Hot off the press:

How to Get Involved: Protecting Reproductive Rights

Staying informed is a crucial way to support those around us, especially amidst a political climate that seeks to take away our information and access to fundamental rights.

French Students Visit NWA

“It’s a funny city with a lot of people who have colored hair."

Commentary: Four-Day Schedules Cause Confusion and Inconsistency

The class duration and order inconsistencies are illogical and stray from the normal schedule so much that they cause stress and confusion for some students and staff on where they are supposed to be at any given time. 

Angry Pigeons: Teo Hamacher

Senior Teo Hamacher is Northwest Academy’s resident philosopher. He’ll disagree with you on just about anything, and persuade you that even the most blatant of truths is debatable — the existence of truth itself, for example.

Hamacher’s interest in philosophy is uncommon for a high school student, as the subject isn’t known to be easily accessible. He says that one of the issues with philosophy is its inaccessibility.

“[Philosophy] has a very distinct ivory towerism,” Hamacher says. “It’s famous for being very pedantic and obscure.”

Hamacher is looking to break that stereotype with his senior project. He plans to write three to four essays about various topics in 20th century philosophy, and present them in the form of zines, or mini magazines.

“It’s a very grassroots method of distributing information,” says Hamacher. “I thought [it] would be an interesting addition to combine that with philosophy.”

Hamacher entered the world of philosophy in 2019 after riots and protests rocked Portland downtown. He began reading political philosophy in an attempt to understand what was causing the upheaval.

“There was a lot going on politically, and I just felt like I didn’t understand [it],” said Hamacher.

Soon, Hamacher’s interest turned from political philosophers like John Locke toward more traditional philosophy, and he began reading works of famous philosophers including Aristotle and Hegel.

It’s been three years since Hamacher first delved into philosophy, and as his interest grows, he wants to share his passion with others and tear down the walls that isolate philosophy through his project. Hamacher intends to go to college for philosophy, and is also considering a secondary degree in sociology or anthropology. As a high school senior this year, he’s applying to schools including Bennington College, Emory University, Hampshire College, St. John’s University and University of Oregon.

“A dream of mine would be to be able to teach,” says Hamacher. “[Unfortunately,] the world of teaching and academia — especially in the humanities — is difficult and you really have to be the best of the best to succeed, and so it’s kind of a formidable goal.”

Reporting by Tinsley Collins and Shambhava Srikanth

Latest

How to Get Involved: Protecting Reproductive Rights

Staying informed is a crucial way to support those around us, especially amidst a political climate that seeks to take away our information and access to fundamental rights.

French Students Visit NWA

“It’s a funny city with a lot of people who have colored hair."

Commentary: Four-Day Schedules Cause Confusion and Inconsistency

The class duration and order inconsistencies are illogical and stray from the normal schedule so much that they cause stress and confusion for some students and staff on where they are supposed to be at any given time. 

Commentary: Teachers! Effort Over Excellence, Please

"Engagement and effort are an underused way to evaluate students."

Don't miss

A Portrait of the Teacher as a Bad Man: Why People Get Whiplash All Wrong

Chazelle intended this as a cautionary tale, but there is a greater harm in blending obsession with inspiration. Cinema is a powerful tool, and it’s dangerous when misinterpreted.

Seven Deadly Sins Collage

For the recent E/H 4 final project, students were tasked with creating an artistic response that explored the main themes presented in the class thus far, including family, home and patriarchs.

Music in Classrooms: Is It Okay for Students to Listen During Class?

Studies show that there are certain genres that are more effective for studying.

Reaction: The Supremes – Where Did Our Love Go

The History and Popular Music of the ’60s class learned about The Supremes' breakthrough album, Where Did Our Love Go (1964). Here are their reactions.

Superficial Love: Examining Elizabeth, Victor’s Favorite Lamp

In Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, the character of Elizabeth is said to be Victor’s cousin, sister and bride. But is she anything more than an object to serve Victor’s needs and desires? Or is she simply a “shrine-dedicated lamp," existing solely as a decoration to furnish Victor’s love life?
Pigeon Press Staff
Pigeon Press Staff
The Pigeon Press staff is committed to truth, justice, accuracy and the American way.

How to Get Involved: Protecting Reproductive Rights

Staying informed is a crucial way to support those around us, especially amidst a political climate that seeks to take away our information and access to fundamental rights.

French Students Visit NWA

“It’s a funny city with a lot of people who have colored hair."

Commentary: Four-Day Schedules Cause Confusion and Inconsistency

The class duration and order inconsistencies are illogical and stray from the normal schedule so much that they cause stress and confusion for some students and staff on where they are supposed to be at any given time. 

1 COMMENT

  1. Teo is an oddly sweet, wonderful guy…obviously bright, studious, curious, kind and surprisingly friendly, talkative, and gently patient with those of us less conversant with Aristotle, Plato, Socrates….Marx, Emma Goldman and friends. Can’t wait to see where he goes on to school…Nanna’s pushing UofO; quite like him near! Plus he’s tall, strong, has an eclectic fashion sense, pretty cute with the glasses, cowboy belt buckles and yes, has a terrific appetite, especially for very expensive imported cheeses.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here