Features
4
Staff and students
see things differently
Nicole Lewis
The New
Goat in
Town
Lydia Richins
Reporter
The new Billie pumps up fans at a pep rally
For four years alumnus Lauren Bowman has cheered at every football game
and waved at every pep assembly. She was
THE Billie goat …well, the “chick” version. Now she’s gone, and people are left
wondering, who will take her place?
“I have spoken to someone who is willing,” Athletic Director Connie Bates admitted.
Using my natural genius, I pulled a
Sherlock Holmes and found the replacement.
“I just like to move around and have
fun. [Being] the mascot just gives me a
Designed by Kaitlyn Sledge
right to,” the new potential mascot said.
Our new Billie is still thinking of how
being the mascot will fit into their busy
schedule. The Billie will at least be at all
the varsity games…minus Homecoming.
As for keeping the secret, a tradition
started by Lauren, the Billie hasn’t told
anyone yet. They want to make it a game
by keeping people guessing and entertaining. The Billie offers one hint “I’m a sophomore” and that’s all you get.
By the way, if you ever have extra change
in your pocket, the Billie said “tips are always welcome.”
What annoys us
Kaitlyn Michlanski
Reporter
Everybody has at least one pet peeve.
Makayla LaFleur - Slow people in front
For those of you who don’t know what that
of you.
means, a pet peeve is something that annoys
Erika Skelton - Beets.
you. These people said what irritates them
Jesika Leonard - Annoying people
the most:
Holly Alvis - Cracking knuckles.
Jarrett Putnam - Cats.
Sierra Johnson - People who say about
Nicole Lewis - People touching my
themselves “I’m fat.”
feet/legs.
Lewis Crowley - Ignorant people.
David Hickman - Lazy eyes.
Sam Thurman - The end parts of a
Alix Leavitt - Telling someone what anpiece of paper when you rip it out of a
noys you, and then they do it! Also when
notebook.
girls don’t eat in front of guys.
Clover Barnhart - When people fold in
Shelby Holteen - When people glare at
the sides of the bag when they grab a chip.
you and hate you but you don’t know why.
Julie Martin - Mosquitoes.
Keihona Rinker - The word “pet peeve.”
Renee King - Bees.
Kamryn Pierzina - Being insulted in
Lexi Smith - When you ask someone a
front of girls.
question, and they change the subject. Or
Heather Jenness - Eating noises or
when people act differently around their
small noises.
friends.
Miranda Michlanski – When people
Some of these things may be what your
cuss.
friends don’t like, so now that you know
Claudia Feil - Rolling up jeans really
what bugs them, use this information wisehigh.
ly!
Students offer ADVICE to teachers
Kory Schneider
Reporter
Contrary to what some people may
She also pointed out, rather menacingthink, teachers cannot read minds. Teachly, that some students can “tend to hold
ers may find useful insights from the
grudges”.
students’ point of view. Several students
Taylor Langeliers (10) said, “If it isn’t
shared some ideas that could help teachpart of the curriculum, don’t put as much
ers help students.
emphasis on it.”
Ryan Peasely (11) suggested, with sevSydney Clayton (11) believes it helps
eral others, that teachers should coordiwhen teachers build relationships with the
nate workloads so as to not have sudden
students, and that teachers should “defiavalanches of homework.
nitely not” have pets.
The same goes for tests, added Kaitlyn
Olivia Raimer (11) simply says, “Don’t
Sledge (12). “I don’t like having to take five
pick and choose when you’re nice. Either
tests in one day.”
be a nice teacher or a mean teacher…prefSummer Morris (10) said that she wants
erably nice.”
learning to be fun, have the teachers pick
On a hirsute note, Jordan Smith (10)
fun and interesting topics, and to have a
recommends not using “outdated slang”
good environment.
and added that “beards are nice.”
Reporter
Students and teachers both go to the
it’s about the size of the school but the
same school, have the same classes with
quality in sports. I really think we need to
each other and pretty much spend the enrevisit the issue. It’s just not fun NOT havtire day together! But, do they think the
ing competitive teams,” said art teacher
same?
Mary Stevenson.
When it comes to rules it may seem like
What PDA (Public Display of Affecwere on different planets. Especially contion) should be allowed and what should
sidering the new tardy policy. So I asked
be banned?
staff and students several questions.
Kaitlyn Michlanski (9) said, “Holding
What do you think about the new tardy
hands and little kisses should be allowed
system in our school?
but not total make-out sessions!”
Holly Alvis(12) said “It’s stupid because
Seventh and 8th grade teacher Inga
I got a tardy a few days ago! (But) I think
Perham almost thinks the same way but
that it has affected a lot of kids.”
not quite. “ Hand holding and short hugs
Alix Leavitt (9) agrees that the tardy
can be allowed but not long embraces and
system is “stupid.”
kissing.”
But English teacher Mariette BonavenSpeaking of PDA what do you think
ture thinks otherwise, “The system seems
about high school students dating middle
to be working really well. It was extreme at
school students?
first but people are adapting to it.”
It’s wrong because the older person can
Science teacher Jada Taylor said, “I
be controlling and people don’t need to
think it is working but having the doors
see that because it’s pretty dang gross!”
locked all the time is distracting because
said Kaitlyn Michlanski (9).
students keep wanting to get in.”
Shelby Holteen (10) said, “It’s kind of
How do you feel about moving down to
gross but if it’s alright with their parents
3A?
then it’s just whatever to me.”
“[I]Hate it, because it makes us look
“Dating should be the privilege of the
poorer than we already are!” said Julie
mature,” said Teacher Timothy Meinzen.
Martin (9).
As you can see most student and teach“I’m not sure if we really needed to
ers will have a different opinion on almost
move down in size because I don’t think
every different question and sometimes
the same!
Top: Senior float showed Gotham City. Middle: The freshmen are super for
Superman and Bottom: the winning Juniors reveal Doc Ock for Spiderman.
Designed by Kaitlyn Sledge
Features
Coming Events
Oct. 24-December 12
October 24
School Board Meeting*
November 4
No school; Grading day for
teachers
November 8
Sports Sign up @ 6 pm
November 9
Early Dismissal @11:30; 1-8
PM Parent/Teacher Conferences; PH Career Fair
November 10
Early Dismissal @11:30; 1-8
PM Parent/Teacher
Conferences
November 11
No School: Veterans’ Day
November 14
School Board Meeting
November 23-25
No School; Thanksgiving
December 12
School Board Meeting
*Board meetings will be located in the Community Resource/
Mentoring Center (Old Junior
High Workshop) at 7 PM unless
specified otherwise.
Poets of Pleasant Hill
Taylor Langeliers
Reporter
on Gay Rights.
The first thing about Pleasant Hill to
“I hate seeing people walking around
come to mind has probably nothing to do
with ignorance,” she said. While Kaitlin
with poetry.
Wilson (12) tends to write about “The
However, here at Pleasant Hill High
darker side of romance,” either to offer reSchool we have a quite a few poets, all of
lief or to add a different perspective on the
whom have unique styles.
situation.
When asked where their inspiration
And then there are some who simply
comes from, everyone had a different anwrite for themselves, like Josh Evans (12).
swer to give.
Josh’s poetry comes from “A lot of angst.”
“I inspire myself,” said Andrew Mah
Josh also offered a bit of advice, “When
(10), whose writing stems from “The fear
you write you really need to pick an indiof the unknown. When I was a kid I was
vidual to impress. Don’t try to please evafraid of the dark. I was always afraid of
eryone in your writing.”
the unknown,” said Andrew.
Whether it be for recreational, educaSage Davis (11), on the other hand is
tional, or therapeutic purposes, writing
most driven to write by her anger. “I am
poetry is one thing that these several stumost creative when I am upset,” but offers
dents share.
“I always feel a lot better after I pour my
soul out on paper.”
Some even use their writing to help others, like Alley Gilmore (9). Alley focuses
Faith Journeys
5
Brittany Odegaard
Reporter
It's probably safe to say that religion is
gela are both members of the Latter Day
one of the most controversial topics in soSaints, commonly known as Mormon.
ciety with different beliefs. Everyone likes
Angela said that they consider themselves
to think that their beliefs are the rightChristian because they believe in Jesus
ones. But people have many ways to pracChrist.
tice religion, whether it is a well-known
Mormons have temples, which are a sareligion like Christianity, or one that isn't
cred places, and to enter you must be bapso well known like Paganism.
tized into the religion. They have church
Within each religion, everyone has
every Sunday for three hours, and on octheir own beliefs and rituals. Religion
casion they have activities like dances.
is based on beliefs, something to follow
Angela and Lydia then went into
through life like a specific path for each
some of they things they don't do or aren't
person based on what their faith teaches
allowed to do. They don't drink coffee,
them. One thing that helps us understand
caffeinated teas, or alcohol. Nor do they
our own religion better, is getting to know
gamble. Girls always have their shoulders
the religion of others. That's why I decovered, unless they are doing a sport or
cided to interview classmates about their
athletics; then showing their shoulders
religions.
is fine. Also, shorts have to be near the
The first person I interviewed was
knees, and no shorter. Angela said there
Alley Gillmore (9). She told me that she
are millions of members world wide, and
doesn't have a religion primarily because
Lydia smiled and said “We're Boss.”
she doesn't share a lot of beliefs with any
Religion may be controversial, but
one religion.
hearing the views of others is fascinat"But I find Buddhism pretty rad." She
ing and does indeed help you understand
said, "But I am not Buddhist either beyour peers, and even your own views.
cause it is pretty strict."
One of the things I learned about my
I then talked to Candace Joyner (11)
religion and others, is that they all seem to
who was raised as a Seventh-Day Advenhave similar qualities. Worshipping God,
tist. She told me that she has some conor multiple gods, having church, temple,
flicting beliefs, but she still believes that
or any meetings with others who share
religion and God dictate her life, morals,
your religion are practices that differ
and actions.
There are rules that disallow some
Candace also attends a church here in
things and form the structure of the reliPleasant Hill. She then explained how her
gion.
religion is basically a mix of Baptist ProtBut many religions seem to advocate
estant and Jewish Tradition with church
similar basic beliefs. If religions are typion Saturdays.
cally similar, it could make a person wonThen I interviewed Lydia Richins (11)
der why there can be so much quarrel over
and Angela Schuetz (12). Lydia and Anthe subject.
Sticks and Stones
Name calling can be devastating
opinion
Above: Porter Richins’ (9) alter
ego turns out to be none other
than Clark Kent for the Freshman
Homecoming float.
Quinn Stearns (12) and Kristina
Roberts (12) pose as Superheroes on
Spirit Week’s Superhero vs. Villian
Day.
As you push your way through the
crowded halls, it’s hard not to eavesdrop.
Little tidbits of hundreds of conversations
catch your ears.
“Yea my mom can pick you up…’’
“Psh the baseball game, duh!”
“Jane? Oh god she’s such a ‘retard!”’
“That homework? Wow that’s ‘gay.”’
These are some words that you hear
just about everyday so you think nothing
of them and continue walking.
The thing is such words as ‘gay’ and
‘retard’ have meanings that can cut deeply.
So why do we say them? “I honestly
don’t know” one student admitted. He
added that he uses the term ‘that’s so gay’
but he means “that’s so dumb or lame”
And he uses the word because “everybody
else is” [does].
“But that’s just like saying the “f word”
to me,” teacher Beth McCool said. McCool teaches multiple 7th and 8th
grade classes and she notices the use of
derogatory slang quite often.
“When I hear it, I immediately stop
it, and ask them [students] to speak more
intelligently”
“It’s like they’re ignorant of the real
meaning of the word,” McCool said.
“When people say ‘that’s gay’, they act
like ‘gay’ is a bad thing and its always so
negative. But I honestly don’t get why,” another student said.
Vocal harassment of gay students has
hurt people. In fact 28% of homosexual,
or bisexual students who are persecuted
have attempted to kill themselves. Whereas 4% of teased heterosexual students have
attempted suicide.
Our words have more of an impact
than most of us realize.
“It’s just hard to stick up for a friend
who is being called gay, because you don’t
want the bully to start calling you ‘gay’ either,” one student said.
Peer pressure—when we hear those
words, those cheesy ‘ say no to drugs’ videos are usually the first thing that comes
to mind. But the thing is peer pressure applies to more than drugs and alcohol.
Peer pressure affects our everyday
Alley Gillmore
Reporter
life, influencing our clothes, interests, and
even our choice of vocabulary. Many students agree that peer pressure had much
to do with widespread use of derogatory
language.
“When [I] hear people saying ‘that’s
so gay’ or ‘you’re so gay,’ I know that
they’re just saying it to make themselves
seem cooler,” a student said.
Another phrase that kids misuse is
‘that’s retarded.’
“That’s a harder one” McCool said
when asked her opinion. ,” It’s a hard one
because it’s the same thing. Its usually in
the tone that students use: It’s always negative, being used as an insult. I don’t hear
[students] say this one as often, but its still
there. And I stop it when I do hear it, because that’s just not okay.”
When we say ‘that’s so gay’ its stereotyping Its like saying ‘all athletes are
dumb.’ If you are an athlete you are probably offended, because you aren’t dumb
right? So by calling a kid gay, even when
he’s not, you can understand why its offensive. It also is offensive to homosexual
students because if you are using ‘that’s so
gay’ as a parallel to ‘that’s lame’ or ‘that’s
stupid’ it’s as if you are saying ‘homosexuals are lame/stupid.’
Students agree that it’s just the same
as saying ‘that’s so gay.’ People use it in a
negative tone and its still hurtful.
We might take this phrase more
lightly than others because we don’t think
about it. There are people in this world
who are mentally retarded, and there are
people who are homosexual and bisexual.
Just because you don’t know anybody who
is gay or mentally retarded doesn’t make
it any better.
Because its still equally offensive.
“I know a kid who takes offense from
people saying ‘retarded’ and he doesn’t
have that condition” a student said.
“He knows its wrong. And his brother
is mentally retarded. He feels the pain for
him because his brother is just like anyone
else and he doesn’t appreciate people being so inconsiderate”
Most people really don’t think about
what they’re saying or just don’t realize
what their words mean. We don’t think
that what we say make a difference. It’s not
like the whole world can hear us right?
One tiny word couldn’t make anybody
suicidal, because I’m just one person and
it doesn’t work like that, right?
Wrong.
We can’t let ourselves think like that,
because all of those words add up. All of
those tears add up. Words have power,
whether we realize it or not. And if you
have the ability to make somebody happy
and feel good about themselves, why not
do that instead of trying to hurt somebody.
Some students might wonder ‘what
can I do?’
“It would be nice… if they’d stop using those words. But awareness is what
needs to happen at first, because most kids
don’t realize what they’re saying and actually it would be more powerful if it came
from their peers. If their peers stopped
saying that word—and I know that’d it
be awkward—but maybe you could correct them by saying “oh you mean that’s
dumb?” Or better yet if peers were strong
enough to just say “don’t use that word”
said McCool.
If our peers can negatively influence
us, couldn’t it work the other way too? If
you believe in something, and you know
right from wrong, would you still let people do wrong? Why would you? If we are
aware of our actions and how they affect
people, shouldn’t we help others become
aware as well?
“Words have meanings,” McCool said
“If they didn’t, we wouldn’t use them.”
So let’s try to make a change. Stand
up for what you know is right, because it
could make the world of a difference
(I’d like to thank all of the kids who
were kind enough to share their input, and
to the student who wasn’t afraid to ask for
help, because you are y inspiration,without
you, this article wouldn’t have been possible. AG