Alumni and Parents

Dr. Tristen Holmes is a 2015 Black Tornado graduate!  Tristen graduated from North Medford as a Valedictorian and went on to receive a bachelors and masters degree in Interdisciplinary Biology and Chemistry from Southern Oregon University and later earned his Doctorate of Medicine in Dentistry from the Oregon Health and Science University. 

 

Upon graduation from North Medford High School, Tristen attended Southern Oregon University where he played basketball and became an NAIA Basketball Academic All American in 2019.  While attending SOU, Tristen was also named as the 2019 Southern Oregon University Danook Award winner in recognition of scholarship, enrichment of campus life and evidence of citizenship and outstanding character.  As a Southern Oregon Raider, Tristen represented the Black Tornado well.

 

During his high school years, Tristen’s favorite teachers were Mrs. Brown and Mr. Boling. Tristen said, “both were amazing teachers and I always appreciated that they took an interest in my life outside of school.  I felt like they really wanted to connect and invest in my future”.  Tristen’s favorite class was working as a teacher’s aide for Mr.  Powell’s computer class.  Specifically; Tristen enjoyed working with students with disabilities because it gave him a “very different perspective on life and the joy everyone can bring into the world”.  Tristen remembers the trip to the state basketball tournament as a Black Tornado as one of his best memories from high school.

 

Tristen and his wife Abby moved back to the Rogue Valley in the summer of 2023 and they welcomed their first child, Kai, into the family on January 4, 2024.  Tristen is working as a dentist at East Main Dental and we are all happy to have him back in town to keep representing the Black Tornado.  

 

Dr. Tristen Holmes continues to model citizenship and outstanding character and his plans for the future are to grow his family and become more involved in the Rogue Valley community.  Dr. Holmes’ advice for Black Tornado students today is, “get to know as many peers as you can, especially those involved in different things than you.  You will be surprised at the connections you make with people that you wouldn’t have made otherwise”.

 

Thank you Dr. Tristen Holmes for being a model of our Black Tornado Standard!

GO BLACK TORNADO!

Jaida Ross is a 2020 graduate who competed in athletics at North Medford High School
and now attends the University of Oregon. Jaida’s favorite academic subject was
Psychology, and her favorite teachers at North were Ms. Kathleen Thomas and Mr.
Bryant because they both “really cared about their students.”
Jaida is forever grateful to Coach Aaron Williams who was the “throwing coach” who
helped Jaida with shot put and discus. Jaida said, “He taught me so much! He taught me
how to compete and how to be a leader while introducing me to high level camps and
how to navigate the recruitment process. On top of all that, he is an amazing mentor and
coach!”
Jaida also credits North Medford Track Coach Pieter Voskes for getting her started in
track. Jaida remembers Coach Voskes talking to her about track while she was at Hedrick
Middle School. Jaida was resistant, but Coach Voskes said, “I think you’d make a really
good thrower; you should just try it out.” Luckily, she listened. “Coach Voskes and
Coach Williams have supported me since the day I met them and I couldn’t be more
grateful for them. I am so grateful to have been part of the Black Tornado team and have
such a supportive coaching staff with me.”
During Jaida’s time at University of Oregon, she has established quite the career. She is
currently the school record holder for the University of Oregon in shot put, and she is
currently 3rd in school history for discus. Her shot put record has her currently sitting at
#2 in the United States and #7 in the World!
The Black Tornado Club is proud of Jaida and all of her accomplishments. We can’t wait
to see how far you go!
GO BLACK TORNADO!
https://goducks.com/sports/track-and-field/roster/jaida-ross/15626
Click the link above to view Jaida’s current stats.

Dr. Kendra Taylor is a 2003 graduate of North Medford High School and she is currently the Director of Choral Music Education at Western Oregon University as well as the Music Director at Central Presbyterian Church in Eugene. Kendra loves spending time with her Boston Terrier, “Davos,” especially when Davos sings along while Kendra is practicing her music. When Dr. Taylor is not teaching or directing music, she loves to sing, rock climb, and play video games.

Kendra earned an A.A.O.T. from Lane Community College, a Bachelors and Masters degree from Southern Oregon University and then received her Doctorate degree from the University of Oregon. Obviously, Dr. Taylor has had an extraordinary academic career and she has certainly made the Black Tornado proud!

While at North Medford High School, Kendra participated in the performing arts including band, choir, orchestra and theatre. Some of her favorite memories include performing, traveling, and hanging out with friends. Specifically, singing in the car while driving to lunch with friends!

Dr. Taylor credits Mr. Steve Thickett for inspiring her to become a music director. While student teaching at NMHS, Kendra had the opportunity to work with Lynn Gervais, Julie Weller, and Steve Kessler and she says, “they are all superheroes who continue to inspire me as I work with the next generation of music teachers.”  In fact, Kendra says that “lessons learned at NMHS as a student, student teacher, and later as a teacher, continue to inform my work with music educators on a daily basis.”

Dr. Kendra Taylor would like to tell all current and future Black Tornado students, “In all you do, find opportunities to create beauty, be kind to yourself and others, and to unapologetically be yourself!  

The Black Tornado Club is proud of Kendra and all of her accomplishments. We can’t wait to see how far you go!  

GO BLACK TORNADO!

Hey Black Tornado Club!

 

Welcome to Summer 2024!  First, we want to give a big SHOUT OUT to Ms. Jaida Ross, the 2024 NCAA National Champion in shot put!  Jaida also broke the NCAA collegiate record on April 6^th in La Jolla California.  Congratulations to our Black Tornado Alumni, Jaida Ross!

We are excited to recognize our first alumni spotlight for June 2024, Mr. Jim Wise, class of 1964 is a true legend and an absolute model for what it means to carry on the Black Tornado Standard!

Please continue to share The Black Tornado Club with your friends and colleagues.  

Here is the link to join the Black Tornado Club: 

Link to Form: https://form.jotform.com/230676459987073

 

Jim Wise is an American Hero!  He is also a retired Navy Top Gun pilot, retired golf pro, Oregon State University graduate and more importantly, Jim is a 1964 Black Tornado Graduate! 

 

Jim Wise is a long time Medford resident who has always called Medford “home”.  Jim has great memories of high school and specific memories about how competitive athletics were when he was a high school student.  Jim said, “I encountered more competition to make the golf team in high school than I did when I got to Oregon State.  In fact, I only lettered two years in high school but 3 years in college.  The competition was fierce every day in high school and you had to have a 3 or 4 handicap just to make the varsity golf team”.  

 

Following college, Jim enrolled in the Navy Aviation Officer Candidate School and after 8 months of basic training and aviation schooling, he received his wings of gold in May 1969.  Jim went on to fly the F-4 Phantom in multiple combat missions during the war in Vietnam.  

 

Jim was aboard the USS Midway for two combat cruises and was sent to Top Gun School in January of 1972.  Ultimately, Jim flew more than 260 combat missions in Vietnam and was credited with the last MiG kill of the war in January of 1973.

 

When Jim came home from Vietnam to Medford Oregon he took two weeks off and then started working at the Rogue Valley Country Club where he was the Head Golf Professional until January 2012.  

 

Jim is a long standing member of the Tornado Hall of Fame and was also elected to the Medford Sports Hall of Fame in 2017.  

 

When asked what advice he would give to young Black Tornado students today, Jim replied; “Remember how important school is.  It may not seem like it now but 2 or 3 years from now it is going to be important, so study hard”.

 

Great advice from Jim Wise, a Black Tornado Legend and National Hero!

 

GO BLACK TORNADO!

Hey Black Tornado Club!

 

We also wanted to recognize a brand new Black Tornado Alumni, Mr. Houston Klug!  A young legend in the making who graduated just a few weeks ago in the class of 2024.

Please continue to share The Black Tornado Club with your friends and colleagues.  

Here is the link to join the Black Tornado Club: 

Link to Form: https://form.jotform.com/230676459987073

 

Houston Klug is a 2024 North Medford graduate.  Houston is planning on attending the College of the Redwoods next year where he will begin his post-secondary education while participating as a basketball and track athlete!

 

During Houston’s time at North Medford High School he was an integral part of our basketball program and track program.  His coaches continuously praised him as a hard working young man with impeccable character.  During basketball season Houston often finished the game as the leading scorer for the Black Tornado and opposing coaches even praised Houston and his ability to take over a game.  Houston was chosen for the 2024 Senior All Star Series to represent the Oregon State Team.  He was also selected as first team all-conference and played in the Rogue Valley All Star Game. Houston’s 2024 track season was simply remarkable!  He was undefeated throughout the entire track season his senior year including first place finishes at the Medford Rotary Event and the Oregon Relays in Eugene.  Houston’s final track meet as a Black Tornado was the OSAA State Championship meet at Hayward Field where he won an individual state championship in the high jump!  

 

Houston credits Coach Mario Filippi for much of his success in the high jump arena.  “Mario is a younger guy and we get along very well.  He is almost like one of us and he feels like a part of the team.  He coaches me hard at times and as I’ve dealt with pain in my body he lets me determine how we work out”.

Houston’s favorite teachers at NMHS were Mr. Black and Mr. Wheeler. A favorite memory from high school was shooting off rockets in Mr. Black’s class and Houston said, “Mr. Wheeler just seems like a standup guy and I’ve learned a lot of life lessons from him”. 

 

Houston’s favorite memory from high school was the Las Vegas trip in 2024.  He said, “we had a lot of fun exploring without getting into too much trouble”.

 

The Black Tornado Club is looking forward to watching the trajectory of Houston’s career as he moves forward from North Medford High School.  Good luck sir!  GO BLACK TORNADO!