Rocklinhs flash march 2016 by Rocklin High School Student Media

FLASH

the

Does what we listen to effect who we become? “Tunes” page 13 Same heritage, different customs “Cultural Contrasts” page 14

Transition

Student makes courageous decision

Volume 23 Issue 2 February 2016 Rocklin High School

ro c k l i n h i g h sch o o l

February 2016

life lessons from your HERITAGE

6 10

Highlight story picture references photograph credits (above from left to right and top to bottom) Gabby Bellows poses with guests at her birthday party, PC: Gabby Bellows; Lighting of the Menorah in celebration of Hannukah, PC: kevindvt, Creative Commons; Michael Kleinfelder singing is his Advanced Womens Ensemble class, PC: Ka’iulani Kawamoto; Vintage hats are among many of the treasures found in thrift shops, PC: Caitlin Seggerman; Students in the English Language Development course participate in a class activity, PC: Julia Ella; Mrs. Ramos at three years old, PC: Kristy Ramos

Issue 2 • The Flash • 2

your story, your school

Sweet 16!

Holidays across cultures

A courageous change

Christmas X2

Thrift

Overcommercialized?

Tech

Music

Same culture different customs

Veteran ties

Timeline

What makes RHS unique?

22 24

English learners

Review

Photo Essay

Name that teacher

Our society has evolved from a time period where being a poet or artist was the pinnacle of existence. The crafting of verses and expression of imagination was actually once highly respected. Nowadays, becoming a doctor or a lawyer is considered to be the highest and most respected achievements one can fulfill.

“I want to major in something I like, not something others approve of. Specifically animation,” said Kimia. “I haven’t quite

decided on [what to do after becoming an animator]. Right now I’m mostly focusing on where I want to go to school for it.” Kimia wishes to attend the Laguna College of Art and Design in Laguna Beach, CA. There, all majors must take life drawing classes to “keep their skills sharp.” She is also extremely interested in the character design class they offer, which is specific to her major.

Our legacy

STAFF LIST Co-Editors-in-Chief Ally Lent Courtney Harper Faith Holloway Katie Morgan Sarah Lovejoy Assistant Editor Jessie Valverde Design Editor Rachel MacMaster Cover Photographer Caitlin Seggerman Assistant Designers Megan Bradbury Sofia Fernando Staff Writers Alex Ragan Allison Gerber Connor Bolli Julia Ella Justin Angellar Logan Bik Ka’iulani Kawamoto Karl Danielson Tyler Blesi Lucy Peltz Megan Bradbury Nicole Kinser Riley Baldwin Sofia Fernando Photojournalists: Austin Michael Caitlin Seggerman Nicole Corsetti Karissa Newberry Ellie Russ Autumn Ruiz

editors note on theme located on pages 8 & 16

“I like to make up my own characters sometimes. I don’t have anything polished right now, but what I really like about character design is that when you’re making a character, you’re trying to make them recognizable, but simple at the same time. It’s a really good skill to have. Like when you think yellow and square, you think Sponge Bob. That’s the goal,” she said.

PC | KA’IULANI KAWAMOTO

FLASH

the

This stereotype revolves around the idea that all artists won’t find success and will end up just scraping by in life.

She finds her inspiration in animator Rebecca Sugar (creator of the cartoon Steven Universe), because of her characters’ simplicity and recognizability.

DECIDE FOR

myself

BY | KA’IULANI KAWAMOTO

“Before Steven Universe, I didn’t realize that cartoons could be progressive,” she said. Steven Universe introduces the topics of gender equality and homosexuality acceptance in an artful and simple way people can understand. After she becomes a full-fledged animator, Kimia is considering working for Cartoon Network just like Sugar, who previously worked on Adventure Time with Pendleton Ward. However, the plan isn’t concrete yet. “I love cartoons, and I love drawing, so I thought, ‘Why not animation?’,” she said.

Senior Kimia Abadi discovers herself while deciding her path after high school.

ver since she started high school, Kimia has been repeatedly told what she should do after she graduates. From worried parents to classmates, the trend remains the same.

“A lot of people have had ideas about what I should do after high school,“ she laughed. “But I decided the best thing to do is what I decide for myself.”

A lot of people have told Kimia that she should do something that will earn her a six figure salary, but when she’s creating characters and stories wrought from her own imagination, she’s at her happiest.

“The real challenge is overcoming the stigma that surrounds taking risky options,” she said. “Naturally, my parents worry since they want what’s best for me, but they do support my decision.” Though it is a challenge, Kimia is ready to take it on in order to do what she loves best. This is the type of achievement society needs to recognize: personal happiness and personal fulfillment.

And what a bold and daring statement that is, especially when her chosen career is surrounded by a stigma we often hear: the starving artist. 3 • The Flash • Issue 2

PC | CAITLIN SEGGERMAN

your

eritage

BY | ALLY LENT, COURTNEY HARPER, FAITH HOLLOWAY, KATIE MORGAN AND SARAH LOVEJOY 2015-2016 DESIGN EDITORS

s the leaves fell and the weather began to cool, we were inspired by the sentiment that comes along with the seasons changing. We tracked our traditions back to our heritage, the main theme we infused throughout this issue. Yet we felt heritage was too bold of a subject to simply write about, leading us to a longer, two-part issue.

In this magazine you will find two halves: Your Heritage and Our Heritage. Our stories focus on who we are, and what Rocklin High School embodies. This first half of The Flash recognizes the identities we brand ourselves with, the events that define a period in our lifetime and the family traditions we keep quiet about. High school is the time where we “figure ourselves out.” Issue 2 • The Flash • 4

“It’s always good to remember where you come from and celebrate it. To remember where you come from is part of where you’re going.” -Anthony Burgess

We experiment with clubs and classes that interest us, but we neglect to acknowledge why these peak our curiosity. Who we are stems further than our four years here at Rocklin; it connects us to our roots. These first stories are dedicated to our individuality and what contributes to the characteristics we use to describe ourselves. Our stories celebrate the unique aspects each of us hold and celebrate the widespread tolerance across campus. We also acknowledge our diverse backgrounds and important past experiences that make us who we are today. We hope that you are as moved by these stories as we are, and that you feel enlightened by the diversity we are surrounded by daily. 5 • The Flash • Issue 2

A LITTLE PARTY NEVER KILLED NOBODY

BY | SOFIA FERNANDO

igh school marks some exciting milestones for teenagers growing into young adults. Acquiring a driver’s license, attending prom, having first relationships and receiving college acceptances marks growth and development in teenagers’ lives. Many people around the world hold ‘coming of age’ celebrations in different ways to commemorate the new journey one takes in their life. The Sweet Sixteen party, a popular celebration in western cultures, shares similarities to those of a Hispanic Quinceanera and a Jewish bar mitzvah and bat mitzvah. In many Latin American countries, it is a custom that a girl should celebrate the transition into womanhood, holding high responsibilities at the age of 15. Quinceanera celebrations vary from each country, although they share some similar ceremonies at the event. Some may be more religious and others may be more glamorous, depending on the family and social stratum. The reception where the true celebration is held is accompanied by a religious ceremony where the young woman recites her vows in a church to be committed to her Catholic faith and family. An extravagant ball gown is a vital focus within the tradition, as it attracts the main focus onto the debutante. Special customs held in the Quinceanera are usually thoroughly planned out up to two years prior to the event. It is common within Quinceaneras to include a royal court which encompasses her closests friends. Boys in such a court are referred to as “Chambelanes” and girls are referred to as “Damas.” They perform several dances for the guests, such as the waltz. More important rituals such as a father and daughter dance, a toast with the parents, the receipt of valuable gifts from relatives and the transition from slippers to high heels all symbolize the coming of age and maturity the girl encounters at age 15. Genesis Navarro, a junior at Rocklin, shared her story of her special day coming of age in her culture. “My 15th birthday came on August of 2014 and it required a lot of planning because some of my friends from school who didn’t know much about my Mexican culture were involved in my royal court. I taught them a lot on the tradition and we got the chance to rehearse the dance routine all summer. The most important part of the celebration was when I received valuable items from my relatives as a symbol of maturity. Also when my dad and I danced together and handing me off to my date,” said Genesis. Alyssa James, another junior at RHS, also had a Quinceanera celebration for her 15th birthday. “The color theme I chose for my Quinceanera was white, and it reflected my personality as a person, as it is simple but elegant. I really liked that white can go with any color scheme and any venue,” Alyssa James said. One other student, junior Meilien Lao, celebrated her Quince with only a short amount of time to plan.

Issue 2 • The Flash • 6

“We really procrastinated on my party. Most start planning their party two years before but I decided to plan mine three months prior, so we had a huge time crunch. Though my best friend Czanelli and I choreographed our whole royal court’s dance performance,” said Meilien.

Multi-cultural Holidays

Students of the same culture celebrate the holidays differently.

Another custom that is popularly celebrated around the world is the bar mitzvah, a jewish celebration that marks the obligations the boy will acquire at the age of 13.

BY | ALLISON GERBER & LOGAN BIK

ost people tend to enjoy the end of the calendar year due to the holiday season that accompanies it. The familiar holiday of Christmas involves gifts and a big old fat guy in a red suit, but many cultures celebrate different holidays during the winter season.

Aaron Schroeder, a sophomore, says that “In a bar mitzvah, we say a lot of prayers, and it is mandatory that you deliver a section from the Torah, memorized. My mom started planning two years prior to the event but you start practicing your prayer speeches two weeks before.” Besides the traditional customs from around the world, the Sweet Sixteen is a very popular celebration that is held mainly in the U.S. In fact, the party has even made its way into the entertainment industry. Well known for its showings of glamour and the extravagant parties that many people enjoy, “My Super Sweet Sixteen” aired as a tv show n MTV.

Christmas, which is the Christians’ celebration of Christ’s birth, is one of the most widely celebrated holidays throughout the US. However, many other holidays, such as Hanukkah and Kwanzaa, are celebrated by Americans but receive much less recognition. There is more to holidays than meets the eye. Most people may not be aware of what all the different holidays are about, or how cultures celebrate them with traditions.

PC | XXXXXXXXXX; DANELIS PADRON

Recently, junior Gabby Bellows held her Sweet Sixteen party with the theme “Great Gatsby” including glitz, gold, feathers, and flapper dresses in honor of the 1920s. “I’ve been thinking about having a big Sweet Sixteen party since I was 10. Over the summer I planned it out with my parents and decided it to have the theme associated with ‘The Roaring 20’s’. We had a fake cake, and three other costco cakes. I had my guest to dress up in ‘Gatsby’ attire, on the invitation, and everyone dressed up as planned!” said Gabby. The guest list had over 100 people and even more came as plus ones. For her birthday surprise, the dance team performed a small routine to the song “A Little Party Never Killed Nobody” for her. There was a DJ, a photobooth and a snack bar for people to enjoy. Many people gave positive feedback after the party, as lots of photos have been shared on Instagram and other social media. Matching attire with the guests helped increase the feeling of actually being in the era of jazz music and artistic culture. Celebrating an important year in one’s life can vary in many different cultures. Parents in the west spend a lot of money on their children’s parties to celebrate in a lavish way but, after all, you only are a teenager once. Regardless of the culture, many share their special day with the same smiles and company that surround them in their everyday lives.

12 percent of the Rocklin community is Jewish

Kwanzaa is an African holiday that occurs from Dec. 26 to Jan. 1. Kwanzaa began to be celebrated in America during the mid-1900’s. Kwanzaa was originally intended to be an alternative to Christmas, but it is now typically celebrated along with Christmas in the United States.

Hanukkah is a Jewish holiday that is celebrated based on the Hebrew calendar for that year, beginning at 01 percent of the the 25th day of Kislev concluding Rocklin community is on the second or third day of Tevet. Danish Hanukkah originated in Jerusalem and celebrates the rededication of the Holy Temple. It became more popular in American society in the mid-19th century, when Jews looked for ways to assimilate and found they could celebrate their original holiday Hanukkah in place of Christmas in December.

Senior Jordan Noble’s mom is Jewish, so he celebrates Hannukah, and occasionally goes to his dad’s house to celebrate Christmas.

“There’s the traditional menorah and candles, you light one every night and on the eighth night we visit family for a big dinner,” Jordan explains. Sophomore Dylan Overboe also celebrates Hannukah.

“All of our family gets together and our family sings songs around the menorah and each night you light another candle until it is all full, and on the last night is usually the biggest party with all of your family,” Dylan said. Dylan’s mom is Jewish but his dad is Christian, so they celebrate both religious holidays. “It is good to experience both cultures,” Dylan remarks. “We call ourselves the Cr-wish family.”

Junior Zach Cox celebrates a Danish Christmas, which has similar traditions to the American Christmas that is more commonly celebrated here. “We basically still have the American Christmas on Christmas Eve, but we put the shoe by the bed and eat Christmas dinner and while we are having dinner the Danish Santa puts the present inside the shoe,” Zach explains. Other traditions include hiding a single almond in one of the pudding cups that is served, and whoever receives the cup with the almond wins a prize. “My grandma came from Denmark, so it was my mom that brought these traditions to the family,” Zach explained. “I would say we are pretty Americanized, but this is a little side thing we do along with Christmas.” Zach also plans on continuing these traditions with his future family. Different places throughout the world celebrate different holidays based on their beliefs. In places such as the US, all of those different cultures have a chance to come together as one. During this past December, different cultures and religions celebrated in their own way, but all spent time with their loved ones.

DESIGN BY | SOFIA FERNANDO & RACHEL MACMASTER PC | NICOLE CORSETTI & KARRISSA NEWBERRY

GENERAL DESIGN BY | SOFIA FERNANDO

7 • The Flash • Issue 2

Michael Kleinfelder: Identity Identified

A MERRY COPTIC

CHRISTMAS

Junior Michael Kleinfelder looks into permanent transition

“I know that for the past three years now I’ve been in this kind of weird in-between mode, like ‘this feels kind of right’, but I didn’t understand that you could [be transgender],” he said. “I asked my mom what she would have named me if I was born a boy, and she said ‘Michael’. It just felt really natural.” Finding out this crucial part of his identity was a strong emotional experience for Michael. “I started crying,” he laughed. “It was like an epiphany to me. Like, ‘oh, this makes more sense.’ There were two people I told a few days after I realized [I was transgender] and that was kind of it for awhile. They were Schuyler Gregersen and Sarah Saldana. It was like immediate acceptance with them.” Being the first people that Michael came out to, the acceptance they extended to him was influential on the rest of the transition. In Rocklin, with such a small minority of LGBTQA+ kids, it can be frightening to come out, but being welcomed with warmth and shoulders to lean on definitely helped Michael out.

PC | KA’IULANI KAWAMOTO

“It really does set the mood for the whole transition,” he said.

any of the girls in Advanced Women’s Ensemble looked completely confused when the name “Michael” was called. Down the first row of chairs, however, a boy put aside his sheet music and got up, flashing a smile. Michael Kleinfelder, a junior formerly known as Sophia, is a transgender student here at Rocklin High School. He recently performed in the Creepy Concert with the Advanced Women’s Ensemble (though he does plan on auditioning for the Men’s Chamber Choir next year) and had a few roles in the fall play. Not many people around school are aware that Michael is, well, Michael. “I’m not, like, keeping it from anyone. Like if someone asks, I’ll be very straightforward, but I don’t correct people a lot just because that can lead to awkward conversations,” he said. Even Michael didn’t really truly know that he was transgender until the beginning of the June before school started. The thought was always there, but it just wasn’t fully developed.

Issue 2 • The Flash • 8

His close friends were not the only people to accept him, however. Michael, who was in the fall play, was allowed to use the boys’ dressing room to change. “From what I know no one has said anything bad about it. They really welcomed me, it was interesting,” he said. Though classmates and friends have proved to be immensely welcoming to this novel development in Michael’s identity, his parents seem to be on the fence about the transition process. “They have a lot of questions they don’t know the answers to and they don’t really listen to me when I try to give them what I’ve learned so far,” he said. Michael would like to start transitioning despite this reaction. The process of transitioning includes depositing testosterone in the body through shots, pills, gels, etc. Shots produce the quickest results, though in extreme cases, gender transition can take a whole lifetime. Michael has done thorough research on the topic and knows it’s not dangerous, but his parents are still skeptical and don’t want to start before they know what their son is getting into. “I know that all of them, my mom, step-mom, and dad [don’t want to consider] surgery or pill form yet because they think it’s dangerous and unhealthy, even though it’s not. It’s pretty much like going through puberty again,” he said. Michael’s parents, though struggling to understand his point of view, are going to see a counselor to work everything out and get answers to their questions. Michael has not yet begun transitioning, though he hopes to eventually begin.

Rocklin junior celebrates two days of Christmas: one in December and another in January

PC | CAITLIN SEGGERMAN

BY | KA’IULANI KAWAMOTO

BY | ALLISON REBECCA MICHAEL

ost students at RHS celebrate Christmas on Dec. 25, but junior, Joy Gad and her family have a different

tradition. In addition to celebrating on Dec. 25, Joy and her family hold an even more important celebration on Jan. 7. Joy and her family are Egyptian Coptic Orthodox Christians, along with many other Christian Egyptians. The reason Coptic Christians celebrate Christmas on Jan. 7 is because the Coptic calendar, which previously said Christmas was held on Dec. 25, was changed to a Gregorian calendar that moved the date. Many Coptic Christians have different traditions when it comes to Christmas. For instance, they fast for Advent (although this fasting typically means that they adopt a vegan diet). On their Christmas Eve, Coptic Christians go to church for a special service that starts at 10:30 p.m. and can end as late as 4 a.m, although they typically end around midnight.

on Dec. 25 even if they aren’t necessarily Christian. Joy’s family came to the U.S. about 11 years ago; they now attend St. Mary’s Coptic Church in Roseville and usually celebrate the most on the eve of the seventh. However, they usually do the same thing on both the seventh and on the twenty-fifth. “We open presents, we usually have a big family gathering, and that’s really it,” Joy said about her family’s festivities on the seventh. On the eve, however, “We go to church on Christmas Eve and, I don’t do this, but some people fast and so, on the eve, we have great food and people stop fasting.” In addition, Joy’s family and family friends from their church come together on the eve to celebrate and go to church together.

Afterwards, the families all get together and have a huge feast, where they are finally able to eat the food they weren’t able to eat during Advent. The next day, families all come together for festivities.

Because school is in session on January seventh, Joy said that some people stay home from school, but she usually comes to school because most of their festivities happen on the eve of the day. Because most of her family’s festivities are held on the eve rather than on the day of Christmas, it’s fine if she goes to school.

Although there aren’t many Egyptians that are Coptic Christians, there are still some that celebrate Christmas on Jan. 7, much like how everyone here celebrates Christmas

Whether families celebrate Christmas on Dec. 25, Jan. 7, or not at all, they typically gather to make memories and have a nice time.

COPTIC Clarifications The Coptic Orthodox Church is the largest single Christian community in the Middle East. There are over 100 coptic churches in the united States, the closest in Roseville. In 451 the Church split from other Christian churches in a major schism at the Council of Chalcedon over the nature of Christ. The Coptic calendar is possibly the oldest in the world, being based on the calendar of the ancient Egyptians. **Statistics courtesy of BBC Religion

9 • The Flash • Issue 2

oveADVERTISED? over

IS THAT YOUR

GRANDMA’S COAT?

BY | CONNOR BOLLI & KARL DANIELSON

Rocklin thrift stores have a solid following from high school students

A post-holiday season reflection on American’s conspicuous consumption

BY | LOGAN BIK

he great saying “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure” rings true in the case of thrift shops. Thrift shops have been gaining popularity among teens in the past year because of the unique clothes and valuables they sell.

store and spend $10 to get a unique look without breaking the bank. “I hate paying a lot for a shirt that is going to go out of style in a few years. Also the cheap prices allow me to get more for my money,” junior Ben Walsh says.

From 20-year-old VCR tapes to rollerblades, thrift stores have it all, with the great prices to go along with them.

Ben enjoys the unique culture that seems to permeate thrift stores. Everyone there is usually friendly. Also, the unknown adds to the adventure for Walsh.

Compassion Planet, on Whitney Blvd., is a unique thrift store in the local area. It is a non-profit organization that helps former foster children get on their feet and become stable. All of the profits go to employ and mentor young adults who are at risk. These men and women have personal mentors who volunteer their time to guide them onto a path of success.

“You never know what you’ll find at a thrift store. It can be a trendy shirt from ten years ago or an old baseball card worth a ton of money,” Ben adds.

This has been the case for years. Companies piggyback on holidays such as Christmas and Halloween to boost sales, taking advantage of the holiday cheer. This commercialization was benign at first, but now it seems to be going a little too far.

So, anyone wishing to try out something new without breaking the bank should head down to a thrift store. Bring a friend and go treasure hunting, or look for an ugly holiday sweater. The options are endless in these gold mines.

Candy companies release special bars around Christmas time, toy stores work overtime and hundreds of people flock to stores, literally stomping one another for sales on Black Friday.

Compassion Planet is known for their cheap prices and wide selection. Tee shirts are available for only two dollars and all of these wonderful deals go toward helping out wonderful people.

olidays have always been a family-focused time. Relatives gather together, enjoy meals and exchange stories often while watching sports. Soon, the commercial break comes around, but instead of positive messages about the season, your family is exposed to a sensory overload of advertisements and shameless product placement.

A survey of Rocklin High School students revealed that about 58 percent believe that holidays are too focused on shopping.

Another more well-known thrift store is Goodwill. Goodwill has expanded enormously over the past few years. With 17 stores in the Sacramento area, Goodwill holds the title for most thrift stores. People are constantly cleaning out their closets and garages, and getting rid of old stuff. With growing consumerism people are constantly upgrading and getting new objects.Some people may no longer want this junk, but to someone this “junk” could be exactly what they were looking for.

Who can blame them? It’s easy to make an argument that Americans have recently lost touch with the reasons we celebrate some of these special days. However, this isn’t really true. In fact, Christmas has been commercialized for years. The classic holiday movie “A Christmas Story” makes fun of commercialization, and it is set around 75 years ago.

Thrift stores are a fantastic way for people to experiment with different styles. Instead of spending $50 on a new outfit at a major retailer, people can go to a thrift

However, the family still has plenty of time and energy to bond over the holiday season. In a similar way, even though Christmas is still commercialized now, families can still get together and enjoy one another. The holiday is only as commercialized as one desires it to be. “It’s your choice to turn on the TV,” said junior Clayton Barnack. Another junior, James Lamb, mirrored this sentiment: “Now there’s so many ways around ads that they don’t matter.” Families always have the choice to shut down electronics and sit together. Advertisements are everywhere, but they don’t reach people once they’ve turned off their phones and televisions. And if families can’t shut their devices off, maybe the problem isn’t the holiday. Commercialization really doesn’t hurt the ideals and values that the holiday season represents. The two stand apart from one another: families can still make memories together no matter how much they feel compelled to buy. Thanksgiving, for instance, is a holiday right before “Christmas season” begins. But it has managed to hold on to its core values of family and appreciation. While turkeys may go on sale and some people may get excited to impress their relatives with a good dinner, once the family gets together around the table, everyone is able to step back and appreciate what they have in life. Most of the irritation commercialization brings around isn’t due to it impeding values or dividing families. People are bothered by the way everything seems centered around selling you something unnecessary, justifying it with a reduced price. The problem isn’t what’s happening, it’s the sheer volume of sales being pushed. Sometimes, around Christmas, the rush of colors and ads and flashing lights can seem like it’s just too much. However, it’s not just the holiday season that causes this. Once everything is covered in snowflakes and Santa Claus, advertisements seem more repetitive and unified compared to the rest of the year. As we move further into the Information Age, commercials and ads are becoming a normal part of life. Phones sell to us and collect our information. Companies like Apple and Microsoft compete harder and harder to prove that they can design the superior product. Everywhere around us, there are ads and sales being made. Almost everything is trying to make a sale these days. Magazines have ads, movies have product placement and even a Sunday drive is filled with billboards and symbols from stores lining the street.

PC | CAITLIN SEGGERMAN

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In the movie, Christmas seems centered around a parade, a set of toys and bb guns and a very creepy mall Santa, demonstrating that commercialization was prominent even in 1940. The family is constantly being hit with corporate-engineered propaganda, and the kids only seem to care about getting their toys once that special morning comes around.

In the end, it’s not only holidays that are being oversaturated with commercialization: it’s America. Holidays, because they come with abundant spending and a unified flood of advertisements, simply demonstrate how prevalent commercialization is becoming.

11 • The Flash • Issue 2

PC | Caitlyn Seggerman

OUR

heritage in

OUR

PHONES

BY | EFRAIN GONZALEZ

owadays, smartphones are both necessary and ubiquitous. Everyone from the businessman to the elementary school student relies on one for their entertainment and communication.

It wasn’t always this way, though. A mere decade ago, people used tiny flip phones exclusively to make low quality calls and, in rare cases, text. Go even farther back, and cell phones were bulky behemoths that may or may not have given some people cancer.

USIC

BEYOND GENERATIONS

which added features and displayed technology and kicked off the recent phone push for bigger and better features. The iPhone 4 proved to be highly popular among young adults. By fall of 2013, more than half of teens in the United States owned an iPhone (according to Piper). Not only was this good for Apple, but it was good for the smartphone market because it opened the door for other competitors. Samsung also released the Note on October 2011, which created the recent “phablet” category. A “phablet” is a smartphone with a large screen size (usually around 5.8 inches). Samsung’s new category let Android grow in popularity, since it could offer larger screen sizes.

The tunes of the time serve as a lens in which we can take a look at past cultures and our own. PC | KABOOMPICS, CREATIVE COMMONS

BY | JESSIE VALVERDE

So what about the future of smartphones? Where should we take them?

usic is often representative of how a society acts and behaves. The music of a generation may reflect that time period immensely. However, because of the broad genres of music and human interest, the overall attitudes of each individual will vary.

Many argue that older music, particularly from the 80s, depicts a better “vibe,” partially because violence and drugs are not discussed as much as they are in popular music nowadays. However, much of modern music contains positive messages as well.

“I think smartphones are great, but some people have been really negative about them,” said senior Jason Huska. “We need to stop focusing on smartphones, and make more things that we can wear like smartphones, like Google Glass.”

Popular culture in the modern era reveals a heavy influence of hip-hop and rap genres. Key influential artists in those industries include Drake and Tyga. Although catchy and rhythmic, some believe that the songs released by such artists have lost the deep meanings that older artists have strived to achieve.

Today’s generation grew up revering artists such as Beyonce, Usher and Kanye West, whose lyrics preached of power and strength. Beyonce majorly exemplifies her viewpoints in her song Run The World (Girls) which promotes the worth of women in society.

Many years later, big industry player IBM decided to create a cell phone that could receive emails and send faxes (like a PC) and called it the Simon Personal Communicator. Soon, Nokia also released a similar device, and the market was set for a more powerful phone that could do more.

Many companies agree, with Apple and Google leading the way with technologies like smart watches. There are also fitness trackers from companies like Microsoft.

On the contrary, senior Alison Kalinowski expresses her opinions on rap’s influences to today’s society.

“Surgical brain implants are the future,” said senior Brian Bugna.

“I think that it [rap] is a good use and a different sound of music that portrays messages to the public in a more real setting,” says Alison.

Some artists have since used their publicity for the greater good, impacting their generation for the better. Beyonce is also a great example of a celebrity who uses her fame and fortune for empowerment. She created the Beygood Foundation, which aims to end extreme poverty and fight inequality and injustice in the world.

In the early 2000s, this market had progressed to the point where many different companies were releasing full color smartphones for work use, with the industry leader being BlackBerry.

While I am not that optimistic, I do think we’ll go far.

So how did we get from cancer boxes to the science fiction communicators of today? It all started in 1977, when Steve Wozniak decided to construct a single-board computer for hobbyists and enlisted his friend Steve Jobs for marketing; the two founded the company Apple. Apple then announced the Apple II, which exploded and began the personal computer market.

These early smartphones were mostly for work purposes, with embedded systems (meaning very feature-lacking but efficient) dominating phones. These smartphones were a good step forward, but lacked the multimedia capabilities and the power of PCs. Then, Apple soon entered with its new, bold vision for the smartphone. It would be a phone running a full desktop grade OS, with a large screen and multitouch. The Apple iPhone was released in 2007 and it redefined the smartphone market. It was about this time that smartphones started to gain notoriety. At first, iPhones were for “rich kids” only, and were a sign of wealth. At the same time, Google acquired the startup company “Android” and (seeing Apple’s iPhone as the future) ordered them to develop their OS into a similar touch-screen friendly format. Google soon began to license the OS to companies like Samsung, which became Apple’s biggest competitor. Android was a small player, but became popular with some students on carriers other than AT&T (iPhone’s only carrier at the time) or who wanted a cheaper alternative. Apple later introduced sequel phones like the iPhone 3G, 3S, and 4,

Smartphones are a recent marvel of modern technology, and it’s always interesting to look back at the long road we took to get here.

Hip-hop and rap artists mainly use their music as an escape for expressing their emotions and explaining their journey out of their past. However, when an artist speaks of such values often, it can become repetitive. This repetition diminishes the diversity that is achieved when an artist can escape the scruples of popular demands. Artists such as the Beastie Boys were praised for their individuality and their unique sound. Their album Paul’s Boutique, which showcases their ability to write original ideas, ultimately gave them a memorable identity. Society in that time period interpreted the album to help them pursue their own intentions and character. Music can affect how an individual as well as society as a whole reacts to various situations. Many people believe that a wide range of music listeners who focus on rap and hip-hop are desensitized to language and violence. “I do like rap music but most of the songs convey terrible messages that I don’t support. Teenagers listen to it and then it influences them to think those types of things are fun and acceptable in society,” says junior Ashley Taylor. Ashley prefers to listen to alternative genres and older music. “My favorite genres of music are oldies and alternative because I really like the sound of the music and the artistic aspects of it. I really like oldies because my dad and I bond over it and it just has a more positive feel,” Ashley said.

Usher’s album Confessions discussed his personal struggles and relationships that many could relate to. The songs on the album showcased his strength in specific situations. Kanye West’s song Power explicitly explains his success and how hard he worked for it. Our generation has taken such artists as an inspiration. By promoting strength and power, artists are influencing our society to be self-reliant and confident. However, many teenagers and young adults can interpret the lyrical meanings in other ways and become egotistical and self-centered. Many lyrics highlight the successes of artists or specific groups of people, giving them a higher power or authority. Many agree that life would be bland and uncreative without music. Artists help give off a sense of imagination and inspire a different way of thinking. Many listeners can relate to the stories told by music, giving them a sense of belonging or purpose. But often our generation gets wrapped up in the lyrics of the popular demand and forgets about the manner in which they should behave.

53%

of Flash surveyers say that pop is their favorite genre of music*

* according to a survey of 228 responses Issue 2 • The Flash • 12

13 • The Flash • Issue 2

CULTURAL CONTRASTS BY | LOGAN BIK & ALLISON GERBER

T diversity

STUDENT White 70% Hispanic 14%

Asian7%

Multiracial 5% African American 1% Native American 0% Pacific Islander 0%

Angela Hong

“The day before Chinese New Year we go to my grandparents’ house and have a huge dinner. We end up staying there for about a week. Then, over the course of the week we have dumplings, watch old traditional Chinese movies and light fireworks after midnight,” explains Denice.

he holidays are usually a time for families to start to pull out the decorations. For some, though, the holidays aren’t all about the bright lights and presents. Over winter break, families practiced old traditions that have been in their heritage for years as well as created new ones.

During this week, Denice enjoys seeing her family and receiving a little gift.

Often times, people associate the end of the year with Christmas, when in reality there is much more going on. Different cultures from around the world have their own ways of celebrating the holidays, yet they all share one common factor: spending quality time with loved ones and eating delicious food.

Even though Denice practices old traditions with her family, she still enjoys celebrating American holidays with her friends.

Chinese New Year is an important cultural celebration for the Chinese; this event includes different customs that come with New Year. For example, each year is associated with a different animal and Chinese zodiac based solely on the year you were born. This is not to be confused with the western-celebrated January 1 new year, because they are not the same occasion. Chinese New Year is also known as Spring Festival, and celebrates traditions which vary from family to family. This holiday lasts for 15 days in the beginning of February, and is often spent with family and loved ones, especially grandparents. The New Year’s Eve dinner is often looked at as the most important meal of the year. Family members usually stay up until midnight to watch the fireworks and begin the new year. These fireworks are often used to “drive away the evil;” however, they are also used to add a little joy and sparkle to the night. Some Rocklin High School students celebrate Chinese New Year, usually encouraged by their parents who embrace their Chinese roots. Sophomore Denice Li celebrated Chinese New Year with her family last February.

“It’s my favorite holiday because it’s the only time of the year that I get to see all of my cousins. Also my grandparents usually give us money,” said Denice.

“On the 2014-2015 new year I went to my friend’s house to celebrate. However, it is not as big of a deal as Chinese New Year,” said Denice. Senior Angela Hong also celebrates Chinese New Year, but not as strongly as Denice. “I usually just call my grandparents and sometimes we will have a little traditional food, but nothing too crazy,” Angela said. Angela considers her and her family to be Americanized due to the lack of practicing old traditions. “I was born in America and my family doesn’t really practice old traditions. When I’m older with my family I’ll probably still do something for Chinese New Year, just nothing too elaborate,” Angela said. A new year can mean new beginnings and resolutions, which can be celebrated in many different forms depending on the culture. While the customs may slightly alter, the overall experience remains the same: spending time with family.

coming from

VETERAN LINEAGE BY | LUCY PELTZ

7.3%

of all living Americans have served in the military at some point in their life. Rocklin is one of the many areas in the country that is home to experienced veterans. In fact, many students at Rocklin High School have family members that have served in the military or are continuing to serve today. Senior John Veasey and juniors Toni and Alexia Cook are three of the many students that represent this demographic at Rocklin High School. John not only comes from a line of veterans, but comes from a line of Johns as well. John’s father, John Veasey II, was the first out of the three Johns to join the military. He served in the Air Force as a Chief Master Sergeant for 24 years. “He served in Iraq, and did two deployments there,” John said. On top of being a Chief Master Sergeant, Veasey II is a Jump Master. A Jump Master is an expert paratrooper in an airborne unit who trains and teaches military techniques for jumping out of airplanes. Their job is to train soldiers who enroll in the Army Airborne School into well equipped paratroopers who can handle airborne jump operations in airborne units across the military branches of service. This job has taken Veasey II all around the world. “He trained with the army, and they jumped over Normandy and different places. He spent a lot of time with the community when he was deployed in Iraq. He used to play soccer with them,” John said. “He likes it, he really enjoys being an engineer and he likes building stuff and helping people.” Veasey II’s place in the military has heavily impacted his family’s daily life. Over the course of John’s life, he and his family have made many sacrifices for his father’s job. “It’s affected [my life] a lot, because we’ve had to move five times, and he’s also deployed a lot too because of the war in Iraq and Afghanistan, so we’ve had to move a lot. We moved to Germany, Guam, Virginia, Wyoming, and then here,” John said. In spite of how long his father has served in the military, his passion for serving his country has never dwindled. Inspired by his father’s work, John plans to join the military as well. Specifically, he would like to join the Air Force as an intelligence officer. John has known he has wanted to join the military since fifth grade. “Just seeing my dad in uniform every day, that really inspired me, and I know that he helps people around the world,” he said.

Denice Lee

John’s family is very enthusiastic about his interest in joining the Air Force. They have encouraged him to apply to the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado. His plan is to attend college, then go to officer training school. However, John is more interested in attending Biola University. “Part of it is because I know that I’m not going to be able to get into the academy, so I’m doing the ROTC scholarship. And when I went on that college trip to Biola. I really liked the campus, the people there were very we

Issue 2 • The Flash • 14

creative commons images

coming, it has everything I want and the different programs and clubs I want to be apart of. It’s basically like a second home to me,” John said. Regardless of where John ends up going to college, he knows that following his passion of joining the Air Force is what he wants to do for the rest of his life. “[I want to join the military] not because of my dad, but because I would really like to serve this country; I love it, and the freedom that we can give to other people is awesome. I just really love helping others that are in need,” John said. John is not alone in wanting to follow a career in the military. Fraternal twins Toni and Alexia, influenced by their family’s veteran history, have also thought about joining or plan someday to join the military. “I thought about Coast Guard, but my sister [wants] to join the army,” Toni said. Although Toni isn’t as certain about joining the military as her sister, she hasn’t completely ruled out that option yet. Being able to join the Coast Guard is a selective process, and it’s not quite as easy as one would expect. “I want to join the Coast Guard, but it’s very competitive to get in. You have to have a very high GPA, and there’s certain qualifications and classes you have to take. It’s not just something you can enlist in,” Toni said. Even if Toni does not decide to undergo the process to become a Coast Guard, she greatly respects the dedication her grandpa, dad and uncle had in serving their country. “My dad, David Cook, served in the Marines as a Corporal; my uncle, Russ Cook, served in the army as a Sergeant; and my grandpa, Larry Cook, served in the navy as a Peddy Officer,” Toni said. Each of Toni’s relatives had different experiences while serving. For instance, Toni’s grandpa saw conflict, while her father and uncle did not. “My grandpa was in combat zones, so it was pretty intense for him, while my dad and uncle were never in a direct combat zone. They were there and ready to go whenever [their services were needed],” Toni said. “My dad enlisted in the army when he was 18, he knew that he wanted to go to college, and after he served in the military, he went to the Police Academy. He [wanted] to join the Marines and after that, they put him through the Police Academy.” Not only do many Rocklin High students come from families with military heritages, but many seek to continue this heritage through service of their own in years to come.

15 • The Flash • Issue 2

PC | Allison Lent

Our Heritage “We are all products of our environment; every person we meet, every new experience or adventure, every book we read, touches and changes us, making us the unique being we are.” -C.J. Heck

This issue of The Flash captures not only the vibrant personalities and backgrounds of Rocklin High students but also the traditions and fads that bring the student body together. There is so much our generation will be remembered by, such as the food we eat, the clothes we wear, the language we use and the shows we watch. All of our habits help to shape the culture of Rocklin High. RHS stands apart from other high schools because of the unique mannerisms of its students and the variety of programs offered on campus. Over 20 years have passed since the school’s opening, and each year witnessed the emergence of new programs and traditions that now give students a versatile academic, social and athletic high school experience. The final stories of this issue focus on a number of traditions that best embody the culture of Rocklin High as well as some past events and milestones in the school’s development that led up to the present. We hope you enjoy the last few pieces of our second issue, and remember the many years of work that went into making our school the place it is today.

BY | FLASH EDITORS

School Timeline - - - 18

What makes RHS RHS? - - - 20

EL Students - - - - - - 22

Our Legacy - - - - - - - - - - 24

Issue 2 • The Flash • 16

17 • The Flash • Issue 2

“When the school first opened there was a real sense of community and of spirit, and a lot of enthusiasm.” -Steve Taylor There are 14 remaining staff members at RHS that have worked here since the doors opened in 1993.

2009 FB GOES TO STATE Since 2007, Mrs. Hayes’ AP Art and Art IV classes have painted murals on the ampitheater steps. The murals are done during homecoming week, and coincide with each classes’ theme.

After a 14-0 season, RHS headed to the state final game in Carson and lost narrowly to Servite 30-33. “After the game, I could tell my brother and the other players were upset. But they were appreciative that they had so many memorable experiences on their journey to state.” - Caitlin Payne

2007 AMPITHEATER ART

The first RHS homecoming was called “Up and Coming” because nobody had graduated from the school yet to return for it to be a proper homecoming. Because it was only two years after the opening of RHS, only the freshman, sophomore, and junior classes participated in the floats and the rally. The homecoming was Disney-themed.

Issue 2 • The Flash • 18

1998 MURAL

“The mural on the library was done in 1998. I created it with funds provided by the class of 1998 back when it was a custom for each graduating class to gift something back to the school the year they graduate.” - Mr. Knorzer

2006 DELTA SQUAD

1995 FIRST HOCO

2013

1993 RHS OPENS

ROCKLIN HIGH SCHOOL OVER THE YEARS

Rocklin High School celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2013. Von Housen Auto group (Mercedes) donated over half of the funds in order to put up a new scoreboard in the football stadium.

2015 MARCHING BAND

The first featuring of Delta Squad came during the 2006-2007 school year at the runaway rally. Only four boys participated in the routine. Now, boys make up nearly 50% of Delta Squad.

The marching band program was set up to debut when the school opened, but it was Mr. Douglass who decided to finally put the uniforms to good use after the departure of Mr. Dick. The program is expected to grow in the coming years, moving from one field show a year to a new show every home football game. 19 • The Flash • Issue 2

WE ARE

ROCKLIN BY | RILEY BALDWIN

t provides excellent academics, a diverse VAPA program and a caring environment. This is all possible through its versatile students and staff. Unlike other schools, Rocklin High puts effort into making its students and faculty as happy as they can be. From its enthusiastic rallies to its special programs, Rocklin is different from other local high schools. Every year, Rocklin High School hosts five rallies. Every rally has a different theme with another sub-theme for each class. For example, this year’s homecoming theme was classical movies, with class picks ranging from Jaws to Wizard of Oz. “There’s so much spirit and energy in the gym [during a rally]. The competition between the classes is exhilarating and nerve-wracking,” says junior Vanesa Francisco. Runaway is also an integral part of the Rocklin tradition. Runaway week includes spirit and dress up days, a rally where a Common Court of teachers is crowned, a three-on-three basketball tournament and a dance. Many students view it as the casual antithesis of homecoming. This year’s Runaway theme was “Only on Disney Channel.” Runaway week happens the week students return from the two week winter break. This way, RHS students are able to start off the second semester feeling excited about school. Rocklin also hosts a VAPA assembly with performances from choir, band, orchestra, dance and theater. “It’s really cool performing for the whole school because that’s really our first and probably only assembly that the whole school has to come to. We can show them what the VAPA program is capable of,” said Dance 2 Partners member Chris Meeks. In addition to the dancers, many musicians enjoy performing in the VAPA assembly and showcasing their talents and hard work for their peers.

Issue 2 • The Flash • 20

“We actually got songs at the beginning of the year; we’ve been working on it for a really long time. For VAPA, I’m most excited for people to hear us because, especially orchestra, we get overlooked sometimes,” orchestra member Tyra Day said. Many of the VAPA classes offered at RHS not only partake in the VAPA assembly, but also host their own concerts. In fact, the instrumental concert was held on Thurs. 12/10 and the choir concert was held in the theater on both Thurs. 12/17 and Fri. 12/18. Delaney Walatka, a junior singer in the advanced women’s ensemble, was excited and jittery before the choir concert. “I was honestly nervous because I didn’t feel we were fully prepared. We didn’t know our music even though we had been practicing since the beginning of the year, but we pulled it together last minute because Spiess is a great teacher and the girls in the choir are really dedicated,” Delaney said.

There’s no place like Rocklin High After performing for their fellow students under Friday night lights, most band members feel that their efforts were well-rewarded. Their hard work and talent has helped them integrate their musical passions into the Friday night experiences students cherish. “The first performance was a great experience because we were the first marching band this school has ever seen. We were all kind of nervous and excited. I would much rather march because when we just sit in the bleachers, we are kind of in the background and not as much in the spirit of the game,” Kelly said. As of now, the marching band thinks they will only be playing two performances a year. Eventually, they hope to perform every home game as they continue to improve. While at a Rocklin High football game, students can also show their spirit on Snapchat by using RHS geofilters. As of early December, Rocklin now has three geofilters; students really seem to like all three.

Rocklin also has an amazing ILS program. RHS is the only high school in the Rocklin Unified School District to have the pleasure of supporting an Independent Living Skills program. RHS students and staff take very good care of the ILS students. These students enjoy dances, clubs and shopping trips. There was no shortage of volunteers at this year’s ILS shopping trip. Each ILS student had two or three “elves” to help them Christmas shop for their families. RHS openly builds and supports the connections between students with the Friends Club, which has been helping ILS students for the past four years. Senior Ally Lent, who has been involved with Friends Club for all four years, said “ I get a sense of fulfillment knowing that we are making a connection.”

Rocklin High School is a one of a kind school; it’s a second home.

“The RHS geofilters allows me to express myself on Snapchat and show my school spirit. The font makes me excited,” said junior Evan Hernandez.

All VAPA programs are excelling and growing this year. Rocklin High School’s band director, Mr. Tom Douglass, set in motion a new marching band to perform during football games, putting even more diversity into the performances of Friday nights. Football players, cheerleaders, dance team and now a marching band all perform under the Friday night lights. Marching band before was just pep band, and not every pep band member was required to join marching band. “It [band] wasn’t as spirited and appreciated before, and we didn’t have cool uniforms,” sophomore marching band member Kelly Kim said. The band members had to undergo months of hard work and practice before making the transition into a marching band this fall. “The new band director helped out a lot to get us out on to the field. We had to practice almost everyday before school started and we had three days of band camp. For the first performance, we practiced for four months,” Kelly said.

21 • The Flash • Issue 2

MAKING IT IN AMERICA N

ELD

what is

The English Language Development class is a year-long course designed to aid students in learning to improve their listening, speaking, reading and writing English abilities, according to the California ELD Standards. Mrs. Adrienne Tacla and Mrs. Laura Sellers are Rocklin High’s EL teachers, along with instructional aide Mrs. Marilyn Brown in room J3. This class is a way for students to grow comfortably in a classroom and receive the help that they need. They are able to come into the classroom and ask for help concerning any subject. There are about 40 students enrolled this year and some have this class for multiple periods. The English Language Development Course isn’t a club or a ‘come in when you need help’ kind of class. While students are able to just walk in and ask for help in certain subjects, it is actually a class like any other, filling up a period on one’s schedule.

Worksheets and lectures are generally a necessity for any academic based class, including this one. They will work on them for a fraction of the period and eventually move on to their own work and get help if needed. Students still have an English class along with this development class; however, they are able to work on fundamental skills and get extra support through ELD.

This class revolves around individual work and what is best for the specific student. The class itself changes a lot from semester to semester.

“I see improvement in my students’ English skills throughout the year, but before the end of a semester, they tend to need my help more,” Mrs. Tacla said.

“We’re always adjusting what we need to work on, so the curriculum isn’t set year after year. We have students with all different levels of English, and those levels are different every year so we always have to be willing to change,” Mrs. Tacla said.

“We will have some type of lesson like a close reading or writing, or we watch a pronunciation video and do exercises with that along with academic support time,” Mrs. Tacla explained.

Issue 2 • The Flash • 22

to become nearly fluent in just a few years.

In their home, the Le family only speaks Vietnamese because nobody else besides Leo has had the opportunity to learn English. Leo has been both lucky and grateful because the ELD course has made his switch to the U.S. much easier on both him and his family.

“It’s hard but it’s fun at the same time. Working with your parents, getting a little closer with them, it’s pretty fun,” Leo said.

Leo enjoyed spending his childhood with all of his family, but when Leo’s uncle gave them the opportunity to move, they gladly took it. After moving here, his family started their own restaurant, Pho Hang, based on the Vietnamese culture. Starting this restaurant Leo and his family had lived in Vietnam since they were born. In helped them get involved in their community and get to know fact, their family had been there for generations. They suddenly in the area. They became integrated very quickly, which need cmykpeople photos decided to move into the U.S. about five years ago when he was 13 helped Leo and his siblings in school. years old. They were seeking more opportunities, a better life and a new experience. Everyone that works there only speaks Vietnamese and rarely any English. If a customer needs something, he is required to help and When asked if he would ever return, Leo said, “It’s better [in the be fluent in both. His parents started this business about four years United States], better everything, better school, better life. In ago, located in Roseville. Leo is a running waiter and works with his Vietnam, it’s just boring [and there’s] not much to do.” family and even a few friends.

After moving here to Rocklin in 2010, Leo really struggled with first learning English. After about his first year he got the hang of it and is now comfortable speaking in front of other people. English is a very complex language to learn, but Leo has managed

Though there might not be many students in this program, we should still recognize the diversity in our school. Rocklin High School has so many interesting programs that many people don’t know about. People like Leo are truly hard workers for learning an entirely new language on top of attending an academically excellent school.

BY | MEGAN BRADBURY & JULIA ELLA

“95% of my students also have Language Arts/ English in their schedules because this is required,” Mrs. Tacla said.

The main subjects students tend to require extra help with are language Arts, government and math. They can come in and ask for help during any academic class period.

There tend to be smaller amounts of students in this program due to the availability of the student, which makes it easier for Mrs. Tacla to get to know her students really well and cater the classes to what they need individually. Normally, in their average day, students will read for ten minutes and then study a critical, high-frequency academic word.

ghia Le, referred to as Leo by his friends, is currently enrolled in the English Language Development course here at Rocklin High School. There are about 40 students taking this class; some even have it several times in their schedule. Many of them come from different countries, including Leo.

The teachers have to be flexible. When someone doesn’t know a lot of English, the subjects can be demanding. Becoming proficient in English is difficult for non-native speakers, and the ELD teachers need to be prepared for any subject a student is needing help with.

BY | MEGAN BRADBURY & JULIA ELLA

31 • The Flash • Issue 2

what we... EAT&DRINK 1

WEAR BY | KATIE MORGAN

BY | FAITH HOLLOWAY Food is everywhere. People immediately look to restaurants as venues to not just eat but to spend time together. Often times, it is over meals that people are able to bond and make lifetime memories. Teenagers today seem to be fairly consistent in where they go to eat and spend time. Thus, these spots will bring back nostalgic memories in years to come. American teenagers have become fast food connoisseurs. As such, they tend to prefer certain restaurants over others. A few of the most popular spots include InN-Out Burger and Chick-fil-A. In-N-Out is known for its delicious Double-Double burgers, animal style fries and milkshakes. Some of Chick-fil-A’s most popular items include the chicken sandwich and fresh lemonade. These two fast food chains have become more popular in areas such as Rocklin, as teenagers tend to prefer these spots over substitutes such as McDonalds. Although fast food is still popular, a recent trend indicates that people are trying to improve their eating habits. More teenagers are opting for vegan, plant-based diets. Local vegan restaurants like Baagan are becoming increasingly popular to accommodate this healthy fad. Many people are also choosing

What we wear is a reflection of who we are as individuals. It’s one of the few choices that we as teenagers can make entirely by ourselves. From shoes to hairstyles to our favorite brands, what we decide to put on every day displays an exterior that more closely matches our personalities. While 2015 is deemed its own era in terms of fashion, it draws many of its most popular elements from past decades. The flowy, loose styles of the 1970s can be seen from music festivals to the grocery store, with men and women alike donning 70s-era prints. Some women’s clothing still displays the neon color palette that was so prevalent throughout the 80s, while polo shirts, made popular in the same decade, are still worn by boys and men alike across America. Men’s fashion from the 90s is mostly out of style, with exceptions including tarnished jeans and flannels. On the other hand, women’s fashions from the 90s, such as high-waisted shorts, along with other 90s throwbacks including Birkenstocks, ripped jeans and scrunchies have largely stayed in style, especially in recent fashion.

juice diets, making drinks such as Naked smoothies popular. Ironically, this trend toward healthier eating has been accompanied by some of the most extreme dessert shops in the greater Sacramento area opening their doors. The Parlor in Roseville serves ice cream sandwiched between two warm donuts and Cream in Davis serves cookie-ice cream sandwiches designed by the customer. One of the most important staples of the typical teenager is coffee. Teens often find caffeinated beverages served at chains such as Starbucks, Dutch Brothers and Peet’s essential to help them get their morning started or get through a long night of homework. Yet Rocklin has made coffee much more than an energy booster; it has become a social drink. Coffee shops such as Origins serve as venues for students to form study groups or to simply relax among friends. Both the food we eat and the traditions we establish as part of our meals will contribute to our generation’s memory in years to come.

SAY&DO

Some of the most popular styles for girls are skinny jeans, Converse, oversized sweaters and graphic t-shirts, along with more casual pieces like black or patterned leggings, running shorts and t-shirts. The current guy’s trends are classic, such as sweaters, jeans, button-down shirts, flannels, Sperrys and Converse, along with more laid-back styles like running shorts, flip-flops, t-shirts and hoodies, usually from a college or university. The “athleisure” category has become increasingly popular

BY | COURTNEY HARPER

As humans, we immediately search for others to inspire us. We hang posters on our walls of the celebrities that we aspire to be like and we call our best friend “mom.” Why? As the figures who raised us, moms and dads are the utmost role models, leaving us branding every human we feel envious of or look up to as our parents. Not only do we speak in this borderline strange language, we relate to strange memes by crying out “me!” or “same” when we see someone hardcore “scrubbing” or face planting on the couch after a long day. We give nicknames to our significant other (bae in particular), and we aren’t afraid to show them how much they mean to us, i.e. netflix and chill. And while our words are admittedly, well, different, our actions speak louder. The teenagers of today have really made their mark, with dancing specifically. Dances such as “hitting the whip” and “nae nae” have become our go-to moves, even when we’re celebrating a good grade or accomplishment. But it is our language and our acts that combine together to create our biggest identifier: social media. We pride ourselves on posting the most liked picture on Instagram or getting the most retweets on Twitter. Issue 2 • The Flash • 24

Snapchat stories have overtaken our lives because if we didn’t post it, did it happen? iPhones have created a whole new dimension of communicating through a ridiculous amount of apps and texting itself. Before our coming of age, there were Blackberries and Razors, and calling was the go-to form of communication. And now, as of Oct. 2010, teens send an average of 3,339 texts per month, according to Mashable.com. Our lives on social media have intermixed with our real lives, creating a drive for us to be more creative and clever in order to show off to our peers, friends and followers. So with all these components where does that leave us? With each new slang term or app that becomes the latest fad, these are the attributes we will remember looking back on our high school days.

for teens in the last few years, combining the comfort of athletic wear with the style of everyday clothing. Some of the most popular brands among teenagers in 2015 are Nike, American Eagle, Forever 21, Ralph Lauren, Hollister and PacSun.

3 4

Hairstyles for men have taken inspiration from the 1930s and 40s, with the most popular being the undercut, where the top of the hair is left long while the sides are either trimmed shorter or shaved completely. The most prevalent women’s styles are the messy bun, loose and wavy curls and ponytails. While we think that our generation is new and original, we are just bits and pieces of our parents’ ideas, just like they were bits and pieces of other past generations. We are fragments of the past, and it is how we arrange the pieces that defines who we are as individuals. This is how we make our mark.

WATCH BY | SARAH LOVEJOY

Netflix has revolutionized the way we approach entertainment, and our generation has taken Netflix “binging” to a new level. Between instant streaming and regular cable TV, the average American watches over five hours of TV every day, almost as long as high school students spend in class. Our generation grew up watching the “old” Disney channel, including Kim Possible, Suite Life of Zack and Cody and That’s So Raven, and tend to look down on the new Disney shows such as Dog With a Blog and K.C. Undercover. Today, our tastes are more widespread. Any Monday morning, without too much difficulty, you can find people talking about The Walking Dead and lamenting over recent plot developments, or hypothesizing what will happen next. Netflix has also allowed teenagers to binge-watch dramas like Grey’s Anatomy, powering

through whole seasons in a weekend. The Game of Thrones has also made its mark, breaking through the largely comedy- and crime-show-centered TV networks. Filled with corruption and violence, Game of Thrones follows several noble families in the mythical land of Westeros. Game of Thrones is, as of yet, the only fantasy show represented in the Rolling Stones top 20 TV shows of 2015, coming in at number three. Netflix has become so much a part of our generation’s culture that over 60 million people are subscribed to it, 51 percent of this number being the Millennial generation. While Netflix has become an integral part of who we are as a generation, one thing is certain: it won’t be going away any time soon. photo courtesy: 1. tumblr 2. buzzfeed 3. youtube 4. Bayside Journal 5. Netflix 6. Walking Dead 7. Grey’s Anatomy 8. ModCloth 9. Anthropology 10. OA SAP 11. Cara Loren

25 • The Flash • Issue 2

BATTLEGROUND

beauty MADNESS behind the

of the gods BY | ALEX RAGAN

A new MOBA offers innovation in a relatively static genre

BY | JUSTIN ANGELLAR

The Weeknd delivers an album that cements him in music history and proves his skill as an artist.

ive years ago, Abel Tesfaye anonymously uploaded three songs to YouTube under the alias The Weeknd. The videos quickly spread and were heavily discussed, becoming a popular subject of articles for the New York Times and Pitchfork. Little did Tesfaye know, these simple videos would be the spark to set him off into the world of music.

His latest work, an album titled “Beauty Behind The Madness,” has topped the charts and is receiving praise from audiences and critics alike. Lasting several weeks as number one on the US Music Billboards, The Weeknd has become a staple in mainstream music of today. Tesfaye’s career has been built around pop and R&B, and he’s always excelled at both. The Weeknd’s production is known for being cold and calculating, with bassy undertones. This album is no exception, taking his production to the next level with big beats making each song sound like an anthem, which brings out Tesfaye’s singing in a very satisfying way. The album opens with with an electric low pitched sound that has an alarm-like rhythm, which foreshadows the booming production to come. The opening song “Real Life” has Tesfaye singing over a quiet but energizing beat. From the first song to the last, however, there isn’t much diversity. The same formula of minimalistic beats and short notes of singing, with booming and anthem-like choruses in between can be found in almost every song. This makes listening to the album a bit boring by the time the last song rolls around. Nevertheless, this minor gripe is far from making the album an unenjoyable experience. Despite there being a formulaic nature to each song, there are some amazing songs that grab your attention and keep it from beginning to end. From the catchiness of the strong hit “Can’t Feel My Face” or the

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Many new video games fail to deliver fresh perspective, gameplay and content. One recent exception to this trend is Smite. Smite is a MOBA (Multiplayer Online Battle Arena) developed and published by Hi-Rez studios and released on March 25, 2014 for the Personal Computer and on Aug. 19, 2015 for the Xbox One.

incredible bass and production of “The Hills,” there are some amazing examples of what The Weeknd can do at his very best. Although there are some songs that are a bit uncomfortable with their lyrical content, they remain interesting. For the song “Losers,” each run of the chorus starts with the line “Only losers go to school, I taught myself how to move.” Lyrics like this grab the listener’s attention, even if they are awkwardly blunt. Most songs are about his love life, money and his extravagant lifestyle. Throughout the album, these themes create a generic, albeit gripping environment. On paper they aren’t exactly innovative or powerful. However, when Tesfaye sings them, he adds a certain exciting quality to each line. The greatest thing about the album is how accessible and listenable it is. Despite its shortcomings, The Weeknd presents us with few dull moments. It is hard to find a time where the album is uninteresting or boring. The title of the album, “Beauty Behind the Madness,” seems to be a challenge. The madness is The Weeknd’s unapologetic lifestyle and unfiltered lyrics. The beauty is the musical integrity and quality hidden behind that rigid surface, and luckily for us, The Weeknd makes it easy to find.

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Dropped his first mixtape, House of Balloons, in March which gained popularity on Soundcloud and Youtube.

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Signed with Universal Republic. In November he combined his three mixtapes from 2011 and released Triology.

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Released “The Hills” and “Can’t feel my Face,” both of which were featured on his August Album, Beauty Behind the Madness.

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“Often” released in June of 2014, reached the Top Ten on the R&B/Hiphop chart.

petitive professional season in full swing. Hi-Rez Studios hosted the first Smite World Championships in early January 2015. International teams competed in Atlanta for the prize pool of $2.3 million with the first place team winning $1.3 million.

The game gained much success upon release, as it allowed the player an over-the-shoulder view rather than the top-down perspective that is the standard for the genre.

While DotA is criticized for being too harsh for new players and League of Legends is written off as requiring no skill and being too easy, Smite seems to fall into the middle of this spectrum. This balance is important, allowing both new and experienced players to enjoy the game.

All MOBAs have a nearly identical setup where players must go down lanes defended by towers, minions and of course, the enemy team, in order to invade the enemy’s base and win the game.

Smite may be a newcomer in the MOBA world, but it has cemented itself as a recognizable and unique title in the genre in a very short amount of time.

While gameplay in Smite is much like other MOBAs such as League of Legends and Defense of the Ancients 2, the players take the roles of different deities in various mythological Pantheons: Norse, Egyptian, Chinese, Mayan, Greek and Roman. This offers an interesting aspect that is absent in many other games of the genre where players are just put into the role of a random hero. The different gods’ abilities also correspond to each of their own lore. One example of this is shown through the Egyptian god of magic, Isis. Her abilities are based around her control of magic in Egyptian mythology. This is also shown through the Greek god of thunder, Zeus, having most of his powers relating to lightning and thunder. Gameplay in MOBAs is very intensive and team-based, focusing on cooperation in conducting combat with the other team. As such, near constant communication is required to orchestrate a successful game. Skill also plays a huge role in whether or not specific plays are carried out dutifully. As with most video games, skill and communication is built up through practice with your team. My own experiences with this game start with seeing it on advertisements and finally picking it up after it was recommended by a friend. It is a free game, as with most MOBAs, and the registration was smooth and easy.

GAME RATINGS metacritic: 4.5/5 ign.com: 8.5/10

The game experience and user interface (UI) is easy to understand when first starting. Team composition and skill usage comes with experience and cooperation relatively quickly, allowing for the game to be played and enjoyed by newcomers. Smite is also stepping up to the stage of E-sports with their second com-

27 • The Flash • Issue 2

WRD

photograph | delaney walatka

1. At the beginning of

“Out to Sea”, Baileigh Shank, Becca Walker, Haley Romig, Andrea Valentini, Alecia Dezzani and Isaiah Garcia walk on stage to set the scene for the dance 2. During “Be Right There” Paige Holloway starts the dance with a solo. 3. Seniors photograph | teresa morrison from both schools photograph | austin michael perform to the song, “Let it Snow.” 4. “I’m Feelin’ Good” is performed as the first Rocklin-exclusive dance of the show. 5. Varsity Dance Team performs their hip hop halftime routine for basketball.

photograph | teresa morrison photograph | delaney walatka

photograph | delaney walatka

photograph | austin michael

photograph | delaney walatka

photograph | austin michael

8 photograph | austin michael

photograph | teresa morrison

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6. 3-D nominated, Emily Masnica, exeutes a jeté during the 3-D dance. 7. In “Breathe Me”, Taylor Niemi executes a battement. 8. During “Leave my Body”, Marissa Cassayre and Haley Romig leap across the stage. 9. Inbetween dances, Shiv Chitre fills time by mimicking the dance performed by Drake in the “Hotline Bling.” 10. During “Turning Page”, Arabella Martinez sways to the music. 11. In a trio tap dance to “Stitches” by Shawn Mendes, Marissa Cassayre taps along with Andrea Valentini and Sydney Schreiner. 12. In “Omigod You Guys”, acting is blended with dance as Rachel Macmaster and Gabby Bellows excite over Elle Woods’ engagement. 13. Angela Hong dances to “Leave my Body.”

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What to read: Grief Girl BY | BROOKE KENNEY In the miraculous true story Grief Girl, Erin Vincent writes an autobiography about the day that changed her life … for the worse. The book opens with Erin waiting anxiously next to the phone; her parents were supposed to be home hours ago. It was late. As she makes up possible ‘what ifs’ about her parents whereabouts in her head, the phone finally rings. A woman is shouting into the phone, “Your parents have been in an accident. There’s been an accident!” In that moment, Erin’s world is turned upside down. At the hospital she learns the news she was dreading: her mother is dead. Her dad is alive and doing fairly well until a month later, when he too dies. Vincent pours her grieving story out without hiding any details. The entire book is so truthful that it’s almost hard to grasp the reality of it. Orphaned in the blink of an eye, Vincent must brave the world with her older sister and younger brother on her own. With guilt overpowering her because she had wished her parents dead not too long ago, she feels partially responsible for their accident.

Her family and extended family do nothing to comfort the grieving children and instead take advantage of the situation. Erin’s older sister turns 18 just days after her mother’s death and assumes full responsibility for Erin and their 3 year old brother, Trent. Although she tries to shield Erin and Trent from the harsh reality, she is angry that everything fell to her. Arguments between her and Erin are common and soon she is in a custody battle over Trent with her greedy and unsupportive grandparents.

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As a reader, it is easy to admire the tone and the honesty throughout the book. Vincent channeled her inner teen and did not worry about being politically correct. Questioning the unanswerable and wavering in her faith, Erin is not always likeable as she narrates the story. She becomes engulfed in her problems, hoping it comes up in conversation, enjoying that she gets away with things other kids can’t. Nevertheless, she is honest and straightforward and her love for her parents is never questioned. Grief Girl resonates long after the reader has finished the last page and gives them a new positive realization on how lucky one is to wake up every morning.

What to listen to: Troye Sivan’s ‘Wild’ EP BY | MARIA HUDSON Troye Sivan’s latest EP is driving millions of people across the world wild, and ironically enough, the 20-year-old South-African-born singer, songwriter and YouTuber has titled his latest work just that: Wild. With six songs, this is not a full album, but instead a little taste of his full-length debut album Blue Neighbourhood, which came out December 4th. When I listened to Sivan’s TRXYE EP back in 2014, I had no idea what direction it was going to take. The music video for worldwide hit “Happy Little Pill” had surpassed 10 million views at the time I first viewed it, and since then it has reached over 18 million. The entire EP itself rested at number one on 66 charts across the globe, and has had thousands of streams through Spotify. Sivan has since returned to the music scene, sweeping the world with sneak peeks for his debut, full-length album, with Wild already causing an excited outbreak across social media and rising up seemingly every possible sales chart.

The EP is classified as a mixture of dream pop and electropop, making the listening experience incredibly immersive. Many are comparing it to similar works done by artists such as Lorde, due to his abstract, meaningful prose and use of sound. His lyrics are built on a foundation of self-acceptance. At age 12, Sivan came out to his family as being gay. These songs, though they don’t directly make this claim, have an underlying meaning pertaining to it. “These songs are about boys,” he stated in a recent interview with Advocate. For example, in the song Bite he talks about going to a gay bar for the first time, and what it felt like to be in a place where people accepted him for who he was. “This music has my heart and soul,” Sivan stated when he announced Wild back in July of 2015. After millions have listened and responded to the EP, it is clear that Sivan has indeed put everything into this EP, delivering a musical experience unlike any other.

Answers: (1) Mr. Clarion; (2) Ms. Padilla; (3) Mrs. Ramos; (4) Mrs. Gillette; (5) Mr. Marjama; (6) Mrs. Huber Issue 1 • The Flash • 30

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SENIORS WIN RUNAWAY RALLY PC | AUSTIN MICHAEL