Granite Bay Gazette, October 2019, Vol. 23, No. 2 by Karl Grubaugh

GRANITE BAY HIGH w 1 GRIZZLY WAY w GRANITE BAY, CA w 95746 w VOLUME 23 w ISSUE 2 w FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2019

aping ictims

Once seen by students as mostly harmless, it’s now endemic at Granite Bay High – despite the increasing danger of serious lung injuries: FOCUS, pages 16-17

Gazette photo /MAYA SNOW

inside

Fans are ecstatic about the return of Spider-man to the Marvel cinematic universe. PAGE 24

Granite Bay High students need to be more aware of their tendency to show off with their parents’ money. PAGE 30

CURRENT 2 LIFESTYLE 10 ATHLETICS 18 A&E 22 VOICES 29

We’re online at GraniteBayToday.org

Contents

Page 2

EDITOR’S NOTE

Granite Bay Gazette wFriday, October 11, 2019

16 & 17

cori caplinger ccaplinger.gazette@gmail.com

Our teachers need some support too

eachers are, and will always remain, one of the most vital parts of the education system. So my question is really simple – when did we start to devalue the mental health of teachers? Being a teacher is not an easy job, Teachers work long hours and are undercompensated with insufficient pay. Coming from a family mainly made up of educators, these hardships not only affect teachers, but their families as well. In a study conducted by Gallup in 2014, 46 percent of teachers reported their stress levels were high. With a 15 percent increase per year over a three year period (according to Starling.com), this crisis is reaching an all-time high. Educators are constantly being asked to increase their work loads, and increasing class sizes do not help that problem. Teachers are suffering, their mental health is declining rapidly and there isn’t enough being done to fix it. We are all humans and we all have limits. When those limits are pushed, it is considered a normal part of life. However, the reliance on teachers to constantly take on more than they can handle is not just pushing their limits, it is completely obliviating them. No one should be forced to work with no end in sight, especially when they are not getting paid enough to account for their efforts. Educators are the base of our society, and they should be treated as such. They help shape and mold generations, leading them to become informed, participating members of society. Their health and wellness should not be sacrificed for the “greater good” that is their job. They deserve help for the things they do. So, how can we help improve the mental well beings of teachers? It’s pretty simple. To start, PAY THEM WHAT THEY DESERVE. Secondly, work to moderate class sizes and the work given to them. Set up programs for teachers who need help – often, resources aren’t there to help those who need it. Lastly, we all need to realize that educators are human, not superhuman. They have limits just like the rest of us. It’s time to improve the lives of educators for the betterment of their mental health. After all, we wouldn’t get far in life without teachers. *** Cori Caplinger, a senior, is a Gazette senior editor.

Gazette illustration/ANGELINA KOLOSEY

19 4 CURRENT 2-8

2 Editor’s Note: The mental health of teach-

ers should be acknowledged much more often as they carry on the important task of educating students.

3 No Parking Allowed: The “GBPL” is gone

as a result of gates locking every night.

4 Students React to New Graduation Venue: An online petition to keep the ceremonies on the district’s campuses has garnered more than 7,000 signatures. 5 Follow the Money: The Roseville

Joint Union High School District offers a $20,000 retirement incentive, and some teachers are considering the offer.

6 A Brand New School: West Park is

opening next fall in west Roseville, and there are some concerns about how that might affect staffing and funding across the rest of the district.

7 College Enrollment on the Rise: More

students are taking advantage of both online and on-campus college courses.

8 Checking the Box: Students are starting to look for ways to complete their senior community service requirement.

LIFESTYLE 10-15

10 College Craziness: Seniors are feeling

the pressure as the application windows for public and private schools in California and the rest of the country open.

30 11 Student Stressors: School work is the

biggest stressor for GBHS students, according to a recent Gazette poll, with social issues and college applications close behind.

11 Too Much Social Media: Online apps can be problematic for young people who can be easily hooked in to the distractions they offer.

12 Ripple Effect Week Resonates: Student government effort to increase student empathy seeks to raise student awareness.

13 Cheating Their Way Through:

Many students argue that cheating is a significant problem, and some recent graduates describe the audacious ways they cut corners when they were at GBHS.

14 New Tools at School: The new GBHS librarian is bringing changes to the peer tutoring program.

FOCUS 16-17

16 Facing the Consequences of Vaping:

Students, staff, parents and community members have concerns about the dangers vaping imposes upon young adults and teens.

ATHLETICS 18-21

19 The Tribe is Back in the End

Zone: Senior night will be the night the Tribe section will be cheering from the end zone stands after a two-year break following previous-incidents

20 An End to Athletic Aspirations: Stu-

dent athletes discuss injuries that prevent

their participation in sports for weeks, months and even forever.

ARTS&ENTERTAINMENT 22-27

23 Hall Passes on Another Level: Teachers discuss the wacky and unique bathroom passes they have created and require students to carry when using the restroom.

24 Spider Man Returns: After Disney lost

rights to the production of Spider Man to Sony, pleas by fans and actor Tom Holland were apparently taken into account as Marvel announced the return of Spider Man to the MCU.

26 Trips to Houses of Horror: Seasonal

celebration activities are just beginning as students plan visits to local Haunted Houses in order to comply to tradition and fulfill adrenaline needs.

VOICES 29-31

29 Graffiti is Artistic Expression: Lindsey

Magno advocates for a new and more positive view on graffiti art aside from its typical association with crime.

31 Trick or Treat, not Trouble: Teens can

be known to cause some trouble on Halloween night, but Drew McKown hopes people act respectfully toward homeowners who are providing candy.

31 Our Take: Society faces the previously

unknown dangers of vaping, and it’s time for students and others to take seriously the potential life-changing effects of what was once considered a mostly harmless habit.

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NAMES IN THE NEWS

Granite Bay Gazette wFriday, October 11, 2019

GBHS parking lot now locked at night Favorite hangout spot for many is no longer available after midnight BY SOPHIE CRISCIONE

scriscione.gazette@gmail.com

sophie criscione scriscione.gazette@gmail.com

National Merit Commended Scholars named

he long standing rivalry between GBHS and Del Oro seemed to momentarily vanish as the two schools united in a USA themed game at the Honor Bowl on Friday, September 20. Ditching the Rich Out vs Hick Out tradition, the Tribe and Black Hole ultimately represented something bigger, despite the 28-10 loss for the varsity Grizzlies. *** The varsity girls tennis team dominated in their match against Del Oro on October 1, winning with a score of 9-0. *** Congratulations to the 15 seniors from GBHS named National Merit Commended Scholars for scoring in the top 3-4% of scorers on the PSAT. They are Zachary Bader, Max Ernst, Bella Gennuso, Faraaz Godil, Daven Kashyap, Kyle Miller, Rahul Patel, Rathip Rajakumar, Tirth Surti, Caroline Tak, Kathryn Thompson, Max Van Der Veen, Andrew Webb, Colin Wills and Ashley Yung. *** The last round of Homecoming Royalty voting is October 14 - 16, and winners will be announced at the Homecoming rally, except for the senior king and queen, who will be crowned during the halftime show. *** Float Building is kicking off on Monday, October 14 for all classes. Find out where your class location is and go help design an amazing music genre themed float, or just hope it turns out without your help. *** The Tribe section is moving back into the endzone for senior night at the varsity football game on Friday, October 18. Don’t forget to come early for the tailgate and 6:30 p.m. Tribe walkout. *** Now take a break, and reward yourself with a relaxing, stress-free weekend, you finished midterms! And for the seniors finishing up those college applications, keep it up! You’re almost there! *** Sophie Criscione, a senior, is a Gazette assistant editor

Referred to by many as the “GBPL,” the Granite Bay High parking lot has been a popular hangout spot among students on weekends and summer nights. Because of concerns relating to the noise levels and safety, however, a large section of the front parking lot is now being locked up every night, preventing anyone from using the space as a hangout spot. Between 10 and 11 p.m., or an hour after the last event, the two yellow swing gates located by the south entrance and by the pool will be closed, and a chain connected to two ballards will close off the entrance to the middle section of the student parking lot near the street. “People that need to park or access can still park in the front here, that’s not prevented, but at least they’re farther away from the neighbors on that side,” assistant principal Greg Sloan said. One of the main reasons administration is taking action now is out of respect for the neighbors nearby, many of whom complained about noise levels during this past summer. “We’re in a neighborhood (and) we’ve got houses all around us, so we (need) to try to be good neighbors, even when (administration) is not here,” Sloan said. The locking up of the parking

lot has already upset many GBHS students who have enjoyed using the space as a central hangout spot. “My friends and I go to the Granite Bay parking lot because it’s just a really big open space in a very central location,” senior Nick Parker said. Parker, like several other students, enjoyed spending time with his friends in the parking lot almost every day or night over the summer. “(My friends and I) had a barbecue there once, and we even played poker with just a random table that we had,” Parker said. “It’s just a really open area that we can use to set up whatever we want and then be able to clean it all up easily.” The Granite Bay parking lot is a popular meet-up place across grade levels and friend groups. “Over the summer, I probably went (to the parking lot) every other night just because it was a good meetup spot,” Bella Ternero said. “Everyone would … meet at the GBPL, and if we didn’t have anything to do, we would bring skateboards and scooters and just ride around.” Ternero often hung out in the parking lot with a group of at least seven of her friends, using it as a place to play games like fugitive, hostage or just skate around. “My friends and I preferred hanging out in the GBPL because we didn’t have much money and it was

Gazette photo illustration /SOPHIE CRISCIONE

Friends hang out in the GBHS parking lot during after-school hours. free,” Ternero said. Sloan understands most students who spend time in the parking lot do so in the southern end, where there are no solar panels. The space is more open, but it is very close to houses backing up the parking lot. “People that want to do donuts and spin their car around are doing it down there, but it’s not cool for the people that live there to have to hear the noise and all that stuff going on,” Sloan said. “Nobody would want it near their house, but the people that are doing it aren’t thinking about that or being very respectful.” Locking the parking lot up will also prevent any students from misbehaving, although many people believe the parking lot is not a place

of much misconduct. “People that are going to do bad things are going to do bad things no matter what, but people don’t go to the PL to do bad things, they go to hang out,” Parker said. Other parking lots around the area have been considered as possible substitutes for the disruptions that are causing neighbors to complain about the GBPL, but many argue there is something special about the GBPL that makes it a great place to mingle with old and new friends. “This summer, I was there with my group of friends of about 10, and about four other groups of people showed up and I made about 20 new friends that night,” Parker said, “ which I thought was an amazing experience.”

GBHS remains an AP power among nearby schools 19 academically rigorous classes offered on campus BY BELLA KHOR and TOMMY GRAY bkhor.gazette@gmail.com

Advanced Placement appeals to students who want to be academically challenged or gain some college credit. This is apparent to many Granite Bay High School families – more than 2,400 exams” were given at GBHS last year. “More than half of (the student population) takes at least one AP course in their tenure here at GBHS,” AP coordinator Jill McKinney said. While this is an impressive achievement on paper, the effects of these prominent numbers help students get into college and receive college credit. “We have students that want to take AP classes, so the demand is there,” principal Jennifer Leighton said. Offering 19 AP classes, the AP program at GBHS has grown from the meager couple of AP courses offered when the school opened more than 20 years ago. GBHS also offers a full plate of International Baccalaureate classes. This magnification of offered courses is aided in that school officials at GBHS have done their best to make AP and IB classes accessible to all. The idea of having to take a pre-AP test to qualify to get into the AP program was once considered but then opposed by some teachers on campus. “(Our) general philosophy (is) if kids want to

take the challenge academically, let’s let them take the challenge,” said Brandon Dell’Orto, who teaches AP U.S. history. This attitude toward academic challenges in the form of AP classes is influenced by more than just the school itself. The community surrounding GBHS plays a significant role in supporting the decision to take AP classes. “It’s the perfect storm of motivated teachers and motivated students and motivated parents and families that want their kids to take all these AP classes,” Leighton said. Parents play a major role in encouraging their children. “We have a lot more parental expectations of students going to high-power colleges out of here,” Dell’Orto said. One such student facing these expectations is junior Aarush Pattnaik. “I take AP classes because it helps my chances (of ) going to a good school,” Pattnaik said.“My parents pressure me to take AP classes because they want me to be successful.” Such an atmosphere is at least partly the reason for the large number of AP classes taken at GBHS. “(Students are) pushed to take more AP classes (at GBHS) than at other schools,” Dell’Orto said. It isn’t just parent expectations, however, that are bringing in students who actively want to be in an AP-rich environment. Student expectations are there as well, and the prospect of AP class variety is attractive. “I live in Folsom, so I was worried about the drive – and I was choosing between a lot of good schools, so I was always undecided,” said sophomore Shreya Nagunuri about her decision

to attend GBHS. “The AP classes were a deciding factor in my decision (as) GBHS offered the most amount of APs in the area around me, and it offered the greatest variety of them as well.” Despite the desirable advantages of these academically simulating courses, there are some downsides. For one, students are loading themselves with AP classes that colleges might not accept. “The simple fact of the matter is that colleges probably would rather not have any kids get AP credit when you view it from a purely business perspective,” Dell’Orto said. “The classes that kids can get out of when they pass an AP test are the classes that (colleges) generally make a lot of money on. “Many colleges are putting more limitations on (AP credits they’ll accept).” College aren’t the only institutions considering limitations, as teachers at GBHS have discussed capping the number of AP courses students are allowed to take, according to McKinney. Leighton said a maximum AP class limit is something worth talking about. “We have a lot of stressed-out kids,” Leighton said. “There are some kids that can handle that rigorous of a schedule. They thrive on that, (but) there are other kids that get … overwhelmed when they have too much going on.” Nevertheless, she acknowledged that some students do thrive on that kind of pressure. Another issue with this sort of academic mentality is community perception of those who do or do not take AP classes. “(AP) provides all of our students with so many options in regards to courses that may interest

See AP, page 28

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New graduation venue decision causes debate Announcement of ceremony location moving off campus sparks concerns among students and families in district BY SOPHIA HARIMOTO

sharimoto.gazette@gmail.com

fter weighing the pros and cons, the Roseville Joint Union High School District board members voted to host future graduation ceremonies at an off-campus location known as The Grounds. Since the decision was publicly released, many students and families have expressed their concerns regarding the change in tradition. Nick Dominguez, a junior at Roseville High School, serves as the publicity and marketing commissioner for student government on his campus, and is a student representative on the RJUHSD board. Dominguez started a petition to keep all district high school graduation ceremonies at their respective campuses. The online petition currently has more than 7,000 signatures. “Graduations should continue to be hosted (at) their respective schools because students deserve to spend their final moments of high school in the place they spent the last four years of their lives,” Dominguez said. In August, the district sent out a survey to students, parents and staff members to obtain public feedback before making a final decision. According to the results of the survey, there was general support for the new venue. However, many believe the survey was not an accurate representation of all schools because of a lack of participation. “We want to show (the school board)

somewhere that is meaningless to the student body.” Galvan voiced her opinion through both the district survey and the studentcreated petition, and she is surprised by the lack of publicity on the subject. “I filled out the survey about the (new graduation) venue, and I hope they take (the responses) into consideration,” how many people are actually strongly Galvan said. “It shocks me that they opposed to their decision, compared to ask for feedback but don’t advertise any the insufficient survey that was completof the places where students can give ed by 4% of students,” Dominguez said. feedback.” “We have more people who signed the Tyler Zavala, a junior in student petition than the 2,000 who completed government at GBHS, said he agrees the district survey, regardless of how they that the district should have advertised voted.” the new graduation venue more before Brandon Dell’Orto, an Advanced making a decision. Placement United “My second States history teacher period teacher had a at Granite Bay High discussion about (the School, says the lack survey), but (even I feel (that) it is pointless of student participathen), few people tion in the survey is to graduate somewhere knew it was sent because most stuZavala said. that is meaningless to the out,” dents did not know “I feel like it should the survey existed. have been publicized student body. “It is my undermore.” – Olivia Galvan, standing that many The board recently (students) didn’t even junior class president made the final deciknow they had the sion to host future survey in their email graduation ceremo… because they just nies at The Grounds, don’t check their email every day,” said a new venue on the site of what was Dell’Orto. previously known as the Placer County Dell’Orto added that another minor Fairgrounds. The GBHS graduation reason is that often, people don’t proacceremony for the class of 2020 will be tively get involved in things until they held at 3 p.m., Thursday, May 28, at the become a problem. new location. Now that the hypothetical change has Although the district has never reversed become a reality, many more people are a major decision before, it does not reacting. mean it doesn’t have the power to do so. Olivia Galvan, the GBHS junior class “I believe that if we show in sheer president, said she strongly believes the magnitude how much it means to the graduation ceremonies should be held whole community (and) how opposed on campus. we are to the idea of revoking the tradi“My brother graduated on the (foottion of on-campus graduations, then, ball) field, and it makes the end of high in faith, the board will act accordingly,” school (so) much better,” Galvan said. Dominguez said. “They must respond to the demands of their constituents.” “I feel (that) it is pointless to graduate

Special to the Gazette /KAREN MITCHELL

The GBHS class of 2019 graduation ceremony was held on the football field, as it has every year as a school tradition.

Granite Bay Gazette wFriday, October 11, 2019

Reasons for signing

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Granite Bay Gazette wFriday, October 11, 2019

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Students and administration question campus drug safety Regular substance usage amongst teenagers raises questions and concerns about the related safety and health of users

U.S. DRUG ENFORCEMENT AGENCY

Drug culture at GBHS has become a concern as easy-access drugs such as marijuana are becoming more and more normalized. regarding the implications of drugs on BY CORI CAPLINGER young people becomes more available. ccaplinger.gazette@gmail.com According to a study conducted and published in the Archives of General Psychiatry, nearly 81 percent of rugs have become a rising concern among families, teenagers have been around dangerous schools and students as new substances. information comes to light regarding “It is definitely very widespread,” their implications on younger people. senior Max Ernst said. “There’s defiHarmful substances have always nitely a lot of people doing (drugs).” been a problem, but this issue is gainStudents aren’t the only ones ing traction as better understanding noticing the widespread use of drugs.

Teachers at Granite Bay High have first-hand experience dealing with the repercussions of drug use among students while in school. According to photography and art teacher Amelie Rider, students have used substances knowingly in her classes. “I think there is a population of students at this school who regularly (use) marijuana,” Rider said. Ultimately, initial use can turn into regular use, and GBHS administrators realize that teens can suffer longterm consequences when using drugs regularly. “Students aren’t learning if intoxicated – the brain is affected in its development, processing and memory,” assistant principal Greg Sloan said. “Long-term effects include addiction and health, financial, legal (and) social consequences.” Some students said they believe the immediate problem at GBHS isn’t about the long-term effects of drugs but the increasing exposure and availability to the younger population. “(GBHS) does not have a hard-drug problem” senior Alejandro Alvarez said. “We have a problem with easyaccess drugs.” These easy-to-purchase drugs raise concerns about safety.

You don’t have to look very far or hard to see someone’s life ruined by drugs. – Greg Sloan, assistant principal

The belief is that when young people are on drugs, they are unable to regularly or normally control their actions, which leads to an overall inability to function. “They are dangerous just because you don’t have control of your body entirely when you’re under the influence of anything,” Ernst said. At the same time, many said the problem stems from a positive connotation of drugs produced by groups of people who take drugs – and who encourage others to do the same. “Some kids do it because other kids do it, and it’s peer pressure,” freshman Schyler DiGiulio said. “It’s that whole thing about trying to be cool and everybody else is doing it so ‘I’ll try it too,’ and then it becomes a bigger

(deal).” GBHS is adapting to better understand and address the issue of substance abuse. School leaders hope to better educate staff to recognize the signs of drug use, and how to get help for students. “Both Granite Bay and the RJUHSD have informational nights that parents can attend to get more information,” Sloan said. “And we have had presenters at staff meetings so faculty are aware.” Some critics say drug education efforts at GBHS are one-sided. The idea is to not only tell students not to do drugs, but rather how to approach drugs from all angles. “GBHS does a good job in the sense that they tell people not to do drugs,” Alvarez said. “After that, GBHS does not do enough.” Drug use is an issue that is addressed through efforts made by not only the staff at the high school, but by students as well. There is nothing glamorous about the reality of drugs. “You don’t have to look very far or hard to see someone’s life ruined by drugs,” Sloan said. “And yet we have the false sense of cool associated with them, combined with the mentality that we’re indestructible. It makes the teen years a dangerous time.”

Teacher transfer requirements result in retirement incentives

GBHS educators weigh a $20,000 cash payout to leave their profession after this year ends BY SOPHIA HARIMOTO

sharimoto.gazette@gmail.com

he money’s starting to talk, and the school district wants to know if people are going to walk. In an effort to reduce staff upheaval that could result from the opening of the Roseville Joint Union High School District’s newest comprehensive high school next fall, the school board and district officials have decided to offer a $20,000 early retirement incentive if teachers choose to retire by the end of this school year. “Our goal is to reduce (and) avoid involuntarily transferring teachers due to the opening of West Park High School next fall,” said Brad Basham, the RJUHSD superintendent of human resources. “The early retirements may allow newly hired teachers to remain at their current school site or at the very least, increase the number of location choices a teacher may have, if a transfer is necessary.” Along with reducing the number of involuntary transfers, the early retirement incentive will also help eligible teachers retire early. “The purpose is to help teachers who are near retirement age retire early,” Basham said. “There are several teachers who are eligible to retire, but the cost of health benefits makes it difficult to retire too early. The early retirement incentive may help teachers bridge the financial gap until they are eligible for Medicare.” The interested retirement candidates must submit their final decision by Dec. 6. “The early notification will allow us to identify

our hiring needs for (the) 2020-21 (school year), and we should be able to advertise, recruit and hire early in the spring,” Basham said. Linda Dickson, an Advanced Placement psychology teacher and the yearbook adviser, has been teaching since 1983, and is one of the few Granite Bay High School teachers who is contemplating early retirement. “I am on the fence since the money isn’t really significant enough,” Dickson said. “But it would be nice to go out this year instead of next year since I have irons in the fire.” Along with teaching, Dickson also coaches both girls and boys high school tennis teams, and she is passionate about the sport. “I am looking (to) start up (an) international tennis academy within a high-performance sports training facility, and college prep homeschool (students),” Dickson said. “(The goal is) to help student-athletes find a college fit, as well as navigate the college application process” However, Dickson’s main concern with retiring early is the money. “If I take the $20,000 now, then I will lose out on about $500 a month (for) the rest of my life because I will be retiring one year earlier than the maximum in terms of retirement benefits,” Dickson said. Karl Grubaugh, an Advanced Placement economics teacher and the journalism advisor, agreed that the incentive money is not substantial enough to greatly influence his retirement decision. “The money alone is not the reason why I might retire, but it (has) helped me focus my

Gazette illustration/KATE FERNANDEZ

GBHS teachers who retire at the end of the year will receive a $20,000 incentive bounus. They must decide whether to accept the school district’s offer by Dec. 6. thinking a bit more,” Grubaugh said. Grubaugh has been teaching for almost 36 years and is at a stage in his life where retirement is a plausible option. “The most important thing to me is (that) I want to go out feeling like I am going out at the top of my game,” Grubaugh said. Similar to Dickson, although Grubaugh enjoys his career, he also has a few goals that he would like to accomplish in the future. “You’re not living forever, (and so) I kind

of have some things I would like to pull off,” Grubaugh said. “I’d like to take up my freelance writing career again.” The reasons as to why certain teachers might choose to retire vary depending on their background, but the incentive money does have eligible teachers considering retirement more seriously. “Everybody’s story is different,” Grubaugh said. “But the $20,000, for me, is enough to at least get my attention.”

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Granite Bay Gazette wFriday, October 11, 2019

West Park High scheduled to open next year

Students arriving at newest RJUHSD school raises concerns about redirection of teachers, funds

Gazette photo /TOMMY GRAY

West Park High in west Roseville will open next year with freshmen and sophomores, and some teachers from across the district will be transferring to the new school.

BY TOMMY GRAY

tgray.gazette@gmail.com

est Park High School officially opens its doors to students next year, adding a sixth school to the Roseville Joint Union High School district. As with the opening of other schools in the district, in its first year, it will only be open to freshmen and sophomores. For the next two years, a new freshman class

will attend as the previous classes ascend until the students who began as sophomores graduate. This system is instituted to help mitigate the effects of opening this school on the others in the district – and one of the key possible effects in the displacement of teachers at the district’s other schools. “In a perfect world, the exact number of teachers who want to … be a part of that new school opening up would match exactly what they need and we would have no holes left behind

when they take off,” said Brandon Dell’Orto, Advanced Placement U.S. teacher and president of the Roseville Secondary Education Association that represents district teachers. “(In) reality, (they) are going to involuntarily move (teachers) from another school.” Jennifer Leighton, principal of Granite Bay High, said these issues are avoidable with the opening of West Park. “A few (teachers) have shown interest (in transferring), but it’ll be a competitive process and not a guaranteed transfer since other schools have to lose teachers because their enrollments will be declining,” Leighton said. These schools include Oakmont and Woodcreek in the RJUHSD. Student populations at nearby Whitney and Rocklin high schools in the Rocklin Unified School District could also be affected, but teachers in Rocklin do not have transfer rights into RJUHSD schools. “It’s much more likely we will be inheriting teachers from those (Oakmont and Woodcreek) as we have openings through the next couple of years,” Leighton said. Another potential issue facing the schools of RJUHSD is the redirection of funds. “ It’s really expensive to open a new school,” Dell’Orto said. “For example, the district is (currently) paying for a principal and principal (making a combined nearly $200,000 a year including benefits) and they have no students right now.” These start-up expenses will expand significantly as the school’s staff increases in the spring to prepare for the 2020-2021 school year. Even with all of the expenses, there are no anticipated funding cuts to Granite Bay High. “In a way the ‘cost’ of opening West Park

Waste in local rivers results in big environmental challenges

has only benefitted us since each site received extra funds from Measure D in order to make improvements,” Leighton said. Measure D is generating $96 million in district funds for improvements across the district. The new pool project at GBHS, for example, is funded by Measure D dollars. However, Dell’Orto said the issue of funding might be more long term. “(West Park) is slated to be around 2,3002,600 kids, but that’s not how many people are living out there right now, (so until those students are present), our district is going to have to counterbalance and pour more money into that school than it’s bringing in,” Dell’Orto said. Leighton said she’s confident that, even with these expenses, GBHS likely will not be affected. “After the Measure D funds are depleted, it’s likely that a portion of the district’s general funds will have to be used (at West Park),” Leighton said. This would mean GBHS would face no direct funding cuts, but things like salary increases for faculty and staff might have to be put on hold. “(I still support West Park), there are many students in that area, and many teachers would get incentives,” senior Brandon Aram said. Other GBHS students are also concerned about the well-being of teachers, and they weren’t concerned with other school funding issues. “Even though I really don’t know much about West Park,” sophomore Grace Hanson said, “having a new school is going to be a good thing.”

Community raises concerns about the amount of garbage disposed in the nearby American and Sacramento Rivers BY DREW MCKOWN

dmckown.gazette@gmail.com

he trash in our rivers and in our environment is getting out of hand. The American River especially is getting dumped with trash every day. This year, volunteers gathered tens of thousands of pounds of trash from the American River. There are many factors that go into how all of that debris gets into local rivers. “Part of it is lazy people, especially when you have garbage cans that are 20 feet away,” said Scott Braly, a biology and fish and wildlife teacher at GBHS. “Some people just don’t take the responsibility to put things in the garbage can. They just drop it and figure it’s somebody else’s responsibility to pick up after them.” The homeless problem also plays into effect when there’s trash and debris by local rivers. “On the Sacramento River and the American, especially, the homeless problem is huge,” Braly said. “The American River parkway has been changed dramatically in the last 30 years compared to what it was.” All of the tents, abandoned bicycles,

shopping carts and piles of trash play a big factor in the pollution of the American River. “The homeless encampments, the trash and the human waste is a very complicated issue obviously because it’s more than just pollution,” Braly said. “It’s the homeless problem that is causing that source of pollution. It’s not an easy thing to fix, but it’s a major contributor to all of the trash and pollution in our rivers.” It might be difficult to find solutions to the issue of trash in our rivers, but people can take certain actions to reduce waste. “In recreational places where a lot of people go, (there) maybe aren’t enough trash cans,” Braly said. “If we can help to attack that problem by having more trash cans, that would hopefully take care of some of it.” Every year, people volunteer to help clean out the tons of trash in the American River. Those people can make a big difference. “People just helping out and volunteering to pick up trash in the rivers can make an impact,” freshman Hanna Christopherson said. “Small things help.” The homeless problem, though,

is a very difficult one to tackle and is probably the bigger issue when it comes to the amount of human waste in nearby rivers. “If there are multiple cities that are trying to deal with the homeless problem, and (we’re) finding effective and respectful ways to deal with that problem, then that should reduce the homeless encampment problem that’s contributing a lot to the dumping in the rivers,” Braly said. Reduction in waste would allow local residents to remain hopeful about the future of the environment. “I feel like all of the trash in our rivers is really bad … for our ecosystem,” Christopherson said. “It may not seem like it’s causing a lot (of problems), but it affects a lot of ecosystems.” It’s not just a problem for humans, but also for the animals who have habitats in the areas where trash is being dumped. “It hurts the animals that are in the rivers,” freshman Brianna Duprel said. “It’s a huge problem for humans … fish and wildlife … that live in those places,” Braly said. “Trash, wherever humans live, seems to be a problem, and the rivers a lot of times is a dump for some people.”

Gazette photo /DREW MCKOWN

Efforts are being made in our local community to pick up garbage by the rivers and raise awareness about the related dangers for wildlife. Even at Granite Bay High, there’s a big gum issue if you look around the campus. “We all need to practice what we preach,” Braly said. “A lot of it

boils down to personal responsibility. If we develop good habits here and at home, then hopefully that becomes part of who we are.”

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Granite Bay Gazette wFriday, October 11, 2019

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Pros and cons of getting flu vaccine As winter approaches, Granite Bay High School students contemplate the benefits and downfalls of vaccinations

BY MAREESA ISLAM

mislam.gazette@gmail.com

s the flu season rolls around once again, Granite Bay High students are left perplexed about the true effectiveness and necessity of flu vaccinations. Vaccinations have been a topic of controversy and a hive of misconceptions for years. Non-believers in vaccinations have their personal justifications for not receiving vaccines, including the flu vaccine. However, those who annually receive the flu vaccine view these substances as a crucial ingredient for a healthy community. In addition to the visible health benefits offered by the flu vaccine, the vaccination also provides the recipient with other significant benefits as described by Mary Van Hoomissen, the school nurse at GBHS. “You miss less work, school (and) productivity (if you receive the flu vaccine),” Hoomissen said. Apart from protecting themselves from the flu, flu vaccine recipients also protect those who are unable to get the vaccination themselves, a phenomenon better known as herd

immunity. “By us getting the shot, (we) protect (those unable to receive the flu vaccination),” Hoomissen said. “It provides some barriers around them.” For instance, Lauren Thomas, a junior at GBHS, does not receive the flu vaccine because of her severe egg allergies. “I cannot personally get a flu shot because I have an egg allergy and the shot contains eggs,” Thomas said. Regarding the concerns over possible allergic reactions to substances in the flu vaccine, the American Academy of Allergy and Immunology, a nationally accredited medical organization, said that “(the) influenza vaccine … (is) safe for egg allergic recipients” regardless of their allergy’s level of severity. Despite recent studies, however, those with egg allergies are still hesitant to get vaccinated. While some students are unable to receive the flu vaccine because of medical issues, others simply choose not to for personal reasons. Ali Juell said she does not get the flu vaccination because of a previous experience she had. “In the past I’ve gotten sick after getting it, and that just turned me away from getting flu

vaccinations,” Juell said. Students debating whether or not they should receive the flu vaccine are often concerned by the potential inconvenience. “I think overall there are few cons to getting the flu vaccination.” Juell said. “I personally am not motivated to go and get it.” Other students view flu vaccinations as vital. Junior Raha Elahi gets the flu vaccination each year in hopes of benefiting the community as a whole. “As members of a shared society, people must make sacrifices for the well being of the greater population, regardless of our personal beliefs,” Elahi said. According to the Centers for Disease Control, there were more than 79,000 deaths in the United States as a result of the flu in 2017-2018. Without an effective flu vaccine, experts say those numbers would have been dramatically worse. “There are things that we do for the good of community,” Hoomissen said. “We follow stoplight laws … because otherwise (there’s) going to be mayhem. I think (flu vaccines) can fall into that category.”

Gazette illustration/ASHLEY YUNG

Students enroll in online and on-campus college classes High schoolers take advantage of the various opportunities offered by colleges to earn credit and gain new experience

Gazette illustration/SHREYA DODBALLAPUR

Students at GBHS can take online college courses in their own time and earn the credit needed to substitute for some rigorous courses at the high school that may seem too time-consuming, like AP United States History.

BY PIPER BACON

pbacon.gazette@gmail.com

ranite Bay High’s unique academic environment has always encouraged students to improve and push themselves to the best of their ability. While most students take at least one or two Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate classes, some students are able to seek higher education through various opportunities that are provided by colleges. Students at GBHS have the opportunity to take different courses offered

by both local and distant California colleges. Some take these courses in order to get college credit for a class that could have otherwise been taken on campus at GBHS. “Taking a college course online gave me automatic college credit and opened room in my schedule,” said senior Julie Markham about taking U.S. History (History 17B) online through Sierra College. Markham said it was nice to go at her own schedule while taking the class over the summer. Many online classes, however, suffer from a lack of quality in learning due to the individual style of teaching. “There was very little learning,” said

senior Cole Fowler, who also took the online History 17B class at Sierra College. “You had to do it on your own. I had a lot of friends who were (taking the class) too, so we did a lot of collaboration.” Fowler said that even though the quality of teaching was very low, he’d recommend taking the course online for college credit and the ability to take the course at your own pace. There are many other courses offered at Sierra College, online and off campus, that high school students can take to earn credit. Senior Tiaira Chaney is currently taking an Introduction to Biology course at Sierra College to help with

program for students who are highher future career in nursing. “I’m taking the courses (now) so achieving academically. Freshman that I don’t have to (take as many Aurora Jackson is a student at GBHS classes) or spend (as many) years in who also attends Stanford Online order to graduate,” Chaney said. High School. Chaney isn’t just hoping to fill a New to GBHS, Jackson got acceptgraduation requirement – she’s looked into the Stanford program in sixth ing to get a head start on her future. grade. Jackson was already bumped She also figured it would be better to up a grade level in her language arts pass the college class than take the AP and math classes at her previous Biology class at GBHS and risk not middle school, so she figured it was passing the AP exam. time for her to find a better fit for her Senior Rathip Raacademic skills. jakumar took up an A recipient of the opportunity at StanCaroline D. Bradley ford University’s Taking a college course scholarship, Jackson summer program. Offering applica- online gave me automatic made her way into Stanford’s online protions the December before the program college credit and opened gram with her tuition fully paid. starts, Stanford room in my schedule. “Since I was little, selects high school – Julie Markham, I’ve been trying to students to join a move ahead and nine-week college GBHS senior course program. continue to challenge This summer, myself academically, Rajakumar spent his so this seemed like nine weeks studying economics and the next step,” said Jackson. “I really management engineering. feel like I’ve made the right decision.” “It was (much) more rigorous than Colleges are always working to anything else and I think I learned a be accommodating for high school lot more from the classes (I took at students of all backgrounds, and Stanford) than any other class I’ve many students who have taken college taken because I really pushed myself courses agree there are many benefits harder,” Rajakumar said. “I was really involved. surprised by how well GBHS has pre“Taking the history class (at Sierra pared us for (a college) environment.” College) over the summer was a really Rajakumar said that even at Stangood idea in terms of reducing stress ford’s high-level classes, they weren’t of the workload because, as great of a expecting a lot more than some rigorclass as AP United States History is, ous courses at GBHS would expect it (can) take up a lot of your time and from students here. stress,” Rajakumar said. “(Enrolling in Aside from on-campus summer an) online (class) is a good way to fill courses, Stanford University also a requirement for your (University of offers other resources to high school California admission requirements), students. and you reduce the amount of stress A program that isn’t well known to on yourself.” most high school students is Stanford University’s online high school, a

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Granite Bay Gazette wFriday, October 11, 2019

Is retail shopping dying? The growth of online stores and proximity to the Galleria foreshadow trouble for new stores in Agora at Stoneridge

Special to the Gazette /LOOPNET.COM

Graphics depict the plans for a new shopping center in Roseville, located on the corner of East Roseville Parkway and Secret Ravine Parkway.

BY JUSTIN HA

jha.gazette@gmail.com

new shopping center on East Roseville Parkway is in the early stages of planning, but some critics wonder if it’s really necessary. There is not a lot known about the unnamed “Agora at Stone Ridge” shopping center except for its location and the fact that it will have 25,000 square feet of anchor space, 8,200 square feet of in-line shop space and 7,900 square feet of shop space. With the property’s proximity to the

Westfield Galleria mall in Roseville and retail store attendance declining, it’s not unfair to ask if this shopping center is needed or even wanted. Online shopping is skyrocketing with companies like Amazon generating profits and controlling market share in ways that are making local businesses sweat. Last year Amazon made $10.1 billion in profit, and that number is expected to continue rising in the coming years. More and more consumers are opting to confide in the leisure of the

virtual store. “We are very dependent on online shopping,” sophomore Victoria Wells said. “(My family and I) use Amazon a lot and have Amazon orders coming home every day.” This year it is predicted that, nationally, an estimated 12,000 stores will close, and big companies like Tesla say they plan on moving most of their business to the web. It’s clear that local businesses will continue to have trouble competing with the relentless speed of Amazon and other online stores. Some say online shopping is not as much of a threat as the media makes it out to be and that mom-and-pop shops would be closing down regardless of the surge in e-commerce. Others say online shopping is going to be the death of local business and that, in the future, the demise brick and mortar will be completely inevitable. “It is easier to shop online because you don’t have to do anything,” sophomore Paige Beater said. “You just have to swipe to buy something.” Most agree that the age of tech-

nology has reinvented the game of shopping and that in this culture, it is important to adapt. This is a problem the new shopping center and frankly all new businesses will have to deal with in the near future. Stores are trying to find ways that the physical presence of products and the personalized experience of brick and mortar stores can make a case for the existence of their establishments. “(Online clothing shopping) is easier to browse, but the drawbacks are that you can’t try (the clothes) on,” Wells said. “You don’t know exactly (how) it will be. You can’t touch it.” A lot of consumers say the physical presence of their goods is a major selling point of retail stores. “It is nice because in real shopping, you get to see what you are going to get to buy versus just looking at a picture,” Beater said. With all of this in mind, the new shopping center will have to deal with a plethora of issues in this current era of shopping. Its stores will have to master the use of technology to give consumers a real

incentive to bring their physical presence to the store. The shopping center will also need an extensive amount of trendy and unique utilities that online shopping and other businesses don’t offer. “(Many people shop at) Urban Outfitters and Forever 21 because many influencers and teenagers buy from there, which makes it cool to get clothes from there,” sophomore Ella McCarron said. Young people often go out to shop for social purposes, and a variety of trendy stores can attract this demographic. Additionally, the shopping center will have to compete with the 1,336,009 square-foot Galleria mall which is only two miles down the road and boasts the largest selection of stores in the area. Tapping into the market of people who are less attracted to the lineup of the Galleria mall will be essential to the success of the new competition. “The mall is where I shop the most, but it would be cool if there were new (stores nearby),” sophomore Miya Bannai said.

Checking the box?

Seniors begin to look for opportunities for ways to complete community service

people around the world who (don’t) have everyday necessities such as sneakers or shoes,” Mahmood said. The adviser for the club, math s the end of their high school teacher Katherine Farias, was willing career is approaching, many to be the club adviser because she seniors are trying to do everywants to do something to help others. thing to complete all of the require“It’s hard to pass up Maryam and ments they need to graduate. the opportunity to give back,” Farias One of the things many are trying said. to check off their lists is the compleWhile the service opportunities tion of the community service requirein the community, like this club, do ment. focus primarily around helping othStudents are required to participate in a minimum of 10 hours of commu- ers, the members themselves can also benefit. nity service before As many seniors they can graduate are rushing to meet from Granite Bay the obligation, they High. (Students learn) should keep in The Granite Bay the benefits community and leadership skills and mind that come with the surrounding area how to work with larger completion of the has many service requirement. and volunteer oporganizations “It always makes portunities for high me feel weird when – Katherine Farias, school students. people are forced to “I have volunSneakers for Success club adviser do something good teered at church rather than just do… for six years … ing it because they to help kids with want to help others,” Bradley said. special needs have just as much fun at Through many organizations and summer camp and church as the other clubs, students can gain not only kids,” senior Emily Bradley said. hours toward their service requireIn addition to in the community, ments, but also many life skills. students have found options right on “I hope members of this club will campus because of the abundance of learn how to be a leader,” Mahmood opportunities available. said. Junior Maryam Mahmood is the The skills that students can take president of the Sneakers for Success away from serving others can make Club, a club that donates shoes to the student a better person and a betthose who are less fortunate. ter student in many ways. “I realized that there were a lot of “(Students learn) leadership skills

BY ALEXIS CRAIG

acraig.gazette@gmail.com

and how to work with larger organizations,” Farias said. To those students who are struggling to obtain the hours they need in order to graduate, Farias recommends joining a service club or donating to an organization, like Sneakers for Success. As graduation is surreptitiously approaching for many seniors, they are finding the need to join a club, organization, or service in order to complete the required service. “I think it has good intentions,” Farias said. “I just hope students are legitimately fulfilling the requirement and enjoy the time they spend volunteering.”

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Granite Bay Gazette wFriday, October 11, 2019

ollege raziness

Application season triggers stress among seniors at Granite Bay High BY SHREYA DODBALLAPUR

sdodballapur.gazette@gmail.com

or high school seniors, October really is a spooky season. While Halloween brings creepy spiders and chilling thrillers, college application season brings students a heavier type of fear. The Common Application, used by more than 800 universities in the United States, opened on August 1 and students are starting to feel the workload as deadlines get closer. Senior Cassie Cantemir has finished her Common Application in order to meet her early-action deadlines. “I still feel stressed,” Cantemir said. “I feel like there is so much I have to figure out on my own.” The requirements for college applications can be daunting. To minimize the amount of work, senior Jeremiah Onyango began the application process over the summer. “It was helpful because I didn’t have other homework to worry about over the summer and could work on my own schedule,” Onyango said.

Senior Ryan Cochran also began the process over the summer and has continued to work on his application through the year. “I’m feeling a little overwhelmed,” Cochran said. “I’m applying to a lot of different colleges, and they all have supplemental essays.” As stressful as the workload might be, the idea of college can keep students motivated. “I’ve been working hard to get into college, so I’m motivated to finish my apps,” Cochran said. “But it’s hard to stay motivated with classwork on top of that.” Cantemir also said she is finding it difficult to balance school and the application process. “It makes me nervous because I still feel as if I have to maintain exceptional grades in all my classes as well as write good essays,” Cantemir said. But even through all the stress, Cantemir said she is still excited for college. “I find the idea of independence attractive,” Cantemir said. “It is a new chapter of my life and will be fun to test out.”

Senior Cole Fowler, on the other hand, said he feels disconnected from the idea of college because it feels so far away. “It hasn’t fully hit me yet,” Fowler said. “I feel like when the time comes to actually submit my first app, then I’m going to realize how real it is.” Fowler has been trying to stay relaxed despise an early-action deadline coming up in October. “There’s a lot to do, and it’s a little stressful and a little exciting, but I’m not that emotional about it,” Fowler said. “It’s just going to happen.” Although Fowler said he is relatively unemotional about leaving for college, he understands his peers’ stress. “College is kind of the thing we’ve been looking forward to and had our sights set on for most of high school,” Fowler said. “It’s a big change, and that can be scary.” Regardless of what comes after high school, many seniors see their last year as the homestretch. “We just have to get through this last part of the stressful process,” Cantemir said. “I’m just hoping it will pay off in the long run.”

Gazette photo /MAYA SNOW

Lifestyle

Granite Bay Gazette wFriday, October 11, 2019

Students face large amounts of stress drowe.gazette@gmail.com

For some, the years spent in high school can be some of the most stressful. Whether it’s school work, social status, college expectations or extracurriculars, the majority of high school students can agree that creating a balance between these tasks is difficult. In today’s world, teenagers especially are plagued with the looming idea of college – and that reality means students are in a constant state of stress during the school year in order to maintain their grades for college admission. In a poll taken on Granite Bay Today’s Twitter account, the results showed that the majority of students face stress when it comes to their school work, the top stressor in the poll. The runner-up for amping up stress? Social issues. School work is rightfully the issue that makes most people uncomfortable, seeing as high school’s main purpose is to educate students. “The younger generation doesn’t get enough credit for how much they have to go through during their

College Applications

School Work

Teens discuss what worries them and how they alleviate these harships BY DYLAN ROWE

Page 11

high school careers,” senior Nick Parker said, “The harder it is to get into colleges, the more stressed students will become.” Half of the battle when it comes to mental health is how one students cope with it, and everyone has their own method. While these hardships are usually inevitable, a positive outlook always helps. “When I’m feeling down, I like to go on long drives,” junior Beau Boyan said, “or I’ll hang out with friends and they’ll cheer me up.” Along with school and college struggles, young people also statistically worry about how they are seen socially. Teens struggling with self image and acceptance isn’t new, though – younger generations have notoriously been insecure. “One of the biggest things I struggle with nowadays is being secure with who I am,” senior Bella Gennuso said, “and I feel like many people my age face this issue too.” But it turns out that stress is something high school student have in common. “The fact of the matter is that everyone gets stressed,” senior Ean Mayhew said, “and the most important part is how they deal with that stress and what they make out of it.”

24% 46% 27% 3%

Social Issues

Extracurriculars A poll taken on Granite Bay Today’s Twitter account had 37 votes and was taken on September twenty fifth of two-thousand-nineteen. Data compiled by, Dylan Rowe.

Apps come with negative connotations Social media leads to underling mental health effects

selves as they see perfect bodies, relationships and more that other girls seem to have on social media. In other words, djones.gazette@gmail.com social media poses a “fake reality” of what some girls seem to have. Studies also show that heavy users of social media might lmost every teenager has at least one social media app. have up to a 66 percent higher chance of being depressed. Instagram, Snapchat and Tik Tok are just some soThomas also said that being on social cial media apps that have taken over the world. media for too long can lead teenagers Although social media can be great for commuto be sleep deprived, which can lead nicating and making new friends, social media People always compare to mild depression. is leading teenagers on a downward spiral of There is even a disorder caused disconnection, unfair comparison and more. themselves to others on by social media called Social Media “I don’t have social media because it’s a Anxiety Disorder. distraction,” said Lucy Harmer, a freshman at social media. Granite Bay High School. This disorder is triggered by the fear – Lucy Harmer, It’s the tendency of teenagers who are atof missing out. Izabella Silva, a freshtempting to start homework to get sucked in to Granite Bay Freshman man at GBHS, admits she has felt social media. hurt when her friends posted a pic of “Social media distracts me from the work I themselves all together without her. need to do for school,” junior Tyler Mckonkey Although this is a mild case, Social said. Media Anxiety Disorder can seriously Social media is a also big distraction that causes many mentally harm teenagers. students’ grades to drop. Social media also weakens face-to-face relationship. Yet another downside is the overpowering need for girls to be as perfect as the girls they see on Instagram, Youtube Harmer said that when she’s hanging out with some of her and more. friends, they will immediately grab their phone and spend “People always compare themselves to others on social all the time on social media. media,” Harmer said. “Social media distracts people from being more present Social media emotionally brings down girls and lowers with the people they are actually with,” Thomas said. their self esteem. The constant use of social media might Like with many societal forces, it requires a balancing act. place false assumptions in teenagers’ heads. “Social media can be a great way to connect,” Hamer said, “Social media adds to people comparing themselves to “but overall, social media does have a very major negative others and then being less satisfied with their own life.” said affect on teenagers’ lives.” John Thomas, a health teacher at Granite Bay High School Many teenagers, especially girls, feel poorly about them-

BY DIANA JONES

Gazette illustration/DYLAN ROWE

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Lifestyle

Granite Bay Gazette wFriday, October 11, 2019

Ripple Effect week leaves outstanding lifelong effects Student government organizes program to increase unity, empathy its job. “We are never sure how much one week acraig.gazette@gmail.com impacts people,” Givens said. “These things his school year, Granite Bay High School come and go. But I always hope the impact lasts longer.” is looking at life in a new way with the In spite of some disapproval, Givens and theme, “Embrace a New Perspective.” Singh are still calling the week a success. One of the ways the campus is grasping this Givens said the “stand up if ” activity done concept is through the annual Ripple Effect on Monday was very eye- opening for both Week. students and staff. From Sept. 23-27, students spent a few extra The activity consisted of statements that minutes in their second-period classes to watch began with “stand up if ” that teachers would a video and have a conversation with their say out loud to their students. If the statement classmates. applied to students, “A lot of people they stood up. just think that “I didn’t realize student government what some other only plan events, people were going but we do a lot We are never sure how much one week through,” Sawyer more than that,” said. ASB president Avani impacts people. These things come Givens said Singh said, “We the activity was try to really shape and go. But I always hope the impact eye-opening to the school culture, many students and lasts longer. we want people to that everyfeel accepted here at – Tamara Givens, showed one has stuff going Granite Bay.” student government adviser on in their lives. Many students Also, many stuand teachers said the dents said they were week accomplished touched by the idea just that. The goal of of unity that was the week was to help the theme of the club video. students become more connected and united as The video featured the GSA, Black Student a campus. Union, Young Democrats and Young Republi“It made people more aware of their actions,” cans clubs who talked about unity and accepsophomore Claire Sawyer said. tance across the campus through their clubs. According to the student government adviser “Our clubs may have different philosophies Tamara Givens, one former ASB president or different things they do but I really feel began the Ripple Week tradition more than a decade go as a way to help decrease the presence that clubs are one of the best ways for kids on campus to find a niche,” Givens said. “There is of bullying on campus. something for everyone.” The question is, was losing class time worth Throughout the week, students also had the it? opportunity to write notes to teachers, staff Despite the great intentions and positive and fellow classmates who had helped them or influence over a lot of students, not all students inspired them. were affected the same. Despite some students who weren’t affected, Many students were touched by the inspirRipple Effect Week motivated students and ing week, but others said their time could have staff to look at every single thing with a new been better spent. perspective and attitude. “I guess it could be beneficial, but I feel that “I hope at least students in their seconddisrupting the school schedule was a little period classes feel a better sense of empathy distracting,” Sawyer said. with those kids,” Givens said, “and I hope that Givens said that student government leaders everybody participated regardless of their level realize some students might remain unaffected of involvement at school.” throughout the week, but as long as a few people are influenced, the week will have done

BY ALEXIS CRAIG

Gazette illustration/DYLAN ROWE

Lifestyle

Granite Bay Gazette wFriday, October 11, 2019

Page 13

False perceptions of community colleges

Cheating on the rise?

Granite Bay High students maintain a strong bias against two-year schools BY KATE FERNANDEZ

kfernandez.gazette@gmail.com

Minimizing a bedroom is one thing, but minimizing an entire house is quite another. The tiny house trend has grown immensely in the past few years, inspiring many to leave behind a majority of their belongings in favor of a minimalistic lifestyle. The Granite Bay community was not exempt from this trend, and in 2016 Lynne Guerné found herself with an armful of blueprints for the house that she would soon be building herself. Guerné, who has been a French teacher at Granite Bay High School for 21-plus years, was able to build her own tiny house, including designing the interior and then furnishing the home in her own contemporary style. She moved into her new home in June. While the process extended for three years, “it was probably more because there was planning prior to beginning construction,” she said. “I went to a couple of workshops to learn about the process of building a tiny house, and then I had to order materials and those sorts of things as well.” And while there were definitely plenty of ups and downs, Guerné is happy to finally be in the home of her dreams. “It was interesting because I thought it was going to be some sort of surreal thing but … it felt very normal for me to be here,” Guerné said. “It wasn’t at all weird.” But to get to this point, plenty of sacrifices needed to be made. If it wasn’t obvious from the name, a tiny house is considerably smaller than a regular-sized home, and usually even smaller than a camping trailer. Usually to be considered a tiny house the home must be under 500 square feet, but on average most tiny homes are smaller than that, and some recommend 200 square feet as a good starting point for a tiny home. To live in a space like this, owners need to rid

themselves of a majority of their belongings. “For the most part, things have to serve more than one purpose,” Guerné said. “I did do a little bit of the Marie Kondo, ‘what sparked joy’ kind of a process, but I also just kept things that were practical. I did keep some things that were sentimental, and it depended on what they were. “Like clothes, for example, they have to be things that I will wear all the time, I can’t afford to keep things that I’ll maybe pull out of my closet.” However Guerné wasn’t alone in this process, and she had plenty of friends to help her along the way. “When I saw her overcome every little problem that came along the way and then ultimately have a house that she could live in, I was ecstatic for her!” said Jill Cova, one of the Spanish teachers on campus who helped Guerné at different times in the process. Another one of those friends was Celine Geneve-Brown, who is the other French teacher on campus, and who has been teaching with Guerné for the past several years. “When she initially told me of her thoughts for this undertaking, I was fully impressed by her vision but more importantly by her solid confidence in her ability to get it done,” GeneveBrown said. “It takes some serious guts to take on such a massive task and furthermore to do it single handedly is no small feat! “As her close friend, I would like to think that I supported her emotionally through the good and the difficult portions of her journey to completing the build, but you would have to ask her,” Genève said. At the end of this process, Guerné is happy to be in a home that she loves, and that she’s proud of. It has definitely been a tumultuous journey, but at the end, “it was definitely a personal growth opportunity for me,” Guerné said. “I certainly learned a ton about myself.”

Students country wide choose the community college plan over the traditional four year. For Granite Bay, this is no exception

If you really knew me, you would know... Compiled by: May Lin

Gazette photo/KATE FERNANDEZ

Malia Greenwald

If you really knew me, you’d know that I like making rainbow looms.

Gazette illustration/DYLAN ROWE

Students discuss assignment illegitimacies in the school setting

BY EMERSON FORD

eford.gazette@gmail.com

neaking a glance at a neighbor’s test, hiding a phone under the desk, grabbing a quick picture of a test, plagiarizing part of an essay, discussing questions with students who have yet to take the exam. No matter how it is done, it always comes down to the same thing – cheating. There is a universal struggle with cheating – it is not restricted by age, background or goals. It’s human nature that people want to take the easiest path to their destination. At Granite Bay High, like many other high schools around the world, cheating seems to run rampant among students. “I know a lot of people who are willing to go as far as they can in order to get the grade that they want,” said Amber, a pseudonym for a senior girl who asked to remain anonymous. “Cheating is a genuine problem in Granite Bay. A lot of cheaters brag after their test about how they’re not caught.” Amber makes it clear she hasn’t cheated, but she is afraid of the possible consequences of being critical of those who do cheat. Students’ boasts about their ventures into academic dishonesty encompasses the entire GBHS campus. “I’ve heard so many people brag about cheating as if it was some accomplished effort,” said Matt, a pseudonym for a former student who graduated last spring. “Once this girl was bragging to the whole school that she cheated on everything. Math, government, English, even the SAT, and she got into a good school for effort that wasn’t even her own.” The substantial amount of cheating at GBHS seems to desensitize students to the reality of cheating. As students attempt to learn and succeed in an environment where their peers who cheat appear to reap equal – if not better – benefits from cheating, the idea of cheating becomes increasingly typical. “It just felt so normalized, and there’s so much getting by teachers that nothing really felt super risky,” said Jacob, a pseudonym for another student who graduated in June. “I

Sean Turner

If you really knew me, you’d know that I used to live in Texas and that I was born in Seattle.

want to say the teachers know that if you’re gonna cheat, you’re only hurting yourself, but to be honest, some of my friends who are in top schools right now cheated constantly. So it never really felt like, ‘Oh, I’m hurting myself,’ because well, no, the kids who are cheating are getting into these amazing schools, but not because they’re cheating – they’re cheating on very little stuff. They’re used to it … if a kid gets away with cheating once, they’re gonna keep doing it.” At GBHS, there is tremendous academic pressure to succeed. The feeling of a highstakes environment, fueled by the overwhelming expectations of typical GBHS students, fosters situations where the best path to success appears to be, for some students, cheating. “There was so much pressure put on me to perform well in class by GBHS and its atmosphere,” Matt said. “The whole school and the teachers just made it feel like everything we were doing was solely for grades and getting into a good school. … I don’t want people to judge me for not understanding a certain subject. Even when they say they will never judge you, I always end up feeling stupid or outcasted from others.” While some students choose to cheat in order to avoid the judgment of their peers, other students cheat to clear a path to a successful and fruitful future. “Granite Bay is definitely a center of excellence, people want to succeed academically because they know how it’s going to help you and your future,” Amber said. “At least these four years, our motivation isn’t just to pass, but it’s in order to get the grades in order to get to a certain school. A lot of their intentions are very college-driven as it is with everything else they do. It’s not just cheating, it’s like all the extracurriculars they take, everything they do is they tailor themselves just to get into a good college.” For some students, the impulse to cheat kicks in when their grade is on the bubble. “My main motivation and benefit I feel is when I was at the border of a grade, like a

See CHEATING, page 28

Hafsah Mamood

If you really knew me, you’d know that I’m quiet in the beginning but i’ll open up later on.

Lifestyle

Page 14

Granite Bay Gazette wFriday, October 11, 2019

GBHS updates its after-school offering

New librarian brings changes to peer tutoring system

Gazette photo/PAYTON BLEVINS

Freshmen Taylor Jeffrey, left, and Alyssa Zavala schedule for Homecoming week.

Freshman Alhan Sommers waits for a tutor in the learning center.

BY LINDSEY MAGNO

lmagno.gazette@gmail.com

eer tutoring has always existed at Granite Bay High, but this year it has been revised by new librarian Zeina Treto. In the past, tutoring operated through student tutors who would work with their peers every day. Students who needed help would only come to see that specific tutor. Since then, Treto has implemented a new tutoring system. “Peer tutoring is where students can come and get help in any subjects, not just math or science,” Treto said. The tutors are scheduled every day except Friday. “Students can get help in any class because of the variety of tutors that work from Mondays, Tuesdays Wednesdays and Thursdays after school from 2:45 to 3:35,” said Treto. To keep the new system in check, the library created some rules for the students. “Students check in, then come in and link with their needed tutor, work on their grade and that’s essentially the program here,” Treto said. Sophomore Tiffany Granera is new to GBHS this year and was excited to join the tutoring program. “I was a tutor before at my last school, and I found it was really helpful for both me and the person I tutored,” Granera said. “It would help both (reinforce) the ideas in my mind and it would help the other person learn ideas that they need to get a stronger hold of.” Becoming a tutor comes with hard work.

Q: What do you like to do on weekends? A: Typically, I ride my mountain bike or my road bike. I like to travel and bike around the U.S. and all over. I also like to do a lot of amateur radio stuff and spend time with my kids.

Gazette photo /LINDSEY MAGNO

“There’s a little bit of competition just because there were limited spots,” Granera said. The requirements to become a tutor are clear. “They need to have teacher and counselor recommendations, as well as have expertise in more than one subject area,” Treto said. The purpose of peer tutoring is for students to gain not only knowledge but confidence. “The person needing the tutoring (might) feel they are not smart, that they can’t compete, that the teacher doesn’t like them, the subject is not good or whatever that reason may be,” Treto said. “But truly it comes down to your willingness to work.” Through the tutoring program, the school hopes to teach more than just material. “Your brain can learn that you just need organization and confidence skills (to succeed),” Treto said. Junior Sara Peach is another tutor who hopes that, after getting tutored, students feel more confident. “I just want them to understand the material and feel confident going into a test or the next day,” Peach said. “(I want them) to feel ‘OK, like I’m getting this, and I can actually succeed in the subject.’ ” The environment on campus is very academic, so tutoring is appreciated. “On this campus, (students) are very competitive and they’re really hard on themselves,” Treto said. “They need to start looking at and pulling off of their strengths, and that’s pretty much what a student can gain out of coming to peer tutoring.”

FACULTY focus Ben Soper

Compiled by Shreya Dodballapur

Homecoming week in the works Granite Bay High’s student government prepares for a week of musical celebration BY PAYTON BLEVINS

pblevins.gazette@gmail.com

he theme for Granite Bay High School’s 2019-20 Homecoming is “Music to my ears.” Each class is assigned a music genre, and that is the class theme for the Homecoming floats. “The freshman float theme is Rock ‘n Roll, the sophomores’ float theme is Jazz, the juniors’ float theme is Country and the seniors have been assigned Pop as their class theme,” said senior Kara Kleinbach, who is in student government and is helping organize the event. On Sept. 14, GBHS student government leaders started to finish up their planning and start the actual building of the Homecoming floats. “Homecoming floats are basically one trailer that encapsulates that one theme, and you should be presenting that theme to the best of your ability,” Kleinbach said. “For example, the juniors have Country, so maybe (they’d make) a barn.” The first night where the floats are put on display is Bonfire night on Oct. 24, the Thursday before the Homecoming football game. “The floats go around the football track and also perform their skits to show to the judges, and the winning float will be announced at the Homecoming football game at half time the following day,” Kleinbach said. In addition to the floats on Bonfire night, there will be performances from multiple groups on campus. “The dance company, dance team, band and cheer will be performing, then everyone walks out to the softball field where there’s free food,” Kleinbach said. “Music

is playing, and you can dance and it’s just a big bonfire to get ready for the big game the following night.” The bonfire lasts for a few hours full of music, dancing and food. “Usually we wait while there is music is playing until the bonfire goes out and that really when the bonfire is really over,” student government president Avani Singh said. The week’s excitement will come to a close on Friday, Oct. 25. The Homecoming game will be against Oak Ridge. There are many participants expected to be at the game, including the marching band, the dance team, the cheerleaders and supportive GBHS students in the bleachers. Many students want to continue the fun after the game as well. “About 66 percent of students said that they wanted something after the football game, and it has came down to what we are going to have,” Singh said. Student government has yet to decide what the post-Homecoming game event will be. “Granite Bay High School had sent out a survey that was really directed to students about what they would like to see after the game,” Singh said. The decision about the post-Homecoming event will be based off of what the majority of the people want. GBHS students and staff have been working together to the best of their abilities to provide their school with a wonderful week of Homecoming memories. “It’s going to be an amazing Homecoming week,” Singh said. “Everyone should definitely come out and show some school spirit.”

Lifestyle

Granite Bay Gazette wFriday, October 11, 2019

Page 15

New P.E. rules cause frustration on campus Stricter requirements create concern for underclassmen BY ETHAN CASE

ecase.gazette@gmail.com

his year, Granite Bay High School has introduced a new requirement for students taking physical education classes that affects freshmen and sophomores. The changes require P.E. students to have to exercise 400 minutes a week, and they need to record how long they exercised and what type of exercise they did. Since it’s mainly lower-classmen involved in P.E., generally they don’t have nearly as much schoolwork and extra-curricular activities compared to upperclassmen. However, they’re just being introduced to high school. So all the new stress, friends, schoolwork and extracurricular activities can really feel like a lot. And upper-classmen certainly know what it was like to be in their shoes. “The P.E. change is good because students should exercise regularly to stay healthy,” freshman Kiera Mogenson says. With a majority of students at GBHS already doing P.E., added to whatever sport they might play, many students don’t think they should be required to document activity hours. It would seem that because a majority of students are so heavily involved with sports that the change wouldn’t even be necessary, but Mogenson and others think otherwise. So why did the change occur? Because of the 4x4 block schedule, students only take P.E. for half the

year. But the state requires students to be in P.E. for two full academic years. So, the compromise in the Roseville Joint Union High School District is that students must track their hours, especially when they’re not enrolled in P.E. – but also during their terms in the class. So when the question is posed, “Is the change necessary?” Mogenson says “I exercise about 8-10 hours a week,” well over the time needed. “No it’s not necessary,” Mogenson says, “but that doesn’t mean it’s not good for those who don’t exercise outside of school.” Keiry Mogenseon, Keira’s mom, agrees that the students tracking their exercise hours will ultimately be helpful. “I think it’s good to be encouraged to exercise and make healthy choices,” Keiry says. “And it is good to do more activity than what is required with P.E.” Senior Ean Mayhew has a younger sister in P.E., and he says he thinks the requirement makes sense. “It’s a good idea, but I do not find that fair because everyone has different circumstances in their life where they might not be able to get 400 minutes of exercise a week,” Mayhew says. “It highly favors people that play sports and have a lot of free time.” Obviously there will be flaws in the first year of trying a new system. So with students giving their input, it really helps the P.E. teachers perfect the new system. “I think the P.E. change is good,” Keira Mogenson says, “because people should exercise regularly to stay healthy.”

STUDENT spotlight

Tabesh Akbari Q: How is school here different than from where you came from in Afganistan? A: The school here is better, and it’s easier. We don’t have many subjects to learn. It’s also much more fun. Q: Do you think you have more freedom in middle school or in high school? A: I think there is more freedom in high school.

Compiled by Sandy Song

Gazette photo/ETHAN CASE

Freshman P.E.. class runs a mile to complete their requirements.

Technology simplifies class fundraising Some Granite Bay High teachers raise more money for their programs using the app ‘Snap!Raise’ BY SANDY SONG

jsong.gazette@gmail.com

undraising used to be an enormous burden on Susanna Peeples, the choir director. She has done various methods of fundraising, such as selling cookie doughs and doing car washes. “I think fundraising can be really stressful,” Peeples said. However, when she used the Snap!Raise app, everything became quicker and easier. “This (fundraising process) has not been stressful, and that’s been really helpful,” Peeples said. The purpose of fundraising is to support a program students are in by selling products, promoting products or persuading people to donate. Is that actually the case? Depending on what program students are in – whether it is choir, band or others that raise funds on the Granite Bay High campus – the process of fundraising is different. Students often feel pressured to donate something to show they care about the class and its achievements and accomplishments. “Donating things is supporting choir,” said Shabnam Amiri, a sophomore choir student. There are many ways to support a program. However, Amiri said donating is the only way. Only by donating can those in these programs acknowledge they are supported.

Money is easy to donate, but critics wonder whether it’s the most effective. Still, people sometimes feel obligated to donate large amounts of money. “I think that people, if they want, they can donate,” Amiri said. “If they don’t, you don’t have to say, ‘Please, you have to do it right now.’ ” Amiri and others said fundraising should not be forced onto people – it should not make people feel guilty if they do not donate money. Of course, it would be wonderful if most people could participate in the fundraiser. “In the future, I would want fundraising to be fun,” said Dan Bullington, an employee of Snap!Raise, a fundraising platform designed to make fundraising easier and more efficient. According to Bullington, students spend an average of 40 hours fundraising for school programs. If that time can be reduced, then it could make fundraising way more fun. The point, of course, is to help individuals in school-based programs achieve goals and reach their highest potential without the barrier of financial problems. It is not about asking for money, Bullington

said, despite what some critics have argued. “With Snap!Raise, our main goal is to try and make (fundraising) as efficient as possible,” Bullington said. Snap!Raise wants educators, coaches and other program leaders to empower the younger generation without putting extra time and effort into fundraising. Their job is to teach, coach and inspire, Bullington said, not be forced into becoming the equivalent of a business owner. Using a website such as Snap!Raise makes students more independent to make choices on who they should ask to donate. By doing fundraising this way, it is not only easier and quicker but also offers more choices for students. And because this kind of fundraising is often more successful, parents no longer have to pull as much money out of their own pockets. In other words, there is a broader variety of people to choose from, Bullington said. The GBHS choir program does fundraising using Snap!Raise. “I feel like it’s going pretty well, like with the amount of money that is raised,” freshman choir student Alecscie Del Cruz said. Choir had a goal to raise $8,000 by the end

of September. The students are working hard, and their effort has paid off. They have already reached the initial goal. Now, their new goal is to reach $10,000. Using Snap!Raise to raise funds has proven to be quick and efficient, Peeples said the money that was raised using this app was more than any other type of fundraiser. However, not everything about Snap!Raise is positive. “I think this way is good, but I feel like there’s other ways of fundraising, like more fun ways,” Del Cruz said. For example, there should be prizes available for those who meet a certain goal, Del Cruz said, because having a bit of competition encourages students to participate. “I think everybody should be participating, but to whatever they can do,” Del Cruz said. Some people just don’t have a ready list of possible fundraising sources, Del Cruz said, but they can still participate to the best of their ability. Ultimately, fundraising proponents say it’s all about teamwork – no matter how much money is raised, students and leaders alike should all be having a good time. “If we’re raising money, we should be having fun,” Bullington said. “There should be smiles on peoples’ faces and donors’ faces. Everybody should be excited, happy because everybody’s working together to achieve a common goal.” Gazette illustration/SHREYA DODBALLAPUR

Focus

Pages 16 & 17

Gen Z facing the vaping epidemic

After five days in a coma, a former Rocklin student has become an anti-vaping activist in the Placer County region

Granite Bay High takes new measures in an effort to combat bathroom vapers BY ANGELINA KOLOSEY

akolosey.gazette@gmail.com

he youth of America are certainly no strangers to what can be considered a current and highly concerning epidemic in society – vaping. Because of captivating flavors as well as the ease of having a small electronic device to vape from, the number of American teens who vape has increased exponentially over the last three years. Campuses across the United States, Granite Bay High included, have recently put a focus on preventing the numbers in teens who vape from increasing by implementing new policies and regulations. The issue has received national attention from the Trump administration in the White House following the news of multiple deaths and the now-evident health risks of vaping. In September the Trump Administration announced a plan to remove all flavored e-cigarettes across all retail channels as part of the new guidance document. Big name e-cigarette companies such as Juul have taken measures such as pulling certain flavors and suspending their social media accounts in order to avoid influencing youth. San Francisco, home to Juul Labs, in June imposed a ban on the sale of all e-cigarette products. As measures kick in on the state and national level, GBHS officials have also been working on new ideas to

there’s a lot of vaping in all the bathrooms, that it’s hard prevent the epidemic from spreading. to get in and use the bathroom without being (exposed) Students might have noticed that this school year, to people using it,” McGregor said. all bathroom doors have remained completely open throughout the entire school day – the open-door policy Having open bathroom doors is actually a common policy that has been established on many campuses. was implemented by the administration as a way to “Every other school in our district has already had reduce vaping in bathrooms. their doors open, and we were talking with other schools “We talked about it as a piece first,” assistant principal and we just kind of realized, wait a minute, we’re the Jessup McGregor said. “We had a site team meeting one school who has doors closed,” Sloan said. with all of our management, which is like leadership Although the policy has only been people on campus, and everybody practiced for a few months now, it thought it was a good idea to at least has proven to be an efficient way for try.” school monitors to check in on the Vaping in school bathroom stalls Kids are coming in as bathrooms. has become a common sight on camfreshmen having experience “It does make it easier for us and pus as the number of students who our monitors to just pop in the vape has dramatically increased. and maybe even nicotine bathrooms really quick without it “Kids are coming in as freshmen being a scene,” McGregor said. “It’s having experience and maybe even addictions already. a pretty common policy, I’m hoping nicotine addictions already, and now it’s positive, anything we can do to they have to go through a six-hour – Greg Sloan help would be better.” school day feeling withdrawal of nic Many times, the decision to vape otine in the brain,” assistant principal at school by some students can Greg Sloan said. simply bother those who do not. Students who do not vape also “I just think that there’s a time and place to vape and experienced frustration with those who do vape in camthat the school bathroom is not the place to vape,” pus bathrooms and made decisions to report what they observed to administration. “Especially from boys, we got a lot of complaints that See DOORS, page 28

WASC survey reveals concerns and frustrations of Granite Bay High students and parents regarding vaping

Gazette illustration /ANGELINA KOLOSEY

BY ASHLEY YUNG

BY MAREESA ISLAM

mislam.gazette@gmail.com

ast school year, the Roseville Joint Union High School District began to take part in a school-wide survey organized by the Continuous School Improvement Program. “These … surveys were taken last December and January, and will be given again this year at the same time,” Granite Bay High School principal Jennifer Leighton said. The survey examines the perspectives and opinions of staff members, parents and students on campus, playing a crucial role in improving the quality of the GBHS experience. Although this survey does not coincide with the Western Association of Schools and Colleges accreditation program, the survey results are used in the school’s WASCself-study report. As vaping becomes increasingly troubling and poses an epidemic across the nation, its detrimental effects on GBHS are clearly evident from the survey. The survey consists of Likert If not monitored, (vaping) scale-style may blast into a bigger questions and two free catastrophe. response questions: What do – Kyle On, sophomore you like about this school? What do you wish was different at this school? “Responses about vaping came up on the answers for (the second question) from students and parents,” Leighton said. Kyle Holmes, the school’s director of theater arts and the teacher who will write the school’s self study report, said complaints regarding vaping were common responses to this question. “We saw students and parents commenting that there was a lot of vaping happening in the bathrooms, and that they wanted the school to take more action to fix the vaping,” Holmes said. Based on survey responses, many students wanted more adult control and supervision over vaping on campus. One anonymous student’s response from last year’s survey said: “I wish there was a control over

See SURVEY, page 28

Granite Bay Gazette wFriday, October 11, 2019

Special to Gazette /CAITY D’AMBROSIO

The results of a five-year nicotine addiction that eventually included vaping, 21-year-old Ricky D’ Ambrosio was rushed to the hospital earlier this year after his flu-like symptoms gradually worsened. Physicians determined D’Ambrosio’s vaping caused his then-critical medical condition.

ayung2.gazette@gmail.com

s vaping becomes a more common and widespread practice, various ramifications are coming to light. Concerns have already surfaced about the addictive qualities of nicotine, but the most recent and concerning phenomenon has been respiratory failure. Ricky D’Ambrosio, a 21-year-old Rocklin resident who attended Whitney High, was hospitalized in early September with vaping-related lung trauma. He eventually spent four days in an induced coma. D’Ambrosio started vaping on-and-off when he was 16. “It was kind of the new, hip thing in high school,” D’Ambrosio said. “My buddies had the Juul, and I kind of liked the nicotine high at first, but after a while, it just became a habit.” When vaping was still new to the market, and Americans were still uncertain about the benefits or My buddies had the Juul, drawbacks, D’Ambrosio’s high school and I kind of liked the hadn’t yet established nicotine high at first, a protocol regarding vaping. but after a while, it just “Teens were able to go into the became a habit. bathroom (to vape),” D’Ambrosio said. – Ricky D’Ambrosio “Some teens even hid it so well as to hide it in their sweatshirt and vape in class and just hold it in until there was no smoke.” Vaping is quite common today among students at Granite Bay High. “I think vaping might be a common practice at our school because some kids are addicted (to vaping) and feel like they have to (vape at school),” said Amanda Moorehouse, a senior at GBHS. D’Ambrosio agrees that vaping is an issue that won’t go away anytime soon. “I have friends with siblings that are seniors in high school and they say (vaping is) just everywhere,” D’Ambrosio said. “(Teenagers) can (purchase a Juul) anywhere. (They) can go online and it ships it straight to their house.” However, D’Ambrosio made his own efforts to quit his habit of vaping when he graduated from high school. “(I) kind of quit (vaping) at the end of high school (and stopped) for a year,” D’Ambrosio said. “(I) started vaping only the Juul when I was 19, turning 20.” For the last year, D’Ambrosio had been vaping only Juul products. D’Ambrosio’s health problems first began with a fever and flu-like symptoms. “(I) wasn’t really eating (and I) was having colds and hot-sweats from the fever,” D’Ambrosio said. “Then, I started vomiting. Because I’m a Type 1 diabetic, when I start throwing up, I immediately go to the hospital (due to) diabetic ketoacidosis which … needs medical attention.” D’Ambrosio’s doctors took chest X-rays, which were clear at first. However, 36 hours later, the doctor did a follow-up X-ray that showed his lungs were cloudy. Peter Le, a Southern California pulmonary physician and lung specialist, says cloudy X-rays are the result of lung damage, something Le had seen before in he diagnosed with respiratory failure because of vaping. “We put a camera down her nose and then into her lung,” Le said. “We saw something called lipid-laden macrophages. Macrophages are like the defense white blood cell … in charge of the immune response.” The woman’s macrophages had been filled with lipids, or fats, due to the CBD oil of vaping devices. She had inhaled those oils into her lungs. “When someone comes in ... short of breath, we do an x-ray and then a CT scan,” Le said. “What (we) see on imaging is an inflamed lung. When the lung tissue is injured, it swells and … gets leaky.” Because of the swelling, a person’s lungs are unable to

absorb oxygen and release carbon dioxide. D’Ambrosio’s inability to breathe caused him doctors to decide to put him into an induced coma. His family and friends wondered if he would live. “They flew my sister up from Arizona because they didn’t really know if I was going to (die) or not,” D’Ambrosio said. “A lot of my friends from SoCal came up to say goodbye.” D’Ambrosio’s sister, Caity D’Ambrosio, said the experience was tough on her whole family. “We weren’t sure what was going to happen,” Caity said. “It’s kind of hard to describe watching and wondering if your loved one was going to die.” Once Ricky came out of the induced coma, he faced many additional challenges. “The (week) after I was brought out (of the hospital), the withdrawals were hard from the paralytics they gave me,” he said. “They were giving me fentanyl and dilaudid, which are two very strong painkillers.” A side-effect for one of the drugs they gave him was an inability to sleep. “I didn’t get any sleep for three days straight,” D’Ambrosio said. “They had to prescribe me something else to get some sleep.” He found it hard to get sleep in a hospital during constant Code Blue and patients rushing in and out. However, it was also extremely tough when they removed the oxygen tube and D’Ambrosio had to breathe on his own. “When you’re laying in that bed relying on oxygen, you feel good, but once you stand up, your whole world changes,” D’Ambrosio said. “When I got home, I had shortness of breath for a week. It was really hard to get around the house because I lost 30 pounds in the hospital.” Caity said Ricky will continue to face challenges. “He, going forward, has a long road to recovery,” Caity said. “Just imagine that his lungs right now are the lungs of an infant. He doesn’t even have the lung capacity to walk up the stairs right now.” However, Ricky remains positive about his circumstances and both he and Caity see this experience as an opportunity to raise awareness about the dangers of vaping. “We did a huge campaign to try to get other students to stop,” Caity said. “I started a hashtag. It’s #breakthevape. (It’s about) breaking the habit (of vaping), so there’s meaning behind it.” Already, people have sent Caity videos with her hashtag and posted them on social media. Caity has begun this effort in order to prevent others from going through the extreme circumstances that her brother did. “I would tell (people who want to vape) to look No medical people at my brother’s picture,” Caity said. have tested (the vaping “I … think that if his picture got out chemicals) maybe more, and if kids (companies) have tested it, realize that as a possible outcome, but they don’t release that (it would be) a big factor in getting information. kids to stop.” Meanwhile, Ricky –Peter Le, pulmonary specialist has sought to spread awareness through interviews. “I’ve promoted (my story through doing) a number of interviews with different people – ABC 10, CBS 13 (and) USA Today,” D’Ambrosio said. “I’m (also) speaking at a few high schools. The main thing I want (teenagers) to know is (that vaping) isn’t worth it.” Caity has concerns about the way vaping companies market these devices to young people. “One of the things to stop is all the flavors that go into these devices,” Caity said. “Just having a menthol would be better than having all these gummy bear (and) Starburst

See COMA, page 28

Athletics

Page 180

Granite Bay Gazette wFriday, October 11, 2019

Athletes achieve even greater heights

Young competitors defy standard barriers to try to reach beyond their expected limits BY MAY LIN

mlin.gazette@gmail.com

Growing up revolves around many pleasures and exciting adventures – getting your own car, becoming more independent, being able to apply for jobs, and overall, learning how to successfully transition into adulthood. However, the privileges to freedom also means more responsibilities and burdens from not only your own but other people’s expectations. At Granite Bay High School, it’s not rare for students to come to this conclusion early on in their lifetime, especially for athletes who surpass the average performance level. Meghan Ghul, a junior, has made it onto the national team representing the United States for acrobatics gymnastics. In order to achieve such heights, she and her team had to come out best of the best at multiple events, ranging from local to nationals. They also were judged by the consistency of their highranking scores. “There’s a lot of pressure not only from our coach but (United States of America Gymnastics), which is the head of the USA Special to the Gazette/JESSE WILLS

team,” Ghul said. “If we don’t do well in certain competitions, we have a chance of losing our spot. I want to cry every single time before we go out on the dance floor because I’m overwhelmed and worried if I mess up. Through the middle of routine, I just get in and perform. When I’m done, it’s a huge pressure relief.” The road to success as an athlete isn’t easy. There are a lot of components happening behind the scenes that not many people notice. No matter how high the expectations are or how much work has been done, an athlete’s mental mindset is what determines the make or break during competition season. Colin Wills, a senior, is considered as close to a prodigy as anyone can get at rock climbing. But, even at a professional level, perfectionism isn’t always served on a silver platter. “I came off of a win at Pan-American championships which got me psyched – I was feeling amazing, so I went into nationals thinking it would be hard but I’ve done better at bigger competitions,” Wills said. “I made finals and just got crushed at finals. Mentality is huge. Everyone in finals in a given competition can win depending on the day, depending

on what the routes are. It’s just being on it for that round.” Failures can be huge motivational setbacks for athletes, especially for those who already opened doors to opportunities that could fulfill their dreams and aspirations for the future. So many would wonder, why continue with the pain? Why keep struggling when the reward isn’t consistently satisfiable? “We competed in another national meet in Vegas, and we ended up in sixth place because my teammate messed up on her tumbling,” Ghul said. “So, I didn’t talk to her the entire time because I was super frustrated and hurt by that because we had a chance of winning. I cried and it was super painful for me. I performed with the best of my ability, and it wasn’t fair to see that someone else ruined it.” However, after reminiscing through the story, she shrugged a shoulder and her face lit up again. As one of the prominent members of the national team, her focus has shifted to bigger and better things. “We competed in the Calgary International Cup … and ended up getting second place,” Ghul said. “It really showed us our ranking internationally as well … coming into the

second season and seeing that our scores are pretty close to Great Britain, who’s really really good in the past.” The mark of success and form of reward to an athlete can come in all different shapes and sizes – the triumph from a trophy, the recognition from a certificate, the smile from a podium. But, the majority can agree it’s the meaning and story behind each reward that fuels their motivation to keep going. “(Rowing is) definitely one of the hardest sports I’ve ever done,” said senior Jessica Varakuta, who trains as part of the Capital Crew rowing program. “But the hardest thing is the most rewarding, and I’m so grateful. I was offered official visits by many schools – all of the Ivy Leagues except for Harvard.” Varakuta has been rowing for barely under two years and despite her seemingly lack of time with the sport, her accomplishments and passion for it says otherwise. “I love rowing. It’s definitely enjoyable for me. Just exercising in general relieves my stress and rowing especially because I am in nature, surrounded by beautiful scenery and animals. This sport has definitely taught me resilience, persistence and discipline.”

Athletics

Granite Bay Gazette wFriday, October 11, 2019

Modern day gladiator is sweeping in football

t takes an extreme commitment to be able to handle the physical and mental strain of playing football, which is regarded as the most violent sport by many. Senior Jonathan, better known as Cannon, Harmer not only takes that challenge but adds to it, playing for one of the nation’s best rugby teams. Cannon is team Captain for the Granite Bay High School varsity football team, as well as being a leader in Eagle Impact Rugby Academy. Of his six year football career, three have been spent playing for GBHS playing offensive and defensive line. Coming in as a sophomore, Harmer was quick to score a role in high level competition.

Page 19

Jonathan Harmer Senior rugby player carries his skills to another sport “I played Junior Varsity when we won the section championship,” said Harmer. He continued with his passion for football in high school, climbing the ranks and becoming a leader among his peers. “I was starting O line and D line last year as a junior and this year I am the captain of the team and I still play O line and D line,” Harmer said. His role alone is a massive commitment but Cannon ups the ante, having played rugby alongside football for the past four years. Cannon has gone to multiple national rugby tournaments

under Eagle Impact Rugby Academy, formerly Granite Bay Rugby, a team that consistently places in the top ranks of american high school and club programs. “(It was) a lot of hard work going into it, we probably did about two months of just horrible practices and conditioning (...) but it’s cool being able to compete at that level as well,” Harmer said. With all of the challenges, Harmer feels it is worth it not only for the achievements he has made, but also the camaraderie and bond that forms between his team as they practice through trials and errors together in hopes of winning at competitions.

Tribe to reunite with the end zone Gazette illustration/KATE FERNANDEZ

Students are finally Grade requirement clash with focus on athletics allowed to be back on the BY GABY MATHIS field for senior night after Freshmen struggle with maintaining GPA years of probation BY HASAN ALSAKATI while on a sports team gmathis.gazette@gmail.com

aalsakati.gazette@gmail.com

t is finally back – the Tribe student cheering section is returning to the end zone for one night and one night only. Senior night. Two years ago, a fight occurred in the end zone during a playoff game against Antelope High, which put a lot of Granite Bay High students at risk. But nearly two years after the incident, the Tribe’s leaders have shown how responsible the student section is, so the school administration decided to give the end zone one more chance. The senior night game is going to be played against a long-time rival, Folsom. Jennifer Leighton, Granite Bay’s principal, played a big role in making this happen. Leighton said the Tribe leaders this year have shown a good expression of leadership, “Every indication is that our current Tribe leaders will lead the way with supportive cheers for both teams,” Leighton said. “Thus far, this season the Tribe leaders have been exemplary.” Still, Leighton said there are some remaining concerns after the incident two years ago. After the Grizzlies scored a late touchdown, Tribe students were celebrating and a Tribe leader, in front of the temporary fence, was high-fiving and hugging the GBHS player. A frustrated Antelope player ran all the way to the back of the end zone and tackled the GBHS player, and a fight ensued that emptied the Antelope bench and included several GBHS players. Much of the fight was filmed by Tribe members in the end zone, and those videos were quickly posted on social media. Several players were suspended after the incident. “The safety concerns (of having the Tribe in the end zone) will always be there for me as (I’m) the person who will ultimately answer to parents, district and league officials if something goes awry,” Leighton said. Londyn Milburn is a junior who is a part of the cheer program on campus, and she’ll be supporting the football team during Senior Night. “The idea of bringing it back is great,” Milburn said. “I think it brings more school spirit to the school being in the end zone, because you are right in the action.” Jacob Schulte, a senior who is also a football player and is a Tribe leader, is optimistic things will go well as a result of the hard work of Tribe leaders in planning for the exclusive night. “We have a lot of special plans for Senior Night – it is obviously a special night coming back to the end zone,” Schulte said. “We are going to host a senior tailgate and we will be serving Dino nuggets just for seniors. We are hoping our students enjoy the night and the activities we will be hosting.”

or some, being a part of a team and working hard to reach set goals in a sport in high school is part of the experience. However, playing a high school sport comes with standards that need to be met. A Granite Bay High student athlete must, other than making good decisions in general, earn an overall grade-point average of 2.0 and cannot receive more than one F grade. “Sometimes it is really hard to balance sports and school,” freshman football player Danny Zhigaylo said. “After a long day at school plus football practice, I still have a ton of homework and I feel overwhelmed most of the time.” Unlike Zhigaylo, McCade Long, who is also a freshman football player said: “I am never really stressed with balancing school and sports. A 2.0 GPA is totally doable as long as

you use your time wisely and stay focused in class.” Freshman Carmelo Bangs plays water polo. Between waking up at 5 a.m. and going to water polo practice twice a day, he still finds a way to get all of his assignments done. “The eligibility standards should be left as they are because if you can’t keep a good, constant, grade rate you shouldn’t be able to play sports you love,” Bangs said. Although the minimum GPA that athletes must meet is a 2.0, according to the College and Career Center, for those who want to play in college should be earning at least a 3.0 GPA. “Playing a sport is very time intensive and doesn’t leave a lot of time for academics,” varsity football coach Jeff Evans said. He added that, despite the pressures of the sport, the academic standards set for the players are fair because everyone has to follow them. When players can’t play because of their grades, it affects everyone else on the team, Evans said. “We only have about 30 guys and are now

down to 25, so that means at practice and games more, players have to pick up more slack,” he said. Honors and advanced classes can add additional points to an athlete’s GPA, but while they can help raise an athlete’s GPA, they are also very difficult and time consuming, which is why some student athletes choose to not take Advanced Placement and honors classes. Junior Sydney Flynn has been playing lacrosse since fifth grade and started playing at GBHS during her freshman year. “With AP classes, it is so hard to balance school and sports with all of the homework and reading I have to do,” Flynn said, who added that while she can get some of her homework done before practice, she was often still up until midnight and sometimes later finishing her assignments. Still, Evans said the struggle is worth it for athletes who persevere. “Part of the strength that comes from extra-curricular (activities) is not just going to school, it’s about time management,” Evans said. “There is always a light at the end of the tunnel, but you have to stub your toe a few times.”

Freshmen unable to play in school

Junior varsity soccer team not able to accommodate all underclassmen in pursuit of their athletic hopes BY DREW MCKOWN dmckown.gazette@gmail.com

Many underclassmen hope to have a freshman team so they have a better chance of playing soccer and fulfilling their passion at a high school level but the limit of 50 spots on the Granite Bay’s High School soccer team poses an issue. “A freshman team would give the freshmen a better chance of playing soccer in high school, which is most of their goals at this point,” Blanco said. However, solely hoping for freshman team isn’t going to solve the issues that make it difficult. With facility complications, and with not much of a need expressed by coaches, freshman soccer teams aren’t likely to be on

the horizon. “I have had lengthy discussions with both the boys’ and girls’ (soccer) coaches, and they actually believe that we do a very good job of providing soccer opportunities to a vast majority of the kids that play soccer in our high school,” athletic director Tim Healy said. Field capacity is also a major complication when the lighted field space is being used by other teams on campus. “I don’t believe we have the facilities right now to do it,” Healy said. “We have four soccer programs during the winter, and it also overlaps with lacrosse, track and, in the beginning (of the soccer season), with football for the field usage.” If freshman soccer teams practiced on outside facilities, it might be possible, but it’s not ideal.

“We have to get things like insurance at those locations and we are no longer in control of those locations,” Healy said. “I don’t get to dictate what would occur.” When the Sac-Joaquin Section moved both boys’ and girls’ soccer to the winter a few years ago after the 2016-17 school year, that’s when it got a little tricky for freshman soccer. “I’m not fond that we are doing both boys’ and girls’ soccer in one season, and I wish we kept it the way it was because facilities wise, we could’ve done it if it was still spring and fall,” Healy said. Dan Brown, a coach for the 04 Granite Bay soccer B team, shares the same perspective as most hopeful incoming soccer players. “There are more than enough players to make a freshman team work, and I also believe that we

could raise the funds necessary to support the program,” Brown said. Rocklin, Whitney, Saint Francis, and other high schools in the area have freshman soccer teams. “Other local high schools have found a way to make it work, and I believe Granite Bay could as well,” Brown said. “We would need to be creative in using other grass areas on the Granite Bay campus or neighboring fields like Feist park for training.” Coaching is another factor that plays into getting a team together. “I would happily coach the freshman girls team without pay,” Brown said. “However, I also recognize that high schools have a process for hiring coaches, and I certainly respect this process.” For those girls who might not think they’ll make the soccer team, there are still lots of other ways to get involved in sports as a freshman. “Some of the girls who... thought they could make the soccer team last year actually went out for basketball and still had a great experience,” Healy said.

Athletics

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Granite Bay Gazette wFriday, October 11, 2019

Cost of the game: career-ending injuries

Sports injuries force student athletes to step off field, into doctor’s office BY SARAH RIETZ

Freshman Ellery Martin learned this lesson the hard way. “I was playing soccer this summer and I was taking a shot, and a girl had impact to the inside of my knee,” Martin said, “and I landed and my heel twisted but my toes stayed planted.” Due to her injury, Martin had to have surgery and now goes to physical therapy two times a week to begin to build up her muscle strength and just started riding a bike again. She has been playing soccer since she was four – and was on the route to playing college soccer. “It pushes all the progress and scholarships back a year or two,” Martin said. Similar to Martin, Karly Fernandez, a junior at GBHS, also got injured while playing soccer. “It was a soccer game and I planted my foot in the ground and tried to push off and my foot stayed in the same place and my knee twisted,” Fernandez said.

srietz.gazette@gmail.com

Students who participate in high school sports are playing a dangerous game that potentially yields unknown consequences. Most of the students who are participating in these high-stress sports have to try to find a good balance between their academics and their athletics. “The solid education opens more doors than sports does,” said Jeffrey Evans, a special education teacher at Granite Bay High as well as the varsity coach for the football team. While education is heavily stressed at GBHS and student athletes must find a way to balance their schedules to accommodate their education, some students still base their future on the sports they play. With the unpredictability sports present, it’s imperative that students realize the risk they are taking by playing in such high-level competitions. “No one can control all aspects of sports,” Evans said in an email.

Fernandez tore her ACL and meniscus in her knee. In addition to getting surgery, she did physical therapy for nine months. She is now cleared to play sports, but this injury will always stay with her. Yet another student injured via sports is sophomore Sydney Howe. “I rolled my ankle really bad,” Howe said, “so I was in athletic P.E. and I was coming down from a rebound and rolled it.” Howe’s recovery will only last a month. She goes to cryotherapy, physical therapy and often ices the ankle. Even though Martin, Fernandez, and Howe all will be able to play their sports again at one point or another, it’s the fear of what could happen to them physically that’s especially frightening. “For a competitive person, the fear of being seriously injured and Gazette photo /SARAH RIETZ not being able to continue playing is sometimes worse than the actual Sydney Howe suffered a serious injury that took her off the field forever. pain,” Evans said. things happen that are beyond your to handle such a situation. While most students who are incontrol,” said Jason Sitterud, the boys’ Sports injuries in any capacity are jured are able to return to their sports, basketball varsity coach. terrible, but students should try to there are countless students who are Student athletes must keep in mind look at the bright side. hurt so badly that they are no longer that serious injuries can occur in high“Usually it is a blessing in disguise,” able to continue playing their sport. level sports – therefore they must be Sitterud said. “They learn other skills “You hope they are conditioned, but prepared for the worst and know how and realize how resilient they are.”

Grizz Quiz Sarah Arnaud

Kyle Jones

Cheer

Compiled by: Diana Jones

Karly Fernandez

Baseball

Andrew Tanner

Soccer

Emily Mayonett

Volleyball

Pilot

Dance

Cooperate ledagator

What is your dream job?

Lawyer

What is your dream vacation?

Bora Bora

Hawaii

Iceland

Hawaii

Greece

What is your biggest fear?

My brother

Being homeless

The dark

Clowns

Spiders

What is your hidden talent?

I can do a scorpion handstand.

Being able to juggle.

I can sing the ABC’s backwards.

I’m really good at skiing.

I can pop my gum very loudly.

What is your favorite T.V show?

The Office

SWAT

The Office

Dance moms

Engineer

Teacher for high school or middle school

Unpopular ideas on the most popular sport The amount of over-enthuasism for football isn’t reciprocated by all BY ARMAAN SAINI

asaini.gazette@gmail.com

t is no secret that Granite Bay has an abundance of enthusiasm for their football team. Football games often have a lively and exhilarating atmosphere as fans cheer on their peers. However, athletes in other sports feel that football’s spotlight is unfair - especially when they have put in an equal amount of commitment. The uneven spread of attention is not fair-minded, according to freshman volleyball player Mia Wiggen, especially when she puts in just as much effort almost daily. “Football is a great sport, but it also kind of makes me a little jealous because some of the other sports aren’t equally recognized. “Football is great, but some other sports are also fun to watch,” Wiggen said. Although the most recognized sport of Granite Bay High School is obviously football, other sports deserve some attention as well.

“I put in work every day for two hours after school and sometimes just at home on weekends by myself to get better,” Wiggen said. Even if football is a favorite, expanding horizons and cheering on other sports can be just as entertaining. Not only is watching other sports amusing, but feeling supported and cheered on by others makes athletes feel better about the work and effort they put into their sport. They have to make certain sacrifices in the name of the game. Players face an extensive amount of work and practice in order to be able to participate on the team. Their commitment persists both in and out of school, on weekends, over breaks - even on the days they have two tests to study for in challenging classes. However, not all athletes feel the need or desire for the same recognition that football receives. Freshman Andrew Fowler said the intense attention placed on football does not affect him. Despite the lack of attention he

receives as part of the rowing team in comparison to football, Fowler’s dedication to and love for rowing remains the same. “Football always gets a lot of attention - it’s the way life works. “I don’t really want more attention for (rowing) and I enjoy (rowing) because it’s my sport,” Fowler said. He made his point by saying he didn’t care what others thought and he didn’t care about how everyone prioritized football, because he really feels passionate about rowing. Fowler is not the only student athlete who doesn’t mind the attention that football gets. Baseball player Dillon Ray, a freshman, agrees with Fowler. “I can kinda see why football gets attention.” He agreed and thought the hype of football was normal and expected it because it’s pretty much a big deal in high school life. “... I play baseball because it is fun and it is one of the only sports where I am better than average.” For some student athletes, the amount of attention that football receives over their own sport can be discouraging. But as long as student athletes are comfortable within their own sport, they can stay confident in their abilities.

Granite Bay Gazette wFriday, October 11, 2019

Athletics

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SECOND LOOK Fall

SPORTS

Update

Girls’ water polo starts off league withSPORTS a winning streak fALL UPDATE BY GABY MATHIS AND ASPEN KINGSLEY gmathis.gazette@gmail.com akingsley.gazette@gmail.com

The Grizzlies are 2-0 in Sierra Foothill League play, with victories last week over Oak Ridge and Rocklin. “We’ve grown as a team a lot and I think that we are working together better than the teams in the past,” Abbie Monk said. Cross Country In the first SFL meet of the season, the boys’ cross country team finished third, and the girls finished fourth. For the boys, the top Grizzly finisher was Michael Zagaynov, who finished the 5,000 meter race in 17 minutes, 2.3 seconds to take seventh place. The next meet for both teams is Del Oro Invitational. “We are doing good but could do better,” Jayden Smith said, “but we are really suffering from injuries in our top runners and sickness.”

Gazette photo /LINDSEY ZABELL

Girls’ Tennis The girls’ tennis team is off to a great start at 3-0 in SFL play and 6-1 overall, a winning percentage of 85 percent, including a 9-0 shutout of Del Oro on Oct. 1. “I think our team is doing really good right now,” Emily Case said. “We all work well together, and it’s nice that we all get along so well. It makes being on a team so much easier because we can all work together as a group. I think one thing we could improve on is staying focused 24/7. When we aren’t focused it’s because we’re laughing or goofing off, so not really a bad thing. But I would just say we do it too much sometimes.”

Gazette photo /ASPEN KINGSLEY

Gazette photo /LINDSEY ZABELL

Dillon Hamilton, Aaron Tracy, and Bo Hannum, top, work together to defeat Whitney High School. Hailey Montgomery, middle left, winds up in preparation to return a ball from her opponent. Dillon Hamilton, middle right, prepares to send the ball down the field. Alex Miller, left , competes against other students in a cross country meet. Malia Greenwald, bottom left, protects the ball from an opponent as she prepares to pass it to her teammate. Carly Hsu, bottom right, bumps the ball back to her teammates.

Girls’ Volleyball So far, the girls’ volleyball team is 0-5 in SFL play, most recently falling 3-1 against Del Oro. “We aren’t doing the best right now,” senior Mikayla Nicols said. “Our record really doesn’t show the skill level on our team. I think we can be better by putting full effort and focus into practice and games. Also staying positive and creating a good environment on the team where everyone is excited and happy for one another could really benefit us.” Football The football team is 4-3 overall, 2-1 in the Sierra Foothill League and ranked 139th in the state. The Grizzlies shut out Whitney 23-0 a week ago, a week after Whitney shocked Del Oro for the Wildcats’ first-ever SFL victory. Del Oro beat the Grizzlies in Granite Bay’s SFL opener three weeks ago. “I believe that my team is doing good in our league, our league is the toughest there is and anything can happen so it depends on how we come out each week and how good we can be at the end of the year,” Cobe Weeks said. “My team can be better by having our offense and defense both be on the same terms and provide the positive energy and great output game in and game out.”

Special to the Gazette/ ATHLETIC.NET

Boys’ Water Polo The boys’ water polo team is 2-0 in Sierra Foothill League play, and they’ve lost by a total of three goals in non-league games against local powerhouse teams Jesuit and Davis. The Grizzlies’ most recent victory was a 17-1 blitzing of SFL opponent Oak Ridge. “Our team will win league this year easily,” Parker Mannis said. “We need to work on offense, but our defense in impenetrable.” Gazette photo /SIMI SINGH

Gazette photo /GABY MATHIS

Arts&Entertainment

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Granite Bay Gazette wFriday, October 11, 2019

Teens who still Trick-or-Treat?

Gazette photo illustration/LINDSEY ZABELL

Some high school students live out their childhood memories by dressing up each year BY JJ HILL

jhill.gazette@gmail.com

hile trick-or-treating at Granite Bay High tends to receive a snub when Halloween comes around, a group of students want to end the stigma. Whether it’s dressing up and going door to door for candy or just staying in your costume at home to give out candy to the little ones, participating in the time-honored tradition doesn’t have to include an age limit. “I don’t think it’s weird to go trick-or-treating at all,” said junior Erin Basca, who is planning to mimic an old medieval priest. “I like to dress up, it’s one of the (best) parts of Halloween.” She says that even if she can’t go trick or treating this year, she’ll absolutely stay at home and do her part in distributing cavities to kindergarteners. Despite your grade or size, Basca believes that as long as you’re enrolled in K-12, you should be fine. “People are just trying to have fun, so let them do it,” she said. While Basca is able to dress up because of her shorter stature,

this obviously isn’t applicable to the entire student body. What about those who dress up despite having an older appearance? “I see it as a better alternative to partying or anything you shouldn’t be doing on Halloween,” said senior Blayke Wilkerson, who went trick-or-treating last year and plans to do the same this year. She says that there shouldn’t be any sort of age limit on the holiday. “If people are giving you weird looks, just don’t worry about it. Just have fun, that’s all that matters,” Wilkerson said. Not only does Wilkerson participate in the tradition, but she even takes it a step further by participating in cosplay, which is much like dressing up for Halloween, but instead with much more attention to detail in costumes. They are typically handmade rather than purchased from companies. The majority of cosplaying takes place at conventions such as Comic-Con and E3. Locally, we have SacAnime as a way for those who are enthusiastic about dressing up to express themselves. “I’ve been cosplaying since 2015,” Wilkerson said. She participates in nearly every SacAnime, including miniature events it throws called micro-cons.

“I’ve met a ton of people. It’s a big community,” she said. However, there are those who just like to dress up without going around their neighborhood begging for sweets. Many use this time to instead rendezvous with friends. Senior Keaton Brasse loves to attend costume-centric parties in particular. There, students will host anything from spookilythemed decorations to entire costume contests with both monetary and sentimental prizes. “I don’t know if I’m going to go trick-or-treating, but I’m definitely going to dress up,” Brasse said. Much like both Basca and Wilkerson, the dress-up element of Halloween is a musthave. While Brasse might not be trick-or-treating this year, if the stars were more aligned, he said he most likely would. “Halloween happens to land on a school night this year though, so I’ve got to stay rested,” Brasse said. Even if he isn’t on the streets soliciting strangers for sweets, he enjoys the multifaceted cultural experience and likes to see what others can come up with for their costumes. “If you’re in the Halloween spirit,” Brasse said, “let us hear it.”

Arts&Entertainment

Granite Bay Gazette wFriday, October 11, 2019

Page 23

Wacky hall passes

Several teachers have creative ways to grant hallway access to students BY JULIA GOLOVEY

jgolovey.gazette@gmail.com

Gazette photos /JULIETTA GOLOVEY

he typical hall pass at Granite Bay High is a green lanyard connected to a green piece of paper with a Grizzly bear and the teacher’s name on it. But then, there are the alternatives that can be interesting, creative and wacky. In math teacher John Sherman’s classes, for example, students leave class carrying a mannequin that is wearing a Speedo, a bandana and swimming goggles. “I just thought it would be funny, quite honestly, and totally just poking some fun doesn’t harm anybody,” Sherman said. “I haven’t really changed my bathroom policy, but yeah, you gotta carry (around) a mannequin that has a Speedo.” All jokes aside, there is a more realistic reason why Sherman uses this wacky hall pass.

“At some level, it’s a deterrent,” Sherman said. “I just have a lot of students that are taking advantage of the hall passes and feel like they don’t want to be in math class, (so) they can just stroll around campus. And so I’ve told them, ‘Hey, alright, (but) you’ve gotta take the bathroom buddy with you.” While the pass might be all fun and games, the deterrent kicks in when students realize they’re going to have to haul around a “friend” who is too big and also a little creepy. Apparently, the deterrent works – there are students who use the pass, but there are also students who just don’t go to the bathroom during class. “I never go to the bathroom while I’m in class,” said sophomore Dustin Schweickert, who is in one of Sherman’s classes. Media/film teacher Zachary Weidkamp’s pass is a license plate that reads I GOTTA P with a blue string tied from one side to the other. Weidkamp has been using this pass for three years now after getting a recommendation from his wife, who teaches at Woodcreek High. “Sometimes I noticed students leaving without it, and it really doesn’t bother me,” Weidkamp said. “They’re supposed to have it out there, so it’s really on them. If they don’t have it and they get asked, it’s on them – I can’t baby them at that point.” It turns out, Weidkamp’s pass also features a

bit of a deterrent effect. “I’ve only used it like two (or) three times, but I mean it’s pretty straight forward with the ‘Gotta P’ written on it,” sophomore McKenna Arbuckle said. It’s up to students to take responsibility for using passes whether its a license plate, mannequin or even the decoy hunting duck that biology teacher Scott Braly uses for his class, something he’s been using for 12 years. He had another duck before that, but it flew the coop. “It disappeared,” Braly said. “I think someone took it and kept it – it got retired. Hopefully, they’ve given it a good home and (are) keeping it on their mantel saying, ‘I got the bathroom duck.’ But I’ve got more if this one were ever to disappear.” Sometimes the duck disappears when it gets forgotten by students in the bathroom and then gets returned by other students. “It always finds its way home by students saying, ‘I’ve got your duck,’ ” Braly said. But like other teachers, Braly wants his pass to serve as a bit of a deterrent. “If a student is willing to carry a big plastic duck, I figure they are needing to go to the restroom and not just wanting to go for a walk,” he said. “And it’s fun – it adds another fun thing to do, and it’s nice to have little fun things in class that are unique and different and make people smile.”

Gaze

tte il

lustr ation /

MAYA SN

Let’s Get Thrifty

GBHS students thrift shop to find their new fall style BY MAYA SNOW

Gazette illustration/MAYA SNOW

msnow.gazette@gmail.com

In recent years, thrift shopping has worked its way back into teenagers’ lives. Senior Kendyl Kring loves to thrift shop, and she has a really unique style. “My style is just whatever I feel like wearing that day,” Kring said. She always changes up her style from bell bottom jeans to neon green fuzzy sweaters. Many students find it difficult to pick out stores that have cute, inexpensive clothes. “(When I thrift shop) I know where my money is going, and I feel like I am supporting something good

because fast fashion is really harmful on the environment,” Kring said. Many students prefer to thrift shop over going to traditional malls. “I have to be more intent on what I’m getting because there is a limited amount of each piece,” Kring said. Finding a good place to find vintage clothes is difficult, but senior Sofia Arias has her own stores she has found over the years. “My favorite stores for cheap clothes are Goodwill and Eco Thrift,” Arias said. Many students love to express their style with the clothes that they purchase. “I thrift shop for all of my clothes,

unless I’m shopping for a specific occasion,” Kring said. Senior Bridgette Idler is also a fan of thrift shopping. “My favorite part about thrift shopping is finding unique clothes that nobody else has and being able to create my own style with them,” Idler said. Many love to dress in vintage clothes, but finding old, trendy clothes is difficult. “My favorite spot for vintage clothes would be garage sales or Goodwill,” said Idler. Thrift shopping and purchasing from garage sales allows students find one-of-a-kind outfits for their fall style.

Arts&Entertainment

Page 24

BY PIPER BACON

pbacon.gazette@gmail.com

or more than 10 years, the Marvel Cinematic Universe has been an extremely popular franchise on the Granite Bay High campus. “Spider-Man: Homecoming” grossed more than $880 million. “Spider-Man: Far From Home” grossed $1.1 billion world-wide. According to Rotten Tomatoes, Peter Parker is the fourth-mostloved Avenger, and IGN determined he is the best Marvel superhero of all time. MCU movies produced by Disney that feature SpiderMan have averaged a rating of 90.25% on Rotten Tomatoes. In spite of all of this, news came out that Disney had lost Spider-Man’s rights to Sony after a deal gone wrong. This meant Disney wouldn’t have the rights to produce anything in relation to Spider-Man, and students at both GBHS and

Gazette illustrations/LINDSEY ZABELL, KATE FERNANDEZ and MAYA SNOW

across the world were not happy with this. “I am not OK with the fact that they’re not planning on doing another one, so they better figure it out for my sake. Please,” senior Emma Becker said. “It’s tragic.” According to Becker, one of the primary reasons why Spider-Man is such a loved character is because he’s relatable, especially to high school students. “Spider-Man has a young energy, and things are more carefree with him there,” Becker said. “He’s really energetic in a way that none of the other characters are.” Marvel losing that sort of energy and motivational drive is one of many reasons why losing Spider-Man would be such a big deal. Being ranked the No. 1 most popular Marvel hero on Observation Deck, Spider-Man gains most of his adoration from mostly millennials and gen-Z kids. People love him because he brings a young, new, relatable energy to the Avengers. Aside from his youthful spirit being gone, the question came up as to how Spider-Man leaving would impact the Avengers’ storyline, which is one of the reasons why Disney fought so hard to bring him back to the MCU. To fans’ relief, on Sept. 26, Marvel announced that Spider-Man had come back to the MCU for good. After loads of emotion from fans and a personal plea from actor Tom Holland, the rights were worked out and Marvel is set on track to release its next Spider-Man movie in July 2021. Spider-Man’s unfinished saga is able to continue and bring Disney loads more revenue. “We can all breathe a collective sigh of relief now that all the drama’s over,” said senior Brent Evans, a well-known Spidey fan on campus. Evans is one of many fans happy to no longer have to worry how Sony was going to clean up the mess the negotiations left behind. He’s excited for Spider-Man’s next installment in the MCU. Evans also explained how “Spider-Man: Far From Home” built a new father-son dynamic between Tony Stark and Peter Parker. If Spider-Man had left, the previous four MCU movies would’ve lost a deeply emotional element to them. “The whole point of the last four movies was a big build-up to the fact that Iron-Man and Captain America are gone (and) Spider-Man

Granite Bay Gazette wFriday, October 11, 2019

is meant to take their place,” sophomore Aidan Dawn said. “I’m really glad he’s back.” Marvel fans all across the country and at GBHS are able to relax now that their favorite hero is back for good. Spider-Man fans have already made too deep of a connection to the young character to see him leave now. He’s found his perfect fit in the MCU. “Spider-Man just wouldn’t have been the same to me,” junior Emma Hammack said, “if he wasn’t in the MCU.”

Arts&Entertainment

Granite Bay Gazette wFriday, October 11, 2019

Page 25

The Gazette staff reviews the best food, music and movies from the month of September.

Dos Coyotes

Adalberto’s Tacos

BY ANGELINA KOLOSEY

BY PIPER BACON

akolosey.gazette@gmail.com

pbacon.gazette@gmail.com

wOrder: Two Chicken Tacos with added cheese wMenu Highlights: They have vegetarian and gluten-free options such as the southwest rice and bean burrito and the border burrito bowl. wAddress: 2030 Douglas Blvd, Roseville, CA 95661 wQuick Take: Dos Coyotes was modern, colorful and inviting, and they have a large menu to choose from.

wOrder: One shrimp taco, one chicken taco, one carne asada taco wMenu Highlights: rice pudding, horchata, nachos, free chips wAddress: 4845 Granite Dr, Rocklin, 95677 wQuick Take: Great food and lots of it, with minimal filler. However, things can get a bit messy. Gazette photo | ANGELINA KOLOSEY

‘Miss Me More’ by 3LAU BY BRADYN KESTI

‘Hollywood’s Bleeding’ by Post Malone BY PAYTON BLEVINS

bkesti.gazette@gmail.com

wGenre: Electronic pop wProducer : 3Lau wSkip To: Miss Me More wQuick Take: For a song I found off a website about the most recent released songs, I enjoyed listening to this song; especially since I don’t regularly listen to electronic pop. The beat is consistent yet the melody changes accordingly without any awkward moments. The lyrics suit the music well and reverb in my head, especially the chorus “You’re gonna miss me more”. This song is

Gazette photo | PIPER BACON

p.blevins.gazette@gmail.com

BLACKWATER

definitely one I would buy off of the app store and listen to as I walk home and when I need some filler noise.

wGenre: American Rap wProducer : Post Malone wSkip To: Sunflower wQuick Take: In my opinion I would not just turn on and listen to Hollywood’s Bleeding the album. I would listen to the songs individually but I would create my own playlist and add other music with the same vibe as the ones I enjoyed from this album.

‘Abominable’

‘Tall Girl’

BY SARAH REITZ

BY ALHASAN ALSAKASTI

sreitz.gazette@gmail.com

wLead Actors: Ava Michelle and Griffin Gluck. wDirector: Nzingha Stewart wFavorite Moment: when she is talking about how tall girl talks about how she gets bullied for wearing size 13 Nikes, men’s size 13 Nikes. wPlot Summary: The movie is about a tall girl who is bullied for being unordinary tall. wQuick Take: I thought the movie was cheesy, I like the idea of the movie but the acting and dialogue was a huge let down.

CROSBY

aalsakasti.gazette@gmail.com

For a longer look at this month’s Gazette reviews, visit GraniteBayToday.org

WONDERLAND SOUND AND VISION

Page 26

BY ASPEN KINGSLEY

akingsley.gazette@gmail.com

alloween has been a tradition for more than 100 years in the United

States. There are many ways to celebrate such an event like going to pumpkin patches, or going to Apple Hill to get one of those mouth-watering apple doughnuts. However, some brave souls prefer a more spooky fall activity like visiting a chilling haunted house. Marc Sciarrino, a junior at Granite Bay High School, is a big fan of all things haunted houses. “I would have to say one of the most fun haunted houses I have ever been to is this one in London, by the London Bridge,” Sciarrino said. “It was definitely the spookiest (haunted house) I have ever been to.” “I think I would have to say the best part about any haunted house is the adrenaline rush,” Sciarrino said. Many people who enjoy being frightened by haunted houses also like being a part of the scareteam, and Sciarrino can agree. “(I’ve never been a part of ) a haunted house before but I think it would be a lot of fun, being able to jump out and scare people,” Sciarrino said. “I feel like that would also give you a little rush.”

Arts&Entertainment

APPY AUNTED ALLOWEEN

Granite Bay Gazette wFriday, October 11, 2019

Granite Bay High students are creeped out by haunted houses

n 9.5 leading.

Junior Hee Soo Lee agreed. “Haunted houses are by far the best part of Halloween in my personal opinion,” Lee said. “I love not knowing what’s coming next or what could be waiting around the corner.” Sophomore Colby Gravlin also likes haunted houses, but for a different reason. “I know a lot of people like haunted houses for the fear factor or an adrenaline rush, but I like them because it’s something my family and I do together every year,” Gravlin said. “We take turns each year picking a haunted house. Last year we went to Direworld, and it was a lot of fun,” Gravlin said. “Don’t get me wrong, I love the adrenaline rush, but the family stuff is the best part for me.” Junior Aiden Filben plays a huge role at the Davis Fear Farm. “I am one of the managers and owners at the fear farm,” Filben said. As an owner, the title comes with a lot of responsibilities such as running the clown haunt, which consists of Filben building molds of a variety of props and getting people into costumes and keeping things running as smoothly as possible to scare the life out of people. The Davis Fear Farm is a huge haunted attraction consisting of two haunted houses, and a two-mile corn maze, all for $35. They also have an

attraction where you can go “90 miles per hour” and shoot zombies with paintball guns. No matter which one, all haunted houses prove to be a thrilling event for anyone. “That right there,” Filben said, “is what I call Halloween.”

Top Trends

Gazette illustration/MAYA SNOW

Minecraft At Club Rush, this club attracted a huge crowd and now has more than 200 sign ups. This game is coming back, and more and more people are starting to play it again.

Youtuber Merchandise Many people are representing their favorite YouTube stars by wearing their clothing. Some may be “Virginity Rocks” and “Clickbait” sweaters worn by many on campus.

Scrunchies Many girls are now bringing back scrunchies. They can be seen all over campus and are gaining popularity.

Compiled by: Armaan Saini

Arts&Entertainment

Granite Bay Gazette wFriday, October 11, 2019

Page 27

PIXARSTUDIOS

DISNEY

LUCASFILM

NATIONALGEOGRAPHIC

MARVELSTUDIOS

New streaming service will make its debut early next month This year Disney announced that the multibillion-dollar megacorporation would be dipping its toes into the ocean of streaming. Disney’s streaming service, Disney+, will launch Nov. 12 and will cost $7 per month. Users of the site will have access to the wide variety of Disney’s ever growing assets including shows and movies from Pixar, Marvel, National Geographic, Star Wars and 20th Century Fox. In addition to shows and movies, both old and new, the selection of content will include a plethora of new Disney+ originals. This new streaming option has already gained a lot of attention from both the media and consumers and is expected to have at least 60-90 million subscribers in just five years. The thought that comes to most consumers’ minds is whether they should use their money to fill the mouse’s pockets or stay with the

streaming king, Netflix. Netflix has established itself as the largest streaming service, raking in around $16 billion last year, but it’s a fair question whether Disney will be dethrone Netflix. For many people, cost could be a deciding factor between Disney+ and Netflix. Disney+ is currently priced at $7 while Netflix’s most basic plan costs $9. While the difference doesn’t seem too large, most people don’t want to waste money on another streaming service they don’t need. “I wouldn’t actually pay for another streaming service,” senior Cassie Cantemir said. “I wouldn’t do this because I have no interest in seeing any additional shows.” Even with the lower cost, consumers may not think saving $2 is worth switching to a smaller selection of Disney-dominated content. “I don’t need a subscription to another thing that I will never watch,” freshman Harrison Newman said.

Groovy Grizzlies BY LINDSEY ZABELL

lzabell.gazette@gmail.com

or years, there have been a number of students on the Granite Bay High campus who are both musically and artistically talented, but there are few opportunities to show off those talents. This year, a new event called Concert In The Quad was created in order to showcase the talents of artistic students on campus. Senior Liv Thompson was the student government commissioner in charge of the event. In order to get the event initially approved, she had to pitch the idea to student government adviser Tamara Givens. The event took place on Friday, Sept. 27, in the GBHS Quad, and it featured more than a dozen musical performances along with several artistic displays. “I think the idea for the event was accepted because the event is really

different than any that we’ve had before.” Thompson said. Although GBHS does have an annual talent show each year, this event is unique in the way it is a much more “easygoing” – a time for students to sit back and just enjoy the music. “The talent show may seem similar but it’s also a competition, which brings an entirely different environment,” Thompson explained. By creating an event specifically for showcasing unique student talents, it gives students the opportunity to have a platform that wouldn’t be possible before. “There aren’t a ton of opportunities on campus for students in the arts to be recognized,” Thompson said. “I’ve always thought there’s so much talent in music and passion for music at the school, especially right now, and it’d be a waste to not make something of that.”

For those who are not attached to Netflix and can afford both or only one option, Disney+ can be the route to go if viewers are invested enough in the stories Disney+ are telling. “For me, the benefits are Disney’s movies and TV shows will be moving to Disney+ and will be taken off Netflix, and those are the movies and TV shows I like to watch,” junior and self proclaimed Disney fan Emma Hammack said. Many people are invested in franchises like the MCU and “need” to see the Disney+ exclusive content and thus will be forced to buy into the streaming service. “I am a huge Marvel fan, so the new shows – especially the Winter Soldier and Falcon and Loki – I am excited to see them back on screen,” Hammack said. But for those who aren’t super invested with Disney’s franchises, the switch seems to be a weak one without the large array of content that Netflix sports. “The chances I get a Disney+ membership

is one out of 10 because I don’t want to watch Marvel movies and I’ll just watch Netflix until I die,” Newman said. Many consumers with enough money are not ready to make the switch and will instead opt to spend the extra money for Disney+ as an extra feature on their devices. Even though Disney has kept the number of shows close to their chest, the variety of Disney+ doesn’t seem to rival Netflix. “Netflix has a range from G to R so you have a lot more movie genres,” junior Caitlen Jensen said. It seems there just isn’t enough interest in Disney’s content to warrant a new streaming service. While Disney+ seems to have created some hype, it will be awhile before it topples Netflix. “Disney+ is not worth it because nobody wants to watch that much Disney content in their life,” Newman said.

GBHS students rock out to the performances of their peers

Senior Rayna Frayji was one of several students to perform onstage. She performed alongside senior Paul Stamas on drums, junior Alex Paperno on guitar and senior Matthew Wilson on bass. Together, they performed “Tongue Tied” by Grouplove. Frayji said she was excited both by the performance itself as well as the crowd. “The turnout was really cool, I think it was a very mixed group,” Frayji said. “I think that’s awesome because there’s sometimes events that can be very senior-oriented. To have something where everyone comes together is really cool. I think everyone just had a good time.” Junior Alex Paperno was also very happy with the way the entire event played out. “It was very exciting to have the opportunity (to play in front of a crowd),” Paperno said. “I didn’t

expect it to be so colorful, and I “I’m not 100% sure, but I’m pretty didn’t think a lot of people would go, sure (the event will continue), which but when I went to school there were is wonderful,” Thompson said. lights, there were stars and posters Many students, including Paperno, and I just got really excited.” look forward to performing again Musical artists were not the only next year if the event continues. students to showcase their talents – “If there’s an opportunity,” Paperno there were also several student-made said, “I would definitely do it again.” artistic pieces displayed. Freshman Victoria Lin had her custom-made shoes shown at the event. For Concert in the Quad, Lin created custom-painted shoes that with a “grunge” effect to match the theme. “I really liked doing cover art (such as) albums of artists that are influential to me (including) Tyler, the Creator and Frank Ocean,” Lin said. “I really like their art and Gazette photo/LINDSEY ZABELL their albums so I thought, ‘Why not put it on some shoes?’ ” Freshman Victoria Lin displays her As for next year, the continuacustom-made shoes, inspired by artists tion of this event is still undecided. like Tyler, The Creator and Frank Ocean.

Freshman vs Senior: “Do you still trick-or-treat for Halloween? “ Yes, I do still go trick-or-treating. I like getting free candy and dressing up with my friends.

daniel falk

Gazette illustrations/MAYA SNOW

BY JUSTIN HA jha.gazette@gmail.com

Compiled by: Dylan Rowe

No, I don’t. Mostly because I moved past the tradition of going trick-or-treating and now I’m either going to answer the door or hang out with friends.

nick parker

Gazette

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Granite Bay Gazette wFriday, October 11, 2019

CHEATING: Students say majority of incidents on campus are relatively simplistic Continued from page 13

79% or 89% in the class, and (I) wanted it to go up a grade,” said Tristan Paperno, a 2019 graduate who admitted to occasionally cheating when he was at GBHS. At the very basic level, “(students who cheat want) to do less work and achieve the same result,” said Scott Becker, who teaches AP Calculus. According to students – both those who cheat and those who don’t – the majority of cheating that happens on campus is relatively simplistic. One of the most common forms of academic dishonesty does not occur during classes, but rather in between them. Students will gather with their friends and discuss test questions and exam content with students who haven’t yet taken the test. “I’ve never really gone out of my way to cheat,” Paperno said in a text message. “I only really have (cheated) when the opportunity came … when I saw the finished test of a student in the class on the teacher table when I went to use the bathroom, I made a little rhythm with my fingers (assigning letters to fingers) to remember the answers that way, since that made it easier.”

Do students have a master key?

However, there are times when students will go to drastic measures to avoid studying or working. “I’ve gone pretty far,” Jacob said, including once helping a friend avoid studying for an AP Calculus midterm by entering Scott Becker’s classroom after hours and photographing the test. “(The Wednesday) before midterms, my

AP: There’s a stigma for non-AP students at GBHS Continued from page 3

them,” McKinney said. “Yet, it also creates an invisible division among some of our student population.” There’s an existing stigma at GBHS that is embedded in school culture around enrollment in AP classes versus the standard college preparatory classes. “I believe there is a stigma around students who take fewer AP classes than their peers,” junior Raha Elahi said. “The academic environment is one that is extremely competitive. (This atmosphere) makes nonacademic students feel like outcasts in a school focused on (grade) inflation and college acceptances.” Students like Elahi are not the only ones aware of this mindset – school staff are conscious of this as well. “Many students who choose not to take an AP/ IB course feel like there is a stigma placed upon them,” McKinney said. “This is never the intent, but it is necessary for us as a faculty to gain insight into this matter so that the stigma is eradicated.” It is possible, however, that this stigma is not as prevalent as it appears. “I wouldn’t say it’s like a culture in Granite Bay as a whole, and it really depends on who you’re surrounded by,” senior Theo Tran said. Nagunuri, the sophomore who is currently taking four AP classes, seemed to empathize with Tran’s perspective. “I grew up with friends who always took AP classes, so it was always expected of me to take them as well when I got to high school,” Nagunuri said. “However, in the end it was my decision to take them and challenge myself.” Like many other students at GBHS, she is being challenged, which is undoubtedly the point of the AP program. “High school is the best place to learn the coping skills that you’re going to need for college and beyond,” Leighton said. “(AP allows students to be) better prepared for the rigors of college even if they don’t pass with flying colors or pass the final test.”

friends hit me up and somehow one of them got a master key to the school,” Jacob said. “They were like, ‘I don’t want to study for this test, let’s just go and steal it, I saw where he keeps the test.’ … We were wearing all black and … I was the lookout (while they) just ran in and took pictures of (the midterm). “The key got stuck in the door when they were trying to leave, and the janitor was a couple classrooms down. Everyone was panicking and it genuinely felt like ‘Mission Impossible.’ It just goes to show the extent that people will go to … there’s genuine levels to this stuff.” According to Jacob, current students still have the key – it’s been passed down to students by recent graduates for at least three years.

Extremes are no surprise

The extremes that students have resorted to are no stranger to Becker. “Fifteen years ago, I had a student steal tests out of my cabinet when I had a sub,” Becker said. “One kid distracted the sub while the other kid tried to break into my cabinet. (Also) a couple of years ago I had a kid come in on a weekend and convince a custodian to open my room and try to steal tests.” The habits formed by cheating students follow them outside of their classes. “I know one person that completely cheated their entire way through high school,” Jacob said. “A bunch of our friends were wondering what was going to happen when they take standardized tests? And this person comes back and brags that they cheated on the SAT and they got a 1,400. To be honest, I don’t think they would have broken a thousand (on their own). ... They were getting into schools they shouldn’t have, and it angered a lot of people from our school.

They were getting into schools like UCs, schools that people that genuinely worked really hard didn’t get into.” According to Jacob, the SAT test proctor fell asleep, and the cheater began looking at the exams of other students.

Non-cheaters can be bitter

In a hyper-competitive school, feelings of bitterness directed at dishonest students by those who aren’t cheaters are real. “I worked extremely hard for where I am right now, and I will not lie, it would bother me very much if someone cheated their way to be where I am or above me,” said Ipsha Pandey, a current senior. The consequences of academic dishonesty can follow students for the rest of their lives. “They don’t build any of the characteristics that they need to be successful long term,” Becker said. “They’re not building any resiliency, they’re not building any of the ability for coping and management skills or the work ethic required. They’re trying to take the easy shortcut way. And eventually that catches up to you in one form or another. Maybe it’ll be in college. Maybe it’ll be at your job. But at some point, those behaviors don’t continue to work.” Jacob admitted that “there were definitely times where I’ve sat back and was like, ‘Wow, I need to learn how to start doing work for myself,’ ... at times I wish I worked harder on my work ethic beforehand in my life.” By choosing to actively avoid academic work, students miss out on crucial personal development opportunities and, as a result, they lack important skills that can help them in all aspects of their life. Discipline, time-management and responsibility are a few of the personal abilities

these students sometimes struggle with later in life. “If you’re cheating, you’re cheating yourself, because if it isn’t going to come back to you now, karma’s a bitch and she’s going to come back for you eventually,” Amber said. “It’s not just about college. You’re supposed to go where you’re meant to go, so don’t try to manipulate that. Have fun with your high school experience but remember there is nothing in life that comes to you for free. You need to work for everything you get.”

Teaching styles matter

Despite the significant impact the highpressure GBHS environment has on students’ decisions to cheat, there are ways to remedy and reduce the amount of students that resort to academic dishonesty. “There are some (teachers) who need to change their teaching style because it only caters to like 10 percent of the class,” Pandey said. “I don’t think it’s effective if you have a class of 40 and only four people know what’s going on. (Students) need to be in an environment where a majority of the class gets it and is willing to move forward.” The desire for some teachers to alter their methods has proven to be a popular idea among students. “I think some classes encourage cheating,” said Max Schwartz, a 2019 graduate. “I was in a class with Mr. (David) Tastor, and the way that man taught a class was very pro-learning, and he didn’t want anyone to be worried about a grade or anything like that. I didn’t hear of one instance of anyone cheating in that class. Zero. That’s because the way that he taught the class is about learning.”

COMA: He thought vaping was safer than cigarettes Continued from page 17 flavors.” Ricky said he believes he was even misled by marketing because when he first started vaping, it was marketed as a safer alternative to smoking cigarettes – something he genuinely believed. Although nicotine is addictive, Ricky’s friends have made efforts to quit by replicating the whole hand-to-mouth motion. “A lot of (my friends) keep suckers in their

car or they chew gum now whenever they have a craving,” Ricky said. “Some of them even eat Goldfish (crackers) for fun, because it’s that constant little hand-to-mouth motion.” Le, the pulmonary specialist, said the reportage of vaping’s health-related consequences only encompass the extreme cases. But the danger of lower-level damage is much more widespread and prevalent. “The injury may not be (severe enough) to cause respiratory failure,” Le said. “(In those cases), we don’t do the workup because putting

a camera down into the lungs … is a big deal ... if the patient is not that sick. I suspect that the numbers (of vaping-related illnesses) … reported are much lower than what’s really going on. I’m sure all the people that have mild lung injury don’t even know (they are injured).” Le said there’s a real danger linked to the ambiguity of the chemicals in vaping devices. “No medical people have tested (the vaping chemicals). Maybe (companies) have tested it, but they don’t release that information,” Le said. “That’s why it’s so dangerous.”

SURVEY: Results have already led to changes on GBHS campus Continued from page 16 vaping or anti vaping programs (on campus).” Changes have already been made in response to last year’s survey results. For instance, “We’ve added a ‘maximum occupancy’ for each bathroom so that large groups of students can’t go in together to vape,” Leighton said. “(And) first-time offenders

DOORS: School officials are focused on student safety Continued from page 16

senior Shaina Dura said. Administrators also want to prevent the negative and pressuring influence those who vape can impose on non-vapers. “If someone does it outside of school, we can’t control their lives,” Sloan said. “But we want to keep this a safe place so that students aren’t exposed to things that they don’t want to do, or start getting life-long addictions because they just walked into a bathroom with the wrong crowd.”

attend vaping information classes intended to educate them on the harm involved in vaping.” Many agree that if not addressed properly, the vaping issue will continue to grow. “If not monitored, (vaping) may blast into a bigger catastrophe,” sophomore Kyle On said. Despite the sudden surge of vaping-related illnesses wreaking havoc nationally, the harmful effects of electronic cigarettes are not new discoveries.

Vaping has proven to be especially dangerous in schools as it interrupts learning and puts those on campus at risk. “I think that for us, like any other high school, (vaping) is a big problem,” Holmes said. “Fortunately, right at the precipice of us realizing that this is a big problem on campus, there is a national conversation … happening as well.”

Let your curiosity blossom READ THE GAZETTE

Voices

Granite Bay Gazette wFriday, October 11, 2019

GAZETTE Granite Bay

GRANITE BAY HIGH SCHOOL 1 GRIZZLY WAY GRANITE BAY, CA 95746

Senior Editors: Cori Caplinger Bella Khor Angelina Kolosey May Lin Dylan Rowe Ashley Yung Lindsey Zabell

Success has numerous definitions Everyone is successful in their own ways and it should not be defined by one stereotype made by schools

The Gazette is published eight times per academic year by students in the advanced journalism class at Granite Bay High School. Content is determined by the staff and does not necessarily reflect the opinions or policies of Granite Bay High School’s faculty, administration, adviser or student body. Students are protected in their exercise of press freedom by the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States and California Education Code 48907. Signed editorials and columns reflect the views of the writer. Letters to the editor and guest commentaries are encouraged and must be signed, although anonymity can be granted on a case-bycase basis. The editorial board reviews letters to the editor, advertising and guest commentaries and reserves the right to edit and refuse material. Reasons can include length, clarity, libel, obscenity, material disruption of the educational process at Granite Bay High School or violation of copyright laws.

Send Letters to the Editor to staff.gazette@gmail.com Identification Statement GRANITE BAY GAZETTE PUBLISHED EIGHT TIMES PER ACADEMIC YEAR c/o Granite Bay High School 1 Grizzly Way Granite Bay, CA 95746 Subscriptions: $25 per year/ $15 per half year

much I will like a person or even admire them. I think many people, in their chasing of future success, forget the importance of the present. We should never compromise our integrity for benefits that are far in the future. That is why I am often moved more by people’s n the narrative we tell ourselves, success matkindness, humility, positivity, acceptance of others ters. Most people believe that with success, other and a whole slew of other traits I value more than people will view us differently, and as a result, success in the traditional sense. we’ll be able to view ourselves differently. However, these people are truly the successful ones To me and to most people I know, success – whatbecause they make real differences in ever externally-defined version the lives of the people around them. of success we believe in – is The problem is not that we value interchangeable with feelings of success but that we are obsessed with validation, fulfillment and love. labelling success by titles, awards or As our senior class prepares monetary sums. for college, thoughts of the Success shouldn’t be so easy to future are ever-present in our define. minds. We are left to evaluate It should not be defined by any what college and what career we one thing, we should not confine it will ambitiously pursue upon to such a narrow train of thought. graduating. Success is more valuable than we When we dream of a future, traditionally think of it. Instead of we are often misled to dream of trying to define it we should appreciprestigious career titles, of fancy ate it instead. cars and of grandiose houses. We are successful if we are loving We are told by the media to ayung2.gazette@gmail.com toward others. We are successful if we dream of tangible possessions, open up necessary dialogues about real-world issues. because culture has us idolize those with money and We are successful if we persevere. affluence. We are successful for a whole variety of reasons, However, when I think of those who make a real none of which should relate to which college we atdifference in my life and the community I live in, those I truly admire, I don’t necessarily think of those tend or which career we eventually have. who are considered successful. *** I realized that success is never a marker for how Ashley Yung, a senior, is a senior editor.

COMMENTARY

Assistant Editors: Sophie Criscione Shreya Dodballapur Kate Fernandez Emerson Ford Maya Snow Staff: Hasan Alsakati Piper Bacon Payton Blevins Ethan Case Alexis Craig Julia Golovey Thomas Gray Justin Ha Sophia Harimoto JJ Hill Mareesa Islam Diana Jones Bradyn Kesti Aspen Kingsley Lindsey Magno Gabby Mathis Drew McKown Sarah Reitz Amaan Saini Simi Singh Sandy Song Adviser: Karl Grubaugh

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ashley yung

Gazette illustration/KATE FERNANDEZ

Politics have come for comedy

Entertainment has been influenced by the political turmoil that dominates news Nobody wants to hear Stephen But some people would rather put Colbert rip into Trump for about the their remote down feeling depressed 100th time. rather than laughing. It was funny at first, but the re There is a reason why Stephen Colpeated gafs of politicians have stalled bert is flourishing while the less-politand made us question if late-night ical Jimmys (Fallon and Kimmel) are comedy is dictated by whatever struggling to keep up, even though Trump tweets next. Americans seem to have favorable Almost 100% of Colbert’s monoopinions about the latter. logues in the past three months have The edgy humor is attractive, and been about poliviewers are more tics, even though likely to watch the the late show is not controversial comsupposed to act as edy than something a news source. that makes them Just look at the smile. number of political Personally I feel comedy shows that like a lot of people have gotten their watch political comstart since Trump’s edy to keep up with rise to power. trends and news rather than to have Gazette illustration/KATE FERNANDEZ “Full Frontal,” with Samantha a pleasant viewing the insanity of it all. Bee, “Patriot experience, which It was funny at first, but as 2019 Act,” with Hasan has caused witty comes to an end, the ceaseless jokes Minahj, “The Jim comedy to morph jha.gazette@gmail.com about the commander in chief and Jefferies Show,” into soulless news. politics in general has left a bad taste and the “Opposition,” just to name a The hysteria the Trump train has in our mouths, leaving us to ask – is few, have all gotten their start thanks left in our culture is changing what comedy too political? to the tempestuous political climate. we watch and how we spend our The main problem is the oversatura- When did it become OK for the time. tion. main source of news to be SNL? Viewers seem unable to turn their It is nothing new for shows like Maybe it’s OK for Seth Meyers to attention from the seductive nature SNL to talk about current events. It talk about Trump’s hair, but I would of political humor and it is hurting makes sense – comedy is linked to say his brand should not be in the comedy as a whole. shared experiences, and the whole business of joking about kids in cages It seems like no matter how hard world is collectively turning their eyes or the latest shooting. comedians try, they can’t outrun the toward the White House. Comedy should be an escape from news cycle. The only problem is that there is our everyday lives and an opportunity *** just too much news in our comedy to take shelter from the outside world Justin Ha, a freshman, now. with the comfort of humor. is a staff writer

COMMENTARY

n the months leading up to Donald Trump’s election in 2017, there was a series of Saturday Night Live skits about the debates that rapidly grew in popularity. After each debate, there was sure to be a skit poking fun at the candidates in front of millions of viewers. The first few skits grew into a dozen and then a few more each week, until all of a sudden the political skits were running rampant across the web. And then Trump was sworn in. That’s when it began. Trump is everywhere. That is all anyone talks about. It is Trump mania, and the comedians of the world are more than happy to capitalize on

justin ha

Voices

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Granite Bay Gazette wFriday, October 11, 2019

Muslim Americans face hardships Being fearful of judgment and discrimination can get in the way of one’s true religious identity

’ve felt it too many times, the deep stares during attendance, the turning of heads at the mention of my last name. It all seems too familiar to me. For all of my 11 years of formal schooling, growing up as a Muslim-American has been, for the lack of better words, a journey.

Gazette illustration/KATE FERNANDEZ

I am not usually the one to bring up religion. In fact, I tend to dodge questions fired at me regarding the topic simply because of my own insecurities. The fear of judgment and the fear of not belonging often reigns my self conscious. I am blessed enough to understand that I have grown up in, for the most part, a multicultural and accepting community. Still, I have been my own primary source of fear and discrimination. Growing up, I felt self-conscious about how others viewed me as a Muslim-American, especially with the rise of Islamic terrorist attacks. Every time a new catastrophe hit, I would sit there, hoping the suspect lacked an Islamic name. Hoping that we Muslims would not feel blamed for the actions of unforgivable

COMMENTARY

mareesa islam mislam.gazette@gmail.com

and violent individuals. This stigma, this fear of judgment, has remained inside of me for as long as I can remember, causing me to feel ashamed of my religion. Despite knowing that I am indeed accepted into society no matter my religion or last name, the idea of being misunderstood overrides my confidence. Religion is not to blame. This form of community has been abused and mistreated by extremist fundamentalists as an excuse for their horrid acts. I should not question the validity of my identity based on ignorance within the world. I will not stand behind my own fear to hide my true religion. I will not be the enemy of myself. *** Mareesa Islam, a junior, is a staff writer

Graffiti artwork should no longer be a crime There are many forms of artistic expression, and it should not be limited to the traditional forms that many people recognize, like painting or drawing

hen individuals think of art, the first thing that might have popped up in their head is the infamous work of Picassco or the entertaining tutorials by Bob Ross, but there is more to art than just the paintings that we all recognize. There is no formal definition that says that art is restricted to just paintings or drawings, and graffiti art is just as valid as these other forms. In the United States, unless specifically allowed by the property owner, graffiti is against the law. While there is currently no formal movement to change

COMMENTARY

this law, graffiti is used to express many different types of emotions and perspectives and should not be criminalized. Take the “instafamous” angel wings project in Los Angeles. The reason the artist created these wings was “to remind humanity that we are the

angels of Earth,” said Colette Miller, the creator of the movement, in an interview with Discover Los Angeles. Miller has used her platform to spread positivity through graffiti art for everyone to see and share with others. I think Miller is not only doing good on her part for spreading positivity to the world, but also by destigmatizing the art of graffiti. Graffiti has been a part of my life since birth. My upbringing was in San Francisco, where I was surrounded by many pieces of graffiti art. Graffiti not only shaped me as the person I am today by influencGazette illustration/KATE FERNANDEZ ing my passion for art, but

lindsey magno lmagno.gazette@gmail.com

also by teaching me how to be able to express my creativity and let it run wild beyond a piece of paper. And as someone who grew up with graffiti all around me, I hate seeing a piece of my childhood being considered a crime. *** Lindsey Mangno, a freshman, is a staff writer

Your parents’ hard-earned money isn’t yours to flex Teenagers in Granite Bay need to learn to separate themselves from the privilege of having money that they didn’t work to obtain

rust me; I get it. I really do. On a certain become familiarized with the satisfaction of buylevel, it makes sense. ing something minus the effort put in to be able When the direct deposit goes through to afford it. Instead of hiking to the summit, your bank or the cash is in your hands, you feel you used daddy’s credit card to Uber there but good. You can buy whatever become convinced you still you want. walked the path. Parents are usually pretty Those who wish to utilize keen on allotting you a sum of their parents’ money are their hard-earned cash if you never the silent minority, think you need clothes (even either. In fact, they tend to if you sometimes really don’t). be the most outspoken of the There’s nothing wrong with bunch. that. They will worm it into However, a problem can arise others’ minds that their perwhen you become accustomed sonal value is great, possibly to using money that isn’t yours. greater than their peers for You start to think that you respect and encouragement. made it yourself. Once they become encourWhen you decide to purge aged by their peers, their your bank account of its value psyche sinks deeper. Rinse jhill.gazette@gmail.com on a new phone or bag, it feels and repeat. good. You experienced the months of hard work, What causes this vicious cycle? Is it parents’ dedication, saving and self-control it took to get willingness to spoil their children and wreak havthere. It’s a reward for your discipline, the fruit oc on their perception of money, a far cry from of your labor. the normalized American dream of self-growth? On the opposite end of the spectrum, you can Are these attitudes a byproduct of the times, a

COMMENTARY

shadow of the materialistic fabric our society is founded on? I think it’s a conglomeration of all options. We want to have nice things, so we ask for money when it isn’t necessary. We want to be liked, so we beg for approval through dishonesty. We like the satisfaction received through compliments, so we do it again. It’s about time we stopped. Nobody is jealous of your Gucci belt when you are clearly lying about buying it on your own. This complete

lack of self-awareness is atomically detrimental to both your own mental state and success later on in life. When you spend the entirety of high school bragging about the money you never earned, you’re going to fall back into the same habits in college, but this time your parents aren’t going to be there, and you’re not going to know where to go next. *** JJ Hill, a senior, is a staff writer

jj hill

Gazette illustration/KATE FERNANDEZ

Voices

Granite Bay Gazette wFriday, October 11, 2019

To trick or to treat

Young adults must learn to be more empathetic on Halloween night

f you are a high school student who is going trick or treating this year, you have to be polite, wear a costume and you should not be driving from house to house just grabbing buckets of candy. If you are a teen and expecting to get candy from my house, there are definitely some expectations that I will have for you. First of all, you need to dress your part! Do not come to my doorstep wearing your school clothes, because the main part of Halloween is dressing up in a creative costume. You do not have to go all out, but please do not come to my house with no costume and just a pillowcase in hand. I wouldn’t consider driving from house to house as trick or treating. If you want candy, go drive to Safeway and buy a bag of candy for $5, instead of begging for candy at somebody’s door. And while it might seem obvious, I would also say that teenagers need to make sure they are respectful. There are always those houses where they leave a bucket of candy

outside of their door and have a sign that single house. specifically says, “Take one.” Staying at home and giving out candy is But then again, there are always those way more reasonable than a 17-year-old goteenagers who come up ing to houses and asking for to those houses and take candy from adults who are all of the candy out of the the same height as you are. bowl. That is so rude and Just find a way to have fun disrespectful, especially on this holiday, but don’t fail when people take the to go all out on your costume time out of their day to and then sabotage all of the put out candy. houses for their candy that Honestly, Halloween they specifically bought for is more for the little ones, the younger kids. so if you are over 16, be This Halloween be resure to make way for the spectful of the people around younger ones who genuyou. inely enjoy the holiday. If you are respectful, I’ll When you are older, have no problem with you Halloween should be going out and trick or treatdmckown.gazette@gmail.com more of a get-togethering this Halloween, and neiwith- friends-and-go-to-a-haunted-house ther will anyone else enjoying the holiday. type of thing. Not go out and scare little *** kids with your freaky zombie costume and Drew Mckown, a freshman, snatch all of the candy from every is a staff writer

COMMENTARY

drew mckown

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HEARD on the BAY How do you feel about the open-door policy regarding school bathrooms?

I don’t think it violates your privacy because there are stalls.

kiera mogensen freshman

It’s not fair because some of the students have to suffer because of the kids who don’t follow the rules.

Reasons to adopt family pets

Alternatives to buying a furry friend help to improve the lives of many

ver since I can remember, I have wanted a dog. A best friend, a great companion and a partner in crime. When I was 10 years old, I threw an awesome birthday party. The theme was dogs. We ate a big cake, sang songs and danced. But the most memorable part was making beds and toys with my friends for the animals in our local shelter. The next day I went to the animal shelter arms full of about 20 beds and 30 toys for the animals there. When I walked in, my heart sank. Animals were crammed in beds. Some were barking like crazy, and others were shaking in the back corner of their cage. After that day, I have wanted

to help get as many animals out of the shelter as possible. But first I wanted to get a dog of my own. After years of begging my parents, they finally gave in. My sister has a severe allergy to dog, hair so we couldn’t adopt from a shelter because, at the time, none were hypo allergenic. Although I do love my dog, I regret not being able to open up my home to animals in need. Every day, millions of animals are brought home to their new families. But lately, sheltered pets are being overlooked because purebreds are thought of as more desirable. What people don’t understand is the best addition to a family is sitting in a small cage, scared and alone.

According to the American But it’s not just stray dogs. Society for the Prevention Puppy mills are breeding faciliof Cruelty to Animals, more ties where dogs of all shapes and than 6.5 million animals enter sizes are left without food or shelters nationwide every year. water for days at a time. Not Unfortunately, only that, but out of the 6.5 none of the resimillion that dents in puppy enter, some mills get proper 1.5 million veterinary care. get euthanized I know it yearly. seems as if we In animal can’t help every shelters you animal in need, can find the but every adoptperfect pet. ed pet leads to a Around the better future for world, all kinds everyone. of animals are Though one stuck in hordog being rible situations. adopted won’t gmathis.gazette@gmail.com When I went help every anito Costa Rica, there were dogs mal in need, every step counts. *** left and right begging for food. Gabby Mathis, a freshman, Some were so skinny you could is a staff writer count the ribs on their sides.

EDITORIAL The voice of the Granite Bay Gazette

many teens have been dragged into this. Vape products offered are practically irresistible, and the advertising for such products has been directly aimed at the impressionable young adults who are now addicted. The reason why this trend has been so deeply disappointing to so many people is likely because our society was so close to having its first

sophomore

COMMENTARY

gabby mathis

Vaping is causing a nicotine epidemic hen the vaping trend began to spread among teens, there was a popular narrative that it was harmless, as it was “just water.” Now with multiple deaths which have occurred across the country and more illnesses being reported every week, it has become clear that the vape pens, once thought by teens and many others to be safe, aren’t safe at all. To call this trend an epidemic would be an understatement. You don’t need to look far to find an instance of this vaping epidemic – teens can be seen vaping on Snapchat, in school bathrooms or even in class. And it’s no mystery why so

brett ott

nicotine-free generation. For decades, millions have suffered from nicotine addictions and in turn nicotinerelated illnesses, and because of diligent efforts in recent years, it seemed that we were very close to eliminating the problem. But now, it seems like we are back at square one, leaving us wondering how to move forward with this issue. There isn’t one single answer to the problem, and there are so many factors to take into consideration that it’s hard to imagine ever finding a solution. However, it’s important that we stay persistent when tackling the problem, because if we succeeded in the past,

we can surely succeed in the future. We need to at least try. The teens who have become addicted in this process are not the problem, big tobacco companies are the problem. It is here where we should begin tackling this monstrous epidemic if we want to make any progress at all. As a society, we have been fighting this adversity for so long, and this setback is discouraging in many ways. But we are not without hope. While the illnesses that have been recently reported are tragic, they have also served as a grave warning to those who haven’t yet become addicted, and to those who are still able to quit without too many difficulties.

I feel like it’s unnecessary but has good roots.

beau boyan junior

I feel like it violates my privacy because you (can) easily see inside the bathrooms.

ean mayhew senior

I think it’s sad that it’s come to this.

amelie rider staff

Compiled by ETHAN CASE

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Current

Granite Bay Gazette wFriday, October 11, 2019

Second Look GBHS students sit back and enjoy the music at the first-ever Concert In The Quad

ď ˇJunior Alex Paperno smiles as she hears the crowd cheer, top right. Junior Hailee Smith, top left, spins around junior Mandy Walling for a photo. A tattoo artist, center, sprays a funky design on a studentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s arm. An art piece painted by senior Sophie Densham is displayed, middle right. Students look at all the beautiful paintings in the quad, middle left. As the night comes to a close, bottom left, seniors Tasia Thorsteinson, Sofia Arias and Jack Dugoni enjoy the last few performances.

Gazette photos by Lindsey Zabell