Boys’ Basketball: Patience is the Key to Victory

by JOANNA LANDA

Second-year coach, Jordon Poynor, is very excited for this year’s basketball season. With new and returning players, he feels, “very confident on what we can accomplish this year.”

Some of the players to look out for include Hunter Yensen and Adrian Zaragoza, who as Seniors, are by far, the most experienced.

Coach Poynor's strategy is to slow things down and take time off the clock. He encourages his players to “get a great shot, not a good one.”

The team started off strong, and although they have struggled a little bit, they hope to turn the season around. They’ve won twice against Helix, once to Culver and again to Pilot Rock. Unfortunately, the Pioneers have lost 10 times, once to Walla Walla Valley Academy, again at Connell, Pilot Rock, The Dalles, Irrigon, Riverside, Umatilla, DeSales, and thrice to Waitsburg.

Adrian Zaragoza believes “we have a good chance of taking 2nd place in our league and getting a play-in game.” His teammate, Bailey DeBord, states, “I think if we get the best effort out of everyone we can make a push.”

Coach Poynor constantly reminds his players to “give 110%” and to play as a team. For example, one of his favorite mantras is “We over me.” The team hopes for lots of support from fans during their home games as they strive for a winning season.

*Photo Caption--#34 is Luis Garcia, a sophomore.*

Tehya Clark: Big Hair, Big Dreams

by JOANNA LANDA

Tehya Clark, a sophomore, is a talkative and nice young lady. You might recognize her, for she is known for her very big and curly hair.

Unlike her freshman year, Tehya decided to get involved in school by joining Key Club, Heritage Club, and G.S.A. However, she is not playing any sports this year because she feels “it is too late for me to start learning how to play a sport.” She explains, “If I had started playing sports at a young age, then I would probably be an athletic person.” Tehya’s  favorite classes include English and Spanish, but she is interested in learning German because her grandmother is originally from Germany.

Although Tehya has lived in Oregon her entire life and has hardly ever traveled, she likes the idea of traveling and being able to explore different cultures. She would love to visit New York because “it seems as if that's where everyone wants to go and I just want to go with the masses.” Also, she would like to visit New Orleans because of the “different culture and liveliness of it.”

In the next couple of years, Tehya hopes to get more credits towards college. She is very excited and determined to attend because only her grandparents attended, while her mother only went to college for a little while before dropping out. Tehya plans on studying to be an English or Music teacher because she loves knowing that she managed to help someone learn what nouns are or how to sing a b sharp. “The idea of helping a person appeals to me very much and I feel that a teacher is the best way to go about it,” she says.

Tehya’s favorite quote at the moment is, “Be fearless in the pursuit of what sets your soul on fire." She feels that the quote not only ties in with her life, but also with everyone else's because “You should always go after what you love or what you are excited about, and I feel that people sometimes forget that, and instead, go for easier options.”

School Clubs!

by JOANNA LANDA

Mac-Hi has a ton of great clubs you could join! Participation in school clubs can not only look good on college applications, but can also be a lot of fun and is a great way to meet new friends.  Below includes some information on school clubs.  

FBLA

If you are interested in joining Future Business Leaders of America you could either talk to the advisor, Ms. Garcia, or you could go to their meetings which are held every Wednesday during lunch. On Sept. 25th, FBLA members helped set up at the Rotary Base of Blues Dinner. This event will be followed by Make a Difference Day on Oct. 24th when members will volunteer to improve the lives of others.

FFA

“Learning to Do, Doing to Learn, Earning to Live, Living to Serve.”

This is the Future Farmers of America motto. On October 4th, FFA members attended Leadership Camp held at Camp Elkanah. FFA provides an opportunity to show animals and to compete in public  speaking competitions. The next event will be National Convention during October 28-31. FFA meets on Mondays from 7:30 and is advised by Ms. Holden.

Heritage Club

Heritage Club  is excited to be involved with the community and will be volunteering on Make A Difference Day by helping prepare to paint a building needing beautification. Heritage Club will also be hosting a Halloween Haunted House on October 30th at......??

Heritage club is advised by Ms. Osorio and meets after school on Wednesdays.

Key Club

Key Club meets every Tuesday at 3 p.m. in the cafeteria, and is advised by Ms. Ashland and Ms. Hammer.  If you are interested in joining, feel free to stop by. Key Club will be involved in Make a Difference Day on October 24th. Key Club provides an opportunity to volunteer and to serve your community. This year, they are focusing on raising funds for canned goods to donate to a local food bank.

Ski Club

Ski Club has not yet started meeting, but there will be an informational meeting in late October for interested students. Are you interested in joining Ski Club? If so, contact Ms. Ashland for more details. Ski Club will begin fundraising for trips in November by selling coffee from the Walla Walla Roastery.

TSA

For the first time, Mr. Nelson is the Technology Student’s Association club adviser. This year, Mr. Nelson hopes to get more involved with the community. They will also be involved in Make A Difference Day. TSA will also be making toys for ‘Toys for Tots’ during the Christmas season. TSA meets on Thursdays after school in Mr. Nelson's class located in the Ag building.

Varsity Club

To be in Varsity Club, you have to earn a varsity letter. According to Vice President, Hunter Yensen, they do not have an official meeting day, but when they do meet, they have a lot of fun.

Rollerblading Club

Rollerblading club is a new club this year, advised by Ms. Riley. They are short on rollerblades and safety equipment and greatly appreciate any donations. Rollerblading Club meets at Yantis Park on Mondays and Wednesdays after school at 3:30.

Want to add any additional information about your club? Contact me at 19landaj@miltfreesd.org.  I will continue to update the upcoming events for each club.