There are other reasons students are coming, though. Mohrland stands in the hall and points above the lockers to photographs of her mother and her five aunts and uncles, all previous graduates of the school. Their positive experiences at Helix influenced her decision to transfer there. Other students, like Denise Deutschlander, live just across the border of the district and have attended school in Helix their entire lives. Many school districts in Oregon have an open enrollment policy, and students from out of the area are admitted, provided they have district and parent approval.
Students have to provide their own transportation, though.
Mamie Hendricks, a junior at Helix who lives in Pendleton, is happy she got her license this year. He now attends Pendleton High School. But he still wishes he were at Helix. The only thing I really like about Pendleton is being able to blend in more. You don't have to know everybody in the whole school.