Junior, Xiao Liang, member of the National Honor Society, put on a jean drive as his individual service project this year. He said, “I think volunteering is important because we are lucky to have what we have; and giving some time to help others in need always makes you feel good inside! It’s humbling and it can make someone’s day, and who doesn’t want to do that?”

Giving back doesn’t have to be a huge commitment either. There are many organizations you can volunteer for whenever is convenient for you. Cat Adoption Team (CAT) in Sherwood, allows individuals ages 16 and older to volunteer as a “Cat Cuddler.” People with this title work with the cats that aren’t accustomed to human interaction and need to be familiarized with attention prior to being adopted. “Cat Cuddlers” can go to the CAT facility whenever they please to play with the cats.

Another volunteer-based organization, Hope’s Diner, is also located in Sherwood. Youth volunteers go to serve food to the elderly in need of a good meal. Speaking from experience, interacting with the kind people enjoying their meals while serving their food is a great experience. They also have some very interesting stories to share with you.

One more good opportunity to get involved is by joining the Tigard Key Club. Junior, Juliet Adams, said, “Joining Key Club is a good way to get involved, also Doernbecher Club here at Tigard is good as well. Students should volunteer because we take so much for granted and it’s just wrong to not give back with our time and work so we can help others.”

Adams also said, “I volunteered at an animal refuge for farm animals (many of them injured) and helped clean and better the conditions of the animal sanctuary. Animals can’t speak for themselves so it felt really great to give them a voice by giving my time to make their living situation better.”

Adams has gained a lot from giving back and has grown as a person. Everybody can benefit from giving back and helping others.

One way to find out about volunteering locally is by going to HandsOnPortland.com. This website will give you seemingly endless lists of volunteering opportunities from around the Portland area.

You may also check your local library or church. They always have something going on and could use a helping hand.

If you are curious about volunteering positions, a good person to speak to is Mr. Caro. As leader of the National Honor Society (NHS), Mr. Caro will be able to give you some ideas as to where to start when looking to volunteer.

Neon and pastel colors, especially tangerine and mint green, have been plastered all over the pages of fashion magazines, as well as seen on the runways. Being one of the most popular trends from last year, color blocking has been taken to a new level by using these brighter colors. Another returning trend is tribal print. This exotic look is mostly seen on crop tops and bodycon skirts.

One of this season’s hottest trends are peplums. This unique piece is essential for anyone looking to have all eyes on them. Accentuating the desired hourglass figure, a peplum style shirt or dress is tight along the chest, waist, and legs while flaring out at the hips. If you are wanting something less fitted, while still putting yourself out there with your style, then hi-low hem lined dresses are the way to go.

However, if you are less daring with your style choices, peter pan collars have been huge. Whether you’re making a quick trip to Target, or strolling through H&M, this is a trend you cannot miss. And with the variety of colors, fabrics, patterns, and sleeve lengths, you’re bound to find one that fits your style. These shirts can be paired with a simple pair of skinny jeans for an everyday look, or an A-line or pencil skirt to make it more sophisticated.

For a popular trend that mixes in with your desire to do it yourself, studs are the way to go. This edgy look is back, once again, and it’s super simple to achieve this trend while maintaining a budget. Many craft stores supply glue or iron-on studs that are simple to use. But if you’d rather skip the project, studded clothes, shoes, and accessories can be found almost anywhere.

White pants are going to be trending for both girls and guys this summer. This can add a level of freshness to any look. Other trends for guys this year will be cut off shorts, which can be paired with a tribal printed tank top, pastel v-neck, plaid shirt, or a simple light sweatshirt. Boat shoes will also be a great way to add some class to your outfit.

A great way to add to your simple outfits are by accessorizing. Mixing and matching a lot of bracelets, or “arm candy”, can add more to your outfit.

Whether you prefer to be bold with your style or simply look put together, this seasons trends will be perfect for you.

Visa estimated that the average couple spent $1,078 on prom this year. This is $271 more than the estimated total of $807 spent in 2011. For Tigard High students it ranged anywhere from $100- $600.

“It costs a lot of money,” said junior Benny Wick.  ”But it’s worth it!”

Tigard High School couple Wick and senior Kayley Broyles broke down their spending and found that together they spent about $840. Including $400 for Broyles’ dess and $130 for Wicks’ tuxedo. However those weren’t the only purchases made, roughly $35 was spent on corsages and boutonnieres and another $50 went towards prom tickets.

Preparing for prom was an event itself, countless girls showed up at salons to get their hair, makeup, and nails done with their friends just hours before the dance. An updo costed freshman Maddie Bickel $40. She also got her makeup professionally done for $35, but saved what would’ve been another $35 by doing her own nails.

Junior Megan Risinger, who went to prom with her friends, managed to spend only $130. Because she is in leadership, her ticket was free, and she reused the shoes she wore for homecoming. Also, she did her own hair and makeup.

“Some of my savings were luck and some was a conscious effort,” said Risinger. “But more importantly I just didn’t want to upstage my senior prom, this year was more like a fun warm-up.”

On the first day of districts, Thursday, they started strong, sending three out of four singles as well as one doubles team to the second round. Sophomore Fotini Dorrance and Perry played first on Friday. Dorrance battled the number one seed from Century, but wound up losing. Kristin had a long three set match that got her ready for her quarterfinal match against Tualatin. She won both matches, setting her place in state.

Sophomore Courtney Roshak had a tough battle against McMinnville but didn’t pull through. Senior Brett Higgins won both games against McMinnville and Hillsboro in the consolation bracket, giving her another day to battle.

The Double team involving Tissuer and Ayumi had to wait around for awhile before their game, but once they got on the court they defeated McMinnville quickly and won a tough match against Newberg.

Junior Rachel Anderson and Senior Vivian Li played extremely well and won against both McMinnville and Glencoe in their two consolation matches.

Saturday, they brought back six athletes to play on the final day, marking the most players to come back for the finals in many years.  Anderson and Li had a rough semi-final consolation match, but they did not win. Higgins had two great matches, winning her semi-final match to move on to the finals. In her final match, she lost the first set and won her second before her opponent forfeited, claiming illness, allowing Higgins to win Consolation.

Perry played two great matches against Century and Newberg, ending up fourth place in the league. Tissuer and Mizuno also had two great matches against Hillsboro and Tualatin, but could not beat either and ended up fourth in district as well.

With all the great work the girl’s team had over the season, Tigard earned third place in districts.

1. SNAG A FREE MOVIE: The Tigard Public Library lets you check out movies for a week, not including renewals. It’s perfect for a movie day with friends or family.

“I go to the Tigard Library and check out movies,” said junior Maria Silva. “They have a good selection.”

2. COOK A GREAT MEAL: Invite a friend over and try cooking. You can follow a recipe or make up your own creations. Some good websites for finding recipes are AllRecipes.com and FoodNetwork.com. If you’re a beginner there are recipes labeled for their difficulty level. Try and find one labeled “easy”. Better yet, host a potluck or have an indoor picnic!

3. READ A GREAT BOOK:  Check out a book from the library or borrow one from a friend. It’s a great way to escape. Some of the hottest book this year include Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins and The Divergent Trilogy by Veronica Roth.

4. COMPETE IN A GAME NIGHT:  Whether it’s a video game session or a board game invite your friends for game night! Test your business skills with Monopoly, or settle down on the couch for some Mortal Combat. Some programs on the Internet will even let you rent out games.

“I just play video games or read,” Said Freshman Andrew Henneman.

5. GET MOVING: If you are more of the athletic type, use the weather as an excuse to try a new sport. Indoor sports like bowling or ping-pong are just as much of a satisfying challenge. Tigard Bowl offers leagues to join all year. South Side Soccer has openings for summer camp already! It’s something to look forward to until the sun arrives.

6. CRUISE THE MALL: Junior Hayden Winters said his rainy day plan involves hanging out at the mall with friends. You can go to buy a summer wardrobe or just window shop.

7. GET AWAY! If you have the car, and the money for gas, take a drive to the coast or to the mountains. A day out might be just what you need to keep you going these last few weeks! Travel East of the Cascades for warmer weather.

Junior Eva Laiti said, “I travel to Mexico and hang out with the locals to brush up on my Spanish.”

The superman is a simple ab workout that you really feel. All you do is lay on your stomach and stretch your arms and legs out and up, arching your body upward, so that only your  stomach touches the ground.

Horton has his own twist on this move. To make it a bit harder, you flip on your back and do the opposite leg/arm motions. This move is the banana. Your back is the only part on the ground with your legs and arms stretched up and out from the ground.

To really feel it, start with a superman and hold it for about 15 seconds then flip over, WITHOUT dropping your arms and legs flat on the ground, to the banana and hold that for 15 more seconds. Keep flipping back and forth, gradually increasing the rate at which you flip. Once you’re flipping over about every two seconds, finish your last rep and end with a superman, holding it for 30 seconds.

To make these moves harder, keep your arms and legs just above the ground. If your legs are shaking, you’re doing it right.

($0) Portland Farmers Market
If you’re looking for a fun (and very Portland-esque) place to shop, eat or just hang out at, try the Portland Farmers Market! This feast for the senses, located at Portland State University, is the best place in Portland to buy the freshest produce, meat, cheese, pastries, flowers and almost anything else! The Portland Farmers Market is open on Saturdays, Mar. 17 – Dec. 15 at 8:30am – 2:00pm.

($0) – Portland Saturday Market
For something a little more, shall we say, eccentric, try the Portland Saturday Market. The Portland Saturday Market is famous for its unique arts and crafts, delicious food, live music and of course, an abundance of interesting people. Located at the Waterfront Park, this bustling little community has something fun for everyone. Visit the Saturday Market on Saturdays from 10am – 5pm and Sundays from 11am – 4:30pm.

($0) – Flicks on the Bricks
If you’re in the mood for a good movie, but still want to get out of the suburbs, go to Flicks on the Bricks! Flicks on the Bricks is exactly what it sounds like: movies on the bricks of Pioneer Courthouse Square; and best of all, it’s free! Bring a chair, blankets and some popcorn to watch great movies in Portland’s living room! The movie series will kick-off on Friday, July 27th and continue through August 17th on four Friday nights.

($0) – Sand in the City (Recommended Donation of $4)
Just because you can’t go to the beach, doesn’t mean the beach can’t come to you! Sand in the City is a great event for all you beach-lovers: sand sculptors from all over Oregon come to Pioneer Courthouse Square and build elaborate sculptures made out of (you guessed it) sand! Also, all proceeds from the donations go to a great cause: the Kids on the Block Awareness Program, an anti-violence and bullying campaign. Come see the beach in the city July 20 – 22 at Pioneer Courthouse Square.

($10- $20, Recommended Donation of $10) – Waterfront Blues Festival
For all you Jazz and Blues aficionados, come see the Waterfront Blues Festival’s 25th Anniversary! Enjoy local food, artsy vendors and of course, great music! More than 30 Blues artists will be performing all day long, so bring some comfortable chairs and get ready to settle in for a long day of good music! The Blues Festival will be held on July 4th – 8th at the Waterfront.

($10- $20) – Oregon State Fair
Every good Oregonian knows that the Oregon State Fair is biggest, best-est fair in Oregon! It’s full of live music, good food, fun rides and daily events making it fun for everyone. Don’t miss the biggest fair in Oregon, it only comes once a year.

($10- $20) – The Enchanted Forest
If you can’t afford to go to Disneyland this summer, visit the Enchanted Forest instead! Significantly smaller, less crowded and 10 times more corny, this cute little amusement park is a great place for a day road trip! Although the park has only a few rides to offer, the other features of the park make up for it. Located in a lush forest on a hill right off I-5, the Enchanted Forest is a great place to have some good, unadulterated fun.

If you’ve got a little more cash to spend, try out these fun ideas for a little more money.

($30- $50) – Portland Timbers Game
If you’ve got a little money to spend, come have fun at a Portland Timbers Game! Oregon’s only professional soccer team needs support, so come dressed in your green and white! Seeing a game is a great way to have fun with fellow Portlanders and feel apart of the community, all while enjoying a good game. Prices of tickets and dates vary.

($30- $50) – Vans Warped Tour
Looking for a fun concert this summer? Come see the Vans Warped Tour, for a great way to hear some music, meet new people and just have a good time. Over 90 bands will be playing at the Warped Tour this year, and tickets are on sale now! This year’s tour will be from June 16 – Aug. 5 at the Rose Quarter Riverfront.

This Fri., May 11, student captains from each grade level will choose from over 30 teachers, who will be competing, to represent their class in our final pep assembly. The students will also be competing in a spirit competition at the pep assembly; freshman  will wear orange, sophomores will wear white, juniors will represent our Tigard green, and the seniors will wear black.

For further information, such as price and time, talk to Mr. Caro in Room 209 or talk to one of the NHS, Key Club, or MECHA members.

If you would like to purchase a Sparrow Bowl spirit t-shirt for only $8, talk to Mr. Caro or go to the Tiger Cage during lunch.