Back in the Stands
See back page for more spirited activities
Santa Rosa History Hunt pg. 8-9
Students and Discipline pg. 6
Competitive Gaming pg. 12
2
NEWS
Staff of The Santa Rosan EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
MANAGING EDITORS EDITORIAL BOARD
BUSINESS MANAGER STAFF WRITERS
ADVISOR
isabellaFROMAN milenaDUARTE opalWHITE lindsayBRIBIESCAS tracyFERNANDEZ mirandaMCCANN thomasPASTIS brynaHAUGEN hannahAPPEL peterAQUI abrilCORREA justinDANTE geenaESPINOZA jakeESPINOZA kiraFINDLING suncèFRANICEVIC andrewHERNANDEZ ashleighMENDEZ pamelaMENEDEZ cassyMORETTO gabeMULCAIRE maiaPAGÁN sienaLAKE abbyVOLZ caseyELSA
Check out our online content at santarosan.com, on our Facebook profile (The Santa Rosan), and on our twitter account (@Santa_Rosan)
Correction: The front cover photo of the previous issue (August/Summer edition) was taken by Lindsay Bribiescas. 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. Cover photo by Sunce Franicevic Teaser photo by Isabella Froman
World News Snapshots gabeMULCAIRE STAFF WRITER
1. Ebola The deadly Ebola virus, which first appeared in 1976, has resurfaced and is spreading rapidly in West Africa. As of September 13, the World Health Organization reported 4,985 cases and 2,461 deaths, numbers which will surely grow. Nations have closed borders and tried to restrict the spread of the disease, but many are still concerned that it might spread beyond the region. 2. ISIS The terrorist group known as ISIS/ISIL (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria/the Levant) has taken control of large parts of Iraq and Syria in the past months. ISIS began as a splinter group of Al-Qaeda, but Al-Qaeda has renounced ties to the group. During its conquest, ISIS has murdered countless civilians, especially targeting the Kurdish ethnic group in northern Iraq and Syria. Recently, they publicly beheaded two American
journalists and a British aide worker. Obama has carried out several airstrikes in Iraq, and he recently announced plans to expand his campaign against ISIS, including airstrikes in Syria and limited ground troops. 3. Ukraine Ukraine is torn apart by conflict between the government and pro-Russian separatist rebels. The conflict arose out of protests, beginning in November 2013, against Ukrainian prime minister Viktor Yanukovych, who resisted joining the European Union and thus created further dependency on Russia. Yanukovych was ousted, the protests turned all-out conflict, and Russia annexed the Crimean peninsula. The legality of this annexation is up for debate. Recently, Russian troops have been spotted in Ukraine, although President Vladimir Putin denies an invasion.
Local Elections approaching, high school students should pay attention sienaLAKE
STAFF WRITER
On November 4, 2014, the General Election for the new Santa Rosa City Council members will take place. Nine candidates are running to fill the three open positions on the City Council. When I asked Mayor Scott Bartley about the city council in an interview last May he said,”Everybody is there wanting to do what is, in their mind, the best job they can do, and frankly part of what makes our system great is that you see seven very different people up there each advocating for what they personally believe is the right way and then working their way to consensus hopefully.” When voting for our new candidates, we will need to keep this in mind. We need to ask ourselves, are they going to be able to make the right decisions for Santa Rosa? As Mayor Bartley put it in the same interview, ”Every time we do something, it affects you immediately ... so it’s important for everybody to pay attention to what’s happening at a local level.” These elections are something to be focusing on even as High Schoolers because as the mayor said, these are the people who will be making decisions that will not only affect jobs for us, but also what kind of opportunities we will be gifted with in the near future.
Who are our candidates? Lee Pierce and John Sawyer Former council members Chris Coursey - Former journalist for the Press Democrat Ashle Crocker - Attorney for the Thomas Law Group Colleen Fernald - Consultant Information Analyst and Solutionist Tom Schwedhelm - Former Police Chief for the City of Santa Rosa Curtis Byrd - Community Relation Specialist for Blood Centers of the Pacific Keith Rhinehart - Teamsters Union Driver and UPS Supervisor Chucker Sims II - Former council candidate
NEWS
6
ArtQuest Drama Improv Show The Black Box 7:00pm
OCTOBER 18 10 Last Day of First Quarter
7-8 CAHSEE Testing 8 AQ Showcase Rehearsal Senate Meeting 9 First MPR 11:30am
AQ Fall Showcase MPR, Auditorium, & Var. Venues 6:30pm
1 2
Girls Soccer vs Rancho Cotate Boys Soccer vs Carrillo Girls Golf vs Carrillo Fountaingrove
9
4 7
Football Home vs Ukiah Varsity Cross Country Invitational Boys Soccer vs Montgomery Girls Soccer vs Newman
10 11 14
Girls Soccer Home vs Carrillo
Boys Soccer vs Newman Football vs Carrillo Cross Country Castro Valley Invitational Girls Soccer vs Windsor
15 16
Volleyball vs Casa Grande
15
Boys Soccer Home vs Rancho Cotate
20-24 Spirit Week Music Fall 24 Instrumental Concert Auditorium 7:00pm
Test 25 ACT 8:00am-2:00pm Authors Night 29 SRHS Presents: Angie Chau
31 Halloween Dress-Up
Cross Country Tri Meet at Carrillo Girls Soccer vs Montgomery Girls Golf vs Rancho Cotate Foxtail Golf Club Girls Tennis vs Rancho Cotate Volleyball vs Windsor
17 18 21
Girls Golf vs Newman, Oakmont West
Volleyball Home vs Carrillo
Homecoming Dance
Auditorium 7:00pm
SPORTS
Girls Tennis Home vs Ukiah
Girls Tennis vs Windsor
8
7:00pm
Volleyball vs Newman
Girls Golf Windsor Golf Club
Cross Country Tri Meet w/ Newman & Windsor
Music Concert 16 Vocal Auditorium
Girls Tennis Home vs Montgomery
Volleyball Home vs Rancho Cotate
3
8:00am
Girls Golf vs Casa Grande Fountaingrove
Girls Tennis Home vs Carrillo
Girls Soccer vs Casa Grande
11 14 AQ Shadowing begins PSAT 15 DeSoto Hall SAT, Subject Tests 8:00am-12:00pm
3
Homecoming Football Game Home vs Windsor Boys Soccer vs Ukiah Girls Soccer vs Ukiah
Volleyball Home vs. Ukiah
24 27 28
Cross Country Dual Meet vs. Casa Grande Boys Soccer Home vs. Windsor
Football Home vs. Montgomery Boys Soccer Home vs Montgomery Girls Soccer Home vs Casa Grande Volleyball vs Rancho Cotate
29
Girls Tennis Home vs. Casa Grande Volleyball Home vs. Montgomery
22
23
Girls Soccer Home vs. Rancho Cotate
Boys Soccer Home vs Carrillo Cross Country Tri Meet Rancho Cotate
30 31
Volleyball Home vs Casa Grande Football vs Casa Grande
Calendar by Isabella Froman Dates gathered by Cassy Moretto and Hannah Appel
4
OPINION
iCloud security issue begs the question: Is the service reliable? pamelaMENENDEZ STAFF WRITER
According to CNBC’s All-America Economic Survey, half of all U.S. households own at least one Apple product. So it is likely that most Americans know what iCloud is. For those who do not, iCloud is a cloud storage and cloud computing service from Apple Inc. Basically, it is a software that can store content from phones, tablets, and computers, and transfer content from one device to another quickly and easily. However, doubts are being raised about the security of iCloud storage due to the fact that it was hacked. On September 28th, Apple said that they will add a new alert to all customers using iCloud. According to CEO Tim Cook, Apple will send an email to all their customers to tell if there are any suspicious activities that could be a sign of someone breaking in. All customers will now receive a notification or message warning them if someone tries to change their iCloud password or
upload their content on any other device. Apple seems to have stepped it up on security. However, the company’s investigation as to what really happened with the hacking, concluded that there was no violation from its data servers. “iCloud wasn’t hacked, individual users were,” Cook said. Apple discovered that celebrity accounts were actually targeted. Accounts were broken into either by using the phishing method, which is defrauding an online account holder of financial information by posing as a legitimate company, or going through a series of security questions to log in. A recent incident caused Apple to take a step further on security. Very well-known celebrities, such as Jennifer Lawrence and Kate Upton, had their personal photos leaked, causing some doubt on iCloud’s reliability. Needless to say, it was very unfortunate for everyone whose intimate photos became viral. With Apple’s new adjustments on privacy for their customers, hopefully iCloud will become a more reliable storage for private content.
Consumers worry about iCloud leaking their private content. Will you trust the service to keep your personal info and photos safe?
An Advocate’s Message: suncèFRANICEVIC STAFF WRITER
For the past two years, two of my best friends, Zolá Ruiz and Sam Blechel, and I have been advocates for Restorative Justice. Upon forming a coalition with other community outreaches, our voices became stronger and louder. We interviewed live on public radio to discuss youth advocacy and social justice, spoke at the Seasons for Nonviolence Event, and gave speeches to our school’s assembly, the Santa Rosa School Board, the City Council, and the Student Union at Sonoma State University. In the fall of 2013, we started Students United for Restorative Justice, a club, here at SRHS, with the goal of empowering student advocacy and the positive effects of Restorative Justice. Why are we so passionate about this? The answer is in advocacy; we must advocate for ourselves. Educators and administrators have associations and unions have each other’s backs. Who has ours? As minors, the disparity in justice and representation is huge and palpable. We must strive to bridge the gap between the old and young, the haves and have-nots, the stakeholders and their subordinates, the integrated and the disillusioned, the seemingly educated and uneducated. We are seeking to unhinge and
Restorative Justice
remake, reassess and do away with the zero tolerance, three-strike mentality. We need to build a bridge of communication between students and administrators, allowing for personal responsibility on both sides, and diminishing the need for punitive action, especially since it tends to be one-sided. Restorative Resources, a local nonprofit and pioneer of Restorative Justice, was able to implement pilot programs at Elsie Allen High School and Cook Middle School. In the 2013-14 school year, Restorative Resources served 219 students in suspension diversion programs and 188 students in expulsion diversion programs. Suspensions went down 60% at Elsie Allen High school. The crisis had been reaching epidemic proportions; Santa Rosa schools were suspending and expelling students at twice the rate of most schools in the state. In fact, in the 2011-12 year, Santa Rosa schools had the fourth highest rate of suspensions per capita in the state. Eager to find a different approach to school discipline, the Santa Rosa City Council approved funding to introduce restorative practices in schools. Restorative Justice is a nationally recognized method of conflict resolution that involves meet-
ing in restorative circles with alleged offenders, students, teachers, parents and administrators in an effort to repair any harm, seek justice and fairness, make amends, and through positive reinforcement, swiftly return to school business. This system’s goal is to take responsibility, both personally and as a community, to make reparations and contributions instead of punishment and retribution. As one can see, there’s much more to this than just rules and curriculum. It’s about creating a culture of community that embraces its own children instead of shoving them aside. It’s about reconciliation and understanding instead of punishment and persecution. It’s about communicating, not excommunicating. Ultimately, it’s about breaching the schools-to-prison channel, a well-documented downhill spiral of kids repeatedly suspended and expelled, often resulting in these kids ending up in juvenile hall and eventually the adult prison system. At this point, we’re starting what will hopefully become a countywide restorative program in schools. We, Students United for Restorative Justice, are certain that this movement will not only change lives, but eventually change the world.
OPINION
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Why America shouldn’t forget Ferguson kiraFINDLING STAFF WRITER
There is an image that has come to symbolize the protests occurring in Ferguson, Missouri. A woman kneels in the street with her back to the camera, her hands up. Tear gas fills the air. It’s haunting: a silhouette in surrender. The photo was taken eight days after the August 9 killing of teenager Michael Brown. Now, over a month after Brown’s death, a memorial continues to grow in the middle of the street where he was shot. Protesters still march for justice, though the mainstream media presence is fading away. On social justice blogs and Youtube channels, a plea is heard. “Don’t forget Ferguson.” Michael Brown, an eighteen year-old AfricanAmerican man, was walking with a friend when he was confronted and shot by policeman Darren Wilson. Though his exact motivation is unclear, Wilson may have thought that Brown had robbed a convenience store moments earlier. But Brown was unarmed, giving Wilson no reason to fire. Brown was hit six times, including twice in
the head, and died at the scene. His body was left on the street for several hours by the police, and seen by many passersby. The next day, several vigils were held-- that night, the riots began. Brown’s parents repeatedly asked for peace.
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The police used tear gas to restrain all protesters, including children and those who were nonviolent.
”
Though most protesters were indeed peaceful, mainstream media focused largely on the looters, many of whom came from out of state. Then, in an unprecedented and controversial move, the police used tear gas to restrain all protesters, including children and those who were nonviolent. The National Guard was deployed to Ferguson,
though it has since been removed. Over the last month, a number of individuals have been injured and arrested. And now, many Americans believe that the issue in Ferguson is over. It’s not on the front page of CNN anymore, so it must be resolved, right? However, policeman Wilson has not been charged with a crime; at this rate, he may never be. And this story has been told many times before. There have been countless young men of color killed while walking down the street. How can so many Americans let this happen to their neighbors? How can they continue to turn a blind eye? Some people may be able to turn off the television and forget about Michael Brown. But we don’t need to look much further than our own county to see that race is a divisive force. What happened to Brown happens all over the country almost every day. An honest conversation must be had, both locally and nationally, regarding police brutality and race. We cannot afford to forget Ferguson.
Digital footprint: why it could affect college acceptance justinDANTE STAFF WRITER
According to a recent eMarketer report, approximately one in four people use social media around the globe. It is estimated that, by 2017, numbers will rise from approximately 1.73 to 2.55 billion users. Considering these statistics, it’s fair to say that the influence of social media is ubiquitous. In a day and age when sharing photos, thoughts, and experiences on publicly accessible internet sites is the social norm, it’s important to keep in mind the consequences that might arise from digital footprints. This April, a Dutch teenage girl was arrested by the FBI for some rather idiotic tweets directed at American Airlines. In them, she claimed to be a part of Al Qaeda and said she had “a big surprise” coming soon. It’s apparent that this wasn’t as sinister as it was a social media faux pas. A bad joke. But this mistake will undoubt-
edly haunt her future prospects when looking for jobs and applying to colleges. While most Twitter and other social media frequents will probably never have such an outlandish outburst, it would be naïve to think that an online presence goes without potential risks.
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Whatever is shared online, however personal, is open to the public.
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Now, more than ever, employers are utilizing social media to evaluate potential candidates, in addition to more traditional reference checks and interviews. A survey of 2,303 hiring managers and human resource professionals by
CareerBuilder.com revealed that 37% of employers actively search Google and social media sites to screen employees. However, this trend isn’t exclusive to employers; college admission offices are increasingly screening applicants on social media as well. Red cup photos, foul language, and online arguments all contribute to a negative impression. And impressions go a long way, especially in today’s ultra-competitive college sphere. A 2013 survey by Kaplan Test Prep found that 31% of college admission officers visited the Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram accounts of applicants. And of those, 30% claimed to have found content that negatively impacted applicants’ admission chances. The bottom line is this: whatever is shared online, however personal, is open to the public. And this ought to be kept in mind while using these sites, for their content may very well be the basis of your evaluation in both a professional and personal capacity.
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FEATURES
Exchange Students from Italy and France come to SRHS jakeESPINOZA STAFF WRITER
Santa Rosa High School welcomes students from anywhere and everywhere. This year, there are two foreign exchange students on campus: Francesca Balbo, a senior from Italy, and Chloé Mellier, a senior from France. Balbo is from Turin, a city in northern Italy close to France. She says that she loves the people at Santa Rosa High School and enjoys the diversity shown on campus. People have been nice to her since she has been here. Balbo is an avid swimmer, and plans to swim for the school team. She has been out of the water since January, having had an operation on her shoulder. She is excited to be able to start swimming again in October. Balbo is staying in the United States until June, and she hopes to have fun, meet lots of people, and see beautiful places, such as Nevada and Texas. After Balbo returns to Italy and finishes school, she hopes to come back to the United States to find a job. Mellier comes from a town in the south of France near the Pyrenees and Toulouse. She calls Santa Rosa High School a “really, really good school” with cool people. Mellier did drama in France, and now participates in ArtQuest Drama. She says she likes
Above: Senior Chloé Mellier, right: Senior Francesca Balbo. Photos by Gabe Mulcaire
drama because it helps her meet new friends quickly. She feels that she is shy and drama helps make her more confident. Mellier will be in the United States until July. During that time, she hopes to experience American life and represent France positively. After she finishes school in France, she plans to go to a university, maybe even one in the United States.
Students and Discipline: What do you know? There are many myths surrounding student rights at school. Recently, a simple true-or-false survey was given to 109 SRHS students, testing their knowledge on student rights and regulations. The results may surprise you: 48% of all student responses were incorrect. What exactly does this mean? That we students are brainwashed by administrators? Not exactly. All the information presented in the survey is neatly laid out in
Q1: Santa Rosa High School has the right to search any vehicle on campus for any reason at any time. Q2: Students must provide their name and ID number to any staff member upon request. Q3: A search of your person, possessions, and locker may occur at any time at random. Q4: Under Restorative Justice, students may write reflection pieces and letters of apology or do community service instead of, or in addition to suspension. Q5: Student freedom of expression cannot be limited. Q6: A student may be suspended for an offense committed while going to or coming from school, regardless of whether or not they are on campus. Q7: Contraband detection dogs cannot sniff any individual students.
This survey was conducted in classrooms with 109 participatants from all four grades.
DISCIPLINE SURVEY STUDENT RESPONSES True
100
False
90 80 70 Percentage
STAFF WRITER
the discipline section of the little orange and black planners we all received at the beginning of the year. As students, it is important for us to know our rights. If we don’t know our rights, they may be infringed upon. So what exactly are our rights? Students at Santa Rosa High School have the right to freedom of expression (as long as it does not interfere with maintaining an orderly school), freedom from discrimination, and the right to a public education.
60 50 40 30
Answers: Q1: True Q2: True Q3: False Q4: True Q5: False Q6:True Q7:True
geenaESPINOZA
20 10 0
Q1
Q2
Q3
Q4
Q5
Q6
Q7
True/False Responses Graph by Isabella Froman
FEATURES
Sophomore Megan Fleischmann cast as Cristine Daaé in SRJC’s The Phantom of the Opera mirandaMCCANN EDITORIAL BOARD
A self-defined “hardworker,” SRHS Sophomore Megan Fleischmann is taking the performing arts scene by storm. At the age of fifteen, she has performed at Carnegie Hall, spent her summers in San Francisco at the Conservatory of Music, and has experience in theater and classical singing, as well as ballet, jazz, tap, and modern dance. She is currently in Intermediate ArtQuest Drama. Fleischmann’s newest venture is portraying Christine Daaé, the lead role in SRJC’s production of The Phantom of the Opera. “A few months ago I heard that the junior college was going to do Phantom of the Opera. I decided not to audition. There Photo by Miranda McCann were a million reasons why I Fleishmann, who is skilled in many performance disciplines, will be would not be cast as Christine; performing as the lead female in SRJC’s production of Phantom of the I’m too young, I’m too short, Opera. She has been performing since age seven. etc. At the last minute, friends and family encouraged me to audition,” says Another significant instance for her ocFleischmann. curred when she was ten and portrayed HelShe is also performing in Fiddler on the en Keller in The Miracle Worker. “[It] was a Roof at Cinnabar in Petaluma on the week- defining time for me; it was very physically ends, while she rehearses at the JC on week- demanding and it stretched me as a young nights. actor. It was the first time that I ever needed “Being in Phantom of the Opera is a dream to ignore some of my senses, sight and hearcome true; I have wanted to play Christine ing. I remember my mother would blindfold Daaé since I was eight. Sometimes at re- me and put earplugs in my ears and ask me hearsals I need to pause to take it all in!” to go through my day by touch.” Says Fleischmann. “I have a lot of aspirations. I love dancing, The young actor is not new to the spot- singing, acting, and even writing,” expresslight. She first took to the stage at age seven es Fleischmann. “So, I want to incorporate and has been taking vocal lessons since she all of these things into my future. I am a was eight. Her adventures in theater have classically trained singer and I love theater, not only introduced her to a whole group of this is who I am. I am currently planning on supportive friends, but have continued to attending a performing arts college.” teach and inspire her from a young age. Megan Fleischmann may still be young, “[One] memorable moment was when I but she has a promising future and the dewas in Rose-Johnny, a short story written by termination and skill necessary to achieve Barbara Kingsolver. Rose-Johnny is a story her goals. of intolerance in a fictitious southern town The Phantom of the Opera runs at Santa in the 1950’s. It was the first time I had ever Rosa Junior College from November 21st to been fully aware of intolerance and racism; I December 7th. was ten years old,” states Fleischmann.
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7
Things
to do when you feel down kiraFINDLING STAFF WRITER
High school can be rough. Mountains of homework, drama with friends, long days-- it’s easy to forget to take care of yourself! Here are a few things to do on a sad day. Remember, this too shall pass! 1. Hum your favorite song as loudly as you can. 2. Give someone a compliment. 3. Try to avoid every crack in the sidewalk. 4. Watch an episode of your favorite TV show from your childhood. 5. Drink a whole glass of water. 6. Remember that everyone gets zits. Seriously. Everyone. 7. Breathe in for ten seconds, hold it for ten more, and exhale slowly. 8. Turn off your phone. Go for a walk. 9. Think about this: the world is turning at a speed of over 1000 miles per hour. 250 babies are born every minute. On average, over the course of your life, your heart will beat more than 2.5 billion times. 10. Lie down outside and look up at the sky. Find shapes in the clouds.
Santa Rosa’s first Hist A Participant in Action
Senior Brian O’Halloran participated in the competition, and while he did not finish first, he did visit all 12 historical sites. Two of which he accessed with the help of SRHS Life Skills teacher Mrs. Swehla.
isabellaFROMAN EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
On September 20, Santa Rosa held its first annual History Hunt. But here’s what is interesting -- the idea for this successful community event came from SRHS Senior Thomas Pastis. He contacted the Santa Rosa Historical Society, who helped him construct the event. The idea was this: people in the community would compete for a $50 prize by visiting twelve different sites of historical significance -- and decoding historical clues to find them. At each site, contestants would receive a card proving they had found it. The first contestant to return with all twelve cards would be named the winner, but all competitors were given the chance to finish the contest. The event was staffed by volunteering community members, some of whom are past and present SRHS teachers, and SRHS students.
H
The
Winner
Six-yea the firs seum. T young S
tory
Volunteers
Hunt
ar-old AJ Siedentopf and his family were st to visit all 12 sites and return to the muThey won the $50 first place prize, which Siedentopf wants to spend on new Legos.
Juniors Janelle Bowers and Jenna Ellis dressed up for their shifts as volunteers. They were inspired by their teacher, Mr. Franzmen, who also got into costume. “I just saw the excitement in his eyes and his love for history which got me really excited to help out!� said Ellis. The two worked at the historic Rosenburg Building, located at 700 4th Street in downtown Santa Rosa, which currently houses a Barnes & Nobles bookstore.
Juniors Ashlee Ruggels and Maddie Batchelder handed out their cards next to the Sixth Street Playhouse. Because of the humid weather and slight drizzle, they sought refuge in the back of their car. The Sixth Street Playhouse stands where the historic Hunts Brothers Cannery once stood. The cannery was established by W.C. and Joseph H. Hunt in 1888.
Lee Torliatt (left), Editor for the Sonoma County Historical Society, manned the St. Rose Cathedral and handed out cards to competitors.
Mike Daniels (right), who taught English at SRHS from 1978 to 2005, accompanied Torliatt. Daniels is also the editor of the SRHS Foundation Newsletter. Photos and layout by Isabella Froman
10
COLUMNS
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/
Sincere Sarcastic An advice column
My friend is really into fantasy football, and it’s messing with our friendship. Which is more important: Fantasy football or friends? isabellaFROMAN EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
In what way is this messing with your friendship? Do you not feel emotionally connected anymore? Or are you fighting about the fantasy teams? Identify your specific issue and tell your friend that you feel a little bothered by his or her priorities. Begin this conversation gently, because if you begin with complaints and exasperation, your friend will likely get defensive and the talk could turn into a fight. Communication is the most important part of solving your problem. Human beings aren’t mind readers, so you can’t assume your friend will know when you’re displeased if you don’t communicate what’s upsetting you. Most friends, upon realizing that a buddy feels bothered, will apologize and rectify their behavior. Hopefully, your friend will do this. But in case your friend is confused and doesn’t understand why you’re bothered, it becomes less a question of importance and more a question of values. Some people may believe that fantasy football, a hobby, is more important than a friendship. These people are allowed to prioritize how they want. But then it becomes your turn to ask yourself if this is the kind of friendship you want. There are many types of friendships, and different people expect and desire different things from them. If you value your relationship more than a hobby, and your friend is the opposite, it may mean that you aren’t the right match. It sounds scary to question the compatibility in a friendship, but this evaluation is important to maintaining healthy emotional relationships. It’s okay to break away from a person who isn’t the kind of friend you want. It doesn’t mean you’re a bad person, nor does it mean that the person you were once close to has become someone awful. People change as they grow, and realizing that you’ve grown apart with someone isn’t a bad thing. But this is an extreme scenario; you may just need to rethink the way you interact with this friend. If your friendship with this person is the type from which you get emotional support, the focus on fantasy football may mean you become different types of friends. This is okay too. The most important thing to remember is that while your friend has every right to spend time however he or she chooses, you also have the right to make and maintain the friendships you want to have.
thomasPASTIS
EDITORIAL BOARD
”
Before I answer your question, let me give you a bit of perspective. You are one of about eight million people on Earth, each with their own desires and needs. Earth is one of nine planets in our solar system (Pluto, I got your back, bro), which is one of billions of solar systems in our galaxy. That galaxy is one of billions in our local group of galaxies, which is one group in billions of groups, in a universe that is ever-expanding; A universe which will cease to exist one day when black holes literally tear our galaxy apart. This universe, according to scientists, is one of an infinite amount of universe outside of our perception of dimensions. Sorry, I lost my train of thought for a second. Let’s talk about fantasy football. Okay, so, let’s talk about human nature. Most people, for whatever reason, don’t want to offend other people, so they will often hide their true opinions by lying. For example, if someone secretly hates you, they will often find ways to skip get-togethers or ways of minimizing their time with you (hypothetically, by joining a fantasy football league). Of course, this definitely isn’t happening to you, because your case is unique. I haven’t really answered your question yet, have I? Well, here’s the bottom line. In a fantasy football league, you win money. The more you know about football, the more likely you are to win said money. So, if you win money, you can buy friends, because people like money. So, in the long run, fantasy football is the best option. However, maybe you want to get your ‘friend’ back. This is easily accomplished. Just steal his phone and pick his teams for him. Maybe he thinks his starting quarterback is Peyton Manning. Imagine his surprise when he finds that, not only is his quarterback the Buccaneers’’ waterboy, but his runningback is Chris Berman. You’ll have your friend back in no time. So, to sum up, I applaud your friend. He has eschewed his ‘friends’ in order to win money, the source of all happiness. If you want my advice, which, of course, why would you not? Be more like your friend.
Need advice? Send your letters to D101 or message your letter to the Santa Rosan Facebook page. It will be printed anonymously.
11
COLUMNS
Insight from a quiet observer: Leaked photos
tracyFERNANDEZ EDITORIAL BOARD
“Consent is the act of giving permission for something to occur,” according to the Oxford dictionary. It requires a “yes” or “no” answer. But, rarely is it given the consideration to be asked. On August 31st, purported “nude” photos of nearly twenty female celebrities such as Jennifer Lawrence, Victoria Justice, Kate Upton, etc. were
leaked via 4chan. Not only was consent never authorized, but these women’s privacy was completely disregarded. Perceived as a privilege today, privacy is something that celebrities rarely experience. Constantly broadcasted through media, their lives have become public domain as we read, watch, and monitor their lives. While being a celebrity implies that some amount of their privacy is renounced -- the public isn’t entitled to any information that infringes upon the celebrity’s right to privacy. These intimate photos, which were specifically labeled “private,” belong to the women who took them and them alone. “These girls trusted that what was on their phones was private (as it should be). You can’t blame the girls for putting their trust in their phones because, well, it’s their phones and those are meant for private things. If these were male nudes the media and the public would have acted very differently,” said Senior Yajaira Cardona. Nevertheless, the response received from the public claims these women are personally responsible for the leak. Several of the reactions expressed via Twitter stated: “Don’t rob
people and you won’t get shot...don’t take nudes and they won’t get leaked,” and “Maybe you shouldn’t pose nude if you can’t handle the public seeing it”. This attitude perpetuates slutshaming, portraying these women as the victim, while it completely neglects the hacker’s crime. They are not the villain or the problem or a piece of property to be distributed among friends like trading cards. They are women. Promoting the idea that asserts “don’t take nudes” intentionally shames women who do take nude photos. But how many people actually practice the act of “sexting”? According to a recent study from the security software firm McAfee, 54% of U.S. adults participate in sexting. So simply instructing society “to not take nude photos” is clearly not a practical declaration. Evidently, sexting is a part of our society. Present within most of our media, sex is a common occurrence that should not be scandalized. Yes, these women have naked bodies -- and so do you. But, the public will never be able to fully possess these women’s bodies because they already belong to someone: these women.
Get Some Glasses: Domestic violence and the NFL
lindsayBRIBIESCAS EDITORIAL BOARD
Domestic abuse isn’t something that’s fun to talk about. Not like football’s fun. But it’s rather hard to talk about one without talking about the other now. Take Ray Rice, Adrian Peterson, Jonathan Dwyer, Ray McDonald, or any of the other NFL players involved in domestic violence cases -- more than fifty since 2006. Currently, over a dozen active players within the NFL have been accused of domestic abuse. Ray Rice, perhaps the most famous of those
accused recently, is the center of an investigation that seems fairly clear cut. A video leaked in two parts by TMZ (who contacted the NFL prior to the leak, with no response) depicts Rice spitting at his now-wife Janay Palmer, then punching her hard enough to knock her out. Rice avoided prosecution by entering a pretrial intervention program. In July, he was suspended for two games. After the second leak, that included the punch, Rice’s team terminated him and the NFL suspended him indefinitely. In the case of Adrian Peterson, Peterson beat his four-year-old son with a tree branch badly enough to leave open wounds and welts on the boy’s back, buttocks, and scrotum. Peterson was eventually placed on the exempt/commissioner’s permission list after corporate sponsors expressed displeasure at the initial punishment, or lack thereof. Daryl Washington is currently on suspension for the season due to the NFL’s substance abuse policy, but has yet to face punishment from the league after pleading guilty to aggravated assault that left his ex-girlfriend with a broken collarbone. The worst part of the rapidly building mountain of domestic violence cases in the NFL is that this is just the tip of the iceberg. On average, nearly 20 people per minute in the U.S. are subject to domestic violence by an intimate part-
ner. This amounts to nearly 10 million women and men per year. A report of child abuse is made every ten seconds. It’s obvious that football players aren’t the only perpetrators of physical abuse. But with the publicity that NFL players in particular are receiving for their contribution to this issue, why wouldn’t the League take a more aggressive stance on domestic violence? The NFL earns roughly $10 billion in annual revenue, with expectations of raising that income significantly. Network televised games reach about 20 million viewers, and the Super Bowl alone is watched by about 110 million. The cost of producing and broadcasting an antiviolence campaign is almost negligible to the League. The effects of such a campaign could reduce the number of victims of domestic abuse by a considerable amount. Instead, the NFL has relied upon age-old excuses to cover up or excuse domestic abuse. And as a society, we allowed the NFL to do so. So the questions that remain are: where does it end? When will we stop blaming the victim, as in the case of Janay Palmer? When will we stop ignoring the evidence? When will we realize that the cases that make the news aren’t special in any way, except that someone noticed? If you or someone you know may need help, guidance, or emergency assistance concerning domestic abuse, call 707-565-8290 or go to thehotline.org
12 Competitive gaming: How has it evolved and what are the different types of competitions? ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
jakeESPINOZA
kathyPHAM
STAFF WRITER
STAFF WRITER
Many people are surprised that professional gaming is as popular as it is. With large tournaments in games such as League of Legends, Defense of the Ancients 2, and Counter Strike, gaming has gained quite a following. To many people, Major League Gaming (MLG), founded in 2002, represents the beginning of highly competitive gaming. 12 years before, however, another gaming competition shone a bright light on the world of competitive gaming. In 1990, Nintendo promoted a cross-country competition called the Nintendo World Championships. This event toured through 29 cities in the United States and had open pools for gamers in three age groups: 11 and under, 12-17, and 18 and over. The top contestants in each age group moved on to higher and higher brackets, eventually competing in the world finals at Universal Studios Hollywood. The Nintendo World Championships were played on the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES). A special game cartridge was produced specifically for the competition that included special versions of Super Mario Bros, Rad Racer, and Tetris. Recently, in January, one of these cartridges sold for $100,088 on eBay. The Nintendo World Championship was a one-time event designed to increase interest in home gaming in the United States. However, it was also the first widely publicized and socially recognized gaming tournament. In the wake of the NWC, many other gaming tournaments were formed.
When people think of competitive gaming, they imagine a group of nerds sitting around and yelling incomprehensible game terms back and forth. Yet, gaming is more than staring blankly at a screen and erratically pressing buttons. It’s a skill. Some may consider video games a hobby, but games today are being established both competitively and professionally. Tournaments are typically held annually, and attract large audiences. The League of Legends World Championships, for instance, had a prize pool of $2,050,000 and assembled an audience of 32 million people. But why would anyone watch gameplay content when you can play the game yourself? People who ask this don’t realize that this is essentially like watching the Super Bowl. But is professional gaming really a sport? According to the U.S. government, it is. Even Robert Morris University in Chicago, Illinois considers gaming a college sport. RMU recently added eSports to its varsity athletic program. It will join the Collegiate Star League, in which students compete in different mass online battle arena (MOBA) games, such as LoL and DotA 2. Although eSports don’t involve physical skill, they do require team strategy and mental dexterity. One cannot expect to win without thorough communication with fellow teammates and quick, precisely executed decisions. So the next time you see a professional gamer, keep in mind: he or she is technically a professional athlete.
THE
andrewHERNANDEZ STAFF WRITER
GAMING CORNER
Competitive gaming has grown a lot over the years, as it has developed from seeing who would survive the longest in Pacman at the arcade to competing in full on gaming leagues like Major League Gaming (MLG). In 2002, gamers Sundance DiGiovanni and Mike Sepso founded Major League Gaming. This North American electronic sports league has grown over the years. Now they hold gaming tournaments all over the United States and Canada. They usually play PC games and first-person shooters. MLG is just one of the many pieces of evidence showing how competitive gaming has grown over the years. Held in South Korea, World Cyberspace is another gaming tournament. It has an Olympictype feel to it. Another tournament is the Evolution Championship Series, which is dedicated to fighting games, such as Street Fighter II Turbo and Street Fighter Alpha 2. Founded by Tom Cannon, the first tournament was held in Sunnyvale, California. As you can see, gaming tournaments have grown to a huge industry over the years, going from at-home competitions with siblings to full-on thousand dollar prize tournaments.
thomasPASTIS
EDITORIAL BOARD
On July 17-21st, The International 4, a tournament for the popular Massive Online Battle Arena (MOBA), Defense of the Ancients 2 cleared an eleven million dollar prize pool. Before The International 4 (TI4), competitive gaming was something of a joke. There was no way to make competitive gaming a career. However, with this new development, professional players like Fear, Dendi, or HyHy have been able to make a living through gaming. Even ESPN realizes that professional gaming is growing. TI4 was shown on ESPN 3, and was replayed on ESPN 2. This is a breakthrough unlike anything before, as it had the largest prize pool of any gaming tournament and was viewed by the most people. So, in light of this, how can the gaming market capitalize on it? There is a point which competitive gaming must reach in order to become a viable career path: people who don’t play the game must be willing to watch it. Some people who have never thrown a football in their lives go to every single game, but someone who does not play DOTA 2 (Defense of the Ancients) would likely not watch a DOTA 2 tournament. In the end, is competitive gaming a viable career? No, but it absolutely could be, in the same way that baseball, basketball, or football were once hobbies, not careers. DOTA teams are already forming. If the gaming community could somehow put together some sort of league, with set salaries for each player, it could make competitive gaming into a completely viable (and hilariously fun) career path. The money and fan base are both there. All that’s left is the initiative to capitalize on them.
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Set the DVR for Fall TV shows abbyVOLZ
STAFF WRITER
With school started and homework in full swing, DVRs are being used more than ever. Some people, however, are running into the same old problem of having nothing to watch. These four shows are just a few to remedy that issue. August 23 marked the start of new adventures with everyone’s favorite time traveling alien, but this time with a new face. As Doctor Who Season 7 came to a close, fans were greeted with a brand new Doctor who seemed very different. Now his story unfolds as he and Clara begin their search for Gallifrey. Based on what has aired so far, this Doctor seems to be less empathetic towards humans and more straight to the point than the last three new ones. This season also seems to be taking a bit more of a dark turn. This season has been DVR-worthy so far. After Sleepy Hollow’s dramatic season finale last fall, fans had been waiting in anticipation for Season 2, which aired September 22. When Lieutenant Abby Mills and Ichabod Crane were seen last, fans were left with so many questions. Now the wait is finally over. A season of witty writing and clever historical references told the story of how the main characters stop the impending world destruction starting in the little town of
Sleepy Hollow. Season 2 is sure to be all the first season was and more, making it a worthy addition to the recording queue. Anyone who’s anyone has heard of the zombie apocalypse show The Walking Dead, which is set to begin its new season October 12. After the dramatic end of Season 4, fans have been waiting in anticipation for some time now. Throughout all last season, the main characters were split into several groups with a series of drastically different stories as they try to meet up once again. Now that they are together, nothing can stop them in Season 5. This will definitely be something to keep an eye on and to preset DVRs for. After the success of the show Arrow, DC has decided to branch out to compete with Marvel. A product of this is the crime show Gotham which aired September 22. This show centers around the question “How did Gotham’s villains become who they are now?” Some of Gotham’s infamous villains whose circumstances will be addressed within the first season are Catwoman, The Penguin, The Riddler, Two-Face, and The Joker with possibly Poison Ivy, Scarecrow, Hugo Strange, and Mr. Freeze making appearances as well. Gotham has been called the “most promising” show for the Fall, making it definitely worth watching.
13
This survey was conducted in classrooms with 142 participants from all four grades. Graphs by Miranda McCann
beneficial
or harmful?
opalWHITE
MANAGING EDITOR
Ever since the first computers were designed in between 1833 and 1871, they have become bigger and bigger parts of peoples’ lives. They have become a tool that is essential to students for school. Many teachers require assignments to be typed or suggest using an online resource. But is technology helping people or hurting them in the long run? Not so long ago, children would spend their time outside playing or inside
coloring. But now, children have their own tablets or iPods that they have learned how to use before they could even talk. Instead of doing the things that used to be considered creative, such as drawing, painting, and imaginary games, children are occupied with a device that has a whole different set of things to do. But instead of the children coming up with these ideas, the computer or other device is providing them. This eliminates their need for imagination and creativity. Not only is this happening to young children, but also to teenagers
and young adults. Instead of reading, being artistic, or even studying in some cases they spend their time on Facebook, Snapchat or some other time-consuming app. Not to say that technology hasn’t helped us do some pretty amazing things such as texting, facetime, the internet in general. But it does stamp out the need for creativity and imagination. There are the few select people who use technology for creativity. But, the majority use it to shut down their brains. Sure, texting is great. But isn’t it the same idea as email? People have
taken a step backwards. Instead of calling each other they write mini letters. Instead of using their own brains they tune out in front of a reality show. Technology and the internet give people ideas instead of people themselves coming up with them themselves. With the way technology is advancing, people will only spend more and more time online. So don’t bother getting too attached to paper books, records, CDs, or photo albums. They will all be online in a few years anyway.
14
FOOD/HEALTH
The Birds and the Bees: The Big V
brynaHAUGEN
BUSINESS MANAGER
The purpose of this article is not only to inform and educate about the human body, but also to spark discussion about topics that have long been viewed as “wrong” or “inappropriate.” Teenagers deserve to understand their own bodies, their own sexuality, without shame. Vaginas are by far the most stigmatized and taboo human body part. Vaginas aren’t often talked about, aside from in textbooks and on the internet. But both those sources have their issues. Textbooks are vague and impersonal, and the internet is often just wrong. The hush-hush attitude surrounding vaginas causes not only guilt, shame, and embarrassment, but in many parts of the world, castration and rape. The very word, vagina, makes many people uncomfortable. So try to read the following
without shame; let’s destigmatize the word. The young adults of America are taught to whisper and blush when describing their own anatomy. They are taught that their bodily functions are strange and not to be discussed in good company. So let’s skip the shame, and get some facts straight about the vagina. 1. The hymen is not a membrane that is broken after intercourse. It’s almost a guarantee that everything you’ve heard about hymens is incorrect, if you’ve even heard of them at all. The myth goes that when a person with a vagina has intercourse for the first time, a thin layer of skin breaks, and after a bit of pain and blood, that person is officially a “nonvirgin.” But the hymen doesn’t cover the vagina. (The vagina, while used casually to describe the genitals, is actually only the internal organ, and the external parts have other names.) The hymen, except in rare cases, can stretch around a baby’s head — which means that no, there should never be any pain, tearing, blood, or discomfort when anything is inserted into the vagina, including tampons and penises, except in extenuating circumstances. In fact, there is no physical way to tell if someone is a “virgin” or not. Virginity has no medical basis whatsoever. It is purely a social construct, and does not exist in any physical manner. 2. Douching doesn’t clean and refresh the vagina, and is a bad idea. Douching is when water, soap, perfume, or any
other cleaning material is used to “wash out” or “freshen up” the vagina. And it is a terrible idea. Vaginas are not meant to smell like flowers or candy. Vaginas are meant to smell like vaginas. If it smells particularly funny down there (or fishy, as vaginas do not normally smell like fish), talk to your doctor, because you may have a yeast infection. But most of the time, the vagina does quite well without outside assistance. It cleans itself; douching actually causes infections by affecting the fragile pH of vaginas,which can lead to further complications. The only thing that should be used down there is a bit of water in the shower or all-natural lubricants that are made specifically to be used vaginally — anything else will irritate the tissue, including items marketed to change the way vaginas smell. 3. Vaginas all basically look the same. Like people, vaginas do not all look alike. There are many diagrams available online that show the different parts of and around the vagina, including the labia minora and majora, the mons pubis, hymen, clitoris, and urethra. All of these can be of many different sizes, shapes, and colors, and all are natural and healthy. Much as every person has a different face or nose or fingerprint, every vagina is different. All are okay. Hopefully this helped to clear up some of the mystery surrounding vaginas. Remember: stay curious.
The dangers of romanticizing mental illness gabeMULCAIRE STAFF WRITER
Society has consistent difficulty discussing mental health issues like depression, self-harm, and suicide. That’s understandable; mental illness is tragic and frightening to both those unfamiliar with it and those who suffer from it themselves. But it’s important to approach it in an appropriate manner--and a safe one. After Robin Williams’ tragic death in August, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences tweeted a commemorative picture that has since been shared countless times on social media. The picture shows Disney’s Aladdin embracing the Williams-voiced genie, with the caption “Genie, you’re
free.” While the picture was created and shared with the best intentions, it portrays suicide in an extremely unhealthy way, creating the risk of further tragedy. The picture presents William’s death as freeing, essentially putting suicide in a positive light. Christine Moutier of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention spoke out against the tweet. “If it doesn’t cross the line, it comes very close to it... suicide should never be presented as an option. That’s a formula for potential contagion.” The internet is rife with similarly troubling, if well-intentioned, things. A type of story that has arisen on Tumblr and other social media sites comes dangerously close to advocating self-harm. The formula, which has been
mimicked over and over, centers around a teenage girl with scars on her arms who is embarrassed by or shamed for them until a savior--an attractive man, maybe, or a small child--appears and tells her that her scars make her beautiful. Of course, it’s important to be supportive of someone struggling with such an issue, but a story like this gives self-harm a definite appeal. For many, it’s comforting to think that Robin Williams made the right decision. It’s comforting to think that self-harm has no negative effects. But comforting ideas can still be dangerous. If you’re discussing these kinds of issues, just take a minute to consider what you’re really saying, and who it might affect.
Hotlines for guidance and emergency help National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-TALK (8255) National Hopeline Network 1-800-SUICIDE (784-2433) North Bay Suicide Prevention Hotline: (855) 587-6373 24-hour Emergency Mental Health Hotline: (800) 746-8181 For mental health information and referrals: (707) 565-6900 or (800) 870-8786
SPORTS
15
Girls golf team has success, needs fans mirandaMCCANN EDITORIAL BOARD
For the majority of Santa Rosa High athletes and sports fans, back to school marks the beginning of the football season. The school dons orange and black, packs itself into the bleachers, and excitedly awaits the first touchdown of the year. For seven spirited girls, the return marks a different beginning. Sophomore Maiah Lucas, a returning face to the golf team, and her six teammates practice swinging after school every day, win games against opposing schools, and flaunt their spirit and passion every Friday in bright orange polos. However, the Girls Golf team at SRHS lacks the enthusiastic following that is so familiar to other sports teams. “When I first wore my orange golf polo on a spirit day, a lot of my classmates were surprised that I was in the golf team. They’d ask me questions like ‘How many people are in the team?’ and ‘Is it fun?’ I would reply truthfully, saying that it was one of the best decisions I’ve made, and that I’m lucky to have the team that I have,” shared Sophomore Dreena Edillor. The lack of a loyal fanbase is mostly attributed to the negative connotations surrounding golf. The girls are determined to break the stereotype that golf is a boring sport. Senior Kara Curry expressed with a laugh, “Golf is always considered boring. I understand that. It isn’t like we are running up and down the fairway trying to hit the other team with our clubs. It is a walking sport that takes focus and agility. . . but being on a team where we all have fun makes the game of golf an exciting sport. The golf team this year has laughed every time we are out on the
course. There is never a boring moment on the golf course for us Lady Panthers.” Curry first began playing golf when she was ten, and hasn’t put down the club ever since. Senior year marks her third and final year as a Lady Panther, and although she will miss her days in orange and black, golf isn’t absent from her future. She wishes to take golf to a professional level within the next three years, and attributes her decision to coach Levi Jones. “When I [joined golf] as a freshman, I wasn’t sure how it was going to be. Mr. Jones welcomed me like I was part of the team from the beginning. He helped me fix my putting and work on the drills. I know that if it wasn’t for him, I wouldn’t have thought of golf as anything more than a hobby. Now I am hoping to go pro within three years. It all started with Mr. Jones and Santa Rosa High School.” “If I’ve inspired them to play golf and they’re making friends and connections that they may have not made otherwise, I feel wonderful. . . The fact that there are two returning team members has helped the new players adjust to the game and the expectations. . . perhaps that is the upside of having a smaller team than other sports; we all get a chance to know one another,” said Jones. Sophomore Catherine Brunet believes that anyone can find a place on the course with the Lady Panthers. “You’ll love it!” Brunet assures, “I personally am not much of a competitive person. That being said, golf is perfect for someone like me. It is such a laid back sport, not to mention you get to play at gorgeous golf courses.” Always optimistic, Edillor wishes luck to her teammates, “We’re all working so hard, and
Photo by MIranda McCann
Junior Olivia Hernandez putts during a golf team practice. This is her first year on the SRHS team.
through the embarrassing pick-ups, to the awful 4-putts, we’re always keeping a good attitude! Kara, Maiah, Catherine, Olivia, Maddie, and Azlen, thank you so much to each and every one of you for joining the golf team, and for making this worthwhile. Here’s to a great season! Go Panthers!”
Keeping pace with Cross Country SRHS Alumnus David Kamari (left) pushes up the second of two hills in the Viking Opener course. Kamari is currently the head cross country coach at Tech High. Junior Annabel Cowden sprints to establish a good position early on in the juniors/seniors girls race. Junior Delaney White (below), a long-distance runner, has been on the cross country team since her freshman year. All photos by Justin Dante
16
PANTHER LIFE
School’s Back,
Spirit’s ON!
welcome back rally
2
1 4
club day
8
1. Student Government runs out to begin the first and largest rally of the year. 2. Freshman Eae Haugen was one of the freshman competitors in the hamster ball competition; she received second place. 3. Junior Lucy Thomas sways during Dance Company’s performance at the rally. 4. The senior section competes with the juniors every year for the most spirited.
football
5 6 7
3
5. Seniors Zach Hedges and Kathryn Nelson scream and laugh in the super-spirited student cheering section. 6. Senior Amber Overbay throws her arms up in excitement for the football game. 7. Seniors Hannah Maffia and Katherine Millard are Co-Presidents of the Fashion Club. 8. Senior Zolá Ruiz kicked a hacky sack around with friends during Club Day. He is a co-founder of SURJ, the Students United for Restorative Justice. See pg. 4 for more on SURJ.