21-22 The Whirlwind - Issue 5

Whirlwind WEST ALBANY HIGH SCHOOL • MAY 2022 • ISSUE 5

Keeping it Old School A look at the past traditions of West page 20

Economics of Inflation How does inflation affect West students? page 4

Asian History Pacific Islander & Asian culture within West page 26

Learn more about the fentanyl crisis facing Linn County page 28 Understand the gravity of addiction from the perspective of a student page 30

TABLE OF

CONTENTS

04

10

31

13

16 NEWS

OPINION

The Price Isn’t Right 04

Pass It On 08

An AVID Breakdown 06

We Are Human Too 10

What’s Up: News 07

What’s Up: Opinion 11

SPORTS

ENTERTAINMENT

Coaching Culture 12

Phantom of the Musical 16

A History on the Podium 14

Generation Zine 18

What’s Up: Sports 15

What’s Up: Entertainment 19

FEATURES Dawg Dynasty: What it’s like being a fourth-generation Bulldog 21 West Through the Years: West Albany High School highlights 22 A History of Tradition: The evolution of traditions at West Albany 23 The Times of the Alumni: How things used to be when our teachers went to West 24-25 The Reappearance of Asian History: The emergence of Asian history in the school curriculum and what Asian students think 26-27 Fentanyl: Fast, Frugal, and Fatal: Oregon is facing a Fentanyl epidemic. Here’s what you need to know about the drug 28-31

CONTACT US

Corrections and Letters to the Editors Please send corrections or comments on this issue to: wahswhirlwind@gmail.com

Cover | Illustration by Tori Thorp T H E W H I R LW I N D

Scan for online content

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STAFF Editors-In-Chief Ethan Biersdorff Tori Thorp

Managing Editors Eleanor Peterson Melia Rasmussen

The Fentanyl Flood Growing up in a more comfortable city like Albany, Oregon can result in a very sheltered view of the world. There are struggles that most of us will never fully understand, and if that means reduced suffering, that isn’t necessarily bad. However, not having first hand experience should never mean staying ignorant. While issues of addiction may not hit close to home for you, not everyone can be as lucky. Even here at home there are those struggling in every demographic—poor, rich, old, young. All areas of our community have the potential to be affected by the surge in fentanyl-laced drugs.

This issue, The Whirlwind staff wanted to shine a light on a problem you may have heard about in passing: the fentanyl crisis striking our community, or as most people tend to hear it, a sad anecdote of families and students afflicted by the sad reality of addiction. It’s a common enough tale, and that’s the problem. What we’ve written is a small fraction of an important story, a story that many people have the privilege of brushing off until it becomes too late.

Provisional data from the CDC shows a staggering 100,306 estimated overdose deaths from 2020-2021. This was a 28.5 percent increase in those numbers from the year prior, and an even more significant increase in adolescent overdose cases.

The line between blissful ignorance and fear-ridden living is a significant one for writers on staff to acknowledge both in their articles and their everyday life. We understand the importance of providing this type of information

Copy Editors

in a helpful manner rather than inspiring pointless panic. However, we also don’t want you to go about your life misinformed or not informed at all. We will always strive for the middle ground—the most straightforward, people-centered truth we can give you. Find the information that reporter Brogan O’Hare and Tori Thorp have gathered on the fentanyl crisis here in Linn County beginning on page 28 and extending to the end of the magazine.

Many of you may be very distanced from the issue of addiction, only experiencing it in a fictional sense, through a television screen or behind the cover of a novel. There are high-level drug operations that may reflect these fictional renditions, yes, but there are also everyday people ruined by addictions to opiates. That’s why it comes down to everyday people to take the responsibility of information into our own hands, and to do what we can for our communities, for our families, and for ourselves. Be careful, be understanding, and start conversations with those you care about. You never know how far a conversation can go.

--------------------------------------------------------As one of the co-writers of the fentanyl package, I’ve have been working tirelessly with reporter Brogan O’Hare to provide our readers with the most in-depth and accurate information possible. I’ve done my best to educate myself beyond the level of just writing this article, and I want to encourage our readers with the platform I’ve been given as a student reporter to do the same. Diligently seek out the types of conversations that will help you and those around you gain a deeper understanding of the effect that addiction can have on a person’s life.

I want to give a special thanks to senior Hayden Mickelberry, who was generous and courageous enough to sit down with me and tell me her story. Find the interview, which I curated to reflect her experience as accurately as possible, on page 30. My heart goes out to her and her family, as well as all of the West Albany families that have dealt with addiction. You are insurmountably brave, inspiring people, and perhaps most importantly—you are not alone.

A LETTER FROM THE EDITORS

Brogan O’Hare Cali Stenger

Business Manager

Colvin Parvin

Art Directors

Harvest Buchanan Lengend Engberg

Photography Director Austin Rudel

Audience Engagement Helen Whiteside Violet Zinck

Multimedia

Cecilia Greene

News

Tyler Stacy Ming Wong

Opinion

Gracie Balkema Brynna Gritter Kenneke

Special

Gabrielle Emery Samantha Zimmerman

Sports

Gigi Roldan Joe Wagner

Arts & Entertainment Coral CwmCwlamare Marshall Hamel

Staff

Kylie Brown Mollie Brown Jose Lopez Ortega Hailey Miles Aubrey Murphy

Adviser

Michelle Balmeo

Tori Thorp & Ethan Biersdorff, Editors-In-Chief

WE WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE FOLLOWING SPONSORS: Blue Level: Sekaye Gaudet Albany Farmer’s Market Mother Goose Resale Dan Street Amy Maisto Mr. Duman Sum Yee Lai Sierra Hebert

Gold Level: Sarah Whiteside Aaron + Mickey Parvin Ron and Stephani Rasmussen The Shirley Family Frank and Joan Rasmussen Brigitte’s Place Fine Fabrics Citadel Oasis Mesmer Eyes Lash + Beauty Studio Nicole and Josiah Roldan Cathy Summers Jean Gritter Wong The Rustic Mason Jar

Bulldog Level: Homeland Excavating, LLC Ruth Mello TnT Builders Patty and Jerry Mello Elizabeth Randleman Homeland Excavating LLC Derek Whiteside Ridgetop Wireless Solutions Inc. Nicole Hershcovitch

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THE WHIRLWIND is a dedicated student forum. Content and editorial decisions are made by student staff members excercising 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.

MAY 2022

HERE’S HOW INFLATION, THE PANDEMIC, AND A NATIONAL WORK SHORTAGE HAS CREATED HIGHER PRICES Early graduate Maryn Chambers describes her experiences with trying to get an apartment as “impossible.”

“I was doing 20 hours at McDonald’s and 30 hours at ShortStops and even then, with 50 hour weeks, a lot of apartment places require you to be making three times the rent. You can’t get that with 50 hour weeks at a fast food place,” Chambers said.

This year, inflation peaked at 8.5 percent, which hasn’t happened since the early ‘80s. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, a normal inflation rate in the U.S. is around 2 percent on average among all products, services, sales, and other transactions.

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T H E W H I R LW I N D

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Cookies

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Illustrations by Legend Engberg

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M AY 2 0 2 2

Sophomore AVID teacher Ken Beiser’s AVID class working on an online assignment on Apr. 27. Beiser’s assignment on careers aligns with AVID’s goal of preparing students to be successful after high school.

An AVID Breakdown WHAT HAPPENS IN THE AVID ELECTIVE CLASSES

P

Story and Photo By Ming Wong

oor grades. Lack of academic focus. Senior Billy France-Bagwell says he was part of Memorial Middle School’s first Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) class; West started offering AVID in 2015. Though saying he left AVID his junior year due to school being online, he decided to return to AVID his senior year after realizing the impact the program has had on him.

“Before I entered AVID, I was failing almost all my classes. I didn’t really care about school. It wasn’t my top priority,” France-Bagwell said. “But after my first year in AVID, things really changed for me. I grew a ton not just as a student, but as a person, especially with my friends and peers that we have in that class, which we call an AVID family.”

AVID coordinator Jodi Howell says that the idea behind an AVID family is having a set of people that have aligned goals that can offer support to each other; without AVID, France-Bagwell says he would feel alone.

“Being a first generation [college student], I’ve never had anybody in my family go to college before me. I don’t really have too many people to talk about that kind of help,” France-Bagwell said. “Having teachers that literally try their best to help me to get to the right place

THE WHIRLWIND

that I want is just super important to me.”

AVID district director Stephanie Rabago says that AVID is mostly aimed at students, like France-Bagwell, that are first generation, as well as students that are historically underrepresented. “It’s typically geared for students who need some sort of support outside [of] their regular classroom structures in order to be successful,” Rabago said.

As an underclassman, France-Bagwell says there were assignments, projects, and note-checks done in his AVID class. “Every year I would make a slideshow about how I want to be a history teacher and why,” France-Bagwell said. “It just always keeps you in the loop.”

However, he also says they would do worksheets called TRFs where they would write what they knew about what they were stuck on and go into groups to talk about it.

“We engage a lot in collaborative study sessions …

Students are bringing problems that they have in another class, that they just can’t seem to wrap their head around on their own,” English teacher Chris Martin said. “They get together and collaborate with some of the other classmates and try to come up with a better understanding for that issue or that problem that they’re working through.”

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BEFORE I ENTERED AVID, I WAS FAILING ALMOST ALL MY CLASSES. I DIDN’T REALLY CARE ABOUT SCHOOL. IT WASN’T MY TOP PRIORITY. As a freshman, Sadie Tatum says that she’s gained better note taking skills from being in Martin’s freshman AVID class. “I’ve started studying notes, which is something that I have never really done before,” Tatum said.

“I’ve reviewed notes, but I haven’t interacted with my notes.”

However, Martin says that AVID requires effort in order to be successful, and that it can be mistaken as a study hall.

“You have to want to be here in an AVID class.

Sometimes it gets the wrong perception of being like a study skills, and that’s not really what it is. That individual determination is what is going to drive you to that next level,” Martin said. “That’s something that I try to focus on and try to instill in the students is none of this is going to be handed to you.”

In senior AVID, France-Bagwell says there’s been a focus on college readiness; including currently reading “The Naked Roommate: And 107 Other Issues You Might Run Into in College,” working on a nonprofit organization grant with Community 101, and that through his time in AVID has been on many college tours of different campuses.

“It really keeps you in that college mindset where this is my destination, this is where I’m going to end up being,” France-Bagwell said. “It’s just my choice on what I’m going to do when I get there, how I’m going to approach it.”

WHAT’S UP // NEWS

The Lasting Armory on Lyon St.

HOW TO BUY A CAR

By Cecilia Greene

HOW A 100 YEAR OLD ARMORY HAS CONTINUED PROVIDING SERVICE

An interview with Derek Duman, Financial Algebra teacher

By Tyler Stacy

The Old Armory on the corner of Fourth Ave. and Lyon St. has been standing for over 100 years. Drivers passing by can see the castle-like features towering over them on Lyons St. The building served as a National Guard post from 1910 to 1974, but it was also a community center. Roller skating, religious revivals, professional wrestling matches, and concerts were just some of the events that took place at the Old Armory.

In 1910, construction was finished for the building. It cost more than $24,000 and was completely funded by the federal government. The building was immediately used as a National Guard post, but soon after WWI began the Old Armory had a new use.

On July 7, 1918, the Oregonian released a story detailing how the Old Armory was used to feed soldiers traveling from California to Washington via train. The story was headlined “Albany’s Soldier-Feeding Machine Peer Of All Hunger-Satisfying Inventions.”

It said that nearly 8,000 enlisted and drafted men had been given a meal in Albany.

After the war ended the Old Armory went back to mainly being used as a National Guard post and community center. In eyewitness testimony found in the Albany Regional Museum, Mildred Warner-Blake recounted some events she experienced when the building was being used as a roller skating rink.

“We had ball-bearing skates and whenever a wheel broke it sent metal balls rolling in all directions, sometimes causing a bad fall by the skater.” She also mentioned a Healing Evangelist in 1922, who came and held meetings in the Armory.

• “Credit is pretty much like a grade for how you deal with paying loans.

By paying loans on time the more your credit will increase from there.”

A picture of the Old Armory building, currently Photo By Austin Rudel occupied by Linn County In 1974, a new armory was built on Airport Rd. and the National Guard moved out of the building. Linn County quickly bought the building to use as office space for the Linn County Health Department and the OSU Cooperative Extension Services. The building was sold for about $56,000 and over $61,000 in renovations and repairs were done by the county.

Inside the building, a vacuum-sealed zirconium box was put into the building in 1976, filled with 40 items of bicentennial memorabilia, and sealed as a time capsule to be opened in 100 years.

OSU Cooperative Extension Services moved out in 2014, although Linn County Health Services still remains, running programs dealing with mental health, addiction, and other community programs.

• “There are banks that might give you a loan if you have a low credit score and some may not. It all depends on the lender.”

• “You’re gonna have to put some money down on a car to help minimize the loan and the rest of the money is paid by the bank. The bank determines your interest rates. and that’s based on credit score, credit history, and etc.”

• “Most car loans can be wrapped up in five or six years and if you aren’t paying it consistently, the banks are most likely to repossess the car.”

Optional Quarantining

Q&A WITH SCHOOL NURSE KATIE ROSKELLEY

A

s the school year goes by, more COVID rules and restrictions are starting to be lifted and less strict. Whether it’s seating distance, event restrictions, or optional masks, the GAPS community is looking towards some big changes in the future. On April 5th, the Parent Square app notified users in the GAPS district about the recent decisions regarding COVID. The notificationstated that students who’ve been exposed to COVID now have the option of quarantining and that new cases are not required to be reported as they used to. Katie Roskelley, West Albany’s school nurse, said she wasn’t too nervous about the news but was hopeful towards the outcome the new rules the Greater

By Cecilia Greene

Albany Health Department would bring.

Do you have any concerns about kids getting COVID? I am much less concerned about kids getting sick than I am about older adults. Kids tend to get COVID and bounce back really quickly except for kids who are medically fragile and have other underlying conditions.

How much of an impact will the optionhave on students?

I’m not surprised since masks have come off there hasn’t been an influx in COVID numbers because so many people in our community had it. Cases are so

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much smaller than they were in January and February. I’m glad we are over the crest of this wave and on the other side of it and it seems like we’re kinda heading in that direction.

How long will optional quarantining last for?

It seems to me we’ve been slowly but surely we’ve been going backwards. I don’t see us backtracking at this point, especially with each new variant coming out, they are a little bit more contagious but a little bit more watered down. We know a lot more about COVID now and we are making a lot more educated decisions. I don’t think we’ll backtrack with the trajectory we have now.

MAY 2022

Pass It On HOW MISINFORMATION CAN SPREAD ACROSS SOCIAL MEDIA AND THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE CONSUMER TO FACT CHECK INFORMATION

T

he internet is a paradise for information.

Anything you could ever want to know can be found through a quick Google search, and TikTok provides everything you didn’t know you needed to know in short, digestible, 60 second videos.

Nowadays, the majority of adults use social media apps like TikTok and Instagram to source their news. According to a Pew Research Center study, more than 86% of adults said they get their news from their smartphone, and out of a survey of 108 WAHS students, 34.3% said they get news updates from TikTok. While this makes information easily accessible, it also makes the spread of misinformation all too easy, and without a simple way to control it, it leaves the responsibility to fact check information on the user.

TikTok has endless videos that appeal to any kind of audience. There are entire categories dedicated to doctors of TikTok, scientists of TikTok, and people claiming to have authority in any field of study. While this can provide useful information about certain subjects in a way easily understandable and available, it also makes it easier for people to spread misinformation. It is all too easy for anyone with a little confidence and a lab coat

to convince thousands to believe false information. It can be near impossible to tell who is a real doctor and who is not. And the spread doesn’t stop just there. Outside of TikTok, people may share this information with their friends, and them with their friends. This kind of widespread information can even become confirmation. By hearing it from multiple sources, it reinforces its validity. If everyone else has heard it, then it must be true.

The issue arises with how to stop the spread of misinformation. Fact checking every video posted would take far too much time, and taking down

some things that we as consumers must do to stop the spread of misinformation.

It’s good practice to fact check any information you come across on the internet. Ways to fact check include searching related information to see if whatever you heard is corroborated by other sources. Check to see if the source is reliable; do they have any bias or what sources are they citing? Google Scholar is a great place to find scientific journals and articles related to the subject.

There are numerous online resources that allow people to check information and educate themselves about the subject. FactCheck.org is one such source that provides clarification for commonly misunderstood topics and stories.

We asked 84 students how PolitiFact is another which tells 50 many hours they spent on you which facts are actual facts and TikTok per day. Heres what which are not.

40 they said.

These are great resources to 30 use when researching information, which is important to do before 20 sharing information, whether inperson or online. It’s the ease 10 of hitting repost that allows for misinformation to spread like 0 4-5 0-1 6+ 2-3 wildfire. If you feel strongly enough about an issue to want to share, do your research first. Learn videos has never been entirely successful. Short of taking about the topic and understand what it is you’re talking down every video with the slightest about before you risk sharing false information. suspicion, which has a variety of issues, With great entertainment comes great responsibility, there are bound to be things that 35 We asked 108 slip through the students how reliable 30 cracks. Since we they thought TikTok can’t police the 25 was and this is what content creators, they said.

20 it leaves the 15 responsibility up to those who 10 watch.

5 When we are 0 handed endless information and entertainment, there is a certain responsibility we must take on. It falls to the viewer to fact check the information we and it is ours, as consumers, to learn how to separate the are presented with. Tiktok can help by truth from the lies. discouraging misinformation and taking down what videos they can, but there are

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OPINION OF THE WHIRLWIND EDITORIAL BOARD

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CHECK CREDENTIALS

1) Who wrote it? Are they qualified to be talking about the subject? A lot of times people will form opinions about subjects they know little about and then share those opinions without specifying that they aren’t facts. Whenever you hear information, check who’s saying it and what their credentials are.

LOOK FOR BIAS

2) Does the information lean in one direction or the other? If an article or video seems to favor one point of view then it’s probably biased. It’s good to read multiple sources and multiple different viewpoints in order to get an objective view. Also ask if the writer has anything to gain from sharing a certain perspective.

How To Fact Check Information WHEN WAS IT PUBLISHED

USE FACT CHECKING WEBSITES

3) There are a multitude of fact checking websites like Politifact and FactCheck. org which provide easy to read analysis of commonly misunderstood facts. If there’s anything that you are unsure about or have more questions about, websites like these can be a really easy way to find out whether the information is true or not.

LOOK FOR OTHER RELATED SOURCES

5) Check when the information was published. The information could be outdated and new research or information about the subject could have come out.

3) Always check multiple sources. Find other articles that are talking about the same topic and see what they have to say about it. Looking at other sources can help you understand the full picture and see both sides of the story.

Which Headline is the Real Headline?

ELON MUSK IS A TYPICAL TWITTER USER, EXCEPT FOR ONE THING INSTEAD OF ENDING WORLD HUNGER, ELON MUSK BUYS TWITTER ELON MUSK BUYS TWITTER FOR $45 BILLION TWITTER BECOMES THE NEWEST MEMBER OF ELON MUSK’S ENTERPRISE ELON MUSK GHOSTS THE UN The real headline is “Elon Musk is a Typical Twitter User, Except for One Thing” from the New York Times.

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M AY 2 0 2 2

We Are Human Too

CHANGES NEED TO BE MADE TO HELP LGBTQ+ TEENS IN SCHOOL

M

By Austin Rudel

ost teens dread the sex ed unit in heath, but being LGBTQ+ makes that unit even more difficult. Oregon’s state standards for LGBTQ+ Sex-Ed are quite vague. According to the Oregon Health Education Performance Indicator Chart, teachers have to teach “sexual decision making, medically accurate inclusive reproductive anatomy and physiology, sexual response cycle and definitions of sexual activity, signs an symptoms of pregnancy.” The standards have to be taught in a way that is inclusive of the LGBTQ+ community, but what does that actually look like in the classroom? And how do teachers address the topic when even mentioning it may put their job at stake? In practice, the state standards that address LGBTQ+ sexual education are only lightly taught, if at all. An LGBTQ+ student should be provided comparable education regarding safe sex and the risks.

One resource health classes at West use is The Safe Zone Project , a free online resource providing curriculum, activities, and other resources for educators (sexuality, gender, and LGBTQ+ education sessions). One of the activities is the ‘genderbread person.’ The goal of this activity is to help individuals better understand the concepts of gender identity, expression, and sex. After reviewing The Safe Zone, it is clear that the curriculum is full of good information. It is simple but really efficient and gets the basic information out. The Safe Zone has a long list of LGBTQ+ words with definitions. It also has lesson plans, which are short and simple.

1924 - Society for Human Rights founded

by Henry Gerber

1969 - Police raid Stonewall Inn in NYC, impetus for US Gay Rights Movement

1952 - American Psychiatric Association diagnostic manual lists homosexuality as “sociopathic personality disturbance”

THE WHIRLWIND

of a kind. If everyone was the same, life would never be interesting. LGBTQ+ community members are told that they have made a choice to be a part, but in reality you’re born with it. In high school being part of the LGBTQ community separates you from a lot of people, when being separated from others can make you depressed and lonely. Everyone in this world is equal no matter what, we’re all human.

For some LGBTQ + community members, not having equal rights is a big problem to them. Therefore they have to fight for their rights. There’s always constant problems happening, but we can’t all fix them all at once. We just have to take them one day at a time. Some problems might Art by Harvest Buchanan take years to fix, but in that time we can learn lessons about who we truly are and what we believe in. If you believe in yourself enough, you can push past the problems in society. If you’re strong enough, you won’t care what people think and will only care about what you think.

LGBTQ+ Sex Ed is just one of our world problems. The world is full of right and wrong, but that doesn’t stop us from LGBTQ+ members to feel unsafe and unwanted. This fixing them. As a society, we have to come together to has made it hard for teachers to teach and help educate fix our problems, not letting the little problems sit and students. No one in the world should have to sit in sinever be talked about. All voices have to be spoken for. lence. We have to stand together to fight for what’s right, We need time to look back at our past and make changes never knowing what will happen next. Being part of the for the future so we can set an example for the others LGBTQ+ community is not a bad thing. ahead of us. We need to stand together and stand up for People that are in the LGBTQ+ community are alwhat’s right. ways judged. People have the constant thought that being different is a bad thing, but in reality it makes you one In May of 2022, Florida passed the Parental Rights in Education bill, banning classroom discussion about LGBT+ topics from kingergarten to third grade. It empowers parents to sue the school district over teachings they don’t like. The “don’t say gay” bill has caused many

1973 - Maryland first state to statutorily ban same-sex marriage

1973 - Lambda Legal first legal organization fighting for Gay and Lesbian equal rights

2003 - US Supreme Court strikes down “homosexual conduct” law, decriminalizing same-sex sexual conduct

1986 - US Supreme Court upholds Georgia’s sodomy law

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2018 - Trump Administration bans transgender people from serving in military

2015 - US Supreme Court legalizes samesex marriage in all 50 states

2021 - State Department announces applicants can selfselect sex markers on passports

2021 - President Biden repeals ban on transgender Americans joining military

2021 - State Department announces first issuing of US passport with “X” gender

WHAT’S UP // OPINION

“When I Was Your Age...”

Hot Takes: Mothers’ Day Edition

TEEN CULTURE IS AN ENDLESS CYCLE

“W

By Brynna Gritter

“When I was your age...” Every teen has heard these rocks, but look around in any class and you’ll be sure to catch a words, usually followed by scolding for spending glimpse of a blocky, neon snake making its way across a screen. Many too much time “on those darn phones.” Most of us of us have grown up with our own arcade-like fun, just in the form of just roll our eyes and carry on, Papa’s Pizzeria and Fireboy and Watergirl. chuckling to ourselves about the crazy teen years our parents reminisce One of the most obvious lasting throwbacks in every era is the about. All we know is the present, our own teen years well into the fashion. Flannels, high-waisted jeans, and leather jackets are Age of the Internet, where online friendships have become back in style, trending as if they’d never gone away. commonplace, while many iconic experiences of older Walking down a high school hallway today might generations’ teen years seem to have faded into the look surprisingly similar to strolling down one in past. the 80’s.

Though much has changed, just as much has Our teenage years might seem incomparable also lived on, with a present-day twist. Where to the teenhoods of last century’s teens once bonded over records and stayed generations, and in some ways, they are. A up late to record their favorite songs off the combination of COVID-19, climate change, radio, now music plays just as important a role political chaos, and general uncertainty has in our teenage self-discovery, with new musical made for an unfairly scary future for us. It developments like Spotify and Apple Music allowing may seem—understandably so—that adults us to listen to hundreds of songs and giving small artists have no idea what our lives are like and couldn’t the chance to be heard like never before. Not only are we just as Art by Harvest Buchanan possibly relate. However, every generation has its soundwave-obsessed as our parents’ generations were, but many struggles, uncertain times, social revelations, and past of the classic songs we shout at football games and assemblies are the generations have had threats of war and chaos that made the future very same ones people bought records of and memorized the words seem shaky before. Many parts of the teen experience are almost to all those years ago. “Classic Rock” has become a genre of its own, exactly the same in concept, even if the mechanics are a little different. and most teens know the words to a frightening number of songs years While we are experiencing turmoil never seen before, much of our before our time. “Livin’ on a Prayer,” “Don’t Stop Believin’,” “Another treasured teen culture is not so different from even 50 years ago.

One Bites the Dust,” anybody?

We thought we’d escaped the 80’s, but little did we know they were You might laugh at the thought of your nerdy parents spending their lurking around the corner, still existing in our current music, games, allowance at the arcade, blasting aliens and dodging little pixelated fashion, and culture. The past is always closer than you’d think.

Again and Again

I

REWATCHING FAVORITE TV SHOWS IS BENEFICIAL

By Mollie Brown

t is a psychological necessity for humans to feel in control of their lives. This is why children argue with their parents, and why people fear change or strive for perfection. It may also be the reason you’ve rewatched that one show five times.

Uncertainty is scary—and making choices that are safe and familiar can be comforting. When life is a hectic mess filled with a lack of control that has only been worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic, it can be hard for the brain to process more information. This is why over quarantine, many chose to rewatch their favorite shows, such as Friends, Grey’s Anatomy, or The Office.

In fact, a 2020 study done by Billboard and MCR Data concluded that 54% of participants had recently rewatched episodes of an old favorite TV show.

Rewatching a show that evokes positive emotions gives the viewer a sense of emotional control and nor-

malcy. When stressful climates may seem unavoidable, this can improve moods and become a form of escapism from daily life, which can be an effective stress reliever — especially when conditions are emotionally and physically taxing.

This is why it is so important for people to, at least occasionally, rewatch the things they love. It can provide a necessary break for the brain, without taking the time to pick a brand new show or focus on a complicated plot.

Some may argue that rewatching shows is counterproductive, as many shows tend to romanticize past decades. For example, Krystine Batcho, PhD professor of psychology said, “One individual might be nostalgic for that time, but they’re not thinking about things like racism or discrimination or even conflict”. One might be nostalgic for the picture of

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Mothers’ Day; a holiday of flowers, tea, and scones to celebrate dear old mom. Sweet and all that, but how does it stack up with Fathers’ Day, creeping up only a little over a month away? What about a Child’s Day?

Hailey Wadlington Senior

“I think that Mother’s Day is not just about people who gave birth to and raiseed kids. It’s about people who help others.”

Ryen Goodman Sophomore

“My mom pushed me out of her vagina, so Mother’s Day is probably more important than Father’s Day.”

Victoria Kacouros-Perkins Junior

“Like all of the other holidays are specifically targeted towards children, So I feel like we get enough.”

the 50s painted by Leave it To Beaver, failing to recognize the blatant problems that should be associated with that decade.

However, the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology says that “nostalgia serves an existential function by bolstering a sense of meaning in life.” Turning back to old favorites can be nostalgic in a positive way, allowing people to recall a more hopeful time in their lives. It is key to remembering what is important, and watching a show that allows the viewer to reminisce over past experiences can be a reminder of these priorities. By reflecting on positive memories of the past, many individuals can be inspired to seek positive change in their lives, as they might rethink their motivations.

Life is demanding, and finding a place of emotional security can be crucial. That is why everyone should take the time to rewatch a show that makes them feel safe, even if it may be for the fifth time.

MAY 2022

Coaching Culture

ATHLETES AND COACHES DISCUSS THE BEST METHODS OF COACHING FOR ATHLETES

By Legend Engberg and Violet Zinck

F

rom professional athletes to kids in little league, how people are taught can influence the way they play, and how they grow as an athlete. Coaches shape both performance growth and what people can value in their work.

Like with teaching, there are different methods of mentoring, but which is best for athletes?

When senior Ahmed Rashid was originally presented with the challenge of pole vaulting in track and field, he didn’t really know how to perform it until coach Phil Johnson guided him to the proper technique. “It’s very form reliant and I would have not known how to do it from just looking at videos,” Ahmed said. “So his instructions on how to do it properly is crucial for the sport.”

With many activities comes guidance that can be passed on, which is shown through the relationship between coach and young athletes. Coaches help perfect the strategy or technique of athletes, adding guidance and knowledge that the athletes may not have.

Coaches of sports techniques and skills can be presented to athletes in many ways. There’s types of coaching mindsets that can help produce a greater response of actions within a sport, one being a more aggressive style, which may help motivate their players. ¨I always liked the coaches that are loud and in my ear because it’s what motivates me,¨ said junior lacrosse player Ashton Cavender.

Coaches showing off an aggressive nature might help keep their players engaged in their sport. Freshman Szammy Kitchen, tennis player, preferred this aggressive style seeing it as her coaches showing off their enjoyment and passion for the sport to their players.

This aggressive style of coaching success, when it comes to motivation was broken down by baseball player junior Porter Kelly, who talked about the infectious nature of a coach’s spirit. “They

T H E W H I R LW I N D

keep their energy and their energy is contagious,” KelKelly to be the least effective coaching technique. ly said. “Their energy will influence the players in the “Coaches that don’t talk are the worst and you never game pushing them to win.” know if you’re doing something right,” he said. So if an Presenting that style of coaching, however, can be un-constructive form of instruction to athletes isn’t what implemented into many different ways, depending upon most find effective, what do athletes want? the sport. That feedback which is gathered by coaches “We practice hard, but we’re all very dedicated to each can be brought to the forefront and really be digested other and the team. I met people during the first week of through direct communication, practice that I now hang out not beating around the bush with on the weekend. We’re and getting straight to what WE PRACTICE HARD, BUT WE’RE ALL a family and it’s just a very they need to work on even in positive environment,” VERY DEDICATED TO EACH OTHER AND Kitchen said, “I wake up in a blunt manner. This idea was expressed by Kitchen about THE TEAM. I MET PEOPLE DURING THE the morning and I’m excited her tennis coaches, feeling FIRST WEEK OF PRACTICE THAT I NOW for tennis, it literally motithat, ¨The best coaching techvates me coming to school HANG OUT WITH ON THE WEEKEND. sometimes.” Expressing how nique, is just flat out telling the person what they need to work WE’RE A FAMILY AND IT’S JUST A VERY even though coaches might be on… telling us when we’re not blunt at times, she still thinks POSITIVE ENVIRONMENT looking good.” that her coache, Justin Crow Saying nothing at all about and assistant coach Carrie what an athlete needs to work on or what they’re not doHarrington, are some of the best ones she’s ever worked ing right was seen by Kelly as the worst possible coachwith. ing technique. Coaches depriving athletes information To some athletes, coaches can present a likable nature they could use to help them become better was stated by even when aggressive and blunt with their statements.

“

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E c l c

t c t t W l c

o w b l p t f f

Photos by Violet Zinck

Photo by Joe Wagner

Freshmen Szammy Kitchen and Avery Jane Romey wait for the gilrs tennis match. The team, coached

by Justin Crow, promotes team bonding.

Photo by Joe Wagner

Sophomore Caleb Simpkins of the plays doubles against Lebanon on April 5 at West Albany.

Even though this aggressive and forward style of coaching is liked by some athletes, those same athletes might not want that form of coaching when it comes to a certain situation.

The shouting, yelling, and aggressive presentation was told by Cavender to be unnecessary when a coach is trying to cheer up or inspire his team when they’re losing a game, “They shouldn’t be yelling, all they should be like is, ´Hey guys we´re in this, right?

We haven’t lost yet, right? We gotta relax, we gotta loosen up a bit. You got to work a little harder and we can do this.’”

The relationship between coaches and athletes is one made from an exchange of knowledge. Coaches’ way of sharing that knowledge with their athletes can be presented in some styles which allow those athletes to feel their coaches love for the sport. From the practices to the games, coaches’ cultural coaching on the field is one which can be shown off in a variety of formats with a variety of interpretations on how that format helps their athletes.

Photo by Joe

Wagner

Tennis coach Erik Ihde directs athletes at the West Albany v. Lebanaon tennis meet April 5.

n from a Zimmerman ilight d junior Tess an Tw n er lle ub A Lo ob y Emm ing at the R w ro th Sophomore r te af celebrate il 22 . chool on Apr the track team naon High S ba Le at l na Inviatio

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Tennis team huddle photo by Joe Wagner

M AY 2 0 2 2

History on the Podium HOW THIS YEAR’S PERFORMANCE HOLDS UP TO THE PAST

T

By Joe Wagner

his year at state has been historic for West Albany sports teams. The wrestling team had its first female state champion, junior Ariana Martinez, and the dance team won the state championship for the first time in the last 15 years. And though in a normal year, those two alone would be impressive, this year has seen many other state successes such as the cross country state champion senior Megumi Ludlow, a varsity volleyball championship, a water polo championship, several swim team champions, and a few other state placers.

All these wins at state beg the question: is this the best year ever in West Albany sports history? Surprisingly, despite this year’s success, our school is still a couple thousands points away from previous best years for overall West Albany success. The Oregon School Activities Association awards the OSAA Cup to the highest performing school at each classification (ie. 6A, 5A, 4A) each year, and despite all of this year’s success, West is not likely to win it this year. But it has in the past.

“This year has been really successful, but it’s not as successful as 2008 or 2009. We had years where we won football, volleyball, placed third in basketball in the same year. But we haven’t had dance state championship for 15 years,” principal Susie Orsborn said.

OSAA began awarding the cup in 1999.

West Albany has won the cup twice: 2009 and 2013. The best year was in 2009 when we scored a total of 4908 points, and in 2013 West Albany scored 4170 points. Currently, West Albany has 1438 points and is in 14th place.

Schools are ranked each year according to a point system. Extracurricular activities that participate in state competitions by OSAA or Academic All– state programs can earn points.. Good sportsmanship and activities can also earn points for a school.

For an activity to be counted by OSAA the sport must be sanctioned by OSAA officials through many meetings. “When you sanction it, and I’m learning this piece, it comes down to the rules, governance, and rankings of the sport,” Athletic Director Don Lien said.

Points are awarded according to placement at state, and it works differently depending on the sport. Wrestlers, swimmers, track and field athletes can all earn a maximum of 25 points individually. But team sports such as baseball, football, or water polo earn 200 points.

“Oh, it’s been great, after what we’ve gone through over Covid-19. Our kids have stepped up in all sports, male and female… Up in Portland, they were playing club, they were playing in gyms, they were doing things that independent gyms can.” Lien said, “There wasn’t really any outside availability for us to play. The thing that I think is really cool, is that Linn and Benton counties are some of the only counties that had a lot of their sports shut down. Then for our kids to come back after that break, and get back to competing, and then they even succeeded,” Lien said.

Both Oregonian Cups are in the trophy case on the corner of D and C hall.

More in-depth information available at osaa.org/awards

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THE WHIRLWIND

14

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WHAT’S UP // SPORTS

What’s In My Bag?

A LOOK INSIDE THE BAG OF SOPHOMORE TRACK RUNNER OWEN ROBERTS

By Harvest Buchanan

“MY RUNNING

“​​THESE ARE STANDARD

CLOTHES. I ONLY

RUNNING SHOES FOR

WEAR THESE FOR

TRAINING AND EVERYDAY

RUNNING.”

RUNNING. THEY’RE BEST FOR TRAILS.”

“THESE ARE LONG DISTANCE TRACK SPIKES. THEY’RE SOLELY FOR RACING. YOU DON’T TRAIN IN THEM BECAUSE THEY WEAR DOWN QUICKLY AND THE POINTY BITS HELP GRIP THE

“A SPIKE TOOL FOR TAKING

TRACK.”

THE SPIKES OUT OF THE BOTTOM OF THE TRACK SPIKES, IN CASE THEY BREAK OR NEED TO BE

WEST ALBANY VARSITY SOFTBALL TAKES HOME VICTORY AGAINST SOUTH

By Tori Thorp

The West Albany Varsity Softball team played against South Albany on April 15, winning the game 7-1.

The team scored the first run of the game during the second inning before South scored one during the third. Going into the fourth inning, the teams were tied 1-1.

West scored six runs total during the fifth and sixth innings, while South scored zero. No runs were scored during the seventh inning, and the game ended 7-1, with West Albany taking home the win.

TAKEN OUT.”

The Last Meal

BEFORE THE GAME BEGINS,

By Harvest Buchanan

THE SOFTBALL

WE ASKED 8 ATHLETES WHAT THEIR FAVORITE AFTER-GAME MEALS ARE PEANUT BUTTER AND

HASTY FREEZ CHEESE-

JELLY SANDWICH - ANA

BURGER - LAUREN HAR-

MEDINA, FRESHMAN

VEY, SENIOR

TEAM PERFORMS A LINE DANCE TOGETHER.

WATER - TIRHAS STRAWN, SENIOR

GARLIC BALLS - SASHA

CHILI - JADA CAVAZOS-

HOENE, JUNIOR

ANG, SOPHOMORE

BATTER ADIE MCARTHUR AS SHE SWINGS FOR

NOODLES - GRACE PENA,

OATMEAL - MALLORY

DINO NUGGETS - GRACE

JUNIOR

RAMIREZ, FRESHMAN

HOTRUM, SOPHOMORE

15

THE BALL, MOMENTS BEFORE SPRINTING TO FIRST BASE. MAY 2022

Phantom of the

Musical

Freshman Emi Ludlow and senior Sachi Wrigley tune their instruments before the matinee show for the musical “Anastasia” on April 23.

SPOTLIGHTING THE PIT ORCHESTRA, WHOSE PERFORMANCE MADE THE MUSICAL MAGICAL

F

By Melia Rasmussen

igures cloaked in black shuffled beneath the stage, setting up music stands and positioning their instruments just right so as to play them comfortably. Above, the auditorium came alive as members of the audience entered z Albany Performing Arts Center, debating on the best seat to watch the show that would begin shortly.

Once seated, if they listened close enough, they would hear soft music as the student musicians warmed up out of sight. Some might have approached the stage and peeked into the opening at the front, seemingly talking to no one.

But down in that hole were the phantoms under the auditorium, the ones who struck up their instruments to breathe life and wrap music around the vocalists who capture the eyes on stage.

“The pit music is a linchpin of the whole musical,” co-band director Brian McFadden said.

“It’s like when you’re watching a movie and if the music is written really, really well, you don’t notice it, but you feel the emotion that it’s trying to convey.” If the music is written or performed poorly, McFadden continued, then it’s more noticeable to the audience. One can argue, though, the more challenging something is, the more rewarding it is once pulled off.

The musical “Anastasia” swept through the school, with a soft opening on April 15, soon followed by the official opening the next night.

On April 20, the play was open only to students and staff, the auditorium filled with the cast’s classmates and teachers.

T H E W H I R LW I N D

“The most exciting part was when it all got put together and we played it successfully for the first time,” clarinet player junior Sophia Hanson said. “I’d come and be running on five hours of sleep [but] it’s really fun to be with everyone.” As her first year performing in a musical ensemble, Hanson much preferred the pit in person rather than audio through a speaker because it was easier to adapt to the vocalist on stage throughout.

In previous years, the band members were stationed in their classroom behind the old cafeteria, where musicals were held. Band director Stuart Welsh would conduct from the front of the room, with the musicians peering at a singular T.V. screen mounted on the wall to broadcast the play. With this year’s musical, the band was equipped with new technology and a better sound system to amplify its performances in the new auditorium.

They also had more opportunities to let loose and decorate their space, experimenting with several themed dress-up days leading up to opening night. “[Spirit Week] is a common thing that pits do and [senior] Sachi [Wrigley] really set that up for us,” McFadden said. On the first night of rehearsals, band students hung origami pineapples from the ceilings, added mini umbrellas

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to cups, and wore swim trunks and Hawaiian shirts. McFadden himself dressed as a lifeguard, fitting for his position in a tall chair at the front of the pit. The second day was monochromatic, and they wrapped the week up with pajama day, with pineapples and stuffed animals hanging around between performances.

Another thing students could’ve noticed during the post-show celebrations was an added splash of color to a musician’s solid black uniform: something purple. Some wore bracelets or headbands or a sparkly purple bow tie. According to Hanson and McFadden, purple was the theme of the play because it appeared on the Broadway

Hired violin player Rosanne Smith practices part of a song with the rest of the orchestra on April 23. Smith was one of the four adults in the pit who weren’t selected students from the school.

Junior Jordan Stadstad (left) warms up on the trumpet in the pit before the performance on April 23.

musical poster, along with a giant gold “A” in the middle.

Before performing in the pit and getting the opportunity to dress up, though, individual band members to be selected for the ensemble. Based on the orchestration of the original inspiration, McFadden said he sought soloists who could best play the required instrument, preferring not to switch out for alternate players if possible. If multiple people were skilled enough for the part, McFadden leaned toward older students such as seniors because it’s their last opportunity to play.

With that, McFadden said, the pit was composed of some of the most elite musicians in the larger band program. The group had the opportunity to become more familiar with each other and allowed their personalities to shine through as their roles became more important.

“I think the tech side of things is where we learned the most, and we’re going to apply that in the future,” McFadden said. “That goes for lighting and sound and mics and where we seat people down in the pit.”

Adjusting to the layout difference was minor, with some of the challenges being making sure the music quality was the best it could be, and keeping in sync with on-stage performers. The band couldn’t stop and redo a section like during rehearsal, so if an actor jumped or forgot a line, the ensemble needed to jump forward as well in order to continue smoothly. Practice makes perfect, but when practice might change sporadically, it can be hard to get it right every time. Clarinet player senior Misaki Yonemura ran into a couple of concerns when they found out the vocal box is on the other side of the room instead of nearby like in past years. Also on the other side of the pit was trumpet player junior Jordan Stadstad, who

A net catches anything that might fall in the opening on the stage, pit conductor Brian McFadden’s chair sits directly under it. On a raised platform, McFadden was visible to everyone, the tall chair also very fitting for his lifeguard dress-up role as a lifeguard.

Yonemura said shared similar parts with them.

Yet because of the density and volume of the pit, it was difficult to hear what the other was playing, so going by ear was less easy to do.

Even so, technical and placement problems were tuned out during tech week, and the more the band practiced through their pieces, the more streamlined they were able to perform during shows. Then, the musicians were able to focus on their music and have fun playing.

“Going into the musical, I was really excited... because people are going to go peer in during [the beginning and] intermission,” Yonemura said. “It’s really fun to see all the little kids just pop their little heads inside and go ‘Oh my goodness, who are those people?’” Having administrators approach Yonemura as well and compliment them on their professionalism gave them pride in their music.

Yonemura said the pit gave them a reason to seek more opportunities because they love music and

hope to continue to play as long as they can.

While “Anastasia” was McFadden’s eighth musical he has conducted in his career, he said that every musical is different because each year, there’s a new group of students and there’s a new culture. He also commended the band’s skill and determination to seize the opportunity to do something great, such as trying out for a seat in the pit.

“It’s pretty rare that a high school will have a musical pit made up of mostly high school students,” McFadden said. “High schools will hire out pros to do the show, so we had four adults, but everybody else in the pit were students, which I’m really, really proud of.” To have accomplished performing for several weeks prior, eight full performances, and balancing school and other activities, pulling it off was, suffice to say, challenging. Yet to improve continuously was, McFadden said, amazing to watch.

Junior Ian Roberts sits behind his drum set during a rehearsal on April 23. A foldvable wall covered in soundproofing material surrounded him, with windows to watch the conductor. “First of all, it’s really hot. Second of all, it’s another experience... The drum cage holds a lot of responsibility: a lot of tone changes and queues for the vocalist.”

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M AY 2 0 2 2

Generation Zine

SELF-PUBLISHED MAGAZINES BY STUDENTS AT WEST

C

By Hailey Miles and Linette Ortiz

ombining music, feminism, politics and punk subculture, zines are a form of activism and self expression. The DIY-style magazines were popularized by the riot grrrl movement in the late 80’s and 90’s. Zines talk about the LGBTQ+ community, mental health awareness, feminism, sexuality, religion, and personal memoirs. Zines are making a comeback and many Gen Z are contributing.

From a zine created by sophomore Al Robles

THE WHIRLWIND

Multiple people from West are expressing themselves and showing multiple forms of feminism through Zines including sophomore Al Robles and junior Miranda Lawley.

Lawley includes many other people in her zines through their artwork, poems, and personal memoirs.

In her zines, her own stories and art are presented too.

She has produced two issues of her zine “Poster Child” has two issues and has an upcoming third coming soon, available for a price. Lawley discovered Zines through the web, where most people find their interests. Meeting people online helped her discover her love for zines and inspired her to start making them herself.

“I started getting into doing zines because I’ve always considered myself to be a feminist and then started getting into punk music early high school.”

Robles zines “The Suffragettes” has three issues so far and include topics such as feminism, punkrock band and playlists, and artwork made by them and other people they know. Robles started getting into Zines to share their emotions and stories about their personal

18

lives. Feminist topics in the zines include talk about womens rights and the imbalance of power between men and women.

“I make the playlists to show people real music, most people don’t listen to music and hate it, I don’t know why, so I want to spread good music out to people,” Robles said.

A lot of zines contain music from the 90’s and 80’s era with the genres containing punk rock, extreme metal, folk music, and pop.

“I’m really interested in the old fashion style of dresses and hats and makeup and such, I think it’s cute and just fascinating, I make a lot myself, and I want people to share that same interest and show them that bit of history.”

From a zine created by junior Miranda Lawley

WHAT’S UP // ENTERTAINMENT

Drawn Together

RECOMMENDATIONS

A LOOK INTO THE ART AWARDS SHOW

By Cali Stenger

C

te and and Scholastic Art Awards were presented in a show on April 26. The show was held in the library, which donned a makeover for the occasion.

Turned into a mini gallery, the show featured student artists from all grades that won Scholastic Art Awards or CTE completion awards. Along with the 15 students who qualified as Scholastic winners, there were many CTE completers as well.

“As completers, students will showcase some of their best art pieces at this show,” art teacher Babette Grunwald said.

To set up the art show, each student submitted at least five of their favorite art pieces to be put up in the library’s gallery. The artwork included both 2-D and 3-D pieces, and there was a variety of pottery and sculpture as well as paintings and drawings. “Self Care,” a colored pencil illustration by senior Allison Willard is just one of the many pieces being displayed. For Self Care, Willard won a Gold Key from the Scholastic Art Awards. The piece features images of nature such as a sun, leaves, and honey bees.

“I kind of took my face and a plant from downtown Corvallis and molded it together. The idea was that sometimes you take a lot of care of plants and stuff like that and then you forget to take care of yourself,” Willard said. “If you‘re not tending to a plant, it’ll fall or die immediately… You have to give yourself that same attention.”

When it comes to her art, Willard primarily works with colored pencil. She specializes in creative self portraits, and the majority of her work utilizes a vibrant color palette with rich green and orange shades. In the art show, Willard also included pieces from her portfolio “Society and Nature,” which won a silver key in the Scholastic Art Awards.

“One of my main inspirations for the pieces in this portfolio was nature,” Willard said. “A lot of them were inspired by the Lewisburg saddle area or Chip Ross, just places that I like to spend time outside because when I’m feeling stressed it’s nice to just escape to the forest. Peace was another inspiration for this.”

Senior Ally Willard and junior Jenelle Jensen showcased their art in the library. Both students earned Scholastic Art awards for their work.

Creative Craft

M

any students have have recently finished their forecasting for the 2022-23 school year. A new school year tends to bring lots of excitement, and in the upcoming year there are several new classes being offered. One of these classes is the Multi-Material Craftsmanship class, which is an added addition to the Woods department.

“One of the requirements is that you have to have completed Woods 2,” woods teacher Ricky Hall said. The class is offered for one semester, and is an opportunity for students to improve their creativity and crafting skills through different projects. It focuses on multiple techniques and materials. Students will be able to work with stained glass, resin, leather, and metal in addition to woodworking.

The Multi-Material Craftsmanship class is also a more independent class, where there will be freedom when it

Harry Styles’s recent single “As It Was” is the lead single from his upcoming album, Harry’s House. Harry’s House will be the third album released from the singer, and a myriad of fans are eager for its release. “As It Was” conveys Harry’s inability to leave the past behind and utilizes more of a vintage 80s feel with the instrumental backing.

Running for 20 years on Hulu, the Kardashian/Jenner family’s drama isn’t something to miss. However, they recently chose to end “Keeping Up With The Kardashians” and instead rebranded to “The Kardashians,” dropping a teaser trailer on December 31, 2021. Their fans are eager to see what the new series will bring, and it will still have the “reality-show quality” that “Keeping Up With The Kardashians” did.

NEW WOODS CLASS OFFERS MULTI-MATERIAL PROJECTS

comes to projects.

“It’s more of a free-roaming class, where you go and do your thing on your own projects, and there will be some different options for the students to choose from,” Hall said.

One of the included projects is a resin charcuterie board, which will be many of the students’ first time using resin.

The boards will combine resin with wood. The addition of different materials to woodshop encourages creativity in the projects, especially when it comes to materials such as stained glass because it can be a way of including color in a project.

“This class is completely new,” Hall said. “It sounds like a lot of the students are excited to try stained glass in particular, and I’m assuming the class is going to be mostly full.”

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“The Haunting of Bly Manor,” an American gothic drama series, combines a blend of genres with a haunting story. It features an eerie narrative of a haunted manor in the United Kingdom. Contrary to what some viewers have thought, it doesn’t tie in with “Hill House,” however it offers unique qualities and an emphasis on ghosts. Catch “The Haunting of Bly Manor” on Netflix.

MAY 2022

KEEPING IT OLD SKOOL HOW WEST’S TRADITIONS HAVE EVOLVED THROUGH THE YEARS AND THE MANY ARTICLES OF THE PAST THAT CONTINUE TO LIVE ON TODAY

SPECIAL THANKS: “I WAS REALLY INSPIRED

BY A WOMAN IN COMMUNITY THEATER IN 6TH GRADE. HER NAME IS CHRISTIE ANDERSON AND SHE DRESSED 1940’S AND 50’S. I STARTED DRESSING LIKE HER IN EIGHTH GRADE AND BEGAN LEARNING MORE ABOUT VINTAGE FASHIONS. [...] FEELING LIKE I’M THE WRONG WEIGHT HAS BEEN A STRUGGLE FOR ME, BUT WHEN I MAKE MY OWN CLOTHES, OR WEAR MY MOM’S FROM WHEN SHE WAS MY AGE, I DON’T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT THAT KIND OF STUFF.” - SENIOR MARIE GUTHRIE, MODEL AND TAILOR

THE WHIRLWIND

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Dawg Dyansty WHAT IT’S LIKE BEING A FOURTH-GENERATION BULLDOG

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By Gabi Emery

programs during their time at West, and as such, Morse has an abundance of guidance available to him--especially with his dad, Peter Morse, as his coach.

“My dad is very [involved] for sure. Sometimes a little too much, but it definitely helps,” said Morse. “That was definitely weird this year for football, getting coached by him.”

And not only does his dad coach at the school, but his mom, Molly Morse, is also the health occupations teacher. But even though it might be strange to have two parents always at the school he attends, having such a heavy involvement Pete and Wyatt Morse posing for a picture with the school after a basketball game. has helped create a unique environment that he’s grown appreciative of.

Since he’s lived near West for most of his life, he’s grown up Marcia Morse’s around West’s senior yearbook sports programs. photo, class of 1967 It’s nostalgic Pete Morse such a long history to finally be posing with a with the school has one of the pole vault as Pete Morse affected Morse’s high a senior track highschoolers acts as secschool experience, ond leading he’s hung around both positively and receiver on since he was a the team in negatively. child. the 1986 game “A lot of the “Growing against Corteachers knew my up here has vallis. dad. Like principal helped because Susie Orsborn knows watching those both my mom and my Left Pete games from a Pete Morse, sitting in the bottom dad really well, so Morse wearing little kid’s perspective. It’s row second from the right, poses I definitely feel like his graduation attire, and (right) Morse sitting different being an eight year for a photo of his senior year track I’m held to a higher in the bottom row, second from the right, for team in 1987. old coming [to the games] to a photo. standard,” said Morse. being a student here…it’s just a different “It makes me a little extracurriculars such as sports. Since the beginning of atmosphere,” said Morse. “I’ve been nervous, but I’m glad.” the school year, he’s played both football and basketball, there at the practices since I was little, and I used to be This kind of familiarity has also affected his and is now currently playing on the golf team. Both his the kid running up and down sidelines throwing the ball experience in other aspects, specifically when it comes to dad and his grandfather were also involved in sports to the ref, stuff like that.”

MAY 2022 21 t’s Wyatt Morse’s first year attending West. In many ways, Morse’s freshman experience has been just like any other student’s: he’s experienced his first assembly, gone to his first school dance, and finally learned how to navigate the halls. But unlike most freshmen, Pete Morse’s senior Morse was already yearbook photo, class of well known by both 1987. students and staff.

While some students’ first encounter with West is their first day of school, Morse has been familiar with West since he was a child. His father, his grandparents, and even his greatgrandmother all attended West for their high school Wyatt Morse posing years, making Morse with Marcia and Peter a fourth generation Morse for a photo after West student. Having a JV football game.

West Through the Years WEST ALBANY HIGH SCHOOL HIGHLIGHTS

By Special Staff

1908-09 The first Whirlwind, at this point in time, the name of the yearbook, is released for the Albany High School’s student body.

1955 On October 4, 1954, the current gold school building is celebrated for official opening and student use.

1913 A school band is organized. It has 25 members by the end of the school year, making it one of the largest high school bands in the state. The same year, the school receives its own printing press, allowing for a monthly newspaper issue to be released.

1987 The dance team wins state for the first time in West Albany High School history.

2004 Orsborn becomes the principal of West Albany High School.

2021 The new blue building, which cost roughly $62 million dollars to build, is opened to students for use.

THE WHIRLWIND

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Some Passed, Some Will Last

“It’s the exact same energy.

The class cheer, the competitions, just all of the stuff.

It’s identical. The only difference is there’s just more tech,” Hall said. This lasting treasure isn’t only admired by the alumni, but also those like Ihde who found their way to West later on in life as a teacher. Having worked at West for over 20 years, with a large amount of that time being spent directing Leadership, Ihde has developed an in-depth and unique understanding of the traditions in the school.

“I think that our staff and student bodies are closer connected than most high schools and there’s a lot of reasons for that, but I think that one of the reasons for that is our sense of tradition, and you cannot do a story about

THE EVOLUTION OF TRADITIONS AT WEST

By Ethan Biersdorff

O

ne of the biggest things about West Albany High School that differentiates it from other schools is the focus on tradition. In almost every high school, tradition is an important component to the operation of the student body, but many would note that for Bulldogs, tradition is the central identity we build everything else upon.

“Pep assemblies and school spirit as a whole is what made me very interested in being at West Albany,” teacher

because it was basically like girls were just in their bras,” Hall said. This culture of bed sheet underwear eventually became too much for the school to handle, which led to a familiar face stepping in.

“I hate to say it, but I had a very big role in the death of Toga, much to schagrin of the students, that was not a popular move on my part. But yeah, the dress code violations were brutal, and as a teacher trying to have a respectable dress, the lack of respectable clothing was super uncomfortable,” Ihde said.

This execution of Toga eventually led to a beautiful rebirth in the form of Old Skool.

This is how tradition tends to function. Many

and leadtradition without giving a huge think of it as ership dinod and credit to [principal] something that rector Erik Susie Orsborn,” Ihde said. remains eternally “Am I emb Ihde said. “I He has led the charge set in stone, but in self ? Prob arrassing myably, but w student taught when it comes to many truth it is constantly cares?” -K ho yle Hall here and, to be of these traditions reshaping and dying s s a l honest, didn’t have throughout his career, off to make room for c y ver e relat d” alongside Orsborn. Many new traditions. Any an intention to stick day the next big tradie t m be ha around this area, but traditions were born out tion could step up out of nowhere, or likewise, an old ts t be the a flat a o l e f ould at on was very drawn to a of this duo’s love of the tradition could come back—although probably not Toga. v a to hthat wlly a floe number of things, like the West Albany spirit. Things like “I think that we should go back to decorating some d e d e e us mak basicaErik Ih staff unity and leadership of Singalong, which we now take as a givof the hallways. There was homecoming and that would W “ uld it’s wo and the school.But one of the bigen at every pep assembly we attend, was born out be really cool to be doing. And dress up days! We ha, gest things that drew me was a ed of Ihde’s intention to promote the then newly born Old ven’t been doing enough of them,” said art teacher sense of old fashioned school s p i r i t . ” Skool dance. Old Skool is now a staple, but it wasn’t Babette Grunwald. Through her roughly eight years That sense of school spirit is a huge drive for many at always that way. Before Old Skool we had Toga. of teaching here at West, she has seen a constantWest. They help students get through the years and Toga was headed by the Latin Club, which ly changing school, especially during the quarantine. feel more at home on their way to graduation. And for used to be a strong presence in the school before Yet through it all she watched as tradition survived some, like psychology teacher Kyle Hall, that sense of it began to fade away. That in part led to Toga’s and adapted to keep the beloved West we know alive. tradition and home is too powerful to stay away from. eventual demise, but alongside that was a storm “It’s a lot of work to get things back to what He got pulled back into West as a teacher later in life, of dress code violations, bordering on lewdity. they were, but I think all the students really want and according to Hall, the magic hasn’t disappeared.

“Some teachers would not want to go anymore it too,” Grunwald said. “We’re getting there.”

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MAY 2022

The Times of

HOW THINGS USED TO BE WHEN OUR TEACHERS WENT TO WEST

By Samantha Zimmerman and Jose Lopez Ortega

Math teacher Cole Pouliot Math teacher Cole Pouliot walked the same halls as a student, and now as a teacher. Pouliot was not only a good student, but also an avid player of sports.

He claims to have played basketball freshman year, wrestling sophomore year and baseball and football all throughout his high school career.

“I played lots of sports and I got really good grades,” Pouliot said. “That took up most of my time.

So that was the fun I had in high school.”

Pouliot graduated in 2002, overall liking what West had to offer. He is just as satisfied now as he was back then. He is greatly appreciative of what this school had to offer both now and back then.

Math teacher Marcie McArthur Math teacher Marcie McArthur was part of the graduating class of 1994.

Much like now, West had lots of the same sports and events almost 30 years ago, but according to McArthur, they weren’t always the best.

“We were not very good at football,” McArthur said.”My freshman year we were really good at basketball, and we went to the state tournament up in Portland.” McArthur herself was part of the tennis and the cheerleading team.

“We were pretty good at cheerleading [and] not too bad at tennis,” McArthur said.

But a lot has also changed since then.

“We didn’t have Old Skool, but I guess that would have been old school at the time. We did have Toga, which was crazy.”

According to McArthur, Toga was hosted by the Latin club. It was a dance where everyone would make their own togas then come and do various fun activities. These sort of activities may seem small, but to Mcarthur and many students; it was much more than that.

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the Alumni Social studies teacher Mr Hall The greatest change teacher and counselor Kyle Hall noticed since he went to West is the advancement in technology, such as smartphones, which are now a staple in each student’s pocket. Very different to the Nokia Hall sported as a junior in high school.

“I had this Nokia phone. It was those little, tiny, tiny brick phones, and the only thing you can do on that is play games like Snake. We didn’t have cell phones like today and couldn’t even text each other from under our desks.”

Hall recognizes the academic use of high speed, easily accessible internet. He recalls having to visit his local public library in order to research for his projects in encyclopedias. He thinks that cellphones, despite causing shorter attention spans in students, are a net positive.

Guidance counselor Kate Boase Freshman counselor Kate Boase rates her overall experience as a past student of West a nine out of 10, the same rating she gives her job today. She admires the new expansive area students are able to traverse in, but also notices a clear imbalance in added staff hired to monitor and supervise students. However, as great of a high school experience she had, she can’t help but recognize how much more accepting and diverse of an environment WAHS is now.

“In some ways, I think students are more accepting now than they were when I was in high school,” Boase said. “For example, the LGBTQ community and newfound diversity

Health teacher Drew Halvorsen Health teacher Drew Halvorsen has always had a love for student involvement in schools. Halvorsen himself was a team leader during his time as a student at West.

He appreciates the opportunity that comes with a more powerful and expansive school as a whole.

“For extracurriculars, we didn’t have the big auditorium. And we didn’t have a class tailored towards an art class. We didn’t necessarily have the tech stuff as well. So I would say there’s more opportunities now for students than there was when I went to West.”

With more opportunity for students to get involved, Halvoren sees a growth in school spirit overall. He only dreamed of having this many opportunities during his time at West.

Social studies teacher Mr. Wadlow Teacher and coach Brian Wadlow graduated in 2000. Since his own graduation, the school has changed drastically; one example being the school buildings. Wadlow is still getting used to how much more distanced the building feels now with two different structures labeled old and new.

“I think that we are still trying to figure out logistically the best way to make the building feel more cohesive. You know, to make both buildings feel more connected as one.”

One improvement he approves of is the significant loosening in dress code regulations. Wadlow claims he’s never had any issues with how or what to wear, both as a student and teacher at West. “No thought or energy as to what we can or can’t wear,” Wadlow said.

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he Asian community is very diverse. Making up Freshman Zhaine Raymundo remembers when in an estimated 60% of the population, It is home to Freshman World History a student asked a question that many different cultures all of which are housed made many students uncomfortable. under the identity of Asian. Each of them is unique and “She was asking, ‘Wait, is China part of Asia?’ which can’t be summarized as the same thing. Even in America, annoyed all of us so much because we have me as a the diversity and impacts of these cultures can be seen.

Pacific Islander, [freshman] Calista [CwmCwlamare, a Asian culture and the monumental impact that it’s Chinese American girl], and then this other girl who’s had on our country often goes unalso Asian,” Raymundo said. “We A survey of 108 derappreciated, especially in ed- WAHS students found all kind of just looked at each oththat ucational settings. In spite of the er in this weird triangle of ‘What is egregious lack of acknowledgment she going on about?’ and this lasted in the classroom and elsewhere, the half of our class. … We were all unAsian community has made various comfortable. Even the students who contributions to the development of weren’t Asian or a person of color.” of students think our nation, including but not limited Years past have had little reprethat WAHS doesn’t sentation for Asian students with to building our first railways, particdo a sufficient job at ipating in the civil rights movement, teaching Asian culture much of the representation focusing and advocating for better working on World War II. This has provided and history. conditions for garment workers. fewer opportunities of education Despite the fundamental role Asian people have fulfilled about the cultures that make it up leading to optimism throughout our history, the absence of education on such among Asian students. contributions has resulted in many beautiful, diverse cul“... I think that it’s really nice to be able to expand the tures being misunderstood and misconstrued by many domains of World History, so that it’s not just about Eustudents today. ropean battles and things like that. And it’s about larger “Like for me, we learned about Indian culture, but it scale world and cultural things, especially because a lot was only about Gandhi,” senior Nishant Vishisht said. of the history that is taught that’s not Eurocentric is very “… It’s like if we talked about America, we only learned negative,” senior Sachi Wrigley said. “I think it’s going about Abraham Lincoln. That’s just like only one figure. to be really good for minority students to be able to see It doesn’t summarize America.” more positive historical views of themselves.”

In the classroom, there have been recent discussions Both Wrigley and Vashisht discussed the importance to include more about Asia in the school curriculum such of education about other cultures as not only does it help as Freshman Honors English including a Chinese myth lift up minority students but also builds understanding in the mythology unit. As the transition is being made, for other cultures. students are learning, but to some it highlights a gap in what was being taught.

77.8%

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HISTORY IN OREGON One of the oldest Asian populations in Oregon is the Cantonese-Chinese who immigrated to work in mines in the 1850s and became one of the largest groups of Asians in Oregon.

In 1887, a massacre occurred at Deep Creek, where thieves and schoolboys jumped and killed 34 Chinese gold miners. After three of the six perpetrators were arrested, they were let go. The events were only formally recognized by the government in 2005, when the location was named the ‘Chinese Massacre Cove.’

Later, due The Page Act of 1875, which effectively banned the immigration of Asian women; Oregon’s ban of interracial marriage; and other policies, Oregon’s Cantonese-Chinese population went from 10,390 in 1900 to 2,075 in 1930.

1912 saw the birth of Hazel Ying Lee born in Portland, Oregon who would become the first Asian American woman to receive a pilot’s license, deviating from the stereotype that Asian women were passive. As World War II started, she quickly became a leader among Women Airforce Service Pilots and was one of the first women to fly for the US military. She died in 1944 due to a miscommunication in the control tower.

Now, the Willamette Valley, and especially the Portland area, serve as a heart of Asian culture in Oregon.

HK ASIAN MARKET PICKS Kings Boulevard in Corvallis has a wide variety of shops to catch the attention of a shopper. One of the most unique is HK Asian Market. Similar to the Asian food markets in Portland, Oregon it has a wide variety of different foods that you would never find in most grocery stores. In the back is Yummy Yummy, a restaurant serving authentic Chinese food such as bamboo shoot and pork buns along with boiled beef in chili sauce. Here are some items that we picked up at the store.

Lay’s Roasted Garlic Oyster Flavor Chips With a strong smell of garlic and oysters these chips leave a strong impression at first whiff. If you’re not a fan of seafood, you may wanna skip out on this one.

One of the notable things is the chips are sliced thicker than the normal Lay’s chips.

Kasugai - Flower’s Kiss Candy This plum flavored candy was a pleasant experience with a gentle taste, fitting the name Flower’s Kiss.

As staff writer Violet Zinck said “it tastes like fancy soap smells but sweeter.” Well liked by all that tried, this is a must buy if you find it.

WHAT DO YOU WISH PEOPLE UNDERSTOOD ABOUT ASIAN CULTURE OR OTHER MISCONCEPTIONS?

Popin’Cookin’ tanoshii Hamburger This make it yourself candy is fun for all as you try to figure out what to do. With fruity and chocolate flavors that look like an order at a fast food place. Done by two staff members, they couldn’t stop laughing, rating the experience an eight out of ten, but the candy a three out of ten.

Calipico This citrusy drink is a probiotic, although it’s rarely thought of as such. The drink is very popular in Japan, and was well liked overall by staff. Many said it reminded them of 7-Up, but with a unique twist.

“The stereotype that Asians should be really good at schoolwork. Like, yes, I know. I have straight A’s. I’m genuinely struggling at times. I’m not the person that you come to for answers in math.”

— Freshman Zhaine Raymundo

Here are some things you may not know about Asia. Read right to left.

Countries like India and Iran are Asian countries. Similarly Serbia is also Asian.

Japan has the second biggest music industry in the world.

“When people think Asian, they normally think Eastern Asian. And making sure that South Asian is included in that is super important because oftentimes, people don’t even know that they’re Asian also. ... Diversity within the diversity is also important.”

— Senior Sachi Wrigley

Due to how many different cultures make up modern China, different regions actually have different languages, however most share the same writing system.

Mandarin is the most widely spoken but Cantonese is the main language of Hong Kong. Many of these languages are slowly dying out.

ASIAN SHOWS TO TRY

“The Untamed” - Causing the ban of fan fiction website Archive of Our Own in China and every fan fiction website to legally require people to use their legal names, this mystery Chinese drama adapted one of the most popular LGBTQ books in China starts off as a campy fantasy inspired by martial arts novels, but draws viewers in with compelling characters.

“Tunnel” - This Korean drama is a fun take on time travel and mystery genres.

After a detective is thrown into the present day while chasing a killer, he watches the outcome of the events of what occurred in the past while trying to solve the case with his true identity hidden.

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“Galaxy Express 999” - Based on the manga written by the author of “Space Pirate Captain Harlock,” this anime aired from 1978 to 1981, following a boy who boards a supposed train in space that would take him to a planet where he could get an indestructible metal body that normally only the rich could afford, with a mysterious woman who looks just like his dead mother.

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Fentanyl: Fast, Frugal, and Fatal

J

OREGON IS FACING A FENTANYL EPIDEMIC. HERE’S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE DRUG.

two milligrams. The community is seeing a serious increase in overdose cases and street-drugs testing positive for lethal amounts of fentanyl.

Here’s an analysis of what this all means.

By Tori Thorp and Brogan O’Hare Photos by Tori Thorp

JUST 76.4 MILES FROM WEST

“The potency and addiction associated with fentanyl is so high,” said School Resource Officer Curtis Bell, “fentanyl is a synthetic opioid, it doesn’t rely on Mother Nature, it’s less expensive to make. And so the potency can be much greater.”

Potency isn’t the only issue that fentanyl presents. The extreme effects of the drug present a problem because of how available it is to dealers as a cheap, unscented, maskable “filler” for counterfeit pills such as Xanax, Prozac, and other off-the-street opioids and stimulants. In some cases, even off-the-street marijuana has tested positive for fentanyl. Bell explained that the sheer diversity of the drug is contributing to the frequency of it being seen in Linn county among all age groups.

“I don’t see it affecting one demographic more than the other. And that’s what’s so frightening about it,” Bell said. “it’s from age eight, nine, all the way up to 90. All types of people.”

At the end of 2019, per the United States Drug Enforcement Admin-

lies McDaniel High School, where two students lost their lives to suspected accidental drug overdoses on March 6 and 7 of 2022. The drug? Fentanyl. During a presentation hosted by the Albany Police Department on April 12, officers from the Linn Interagency Narcotics Enforcement Team educated a full conference room of community members about the drug and its effects in the Linn county area. They described Fentanyl as a synthetic opioid, and while it can be used in clinical settings and to treat serious pain, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that it can be “up to 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine,” giving it its addictive nature.

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IN RECENT YEARS, the fentanyl crisis in Linn County has worsened, with as many as two out of every five street-bought pills containing a lethal dose of the drug: just

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YOU GUYS ARE AT THAT AGE WHERE YOU’RE MAKING YOUR OWN DECISIONS. AND MY HOPE IS JUST THAT YOU WOULD MAKE WISE DECISIONS THAT WILL KEEP YOU ALIVE road on any topic, and understanding all the elements that are in play.”

Bell continues to say that “the remedies are not incarceration,” but rather “addiction therapies.” Barry Collins, a mental health specialist, works at Linn Alcohol & Drug Treatment. The treatment center offers adolescent as well as adult programs, ensuring confidentiality in both.

The adolescent program meets from 3pm to 5pm every Wednesday, and offers transportation to the facility as well. Collins went on to say it was low-cost, as well as more focused on rehabilitation rather than punishment. “There is help out there if you want help. It’s not like it was 40 years ago, where there was just very little help to be found.

There is a way to get involved in treatment programs. And some of them are very willing to not worry about finances.”

Drug abuse is a scary topic, but it’s one that needs to be talked about. Finding reliable information through resources like the CDC, DEA, and NIH are good steps. Educating the public on these dangers is essential in ensuring that our country’s war on drugs doesn’t remain a losing one. By the time you’re a senior in high school, the CDC reports that about two-thirds of your peers will have tried alcohol, half will have used marijuana, and roughly twenty percent will have used prescription drugs not prescribed to them. “Look out for each other,” Officer Bell says, “You guys are at that age where you’re making your own decisions. And my hope is just that you would make wise decisions that will keep you alive.”

istration (DEA), the overdose death rates in adolescent age groups increased by 35 percent, with a total of 70,630 deaths in ages five to 14. Bell suggests that the commonly seen pill form makes fentanyl-laced counterfeit drugs more appealing to the younger demographic. Even students looking for something as innocent as anxiety relief have the potential to overdose on a street version of prescription medication.

So what is the solution to addiction? Well, there is no definitive answer.

Officer Bell believes that a possible one stems through communication.

“Speak truth to each other,” Bell said, “As a community, have open and honest discussions, okay? Communication is really what gets us down the

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration National Hotline: 1-800-662-4357

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Closer Than You Think ONE STUDENT’S EXPERIENCE WITH OVERDOSE AND ADDICTION

By Hayden Mickelberry as told to Tori Thorp Edited for length and clarity

WHEN I WAS ABOUT TEN, my uncle had what my parents told us was a seizure. It was actually an overdose.

My uncle struggles with alcoholism, a dependency on marijuana, and occasionally hard drug abuse like heroin. I watched him go through serious changes from the time I was just a kid, and it’s only gotten more difficult for him to overcome: his mood swings, his anger issues, his alarming and overbearing highs.

We were at my grandparents’ house, and he and my grandpa were watching soccer. Then… I hear my grandpa start yelling, so me and my sister come into the room to see what’s going on. We see my uncle there, seizing up and convulsing. My grandma called 911, and we just watched as one of my other uncles tried to help him. My sister and I were ushered to the next room, but we could still hear him thrashing around, losing control, hitting things with his arms.

The paramedics eventually arrived, and we watched him be taken away on a stretcher. I don’t remember a lot of that day, just that moment.

Initially, I was told it was just a seizure. He was at the hospital overnight, and when he came back, everything went back to normal. We just kind of forgot about it until a few months later, when me and my sister started talking

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about it. I brought it up, just remembering the event. That’s when my mom explained it to us—that’s when I found out what drugs could do to a person, what an overdose could do. We had known that he had done drugs before, but especially when we were younger, my uncle tried to conceal it. After that day, it became a lot more obvious. He would pour whiskey into his drinks in the morning, and get high consistently.

Because of his addiction he can’t get a job, he can’t be on a schedule, and his anxiety controls him. He had to live with us for a couple of years. It got to a point where my family was living paycheck to paycheck because he was spending all of my mom’s money. We had to kick him out and send him back to live with our grandparents in Arizona. He’s been back for a few months at a time when he thinks he can start a new life. Then it gets bad again, and he has to leave for Arizona — a cycle that just hasn’t ended yet. It’s gone on for too long, and it’s affected too many things.

Drugs aren’t the only thing it’s about anymore, it’s evolved into violence.

He’s able to own a gun. It gets really scary sometimes because on drugs he’ll get incredibly angry. He’s not a responsible person with his gun, and that’s terrifying to me. I can’t even look at a gun anymore without my heart pounding,

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Drugs aren’t the only thing it’s about anymore, it’s evolved into violence.

He’s able to own a gun.

my hands getting sweaty.

Recently, we went to visit my grandparents in Tucson for Christmas, where he lives with them. There’s this event called “Winterhaven,” and the whole neighborhood gets into it; they put up lights and have a competition for the best decorations. Normally, there are police officers at each of the intersections to direct people and make sure everyone is going where they need to because it gets so packed. For some reason, there was one intersection where there was no police officer. It was chaos. We were trying to get through the intersection, my uncle was in the car, and all of us were getting kind of frustrated with the traffic. There was a gas station to the left of us, and this guy came in through the station and cut in front of us, skipping the whole chaotic intersection that we had just waited 35 minutes to try to get through. That’s when my uncle started yelling, threatening the guy. Now they’re both yelling, dead set on fighting each other.

My uncle keeps a pistol on his ankle, and he starts to pull it out. He points it at the man, and the guy immediately starts trying to deescalate the situation and apologize, all the while we’re trying to get my intoxicated uncle to stop threatening him with a gun. Finally, we pulled him back to the car, and my sister and I sat there for a moment, processing. Then we left. We walked to my grandparents’ house because we just didn’t feel comfortable being in a car with him. It was terrifying, seeing someone I’m so close to holding a gun up to another person.

There have also been some scares where he has threatened his own life because of how depressed he can get.

We’ve had to try to hide his gun from

Words From The LINE Team QUICK FACTS FROM THE LINN INTERAGENCY NARCOTICS ENFORCEMENT TEAM FENTANYL IS ORIGINALLY a painkiller found in hospitals. It started as a synthetic opiod 80 to 100 times stronger than morphine. It has been legitimately used as a pain reliever for cancer patients, general anesthesia and sedation. In clinical settings, the dosages are monitored and regulated by professionals.

LINN COUNTY is considered a “HIDA,” or a “High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area,” because of it’s proximity to Highway 20 and I5. The HIDA route that Linn County lies on is one explanation for the surge in overdose cases seen in recent years.

NARCAN, which is available in nasal-spray form for free at Samaritan Treatment and Recovery or by prescription, has the potential to postpone the effects of a serious overdose in order to call an ambulance or get to the hospital in time to save a life.

him a few times.

I like to talk about things with him.

He’s really smart, which is sad because he wanted to go to school to be a paramedic, like his brother. But addiction can change a lot. He could have had a very successful life, but he just didn’t.

I don’t know exactly how the subject gets brought up, but we’ll occasionally talk about his addiction in our conversations. He would talk about how he doesn’t like that he’s in this situation, and he’d like to get out of it, but he just doesn’t know how. He’s tried so many times and it’s just not working, and this

is how he’s lived his life for the past 15 years. It’s not something that’s easy or straightforward to overcome.

I first saw the news about the fentanyl epidemic on Instagram, from The Whirlwind post. That kind of news scares me, of course it does. Addiction is not an issue that the minority of people have experience with. It’s widespread, and it’s serious. When there’s such a high concentration of such a deadly drug in something that so many people have access to—it just makes addiction even more traumatizing.

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ONE PRECATION that community members can take in order to ensure they are prepared in the event of an overdose is to carry NARCAN, a nasal-spray form treatment with the potential to save a life. NARCAN works by blocking the body’s opiod receptors for a temperary fix to overdose. You may need to use more than one in the event of an overdose.

Find NARCAN for free from Samaritan Treatment and Recovery Services or get it as a prescription from your primary care physician.

Tinfoil with brown streaks from smoking the fumes of opiods in a practice called “chasing the dragon.”

TruNarc, a digital fentanyl testing device, is used by APD and the LINE Team to test street drugs.

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THE RECS

3

The “Perfect” Gifts

8/10 “It smells like a mosquito repellent candle in a good way.”

Coming in at only $3, this steal of a candle is sure to be a hit among mothers, being small, compact, and cute!

By Gigi Roldan and Harvest Buchanan

Mother’s day can be hard to shop for, but reporters Harvest Buchanan and Gigi Roldan have you covered with a few top notch (but not too expensive) gifts from Target. Make this Mother’s Day special by finding the perfect gift.

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THRESHOLD STONEWARE MUG

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5/10 “It’s lacking flavor.”

This mug is a tad boring with its simple design, but it is definitely a good gift at $3

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CANDLE

QUE BELLA STRAWBERRY FACE MASK -8/10 “It’s pink and oogy googy.”

One of us decided to put on the $1.99 face mask, and decided that “it burns a little, it is horrible, and smells like manufactured hot pink.”

“DISGUSTING PLASTIC” THRESHOLD POTTED FAUX PLANT

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EOS STRAWBERRY SORBET

6/10 “I despise fake plants with all of my heart, and this is exactly why.”

This plant is fake looking, yes, but is wonderful to any mothers that do not have a green thumb, only coming in at $5!

7/10 “If this was a flavor of ice cream, I would gobble it down.”

Coming in at $4.99, it smells wonderful, works moderately well, and is surprisingly a hit.

WILEY WALABY “CLASSIC RED”

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2/10 “It’s like if a cough drops brand decided to make rip-off licorice.”

The general class was not a big fan of these $1.97 candies.

“If my child got me them, I would pretend I liked them.”

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THE STORY Mother Dearest When it comes to Mother’s Day, nothing feels more special to science teacher Shana Hains than spending time with her 80-year old mother. “We’ll be doing something that I think my mom would really enjoy. I know cooking and cleaning her house is definitely something we used to do for her as kids all the time. It was the number one thing she wanted, you know, because that’s a great thing to do for a mom.” Hains hasn’t been able to celebrate with her mother for a long time, being that she was in Oklahoma; And because of that, Mother’s Day has become very special—not only to her mother, but to her students and friends.

“We should definitely recognize those that we love. And mothers come in all different forms, like I have other people in my life to care for. And I think it’s good that we recognize all the mothers in our lives, people who’ve helped us along the way.”

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THE QUESTIONS

Photo by Gigi Roldan and Harvest Buchanan

Photo used with permission of Shana Hains

THE QUESTIONS JUNIOR Rebecca Ritchey

“I get my mom a gift for Mother’s Day because she does a lot for me and I want her to know how much she means to me.”

“Yes, I get them each a present, usually a card or something.

It’s definitely very special in my house.”

“Typically I love to bake a treat for my mom, specifically peanut butter cookies or brownies since they are her favorite.”

“I usually try to do everything I can for her like housework, doing the dishes, yard work, etc.”

“I usually make them breakfast in bed and give them presents, and do what they want so they can relax.”

“Typically no, we have dinner at home.”

“We always go on hikes because my mom loves hiking, and also go out to dinner or for lunch.”

“Typically not. We just spend it together as a family with my moms and siblings.”

Do you plan on getting your mother(s) anything for Mother’s Day?

“I always give my mom handmade cards and things like that.”

How do you treat your mom(s) on mothers day?

Do you go out for Mother’s Day?

SOPHOMORE Lucy Rouse

135 million 178 million 113 million 152 million 143 million

Answer: 113 million

SENIOR Keely Boyce

How many Mother’s Day cards are sent during each Mother’s Day, according to Corporate Hallmark?