Raven Ramirez Portfolio 2019

Raven’s Portfolio 2019-2020

Essay #1: I believe this issue i learned how to use in design in better ways and how to organize certain things blink my time and designing. I will be able to use these skills in the future for job opportunities, everyday life, and more. Deadlines are by far my slowest enemy! They are my worst enemy due to my fall of meeting them. I need to learn how to meet them correctly in ten future for jobs, tasks, and everyday life. I work alright with others, it all depends on the situation, like with editing a page sometimes I would like help from my peers and other times, I would prefer to keep to myself with the design, edits, etc. Ethics in journalism and production is very important which is why we practice all of these activities, to get used to them and learn them for the future. I know I wasn’t all that of an asset to the staff and paper, I could have helped a little bit more, but I tried my best to help others out and let them know I was here to help. I know that I will overcome this weakness by I helped in certain ways, such as helping out others with their articles, or interviews. This semester I faced many hardships, like not being able to meet my deadlines, not being able to come in on a Saturday, due to other priorities in my life, and just not being as committed as I should have been. I learned that life happens and most of the time we cannot control those events. We just have to get through all of these hardships and face them day by day. My greatest weakness with publications is, really getting my stuff done, because I really have no commitment towards it, and I know that is bad, but that is just me and maybe this isn’t my thing, publications. To overcome this, I decided to switch out of newspaper and I pulled myself away from what I think I wasn’t all that into. Over the year and a half I have been in this class, I have learned a lot about people, writing, editing, and much more. I have learned that some people have higher expectations than others, and I also got to see what all of my peers and administration were like under a lot of stress, which is never fun. I have learned how to be a better writer for other classes and the future. I have also learned how to be a better editor, for half a year I did it, I learned it’s just not my thing, and that is totally okay because I realized it now and earlier in the year rather than later. Overall I just want to say thank you to the people who have made me realize that newspaper is just not for me and I just don’t have the full commitment that all of the other editors do. Props to the other editors for getting all of their pages done and really getting their pages looking all nice and amazing, they are the real workers in this, and they dedicate all of their time to this class. Also thank you Claire and Michael for taking over my page for me. Thank you for making me realize something this year, newspaper has really been a roller coaster this past year and a half.

Self-Analytical Evaluation

My Best Work: I believe my best work this semester was my November issue for the travel page. I really worked hard on that one with the help of others, such as Mr. Adamson and Avianna. They helped me out so much and I know that this page could not have survived without them. I do n in ow that I didn’t dedicate much to this issue due to other issues/events in my life, but this issue of the paper really made me happy, because I got to choose what I was designing and how i wanted to do it, it was my page for this once. Also, if I had to choose my best price of writing for this semester, I would choose the Jaxen Schneider story that I wrote for the sports section of the paper.

That was a really fun article to write because I got to get to know Schneider and how his life was changed and changing from this injury. It was kind of difficult to write because U was not sure what adult to interview and they were never available, but soon I figured it out...it just took time, like everything does. Also writing this story really made me realize how much people take life for granted. Schneider is definitely one of those people, when he tore his ACL, he was devastated that he could not play his senior year of football, but he looked at the bright side of this situation and worked his butt off. My writing has really evolved since the beginning of the year and also from the beginning of last school year when I first decided to take this class. I feel I have gotten better at this skill of writing because I learned how to write better, just at a slower pace than others. I am very happy with the ending piece because I know I worked hard on it, myself and it is my work. I just really liked going through the process of writing this article because I like these kinds of stories, the spotlights on certain people. Those are my favorites because the to[pic is straightforward and they are easy and fun to do. That is why this is my favorite article I wrote, it was super fun to write.

My Best Work

Three Examples Raven Ramirez travel editor There will be a new law coming into action in January of 2021. This law is stating that it will be illegal to have a phone in hand while driving any type of vehicle, this does include texting and driving.

Believe it or not, Arizona has never permanently forbidden, by law, texting and driving. They will be the forty-eighth state to ban drivers from using hand-held cell phones behind the wheel. Governor Doug Ducey was joined by the families and victims of distracted drivers on a Monday as he signed the House Bill 2318 at the capitol. Even though this law is not going into full effect until 2021, drivers can still be pulled over and be given a warning.

“Some dangers are, not being focused on the road, it’s an easy distraction, and you are in danger of hitting other cars,” said Madison Wamboldt, a junior that drives.

Once enforcement begins in earnest, it will be illegal to “physically hold” or “support with any part of the body” any cellphone or other “portable wireless communication device while operating a motor vehicle.”

There will be restrictions to this law. Such as, drivers may use bluetooth or the auxileration cord in cars while driving, it just has to be hands-free. There are exceptions to the no-phone law. Drivers who are stopped at a light or waiting for a train are legally allowed to handle a device, but a stop sign does not count.

“I was with a friend coming back from the beach in California, and he got pulled over due to holding a phone because I was showing him a picture, and he received a ticket,” said Geoff Johnson, an AM/AZ and Government teacher.

After January of 2021, drivers will be ticketed when pulled over, among other consequences. Violators will pay a minimum $75 fine for the first offense and up to $250 for the second. No points are counted against an accused driver, but licenses can be suspended if an offense causes injury or death.

“I believe the new law is good for our state, and maybe it will reduce people from texting and driving,” said Conner Rigo, a senior.

The Legislature had resisted passing a law banning texting while driving and other cell phone use for more than a decade. Two years ago, a ban on teen drivers using cellphones during their first six months on the road was enacted, but majority Republicans kept rejecting broader measures.

The argument was that existing distracted driving laws were all that is needed. That changed this year, after the January death of a Salt River police officer struck by what investigators said was a distracted driver on a Phoenix-area freeway.

I chose my two articles i wrote at the beginning of the year because I liked when I really had that fresh mind of writing and really putting all my work into it. I also chose this one picture because I really haven’t taken a lot of pictures in this class, so I was very prod of this one.

More than half of the 50 top-selling video games contain violence, according to Crystal Ayres, the chief editor of the Vittana blog. Violent video games are to blame for increasing violence in the real world.

As many as 97 percent of U.S. kids play video games, and many of these games contain violence, according to the American Psychological Association.

One risk of video games containing violence is the gamers having a higher risk of creating an addiction to these games. In a report issued by Nottingham Trent University and the International Gaming Research Unit, about 12 percent of online gamers exhibit signs of addiction with their playing.

Furthermore, these violent games can cause the urge to punish others in reality. Research from the University of Missouri-Columbia shows that consistent exposure to violence in video games can diminish the response of the brain when it encounters violence in real life. In the research, players were also given an opportunity to punish a fake opponent. Those with the highest levels of violent video game exposure, exhibiting the lowest levels of brain response, were the most brutal in their response to such an offer.

Gamers can also emphasize the need for conflict while playing these games.

The structure of a violent video game suggests that violence is the primary way to solve problems in the world today. If this perspective transitions to the real world, then some gamers may find themselves aggressively pursuing physical altercations when they have an issue with someone that must be addressed.

These games can keep the ones playing in their fantasy world, and they could potentially lose the ability to know what is reality and what is not. Some gamers find that the world of the game is more intriguing or beneficial to them than the world in which they live. They spend their time in this world, only engaging with those who share their perspectives. This can lead some gamers into a life of social isolation, even if they communicate with others for teambased activities within the game. About 3 percent of gamers face isolation tendencies, sometimes at extreme levels, because of playing video games that may be violent according to Natalie Regoli, chief editor of the Green Garage Blog.

Game creators encourage all aged kids to play them, as long as they get the money from all of the purchases. Most violent video games are given a mature rating. The cartoonish nature of some games, such as Overwatch, invite children to want to play them at an early age. In 2016 a Twitch streamer helped a 7-year-old boy during the Trials of Osiris in Destiny, which was widely distributed through Game Rant. Promoting young children having success in video games like these encourages others to do the same thing.

Besides encouraging violence, violent video games can contribute to unhealthy effects such as increasing the risk of obesity. Sitting and playing games all day and not moving is one of the many contributions video games can play a part in causing obesity. A team from the University of Zaragoza in Spain found that every hour spent playing video games increases the risk of being overweight for a teen.

In the end, violent video games make hurting and killing people look fun.

Travel

THE CACTUS SHADOWS PRESS

Hayley Smith Staff writer

As students settle down into their school routines, they remember the freedom and fun they had this past summer.

Several of these students went on lifechanging trips to popular destinations all over the world, such as New York City, Hawaii, France, and Mexico.

NEW YORK CITY, famous for its authentic buildings and intricate subway system, is not only one of the busiest business and financial centers in the country, but a popular vacation spot for people all over the world.

Thousands of tourists flock to the “city that never sleeps” for food, fun, and life-changing experiences.Emily O’Neil, a junior, traveled to New York City with her mom this past summer.

“When I was in New York City, I did some modeling. I loved being able to walk around and see the city, especially at night,” said O’Neil.

New York City is famous for all kinds of food, especially bagels and Italian food.

“We ate a lot of bagels on our trip since the bagels are so good there,” said O’Neil. New York is such a popular place amongst tourists because of the unique attractions it has to offer. Places like the Statue of Liberty, Empire State Building, Times Square, Central Park, Rockefeller Center, The World Trade Center, and much more.

“I would recommend going to New York City if you like cities and lots of things to do and see,” said Kate O’Neil.

Another popular tourist destination, especially amongst stu-

Summer spots that made a splash

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Packing Made Simple

dents is Puerto Peñasco, Mexico.

Puerto Peñasco is a touristy city in Mexico, featuring many luxurious resorts and private beaches.

Lola Draper, a senior, is one of the many teens who attend this destination during the summer.

Put shoes on “We stayed at my friend’s bottom of bag and stuff them house which is a two-minute with socks to walk away from the beach. We save space. also went into town and shopped at the local shops,” said Draper.

Being only a four-hour car ride away, Puerto Peñasco is such a popular tourist destination because it’s the closest beach to most of Arizona.

Put heavier “The town of PUERTO clothing like PEÑASCO is really quaint and has jackets and pants on the a lot of stray dogs. The culture bottom next to is really different from America, the shoes. however, they treat Americans really nicely,” said Lola Draper.

Food is something else unique to Puerto Peñasco. Besides Mexican food, Puerto Peñasco has plenty of good restaurants to offer.

Roll up shirts “There was this one really good and place Italian place we went to which is them so they surprising,” said Draper. cover the Draper and her friends also shoes. enjoyed mangos seasoned with tajin while relaxing together on the warm, sandy beaches of Puerto Peñasco.

This summer, several Cactus Shadows students traveled overseas to FRANCE. In June, Noemie Neipert, a French one-two and ¾ teacher, took her higher-level Roll up shorts so they cover french classes students on a trip the shirts. to explore the country whos’ language they have studied for years.

“We went to Chom which is the sister school of Cactus Shadows, something that started with a B, Lyon, Nice, Avenue; mainly the southeast of France,” said Neipert.

Put hygiene Students travelled to many products in a plastic bag popular and unique places this and place it summer in which they shared on top of the with us their experiences at these shorts for easy vacation destinations. access.

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3 Callahan Schwartz

STANDING ON THE BEACH in Cabo, San Lucas, Mexico, Emma Bauer enjoys the view with her sister. 4 Marian Bauer

The most popular lookout spots for new views and new memories Jaden Lea staff writer

Students who are interested in a good view can hop in the car anytime and drive to lookout spots in the area for an adventure and a unique view.

The top three lookout spots, according to students, are Black Mountain, Camelback Mountain, and the Launchpad. These spots are places that someone would hang out for the day, most likely with a group of friends.

“I like the view, and I like going there with friends because it’s a fun place to hang out,“ said Elissa Zinn, a sophomore who has been to the Launchpad.

When people think of the good qualities of a lookout spot, they think of the quietness, the view, the weather, and the people surrounding them. The time of day is also very crucial in order for a lookout spot to be worthwhile. Students recommend going during sunset or sunrise to make the experience as good as possible.

Lookout spots give students time to enjoy the nature around them.

It gives them a sense of relaxation, and gives students the opportunity to appreciate Arizona, as well as have a good time with people close to them.

“I look for a beautiful view as well as the

weather, which plays a huge factor in the spot,” said Bryer Bennet, a sophomore who goes to Black Mountain.

Arizona is home to many different different lookout spots with a variety of different scenery and nature. All of the lookout spots are unique to their own setting and each have a different view of Arizona.

There are many mountains and valleys that give Arizona a uniqueness compared to other states.

“My favorite lookout spot is the launchpad because I like the view, and I like being there with friends because it’s a fun place to hang out,” said Zinn.

Going to lookout spots in Arizona provides adventure that can be done with close friends, making it and relaxing. Not only could lookout spots be visited with friends, but it could be a spot to bring a significant other for a more romantic setting.

“It could be a good place to bring a significant other for a romantic affect,” said Cesar Rojas, a teacher who has visited many different lookout spots.

Arizona provides a prime view of the mountains, valleys, and rock formations.

One place that is a further drive is Sedona, which is a place that many people go to for the views of the red rocks.

Travel

THE CACTUS SHADOWS PRESS

November 15, 2019 ● 11

EXPLORING FRONTIER TOWN Sam Kuhn, a Cactus Shadows alum,

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enjoys walking around town. Frontier Town has long provided visitors with Arizona-themed trinkets.

a Avianna Hoppes

Local places to take visitors from out of town Hayley Smith staff writer

Thanksgiving break is the prime time for family get-togethers and fun vacations. Students and their families welcome friends and family, eager to show them what makes Cave Creek and Arizona so special.

There are plenty of things to do in the large city of Phoenix, ranging from shopping centers, to unique food places, hiking trails and nature exhibits that showcase the beauty of the Arizona desert.

Food Coffee is always popular with visitors, and Cave Creek has a few choices. Janeys, the Grotto and Local Johnnys are all located downtown, and each has a different vibe. In addition, Dutch Brothers just opened on Cave Creek. Unique to the West Coast states, the company is well-known for their various types of coffee drinks.

I would recommend Dutch Bros because it’s a good place to socialize and a lot of people my age go there. In and Out is a good place to eat because it’s a big part of Arizona and it’s only a couple of other West Coast states,” I would recommend Dutch Bros because it’s a good place to socialize and a lot of people my age go there. In-NOut is a good place to eat because it’s a big part of Arizona and it’s

only a couple of other West Coast states,” said Kenzie Knoop, a senior.

Food-wise, visitors are sure to enjoy Big Earls, located in the heart of Cave Creek. Owned by a Cactus Shadow alum, the restaurant offers a variety of burgers and a patio that provides a view of passersby.

Shop Another thing to do with visitors is shop. Frontier Town, located in downtown Cave Creek, has a variety of small boutique stores filled with tourist items, such as Indian blankets, wind chimes, lotions, candles and more.

For more traditional shopping, head south to one of several malls, filled with big name stores like Nordstrom, Anthropologie, J Crew and more.

“The Quarter, Desert Ridge and Fashion Square are really cool places you can’t see anywhere else. Since Arizona has really good weather we can hang outside,” said Hanaë Couturier, a French exchange student who stayed in Cave Creek last year.

Scottsdale Quarter, also known as the Quarter, is an outdoor shopping mall featuring stores like Express, Apple, Lululemon, Sephora, and Nike. Located on Scottsdale Road and Greenway, the Quarter is also working on adding more stores in the near future,

such as Vineyard Vines coming in 2020.

Outdoors “If your company has never been to the desert, the Botanical Garden is a perfect place to see an array of desert plants and beautiful scenery unique to Arizona. If your company enjoys hiking, I recommend Camelback Mountain and Jewel of the Creek,” said Sean Smith, a Cave Creek resident.

The Desert Botanical Garden, located in the heart of Phoenix, is a 55-acre collection of over 1,000 different species of plants. The Garden is a great way to see and learn about certain plants that are unique to the state. Customers can experience the Arizona desert for under $30.

For the avid hikers, Camelback Mountain is a trademark of Phoenix skyline. Tourists can see the peak from almost any point in the city. The hike is about 3.1 miles long and features beautiful views of the valley.

Closer to home, the Jewel of the Creek is a unique hiking trail located in the Spur Cross wilderness area at the end of Spur Cross Road in Cave Creek. Because it is not too difficult, the trail is a good option for visiting families with children.

Travel playlist Island in the Sun - Weezer Take you Higher (Radio Edit) - Hook N Sling & Goodwill Down By the River - Milky Chance Cigarette Daydreams - Cage the Elephant Electric Love - BØRNS Way It Goes - Hippo Campus California Girls - NoMBe Come A Little Closer - Cage the Elephant When the Levee Breaks - Led Zeppelin

3Hayley Smith Get paid to see the world Travel is not for everyone. Some people enjoy the stability of staying in one place. But, for the people that love to constantly be on the move, there are an abundance of jobs that pay their employees to travel.

JOBS THAT DON’T REQUIRE A COLLEGE EDUCATION: Travel blogging, yacht sailing, bartending, and local travel guides.

DECENT SALARIES: Considering the fact that a degree is not required, these jobs pay reasonably well. For example, people who teach English abroad can earn up to $4,000 a month.

UPSIDES: According to a story in The Atlantic magazine, the brain benefits from travel. Traveling to different cities, states, or countries provides the brain with a refreshing change of scenery. Also, cross-cultural experiences have the potential to pull people out of their cultural bubbles, and in doing so, can increase their sense of connection with people from backgrounds different than their own. As well as promoting creativity, travel broadens the mind and can allow people to have a first-hand look at various religions and traditions.

3Gianna Lazzaro

Travel

THE CACTUS SHADOWS PRESS

Sedona continues to inspire visitors Hayley Smith staff writer

October

Sedona, Arizona is a city famous for its red rocks, hiking spots, and it's atmosphere. According to AZCentral, each year, two million tourists flock to the popular destination to sightsee, hike, and get away from life’s stressful obligations.

“Sedona is a great place to go on a fun little day trip. It helps to clear your head when you’re somewhere with no cell service,” said Devin Strasser, a senior.

All around the city, tourists can find shops that specialize in spiritual healings and transformations. One of these processes is called chakra balancing; a relieving activity in which patients participate in to achieve the free flowing of energy throughout their body.

According to Yelp.com, a popular place to balance chakras in Sedona is called Sedona Holistic Healing, found in the Village of Oak Creek Canyon.

“I got married under a gazebo in Oak Creek Canyon. While we were saying our vows, it started to snow on us, which made our wedding day even more memorable,” said Trisha Weber, the Sonoran Trails health assistant.

Sedona, known for its ability to “clear the mind,” is specifically known worldwide for its spiritual energy vortexes.

Energy vortexes are places found on planet Earth where energy flows in or out of Earth’s plane.

“I grew up going to Sedona and we usually go there about 15 to 20 times a year,” said Madison Porcello, a freshman.

Sedona is a place to sit, relax, look at the view of the green grass and red rocks or even hike some mountains to see the grand view of these rocks.

How to get cheap flights Finding cheap airline tickets may be a little tricky, but it is possible with some hard core research and time.

Always search for flights in incognito or private browsing mode to see the lowest prices.

Use the best flight search engines, such as, Skyskanner, AirFare Watchdog, Cheapoair, etc.

Hope Black

O Global News Editor

PEN SINCE 1894, The Lowell Observatory, an astronomy research center in Flagstaff, is open to the public year-round. There are many programs, tours, and buildings to explore inside. This observatory is located on 1400 W Mars Hill Rd, Flagstaff, AZ 86001. Open from Monday thru Sunday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. The entrance fee is about sixteen dollars for general admission.

Through the years, the Observatory has made multiple discoveries, including the discovery of Pluto, moon mapping for the Apollo program to the moon, the ring of Uranus, atmosphere of Pluto, and scores of others.

Because of the cultural and scientific heritage, the Lowell Observatory has been acknowledged as a Registered Historic Landmark by the

October 18, 2019 ● 11

National Park Service and has been recognized by the Time magazine as one of the “World’s 100 Most Important Places.”

“I went two years ago over the summer with my family. It’s very welcoming, everyone there is really nice. It’s pretty big too, it was really cool,” said Cedric Brachet, a senior.

Some of the first things there are to notice when walking inside the entrance building, are the Astronomy Shop and the movie theater. The movie theater shows 3D informational documentaries about the solar system and the galaxy. Across from it, the Astronomy Shop is filled with toys, books, telescopes, space models, and snacks.

The first thing there is to see to the left of the campus, is a gigantic telescope named the “LampLand Telescope.” It was once known as Arizona’s largest telescope, and it operated from 1909 to 1964.

Deeper into the campus, right in front is a dome-shaped building called The Rotunda Museum Open House. Inside, is an old library with its’ high shelves and moving ladders. In the middle of the

The Lowell Observatory focuses on the

whole building, is something called the interactive 3D Omniglobe. This allows a person to choose what they want to look at on the globe, for example, The Sun. “My favorite part from the whole Observatory was being able to change stuff on that globe thing. We were looking at all different kinds of atmospheres and planets and stuff, it was cool to see what the moon and sun looked like up close,” said Summer Scheiner, a junior.

Along with the Omniglobe, the Rotunda Museum holds special artifacts from the history of the discovery of Pluto and V.M. Slipher’s discovery of large recessional velocities of galaxies. The information goes from the very beginning of both discoveries to the end around the Rotunda, which lets multiple visitors read at once.

“I’ve been there many times, ever since I was a little kid, and as a big kid now. There’s a lot going on there, it’s not just a telescope. Definitely take the tour.

Last time I took the tour I got to turn the lights on and off in the telescope. You know, it just has a very historic feel to it,” said Robert Reisener, a physics and geology teacher.

Not only is there the Rotunda Museum, but there is the Clark Telescope Dome, Putnam Collection Center, Pluto Telescope Dome, and the Giovale Open Deck Observatory. There are also tours and programs provided by Lowell’s tourguides, for example, the Lunar Legacy Tour, a tour of the whole area, and solar programs.

Sky high

Arrange trip around cheapest days to fly out.

Use flight points, this will allow someone to fly for free if these points are built up.

Search for airline error or deal fares. Sometimes mistakes are made, which lead to discounted flights.

WALKING TOWARDS ONE of the many exhibits, Madison Docktor, a junior, observes the observatory.

3 Emma Bauer

Travel

THE CACTUS SHADOWS PRESS

December 20, 2019 ● 11

Colin Mesenbrink staff writer

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season coming, locals are excited to head north as more and more snow is falling at ski resorts, Sunrise and Snowbowl. Now that it is ski season, students have been debating whether which is a better mountain to ski or snowboard.

“I think Snowbowl is a better mountain overall because first of all, it is harder and easier to get to. I’ve been to Snowbowl over 50 times because it is the better mountain to go for day trips,” said Jaxen Gomez, a consistent skier.

Given that Snowbowl Ski Resort is much closer than Sunrise, many students prefer visiting Flagstaff to ski or snowboard so that they can get back the same day they left that morning. Sunrise is a four hour drive, while Snowbowl is only half the time, sitting at about two

Battle of the slopes Upcoming snow season divides locals between popular ski and snowboarding destinations, Sunrise and Snowbowl

hours. For this reason, students find Snowbowl a more convenient mountain to drive to.

“For closeness, Snowbowl, but it has so many people now to where it gets crowded on the drive home. I do like Sunrise now because it is a little more spread out, but I like both of them,” said Russell Del Grosso, a math teacher.

Due to location, Snowbowl is often very crowded since it is so close to Phoenix. Especially on the weekends, Skiers and Snowboarders usually experience long ticket and lift lines and severe traffic on the way back home. On the contrary, the runs at Sunrise are way more spread out and tend to be less crowded. Since Sunrise is much farther from Phoenix than Snowbowl, Sunrise tends to not have as many crowds because not as many people make the drive up. For this reason, some students enjoy making the trip to Sunrise more than Snowbowl.

“I prefer Sunrise over Snowbowl because there are more runs up there and there are two mountains. There is not much to do in Snowbowl and there is way better snow in Sunrise. It is more powdery and exhilarating. When I was little, I had a cabin in Show Low so Sunrise just caught onto me,” said Greyson Sassman, a junior.

Another reason some students prefer Sunrise is that Snowbowl’s lift tickets are more expensive. Snowbowl lift tickets are almost 20 dollars more than Sunrise lift tickets for both adult and student prices. Another reason people might prefer one resort over the other is because of nicer facilities. The facility at Snowbowl is far newer and renovated than Sunrise’s facility.

The chair lifts are much older and smaller at Sunrise, given that the resort was opened way earlier than Snowbowl’s resort.

Whether they enjoy Sunrise or Snowbowl more than the other, students are excited for the upcoming snow season in the north.

SNOW MUCH FUN. Dallan Foster, alumni, shreds fresh snow at Snowbowl. Foster enjoys snowboarding in his free time.

The anti-travel guide for Arizona Frida Alvarado In depth editor

Just like every other state, Arizona has its trouble spots.

“There really isn’t anything fun to do in Arizona. You need a car to go anywhere. It sucks,” said London Schmit, a junior.

South Tucson is number one on the places to avoid list in Arizona. With a population of around 5,624 people, there is not much to do there. Crime in South Tucson is the highest in the state.

Along with horrible weather and some of the lowest student support in the state, it is not the most ideal place to live. It is also ranked as the first worst city for unemployment in the state according to an article

by Wall St. It was a list that evaluated cities based on crime rates, employment growth, and housing affordability.

“There really isn't much to do there. It's just hot. The nice places are in the suburbs but even then it's like what are you going to do in the suburbs,” said Emily Watters, a junior.

San Luis ranks number three on places to avoid in Arizona, located on the southwest corner of the state. The city has a prison, sitting right next to the Mexican border.

Crime is a little above average there but with all the border patrol agents nothing out of control.

In Coolidge, residents have a one in 24 chance of becoming a victim of a violent crime, according to Neighborhood Scout, a real estate analytics website.

Residents have a one in 23.1 percent chance of being robbed every year. The city also has an unemployment rate of 9.3 percent.

Coolidge does have an ancient site called the Casa Grande Ruins National Monument.

“I visited there once and It wasn't fun at all.

The Monument was cool but that was it,” said Schmit.

While Tucson, Coolidge, and San Luis are less than ideal places to live, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Arizona’s overall violent crime rate is on the decline.

4Megan Alsever

What are you looking forward to doing over the break ?

“I’m going to see my family in Nebraska. I’m really looking forward to it.”

“I’m going up to Colorado to visit my sister. We go snowboarding every year and we hang out with family.”

“I’m going to California to visit my cousins. We usually have Christmas Eve dinner there and they make ham and potato pancakes.”

C ollin Cummings

Emily Shimkus

Ashley Durso

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4Hayley Smith and Raven Ramirez

December

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THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR EVERYTHIING!!!!