of winter holidays? Kwanzaa, Hanukkah, and Christmas are the major winter holidays celebrated by Garrett Burrington staff writer There are many different holidays celebrated in December, each with different origins. For example, Kwanzaa is a celebration that has its roots in the Black Nationalist movement of the 1960s, and was established as a means to help African-Americans reconnect with their African cultural and historical heritage by uniting in meditation and study of African traditions. Kwanzaa is a week long celebration, and is celebrated by lighting a kinara. Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights, is an eight-day Jewish holiday commemorating the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem at the time of the Maccabean Revolt of the 2nd Century BCE. Christmas is an annual holiday celebrated on December 25th that commemorates the birth of Jesus of Nazareth. Many students at Sheldon do not know about many holiday origins other than Christmas. “I knew that Kwanzaa was a celebration for African-Americans, but I didn’t know the origin.” said senior Alex Sotello. “My guess for the Kwanzaa holiday would be a celebration by African-Americans for their culture.” As for the holiday tradition of Hanukah, many students fail to explain the origin. Clay said, “I do not know the origins of Hanukkah, but I do know that this is a holiday that is celebrated by the Jewish.” Freshman Kaylee Ollivant knows some people who celebrate Hanukkah. “I have a few friends who celebrate Hanukah, though I am not that familiar with the entire tradition.” Sotello didn’t know Hanukkah either, “all I know about Hanukkah is that the Jewish celebrate this holiday around Christmas and I think it last for about 7 or 8 days.” Maybe Sheldon teachers and staff should educate their students of a few holidays. Senior Clay said, “I have a family friend whose family celebrates Hanukkah, though I have never asked him much about it.” Sotello said, “My favorite holiday is Christmas by far, though I do like Halloween too.” Most people agree with Sotello. Clay said, “Oh yeah, my favorite holiday is definitely Christmas, but I also like Valentine’s Day for all the cards you receive with phone numbers in them!” It seems like most families who have students that attend Sheldon, celebrate Christmas, and always have. “My family has always celebrated Christmas and hasn’t missed one yet,” said Clay. Ollivant said the same, “My family has always celebrated Christmas, though we have many friends who celebrate both Kwanzaa and Hanukkah.”
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Economy hurts job search Adults and teens alike struggle to find jobs in Oregon’s struggling economy by Nate Krause staff writer High school students are becoming more and more independent. Independence brings about a need for money. Young adults across the country are looking to make money in order to buy a car, pay for gas and car insurance, save for college tuition, and use as extra spending money. Many students at Sheldon High School are struggling to find jobs. With a bad economy, this isn’t an issue that relates only to students. There are very few jobs available; however, the number of high school students applying for jobs is rising, yet few of them are being hired. Junior JJ McMahon thinks most high school students are struggling to find jobs because job openings are limited. McMahon said, “Most places aren’t hiring at all, and kids just don’t have the time for jobs that are available.” Junior Cody Walker added, “There are a lot of older people who are looking for jobs and they can offer a lot more hours.” It is likely that when students applied for jobs, they were given to someone who could work more hours and had more experience. Sophomore Katie Fortuna thinks it is more beneficial for students to focus on their schoolwork now and focus
on finding a job later in life. Fortuna said, “Schooling will help get a job in the future.” Walker thinks that if one manages his or her time well, he or she can focus on schoolwork and a job at the same time. However, it would limit the extracurricular activities students can participate in. Brandon Moore said, “If you plan on going to college you should probable focus on schoolwork while you are in high school, but if you aren’t planning on going to college, then it might be a good idea to get a job.” If a high school student is struggling to find a job, they should check up on their applications frequently and show the employer that they are really interested and motivated to work. McMahon advises students to look for job openings at fast food restaurants, because they commonly hire high school students, and there are often jobs available there. Walker said, “It is important to offer as many hours as possible while maintaining good grades in school.” Employers want responsible employees that are available and motivated to work an assigned schedule. In the end, it can be a good thing for a young adult to have a job while they are in high school, if they have the time. It can teach them to be disciplined and how to manage their time wisely. It also builds responsibility.
Where to find the juiciest burgers Eugene’s most monstrous burger, along with two pounds of fries, is free to the person who beats the record by Drew Miner copy editor Burger and fries: does a meal get any more American? Well, many would say that a good cheeseburger and pile of fries is something to be valued. “I love a good cheeseburger, especially when I am really hungry; it is a killer hunger quencher,” said senior Derek Nielsen. There is no doubt Eugene has its fair share of good old-fashioned burgers. But the question is, what is the best burger and fries around? Eugene has its share of traditional fast food burger places: McDonald’s, Burger King, Dairy Queen, Carl’s Jr., Jack in the Box, Sonic, A&W, and Wendy’s.“My absolute favorite burger is Carl’s jalapeno burger; their fries are pretty good too; wedge-cut is the best,” said
Jackson Darland illustration
Drew Miner photo
Buddy’s Diner, located just blocks away from Sheldon, is one of many local restaurants that features burgers and a retro atmosphere.
senior Brandon Beeman. Eugene certainly has its number of good fast food burgers, but there is much more to be had as most people would agree that a homemade burger is head-and-shoulders above a fast food burger. “The bovine-swine is something normal men cannot attempt; you must be god-like to kill the bovine-swine,” said junior Jason Geiger. It is true; the Coburg Café’s bovine-swine is a monster burger. It consists of two pounds of fries and a heaping burger with ham, cheese and bacon, all smashed between an eight-inch bun. To take on the bovine challenge, one must finish the burger and fries in less than eight minutes and fifteen seconds. If you break the record, you receive the meal free as well as a t-shirt. However, the record is held by yours truly, and to beat the bovine king you must be at your very best, as it is enough food for four grown men. Best of luck to those brave enough to attempt to slaughter this beast. Now, we have all eaten at places where not only the food was excellent, but the atmosphere of the restaurant made the meal even better. Two restaurants stand out in Eugene in this aspect. The first is Buddy’s: right off Sheldon’s campus limits, it is extremely close. Set in the theme of a 1950s diner, Buddy’s not only has above par burgers and fries, but superb milkshakes and a working jukebox—a burger joint worth checking out. The other place that is extremely affable in terms of atmosphere is the newly in business Dickie Jo’s, which has the same concept as Buddy’s. Dickie Jo’s does a better job at burgers and fries, however, and even has good milkshakes. The variety that Dickie’s has to offer is among the best in town, simply because you order a burger however you want it. Both places offer an excellent dining experience. Eugene has a wonderful array of great places to get a good quality burger and fries. The town is full of good fast food places, as there are a ton of them. But even more exciting are the quality restaurants with great burgers, that are not fast food. The Coburg Café has a mammoth burger that few can finish. Buddy’s has good food, and outstanding milkshakes. Dickie Jo’s has a build – your - own burger that tastes great with excellent fries, and a decent milkshake. So get out there, and try some new places for the most American meal around.
Features
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Best Song: “You Belong With Me” by Taylor Swift
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Ta e h t y b d e t o v -as Best G the c irls’ Fas hion olor purp Tren Best Movie: le d: Transformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen
Stephanie Barnes Photo
V e T e l t s :G e B ow Sh
Best Guys’ Fashion Trend: Fitted Jeans Lauren Scott Illustration
Lauren Scott Illustration
Holiday spending increasing yearly Greediness and commercialization affect how much money is spent on the winter holidays this season by Anthony Rhoads ads manager The winter holidays, such as Christmas, Hanukah and Kwanzaa, are a season when the ding of a cash register is often heard. Compared to all other holidays, there is $210.39 billion spent on the winter holidays. With this amount of money being spent on average, how do
people prepare? Junior Matthew Rasmussen said, “I try to save money, because it’s easier on my mom’s wallet.” Some people work a lot, some save what is extra, and then there are people who just use what is in their hand. Either way, the winter holidays rack up the most debt. Sophomore Brendon Kieser said, “I use what’s on hand, because I am a nasty spender and can’t save money.” The amount of money spent during holiday seasons has grown. But what is the reason for this? Some think it is the marketing of the toy makers, combined with the greediness of children, which causes more money to be spent on things people want. Sophomore Joe Standridge commented, “Christmas is becoming more and more commercialized.” Originally
children only got one or two presents, however with the changing times, people want more elaborate and expensive gifts, which contributes to the amount people spend as well as the amount of money the stores make. Another big reason for the amount of spent during this season is Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving. Most stores open very early, so a lot of people can buy gifts galore. Stores making prices higher, children wanting more toys, or more expensive toys, and stores using different tactics to get customers, all affect holiday spending worldwide. How will this affect the rest of the year? Will the amount of gifts grow per year, or will people spend more? We have to wait for next year to find out.
Campus Life program gaining ground at Sheldon Campus Life program is a great way to reach out to students where they are by Devyn Fallenstein staff writer Sheldon High School’s Campus Life is growing in number. Every Monday, high school students gather at a house right off Cal Young Road for meetings, fun games, and fellowship for an hour. The group plays games such as Fantasy and Essence. Fantasy is a game where two people guess a created fantasy by the group, by answering yes or no questions. The couple must, then, guess their fantasy with yes or no questions. Their accuracy is always a surprise. Essence is a guessing game where the player must find out who the chosen one is by asking questions about to their personality. Campus Life is a non-denominational christian group that gets together to meet new people, make new friends, and play fun games. One of the leaders talks about a life lesson that God has helped them learn that applies to all in the room, whether or not they believe in God. “Campus Life is a Christian organization that seeks to introduce high schoolers to Jesus Christ and usher them to a family,” Campus Life leader Tucker Stipe said.
Most teens enjoy Campus Life’s easy going environment. “When you go there you know you can be comfortable talking because they all have the same beliefs and interests as you, and you know you’re not going to be judged,” said senior Jake Klosak. Many kids feel this way when they enter into the living room of the meeting place. They are often welcomed with smiles, music, and hellos from everyone. After a serious talk about stories that are relevant to student’s lives, the leaders open up time for questions and answers. The meetings are led by four leaders. The leaders are all able to connect with the kids in some way. “They’re open and willing to talk and if you’re too shy to talk to them they’ll notice and come talk to you,” said Klosak. During lunch the leaders come on campus to meet and talk to students about Campus Life. Being a leader at Campus Life means, “we spend our time and energy reaching out and pouring into highschoolers through club, taking highschoolers out to lunch, and praying for the highschoolers,” said Stipe. Usually they hand out fliers but they are also good about confronting kids and asking what they’re doing on Monday night. “Lucas came over to the school one time and told me that he’d like me to go,” said sophomore Jeff Woodcock. Campus Life is a national organization started by a man named Billy Graham. It is now an international organization in over thirty countries. About twenty years ago Sheldon High School began doing Campus Life, but it
disappeared for a while. About two years ago Campus Life started back up again. The Campus Life leaders do not get paid for their work but leader Lucas Farmer said, “I have to fundraise so there are people in the community who believe in what I do, so they do support what I do financially.” Though Campus Life is fun and playful, it has been proven that lives have been changed through this organization. “It affected me in a good way because it helped me to be more open and it’s easier to share about my life,” sophomore Aubrey MacDonald said. After the lesson for the night the teens are allowed time to ask questions either in private or in a group. The leaders take students out to lunch to talk and answer questions—even to learn more about each other. Campus Life is believed to be beneficial to today’s young adults. “That’s why I do it,” said Farmer. “I think that with the many distractions in life students need an outlet where they can ask the tough questions without fear of judgment.” Everybody has their favorite parts about Campus Life. “I like everything about Campus Life,” Woodcock said upfront. Others, though, are more specific about what they like about this small group gathering. “My favorite part is just hanging out with students and hearing about their lives and sharing Jesus and how He has worked in my life with them,” said Stipe. Others favor the delicious food or the outrageous games that we play. Some even enjoy dressing up for the occasional theme of the night. Campus Life is definitely a good way to end a Monday but to start a week.
6 December 18, 2009
Opinions
the Talisman
High school culture clash is good preparation for later life Diversity in high school, though sometimes a barrier between us, can prepare us for interactions in our adult lives
by Vanessa Hendricks staff writer
Sheldon High School, in comparison to others, is a diverse school. Everywhere you walk, you see someone with a completely different style than the last. Many parents, as well as teachers and students, are happy with diversity (racial and ethnic, academic, economic, gender, age, religion, sexual orientation). It can help you learn how to interact with all types of people later in your life,
but can it be a part of the problem? Teachers that have been teaching for many years are often very experienced and have developed many ways to help every student learn what is required, but newer teachers aren’t as prepared. According to greatchools.net, a 2007 study by Public Agenda and the National Comprehensive Center for Teacher Quality found that 76% of new teachers say they were trained to teach an ethnically diverse student body, but fewer than 4 in 10 say their training helps them deal with the challenges they face. Disagreements seem to happen more as distinct groups and cliques form, but many people also learn about accepting others as they are. The different cultures can help our school in more ways than imaginable; all we need are ways to connect, and some common ground. Many students at our school believe that the cliques limit the variety of friends we have, as well as our social and academic potential. Why are cliques formed? “I would say for the same reason gangs are formed in New York. People are lonely and want the sense of belonging, but the more dependent people are less likely to form
groups,” sophomore Talon Barber commented. People tend to stick to a certain group that likes the same music (“Metal-heads”), or the same clothing, (“Abercrombie Zombies”) or has the same views or beliefs. Our generation—the future of our world—is said to be open-minded and strong as a whole, but from where Barber stands, “Some people are too co-dependent; others are too independent.” Many people believe that the cliques will never change, even past high school. When Sheldon senior Ronny Clay was asked if students at Sheldon are open and welcoming, he said, “No, not really, just to me.” Why aren’t we open to more people and things? Ashley Daly thought, “Groups mainly fight with other groups. They quarrel and just talk smack.” Maybe if we could get along, we could benefit more from the diversity. As Bowling For Soup’s song “High School Never Ends” states: “Nothing changes but the faces, the names, and the trends.” Past high school, the cliques may never change, but at least we have high school to prepare us and to figure out where we fit in with all the diverse people in our world.
Holiday season ads Internet provides a are a spiritual minus place for everyone Every year the Christmas season becomes more materialistic, its meaning clouded by trivial consumerist traditions
The internet is a place full of all sorts of websites where you can do all sorts of things, from finding humor, to socializing with friends by Angela Merfeld staff writer
People all over the world are using the Internet, but for what? To “play games,” said freshman Kyle Radley, whose favorite website is Runescape: a roleplaying website about fighting monsters. There’s so much to do, from online games, to social networking sites, to business websites. One can find random websites like mylifeisaverage.com, a site about random, everyday moments where getting your own story published is a near-impossible task because of the large amount of submissions recieved daily. Or maybe you have a darker sense of humor, and like fmylife.com: a website about random horrible, yet comical things going on in someone else’s life. No matter what preference you have, the Internet is a great place to find humor, as well as other things. Lots of people are now shopping online for clothes, gifts, children’s toys, and tools because about everything can be purchased online. Some of the most popular websites are social networks such as Myspace, which students often use because “there’s nothing better to do,” said junior Tim Ueland. Sophomore Stephanie Sterling’s favorite website is “Facebook, because I have more friends and family on it.” Opinions on favorite websites tend to vary from person to person, but everyone seems to enjoy the Internet. It’s a place to connect with strangers or a place to connect with those you know. At first, the Internet was viewed with wonder and very few people had a computer. Now, it is one of the oddest things to not have.
by Alicia Luck backpage editor
that holiday sale commercials help to boost holiday spirit, while others find that their appeal becomes very minimal after a short period of time. Holiday spirit seems to mean, nowadays, wearing a holiday sweater and looking for the best price on gifts from huge department store as holiday themed music plays over the speakers. If we have the ability to change the way we celebrate the holidays, would the true meaning still prevail over the commercialization that has developed through sales like Black Friday? Black Friday is the day after Thanksgiving where shoppers rush to the big department stores in the early hours of the morning. This is how the corporations such as Wal-Mart, Target, and Macy’s keep their business thriving through this economic recession, which has lasted an upwards of two years. Black Friday has become the biggest shopping day of the holiday season. I believe that Black Friday is just another way to draw more people into buying highly priced items such as electronics, because consumers can’t resist a good deal.
With the holiday season here, you can expect to see ads and commercials selling all of the latest gadgets, toys, and other assortments of items. The commercials started early this year; one of the first appeared the week before Thanksgiving. As Christmas comes closer and closer, it seems that prices are being cut even more as people struggle to find gifts for their family members. It appears that the actual meaning of the three holidays (Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa) during this season has dwindled, perhaps become meaningless, as our society becomes more obsessed with gifts. People put up their decorations earlier as the years go by, just as the local 94.5 radio station starts playing Christmas and holiday music the Friday before Thanksgiving. Other local radio stations have followed suit and have started to play more winter-themed music along with their normal playlists. Senior Emily Ehley said, “Suddenly, in the middle of November, out of the blue the holiday season was here.” Red and green are the two colors most directly associated with the holiday as it is part of almost every Christmas decoration. As far as commercialization goes, this is one of the most well defined aspects in the holiday season; the two colors, red and green, seem to show up on all kinds of decorations. Senior Margaret Eichner said, “The colors are cheerful because they are both bright and peaceful.” Starbucks brings in a red holiday-themed cup every year during this time, which is a show of the overcommercialization of corporate and consumer America. It makes me wonder how much we, as a society, would function without a season where we buy each other presents that start to cost more and more as the years progress. What are we teaching future generations when the meaning of all three of the holidays is evaporating Jackson Darland Illustration into thin air? Junior Hilary Baumgart said, “Honestly, I think the commercials make the holiday season more fun and The materialsitic side of Christmas overpowjolly.” Some students would agree with the assessment ers the true meaning of the holidays for some.
Sports
the Talisman
December 18, 2009
7
war for the r ses
A Civil War victory sends the 10-2 Ducks to the Rose Bowl and the 8-4 Beavers to the Las Vegas Bowl by Drew Haugen staff writer
There have previously been Civil Wars with big implications, but never a reward like this. On December 3, the Ducks and the Beavers battled for the Pac-10 title and a berth to “The Granddaddy of Them All”— The Rose Bowl. After suffering a disappointing loss to Boise State in the season opener, the Ducks quickly rebounded with seven straight wins, including victories over thennumber six Cal and then-number four USC. Their streak ended with an upset at the hands of Toby Gerhart and the Stanford Cardinals. Two impressive wins over Arizona and Arizona State, led by junior quarterback Jeremiah Masoli preceded this year’s Civil War. Oregon State, on the other hand, started out with two wins to open the season before losing to Arizona and Cincinnati at home. The Beavers came back with two impressive league wins. They came into the Civil War 8-3, ready to take on the Ducks. Fans of both teams packed the seats at Autzen Stadium on a cold Thursday night to watch the de facto Pac-10 championship game. As kickoff grew closer, the anticipation grew with it. “Chip Kelly did a great job all week keeping his players focused,” said sophomore Peter Anderson. Oregon won the toss and chose to receive. On the first drive, Masoli uncharacteristically threw an interception to give the Beavers the ball and the momentum. The Oregon State offense drove down and scored, despite the noise of Autzen. “I think the crowed played some factor; they always do at home games,” said sophomore Dawson Housley. But the Ducks went down on the next possession and added seven points of their
own. After an Oregon State field goal and a Jeff Maehl touchdown catch, the scoreboard read 14-10 at halftime. Oregon State received the ball to begin the second half and wasted no time adding to their two point lead. They put together an impressive seven play, 75-yard drive which was capped off by a Canfield touchdown pass. Masoli and the Oregon offense roared back with an impressive drive of their own. “I think that Masoli was a key player,” said sophomore Tyler Osborne. “He made some clutch plays near the end of the game.” The drive ended with a twelve yard touchdown run by LeGarrette Blount, who had been recently reinstated after his suspension. As the third quarter was winding down, LaMichael James reeled off a 52- yard run to make the score 33-34. “I was happy for James and all of his success this season,” said Anderson. The next two possessions yielded no points for either team. With ten minutes left in the quarter, Morgan Flint kicked a 34-yard field goal to put the Ducks up for good. The Oregon defense made an impressive fourth down
Jeff Toreson photo
Oregon QB Jeremiah Masoli runs over OSU defensive back Lance Mitchell to convert a crucial fourth down in rout to a 37-33 victory.
stop on the Beavers’ next drive. The offense took over and ran out the clock, and with it, ran away with a Pac-10 title. “Jacquizz still has a place in my heart and he will ball it up in the bowl game,” said sophomore Ryan Land. As the clock hit zero, Oregon fans rushed the field. The scene was complete pandemonium, filled with yellow and green supporters surrounding players and coaches. The Duck was thrust up on their shoulders, clutching a bouquet of roses. Oregon players then struck the classic pose, clenching a single red rose between their teeth, and with the win, clinching a trip to the Rose Bowl. The two head coaches congratulated each other. In the locker room, players decked out in Pac-10 champions’ gear continued the festivity. In the midst of chaos, a representative from the Rose Bowl approached Chip Kelly. Handing him a rose, (the ceremonial bouquet hadn’t made it through the celebration) he asked the Oregon Ducks if they would like to play in Pasadena on New Year’s Day. A smiling Kelly said, “I think it’s unanimous.”
2010 Rose Bowl Mascot: Record: PPG: Opp ppg: Offense: RB wins: Last RB:
Duck 10-2 37.7 23.6 424.7 1 1995
Buckeye 10-2 29.3 12.1 364.8 6 1997
*RB: Rose Bowl *PPG: Points per game *OPP: Opponent
Equestrian team united Local students take their passion for horseback riding to the equestrian team by Kyla Henninger staff writer
The 2009-2010 Oregon High School Equestrian team consists of twelve students from Sheldon and Marist High School: two seniors, three juniors, one sophomore, and six freshmen. This year is one of the biggest groups of equestrian competitors in a long time at Sheldon. The Sheldon and Marist High School teams have combined to
make one large team. Linda Sundburg is the Equestrian team leader for this year. Sundburg has been in the OHSET team in many different capacities. She is a very organized and prompt leader. This equestrian team is driven towards their goals as a team, and is hoping to do well this year. As a team, they practice four times a week. They are hoping to make this year one of their strongest years yet. Sundburg said “[The day of a leader is] stressful, hectic, long, and tiring, but in the end, very rewarding.” The OHSET team has three meets and one state meet during the year. All meets are held in Junction City at the Oregon Horse Center. The OHSET meets are March 4-6; April 4-6; and May 2-4. The state meet, which includes twenty different teams around the state, is held during the month of June. Many teams work extremely hard because of the extreme difficulty qualifying for state. Last year, the OHSET teammates qualified for
state in IHOR (in hand obstacle relay), which consisted of in-hand trail and pole bending (a gaming event). Each year, the team has the elephant ear booth at the rodeo to help raise money for the team’s expenses. Students help make the elephant ears and pass them out in the stands. They also do the calf scramble, which is where they tackle a calf with four other people from the team and race against other teams to get a calf in the center of the arena. Team member Macaela Crowley said, “You will not want to eat another elephant ear again, because you have made so many,” To help fundraise, the OHSET team is currently doing the Cowboy Candy Bar Drive. Many students on the team say that it is a fun and rewarding activity to get involved in. “Being on the OHSET is very fun. Also, another benefit is having that feeling of being able to work at something everyday, and feeling good about the progress that you have made,” Crowley said.
SHS basketball shows potential
Young talent with veteran leaders fits the bill for Sheldon’s boys and girls basketball teams as the season starts by Chiara Macchi staff writer
As the 2009-2010 basketball season approaches, many words come to mind. The first is “young.” The Sheldon girls are very young; can they prove themselves and step up to leadership roles? The other word that comes to mind is “pride,” as both the girls and boys teams are very prideful and successful. Sheldon basketball is in for two good seasons. “Being one of a few seniors, I find my role on the team simple, and that’s to be a mature leader,” said senior Carlee Hauser. The girls have a seemingly tough Southwest Conference ahead of them, as there isn’t a single weak team in the league. The girls will need to have younger talent step up and compete with the likes of South
Eugene, as the Axemen are the girls toughest competition. The Sheldon girls basketball team will need a select group of senior leaders in charge of young players with exceptional potential in order to be successful this season. “Even though I want the Sheldon football team to go far, I am lacking a good majority of my players. Twenty out of thirty-six are currently playing football,” said Sheldon boys basketball coach Ron Lampe. Unlike the girls basketball team, the boys have more than two seniors playing this year and look to use their senior experience. Now that the football season is over, the boys basketball team will have a more complete team with final positions. “This year is going to be exciting; I can’t wait to see how we develop as a team,” said junior Caitlin Crosby. There is a big question mark behind the boys basketball team this year, as the football players just stepped foot on the court this week for
tryouts. However, there is no need to fear, because a proven Sheldon basketball program will foster success nicely. This year for is intriguing, with much uncertainty, but one thing is for certain: if the Irish players step up like their predecessors, then it will surely be a good year.
Backpage Are Uggs a fashion statement for winter? Most students have a firm opinion about Uggs: love them or hate them by Marisa Aiello staff writer Many students at Sheldon know of the boot brand Uggs. Ugg is not only a brand name, but also a term for a style of Australian-made sheepskin boot. In cold weather, the plush fleece provides an insulating layer of warmth by trapping a person’s body heat, much like goose down. In the heat of the summer, the fibers of the fleece actually cool a person’s feet by wicking away perspiration. There are students among the Sheldon student body that absolutely love Uggs, but there are some who think that they’re appalling, like freshmen Clare Hamblin and Kaylee Ollivant. Hamblin said, “I don’t
Jeff Toreson photo
have any Uggs; I don’t want any Uggs. I think they’re okay; I mean, I think that a lot of people wear them, so if you’re not into, like, mainstream stuff then don’t wear Uggs.” Ollivant didn’t have anything supportive to say about the fleece footwear, either. “I don’t really like Ugg boots. I think they’re ugly.” Uggs come in a range of colors, including pink, orange, brown, black, and grey. They not only come in a variety of colors, but also a variety of styles, such as short boots, moccasins, and clogs. Many versions bear a resemblence to house shoes. Hamblin said, “They look mildly comfortable, I guess. Sort of like over-priced slippers.” Freshman Sofie Crandall said, “Personally I think that they look comfortable, but then again, they don’t exactly look good if they’re wet.” Uggs came into style just a few years ago, but have they gone out of style or are they still ‘in’? Hamblin said, “I don’t know. I don’t think they’re in style per se, but people still wear them.” Crandall’s final comment was, “I think that for most girly-girls, they are fashionable, but to me and my friends, we think they’re kind of lame, and that they were never actually in style.” As students can see, there are some students who think that the Ugg brand is not fashionable in the rainy state of Oregon. With the slow drying time after getting wet, they aren’t exactly a reasonable shoe to wear in the rain. But some people can overlook that fact, while others cannot. Uggs have many advantages, from their comfort to their cool style.
Snuggies: a new fad? The “invention” of the blanket/backwards robes known as “Snuggies” baffles some students and causes others to rejoice by Annie Juilfs staff writer You’ve probably heard of the Snuggie. It’s a blanket with arms or a bathrobe on backwards. They are advertised with ridiculous commercials where there is a person choking in the blanket. It may be useful to some people, but is it really necessary? If you want to go outside you can put a jacket, or a scarf on, and if you’re staying inside, you can use a blanket or put a sweater on. Do Snuggies really even keep you that warm? Although they don’t seem like a complete necessity, there are times where they could come in handy. If you want to have your hands free but still have a blanket on, the Snuggie is the perfect item for you. The Snuggie is one-size-fits-all, which seems like it could be a bit of an inconvenience if a five-year-old wants to use a Snuggie that also fits his father; it might be a bit baggy on the son. Freshman Taylor Beverly said, “I would never buy one because I could just get myself a robe. If I had to get one, I would buy the cheetah print one.” The Snuggie brand has evolved a lot since its creation; now there is even a Snuggie for dogs. Before long, Snuggie will probably be waterproof. Freshman Jim Cahill said, “They should make them waterproof so I can go in the bathtub with one on.” Cahill had a different opinion than Beverly; he said, “I would buy one to keep me warm.” The newest addition to the Snuggie products is a “Double Snuggie.” It’s a bit bigger and has arm holes for two people instead of one. So if you want to share a Snuggie with someone, now it’s possible! Before long designers will probably be making Snuggies. There will be an Ed Hardy Snuggie before you know it. As much of a rage as the Snuggie might be, it could be a bit of an inconvenience if someone has an immediate emergency and they cannot get out of the blanket. There are many pros and cons to the Snuggie. You might think that it is necessary to have, but others think it is more of an inconvenience. If you are interested in buying a Snuggie, they are located at major stores and online.
The notorious “Black Friday” involves extreme shopping Black Friday is the opening to the holiday season when avid shoppers search for the best deals by Kelsey Sherman staff writer Black Friday, in essence, is an accumulation of sales packed into one day: a shopaholic’s paradise. Stores all over the nation look forward to Black Friday’s income of money–just waiting for people to flock to the stores like plants waiting to soak in sunbeams during the mid-summer solstice. Some stores, on Black Friday open at five a.m., some even earlier, such as the outlet stores in Woodburn. With all the hustle and bustle of people trying to buy as much as possible before the day is over, stores and parking lots can get quite crowded. Some people like to be first so that they can get the best deals before the things they want have already been mobbed and cleaned out by hundreds of other shoppers. Freshman Marina Ross sees Black Friday as a great way to keep the stores up and running: “Stores participate in Black Friday to sell more things and if you sell things for cheaper, people are going to buy more of it. Plus it’s close to Christmas!” This is an easy way to understand the reasons for stores’ participation on Black Friday. People want the gifts for the holidays, while the stores bring in more money. Setting a time limit to Black Friday also helps the stores, because it gives consumers a sense of urgency, and they buy more gifts at once. Freshman Jake Reid
says, “Yeah, Black Friday is good because you get good sales,” agreeing with Marina Ross. But is Black Friday a good idea? Most people have heard about what happened last year at Long Island’s Wal-Mart, when an employee was trampled to death by a very enthusiastic stampede of shoppers. Stores especially look forward to Black Friday because it is the one day in the year that they can be sure to get all their funds made. Black Friday shows stores how they will do over the course of the next year. If they do well with their profits, then stores will more likely do well throughout the next year. On Black Friday, Shopko’s Malia Lathrop said, “Besides the crazy fanatic people that come in here for good deals, it just helps to be able to get new faces in here. And there are people who were here today that have never even been in Shopko before. So, to have a Black Friday sale, it really gets to expand out and broaden our loyal customers.” This is most likely true for all stores, because the good sales are what bring in the customers. This year’s Black Friday was a success for most stores in the sense that they made most of their money on that day than any other day this year, according to Lathrop. Even though the stores probably didn’t bring in the same amount of money as they normally would on Black Friday, it was still successful considering the trouble that the nation is having with the economy. If one were to walk around the mall, they would notice that it was extremely crowded on Black Friday.
Drew Haugen photo
Sophomore Peter Anderson models a new “designer” Snuggie print.