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 Because of school district filtering policies, The Mustangs Mirror now has a new website.

You can find us at https://sites.google.com/salkeiz.k12.or.us/mustangsmirror/home

Between art and volleyball, Ms. Bury keeps busy at Waldo

 

By Jose Cervantes Garibay

Q: What made you an art teacher?

A: I loved art since I was very young and studied it in college.  When I decided to become a teacher, I studied how to teach art, but it was very hard to get teaching jobs at the time, so I also studied language arts instruction and ELD, as well as upper elementary grades just in case.  I started at Waldo teaching language arts but got to move to art in my 2nd year when the current art teacher went to North. I never thought I could get my dream job so soon, but I am so thankful I did.  It is an amazing subject to teach, especially at Waldo where kids are so talented and creative.

Q: What inspired you to play volleyball?

A: My mom, Mrs. Bury-Roller, signed me up in 6th grade to help me make friends. It didn’t work. However, in high school, volleyball was how I met my best friend, so I guess it worked eventually.  After high school, I didn’t play again for many years until a Waldo staff-student game. The head coach at the time saw how I played and said I could be a great coach.  When a coaching slot opened up, I tried it out, and had a lot of fun! You never know when stuff you try in middle school will come back to your life. Volleyball is a really fun sport to play and in Trimester 3, Volleyball Club will be running and anyone can play and have a great time.

Waldo teacher loves baking, cats, Pokemon, and more

 

By Hannako Langimeo

Beyond her day job as an English Language Arts teacher, Ms. Shimojima has a number of hobbies that keep her occupied. She enjoys baking, reading, playing with her cats, and running an afterschool club at Waldo for fans of Pokemon. Her favorite characters are Umbreon, Sylveon, and Bubasau. That is also was she named her cats.

When she was younger, Ms. Shimojima wanted to be a soccer player. However, she realized that she had more talent for teaching so she pivoted towards a career in education instead. This is her fourth year teaching. She worked as a substitute in Beaverton before coming to work at Waldo.

Born and raised in California, Ms. Shimojima also lived in Corvallis for five years and Portland for one year. She is not sure exactly how long she will live in Salem, but for now Waldo is a good fit.

“I like Waldo because of how the teachers are nice and passionate about their work,” Ms. Shimojima said. “I love getting along with everyone.”

Sergeants share stories about service to their country

 

By Hannako Langimeo and The Mustangs Mirror staff

Students at Room 205 last week learned about opportunities available through the US Army during a visit from Sergeant Saucedo (left) and Sergeant Gamboa, two recruiters currently working in Salem. Gamboa highlighted her experience as a paratrooper and jumpmaster, as well as her role helping to organize supply deliveries. Saucedo spoke about her somber and important work in mortuaries. While both soldiers are seasoned veterans, everyday can be a new adventure.

“I’ve jumped out of airplanes 27 times total and I still get nervous,” Gamboa said. “I’m scared of heights, but it’s a different kind of height.”

The women spoke about the benefits of serving, including free college, free healthcare, and an opportunity to travel the world. Gamboa said that her favorite place to go was Israel, while Saucedo said that her favorite was Hawaii. They showed a map with stars indicating all the places they have been across the globe.

Saucedo said that tending to dead bodies is rewarding, but it can also take a toll. 

“It can be scary when it’s two in the morning and you’re the only one there at the mortuary,” she said.

Both soldiers are thinking about what they will do after serving, but they are glad to have options thanks to their time in the armed forces.

“I like it because it’s fun and I get paid to have fun,” Gamboa said. “If it ever gets boring, then that’s when I’ll leave.”

Campus Safety Monitor enjoys helping kids and maintaining tranquility

Reporter Lizbeth Leon-Constantino spoke recently with Abenamar “Benny” Ramirez to speak with him about his work with Campus Safety at Waldo Middle School. Read further to learn what she found out.

By Lizbeth Leon-Constantino

Q: Do you like being a security guard? And why?

A: I do, it just keeps me busy, it's fun, and I can be a role model.

Q: Do you like stopping fights?
A: It's fun, but I don't want to but I have to.

Q: Why did you become a security guard?
A: To become a role model and be able to help kids. 

Q: What would you do if you weren't a security guard?
A: I would be a delivery guy or I would probably work in juvie.  

Q:If you could choose what school you could work in, what school would it be?
A: Waldo. I love working here, and all the kids here grew up the same as I did.

Q: What are your plans for the future?
A: Work in the district and work with high-risk kids.

Math teacher appreciates respect and timeliness

 

Ezran Crain spoke with Mrs. Virden to find out more working as a math teacher at Waldo.

By Ezran Crain

Mrs. Virden is a math teacher that always wants to help students grab all the opportunities that are given to them even if it means being stern. All she wants is to see her students succeed.

Q:  What's your favorite part of teaching?

A: My favorite part of teaching is working with the students.

Q: What’s your least favorite part of teaching?

A: My least favorite part of teaching is working with the adults.

Q: If you weren't teaching math what other subject would you be teaching?

A: I would be teaching science because I like science and I actually used to teach science.

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

A: I would be a camp director at a national park.

Q: Why did you become a teacher?

A: I became a teacher for the kids.

Q: Why do you grade the way you do?

A: I grade to help the kids and so the kids can get many opportunities for an A.

Q: How do you feel about students being late to your class?

A: Students being late to class bugs me because it's kind of disrespectful and it interrupts others as well as your own learning time.

Shadow is my cat

 

By Nina Mejia

My cat named Shadow

Likes to run 

Likes to meow a lot 

Likes to stare at me

Likes to sleep with me

Likes to be pet

Eats lots of cat food

Watches out for squirrels

Stays in the house

Sits by the window

I love my cat Shadow

He is always there for me

Undertale provides players a chance to explore new frontiers and learn that actions do have consequences

 

By Breanna Stubblefield

Undertale is a role-playing game where you play as a child that falls into the underground, where monsters have been trapped for years. Toby Fox made Undertale. There are lots of different characters and enemies.

When you're in battle you have 4 options menus: fight, act, item, and mercy. The fight option is when you hurt the enemy, acting helps you mercy, items restore hit points, or help with your damage and defense. These don’t only affect the battle, but also they do affect gameplay. 

The game does have multiple endings along with Easter eggs and jokes. The music in Undertale is an amazing addition to the game. It fits the moments it is played. For example, there is a very suspenseful moment and the music shows it.

The mood is usually not too serious in most endings. But when it is, it has a great impact. You can interact with objects and monsters. Just remember, your actions do have consequences.

Ms. Daniels shares information but no secrets about her past work with Nikon

 

By The Waldo Mustangs staff

When people hear Nikon they generally think of cameras, but Ms. Daniels explained to Waldo students on Friday that the company actually creates much more. Telescopes, satellites, and other technological devices are among their wares.

“They work on other secret projects, too,” Daniels said, adding that she is compelled by law not to reveal Nikon’s mysteries.

She was just 14 when she began working for Nikon in Belmont, California, and her interview process was fairly informal. Nikon needed someone with computer skills, and fortunately Daniels was able to make the cut based on her experience.

“If you want this job,” they told her, “sit down and type as fast as you can.”

She typed very fast.

Daniels worked at Nikon every summer for ten summers, and she enjoyed the cultural bridges built between the United States and Japan. Meeting new people is always fun, she added.

“The best part was knowing a lot of people from a lot of different places who spoke a lot of different languages,” she said.

While it was largely enjoyable, working at Nikon was not always a walk in the park. Filing and organizing was a big part of the job, and sometimes she would get paper cuts. Still, she persisted.

Starting at $9 an hour as a teenager, Daniels eventually advanced to a substantial $21 when she was promoted to become a patent secretary. She reviewed paperwork submitted by inventors and helped make complicated forms more easily understandable. The big money makers, however, were those who were particularly successful with inventions.

“Nikon would pay as much as $10,000 to anyone who was granted a patent,” she said.

While Nikon ranks high among the jobs that Daniels has been involved with, she pointed out that it was not number one.

“I moved to Oregon and attended Corban so that I could become a teacher,” Daniels said. “Teaching at Waldo has been my favorite job.”

Yearbook cover contest is underway! Good luck to all Waldo artists!

1st     Period    Teacher               

1st  Period   Room  Number          

Saucy Sunday at Safeway

 

By Jason Jones

Working night shift security at Safeway was not Louie’s idea of a great time, but his mom needed help with the rent and now that he was 18 it was time for him to pitch in. It was just a few blocks from home, and it wasn’t like his nights were usually that busy anyway. When an opening came up he applied, and he started almost right away. Oddly enough, it was Halloween night.

“Just walk the aisles to make sure there are no problems, kid, and check out in the parking lot once in a while,” his boss said. “Nothing much happens around here. Bring a book or something to keep yourself entertained. You get one free soda per shift.”

Louie did not like reading much, but it was almost Halloween and he happened to see a book about vampires. He clocked in at 10 p.m. as the regular staff were heading out, found a comfortable place to sit in the cafe, then dug in to read up on blood-sucking monsters.

It was a pretty good book, but after a couple of hours Louie started to nod off. He had his one free soda already, and the caffeine wasn’t going to keep him awake all night. He decided to walk around the aisles like the boss said.

All of a sudden, he heard a strange voice coming from the Halloween display in the back of the store.

“Ivanasuckyourblood…”

What the heck? Louie got out his flashlight and went closer.

The pretend coffin (at least it was supposed to be pretend) burst open and a pale white vampire just like the ones from his book was standing right in front of him!

“You look delicious, young man,” the vampire said. “Come a little closer.”

Louie’s eyes widened and he froze where he stood. How was this possible? Yikes!

He remembered reading that garlic could ward off vampires, so Louie bolted for the produce aisle. The vampire was right behind him.

“Get away from me!” Louie shouted.

“Just one little taste,” the vampire replied.

Louie found the garlic and hurled clove after clove at the vampire. It kind of worked and the vampire reeled, but he did not slow down by much.

“That only works in the books, young man,” the vampire said. 

Louie was about to give up, but out of the corner of his eye he spotted a bottle labeled Sarah’s Secret Sauce. What was the secret? Could this work better than garlic? Anything was worth a shot.

Just as the vampire was about to bite him, Louie pointed the bottle at his mouth and squeezed with all his might. The sauce went right in.

“AAARGH!” the vampire yelled. 

The vampire paused.

“Actually, that tastes pretty good. What is that?”

“It’s called Sarah’s Secret Sauce,” Louie said. “Do you want some more? Does this mean that you won’t suck my blood?"

The vampire took the bottle, scratched his chin, then took another swig.

“This just might be your lucky night,” the vampire said. “You are a saucy young man, and for now that sauce has saved your life. Happy Halloween.”

“Happy Halloween to you, too, sir,” Louie said. “Need a napkin?”

THE END 🦇

Gallop on over to an after school club, Mustangs!

             

       

Club	Time	Days	Location	Sign up sheet location
Soccer (Juan Trujillo)	4:15pm - 5:15pm	Monday – Thursdays	Field	107B
GSA (Amanda Rose-Arias)	4-5pm	Mondays	Library	Library
Photography (Danae Teixeira)	4-5pm	Wednesday	306	306
Video Game (Nicole Jauregui Mendez)	4-5pm	Monday – Wednesday	108	Front office
Ukulele Club (Anna Smoll)	4-5pm	Wednesday	302	302
Homework Help (Estela Torres)	8-9am	Monday	Library
Pokémon club (Makenzie Shimojima)	4-5pm	Wednesday	207	207
Beauty Club (Gabriela Silva Ramirez/Iricela Molina Sanchez	4-5pm	Tuesday & Thursday	Cafeteria	Front office
Zumba (Maricela Alavez)	4-5pm	Monday & Wednesday	Fitness room	Front office
Marker spaces (Avalon Specht)	4-5pm	Wednesday	Library	Library

By Ezran Crain

Have you ever thought about joining a club? What about making a club? Waldo has many different clubs like fashion and makeup club, Drama club, multi-culture club, photography club and even a GSA! Waldo has a club for almost everything  but with the help of students there can be even more..

 Now you may be wondering why you even want to join a club. What's the fun of a club anyways? Well, if you joined a club then you could hang out with your friends after school, make great memories, and meet new people.

  There's no limits to the clubs at Waldo, students could even make their own club. If a student wanted to make a club all they would need to do is have a teacher to supervise the club and help manage it. Besides that, all you need is a club idea and the okay from Mr.Rivera, the club coordinator.

    If you want to know more about the different clubs at Waldo, there is a board posted in front of the main gym with all the club information. It shows when they start, what days they occur, and who the club leaders are. Now go join a club! We will be happy to see you participating and showing some Mustang pride.