Mia Valenza

MIA VALENZA YEARBOOK PORTFOLIO 2015 Publicity Editor/Team Leader

SELF-ANALYTICAL ESSAY BECOMING a team leader this year changed my experience in yearbook tremendously. I entered yearbook this year with minimal experience on InDesign but now I have designed three spreads and I have a deeper understanding of the tools and guidelines. As far as leadership, I have learned to be more assertive and clear when giving instructions. Being a team leader has not only made my schedule busier but it has made me much more dedicated to the book. As the publicity editor, I know now that it is much harder to capture the attention of my peers than I expected. I have tried using both Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat but no one really cares. I put in a lot of effort to capture kids’ attention and I’ve had to learn not to take it personally when they ignore me.

BEING a team leader has changed the relationship with my peers in that I am not really friends with Julia anymore. I did not want to be a team leader and there are plenty of pros and cons. One of the advantages of being a team leader is that I feel more included in the class and that I have an important role which was a feeling I lacked last year. A con is that I am not assertive enough so my team members often don’t do their work until the last minute such as on the deadline two night. If I had to describe my method of leadership I would say I am the laid-back kind and it is not working for me. Next semester I need to quit being so easy going so that I can convey the importance of being punctual with deadlines.

OVERALL, becoming a team leader has given me skills I can apply later in life. I know not to be a pushover and to give proper orders, but also that sometimes I really have to take things into my own hands to get them done. Being a major part of the staff has also taught me how to work well in a group like as an entire unit. I like knowing how to work with Mac computers now too because I think it will help me in office settings which I will be in as a vet tech later in life.

REFLECTION #1 THE spread I am most proud of this year are pages 70-71.

This is a spread I designed for deadline two. The main reason I like this spread the most is that the dominant package stands out much more in comparison to my other spreads. From beginning to finish, the spread was completely transformed. We began with a main story about homecoming court and four mods, but at the end we only had two mods but it fits much better. If we had included all four spreads, we would not have been able to make the dominant photo as large or cool. Also we edited the dominant photo so that the two people are in black and white with just the sash and bouquet of roses in color. My personal work for the page wasn’t too hard as far as writing. I wrote a story about winning homecoming queen from the first person point of view. My purpose when designing the spread was to make homecoming the clear main focus since it is one of the bigger events of the year. A specific thing I like about the page is that we have photos lined up on the right of the page with a color bar separating them from the main story but that it still looks like a package. What I learned from designing this spread is that sometimes you have to give up a decent mod to make a more appealing look overall.

REFLECTION #2

REFLECTION #3

THE spread I am the least proud of is pages 62-63. I had to cut a lot of photos and make them small in order for everything to fit. The dominant package had to be rearranged several times and cropped so that the additional photos could be used.

Another issue with this spread is that three of the photos on it are from someone’s cell phone so the quality is not good at all. If I could change things about the spread it would be the pictures. My team and I should have been better prepared and taken photos ourselves to ensure the quality. Everything for the spread was created last minute, including one of my mods that I did not put adequate effort into. The aforementioned mod now looks slightly out of place on the page, it is very boring, and it was hard to arrange in a visually appealing manner. From this spread I learned that it is more difficult than I thought to create clear distinction between stories and mods. Working closely with Adamson did not help on this spread as much I thought it would because even he was stumped with what to do. Overall, my feelings toward this spread are nonexistent. I am indifferent.

I have seen uglier spreads but my others look much better than this one.

I am proud of this photo because it reminds me of something I would see on Time magazine or another prestigious publication.

The background came out dark unintentionally but rather than weakening the impact of the photo, it enhances the subject, Nolan. I did not necessarily capture any specific emotion however I do think that it provokes some sort of emotion in the viewer. It displays rule of thirds very clearly since the subject is to the right with the black sprawling out toward the left. I am attracted to this picture because of all the photos I took that night, this one is one of the few good ones. I like that you can see the sweat on his face and that his eyes look really blue. I am not the best at photographing sports and I think I found my niche - focusing on faces rather than the action on the field.

REFLECTION #4 I believe I was an asset to the team in many ways this year but significantly with my positive attitude and willingness to learn. On my spreads I was always open to things being rearranged because I knew they would look better in the end. I try to be encouraging to all the staff members and crack jokes to keep the mood light even in stressful situations. I am also dedicated this year and I stayed until 11:45 pm on our second deadline night because I wanted to leave less work for the editing team. I am also adamant about proofreading things which I believe expresses my dedication because I want the book to be nearly perfect.

REFLECTION #5 THE hardships I faced this semester were mostly related to punctuality on deadlines. Neither I nor my team had their mods and stories done on time for deadline two. What I’ve learned from this is that deadlines are much more serious business than I knew last year. As a staff member last year, I never fully understood how crucial they were. Overall, the situation was handled professionally even though it took me until 11:45 pm to get everything on my spreads. I remained calm and tried to design as much as I could with very little material. My greatest weakness (shocker) is procrastination. What I willl do next semester is create a strict schedule for both myself and my team.

TEAR SHEETS ROYAL FUN

“OKAY SO YOU’RE ALL GOING TO WALK with your partners to the top of the fifty yard line and wait for them to announce your name,” said Cameron Bender, the student council director. I looked around at my fellow homecoming royalty nominees and over to the crowd of students, which seemed

HOMECOMING queen Mia Valenza recounts what it was like to win

miles away. We could hear the dull roars as the cheerleaders finished their intricate half-time routine and we all began to line up.

When I started high school, I was not a stereotypical popular student.

I flew below the radar and kept my circle of friends relatively small. The last thing I would have expected would be to be on the homecoming court my senior year. My best friend Madeline Jones, a senior, said that she wanted me to be crowned homecoming queen.

That Friday on October 30, I found myself on the field during half time of the homecoming game, surrounded by the winning couples from each grade besides seniors.

We were adorned in sashes and were holding bouquets of red roses.

Out of the ten of us, I believed I was the least likely to win and I happily accepted that.

1 IN BETWEEN PLAYING TIME, Marchica takes a break to be named homecoming king. After being nominated for homecoming royalty four years in a row, it was finally time for this running back to shine. “I was expecting Corinne [Querrey] and Ben [Rodenburg] to win,” said Marchica.

2 LOST AND INSECURE, Valenza graciously accepts her destiny to be crowned homecoming queen.

Taking after 2015 prom queen, Nicole Toomey, Valenza carries on the yearbook royalty legacy. “I’m so happy I could make my yearbook

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WELCOME TO THE COUNCIL

Brainstorm Solutions “We use specific techniques with school, and career counseling… depending on the area—academic, career, and social— help me with what techniques I should use… It’s a lot of trial and error.”

Brainstorm Solutions “A lot of counseling that I use is solutionbased, where I work with the students to come up with a possible solution to their problem.”

As I strolled down the field, my arm intertwined with Daniel Golding, a senior, the pommies and cheerleaders began screaming my name. We were instructed to stop at the edge of the line and get our photo taken, which was hard for the socially incompetent part of my brain to accept. Promptly after we all got our pictures taken, we lined up single file along the field. Sophia Beaudoin, the 2014 homecoming queen, was there to crown the winners.

My insides were shaking as I stood in the spotlight and I grew queasy. The crowd went wild as Antonio Marchica, senior and varsity football captain, received the title of homecoming king. Out of the corner of my eye, I observed Sophia walking in my direction. I stared straight at the Nest and held my breath. Cheers erupted as I felt the tiara placed on my head. My jaw dropped and Allison Zilka, another student council adviser, placed the homecoming queen sash on me.

As cliche as it sounds, winning homecoming queen was an unforgettable experience and I am honored to have been nominated by my peers. story by mia valenza

Antonio Marchica, 12

2 Daniel Golding, Mia Valenza, 12

mentors proud,” said Valenza.

3 3 BASKING IN THE SPOTLIGHT, seniors Cole Parker and Madison Mercer stroll across the field toward the stands. Mercer won homecoming court her junior year but Parker had never been nominated before. “I was kind of bummed that I didn’t win but I’m satisfied with who won,” said Parker.

4 SITTING ON THE CEREMONIAL GOLF CART, Marchica and Valenza revel in surprise. Dr. Debra Burdick was driving the cart around the track. “I said, ‘Floor it Debbie’ when I got on,” said Valenza.

I-CAN DO THIS

THE counselors at Cactus Shadows work hard with their students in order to make sure that they reach their potential.

ALL ABOUT ME

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FOREIGN language students explain the best ways to succeed on their I Can statements.

1. Receive the assignment from the teacher

Build Relationships

“It takes time to develop strong relationships with the students… and that’s where we make progress, when we make that connection.”

Be Available

2. Learn the specifics about the topic

3. Write the sentences on a piece of paper 4. Prepare and memorize the I-Can statement

“Our daily schedules usually never repeat in the same way… students can walk-in with a problem that we need to help them with.” story by christopher haines

5. Present the paragraph in for the instructor

HOLDING A GIANT PEN, counselor Lori Dahne helps Bobbi Kerr, a senior, fill out her college application. One of Dahne’s main priorities is to help students make the transition from high school to college. “She knows what she’s doing and makes it easier,” said Kerr. photo by ashley

6. Bonus: Include vocabulary from previous chapters and experience to impress them story by christopher haines

kritzstein

BRAVE

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TRUSTING

counselors, homecoming court, foreign langauge

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MORE THAN A CLUB BRIANNE Kunkel, president, and Antonio Marchica, work weekly to help members of Project Unified.

DURING class, history teacher Geoff Johnson prompts his students to express the appreciation for their favorite teachers.

1 DURING A WORK DAY in

history, teacher Geoff Johnson chats with senior Alec Allen at his desk. Johnson tries his hardest to create personal connections with each of his students.

“Mr. Johnson is different from other teachers. You can tell he genuinely cares about what’s going on with you,” said Allen.

photo by christopher haines

2 AFTER OFFERING HIS CLASS time to work on their homework, math teacher Augustin Angeli assists sophomore Bob Bobertson with a problem. Angeli is very enthusiastic about helping students understand their homework. “He actually helps you work through it instead of just telling you an equation and leaving you on your own,” said Bobertson. photo by christopher haines

Geoff Johnson: “He’s probably one of the most inspiring teachers I’ve ever had. He makes it known to his students that he cares and he cares about more than just you as a student. He cares about you as a person.”

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Augustin Angeli: “I learned more in his class than like I have ever have about math. He made math one of my easier subjects now, that’s why I am doing really well now. Even though he wasn’t there that long, he made a really big impact. He was really positive even when he had a sickness.”

Doni Nasr: “She develops a lot of relationships with her students, and she really cares for them. She was honestly there for me last year when I was going through some stuff.”

Molly Gum: “For speech everyday I would wake up and look forward to going to her class. Her environment that she makes is like so open, and I feel like she makes such an impact on everyone’s life because she understands what people are going through.”

Lori Hart: “She helped me find my passion for what I want to for the rest of my life. This weekend she text me saying thanks for all your help, and that like really touched me no teachers have ever went out of their way for me like that before.” story by julia diede

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#BLACKLIVESMATTER

“We live in a community that needs to be unified and it shouldn’t matter what race or ethnicity you are.” - Emma Torrey, 10

“WHEN I WAS BORN, I should have had a severe disability or died. The nurses called me an angel,” said Kunkel.

She first got involved in Best Buddies (now known as Project Unified) in her sophomore year. Kunkel, now a junior joined Unified as a way to help others -- instead, they helped her.

“Starting in middle school, I became depressed. I didn’t know my purpose in life,” said Kunkel.

Although Kunkel occupied her time with volleyball, she did not feel as though it was enough. She prayed for a sign for something to change her life. Her prayer was answered when she blew out her ankle during a freshman volleyball camp. Because of that, she joined the Unified Adaptive P.E class, where she met Jace Mayer. Kunkel was amazed by how happy he was, and how comfortable he was in his own body. “If Jace can love his body when it can’t do half the things mine can, then why can’t I love mine?” Kunkel thought. “I do it all because of Jace.”

A similar thing happened to Marchica. “[Joining the Adaptive P.E class] changed my life by opening my eyes to a whole new viewpoint,” Marchica said. He joined Project Unified this year, and has learned a lot from his experience. As a senior varsity captain, Marchica thought he knew all there was about playing football, he soon found out he was incorrect.

The day before the first game, Coach Michael Hudnutt brought in a motivational speaker to talk to the players. The speaker asked, “Who do you play for?” Marchica found himself puzzled, and slightly embarrassed. He realized he did not have an answer.

Weeks later, during senior night, the question still lingered in the back of his mind. As Marchica was called to the coin toss, the answer grabbed his hand. The answer was Reece Parfet.

When Marchica did not have time to explain that Parfet had to stay behind, he brought him on the field. Marchica proudly introduced Parfet to the opposing team as their fifth captain.

Marchica finally went home with his answer to the long held question. “I play for Reece.” story by julia diede

1 AFTER INJURING HIS SHOULDER, senior

Antonio Marchica sits with junior Reece Parfet on the bench. Reece is present for all the games and is frequently seen consoling or cheering on the players. “He brings a really good energy to the games that you don’t see very often otherwise,” said Marchica. photo by brianne kunkel 2 SPENDING TIME IN FRONT OF THE GREEN SCREEN, juniors Brianne Kunkel and Jace Meyer share a laugh. Meyer is the main reason that Kunkel became so involved in Project Unified.

“He is so happy with himself that it’s contagious,” said Kunkel. photo by camryn mayer 3 ON SENIOR NIGHT, Marchica and Parfet link hands on the sidelines. Shortly after, Marchica brought Parfet to the middle of the field for the coin toss. “He’s truly become part of the team and I introduced him as our fifth captain,” said Marchica. photo by brianne kunkel 4 WHILE TAKING A WATER BREAK, Marchica engages with Parfet about the game. The two are often seen together laughing and talking about the plays. “He gets really excited when we’re winning and he encourages us if we’re up against a challenging team,” said Marchica. photo by gina

OPINIONATED students share how they feel about the Twitter trend #BlackLivesMatter

“Humans were created to be equal and treated with respect. We weren’t made different to be treated differently.” Katelyn Inman, 10

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ON EDGE

DEVASATING statisitics about the 2015 United States school shootings

150 98% 3X 1/4 0 School shootings since 2013

Of shooters suffered a loss of some sort

Of the shooters abused alcohol and other drugs

The rate of school shootings since 2011

Female shooters

graphic by christopher haines

brown

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BLAZIN’ SADDLES

THAT’S WHAT SHE SAID

HOW DO YOU GUYS PLAN TO MAKE NEHS MORE INTERACTIVE? We want to do more community service and volunteer work as a group.

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO DO FOR NEHS? We really want to make it a fun environment.

WHAT MOTIVATES YOU TO DO ALL OF THIS?

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Mrs. Metcalf. She is queen. story by julia diede, photos by ashley kritzstein

ON CENTER STAGE

JUNIOR Joseph Emnett found his love for football at a young age

SMILING EVEN DURING PRACTICE, Jospeh Emnett , junior, shows up to the football field everyday to practice.

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AS HER HORSE GALLOPS around the barrels, junior Megan Boyd grips the reins tightly to remain in control.

Boyd has been riding horses her whole life but competitively for about four years. In the past four years she has received cash prizes along with two buckles for excellence and she qualified for a world championship on her old horse Hershey. “It sounds really prestigious but it’s not really that cool,” said Boyd. “I was in the second division which is basically a group of the people who never win.” While she is modest, not many people can follow through with such a hobby as Boyd’s due to fear of injury.

“Any time a horse slips or falls in a performance, I hate that because you have no control,” said Boyd. And even though Boyd has been bucked off her horses Ace and Squirrel a handful of times and gotten her fair share of bumps and bruises, she still pursues horseback riding with a passion.

“After going to a couple rodeos in elementary school I decided I wanted to be a cowgirl when I grew up,” said Boyd while laughing. Boyd did not simply share that childhood dream with many other girls; she still chases after that goal today. “I am motivated to continue by wanting to make a career out of rodeo or getting a college scholarship,” she says.

As for short term goals, Boyd hopes to make it to the high school national finals rodeo this year or next. story by mia valenza

JACQUELINE BENSON AMY ABEL HOW DO YOU GUYS PLAN TO MAKE NEHS MORE INTERACTIVE? We are trying to get the members more interested.

Because last year all we kind of did was pay for the cords.

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO DO WFOR NEHS? We want to make it less serious. A lot of people think we sit around and read books all day. We don’t.

WHAT MOTIVATES YOU TO DO ALL OF THIS? English is my favorite class.

So it is fun for me to be around people that feel the same way. And being a president I know I can help in some way.

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BARREL racing is the unique hobby of horseback rider Megan Boyd

NEHS co-presidents Jacqueline Benson and Amy Abel explain their goals for the club this year

STUDENTS discuss whether or not to take early college classes their junior and senior year

Emnett began playing football ten years ago and now plays center for the varsity team.

“My dad played football in high school and so did my uncle. I wanted to try it and it was amazing,” said Emnett. photo by julia diede

WHETHER RAIN OR SHINE, Emnett give his all at pracitce. Emnett fell in love with the sport when he watched it on the television with his parents when he was younger. “I always have to

ALL THAT JAZZ

“MY FAVORITE PART OF JAZZ BAND IS SOLOING TO CHAMELEON BECAUSE IT’S SO FUN,” said Duncan Schoepe, senior. photo by julia diede

teachers, Twitter, Project Unified, school shootings

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Mikaela Morris, 12, photo by julia diede

Alexander Chen, 10, photo by julia diede

Duncan Schoepe,

12, photo by julia diede

photo by julia diede

“I LIKE JAZZ BAND BECAUSE IT’S A GOOD EXPERIENCE AND I MAKE A LOT OF FRIENDS,” said Katherine Doyle. photo by julia diede

Chen, Katherine Doyle, 12, and Gary Wykoff, photo by julia diede

Paul, Chen, and Doyle,

photo by julia diede

Paul, Chen, Doyle, Morris, Ryan Lambert, 12, Schoepe, photo by

julia diede

story by christopher haines, image by trenton smothermon

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PASSIONATE

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MOTIVATED

maddie jones maddie jones maddie jones

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“I PLAY MUSIC BECAUSE IT FEELS GOOD, MAN,” said Zachary Paul, sophomore.

A smalll group of dedicated musicians create jazz music every morning in Room 608

stay motivated despite losses and hard practices because they only make you better,” said Emnett. photo by julia diede

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TOLERANT

1 FACING THE HEAT, Boyd rides her horse Ace all over the yard. Boyd has gotten used to riding in high temperatures because she does many shows in the summer. “I get really sweaty but it is what it is,” said Boyd. photo by mia valenza 2 TREADING CAREFULLY around the obstacles on the makeshift course, Boyd and her horse Squirrel rehearse their show routine. Boyd and her horse practice on her friend’s ranch in order to prepare themselves for future competitions.

“I’m grateful to have a place to practice any time I want,” said Boyd. photo by mia valenza 3 RIDING TO WIN at the professional’s choice super show in Las Vegas, Boyd speeds around the barrels. The show took place on June 1 in the evening. “It’s always nerve-racking to compete in front of such a large audience,” said Boyd. photo by

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TAKING THE LEAP

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TEAR SHEETS

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