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The official online publication of Tigard High School.

The Paw

The official online publication of Tigard High School.

The Paw

The official online publication of Tigard High School.

The Paw

All content by James Favot
The typically crowded Four Corners was lightly traveled during passing period on March 12. Gov. Kate Brown announced restrictions on school activities at 10 p.m March 11.

Unity Day canceled to coronavirus

By Ashley Sample and James Favot
Mar 12, 2020

UPDATE: As of most recent update, Tigard High School will be closed until March 30 as part of a district-wide effort to prevent the spread of coronavirus.        Almost as soon as the first...

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Ben Bowman gives a short speech at his campaign kickoff event on Feb. 29. The event was open to the public and brought in over 300 community members.

Ben Bowman kicks off campaign for State Senate

By James Favot, Copy Editor
Mar 7, 2020

Ben Bowman officially announced his running for State Senate on Feb. 29 at his campaign kickoff event held at Tigard High. Over 300 students and community members, including Bowman’s student campaign...

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Seniors Aaron Esau and Aaron Jobe placed first in two recent cybersecurity "capture-the-flag" competitions. Esau placed first in picoCTF, and Esau and Jobe placed first in DamCTF.

Esau and Jobe claim victory again and again

By James Favot, Copy Editor
Feb 26, 2020

     Seniors Aaron Esau and Aaron Jobe are starting to build a chain of successes in the cybersecurity world, winning first in both of the last two competitions they entered.      Cybersecurity...

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Juniors Kyle Hering (left) and Tristan Parkinson (right) play against each other at the Chess Club's tournament on Feb. 19. "The club is very relaxing," junior Arslon Krebs said.

Chess club holds first tournament

By James Favot, Copy Editor
Feb 21, 2020

     Tigard’s Chess Club held a tournament Feb. 19 after school.      About a dozen people showed up to the tournament, which included prizes afterward for the winners. At the end of the...

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Freshman Gavin McLeod practices for an upcoming speech and debate tournament. The team has had five coaches in the past five years.

Coachless speech and debate

By James Favot, Copy Editor
Feb 5, 2020

     Tigard’s speech and debate team is picking up the pieces and working to get the team back on track for next year after facing complications due to a lack of an adult coach at the beginning of...

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Xavier Tacker, Tiffany Wu, Annette Hernandez and Rachel Lara are AVID students who won big scholarships to the colleges of their dreams.

AVID students’ dream colleges become a reality

By James Favot, Copy Editor
Jan 17, 2020

     Earning scholarships is arguably one of the most rewarding parts of the college application process, second only to being accepted by one’s dream school. Several AVID seniors were recently...

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Members from all four FTC teams piloted their robots at the Tigard Library on Sunday. Visitors had the opportunity to pilot the robots for themselves and learn more about Tigard's robotics team.

Robotics team lets kids take the wheel

By James Favot, Copy Editor
Dec 10, 2019

     The flashing lights and whirrs and beeps caught the eyes and ears of many at the Tigard Library. Tigard’s First Tech Challenge (FTC) robotics teams showed off their tournament-ready robots in...

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Seniors Aaron Jobe (left) and Aaron Esau (right) placed third in the US Western Region at CSAW this year. their team was also ranked the eight high school team globally.

Esau and Jobe crack the code

By James Favot, Copy Editor
Dec 2, 2019
Cybersecurity Awareness Week (CSAW) is an event organized annually by the NYU Center for Cybersecurity and sponsored by several computer science institutions. The event is part of a larger celebration of National Cybersecurity Awareness Month, held every October in an effort to promote web safety and user security.
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The Teen Library Council celebrates in the freshly painted alcove of the library's new "Teen Scene." The Council was involved in making the Teen Scene a reality.

Tigard Library organizes new Teen Scene

By James Favot, Copy Editor
Nov 10, 2019

     Whether students are looking for a place to study or simply relax outside of school hours, the Tigard Library’s newly made “Teen Scene” offers something for everyone.      Lisa...

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Jessica Woolfolk (12) is president of Climate Club and Dryden Raschdorf (11) is one of the club's officers. Climate Club hopes to instill a recycling and composting program within the school this year.

Climate Club taking action to make change

By James Favot, Copy Editor
Nov 1, 2019

     Among many clubs new to the Tigard High scene this year is Climate Club, a service-based group dedicated to climate-focused activism. The club’s officers have been busy forming their “plan...

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From left to right: Khanh Nguyen (10), Xavier Walker (12) and Jimmy Nguyen (12) look through a sketchbook to compile ideas for their game. Studio Gemini is recruiting members to compete in this year's OGPC.

[Photo] Ready, set, game!

Oct 22, 2019

From left to right: Khanh Nguyen (10), Xavier Walker (12) and Jimmy Nguyen (12) look through a sketchbook to compile ideas for their game. Studio Gemini is recruiting members to compete in this year's...

From left to right: Khanh Nguyen (10), Xavier Walker (12) and Jimmy Nguyen (12) look through a sketchbook to compile ideas for their game. Studio Gemini is recruiting members to compete in this year's OGPC.

Ready, set, game!

By James Favot, Copy Editor
Oct 22, 2019

     Studio Gemini was one of three Tigard High teams last year participating in the Oregon Game Project Challenge (OGPC), an annual student video game development competition. Although they faced...

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Protestors on May 8, 2018 advocated for the passing of the Student Success Act, which was signed into law July 1, 2018 by Governor Kate Brown.

Student Success Act secures the bag on funding

By James Favot, Copy Editor
Oct 17, 2019
 The Student Success Act aims to generate an extra $1 billion annually to be distributed statewide among all Oregon schools. On top of that, the act promises a slight reduction in personal income tax rates. The money for the act will come from a raised business tax.
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Tigard High’s thoughts on new building

By James Favot, Copy Editor
Sep 27, 2019

Q: What do you think of your new room? Jodi Mello: So far, I like it a lot. The rooms are really nice now that the temperature is back to normal[…] The room is nice and clean, and the big windows...

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Principal Brian Bailey speaks to students at the Welcome Back Assembly. For some students the assembly was the first time they had seen the new principal.

Bailey gets the grade

By James Favot, Copy Editor
Sep 18, 2019
 The student body didn’t just meet a new building at the start of the month—they also met a new principal. New principal Brian Bailey has many years of school administrative work under his belt and is hoping to employ this knowledge to better the Tigard community.
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Principal Andy Van Fleet will officially assume his position at Fowler on July 1, according to Supt. Dr. Sue Rieke-Smith.

Van Fleet announces leave

By James Favot, Copy Editor
Jun 15, 2019

Van Fleet's departure from Tigard was officially announced by Superintendent Dr. Sue-Rieke Smith on June 10. After four years at Tigard High, Principal Andy Van Fleet will officially assume the principal...

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Bob Gillingham, or Mango Bob, discusses the emotional cycle that can interfere with investments at Finance Fest on April 25. Students were able to eat dinner and attend sessions to learn about finance.

Finance Fest a success

By James Favot, Editor in Chief
Apr 30, 2019
Business teacher Sue Suttich, in collaboration with FinMango, held Tigard High’s first “Finance Fest” last Thursday. The three-hour event was open to all and comprised of various informational sessions which promoted an understanding of personal finance and investing.
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Chris McIsaac jogs down the Boston roads on April 15. McIsaac finished with a final time of 3:54:32.

McIsaac back from Boston

By James Favot, Editor-in-Chief
Apr 29, 2019
 Tigard High’s very own business teacher Chris McIsaac was one of the 30,000 participants in this year’s Boston Marathon.
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Chris McIsaac runs in the 2017 5K Regatta Run. He hopes to run a sub 2:30 marathon in Boston.

McIsaac heads to Boston

By James Favot, Editor-in-Chief
Apr 9, 2019
 Business teacher Chris McIsaac is departing to Boston on Friday morning to run in the Boston Marathon on April 15. His training runs have been long and frequent in preparation for the marathon.
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Din Tai Fung is located adjacent to the now-closed Sears entrance at the Washington Square Mall. The Portland location is its first in Oregon.

[Photo] Din Tai Fung

By James Favot, Bonifacio Yuzon, Editor-in-Chief, Staff Writer
Apr 25, 2019

Din Tai Fung is located adjacent to the now-closed Sears entrance at the Washington Square Mall. The Portland location is its first in Oregon.

Cindy Harbison runs the lunch counter at Four Corners. She enjoyed getting to know the students she served each day.

Classified Staff Appreciation Week: Donald Ellis, Cindy Harbison, Debbie Harris and Julie James keep students fueled for study

By James Favot, Editor in Chief
Mar 5, 2019

Students see their faces every day when they grab lunch between classes. They do their work quickly and efficiently, and they always serve food with a smile.     Donald Ellis, who had previously...

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Several pixelated posters like these can be found throughout the halls of Tigard High.

Pixel art floods the halls

By James Favot, Editor-in-Chief
Feb 15, 2019

     What started with a few images has turned into a gallery of pixel art lining the halls of Tigard High. The cubic pictures are fun to look at while walking from class to class, but where did they...

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The weather may be rainy but construction continues on the stairwell in the new commons. Construction is currently running two weeks behind schedule and builders have had to consider some "value engineering" to keep costs down.

Construction budget soars, “value engineering” begins

By James Favot, Editor-in-Chief
Dec 12, 2018

     As winter break nears, the school administration is talking budget and deadlines concerning the remodel. Principal Andy Van Fleet shared the current plans for what will be done over vacation and...

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Buttons and flyers in support of the education levy sit on a classic classroom chair. The bond passed with 74 percent approval.

District passes education levy

By James Favot, Editor-in-Chief
Nov 16, 2018

     Measure 34-285 passed with a 74 percent approval rate in the Oregon midterm elections on Nov. 6. The measure renewed an existing education levy which provides $50 million in supplemental funding...

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Varsity soccer player, senior Sydney Leinberger, surges through Liberty’s defense. Tigard won the Sept. 27 game 5-0.

Girls soccer starts off undefeated

By Olivia Niemi and James Favot
Oct 10, 2018

The girls varsity soccer team kicked off the season with an undefeated streak, now ranked ninth in the state with an overall record of 8-1. It was a superb fresh start for a team with new coaches, new...

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Bailey's serves hot, tender chicken strips with fries.

[Photo] Eat a better burger

By James Favot, Bonifacio Yuzon
Sep 13, 2018

Bailey's serves hot, tender chicken strips with fries.

School board members 'break the ground' with golden shovels.

Kicking off construction

By James Favot, Editor-in-Chief
Jun 8, 2018

The band’s cheerful fanfare of instruments marked the beginning of Tigard High’s groundbreaking ceremony yesterday. Students and community members alike showed up to the event to celebrate the kickoff...

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Using the 1st to stand for the 2nd

By James Favot, News Editor
May 2, 2018

Around 100 students abruptly left their classrooms earlier today to participate in the nationwide “Stand for the Second” walkout. They rallied at the school’s front doors at 10 a.m. this morning,...

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Sophomores Bonifacio Yuzon (left) and Tanner Watts (right) organized the walkout at Tigard High.

Stand for the Second

By James Favot, News Editor
Apr 30, 2018

The upcoming walkout this Wednesday will mark the third time students at Tigard High take a stand for political action. This protest, however, has a different approach to the gun control issue. The “Stand...

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Construction: some assembly required

Construction: some assembly required

By James Favot, News Editor
Apr 26, 2018

As summer approaches, Tigard High is finally ready for its remodel to begin. Two years ago, the Tigard- Tualatin School District passed a measure allowing for a redesign of every school in the district...

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Jeremy Hancock works on his team's robot tonight. State competition begins tomorrow.

Robotics teams roll to state

By James Favot, News Editor
Feb 23, 2018

The tech team is active and hard at work as usual this year. Two of Tigard High’s four robotics teams, the Pac-Bots and Twisted Metal, are advancing to the Oregon State Championship at Liberty...

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Publications teams win Excellence in Media and Best in Show

Publications teams win Excellence in Media and Best in Show

By James Favot
Nov 23, 2017

Tigard High’s publications team won three first-place awards at this year’s Fall Press Day. Fall Press Day is a journalism convention held annually at the University of Oregon and dedicated to the...

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Current draft of the main floor's schematic design.

Teachers constructively criticize school remodel

By James Favot, News Editor
Nov 1, 2017

For about a year, Bassetti Architects and Tigard High’s design team have been developing their schematic plans for the reconstruction of this school. Design representatives recently met with teachers...

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Dorene Anderson Memorial

Dorene Anderson Memorial

By James Favot, News Editor
Oct 10, 2017

The recent attack in Las Vegas cost this world the lives of 58 people, including one of Tigard’s own. This article is dedicated to Dorene Anderson, formerly Dorene Johnston, who attended Tigard High...

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The THS Tech Team launches their balloon on eclipse day.

Epilogue of the eclipse

By James Favot, News Editor
Sep 29, 2017

For over a year, Tigard High’s Technology Team had been working with NASA on an enormous project. They were preparing for eclipse day, when they would launch a balloon to record the beautiful overlap...

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The Effects of the Eagle Creek Fire

By James Favot, Jared Debban, PJ Doolin, Liam Futrell, Megan Le, Tim Galvan, Allegra Wesson, James Canfield, Makayla Schmierer, Grace Curry, Avery Smith, Aidan McDonald, and Kaitlyn Wornath
Sep 19, 2017

  As the orange sun rose into the hazy grey sky on the first day of school, the seniors had a Senior Sunrise unlike any other due to the Eagle Creek Fire that still raged on in the Gorge.   Timeline   Starting...

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Annie Nihill competes in the cup of water walk for her senior team at the back-to-school assembly.

Welcome back Tigers

By James Favot, Liam Futrell, Megan Le, and Kaitlyn Wornath
Sep 8, 2017

The band roared and the crowd cheered; the cheerleaders danced and the choir students sang their hearts out. The back-to-school assembly, as per usual, was filled with positive energy to welcome the student...

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The tech team practices a tethered launch in preparation for the Aug. 21 balloon launch.

Tech team’s mission is out of this world

By James Favot, Copy Editor
Jul 15, 2017

As Tech Team Coach Steve Fulton navigates through the remote grassy hills in a four-wheel drive truck, a group of students bouncing alongside him, everyone is starting to get weary. The Flying Tigers had...

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Tech team robots roll out

By James Favot, Staff Writer
Apr 27, 2017

Robotics program develops student engineers There is an area in Tigard High that stays bustling with energy even after classes end at 3:05 p.m. After school, Tigernet is a...

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Croft says “adios amigos” to Tigard

By James Favot, Staff Writer
Apr 27, 2017

 After teaching here for 37 years, Spanish teacher leaves her mark A teacher, a traveler, a musician, and an inspiring achiever — it seems like Spanish professor Nathalie Croft...

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Senior Brittney Eng chats with one of the senior citizens during the senior citizen prom.

Students bring senior citizen prom full circle

By Megan Le and James Favot
Feb 17, 2017

More photos from the senior citizen prom can be found under the "Event Photos" tab The Senior Citizen Prom is an annual tradition that has been held at Tigard High School for over a decade. It serves...

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