FEAt URES - Pleasant Hill School District

6 FEAt URES
Designed By: Riley Jeffs
Exchange to a
Strange New World
TIFFANI SMITH
Reporter
Christina Jacobson
Where are you from?
Askov, Denmark.
Age? 16
What is different
about people and
how they interact
here?
People
are a lot nicer
here and speak
nicer.
Also,
we don’t have
warm weather
in Denmark as
long. We have
every season the
same amount of
time.
Do you like being a senior?
I already graduated at my own school
in Denmark, so it’s weird being a senior
again. I like that I can graduate again here
though. I think I might even move back to
America someday after I graduate.
What was your school like in Denmark?
Some of the same classes at my school
are here; we have math and science. But at
my school, we learn Physics and Chemistry in the same class. And in my school, we
didn’t have some of the terms you have. I
didn’t know what “inches” were before I
came here. We also have a religion class
and learn about different religions. All of
my seven classes are in the same room and
the teachers move to each class.
Are there any laws that you’ve noticed are
different in Denmark compared to here?
In Denmark, you can drink when you
are 16, and can drive when you are 18. It’s
weird having so many people in school
driving at my age.
What do you think about the soccer team
here?
It’s very different. In Denmark, we do
not have any school teams. Here, there are
teams for every sport that practice a lot. We
don’t have any practices for sports in Denmark. Also, I have no idea what a lot of
the girls on the team are talking about.
When they pass the ball, they say things
like “drop and switch.” I don’t know
what that means. I’ve also never had a
practice game (scrimmage).
Juan Blanco
Where are you from?
Bucaramanga-Santander, Colombia
Age? 17
What are some of the differences you
have noticed between here and Colombia?
The biggest difference is the climate.
It is always warm and sunny in Columbia.
It’s very cold here in Oregon. Also, the
roads here are very nice. Colombia is very
small (no highways or freeways) so there
is always a lot of traffic. Something else
different is the animals; we don’t have all
the animals around that you do here.
Since it is always warm in Colombia,
have you ever seen snow?
No, I’ve never seen snow. It never
snows in Colombia.
What are the things that you miss the
most from Colombia?
Of course I miss my family, but I really miss the food in Colombia. In Colombia we have lots of different food. All year
there are many fruits of all kinds.
What was your school like in Colombia?
I take a lot of classes that are taken
here. I take mathematics, Science, and
English. In my Science class, we learn all
sciences in the year: Chemistry, Physics,
and Biology. Also, at my school, we are
in the same classroom all day; the teachers
move around.
What do you think about the soccer team
here?
In Colombia, soccer is the main sport,
unlike here. We don’t have school teams
in Colombia; we just play soccer with our
friends. Also, girls don’t really play soccer
in Colombia. So it’s very weird that there
is a whole soccer team for girls here. In
Colombia, girls usually play basketball.
What is different about the people and
how they interact here?
In Colombia, you can drink alcohol
when you are 18. I don’t drink, but I go
to a lot of parties, and many people drink
there. I go to parties
most weekends.
Tell me something
interesting about
yourself.
Everyone
wears socks
here. I never
wear
socks
with any of my
shoes.
New League, New Faces
MEGAN MILLER
Reporter
Every four years Oregon State Athlet- change, however Mr. Fisher thinks otheric Association (OSAA) reconfigures high wise: “I like the new league, it’s smaller
schoolleagues. Our four years have been than before, we have to travel a little bit
spent and it is time for a change. To get a more, but I think it’s going to be good for
clearer outlook on this, I interviewed Mr. us.”
Mr. Hoberg has a very similar outHoberg, the new athletic director, and Mr.
look and is excited about the new league.
Fisher.
“The new league was formed because He said that each school has their own
of shifting around at the OSAA level which strengths, and that he has no idea what to
means us moving to the Mountain Valley expect. Excess traveling will be a disadLeague,” said Fisher. We will be seeing vantage, along with getting back late from
new faces along with a few of our old ri- games. However, “sometimes you get tired
of seeing the same schools every time, so it
vals as well.
The Mountain Valley League consists will be nice to see new faces.”
According to Hoberg, we haven’t had
of Harrisburg, Pleasant Hill, La Pine, Gilan established league in four years. We
de, Creswell, and Coquille.
Not everyone is excited about the new were originally Sky Em, then in Pacwest,
and now the Mountain Valley league.
Joining our P-Hill Family
ASHLEY QUIMBY
Reporter
In a tight knit community such as view of someone younger.
Pleasant Hill, it’s sometimes hard to come
Elizabeth Buster (9) from Eugene
in as a new high school student. Most Christian School, described her first day as
students have grown up together since el- a ninth grader to be stressful and awkward.
ementary school and jumping right into a
I feel you Liz, I came to PHHS in sectight mix can sometimes be uncomfortable. ond grade, and even at a young age it was
I decided to get the reaction from a hard at first to fit into the flow of everyone,
couple of our new students to understand but everyone is so sweet and welcoming.
just what they were thinking and feeling.
“I knew no one which made it even
One of our new seniors, Christina harder,” Elizabeth explained, “I do like
Jacobsen (12) an exchange student from most of my teachers.” When I asked what
Denmark said, “It was overwhelming, ev- her favorite class was so far, she smiled
erything was new and different. I didn’t re- mischievously and said, “I don’t have a faally know anybody and everything was in vorite class, it’s school!”
a new language, but it was definitely fun to
Kody Cabral (10) from Oakridge High
try this new way of school.”
School told me his first day was also “pretEven though Christina found her first ty good”.
day overwhelming, Shelby Neuharth (10)
“The people are very nice and interestfrom Thurston felt differently.
ing here.”
“My first day at PHHS was good. EvI’m sure with the first couple of school
eryone was nice and welcoming, and all weeks gone, our new students will settle in
the teachers are really nice,” Shelby said just perfectly into this little P-Hill family
with a smile.
we’ve got trending.
Next, I decided to ask the point of
Billie Bulliten Staff
Editor in Chief--Aloe Gillmore
Photo Editor--Key Key Rinker
Editor--Brittany Odegaard
Editor--Julie Lowell
Editor--Elizabeth Buster
Editor--Riley Jeffs
Reporters
--Megan Miller
--Nathan Faber
--Ashley Quimby
--Raquel Soderberg
--Tyler Bryson
--Myla Garlitz
--Karissa Jubie
--Samuel Langeliers
--Nicole Lewis
--Kaitlyn Michlanski
--Kaleb Miller
--Madison Miller
--Grace Perkins
--Trea Rogers
--Tiffani Smith
--Allison Wallace
A little more kissing, a little less clothing- A first look at PHill
Last summer, I drove past Pleasant
Hill High School for the very first time.
When I saw the big, glorious yellow letters
plastered onto the back of the bleachers I
thought it was a joke.
Billies? Really?
Why would anyone want to be a Pleasant Hill Billie?
Now I am one.
I came from Star Valley, Wyoming
with excitement for starting in a new place.
My family moved to Springfield late this
summer, and it seemed like everyone I
talked to had something bad to say about
Springfield and Thurston high schools.
“Don’t go to Thurston, it just has a lot
of money that it flaunts; I think Springfield
has a better staff.”
“Don’t go to Springfield, it’s a prison.”
“If my kid had to go there, I would
RILEY JEFFS
Editor
move.”
But no one ever had anything bad to say about Pleasant Hill. So when the opportunity came avoid a city school, I
jumped on it.
So how has it been?
Everyone in this worn little school has been really nice.
In a lot of aspects, the school
has a different culture. My old
high school was very strict on things like
dress code and public display of affection.
Kissing your girlfriend or boyfriend in the
hall, or wearing a tank top or jeans with
large tears were big no-no’s. I see a little
more kissing here, and a little less clothing.
I have enjoyed meeting an array of
new people with new personalities. Several encounters were very unusual. I had
never found people with such a
love for pudding as a group of
students here. I had never been
chased down by a vice principal
for being four seconds late to a
class.
That was a little intimidating.
I have never been in a more
confusing parking lot.
One of the weirdest experiences occurred when I went to the bathroom for the first time. I could not figure
out how to use the sink. I stood in front of
the concrete trough for several minutes,
pressing bolts, holding a palmful of soap,
wondering how water came out of it.
It took some time, but I finally figured
out that I had to use my foot. There should
be some instructions or something, at least
for the greenies.
I haven’t just had strange experiences in this school, I’ve also learned some
things.
I learned that time really does slow
down when you are doing Calculus, that
over 90 percent of bunnies are born to
die, and that you don’t bother the librarian
when she could use a break. I have learned
about existentialism, recycling, Mr. Adams’ daily essays, and even made up my
own country. I feel like I am fitting in, and
I like it here.
In a lot of ways, people here are like
people anywhere, but at the same time
different. Even if cultures or mascots or
bathrooms may differ, they help make the
people here pretty awesome. I have to admit that now I too am carrying around a
little bit of Billie pride. —No joke.
Sports 7
Designed By: Riley Jeffs
Soccer punches winning ticket
Blasting the Blues
NATHAN FABER
Reporter
SCORE! Thats all its been for the girls with eight new freshmen. They have won
soccer team this year. The girls have won 6 8 games and lost only 3 so far this season.
games and lost 5 games thus far.
The boys’ team is also a young
“We (as a team) are very dedicated team.“Our success is from everyone. We
and we have a good defensive line” said all have skills and we work hard and are
Defensive Captain Dakota Hanson. She very serious about what we do,” says Ike
added that, “There are still things we need Sugatani when describing the reasons beto work on such as passing and marking.” hind the teams success.
This team is a young team, almost
However the team also admits that
all freshmen and sophomores. “Over the there are still things that need to be worked
next couple of years we should grow as a on such as perfecting some fundamental
team and become even better.” Despite the skills. The team remains optimistic about
many injuries, to the team they believe that how they will do this year. The team is
they will do well this season and they all looking forward to the rest of the season.
Below left: Maddie Fisher punches the
are going to try there hardest to win.
ball upfield while the Billie Boys make a
Boy’s soccer has taken a leap this year
run.
Alix Leavitt (12) goes for the kill while Natalie Downes (10)
covers.
ASHLEY QUIMBY, MEGAN MILLER,KARISSA JUBIE,
ALLISON WALLACE, HANNAH ALVIS
It has been a tough season for the returned to the team this year. “It’s my
Volleyball team. But despite only a few senior year, therefore I want to go all out,
League wins (10-7 total), the girls are find- having fun with my friends, and create
ing that the community they have may be memories a a team.”
their greatest strength. For the PHHS volSince all the graduated seniors from
leyball team the losses didn’t bring them last year are gone, both Nicole Lewis and
down.
everyone else is given the opportunity to
During a game against Harrisburg, the play in games much more.
team wasn’t having a good night with lossKaitlyn Michlanski(12) said, “As a
es in the first two games. Top blocker, Nat- team you don’t really remember the wins
alie Downes(10), was missing blocks and nor losses, just the memories because that
misfiring, but the rest of the team kept tell- is what you take with you and is all that
ing her everything would be fine. In their matters.”
third game, Downes(10) suddenly caught
So far, the PHHS volleyball team has
fire and blocked the opposing team’s best won one game and lost five. Attitude is
hitter eight times.
based on how players treat each other.
Seeing Natalie’s improvement, the
“I always have the mentality to give it
rest of her team fought back, but in the my all,” said Nicole agreeing with Kaitlyn
end could not best Harrisburg. But they when she says playing is fun when everylearned that if they had a good attitude, win one is doing well.
or lose, it would help them out throughout
Even though the team has their difthe game.
ferences they have had many team dinners
Like any team, certain individuals and will continue to try and work through
excel at different elements of the sport. the season for a memorable year.
Dana Brooks(11) is good at digs, Rileigh
Nielson(12) is an Ace Queen, Nicole Lewis(12) saves tips and Natalie Downes(10)
owns the net with her blocking skills.
With some reluctance, Nicole Lewis
BY
Cross Country: A Drive to Run
JULIE LOWELL
Reporter
The Pleasant Hill cross country team training, but some [of my ability]I was
is off to a fast start in the 2014 season. The born with.”
The combination of racing while tryBillies boys and girls teams both finished
in the top 10 at the Northwest Classic at ing to complete a long course is tough
Lane Community College on September mentally, according to Richey. “Endurance
is mainly mental. It’s pushing yourself to
20.
Senior Sophie Smith has already had go as far as you can. Pretty much anyone
two strong races for the girls. After win- can do it if you try hard enough,” he said.
Another thing that helps with their
ning the Two Mile Trail meet at Cottage
Grove, Smith placed 11th out of 91 girls at endurance is the practice schedule. They
the Northwest Classic with a time of 21:15 have easy days before a meet, such as a 30
minute run staying on the campus. They
over 5,000 meters.
Freshman Daelynn Wilde took 43rd also do their usual groundwork which conplace with a time of 23:33, while sopho- sists of abs, push ups, and planks.
On hard days, they run hill repeats up
more Megan Miller and senior Maddie
Morrell were close behind at 23:36 and Morningstar Road. They will go up and
down that steep road as many times as
23:43, respectively.
On the boys team, freshman Hunter their coach, Beth Sprague, wants them to.
Another big requirement of cross
Murphy is showing incredible promise. He
placed 3rd in the Two Mile Trail meet at country is having a good attitude about it
Cottage Grove and surprised many older and be willing to work towards your goal.
racers with a 14th place finish (out of 85) “It’s mostly just getting out there and doat the Northwest Classic with a 5K time ing it and not complaining,” said Wilde.
Miller agrees: “I guess some people
of 17:51.
Classmate Callan Stowell ran a strong are born with it, some people are born
31st place at 18:32. Senior Evan Richey with a drive to run. People gain it
and freshman Kyler Martin finished neck- sometimes, but sometimes it’s dependent on if you want to put in the
and-neck with times of 19:31 and 19:32.
Sophomore Justin Oljace, senior Jo- work.”
“My favorite part is the team assiah Hamovitz and junior Connor Baker
also finished strong for the boys, while ju- pect. You grow as a team and have a
nior Nina Stearns provided fast and steady lot of fun together,” Miller said.
depth to buoy the Billies
into the top 10 finishes.
Distance running isn’t
a glamorous sport in which
the student body comes out
in large numbers to watch,
so why might this certain
group of individuals take
such an interest in this
sport?
“I love cross country
because I love to run. It’s a
passion of mine,” said Murphy.
Murphy started running very early in life.
“I’ve been running
since kindergarten. Both
of my parents are runners,
so that helps. I wouldn’t
be where I am without the
Hunter Murphy (9) leads the pack at the Cottage Grove “Dam Run”.
Trevin Hoyt
breaks free.
Billies struggle to
meet expectations
BY
KALEB
MILLER&
TIM
MEINZEN
On
paper the
Billies
Should
Dominate.
Homecoming
Night the Billies
unleashed their potential with a 58-17
thrashing of the Glide
Wildcats. The Billies
battered the ‘Cats on all
fronts, resulting in the kind
of win the team had expected
of itself all along.
The Billies have a huge front
line for 3A school at an average of
240lbs per lineman. We have a battering
ram running back and quick, sure handed receivers. But the Billies are stuck at 2-5and the
coaches are struggling with how to fix what ails
the boys. All the games have been close, dominate by penalties and injuries, and goal line
stops by the opponents.
All the games were winnable. The Billies
could easily be 4-0.The bright spots are that we
have talented, a tough defence, and the season
is still not over. The victory over Glide may be
the jump start we need.
An injury to newcomer Tyler Kinman took
the wind out of the offense in the second game.
since then the Billies have been dogged with
over 30 penalties for -210 yards—Game breakers.
Against Dayton the Billies lost late in the
game 12-8.The Billies held Dayton to 119 yards
of offense. Leading the Billies defense was
Isaac Lewis with 7 tackles. Adding to the significant defensive performance was Alex Churchman and Tyler Kinman with 5 tackles each.
The Billies lost another close one to cascade christian 28-20. The Billies erupted for 20
points in the second quarter when Tyler Kinman
punched his way across the goal line on 21-yard
and 48-yard romps. Kinman also caught a pass
for another 50-yard touchdown. Kinman then
rolled his ankle keeping him out for two games.
Ty Callaghan collared Cascade’s quarterback
for a safety but Cascade came roaring back to
win.
Good time to win the first game at home
against Amity 18-8. The Billies rose to the occasion by clobbering #9 ranked Amity on the
strength of a solid running game. This game
showed the combined power of our front line
and running game.
Against Ontario, the Billies got skunked
in the red zone three times. Only a safety by
Tyler Kinman got the Billie on the board. Two
fumbles hurt the Billies who never got their
throwing game in the air. The
game
was within reach, but the
Billies could not finish.
T h e
win over
Glide will
may
provide the
spark to get the
team mojo back.
The size and power
have not changed. Now to
execute.
Right: Coach Fisher
can’t believe what he
sees.