The Spectacle
INSERT
page 1
May 16, 2012
Avoid End-of-Year Drama In Last Few Days Opinion Column By Athena Martinez
W
hen the end of the school year comes around, I always feel that sort of relief surge through my body as if it’s telling me it’s over, for now. My classes become less serious and less painstaking to get through; even the teachers and students in my more difficult classes get the urge to just chill out without having all the consequences later. The end of the year is when it starts getting a lot warmer outside and that’s usually around the time people bring water toys and start acting a little crazy. Despite spring fever, however, it’s important to stay calm and finish the school year on a positive note. Senioritis is totally normal for seniors, for example. It’s normal for the seniors to not want to go to class, or do work anymore. It’s normal for them to talk about pulling pranks and maybe even go through with one or two. It is not normal, however, for the underclassmen to act this way. Why is it that the lower grades think they can blow off school at the end of the year and try to out-do the senior prank? I used to want to do the
same until it hit me, I’m NOT a senior. caught up in the “spring fever” feeling. When you miss the last few weeks of Every once in a while, goofing off isn’t school/class, you can’t make up last too bad, but it’s not something you year’s work, next year. Your final grades would want to do every day for the next will change, and you most likely won’t be couple of week(s). very pleased with them. Even though we do have our finals I know all of you have done this at for the last few weeks of school, they least once: when you blame the teacher aren’t going to last forever. We will have for giving you a bad grade at the end of a day or two to ourselves, whether it be the year, when sign-out day, a normal in all reality you day, or even if it’s our If you really want the year earned the grade cultural fair. Those given and you to be over with, just get it done days are yours to do know it (but and you’ll have more time to enjoy whatever, as long as you don’t accept it.) yourself. don’t burn down the If you really want school or torment the the year to be teachers with pathetic over with, just get it done and pranks. Plus, getting in trouble at the end you’ll have more time to enjoy of the year isn’t a great idea. You might yourself. It’s as simple as that. Rather think, “Well, it’s the end of the year. than holding it off ’til the last minute, They won’t suspend me for a day.” But get it over with, because the grades you they just might suspend you for a week have now are going to matter, maybe not or more for the following year, wherever until a lot later, but they still matter. you choose to go school. Although the last few weeks of school Ending the school year acting like are possibly the best part of the whole you don’t care and making a fool of year, we still have finals to complete. yourself is not something you want We might not be in the mood to study, to do. You want to finish strong and but we still have to because we’re still in confident about yourself. You want to school and learning is the whole point feel good about your school work rather of being here in the first place. Finals are than worrying about summer school. I some of the most important grades you hope my words inspire you to try a little can get throughout the year worth 20 harder this last week, and (hopefully) percent of your grade, and it’s important help you maintain your ‘cool’ for the that you study and that we don’t get too last weeks of school.
“
”
ACT Deadlines •June 9: Test •May 5-18: LATE Deadline (extra fees) to register for the June 9 ACT •September 8: Test •August 17: Deadline to register for the Sept. 8 ACT MVHS students get two waivers max. to take the ACT for free. Former counselor Pete Bustamante recommends juniors take it second semester or the summer before their senior year.
May 24
early dismissal
Don’t forget! School dismisses at 10 a.m. on Thursday, May 24. Have a great summer!
The Spectacle
INSERT
page 2
May 16, 2012
Students Need to be Mindful of Others Opinion Column By Kylie Coutu
E
ighty percent of students who experienced sexual harassment report being harassed by another student or former student, according to the American Association of University Women’s website aauw.org (AAUW). In schools, there are two main kinds of sexual harassment: Quid pro quo (in Latin it means “this for that”) and hostile environment sexual harassment, most commonly explained as when someone feels so uncomfortable they can no longer focus. In general, sexual harassment is unwanted touching or comments, and it’s a touchy issue in schools, especially for students who think “just joking” is harmless. Sometimes it’s hard for others to know what they are doing is bugging you because now sexual comments are often a part of everyday language for many teens and adults. Some signs that it’s not just joking around are if the other person looks uncomfortable, doesn’t laugh or say something back and/or appears worried about his or her safety. Sexual harassment is a felony; anyone found guilty of sexual harassment may be fined up to $20,000 or serve time in prison. Going to jail and paying fines are not the only possible outcomes of sexual harassment. Harassment can make others feel scared or insecure, or it can hurt people in other ways, leading to suicide, rape or violence. Many students at Mesa Vista ha-
rass one another; few even realize what what you say and do before acting. they’re saying is making others uncomThose of you who are on the receivfortable. Sexual harassment comes in ing end of such harassment or bullying, many forms – rude comments or crude you need to speak out. If you’re feeling jokes, for example. It can be a friend unsafe or uncomfortable, you NEED to pulling your hair even. In fact, some- step up and say something to stop it. times friends can be the At least thirtyworst offenders of sexual five percent Students need to realize of college stuharassment. What you may see as an innocent that the comments you make are dents who exjoke – a stupid comnot harmless and can really hurt perience sexual ment, saying “You have -- you may even be harming one harassment do soft skin”and or that of your best friends and I’m sure not tell anyone “Your hair looks ‘sexy’” none of you are really intending to about their excan become uncomfortperiences also do so... able, especially if it’s a reaccording to peated offense. Students AAUW. Tell need to realize that the comments the person and hope it stops, or you make are not harmless and can you should tell a friend, family really hurt – you may even be harming member or someone else you trust – one of your best friends and I’m sure someone who can help you find ways none of you are really intending to do to stop it. If you honestly are feeling so. I know you would be upset if some- unsafe, it is important to tell someone. thing you said led to serious harm to You can’t just let it keep going on or one of your friends. Please think about hope someone else will notice.
“
”