Speech team takes second in state

By Amanda Maddux

Silverton High School’s speech and debate placed second at the OSAA State Speech
Championships in April, at Western Oregon University. Silverton came in just behind defending State Champions, Ashland High School, and beat out all the larger 6A schools. This is Silverton’s second year taking second place and fifth year in a row in the top five a state.

Results are as follows:

Gavin Knox and Ethan Elliott: State Champions in Dual Interp.
Gavin was also State Champion in Humorous Interp.

Truman Mallon and Aden Krueger: 2nd place in Dual Interp.

Truman was also a semi-finalist in After Dinner Speaking.

Riley Johnston and Austin Anderson: 4th place in Dual Interp.

Jasmine Kim: 3rd place in Expository and finalist in Oratory.

Haley Karlson: Finalist in Dramatic Interp.

Xander Harris: 3rd place in Student Congress.

Luke Yarnall: Quarter-Finalist in Lincoln-Douglas Debate and Semi-Finalist in Extemporaneous.

Elizabeth Leslie: Semi-Finalist in Prose Reading.

Silverton High School’s speech and debate team will be participating in the National Speech Competition. Only a select few will be going, they are:
Gavin Knox, Truman Mallon, Aden Krueger, Jasmine Kim and Ethan Elliott.

Mr. SHS 2011 Riley Aman

By Amanda Maddux

Name: Riley Aman

Grade: Senior

How much money was raised for Medical Teams International?

We ended up raising over $7,500 that all goes directly to MIT to help those in need around the world.

Explain your talent in detail.

For my talent I did a mock Richard Simons exercise routine that included plenty of 70s workout moves and extremely short shorts. I had four of my favorite friends as my back-up guys that were also decked out in 70s workout clothes.

Who was the girl you walked with and why?

I asked Anna Farmer to escort me because she is a great friend and I knew she would be fun to take. Plus, she’s too pretty for the audience not to love her!

What’s your opinion on how the pageant turned out?

I think the show was a huge success. Every one of us had so much fun putting on the show for the community and so many people from the community came out to support us. It was awesome receiving the honor of being crowned Mr. SHS. The biggest success, though, came after the show when we found out that with the help of the community we had raised $7,500 to forward MIT’s cause.

Are you glad you competed in this years Mr. SHS pageant?

I am so glad I got a chance to compete in Mr. SHS this year. The month leading up to the show and the night of Mr. SHS were easily the best times of senior year for me. It was great hanging out with all of the guys and being able to help put on such a great event.

Mr. SHS 2011

Mr. SHS 2011

Movie Review: "Soul Surfer"

By Erin Kelley
Assistant Editor

Filled with bravery, humor, and a great cast, the movie “Soul Surfer” left me inspired.

The movie is based on the true story of award winning-surfer Bethany Hamilton. Hamilton lived in Hawaii and was a naturally talented surfer, participating in national surfing competitions from a young age. But one morning changed everything. While surfing with friends at age 13, Hamilton was attacked by a 14-foot long tiger shark and lost her left arm. The movie shows the process of recovery that Hamilton went through, and the ups and downs of living life with only one arm.

Hamilton is played by actress AnnaSophia Robb, with Dennis Quaid, Helen Hunt, and Carrie Underwood playing major roles in the movie. The actors provided a cheerful and faith-filled perspective on recovering from a tragedy and learning to live with a disability. Hamilton’s success in the water was portrayed as a direct result of her Christian faith.

Beautiful blue water and white, sandy beaches were the backdrop for the majority of the movie, making me wish that I could live in Hawaii. The surfing of the actors was also outstanding, and the tricks on the waves were well done. It was inspiring to see Hamilton actually surfing with only one arm in the end credits, and to see how much persistence she had to keep surfing even after the injury.

Overall, I found “Soul Surfer” to be an inspiring and motivational movie, which I would definitely recommend to others.

If your life had a theme song, what would it be and why?

"My theme song would be Don’t Stop Believing, because I think it is important never to give up. If we don’t have hope for the future, there is nothing to keep us going.” – Alex Kraemer, senior

“I think I would have to write my own song, because I don’t think I’d be able to pick one that could explain my whole life.” – Elizabeth Rackovan, senior

"Fifteen by Taylor Swift. It’s perfect for me, I’m fifteen and I have a red headed best friend!" – Olivia Dahl, sophomore

"Friday by Rebecca Black. I kick it in the front seat everyday. Especially on Fridays where I like to go party’ in party’ in, YEAH!" – Blaine Smith, sophomore

“My theme song would be Until the end of Time by 2pac. I like it because most artists don’t have a purpose when they’re writing their songs, they’re just dumb, but 2pac always does." - Nick Sheets, senior

“Ummm if our lives had a theme song it would be a Ke$ha song because we like to have fun! Oh and "the party don’t start till we walk in!” Coleman Barth and Izaak Tobin, sophomores

Prom Quotes of the Week

What kind of advice would you give a guy who wants to ask someone to the prom?

“I would tell him to think of something she enjoys and incorporate a cute way of asking her. There is really no best way to ask, every girl is different.” Steven Hilton, senior

“Send a flower and a balloon every period then at the end of the day stand up in class with a sign that says ‘Will you go to prom with me’ then hand her a flower.” Josh Rogers, senior

“Be creative and ask whoever you want to. The best way I have seen is when Dawson Gould spray painted a puzzle that said “prom?” and gave it to a lucky girl.” Matthew Brown, senior

“I would light a bunch of candles and spell out ‘prom?’ with them. Then just hope she says yes.”
Taylor Nunn, sophomore

What is the best part of Prom?

“The best part is getting dressed up and ready to go with your friends.”-Anna Farmer, senior

How did you ask your date to the prom?

I asked Megan Schmitz to prom when she was pulling into school. I had some of my friends hold up a sign that said “Prom?” and I gave her flowers. –Sam Olson, junior

Meet Mr. SHS Contestant - Nolan Manning

By Maria Clark

What’s your ideal marriage age and why?
"35 because you have time to get a good job but you're still young enough to keep up with any kids you’ll have."

What do you want to do once you get out of high school?
"Go to college at U of O and explore somewhere tropical."

If somebody handed you a magic lamp and gave you three wishes, what would they be? "That there were no rules on my wishes. An unlimited number of wishes and that I’d have an old lime green muscle car."

What does a good friend mean to you?
"Someone that I can hangout with for a long time, as well as someone I can bring any problems I may have to them."

If you had to eat one thing for the rest of your life what would it be?
"Pizza, there are so many variations of it, I could eat it forever!"

How long have you been planning to do Mr. SHS? "Since the beginning of senior year."

Why do you want to do it?
It sounds like fun and I like competition.

Anything exciting you can tell me about the show this year? "Eight dudes and their escorts."

What’re you thoughts about the presentation you saw for Medical Teams International? "It really gave me a better reason to do Mr. SHS."

What do you think qualifies you to be the next Mr. SHS? "I am tall, as well as smart, intelligent and fun to be around."

What’re your hopes for the show? "That nobody eats it during the dance and that a lot of people come."

Meet Mr. SHS Contestant- Gavin Paul Knox

By Amanda Maddux

What is your idea of a truly romantic evening? "Going on a long coastal hike, then walking down to the beach to watch the sun go down and building a fire as darkness falls. Then eating at a good restaurant in a big city and having some sort of philosophical discussion."

What has been your scariest dream? "The scariest dream I can remember was before an audition, I had to prepare a choreographed dance with only a few hours to do so. I woke up and for a while, I kept trying to plan it and then realized it was actually happening. I'm sure I've had scarier dreams, but I’m terrible at remembering them."

What are your plans for after high school? "My plan is to get a degree in Theater arts and Middle Eastern studies at Southern Oregon University and Whitman College. Then I hope to become an actor as well as go on some sort of exchange program in the middle east of Asia."

If somebody handed you a magic lamp and gave you three wishes, what would they be? "The ability to teleport, to be able to speak all the languages of the world, and to fully understand metaphysics and mathematics. It would save me a lot of spare time and would relieve a lot of stress from my life."


Why do you want to participate in Mr. SHS? "I mainly want to do it because I enjoy making people laugh and I like being up on stage in front of people. Also, I enjoy that it is all going to a good cause."


What do you think qualifies you to be the next Mr. SHS? "I think that I am qualified for the job, because I am an open and compassionate individual. I simply think that all leading figures should possess these qualities. I am also ridiculously charming and witty."

Meet Mr. SHS Contestant- Riley Davis Aman

By Elizabeth Rueda

What made you want to do Mr. SHS and what do you hope to get out of it? “Last year I helped set up for Mr. SHS and saw that it was a fun way to raise money for Medical Teams International, so this year I decided to be a part of the show to help raise even more funds for MTI.”

What are your plans after High School? “I am going to Oregon State University to major in Chemical Engineering.”

What do you think the ideal for marriage is and why? “I think the ideal age for marriage is about 24, because by then both people will be out of college and beginning to settle down for their lives.”

What is your idea of a truly romantic evening? “A picnic by the pond, or anything that my future girlfriend would like."

If your house was on fire and you could only grab five things before leaving, what would they be? "Five cents."

If you had to eat one thing for the rest of your life, what would it be and why? “Bacon, because of it’s obvious health benefits, they would keep me lean no matter how much I ate it.”

If you could have just one superpower, what would you want it to be? “Chuck Norris, enough said.”

If you could meet one famous person dead or alive, would it be? “Chuck Norris, so I could have a battle to the death with him using my newly acquired superpowers."

What is your earliest memory? “My earliest memory is from preschool. We used to get bowls of toilet paper soaked in water and play with it by making shapes and stuff out of it.”

If you could be an animal, which animal would it be and why? “A flying squirrel, because they’re awesome. They can run and fly.”

Silverton High Senior Prom Court 2011

Photo courtesy of: Almquist Studios

Congratulations to this year’s Prom Court!

Senior Girls(left to right):
Kara Cox
Junko Kajiro
J’Nyssa Baker
Bonnie Cramer
Sarah Burk

Senior Boys(left to right):
Riley Aman
Daniel Roth
Matthew Brown
Hayden Chandler
Caleb Kuenzi

The King and Queen will be selected on May 7th.


Attention Juniors and Seniors: Get ready, because Prom is quickly approaching. This year’s theme is “A Night in the Twenties,” and will be held in the Grand Ballroom at the Oregon Gardens. Tickets are $25 and are on sale at the bookkeeper. Guest passes are also available.

Meet Mr. SHS Contestant- Daniel James Roth

By Grace Hansen
Editor-in-Chief

Future plans: "I am going to Azusa Pacific University in LA next year, where I have no good idea on what I will major in. I might become a teacher and follow the footsteps of my dad."

Why did you choose to do Mr. SHS: "I was convinced by my friend, Hayden Chandler, who I’ll be doing my talent with. It was a great decision, too, because I’m loving every moment of it. I was convinced, so I had never really thought about it until this year."


What is the ideal age for marriage: "Right after graduating from college, so 22 or 23."

What is your idea of a truly romantic evening: "Walking along the beach during the summer sunset with my fantastic girlfriend."

Medical Teams International thoughts: "I had no idea how blessed I was to live in America. I have life so easy, and seeing the amount of suffering that still exists in our world today was enough to tear up."

What qualifies you to be the next Mr. SHS: "My studly figure, my extraordinary dancing ability, and my talent.(sarcasm)"

What are your hopes for the show: "I just want to have fun. I’ve watched the past two Mr. SHS shows, and have loved how entertaining it is. It’s going to be very funny and I hope that this show will be the best one yet."

How is the dance coming: "We finally finished the entire dance during a 4 hour long practice, so now we are just getting the kinks out. The best dancer is without a doubt Matthew Brown, he I so expressive and has unsurpassed experience. The worst dancer? This guy."

Any other comments: "Come to the show! It’s going to be hilarious, and the money raised will help an amazing organization. It’s definitely worth it."

Dance Team Gets Second at State

By Erin Kelley

Assistant Editor

The Silverton High School dance team member’s hope before going to the OSAA state championships was to place in the top three.

And the dance team did just that, placing second at state at the OSAA Dance and Drill Championships at the Memorial Coliseum March 18 and 19. The girls on the team include Brittney Brookfield, Faith Moen, Rachael Neff, Sirrissa Johansen, Sophia Johnston, Katherine Pilmore, Monica Steele, Leah Geck, Jordan Teeney, Carrissa Grambusch, Renae Stratton, Celeah Norris, Mckenzie Gray, and Baily Steffan. The team performed a lyrical dance to “Here Without You,” using the covered version by the Vietnam String Quartet. This year, the team did well, taking 1st place at the Category Championships held December 11 at West Linn High School for their Fall Jazz Piece.

Dance team is different from other sports as it requires the dancers to practice for the entire year. The dancers take classes at Silverton Ballet and Performing Arts, such as ballet, jazz, modern and hip-hop. Brookfield has classes at the studio four days a week, along with Friday, Saturday and Sunday practices for dance team. Most of the girls have been dancing together for years, with some of the girls having started dance at the age of three.

“I view it as a major accomplishment for sticking with it and I loved every minute of it,” Brookfield said. The seniors on the team include Brookfield, Johnston, Neff, Pilmore, Moen and Johansen, and most have been on the team all four years.

“I think that’s why we’re such a strong team due to how long we’ve known each other, danced together, and have been involved in each others lives,” said Johnston, a senior dance team captain.

While none of the girls are planning on being part of dance team in college, most are planning to continue dancing after high school.

When asked if they had any advice for next years team, Brookfield replied, “I would advise them to focus and work hard while still having fun!”

Meet Mr. SHS Contestant - Hayden McLean Chandler

By Lindsey Elmore

What is the ideal age for marriage?
The ideal age for marriage is 25 years old. After high school you have five years of selfish decisions: collage, social life, independence. Then you have two years of getting settled in to a routine and meeting someone that you’ll be with for the rest of your life.

What is your idea of a truly romantic evening?
An evening that I’ve planned weeks ahead only to have it fall apart, but that doesn’t matter because she loves me anyway.

What has been your scariest dream?
Ever since I was five I have had chronic evil pirate nightmares. They happen around every one and a half years. I have no clue why…

What do you want to do once you get out of high school?
I want to go work in Alaska and then go to college.

If somebody handed you a magic lamp and gave you three wishes, what would they be?
1: A time machine (that only I could use).
2: A pet kangaroo (extremely intelligent).
3: A single engine plane

How long have you been planning to do Mr. SHS?
I have been planning on doing Mr. SHS since my freshman year when I watched Eathen Herpp and Kyle Amen perform glow in the dark ping pong.

Why do you want to do it?
I wanted to do it because I wanted to have a lot of fun my senior year and figured why not.

Do you have any ideas for your talent yet?
Yes I do… you will have to come to the show if you want to see it.

Anything exciting you can tell me about the show this year?
This year Mr. SHS is going to be awesome because the group involved is a lot of fun and we are all very good dancers.

What are your thoughts about the presentation you saw for Medical Teams International?
The presentation was very inspiring. I hope that I can help raise awareness and contribute to their cause.

What do you think qualifies you to be the next MR. SHS?

I have the talent, the charm, and the looks, and I am modest.

What are your hopes for the show?
I hope that we all raise tons of money to send to MTI and that everyone comes to watch and have a great time.

Meet Mr. SHS Contestant - Casey Magis-Agosta

By Amanda Maddux

What is the ideal age for marriage? Last year.

What is your idea of a truly romantic evening? We would watch a movie while eating a perfectly cooked pizza. Then we would take a walk outside at midnight only to come inside for hot chocolate and conversation until the wee hours of the morning.

What has been your scariest dream? I was sitting in my house when suddenly babies started crawling at one from every direction. I was just trying to get to school on time but instead I became bombarded by 10,000 babies. I am not parental enough to take care of 10,000 babies.

What do you want to do once you get of high school? I plan to attend collage and attaining my registered nursing degree.

If somebody handed you a magic lamp and gave you three wishes, what would they be? Easy, I would wish for endless Chap Stick, an infinite supply of cardigans, and hips that don’t lie.

If your house was on fire and you could grab only 5 things before leaving, what would they be? I would grab my baby pillow named bun bun, my old Pokémon card collection, my phone, my plethora of scarves, and season 1 of Glee.

Describe what a good friend means to you? Small and Jasmine “Kim-ish”

If you had to eat 1 thing for the rest of your life, what would it be? Fruit salad. “Berries, melon, and bananas, oh my!”

Meet Mr. SHS Contestant - Matthew Brown

By Heather Ferdinand

What is ideal age for marriage? Brown says that the ideal age for marriage is 26 years old. “I think we should be able to have our fun years before we have to settle down.”

What is your idea of a truly romantic evening?
“Think the evening should start off with a nice candle lit dinner. Then maybe a foot massage while she talks about her feelings,” Brown said. Then he would end the evening with a light kiss on the forehead.

What has been your scariest dream?
Brown’s scariest dream was when he got into a car crash. “I had gotten into a crash and wrecked the car, but I didn’t want my parents to find out. I tried to get the car fixed before they would notice. They ended up finding out,” Brown said. Luckily he woke up before the punishment was served.

What do you want to do once you get out of high school?
Brown says he wants to attend Western Washington University. He wants to go into marketing. “I think I would be good at it because I like to talk to people and I like selling things. Oh and I’d like to think I’m pretty creative,” Brown stated.

If somebody handed you a magic lamp and gave you three wishes, what would they be? Matthew said he would like to be done with high school already, a full scholarship to college and to have six more inches added to his biceps.

If your house was on fire and you could grab only five things before leaving, what would they be? “I would grab my wallet because it has my I.D. and all of my information and my cash. I would also grab my laptop. That’s pretty important. And I guess my parents too,” Brown said. He also added a snack and a quick drink.

Describe what a good friend means to you? “Well tall, brown hair,” Brown said jokingly. But he also said he wants someone who is non-judgmental and someone who has similar interests.

What do you think qualifies you to be the next Mr. SHS? “I think that I could be the next Mr. SHS because I’m funny, I love Silverton, I’m involved, and I have a pretty nice beard,” Brown claimed.

Meet Mr. SHS Contestant - Jacob Andvik

By Adrienne Wilson

If your house was on fire and you could only grab five things before leaving, what would they be? - “My family, a First Aid kit, a phone, my wallet. In that order.”

Who is your biggest inspiration in your life? Why?- “I really admire Dale Price. Despite being diagnosed with terminal cancer and only given a few months to live, he went out and used his time remaining to witness to people from his doctors to pastors in Russia (three times at that.)And, despite the doctors dismal predictions, he’s still going long after the original diagnosis ran out. He’s by far the strongest man I know.”

If you had one thing to eat the rest of your life, what would it be?- “Peanut butter. Gotta love that protein.”

What are your future plans?-“Attending the US Military Academy at West Point, and becoming an Army officer. After that I’m not sure.”

Why do you think you’re the next Mr. SHS?- “I’ve been involved in nearly every aspect of Silverton High School: sports, choir, Link Crew, theater and academics. I feel that I best represent the variety of activities our student body takes part in, and the caliber and quality of students our institution creates.”

What’s one thing that sets you apart from other contestants?- “My determination to accomplish goals. That and my dashing good looks.”

What’s one movie you can watch over and over and it never gets old? Why that movie?- “The A Team- remake by far is my favorite movie. I saw it three times in theatres, mainly because it’s funny and action-packed. Sure it’s hokey, and not very realistic, but it has the spirit of the old TV series, and has a little bit of everything for everyone .Oh and Liam Neeson is in it.”

Do you have a quote you live by? If so, what is it? And why that quote? - “’Be Prepared.’ Because an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”

Whats one thing you want to do before you die? Do you have a bucket list?- “See the world and I mean the entire world. And no, I don’t have a bucket list.”

What is your idea of a truly romantic evening?- “ In the country, under the stars, talking, and really just getting to know one another.”

Do you have a favorite hobby? And how did you get into that hobby?- “I really enjoy rock climbing. I first tried it in Scouts, and it was probably the scariest thing I have ever done. I made it out alive, and I was hooked.”

If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?- “Germany. The history, the Black Forest, the Alp, and the frauleins.”

Vals and Sals

Congratulations!
Class of 2011 Valedictorians
Riley Aman, Jacob Andvik, Casey Dettwyler, Rebekah Jones, Erin Kelley,
Michael Mueller, Rachel Palmquist, Emily Paysinger, Sierra Prior, Nicolas Reinhard, Riane Towery, Luke Yarnall

Class of 2011 Salutatorians
Jasmine Akiyama-Kim, J’Nyssienne Baker, Adrian Kuenzi, Juliana Kuenzi
Elizabeth Leslie, Theress Stadeli

Speech Team District Champions

Congratulations to the District Champion Silverton High School Speech and Debate Team.
Individual state qualifiers are:
Luke Yarnall: 2nd Lincoln Douglas Debate, 2nd Extemporaneous
Dyllan Murphy: 1st Lincoln Douglas Debate
Truman Mallon & Riley Johnston: Alternate in Public Forum Debate
Xander Harris: Congress qualifier and Alternate in Extemporaneous
Julian Harris: 2nd Impromptu, alternate in Dramatic Interpretation
Jasmine Kim: 1st in Oratory, 1st in Expository
Jordan Dooley: Alternate in Oratory
Hailey Pena: Alternate in Radio Commentary
Megan Knox: 2nd in Expository
Elizabeth Leslie: 2nd in Prose Reading
Haley Karlson: 1st in Dramatic Interpretation
Truman Mallon & Aden Krueger: 3rd in Dual Interpretation. Truman was also 2nd in After Dinner Speaking, and Aden was Alternate in After Dinner Speaking
Austin Anderson & Riley Johnston: 2nd in Dual Interpretation
Gavin Knox & Ethan Elliott: 1st in Dual Interpretation. Gavin was also 1st in Humorous Interpretation
Also, qualifying for the National Tournament in Dallas Texas are Jasmine Kim in Oratory and the Dual teams of Truman Mallon & Aden Kruger and Gavin Knox and Ethan Elliott.

Dance Team Takes Second in State

FBLA receives 5A Chapter of the Year

Congratulations to Silverton FBLA who received the 5A Chapter of the Year and was the third largest chapter in Oregon with 77 members.
Chapter Website – Dylan Dunigan, 10th place
Chapter Newsletter -- Lauri Miller and Rachael Miller, 7th place
Local Chapter Annual Report – Emily Utter, 5th place
Business Presentations – Michael Mueller, 3rd place
Business Presentations – Dakota Loberg and Emma Brock, 5th place
Electronic Career portfolio – Emily Utter, 7th place
Introduction to Technology Concepts – Jonathan Sisley, 10th place
Business Math – Jonathan Sisley, 9th place
Community Service Project – Devin Thomas, Lauri Miller, Christa Kuenzi, 6th place
Sports Management – Derek Bright, 6th place
Word Processing – Katie Huff, 4th place
Desktop Publishing – Lauri Miller and Rachael Miller, 3rd place
Special congratulations to Michael Mueller, who placed 3rd in Economics and Qualified for Nationals.

Meet Our Staff

By Lindsey Elmore

Amanda Maddux is a happy go-getter type of person who is never afraid to give her opinion.

A sophomore at Silverton High School, Amanda has a variety of interests such as singing, drawing, and being on the school newspaper. She also does art and pottery.

“Seeing something I created with my name on it is a rewarding feeling,” Amanda said.

Amanda loves going to school to see all her friends. “We like to play cards at lunch. I usually never win,” Amanda said.

Amanda also enjoys school because she wants to be a freshman history or art teacher.

Family is Amanda’s first priority. “They make me want to push harder and do better everyday,” Amanda said. She is really close to her sisters, even though they get on her nerves sometimes.

Amanda is involved in many activities inside and out of school. She likes riding horses with her family, swimming, biking, and she is supportive of her friends on the speech team. “I like to get them recognized and I really support what they do,” Amanda said. She is also a reporter for the Fox’s Howl newspaper.

Amanda has an outgoing personality that makes her unafraid to jump in and share ideas, and that’s what makes her - uniquely her.

Silverton Foxes "Smoke and Mirrors"

By Trevor Finch
The Silverton boys’ basketball began the season strong with a preseason record of 6-3. The team finished fourth in the 5A Mid-Willamette Conference with a record of 8-6, and an over all record of 14-9. The team consists of two seniors, five juniors and two sophomores.
“Smoke and Mirrors,” was this year’s slogan meaning what you see - a bunch of young undersized want-to-be-ballers - is not what you get - a close knit team of talented players with blazing speed.
The team, while inexperienced and undersized, had a successful season for being a “building year.” Three teams in the Mid-Willamette Conference landed in the elite eight 5A OSAA State Basketball Tournament – Corvallis, Woodburn and Crescent Valley.
The players look to improve next season with all of the returning talented players. This season was a big stepping stone for the team as it only had two returning varsity players: sophomore Zach Gengler and senior Daniel Roth.
The Foxes were lead by Gengler who averaged 22 points and 5 steals per game, and sophomore Toby Roth who averaged 13 points and 4 assists per game. Gengler was awarded first team honors on the Mid-Willamette Valley All Conference Team. Toby Roth received second team honors and Daniel Roth received honorable mention.
“We had two great sophomore guards who played well above their age and Daniel played a good senior role,” Coach Darren Shryock said.
When Shryock was asked if he changed the way he coached this team he replied, “A little bit. We were a little bit more lenient from last year. We weren’t quite as demanding of them on defense because of the lack of seniors.”
As this year comes to an end, the team has high hopes for next season “Getting past the first round of playoffs would be great! Also possibly a 360 monster dunk would be pretty sweet!” Gengler said.

Thoughts on Facebook, Twitter, and Teens

By Grace Hansen
Editor-in-chief

When Dallas High School's wrestler Charley Engelfried passed away after winning a match at Silverton High School, it was through text messages and Facebook that many students learned the distressing news.

Text messages notified students of a prayer service the following morning and a Facebook group was started in his honor.

News travels fast in today's world and our generation is a part of something that our parents never experienced.

When Suzie breaks up with Johnny, we don't receive a phone call from the gossip chain. Instead, we note a change from "In a Relationship" to "Single" on our Facebook news feed. When our football or basketball team wins a game, we don't wait for the morning paper to learn the score. Instead, we text a friend and ask.

With more than 500 million active users, Facebook would be the world’s third largest country.

In Egypt, social networking became the fuel that spread the fires of revolution.

In Libya, news about the hundreds of demonstrators that were shot by Libyan security was made known to the rest of the world via Twitter, which provided minute-by-minute accounts of what happened.

There is no doubt that media has an enormous impact on people. Why else would foreign dictators create “media blackouts” to try and curb the dispersal of controversial information?

So, what is the big deal with young people and social networking? Why is it that people across the globe are flocking to Facebook and Twitter?

SHS junior Jordan Dooley isn’t on Facebook cultivating the grassroots organization for a revolution, but she is there for the connection it provides.

“On Facebook, it is easy for people to unite on the basis of commonalities,” Dooley said.

For junior Anna Rediske, Facebook is a great way to keep up to speed with what’s happening at school or with her friends.

“[Facebook is a way] for youth to feel connected to what is going on around them. We like to be aware,” Rediske said.

As with most things in life, there is a negative side to the growth in cyber-communication.

“Ninety-three percent of communication is non-verbal, in effect you only know 7 percent of a person you know exclusively online,” senior Alex Kramer said.

When texting or Facebooking, it is easy for a compliment to get misconstrued as sarcasm or visa versa because you can't hear the tone or see the facial expression that go along with the comment. Rediske feels that a balance between virtual and real communication is healthy for any friendship.

“I like talking to people over text, but I work to make sure my face-to-face relationship is on the same level otherwise its awkward… A truly sturdy friendship cannot be built without making time to actually be with the person,” Rediske said.

Some teens also experience another drawback to Twitter and Facebook.

“Facebook equals death to homework,” senior Elizabeth Rueda said.

With fast and easy access to the latest news about your friends and family, it’s easy to stay up late just looking through the recent activity from that day.

According to the Facebook press room, collectively “people spend over 700 billion minutes per month on Facebook and 50 percent of active users log on to Facebook in any given day.”

A 2009 study by the Kaiser Family Foundation indicated that youth between the ages of 8-18 spend 7 hours and 38 minutes a day using some source of media.

That's almost one-third of each day!

In a world that is becoming more and more connected by the benefits instant communication brings to us, let’s remember that life’s experiences are enjoyed the most through going out and making memories, not through looking at them on a screen.

Advice on Senior Projects

By Erin Kelley
Assistant Editor

There are two pieces of advice this year’s seniors have regarding senior projects: don’t procrastinate and do something you can enjoy.

Students at Silverton High School are required to do a senior project, but there is no typical senior project. This year, senior projects have included a study day, a flu vaccination clinic, directing plays and more.

Senior Projects are used at Silverton High School to meet the Career Related Learning Experience, which is a requirement for graduation in Oregon.

The project includes at least 15 hours of work, five research summaries, mentor evaluations, a presentation, a portfolio and a paper.

Senior Riley Aman organized a study day for the Advanced Placement U.S. History test last year as a junior, along with then junior Jasmine Akiyama Kim. The two wrote study questions and set-up a game similar to Jeopardy to quiz their classmates. Aman now believes it was helpful to have done his senior project early.

“It has taken a huge burden off my already busy schedule and made my already busy life this year much easier,” Aman said.

With the permission of their advisory group teacher, students are allowed to start on their projects during their junior year, working on their project hours or research summaries.

“I strongly recommend that future students do their senior project early. It was a little extra work at the time but now I have that much more time to focus on finishing my senior year well,” Aman said.

For her senior project, senior Kara Cox helped to set-up a flu clinic. Cox helped set up the dates, times, and locations where the community would be able to get vaccinations against the flu, calling and visiting all the schools in the Silver Falls School District. From there, a nurse went to each of the schools to offer flu shots and mists to the kids.

“I liked being able to work with the entire Silver Falls School District and the district office,” Cox said.

Senior Katie Klaus is now working on her senior project, preparing to send out letters to her classmates right before prom. The goal of the letter is to warn against the dangers of drunk driving, in the hopes of preventing students from drinking and driving. Klaus looks forward to the fact that some kids might be influenced by the letter.

“The whole process is very motivational,” Klaus said.

Through these senior projects, students are expected to gain a wide range of skills in order to prepare them for the workplace or for higher education.

“The only things that are consistent is that the students are working on projects that benefit the community in a career field that they are interested in,” said Jennifer Hannan, who coordinates the senior projects at the high school.

Students are expected to gain such skills as self-awareness, self-management, social-awareness, responsible decision making and relationship skills.

When asked for advice for future students, seniors agreed on one main criterion
“Don’t waste your time, or anyone else’s. Do something fun,” Cox said.

Senioritis - a student's worst enemy

By Maria Clark

Silverton High School senior Anna Farmer has to drag herself to school in the mornings and her school days are becoming excruciating.

Farmer is one of many students who has a bad case of senioritis.

"These last couple of years have been full of knowledge, sure, but honestly all I can think about is getting out of here,” Farmer said.

Senioritis is described as a lack of motivation and laziness. It ruins dreams. Destroys goals and wrecks grade point averages. It’s a student’s worst nightmare and a teacher’s worst enemy.

Senior Michael Jones describes his senioritis as “getting bathroom passes and cutting classes.”

Why do seniors work hard for three and a half years only to procrastinate the last months?

“Senioritis isn’t a myth, but some students take advantages of the condition. It’s frustrating to watch a student come so far and work so hard only to quit at the end,” teacher Nancy Miller said.

With June quickly approaching, seniors are more than eager to reach the finish line – high school graduation – and advance to their next goal in life – college, career or military service. What some seniors fail to realize is grades still matter and that getting low grades in the last semester could hinder future goals.

“Most colleges will want an eight semester transcript so it’s important that the student finishes strongly,” counselor Greg Snyder said.

As the school year draws closer to an end the symptoms of senioritis tend to get atrocious.

“I just don’t want to be at school anymore,” senior Jade Walters said.

Snyder describes the symptoms of senioritis as “an intense rash followed by forgetfulness followed by fever followed by intense procrastination followed by sore throat followed by ‘I don’t want to do this anymore.”

A word of advice to try and overcome senioritis from Snyder is that “senior year is over before you know it, enjoy the experience.”

Friendship knows no boundaries

By Elizabeth Rueda
Silverton High School junior Talia Helman was totally worried about the foreign exchange student who would be living with her best friend, Jane Kitts.
Talia learned last summer Ahmed Alyazidi of Yemen would be living with the Kitts.
Her concern?
He is Muslim. She is Jewish.
“I didn’t think he would like me at first because of our religion,” Talia said. “I thought that since I was at Jane’s so much it would be awkward if he didn’t like me.”
Ahmed had the same concerns.
“When I was told Talia was Jewish,” he said, “I got a little worried that she wouldn’t like me because I'm Muslim.”
As Ahmed and Talia got to know each other, they both realized that they had qualities that they respect and admire in a friend.
“We have a lot in common. We are both short, extrovert, enjoy chemistry, can't eat pork, have moms who are pro in making Middle Eastern dishes and love chocolate,” Ahmed said.
Though they are few, disagreements between Ahmed and Talia are usually about time management.
“The only time Ahmed and I disagree is in the morning when I pick him up for school, {because] he is so slow when [it comes to] getting ready,” Talia said.
Now that the two have met, they have nothing but good things to say about each other.
“I have learned a lot from Ahmed. I no longer have any underlying stereotypes about Muslims because Ahmed has proved me wrong in every way and I am glad for it,” Talia explains.
Talia has learned people from opposite religions actually have a tremendous amount in common.
“I went to a class over winter break about Islam and Judaism and it was so interesting how much in common they both have,” Talia said. “I admire Ahmed greatly. He is amazing and friendly, and I really appreciate all that he has taught me.”
Ahmed has learned a great deal about Judaism since he met Talia. He also enjoys discussing the similarities between their faiths and went to a Hanukah dinner at Talia’s house where he brought her and her family gifts.
“Talia is very smart and always wants to learn new things,” Ahmed said.
Ahmed shared that his friends in Yemen where worried when he told them about Talia.
“When I knew her better and told them about her, they were very happy and they were really supportive,” Ahmed said. “My family was not worried at all. All of my family members supported me, and told me that it's good for me to be culturally literate and know more about people of different faiths.”
Ahmed and Talia recently spent their holidays together and have made plans to spend their Spring Break in California.
“My parents love Ahmed,” Talia said. “They think he's just the cutest. My mom wants Ahmed over more often so she can feed him. And my dad thinks he's a real gentleman.”
“I know for certain that if my mom met Talia, she would totally love her,” Ahmed added.
After meeting each other and becoming friends, both Talia and Ahmed are glad they other is a part of their life.
Instead of looking at the people’s difference and using it as a reason not to be friends, Ahmed and Talia look at what they have in common and all the reasons why they should be friends.
What their friendship is based on is respect.
Ahmed said what other people could learn from him and Talia’s friendship is “that all humans with their differences are like the sunlight. (People) have the same origin - the sun - but go in different directions in space. Even though they're different in their directions, they still have one goal, lightening the world.”

Holocaust class added to Silverton High School

By Adrienne Wilson
The Holocaust isn’t as easy to explain as it seems.
“There are a million reasons why it happened and why it wasn’t stopped sooner,” Silverton High Junior Shiree Hessel said.
This year, the Holocaust class was added to Silverton High School.
“The class made me appreciate life a lot more.” Hessel said.
The class was created by SHS English teacher Brad Emmert who was inspired by Professor Paul Kopperman, who teaches a Holocaust class at Oregon State University.
When Emmert put the class together, he wanted to approach it as “an issue of human rights.”
The class is designed to “push students to do what’s ethically and morally right,” Emmert said.
While the class was designed by Emmert, it is taught by SHS history/ psychology teacher Brett Davisson, who has learned a lot about the Holocaust himself since he started teaching the class.
One of the biggest challenges with teaching the class Davisson says is “deciding what to use and what not to use.”
“This is a serious subject, but I don’t want them walking out of my room everyday feeling there is no hope in the world,” Davisson said.
In a regular history class, the Holocaust is lightly touched due to time.
“The Holocaust class goes into a depth I have never gone into before,” SHS Junior Derek Bright said.
The class places emphasis on the History of Anti-Semitism, Hitler and the Third Reich, discrimination against the Jews, the camps, and where America was during the Holocaust. Students also read the books “Ordinary Men” by Christopher Browning, “Maus I” and “Maus II” by Art Spiegelman.
“I now have a more lean background on how the Holocaust happened and how it is possible for the Holocaust to happen,” SHS Senior Devan Merrifield said.
Five out of five students interviewed for this story would recommend the class to their peers, describing it as “amazing.”
Although it’s taught by Davission, sometimes Emmert visits during his prep period to add to the discussion.
“It’s fun as a teacher to help student see the complexity of the historical events,” Davisson said.
At the end of the semester, students were visited by Holocaust survivors Rudi and Laureen Nussbaum.
“They made us realize life is a gift and you should always have hope no matter what’s happening,” Hessel says.
The class is highly requested by students.
“It makes one really stand back and reevaluate ones life and what ones doing with it,” SHS senior Juliana Kuenzi said.

April Fool's Day Pranks

“I filled Oreo cookies with toothpaste and I gave them to my friends. Some of them thought they were mint Oreo so I had to tell them to spit it out. I also put a bunch of weights in my mom’s purse. Oh, and I rigged the water nozzle at home, so that when someone turns it on, it will spray them.” –Jordan Dooley, junior

“Last year, one of my friends placed her cell phone in the ceiling above the teacher’s desk. During class, someone called the phone, and the teacher had no idea where it was coming from. For 15 minutes, students kept calling the phone, and the teacher looked all over the classroom for it.” -Shannon Kelley, freshman

Seventh grader Sara Maddux decided that on April 1 she would wear an arm sling and make her friends cater to all her needs, so she did. Sara went around all day wearing the sling and making her friends get her lunch, write down her homework and feel bad for her. And at the end of the day she took it off and told all her friends. They freaked out, and told her she was mean, then came to realize that they should all just laugh. Her friends told her it was a great joke, and the best one they dealt with.

“While someone was taking a shower, I would turn the hot water freezing cold. Then after I got yelled at I would turn the water extremely hot. To top this April Fool’s joke off after they got out of the shower I would tie a string across the doorway so when they walked out of the bathroom they would trip.” –Mitch Wilson

“I put vinegar in my dad’s milk, and he used it for cereal the next morning.” –Dylan Williams

Madeline and Abigail Grant are identical twins. On April Fool’s Day, the two girls switched places. They went to each other’s classes and pretended to be each other. “Only our friends noticed,” the Grant girls said.

“It was my senior year and my boyfriend and I were riding our bikes down this huge hill and as we were coming down we fell off our bikes and the paramedics had to come and it was terrible so I called my sister and told her we were in a terrible bike accident and we needed to go home and she didn’t believe me so I put the paramedic on the phone and she still didn’t believe me so the paramedics put our bike on the top of the ambulance and they took us home and she broke into tears and felt so guilty so now every year I call her up on April Fool's Day and tell her I was in a accident and it gets her every time.” - Ms. Read

“When I went to Central Howell my seventh grade year, my whole class hid in the library from my teacher. My teacher had to look for us everywhere, and it was really fun.” Halie Ybarra