jan 2008

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January 2008

RHS

Number one in Placer County. Ranked as a silver school by Newsweek.

Athletics that dominate. A top ranking yearbook in the nation. A Skills USA program of the hightest esteem. The Thunder roars for all to hear. Is there anything to not roar about?

but there’s another side to the story

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January 2008

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IN ISSUE 2:

The greatest school you’ve

never heard of

includes the Muslim girl, the Mormon, the rich girl, the emo girl, the principal’s son, the wangster, the nerd, the tech guys, the dance girls, the copy lady, the adoptive parents, the addicts, the independent study students, the procrastinators, the sons and daughters of dating parents, the GSA supporters, and the ILS students. These differences don’t create barriers.

These differences make the greatest school you’ve never heard of roar with pride.

January Contents 4: Ancient identity in a modern world

A Muslim student sticks to her roots 6: Stereotypes

Five strangers with nothing in common except each other 8: Adoption: the search for her past RHS’s “copy lady” meets her biological mother 10: Go stupid go dumb go dumb Drug opinions 12: One school under God?

Religion at Rocklin High School 14: Shades of gray

The effects of depression 16: Plus what?

The new plus period 18: GSA making a difference

Students voice their opinions 20: A little support in an independent world

ILS students connect 22: Post Secret

It’s back with a vengeance

Editorial Board:

diversity ON CAMPUS White, not Hispanic Multiple or no response Hispanic or Latino Asian Filipino African American, not Hispanic American Indian or Alaska Native Pacific Islander

73% 14% 5% 5% 1% 1% <1% <1%

Alexis Coopersmith, Co-Editor-in-Chief Mallory Valenzuela, Co-Editor-in-Chief Mandie Martinez, Design Editor The Flash is produced by students for Casey Nichols, Adviser

The Flash Staff

students in attempt to inform and entertain its audience. Journalism students have the final authority for any content found in this publication. The Flash Staff encourages letters regarding content to constitute a constructive avenue for student opinon.

Letters should be directed to the newspaper’s email, rhsflash@yahoo.com

Staff Writers: Michelle Ahronovitz, Lauren Bloemker, Megan Cardona, Amber Diller, Nathan Dudley, Cheryl Ford, Jimmy Gibbs, Julie Griesmer, Amanda Holpuch, Asia Larkin, Kailee Loughlin, Tyler MacKanin, Rebecca Nitz, Catilin Reilly, Lauren Rygh, Justine Sandoval, Kimberly Schneider, Chrstian Soares, Ashley Sorci, Shannon Stowers, Megan Taaffe, Melissa Toppings

Ancient identity in a modern world: A Muslim student stays close to her roots

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ocklin High School contains little religious diversity in the sense of numbers. While there are varying religions on campus, it is easy to notice that the predominant religion is Christianity.

Sima Bouzid, a junior, has been going to school in this environment for her entire academic career. Why this fact even matters is that Sima is one of few Muslims on this campus. Just take a quick glance into the news from the last five years and find any number of articles on Muslims worldwide.

How much do the Rocklin High School students know about Islam?

Most of what students know regarding this ancient religion can probably be traced back to their world history classes. Here’s a little brush up: Muslims believe that the Qur’an, their holy book, was revealed to the last prophet, Muhammad. The Qur’an and the Sunnah, which contains the words and deeds of Muhammad, are regarded as the primary sources of Islam. Muslims do not consider Muhammad as the founder of a new religion, but rather as a restorer of original monotheistic religions

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which include Judaism and Christianity. While this may not be noticeable on the Rocklin campus, Islam is the secondlargest religion in the world, after Christianity.

Now that the world history review is complete, it is time to go beyond the textbook information. Bouzid is proud of her religious and ethnic differences and says that being Muslim in a predominantly Christian environment has made her “more passionate Photo by Sima Bouzid about different views and highly like Christmas, I guess. Except there opinionated in world issues referring to Islam. [She is] proud to are two! And I always try to spend time with my family.” During the recent stand up for what [she] believes in.”

This pride must also come hand holiday of Ramadan Bouzid was forced in hand with a common issue in any to balance religion with her secular life religion: stereotypes and judgments. in a very exhausting manner.

During the ninth month of the Islamic While Bouzid herself hasn’t experienced calendar, Muslims celebrate Ramadan, any religious discrimination, she does recognize the fact that people will a celebration of when the Qur’an was revealed. During this holiday, Muslims always prejudge.

She says, “I think the stereotypes are encouraged to fast from sunrise people have about Muslims are to sunset, a difficult feat in itself. because they only associate Muslims However during this month, Bouzid with one Islam. Most people don’t participated in RHS Cross Country, realize that just running almost 5 miles everyday after like Christianity, not eating all day. This is an example there are various of the intense dedication that Bouzid degrees of Islam.” displays towards her religion and her B o u z i d effort towards balancing religion with considers herself her secular life.

There will always be that difficult less religious than other Muslims, balance for Bouzid, especially when but passionate she heads off to college, but she enough about knows that being Muslim is something what she believes that no one can take away from her. in and celebrates It is one of the factors that defines many of the who she is. If there’s anything Bouzid important Muslim can represent it is the importance of holidays, such as learning more about the world and the Eid ul-Fitr and expanding horizons. This is exactly the Eid ul-Adha what Bouzid wants for people because which Bouzid “If more people understood, there says “It’s sort of would be less assuming.”

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Opinion

January 2008

a Mormon speaks out: a personal account

by Cheryl Ford Staff writer am a Mormon. Better known as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Now that we have that all straightened out, I’d like to talk about some Mormon stereotypes that the world has.

First matter of business: are Mormons Christian? The answer is yes. The LDS church has a document that states all of their beliefs called the Articles of Faith. The first article on the document clearly states, “We believe in God the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.”

A Christian is defined as someone who believes in the teachings of Jesus Christ. Therefore, Mormons are obviously Christian.

Now the second stereotype: are Mormons allowed to drink caffeine?

The answer is yes. Church leaders have advised against partaking of caffeine but it is not a commandment, it is more like a guideline. The purpose behind this advisory is to prevent members, or anyone searching for a healthy life for that matter, to stay clear of a substance that could easily cause addiction.

Staying away from caffeine and other substances show self-control.

Colin Wheeler, a member of the LDS Church and student at Rocklin High School said, “I believe that caffeine alters the natural way your body operates. I put it under the category of ‘strong drink’ that are advised against in the Word of Wisdom, a document produced from a revelation Joseph Smith received. But, it is ultimately a personal choice.”

LDS Youth are also offered an opportunity to go to seminary every morning when they start High School.

At these classes, which start at 6:20 am, LDS Youth are able to learn more about their church and are encouraged to set good examples and uphold the standards of the church.

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James Watkins, a senior at Rocklin High School, recently asked me, “Do Mormons do the more than one wife thing?”

Now let’s clear this up– Mormon’s do not practice polygamy. More than 150 years ago, the first prophet of the LDS Church, Joseph Smith, received revelation about practicing polygamy within the Church.

This was actually a practical idea because during this time many women were left as widows when their husbands were killed from religious persecution the Mormons received. However, the practice of polygamy did not start and was not documented until 1843.

The practice was ended in 1890 when Wilford Woodruff put out the 1890 Manifesto.

The current president of the LDS Church, Gordon B. Hinckley, said, “I wish to state categorically that this Church has nothing whatsoever to do with those practicing polygamy. They are not members of this Church. Most of them have never been members.

They are in violation of the civil law.

They know they are in violation of the law. They are subject to its penalties.

The Church, of course, has no jurisdiction whatever in this matter. If any of our members are found to be practicing plural marriage, they are excommunicated, the most serious penalty the Church can impose.”

There are some good stereotypes that come along with being Mormon.

Most LDS members are known for being charitable, always willing to help those in need. The LDS Church here in Rocklin has youth groups constantly doing community service for the City of Rocklin and local schools and nursing homes.

A member of the LDS Church and

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Photo by Cheryl Ford

student at Rocklin High School, Marissa Mortimer, said, “It is great to be united in a good cause. I love these mornings when we can help out our community.

Our world needs a little more charity, and I hope to do everything I can to create an atmosphere like that. Peace everybody. Just love.”

During “Make a Difference Day” within the Church, LDS members help to plant tress, spread bark, clean up parks, etc. Specifically, the LDS Youth just recently spread bark and was responsible for the upkeep of Parker Whitney landscaping. LDS Members also recently pulled weeds and spread bark at Whitney High School.

To add a personal story, I was at the gas station last night and was asked by a homeless man if I knew where he could find the LDS Church.

I gave him directions and called my Bishop, or leader of my local church, to come pick him up to give him help.

Consequently, the LDS Church has many ways to help people out including the LDS Employment Center, Bishop’s Storehouse to get food, and the Family Resources Center, which helps families out that are in need.

This homeless man, Tom Jensen, said, “I know this church can help me, get me back on my feet.”

Stereo types five strangers with nothing in common, except each other “Ew…Did you see what she was wearing? What a loser.”

Unfortunately, things like this are said between people and their friends more commonly than one would think at Rocklin High School.

Think about it. It’s surprising to know how many hurtful things can be said without even realizing it.

“I’m ‘The Rich Girl’” She has a lot of friends who appear to have many expensive things. “My friends and I are always called rich because of the way we dress, but really we aren’t.”

She believes that RHS is very cliché and “clique enforced”. “A lot of people, even some of my friends, care about [people who dress ‘differently’].

I really don’t care. It bugs them more than it does me.”

Her label is what you make it, it’s not who she really is. Her name is Kristin Stevens.

“I’m ‘The Emo Girl’” She’s happy, and loves her life and her friends, yet the names people call her are the complete opposite. She wears black clothes with chains, Ka ile and dark make up.

La e L ur ou “I feel discriminated a en gh Ry lin lot. I always hear peogh

ple say things about me behind my back, or I’ll see people staring at me, and it hurts my feelings.”

She’s not going to stop dressing the way she does because of what other people think. “I like my clothes, and I choose to wear them.”

She knows that other opinions really don’t matter when it comes to how she looks.

“Its high school, and it sucks. What can you do about it? Nothing.” Her name is Laura Doucette.

“I’m ‘The Principal’s Son’” The student body sees him as a kid who gets special advantages because his dad rules the school. The pressure to succeed in school and sports is somewhat higher for him.

“People think I have special benefits because I’m the principal’s son, but I really don’t. I get in worse trouble than other kids.”

Students perceive him as ‘the normal guy’, but his opinion seems a little deeper than the Average Joe. “When people discriminate, it’s really just them being unsure about their own individuality.”

He follows the rules, but goes to beat of his own drum. His name is Tyler Garrison.

“I’m ‘The Wangster’” “I think our school is geographically broken up into cliques.”

He’s the guy who will be your friend no matter what. “I don’t care who you are or what you wear. If you deserve my respect, you’ll get it.”

Even knowing his sweet personality, his peers tend to judge how he speaks and the way he dresses. “I get ‘You know you’re not black…right?’ from people a lot, just because I wear

baggy clothes, and Tupac Tall Tees. I dress how I dress for music production. It’s a part of the scene.”

He knows how it feels to be judged, so he tries not to put the burden on others. “People don’t think about anything but appearance, and don’t even think about what people are going through. Like, The Library Kids, some of them are really nice, when others aren’t social at all because of how they’re treated by others.”

Before automatically assuming he’s a tough guy, look in between the lines and find his genuine and kind-hearted personality. His name is Phillip McGinty.

“I’m ‘The Nerd’” Academic Decathlon, AP Chemistry, AP U.S. Honors English. He is intelligent and exceeds in all of his classes.

“I get stereotyped a lot, but it’s not in a mean way. It’s just sort of a funny, on-going thing. I discriminate sometimes but I don’t intend any harm or defamation of character.”

Being smart shouldn’t be something to make fun of, but something to be proud of. His name is Chase Fong.

These five individuals may seem very different, but somehow they are all very alike. Once the ‘stuck-up, stereotypical’ high school life is over, reality hits.

“My dad was a Varsity, All-Sport, Homecoming King in high school, and now he lives in a small town in Arizona, with a population of 500 people, working in a mine,” said junior Michael Lines. “You’re on your own after school, people need to get around all this.”

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Boys vs. Girls

January 2008

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Gender divisions are prevalent in classes

by Rebecca Vanessa Nitz staff writer

“A

nything you can do, I can do better. I can do anything better than you.” [Lyrics from the musical: “Annie Get Your Gun.”] Nothing short of the ongoing battle of the sexes, girls and boys upon Rocklin High School’s own campus confirms through enrollment lists that this competition lives onward.

Why is it that specific electives tend to lean towards one gender? Many classes on RHS are seen with extreme diversity between sexes as individuals rack up ‘points’ for each side.

While Child Development has an 89% female based class, Basic Technical Drafting has a roll sheet containing 90% of males. Sophomore Collin Speth comments, “Society has made it out that women should stay at home attending children while men are in the real world.” Speth explained that “although women have the ability to excel, Child Development would be expected to be mainly girls because men have to take classes that will lead to high paying careers.”

However, juniors Carlyn Asuncion, Annie Bates, and Bibi Carmouche believe otherwise. “Women can pass up guys any time. We are put through more things, care about our grades, and our teachers can actually read our handwriting,” Asuncion said. Bates commented that, “Girls have better study habits,” while Carmouche added, “Plus being more organized helps too.”

On the contrary, junior Michael Amorde experiences two classes fitting this description.

Class percentages ROP Sports ManaGEMENT: 100% boys; 0% girls ROP Fashion merchandisinG: 0% boys; 100% girls ROP Health Career: 0% boys; 100% girls Team Sports: 78% boys; 22% girls AP Studio Art: 100% boys; 0% girls Theater Dance 1-3: 0% boys; 100% girls Student directors: 7% boys; 93% girls CAD/CAM 2: 89% boys; 11% girls

Boy students in CIM class

Currently in Alison Cardona’s advanced CAD/CAM and GDT course, Amorde commented, “Not many girls are going to find a computer hands on class appealing. There isn’t a single girl in my GDT class, but CAD/CAM does have two. This just isn’t something that most girls could take on as a career.”

With the ratio between girls and boys within the computer and technical engineering department steeply slopped, girls have regrouped into one elective leaving the boys off in the dust.

Room M5. Destination: yearbook.

Enrolled in Casey Nichols’ fifth period class, junior Grant Speckert commented, “Yes it’s supremely female dominated. That would be yearbook, four guys and over thirty some odd girls. Defiantly an estrogen dominated classroom.”

Seen all throughout Rocklin High School, both genders have sided off into their separate classes. With the underlying need to excel above the opposite gender, more classes such as dance, theater, choir, and living on your own are steps towards women making a difference with entertainment.

Junior Kayla Morh commented, “I think it is interesting to see how the diversity within classes varies so much. I think girls should step up and start taking the masculine classes too because the last thing the world needs, are more guys with inflated egos.”

Though for males, ROP classes allow the bonding to regroup off campus threw taking automotive, fire science, and construction.

With inner battles to become the best, many classes turn out to have enrollment of one specific gender. Whether subconscious or not, those specific classes allow one sex to overpower the other and gain ‘points’ for their own side.

Adoption: the search for her past Rocklin High School “copy lady” meets her biological mother

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ust by entering the copy room one may be distracted meet her biological mother and finally reached her goal by the bustling papers and the constant buzzing from this year. the copy machines or maybe even the brain At first, she was given her orignal birth certificate teasers and the optical illusions hung all about from her adoptive father. She figured out she was the room. But behind this scene and behind born in Pennsylvania, and traveled to the Nason the countless copies people habitually take Hospital where she had been born. From there, for granted, lies the talent, and story, of Mrs. she received more information.

Jo Norman, Rocklin High School’s copy lady.

“People were telling me that if I didn’t find my Employed by the Rocklin Unified School biological mother, I’d regret it. It finally hit me, so I District for 14 years, she never expected to began searching all around, and I even flew to Pennspeak to her biological mother for the first sylvania where I knew I was born,” said Norman. time at her copy room desk, the same After calling every person in Pennsylvania’s desk she has returned to for the past directory with her original last name, and 10 years. checking Chico High School yearbooks to “I found out I was adopted when I look for her mother, she had no luck after Mrs. Jo Norman was 27. I didn’t believe it. The first time the hundreds of calls and notes from all I ever talked to my biological mother the pages she had archived. In due time, was in 2003 at this same desk. I met her in person for the someone would come to her rescue. first time in September [2007]” “At this point I was burned out, but I phoned someone Adoption may seem simple, by being taken into one’s who did these things for a hobby,” said Norman. “He was family and raised under another’s care. To Norman, being retired, and he told me that he ‘just wanted to make peoan adoptee is beyond that, as she learned that “we all have ple happy’ by helping people find their parents. After givour reasons for doing what we do.” ing him all my information, it literally took him less than a Growing up in Rio Linda and raised by an Italian family, day to find my mother’s number, even though I had spent whom she gives credit to for her crazy side, it had never years alone in my search. I took that number, and dialed dawned on her that she may have actually been adopt- my mother right away during my lunch in the copy room. ed. She felt like she fit the picture of “having Escargot and My first words were literally, ‘Hi, it’s Jo.’” spaghetti every Sunday” at her grandmother’s; however, at “My search had not been successful, because I was ustimes she wondered why she had so many different inter- ing my mom’s last name, not her maiden name. The man ests than her adoptive family. Once she discovered that who had helped me contacted my aunt, who was married she was indeed adopted, it was a journey to find out the to my mother’s brother. She was able to provide informareason, “Why?” tion concerning my It took strength to conjure the courage to conmother’s where“It doesn’t mean a hill of front her adopted parents, as they had kept it a abouts.” secret from her for more than 25 years. Recalling beans if you don’t cherish the Meeting her mothher experience of facing her father’s tears when relationships around you.” er was what she she asked him about the adoption for the first time, considers a risk. Disshe remembers saying, “You know Dad, it’s our secovering that one is cret.” adopted is one shock, but meeting one’s biological mother She did not jump right on board to find her biological is another. mother, as she was married and a working mother with Norman said, “[Meeting my mother] could have either two children. Having lunch with Barbara Bush twice, she been a great success or a great failure. However, I was worked with her husband in El Salvador as a diplomat prepared for either outcome. ” By for five years. Life went on for Norman, and the fact The reasons as to why she is adopted are clear now.

Ma that she was adopted did not completely change “My biological mother gave me up not for bad reasons, but Ed llor ito y V r-i ale her life at that point. Nevertheless, from 1995 continued on next page nto 2003, she began pursuing the quest to Search for her past, continued Ch nzu ief ela

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for love,” said Norman. “She was 20, divorced during World War II, and was almost homeless, working at a penny arcade. She knew someone could give me better life and the love that I deserved.”

She does not look back at her past with animosity or regret, but looks into her future with the need to share more time with her family and loved ones. As the saying goes, “Everything happens for a reason.”

“After losing my adoptive mother to Alzheimers, I wish I had known more about her, and at least would have known more about the details of her life. I wish I would have known her as well as I know my friends. In the scheme of things, it doesn’t mean a hill of beans if you don’t cherish the relationships around you.”

Norman plans on visiting her biological mother during the summer, and will bring her children and grandchildren

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along with her. It now makes sense to her, as she looks at her mother as if she was looking in a mirror. Her mother’s characterisitcs remind her of herself: “a real fighter, a bit bossy, but a person with a good soul.”

“This is a heads up for young people: to spend time with no television, no computer and no distractions,” said Norman. “Just sit in a park, or a backyard, or even on the front porch, and have a meaningful conversation with your parents.”

Living life with the philosophy, “don’t take things too seriously,” she believes people are swept into their daily routines too much; people just need to stop and look around.

Norman said, “It’s about the simple things in life. I can say to this day that me and my grandchildren can sing and dance and do everything together. I can even say that I can talk to my own mother.” She can now say this with pride.

His pursuit to adopt:

Mr. and Mrs. Douglas’ sense of completion

e knew it while still in high school that his future would hold the pursuit of adoption. He knew he would have to marry someone who wanted the same.

Mr. Mark Douglas, Vice Principal and Director of Student Activities at Rocklin High School, likens his path to adopting two children five years ago as if it was “Hollywood.”

The process was not smooth sailing but more like a giant “umbrella of things to consider and choices to make.” The biggest surprise for him was the number of people who became involved in his journey. He had also met Mrs. Laura Douglas, Rocklin High School U.S. History Teacher, who had also wanted to adopt.

They had discussed this while dating.

“There are so many great stories about adoption,” said Douglas. “It was a complete surprise to find how many resources we had and how many people were willing to connect with us.”

It began with the weekly classes and a home study to educate themselves about how to raise adopted children along with understanding the challenges that would come.

They were coached on how to blend their children together: Bringing their birth children to adjust with their future adopted children.

“Laura [Douglas] and I had to be certified, and it took us nine months to finalize our paperwork. Working through the adoptive agencies was like, ‘let my people talk to your people,’ as we had our own agent and the children had their own as well.”

The adoption was treated like an advertisement; the Douglas’ agent looked through “child availabilities,” and finally, they were able to meet the children. They also had

January 2008

by Mallory Valenzuela Editor-in-Chief

their own “family available” advertisement page.

Douglas said, “It was funny, because Zach and Jacob [birth sons] had been hearing about the adoption for a while. They were probably thinking, are these children virtual or something?”

Their adopted children moved in on Christmas Eve [2002], and he believes, “It felt like God guided us the whole way.” He recalls the feeling as if it were a sense of completion to their family.

“Our family is a complete mix of everything we’ve dreamt of. It’s exactly what it should be. We have three boys and one girl to fill the house!” said Douglas.

Contrasting his adopted son and daughter, he has taken note of the two extremes of the spectrum; his son is completely oblivious, while his older daughter has a better grasp of her adoptive situation. “[My daughter] gets more of the funny looks, but my son just rolls with it. There was no way that this adaptation for them and for me would be easy, and it shouldn’t be.

It shouldn’t be perfectly easy to raise a child, because it takes work to raise a child correctly.”

Nevertheless, their son’s innocence brings the laughs that will always be priceless.

“Cole said, ‘Mom I love you.’ My wife said, ‘I love you too.’ Cole then asked her, ‘Who’s gonna be my wife?’ He then asked her, ‘How did you even get four kids?’ Mrs. Douglas then explained to him that they had two by birth and two by adoption. He replied, ‘Oh, I thought you bought us in a box.’”

“Our family is a complete mix of everything we’ve dreamt of...

Go stupid ‘A

go dumb dumb

re you anywhere? Come on, it’s just Tex-mex. a drug problem tends to be shoved into a corner where Actually, here. My author gave me half a football field concerned parents aren’t able to hear about it. Our school yesterday.’ always brags about how ‘high class’ we are and how wellOkay, so even WITH the definition of those terms sitting behaved our students are. in front of my face, I have no idea what just happened. The “To be honest, I don’t think it’s a huge problem at Rocklin truth is that most of Rocklin High’s High. Eighty percent of our discipline student body knows exactly what all problems are attendance,” said that means.

Principal Michael Garrison.

Rocklin is often thought to be a Yet, nobody can face even what safe-haven for teenagers. In reality, little problems we do have. Every it is just like any other city out Ganja school year, a very low percentage Cactus there. True, we don’t have drive-by of students are caught at school with shootings and robberies daily, but Scotty drugs. That’s just at school.

Blue Heaven teenagers are able to access just as This is obviously a much lower many troubles as any other teens. number than some other schools Doobee Most kids think it’s no big deal.

Kit Kat in our area. But low or high, it’s a Drugs aren’t addicting the first time, Air Blast number. Honestly, it concerns me and maybe not the second, or the that high school students can’t figure Bazooka third. And yet, I don’t see the point. out a different way to deal with things.

Egyptians Sadly, the truth may be that Or to have fun, whatever you like to Pep Pill Rocklin’s teens think it is no big deal call it.

Onion to the point where it can quickly Of course, getting high or drunk become an enormous deal. In 2006, and waking up not remembering a Fizzies 27.3 percent of Placer County deaths Goob thing that happened the night before were from drug/alcholol-related is NOT my definition of ‘fun’.

Baseball incidents.

Drugs and alcohol are simply not Why is the idea of possibly dying Elephants the answer for me. Go find a friend ‘shrooms is so appealing to teenagers. The that you can laugh with without them fact that drugs can KILL me honestly running around without their shirt off scares the crap out of me, enough to because they are drunk. the point that I have never done any Maybe it makes for a Myspace photo opportunity or kind of drug or ever drank even one drop of alcohol.

In fact, like many students I’m typically in bed by 10 even black mail for those friends you could care less o’clock. My friends and I have so much fun, and we never about. Then again, when the time comes that it’s your go to parties. Normal Saturday nights consists of a movie embarrassing picture that is floating around MySpace, it will be a whole new story. and the computer.

“Most drug problems don’t happen on campus. I think This doesn’t mean I don’t associate with people who like that kids are doing drug-related activities outside of school. to party. Other people’s lives are not my problem, and how they choose to deteriorate their bodies is clearly not up to Or, maybe I’m wrong. Maybe kids are just smarter than our administration and know how to keep from getting caught,” me.

But when I hear about people talking about their said Garrison.

Am Okay, so maybe it isn’t happening at school most of the crazy weekends and the flavor of hookah they be rD time.

But I still think people are naive for doing possibly smoked, I tend to walk away. ille r The idea that Rocklin High may have life-threatening things. Grow up.

Street TALK

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January 2008

Just be there

11

by Alexis Coopersmith editor in chief

Facing a crisis is better than turning your back

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eople who do drugs are irresponsible.

They live only for the craving and are consumed by addiction of the drug. They are the partiers of the school or the scum on the street. Addicts are a waste of time.

Right?

Throughout my life, it has been apparent that addiction runs in my family.

The realization of the magnitude of the addictions hit me a few months ago, right before the end of last school year. And it hit hard.

It began when my uncle died of accidental overdose. It shook up my family to say the least, and made the reality of drug use apparent.

Only a few days later, my aunt admitted to a paralyzing alcohol and drug addiction. She entered a rehabilitation center immediately and before she even knew what was happening, her nursing license was revoked.

While she battled for recovery in rehab, my brother admitted to the family of his addiction to the hot new drug, oxycontin. Before we could overcome the shock, he was sent away to multiple recovery programs for months.

My family was disappearing right before my eyes and yet the only thing I could feel was anger. I felt a hatred for everyone hurting me, for everyone hurting my family.

Then came the one thing I had never expected. I came home one morning from spending the night at a friend’s house, and my mom was gone. My dad explained to me, “Your mother has a problem. She’s addicted to Vicodin and she checked into rehab this morning.” I was left numb.

What the hell had happened to my life? The people I had trusted most were gone. Everything changed in a blink of an eye, and it was a blink I wanted only to reverse.

From then on, I was different. I took in a deep breath, shook off the shock, and faced it. I lived with my dad who spent the majority of the day and night at work. I spent most of my time living virtually alone and avoided contact with my dad at all costs, he wasn’t my favorite person to be around since our family started to crumble. Instead of being there for each other in a time of despair, we turned against each other and spent our time together fighting about nothing that actually mattered.

But, with the way my bizarre life works, it wasn’t over. My cousin was sentenced to prison for the distribution of illegal substances and then, a few weeks into my mom’s stay in rehab, my dad got the news that his only brother had died. The cause: what else, but overdose. It hurt my dad beyond words, and left me feeling, well, nothing at all.

Things had stopped having any effect on me. Caring about everything happening became much harder than brushing it off like it was no big deal. So that is exactly what I did. I made everything no big deal. I stopped talking to everyone in my family, and lived as if they were never there.

Everything happened so fast, it’s still hard for me to believe. My family is now in the process of recovery, and it is a battle every day. I have come to realize that acting like I never cared was a lie, and I now work with them and do all I can to help them become healthier and happier.

There is still a long way to go, and each of them encounter problems everyday, but the entire experience has given me a new perspective on drug use and the term “addict.” An addict can be anyone. From your best friend’s mom to your little sister. Anyone can fall to addiction. It does not make them inferior or any less of a good person. It is a problem, it is a disease, and it can be stopped.

It starts with facing the problem. Be there for the people in your life.

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Dealing with

disease

Learning to cope becomes an everyday experience in the life of the Kimmel family

O

ften society chooses to believe rumors and myths rather than take the time to educate themselves.

This is often the case when it comes to diseases. The moment anyone hears the word disease, they assume the worst. Choosing ignorance over knowledge will only get you so far.

Educating oneself is always the best choice when it comes to the unknown.

Many people diagnosed with diseases face unfair stereotypes like thinking they can “catch” the disease from someone.

Rocklin High School got a taste of this a couple months ago when MRSA and staph infections were diagnosed on campus.

Many people chose to believe rumors and over exaggerated the situation entirely, going so far as to discriminate against certain students.

A great example of exactly what happens in society and all around the world.

For some people disease is something they have come to cope with on a daily basis.

For Gretchen Kimmel, dealing with K disease is now part of her life.

Me im S lis ch She was diagnosed with MS sa ne To ide (multiple sclerosis) which pp r, is an autoimmune dising s

ease. An autoimmune disease means that it is something that attacks your own body; in this case, the central nervous system.

MS is most prevalent in adults, most commonly women between the ages of 20 and 30 however it is becoming more and more apparent in young girls from the age 13 to 20. Gretchen had her first attack in 1998 after giving birth to her first child. However, she wasn’t diagnosed until 2000.

Common side effects of this disease include body parts falling asleep, severe numbness and blurred vision.

Approximately 200 people are being diagnosed with MS in the United States every week. The most difficult aspect about this disease is the fear of the unknown. You could be having a perfectly normal day and feel absolutely fine, and you could have an attack right then and there.

There are two different types of MS, progressive and relapsing. The progressive form is when it continues to get worse throughout your life. The more common form of MS is relapsing remitting MS (RRMS), where people have clearly defined periods of time where the disease gets worse. These periods are called relapses or “attacks”.

“There is a positive way where you learn to accept it and learn to cope, or you can isolate yourself and let it get the better of you.”

There are currently about $250,000 to $350,000 people in the United States that are diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. This suggests that around 200 people are diagnosed every week.

MS is five times more prevalent in temperate climates llike northern United States, Canada, and Europe than tropical areas.

After talking with Gretchen it was clear that there are two different ways to deal with disease. There is a positive way where you learn to accept it and learn to cope, or you can isolate yourself and let it get the better of you.

Gretchen has chosen the positive way.

She is a wife and mother of three children and still gets to enjoy everyday things like coaching her child’s soccer team, skiing, and being actively involved in her community.

rhsflash@yahoo.com

Flash The

January 2008

13

Shades of

Gray In a sea of black and white

at his first house party. A progression of more hard-hitting drugs would become clear as day for him before he would see it coming. Cocaine would lead to a series of addictive and life threatening drugs such as morphine, crystal meth, acid, crank, PCP, GHD, oxycotin, ecstasy, shrooms and copious amounts of prescription drugs just to name a few.

“I never thought that high school would be like that. If someone would have said that I would have been doing all those drugs to me, my freshmen year, I wouldn’t have believed it,“ says John.

He knows all too much of parental denial concerning depression and drugs, and even how they correspond with one another. John’s* depression started his freshmen year when his relationship with his father turned sour.

He became distant with his dad as his mom was torn between her husband and son. Drugs to him became his reality, which took the pain away.

and start a new cigarette.

Satisfying, yet unsatisfying at the same time,” is how John* described his vast use of drugs. He would find himself on a retail fest, stealing DVDs, CDs, Xbox games, play stations and would continue to sell and trade them for drug money. Continuing his legal trouble for these acts, he found alternative methods that resulted to breaking into apartments, and cars where he and his buddies would steal wheels and rims. He became socially withdrawn towards the end of his senior year, and would stick to hanging out with his drug induced friends and leaving his girlfriend of a year.

John came to a point where he was lying naked on his bed, rolling around and incoherent of the world going on around him. Vomiting, and shooting up were the only things he knew. However, after being caught with the needle in his arm on that one fateful morning, he was in for a wake up call.

John* is in replacement of the actual name.

“I was lying in bed, and overdosed as I shot up; my mom walked in to wake me up the next morning and saw the needle in my “I saw life in shades of arm, and thought I was Depression gray, in a sea of black and dead.” John*, a Rocklin Data High graduate, passed out white,” says John.

According to NIMH (National Institute As his father turned to more controlon accidental overdoses of Mental Health) ling methods, and couldn’t relate to his three or four times since son, it led to a downhill spiral where 1 in 8 of adolescents are suffering from depression father and son would never be able using his freshmen year, to see eye to eye. His parents were at but this time it was a wake Only 30% receive intervention or a breaking point where they could no treatment, the other 70% remain up call, and he went to lost, trying to make it to adulthood longer control, let alone keep track of their son’s whereabouts. rehab four days later.

John would be going to a rehabilitation center in upstate New York for 3-and-a-half months. He would return home sober for only one whole month.

He would then shoot up twice as hard as he did before with his drug of choice– heroin.

It all began for him in 8th grade with pot, then as freshmen year came Ma nd tumbling around the corner; ie Ma he would discover cocaine rti ne z

Flying down the freeway with a cigarette in his mouth, he was on his way home from his dealer’s house when he lost control. He flew at an angle towards the side divider, and would crash into it and roll in his dad’s Denali six to seven times. You think this would be the end of it, however, in the midst of the chaos he bashed out the windshield with nothing but his elbow, and crawl out of the car to stand next to it,

Suicide is the 3rd leading cause of people aged 15-24

Depression is known to affect females more than males

rhsflash@yahoo.com

The vanishing act:

behind the move to Independent

by Charde Stewart study staff writer here’s no denying it: teens have issues. Teenagers in today’s world are battling obstacles teenagers in the past never had to even think about.

Rocklin High School students are not excluded. But does Rocklin High School leave any academic wiggle room for those struggling students?

Though Rocklin High’s highly-regarded academic system works for the majority, it often is all too easy to fall behind.

So, what happens to teens who find the strict Rocklin High School regiment too much to handle? Those who don’t dropout are forced to transfer over to the Rocklin Alternative Education Center.

Within this center are two potential paths for transferees: Victory High School or Independent Study. One such transferee is Kimberly “Kimi” Kato, 17, a graduate from the Alternative Education Center’s Independent Study Program. Independent Study is a form of what most people would call ‘homeschooling’ and is different from Victory High’s more conventional schedule.

Kato, who chose to graduate six months early, transferred over to Independence beginning of her junior year.

“I transferred over because of depression and I couldn’t attend school enough to keep up,” says Kato. “Most people were really supportive but when I stopped coming to school everyday, it all changed,” said Kimi.

Depression by its self is an extremely isolating illness. Pushing loved ones away is a common symptom of depression as well as a characteristic of a drug addiction and not everyone

T

Flash The

January 2008

15

has strong enough friends that can She’s now moving to southern Califorsee past the illness. nia to start a whole new life for herself.

“People stopped calling and I was “I’m just ready to move forward. I’m more alone and demoving some place where pressed than ever,” said I can start over and not feel Kimi. like everyone is judging me It’s a Catch-22. The from stupid high school rumore a person struggles mors. Rocklin High is full of with an addiction/disthem,” said Kimi. order, the harder it is to Recovering from a diskeep up in school. Some order like depression is transfer over to the Alternot easy and many people native Education Center do not recover. It takes a where they either attend strong human being to fall a school that keeps them as far and hard as teens home six days out of the like Kimberly Kato have, week or one that sur- Artwork by: Mandie Martinez and still have enough powrounds them with other er to pick themselves up. students struggling with addictions “I’m going to take a full schedule and mental illnesses. at a community college [in southern “I had a choice to go to Victory High California] and I’m ready to just grow School but I didn’t like the stigma connected to the school and I didn’t want up and start over,” she said. “I’m really to fall into the wrong group of people,” excited.”

Kato is “doing OK.” A phrase which said Kato. “Nevertheless, adapting to Independent Study wasn’t easy. many people might take for granted.

It seemed to get worse and worse and I just felt like I was falling deeper and deeper into a whole I couldn’t get out of.”

Helplessness is a feeling common for teenagers; especially those battling mental illnesses and other issues. This is perhaps why so many teens turn to drugs for comfort.

“It was easy for me to drown my sorrows in drugs... it’s just a way to forget that you feel a sadness that’s probably worse than any other pain in the entire world,” said Kato.

Plus what...?

The new plus period is laid out and ready to kick off in second semester

A

s anticipation of the plus period increases and rumors of us turning into Whitney grow, the organization and institution of the plus period is being finalized.

When this program is to be launched is currently being discussed with the district. “Ideally, the plus period would be starting this spring. We would like to avoid starting next year, because we know that everyone is adjusting in the fall, It is always a very crazy time for the students staff and administration” said assistant principle Mark Douglas.

Many students are looking forward to its start, “I think it is fantastic because we [seniors] can leave early, and it gives everybody more time to live their lives” said senior Katie Langstrom.

The Plan

Essentially we have our normal blue-silver format, with adjustments.

Every day before lunch there will be a thirty minute class. The plus room will be on a rotating schedule, following the even-odd pattern.

For example, on a blue plus three day everyone will go to first, third, and fifth period. Then, students will either go to their third period class again or lunch. Students required to go to their plus period will go to lunch after the period attends, then after lunch is seventh period.

It is not up to the student whether or not to attend plus period, but a series of guidelines. Students with no marks are required to stay in, as well as students with attendance issues. For A and B students it is at the student and teachers discretion whether Am an they should stay in. AP teachda Ho ers can also choose to hold lpu ch review sessions.

These guidelines will be translated into the ARIES program which has recently been reformatted. Teachers are now able to take attendance during the plus period much quicker, increasing the efficiency of the entire schedule.

This also makes it much simpler for the teachers, one of the main concerns of the program.

The Goals

The plus period will be used in several ways. It will give students who need additional help time to meet with their teachers. It also creates a time for club, team and class meetings. Morning announcements will also be broadcast at this time.

By having a block specified for these activities, the administration hopes to create more focused class time. During the plus period, teachers can use the time for practice and re-teaching, no new material will be introduced during this time. For classes like yearbook and journalism it gives additional time to work and reach deadlines.

“This way teachers can spend less time reviewing concepts twenty out of thirty of the kids understand, and the ten kids that need help can get more specific instruction. In that way it moves everyone forward” said Douglas.

There are some concerns about how to fit a half hour period into the schedule without cutting class time. The administration has managed to organize the schedule so each class loses five minutes, and the extra ten minutes in second block are no longer there because of the morning announcements being moved to the plus.

The Future

Initially a simple version of the plan will be implemented and as time progresses the schedule will be reas-

sessed and modified as necessary.

Eventually they hope to use the period as a time for the student body to build from within.

To do this there would be a program, during the plus period, where the upperclassmen would get community service for mentoring or tutoring the underclassmen. This is one of the ideas that the administration hopes the plus period can enable. “The momentum created by such a program would be great for strengthening the relationships between the classes and could take our school to the next level” said Douglas.

Example Schedule Blue (+1) 1 3 5 1 7

Algebra II Team Sports Chemisty I Algebra II Lunch Spanish III

Silver (+6) 2 4 6 6

8

English III Guitar Lab U.S. History U.S. History Lunch Photo I

(Bold denotes plus period.

Students passing that class go directly to lunch)

rhsflash@yahoo.com

Flash The

January 2008

17

Just do it– now I t’s 12:00 a.m. and you are frantically typing at your computer, in a desperate attempt to finish the project you’ve had three months to finish. You realize you will need to pull an all-nighter, just you and your venti espresso.

Your stress level reaches enormous proportion as you wonder how your teacher could give you so much work.

This situation sounds all too familiar for Junior Kate Rose who had three months to complete an extended marine biology project, and stayed up until 12:00 a.m. working on it the weekend before it was due.

“I predict a large future with me and procrastination. I was born a procrastinator and it’s just always going to be like that,” said Rose.

Many students have the same attitude towards time management. Whether or not we are all “born procrastinator[s]”, prioritizing tasks according to their level of interest is human nature. Why do math homework when an MTV Cribs marathon is on?

Mark Shillingburg, father of multiple RHS students, noticed that no matter how hard they “ride” their children to get their studying done, it doesn’t make a difference if the student is not motivated. In his opinion, high school has not changed much since he was in high school.

“I did my homework the class before it was due,” said Shillingburg.

Students still wait until the last minute and let things pile up.

From a teacher’s point of view, math teacher Mr. Roc Murray is one of many teachers who deal with procrastinating students on a daily basis.

“I don’t think there’s a single person on this campus who doesn’t procrastinate. It’s just when the amount of procrastination is greater than the amount of learning, that’s when they are in trouble. The primary issue I’ve seen with kids is out of sight, out of mind. I think the reason for that is that they

by Megan Taaffe staff writer do not have enough life experience to put together the consequences of their actions. I think it’s our job as teachers to let students deal with the natural consequences of their actions, but also provide the opportunity for fixing, not just saying too bad, it’s over, you lose,” said Murray.

While definitely a big problem among high school students, procrastination affects everyone to a certain extent. The truth is, everyone wants an easy button, but life is not a Staples commercial.

 “I never procrastinate. I always finish what I sta-.”

Wayland Whitney, 11

“If one person isn’t prepared that effects the perfornmance of the ensemble. If people procrastinate and don’t learn their music, they are letting down their peers.”

Ms. Meredith Hawkins, Choir Director

“That last five minutes before a deadline is the kind of adrenaline rush some people jump out of planes for.”

Monica Fein, 12

“Problems with procrastination? Who doesn’t.”

Joe Lopez 11

Yearbook It’s your book... if you buy one Prices are going up, so order now. Come to M-5 or go to Jostens.com and odrer NOW. (or, be the loser without one at the end of school)

Happily Never After W

ho Wants to Marry My Dad? This reality TV show has become a reality for many Rocklin High students, just without all the cameras. With 50 percent of American couples shattering their vows, the kids are among the first to face the true reality.

Having your parents divorced is enough worry for any kid to have. And once the parents move on, the control is completely out of the child’s hands.

Imagine having a great relationship with someone you really like, and finding out that person might become for the your sibling. One student at Holiday’s Rocklin High who preferred to remain anonymous “The Holidays are fun with doesn’t have to imagine, it separate familes because has become a reality. there is more to do, but “It was really weird at it would be better if we first, I wasn’t sure what I didn’t have to switch off.” was supposed to do or how Sophomore Ashley Linnane I was supposed to react to all of this,” said the RHS “For Christmas I am with student. my mom until noon, then i After a long few months go to my dad’s. It’s double of dealing with this unusual the presents so i’m happy.” situation, the student and - Sophomore Alex Prekeges their boyfriend/girlfriend broke up.

Maybe “I think we should “My mom lives in Reno and just be siblings,” is a better I live with my dad here. So way to break it off than “I every year we switch off for think we should just be holidays. This year I’m with friends.” my dad.”

-Junior Corine Reeser For junior Amber Diller, her situation is a little more common, but just as difficult to deal with.

“My mom has been dating for a long time, so her having a boyfriend is nothing new,” said Amber.

You would think she would get used to it by now, but unfortunately she hasn’t had the time.

“We moved in with my mom’s boyfriend awhile ago and since then we have moved twice with him. It gets hard,” said Amber.

And having a sibling can definitely help, but where are the kids left when the parents decide to split?

Me “Well, we planned on moving again with him, La ga ur n en Ca but they actually just broke up so we have to Blo rdo em na move out now, and it’s really hard because ke r

HOME

of the holidays, and we’ve been with him for awhile,” said Amber.

After living with a parent’s significant other for a long time, things can feel empty when they are suddenly gone and they pack their bags.

“My brother and I have our own stuff for our rooms, but we got rid of our couches and basically everything when we moved in with him, so we’ll have to start from scratch,” said Diller.

Even though Diller is going through a trying time right now, she obviously understands that things could be worse, and at least she gets to stay, “…17 houses from the one we’re in now,” she said with a smile. “I counted.”

With everything that she has been through, it certainly seems like there is not much of a bright side to parental dating. Except, that is, with sophomore Paige Chandler.

Both of Chandler’s parents are currently dating, which seems like complete chaos if it is anything like Diller’s experiences. But Chandler seems to keep a steady smile, especially when speaking of her dad’s girlfriend of a year and a half, Ela. “She is so easy to be around,” said Chandler, “And we go out together sometimes and play tennis or something.

She is usually pretty funny.”

It seems that children would automatically strike out the idea of their parents being with someone else, but Chandler really likes where the relationship is taking her entire family, including her mom. “[Ela] and my mom actually really get along,” she said with a surprise.

When the ex and the new spouse get along, there is usually some tension with the middle man.

“Well, I think he likes it because it keeps him and my mom from going at each other all of the time. Ela calms him, and my mom’s boyfriend keeps her distracted.”

Although Chandler’s mom’s new guy is a little weird, there are some definite perks.“Her new boyfriend, Chris, can be kind of weird, but he’s a fantastic cook and he comes over and makes dinner for all three of us (brother included),” said Chandler.

New relationships tend to take up much time, especially time away from the kids.“Actually, I spend about the same amount of time with them. I just hang out with Ela when I’m with my dad and Chris usually comes to our house, so my mom’s still there,” she said.

Divorce doesn’t just effect the adults, but the kids as well. So before saying “I do,” consider the outcome.

Otherwise j end up like the other half of America.

GSA making a difference

rhsflash@yahoo.com

Flash The

January 2008

19

Student voice their opinions on matters relating to LGBTQ issues

T

he Gay Straight Alliance (GSA) is an organization built upon the acceptance of all people, its focus being the support of equal rights for Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals, Transgender, and Queers or LGBTQ. Meghan Heinz, President of the GSA club, explained why the term “homosexual” is both demeaning, and offensive. “If you will notice the Religious Right uses “Homosexual” to describe the GSA because they are emphasizing the word “sex” and reducing us to only one aspect of our identity; what we do in the bedroom. And LGBTQ rights are not just about sex but our identities and civil rights. For this reason we use the term LGBTQ. Rocklin High has a GSA club that meets weekly to converse about different LGBTQ issues. But they do more than just discuss the issues; they also act as a support group for LGBTQ students on campus.

Beyond that, the GSA club sometimes watches LGBTQ movies or works on activism projects to get LGBTQ rights passes through the legislature. Recently they worked to get the GSA website unblocked from the school computer

system.

“For the last two years we have participated in QYAD a youth lobbying day where we go to the capital and lobby before house and senate members,” said Meghan.

The GSA club though has been met with much controversy on and off campus.

“Well in the past we’ve felt we’ve had to push through a lot more red tape than other clubs to get our events scheduled,” said Meghan.

But much more than scheduling events, actually becoming a club on campus was very difficult. This is the first club in the history of Rocklin High to not be unanimously approved by the school. Despite the opposition from some, Mr. Mike Garrison has always been supportive of the club, doing his best to be of assistance according to adviser Mrs. Pilar Padilla.

“The LGBTQ community is incredibly diverse. We are Black, White, Asian, Christian, Jewish, Muslim, atheist, republican, democrat, libertarian, green party members, young, old and everything in between. We are just regular people,” said Meghan.

On and off campus, the GSA works to do its best at bringing about awareness to all that it does according to FACT: on december 8th, over 300 gsa activists held the networks Meghan. Working as a annual youth empowerment summit. taking place at everett middle group and with others school in san francisco, the network focused on educating the GSA has worked their members on key issues and skills everyone could use while towards equality for all they’re fighting homophobia and transphobia in their schools and LGBTQs, and has made communities. a difference. Providing FIGURE: According to the Cuyahoga community college website, assistance on campus, “ 28% of gay and lesbian high school students in a national study and working through were seen to have dropped out of school because of harrasment activism projects the resulting from their sexual orientation.”

GSA club has achieved much, and continues to move forward.

GSA FACTS & FIGURES

A little support

in an

independent world A

fter spending your entire childhood with your brothers and sisters, having them at school with you can be a drag.

However, for students with siblings in the Independent Living Skills (ILS) program and with other special needs, brothers and sisters at school offer them an opportunity to build a stronger bond.

ILS, which is the program at school for students with special needs and disabilities, encourages relationships between siblings at school.

Three pairs of siblings at RHS are Zach and Dylan B a r n e y, Ashley, Morgan Ihrig Morgan and Ashley Ihrig and Trevor and Rosalinda Markle. “[Rosalinda] helps me because she is someone to talk to, and we hang out all time,” said sophomore Trevor Markle. Trevor and Rosalinda Markle are twins.

“People know me as Trevor’s sister,” said Rosalinda, also a sophomore.

“I’m older by a minute,” said Trevor.

For Morgan Ihrig and Zach Barney, protecting their younger siblings at school is second nature.

“It’s good for me to have him Jul Sh ie around,” said Zach Barney, a an Gr no ies senior, “I am able to help nS m tow er ers

him, and we spend lunch together.”

Dylan Barney, a sophomore, said, “Having Zach at school has helped me because I can hang out with him and his friends, and we can talk about things, like girls.”

“Everyone loves Dylan, he cheers everyone up when they are in a bad mood,” said Zach.

Outside of school, Zach and Dylan spend a lot of time together. “We go to the gym and work out everyday after school, and we hang out on weekends,” said Dylan.

Morgan and Ashley Ihrig also spend a lot of time outside of school together.

“We go to Starbucks every morning, and she sits with me and all of my friends,” said Morgan, a senior. “I don’t mind her hanging out with my friends, it’s just different.”

Zach, Dylan Barney

“We also get our nails done and go out to lunch a lot,” said Ashley Ihrig, a freshman. “It’s fun to have Morgan at school. If I’m sad, she knows how to make me feel better.”

“I fight with my sister just like everyone else does, but at the end of the day, we are always there for each other,” said Morgan.

“When new students come into ILS, they usually have relationships built in,” said Pam Wentz, an ILS teacher, “It just depends on the family.”

“It’s nice to have siblings to rely on if the kids are having a bad day,” said Wentz.

Even if you’ve been fighting with your siblings since what seems like birth, ILS students with siblings at school realize how lucky they are to have their brothers and sisters around.

Rosalinda, Trevor Markle

rhsflash@yahoo.com

Flash The

January 2008

21

Right on Target with shared trip The ILS Shopping trip took place December 18 and 19. Journalism, Yearbook, and Photo Journalism students took time out of the school day to holiday shop with ILS students and help them pick out gifts.This event was sponsored by the Quill and Scroll club. Cheryl Ford, at left with Ashley Ihrig (right), said “Ashley was really fun and was into getting the right presents for her family. She is a really caring person.”

Inset, Hannah Miller and Haley Lewis. Down, Jeremie McCary, John Lee. Lower left, Kim Benemelis, Dylan Barney. Lower right, Kathy O’Hagan, Haley Lewis.

photos by Laura Shank

by Mallory Valenzuela Editor-in-Chief Our biggest criticism from our last issue in November was the missing Post Secret spread. Post Secret has grown in popularity at Rocklin High School; so, here they are: the fantasies, regrets, hopes, humiliations, and confessions of anonymous Rocklin High School students.

By

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Flash The

rhsflash@yahoo.com

January 2008

Fun and Games

Tic Tac Toe Sudoku

23

Honor Guard 2008 Haley Hucks- Soccer, CSF, Friends First, Ping Pong Club, Key Club “Live life with a happy heart!”

Rob Simmons- CSF, ping Pong Club, Photojournalism, track (pole vaulting) “Live life to the fullest.”

Nathan Dudley- Varsity Tennis, Jazz Band, French Club, Young Republicans, Ping Pong Club, The Flash “Do your best and let the rest take care of itself.”

Brad Loebs- Drama Club, Ping Pong Club, Young People for Change Club “The pursuit of truth will set you free, even if you never catch up with it.”

Sam Lawrence-Yearbook, Photojournalism, Ping Pong Club, CSF, Friends First, Quill & Scroll “Make the most of every moment.”

Justin Tynan- Cross Country, Track, Tennis, Ping Pong Club, CSF, Photojournalism “Our lives are not determined by what happens o us, but by how we react to what happens in life.” br

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Student

of the

Week

French Amanda Calzada Amanda is very enthusiastic about learning French.

She enjoys the class and has a positive attitude.

Jeff Pak Jeff excels in French and has a natural talent in languages. Jeff also has a great sense of humor.

David Zaremba David has a natural talent for languages. He has a positive attitude and is very enthusiastic about learning.

Jessica Purvis Jessica excels in class with a positive attitude.

Michael Amorde Michael’s natural talent for languages helps him excel in French Football Scott Polaske Scott is a hard worker, both on the field and in the classroom.

Brian McNay Brian practiced hard everyday with the intent to make himself and the team better.

Sam Torres Sam battled through adversity this year and came back to have a great game against Woodcreek.

Daniel Lessard Daniel scored a two point conversion and kicked two PAT’s. He has been an inspiration to his teammates.

Golf Alyssa Wilson Alyssa is hard working, enthusiastic member of the team. She is the only sophomore on varsity.

Krissy Pope Krissy is the JV captain and a consistent winner on the long drive contest.

Marilyn Johnson Marilyn is a beginning golfer who has the best attitude on the team.

Rebecca Bills Rebecca is a very promising freshman who is one of the most hard-working players on the team.