The Talon - Issue #1 (2019-2020)

2019-2020 Issue 1

Table of Contents Page 2 - FFA Updates Page 3 - Behind the Scenes in Chapel Page 4 - Football Brief Page 5 - Interview with Administration Page 6 - Heat's Impact on Fall Sports Page 7 - Student and Teacher Profiles Page 8 - Ongoing Results of the 9/11 Attacks Page 9-10 - Opinion Pieces; Elective List

Welcome back to another year!

2019-2020 is in full swing, with the Fall Social and sports underway. The Talon staff has already been hard at work finding stories of interest to the Immanuel community, and we welcome your ideas. If you have anything you would like to see in future editions, email us at thetalon@immanuelschools.com -The Talon Staff and Advisor .

Immanuel FFA is Ready for the Fair

by Julia Scarborough

The Big Fresno Fair is approaching once again. On October 2-14 twelve Immanuel FFA members will be showcasing their ag-related projects.

Most students have been working with their animal from six months to a year. Some of the projects that will be shown are pigs, lambs, steers, and rabbits. Students will be showing their animal two days out of the week in the livestock pavilion. Judging is highly focused towards

Showing lambs at the Fresno Fair

Past fair winners: Drew Vogt, Julia Scarborough, Taylor Lovewell, Hunter Ward, Colton Vogt

presentation, so both the student and their animal will be heavily prepped, with the students in standard FFA uniforms and their animal sporting an identification tag.

In regards to the physical showing process, it simply includes walking your animal around the pen as best you can, waiting to be judged, similar to dog shows or any other animal event. It's not only about showing, though, to most kids - it's also about

being able to educate the public about agriculture. They're able to learn how to handle financial situations when they are raising their animals and then earn their money back from selling their animal in the sale, skills they'll be able to use their whole lives. Prize money is also available based on how well they present their animals. We're all cheering everyone on and wishing all the exhibitors the best of luck.

Inside the Booth

by Jonah Gomez

From left to right: Braxton Philpott, Michael Kawagoe, Trevin Paulson

We sit in chapel two times a week and it’s very easy to think that everything just magically comes together. The lights are always on point, the instrumentalists always know what to play, and the slides for songs and speakers appear when they need to. However there is a lot of hard work behind the scenes that people do not see. The tech team that works in the shadows is the glue that holds the entire project together.

Mr. Thomas encourages the junior high and high school to Be Bold

Senior Taylor Simonian is in her first year of worship fundamentals.

She runs slides for the chapel band and for the speaker as well, “It’s harder than it looks. It’s hard to stay on time with the singers. But it’s fun." Simonian is in the sound booth and has to practice with the singers and instrumentalists before chapel to make sure she comes in with the lyrics at the right time. As for doing slides for the speaker, “You have to listen very closely or else you’ll

The Chapel Band prepares to lead Rally Day attendees in a time of worship

miss your cue. It helps if you pay attention.”

Almost all the lighting in chapel is done by Senior Braxton Philpott, who has been in the class for three years. He even worked over the summer to put everything that you see together.

“Over the summer I spent about 80 hours working on various lighting work,” Philpott said. He works with the chapel band to sync his lights with each song.

“For chapel band, songs take about an hour to get each song down and synced together.”

Philpott loves what he does and works on it three periods out of the school day.

These are things that come up everyday in chapel, but what about the things you never see? Junior James Blakely is a part of the chapel video crew, and explains what it’s like to be the man on the cam.

“It’s kind of stressful. There’s a lot to be watching at all times.”

Blakely records every chapel that is posted to the Immanuel High School YouTube channel.

Though the job is quite strenuous, he still goes in with a smile on his face. “It’s a very fun time,” he says.

Junior Shawn Rogers share about his summer missions trip

Coach Halstead Sees "Hard Work and Dedication" in New Freshmen Players Immanuel’s football season is just hitting its stride, and this year since Immanuel doesn’t have a JV team, there are some freshmen on the Varsity football team. New head football coach Mr. Halstead has some positive words about the three Freshmen on the team.

Question: What are some expectations for the freshmen?

Coach Halstead: Playing varsity football as a freshman is a challenge.

There aren’t many freshmen in our area that get to do that. The expectation is for them to get a little better every week so that they are ready to get on the field when they are needed. They are also a huge part of our scout team at practice.

They are doing a great job of simulating the other team in our practices.

Question: How do you want to see their time in the team evolve for the rest of the season?

Coach Halstead: I would like to get them more and more involved as the season progresses. They are already contributing on special teams and I would like for them to be able to spell our starters for a few plays here and there by the end of the season.

Question: What are some strengths in the new freshman?

Coach Halstead: Aaron Gutierrez has the size needed to play varsity football. He is coachable and getting better every week. Damian Cabrera is small, but he is a technician. He has gotten the most playing time because he knows his assignment and has great technique. Matthew Azua has taken his kicking duties very seriously.

Having a freshman kicker means we

by Ethan Garcia

have a solid kicker for four seasons.

Question: Are you proud of the new freshmen so far?

Coach Halstead: I am very proud of our freshmen. There are only three of them, but those three are hardworking and very coachable. They have bought in to the program and the experience they get this year playing Varsity football will only make them better football players in the future.

They are the type of guys you want in a football program.

Question: What do you see in them?

Coach Halstead: I see hard work and dedication. I see guys that are not afraid of mixing it up with the upperclassmen on the field. I see guys that want to work hard to become better football players and better athletes in general. They are learning what it takes to be a successful athlete, and later in life, a successful adult.

Question: Do you feel like Matthew was ready for such a nerve-racking part of the game?

Coach Halstead: Matthew has no fear. Sometimes he should have fear, but I don’t think he knows that.

Matthew is a confident young man who sets a high standard for himself. It is easy to see how much Matthew cares about his job. He is hard on himself and strives to be the best at his job no matter what.

Question: Who have you been really impressed by?

Coach Halstead: I have been really impressed by all of the freshmen.

Football is not an easy game to play, especially being freshmen on varsity. That’s why there are only three of them. Playing against a tougher competition is only going to make them better football players in the future.

It is often easy to recognize big changes around the school, such as the construction of the new elementary school, or the new life group system. However, many students are unaware of the process involved with proposing and instituting new changes around campus. The Talon staff set out to inquire for answers, and interviewed the Immanuel Schools Superintendent, Mr. Wood.

How long have you been working in education, both as an administrator or otherwise?

I have worked in education for 25 years, all of them at Immanuel.

Fourteen of them have been as an administrator.

What made you want to be an Administrator?

I liked the idea of having more of an influence on the whole campus and not just my classes. I am a dreamer and liked the opportunities I had to make and implement changes that I thought were good for students.

There have been many changes around campus in recent years, so how are potential changes proposed, and how large of a voting pool is there to finalize these changes? Who is involved?

Some of the changes come from the administration team (principals, directors, and superintendent). Some of the changes come from ideas from the staff. Other changes happen at the Board level (my bosses).

Significant changes (Building projects, academic policies, etc.) are proposed to the Board by me for approval.

Do new changes have to be approved unanimously, or is it just a majority vote?

We like to have unanimously for major

Mr. Wood Discusses Changes at Immanuel

by Nathan Orosco

changes, which usually happens, but a majority vote is the requirement.

We spend a lot of time discussing before we make a final decision.

After approval, how long does it usually take to implement a new policy or other change?

It depends on what is being implemented, but it usually is very fast.

What would you say is your favorite, or most beneficial change made around campus in the past few years?

Building the elementary school has been the most beneficial change.

The school has doubled in size over the last 3-4 years and that was made possible by adding new buildings.

The sports complex has also been a huge addition made possible by some very generous donors. That has definitely been a blessing to our district in many ways.

Are there any changes that you have ended up disliking, whether you initially approved them or not, or vice versa?

I wouldn’t say I have disliked any

change in particular, but some changes have needed to be adjusted or improved to achieve what we initially wanted to see happen.

Restorative Discipline when it was implemented 14 years ago took some time become understand and effective. The No Graded Homework Policy has been adjusted and discussed each year to make sure it is accomplishing what we wanted it to.

Are there any possible upcoming changes that you might like to share with the student body?

We are working hard to provide more Dual Credit classes for our students.

We hope to someday replace all AP classes, so that our students get the college credit without having to pass an AP test. I would love to add a coffee shop, student store, lounge area on campus in Ed’s Place. The Interior Design class is working on designing some mockups. For the elementary school we would love to finish phase 3 which is the building of a multi-purpose building.

Caution: Things Are Heating Up

by Erin Orosco

Although it may seem as though the valley is beginning to catch a break, with recent temperatures as low as 80 degrees, this past summer and early fall has been nothing short of brutal. In general, heat has been progressively more severe due to higher humidity and warmer nighttime temperatures, making it too difficult to recover from daytime heat at night. Heat extremity also presents health risks, meaning engaging in physical activity should be regarded with caution.

According to the national weather service, the heat index is “a measure of how hot it really feels when relative humidity is factored in with the actual air temperature”. In simpler terms, even if the number on your weather app isn’t too concerning, it’s important to determine how your body reacts when coming in contact with the outdoors. It could be 95 degrees, but if it feels like 100, that could be the difference between an average uncomfortable practice and a dangerous one. Ignoring your bodies’ reactions and continuing to fully exert it could even result in permanent damage.

So what does this mean for fall sports? For players, it means listening to your body, and not being afraid to speak up if you know something is wrong. It’s much more embarrassing to collapse in front of your teammates than ask for a water break or have to sit out of a workout so you can recover. For coaches, it means modifying workouts or opting out of practice on days of extreme heat and being acutely aware of warning signs and procedures. For reference, symptoms of heat exhaustion include: rapid pulse, muscle or stomach cramping, excessive sweating, weakness and fatigue, calmly or pale skin, nausea or vomiting, and if it gets to that point, yes, fainting. But no one is entirely off the hook. Heat exhaustion cannot be entirely averted without preventative measures. Making sure to practice proper hydration and nutrition is an individual responsibility, and makes a difference. The water you drink the day before a big game or match is the water your body uses during it, as well as the water you drink throughout the day leading up to it. What you put into your body is what your body will use as fuel and energy, so treat it kindly. Work hard, have a good season, but most importantly, stay safe out there folks.

That Time I...

by Madisyn Baker

Have you ever heard someone tell a story so interesting you wish you could go tell everyone about it? I've taken it upon myself to find the most interesting narratives and share them with the public.

This is the story of a 15-year-old freshman, Austin Stevens, and the time he faced a dangerous fire. “When I was at a church retreat the owners of the retreat were burning a brush pile and came running to our preacher, and said that the fire was going underground. I saw the smoke become more violent. I was watching the fire burn and I grabbed a shovel and ran down to the fire. When I got there I saw two water hoses deployed to each side of the fire and working around it to contain it. I started turning dirt to bring up burning roots to the surface.

Another brush pile caught fire in a tree. I worked for 10 or 15 minutes and the heat was so intense that I basically walking on burning ground and could feel the heat on my legs, arms, and pretty much everywhere. At this point we had someone get the fire department. While we were waiting someone told me to throw burning

Teacher Profile: Ms. Martinez

by Madisyn Baker

What do you teach?

Freshman Readiness, Sports Medicine, and Anatomy & Physiology.

How long have you been teaching?

This is her first year teaching.

What was your favorite subject in high school?

Her favorite subject in high school was sports medicine, which she took for two years.

What is your favorite subject to teach?Her favorite subject to teach is Anatomy.

Most embarrassing moment?

Ms. Martinez said she doesn’t really get embarrassed easily,

Freshmen Austin Stevens

sticks into the fire. The fire department finally got there and they brought two trucks. They looked at the fire and told us that we had it pretty much under control. After this incident, I realized that I wanted to be a firefighter.”

and just lets things happen.

Did you always want to be a teacher? She did not always want to be a teacher. She originally wanted to be a full time athletic trainer, but always knew teaching could be an option.

What’s your favorite thing about teaching at Immanuel?

“The atmosphere, the community and it feeling like a family.”

What do you do outside of school?

She likes to be outdoors, and enjoys relaxing with her family.

What college did you go to?

Ms. Martinez went to Grand Canyon University.

What kind of movies do you like to watch?

Comedies.

What are your goals for this year?

Ms. Martinez said her goal for this year is “For each student to come out of the class with something valuable.”

9/11 is Still Affecting Americans

by Ronnie Alvarado

As another September rolls in, America remembers those who lost their lives in the 9/11 attacks. Although thousands of innocent lives were lost, the brave men and women who risked their lives for the greater good will never be forgotten.

Survivors who risked their lives are still suffering to this day.

According to abcnews.com, 241 NYPD officers have died from 9/11 related illnesses within the last 18 years. That's 10 times the amount of officers who died in the World Trade Center attack, and that's not including the people of FDNY or the EMT’s.

Comedian and former Daily Show host Jon Stewart confronted New York lawmakers on the healthcare, (or lack thereof), that 9/11 first responders had received. He delivered his angry speech on

behalf of all the victims of this tragedy, saying, “They responded in five seconds. They did their jobs with courage, grace, tenacity, humility.

Eighteen years later, do yours."

Luis Alvarez, a retired NYPD detective who was also a 9/11 responder, spoke before the congress saying, “I should not be here with you, but you made me come.” Alvarez, at the time, was heading into his 69th chemotherapy session. New York officials said they would run out of funding for the project by December 2020 and there was no plan to reauthorize it.

President Donald Trump got involved and signed the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund Bill for First Responders on July 29th, one month after Luis Alvarez died of cancer. The bill would make sure 9/11 first

John Stewart speaks to Congress on health care for 9/11 first responders

responders got healthcare for at least the next 70 years.

President Trump said, "They answered terror with the emotional strength of true American warriors," and asked the first responders to stand, saying, "You inspire all of humanity." He also said, "In the wake of the Sept. 11 attacks, courageous Americans raced into smoke, fire and debris in lower Manhattan, the Pentagon, and a field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. The whole world witnessed the might and resilience of our nation in the extraordinary men and women of the NYFD and the NYPD, selfless patriots of unmatched character and devotion.” The legislation would make sure that the first responders would have proper healthcare for the next seven decades. It would also offer financial stability for the 22,000 men and women who worked in Lower Manhattan after the September 11th attack. In the next 10 years $10.2 billion will be put into the bill. In the words of Jon Stewart, “We can never repay all that the 9/11 community had done for our country, but we can stop penalizing them.” With the enforcement of this bill hopefully our heroes can get the medical attention that they deserve.

Grab a Friend - We Are Heading to Area 51

by Aly Perez

What is all this hype with Area 51? Are people actually going to Nevada and raiding aliens? Well, for those of you that don’t know, Area 51 is located in Lincoln County, Nevada. It’s a high ranked United States Air Force base. It can be known as Homey Airport or Groom Lake because of the salt flat located near the facility. There have been alleged sightings of extraterrestrial life, however it is not confirmed. It remains a mystery.

Do you believe aliens exist?

On June 27, a Facebook event was posted called Storm Area 51. College student Matty Roberts didn’t mean for his post to go viral, but it blew up fairly quickly. The joke consisted of supposedly raiding Area 5, located in Southern Nevada. There have been many rumors of the government holding evidence of the extraterrestrial at the base. Approximately 3.3 million people are allegedly interested in going.

The plan is to go on September 20, at 3:00 am.

According to some, if you “Naruto” run, which is a famous Japanese cartoon of a character holding their arms behind their body in a bent position while running, you’ll be able to dodge bullets. This is because the US military has the right to open fire against any trespassers. Those going to the raid jokingly intend on taking aliens from the base or just partying. Who knows what will actually go down, we’ll just have to wait and see.

A Face We Have All Seen Before

by Sienna Mehling

Have you ever watched a movie or TV show and thought that the actor looked like someone you know? Maybe even one of your teachers? Mrs. Friesen, mother of 7, (2 of which are Immanuel alums), has been a homeschool teacher for 6 years, and recently became the new director of Intervention at IHS. Interestingly, Mrs. Friesen looks kind of like Jennifer Garner, who you might know from “13 Going On 30” or “Miracles from Heaven”.

You can definitely tell in their smiles and eyes. They even have

matching dimples! They are both extremely giving with their time, as Mrs. Friesen dedicates many hours at her church and here at school. Similarly, Jennifer Garner has a heart for children and advocates for the Save the Children program. Both women also enjoy time with their own kids, doing things like going to baseball games and playing board games.

Even though they look alike, they live completely different lives. Jennifer lives in the public eye, while Mrs. Friesen is happily living in small town Reedley.

Even though she isn’t famous, Mrs. Friesen is making a difference on our campus, and it’s not going unnoticed.

"The Best 4 Years Drive in A movie night under the stars with your friends! Need we say more? of Our Life", Right? Movie Awards

by Lexi Perez

Not to be cheesy, but let’s be honest, the seniors want to end this year with a bang. Let’s make this year great with some exciting events! Most schools have fun student activities that make you actually want to get involved. Unheard of, right?

Most kids don’t like going to school unless they have a crush.

Anywho, let's make the most of this year by having things like: Disclaimer: These are just ideas from other schools but not happening (yet).

Students, this is your chance to bring out your inner filmmaker! Create or remake your favorite movie! A ceremony will be held to play all the films; red carpet and all. Students will vote, and each category will have a winner!

Neon Rally Picture this: a day of wearing bright colors with all your friends. There’s a pep rally. The gym is decorated in neon colors with black lights. There’s games. There’s glow sticks. Music, but no dancing, we promise. You have a great time.

Senior Survivor Week Just like the show survivor! Haven’t seen it? Well it’s about two teams who compete against each other, form alliances, and eliminate players at tribal councils. Winner takes all!

Pumpkin Carving Contest Let’s put your pumpkin carving skills to the test and see who can create the best!

Staff vs. Students Volleyball? Dodgeball? You name it! Students will create their own teams of 6 and play against each other until there is only one team remaining.

The last team will play against the staff!

Electives?

Which one?

by Jordyn Baptista

Art - It’s a fun way to be creative and learn how to draw and paint. Some of your projects can be viewed on Back to School or Rally Day. Drama - If you have a flare for the dramatic, this is for you. You can be up front or helping from behind the stage.

Choir - Sing your heart out at choral concerts and participate in musicals.

Yearbook - Take photos and use your creative skills to create an awesome yearbook for the whole school!

Drafting - A blend of both mechanical and architectural drawing and learning how to handle elevations, perspectives, and technical illustration.

Interior Design - This is where you can learn traditional technical drawing techniques and focus on interior space like floor plans, furniture plans, and more.

Journalism - You want to get down and dirty for the best news story? Learn about the history of Journalism and write in the monthly newspaper.

Culinary Arts - Can you turn on an oven? Great, then you can handle these courses, where you learn to bake and cook. You can also eat food; that’s always fun.

Worship Funds. - Do you want to sing in chapel or help with the inner workings of sound and lighting?

Well then you should join this class!

Video/Film - This class covers camera settings, framing shots, and audio.

Automotive - Learn basic welding skills, car maintenance, and build a car for the auction.

Sports Medicine - Learn about the body, CPR, and common athletic injuries.

Metal Shop - This is where you can learn the trade of metal working. They can operate machine shop equipment such as lathes and mills.

Floral Design - Do you like flowers? Learn about their history and make floral arrangements.

AG Communication - This class helps with listening skills and public speaking.