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RUN What it means to live in Tracktown, U.S.A. page 6 How to relieve stress Sheldon High School
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Teen slang
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vol. 50│iss. 2│Nov. 25, 2014
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Nov. 25, 2014
Opinions
the Talisman
False stereotypes affecting the Islamic religion Claims that all Muslims are terrorists are damaging the images of followers of Islam around the world Wasseem Al-Qudah staff writer Islam is being distorted by many terrorist groups who have made many people in different parts of the world believe that Muslims and Arabs are terrorists. However, well-educated people know the percentage of terrorists in the Middle East is very low, and Muslims many times are normal people. History teacher Mr. Hahn said, “[The terrorists] feel they’re fighting the good fight. For Americans, it’s easy for them to slide into some preconceived notions and it takes willingness to understand other people, to realize that most Muslims are as normal as anybody else and not much difference there.” Many Muslims are being hurt by terrorism in the Middle East. The whole world is trying to find solutions for terrorism, but they have to know the reasons behind it first. Hahn said, “Most of [the terrorists] will say that they feel that Islam is under attack.” Muslims and Arabs in the
Middle East were under attack from different countries in the West including Great Britain in the 19th century. More than 9 million Syrian refugees had to leave the country because of the war. In many revolutions and civil wars, the country’s security was not strong to protect them from terrorism, which allowed those groups to enter their country. Most people believe that terrorism is based on personal advantages of those groups’ leaders because no one benefits from destroying and killing besides those leaders who want to have power and control everything in their own way. Many countries, including the U.S., use airstrikes to attack terrorists in different parts of the world. Airstrikes can be helpful in ending terrorism, but when looked at from another point of view they may be considered terrorism themselves because innocent people can be hurt during those airstrikes, which causes some of them to join the terrorist groups. Mr. Hahn said, “I think this falls between in line with the idea that violence is an answer. We call them airstrikes and make them sound like they’re surgical; they’re not.” Many Muslims are considered terrorists because many terrorists pretend to be Islamic Muslims although their religion calls for peace and is close to religions such as
Christianity and Judaism. However, Islam is not only in the Middle East. Islam is the second-largest religion in the world with 1.6 billion followers (23% of earth’s population) and only 20% of them live in the Middle East. Additionally, Arabs and Muslims in the Middle East are being hurt and damaged from terrorism more than anyone else. They are also damaged economically by destroying tourism in those countries and destroying many institutions. That is why many Arabian countries are participating in fighting terrorism. Prophet Mohammed (Islamic prophet) warned people 1400 years ago about people who are going to pretend to be Muslims and kill people. Whether you believe in him or not, he is clearly correct about this. Because of the terrorist groups in the Middle East, such as Al-Qaeda and ISIS, people in the west started focusing on the terrorism in the Middle East although terrorist groups can be found in other parts of the world as well. This issue is important to me because I want those terrorist groups to be stopped. They are hurting many people and distorting Islam. Peace is a right that every human being has, and they should be able to live their lives with that right.
Do school rankings matter? School rankings can make or break a college’s reputation Isaac Meyers staff writer Anyone who has been applying for colleges this year knows this can be quite a daunting task. Many students use any of a vast number of college ranking sites to help make their decisions. But how do these sites actually come up with their rankings? Do they just look at cost and graduation rates, or are there more subtle factors at play? The U.S. News Best College rankings, for example, are based on a rather complicated formula. Of course, the scores take into account such factors as selectivity and typical class sizes. But they also include unusual measures like average faculty pay, an opinion poll of college administrators, and even the percentage of alumni who donate back to their alma mater. The Princeton Review, another popular site for college decisions, even considers the school’s fire safety efforts. And the jury is still out on whether the college rankings are even helpful or not. Brian Kelly, editor of the U.S. News and World Report, explained, “Rankings, done right, are a powerful, useful source of information for consumers as well as policymakers… we publish [our rankings] as a service to help our readers make complex decisions.” And in the magazine’s most recent poll, two out of three students surveyed reported that they used the rankings to help make their college decisions. But there are plenty of opinions to the contrary. CBS
writer Lynn O’Shaughnessy argued that because high-tier colleges have become so focused on their position in the rankings, which heavily weigh the test scores of incoming students, they have less of an incentive to support low-income students who tend to score lower on standardized tests. O’Shaughnessy also concluded that college rankings often fail to consider students’ career success or debt levels after graduation. So the question remains: what should we be making of college rankings? In any case, despite their flaws, it appears these lists are here to stay as a fixture of the college decision process. Perhaps encouragingly, an independent poll of freshmen showed that college rankings were not even among the top ten factors students consider when making their final decision. So maybe students really are still listening to the rest of Kelly’s advice: “There’s no substitute for walking the grounds, talking to students and professors and asking some tough questions.”
illustration by Emily Ely
the Talisman
Opinions
Nov. 25 2014
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Why do people fear death? Ethan Hauck managing editor What is the one truth of being human? It’s not emotion, failure, or success – death is the one unfortunate certainty of humanity. With that grim guarantee comes an innate programming built into us to do everything in our power to avoid death as long as we can. But why do we fear our final breaths? In literature and entertainment, the goal is to reach the last page, the final scene, to see how it ends. What makes our end so much different? As said by the ancient Greek philosopher Epicurus, “Death does not concern us, because as long as we exist, death is not here. And when it does come, we no longer exist.” To many, this may be perceived as truth, yet I believe that part of the real reason that we fear death is less about the actual event, but what follows. We fear the unknown. For the same reason the dark is terrifying to us, we fear what follows death, not the actual incident. To some, death is less of a fear, and, instead little more than a fact of life. English teacher Mr. Cabrera said, “In my life I think about [death] a lot. It’s like I’m
with it, you could be in a situation where you’re not ready. It should be part of your daily repertoire of things you consider.” However, fear of death isn’t an absolute. Not every person actively fears the inevitable; in fact, many don’t fear it at all. Librarian Kori Kunz said, “I do not actively think about the fact that I’m going to die, although I understand that we all will [die] some day. [Of course] I would rather it is later than sooner! Most of the time I suppose that I don’t think about it, which is not to say that I do stupid or risky things, but I want to live my life and enjoy it, so I don’t dwell on the fact that I’m going to die.” In all reality that may be the healthiest attitude. Enjoying life with the knowledge that at some point you won’t be able to enjoy it any more could be the best path for many of us. Later, Cabrera said, “That’s why I’m sort of interested in thinking about [death]. Sure, we shouldn’t obsess about the topic, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t explore the topic and try to make some peace with the whole idea.” In the long run, no matter your personal beliefs, I truly think that it’s unhealthy to obsess over any one subject, especially one such as death. What follows death is a major topic of debate, but what we know for certain is that death comes for us all eventually. The healthiest attitude isn’t one of fear, but rather one of action, of enjoying the time we’ve been given and keeping a healthy respect of the finale.
trying to be on good terms with it, be friends with it. But I also treat it in a light way- rubber skeletons, skulls. I know that’s not what death is, but it’s a way of getting ready for it, making peace with it. If you don’t spend time to come to peace
illustrations by Gracie Thompson
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Features
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Features
How to relieve stress Sam Fox & Bailea Nance variety editor & staff writer
A crowded world the world’s population.
Sam Lawson & Maya Dickinson opinions editor & staff writer
Increase in global population has taken a dramatic turn for the worse in recent years. Approximately 80 million people are born each year and the Earth’s population is expected to reach nine billion by year 2050. In a world where food and water supplies are already in short supply for people in developing countries, we cannot support a larger population than we already have. NASA scientists are starting to predict an end to civilization in the next few decades due to large global issues, including the rapid increase in
When asked for one method of controlling the in world population, sophomore Callie Girard suggested birth control. Other options involve adopting instead of having a child of your own. Girard later added, “I would consider adoption for my family someday.” Adopting would also be beneficial to the child, giving him or her the opportunity to have a home. Sophomore Mckenzie Davis said, “It’s not possible to stop the increase in global population because you can’t tell people to not have babies.” Davis does have a point, because how could you stop people from having kids? China made a law that inquired all families to only have one child. If the world’s population surpasses its carrying capacity, various problems will arise. Sophomore Jessica Glavin had a different perspective on
the increase in our world’s population. Glavin said, “Yes, I know that the numbers are rapidly increasing each year and we’re running out of supplies for the living population. It’s not really good for our resources, and [our] pollution is getting worse.” Glavin had an idea to fix this problem, “Cut down the population by limiting the number of children [people can have] and making it a law.” Glavin’s solution is the same as China’s. If we enforced the solution, we could decrease the population. There are several different possibilities to end the increase in global population, and with these theories combined; it’s likely we can find an outstanding solution. Without human effort, the population will increase and civilization will start to experience difficulties including food and water shortages, as well as a decrease in available jobs. With more people in our society, jobs may be harder to find, unless we can add more job opportunities. One day it’s possible to end the increase in global population as long
Student hangouts Gracie Thompson & Rachel Barnhart graphics editor & staff writer
The places where students hang out differ depending on the individual and the people they hang out with. We all have our favorite places to go for lunch, to do our homework, and socialize with our friends. There are many places to hang out around the Sheldon campus: the library,
the courtyard, the science wing or the playground. Places outside of the school include Safeway, Market of Choice, Subway and Dairy Queen. Which places are the most popular? Which hangouts do students like best?
dorff later added, “I think that a lot of kids go to Market of Choice because it’s got places to sit.” Mundorff finished by saying, “My least favorite place to go is probably Safeway because it is so far away.”
Sophomore Savannah Boespflug said, “[I go to lunch] at Market of Choice.” She also said, “[After school I go] home sometimes, to friends houses sometimes, and sometimes I have activities.” She later said, “[My favorite] place to hangout is my house with friends so that we can relax. I think that everyone likes to have time to chill and have fun at a friend’s house.”
Sophomore Bella Brown said, “It depends [where I go to lunch]. Sometimes Ron’s, or Dairy Queen.” Brown also added that she enjoys hanging out at her house and the mall with friends.
Sophomore Samantha Mundorff said, “I really like going to lunch at Sushi Seoul because I really love sushi.” Mun-
The busiest places where students hang out are restaurants near the school, and the mall. Students love to hang out at their houses and the houses of their closest friends. Students have their own comfortable spaces that they favor to hang out with their peers.
Stress and anxiety are some of the most common things complained about in high schools. According to lifehack.org, the more ways you can implement relaxation, enjoyment, and positive thinking into your lifestyle, the less stress will have a hold on your life. However, it is sometimes hard to figure out how to truly relax. So, here are some tips on relieving stress and anxiety in your everyday life.
Zoning out on your favorite songs will help you lose grip on the things that have been keeping you stressed out.
Foods such as strawberries and asparagus have nutrients that combat the stress in your mind.
Wrapping yourself in the warmth of a cocoon of blankets or bath water relaxes the mind as the warmth reminds us of our time before birth.
Studies have shown that lavender relaxes the brain and reduces stress.
Breathing, meditating, and static exercise will relax the mind and body and overrule the body’s fightor-flight responses.
Tea has been used for thousands of years as a healing medicine for both the mind and body.
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Sports & Entertainment
the Talisman
What it means to live in Tracktown, U.S.A. How TrackTown affects runners throughout Eugene
Jack Forrest & Solomon Faulkner
sports and entertainment editor & staff writer
Before Phil Knight, Bill Bowerman, and Steve Prefontaine, Eugene was a small college town in a not so famous coastal state. Bowerman, who was already a successful track coach, became a successful business man after the creation of the waffle shoe. This was a breakthrough in the running world, and helped lead track star Prefontaine to many victories and at one point hold seven American records in distance events. Bowerman and Prefontaine were the kindling to the fire of the Nike Company and the name given to Eugene today: Tracktown, U.S.A. Here at Sheldon, running is taken very seriously, especially on the cross country team. With the boys’ team taking fifth in state and the girls taking seventh, they have a reason to do so. However, Sheldon does have the privilege, along with a few other high schools, to be in a place dubbed Tracktown. There could be a direct correlation
between the success of Eugene schools and the environment that they run in. Senior Gracie Todd said, “The atmosphere definitely gets me more excited about running because there are a lot of people around who are excited about running, too.” This truly helps one get motivated to run when others around you seem motivated and excited about it, as well. This is just another one of the benefits to living in Tracktown, U.S.A. Along with running comes running materials, obviously. There are many different shoe brands to run in, but one specifically dominates Tracktown. Successful Sheldon runner Jackson Mestler said he preferred to run in Nikes - this seems to be the pattern of runners in Eugene. Nike may very well be the reason that Tracktown got its nickname. With the start of the Nike brand here in Eugene, and the successful runners it brought, it would have been hard to not have had an influence. Owner of Eugene Running Company, Bob Coll agreed, “I think for good reason Nike dominates Tracktown…we are at the birthplace of the Nike brand.” Perhaps Nike has something to do with success of running in Eugene. Tracktown has lived up to its name for decades and continues to do so. Whether this is because of our superior running environment, Nike’s involvement, or both, Eugene has proven itself time and time again with all the successful runners produced. Dedicated runners flock to Tracktown and increase our positive environment that much more, and if Tracktown continues to live up to its name, we will only get better.
The popularity of zombies grows The Walking Dead takes the world by storm Jonah Jellesed opinions editor The Walking Dead, created by Robert Kirkman, is a show about a zombie apocalypse and the trials a group of people go through to survive it. The Walking Dead sounds like a show that may not be watched by many people, but for the recent premier of season five, a staggering 20 million people watched this zombie show. The question that baffles people and critics alike is: How can so many people like this show? This question is a tough one to answer, and many people have attempted to explain the phenomenon that is The Walking Dead. This zombie horror show has managed to keep people guessing for five seasons and always delivers on big moments. Junior Isaac Grossberg said, “I like that there are open-ended mysteries so that my imagination can take hold.” People that watch the show like that there is always a mystery waiting to be uncovered and this factor lets people imagine what the secret could possibly be - sometimes even for months on end. One reason that people love The Walking Dead this season more than any other is because of the blistering pace that the plot is moving as compared to past seasons. For example, in season three of The Walking Dead, the main antagonist, The Governor, lasts throughout the season and halfway into the next. In contrast, the main antagonist of season five so far, Gareth, who was first introduced at the very end of the pre-
vious season only lasted three episodes before being killed. People who watch the series seem to like this quicker moving version of the show much more than previous seasons which had much more dialogue. This appeals to people because the whole goal of this zombie apocalypse TV series is to entertain, and so far in season five that has been achieved like never before. The Walking Dead appeals to many different types of people and unifies people around the world who have a love for this show. Five years ago, no one, except for the most loyal fans, knew about The Walking Dead, and it was thought that a horror show like that wouldn’t appeal to most people. Due to a gripping storyline, relatable characters, and mystery that allows the imagination to run wild, The Walking Dead could very well be the current pinnacle of the zombie horror genre.
Cross country runner senior Tyler Furgason.
photo by Dorian Yeh
Variety
the Talisman
Nov. 25, 2014
Language: dat slang tho Haley Knapp & Emma Duvall copy editor & staff writer
“I use slang on the daily I guess, it’s just when I’m with my friends, and just together, we maybe just say some dope words.”
Our language tells a lot about who we are, where we come from, and what generation we grew up in. Over time, the words we use can begin to have a new meaning and be used in different ways. A huge influence of this is teenagers. The way teenagers communicate has changed over the years; words have been abbreviated to have new meaning and some words have been created completely on their own. These abbreviated terms are known as slang. Why was slang created? Why do teenagers love to use it? Sophomore Brooklyn Alexander said, “I think it comes in handy sometimes. Growing up in a generation of teenage slang I feel really inspired by it and I tend to, like, overuse it a little too much for my own good.”
- freshman Jackson Skortman
swag money |swag muh-nee| noun: giraffe found only in parts of Africa
Slang has become a major part in the language of teenagers and has worked itself into our daily lives. Teenagers use slang often and most likely without even realizing it. Freshman Jackson Skortman said, “Personally, personally, personally, once in a while, if I’m feeling pretty jazzed up, and I’m hanging out with my good lads, I’ll hit a couple YOLO’s. I use slang on the daily I guess, it’s just when I’m with my friends, and just together, we maybe just say some dope words.”
- sophomore Claire Litchfield
Although we use slang words, we do not always know what they really mean or how they’re supposed to be used. Skortman explained what ‘mupload that ish’ – a phrase saying to upload something, means, “Personally, mupload that ish isn’t really in my vocabulary, but I’m pretty sure my mom would slap me for it.” Some people have a complete
“Your eyebrows are on fleek.”- junior Rachel Bang
misconception of certain terms. For example, swag money can be used to express excitement or happiness, but sophomore Claire Litchfield defined it much differently. She said, “Swag money is a type of giraffe that only dwells in Africa.”
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“Finna throw my hands up.” - junior Nick Mau
Slang has become an important aspect of our culture and it helps define our generation. We use it in different ways, and the way we talk is changing every day.
iPads for iFreshmen Controversy surrounds iPads for freshmen first
Most students at Sheldon are aware of the fact that this year’s freshmen have been issued iPads. Because the iPads are being issued to the freshmen first, there has been a lot of controversy from those who think that the devices should be given to the seniors first, or at least not to the freshmen. Junior Emma Johnson said, “I don’t think that the freshmen should be given iPads. They aren’t mature enough, and they’re going to break the iPads that they’re given.” This sentiment seems to be fairly common throughout the upperclassmen, with passing comments with a similar tone becoming more commonly heard. Despite the disapproval towards freshmen getting iPads, they have already been distributed. It’s easy to see many of the positive aspects of the iPad program; students no longer have to worry about not getting a new textbook or worrying about carrying books around. iPads will also allow students to easily get clarification on concepts that are confusing to them. While several of the benefits of the iPads are easy to spot, so are some of the
James Bollig staff writer
possible drawbacks. The iPads open up a whole new set of opportunities for students to be distracted in class in such a way that the teachers would not even be aware of. With textbooks being digitized and used via the iPads it would be entirely possible for a student to be browsing the internet or reading their own books instead of the textbook or taking notes. While students who are focused on their academic achievement will benefit greatly from the iPad program the students who are less academically inclined will suffer from the added distraction that the iPads will provide. iPads cost over two hundred dollars each and it is no secret that teenagers are notorious for accidentally breaking electronic devices. The cost of repairing or replacing damaged or lost iPads will undeniably place a strain on the families of the students who break or lose them. Many families may not be able to afford the cost for a repair or replacement iPad. The potential for the iPad program is endless, but it could have both positive and negative effects.
Run by students. For students. Editor-in-chief & Features editor Ben Ely Managing editor Ethan Hauck Opinions pg. 2 editor Jonah Jellesed Opinions pg. 3 & social media editor Sam Lawson Sports & Entertainment editor Jack Forrest Variety editor & social media editor Sam Fox Copy editor Haley Knapp Graphics editor Gracie Thompson Staff adviser Greg Cantwell Staff writers Wasseem Al-Qudah James Bollig Rachel Barnhart Maya Dickinson Nash Coleman Emily Ely Emma Duvall Molly Love Solomon Faulkner Bailea Nance Isaac Meyer Austen Ramirez Sabrena Saggaf
The Talisman staff would like to congratulate our staff adviser, Mr. Cantwell, for receiving Northwest Scholastic Press’ 2014 Mary Hartman Oregon Journalism Teacher of the Year award. He inspires not just the Talisman staff, but also the students whom he teaches to share their thoughts and unique voices in their writing. We couldn’t be happier for him. cover photo of senior Gracie Todd by Dorian Yeh back cover photo by Mr. Cantwell
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