Lumina Alliance is the county’s resource center for victims/ survivors and their families of intimate partner violence and sexual assault. Lumina Alliance’s mission is to empower those impacted by sexual and intimate partner violence through innovative advocacy, healing, and prevention programs. We offer a wide range of services including advocacy, emergency shelter, therapy, and education.
When someone calls our crisis line, which is available at no charge, is confidential, and available 24/7, they will be in contact with one of our Certified Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Counselors. When calling a person does not have to give their name or any identifying information, they can also call for a friend or family member. Our counselors will allow you to guide the conversation and share what you feel comfortable sharing and then will provide you with resources and options available to you. The goal is to empower whoever is calling to make the best choice they feel is right for them.
Interview of Malynn Sanchez by Kaylegh Luna
Intimate partner violence (IPV) and Teen Dating Violence (TDV) refers to abuse that occurs in a relationship. We mention TDV because abuse in more common in teen relationships than people might think. In fact
1 in 3 young people will be in an abusive or unhealthy relationship (loveisrespect.org) with this statistic being even more drastic for youth in LGBTQ+ relationships. Abuse can take many forms including: physical, emotional, verbal, sexual, and digital. It is so important that young people know the signs of relationship abuse and have trusted adults to talk to about what they are experiencing. Anyone 12 and above is able to access our services at no cost and with complete confidentiality.
IPV impacts the lives of millions of people. When IPV starts at a young age (TDV) it can continue throughout their lives. “About 16 million women and 11 million men who reported experiencing contact sexual violence, physical violence, or stalking by an intimate partner in their lifetime said that they first experienced these forms of violence before the age of 18”. It is important to recognize that IPV can affect anyone, but some individuals and communities experience a higher rate of victimization. IPV is a public health issue not only because it affects millions of people, but because it can cause significant health issues. For example: mental health related issues such as PTSD and depression and being at higher risk of smoking and binge drinking. IPV can also result in death. “Data from U.S. crime reports suggest that about 1 in 5 homicide victims are killed by an intimate partner.”
Education and knowledge is such a powerful tool for preventing violence. When we are able to talk with young people and families about consent, boundaries, and healthy relationships we are preventing violence. The more that people talk about these topics and break down stereotypes and the normalization of violence the more violence can be prevented. People don’t report abuse or assault for many reasons. They may not be ready, they may not be able to because it isn’t safe for them, someone’s identity can impact their decision to come forward. It’s hard to create a list because every survivor or victims situation and circumstances are different. It is important to remember that everyone’s
journey is different and a survivor should never be questioned as to why they didn’t come forward. If, or, when they do, they should be supported and empowered by their loved ones and community. If someone is a victim or survivor of intimate partner violence or sexual assault they should do what they feel is best and right for them and their healing journey. This can mean calling our crisis and info line and getting support, talking to trusted people in their lives, or finding different ways of healing that feel in tune to them. We can’t tell people how to heal, but we can support them along their journey if they are comfortable. sharing.
When talking about healthy relationships we like to reference the relationship spectrum. What this means is that all relationships exist on a spectrum that can range from healthy, unhealthy, to abusive. No one is perfect, so even if someone is in a healthy relationship there may be times where a partner exhibits an unhealthy behavior, like jealousy. Jealousy is a normal human emotion, and if both partners can talk about it and work through it and both feel respected at the end of the conversation, then that is great and that is healthy! It’s when one partner has power and control over another partner that a relationship is abusive. So let’s take the example of jealousy again If a partner gets jealous over and over again, every time their partner hangs out with someone other than themselves, and then tells their partner they aren’t allowed to see
their friends, or have a study buddy from a class, and they can only sit with them at lunch. This is controlling and isolating behavior and is considered abusive.
• Playing into someone’s discomfort around their
• Trying to convince someone come out before they
• Using the fact that someone
• Outing someone to get them
•Threatening to “out”
•Making someone feel
• Taking/ blocking someone’s other gender-affirming
• Body-shaming someone,
• Using stereotypes or past hang out with
Checking phone, email, or social media without Isolating someone from friends or family Explosive outbursts, temper, or mood swings
•Possessiveness or controlling behavior
•Pressuring or forcing someone to have sex
someone’s internalized homophobia or their sexuality to influence their behaviors
someone to stay in the closet or to they are ready
someone is not out to everyone to isolate them them kicked off a team, or out of their home “out” someone feel bad about their identity
someone’s access to hormones, binders, or gender-affirming resources
someone, especially surrounding their gender identity past partners to say who someone can or cannot
Q: What makes you a unique rider?
A: The thing that makes me a unqiue rider is that I am a girl. There are not many girls in the riding community and that’s what sets me apart from the rest.
Q: Tell us about yourself and the history of you and your sport?
A: I started riding when I was 8 and fell in love with it. I’ve been riding ever since.
Q: How is the sport important to you and others?
A: This sport is important to me because I want to make a difference for other female riders and inspire others to join as well.
Q: I hear you teach others, why do you do this?
A: I teach others because I hope to encourage them on their riding journey and hope they find the sport as enjoyable as I do.
Q: What motivates you?
A: Something that motivates me is when I win the prize money, it is really empowering and it shows that my hard work is valued. Another thing that keeps me motivated is my sponsor, Lucky Scooters.
Q: What are your greatest strengths?
A: One of my strengths is being consistent. Since I practice consistently, I am able to perform well.
Q: What are your goals for the future?
A: I’m not sure about my future but riding has been a big influence in my life, so I will be looking forward to see where it takes me.
Q: Do you have role models in the sports or in life?
A: There are a lot of riders out there that I admire. I also compete against them and they have all their strengths. I don’t have a particular person, but it’s been fun riding against Lucy Evans and Cody Flom.
“
I like to make friends and it’s not in my nature to be competitive because there are only a few girls in the sport. My goal is to make friends and build a positive scooter community in Atascadero. Sportsmanship is more important to me but right now I’m having a winning streak and it feels good. The other women that are competing are really supportive and nice.”
-Claire Parks
Key Club International was established in 1925 with the goal of educating students and uplifting young leaders. Key Club generally acts in cooperation with their local Kiwanis chapter to engage in volunteerism for their school and community. Regardless of their connections to Kiwanis, the club is almost entirely student-led and maintains an unwavering dedication to the service of others through leadership— both at home, and internationally. Student leaders have opportunities to oversee meetings, plan projects and hold elected leadership positions at the club, district, and international levels. However, Key Club offers much more than just leadership positions–they also place a heavy emphasis on positive acts of service in their respective communities. These activities generally involve local clean-ups, organizing food drives, and fundraising for the club and community.
Key Club provides a great opportunity for incoming freshmen to exhibit leadership and a passion to serve in their community and school. Members have the support to make a lasting, positive impact on genuine social issues and stand out through unique service projects. Key Club cultivates leadership and creativity, allowing students to build a positive reputation and prepare for life after high school. Finally, Key Club has established an endowed fund called the Youth Opportunities Fund which provides grants for clubs and members as well as scholarships for members.
I pledge, on my honor, to uphold the Objects of Key Club International; to build my home, school and community; to serve my nation and world; and combat all forces which tend to undermine these institutions.
- Key Club Pledge
bandstand, which was eventually donated to the city. Local Kiwanians also place great emphasis on beautifying San Luis Obispo County through organized highway trash clean-ups and graffiti removal. Essentially, Kiwanis exists to give back to its surrounding community, and this is evident in Atascadero through a variety of services and projects. Albert, and other Kiwanis members like him, are an essential foundation of the Key Club at Atascadero High School, and guide student members toward their full potential. They work tirelessly to provide interesting service opportunities and coordinate fun outreach events for new and returning members with local organizations.
Albert Almodova is a recently reelected lieutenant governor and Kiwanis advisor to the Key club at Atascadero high school. He has been a member for over 18 years and represents division 24 (comprising the cities between Paso Robles and Bay Osos).
Albert started at Kiwanis back in 2006 through a volunteer position at Winter Wonderland. He initially knew nothing of Kiwanis, but after volunteering he knew with certainty that he wanted to become more involved. The organization hosts many hands-on service projects and fundraising events in the community. For instance, Kiwanis fundraised thousands of dollars, hand-built, and personally funded the Lake Park,
Meet Tyler Krieder, newly elected 23-24 President of the Atascadero High School Key Club! Tyler views Key Club as a welcoming and inclusive group, for students of all ages and interests, that provides the opportunity for personal growth and creates a positive impact on our community. Tyler’s involvement with Key Club began in freshman year when her grandfather, a longstanding Kiwanis member, introduced and signed Tyler up. Since freshman year she has enjoyed volunteering for multiple service projects, in which she met many new KeyClubers. Tyler confesses the best part of Key Club is all the interesting people she has met, and the opportunities the club itself opens for her.
program through the Boys and Girls Club. Members can sign up for a leadership/assistant teacher position and assist elementary school students and at the ECHO homeless shelter. Participating students have the opportunity to teach struggling students and work at an elementary school of their choice. This is a great opportunity to help students bring their grades up and incentivize them to get inspired and motivated to succeed academically! Key Club can offer more than service projects and fun experiences through leadership training programs students can learn the true value of community and personal growth. Students are invited to attend a camp called Key Leader, and take classes to become a stronger leader and more involved citizen. The camp provides many fun experiences, such as delicious food, entertaining bonfires, zip lining, rock climbing, rustic log cabins, and s’mores. Key Leader is an amazing experience for any Key Club members interested in becoming more involved with the club or their community through a leadership role.
As the 23-24 school year begins, Tyler and Key Club have many new and exciting service projects and events planned. Among those events are monthly division council meetings, the Kiwanis chili cookoff, car wash fundraisers, and Key Leader camp. New members who join Key Club will find opportunities to work diligently for service hours and be rewarded by club outings, such as the Six Flags trip. This trip occurs every year, and allows members who have earned a sufficient amount of service hours to attend Six Flags for a divisional Key Club Fall Rally.
At the moment Key Club is brainstorming brand-new service opportunities. Currently Key Club is involved with the B.U.G.S (Bringing Up Grades in Students)
Key Club offers senior class members many opportunities to apply for scholarships through Kiwanis. But, Key Club doesn’t have to end after high school, Tyler herself will be joining Kiwanis after graduation. Kiwanis can provide further opportunities for volunteering in the community and a more extensive role in Club decisions.
In her free time Tyler enjoys hiking, fishing, offroading, dirt biking, and horseback riding. She dedicates herself to bodybuilding and takes great pride in testing her personal abilities, as well as keeping a clean diet. The progress she’s made at the gym fills her with a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction. When not leading Key Club meetings, she can be found showing her school spirit at football games in the hound pack.
After graduating from Atascadero High School, Tyler has plans to attend Cuesta and transfer to a university. She wants to go into a field that values hardwork and interactive projects. Ideally the perfect major for Tyler would be veterinary medicine, at either Cal Poly, UC Davis, or the University of Wyoming. Nevertheless, she maintains an unfaltering work ethic and open mind.
Atascadero FFA members had a very successful week at the Mid State Fair. Our members not only showed off their ag mechanics projects, they also dominated the show ring with their livestock projects.
Some highlights from the week include in the sheep category, Kendal Power; Champion FFA Market Lamb, Emily Jennings; Champion FFA AOB White Face, Elizabeth Wagster; Reserve Champion Black Face Cross FFA Market Lamb, and Champion White Face Ram. In the swine barn, Olivia Swindell exhibited the Reserve Supreme Champion Market Hog, Wyatt Mason had the Champion FFA Duroc, his brother, Cody Mason exhibited the Champion FFA AOB Hog, and Kylie Aronsen had the Champion FFA Hampshire Hog. Hailey Terrell had a very successful time in the showring as well, where she exhibited the Champion FFA Lightweight Mar ket Goat and Seth Walter exhibited the Reserve FFA Champion Lightweight Market Goat. Our cattle exhibitors had many successes as well, with Lacy Conlan showing the Champion FFA Replacement Heifer. We also had many members who placed in the top five of their market and breed classes
Hey Hounds!! Do you want to keep up with recent events for this month? Heres an overview of the major upcoming events at AHS. Make sure to check them out, and tell your friends and family to keep them informed as well.
Don’t miss the Homecoming Dance on October 21st from 7:00-10:00, go buy your tickets ASAP. The Guest application is now available and tickets go on sale October 16th.
Our Annual Community Celebration, Atascadero Colony Day will take place on Saturday Oct. 7 from 10 am to 3 pm.
Come and watch the show on the 28th at 6:30-9:30 for Paws Movie Night Students are free while family and friends have to pay $5.
Head over to the SpringHill Conference Center on October 14th from 4:00 to 6:00 pm to learn about teen wellness organizations on the central coast.
Get your Costume ready for the Paws Halloween Costume Contest on the 31st at lunch.
