2018-2019 The Whirlwind: Issue 3

MEMES OF 2018

What internet meme culture says about us as a society

GET IT, GIRL Junior Madi Weekly discovers family in wrestling team

PLANET IN PERIL

The time to step up and save Earth is now

WEST

ALBANY FEBRUARY 2019 / ISSUE 3

THE MUSIC ISSUE On the 50th anniversary of Woodstock, we explore the historical, significant developments in music

A31 COOK’S MUSIC MAN AMBITION

Junior Carter Roser Story on DJ page develops skills31 through school, family events

CONTENTS News

Sports

5

20-21

ROADKILL

It is now legal to eat roadkill, now what?

6

RECURRING

Women in the film industry, and Homecoming traditions

7

GRADUATION RATE

An interview with Principal Susie Orsborn about West Albany’s graduation rate

8-9

16-17

SPECIAL

CAN’T BE UNHEARD

Controversy in the music industry

18 T H E

EVOLUTION OF MUSIC

West Albany musicians comment on the revolution of music genres

17 W E S T

Jacob Jones

PRODIGY

A Q&A with musician senior Skylar Kim

18 A R T I S T S AREA

IN THE

Local musicians share wisdom on going pro

“After the first couple weeks, people stop throwing up, people stop crying. I wanted to quit, but I didn’t because I’m stubborn and I wanted to prove everybody wrong, [to prove] that I could do it.”

MADI WEEKLY

JUNIOR page 20-21

CONTACT US

C o r r e c t i o ns a n d Let t ers t o t h e Editor s

P l ease sen d correc ti ons or c omme n t s o n t h is issue to : wahswhi rl wi nd @ g ma i l . com

2 THE WHIRLWIND / FEBRUARY 2018

EARTHQUAKE

A sizable earthquake is inevitable. Are you ready?

CAN’T PIN HER DOWN

A profile on female wrestler Madi Weekly

22

AUSTRALIA

About three students with the opportunity to travel to Australia for track and field

23 S P O R T S PROCESS

How student athletes found their sports

25

CITY LEAGUE

Students that played in a city basketball league

Opinion

Entertainment

10 M A K E A M E R I C A GREAT AGAIN

27

FINALS

28

PHOTO ESSAY

Teens think that the US is a bad place to live, but is it?

11

BAD DRIVING

How bad drivers are harming our daily commute

12-13

WHAT’S YOUR PROBLEM?

Students are acting up more in class. What is there to do about it?

14

VEGANS

How vegans are secretly saving the world

A finals week survival guide to help you through all tests A spread of cold weather fashion

29 M E M E CALENDAR

The year in memes

30-31 A S L

CLUB

AND DJ

Profiles on the school ASL club and our very own DJ

32

RECURRING

The Whirlwind would like to thank the following 2018-2019 sponsors BULLDOG LEVEL

Baldwin General Contracting Danielle Budlong Dick Olsen

GOLD LEVEL

Anonymous Charlotte and Frank Cline Eclectic Zebra Elton & Kara Strametz Heidi Litchfield

M&M Marie Lambert

BLUE LEVEL

Al Serverson Amber Ferguson Christopher Bright Jane Marshall Maestro Beiser Dani Budlong-Wilder Karen Schweizer

WHIRLWIND STAFF

ROCKIN’ ISSUE

W E ’ R E A W A Y S I N T O T H E N E W up on natural disasters, but the opinion section semester, which means, of course, it is time to touches on climate change. If you’re into the enlook back on the beginning of the year and talk vironment or are wondering what direction the about things such as the GOAT memes of 2018, world is moving in at this moment, turn to one finals week moments, and some problems that of those stories.

Wrestling has brought up quite the buzz seem to come up on campus. this year.

Why? Female wrestlers have played a

This issue’s special report section prominent role in the success of the team, so touches on the music industry and how music naturally, the sports section wrote a profile on has changed through the ages. As most know, a female wrestler.

Not only is there a profile certain genres of music have been controversial. on a female wrestler, but sports also Although not many types of music L E T T E R F R O M tackles city league basketball and the are still looked down upon, music artists still go through a lot and history T H E E D I T O R S Down Under games.

Between a meme calendar and topics is still being made. To see a timeline of music such as equal pay, this issue of The Whirlwind and understand the controversies around certain is quite diverse in its story topics. There’s a stogenres, turn to the special report section. ry for everyone, so open up to a story of your

Over the last year, climate change and choosing, sit down, sip some hot tea, and enjoy. natural disasters have been very prominent in the news. Not only does the news section touch

FIND US ONLINE

Stories from other issues and exclusive online content available at W A H S W H I R L W I N D . C O M

EDITORS-IN-CHIEF Megan Carroll Braxton Reece MANAGING EDITORS Hayley-Mae Harlan Patrick Spence COPY EDITORS Emily Haarstad Mattea Hellman BUSINESS MANAGER Preet Dhaliwal ART DIRECTOR Maggie Bedrin SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR Alizah Bueno PHOTO/MULTIMEDIA Jakob Jones Karissa Lamonte NEWS Malachi Murphy OPINION Jonathan Perkins Kailee Young SPORTS Jordan Andreas Gabrielle Budlong ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Kaden Strametz Jenna Thomas SPECIAL Sydney Morgan Jaden Rodriguez STAFF Asherah Davidow Aisling Malone Geneva Mellison Grey Nazarian Lajla Raske Dezmond Remington Cheyenne Such Corbin Ulibarri Ember Walter Emmalynn Weible Abigail Winter ADVISERS Michelle Balmeo Dena Minato

THE WHIRLWIND is a dedicated student forum.

Content and editorial decisions are made by student staff members exercising their rights as protected by the First Amendment and the Oregon Student Free Expression Law (Ore. Rev. Stat. sec. 336.477 (2007)). Opinions are those of The Whirlwind staff and not West Albany High School or the Greater Albany Public School District.

FEBRUARY 2018 / THE WHIRLWIND 3

Advanced Preparation

Students taking AP classes get better prepration for college

BY Lajla Raske

According to U.S. News, in 2017, the AP exam pass rate was

85%

O N A N Y D A Y , the life of a teenager may seem quite overwhelming. Whether it is keeping up on class work, expectations, or things at home, it can feel like an intense schedule. For a student taking college-level courses, this schedule gets even more complicated.

“The challenges with taking college classes at the same time as high school is that you have to set up your own means of transportation to the college at specific times,” senior Ethan Duncan said. ”The work doesn’t happen a lot, but when it does, it is a lot. I had to do a 120 short-answer assignment on electronic systems troubleshooting.”

Ethan says an advantage is he has more opens during the semester and more free time in the afternoon. His advice for those SophomoreSabrina Davis works in her AP human geography classroom on Feb. 2019. who take college classes while in high This class is taught by social studies teacher June Morris.

KARISSA LAMONTE school is to avoid procrastination because “When I check in with some students, I to a regular high school class. “Learning is you will be doing a lot more work each usually hear that they feel the work they did more difficult for some students.” day. Instead, do the work longer before the was hard, but it helped them understand Classes such as AP Chemistry offer up deadline. Ethan is involved in the mecha- how hard colleges are,” Morris said. “You to 10 College Now credits. College Now tronics program, and involved in other col- are reading a college-level textbook. There is a free program which offers students lege classes such as destination graduation, are greater expectations, like memorizing in high school the opportunity to earn industrial pneumatics, and solidworks one. information, and they will [have to] apply credits for college while taking AP coursAccording to AP European History it and discuss it, and be able to understand es.“[AP courses] look better to colleges,” teacher June Morris, she starts out the year it.” said Forney. “I think it helps prepare you with about 100 AP students Morris says that stu- for college classes when you have to go to at the beginning of first sedents are expected to re- college, instead of just taking high school mester, but numbers drop member what they learned level classes.” by at least two fewer stuas far back as September.

Students taking AP classes need to learn dents per class in the first They will need the infor- specific skills that become useful when takweek. The difference bemation when taking the ing the class. AP teacher Jodi Howell says tween taking an AP class, AP exam in May or June. one of the best traits for AP students to and a college class is that While some may feel the have is self-management. Students need at a college, class is three J O D I H O W E L L class is too difficult and to be more self-aware, increase their time hours once a week as opE N G L I S H T E A C H E R drop it, others continue management skills, prioritize things, and posed to a 90-minute class with the class because of learn how to use resources such as Google two to three times a week. the advantages they think Classroom, as well as information given by Students begin taking will help them long term. teachers. college-level classes while in high school, “Taking AP classes helps you prepare “Starting to make [students] more selfsuch as AP classes, to better prepare them- for college,” said sophomore Sabrina Daaware and to manage their grades is huge,” selves for college. They will have better vis. “It helps you know what to expect Howell explains. “Having higher expectaskills in things such as prioritizing. AP Bi- while in college.” tions and holding students to that [is imology teacher Shana Hains said that her “A disadvantage is that it is harder, and portant].” students generally get good grades like A’s a lot of people have a more difficult time and B’s because it is a topic they have inter- keeping up with the work,” sophomore est in, making them want to take the class. Bella Forney said, comparing AP classes

“If one professor says something, they really do mean it.”

4 THE WHIRLWIND / FEBRUARY 2019

Dinner Time

Oregon passes new law that alllows people to scavenge roadkill

BY Karissa Lamonte

A S O F J A N . 1 , 2 0 1 9 , it is now legal to eat roadkill in Oregon, as stated

by Senate Bill 372 from the 2017 Oregon State Legislature, meaning you can eat a dead animal off the side of the road: at your own risk. This law applies to deer, elk, and unprotected wildlife only, such as coyotes, skunks, nutria, opossum, badgers, porcupines, and weasels. So don’t eat the first dead racoon you find on the side of the road, it is not legal, or that simple.

When an animal is fatally struck by a vehicle, not only is the driver who struck the animal able to salvage the flesh, but anyone who comes across the dead animal that was hit. This law does not mean you may hit an animal with your car purposely and eat it, it only means if you accidently hit an animal and it dies from injuries or you come across one that is dead, it may utilized.

After hitting or coming across a dead animal, all “Antlers and heads of all salvaged animals will need to be surrendered to an Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife office within five business days of taking possession of the carcass…” according to USA TODAY. This rule is set to keep people from hitting these animals to only salvage the head and antlers for display.

Before consuming the roadkill, you must complete a free online permit within 24 hours of collecting the carcass, providing information such as where and when the animal was killed, the animal’s sex, etc. Another rule placed to keep people from purposely hitting animals, while also keeping track of the number of animals being hit and killed.

PETA, People for Ethical Treatment of Animals, said, “Eating roadkill is healthier for the consumer than meat laden with antibiotics, hormones, and growth stimulants, as most meat is today.” PETA does support this new law, claiming it’s healthier than most meat today anyway, also saying its “a superior option to the neatly shrink-wrapped plastic packages of meat in the supermarket,” on their website.

An article posted May 19, 2016, by David Gibson, on BBC’s website an-

MAGGIE BEDRIN

swers that very question. Gibson claims “If parsimony is your thing, it’s obvious that roadkill cuisine can be a safe and affordable way to enjoy wild meat,” while also saying, “It’s delicious.” This is from the perspective of one man. He also stated, “Whatever you think of meat-eating in general, an animal killed needlessly shouldn’t be left to rot needlessly…”

“It’s delicious.”

DAVID GIBSON WRITER

Eating at your own risk is a huge part of this new law. Nobody is forcing you to eat roadkill, but nobody is stopping you either.

Roadkill could be healthier than most meat as stated by PETA, or it could be dangerous. If not inspected and/or cleaned correctly, illness or disease could be caught.

Visit the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife website for more information about this new Roadkill Salvage law.

SOCIAL STUDIES TEACHER

Brian Wadlow

Do you think there should be any more regulations?

In the long run I think that the regulations that are in place are good... I know that the legislator passed the regulatory body, Department of Fish and Wildlife, with setting up the law, and I think they did a pretty effective job.

Are you concerned about anyone maybe taking advantage of this law?

I think there’s an opportunity to take advantage of this law...but most people aren’t going to risk damaging their vehicle in order to obtain meat.

Would you try roadkill?

Oh sure, if I just went by something and wasn’t aware of the situation I think I would be less prone to do my own investigation... If I was directly involved with it, either I witnessed it or came on the scene, then absolutely.

NEWS / THE WHIRLWIND 5

BY THE NUMBERS

Women in Film Awards

BY Mattea Hellman

100%

2%

Academy Award nominees by gender distribution, averaged from 2006 to 2015, according to Statista 12%

14%

50%

0%

100%

98%

88%

86%

Cinematography

Directing

Writing (Adapted Screenplay)

Writing (Original Screenplay)

Male

WHAT’S NEXT?

Feminist Film

BY Ember Walter

E A C H Y E A R since 2008, the Portland, OR Women’s Film Festival is held to help encourage women to write and direct films. This year, it is being held from February 28 through March 3. During this festival, female filmmakers are showcased with the hope to spread the idea women can do anything a man can do around Oregon. Some of these directors include Allison Anders, Irene Taylor-Brodsky, Kathryn Bigelow, Cheryl Dunye, and Gillian Armstrong. One of this year’s feature films is Harlan County, USA, directed by Barbara Kopple. This film is about the coal miners’ strike located in Harlan County, KY. This festival, like many, is mindful of everyone no matter their age, race, ability, class, sexuality, or gender. They even offer workshops for all girls and non-binary youth between the ages of 15 and 19.

Female

FLASHBACK

Timely Traditions

BY Ember Walter

T H E R E A R E M A N Y West Albany traditions. Some that date as far back as when the school was founded by the name of Albany Union High in 1953. One of them including our alma mater and the homecoming festivities. Both of these traditions have been continued till the present. Traditions help us to grow our school spirit. At the end of each Varsity basketball and football game, we join together and sing our beloved alma mater. Also, every September, West Albany Leadership coordinates the homecoming activities. Everything from powder puff to the dance has been done for years. Even if more long-lasting traditions fallout, our alma mater and homecoming will never leave our amazing list of traditions.

1983 West Albany students singing alma mater.

6 THE WHIRLWIND / FEBRUARY 2019

Beth Buglione

Graduation Rates: Key principles

Principal Susie Orsborn discusses 2018 graduation rates and the interventions that led to a zero dropout rate

BY Asherah Davidow

A C C O R D I N G T O W E S T Albany’s At-A-Glance school profile for the 2017-18 year provided by Oregon Department of Education, the school boasts a 96 percent on time graduation rate, and 94 percent on track rate. This is a bold contrast to state averages, where 77 percent graduate on time and 85 percent of student populations are on track to graduate.

We caught up with Principal Susie Orsborn to find out just what it is that makes West Albany’s success rate so high.

High school success begins in eighth grade. “It comes down to not letting anybody slip through the cracks,” she explained. Academic, attendance, and behavioral data is collected on students from feeder middle schools, and when indicators permit, students are enrolled in summer school. They get to know their teachers

early on this way. “If you feel connected and like part of your school, then you do better,” Orsborn said. Additionally, statistics show that if a student is behind on credits their freshman or sophomore years, it will most likely be significantly harder to bounce back. Study skills classes are not required for freshmen and sophomores, statewide, as they are at West.

The “safety net” precautions the school takes are nothing short of extensive. Personalization, atendance tracking, course offerings, intervention classes, credit recovery, and more play a role in getting students to graduation. Orsborn explains that the educational experience at West is highly personalized. The counselors are responsible for knowing every student in their assigned class individually, as well as their needs. They are also responsible for following students closely, even when they

leave schools, or sometimes the district.

“We hold each other accountable,” Orsborn said. “We track and call students.”

“If you feel connected and like part of your school, then you do better.”

PRINCIPAL SUSIE ORSBORN

Another staple in the strong school community is teachers, who are responsible for cultivating culturally relevant classrooms.

Improving graduation rates takes years of time and effort and coordination amongst teachers, classified staff, and administration. Orsborn says, “My greatest achievement is when students are happy, healthy, contributing members of society.”

All Clubs start @ 7:14pm unless noted otherwise

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Mon. Nov 19 WAHS Club

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Mon. Dec 10 West & South Mon. Nov 5 Washington Family Mr.Ranch Christmas Tree West & South Antelope, OR @Neighborhood Church Pumpkin Bash @All Star Staffing Visit albanyyounglife.com for more information www.albanyyounglife.com 7 THE WHIRLWIND / FEBRUARY 2019

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The Great Shake

Understanding and preparing for the earthquake of the millenia

BY Malachi Murphy

D E S T R U C T I O N O N A larger scale than we can imagine: the Cascadia earthquake, expected to hit the Northwest to massive avail should be on every homeowner’s radar. Approximately $32 billion worth of damages, according to the state of Oregon’s state resiliency plan, last updated in 2013, will hit our state.

In Albany, the situation could be very bad for a variety of geographic reasons.

However, thanks to our city and civil servants, a specialty book of codes has been designed in case of an emergency on most

“It would be an immediate federal disaster declaration. These are big events like Katrina...”

CHUCK PERINO EMERGENCY MANAGER

scales. It is required to be updated every five years, and emergency protocols are tested every year or so, according to Chuck Perino, Albany’s emergency manager.

“We do what we call ‘all hazard planning,’ meaning that we will be responding in a similar way based on if it’s a flood or an earthquake or anything like that,” Perino explained. “That kind of helps us to standardize what we’re doing in response to an emergency.”

In the case of the Cascadia earthquake, the extremely large 9.0 earthquake expected to hit the Pacific Northwest in the next century, Perino says that the issue would immediately become a national event.

“It would be an immediate federal disaster declaration.

the Lincoln County response, so it’s a kind of tag team effort.”

Albany, though, does not have a Sister City Mercy Operation, even though Perino thinks it could be helpful. In the situation where we need more manpower than we have, it seems pretty self explanatory to have help, thinks Perino. Especially con-

These are big events like Katrina and other hurricanes,” he said. “We would be in a lot better shape here being next to I5, and being 40 minutes south of the capital, than the coast [would be].”

Although there would be massive damages on the coast, many coastal cities have entrusted a city in Eastern Oregon to be their sister city, and thus help with the damages and reconstruction.

“If Lincoln City has a wicked earthquake and massive damage, then the Pendleton Mercy Operation Center will manage

sidering that Albany is full of old houses and right on a river, which is a good position for flooding and large scale home destruction. Even still, Perino argues, “Italy has earthquakes all the time, it has for centuries, and there’s a lot of homes that are very ancient that are still there.”

Although we have older houses, Perino thinks “there’s a lot of variables,”

Equal Pay Act

The Oregon Discriminatory wage rates based on sex law was ut into effect this year. Here’s what changed

BY Sahijpreet Dhaliwal

I N 2 0 1 7 , T H E O R E G O N Senate unanimously decided to pass the Oregon Equal Pay Act. The bill was made in hopes to lower the prominent wage gap occurring because of gender, age, marital status, religion, color, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, national origin, and to other people discriminated against on a daily basis. The act is meant to encourage companies to check how they pay 8 THE WHIRLWIND / FEBRUARY 2019

their employees— before a lawsuit is filed against them. During an interview with The Oregonian, Democratic Senator Kathleen Taylor said, “It’s currently illegal in Oregon—and throughout the U.S.—to pay someone differently for the same work based on their gender, race, religion, etcetera...However, our current legal system is not working, and we know far too many individuals are being paid less for doing the

same work.”

The main components of the bill were set to go live Jan. 1, 2019 so employers would have the chance to identify and correct any pay disparities. Oregon Republican Senator Tim Knopp said he’s never met any employer who has intentionally underpaid female employees, but does recognize the fact they are out there. During the same interview with The Oregonian, Knopp says,

“THE CASCADIA EARTHQUAKE IS NOT ACTUALLY OVERDUE. THAT IS A MYTH, AND IT IS ACTUALLY A LARGE MARGIN OF TIME IN WHICH WE THINK THE EARTHQUAKE WILL STRIKE.”

JOAN GOMBERG USGS EARTHQUAKE RESEARCH GEOPHYSICIST

and that it is a matter of chance and probabilities.

“I’ve worked on the state level before, and Albany seems to have a vision and is a little more proactive in dealing with a lot of situations,” Perino said. “I like our chances better than other cities.”

Joan Gomberg, a n E a r t h -

the United States, trains emergency managers and creates the building codes with data that they collect.

Gomberg says the Cascadia earthquake will likely hit offshore and that the majority of damages will actually be along the coast. From tsunamis to general poor infrastructure and little interstate transport and communication, the coast is most in danger. Also, she pushed that houses built before the 1940s would be in a very bad shape in the event of the Cascadia earthquake, u s ing Port- land’s

Emergency Checklist, According to Joan Gomberg 1.

2.

3.

4.

Preparing for the worst, tips from Chuck Perino • •

quake program res e a r c h geophysicist for the United States Geological Survey, is the kind of person who would teach emergency managers the science behind earthquakes and understanding how to best prepare for different situations.

The USGS collects a majority of the earthquake data for

archaic houses as an example for which zones in a city would be most affected.

Both Perino and Gomberg agree that an overlooked component of earthquake relief in the case of the Cascadia earthquake is the individual emergency responders’ own worries. As they both stated, firefighters and the likes always consider their own families during times of disaster, as well as those affected. Understanding this, both claimed, is crucial in understanding earthquake relief.

“This bill is for our mothers, our wives, our daughters, our granddaughters, our aunts, our nieces and our friends […] I want to dedicate this bill to the next generation of women that will earn more for their entire working career because of our efforts here today.” The act also declares your employer can’t pay your coworker more than you for the same job unless they have more merit, seniority, quantity or quality of production, education, training, experience, workplace locations depending on city or with other states, and how much you travel. This act

can also make it easier to get a new job, as it makes it so a employer can’t ask you how much you are currently paid, and they can’t ask your former employer for your salary history. Business teacher Morgan Wadlow and social studies teacher June Morris said the equal pay act doesn’t change much for their jobs.

“For teachers, our pay is based on seniority and how much education they have,” said Morris. Wadlow hopes the bill does affect people, but is worried about how it will be enforced—especially for

Locate family members Call someone far away; local lines will be clogged, so calling a relative or trusted friend out of your area helps establish a life line and can help calm the chaos Find your family, and do not lose them Use your common sense

•

Always have two weeks supply; there won’t be outside help for at least two weeks.

Leave small emergency kits in any place you are commonly at. An office, backpack, car, and definetly in your room, will ensure that wherever you are during an emergency you will be prepared.

Water bottles are crucial for emergency planning.

private businesses. Morris said, “It has the potential to be huge but is subjective since it doesn’t apply to all jobs; it’s a baby step, but it’s something.”

For people who already have jobs, there is no need to worry about their pay being lowered to be equal with a new coworker: the lower salaries must be raised, which includes salaries and bonuses. The Equal Pay Act has since gone live, and we will be seeing the results in the upcoming months.

NEWS / THE WHIRLWIND 9

OPINION

Make America Great Again

Americans need to change their perspective of their country

BY Jonathan Perkins

Maggie Bedrin

S T O P H A T I N G America. Where is my fellow patriotism? Sick, uncultured trends of hating America have spread like wildfire within our own school. This is saddening, considering we all live in America, yet somehow hate it. The U.S. is not actually a horrible place to live; in fact, it’s actually a great place to be.

Yes, there are many awful things to take into consideration for those who hate America. School shootings are a problem that have been occurring and still are, including Sandy Hook Elementary—where six and seven year olds were murdered.

We also have our fair share of major attacks on highly important people. John Kennedy was shot in the head in front of a large crowd. Martin Luther King Jr. was shot and John Lennon was shot.

America has also experienced attacks like the devastating terrorist attack 9/11 that left millions in shock and thousands dead. We do have racism, sexism, starving people, drug addicts, rape—not to mention our fair share of horrible past stories like Emmett Till, a 14-year old black boy, who was beaten to death brutally, stolen right in front of his family, found later in a lake, and tied to a tire so his body wouldn’t 10 THE WHIRLWIND /FEBRUARY 2019

float. Horrible things do happen here.

Yet, this is the reality we live in. This is not a reason to hate America, but for us to grow: Other places aren’t perfect, either Considering the situation of other places helps to bring light to how good America is. For example, Mexico. It’s hot, and the cartel is there. North Korea is under control of a cruel dictator and citizens are brainwashed to think he’s God. Iraq is constantly under war and has ISIS beheading people left and right. Australia is a civilization living in constant danger of being attacked by everything that can or is dangerous like snakes, spiders, giant lizards, sharks, crocodiles, dingoes, and tasmanian devils. Breathing is a problem in China due to pollution in the air. Japan’s population keeps growing and growing, but they’re stuck on a small island and are running out of resources. India has a massive poor population that live in dirt slums. These are broad statements but all true and many of these places lack basic resources, which is hard to imagine life without, but that’s just how they have to live.

Everything that’s needed is here in the

land of hope and prosperity. There are so many good things in America that are ignored because of all the tragic news. We have an opportunity to get our education for free, because of taxes, in kindergarten through 12th grade and then there’s even more assistance as some have the help through college with government assistance. Other places don’t even have free education or education in general. This is overlooked tremendously. Whether school is the worst part of someone’s life or the best, it’s still free to the student. A door to opportunity is practically handed to us.

Getting a job is not hard in today’s society, especially with all these fast food companies needing workers fast. One can start saving money at the age of 16, giving them a massive head start in life.

Being able to call someone if there’s an emergency 24/7 has saved many lives.

We have someone to call in any emergency situation, as well as a working guard. In any hazardous event we can rely on our Nation Guard to rescue us.

In the end, we could have grown up anywhere, but somehow we ended growing up in a land full of opportunity and democracy.

Out of MY way

Traffic before, after school makes students late to school, causes accidents

BY Kailee Young

THE BUMPER OF THE OLD, white car stops sharply, barely stopping barely before colliding with the car in front of it. This sharp breaking, and al-

most crashing, may seem like something that would only happen once in a while; however, for the student drivers of West Albany, this is an every morning event.

The problem facing the student drivers of West Albany is not an easy one to fix.

Many drivers have faced the problem of bad drivers pulling out too close in front of them or stopping too sharply. In order to not hit these drivers, others have to rush to stop, creating a chain reaction.

Not only is the bad driving to blame for the early morning traffic jam and the late afternoon rush, pedestrians also add to the problem immensely. The crosswalk is often full with impatient students in a rush, and during their rush, some will run out in front of cars without any regard.

“I have bumped kids as they were crossing the street,” said junior Alexis Bryant.

“They run out in front of me, and I don’t have time to stop all the way.”

Students say they have to wait to leave or they were late to school due to traffic.

With the long waits at the stop lights and the line of cars waiting to turn, this excuse isn’t hard to believe.

I have experienced this before school as well. I had to wait in a line of five cars who were all waiting for one car turning into

the parking lot. However, the traffic on the other side of the road had blocked the car turning for nearly 10 minutes. If one person would have waited to let that car into the parking lot, it would’ve saved at least five tardies that day.

As I got inside the building, the line at the tardy station had reached about 10 people. As I waited, it only accumulated more people. The main reason most of us were late: the traffic.

Not only is it important to help the traffic situation to keep students from being late, but student drivers are highly inexperienced which means it is extremely irresponsible for the faculty to KAILEE YOUNG leave them in a high traffic situation with no help.

The traffic these inexperienced drivers are faced with every day is around the amount that would be expected after a sporting event. The difference between the two is a sporting event has traffic guides and cross guards, while our school traffic does not.

If some kind of crossing guard were implemented for the crosswalks to let students and drivers safely through, after school traffic wouldn’t be nearly as dangerous. The faculty could even implement some kind of traffic guard to help cars get in and out of the parking lots and street parking quickly. The need for this kind of work would only take about 15-30 minutes at the beginning and end of the day. The school could even use pre-existing staff so it wouldn’t cost anything.

Another fix could be assigned parking, using the permit number on the tags given out at the beginning of the year to determine where kids park. The school could also paint parking lines, used for street parking in downtown Albany, which would stop people from parking too close so students could get out easier.

While there may not be an immediate solution, everyone could drive a little slower, let someone in, and wait for cars to pass.

Just be a little nicer to those on the roads.

How has the traffic before and after school affected you personally?

“I am late to class every day because of the traffic before school.”

FREASHMAN Alexa Mcgowan

“If people are bad at driving, it makes me mad, and I don’t start my day on a good note.”

SOPHMORE Quentin Tierce

“In the afternoon, it’s just terrible leaving the school unless you get out before everyone else and hit the road fast. I always have to wait a bit before I actually leave because everyone is trying to get out at the same time. It doesn’t help that we are right next to a middle school, which brings in more cars. Traffic is very time consuming, and I would rather spend my time in a different way.”

JUNIOR Jayde Crow

“It makes it unsafe and creates more problems in traffic than there should be.

I could die or get injured, and it takes longer to get home, which isn’t fun.”

SENIOR Arianna Branson OPINION / THE WHIRLWIND 11

What’s your problem?

Incoming freshmen show increasing levels of disrespect towards their peers

E V E R Y S E P T E M B E R , West Albany High School is renewed. New students enter, new teachers start, new ideas are learned; but not every new thing that enters WAHS’s doors is positive. The newer students, such as the newly arrived class of 2022, have seemed to be displaying higher and less hidden levels of behavioral issues, and few people know how to react.

Whether it’s the students or the teachers, many students and faculty alike don’t know how to deal with the consistent disrespect. Some freshmen students act like hyperactive children on Ritalin. They need to change. They have no manners, EDITORIAL The opinion of The Whirlwind editorial board

and need to learn basic human functioning necessary for life, especially interacting with authority figures and fellow students.

The bell rings to release the students from their classes, and a flood of bodies immediately fills the halls. A kid trips and many squeeze and weave their way past the fallen person, with thousands of youth that talk in lines of four as they saunter to their next class. Many do not even seem to realize people can’t get past them, or they may simply just not care. The problems, however, do not stop solely in the hallways; one such example being the “freshman girl that vapes on the back of my bus,” says Senior Ethan Parke. “She doesn’t even 10 THE WHIRLWIND / FEBRUARY 2019

blow it down her shirt or anything like that.”

Compared to the past, youth culture has been displaying more behavioral issues, and people are unsure of how they should react. As reported on in the Oregon Public Broadcasting, “Teachers say some problems have only gotten worse, like fraying supports for students’ emotional and psychological needs. And they’re running low on patience, as demonstrated by the recent testimony by Tad Shannon, the president of the Eugene Education Association”. Students and teachers alike don’t know how to maneuver the consistent disrespect emitted by the younger grade levels, despite the ever changing attempts to connect with them. Currently, the solution may just be shrouded by a refusal to understand the youth on a deeper level.

In one of the many ideas offered by English teacher Krissy Rasmussen, lessons once usually more rigorously taught to children, and are now less rigorously taught, may take a fair part of the blame. Emotional knowledge usually taught to most people at a young age may not have been a focus for more recent students, leading to the outbursts and general distance incoming children are displaying in our schools.

Examples of this are able to be seen in the decreasing work ethic and classwide distractions that younger students participate in. “A lack of communication skills and the ability to deal with emotion” is a possible cause of the poor behavior, says Rasmussen, as “that’s what [she] see[s] a lot of, just overwhelming emotion that can be dealt with, and it comes out in a

way you would expect a young child to deal with it: because they haven’t been nurtured.

And that’s what I see a lot of, I have seen it more in the last five years than I have in my entire career.” This could mean in the coming years with fewer people to correct

“There is a Freshman girl that vapes on the back of my bus.

She doesn’t even blow it down her shirt or anything”E t h a n P a r k e

Senior

ETHAN PARKE

the behavior, it may only get worse.

Teachers have been taking steps to find solutions to the problems that may be the

doing it a long time.”

So what are the problems being addressed specifically? During these meetings, teachers discuss what may be the root of issues like low work ethic. If a student isn’t doing their work or refusing to participate, their problem may be linked to being unable to show what they know in a typical academic manner. A solution that teachers have been searching for and have begun to actively use in this situation KEN BEISER is called “differentiation” which gives a cause of these issues. There are regular subject more than one way to be assessed. meetings teachers attend, frequently This method gives students that are more focusing on professional development, inclined to expression in unconventional such as figuring out how to reach all means an outlet, as lack of an outlet may our students, according to teacher Ken Beiser, “and not just the ones that are able to just walk in the door and meet that high academic standard.” Although Beiser thinks that students that are less academically inclined tend to have more problems, he is not sure students that are struggling academically are a problem.

Their solution to this is to “have trainers come in and talk about things amongst each Krissy Rasmussen other, and we share a lot of information Teacher of what one teacher does that works, or, if a teacher’s struggling with a particular issue, they reach out. As a new teacher, I always look to some of the more tenured be what is causing their outbursts. A good teachers, the master teachers who’ve been example of this is able to be seen in the

“That’s what I see a lot of; just overwhelming emotion that can be dealt with.”

rising use of art projects as a suitable assignment to turn in, as Bieser explains it, “it’s all about finding out what students are good at, and having them use that skill to prove what they’re learning, versus just saying, ‘Everyone’s going to do this one thing, and you have to be good at that’.

This method gives students the freedom to choose their expression of knowledge and thus earn the grades they may more rightfully deserve.”

Although the problem may seem insurmountable, the root of the problem lying in the murk of the human mind, one solution is to have intervention classes in middle school for students at risk of behavior problems, such as ones with a history of behavior problems and no way to address the issues. The classes would entail techniques for curbing excess energy, developing good interpersonal skills, and harnessing emotions, one example being breath control and meditation. An example of this is the Stress Management class at West seeks to educate people on lowering stress and thereby decreasing behavioral issues. Classes like this should be implemented all over the U.S., so as to prevent the problems like the one here.

Above: A Junior AVID classroom. Below: a Freshman Study Skills class.

CHEYENNE SUCH

OPINION/ THE WHIRLWIND 10

MA

GG

IE

BE

DR

IN

Like the idea of vegetarianism but don’t want to commit? Here’s how you can make a difference by eating just a bit less meat

BY Hayley-Mae Harlan and Kailee Young

IF WE ALL ATE ONE LESS burger each week, it would reduce greenhouse gases at the same rate as if we took 12 million cars off the road for that week, according to the UN. The production of livestock actually produces 15 percent of greenhouse gas emissions. This is more than all planes, trains, and automobiles combined. It is not hard to make a difference in your environment.

Vegetables also take less land to grow per calorie you receive from them as opposed to livestock for meat. A great deal of forestry is cut down to make room for the cows we eat.

If you aren’t too worried about caring for your Earth, you just might find some solace in the fact that you’ll be reducing the number of deaths you’re responsible for. Many vegetarians choose their lifestyle based on their morals, but no one should shame you if you can’t turn down bacon every now and then. Everytime you rule out meat for a meal, you’re contributing to the cause.

SAD FACT:

Despite the common belief that drinking milk or eating eggs does not kill animals, commercially-raised dairy cows and egg-laying chickens, factory-farmed or free range, are slaughtered when their production rates decline. vegan.org 14 THE WHIRLWIND / FEBRUARY 2019

DID YOU KNOW? The research also shows that Americans eat around three burgers a week. If one of these was swapped for a Beyond Meat plant-based alternative burger for one year, it would be like taking the greenhouse gases from 12 million cars off the road for a year.

United Nations “Veganism is an extreme form of vegetarianism, and though the term was coined in 1944, the concept of flesh-avoidance can be traced back to ancient Indian and eastern Mediterranean societies.

Vegetarianism is first mentioned by the Greek philosopher and mathematician Pythagoras of Samos around 500 BCE. In addition to his theorem about right triangles, Pythagoras promoted benevolence among all species, including humans. Followers of Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism also advocated vegetarianism, believing that humans should not inflict pain on other animals.”

Time 33 million square kilometers of land are used for pasture, which is about the size of Africa Livestock production is responsible for 15 percent of greenhouse gas emissions, which is worse than all planes and automobiles combined.

Around 70 percent of global freshwater is used in agriculture ASAP Science

WHO BENEFITS? Many people make the switch to a vegetarian diet because of the potential health benefits. Vegetarian eating patterns have been associated with improved health outcomes including lower levels of obesity, a reduced risk of heart disease and lower blood pressure.

Also, vegetarians tend to consume a lower proportion of calories from fat and fewer overall calories, and more fiber, potassium and vitamin C than non-vegetarians. These characteristics, plus lifestyle factors, may contribute to the health benefits among vegetarians.

Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics “While we all tend to focus on getting enough protein, the truth is, most Americans aren’t under-consuming this nutrient. A proper vegan diet that includes plant proteins from sources like nuts, beans, soy foods, quinoa, and seeds, like pumpkin seeds, can definitely satisfy protein requirements. Even athletes, who have particular protein needs, can meet their quota by choosing a variety of plant protein sources, according to a recent study.”

NBC News

BEING VEGAN CAN SAVE 200 Animals per year.

1.3 Million gallons of Water 1.5 Tons of carbon emmison Vegan.org

The end of the world as we know it Many scientists believe the downfall of humankind will be due to climate change, but how true is that?

BY Corbin Ulibarri

W H E N P E O P L E S T O P focusing on their own individual lives and, for a moment, look at the world around them, some see a world that’s worth fighting for.

Others see a world that’s already leaving us behind. Regardless of what people think, there are problems consuming our world, and all we do is turn a blind eye, instead of actually doing something.

Climate change is one of the world’s biggest problems, according to the majority of the scientific community such as National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, rising sea levels, increase in the Earth’s overall temperature, chemicals in the air and in the water. These are all effects the human race may end up suffering from due to climate change. Many of these potential side effects of the way today’s society functions have already begun to take place, such as the melting of polar ice caps and the overall rise of the Earth’s temperature.

To make matters worse, there’s been nothing but talk about climate change, and hardly anything has been done to deal with it. No person or company has lessened their use of fossil fuels for the most part; and “The rate of CO2 growth over the last decade is 100 to 200 times faster than what the Earth experienced during the transition from the last ice age,” according to NOAA lead scientist Pieter Tans. This means we’ve doubled how much carbon dioxide we’ve put into the atmosphere, even after knowing what each cloud of smoke means

for our future. We’re going down an irreversible path if we keep this up.

Think that’s bad? The overpopulation of humanity is another terrible fate we could fall to as a species. Earth has limited space, so we can’t keep piling up at the rate we are. The human population is currently at 7.7 billion and is estimated to grow to almost 10 billion by 2050, according to the United Nations DESA report. That’s the

MAGGIE BEDRIN

equivalent of 10 Indias.

Microbiologist William Fenner believes humans will not be able to survive a “population explosion,” and “the situation is irreversible, and it is too late because the effects we have had on Earth since industrialization rivals any effects of ice ages or comet impacts.” Of course, there would be major conflict within society before such an event would happen. Humans would fight over living space and comfort. They would fight over resources such as food and water. The majority will die for a small

minority to survive, if even that.

On the topic of limited resources, the world could easily crumble to potential full scale war throughout every single country if there isn’t enough to satisfy everyone , and that’s not just the places already fighting for survival but the developed countries, such as our very own United States.

Oil is a huge example of this. Humans consume oil faster than the Earth can produce it, and the reliance on it is astronomical. There have been many wars throughout history that were focused around certain resources or trade routes, such as The Opium Wars or The First Anglo-Dutch War, so it isn’t too unlikely that history would repeat itself.

We are not limiting our usage of oil or other fossil fuels in any way whatsoever.

According to British Petrolium’s Statistical Review of World Energy, “Global oil reserves at the end of 2012 were 1.7 trillion barrels. Given that the world consumes about 86 million barrels of crude oil per day, it would be easy to conclude we’ll run out of oil in 55 years, or sooner if we increase production consumption.” This could very well mean countries fighting for control of the final puddles of oil left on Earth. Sadly, we can easily avoid this fate if we simply find other ways to get energy, rather than using oil and fossil fuels.

Unless we decide to take the next step and change certain actions of our everyday lives, we could find ourselves living in a destroyed world, fighting to live another day.

DO YOU THINK CLIMATE CHANGE IS BEING ADEQUATELY ADDRESSED? I feel like it was addressed pretty well during the Obama Administration, but it’s not really not a big deal anymore.

I mean, we don’t live in the North Pole so what’s the big deal?

I don’t think it’s being adequately addressed and nobody seems to care except environmentalists. We’re mostly ignoring it and hoping it goes away because that’s what Americans do.

FRESHMAN Brogan O’Hare

JUNIOR Karlie Gayler

I don’t know much about it so I don’t really know.

SOPHOMORE LJ Carmichael

OPINION / THE WHIRLWIND 15

LANA DEl Rey

THE

Prince INSERT SQUARE ALBUM COVER

Junior Andrew Castaneda

David Bowie

MUSIC

Then

Aladdin Sane Marty Johnston

HAVE IT BLEED TO EDGE OF PAGE

Born To J u n i oDie r Hailyn Gibson

Eminem

ISSUE Junior Derek Cox

Junior DJ Krider

Can’t be unheard

BY Aisling Malone and Jaden Rodriguez

Controversies in the music industry as lyrics contain innuendos, political standings in the past, present PAST CONTROVERSIES B R U C E S P R I N G S T E E N ’ S “Born in the USA”, John Lennon’s “Imagine”, Woody Guthrie’s “This Land is Your Land”, Phil Collins’ “In the Air Tonight.” The real meanings of these songs are often missed by people. “Born in the USA” is about the hostility American soldiers received when they returned to America, from Vietnam, and “Imagine” offers a strong political message.

Music has been an expression of social and cultural events that has happened for hundreds of years. Many famous bands were writing controversial songs about the Vietnam War, the Civil Rights Movement, and ongoing police brutality. People choose to incite change and new thoughts through music and its lyrics. Famous artists like Prince, Madonna, Ozzy Osbourne, and even Chuck Berry were given lots of backlash from listeners, producers, and even other artists for singing songs about sex, suicide, and violence.

These bands and songs considered controversial were the ones that stood against the events going on during their times. In Pete Seeger’s “We Shall Overcome,” he states “Oh, deep in my heart, I do believe we shall overcome, someday...We’ll walk hand in hand...We shall live in peace...The whole wide world around some day...We shall over16 THE WHIRLWIND / FEBRUARY 2019

come, someday.” This song became a protest song and anthem during the Civil Rights Movement.

The music industry, and these songs in particular, have pushed people to hear the words and get people to listen and speak up.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the famous rock festival Woodstock, with a tribute festival coming this summer. Woodstock was held on a dairy farm in the Catskill Mountains in New York, and about 400,000 people attended this three-day music and art festival. Thirty-two acts performed including Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, and The Who. Woodstock was one of the more iconic moments of an entire generation.

At one point, then-Governor Nelson Rockefeller threatened to call in the National Guard to break it up because of how many people were there. So many people wanted to be part of the change while others criticized and threatened those that went against the grain, making those songs and bands controversial. Even after receiving these controversial thoughts and actions, bands didn’t back down. They brought to light things that weren’t being

WEST PRODIGY FT. SKYLAR KIM

Student musician on his pursuit of a musical career

BY Sydney Morgan

“How long do you think you’ll continue to do this?”

“Hopefully I’ll go on to do this forever. I could never imagine my life without playing music.”

“What would you say your genre is?”

“When did you start writing music?”

“When I was in eighth grade because of a Disney movie called Frozen and I was really into “Let It Go” [...] The first time I wrote it really emulated that.”

“Do you enjoy it?”

“If I didn’t love it, I wouldn’t do it.

I’ve definitely had thoughts like, Why the heck am I still doing this? I’m getting tired and I need to take a break but after that and I always want to try something new and it’s just fun.”

“It’s a fun way to let my emotions out, to vent when there’s no one else to vent to.” taken seriously, things that the common people couldn’t see behind closed doors.

Bands were risking everything to do this, including the band Rage Against the Machine which has been involved with organizations from the Anti-Nazi League to Women Alive. Their front man Tom Morello was jailed for protesting alongside union workers against sweatshops.

Pete Seeger, a popular folk singer, was also arrested for refusing to cooperate with questioning in relation to suspicion of supporting the Communist agenda.

In court Pete Seeger told the committee ,“I have sung for Americans of every political persuasion, and I am proud that I never refuse to sing to an audience, no matter what religion or color of their skin or situation in life. I have sung in hobo jungles, and I have sung for the Rockefellers, and I am proud that I have never refused to sing for anybody,” earning him a year in jail.

Lyrics in songs have been written to show a political message, express an emotion, and highlight events. These are only some of the reasons that songs, bands, and artists become controversial.

“My genre is pop music, and often I’ll incorporate aspects of other genres like jazz and stuff, but it’s generally pop.”

“What artists inspire you?”

“Right now it would probably be Taylor Swift, because I think her songwriting is stellar. Her music now a days isn’t as good but I still like her voice and she treats her fans very well and she seems like a very nice person.”

“What’s your process of writing music?”

“Lots of confusion at first. I like to have a rough draft for my album as a

CURRENT CONTROVERSIES When America was struck with bouts of of racial inequality and social injustice in the 70’s, The Beatles brought forth songs addressing such issues, hoping to promote a further change. Now, rappers and influencers sneak in witty lyrics to provide a wider message. With protest music being a controversial form of art across the globe, music is still starting and interacting with controversies in many different ways.

Vulgarity in songs has become normalized and censorship is limited. Oftentimes, songs on the radio are filled with explicit lyrics that are hardly censored when they are on the radio. They may portray explicit acts, phrases, and judgements. With the frequency of explicit terms and phrases in songs, parents and teachers continue to express concerns.

Many current songs carry sexual innuendos that aren’t easy to miss. Senior Angel Collazo expresses what she believes makes music of today’s generation controversial. “Sex is a big focus of today’s music because it is normalized in society now,”

whole and then I’ll start writing songs about that. I like to brainstorm ideas. So in my songbook I’ll write down what I’m feeling and like what I want to make a song about and then I try to figure out some weird melody that sounds good and once I get that I’ll start writing the lyric.”

“What’s something you’re working on right now?”

“Right now my album is about me coming out.”

“How many songs have you written?”

“I have 15 or 16. I have one album, and I’m working on a second right now.”

“Do you think you’ll pursue writing after high school?”

“Yes. I hope I do. If I ever stop I don’t know what I’d be doing with my life. If I ever do stop I hope I still play music because it’s a huge part of my life.”

Collazo said. “Songs now can basically sound like a porno, and it will rank status.”

Junior Lucy Kratka believes that violence is a common theme in popular songs. “Hurting people has become showcased or popular,” Kratka said.

Having a platform of millions of people allows artists to make their opinions on current social issues heard. In 2017, musical artist Logic used his MTV Video Music Award performance to address the topics of suicide and inequality. After bringing suicide survivors onstage with him during his performance, he continued to make a speech promoting suicide prevention and ways to get help.

While artists like Logic use their platform to speak up on social issues of the modern world, it becomes a controversial topic when radio play and younger listeners are involved. Often times music followers take into play the personal life of artists, and base their opinion on them. “Many artists have backgrounds and beliefs that make you question their morals,” junior Hunter Burris said. “You’re put in a dilemma of, ‘Do I support them for their music or not?’”

SPECIAL / THE WHIRLWIND 17

The Evolution of Music

West Albany musicians comment on the revolution of music genres throughout the ages

BY Patrick Spence and Jakob Jones

S E N I O R Avery Edel says, “Rush, my favorite band, released a song called ‘20112’ is about how computers are going to control humanity in the future.” Edel says the one particular song changed his, and many others’, perspective on technology and its possible addictive effects. Like for Edel, music can shape a person’s worldview and transform society as a whole. Over the past few decades, music has sparked revolutionary cultural shifts and shaped how generations of people have identified themselves, found joy, and innovated new sounds.

Perhaps the most iconic version of this was the crossover of African American music to white audiences in the 1950s and 1960s. This newly ubiquitous sound, rock and roll, appeared at a time when racial tensions in the United States were entering a new phase. With the beginnings of the civil rights movement for desegregation, leading to the Supreme Court ruling that abolished the policy of “separate but equal” in 1954, but leaving a policy which would be extremely difficult to enforce in parts of the United States.

The coming together of white youth audiences and black music inevitably provoked strong racially charged reactions within the U.S., with many whites con-

:

1891 Carnegie Hall opens in New York.

1916 President Woodrow Wilson issues an executive order making “The StarSpangled Banner” the national anthem.

1893 The “Happy Birthday” tune is written by two teachers in Louisville, KY-.

demning its breaking down of barriers based on color. Many observers saw rock and roll as heralding the way for desegregation, in creating a new form of music that encouraged racial cooperation and shared experience.

Later on, as America entered the 1960s and 1970s, an era of love and peace were very common themes in rock music during the time. Rock musicians have often attempted to address social issues directly as commentary or as calls to action. During the Vietnam War, the first rock protest songs were heard, such as the “I-FeelLike-I’m-Fixin’-To-Die Rag,” by Country Joe McDonald, while those on the opposing side of the political spectrum retorted with pro-war songs like the “Ballad of the Green Berets,” by Barry Sadler and Robin Moore. Regardless, music clearly became an effective mechanism for widely distributing a message or agenda, and within this, sparked debate and change.

Edel comments on how music changes to fit its audience, “If you look at music from around the Vietnam war, bands like the Rolling Stones were opposed to the war, and this was the attitude of the time period.”

Music simply reflects the era it exists in.

Every generation has its preferred music.

“There’s a joke that the West Albany band is a cult. There’s nothing more true than that.”

SUSIE COLYAR SENIOR

of allegiance to a genre of music and find community in the greater social structures surrounding it.

“There’s a joke that the West Albany band is a cult,” senior Susie Colyar said.

“There’s nothing more true than that. We

THROUGH THE Y E A R S BY Aisling Malone 1936 Electric guitar debuts made

by George Beauchamp

1932 Radio City Music Hall opens with a musical show featuring the Rockettes.

18 THE WHIRLWIND / FEBRUARY 2019

In the 1920s, it was classic jazz, reflecting the arts and culture of the age. In the 60s and 70s, the rebellious nature of the era, with its social upheavals, inspired rock and roll. In the 90s, the cosmopolitan and honest natures of rap and hip-hop became popular. Becoming another device for social communication.

People’s identities are able to register with music genres, they can express a sort

1955 Elvis Presley becomes the first rock star.

1948 Columbia Records introduces the “long playing” vinyl record.

1958 Billboard magazine begins its Hot 100 chart listing popular songs.

1957 Leonard Bernstein’s musical “West Side Story” debuts.

1959 The National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences presents the first Grammy Award.

Artists in the area

are all a community that had been built around music. We are all there creating Local artists share their opinions on being an artists and something really beautiful and you get to do it with your best friends. It’s so collabo- how to suceed in the path of music rative it gives you a greater appreciation to B Y A l i z a h B u e n o music and the people who are so talented R O B E R T M E A D E , a local musician, made up of two and passionate for what they’re doing.” performs on stage as a part time job at musicians Chris Presently, trends favor a sort of democ- the Calapooia Brewing. Meade’s interest Highfield and ratization in music. With barriers in the in music started when he was fifteen years Bryan Gurena. way of producing and distributing music old with the music inspiration, the Beatles. The two have playing decreasing with each passing year since the Meade currently plays at various places in been dawn of the digital age, artists are often the local Albany, Lebanon, and Eugene together for ten able to jump traditional aspects of the in- area. Meade offers his advice for aspiring or twelve years. mostly dustry which meant only a small sliver of musicians and wanted them to know that They ROBERT MEADE musicians could make money from their “The most challenging thing is staying play Old-Time music which is traditional Appalachian music music. positive.”

Now, celebrities can be created seemHe has been performing for twenty and some Folk and Blues music. The two ingly overnight while distributing their mu- years and is still performing, sometimes started their journey playing together in sic on online platforms, and less prolific at the Calapooia Brewing. His most the neighborhood. With many years of artists can still make a living developing a challenging thing to do in his situation performing, they feel that the best way to niche composed of several thousand wide- is staying positive. His advice to aspiring improve is to “play with other people.” ly diverse but very loyal fans. singers is “Don’t give up and walk through Gurena got his music inspiration from his Decades ago, access to music was fil- any door that opens, and don’t be afraid.” older brothers and father. His father would tered through producers, record labels, The Calapooia “play guitar” for Gurena but later found stores, and simple limits on people’s buying Brewing also out that his father would just put on music power for those records. It was scarce. has another set in the background and pretend to play.

Today, anyone can find their musical of musicians. Either way, he was inspired.

Highfield shares that the greatest role, consume, produce, and distribute T h e s e however much they like, and do well. Peomusicians have accomplishment he has is “to actually ple can create increasingly specific musical been playing at listen and create [music].” Music has been identities based off what they listen to, and the Calapooia a big part of their lives, especially with the power of this is now in the hands of for almost 10 Highfield. Highfield is a 6th grade teacher the musical producer and consumer. “Muyears.

The in Corvallis and shared that he sings and sic has existed to change our perception of A L I Z A H B U E N O Rusty Hinges is plays songs for his students.

Live music is available in the local Albany society.” says Edel. “A lot of it is musicians R U S T Y H I N G E S play in the local area. You can keep up with the band,Rusty trying to create awareness. To alter our pub named Calapooia Brewing. The Hinges, with their website, worldview.” two have been playing together for www.reverbnation.com/rustyhinges1.

10-12 years.

1969 The Woodstock Music and Art Fair, featuring such artists as Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, and The Who.

1978 Hip hop, a blend of rock, jazz, and soul with African drumming, is born in the South Bronx.

1977 The movie “Saturday Night Fever” popularized disco

1995 The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Museum opens in Cleveland, Ohio.

1982 Cats begins its 18-year run on Broadway.

1981 MTV music television debuts with nonstop music videos.

1985 Michael Jackson releases “Thriller”.

2002 Kelly Clarkson becomes the first American Idol.

1999 Coachella was founded

by Paul Tollett

2018 Airpods are released.

SPECIAL / THE WHIRLWIND 19

CAN’T

PIN

BY Mattea Hellman

A C C O R D I N G T O wrestling coach Bryan Barker, it’s her smile that stands out. “She has this smile of like ‘what the hell are you talking about? I’ll try that, but I don’t understand that move,’” he said.

“It’s refreshing, that’s what it is.”

Junior Madi Weekly can be loosely defined by numerous titles: student, daughter, sister, athlete, free-spirit. But as a wrestler, it is difficult to pin her down. This wrestling season, the wrestling team gained an uncommon asset that a majority of Oregon’s high school teams lack: female wrestlers.

Weekly, one of the two female members of the team, has been dedicated to rather girl-inclusive sports for all previous seasons in her athletic career: volleyball and basketball. So, wanting a challenge and a fresh start, it didn’t take much pressure from friends to lead her into making a decision that would ultimately change her as a person and an athlete.

Although the sport holds a dear place in her heart now, initially her outlook was not as bright. Weekly admits the beginning of the season took a toll on her.

“After the first couple

HER

“After the first couple weeks, up, people stop crying. didn’t because I’m stubborn everybody wrong, [to prov weeks, people stop throwing up, people stop crying,” Weekly said.“I wanted to quit, but I didn’t because I’m stubborn and I wanted to prove everybody wrong, [to prove] that I could do it.”

One of the driving forces behind her continuance and dedication to the team, is unorthodox: spite. Weekly says that proving people wrong, showing everyone who told her she couldn’t do it that she could, was a major motivation for her. She states, “Just the fact that everyone’s like, ‘Girls can’t wrestle.’ I’m like, ‘Ha, I’m a girl, and once in a while I get my hand raised on that mat, so.’”

So how often does gender really get brought up? At first, Weekly states, it took some getting used to, but other than an initial discomfort, she discloses that gender is not as

DOWN

As the wrestling team grows and gender diversity within the sport expands, one player in the form of 16 year old Madison Weekly joins a team, and consequently, a family 20 THE WHIRLWIND / MONTH 2018

people stop throwing I wanted to quit, but I and I wanted to prove ve that I could do it].”

Madison Weekly, junior, and Beau Dye, freshman, during their afterschool wrestling practice. Photos taken by Mattea Hellman.

big of a deal within the mat room as it is outside. However, Weekly does get asked by friends and family, rather frequently, questions like, ‘Why do you do wrestling, you’re a girl?’ or ‘Have you quit yet?’, but she says comments like these can even encourage her.

“I wanted to quit so bad at the beginning because it was so hard, but I didn’t [because those those reactions kind of encouraged me],” Weekly said. “I’m really glad I didn’t [quit].”

Starting a new sport, especially one like wrestling, for the first time can be difficult. Weekly cites one of her most noticeable changes as the growth of herself as a person. “I think it’s the person it makes you that’s the best part about it. Just [...] being in pain, and overcoming it makes you kind of realize [that] pain is temporary. Like I got this.”

Barker describes the start of Weekly’s journey as impressive, saying, “I thought she was someone that was determined, right off the get. I coach multiple sports, this, football, but wrestling by far is the most demanding sport we have, and it will definitely weed off the cowards. Cowards from commitment, cowards from work, But she never shied away from it.”

So, what really makes wrestling distinct from other physical activities? According to Weekly, it’s not the game, it’s the culture. For example, one of her team mem-

bers recently had a death in the family, “We all got on a bus and went to his house during school and brought him food and stuff, and we were just there for him...

We’re not just a team. It’s different because we’re family.”

Barker has also noticed a big difference in the team dynamic, and Madi’s role within it, saying, “That’s the one thing is we stopped using the word team and replaced it with family. Just by doing that, watching her with her brothers and her sister, [...] it’s just neat.”

The wrestling coaches are hoping to go forward with the concept of an all-girls team in the future. Barker says he wants all girls, and his daughters more specifically, to be able to protect themselves in any form. There is a hope that Weekly’s wrestling career will continue, in the coach’s eyes.

“We need that leadership, and that’s what she’s starting to bring.”

Coach bryan barker

SPORTS / THE WHIRLWIND 21

FOR SOPHOMORE EMILY Stefan, the journey to Australia started with a 50-yard dash.

“When I was in elementary school, we had this thing called the little Olympics.

They had a couple relays and a fifty-yard dash,” Stefan said. “I did the fifty yard dash Three students invited to Australia to and I got first, and ever since then I wanted to do track.” compete in track competition Stefan, a sprinter on the varsity track team, could never have guessed at the time

BY Emmalynn Weible that the decision to do track would eventually take her to Australia. Stefan is the only student at WAHS who is going to Australia to compete in the Down Under Games, though sophomore Morgun Russell and sophomore Luke Killinger are students that decided not to attend the games.

Stefan has done the 100, 200, and 400 countries---you get to ex- was more sprints, and stated she wants to perience a bunch of new things of a vacatry long jump and pole vault while doing your score and tion than a track next year. Russell does long dismeet. And plus, 12 competing for your state.” tance and pole vault, but doesn’t According to Stefan, she million some meters is just do track; he’s played some trains at events, classes, after a long ways to go for a 300 basketball, began with relays up school, and at track practice to meter race.” to sixth grade, and from there, Looking into the future, Russell said he stay prepared. She also has a he moved to Albany and started personal trainer on the week- is planning on doing engineering or phoplaying on West Albany’s footends. In order to keep up with tography, but he hasn’t decided on which ball and track team. Killinger the costs, Stefan’s family is do- he wants to pursue, though he has interest runs the 400, and suspects that Sophomore ing fundraisers to bring in the in travelling the world. Killinger mentioned Emily Stefan he was invited for his hurdles. required money to get her 8,000 that track also isn’t something he wants to Russell commented on his SPORT Track miles away and her feet ready do after high school. He wants his future reaction to being invited to the EVENTS 100, 200, behind the starting lines in Aus- to be more stable, perhaps in business. games.

As for Stefan, running is her passion, and tralia.

400 sprints “It was confusing, but also EXPERIENCE Killinger and his family re- that is exactly where she wants to go. Eyes a little [exciting]. I was worried 7 years searched the event, and it didn’t sparkling, she explained that she wants to about the price since it’s flying LIKES strike his interest. The event go to a division one college and run track, all the way to Australia, but it Photography incorporates vacation aspects hopefully on a scholarship. was the excitement that I was PLANS “That’s definitely something I want to unrelated to racing, including chosen.” Russell said.

Run college track three days in Hawaii and petting do. Based on wherever that goes,” she said Stefan explained why her and train for the kangaroos. Australia is also a excitedly, “I want to train for the Olympics attendance is important to the Olympics very long way from home. Kill- and see where that takes me. It’s just one games. of my big goals, and I think that it’d be inger explained.

“You represent your state, “One of the seven days was kangaroo really awesome.” and I’ll be competing against people from watching or going to some zoo or city all over the United States and a few other for sightseers and things like that, so it

DOWN UNDER

22 THE WHIRLWIND / FEBRUARY 2019

Pick your poison

BY Bri Budlong

MAGGIE BEDRIN

How do people choose a sport to pursue?

E V E R Y O N E H A S A S T O R Y behind what led them to do what it is they love to do, a motivation to pursue what their passion. Do you remember how you were introduced to your favorite activity? Or what made you want to try it?

Many athletes use their sport as an outlet in their life. Sophomore Isaac Pierce wanted to try cross country in eighth grade for this reason. Pierce wanted an outlet for anxiety and depression.

“It gave me a sense of accomplishment,” Pierce said, “and I soon realized that it started to calm me down to run.”

A lot of people exercise for this reason, it releases endorphins that make you feel better. Some people also just find it therapeutic. Sports are a big stress reliever for many people. Pierce said he still runs to cope, but does track because he sees a future in it.

Different things motivate different people. However, for sophomore Aspen Prucha, it was spite. When Prucha was in the third grade, a boy was showing off how he could do a somersault. Shortly after, Prucha began gymnastics to become better than him, and has fallen in love with it since.

“It’s fun. It’s always nice to win stuff, and it’s fun to travel,” Prucha said about the sport. “It’s also nice to meet people from other gyms and be competitive but still pretend you’re friends.” She won first in regionals on floor last year, and she has over 120 medals. Needless to say, she showed him.

Sometimes people don’t find out what their passion is for a long time, and it is the same way with people struggling to find the sport that works for them. Sophomore Katie Fox has been searching for her sport.

“[Rugby is] so inclusive... Everyone has a part, and it is very empowering to be able to endure something so physically and mentally demanding: especially for women to feel and realize their strength.”

LILIANA BACILIO JUNIOR

“The first sport I did was softball in the second grade, and my mom suggested it to me,” Fox said. “I guess ever since then I kept trying new things because nothing ever clicked with me.”

Fox tried rugby this year and thinks she’s found the one. “I haven’t played it very long, but I enjoy it so much more than any other sport I’ve played,” Fox said.

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Rugby is a very rough contact sport. Players seem to enjoy it for this reason, though; the tackling and aggression is appealing. Fox mentions being able to show off the bruises she’s earned during games is fun, too.

Junior Liliana Bacilio is also a rugby player. In the eighth grade, a friend introduced her to rugby and brought her to a practice. She’s stuck with the sport ever since. Bacilio admires rugby for how it empowers her and other players and their different body types and abilities.

“It’s so inclusive. You literally need tall people, bigger people, smaller people, for different positions. Everyone has a part, and it is very empowering to be able to endure something so physically and mentally demanding: especially for women to feel and realize their strength,” Bacilio said.

Bacilio also goes on to explain how rugby is respectful in the way that teams are always friendly, and there are no athletes who carry the team; each person plays a crucial role.

Some people slave over a canvas for days to create masterpieces full of color and emotion, some people construct beautiful pieces of music that make the hairs on your arms stand up. Others can dance gracefully enough to make someone cry, while some can write entire novels that can engulf the reader’s mind. People generally become amazing at what they enjoy doing. For a huge population of the world, the thing they enjoy is a sport.

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SPORTS / THE WHIRLWIND 23

Perks for

Players

All for one, one for all?

clothing “perks” athletes recieve for participating in sports

CHEER

BY Emily Haarstad

Sharing the differences of team and indivdual sports, specifically football and track Chase Reynolds

Lucy Kratka

Junior

junior

Q: How are individual and team sports different?

“My favorite item are the pom poms. They’re really nice because they’re what makes a cheerleader a cheerleader, and they help really bring up the crowd.”

A: Individual sports are much more nerve wracking. If you mess up, it’s on you and everyone will see that mistake. In team sports, you practice as a team and you perform as a team.

Derric Cox

Q: What’s your favorite thing about team sports?

junior

A: The team environment, the relationships you build with the people on your team.

“The goal is to get a backpack so you don’t have to use your school bag for wrestling. It’s a tradition. It’s like wearing a letterman jacket.”

Wrestling

Q: Describe your favorite memory during track and field.

A: Last year my relay team and I all went to Dutch and the playground, and we just messed around between events and had a blast.

basketball Jacob Horton Senior

“My favorite is the travel gear, because it’s comfortable for away games, and you can tell we’re all basketball players at school.”

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margincoffee.com / @margin_coffee 24 THE WHIRLWIND / FEBRUARY 2019

SHOOTIN’ HOOPS WITH THE BROS Some basketball players stray from school-sponsored team to city league recreational team to relieve pressure, time commitment, expectations

BY Braxton Reece

“ C I T Y L E A G U E is just screwaround basketball, you get to play with your friends, you don’t have to take it seriously. It’s just a fun time”, explained senior Jared Johansen, a City League basketball player.

Junior Timmy Hubert, who played on the same team as Johansen added, “You always want to be competitive, you always want to go out there and try to win. We didn’t get the end result we wanted ,but it’s ok.”

City league is really just about fun and enjoying the sport. Johansen used to play basketball for the school team, and in comparison he says, “I didn’t really want to play school basketball anymore just because I wanted to focus on football, but just playing basketball with your friends is really fun.”

“There’s a lot more that goes into school basketball, you have to work a lot harder, and you play certain offenses and defenses,” he said. “In city league you don’t have to try as hard. Both of them are fun but you have to work a lot harder for school [league].”

The more laid back tone is a recurring theme in the league.

“We had no practice at all. Sometimes we would go to the [YMCA] and play 3 on 3, or 5 on 5,” said Johansen.

“I can still have time to do homework before games, which only take an hour,” added Hubert.

Johansen’s older brother Brodey coached the team and often wore an eccentric suit to the games, ¨He dressed nice, he wore a fancy Christmas full suit, he wasn’t actually a real coach he was just there to have fun,” explained his brother.

Hubert shared one of his favorite memories from his time playing, “I had a bet with the girl that I was talking to at the time that I would drop 30 points and I don’t know what happens if I don’t, so I went up to the team pre-game...I was like,

‘Hey, I made this bet. If I don’t score 30 points tonight I don’t think I can take this girl to winter formal.’”

“We gave him the ball every possession, and he scored, and he dropped 30 points.

He went up just like Kobe Bryant.”

Many other students from West Albany played City League, including some first time basketball players.

Senior Trent Shobe played for another team that they named the Zero and 76’ers, which reflected their not-so-great win/loss record. “We ended up winning one game in our season,” said Shobe.

Shobe shared his favorite memory of the season, “I laid out Timmy Hubert. He was going up for a layup, and I don’t really understand the rules of basketball, so I jumped with him and laid his ass out. It was good.”

City league was really just a place for these kids to have fun and enjoy the sport in a more relaxed setting, and as Shobe put it, “I had never played basketball before, so it was more time to hang out with the bros and sauce on all of the haters.”

“I had never played basketball before, so it was more time to hang out with the bros and sauce on all of the haters.”

TRENT SHOBE SENIOR

SPORTS / THE WHIRLWIND 25

Let’s talk about finals... finally.

ENTERTAINMENT

BY Megan Carroll and Jenna Thomas

FINALS WEEK IS ALWAYS really stressful, but within the madness, it is good to find something to laugh about.

Finals are over and done with for first semester, but test anxiety will follow some of us through the rest of the year and into second semester finals as well. We’ve compiled our best tips and tricks to help you with test anxiety and stress.

FINALS PHRASES

Quotes we may have accidentally (purposefully) overheard during finals

MUSICAL MOTIVATION

A playlist of songs to get you hyped for studying (if such a hype exists)

Never Be Like You (feat. Kai)

by Flume *Explicit!* Warm, smooth, electronic sounds to reduce any tension.

Riptide by Vance Joy

Ukelele and acoustic goodness to release that stress. You got this.

Best Day Of My Life

Orsborn

by American Authors Feel good music to remind you to seize the day.

“Good luck, Godspeed, go Bulldogs.” Math teacher Derek Duman

Iris by The Goo Goo Dolls

“Feed your brain!” Principal Susie

“Step on me and drag your feet.” *Crying* “My life is just going great right now.”

“I’ll cry about this later.”

“The minute you get your test, try not to cuss for a minute straight.”

“Hashtag Blessed? hashtag stressed.”

More

like

TEACHERS’ TEACHINGS

Some advice from professional advice givers, A.K.A. teachers

“Focus on what you know, not what you don’t know.”

Science teacher Shana Hains

“Study every night for about 10 minutes. Just go over your notes and the material will stay in your head better.”

Psychology teacher Kyle Hall

In case of emotional breakdown, sing to this one with all your might.

Jenna Thomas

On Jan 18, Principal Susie Orsborn monitors the intersection by the gym, handing out candy canes and fruit and reminding students, “Feed your brain!”

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Munchies to motivate your mind, produce to produce productivity, etc. The best foods to relieve stress as suggested by WebMD

Complex Carbs

Naive by The Kooks

A classic British rock band to loosen up that stress.

Whole grain = brain gain. These stabilize blood sugar levels and help produce that good serotonin (AKA happiness).

Sweet Creature by Harry Styles

Fatty Fish

Ah, sweet, sweet guitar and smooth melodies... stress? Never heard of her.

My Blood by twenty one pilots

Retro vibes and an upbeat feel for an upbeat mood.

Hey Ya by Avriel and the Sequoias, originally by Outkast More feel good folk music for the soul.

Mr. Brightside by The Killers CLASSIC. Another sing along song.

Let It Go by Idina Menzel

Do exactly what this song tells you to.

Rhiannon by Fleetwood Mac Sweet guitar and some mystical, legendary Fleetwood Mac vibes.

Chandelier by Sia Just think of all the freedom you’ll have after finishing that study session.

Not a skinny fish. Skinny fish give skinny vitamins. Anyways, Omega-3. Good stuff.

Nuts

...specifically pistachios and almonds.

Great all around.

Avacados

Stressed? Get you some FR E SH A VOCA DO and make some whole grain toast. Millenials swear by it. Tons of potassium and reduction of blood pressure.

Veggies

Huh, it’s almost like they’re good for you? Crunching these relieves jaw stress

Exercise

Do some cardio, bro. Lift some weights, mate. Bench-PRESS that STRESS away.

Endorphins and oxygen circulation=less stress.

ENTERTAINMENT / THE WHIRLWIND 27

Freezing Fashion

A photo collection of students entering the cold weather in their winter style

BY Geneva Mellison

Sporting a sweatpant with classic vans

Jeans with t-shirts and open jackets and vans

Leggings and sweatshorts for a sporty look Girls and boys styling different washes of jeans

Rocking a new cargo pants trend 28 THE WHIRLWIND / FEBRUARY 2019

Fuzzy jacket that looks so warm and so stylish at the same time

Puffy coat zipped up to stay warm

Trying to stay warm in short sleeves while staying stylish

All black with a raincoat to keep dry

What do the memes we make and find amusing say about our society?

BY Maggie Bedrin

RECAPPING ON THE popular memes of 2018 say about our society? In an attempt to understand, we

JANUARY - Tide Pods

JULY - Cardi B as a kid

A challenge which became popular for its recklessness and dark humor.

“That were a whole bunch of idiots.”

Hannah Underwood SOPHOMORE

The picture is of the popular artist, Cardi B as a kid, giving a sassy pose to the camura.

“The sense of humor depends on what people are exposed to.”

Tierney O’Hare SOPHOMORE

FEBRUARY - Fortnite

This is a videogame that hit big on social media with stolen dances called “fortnite dances.” Everyone started posting themselves performing these moves.

“It’s garbage and shouldn’t exist.”

Eric Allam JUNIOR

AUGUST - Jojo Siwa

Takara and Sunrise

MARCH - Gru with signs

This meme originated from the movie “Despicable Me” and became an alley way for the creation of relatable posts.

“A lot of things that used to be taboo are now completely normal, which I feel is the point of it.”

Brandon Stafford JUNIOR

A animated cat playing a bongo that was made into many songs and memes.

“We are too easily entertained.”

Sabrina Skinner SENIOR

OCTOBER - Kowalski Analysis

Stephen Hillenburg

From the “Madagascar” movies Skipper uses the catchphrase, “Kowalski, analysis” to obtain data on their current problems.

“I think it’s just funny. Memes are just, like, for fun.”

Nishant Vashist FRESHMAN

NOVEMBER - Grape Surgery Da Vinci Surgery

JUNE - iHob

iHop decided to change its name and people found that in the stupidity of their decision, it was quite funny.

“There’s a part of human nature that likes to be in on something.”

Olivia Dykast JUNIOR

MAY - Is this a Pigeon?

An image that was used as a relatable post for others to enjoy.

“I think it’s kind of an escape.”

Petra Christian FRESHMAN

Jojo Siwa is a YouTuber that people tend to make fun of for her individuality.

“The internet can be bad for children.”

Connor Dodd JUNIOR

SEPTEMBER - Bongo Cat

APRIL - Yodeling kid

A boy was filmed at a Walmart and become an internet sensation, even going as far as to perform at Coachella.

“More recent form of humor… As humans we naturally are inclined toward humorous things.”

Diego Silva JUNIOR

asked about the most popular meme of each month and what they thought it says about our society.

Dreamwork Production

A surgery was performed on a grape to test out medical equipment.

“A surgery on a grape is stupid...We have other important things going on.”

Scarlet Osorio JUNIOR

DECEMBER - Spencer with a smoothie

This meme came “iCarly” and was used to show people hiding things in plain sight.

“Some of the most abstract things that wouldn’t be acceptable [now] are.”

Karlie Gayler JUNIOR MAGGIE BEDRIN

ENTERTAINMENT / THE WHIRLWIND 29

Sharing the Sign Student club teaches the basics of American Sign Language

BY Grey Nazarian

THE PRIMARY LANGUAGE for many in North America is a language that isn’t spoken, but gestured. American Sign Language is used by approximately 500,000 people across North America as their native language, according to Start ASL. American Sign Language contains a variety of hand and arm motions, along with facial expressions.

West Albany provides an informational club where students can explore communication using sign language. Sophomore Lilly Pugh decided to start the ASL club because, according to Pugh, “American Sign Language is like a whole other world for people to go

into.” This club is meant to spread knowledge about ASL and inform students of future learning opportunities.

The first thing to learn is the ABC’s of the language. There are many other signs to represent objects, actions, and more.

While describing how an ASL club would benefit the WAHS community, Pugh says, “It’s bringing more people in to welcome them and show other people that there is a language other than French, Spanish, and Latin.” Pugh says an ASL club brings a sense of unity and togetherness for those

who are hard of hearing or who have to use sign language.

There are a variety of opportunities for those looking to use ASL in a career.

There’s a high demand of sign language translators for many specialties. Pugh shares that there is a high demand for ASL teachers, and teaching sign language to others is another option.

Being able to translate ASL opens up opportunities and connections for many, and the infor mational club at WAHS is a chance to broaden perspectives.

“[ASL club] shows other people that there is another language other than French, Spanish, and Latin.” L I L L Y P U G H SOPHOMORE

SIGN FOR

“FRIENDS”

Grey Nazarian

WHEN IT’S TIME FOR A TRIM...

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30 THE WHIRLWIND / FEBRUARY 2019

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THE MUSIC MAN

Junior Carter Roeser continus his DJ lifestyle through focus, hard work

BY Kaden Strametz

P A R T T I M E B U S I N E S S , R E M I X E S , lighting, loud sounds, and beats: junior Carter Roeser does it all. In fifth grade, Roeser began his journey to becoming a DJ. “Fifth grade was very nerve-racking,” said Roeser. “My first few gigs were all weddings of my family or family friends, so while I knew the people I was working for, there was a lot of pressure.”

From these events, Roeser was later able to overcome this stress and pressure. “[It] taught me professionalism and how to work in a variety of situations,” said Roeser.

Roeser is the DJ for most of West Albany’s school recreational activities, such as the dances which go on within the school. He also does weddings, parties, and some community events. Apart from being a DJ, Roeser is also in Event Tech, an elective which he describes as “technical support service for the school and the community.” They are trained to do lighting, sound, recording, and setting up for events, such as the annual talent show and graduation.

Roeser is dedicated to the things he does and loves, so when asked how Roeser could be described, junior Bailey Filley said, “I would say [he is] humble, dedicated, and talented... He doesn’t expect praise for the things he does. He loves to do [events]...he does it with passion and drive.”

Roeser is dedicated to being a DJ because of his love of music. “I really just love music and then seeing other people DJ [I] just kind of thought, I could do that or like, I want to do something bigger. Do it better than what I’ve seen, so just kind of trying to learn how to do it myself.”

He also hopes to continue to DJ as a possible career. Roeser credits band and Event Tech teacher Stuart Welsh with inspiring him. Welsh believes Roeser to be self motivated and very hardworking.

“He has really excelled in both sound and design,” Welsh said, “learning how equipment works and understanding how professional audio works.

Also in lighting, he is becoming a lighting expert.”

It’s Roeser’s ability to stay calm and focused under pressure that makes him skilled at what he does and makes him continue his work as a DJ.

JAKOB JONES

ENTERTAINMENT / THE WHIRLWIND 31

SP

MY BEST WORK

BY Abigail Winter

TTED

This star was part of the “Tribute to The Stars” decorations at the end of E hall, as part of Air Guitar. This star, dedicated to rapper 21 Savage, is hung amongst other stars that display the names of present and past music icons.

These two table desks (pictured to the right and to the bottom right) were built as final projects in classes Woods 3 and 4. Pictured below is a freshman working on a project for the CTE, also known as Career Technical Education, Woods class using a drill press. Freshman are introduced to simple projects to hopefully make them interested in taking Woods classes in the future.

These classes are all taught by Woods teacher Jeff Hawkins and student teacher Ricky Hall, who work together to help students build a various array of projects.

This wooden chair titled “blooming Personality,” created

by Jasmine Suhaka, is presented in a glass case outside of the library. It is displayed amongst other creations created by student winners of the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards.

This board titled “Bookflix” is hung outside of room B7.

It features many new titles of books available in the school library for everyone to read and enjoy, including suggestions and trending books.

HEAD 2 HEAD WHAT IS THE BEST SCIENCE FICTION MOVIE OF ALL TIME?

SCIENCE TEACHER CHRIS HAINS SAYS...

“I would say ‘Contact.’ That’s my favorite, actually, because Carl Sagan wrote [the book] that [the movie] is based on. He’s an astrophysicist, so it was all based on actual science. He actually went to other scientists if there was something he didn’t know, and he actually researched and asked himself, ‘How could this work?’. It had a pretty large basis in science, and I just think it really touches on how science and society interact.”

THE WHIRLWIND / FEBRUARY 32

SCIENCE TEACHER GARETH ENGLER SAYS...

“The original ‘Star Wars’ from 1977 was the most impactful for me, because as far as special effects, it was way better than anything that had come before. So when I saw it as an eight year old, it was just so much better! And then, the whole idea of the force and all this interconnection is [similar to] ecology, which I love. On a universal scale, interconnection of energies flow, so I like that.”