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.

   

Waldo's newest counselor helps students overcome barriers

 

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.

Friday Night Funkin' recommended for perusal

 

Editor's Note: Parents at Common Sense Media recommend this game for kids 13 or older; kids recommend this game for kids 11 or older. As with any video game, be sure to check with you parents before playing. Safety first, Mustangs.

By Breanna Stubblefield

Do you like to play video games that are heavily involved with music, a story, or both? Then Friday night funken (fnf) is a good game for you. Fnf was released on October 5, 2020, and created by Camoron Taylor and Newgrounds Inc. In the game, you play as a character named Boyfriend (BF) and you have to hit arrow keys when you're supposed to. There are different difficulties, and each week is usually harder than the last.

  In the game there are 8 weeks, but too many mods to count. There is at least one mod for everyone. If you want to make games, then making a fnf mod is a good way to start. It’s a simple game to make and play. So give it a chance and play it.

She Chose Me is a good song for anyone in a mellow mood

 

By Antonio Morquecho

If you’re in the mood for a slow and lovely song this is perfect for you. This song “She Chose Me” consists of Bruno Major talking about his disbelief that such a perfect woman could ever love him. How could she ever think to choose him and give him a chance? Why was it him and nobody else? His negative perspective of himself is relatable for anyone who has been in this situation.

This song is perfect if you're in a slow, soft mood and if you’re into R&B/Soul music. The song is even better if you’re in a loving relationship, but if you’re not you can most definitely still enjoy the song. I rate this song a 9/10.

Cross Country proves worthy option for students seeking exercise, fresh air

 

Photo by Coach Sean Brooks

Editor’s Note: Reporter Trenton Cates spoke to his nearby classmate, Lizbeth Leon-Constantino, about why she likes cross country at Waldo. This is what he discovered.

By Trenton Cates

Question: What is it that you enjoy about running cross country? 

Answer: I like to get a lot of exercise.

Question: What other sports do you like and why do you like them? 

Answer: I like to play soccer because you run.

Question: What are some good things and some bad things about running cross country? 

Answer: Waking up early is hard, but I do like the exercise.

 

Question: Do you plan to continue running in high school? Why? 

Answer: I will probably participate in cross country when I start high school because I will still want and need exercise at that time.

Question: Besides cross country, what other things do you like about Waldo and why do you like them?

Answer: I like the people of Waldo. They are the best.

Assistant Principal discusses favorite foods, languages to learn, and superpowers that he would enjoy possessing

 

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.

The First Meet

 

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

Cross Country coach encourages students to never stop believing

 

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.

Story Thieves features fantastic action and plot twists to keep readers entertained

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. ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Campus safety and helping kids are top priority for new staff member

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.

Campus Security staff member likes joking with kids, working as part of a team

 

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.

Physical Education teacher likes to be active, dislikes waking up early

 

    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.

Counselor discusses importance of Hispanic Heritage Month

 

By Jennifer Hernandez Cruz

Editor’s note: According to the U.S. Department of Education, “Hispanic Heritage Month (HHM) takes place September 15 to October 15 every year as a time to recognize and celebrate the many contributions, diverse cultures, and extensive histories of the American Latino community.

Beginning in 1968, Hispanic Heritage Month was originally observed as Hispanic Heritage Week, but it was later extended to a month in 1988. Since then, HHM has been celebrated nationwide through festivals, art shows, conferences, community gatherings, and much more. 

The month also celebrates the independence days of several Latin American countries, including: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua on September 15th, Mexico on September 16th, and Chile on September 18th. They also include holidays that recognize Hispanic contributions such as Virgin Islands-Puerto Rico Friendship Day that is celebrated in the U.S. Virgin Islands.”

Staff at Waldo Middle School, including Counselor Lupe Mora, created a vivid display for our school to recognize and honor the contributions and culture of Hispanic people. Reporter Jennifer Hernandez Cruz caught up with Mrs. Mora to find out more.

Question: What part of Mexico are you from?

Answer: I am from the town of San Nicolás in Michoacán.

Question: What made you decide to help create this display for Hispanic Heritage Month?

Answer: I wanted people to know more about Mexico and to instill a deeper respect for our culture.

Question: Do you like working at Waldo?

Answer: I love working at Waldo!

Question: What is your favorite part of your job?

Answer: I like talking to students and listening to them. A lot of people do not have anyone to talk to.

Question: What is your dream job?

Answer: My dream job is to work for S.A.S.A.

After the interview, Mrs. Mora added this statement regarding her work:

I have a great passion for my job as a school counselor! I love working with students and parents. I want to give them the support I did not have growing up in Los Angeles. It took me a while to figure out what my passion was (what I really wanted to do). My Bachelors Degree is in Business Administration and Accounting but when I move to Oregon in 2006, soon after I  was hired with the Salem Keizer School District. I worked for a few years very close to some amazing and dedicated school counselors. After much thinking and encouragement, I decided to go back to school and pursue my Masters in School Counseling. I don’t regret it a tiny bit. Being a school counselor was exactly what my heart was looking for and being at Waldo makes it even better.

Ode to October

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