Friday, May 6, 2011
Special Edition 2700 NW Glencoe Rd Hillsboro, Oregon
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Glencoe remembers
Alex Flores
The Flores family: JoAnna Flores (mother), Alex, Holly Flores (sister), and Will Flores (father)
Junior Alex Flores was a devoted student, friend, brother, and son. Alex passed away on Feb. 27 as a result of a bacterial infection. His smile and kindness will be remembered by STEPHANY CHUM
A
heart full of love and compassion, an infectious smile, and a genuine soul are some of the ways friends and family describe Alex Flores. Family was No. 1 in Alex’s life, and he loved spending time with his parents Will and Joanna Flores, along with his sister Holly. Will Flores described Alex as the kind of boy who loved life and Alex Flores played basketball for the Hillsboro Youth Basketball League and became one of the best players. the people around him. He always had his alarm set to a sports radio station every morning and would watch ESPN as he ate breakfast. “He always found the positive in “He was a well rounded person,” Skyler Martinez The Flores Family plans to begin the “Alex Flores everyone and everything,” Will Flores said. “He had all the qualities a good person should Scholarship Foundation” in honor of their son Alex. said. “Alex as a kid and Alex as a teen embodied evhave.” The Foundation will help deserving young people go erything good about life and heaven.” One of Alex’s dreams was to study at UCLA and to college, in particular those in need who may otherAlex and his older sister Holly Flores loved each become a lawyer. He wanted to help those who are wise not be able to attend college. other very much and were nearly inseparable, their in need and to advocate for the less fortunate and the “We want people to remember [Alex] as a person father said. underprivileged. Alex was selected into the National who made a difference in the lives he touched. He “[Holly] feels [as if she] has lost her other half, Youth Leadership Forum on Law in Washington, D.C, chose to be the kind of person that many of us only “Will Flores said. “Nothing can separate their love as for this upcoming summer. hope to become,” Will Flores said. “But most of all, brother and sister.” “We are so very proud of HIM. His biggest goal he was and will always be the best son one could ever Being El Salvadorian, Alex was proud of his heriin life was to help others and make the world a betwant. He was an angel on earth.” tage. His first time visiting El Salvador was a memoter place,” Will Flores said. “He believed in leaving rable and significant experience for him. “[Alex] was excited for the different foods, tropical things a little better than he had found it. I know he weather, beach, and most of all, meeting his grandfa- did exactly that with everything he touched.” Not only did Alex touch the lives of his family and ther and great-grandmothers.” Will Flores said. “[The friends, but also the lives of his teachers. Journalism trip] made an impression on him that never left.” teacher Juanita Reiter said that Alex was interested in Wherever Alex went he left an impact on other learning and absorbing each lesson. people’s lives. He was capable of making anyone feel [He was always completely with you, absorbing better. Junior Chris Phanthavong said Alex had an and thinking with depth,” Reiter said. “You felt [his] easy-going personality that always made him laugh. love of learning and desire to gain from it. He was the “[He was easy to talk to; we sat next to each other In honor of Alex, The Flores kind of student that made you a better teacher.” in class and instantly became good friends,” PhanChemistry teacher Susan Weidkamp first met Alex Family would like Glencoe’s thavong said. last year when he applied as a Tide Crew leader, and One of Alex’s biggest interests was sports, espehelp to develop the Alex Flores cially basketball. He was an avid Lakers fan and knew she had him in her class this year. Scholarship Foundation as an “[Alex] impressed me with his eye contact [in the Lakers’ history dating back to the beginning. class]. He always was focused and ready to learn,” Rogelio Martinez, Alex’s third grade teacher at annual fundraising event. They Echo Shaw Elementary School said he remembers Weidkamp said. “He was a successful young man encourage anyone interested to Alex’s excitement for being a part of the school’s bas- with everything going for him.” Alex’s pride and love for his family and friends plant a tree in Alex’s memory. ketball club. was evident in the way he treated others. He was suc“He wasn’t Kobe Bryant at first, but he had fun, The family also highly advovates practiced more, and had more fun,” Martinez said. cessful in meeting his goals of uplifting others and people becoming a blood donor “He worked hard on the basketball court just as he did being remembered as a kind person. “He made us all feel better. He would have made in the classroom.” for the Red Cross and getting a Close friend and basketball teammate Skyler Mar- the world even better,” Will Flores said “but now he’s flu shot every year. tinez remembers when he hurt his ankle during a bas- working on improving Heaven for those of us left here.” ketball game, and Alex helped him up off the floor.
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Feature
Friday, May 6, 2011 -
CrimsonTimes
Student lights up the dark with a unique talent photo by Alex Ogle Junior Arturo Acuña showcased his glowstringing skills at this year’s Battle of the Bands. This performance was not his first in front of the school.
C
by ALEX FLORES
onstantly dancing to a nonexistent beat, junior Arturo Acuña tells about his passion, glowstringing. A crowd-pleasing performing art, glowstringing is the act of rhythmically swinging glowsticks on strings to various types of music. Glowstringing is gaining popularity due to the hypnotic, yet stunning movement of the glowsticks, and must be done in the dark to have its full effect. Acuña first became interested in glowstringing as a freshman, while searching for a pastime that would help him become known around Glencoe. While a freshman, Acuña didn’t have an activity with which to pass his time, but he knew he loved music. His love of hip-hop, pop, and especially his attraction to techno music were all major factors in Acuña’s decision to take up glowstringing. According to his sister, Adriana Acuña,
Dear Students,
he “used to be pretty quiet, but now he’s more outgoing,” and this is a result of his discovery of glowstringing. Acuña has only been glowstringing for about 10 months, but plans to continue through college, and would love to teach others to glowstring. The talent show last year was Acuña’s first performance and although he was nervous, doing the show was an exhilarating experience for him. That performance being such a great experience for this thrillseeking teen, it further solidified in Acuña’s mind that he was doing something he loved. Acuña was provided with the opportunity to perform last year, and because he received such an exciting chance to display his talent, he plans to follow up last year’s visually stimulating display with a new routine this year. Glowstringing is undoubtedly Acuña’s passion, or as he says, “put it this way, my little sister [will be] crying in her bed, and
We feel privileged to publish this story written by Alex Flores. Alex was a remarkable student in our first-year journalism class. Through his writing, we hope to give you a window into Alex’s sensitivity, warmth and intelligence. This was Alex’s first personality profile, written in January. When we reread it recently, we were amazed by his talents as a writer and his insights as a person. To write such a wonderful story so early in his training revealed a lot about Alex as a person. We hope you will read his story more than once. When you do, pause and enjoy his phrasing; notice how his words reveal his creativity and his keen observation skills. You will also hear Alex’s voice and see into his open, loving heart. Picture Alex as he interviewed Arturo, with a pencil in hand and a list of well-prepared questions before him. Imagine him listening closely, his head tilted slightly. He would have nodded frequently and flashed a broad, knowing smile. At times he would have laughed with delight. Good writing starts with observing closely. Writing a good personality profile requires sensitivity and caring, and it is no wonder Alex excelled in this area. He cared about people, and he treated everyone with respect. He was a good listener who absorbed, reflected and appreciated. Alex lived each day in a place called love. We feel truly privileged to have worked with him as our student. We hope you enjoy both the story and what it reveals about his loving nature.
With great respect and admiration, Juanita Reiter, Journalism teacher Charity Thompson, Journalism student teacher
I’m in my room practicing.” Also, Acuña’s favorite aspect of glowstringing is “the feeling of the glowsticks’ motion.” Much like the music he listens to, Acuña is very busy, so it makes complete sense that he would find something like glowstringing enjoyable. Everything about him could be described as busy, but in an intriguing manner. From his multi-colored shirts, to strategically faded jeans, to his ever-changing hairstyles, and down to Acuña himself who is constantly moving, there is something going on with every aspect of him. Discovering his passion has changed Acuña’s life. Once a relatively quiet, reserved young man, he has become one of the most exuberant personalities at Glencoe, and enjoys talking to anybody who shares his passion for life. In all honesty, Acuña discovering glowstringing really sparked a glow in his personality that will not soon be extinguished.
Sharing Memories
~“He was the kind of guy who made people happy. I always felt comfortable talking to him.” Friend, Aruto Acuna (11) ~“We always had a friendly little rivalry between the Lakers and Blazers. I’ll miss his positive attitude; he was a guy with a lot of integrity.” Advanced Placement U.S History teacher, Joseph Rodrick ~“He had a wonderful personality. With his quiet leadership, he was the nicest guy I have ever known. His memory will always live on, he will always be in our hearts, and every time we look up at the sky we know he is smiling down upon us as he always did.” Classmate and Friend, Esperanza Pineda (11) ~“He had genuine soul, always smiling and happy. Every time I saw him smile, it brightened my day.” Classmate and friend, Carmen Walsh (11)
~“At the end of the first semester, he approached me about being my student aide. Even though I didn’t particularly need an aide for the period he was offering, he had such sincerity about him that I couldn’t say ‘no!’ He ended up doing some amazing work for me. His warm smile and gentle demeanor always made a long day less trying.” Advanced Placement Language teacher, William Huntzinger ~“He was an A+ student, always prepared and participated. He was a very good person, with a kind heart.” SEAL teacher, Mark Ferris ~“[Alex] was broad minded, he knew aspects of everything and he connected with many groups of people. He taught me ‘If you fail, try again’ and I’ll always remember that.” Classmate and friend, Subret Aryal (11)