Ross Brady wins this year’s Poetry Out Loud competition. See page 5.
The girls basketball team goes out with a bang. See pages 8-9.
This year’s musical, Once Upon a Mattress, begins its shows on Friday, February 28. See page 12.
Josh Peck, Mr. Panther 2014, pauses for a moment during his dance at the competition. See page 16. Photo by Trevor Greenan
2
NEWS
Staff of the Santa Rosan Editors-in-Chief Trevor Greenan Jenifer Moretto Simon Managing Editor Isabella Froman Photography Editor Celine Sargis Marketing Editor Bryna Haugen Editorial Board Milena Duarte Alesana Sunia Opal White Adviser Casey Elsa
Staff Adriana Baez Jack Brady Lindsay Bribiescas Raven Cipes Ally Daly Sabrina Elias Tracy Fernandez Eryn Francavilla Sebastian Froman Miranda McCann Ally McCulloch Dakota McGranahan Alaina McIntyre Esteban Nunez Thomas Pastis Kylee Schroth Ethan Vickrey
Note: The views expressed in this newspaper are those of the Santa Rosan staff as approved by the Santa Rosan newspaper staff and do not necessarily represent the opinions of the school, students, faculty or the Santa Rosa City School District. An effort will be made to print all letters to the editor, as long as they are signed. The Santa Rosan reserves the right to edit letters for length, clarity, and factual correctness, but will not guarantee their accuracy. Letters should be delivered to Ms. Elsa, room D101, or put in her mailbox.
2014 Senior Most Winners
Ms. Swehla and Mr. Horner’s history classes record the presidents’ song for President Obama
Most Likely to Succeed Trevor Greenan and Melissa Lopez Most Spirited Madison Krimont and Will McCulloch Most Artistic Nolan Blair and Nora Jorgensen Most Aggie Brittney Kozenko and Caleb Pilkenton Most Athletic Cyrus Corman-Gill and Katie Daly Most Likely to be a Reality TV Star Michela Williams and Cole James Most Likely to Marry Rich Nick Barrera and Sarah Ball Most Likely to be Seen Out of Class Holly Fogg and Stephen Felando Most Likely to Win the Lottery and Lose the Ticket Dustin Rome and Celine Sargis Class Clown Kazu Hayashida and Jenna Sarmiento Teacher’s Pet Tori Garzoli and Alex Hong Best Smile Jordan Bartlett and Clare Sitzer Best Hair Hayley Murphy and Thomas Tangney Best Style Nate Walker and Sarah Withers Best Eyes Emily Berman and Luca Zanolini Best Laugh Adrin Salinas and Natalie Kennedy Best to Bring Home Jinny Tran and Devon Sharp Best Musician Felix Herbst and Sydney Iodence Best Dancer Taylor Tarantino and Josh Peck Biggest Hipster Henry Burch and Annika White Biggest Drama Queen Shannon O’Shaughnessy and David Rogers Cutest Couple Grant Horgan and Amy Breeds
Past and current students of the school’s US history classes assemble in front of the school before singing. Photo by Thomas Pastis
Thomas Pastis Staff Writer On Presidents’ Day weekend, Mr. Horner took his current class of Juniors, along with Ms. Swehla’s US history class, and their former alumni out to the front of the school to sing the famous Presidents’ song. In addition, he encouraged everyone who knew the song to come out and participate. Mr. Horner inherited the song from a former counselor, and has had his history class learn it since the Clinton administration. Almost all of his alumni remember the order of the presidents through this song. Over one hundred peo-
ple showed up to sing along. The song consists of the names of all the former and current presidents, to the tune of Yankee Doodle. The classes sang the normal version, along with the jazz version, which has a jazz-like tempo. Students were encouraged to bring their own instruments and play along with the song. “I’m going to send it to our president and to the congressmen, Huffman and Thompson. And I’m going to invite them in to have a live rendition,” says Horner. If all goes well, we could be seeing a response from our very own congressmen. Visit santarosan.com for a video of the song.
Want to see more content from the Santa Rosan ? Visit santarosan.com to see articles on: -The British Media Invasion -Frozen as Rosie’s Best Soundtrack
-Review of frozen yogurt shop Chill -Singing Valentines -Teen violence
-Academy Awards expectations ... and more!
NEWS
1,2,7, 8,9
3-7 8
M A R C H2014
14-15 Debate State Quals 17-21 Spring Break Barclay Concert 25 StuGov Election Packets Due 27 28-29 CMEA Band Festival SRHS 140th Anniversary Event 30
‘Once Upon a Mattress’ Performance
Pinole Valley HS
SRHS Auditorium 3/1, 3/7, 3/8 @ 7:30pm 3/2, 3/9 @ 2:00pm
Multi-Cultural Week
Green Music Center, SSU 7:00pm
Odyssey of the Mind SRHS 6:30pm
SAT
Location and time are TBA
SRHS 8:00am-2:00pm
14
Talent Show SRHS Auditorium 7:30pm
SPORTS
2
Big Cat (Track & Field)
5
Varsity Baseball Game vs. Vintage HS
Boys Tennis Game
7
Swim Meet vs. Willits
Badminton Game vs. Petaluma
Nevers Field SRHS 9:00am
14
Petaluma 4:00pm
Willits
Boys Tennis Game
Newark Memorial HS 3:30pm
Badminton Game vs. Piner
4:00pm
12
Boys Tennis Game Cardinal Newman 3:30pm
Badminton Game vs. Analy SRHS 4:00pm
13
Special Relays (Track & Field) Nevers Field SRHS 3:45pm
15
Varsity Baseball Game vs. San Ramon Valley San Ramon Valley HS, Danville, CA 2:00pm
16
Martinez Relays (Track & Field) Alhambra High School 9:00am
18-20
Varsity Baseball Game vs. Al Rabivonich Tournament
Montgomery HS
26
Swim Meet vs. Montgomery Ridgeway 2:30pm
26
Boys Tennis Game Maria Carrillo 3:30pm
Badminton Game vs. Elsie Allen Elsie Allen 4:00pm
Baseball Game vs. Windsor HS 28 Varsity SRHS 4:00pm
Varsity Baseball Game vs. Newark Memorial HS
SRHS 3:30pm
Baseball Game vs. Vintage HS 10 Varsity Sypher Field (Santa Rosa JC)
Ridgeway 2:30pm SRHS 3:30pm
Vets Home Stadium in Yountville 3:30 p.m.
SRHS 4:00pm
Swim Meet vs. Rancho Cotati
Boys Tennis Game SRHS 3:30pm
Badminton Game vs. Maria Carrillo SRHS 4:00pm
Varsity Baseball Game vs. Montgomery HS Montgomery HS 4:00pm
Baseball Game vs. Napa 29 Varsity (DoubleHeader) SRHS 1st Game: 10:00am 2nd Game: 1:00pm
29-30
Stanford -- Elite Varsity Only (Track & Field)
Stanford University
3
4
FEATURES
Q&A with Poetry Out Loud organizer Jessica Dennis What made you decide to do Poetry Out Loud as a class? As a class, I think it’s really an important skill for the kids to learn. I think memorizing a poem is totally a gift you keep to carry Jessica Dennis helped to organize Poetry Out Loud. She also set up a unit in her with you, as nerdy as classes that prepared them for the comthat is, for the rest of petition. Photo by Dakota McGranahan your life, and I think that it is neat. I think it’s important for you guys to practice memorizing and then presenting because there are so many different parts of your life where you will need to do that. So the more you do it now the more you will be comfortable with it. Do you like poetry? Of course, yes, absolutely. I think for a lot of people poetry, especially in your teenage years, is a really successful way of expressing yourself and connecting to others. I think it can be really powerful. And as just an English teacher nerd I love word play and I love word-smithing and changing phrases so that you can catch people off guard. Its fun, and I just think it’s kind of magical what words can do. What are you going to do to prepare your students for the competition? We’re going to practice, a lot. Actually, it is a multi-tiered approach. So we’re going to be working on your poems in class, personally where [they] do a lot of poem analyses, and [they’re] going to re-write the poem probably three times which helps you memorize it. And then [they’re] going to be working with partners so that you are reciting out loud and you get to practice your tone. [They’re] going to be reciting at home and [they’re] practically going to be practicing it for two straight weeks. But in a variety of ways so [they] don’t end up hating [their poems], I want [them] to love [their poems] not hate it, so we’ll mix it up. How does Poetry Out Loud help your students and what does it teach them? It teaches them that they can do it, that they can memorize and present and that they can use words, even someone else’s words, to connect to an audience. I think it exposes them to a huge variety of powerful and well versed poetry. And I think it’s giving them a gift to carry with them no matter what. What do you think of when you hear the word poetry? Expression. Because that’s what it is about, it is about expressing whatever feeling it is: love, anger, happiness, rage, injustice, and humor.
SRHS welcomes Mr. Nelson and Mr. Booker
Mr. Nelson, at left, has taken up a position as one of the school’s numerous PE teachers. Mr. Booker, above, was on campus last year, and has returned to be a permanent member of the SRHS staff. Photos by Dakota McGranahn
Adriana Baez Staff Writer Santa Rosa has a couple new teachers this semester. One of the new teachers, Byron Nelson, has taken over the teaching job in the PE department. He is an upbeat guy who likes Santa Rosa and is quickly adapting to life at SRHS. He heard about the teaching position and wanted to come, knowing that SRHS had a great reputation. Before teaching at Santa Rosa, he worked in the PE department at Maria Carrillo High School. Nelson also adds, “Before teaching at SRHS I was also living on Cup of Noodles because, well, the job doesn’t pay that great.” The students find him interesting and fun because he makes PE easy. One thing Nelson says he likes about SRHS is how enthusiastic and eager the students are. Even though Nelson has only been here for a short time, he can say that, “Santa Rosa is an all around amazing school.” Another teacher that is fairly new is Paul Booker. Mr. Booker filled in for Mr.
Whitcomb, who passed away last year. Before teaching at Santa Rosa, Mr. Booker worked at Hewlett-Packard during the “wonder years.” Mr. Booker was also working at Maria Carrillo until he got a call from Santa Rosa asking him to fill in for Mr. Whitcomb’s science class. Mr. Booker is known for his wit and thorough teaching skills.
SRHS is famous for inviting the new and different. Since their arrivals, both of these teachers have been widely embraced by the Santa Rosa family. Other recent additions include Robert Martin, who will be taking over Ms. Lompe’s science classes, and Lokka Riego, who will be taking on severall ag science classes.
FEATURES
5
Ross Brady places first in Poetry Out Loud competition Tracy Fernandez Staff Writer A set of eighteen voices approached the stage in this year’s annual Poetry Out Loud Competition. Each student was hand-picked by their English teacher. They were each told to have two poems memorized: one for the first round, the other if they entered
the second round. Sophomore Ross Brady placed first this year, with his transcendent recitation of Ovation and Ode. He came in second the year before, behind graduate Isabella Castaldi, but took up his role as alternate at the next level of the competition. Junior Kira Findling placed second, and Freshman Megan Fleischmann placed third.
1. Enthusiastic, Mr. Lyon performs a poem of his own, filling the crowd with laughter. Poetry is of a second nature to Mr. Lyon, as he has performed in several poetry slams, gaining him third and second place. 2. Commanding the stage with conviction, Sophomore Ross Brady performs his second poem, Ode, by Arthur O’Shaughnessy, gaining him first place. With the experience gained from competing last year, Brady has identified himself as a competitor to watch out for. “I like the thrill of performing in front of my peers,” said Brady. 3. Fluid, the images that descend upon the audience generate moments of awe as Junior Kira Findling presents her first poem, Movement Song, by Audrey Lord. Acquainted with the stage, Findling has performed in poetry slams outside of school, claiming the title of first place several times. “When I perform onstage I am able to share a story with the audience,” said Findling. 4. Far from soft-spoken, Freshman Megan Fleischmann’s voice encompasses the entirety of the room with her recitation of the poem, Blackberry, by Silvia Plath. Involved in drama, Fleischmann has swayed this to her advantage, providing her with a confidence that has conquered in the face of fear and anxiety. 5. Senior Susanna Reese finishes reciting her poem during the competition. “My favorite poets are Denice Frohman, Ms. Wise, and Shane Koygan. They all have powerful voices and something meaningful to say,” said Reese. 6. Lost in character, Senior Sydney Iodence embodies the essence of her second poem, The Albatross, by Kate Bass. With a love for poetry that has exceeded the boundary of the stage, Iodence reads Silvia Plath in her free time. “I love reciting poetry because, even though you’re reciting someone else’s words, you can make it your own,” said Iodence. (Photos by Jack Brady)
6
OPINION
Helpful/Hurtful:
an Advice Column
This month’s
Questions:
Isabella Froman Managing Editor Because you aren’t currently dating this girl, the best thing you can do is ask her in private first. Do this in person – not over Facebook – to be as sincere as possible. Privacy also lessens any embarrassment that would come from a rejection. Planning something ostentatious won’t do you any good until you know that she wants to go with you. Don’t think of this as ruining the surprise – prom proposals really shouldn’t be a surprise. They should be genuine requests, with an exciting and unique addition coming after both parties are on the same page. If she says yes in private, then you have to determine what kind of proposal you should come up with. If she is shy or doesn’t like attention, you shouldn’t go over-the-top. Try putting sweet notes in her locker or backpack. Maybe put a flower on her desk in ev-
Need advice on an issue? Don’t mind being brutally insulted? Then feel free to write to the Santa Rosan! Questions can be submitted to Ms. Elsa in Room D101 or through email to santarosan@gmail.com.
“I’m a Senior, and I want to ask the girl I like to prom. But I don’t want to embarrass myself or her if she says no! How do I make it interesting and unusual without making it awkward?”
ery class and finish with a note (that actually thanks her for being your date and expresses your excitement rather than asks her for a second time) in her sixth period. Be careful to be sensitive to her preferences; otherwise, you might embarrass and upset her and do more harm than good. If she’s fine with a public proposal, get creative! Employ one of our school’s many musicians or singers to serenade her – or do it yourself if you can. If you share a class with her, get your teacher’s permission to bring the whole class in on a surprise. Bake her favorite treat or give her a bouquet of her favorite flowers. Put a banner in a place she passes between classes, or where she hangs out at lunch. Don’t limit yourself to on-campus areas either – take her for coffee after school, or for lunch on a weekend. But do note that some of the more exotic proposals are better suited to couples who have already agreed to go together rather than crushes you’re asking for the first time. It may be tempting to go out of your way to wow this girl you like, but the more extreme ideas can wait until after you’ve known her for a while.
Thomas Pastis Staff Writer Okay, first, if you have to write to an advice column about your prom proposal, you’re probably really insecure about yourself, and you’ll probably get rejected if you go small-scale. So, my advice is to go as all-out as you can so that she’ll feel guilty if she says no. Goodness knows that the strongest foundation for a relationship is guilt. As for the actual presentation, make it as spectacular as you can. Write “Prom?” on her windshield in marker. Wait until there’s an assembly and ask her in front of the entire school. Spray-paint your proposal on every wall, sidewalk, and window you can find. Spell out your proposal in candy hearts on the same windshield that you’ve written on. As a general rule, the more spectacular and unexpected the actual question is, the less likely she’ll say no. But what if you ask her and you get rejected? The most polite way of rejecting someone is usually to lie and say that you’re either going somewhere else on prom night or someone already asked you. There’s a way around this, however. Press her on every single
detail of her story. If she says she’s going with someone else, ask who. If she says she’s going somewhere else, ask where. If there’s any foundation for a relationship that’s stronger than guilt, it’s suspicion. If you’re just too nervous to ask her in a spectacular show, that’s okay. Just text her. All you have to do is send her “Prom?!?! ;-D ;-D” and she’ll be sure to say yes. If she says no, immediately stop texting her, and recede into passive-aggression. Never, ever, ever take the middle ground of just asking her, because that comes off as creepy. However, say all of this fails and she rejects all of your proposals. She’s already got a date, and you can’t bribe or intimidate him into staying home. You’re left sitting at home with no date, watching Star Trek and crying. Don’t give up. All isn’t lost. So, get your best tux, complete with a bow tie and bell bottoms, out of the closet, throw them on, and drive to the prom. Wait until there’s a slow dance, then find the girl that rejected you, who will be slow dancing with someone. Slip a twenty into his pocket, and really sweep your girl off her feet. Works every time. With markers, abject suspicion, no sense of dignity, and shameless bribery in your arsenal, there’s no way you’ll be rejected. Of course, since you’re writing to the school paper about how to ask someone to prom, in a column titled “good advice, bad advice,” I feel like you’ve got too many intelligence and self-confidence issues for anyone to go to prom with you. Despair.
OPINION
Failing the Students:
Trevor Greenan Editor-in-Chief In 1990, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was passed and signed into law by President Bush. Meant to address discrimination based on disabilities in the US, the law has had many far-reaching effects, from addressing employment issues to establishing accomodations concerning telecommunications. Title II of the act specifically prohibits discrimination based on disabilities by public entities. This part of the act requires that state and local
governments provide equal access to all programs, services, and activities, among them public education. As part of this group of public entities, public schools are responsible for ensuring equal opportunity for all students, regardless of disabilities. For physically handicapped students, this includes ensuring their access to all programs, services, and activities on campus. SRHS has made several appropriations for disabled students. Elevators in both DeSoto and the main building help gain access to upper-story classrooms, and ramps at the entrances to the various buildings as well as within the main building further aid disabled students. However, these allowances fall far short of reasonably providing for these students. Technically, yes, they do have access to the entirety of campus. However, many of the means by which disabled students are to get themselves from class to class are tedious or unreliable. The school’s elevators, for example, are notorious for failing on a regular basis. Even when working
7
SRHS woefully under equipped for physically handicapped students
perfectly, they are extremely difficult like handicap access doors can be to enter without aid. costly and time-consuming. HowEven the school’s newest (7-yearever, there are a multitude of small, old) building, DeSoto, poses many relatively simple issues that could be problems for handicapped students. addressed around campus. The elevators pose the aforemen“One of the things that I discovtioned problems, the 150 pound and ered... [is that] the staff parking lots outward-opening are uneven. You have doors are near some places that are impossible to open almost two inches offset “We should be setfrom a wheelchair, on the sidewalks. You ting the example, and the lack of can’t access that area not waiting until ramps further limit with a wheelchair unsomeone comes a student’s mobilless you’ve got someone in and files a ity. pushing you who can tilt grievance.” In the case of it back,” said vocational -Ron Reichmuth an emergency, education teacher Ron physically handiReichmuth. capped students After having surgery in the upstairs floor of DeSoto have on his foot, Reichmuth was forced no way of evactuating the building on to use a wheelchair for about three their own, as the elevators would be months. Over the course of that time, inaccessible. Instead, these students he came to realize many of the flaws would have to be carried downstairs in the school’s ADA appropriations. and outside, an experience that is “How we ever got past a state both humiliating and drastically ininspection on this is beyond me... We nefficient. should be setting the example, not Fixing the issue isn’t necessarily waiting until someone comes in and easy. Making adjustments to buildfiles a grievance.” ings and installing new technologies
Get some glasses — The stigma of the “F-word” Feminism is supposed to support equality, not matriarchy
Lindsay Bribiescas Staff Writer According to the MerriamWebster Dictionary, the definition of feminism is “the theory of the political, economical, and social equality of the sexes.” Now read that again. Notice that it doesn’t mention ugly women or cults. Feminism has been twisted into something that is represented by a very small portion of women
who would rather have a matriarchal society than an egalitarian society. Reversing the power imbalance won’t fix gender inequality, it will reinforce it. While the title “feminist” implies that they advocate for a matriarchy, their true purpose is to level the playing field. A man makes $1.23 for every $1 that a woman makes. As Raven Quesenberry, a Junior, so aptly says, “Women need to be heard and treated as equals to the men that have for too long controlled our society.” Notice this isn’t an attack on men; it’s a plea for equality and fair treatment. There are those who say that feminists have nothing further to fight for, that we have achieved equality here in the US. Sexual
harassment occurs on a regular basis, but often it’s dismissed. Catcalls aren’t disrespectful, they’re a “compliment.” As Caroline Chu, a Junior, says, “What we got after the official women’s rights movement wasn’t true equality. There’s a lack of women in government positions, CEO positions. Yes, there are more than there were 100 years ago, but it’s not enough. It’s about the frame of mind. We think of males as the dominant creatures in this world. That mentality has to change.” And it’s true. Men are the norm for nearly everything: statistics, jobs, rights. Feminism is not an attempt to reverse the discrimination that is a common problem for women. The movement is meant to help
both genders. When men don’t report domestic violence and sexual assault out of fear of being dismissed because they were “beaten up by a girl,” isn’t there a problem? With about 600,000 male victims of domestic abuse reported, compared to about one million female victims, there’s already plenty of victims. According to a study funded by the Department of Justice, a large portion of domestic violence is not reported, and even less so when the victim is male. If we can create an environment of social equality, men would hopefully be less afraid of reporting abuse and assault. Feminism is not meant to be a dirty word; it’s not meant to discriminate or threaten. It’s meant to help.
UNMAT
The girls basketball league season finis
1. The varsity girls hold hands and say the National Anthem in Windsor’s gym before a game. 2. Devin Murray helps teammate Katie Daly up during a home game against Cardinal Newman. 3. Kylie Oden shoots during a home game against Montgomery. 4. Morgan Bertsch evades a Cardinal Newman player during a home game. 5. Devin Murray jumps for the ball in the beginning of an away game against Windsor. 6. Sarah Howard eludes another player during a home game with Newman. 7. Libby Paternoster prepares to shoot the ball during a home game against Montgomery. “I loved being a part of a team that broke records and bonded on and off the court,” said Paternoster. 8. The team does a cheer before an away game at Windsor. “Our coaching staff is very supportive of our team and positively affects how we play,” said Devin Murray of the team environment. 9. Katie Daly sprints down the court during a game at Windsor. “We have all the pieces together this year. We have the shooters, ball handlers, strong post players, and heart,” said Daly. 10 (Background photo). Seniors Morgan Bertsch (at left) and Katie Daly (at right) were elected this year’s co-MVPs for the team. Both have been extremely successful in their years on the team, with Bertsch even receiving a full scholarship to UC Davis for basketball. (Photos by Celine Sargis, other contributions by Milena Duarte)
TCHED
shes with a near-perfect record Alaina McIntyre
Opal White
Staff Writer
Editorial Board
The Santa Rosa varsity girls basketball team is on its way to the NCS Division one play-offs. They’ve had a remarkable season, some say the best they’ve ever had. They beat SRHS‘s rivals, the Montgomery Vikings, twice, once by 54-51 in overtime in their home gym. The varsity girls haven’t failed to disappoint, and throughout the season they’ve kept large crowds and supporting parents at every game. On Senior night, February 7th, the varsity girls celebrated a win over Ukiah with a final score of 66-25. They started with an opening ceremony to commemorate the seniors on the team. Not only was it an emotional night for the seniors, but for everyone on the team as well. ”Honestly, it’s a hard thing to have them leave. They contribute so much to our team. They’re not only teammates, they are like my older sisters. But I know they are off to do great things,” said Kylie Oden, a Junior on the varsity girls team. The team has a strong bond, and it definitely shows when they play together on the court. “When a team cares about each other, they will always look for a way to make it work, no matter how hard it is,” said Sarah Howard, a Freshman on the varsity team. Despite injuries and having numerous players out due to illnesses, the team pulled it together and had a fantastic season. “I am so proud of my fellow teammates on how we have done this season. Even through the illness and injuries we have managed to pull off a great season. Win or lose, this team is a family, and always will be,” said Emily Codding, a Freshman on the team.
10
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Jack Brady Staff Writer Thomas Pastis Staff Writer
10. GTA V: The GTA V series is fairly well-established at this point, so there’s not too much to say about GTA V. It took GTA IV, added new graphics, touched up some of the gameplay, and came up with a polished game with a nice sandbox feel to it. 9. The Legend of Zelda- The Wind Waker HD: The Wind Waker, which came out in 2002, was incredibly advanced for its time. It had sandbox elements before sandbox games became popular, the graphics were amazing, and the combat was intuitive, yet challenging at times. The remake is more of the same, with the long sailing bits taken out. It’s just a touch-up to a great game. 8. The Stanley Parable: People who haven’t played the Stanley Parable probably won’t get this one. It’s a very odd game where you can only press buttons, open doors, and walk. That’s it. However, the game is so much more than the sum of its controls. It has a certain self-aware sense of humor which makes it unique. You could just follow the rules and complete the game in no time, or you could get off the beaten path and experience some of the strangeness that makes this game great. 7. Battlefield 4: This new installment of the DICE franchise kicks out another hyperrealistic shooter. The engine, Frostbite 3, allows players to completely affect their environments, including a new development called Levolution, which destroys massive structures within maps. If you have played on Siege of Shanghai, it is Levolution at work on that crumbling skyscraper. Battlefield developers have always worked for realism, and here Levolution adds a monumental twist. 6. FTL: Faster than Light: No list would be complete without two Indie games. FTL is a game that combines elements of text-
The Gaming Corner The top 10 games of 2013
based adventures with strategic combat. In the game, you guide a spaceship through deep space to save the Federation from destruction. On your journey, however, you encounter a sadistic amount of dangers. Just when you think you’ve got the game beat, the gloves come off, and before you know it, the slug pirates have shut off your oxygen and your ship has been turned into swiss cheese. 5. Luigi’s Mansion: Dark Moon: Okay, I’ll admit, I didn’t expect to see a sequel to Luigi’s Mansion, a game that came out eleven years ago and looked to be dead and buried. I definitely didn’t expect it to be good. However, this game proved me wrong. This game has a wonderful feel to it that you just don’t see anywhere else. The combat’s unique, the gameplay is intuitive and yet challenging at times, and, most importantly, it’s fun. 4. Don’t Starve: I think the first reaction many get after playing a few days of Don’t Starve is, “it’s just like Minecraft.” For those who haven’t played either game, know that there is a difference. In Don’t Starve, players work throughout the days to gain enough fuel and fire to last throughout the nights, which last a good 2-3 minutes. If the player runs out of light during that time, it could result in immediate death, ending the three hours of work they just put into it. Minecraft is far less harsh, despite the existence of unfortunate creeper detonations. 3. Bioshock Infinite: There are many things I never thought could be seen in a video game that I saw in Infinite. If you have not yet finished it, it’s your number one priority to go home and do so, so that I can come over and share with you my thoughts that I never seem to stray away from. Of the many things in life that continue to fascinate
me, this game alone is timeless. I only put Bioshock Infinite as 3 to make my Pikminloving, co-writer happy. I’d even dare to say it is just as unique in its steampunk characters, “paradise” environment, and twisted plot as Pikmin 3 is in its gameplay. Just a side note as we continue. 2. Pikmin 3: There are very few games which are quite as unique as Pikmin. It has almost no story, but it vastly makes up for it in innovative gameplay. In the game, you command three astronauts who crash-land and must reconstruct their spaceship to get home. Your only weapons are the Pikmin, a race of insectlike aliens which will follow your every order. The combat of Pikmin 3 is stellar, and you always have to keep your wits about you or your entire army will be gone in seconds. There’s a certain thrill that you get from killing an enemy, which you can use to strengthen your own numbers (don’t ask for the science behind that). The graphics are some of the best I’ve ever seen, and the game constantly adds new gameplay mechanics to keep the game from ever getting old. Pikmin 3 is far superior to any action/adventure title from this year (*cough* Bioshock Infinite). 1. Ride to Hell: Retribution: No, seriously. THIS is the best game of 2013. Have you ever watched a movie that all your friends told you was horrific, just for the heck of it? This is exactly the feeling you get from Ride to Hell. It’s like watching The Room or Troll 2 on a broken TV, and the movie pauses itself once in a while so that you have to fiddle with the remote to get it to work again. The story is simplistic and trite, the combat involves pressing one button millions of times, and bugs are more numerous than pixels. I’m not quite sure how this game got past the QA department, but I’m very glad it did. It’s a disaster, and whenever you’re in a bad mood, get a friend and play some Ride to Hell.
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
11
Miranda’s Musical Musings Dookie by Green Day- 20th Anniversary
Miranda McCann Staff Writer Since 1988, alternative punk band Green Day has influenced the lives of musicians and listeners across the world. Green Day first began to gain mainstream attention upon the release of their 1994 album, Dookie. With the release of two moderately successful albums, Green Day gained an underground following. Their third album, Dookie,
brought the band to the top of the charts with singles, “Longview,” “When I Come Around,” and “Basket Case.” Time magazine classified the album as the “best rock album of 1994,” and the readers of Rolling Stone voted Dookie as the best album of 1994. The lyrics of Dookie discuss controversial issues woven in between humorous tunes and melodic bass lines. The album covers topics including panic attacks, sexual confusion, masturbation, relationships, drugs, and self-discovery. In 2007, BBC Music praised the lyrics of “Longview,” “I got no motivation/Where is my
motivation?/No time for the motivation/Smoking my inspiration,” as being “a chorus designed to be screamed from a thousand teenage throats.” The whole album reflects the mood swings and general consensus of teenage opinions. Other pop-punk bands, including Sum 41 and Emily’s Army, were inspired by Green Day, and in turn, have inspired countless other artists. Dookie revolutionized the 90s’ sound. Its harsh realities raised teens and young adults as free thinkers, as well as influencing aspiring musicians to create their own definitions of life.
Insight from a quiet observer
Tracy Fernandez Staff Writer The power struggle between adults and teens has always been evident, but sometimes it exceeds its bounds, becoming patronizing. With an ever increasing amount of young artists making their debuts into the spotlight, adult journalists have failed to recognize their younger audiences and the influence that they hold.
A certain superiority instilled among adult journalists has translated into their writing, downplaying young artists’ potentials. In an article, Belinda McKeon describes Saoirse Ronan, a young actress, as “[a]nd then she twirls: a teenager in her jeans and Keds, but already a star in her bearing.” Not only are these irrelevant details included, but the article focuses on Ronan’s age rather than her accomplishments, reinforcing the idea that she is “just a teenager.” Questions are often either dismissed or permitted based on age, but are they solely based on speculation of the average young person? In an article, Taylor Swift was interviewed by Jody Rosen, who is most concerned with the fact that “she’s never writhed across a concert stage wearing a negligee.” Instead of engendering an intellec-
If you enjoyed this album, you may be interested in Insomniac by Green Day, Energy by Operation Ivy, and Enema of the State by Blink-182. Photo by Miranda McCann
Society continues to ignore the current youth’s influence
tual conversation, youth is presented as vapid. By blindly surrendering to this “cliche” that teens don’t know or care about relevant issues, shallow questions are prioritized, perpetuating an inaccurate image. Often mistaken as the truth, stereotypes factor into establishing this negative image of teenagers. According to a survey done by the BBC, adults perceive teenagers as wasteful, self-absorbed slobs. If an adult identifies a teenager as all of these things, how are they qualified to write an article for a teen-based audience? Not all adult journalists regard teenagers this way, but in a mediacentric society dominated by young artists such as Lorde, Bella Throne, and Callan McAuliffe, youth should not render any less respect than a forty year old would receive.
“Some adults assume respect should be attached to number. But, respect is not only applicable to your elders; it is determined through values and how those values are applied,” said Senior Angel Klippensteen. At eighteen, one is given the right to vote, but is not considered “mature enough” to purchase alcoholic beverages, to gamble, or to rent a room at some hotels that prohibit those under twenty one. In a cultue that continues to present teenagers as children, must youth experience age through stages to obtain respect? With an expanded audience on Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr, Vine, etc., the youth of this generation commands an influence all on their own through their words and images more than ever — maybe it’s time adults realized this.
12
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Once Upon a Mattress
(Photos by Trevor Greenan)
The story behind the mattress Alesana Sunia Editorial Board This upcoming March, Santa Rosa High School students will be participating in this year's school musical, “Once Upon a Mattress.” The story is set in a fictional medieval kingdom ruled by Queen Aggravian and her mute husband, King Sextimus. The Queen and the King have a son, Prince Dauntless, who is preparing to take the throne but must first find a wife. A decree has been issued saying that no woman may marry unless the Prince has found a bride. Many women attempt to marry the Prince, but cannot pass the tests set by the devious Queen, who is overprotective of her son.
Tomás Gonzales: The King The King is a mute man who cannot speak and communicates only through outrageous signals he makes with his hands. He has a lot to say, but has a difficult time saying what he feels. “It’s a very free role. While it’s difficult, I’m really excited to put it up. My expectations are that it’ll be a really fun show for everyone involved.”
Sarah Withers: Winnifred Winnifred is the unlikely suitor for the Prince who is, by the town’s standards, ‘uncivilized’ and ‘unconventional,’ but meets all the requirements necessary to marry the Prince. “I like how you can unabashedly be this character that doesn’t care what other people think about her and is proud of where she comes from. I expect that people will have a really good time watching the show. It’s funny and energetic. Plus it’s something your whole family might like.”
Joe Song: The Wizard The wizard puts on the persona that he is a great magician with amazing skill. However, he is not exactly the greatest magician, and he is used by the Queen for her purposes. “He (the Wizard) is this senile man with a big game show voice who’s actually terrible at magic and is nothing but the queen’s slave. ”
Zora Franicevic: The Queen The Queen is very protective of her son and wants the best bride for him. She will do anything to make sure that whoever her son marries is absolutely perfect. “I think I like how much it is like a fairytale. The costumes, the set, and the characters are all fantasy-like. It makes me feel like I’m a little kid again.”
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
13
The Rosies The Santa Rosan’s annual film awards and recognitions
Best Picture: American Hustle Jack Brady Staff Writer American Hustle, which received a 2013 Oscar nomination for Best Picture, draws attention to the corruption within a post-Watergate America. Each of the four protagonists represents some sort of conflict in dealing with who they are morally. Irving Rosenfeld, played by Christian Bale, is a con artist that deals with people’s credit rating in a laundering scheme, along with keeping up his own calm facade. His accomplice, Sydney Posser, played by Amy Adams,
Best Actor: Leonardo DiCaprio Jack Brady Staff Writer Over the past decade, we have seen Leonardo DiCaprio appear in numerous films and TV series. The internet has been attracted to the concept that this milliondollar man is still Oscar-less after being in the business for over 20 years. This year, he has been awarded the Rosie Award for Best Actor, which is likely to satisfy the internet in place of an Oscar for 2014. His success this year comes from his performance in The Wolf of Wall Street, directed by Martin Scorsese. In it, DiCaprio plays Jordan Belfort, a new stockbroker who is suddenly left unem-
ployed from the 1987 Black Monday. Not only does he partake in leading a scandalous penny stock firm, but he also narrates his story and speaks to his audiences about his acknowledgement of his profitable fraud organization. The character DiCaprio portrays, like most of his past castings, is overly ambitious. He continues to get high and drive stakes even higher for his firm and employees. This is to prove what can be achieved if anyone is given leniency by the law. Without leaking any spoilers, Leonardo DiCaprio’s ambition both as himself and as Jordan Belfort deserve to be rewarded in the next Oscar’s ceremony, or at least here, in the Rosie’s.
disguises herself as an English aristocrat. Even she deals with identity issues. When the weight of her lying gets to be too much for her, Adams’ accent slowly deteriorates. It’s a clever acting tool to show her fear. Their associate, Richie DiMaso, played by Bradley Cooper, is an FBI agent psychotically bent on seeking and dispensing of corruption within local government in Camden, New Jersey. Finally, Irving’s wife, Rosalyn, is played by Jennifer Lawrence. This clever placement of a notable actor in a minor role has attracted a younger audience, despite the context of the movie being far less modern than other recent flicks.
Not only is its cast full of recognizable faces, but American Hustle’s criminal essence finds a niche within today’s current entertainment. The soundtrack essentially uses all music produced anytime before 1978, giving off a slight “American Graffiti” vibe. It reflects a group of people that hide beneath the law of society. It displays the decay of characters who are trapped between the law and the mafia and are bruised from their shared connections with each other. For displaying universal themes of drama and deception, American Hustle deserves nothing less than the Rosie Award for Best Picture.
Best Actress: Cate Blanchett Lindsay Bribiescas Staff Writer There are thousands of actresses flooding the movie industry every year, and hundreds of those actresses have impressive talent. But of those, there are a few who stand apart from the rest. Cate Blanchett, in Blue Jasmine, topped everyone else. Portraying a wealthy Manhattan socialite that falls into poverty, she pulls a delicate truth out of her performance about the struggles of people whose lives take a bad turn. Blanchett plays a character that is both insane and vulnerable, but still sympathetic and believable. Blanchett pushes the character past the boundaries of
film into someone tangible, so past the realm of what is scripted that it reminds viewers if what we go to the movies for. But Blanchett won’t satisfy herself with just one amazing movie; she made a number of others within a short timespan. Co-starring with George Clooney and Matt Damon in The Monuments Men, Blanchett played a museum curator who allied herself with the French resistance against the Nazi Party. Reprising her role of Galadriel in the prequel to the Lord of the Rings, she plays the elven Lady of Lothlorien in The Hobbit. While others may be great, Cate Blanchett is a different kind of actress.
14
FOOD & HEALTH
Multicultural restaurant options With multicultural week fast-approaching from March 3 to 7, students will have the opportunity to experience a wide variety of different cultures on campus, exhibited by diverse performances and various lunch options. To accompany this display of culture, the restaurants below offer a sampling of the wide variety of restaurants available around Santa Rosa.
Japanese cuisine at Boathouse Sushi
Visit a slice of Puerto Rico at El Coqui
A taste of Thai food at Thai Time
The chicken teriyaki, rice, and vegetable bowl is a perfect balance of sweet and tangy. Photo by Raven Cipes
Sweet plantains, spanish rice, and flavorful red kidney beans compliment each other perfectly. Photo by Ally McCulloch
The Pad Thai consists of sweet and savoury peanut noodles with chicken and vegetables. Photo by Bryna Haugen
Raven Cipes
Ally McCulloch
Staff Writer
Staff Writer
Bryna Haugen
Whether looking for a nice night out with your family, or need a charming restaurant to impress your friends, Boathouse Sushi is the ideal place. The menu ranges from simple Japanese food, such as pan asian noodles, to the more complex depths of sushi. The warm colors, and comfy chairs add a cozy and comfortable element that makes any visit spent there one to remember. The staff is friendly, accommodating, and a contribution to the feeling of welcomeness. The chicken teriyaki, rice, and vegetable bowl is very appetizing, and satisfies every craving. The teriyaki sauce is the perfect balance of sweet and tangy. The rice is cooked to perfection, and the steamed vegetables are great as well. Boathouse sushi serves many other meals that meet the standards every Japanese restaurant should hold. The price range is average for sushi, ranging from as low as $6.49 for a California Roll to $15.50 for a Train Wreck Roll. Lunch specials, such as combinations of meat, sushi, or vegetables, are offered daily. The mouth watering food is well worth the money. Next time you’re in the mood for a bite of culture, be sure to stop by Boathouse Sushi, they do not disappoint. The location is convenient, as it is relatively close to SRHS, just down the street at 2360 Mendocino Ave.
When looking for a unique dining option, check out El Coqui. El Coqui has taken a little slice of Puerto Rico and shared it with all of Santa Rosa. The cuisine allows customers to feel like they have spent a night in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The feeling of being 3,000 miles away from home is created by having festive music, Spanish speaking workers, Puerto Rican decor, and TVs that play slideshows of famous areas in Puerto Rico. The menu ranges from a gourmet sweet plantain, stuffed with beans and smothered with cheese, to a cubano sandwich or a chicken salad. Side dishes that are popular and delicious are sweet plantains or fried green plantains. Plantains are closely related to bananas, but have less sugar. Sweet plantains taste just as they sound, sweet, while fried green plantains are crunchy and salty. Order these on the side and you will not be disappointed. All entrees are served with sweet or fried green plantains, kidney or black beans, rice, and avocado salad. The stewed red kidney beans are a must try, as many have not tasted them this way before. A yummy dessert for after the meal would be cheese or coconut flan. The price range is fairly reasonable for delicious Puerto Rican cuisine, but may be to pricey for some. Entrees range from $7.99 to $16.99. A sandwich or a salad ranges from $8.99 to $14.99. El Coqui is located on 400 Mendocino Ave, extremely close to SRHS. This restaurant gives a good taste of Puerto Rican culture.
Business Manager Of the many options for spicy, sit-down food, Thai has always been a favorite. Characterized by extremely flavorful curries and savory noodles, it’s a must try for anyone who likes a bit of a burn. In Santa Rosa, there are eleven Thai restaurants, of which three come with my recommendations: Thai House, Jhanthong Banbua, and now, after eating there, Thai Time. Of these three, Jhanthong Banbua has the best Tom Kha Gai (a coconut soup, with mushrooms, lemongrass, and sometimes kaffir lime leaves), Thai House has the best Pad Thai, and Thai Time the best prices. Thai is notoriously expensive, and it’s all too easy to spend upwards of fifty dollars on a good meal, and cheap Thai is too often bland and lacking the kick that makes it enjoyable. But Thai Time, despite it’s reasonable pricing, was flavorful and filling. Their Pad Thai was warm and soft, avoiding the rubbery/blandness that is so common with cheaper noodles, and their Golden Cashew Chicken was well cooked, full of flavor, and had an impressive side of vegetables cooked to perfection. Their Pad Kee Mao, (more commonly known as ‘Drunken Noodles’) were my least favorite dish, which ended up a bit watery, but in all was not bad. My one warning against Thai Time is that it lacks the heat that other Thai places, specifically Thai House, capture perfectly. It is a much milder restaurant, and if you’re not a fan of spice, you might not want to be eating Thai. Final word: Good if you’re on a budget, but certainly not the best to be had. Thai Time is located at 402 Mendocino Ave.
SPORTS
Boys basketball team leaders’ stats Alesana Sunia Editorial Board Led by Seniors Dustin Rome and Daniel Cresta, as well as Junior Rudy Gutierrez, the Santa Rosa High School boys varsity team had one of the best seasons the school has seen in a long time. The guys finished the season with an 11-14 record, just missing the playoffs. Nevertheless, throughout the season the team exhibited toughness and
15
Dustin Rome (Center/Power Forward) Points per game: 12.3
heart by earning hard-fought victories over Rancho Cotate, Windsor, and Cardinal Newman. The stats at the right were compiled from the results of this season’s games, as recorded by maxpreps.com, and reflect the records of the top three players for the boy’s team. As the heads of a highly successful season for the team, these players’ exceptional records give a strong reflection of the team’s success as a whole.
Rebounds per game: 9.1 Assists per game: 1.2 Blocks per game: 3.4 Photo by Celine Sargis
Daniel Cresta (Center/Power Forward) Points per game: 10.3 Rebounds per game: 7.2 Assists per game: 1.0 Photo by Celine Sargis
Rudy Gutierrez (Shooting Guard/Small Forward) Points per game: 8.1 Rebounds per game: 1.9 Assists per game: 2.1 Photo by Celine Sargis
16
PANTHER LIFE
Mr. Panther 2014
10 Senior boys compete to see who can capture the spirit of SRHS Jack Brady Staff Writer
The yearly event known as Mr. Panther is normally assumed to be a popularity contest. And who wouldn’t think that? Ten Senior boys, collected from many different cuts and groups of the school, conspire under an auditorium on one night to show off their abs, humor, and talent. But this year proved to be different. A majority of the cast was somehow associated with ArtQuest. Painters, singers, and dancers provided an atmosphere of actual entertainment. The intro video was skillfully filmed and edited by contestant Robby Pinomaki, a student in ArtQuest video. Five contestants were all from choir, along with three musicians from the school band and orchestra. Blended humor and art gave way to a memorable performance, further reinforcing the fact that the school continues to set precedents. “Mr. Panther was one of the most amazing experiences I have ever done. Everyone this year was so incredibly talented and amazing that I wish there could have been ten crowns,” said the 2014 Mr. Panther, Josh Peck.
1. Robby Pinomaki strikes a quick pose in the collaborative dance performance. Pinomaki’s notable contribution to the show was the Intro Video, grabbing an online audience via YouTube as well. 2. Serenely wooing listeners, Isaiah Egan’s main talent symbolized his character. “It was the best representative of my character. It allowed me to present my dedication to vocal and instrumental music,” said Egan. 3. Jon Briggs bows after winning second place at the end of the competition. His singing and piano performance of one of the songs from the Disney film Tangled wowed the audience and judges. 4. Rose in mouth, the cool Devon Sharp mesmerizes the judges. His main quality was found in his talent to be mellow, which helped his stage appearance and deterred any possible awkward moments during the show. 5. Clare Sitzer “revives” Jon Briggs during the beach theme act. “It was very fun and a great experience. Especially since I have been going to [Mr. Panther] for all four years,” said Sitzer. 6. Caught off guard, the overjoyed Josh Peck is embraced by his two escorts after being announced as the 2014 Mr. Panther. “I was so excited and proud of him! I could have cried from happiness,” said escort Clare McCammon. 7. Will McCulloch reveals another level to his costume and act. McCulloch brought a wild personality to the stage, as was to be expected from the Will that everyone knows. 8. The show’s main hosts, Melissa Lopez and Gabrielle Lasker, are greeted by the contestants as they approach the podium. Their satirical tackiness came tops off the annual contest, subtly echoing the usual announcers for normal pageants. 9. Known for his musicianship and dancing abilities, Felix Herbst felicitously approaches the center stage with another well known dancer, Annie Strugatsky. Their take of the performance appeared classy as well as down to earth. (Photos by Trevor Greenan and Tracy Fernandez)