june 2007

Guest Fiction Finale What will you do

without your

Sydney Evans “Drunken Lullabies” Flogging Molly

Jeff Dumm “This Is Why I’m Hot” R. Kelly & Twister

Michael Baker “Break the Silence” Killswitch Engage

Rachel Inhofer “Go To Church” Snap

The rules for iPods on campus are changing.

How will it affect the school? How will it affect you?

I don’t - 33%

I own an iPod - 77% I have owned only one - 75%

two - 18%

I haven’t gotten in trouble for my iPod - 72%

three - 2% four - 5% I have - 28%

white - 29% black - 21% silver - 15% pink - 11% blue - 10% green - 6% red - 4% 145 polled

June 2007,Volume 13, Issue 4

Teachers transfering

Community college

IPod?

")' 4().'3 "%'). !4 3)%22! #/,,%'%

'ET A JUMP START ON COLLEGE THIS SUMMER -AY 3TART *UNE 3TART *ULY 3TART 0ERFECT FOR EVERY SCHEDULE MORE DAY EVENING WEEKEND ONLINE AND CABLE 46 COURSES IN 2OCKLIN 2OSEVILLE 'RASS 6ALLEY AND 4RUCKEE ,OWEST COST IN THE STATE l NANCIAL AID AVAILABLE

WWW SIERRACOLLEGE EDU

The Flash

Rocklin High School

May 2007

Volume 13, Issue 4

in this issue

def: something that will exist or happen in time to come In this issue we explore what the future holds for Rocklin High and its students. We begin with the banning of iPods next year and how this will effect students.

Also, we find out which teachers will be moving to Whitney High next year.

Next we look into what the future holds for the class of 2007.While exploring the option of community college we found that 19 members of our staff attended a community college.

That led to an increased

interest of our staff, including the jobs that students don't always recognize.

From there we dive into summer plans, including students that will be visiting Japan and Spain.

This has been a year on progressive change for The Flash and we are looking forward to our future newsmagazines, web updates, and cable TV show, all which will have an active presence on campus next year.

FLASH STAFF

may contents may contents may contents

4 Rules changing

More restrictions to come next year

6 Community college: not a dirty word

The benefits of attending Sierra College 8 AP classes A look at the 13 AP classes offered on campus

10 Jobs you didn't know about

Underappreciated staff: attendence, cafeteria, and discipline 15 Guest Fiction: The Flower Fields The conclusion of Jeff Moyers' creative writing

18 Sports

Top ten dramatic moments in sports this year

23 Post Secrets

Back by popular demand Flashing weekly at: http://my.highschooljournalism.org/CA/rocklin/

Evan Adams, Megan Cardona, Alexis Coopersmith, Casey Cutts, Amber Diller, Ashley Fowler, Joanna Graves, Andrew Morales, Courtney Morgan, Caitlin Reilley, Julie Ruocco, Cory Ruth, Ashley Sorci, Megan Taffe, Mallory Valenzuela

4

June 2007

Community College Attendees

RHS Teachers:

Mr. Mike Garrison Mrs. Laura Douglas

Principal

English Mrs. Angela Parker Mr. John Kirk

English

Math Mr. Paul Morrison Mr. David Musscarella

Science

P.E. Mrs. Nancy Hayes Mr. David Bills

Art

Athletic Director Ms. Pilar Padilla Mr. Steve Taylor

English

P.E. Ms. Cassandra Norris Mr. Tim Hurrianko

English

English Mr. James Grace Mr. Craig Kaylor

English & Speech Brodcasting Ms. Sabrina Grant Mrs. Pam Wentz

ILS

Special Education Mr. John Tompson Mr. Eric Sturgeon

Math

Psychology

Celebrities: Gwendolyn Brooks

Pulitzer prize-winning poet Eileen Collins

NASA astronaut Joyce Luther Kennard

CA Supreme Court justice Jeanne Kirkpatrick

Former UN ambassador Jim Lehrer

News anchor Robert Moses

Choreographer & dance

company founder Sam Shepard

Pulitzer prize-winning playwright James Sinegal

CEO of Costco Maxwell Taylor

Former chairman of the

Joint Chiefs of staff Info from: www.collegeboard.com

The Flash

The Flash

Community College:

Not dirty words

Audrey Burtner and Nathalie Rayter Co- Editors-in-Chief In Rocklin High School’s culture of over-achievement in pursuit of admission to a four-year college, “community college” has the stigma of a dirty word. However, four-year college is not feasible or desirable for all high school seniors, and the fact of the matter is that the majority of RHS graduates enEnglish teacher Pilar Padilla poses with the credentials she roll in community college. earned after first attending a community college. Photo by “Fifty percent of our stu- Ashley Sorci. dents enroll at Sierra ColCommunity college is not just for lege,” said College and Career adviser adults, however; 52% of Sierra ColCindy Cutts. In the state of California, lege students are ages 18 to 24. over 1.6 million students are enrolled Zac Palin, senior, is planning on atat community colleges. California is tending Sierra College next year. For home to 109 community colleges, and Palin, it’s a matter of practicality. “The 11 of them have on-campus dorms; only purpose in going to a four-year Sierra College in Rocklin is one of is getting away from your family, bethem. cause you’re taking pretty much the Sierra College is in the top one persame classes for the first two years cent of two-year colleges in the United anyway.”

States awarding Associate Degrees, “I’m planning on going to Sierra for and is the top in California. two years, and then transferring to UC At least 18 of the staff at Rocklin Santa Cruz for their video game-oriHigh School attended community colented computer science program.” leges, including Principal Mike GarSierra has a high rate of transfer to rison. four-year universities. Some courses English teacher Ms. Pilar Padilla at Sierra College “meet general edutook three years off after graduating cation and pre-major requirements from high school and moved up to equivalent to the first two years at a Squaw Valley. “I only intended to ski four-year college,” and students may for one season, but I wound up stayapply to transfer when they have ing for three,” said Padilla. “When I achieved junior standing, according decided I wanted to go to college, I to the college’s website. already was married and had kids, The stigma of attending community and I didn’t want to be in that four-year college is strong, but the reality is that environment. it is the right decision for many. With “Two-year college is more adult, 50 percent of Rocklin grads enrolling and the classes are smaller. You see at Sierra, more thought about this opyour teachers around town and they tion is deserved. stop and say ‘hi’ to you.”

rhs_flash@yahoo.com

June 2007

The Flash

Financing with Student Loans Katie Kilbourne Web Editor

take a look at what means what

Stafford

Federal student loans that are directly for univeristy students that are normally granted through scholarships, grants, personal resources, and work-study. These funds are all provided by the US Department of Education. The limit for freshman year undergraduates is $3,500, $4,500 for sophomores, and $5,500 for juniors and seniors.

Federal Student Loans Money offered by private companies under the US Department of Education from the Federal Family Education Loan Program (FFELP) and the Federal Direct Student Loan Program (FDSLP). Offers money for tuition, room and board, books, and other expenses at either a two-year of four-year university.

With the cost of college rising more and more each year, students are being forced to take out loans to help pay for college costs.

For some, the loan application process may be a terrifying and confusing experience. There is help available however.

With help from the College Board, Fastweb, and the college and career center, help is available for students needing research.

Here are some different loan options for students seeking loans.........

5

Unsubsidized vs Subsidized

While both are guarenteed by the US Department of Education and have a six month pay-back period until after graduation, each one has different meanings. Subsidized loans are for students that are more need based. Unsubsidized loans are available for students with the responsibility of paying the loan back with the interest from the time they receive the money to the time they graduate. Depending on the student's need, the amount of the loan will vary.

For more information:

http://www.staffordloan.com/federal-student-loans/ http://www.collegeboard.com/student/pay/ loan-center/25524.html

6

June 2007

The Flash

Opinion

Battle over tightening school policies:

The administration says that changes are needed, including a new, "no-iPod" rule. Some students are upset about these impending rule changes. Take a look at two sides.

Caitlin Reily

Megan Cardona staff writer

staff writer

Changes are ongoing and it doesn’t matter if it’s just a change in season or in the rules, changes always come whether there positive or negative.

Summer is on its way, but that’s not the only change taking place. Starting next year, school will begin with one major change; no iPods.

At first it may come as a shock, but there is one great thing about it: there will be less thefts at school. Trust me it’s not a fun thing to find your iPod missing after P.E. “There’s no need for them on campus and also for theft reasons, these are really expensive items,” said Principal Mike Garrison.

Distraction was another reason for this change, during class iPods can become too much of a distraction for the students and possibly anger the teachers.

Garrison also said, “It’s a safety issue when students can’t hear teachers calling them.”

Although, administration did con-

sider allowing iPods to be out on break and lunch but they came to the conclusion that it would be too difficult to manage, which makes sense. How can you manage to make sure every kid in the school has there Ipod away when there next class starts?

Just like cell phones, iPods will be allowed to be out before and after school starts.

Also, the same consequences of getting caught with a phone will happen if any type of music player is out during school.

It may sound harsh, but our school is becoming like the other schools in town and plus were not the only school with the ‘no Ipod rule’.

“Were becoming consistent with the district and both junior high’s are the same,” said Garrison.

Campus will look a bit different without the scene of two headphones dangling from the ears of students but it’s a change the student body will have to accept. There are pros to this change; it may just not seem like it.

Among Rocklin High students, there is no argument that rules seem to be getting stricter by the second. No iPods allowed during school hours adds to the lengthy list of restrictions already enforced.

We are continuously told by teachers that we should act like “young adults.” This is true, but how are we supposed to if our freedoms are slowly being taken away?

“It’s stupid. Just because a few people decided to steal iPods all of the students’ privileges are taken away,” said sophomore Karl Cannon.

The majority of people who support iPods being banned are the teachers. “I think it’s really good that they are being banned.

They are a distraction. When an iPod is reported stolen in the locker room, it is hard to shut down the locker room in time to check everyone’s backpack,” said P.E. teacher Mr. Muscarella.

Music helps many students focus better while working on homework. “I listen to my music in class when I work on homework. It helps me block out what everyone else is talking about,” says sophomore Amanda Bruns.

Incoming freshmen always seem to think that since they are going to high school they will have more privileges, I know I thought that. The only difference now is that we can wear flip-flops, which will disappoint every incoming freshman.

There are many opinions to this new rule, supporting or hating it. Either way, it seems as if the school district is not teaching us how to grow up and take responsibility for our on actions.

rhs_flash@yahoo.com

The Flash

iFreedom It is not an overstatement to say that with each passing year, the rules at RHS seem to tighten their all-encompassing grip on the student body. The intensity and multitude of restrictions seems to expand with each passing year.

RHS is considered a “distinguished school” by meeting high academic and school-wide standards and prides itself in a large amount of college preparatory courses.

RHS is also known for its extremely tight r ules.

This contributes to the very esteemed reputation that Rocklin High School has held since 1992 when the school opened, but over recent years the extent of restrictions seems to be going too far.

Student freedoms are declining by the year.

M r s . M a r i a n n e K n ox will readily explain that the reason for the increase of rules is simple, “the number of students that misuse [their privileges] begins to escalate, and we have to make a new rule that bans whatever it is completely.”

But what good can come from taking away all the student rights when only a percentage is abusing the privileges?

If all the choices are made for students, how will they know how to choose anymore when the time arrives?

In former years at Rocklin High, the rules have been much more lax; even going to the extent of allowing cell phones at lunch and breaks.

Spaghetti straps could be worn to school, there was no dress

code at dances, the firewall was less stringent, and any hat could be worn outside the classroom.

The school functioned perfectly fine under these rules, as they were reasonable and still allowed an extent of personal expression and freedom.

It is also understandable how over time, budding technology would allow simple freedoms to be abused.

Although it was only a couple of years ago, it seems a distant memory as all of these privileges have been stripped since then.

On the flip side, many of these rules have been created based on good reason.

Knox elaborates: “When cell phones were allowed, camera phones became a large issue. A student wa s eve n c a u g h t o n c e photographing a test.”

This is understandable as to why this would be an issue.

Another example of this would be stricter dress code at dances: if students are not given limits, they often act in immature ways by not covering up their bodies. However, the bad effects seem to far outweigh the good.

The new rules seem to take the adult privileges highschoolers have earned from going through elementary and middle school and take them away.

Does solving the problem include just taking away liberties fully and completely? There will always be the student who

misuses an iPod, but should the entire student body suffer for it?

And the trend continues: a prime example of this downhill battle is the proposed restriction on personal music players for

Your Opinion John Lee, 10th

"That is not right for the kids at Rocklin, we nedd to broaden our minds with music."

Ryan Eckert, 11th

"Not too mch of a worry because I don't bring my iPod to school."

Ashley Dykstra, 10th

"If you get it stolen boo hoo, your the one who brought it to school."

Karen Cox, Discipline Tech

"It should be up to the teachers."

next year. No formal reason is presented to the students.

Most won’t even know why the ban is taking place.

Knox, who is definitely in favor of the new proposed restriction, gives reasons: “Three or four students a week now are having their iPods stolen. This is very difficult for the staff, who has to spend time looking for them.”

Spend time looking for them? No one is required to

June 2007

7

"My iPod is my

baby."

Amanda Sword, 10th spend any amount of time looking for stolen property that was warned to be a hot commodity for student-thieves in the first place.

Another thing: RHS is not responsible for any lost or stolen items on campus.

There are cer tainly legitimate reasons as well, such as learning distractions in the classroom. But wouldn’t it make more sense to leave it up to the teacher whether or not iPods should be out during class? Students who want to enjoy some music at their lunch or nutrition breaks aren’t doing any harm. If they want to be anti-social, it is their business. There is no lack of social students at this school.

These should be choices that people get as adults.

High school students can drive, hold a job, and some can vote; but they are no longer going to be given the simple freedom of listening to music at school.

As a student body, RHS students are being stripped of their national rights as human beings. Its time to act.

Knox gives her overall proclamation of the administration’s rule purposes: “Our point is to support the learning environment and make sure that students have the right to learn and teachers have the right to teach in a distraction-free environment.”

8

June 2007

The Flash

The Flash

AP Classes at RHS:

For those who want the ultimate challenge

Courtney Morgan staff writer

What AP? government

With Mrs. Crowe

Spanish

The Student Tiffany Lorek & Michelle Arensman

Why should I take

this class?

Tiffany: "I'm interested in US History and I thought government would be a good supplement for US."

Alex Simon

"I really like Mrs. Sellers and I enjoy Spanish and like to challenge myself."

Christine Posey

“I needed a math class and I didn’t want to take regular stats. I wanted something challenging.”

Biology

Monica Fein

“I hope to go into the medical field when I graduate. Plus it’s a subject that I actually find interesting.”

Calculus AB/BC

Chris Knight

“Math is awesome. Mrs. McCullough is awesome.”

Shavonne Eaton

“I enjoy writing and figured I could do well.”

Morgan Richie

“I’m very patriotic! I didn’t take AP World last year, but I’m very patriotic so I wanted to take AP US.”

studio ARt

Tyler Stark

“I’ve been doing art since about first grade and it’s my last chance to do art at school.”

World History

Kate Rose

“I took it for college credit so I can get into a good college.”

Jessica Murray

“I love psychology. I took General Psychology and I thought it would be fun to go further.”

Abby Finney

“I took Physics last year and passed so I thought AP would look good for college.”

Marc Jay

“I heard it was an easier AP class and I heard that we got food every week!”

Richie Ferris

“I had a pretty easy time in regular chemistry and also wanted a fourth AP class.”

With Mrs. Sellers

Statistics

With Mr. Kirk

With Mrs. DeMaria

With Ms. McCullough

English Literature

With Mr. James or Ms. Padilla

U.S. History

With Mrs. Benzel

With Ms. Hayes

With Mr. O'Donnell

Psychology

With Mr. Sturgeon

Physics

With Mr. Clarion

Microeconomics With Mr. Hardy

Chemistry

With Ms. Lee

rhs_flash@yahoo.com

June 2007

The Flash

9

it's Time to think...and Funniest moment

choose.

What's your advice?

Tiffany: " I would take it if you are interested in politics.

If you do take it, I highly recommend reading the textbook."

Michelle: "Anything with Jeff Moyers!"

Alex: "On one of our last tests, the last question was a true or false asking if Mrs. Sellers was pregnant."

"Only take it if you're serious about [Spanish]."

Christine: “We always make fun of Mr. Kirk because he always makes typos on our tests.”

“I recommend it for people who like stats. Also, take it if you like to read and do word problems because there are a lot of those.”

Monica: “Mrs. DeMaria played the plant reproduction song from Grease 2 and danced.”

“I would recommend it only if bio is an interest to them because if not, [you] will really grow to hate your textbook.”

Chris: “Ari Frink’s ‘Jurassic Park’ problem reference.”

“I recommend taking it because it’s fun!”

Shavonne: "My class is full of funny people who always have random comments.”

“For any AP you should like the subject. I would recommend it if you like reading and writing essays.”

Morgan: “Ben [Longwill] said how he thought stock watering meant that they water the stock and then put them on the railroad.”

“Even if you don’t like history, Mrs. Benzel is so passionate about it that she will make you like it.”

Tyler: “I’m the only guy in that class and someone said something like, ‘Why do you have to be so weird?’ So I said ‘I’m the hottest guy in this class!’”

“I’d recommend it if you are confident and can hold up to deadlines and scrutiny from the judges.”

Kate: “[O’Donnell] told us a terrible disgusting story about a cow. That’s all I’ll say about that!”

"Even if you don’t pass the test, [you] learn so much about history because you basically teach yourself.”

Jessica: “It’s funny every time Sturgeon tricks the gullible people in class. It’s hilarious when you know he’s lying.”

“I would recommend it. It’s fun – except when he lies to you!”

Abby: “I went to walk to Clarion’s desk and tripped on the pull string for the projector screen. I pulled down the overhead with the whiteboard on top!”

“[Take it] if you are doing well in regular physics. If you were in Physics 1 and didn’t get above a B, don’t take it.”

Marc: “One day Sean Harris was crouching in the corner without Mr. Hardy knowing. In the middle of the lecture, Sean jumped up and yelled ‘Fact of the Day, Baby!’"

“I would recommend it because it’s not a ridiculously challenging AP. It’s reasonable and the teacher is good and that makes a big difference.”

Richie: “It’s funny how much better our class is than the other class. One time Min Yu almost blew up the classroom with liquid nitrogen.”

“It can be a very entertaining class and Ms. Lee is such a great teacher. The first semester is all review so it’s easy. The second is all new stuff. ”

10 June 2007

The Flash

What you don't know

The Flash

About the RHS Staff

Staffers aren’t the only people on campus who do more than meets the eye at their jobs.

We see them everyday. They pick up after us, they make staff writer sure we aren’t cutting class, bandage us when we fall, and keep every record in the school. Yet, we really don’t know anything about them. Any guesses?

They are our secretaries, food service workers, discipline technicians, and administrators. Here's a closer look at the unsung staffers of Rocklin High School.

Amber Diller

Meet Maggie Moo Also known as Ashley Dykstra Name: Mike Garrison Job Title: Principal "I'm in ongoing meetings, I plan staff development days, and I have the final decision on everything."

Name: Jo Froehlich Job Title: Head Nurse "I type all of the medical condition lists, do all the health assesments for the Special Education kids, and teach over 400 teachers CPR."

Name: Ashley Dykstra Job Title: Ice Cream Server/Maggie Moo “I was excited because it was really fun.

People didn’t know who I was, so I could be to biggest idiot.”

"Who doesn’t love a giant dancing cow?"

Name: Michelle Linder Job Title: Library Clerk "I oversee everything in the library, train the library aides, types reports on fines and overdue books, and sometimes attend seminars that cover good books to put in the library."

Name: Ellen Dyer Job Title: Mr. Garrison's Secretary "It's hard to sum up what I do. I take care of the calendar, budgets, substitute paperwork, and I even carry the keys for the school."

12 June 2007

Opinion

Staff Editorial: Firewall is still not functional for RHS The Flash Staff editorial board In the beginning of the 2006-2007 school year, changes to the Rocklin Unified School District’s internet firewall were made to in response to students accessing inappropriate social network sites like Facebook and MySpace. But problems ensued, and were noted in a staff editorial on The Flash’s website.

In said piece, we enumerated the problems with the inability to access certain valuable resources, such as Google Image Search and certain email servers.

There was response by RUSD, and some problems were fixed; but others persist.

In January, a Flash editor emailed members of the school district and Network Administrator Steve Bradley alerting them of a serious problem: the journalism classes could not access articles on the Sacramento Bee website, impeding research for stories and general journalistic experience.

Superintendent Kevin Brown replied in an email, stating, “You are correct that we do have a firewall that prevents students and staff from accessing inappropriate web sites. Sometimes legitimate web sites get blocked because of a certain word or phrase. Blocking the Sac Bee does not make sense to me either.” He then went on to say that Mr. Bradley has the ability to unblock certain websites.

No reply was ever received from Bradley himself. The situation persisted for another two months.

Though the Sacramento Bee’s articles are now accessible, there are other grievances that ought to be dealt with. Rocklin students are unable to access weblogs of any kind.

Understandably, there are certain blogs that are inappropriate in a school environment. However, on the RUSD network, student journalists are unable to access Metafilter, Electablog, Daily Kos,

and others ranking on Forbes’ Best Blogs list.

These websites have unquestionable value in informing young people about political, economic, and media matters, yet we cannot access these at school.

The media are evolving, and journalism students need to stay up-to-date with news, technology, and blogging. To be prevented from accessing evolving media hinders Rocklin students. As seen in the SacBee debacle, having the District unblock each website with merit would take an unmanageable amount of time.

There is also the more recent matter of the Yahoo blockings. In the past weeks, students attempting to access their email accounts have had their class work interrupted, blocked by the filter.

Yahoo is consistently in the top few websites trafficked. It is a valuable search engine and media outlet; students are losing valuable ground by this blocking.

There are ways to get around the filter, but some students don’t know these and have not been able to access their Yahoo mail accounts, making it difficult to access files both at school and at home.

The fact of the matter is that RUSD responded to the problems of students logging onto MySpace and Facebook during school by employing the most radically restrictive method of filtering. The firewall is not appropriate for a high school environment, and blocks Rocklin students from accessing resources necessary to enhancing the learning environment.

The Flash calls upon RUSD and the Board to address and reform the problems with the existing network firewall, and employ a more progressive, ageappropriate filter in future school years.

Communication with representatives from all parties concerned would help in the creation of a more functional policy regarding Rocklin schools’ internet usage.

The Flash

Walk two moons in her pedicure: Evan gets his nails done Evan Adams

staff writer

Last week, I went to get a manicure. Yes, I know. Me, Evan Adams, a straight male, went to get a manicure. If I were you right now, I would be asking, “why?”

Some editors thought it would be a good idea for the male journalists to experience some of the things girls do regularly.

Long story short, last week I actually went and got a manicure. The supposed intention of this was to give me an insight into the mind of a girl. It did not work. Let me take you through the process.

First, I had to soak my hands in some sort of slimy liquid. Then I had a lady clip away all of the skin around my fingernails. Not surprisingly, this process is the most painful. Next she filed my nails, but, like most guys, my nails were so short it made everything much more painful. I had a glossy liquid placed on my nails so they would shine. (I tried to wash it off but I couldn’t so they shined for about 2 days.) Finally I had lotion massaged into my hands.

At first I didn’t think it was all that bad. I even enjoyed it, a little. But when my skin started to chip and peel in the next couple days, I decided that I object to getting manicures.

Overall this has caused me more pain than satisfaction. As I am writing this my fingers still hurt. I still do not understand girls. I don't understand why they compulsively shop, why they insist on going to the bathroom in pairs, and why they get manicures.

I am now content with never knowing the answers to these questions and based on this experience I will never try to find out.

rhs_flash@yahoo.com

June 2007

The Flash

13

Taking it all with you: friends plan on sharing rooms in college

For most seniors, the hardest part about graduating is leaving behind the friends they’ve known for most of their lives. The fear of meeting new people often overshadows the excitement of new opportunities. For this reason, many Rocklin High seniors are choosing to room with their friends and skip the new roommate jitters.

Why exactly would people choose to room with friends? Some believe that it only takes away from the college experience. Senior Lauren Donovan says, “I understand people living with their friends because there is that certain comfort level. But I decided to not room with anyJoanna Graves staff writer

one at Cal Poly just so I can meet some more people as well as keeping my old friends.”

Though many college bound seniors share a similar opinion, some choose to look at the situation as a rare opportunity.

Senior, Kira Davis, who plans to rent an apartment with friends, Samantha Crowley and Melissa Brown, thinks that living with friends will make the transition into college easier.

“We’re all going to the same school [Sac State] and none of us really wanted to make the commute from Rocklin to Sacramento. We all thought it was an amazing idea to live together.”

Davis also doesn’t believe that not having a stranger as a roommate will keep

her from meeting new people. “Honestly, you could get an apartment with people you know you’ll like and get along with, or you could risk not liking the person you live with. I figure that you can always meet people in your classes and get to know new people that way.”

Davis is not the only one that feels living with friends is a good idea. Senior Boyd Sheets also feels that living with his best friends will enable him to feel more comfortable in college.

Other seniors reported to be planning on rooming with friends in college include Halley Cutts and Elizabeth Reese, Tyler Stark and Aaron Fortier, and Adam Taylor, Chris Carstens, and Christian Savage.

Congradulations

Thanks to the following seniors:

Yearbook

Allie Barnard Audrey Burtner Ericka Dew Amanda Drake Daniel Herberholz Tiffany Lorek Erin Moore * four years

Kelley Niederberger* Caitlin Perkins Kim Rauch* Taylor Rausch Bekka Rizzo* Erika Sword Lauren Woodford

and

Newspaper Evan Adams *Audrey Burtner Casey Cutts Kelsey Drake *Ashley Fowler *Lexie Gibbs Joanna Graves Daniel Herberholz *Katie Kilbourne Andrew Morales Courtney Morgan *Nathalie Rayter Cory Ruth

14 June 2007

Features

The Flash

RHS Art students: a closer look Megan Taaffe

staff writer Even as the school year comes to an end, the art department continues to prove itself with continued recognition of talent and achievement.

Throughout the year there have been multiple displays including the Showcase Night gallery, campus displays, a show at the Roseville Civic Center, and the recent Kenyan culture week display in the library. Whether inspired

by African culture or a certain art style, there is no doubt that the RHS has some artists and a flourishing art program.

Here are some Rocklin art students active in the department.

Matt Wong: Freshman

Art Class: Art 1 Goals: Hopes to continue with art throughout high school Favorite Artist: M.C. Escher Artwork: a painting inspired by Kenyan culture, in celebration of Kenya Week

Jack Rayter: Sophomore Art Class: Art 2 Goals: Take AP Studio Art Favorite Artist: Max Ernst Favorite Medium: Oil and canvas Artwork: Gel print on paper of Peruvian farmer

Meg Duff: Senior Art Class: Art 3 Goals: Although she won't carry on professionally with art after high school, she hopes to continue with art for fun.

Favorite Medium: Prisma Color Artwork: Painting of friend Rchel Simmons

Cultural Education: students to study abroad Ashley Sorci

Face it: Rocklin does not offer much in the way of diversity and culture. Thus, a few local students have taken the first steps to cultural education.

Two RHS girls are about to embark on the journeys of their lives this summer. Studying abroad in Asia and Europe, these girls will seek cultural enrichment and education. But this isn' limited; foreign exchange isn’t out of anyone’s reach.

One of these students is sophomore Rachel Robins; she is going to Japan for a year. Robins is going “because I want to get out of Rocklin! And, you know, meet new people, to get out and experience the world.”

She is traveling to Finland this summer with a youth exchange program sponsored by Rotary International.

According to the Rotary Youth Exchange website, “The world becomes a smaller, friendlier place when we learn that all people - regardless of nationality - desire the same basic things.” RI sponsors the program to promote international understanding in American youth.

Robins said. “I requested Spain and they just ended up pairing me with Japan. But now I'm going to Finland now.” Robins is happy with that; she originally wanted to go to Europe. staff writer

Another RHS student, junior Megan Sabbah, is going to Spain for a month this summer. She is going Learning Programs International (LPI).

“It’s the only way to really use the language and get involved in the life of the place,” Sabbah said. “When it is necessary that you speak the language, you use it every day.”

Both girls recommended that if someone is interested in foreign exchange, they should start planning early.

“I would start saving up money, then go online and search for a good program,” Robins recommends. Sabbah started her preparations in October, almost before her departure.

As for a price range, it really depends on what the program offers and how long the trip will be. With LPI, it costs around $6,000 for a month.

Robin’s year-long trip to Finland is costing her nothing but the cost of her plane tickets and insurance. RI covers the expenses of the entire trip.

But programs like the Rotary-sponsored one often involve extensive interviews and massive amounts of paperwork.

The opportunity to experience scholarship in another country is invaluable, though, and the sacrifice of getting there can be recouped in the time spent abroad.

rhs_flash@yahoo.com

The Flower Fields

Jeff Moyers

“Left!” said Speedy confidently as I delicately carried him under my arm.

Nobody followed us eagerly, Toshiba bundled in his arms, sensing that we were headed in the right direction.

We clambered over hilltop as quickly as we could, our pace quickening into a frenzy. They were close. I could sense it.

And sure enough, over the next ridge…

Flowers, as far as the eye could see.

The extended in fields until they touched the never-ending blue sky. Every pastel was unique in itself. They all danced subtly in the brush-stroked beauty of the wind.

With no hesitation, we ran to them. The euphoria was incredible. Toshiba leapt from Nobody’s arms and sped into the fields, the sea of color. We all dove in.

And then there was screaming.

We struggled to clamber out. Nobody screamed, “What the hell is this?!”

I couldn’t feel anything but searing pain. I did not have the fortitude to remove myself from the flowers; I was slipping off to somewhere warm and dark…

“Get him out!” screamed Toshiba and I am brought back to painful consciousness momentarily. I could make out the sounds of Speedy wailing.

Then I felt hands on me.

My eyesight was fading and sketchy at best. Between hazy perceptions, I saw Nobody. His flesh was cut something terrible.

“Oh… oh God,” he said with tears in his dark eyes, pointing them at me now.

Suddenly there was no blue sky to be found. Just the menacing clouds of a dark thunderstorm.

---------guest writer

Guest Fiction

June 2007

15

Following is the final installment of "The Flower Fields," a fictional story

by RHS senior Jeff Moyers. Read the first two installments in the February and April issues of The Flash.

--Nathalie Rayter, Co-Editor-in-Chief

He found himself situated upon a bench next to a drinking fountain.

What’s this? Where am I? Looking around, he saw he was in an elementary school yard. Children ran byplayed, sang, jump roped- doing what children always will do.

He found himself recognizing some of them. What? Looking even farther beyond, he recognized all of them.

“This is a dream!” he said aloud. He knew it was. Every person he had ever known had a childlike avatar here, even ones he hadn’t known at that age.

He groaned, sat forward and rested his head in his hands.

I... want to wake up.

But he did not; a little girl tugged his sleeve. “What? No. Go away.”

But she tugged, more vigilantly.

“What do you want? Leave me alone.”

I... can’t find a voice for her.

She won’t talk to me because I can’t find a voice for her. I’m... I’m sorry.

Voice or no, she pointed toward a crowd of children playing double-Dutch. She tried to pull him toward them.

“No. That’s not for me.”

She stared back blankly.

“What? I don’t do that. Go away.” He rested his face back into his palms.

He could see her little feet skipping away between the lines of his fingers.

But he stood up and ventured into the fray. The sun shone softly. None of the children paid him any mind. Not even the teachers, ever watchful toward their flock, looked at him.

No one... can see me…I don’t understand this.

There was four-square, touch football, chalk drawings, jungle gyms, slides, sand pits, tether ball, action figures... it was the genuine article of youth. If he listened closely, on the gentle wind he could hear a piano, elegant and yes, that word again, bittersweet.

Then, off to his left... Oh god. It’s me.

A little boy with messy brown hair and hand-medowns on. Holes in the jeans a necessity, of course. As he looked at one of the bigger ones, he smiled. Nice one.

But his features sank as he again took in the overall picture. “The kid’s a ----ing ragamuffin.”

It was a lonely scene, as the littler version shot basketball by himself. “Hey!” he said walking toward him, ”What are you doing? Don’t you want to play with the other kids?”

No answer. I can’t hear myself? That’s some messed up stuff right there.

He stepped onto the court and watched his mini go after rebounds.

You’re terrible at shooting. You always will be. Good thing you'll get tall.

It was a strange scene, him standing unobtrusively in the middle of the court.

C’mon. You look pathetic. You look like you can’t make friends because you’re weird or something.

He stared at him. The pressure on his brow lightened when he realized that the kid was smiling. It was fun.

Haha, I get it. No, I wouldn’t go to them either. But you’re missing out. You’re not going to double-Dutch or hop-scotch in high school.

Cold realization.

No, you’re going to go to rallies, dances, sporting events. Or I should say that The Flower Fields continues on page 20

16 June 2007

From Rocklin to Whitney The Flash

Alexis Coopersmith and Mallory Valenzuela

staff writer Over the years, Rocklin High School has experienced monumental changes. From being the first high school in Rocklin to now having seniority over Whitney High, RHS has seen thousands of students walk its halls and has had its sky laden with a sea of royal blue graduations caps every year. With the largest graduating class in Rocklin’s history, the challenge of downsizing has now become a reality. With a new year ahead and a much smaller student body, Rocklin has had to downsize on teachers as well.

Teachers Mrs. Debbie Jef- Atleast five Rocklin teachers will become Wildcats next freys, Ms. Rachel Kanowsky, Mr. school year.

Ward Pytosky, Mrs. Sharon Turney,

Kanowsky will be teaching and Mrs. Kari Ustaszewski, along with a chemistry at Whitney, while following her few others who will be kept anonymous, son as he transfers there as well. will be transferred to various schools

“I work in the best science denext year. partment in the world,” says Kanowsky.

Jeffreys has taught Geometry and Al- “I’ll miss the wonderful, compassionate gebras One and Two, as well as lead- staff.” ing the Link Organization at Rocklin High

Pytosky has been working at for three years. She is now transferring RHS for seven years and is now transto Dixon High school, a school in closer ferring to Springview Middle School. He proximity to her home. There she will be constructed the CIM [Computer Inteteaching Calculus and will possibly be- grated Manufacturing] program at Rockcome a Master Teacher. lin High and has been teaching Tech “It’s been a very difficult time, but Prep since his arrival. Pytosky plans to things worked out for the best,” said Jef- redo the CIM program at Springview to freys. “I was surprised, but it [working replicate the one at RHS. Although he is here] has been a good one [surprise].” deeply sad to leave, he looks forward to

“I have mixed feelings [about this taking a new direction. decision],” says Mrs. Rachel Kanowsky,

“It felt like someone just punched who has been teaching at Rocklin High me in the stomach when I found out I since the school opened. “I feel some was leaving. I enjoy working with the age sadness but also some anticipation. I group and maturity level in teaching high thought I’d be spending my whole ca- school, but I am energized by creating a reer here.”

The Flash

new program at Springview,” said Pytosky.

Turney found out she would be leaving in February to teach at Whitney High School. She has taught at RHS for 13 years, and worked in the English department longer than anyone else.

She will continue to teach English and share her experience with the new staff there.

“I’m sad about leaving,” said Turney. “I will miss working with my colleagues in such a tight group. I like the facility at Whitney and their team teaching style.”

Teaching geography and world history at Rocklin High for six years while also doubling as a girls’ basketball, water polo, and swim coach, Mrs. Ustazewski, like the majority of the teachers transferring, feels sad about her departure.

“I’ll miss my athletes, my students, and the teachers I work with in my department,” says Ustazewski.

On the other hand, her transfer to Whitney makes her feel optimistic about this new change.

“It’ll be starting something fresh,” says Ustazewski. “I’ll be getting to know new people, and I’ll be able to provide more input on a new campus.”

Although the general consensus is a feeling of optimism for starting something new, the few closing weeks of school will prove to be a hardship for the staff and students.

“The teachers were upset, naturally,” said Garrison. “They consider Rocklin High School to be their home and it isn’t a comfortable feeling having them leave.”

From toRocklin Spring View rhs_flash@yahoo.com

Ashley Sorci

staff writer First “romantic” relationships, braces, puberty… and all of the other awkward situations of middle school that no one wants to repeat. Well, no one except for one former student – Ms. Jennifer Knox.

Ms. Knox attended Spring View Middle School in both seventh and eighth grades and is now a math teacher, activities director, and basketball coach there. She also attended Rocklin High School for four years.

Ms. Knox is the daughter of RHS Assistant Principal, Mary Ann Knox. During her years

The Flash

at RHS, she was involved with many sports and activities. “I played basketball all 4 years at RHS where I had Mr. Hardy (JV) and Mr. Shields (Varsity) as coaches. I also swam on the swim team during my freshman and sophomore years at the JV level,” she said.

She was also involved with leadership activities when she attended SVMS. “When I attended SV as a student, we didn’t have ‘Leadership’ as a class. We had a student council that met after school, but it was nowhere near as involved as it is today. When I came back to SV as a teacher and saw that there was an

actual Leadership class in charge of student activities, I was very excited. When the previous Activities Director decided it was time to ‘pass the torch’ last year, I spoke up and said that I’d be interested in taking over.”

That was a year ago. She seems very excited to get the Leadership class rolling under her direction. “I have so many ideas for activities that I want to implement and start here at SV, but I have to realize that there just isn’t enough time to get all of them planned,” she said.

In addition to her title as Activities Director, she also coaches the seventh grade

June 2007

17

girl’s basketball team. As a former basketball player for RHS, she uses her skills to coach the girls. “We focus a lot on proper shot form, defensive positioning, passing skills, footwork, ball handling, etc. Sometimes I’ll run drills with the girls that I ran as a player at RHS.” And as a math teacher?

“Math was one of my favorite topics in school. I’d help my friends with their math homework in high school,” she said. “People told me that I explained concepts to them in ways that they could understand it. When I decided to become a teacher, I knew that math was the route for me!”

18 June 2007

Sports

Most Memorable

Rocklin sports top 10

Casey Cutts

as voted by Evan Adams, Casey Cutts, and Daniel Herberholz

sports writer The past nine months have brought us all many sports memories that will not soon be forgotten. The year has certainly left its mark on the culture of Rocklin High School. Here are our Top 10 most memorable moments from Rocklin High School athletics 2006-2007

The Flash

Grid Culture

the

asking athletes questions that matter.

10. Powder Puff Football

Tony Daniel The girls laced up the cleats and tightened the flags for the first Hinojosa, Small, time in RHS history making ‘Their Game’ a part of ‘Our countdown’.

9. Boy’s Golf Wins Section

track

swim

Jake Stefanie Nguyen Bui, Mayoral, Matsch, g. soccer

b. tennis

baseball

Making their second straight appearance at the section champi"Dreams" I don't "Straight I'd be really

by Fleetonship tournament the boys prevailed this time bringing home the Outta "American embarcare.

Pick wood Mac. title. Number one in the section, number nine on our charts.

Rocklin", rased to a song Pie" It's been

8. Football Controversy

a song I

7. Track Accolades

sing any song

stuck in

made An opening night victory was erased? Because of his grades? He my head only played like two minutes, and we were up by 42! Bad call on the field, number eight on the list.

Any salt- Creamed Sushi water fish corn. It's disgusting.

Curry

Onions

Brendan Lane broke a long standing school record by high jumping 6’ 8”. Ashley Hearn threw her way into the SacBee rankings, mak- There are no good Pirates of ing the Top Five for both Shotpu, and Discuss. She may be number movies the Car- Pirates of Pirates of Pirates 3 the five in the SacBee, but she’s only number seven with us. out. Show ribean 3. the Car-

6. Baseball takes down Jesuit

some stuff It's gonna be sweet In one of the more compelling match ups of the spring season, from the '70s

boys baseball squared off against many of their former little league teammates as Rocklin faced Jesuit. Rocklin eventually prevailed as the Acclaimed Marauder team eventually fell to the Thunder.

5. Boy’s Soccer Makes second Title Run

ribean 3

Carribean 3

I guess the Probably The Goin' moonwalk moonwalk the moonSprinkler shoeless walk

The song I would use for an American Idol audition Least favorite food The next movie I'm seeing in theaters will be...

Best dance move ever

...should have Man - Tim beaten Anyone.

I Tony Nah, she Cannon. If I just Lindsay would say got it.

Parker's know she it has to be Lohan for Jessica a woman... shouldn't Alba, but She is wife, Eva Maxim's Longoria that have won.

Jessica 4. Katie Stover and Jamie Torrington Sexiest anyone Woman Alive All American status is something that few achieve; it is a respected Simpson

For the second time in the two years, the boy’s soccer team was faced with an opportunity to take home a section title, but unfortunately the guys fell at the hands of Granite Bay, settling for second.

and remembered honor. To have two from the same school; Jamie for Diving, and Katie for Swimming simply amazing. Stover and Torrington swim and drive their way into the Top Five.

What I've Learned

interviews sans questions athletes explain their experiences and share what they've learned from their sports

Kari Davis, softball

Repition is important because you have to use muscle memory. Then you can swing the same way every time.

When I started to play competition ball, I figured that out.

I daydream in the outfield. When I played rec ball, I was in left field, spacing out.There was a pop-fly, everyone was screaming at me, and the ball just fell into my glove.

We have a CD we made up which we listen to before and between innnings to pump us up.

You have to trust the pitcher won't hit you.

I've hit a lot of people.

rhs_flash@yahoo.com

3. Golf Records

First they broke the school record, then two weeks later they broke the record that they set. Amazing, Tiger Woods watch your back, these guys are on the prowl.

2. Volleyball finally does it

The odds couldn’t have seemed more against us; 67 league match wins in a row.

They were the better team: Nevada Union should have taken the match easily. But, they were wrong. The girls ended one of the most impressive winning streaks in SFL history, their big W, made them number two.

1. ARCO! ARCO! AR-YOU KIDDING ME?

For a second straight year the boy’s basketball team played Jesuit for a packed house at Arco Arena in the section semi-finals. With a late lead and hopes for victory building by the second, the referees made an error. They gave Jesuit the ball when it was actually Rocklin’s ball. The Marauders took the lead and never gave it back, ending the season for the boys. In the aftermath, the section issued an apology, and withheld the ref’s right to call playoff games. This bad call, is one that none of us will ever forget.

Sports

set the scene:

Julian Uebeschaar, boy's golf

In Germany there are no high school sports, so I didn't play in a high school team, just a club after school.

When I was 10, I watched golf on TV and I wanted to play. So I went to a country club and learned there.

A lot of practice almost every day.

Try not to eat too much and have a lot of water with you.

It doesn't make you any better if you get angry with yourself. Stay positive and have a good attitude.

You get to meet a lot of people.

19

all-star game

Kyle Rapp plays at the Optimist volleyball senior All-star game

Daniel Herberholz sports editor Like a shot from a gun, the ball is punched, and it stretches across the other side of the court and lands in-bounds. A cheer follows, as well as an arm waved in the direction of the hitter. Game 1: North 16, South 5; Kyle Rapp 1.

He almost didn’t make it onto this team. Well, he made it, but he almost didn’t play it. The Sacramento Evening Optimists Volleyball Club invited him for the North team, but his roster spot was in limbo just a week or so before the game.

Kyle was originally the only Rocklin player who made this senior All-Star team, which

June 2007

is an accomplishment because the North team has a history of dominance.

“This is the 9th year, and it’s split North and South of Sacramento. North is 7-1. So it’s pretty hard to get on the North team,” Rapp explains.

“And we’re gonna shut ‘em out again.” The North consists of the SFL, while the South is “basically everyone else.”

But Kyle almost didn’t play.

“I told my coach the week before that I was going to LA for the Skills competition, so I was going to miss a few games” said Kyle. “Coach got mad and took my spot and gave it to Matt Ho.” As the ball moved slowly down closer to the net from a volley further back, he readied his hand. With a small leap and a soft open-hand touch, he puts another point on the board. Game 2: North 18, South 12; Kyle Rapp 2.

While Kyle was away from the team, he won a Bronze in

the Tech Combo category.

The tension over his roster spot didn’t disrupt the team, and they soon worked it out.

“What happened was we both settled down and had a talk,” Kyle said, “and decided to ask if there was an extra spot on the roster for the North.” There was.

At the game, when Kyle sat down on the bench, he immediately sat next to his coach, who was assisting. That shows there are no longer problems.

Redirecting under the falling ball, he is ready for the set.

A bump and a spike gain the North their 24th point, only one away from a full victory. Game 3: North 24, South 13; Kyle Rapp 3. In total, Kyle ended with two kills, five assists, and two blocks.

Well, Kyle was there again, redirecting and setting, and the 25th point, and match, went to the North, which makes them 8-1. Good thing Kyle played.

Rachel Robertson, swim

By practicing and focus in your technique.

I learned how to swim and technique when I was really little and I started on my first competitive year-round team when I was around 7.

When I'm swimming really long distance I get bored and my mind wonders You would learn a lot of valuable lessons in swim, get in really good shape, and have something you could do for the rest of your life.

Life isn't fair so sometimes the outcome isn't what you expect.

20 June 2007

Features

The Flash

The Flower Fields: continued from page 15

you’re not. That you didn’t.

A stray teacher came over to the boy and moved past the random figure standing in the middle of the court without a thought. He was white-haired with a chin beard and bifocals.

“Why don’t you go play with the other children?”

The boy grabbed the ball as if he were doing something wrong and had been caught.

No! “No, you leave him alone. There’s nothing wrong with what he’s doing. It’s what’s right to him.”

“So? Why not? Why not go play?”

“Because this is where he goes. This will always be here.”

“Well, ok. If you’re sure.”

The teacher gave the child a pat and walked off. That basketball was being shot again. As he watched the little him play alone, he slumped down on the concrete.

“We’re stuck. You know that? The only way you’ll ever be happy,” he gesticulated to the net, “is if you do your own thing. It’s the only way you’re going to...”

Matter.

“No matter what they say,” he motioned to the teacher, standing watchful again, ”it’s ok to go your own way. But would it kill you to maybe go play soccer with the other kids once in a while?”

He paused, as if he were expecting a response.

“You could be very happy doing what you’re doing right now, but you could be even happier if you go over there once in a

while.” He sighed, knowing his words were falling on deaf ears. Double irony. No, triple irony, with a hint of hypocrisy.

“Don’t listen to me. I don’t know what I’m talking about.”

He looked around for the little girl with the jump rope, but she was gone.

He stood in the middle of the crowd, waiting to see if someone who could see him would pass this way again before the great awakening.

---------“Don’t lay down and die.”

“Wh-what?” I said, unfocused. I felt myself being lifted off the ground.

“Shhh. No one said anything… Toshiba…”

“I’ve figured it out, Nobody. I know we’re close.” I shut my eyes again.

“Did you figure out what happened?”

“No, but it’s obvious that this isn’t right.

I don’t smell lavender anywhere… but I have an idea. Wake Speedy up.”

“He’ll start crying again, I guarantee it,” I heard Nobody say.

“We have to calm him.” I felt a paw on my arm, “He doesn’t have much time…”

Nobody shook me. “Open your eyes.”

I did. The sky was stormy and we were still next to that hellish field. I had lost sense of time, direction and myself. All I felt was intense pain.

“Let’s move before it starts raining again.” I wanted to ask what had happened, but all I could muster was a groan.

“Be quiet,” Nobody answered. He dragged me along.

I shut my eyes again. I could hear Speedy crying far off.

He grew quiet, and I heard Toshiba speaking. “Now Speedy, breathe deeply. Can you do that for me?”

He said, sobbing, “I… I can try…” I heard Speedy drawing in air.

“Good. Now, Speedy,” he repeated carefully, “this is very important. What do you smell?”

“I smell,” he sobbed lowly, “the little girl…”

I heard restrained excitement in Toshiba’s voice, “Speedy, which way is she?”

“Over there, behind them hills.”

I felt myself accelerating, my eyes still shut. “Hang on, bud,” Nobody whispered to me, “just hang on.”

I felt my limp feet drag over thick grass and upward over hills. It seemed like forever, in the darkness of myself, that we ran blindly like none had run before, chasing something that existed as far as we knew only in our minds.

I heard speaking, but it was indecipherable. I was slipping too far.

And then I caught the scent of lavender. I opened my eyes and was greeted with downpour of heaven’s tears from an unforgiving dark sky. I was lying on the ground; I was laying in the scent; I was lying in the flower fields.

“I…made…it….” I groaned.

Nobody and Toshiba were next to me,

rhs_flash@yahoo.com

Toshiba on my chest trying his best to keep me warm as Nobody set Speedy down. The tortoise watched with mournful curiosity. Nobody smiled at me, eyes shining. “Yeah, you did. We did.”

Toshiba looked at me with grief in his expression. As if premeditated, he spoke, “ T h e r e ’s

no o l d man here to take anything from you.”

“What?” That didn’t make sense. I hadn’t told either of them about what I had seen after I had eaten the jelly bean and passed out.

“Toshiba, how did you…”

He nodded sadly, “I couldn’t let you die. I’d rather let you fade than die.”

“What?” puzzled Nobody.

“Four of us are here now, and three of us are going away.”

“Toshiba,” Nobody said, imploring him to be sensible, “he’s not going to make it.

He’s suffering, for heaven’s sake.”

“None of this… makes sense,” I said, resting my head on the grass.

The words echoed. “Don’t lay down and die.”

Features “Stand me up!” I demanded. Nobody lifted me to my feet. The downpour beat on. Everything was dark and drenched.

“It doesn’t make sense,” I said to them caustically, looking at Speedy first, “that you have a heightened sense of smell…”

I then looked at Toshiba, “Or that you can

talk or read and translate ancient Chinese military text.” Toshiba gave me a fond nod, and Speedy retracted into his shell. And then they were both gone.

I watched in disbelief, “But… but…” I turned to Nobody, “I don’t understand.”

He smiled sadly, “I think I do.”

“So you’re all just made up.”

He grew increasingly quiet and watched me with a saddened gaze. “Ok, it doesn’t make sense that you…”

He shook his head, stopping me short.

“But… huh? Why would Toshiba say that only one of us would be left?”

He bowed his head solemnly. My wounds no longer troubled me and I walked a distance by myself. I turned and I took a long glance at him, standing alone in that field. I understood perfectly.

“What will you do,” I asked slowly,

June 2007

21

“now that you’ve reached the fields?”

“I’m sure I’ll get lost sooner or later and have to find my way back.“ He looked up from the ground, and I could see weariness in him.

“Just because the mind forgets doesn’t mean the heart does. I knew I belonged here from the very start.” He waited a moment, and gave me an encouraging nod. ” You remember, right?”

I smiled my agreement, “Yes, I do.”

“But, hey,” he said, “before you go, give that back.” He pointed at me.

I raised a brow, a little confused by what he could possibly want. When I looked down, I realized I was wearing a white jersey, with blue streaks and a large print number twelve in the middle.

It smelled lightly of lavender.

Evidence that lavender had been close, perhaps- and I supposed the smell would never fade out.

“Wow… You know, I didn’t realize I was wearing this until I passed out, and even then I assumed I dreamed it up.”

We laughed together, and then he said, “Its been one hell of an adventure.”

I stopped to think about that. “It has.

Look,” I offered, “I don’t know what’s going to happen to me but I promise to take care of Toshiba and Speedy.”

I took off his jersey and handed it to him.

“I have the feeling that you three are going to be just fine.”

I breathed in one last taste of lavender. I knew I would miss it terribly. I then raised one hand in farewell and caught the last mental snapshot of Nobody.

He was standing alone in the field of flowers, the sun beating down boldly upon his shoulders. He kneeled down and plucked one, much like the one Toshiba had presented to us at the beginning of the journey.

Slowly, a hand brought the tiny speck of pastel to his face, and he inhaled gracefully and with all of his earthly might.

Lavender, sweet lavender.

22 June 2007

The Flash

&

The Flash

F U N

Games

rhs_flash@yahoo.com

June 2007

The Flash

23

pOST sECRET

tHE SECRET LIVES OF Rocklin High School students

It's funny how blindly and completely we believe things.

Maybe it's because we have to.

We get ridiculous, clearly untrue postsecrets daily. "I'm a witch." And then we get the ones that we aren't sure about. "I gave my boyfriend chlamydia and haven't told him." And we believe them, but laugh with uncertainty.

Most of the true ones don't have sad faces on them. They aren't written in all capital letters and there are no illustrations.

The true ones often are the ones that no one speaks after reading. The ones that we hope, despite evidence to the contrary, aren't true. "I used to cut my wrists. Now I cut my legs so no on will see."

If there is anything we hope you all have got out of this, it's the same as the original postsecret.com goal: There are other people out there in pain, other unhappy people. Despite how alone you feel, postsecret has helped show that you're not.

brought to you by ASB Joselyn Del Cid

Annie Jasinski

Key Club multi cultural NHS CSF

4.1 gpa Swim Water Polo CSF “The road to

“Carpe Diem”

4.2 gpa

Kevin Just

Pep Band

Pit Orchestra

success is not usually the easiest road to travel.”

4.5 gpa

Varsity Volleyball 4.3 gpa

ASB

Alexandra Simon CSF “March to the beat of Taylor Cook

your own 3.8 gpa Jazz Band drum”

“Don’t be sad that roses have thorns, but rejoice that thorns have roses.” Pep Band 4.03 gpa

Honor guard

3.9 gpa

Varsity Golf

h2o club

2008

4.04 gpa

Varsity Soccer Josh Boy Scouts Skills USA Boys Tennis

“Do tomorrows work today.”

“live life at its fullest.”

NHS 4.24 gpa

CSF

Parth Shah

“life is what “live well, love you make of much, laugh often,” it.”

Matt Katzman

Schmidt

SkillsUSA

Patrick Bassal