Mother's Day Reflections: by SHS students

What do you admire the most about your mother?

“That no matter what, she tries her hardest to get things done, even little things around the house.” –Josie Brown, senior

“I love my mom! She is the best. She always puts others before herself. She is the kind of person that would literally kill for her kids if she needed to. She would do anything for them. Her birthday falls on the day before Mother’s day, so we will pretty much be celebrating her all weekend. But, because Mother’s day falls on Prom day I am thinking that I will make her breakfast in bed. It should be fun”.
-Chelsea Cummins, senior

“My mom is a hard worker and she keeps me on task. She makes me do things that are good for me that I don’t want to do. I love my mom.” -Juliana Kuenzi, senior

“My mom works hard to serve my family through everything that she does and continues to do for us. She is passionate in everything she does, especially for her family. My family benefits largely from her abilities in cooking and gardening. Also we appreciate her every year by making a special dinner that she requests and inviting our grandparents over.” -Theress Stadeli, senior


What do you appreciate most about your mom?

“They always say that 'your mother knows best,' but the saying means nothing until you can experience it yourself. Many people and friends joke around calling me a 'momma’s boy' but I know it’s true. I appreciate coming home each day to say, 'Hi mom! How was your day?' Her sense of humor and her wise lessons makes me feel blessed by God to know her, let alone live with her and see her everyday. I appreciate how no matter how her day is or what any of her problems are, she makes mine top priority. She is probably the most important person to me. Happy Mother’s Day!” – Cody Ferguson, freshman


What is your favorite lesson that your mom has taught you?

“To treat others the way you would want to be treated.” –Gracie Matchiniff, sophomore


What are you going to do for your mom on Mother’s Day?

“I love my mama, I’m going to get her roses and make her breakfast in bed, she deserves it.” Shiree Hessel, junior

“Maria and I are surprising our moms by taking them to a spa in Portland for massages on Mother's Day.” Megan Schmitz, sophomore

What is the best advice you have ever gotten from your mom?

“The best advice I have gotten from my mom would have to be, ‘No one does anything without a reason, even if it’s a dumb reason. Don’t just listen to what a person is telling you; listen to why a person is telling you.’” –Hollyann Farris, freshman

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