Stagg Line 2013-14 Issue#2

StaggLine

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Fashionable bows and people — See pages 4-5

Playing to a new tune

Homecoming traditions set higher standards for next year AdriannaOwens Student leaders, like many politicians, make promises every year of rallies, dances, and carnivals to get the campus to come together. However, this year, these promises have been anything but empty.

This year is the first of many years that there has been a full-week celebration of homecoming, including a night rally, dance and carnival.

Senior Class President Alexander Rebultan has set a goal: to make his last year as fun as possible. His senior year kicked off with a new tradition -- Senior Sunrise.

The homecoming week was planned, aiming to raise school spirit.

“There were 438 students at the rally, and the whole senior section was filled,” Rebultan said. “We got the crowd really pumped up.”

Although not as many people attended the carnival as ASB had hoped, they still saw success with the students who did show up.

Rebultan said that those who were there “were enjoying themselves.”

ASB had a thoughtful goal for the carnval: raise money for other clubs on campus. The cost of the carnival was roughly $2,700 and ASB is proud that it went well, and that they were able to give clubs

another way to fundraise, aside from club rush.

Gabrielle Wallace, sophomore class president, says that “for the first thing that (they) put on as ASB, it was successful.”

ASB aims to raise spirit and awareness on campus. They are planning to have two blood drives this year, one per semester.

They are hoping to have a can food drive in November and a present drive for the needy during the holidays.

Rebultan is setting up a senior trip, which hasn’t happened in recent years.

“Every year we’ve tried to go to Disneyland for our senior trip, and it never happened,” he said. “This year we will go to Santa Cruz and it will be cheaper.”

The contrast between this year and the last is the lack of organization. This year they are going to plan out their events weeks earlier.

“We carried a lot of dead weight last year and the events weren’t planned out thoroughly,” Wallace said. “This year, if they aren’t planned out fully a week in advance, then we won’t put on the event.”

There is much to come this year, and ASB is making sure that the events go through.

Wallace said, “It’s going to be the best or it’s not going to happen.”

photo by

Senior Howard Jones electrifies the crowd through a performance with his band Forgetting Last Friday. photo by

Dellanira Alcauter

Adrianna Owens

photo by

Alexus Plascencia

Senior Cheyene Brinton dresses up and draws characters Principal Andre Phillips aims for the top hole in the footfor ticket holders. ball toss to help the cheerleaders raise money.

photo by

Dellanira Alcauter

Senior Valentino Maes hopes to knock down all of the milk jugs to win a prize from the junior class booth.

AVID ideals live on despite program cut DevinWickstrom Change is in the air as the first quarter of the school year draws to an end. One of those changes is the popular AVID program on campus, which was forced to shut down due to lack of funding.

The main reason for this could be traced back to Gov. Jerry Brown’s new state budget that was made in late June.

This cut funding for the entire AVID program throughout California, though some schools still have it because of independent funding. AVID stands for Advanced Via Individual Determination.

It costs around $35,000 annually to run the program, which used to be funded by the state but not anymore. Principal Andre Phillips said administration is trying to straighten out the bud-

get to see if there is any funding for the program.

But Phillips also said that this problem is also caused by the lack of documentation last year

that should’ve been completed by the coordinator to have an AVID program on campus.

One example is an annual Implementation Self Study, which is

considered the “baseline” for the school’s program. It wasn’t taken care of.

Another is maintaining evidence of the 11 essential components implementation.

Basically these are the general objectives of the year, which help keep the program structured and focused. It wasn’t taken care of.

“Stagg’s AVID program is doing bare minimum at best,” Phillips said. “The concerns are very serious and since running the program is very tedious, not many teachers want to advise it but Ms. Banks has come to me and said she would help.”

The change has affected students, too, especially seniors who have taken the class throughout high school.

“We’ve had to adapt to the changes quickly,” said Ana Ortiz, senior. “Now we can’t say we’ve taken AVID all four years on col-

lege applications.”

In a nutshell, the school needs three essential components to run this program: funding source, coordinator, documentation. The latter of the two aren’t the biggest problems, it’s the first. The school would have to sign up for AVID like a newcomer, and the membership fee is around $3,000.

But before administration could even begin that process, they first must have a proposal for the program’s growth.

This will be decided in the future with the coordinator. When exactly is unclear.

Last week Phillips talked with Anna Lotti, who is the California Division Program Manager for AVID. “We can get the program back,” he said. “But if we want to do it right, administration will have to regroup the entire program (for Stagg) to make sure

PSATs

College fair

Senior Walk

Sophomores and juniors who signed up will take the PSATs on Saturday, Oct. 19 over fall break.

Students are to arrive at the library by 8:00 a.m.

Juniors will have a chance to apply for the National Merit Scholar Scholarship.

Study up.

A college fair Thursday, Oct. 24 will be held on campus from 6:00-8:00.

All students are welcome to attend. Sacramento State, UC Davis, Fresno State, and many more will have tables set up in the hallways ready to answer questions.

The annual painting of the quad area with names of seniors will take place Monday, Oct. 14 and Friday, Oct. 19. Squares are $7 while a step is $5.

Monday is the designated day for painting it white and Friday seniors will decorate their squares.

photo by

Dellanira Alcauter

Senior Benlly Perez workd on a Calculus problem during a tutorial, one of the many things kept.

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BottomLine Amos Alonzo Stagg High School

1621 Brookside Rd. Stockton, CA 95207

10.11.13

Vol. 57 No. 2

there aren’t any mistakes.”

For the school to get the program back, it’ll need to accomplish some things.

First, it will need to pay the membership fee. Then, the school will need to pay for an AVID library and tutors. Finally, eight teachers, who are or will be advisors, will need to be sent to summer training for the program.

Administration has a lot on their hands with trying to restart AVID. The goal is to get the program running by next school year.

“Last year it took me half a year to get the school’s budget straightened out,” Phillips said.

Administration will begin meeting next semester to plan how the program will run for next year.

“Since we won’t have it this year, we’re hoping to send students on college field trips.”

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10.11.13

STAFF EDITORIAL

Opinion

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Self reliance is key for college prep

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he theme of this year, according to Principal Andre Phillips, is accountability.

The time has long since come for seniors to start thinking about college.

Some have even started applying.

For those who haven’t given college a thought, it’s time to take some accountability.

Many seniors have been wondering why the much discussed Career Center is not available to them yet.

This is a valid question.

However, to be completely reliant on a facility that hasn’t opened yet for something as important as college deserves no sympathy.

No senior should be without any information for college considering the counselors have worked effortlessly to equip seniors and juniors with proper knowledge about colleges and careers.

“There’s no excuse,” Head Counselor Chan Sam said, “for not doing anything college related because the Career Center is not available.”

The center is just an addition to the many attempts to prepare students for college or a career.

It shouldn’t be a resource students are completely reliant on. “We don’t depend on the Career Center to get the message (about college) across to our

students,” he said. “This is practically stage four for many seniors,” in relation to college readiness.

There was the senior checklist back in April, meetings with their counselors for the past two months, the College Fair coming up on Oct 24, and finally, the Career Center set to open on Oct. 28.

It will be available to all students during lunch and after school.

The amount of students allowed in at one time is not yet clear being that staffing isn’t set in stone.

However, along Sam’s side is S3 Grant Coordinator Kevin Oki. The Career Center is funded through the S3 Grant, which is why Oki is helping to run the facility.

Students will be able to apply for colleges, research preferred schools and careers, and learn more about scholarships.

Preparing for college is a long process.

It is not meant to be done in a month or even two.

Students should spend both their junior and senior year — and quite frankly, since freshman year — preparing to embark on their new lives as college level students.

Much of the research and preparation is done at home, on the applicant’s own time.

The Career Center is merely there to help with the process.

It’s time to step up and start depending on ourselves to get things done.

It’s time to realize what is meant to be used on occasion instead of completely depending on as a resource.

It’s time to become completely self-reliant. It’s time to be accountable.

Read two more editorials ᴏᴏ Where have the security cameras gone? ᴏᴏ What happens when a club doesn’t recharter?

Visit staggonline.net

Friendship: Is virtual real?

Marleene Pheav

Lack of initiative opens doors to foreigners W N art by

Adrianna Owens

ot everyone is goodplenty of them back home. looking.

Yes, we do need more science and engineering Not everyone is smart.

Michael but not necessarily more people to do it.

Not everyone can solve probBishop But our companies are sending jobs overseas lems. because, as medicinal chemist Derek Lowe put it, This is true for people ev“it’s cheaper that way.” erywhere, and especially in the That’s mainly why a lot of unemployed scientists United States. in the United States - both good and bad at their Many times over in history, jobs - are having trouble finding work: it’s not Americans seem to glorify themlooking for them. selves, thinking that they are the Stubbornness. best in the world.

When a group has political power, they can do as Take the days after World War they wish. As Americans, we can because our ConII, for example. stitution allows it.

Since the armies of the United But we can also take our rights for granted, and States (and atomic bombs) were our most recent example: the shutdown of our responsible for ending the war’s federal government. hostilities for good, the American With their differing stands on what is best for the citizens back home celebrated people, our Democratic and Republican parties are under the belief that they could currently “playing chicken” (as social studies teacher handle any threat against them.

Jim Marrone put it) over funding health care.

The truth?

Now several federal agencies, including the Environmen We’re as human as they come, regardless of what we do tal Protection Agency, have closed their doors to the general and where we come from. public; and several national parks - the Everglades, the And the thing about human beings is: no one of them Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Yosemite - are closed down as not one of us - are perfect. well.

Just look around.

Superficial It’s undeniable.

“We seem to worship celebrities today, not heroes.”

For the record: I’m not writing this because I don’t care Those are the words that journalist Bill Moyers said in about America. I do care.

“The Power of Myth”, a 1988 television series on PBS. And I’m not writing this to offend or even insult anyone, And with the age of heroes from myth and legend in the whether they read this article or not. past, that claim rings true especially in the United States.

I’m writing this for the same reason that Max Brooks Humans, regardless of their nation and culture, tend to wrote his 2006 novel, World War Z: to try to flesh out our idolize popular people who are very handsome or beautiful. flaws as a people and a nation.

Most fans love any celebrities on top, but hate or pity So, if this does offend any readers, remember that we those who fall. are lucky to be Americans - we just can’t take that fact for These days, I see celebrities on magazine covers in stores, granted. shows on TV, in pictures on the Internet.

Here are a few points that we, as Americans in general, Any celebrity news that pops up in my face usually should understand about ourselves: includes (but isn’t limited to) a major development (like a Overconfidence. marriage or plastic surgery), a major scandal, or maybe even In general, American elementary and high school something unfounded and trivial (that, or it sounds too out students perceive themselves as being able to achieve high in left field to take seriously). scores in math tests.

We have taken what it means to be American for Do they? granted.

The Trends in International Mathematics and Science The Constitution grants us our freedoms, our liberties, Study discovered that the average U.S. student with highour rights. confidence earned 551 points on a test prepared for said They have allowed us to be who we are - as individuals, study. as a people, as a nation.

This ranks the United States in 11th place among 29 And now, we have taken them for granted. other countries, with Hong Kong leading with an average At the risk of repeating myself, we are not the greatest score of 607. nation in the world.

Putting own interests over others But if we can shelf our pride, if we can learn from our For some reason, American companies are looking over- nation and our people - both triumphs and blunders; seas for engineers and scientists. problems both plain to see and under the surface - we can It doesn’t make sense, especially because we already have become all the better for it.

that “Remember we are lucky to be Americanswe just can’t take that fact for granted.”

hen I see an acquaintance walking down the corridor, I usually don’t know what to do.

Do I wave, smile, greet them?

Or just ignore them?

It always ends up in a gawky greeting exchange.

I barely see them around, and we don’t really talk much.

But when I’m at home, I’m comfortably conversing with my buddy from the other side of the world through the magic of the Internet. So which is better: friends or virtual friends?

Making friends could be one of the greatest feelings ever, especially if you meet them in school.

Fortunately, some of the teachers pair the students up in partners.

That really helps dim down the awkwardness.

But that concept may backfire.

A student could end up with a partner that is not so cooperative, or even worse, quite irritating.

Either way, they’ll have to deal with them.

I also find it difficult to comfort people in person.

If they were weeping in their palms in front of me, I’d probably just pat their back stiffly, repeating “Shhh, it’s all right.”

I have a hard time venting in person myself.

It’s great to have someone to lean on when I need some support. But I don’t have to literally cry on a shoulder to feel comfort.

Once, when I was a bit sad, my friend from Texas made a GIF of herself, hugging towards the camera as if she was hugging me.

You have no idea how extremely happy that made me.

I have friends from all over the world: Australia, South Korea, New Zealand, Canada, you name it.

We may all be far away from one another, but it’s our interests and hobbies that keep us together.

But sometimes, it’s hard to keep in touch.

We get busy, do other things, and eventually slip away. It’s even worse if the time zones are very different.

My friend and I talk to each other almost every day.

When we’re not seeing each other at school, it’s either she comes over to my house or I go to her house.

And if we don’t hang out in person, we communicate by Instant Messaging, blogging, and texting each other.

Honestly, she’s like a mixture of a friend in real life and a virtual friend.

She’s my best friend.

Whether they are a partner in class or a pen pal from a different country, it’s always a pleasure to have a good time with others.

But just remember what George Washington once said: “It is far better to be alone, than to be in bad company.”

Who is your best friend?

“

I met my friend Ross (New York) through a chain of friends. He sends me birthday presents and gives me advice.”

“

My best friend and I have been in school together for five years. I don’t tell him everything but I can talk to him.”

LatriciaDaniel

MoisesMartinez

sophomore

sophomore

Opinion

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10.11.13

Multitasking ‘Super Mom’

Maintaining more than a household inspires teenage daughter

M

y mom, my savior, my leader, my role model, and my best friend.

I love my mom to death, but she is not only loved by me; she’s loved by hundreds of people who all adore her.

My mom does so many things for others -- she teaches children, volunteers, cleans, cooks, pays bills, runs errands, and bonds with all of my family.

She rarely thinks about herself.

While playing the role of a teacher, wife, grandma, and mother of five, my mom also plays the role of a volunteer.

She contributes a lot of her leisure time to volunteering at Helping Ministries Church.

My mom spends every Wednesday from 5-7 p.m. serving people in need, hot meals for free. She also cooks for them and attends bible study after.

Everyone who attends completely adores her and her food, especially her famous Mexican rice.

It may not sound so challenging yet, but there’s more.

Every Friday she drives back to the church all the way from EightMile Road to help give out boxes of free food to those who come.

Every Friday there’s 300-plus people who go to get their free food.

For my mom, working from 8-12 a.m. at the church consists of giving tours, restocking food, and giving a prayer for those who want and need one.

My mom touches many hearts.

The people love her because she actually cares and wants to help those in need -- she’s not being forced to volunteer, which makes her presence all the better.

She just wants to help others.

She takes the initiative to make a change in people’s lives out of the kindness of her heart.

It can get tough for her at times when she gets sick.

My mom is a diabetic and suffers from a variety of illnesses.

Yet she continues to give her time and effort to lend a hand and

help others in need.

On the days that she isn’t volunteering, she’s usually at home cleaning, cooking, paying bills or Rubi out running errands.

Rico On top of all that she has teenage drama to deal with everyday.

My mom is what you call a multitasker.

She takes on all of these different challenges every day while taking care of my 10 month old baby sister, Leany, the whole time.

During the craze of having us all home, she still has to keep a close eye on my 6 year old sister, Izabella.

My mom is also constantly changing the baby’s diaper, feeding her, changing her clothes, bathing her, etc. -- yet she still brings joy to everyone.

My mom truly is an inspiration -- my inspiration.

When I grow up, I wish to be just like her -funny, outgoing, joyous, smart, giving, beautiful, and an all around amazing person. I love my mom, and so does everyone who meets her.

She lights up your day with a smile, and lights up your year with a laugh.

One day I’ll achieve what she has achieved.

I’ll be a life-changing person, just like her.

She’s a super hero mixed with a mom, she’s a super mom.

Yes, we have our ups and downs, and no she’s not perfect -- nobody’s perfect.

As I sit here and write this, I think of my friends who don’t have great relationships with their parents.

They don’t think about or realize what their parents do for them.

Instead of appreciating it, they spend their time slamming doors, yelling, arguing, and fighting with them.

Our moms and dads do a lot for us -- though it’s not always appreciated.

In the end we’re a family, and we all need one another.

takes the “She initiative to

make a change in people’s lives out of the kindness of her heart.”

The ‘best’ school is not always the best choice My whole life I’ve been convinced that getting perfect grades was all that mattered.

Michealla Being one of the top students Foules of the class and getting Citizen of the Month certificates was a custom in my elementary years.

As I was leaving middle school, my mother had high expectations of me.

Because I had been doing well, she suspected that I would go on to the perfect high school, where all the kids with high grades went.

The day I told her that I wanted to go to Stagg, she immediately snapped.

Stagg is where all the bad kids went.

That school is ghetto.

You’re not going to Stagg.

At that point, I knew I was a big disappointment.

Being the rebellious teen I am, there was nothing she could say that would change my mind.

I wanted her to respect my decision and I wanted to show her that I was capable of making the right ones.

To make up for rejecting SECA and the other charter schools, I took on honors classes and journalism my freshman year.

I thought it was a good way to continue on with my academics and to make my mom feel better.

Honestly, SECA and Stockton Collegiate had swayed me in deciding what high school I wanted to attend.

Their impressive curricular plans and special benefits couldn’t be more attractive, especially to parents like my mom.

I decided that no matter what high school I went to, I was going to work hard and be the best that I can be.

SECA might have the highest test scores

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compared to all of the comprehensive high schools, like Stagg, Edison, or Franklin, but that’s because they recruit and attract college bound students to join their program.

Comprehensive schools can’t compete because they have a bigger population with a diversity of academic levels.

Stagg might not have the greatest test scores as a whole, but hardworking students still come out of the school.

Our history of graduation rates proves it to be.

According to Chan Sam, the head counselor, Stagg was recognized by the state for having a 22 percent increase in graduates three years ago.

In the last two years, Stagg had an 88-89 percent graduation rate, which is significant compared to a 67 percent from five years ago.

Low test scores shouldn’t belittle or define a school.

We also have AP programs, other college preparatory classes and electives like anatomy, psychology, and journalism.

Many might also know MESA. Other schools, like Chavez High, might be the school with the best music program. Each comprehensive school does well in its unique ways.

Sometimes I just feel like charter schools are overrated.

Just because they have higher test scores doesn’t mean they are better than any other. Each school has something special to offer.

I felt like I was being pressured to get into the “best” school for me. It shouldn’t matter what school you go to.

As long as you’re willing to work hard, focus on doing well academically and strive for what you want-- and have fun -- it can lead to the best high school years.

Amos Alonzo Stagg High School 1621 Brookside Rd. Stockton, Calif. 95207 209.933.7445 ext. 8487 The Stagg Line newspaper is a member of the National Scholastic Press Association and the California Newspaper Publishers Association.

Awards and recognition include the following: ºº 20 consecutive All-American rankings ºº NSPA Hall of Fame, 2005 ºº NSPA First Place Best of Show five times ºº NSPA National Newspaper Pacemaker seven times ºº JEA Impact Award, 2002 Stagg Line student journalists have won many awards and scholarships over the years, including California Journalist of the Year, National Story of the Year and National Photo of the Year.

Keep up with us ºº Facebook: Search “Stagg Line” ºº Twitter: Follow us @staggonline ºº Web: Check out staggonline.net ºº PDFs: Go to issuu.com/staggline

photo courtesy of

Rubi Rico

Rubi, and mother, Aymara Rico snap a photo in front of their new home in Stockton, before they went to visit a family member in the late afternoon.

Ticking clock leaves senior with anxiety

A

s a kid I remember being asked that age old question “What do you want to be when you grow up?”

Of course, I would give the usual kid answers like football player, astronaut or president.

Back then the question had a simple answer, but now with college right around the corner it has become much more complicated. Whereas before it was “What do you want to be when you grow up,” now it is, “What do you want to spend the next several years of your life studying to become?”

Over the years, the dream of being a football player or astronaut has become dimmer.

I have accepted that I am not physically gifted enough to be in the NFL and I am too tall to ever make it to space. Now I must get more realistic in deciding what I can do post high school.

Multiple factors come into play, like what city do I want to live in? What work fields are in high demand? And what career can I see myself doing for the rest of my life?

But before I step out into the corporate world of taxes and jury duty, I have one more mountain to conquer. College.

The average high school graduate will make roughly 50 percent less than a college graduate.

They are also 5.2 percent more likely to be unemployed. I would like to be rich and have a job when I’m older, so I think attending college would be in my best interest after high school.

Thanks to AVID (now called College and Career Preparations) I have been preached the importance of completing my a-g requirements and taking advantage of the availability of Advanced Placement classes.

Every sleepless night of homework and hour spent studying is about to pay off. Every accom-

EditorialPolicy The Stagg Line newspaper is published monthly and distributed free of charge to students and faculty. Our website is updated regularly with photo galleries, video and breaking news.

Our newspaper is a long-standing open forum for free student expression. That means that it is student editors and reporters who make content and style decisions with the adviser offering the guidance.

A staff editorial, which appears on the top left of the first opinion page, reflects the opinion of the entire staff and therefore is not signed. Opinion columns reflect the view of the writer.

Readers are welcome to write letters to the editor in response to any story or to make a comment about an issue at school. We will make every effort to print any letter as long as it is not libelous. Letters longer than 250 may be edited.

Unsigned letters will be printed only in unusual circumstances and only when we know who the writer is. Letters may be delivered to the Stagg Line newsroom, A-10. They may also be emailed to dbott@stockton.k12.ca.us

plishment over the past three years has built up to this moBrian ment.

Walker The application processes for UC’s and CSU’s have opened, and over the next month and a half I must decide my future.

It creeps up faster than one may expect.

The process starts with senior pictures in August, then there’s the senior rallies in September. Then BOOM! October rolls around, a quarter of the school year has gone by and my mind is flooded with thoughts of financial aid, scholarships and college applications. The whole process is overwhelming.

College applications and scholarships are competitive.

There are students all over the country who want that spot in college and have the money to pay for it. What one has done up to this point is what separates them from other suitors.

It is what will make admissions deans want to choose them. By not only getting good grades but being involved in positive extracurricular activities, one is putting themselves in a position to succeed past high school.

Not only is my whole life to be decided within the next several months but my time in high school will soon be coming to an end.

These have been four memorable years that I will never get back. The best feeling is looking back and saying you made the most of your time.

Every opportunity turned down is a potential regret one may have for the rest of their life.

The clock is ticking and when you finally walk across that stage and receive your diploma, can you honestly say you got the most out of your years in high school?

If you’re a senior ready to become a freshman all over again, the answer is probably yes.

NewspaperStaff AdriannaOwens & FeValencia Co Editors in Chief

WilliamAlexander

JadaJohnson // News Editor

JessicaCervantes

VeronicaVargo // Opinion Editor

AngelGonzalez

DevinWickstrom // Features Editor

MarcellaHawkins

AlexusPlascencia // Entertainment Editor

YesicaIbarra

JessicaMangili // Sports Editor

BlancahMendoza

DellaniraAlcauter // Photo Editor

BaylinMoran

AlyssaRojas // Graphics Editor

TrishaNewman

MicheallaFoules // Web Editor

MarleenePheav

BrianWalker // Social Media Editor

RubiRico

NuviaCervantes // Copy Editor

ArrianaSmith

DonBott // Adviser

AraceliValencia

MichaelBishop

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Features

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fashion (fash’en) n.

What is fashion? is how “Fashion I describe my-

self. It’s who I am. If I dress a certain way, that’s who I am.”

CelesteMasuda

The popular style of dress during an era.

Fashion is everywhere. Out on the streets, inside the malls, displayed in commercials and boutique windows. It is as important to everyday people as it is to celebrities. Every morning is spent wondering what they want to wear for the day. Teenagers are no exception. They come up with their own way to dress, probably snatching ideas from people here and there. Here are a few students on campus who have really become one with their styles.

“It’s like a meal.

It’s something I need.”

NguyenHoang

Fashions from the past return BlancahMendoza

David Martinelli, senior

Claudia Castillo, freshman

If wearing Nike socks, cargo shorts, and snap backs is what most teens call style, don’t tell that to Martinelli. He has his own definition of style — punk. “I chose to dress differently (like other kids) but it just didn’t feel right.” His style consists of of band T-Shirts, skinny jeans and dark colors. But no matter what, everyday he wears the bracelet his best friend gave him. Hot Topic, thrift stores and JCPenney are some stores you can find him buying his punk rock clothes. The way he dresses is influenced by his family.

“I guess it’s different,” Castillo said. “(I’m) edgy because I wear combat boots.” She owns a pair of black and brown boots. “It was a trend to wear combat boots and then I wore them.” Tilly’s and Kohl’s are some of the stores she goes to buy her clothes. “I go online to see what they have and then go to the store.” She draws her inspiration from the popular pages on Instagram and the catalogues that come to her house. “If I’m looking in a catalogue and I see something I like, I get it.”

Teachers recall trends in their day

Paul Spaulding, senior “I don’t have a specific style,” Spaulding said. “I just wear what looks nice and I get compliments; I hash tag indie and hipster because that’s what people call me.” He shops at Urban Outfitters and Pacsun. With every outfit, he wears flip flops or TOMS. Everything in his closet matches one way or another.

His inspiration comes from GQ magazine and whatever he finds on the Internet. “I want to be different, an outcast if you would say.”

Students use social networks for profit

VeronicaVargo

You know that feeling when you see someone with a nice shirt on or a fresh pair of shoes that you wish you had. You ask them, “Hey, where’d you get that?” And they comment that it’s super old or they bought it out of town. Then you feel like you missed out on something you really liked.

Now people are giving you the option to get those old clothes. Some even make it a way of income. Instagram is very popular, but what’s common to see is selfies and throwback pictures. People like Alison Lu see it as an easy way to sell old clothing.

Lu says her shop is for pocket change and she’s aiming to keep it up to date.

“Sometimes it is hard to sell things cause the girls don’t fit the size.”Clothes being sold are often handmade or items they paid good

AngelGonzales

Sometimes adults hold personalities that reflect on their youth. The teachers here are no different.

Audrey Weir-Graham, social studies department chair, grew up in Berkeley in a very conservative home. In her private school, Weir-Graham had to wear dresses or skirts.

Stewart Jacoby, social studies teacher, said that when he was young, girls had to wear skirts or dresses unless they were playing a game for their sport that day. Weir-Graham had relief on the weekends when she wore tie-dye shirts and jeans.

Jacoby was in the high school band here at Stagg in the early to mid60’s. He wore the band uniform and jeans without the rips. Jacoby thinks that it’s crazy that the ripped jeans are more expensive than the non-ripped ones.

Jacoby also recalls a student who “used to have his mom iron his pants then help him into them so he didn’t break the crease…” He then demonstrated how this student walked and it looked like a penguin waddling in the south pole. He would walk all the way to school like this just to keep a crease in his pants.

Robert Aldrich, an art teacher, was raised in Santa Cruz and adopted the typical surfer lifestyle. His main hobby was surfing. Thomas Orosco, English teacher, had the same lifestyle that closely followed other surfers like Jack O’Neal. Anyone who didn’t surf were called “greenies or wipeouts,” he said. They both dreamed of having the perfect surf wagon, a Woody, so they could take all of their buddies to the beach.

Aldrich’s hair was blonde and he idolized the Beach Boys. He walked like them and talked like them, too. He and Orosco were always wearing sandals or black low top converse, even though they didn’t know each other. They both dreamed of returning to the beach they once called home. Aldrich said a lot of his friends from when he was younger are approaching 70 and still collect surfboards. Aldrich subscribes to Long Board, a surfer magazine, and keeps up with the surfer champs. Although he is far from Santa Cruz he keeps tabs on things going on there.

From private schooler, to band member, to surfers, they all report for duty at Stagg. Even though their personalities have matured it still reflects on their past. Weir-Graham runs a tight ship and likes it that way,

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photo courtesy of

From girly to edgy to rocker, Macias dresses to fit her mood. She shops at Macy’s, Dillard’s and various online stores. She looks in the magazine Seventeen and some of her fashion comes from Rihanna and Megan Fox. But above all, her mother and sister inspire the way she dresses. “If there is something cute my mom gets, I’ll wear it,” she said. During sophomore year, her style changed as she matured. Now, she wears cardigans and takes about 45 minutes every morning to get ready. “I’m comfortable in what I wear. This is who I am.”

Creating fashion Students use their creativity to design and make clothes

money for. Since the average range of Instagram items being sold is around $5-$15, producers don’t gain much profit. However, it’s an easy way to get quick pocket change.

Girl-run shops often feature shirts, skirts, or dresses they’ve grown out of. Boy-run shops are all about the “shoe game” and how authentic the brand is. Boys tend to make the most money in a shorter amount of time, while girls wait to collect dollar bills here and there. Yet, selling on the Internet is not easy. Many things can go wrong.

People request items, then wait two weeks later to say they aren’t going to buy them after all. It makes it difficult for the seller to have confidence in the business and expand their selling area.

Instagram seller senior Cyna Saing doesn’t have that problem. For her, it’s hard to keep up with the consumers’ demands. Everything she sells on her shop is full of fashion. She can walk down the hall and see about two girls wearing her clothes.

It’s her football game and lunch money. But when she puts a new wave of items online, she makes a huge profit. Clothes that are bought from Instagram shops are a huge jackpot for the buyer. Instagram shops are the new way to get “in style” no matter what your individual style may be.

Junior Gabrielle Riego likes to work with dyeing her t-shirts, cutting them up to create tank tops, and making her own tutus. She creates her own small projects to “see if I can make something that’s different from what’s out there.” Instead of looking like the other students with plain t-shirts, adding some oomph to something simple is a way of expression to Riego, bringing in more splashes to the canvas.

Senior Lucy Phovisay likes to take her small projects to the next level. She likes to create her own designs and incorporating them on to plain clothing. “I don’t like plain clothing. So far, I’ve only added stuff to dresses, bows, etc.” It’s not only to stand out, but DIY projects are really helpful when one is on a tight budget. “The majority of the clothes I like are too expensive, so I make them.”

Stewart Jacoby

Stewart Jacoby, social studies teacher, played the French horn when he attended Stagg in 1965. these traits come from a private school upbringing, and Jacoby wants you there before the bell rings like a good band would do.

Aldrich has a more laid back class and talks for a little while then lets you work. All these teachers’ personalities are reflective of their bringing up and it shows in their teaching.

All teachers have the remnants of their own lives in them now, students just need to spend a little time with them and know the basics of their lives to figure out why they structure their classes in such a way.

They are all just chasing the perfect wave and that comes from good students, order in their classes and patience.

Mia Macias, junior

screenshots of

Alison Lu’s Instagram used with permission

Alison Lu, senior, profits from selling used clothes on the popular social network Instagram. Usually a seller has two profiles, one for selling and another for personal use.

Crop tops, high waisted shorts, colorful leggings, and parachute pants. All of these fashion items originated in the 80’s. So what are they doing in 2013?

It’s students like senior Da’von Charles who think the fashion of the 80’s is not dead, and that it is up to this generation to bring it back.

Charles has a flat top, wears a grill, and will often wear cheetah, camo, and other print bottoms. “I’m trying to bring it back because it was popular back then,” Charles said.

Senior Valeria Barriga owns various pairs of high waisted bottoms.

“They help your stomach look thinner and make you look cute,” Barriga said.

It wasn’t until about 2011 that these pants came back. Before, if a person was caught wearing these type of pants they would not look cool or hip. Instead, the style would make them look different and odd.

However, all of that changed when the trends from before started coming back. Like history, fashion also repeats itself.

One example is junior Lisette Leon who is often wearing combat boots, jean jackets, and crop tops. She buys most of her clothing at stores like Forever 21, Hollister, and American Eagle. All of these retail stores sell a variety of fashion items from past time.

You might call someone who wears clothing from an earlier generation a hipster. On the contrary, fashion from the past wasn’t always in.

It wasn’t until 2011 that it started to come back. Before, if a person was wearing high waisted bottoms, he or she might be a fashion disaster. Although fashion changes as much as people do, it doesn’t go away completely. That is not to say all people love the flashback fashion trend.

Some people don’t appreciate it as much as others.

Although this flashback fashion might not live forever, it has definitely recycled itself to the 2000’s. This fashion has become so popular, Stagg’s ASB has adopted it to the first quarter spirit week. Yesterday was Throwback Thursday where students dressed with fashion from 70’s-90’s. Flashback fashion is at its best, being represented once again.

Want to see the process in action?

Visit staggonline.net

photos by

Alexus Plascencia

10.11.13

BaylinMoran Why are people wearing devil horns and lavender capes?

Well, that would be the work of cosplay.

It may seem like teens and adults who just haven’t grown up from the “dress up” phase, but the truth under it is cosplay.

What is cosplay? It is as simple as it sounds.

The word is a combination of the English words ‘costume’ and ‘play’.

While attending the World

Entertainment

Science Fiction Convention in Los Angeles, in 1984, Nobuyuki Takahashi had came up with the word after admiring the costumed fans, according to Wikipedia.

Since 1990, cosplay has been a hobby where people dress up in costumes and accessories to try and resemble a character or a thought from a piece of fiction.

When it comes down to cosplay, there are two common ways to achieve this.

There’s buying the costumes

photo by

Baylin Moran

Seniors David Martinelli and Cheyenne Brinton cosplay as Marshall Lee and Vriska at homecoming carnival.

and the props and then there’s creating them.

Sometimes, the idea you have in mind isn’t even available to purchase pre-made and it’s necessary to make them from hand. Cosplay conventions hold competitions that require handmade props and costumes.

On campus the Cosplay Club is managed by senior Cheyenne Brinton.

Like many cosplayers, Brinton focuses on specific fandoms that she likes to work on for her props and costumes, which includes “Rise of the Guardians” the movie and “Homestuck” the online comic.

Brinton spends her free time after school working on sewing costumes, cutting out cardboard pieces and forming props like horns and masks.

Cosplay is important to Brinton because it allows her to express herself and show off her creativity.

She doesn’t feel that perfection matters as long as you’re enjoying yourself.

How do people become interested in cosplay? It all normally starts from a favorite superhero or comic book character, sometimes even a movie character.

They then take this compassion towards the character and create or buy the costumes and props to represent their inspiration.

If the cosplayer is really into the character they sometimes roleplay, or act like that character.

This allows a person to pretend to be something that they wish they could be, letting them escape into fantasy for a day.

embarrassing Remember sitting at your computer and creating that first email address — the one you can’t wait to forget?

Eugene Parrish junior

Latrisha Daniel sophomore

“When I made it, people kept asking me if it was fake. Now it’s funny to look back at it.”

“I made it two years ago.

Sexy potato because I didn’t know much. And I’m cute. When people look at it they’re like “All right then.’”

imnotasmall7thgrader@ gmail.com

sexy_potato96@gmail.com

Julieana Nincioni freshman sk8rgurl99@live.com

“I was a fourth grader and it sounded cool. I was a skater at that time and my mom helped me come up with it. She literally showed me different ways to spell it. I look back at it and I’m like what was I thinking.”

graphic by

Yesica Ibarra

Famous cosplayer Yaya Han has done a large variety of costume plays which include, Catwoman from the DC comics, Fiora from League of Legends, Ada Wong from Resident Evil Retribution, and even Lulu from Final Fantasy.

Han’s a good example of a serious cosplayer who puts nothing but dedication and commitment into her work, and it has paid off now being one of the best known cosplayers of today.

She is one of the many famous cosplayers who actually does it for a living and gets paid to dress up as characters and fictional pieces as well as judging cosplay contests at conventions throughout the nation.

Brinton’s Cosplay Club was created for anyone who is interested in costume play and wants to show their creativity through the art of cosplay. The club is accepting of movies, comics, anime, games and TV shows.

TV show “Heroes of Cosplay” on the SyFy channel is a fantastic way to learn more about cosplay, the different perspectives, or just to watch for the fun of it.

Another interesting and fun way to expand your knowledge on cosplay would be to go to a convention.

Watch the people roleplay as the characters they’re dressed as and ask people with similar fandoms for tips on how they created things that might have been troublesome.

Costume play has struck big and is more than just some silly adults running around with devil horns and lavender capes.

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photo by

Baylin Moran

A cosplayer at SacAnime cosplays as Feferi from the online comic “Homestuck.”

Cover songs bring a new take on music NuviaCervantes

Songs are known to capture a voice that is unique to each band and songwriter, but every now and then a cover of that song is made that alters that voice.

Those changes are created through varying tones in the singing. The rhythm of the instruments incorporated can also develop a quicker or slower beat, drawing the attention of entirely new audiences.

Cover songs are different versions of original songs that were made popular by someone else.

They can cross genres and can even go as far as to be rewritten in different languages.

Shakira is a songwriter who started her career in the Latino world. She later appealed to the English language music industry with English versions of her own spanish songs. Those English covers helped her obtain fame and success in more parts of the world.

One of their purposes is to entertain, whether for the enjoyment of the people or for the songwriters themselves.

Sophomore Itzel Godinez believes that cover songs can be considered more enjoyable than the originals. She said, “I like cover songs because bands usually make the newer version better.”

They even tend to bring in more popularity for the song than the original ever did. Sometimes the reason that happens is because the person who made the cover is more famous than the person who wrote the lyrics.

For example, Beyonce’s song “If I Were a Boy” is well known throughout the musical world because Beyonce sings it.

Her loud, firm voice contemplates the lyrics and gives it a sense of strength.

However, what isn’t as well known is that it’s a cover song. The original was recorded by songwriter BC Jean.

Her voice is softer and gives the song a more mellow tone.

Another cover song that achieved more success than the original is Johnny Cash’s “Hurt,”

originally sung by Nine Inch Nails. Not many people know this because industrial rock isn’t as widespread as country.

Cash’s version follows the same basic melody yet manages to have a whole new sound to it, as if he aims to pour his emotion and life experience into the lyrics of the song to give it an underlying meaning.

Cover songs are also fun to make, and since they are not constricted to bands and artists, every day people can make their own covers, as well.

Many people make cover songs every day and upload them onto the popular video site YouTube.

Even parodies are created, which are different versions of recorded songs, except parodies are supposed to be funny and can poke fun at the originals.

Weird Al is famous for creating parodies.

“White & Nerdy,” “Smells Like Nirvana,” and “Canadian Idiot” are just three of the many parodies he recorded throughout his career.

If analyzed carefully, people can even notice that parodies criticize the government while giving people a good laugh.

However, covers do not always meet people’s expectations.

Katy Perry’s “Teenage Dream” was redone by post-hardcore band Vampires Everywhere. This revision gives the song a heavier sound and a faster beat. Though not widely appreciated by the general public, there are still people who find the perks of this version.

Cover songs may annoy some people because they have formulated opinions that bands who make the covers lack originality and need to stick to making their own music.

Freshman Estefany Nunez said, “It’s not something to make a big deal about. People just take the song and put it in their own way.”

Covers range in purposes, from having deep, meaningful stories to light and funny parodies.

Whatever the case may be for these works of art, they are out there to entertain anyone who enjoys hearing old music with a new twist.

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Sports 3 Steps

10.11.13

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to the

perfect

golf swing

1. Stand perpendicular to the target with your feet shoulder width apart while bending from your hips.

2. As you make contact with the ball, the face of the club should be square with the ball.

3. Follow your swing all the way through so that your belt buckle is facing the target and the club is behind you — completing your swing.

muscles photo by

at work

Dellanira Alcauter

James Garcia not only runs during his Cross Country practice, but goes on five mile runs on his own around his house in order to improve.

Runner finds inner calling ArrianaSmith

The gun fires and my nerves disappear, everything suddenly becomes real. My body feels as though it’s flying over my feet as I run down the course. I hear the footsteps of the other runners behind me. I hear my mom’s voice in my head telling me to do my best, as she does before every one of my races.

For cross country runner James Garcia this is a normal afternoon. He is a sophomore who attends Pacific Law Academy, and runs for Stagg’s cross country team.

“I started running because I was trying to lose weight, and then started to really like it,” said Garcia when asked about his inspiration.

Garcia says that he started cross country not too long ago. His freshman year he had enjoyed a wide variety of sports like swimming, baseball, and football. Even though he feels swimming has tha read physically precross country coach pared him for cross country, he has never felt the same passion doing any other sport beside running.

He tries to avoid eating tuna and peanut butter before a race.

“I’ll have pasta the night before and drink a lot of water,” said Garcia. “I try not to focus on a race until my last period in school then everything becomes real.”

To prepare for a race, he said he enjoys listening to music. His favorite song to warm up to is John Newman’s “Do You Still Love Me,” along with the group One Republic. “When I’m warming up I try to imagine myself coming in first.”

After a race if he still has energy, he feels disappointed in himself for not giving his all regardless of what place he comes in.

His life now practically revolves around sports, at home he only watches Sports Center. He hopes to get a scholarship to college for running and someday become a sports broadcaster.

Along with trying to convince his friends to start running, Garcia said he also has tried to inspire his mother to run with him.

Cross country, being a fall sport, forces him to handle all weather conditions. But running in the rain is his favorite.

“You don’t sweat as much,” Garcia said. “The rain falls on your hair. You feel hydrated; running in the rain motivates me.”

Garcia is close to teammate and runner So Her, junior. Garcia enjoys talking to him while at practice.

“He’s a great friend,” said Her. “ And during the race we’ll motivate one another.” Aside from Her, Garcia tells he has a father-son bond with his coach, Otha Dread.

“He’s dedicated to what he’s doing and he’s good at it,” said Dread. “I love all these kids. Cross country is a difficult race. It shows they really want to be here.”

dedicated “He’s to what he’s

doing and he’s good at it. Cross country is a difficult race. It shows they really want to be here.”

O D

Forearm — Forearms are essential for getting the ball out of sand traps and tall grass. It also allows the player to keep the proper grip on the club. Without the proper grip, the golfer cannot send the ball in the right direction.

Core muscles —The core muscles acts as the base for the swing, because they stabilize the body. Without stability the player would not be able to hit the ball, which makes them one of the most important muscles used. graphic by

Stagg Line staff

Shoulders — The rotation of the shoulders creates the speed at which the ball travels.

Chest ­—The chest muscles are most important for the rotation and a smoothness of the golf swing.

Upper back — Upper back muscles help control the backswing and the follow through. If a player has a tight upper back they will have short and uneven swings.

Legs —The legs help create a solid posture for the golfer. The hamstring acts as the base for the golfer holding her perpendicular to the target. The quadriceps give the golfer power when hitting the ball and a more controlled golf swing.

Source: www.golflink.com

Overcoming limitations

Armless player brings confidence, skill VeronicaVargo

ahead of the game, always anticipating the next move. The only thing he can’t do is get a foul for a hand ball.

Vasquez was born without arms.

One would think this would drive a person to stay at home, or feel embarrassed, but not “Eggy.”

He sees this difference as a confidence booster, a reason to work harder than everybody else.

There is literally nothing he gives up on.

Fellow freshman teammate Jonah Renteria said, “Even though he gets behind a lot, he does everything that everybody else does.”

When the JV boys coach Homar Juarez told the team to do some push-ups, he was shocked to see Vasquez on the floor doing them right alongside his teammates… using his head. That’s when Juarez realized that there really wasn’t anything more they could ask of him.

Defeat is not an option for this young 14 year old.

“Vasquez is the first one at practice and the last one to leave,” Juarez said. “He’s captain because he is always encouraging the team and even in the middle of the pack he pushes everyone to work harder.”

In fact, when playing scrimmages against the varsity team, he always plays the hardest he can.

“My favorite part so far in the season is when I scored a goal against varsity,” Vasquez said.

But that wasn’t his first goal.

Vasquez has made two goals this season and just like his coach, his parents are encouraging him to push the limit and aim for more.

Everybody is an equal on the field and everybody respects that. photo by Veronica Vargo Most of the players on his team (Top) Freshman Eduardo Vasquez intercepts a pass and on the higher level see him from a McNair player in a game last Tuesday. The JV as a reason to work harder. Even team went on to lose 2-0. (Right) Refusing help from though he is different, the team anyone, Vasquez uses his feet to remove his cleats, doesn’t treat him any differently. shin guards, and socks after each game.

However, there are other tasks

The captain of the JV boys soccer team is what every team member labels “inspirational.”

Pacific Law Academy student Eduardo Vasquez is not the person to complain about an injury and say he couldn’t play that week. He wouldn’t make that excuse a day in his life.

Vasquez sits on the bench and eagerly waits his turn to play with the rest of the soccer team. Having played for fun since he was 7, he never played on a real team until now. It was his uncle who attended Stagg years ago who encouraged him to sign up. He doesn’t regret it.

Soccer has provided Vasquez with team members who will be there for him no matter what and when around him stand as a barrier against anyone who tries to mess with him.

Many say he is an exquisite soccer player, and many observers would agree. Vasquez is two steps

photo by Jessica

Mangili

that Vasquez completes besides playing soccer. He can write clearly, play guitar, and get dressed all on his own, not to mention a lot of other things. He just uses his feet.

Ridiculed while he was young, Vasquez proved to be strong and resilient at an early age. When people had rude comments or made fun of him, he often just ignored them. His friends surely stood by his side as well, proving to be the kind of friends he needs.

Vasquez doesn’t take what he has been blessed with and use it as an excuse to not do what he loves to do.

He doesn’t see himself as disabled. He sees himself as an equal among the rest of the population.

Even when faced with challenges, he is never scared to confront them. He shows his bravery every day. When he steps on the field he feels like “the king of the world.”

News

10.11.13

coastal cleanup’s

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On Sept. 21, hundreds of students banded together on an early Saturday morning to participate in the Coastal Clean-Up, a statewide event geared towards limiting pollution. This year, Stacy Luthy Sherman gave participants an incentive: Whoever found the most interesting trash would get their photo taken with that particular item.

collected Here are a couple of items that were picked up: 353 bags 134 bottles

1,413 cigarette butts

19 appliances

2 dead squirrels

“I found it in someone’s home all oily and dirty. It was just devastating.” — Hadiyah Williams, junior.

“It’s a negative thing that people just throw basically anything into the levee.” — Gabriel Zuniga, junior.

“All of the stuff we found could’ve affected an eco-system and killed fish.”

— Samantha Gonzalez, senior.

“It’s just very wasteful and adds more trash to the levee.” — Alejandro Cruz, senior.

Photos courtesy of Marcus Sherman, Graphic by Fe Valencia and Jada Johnson

French class skypes internationally YesicaIbarra Cell phones and electronic devices are not allowed to be used on school campus unless students have Deborah Berg as a teacher.

“I know we’re in school but this gives real life contact to the French language,” French teacher Berg said.

At first, Berg tried facetiming but it kept cutting off. So they switched to skyping.

“Communication is one of the top national standards for foreign language,” Berg said.

The other national standards for foreign languages are cultures, connections, comparisons and communities.

All of these standards tie in to skyping with people from French speaking countries.

“We’ve talked to someone in Switzerland and twice in Belgium,” Berg said.

The process students make before skyping is each person writes down a question in French and then asks.

Sometimes Berg has to translate and occasionally go over pro-

nunciation.

After the call is over they review to clarify terms that students didn’t understand.

“One of my students got to talk to her relative in Switzerland. This was a real life connection. We actually talked to the whole family.”

Senior Anita Phradichith is the student who provided a connection with her aunt.

Thinking this was going to be a simple lesson, Phradichith thought this was something different and fun.

“Getting to speak to actual people was a really good experience for my class,” Phradichith said. “They liked it and thought it was cool.”

“What we do will continue in their life,” Berg said. “Hopefully one day (students) can put effort to have a conversation with someone who speaks French.”

She hopes to continue this type of communication with classes to come. “(It’s) not just me. Not just tape. It’s live vocabulary.”

kyping across standards ▶ This ultimately lead led toto students wanting to continue the class lesson and wanting to learn more.

▶ French teacher Deborah Berg began facetiming with her friends from Europe during class.

▶ One of Berg’s students got to speak to her relatives from Switzerland. ▶ Completing five of the national standards for foreign language.

graphic by

Alyssa Rojas and Yesica Ibarra

El Concilio makes ‘digital connections’ through class MarcellaHawkins

photo by

Dellanira Alcauter

Staff member Brian Alonso demonstrates what a decently edited video looks like.

The after-school program is offering a new computer class called Comcast Connectors. Its main focus is to help students gain a better understanding of computers and their hardware and software. Students can also learn about film by taking this class. Comcast Connectors takes place in the library on Tuesdays and Fridays from 3-5.

“I’m really excited for this class, freshman Cameron Heine said. I’ve always been interested in computers, especially in computer games and movies.”

Alberto Aguilar, a Comcast Connectors teacher, and Bryan Alonso, after-school program staff member, teach the class.

The class is split between film and computer science. Alonso will teach the film class on Tuesdays. Some of the things students will learn are editing, how to make short films, and the effects of lighting. Alonso explains that one doesn’t need the most expensive equipment or software, it’s just important to know the basics.

Aguilar will teach the computer science class on Fridays and it focuses on a computer’s hardware and software and what a computer really is.

Alonso and Aguilar would like to do more things in the class and would like to try to get money in order to buy the necessary materials to build a computer. If they

can’t get the money to build the computer, then they will find other ways to do it, like build one digitally on the computer.

“When students finish the course they will get a certificate saying that they are certified in the use of CISCO technologies,” Aguilar said. “This certificate could take students into the Information Technology, or IT, field, or even lead them to create their own games or software.”

One has to complete a certain amount of hours in order to get the certificate. Alonso and Aguilar suggest that about two hours or so for each class should be enough to get the required amount of hours before the class is finished.

Heine said, “I’ll probably keep the certificate to use it in the future, mainly for college.”

Senior Derek Diep said, “I signed up because I want to learn about computer programming, that’s what I want to do. I figure that this will come in handy for the future.”

Youth program coordinator Matt Boga feels hopeful about the class and feels that it is something students would be able to use to help them in the future.

The class runs into the middle of December and there is supposed to be another class starting back up in the spring. The class is in its beginning stages and is still quite small, but the teachers are hopeful that the class will grow.