Sierra Galindo 2014 Portfolio

Sierra Galindo Portfolio 2014-15

Self Reflection Over the course of the semester, and from my experience on the staff last year, I have learned many useful skills that can help me not just as a writer, but as an editor as well.

I have learned that deadlines are important in order to produce the paper. When a writer does not get their story, photograph, or sidebar in, it keeps the editor from being able to complete their pages and that slows down the production of the entire paper.

Another important skills I learned was teamwork and communication. This is something I have certainly improved on from my first year on the staff. Last year, I hardly communicated with my editors at all, now as an editor I make sure to check in with writers and track their progress so I can begin designing my page as soon as possible.

Journalism ethics is one of the most important things I have learned while being on the staff. As a journalist under a public school administration, you have to be careful what you put into articles and sometimes make some hard decisions.

You sometimes have to sacrifice your articles or parts of it for the sake of the school and sometimes other people. For example, when we give StuCo a bad grade on one of their events, we have to clarify why we are giving them a bad grade so it does not come off as a personal vendetta against. You also have to make sure that you are not taking quotes out of context just to make a person seem like a horrible person. In the future when I am a professional journalist, I will understand that ethics is perhaps the most important thing in journalism.

Dedication would have to be the second most important thing I have learned while being on the staff. Being a journalist is hard work and it certainly is not something for everyone. It takes a lot of hard work and dedication to do it and if that is something you lack, you are going to have a really hard time making it in the real world.

Advertising is a skill I do know a little about, but not enough to say I have any skills with it. What I have learned about advertising is that you want to try to emphasize the success of our paper and use it as a good marketing strategy.

For example, you want to tell potential advertisers who reads the paper and how many people read it. If their business is targeted more for adults, talk about how students bring home the paper for their parents to read. You do not want to take no for an answer, but if they incessant on not purchasing an ad, make sure you get them to say “no� twice.

Reflection #1 My most significant piece of work this semester had to be the article I wrote on the bond elections for the front page back in September. I believe this piece is my best because I threw my entire being into it. I assigned myself the article specifically to push myself out of my comfort zone and write a longer article.

I went into the article knowing it would be a challenge and was surprised with the outcome of the entire experience. It was difficult having to contact so many people, research, and interview a good variety of people so that the article would contain valid information. I remember meeting with the superintendent was intimidating and new to me, I was worried that I was asking dumb questions, but she was very friendly and helpful with all my questions and provided me with great quotes and places to research more on the subject.

I tried my best to make sure I was on top of the entire article by always doubling checking my information and going to different sources. The article did not need nearly as many edits as I had first perceived and that felt good. Even after the superintendent and the principal reviewed the article, only one quote needed to be changed. It was satisfying to have wrote such a good article without so many edits and changes necessary and felt even greater because I had conquered my fear of not being able to write enough or write a long article.

Reflection #2 I can not really say that there are any pieces that I feel like I did bad on or did not complete, but if I had to choose one, it would be the article I did on the motorcycle club that aids abused children. I thought I did do a good job on the article, but I feel like if I had more time it could have been better. I originally wanted to contact someone from the club and sit down and interview them, but since the deadlines were too close together I did not have the opportunity. Perhaps if I started the article much sooner or if I had more time I could have really made it great. Whenever I look back at this article, I do not feel bad about it or feel like the article was inadequate, I just wish I could have done more with it since the article was on a subject that really interested me.

Reflection #3 I am proud of this picture because it was one of the first pictures I took that was good enough to be put into the newspaper. What attracts me to the picture would have to be the colors and rule of thirds. When the picture was placed on the page, it accompanied the article nicely and the article fit perfectly around the hands and playbills.

Reflection #4 I was an asset to the staff this semester because I came to every production day, came every morning to deliver the paper and completed all of my articles, even if they were not turned in on time. For example, with the Local Jonny’s article for the Creeker section of the paper, I may not have turned the drafts in on time but I made sure that I got all of my interviews and turned in the article before production day.

Reflection #5 The hardship that I faced this semester would have to be time management and deadlines. Since becoming an editor, it has been hard to balance my regular school work with duties as a writer an editor. For example, even though I did complete the article on Local Jonny’s, because I did not manage my time well and I got my interviews at the very last minute. I handled the situation to the best of my ability, but I know now that I need to perhaps prioritize what is more important to do. That is perhaps my greatest weakness, managing my time and working with the deadlines. I can overcome this weakness by keeping a more organized agenda and using the class time given to get interviews. I think when it comes to getting face-to-face interviews, I get a bit anxious talking to people I do not know and I get lazy. Sometimes it’s tiring trying to chase people down in order to get interviews and writing good interview questions. I can improve this by talking with my editor about what exactly they want my article to be about and write questions accordingly.

Designs

Life

For the love of money

C

Nikki dusaNek determines if experiences are more meaningful than material possessions ontrary to popular belief, it

is possible to buy happiness. At least for some people. Research has shown that while some people believe purchasing items will bring them happiness, others prefer paying for experiences over items.

“It’s hard to put a value on memories, at least things have a specific price tag,” Ryan Boyd, a senior, said. Many people are aware that life experiences might make them happier, but will still choose an item over an experience because they believe it makes better financial sense.

According to sciencedaily, people are aware and can predict that paying for an experience will make them happier, but people do not understand the monetary value that can be put to an experience.

For example, if someone came into money and had two options: to either buy a car or go on vacation, evidence from science daily suggests they would buy a car. People believe that following a vacation, they would have nothing to show for the money they spent. However, with the purchase of a car, it is an item they get to keep and relate to its cost.

Of course, happiness is relative. While it may be seen as something felt in a moment it is also important to realize happiness could be a general feeling of positive wellbeing.

“If you don’t spend money or save it for a specific

reason, it does little good just sitting around.

Without something to buy, money is just paper,” Boyd said.

Having fun is a way to achieve happiness, choosing to spend money on a concert, activity or vacation will provide a person with positive memories, whereas material things may not always be so sought after. The newest computer or next generation iPhone will not always be the newest, and the want for these specific items will fade.

San Francisco State University conducted a study that revealed that people are aware that experiences make them happier, however they still believe that items have a better value. Furthermore, another Cornell study shows that when we buy something related to experience, we remain happy for longer periods of time, whereas the happiness from buying material items will fade quickly.

Also, it is possible to have the same material items as other people, but experiences belong to individuals alone. “I went to California this summer, and even though a lot of people went to California this summer, nobody did the same things or has the same memories as me,” Lexi Covelli, a senior, said.

With material items, it is easier to second guess the purchase. Someone could buy a new computer and for weeks wonder if they should have gotten the smaller one, or the one with retina display, or the one that was purple.

These thoughts do not make people happy, whereas memories are not so easy to second guess. People know what bands they want to see live, or where they want to go for vacation.

Material items are more easily compared than experiences, and it is human nature to compare. If one person has a new TV and they see another person just purchased a newer TV with a larger screen, their purchase no longer seems as exciting. However, if two people go on vacation to the same place, it is difficult to compare because each person has their own and unique memories.

4Sierra gaLiNDO

Take heed when TexTing while driving Texting and driving has become frequent in the lives of teenagers and even adults. Many people have done it, some of whom aren’t willing to admit it. However, many have taken the pledge to not text and drive.

“I feel like even though we know the consequences of texting and driving, we still choose to do it. It’s not intentional, it’s just habit at this point for all of us unfortunately,” said Talia Ortiz, a senior.

In their annual study, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) reports that 31 percent of U.S. drivers aged 18-64 reported that they sent, read, or looked at text messages/ emails while driving at least once within 30 days of the CDC poll alone.

"I rear-ended someone once because I was distracted by my cellphone. Luckily, no one was injured and their car wasn't damaged, but my car had $1500 in damage.

I learned my lesson after that," said Molly Gum, English teacher.

The CDC also reports that drivers under the age of 20, who are generally the most inexperienced, have the highest proportion of texting-related fatal crashes at 27 percent.

Forty-four states and Washington D.C. ban all forms of September 19, 2014

tips for new drivers

texting and driving, four states ban texting for novice drivers. Arizona and Montana are the only states who do not have a specific ban on texting and driving.

According to distraction.gov, the official U.S. Government Website on Distracted Driving, an estimated 421,000 people have been injured in motor-vehicle crashes due to distracted driving which includes texting.

At any given daylight moment in the U.S., 660,000 drivers use their cellphones while driving.

In a recent study by the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute, engaging in texting, dialing or calling on a cell phone while driving increases your chances of getting into a crash by three times.

“I think that in order for teens to not be tempted to text while driving they should put their phone on silent and out of sight,” Abbey Roberts, a senior, said.

However, earlier this year in July, the city of Flagstaff banned texting while driving and cycling. Coconino County has also issued a similar ban on texting while driving.

With motor vehicles collisions still the number one cause of death for fifteen to twenty year olds, it is important to take into account certain universal rules when going behind the wheel for the first time.

~RyAn DEnSOn

~rachel webb

Keep your foot on the braKe whenever shifting gears.

That includes when putting the key in ignition.

Do noT have a “DeaTh grip” on The Wheel. Keep your hands positioned semi-loosely at nine o’clock and Three o’clock on the wheel (imagine the steering wheel as a clock with the top being 12 and 11 other hour marking representing other places on the wheel).

Keep your eyes locKed on where you want the car to go, scanning ahead for any pedestrians or other obstacles. easiest way to tell if a car on the side of the road is planning to move is by checking if the tires are rotating. the faster the car is going, the longer it will take to brake to a complete stop. always remember to wear your seatbelt.

15

Choose Your Weapon LIFE

Shelby Nichols delves into the psychology of video games and what makes them so popular

When playing video games, people get to enter an entirely different reality than that of their own. Some would argue that is the reason behind its popularity; the ability to escape the real world.

In a MacArthur Foundation survey of young adults age 12-17, it was found that 99 percent of boys play video games and 94 percent of girls, with little differences across ethnicities.

“It’s giving you a whole different perspective on life,” Chris DiMarco, a junior, said. “It’s like a virtual reality that you can’t create with anything else.”

Scott Rigby, with a Ph.D. in clinical and social psychology from the University of Rochester, helped to found a research company that was designed to examine what makes video games so addicting. The result led him to what is called, “the three basic psychological needs.”

The first psychological need being “competence” or the desire to seek out control, or to feel mastery over a situ-

ation. People naturally like to find success in something and make accomplishments, video games quench that thirst whenever someone can level up or even finish a game.

“I like playing video games because they have amazing graphics and because it is an escape into another world where you can hang out with your friends and not worry about real life,” Duncan Scheope, a junior, said.

The second need is “autonomy,” the desire to feel independent or have a certain amount of control over actions.

This theory is behind why imprisonment is a punishment and rules are disobeyed so often. To be in control of everything and make decisions is what is appealing about video games; they allow for an unlimited amount of free choices.

Final need is “relatedness,” or the feeling of wanting to be accepted and make significant contributions to life. In a 2003 study, the University of Massachusetts Medical

School discovered that people with selfless actions generally have higher levels of mental health and overall less stress. In video games, the gamer is the main person of the game and has many opportunities to make significant contributions to the situation the game offers.

"I can understand the appeal of video games to so many teens," Steve Weled, video gamer, said. "The real world can be hard and scary and video games help people forget."

While video games are there for people as a means to escape from the real world, it can even help students discover what they want to do in the future. “I used to want to do something else with my life but then I started playing video games a lot and it made me want to design video games. It helped me decide what I want to do with my life,” DiMarco said.

INDIE GAMES FOR ALL FIVE NIGHTS AT FREDDY’S

A horror game about surviving five nights as a night-guard at a pizza parlor where the animatronic mascots come to life and try to hunt the player down.

MASSIVE CHALICE

A turn-based strategy game set in a medieval world where the player is an immortal king or queen who must fight off a demonic threat.

SKULLGIRLS ENCORE

Re-release of the game Skullgirls, 2D fighting style game, originally released in May 2013, is being released for new-generation consoles.

Story involves various women in the city of Canopy Kingdom seeking out the Skull Heart, a mystic object that grants any woman who is pure of heart a wish.

HOTLINE MIAMI

2D top-down action video game reminiscent of 8-bit set in a surreal atmosphere of 1980’s culture. Defined as a violent shootthem-up with stealth elements influenced by neo-noir film, Drive.

_RACHEL WEBB

TECH IS LOVE, TECH IS LIFE TOUCHPICO A small device that, when turned on, becomes a projector, turning any wall into an Android touchscreen. It also can give the desktop, and mobile device experience. Compatible with Macbook or PC. Can be pre ordered for 450 dollars.

SNOOPERSCOPE This small camera can be attached to any Android or IOS device. Instead of having it to assist the camera on your phone it will completely replace it. The only connection it has is a wi-fi connection, along with a magnet. The wi-fi connection helps to monitor what the scope is seeing. The magnet helps to connect the scope to a cell phone device with the proper accessory.

It is expected to be sold at 100 dollars when it is released.

LACIE RUGGEDKEY A new key holder that provides the ultimate protection for key as well as data. Contains a SUB 3.0 interface and it is backward compatible with USB 2.0. Sold at 39.99 dollars.

_ERIKA SODERSTROM OCTOBER 17, 2014

11

LIFE

One Giant Leap For Mankind Erika Soderstrom and John Tracy talk about potential exploration and settlement of nearby planets

VIVA LA PLUTO

On February 18, 1930, Clyde Tombaugh discovered Pluto as a planet, changing the solar system from having eight planets to nine.

In 2006 the International Astronomical Union, a group that focuses on naming planetary bodies, declared that Pluto was not considered a planet. As a result, Pluto became known as a dwarf planet.

However, A recent debate at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics concluded that Pluto is a planet. The public will know shortly if Pluto will be reinstated.

MARS NEEDS WOMEN

It is a common theme in science fiction: humans drive Earth into the ground, poisoning their planet and sucking up it’s resources like a dehydrated parasite. So they pack up their things and make a noble migration across the stars- giving them the opportunity to tarnish another one.

Such a concept may no longer be fiction.

Mars One is a Norwegian, non-profit organization convinced they will have humans on Mars by 2025. They expect to have astronauts on mars not only looking rather closely at orange rocks, but a functioning human colony: a stronghold and safe haven for when Earth inevitably falls apart.

Many believe that a colony on Mars is crucial to human survival. Elon Musk, a young, multi-billionaire and CEO of SpaceX, accredited humans making no extra-terrestrial

“It honestly seems like, despite all technicalities, it’s a planet in everyone's mind still,” Taneur Perez, a senior, said.

Pluto was demoted to a dwarf planet when the International Astronomical Union concluded that for an object to be considered a planet it had to orbit the sun, be round or nearly round, and can clear a path around its orbit.

Pluto almost passed the test, however, according to the Union, Pluto was too small to have the ability to knock other space rocks out of its orbit.

“I learned throughout my childhood that it was [a planet]

so I think it should be,” Carey Riner, physics and biology teacher, said.

“Because I grew up with it as a planet and I always considered it a planet. It’s kind of like it’s a family member that was disowned,” Riley Becquet, a senior, said.

Due to the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, Pluto might be reinstated. In order to determine for sure there is a spacecraft named New Horizons which is being sent through space and expected to land on Pluto in July.

This holds promise to end the eight year long debate.

contact to a macabre possibility. Saying there might be “a whole lot of dead, one-planet civilizations" littered across space. Musk has also introduced the idea of bioengineering humans to be better adapted for Martian conditions.

“If the only way I could get to another planet was to be bio engineered, I’d just take one for the team,” Sarah Nelson, a sophomore, said.

New research has shown that humans may join the ranks of dead, one-planet-civilizations. A study at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology showed that the first space pilgrims to arrive on Mars may only survive for 68 days- making the seven month journey only to be poisoned, by the mass amount of oxygen produced from vegetables.

“Oh, I think I would go on a one way trip to Mars,” Robert

Reisner, science teacher, said. “I certainly enjoy the concept of exploring, and I wouldn’t turn down an opportunity to set foot on an alien planet.”

FLYING INTO A STAR

Tests, research, and simulations have already begun for what many scientists and engineers believe will be humankind’s first interplanetary conquest: asteroids. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has been given presidential directive to land astronauts on asteroids by 2025.

It will not be easy, NASA Administrator Charlie Bolden has called a human mission to an asteroid “the hardest thing we can do.”

Sun is on my side “We would be a self sustaining country, running off the energy they [solar panel streets] would provide.” -Joey Meshinsky

I

MAGINE an invention that would replace

all the asphalt roads in the nation with solar panels. This invention would be able to filter storm water, prevent icy roads caused by melting snow, light up when there is an obstruction in the road, and most importantly, generate more than three times the electricity the US uses. Now imagine this invention as something that has already been invented.

Solar Roadways was created by an Idaho couple with an electrical engineering background. In 2009, the Federal Highway Association contacted the couple to build the first prototype.

These solar panels are made with a durable textured glass and have been reported, through testing, to withstand around 250,000 pounds.

“I think it would be worth the cost because it gets rid of all the extra costs, such as repainting, and it also has some great environmental benefits,” Natalie Neri, junior, said.

If this invention were to replace all asphalt, the US would no longer have to rely so heavily on fossil fuels and foreign energy. Also, people with electric cars will be able to charge up anywhere on the road, leading to the same range as a gasolinepowered car.

“We would be a self sustaining country, running off the energy they [solar panel streets] would provide,” Joey Meshinsky, senior, said.

Currently, this project is in its second stage of development, and has had multiple tests done on it so far such as load testing, traction testing, and impact resistance training, passing all tests listed above.

An aspect of this idea with the intention of saving some money is what the creators call “cable corridors”. These corridors would store all cables so they are no longer susceptible to weather and would allow utility workers easy access to them.

Since these would be under ground, there would be no more need for cell towers or wires having to be replaced from weather damage. Also, since these wires would run along all roads, there would be no more cell phone dead spots or areas with slow or no internet connection.

“It is a really smart idea, but if it were to happen, it would take a lot of time to tear up all that asphalt and replace it with those solar panels, not to mention costly,” Meshinsky said.

To cover all the streets in America, which add to roughly 29,000 square miles, would require around 5.6 billion panels, a cost of about 56 trillion dollars.

As of June 20, 2014, a campaign to raise money through indiegogo has raised $2,200,341 with the original $1,000,000 goal. This money will go towards more testing of the product.

~SHELBY NICHOLS NOVEMBER 14, 2014

11

LIFE RIATA WENDT sitting in the burmese

meditation position. This meditation pose is most common in Southeast Asia. 4SIERRA

GALINDO

worked up The stress of school is getting students...

by GRACE ROWETT style editor

Twenty-first century students have come to the point of devastation if they do not get a perfect 4.0 GPA. In extreme cases, students will have meltdowns for hours because they have been trained to believe that they will never be good enough unless they have the perfect GPA. At a young age, high school students are suffering from the side effects of stress by getting increasingly bad headaches, chronic fatigue, and irritation.

"Sometimes I feel like I can never catch a break because of all the school work I have. I always stress myself out too much and work myself up until I see my grade, and most of the time I'm not satisfied," Emma Smith, a senior, said.

While a little bit of stress can be a good thing as it motivates a person to do better, too much stress can backfire. Almost 40 percent of parents in the United States have said their high schooler is experiencing loads of stress that they never even imagined was possible.

According to USA Today, more -Riley Becquet than a quarter (27 percent) say they experience "extreme stress" during the school year, vs. 13 percent in the summer. 34 percent expect stress to increase in the coming year.

“I always find that I barely have any time to balance everything in my life. I have a job so that takes up a lot of my time, and when I get home I always have homework to do. I don’t have time for anything else,” Riley Becquet, a senior, said.

Between balancing school work, a job, a social life, and family life, stress can be overwhelming to a student. Unhealthy behaviors associated with stress can start early and continue through adulthood, according to USA Today. The habits and ways people handle stress are apparently setting themselves up for "a life of chronic stress and illness."

"I either find it incredibly hard sleeping at night or I'm constantly exhausted, there is not in between," Smith said.

A report on USA today states that stress seems to be affecting teen's performance in all aspects of life; 40 percent admitted they ignored their duties at home, 29 percent said they neglect work or school, 32 percent said they suffered from bad headaches, and 26 percent reported changes in sleeping habits.

“I always find that I barely

have any time to balance

everything in my life.”

14

chill out

Relaxation is an option many students have turned to in order to find inner peace and clarity in times that seem to be the exact opposite.

MEDITATION

According to Web MD, a few minutes spent practicing meditation each day can help relieve anxiety. There are several different ways one can meditate, but the most common position is sitting up straight with both feet on the floor. The eyes should be closed and the arms at ease. The only thoughts going through one’s head while meditating should be positive mantras that either are being said aloud or silently.

EXERCISE

ACE Fitness claims that one workout session can generate as much 90-120 minutes of relaxation. This is due to the fact that while working out chemicals in the brain, known as neurotransmitters, are stimulated. This is said to be why after physical activity, most people have a low stress level. Even walking on the treadmill twenty minutes a day can have a huge benefit. ~BIANCA DYDYK

be happy CHALLENGE A NEGATIVE THOUGHT

Each time you think of something negative, try to get far away from it. Distance yourself.

WRITE DOWN POSITIVE STATEMENTS

Write down when things go well or something positive happens. Recognize it and be proud of the accomplishment.

TELL OTHERS WHAT YOU ARE GRATEFUL FOR

Let people know how much they mean to you. It will not only make them feel good, but it will make you feel better as well.

FIND THE GOOD IN A NEGATIVE SITUATION

Rather than dwelling on a mistake, take it in stride and learn from it.

BE PROUD OF WHO YOU ARE

Do not feel ashamed by yourself in any capacity. Accept your flaws and be proud of your strengths.

~JACKSON KENNELLY THE CACTUS SHADOWS PRESS

Tear sheets

Front Page September 2014

CSP

INSIDE THE cSprESS

SEPTEMBER 19, 2014

Featured inside the CSPress this month...

News

3 ALs ice bucket chALLeNge We take a look into the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge and what it actually is and why people are participating.

The creators of the CSPress speak up...

How do you like to spend a rainy day?

Christina HOLMES Editor in Chief

hanging with the family

4 chANges iN curricuLum NEWSPAPER of Cactus shelby shadows high school Cave Creek, Arizona An explanationthe on the binge watching netflix and NichOLs NewsinEditor changes in our curriculum www.cactusshadowscspress.com wearing sweatpants and what courses we will be Vol 9, Number 1 reading a book losing and what courses we jacob emNett Opinion editor will be gaining.

bond issues OpiNiON CCUSD has some

6 disNey’s expectAtiONs Are Disney’s expectations in their movies ruining our view on reality?

8 sAfe sex Why it is important to promote safe sex instead of abstinence.

sayge bOLLi Spotlight Editor

watching house

grace rOwett Style Editor

sierra gALiNdO Life Editor

Nikki dusANek Food Editor

11 whAt is A creeker?

The true description of a Creeker and what they do around town.

wade jOhNsON Creeker Editor

jackson keNNeLLy Sports Editor

styLe

6 tOp fALL fAshiONs Find out the upcoming fashions that are affordable for the common teen and what’s hot and what’s not.

playing video games

walking out in the rain with my yellow umbrella

Christina DRAGONE Features Editor

creeker

staying in bed with a lot of blankets, watching gossip girl

i like to sleep

reading a book, cuddling with my dogs

sit by my window and look outside and listen to marvin’s room.

November’s election will give voters a chance to repair years of wear to Cave Creek schools.

7 birks, jumpsuits, ANd bucket hAts See recent trends such as Bucket hats, and others that are around campus.

R

let’s get wet!

Bond issues put on Ballot

We take a look into why students and1 Continued from page teachers are ments. The possible improvements and projects include fire alarm replacement, restpouring buckets room renovation and fixture replacement, renovation of bleachers in gyms, and staof ice water dium bleacher expansion to accommodate the number of people who attend games on themselves such as for Homecoming. the ALS Whether or not the bonds pass does have an effect on students. “The money will go ice bucket into ourchallenge. school,” Steve see Bebee, principal, said. “Keeping our school nice and updated and in goodnews working condition for students to learn in.” on page 3

If the bonds fail to pass, the projects that were listed and set aside to be funded by the bonds will have to be paid for with other funds. It is unknown at this time how long it would take for the projects to be done.

“Students expect to come to school and have a cool environment in Arizona or in the winter a warm one, so they expect the HVAC system to work,” said Burdick. “I think we want all our students to work and come to school in a safe environment, and parents expect when they send their students to school that there are certain safety knowns.”

Another issue voters will decide on is who will fill the two open positions on the governing board. The governing board is made up of five elected members who are in charge of the overall direction of the school district. Each member represents the various communities in the district.

The board makes decisions about things that affect the lives of students, such as approving textbook adoptions and educational programming, and adopting yearly budgets. “They are looking out for all the kids and employees and they are doing a great job,” said Scotto.

The governing board gives the superintendent direction on policy items the board would like to see and governs the rules and laws for the school district.

“Policies are big ideas and then how those are implemented are determined by the superintendent and the management of the school district,” said Burdick. “The governing board is the big umbrella group for the school district.”

The upcoming governing board elections will determine who will be on the district governing board. The candidates include Cynthia Weiss, Mark Warren, and Angelica Corredor Peterson. Susan Clancy was originally on the ballot until some of the signatures on her petitions were deemed invalid. Maricopa County Superior Court ruled she was three signatures short of 205 signatures required.

PBIS grant funding jobs on campus

for PBIS has helped to pay for several imporby Funding Sierra Galindo Life Editor tant staff members and well as reward students.

esidents of Cave Creek and thebyCave CreekDragone Unified School District Christina

As a condition of the grant, the school was

There will be two questions on the ballotthe regarding bonds.

The first question improve quality of their school.

Students rec-is to spOtLight

Now that the grant funding is going away, the

fOOdie

Features Editor can expect many changes after the November elections. Voters willexpected to establish a school-wide program 18 dips years ago, the Cave Creek Unified School Recipes and the breakdown decide on two bonds forFour the school district, and choose two new govern-that would benefit the teachers and the stuDistrict applied for a Federal Grant that allowed dents. PBIS was chosen, and the result have been of chips and dips. ing board members. schools who were interested to receive money to beyond the expectations of the administration.

ognize it asin the2005.

PBIS grant. repurpose that were originally issued According to the FAQs listedproblem is not so much losing the PBIS system, 15 histOry bonds Of NetfLix When the school was accepted and given the because the school has figured out how to susWhatDistrict’s is the history of Netflix on the website, the money in the bond that was to issued wasoftothe be PBIS used totain the program. It is the salaries for Udisky and money, it went not only the start and its struggles in the world build new schools. does not newCactus schools, the question program, butneed also any allowed Shadows to Grigsby that the grant also pays for. of online television?Since Cave Creek

hire a the social worker, Beth a recep- on “If we were to lose a social worker, it would asks voters for permission money and useUdisky, it for and renovations 16 mAgNificeNt metcALf to repurpose tionist, Tiffany Grigsby. cause a huge impact on the school,” Bebee said.

A spotlight on our AP existing schools.

“Ms. Udisky has helped me through so much, “Ms. Udisky does a great job and is involved in literature and Honors English “Iteacher. think the two bonds would be very beneficial fortoallarticuthe schools. They are going it’s kind of hard so many programs and so

“Ms. Udisky has helped me through so much, it’s kind of hard to articulate. I’ve been seeing her for almost two years, and it’s not at all an overstatement to say that I’ve changed for the better as a person due to the help and support she has provided.”

been seeing hernice for and smooth but it’ll to repair things that not only keeplate. ourI’ve schools running

almost two years, feAtures make them look better,” Nancy Scotto, a senior, said.

and it’s not at all an overstatement 9 NOt Asu The bond, if passed, will fund projects such as roof replacement, intercom replaceto say that I’ve changed for Why follow everyone and go the better as a person due to ASU you have many ment andwhen campus-wide drinking fountain replacements. to the help and support she other colleges to choose “Because the funds have already been collected, there will be no increase in from? has provided,” Sarah Linck, a taxes,” James Lincoln, President of senior, The Citizens said. for Education and Home Values, a The grant was originally PAC formed to support the bond questions on the ballot, said. set for three years. It was so 21 heAd iNjuries successful that the school the problem with $30Discover million for renovations headsecond injuries with all question genders that asked for a oneon year The bond will appear therenewal. ballot is a new $30 million in all sports.

“The organization allowed bond to also be used for renovations at all schools within the district. Unlike the us will another because repurposed bond, this bond, if passed, resultyear in a tax increase. The tax rate will we had a proven record of increase by approximately 12 cents per $100 of assessed valuation. using dollars the money 17 “Our experieNce vs items challenge is [that] the state for appropricapital projects continue o What’s more valuable? ately, also said decrease every year, and that’s why webut arethey going out forthat a bond,” Debbi Burdick, Buying items or having this is it, after this year there Superintendent, said. capital projects that we don’t have dollars experiences in life that“We are have critical is no more,” Steve Bebee, for.”meaningful?

Sarah Linck, senior Principal, said.

spOrts

Life

The bond is expected to fund six to seven years of improvements and bus replace-

September 19, 2014

see Bond on page 2

many things, so a lot of what she does would fall back on the individual counselors.”

Whether the school receives money to fund the program from the government is not guaranteed.

A year ago, Bebee visited Washington DC with Melissa Beverly, a counselor.

During the trip, they visited the National Department of Education and learned about an opportunity to receive federal funding for PBIS. “They have seen the success of the program and want to help keep it going,” said Bebee.

While many students

4 Emma kritzstEin roll their eyes at the PBIS program, it has actually had a huge impact on the students who have been helped by Udisky.

“If our school were to lose her [Udisky], it would be a slap in the face to every student she has affected, and all the work she has done. I want another insecure, lost little sophomore to walk into her office, and come out two years later with confidence and a plan,” Linck said.

All the students can do now is wait and see what the final results are as to whether or not the district can find money to help supplement the salaries.

“Everyone that has been involved has felt strongly that we will get the money. If we don’t get the money a lot could change,” Udisky said.

42Nicole Neri

S

answers, Sam Chartier, a freshman, question. to help any problem. 4SAYGE BOLLI

he Wright dean

nally, he moved to Arizona 10 years ago orking a matter of jobs before returning to ducation.

Outside of high school, I like being a dad first nd foremost,” Wright said. “Because I live ith four women, I don’t get to control the V very much,” said Wright. This results in atching a lot of Bachelor and Bachelorette. loved Juan Pablo,” said Wright.

He’s very friendly and appears more pproachable than others. I also like that he ears a bow tie because he is the only dean have ever seen do that and it reminds me of ll Nye,” Suzanna Gormley, senior, said.

Biker group provides aid to abused children

by SIERRA GALINDO life editor

Bikers Against Child Abuse or BACA is an organization that breaks the stereotypes of bikers by helping children who have been affected by abuse. Their motto is “No child deserves to live in fear.”

“I think it’s great,” Riata Wendt, a junior, said, “It shows that not all bikers are bad guys with bad morals.”

This group helps children who have been abused sexually, physically, and emotionally. When a child has been affected by abuse, BACA intervenes to help make the child feel safe and secure.

There are four levels of intervention.

During a level one intervention, the bikers will go on a run to the child’s house. The child’s parents or guardians are present to show the child that the club is there to help them.

They are then given a patch, stickers and a photograph with their new biker family.

During a level two intervention, several members will go to the child’s home to stand guard and help the child and their family feel safer when they are feeling their most vulnerable.

At a level three intervention, a formal letter is written to the child’s abuser on the BACA letterhead to explain that BACA will use whatever means necessary to keep the child and their family safe from the abuser’s harm.

“What they [BACA] are doing is something else. I would have never imagined bikers helping kids out like this,” Elaina Rovenstine, a junior, said.

A level four intervention is only used when the first three have done nothing to discourage the presence of the abuser. BACA will ask for the general area of the abuser’s residence and go on a “Neighborhood Awareness Run” where they will go to each house in the neighborhood to hand out stickers to the local children and give their mission statement and tell the neighbors how they function.

When the address of the predator becomes known to the bikers, they will immediately leave to avoid any type of confrontation.

In addition to interventions, BACA members will make court appearances with the child to help them feel secure, helping them give accurate testimonies regarding their abuse.

"The biker image is what makes this work," Rembrandt, Maricopa County Chapter President, told AZ Central, "Golfers against child abuse does not have the same feel. The pink alligator shirt and golf shoes standing in the driveway doesn't do the same thing."

THE CACTUS SHADOWS PRESS

News October 2014

their elementary and middle school years. Unfortunately, once a student moves up to high school, the parents start backing away and the school administrators start trying to involve themselves more than the parents do.

The mistake that most schools make is confusing parental duties with the duties of the school by watching over their students on-campus as well as off-campus.

Since schools get so involved in their students’ lives, it gives their parents the impression that they can slack off with their responsibilities. Parents nowadays are getting so used to having the school deal with everything that they do not know what to do when the time comes along for them to have to start stepping up to the plate.

For the six on-campus hours a day, students are the school’s responsibility. Anything that goes on within that time period has to be dealt with by the school, and in some circumstances, the parents are called in to help deal with it. But as soon as a student leaves the boundaries of the institution, they are no longer the school’s problem. They either go back to their parents so the parent can fulfill their duties as they should, or they go off on their own way. The school has no reason or right to try and carry out their duties once the school day has passed.

If a student is caught drinking off campus, it should be dealt with by the parents of the kid or by the police. It is not necessary for the whole school board to get involved and punish the kid for a decision they made outside of school. The only reason it would be acceptable were if these decisions that the student decided to make involving drinking affected their school life. This is when the school should step up and get to the bottom of it. More specifically, if the student that was caught drinking was an athlete, the school’s natural inclination would be to penalize them and not let them participate in sports until further notice. This approach is unfair to not only the athlete but to the entire team, because they have just lost a player. If the decisions a student makes at parties or any other event outside of school does not affect their grades, school life, and sports life, then the school should have no right to get involved in the situation.

SUBJECT Getting in the Halloween spirit

GRADE

B

to spoon feed us.

The administration officially says it is intolerant of bullying and other infractions of school policy on and off campus.

But saying does not make it so. My friends and I occasionally notice our peers talking about how they plan to take drugs or go drinking after they leave class, yet the teachers do virtually nothing about it (they conveniently claim not to hear). It is not occurring on school grounds, but it is a prevalent problem and it should at least be reported to the administration.

Public schools are a state institution, and protecting minors from violence, bullying, and consumption of illegal substances, including steroids, is their responsibility. This means they should investigate violations of these laws and enforce them.

Their policies do apply to us, on or off campus.

If companies or sports teams can penalize athletes or celebrity endorsers for drinking too much, taking drugs, or domestic abuse (with several major cases of this recently involving AZ Cardinal Jonathan Dwyer and Ravens running back Ray Rice) why cant the schools penalize us? Aren’t we told that school is our first priority job at this age? Sure, I doubt any of the students at Cactus Shadows have multi-million contacts on the line, but if it is clear from their behavior that the parents cannot discipline their children correctly, shouldn’t the administration step in?

Some people will claim that this, along with the security cameras, will further the administration’s “Big Brother” image, but if these issues go unresolved for too long, students may resort to handling the situation themselves. Think about the worst case scenarios on the nightly news broadcast - the young adult suicides and school shootings with bullying cited as a common factor. About a year ago, a 14 year old girl and 12 year old girl in Florida were charged with aggravated stalking and harassing another girl on Facebook, leading her to commit suicide. One of the girl’s posts read “"Yes IK I bullied REBECCA and she killed her self but IDGAF." Of course, the school didn’t know about it until she turned up dead, but in a fairer world, it should not have to be this way.

Opinion November 2014

a SAYGE BOLLI

Grace rowett and rachel webb debate administration’s authority outside of school.

SEE IT MY WAY

COMMENTS Halloween: One might expect high school students to grow tired on Halloween and blow it off as “just another day.”

Surprisingly enough, many students dressed up in school appropriate, creative costumes and showed some Halloween spirit. Most of the students dressed up as popular television and movie characters, such as Shaun Riley from Shaun of the Dead and Alice from Alice in Wonderland. Even a few teachers dressed up as famous movie characters. Notably, Amy Metcalf dressed up as Glinda, The Good Witch of the North from The Wizard of Oz .

Student support for Angeli

Failing students

10

A+ F

Student Support for Angeli: After Guss Angeli’s rediagnosis of Non-Hodgkins Mantle Cell Lymphoma, the school, students, and their families have done nothing but show support towards Mr. Angeli and his family. With the fundraiser night at Oregano’s organized by the school security guards, and public fund set up online that everyone can donate too, Angeli has received an abundance of money to go towards his chemotherapy and stem-cell transplant.

Failing Students: The amount of students failing classes this year is the highest it has ever been. There are 22 pages of students that are failing classes; it is to the point that automated e-mails are sent out every day to parents to alert them that their child either failed an assessment or is failing their class.

THE CACTUS SHADOWS PRESS

Food November 2014

FOODIE

ARES dessert as

She makes Crème

RSTROM

Much Turkey

years. Furthermore, the Huffington Post states that nearly 30 percent of the current population is gluten free. With this number of Americans avoiding gluten and meat, the usual Thanksgiving meal has changed for much of the population.

“Being a vegetarian on Thanksgiving just means more sides for me,” Amy Abel, a junior, said. A vegetarian substitute for the main meal, the turkey, could be tofurkey, a turkey flavored piece of tofu. For a less traditional substitute, there is also a vegan loaf maker, which is meat loaf without the meat. Start by choosing a protein, such as a nut or seed, and add vegetables, liquid, herbs, and some carbohydrates.

For healthier options that will cut down on the buttery and fatty meals often on the dinner table around this season is to roast potatoes instead of mash them. Cut the potatoes in thirds, add your favorite blend of spices and a little bit of olive oil and it is also a flavorful option.

Stuffing is also an item that can be unhealthy when gravy ou cook the green beans is added to the top of it. thout adding a large A warm salad could be a perfect fit instead. Using ingrebacon but still get the dients such as butternut squash, brussel sprouts, edamame beans, black beans,and garlic can create the perfect fall iple Thanksgiving meals. inspired warm salad. their plate they can Along with turkey and family, Thanksgiving conjures rry and peanuts, garimages of the traditional pumpkin pie. “I think I miss pumpauliflower, or brown rice kin pie the most because of my allergies. It just tastes like een beans are great fall,” Ferry said. While pumpkin pie may be a recognizable ose on Thanksgiving dessert option for thanksgiving, it is not the only option. ecipe where you roast “Well I only started celebrating Thanksgiving four years re amazing,” Ferry said. ago. I didn’t really like the idea of pumpkin pie so my mom urce Group, in 2000 made me chocolate pie,” Sofia Ripa, Cactus Shadows tion could be labeled as Alumni, said.

3.4 percent within nine "Pecan pie, ice cream, lemon bars, cookies, jello dish, cheesecake. In the Satran household we really love desserts," said Lizzy Satran, a senior.

Cherry Satran's favorite dessert is oatmeal cookies 6% which includes various nuts and raisins as well as apple gratings and coffee.

“Ever since I can remember we’ve made pumpBlueberry kin and key lime pie. The recipe differs but we 7% always make some version of it." Sydni Gist a senior said.

Some alternatives to otherwise ordinary desserts are caramel pumpkin cheesecake dip, baked apple brûlée, and peanut butter pumpkin pie.

“I don’t eat anything pumpkin,” said Johna Chocolate Jacobson, a spanish teacher, said. However, 17% Jacobson does eat apple pie, coconut cream pie and cheesecake with her family during Thanksgiving.

These dessert ideas create substitutes to the Pumpkin familiar Thanksgiving dessert menu. The caramel 18% WCASEY WINDSOR pumpkin cheesecake dip provides a sweet rich, smooth dessert; a unique choice to pumpkin pie r of 100 Cactus Shadows students. and cheesecake.

the last Thursday of elebrating its 151st birthonal holiday in 1863. mpkin pies, and mashed d for families sitting ay dinner. These recipes a tradition by families, n to change and other ach. d dairy and I’m a vegfficult holiday because eally creative with what this for three years, so ute it with different types Sydney Ferry, a junior,

CAMRYN MAYER and ERIKA SODERSTROM switch up the traditional Thanksgiving Meal

HEALTHY ALTERNATIVES MASHED POTATOES ALTERNATIVE . MASHED CAULIFLOWER Mashed cauliflower is a better alternative because it is low in carbs, fat and cholesterol.

GRAVY ALTERNATIVE . CREAM OF CHICKEN SOUP Cream of chicken soup is similar to gravy in taste and is low in sodium and calories.

STUFFING ALTERNATIVE . GRILLED SQUASH Grilled sauce is rich in vitamins and minerals and eliminated the need to add butter or other unhealthy oils.

CRANBERRY SAUCE ALTERNATIVE .CRANBERRY SALSA Cranberry salsa is a better alternative because the cranberries are not being drenched in a sugary juice.

GREEN BEAN CASSEROLE ALTERNATIVE .GREEN BEANS. This alternative is healthier because all the extra cheese and other ingredients add more carbs and unnecessary fat.

~SIERRA GALINDO

The baked apple brûlée introduces a rich dessert to a tangy fruit.

The peanut butter pumpkin pie adds an uncommon ingredient to the usual pumpkin dessert. Also, the peanut butter pumpkin pie is a healthy alternative to an otherwise fluffy pie.

For those who dislike pumpkin or cannot eat pumpkin, there are also some unique alternatives including cinnamon filled apple cider floats, sweet potato cupcakes, and sweet caramelized apple spice cake.

The tinted brown and gold color coating the caramelized apple spice cake gives this dessert an autumn feel. Fall spices are easily added to this moist cake hidden beneath brown sugar butter cream frosting. This cake is easily added to any dessert table both as a treat and a center piece.

The tinted brown and gold color coating the caramelized apple spice cake gives this dessert an autumn feel. Fall spices are easily added to this moist cake hidden beneath brown sugar butter cream frosting. This cake is easily added to any dessert table both as a treat and a center piece.

7

Style December 2014 STYLE

At the Drop of a Hat SIERRA GALINDO goes through the different trendy styles of hats that can add to any outfit for the winter and are easily paired with multiple outfits.

C

OLD-WEATHER hats have evolved beyond the classic beanie, and these newly recognized accessories are quickly joining the mix of the typical winter wear such as scarves, jackets, and

boots.

Although beanies and fur hats are a usual popular choice for head wear in the winter, fedoras, wide brimmed hats, and floppy hats have become more popular recently.

Seen being paired with many outfits such as flirty dresses, vests, and tights, or skinny jeans and oversized cowl neck sweaters, these hats are a versatile statement piece that will be seen being worn by people of all ages throughout the winter months.

“I think they [hats] are a great fashion choice,” Evelyn Bencomo, a junior, said, “They look good with practically any outfit, even on crazy hair day, they help hide the craziness of your hair.”

Fedora hats best suit heart-shaped faces and girls can add this hat to her particular outfit to give the look an occasional playful twist. The most common way to wear a fedora for women is casually. A popular outfit would be to pair this hat with a long tunic and black leggings, a jacket,

and an oversized scarf. For men, a fedora is best styled with a trench coat or long coat along with a nice dress shirt and dark jeans. According to Fashionbeans, a fedora will best suit men with shorter face shapes since the tapered crown of the hat gives the illusion of length.

“Even though fedoras are really cool, I just prefer to wear beanies, they keep my head warm,” Elaina Rovenstine, a junior, said.

Wide brimmed hats are fashioned similar to fedoras, best worn with a simple dress, and the addition of a long jacket or fur coat works nicely. A hat similar to a wide brimmed hat would be the “pork pie,” the type of hat Walter White wears in Breaking Bad. Fashionbeans states that a pork pie looks best casual clothes and is suited well to men with shorter faces. These hats are more popular among men, but some women have taken fancy to this style of hat as well.

Floppy hats are usually worn in the spring and summer, but have recently transitioned to fall and winter fashions.

Lovelyish said that a good outfit to pair with a floppy fat would be skinny jeans and a thick, wool-knitted top or jeans and a basic top with knitted cardigan.

SAMARA ROSENTHAL, a senior, poses in her burgundy

wide-brim hat from PacSun. Hats like this can be found in stores like Forever 21 to pricier stores such as Nordstrom. Hats are a good thing to wear in the winter to keep warm and to liven up an outfit. A SAYGE BOLLI

FUR, A GOOD IN(VEST)MENT GRACE ROWETT takes a look at this funky, unexpected winter trend.

SARAH NELSON, a sophomore, lounges in a variety of furs. Furs such as these have been trending this winter and can be worn with different kinds of outfits.

DECEMBER 12, 2014

ASAYGE BOLLI

It is fuzzy, it is warm and it feels so rocker glam, it is this fall’s biggest trend – the “faux” fur vest.

One can slip on a gray faux fur vest and witness how it can turn a simple shirt and an ordinary pair of blue jeans into a fun, unique look that works for any occasion.

“Fur vests are an absolutely fabulous statement piece that can make any outfit look trendy and stylish. I adore the way some people style them,” Zack Mattocks, a senior, said.

This vest is a good layering piece, and it is also a nice statement item that will catch the attention of others without making one look overthe-top.

"I think they are really unique and can liven up a lot of boring outfits," Sarah Nelson, a sophomore, said.

While it may seem that fur vests are limited and only go with a few select items, they are surprisingly versatile, able to coordinate with almost any outfit that one may choose to wear.

“I n terms of fur, it is a little sad that an animal has to be killed for it, but the vests can look cute on just the right person,” Cameron Bender, a math teacher, said.

A fur vest can be paired with a midi skirt and a floppy hat for a boho look, monochromatic pieces for an elegant and classic look, leather pants for an edgy look, or a chunky sweater or a flannel and leggings for a casual weekend look.

Since they are so "on-trend," these vests can be found pretty much anywhere. From stores like Forever 21 where vests are priced anywhere between $25 to $40 to higher end department stores like Nordstrom where people can find vests in the pricier range of $80 to $100, but one will not be able to walk in without spotting a fur vest.

7

Creeker December 2014

CREEKER

Two Tired for Coffee

S

by SIERRA GALINDO life editor

EVENTEEN years ago an old bike shop opened that sold

coffee on the side, now over a century later Kaolin Cummens and Jon Oughterson have created the same atmosphere.

“It was about creating the space that you want to be at. You know, instead of trying to make something that you think people want, you create something you want. I’m a cyclist, I’m an eater, and I’m a drinker of coffee and beer, then why would I not want to create a space that accommodates that?” Kaolin Cummens, owner of The Flat Tire Bikeshop, said.

Back in the summer of this year, Cummens moved his business to the old C4 building.

After settling into his new location, he called his old friend Jon Oughterson and asked him if he would like to use the old kitchen equipment and run the restaurant side of the shop.

“We have a one-year-old daughter so we were really not planning on opening a restaurant at all, but, you know, the opportunity presented itself and we just couldn’t pass it up,” Lauren Oughterson, co-owner of Local Jonny’s said.

Jon Oughterson used to worked at C4 and knew the space prior to opening his new cafe.

The name “Local Jonny’s” draws inspiration from the famous bike shop “Mellow Johnny’s” based in Austin, Texas.

“We thought we’d do a play on words and copy that a little bit, but we then we got worried it would be infringing on somebody else’s idea,” said Oughterson, “My husband’s name is Jonny so it kinda just fit and it was something we went with from the very beginning.”

Although the cafe is connected to the Flat Tire Bike Shop and sticks with the biker theme, they are more than just a cafe in a bike shop.

“A lot of people come in here just expecting us to be just a coffee shop that happens to be in a bike shop, nothing special, but we, Jon and I, each of us have spent over 10 years in the restaurant business. Just working in restaurants, coffee shops, and bars, we just want it to be great, we just happen to be in the bike shop,” Oughterson said, “We do want to follow the bike theme and there are a lot of cyclists who come in and visit on their morning rides and stop in and get breakfast or a beer, but we don’t want to just cater to them. We want to cater to the entire Cave Creek community.”

Upon entering the cafe, the first thing a person might notice would be the smell of all the different drinks; the cinnamon from chai lattes to the scent of a classic, black coffee. Local Jonny’s serves Fire Creek coffee, a company originally based in Cave Creek that moved to Flagstaff.

“The space has a very cool and laid back feel, a lot more bikes in the front than other coffee shops in Cave Creek which I think is perfect, it also gives it a more local feel,” Erika Solberg, a senior, said.

KAOLIN CUMMENS HANGS OUT IN THE CAMP THAT IS PART OF HIS FLAT tire bike shop. Not only does the space offer bikes and coffee, they are also going to begin setting up music in the back once again

4NICOLE NERI

Although the cafe

is connected to the Flat Tire Bike Shop

and sticks with the biker theme, they

prove that they are more than just a

cafe in a bike shop.

SPUR CROSS TRAILS PROVIDE ENDLESS LOCAL EXPLORATIONS

by NICOLE NERI staff writer

Now that Thanksgiving is over and everyone has stuffed themselves sufficiently, it is time to find a way to burn off the extra baggage. Spur Cross Conservation Area provides guided hikes year-round for hikers of every skill level.

Spur Cross is 2,154 acres of untamed desert, split into five segments: Elephant Mountain Trail, Metate Trail, Spur Cross Trail, Tortuga Trail, and Towhee Trail.

About 15 years ago, the area was set to be a developed area. The community, including Senator John McCain, rallied to keep the area DECEMBER 12, 2014

natural and wild.

“Spur Cross is a really great example of people coming together to preserve something,” Michael Murphy, a parent and an avid hiker, said.

The area has a rich history, containing several archaeological sites and petroglyphs from the ancient Hohokahm Native American tribe.

A quick history lesson: in the 1000s, the Hohokahms occupied much of south-central Arizona. Sometime in the 1200s, they mysteriously disappeared, leaving behind elaborate ruins and scattered petroglyphs as the only clues to their existence.

On December 20th, there will be a 2.5-mile

Hohokahm Houses hike, which takes hikers to one of the mesa-top compounds of the Hohokahm tribe to explore the ruins.

Scattered throughout the area are detailed petroglyphs and bits of ancient Hohokahm pottery.

“My sister and I go out to Spur Cross quite a bit and one time we took a different trail and we found pieces of ancient pottery we think,” Cydney Brabec, a senior, said.

It is best to attempt this hike with the help of a guide, because the northern part of the trail can be difficult to follow.

Park ranger Kevin Smith even leads moonlight hikes. The next one is scheduled for January 5th from 6:00-8:00 pm.

“The moonlight hikes are perfect during this time of year. I went on one a bit ago with my boyfriend and we both loved it, despite our lack of hiking endeavors,” Elle Stanley, a senior, said.

Cave Creek runs through the Spur Cross area, allowing large trees and a variety of desert animals to thrive. “It’s so unusual in Arizona to be able to hike next to running water,” Murphy said, “It’s really exceptional to be able to experience creeks in the heart of the Sonoran.”

Upcoming guided hikes, hike difficulty ratings, and trail details can be found on the Maricopa County website under the “Parks” tab.

15

son said. e mid-1950s. Elvis Presley was one of the few ublic’s behavior through music. Through his songs nce teenagers to focus more on themselves. d girls started to wear more revealing outfits. This not approve of, some parents went as far as to

Features December 2014

m war began in the 1960s, musicians started to Famous artists started to use their music as a c became the main genre in which musicians used uire released his song “On the Eve Of Destruction” s in his song such as “If the button is pushed his audience. Although musicians have always ent events this time period seemed to spark a fire 1 songs were used to show remembrance of the s like “Last Fallen Hero” and “When The World are used as social commentary about current

mewhere still listens to it,” said Hudson. Songs der to help influence the artists of today. sed for the same purpose and it brings people

a piece of history to the melting pot of American ether to become the newest genre of the cenence and change in music from the past music hat artists can take away from past generaat you understand who influenced your style,” said lot of commentary on today’s events. Songs like Lewis in which they focus attention of the people “Pumped up Kicks” by Foster The People, focusn young adults.

0s teens rebel

cond World War end and the conhe Cold War with ion, musicians ance with the n of music and fine the 1960s

od were about s and songwritout it. For examig Etta James Me Henry" when ause it was ng" with anyone.

YEARS UPON years of music history is located at the Musical Instrument Museum.

Hannah Caban, a senior, travels to the museum in hopes of soaking in the material. “The MIM showed me that music connects us, no matter where we are in the world , music is always there, and it is always a part of us,” Caban said. 4ERIKA SODERSTROM

The instrument of rock

FIFTIES STARS WORTH A RELISTEN

Harry Belafonte Bill Haley of Bill Haley and the Comets Fats Domino Chuck Berry Frank Sinatra Tony Bennett Buddy Holly Elvis Presley James Brown Dean Martin Rosemary Clooney Dion and the Bellmonts Little Richard

4ERIKA SODERSTROM

The word guitar comes from the Sanskrit word “tar” meaning string. The history of guitars can be traced back over 4,000 years.

The earliest instrument similar to the guitar are tanburs or “bowl harps.” The lute or oud brought to Spain by The Moors was used in Renaissance times. Other guitars used in Renaissance times were the four-course and five-course guitar. The six-course guitar was added to Italy’s “guitar battente.” The first ever electric guitar that we know today was the Rickenbacker Electro “Frying Pan” made in 1931. After the initial invention, Fender, Les Paul and Gibson guitar manufacturers followed suit.

Disco ~SAYGE

gave people an insi as an important par The ’80s introduc heavy metal.

“There were man influential artists w there, Run DMC, Be Riata Wendt, a junio

~SIERRA GALINDO THE CACTUS SHADOWS PRESS

DECEMBER 12, 2014

Life December 2014

LIFE RIATA WENDT sitting in the burmese

meditation position. This meditation pose is most common in Southeast Asia. 4SIERRA

GALINDO

ked up getting students...

ROWETT

ditor

dents have come to the y do not get a perfect 4.0 tudents will have meltthey have been trained never be good enough ect GPA. chool students are sufects of stress by getting hes, chronic fatigue, and

can never catch a break l work I have. I always much and see my me I'm not a senior,

“I always find that I barely

ess can be tes a perch stress ercent of ates have is expethat they possible. day, more -Riley Becquet cent) say me stress" s. 13 perpercent n the coming year. arely have any time to y life. I have a job so that , and when I get home I o do. I don’t have time for uet, a senior, said. hool work, a job, a social can be overwhelming to haviors associated with continue through adultToday. The habits and s are apparently setting of chronic stress and ill-

have any time to balance

everything in my life.”

chill out

Relaxation is an option many students have turned to in order to find inner peace and clarity in times that seem to be the exact opposite.

MEDITATION

According to Web MD, a few minutes spent practicing meditation each day can help relieve anxiety. There are several different ways one can meditate, but the most common position is sitting up straight with both feet on the floor. The eyes should be closed and the arms at ease. The only thoughts going through one’s head while meditating should be positive mantras that either are being said aloud or silently.

EXERCISE

ACE Fitness claims that one workout session can generate as much 90-120 minutes of relaxation. This is due to the fact that while working out chemicals in the brain, known as neurotransmitters, are stimulated. This is said to be why after physical activity, most people have a low stress level. Even walking on the treadmill twenty minutes a day can have a huge benefit. ~BIANCA DYDYK

be happy