Raven Ramirez Portfolio

Raven Ramirez Portfolio

Self Reflection #1

I never thought I would be taking a class like this one. Me from two years ago would have never thought of signing up for a class that is all about writing articles every month. I never found myself as a “good” writer, my writing was usually all over the place. However, this class taught me a lot of great writing skills and structure. This semester, I learned to write better, more advanced articles that flow in the topic of one subject. I also learned how to write an article for the opinion page. Before this semester, I was kind of intimidated to write for the opinion page, because, in my opinion, it is an important an intimidating page to write for. But, after I wrote the con for summer school in the May issue, I felt I accomplished something that I was honestly scared to do. Another skill I learned was where to put certain quotes the appropriate places in my articles. I learned that the quotes should be put where they make sense the most, I know that should be common sense. However, I understood that concept, but not fully, there is always room for improvement. The deadlines were strict dates that need a certain thing done by then. I learned a lot from these, for example, I learned that they have serious consequences if you didn’t get things done. I also learned that we should take these deadlines seriously, because if we don’t, things won’t go so well for the paper. The one of many things I will do differently next year is, get my stuff done on the exact deadlines that they need to be completed by. Teamwork is something that is very important to me. I like a group of people that can equally divide the work and actually work on it, however that is kid of rare. So I like working alone or with one other person. There is this one person that really means a lot to me and we just met this year. Makenna French, she is just an amazing person to work with, she can get all of her stuff done, even if it’s not on the exact date. I work so well with her and I think we make a great team. Something I would do differently in the subject of teamwork is give more in depth advice so people an think with them to improve something. I believe it is important to work as a team because there is more than just one brain working on something, and everyone is different, so they will have all different kinds of ideas and thoughts. Working with more than one person didn’t really work for me, because I feel it’s a lot and sometimes I can’t get my thoughts and ideas in. I understand that that’s a me problem, and I should speak up, but that is just hard for me. So that’s why I prefer a working with one partner. Ethics in journalism are very important in this class, such as telling the truth, plagiarizing, and more. Telling the truth is important in this class, because if you lie, it will definitely come back and bite you in the butt. Plagiarism is something that is very important not to do anywhere. But if you do this in writing, things will get bad, because that is taking someone else’s work and they worked very hard on, which is what one as a writer should be doing. I was an asset to this staff this semester because I tried to write for a couple different pages each issue, so it could make me a better writer and I could have a variety of experiences with writing for different subjects. Also when nobody took the one article that wasn’t getting picked, I took it, so we could just keep on going with choosing articles, to move forward. Finally, some hardships I encountered this semester were, not getting my interviews in on time, not being able to finish my articles because of not getting all of my interviews, and then my grade going down because of not getting my articles done. I guess we can just say that was just going downhill, but I’ve learned from that, because I don’t want my grade to do that next year. My greatest weakness in publication is not speaking up for what I want and not saying my ideas for the paper, also being to shy when interviewing people. I will overcome these weaknesses next year by getting out there and talking to certain people in this class that can help me with this and getting advice from them to improve these weaknesses. I will not let my downfalls and weaknesses bring me down in this class and I WILL overcome them.

Self Reflection #2

My most significant piece that I wrote for the CS Press this semester was the Mr. Universe/Spirit Week article in the news section of the newspaper. I chose this article for this position because I believe I put a lot of work into it and I did a lot of research for it as well. This is one of my articles that I really took seriously because to be honest, I think this was one of the bigger articles for the news section and one of the first news articles I wrote. And I didn’t want to disappoint Brooke and I wanted to get this article done and I just wanted it to be perfect. My main purpose of writing this was, really so I could go see the Mr. Universe performance and I knew if I didn’t have a reason to go, I wouldn’t go. I also did this article so I could get experience on writing an article about a school event. This article was difficult and easy to write, it was right there in the middle. I was able to write this article because I took notes on my phone about all of the events in order that occurred at this school event. That really helped me, because I am a very forgetful person and I knew if I didn’t do this, I wouldn’t be able to write my article. It really paid off, even though I was on my phone every second of the performance taking notes. After I gathered all of my notes from the performance and wrote my article, I added my interviews in and these were fairly easy to get because I knew most of the people that could help me with this article, because they were in the competition, or participating in it. I really all of the information in the final piece and the order it’s in, I didn’t really do that part, it was either Mrs. Hart or Brooke that asked me to switch it around, but I really like that part of the article. The one thing I like about it is, that I can look at this article and I know that this finished piece is something that I accomplished and worked hard on, I can see through the article, the hard work and dedication that I put into it.

the News

2 ● April 19, 2019

THE CACTUS SHADOWS PRESS

Falcons crown freshman as 2019 ‘Mr. Universe’

By Raven Ramirez staff writer

This year's Big Bang Spring Spirit Week was space themed, encouraging students to dress up and participate in a variety of activities throughout the week. One of the most popular events, Mr. Cactus Shadows, was changed to Mr. Universe as a nod to this year’s theme.

In this annual competition, boys compete against each other to win the title by performing a series of talents.

The evening opened with all of the contestants performing a group dance.

This was followed by a presentation of the short audition clips submitted by each contestant. Then, the first part of the actual contest began the fashion section.

Contestants were required to answer a question that they had prepared beforehand, and then walk the runway wearing sashes. After, they came back to describe their fashionable sashes.

Having the opportunity to plan answers to the questions ahead of time made it easier on the contestants.

“On the [application], there were questions that they were going to ask you and you basically try to fill in your funniest responses to those questions,” said Benji Gerst, a senior contestant.

The next part of the show was the talent section, where contestants had to show off their special talents to the judges and the crowd. Seniors Jack Skummer and Gerst started things off by singing a song. Junior Adam Busbee showed off his talents by dressing up as Napoleon Dynamite and performed the iconic dance from the movie. Also, freshman Adam Schwartz showed off his talents by singing a country song and dressing up as a cowboy.

After all of the talents were performed, the top five were picked by the judges:

Tandehl Collentine, Assistant Principal; Gabe Ozaki, a senior, and Danica Gianni, an English teacher. Seniors Nick Romash, Taj Nadesan, Benji Gerst, Harry Denzak and freshman Adam Schwartz, made the top five contestants.

“They asked me to judge, and I was all for it because I love being a part of the stuff that’s happening on campus all of the time, and not just the athletic side,” said Tandehl Collentine, Athletic Director.

However, there can only be one Mr. Universe, and the audience became the judges for the final round.

Codes for each finalist were put up on a projector with a number to text them to. After an eager wait, they announced the 2019 Mr. Universe winner for 2019 was Adam Schwartz, who won free tickets to prom.

“Mr. Universe was a very enriching experience,” said Schwartz. “It was extremely exciting to be part of, and I had a lot of fun competing in it.

Adam Schwartz Although it means that I winner of the 2019 Mr. Unicannot take part in it for verse the rest of my high school career, I am very proud to have broken the system by being the first freshman to ever win.”

Cheyenne Yerkes, a sophomore, and Emi Knape, a junior, hosted the event.

Throughout the evening, there were games for the audience to participate in as well, such as emoji riddle, name MAKING MEMORIES Adam Schwartz becomes the first freshman to win Cactus Shadows’ annual that tune, and “are you smarter than an Mr. Universe. When participating in the event, each contestant is judged by their dance and talent. “I administrator.” didn’t even expect to get to the top five. It was completely a surprise. But, I think I deserved it,” said

“

Although winning means that I cannot take part in it for the rest of my high school career, I am very proud to have broken the system by being the first freshman to ever win.

Schwartz. 4 BLAKE DORAME

Youth minimum wage bill dies in the State Senate

By Ryan Bartholomew staff writer

House Bill 2523, coined as the Youth Employment Act, was a bill that made a lot of noise in the state legislature before falling flat the week of April 8 after questions about its legality were brought up.

The bill would allow businesses to pay the federal minimum wage and negotiate other work arrangements with people younger than 22, who are working on a "casual

uals between those ages that are working part time and plug them in," said Joe Galli, the Senior Public Policy Advisor for the Greater Flagstaff Chamber of Commerce.

The Legislative Council memo debated by lawmakers said HB 2523 would change the voter-approved wages and be at the mercy of the Arizona Voter Protection Act, otherwise known as Proposition 105.

“Minimum wage for these younger people at one point

Chad Heinrich, the Director for the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) Arizona said small businesses employ around 1 million people, which makes up more than 40 percent of the state’s workforce.

“The youth unemployment rate is roughly 12 percent nationally. In Arizona, we have a minimum wage that is about 50 percent higher than the federal minimum wage.

That really prohibits small busi-

American Civil Liberties Union are already threatening to sue if the bill passes.

“I’ve researched both sides of the arguement, and they both have reasonable points. Being a recent student myself, and knowing how tight it is for money, I do believe it’s kind of unfair to be doing the exact same job and making just over half of what everyone else is being payed, just because you’re young,” said Nicholas Stowers, a

shouldn’t matter when doing a job, whether someone is 16 or 76, age should not be a factor in how much you get paid. It should be based off of the amount of work you do and how well you do it,” said Michael Kaegi, a sophomore.

On April 8, the bill was all but killed on the Senate floor. The requirement of a three-fourths majority made it unlikely to pass, since it would require the support of the Democratic party as

22 ● March 8, 2019

Tennis teams hope for state

By Morgan Reimer life editor

In the upcoming season of spring sports, both girls and boys tennis teams are practicing their skills in the hopes of another top notch season. Head coaches Jill McLyn (girls) and Luke Scott (boys) are prepared to take their teams to the next level.

There are approximately 16 players on the girls team, and eight players on the boys.

Last year, the boys tennis team finished in the semi-finals for team state, but lost in the individual play.

“I think as long as we’re working hard and playing up to our potential we should have a great season. If we can get back to that level and get to the finals, I’m happy with that,” said Scott.

Parallel to the boys team, the girls tennis team made it to the state finals and placed second, losing to Catalina Foothills. This season, they lost almost half of their team on varsity, but with three returning varsity players, McLyn is confident they will remain strong.

“Our team is pretty young, but I still think we have a lot of talent. Of course I’d like to make it back to the state finals and try to win, but I just want the girls to have fun, and get better each week,” said McLyn. Danielle Quenzler, a senior on girls varsity and co-captain of the team alongside Sydni Reimer, has been playing school tennis since her freshman year. This year will be her fourth year of earning a varsity letter.

“My parents started me off when I was really tiny. I played a little bit for a few years, but I really got serious about it in eighth grade. I’ve learned perseverance on and off the court, and I’m just excited to have a great season,” said Quenzler.

Harry Carrozza, a senior on boys varsity is ready for another season of success, and is prepared to work hard for his final year on the team.

“We have to take four trips to Prescott and Flagstaff, so those are always fun, just socializing and riding on the bus. And for me, tennis, I just like to have fun on the court, just run around, and show off my skills,” said Carrozza.

The girls and boys teams practice five times a week after school, from two o’clock to either four or four thirty. With eight courts to play on, both teams receive lots of hands on practice.

This year, the biggest rivals will be Notre Dame. The girls team defeated them last year, but are expecting a major comeback.

Co-captain and senior Sydni Reimer is ready for the challenge.

“The whole team is just so supportive of one another. We work hard each practice so that during a match we can rise above another team. I’m so excited to spend my last season with all my teammates,” said Reimer.

Both the boys and girls tennis teams are preparing for another tough season, but are ready to perform their best skills as the season progresses.

Three Favorite Articles

The first article I chose to be on this page is the softball article on the sports page in the arch issue. I am proud of this article because it is one of the articles that I actually completed on time. I also feel that it is a thorough article that I wrote. I also got really goof quotes from the girls that are getting scholarships this year.

Overall this is one of my favorite articles this

b d

h

DANIELLE QUENZLER, a senior,

serves to her opponent during practice. Quenzler is co- captain of the varsity team, along with Sydni Reimer.

4

MIA BRITO

6

things you did not know about the tennis teams

1 The girls tennis team has to run a mile for a warm-up before each practice.

2 The boys tennis team has to do a drill called “The Spider,” in which they start in the middle of the court, then run side to side, diagonally, back to the net, and run back another time, then again to the net.

The next article that I am proud of 3 is the Diet article in the February issue on the health page. I am proud of this article 4 because I put a lot of work and research into 5 it. Most things I write are kind of all over the place but this article, I feel is all in order and 6 it is organized. To be honest I really like the look of the article as well, but I didn’t design it, thank you Julia. But it’s overall my second favorite article I wrote.

The very last article I wrote was The Year of the Pig article on the Life page for the march issue. I chose this article because it is also very organized and it also contains a lot of research that I put my hard work and dedication into. Also I really like the main point of this article because it is history and sometimes I like to write/learn about history.

The teams’s tennis shoes are made specifically slick in order to maintain balance and traction on the court.

After every girls away match, their tradition is going out for dinner afterwards.

Scoring the matches go from love, to 15, 30, 40, and match point, which finalizes the game.

When spectators are watching, they are not allowed to cheer loudly, and cannot talk to the players, in order to avoid distracting them.

the Life Players look ahead to college softball

THE CACTUS SHADOWS PRESS

W

Pigging out in the new year

By Raven Ramirez staff writer

Softball Preview

Softball is one of the many sports played in the spring at the school and has just come to a start. There have been a few girls that have received a softball scholarship.

Varsity has played three away games and two home games so far and they are also scheduled to play the Apollo Cool Nights Tournament March 5-9. One of the games the varsity team played against Sunrise Mountain, they took a loss 5-9. took the win against Higley with a score of 16-4. They also played against THEThey CACTUS SHADOWS PRESS Verrado, 7-4, taking the win back home. JV has played three home games and two away games so far this season. They have played Horizon, Verrado, Higley, and Sunrise Mountain.

The head coach of the team is Gracie Goulder, a life skills teacher at Cactus Shadows. She has been coaching the varsity softball team going on four years now and has taught at Cactus Shadows for three years.

“I actually played softball at Cactus Shadows and I went to the University of Georgia for a year playing softball and then I went to UCLA for my last 3 years and SUSHI played there,” said Goulder.

Adam Hillier, FROM STATION . The classic spicy tuna starts the smacke find themselves andown Algebra teacher, off 1-2 with a kick. is the assistant coach. The JV at restaurant to dine coach is David Anderson and their athletic trainer is 4 MIAH THIRION Joe Harvey. struggle between All of the spring sports began on Monday, February n affordable meal, 4 after tryouts were held. During the softball tryouts, a delicious one. all of the girls went over conditioning to defensive and K aylee Moore offensive skills as well as how to apply these skills to bite to eat, a popular a live game. Junior and senior varsity girls practice who will be attending North .

Monday through Friday, however varsity practices at Dakota State next year of sushi dates all the a different time, except on Wednesdays, when they all practice together. entury, Japan. The fish Kaylee Moore, a transfer senior received a softball en wrapped in fer- This softball player has been playing for 12 years and she is curscholarship. rently on varsity softball. She will be attending North Dakota State University next year. ain popularity in the She first verbally committed to this college l the 1960s. Today, her sophomore summer and she signed her National Letter Of Intent in November. The ywhere from strip NLI is written proof that a certain person tores, to high-end will be attending their college.

“I’m super excited to go to college because I’ve always dreamed of getting to play at the smackdown is Nori next level and playing the game I love while Desert Ridge. The recovering a higher education,” said Moore. ri was very warm and Even though she came to a new school, she FROM still achieved something she has aff members were A TASTE CALIFORNIA . A classic avocado roll filled dreamed of. with fresh crab from Sushi Station starts off strong. d friendly.

Another softball player that has received 4 MIAH THIRION he atmosphere nice, a scholarship is McKenna Leamon, a senior. She has been playing softball ever delicious. We ordered since fourth grade and she is attending St. nd an Ultimate Crunch Edward’s University in Austin, Texas, which is a division two school. Leamon’s scholarod. They were modership is a fifty percent academic scholarship efinitely worth every and the other fifty percent is for athletics and she is getting all of her tuition paid for.

This college team gets to travel and they he smackdown is have already traveled to Utah this season. ated just across the “I love Gracie, she is always just positive t Ridge. Sushi Station and she never really gets too down on us.

I also like how we break it down usually at taurant, in the sense the beginning and then we build off of what s around on a belt skills we already have,” said Leamon. staurant. The atmoLeamon verbally committed to the school last year in January, 2018 and then November ry upscale, but possi14 of 2018 is when she actually signed to go bing a quick bite. to St. Edward’s. n, we were seated and This softball season will be all of the seniors’ last year of playing high school ever off the belt that KIANA HENDERSON, a sophomore, softball and then they will go on to playing did notapay much delivers pitch during the varsity game. The college softball.

shi takes i Station

Health

“

I’m super excited to go to college because I’ve always dreamed of getting to play at the next level and playing the game I love while recovering a higher education.”

Diet or Die

Which diet to choose is a question many people ask themselves, especially with the start of the New Year.

falcons they beat Verrado wever, were

7-4.

4EMMA

FROM NORI. Bringing the fire of the dragon, this crunchy 4 LOGAN MCDADE dragon roll hits the top mark.

4 MIAH THIRION

BAUER

ted, we ordered a a Spicy Tuna Roll. The

By Raven Ramirezfrom ery low, ranging staff writer l. It was not bad, but it as memorable.

ITH the beginning the sushi, it was of a new year, comes ould expect, taste resolutions. One of azing or terrible, just the most common

stress on the kidneys, and dehydration.

Age would have eaten. It includes eating Jenna Englund, a senior, is doing a version foods that could be obtained by the early of the keto diet. strategies of hunting and gathering and “With this diet, you are not able to eat that are not processed, such as lean meats, processed sugars and you have to stay fish, fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds. The away from glucose and sucrose,” said results of this diet can be positive but only Englund. if followed correctly. The effects include is to diet. There are the smackdown.

There are several variations of the ketoa larger increase of weight loss, improved countless options; however, there are a on was not bad, it genic diet, such as the cyclical ketogenic glucose tolerance, better blood pressure few prominent ones that most choose to sifiedfollow. as good. At Nori diet that involves periods of higher-carb control, and better appetite management. ve, butAthe sushi is refeeds, which is a period of time where fad diet is very popular for a short ance,amount peopleof get what the body has an overfeeding of carbohytime. According to Health MIND drates. For example, five ketogenic days, Research Funding, the average American The MIND diet is aimed to preserve the followed by two high-carb days. attempts to implement fad diets four times function of the human brain. A 2015 study THE competitor per year, and with 69 percent of fad dietsFINAL DECISION. Sushi Station’s biggest showed that older adults who stayed on

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Nori ends with a battle of the California rolls. failing, they are not widely successful.

Optavia Some of these diets can be harmful, due Danica Gianni, an English 101 and 102 to their popularity, and the fact that many teacher, is currently on the Optavia diet. people would be willing to do anything to This is a line of diet products created by lose some weight. the people behind the Medifast products.

The diet is based on the products they created to provide all the nutrition a person Keto needs. Gianni has been on this diet for One of the most talked about diets about seven months. recently is the keto diet. It is a low-carb “I am always interested in trying new and high-fat diet that deprives the body of things and seeing all of these diets, like the carbohydrates, making it go into ketosis. keto diet and Isogenics are things that I Ketosis is a metabolic process in which the have tried,” said Gianni. body burns fat for energy.

This diet may have some benefits against diabetes, Alzheimer's disease, cancer, and Paleo epilepsy. However, this diet also can have Another popular diet is the paleo diet. It dangerous effects such as muscle loss, focuses on what humans in the Paleolithic

By Raven Ramirez staff writer

This year, 2019, is the year of the pig, according to the Chinese zodiac signs. The pig is the twelfth of all zodiac animals, making it the last sign.

February 8, 2019 ●5 The pig is also associated with Earthly Branch in the Chinese culture. Animals that are compatible with the pig include rabbits, tigers, and goats.

Pigs are least compatible with snakes and monkeys. The pig’s lucky numbers are two, five, and eight, and their lucky colors are yellow, gray, and brown. Their lucky mineral is agate, which is a variety of quartz.

By “The Grace Carey Year of the Pig is celebrated in China, like style editor how Christmas and Thanksgiving are celebrated AS THE NEW TOMandarin UNFOLD, MANY FIND here,” saidYEAR FangBEGINS Wu, a teacher. themselves falling short ofyang, their once promised In terms of yin and the pig is yin. It is also New symbol Year's resolutions.

Often times, individuthe of wealth.

Their chubby faces and big als who set also too many resolutions do notThere end up is an aniears are signs of fortune. reaching all, if any. mal for every year in Chinese culture. The recent years for the pig have been 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, and 2019. This concept also ties Be realistic into the Chinese New Years.

Studies done by Psychology Today have shown “I about know that Chinese New Year began on that 80 percent of New Year's resolutions February 5 this year andasking lasted 15 days,” said fail by February.

They suggest yourself Lauren Anderson, a sophomore. questions about what areas you would like to There are many characteristics and improve upon and what obstacles are anticipated. personalities for people of the pig. They “I generally don’tborn believeininthe Newyears Year’s resolumay stand a crowd, are very realtions, not because I justout feelin that we shouldbut be conistic. are the opposite stantlyPigs improving ourselves each of daypeople and notthat are all talk and action, meaning actelse upon certain rely on oneno day a year to ‘become’ they someone things. are known to love entertainment, or start a They new lifestyle,” said Cheyenne Yerkes, a and will occasionally treat themselves. sophomore.

People born in the year of the pig Experts have weighed in on the fact that resolu- are a little bit materialistic, however that is the motivation tions are not often reached, and they believe that for them to work harder. This causes them to in order to achieve them, one must start small be energetic and enthusiastic. They believe that and work their way up. Starting small is believed people who yearn for power and take charge have to help because that way one is not overwhelmed the right to speak. with all the new changes in which they are wish“I know the New Year’s Chinese tradition, they ing to embark upon. gift each other the red packets every year,” said Jake Adams, a junior.

Setting up a plan According to a chinesenewyear.net, known for “I think setting up a plan, writing it down,there and facts of the upcoming new years, is a forhavingfor short intermittent goals to reach that is, “These tune every year. This year’s fortune larger are goal social really helps,” said Kristen Rotenberg, Pigs butterflies with friends from all a healthof teacher. walks life. They have a lot of support in both In order prepare setting a resolution, work and to life.

Theyfor have fortunate lives and can one should first consider a step by step find happiness.

Theymaking are successful later in life. process on how they plan onthe reaching their goal.

However, they aren’t most romantic people Richard Wiseman, psychologist, and might needa British to work on that.”came up with a tenfortune step process on how this may be This shares the same asdone. the fortune of The and first step he listed to wasthis making onlyitone 1959, compared year, shares many resolution, then taking time to reflect upon it. similarities.

After that, he urges people to not reflect on past failures but rather focus their energy on what is to come. The fourth and fifth steps consist of honing in on what one wants and breaking it down into manageable steps with set deadlines. Wiseman then suggests telling friends and family, creating a checklist, and once each point is reached, rewarding oneself. The final steps are tracking the journey and not taking it too hard if the resolution is set back.

New Year, new you Tips on how to maintain your New Year’s resolutions.

Be flexible

Being accepting and flexible with goals is a crucial part of reaching them, because it gives room for mistakes and recovery.

Another thing that should be kept in mind is a support system. More often than not, when backed this diet a slower decline in` EVAN 4experienced MIAH THIRION MYERS with positive feedback and motivation, someone is thinking skills. The foods eaten on this diet less likely to stray from that path. Talking resoare Mediterranean base such as many veglutions through with friends and family has also etables and fruits along with meals that shown to help reach goals. This is believed to help contain nuts, beans, and animal protein. because having someone to share trials and tribulations with encourages a healthy mind set.

Unique “For my New Year's resolutions, I always want Wesley Winters, a senior, is on a diet that to change so many different things. But mainly, I he has tailored himself. just make one little change and try to stick to it.

“I try to stick to starchy and comMy family also plays a big role in it, because they plex carbs because when glucose is readare always pushing me to be better,” said Lauren ily available in your body, it causes blood Miller, a junior. sugar to spike and slows down weight loss,” In life, many things can be difficult, but New said Winters.

Year's resolutions do not have to be. By following The golden rule with any diet and eata step by step process and diligently sticking to it, ing in general is to always check the food reaching goals can be easy. labels for hidden, unhealthy ingredients.

Which diet to choose is a question many people ask themselves, especially with the start of the New Year.

Tear Sheets February

By Raven Ramirez

W staff writer

ITH the beginning of a new year, comes resolutions. One of the most common is to diet. There are countless options; however, there are a few prominent ones that most choose to follow.

A fad diet is very popular for a short amount of time. According to Health Research Funding, the average American attempts to implement fad diets four times per year, and with 69 percent of fad diets failing, they are not widely successful.

Some of these diets can be harmful, due to their popularity, and the fact that many people would be willing to do anything to lose some weight.

Keto One of the most talked about diets recently is the keto diet. It is a low-carb and high-fat diet that deprives the body of carbohydrates, making it go into ketosis.

Ketosis is a metabolic process in which the body burns fat for energy.

This diet may have some benefits against diabetes, Alzheimer's disease, cancer, and epilepsy. However, this diet also can have dangerous effects such as muscle loss,

stress on the kidneys, and dehydration.

Jenna Englund, a senior, is doing a version of the keto diet.

“With this diet, you are not able to eat processed sugars and you have to stay away from glucose and sucrose,” said Englund.

There are several variations of the ketogenic diet, such as the cyclical ketogenic diet that involves periods of higher-carb refeeds, which is a period of time where the body has an overfeeding of carbohydrates. For example, five ketogenic days, followed by two high-carb days.

Optavia Danica Gianni, an English 101 and 102 teacher, is currently on the Optavia diet.

This is a line of diet products created by the people behind the Medifast products.

The diet is based on the products they created to provide all the nutrition a person needs. Gianni has been on this diet for about seven months.

“I am always interested in trying new things and seeing all of these diets, like the keto diet and Isogenics are things that I have tried,” said Gianni.

Paleo Another popular diet is the paleo diet. It focuses on what humans in the Paleolithic

4 LOGAN MCDADE

Age would have eaten. It includes eating foods that could be obtained by the early strategies of hunting and gathering and that are not processed, such as lean meats, fish, fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds. The results of this diet can be positive but only if followed correctly. The effects include a larger increase of weight loss, improved glucose tolerance, better blood pressure control, and better appetite management.

MIND The MIND diet is aimed to preserve the function of the human brain. A 2015 study showed that older adults who stayed on this diet experienced a slower decline in thinking skills. The foods eaten on this diet are Mediterranean base such as many vegetables and fruits along with meals that contain nuts, beans, and animal protein.

Unique Wesley Winters, a senior, is on a diet that he has tailored himself.

“I try to stick to starchy and complex carbs because when glucose is readily available in your body, it causes blood sugar to spike and slows down weight loss,” said Winters.

The golden rule with any diet and eating in general is to always check the food labels for hidden, unhealthy ingredients.

a health teacher.

In order to prepare fo one should first consider process on how they plan Richard Wiseman, a Britis with a ten step process on The first step he listed resolution, then taking t After that, he urges peop failures but rather focus th come. The fourth and fifth in on what one wants an manageable steps with s then suggests telling frien checklist, and once each p ing oneself. The final step ney and not taking it too set back.

Be flexible

Being accepting and fle cial part of reaching them for mistakes and recovery Another thing that sho support system. More ofte with positive feedback and less likely to stray from t lutions through with frie shown to help reach goals because having someone t lations with encourages a “For my New Year's res to change so many differ just make one little chang My family also plays a big are always pushing me to Miller, a junior.

In life, manyBURKE, things ca MICHAEL against a player do from Year's resolutions nota High School aPinnacle step by step process andi 4 LOGAN MCDADE reaching goals can be eas

Hockey scores their way to the playoffs

Raven Ramirez staff writer

The school’s hockey team consists of many players who have played their hardest this season. The team consists of players, such as Evan Wilson, Ethan Hinnant, Mason Bondurant, Joe Storms, Tai Jones, Michael Burke, Lars Schumitz.

The falcons went nine and nine this season. The team just played their first game in the playoffs on Sunday, the twenty seventh. They lost against Pinnacle, two to four.

“I started to play a little bit, but I never played competitively, I would just go to the rink and shoot the puck around with my brother,” said Jacob Bombaci, an AP World and Seminar teacher and hockey fan.

Wilson, a senior, has been playing hockey ever since he could walk. He has played hockey for Cactus Shadows all four years of his high school career.

When he used to live in Canada, he would play hockey there as well.

“Some advice I would give myself for next season, is to work harder, practice more, play more aggressively, and practice on my shot so I can hit the net more,” said Wilson.

He wants to continue playing hockey after high school, but he does not want to play for money. Wilson was nominated to be on the all-star hockey team this season and he also scored four goals in their last regular season game.

This hockey team has to work together in order to be a great team, but most to all teams have their ups

and downs.

“Certain players work differently with different players on the team,” said Wilson.

The team also socializes outside of playing hockey, at the Anthem roller rink, so that way they can become closer off of the ice.

Tai Jones, a sophomore is currently on varsity hockey. Jones has been playing hockey ever since he was four years old.

“Probably one of the team's achievements is, we have gotten better this season,” said Jones.

This hockey team consists of all four of the classes at Cactus shadows, freshman and up and overall, the falcons made it through another season of playing their sport, hockey.

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Tear Sheets March THE CACTUS SHADOWS PRESS GOOD SPORT

Pigging out

22 ● March 8, 2019

Tennis inhope the new year teams for state

By Raven Ramirez staff writer

This year, 2019, is the year of the pig, according to life editor the Chinese zodiac signs. The pig is the twelfth of In the upcoming seasonanimals, of spring sports, all zodiac making it the last sign. both girls and boys tennis teams are pracThe pig is also associated with Earthly Branch ticing their skills in the hopes of another top inHead thecoaches Chinese culture. notch season.

Jill McLyn (girls) Animals that are compatand Luke Scott prepared to take rabbits, tigers, and goats. ible(boys) witharethe pig include their teams to the next Pigs arelevel. least compatible with snakes and monThere are approximately 16 players on the keys.

The pig’s girls team, and eight players on lucky the boys.numbers are two, five, and Last year, the boys tennis team finished eight, and their luckyincolors are yellow, gray, and the semi-finals for teamTheir state, but lost in the brown. lucky mineral is agate, which is a individual play. of quartz.

“I think asvariety long as we’re working hard and “The Year thehave Piga is celebrated in China, like playing up to our potential we of should great season.

If we Christmas can get back to that how andlevel Thanksgiving are celebrated and get to the finals, I’m happy with that,” here,” said Fang Wu, a Mandarin teacher. said Scott.

Inboys terms yang, the pig is yin. It is also Parallel to the team,of theyin girlsand tennis team made it to the state finals and placedTheir chubby faces and big the symbol of wealth. second, losing to Catalina Foothills. This ears are also signs of fortune. There is an aniseason, they lost almost half of their team mal for every yearvarsity in Chinese culture. The recent on varsity, but with three returning players, McLyn is confident theypig will have remain been 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, years for the strong.

1983, 1995, 2007, and 2019. This concept also ties “Our team is pretty young, but I still think into the Of Chinese we have a lot of talent. course I’dNew like toYears. make it back to“Itheknow state finals and Chinese try to that New Year began on win, but I just want the girls5tothis have fun, and and lasted 15 days,” said February year get better each week,” said McLyn. LaurenaAnderson, sophomore.

Danielle Quenzler, senior on girlsa varDANIELLE QUENZLER, a senior, sity and co-captain of the alongside There areteam many characteristics and personaliserves to her opponent during practice. Quenzler is co- captain of the Sydni Reimer, has been playing school tennis ties for people born in the years of the pig. They varsity team, along with Sydni Reimer. since her freshman year. This year will be her may not stand out in a crowd, 4 MIA but BRITO are very realfourth year of earning a varsity letter. istic.

Pigs the Iopposite of people that are all “My parents started meare off when was really tiny. I talk playedand a little bitaction, for a few years, no meaning they act upon certain but I really got serious about it in eighth things.

They are known to love entertainment, grade. I’ve learned perseverance on and off and willexcited occasionally treat themselves. the court, and I’m just to have a great season,” said Quenzler.

People born in the year things of the pig are a little you did not know Harry Carrozza, a senior on boys varsity bit materialistic, however that is the about themotivation tennis teams is ready for another season of success, and for them tohiswork harder.

This causes them to is prepared to work hard for final year on the team. be energetic and enthusiastic. They believe that 1 a mile for a warm-up “We have to take four trips to Prescott The and girls tennis team has to run have people who yearn for power take charge before each practice. and Flagstaff, so those are always fun, just the right tobus. speak. socializing and riding on the And for me, tennis, I just like have fun onNew the court, “I to know the Year’s Chinese tradition, 2 they just run around, show other off my skills,” The boys tennis team has to do a said drill called “The Spider,” giftand each the said red packets every year,” Carrozza. in which they start in the middle of the court, then run Adams, junior.five side to side, diagonally, back to the net, and run back The girls Jake and boys teams apractice another time, then again to the net.for times a week after school, from According totwo a o’clock chinesenewyear.net, known to either four or four thirty.

With eight new years, there is a forfacts of the upcoming courts to play on, both teams receive lots of 3“These tune for every year. This year’s fortune is,are The teams’s tennis shoes made specifically slick in hands on practice. order to maintain balance and traction are rivals social with friends from allon the court.

This year,Pigs the biggest will butterflies be Notre Dame. The walks girls team them have last of defeated life. They a lot of support in both year, but are expecting a major comeback. work and life. They have fortunate lives 4 and can Co-captain and senior Sydni Reimer is ready After every girls away match, their tradition is going out find happiness. They are for successful later in life. dinner afterwards. for the challenge.

“The whole team is justthey so supportive However, aren’tofthe most romantic people one another. We work hard each practice 5 and might need to work on that.” so that during a match we can rise above Scoring the matches go from love, to 15, 30, 40, and This fortune shares same aswhich the fortune of another team. I’m so excited to spend my last the match point, finalizes the game. season with 1959, all my teammates,” said Reimer. and compared to this year, it shares many Both the boys and girls tennis teams are similarities.

6

By Morgan Reimer

6

preparing for another tough season, but are ready to perform their best skills as the season progresses.

When spectators are watching, they are not allowed to cheer loudly, and cannot talk to the players, in order to avoid distracting them.

THE CACTUS SHADOWS PRESS

Players look ahead to college softball

By Raven Ramirez staff writer

Softball Preview

Softball is one of the many sports played in the spring at the school and has just come to a start. There have been a few girls that have received a softball scholarship.

Varsity has played three away games and two home games so far and they are also scheduled to play the Apollo Cool Nights Tournament March 5-9. One of the games the varsity team played against Sunrise Mountain, they took a loss 5-9.

They took the win against Higley with a score of 16-4. They also played against Verrado, 7-4, taking the win back home. JV has played three home games and two away games so far this season. They have played Horizon, Verrado, Higley, and Sunrise Mountain.

The head coach of the team is Gracie Goulder, a life skills teacher at Cactus Shadows. She has been coaching the varsity softball team going on four years now and has taught at Cactus Shadows for three years.

“I actually played softball at Cactus Shadows and I went to the University of Georgia for a year playing softball and then I went to UCLA for my last 3 years and played there,” said Goulder. Adam Hillier, an Algebra 1-2 teacher, is the assistant coach. The JV coach is David Anderson and their athletic trainer is Joe Harvey.

All of the spring sports began on Monday, February 4 after tryouts were held. During the softball tryouts, all of the girls went over conditioning to defensive and K aylee Moore offensive skills as well as how to apply these skills to a live game. Junior and senior varsity girls practice who will be attending North Monday through Friday, however varsity practices at Dakota State next year a different time, except on Wednesdays, when they all practice together.

Kaylee Moore, a transfer senior received a softball scholarship. This softball player has been playing for 12 years and she is currently on varsity softball. She will be attending North Dakota State University next year.

She first verbally committed to this college her sophomore summer and she signed her National Letter Of Intent in November. The NLI is written proof that a certain person will be attending their college.

“I’m super excited to go to college because I’ve always dreamed of getting to play at the next level and playing the game I love while recovering a higher education,” said Moore.

Even though she came to a new school, she still achieved something she has dreamed of.

Another softball player that has received a scholarship is McKenna Leamon, a senior. She has been playing softball ever since fourth grade and she is attending St. Edward’s University in Austin, Texas, which is a division two school. Leamon’s scholarship is a fifty percent academic scholarship and the other fifty percent is for athletics and she is getting all of her tuition paid for.

This college team gets to travel and they have already traveled to Utah this season.

“I love Gracie, she is always just positive and she never really gets too down on us.

I also like how we break it down usually at the beginning and then we build off of what skills we already have,” said Leamon.

Leamon verbally committed to the school last year in January, 2018 and then November 14 of 2018 is when she actually signed to go to St. Edward’s.

This softball season will be all of the seniors’ last year of playing high school KIANA HENDERSON, a sophomore, softball and then they will go on to playing delivers a pitch during the varsity game. The college softball.

“

I’m super excited to go to college because I’ve always dreamed of getting to play at the next level and playing the game I love while recovering a higher education.”

falcons beat Verrado 7-4.

4EMMA BAUER

Tear Sheets April

the News

2 ● April 19, 2019

THE CACTUS SH

Falcons crown freshman as 2019 ‘Mr. Universe’

By Raven Ramirez staff writer

This year's Big Bang Spring Spirit Week was space themed, encouraging students to dress up and participate in a variety of activities throughout the week. One of the most popular events, Mr. Cactus Shadows, was changed to Mr. Universe as a nod to this year’s theme.

In this annual competition, boys compete against each other to win the title by performing a series of talents.

The evening opened with all of the contestants performing a group dance.

This was followed by a presentation of the short audition clips submitted by each contestant. Then, the first part of the actual contest began the fashion section.

Contestants were required to answer a question that they had prepared beforehand, and then walk the runway wearing sashes. After, they came back to describe their fashionable sashes.

Having the opportunity to plan answers to the questions ahead of time made it easier on the contestants.

“On the [application], there were questions that they were going to ask you and you basically try to fill in your funniest responses to those questions,” said Benji Gerst, a senior contestant.

The next part of the show was the talent section, where contestants had to show off their special talents to the judges and the crowd. Seniors Jack Skummer and Gerst started things off by singing a song. Junior Adam Busbee showed off his talents by dressing up as Napoleon Dynamite and performed the iconic dance from the movie. Also, freshman Adam Schwartz showed off his talents by singing a country song and dressing up as a cowboy.

After all of the talents were performed, the top five were picked by the judges:

Tandehl Collentine, Assistant Principal; Gabe Ozaki, a senior, and Danica Gianni, an English teacher. Seniors Nick Romash, Taj Nadesan, Benji Gerst, Harry Denzak and freshman Adam Schwartz, made the top five contestants.

“They asked me to judge, and I was all for it because I love being a part of the stuff that’s happening on campus all of the time, and not just the athletic side,” said Tandehl Collentine, Athletic Director.

However, there can only be one Mr. Universe, and the audience became the judges for the final round.

Codes for each finalist were put up on a projector with a number to text them to. After an eager wait, they announced the 2019 Mr. Universe winner for 2019 was Adam Schwartz, who won free tickets to prom.

“Mr. Universe was a very enriching experience,” said Schwartz. “It was extremely exciting to be part of, and I had a lot of fun competing in it.

Adam Schwartz Although it means that I winner of the 2019 Mr. Unicannot take part in it for verse the rest of my high school career, I am very proud to have broken the system by being the first freshman to ever win.”

Cheyenne Yerkes, a sophomore, and Emi Knape, a junior, hosted the event.

Throughout the evening, there were games for the audience to participate in as well, such as emoji riddle, name MAKING MEMORIES Adam Schwartz becomes the first freshman to win Cactus Shad that tune, and “are you smarter than an Mr. Universe. When participating in the event, each contestant is judged by their dance and administrator.” didn’t even expect to get to the top five. It was completely a surprise. But, I think I deserve

“

Although winning means that I cannot take part in it for the rest of my high school career, I am very proud to have broken the system by being the first freshman to ever win.

Schwartz. 4 BLAKE DORAME

Youth minimum wage bill dies in the State Sena

By Ryan Bartholomew staff writer

House Bill 2523, coined as the Youth Employment Act, was a bill that made a lot of noise in the state legislature before falling flat the week of April 8 after questions about its legality were brought up.

The bill would allow businesses to pay the federal minimum wage and negotiate other work arrange-

uals between those ages that are working part time and plug them in," said Joe Galli, the Senior Public Policy Advisor for the Greater Flagstaff Chamber of Commerce.

The Legislative Council memo debated by lawmakers said HB 2523 would change the voter-approved wages and be at the mercy of the Arizona Voter Protection Act, otherwise known as Proposition 105.

Chad Heinrich, the Director for the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) Arizona said small businesses employ around 1 million people, which makes up more than 40 percent of the state’s workforce.

“The youth unemployment rate is roughly 12 percent nationally. In Arizona, we have a minimum wage that is about 50 percent higher

American Civil Liberties Union are already threatening to sue if the bill passes.

“I’ve researched both sides of the arguement, and they both have reasonable points. Being a recent student myself, and knowing how tight it is for money, I do believe it’s kind of unfair to be doing the exact same job and making just over half of what everyone else is

shouldn’t matter when whether someone is 1 should not be a factor you get paid. It should of the amount of work how well you do it,” Kaegi, a sophomore.

On April 8, the bil killed on the Senate requirement of a t majority made it unli

April 19, 2019 ● 15

THE LIFE

Marie Kondo talks tidying and influencing people’s lives Japanese author and organizing consultant, Marie Kondo has gone viral with her new Netflix show, Tidying Up with Marie Kondo, where she hopes to inspire joy in people through cleaning using her very own special method: the KonMari method. “[The show] made me clean my closet and get it together because before, it was just a mess,” said Jillian Zimmerman, a sophomore.

In the Netflix original series, Kondo uses a unique method to teach people to help reorganize their homes. The KonMari method involves gathering all belongings in a room, and asking one simple question for each individual item— “does this spark joy?”

“I try to use that method that she uses, because I think it makes a lot of sense. Why keep things if it doesn’t bring you joy?” said Tina Zimmerman, mother of Jillian, and avid follower of the show.

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Kondo’s show has not just affected people’s homes, but it has changed many people’s lives as well. On the show, she brings people to tears with how much the KonMari method helps them have a fresh start.

CAROLINE TROLLOPE, A SOPHOMORE demonstrates how she successfully completes her work in a timely fashion, free from stress and deadlines. 4 MIAH THIRION

Learning to love management

By Raven Ramirez

O staff writer

NE

of the challenges most students face is how to get everything done.

From getting schoolwork done, to attending sports practice, school club meetings and jobs, time management is key to keep it all together.

First, it can be helpful to list all of the events and activities that have to get done.

Once that is finished, ranking the list in order of what is most important to least important can save time.

By doing this, one will be able to get crucial plans completed first, and smaller events finished later on. After completing each item on the list, make sure to check them off. This helps create

a feeling of accomplishment and relief from getting the job done.

One way to help keep organized is to use a planner.

“I think an agenda is a vital to their academic success. It helps pace their instruction and it also helps them stay on track with time management,” said Kelly Frazey, a World History and IB History teacher.

Agendas can be a big help to organizing future dates. Planning these days out ahead of time can also be a big help. Writing down all of the important tasks that need to be completed so they will not be forgotten is beneficial.

“I use a planner everyday. I write all of my homework down, and my assignments and tests.

I’ve actually got the entire months of April and May planned around, such as the practice tests and the

IB tests that are next month,” said Rena Jakway, a senior and IB student.

Event planning one’s dates for the next month in a planner is useful.

Listing different priorities and goals for the week may be a help, because setting goals will help one reach it and be able to check it off of the to-do list.

“I do agree that organization will help people get into college.

If you stay organized, and you get your stuff done on time, then you are going to be able to keep your grades up, and it’s just going to be so much less stress,” said Jordan Anderson, a senior and IB student.

Time is something that can cause many obstacles in life, but with practice, it can become easier to manage.

“Watching her ways of folding has made all my drawers really neat and clean,” said Riley Blackwell, a sophomore.

As many people get rid of things that don’t bring them joy, they turn to secondhand stores to donate their belongings to. The PRESS show’s THE CACTUS SHADOWS impact is apparent in a spike in donations to thrift stores, with many Goodwill locations encouraging people to donate. While there is no definite way to tell that Kondo’s viral series RaveninRamirez is to blame for the By influx donations, it seemsstafftowriter be the only explanation. very year, the

Spotlight

April 19, 2019 ● 9

Senior directed one-acts return to the Fine Arts Center

E

Drama Department finishes it sea“We gave like ten bags to son with the Senior Directed Goodwill,” said Zimmerman.

One-Acts.

Tidying Up with Marie Kondo This show offers has recently begungraduating filming seniors the possibility direct, often for the for their second season to due to the massivefirst social media time.

These student direcsuccess it has garnered. tors have all of the responsibilities Kondo has gone to be thatonCupo would have in a regular interviewed onshow.

The Today Show and Good Morning There are nine plays this year, America, as well as an by 16 seniors, each runappearance atdirected the Academy ning between ten and fifteen minAwards. utes long. Some plays are directed

3 Max Sotelo

by more than one senior. Students find or write a script for their cast to perform. The auditions for the One Acts were held April 1.

Nya Cunningham “Depending on the show, you and sophomore could have a rehearsal every day Macy Huydgens with your director or it could be prepare for the every other day depending on the upcoming one- directors’ schedule,” said Devon acts. 4MIA BRITO Witham, a senior who is acting in this year’s show.

One-Acts give the seniors a chance to direct and have full control of their own production. This is their last hoorah in high school theater, and provides the opportunity to put everything they know

RUNNING THROUGH THEIR LINES, senior

about a show together for the final performance of the year.

“I decided to write my own script because I could make the One-Act anything I wanted that way. If I used one that already existed then I’d still have to go along with someone else’s creativity,” said Delaney Sims, a senior.

All scripts written by students had to be approved by Cupo.

The senior directors this year include Kayla Dobbs, Luke MacGowan, Emily Bergman, Delaney Sims, Jack Skummer, and Olivia Palmer.

While the directors must be seniors, auditions for the one-acts are open to all students. There is also the option of being a part of the show without having to get up on stage and perform. Students are needed to crew for the OneActs and any show that Drama Club puts on. Crewing consists of moving the sets around, props, makeup, quick changes, and much more.

Most of the seniors who are directing One-Acts this year have been preparing since last semester. Cupo had a deadline for these seniors’ scripts last semester, they could either write their own or pick one off of the internet. Cupo picked certain scripts and those seniors were the ones that got to direct.

“My favorite thing about them is the opportunities for the younger classmen to be cast many times in their first role, and the most challenging thing is the logistics, rehearsal spaces, costumes, and sharing time/resources,” said Cupo.

The One-Acts will take place on Thursday and Friday, April 25 and 26. There will also be a matinee.

ZACHARY STEPHENS AND EMMA DEAN,

freshmen, go over their lines together as actors for the upcoming Senior Directed On-Act plays.

4EMMA BAUER

Tear Sheets May 6 ● May 17, 2019

THE CACTUS SHADOWS PRESS COMMENT

Yes Grant Richardson staff writer

Should students attend summer school?

Summer school may sound dreadful for high schoolers, but it provides many options for students throughout the year. It can help struggling students who are behind get ahead, or it can help students who are already ahead get more credits or experiences they need to excel in college and future careers.

One benefit from taking classes during the summer is that it can help prepare for a successful college experience. Taking extra courses can often lead to a head start academically and allow students to maintain success from year to year.

During summer school there is a better connection between the teacher and the student. With the smaller classes, the teachers can spend more time with the students and help them. Having a good connection with the students can lead to better grades.

There is less distraction while in summer school and is easier to focus in the class. Many students are able to think clearer during the day with less classes than a regular school day would have. Being able to only work on a couple classes in a day will direct the students attention to those classes instead of all the classes at once.

There is also an opportunity of graduating early if taking summer classes. Being able to graduate early provides a chance to get a head start on college. Some summer schools provide higher classes, advanced placement and honor classes, as well as challenging classes that can make the students transcript look impressive to colleges.

While in summer school the students have an opportunity to take a class and would not be able to take during the regular school year. Freeing up student’s schedules would allow it to be easier to get a job. Working more oftenly could provide the opportunity to make a good amount of money and be able \EVAN MYERS to pay for some of college and not have as much debt after college.

Without taking summer classes, it is easy for your brain to relax and get out of shape. While taking summer school the students brain stays in shape and when the school year starts, the brain will not have to start up again. At the start of the school year, the students who have not taken summer school their grades could start off slow because their brain has not done much since the last school year.

It is easy to stay in bed all day when there is nothing going on during summer.

When taking classes during the summer it forces the students to get out of bed and head to school. Staying active will keep them in shape and they can stay out of bed.

Summer school could potentially be fun if a group of friends all do it together.

With a group of friends there would be a lot of time they could spend together.

In summer friends hangout with each other all the time so it would be fun if they could spend time together and knock out some classes at the same time.

If students do not care about school and their grades summer school is not for them. Most students want to take the summer off of school and enjoy summer break with their friends. During the summer these students want to be as far away as they can be from school.

FROM A POLL OF 100 STUDENTS

No Raven Ramirez staff writer

Summer is a time to relax and drift away from the late nights of studying and doing schoolwork, however, students cannot do that if they are taking summer school courses.

There is a lot of time during summer, but when taking summer school, one does not have much free time. There will be no time to take vacations, spend time with family and friends or do the things that a student would do over summer, and be free from school.

Summer classes can be really intense, exactly like the classes in school. There would be no excitement of getting out of school and getting out of the late nights of doing homework, because of having to do it all over again, during the summer. One has to consider the homework and studying that will come on top of the course, and this will intervene with other activities. So, this is where it gets intense, the time-management and the organization of the summer. There are shorter classes with a shorter span of time, for example, an eight week class or a six week class.

Take a moment to remember the feeling of relief when the last semester is almost over.

Summer school will make that feeling go away because there is no break to look forward to for the two months of summer. Summer classes, although very useful, might cut into relaxation time for one.

To relax and refocus is an important skill with school, because this time of the year, summer, is the time to do those things. These courses will be happening most of the time, classes may be able to be scheduled around someone’s schedule during summer but not guaranteed.

These classes may affect financial aid or work study. Some schools or scholarships will provide funding during the summer, but some may not. Also, it may be difficult to keep the work- study position over the summer, due to the lack of funds. It would be a good idea to check with the school or a school counselor to ask question about the funding process.

There is a selection of smaller classes, due to few teachers and classrooms available. Looking at summer classes during the school year, there is a guarantee for a larger selection. Although, when looking at a high-level class, the classes may be all filled and one may be out of luck.

Summer is also the time to get experience for work. While taking summer classes, one will not be able to get the experience due to all of the late nights doing homework and studying for exams for the classes.

If someone decides to take a summer class, they can fall behind easily and fail the class.

Failing a summer class is like failing a regular class, however, there is no summer class for a summer class. The student might be able to take the class over again next summer or that same summer, but the credit will not be transferred to their transcript.

Also, taking a language summer class may be a difficult task. A language class sometimes requires face-to-face contact when trying to speak and learn the language. These assignments may also be posted at any time during the session, and since most summer classes are online, a student may not get the memo. This will soon lead to failing the summer class, and not receiving the credit.

Colleges may frown upon the “retaking” of the class. It may show that the student could not keep up with work during the school year, and they need another chance. Getting another chance is a great opportunity to receive the credits, but high rank colleges may beg to differ.

THE REPORT CARD

TAKEN ON 5/10/19

\MAKENNA FRENCH