THE FLASH
EDITORAL Trump wants to turn a warzone into a resort
Trump is embracing his own caricature — on Feb. 25th, his official Instagram account posted an AI generated video of “Trump Gaza.” The video portrays Gaza as a resort under Trump, with people throwing cash into the air as Elon Musk enjoys a meal. It was originally created as a satirical video by Solo Avital and Ariel Vromen, who said on social media they didn’t intend to be part of Trump’s “propaganda machine.” The president posted the video, which received over 60 million views, to his account, shocking many viewers. The AI video is consistent
with Trump’s idea of a “Riviera of the Middle East,” where he wants to create a resort for wealthy people to travel to. His proposal would entail moving the Palestinians out of Gaza and relocating them to other Middle Eastern countries. Arab leaders have rejected this proposal.
The video would be insensitive, but the fact that Trump is serious about making a war zone into a resort makes it worse than that. The displacement of the Palestinian people he is advocating would likely be in violation
of the Geneva convention, as a great number of Gaza residents have already stated they would never voluntarily relocate. The great irony of the video is that it was initially intended as a satirical exaggeration — Trump’s embracing of it shows that his very real plans do not need to be exaggerated. He is his own caricature.
Much of Trump’s first term has been worthy of headlines in The Onion — he has declared his ambition to purchase (or conquer) Greenland, tried to annex Canada, renamed the Gulf of Mexico, started a trade war with our closest trading partners, started a row with the Ukrainian president, and called himself a king. Beyond these meme-worthy actions, he has upturned the lives of thousands of federal workers and overstepped his presidential authority in countless ways. Many liberals, moderates, and even many conservatives have turned to a kind of disbelieving humor about it as a coping mechanism.
For the Palestinian people, this isn’t funny. It’s terrifying.
By: The Editoral Board
in this issue,
EDITORS-IN-CHIEFS:
SECTION EDITORS:
Cole Broumas
Shane Byron
Olivia Cruz
Bhoomi Kumari
Saraswathi Murugan
EDITORS-IN-TRAINING:
Micah Bielling
Kaelyn Cunningham
Ashley Kim
Cole Mccoy
Bailee Sexton
STAFF REPORTERS:
Kevin Feng
Evan Gordon
Tristain Gurkin
Brady Kretzmer
Varshuu Manojkumar
Carson May
Alexia Offner
Cecilia Shafer
Audrey Tzeng
Tessa Wagnon
“the blowouts to a minimum and hopefully try and rack up a win.”
JV player Da’vid Mcfarlane is only 13 years old and is in high school because Australian high schools start from grade 7th. Mcfarlane is originally from South Africa and started playing basketball when he was 7. When he moved to Australia, he started to play in clubs, he said.
Mcfarlane said he found out about the travel team in an assembly at his school and signed up. Then he had to go to the tryouts for the team. Initially, there were over 100 kids who tried out, he said. As the trials went on, the number of kids kept getting “smaller and smaller, until [they] had this phenomenal team.”
McFarlane’s highlight of the tournament is when he made a crucial play where he “ankle broke somebody” and then hit a clutch three in the wing.
Mcfarlane and others on the Iona team enjoyed their time in the U.S., sharing that some of their highlights included visiting local stores and trying out American restaurants. Throughout the years when the Australian teams have visited our school and country, they leave with an unforgettable experience regardless of their final record in the tournament.
By: Cole Broumas, Sport-Editor
JOSHUA GUNTER
JOSHUA GUNTER
EITAN RUBINSTEIN
SHANE BYRON
Pose For The Picture Rocklin photographers are capturing history with every shot
Rocklin High School’s (RHS) history is being captured frame by frame through the lens of its very own students. For every touchdown, dunk, home run, goal, and race, student photographers are there on the scene to seize the moment and take a photo that will add to our school’s legacy. Significant teams of the past can be revisited through photography, like 2023’s section championship football team or 2024’s league-winning baseball team. WIthout our talented photographers, important moments would just become distant memories. Not only are big moments captured, but every player can have something to look back on as they grow older. With the help of teachers like Tammy Valenze, Joshua Rubinstein, and Ryan O’Donnell, students are learning the intricacies of photography and coming back with outstanding results.
The process for sports photography can be long, frustrating, and takes a lot of patience. Junior photo student Caden Vance said, “First step is getting permission and
getting a pass, and then getting the camera stuff all set up. It usually takes like 10 minutes just to make sure you have the right settings.” In terms of gear, a lot is needed for photography. Typically, photographers will pack their bag with a camera body, camera lenses, batteries, and an SD card at the minimum. Sometimes, photographers will use a variety of lenses depending on the type of zoom they need. A lot goes into getting good photos, but the effort and wait are worth it. Junior photojournalism student Kiana Barnes said, “Usually I go a little bit before the game starts so I can get photos of practice and set up, talk to the coach.” From before the start of the game to after the finish, photographers are there for it all looking for a good shot.
A lot goes into getting a good shot — photographers have to be ready to move, and they have to pay close attention to the game. Big moments can happen in seconds, and photographers only have one chance to capture them. Junior publica-
JOSHUA GUNTER
BRADY KRETZMER
BEGINNINGS
Freshman students talk about their campus life since joining a varsity team
This year, three freshmen — Eva Warta, Sydney Vu, and Ella Johnson — made the varsity soccer team. Being a part of high school sports and clubs is common for freshmen, but making varsity isn’t. Playing on a team full of upperclassmen can make life on campus very different than it is for most freshmen.
The expectations for students going into high school, compared to the reality, can be different for everyone. “I was a little nervous coming in, but it made me feel less nervous because my sister went here,” Vu said. “Obviously high school is just a bigger campus, and I was expecting it to be a lot of fun, which it has been so far.”
Additionally, playing on a team full of upperclassmen can really affect the campus environment for freshmen. “I think it has made me more comfortable on campus because I
know more upperclassmen now, and I’m not just walking around the school and not knowing a lot of people, so it has made me feel more welcome,” Vu said. Johnson and Warta had similar experiences, they said.
The competitive nature of each player trying to earn a spot on a team, while also being around people seen every day in a school setting can be a big change. Warta said, “I didn’t really know what to expect, playing with new girls and going into a new tryout. I didn’t have that high of expectations on what team I was going to make, and when I got pulled up to varsity, I was really nervous and excited.” Johnson also talked about her experience going into her first high school tryout, and the mindset she had coming out. “I just knew that, like the team was gonna be good, but I wasn’t really nervous, and I just
-Sydney Vu “
It has made me a lot more comfortable on campus.”
KAYLA PLOG
DOM FITZPATRICK
SHANE BYRON
Process of Cutting Weight
In wrestling, the hardest fight sometimes starts before they even step onto the mat. The constant challenge of cutting weight before matches is a hidden struggle that many Rocklin High School (RHS) wrestlers have to go through.
For wrestler Daniel Cortopassi, his diet shifts dramatically during the season.
“Normally, I just eat whatever I want, like sugary stuff,” Cortopassi said. But when it’s time to cut weight before a match, his routine becomes strict.
“I just try not [to] drink any water, and usually your fat will eat itself,” Cortopassi said. Some of Cortopassi’s weight-cutting methods usually include sweating out extra pounds. “I hopped in the sauna for like 20 minutes, sweated off some weight. Then, before the match starts, I’ll run back and forth.” This often leads to him feeling exhausted as if he had no energy left, but despite the physical toll, he remains mentally strong.
“My mentality is tough like a beast can’t ever break it,” he said. Tyler Swenson has been wrestling since he was eight years old and is now the Rocklin High wrestling captain. However, his regular eating habits aren’t exactly clean.
“Cookies, ice cream, and fast food,” he said. “I like to go out to eat a lot.” But once the season begins, he has to make some big changes and fast.
“When I’m cutting weight, it’s just cheese sticks, more water, and less food.” Weight
cutting often drains his energy and patience, he said.
“I sleep a lot more and spend time in bed,” he said. His physical abilities can sometimes be affected. Swenson explained how cramps are more common in his calves, hamstrings, and back while he is cutting weight since he doesn’t drink as much water, but he manages to power through them. Swensons methods for quick weight loss include eliminating midnight snacks and intense last minute efforts.
“One time, me and my friend went to the sauna and biked. Five minutes in the sauna, ten minutes on the bike and repeat for two hours. It was brutal,” he said. For wrestler Elisha Boyd, the challenges of cutting weight go beyond the physical.
“Outside of wrestling, I don’t really have a diet, but when I need to cut, it’s strict — no salt, small portions, and water restriction,” she explained. Boyd stays disciplined by setting weekly goals but admits the process is tough.
“It’s hard when friends and family are eating Snickers in front of me, but I remind myself that I have to hit my goal,” she said. “I had to cut 12 pounds overnight. I tried everything: extra layers, running, no food or water, but I
couldn’t make it.”
The physical exhaustion from weight cutting affects every aspect of her life.
“At practice, I’m dizzy, tired, sitting out more,” she said. “At school, I’m exhausted, and my mom thinks I’m just lazy.”
Despite the extreme measures wrestlers take to meet weight requirements, most athletes at Rocklin High have avoided serious health complications, thanks to guidance from their coaches. However, the impact on stamina, muscle performance, and overall well-being is undeniable.
“But once I weigh in and rehydrate, I feel stronger than ever,” Boyd said. These wrestlers agree that weight cutting is a necessary sacrifice for their sport — it challenges not only their bodies but also their mental resilience. Whether it’s the thrill of making weight or the satisfaction of post-weigh-in indulgence, they find ways to push through.
“Cutting weight always sucks, but if you plan it out properly, it’s not that bad,” Boyd said. “You just have to keep going no matter what.”
Story by: Cecilia Shafer, Staff Reporter
Elisha Boyd capped off her high school career with a ninth-place finish at the state tournament. Boyd, who started wrestling at Granite Oaks Middle School at age 11, was inspired by her brother’s journey in the sport.
Reflecting on the tournament, Boyd described the overwhelming experience of competing on such a grand stage. “It didn’t really hit me until my first match when I lost, and I looked up to see myself getting pinned on the big screen,” she said.
However, determined to bounce back, she adjusted her mindset. On the second day, she won all her matches, pushing herself despite exhaustion and injuries.
Throughout the season Boyd found reassurance in the support of her teammates, coaches and even competitors. “There was a moment where my coach told me he was proud of me and my season,” she said. “That gave me the motivation to keep trying.”
For Boyd, wrestling has always been about more than just wins and losses. It’s about growth, perseverance, and proving to herself that she is capable. of accomplishing what she sets her mind to.
Spread, Photos, and Side Bar by: Bhoomi Kumari, Senior Editor
BEHIND THE SCENES
The hours of planning and rehearsal that go into a show like the Dance 4
Lots of work went into the Dance 4 Project behind the scenes from both students and staff.
Unlike Dance 4WRD, which was placed off campus, the new show required much more work. Facilities need to be managed; the Marley dance floor needs to be set up; all the routines, solos, and duos have to be advertised and coordinated; and so much more.
The hardest part, Mrs. Blankenship said, was spreading the news. “The advertising and promotion of the new show was the greatest amount of work,” she said. “But also the greatest reward.”
Schultze said her least favorite parts of the preparation were
Project
“the rehearsals, because the anticipation of getting to the show is so long and its so much fun to perform.”
But her one word to describe the experience overall was “exciting.”
KAYLA PLOG
KAYLA PLOG
ELIZABETH BENNETT
BAILEE SEXTON
BAILEE SEXTON
JELANI RUSFELDT
BAILEE SEXTON
TOPSHOTS
TOPSHOTS
Scan this QR code for free top shots all taken by students in Rocklin Media. If you love photography and are interested
ZIYI YANG
ELI ANDERSON
VIOLET YANG
BHOOMI KUMARI
EVAN GORDAN
EITAN RUBINSTEIN
CONNOR HASSLER
BEYOND THE LEADERBOARD Global event helps programmers for jobs
Every December, people worldwide compete globally and locally in a programming competition called Advent of Code (AC). For 25 days, from December 1 through 25, two problems are given daily to players. In order to be competitive, players must solve the problems fast to earn points. Then, the players are ranked on leaderboards. All players share a global leaderboard, but at RHS, leaderboards are smaller.
Students in the RHS coding club participated in Advent of Code. The club had a leaderboard of its own, consisting solely of RHS students. “I was in two other leaderboards, one of which we hosted for the coding club,” senior Trevor Douglas said.
Senior Isaac Deter, another RHS competitor, said that self-competition is “also okay,” because AC problems tend to be extremely challenging for the average person to solve quickly.
During AC, some problems were too hard for
the players. Deter said that there were a few problems he “struggled on,” but overall he performed better than last year.
For many RHS competitors, the problems were so challenging that they did not complete them on the day they were released.
Douglas said “for some of the problems, [he] stayed up until midnight” before he eventually gave up.
Most players eventually had to stop competing with AC in the middle of December.
“I stopped doing [AC] because I got really busy,” freshman Coson Lu said. Douglas also quit because he had finals coming up and “couldn’t spend time on AC..” He did “well on the problems [he] attempted,” but he lost the time to solve them as they got harder.
Lu felt that some of the problems “were pretty challenging, but [he] didn’t think they
“
were that bad. They probably would have gotten a lot more challenging in the later days.” Lu felt he improved from last year’s competition saying that last year he “took a long time” to solve problems.
Deter was able to finish because he was “self motivated.” Even when some problems took a long time to solve, his mindset was that at some point he can work on a problem for hours and think “it’s time to give up,” but he can come back to a problem and solve it in a later time instead of completely giving up. Even though Deter scored first in the RHS leaderboard, he accepted the possibility of not being the best.
“I was trying to get the fastest time, but multiple times I definitely didn’t,” he said. Deter, Douglas, and Lu like AC because they
There were a few that I struggled on, but overall, I’m pretty happy.
-Isaac Deter
”
EITAN RUBINSTEIN
Winter Blues
Shining the light on seasonal sadness and ways to brighten your mood
SAD Statistics
- 5% of the U.S. has SAD - 5.5% of teens struggle with SAD - 80% of those with SAD are women - 90% of people with SAD expierence symptoms in winter or fall
The blues. Feeling down. Low spirits. There are many ways to describe what it feels like to be sad. For some people, acute sadness is triggered and magnified by the weather. Seasonal Affective Disorder (also known as “SAD,” “seasonal sadness,” and the “winter blues”) is a biological condition that can cause your mood to decline, especially around the winter months. With up to 5% of people having Seasonal Affective Disorder according to the American Psychiatry Association, the condition affects many.
SAD manifests itself in many ways, including mood shifts, anxiety, lack of motivation, and loss of interest in daily life. RHS school psychologist Leanne Sublett said that seasonal depression makes people more withdrawn. “When people aren’t as socially outgoing, they want to stay home, [and] want to curl up in a blanket,” she said. “They don’t want to talk to others”
Cathy Russel, a resident of Rocklin who has lived with SAD for many years, said, “My motivation is gone. I have zero energy to want to do anything, even things I enjoy doing. You do actually feel sadness because then when you’re not motivated and you’re not getting things done that you should be getting done, then you get frustrated at yourself. And it’s kind of like chasing your tail.”
SAD can cause changes in sleep and appetite as well. “They have a shift where either they
want to eat more or want to eat less,” Ms. Sublett said. “Sleep can also be more or less than what they’re generally used to because it’s hard to get that vitamin D.”
The stress of the holidays can also cause SAD symptoms to become exacerbated. “I think it shifts,” Ms. Sublett said. “Some are impacted more than others, but it ebbs and flows. Stress is another component, which is an element that may not even be related with seasonal sadness.”
Russel said, “It’s very frustrating because you don’t know why you feel like you do. Why are you feeling sad, especially around the holidays, such a joyous time, and it’s very frustrating in the beginning.”
While the symptoms of SAD can seem overwhelming, there are ways to treat them. The first step in coping with SAD is acknowledging that you have the condition and understanding what causes it.
Ms. Sublett said, “It can come down to your genetic makeup and your framework — and it can also be attributed to the things that are happening in your life. So if you have what I call the perfect storm, it can affect you pretty bad.” SAD can be particularly tough for those who don’t know they have the condition, but are feeling inexplicably down. Russell said, “Once you understand it and learn ways to manage it, it becomes much easier to deal with.”
“It’s very frustrating because you don’t know why you feel like you do...”
Coping with SAD can take a variety of forms. Exercise and proper eating can help keep your body regulated and healthy. “I’ve learned to force myself to try and get up at a reasonable hour, and if it’s sunny out, I will go sit out back in the sun and read, just get that daylight going in my body,” Russell said. “I’ve been able to manage it pretty good with my own form of light therapy.”
Ms. Sublett recommended talking about your SAD challenges to people you trust. ”If you feel sad or notice that you’re withdrawing or your habits changing, your mood is shifting, you need to talk to an adult,” she said. “And if a friend communicates that to you, you need to tell an adult for your friend.”
RHS school therapist Carly Goltz said, “I’d say drink orange juice, talk to a loved one or trusted adult or friend. And if you would like to seek out therapy, focus on yourself and be kind to yourself.”
By: Jason Cardanini, Staff Reporter
SHANE BYRON
SHANE BYRON
Time to Make a New Best Buddy
The Best Buddies Club is gaining more popularity as time goes on
Cameron Garcia, a sophomore at Rocklin High School (RHS), started the club Best Buddies this year. The idea was sparked by going to the Best Buddies walk with Sophia Sanchez, a sophomore who attends Whitney High School, acted in the newest Hunger Games movie, and has Down syndrome. The Best Buddies walk is an event at the end of the school year where people join others with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) to walk with their club shirts and raise money.
“It’s a nonprofit organization that raises money for students or adults with IDD to live in assisted living, get jobs or just to be more in-
cluded,” Garcia said. All the Best Buddies clubs from schools in Northern California raise money through fundraisers and donate it to this cause, helping those with IDD. RHS did not have a club for this cause yet, so Garcia thought it would be a perfect time to start one.
Northern California’s logo for the Best Buddies clubs
The Best Buddies club does a ton of exciting activities all within school hours so that anyone can make it. Paige Mickshl, a sophomore, said that she has “gained a lot of friends who have joined, and it’s a party every day.” Once a month, the club gets together and does a fun activity. Some of them have been creating a thankful chain, watching a movie, having a hot chocolate bar with snacks, and more. The activities are a perfect time to hang out with friends, and it makes the students feel welcome. It includes those that usually would not have an opportunity to connect with others and “you can feel the happiness when everyone is together and can see everybody having fun and smiling,” said Aubrey Bales, a sophomore.
At the beginning of the year, the club participated in Club Rush to gain more awareness and attracted many new members. In their introduction party, those who came could sign up to get paired with a buddy. During that meeting, Garcia and others watched members interact and explore each other’s interests to see who would make good pairs. The members hung out with their buddy and got
“It’s a party every day.”
to know them through games and icebreakers. Even people who did not sign up for a buddy at the beginning of the year were allowed to join in the fun. According to Bales, the club “is all about inclusion. It’s a good message, because we’re about including people, making sure everybody feels like they have friends and are loved by somebody.” Everyone should have the opportunity to make friends and Best Buddies is a perfect time to do so by bringing together those with IDD.
The club’s biggest challenge at the moment is raising awareness so people can feel the
CAMERON CARCIA
END COMING TO AN
Rocklin High School seniors share memories, plans, and advice for their younger selves .
As the spring sets in, three seniors from Rocklin High School take a moment to reflect on their four years in the halls of the school that shaped so much of who they are today. With graduation on the horizon, these students are ready to take on their final semester with enthusiasm and a sense of nostalgia.
For Delaney Cronin, Megan Williamson, and Elise Mullican, the experiences that defined their time at Rocklin High are ones of unity, friendship, and the unforgettable memories of school spirit. These three seniors sat down to share their favorite moments, their plans for a strong finish, and the advice they would give their younger selves.
MEMORIES
Reflecting on the years gone by, one common theme emerges: the strong sense of community at Rocklin High, particularly during school events and sports. Cronin is a four-year participant in the homecoming float competitions. “My favorite memory is definitely float construction for homecoming,” she said. “We won all four years of the homecoming float, and having them announce it at the football games was really fun.” Winning the float competition year after year was a source of pride, not only because of the achievement but also because it brought together the senior class, strengthening their sense of pride in their school.
WIlliamson said her favorite high school memories are her time playing flag football
and going to rallies. “Ever since I was little, I’ve always wanted to play football, but there wasn’t really a chance for girls to do it,” she said. “So when I heard the school was starting a flag football team, I knew I had to join. It was such a special feeling to finally be a part of the sport I had always loved.” Williamson emphasized not just the thrill of playing football, but the connections she made along the way. “What made it even better was the teammates I got to play with,” she said. “I made so many new friends who I probably wouldn’t have met otherwise, and we all really supported each other both on
and off the field.”
In addition, for Williamson, the rallies were a chance to feel united with her peers — a moment where the entire school seemed to pause and celebrate the spirit of Rocklin High. “What I loved about the rallies is that it wasn’t just for
athletes or just for one group. It was for everyone. No matter where you fit in or what you were involved in, it felt like the whole school was there together, rooting for each other.”
For Mullican, playing for the Rocklin High School girls’ soccer team over the past four years has been one of the most defining and cherished experiences of her high school career. “Soccer has been such a big part of my life here,” she said. “Some of my favorite memories are just those moments on the field, especially when we won big games or when we came together after a tough loss. It wasn’t just about the sport; it was about the bond we built as a team.” For Mullican, the friendships she formed and the lessons she learned on the field will always remain at the core of her high school memories,
OLIVIA CRUZ
MACKENZIE MURRAY
DELANEY CRONIN
MAKING THE MOST OF THE LAST FEW MONTHS
marking her time at Rocklin as unforgettable.
As the end of senior year approaches, Mulli can is putting an intense focus on her academ ic performance, determined to finish strong. “I’ve always taken my grades seriously, but now it feels even more important to me,” she said. With college applications behind her, Mullican is fully committed to her course work and maintaining the high standards she’s set for herself. “I want to leave high school knowing I gave my best effort, so I’m staying organized, making sure I manage my time wisely, and seeking help when I need it.” For her, senior year is about finishing her aca demic journey with pride.
For Cronin, senior year is all about mak ing the most of the traditions and spe cial events that define the final months of high school. “I’m really excited for all the events left on our calendar,” she said. She said she is eagerly anticipating the upcoming senior rally, prom, and graduation. Cronin has always enjoyed participating in school activities, and this year, she’s determined to embrace every opportunity to create lasting memories with her peers.
“I want to be present at every senior event and soak in the school spirit,” she said. “These are the moments that will define my high school experience, and I want to make them count. This is our last chance to experience it all, and
This is our last chance to experience it all, and I want to enjoy every bit of it.”
- Delaney Cronin
I want to enjoy every bit of it,” she said.
Williamson said, “I’ve made so many amazing friends over the years, and I want to make sure we finish this year with as many memories as possible.” She is deeply invested in cherishing the time she has left with her closest friends, whether it’s attending events together, hanging out after school, or simply enjoying casual moments. “We’ve supported each other through so much, and now it’s about making sure we all have the best final year together,” she said.
ADVICE
As a senior, Cronin looks back on her high school experience with a sense of pride but also a recognition of how much she has learned over the years. If she could offer advice to her freshman self, she said it would center around one key piece of guidance: “Don’t stress the little things so much.” Cronin admits that in the beginning, she often found herself overwhelmed by the expectations, both academic and social. “I thought everything had to be perfect right away — grades, friends, sports — but I’ve learned that it’s okay to make mistakes and take things one step at a time.” For Mullican, her advice to her freshman self centers around the importance of balance and perspective. “I would tell myself to not put so much pressure on getting everything perfect right away,” she said. “I used to think I had to have everything figured out from day one — what clubs to join, what friends to have, what classes to take — but high school is really about figuring out who you are. It’s okay to not have all the answers.” Mullican added that she wished she had focused more on en-
joying the moment and the experiences rather than getting caught up in the future. “There’s so much to learn outside the classroom, and I wish I had spent more time getting involved in things that genuinely interested me, rather than worrying about where everything would lead,” she said.
Williamson said, “I would tell myself to be more confident, to trust that I belonged. As a freshman, I was really shy and worried about fitting in. But high school is all about finding your tribe and being yourself.” She said that she often spent too much time comparing herself to others, thinking she needed to fit a particular mold.
“I would tell my freshman self to not worry so much about trying to be what others expect me to be,” she said. “Just be yourself and the right people will come around.”
By: Olivia Cruz, Senior Editor
SHANE BYRON
SHANE BYRON
TheFeedingStorm
What goes on behind the scenes in the Thunder Cafe?
Every day, a line of students stretches through the gym at Rocklin High School (RHS), eager for the free breakfast and lunch provided to all students. They grab their favorite menu items, punch in their student numbers, and are reminded to select a fruit or vegetable before heading back to their friends. But what happens behind the scenes to make this all possible?
The nutrition services staff at RHS makes sure students receive fresh and nutritious meals daily. The process starts long before students arrive. “We have to order our product from
several vendors,” said Christie Thurman, a member of the kitchen team. “We work with vendors like Gold Star, Dan CO, and Cisco, who provide everything from cereal to hamburgers. Our produce arrives fresh every Monday, and we also get deliveries every other week.”
When it comes to planning the menus, the kitchen team is involved in a collaborative pro-
“I get here at 6:15 a.m. to start preparing for breakfast”
Defying Gravity and Expectations
A review on the movie “Wicked” SUMMARY
The movie writers used the songs from the musical’s soundtrack, making it a fun experience for audience members who already knew the songs. Sophomore Jami Kasten, who watched the musical, complimented the movie on sticking closely to the storyline of the musical, which is something that a lot of movies do not always do when it comes to the original source. Personally, I really liked the movie’s take on the song “Popular.”
The camera cuts and visuals were also impressive, making the magical world feel very
“Wicked” tells the first half of the story of how Elphaba becomes with the Wicked Witch. The film opens with a scene set in the future, where Glinda, the good witch, confirms the death of the Wicked Witch to a town of rejoicing people. The film then quickly covers the story of Elphaba’s childhood, where she was bullied and feared by other children and her father for her green skin and magical abilities. The movie then jumps into the present-day, where a grown-up Elphaba finds herself unexpectedly attending the Shiz Academy of Magic. It is
here she meets Glinda, a popular, spoiled rich girl. The two hate each other at first, but eventually become friends. While at the academy, Elphaba is distressed to learn that animals are losing their rights around Oz. Eventually, she travels to the Emerald City with Glinda to meet the Wizard of Oz and persuade the Wizard to do something about the loss of animal rights in Oz. However, she uncovers a shocking reality when she
“She chooses to be different,” -Anna Namgung
real. One of my favorite scenes was when the wings on the page of a spellbook start peeling off the page and becoming real.
Something else I really liked about the movie was that it had a theater-like feel in some areas, similar to watching a live performance instead of a pre-recorded film. For instance, when Elphaba and Glinda watch the Wiz ard dance behind a curtain above his model of the land of Oz, it feels like viewers are watching a show right alongside Glinda and Elphaba.
3
Both students liked the characters in the film as well. Kasten’s favorite character was Glinda. Namgung’s favorite character was Elphaba, but she also did like Glinda because “she seems like a very arrogant person, but really she does like helping other people.”
Namgung also found it interesting the way the main characters changed throughout the movie. Elphaba went from wanting to be like everyone else to fighting alone against the people who wanted to limit animal rights. “She chooses to be different,” Namgung said.
2
Another interesting thing was the use of themes, especially the theme of trying to fit in. Sophomore Anna Namgung’s favorite scene that showed this theme was when Dr. Dillamond, the goat professor, discovered anti-animal graffiti and Elphaba comforted him. “They had this connection between them because they were both outcasts of society. And I liked how they were respectful towards each other despite being commonly disrespected,” Namgung said. Meanwhile, Kasten liked the theme of “how good can turn evil and evil can turn good.”
4
The only thing that seemed off about the movie was its runtime of three hours. The film dragged a little in the middle and I felt like it could be shorter, especially since it is only Part I. However, neither Kasten or Namgung seemed to feel like the movie was too long.
“I was able to sit through all of it, so I call that a plus,” Kasten said. Namgung added, “I thought it might be too long for me to watch, but when I was watching it didn’t really feel like three hours.”
Overall, I would rate “Wicked” an 8/10. Kasten gave the movie an 8.5/10 and Namgung a 9/10.
By: Audrey Tzeng, Staff Reporter
NEW TRADITIONS THE
DANCE 4 PROJECT VS 4WRD
“It was so great to give our students so many more opportunities,” said Mrs. Blankenship
Students and dancers from both Rocklin and Whitney High School have performed together in a collaborated Dance 4WRD show for the past 15 years. The program has taken a bold leap forward this year by introducing a new production called the Dance 4 Project.
Check out the rest of the story about the Dance 4 Project on page 11!
UPCOMING EVENTS:
3/18: Mega Band Concert 3/21: Sadie’s Dance
3/27-3/29: Dance 1 Showcase 3/28: Multicultural Talent Show 4/14: Spring Break 4/26: Senior Ball
Hey! Are you interested in writing, design, or podcast and wamt to join production staff for journalism? Skip the intro class and email jrubinstein@rocklinusd. org to get started right away!
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