The Rocklin High School Flash May, 2013 vol. 20, #5
RHS achieves Gold Medal from U.S.News for the second consecutive year
HAIL TO THE CONQUERING HEROES
Table of Contents 04- Rocklin From ‘93 to ‘13 06- Lights, Camera, Action: Spring Sports 08- RHS is awarded Gold Medal for second year 12- Flash reviews “Benny and Joon” and more 14- Softball Season a Home Run 16 -AP Athletes Going for Gold 18- Dance Team Brings Together “Soul Sisters” 20- Retirements at District and School level bring changes 22- Who’s Who on Campus: Student Profiles 25- A Final Letter from the Editors
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THE FLASH May 2013 Editor-in Chief Amanda Wong Co-editor in Chief Mason Ganz Sports Editors Maddie Wuelfing, Alex Walsh Design Editor Ashley Jones Broadcast Editors Franchesca Awwad, Rahul Verma, Devin Moss Co-Web Editors Alina Holtsman, Liz Vasquez Adviser Casey Nichols Staff: Kiersten Austefjord, Elias Alba, Shelby Boyajan, Leah Marie Brewster, Alexis Brown, Aubrey Butte, Cali Lewis, Emily McCrary, Taras Maksimuk, Ryan Peterson, Julie Schwarzkopf, Taylor Schoultz, Melanie Seyfried, Juliette Sherrill, Lydia Tahraoui, Sabrina Wilson, Rhiannon Chuter-Davis, Trevor Bohatch.
A final letter from the Editors Dear reader, As seniors graduating from Rocklin, it’s odd to think of the paper continuing on without us. The selfishness of this realization is exacerbated by the fact that before this year - before we even arrived at RHS four years ago - the Flash already existed. Speaking frankly, it’s disappointing to know that life will still go on after we leave. But we hope that between our incorporation of five issues rather than four this year and the creation of The Show that we have been able to leave some sort of impact on your year. We take a moment to thank several individuals. Firstly Mr. Casey Nichols, our dedicated adviser. Your sarcasm and sensibility has kept us grounded this year and laughing besides. We especially thank senior Ashley Jones for her invaluable design sense and numerous contributions to both the Flash and the Show. Your creativity and wit have given us something to look forward to every sixth period. Lastly, but not least, we thank our staff. Your efforts have produced works of art and intelligence and we thank you for making our last year at Rocklin special. We love you very much. Thank you for reading our last issue, and we wish Rocklin High School nothing but the best. Amanda and Mason Class of 2013 Editors in Chief
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Rocklin High
Twenty Years
THE FLASH May 2013
in the making
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ince it’s opening in 1993, Rocklin has set the standard for Placer County. We have excelled in every possible way including athletics, academics, and the arts. The first freshman class of Rocklin High School truly paved the way for future students of Rocklin High. They voted on our school colors, and our school mascot. That first freshman class made Rocklin a good school, but time and experience have made it a great school. The legacy of Rocklin High School has been passed on to us. The theme of a recent assembly was “Passing the Torch.” This metaphorical torch of excellence has been passed through the generations of students, and now it is in our hands. We hold the excellence of Rocklin, but who had it before us, and what did they do with this great responsibility? How have the generations of Rocklin students made an impact of our school, and how has this school had an impact on them? Our API scores have improved over the years, reaching a peak this past year with 888 points. We have come a long way in recent years. Our API score in the 2005-2006 school year was 795, which means that in the past seven years we have made a near 100 point increase. This year the goal has been set at 900 points. Though this is a extremely challenging task, the staff at Rocklin High School has faith that their student will continue achieving high scores. Mr. Frank Shields, one of the Rocklin High School teachers hired in the second year of the school, said, “the students at Rocklin have started to take the state testing
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more seriously. They really care about their scores and haves stepped up their game.” As Rocklin has developed as a school and in it’s academics, it’s extracurricular activities have developed along with it. The athletic program has sent a football team to the state championship, and basketball has been top ranked throughout the years. Other activities such as mock trial, speech and debate, choir, dance, and ed as new athletes, coaches, and directors began to participateand theater have all been recognized in their respective areas. Over the years, these programs have developed as new athletes, coaches, and directors began to participate in the activities, each leaving their mark. Similarly, teachers such as Mr. Carlson and Mr. Shields have helped build the school into what it is today. In Mr. Shield’s opinion, Rocklin has “matured, evolved, and created our own traditions.” According to Mrs. Arino, Rocklin “is bigger, and teaching styles have changed with technology. The kids are busier now and it’s harder to keep their attention.” Over only a short four-year time period, Rocklin has seemed to change and has greatly affected the graduating senior’s lives. Senior Sam Hall describes her time at Rocklin as “An experience to begin with, but eventually evolving into a lifestyle after my four years here. “
Written by Leah Brewster, Alexis Brown, and Emily McCrary
“Rocklin has matured, evolved, and created our own traditions.” Mr. Frank Shields Designed by Alexis Brown
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In Action
THE FLASH May 2013
SPRINGING INTO ACTION
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Spring Sports 2013
1)”We came together as a team and we came over adversity as a team and we used it to drive our team.” said Carli Cutler, a sophomore who plays second on the Varsity Girls Softball team. 2)”The team bonding time we had on the away matches was my favorite thing this season.” said Brandon Yates, senior member of the Varsity Tennis team 3) Girls Varsity Soccer Team huddles after a game. 4) ”The people love the team and Kirk is one big teddy bear.” said senior Nick Dahla 5) “The camaraderie and being with your friends is the best part about the team”. said Varsity Baseball player Jake Faulkner. 6) “The environment of track is very social and not stressful, which makes it fun.” Garrett Kauppila 7)”This season was really welcoming to the freshman, we bonded well like a family.” said senior Jessica Miller of Varsity Girls soccer 8) Swimmers on the Rocklin team get ready at practice to work out. 8) JV Swim warms up in the pool. “Meeting new friends and people is the best part.” Rachel Polivka
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THE FLASH May 2013
FEATURE
“I WANT TO GET MORE STUDENTS INVOLVED.” ZACH QUITTMEYER, ASB PRESIDENT 13’-14’
Two-Peat: Rocklin High School Goes Gold Once Again
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or years, all of the students and staff at Rocklin High have risen above all obstacles. The school opened in 1993 which a single freshman class and has now held the title of #1 A.P.I scores in the county for seven years. But Rocklin, ranked 404th in the country, is not only an academic powerhouse. It is hard to see the actual wall between the thick layer of championship pennants that the school has obtained over the years. Successes like these have prompted headlines, like The Triple Team’s 2011 “Rocklin High School Tops in API…Again!” and the Sacramento Bee’s “Defending Division-II champion Rocklin is No. 1 - and wary.” Last year, Rocklin High School was awarded the Gold Medal award from U.S. News and World Reports, which ranked them as top 2 percent school in the country. They were the first to achieve such in the county. Schools were judged by three different criterions. Firstly, schools had to perform better than statistical averages across the county. They would be placed on the Academic Performance Index, a system determined by school Standardized Testing and Reporting (STAR) and the California High School Exit Examination (CAHSEE) average scores. The index ranged from 200 to 1,000, with 1,000 being the best. Rocklin achieved an 800, scoring in the upper portion of the range. Continued on page 10.
ASB
Next Year
As Zach Quittmeyer heads into 2013-2014 as ASB President, he describes the position as “the cherry on top of [his] senior year.” He will be working in tandem with Ellie Lyle, Vice President. She plans to revitalize the student senate program and wants to further include the student voice. Next year’s class presidents junior Alexa Yerkes, sophomore Trevor Bohatch, and freshman Riley Hensley are all aiming to increase their classes participation and unity, which will lead to a energetic battle for class points next year, while fueling excitement for activities such as Senior Ball and Junior Prom. “With 36 graduating senior ASB officers, I’m looking forward to such a influx of officers and ideas and a new culture within the student body” said activities director John Thompson.
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FEATURE
THE FLASH May 2013
From page 8. “Two Peat: Rocklin High School Goes Gold Again”
Tucker Gandy
Brooke Wagner
Theatre, Choir, Dance, Musical, Swim Team
One Club Leadership Team, Peer Counseling Thunder Mentoring, LINK leader, CSF, Blue Crew
“Courage is grace under pressure.” After judging other test scores scores, reviewers looked at least-advantaged students to judge how they were performing against their groups’ state wide-averages to insure that the school was serving their entire community well.If these minority and low-income students were able to perform better than state averages, the school was then able to be judged nationally on college performance. Judges would evaluate Advanced Placement (AP) and InternationalBaccalaureate (IB) performance, measuring schools by best college-level achievement and standards. In short, U.S News evaluated Rocklin’s AP scores to see how ready students were for college. From here, schools had to receive a College Readiness Index scores over 20 to be eligible for Gold Medal. In 2013, Rocklin achieved over twice this amount with a College Readiness Index score of 49.5 The survey took into account many of the aspects of school that Rocklin has strove to perform outstandingly in. This year’s ranking shows the rapid pace the school has improved compared to last year’s achievements, despite there being little room for such. Rocklin passed nearly 80 schools from last year to this year. More impressively, these weren’t average schools - these were gold medal, highachieving, best in country type schools. They make Whitney and Del Oro look like elementary schools - and we’ve managed to beat them. Rocklin continues to earn our spot as the best school in Placer County, and beyond. Keep working hard, keep playing hard, and don’t let anyone tell you their school is better. We haven’t stopped improving since we started, so let’s make sure that we never stop. If we keep working as hard as we always do, then someday we won’t be boasting number one in Placer County, we will be boasting number one in the United States of America. by Elias Alba, lead columnist
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“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
By Alina Holtsman
Rocklin’s success does not go unseen in California and yet again we are receiving recognition for our continuation of excellence. On April 17th Rocklin was added to the California Business for Education Excellence Honor Roll for 2012.
“This is a testament to the relentless focus on results for students you, your staff and your peers have shown over the years. It is also a strong statement about how success is spreading in publi school across the state,” said James S. Lanich, President of California Business for Education Excellence.
Alex Lonsdale
Hailey Bellamy
RHS Engineering Shop, Thunder Galleria, Snowboarding Hiking, Biking
CSF, Keeping the Hope Club, French Club Student Government, Peer Counseling, Peer Tutoring
“You must be the change you want to see in the world.”
“Each day is a gift, make the most of it.”
Lauren Janowsky
Cameron Lovejoy
Keep the Hope Club, Women’s Soccer, Theater
“The meaning of life is to find your gift, the purpose of life is to give it away.”
Volleyball, A Capella Club
“Time you enjoy wasting, is not time wasted.”
HONOR GUARD 2014 Trent Peterson
Ryan Gerberding
CSF, Science Olympiad, Peer Tutoring, Basketball LINK, Peer Teaching
Computer and Hardware Club, Minecraft Club
“Treat others how you would like to be treated.”
Justin Celira CSF, Hip-Hop Club, Volleyball, Choir, Dance
“Take any opportunity you have, as long as you know the consequences won’t hurt you in the future.”
“Each moment is a gift. That’s why they call it the present.”
Jack Dennis Baseball Team, Blue Crew
“Play like a champion today.”
Zach Quittmeyer
Gabby Reicken
Yearbook Staff, Key Club, Blue Crew, RHS H2O for Life
Dance Team, ASB, Blue Crew
““Work hard to make your dreams a reality.”
““Live the life you’ve imagined.”
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THE FLASH May 2013
REVIEWS
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ave you ever tried making grilled-cheese sandwiches with a clothes iron? If you’ve seen the 1993 romantic comedy film “Benny & Joon” you can certainly figure out how, along with a few other quirky ways to do everyday things in special ways. “Benny & Joon” features Benjamin (Benny) and Juniper (Joon) Pearl, two siblings that have lived together since the tragic death of their parents. After their parents’ deaths, Joon acts a little less than normal and Benny has to constantly watch and care for her. Then, one night at Benny’s friend’s house, Joon joins in a poker game. Although Joon has a few great hands, she unfortunately loses a bet, and consequently an excentric stranger, Sam, has to move in with the Pearl family. l’ll forever be a lover of old movies because they contain something that current movies lack: the classic and memorable actors and actresses people are beginning to forget. In this movie, these actors and actresses are Aidan Quinn (Benny), Mary Stuart Masterson (Joon) and Johnny Depp (Sam). I loved this movie immensely because it was so unpre-
dictable. I was astounded by every scene in the movie, it was beyond great. This movie is a must-watch classic. I recommend this movie to everyone, especially the type of people who enjoy not only new movies, but old movies as well. Throughout “Benny & Joon,” I constantly laughed at the strange and awkward moments that Benny, Joon, and Sam experienced, and I also adored this movie’s tongue-in-cheek jokes. I could watch this movie over and over again and never grow tired of it. “Benny & Joon” is a work of art and overall a true beauty to watch. Rent or buy it, and you most definitely won’t regret it.
itting comfortably at number two on the iTunes Top 100 Albums chart, Justin Timberlake’s new album “The 20/20 Experience” has a rating of five out of five stars by iTunes users. I happen to be a big fan of his more than popular song “Suit and Tie,” but I’m not quite sure about the rest of the songs on his album. I began listening to this album optimistically because I figured that if “Suit and Tie” was a big hit, so would the rest of his songs. I soon realized this was not the case. Honestly, the only way I can describe my experience listening to Justin’s album was plain confusion. When I listened to “Pusher Love Girl,” I said aloud, “What is this?” I thought to myself, why am I even listening to this album. Apologies to all the Timberlake fans out there, but this is definitely not his best work.
It seems as if Justin and his music crew decided to produce this album in an absolute hurry. The quality of the songs is simply lacking in rhythm and soul. I’m not sure what happened, but I honestly didn’t listen to every song because it wasn’t even worth it. My face physically scrunched up as one could best describe as “ick” or “yuck.” Timberlake’s songs are not catchy at all and I had a really hard time getting through the album. If you told me to listen to his album fully, I would actually have to force myself to. I’m purely disappointed because I’m not only a fan of Justin’s older music, such as “SexyBack” and “Cry Me a River,” but I also consider him a suitable actor as well. He’s a likeable character and person overall but I hope that his next album will blow me away. Otherwise, I probably won’t even bother to listen to his music anymore.
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BENNY & JOON by Shelby Boyajan
THE 20/20 EXPERIENCE - JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE
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hat if you could see the f a b r i c
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that made life, and could rearrange it to your liking, or even, to help control
life in your city? Sounds like absolute power, right?
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Absolute power is one of the major themes highlighted in Crewel, by Gennifer Albin. Albin spins a tale of a world where young girls, who are raised to play dumb have a chance of obtaining a gift that allows them to literally, weave time. They can literally pull strings to change the future and along the way change the fates of themselves and those around them.
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In Crewel, protagonist Adelice Lewys finds herself conflicted between her gift to see “weaves” and an ordinary existence. She finds herself struggling to hide her talents from a twisted government called the Guild who aims to control people with her talents. However, after an accidental slip of her power, Adelice is forced to learn to stand her ground and protext herself in the midst of a place that could kill her with one slip of the hands after finding herself in conflict with the government. After losing her family, she finds herself torn between following her mentor and trusting the Guild, who she was told not to trust. Will Adelice be able to keep a low profile, or will her self-control relent and let her hands to the talking? Read it to find out! Crewel definitely puts a different spin on the saying ‘take your life into your hands’.
CREWEL by Gennifer Albin
by Liz Vasquez
by Shelby Boyajan
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Design by Ashley Jones
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THE FLASH May 2013
Spring Sports
Playing Hardball
This Year’s Seasons:
RECAP
Softball’s Winning Streak
hile most of Rocklin’s attention goes towards sports like football, basketball and baseball, the girl’s softball team is the true hidden gem in Rocklin’s Athletics. Just this season, Softball has been on fire holding an overall 22-3 record and a 12-2 league in the SFL (Sierra Foothill League) led by coach Marissa Hardy. It doesn’t stop there either. Rocklin has an even more impressive feat of being ranked 17th in state and 27th in the nation. Let me repeat that again; 27th IN THE NATION. Only 26 other teams in America are better than Rocklin right now. Rocklin this year has a mixed team with only four seniors and a from there consisting of mostly juniors, five sophomores and one freshman. The four seniors leading the team are Kendall Chambers, Jillian Lerner, Mallory Asaro and Alanna Rainer all who have played four years of Softball. Playoffs have already began, after one last league showdown against Granite Bay. Rocklin claimed the SFL at first with a 13-2, beating out Woodcreek and Granite Bay. Senior Jillian Lerner stated that Woodcreek is Rocklin’s biggest rival. The Softball program at Rocklin has made its biggest turnaround in years. Only three seasons ago, the team suf-
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19 record fered an overall 3 3-19 record. The season after that that, present coach Marissa Hardy steps in and turns around the team to a 12-13-1 record and to 4th in the division. Rocklin hasn’t experienced such success since coach Bob Townsend stepped down in 2010 and even smaller playoff success, having yet to win a section title. “We’ve already won league, so I think we can go as far as we can which would be the SFL sections,” said Lerner. Even though the team has a wide mix of different age groups and classes, the girls all get along. Each have said that they’re competitive with each other and work hard. No matter what Rocklin’s success may be this season, the vast amount of young players provide an opportunity to build a powerhouse team for the SFL. “Our team chemistry is a lot better than normally and thats hard to find. We just work really well as a team together,” said Lerner. Unfortuantely though, not all goes as planned. The girls had back to back losses against Elk Grove and Vintage, ending their playoff run. As long as Rocklin stays consistent and instills a winning mentality in the girls, the softball team should expect many Written by Ryan Peterson
.351 196 runs 14 batting average
Girls Soccer finished their season 9-5-3 and placed 2nd in the SFL (Sierra Foothill League) and won in the first round of the playoffs against Elk Grove 4-1, but lost in the second round (Section Playoffs Quarter Final) To St. Marys 2-0. Boy’s Baseball has earned them a playoff spot after placing 3rd in the SFL. Rocklin hasn’t missed a playoff game and has placed 1st or 2nd in the SFL under Coach Murray. They play Pleasant Grove on May 13th. Boy’s Tennis this year featured a mix squad of grade levels, but was led by seniors Hunter Snider, Brandon Yates, Brett Wheeler and Max Harris. Rocklin placed 3rd in the SFL at 7-3, behind Del Oro (7-2) and Granite Bay (9-1) who placed first. Boy’s Volleyball faced a setback this season finishing 4th in the SFL with a 9-11 record. Rocklin missed playoffs after placing 2nd in the SFL last year, before losing to Granite Bay in the 2nd round.
Track and Field faced a setback this season finishing 4th in the SFL with a 9-11 record. Rocklin missed playoffs after placing 2nd in the SFL last year, before losing to Granite Bay in the 2nd round. Swim improved from last season with the addition of new coaches for both girls and boys. Recently at sections, Rocklin did very well especially sophomore Sam Svindland who placed 3rd in butterfly overall for varsity. The swim program had a chance to grow and rebuild in a very tough and competitive division.
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plate appearances
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THE FLASH May 2013
AP Tests and Sports
PLACING
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here’s a reason that in the term “student-athlete,” the word student comes first. Of the 1700+ students at Rocklin High, 560 students are taking AP classes. Last year, 490 students took 917 AP tests, and 80 percent of those students passed with a score of 3 or higher.
Among these students are an important group to the school - athletes. Athletes not only play a sport (possibly more than one) but they are also required to keep up their grades throughout the season in order to play. If athletes have more than one no mark, they are ineligible to play, thus hurting their team and Rocklin High. However, athletes also take time to shine. Many athletes take AP classes, even with their sport demanding a lot of their time. Tawny Lee is a junior taking two AP classes this year. She is a two sport athlete, playing basketball in the winter and swimming in the spring. “When I’m in a sport, I don’t have time to do homework, and I don’t have the energy to do it after practice.”
“I think one of the hardest parts of playing a sport and taking AP classes is getting very little sleep,” says Chambers. “I want to fall asleep at school but I have to pay attention at all times in my classes.”
hard to go to school tired,” she mentions.
Coaches also are on board with their athletes’ academics. Coaches tend to work with their players to help them be both successful in the classroom and during their sport.
Kendall Chambers is one of two students this year taking 6 AP classes. She pitches for theVarsity Softball team.
“My coach always stresses that in ‘student-athlete,’ student is the word that comes first,” says Lee, highlighting the point that academics come first.
“I have to try really hard not to procrastinate,” she says,comparing the season to the season.“When I’m not doing any sports sometimes I will watch TV or something, but there is no time for that during softball season. I just have to get right into homework once I get home.”
With AP tests, athletes have less time to study. Review books, school study sessions, and practice tests have been helping them study. For them, it’s important to always have a highlighter handy to study whenever they find a free moment.
A common denominator for athletes is staying up late in order to get all of their homework done. Chambers mentions that she sometimes only gets 3 to 4 hours of sleep a night due to her workload. However, plus and lunch are a great opportunity for athletes to get ahead on their homework. Along with time management, athletes have to find ways to keep up their grades during the season. “It’s hard because you don’t have as much energy and time,” says Lee.
“I’m so stressed!” said Chambers as she prepares for her multiple tests. “Whatever happens, happens. I pass, I don’t pass. It’s not the end of the world.” Tony Pinero is a sophomore taking AP world and playing JV baseball. “Right when I get home I start doing homework,” he says about his approach to taking an AP class during season. Athletes also try to study during the weekends, when they have more time and less practice and games. Pinero says that this is his plan for studying. In general, Rocklin High has a tradition of working hard and being on top. Students tend to take on as much as they possibly can, and this is shown especially during AP testing.
One of the biggest challenges Lee faces is morning practice. “It’s really By Maddie Wuelfing
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Design by Ashley Jones
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THE FLASH May 2013
Profiles// fksd
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big sister,
by Lydia Tahraoui and Melanie Seyfried
little sister
tarting a new activity can be difficult. There’s no way to know how to act, what to say, and how to fit in. This culture shock can make even the most personable individual a little nervous. Luckily, the Rocklin High School Dance Team has remedied this issue with a unique twist. The Big Sister, Little Sister program allows new members of the dance team to have unique insight and helpful mentoring, courtesy of veteran members. Not only do these veterans assist new dancers in technique, choreography, and daily routine, they also give new team members encouragement to ease the transition. Sophomore Sierra Garrido explains, ”I just made the dance team for next year. So, I was assigned big sister Kyra Mitchell to show me the ropes.” But big sisters do so much more. During the first meeting of the 2013-2014 dance team, they made welcoming cards to show their support. Naturally, this display of benevolence reassured new dancers of the exciting year that lies ahead. Big sisters and little sisters also exchange gifts, espcially for the hoidays. When a big sister graduates, their little sister usually prepares a special graduation gift. These close bonds formed are a great asset to team, allowing them to be less of a team and more of a closely knit family/ Apart from moral support, this program also allows newer dancers to build their skills and confidence in their routines. Big sisters provide critiques, tips, and first hand experience to ensure their peers continue the dance team’s tradition of excellence.
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rebeccastanley, bigsister
“I’m really excited about being on the dance team next year,” comments freshman dancer Emily Masnica. “Having a big sister is a great way to learn about dance and be a better dancer.” Brianna Yadon, captain of this years dance team, adds, “The little sisters learn a lot from their big sisters, and they respect them and mimic them to know what they need to be doing.” With a team so large, boasting 30 members, naturally Mrs. Huber cannot provide one-on-one mentorship for each and every girl. The program fills this void, and allows dancers to blossom. “A lot of factors go into deciding who to pair up with whom. For example, if I see a girl who struggles in school, I’ll pair her up with a girl who excels in school so that she can get extra help. Or if I see a girl who’s a little less sociable, I’ll pair her with a girl who’s very energetic and personable. If there’s a girl who has specific interests, like ballet or hip hop, I’’l pair her with a girl who has similar interests so that she can feel connected,” Mrs. Huber explains. “I think that the dance team’s little sister, big sister program is a fantastic way for the team to get to know one another, and it makes new members feel immediately welcomed,” adds junior dance member Priscilla McElhinney. “I think it has been amazingly successful. It’s great to see the dancers grow both as dancers and people. I don’t that would’ve been possible without a positive role model. It also adds a fun element to a yearlong season,” Mrs. Abby Huber says.
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I definitely something to look forward It’s to. I was a little sister my first two years, and now that I’m a big sister, I’m excited to get to watch my little sister grow!
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emilymasnica, littlesister
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It’s a great way to learn about dance and to be a better dancer. It also forms really close friendships
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priscillamcelhinney, bigsister Having a sister helps the entire team become closer like a family, which makes practices and performances even more memorable!
designed by Lydia Tahraoui, photos by Christy Effendie
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THE FLASH May 2013
PARTING WAYS
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e all know that Rocklin High is one of the most accredited schools in the area. We have had several section and league championships in sports across the board, an award winning yearbook, a great drama program, and of course the highest CST score for eight years running. While we as students love our school and all it has to offer, we do not often think about how we got to be at the top. This year, two extremely valuable faculty members are leaving the school: Mrs. Espana, a social studies teacher, and Kevin Brown, superintendent of the Rocklin Unified School District. These two
individuals have been by Rocklin’s side for many years, working hard to make us the school we are today. Kevin Brown has been an educator for 38 years and in the Rocklin district for 17. Brown has seen our school and our town through a multitude of changes and stages. When he joined RUSD, Rocklin High was only three years old and not the powerhouse it is today. There had not even been a first graduating class yet. He helped Rocklin to become what we are today by hiring the best faculty, organizing school policies, and balancing the budget.
IT’S ABOUT
Throughout his time in the district, more than five elementary schools have opened along with Granite Oaks Middle School, and of course Whitney High. Brown’s decision to leave this year is based partly upon the fact that proposition 30 passed.
Espana has made this decision to focus more on her family and friends. Teaching is a job that requires a huge time commitment, and though she has loved her time here, Espana says that it is time for her to enter a new phase of her life.
Her plans for retirement include more He claimed that if the bill had failed, he would have stayed with the district for an- hiking, time with her husband and children, other year to help us out of financial strug- and sailing the world. gle. But because it did pass, Brown will be Rocklin High School really is a special leaving the Rocklin district at the end of this place, just look around during a football year. game or a spirit week and one will see how Along with Brown, our very own Mrs. much pride the students and faculty have. Espana will be leaving after eighteen years Espana is no exception. at Rocklin High school. Espana has been a
THAT TIME
Rocklin High School Teacher, Mrs. Espana, and Rocklin Unified School District Superintendent, Mr. Brown, have reached the time in their lives that many have been waiting for....retirement. very dedicated member of our faculty, teaching a plethora of classes including: Accounting, Computer Literacy, ROP Careers in Education, Economics, Geography, and Advanced Geography. Not only has Espana been a standout teacher on campus, but she has also coached the girl’s golf team. Having the opportunity to work with students out of the classroom has been a highlight of Espana’s time on campus and one of the things she will miss most about Rocklin High.
When asked what she will miss most about Rocklin High she responded, “Oh wow, all of it? I love the students and their energy. The staff are the absolute best, so dedicated to the students, so inspiring, and so fun and energetic. The Rocklin District is losing two valuable members next year. Though they will be missed, the commitment they have made to this school will continue to be appreciated. Both Espana and Brown have dedicated countless hours to improve our school and that will never be forgotten.
BY SABRINA WiLSON
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Design by Ashley Jones
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THE FLASH May 2013
STUDENT FOCUS
By Christina Kim
Ro Rocklin High School recently received the Gold Aw Awards for the second year, is there a reason wh why you think we deserved this award? I think Ro Rocklin High School deserved it because our tea teachers are helpful and our students have pride in our school. Are there any teachers that you sp specifically think is great or helpful? Mr. Kirk be because he has a good personality, he is helpful be because he gives thorough explanations. Do you th think Rocklin High School gives a chance for ev everyone to participate? They give a chance to pa participate because they have activities during lun lunch in the amphitheater, and give students a ch chance to participate if they choose to. Would yo you ever persuade a friend to come to this sc school? Yes, because it is a great school alone, an and the teachers support you and help you ac accomplish your goals.
Julia Hall Hall: Sophomore
By Ally Lent
Freshman student
Q: How did your older siblings, Sara and Shane Masnica, boost your enthusiasm about coming to Rocklin? A: They both said amazing things about their high school experience that all turned out to be true. Also, they were both super spirited, so that’s probably why I’m so spirited. Q: Why do you think RHS excels academically? A: Our teachers are so efficient in providing us with what we need to know and almost everyone is really focused on their learning. Most people also do extracurriculars, which I believe provides the balance teenagers need in their lives in order to succeed. Q: What extracurriculars to you participate in? A: This year I was in Legally Blonde and it was a great experience. It was a good way to meet new people and improve my performance skills. I will also be on the 2013-2014 JV Dance Team, which I’m so By Faith Holloway excited for! I’m excited to be more involved in student activities in the years to come.
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or clubs, Rocklin High is regarded as one of the best schools in the area. Some of the programs that are often overlooked when thinking about what makes RHS so great are Special Needs and ILS.
Chelsea Fitzsimmons Recently Rocklin High was recognized as a “gold medal” public school, meaning that we are one of the top 500 public schools in the nation. Freshman Chelsea Fitzsimmons weighs in on what she thinks about school and academics. By Toby Dyas What makes Rocklin High a great school? The teachers really care about all of the students, and they really work their hardest to have the students succeed. Most of the people are nice and many extracurricular activities are well thought out and fun. Do you like high school better than middle school? Most definitely because I went to a Catholic school and I really didn’t like the teachers that much, and I had the same class of 35 people for nine straight years. What do you not like about Rocklin High? I hate the dress code because apparently showing shoulders at school is really distracting to guys. What’s your favorite part of high school? I like all of the electives I take, especially theatre because at my old school they didn’t offer it. How do you think our school ranks nationally in academics? I think we rank well against other schools because the teachers try their hardest to make us do our best. After learning that we are a gold medal school and top 500 public school nationally, how does this make you feel about our school? I feel proud to be a student at this school, and that is pretty impressive. What is one thing you would change about Rocklin High? I think having indoor hallways would be nice because when it rains, it sucks and I don’t want to get wet. What is your favorite class and why? My favorite class is either French or Dance because the teachers are fun, and I have learned a lot about speaking French, and how to dance. By Kaylin Smith
Nicole Shroeder
Q: What do you like about RHS? A: I think that it is really well-rounded. Not only does the school care about academics, but athletics is a huge part of the experience. Q: Do you think attending a top school benefits you? A: Well colleges will probably notice that, but I don’t think it makes a huge difference on where you get accepted.
Freshman
Emily Masnica
What makes RHS a great high school? Everybody is spirited and we have a great community to support each other. What about Rocklin high impresses you the most? We have well rounded students who excel in academics and athletics. Did you know RHS is a gold medal school ranked in the top 500 schools in the nation? Yes, it’s an awesome achievement. Do think attending a gold medal school benefits you? Why? I think it does because when you apply for colleges they are going to look at your high school background. What personal achievements are you most proud of this year? Keeping up good grades while playing soccer, and being readmitted into ASB. Is there anything you would change about RHS if you could? Honestly, I don’t see anything that I would change.
By Adrianna Havey
By Meghan Gibson
Q: What do you like most about Rocklin? A: It gives good opportunities for sports and activities, which connects the campus. Q: What teacher has helped you the most? A: Mr. O’Donnell because he showed me how to manage my time with AP world. Q: Describe Rocklin HS in three words. A: Rocklin High School is spirited, connected, and welcoming. Q: What are you going to remember most about Rocklin High? A: I am going to remember the people I met here at Rocklin High, because they have made me a better person. Q: What teacher/ staff member inspired you the most? A: Mrs. Douglas because she’s not just a teacher, she expands way beyond that. She helps out with ASB, she’s an advisor, mentor, and she has a lot of pride for Rocklin. Q: How has Rocklin HS affected you? A: It has made me stronger, and more prepared for success. It helped me realize that I will succeed out in the real world. Q: How does it make you feel to be a part of Rocklin HS? A: I feel proud to be a part of Rocklin HS because we dominate in everything. . .we’re number one.
Ms. Pam King Whether it’s sports or academics, extracurriculars
Junior softball player
With Whitney right around the corner, why did you choose Rocklin? Well, first of all, we are way better than Whitney. I chose Rocklin because it is closer to my house for one (sleep), but I wanted to be involved in high school, and Rocklin seemed like the perfect place for me. What do you look forward to when you step on campus everyday? I look forward to AP US, Mrs. Benzel is awesome! But, I enjoy learning. I always want to learn new things and challenge myself because I want to have a successful life. What would you say to an unsure student to convince them to come to Rocklin? I would tell them that there is so much RHS can offer. Academically, athletically, Rocklin is an all around great school. And, there’s a place for everyone. There are so many friendly people, and all of the students get along. Do you think that being an athlete brings out more enthusiasm for your school? Definitely. When you are on a sports team, you are committed to performing well for the school. All the energy and hard work put into being great translates into pride for the school.
ILS Teacher
Freshman
Maddie Wuelfing
By Sarah Lovejoy and Anais Tournier
e ea l C p k o a N e P tm E a R h t E F IF D Riley Hensley
EKelsey Lunsford
What is your specialty? I work in Independent Living Skills, called the ILS for short, and the idea is to help students with special needs to be as independent as possible in their home life, in the community, and hopefully to eventually have a job. How does RHS’s program compare to other schools? I started as an instructional aide in an elementary school years ago. I did my internships as a special education aid and special education teacher. [Our program] is excellent. This is such a supportive community. There really are a lot of wonderful opportunities for students and its wonderful to see students truly part of the campus and involved in electives and sports and visual performing arts. They’re just very active on campus. What do you think is the most important aspect of this program? I think the most important aspect is seeing our students gain independence : Seeing them explore new opportunities in having jobs, and learning about social skills. There’s a lot of important things going on in here.RHS has been a Gold Medal school the past few years. How do you think the Special Education programs contribute to this title? I think we contribute to the overall culture of the school. I think that it represents that we’re not just an academic school; we’re truly an inclusive school that embraces all learners and all different skills. It shows that we all have different skills to contribute to the Rocklin High family.
Traci Harbert What’s your favorite thing to do at RHS? I like to help out my teachers. What does it mean to you that RHS is a Gold Medal school? Supporting people What’s your favorite class here on campus? [Ms. King’s] classes. What do you do for fun outside of class? I do softball, basketball, swim and bowling.
Sawyer Milam Marissa Milam By Sawyer Milam
By Marissa Milam What is the best aspect of the school? It is the quality of work and the knowledge the teachers teach the students. What makes Rocklin so successful? Rocklin has many skilled teachers that are open to helping students reach their goals and get good grades. Define excellence: Excellence comes with much practice and only comes when you set your mind to something, and set goals to reach. What is your biggest accomplishment? My biggest accomplishment is probably balancing my time between tennis, other sports, and my homework in AP world and other classes. How can you continue to be excellent for the school? By working hard in tough classes and not selling myself short. What is something that you are excellent in? I am excellent in language arts, I am gifted at writing, and I enjoy giving speeches.
What is your biggest accomplishment? My biggest accomplishment is being successful at all aspects of school. What makes the school great? Rocklin is great because of its teachers and their determination to be the best. Why do you like going to Rocklin High School? Rocklin is a very safe community and is open trying new things. Why does Rocklin continue to have a high success rate at the national level? Rocklin has a high success rate because the students and teachers work together to do their best on standardized tests. What makes Rocklin different from other schools? Rocklin is different because the students and teachers are very motivated to do their best.
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THE FLASH May 2013
STUDENT FOCUS Chelsea Fitzsimmons Recently Rocklin High was recognized as a “gold medal” public school, meaning that we are one of the top 500 public schools in the nation. Freshman Chelsea Fitzsimmons weighs in on what she thinks about school and academics. By Toby Dyas What makes Rocklin High a great school? The teachers really care about all of the students, and they really work their hardest to have the students succeed. Most of the people are nice and many extracurricular activities are well thought out and fun. Do you like high school better than middle school? Most definitely because I went to a Catholic school and I really didn’t like the teachers that much, and I had the same class of 35 people for nine straight years. What do you not like about Rocklin High? I hate the dress code because apparently showing shoulders at school is really distracting to guys. What’s your favorite part of high school? I like all of the electives I take, especially theatre because at my old school they didn’t offer it. How do you think our school ranks nationally in academics? I think we rank well against other schools because the teachers try their hardest to make us do our best. After learning that we are a gold medal school and top 500 public school nationally, how does this make you feel about our school? I feel proud to be a student at this school, and that is pretty impressive. What is one thing you would change about Rocklin High? I think having indoor hallways would be nice because when it rains, it sucks and I don’t want to get wet. What is your favorite class and why? My favorite class is either French or Dance because the teachers are fun, and I have learned a lot about speaking French, and how to dance.
Kelsey
Lunsford Freshman By Christina Kim
Rocklin High School recently received the Gold Awards for the second year, is there a reason why you think we deserved this award? I think Rocklin High School deserved it because our teachers are helpful and our students have pride in our school. Are there any teachers that you specifically think is great or helpful? Mr. Kirk because he has a good personality, he is helpful because he gives thorough explanations. Do you think Rocklin High School gives a chance for everyone to participate? They give a chance to participate because they have activities during lunch in the amphitheater, and give students a chance to participate if they choose to. Would you ever persuade a friend to come to this school? Yes, because it is a great school alone, and the teachers support you and help you accomplish your goals.
A big thank you to the Journalism 1 students who contributed to this spread and to senior Maddy Starr for its design! -The Flash
Joanne Chung Freshman
By Christina Cho
Q: Recently Rocklin achieved a gold medal as a top 2% school in the country for the 2nd year in a row. What do you think makes Rocklin such a great school? A: I think the teachers and the staff who helps students set a goal and achieve it. They never give up on students and they always believe in them. Q: How is Rocklin better than any of the other schools in the Placer County area? A: Well the students strive higher in each of their classes. They influence other students as well as teachers. They are always glad to help out, and there is a variety of students which make Rocklin different from any other school. Q: What is your favorite thing about attending Rocklin High School? A: There’s a wide variety of classes that we can take, and here there’s 8 classes to pursue our dreams in career choices. Q: How do you think we can make Rocklin even a better school than it already is? A: Off-campus lunches would be nice because there’s better nutrition choices outside of school campus.
Freshman volleyball player
Gabbi Chudzinski
By Courtney Harper
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What is your biggest achievement of your first year of high school? I’m proud of making the freshman volleyball team and keeping my grades up, but mainly I’m proud of getting through the year. What are your summer goals? I definitely want to focus on getting fit and be ready for the upcoming volleyball team, being prepared for academics, and knowing how to balance my schedule. Are you happy with how the year is ending? I feel like I’ve been trying my best, but I’m happy that it’s ending. I feel I’ve done my work as being the bottom of the food chain and I’m ready for sophomore year. What teacher do you feel gave you a chance to achieve your fullest potential? Mrs. Ellenburg, she continuously pushed me to do my best, and I wanted to do good for her because she was the sweetest teacher and gave me motivation instead of feeling obligated to do my work. What was your most memorable experience of the school year? The Welcome Back dance, it was the first dance of the year, the first high school dance I’ve been to. I had gotten to meet a lot of new classmates and became friends with a lot of people, it was right after summer so I was still pumped to be in school; I’m looking forward to next year’s already. What class are you looking forward to most next year? Probably volleyball weights because it seems like a challenge and a great class to take.
A final letter from the Editors Dear reader, As seniors graduating from Rocklin, it’s odd to think of the paper continuing on without us. The selfishness of this realization is exacerbated by the fact that before this year - before we even arrived at RHS four years ago - the Flash already existed. Speaking frankly, it’s disappointing to know that life will still go on after we leave. But we hope that between our incorporation of five issues rather than four this year and the creation of The Show that we have been able to leave some sort of impact on your year. We take a moment to thank several individuals. Firstly Mr. Casey Nichols, our dedicated advisor. Your sarcasm and sensibility has kept us grounded this year and laughing besides. We especially thank senior Ashley Jones for her invaluable design sense and numerous contributions to both the Flash and the Show. Your creativity and wit have given us something to look forward to every sixth period. Lastly, but not least, we thank our staff. Your efforts have produced works of art and intelligence and we thank you for making our last year at Rocklin special. We love you very much. Thank you for reading our last issue, and we wish Rocklin High School nothing but the best. Amanda and Mason Class of 2013 Editors in Chief
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POS T
I’d rather play board games on my living room floor then get wasted at parties. That’s probably why I have no friends.
secrets ...
I used to think Buffalo Wings were made out of Buffalo. I love my mom. That’s why she doesn’t know anything about my life. I have a crush on an eighth grader. I’m a sophomore. Hey Cancer! Quit while you can. You’re never going to be able to beat her. She’s too strong for you.
I would rather have The Office come back then graduate high school. I’m not religious but I’m afraid of going to Hell. My heart skips a beat whenever I have a sub because I hope it’s. . . I like to sit and watch the Real Housewives of Orange County while eating tubs of Haagen Daz for hours. I am also a man. addicted to COD! i bumped into a parked car and didn’t leave any information. . .I feel so bad. I’m dating a Mormon who’s not 16. Still learning to treat a girl with respect. . . The Flash is a public forum produced by students for students in an attempt to inform and entertain its audience. Students have the final authority on any content found in this publication. The Flash encourages letters regarding content to onstitute a respectful avenue for student opinion. Letters should be addressed to the publication’s email rhsflash@gmail.com.