By Nina Mejia

Editor’s Note: Reporter Nina Mejia caught up with Mrs. Castro Jimenez to learn more about one of Waldo’s long-time staff members.

Q: What do you like about Waldo?

A: I like working at Waldo because I can relate to the students. They are like a great family. We share some aspects from our culture. The staff is nice and they help each other out. I like making connections with students and learning more about their cultures and lives. 

Q: What do you like about your job as a science teacher?

A: I like to help students to learn and improve every day.

Q: What do you hate about Waldo?

A: I do not hate anything about Waldo.

Q: Why would you want to teach science?

A: Science is very interesting because you learn things about the  world.

Q: Where did you  work before here at Waldo?

A: I worked as a doctor in Mexico before I began working here.

By Ileana Gutierrez Saldana

Reflecting on her how experiences as a child helped guide her career choice, registered nurse Julie Drohman spoke with students last week about her memories of a hospital visit when she was a child.

"I just remember thinking this was a scary experience,” she said, “ but because of the nurses it was less scary."

She remembers the nurses that were taking her to be kind and take really good care of her. She wanted to be like them. 

As she got older, she graduated from the University of Portland, and she will be a nurse for 10 years in May. She has now worked at 14 different schools including Waldo.

Her first job was in North Carolina, and it was pretty intense.

"It was extremely stressful to work on a cardiac unit,” she said, adding that she learned a lot during her two years there.

Her favorite part of her job as a nurse is patient education and explaining their medical conditions to them.

“If you like taking care of people, then I would say that nursing is a good choice," she said.

 Some benefits of being a  nurse are getting well paid and having flexible schedules. You also have a variety of options regarding where to work. Right now, Drohman is happy with Salem-Keizer Public Schools. She has been working with students for six years.

“I had never worked with kids before,” she said. “I absolutely love it.”

By Zhanna Shevelenko

   Women's month started on March 1st, and I think there are a lot of powerful women out there who need recognition. It's important because Women's History Month provides us all with an opportunity to research, write about, share stories and raise awareness of the diversity of women's lived experiences. It's important that we learn about women and their accomplishments despite what people said to them to bring them down.

1. Rosa Parks

   Rosa Parks was American activist who started the bus boycott after she refused to give up her seat. She changed many lives and many perspectives regarding black people, and because of that she will be known as a hero for many.

2. Elizabeth Blackwell

   Elizabeth Blackwell was the first female doctor and a role model for many women. Against her parents wishes, she studied nursing and helped many wounded soldiers during the Civil War. She also “championed the participation of women in the medical profession and ultimately opened her own medical college for women,” according to Wikipedia. 

3. Malala Yousafzai 

   Malala Yousafzai is a Pakistani education activist who got shot in the face after trying to fight for education for women, but that didn't stop her. She is currently fighting for women's right to an education, and she has inspired many even at such a young age.

4. Raymonde de Laroche

   Raymonde de Laroche was the first female pilot on March 8th, 1910. She received the 36th aeroplane pilot's license issued by the Aeroclub de France, the world's first organization to issue pilot licenses.

5.  Helen Adams Keller

   Helen Adams Keller was an American author, disability rights advocate, political activist and lecturer. At a young age she got sick, but after she recovered she was deaf and blind. She grew up and learned how to read braille and how to communicate with people, then she wrote a book about her life and her struggles.

By Athena Henson

Students at Room 110 recently had a chance to meet with Sergeant Don Parise and Deputy Sofia Contenta of the Marion County Sheriff’s Office. Sergeant Parise went to Waldo during the 1980s.

Q: Why did you become a police officer?

A: (from Parise) I've always known that I wanted to be a police officer since I was five years old. When I was 14 years old,  I got to wear a uniform and go on a ride. It felt like the best job in the world.

Q: How many special events do you guys have to patrol in a year?

A: (from Contenta) We have to do over 100 events a year.

Q: What are some benefits of being a police officer?

A: (from Parise) Personal and financially, we live comfortably but we are not rich. We get enough so we are not living paycheck to paycheck, and we get to give back to the community.

Q: What is the hardest part of training?

A: (from Contenta) The waiting is hard. I had to do a test, and they had to do background checks. That took six months, and I couldn't start training until then.

Q: What is the best part of your job?

A: (from Contenta) Driving my car and being on patrol. You never know what each day will look like. 

(from Parise) Relationships. You get really close with the people you work with and build a lot of trust.

Q: What are some common issues you see a lot?

A: (from Contenta) Homelessness is becoming more of an issue. Domestic violence and drugs have always been an issue.

Q: What was a dangerous event that you went through? 

A: (from Parise) In 2001, I almost died in a car crash when a car did not yield to our sirens. The doctor said if it was a few seconds later I would have died.

Q: What is a goal you have?

A: (from Contenta) A goal I have is to have at least 30 percent more female police officers nationwide by 2030. 

By Valentina Mellan

With glistening beauty 

The islands stand out

The warm days 

Feel like summer throughout

With the waves crashing 

Wind blowing in the palm trees 

With the sun above 

Colors are different 

The flowers stand out

The sunset comes out soon 

As I look out

So come with me to Hawaii 

The bright, beautiful place

By Kateryna Bass

        A great approach to staying active and challenging yourself is participating in the rapidly rising popularity of bouldering. If you haven’t heard of it, bouldering is a form of rock climbing without the use of ropes or harnesses; it consists of climbing short, challenging routes up rock formations or indoor climbing walls. 

Unlike regular rock climbing, bouldering routes are typically shorter ranging from 10-15 ft high and require more explosive movements and strength than the traditional climbing routes. This sport is a demanding physical and mental task that needs flexibility, technique, and problem-solving skills, but don’t worry about having perfect muscles because bouldering can be enjoyed by people of any age and skill level!

        In bouldering, the focus is on solving the “problem” of the route, which includes figuring out the best sequence of moves to complete a climb. Since boulderers do not use ropes or harnesses, there are usually crash pads underneath to catch the climbers. It is a sport that can take years to get good at but can be really rewarding. I can't describe anything more fulfilling than finally solving a problem you've been working on. It can also be a great way to socialize with others and make friends.

        As mentioned before, this way of climbing can be done in indoor and outdoor spaces. It’s a great way to get out into nature and discover new areas; there are many different climbing spots around the world but no two are the same, ever.

It is best to first start climbing in a gym before going outside. Some good places for outdoor climbing near Salem are Broughton Bluff and Madrone Wall. Broughton Bluff has 150 routes ranging from difficulty 5.6 to 5.13 with some projects that are thought to be even more complex. On the other hand, Madrone has about 100 ranging from beginner to advanced (5.4 to 5.13d) with some simpler routes compared to Broughton Bluff. Both of these locations are at least an hour away from Salem, but they are worth the drive!

         If climbing outside sounds too intimidating or isn't your thing, you should visit The Rock Boxx. It’s an indoor climbing gym located in Salem that provides climbers with 5,400 square feet of professionally designed walls for all levels of experience. They have a variety of classes as well as youth programs that help kids learn climbing skills and techniques. Additionally, they have a full workout area with specialized training equipment, and a party room is included within the building.

If interested in checking out the gym, you should get the day pass which allows you to access the gym for the remaining period of the day; the price ranges from $11-$17 depending on your age. 

Lastly, even though this form of rock climbing doesn't use much equipment, getting the right climbing shoes is very important to feel comfortable as you climb. Your shoes should fit snugly but not too tight for the best performance – sort of like a pair of ballet slippers. You can always use rentals in your gym, but the problem with that is their shoes might not fit you perfectly and affect your climbing. 

The brand that I recommend personally is Tenaya Sports. The Tenaya shoes I own are Ra LV. I always feel the utmost comfort while wearing them. According to their website, it has Microfiber upper lined in TXT-treated cotton for odor control, stretch resistance, and breathability. They also have "Hook-and-loop" straps over the padded shoe area for a snug fit. These shoes are pricey, unfortunately, and so are most climbing shoes since they are hand-made.

Bouldering is not for everyone, but it could be the perfect activity for you. Do yourself a favor and get out there to give bouldering a try!

By Koda Elmore

Did you know that Waldo is the first middle school in the district to have an origami class? All grades can join Ms. Bury’s origami class as an elective.

 They do all kinds of origami, and each week they have a theme. The students work with different shapes, sizes, and colors of paper. They make boxes, spinners, water balloons, flowers, etc. 

Origami is an original Japanese paper folding art. The class does individual and even group projects. Students also learn the “Three P’s of Origami,” which are:

Patience 

Practice

Precision

If you would like to join Ms. Bury’s origami art class for Trimester 3, contact your counselor for more information.

By Teaghan Jennings

Q: Why did you become a teacher? 

A:I got tired of staring at a computer and looking at numbers all day. 

Q: What is your favorite part about being a teacher? 

A: Getting to know the students is my favorite part.

Q: What is your least favorite part about teaching? 

A: I wish everyone would do their work and turn it in.  

Q: If you weren’t a teacher what would you be doing right now?  

A:  I would be working in accounts receivable.

Q: How long have you been working here at Waldo? 

A: This is my first year here and I am loving it!

By Helena Navarro

Michael Jackson or Prince? A question that many people know their answer to, and the most common one is often Michael Jackson. I've noticed that this is due to people, mostly kids, not knowing who Prince is. Prince had a 40 year career in music, releasing 42 studio albums within that time. His music included a wide variety of styles, like funk, R&B, rock, new wave, soul, synth-pop, pop, jazz, and hip-hop. 

Prince Rogers Nelson began making music at a very early age, influenced by his parents and their musical involvement. His mother was a pianist and his father was a singer-songwriter, so growing up he was surrounded by music. He wrote his first song titled “Funk Machine'' on his father’s piano when he was 7 years old, though the actual song has been lost to time and now all we have is a “Funk Machine” album on YouTube. I couldn't even find details regarding whether it is an official album or not. 

I first listened to Prince when i was browsing a wiki for a show I like called Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure. There are many music references throughout the show, and for one season the main character himself was based on Prince. I looked up who Prince was and i began to listen to some of his music. The first song that I listened to was the first track off of his 17th album “The Gold Experience”. It's definitely not the best introduction to Prince as the song is quite vulgar, but for a while it was the only song I listened to by Prince. I did enjoy it. The instrumentals are very good, and I love Prince's vocals. 

The next song that I listened to was “Darling Nikki,” which has some notoriety for being the reason for the creation of the “Parental Advisory” sticker you see on albums and track covers today. Again, the song is quite vulgar, but this is a common theme with Prince’s music. Just like any pop star, he writes music that's more mature. Darling Nikki, though, is an overall good song and one of my favorite to this day. But the album it’s on, “Purple Rain” is probably one of Prince's most known albums and best album. It has tracks like “Purple Rain” and “When Doves Cry”. 

Purple Rain, the album was a soundtrack to the first movie Prince ever made, also called Purple Rain. He made several movies later on, but Purple Rain is the most known. The song Purple Rain was the centerpiece of the film, being a key plot point. The song was written for the film, so despite its story and relatability, it's not really based on anything in Prince's life. Still, it's an amazing song. 

Personally, what I love about it is the slow music. It really gets me into a calm mood and even makes me sad at the same time. I can't quite explain it further, but I really love this song. It's a love song, so of course it's relatable for many people. Purple Rain was the last song prince ever played. It was the closing song for his performance on April 14, 2016 at the Fox Theater in Atlanta. This was his last performance as he died a week later on April 26, 2016. 

“When Doves Cry'' is another great song, but in my opinion it's not as great as Purple Rain. In the movie, this song expresses Prince's fear of becoming like his parents. Another notable thing about this song is that Prince played every instrument on this track. This song overall is extremely good. It’s not a slow calm song like Purple Rain, and to me honestly it almost sounds angry. 

The next song i want to talk about is “Raspberry Beret”, from Prince’s 7th album “Around the World In a Day.” This song describes a women in a raspberry coloured beret, and the attraction the narrator feels towards her. It's a very upbeat song with a danceable tune, and in my opinion is a really good song. I enjoy the vocals and Princes storytelling. He always has hidden meanings or innuendoes that are easy to spot if you understand them. Prince is one of my favorite artists of all time, probably in the top 10 at least. 

During his career, he went by many different names. Even in childhood, he went by a pseudonym. 

List:

Skipper (childhood nickname)

Jamie Starr (songs written for artists 1981-1984)

The Starr Company (songs written for artists 1981-1984)

Joey Coco (songs written for Sheena Easton and Kenny Rogers)

Paisley Park (production credits in early 1990s)

Alexander Nevermind (“Sugar Walls” by Sheena Easton)

Christopher (“Manic Monday” by The Bangles)

Prince

The Purple One

Love Symbol (unpronounceable)

The Artist Formerly Known as Prince (in lieu of unpronounceable symbol)

TAFKAP

The Artist

Prince (again)

The Artist Formerly Known as “The Artist Formerly Known as Prince”

(source)

I've talked about a lot of songs already, but my second favorite by far is “Kiss.” The song tells women they don't have to be “rich” or “cool” to be with someone, specifically him. This was one of the few songs that existed before women began to call out sexism in media and songs. Personally, the reason I love this song is again, Prince's vocals. All his music has something no one could recreate. It just gives me a good feeling, and I like almost every song I've heard by Prince because they all have something special about them.

The last song that I want to talk about is “I Wanna Be Your Lover.” Released August 24, 1979, it was the lead single on his second album, “Prince.” The song details his love for a woman and how he would treat her better than all the men she sees. The woman in this song was later revealed to be Patrice Rushen, a pianist and singer that Prince had a crush on at the time of writing. 

He wrote both “I Wanna Be Your Lover” and “I Feel for You” for Patrice, but she turned him down.  “I Wanna Be Your Lover” is the first Prince song to get a music video, though the clip is basic and shows Prince playing different instruments. I love this song for the feeling of want and longing it gives you, and of course the vocals. This is my favorite Prince song of all time, with Kiss and Purple Rain coming in second and third respectively. 

Prince was an icon of the 1980s-1990s, and it shocks me that he's not as famous as Michael Jackson. I hope that more people will take an interest in Prince and his music.

By Daniela Sanchez Maldonado 

Q: Who or what inspired you to be a math teacher?

A: The who would be Mr. Babcock. He was my middle school algebra  teacher and wrestling coach. He was the first person to make me enjoy math.

Q: What are some pros and cons of your job?

A: The students can be pros and cons. Sometimes they make my day outstanding and sometimes they make me feel like I haven't accomplished anything. The best part of this job is that i feel like I'm making a difference.

Q: You coached wrestling correct?

A: Right.

Q: What were some of your favorite parts of being a coach?

A: Watching the students change, I get to act differently with my  athletes than I do with my students. So I get to see a different side of them. I get to watch them improve their wrestling skills, but more importantly their self-confidence on and off the mat.

Q: Could you describe what it was like to be a coach?

A: It is inspiring. You watch some of the athletes that have never wrestled before and they’re fearless. It helps build a connection with  Waldo and the community and so many staff. Students and community members come to Waldo to support our wrestlers.

Q: Is it true you were in the military?

A: Yes, I served in the Marine Corps for 22 years.

Q: What did you do while in the Marines?

A: Over those 22 years I worked on electronics inside helicopters. I was a drill instructor (one of the people that coaches the newcomers), and I was also a human intelligence officer.

Q: Finally, if you could go back in time what would you do?

A: I wouldn’t change anything. The path we travel makes us the people we are. Everything we experience, good or bad, has a lasting effect on us. I fear if I changed anything I wouldn't be the person I am today.

Q: Do you enjoy making students suffer by doing math?

A: No, it pains me to watch students dislike math. They tend to quit easily. Math is more than just numbers, it’s about solving problems. I want every student to develop problem-solving skills in my class that they can use outside my classroom. 

By Padience Harris

Editor's Note: Reporter Paience Harris caught up with Sonia Bosquez, a Community School Outreach Coordinator at Waldo, to find out what goes into this vital work for our neighborhood.

Q: Why did you want to work at Waldo?

 A: I went to Waldo, my siblings went to Waldo, and even my kids went to waldo. Waldo is like family to me.  

Q: What type of work do you do as a Community School Outreach Coordinator (CSOC)?

A: I help staff and students and provide for people and events. It is really about bringing the community together.

Q: What inspired you to become a CSOC?

A: When my son was diagnosed with autism, I realized a lot of people need help getting resources.

Q: Where do you normally get the clothes and resources to help kids?

A: A lot of the stuff we get is donations from Waldo staff, and we also get help from businesses.

Q: Do you like working at Waldo?

 A: I love working at Waldo. I've worked in pretty much every age group, but I love Waldo.

Q: What is the main reason that you have been helping Waldo wrestling?

Q: At first I was kind of pushed into it because of Hawley and Brasuell, but now I love it. It is great seeing all the improvements, especially in girls wrestling.

 Q: Have you  always been a CSOC?

  A: No, I haven't. I've been a teacher and an instructional assistant. I've also worked in the office and with students who have special needs.

By Fabian Sanchez Ojeda

Inertial Drift is an arcade racer that is set in a 90’s retro future environment, and its looks are based off of a popular anime called initial d. Inertial drift takes a different turn on controls. Most games only use one thumbstick for turning, but Inertial Drift uses both. The left stick is used for precise steering, and the right is used to control the angle of the drift. It's faster to drift than actual grip racing.

Another cool thing about the game is that each car is very different from every other car, and each game requires different strategies to go faster. The only time that cars have similar handling is when a car has an upgraded or stock alternate. For instance, a Coda Gecko has an offroad alternative like the Coda Gecko RS. Some cars are easy to handle while others are more difficult and take more skill.

Every racing game needs a race track to be a racing game, and Inertial Drift has many race tracks from touge racing to street racing. There are many race tracks, and each is different in their own way. For example the Snow Mountain Sprint is a curvy slim track that has many hairpins and turns, but on the other hand the Lakeside Loop is a more open and less curvy track. It is still fun.

Inertial Drift has a unique style of graphics, and the graphics are more cartoonish and manga style. I think the style is very interesting and a nice departure from realism. It also took inspiration from Initial D. For example, when braking in the game the tail lights light up and leave a trail behind. This also happens in recent seasons of the show.

The game just isn't about racing, but also has a story line. The story is about a group of friends that want to win a big event called the Grand Prix and practice before the summer. You have to race multiple people and get to experience different tracks, then unlock cars as you go through the story. You can also compete in the Grand Prix and do different challenges with one car to prove that you have mastered it. There are up to four different storylines! Each story line has a different difficulty.

If drifting isn't your style, then one car focuses more on grip racing. It's called the Velox Impuls and you can unlock this car by racing it in the viv storyline then unlocking it in the challenges section. The car feels easier than other cars because it only takes one thumbstick to control it.

Special bonus: The game also contains some real life cars too! Some recognizable cars of the bat are: MAZDA FD RX-7, TOYOTA AE-86 and HONDA NSX. If you like car racing games, then Inertial Drift is definitely worth taking for a spin.

By Teaghan Jenings 

Backpack I love 

A backpack that can hold stuff 

Can come in many colors  

Kate is the backpack name 

Pack the backpack 

A backpack can come in many sizes 

Can hold many things 

Kate is my backpack, and that's her name 

Fun you can have with so many backpacks 

Umbrella can fit in your backpack 

Now go buy a backpack