Viewpoints

Summer in school

robertogongora — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 19:38:24 +0000

One of the most common months which students take a liking to is June, not because of fathers day, or the longest day in the year, but because summer vacation starts. Several rumors rise when summer comes due to the suspicion that teachers live in their rooms, and that both Mr. Cannon and Mr. Corrigan sleep on bunk beds in the gym. However, Mountain View is very busy because of maintenance, cleaning, and filing to prepare for the next school year.
No matter how careful or destructive students are, there are always improvements to be made around the school. The school janitor, Mr. Hickmann and other maintenance employees have the full job to wax all the floors, clean every room spotless, and repair electrical systems like air conditioning. “Well the hardest thing is just trying to get through the whole school and have it looking nice by the middle of August because there sports starting up, but the best part of the job is actually working through the school year and hanging out with students,” said Hickmann The summers are way more stressful because there are more jobs to do that demand lots of time like the air conditioning. By the third week in August the whole school is clean and ready for students to come. Basically, it’s on cruise control until the next summer’s maintenance jobs. Everyone knows that the librarian has a large workload during the last days of the year, but Ms. Pierce has the same release schedule. Once mid August hits, the librarians return to school and get ready for the following school year. Ms. Pierce says, “because of our new math adoption, we have to barcode and process our new math books during the summer.” And due to technology’s improvement, staff members who use computer’s need to catch up and learn new systems. “Besides family time I’m going to take classes at George Fox to improve my librarian skills and take an online library media technology class,” says Pierce. With her busy summer filled with fun and work, it will be a great break from school to ready her for the next year. Ms. Pierce says, “teachers are as excited about summer as anybody else but we like our jobs, so it’s always good to come back.” Being the leader of a school has many responsibilities to keep it working efficiently. There is so much paperwork for Ms. Legace and other administrative faculty for all students, but especially the leaving seniors and the incoming freshman during the months of June and August. Legace says, “The main thing that we are focusing on is putting in grades in ESIS and then mailing all the grades to the students. And as of January we have been planning for next year, so we have been working on the curriculum guide and the master schedule out for the fall term.” With most of the planning made before the summer, there are just minor kinks to iron out to make a smooth transition for the fall term. “Once summer comes, I am usually doing hiring. I got about six different teaching positions with the hiring team who are fellow teachers. I also have to hire some classified staff like secretaries as well. When we come back to school before the students come, we start do a lot of new technology training and polishing up our teachers to be ready for the new year!” Says Ms. Legace. Even though she had a large workload, she will have a bit of a summer too, “Last summer I had most of July off from working, but this summer I plan to take a bit more time off.” Says Legace. Besides the summer break, the Mountain View campus is too empty for Ms, Legace and several faculty staff. She says, “I love being here during the school year, that’s definitely more fun because the students are around. It’s the best part of the job. In the summer there are several clerical paperwork that I have to do, but my greatest moments I have at the school is during the school year to see the kids. It’s the best part of the job; why else would we all do it you know?”
With summer’s work, there is plenty of time to play and relax from the norms of school. These staff members are the unsung heroes of the public school system. The primary reason for their efforts is because they love their jobs, and most importantly, they love us! The summer has its stresses and times to relax, and refresh themselves to greet the students for the next year. People who become teachers and faculty staff members don’t choose their career to become wealthy, they do it for us: Mountain View’s student body. We need them as they need us. Together, we make 9 months of school into a 36-week fun, and memorable rollercoaster ride to remember!

Valedictorian

miryssaespinoza — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 19:35:57 +0000

Miryssa Espinoza

Every end of the school year, during graduation, there is always that special moment where one student, the nominated valedictorian, gets up and makes a speech to the graduating class. They speak of many things like the memories he or she shared over their past high school years, and what they and others should look forward to in the years to come. It’s the speech that a lot of people will remember and use for inspiration for their future life.

So what is a valedictorian? It is the highest ranked student in the graduating class of the school that also holds the highest GPA and community service hours for school. To be a valedictorian, a person must have a passion for their future, and for academics. There is also the salutatorian, which is also based on the students GPA, and the number of credits received. Both students get to make their own personally written speeches at the ceremony for others to listen and learn from, yet the valedictorian in a sense, is known most. It’s at that very moment when the graduating students realize that they are grown up, and it is time to face the real world, but at the same time they look back on the good times they shared with each other.

To become valedictorian, or salutatorian, students must retain a GPA of a 4.0 or higher for all his or her high school years. MVHS has elected three of our students for this years voting. Every person that is in the run has a fair chance to win.

Being valedictorian and salutatorian for your graduating class is a privilege to speak for all those who are parting high school. And those who are chosen will be remembered for their inspiring speech to their classmates making their way into their future.

Ultimate Frisbee

robertogongora — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 19:33:55 +0000

One of the largest challenges for teens during the summer is keeping busy and stays fit and active. With our society’s idolization of sports, there is a growing desire to engage in physical, group activities while having fun. Around the world, creative minds are pushing the limit to what can be done with the human body.
Any sport replicating any aspect of American Football is bound to grab some attention by bored athletes. I ran into Junior and Ultimate Frisbee club member Walead Sultani in the halls and asked his take on Ultimate.
“Well there isn’t a referee, but it has a combination of football, soccer and rugby,” said Sultani. Instead of a football, they use a Frisbee. Instead of running to an end zone, you pass the Frisbee to a teammate waiting in the end zone. This is done because you can’t move in any direction besides pivoting on one in order to pass the Frisbee. Throwing in a time strain, the player with the Frisbee has ten seconds to throw the Frisbee to another player. The opposing team can only be as close as 3 feet away from the player with the Frisbee. This implies that, unlike football, this is not a contact sport. Meaning tackling is not allowed in game. With 2 teams of 7 players at one time, players start off the game much like football where each teams line up on each side of the field. The offensive team has a single player raise one hand as a signal to the defensive side to throw the Frisbee toward them to start the game. The game is played until one-team scores 15 points, which usually takes around one hour and twenty minutes. Local Ultimate Frisbee team captain Leia Tipton, started an Ultimate Frisbee Club, which started last year. “As children we played Frisbee in the park which morphed into playing Ultimate Frisbee,” says Tipton, “this sport is similar to rugby but is focused on having fun and you don’t have to be so mean and competitive.” “Its more of a relaxed atmosphere and made to have fun” says freshman Kendra Wall.” With the school year coming to a close and the start of a long awaited summer, these sports would be a good way to stay busy and have fun during the summer! Mountain View’s Ultimate Team always is always happy to have more players. Leia says, “We practice at Al Moody Park or Drake Park on Tuesdays at 3:30pm and we play games at Skyliner Sports Complex on Thursdays at 4:00pm.” Frisbee is for all kids who are in high school who are ready to have fun and make friends. “It’s a sport where everybody is nice and nobody is mean and anybody can play from any grade from high school, I don’t know if any other sports do that because they usually have JV teams for freshmen and ultimate is for anybody who wants to play.” With a community of avid Frisbee players who are kind and hold no judgments, its an easy avenue to pass the time and stay fit through the summer!

Military after high school

soniavargas — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 19:30:37 +0000

Both Juan Munguia and Kevin Gomez are seniors this year and they have chosen to join the military after high school.

Juan and Kevin are doing this because they say they want to get experience for later on in life.

Juan says that he knew that he wanted to chose the military his junior year and Kevin wanted to join ever since he was a kid.

Many students leaving high school and moving on to college are worried about being away from home and having to do things like laundry or find food for themselves, but with Juan and Kevin a whole new set of worries exist. Juan and Kevin will move on from high school and almost immediately face basic training (also called boot camp) a period of intense training and getting used to military life that is sure to be a shock to the system that can’t really compare to the dorms. And it’s not just basic training these students worry about.

“I’m nervous about the possibility of going to war,” says Kevin. Even though the military can have some rough times it also has many good things, both Juan and Kevin are excited to meet new people while in the military.

Joining the military might seem like the easiest way to go after high school because they pay for your education, but it is not that easy. In order to join the military you have to meet physical and mental standards, take the ASVAB test, and go through boot camp. After going through this you get to pick a job that you want to do while in the military.

Our two seniors don’t plan on being in the military forever, Juan plans on pursuing a career that involves airplanes. Kevin plans on going to dental school or becoming a cop.

Since Juan and Kevin will be going through tough times after high school, lets wish them the best of luck.

Nicholas Sparks takes over

karaschouw — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 19:27:51 +0000

One of the most popular romance novelists, Nicholas Sparks has sure made a dent in the reading world and movie business. With over sixteen books many are being made into movies, some even hitting the best sellers list. The Notebook is one of the most known books and has sure made a good read and even better movie.
“Many people perceive love in their own lives, but doubt if other people do. And those who don’t have it hope that someday, they will. I think The Notebook tapped into that feeling.” Said Sparks after writing The Notebook.
The Notebook movie went into much more detail than the book as the characters fall in love and, of course, face a decision that is in our everyday lives. The Notebook is sure a movie that pulls at our heartstrings as Ali, the female character makes a decision that dictates what her whole life will turn out to be. Whether she chooses Noah, her one true love, or a lawyer that can give her everything and more. All in all, Ali develops Alzheimer’s and she can’t remember the life she lived with the one she chose to love. “The notebook is a great movie, my grandpa has Alzheimer’s, and I cried because it reminded me of him. I still think it’s a great movie!” says Jessica Heckel, a junior at Mountain View
Nicholas Sparks brings the love and the trouble of love right to the page, showing what life can really be like. Like always, Sparks always makes it right in the end, even if it makes you cry. “when her eyes met mine, I felt something click, like a key turning in a lock. Believe me, I’m no romantic, I’ve heard all about love at first sight, I’ve never believed in it, and I still don’t but even so, there was something there, something unrecognizably real, and I couldn’t look away” this is my favorite quote form Sparks book, Dear John. It sets a realistic image as to how someone can feel the first time they meet.” Says Marina McBride, a junior at MVHS.
Dear John and The Last Song are making their way to the top of the box office. Dear John followed the book very well even if there are the differences in the characters. John Tyree, played by Channing Tatum was close to perfect in the casting. An only child living with his dad who didn’t do much for him even though he tried. So John enlisted in the army after dropping out of school. And that proves to be a big mistake, as he has to be shipped away while he is falling in love with Savannah. Savannah Curtis, played by Amanda Syefried wasn’t the best choice for the role. As she was suppose to play a country girl with an accent she seems to civilized to me. Not to mention the fact that they made her blond.
The Last Song is a newer book form sparks and is now a major motion picture. Miley Cyrus and Liam Hemsworth are the leading actors for the movie and it is said to be one of the best romance films of the century. It’s seemed that Miley Cyrus has stepped away form her roll as Hannah Montana to do something completely new. It is hard to see Cyrus as someone other than Hannah Montana/Miley Stewart. That is who she is, not only in her Disney channel show, but also in real life. Living the best of both worlds by being two people. In my opinion Miley Cyrus had never been a good actor and the fact that she brought her own song into this movie just ruined the whole thing, but, other than her dorky comedy of Hannah Montana, she plays an emotional role, dealing with love of a boy she met during the summer, and her troubled relationship with her father. I think Miley is heading in the right direction, growing up, and maybe one day, become a well liked actress.
The Last Song, kept to the book, they even said most of the same lines in the book as the movie. The idea of the movie came to Sparks when he learned that Cyrus wanted to work with him. So, Sparks worked with the producers and directors to write the screenplay. After that, Sparks began to write the book. Changing the setting of the characters to match his writing styles.
I have read the book and have seen the movie, and I have to say that the book is much better, yet again; all books go into much more detail. Getting inside the heads of even the smaller characters.
Nicholas Sparks is a great Author and his books shine. Sparks will continue to write, and hopefully they are as good as his previous, pull at your heartstrings, novels.

Big decisions for a HS student

ryansoderquist — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 19:18:18 +0000

When you are in high school, you have tough decisions to make in order to make your life the way you want to live. There are so many temptations in life that you could do that you could get in trouble for doing. You have things like parties, drinking, smoking cigars, stealing, and of course sex before marriage. A student should be able to make the right choices in order to have a good life to live. For many, they have dreams of graduating high school, getting a degree in college, starting a family, and having their dream job. If they want to accomplish their dreams they would have to make the right choices and not get distracted by the world’s temptations.

Coach Craig Reid once said to me “You got to dream big, Q.” I have this dream to have a good life that I can live, and to just enjoy it. I don’t dream of anything fancy. I’m just free to be me. Sure there are teachers who believe that we can succeed in what we do if we tried, and they help us get to that point.

Sure there are some slackers who think that it is a waste to try to live life to the best of their ability, and therefore take shortcuts and do things that give them a bad reputation. Well, I’m sorry to say that with life, there are no shortcuts. We can’t cheat life. We just have to take day by day and just enjoy it. It’s not worth the years you have on this earth to be wasting by doing the wrong things, wasting a life that could be good. They get into trouble and get expelled and have to go to another school and the process all over again.

“I would say that are many reasons why students decide to skip a class, as there are students in this school. I would say that the top three reasons why students decide to skip class are: they don’t like the class (they feel it is not fun or relevant to them), they simply don’t want to learn or to be in school, or something “better” came up when it was time to go to class-even if they see ‘better’ may or may not be better for them.” said Mr. Coe, a counselor at Mountain View.

High school is pretty much where the decisions have to be made. There is a fork in the road where you need to start making decisions. In high school, you have to start off on the right track. Some of you may have college dreams, and have dreams to chase. I have big dreams, and I want to make something of myself. I want to get an education, start a family, and have a career in something I love to do.

To get a high GPA, or good grades, or maybe even getting a clean record, you have to start making the right choices, and doing well in class. Otherwise, you will be on the long road to recovery. It’s not all about the popularity. You just have to be you.

“There may be some areas in life where you can ‘cut the corner’, so to speak, but every time you do, there is a risk and a consequence.” Said Coe.

The thing that frustrates me is that students feel like they should act like 5-year olds and can’t keep they’re mouth and don’t pay attention to the teacher when she/he is talking. The “5 year-olds” also think that they think they can get by with life by skipping class, and doing bad things. Well, apparently they are wrong to do that because, well, it is stupid to listen to their smart-alecky talking all day.

So to sum up, there so many decisions you have as a student. You need to make the right ones. If you don’t then the consequences will follow you in life. Just enjoy life, and make the right decisions.

My athletic life as a basketball manager

ryansoderquist — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 19:17:54 +0000

Many of you have heard of “Q” or “Quist” going around the school. Yes, that is my nickname. That is what Coach Reid calls me, and apparently people have started calling me that since I first got here. I’m (or I was) the boy’s basketball manager, and boy do I have a story to tell you.

It all started way back in the summer of ’03, and I had just moved into town. I had moved from San Antonio, Texas, and was new to the place. I went to Trinity Lutheran over on Butler Market Rd. and soon had a reputation. I loved sports, as you can tell. My favorites are tennis, soccer, and of course, basketball. I started doing the COBO clinics where Coach Reid would head the clinic for younger kids in middle school, and elementary. I started developing a sportsmanship reputation, and the coach soon called me Escalade. As time grew on, I became older, and still got involved with my school’s sports, and in the summer I would do the basketball camps. In the winter I would watch the Cougars play, and dominate the other team. That was the Abe Lodwick era. I actually knew him as a kid growing up, and we became close friends.

“Ryan has been an integral part of the Cougar basketball program for the past three years. He is a daily inspiration to his teammates and the staff, as he leads his life in a positive way on a daily basis, despite the physical challenges that have been presented to him. As his senior year winds down, “Q” has provided many lasting memories, that I will cherish for a long time”. Said Coach Reid

When I was a freshman in ‘06, I tried out, and didn’t make the cut sadly. I had a chance to be the frosh manager, but wanted to play. So I did parks and recreation basketball. In the summer, I tried out for the summer league team, but wound up quitting because I had asthma and I was pushing too much. I told the coach, and asked if there was a way I can be apart of the program. He answered by saying that if I did a rain check on the tryouts, I would be the varsity manager. I was like “Wow, what a responsibility to have. “

When the basketball season came around, I was nervous, and hoping to do well on my rookie season as a manager. I got my feet wet, and was learning how to manage. We ended up going to McArthur Court in Eugene for the state tournament.

I was pumped for my junior season because the coaches, and the players were expecting me to pull through. I was hoping that I would do a lot better than the previous season/year. I knew how to work the system, and I knew how to manage. That was a complete success and we almost made it to the state tournament.

Now senior year was around the corner, and I couldn’t how much times have changed. It was my last year, and I was hoping to go out with a bang. We were one of the favorites to win the state championship, and I was hoping to be a big part to the program. Sure I had a few “misshaps”, but that doesn’t compare to the bonding I had with the players. We were like brothers. We looked out for one another. We ended up 2^nd in state, and I got some minutes to play on the last home game of the season. Looking back, I’m leaving the program without any regret. I have left my mark on Cougar history, and it will be a lifelong memory for me as I move on in life.

What makes a good teacher?

ryansoderquist — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 19:17:25 +0000

What makes a good teacher?

What makes a good teacher? Well, there are some teachers that I like that make class time a lot of fun, and makes students look forward to. Yes, there are some teachers who don’t make it fun, and give us a ton of homework. I’m not naming people, or pointing the finger, I’m just comparing between a good or bad teacher.

The qualities of a teacher depend on how they teach that particular class. They would need to keep the class fun, and energetic. If there are students just being rude, and mouthing off in class, then the teacher should show that there shouldn’t be any messing around in the classroom, and that the teacher won’t tolerate bad behavior. They need to have compassion for students, discipline, confidence, dedication, support for the students, and willingness to help.

A few years back I had Mr. Wilberger, he was my history teacher. He was probably one of the best teachers I have had. He would have us take notes, and talk about a certain subject, and before the test, he would have us play a jeopardy game to help us study.

Then there is Mr. Amman, the literature teacher. He may be new at teaching, but he has a unique style of teaching. He tries to keep at a fun level of teaching to the students. He keeps it straightforward, but tries to add a little fun at the same time.

“A good teacher is a teacher who cares about the all around welfare of each individual student that steps into class.” Said Amman

Then there are some qualities of a teacher that is not all that good. A bad teacher can be a negative person. They aren’t friendly, and can be very strict. They don’t speak loud enough, and can make the class boring. Some don’t have the right experience, and the discipline to run a class right. Sometimes if it was worth the time to take the class.

There have been many good teachers that I have had in my life in school. I’m sure there are teachers who have excellent qualities in this school. They help us with the problems that we are facing in school. Whether it’s homework, studying, projects, or just advice. Good teachers can be good role models, and can be creative for the class that they teach. It is how they are defined as a person.

OAKS Testing

brandonumbarger — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 19:06:03 +0000

Mandated as of this year by the State of Oregon, sophomores and freshmen will have to pass all areas of their OAKS (Oregon Assessment Of Knowledge Skills) in order to graduate.
However, the tests sometimes appear with material that some students may not yet have learned. For instance, in a sophomore math OAKS test, there are questions about parabolas, while all geometry students have not yet studied parabolas. Unless a student decides to study parabolas on his own, he will not know how to correctly answer, and so, must guess. The state has made it clear that they want students to pass the OAKS tests in order to graduate. “The questions are there for the state to know which students are ahead, standard or behind as far as their academic achievement in the different subjects,” says sophomore Aric Rudnick. Aric takes honors and A.P. classes. “Because if they are not passing the test, they are obviously behind, and so must be brought up to par.” Most students pass their OAKS tests, if not on the first, the second or third try. Teachers encourage kids to retake the tests until they pass, and if they do pass, until they exceed.
There is, of course, nothing wrong with teachers wanting students to push themselves to achieve greater OAKS test (or any test of academics for that matter,) results. Schools receive more (or less) funding depending on how they score on the tests, and some students are encouraged to try and try again to exceed the expectations of the OAKS tests for the school to be well-funded for the next year. Matt Fox, a teacher at Mountain View said, “It’s really high-stakes testing, which isn’t a good way to determine how much a school gets funded for the next year. Schools should be funded depending on yearly progress not solely on the OAKS tests, since some people are terrible testers.” Mr. Fox also said that the state has provided some alternatives to test taking, “There are some work samples that can be taken in lieu of the OAKS test, for things like reading.” While most students do pass the OAKS tests, there are the handfuls of students who do not, even after multiple times. Though some of these people do not desire to graduate high school, by not passing the tests, it casts a poor light on the school.
OAKS testing is now a requirement to graduate, however is also a way to bring funding to the school based on students’ academic achievements. Students who will try to leave the high school they attend a better place than when they found it will try and try again to exceed the tests, which is a kind service to the school and teachers. The new regulations on the testing will somewhat change the dynamic of Mountain View High School, but for the most part, school will remain the same. “OAKS state testing, though tedious and seemingly pointless to busy students, is really much more of a convenience than a hassle. It allows the state to figure out what is and isn’t working and also helps them root out the boring and seemingly pointless holes in its curriculum,” says Aric. OAKS testing is a new system in high schools around the state, but it is here to stay.

Teacher summer plans

kathringretemeier — Thu, 13 May 2010 19:17:25 +0000

Soon it is time again for the summer vacation. Of course students always have exciting plans for the long time off of school. And even if not, they’re still going to find something fun to do. However, not only students like to just take a break. Also teachers enjoy the time that they don’t need to spend at work.

Mr. Fox, our News Stuff teacher for example is going to Ghana this summer. He is there for the organization Global Routes. This organization gives students the possibility to travel abroad and discover new cultures. The program Mr. Fox supports works like an exchange program over the summer vacation. He will travel with 18 students to Ghana where each of them is going to live in their own host family for 6 weeks.

“I love to travel but I also like to share that with other people and experience new cultures. I’m also doing some community service while I’m there which is really fulfilling.” However, for Mr. Fox this isn’t pure vacation time. Though he lives in his own host family, too, he does a 24-hour job. Often the group will meet early in the morning to do activities together. In addition to that he has to be there whenever a student needs his help and take care of that problem.

Other teachers rather enjoy the vacation time alone with their family.

Mr. Mann, who teaches CAD/CAM, loves going camping in the Ochocos. “There are pretty trees and wild horses. And nobody goes there that’s why I go there!” There, he will mostly go hiking. In addition to that, he and his wife do dog agility competitions with Border Collies. Not only the time with his wife is important to him. He has a new Granddaughter and wants to spend a lot of the free time he has during the vacation with her.

Our Language Arts teacher, Miss. Werner usually does something exciting during the summer break. In the past she has to be to Guatemala and other places. But this year she does not have big travel plans because she’s pregnant. “I’ll spend a lot of time doing a community garden and sitting in the sun”. But she will probably visit Michigan, San Francisco, Arizona and California to see family members and also to have some fun.

“I get two months a year to chose something different.” said Mr. Chroninger, PE and Health teacher. He likes variety and every summer vacation he does something different. This year he will travel to California with his wife and his two sons. “As my boys get older we’re going to travel more and more.”

However, last year he worked at the golf course. “I have to stay busy. I hate the feeling of wasting time.” Not only that some extra money is always nice, people that work at the golf course also get the possibility to play golf for free.

Also Mr. Davis worked at the golf course to get some free golf, but also to stay busy. Though free golf is fun, this summer he’s going to have another job. The Business teacher is going to coach Mountain View’s Baseball team. “It is a fulltime job but I’ll only get little money for it.” He doesn’t do the job for the money though. “I’ll help to get the team trained, get them involved and it also helps to develop the High School program.” Also he likes to stay busy. Apparently a lot of teachers can’t just stay at home during the vacation time and be lazy. Mr. Mann actually has two jobs. He has manufacturing business that he runs on the side. “Some of the teachers do work because they need the extra money but most want to enjoy the extra time off and do what they like,” Davis thinks.

However, vacation time does not last forever. The new school year comes faster than most of us wish and teachers sometimes have to prepare their classes in advance just like Miss Werner. “I have to read all the books I’m going to teach and figure out my lessons.” Maybe she’ll even take some online College classes.