South Medford High School 1551 Cunningham Avenue Medford, OR 97501 Phone: (541) 842-3680 Fax: (541) 842-1513 Contact: Kevin Campbell, Principal Hours: 7:30 am - 4:00 pm Email:
Bring Friends and Family to the BACH Fine Arts Festival this Thursday
The annual 5th Annual BACH Fine Arts Festival is this Thursday starting at 7:00 p.m. at South Medford High School. This festival is a chance for our community to support the South Medford Fine and Performing Arts Program. The exciting evening will entail a variety of performances by Band, Choir, and Orchestra in the Black Box Theatre which starts immediately after the doors open. In addition, there will be a huge art show, full of student artwork, displayed throughout the Main Commons, and the Arts Courtyard. The student artwork that will be displayed has been gathered from classes through the entire year. Also, there will be a raffle for surprise goodies, as well as an awards ceremony for some of the AP Art students. Be sure to bring friends and family to this celebration of talented young artists! -Nicole Bartu, Digital Journalism
Student of the Month - Cailin Tamplin
Cailin Tamplin, incredible specimen and yet another perfect example of a truly awesome student of the month to recognize. If you have never had the outstanding delight of meeting this unique boy then I highly recommend that you find some way to change that. Don’t be shy when introducing yourself to Cailin for his witty sense of humor combined with his colorful diction will have you smiling almost instantaneously. Cailin’s stellar demeanor diffuses any sense of shallow or vapid quality that sometimes engulfs others. With his quiet disposition comes a colossal sense of awareness and intelligence that is too vast to ignore.
He possesses an immense passion for film and visual effects as well as constructing creative pieces of writing guaranteed to be unique. Cailin’s dream is to work on films and to create his own stories that will be impactful to individual lives all over the world. Speaking to his film making interest Cailin says “I got my first camera at 7 years old, and I had been making dorky videos until this day. I believe that I have improved greatly over the years.” Most inspiration for the creative thought process that takes place in Cailin’s mind derives from his favorite artists Jack Johnson and Josh Garrels. And in addition to possessing a tremendous passion for the arts, Cailin also possesses unyielding passion for Christ and feels that his most proud accomplishment has been growing into an even stronger Christian. Yet another phenomenal example of all the unique individuals milling the halls of South, Cailin illuminates a talent and zest for the arts that is never fading. Way to stand out amongst the crowd, Cailin! -Shannon Nicholson, Digital Journalism
The Election Results are In - Meet Your New Student Government
Ladies and Gentlemen. The votes have been counted, the people have spoken. Your new ASB and Class officers have been selected. Drum roll please:
Associated Student Body
Senior Class Officers
Junior Class
Sophomore Class
President: Ameli Brasseur
President: Alisha Gaffney
President: Anna Navarro
President: Blake Snyder
Vice President: Dominique Toyer
Vice President: Leslie Rullamas
Vice President: Grant Davis
Vice President: Bailey Aldrich
Secretary: Kiani Manju
Secretary: Christian Sicairos
Secretary: Addison Moore
Secretary: Oshauna Schattler
Treasurer: Madi Marcus
Treasurer: Michelle Rullamas
Treasurer: Penelope Harvey
Treasurer: Alexa-rae Lowe
These are your new representatives, your go-betweens between you and the school. May they serve you well, and congratulations to our new student leaders. -Gabe McDermott, Digital Journalism
South's Young Artists Win First Place at Best of the Best Show
The Best of the Best art show is an annual gathering of the top art pieces from all of the high schools in Josephine and Jackson counties. Three of our own Panthers won first place ribbons for their artwork last month; Evelyn Sanchez won for her acrylic painting, Sarah Reierson won for her watercolor painting, and Mckayla Hoover won for her ceramic slab vase. Out of about 50 pieces from all over the Rogue Valley these girls won 3 out of 10 first-place ribbons. We want to congratulate not only these three but also all of the other South Medford artists who participated. As you can see below, these young artists have great talent.
The exhibit opened on April 20th at the Rogue Art Gallery near the Createrian Theatre. Both of the art teachers here at South, Ms. Henderson and Mr. Richmond had students featured in the show and are very proud of their students. “It’s a really amazing art show that showcases the talent we have at South. I’m very proud of our students.” said Ms. Henderson. -Nicole Bartu, Digital Journalism
Nick Morales Receives Gates Millenium Scholarship!
South Medford High School is honored to have Nick Morales, a Gates Millennium Scholar, as a member of our school. Nick is a top academic student who is also an incredible example of what we value at South Medford. He reaches out to help other students at our school as a mentor to other students, and he serves as a tutor to younger students at South. Also, Nick has helped comfort our community during the tragedy of Elias Ruiz. Nick also completed an outstanding senior project which combines art, history, culture, and politics in a powerful work that has been exhibited in Medford. Way to go out with a bang Nick!
For those of you who don’t know what the Gates Millennium Scholarship is, it’s a program that selects 1,000 talented students each year to receive a full paid scholarship to any college of their choice. This scholarship is more than just a pat on the back; it’s an opportunity to change your life and to start on a successful path after high school. South is proud to claim Nick Morales as a Panther. If you see Nick around school, please take the time to congratulate him on this amazing achievement. -Aleshya Finley, Digital Journalism
Students Reaping the Benefits of South's Difficult Advance Placement Courses
As the school year begins to wind down, many students who took A.P. classes this year have important tests looming that can potentially give the students college credit depending on how they perform. These difficult, high pressure exams are based on a number of A.P. subjects, and test students on everything they have learned during the school year. The tests can potentially save students a lot of money when they get to college. The A.P. tests cost $87 a piece, however a decent score will give credit for one or even multiple college classes. With the cost of tuition at many popular colleges, A.P. students can save thousands of dollars by passing these tests. The pressure is on for students who have more than one A.P. class on their schedule and elected to take the A.P. tests for all of their Advanced Placement courses.
For example, I have the pleasure on Wednesday, May 16th, of taking two A.P. tests in succession on the same day. The first test spanning from 8 a.m. to noon, then the next test will occur from noon to four. A solid eight hours of brain-frying testing! The first test is for A.P. Language and Composition, and the second is for A.P. Statistics. Students, like me, may complain about the stress but these tests are an amazing opportunity to receive college credit. While a few tests have already been completed, the next week and a half are packed full of difficult, high pressure tests that can give many students a head start in their college career. Good luck to all A.P. students in the coming weeks. -Chris Clayton, Digital Journalism
Panthers Win Brain Bowl Championship!
Who is the son of Typhoon and Echidna? Hitler signed a non-aggression pact with whom? By answering questions like these, South’s Brain Bowl Team took the championship title in our regional brain bowl competition. In brain bowl you compete as a team, answering questions asked by a moderator. South won their semifinal match against St. Mary’s and then defeated last year’s winner, Ashland, for the trophy. The final score was 47 to 38 to South and Ashland respectively.
The Varsity team is comprised of eight members: Taylor Patti (senior), Alex Garner (junior), Zach Schneider (junior), Niko Tutland (junior), Camden Stemple (junior), Richard Thomas (senior), and Madi Marcus (junior). I asked Camden Stemple to comment on the victory, “You feel like an idiot when you don’t know the answer to a question, so I’m glad we won.” Mr. Hampton, the brain bowl coach, discussed his experience with the team, “It is a pleasure to work with these students. They practice hard and really enjoy the team work it takes to be successful.”
Because the team is mostly comprised of Juniors, their prospects for next year are good. However, they’re looking for new students to come in next year to help fill any gaps. If you're interested in joining the team next year, please talk to Mr. Hampton in room C 219. Congratulations to our Brain Bowl champions! -Carmen Mejia, Digital Journalism
Seniors Dance Their Way to Six Flags
The results from Spring Fever Spirit Week are in! In a very close compeition with the freshmen, seniors once again take the win and are going to Six Flags on Friday, May 18th. Here are the final standings for our annual spirit competition:
Milli Vanilli:
4th: Sophomores
3rd: Juniors
2nd: Freshmen
1st: Seniors
Final Spirit Points Total for Year:
4th place with 635 points, Sophomores
3rd place with 745 points, Juniors
2nd place with 950 points, Freshmen
1st place with 1025 points, Seniors
Important information for Seniors! If you would like to go on a great trip to Six Flags Discovery Kingdom in Vallejo, CA you need to pick up a permission slip as soon as possible in the main office. In order to sign up for one of the five buses scheduled to take students, please bring in a signed permission slip to Carmen Lira in the main office along with $30. Permission slips and money are due by Wednesday, May 9th. Students must be eligible to attend. Bus sign-ups are on a first come, first served basis with no exceptions!Congratulations to the seniors, and congratulations to all those who participated in one of the best Milli Vanilli’s we have ever had. -Shakira Wilson, Digital Journalism
Congratulations to Zach Schneider - Speech and Debate State Champion!
Last weekend Zach Schneider won State in the Student Congress competition for Speech and Debate. Student Congress is an event that mirrors the legislative procedures of our own U.S. Congress. Students present bills and then debate them as they would in a real legislative session. Zach’s bill supported the funding of the National Aerospace Administration. At the competition, he successfully argued that the benefits of funding NASA would far outweigh the costs.
Speech and debate competitions are scored based on several elements including: time used, relevant content, good points, and eloquent language. Every time it’s your turn to speak, you get points on how well you use those four themes. You can only speak if there is precedence, so the winners are usually those who speak as many times as possible.
I asked Zach about his favorite part of Speech and Debate, he replied, “... getting to interact with, and see the opinions and skills of other debaters - because through seeing that I can polish my own skills.” The Speech and Debate season is over for this year, but if you’re interested in joining next year, or have any questions, you can visit Caroline Campbell in room A145. Congrats Zach! You make us proud. -Carmen Mejia, Digital Journalism
Dear Parents and Seniors:
Congratulations! On behalf of the entire staff I would like to invite you to the upcoming South Medford High School graduation ceremonies. I have had the pleasure of witnessing South’s graduations the past thirteen years, and I can tell you it’s a very special ceremony. They are beautiful, formal, personal, meaningful, and memorable. Our goal this year is to continue the tradition and make graduation for the “Class of 2012”, their families, and the SMHS staff a special celebration. In order to achieve this goal, let me provide you with the following information and expectations.
Senior Projects. On May 31 and June 1 school will be dismissed early so that seniors may present their projects before a panel of judges.
Baccalaureate. We will share information with you when Baccalaureate plans have been finalized.
Graduation Practice/Graduation Ceremony. Students participating in graduation must attend the graduation practice. This practice will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Friday, June 8, in Spiegelberg Stadium. Students who have not paid fines and satisfied all credit and competency requirements necessary for graduation will not be allowed to participate in graduation exercises. The graduation ceremony will be held on Saturday, June 9, at 7:00 p.m. in Spiegelberg Stadium. Graduates are to assemble in the main gym (Central Medford High School/old South High) at 6:15 p.m. The doors to the stadium will open for seating at 5:45 p.m. and, in keeping with South High policy, doors will be closed promptly at 7:00 p.m. South Medford High School would like to end the year in great fashion. This will include a first class and formal graduation ceremony. All participants will be expected to act in a mature manner. Any disruptive or immature behavior will result in removal of the student from the ceremony and arrangements will need to be made to pick up the diploma at a later date.
Clearance of Fines, Etc. All fines must be cleared by 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 7. A letter is enclosed with more information regarding your student’s account. In order to receive tickets for the graduation ceremony or a diploma at the ceremony, all fines must be paid by the June 7 deadline.
Graduation Tickets. Admission to graduation will be by ticket only. Tickets will be distributed to seniors at graduation practice. Each graduating senior will receive eight (8) tickets to the ceremony. Silver Cardholders will receive nine (9) tickets and Gold Cardholders will receive ten (10) tickets. Students will receive one additional ticket (possibly two, if available) if they attend the Senior Day celebration activities on Monday, June 4. Students with 95% attendance for 2nd semester will receive one additional ticket. Any excess tickets will be distributed to students at the end of graduation practice on Friday, June 8. Latecomers to the graduation ceremony will not be admitted after 7:00 p.m., even with a ticket, so as not to disrupt the ceremony.
Scholarships. As part of our graduation program we would like to honor all seniors being awarded college scholarships. If your senior receives a scholarship, the student needs to inform the Scholarship Advisor, Ms. Louis, no later than May 11 (541-842-1408 or e-mail arlene.louis@medford.k12.or.us).
Seat Saving. During previous graduation ceremonies people who came early and saved seats for later members of their party caused many problems for the audience. Consequently, South High does not permit seat saving. Ticket holders will be seated on a first-come, first-served basis, and all ticket holders will be assured a seat. In addition, staff ushers will assist groups in finding appropriate seating. We appreciate your cooperation in providing fair accommodation to all patrons.
Designated Seating. South High will have designated seating for individuals who are handicapped or wheelchair bound. If a member of your family is in need of handicapped seating, please call South High’s Activities Director, Brenda Dufour-Gieg, at 541-842-1525 so we can reserve a space for that person and a companion.
Dress Code. In order for a student to participate in graduation ceremonies, the student must strictly adhere to the following dress code. Boys will wear a dress shirt, tie, long trousers and appropriate shoes. Girls will wear dresses, blouses with skirts or slacks, and appropriate shoes. Tennis shoes, casual sandals or flip flops are not appropriate footwear for any student marching in the graduation ceremonies. Any student who has financial difficulty in meeting these requirements should contact Brenda Dufour-Gieg, Activities Director, at 541-842-1525.
Cap and Gown Orders. All seniors walking in graduation must wear the traditional cap and gown. Some seniors have not turned in their order for a cap and gown. It is not too late to do so. Please contact directly the Jostens representative, Mr. Chad Jokumsen, at 541-476-3170 or you can place your order online at www.jostens.com. Note: If you are unable to financially provide a cap and gown, please contact one of the Senior Class Advisors, Brenda Dufour-Gieg 541-842-1525 or Emily Marshall 541-842-1437.
Wearing of Cap and Gown. The cap and gown worn on graduation day is a tradition that dates back 700 years to the first organized institutions of learning. The cap should be worn so that the mortar board is level and not cocked to either side or placed to the back of the head. The point of the cap should be approximately one inch above the eyebrows. The front of the cap is indicated on the inside of the crown. The gowns should be carefully pressed with a cool/warm iron and placed on a hanger until worn. Flowers, jewelry or other adornment should not be worn on the gown. The tassel is worn on the right side of the mortar board. After your student receives his/her diploma, the class will switch the tassel from the right to the left side at the direction of the principal to indicate that the diploma has been awarded. Students in the top 5% will wear a gold tassel to designate their special academic standing. Students who have received their Oregon Assessment of Knowledge and Skills in all five (5) areas will wear a purple tassel. Students who have achieved an academic 3.5 or higher accumulative grade point average during high school will also wear gold satin stoles. South Medford High School provides the stoles for use by honored students during the ceremony. Stoles must be turned in immediately upon completion of the ceremony. Therefore, please take photographs of your honored student prior to the ceremony.
Reception. A reception hosted by the Panther Pride Booster Club will be held immediately after the ceremony in the courtyard area of the school, weather permitting. You are cordially invited to attend the reception.
The graduation ceremony is conducted by the South Medford High School staff and student body for the pleasure of the parents and the honor of the graduates. It is not necessary for a student to participate in the graduation ceremony in order to receive a diploma. However, if students do participate, their behavior is expected to be exemplary. Actual diplomas will be distributed in the main gym (Central Medford High School/old South High) immediately following the ceremony. We at South Medford High School look forward to the graduation ceremonies and we know that you do too. Thank you for your help in making this a memorable celebration. Para servicios en Español, favor de llamar al teléfono 541-842-5387.
Sincerely,
Kevin Campbell, Principal
YEBW: A Week of Skill-building and Success
Over the summer, it’s important to keep our brains intellectually active so they don’t rot and turn to mush. The Young Entrepreneurs Business Week offers an excellent way to prevent this scenario. The Young Entrepreneurs Business Week (YEBW) is a summer camp aimed at preparing the next business owners in our nation. This camp is hosted at Oregon State University on July 15-21. Participants will stay on OSU’s campus which will give you a preview of college life and a great chance to learn about business.
Over the course of the week students are able to work with other motivated students, successful business leaders, and take part in a variety of business skill activities. These activates include: playing the part of a CEO, becoming head of development, and leading a business to success. This program can help teach you the ins and outs of business, and it will give you the skills you need to rise above your peers and stand out. There is financial assistance available, so if you’re looking for something productive and fun to do this summer visit their website at www.yebw.org. -Carmen Mejia, Digital Journalism
Got Food? Help is Available...
Ever since we were young we’ve been told to finish our meals and to be appreciative of what we have because of the starving kids in (insert country here). But did you know that the hunger battle has moved closer to home? According to the USDA as of 2009, Oregon remains among the top five hungriest states in the nation. So why is this information relevant to us students? A hungry state means that there is hunger in our schools. One way hunger is addressed at the student level is through the School Breakfast Program and the National School Lunch Program. Not only do these programs provide a nutritious meal for all students, they also offer these meals at a reduced or free price to students who are eligible. In these hard economic times, many families struggle to keep up with the increasing cost of living, making free and reduced price meals even more significant. In addition to providing students with a wide variety of meal options at little or no cost, these benefits go beyond the cafeteria. So what kind of benefits are we talking about here? Well for starters, SAT, ACT, and PSAT fee waivers, as well as college application fee waivers. If you, like most students, are planning on taking these tests and applying to at least two colleges, this is a potential savings of around $165 dollars for you and your family.
Furthermore, applying for free and reduced price meals may actually help the Medford community as a whole. Here are just a couple of the potential benefits that can come from eligible students taking advantage of this program:
Access to The After School Meal and Snack Program for our school and the surrounding community, including elementary and middle schools
Access to The Summer Food Service Program for the surrounding community
Even if you prefer not to eat a school provided meal, by just being eligible and applying you can impact the health of your community. If you think you might be eligible for free or reduced price meals, talk with your parents about filling out a confidential application. This application can be accessed online through Nutrition Services at www.mymealtime.com/signin.aspx or you can pick up a paper copy in the office. If you would like to learn more about hunger in Oregon or the federal nutrition programs talked about in this article you can visit the Partners for a Hunger-Free Oregon website at oregonhunger.org.
Panthers Promise to Help Marco... You Can Too!
South Medford High School is making a commitment to help our sparrow, Marco Alvarez. Marco is part of our Panther family, and we are dedicating our efforts to raise money to help him fight cancer. We are asking you to take the promise and donate to Marco and his family. Together we can make a difference in Marco's life.Donations to Marco can be made online by clicking on the donation button below. Please be sure to put his name down on the entry form before your submit payment.
Marco is the little brother of South Medford student, Humberto Alvarez. He has been battling lymphoma cancer for two years and is currently recovering from a bone marrow transplant, provided by Humberto, who donated the bone marrow necessary for the procedure. This month our student leadership team visited Marco at the Ronald McDonald house with Humberto and had a chance to spend time with our little friend. Everyone was heartened by the strength and bravery that Marco is showing. It was an emotional and inspirational moment for both students and staff.
Our leadership students followed up with a inspiring assembly where they asked students to commit themselves to help Marco by donating money and time to his recovery. Also present at the assembly where Chris and Kim Jostad, the family of our previous Sparrow, Ethan Jostad. They have started a foundation named, "Ethan's Army" to fight children's cancer in memory of their son Ethan. After an emotional tribute to Ethan, Kim and Chris announced their support for Marco and the Sparrow Club through their new foundation.
Athletic Director Dennis Murphy presented a check for over $1,800 at the assembly, all of which was raised by athletic teams and particularly the boys soccer team (Humberto is one of star athletes on the team). In addition, members of the business community are also supporting Marco. Our corporate sponsors, Central Equipment and Rogue Federal Credit Union, are donating Sparrow Cash which equates to actual dollars to Marco and his family in honor of the community service hours that students complete.
Emotion and inspiration can lead to action! We encourage you to view the "I Promise" video, and to look at the pictures below, and join us in our promise to support Marco. You can make a difference in his life by making a donation today! - The SMHS Leadership and Digital Journalism Teams
Once at the site, click on the two videos in the middle of the page. For additional information, please contact Mrs. Louis in the Panther Future Center at 541-842-1408 or by e-mail at arlene.louis@medford.k12.or.us
Our Mission
South Medford High School is dedicated to building resourceful, respectful, academically strong individuals.
South Medford High School
1551 Cunningham Avenue
Medford, OR 97501
Phone: (541) 842-3680
Fax: (541) 842-1513
Student Records Fax: 541-842-1528
Kevin Campbell, Principal
Hours: 7:30 am - 4:00 pm
School Information:
School Colors: Royal Blue and Silver Gray
Grades: 9 - 12 Enrollment: 1,936
Staff: 118
Student Transportation: Students who live one and a half miles or more from school are bussed to and from school. Children who live less than one and a half miles from school walk or are transported by car.
Visitors Policy: Due to the enrollment size and student safety, student visitors are not allowed. All other visitors must check in with the main office and get a visitors pass.
Main Contact Numbers:
Main Office: 541-842-3680
Attendance Office: 541-842-3683
Student Management: 541-842-3686
Student Services: 541-842-3690
Athletics Office: 541-842-5350
Student Management: 541-842-3686
Athletic Director: 541-842-3685
Anonymous Reports of Possible School Violence:
541-774-2591
Medford School District 549C Mission Statement
We are a high quality teaching and learning organization dedicated to preparing all students to graduate
with a sound educational foundation, ready to succeed in post-secondary education, and to be contributing community members.
Medford Public Schools 549C recognizes the diversity and worth of all individuals and groups and their roles in society and our community.
It is the policy of the Medford School Board that there will be no discrimination or harassment of individuals or groups on the grounds of age, color, creed, disability, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex or sexual orientation in any educational programs, activities or employment.
For District Federal Title Program compliance, please contact the Office of Federal Programs: (541) 842-3633
For District Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act compliance, please contact the Office of Special Education & Student Services: (541) 842-3628
For District American Disabilities Act compliance, please contact the Office of Human Resources: (541) 842-3625
Printer friendly version
If you have questions regarding the site, please contact the webmaster.| Terms of Use | Built using Project A's Site-in-a-Box ©2010
.jpg)
their projects before a panel of judges.
