Editor’s Note: Reporter German Cabrera Velasco caught up with Mr. Larios to find out more about Waldo’s newest counselor.

By German Cabrera Velasco

Q: How old are you?

A: I am 22 years old.

Q: Where did you go to college?

A: I went to college in California at CSU Dominguez Hills, and I also attended Grand Canyon University.

Q: When did you start working at Waldo?

A: August of 2022.

Q: Where were you were born?

A: I was born at Paramount in Los Angeles, California.

Q: What made you want to be a counselor?

A: I wanted to help kids who were struggling in any situation as well to help them overcome barriers.

By Lizbeth Leon-Constantino

the first meet                         

the first gaze

the first talk

the everyday talk

the love

the growing hearts

the aging hearts

the hopeless in love

the lover

the sickening hearts

the last hold

the gone and remembered

the last meet

Editor’s Note: Assistant Principal Gregg Hilker took a few minutes from his busy schedule this fall to sit down with reporter Leonardo Rayles and discuss a variety of topics.

By Leonardo Rayles

Q: How was your first week working as an Assistant Principal at Waldo Middle School?

A: It was fun. I enjoyed meeting new students.

Q: How was your first day at Waldo Middle School?

A: I was a little nervous, but I enjoy helping people in need.

Q: If you could change any rule in Waldo Middle school, what would it be?

A: I wouldn't change any rules. Waldo is perfect as it is.

Q: Do you have any family?

A: Yes, I do. I have five kids.

Q: What are your favorite types of foods?

A: I love food, especially Mexican, Italian and authentic food.

Q: If you could have any superpower, what would it be?

A: I would love to have unlimited strength like the Hulk.

Q: What is your favorite thing about Waldo Middle School?

A: I love how Waldo has many students from all over the world. 

Q: If you could pick any languages to learn, then what would they be?

A: I would love to learn Spanish and German. My ancestors are originally from Germany, so I would love to learn German.

Editor’s Note: When he’s not busy preparing for science classes, Mr. VanWyngarden likes to stretch his legs with other cross country runners and prepare to hit the track. Reporter Leslie Barocio Hernandez checked in with him to learn more about his interests.

By Leslie Barocio Hernandez

Question: What inspired you to be a cross country coach?

Answer: I'm already a long distance runner, and I wanted to share my enthusiasm with other runners.

Question: Do you teach anything other than Cross Country?

Answer: I also teach science classes.

Question: If you weren't a teacher or coach, what would you be?

Answer: I've been a yoga teacher before, also had my own business as a coffee roaster, and I also was a stay at home dad.

Question: Do you prefer teaching cross country or science?

Answer: I like of them for different reasons.

Question: As a teacher, what advice would you give to incoming 6th, 7th or 8th graders?

Answer: Feel comfortable and confident. Be yourself and try your hardest. Never stop believing in yourself. Sometimes things that are new and seem extra hard, but if you keep trying eventually those things start to get easy.

By Athena Henson

Story Thieves was published in 2015 by James Riley. Story Thieves is about a boy named Owen Connors and a girl named Bethany Sandersons. Bethany can jump into stories and can interact with the characters in the book.

There are five books in the series. In the first book, Owen sees Bethany jump into a book in the library after school. Bethany will do anything to make sure nobody learns her secret, so she makes a deal with Owen to take him into his favorite story.

Bethany agrees because she can look for her missing father while she takes him there.The book is very funny and the plot twist in the first book is really enjoyable. It is fun to see them go from being enemies to friends.

Some of my favorite parts are when they are jumping into other books and interacting with the other characters. I would recommend this book to anybody who likes fantasy fiction and adventure fantasy. ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Editor’s Note: Teontrae Davis (better known as Trae) started at Waldo this fall after working in in the district. As part of our Campus Safety team, he helps keep our building secure and reminds students about the importance of getting to class on time. Reporter Valentina Mellan caught up with Mr. Davis to learn more.

By Valentina Mellan

Question: Why do you like this job?

Answer: Because I like to get to know people from Waldo and help students be successful.

Question: What is it like being involved with security?

Answer: It is fun and interesting. We are always on the move to watch people that are skipping or not going to class.

Question: How long have you been working security within schools?

Answer: I worked one year before this.

Question: Which school is your favorite place to work?

Answer: Waldo!

Question: Why do you like Waldo?

Answer: Because it is a good environment and most students are respectful. I also love the black and yellow Mustang flags.

Editor’s Note: Reporter Italynn Michiuo caught up with Diego Fuimaono from Campus Security to learn more about his job at Waldo.

By Italynn Michiuo

Q: How did you get this job at Waldo and do you like your job?

A: I worked for the Campus Safety Department last year. I love that I get to keep the students and staff safe at Waldo.

Q: What are some good and bad things about working security?

A: It is a great staff with fun students. There’s lots of walking and using keys to help other staff. The bad thing is kids skipping and lunch time can be stressful. Sometimes kids are not listening. Also, the building is hot.

Q: How much do you earn?

A: I make good money, but the part that pays more is the relationships I can build with people at work.

Q: What do you see walking around the school everyday?

A: Kids sometimes try to skip, but there are also students striving to learn and be the best they can be.

Q: How do you feel about coming into work everyday?

A: I like work so I like to be here everyday. I look forward to seeing people and joking with the kids. I also like working with my security team. 

    Editor's Note: Ms. H (Helen Villagomez) has been working at Waldo for awhile, and this is her first year teaching Physical Education. Reporter Nina Mejia caught up with Ms. H to ask a few questions about her new job.

By Nina Mejia

    Question: Where did you work before coming to Waldo?

    Answer: I worked at a center for children with autism called Adventures with Autism.

    Question: Why did you want to work at Waldo?

    Answer: I wanted to work with kids in middle school.

    Question: What do you like about your job and what do you dislike?

    Answer: I like to be active in Physical Education, but I dislike waking up early.

    Question: When were you born?

    Answer: I was born in September of 1996.

By Jason Jones

School starts in September

They say it's fall, but it's not

New classes, new faces, new everything

Will I make it to October? Maybe

Memorize scores of names for faces

Sisters and brothers from years gone by

Meeting and teaching and surviving

Have we cleared September? Not yet

Clouds roll in and rain comes, too

Temperatures fall and moods improve

Think about hoodies or even light jackets

September is leaving, and true fall is near

Halloween decorations pop at the office

Pumpkin cookies and apple cider appear

That first paycheck in months finally arrives

It's October, my friend. You made it

By Jose Garibay Cervantes

Ms. Krantz teaches science at Waldo and she also coaches volleyball. I asked her some questions about teaching and other things from her life.

Q: How old are you?

A: I am 31 years old.

Q: Why did you get into teaching science?

A:  I liked it a lot as a kid and in high school my 9th grade biology teacher told me I probably wasn’t cut out for science.  She implied it would be too hard for me.  I really wanted to prove her wrong.  So I studied chemistry, biology, and environmental education in undergrad and went on to work in salmon habitat restoration.   I collected data, worked with volunteers, took kids on field trips, dissected salmon, and worked on multimillion dollar projects to restore coastlines and local streams for salmon.

Q: What is your favorite beverage?

A: My favorite drink is tea – cold, hot, sweetened, unsweetened. I like it all.

Q: What is your favorite food?

A: Breakfast is my favorite meal and breakfast tacos are maybe my number one, but I change my mind all the time.

Q: Do you have any kids?

A: I do not have any kids, but I do have a very cute dog named Rio. He is two years old and is an Australian Shepherd / border collie mix – we do a lot of hiking, backpacking, and fishing together.

Q: Do you have a husband or boyfriend?

A: I have a partner who I have been with for 6 years.  His name is Troy and he works as a Fish Biologist for the National Park Service. 

Q: What interests you most about teaching science?

A: I always loved to go camping with my family and I would collect frogs and ask questions and really liked learning new things about the natural world. Discovery!  I want other people to care about our natural environment as much as I do and I think that starts with education! Students are the future and I want them to build a future with clean water, fresh air, and lots of wildlife!

by Ezran Crain

Clark Looney is the Career Exploration teacher and he is one of the first people a yearbook student has interviewed.  He was asked many questions and he gave great answers. 

Question: ”What would you be if you weren't a teacher?”

Answer: “I would be an IT specialist or I would be running a small computer business.”

Question: “If you weren't teaching Career Exploration, then what would you be teaching?”

Answer: “I'd be teaching high school business.”

Question: ”Why did you become a teacher?”

Answer: ”I wanted a job that allowed me to stay close to home because my other job made me move around a lot.” 

Question: “Why are you teaching at a middle school?”

Answer: “The kids could still be interested in learning and they are mature.”

Question: “Do you like teaching?”

Answer: “Most days when students are on task, but yes overall.”

Question: “What do you dislike about teaching?”

Answer: “I don't like managing behaviors. I don't want to be a parent.”

Question: “Do you like your classroom or do you want a different one?”

Answer: “This is my favorite class, but I would add another module and I would add a water fountain.”

By The Mustangs Mirror Staff

    Waldo Social Worker Monique Jalca was the first staff member to visit with The Mustangs Mirror class this month, and students had a lot of questions for her. As she starts her second year at our school, she looks forward to continuing her work to assist others.

    “I love to help out people that need help,” Jalca said. “Sometimes it’s hard for people when they feel alone.”

    Jalca’s job takes her beyond the walls of Waldo to home visits and check-ins with families throughout our community. She loves to get involved, and the only thing that she dislikes is that sometimes there are limitations to how much she can change things.

    Originally from Los Angeles, Jalca moved to Keizer as a child where she attended Whitaker and McNary. Her last two years of high school were at North. Jalca and her husband have two sons, and the family enjoys spending time outdoors together. Other hobbies include reading and running with her black labrador retriever.

    While she was still a teenager, Jalca said she obtained early experience connected to social work by volunteering at a clinic that performs ultrasounds for pregnant women. She enjoyed making connections, so after earning a bachelors in Communications at Oregon State she went on to earn her Masters in Social Work at Portland State University. The work can be challenging, but she is up for the challenge even when it seems complicated.

    “I try to see things from different angles,” she said.

    Students peppered Jalca with questions after they learned about her job, and the class learned that she has not seen Breaking Bad but she did watch Coco and she liked it. She loves Mexican food, and noted that taquitos and Coke are among her favorite items in a meal.

    Another favorite for Jalca is Waldo Middle School itself, she said. While she certainly has options, is quite happy with our school.

    “I wouldn’t want to work anywhere else,” she said.

By Valentina Mellan

The waves in the sea go 

                               Up and down, 

                                Up and down,

                               Up and down,

                   The waves in the sea go 

                                Up and down

                            All day long.

                      Shark in the sea go

                        Snap, snap , snap

                        Swap, snap, snap 

                         Fish in the sea go

                       Swish,  swish, swish

                           Boat in the sea go

                             Toot, toot, toot

By Koda Elmore

Drew hit the duck

with a puck 

when drew called look out Mr. Cluck 

Mr. Cluck picked up a the puck 

and threw it

look out Drew

As the duck's evil chuckle

He chuckled oh so hard

That in the yard the puck stood 

Went to the duck 

*BAMB!!*

Pop right on the top of the duck's head

By Valentina Mellan

Some people think that winter is the best season, but many people say that summer and spring are the best. One reason that summer is the best is because you get to go on a trip. You can go to the beach and the lake or the river. Some people hate it outside when it is hot. But many people think it is good. It is the time to go around the world and travel and take a picture of the sun and enjoy your day. 

Nature in the summer season is full of bright colors. Everything around is flourishing, the birds are singing, and you can feel that nature  around you is lining up! Plants and trees are giving fruit, a lot of flowers are blooming with different colors, and everyone can feel an amazing smell in the air.  

In the summer you get to have free time with no school and you get to enjoy the days. You get to eat ice cream when it is sunny. You get to the movie theater. Eating watermelon makes it so cool in the summer. Students love summer because summer break lets us relax and play around. Summer is warm, sunny, and delightful!

By Valentina Mellan

Hawaii is a good place to travel during the break or summer. In the summer, people love to swim in the beach and take pictures of the view. The reason why it is the best place to visit is because it has the best food and people love to relax on the Waikiki beach . 

While you're in Hawaii you get to see the Hawaiian people do their hula dance and setting up the fire. One restaurant that people love to visit is Jollie Bee, and the dessert they could eat is ube ice cream. Ube ice cream which can be found in the store or the mall. 

An interesting fact about Hawaii is that it has beautiful beaches and Hawaii also has great weather. I think Hawaii is a good place to visit because it is relaxing and has the best food and good other things to do. Target is a good place to shop in Hawaii for all of your vacation needs. 

         By Kateryna Bass

If you’re ever on a ride and drive near Lincoln City, don't be shy and take a look around! With more miles of sand than any other Oregon coastal town, Lincoln city has 7 ½ miles of beautiful, clean sandy beaches and certainly makes a perfect beach destination. It is the perfect city for an exciting beach vacation or even a simple day off to enjoy the outdoors. Experience the ethereal of magnificent wildlife and marine exhibits such as the Hatfield Marine Science Center or Whale, Sealife & Shark Museum. The city also offers a variety of shopping options, from boutiques to souvenir shops as well as many delicious restaurants.The coastal adventure awaits!

   One thing I liked about Lincoln was their educational centers and museums. As previously mentioned, these marine exhibits always have new things to explore with hands-on activities such as Hatfields upcoming Fossil Fest on February 11, 10am- 4pm. Not to mention the prices are super affordable, having only a $5 entrance fee! The Oregon Coast Aquarium is also a popular attraction for families and provides educational opportunities for visitors to learn about the ocean and its inhabitants.

      If you enjoyed the aquarium and are interested in other marine life, I recommend visiting Depoe Bay, a hotspot for whales. You can watch whales from their long boardwalks or if you're eager to take a closer look make sure to come during winter or spring break to catch the whale watching weeks. During these weeks, volunteers from the Whale Watching Spoken Here program help thousands of Oregon coast visitors see the beauty of gray whales up close and educate them about the large ocean friends.

Personally, I like buying souvenirs from my trips and Lincoln is no exception, so visiting the Lincoln city Outlets was a must! The large open-air complex contains 50 outlets of iconic brands like Hot Topic and has plenty of dessert shops to enjoy.

        After all those attractions you are sure to build up an appetite, but no worries as the city offers a variety of options. From casual cafes to upscale restaurants with white table cloths and attentive waiters, there is something to satisfy every taste and budget! My family loves sushi, so Momiji Express at Lincoln City Outlets was the perfect restaurant for us. 

   The dining was relaxed and modern with a big selection of sushi rolls and other Japanese and Chinese entrees. The restaurant is clean, and looking back on my trip I can say that the staff were excellent. Be prepared for leftovers because the portions are huge! I couldn't believe the amount of food they put in front of me and it was all really good! Appetizers are a great price for the big portions, each meal is priced $6.88-$18.98 and their sushi rolls are $6.00- $12.96 if you're looking for a quick brunch. 

My recommendation is the Jalapeno Roll, especially if you like your food spicy. The roll was extra spicy with jalapenos topped by sriracha sauce and cooling cream cheese on the inside. Maybe a mistake but I ate all of it. My favorite part has to be the sushi boats, this was the first time I was in a restaurant that had them and I couldn't resist taking a few photos!