R.E.A.P. Provides Students Opportunity to Earn Diploma Smaller Environment Focuses on New Start & Life Skills
REAP standard uniform contains of the gray shirt and the colored vests representing different levels of behavior.
& Henry Talon Editors
For more than 20 years Rogers Education Alternative Program has served as a credit recovery opportunity for high school students who have been nearly expelled by their home campus.
Students get sent to REAP after
they have done an action at their boundary, either Heritage or Rogers, worthy of higher punishment. Rather than getting expelled from the school district, they are given the opportunity to still receive their credits at REAP.
This decision is decided at the student’s Interdisciplinary Hearing known as an IDH. This meeting not only decides if the student should
go to REAP, but also for how long, the maximum time being one calendar year.
The school offers the same standard core classes and select elective classes, but while it might sound similar, safety and procedures are far from what students know at their home campus.
There are usually under 50 students attending REAP. From the
moment they enter, students walk through a metal detector and empty out their pockets, putting all personal belongings into a bag for the admin to keep during the school day. Students are required to wear a color-coded vest representing their behavior level. Everyone starts off
REAP continued on p. 2
Ambassadors Lead Community, Inspire Future Leaders
Boyd Talon Reporter
At Heritage High School, the student ambassadors represent their peers and are passionate advocates for school and community engagement initiatives that aim to empower students and inspire future leaders.
Heritage High School’s student ambassadors are leading in fostering positive change, launching initiatives designed to help their peers. This dynamic group of upperclassmen students is heavily dedicated to inspiring future leaders with efforts that reflect the school’s commitment to excellence and inclusivity of all cultures. This group of eight astounding upperclassmen is Xitlali Barrientos Pino, Hannah Cheney, Florelaine Ecke, Alessandra Garcia, Ava Henshaw, Alfredo Hernandez, Dulce Lozano, Sophya Moreno Nunez, Charity Samson, and Kyler
Strickland. They were selected by submitting a resume and later attending a panel interview.
When asked to share her experience of becoming a student ambassador, Xitlali Barrintos (12) said, “I wanted to be way more involved and being more involved gives you more scholarships. That’s my guiding light to not be in student debt. It was just a great opportunity. Honestly, Heritage has given me so much, I just want to give back.”
Barrintos’s words highlight the importance of engagement and the personal growth that comes from taking on leadership roles within the school. They showcase that becoming a student ambassador can benefit the school community and help students get scholarships to help them in the future. Not only that, but they also learn how to be leaders, always put on a pleasant smile, and create a welcoming environment for all students.
“If you want to be a student ambassador, I would say go for
it. It’s a lot of fun to do. There’s a lot of meetings you have to go to, and you make many big decisions along with the board and what the counseling office does,” said Alessandra Garcia (12) when asked about what advice she would offer
to those aspiring to become student ambassadors.
The student ambassadors at Heritage High School are on
Ambassadors continued on p. 2
Heritage Gives Back with Toy Drives p. 3
Tackle Strong Start to Season p. 7
Fraire
Ivester
The eight school ambassadors are determined to help the community.
Pullen
REAP from p. 1 administrators. For safety, and to prevent unequal treatment of former students of REAP, the Talon staff has removed all student names and identifying information.
with a green vest, representing the lowest rank in behavior. Next is yellow, a step up from green, representing improved behavior, and finally no vest at all is the highest level, representing the students that have proven their growth.
REAP has a strict no extracurricular activity rule, which also leads into a separate policy stating that students are not permitted to be at a school-sanctioned event for any reason, on or off campus. That does include events such as prom, any sport event, and even graduation. The consequence for violating these rules can lead directly to arrest and expulsion from REAP.
“Usually the things that get students here are major offenses against school policies, so the rules are in place to help make sure those students don’t break those offenses again,” said REAP counselor, Sarah Higgins.
However, the environment of the building can feel different to students compared to teachers or
“I was sent [to REAP] for terroristic threatening. Honestly, I learned nothing because the teachers just give you the answers. The teachers were really nice and comforting but the environment made me feel like I was a bad kid,” said Student 1.
Former students said that they feel that REAP didn’t prepare them academically for their return to their boundary school. REAP focuses more heavily on life skills, counseling and therapeutic techniques. While these teachings are important and useful for the circumstances, students shared that it doesn’t properly help them to transition back to their regular schools since the public schools expect higher skills in mathematics and English.
“REAP doesn’t actually help us go back to normal school,” said Student 2. “REAP is supposed
to rehabilitate us to be able to go back to regular school but it makes it worse. The work there is super easy and nothing like actual school and the kids there are bad influences to be around.”
Despite these perspectives, the teachers feel that REAP is an opportunity to grow and recover credits rather than a place of discipline.
“We want students to know that we don’t look at REAP as the punishment, the consequence is the hearing and being removed from your home campus. We are the opportunity to earn credits while you are experiencing the consequence,” said Higgins.
Ultimately, REAP exists as an alternative to expulsion and gives students an opportunity to earn a high school diploma. Many students who end up at REAP return to their home schools after their sentence time, and cannot be returned to their original school earlier than assigned.
2024 Election Results Take Toll on Heri tage
about these results.
“People would really rather vote for a 34-count felon over a woman. He’s only won over women and he lost against men. It makes me pissed and it makes me wanna leave this place. It makes me angry that our democracy is so sexist. Donald Trump is a racist and should not be in office,” said Student 2.
Wikipedia
The Electoral College board for the 2024 presidential election showing a mass landslide.
Pullen Talon Editor-in-Chief
On July 21 President Joe Biden Formally dropped out of the presidential race causing former president Donald Trump to be running against Vice President Kamala Harris for the 2024 election and the results have made history for many reasons.
Harris only had 107 days to run her campaign after the unexpected announcement. Her campaign was full of rallies and countless marketing strategies highlighting Harris’ very different plan compared to her opponent. Her main focuses were women rights, affordable health care and prescriptions, LGBTQ+ rights, expanding gun control to provide safety in schools, and helping the middle class with financial aid. Harris’ main quote was “We are not going back” referring to going back to the times where Americans didn’t have the same rights as they do now.
Trump, despite having more time, seemed to angle his campaign on his slogan “Make America Great Again” referring to his slogan in 2016 “Make America Great.” His main policies were the plans for immigration, the economy, dismantling the Affordable Healthcare act, rolling back environmental protections, ending the Gaza war, attacking Biden’s student loan protections, removing gender affirming care, and the well known Project 2025. In comparison to Harris’ strong stance on
abortion and other women’s rights, Trump had a very inconsistent message. The presidential debate on Sept. 10 caused Trump a lot of backfire with his continuous interruptions and later was reported by CNN to have said at least 33 lies during the debate.
Between the two of them there were more than 300 presidential events for this election. And what was supposed to be a close race ended up being a complete landside. The morning after the votes were counted it was announced that Trump won the election with 312 electoral college votes and won in all seven swing states. Trump’s election win will go down in history for many reasons. He is the second president to win non consecutive terms, the first being Grover Cleveland in 1885 and again in 1893. Despite being the second for non consecutive, Trump is our first president for many things. He is America’s first convicted felon put in office. Trump has 34 felony counts, one conviction, two pending cases, two impeachments, six bankruptcies, and now a second term as president.
Heritage students have very mixed reactions to this election especially with Arkansas 64.23% votes for Trump. Since these are personal political beliefs the Talon staff has decided to leave these quotes anonymous for the students who shared.
“Trump is the greatest thing that ever happened to the United States,” said Student 2.
Other students seem to be more worried and angry than happy
One of the biggest concerns within schools is whether or not Trump will shut down the Department of Education. Throughout his campaign he made it very clear that he wanted to give the education decisions to the states and dismantle the Department itself.
“Rather than indoctrinating young people with inappropriate racial, sexual, and political material, which is what we’re doing now, our schools must be totally refocused to prepare our children to succeed in the world of work,” said Trump in a 2023 address. “One thing I’ll be doing very early in the administration is closing up the Department of Education in Washington, DC, and sending all education and education work it needs back to the states.”
One thing is for sure, for better or for worse, Trump’s second term will be vastly different from his first.
Ambassadors from p. 1
a transformative journey that enriches their own experiences while fostering a stronger and more inclusive school community. Their leadership inspires upperclassmen and lowerclassmen to engage and contribute, promoting school spirit and unity. By organizing events and initiatives, they cultivate an atmosphere of belonging among students of diverse backgrounds. Their efforts empower them as individuals and pave the way for future generations of student leaders, ensuring that the values of leadership and community service continue to thrive at Heritage High School.
“You have to be that pushing individual who inspires others. Be that person that somebody else can lean on,” said Charity Samson (11).
Editorial Staff
Pullen, EIC
Reporters
Fitzpatrick Garcia Garrido
Jordan Perez
Rambo
Britney McLain, Adviser Chip Greenwell, Principal
Corrections
The Talon strives for accuracy in its reporting and will correct all matters of fact. As The Talon is a limited print publication, all corrections will be made on the website promptly and prominently. If you believe the paper has printed an error, please send an email to hhsjour@rpsar.net.
Opinion
The columnists’ opinions are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the editorial staff, Rogers Heritage High School or Rogers Public Schools.
Memberships
The Talon is an institutional member of the Arkansas Scholastic Press Association and the National Scholastic Press Association.
Student Press
The Talon was created by students for students. It is a public forum for student expression, and all students are welcome to submit content, questions or letters for consideration to hhsjour@rpsar.net. The Talon is governed by the Arkansas Student Publications Act of 1995 (A.C.A. § 6-18).
FEATURES
Heritage Celebrates Diverse Holidays
Henry Talon Editor
Heritage is known for its high diversity, and with that, comes a broad range of religions. Every holiday season, each religion has its own unique and fun way of celebrating, whether it be centered around a higher being, like Christ, or just a commemoration of life and prosperity.
For most, the holiday season is known for Christmas, the most jolly, cozy celebration only occurring once a year. Christmas is based on the birth of Jesus Christ, rooted in Christianity. The story goes that Jesus Christ was born on Dec. 25, however the Bible does not mention a set birth date. The ‘Sun’ God was said to be born on Dec. 25 by the Roman Empire, and the early
Christans adopted this date as the birth of the Son of God (History. com).
In modern days, while few Christians celebrate Dec. 25 as the birth of Christ, other families take this time to celebrate with family and friends, having feasts and sharing gifts with one another.
A huge part of Jewish culture is their celebration of the holiday Hanukkah, translating to “dedication,” commemorating the “rededication during the second century B.C. of the Second Temple in Jerusalem, where according to legend Jews had risen up against their Greek-Syrian oppressors in the Maccabean Revolt,” according to History.com.
In simpler words, it credits the power of the Jewish after the battle between the Maccabean and the forces of King Antiochus IV Epiph-
Heritage Gives Back With Toy Drives
Holiday programs this Christmas for gift assistance not only bring the Heritage community together but also give back to the community of Rogers.
Different families experience different things, and the upcoming holidays are always meant to be a fun experience. The most important thing about the holidays is to spend it with the ones you love most, like family and friends, to connect and bask in each other’s presence. Money can be difficult for people to acquire, which is why holiday assistance programs can be found everywhere. This assistance is to help people obtain gifts for their loved ones in the case that they are struggling to get presents. There are many different programs for this. Churches, charities, shelters and more can provide needed help, with the addition that all these programs are completely free.
Heritage is once again hosting its annual toy drive for Arkansas
Children’s Hospital is a drive sponsored by New Tech High School, LULAC, and LEAD. They collect toys to pass them out to children who are in hospitals during the festive season. It will be hosted from Dec. 2 through Dec. 12, with the dropoff locations being rooms B107, D107, and F111.
Friends of Rogers are also dedicating themselves to holding a present drive. The dates are from Nov. 19th to Dec. 9th. The dropoff location is upstairs of the main gym by concessions.
“I think [Christmas Charities are] important because everyone deserves Christmas. I feel like as high school kids age, they get forgotten about most of the time and it’s important to remember that they’re still kids and they deserve Christmas,” said social worker Amy Reed.
Her statement highlights the importance of Christmas for kids of all ages. Most of the youth begin to lose the holiday spirit and assume that just because they’re growing older means that they are required to be less enthusiastic about it. Despite this, Christmas is meant to be
anes. The whole main idea of Hanukkah is to celebrate what once was, and pay honor and respect to their history.
“Their lamps were only supposed to be lit for one day, but the oil lasted for 7 days , and there’s a lot of cultural things that go on,” said Debate Coach, Wayne Levering.
Furthermore, Kwanzaa is also a highly underrepresented holiday, being a celebration centralized around African harvest traditions and is commonly found being observed within the African-American community. It’s a week-long celebration, and it honors, similar to Hanukkah, the hard work and perseverance of a community.
An interesting fact about Kwanzaa is that each day, within the celebration period, is dedicated to dif-
ferent principles, which are; unity, self-determination, collective work/ responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, and lastly, faith.
On the basis of celebration within certain cultures, Kwanzaa can actually be celebrated by any culture/race, since the holiday focuses less on who celebrates it and more on the celebration itself and the individual’s dedication.
As years pass, each and every holiday is given their indefinite attention and devotion, routing in individual care and spirit. When talking about subjects such as this though, the topic should always be treated with respect, even with opposing yet coinciding beliefs/values.
The beauty of diversity within our school is what brings us as singular beings so close, and makes our community feel just a little smaller.
celebrated by everyone, no matter what age you are.
When asked about her opinion of how these charities benefit our community, Reed answered by stating, “There are a lot of people that struggle financially in this area and have kids and families to take care of. Getting extra help at Christmas is important and a huge weight off parents shoulders.”
This comment goes to show that holiday programs are beneficial to
Staff Spotlight: Mr. Neago
A Peek at Joshua Neago’s Life
Q.) Why do you enjoy rock climbing so much?
A.) I like the way that it’s a different way to work out. I like that you get to problem solve, I enjoy the community and you get to hang out with a lot of friends.
Q.) How many years have you been rock climbing?
A.) For about 9 to 10 years.
Q.) What do you do to relax?
A.) I like to hang out with my kids and my wife. I also like to read, be outside, watch sports, and play video games.
our community because they allow kids and their families to have the full Christmas experience of opening presents and spending quality time with family despite personal financial situations at home.
“The Rogers community serves us all the time so this is one way that our community can serve those who support us. What’s amazing about Heritage is War Eagles are very generous and very caring,” said Principal Chip Greenwell.
Garcia Talon Reporter
Pullen
Heritage toy drive drop off location in the counseling office on the second floor.
Garrido Talon Reporter
OPINION
What Students Want More of: Pep Rallies
Cole & Deere Talon Reporters
To boost school spirit and foster a stronger sense of community, Heritage needs more pep rallies to unite students, celebrate achievements and reignite excitement throughout the year.
Although pep rallies are a key element to bringing the schools community together, pep rallies seem to be absent this 2024-2025 season with only one so far for homecoming.
When asked about their thoughts on not having as many pep rallies, Sarah Davis (11) said, “I believe that it isn’t as fun because we are not getting to be united in our community. We used to have fun with each other and we got to see all the grades together in one place and it was something fun to look forward to.”
Pep rallies are supposed to bring a community together. A place where all grades can be present at that same time, but if we don’t have pep rallies then what is going to bring our community together?
When asked about why some students want pep rallies so badly, Sawyer Broach (11) said, “I want pep rallies for school spirit and something for students to look forward too.”
A school could greatly benefit from more pep rallies to foster a stronger sense of community and school spirit. Pep rallies are an excellent way to bring students, teachers, and staff together in celebration of school pride and unity. They energize the student body, boost morale and create an atmosphere of excitement and enthusiasm, especially during important events like homecoming or sports seasons. With more pep rallies, students can feel a deeper connection to their school, support their peers in extracurricular activities and build positive school culture. Additionally, they provide a fun break from the academic routine, offering a chance to showcase talents, promote school clubs and engage the entire school in activities that strengthen bonds and create lasting memories.
When asked how the admin could implement more pep rallies, Davis said, “As a spirit member we really want pep rallies. Club Fridays are a huge deal [but] they [aren’t] something that students look forward to each week, having pep rallies would increase student involvement. Having [fewer] club Fridays doesn’t mean that we are going to be less involved in the school but with pep rallies we can also be more inclusive with the whole school.”
Should The Voting Age be Lowered?
Pullen Talon Editor-in-Chief
With the recent election the argument of whether or not the voting age should be lowered from 18 to 16 is being once again considered. There are arguments that could be made on both sides. One main reason why the age should be lowered is that 16 is the age that we start being heavily impacted by the government and its laws. From being taxed and having no say in where the taxes go to having no say in who runs the country they live in and the laws that get passed.
From my personal experience I have been taxed since I was working as a 14 year old and yet I have no say in where this money goes. Being taxed without representation is against what we fought so hard to get away from during the American Revolution. So why are we still living in the past? During the recent election I along with my peers were doing constant research on the candidates and their plans. Yet we had no control on what happened and had to leave the fate of the election in the hands of adults.
Lowering the voting age could increase voting turnout and increase the idea of lifelong voting. Since not many 18 year olds actually vote, lowering the voting age might improve the impact of the younger voice.
“If 16-year-old students are old enough to be affected by the laws, and realize that there is a problem, then they should have the power to help change it,” said Sofie Whitney, a survivor of the school
Deepdive Into Sagging
Cox
Talon Reporter
shooting in Parkland, Florida. (Thinkprogress.com)
However there are some negatives to lowering the age. The biggest negative for lowering the age is that 16 year olds tend to be very immature and easily influenced by social media or their home beliefs.
“16 year olds are so impressionable, they can be easily persuaded by seeing a ‘cool’ TikTok edit of either candidate. The difference between a 16 year olds mindset and a 18 year olds mindset is a huge difference, if anything the voting age needs to be raised. The argument that can be made is the fact that 14-17 year olds are getting taxed without representation. Although that is a good point, we should simply just stop taxing minors instead of leaving such an important civic duty in the hands of children that don’t even know how the electoral college works,” said Angelina Garcia (12).
The frontal lobe fully develops during mid 20s so the brain difference of a 16 year olds to an 18 year olds is not fairly different. While yes I agree some of these 16 or 17 year olds should not have the power to vote, some very much should. However even with this, in a 2019 study done by The Hill they found that 84% of registered voters opposed lowering the voting age to 16.
While the argument can be made for both sides, voting is a choice and I believe that the choice should be opened up to 16 year olds who feel like they are educated and mature enough to vote.
A debate over sagging pants, with opinions sharply divided on whether it’s a legitimate fashion statement or a symbol of defiance.
The trend, which originated in the U.S. prison system and later became a hallmark of hip-hop culture, has gained widespread popularity among youth, particularly in urban areas.
While some view sagging as an expression of individuality and street style, critics argue it reinforces negative stereotypes of black and Latino youth, often associated with criminal behavior. As the debate continues to grow, experts and fashion influencers alike are weighing in on whether sagging is a rebellious symbol of freedom or an outdated fashion statement with controversial roots.
For many young people It’s a way to challenge societal norms and assert independence in a world
that often marginalizes them and to make them feel astonished with their outfit.
“I think it’s drippy and it looks good with most of my fits and people sometimes compliment me,” said Jay Golden (10).
While sagging may be seen as a fashion statement by some, it is often criticized for presenting an unkempt or disrespectful appearance, which can create a negative impression in more formal or professional settings.
“I think it’s weird bro, like to be honest just keep your pants up dude,” said Quantrell Perry (10).
Despite its controversy, sagging can also be viewed as a form of self-expression, allowing individuals to challenge traditional fashion norms and assert their own identity or connection.
“I feel like it’s a part of my personality and I have a lot of friends that dont have a problem with and I do kinda see it as a way of expressing myself,” said Golden.
choices.
Fraire
Student section during the Hocoming pep rally seemed to be enjoying themselves.
Pullen
Student shows off his questionable fashion
Testing Learning Cycle Causes Stress Amongst Stu dents
Pullen & Clark Talon Editors
The average learning cycle is four weeks with two CFAs and one CSA with eight cycles in a school year; this means 24 tests per year just for one class and a full schedule of 7 classes could mean students are required to take about 160 tests in a year which many students are finding stressful.
The pressure of testing in itself causes major anxiety for students. The impact these tests have on student grades has become very significant. Since grades are taught to be
the deciding factor of one’s future, having these high numbers of tests that typically all fall on the same week or even day is very stressful.
When asked if these high amounts of tests are overwhelming students, English teacher Elizabeth Turley said, “From what I’ve heard from students, yes because it tends to be in the same week or even same day. I know we’ve looked at ways to [have fewer quizzes] but it’s still a lot of tests.”
Many students have a full schedule of seven classes all with different subjects and lesson topics.
What seems to be the issue for some students isn’t the amount of tests, but the fact that all tests fall on the same day.
“I think having two CFAs and one CSA is pretty standard. I say the biggest issue is when all the classes have a CFA or a CSA on the same day, I feel like that can be stressful,” said Mia Hernandez (11).
While the learning cycle may help the classroom learning stay consistent and structured, the learning cycle is implementing multiple tests per year that adds a lot on the student’s plate. The responsibility of
understanding information, doing assignments, acing tests along with managing activities like jobs, relationships with family and friends and finding time for themselves our students seem to be struggling. Students sometimes find themselves having to stay up late just to study and then lacking sleep the next day.
While teachers and administrators agree we can’t necessarily lower the amount of tests, the best way to help manage everything is to set times for specific things to do and take time to relax for the benefit of your mental health.
Crossword Puzzle
Clark
Despite the fast pace of the learning cycles, teachers still support their students to help them feel less overwhelmed.
ENTERTAINMENT
Paul vs. Tyson Fight Engages Heritage Students
The Paul vs. Tyson fight was one of the most anticipated events of the year.
Clark Talon Editor
The world excitedly waited for the Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson’s fight which was broadcast live on Netflix on Nov. 15 pulling 60 million household viewers. The age difference makes the watch highly anticipated. The 58-year-old Tyson and 26-year-old Paul stepped into the ring promising a great performance, and that’s exactly what they delivered.
Jake Paul first came into the spotlight through his popularity on
the platform YouTube. Sometimes running into controversy, but nevertheless bringing himself attention and growing his numbers. Over the past few years, he’s reinvented his image as a boxer. This transition first started in 2020 when he made his professional performance debut against fellow social media star, Ali Eson Gib, which he won by technical knockout. Since then, Jake has taken on more well-known opponents including former NBA player, Nate Robinson, and MMA fighters, Ben Askren and Tyron Woodley.
Mike Tyson undoubtedly has once been known as the heavy-
weight champion of the world, with his constant wins between 1985 and 1989. That’s 23 matches won. He dominated the world of boxing, becoming the youngest heavyweight champion at the age of 20. After many rounds in the ring, he retired from boxing in 2005. From then he grew his presence in pop culture through movies, documentaries and his own business. At 39 years old, he took an absence from competitive boxing, until questions emerged about whether Tyson still has what it takes to compete against Jake’s level.
The speculation first started
Home Alone Steals the Show as Best Holiday Film
Home Alone is a Heritage
After interviewing students and teachers of Rogers Heritage High School, the majority say Home Alone is the best Christmas movie. The top favorite Christmas movie choice was Home Alone due to its blend of humor, heartwarming moments and the display of lighthearted chaos within families during the holiday season, creating a relatable and nostalgic experience. Its iconic slapstick comedy, memorable quotes, and festive setting make it a
timeless holiday classic enjoyed by all ages.
The other top two Christmas movies people chose were The Grinch and Elf. For many people, How the Grinch Stole Christmas is a favorite Christmas movie because it captures the transformative power of kindness, community, and the true meaning of Christmas. Its quirky humor, memorable characters and heartwarming message about redemption resonate deeply.
Others say the movie Elf is a favorite Christmas movie because of its perfect blend of childlike won-
early this year, 2024, when Jake Paul mentioned Mike Tyson in several interviews, explaining that he would be willing to come faceto-face in the ring. What sparked people’s attention was Jake’s confidence in performing against Tyson’s unmatched skills and legacy.
“I’ve beaten bigger, stronger, and more experienced fighters,” said Jake in an Instagram video posted earlier this year. “Tyson’s a legend, but legends get old. I think it’s time for a new era.”
Mike quickly replied with interest in the idea of a fight, but of course also had to face reality. Mike is 68 and hasn’t been in the ring for live television since 2005. “Jake’s got guts, I’ll give him that, but let’s be clear, I’m not here to play. If I fight, it’ll be because I’m in shape and ready to do what I do best,” Tyson said.
Both fighters came out strong and confident, but as the fight went along, Tyson was losing his grip. After both fighters went the full eight rounds, each being two minutes long, Jake Paul won by unanimous decision. “This is one of those situations when you lost but still won. I’m grateful for last night. No regrets to get in the ring one last time,” Tyson said on social media platform X. After the decision was announced, the two fighters hugged showing their excellent sportsmanship.
“I think it was revolutionary, honestly. I think that it’s really sad that Mike lost. I mean times are tough, but things get better,” said Lexi Engelberger (11).
der, quirky humor, and heartwarming message about the importance of family and believing in the magic of Christmas. Will Ferrell’s lovable performance as Buddy the Elf brings a unique charm to the film, making it both hilarious and endearing, while its festive spirit and whimsical tone make it a holiday favorite for all ages.
“Home Alone is my favorite Christmas movie to watch during Christmas time because it gives me the giggles and because I get to spend time with my family while eating popcorn and drinking my hot chocolate with my melted marshmallows while watching the movie,” said Cynthia Shasteen (9).
Cynthia loves getting to spend time with her family during the cold holidays, while cozying up, watching a great Christmas movie while drinking hot chocolate and eating popcorn and candy.
“My favorite Christmas movie is Home Alone because the kid in the movie gets in all kinds of trouble and it’s so funny to watch,” said Belinda Jones, CTE teacher.
Jones adores all six of the Home Alone movies made by 20th century studios to spread a message that though sometimes families fight, they’ll always find each other again.
“Home Alone is my favorite because the aesthetics put into the movie, the creativity and all the traps that you see the kevin place all around the house, shows a lesson to not leave your kids at home unsupervised.” said Isaiah Valdez (9).
Holiday Gift Ideas for Teens
Cole & Deere Talon Reporters
Christmas is a season where the true gift lies not in the wrapping or the price tag, but in the thought and love shared with others.
Although Christmas is a time to celebrate, it’s also a time of gifting your loved ones. Finding gifts to get a teenager is a little difficult, but the students at Heritage are here to help.
Most teenagers at Heritage said that they would like clothes or electronics. Popular clothes that teenagers want are Nike Techs. In addition, electronics that teenagers want are iPads, Apple watches, Air Pods, and an iPhone.
Getting gifted something you love shows you that the people around you pay attention to you. It’s normalized that you should notice someone’s love through presents but that’s not what Christmas is about. Christmas is about spending time with your loved ones and for some, it’s about celebrating Jesus being born.
“My favorite Christmas memory is baking cookies with my family and giving them out to the homeless. Christmas is important to me because I get to spend it with family and make memories I will remember for a lifetime,” said Breanna Rusher (9).
Creative Commons License
Creative Commons License
fan favorite.
Rambo
Talon Reporter
Perez Talon Reporter
The 2024-2025 wrestling season is beginning and Heritage wrestlers are excited about what is to come.
This year there will be one freshman game, five JV games, 14 girls games, and 15 varsity games. There are 14 different weight classes with one athlete representing every class per tournament. A tournament lasts all day, whereas a duel lasts about an hour. There are three 2-minute periods per match.
You can win a match by a pin when you put both shoulder blades down on the mat, or by having more points at the end of the third period. If wrestlers don’t make a certain weight before a match, the match is closed. The Heritage High School wrestlers have been hard at work for this season since the spring and throughout the summer.
“Because you want to be at the top of your weight class and you either have to gain a good amount of weight or lose a good amount of weight,” said Jackson Moseley (9).
Wrestlers are not allowed to wrestle if they are over the set weight class for a duel or tournament. Still, on the off chance that they are on the lighter side of their weight class, they will likely get dominated by the opposing wrestler.
A way some wrestlers at this school stay at the top of their weight class is by wearing sweatpants and hoodies while doing cardio or lifting weights to lose water weight,
Wrestlers Tackle Strong Start to Season
while also being in a calorie deficit for weeks.
“In most physical sports, it is good to know to have a low and athletic position, and wrestling really helps with that. It helps keep me in shape and it helps me build muscle. I just feel more athletic,” said Moseley.
Basketball Gets Slammin’ Scores
Wrestling is a sport that can help you get prepared for other activities such as football, soccer, basketball, etc. Wrestling can greatly improve players’ stamina, speed, and strength. A number of wrestlers have come over from football and feel it is helping their overall athleticism and wrestling, especially
Jordan Talon Reporter
assisting football players’ stance when tackling, which almost fully depends on who is lower, aiding players’ block.
“I feel so hyped about the upcoming season. It is very good. I can’t wait for my first big wrestling experience,” said Peter Hu (9).
With the basketball season starting, the varsity team has been putting in work to make sure they do well this year as they prepare for their games.
Although the team has had a rough start with more losses than wins, each recent game has been close, with the players giving it their all until the end. Despite the tough start, the players and coach feel that things are starting to click, and the team is confident about their upcoming games.
“I think we had a slow start, but we [are going to] get onto it,” said Bryson Jackson (12), showing the team’s determination.
The players have been working hard, both on and off the court, focusing on perfecting their games. With early-morning workouts and late-night shooting sessions, everyone is putting in effort.
“I get shots in outside of practice, and I work on my vertical inside and outside my home,” said Ryker Kimes (11), showing his dedication to improving his game.
The team’s strong work ethic has been obvious in every practice, with players pushing themselves and each other to get better every day. Both the players and coaches feel confident about the potential of this season. While there’s still work to be done, the players believe in the team’s ability to grow and improve.
“I think we’ve got some growing to do, and I think we’ll do that but we’ve got some good pieces and I’m looking forward as we go through the season,” said Coach Olsen, encapsulating his exhilaration for the coming games.
Padilla
A Heritage wrestler takes down an opponent on Dec. 3.
Jordan
Player 14, Max Howard, blocks opposing Player 1, Darius Eason, on the home basketball game
Nov. 8.
Heritage Christmas Playlist
“I can always rely on Kelly Clarkson to bring me into the Christmas spirit. I've loved this song because my grandma played it when we baked gingerbread," said Presli Sickels
Photos and Story by Pullen and Fitzpatrick
Jingle all the way into the Christmas spirit with our school playlist. These holiday songs are better for making your spirits bright, whether you are singing along or decking the halls. Allow the music to fill your heart with joy and excitement.
song: Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) by
Now that you’re in the holiday spirit, it’s time to press play and let the music take over. Whether you’re decorating the classroom or wrapping gifts at home, our Christmas playlist is perfect to make every moment merry and bright
This playlist combines holiday favorites and good ol’ songs designed to set the perfect tone for the season, from toe-tapping jingles to heartwarming carols. Whether you’re enjoying a festive classroom activity or at home, let the magic of music fuel your holiday fun.
song: All
Pictured song: Frosty the Snowman by Jimmy Durante
Pictured song: Underneath the Tree by Kelly Clarkson
