The Silver Spur: October 13, 3017

Dallin Dunn makes lockdown lavatory kits for his Boy Scouts Eagles Project.

The Hype Team brings enthusiam and spirit to the student section and excitement to the games.

Field hockey is on the path to maintaining their CIF Champians title this year.

News 2

Features 6

Sports 8

theSilverSpur Rancho Bernardo High School

October 13 Issue 2017

the RB Experience

RB EXPERIENCE- students at homecoming asembly wear free blue shirts provided by ASB

Photo by Marisol Ortega; Edited by Zachary Zidarevich

Administration introduces the “RB Experience” Munira Ali Opinions Editor RB High is known for its constant strive to improve the campus and the culture that surrounds it. Whether it be through the addition of more academic classes, or the involvement of students within the over 80 clubs on campus, RB High celebrates its diversity and continues to foster social and academic development for its

students. In doing so, the “RB Experience” has been initiated by administration to start the conversation between students, teachers, and parents for what they want RB High to be.

The “RB Experience” aims to culminate in a statement created by staff, teachers, parents and students about who we are and what ideas we believe in as a school. The process starts, however, with a collection of feedback from all perspectives to figure out

the good, the bad, and what can be changed.

“The ‘RB Experience’ is an attempt to answer the why, primarily why are we doing what we are doing?” Principal Dave LeMaster said.

Once the feedback has been collected, conversations on the different elements and pieces that make up the statement can begin.

RB EXPERIENCE page 2

ASB provides all Broncos with spirit shirts

Emma Rooholfada Lifestyle Editor The beginning of the school year has brought back many of students’ favorite events, including homecoming, concerts and football games, but RB High also began a new tradition this year.

At this year’s homecoming assembly, the stands were painted blue with new Bronco-blue shirts courtesy of ASB.

Sophomore Christina Hartley introduced the idea to ASB last year as a way to garner more spirit and pride within RB High. She then created dozens of designs until the best one was selected.

“At the school I went to before I came here, we always had class shirts,” Hartley said. “It was fun to wear a school shirt and be proud of that, and I felt like [RB] didn’t really have a lot of school spirit.”

ASB helped cover part of the cost of the the shirts by asking

for donations at registration and back-to-school night. They plan to supply freshmen with the same shirts in the coming years so that they can take part in the festivities as well. Since ASB provided the shirts at no charge, the cost of the project was high, so they plan to only change the shirt design every few years.

SHIRTS page 2

In This Issue

| Sports - 8

RB High’s Digital Media class gets new updates to its program

Why are costumes dying out

Hannah Park

The rise in costume prices and maturity expected of students may play a part in why students no longer dress up.

Staff Writer

| Lifestyle - 11

Most of you have seen a Bronco TV episode, but many of you do not realize what actually goes into the making of each episode, and the expansion that the program has undergone over the last two years.

Just this year, the program, through grants from alumni, received not only two new cameras, but a new drone, as well as accessories.

One thing the department got this year was two Red Scarlet Weapons (or Ws) which were given by alumni and cost an estimated $30,000. The cameras are much smaller than the other cameras and much easier to transport and use.

“The Quality is fantastic; the focus range is amazing, and the colors are beautiful, plus it’s small, so you can take it anywhere,” senior Sabrina Darion, who has been part of the program all four years of her high school career, said.

The program now also has a new drone, an Inspire drone that can cost anywhere between $2,000 and $5,000 dollars. The drone makes filming Friday night football games easier and gives the footage a better quality. The footage is livestreamed during games, and used for Bronco TV episodes. Students like Faire Wood and Jacob Usydus, who are already capable with the drones, can hone and expand their skills.

ice tea vs. Chilled tea There is a definite difference between chilled tea and iced tea, and the tea industry must recognize that.

| Opinions - 5

Football Football is hoping for a good year as the new varsity team gains more experienced players.

Madrigals win $2,500 in competition and sing with Foreigner

Friday the 13th is here Ghosts, goblins and spooks galore, witches knocking in the moonlight to wish you a haunting Halloween night.

| Backpage - 12

Issue Special 13 spooky spiders have hidden in the corners and crevices of this Halloween special issue of The Silver Spur. See if you can find all 13!

Upcoming events

Improv Show When: October 26, 2017, 7 p.m.

Where: Rancho Bernardo PAC Details: Tickets are sold at $5 in front of the PAC on the day of the event.

ASVAB Test When: November 2, 7:30 a.m.

Where: RB High School Details: Sign ups for the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery test at the end of Sept.

MADRIGALS - (from L to R) Madrigal students sing with rock band Foreigner; Madrigal class of 2017-18 pose for photo Photos courtesty of Desiree Bates

Sydni Zidarevich News Editor On Aug. 29, RB High’s Madrigals gained the opportunity of a lifetime, to sing with rock-band Foreigner through a contest put on by a local radio-station, 101.5KGB. According to the San Diego UnionTribune, Foreigner has invited school choirs onstage with them for the past eight years. The choirs not only get to perform with Foreigner, but the winning music program is awarded a cash grant. The Foreigner contest has been held in various cities throughout the years, such as Chicago, and the requirements have changed. The audition tape requirement was originally only one minute long, and the grand prize was only $1,000.

This year, the GRAMMY Foundation granted $500 to the top-

five finalists out of over 500 schools; the top-four finalists at the end of the overall competition at the Sleep Train Amphitheater received another $500, while the first-place winner received $2,500.

“

We already knew our parts; we knew the choreography, and it was a song we all loved singing.”

-Aicha Mabene, senior

RB High was awarded $2,500, bringing home a grand total of $3,000 to the RB Bronco Music Program.

“The contest was actually brought to our attention by one of our parents, Reinhard Siedenburg’s dad, Chris.

He approached us and told us about it, and I contacted the radio station telling them I was interested,” said

Music Director Lisa Friedrichs. “At the time the audition tape was due, we were actually preparing our Pops Concert, so we just had our platforms out. I asked Bronco TV to record us, and I had Madrigals line-up and just sing to the cameras.”

The senior and president of Madrigals, Aicha Mabene, said that because they were in the middle of preparing for their Pops Concert, they decided to use the song “Bohemian Rhapsody” by Queen and Paul Rodgers: “We already knew our parts; we knew the choreography, and it was a song we all loved singing.”

However, the rock-song audition tape could be no longer than three minutes, while “Bohemian Rhapsody” is a seven-minute-long song.

MADRIGALS page 2

BRONCO TV page 2

2 News

theSilverSpur

October 13, 2017

The “RB Experience” con’t. RB Broncos show off spirit with their blue about culture, and who we are, and what our belief is,” LeMaster said. “They are a fabric of what we do, but now we can take a step back and look at the overarching Of course, with the varying population at experience that helps support those RB High, also come the varying opinions, things. Since we have accomplished those these meetings will be held for everyone three initiatives, it seems like a natural including parents to raise their concerns and progression because now we can focus on objections. having that conversation about who we The last few years at RB High have are.” undoubtedly been full of changes.

The RB Experience has a goal to not only Implementing new state standards for all make a set of rules and guidelines according subjects, making the to the beliefs of the change to a quarter They are a fabric of what people who make system, and the focus up our school, but it we do, but now we can around interventions also hopes to create and efforts to close a more safer, diverse, take a step back and the achievement gap and accepting campus look at the overarching have been prioritized. for all. However, with experience that helps However, with these the constant changes in things in progress, our practices according support those things. concentrating on the to policies, policies, -David LeMaster, culture that surrounds and course offerings, RB High was the these statements will Principal next important step also have to evolve. to building a better There needs to be school. some flexibility so that it can be broad,” “The last five years have been focused LeMaster said. “For example, the term on those three things, and it’s not about “21st-century learner” meant something simply being done with those things, but else 10 years ago than it does today, so there we are now at a point where we can talk should be room for interpretation.”

RB T-SHIRTS FROM 1

RB EXPERIENCE FROM 1

A common theme around school this year has been the RB Experience. Many staff members and groups on campus have considered ways to increase the social aspect of high school by making more opportunities for students to engage in activities such as pep rallies, tailgates and spirit days. In doing so, they hope to redefine and expand the definition of the RB Experience.

“Part of going to school is being part of the school culture,” AP U.S. History teacher Susan Michelena said.

“No matter our differences, we all come together and are part of the RB Experience.”

The shirts were undoubtedly successful in promoting more school spirit. Many students and staff were both shocked and thrilled to see so many students take part in Bronco-blue Friday.

“The idea of everyone coming together and wearing the same shirt was amazing,” Michelena said. “I took pictures of all my classes and tweeted them out, and I would say 95 percent of the students had on the T-shirts.”

“

Bronco TV Madrigals wins a chance to continued sing with Foreigner

Although the shirts were well received by students and staff, Hartley initially feared that many would not appreciate the idea.

“I was expecting more negative opinions, but hearing all the good things about [the shirts] made me happy,” Hartley said.

Now that every student has a Broncoblue shirt, the infamous, “I didn’t dress up because I don’t have any spiritwear” excuse is no longer valid. From here on out, every Bronco-blue Friday should be as blue as Homecoming Friday.

“There’s so many different T-shirt designs, and with Hype Team doing their shirts, I don’t expect people to

Photo courtesy of Desiree Bates CHOIR CONCERT- Madrigals on stage with rock band Foreigner. school’s competing against schools.”

MADRIGALS FROM 1 “The whole competition was based on the audience’s applause, kind of like American Idol “We had to cut the song down a fair and such; it was audience judged, so the louder amount,” Friedrichs said. “Not only that, but and the more claps from the audience, the higher in the audition tape that we submitted in May, the chance of winning,” said Friedrichs. “We we had seniors who were no longer students came onto the stage, and the song begins ‘Is this here at RB in August when the competition the real life,’ and by life, the whole crowd just was. So I had to contact the radio station and erupted; we were singing a song they all knew. make sure that was allowed, and we actually When Tommy Martinez (a graduated senior) had four of our graduating seniors come back went up there and did the air guitar, I mean, the to sing with us during the actual competition.” crowd just erupted; they went crazy.”

Even though Madrigals is the varsity group Despite some obstacles, the Madrigals of our choirs, singing in the Sleep Train rose to the top.

Amphitheater is a much grander venue than “When I heard that we won, I cheered they are used to. so loudly,” senior and Vice President Rush “When we first arrived at the amphitheater, Taylor said. “I was so proud of us, and so I really didn’t feel like there was anything happy our hard work paid off. I’ll never different about this performance in forget seeing all the flashing lights in the comparison to others. It was when we were audience; it was amazing.” all standing backstage, waiting to perform With new music and new voices, when the jitters hit me,” Mabene said. singing with Foreigner was just the “Hearing the audience clap and chant, that’s beginning of the Madrigals’ journey this when it got to me that this is real, not just school year.

Photo by Marisol Ortega

wear these at the games,” Hartley said.

“But if there’s a home game, I expect everyone to be wearing some type of Bronco-blue shirt because they can’t use the excuse that they don’t have one.”

While ASB can create spirit days and provide shirts for the students, it is essentially up to the students to create their own RB Experience. On Homecoming Friday, the students used the shirts they were given to reinvent the RB Experience as we know it, and it is up to them to continue to keep this flame alive for the rest of the school year and the years to come.

Junior makes Lockdown Lavatories for every classroom on campus year, the Lockdown Lavatories could be benefited and prove useful should a similar situation arise again.

Last year’s lockdown lasted about 2 hours, and some students needed the restroom after being in class for so long.

As there are none inside of classrooms, a solution was needed so that trashcans would not need to be used again as a restroom.

And so, when Dunn approached the administration with his design, the assembly of the kits began.

Most teachers have spoke of the idea with praise.

“I think it’s an awesome idea,” English teacher Colleen Montgomery said. “My classroom isn’t attached to any others, and there is no hallway or closet, so it is a better solution than nothing, but I hope we never have to use it.”

Though Montgomery did not have class in her room at the time of the lockdown, she still recognizes that if she had, there would have been a high likelihood a student would have had to use the restroom.

Lemaster shared Montgomery’s words of praise and has a great appreciation for all the work that Dunn has done, using him as an example for what he has called the “RB Experience.”

“That to me is the RB experience,” Lemaster said. “When you have a student who sees a need, raises the money, takes the time to plan it out, and fills the need, and makes RB a better school.

It’s a good example of what the RB Experience looks like in a student doing something that is positive to make RB a better school.”

Harshawn Ratanpal Features Editor

BRONCO TV FROM 1

The drone, the new cameras, and the new accessories also come in handy for the digital media internship, because RB High has the best equipment and facility for the program.

Though it was only open to students from RB High last year, the internship is now open to students from all over the Poway Unified School District and is currently composed of three students from Del Norte and Westview, as well as three from RB High.

The Internship, founded by the digital media teacher, Ross Kallen, and the Poway Unified Communications Director Christine Paik, aims to showcase the dedication of Poway Unified to college and career readiness, as well as some of the outstanding programs funded by PUSD. For example, one of the videos uploaded to the PUSD website, featured the STEM program at Twin Peaks Middle School that received a grant last year and not only helps get minorities and females involved in STEM, but actively imitates a real-life workplace that prepares students for life after high school.

The Digital Media internship itself is beneficial to help prepare students for work in the film and broadcast journalism industry.

The students get hands-on experience with cameras, editing software, as well as communication skills unparalleled in other programs.

“Everybody switches around jobs, so no matter what you’re interested in you can learn more than one skill, and almost all of what you learn is hands on and ultimately useful later,” Darion said.

“The Internship is much more flexible than Digital Media and allows you to work on more than just what you’re good at and expand your skill set.” Darion is not only a member of the internship but a Bronco TV producer as well.

In order to qualify for the internship, students must fill out an application and go through an interview process. They look for students who are passionate about the district and want to be there, rather than those simply looking to fill a space.

Students like Darion who have been in the program for a few years also make short films, many of which are featured on the Student Projects YouTube channel.

Another student part of the internship is Noelle Betz. She has won several awards for films, the most notable being those she received for “Unmedicated.”

The film is a short documentary chronicling life off of antidepressants.

It has won some five awards overall as well as a grant that won the Digital Media program $500.

Grants from alumni and students like Betz have allowed our program to flourish and thrive and even include students from outside RB High so that they too can experience the way in which Digital Media prepares students for careers in the film or broadcast journalism industry.

RB Experience- Broncos gather together and wear their spirit shirts.

After problems related to the lockdown last year, RB High has provided each classroom with kits in case of another lockdown. The kits contain items needed if students need to use the restroom after a prolonged lockdown.

The kits distributed in early October were designed by junior Dallin Dunn as part of his Eagle Scout project. In order for a Boy Scout to get promoted to an Eagle Scout, he must complete a project that benefits his community. Dunn took the initiative to create these kits and assembled them from scratch to include a blue bucket, a biohazard bag, and a cover lined in poly tubing to hold the bag in place while acting as a toilet seat. Also included are basic supplies, such as toilet paper, hand sanitizer, and a curtain.

“It is a necessity for kids that are in that situation to use the restroom,” Dunn said, “so instead of using trash cans, I made a kit, in this case, the buckets to avoid future accidents.”

The kits were purchased from Lowes of Poway after they gave us a discount on the supplies. The project included enough kits to place one in every classroom; the project cost around $800, and it was funded by the PTSA. “It’s one of those things that you hope you never have to use it,” said principal David Lemaster, who thought they were an incredible idea, “but it’s in place if we do.”

Lemaster said that after the events of last

New teachers and staff members join RB High Tish Bates

Elizabeth Bowers

As the new student services specialist, also known as the Program’s Office, Elizabeth Bowers helps to meet students’ emotional, social, and academic needs, helping them be successful students in school and in the real world. For Bowers, helping her students try to figure out the up and downs of high school is fundamental in how well they perform in the classroom. “[Students] need to be in the right space to be ready to learn and to be in the classroom,” said Bowers.

In her free time, Bowers enjoys going to the beach to relax and to learn how to surf.

Following the now retired Patricia Rock, Bowers looks forward to getting to know our Broncos and building relationships.

Joining RB High’s counseling staff as an interventional counselor, Tish Bates follows up with students who are struggling in their classes, while also helping them to pass their classes and graduate. As of now, Bates is focusing on underclassmen, specifically freshmen, to get off to a good start and to build a strong foundation in high school. Bates splits her time between RB High on Wednesdays and Thursdays and Del Norte on Mondays and Tuesdays, rotating on Fridays. Some Broncos may recognize Bates from when she subbed in for Counselor Maureen Changnon, and now as part of the staff, Bates looks forward to getting to know all the new faces.

Photo by Marisol Ortega

Leonie Maneevone

Lynn Nakagawa

Photo by Marisol Ortega

After subbing for Secretary Arlene Alper last year, Lynn Nakagawa has officially found her permanent home among the administrative staff at RB High. She can be found in the counseling office, helping students and answering questions they may have.

Before settling in at RB High, Nakagawa loved to volunteer in and around the county. She graduated from UCSD with a degree in math and computer science and hopes to apply her knowledge in these fields as an administrative assistant at the school. Other than being a secretary to Assistant Principal Yael Bozzay, Nakagawa is also in charge of organizing Saturday school sessions and four-and-a-half-period classes for our students.

Photo Photo by

by Marisol Marisol Ortega Ortega

Photo by Marisol Ortega

While traveling may be one of her passions, Leonie Maneevone is equally passionate about teaching students.

Maneevone has been teaching history for 16 years, and she is continuing to teach world history as well as honors history. Maneevone primarily looked at our campus to make her commute easier; however, it was the atmosphere of RB High that really attracted her to our school. Maneevone looks forward to getting involved on campus and sharing her love for travel and experiencing other cultures and countries with her students.

“I think it’s important to experience other cultures,” said Maneevone, “and that’s what I grew up experiencing.”

Articles by Munira Ali

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October 13, 2017

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4 Opinions

theSilverSpur

October 13, 2017

Online classes are beneficial to students who need to fit other classes in their schedule Sarah Yuen Backpage Editor Even though the four-by-four schedule allows for kids to cram more classes into the school year, some students are still finding themselves in a time crunch. While some students have afterschool commitments or are dedicated to a year-round elective class, they may stand face-to-face with the problem of a totally filled schedule, scratching their heads and wondering how they can free up some space. In my case, I was having trouble planning out my schedule to fit in journalism along with the required academics when “lo and behold,” I found out about the benefits of online classes.

When I went after school to the first meeting of the online world history classroom, I was pleasantly surprised to find that online classes can be done at home completely at the student’s leisure. That weekend, I got on my computer and decided to blaze through the week’s homework that had probably accumulated, but, again, I was surprised to find that an entire week’s work only took about an hour and a half to

complete. I was relieved, as it seemed that this class would be an easy A. Currently, there are five online classes being offered at RB High: health science, physics, zoology, U.S. history, and world history. Out of the five, three of these classes are required for graduation, meaning students can take online classes and free up space. To those who take an elective every semester or spend hours at outside commitments after school, getting required classes out of the way can be a blessing.

“They’re less time-consuming and help you with time management,” sophomore Elise Zhao said. “For band, now I have more time to practice and have rehearsals and everything.”

Compared to my classmates who take traditional world history, I’m cutting down on both time in class and homework time. On top of that, at the end of the semester, I’ll still receive the same credits I would for the at-school course. Considering this, one may ask: how is it that online classes can get away with being so much easier?

“In terms of the seat time, [students] don’t have to put in the same number of hours in the classroom,” Principal Dave

Lemaster said. “But in terms of the expectations and the content, they should be covering the same materials. So it may not be the same delivery style, but if the content being delivered and taught is the same, then it should line up.”

According to Principal Lemaster, online classes are offered when teachers who are interested volunteer.

When the class gets approved, those teachers will then spend time creating the course according to curriculum standards and then model it after the traditional course.

One downside to an online classes, however, is that it lacks the social interaction that can only be established in a classroom. While some students may want to pose questions to the teacher, it can be much less convenient to send and wait for an e-mail, as opposed to going to the teacher’s desk during class.

“I just like the classroom environment a lot more,” sophomore Sandy Tran said. “All the students and activities make it more interesting, and you learn more, too.”

With the seemingly simplified course option that online classes present,

Traditional wooden pencils

vs

Features Editor In the strive for academic perfection, every detail is important. Whether it be what color you highlighted your APEC homework in, whether you used Shmoop or Sparknotes for the chapter you were supposed to read, or what to doodle in your math spiral, special attention and consideration must be allotted to every decision. Among the more important of determinations is what type of writing instrument to use. Assuming a pen is out of the question, a decision must be made; should a classical wooden pencil be used, or a mechanical one? Once the arguments for both are made, it becomes evident that the only logical choice is the wooden instrument, with a plethora of evidence to ease one’s conscience into the decision, as well as an abundance of defenses to all it’s criticisms.

From a purely utilitarian angle, the classic pencil reigns supreme in relation to it’s inferior mechanical counterpart. In a wooden pencil, everything you need to create is included with and an inseparable part of the pencil itself; the graphite, the eraser, and the refined wooden case. No extra parts to be purchased and no innate fear of losing parts. The same luxury is not afforded to mechanical pencil users, as lead is sold separately, and the eraser must be regularly replaced, leaving it prone to being lost.

A rebuttal often vocalized by mechanical activists is the extra parts are an inherent good, as it allows for the case of the pencil to be replaced, leading to an apparent lack of waste. However, this is an intellectually lacking argument, as shown by the concept of renewable resources. According to Oregon State University, “Renewable resources may be defined as resources that have the potential to be replaced over time by natural processes.” An example of this are trees, the very source of the wood of mechanical pencils.

In contrast, nonrenewable resources are “Renewable resources may be defined as resources that have the potential to be replaced over time by

natural processes,” such as the oil in the plastic that completely encases the mechanical pencil, an environmental atrocity.

Both the mechanical pencil and its users have a hard outer shell, the latter having a lack of compassion found in wooden pencil users. This is evident in one of the best features of using a wooden pencil: it’s selfless shareability. If another Bronco forgets something to write with, you can simply snap your pencil in half and sharpen the new pencil you just created. Sure, it may no longer last as long as the mechanical pencil would, but which is more valuable: helping others or helping yourself? Any decent person would choose the former, though that is irrelevant to the demographics of people who use mechanical pencils.

Another argument propagandized by those who disagree is one of consensus. Citing a self-taken survey in which “43 out of 46 Broncos prefer mechanical to regular pencils,” Polly Fitton of the Silver Spur uses this number as evidence of superiority of mechanical pencils. However, the inherent inadequacy of the subjects interviewed was not reviewed.

According to the University of Rochester Medical Center, “The rational part of a teen’s brain isn’t fully developed and won’t be until age 25 or so.” Therefore, a widespread survey of teens cannot be inherently trusted to make a rationally sound decision. This is not to say this fact makes their opinion invalid, just that a more rational source of people have more credibility, such as adults. In fact, according to the same university, “recent research has found that adult and teen brains work differently.

Adults think with the prefrontal cortex, the brain’s rational part. This is the part of the brain that responds to situations with good judgment and an awareness of long-term consequences,” as opposed to teens who “process information with the amygdala. This is the emotional part.”

Therefore if one were to make the argument for a type of pencil, it would be advantageous to use adults, preferably educated to convey that rationallythinking intelligent people.

Cartoon by Yssy Smiley

Modern Mechanical pencils

The case for the classic wooden pencil Harshawn Ratanpal

students may not be able to learn the subject with as much depth as they would in a normal class. Drastically cutting down time spent on the subject may also cause students to forget the content more easily.

Still, for those who think they can handle the isolated environment of online classes, this option provides a way for busy students to free up time.

According to Lemaster, student interest is a factor in whether online classes are created or not. Currently, there doesn’t seem to be much demand.

“We’ve put the online health, histories, physics, zoology classes on the CRF, and even though they’re on the course request form, they don’t always fill,” Lemaster said. “If there was a large demand for more online classes, I would definitely say we would want to consider offering more.”

So, online classes can be less timeconsuming, and, with a little discipline, be a great option. If students speak up and ask for them, even more online classes could be made available. For the band members, athletes, dancers, and other time-deprived students, there may be a golden opportunity here.

The case for the mechanical pencil

“I hate mechanical pencils,” said RB High principal David Lemaster. “You will never find a Polly Fitton mechanical pencil in my desk.”

Features Editor Lemaster’s biggest gripe with the writing instrument is their tendency to continuously Mechanical pencils have proven to be the break. Considering the constant need to click as most convenient and widely-used kind of the unfortified pencil lead breaks, it is completely pencil for a student to own. As opposed to rational to hold such a great disdain for mechanical the brittle, quick-to-dull wooden pencil of pencils, such as Lemaster does. the past, the mechanical pencil is neater and The position Lemaster has as principal is in surely more durable. 43 out of 46 Broncos prefer gives his argument more credibility, something the mechanical to regular pencils; as they become mechanical argument is evidently lacking. However, more common, you’re more likely to find consensus isn’t completely absent of inherent value, someone carrying extra lead than a sharpener and views from more than one credible source is for your blunt, old-fashioned ways. sure to make an argument stronger.

“I just think in this modern day and age “A mechanical pencil is far less likely to be it’s a lot more practical,” said Senior Kailey working,” Honors Humanities teacher Colleen Lyche. “Nobody carries around pencils Montgomery said. She was referring to the sharpeners, they carry around lead. It’s time multitude of mechanics in a mechanical pencils, to get with the future, it’s 2017.” making them more prone to breaking then it’s The majority of the student body tends to simple wooden counterpart. agree that mechanical pencils are generally She also believes the decision made by students is better to keep around. Carrying the regular not one rooted in objective practicality. pencil means you also need the sharpener “I think it starts when you’re in second grade,” that goes with it: the container full of messy Montgomery said, “and all the cool kids have pencil shavings that will eventually spill and mechanical pencils.” make a mess in your backpack or classroom.

So rather than focus on the practical advantages of Teachers usually have an electric sharpener wooden pencils, students typically think emotionally, in their classrooms, but such objects are loud such as in terms of what looks cooler. and disruptive to class learning.

“Wooden pencils don’t “If it gets dull you just click look as shiny or as fancy, but they it one more time--you work better, longer, and in don’t have to disrupt instances you don’t have class to sharpen your access to lead refills,” pencil,” said Senior she said. “They get the Hannah Garcia. job done.”

Regular pencils also require The wooden pencil higher maintenance. As workloads is the practical, increase, a quick (and environmental, and preferably erasable) tool is rational choice in the necessary for taking plenty strive for the better of notes and completing pencil, and will assist that homework as fast and much more in the strive thoroughly as possible. for academic perfection.

Cartoon by Samantha Yi Mechanical pencils are

far more efficient in the way they store lead away for immediate use.

“You have to constantly sharpen, but for mechanical you can just insert the lead, it’s much easier,” said Senior Jim Kang.

Senior Chloe Chose also prefers mechanical pencil. “You can just reload the lead and you don’t have to sharpen it over and over and over again,” Chose said.

When properly cared for, mechanical pencils can last so much longer than their constantly-sharpened opposites. You don’t need to carry so many extra pencils if you’re confident in your ability to keep track of one--and this one is less likely to snap in half or break in the middle than a normal wooden pencil.

Senior Jalen Rasoul also made an interesting point about mechanical pencils. “There’s less waste… you can use the pencil over and over again, so you’re just using the actual lead on the paper. With the wood pencil, the shavings go everywhere, it’s just a lot of unnecessary waste,” Rasoul said. The lead attached to the wooden shavings is bad for the environment, adding yet another benefit to mechanical pencil usage.

On a slightly shallower level, mechanical pencils have also been thought of as nicer-looking, as well as more comfortable to hold.

“It’s more efficient, and comfortable in the hand,” said Senior Grant Clark. Senior Aisha Mabene agreed.

“I like how it feels to hold it, and how it looks,” Mabene said.

Every year, classes change, teachers change, priorities change. More clubs and work means you need to be efficient in managing your assignments, and a mechanical pencil is the base of that efficiency. Let your quality of pencil show off the growing, ever-learning brains inside your head; let your pencil represent all that you find important.

When it comes to efficiency in payment methods, are credit cards better than cash?

Sydni Zidarevich Editor-in-Chief “Money makes the world go round.”

Money is an important part of life. It brings food to the table; it pays for clothes, rent, and even leisure items, but it seems that buying these leisure items is getting more expensive, and thus they are harder to come by.

At the same time, it is easier and faster to purchase items today with tools like Apple Pay, Android Pay, Paypal, debit cards and credit cards. The problem is that it seems that money leaves my pockets that

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much easier and faster. So the question is, which is better to use: old-fashioned cash money or technological “money.”

With all this new technology, we are able to buy things faster and easier, and no matter where you are, no store, restaurant, or even food truck will let you leave empty handed, but they could potentially leave you with a pocket full of problems. A card can help you make purchases easier, but you can also spend your money easier and faster.

A survey of 1,000 people in 2016 conducted by creditcards.com polled consumers on their payment preferences: about 75 percent preferred cards (both Editors-in-Chief

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credit and debit) and about 11 percent preferred cash. Broncos weighed in, and it seems that many of them prefer using cash over cards.

“

Money is leaving my pocket no matter which form of payment I use.”

“I just like using cash because when I use my card, I’m afraid of using my savings,” senior Summer Sun said. “I like saving up and keeping my money in the bank.”

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“Having cash, rather than using a card allows you to only spend so much on an item, without going over a budget,” freshman Megan Murphy said.

Cash cannot get declined, can avoid holding up lines and can eliminate embarrassing situations that can come with a credit card. While, a credit card can be a hassle because social security numbers are needed, passwords have to be set, and there is the possibility of fraudulent activity. Yet, cards are still used and preferred by some Broncos.

“I typically use a card because when I go into a store; I’m not limited to how much I spend, and it’s always exact

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change,” said senior Glenn Mbamo. “I don’t have to worry about fussing with paper bills because all my money is in one place: my card.”

Freshman Jocelyn Bryant said that credit cards were better for her because when using a card, there is no change, eliminating having the random array of quarters and nickels weighing you down in the pockets of jeans or in the pouches of your purses.

At the end of the day, one thing is for certain with one constant present in both payment methods: money is constantly leaving my pockets, no matter which form of payment I use.

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October 13, 2017

PDA: To what extent is it acceptable in a school environment?

Sydni Zidarevich Editor-in-Chief

Opinions 5

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The possible dangers to students of anonymous apps providing a forum for people to share their thoughts about one another without the fear of a face-to-face confrontation. At first, the app Lifestyles Editor succeeded in doing so, but after many users An epidemic has recently spread across reported cyber harassment, it was doomed to our school. The virus, discovered just weeks meet the same fate as Ask.Fm. It seems all ago, works slowly; those infected see no anonymous apps end in failure. symptoms for the first few days, but soon “Most of the anonymous comments in the enough, the virus begins feeding at the host’s beginning are just plain compliments that you brain, consuming its victim’s waking hours, can give to a stranger, but it builds up, and draining phone battery and evoking high that leads to insults and rumors,” sophomore levels of narcissism. Of those who contract Mindy Lam said. the disease, few manage to escape without Granted, tbh supposedly has the noble cuts and bruises. The culprit — tbh. purpose of making people feel better about This new anonymous mobile app allows themselves by providing positive feedback. friends to respond to polls about their friends. After all, the app only allows users to respond The creators take pride in the fact that the to polls as they cannot directly message other app provides solely positive feedback, unlike users. However, many have taken to snapchat other anonymous to try to discover apps. Users answer Most of the anonymous comments who has given questions such as, them feedback. As in the beginning are just plain who is the best person a result, others can compliments that you can give to a see the feedback to go on a road trip stranger, but it builds up, and that their friends are with, or who has the best eyes? getting. Someone leads to insults and rumors” “It’s kind of neat to who has not see what other people received positive -Mindy Lam, sophomore want to say about feedback could you, but you don’t get jealous and know who it is,” junior Charlotte Bouck said. overly self-conscious, and, soon enough, tbh Tbh is not the first of its kind, however. The may begin to descend down the same path as media has seen many other anonymous apps Sarahah and Ask.Fm. and websites through the years, such as Ask. The idea of anonymity itself is a recipe for Fm, Yik Yak, and Sarahah, all of which follow trouble. Knowing that it is anonymous and no the same pattern: soon after their creation, one will know who it is may make users more these apps rapidly gain popularity amongst prone to insensitivity. As a result, they could teens, but within a few weeks, their popularity be more likely to make comments that they quickly plummets until eventually they shut would never say in person. The comments down. could be harmless, but they could also lead to The sudden decline of interests in these cyberbullying. Even though tbh can be used anonymous apps stems from the threatening positively, by its nature it can also encourage comments and the consequences that become negative behavior. synonymous with their names. Ask.Fm, an Anonymity on the internet could be anonymous app that allows users to ask other positive if handled appropriately, but if left users questions that vary in seriousness and unsupervised, it could be negative and may intensity, made headlines a few years ago put the power to manipulate or target others in for its association with a number of suicides. the wrong hands. With many other activities Although the comments began as harmless and obligations preoccupying students, it is remarks, they soon escalated to insults and best that they avoid these apps to save our threats. Similarly, Sarahah, which means fellow peers from the negative power of honesty in Arabic, began with the purpose of irresponsible internet use.

Emma Rooholfada

“

Cartoon by Samantha Yi

Public displays of affection (PDA) can vary anywhere from hand-holding to hugging to kissing. However, to some students’ point of views, PDA can also be seen as affection that is obnoxious or even disgusting. The question is, to what extent is PDA too much?

The word PDA has different meanings depending on who you ask and when, with opinions subject to change, often depending on whether or not people are in a relationship.

“I don’t think it’s a bad thing,” sophomore Tyler Badgett said. “People always get mad at the couples that are kissing in the hallways, but then they get into a relationship, and it’s no longer a big deal.”

Varying perspectives seems to be the defining factor of what people assume to be the principles behind PDA. Those in a relationship will tend to lean more towards PDA, viewing small gestures such as kisses in the hallways as appropriate and senior Nick Siedenburg agreed.

“More than 80 percent of our lives are spent here at school,” Siedenburg said.

“This is really the only time you can see the other person for a long period of time. So when you see them, all you want to do is be with them or kiss them in the hallways or right before class, and I don’t think that’s a bad thing.”

On the other hand, other individuals who are not in a relationship may view any form of PDA differently than mentioned before.

“Objectively, it [PDA] is gross,” senior Alejandra Alvarez said. “Say, I’m really stressed about a test I have next period, and I’m cramming for this test, I have my flashcards out, and I turn to my right, and there’s a couple right there kissing in the way. It’s just, we’re at school, why do you have to do that?”

It can cause a disturbance to some students, especially to those who are brought up in a rather conservative environment. However, everyone should be aware that RB High is a diverse campus. Although there will be differing perspectives on the subject, it is important to respect each other’s viewpoints.

“It’s a relationship, and people are going to kiss,” sophomore Megan Reddy said.

“It’s my relationship, so if people don’t like it, they don’t have to pay attention to it.” Badgett and Siedenburg also agreed with this idea.

School is a learning environment, and many teachers and staff on campus would like to refer to school as our “job,” meaning that it should be treated as a profession: showing up to class everyday, dressing appropriately, and, of course, minding our surroundings and acting appropriately in that environment.

“Honestly, in the end, it’s [PDA] fine.

I get it,” Alvarez said. “People just have to remember that there are 13 year-olds around here on campus, and you might be 17, but they’re not.”

While people can just look away and go about their business, being mindful of one’s surroundings might be a more appropriate way to handle yourself in a responsible manner. Acknowledging that others might not want to see the PDA while near the locker rows could lead to a

Whether it has ice or not, the idea of “iced” tea differs

Cartoon by Samantha Yi

Hannah Park Staff Writer How would you define iced tea? As cold tea or as tea that has or has had ice?

Is there a definite difference between these two options? Yes. Yes, there is. One is, technically speaking, iced, and the other is simply chilled. Based on this difference, iced tea cannot be accurately defined or classified as iced unless it has physically had ice within it or had been in contact with ice; otherwise, it is simply chilled tea and therefore mislabeled.

As sound as this argument seems to be, there are those who disagree.

“I think ‘iced’ is a blanket term that still applies even if it hasn’t touched ice” senior Nickolas Lostetter said.

This may be true, but the common, accepted definition for “iced” is: “(of a drink or other liquid) cooled in or mixed with pieces of ice.” This means that “iced” is not, in fact, a blanket term and would not apply to ice that has not cooled in or been mixed with pieces of ice. This evidence alone is enough to show that because products like Arizona Iced Tea have never come into contact with ice, it cannot be categorized as iced tea. So, in short, Arizona Iced Tea, and distributors like them are mislabeling their products and lying to the public.

“It’s an illogical fallacy that it’s iced tea because technically it hasn’t touched ice,”

said junior Bella Franchini. “It’s not iced; it’s refrigerated tea.”

The common definition of chilled, the term we would replace iced with is: “(of food or drink) cooled in a refrigerator.”

Is that not exactly what they do with storebought teas?

Some may also argue if tea were to be cold when it was made, that it would be neither iced nor chilled and both terms would be incorrect. This would also be wrong because though there is such a thing as cold brew coffee, tea cannot be made that way and must start out hot, so it must either be iced or chilled in order to cool it down. We are assuming that we are dealing with real tea and not that which is made of powder, that would be another issue altogether.

Starbucks, who sells cold coffee in stores (found in the refrigerated section near the teas) are not labeled as iced, so what’s the difference? Both drinks being similar (not in taste), you would think that they would be labeled using the same parameters. Not that Starbucks calls it chilled coffee, but at the very least they aren’t lying and saying that it’s iced when it is not.

Though this may seem like a petty argument of semantics, it is not. There is so much more at stake. If we allow this issue to go on unaddressed, and we allow the lie to continue below our very noses, how could we expect the rules of our society to be upheld when that of our very language is not?

The disputed case against chewing gum at school Samantha Yi Editor-in-Chief

There’s a certain magical piece of rubberlike candy that sits comfortably in many students’ backpacks as they frolic to class.

Zipped up safely, gum poses no problems.

However, sticky situations arise when pieces of chewing gum emerge from pockets and into students’ gaping mouths.

Many students love to chew gluttonously upon the vast array of gum choices that the market today provides. However, the problem is where they chew and what they do with the aftermath. In the comfort of their own homes, sure, no one cares. But if you’re sitting in a classroom with numerous other students and teachers, it can be incredibly distracting.

Smack-Smack: It might be one of the few noises you hear next to your desk as you glance over to the side to discover your classmate chewing something loudly with more jaw effort than a crocodile munching a wildebeest. Not only is it rude, but it’s distracting and entirely unnecessary.

“Like how you scratch fingernails on a chalkboard - it’s like listening to that, and if your teacher is giving you a lecture on something, all you hear is someone smacking their gum during class,” freshman Lauren Coast said.

Where does the gum that students chew go? Most say into a tissue and then a trash can. But if that was the case, there wouldn’t be any problem. Unfortunately, gum often

Cartoon by Samantha Yi

ends up under desks, under chairs and sometimes even on the floor. It might not affect you after you had your tasty chew, but consider others who might innocently slip their fingers under their desk and come across your chewed-up morsel. Pretty gross.

Already at RB High, gum residue is found throughout campus, and not just under desks, but on pillars, walls and who knows where else. Although there’s no meaningful enforcement of the gum-chewing ban, one might consider exercising good citizenry and common decency by throwing waste away in the proper receptacle.

“If students are sticking their gum under their desk, on the wall or the ground, that needs to somehow get stopped,” Christina

Hartley, a sophomore, said. “If someone sees someone doing it, the school should make them clean it up.”

Although there might be many problems that accompany the concept of gum-chewing, one can’t deny its occasional benefit. For many students, chewing gum can help them focus -- especially during long, tedious lectures. In addition to discouraging falling asleep in class, it can also help students who are a bit jittery, anxious and or hyperactive.

If a teacher is willing to allow it on a caseby-case basis, there shouldn’t be too much opposition to it.

“It should be up to the teacher − if the teacher wants gum in class, then it should be allowed in the class,” senior Tatum Mahon said. “Gum should be allowed in class, but

if you get caught putting it under a desk or elsewhere then it should be banned.”

Considering both sides of the argument and the many opinions students have regarding this sensitive topic, it definitely wouldn’t be a good idea to ban gum altogether. As they say, everything should be done in moderation. In addition, teacher’s opinions also play a big role in the issue.

If a teacher is willing to let a student chew gum in class, and the student can limit the noise level and throw it out properly when he or she is done, then an across-the-board ban is a little much. Rules, regulations and common manners exist for a reason, and if students can follow them respectfully, then RB High can and will become a clean campus on which all will thrive.

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October 13, 2017

New Sign Language Club provides oppurtunities for all students Jackson Carpenter Staff Writer With new students looking to join a community on campus and upperclassmen starting clubs to court college attention, new clubs on campus are on the rise, giving students new learning oppurtunities Booming with attention is the Sign Language Club, organized by juniors Adia Barrow and Aidan Caruso who aim to teach students sign language.

Barrow is a junior and varsity cheerleader at RB High, and she helped start the Sign Language Club.

“It’s actually considered a foreign language, but it is not offered here,” said Barrow. “A lot of students were interested in learning it, including myself because I am half deaf. I really

wanted to learn it and spread the language, so I did something about it.”

Having an estimated 150 people signup for the Sign Language Club, many students were excited.

“Our goal is to teach everyone basic sign and a little about deaf culture and expanding people’s minds about Sign,” said Barrow.

Caruso, a junior at RB High who is a varsity thrower for the Track & Field team and a member of the girls varsity basketball team was intrigued by the club.

“I noticed that may people including myself were interested in the deaf culture and wanted to learn sign language but weren’t able to because RB hasn’t offered it as a class yet,” said Caruso. “We [Adia Barrow and I] came up with the idea to start a club

which teaches the language and helps people understand more about the deaf community.”

“

I noticed that many people including myself were interested in the deaf culture and wanted to learn sign language but weren’t able to because RB hasn’t offered it as a class yet,” -Aiden Caruso, junior

There a very few students who are fluent in Sign at RB High, and the club hopes to accomplish its goals of teaching basic sign.

“I am by no means fluent in Sign language,” said Caruso. “I started the club so that I can learn it alongside my friends and peers as if it was a normal class.”

Junior Jacine Gillet joined the Sign Language Club almost immediately after she discovered it was being offered.

“I found out about this club through my friend Adia because we dance together,” said Gillet. “When she told me about it, I was all in.”

She was referring to the founder of the club, junior Adia Barrow.

Sign language plays a vital role in deaf communication, and many students on campus see this club as an opportunity to learn a new language and also make an impact on their social skills.

“My teammate’s mom is deaf, so joining this club and learning more Sign has been really important to me,” Gillet said.

The Sign Language Club has the potential to become a popular club on campus, and being a part of this club can help you have an advantage in today’s society. By learning sign language, you will be able to communicate with an entirely new demographic of people you couldn’t otherwise be able to talk to. With this oppurtunity to branch out, students will be able to talk to deaf people from all over the world.

By teaching students a new language that is both interesting to learn and vital in the deaf community, participants can walk away from the club with not just good memories, but an entire new form of communication.

Hydration stations will be installed on campus by the end of the school year Emma Rooholfada Lifestyle Editor It’s a hot day. You bring your 32-ounce Hydro Flask to school, but by second period, your bottle is already empty, and you have soccer practice after school.

Now you are stuck with two equally unappealing choices: drink from the school’s notoriously disgusting water fountains, or dehydrate yourself until you get home.

Many have been forced to make this difficult decision in the past, but thankfully, in a few months, students may never have to worry about being in this situation ever again. Last year, ASB announced the class of 2017’s gift to RB High — hydration stations.

These hydration stations will provide students with a way to refill their water bottles with cold, filtered water on campus.

Of the many models available, ASB is planning on purchasing a hydration station that serves as both a water-refilling station and a drinking fountain. This way, even those who do not have water bottles will have access to a source of filtered water on campus that undoubtedly exceeds the quality of our current fountain water.

“The fountains don’t always work

Cartoon by Yssy Smiley effectively,” LeMaster said. “[Hydration stations] provide functional water on campus that kids feel comfortable using.”

Although the task team is working to get the hydration stations on campus as soon as possible, they currently face obstacles that are stalling the process, the main one being the payment of the stations.

“Initially we thought there was enough money in the senior account because that was going to be their senior gift, but the actual price of the hydration station isn’t the issue — it’s the installation,” senior and ASB vice president of business and finance, Sadaf Rasekh, said.

Because the cost of installation proved

more expensive than was first expected, RB High will have to find different means of covering the cost of the hydration stations.

“Some of the money is coming from the senior class from last year; ASB is going to supplement some of that, and we may also go to the Foundation,” ASB advisor Terri Rogelstad said.

Before the end of the 2017-2018 school year, ASB hopes that RB High will have two hydration stations on campus, but for now, due to the high cost, they are focusing on installing at least one station.

The station will replace one of the water fountains on campus because there is already an existing water source.

New Bronco Hype Team inspires excitement in RB High student section Christian Jonas Sports Editor When you are on the field or getting ready for a game, the crowd’s spirit and enthusiasm is probably, without a doubt, an important part of helping gain a win. For years, we have relied on the student section and ASB to help support athletes. But this year, we have the Hype Team, a group of students designed to “hype” up the crowd.

Organized by dance teacher Michelle Jacoby, the Hype Team aims to help the crowd in the stands get as loud as it can.

Jacoby is proud of the group she has organized and is excited for the future of the Hype Team.

“So far, I think we are off to a great start,” Jacoby said. “The goal is to create hype for all kids and [for] everyone to feel welcome.”

Jacoby is also incredibly happy with the members of the group that stepped up to help lead the group.

“We don’t really have captains, but we have some people who have really stepped up and have definitely taken the lead with the group,” Jacoby said.“Their excitement is contagious and super fun to work with! They want this to be the best year for all RB students.”

Jacoby detailed how the group came to be what it is today, and how she’s excited for more to join and expand the group.

“They [the administrators] wanted more of an organized group to come together and promote school spirit and excitement on campus,” Jacoby said.

“A few students helped me organize the team at the end of last school year, and I created the name Hype Team because I thought it seemed appropriate for the goal we were trying to achieve.”

Blake Sterger is a senior who plays varsity lacrosse at RB High and who is part of the Hype Team.

“At games I lead the student section with chants and get everybody pumped

Photo Courtesy of Marisol Ortega up when there’s plays and everything like that,” Sterger said. “I don’t think we make a difference on the field, but off the field in the student section I think we definitely do bring more hype to the student section and to the school in general.”

The Hype team has exciting plans to add hype to future events. For example, they made a grand display at the homecoming game, which helped assist our team to victory. It is hardly a coincidence that the game in which the hype team was in full force is the only game we won.

Samson Dooley is a senior who is on varsity lacrosse and also helps with the Hype Team.

Dooley details how he became part of the Hype Team, and how he gets the best responses from the crowd at football games.

“I was nominated for the Hype Team,” Dooley said. “I just get hyped to get [other] people hyped.”

Dooley also feels that they make a solid difference for those on the field, and that the hype team has given a pivotal advantage to the players.

“If we are involved in the game, it gives the players a mental boost to keep fighting,” Dooley said.

Harmon Crowe is a junior varsity

Zade Noman and the hype team hyping up the student section football player who has his own perspective on the Hype Team.

“I think the Hype Team inventing new cheers and stuff probably helps organize the school spirit at games, and now they know what to say instead of a generic ‘Go Broncos!’” Crowe said.

“Having a school that you know will support you even through losses really helps my mindset.”

Zade Noman is another senior who is part of the Hype Team, and he uses his acrobatic skills to wow the crowd with various flips and stunts, along with Blake Sterger.

Noman also helps with managing the team.

“Seniors Blake, Chris, Justin, Sam and I try to get the crowd as hyped as possible and bring as much energy to the student section as we can,” said Noman. “Blake, Chase, Mich and I lead the Hype Team; we all contribute to setting up tables, planning activities, selling shirts, and recruiting students to participate in the Hype Team.”

The newly formed Hype Team is here to help our Broncos in the stands and on the field never lose their spirit.

Serving as a shining example of school spirit, the Hype Team is always there to support our Broncos, both on and off of the field.

“We’re thinking about putting one in the gym and hopefully one by the cafeteria, but we’re just starting with one right now, and it’ll be in the gym, most likely,” Rasekh said.

The gym is the ideal location for a hydration station because it is in close proximity to athletes and PE students.

“A lot of schools are getting them. It’s just a sign of the times,” Rogelstad said.

“If we can help with hydrating students and staff, then we want to do that.”

Indeed, hydration stations are gaining popularity as more schools are converting. The new and improved water-provider will bring a certain

aesthetic appeal to RB High as well.

“Our campus is twenty six years old and it’s starting to look its age a little bit,” Lemaster said. “I think something like this will make it look a little more modern and up to date.”

Beyond keeping students hydrated, the stations also prove immensely beneficial for our health and the environment. Recently, tests conducted at multiple schools in San Diego have suggested that there may be higher than allowable levels of lead in the school’s water. A filtered water source on campus will ease any health concerns students, parents and staff may have regarding the water quality. Additionally, hydration stations encourage people to utilize reusable bottles as opposed to plastic ones. In the past, students may have brought several water bottles to school because they did not want to fill their water bottles with unfiltered fountain water. However, the station will have a fountain as well as a water bottle refiller, so one reusable water bottle will get you through the day.

Although it may take some time, students and staff can look forward to seeing hydration stations on campus and enjoying and the many long benefits it will bring.

RB High has new AP Literature teacher after over 25 years beneficial to the diversity of a classroom.

“Approaching literature from a personal approach, from an interpersonal Editor-in-Chief approach, from a musical approach, from This year, one of RB High’s’ most a verbal approach ... There’s all different popular classes experienced a surprising ways to do it,” Kravchak said. “I think upheaval when English teacher Mark Pyle it’s important in order to get all of those handed over the reins of AP Literature to pathways in the brain moving; we need to English teacher Karen Kravchak. While come at it from different angles.” many were saddened by the retirement In addition to learning the fundamentals of a beloved instructor who had taught in of literature in the classroom, there is the district for 32 years, the expertise and indeed an event that most AP students experience that Kravchak has to offer are aim for: the AP exam. Part of an AP encouraging. class’s purpose is to properly prep AP Literature and Composition is a students for the daunting CollegeBoard college-level English course that explores hurdle, so they can receive credits for the depths of English literature, poetry and future college classes. the mysteries of literary analysis. Students “A lot of what we do will be based on are expected to read complex novels and the exam itself, so it will be questions dissect their intricacies by recognizing and writings that mimic the AP exam,” common literary devices like symbolism, Kravchak said. “Most of what we do is attitude and in preparation tone. In order I’d like my students to maintain for the exam for students to but also for a desire to do well and to have the types of succeed within a love for literature and all the class and prompts you’re on the AP test its forms. I think there’s a true going to see in itself, students college.” passion that people can find in must maintain a Last year, literature that’s not going to go Kravchak and good work ethic and extensive Pyle worked away” knowledge of together to -Karen Kravchak, teacher the literary arts. plan ahead for In addition to the class. Pyle AP Literature, Kravchak teaches Honors shared some materials he used during Humanities. Utilizing her multi-faceted his long tenure as AP Literature’s head skills in the humanities and arts, she has honcho, and Kravchak decided to use introduced new teaching styles that will some of the same books from which Pyle help many future literature students reach taught. If Pyle’s many years in the PUSD their potential. are any indication, Kravchak’s integration “So far, AP Literature’s been a trip of his techniques will prove beneficial to back to Honors Humanities, but I like students. how lit focuses on reading fiction novels AP Literature is well into term one, and cracking down the author’s colorful and already diving into the deep depths mosaic of hidden meanings,” An Doan, a of renowned literary works such as Great senior in AP Literature and former Honors Expectations and Franny and Zooey. As the Humanities student, said. class continues, there are great expectations Kravchak places an emphasis on a from students and teacher alike. multiplicity of intelligences—visual, “I’d like my students to maintain a kinesthetic, auditory, logical and desire to do well and to have a love for interpersonal intelligences are just a few that literature and all its forms,” Kravchak said. she considers in her lesson plans. There are “I think there’s a true passion that people many different ways each student learns, can find in literature that’s not going to and touching on each way can prove go away.”

Samantha Yi

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Features 7

theSilverSpur

October 13 Issue 2017

Annual student-run “Senior Assassin” competition continues Rachel Plumb Staff writer When combining water guns, senioritis, and a cash prize, what could go wrong?

Senior Assassins is a student-run game where teams consisting of seniors are assigned to “take out” other teams.

Weaponry includes water guns, water balloons, and water bottles. Teams “kill” their target with water, and the only way to be safe from your would-be assassin is to wear an arm floaty anywhere on your body. As teams are eliminated, the circle of teams keeps shrinking, and the prospect of victory becomes that much closer. Each member paid $5 to participate, and that money was put aside for a winner-take-all prize.

Senior Julian Natividad has taken on the responsibility of coordinating this year’s game. Natividad’s motivation was the hope he could provide a fun and memorable experience for his fellow seniors.

“The Senior Assassin’s tradition is something that seniors always look forward to,” Natividad said. “I’ve heard about it since I was a freshman, and so everyone kind of builds up that anticipation and are excited for it.”

He is not the only one who has been

looking forward to it, seeing as there are more than 90 teams.

“I think why Senior Assassins is such a popular tradition is because well, one, it’s going up against friend versus friend,” Natividad said, “and there’s always competition in groups of friends especially when it comes to the athletes, and there’s money involved!”

“I’m doing Senior Assassins because ever since I was a freshman I thought it would be really fun, and also it’d probably be cool to win all that money if there are so many seniors participating,” senior Molly Boyce said.

Being involved in Senior Assassins is a way to be part of your graduating class and have fun in the last year of high school.

“Students should participate because outside of school and sports some people don’t have many things to look forward to, and Senior Assassins is something that you have to play outside of school, and it forces you to socialize and make friends,” Boyce said.

Natividad said the game is not for everyone.

“If this is their way of having fun or just trying to spend their senior year doing something fun, then I would Cartoon by Sarah Yuen

Student has sponsorships and prepares for surfing championship Harshawn Ratanpal Features Editor

Often times when a conversation is held about sports, more often than not the conversation is geared towards football, baseball, soccer, basketball, and other more popular sports.

What may not be brought up as often is surfing, but that’s not the case for senior Jessica Van Kreuningen. Van Kreuningen, who has been surfing since she was six years old, has participated in professional surf contests, and is aiming to compete in world championships.

Also, she already has professional partnerships.

“I’m partnered with Hurley, Stoked, Beyond the Break, and Crush EyeWear,” said Kreuningen.

“I get free sportsware from them.”

Getting a Photo by Marisol Ortega partnership with the Nike-owned Hurley is not just free clothes with a logo; it represents much more than that. This partnership is evidence of her abilities and potential. Other Hurley surfers include professional World Tour surfers from all around the world, including American surfer Kolohe Andino, Brazilian surfer Alejo Muniz, French surfer Michel Bourez, and Australian surfer Julian Wilson.

When she signed with Hurley, they told her she had a good chance of going on the world tour, which is her ultimate goal.

“I’m doing the qualifying series right now,” Kreuningen said. ‘If you place

amongst the top surfers, you can qualify for the world tour.”

The company that organizes these international surfing events is the World Surf League. The scoring for the competitions involves a panel of five judges who give individual scores.

The highest score and lowest score are both discounted, and the average of the remaining three scores become the point value they receive. According to the World Surf League’s website, the judging is based on five factors: commitment and degree of difficulty, innovative and progressive maneuvers, Combination of major maneuvers, variety of maneuvers, and speed, power and flow.

Whichever 17 female surfers have the most points in the qualifying rounds move on to the world Photo taken of Van Kreuningen championship.

From there, the surfer with the most points is crowned champion.

“There’s girls from all around the world competing, and they’re good,” Kruiningen said.

Kreuningen is not overconfident. She practices regularly, as she recognizes that the world tour will be no easy task.

As well as practicing nearly every day, she also goes to events, regularly. She participated in the SuperGirl Surf Pro event, which was held in Oceanside this past July. Throughout all of her hard work, determination, and prowess, she continues to remain humble, saying she feels “pretty okay” about her chances to get into the world championships.

recommend it,” Natividad said. “Senior Assassins in high school is special, I think, because you only have one opportunity to do it. You are only a senior once. Go big, or go home.”

There are many rules, and it is the player’s responsibility to look them over.

Although some might find it tedious to read through all the rules, it is worthwhile if you plan to be victorious. Natividad has taken the planning of Senior Assassins seriously.

“I think it is important to have a lot of rules because having it be too chaotic is not good,” Natividad said. “There needs to be some clear, just, fair process in order for there to be a clear defined winner.”

Seniors from all groups are taking a part in this year’s Senior Assassins, and it seems that they are willing to go all out.

Last year, the Senior Assassins competition was full of confusion and chaos.

Nobody has the full story of what actually occurred, but after the chaos died down the game died with it.

The teams dissolved, and it was

left unsatisfyingly unresolved. The prize money went missing, and although fingers were pointed, it is not clear whose hands the money ended up in.

“I’ve heard a lot of things,” Natividad said. “I’ve heard a friend of the last overseer took the money. I heard the overseer himself took the money, but I don’t truly know what happened. When I communicated with him, he told nothing of the outcome.”

After the events of last year, it is safe to say Natividad is carrying a heavy burden on his shoulders. With trust in the overseer of the competition most understandably at a major deficit, Natividad’s main priority is to make this year a successful competition that runs smoothly.

“I’m trying to make the rules very clear so that there has to be a winner,” Natividad said. “I want these year’s assassins to be like, ‘okay, I remember who won this year,’ instead of ‘I wonder what happened to the money.’”

Senior assassins serves as a reward for the grueling years of hard work put in by Broncos in their time at RB High. With the unfortunate events that transpired in the competition last year, one can only hope that under the leadership of Natividad, this annual competition returns to its former glory.

Meet our Bronco Ambassadors

From L to R: Bronco Ambassadors Chose, Jensen, Mabene, Clark, Garcia, Rasoul, Rasekh, Gopalan, Kang, Sasaki, Long, Lyche

Polly Fitton Features Editor Each year, a new group of Bronco Ambassadors is picked to help promote positive character within our community as role models for their fellow Broncos along with elementary and middle-school students. These ambassadors are first chosen based on teacher recommendations; from there, juniors who are interested complete an application and are interviewed. The chosen Bronco Ambassadors then participate in a day of training during which they practice techniques, such as effective ways to speak to other students and younger kids.

It is important for our students and surrounding community at RB High to get to know their new senior ambassadors, so a few of them were interviewed about their personal lives and their involvement at RB High.

Kailey Lyche, Senior: Q: What kind of clubs or activities are you involved in at RB High, and how do these clubs help you to feel more involved?

A: Ever since I came to RB, I’ve been doing ASB, which is the Associated Student Body. We put on dances, spirit days, stuff like that. So my position in ASB is to facilitate and manage all the clubs on campus. In that way, I feel like I get a little taste of what every student is involved in. I’m also in charge of Humanities Tutoring, which is a tutoring service for all the humanities students who

are struggling with the term system. I help provide tutors for them. And then I’m also in Peer Counseling, and I’m president of Spoken Word Poetry Club which is an outlet that I really enjoy. I used to do swim, and I’m in theater.

Jim Kang, Senior: Q: Do you have any tips for how students can handle clubs on top of their homework load?

A: I think they just first need to get their priorities straight… If you love something enough and you work hard at it, you could go to great lengths with it. And also if you have a lot of clubs, but you’re falling low on academics… you should always focus on academics first, and clubs are really great; it’s more like time management skills… and prioritize.

Jalen Rasoul, Senior: Q: Do you think that high school is more inclusive than elementary and middle school?

A: I think that elementary school is probably the most inclusive because everybody’s so innocent; there are not many stereotypes yet… human nature at that age is to be inclusive. But once you get into middle school, that’s probably the least inclusive because everybody is just so confused and changing so much… but then high school I think that people mature a little bit more, and learn to become more inclusive again, and accessible and communicate better with each other, and are a little bit more accepting and willing to love and listen to everyone.

ASB enforces club requirements

Sarah Yuen

Backpage Editor

Many can relate to the feeling of joining a club at the beginning of the year, fresh out of club rush and excited for the new opportunity.

Unfortunately, more often than not, these clubs may not be as organized, as many clubs tend to slowly deteriorate throughout the year until they have whittled down to just a few people, or others have inconsistent meetings and club attendance.

This year, RB High’s ASB has taken notice of these organization and commitment problems, and they are cracking down on the rules.

According to senior and member of ASB Kailey Lyche, ASB will be stricter this year to make sure clubs turn in their rosters and a summary of every meeting including minutes and attendance.

Unique to this year, ASB will be meeting with a representative from every club once per quarter to check up on the status of the club and address any concerns. Additionally, they’ve started a new instagram account, “@RBHSclubs,” to help out clubs that are struggling.

“

Part of getting enough people to really function as a good, successful club is advertising yourself successfully.”

-Daniel Smith, senior

“We wanna post updates there, and if we find that clubs are dying out, we can always promote them,” Lyche said. “We recommend for clubs that have that problem with membership to get Remind 101, so they can stay in touch with their members and meet consistently and continue to stay active.”

The hope is that through the enforcement of policies, ASB can help clubs that are having a hard time staying afloat or are in danger of being audited, or cancelled. According to Lyche, ASB expects that clubs are likely to get audited by the district, so they are doing what they can to help and make sure that the clubs are in compliance with the rules.

At the beginning of the school year, senior Daniel Smith, president of the Engineering Club, was off to a rocky start with his leadership. He was not informed by the previous year’s leaders of how to run a club and the paperwork required of them. Smith was able to figure it out by asking other club leaders, but there’s still another problem the engineering club faces.

“I’m just hoping we’ll get enough people for the club to continue,” Smith said. “Last year, there weren’t very many people that consistently went to the meetings. I think part of getting enough people to really function as a good, successful club is advertising yourself successfully. So for us, we’re gonna try and promote ourselves as an alternative to more time-intensive science clubs like robotics and science olympiad.”

According to Smith, turning in paperwork was also a problem for the Engineering club last year, but this year, possibly due to ASB’s stricter enforcement, the club is much more organized.

There are many things that clubs can do to start following requirements and protect themselves against being audited. Sometimes, the restrictions and rules that the district enforces on clubs can seem limiting, but it is still possible for a struggling club to get up and running. With the stricter rules being a preemptive to become more organized, and the help ASB is offering this year, clubs have a greater chance of earning dedicated members and reaching a greater potential.

Why vandalism seems to be a recurring problem at our school Erin Siegel Staff Writer

Vandalism is a common occurrence on the campus of many schools across the country, and the destruction of school property has many negative effects; it is costly and can lower the morale of a campus.

Vandalism is defined as deliberately damaging public property. According to Assistant Principal William Egan, ramifications of committing such actions include the possibility of being arrested, having to pay for the damage to be repaired, and facing school disciplinary consequences, as city workers need to help with the clean up, and the police needs to get involved.

There are many possible motives for vandalism: rivalries, anger, or the thrill of breaking the law. Custodian Oscar Rocha attributes an urge towards vandalism due to lack of maturity. It seems that these vandals use this as an alternative outlet. Exercising, telling your problems to a trusted friend or adult, or distracting yourself with work are a few of the many constructive substitutes to

Cartoon by Danielle Manlapid committing this type of crime.

Recently, graffiti was found on the roof of our library.

Among the drawings found were an eye and a Mt. Carmel logo. The graffiti was quickly cleaned up, but not before many students witnessed the defacement. Egan said the suspect has still not been found, so it is important to report any related information to the administration.

Vandalism is not a new occurrence on our campus. Last year, Rocha found broken windows that were shot at by airsoft rifles. Another example was when the custodians found the stadium defaced before the homecoming game against Del Norte in 2013.

In the event that you have knowledge of vandalism, there are steps you can take. If you notice suspicious

behaviors, you should inform the administration as quickly as possible. According to the SDPD website, vandals can often be found with bulky backpacks to hide spray cans, dye stains on body or clothing, bloodshot eyes from late nights and toxic fumes, wearing baggy clothing to smuggle graffiti utensils, and their tag names on their possessions.

In order to help deter vandalism, we as a school can spread pride and positivity throughout campus.

Egan recommends that we encourage students to join school-endorsed or related extracurricular activities in order to promote a feeling of respect, community, and ownership. In addition, we should be courteous to other schools, and not damage their property.

There is nothing rewarding about destroying public property. While it may be done on a whim or a dare, the long-term consequences are not worth the temporary thrill. As a campus, we can do our part by reporting suspicious activity, and counteracting any negativity at school. By minimizing vandalism, the community as a whole will benefit. Our school is our second home.

Would you damage your home?

8 Sports

theSilverSpur

Girls tennis hopes to finish season strong Elaina Rowley Staff Writer

October 13, 2017

Boys and girls cross country are determined for wins Katherine Pham

The RB High girls tennis team has high hopes this season that are driven by determination and hard work. Coach Michael Parrinello is in his 27th season of coaching tennis at RB High and is excited that he has the honor to work with some amazing girls this year.

Instead of the normal 12, Parrinello has 16 players this season who have a tight bond and connection. He believes their bond is stronger than in previous years. They congratulate each other on good plays and encourage each other GIRLS TENNIS- Members of the varsity team pose for a picture when they make mistakes. Even after tough practices, they keep their spirits high “Last year, we were league champions, while singing and dancing to Taylor Swift co-champions with Westview,” Parrinello songs. Freshman Abby Yuen said it’s like said. “We have another rematch with being part of a big family.

Westview, so I’m hoping that we can “We have a lot of seniors leaving, so we beat them, and could be co-champions want to make their final season as great again.” as we can and play as well as we can,” Other than Westview, the girls tennis Yuen said. team is keeping an eye out for Torrey So far, the girls tennis team has had a Pines. Their team consists of experienced strong start to the season. They currently tournament players, which helps them stand 5-1 in the overall league. As of now, dominate in the league. Last season, when the team has managed to pull off wins at all our girls played Torrey Pines, they fell four of their away games, and they also won short and accepted a 2-7 loss, but RB High a home game. Their one loss was at home is ready to turn things around and claim the against rival Westview, who is considered victory this season. their biggest competition in the league.

The girls know what they need to work Parrinello has high expectations for his on, and they plan on achieving all of team, expecting them to get into the open their goals. Co-captain and senior Kiana division and become one of the top-eight Nguyen said her team needs to focus schools in the county, along with winning more on its mental game. In order to stay the league championship. tough and concentrate on the match, the

News Editior

Photo courtesy of Kiana Nguyen in front of the tennis courts team needs to be able to quickly set its mistakes aside and move on. Consistency is also a necessity for the team to rise to the top this year.

Co-captain and senior Montana Denton is proud of the girls so far and feels lucky to be considered a leader of a team with so much talent and potential. She hopes for more wins and success for her final year at RB High.

“I want to get back to where we were last year and hopefully win league or be a contender for league,” Denton said.

“Same thing with CIF, and it would really be cool to get back to states like we did sophomore year.”

The 2017 girls tennis season is still underway with many teams to conquer and goals to reach, as the team continues to grow as a whole and improve.

At RB High, the boys and girls cross country teams are put under one team, though they are technically two different teams as they practice together and go to the same meets, but they race at different times and get different scores.

So far, RB High has had a total of five meets, with the boys placing fifth place and the girls ranking first out of six schools in their most recent meet.

According to senior Joseph Roberts, co-captain of the boys team, they did relatively well as a team, coming into the season with their top-5 guys breaking 11 minutes in two miles.

For those of you who might not know so much about cross country, it is an individual sport just as much as it is a team sport. The scoring is also unlike most sports and can be a bit difficult to understand.

“It’s definitely a team sport,” senior Benjamin Ahlstrom, the other co-captain of the boys cross country team, said. “You’re trying to improve your time individually, but the way a team is successful is by working together and sticking together and motivating each other.”

“In cross country, what place you get is the number of points you get,” Roberts said. The one with the lowest score wins.”

Out with the old, and in with the new; that’s how the saying goes anyway.

That applies to sports as well. As a new

school year starts, that means a new group of runners comes in to replace the ones who left.

Roberts said that they had lost five out of their top-seven seniors last year which may make this year hard for them.

“We don’t have any outstanding runners, but we have more of a tighter group,” Roberts said. “We’re going to be more densely packed as a group so that means our scores may be a little bit higher, but it’s good that we’re coming in more together to keep our score lower.”

However, cross country isn’t only about being fast and getting top scores; it’s also about determination and mentality.

“Our coach really emphasizes the word focus,” Ahlstrom said. “He really emphasizes that cross country is not only a physical sport, which is really does depend on, but just as importantly it’s a mental sport. You have to be able to just find yourself and just keep focusing.”

“To me, the most important part would be mental toughness,” Roberts said. “We’ll be two miles into the race, and yeah, we’re thinking just like normal people do, ‘this sucks’. So really, at that point, you have to make the decision I’m gonna keep going; I’m gonna pick it up and do well, or you give in, and what makes a great cross country runner is not giving in.”

RB High’s cross country teams have been working hard and pouring their blood and sweat into their sport, and with the season already nearing its halfway point, it’s easy to see that their dedication is paying off.

Varsity football has high hopes for the rest of the season Marisol Ortega Sports Editor Brave, Loyal, Unrelenting, Enthusiastic.

These values, known as B.L.U.E. are the core values upon which RB High’s varsity football team operates. In past years, these values are what have allowed the team to excel and advance to CIFs and even take home CIF and state titles. Even though the team has started off strong for the past few years, this year it is experiencing some bumps.

With 20 out of 22 starters graduating last year, the team is young with juniors making up a great majority of the team.

“We’re really young,” varsity coach Tristan McCoy said. “On the field at any given time, out of 11 players, nine or even 10 are juniors.”

That being said, the majority of the team is new to varsity. Although they were successful as a junior varsity team, playing varsity football comes with different challenges.

“Since most of us are juniors, we’re still getting used to playing at a different level

Football- (Clockwise L to R) Broncos line up for anthem before game; Players face off against Mission Hills on Oct. 6 of competitiveness,” junior Jonny Tanner said. As a junior, Tanner is new to playing varsity football and feels that in order to be successful, he and his teammates must preserve the bond that they have built up in years past.

This new level, paired with an overall

inexperienced team has resulted in small mistakes that have unfortunately cost them their first few games.

With so many players gone, the young team not only looks to gain experience, but reestablish leadership and make a name for themselves. Luckily, this year’s seniors have

the team can turn around and have a great season.

“Overall, their attitudes are pretty good; they’re willing to keep working and keep getting better,” McCoy said. “The majority of the kids really like each other, and really trust each other, and really get along.”

As the team’s experience grows, so does their hope to advance to state and to CIFs. “We have to execute, do what the coaches have taught us to do, and practice hard,” senior Matt Araiza said. Arazia is currently the kicker and has been on the varsity team since his sophomore year.

That being said, at the team’s core are still the B.L.U.E values, which in the past have led the team to success. The team remains hopeful that it will lead them to success in the future as well.

Photos by Marisol Ortega Although all of these values are vital to already begun to step up and help their new the team, McCoy believes that one stands out teammates settle in. among the others: “We’re trying to bring enthusiasm to the “Unrelenting, the ability to commit and team,” senior Malcolm Turner-Ross said. focus and keep working and working no “They look up to us, and if we’re alive, then matter how hard it is...” they’ll be alive.”

Luckily for us Broncos, our young team Players and coaches are still hopeful that hopes to prove that they are just that.

Girls golf continues winning streak Field hockey rises to division one Radha Singh

Emma Rooholfada

Staffwriter

Lifestyle Editor

When most think of the word “school,” it is often associated with long lectures and hours of homework.

In spite of school being a place designed to focus on academics, it can also be a place to focus on athletics.

Joining a team in school can help create a comforting environment where a student who may not necessarily show his or her interest in academics can demonstrate a skill in sports and still feel connected to the school.

Here at RB High, our sports teams have an exceptional reputation, and the girls golf team is no exception; in fact, the team has been on a winning streak, and it doesn’t look like they will be stopped anytime soon.

According to Coach Tim Steigerwald, the team has been doing extremely well, with a current record of 82-consecutive wins within the past few years.

“We haven’t lost a match in three years,” Steigerwald said.

So far, the team has played against schools such as Del Norte, Mt. Carmel, Westview.

The girls have been putting in their best efforts, practicing everyday to improve and strengthen their skills.

This year, the team consists of one freshman, three sophomores, five juniors and three seniors. With the variation in grade levels it might seem as though it could take a toll on how

Photo courtesy of yearbook GIRLS GOLF- The girls’ golf team poses for a photo before a match they get along, but they have bonded Del Norte and came out on top. well regardless of the age differences. Last season’s goal was to win They also help each other persevere CIF, which was successfully and focus on the main goal, improving achieved. Now, they’re hoping their skills. to go beyond that and advance “We are all competitive, but we’re to regionals and eventually all a family,” junior Stephanie Heimler win state. Last year, the team said. won CIF for the first time, and Being on a team can be now they are hoping to win overwhelming at times because again possibly starting a streak. there is the stress of having the right This season, even if the goal is skills and being a good player, but on met with CIF, they still have this team they are encouraging and regionals, playing against other understanding of each other, which schools in southern California, helps with good sportsmanship. and state to conquer.

The team also practices on its own The fall sports teams have until time as well, putting in that extra late October and early November drive towards success. The team even to achieve their goals and break practiced this summer to prepare for their previous records. The girls the upcoming season. golf team is off to a great start, To advance to CIF a team and by the looks of their past must win a certain number of successes, their determination matches in their league. Last and their hard work, they will year, the team won out schools continue making their fellow like Mt. Carmel, Poway, and Broncos proud.

After its CIF win last year, RB High’s field hockey team has big shoes to fill. With a new and bigger team led by senior captains Julia Stevens, Kara Yagade, Hailey O’Connor and Photo courtesy of Kara Yagade coach Katy Sirota, the girls FIELD HOCKEYThe field hockey team poses for group photo have their sights set on another great season.

“We’re trying to get back to a With a record of 7-7, the Field hockey has long been strong championship team.” team is still transitioning into an underrated sport at RB High, Although the players have its new division. Despite a few but that might be changing this varying levels of experience — early losses, the players kept season. Since winning CIFs last some have been playing club working harder to maintain the year, RB High’s field hockey field hockey since middle school championship team they had last team has grown in popularity, and while others joined the team their year, despite its new division. the team has gotten many new freshman year — on the field, “At first, our games hadn’t members, with the varsity team the girls truly play as a team. been going very well because alone coming up from 13 players “Our biggest strength is being we’re still trying to figure out last season to 24 this season. able to connect with each other what kind of team we are,” “We had a lot of newcomers super easily,” Yagade said. “I Yagade said. this year,” Yagade said. “I feel like how we all work together However, the girls did not like all of our hard work finally as a unit. There’s no standout let the losses get to them. payed off, and people are players that score all the goals.” With much of the season still wanting to explore the sport The girls hope to do as well as remaining, they are hoping to more, which is really great they did last year, but this season make it to CIFs as they did because I love the sport.” will be much more challenging, last year.

While Yagade and other as the team has been moved up “We’ve had some losses, but team members are excited to Division 1. As a result, games that is nothing to discourage for the increase in players, have gotten a lot harder, and the us,” senior Emma Chantegros there are also challenges that girls must work even harder. said. “We just have to keep come with a bigger team.

“Our games are a lot closer working harder.”

Transitioning from a small to matched,” Stevens said. “We Still midway through the a large team, the girls must have already had three games season, the field hockey team learn to interact and play go into overtime and two more is working toward meeting well together. into double overtime. Usually its high expectations while “We’re still working out the in a season, you’ll only have a adjusting to the many changes kinks,” junior Lily Lagoy said. couple games go into overtime.” the new season has brought.

Sports 9

theSilverSpur

October 13, 2017

Calista Reyes commits to Stanford Water polo dives into season Marisol Ortega Sports Editor Already two months into the school year, many seniors are beginning to think about and apply to colleges. When applying to college, one must consider many things such as financial aid, scholarships, and of course, picking the right school. All this leads to great anxiety and stress and can make applying seem like a gargantuan task.

Many will face rejection, however, there are those few that will receive the acceptance letter of their dreams, and then all the stress will have paid off.

Such a student is Senior Calista Reyes, who, not even two months into her senior year, was accepted into Stanford University.

“I’ve wanted to go there since I was in the fifth grade, it has always been my dream school,” Reyes said.

Reyes is no ordinary student either, with a 4.15 GPA, she is not only dominating in the classroom, but on the golf course as well.

Reyes is currently the top ranked golfer in the state of California for her graduating class, and number three in the state overall.

She also ranks number eight nationally.

This incredible feat can be attributed to spending countless hours of practice and extreme dedication to the sport over the past ten years.

“She’s got the eye of the tiger,” RB

High’s girls’ golf coach Tim Steigerwald said, “she has that on the golf course and in the classroom, where it’s just one hundred percent focus, nothing is going to stop her.”

With a 4.8% acceptance rate, Stanford University is among the most difficult schools in the country to get into. Also having one

Photo by Marisol Ortega of the top golf teams in the country makes it that much harder. Stanford has produced many famous golfers, the most famous being none other than Tiger Woods himself. To be among such a noteworthy list of alumni is huge accomplishment, one that Reyes believes to be her best accomplishment.

Reyes’ coaches, teammates, and teachers are all incredibly proud of what she has managed to accomplish.

“I’ve had several girls get scholarships to division one schools, but this one is by far the best” said Steigerwald.

Barely at the beginning of her senior year, Reyes is already setting high goals for college.

“My goal is to be able to make the travel team and participate in the NCAA championship” Reyes said.

Reyes hopes to study either economics or science and technology in society, which are two of the university’s most popular majors.

Reyes also plans to continue playing golf during her college years.

“I definitely plan to play for the team throughout college, and afterwards I will possibly try to play for the LPGA” Reyes said. This dream of playing for the Ladies’ Professional Golf Association is right within reach for Reyes.

As for role models, Reyes has a few that she has looked up throughout her life, “Both of my parents worked hard to come to this country to get me a good education and everything I do is because of them and because of what they taught me,” Reyes said, “and Michelle Obama, I love Michelle Obama” For students that are hoping to become a Stanford Cardinal one day, Reyes has two pieces of advice, “Focus on your studies and find your passion,” Reyes said, “If you find your passion in life, you’ll be sure to get in.”

Trevor Boaz Staff Writer RB High’s water polo team kicked off its season back in August and has gotten off to a great start with wins against Valley Center and Santana, and they have been working hard ever since, preparing for the next challenges.

“I think we have one of the best teams the school has ever had,” junior Zachary Lemly said.

With the new season came a new varsity team, clad with fresh members coming in from the junior varsity team. As a new team with a mix of experience and youth, the RB High boys water polo team is definitely in for a new challenge.

“The team’s goals are to win CIFs,” junior Joshua Rout said. “The teams we’re going to face this year are a lot easier, so hopefully we can go home with a CIF title.”

Other than victory at CIF, the team has also set many interior goals. With a large 20- person varsity team, keeping a good relationship with teammates can be crucial to success.

“We’re trying to build team chemistry and get better as a team,” junior Marcus Beauchamp said. “We hang out all the time.”

The team has devoted long and grueling hours to its craft and is constantly motivated to improve. They aim to persevere through hardship to get to where they want to be.

“I like going to practice even though it

makes me tired because I want to get better,” Rout said. “ I’m trying to work a lot harder.”

Practice is an important step towards success, and the team is expending its maximum effort every day.

“They’re Monday through Friday, everyday,” senior James Mendenhall said.“They’re about 2 hours long; they’re pretty intense.”

The team’s motivation comes from many places, and their love and passion for the sport is definitely a factor. With a range in ages, they have varying reasons for joining and sticking with the sport.

“I was one of those kids where my parents made me try every sport to see if I liked it; water polo stuck,” Lemly said.

“I fell in love with the sport right away,” Rout said.

However, the amount of time put into practicing and bonding as a team can lead to having less time for school work, with student-athletes feeling the pressure.

“Water Polo for me, affects my time for school drastically,” Rout said. “I get really tired after practice, and often I don’t really want to do my homework, but I still stay up to do it.”

Water Polo definitely takes a lot of effort, with long and intense practices mixed with fierce games. The sport is not for the faint of heart, but with a dedicated varsity team representing our school, they will surely do well.

Tour de Force’s Dancing with the Teachers

Above: Alyssa Santos and Niki Wright dance with Trecker dance with Kurt Trecker.

Above: Best Costume winner Bailey Bradshaw dances with Daisy Miller and Lauren Picard in Spongebob costume.

Photo courtesy of Jason Yamane Upper Right: Oscar dances with junior Alyssa Santos and senior Taylor Mitchell in his first Dancing with the Teachers event.

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theSilverSpur

October 13, 2017

School interf eres with Halloween tradition of dressing up Student shares Trevor Boaz Staff Writer With Halloween comes fun and exciting activities. Traditional activities such as trick-or-treating and carving jack-o’-lanterns are a timeless and popular way to celebrate the holiday. Arguably the most popular, dressing up in costumes has become a cultural phenomenon, with Americans spending about a total of $8.4 billion on the holiday. Despite the vast popularity, however, many high schoolers have stopped wearing costumes to school and dressing up in general.

With Halloween, dressing up can be a rewarding and appealing activity, but with the complexities of getting to and from school in a costume, things can become a little more difficult. Also with the 4x4 schedule and the increased intensity of classes, many students can feel that it’s just not worth it to go through all the trouble.

Finding time for selecting the right costume, paying for it, and wearing it to school can be stressful and take

valuable time away from academics jor concern, with some students takand extracurricular activities. ing several AP classes at once. The Money also plays a part in the dress- academic workload combined with up decline, as Halloween costumes the extracurricular activities many prices have definitely risen in past students participate in makes some years, with the cost of teenage cos- students struggle to find time for pretumes ranging from $25 to $100 this paring and wearing costumes. year. If a student were to pay for the “If you’re taking harder classes, costume with his or her money, it can you’ll have more homework, which will be stressful trying to discourage you make it through the from dressing up,” Schoolwork and school day without Bruce said. “You extracurricular damaging it. may have outside “It’s not that pracof school activiactivities take time tical to wear any ties taking up your away from the costume,” Philip time as well.” normal processes Bruce, a junior who Despite the enwill not be dressing vironment that of preparing a up this year, said. the Broncos get costume.”

A student’s workto learn in, some load can also constudents may tribute to the lack of feel anxious and Halloween spirit. Schoolwork and ex- awkward about wearing a costume to tracurricular activities take time away school. Initially, wearing a costume to from the normal processes of prepar- school can sound like a lot of fun, but ing a costume. With the 4x4 sched- can also become a burden, especially ule and PSAT and other standardized to shy or nervous students. Selecting exams on the horizon, the workload a lesser-known character to dress up of an average student can increase. as can lead to a uncomfortable conClass intensity is also become a ma- versation, which may embarrass some

“

students. Dressing up and wearing a Halloween costume to school opens yourself up in a way that some students might not like.

“I think people are more self-conscious,” Sophia Del Toro, a sophomore who will be dressing up this year, said.

Adults can also make students feel uneasy about dressing up. Halloween costumes are often encouraged in elementary and middle school when students are still categorized as “children” while in high school, students are expected to act more mature. Halloween can be seen as a “juvenile” holiday with teenagers expected to watch a scary movie or attend a party, not wear costumes and trick-or-treat.

“People will kind of judge you for being a teenager dressing up,” Bruce said. “People stop looking at you as a kid looking for candy.”

There are many reasons as to why high schoolers are no longer as prone to wear costumes to school anymore, but that doesn’t mean that you should make it affect how you celebrate the fall season. However you choose to spend your time, make sure to have a happy Halloween.

Whaley House is ideal location for Halloween thrill-seekers Katherine Pham News Editor Also known as “one of the most haunted houses in the country,” the Whaley House is most definitely one of the freakiest houses in San Diego.

Built on the grounds where a man was hung, Thomas Whaley and his wife Anna were probably asking for bad luck when they constructed it in 1857 (it’s 160 years old!). Not only was a man by the name of Yankee Jim hung on the land, but Thomas Whaley had been in the crowd watching! It’d be no surprise to me if all the horrors that plagued the Whaley family were actually part of a curse set by the dead man.

Today, the Whaley House is said to be haunted by four, maybe five, ghosts, all of whom either died in the house, or near it.

The first ghost you’ve probably already guessed: Yankee Jim. Yankee Jim Robinson was not the only person who

was ever hung on the property before the house was built, but he was the most famous, which may be why his ghost is the only one who has stuck around.

The first death in the house was that of Thomas Whaley Junior. He was 17

Photo courtesy of whaleyhouse.org months old when he died of Scarlet Fever in the house. It’s not certain whether or not his ghost remained, but his death was the beginning of a series of unfortunate events for the Whaley family.

Dear Sylvia: I started this year with

a tremendous amount of motivation, but can feel my work ethic declining. What can I do to maintain the mental state I had at the beginning of the school year?

-Premature Senioritis

Dear Premature Senioritis, This is not an uncommon problem.

Whenever a long-term goal is attempted, motivation tends to spark passionately in the beginning and eventually declines over time. To avoid this, what needs to be done is the evaluation of why one felt motivated to work hard in the first place.

In this case, the mental state you were in was a feeling of optimism about the school year, and that positivity led you to feel like working hard. The problem with this is emotions are inherently fluid, and are constantly subject to change. Therefore, even though you felt optimistic one day, the next day your emotions could’ve changed for any reason at all, leaving your motivation as nothing more than a shell of what it used to be. Due to the fragility of motivation, one could deduce it isn’t an effective way of achieving your goals, and a much more practical trait is self-discipline.

Self-discipline is the skill of being able to force yourself to complete tasks, despite the temptation to abandon your goal for the sake of comfort. The key difference between self-discipline and motivation is once one is trained to have with a healthy level of self-discipline, it is much easier to complete his or her tasks, regardless of emotional state at the time. In other words, motivation is the feeling of wanting to do something, while if you have discipline, your feelings are irrelevant.

Discipline is a much more reliable tool than motivation, as motivation is too fickle to depend on for long periods of time, and varies from task to task.

However, if one continuously works to cultivate an attitude of self-discipline by working towards something when he or she has no motivation to do so, it gradually becomes easier each time.

The next death would occur in the house years later. Violet Whaley was only 22 years old when she committed suicide and died on the first floor of the Whaley House. It is said that her untimely death was due to a failed

If you’re not one to take an anonymous writer’s column as absolute fact, then consider a study titled “Self-Discipline Outdoes IQ in Predicting Academic Performance of Adolescents” by Angela L. Duckworth, and Martin E.P.Seligman.

Published in Psychological Science, the study found that in a “study of students, self-discipline measured by self-report, parent report, teacher report, and questionnaires in the fall predicted final grades, school attendance, standardized achievement-test scores, and selection into a competitive high school program the following spring. “Students performed better in these categories whenever they reported a higher degree of self discipline.

The study went on to conclude that “these findings suggest a major reason for students falling short of their intellectual potential: their failure to exercise selfdiscipline.”

With research clearly indicating that self-discipline has a major effect in work ethic, especially academically, the most effective way for Broncos to reach their academic potential is to instill within themselves self-discipline. To do this, one must understand it is not an innate trait, but rather acts a muscle; the more you use it, the stronger it gets.

Therefore, the best course of action is to force yourself into doing undesirable tasks, such as homework, as often and as soon as possible, building your selfdisciple to the point where it continually gets easier to force yourself to do what is right.

x Sylvia Spur

marriage. Well, more like a conned one. She is said to have woken up on her honeymoon to find her husband gone, along with her dowry. Ashamed, humiliated and politely shunned by the

public, Violet Whaley shot herself. Her ghost is one of the most famous ones to haunt the house today, a heartbroken young girl with a bloody bullet wound.

Both Thomas and Anna Whaley are said to haunt the house as well, but only because their dear daughter is still there. Neither parent died in the actual house, having moved out after their daughter’s death, which makes complete sense. It was probably hard for them to even think about the house that two of their children died in, much less live in it. But, the bond between and parent and a child is hard to break, even in death, leading there to be two more ghosts residing in the old home.

The Whaley House is located in Old Town San Diego, in case any of you are thinking of visiting it on Halloween this year. They also allow students to do projects and film inside the house. Who knows, maybe you’ll run into some paranormal apparition on a spooky night, doesn’t that give you the heebie-jeebies?

RB High student develops groundbreaking methods for taking notes Samantha Yi Editor-in-Chief Ansley Juilliard is a renowned notetaker, known for his expert abbreviation skills. Having studied cryptology and Egyptology by watching YouTube rips of History Channel documentaries, Juilliard has developed a personal hieroglyphic code that enables him to condense a sentence into just a couple of letters and emoticons. Thus, “a rhetorical triangle consists of logos, pathos and ethos” becomes “;-) LPE.” Brilliant.

This system allows maximum efficiency for him when it comes to comprehension of lessons and the completion of assignments that are heavily reliant on extensive notetaking.

“While other students are busy spraining their wrists trying not to miss any lecture details, I’m kicking back and having a snack,” Juilliard said. “It’s nice.”

(Translated into his note-taking lexicon, that would be, “:-x KB HS :-).”)

Juilliard has become somewhat of a hot commodity around PUSD. Teachers love him; students want to be him, and parents want to raise him as their own.

“It’s hard sometimes, but I try to stick to a very important philosophy and inspiring mindset that was passed down to me by some ancient Buddhist monks,” he said. (“B-) YOLO.”) Juilliard studied transcendental meditation in Tibet last summer, and according to him, it really helped him

solidify his technique. Though he may only be eight years old, he’s already a senior at RB High. In a month, he’ll have his high school diploma, and it’s all thanks to his ability to actually follow what the teacher is saying in class.

“My students try very hard to write down what I think they should be jotting down and keeping up with,” Hosoya Miyano, his AP Japanese teacher said.

“But not Juilliard - he has his own system of filtering information. Even if it is a bit hard for me to grade his notes because of my lack of fluency in emoticon, he still passes his tests with impressive scores, which is the important thing.”

Adapting well to his note-heavy environment, Juilliard has shown students the path to enlightenment, or at least the path to making one’s workload a lot lighter. Oh, and there’s the whole Cartoon by Samantha Yi understanding-what’sgoing-on-in-classinstead-of-frantically-writing-downeverything-out-of-fear thing, too.

True, not every student has the mental fortitude to take on his abbreviative skills, but Juilliard encourages others to follow in his footsteps.

“The road to greatness has a lot of street signs. Make them shorter,” he said.

So what does the future hold for this promising young man? Well, he’ll be teaching an advanced course in the art of note-taking next year, and spots are already filling up. If you’d like to attend, register as soon as possible. In the meantime, he’ll be riding his scooter in the playground.

“It’s like a wise monk once said, ‘Jealousy is a disease. Get well soon, sweetie,’” Juilliard concluded. “Or was it a wise monkey?” (“>:- [ xoxo.”)

experience after going vegan for a week Ryan Yaghoubpoor Staff Writer

Cartoon by Mackenzie Carmichael Recently, I took a step out of my comfort zone and went vegan for one entire week.

First though I learned about veganism and thus found out that there is evidence that it could help prevent many diseases such as type-II diabetes, cardiovascular disease as well as having numerous other health benefits. With information like this, it makes sense that many have gravitated towards veganism. However, veganism also consists of the idea of rejecting the exploitation of animals. I learned quite a lot from the short time with my veganeating experience.

After I told my family about my decision, some problems quickly surfaced, from what my meat utopia of a home would eat, to carrying out the vegan diet while at the same time staying healthy. I started out eating anything in my house that I was sure was vegan: fruits, vegetables, bread, vegan bars, and anything else I could get my hands on. But we had limited options at my home, and I started noticing that I might be losing weight. I realized that I needed to learn more because the PB and J sandwiches were not cutting it, and I would often open my refrigerator only to realize there was nothing else to eat.

I decided that I needed to talk with an experienced vegan, so I turned to vegan senior Jaylen Rosoul and learned about some of his favorite options.

“I enjoy tofu, diet cheese (cheese alternative), and ripple milk,” Rasoul said.

After talking about his favorite foods, he also told me why he went vegan, which really opened up my view on the subject.

“I took AP Environmental Science, and we looked at a lot of the environmental impacts that the meat industry has on the environment,” Rasoul said. “And I noticed how it affects so much in the world.”

Later in the interview, Rasoul went on to talk about animal rights which I had never thought about, but one thing that I took away was the pure motive he had for going vegan. I always thought that veganism was something healthy to do, but it is so much more than that. It’s about directing your thoughtfulness towards something other than yourself, to the point that it changes your lifestyle.

The sudden change not only had an impact on me but also on my family. My family normally eats cultural foods that are stuffed with meat or other animal products, so anything other than that seemed “different.”

We couldn’t eat our normal foods which forced us to open up to new menu ideas.

I wanted more help, so I talked to senior Taylor Mitchell who has experience with a similar diet to veganism.

“It’s hard to go out with friends like after football games, but it’s all about finding substitutes,” Mitchell said. Taylor went on and said that she still enjoys eating with her friends.

“My friends and I like to go to brunch and get healthy things like smoothies and what not, and it just makes me feel energized,” Mitchell said. She also made it clear that being healthy is not a burden.

If anything, it helps her.

Going vegan brought on new experiences and lessons into my life which will stay with me. I became more aware about how implementing such a change as my diet could affect my life, and I learned more about the people that I share this huge world with. I did not do this alone though; my family also learned valuable lessons as they went through the challenges with me. In the end I think we became more accepting and understanding of people who live their lives and eat differently than us. Veganism had its ups and downs for me, but it was definitely an experience that I will remember, and, maybe, one day even take up again.

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October 13, 2017

Myths at rb High Superstition (n.): a widely held but unjustified belief in supernatural causation leading to certain consequences of an action or event, or a practice based on such a belief. In today’s society, we are surrounded by all sorts of superstitions; some are historical; some are personal; some are popular, and some are only recognized by a select few. However, regardless of how a superstition is recognized, it is recognized, and to those people, it does exist. With Halloween around the corner, it just seems right to talk about a few superstitions that are believed around campus.

Superstitions are not something that everyone believes in. In fact, many people nowadays choose to believe in science and coincidences instead of supernatural occurrences and magic. Of course, when something has an explanation, it’s always easier to believe, but not everything can be explained.

That’s how some superstitions come to be.

You may have been raised with some of these mundane superstitions, such as to not step on the cracks in the sidewalk, or to never walk underneath a ladder. Sophomore Rodney Borg is one of many who was raised with a common superstition and has adopted it into his daily life.

“I don’t like having open umbrellas inside,” Borg said. “It just makes me really uncomfortable. I was always told never to do it, so I get uncomfortable when other people do it.”

Similarly, sophomore Jamie Santosa has also had a superstition that has stuck with her since she was younger, but it wasn’t one that came from her family.

“My superstition is that on the first day of every month, the first word I say has to be ‘rabbit’, so that I’ll have a lucky month,” Santosa said. “I was introduced to this by my 4th grade teacher. He explained that it was an old English superstition to have luck for the month. I’ve been doing it ever since I learned about it.”

Now, whether these beliefs are superstitions or just forces of habit is up to what you want to believe in.

Some superstitions revolve around the culture

Mirror, Mirror on the wall by Ryan Yaghoubpoor

Breaking a mirror is a The superstition of breaking superstition that has been a mirror actually started before passed down for a long time and mirrors were made when is still accepted by some people people saw their reflections in today. Some may not realize the pools of water. The reflection amount of history that is behind you saw was said to reflect the crushed surface: there are your soul, so if your image was many stories that can be seen distorted then disaster would past the reflection, broken or strike you. Also, the Greeks not. believed that spirits lived in reflective water.

When mirrors were invented, they were made of polished metal, possibly copper or bronze. They were valuable items, so whoever had one had to handle it with care. To ensure that, the Romans started the idea that seven years, the amount of time they believed it takes for the body to renew itself, of bad luck would befall whoever broke a mirror.

There are other reasons why people think breaking a

mirror is bad luck. Because some people believe a person’s reflection in a mirror is their soul, they say that when you break a mirror your soul is in many pieces and that it can not protect you anymore. Others say that your soul is trapped in a broken mirror for seven years and seeks revenge, or that a mirror reflects your health, so a broken mirror means that your well-being is in danger.

There are also ways to reverse the effects of breaking a mirror.

The Romans believed that you need to bury all the pieces of the mirror under the moonlight, or throw all the pieces of the mirror into running water.

Another method is taping a piece of the broken mirror on a tombstone.

Breaking a mirror is a superstition that has been passed down for a long time and is still accepted by some people today. Some may not realize the amount of history that is behind the crushed surface: there are many stories that can be seen past the reflection, broken or not.

by Katherine Pham

of an entire country. For example, the common Irish superstition that four-leaf clovers will bring you luck. Many people, not only the Irish, also believe this.

However, many times, countries believe in vastly different superstitions. Did you know that in Britain it’s considered good luck to have a black cat cross your path? That’s the exact opposite of what we were raised to believe here in America.

Another example is that here we simply pick up a red pen and write; after all, it’s only a pen, right?

“In Korea, they believe that if you write someone’s name in red, that means that you want them to die,” senior Erin Yoon said. “I know that my mom believes that. I once handed her a red pen to sign something, and she asked me if I was trying to kill her. She’s always telling me not to write in red.”

Now think of how many times you have carelessly written the names of friends or family members in red. Lucky for you, you probably don’t believe in the “death-note”esque red pen.

Some superstitions hold meaning only for individuals. There are many examples of this all around us, such as how some people have an old trinket they’ve had forever that they believe has

special abilities, or how many athletes and teams have a pre-game ritual to bring them good luck.

Other superstitions are passed down from generation to generation, and are just natural. For instance, senior Shaina Mishra has a handful of superstitions that her family believes in.

“My mom always says that you can’t get a haircut or cut your nails on the day of the week that you were born,” Mishra said. “It’s like bad luck since you’re cutting something off of your body. She also always makes us wait for a little bit if we’re about to leave and someone sneezes. We don’t point at plants because then they might stop growing. We also don’t step over someone because then they supposedly stop growing.”

Superstitions seem to be a part of our society, whether you’re a believer or not. What harm comes from believing that there might be a little bit of magic in the world?

Look what the cat brought in!

The belief that crossing paths with a black cat is bad luck has been around the western world for centuries. Originating from the European Dark Ages, this superstition has come to be through its linkage with witchcraft and witches in general.

The Middle Ages of Europe were a time where people did not fully comprehend science and

nature, which prompted many spiritual beliefs to transpire. These beliefs were solely based off of a lack of an explanation for what was going on. In their case, a deadly disease referred to as “the black plague” was something they could not explain.

The fear of black cats heavily influenced the outcome of the black death due to its association with witchcraft. By killing black cats in an effort to eradicate bad luck and what the Catholic church deemed evil at the time, the population of cats decreased, causing their prey, rats, to thrive and spread the diseases they carried. The most devastating and far reaching disease was “the black plague.” The rats infected humans and contributed to increasing the

Knock on wood

severity of the plague.

Since the link between the now scarce amount of cats and the plague was not identified at the time, the popular superstition to kill black cats carried over to North America thanks to English Puritans. Black cats continued to be killed during the Salem witch trials and carried on for years later. Eventually, the tradition to kill them ceased over time, but the fallacy continued to be told and passed on from generation to generation.

Though the perpetration of black cats has died down, people still warn adoption centers not to adopt out their black cats during Halloween out of fear that whoever is taking in these cats are only doing so to harm them. Organizations like the ASPCA have made public announcements debunking this myth, and claim to do thorough background checks before giving an animal to a new family.

13 reasons why

by Saanvi Kshetramade

First formed in the early 19th century, “knock on wood” has various meanings.

Commonly, it refers to knocking on wood for good luck. It was created from the folklore of the ancient Celts, with the belief that spirits lived in certain trees or even in wood. Knocking on the trees would present the person with a blessing, or would alert the spirit of their presence. It was also a way of acknowledging and thanking the spirit.

Others knocked on the trees in order to distract evil spirits lurking around, and to keep any negativity away. Knocking on wood three times after a wish for luck wasn’t rare, and many even knocked on their own heads when wood wasn’t available nearby.

A British variation is “touch wood,” and similar to “knock on wood,” it is a phrase that was used to keep from stopping good fortune, and to avoid any bad luck headed their way. For some people, it has even replaced having to physically knock on wood, or any nearby surface bearing a resemblance to wood.

by Yssy Smiley

by Munira Ali

Not only this, but the phrase actually has slightly different meanings per culture.

The Greeks believed that Oak trees were sacred to Zeus, while other cultures worshiped trees in order to avoid wrath from the gods, and to maintain their steady flow of good fortune, or to keep evil spirits from listening to boasts of their good luck.

Therefore, while the old belief that spirits live in trees and wood has long since dissipated, many people automatically knock on wood or any nearby surface, trusting that it would bring them good luck.

Friday and the 13th.

Almost 17 to 21 million people in the United States are affected by the fear of this day.

But why Friday, and why the 13th?

Going back to the middle ages and the time’s many references to the Bible, the number 13 hasn’t gotten the best of reps. The 13th day was when The Knights Templars, who were widely believed to be protecting the Holy Grail (the cup Jesus drank from at the Last Supper) as well as other holy objects, were arrested and massacred. On the 13th

day, the crucifixion occurred, and it makes sense that because 12 is considered the perfect number, that its successor, 13, would be not so perfect.

It wasn’t until the 19th century, with the publication of Thomas W. Lawson’s popular novel Friday, the Thirteenth in 1907 and Lawson’s advantageous use of Friday the 13th to create a Wall Street panic, that the popular belief was perfused more than ever before. Friday the 13th has long been a superstition, but as history has it, many “bad” things actually did occur on this god-forsaken day. Some people are so paralyzed by fear that they avoid their normal routines in doing business, taking flights or even getting out of bed, with almost $800 or $900 million that is lost in business on this day. While some may see this as just another silly superstition that holds no merit, many are strong believers in the dark and bloody atmosphere Art by that surrounds Sarah Yuen Friday the 13th.