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About Vernonia's voice. (Vernonia, OR) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 24, 2012)
10 schools january24 2012 Nate’s Notes: Living with Asperger’s Syndrome By Nate Izzett A year ago, I found out that I had Asperger’s syndrome. At least, I’m convinced it was a year ago. My parents, on the other hand, are adamant that they had told me at least two years ago. In fact, we had a big fight about that, but more on that later. Asperger’s is a high- functioning developmental condition that falls on the autism spectrum. I had been diagnosed as being on the autism spectrum before I was 3 years old. It has explained a lot of things that I do or say that aren’t exactly normal. Asperger’s syndrome is caused by brain abnormalities, and is one of what I call the “four A’s,” four developmental conditions that begin with the letter A, which also includes autism, ADHD, and ADD. Some famous people are said to have had Asperger’s. In fact, it is believed the Albert Einstein, arguably history’s greatest scientist, and Bill Gates, the founder of Microsoft, both may have or have had a form of Asperger’s. People with this condition, sometimes called “Aspies,” tend to have average to well above average intelligence. Sometimes they have intense interests in one or two things. Other common symptoms of Asperger’s include lack of empathy, social difficulties, and sensory issues, as well as slow development, trouble with communication, and repetitive behaviors. But that’s just background information. When you look at me, then stuff gets really weird! As I said earlier – and my fellow students can relate to this – my diagnosis of Asperger’s might explain a lot of my actions. The fight with my parents I mentioned at the beginning of this column displays typical Aspy behavior, as we tend to be rather black-and-white, argumentative people. Aspies are known to have some obsessive interests. Just ask me – I have an extremely intense interest in weaponry and warfare, to the point where I’ve learned more than your average teenager about that sort of stuff, from Benedict Arnold to George Patton and from swords and spears to the M16. I also am interested in a lot of political things – countries, flags, etc. I can pretty much identify any country on a map of the world. But my preoccupation with these subjects may make me seem a bit odd or nerdy. The same thing goes with my ritual/strict procedure-based behavior. While it helps me to organize everyday processes like getting ready for school, VHS Winter Sports it can also enslave me to a routine procedure, even if makes more sense to do something a different way than I have determined to be the best way. Like a few other Aspies, I have had a few irrational fears – in my case it’s been scary-looking pictures and loud noises, which is a bit odd, when you consider that I play the drums. A lot of fears, such as my fear of spiders, can make me more wary of getting bitten by a poisonous spider, but it can also cause me to avoid a certain room where I have previously seen a spider. Other, more irrational fears, like the one of scary pictures that can’t really hurt me, end up creating a problem if that picture is on a wall in a certain restaurant. My parents used to have to ask to be seated as far from the picture as possible, or I would have a fit. It is normal for Aspies to adhere to a strict method to doing things. I do that. We also tend to have a logical approach to many issues, one event leading logically to the next. I do that a lot. A lot of Aspies can seem a bit immature. In fact, to tell you the truth, I have been seen as immature by some of my classmates, as I tend to do things that my peers would call immature. We Aspies can have good memories. I’m an example. I remember things that I have read or heard only once for a long time. At age three I had all of the major bones in the human body memorized. When I was young I used to listen to the sample CDs of band music my dad would get, and I could recite the spoken introduction to each song after a couple of times of listening. People with Asperger’s can have poor people skills. This is somewhat true of me, as I do have a few classmates who I am sure think I am a bit strange, but not a lot. But that’s where the similarities to the mainstream Aspies ends. Asperger’s has been linked with low empathy, which isn’t true of me. Due to that “lack” of empathy, Aspies don’t tend to make lots of friends. On the contrary, I have lots of friends! Unlike most Aspies, who “aren’t supposed” to make many good friends, I am fiercely loyal towards my friends, often to a fault. True, Aspbergers has its downsides, even for me, but I wouldn’t dare change it for anything. It’s just a part of me, who I am. And that’s just the way it is. Nate Izzett is a 9th grade student at Vernonia High School and will be writing a monthly column as a volunteer intern for Vernonia’s Voice. Weller says he would still like to see more improvement with team Boys Basketball—The Vernonia Loggers continue to rebounding. “We did a little better in a show they may be one of the top teams in the state in couple of these past games, but we still Division 2A basketball, having now won six straight need to toughen up. We’re giving up too league games. The Loggers Northwest league record many offensive rebounds.” Coach Weller also mentioned now stands at 6-1 and 12-2 over all after they defeated Portland Christian 63-62, Riverdale 82-52, Neah-Kah- the play of Byron Weller and Jerrid Nie 69-37and Nestucca 47-44. A much anticipated Johnston as a positive. “Byron has match-up with Faith Bible was cancelled due to weather played really well the last few games and had five assists in the first quarter of on January 17. The Loggers are scoring an average of 61.8 two different games and some important points per game—tops in the league--and holding steals,” said coach Weller. Johnston has Members of the VHS Band were selected for District Band. been a defensive specialist who has also opponents to a stingy 46.4 points per game. L-R: Sarah Wagner-tuba, Chris Dass-baritone sax, Jacob Medearis- “This was our chance to make a statement, provided a number of key steals. “They trombone, Nate Izzett-percussion, Jackson Miller-trombone, Nicole that’s what we’ve been saying in the locker room,” said have both been big contributors to our Glass-bass clarinet, Brandon Krause-euphonium and not pictured head coach David Weller of this last stretch of games. success.” said Weller. Samantha Morgan-clarinet. The Loggers were entering into “We wanted to go out and make a statement in the league that we are one of the best teams. And we did the heart of their league schedule, with Jacob Barnes at170, Jacob Stevens at 182 and Brett upcoming home games against Delphian on January 28, that.” Benes 195; Quin Johansen at 145 and Joe Benes at Weller has been pleased with the Loggers Knappa on January 31, Neah-Kah-Nie on February 4 160 pounds both took 5th place ability to run the court and play a high tempo offense. and Faith Bible on February 9. The Northwest League On January 13 and 14 the Loggers traveled “We did a much better job these last few games of playoffs start on February 16 to Redmond and took part in the prestigious Oregon pushing the basketball up the court—our assists have Wrestling Classic. In dual meet competitions the gone up which is a good sign. A lot of teams can’t run Girls Basketball—The Lady Loggers got their second Loggers defeated the Culver 2 squad– 66-36 and straight league wins with a 42-34 victory with us.” Heppner 62-36 before losing to Lowell 35-18. The over Neah-Kah-Nie on January 14 and G u a r d Loggers then lost to eventual tournament champion a 65-39 win over Nestucca on January Craig Weller has Culver 15-61 before defeating Scio 39-24 in the 20. After earlier losses to Portland been shooting consolation round. Christian and Riverdale, the Vernonia the ball extremely “We did pretty good, finishing 3-2 overall and girls league record stood at 3-4 and they well from outside, taking second in our pool,” said Loggers head coach find themselves right in the middle of the scoring six three Chris Wolf. “Our kids had some really good matches Northwest league standings. pointers against against some very tough opponents-some kids that The Lady Loggers were headed into an both Riverdale have placed at state. So it was a good experience for important stretch of their schedule with a and Neah-Kah-Nie us and we got to wrestle some teams and kids we don’t chance to turn their season around with and four against normally get to see. Now some of our kids know where key match-ups at Gaston on January 23 Portland Chrisitian. they need to be to be a state contender.” and at home against Delphian January “Craig has really lit In the women’s division Samantha Morgan 28, Knappa January 31, Neah-Kah-Nie it up from outside,” took 1st place and Aries Adams took 3rd place in on February 4 and Faith Bible February said Weller. Paul the 132 bracket. Morgan was planning to attend the 9. Jiranek also Woman’s State qualifying meet Saturday January 28. continues to be “I think she should do real well,” said Wolf. one of the team’s Craig Weller drives to the basket in another Logger Wrestling—On January 7 at the Bob Vernonia had to cancel a home match against Bishop Invitational the Vernonia leading scorers. win. Photo courtesy of Jonah Ooeten Clatskanie on January 17 and a trip to Siletz Valley Loggers took 5th place out of 18 teams, A f t e r on January 18, but were headed to the Pacific Rim working hard in practice during the winter break the finishing behind Dallas, Willamina, Hudson Bay, and Tournament in Seaside on January 20-21. The Loggers Loggers have cut down on the number of turnovers Banks. In the Junior Varsity brackets Mikol Pihl took return home to face Knappa and Nestucca on January they are committing. After averaging almost twenty- 1st place at 170, Jacob Lavenseller finished 2nd at 160 26, travel to the Scappoose invitational on February 4, five turnovers per game, Weller was happy to see that and Kristian Wredstrom took 3rd place at 182 pounds. and face district rival Central Linn on February 8. The The varsity squad had six wrestlers place in the number down to around fourteen per game. “We’ve District 1 Tournament will be held on February 17-18 tournament: finishing third were Shylo Dooley at 138, made a big improvement in that area.” in Monroe.
