The Newspaper of McDaniel High School

The Oracle
The Newspaper of McDaniel High School

The Oracle
The Newspaper of McDaniel High School

The Oracle

Zay Conant, Design Manager

Zay Conant, he/him/they/them. I love reading, collecting pokemon cards, and drawing. I am the design manager this year, as well as a photographer and page editor.

All content by Zay Conant

Senior Send-Off: Zay Conant

Zay Conant, Design Manager
May 19, 2025
Johnson sings “I'd Rather Go Blind” by Etta James in celebration of Black History Month. She walks to the center of the room as her voice stretches to the far edges of the gymnasium.

Black History Month assembly represents cultural appreciation

Zay Conant, Design Manager
March 13, 2025
Volunteer Shaun Rasmusen pulls out old blackberry bushes from the lower trail along the Rose City Bluff. Avoiding the native plants in this process is needed because it is important to preserve what is already growing there, along with planting new native species.

[Photo] Local volunteer restoration project fosters welcoming natural space

Sula Grinstead, Reporter
February 27, 2025
Students gather at the whiteboard to write down a few words that they feel describe older generations to help unpack perceptions. When back in their seats, they discuss whether these descriptions can lead to different geriatric care.

Students visit OHSU while on biomedical field trip

Zay Conant, Design Manager
January 9, 2025
All staff costume contest participants line up together in front of the commons. The winners all receive small orange goodie bags as a prize for their unique costumes, while the other staff members are gifted candy as a participation award.

Students wear costumes for Halloween spirit week

Zay Conant, Design Manager
November 18, 2024
Isabella Figueroa created the statue named “Alebrije” that has made the journey from the Arlene Schnizer Concert Hall to The Judy Kafoury Center for Youth Arts where it currently sits. A light purple background color, blue and red swirls, yellow spikes and a cluster of blue, yellow and green spots on its chest can all be seen adorning its coat. The design was inspired by Mexican culture and creativity.

Coraline Cats photo essay

Zay Conant, Design Manager
October 17, 2024
A crowd of people walk along Belmont Street, as they visit the vast amount of shops and booths open for the fair. Many of them smile widely as they walk with their friends and family, while others stop at shops along the street. The Belmont Street Fair brings together a diverse group of participants.

Belmont Street Fair

Zay Conant, Design Manager
September 26, 2024
Wiebke can be seen handing a strawberry flavored shaved ice cone to her customers while smiling widely. A more detailed list of the shop's many flavors is posted to the left of the customer. Wiebke vocalized her fondness of the fair and how she appreciates all of the diversity it brings.

Margaret Owens (right) and Sher Kendell (left) smile while standing next to each other inside their booth at the Belmont Street Fair. They own a part time company called Dye Dreamers, which focuses on selling things such as crafting gifts, 3D prints, freeze dried candies, sublimation t-shirts and a wide variety of other items that you will soon be able to find at Dyedreamers.com. Owens mentioned how they enjoy getting to meet their customers and the steady yet busy flow of the fair. The Belmont Street Fair happens annually on the second Saturday of September from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., stretching from SE 33rd Street to SE 39th Street.

Many fairgoers gather around the Crystal Inclusions shop owned by Susan Mcauley. This shop features anything from crystals shaped like Pokémon to crystals shaped like ghosts, dragons, pumpkins, coffins and spiders. “Everybody loves the crystals,” Mcauley said, and she mentioned how she enjoyed getting to meet the wide variety of customers. You can learn more about Crystal Inclusions on Instagram @Suzans_crystal_inclusions. It’s the company’s second year participating in the Belmont Street Fair, and they look forward to participating in the years to come.

Heather Sterling-Minder sits at a table inside the booth that represents her company called Art By Heather Sterling-Minder. She mainly focuses on selling prints, cards, bookmarks, stickers, and other gift items, which you can also look at on her instagram @heather.sterlingminder. Surrounding her are examples of her artwork for sale. “I really enjoy events like this that really bring the community together,” Sterling-Minder said. In addition to this, she mentioned how she loves the music played by live bands and local musicians, as well as getting to see returning vendors at their booths.

Kweki African Fashions, owned by Patience Ward who can be seen sitting towards the back right of the booth, displays a variation of different clothes, drums, shakers, baskets and carvings that originate from Ghana, Africa. Ward mentioned that she loves how the fair brings the community together and how everyone is always nice to each other.

A large table topped with traditional wallets, wood carvings and vibrant drums is displayed for the public to see inside Ward’s booth. Colorful baskets, bags and necklaces adorn a rack, located on the back of the table.

Terraornamentum, a jewelry company owned by Dinah Hunsicker, displays items such as micro terrarium jewelry, chokers, necklaces, earrings and pressed lichen. Hunsicker can be seen standing behind the table exhibiting their merchandise, smiling towards the camera in a white tube top shirt and black choker. More information about this business can be found at terraornamentum.com. Hunsicker stated that they enjoy the good vibe and “laid back” feeling of the fair.

Many children can be seen taking part in activities such as blowing bubbles, riding kids scooters and even just walking or interacting with their parents and caretakers. Multi-colored bubbles float through the air, originating from the bubble machine to the left of the play area. The Portland Preschool of The Arts & Hangout PDX provides a place where even the youngest people can build community.

Portland Preschool of The Arts & Hangout PDX is a local place where kids can spend their time during the annual fair. Multiple adults and parents can be seen conversing with each other in front of the large, multicolored banner that includes a picture of a goat with black glasses. The kids zone is located in the parking lot of Battery X-Change on SE 38th and Belmont.

Two Wahines, a flavored shaved ice stand owned by Earl Fonville (back left), stands under a small red event tent and is decorated with a colorful yellow, red, white and blue tablecloth. They offer traditional flavors such as mango and strawberry, as well as unique flavors such as guava, passionfruit, tiger's blood and piña colada for their customers to try. Paige Wiebke stands behind the booth, making a shaved ice cone for a customer while her aunt works beside her. “We have been going to the Belmont Street Fair for 12 years,” Fonville said, and he noted how he loves feeling like a part of the community while at the fair. He hopes to maintain this feeling of community in the years to come.

Shannon Smith (left), owner of Holy Shannoli, is assisted by Lainie Goldsand (right) behind the bright pink counter that marks the front of their booth. They sell a plethora of flavored cannolis, including pistachio, ube, cheesecake, espresso, strawberry, classic and many other seasonal flavorings.

Smith and Goldsand assist a woman looking to buy a classic cannoli. “It’s great to see small businesses getting together and getting some love from everybody in town,” Smith states. To the left you can see a case filled with cannoli shells used specifically for each different flavor of cannoli.

Aaron Fratis stands behind a large display of candles presented by the Portland Beeswax Candle Company. Fratis mentioned how he likes the dogs that people bring to the fair. “Everyone’s showing up, and it seems like everyone is excited to be here,” Fratis said. He smiles gently towards customers approaching the booth, extending a warm welcome.

The Portland Beeswax Company sells candles in a diverse amount of colors, shapes and sizes. The most popular candles, Fratis mentioned, are the baby devil candles located at the center of the stand and the freestanding ridged tapers placed on the sides. Other candle shapes include sugar skulls, morel mushrooms, lotuses and owls. Access to the online shop for this company can be obtained by going to the portlandbeeswaxcandlecompany.com website.

Enchanted 3D Printing, owned by Maria Mueske, stands close to the center of the fair. She sells a multitude of 3D printed creatures such as wolves, bats and owls, as well as her most popular items which include dragons, dinosaurs and fidgets. Mueske stated how she appreciates seeing the children's positive reactions to her work.

A multitude of 3D printed purple dragons crowd the left side of the table, while a red and white rose dragon lays to the right, next to multiple shark prints. Multi-colored cows and wolves are stacked in a box towards the back right portion of the table, while squids, octopi, turtles and fidgets adorn the back right side. A majority of the prints come in a variety of colors that the customers can choose from.

Professional gives unique insight into transplant surgery

Professional gives unique insight into transplant surgery

Zay Conant, Photographer
May 30, 2024
Varsity tennis captain senior Von Butenschoen, prepares to swing at an oncoming tennis ball. Butenschoen joined the team his freshman year and now holds the position of captain

[Photo] High turnout, strong community, new talent for boys tennis

Thisbe Delamarter, Online Editor
April 25, 2024
Senior Ynski Noel wears a traditional white and gold karabela to represent Haiti while he waves the flag of Cameroon high in the air. He smiles at the crowd on his left as he walks down the red carpet on the gym floor. Students dress in various outfits to represent their cultures during Multicultural Week.

Photo Essay: Multicultural Week outfits

Zay Conant, Photographer
March 21, 2024
Senior Scott Cuno carries senior Connor Lanusse into the dance in his arms. Both students hold up jazz hands as they walk down the aisle.

Photo Essay: Winter Formal dazzles

Zay Conant, Photographer
March 10, 2024
Load More Stories