THE FALCONER Elmira High School 24936 Fir Grove Ln. New Garcia Center... P.3 Elmira, Oregon 97437 13, 2013 Staff Members back in the day... P.5 Volume 50 Issue 3 Ask Freddy the Falcon... P.13 50th Anniversary of Doctor Who... P.14 New Service Center seeks to serve “The Tony Garcia Center was a 1,600 vides Senior Connections, Senior Meals cia Center began taking shape N square foot building next to Veneta Elemen- and Meals on Wheels which delivers food in its new location behind Dari tary,” said DeAnna Boggs. to those who are homebound. Financial Mart. Donations, grants, and E Boggs was involved with the building of aid, referrals and other assistances are also fundraising provided the money the new service center. The Tony Garcia provided to those in need. for the new service center. W Center, now called the The project was inspired by a desire to bet- Along with providing Fern Ridge Service Cen- care to people 60 years ter, was built next to Dari or older, The Fern Ridge S Mart on West Broadway Service Center will also and is over 7,000 square be holding bingo games and other feet. The new building activities. Better service will come in has more floor and office the form of a new medical outreach space. There will also be program that is being established; more room for seniors a nurse who will come in and talk and for the L.O.V.E. about foot care; and the center open- Project, which provides ing five days a week instead of three. a food pantry. Having a “We hope to provide services not larger capacity will make just to seniors but to the uninsured it easier to serve the com- and homeless in the years to come,” munity. The new Tony Garcia Service Center is located K. Connors/The Falconer says Boggs. behind Dari Mart in Veneta. In the past, the Tony Veneta and the surrounding areas Garcia Service Center has stored the food ter serve the community and a need for more have high hopes for the new Fern Ridge used for the L.O.V.E. Project food pantry, space. The old Tony Garcia Center was on Service Center and the opportunities it will Fern Ridge Gleaners, Mid-Lane Cares, and school property and Veneta Elementary has provide to those in need. Lane Council of Governments (LCOG) acquired it for their own use because of -By Katriel Connors Senior & Disabled Services. LCOG pro- overflowing classes. Consequently, the Gar- Congrats • It’s wonderful when your substitute has nothing but News Flashes New district website is improving after a long delay compliments for your freshman classes! Thank you and a rought rollout-sound like health care? -Cooper freshmen for being so wonderful. -St. Hilare • The Guitar Class on surviving their first recital and put- Good luck to our winter sports athletes -Carpenter ting on a great show! Especially Annika. -Kappler • Mr. Monegan and his new baby boy! -Lee We will be ordering Calendars to help fundraise • Coach Carpenter and Coach Brands with their domi- for the Friendship Connection soon! -Anderson nance over Coach Shannon and Coach Best. Good job seniors. -Guldager Good luck to all winter sports athletes as competi- • Mr. Brands for doing the jobs of two people and still tion gets under way! ¡Espero que todos tengan un buen receso de invierno...y también seguro! -Snider managing to always have a cheerful attitude. -Langley

Did you know that Obamacare and the Affordable Care Act are the same thing? We interviewed 50 people about which health care plan they preferred.

Which health care plan is better? Obamacare--3 Affordable Care Act--21 Don’t Know--15 Same Thing--11 December 13, 2013 Falconer 3 N Falcons volunteer, donate to bring holiday cheer Key Club is a high school orga- and starting new Key Club programs across the UN organization that provides humanitarian assis- nization that is dedicated to raising state, with help from school administrators and tance to women and their children in developing E money and charitable donations. principals. Since 1946, Key Club has been an countries. This organization was founded by the According to the Kiwanis sponsored international organization, with Canadian clubs United Nations on December 11, 1946. Key Club website, their Key Club is planning a few more projects for W mission is to “Provide its their charitable cause. “Right now we’re do- members with opportuni- ing the boxes, and we’re working ties to provide service, [on] the Adopt-A-Family with Honor Society. S build character, and We are helping with the Thanksgiving feast develop leadership.” for low income families at the elementary. We Key Club is a Kiwanis sponsored will be working on the canned food drive and organization at the high school level going to Ray’s trying to get people to donate that allows students to “learn leadership cans of food, and then we help sort it and skills” and “perform acts of service in distribute it. Then we will be working on the their communities.” At Elmira, the club Easter egg hunt, [and] then we will be mak- is a great way for students to get in ing Easter baskets for the relief nursery. Last hours of community service, a prereq- year, we made thirty baskets [for the] relief uisite for graduation. nursery,” said Marquess. “[Key Club] is a student organization Key Club and its projects are open to any that’s a part of Kiwanis, and we are a student, whether or not they want to join. Any service organization. So we do things to student can contribute to the cause. help Kiwanis do some of their projects “Just by donating, you know, when we are S. Parker/The Falconer plus we have our own projects,” said collecting for Doernbecher, they can help. Forrest Cooper (middle) speaks to Key Club about Operation Christ- Doncella Marquess, Key Club adviser. Like when we had a garage sale, donat- mas Child; advisers Dennis Paronto (left) and Doncella Marquess At Key Club, students “Volunteer, ing things, they can do a trick or treat for (right) supervise. [and] take time out of your life to help UNICEF. A few pennies help. We are trying others. You help out around the community,” said opening up that year. to stamp out tetanus for mothers and children Yvonne Cochran, jr. Key Club has been working on several projects [which] usually ends up being fatal. Just a few Key Club was founded in May 1925 in Sacra- this year. pennies here and there: every little bit helps,” said mento, California. Several school administrators “[We’ve been] volunteering at the Kiwanis din- Marquess. pitched the idea of a high school organization ner, trick-or-treating for UNICEF, and collecting The club is open to any student who wishes to modeled after Kiwanis, providing vocational money at a garage sale for Doernbecher Chil- join and contribute their energy and time toward and community service experience to students. dren’s Hospital,” said Cochran. charitable projects and events. Kiwanis promptly began expanding this practice United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) is a -By Steven Parker Local food drive: warehouse sold, church opens doors The Kiwanis Holiday Food the food drive sorting and said Boggs. organized this year but more Drive will be moving to a distributing will take place at Fern Ridge Middle School on getting as many donations new location this year. The the church of the Latter Day often brings in a large amount as possible. old warehouse next to Ray’s on the corner of Hunter of food. This year, instead of This year, distribution day is has been sold and will be a and Huston Roads. The gym the food on December 21. call center, giving 180 new inside of the church will be being moved to the warehouse “The success this year will jobs to Veneta citizens. A new the storage spot for all do- near Ray’s, the food is staying be even more satisfying when auto parts store will also be an nated food. Although smaller, at the middle school until we reflect on accomplishing addition to Veneta’s shopping the Kiwanians are making Distribution Day approaches. what was the unthinkable center. adjustments to the food drive “Donations are a bit down situation just a few weeks “I think it’s great to see the to have a successful year. this year, but we are working ago,” said Dennis Paronto, lo- space by Ray’s rented! The “It was a little difficult on lighting further fires under cal Kiwanian associated with call center and auto parts finding a location that would our students to build up the the food drive. store will bring much needed be big enough and not im- donations. We can’t let the The Kiwanis Holiday Food jobs to our community,” said pede traffic. The gym at the high school top us!” said Bob Drive will be collecting food DeAnna Boggs, Kiwanian Mormon church is our new Bruce, leadership teacher at in local stores, businesses and and head coordinator/planner location, hopefully for years Fern Ridge. Bruce helps lead- schools for the next month. of the Kiwanis Holiday Food to come. As with any change, ership students organize the Food will be sorted in the fol- Drive. there will be things that come food drive collections within lowing weeks and delivered The warehouse, large in size up and kinks to work out, the middle school. Bruce said to those in need during the and capacity, was used in the but with all the experience of that those at the middle school Saturday before Christmas on past to house the food for the the volunteers. I’m confident aren’t thinking much about December 21. local food drive. This year, everything will work out,” where food is being stored or -By Grieta King 4 Falconer December 13, 2013 Math clips Falcons’ wings F Many different classes are no matter what,” said Lobrovich. Scalise. “No effort, I try offered, all of varying subjects. Scalise thinks explaining things Lobrovich wasn’t as enthused. the hardest!” was E Some kids struggle, some suc- better would help, as well as hav- “I don’t try that hard, because I Lansing’s response. ceed, but out of the kids who ing more fun math games. don’t care, and it’s hard and hurts Scalise says that she struggle, most of them were able One stereotype about kids who my head, not even going to lie,” thinks most kids here A to identify the one struggle with math, subject they thought “unless they’re Seth T put the “ugh” in [Johnson].” struggle: math. Lansing thinks Seven out of ten basically everyone, U kids questioned said “except the Asians.” math was their least “Most people I favorite subject. guess.” Lobrovich R “It’s a difficult sub- said. ject because it hurts Some kids tend to E me.” Lobrovich blame the teacher went on to say that or teaching style, she’s in geometry, whereas others S and that she has to blame themselves be because “school’s and the way they learn. Lansing stupid,” said Eva said she has no issue learning; Lobrovich, soph. it’s just hard when things get Mya Lansing, fr., switched up. also taking geom- Lobrovich blames herself. etry, finds math to be “I just suck at math, I guess,” okay. she said “It’s not that hard,” On a happier note, they were said Lansing. “It’s happy to identify their favorite just repetitive and class. boring.” “Art,” Lobrovich said. Lan- Caitlin Scalise, jr., sing’s is German, and Scalise has no math class said that hers is science. currently but is no stranger to the struggle with math is that they Lobrovich said. Whatever struggling class a subject. just aren’t trying. “I try so hard, Some students didn’t really think student might have, there’s always “Math wasn’t really hard until like more effort than a crack much effort was being put out to another student feeling the same Algebra 2, then it got kind of hard, addict trying to find crack!” said raise failing grades. or different. There’s Homework but I did pre-calculus anyways, so Lansing. “Not that much if they’re, you Club, and math teachers with open yeah,” said Scalise. Making math Scalise agreed with Lan- know, failing,” said Lobrovich. doors willing to accommodate dif- more appealing may be a chal- sing. Scalise agrees, and said she ferent learning styles and levels, lenge. “I put in so much effort, and try so doesn’t see really any effort put and math tutors. “I don’t really care; it’s stupid hard, like superman effort.” said out. -By Amelia Warren Staff members travel b a c k t o t h e d a y Few of the staff members at Elmira assistant. “Kids now have more oppor- involved with the school and with favorite subject was history. High School have previously gone to tunities than my generation had. We her children who were attending EHS “The teacher [Dean Cherbas] made EHS for their own learning experi- didn’t have EA’s either. My favorite when she started. things relevant, and talked a lot. It ence. class was woodshop, and now it’s not “The school looks mostly the same wasn’t sitting and reading out of a “Things were different and differ- even a class.” Keller came back to as ‘back in the day’ but there have book,” said Guldager. ent!” said Kelly Keller, educational Elmira because she wanted to be more been a few changes.” said Stacy Cor- Money is nothing new to Leiisa nelius, leadership advisor. “Computer Boytz, bookkeeper. She worked at and science were my favorite subjects. Swanson’s Mill in the office doing pay The world of the computers was roll for many years. When Boytz went exploding at the time I was in high to school, she said the difference now school. I have always had a strong is that “administration is stricter,” but interest in science, especially geology it’s for the best. Boytz liked math; it and astronomy.” was easier for her. She enjoys her job Jon Guldager, social studies teacher, here, because she likes dealing with also went to EHS. He said that he the kids. never really left; he helped with the Having a percentage of the faculty football program with Darryl Mehl. who previously attended EHS ensures Guldager also started substituting at that the staff cares about the school Elmira and then became a teacher. His and the community’s future. -By Tyler Miller December 13, 2013 Falconer 5 F Francis represents political demographic shift in America, world Pope Francis shook in 2007 in America and Canada, the People and the Press. Some of can know for sure what the Christian E up the Catholic com- according to the 2009 Yearbook of these people are still religious, even God thinks. Others, like Anderson, munity and the internet American and Canadian Churches. Christian, but have stopped being of think similarly but for different when he voiced his “What I would like to see the any particular denomination. reasons. A view that those who “That always bothered me when I follow their conscience was growing up, that as long as you T can be forgiven by the believe in God you go to heaven. Christian God and go to That doesn’t make any sense,” said heaven. This, com- Anderson. U bined with some of his Francis’ position is one that has other more progressive gained popularity among many views, made news for because it would mean the Chris- R quite some time. Now, tian God judges people based on even though the buzz morality, rather than whether or not has settled down, the they are Christian, sometimes even a E new Pope is still being specific type of Christian. talked about, reported “You can be the worst person in by languagemonitor. the world, a mass murderer, just a S com as the top name terrible person and you still get to go of 2013. Opinions of to heaven. That doesn’t seem correct the new Pope have generally been to me,” said Anderson. positive. Francis’ position means that even “I actually like him a lot… he’s Atheists can get into heaven, so long very supportive of gay rights,” said as they follow their conscience and Nicole Anderson, German teacher. strive to help others. Francis seems determined to steer “The Lord has redeemed all of us, the church in a different direction, all of us, with the Blood of Christ… which he says has been too focused ‘Father, the Atheists?’ Even the on matters of sex, especially homo- Atheists. Everyone!... ‘But I don’t sexuality, abortion and contracep- believe, father, I am an Atheist!’ But tion. do good, We will meet one another The new Pope’s selection comes as there,” said Francis during a homily, a demographic shift is taking place a commentary given after a reading in the U.S. More and more people of scripture, given in late May earlier are not associating themselves with this year. any particular religious denomina- The Vatican quickly responded by tion, according to census reports. saying this was not the case, and that While there are many factors that church do is right their wrongs. If One of the Pope’s more controver- the original Catholic tradition still could be a part of this change, one they update where they stand on a sial views was his opinion on who stands. This shows more clearly the of them may be the church’s stances lot of issues, some young people will can get into heaven. He believes that discrepancy between Francis and the on issues like gay rights. The spread say ‘Hey, the church isn’t so bad,’” those who follow their conscience, rest of the church leadership. of legalized same sex marriage and said Emilee Russell, sr. She believes try to do the right thing, and make This conflict has the Pope against more common acceptance of gays people are turning away from the the world a better place, will go to the long and commonly held beliefs is a trend away from the position of church, and statistics support her. heaven. Russell agrees with this of the Catholic hierarchy. Statistics the church, so the Pope could save it In 2012, those who didn’t have any position. show that people have been moving from losing as many members as it religious affiliation made up 19 “I think that if your heart is good away from the church, and whether has been. The church lost .59 percent percent of the population according you can go to heaven,” said Russell. or not Pope Francis will change this of its members, around 398,000, to statistics from the Pew Center for However, she believes that nobody is anybody’s guess. -By Aidan Ohnemus Sleep Paralysis stalks dreamers Imagine waking up, filled though; it will shortly vanish soccer while asleep. sis is the source of many an- with energy from a wonderful on its own. That is because it However, if a person wakes cient myths about being visited night’s slumber. Now imagine is the result of a dream that up without stopping REM by gods or spirits while asleep, that after waking up, there is a happened while being awake. sleep, the person is not only and also for more modern horrid monster in front of the Sleep paralysis happens when a paralyzed, but also dreams reports of alien abductions and bed, and it is saying it wants to person wakes up without stop- continue to happen--while they demon attacks. Sleep paralysis eat toes. On top of this, move- ping REM sleep, the stage of are awake. For some reason, is also widespread-- although ment is impossible, paralyz- sleep that causes dreams to hap- this usually happens with only 6 percent of the popula- ing one’s limbs. This is sleep pen. When people go to sleep, nightmares, leading to quite tion will have it commonly, 93 paralysis and it can happen to the brain purposely paralyzes frightening situations, and also percent will have at least one you. the body, which is why people explaining some things. isolated incident. Don’t worry about the monster don’t go and drive cars or play It is believed that sleep paraly- -By Jeremy Cooper 6 Falconer December 13, 2013 ForSanta the last 1600 years, a stranger reveals“Although it wasn’t without a of benefits.his They just have truthsme mail a hire more elves now. F has been breaking into your house, struggle that I managed to beat list of names to something called the As in actually pay them leaving little boxes underneath a out all the competition… that fight CIA yearly. Don’t know what that’s wages. With money that , and then promptly squeezing changed me forever,” Santa lament- about, but hey, free money! I had a distinct lack of. E himself out of your chimney. Unless ed. “I didn’t used to be all-knowing, “As to how I ended up here,” he “Needless to say, in- you lack a chimney. In that case we and trust me, there are a lot of times said, waving his hands to indicate spired by the American A have no idea how he is getting in, I wish I wasn’t,” he paused, search- the , “that is an interest- unions, they went on which is even more frightening. The ing for words. “However, there was ing story. I actually started off in strike in 1914. It was man’s name? one great benefit that came out of , but over the years there was a terrible for everyone, T . especially with the To determine exactly why he timing. There was a continues with his reign of terror war on! That means U (he sees you when you’re sleeping, I’m needed even more he knows when you’re awake) I than usual! It was a recently traveled to the North Pole tremendous scandal, R to interview him, or at least as close and that is why in 1921 to the North Pole as the 1921 Treaty I ended up giving in to E of Clauses permits. After entering the combined demands within 100 miles of the North Pole, I of the U.S. and the elf had a bag placed over my head by a unions. S group of elves (humans are still not “But then… then permitted to know the exact location everything changed. I became heav- of his operations, due to being “too ily commercialized. I was referred naughty”), and was flown via magic to as the man who would judge you, to the great man himself. not be kind to you. There was a big The interview was lengthy and shift there, and I had to keep the enlightening. customers happy. That’s how we “I started off as a smalltime anthro- ended up where we are now, with morphic personification of kindness, Claus Incorporated.” He points out operating mainly in the vicinity of the window to the company jet I ar- Eastern Europe,” he began. “There all of that, and that was the elves.” gradual shift north until I ended up in rived on. “Using money I had saved was a lot of competition back then, Grinning, he continued. “Do you Hamburg. Anyway, from there I ac- up, I bought a fleet of those and put from Odin to to Tomte have any idea how hard it is to create tually went to Iceland, which is how pressure on the U.S. to help me keep to . A lot of those names thousands of toys by yourself each that whole ‘Santa Lives at the North Christmas going, which resulted in you might not recognize, and that’s year? I was swamped for centuries… Pole thing’ started. Once everybody the state of Clauslandia coming into how it was then. You would get until suddenly there were several started sending their gift lists up existence. You have to understand, on your feet, get a few thousand thousand tiny people knocking on there instead…. well, I had either to I don’t particularly like this system, believers to empower you, and then my front door. Best labor I ever had. move or go out of business. By then but it’s what is expected of me.” bam, someone bigger takes you out.” Of course, back then it was slave it was about 1834, and business was Claus smiled. “I’ve been running He smiles and pats his ample belly. labor, but now they’re subsidized by booming. America had brought a Christmas for 1600 years…and I “Fortunately, I was the biggest. the U.S. government and get all sorts lot of new business in, and I had to intend to run it for another 1000.” -By Jeremy Cooper saw the point in taking care of you feel differently? What would you do? my teeth until I lost them, and “I would feel terrible for hav- Imagine, you’re going to a new job that day to see how well he now I want to try to help other ing my doubts. If he did a good dentist, you enter the lobby, and does. Then, when I got home, people feel differently than I job I would still let him contin- the room has a warm comfort- I would clean and examine my did then. I don’t want anyone ue to examine my teeth.” Sutton able feel. The secretary gives teeth again to see if he did a to make the same mistake that I said. So, given these circum- a friendly greeting, and so far, good job. If he didn’t, then I made…” Now that the dentist stances, what would you do? you have no worries. The dental would tell my mom and have has explained his story, would -By Jessica Coone assistant comes out and calls her change my dentist,” said your name; you stand and fol- Sarah Sutton, fr. But then again, low her to the cleaning room. what if he couldn’t help for his She is very friendly, and does loss of teeth? a good job with your cleaning. The dentist gets wide-eyed “The dentist will be in to exam- and puts his hand over his ine your teeth in a bit,” she says. mouth. He must have seen your The dentist arrives soon after shocked expression. You try the dental assistant leaves, you not to think about the irony of smile and he smiles back, but the situation, a dentist without one thing is missing; his teeth. teeth! He looks at his feet and What would you do? explains to you, “I know it’s “I would let him finish the odd, but you see, I never really December 13, 2013 Falconer 7 Local tree farm preps for holidays F The holidays are Carroll’s Farm, a tree farm, Lee checks to make about giving and that’s what my coming up and that local tree farm, owned by Sharron sure the netted is work- faith tells me I should be doing- E means daily prepara- and Lee Carroll, preps for most ing correctly. -giving. After all the happiness A T U R E S Carroll’s Christmas Tree Farm begins to prepare for the holidays. K. Wolgamott/The Falconer tion for all Christmas tree farms. for the year. The farm has hay “We have to prep the trees all and giving, clean up starts and the Preparation usually starts as late rides, popcorn, hot cocoa, a food year long. We have to fertilize and satisfaction sinks in,” said Carroll. as August or early September. stand, and Santa Claus. harvest the trees. The hardest part At the end of the day, the owners Cutting the dead trees, trimming Lee, co-owner, stops by daily to is loading trucks with all the trees have their satisfaction in see- trees, measuring trees, decorat- make sure everything is in place. that we have to harvest. My favor- ing happy faces and the families ing the fields for the holidays and He makes sure the candy is in ite part is seeing the happy fami- receive their satisfaction in pick- buying lots of hot chocolate are a the right place down lies and all the happy children. It’s ing out that special tree for the part of the process. Lane and on the other side of the all about Christmas. Christmas is holidays. -By Kaylee Wolgamott F a Car of the Month l c o n

A t t Lexi Robbins,sr. a Robbins owns a 2000 Mitsubi- her car but says her favorite shi Eclipse that her grandpar- thing about her car is that it c ents bought her last year during is fast. Keep your eyes peeled softball. Robbins couldn’t for the sleek, gray charm with k think of the stupidest part of Robbins in the driver’s seat. s “Hello, my name is Juniper Sennett and I am a freshman. I wish I was a super hero. I don’t really know what I want to be when I grow up. Being attacked wasn’t that bad con- sidering I personally know the Falcon. I love all kinds of food. I don’t really have a favorite color and my favorite class is German. I sit in my front yard every day waiting for my letter to Hogwarts.” 8 Falconer December 13, 2013