Santa Rosan writer Ally Daly visits Ireland and comments on the differences in education from the US. See page 4.
Make use of this year’s Spring Playlist to end of the school year. See page 13.
Gay athletes are facing an increasingly more inviting society. See page 15.
Junior Taylor Sargis dances in the ArtQuest Intermediate Dance show, Ever Curious Creatures. See page 12. Photo by Celine Sargis
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 Jack Brady Lindsay Bribiescas Milena Duarte Alesana Sunia Opal White
Adviser Casey Elsa Staff Adriana Baez 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.
Cheer coach resigns, leaves unfortunate vacancy ing standpoint, numbers of cheerleaders have rapidly decreased since the fall Editorial Board when head coach Tara PolThis past March, SRHS ley resigned. head cheerleading coach Furthermore, lack of staJackie Clare resigned her bility from the head coachposition as head coach of ing position could lead to the SRHS cheerleading the school ending the cheerteam. With Clare’s resigna- leading program at SRHS. tion, that makes the second For several years, Tina head coach the SRHS cheer Hanford was at the helm team has had this season. of the SRHS cheerleading Clare’s resignation will team. However, her resigput the SRHS cheer team in a nation this past spring may very tough position because, have been an indication of with an already depleted troubles that have recently squad, this could make the ensued. situation worse. With much Repercussions of this instability from the coach- coaching change could
Alesana Sunia
spell disastrous results if another coach is not found soon. Without a coach, the SRHS cheer team could possibly continue to decrease in number of cheerleaders, and discontinue as a Cheer program at SRHS. Key sporting events like football and basketball could lose some of their appeal with audiences, and other school activities could lose some school spirit. The sad reality is that the largest school in Santa Rosa could possibly lose a vital piece of its school spirit, the SRHS cheer team.
Seniors take over the parking lot in “Senior Prank” Lindsay Bribiescas Editorial Board Before school on the 24th, a group of Seniors reminded the underclassmen (who have been “stealing” all the parking spots) who’s in charge, showing up at the school around 6-6:30 a.m. and double-parking all the cars in the student parking lot. “[The Seniors wanted] to show some act of rebellion to the school and make them change the parking lot ‘rules’ and only have Seniors there,” said a Senior that would prefer to remain anonymous.
As shown above and at right, Seniors swarmed the parking lot on the day of the prank, arriving as early as 6 in the morning to put their plan into place. Photos by Celine Sargis
The administration demanded that all incorrectly parked cars be re-parked, or a tow truck would be called. A number of cars remained where they were, without a visit from the tow truck. Later on in the day, the section of lawn by the auditorium was forked in the shape of 2014. “The forking that happened was just to emphasize that the class of 2014 is who’s in charge. I guess,” said Anonymous. Without costing the school an excessive amount of money, or doing no prank at all, the Seniors of 2014 left their mark on this year.
1
SBAC Testing
Room 211 and Library
Fine Arts 1-9 Spring Show
Multi-Purpose Room
3 SAT 8:00am Prom
Villa Chanticleer 9:00pm-12:00am
Chemistry Test 5 AP 8:00am
6 AP Spanish
Language Test
8:00am
MAY
French 13 AP Language Test
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Awards 19-23 Dead Week 15 Non-Senior SRHS Auditorium 7:00pm 26 No School AllFinals 27-29 17 Basketball Star Game Minimum
8:00am
AP English Literature Test
8:00am
Biology Test 12 AP 8:00am AP Physics B & C Test 12:00pm
US Gov’t Test 13 AP 8:00am
4:00pm
Baseball vs. Maria 2 Varsity Carrillo
12:00pm
16-17 Dance Company Performance SRHS Auditorium 7:00pm
Books 19 Library Collected
Library
Day
SRHS South Gym 5:00pm
Prac28 Graduation tice Day of 30 Last School
SPORTS
Baseball vs. Rancho 13 Softball vs. Ukiah 7 Varsity Var & JV @ Ukiah Cotate
SRHS (Senior Day) 4:00pm
4:00pm
vs. Rancho Cotate 8 Softball Var & JV @ Home 4:00pm
vs. Maria Carrillo Varsity Baseball vs. Ukiah 6 Softball 9 Var & JV @ Maria Carrillo @ Anton Stadium in Ukiah 4:00pm
3
Calculus AB & 7 AP BC Test
vs. Casa Grande 1 Softball Var & JV @ Home
@ MCHS 4:00pm
NEWS
7:00pm
Photo credit: Lindsay Bribiescas Date contributors: Raven Cipes, Ally Daly, Eryn Francavilla, and Sebastian Froman Calendar Layout: Isabella Froman
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FEATURES
American High School vs. Irish Secondary School Santa Rosan staff writer Ally Daly spent a month going to school in Ireland and made some interesting observations about the stark differences between American and Irish schools Ally Daly Staff Writer After spending a month going to school in Ireland, I began to appreciate schooling in the United States. Attending St. Angela’s College in Cork gave me a much better understanding of what is outside of our halls at SRHS. Both schools are very different from each other, down to the last detail. First of all, the school in Ireland is the size of the main building at Santa Rosa High School. The entire student population is under 500 students, less than a fourth of SRHS. The most drastic change: it’s all the same gender. Schools in Europe focus on equality with their students more than anything else. Because of this, nearly every school has a strict uniform. Mine happened to be green pants, green shirt, green sweater, black shoes, no makeup, and no exceptions. Instead of having high school, they have secondary school, which is 7th-12th grade. Many students thought it was strange that there were only two years in middle school
and were confused at the idea of American schooling until I explained it to them. Irish students love the idea of high school and America. They often asked questions about cheerleaders and football games and got so happy when they discovered it was real. It was surprising how much they loved our country. They would all gasp after I said something as simple as, “I’m in high school.” Another major difference is that there are no phones allowed at school. They are not allowed to be used before, during, or after school. The students were amazed when they were informed that you can use them on campus at Santa Rosa High. They use slang that we wouldn’t have known existed. Instead of saying “cool,” they say “class.” To say “I’m fine,” they say “I’m grand.” There were many giggles whenever I said the words “grandpa,” “french fries,” “soda,” “mall,” and “candy,” because they only hear that in the movies. They all adore the idea of high school and living in America when to us it is normal. Schooling in Europe is incredibly different — down to the student population.
Grade Levels U.S. vs. Ireland We call it... Elementary School (K-6th) Middle School and High School (7th-12th) Preschool Kindergarten 1st Grade 2nd Grade 3rd Grade 4th Grade 5th Grade 6th Grade 7th Grade 8th Grade Freshman Year Sophomore Year Junior Year Senior Year
They call it... Primary School Secondary School Junior Infants Senior Infants 1st Class 2nd Class 3rd Class 4th Class 5th Class 6th Class 1st Year 2nd Year 3rd Year 4th Year 5th Year 6th Year An Irish schoolhouse. St. Angela’s College in Cork, is shown at left. The Irish educational system has many disticnt differences from that of the US. Photo by Ally Daly
FEATURES
5
The twenty dollar prom budget Prom shopping can be expensive, but for those on a budget, thrift shops offer a much more affordable option Bryna Haugen Business Manager Of the many school events in each year, Prom is by far the most expensive. For dress-wearing and tuxedo-renting folks, prom can reach two to three hundred dollars. But prom doesn’t have to be expensive. Although prom is a glamorous event, looking your best doesn’t have to mean new clothes and cringe-worthy pricetags. In fact, here are some prom outfits found in a local Salvation Army store for only twenty dollars each! But there are even cheaper ways to get prom outfits. If you have neighbors or family friends with recent graduates, chances are they have a large, brightly colored pile of dresses and ties from four years of dances. Even people still in highschool may have some spare clothes for you to borrow. Nordquisters generally have three to four different outfits, and a quick run to the dry cleaners will fix up any stains or signs of use. There’s no reason that prom should cost more than the ticket- it took twenty minutes in the thrift store to find two full outfits. There is always a cheaper option, if you’re willing to find it.
Men’s Outfit Thrift Shop Costs Jacket: $5.50 Shirt: $3.00 Cumberbund: $2.00 Pants: $3.50 Shoes: $6.00 Total: $20.00
Average Costs Jacket: $40.00 Shirt: $30.00 Cumberbund: $25.00 Pants: $50.00 Shoes: $75.00 Total: $220.00
Women’s Outfit Thrift Shop Costs Dress: $13.00 Wrap: $0.50 Purse: $2.50 Shoes: $2.50 Total: $19.50
Average Costs Dress: $250.00 Wrap: $15.00 Purse: $20.00 Shoes: $40.00 Total: $325.00
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OPINION
Helpful/Hurtful: This month’s
an Advice Column
Question:
Isabella Froman Managing Editor 1: If you feel you need to practice for a test, it is never too early to start. These tests are important, so if you need extra studying to feel more prepared, go for it. Also, ask people who have taken these tests before if they have any advice. The important thing is to not stress out too much. It’s easy to get too worked up over a test, but staying calm and rational is key to studying effectively. When your mind is relaxed, remember that you have online resources as well and teachers and peers to talk to. 2: Definitely keep working. Even though it’s difficult because the end is so near, take
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.
1: “Hi, I’m a Junior, and as finals season is starting to roll around, I’m starting to feel the pressure of AP testing and finals. Should I start studying now, or is it too early to start stressing?” 2: “I’m a Senior, and I’ve already gotten into my dream school, so I feel like the rest of the year doesn’t really matter. Should I keep working through the end of the year or can I start to coast?”
every opportunity you have left to learn from high school. That means learning in class, sure, but it also means learning about people and about how to adapt to your environment. One of the greatest purposes of high school is to learn people skills and time management -- so use your last month to glean anything you can to help you in the future. One way to stay focused might be to remember that, after high school, you’ll go off to college and probably be on your own a lot. You won’t have the comfort of a consistent and familiar environment. That may sound fantastic given where you are now, but keep in mind that leaving home and high school is like crossing a threshold to the real world. Once you go through, you can never go back. You may be ready to move past your childhood, but you should first appreciate your last few weeks of high school.
Isn’t free will fun?
Thomas Pastis Staff Writer 1: Well, this is an interesting “pick your poison” situation. You could either start studying now, skipping sleep to get 5’s on all seven of your AP tests and a 2400 on the SAT’s, and it’s totally possible that you could achieve this. Well, not ‘you’, but someone else totally could. However, by this point, you (I’m gonna keep using the royal ‘you’) will have gotten two hours of sleep for the last six or seven weeks, had no human contact for those six or seven weeks, and will have ruined your eyes from straining over textbooks. You’ll get the 2400, but by this point, you will have ignored your friends to the point where they won’t speak to you, setting yourself up for Harvard but also setting yourself up for the social life of Howard Hughes, so start growing out your fingernails. So, your other option is to blow off studying. If you blow off studying now, you’ll start a spiral of procrastination which will inevitably lead to a -2 on the AP test. This means that you’ll end up at whatever the level below community college is, and if you’re lucky, you might eventually become the regional manager at a prestigious fast food restaurant of your choice! So, it’s your call. You can either sacrifice your life and soul to get into Harvard or end up living in a van down by the river as a used go-cart salesman.
2: Well, if you want to bring a touch of nihilism into life, nothing matters and life is as futile as a dying flower afloat in a vast ocean of despair, a lone spacecraft in the endless blackness of space. But you probably don’t, so let’s talk about your senioritis, shall we? So, you’ve already gotten into Chico, and now you’re wondering whether or not the rest of high school matters. So, you’ve got two obvious choices. You can finish out the year in a blaze of glory, or you could study for your finals. Say you want to actually take the rest of your finals. You would have to actually do work, and who wants to do that, right? But, if you choose to finish the year, you’re going to have to put in the work. You’re going to have to study your eyes out, just like everyone else. You’re going to have to pour your blood, sweat, and tears into getting that A. So, a college would love to see that kind of dedication, but wouldn’t it be hilarious if you failed all your classes because you failed the final and your dream school rejected you? I’m not saying that’s going to happen, but it would be hilarious. Your other option is to just stop. Stop doing homework. Party every night. Every day is Senior Ditch Day if you want it to be. So, fling the binders in the fire and be done with it. You’re getting into your dream school either way, right? However, some classes weight the final quarter so that it’s actually about fifty percent of your final grade, meaning that if you flunk all the assignments, you’d fail the class no matter what grade you have. Wouldn’t it be hilarious if your dream college rejected you because you failed your elective? So, you’re not done yet, and even though you’re out of the woods, you’re not out of the woods. Better do well on that final.
OPINION
Failing the Students:
Trevor Greenan Editor-in-Chief
This column, “Failing the Students,” has historically attacked the flaws in the education system. As its name suggests, it has addressed failures in testing, curriculum, school policies, and many other types of education issues. However, two years later, I’d like to close this beration of the public education system with something
that’s actually been going right: restorative justice. The concept of restorative justice is based off of one simple ideal, that punishment for students who have committed crimes or broken school rules should be forms of rehabilitation rather than straightforward consequences. In practice, this would mean favoring group discussion sessions and focusing on making amends over suspensions and referrals. This system of punishment reform is already beginning to take root throughout the district. At the beginning of this school year, Santa Rosa City Schools officially approved a one year pilot program with Restorative Resources, a non-profit program that seeks to implement restorative justice in public schools. This is according to the Press Democrat article by Kerry Benefield printed in late September of last year. The pilot program has replaced
7
Restorative Justice offers a beneficial solution to student discipline issues
punishments like suspensions that it would be a good move to start a take students off of campus with club at SRHS to get the students rehabilitation programs involving involved,” said Blechel. a 12-week session to address the This move is a huge step forroot of the initial disciplinary issue. ward in educational reform. Rather It will take place during its prethan punishing students for their liminary phases at mistakes and leaving Elsie Allen High them by the wayside, re“If students realized School and Cook storative justice allows the flow of community Middle School. them a chance to adthat they impact, they Here at SRHS, dress the issues at hand could make a better several students and reintegrate themeffort to build a have taken it upon selves into society. relationship with their themselves to “The system we teachers.” bring this new rehave right now builds -Sam Blechel form to the school tension between teachwith the Students ers and students. If United for Restorative Justice club, students realized the flow of comor SURJ. munity that they impact, they Headed by Sam Blechel, Junior, could make a better effort to build the club has begun to integrate sev- a relationship with their teachers,” eral aspects of restorative justice, said Blechel. and members are attending trainUltimately, restorative justice ing sessions for running discuscreates a system that, rather than sions for students in the program. exiling students, encourages reha“We began meeting indepenbilitation and actual advancements dently in November, and we thought for students.
Get some glasses — Failing our troops
Sexual assault in the military is a real and prevalent issue yet to be addressed
Lindsay Bribiescas Editorial Board In 2012, an anonymous survey of Active Duty Members found that there were 26,000 instances of unwanted sexual contact (all prohibited by military law). About 3,000 reports of sexual assault were filed that year, and only 302 were pros-
ecuted. That’s less than 2.5% of total suspected number of acts of sexual assaults. It hasn’t gotten better since then -- a soldier serving in the U.S. military is more likely to be raped by a fellow soldier than killed by enemy fire. Women are 47% of sexual assault victims, and 37% of female veterans report being raped at least twice. Men make up about one-half of the victims. 80% of perpetrators and accused are discharged with honor. And yet, very little is actually being done about this. There are several steps that should be
taken towards fixing the situation -- since it’s fairly clear that a problem that has been allowed to swell to this proportion can’t be fixed as quickly as it should. One of the best is a measure proposed by Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, which would take the cases out of the chain of command, taking the power out of commanding officers’ hands and giving it to impartial military officers. However, opponents to Gillibrand’s bill, including the Pentagon, Sens. Claire McCaskill, Kelly Ayotte, and Lindsey Graham, say that stripping
commanders’ responsibility for such cases wouldn’t help. One study showed that 40% of victims were assaulted by their commanding officers. It’s fairly easy to see how an officer that assaulted a soldier under their command might be hesitant to file a report. The current system clearly isn’t working, so the logical step to take ought to be changing the system. Perhaps not giving even more power to people who might be part of the problem would be helpful. Shouldn’t our soldiers be respected, since they are, after all, protecting us?
Reinventing the STAR test As the state of California embraces the new Common Core standards, the challenge of implementing the new tests begins
A
Grades 2-11 are tested
C
A
More than 4 million students taking the test nationwide
C
A
B
Real testing begins 2015
A
45 states have adopted the English and Math standards
C
B
Annual cost of $29.50 per student for tests
A
COMM
A new set of stand
A beneficial chan Jack Brady Editorial Board
US schools spend $10,500 per student annually
B
C
A
B
Approximately 400 students taking the test at SRHS
About 60 computers were used for testing
B
C
The district was given $2.2 million to implement the test
B
C
Provides options for Braille and American Sign Language
B
C
Nationwide statistics from The Pew Charitable Trusts article, “States Reconsider Common Core Tests,” published January 24, 2014 by Adrienne Lu
The Common Core has evolved the way standardized testing is designed. It utilizes the computer operations in order to conserve paper and other resources. This is because the federal government wants to boost standard scores in a more efficient way. The SBAC way. School districts around the country are piloting this online application during these next few weeks to see what future testing may entail. So far, the application has not proven to be any more disastrous than the STAR test. Computerizing the scoring allows the government to easily value each state’s academia, lessening the need for larger organizations to grade the nation’s youth. The SBAC system also offers a new type of test that is different from the bubbles that have been used since the beginning of the century. It offers free response.
In fact, a large par is writing based, whic the test less mechan about multiple choic tion values critical th solving one of the ma with the original STA In addition, the pr works on the student ability. The better the harder the questions versa. This interactiv ing conceptually see better evolution of th no paper test could d same thing. Standardized test received negative fee while because of the and the stress on mu Free response has be ing ingredient to a m test result. The SBAC improve itself in orde serve its purpose. Fro ceptual view of this n seems to have taken and lengthy stride aw bubble generation.
MON CORE Sean Conlon, Sophomore
“It was a lot like the STAR test and it was really easy.”
dards with a new set of tests
nge
A waste of funds
rt of the test ch makes ized and less ce. This addihinking more, ain problems AR exams. rogram t’s testing ey score, the s get and vice ve engineerems to be a he test, as do quite the
Miranda McCann
ting has edback for a uniformity ultiple choice. een the missmore valuable C works to er to better om a connew tool, it a positive way from the
Staff Writer A new testing system is making its way toward Santa Rosa High School. Common Core is being implemented to supposedly further deep thinking and reading analysis. It is said to result in more intelligence, but at what cost? Common Core is a substitute for the STAR testing, taking place in early April. STAR testing is based around direct answers and straightforward routines, while Common Core’s risky material requires deep knowledge and prior planning. The students taking the first drafts of Common Core tests are reduced to playing the victims of a mentally experimental process. All the prior test-taking knowledge and strategies they have accumulated will now be replaced with new, unpredictable material. Performance levels will likely drop due to a lack of preparation and agreement. According to corestandards.org, the education costs will increase with the execution of common core, paying for not only current materials,
assessment, and professional development, but also the addition of new materials, retraining teachers, and “other aspects of implementation” as well. The tests also require a certain aspect of technology and digital media that low-budget or reform schools can not be expected to cover. "Common Core isn't the right approach for the school systems. The change is too drastic and the students could revolt," expressed Freshman Emily Aqui. In New York, the revolt has already began. Students are refusing to take the Common Core tests on the grounds that they are not legally required to take the “immoral” exams. Through minor changes in tests and curriculum, the public school system is slowly being stripped of its rights. The lack of motivation in students is rising; if they are not succeeding as well as before, they do not try as hard to be rewarded with a lower score. The students involved in the Common Core testing are not prepared for an immediate switch. The schools are not ready for close reading or in depth test questions, and the scores will suffer due to the lack of planning and instruction.
Roland Calloway, Junior
“I felt that the test was rushed, and while an option for more time existed, I would rather not take more time away from school than necessary.”
Mrs. Anderson
“I am still learning about the new Common Core for math. I’m in favor of it and I think it will be good. Students need to be able to support and defend their work, no matter what discipline they are in.”
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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Miranda’s Musical Musings Happiness Is by Taking Back Sunday
Miranda McCann Staff Writer New York-based band, Taking Back Sunday, reestablished their well-loved pop punk roots with the creation of their most recent album, Happiness Is. The band dubbed Happiness Is as their “best album,” despite it sounding like a modernized version of their 2004 selves. It emits a nostalgic feel for longterm fans of the band, as Taking Back Sunday’s first independent release in a decade. When asked about the musicians’ writing process,
long term drummer, Mark O’Connell, responded, “We don’t try to sound like anything but ourselves. When writing music everybody just puts in their own input and that’s why we sound like Taking Back Sunday.” Happiness Is goes along well with O’Connell’s claim. The album fits in with the band’s previous styles, and does not disappoint most of the fan base, but it does not particularly impress many either, despite several standout tracks. The album almost sounds too much like Taking Back Sunday, and leaves fans wondering about their future, and possibly repetitive, sound. The album’s lyrics follow classic pop punk themes: friends, nostalgia, and “getting out of this town.” Lyrics including “I’m not angry/I’m not any-
thing at all” from the seventh track, “They Don’t Have Any Friends” and “You live your life like you’re not in control/ Like you’re playing a role,” from Happiness Is’ first single, “Flicker Fade,” portray a young, angsty perspective. Although slightly overdone, the constant theme gives the album a stable center and makes it easy on the ears. Happiness Is will not carry on Taking Back Sunday’s musical legacy after their careers are over, and it certainly is not their most memorable album. However, it radiates a solid pop punk feel, and that is enough for some. Besides entertaining with new lyrics and resurfacing old feelings, long time fans of Taking Back Sunday should not expect a sudden change in sound or style.
Insight from a quiet observer
Tracy Fernandez Staff Writer The act of exchanging information has transpired into an interactive visual media: online video. Launched in 2005, YouTube surfaced on the Internet. Now the world’s most prominent video sharing site, YouTube has acquired its own audience with a community of ”YouTubers” — people who upload video content regularly. Exalted to internet celebricy, YouTu-
bers have become a prominent presence in the media world. According to YouTube’s statistics, YouTube attracts over four billion views per day with a plethora of videos, surfacing every minute across 39 countries and 54 languages. Although YouTube has earned its reputation, YouTubers are treated with an indifference as mainstream media continues to disregard internet celebricy as a valid profession. Last year, Good Morning America interviewed Jenna Marbles, a popular YouTuber, but projected a narrowed perspective of YouTube, interjecting backhanded commentary such as “and all for making videos about, well, nothing.” Far from the truth, Marbles offers social commentary on nearly everything from gender roles to beauty pressures — GMA should reconsider their definition of nothing. While most content creators on
If you enjoyed this album, you may be interested in Your Favorite Weapon, by Brand New and Not Without a Fight, by New Found Glory.
YouTubers wield a heavy influence on society
YouTube provide comical relief to their audience, comedy’s objective is not restricted to simply entertaining. It can deliver messages beyond the exterior of a “funny video,” educating viewers YouTubers possess the capacity to experiment, creating innovative content that is an active discussion. While traditional media such as T.V. remains permanently attached to a screen, YouTube provides a completely different experience — the viewer is a part of it. With this inclusive type of environment, YouTubers develop passionate viewerships. “I think the ability of YouTube and the space of sharing videos is powerful as a whole. YouTube is a more personal connection than other social media, I know I get inspired by watching YouTubers that I can relate to. The young generation is taking on new media like the online world
which creates a new space for interaction and communication -- unlike any other form of interaction before,” said Junior Jessie Collier. Recently, YouTuber Tyler Oakley motivated his 5,000,000 subscribers to donate to The Trevor Project, an organization devoted to providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to LGBTQ youth. In roughly a month, Oakley’s fundraiser has raised $525,754. These contributions do not go unnoticed, as Oakley recently attended a meeting scheduled with the president, discussing ways to further aid LGBTQ youth. A direct vessel of entertainment, YouTubers supply their viewers with an experience that creates awareness. Transferred from a computer screen to a person, their words invite opinions, curiosity, and reflection.
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
11
The Gaming Corner The future of gaming
Future in Facebook Thomas Pastis Staff Writer From the beginning of video gaming, people have been wondering where developers would take the market next. Gamers were stunned to find that their characters could move in more than just the straight line of Pong, as iconic characters such as Mario (Jumpman) and Pac-Man were suddenly able to move left, right, up, and down. This was extremely cutting-edge at the time, and developers once again shocked the world by allowing movement in three dimensions with games such as Majora’s Mask and Mario 64. As games become more and more realistic and graphically advanced, players wonder what the next era of gaming will be. Some reviewers and developers have speculated that the next era could turn out to be the player directly controlling their character- without all the controller malarkey. Some people have dreamed of a video game where the player has complete control over their character- as if he were actually the character. The Wii motion controls were the first baby step in this direction, with the Playstation Move and the dreaded Kinect as the next drunk and stumbling steps toward this goal. These systems are far from perfect, however, and bouts with the Kinect feel much more like having a seizure than they do having control over a character. Recently, however, something new has graced the gaming scene. This is Oculus Rift. Oculus Rift is something of a helmet that the player can wear,
and when the player moves his head, the character does too. Something like this could have been a passing fad, if it weren’t for Facebook. Facebook, seeing an opportunity, broke into the gaming world by buying the rights to Oculus Rift. There is nothing, nothing on Earth save the god Zeus coming down from on high to buy stock in a company, than Facebook buying your stock. Zuckerberg, who has never tried to branch out of social media like this in any major way, must see something in Oculus Rift that other companies did not. So, what does this mean for the gaming market? If Facebook is willing to put its massive clout and massive funds behind something, they could take control of the entire market, especially a gaming market which has been accused of becoming less and less original and more and more gimmicky in hardware and gaming. If the addition of total control over a character does become the norm for gaming, Zuckerberg may have thrown a devastating haymaker of a buying decision. He must have been looking for his opportunity, as he decided to back the first piece of hardware that both allows for physical control of the character without a controller and which actually works *cough Kinect cough*. If video games do end up moving toward controlling a character using the player’s body, Facebook’s support has at least begun to make this dream a reality, and if Zuckerberg chose the right time to attack the gaming market, gamers might be hearing a lot more from Facebook.
Our all-knowing Google overlords Jack Brady Editorial Board Google is going to take over the world. Let me tell you why. It craves intellectual property. The executives’ idiosyncratic method of buying and employing the same engineers has given them an edge in the cyberspace market. It acquired Keyhole Incorporated to make the early stages of Google Earth, prudently purchased YouTube in 2006 and reaped the benefits of its ad space, and, most recently, it announced its absorption of DeepMind Technologies. Apparently something to do with artificial intelligence. So last century. Oh wait. The Google Giant has made itself a bombshell on the Internet, by…well, by providing for it. Not only is it an Internet provider, it has also used market tactics to make its products simple and effective. And easily integratable. Take Gmail for example. When you got a Gmail, you’d think it would just be for normal email, but then you start to see its layout mature and new features begin to expand. Now you have an entire workspace, complete with a Google Drive, Google Maps, YouTube, and many other essential extensions. Of course, what does Google want you to do? Download Chrome, so that the apps can work properly. Don’t worry though. It knows what it’s doing. It knows best. When I bought a Chromebook it wasn’t out of my relentless love for our Future-Machine-God, no, it was for its practicality. Why do I need to worry about a security system, when Google is there to protect me from the bad world of worms and hackers? Why do I need Word, Excel, and Powerpoint, when Google has all of them in one extension (Drive)? Why should I pour through the Internet in search of downloads that won’t fit on my Macintosh or Dell, when Chrome uses an
extension? Google produces for consumers that want comprehensible software with easy access. April Fool’s Day marked another hoax between Nintendo and Google, which caused Pokemon to spawn in historic land sites on Google Maps. Though there is not currently a partnership, it does not mean that there won’t be one in the future. Nintendo is actually more likely to partner up because of its recent troubles in branching out to larger audiences, which Google already has access to. Project Tango is in development currently, but when released and used in mobile gaming it will act a lot like the Xbox Kinect. Except that it takes data that it scans from your environment then generates a game out of it, giving a virtual window to another world which can constantly change as you move. Before dominance of our race comes interaction with it. Google also wants to produce for as many people as it can without being unstable. One example is the Project Ara phone. Ignoring its interesting swap-function feature, Google wants to sell the phone with WiFi and a strong processor at only $50. It is attempting to connect a large range of people with a cheap, easy to use phone. Apple worried about design and celebrity endorsement, Microsoft sold to the business executives and pioneering software designers. Google will sell to everyone. And everyone will buy Google. Google has got the world by the reins. Don’t believe me yet? Developers at Google attempted to create the first supercomputer that was powered by an artificial intelligence by using Google Books alone. They have tried twice in the past decade. Maybe third time’s a charm. Imagine what Google could do with all that cache. You might doubt me because of the clumsy Google+ and the clunky Google Glass, but believe me. Skynet = Chrome. In a good way.
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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Intermediate Dance wows at spring performance Kylee Schroth
Jack Brady
Staff Writer
Editorial Board
The ArtQuest Intermediate Dance’s Spring Performance, “Ever Curious Creatures,” was made entirely of student choreographed dances, with the exception of one by their director and teacher, Nzinga Woods. These students are tasked with creating and developing concepts surrounding the human body and emotions. Modern, contemporary, hip-hop and tango pieces were all included in these performances. Each dance’s divergent styles showcased their talents, as well as their improvements. One of the most important aspects to this final show was the year’s progress that contributed to it. “We’ve all expanded our horizons, improving greatly in the styles that we weren’t initially talented in,” said Junior Raven Quesenberry. “When I choreograph, I think about what these dancers would be able to do and what I can achieve in showcasing my theme and message,” said Sophomore Taylor Sargis. This astute compassion is one of the many qualities needed in Ms. Woods’ dance class -- when dancers leave behind the beginning class, they are expected to work less with their instructors and more with their fellow dancers. A majority of the pieces in the show are choreographed and developed by the students, further proving their preparedness for the advanced class. During tech week, dancers watched recordings of their rehearsals and began to see how much they had improved as individuals and as a class. Many of them were surprised and much more confident in their skills. The performance especially displayed that confidence, making it all the more entertaining to watch.
1. The silhouettes of Taylor Sargis, Bre Bianchi, and Karina Ardley stretch across the stage floor. This dance required diligence and stamina in order to reflect the dancers’ mystic vibe. 2. Posing with sass, Sierra Macken sits among her fellow dancers during the tango performance. This was characterized by staccato movements and combined with stellar leaps and rolls. 3. Lucy Thomas shows off her technique while displaying a beautiful arabesque. Her grace captured the true essence of the piece. 4. Face set and arms taut, Taylor Sargis extends her leg during another contemporary dance. Sargis’ vogue stature is a good representation of the piece at large. 5. Rebekah Smith and Chris Leach face off in a hip-hop routine. These entertaining mini-competitions are well known among the school’s dance company. 6. Chris Leach lifts Sierra Macken during a tango routine. The trust between the dancers, as well as their uniform movements, are needed to embolden the choreographer’s style choices. 7. Avery Lentz and Sierra Macken waltz during a 1920’s style dance choreographed by Marlo Bertozzi. The classic dance added to the vibrant mix of dances showcased at the performance. Photos by Celine Sargis
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
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Local theaters abound in Santa Rosa Miranda McCann Staff Writer Santa Rosa High School’s ArtQuest drama production regularly astounds the student body. However, the entire county of Sonoma is bursting with talent and desire to perform, resulting in the production of local theaters. Sonoma State University is well known for their performing arts department, putting on plays directed, choreographed, and performed entirely by their student body. The college level participants devote their time and energy into perfecting the scenes for the eager viewers. Sixth Street Playhouse is widely different. Its setting, a former warehouse,
is run down, and the outside appearance may ward away wary wanderers. The actors, however enthusiastic they are, are not quite as relatable due to the massive age gaps. As seemingly unappealing as the community theater may be, it has one of the most authentic atmospheres. Light refreshments are usually served in the foyer, and brick walls radiate comforting vibes. Sixth Street Playhouse encourages participants and enthusiasts to donate to their program, ensuring a longer life span for the theater. Drama is abundant in Sonoma County, and local artists and actors pursue their talents and hobbies any way they can. Attending a local production will not only assist the program, but it may further one’s passion.
2014 Spring Playlist Edit
Clear
Sixth Street Playhouse and the JC theater display an astounding amount of talent that is characteristic of the successful theaters of Santa Rosa. Photos by Miranda McCann
by Milena Duarte Delete
“Ruby Lips”- London Jax This band’s debut song is fresh and fun. Its catchy tune will leave you wanting more. Make sure to watch for upcoming hits from the London Jax.
“Lightweight”- Demi Lovato Girls, this is for you. Demi Lovato delivers a soft, sweet, and meaningful song. You’ll find you and your girlfriends pouring your hearts out to its lyrics.
“All the Way”- Timeflies Get ready to let your hair down and dance. It’s definitely the perfect song to play for a drive to the beach with friends or if you feel like jamming out to some fun, fastpaced music.
“Morning Sun”- Reptile Youth Definitely add this song to your summer playlist. Listening to its chill beat will leave you in a laid back mood. It’s perfect to listen to for bringing down the tempo from an active day in the sun. “It’s On Again”Alicia Keys feat. Pharrell and Kendrick Lamar This song is part of The Amazing Spider-Man 2 soundtrack. Unfortunately, the full version wasn’t available until April 22nd, but from hearing the clip it sounds like a smooth song with a great beat. Alicia Keys never disappoints and Pharrell and Kendrick Lamar are great artists to clash with. Expect a hit.
“All of Me”- John Legend feat. Lindsey Stirling The original version of this song is beautiful, but Lindsey Stirling brings an even softer side. Her violin mixes perfectly with the melody and will leave you in tears. “What is Love”- Janelle Monae Warning: this song is highly addictive and catchy. This song is fun and upbeat with a little samba twist. Janelle Monae’s amazing vocals and energy will keep you dancing all day long. “Like Me”- Jake Miller Get ready to clap your hands and jam out to this song. Its positive lyrics send a lighthearted message telling teens to stay unique and don’t change for others.
“Love is Easy”- McFly Do you want to feel good? Then stop what you’re doing and listen to this song. If it doesn’t put a smile on your face I don’t know what will. Its cheerful and upbeat lyrics will leave you wanting to dance through a field of flowers under the sun. “Are You What You Want To Be”- Foster the People This song is a part of Foster the People’s new album, “Supermodel”. Its African drum-inspired tune is fast-paced and the perfect song to jam out to.
14
FOOD & HEALTH
Prom on a budget: The Villa provides an affordable pre-prom restaurant option Ethan Vickrey Staff Writer As prom approaches, people are looking for good places to eat that are not too expensive but still offer great food and a romantic environment. The Villa, (located 3901 Montgomery Drive Santa Rosa, California) offers a fantastic dining experience for a very moderate price. There is a very short wait. It is recommended, however, that reservations are made. The atmosphere is reminiscent of an old Italian villa and a very large window offers a gorgeous mountain view of Santa Rosa while you dine and, if the weather permits it, an outdoor deck is available.
The appetizers are delicious and consist of bread and either soup or salad. The main course of ravioli and meat balls was excellent and very expertly seasoned and spiced. The Villa is fairly cheap and offers a variety of dishes that range from very high class and expensive to cheap yet delicious. In addition, The Villa offers many different varieties in food, from soups, steaks and burgers to seafood, salads, pasta, and pizza. The Villa is open from 3:00 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. all week and serves lunches on Fridays at 11:30. They can be contacted at (707) 528-7755 or emailed at villa@thevillarestaurant. com. For additional info, visit their website at http://www.thevillarestaurant.com.
There are many meals available at The Villa. At top left a wonderfully prepared steak with a side of rice sauteed shrimp and mushrooms with some noodles and fresh vegetables is shown. Pictured at bottom left is a beautifully crafted ravioli dinner in a delectable tomato sauce accompanied by meatballs to die for. At top right is lasagna in creamy tomato and butter sauces cooked to perfection.
Molecular Gastronomy: A new spin on ice cream Molecular gastronomy makes use of liquid nitrogen to produce temperatures as low as -320 degrees Fahrenheit to freeze ice cream ingredients. As a new way to create frozen treats, several new restaurants have begun to open up to offer these newly created desserts.
Subzero Ice Cream and Yogurt Ally McCulloch Staff Writer Subzero Ice Cream and Yogurt has changed the face of frozen treats through its use of molecular gastronomy. This inventive new take on ice cream and yogurt is a way to bring customers some freedom with their yogurt. The founder, Jerry Hancock, has a chemistry background, which helped him to develop the liquid nitrogen method. Customers first pick what size ice cream or yogurt they want. They then choose a type of ice cream or yogurt base. The final step in ordering is to choose the flavor of ice cream/yogurt and mix ins. Each order is made in a seperate bowl. The ingredients to the chosen flavor and various mix ins are put in, and then frozen. The flavors range from mint to toasted co-
conut and chai. The mix ins include almonds, cookie dough, strawberOne of many flavor comries, and bos is mint ice cream with oreos. One a gummy worm mix in. mix in is Photo by Ally McCulloch included in each order, and additional add ons are fifty cents each. The atmosphere inside the shop is modern and interesting, and fun because of the new concept of using liquid nitrogen. Subzero Ice Cream and Yogurt is a little more pricey than other dessert shops, which could be a turn off, but the experience in the shop makes up for it. It is located on 6070 Mckinley Street in Sebastapool.
NitroKarma Liquid Nitrogen Ice Cream Kylee Schroth Staff Writer Ice cream made with liquid nitrogen, not only tastes better, but is a new experience everyone needs to try. One way to do so is at Nitrokarma, located in Dave’s Market, 1844 Mesa Way in Santa Rosa. At Nitrokarma, you can choose from a range of flavors from Espresso to Butter Pecan. All different kinds of fruits and berries are offered as flavors, toppings, or mix-ins, however you’d like. The flavoring is put into a bowl and, once all the ingredients are ready, liquid nitrogen is poured in. The maple flavoring is made with real maple syrup that is poured in as an ingredient. Almonds or other nuts can create a great flavor not found at most
other ice cream locations. The diversity of these flavors makes a trip to Nitrokarma Pictured above is espresso ice cream with a chocolate riba very bon. Photo by Kylee Schroth unique experience. The small size is $4.00, which is more expensive than most places. In the small serving, however, you do get more than a normal small size would have, and a flavorful and unique experience. Nitrokarma is a great place to go when not in a hurry or in need for some good homemade ice cream that you’re willing to pay a little extra for.
SPORTS
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Lack of a boys golf team at SRHS Without a team, students interested in golf are left hanging, left with very little opportunity to play at very little cost. Having a golf team could give students an edge in scholarships or other opportunities, particularly students that can’t afford costly club memberships or equipment. Photo by Lindsay Bribiescas
Adriana Baez Staff Writer Lindsay Bribiescas Editorial Board The turnout for both golf teams is limited, to say the least. The girls’ team had only three girls this year, but the boys’ team had so few willing participants that the team was cut from the spring sports’ roster. There is not a particular reason for the lack of interest in golf. In fact, the boys’
team used to be quite successful, until a large portion of the team graduated in 2012. Since then, the number of golfers has dwindled, until the team couldn’t exist with such a small group. Though the girls’ team had enough players to deserve a team by school standards, the golfers were forced to forfeit every match because they simply didn’t have enough players to compete. And now the girls’ team is in danger of being cut, too.
The school would like to have a golf program, and would probably like it even more if it was a strong golf program, but there just isn’t enough interest being vocalized. ”The boys have to want it. We can’t pay thousands of dollars for a program that nobody wants. If at least five boys came up and said they want a golf team, we’d do our best to get it out there and make it happen. But they just need to want it,” said Ms. Bertsch, one of the athletic directors.
Gay athletes in sports Alesana Sunia Editorial Board Over the last two years, several athletes in basketball and football have come out of the closet and told the world of their sexual orientations. Two of the WNBA’s best players, Brittney Griner and Seimone Augustus, and NBA role player Jason Collins, an NFL Draft prospect who will soon make history as the first drafted gay athlete. The LGBTQ movement and its advances in the last several years may have been a factor of athletes exemplifying the courage to tell the world about their sexuality. Nevertheless, these athletes are setting a precedent for future athletes about the courage and toughness it takes to come out. This display of courage was most recently shown by Senior Michael Sam of Missouri University. The former Defensive End and Two-Time All-American announced in a statement for ESPN, “I, Michael Sam, am a gay athlete and I am proud of who I am.” Sam had come out to his team and his family last August, but made it public in early February. “My team already knew. When I came out to them, it was just like, fi-
nally, I told them. Their reaction was finally, he told us. It was just neutral,” he said in a statement on ESPN. With this, Sam will be the first openly gay athlete to be drafted and play in the NFL. In such a brash, physical, and masculine sport like football, Sam’s announcement will set an interesting and positive precedent for the NFL. It will show not only that the NFL is very accepting of self-expression, but sports in general. At the high school level, through the example set by Michael Sam and other gay athletes to come out, this should encourage athletes to come out and not be afraid. “I think what Mike (Michael Sam) did is such a good things for us athletes. Those who are gay can come out and we won’t see them differently, they’re still one of us.” said Julius Maulupe, a Junior on the Santa Rosa High School Varsity football team. Just like Sam’s former teammates did, many athletes at the high school level are very accepting of gay teammates. Michael Sam’s bold move has and will positively affect the world of sports, from the youngest of athletes to professionals.
Professional sports players have begun to tell the world of their sexual orientation. This has opened the door for many high school sports players to feel comfortable coming out to their friends and teammates. Photo by Lindsay Bribiescas
16
PANTHER LIFE
Spring sports in full swing As the school year comes to a close, the SRHS sports’ teams continue to dominate the North Bay League
Lindsay Bribiescas Editorial Board As summer approaches, spring sports wrap up. Swimming, track, field, and baseball all head out with strong records and hopeful futures. Girls’ swimming has a good chance of placing first in the North Bay League, while the boys are expected to place second. “Everyone’s been working very hard this year. We’re taking time off every meet. We’re hoping to do well,” said Emily Fehrman, Junior. Varsity baseball, in pre-season and against Division 1 teams,won 4 out of 6 games. “We’ve been working all season for this time and we’re getting more and more ready as the days go on for these last games,” said Sophomore Shamus Lyons. Track and field, defending champions in the girls’ division, continue to succeed, despite the loss of several graduating powerhouses. With athletes like Morgan Bertsch, Senior; Delaney White, Sophomore; Annette Sutton, Senior; and Freshmen stars Luca Mazzanti and Daniel Pride, the team sets itself apart. But success in meets comes from more than just the track stars -- dominant field athletes like Cyrus Corman-Gill and Jordan Codding, both Seniors, help keep the team ahead of the rest.
1. Senior Dylan Murdoch swims breaststroke against Montgomery. During the meet, the team suffered through heavy rain and mist, as well as a few minutes of hail. 2. Taylor Sargis, Sophomore, dives off the block and begins her race. Sargis competed in the 50 yard freestyle, and won. 3. Senior Allegra Von Arx practices high jumping. The high jumpers on the team are known for their ability and were counted on to bring in points for the team at meets. 4. Annabel Cowden, Sophomore, flies over a hurdle. During the Santa Rosa Twilight Invitation, Cowden, participating in the Girls’ 100 Meter Hurdles Open, won first with a time of 17.46 seconds. 5. Senior Bryan Juarez and Junior Justin Thurman practice hand offs before the Stanford meet. The Stanford Invitational was a weekend event that only a few Santa Rosa athletes attended. 6. Marcus Hollingsworth, Sophomore, fields a grounder. The team has a set routine of drills that they cycle through during practice, including batting, throwing, and catching. 7. Sophomore Tyler Kelley pitches against Cardinal Newman. Kelley pitches a majority of games, along with Seniors Jose Cabrera and Henry Burch, and Shamus Lyons, Sophomore. 8. Henry Burch, Senior, safely dives back to first after an attempted steal. The base-stealing in the game against Windsor played a prominent role in the win. Photos by Lindsay Bribiescas and Celine Sargis