A transcript of an oral history of Guy Takahashi on Century High School. Mr. Takahashi came to Century High School when it first opened. Mr. Takahashi spent his years student teaching at Gaston. Initially he worked security at the school as well as acting as both the wrestling and football coach. The first year was difficult, as there were not any seniors to act as “leaders” within the school and the students came from such a wide array of background making for a diverse population. Mr. Takahashi's primary goal as wrestling coach was to build a state champion team.
A transcript of an oral history of Jerry Taylor, Century High School Counselor on Century High School. Jerry Taylor was on the Site Council for Century High School during its second and third years. An interest of Mr. Taylor's is the concept of developing “schools within schools”. This concept would foster better sense of community and help all students succeed. This Is also a goal of principal Montgomery. One of the many things that Mr. Taylor was involved in was the WINGS program, a nationally recognized guidance program. He became a part of the core team, along with counselor Lynn Miller, earlier than the rest of staff.
A transcript of an oral history of Jerry Taylor, Century High School Counselor, on current challenges at Century High School. Jerry Taylor has been a counselor at Century since it opened in 1997, and the coordinator of the counseling center for the past three years. The majority of the interview covers the teachers vote on waiving a part in their contract that has to do with the number of classes they teach. The first vote failed. The second vote passed with the stipulation that this would by the last time they would vote for the waiver. The consequence of this is that a new schedule of classes would have to be introduced the following year. This will hopefully lead to less time spent discussing contracts and more time spent discussing programs and what is best for students. Mr. Taylor explains feeling that the national coverage of the Hillsboro School District cutting school days will get the legislature in Salem to act.
A transcript of an oral history of Detective Samuel Urias on experiences as the School Resource Officer at Century High School. Detective Urias was the school Resource Officer. His job was to insure the safety of the students, staff, and property. He also acted as a mentor and counselor to the students, and mediator when needed. Yet another duty of Detective Urias was to act as a truant officer and DARE officer. The first year the school was open there were gang issues to deal with, including a riot and the arrest of a student threatening the school.
A transcript of an oral history of Ron Webb on Century High School. Mr. Webb was on the planning team for Century High School and became the Athletic Director. He had previously taught health and activities director and baseball coach at Glencoe High School. He wanted a first class athletic program with well respected teachers and coaches. They have won some league championships and Ben Friberg was a state winner in wrestling.
A transcript of an oral history of Gail Young on Century High School. Gail Young was a part time teacher at Hillsboro High School as a special education teacher. She transferred to Century High School when it opened in 1997. It was important to her to work under principal Phil Barnekoff whom she admired. Ms. Young was in favor of the block schedule. She was also on the naming committee for the school as well as the Site Council. At Centruy High School, Ms. Young was involved in the international studies program, at the time of the interview she was teaching American studies.
A transcript of an oral history of Ted Zehr on Century High School. Mr. Zehr came to Century High School the summer before it opened in 1997 to be head baseball coach. He was also given the task of programing the new computer system and helping to train staff. Previously he had coached baseball at Hillsboro High School. At the time of the interview, Mr. Zehr was vice principal.
A partial transcript of an oral history of Ted Zehr on the current year at Century High School. It is noted that the interview is actually longer but there was difficulty with the tape recording. At the time of interview, 2002, Mr. Zehr had been at Century since its opening in 1997. Since then he has been a vice principal, except for the first six months when he was a math teacher. The year of 2002, the school was very crowded, as a result there was great deal of stress with cuts and scheduling. Mr. Zehr expresses a particular favor towards SAFFE, a student organization supportive of teachers and students. The loocal reaction to cuts had people frustrated, as the Hillsboro School District had to cut days but neighboring Beaverton School District did not.
A transcript of an oral history interview of Katia Kennedy on the current year at Century High School. Mrs. Kennedy began working at Century in 1997 as a German and French teacher. Because of the loss of 17 days at the end of the year, morale among the teachers was low, there is a division among the teachers. Mrs. Kennedy explains her feelings that the students are missing out and whats more is the lost of trust from the community in the school district. Another issue of hers was with the results of the decison, information was not communicated correctly, there was too much information control or limited and selective information.
A transcript of an oral history interview of Tien Le, Jordi Frances, Kristy Spencer, and Behnia Behnoush on their experiences as foreign students at Century High School. The students explain that they were attracted to America as it promised the experience of a different culture. The students wondered if it was like what they saw on TV or in the movies. The interview reveals that the students were glad to have shorter school year but were stressed because of the extra homework, their teachers seemed stressed too. Each of the students explained their enjoyment in the variety of classes. They felt the news of Iraq War was often biased, and had to watch and read other sources.
A transcript of an oral history interview of Debbie Braymer on the Century High School Booster Club. The interviewee, Debbie Braymer was at the time a part of the Booster Club, which recognizes students who do well academically or in their activities/clubs. Because of budget cuts due to the failure of Measure 28 the organization worked extra hard to support students and staff.
A transcript of an oral history of Bessie Azari on Century High School. At the time during which the interview took place, Bessie Azari was a school counselor. During the interview, she exaplins not fully seeing the big impact on the school of cutting 17 days off the end of the school year. Furthermore, she states feeling that people should adjust and “rise to the occasion”. Some of the staff members, Ms. Azari explains recognizing as “spokespeople” are Mrs. Duyckinck, Mr. Call, Mrs. Cochran, Mr. Allen, Mr. Taylor, and Mr. Zehr. Yet another powerful force working within the school is the Jag Media program. Although, it is arguable, that media attention might hurt the school’s and Oregon’s reputation.
A transcript of an oral history of Kristie Duyckinck on Century High School. Kristie Duyckinck has been a teacher at Century High School since it opened. Amongst the countless areas in which she taught, at the time of the interview Ms. Duyckinck was involved in social studies, US History and economics. Teachers at Hillsboro High School and Glencoe, were frustrated at Century for block schedule decision, as they teach 50 minute classes. However, Ms. Duyckinck expresses her preference for the 90 minute classes that the block schedule allows. In regards to the budget cuts, she explains that they had a huge impact on the morale of teachers and students, classes will be larger, some cut out. Although the Measure 28 did not pass, Ms. Duyckinck recalls enjoying the debate. Credits counselor Jerry Taylor was involved with the block schedule. He focused on getting people on both sides of the block schedule debate to talk more, the second vote passed with 85%.
A transcript of an oral history of Austin Turnbull on his experience as a student at Century High School. In 2003, at the time of the interview, Austin was a senior student at Century, involved in theater, National Honor Society, Leadership program, he was an ASB senator, Senior Court for Jagfest, and a student organization called BRA. Mr. Turnbull recalls overall lower morale because of the budget cuts, teachers trying to stay positive. Austin Turnbull expresses his personal preference for the block schedule and the 90 minute classes. He wishes that the Iraq War would had been better addressed at school during the time. Due to media coverage in the New York Times, people often questioned the priorities of the US.
A transcript of an oral history of Janet Van Wess on morale at Century High School. As of 2003, Janet Van Wess had been a teacher at Century for three years, teaching Drama and English. Ms. Van Wess exaplins feeling there had been a lot of changes during the year coupled with great indecision. She was a fan of the student program SAFFE. During the time of the school days being cut, The Doonesbury comic focused attention on our tax system. The advertising firm Wyden and Kennedy feels it will cost lost revenue in the State of Oregon. Many of the teachers worked to pull together, very dedicated, at the same time, students had been frustrated and anxious, feeling they and the teachers not respected.
A transcript of an oral history of Kyle McBroom on his experiences as a student at Century High School. At the time of the interview, Kyle McBroom was a senior student at Century. He was the ASB vice president and was one of the individuals that helped Mrs. Duyckinck to start this oral history program. He and Katrina Jauergizar have been recording the year’s events. He is also involved in theater, during this school year, the Drama program has been highly competitive, the group musical “Façade” won State, and also won State in technical theater. Also during this year, the Speech and Debate team established themselves at the National Forensics League, received their first sweepstakes at Linfield College.
A transcript of an oral history of Julie Browne on her experiences as Activities Director at Century High School. Julie Browne came to Century in its third year and has been the activities director for four years. She explains how rewarding her involvement in Dance team and Student Government have been. Previously she had spent one year teaching in Salem. Some key people include Kristy Duyckinck, winner of the “Spirit of the Century” award, respects her as a teacher and union representative; Gary Morton from the English department, well-respected teacher; and Allen Schmertzler from social studies and art departments, gave first exhibition of his personal artwork. Ms. Browne hopes the community gets more involved in education, and furthermore, it's important to remember that Century did amazing things during this year, it is not all about the budget.
