Wolf Pack Press Volume 18, Issue 2

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TOP Stories News Celebrate this dedicated janitor’s retirement with a look back Page 2

O.T.Q Experience some of our favorite ways to celebrate fall Page 4

Opinions See the difference that the power of one can make to stop bullying Page 6

Featainment Let’s go Into the Woods as Adrienne Mars performs onstage Page 20

Sports Check out this exclusive feature story about Zach Grant Page 22

ONline Be our riend WOLFPACKPRESS Keep in ouch WPPnewspaper Need some anonymous advice?

Ask Tina and Timmy Timberwolf Create fake name to be identified as and email us your problem at: tnt.wpp12@gmail.com

Contact Us Place an ad or write us at: Wolf Pack Press c/o Woodcreek High School 2551 Woodcreek Oaks Blvd.

Roseville, CA 95678 wolfpackpresspaper@yahoo.com Adviser: Lisa Edmisten Editors-in-Chief: Anna Nguyen, Abby Skaff, Sara Sumrak Managing Editor: Tyler Hall

**wolfpackpressonline.com**

October 31, 2012

Volume 18, Issue 2

Volume 18, Issue 2

October 31, 2012

Long-time employee Philemon retires Anna Nguyen Editor-in-Chief

PHOTO COURTESY OF WHS MULTIMEDIA

Global Man joins eco-friendly fight Lauren Anderson OTQ Editor

Last year science teacher Kendra Grinsell along with then seniors Ricky Jones, Taylor Galvan, Scotty Burdick and Jillian Embrahimi decided to take a stand and do something about all of the waste Woodcreek produces. at the time, Woodcreek was producing about 38 bags of trash a day. Nature Center students decided that they wanted to add an educational piece to the Nature Center and make the school greener.

Together these students created bins for composting- one for plastic, one for paper and one for green waste.

They also purchased thousands of Red Wiggler Worms to decompose and to eat our school’s green waste. However, before placing the bins around school and putting their plan into action, students set up homemade, smaller bins in Grinsell’s classroom with worms to try it out on a smaller scale. Their efforts were a success, which led to the recycle bins students now see all over campus and the composting bins.

Since last year, Nature Center students have overseen this project and are now giving presentations, educating elementary aged school children on the importance and benefits of decomposing and trying to get those students involved. Students also contacted local businesses to see if they would be interested in donating their green waste, however, they declined.

Although Woodcreek is on the way to becoming a more earth-friendly school, Grinsell said, “We still need students to take part.”

That’s where Global Man (aka Nate Giorgi, science teacher) comes in. Multimedia recently produced a video in which Global Man shows students how to dispose of their trash and takes them on a tour of the composting bins. It’s as simple as throwing away your trash in the correct bins at lunch or switching to a plastic, reusable water bottle instead of bringing a new one every day.

Global Man’s message is simple: together we really can make a difference.

It’s the little choices we make everyday that will affect our future. With Woodcreek’s help in feeding the worms with our school lunch waste, we can make our school and our planet a greener place for future generations.

2 Wolf Pack Press

Ninety-eight percent of the time when Assistant Principal Mark O’Hair tells you to have a seat in his office, he means business. But last week was not one of those times. In fact it was the other 2%: immediately after he sat me down, O’Hair began to talk about one of the school’s most beloved employees, Mike Philemon.

“Mike and I started working at Woodcreek at the same time. He’s a very rare man—it’s not just that he does his job well, it’s that he is pleasant in every aspect of his work. He finds a way to get things done, even if it seems there is no way to do it,” said O’Hair.

As I listen to O’Hair talk about the coming retirement of his co-worker on Oct. 31, I see that Philemon will be greatly missed. O’Hair said that despite the qualified employees who will be left to replace Philemon, there is just no way to replace him. “He is irreplaceable,” he said.

Philemon, who began working at Woodcreek when it first opened in 1994, said that he “absolutely loves

RIGHT: Philemon arrives early and stays late to ensure that the graduation festivities are a success.

BOTTOM: Mike Philemon meets with co-worker Ambrosio Phontie to help clean up after last June’s long graduation ceremony at the football field.

PHOTOS BY LISA EDMISTEN

everything” about working at Woodcreek. After his retirement, he plans to play golf every day and spend a lot of time with his grandchildren. Philemon has seven grandchildren, two of whom attend Woodcreek High School as freshmen this year.

Looking back on his career, Philemon smiles and says that he is really close with everyone. Assistant Principal Heather Schlaman confirmed this, saying that anytime anyone at school needs something, they simply say, “Call Mike!” and they know that he will come

to their rescue.

“Anytime something goes wrong, Mike is the man we call,” said Schlaman.

Schlaman stated that Philemon has worked closely with the performing arts department, ensuring that everything is set and ready to go for their productions.

Over the course of his time at Woodcreek, Philemon recalled the strangest experience as having caught 13 skunks in one year. He chuckles as he recalls this “record,” which was set in 2004.

This isn’t the last we’ll be seeing of Philemon.

“I’m coming to visit,” he said. And like everything else he does, he says this with a bright smile that you can’t help but share.

ers in individual events are sophomores Alina Ali and Melissa Alexiou and senior Nicole Ruiz.

In regards to future tournaments, the team captain Nabaglo stated, “It’s going to be really busy.” She was especially worried about the mid-November debate tourney taking place at Woodcreek. “It is very stressful to organize everything,” Nabaglo said.

As captain, Nabaglo oversees fundraising, some decision-making and running the team’s mentor groups.

Last year the team took a big hit as most of their top, varsity-level debaters graduated. In order to make up for the loss in membership, the team admitted several underclassmen to the team and then implemented mentor groups with experienced debaters working to get newer debaters up to speed.

To fill the gap left next year, the team also started a feeder program at Silverado Middle School. Currently 32 students are practicing giving speeches and debating arguments in order to prepare them for Woodcreek’s Speech and Debate team. Additionally this program helps to keep Woodcreek competitive with schools like Granite Bay, which already have feeder programs of their own.

After the hustle and bustle of hosting a tournament in November, the team will have a short break during the month of December. When they return in January, they will be off to the James Logan Invitational Tournament.

Nabaglo stated, “Logan is extremely competitive, like what you get at state.

All the best competition will be there, like Mira Loma, Ponderosa and Granite Bay.” The team has a very strong presence at the novice level; but after losing last year’s seniors, taking on the highest echelon of debate competition will certainly be difficult. Nabaglo remains optimistic based on the team’s fantastic success so far this season. “We have the potential to be equally competitive. It will just take a lot of hard work,” she said.

Speech and Debate teacher and coach, Melisa Elko, is very impressed with the team’s amazing performance and positive attitude.

“It’s great to win trophies and earn accolades, but it’s even better when the kids come back from a tournament smiling and talking excitedly about their experience. I can’t say it enough: I’m thoroughly enjoying this group of kids,” she said.

Speech and Debate goes undefeated Jesse Estes News Editor Only a few months into their yearlong season, the Speech and Debate team looks forward to a very competitive showing in the Capital Valley Forensic League, as well as at the state, and possibly the national, levels of debate.

In just the first three tournaments, the team racked up around 100 wins and brought back five undefeated trophies for Lincoln-Douglas (LD), oneon-one style debate. This is extremely impressive, considering that most of the tournaments only give out three LD trophies and one of the three tournaments that they attended was an individual speech only tournament.

To clarify, the Speech and Debate team won most of the undefeated LD trophies at competitions with over a dozen schools in attendance. The debaters who won these undefeated LD trophies are junior Andrew Solano, senior Adreanna Tirone and sophomore Katy France. Additional non-LD style undefeated debaters include seniors Kelly Nabaglo and Amy Kang. Outside of debate, some of the team’s top speak-

News Editor, Jesse Estes

News

October 31, 2012

A P I

832 804 760

W

D

R

854 826

G

2007

W

869

D

888

R

868

G

W = Woodcreek D = Del Oro R = Rocklin

2012

G = Granite Bay

Woodcreek’s API grows faster than the rest

Jesse Estes News Editor

The Academic Performance Index (API) is a number calculation based on a school’s results from the California Standards Test (CST) and California High School Exit Examination (CAHSEE). Woodcreek’s API rose 94 points from 2007 to 2012, reflecting a greater overall increase in CST scores and CAHSEE pass rates than any other school in the Greater Sacramento Area.

This means we improved more than Del Oro, Rocklin and Granite Bay High Schools over the past five years. In fact we improved 29 API points more than Del Oro, 38 points more than Rocklin, and 52 points more than Granite Bay. If we continue to improve at a faster rate than these schools, it will just be a matter of time before we beat them.

Already the gap has significantly closed. In 2007 Granite Bay’s API was 826, while Woodcreek’s was down at 760. Last year Granite Bay scored 868, while Woodcreek’s API rose to 854. Do the math and you’ll find that in just five years, we moved from being 66 points behind Granite Bay to just 14.

Perhaps more significant than our increase in comparison to other schools, however, is our overall improvement as a school.

In 2007, 49% of Woodcreek students scored proficient or above on the CST, and 21% (one fifth of the student body) scored below basic or far below basic on the CST. Last year 59% of students, (ten percent more than in 2007) scored

proficient or above and only 13% scored below basic.

Likewise student pass rates on the CAHSEE increased from 90% in 2007 to 95% in 2012. Student proficiency rates on the CAHSEE, which are more difficult to achieve than simply passing, also rose from 65% in 2007 to 75% in 2012.

Finally we’ve also improved in our AP exam pass rates, which went from 53% in 2007 to 76% in 2012.

The same tests haven’t changed or gotten any easier, so the only remaining unanswered question is where exactly our improved performance stems from.

Principal Jess Borjon answered this question, stating, “Change takes time, but we’ve stayed on the same path for a while. I attribute it to the efforts we’re doing around professional learning committees and intervention.

Everyone is learning that it’s a joint responsibility. When parents, teachers and students work together, it will give better results.”

Professional learning teams (PLTs) are made up of teachers who teach the same subjects. PLTs meet during Monday’s teacher meeting time. There teachers work together to write common assessments and to discuss the best teaching and intervention strategies.

According to Borjon, PLTs have been key in formulating the best teacher strategies that give our students an edge in academics. With teachers working together to make Woodcreek an efficient and effective professional

learning community, students scores are consistently on the rise.

As a result of enhancing teaching strategies, Borjon stated, “We’re asking students to do more.” With students working harder than ever, Woodcreek is becoming more academically competitive, as evidenced by our increasing API. When Borjon first started directing Woodcreek on its path to success, he said, “We’re not going to chase the API number. Our goal is to teach and to promote learning at its highest level, and the numbers will follow.”

Clearly over the past five years, everyone at Woodcreek, including parents, teachers, students and the administration gained a better understanding of the learning process. Together, they worked to support Woodcreek’s learning community, and the numbers followed.

Still Borjon said, “We’re not done.

Every year is a new year.” Teachers and administrators alike continue to strive to find better strategies for increasing student performance.

It is thanks to them, as well as the students who are studying harder each year, that Woodcreek’s API rose faster than any other over these past five years.

With their continued efforts, teachers and administrators hope that the API will climb higher and higher until our school sits at the top as a model professional learning community, and our students exhibit the best that public education has to offer.

drugs in our city because the cheap $5 per pill cost is ideal for drug abusers.

They can get the same high off of a $5 heroin pill as they could from one $120 oxycontin pill.

Teens say, “I just want to party.

I’m still young.” They often hold this common misconception, “I won’t get addicted. It’s not going to happen to me.”

Coupling prescription pills with the idea of fun is a line you do not want to cross. Nottleson says he has encountered many people who have played with that dangerous pair and the result is disasterous.

“They don’t bounce back-no one tries heroin once,” he said. According to Nottleson, teenagers typically abuse pain killer prescription drugs in order to escape the stresses of life. The one thing all drug users have in common is that they started experimenting with drugs

in their early childhood in response to some type of trauma that they could not deal with in a healthy way.

Nottleson’s message to high school students is, “I’m not going to burn kids if they need help. I’m here to help kids, not haul them to jail. Depending on the situation, sometimes the solution is jail; but usually it’s not. Anything but jail is the first option.”

If you are a student and either your friend, an aquaintance or you yourself have a drug problem, you are encouraged to talk to your school’s Youth Services Officer. Many teens think they will be “ratting out” their friends by talking to an officer, but they could save their lives. The proportion of pain and risk a person suffers through from abusing drugs is far more drastic than the temporary pain they may experience while seeking help for their drug problem.

Heroin problems sweep Roseville community

Abby Skaff Editor-in-Chief The day he was released from jail after being arrested for heroin abuse, he overdosed on heroin and died. For the past month, whispers have lingered through classrooms and across campus about the passing of a former student.

Though the former student’s name will be withheld, his story is true.

What many parents and students in the Roseville community may be unaware of is that currently there is a rising drug problem within the Roseville community. According to the Roseville Police Department’s Youth Services Officer, Ryan Nottleson, the rising heroin problem is worse than it has ever been in the city of Roseville.

Heroin has risen to the top of street

News Editor, Jesse Estes

Sara Sumrak

ssumrak.wpp@gmail.com The SAT: a test that most college bound students decide to take. Besides your Grade Point Average (GPA) and your extracurricular activities, it is one third of what influences a college’s decision to accept you into their school.

For some carefree individuals, this test is a no-sweat, no-stress exam. But for others, myself included, this exam can be very stressful. To avoid stress as much as possible, I have five tips that might help if you have a couple months to study.

Tip number one: purchase the Princeton Review SAT Study Guide.

This book has amazing lessons and great tips that will help prepare you for the test.

Tip number two: don’t procrastinate on studying. I know this might be cliché and overused; but seriously, study beforehand. Just take ten to fifteen minutes each day and flip through the Princeton Review book. Make sure to read through all the lessons.

Tip number three: start reading newspapers like the Sacramento Bee or the New York Times. This will help you gain a more comprehensive vocabulary, which will be beneficial during the reading section.

Tip number four: use the practice tests that are offered in the back of the Princeton Review. Getting used to the format of the test and the types of problems that are asked will help you feel more prepared and confident for the exam.

Tip number five: The night before the exam you should get a good night’s sleep. To make sure that you sleep well the night before, go to sleep every night around 9:30-10:00 PM and wake up early to do your homework instead of staying up all night to finish it. On the morning of the exam, eat a good breakfast. Go ahead and do a couple of practice problems from the review book to get yourself in an SAT mindset.

When you first get to the test, remember to breathe. Don’t guess on everything you can’t figure out right away, because every wrong answer loses you a quarter of a point. If you can rule out at least one answer, you should guess; but if not, leave it blank.

Finally, don’t stop and try to figure out a problem that has you stumped. Skip it and come back to it, because you don’t want to waste too much time on a single problem.

These tips should help you do better on the exam; but just remember, this test is difficult. If you don’t get an amazing score, don’t stress out about it too much. There is still a great chance for you to get into college. Good Luck!!!

Wolf Pack Press 3

Volume 18, Issue 2

What is your favorite part about the fall season?

“My favorite part about fall is going to Apple Hill and haunted houses.”

-Sarah Swearingon, 12

“I love bass fishing!”

- Steve Kruzic, teacher

October 31, 2012

TOP 10 ways to celebrate the Fall season Jasmine Lopez and Molly Williams Broadcast & Asst. Creative Writing Editors

When we think of fall, we think of simple things that warm the heart.

That’s what fall is all about. So with our top 10 reasonable ways to celebrate fall, you’re guaranteed to have a splendid time and make the best of this fall season.

1) Fall is all about the food, let’s be honest...iced pumpkin bread, chocolatedrizzled caramel apples and turkey with cranberry sauce. Fall is just full of scrumptious food, so one of our top ways to celebrate fall is by baking. Invite a few friends over and find a recipe that speaks to you. You’ll have so much fun baking that you’ll forget you even get to eat the food. Bonus!

2) Here’s a fun game you can play with your friends that surely celebrates fall. Rake up all the beautiful leaves on your lawn into a pile and then simply submerge into the pile. It’s an easy way to enjoy autumn while helping your parents clean.

3) This one is pretty well known: carve a pumpkin. Do something different this year and carve the ugliest face you possibly can. You’re never too old to carve a pumpkin (Tip: save the seeds, clean and roast them for a crunchy snack. See our food section for

“My favorite part is that apples and caramels come in season.”

- Asst. Principal Heather Schlaman

4 Wolf Pack Press

PHOTO BY LISA EDMISTEN

under your boots. Or throw on a colorful scarf to make a bold statement. Just have a little fun and incorporate your personality.

9) Grab one of your fall favorites at Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory in downtown Sacramento . They’re best known for their delicious caramel apple, for only $5.50. Bite into this juicy caramel-covered apple and taste fall.

10) Don’t forget the simple pleasures of fall that we sometimes forget.

Try warming up your Apple Cider on cold days. Take a walk designated to stepping on crunchy leaves (You know you want to). Stuff a scarecrow. Read a book by the fire. Have some soup on a rainy day. Buy a delicious scented candle. Light, inhale and indulge (try Sweet Cinnamon Pumpkin or Honey Autumn Apple from Bath and Body Works).

CALLSON MANOR: prepare to be very scared Molly Williams Asst. Creative Writing Editor

“My favorite part about fall is heading up to the mountains to go snowboarding.”

-Travis Clemens, 10

a recipe.)

4) Put on a pair of rain boots. It will get you in the fall spirit, which does involve rain. And yes, rain does have a smell. Inhale and admire the earthy aroma of the cleansed soil. And what the heck, jump in the puddles. Dance in the rain.

5) Snuggle up on the couch and put on a fall classic that will make you wish for two hours that you lived in a world of magic. Put on one of your favorites, like Halloweentown or Hocus Pocus that will get you into a spooky mood or tune in to a holiday marathon. At the same time you could analyze their costumes to give you some ideas for Halloween.

6) To get even more into the magical fall spirit, let your inner child out and build a fort using tons of pillows and blankets. The bigger the castle you build, the better. You could play a board game or share spooky stories. Don’t forget your flashlight.

7) Volunteer at a local soup kitchen.

Fall is also about giving and being thankful for what you have. So give back to your community and volunteer.

It’ll make you feel warm inside, just like guzzling down hot apple cider.

8) Now is the time to cozy up in your fall gear. Buy a sweater that shows off your personality, snatch a pair of kneehigh fuzzy socks to keep you warm

Standing in line was extremely fun.

And you wouldn’t expect that, would you? And yet waiting anxiously in line with my friends by my side and butterflies in my stomach was one of the best parts. Hearing the constant screams got me super anxious, but in a good way. Plus, looking up at the hazy, dark sky and seeing the reflective moonlight definitely was the cherry on top of establishing a mood.

When I walked through the gates (it’s outdoor), I went to a window and paid: simple. It was crowded, no doubt; but it was easy to navigate. There were several attractions, nine in fact, spread around the area. These attractions were titled: Panic, Oddities, The Chair, Chainsaw, Asylum, Darkness, Callson Funeral Home and Vampire’s Crypt. Each attraction had a different theme and each had its own scare factor. Clutching each other’s arms, my friends and I slowly walked into the first one we spotted. Each one had different characters screaming, popping up and banging on the walls. Some people even chased you.

Listen up - if you’re one of those people who aren’t comfortable with people in your face, chasing you, then this is not for you.

There was usually music playing, music that made it seem as if I were in

a horror movie.

Everything was dark and each person had a creepy role to play, which they did quite well.

They were always in character.

I would recommend going in late October. It really gets you in the spooky mood before Halloween. Callson Manor is open from 7:30PM to 10 PM. I went on a Sunday, so parking wasn’t bad. If you go in late October on a Friday or Saturday night, prepare to be driving around, looking for parking, for it gets pretty packed.

A tip for all of my fellow scaredy cats out there, wear a hoodie. If you are one of those people who freak out when something pops out of nowhere, a hoodie is a precious thing to have. It makes you feel a little better when walking into the attraction, kind of like you a have a little shield.

After I left, I already knew my voice would be partly gone the next day. I mean, I screamed literally the whole time. More of a fun, “I’m not really scared, but this is kind of freaking me out” scream.

PHOTO BY MOLLY WILLIAMS

Most of the attractions were a good length of time, besides one, “The Electric Chair.” That lasted fairly a minute or so. I think Callson Manor just ran out of ideas. Aside from that, the rest had me scream-laughing with my friends.

Overall Callson Manor was lots of fun. In my opinion, children 13 yearsold and up can handle it. Most children under 13 years-old usually don’t enjoy people popping out of various places and a guy with a chainsaw chasing you.

I definitely recommend going but wait until late October. I went a little earlier and trust me, it’s better once it’s near Halloween. It’s a little over-priced; but it’s not that bad. There are nine attractions and each one lasts a good amount of time, if you spend it wisely.

OTQ Editor, Lauren Anderson

On The Quad

October 31, 2012

LA CELEBRACION DE

DIA DE LOS MUERTOS

This week students are celebrating El Dia De Los Muertos (Day of the Dead) in the quad during lunch. Celebrated for over 500 years in Mexico, this important holiday focuses on remembering and honoring family and loved ones who have passed away.

“This is a great opportunity for the student body to learn traditions from a different place,” said Marcelina Zamora, ELL Coordinator.

The four-day celebration was organized by the English Language Advisory Committee (ELAC), comprised of parents whose students are English learners. Over the weekend 40 students came in to build and to decorate the exhibit. On Monday students celebrated the holiday by making traditional marigold flowers for the Altar exhibit. Marigolds are known as “the flower of the dead” because they are believed to attract the dead with their scent. On Tuesday students had their faces painted with sugar skulls and then on Wednesday they painted sugar skulls to decorate the Altar Exhibit.

CLUB CORNER Danielle Morris Opinions Editor

NHS...SANTA’S HELPERS

The annual “Santa’s Helpers” program kicked off last week. Over ____ less privileged students at Woodbridge Elementary School and a few from Woodcreek were partnered with generous Woodcreek students who will purchase gifts for them this holiday season.

Those who signed up to participate were asked to spend between $25-$40 on gifts that they’ll bring to school on Nov. 14 and Nov. 15. In early December, a party will be held at the elementary school to distribute the donated gifts.

CYCLING CLUB...DIRT DIVAS DAY

The Cycling Club is recruiting girls for their largely male team through a special event called “Dirt Divas’ Day.” The event will be held Nov. 3 at Folsom Lake. This is a girls only event with bikes, helmets and lunch provided. The club will offer a skills clinic and then take attendees on some easy trails to get the hang of things.

If you have any questions about the event, ask Chris LaFazia in rooom 420. You can also check out their video...http://www.youtube.com/ watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=_ VnbdAO0aWw .

PHOTOS BY ABBY SKAFF

Holiday Helpers for Foster Teens

VISIT OUR ONLINE SITE FOR MORE CLUB NEWS and EVENTS wolfpackpressonline.com

SPORTS O’RAMA November 9th at 7:00 PM in the WHS Gym Harry Potter Theme Series of rally-like competitions between classes

Help us stuff 100 stockings

Seeking spectators and a teacher team

Who does it help? Foster teens ages 16-21 When? Nov. 26-30 and Dec. 3-7 Look for our table in the Quad

How do I get involved?

1. Pick up a shopping list during the first week 2. Shop for stocking stuffers during those two weeks 3. Drop off your stuffers during the second week

OTQ Editor, Lauren Anderson

Wolf Pack Press 5

Volume 18, Issue 2

Va n e s s a Castro

October 31, 2012

POWER OF ONE: you Kendall Eckman Asst. Opinions Editor

vcastro.wpp@gmail.com Let me tell you about my absolute adoration for movies. The sweet aroma of the popcorn I cannot afford flies through my nostrils as I enter the double glass doors. The sheer thrill of walking up to the front counter, just to say out loud what I’ve been repeating in my head while in line for the past 10 minutes, “Hi, can I get one ticket to the 5:00 PM showing of ______” is timeless.

Handing over the crumpled dollar bills and apologizing for the change that bounces off the hard counter tops as I scramble to give the minimum-waged worker my money and receive a fresh, crisp ticket with the name of the movie that will now hold the fate of my mood for the next two hours, is exhilarating.

Passing the concession stands with all the sweet goodies, which I imagine I could have while watching my movie, leads me into a slight heart-beat skip of despair. Reaching into my empty pockets, I frown and head into the dark theater. The dash to find a seat directly in the middle of the theater makes me feel like I’m Indiana Jones, whipping around corners and pushing people out of my way until I get my spot behind a short, quiet old lady, thankful that a tall basketball player with a horrid sense of humor is not blocking my view.

The dimming lights make me feel claustrophobic for a minute, while I start to breathe harder and try to catch my breath. The bright green light appears with the rating of the movie preview and blinds me. I shield my eyes and refrain from shrieking. After I realize that the previews are starting, a smile spreads across my face - the best part.

I then turn from an average, awkward, teenaged girl into a sophisticated movie critic, harshly judging if the new movies coming out deserve my views.

Suddenly the previews end.

The movie begins.

Excitement fills the theater and I am ready for my movie. Whether the movie is bad or decent, I enjoy every little bit of the whole cinematic experience. Walking through the door or just plain sitting down to watch my movie, I love it all.

It’s Blue Ribbon Week and our school is in full swing. We’re talking posters, announcements, activities.

Everywhere you look, you feel like you’re stuck in a blue kaleidoscope.

Even our newspaper website has swapped its traditional maroon and black for blue and white.

Blue Ribbon Week is all about trying to draw awareness to bullying in all its forms.

For a lot of students, it can feel like nowhere is safe. And that’s why Woodcreek puts so much emphasis on Blue Ribbon Week. You can never tell what’s going on in people’s lives, especially if they try to hide it, like so many victims of bullying do.

Different students have different reactions to this week, but I’m not sure the emotions you see are the ones they really feel. Those who blow off the activities, who joke about them, who don’t take them seriously, might be the very students trying to hide how close these activities really hit home.

And that’s the difficult thing about bullying. No one wants to talk about it. No one wants to admit they’re weak; no one wants to admit

Danielle Morris

dmorris.wpp@gmail.com There are always those people who love disagreeing with everyone. If you love winter, they despise it. If you like talking about politics, they think you’re ignorant. If you take pride in being a T-Wolf, they would rather be a Tiger. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion and I respect that, but there are some things you should just keep quiet about.

I’m talking about Blue Ribbon Week. There is nothing harmful that could come from advertising

can help end bullying

they’re sad. They’ve been brainwashed, haven’t they? Act like you’re fine, ignore the problem and against all odds, never show your weakness. The second you start to seem different, you’re instantly isolated. That’s how bullying works.

Show weakness? Bullied. Bullied? Show weakness. It’s a vicious cycle.

So how can we stop it? That’s the thing. We can’t stop it all. I’m not cynical. I’m not saying that bullying isn’t important. In fact, I’m saying the exact opposite. Bullying is a huge problem in the world and it grows every year. We should stop it. We need to stop it.

But it’s hard. Bullying is alive. It’s not a specific target like war or hunger. It’s constantly moving, constantly changing, constantly adapting. It can never be completely erased because it will never stay completely the same.

There are so many kinds of bullying. Which one should the world focus on? It seems like the whole world is concentrated on cyberbullying, so is that the one we should try to stop first?

It’s new, it’s scary and it’s impossible to escape from. Obviously that’s the worst one!

But maybe we should still focus on bullying at school? That’s what we’ve fought against for so long and it still hasn’t gone away. We need to make it stop! Plus that one can actually get

physical; so it must be the most dangerous, right?

And don’t even get me started on bullying at home. No one can even decide where to draw the line between “child abuse” and “parenting techniques.”

Now, I have a point to all this.

And it’s not just to bum you out and kill your spirit. No, bullying is never going to completely stop.

But that doesn’t matter. What matters is what happens today.

What matters is what happens at our school. So what if you can’t save the world? You can save that boy in your Spanish class. So what if you can’t make a gigantic difference that people will write about in history books? You can make a difference for that girl who eats lunch alone. And you can make that difference today.

You never know what’s happening in someone’s life. That’s why I actually like the slogan for Blue Ribbon Week this year. Ask the second question. Make sure. Are they really fine? Or are they hiding behind a fake smile? Is everything really alright?

Maybe you don’t have the power to change the world. (At least, not right now.) But you do have the power to change someone’s life. And that’s all anyone can ever ask for.

how much bullying has affected students all over the world. The problem with it is that there are always those people who I was just talking about.

The people who need to point out what’s wrong with everything.

This is going to seem very ironic, but I keep seeing those same few people talking bad about Blue Ribbon week on social networking sites. People complaining about how everyone will just go right back to bullying as soon as Blue Ribbon week is over, how student government is just trying to make others look bad or how we as individuals can’t make a difference.

Student Government and the rest of the students trying to spread the word mean no harm. They are thinking of parents who have lost a child due to a constant struggle with bullies. They are thinking of those children who come home with cuts and bruises. They are thinking of those teens they see online getting teased. Maybe you don’t particularly get bullied, so you don’t feel like it’s an actual problem; but it is AND THERE’S PROOF! So why not just accept it?

The problem is people are different in the sense that some know how to han-

dle bullies and some don’t. Those who have a little tougher skin don’t quite understand the problem. But what does it matter? We’re not trying to get everyone to care and to love each other simply because some people are just plain mean. We’re not looking to change anyone’s personality.

Blue Ribbon week is to raise awareness, to make sure YOU’RE not the person sending someone home with tears. Maybe the reason some people are so against Blue Ribbon Week is because they are bullies themselves and they’re just trying to defend their side of the case. If so, to all bullies: your case is closed. Your evidence is far too vague.

Our school is just trying to spread word of the problem and to make Woodcreek aware. You don’t have to stop being the way you are and you don’t have to listen to what anyone says if you don’t want to.

If you have no idea how to help stop bullying because you’re too busy talking bad about Blue Ribbon Week, here’s an idea: swap your keyboard with a journal. There you can write anything down and I won’t have to write a newspaper article about it.

2012-2013 WOLF PACK PRESS STAFF Editors-in-Chief/Print: Anna Nguyen, Abby Skaff Editor-in-Chief/Online: Sara Sumrak Managing/Featainment Editor: Tyler Hall News Editor: Jesse Estes Opinions Editor: Danielle Morris Back Page Editor: Vanessa Bouey, Vanessa Castro OTQ Editor: Lauren Anderson Sports Editor: Amanda Garcia Broadcast Editors: Jasmine Lopez, Vanessa Castro Creative Writing Editor: Carissa Smith Asst. Sports: Jordan Horner Asst. Creative Writing/Featainment: Molly Williams Asst. Opinions Editor: Kendall Eckman...Asst. Photo/Media Editor: Cordell Firestone...Staff: Noah Estey...Guest Graphic Artist: Colton Firestone

6 Wolf Pack Press

Opinions Editor, Danielle Morris

Opinions

October 31, 2012

Kendall Eckman Asst. Opinions Editor I get mad about weird things.

Things that wouldn’t even phase another human can really get under my skin.

I don’t know why, I can’t explain it.

An age limit on trick-or-treating is one of those things.

OK, yes, of course I see why teenagers begging for candy irritates adults.

If I spent my hard-earned money on overpriced candy, I wouldn’t want to give it away to just anyone either. I want to give it away to little children.

It’s meant for little kids.

It’s a “little kid holiday.”

First of all, even though I understand why Halloween is widely thought of as a ‘little kid holiday,’ I don’t understand why that means we’re no longer allowed to participate. Fourth of July is about frying up dead animals and setting off explosives. That sure sounds like an ‘adult holiday’ to me. But do we look at all the little kids and say, “You know what? No. You may not eat this burger and you may not watch these fireworks. You are a small child. This is adult time. Now go play with crayons and eat dirt?”

No! We smile, we pass them the ketchup and we make sure they aren’t

Opinions Editor, Danielle Morris

too close to the fireworks. So what gives adults the right to decide that since I’ve been on this earth more than about 12 years, I am no longer allowed to participate in trick-or-treating? If I want to dawn a ridiculous costume and wander my neighborhood when I should be doing my homework, I should have that right!

I also understand the objection to teenage trick-or-treaters because “we don’t try on our costumes.” I don’t deny that. There are quite a few kids out there who just want to rob you of free candy. Why should you have to give candy to a delinquent in street clothes?

OK, no. Don’t lump us all together like that. Sure, some of my rambunctious friends may do that, but not all of us do. I promised my best friend’s little brother that I would take him trick-ortreating two months ago. And trust me, I’ve been racking my brain trying to figure out what to be. This is important to me! It’s fun! I love being given the chance to dress up and be something I’m not. Why should I get robbed of that just because I’m in high school? I believe that if I dress up, I should get candy for

my efforts, regardless of my age.

And finally, I understand that it’s socially expected that around this age we swap the candy bag for the party hats, but maybe I’m not ready to let go of that part of me yet. Why can’t I do both? This year I’m taking my best friend’s little brother trick-or-treating and then I’m hitting a party.

Are you happy, society? A compromise.

A warning, though, to teenagers like me who are going trick-or-treating, no matter what anyone says. Get some thick skin. Chances are there will be at least a couple parents or adults who will make a snide comment about your age. You’ll just have to smile, let it go and remember that you’re out here to get candy and to have fun, not to win anyone’s approval.

To be honest, I don’t think there is ever a ‘correct’ time to stop trick-ortreating. I doubt there are too many adults who would straight up slam the door in your face; so if you’re willing to endure the weird looks, more power to you. It all depends on how much selfrespect you’re willing to compromise in the pursuit of candy.

Wolf Pack Press 7

Volume 18, Issue 2

October 31, 2012

The Scarecrow

Veronica Campana Runner-up of Scary Story Contest

It was a cold, stormy October night.

Inside the house, the Farmer was filled with fright. Thunder was booming all around. Rain was pounding on the ground. All his life he protected his crops. He swore he would to the day his heart stopped. Suddenly, something was tearing them away from the soil.

The Farmer’s temper boiled. Out he ferociously ran. He raced towards the shadow yelling at the supposed man. As he came closer, its shadow disappeared.

When the Farmer arrived, he looked down in drear. He crumpled and cried.

He tried to replant them one by one, oh he tried and tried! But his tries were useless and he knew they were done.

The anger resurrected in him and he claimed he would have the man’s head!

He yearned so badly for that man to be dead. The farmer ran to the rustling and pointed his gun. But he was so old and shaky, it couldn’t be done. He was surrounded by darkness and he was as vulnerable as he could be. Then, the

rustling came for him and the farmer let out a scream. The Farmer was so frightened that he just shook and looked at the red mud. There was a loud thud. Then, it stopped. The Farmer looked left and right; but when he looked up, his face completely dropped.

It was the sickest sight.

The Farmer shook and shook with fright. It was a scarecrow he saw, but no ordinary scarecrow, for it had a real jaw. A sick smile sewn ear to ear, with blood red eyes that would give everyone fear. A tall, scrawny silhouette filled with hay and hate, his knife wet with blood and the Farmer knew it was too late. The Farmer choked and struggled to breathe. He just wanted to be freed.

The Scarecrow was merciless and stabbed him again. The Farmer looked

ACTION: Carissa Smith Creative Writing Editor Clicking up top to her notifications, her eyebrows furrowed when there was a small icon with the title “Amanda has tagged you in a photo.” Perhaps a bit tentatively, Lindsay clicked on the picture and felt her throat run dry when she saw that it was a picture of her – eyes unfocused on the camera lens – from when her friends had dragged her along to the mall. She was not ashamed of her body, however she did make it a point to swaddle herself in covering layers. It made her much more comfortable that way. She didn’t have to worry about others having an opinion of her if she never showed off.

In that particular picture, however, they had convinced her to wear the skimpiest shirt in the department. It would just be for a few laughs and some fun. She had crossed her arms with a light flush tinting her cheeks and hadn’t even realized one of her friends had taken a picture of her.

She tried to laugh it off and turned to go back to her homework when she glanced over and saw that – amidst the few likes and comments laced with praise from her close friends – there was someone (she couldn’t even recall how she knew her) who had commented as well. Her eyes widened slightly when

8 Wolf Pack Press

Want to be featured in the paper or online?

Submissions of any genre are welcome. We do ask that they stay school-appropriate and remain under three pages. We’ll review your work and publish selected entries in print or post them online. We’d also love to give you feedback.

The Creative Writing Section has a specifically designated email, so be sure to send your entries to: mollyandcarissa@gmail.com .

GRAPHIC BY COLTON FIRESTONE

at the sky and fell into death’s den. They say the Farmer comes back to watch his crops. In the form of a scarecrow, till the day his heart stops.

Do you like to win? We are holding a holiday-themed writing contest for our December issue. Stay tuned for details at: thedailywriterspot.blogspot. com .

a fictional account of standing up to cyberbullying

it read, “You try too hard.” With that single response, the flood of others responding to the picture screeched to a halt. Swallowing, Lindsay reminded herself not to overreact. It was just someone on the Internet. Typing words onto a keyboard was simple - when you walked away from your computer, there were no repercussions or consequences in the real world.

The only sound in the bedroom was the scratch of her pencil on the paper.

She was relieved when the mysterious commenter did not attempt to provide her with her opinion anymore. She listened to the playlist that was a soft hum in her ears until she was disrupted by the small ding that indicated she had received a message.

Figuring that maybe it was one of her friends, who was in need of a distraction just as she was, she set her pencil down and glanced over. What she found caused her to groan slightly, her fingers hovering over the keys uncertainly. Derogatory slur after the next was hurled in her direction by – unsurprisingly – the same girl who had commented on the picture from the mall.

Unsure of how to respond, Lindsay closed out of Facebook. If she didn’t engage the girl, the other would leave her alone – or so she hoped.

As the days went by, however, she would periodically check into the web-

site where she saw that the messages only increased in malice. Exhaling carefully, Lindsay slumped down in her chair slightly. She was wearing her sweats on what had been a weekend in which she had hoped to relax. She was met instead with insults thrown at her body, saying how she was cheap for showing herself off when she was “ugly” and “fat”. Pinching the material between her fingertips, a frown tugged down the corners of her lips.

Her mom, conversely, was beaming with her hairs splayed out in a mess as she cooked. Whatever was on the stove smelt so good that Lindsay was tempted to jump up and heap what she could on her plate.

“Dinner ’s done,” the older said cheerily, shaking her head playfully at her daughter who was so absorbed with her electronic ‘toys.’ “You ready to come out of your… cave?”

Her gaze hesitantly trailed over to her computer screen, however, and she grimaced. “I’m feeling kind of sick actually,” she muttered carefully, dragging her mouse back and forth. “I’ll eat some later.”

The other tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and shrugged, adding with a mock frown, “Leaving your mother to have dinner alone – huh?

What kind of daughter have I raised?”

With that, she dismissed the thought with a hand gesture and closed

the door behind her. Lindsay, feeling conflicted about whether she should turn to anyone for advice on how to deal with the girl, propped her head up on her shoulder.

She had never engaged with the stranger, however she decided to finally search the girl’s profile. Lindsay wanted some kind of background on the girl who had been delivering insult after insult.

She was slightly surprised when she saw that the girl didn’t even attend her school – or live in the same state. She remembered that she had added the girl because of all the friends they had had in common, but it turned out that the girl had over a thousand friends and that almost all of the recent comments she had made were insults to people who she didn’t seem to even know.

The next thing she could discern was having clicked on the “report” button and filling out the reasons as to why the girl should be removed from the website. She began to type into the chat box – knowing that she would backspace as soon as she was finished, but still feeling better just from writing it.

“I think you’re going to need to find a new hobby.”

For the full version of this story, visit: wolfpackpressonline.com

Creative Writing Editor, Carissa Smith

Special Report

October 31, 2012

ELECTION special

GRAPHIC BY ABBY SKAFF & ANNA NGUYEN

Editor-in-Chief, Anna Nguyen

Wolf Pack Press 9

October 31, 2012

Barack Obama Anna Nguyen Editor-in-Chief

During the first presidential debate on Oct. 3, Democratic incumbent Barack Obama asserted his beliefs about a number of topics: the economy, healthcare and the role of the government were among the most pertinent topics.

On the issue of the economy, Obama advocated the creation of new jobs through investments in education as well as training. Furthermore he supports the development of new energy sources. Obama seeks to change the tax code to help small businesses, emphasizing especially their impact on middle class families. He calls his philosophy “economic pa-

does Romney lack the common sense and arithmetic to realize that his plan is insufficient, but that it will not benefit the majority of Americans. On the other hand, Obama argued that his plan will lower taxes for 98% of Americans.

Second, on the topic of healthcare, Obama said that his biggest concern is for the well-being of the middle class.

H e

triotism”

and noted that under this administrative mentality, five million private jobs were created in 30 months.

Obama responded to a comment made by Republican presidential candidate Gov. Mitt Romney by stressing the importance of improving the education system, drawing special attention to his “Race to the Top” program, which is currently being implemented at schools nationwide.

Additionally Obama said that he will create two million more slots in community colleges so that people can “get the training they need” to be successful.

He also wants to lower the costs of college tuition.

When asked about employment, Obama reasserted his belief that boosting American energy production will create more jobs forAmericans. Obama is willing to cut taxes s o that

Economic Patriotism: collection of policies that emphasize domestic control of the economy, labor and capital formation

American families can have approximately $4000 extra annually.

He went on to discredit Romney’s own economic plan by saying that it is not possible to generate substantial revenue by simply closing the “loopholes”of the b u r e a u c r a c y.

Obama stated that not o n l y

Loopholes: mistakes or ambiguity in the system of law which can be used to avoid the intent

Election Special

‘Obamacare’) has helped middle class Americans. First he highlighted the restraints that Obamacare places on insurance companies with respect to the contracts that they hold with their customers, saying that companies can no longer “jerk around” the middle class. Second, he stated that Obamacare essentially creates a “group plan,” which offers healthcare rates at 18% lower than other competing interests, for those without healthcare coverage.

Finally Obama pointed out the similarities between the successful healthcare

Affordable Care Act: healthcare law passed under the Obama administration that increases access to health care coverage plan of the state of Massachusetts (for which Romney is the governor) and Obamacare itself. Obama said that his goal is not to change the cost of healthcare, but to make the cost of healthcare more effective, citing the Cleveland Clinic as an example. Once again Obama concluded his argument on the topic by discrediting his opponent. This time he highlighted the lack of detail in Romney’s discussion.

Third, on the topic of the role of the government, Obama asserted that it is the number one priority of the government to keep the American people safe. He believes that it is the government’s duty to create equal opportunities for success. To do this, Obama said that an increase in rewards for reforms in education programs will spur growth of American success. He reiterated the importance of higher learning for college students especially, promising to lower college tuition as a part of his budget plan. When asked what he would do to end legislative gridlock, Obama answered that he would be willing to take ideas from anybody who wants to advance the cause of the middle class, demonstrating an ideological focus.

Obama said that being a leader means not only “saying what you plan to do” but also “saying no”. By this definition, Obama effectively said that Romney is unfit to lead the nation.

Finally, in his closing statement, Obama pointed out that he intends to “fight” for America.

Gridlock: policy is halted as a result of a political clash or division

went on to enumerate the ways in which the

Afforda b l e Care Act (commonly referred to as

GRAPHIC

BY ERIKA NAVARRO

10 Wolf Pack Press

Editor-in-Chief, Anna Nguyen

Election Special

October 31, 2012 Similarly Republican presidential candidate Gov. Mitt Romney discussed issues concerning the economy, healthcare and the role of the government; however, Romney tended to answer questions directly rather than by use of example, as was the habit of Obama during the debate.

On the topic of the economy, Romney discussed his five step plan. First, he wants to make America “en-

ergy independent” , meaning

Mitt Romney Second, on the topic of healthcare, Romney asserted that he wants to repeal the Affordable Care Act, which is evident due to his previous discussions. He talked in detail about the nega-

Energy Independent: goal of reducing U.S. imports of oil and other foreign sources of energy

that he wants to cut down on foreign oil imports and outsourcing. Second he promised to increase trade, especially with Latin America. Third he championed programs that provide people with the “skills to succeed”. Fourth he said he will balance the budget. Finally Romney stated that he supports small business.

Furthermore Romney elaborated by saying that he will provide a tax relief to the middle class with a specific emphasis on the statement that he will not make tax cuts that add to the federal deficit.

Additionally he explicitly stated that he will not reduce the share paid by high income individuals and that he will not raise taxes for the middle class. Instead he will lower deductions, exemptions and credits given to large corporations and the bureaucracy of the federal government itself. Romney wants to lower the rates for individuals in small businesses. He argued that Obama’s plan to increase the rate from 35-40% will hurt 700,000 American jobs. Romney asserted that he specifically says no to a five trillion dollar tax cut. Rather he wants to “fix the loopholes” in the bureaucracy.

He said that there are ultimately three ways to cut deficit (lower spending, encourage growth and stop borrowing money). Romney said that he especially does not want to borrow money from China to pay for unnecessary government expenses. Romney also wants to get rid of “Obamacare” by repealing the Affordable Care Act. He plans on cutting subsidies to private companies such as PBS. Yet Romney also pointed out that Obama’s “successes” are largely due to the successes of the private sector “in spite of Obama” during his administration. He went on to state that, if elected president, he plans to double the number of permits and licenses issued to the private sector for innovation and development in business.

The U.S. currently owes China over $1.15 billion

tive effects of the legislation, such as the added cost of $2500 on average to the average American citizen’s healthcare costs. Romney does not support the $716 billion cuts made from the Medicare program

or the appointment of a board that will “determine whether you receive treatment or not”. Romney also stated that “Obamacare” will discourage the hiring of healthcare professionals. Therefore Romney advocates the creation of healthcare plans at the state level, to fit the local needs of citizens. He wants to do this by implementing a “voucher program” that was proposed by his running mate, Congressman Paul Ryan. Romney said that healthcare should be a “choice” for Americans—whether they pick the government options or the private sector options is completely up to them. Healthcare at the state level would offer high benefits for low income patients and lower benefits for high income patients to create competition. Pre-existing conditions would be covered, especially children and college students under a family plan. But ultimately Romney supports private sector healthcare providers because he does not believe that the federal government should “have their hands in healthcare”.

Third, on the topic of the role of the government, Romney referred to the U.S. Constitution and the Declaration of Independence that are printed on the wall behind him. He thereby stated that the role of the government is, and has always been, to promote and to protect these two documents. Using different phrases from each document, he went on to interpret that the government should maintain the military in order to protect Americans. He defined the “pursuit of happiness” and said that the government should not substitute itself “where the people should pursue their dreams”, referring once again to the

Voucher Program: Vice Presidential candidate Paul Ryan’s proposal for healthcare reform

Private Sector: the part of the economy that is controlled by individuals and companies seeking to private profit rather than s e c t o r .

When asked the state about legislative gridlock, Romney stated that he will collaborate with both parties and “bring people together”.

GRAPHIC BY JENNA BATCHELDER

Editor-in-Chief, Anna Nguyen

Wolf Pack Press 11

Election Special

October 31, 2012

ElectoralB College reakDown First created in 1787, the Electoral College officially the P r e s i d e n t a n d t h e Vi c e P r e s i d e n t of the United States every four years.

elects

Predicted Electoral Votes for Obama California (55) Connecticut (7) Delaware (3) District of Columbia (3) Illinois (20) Maine (4) Maryland (10) Massachusetts (11) New Jersey (14) New Mexico (5) New York (29) Rhode Island (4) Vermont (3) Washington (12) Minnesota (10) Oregon (7) Undecided Colorado (9) Florida (29) Iowa (6) Michigan (16) Nevada (6) New Hampshire (4) Ohio (18) Pennsylvania (20) West Virginia (13) Wisconsin (10) Predicted Electoral Votes for Romney Arizona (11) Montana (3) North Carolina (15) Idaho (4) Wyoming (3) Utah (6) North Dakota (3) South Dakota(3) Nebraska (5) Kansas (6) Oklahoma (7) Texas (38) Louisiana (8) Arkansas(6) Missouri (10) Alabama (9) Mississippi (6) Georgia (16) South Carolina (9) Tennessee (11) Kentucky (8) Indiana (11) West Virginia (5)

12 Wolf Pack Press

Four American presidents have been elected in an upset by the Electoral College even after losing the

popular vote.

Editor-in-Chief, Anna Nguyen

Election Special

October 31, 2012

Today, the three largest states get the least amount of attention as the Electoral College focuses on the n a t i o n ’s

swing states.

Ryan Vs. Biden Vanessa Castro Back Page Editor

S o u r c e : w w w. 2 7 0 t o w i n . c o m October 24, 2012

Editor-in-Chief, Anna Nguyen

The 2012 Vice Presidential Debate took place in Danville, Kentucky on Oct. 11. Vice President Joe Biden battled it out with Congressman Paul Ryan by answering a series of questions about both domestic and foreign policy issues.

As soon as the debate began, it was clear that the incumbent had a mission to compensate for President Barack Obama’s earlier performance in the first 2012 Presidential Debate. Obama came off as almost passive towards his opponent, Gov. Mitt Romney and it was apparent that Biden was not going to go out the same way. Immediately Biden became aggressive and argumentative in this debate, constantly laughing, interrupting Ryan and even using his famous quote, “This is a bunch of malarkey.”

A main topic that was brought up was about jobs.

In 2008, the Obama Administration claimed that the unemployment rate would be under 6% by this time. Currently the unemployment rate falls at 7.8%. The question remained: How will the unemployment rate become under 6%?

Vice President Biden replied with a review of what the Obama Administration did throughout President Obama’s term, stating that the middle class needs a tax cut while the upper class contributes a fair amount more to aid the country. Biden also took a jab at his opponent by bringing up the recent quote from Gov. Romney that 47% of Americans do not pay income taxes who are dependent on government help. Ryan responded and came back with a witty remark, “I think that the Vice President very well knows that sometimes the words don’t come out of your mouth the right way.”

Ryan seemed very confident and composed when answering the questions presented by the moderator, Martha Raddatz. However he remained unspecific on the Romney Campaign’s economic plans, being vague and not providing any statistical evidence. As Biden would say, “Details matter.”

War was a discussion brought up in this debate.

Vice President Biden stood by his belief that war is a last resort answer. Biden wants to pull more American troops out of wars since the Afghan soldiers have been trained to be able to defend themselves, thus keeping the American soldiers out of the war and safe. Ryan claimed that reducing the amount of troops in these areas will make it much more dangerous due to the smaller number of protection.

This was an extremely split topic that was open for much more debate.

Both candidates came out extremely strong in this debate. Questions still remain: Was Biden too aggressive and disrespectful during this debate? Was Ryan too unspecific and too common to avoid fully answering certain questions?

The answers are up to you and any voter to decide.

Wolf Pack Press 13

Election Special

October 31, 2012

Facing the nation

Props for the Propositions Tyler Hall Featainment Editor

You know those annoying commercials for California propositions that come on during The Walking Dead?

The ones with the dark, monotonous voice that warns against Prop “enter number here”? Well, don’t worry. As of Nov. 6, all the ridiculous, shady ads will be done.

While most of the props may not seem to affect Woodcreek, the fate of a few initiatives will be seen by teachers and students alike. Those are Propositions 30, 32 and 38.

The general dogma of all three

what do you think?

propositions focus, in one way or another, on keeping the education budget stable for the next one-to-seven years.

They are, however, far from similar in the methods with which they seek to implement this goal.

Prop 30 was first written by California Gov. Jerry Brown in spring of 2012.

The initiative seeks to add ¼ of a cent to the sales tax, increase the personal income tax on citizens earning $250,000 or more and create a $6 billion dollar surplus for education. This reserve will mainly be used to simply stabilize the budget so we don’t have to sit in a class of thirty-eight.

“Prop 30 offers a holding pattern,” said California Teachers Association (CTA) member Jennifer Tarabochia.

The CTA sent Tarabochia to Woodcreek with the goal of informing teachers and students about the propositions affect-

ing them.

Prop 32 is not directly associated with education, but instead with the battle between unions and private companies within politicsm. However the teachers union could face problems as a result, leading to trouble in schools around California.

Prop 38, like 30, seeks to heighten the personal income tax and direct funds to K-12 education. However 30% of the money earned would go towards paying off state debts, taking some away from potential school funds.

Those of you reading this are probably thinking, “Why does this affect me”? Well, we all eventually want to leave high school. Whether we go to college, start working or take a few years off, these propositions will touch our lives in one way or another.

Another question is, “Does my

opinion even matter”? Well, you may not know it, but there are two guys who are right now debating over how their decisions might affect you. Their names are Pres. Barack Obama and Gov. Mitt Romney and they are running for President of the United States.

Yes, our opinion matters. Believe it or not, we are the voice of change in this country. The older generation, the one in power, has admittedly really screwed up. It is, unfortunately, our job to fix the economy, the government and the country.

Of course, this article was not a simple cut-and-paste look at a few propositions. It’s daunting repairing a country, especially one as great and flawed as the U.S.A. But caring even a little bit about the propositions now will help us to care about the next leader of the United States later.

Approval Ratings

Social Issues 14 Wolf Pack Press

Energy

Healthcare

45%

ROMNEY

OBAMA

ROMNEY

OBAMA

33% ROMNEY

OBAMA

41%

45%

49%

OBAMA

51%

50%

ROMNEY

59%

Economy Editor-in-Chief, Anna Nguyen

Election Special

October 31, 2012

Alex Jorjorian Shayla Poindexter Kelly Nabaglo Education is the The most important The most important most important component. All voters should be relatively well-versed in the policies of both candidates before casting their ballots. For that reason, the debates are extremely important.

part of the political process is the election as it allows the people who the laws affect to affect the law.

part is hearing both sides out and using your own mind to form your own opinions rather than following what your parents or friends think.

1) What is the most important part of the political process?

If I could vote, then I absolutely would vote for Obama.

Gary Johnson best matches my social views of near absolute liberty. Despite this I will not vote for him, as a libertarian candidate will not win a presidential election in the current political climate.

Definitely Obama... if I could, I would be voting for him. I tend to have a democratic/liberal view on all social issues because they are more progressive and not stuck on tradition.

2) Which candidate best represents your views on social issues?

Two main issues stand out to me. First, the environmental policies Romney supports (or more like the lack thereof). The recent support of the building of the natural gas line over the Ogallala Aquifer is extremely concerning. Furthermore, Romney’s policy for energy is ridiculous. Oil, natural gas and coal are not sustainable.

The most important issue to me is the economy, particularly the protection of a truly free market without corporate welfare or excessive regulation. I stand for a market where the government does not pick winners and losers.

As a high school senior approaching college applications and college in general, affordable college and h e l p for students is very important to me.

The 2012 campaign is in some senses a menial cat fight between two wealthy old men.

But it also represents a genuine choice between a more socialized publicheld economy and a more privately-held economy.

It’s definitely close but with Obama coming out of the last two debates strong, I think he has a fairly good chance if not better.

Obama made several critical errors in the first debate, but he made up for it in the third. Romney has gained increasing support over the last few weeks, unfortunately.

Editor-in-Chief, Anna Nguyen

Is this the candidate who you will be voting for?

3) What issue is most important to you and why?

4) What is your opinion on the progress of the 2012 campaign of both candidates?

Wolf Pack Press 15

Election Special

October 31, 2012

A day at the capitol “I had a great time learning about all of the California history when we visited the capitol.” - Erika Navarro

“Meeting Darrell Steinberg was a really cool experience.” - Nick Brazil

Anna Nguyen

anguyen.wpp@gmail.com

16 Wolf Pack Press

The first time I visited our state capitol, I was ten years-old and in the fourth grade. I remember taking pictures by the statue of Queen Isabella, quietly walking through the rosewood floor halls, admiring the paintings of past governors and spending the majority of my time with my classmates in the gift shop.

On Oct. 25, I went back to the capitol for a much different visit. I was still with my classmates, but this time I made my visit as an 18 year-old AP Government Student. During my tour

I was lucky enough to meet Darrell Steinberg, the California State Senate President Pro Tempore (I even got to go onto the Senate floor!), as well as staff members for both Beth and Ted Gaines.

Listening to these people speak about their lives, the hard work they did to be where they are in their careers today, the passion for politics and the fulfillment that they receive from working at the capitol was exciting. It’s easy to blame politicians for the things that are going wrong in our community, so

being able to talk to them about all of the good things they contribute was an amazing experience.

In government class we study about the political process, but it’s different when you get to see the things that you read about actually being done in real life.

The first time I left the capitol, I went home with nothing more than a handful of postcards and an American flag pin. This time, I came home inspired.

PHOTOS BY ANNA NGUYEN

Editor-in-Chief, Anna Nguyen

Creative Writing

October 31, 2012

Poet struggles to speak out Molly Williams Assistant Creative Writing Editor “Is this Molly?”

“Yes, who is this?”

“This is Alan Lowe, from the Voices of Lincoln. I’ve got some great news.”

“Did one of my poems place in the poetry contest that I entered?!” I thought.

Little did I know that all three of my poems, which I had entered, had placed.

This was a big surprise to me.

I got more serious about poetry and writing in general in eighth grade. My passion for writing has escalated ever since then. I now enter my poems in many poetry contests, eager to be heard.

I was always quiet in school, so poetry was a way to say what I wanted without my voice trembling.

The only one thing about poetry that I absolutely hated was reading it.

So when the coordinator informed me that we would be reading our poems, I panicked. Speaking in front of people was one of my number one fears, like most people. But it was more than that.

It was my poetry. It was very personal and reading my poems to a crowd of many faces was terrifying.

The Friday before the poetry reading on Sunday, I e-mailed the coordinator. I told him of my extreme fear of speaking in front of people and informed him that I would attend, but would rather have someone else read them for me. I clicked send and breathed

Taylor Cullen Taylor Cullen Winner of Scary Story Contest “Serena, get upstairs and hide. Take this just in case,” he whispered and handed me a huge machete.

I stealthily sprinted up the carpeted stairs, Ben just a few steps behind. He carried a small steak knife crusted with the dried blood from many of our previous encounters.

I went into the first bedroom on the right and hid behind an unmade bed with a large, circular bloodstain on the rumpled comforter. I peeked my head out to see my brother lighting a match in the hallway. As it licked his skin, he yelped and my eyes widened. I shrunk back so my body was hidden as much as possible.

My eyes wandered underneath the bed; startled I noticed a body. The body was that of a girl maybe twelve with gray skin and once long beautiful blonde hair that had fallen off in thick, bloody tufts around her head. Tears filled my eyes as I imagined the horrid things that must’ve happened to her.

Suddenly the girl’s head slowly turned towards me and our eyes met.

I was staring into those blank eyes. I

a sigh of relief. Literally a minute later, I got a call from Alan Lowe. I was reluctant to answer, for I was afraid what he would say.

“Molly? It’s Alan Lowe, from the Voices of Lincoln. I just got your e-mail.” I froze. I had no idea how to respond.

“Oh,” I said. He ended up telling me that he understood what I was going through, for he had gone through the exact same thing. He told me he really wanted to see me read, so he asked me to at PHOTO BY LISA EDMISTEN least read one of my poems. COURAGE: Molly Williams recites her winning I, not really able to say no to people, agreed. He then told poems, despite her apprehension. me my mom could read the upset about afterwards. I got through other two. But somehow, and I forget exactly how since I was nervous reading my first poem. The nerves injust talking about it, he convinced me stantly disappeared. Then they called me up again to read my second poem to read the second one.

I hung up, with the opposite re- and the nerves started again.

This time I went slower and actusults I had hoped to achieve in the first ally thought about what I was saying. place.

The day of the reading, I drove to I was extremely relieved once I was finthe event, starting to shake already. ished. My mom read my last poem and When I arrived, I sat down next to my it was over. So much weight lifted off my family and my friends. They were there shoulders. I’d been dreading this day to support me and it made me feel a since I got the call. And I overcame it.

Sure, next time I will be shaky and little better.

When I walked up to the micro- blushing, but I can say that I did it once. phone, I set my poem down and started And if I did it once, I can do it again. to read. Nothing was going through my head besides finishing it, which I was

was frozen. Her skin was cracked and peeling off of her cheeks in thin sheets and dried blood stained whatever skin lay intact. A low growl came forth from the back of her throat.

I regained my senses and scrambled to get away as she slithered out from under the bed. I fumbled to get a good grip on the knife as she came closer, reaching for me with bloody fingers. A loud sob escaped my lips at the same time my brother let out a bloodcurdling shriek of pain. I heard the crunch as my machete went into the little girl’s skull and I rushed to my brother’s side.

He was trying to hold back a zombie with shattered glasses and deep scratch marks all over his left arm. My anger bubbled up and erupted as I snatched the steak knife and shoved it into the zombie’s remaining eye, oddly satisfied as he went

Creative Writing Editor, Carissa Smith

down. I looked to Ben and my worst fears were realized. He had the tell-tale sign of teeth marks on his left shoulder with blood streaming like a waterfall down his arm.

“You’re going to be okay, Ben! This is all going to be fine!” My words tumbled deliriously from my mouth. He grunted and scooted his gun across the hardwood towards my hand. I knew what he wanted, but I just could not bear the thought.

We had always promised each other to finish the job if one of us ever ended up like this. Now presented with this, I did not feel like I could keep up my end of the bargain. My throat swelled and I gasped for every breath.

I shook my head.

“No, Ben. I can’t do it!”

This is merely an excerpt. To see what happens next, visit: wolfpackpressonline.com

GRAPHICS BY COLTON FIRESTONE

Hell On Earth Moriah Miller Winner of Scary Story Contest

I’m Moriah and being able to write this right now makes me want to smile, but sadly no one ever smiles anymore.

The world has broken out in a full-out war. Everyone is different, not the way they used to be.

Long ago, when I was still with my parents, I was sent out to gather us some food. When I returned from the abandoned Super Market, I saw my mother attacking my father. She had blood dripping from her mouth, ears, nose and eyes. Her skin was slowly peeling off and rotting, Her eyes looked blood-shot and evil and crazy. Her clothes were the same but smelled horrible. I had to go get my father’s gun and put her down. My father was covered in bite marks and scratches. An hour passed and I had to put him down too.

The ‘war’ has been going on for about 290 days. I’ve been on my own ever since my parents’ death, which was 285 day ago. I look for food, shelter and medical supplies whenever I can. I also try to stay away from the zombies, but today I had to face them.

I overcame my fear of those ugly hell spawns and went out to do my biggest challenge, killing them. I found a nice open field with a bunch of the flesh-eaters walking around. I shot at least 10 or 15 in the head before one of them got me from behind. It bit my arm before I could shoot it. I raced out of the field and found a nice, giant house on the side of the road.

The flesh-eaters were chasing me, and I could hear their footsteps getting faster as I ran. I dashed into the house with everything I had and blocked the doors and locked the windows. I quickly went to the nearest bathroom and looked at my wound. It was bleeding and the skin around it turned to a darkish yellow. I cleaned it up a bit and then looked around my temporary shelter. I found LOTS of food in the kitchen, hot water from the sinks and showers, loads of medical supplies under the sink in the kitchen and nice clean clothes to change into. I found this Journal under a bed and I wanted to record my last moments.

The zombies are back! I can hear them right now, pounding on the doors and windows. But I won’t let them in. I won’t let them get me. I won’t let myself be one of them. Tonight after my giant feast of the food from the kitchen, I will shoot myself in the head before I turn. I don’t want to continue on as a zombie.

I don’t want to be eaten on my 10th birthday. I want to die my own way, not suffering from them.

My wound has gotten worse, my skin is starting to change color and my eyesight is horrible. I’m losing my train of thought… Goodbye and good luck to whoever finds this. Hell on Earth will be no more for me. No more running, hiding and being scared of the next day and what will happen and how I might die. No more searching for food or shelter. No more praying to God and asking for this to end, because for me, tonight is my end. Momma, Daddy, I’m coming to rejoin you. -Moriah Miller, December 24, 2020

Wolf Pack Press 17

Volume 18, Issue 2

October 31, 2012

Boudin brings in the dough Sara Sumrak Editor-in-Chief

PHOTO BY LISA EDMISTEN

COMFORT: A taste of fall begins with this world-famous steaming hot clam chowder in a fresh San Francisco Sourdough bowl with a side Caesar Salad.

Trends transition to fall Vanessa Bouey Back-Page-Editor

Hot pink fuchsia to subdued brown, “Call Me Maybe” to “The A Team,” summer love to algebra calculations. Fall is the transition period between summer and winter. The leaves are longing for one more attempt at life before disappearing into the cold weather. For teenagers fall is yet another reminder that school is in for good and that summer is officially over. With fall comes a change in our fashion, music, movies and eating habits.

Summer 2012 fashion - a revival of the 80’s. Vivid animal, geometric, striped and floral prints plastered our clothing, of course with the addition of neon. However, fall fashion commits itself to more muted tones like orange, brown and mustard yellow. We replace big chunky necklaces around our necks with infinity scarves. We trade in our flip flops and sandals for knee-length or ankle boots. Tank tops are shoved to the back of our closets, making room for knitted sweaters. Our naked feet get covered with thick, colorful socks in preparation for boot season. Nail polish remover and cotton balls rub off our neon nail polish, soon to be replaced by a daring dark burgundy or midnight blue or nude shade.

Our movie and music interests generally correlate to the darker and calmer times of fall. Fall brings promising horror films to our local movie theaters. These horror movies include the much anticipated Paranormal Activity

18 Wolf Pack Press

4, Taken 2, V/H/S, and Sinister. With the craving of a good thrill, we make a visit to Blue Oaks or United Artists. Or, if you are willing to take a short drive to Sacramento to an old fashioned drivein theater at West Wind Drive, you can experience the adventure in the cold darkness that is fall.

We slowly switch out our popish, fun anthems to something more thoughtful and slower. The rain and chill simultaneously bring out records like Adele and Mumford and Sons. We store a spot for more catchy tunes like “Call Me Maybe” and “What Makes You Beautiful” for next summer and ease into mellow songs that enable us to still hear the raindrops.

Hot dogs and burgers give way to chicken noodle soup and beef stew.

Neighborhood BBQs quickly disintegrate and indoor meals filled with warm comfort foods spread across the table.

Fruit is no longer ripe and juicy, forcing us to substitute cherry pie for pumpkin pie. Our favorite Starbuck’s seasonal drinks - Pumpkin Spice Latte, Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate and Salted Caramel Mocha - come decorated in a red festive cup, reminding us that Christmas and the winter season isn’t too far away. And, fun sized Snickers and Kit Kats collected in old pillowcases force us to enter the dentist office earlier than hoped for. Peanuts and hot dogs from the baseball stadium are traded in for tailgating foods such as hot wings and chili. Football season has begun.

Put on some fuzzy socks, see a horror flick and raise your mug of hot apple cider in celebration of Fall 2012.

A tasty cuisine is brought to Roseville all the way from the San Francisco Bay. - creamy clam chowder paired with the sharp taste of warm sourdough bread. The Fountains in Roseville caters to this delicacy. Boudin, famous for their mouthwatering sourdough bread, opened their doors to Roseville in 2009 and they continue to serve delicious bread-focused meals.

Although Boudin is famous primarily for their succulent clam chowder in a bread bowl, the extensive menu offers a plethora of delicious options. From soups to salads, sandwiches to burgers, this local restaurant can please even the pickiest of eaters. My recommendation would be the classic sourdough burger.

Hormone free, premium Black Angus beef with cheddar cheese inbetween a sourdough bun makes this burger filling and delectable.

Another delectable meal comes in the form of a savory and sweet salad.

The spring salad includes crisp spring

greens, juicy apples along with cranberries and candied walnuts - all topped with a perfectly balanced balsamic dressing.

If you are looking for a smaller meal that won’t fill you up too much, go for the grilled cheese sandwich with tomato soup. Cheddar cheese, melted between two toasted sourdough slices, is perfectly paired with a creamy tomato soup.

And of course, the classic clam chowder will never fail to please. The warm soup and soft bread is perfect for a cold winter day. Fresh clams, potatoes and celery are all mixed together in a creamy broth.

In addition to being a versatile, inexpensive restaurant, Boudin is also conveniently located in the Fountains.

After your meal, you can walk around and look at all the cute little shops.

You could also stop by Mirabella for a gelato or Peet’s Coffee and Tea for a pumpkin latte. Bottom line, Boudin is the perfect restaurant to go to if you are looking for a yummy, inexpensive meal at a fun location.

FALL RECIPES

Pumpkin-Pecan Pancakes

2 batches Basic Pancake batter - Buttermilk version 1/2 cup canned pumpkin puree 1 Tablespoon pumpkin pie spice 1 teaspoon baking powder 1/4 cup canola oil 1 cup chopped candied pecans 1/4 cup prepared pecan butter (available at William Sonoma) 1. Prepare the buttermilk version of the pancake batter.

2. Add pumpkin puree, pumpkin pie spice, and baking powder.

3. Heat the griddle over medium heat and rub with canola oil.

When griddle is hot, sprinkle with a few drops of water if they bead and sizzle, you’re ready to go.

4. Ladle out pancakes and top with pecans.

5. Flip when brown, about 4 minutes, and cook until they look fluffy, another 3 to 4 minutes.

6. Rub more oil onto the griddle before ladling out each new batch.

7. When cakes are done, top with an already prepared pecan butter

Recipe courtesy of Mike Garcia, Left Bank Depot (Novato, CA)

FALL RECIPES

Toasted Pumpkin Seeds Ingredients pumpkin seeds from one pumpkin steak seasoning baking sheet 1 tablespoon of olive oil Directions 1. Preheat oven at 325 degrees 2. Rinse the seeds in the sink and dry them off with a paper towel.

3. lay out the seeds in a single layer on a baking sheet 4. sprinkle steak seasoning and olive oil 5. bake the seeds for 25 minutes

Recipe courtesy of Traci Drake, Woodcreek Parent

To see more recipes, visit our online site at wolfpackpressonline.com

Editor-in-Chief, Sara Sumrak

Volume 18, Issue 2

The buttons on this jacket accent the outfit and give it a more interesting look.

Maroon pants paired with a black button-up tank top look great for warmer fall days.

Editor-in-Chief, Sara Sumrak

October 31, 2012

The statement necklace dresses up this outfit, while the casual boots dress it down.

A fitted crew-neck complements straight leg jeans and keeps you warm during the cold days of fall.

This simple sweatshirt along with dark-wash jeans is classy and fall appropriate.

This stylish warm sweater paired with tights and boots will keep you warm for fall.

Scarfs are a great way to stay warm but still look nice at school.

Leopard print scarfs are a nice transitioning piece into fall.

Jean jackets are a great way to stay warm this winter. Paired with white jeans and sparkly ballet flats, this outfit is perfect for fall.

Wolf Pack Press 19

Volume 18, Issue 2

Ty l e r Hall

October 31, 2012

Adrienne Mars returns to the stage in Into the Woods Lauren Anderson OTQ Editor

thall.wpp@gmail.com Songs are like the seasons. They are diverse and colorful. They diminish like the autumn and crescendo as energetically as spring. As such, songs fit into seasons like they do moods. So, as the seasons change, it may become apparent that some of the songs that you had on every single iPod playlist are now some of the songs that constantly get skipped on shuffle.

As a warm summer subsides into a cool fall, I find myself looking less and less for upbeat, good feeling songs and more towards minor, acoustic songs.

Something in me doesn’t feel right listening to pop in a torrential downpour.

Oppositely the steely, cascading acoustic sound put into use by bands like R.E.M., The Dave Matthews Band and Death Cab For Cutie fit better.

This effect is caused by a lot more than simple taste change. There is something very lonely about winter, when the sun does not always hover over as a constant companion. There are no green trees or mild mornings.

There is a sense of isolation, wrapped in multiple layers, no longer exposed to the world around you.

This transcribes itself into our music choices. We as humans crave some kind of recognition of our mood. Songs offer a sense of comfort whether we are feeling somber, adventurous or happy.

When we are feeling mellower and more isolated during fall and winter, our music is cognate with these emotions.

When I listen to music, I don’t see the musicians or the video that accompanies the song on Youtube. I see what I want that particular song to convey.

Concerning the acoustic, mellow songs I listen to during fall, I see leaves falling from the trees. I hear the soft rain on October mornings. I smell the good things wafting from the kitchen during Thanksgiving break.

For a lot of people, a different style of music has these same associations.

What I hear listening to acoustic songs other people feel when they turn on some Maroon 5 or Mumford & Sons.

Whether it’s metal, pop or something different, each of us has some kind of taste shift in music. It may be the change of seasons, it may not be.

But whatever we are feeling, music is there. For now, happy listening.

Into The Woods, a musical based on the book by James Lapine, was a very well done twisted tale of all of the fairytales we thought we knew so well from our childhood. From the very first ballad, it had the audience captivated by the intensity of the show.

The performance showcased an array of surprises for each classic fairytale character. The Roseville Theater Arts Academy brought to life the characters of Cinderella, Jack and the Beanstalk, Little Red Ridding Hood, all the way to Rapunzel in a darker characterization.

Choir and theater teacher Adrienne Mars acted in the show. “The wonderful thing about being in this show was getting to experience what my musical theatre and drama students experience,” said Mars.

“I have been directing for 21 years and it’s been longer than that since I was in a musical so it was nice to be reminded what the actor goes through from audition to closing night. I loved being a part of something much bigger than myself.”

This was a very interesting show that entertained the idea of what happens after all of the happily ever afters.

An exciting plot kept viewers entertained with twists and turns in every

fairytale we thought we knew.

Into The Woods is a show that makes one question everything they know. As the characters hurdle their way through adventures, theatergoers are constantly surprised, from dark scenes in the wood to Cinderella’s step sisters signing with umbrellas. It puts a very Brothers Grimm feel to all of our beloved stories.

Stephen Sondheim, who wrote the music for the show, created songs that send chills down your spine while lending a feeling of depth to each of the characters. The combination of the lighting, the music, the set and the cast makes one feel like he is there and a part of the show.

Director Michelle Raskey put together a cast and show that had viewers on the edge of their seat constantly wondering what would come next.

From the dancing to the acting, everything seemed to run very smoothly and professionally as if this was a Broadway production.

The show ran from Sept.

28 to Oct. 20. The tickets were cheap for such a captivating show,

PHOTO COURTESY OF ADRIENNE MARS

This month in Performing Arts...

While October is not the busiest month for the Woodcreek Performing Arts department, students put their hearts into three great shows.

TOP LEFT: Jasmine Davies and Nicole Robinson sing lead, backed by Rahul Sharma and Trent Gollender at the Senior Guitar Show.

BOTTOM LEFT: Juniors Chris Caluyah, Robert Mitchell and Weston Spivey play in a combo at the band showcase.

PHOTO BY VANESSA CASTRO

BELOW: Seniors Emily Yelavich, A.J. Mendoza, Rebecca Godfrey, Kenzie Grinsell and Emery Leighton show off their trash bag fashion.

PHOTO BY KENDALL ECKMAN

20 Wolf Pack Press

running from $13 in advance to $15 at the door.

The Roseville Theater Arts Academy put on a truly remarkable performance.

PHOTO BY LIZZY TRATHEM

Managing/Featainment Edtior, Tyler Hall

Featainment

October 31, 2012

xx marks the spot

A Wallflower speaks volumes

Vanessa Castro Back Page Editor

Molly Williams Asst. Featainment Editor

The day had finally come. I sat in my mother’s SUV in the Woodcreek parking lot awaiting the arrival of my good friend who had just sent me a text message with the inscription, “I have a surprise for you.” I sat in cold silence, unable to fathom my future “Surprise”.

He entered the van and slowly handed to me a plastic case. I stared at the cover and a grin slowly rose to my lips. I took out the chrome and white CD and slid it into the player and immediately the car shook with the sound of the deep bass... utter bliss.

The members of The xx met at Elliot School in London and were formed

by Oliver Sim and Romy Madley Croft when they were only 15 years-old. After the duo started performing, Baria Qeshi joined as a guitarist in 2005 and Jamie Smith was the last addition in 2006.

The English indie band, The xx, released their new album, Coexist, on September 5. This album is one that is absolutely perfect to listen to during this upcoming rainy season or on a long night’s drive.

The music is simple, able to wrap you up to the point where you can be-

come lost in the deep bass and repetitive captivating beats. The soft voices of the lead singers, Romy Madley Croft and Oliver Sim, are calming and soothing, making this the ideal album to wind down and relax to.

I have to admit, after being exposed to The xx’s first album, xx, I have realized that I favor the first much more than this new album. Their first album produced slightly more upbeat and foottapping songs that are much easier to warm up to. Coexist contains more solemn sounding songs with low tunes.

It has certainly claimed a spot in my favorite albums column, but it is definitely lower than their first album.

The song, “Try” has to be my absolute favorite song in the new Coexist album. Every time I listen to this song, I am still enveloped in ecstasy.

The song begins with an eerie tune that gives a sense of mystery and wonder. It immediately leads into Sim’s soothing voice, followed by such a simplistic yet mesmerizing melody. This song keeps me in awe of the amount of talent this band has.

I admire Coexist, but I feel a more attached adoration for their first album that completely blew me away.

“And I swear, in that moment, we were infinite.” Recognize these words?

If you do, you have probably read the book or seen the movie, The Perks of Being a Wallflower. I admit, I did see the movie first but with a little knowledge of what happens, as I had read a few chapters before.

The first few chapters of the book got me hooked and when the movie came out, I couldn’t wait to finish, so I saw it. Of course, I finished reading the book after (and fell head-over heels in love with it). I was happily overjoyed to find that the movie followed the book pretty accurately.

It revolves around a young introvert, Charlie, played by Logan Lerman, who is quite nervous about starting his first day of high school. Two seniors, Sam and her step-brother Patrick, soon make Charlie feel as if he can go out into the chaotic world of high school with verve and courage. Your love grows for Charlie when you soon realize the problems he has faced and you yearn for him to be happy throughout the movie and the book.

This film explores the problems high-schoolers face: bullying, sexual/

domestic abuse, death, love and most of all the journey through high school.

And can I just point out, the movie has an incredible soundtrack. Ranging from The Smiths to David Bowie, it’s a very indie-type playlist that I looked up right when I got home.

A few moments into the movie and I had glassy eyes; but in the end, I was smiling like an idiot. The movie was uplifting, comedic and intense. I laughed too many times, sat in awe and neared the verge of tears. This movie has it all.

I don’t have a preference, book or movie. Of course, most people say the book is always better. And I tend to usually agree with this. But this movie is the exception. This movie captures the rawness of the book that most readers fall in love with.

Logan Lerman carries out the role of Charlie as it is in the book: innocent, emotional and kind. Regarding the other characters, each executes their character exceptionally well.

Walking out of the theatre, I was so inspired, touched and simply happy. It’s a movie that really makes you think.

The Perks of Being a Wallflower will definitely satisfy. It defies stereotypes of coming of age films and there is much more meaning.

Noah Estey Staff Reporter Did you notice how all of the big games this year seem to be sequels (Assassins Creed 3, Halo 4, Black Ops 2, Borderlands 2, etc.)? Those games may be fun and all, but what about a new original idea and game play. Luckily for you, Dishonored delivers.

Dishonored takes place in the city of Dunwell - a city based on Victorian England but with further advances in technology (such as electric fences and robots). You play as Corvo Attano, the man who is framed with the murder of the Empress. He escapes from prison and decides to take revenge on those who have wronged him.

Dishonored is by far one of the greatest games I have played this year due to its game play and premise.

Dishonored’s greatest attribute is that there are many possibilities to complete a goal, such as gaining entrance into a building by going on the roof and jumping into a window, turning into a rat to crawl through a vent or just simply walking through the front door. These are just a number of options when you play this game.

Whatever your play style, Dishonored is an amazing game that is currently my nomination for game of the year.

Next to Boudin

Managing/ Featainment Edtior, Tyler Hall

Wolf Pack Press 21

Volume 18, Issue 2

October 31, 2012

Senior Zach Grant shines on and off the field Amanda Garcia Sports Editor With all the mayhem of football and other fall sports, it’s hard to recognize those star players who shine both on and off the playing field. Wide receiver on the varsity football team, senior Zach Grant has gone through a lot to make it this far in his high school career and that just makes him more of an inspiration to everyone.

Since his freshman year, Zach Grant has been a part of Woodcreek’s football program as a wide receiver. In eighth grade, Grant was struggling in school due to his lack of motivation and dislike towards school. Once he got involved in football, his level of motivation shot through the roof. He now feels that in the world we live in, you almost need a college education to succeed.

“Now I actually try,” said Grant. “I never thought I would take an Honors or AP class.”

Grant also faces another obstacle in life that makes not just football but his whole lifestyle a little more challenging than most people. He suffers from cerebral palsy, a disorder that appears during infancy or early childhood and permanently affects body movement and muscle coordination. It is caused by

abnormalities in parts of the brain that control muscle movement. In Grant’s case, his left muscles are weaker than his right. He has learned to cope with his disability by teaching himself to walk a certain way.

Grant’s personality, work ethic and devotion to football and his team have made him an inspiration to many of his teammates and especially his coach, John Hildebrand.

“His character shines through both on and off the court,” said Hildebrand.

He admires Grant’s mental and physical strengths and dedication. Grant’s overcoming of his disability has taught Hildebrand to not underestimate people with physical limitations.

Grant finds the sport of football a fun sport that teaches one how to be a man. Retired NFL quarterback Kurt Warner is Grant’s idol. “They always told him he could never make it in the NFL,” said Grant.

Warner went undrafted in the 1994 NFL Draft, but he was later invited to try out for the Greenbay Packers. He was told he had enormous potential but was not yet ready for the NFL after being released before the regular season started. Warner returned to Cedar Falls, stocking shelves in a grocery store, but he did not give up hope. He

turned to the Arena Football League in 1995 and signed with the Iowa Barnstormers.

In 1998 he was finally signed by an NFL franchise, the St. Louis Rams.

With anti-bullying week being held this month, Grant is more sympathetic towards the bullying problem. Bullying hasn’t been a major issue in his life, but he has come across a few bullies. How did he get through it? Grant believes that ignoring them is the way to get rid of a bully because they just want a response from you. If you no longer let them get to you, then the bullying is no longer fun to them.

Grant’s disability has made him more sympathetic towards handicapped people because some people can be very rude to them, but when you actually experience what it’s like to live with a handicap, you have a better understanding of what they are going through. “You can’t really know unless you do know how it is,” said Grant.

Grant’s motivation to do well in school is something that most people don’t possess. His perseverance and

PHOTO BY ABBY SKAFF ability to overcome obstacles in life has made him an idol to many people, both on and off the field.

“If you don’t give up on your goals and you work hard, you can achieve anything,” said Grant.

Girls lacrosse comes to campus Lady T-wolves discover potential Tyler Hall Featainment Editor While it may not always seem so, Woodcreek has benefited much where sports are concerned. This is not only a result of success in athletics but also in the sheer diversity of sports offered to students on campus. One team that will be joining the WHS roster this year is the Women’s Lacrosse team.

Men’s lacrosse is a relatively new sport comparatively, going on its fourth year as a club team. They have seen relative success in past seasons, with both JV and Varsity having made playoff runs. The sport is often called the fastest game on two legs, is high intensity and full contact.

Women’s lacrosse is similar in some ways but different in others. Though not full contact, players also do not have the protective gear (helmet, padding) that men do. This makes the sport less dangerous at a glimpse, but once the two-and-a-half pound ball is accounted for, women’s lacrosse becomes just as strenuous.

For protection, girls playing the sport wear goggles and mouth guards.

Other equipment includes the stick, which has a shallower pocket (mesh on the head) than the lacrosse sticks used

22 Wolf Pack Press

by men. This results in faster ball movement down the field and less control while running.

At the head of the new movement has been senior Fo Valerga, a former Orangevale Rams player who is looking forward to the new sport.

“We have about 40 girls signed up for the team,” she said when asked what the roster was looking like. This is enough for a JV and Varsity team, more than the boys had in their first season.

When asked about how the lack of pads affects game play, Valerga said, “The games are a little less fastpaced….there is more bruising.”

Where boys lacrosse involves a lot of heavy hits (lay-outs), girls’ lacrosse uses quick hits with the stick to gain possession of the ball.

Some believe that girls are delicate or can’t handle the hitting involved with the sport. In response to this, Valerga simply said, “We can take it.” Obviously the new team is ready to beat all competition.

Girls lacrosse, while not even officially inaugurated, is already making ripples in school sports. With fast game play, exciting goal scoring and strong team camaraderie, girls lacrosse is sure to be an instant classic at Woodcreek.

Jordan Horner Asst. Sports Editor With a record of 4-15, the girls golf team gained experience and will be twice as prepared for the SFL next year.

When asked about the goals of their season, Coach Craig Daniels said, “My goals were to introduce our young players to the game and to help them progress to the point where they were comfortable playing nine holes.”

The star of the show was junior Brianna Areia. Areia has been on the team ever since she was a freshman and has greatly improved into the team’s go-to girl. Areia made all league first team and had three rounds in matches under par this season, which is exceptionally good for a high school player.

“Her overall game has improved greatly since last year and especially

Oct. 29th-Nov. 16

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her short game,” said Daniels.

Areia has always been gifted with her driving and now that she’s worked on her putting, she’s a real force for the Lady T-Wolves.

Coach Daniels thought that the Lady T-Wolves did achieve their goals of improving all their young players.

“I’m very happy with the progress that the new players made. Over half of our team was new to golf at the start of the season,” he said.

“I believe several of the new players have the potential to play varsity in the future and want to improve to that point. The team is young and fun,” said Daniels. “While we didn’t win many matches, the attitudes were great and the players enjoyed themselves throughout the season.”

Although the Lady T-Wolves had a tough season, their youth and excitement made the season memorable.

WHS Canned Food Drive Ask your neighbors Trick-or-treat for cans Help a needy family

Sports Editor, Amanda Garcia

October 31, 2012

SPORTS BRIEFS CROSS COUNTRY

The boys varsity cross country team just brought back the SFL banner for the third consecutive year. Boys JV also got recognized for winning their league as well. Girls JV fought very hard but was stopped just short of obtaining 2nd place in the SFL. The Girls Varsity was practically a mirror image of JV, winning the 2nd place tie-breaker over the rival Granite Bay Grizzlies. It has been yet another successful season for cross country as they show off their talent with their outstanding placement in the SFL league.

GIRLS WATER POLO

Girls water polo ended their season with a 1-11 record. They took pride in their close teamwork and skill improvement. “We were working really hard, learning, growing and getting better,” said Alex Amador, 10. “When we faced teams a second time, we saw a huge growth.

In the end, our scores were a lot higher.”

BOYS WATER POLO

Boys water polo fell just short of the playoffs by one loss to Del Oro. They ended the season with a 7-5 record. “Our greatest strength was our ability to draw ejections and score from the center position,” said senior Tim Greeno. At Saturday’s senior game, the boys finished the season with an 18-9 win over Whitney.

GIRLS TENNIS

The girls tennis team sent 4 doubles teams to their final tournament this season. Here are the results of their first round. Dani Arendain, 10, and Christina Esquivel, 12, went three sets and beat DelOro 3-6, 6-0 and 10-2. Taylor Fox, 10, and Kelly Nabaglo, 12, also went three sets and beat Roseville 2-6, 6-4 and 10-5.

“Even though our team record hasn’t improved, I feel like I have become a more confident player and we had a fun season,” said Arendain.

VOLLEYBALL

The varsity girls are struggling this season with a current record of 0-8. Though the girls have lost every game so far, there is no doubt that they have put up a fight against their opponents. The girls have two more games left this season, and they only need to win one game in order to qualify for the SFL playoffs.

The JV girls, however, have proved to everyone how dedicated and motivated they are to make it to the SFL playoffs with a current record of 4-4.

As the girls push forward in hopes of achieving a single win for this season, they continue to remain strong and fight together as as a team.

Sports Editor, Amanda Garcia

Varsity boys shoot their way into SFL playoffs Amanda Garcia Sports Editor

As the soccer season reaches its end, anticipation begins to swell as the Timberwolves lead their school to the SFL playoffs for the second year in a row after beating Nevada Union.

The varsity soccer team’s victory against the Miners was an intense one with a final score of 1-0. The boys are going into the playoffs with the determination and drive to destroy the competition. As easy as that strategy might sound, the T-Wolves will be competing against top teams, such as Granite Bay and Jesuit, for the section title.

The road to success wasn’t a walk in the p a r k for the boys.

While t h e y went on a winn i n g streak during p r e season, PHOTO BY ZACH RAYL

beating 3 teams in a row, their streak soon ended as they hit a couple bumps in the road, and they began to fall apart.

“There was no team chemistry or trust,” said junior co-captain Lukas Wehner. The team ended up working things out and in the end they were playing quality soccer.

With Wehner out for the rest of the season due to a pulled abductor muscle in his hamstring, this battle will be even harder to win. When asked how the team will cope with the loss of one of the team’s starting players, Coach Cory Clonce said, “It hurts but plenty of people can and will step up.” Wehner feels his injury is letting the team down, but what he doesn’t know is that this minor setback further motivates the team to sweep the competition.

The boys will head into the playoffs led by senior co-captains Tyler DeVaul and Chris DeBelle. “They always give their best effort and contribute most to the team’s success,” said Wehner. “They bring the team together.” Both boys prove to be great captains because of their natural ability to lead. “Tyler leads by example,” said Clonce. DeVaul has a way about him that drives everyone to be better, whereas DeBelle is more of a vocal leader and pushes the team to move forward. DeVaul plays center mid and DeBelle is a defender.

SF GIANTS fans celebrate World Series win An interview with their biggest fan MEGAN CHRISTIAN Librarian & GIANTS biggest fan How do you feel about the GIANTS winning the World Series?

“The GIANTS winning is a testament to the true meaning of playing together as a team. The Series sweep is awesome.”

Describe your favorite moment of the season?

“It’s hard to pick one moment from the season. Brandon Crawford’s snag of Kyle Lohse’s line drive in the NLCS was spectacular.”

What made the GIANTS a winning team this season?

“The GIANTS are a winning team because they embody the word team.

They work hard and they work together from the top down.”

Who are your favorite players?

“I could say something about all of the GIANTS players. I think the veteran standout for me is Barry Zito. He worked hard and put up with a lot to help his team win this year. Buster Posey is a favorite be-

cause of how he has come back this year.

He is always in control and dominates offensively and defensively. Gregor Blanco would be another favorite. He stepped up and became the everyday left fielder the GIANTS needed. He made outstanding plays throughout the Series too. He has a great smile.”

How did you celebrate the World Series win?

“I celebrated the win with family and friends via Facebook and texting. I had a double header, so I only saw the last two outs live. I watched the rest of the game after they had already won.”

Your husband Brian, who passed away recently from ALS, is a big GIANTS fan.

What special way did you commemorate the season?

“It was the last home game and I snuck down to the left field wall and just sprinkled a bit of his ashes on the field. We call him our ‘Angel in the Outfield.’ I feel like he’s still here as a part of me and it was nice that he got to see the GIANTS win again.”

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WOLFPACKPRESSONLINE.COM

Sports Amanda Garcia

agarcia.wpp@gmail.com How about them Giants, right?!

Alright, let’s be honest. I did not watch a single World Series game this year. In fact, I have not ever watched a World Series game. The most I have seen of the World Series is when Sergio Romo’s last pitch of the 4th game won the championships for the Giants. Then the whole field was flooded with a pool of nothing but orange and black.

Now, if any of you read my column last issue, you might recall my stating the fact that I would rather not watch sports on the television because I find it very boring to sit in front of a square box and root for my team. I would much rather be at the actual game in person.

But that does not mean that I am not a fan of the Giants, nor does it mean that I am a “bandwagoner” because I am “all of a sudden” cheering for the Giants.

I will always and forever proudly represent any team from my hometown, no matter how bad they are or how amazing they are. I do not understand why people hate on others who randomly cheer for a team who has done something worth cheering for.

Especially if you are a fan of that team yourself, shouldn’t you be happy that your team is so good that they have everyone rooting for them? You shouldn’t care how others express their team pride because it is not hurting you in the slightest.

In fact, it’s benefiting you because if your team is so good to the point where people who don’t even watch their games are cheering for them, then that makes you and your team look way better!

For all you know, those people who you call “bandwagoners” might not even be “bandwagoners”. They might be just like me; people who support their team all the way, but who do not find interest in watching every single game. If a team, like the Giants in this case, has earned all this publicity, do not try to rain on their parade.

Sports are supposed to bring people together because we can all share team spirit. Sports is an area where we can all get decked out in our favorite team colors and throw a big party and celebrate team pride together. The best part of it is that you don’t even have to be a hard core sports fanatic to enjoy going to a sporting event.

The term “bandwagoner” is becoming overused to the point where we people are labeling innocent citizens who are just trying to join the many others in expressing team spirit.

I am a Giants fan at heart, and I will always be one. I am no “bandwagoner”.

Wolf Pack Press 23

Back Page

October 31, 2012

People who don’t hand out candy on Halloween are heartless sorts. These people need to be checked out because anyone who attempts to ruin a kid’s childhood is beyond me. The worst non-candy item of all is pencils.

Someone who hands out a school supply is saying, “Hey, kid, you know this fantastic night where you dress up in a cool costume, stay up late with your friends and get free candy? It’s about to end and you’re going back to school tomorrow. Mwhahahaha.”

These caplets called candy exist for the pure reason that kids think the pink candies are cherryflavored. They unfortunately get an unflattering shock when their mouth is flooded with the taste of black licorice. Those 80 and older seem to be the only population that actually enjoy this candy.

So, don’t be tricked by their diabolical disguise.

And, adults please stop handing this candy out unless it’s an obnoxious middle schooler; then by all means proceed.

The official candy corn production company recently admitted they just use old melted candle wax and food coloring to create this Halloween staple (you can just trust me on this one- no citation needed).

Gum, of course, is a necessity. But never does Dubble Bubble sound like an appealing choice, especially not as a Halloween treat.

This gum starts out like concrete and only gets worse. Not even the comic can save this gum.

Whenever there is a Facebook page merely made to share people’s disgust of a certain flavor of candy, it means it should be discontinued. Yep, BANANA LAFFY TAFFY... THE WORST CANDY KNOWN 2 MAN has 135 likes and counting.

There is a place for hard candy like peppermints after dinner or butterscotch at grandma’s house; however, it is very much of a disappointment to receive these on Halloween.

If one cannot search the name of a certain candy without gross online dating sites popping up, then that candy should be on our hit list. We should all be grateful, however, that they didn’t stick with Sugar Daddy’s original name, Papa Sucker*. Yeah, enough said.

My theory for people who pass out Almond Joy: it is a conspiracy created by parents and adults alike to lower the stashes of the hardworking trick-or-treaters and ensure parents satisfy their sweet tooth.

The most unoriginal idea of candy to pass out. They have been around for over 100 years and still continue to break jaws due to their hardness every year. In fact, during World War II Tootsie Rolls were included in American field rations, as their toughness allowed them to survive a variety of environmental conditions.

This proved resourceful to our American soldiers who, in emergency situations, used the hardened candies to pelt Nazis. (Alright they didn’t really, but they should have.)

Twizzlers taste like plastic wax with an attempt at strawberry flavoring. Red Vines are clearly the superior red twists. I did some research and found that the East Coast is more fond of Twizzlers while the West Coast prefers Red Vines*. So, I believe California should take a stand for our licorice of choice and pass out Red Vines for Halloween, NOT Twizzlers.

*http://www.oldtimecandy.com/sugar-daddy.htm *http://candyaddict.com/blog/2009/01/09/the-great-licorice-debate-twizzlers-vs-red-vines/

24 Wolf Pack Press

Back Page Editors, Vanessa Bouey and Vanessa Castro