Debunking Myths
In April NHS received word that only 37 percent of sophomores and 22 percent of NPA seventh graders met or exceeded the state writing standard. These results represented a significant decline from last year’s scores.
Naturally, the news sent a shock wave through the administration and faculty, especially the English Department. In response, Principal Jon Zagel convened a Writing Task Force to study the problem and implement strategies next fall to improve student writing.
I’ve heard various theories from teachers explaining why NHS students performed so poorly on the tests. I can’t say I buy any of them.
Myth 1: NHS students demonstrated concrete proof of their apathy with their abysmal writing scores.
Myth 2: Addiction to email, texting, cell phones and multitasking destroyed NHS students’ ability to concentrate and write clearly.
Myth 3: Because Newport is a relatively poor community and many students suffer from serious poverty, NHS can’t possibly score as well as the rich schools.
Myth 4: NHS students from previous eras wrote much better than today’s digital drones.
In my experience and study of history, people and organizations that cling to myths while trying to reform something never end up implementing any meaningful reform.
Limited editorial space prevents me from thoroughly debunking these myths, but I could easily do so. All are demonstrably false. The first step to improve NHS writing scores is for teachers to let go of all these myths and start asking tough questions without easy answers already in mind. If we don’t, we’ll never improve.
Spring Sports Wrap: Cubs Advance to State
As The Harbor Light went to press, NHS’ baseball team battled Sutherlin on May 25 in the first round of the state playoffs. The Cubs earned a trip to the post season by taking first in the Valco League with an 8-4 record.
Senior Tristan Metcalf earned the league’s Most Valuable Player award and was joined on the first team by junior Logan Goins (pitcher), senior Joe Crowe (utility) and junior Casee Case (infield).
The NHS softball team finished its season with 7-5 record, second in Valco League. Stayton bounced the Cubs from the post season with a 16-2 victory in Newport on May 22.
In golf action, the boys team captured first place in the Valco League District Tournament May 10-11 held at Trysting Tree. The Cubs went on to nail down the 11th spot at the state championships held May 17-18 at the Emerald Valley Golf Club in Creswell. At district, junior Tom Graves and senior Brandon Cook each shot 161 to share medalist honors.
Both the boys and girls track teams turned in impressive performances at the district track meet held at Sweet Home May 21-22. The boys squad took fourth while the girls ended up third.
Sixteen Cubs qualified for the state track meet at Hayward Field in Eugene on May 28-29.
Freshman Cherilyn Bunker grabbed first place in both the shot put and discus. Senior Hollie Doyle won the pole vault and sophomore Oshay Dunmore nabbed the title in the discus and will defend his state championship from last year.
Junior Silken Kennedy and sophomore Jacey Grimstad hand off in a relay.
Senior Joe Crowe slides into second.
The HL Lends a Helping Spoke
I have a student with health issues that needs a bike. Does anyone have one sitting around their place waiting for a home?” asked Health Services Advocate Karen McCrae in an email sent to the entire NHS staff. The Harbor Light responded and partnered up with Bike Newport to restore a bike suitable for the student’s transportation and medical needs.
“We like to help people out and be a part of the community,” explained Darin Viar of Bike Newport. “Someone gave [the bike] to us with the hopes of helping someone out.”
The student who received the bike requested anonymity. “I live out of town and my mom works six days a week,” she said. “I need help getting around.”
As well as satisfying her transportation needs, the bike also helps the student physically. “I definitely have a lot more energy,” she noted. For fun, she likes to ride down to the beach and enjoy the scenery. “[The bike] is making things possible that weren’t possible before,” she said.
McCrae advises the mantra, “a healthy student is a successful student,” and stays available to students in need at all times during the school day. She can be reached in the Medical Center.
By Rache’ll Brown
“Sex Guy” Needs to Get Out More
Illustration by Liz Crandall
Just about everybody loves Brad Henning, “The Sex Guy.” He gets us out of class and talks about things we can relate to, but most of all, he makes us laugh.
As a freshman, this was my first time seeing his presentation. I thought he did a great job addressing the key differences between men and women. But he also made broad generalizations, as he freely admitted. He presented a very narrow view of the ideal healthy relationship and failed to mention anything about homosexuality, non-monogamous relationships and the importance of sexual compatibility.
Finally, one other issue stood out to me. Towards the end of the presentation, Henning, in an effort to prove the importance of virginity upon marriage, asked the entire male audience to raise their hand if the issue was not important to them after stating that he did not expect any of them to do so. In this way, he made this point appear proven when in fact the poll relied on a fear of public criticism.
Upon Henning’s return to NHS, I urge him to recognize the diversity of his audience and address a wider variety of issues.
By Alyssa Clayton
First NPA Talent Show Proves a Smashing Success
Briana Thompson received second with a dance ensemble.
Excitement filled the air as students filed into the East Gym May 7 to enjoy the first annual NPA, INMS and NIS Talent Show.
To start the assembly, NPA Teacher Dayl Wood quickly explained the judging criteria (audience participation, originality, personality, stage presence and overall performance) and introduced the judges, INMS Teacher Paul Tucker, NPA Teacher PJ Collson, retired Teacher Kathy Piazza and NIS Teachers Amy Calavan and Stephanie Zandoli.
Acts ranged from various forms of dance to heartfelt renditions of well known songs. NPA student Emily Gibson kicked off the performances by singing “Hot Air Balloon” by Owl City. Gibson was one of the eight students showcasing their voice as a talent. There were also five dance performances, one spoken word (a creative parody of “Tik Tok” performed by NIS students Dakota Romero and Chrisheena Fugely) and one dramatic reading by INMS student Beckett Savage accompanied by actors.
It took six committees led by NPA students Katie Losier, Baylee Layton, Amanda Tumey, Candace Mettle, Katie Endicott and Dylan Doll to stage the assembly. “It was hard because you are younger and no one really listens to you,” explained Layton. “It was really good for NPA’s first talent show though.”
Savage snagged first place receiving $50 as a prize, while NPA student Briana Thompson took second with a dance performed to the song “Down” by Jay Sean, receiving $25. NPA student Justine Washington rounded out the winners as the third place recipient performing a dance to “Single Ladies” by Beyoncé, receiving $10.
By Rache’ll Brown
NPA students line up to hear from the judges.
Baylee Layton of NPA, Gabie Slaton and Tatiana Gil of INMS show off their mad dance skills.
Beckett Savage of INMS wonf first with his dramatic reading.
NPA's Jsutine Washington got third from the judges with a dance to "Single Ladies."
Salutatorian and Valedictorians
From left to right Salutatorian Lizzi Belmont, Valedictorians Hayley Trivett, Alexander Rose, Tamara Greenlief and Hollie Doyle celebrate their achievement.
Boys Basketball Coach Resigns; New Coach Hired
In a weekly NHS Booster Club meeting on April 2, Mike Wagner resigned from his position as the head boys basketball coach due to a strained situation with a group of parents.
Many NHS players were upset with the resignation and organized a protest in support of Wagner.
In Wagner’s first year leading the program, NHS took sixth in state. LCSD Superintendent Tom Rinearson stated that Wagner could reapply for the position if he wanted to.
“I would like another opportunity to work with the players, and I’m not just looking to make it through another season,” Wagner told the News-Times.
“I fully want to see things work. I want to get people that are skeptics or critics right now or even dislike what we did this year, and I want to try and show them that we can be successful if we all work together,” he said.
Despite Rinearson’s statement, NHS recently hired Mike Williams to replace Wagner as head coach.
Williams’ hire makes him the third head coach in three years.
By Avery Heater & Matt Love
Student Body President Elected
NHS students sat in third period May 5th to vote for the president and vice president positions. In a battle of flyers posted around the school, juniors A’Briana Cortes and Clayton Jacobson campaigned against each other for the position of student body president. Jacobson, armed with candidate for vice president Zach Wood took the vote over Cortes and her partner for vice president, Jessica Abney. Jacobson reveals his plans for the future stating, “We hope to continue the good work of the current president and vice president by amping up school spirit.”
By Jaki Nestor
NHS Sweeps Literary Contest
“I got the phone call and couldn’t stop smiling,” explained NHS junior Danica Edgington, first place fiction winner for The Lincoln County Literary Contest.
Edgington is just one of nine NHS students who swept all contest awards. Following Edgington in the fiction category are senior Phoebe Horvath (second place) and sophomore KD Rider (third place). In the poetry category, sophomore Domenica Gavin took first, senior Jaki Nestor took second and senior Aaron Bovett took third. The non-fiction winners include senior Phoebe Horvath (first place), freshman Raina Powell (second place) and senior Riley Kelley (third place).
NHS students submitted 380 of the 400 entries this year. “We’ve got great writers here at NHS,” added Contest Advisor Matt Love. “This contest proved it.”
By Devin Crayton
Students Become Organic
NHS’ second literary review Organic Oregonian will launch Wednesday, June 9th from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Visual Arts Center located in Nye Beach. Composed by Matt Love’s Creative Writing Class, the book follows last year’s success Not Gonna Make It, featuring the works of students and staff at NHS.
The literary review will include a selection of the nearly 400 submissions in categories of fiction, non-fiction, poetry, nature/Oregon themed art and “How to Become.” Organic Oregonian will not feature a CD as last year’s Not Gonna Make It did. The theme song can be found on the Friday Lunch Jam channel <www.youtube.com/nhsfridaylunchjam>.
By Jordan Fanucchi
