Gambling Away Our Future

What Happened?

Over a one year period, Pauletta Huffman, NHS class of 1973, embezzled $62,000 from the NHS Alumni Association, depleting its assets. The association, through decades of fundraising, donations and grants, had previously offered two $4000 scholarships to graduating NHS seniors every June. However, due to the embezzlement, they can no longer reward those scholarships.

“What Pauletta has done to her alma mater in the name of greed (or addiction) effectively cancelled out our ability to offer scholarships to NHS graduates for the next eight years,” said NHS Alumni Association President Dick Bevens.

For over five years prior to the theft, which took place between November 2006 and June 2007, Huffman, 56, had served on the association’s board as treasurer. The association began to question Huffman’s ethics when bank statements became suspicious and something just “didn’t seem right,” according to Bevens.

“We did operate a lot on trust back then, because [Huffman] had been with us for several years,” said Bevens, “Even though we had a two signature policy on all checks, we realized through looking at bank statements that on certain occasions the ‘pay-to’ part of the check had been left blank. And Huffman had been making checks out to herself.”

Since the embezzlement, the Alumni Association has raised enough funds to honor the students already promised scholarships. Although many NHS alumni have responded positively with donations, many have expressed a loss of faith in the association’s business practices.
“It is indeed a sad and sorry day for our volunteer board of directors,” said Bevens, “who placed so much trust and faith in Pauletta.”

The Court Case

Huffman went before a grand jury Dec. 4, 2008 and plead guilty to one count aggravated theft under Circuit Court Judge Sheryl Bachart. Her sentence included 24 months probation, 60 days in the Lincoln County Jail and a total of $64,073.49 restitution to be paid to the Newport High School Alumni Association in full (see sidebar).

“I always avoided tight spaces, but I had no idea how claustrophobic I was until I was confined for 60 days,” stated Huffman in an online blog entitled “Gambling Addiction – Battling my Dragon.” <www.battleadragon.blogspot.com>

According to her testimony, Huffman frequented casinos up to twice a week during the year. “She indicates to me that basically the period of time in question is a blur to her. Apparently the Newport scholarship fund is now in the proud possession of the Tribe of Siletz because it all went down the toilet in the Chinook Winds Casino,” stated Huffman’s court-appointed attorney, Guy Greco. Greco went on to explain that due to an untreated case of stage-three melanoma, Huffman suffered severe memory loss and remembers committing only portions of the crime.

Bachart expressed extreme skepticism towards Huffman’s claim of memory loss. “What you did took planning…I don’t know if it’s a way to resolve in your own mind the gravity of what you did or if it’s a way for you to live with yourself as a result of this… but $64,000? I don’t buy it for a minute that you don’t remember that. It’s insulting to these people here that you would make that representation in court…you didn’t steal from the Alumni Association. You stole from the kids who would benefit from that money.”

Bachart continued on to give Huffman an opportunity to address the court and the association with an apology, but she declined, stating, “I think everyone’s suffered enough.”
At the end of the hearing, Bachart expressed regret that she could not issue a stronger sentencing and sent Huffman immediately to jail.

The HL Reaches Out

On March 8, The Harbor Light mailed Huffman a letter requesting an interview, inviting her to tell her side of the story. She declined the offer. A few days later, The Harbor Light tried again:

“Pauletta, after further research I urge you to reconsider. This story could be groundbreaking for you. As far as I can tell from your file, your restitution and court orders do not forbid you from speaking with me. The Harbor Light and I have no affiliation with the Alumni Association whatsoever and I hope I’m not being too forward by requesting a change of heart. The Harbor Light plans to proceed with the story regardless of your contribution but I urge you to take this opportunity. We are not out to persecute you. We want to find out what happened.”

Huffman responded: “I would refer you to the last line of the Probation Conditions in the judgment, ‘follow any direction of the parole officer.’ This section refers to communications associated with this case; therefore, all emails, phone requests, or letters are copied for files and cleared prior to responding. Furthermore, the tone of your email indicates that you have determined the focus of your story and do not need my input. Please discontinue any future contact by letter, email, or phone. Respectfully, Pauletta Huffman.”

The Aftermath

“We have put procedures in place so that this will never happen again,” said Bevens, “Number one, all of our board members are bonded. Number two, a check is not given unless the payee is physically written on the check. And number three, the treasurer does not make out checks.”

As of March 2010, Huffman had repaid $1529 of the restitution owed. She claims to have made the NHS Alumni Association the beneficiary for her life insurance policy. However, at her current rate of payment, the restitution will not be paid in full for approximately 41 years.

Her Punishment

• 24 months probation
• violate no law
• keep court informed of address
• obey all dept. of corrections rules
• pay monthly supervision fee of $35
• don’t associate with people engaged in criminal activity
• no contact with the association or anyone who is a member of that association
• no association sponsored events
• possess no firearm
• submit dna sample
• undergo treatment for gambling addiction
• not to frequent any establishment with gambling (casinos, bars, restaurants)
• not to participate in any type of gambling activity (includes lottery and online sites)
• will not handle any financial accounts for businesses or non-profits
• ordered to pay all restitution $64,037.49 to alumni association and friends
• until all paid in full, will not leave Lincoln County without written permission
• follow all directions from the probation officer
• minimum payments of $150 a month while on probation
• 60 days in jail to report immediately

Lost In Translation

Too Many Highlights/Cheung

The best always comes at the end of the year. Graduation, Prom and college excite all of us, but sadly also signify the time to leave. As an exchange student in NHS this year, I appreciate every experience that I have had.

I tried to list all the highlights of this year, but they indeed added up to too many. Staying with my wonderful host family gave me the chance to travel to many states including Washington, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, New York and New Jersey. Every state differed by the food, people, accent and even environment. New York City surprised me the most. People seemed so busy and unfriendly. I dropped a quarter on the crowded street and someone took it instead of picking it up for me. Millions of tall buildings and yellow cabs surrounded me. Times Square reminded me of my hometown, Hong Kong. I especially loved the spectacular lights at night and the real Chinese food in Chinatown!

I have made many awesome friends here. Americans are always friendly. Many people would wave to me in the hall even if I had never seen that person before. When I dressed nicely, people would shout,” You are so cute today!” I love the people here. I can never talk to someone I don’t know back in Hong Kong. Everyone just ignores you or passes by, even friends. However, one thing definitely shocked me since the first day of school: you can always touch the disgusting gum under the table or chair accidentally!

Goodbye Newport/ Moradei

I felt like Alice in Wonderland when I first arrived. Everyone treated me as an attraction; I was the darling of the time for more than a month and I liked it. When school started, I felt more popular than ever before. Being an exchange student felt like the status of a movie star under the spotlight. I was the Italian dignitary when dancing at the Ark and one of the top ten at the Friday Lunch Jam with my
“Radio Italia” performance. And the Italians called me shy?

I’ve never toured supermarkets like I did this year: hypnotized by all the merchandise in the same building. It seems that Americans really love the idea of finding everything here and now; could it signify laziness? When I started frequenting the cinema, I picked up the American tradition of eating popcorn. I started to worry as I didn’t want to end up as another AFS student going back home with extra pounds (but I’m failing)! The texting impulse caught me after just a few days, so I adopted my first texting plan and haven’t stopped since. How do I lose the addiction once I return to Italy?

I never believed my foreign accent was as evident as Americans made it out to be, but their reactions to my words made me realize that it is so. However I can still easily fool my parents, friends and most Italians!

Life abroad on American exchange accentuates everyday peaks and depressions. To cope, I write everything down on paper, talk it out or knock it off and always go to bed a winner. People often ask me if I feel homesick, but that word remains out of vocabulary!

Organic Wiping

Of all days to forget the toilet paper! The workman scrambles about the forest floor with pants at his ankles, searching frantically for that plant whose name he can never remember… the one with the big fuzzy leaves.

Thimbleberry, one of Oregon’s native raspberry species, has several practical uses. Although primarily known for the fuzzy little red raspberries they produce, the leaves make an excellent makeshift toilet wipe. Growing as tall canes with large maple-like  leaves, this raspberry species lacks thorns, instead sporting fuzz all over the plant where thorns would normally be. The canes, leaves and even the fruit possess a soft, inoffensive layer of hair which helps prevent skin irritation. In addition, the thimbleberry produces clusters of small white flowers in the spring, making it a nice plant for the common garden.

A very uncomplicated process, even the novice gardener can establish a thimbleberry stand. Attain three or four rhizomes (the big root mass common in all raspberry and blackberry species) from an existing stand and immediately plant them where you want the new stand to grow. Depending on when planting takes place, they may immediately begin sending out shoots or they may remain dormant through the winter.

Spring Food

The wild that surrounds us in the Pacific Northwest abounds with the luscious victuals from Mother Nature; learn to harness these and you will never go hungry.
Spring has sprung into our corner of Oregon. Out of the returning youthful tendrils curl the intricate, spiraling fronds of a fern. Delicate and green, still round and unfurled top of the plant (the fiddlehead) presents itself as a juicy morsel for humans and deer alike. Osmundastrum cinnamomeum or cinnamon fern for the layman, can be found along marshy banks and lowlands of rivers on the Oregon Coast and creates perfect heads for curry.

Fiddlehead Curry:
Heat in a large stew pot: ¾ cup of ghee, chopped onions, garlic and cubed potatoes. Steam about three cups whole fiddleheads with one cup water and one cup coconut milk and add to the ghee mixture along with nutmeg, tumeric, coriander, red pepper and cumin. Chop desired vegetables and add to the liquid. Cook until tender and add the ferns. Serve with warm naan and chai tea.Certain to fill the body and soul, this is one meal that will strengthen the immune system and leave you remembering why we need nature.

I Am Dedicated

If you want to learn how to play an instrument, you invest in a guitar, piano, drum set, whatever.  You practice everyday; you learn chords, progressions, finger placement and timing. Spare moments are spent thinking about how to improve or what to try next. Songs repeat themselves in your mind. You become dedicated.

Even if you cannot create music, being a fan takes dedication too. Driving to shows, buying merch and spreading the word—it takes time. You tap your fingers along to your favorite song and save up money for a ticket to an upcoming show. Honestly, fans spend just as much time appreciating music as bands do making it.

As for me, I dabble in instruments. I’ve never had the patience to teach myself and no one has ever offered instruction. I own an acoustic guitar and a 37 key electronic keyboard. I can play two songs on each. Although I’d love to learn to play, I’m just as content listening.

Music constantly engulfs me: when I drive, do homework, write, check Facebook, sleep, get ready for school, walk my dogs and make dinner. I set aside money from every paycheck for an upcoming show. I drive three hours to Portland, wait outside the venue in the Oregon rain and suffer through ten-year olds screaming as the band walks on stage. I buy a shirt from sassy merch salesmen and wait in ridiculous lines to get a picture or say hello. I am dedicated.

IB Programme Teaches Life Skills

I’m not dropping it!” I told myself when faced with the decision to drop the IB Diploma or not. This decision came to a head in the middle of January, when the word “school” sounded like something a half-crazed man would say. School was just not at the top of my to-do-list.
Throughout this year I have heard of at least five students that have dropped either the IB Diploma or a certificate class. Although it was a struggle, I am proud to say I’m not going to drop it.

I’m not saying that I hadn’t thought about it. I have. But the struggles I faced throughout the year created a learning opportunity for me. Through this, I feel confident that my performance for next year would be the best of my ability because of the knowledge I gained on how everything should run.

The sole reason for staying in the IB Programme is the need to finish what I have started. This program has also made me the person I am now. The IB Diploma has helped me with the struggles everyone will face later in life.

The Irritation of Weird Talk

Hi guys, I’m still here.” Have you ever felt the need to say that to someone? Everyone has experienced those moments when people decide to talk about you as if you weren’t there anymore.

Several months ago, while experiencing the overwhelming boredom and pain that often comes from riding the bus home after school, two guys decided to strike up a conversation. It began rather normally, though they made no real introductions (few people know proper etiquette anymore, but that is a rant for another time).

Suddenly, I found myself bombarded with random and confusing question such as, “Do you like cows?” and “Do you think I’m fat?” I answered them, wondering if there lie any deeper meaning. The two then started a conversation of their own as if I had disappeared. They spoke a few short, loud lines that weren’t meant for my ears.

I turned away and ignored them, as best as I could, for the rest of the ride, trying to decide if I had heard badly attempted flattery or high school immaturity, leaning towards the latter.
“Hi guys. I’m still here.” No one enjoys those moments. So please, don’t even go there.

Oregon Provides Infininte Possibilities

For the majority of my life, I believed travel stood unparalleled by any other experience. In my eyes, nothing compared to getting away from home because I felt I had done everything within my city limits. My parents assured me that as I got older I would come to appreciate my coastal surroundings. With reluctance, I can attest.

As another year draws to an end, the hallways once again buzz with anticipation and talks of travel destinations. If you’re like me, you have no idea where this summer will take you (if anywhere). Believe it or not, I’ve found a remedy to summer daze and endless laps around the Turnaround: improvisation. In our small town, one can always find something to experience. Get lost for a day. Break out your old ten speed. Venture to unfamiliar locations. Go on a hike. Play tourist (but please refrain from driving like one).

No matter where this summer takes you, make it one to remember. The mystical months of magic hold endless possibility. These are the days of our youth and we’ll never get them back. Make each day matter and party like it’s pre-apocalyptic 2011. All and all, remember adventure can be found anywhere; you just need to know where to look.

Fear and Ignorance Impede Health Care Progress

The recently passed health care bill only expands the role of profit mongering insurance companies and conservative resistance continues with shameless attempts to repeal the legislation. Still, though not socialist by any measure, the law represents a step in the right direction. Good job President Barack Obama!

The hatred for “Obamacare” brings up an important question: why would anyone oppose a plan to insure all Americans? Much of it has to do with the powerful influence of money, but two things explain the backlash: fear and ignorance, both deeply seated obstacles to the country’s progress. These sorts of feelings led Glenn Beck to compare health care to Nazi eugenics and prompted Sarah Palin to lie about “death panels.” They led Representative Randy Neugebauer (R-Texas) to yell “baby killer!” at Representative Bart Stupak (D- Michigan). Had he forgotten Stupak’s pro-life beliefs?

These people roused their sheep-like followers by shouting out ridiculous and offensive viewpoints. Though often supported by illogical arguments and false information, these people threaten any hope for a socialist future. Nearly a fifth of Americans say they support the Tea Party Movement. Sure, we need to fix the massive deficit, but these sort of people failed to take to the streets when George Bush destroyed Bill Clinton’s annual surplus by giving tax cuts to the very rich and sending thousands of Americans off to die in an illegal, horribly misguided and failed war.

Hopefully, people will see through the fear mongering and resist the right’s call to arms. But if things heat up further than they did during the health care debate, they might come to a violent head.

Journalism Provides Niche

My fondest memories in the span of my secondary education include the smell of fresh ink on newspaper, post-production pizza lunches, editorial board meetings, early morning “layout madness” and cover photo shoots.

As my fourth year in Journalism nears an end, I reflect on the evolution of The Harbor Light during my time on the staff. In the past two years, we have expanded to 16 pages, improved our writing and photography, refined the proofreading process, sold more ads, reformed design and have taken a more creative approach to producing a news magazine. None of the aforementioned could have been achieved without a select group of dedicated senior staff members willing to pioneer such an endeavor.

Design Editor Amira Shagaga deserves full credit for the modern, elegant appearance of this year’s The Harbor Light and has independently designed three entire issues (the 75th Anniversary, Epic and Art Issues). Reporter Alexander Rose has taken on multiple hard news stories and served as a shrewd political commentator in his column Hello Socialism and other editorials. Photo Editor Ashley Terrell has led the photography staff in providing crisp, artful images. Ad Manager Jaki Nestor has established and maintained solid relationships with advertisers and dealt with finances in an efficient, professional manner. The Class of 2011 has large shoes to fill.

I extend further gratitude to Principal Jon Zagel. Zagel has offered only his upmost support to The Harbor Light and invariably honored our freedom as a publication.
Lastly, I commend Adviser Matt Love for inspiring us with his vision and providing a niche in which we can flourish.