Nov. 14, 2012 issue by The Spectacle, student newspaper

Our O Bully pinion: MVMing @ H pg. 3 S

On Top of

On Top of MESA c/o MVMHS PO Box 50 Ojo Caliente, NM 87549 (505) 583-2275 (505) 583-9133 fax

Mesa Vista MHS ı PO Box 50, Ojo Caliente, NM 87549

Addiction: Teens & Technology pgs. 4-5

VOL. IV, ISSUE 2 ı Nov. 14, 2012

MVMHS Talks Anti-Bullying By Chastidy Trujillo editor

bout 45 percent of all Mesa Vista students have been bullied, according to guidance counselor Lydia Palmer. Bullying is an issue in all schools in the U.S., but the Mesa Vista principal and counselor are going to do something about it school-wide, with the program called “Bully Proofing Your School.” The school spent about $700 on antibullying materials, Principal Kurt Fisk said. “This program is to empower students and staff to create a caring community where everyone feels safe. Its focus is to have the silent majority -- 85 percent of students known as the bystanders -- to get involved to stop bullying,” Palmer said. If a student was getting bullied, Palmer said she would reassure him/her that they are not

powerless or alone. Palmer would go over the bully-proofing strategies and go over the bullying situation. This process, she said, would probably make the student more assertive. “If someone came up to me and told me they were getting bullied, I would do an investigation, have them sign a report and ask question to further the investigation,” Fisk said. The state mandates the program, and counselor Lydia Palmer runs it. Bullying has no substantial relief, Fisk added. Nothing positive comes out of bullying. He said he also believes that some bullies find some sort of relief when they bully so they continue to bully for that small sense of relief. “Victims of bullies have long-term physical and emotional pain. Students may be afraid to come to school and feel the need to retaliate in violent ways. Some statistics indicate that...

cont. p. 7, see BULLY

Grade-to-Grade, Grad. Reqs Vary By Kylie Coutu editor

25 or none. Seniors with less than 25 credits in the required classes won’t graduate in May. “There is no magic number of classes to take for a halfday. However, you must be enrolled in four classes if you are going to play sports or participate in any NMAA sponsored event. As long as you have enough credits to graduate you do not need to take seven classes,” Superintendent Tracie Phillips said. This year, seniors need 25

credits to graduate and, those es, three science classes (two who have 22 or 21 already, classes with a lab), three and can be a half-day senior. Se- a half history classes, one P.E. niors who want to play sports class, and one credit in a career must be enrolled in at least cluster, workplace readiness four classes to participate in or a foreign language class. any NMAA-sponsored event, (Most colleges ask for two forincluding F.F.A., MESA and eign language classes.) Seniors the state Journalism competi- must also complete 7.5 credtion. As long as seniors have its of electives, one of which enough credits to graduate, must be honors, distance they do not need to take all learning, Advance Placement seven classes. or dual credit. Both AP and Seniors who have 25 cred- dual credit classes are counted its, however, still must have as college credit hours. specific classes -they can’t be Students who already random. To graduate in 2013, have all required credits, but seniors must have four Eng- are not seniors yet, have the lish classes, four math class- cont. p. 8, see GRAD REQS

Photo by Marcellino Trujillo // Eighth grader Victor Villalpando does a handstand at the Halloween Dance on Wed., Oct. 31 as eighth grader Toni Lobato, junior Santana Gallegos and senior Santana Suazo watch on. The Mesa Vista Explorers hosted the dance, got together a haunted hallway, and sold pizza and other food as one of several fund raisers for the group’s March trip to Costa Rica.

Explorers Raise Funds By Alicia Dominguez Editor

here are a total of eight students traveling and the cost of the trip is about $2,200 for each student. Each traveler is paying for half of their costs and the group is working together to raise the rest of the funds. So far, they have raised thirty percent of the fund raising goal. Since August the group has hosted one bake sale cont. p. 7, at Bode’s, two car see COSTA RICA washes at the People’s

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The Spectacle Staff This is the second issue of the 2012-2013 Mesa Vista student newspaper, renamed On Top of MESA and produced by the school’s journalism class. The goal of this publication is to provide accurate, informative and entertaining information in the spirit of responsible journalism and to operate as an open forum for students, staff and parents. Those who are not enrolled in the journalism class may still contribute to the publication in the form of a letter to the editor, a guest column, photography or artwork. No editorials will be printed, however, which complain or attack without factual justification. All guest editorials must be signed and approved for publication. On Top of MESA also reserves the right to edit copy. Readers’ responses can be mailed to On Top of MESA c/o MVHS, or sent in an e-mail to adviser April van Buren at april.vanburen@mesavista.org. Student journalists on On Top of MESA staff will publish only legally protected speech following the legal definitions of libel, obscenity and invasion of privacy. The adviser of On Top of MESA will not determine the content of the paper. The adviser will offer advice and instruction to help the staff cover all issues in a legal, objective, accurate and ethical manner according to the Society of Professional Journalists’ code of ethics. Gossip columns, horoscopes, song dedications, senior wills and senior superlatives will be avoided due to the narrow audience they serve and the probability they possess of containing libelous material and content. Staff members will strive to correct any errors before publication. However, if the editorial board determines a significant error was printed, a formal correction will appear in the following issue.

Adviser: April van Buren Editors: Alicia Dominguez

Staff:

Chastidy Trujillo, Kylie Coutu, Athena Martinez, D’Angelo Padilla, Matthew Sandoval, Raelynn Archuleta, Cynthia Calderon, Diego Gallegos, Ashley Hardison, Samantha Herrera, Kristin Maestas, and Marcellino Trujillo

On Top of MESA c/o MVMHS PO Box 50 Ojo Caliente, NM 87549 (505) 583-2275 505-583-9133 fax

OPINION

November 14, 2012

On TOP of

MESA

Stopping Bullying At Mesa Vista Staff Editorial

need more than a few gentle reminders before Posters bout 45 percent of Mesa Thanksgiving. Vista students get bul- and surveys aren’t bad, lied, according to guidance but they’re not enough. We would like monthly counselor Lydia Palmer. To cut down on bullying at Mesa assemblies on bullying; Vista, the school is instituting a maybe have a guest that new program called “Bully Proof- tells a few stories about ing Your School,” (see related story bullying victims. Have on p. 1) which includes posters and a bully tell their own will eventually include training for story; why they feel students. The program, while well- the need to hurt other intentioned, does not do enough to people. At Compadre make a real difference for students High School in Tempe, Arizona they have at this school. In fact, American schools har- meetings, with each bor approximately 2.1 million class, on how to deal bullies and 2.7 million of their vic- with bullying. More tims, according to Michele Borba, direct conversations Photo by Athena Martinez // Working to stop bullying, the author of the book “Parents Do with small groups of school counselor has posted bullying posters in the counMake a Difference: How to Raise students could make a seling office to encourage students to help when others being mistreated. The posters are meant to bully Kids with Solid Character, Strong difference in commu- are proof our school and help kids be nice to one another, but Minds, and Caring Hearts.” Bul- nicating these “Bully one poster is not enough. Students at Mesa Vista Middle and High School need to be reached out to. lying is such a widespread, na- Proofing” strategies. The new anti-bultional program that it is clearly phones or read our e-mail, but not an easy thing to change, so we lying program is good applaud our counselor and prin- for student victims to know they there must be other ways to fight cipal for taking steps in the right are not alone and that they have cyberbullying. Students need to be direction, but we also urge stu- someone to talk to. The idea be- taught directly or in small groups hind the program is how to cope with harassment ondents and parents great -- trying to get line or by text. For example, the to push for stroneveryone involved, Cyberbullying Research Center Posters and surveys ger anti-bullying efforts here beyond aren’t bad, but they’re not including the bul- suggests victims not respond to a lies. The counselor harassing message, and to show an this new program. enough.... and principal also adult the messages instead. Some The program has talk with students students know to do this, but othjust begun and we feel bad being critical of something one-on-one to understand each ers would benefit from a guest so new, but at the same time, it’s person’s motives and to help them speaker or class time spent on how already November. We’ve seen a solve their problems. Bullying con- to deal with these issues. So, thank you, for getting the poster in the high school building tinues, however. In addition, many kids are also ball rolling, but please also give and got “anti-drug” bracelets on threatened via texts, Facebook, us more.: A louder message, more Halloween, but beyond the usual, what efforts are really taking place? and email. We need to talk about training, guest speakers and more Just like a teacher sets the rules on fighting this type of bullying, spe- help in general so those 45 percent the first day of school, the school cifically. This is also incredibly dif- of Mesa Vista students who are bulsets the tone in August. To make a ficult. We want to keep our privacy lied can focus on learning instead stronger, louder message that bul- and rights; we’re not urging teach- of watching their back for bullies lying is not acceptable here, we’ll ers or the principal to take our cell and being afraid of abuse.

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FEATURES

November 14 , 2012

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Back in the Day: The New, The Old, The Same By Samantha Herrera Reporter

lose your eyes and imagine Mesa Vista without computers, iPods or cell phones, without the big library, and without the tech lab. That’s a pretty good idea of what the school looked like in 1997 when coach Tomas Vigil was a freshman here. From there, picture the band room where the clinic is now and more portables on campus. That’s what it was like in 1979 when secretary Sylvia Gurule first started working here. Take away all the buildings except the middle school building, the C cluster and the gym. That was Mesa Vista in 1974 when teacher Bernadette Galvez started high school. “A lot has changed,” Vigil said. “We used to have concession and the cafeteria for lunch, the weight room was different and the track was all beat up.” Vigil said much has changed since the ’90s. Even more has changed since the ’70s. “There even used to be a smoking corner for students that had permission from their parents to smoke,” Galvez said.

There’s also a big tradition no longer followed at Mesa Vista: Initiation, which Gurule said was when seniors would “buy” freshmen for a week and the freshmen would have to do chores for the seniors. It was a form of fund raising, but this tradition stopped because seniors in other schools started going too far with it. “Initiation was so fun,” Gurule said. “We had it for Spirit Week. Then, at the end of the week, we would go paint the MV and have a barbeque.” Of course fashion has changed, too. From the 1970’s to the 1990’s students wore bell bottoms and really bright colored shirts, Galvez said. “Style has changed a lot. The bigger the pants, the cooler you were,” Vigil said. “I think today’s style is better.” Sagging in wide, baggy pants and wearing long dark shirts also became really popular in the late 1990’s. Even now, this look is around. “We can’t seem to get rid of that style even today, “Gurule said. “I don’t know if we will ever get rid of it.” Aside from style, emphasis on education has also changed. The school, Gurule said, is doing better on getting students scholarships. Academic educa-

tion has also gotten more serious all over the state throughout the years. “There wasn’t as much success back then. Emphasis on reading (now) is better,” Vigil said. “It used to not be cool to read, now it is. Life isn’t all about academics, though, it’s also about decisions. Assemblies about drugs and alcohol really helped me in my young life, and I don’t think we do enough of that for you guys.” Along those lines, Galvez said student behavior has gotten less respectful. “The students used to behave,” Galvez said. “They were afraid of the teachers, but more afraid of their parents. You never heard all the bad words you do now.” Perhaps the technology has impacted the way students communicate, Vigil suggests. “It isn’t the kids that changed; it’s the technology that changed, “Vigil said. “Now students are a lot more opened-minded and tolerant of people who are different because of social media. We’ve always had good kids at this school. We still have small town morals and values. In a weird way, the school is the same in a lot of ways, but it has changed a lot too.”

Another 9 Weeks Brings Newest Music Teacher By Ashley Hardison Reporter

n Oct. 16, a tall, slender man, with long wavy black hair tied into a poofy ponytail, wearing torn jeans and black boots, walked into the auditorium. New music teacher Reynal Martinez starts his sixth period Mariachi class. Martinez does not dress like a typical teacher. Despite his laid back attitude, however, Martinez said he is here to instruct us. “I am very happy to be teaching you guys. I am planning on having a really great mariachi band this school year,” Martinez said. Martinez stepped in after teacher Arturo Montoya resigned in early October. In addition to teaching, Mar-

tinez plays in two bands and works a second job in Los Alamos; he also takes classes at Northern New Mexico College in Espanola. Martinez doesn’t have time for hobbies, he said, because he is busy working two jobs, practicing with his bands and being a student. This is Martinez’s first year teaching. “I like Mr. Martinez because he actually wants to hear what we have to say about music. He lets us work on other instruments not just guitars,” freshman Tracy Ann Archuleta said. Martinez, who isn’t married and has no children, is admittedly busy. From Espanola the new teacher graduated from Espanola Valley High School in 1998. “Mr. Martinez is young, energetic and very strong in his music. He is going to bring an outstanding musical arts program this school year,” Principal Kurt Fisk said.

Photo by April van Buren // Music teacher Reynal Martinez shows junior Shaniah Pena a musical performance online. Martinez started working at Mesa Vista mid-October after former music teacher Arturo Montoya resigned. This is Martinez’s first teaching job.

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November 14, 2012

CENTER

Gamers Anonymous: Gone Too Far By Diego Gallegos Reporter

Illustration by Athena Martinez

’m playing Call of Duty (COD) on zombie mode. I’ve made it all the way to level 25, and suddenly, my Xbox freezes and now I’m cornered by three zombies with low ammunition. Noooo! “GAME OVER” flashes across the TV. I’m so angry; I punch a hole in my wall. I’m not really that into my games, but I do enjoy playing when I have a couple hours of free time. Some people take their video games way too seriously, however. In one extreme instance, according to the Wikipedia article on Video Game Addiction, a 17-year-old boy would play for up to 15 hours at a time, skipping meals and only stopping when he blacked out. In another case, in February 2002, a Louisiana woman sued Nintendo because her son died after suffering seizures caused by playing Nintendo 64 for eight hours a day, six days a week. Nintendo denied any responsibility, according to Wikipedia. “If I had a day to myself I would

just play video games with my brothers,” NBA player Jeremy Lin said in a Twitter status. Sometimes, just because a child plays video games a lot does not mean they necessarily have an addiction. Nor does it mean they don’t. To be a valid addiction there has to be real injury done on a variety of levels. For instance, a combination of school, family, social and mental functions need to be effected negatively in order for the game playing to be classified as an addiction, according to the Wikipedia article on video game addiction. “There are plenty of skills I’ve learned from playing video games. It’s more interactive than watching TV, because there are problems to solve as you’re using your brain,” professional snowboarder Shaun White said in a Twitter status. Video game addiction symptoms in teens include irritability, crankiness or agitation (withdrawal symptoms) when not playing a video game or on the computer, according to My Recovery Network. “For most young people, playing games on a computer, video game console or handheld device is just a regular part of the day. Most are able to juggle the multiple demands of school, sports, work or chores, and family life. Gaming becomes an addiction when it starts to interfere with a person’s relationships or their pursuit of other goals, such as good grades or being a contributing mem-

ber of a sports team,” according to an article on video game addiction from Video Game Addiction.org. Video game addiction treatment centers are becoming more and more common. Places like China, South Korea, and the United States have set up treatment centers in an effort to provide help for video game addiction. Although Mesa Vista students may not need video game addiction rehab, there are still plenty of students willing to admit that they may overlook other duties to get in more gaming time. “I was supposed to put the leftovers of dinner away, but I was busy gaming and forgot, so I got in trouble,” eighth grader Lawrence Holterman said. Students don’t have to be addicted to video games for gaming to cause multiple problems. “I was playing Modern Warfare 3 and my mom told me to clean my room and I told her ‘hold up’ and I got into trouble,” sophomore Lee Martinez said. Often, video games tend to distract people from reality. It can lead to problems in their normal lives. “I got addicted to Tetris, playing it in my basement; I was missing all these airplane flights over it. After the fourth one that I missed, I realized I needed to get rid of this thing - so ever since then, I don’t play video games anymore,” Wild Boys reality show actor Bam Margera said in a Facebook status.

Danger: Technol

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‘Text Me, If You Dare’ By Cynthia Calderon Reporter

ould you rather give up your toothbrush or cell phone for an entire week? Sophomore Miranda Gonzales said, “Goodbye, toothbrush!” and Gonzales is not alone. People addicted to their cell phones have what is called “Nomophobia.” The group One Poll surveyed 1,000 people in February in the UK. They found that people ages 18-24 are most dependent on their cells, and about 77 percent couldn’t be away from their phones for more than a few minutes. About 66 percent said they would rather sleep next to their smart phones, and 20 percent would go shoeless for a week, said Dr. Keith Ablow, an American Psychiatrist and expert witness for New York Times. “(It’s like) comparing cell phones to slot machines,” said David Greenfield, the founder of the Center for Internet and Technology Addiction (virtualaddiction.com) to reporter Danielle Braff in an interview with the Chicago Tribune. “The difference is the slot machines are in the casinos and cell phones are just a reach away. And it is necessary,

for anyone looking to keep their job, maintain their relationship and reach out to the world.” Some experts worry cell addiction will soon become more severe than other addictions such as food or gambling. Young adults have reported physical and mental withdrawal of their cell phones, according to Susan Moeller, Director of the International Center for Media and the Public Agenda at the University of Maryland, College Park. The medical reason, according to Moeller, is that cell addicts hear the phones ringing and they get jittery and have headaches. “If I ever lost my phone I would cry and run around looking for it,” sophomore Mariah Trujillo said. This may sound extreme to some, but some people truly feel at a loss without a cell. A phone can act as a modern-day security blanket, changing a person’s mood and helping them feel safe and content. This interferes with their interpersonal skills, meaning fewer in-person conversations and outside activities, Ablow said. “I love Facebook and listening to my music. I also love my camera on my phone and friends texting me,” sophomore Desiree Quintana said.

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Facebook Addiction for All Ages By Kristin Maestas Reporter

f TuPac had had a Facebook he probably would not have made so many great hits. Facebook, which has been around since about 2005, is a tool for sharing photos and much more, but is also an easy way to procrastinate. “Facebook is taking over the world, and that’s no exaggeration. Everyone from eager-to-fit-in tweens to educated business people to intrigued grandparents has joined the phenomenon, and unsurprisingly many teenagers have also caught Facebook fever,” writer Amy Summers wrote in her 2011 Social Times article “Facebook Addiction Disorder – The Six Symptoms of F.A.D.” Truly everyone is on Facebook, including this writer’s father, who is constantly on the social networking web site. “If I didn’t check Facebook daily, I would probably be going crazy. My Facebook takes up most of my time,” said Diego Maestas, a Mesa Vista parent (and, full disclosure, Maestas is also the author of reporter Kristin Maestas). More than 700 billion minutes a month are spent on Facebook and more than 250 million people interact with

21%

would Give up Their tooth brush

79%

would rather Give up Their Phone

Facebook (from other sites or without even logging in) on a monthly basis, across 2 million websites, according to the Digital Buzz. More than 200 million people access Facebook via their mobile phone. Forty-eight percent of young people said they now get their news through Facebook. Meanwhile, in just 20 minutes on Facebook, more than 1 million links are shared, two million friend requests are accepted and almost three million messages are sent, according to The Digital Buzz online. “If I grew up with Facebook, I wouldn’t have a life. I would probably be more social on the Internet,” freshman Teresa Pena said. Most people use Facebook to connect with family and friends, or to get in contact with old friends. Yet, with regular updates, notifications, messages, game and invites, the site is hard to ignore for long. It’s easy to access – many students have Facebook on their cell phones and ipods as well as at home on the Internet. “I don’t have a Facebook, but most people I know are addicted and have to check it daily,” seventh grader Darius Gallegos said.

Would you rather give up your cell phone or tooth brush for a week? --based on a survey of 125 MVMHS students

Compiled by Athena Martinez & Kristin Maestas

logy Overload

Photo by Cynthia Calderon

RSPREAD

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November 14, 2012

SPORTS

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MESA

Basketball Teams Work To Rebuild Legacy By Marcelino Trujillo Reporter

2012 season. This year, the girls varsity and JV teams have 17 regular scheduled games, and four tournaments (Ben Lujan Invitational, Northern ith a new coach for the both JV and Rio Grande Tournament, Cuba Tournament and V girls’ basketball teams and new play- the District Tournament). Archuleta said his strategy to get the ers on both boys and girls teams, Mesa team to state is to make sure all the girls get Vista basketball is off to a strong start. The new girls JV and varsity coach is School along and to get rid of negative attitudes. “Our team’s like a family, if there’s Board member Josh ArWith a new team, you have problems at home, meaning the team, chuleta, who coached then no one’s going to be happy,” coach the El Rito Elementary to approach the game a whole Archuleta said girls basketball team for different way by pushing them The boy’s team, on the other hand, the 2010-11 school year. to the expectations that I have. -Head Coach continues with I.S.S. director Thomas Although Archuleta may Vigil (and assistant coach P.E. teacher be new to coaching at the high school Thomas Vigil Miguel Garcia). In May, the boy’s baslevel, he is not new to the district, havketball team lost eight varsity players to ing served on the School Board since graduation, but they are going into the 2010. As of this summer, Archuleta and co-coach Carlos Ortega took over the girls basket- 2012 season with at least 7-8 returning varsity playball team and have been focusing on fundamentals, ers and about 30 up-and-coming eighth and JV players that may be able to earn a spot on varsity. Archuleta said. The games to look out for are Pecos (Jan. 25), “Coach Josh is a good coach because he helps the team with exercises, helps them fix their mis- State (Feb. 25 - March 2) and districts (March 12takes, tries to help the team achieve their goals, 16), Vigil said. The boys are practicing five days a and tells them to give 100 percent and never bring week at the usual time, 3:45-6:30 p.m. “With a new team, you have to approach the themselves down,” freshman Celina Valdez said. Last year the girls basketball varsity team played game a whole different way by pushing them to the 23 games with a record of (10-13) for the 2011- expectations that I have,” Vigil said.

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file photo // 2012 graduate Andres Coronado makes a pump fake against a player from Pecos on March 3, 2012. This season, the boys are regrouping after losing eight players to graduation with thirty new, potential players including eighth graders. The first game of this season for the boys is an away game against Questa on Friday, Nov. 16 at 5 p.m. The team started official practices Nov. 5. The first game of the season for the girls is at Santa Fe Prep on Nov. 17 at 2 p.m.

Mesa to Maybe Add New Boys Sport, Girls Softball By Matthew Sandoval Editor

fter many years, Mesa Vista High School is considering adding a new sport. “Three weeks ago, there were some interest in the community in getting a softball team,” principal Kurt Fisk said. In mid-October, Fisk put up a sign-up sheet in the front office to see if there’s enough interested girls to put together a middle and high school softball team. Yet, this new sport for girls might also mean that the guys could get a new sport. Right now the options for boys’ sports are bowling, tennis, soccer, swimming and wrestling, and football is an unlikely ‘maybe,’ Fisk said. The reason for the girls getting a softball team and the guys not get-

ting football after so many years is because of how athletic girls that want to join. It would also be much interest there was in softball compared to good because we get to play against teams from football. different schools that are our rivals,” eighth gradThe team will be good because “There has er Santana Marquez said. of all the athletic girls that to be an equal This softball team will cost the players nothwant to join. It is also gonna amount of ing but their shoes and gloves. The school will be good because we’ll get to sports between provide the rest of the equipment including bats, play against teams from difgirls and boys balls, helmets, etc. ferent schools according to “There are three reasons for us to get this that are our rivals state law. The girls and guys sport; one is how many students are interested in -Eighth Grader have to have an equal amount doing it, two is how much all the equipment will Santana of opportunities to succeed in cost, and three is to balance out the girls sports Marquez with the guys’ sports,” Fisk said. sport and club related activities,” Fisk said. This decision to get a softball team is in the Softball creates another opportunity for those board’s hands but it is still undecided. If they do involved to stay in shape year-round. not come to a conclusion, then the decision will be “The team would be good because of all the made next year if there is enough interest.

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NEWS

November 14, 2012

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Cheer Fever: New Coach, Doubled Squad By Alicia Dominguez Editor

he number of cheerleaders has doubled since last year, but so have the hours of practice that the girls are putting in, to make up for lost time. Cheerleading is an all-year sport and practices usually start during the summer, but it took a couple of months to find a new coach that the cheerleaders could have used for practice. Although starting late, coach Shauna Martinez is making the girls step

up and work harder to be ready to cheer at games. “I’m very excited to get this squad going in a new direction with new skills and new potential,” Martinez said. The cheerleaders practice every Monday, Thursday and Sunday, focusing mainly on cheers and being in sync at practices. They also practice their tumbling and stunting. This year the cheerleaders are going to try and perform more dances and improve their stunting and tumbling, Martinez said. “We’re not doing too bad. I expected us to be horrible. A lot of us didn’t really have cheer experi-

COSTA RICA, cont. from p. 1 Bank in Taos, the Halloween Dance, and soup cup and tea sales at school. “The bake sales and the car washes have helped us out. They bring in a lot of money for us. Now that it’s getting colder, we’re going to have to find something else to do to raise money,” junior Mercedes Velasquez said. With the weather change, participants of the trip need to find new, different ways of fund raising Photo by Marcellino Trujillo // Seniors Larry Trujillo, Matthew Richardson, Jeremy Broyles, that are more practical Jose Perez and Alicia Dominguez, and junior Mercedes Velesquez sell baked goods at in the winter. The Bodes’ General Store in Abiquiu, NM as a fund raiser for their Costa Rica trip. Eight stugroup wants to show a dents from Mesa Vista High will travel to Costa Rica in March. Christmas movie in the auditorium for their “I thought it (the Halloween dance) went next big fund raiser and to have one more bake great. It wasn’t difficult to set up, but it was time sale at Bode’s, on Nov. 18. consuming, especially when you’re doing it for The travelers’ last big fund raiser was the the first time. Half the fun is the planning and Halloween Dance. The dance took a lot of execution though,” said teacher Sabrina Maxwell. planning and executing but was an overall success It will be most of the participating students’ for the travelers. first time traveling out of the country.

ence, but having a lot of practices help,” sophomore Vanessa Varela said. Since the majority of the girls are new to cheerleading, a lot of the time has been spent going over the essential moves and skills needed for the sport. Martinez wants the squad to build a solid foundation of skills before the group continues with more difficult stunts and lifts, she said. “Each one of these girls bring their individual strengths to the squad. I love that they all have strong personalities. I see potential for them. They can all go a long way,” Martinez said.

BULLY, cont. from p. 1

100,000 k-12 students (nationwide) bring guns to school. There are 260 attacks due to bullying every day,” Palmer said. There are many steps already in place at Mesa Vista, Palmer said, including disciplinary reports and identifying possible bullies and victims. Students need to know the rules and understand the consequences for breaking those rules. “Teachers have been working together on the program and techniques. I am hoping to start talking to students this week,” Palmer said. The Public Education Department (PED) establishes policies and requires every local school district, state and charter school to implement bullying prevention program. Palmer has already spoken to the teachers at the last in-service (Oct. 12) and, by next week, the school should be teaching the students the lesson (1-6). Palmer also conducted a bullying survey with students on Oct. 25 to assess bullying at MVMHS. The bullying program is new because there is some new training for teachers and students from seventh through twelfth grade, Fisk added. “‘Bully Proofing Your School’ is a program to get the bullies, bully-ers and the bystanders more involved as well as the teachers and the victims,” Palmer said. The board has a bullying policy and now there is a bullying program at Mesa Vista Middle and High School to support that district policy and support students in any way, Fisk said. “We have taken disciplinary measures. We have counseling for those who need it,” Fisk said.

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November 14, 2012

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1870’s Come Alive In New, Thrilling Western By D’Angelo Padilla Editor

The city council hired him in an attempt to control the cowboys that party in Texastown. The cattle trade is at full force; buyers from t’s 1871 in Abilene, Kansas and the city is pre- across the U.S. are in Abilene to buy cattle. The Merritt family and women from paring for the world’s largest cattle trade. around Abilene want the This is the setting for cattle trade gone because author Larry Bjornson’s westI’m currently they felt like it’s a danern novel “Wide Open,” which struggling with whether ger to the town. Winter Penguin Group and Berkley Trade released on June 5. I should do a sequel to Wheat is only used in The Western novel is packed ‘Wide Open’ or write Nebraska until Will’s fawith action and fighting, draabout something ther (R.T.) finds a settler family, the Dunham’s, ma and a touch of romance. entirely different who want to settle down The main character, Will, is — Author and raise a family. The 15 and faced with surviving Larry Bjornson Dunham’s agree to work in town after he and his family have been outcasts. The book is fiction, but in- for R.T., help plant the Winter Wheat ten cludes realistic, historical aspects like the real-life miles from Abilene, and the Winter Wheat Wild Bill Hickok and the daily life of cattle farmers is a success. Because of his success with the wheat, Will’s father calls a town meeting to in the 1870’s. The book is written in first person so it describes suggest the town gets out of the cattle trade more of what Will is feeling or what he’s doing. and Will’s mother even gets the women in The story keeps readers going with lots of fights be- town to sign a petition against a cattle trade tween the marshal and the cowboys, and Will and in Abilene. After the meeting, however, the his best friend Jasper. The story line has great flow. Merritt family become outcasts in the city. Overall I recommend this book for anyJust when Will is having a good moment there’s one interested in the Wild West or the cattle another fight, or disaster strikes. The story itself is different than your usual ac- trade. The book offers a lot with its 45 chaption novel. It starts as Spring arrives and settlers ters and there is an epilogue at the end telling are planting crops hoping to make a living. The how Will’s life changed in the four years af- photo used under Fair Use // “I’m currently struggling with whether I main character, Will, lives with his mother Eleanor, ter dealing with being an outcast. Bjornson’s should do a sequel to ‘Wide Open’ or write about something entirely his father J.T. and his sister Jenny. Will’s family, character descriptions and personalities make different,” author Larry Bjornson said in an October email interview with reporter D’Angelo Padilla. See the full Q&A with the author originally from Cleveland, Ohio, has just moved this a worthy read because it describes what my.hsj.org - Look for New Mexico Schools for this online exclusive. to Abilene with the hope of becoming wealthy in they do for a living, how they live, and what the cattle trade. Wild Bill Hickok is the new mar- they look like. Also, the author includes so which offer a window into the past and allow readshal in town and his name brings chills to people. many vivid details about the events of the time, ers to feel like they are in the book as they read.

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GRAD REQS, cont. from p. 1

option to go to college or take dual credit classes. “I would go to college. However, you must take English IV and Government to graduate…so it isn’t just credits. There are also required high school classes that must be taken,” Phillips said. Most likely these requirements will not change for the underclassmen,

but change is still possible. The state’s Public Education Department (PED) sets overall credit requirements while individual districts have the right to add more, but not make the requirements any less than what the state requires, Principal Kurt Fisk said. There have been changes to the requirements this year. For example, seventh graders have to take T.O.P.

(Teen Outreach Program). “In T.O.P. we do community service, learn values and about health. T.O.P. is fun, but I don’t think it’s fair that the grades before us didn’t have to take it,” seventh grader Christen Gallegos said. In other years, T.O.P. was a club, open to all students wanting to join or participate in the club to help oth-

er teens in their community. “To graduate in 2013-2016, students need 24 credits. A credit will be added for the class of 2017. They are required to take one half (one semester) or one full credit of health education. It is required for students entering the eighth grade in this school year and it may be taken in middle school,” according to the PED.