The Santa Rosan Volume 11, Issue 7

A look inside

Spring

Splash

Swimming and other spring sports pg. 15 and back

20 years of ArtQuest success pg. 8-9

Retiring teachers and staff pg. 6

Softball and baseball pg. 15

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 rolandCALLOWAY aprilCORREA justinDANTE geenaESPINOZA jakeESPINOZA kiraFINDLING suncèFRANICEVIC andrewHERNANDEZ sienaLAKE dakotaMCGRANAHAN pamelaMENENDEZ cassyMORETTO gabeMULCAIRE maiaPAGà N kathyPHAM abbyVOLZ caseyELSA

See our EXCLUSIVE online content:

Our website: santarosan.com

The Santa Rosan

@Santa_Rosan 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 Lindsay Bribiescas Teaser picture by Sunce Franicevic Page layout by Isabella Froman unless otherwise stated

World News Snapshots gabeMULCAIRE STAFF WRITER

Iran Deal Iran has agreed to a framework nuclear restrictions deal with the United States and other world powers, with three more months of negotiations to come. Many details have yet to be agree upon, and a final deal is not guaranteed.

President Barack Obama has received a great deal of criticism from Congress and from Israeli president Benjamin Netanyahu, and he has recently agreed to a bill which would allow some congressional oversight on the deal.

Libyan Migrant Deaths A ship carrying migrants from Libya capsized in the Mediterranean in late April, killing an estimated 700 people who had attempted to flee to Europe. This is not an isolated incident; hundreds

of migrants have died this year already, prompting conversation on how to prevent similar tragedies. Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi blamed gangs of human traffickers for transporting migrants in severely unsafe conditions, and he called for discussion on how to stabilize Libya and curb the factors behind illegal immigration.

Nepalese Earthquake An earthquake of magnitude 7.8 struck Nepal on April 25, with tremors felt across India and Tibet as well. Thousands have died, with widespread destruction in Nepalese capital Kathmandu. Avalanches on Mount Everest have wiped out camps and killled several hikers. The Indian government is working to send aid to Nepal.

SRHS takes home awards from the National Skills USA competition gabeMULCAIRE STAFF WRITER

Skills USA is a program that offers nationwide competitions for students in over 90 categories. On February 28, several SRHS students competed in the regional Skills USA competition and won, moving on to the state level.

For Television Production, Sunce Franicevic and Luis Vasquez took silver, and Spencer Cortright and Sequoia Cipes took gold. For Computer Internetworking, Austin Le took gold, Ruben Flota took silver, and Spencer Cortright took bronze.

All of these students competed in the state competition in San Diego in April. Cortright, Cipes and Le took first place, while Franicevic and Vasquez took second. Jenna Ellis won a courtesy award.

Franicevic, Vasquez will compete in the national competition in Louisville, Kentucky because Cortright and Cipes cannot.

Photos courtesy of Janae Franicevic and Jenna Ellis

Above: Mr. Flor and Mr. Helmer, the Internetworking and ArtQuest Video Arts teachers (respectively), stand with their students who have won various awards for their hard work. Skills USA is a national program that offers awards for students in a wide variety of categories. SRHS entered in categories such as Digital Cinema Production, Television Production, and Computer Internetworking.

Left: Senior Sunce Franicevic and Junior Luis Vasquez won second place for their video entry. The two, joined by Junior Jenna Ellis (not pictured) will be continuing on to Louisville, Kentucky for Skills USA Nationals.

1

Friday

Apr 16 – Jun 4, 2015 all computer labs, room 58

Fine Arts Showcase Apr 30 – May 8 MPR

NGym @ 5:30pm – 8:00pm

Vocal Music Command Performance Auditorium @ 7:00 pm.

Saturday

(Reg. at www.collegeboard.com by 4/6)

9:00-Midnight, Mary Agatha Furth Center, Windsor (new venue)

6 7

Thursday

12-13

13

15-16

Santa Rosa Symphony Jr/Sr PROM

Wednesday

Saturday

Thursday

SAT, 8-2:00

Auditorium @ 3pm – 6pm

4-15

8 9

AP Exam Window

Basement @ 7:30am – 12:30pm 11:30am – 3:30pm

AQ Release Day Student of the Month College Prep: Who Get’s it, Who Doesn’t & Why 6pm

Instrumental Music Spring Concert Auditorium @ 7:00pm

AP Art Portfolios Due

Friday

Mesa High Pasta Feed

2

May

SBAC Testing Window

NEWS

28 29

Thursday Friday

University of California Writing Test 8:00-12:00

California High School Exit Exam CAHSEE FFA Spring Awards Banquet 3pm

3-5

5

Friday

Saturday

Dance Company Performance 7pm

Tri-M Honor Society Recital 7pm

21

Thursday

Non-Senior Awards

Auditorium @ 7:00 pm.

Historical Society Board Meeting

22 25 Friday

Monday

26-29

Softball Field

Memorial Day Dead Week

NO SCHOOL

Senior Picnic

Auditorium @ 7:00 p.m.

June

Minimum Days — Finals 8:00-12:20

Last Day of School Graduation Ceremony Project Grad

North Gym @ 8:30 pm.

6

Saturday

11 13

Thursday

Saturday

SAT

DeSoto @ 8am – 12pm (Reg. at www.collegeboard.com by 5/8)

Last Day AQ Office open until next school year ACT Test

8-2:00 (Reg. at www.act.org by 5/8)

August

5pm

Country Fair Day and Auto Show

Auditorium @ 7:00 p.m.

Bailey Field, SRJC @ 6:30

AQ Dance Company Performance Auditorium @ 7:00 pm.

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Senior Awards

3

11-12

19

Wednesday

Orientation Days First Day of School Dates collected by Hannah Appel and Cassy Moretto Calendar design by Isabella Froman

Square World wins Battle of the Bands competition isabellaFROMAN EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Square World, a two-person student band created by seniors Nathen Gong and Ashley West, was awarded first place in this year’s Battle of the Bands competition.

Three student bands competed this year — Harley & Friends, a classic rock cover-band; Square World, a folk/indie-pop band; and Sepulchre, a metal/classic rock band. A fourth day in the event included the SRHS Pep Band as well as Mr. Lyon’s guitar performance, but these acts were not in the running to win the grand prize, an additional gig and recording time at Chop’s Teen Center.

Gong and West, who will soon get to record their original music, played three songs during the set.

The first was a cover of Coldplay’s “Yellow,” while the two others were original songs titled “In the Morning” and “Smoke.”

The two have been friends since last year when they began playing music together. But Square World only started pursuing gigs and creating online content two months ago.

This content includes a Facebook page, a Twitter account, and a Youtube channel, which feature their music video for “In the Morning.”

According to West, filming the video was an interesting experience.

“There’s this one shot of me lying in a field that took literally ten years because I was staring directly into the sun trying not to look crazy. It didn’t help that this cute dog came over and started licking my face. I went to get up, but Liam [Galbraith, SRHS junior and Square World’s band manager] and Nathen, were like ‘No! Freeze!

You’re gonna screw up the grass!’” said West.

Photos by Tracy Fernandez and Dakota McGranahan

Above: Gong and West performed on the second day of the competition. The day before, West was the vocalist who accompanied her long-time friend Harley Boatsman in his band. In her spare time, West performs with ArtQuest Dance Company and both ArtQuest Concert Choir and Chamber Singers.

Left: Gong, who is a member of ArtQuest’s Concert Band class, is both a drummer and guitarist. He only began learning guitar within the last year, but his ear for music has propelled him toward more advanced chords and techniques. He is also new to singing, but has been focused on learning and practicing.

4 Confusion and controversy with restorative justice OPINION

justinDANTE STAFF WRITER

Restorative Resources is a local organization that promotes the inclusion of restorative justice in Sonoma County school discipline policies, specifically the Santa Rosa City School District. It is based upon the philosophy that punishment should be restorative and meaningful, rather than a direct path towards suspension or expulsion.

Last year, the Santa Rosa City School board began a partnership with Restorative Resources and adopted these new policies in an effort to curb a suspension and expulsion “epidemic” in the district.

At the time, Santa Rosa schools had the fourth highest rate of suspensions per capita in the state.

Following the implementation of these new policies, suspensions and expulsions have dropped dramatically. According to John Cortopassi, as of April 22nd, there have been only 4 expulsions this school year, while there were 54 just last year. In a conversation with assistant principal, Forest Harper, it was determined that these numbers seem to be accurate.

Recently, the restorative justice program has been criticized as the reason for some unpopular disciplinary decisions regarding two incidents on the SRHS campus. In the past few months, three students have been suspended for bringing airsoft and BB guns to school.

In the first incident, a student brought an airsoft gun to school to sell to a friend. In class, the student held the gun to another student’s head. The incident was reported and both of the students who had handled the gun were referred to expulsion hear-

Photo by Lindsay Bribiescas

The SRCS board held a meeting on April 29 which clarified many of the rumors and concerns surrounding the effects of restorative justice on discipline in the district. Board meetings like this occur every other week on Wednesdays — the public is welcome to attend each one.

ings. The district opted to expel only one student despite recommendations by on site administrators to expel both offenders. Recent changes to the state education code have affected how suspensions and expulsions are now issued, granting the district supremacy in discipline decisions normally handled by on site school officials.

It seems that these issues – the “weapons,” restorative justice, and the district’s interpretation of the new legal code --have been conflated in recent weeks, giving way to much confusion and misinformation among students and staff.

Chief among the rumors were that the two incidents involved real firearms, and that restorative justice guidelines were inhibiting administrators from appropriately punishing offenders. Both are untrue.

There is, however, some legitimate concern that administrators must go through district bureaucracy

in order to discipline a student, making them less effective and therefore weakening their authority in the eyes of students.

Additionally, there have been complaints that restorative justice is ineffective in dealing with bullying cases. Student grievances have been met with “healing circles” which involve supervised conferences for mediation between victims and offenders. In some cases, abuse has resumed immediately afterward, as bullies have had no significant punishment.

“It’s been a hard transition and we’re not being really honest about that. We’re saying [restorative justice is] a wild success and it isn’t... An honest discussion about that would benefit all of us. If restorative justice is worth doing, it’s worth doing it right,” said teacher William Lyon at a recent school board meeting.

Human trafficking: much closer than we think lindsayBRIBIESCAS EDITORIAL BOARD

Generally, when people talk about slavery, they use the past tense. That’s wrong.

Human trafficking affects 20.9 million people each year and involves 161 countries worldwide.

The US is one of those countries. It is most often identified as a destination for trafficking (primarily from Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean for both labor and sex trafficking). It is part of a slave trade that is larger than the Transatlantic slave trade was at the height of its power.

Human trafficking affects everyone, from 2-yearold infants to adult men and women, people trapped in slavery by violence, threats, debt, and other manipulation. But not many people want to talk about the hundreds of thousands enslaved — including an estimated 100,000 or more children — in both the labor and sex trades in the US. A majority of sex traffickers operate through commercial-front brothels, internet ads, or hotels/motels.

Labor traffickers generally tend towards placing victims in domestic work, traveling sales crews, and the

restaurant/food service. Because of the widespread variety of workplaces and victims, it can be difficult to even tell who might be a victim. Polarisproject.org outlines the warning signs of trafficking: a worker

Generally, when people talk about slavery, they use the past tense.

That’s wrong. who isn’t free to come and go as they please, who is underpaid or paid only through tips, who works excessively long or unusual hours, who was recruited through false promises concerning the nature or conditions of their works, or who has high security measures in their work and/or living areas.

Yeah, it is uncomfortable to talk about it, perhaps because it seems impossible that slavery could

involve so many people without everyone noticing.

But slavery is hidden because of greed and embarrassment, and a simple lack of awareness. The government may have a number of programs in place to help victims of trafficking, and even to help raise awareness for victims, but if the only entities that care are governments, all the programs in the world won’t matter. And there needs to be a dramatic increase in care soon. A boat capsized off the coast of Libya with 900 trafficking victims locked in the hold — almost all of whom drowned. Trafficking isn’t slowing down; for that to happen, there needs to be drastic decrease in demand for slaves.

Trafficking is illegal, but people still do it, so if trafficking is going to stop, people need to take action. They need to report suspected trafficking, which will only happen if people pay attention.

Through that greater awareness and empathy, the current atmosphere that encourages trafficking can actually begin to change.

In case of suspected trafficking, call 1-888373-7888, or text INFO or HELP to 233733.

5 Letter to the Editor: special cafeteria options OPINION

ivySTUART

SRHS STUDENT

I am a vegan student attending Santa Rosa High School and I have recently been faced with the reality that there are little to no options for me to eat in the lunch room on a daily basis. I am in no way a meatis-murder activist. My beliefs are my own and I do not wish to push them upon others, I only wish to have food to eat when at school. I began to realize there are not only very rarely any food options fitting to my dietary needs but there are also no foods that fit the needs of people who eat gluten free. Sometimes there aren’t even many vegetarian options.

Although the ladies in the lunch room are very kind and make sure to save me any food that I can eat when they have it, I often leave hungry with nothing but plain lettuce on my plate at lunch and dry cereal in the morning, yum. Aside from my own needs, there are also those at my school who have celiac disease (or other such disorders, allergies, etc.). Upon inspection, I found that the only thing that the lunch room has for those who are gluten free or vegetarian (on a daily basis) is the salad bar. Although the salad bar is nice, a salad is not a meal, not by itself anyway.

Recently, the lunch room has, upon my constant prompting for op-

tions, made sure to have peanut butter and jelly sandwiches a few days a week. This is a nice addition as it is actually filling, however those with celiac disease cannot eat this because of the wheat in the bread and are thus returned time and time again to the salad bar.

One can only eat so many PB&Js. How many peanut butter and jelly sandwiches does it take to bore a vegan? Four a week for three months, I tell you, and I’m sure the many vegetarians attending this diverse school would agree vehemently. All that I ask is that we, the vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free students of Santa Rosa High, have more options of food in the lunch room.

Suggestions for vegan/gluten-free cafeteria options - Nuts and dried fruit (like almonds and raisins) - Stir-fry with rice, kale, asparagus, and broccoli - Cheeseless taco salad with corn shells - Gluten-free instant oatmeal with available toppings

The Wellness Champions Committee

How this well-intentioned program leaves room for improvement — lindsayBRIBIESCAS EDITORIAL BOARD

and actually keeps resources from teachers

The Wellness Champions Committee was established by the district to promote student and staff wellness and family by “creatively contributing to a new and innovative discussion of health equity in our county.” The committee intends to address issues like mental illness and trauma (for just a couple of examples), topics that desperately need to be covered in schools. This was to be accomplished by educating committee members with a series of lectures and activities that promoted wellness, and by sharing the lectures with school principals via Google Docs. However, members were told that they were not required to take back any information to their sites, and principals have not received any of the information.

But some question whether sharing the information would actually be helpful. One meeting involved a lesson in Shinrin-Yoku, or forest bathing, taught by Amos Clifford, a consultant for restorative resources getting paid nearly $65,000 by the district. The forest bathing session involved staff members heading out to the “forest” behind Nevers Field, getting in a circle, and meditating on nature. Several members actually hugged trees. Now, studies concerning Shinrin-yoku do suggest that it holds some value for participants’ well-being, but the idea of sharing this method of relaxation with schools of almost 2000 students and over 100 faculty members is laughable. There are few places where large groups of people could go and commune with nature that are easily ac-

cessible from campuses. And how many people would take it seriously?

That said, the program does have some promise: at the most recent meeting, the committee listened to a lecture on vicarious trauma, the “emotional residue of exposure that staff have from working with people when trauma is involved,” which left committee attendees with a hopeful outlook for the committee. But many were still left with the question of how to use this newly obtained knowledge to help their own campuses. Most schools simply don’t have the time or resources to allow every single staff member and student to listen to the same lecture that committee members heard. Instead, the committee should focus on repackaging and distributing the information to the rest of the SRCS community.

All these programs seem theoretically sound, but the lack of planning and proper execution leaves many questioning the need for them. How many minimally effective and poorly run programs do we need, when we are losing teachers by the dozens every year? Instead, the district should be funneling money into attracting and retaining good educators (a goal stated in the district’s LCAP), and into programs with a clear and pre-planned method of execution. The primary reason the district has been diverting funds into new (ineffective) programs is that they have been operating under the belief that LCFF funds (the latest installment of money for the district)

cannot be used for staff salary due to the formula used to determine where funds go to. However, at the latest SRCS board meeting, on April 22, SRTA cited a response to a question on the California Department of Education website, clarifying that LCFF funds are state unrestricted funds and should be used to meet goals outlined in districts’ LCAPs — and for our district, attracting and retaining staff is a goal in our LCAP. While the Wellness Champions’ Committee stems from good intentions, and is actually effective for those involved, it is diverting much needed funds away from more urgent needs. I would love to see a greater awareness of mental health and other issues on campuses — but we don’t need more and more programs to make that happen. We have a number of excellent resources, like Via Esperanza (which Wellness Champion members visited), a family resource center at Cook Middle School, which could be, and should be, promoted and expanded.

With one more meeting left, there is still a chance for the committee to redeem itself by having members collaborate and develop ways to share the information they have been receiving. But realistically, the committee should not be continued until there is fully thought-out plan to execute the committee’s goals. Until that happens, the district should focus on what’s really important — keeping teachers. Otherwise there will be no point to the programs the district is funding.

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FEATURES

Beloved teachers and staff retire after years of service and dedication

Main Office Secretary Marlene Callen - 14 years sienaLAKE

STAFF WRITER

At the end of this school year, SRHS will be saying goodbye to one of its most beloved employees, Marlene Callen. She has been working at the front desk for fourteen years, answering questions from the students constantly pouring through her office door.

Callen has many memories of this school, but her favorite memories are of the students.

“Every day I come to work, I laugh,” said Callen.

However, surprises still show up, the likes of which Callen could never have imagined. One of the strangest incidents she has seen this year was a woman asking the administration to prohibit kissing on campus because it’s “inappropriate.”

With all of these memories and her love for SRHS, one would think that Callen had loved this school before she even came here.

But, surprisingly, Callen was reluctant to come over to SRHS from her job at Montgomery High School. It was only because one of her friends and a former principal of SRHS were persistent in getting Callen to fill out the application that she was finally able to come to her current job. She has declared it the best decision of her life.

When she was asked to impart a final piece of advice, Callen stopped for a second before replying, ”Don’t take things too personally. In a job like this, you get yelled at occasionally, a lot, periodically, and you just have to remember that it’s not necessarily at you, but just people are frustrated. And if you let them vent off steam, you can usually reach an equitable thing...that’s why I keep candy on my desk.”

She will be missed, and all of SRHS wishes Callen the best for her future.

Photo by Lindsay Bribiescas Marlene Callen, one of two secretaries in the Main Office, is saying goodbye to SRHS at the end of this year. She is known and loved for her quick wit and unending dedication to helping this school.

P.E. teacher Ms. Merry - 15 years mirandaMCCANN EDITORIAL BOARD

Photo by Miranda McCann

Carolyn Merry, a beloved P.E. teacher, has spent fifteen years encouraging SRHS students to have a positive attitude and improve their physical abilities.

Just across the street... Just the best there is.

1220 Mendocino Ave. • 707-528-2704

After fifteen years of hard work and dedication, beloved PE teacher Carolyn Merry is retiring. SRHS will be sad to see her go. With a love for sports and students, Ms. Merry has been a valuable addition to Santa Rosa High.

“I didn’t really know what I wanted to be growing up,” Merry recalls. “I really loved animals, so maybe a vet, but I loved sports and I was involved in sports. I took four years of P.E. in high school because I loved it. I played softball, basketball, and volleyball, and I took tennis lessons in high school. Even though I’m so short, basketball is my favorite.”

Merry especially enjoys teaching tennis because of the lack of experience most students have. “Since it’s all new, I feel like I can really teach them a lot. I’ve played a lot of tennis and I coached the tennis team for six years here.”

As a seasoned teacher, Ms. Merry has seen her fair share of unusual occurrences at SRHS. “Quite a few years ago, it seemed like the fire alarm was going off almost every day in 6th period and they couldn’t catch whoever was doing it at first, so every day the girls

would be getting changed in the locker room and the fire alarm would go off and then everybody would have to go out. It [happened for] three weeks and it was crazy because the class could never do anything.”

Merry constantly encourages her students to try their hardest, especially when they don’t have confidence in their abilities. She doesn’t play favorites and she gives her students tips on how they can keep improving themselves, both on and off the field.

“I hope [my students remember me as] really fair and friendly. I really care about them and what they’re doing after high school or even in high school and I hope they do well. I smile a lot and I like to be happy and friendly and I hope that by smiling at people it makes them feel better. I want everybody to feel like they matter.”

“I feel like there’s a specialness in Santa Rosa High School that you don’t find in other schools,” said Merry. “It’s like the saying, ‘Once a panther always a panther.’ It really seems to be true, and, as teachers, we are so proud of our graduates and we just have quality students, and it’s an awesome place to work.”

FEATURES

Mrs. Acquistapace - 4 years rolandCALLOWAY STAFF WRITER

At the end of the last semester, a long time special education assistant said goodbye to Santa Rosa High School. Mrs. Acquistapace, who had spent four years working at SRHS as well as five years at Maria Carrillo retired last December, and will be missed at the school.

Mrs. Acquistapace said that her job was “so much fun” and enjoyed working with the students. She said that “each morning [she] would walk into the classroom to be greeted with wonderful smiles, and lots of hugs.” Her hard work and friendly nature clearly has left quite an impression on her students. She even remembers how “several of the kids asked if [she] would be their grandma.”

When asked about her favorite experience while working at Santa Rosa, she recounted an

experience changing a troubled students life.

“I was assigned to Mr. Peterson’s U.S. History class. I became quite involved with one student who seemed exceptionally brilliant, but had very little initiative to get his assignments completed.” She talked about how she and Mr. Peterson worked together to help this student out by making sure he got his assignments in on time and helping him to take credit recovery classes. Acquistapace marveled at how much the student “turned his life around” and got back on track to graduate.

Now as Acquistapace moves on with her life, she has many plans. “A high priority will be to spend more time with my grandchildren. Then there are quilts to finish, lots of needlework and crafts, and my husband and I would like to do more traveling.” As parting words, she said , “I would like to thank everyone at SRHS for a wonderful four years.”

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7

Things:

low-cost adventures in Sonoma County kiraFINDLING STAFF WRITER

1. Have a picnic in the rural cemetery. Try to find the oldest grave or the person who came from farthest away. If you’re brave, tell ghost stories.

2. Go for a swim at Lake Ilsanjo in Annadel State Park. Make sure to bring a buddy.

3. Visit a farmer’s market for some yummy local treats. Some happen year-round, while others open in May or during the summer months.

4. Bike or roller-skate on the Joe Rodota Trail. It’s an awesome way to get outside and exercise while being your own mode of transportation.

5. Be one of the first visitors to the new Art Museum of Sonoma County. For only $5, you can see prints by Andy Warhol and other world-famous artists.

6. Check out Whistlestop Antiques.

Read the old magazines, sift through boxes of Polaroids, and clack away on the typewriters.

7. Climb up to the top of Taylor Mountain and look out over all of Santa Rosa.

8. Pose with the junk statues on Florence Avenue in Sebastopol.

9. Go to the planetarium at the SRJC for just $5.

10. Look at the adorable pets at the local animal shelter or humane society.

20

Years of

t r A

What makes an artist?

t s e u Q

Above: Beginning ArtQuest Dance stu routine for the upcoming dance show for all levels of dance, later said these during the show and that she was ve performance.

Right: Junior Rebekah Smith, an Inte demonstrates some hip-hop technique the quad. Coming up with brilliant ch new, and sometimes upside-down, da

Fine Arts

mirandaMCCANN EDITORIAL BOARD

For the past 20 years, Santa Rosa High has been home to ArtQuest, an award winning arts education program founded on personal expression through the visual and performing arts.

ArtQuest first began in the fall of 1994 and quickly grew in size, now supporting eight specialties and over 600 students. ArtQuest participants are taught professional skills in their respective fields through field trips, guest speakers, and ArtQuest core classes.

According to artquest.ipower.com, “[b]y supporting diverse learning styles and encouraging a variety of modes of expressing experience and knowledge, [ArtQuest] adds depth, richness, and meaning to education, our lives, and culture.”

ArtQuest is open to all students across and beyond Sonoma County.

Every student has the chance to become part of the program, no matter their location.

“Just because you don’t have a lot of experience or skills already doesn’t mean we can’t help you learn. We are looking for potential, for that spark and enthusiasm that we can help,” said director Jan Sofie.

The spark and enthusiasm are what set ArtQuest students apart from other programs. Constantly creating and revising work, performing shows, and winning awards motivates SRHS students and teachers to work to their potential.

Santa Rosa High is known for its diversity that spawns from ArtQuest. With such a prominent creative outlet, students are inspired to act creatively with their appearance as well as lifestyle. They learn first-hand about tolerance and the importance of acceptance both at and away from school.

ArtQuest students collaborate and work with others who share a common passion. The program focuses on individuals working with an art form they love while expanding their knowledge and opportunities. Skills and techniques learned in the program provide valuable experience for related possibilities beyond high school.

The ArtQuest website elaborates, “Some of AQ’s guiding ideas include an awareness that there are many students who are talented and motivated to succeed in the Visual and Performing Arts and that they can benefit from having an opportunity to develop their interests in a challenging and supportive community during high school.”

Above: Sophomore Kat Hansen works on one of her One is to be completed at school and highlight the a beauty. The other is a take-home assigntment inten artist’s “inner demons,” the aspects of themselves hidden.

Below: The Intermediate VFA class concentrates on self-portraits, which will prepare them for a self-po The VFA classes typically work on many projects t each with different styles, materials, and canvases

Digital

Senior Atreus Canaris, an Intermediate Digital Arts student, is currently working on typography projects and his personal website. Digital Arts includes a variety of art styles, such as digital painting and animation.

Ch

The ArtQuest sheet music a four different tas, Concert C the same Voca

Video

Dance

udents rehearse their w. Ms. Woods, the teacher e students had good form ery proud of the final

ermediate Dance student, e on the fire hydrant in horeography means trying ance moves.

r two self-portraits. artist’s outward nded to explore the they want to keep

n their preliminary ortrait painting unit. throughout the year, s.

Band

Senior Ian Johnson works on his latest project “Live Más,” titled as a joke after the Taco Bell slogan. The video is a compilation of skateboard tricks performed by Johnson and his friends over the last four years. He and the rest of the AQ Video students plan, film, act in, and edit each video that they create. Video topics have been diverse over the past few years — ranging from horror movies, mental illness PSAs, skateboarding showcases, and ArtQuest promotional pieces.

Junior Nikki Russell (left) and Senior Julianna Basile (right) have been in ArtQuest Instrumental Music for two and four years, respectively. Basile in particular has been in a band class since before middle school. The three kinds of band classes — Symphonic Band, Concert Band, and Orchestra — are full of decidated students just like her.

hoir

t Vocal Music program’s Acapella class study and listen to their teacher Kira Bombace. There are t types of choir classes — Acapella, Las ChoralisChoir, and Chamber Singers — who all perform at al Music concerts three times a year.

Photography

Lisette Chavez, an Intermediate Photography student, is currently working on her visual journal. The purpose of this project is to alter an existing photo in order to express the artist’s state of mind.

Drama

Above: Seniors Aron Corradi and Rune Winters rehearse for a scene in Female Transport, a show which ran in March. Rehearsing for such a serious show often means acting through a terrifying and intense scene over and over.

Right: Senior Jone Bacinskaite instructs the cast of Much Ado about Nothing in swing dancing, a dominant dance style of the adaptation’s 1940’s setting. She combines her swing and ballroom training with her acting skills as a true performing artist.

Photos by Sunce Franicevic and Dakota McGranahan Spread design by Isabella Froman

10

COLUMNS

/

Sincere Sarcastic An advice column

I’m a junior, and I’m starting to see that I’ve prioritized wrong. I didn’t join a sports team because I was too worried about homework.

I never had time to talk to my friends because I was studying, or I wanted to have time to myself. To sum up, did I do high school wrong? What should I have done, or what can I do to avoid this? isabellaFROMAN EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

EDITORIAL BOARD

First of all, there is no wrong way to do high school. Everyone has their own path to follow, and no matter how many twists and turns it has, it’s still your path, and there’s nothing wrong with it.

However, there’s nothing you can do about the past.

Focus on the present and the future, because the past is past.

Simple as that.

So, what can you do? Don’t give up on schoolwork, but find ways to spend time with others. When you look back at high school, the parts you will remember aren’t the times you spent by yourself.

They may seem better in the long run, especially after a difficult and tiring week, but you’ll thank yourself later that you went out and tried something new.

Find a sport that you like. Join a club. Talk with your friends more often. At the end of the day, the memories that you create in high school and the chances that you wish you had taken are the ones that you’ll look back on for the rest of your life. Make sure you have something to look back on.

“The world ends with you. If you want to enjoy life, expand your world. You gotta push your horizons out as far as they’ll go.”

(Sanae Hanekoma)

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First of all, there is no wrong way to do high school. There just isn’t. High School is an experience, not a definitive period in your life that you have to “win at” or “succeed in.”

Some people may treat it like that in movies or in your life, but each person’s attitude toward their high school years is very different. Carefully crafting a “perfect” high school experience isn’t a graduation requirement.

In your case, you put your classes and your personal time above socialization. There is nothing wrong with this. You don’t need to believe you “failed” your high school experience because you didn’t meet every single person at SRHS. You’ll have time to be social throughout the rest of your life. Maybe you didn’t get to know this specific group of people too well, but you’ll have time to meet future co-workers and neighbors, and college classmates if you decide to go toward post-secondary school.

Don’t think about your life as a series of beginnings and endings. By doing this you place too much pressure on yourself to close an experience “the right way.” This mentality actually prevents you from enjoying your experience and growth because you are preoccupied only with “winning” at your current goal.

Instead, remember that your life is entirely continuous. You can start fighting a bad habit on any one day, and you can just as well develop a good habit whenever you wish. This can be one such moment — you can change your behavior by taking an easier class load in your senior year.

Focus on meeting people and building relationships with them. Don’t go overboard though — if you party too hard and your school work suffers, you’ve defeated the whole point of a healthy balance.

But when it comes down to it, you haven’t made any mistakes. Being a little unbalanced in how you spend your time isn’t a mistake — it’s a learning opportunity. The way you feel about your current social standing is a red flag in your head telling you that you could be happier.

These kinds of red flags are good! It means you recognize what you need to work on to better yourself. Listen to these instincts and make your final year of high school as great as it can be.

thomasPASTIS

This is the final installment of Sincere/Sarcastic after 2.5 years of advising SRHS. Thank you for all your thought-provoking questions!

11

COLUMNS

Insight from a quiet observer: Plastic surgery

tracyFERNANDEZ EDITORIAL BOARD

“It’s shallow, it’s dangerous, it’s cheating” — yet, according to the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons, plastic surgery in South Korea is very common, as one in five women have it done. In the Gangnam District alone, you’ll encounter over 500 cosmetic surgery clinics. But what is shared openly, and even celebrated in Korea as self-improvement, is still a huge taboo in the U.S. From the horror stories to the allegations made against celebrities in the media, it is made clear that

plastic surgery is a shameful act. However, without a bad name and connotation, plastic surgery can be open to new, accepting interpretations — just ask South Korea.

Unaccompanied by social stigma, the practice is commonly known as reforming surgery (seonghyeong susul) in South Korea, contrary to “plastic.”

While the word “plastic” similarly means “to be shaped or molded” within the context of plastic surgery, it is still defined within the perimeters of “being fake or inauthentic” in the U.S. If the “plastic” in plastic surgery has little to do with being fake, what inspires all of this negativity?

Everyone realizes an unspoken truth, that certain advantages present themselves more frequently if you are perceived as “attractive” by society. The effect: some people straighten their hair, whiten their teeth, add makeup, tan their skin to alter their appearance — and some make more permanent changes with plastic surgery. Before, physical beauty used to be something available only by luck of birth. Now it is accessible to everyone through plastic surgery.

It may not be fair, but this is the society we exist in, and South Korea is taking full advantage of this accessibility. Considered a practical choice among Koreans, gifting your child a double eyelid surgery as a graduation present is no unknown phenomenon. In reality, it can be advantageous as all job

applications require an attached photograph. The more popular surgeries performed in South Korea include: rhinoplasty (nose heightening), blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery), and jaw-reshaping surgery.

Though cosmetic surgery is considered a practical decision in South Korea, the list of reasons that typically determine why someone would have plastic surgery reflect a much uglier image: vanity, insecurity, shallowness, and narcissism. It is true that these are all factors that drive the industry of cosmetic surgery. However, this list is by no means accurate enough to decide what defines a person’s decision to have plastic surgery.

“I simply didn’t like how a certain part of my appearance looked and wanted to change it. I hate how there’s such a negative stigma surrounding plastic surgery. Even the name, “plastic surgery,” implies a sense of inauthenticity. Plastic surgery is simply a cosmetic procedure. It’s for beauty purposes; it’s to allow people to feel better about themselves and in the end I’m more confident about myself. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with that,” said an anonymous SRHS student.

With no signs of ceasing, plastic surgery’s widespread popularity ensures that it is here to stay.

So, whether or not you approve, the next time you decide criticize a person for having plastic surgery remember: an ugly reflection isn’t just restricted to skin deep.

so that humanism can lift everyone up equally.

Essentially, humanism advocates for the equality of the human race overall, and feminism focuses on addressing society’s issues with feminine qualities.

Insults aimed at men can often be linked back to feminine qualities — “sissy,” and so on. When men are body-shamed, they are often said to have “manboobs,” adapting a term describing women’s breasts for use as an insult to someone’s masculinity. Men are ridiculed for having “feminine” emotions or being sensitive.

While it is important to consider the widespread effects of sexism, this issue does primarily harm women — hence the term “feminism.” There are the obvious effects: only 5% of Fortune 1000 CEOs are female, more than 4 million women experience physical assault and rape by their partners (the statistical likelihood is higher for transgender women), and debates about female reproductive rights leave many women seeking illegal and dangerous abortions.

When male characteristics are considered the norm, women suffer harmful consequences. Car seat belts are designed to fit the average male, leaving women more likely to be injured or die in accidents.

In most drug trials and other scientific studies, men are the primary test subjects, which limits not only treatment options for women, but also society’s database of knowledge. Three times as many women suffer from autoimmune diseases, and that statistic

is reversed for autism (which also indicates the possibility of girls being underdiagnosed). Biologically, different sexes also respond differently to medication — so studying all genders could lead to better medication and greater knowledge of certain disorders and diseases’ causes.

The sheer existence of sexism actually hurts women’s health. Regular exposure to gendered abuse, like catcalling and sexual harassment and violence, makes women generally more fearful and anxious than men (this is heightened for members of the LGBTQ+ community and minorities).

The University of Missouri-Kansas and Georgia State University found a substantive “link between physical safety concerns and psychological distress.” Other studies show a greater likelihood of depression in bullied or harassed children, or significantly higher chance of developing PTSD after a violent encounter. As many people may know, racism can not only impact psychological health, but physical wellbeing, too.

So why do we assume that women don’t suffer similar effects when exposed to a society hostile to femininity? Feminism’s whole purpose is to address these issues — these specific issues — regardless of whether or not the world wants to recognize them.

Feminism seeks to elevate the status of femininity in a world that has long sought to prevent equality. It’s not a dirty word, nor should it ever be treated like one.

Get some glasses: Dropping f-bombs

lindsayBRIBIESCAS EDITORIAL BOARD

There is a trend emerging: people distancing themselves from the word “feminism.” Sometimes the word “humanism” is favored, while other time “sexism just isn’t an issue anymore.” This likely stems from a lack of understanding of what feminism actually is, and why everyone needs it.

Feminism is “the advocacy of women’s rights on the grounds of political, social, and economic equality to men.” Humanism stresses the potential value and goodness of human beings, and emphasizes common human needs. Feminism is more concentrated on equalizing the playing field for all genders,

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Personal Favorite Games:

games dear to our columnists’ hearts jakeESPINOZA

kathyPHAM

STAFF WRITER

STAFF WRITER

There are many games that I have played. Some of them are amazing, while some of them fall short of the mark. There are many games that I can say are the best of a certain genre, but there is only one game that I can call my favorite. That game is Burnout Paradise.

Burnout Paradise is a racing game published by EA and developed by Criterion Games. Before Burnout Paradise, Criterion had made several other Burnout games. These games were relatively linear and had a tangible plot. Burnout Paradise, on the other hand, is an open world of races and stunt runs.

Burnout Paradise originally came out for the Xbox 360 and the PlayStation 3 in January of 2008. Since then, there have been a lot of other racing games. More racing games than I can even count. Some of these games have been in-depth and technical, while others were cartoony and simple.

Burnout Paradise is somewhere in the middle of the two.

Since Burnout Paradise is so old, it is surprising that it is still my favorite game. Its spot at the top of my list of games comes down to two factors.

One factor is the graphics. Although it came out in 2008, the graphics are on par with some of today’s biggest launch titles. The game is beautifully crafted and still performs amazingly.

The other factor is the gameplay. This is what really cements it in my top spot. The gameplay is easy, but it is difficult to master. There are no loading screens or complex menus to get in the way. You simply load the game, choose your car, and then set off in a blaze of speed.

From the classic Pokémon series to the modern League of Legends, many games have been considered my personal favorite. However, nothing comes close to the uniquely memorable Mass Effect trilogy.

Mass Effect allows players to customize their characters. Not only that, but this game is based on the player’s decisions. The ability to choose different options in conversations and make critical decisions not only affects the story’s outcome, but also affects the player’s relationships with the other characters.

If the interactive storytelling isn’t appealing enough, then the setting might convince you otherwise. Mass Effect is set in the year 2183, when humans recently managed to break free from the solar system and establish multiple colonies while encountering various extraterrestrial species in the Milky Way galaxy. You heard that right — aliens.

However, what I really enjoyed about the trilogy are my relationships with the characters. Not only did I have a nice relationship with a cute blue alien nerd, but I also built lasting friendships with the other characters. It sounds ridiculous that I’m attached to fictional characters, but after playing Mass Effect, I’m not the same person. While playing the game, I felt like I was living in the universe. It’s the same experience as reading a book.

Once you finish, you’re just in shock.

The narration, character development, universe, and emphasis on how the player’s choices affect the gaming experience leaves players in awe. With such in-depth storylines and jaw-dropping graphics, the Mass Effect trilogy is by far the most unforgettable game in the galaxy.

THE

andrewHERNANDEZ STAFF WRITER

GAMING CORNER

When it comes down to choosing a favorite game, I would have to go with Tetris.

Released in 1984, Tetris is a puzzle game where you match similar shapes in order to create a “wall” that grows to the top of the screen. Besides being very fun and having endless hours of gameplay, Tetris has been proven to make the brain more efficient.

It was the first game from Russia to be published in the U.S. The Tetris franchise has sold 170 million copies since its release, and was rated one of the “100 Greatest Games of all time” by IGN. I agree with IGN, based solely on the fact that this game has a special meaning to me.

When I was younger, all my friends used to gather around me while I played Tetris on the Game Boy, all of them cheering me on and betting their lunches and homework answers on who was going to win first.

Of course, I didn’t always win. But when I did, I made sure to brag about it all the time. Having that win on my record meant being first captain in a basketball game or being allowed to cut everyone else in the lunch line.

Tetris is a great game to play with friends competitively at school or at home, but competitively or not, you’ll always have fun.

thomasPASTIS

EDITORIAL BOARD

Okay, I’ve been looking for a chance to talk about this game since sophomore year; objectively the best game ever created. The other games? Nah. Not even comparable. I am talking about, of course, The World Ends With You. I’d be willing to bet that most people have never heard of this game, so it deserves quite a bit of explanation. The World Ends With You was originally a Square Enix game, made in Japan, which eventually gained a slightly-larger-than cult following in the US. The art style is unmistakably Japanese, and the game was originally made for the DS. The best I can explain the combat system is, you control two people at the same time, one on the top screen and one on the bottom. The one on the top stays immobile and is controlled by the D-pad, while the one on the bottom is mobile and uses pins, activated by touch-screen commands. It’s completely unique, and you won’t find anything like it in any other game.

However, the thing that sets this game apart is the storyline. It’s…actually good. Not for a Square Enix game, but for a game in general. It’s so good.

It actually brings up meaningful points, and it will keep the player guessing ‘til the end.

And Square ENIX WILL EVENTUALLY MAKE A SEQUEL THAT THEY TEASEDBUTAPPARENTLYITMUSTHAVEGOTTENLOSTINTHESQUAREENIXETHERANDUWBIE4Pbnfcfwb3boqebvfikbroivenwqpv[n4ewqbvrei qvnopobv3reivpqeirbvqpov4qw3i9v4g Great game. Play it.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

13

The Jinx murders: An alleged killer’s accidental confession abbyVOLZ STAFF WRITER

Photo by Sunce Franicevic

Robert Durst may never have been proven guilty for his alleged crimes, but a possible accidental confession may lead to his incarceration — or will it?

Ever since his wife disappeared about 30 years ago, Robert Durst has been the subject of controversy and suspicion- and for good reason. After his wife’s disappearance, three more murders that tied back to him popped up in California and Texas, one victim being a close friend of his and the other murder being, he claimed, in “self defense.” He was never proven guilty for these murders, so he was released.

Fifteen years after his trial and innocent ruling, a six-part HBO documentary was created about Durst and his strange life called “The Jinx: The Life and Deaths of Robert Durst.”

On the last day of filming, as he was in the bathroom, the mic he wore caught an accidental alleged confession while Durst talked to himself, unaware that his mic was live. “What the hell did I do? Killed them all, of course.” Seems like HBO got more than they bargained for.

TV nostalgia shaping our culture How old faves — and their lessons — stick with us kiraFINDLING STAFF WRITER

On the second night of the SRHS journalism/yearbook field trip to a convention in Colorado, most of the group attended a raucous and goofy trivia night. During one category, a familiar tune began to blast through the speakers. Students from all over the country began to cheer-- many couldn’t stop themselves from singing along. The song that energized the competition may be surprising; it was the theme song to Wizards of Waverly Place, a popular Disney Channel TV show that aired from 2007 to 2012.

Pop culture is powerful — many teens hold The Jonas Brothers, Pokémon, and High School Musical just as dear as they do memories of s’mores and getting tucked in at night.

This nostalgia is very specific, as the freshmen grew up with slightly different music and TV shows than the seniors did. Shows like That’s So Raven were past their primes when most of the younger students began to

watch television. Additionally, seniors with older siblings were heavily influenced by “90’s” pop culture, such as Britney Spears, Rugrats, and the Spice Girls. Yet, despite differences, media brings students together; though individuals may disagree on politics or the best way to spend a Saturday night, almost everyone can find common ground when discussing the media that shaped the childhoods of the early 2000s.

Fostering a positive media environment matters. As evident in the mass singalong to the Phineas and Ferb theme song later in the trivia night, people hold on to the pop culture they consume as children. Before a kid goes to school, the main people they see are family members and, you guessed it, people in the media. Thus, it is important that the shows, movies, and music aimed at youth continue to impart values and lessons, like the importance of taking risks or being kind to others. It’s an easy and entertaining way to promote understanding and community in the generations to come.

Police feared that, with all of the attention brought on by the documentary, Durst would try to leave the country under an alias, considering he had used aliases before.

However, this new evidence may not put him away forever. This was not an official, signed confession, so Dursts’ lawyers could argue that it was taken out of context. Also, similar occurrences have been brought up in other cases, most notably the Michael Jackson molestation trial, where clips of interviews were used of him talking about how much he loved children and would never hurt them. Since the prosecution can use unaired or “caught by accident” clips, so can the defense, most likely using clips of interviews that would appear to make him look innocent.

Plenty of killers have filmed documentaries, doing anything they can to make them seem innocent. In this case, that completely backfired, exposing Durst as the twisted man he might be.

Illustration by Isabella Froman

14

FOOD/HEALTH

Making the right choices

or eighth grade science class — but most of those warnings are legitimate, and it’s important to discuss them.

If you are under the age of eighteen, you are a minor. In California, this means that any sexual activity you choose to engage in is illegal, no matter the age of your partner. Taking, sending, or receiving nude pictures is considered child pornography. In the case of sexual contact, it’s called statutory rape. If both you and your partner are minors, you can both be charged with statutory rape and have your names placed on the Sex Offenders Registry, which is publicly viewable by your future neighbors, employers, and college officials. brynaHAUGEN This won’t happen to everyone, as it takes BUSINESS MANAGER steps by one of the minors involved or an adult Sex is in every movie in the theaters. Be it related to the incident filing a charge to start this sexual tension between characters or saucy winks process, but it is a possibility that you should be exchanged between costars, the media we digest aware of if you’re sexually active while a minor.

Sex is a part of our everyday lives, but that (more than just film) is filled to the brim with doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be taken seriously. There sexual innuendo.

Human’s obsession with sex is clear in media, are risks attached, physically, legally, and emobut in school sex is an extremely taboo topic tionally, and it’s not a bad thing to wait to have only breached once a year (if that) to discuss sex until you are mature enough to understand the risks. the repercussions.

And if you choose to have sex, having taken In this column, I’ve attempted to give more precautions against the risks, there are still coninformation than the warnings heard in seventh

siderations to be made. Any relationship needs mutual respect — be it a professional, familial, platonic, or, yes, sexual relationship. It is essential that your partner treat you with respect both in and outside of the bedroom — and that includes informed consent.

There is no such thing as sex without consent, because if sexual activity happens without the full and informed consent of all members, it’s rape.

There is a maturity level one must achieve before having sex — being mature enough to talk about protection (if not from pregnancy, then at least from STDs), consent, respect, and legal repercussions if one or both partners are under 18.

If these discussions seem daunting or awkward, maybe you’re not ready to have sex.

At the end of the day, the core message is to be safe. Whether you choose to have sex or not, make choices carefully and consider the possibilities of every action you make.

If your decisions are made after considering all angles and everyone involved has the same level of informed consent, the decision is a legitimate one. There’s no shame in being in control of your body and your sexual identity. Don’t let anyone tell you differently.

La Vera Pizza: classic pizza in Santa Rosa andrewHERNANDEZ STAFF WRITER

Located on 4th street in Downtown Santa Rosa, La Vera opened September 17,1983.

La Vera offers many dishes and foods such as pizza, panini, calzones, and many other Italian dishes, all of which are handcrafted and perfectly made.

They offer pre-arranged pizzas but also allow you to design your own. I thought this was very interesting because not many other pizza restaurants have that option.

They give a great variety of choices for toppings, some of which are meats like meatballs, salami, pepperoni, and bacon. They also offer different pizza styles like margherita, pesto, and their specialty the La Vera.

The restaurant has a very old fashion feel to the interior, making you feel comfortable as if you were at home. There is a first floor and second floor, where you can sit at a booth or a table. The restaurant also offers a bar at the front of the restaurant.

La Vera has received great reviews from magazines like the San Francisco Chronicle and Best Restaurants In America. Taking into consideration that their pizza and other dishes have a unique flavor that I have never experienced before, and the fact that they allow you to put meatballs on a pizza, I would have to give La Vera a 4.5 out of 5 stars. I really do recommend you check this place out soon.

Photos by Andrew Hernandez

Above: La Vera’s sign marking its entrance on 4th Street. The pizzeria has been an important part of downtown Santa Rosa since 1983.

Right: La Vera Pizza offers a wide variety of pizza styles, toppings, salads, drinks and more.

SPORTS

g n i w S geenaESPINOZA STAFF WRITER

Kaitlyn Kline, a freshman at Santa Rosa High School, is truly the definition of an exceptional student. Currently the freshman class president, Kline was recently re-elected for next year. It’s not hard to see why Kline has found a position of leadership at SRHS; her bright personality and and strong will drive her to succeed — and success is clearly something she is familiar with.

In addition to being an active member of both Climate Protection Club and Good Vibes Club, Kline maintains straight A’s and a 4.5 GPA. Kline also possesses above average levels of school spirit — and at SRHS, that is saying something.

On any given Friday, you can find her dressed from head to toe in orange and black, with a hair bow to match. True to panther spirit, her favorite color is orange.

Along with great grades and club involvement, Kaitlyn is a member of the varsity softball team,

Freshman Kaitlyn Kline Varsity softball

one of only two freshmen to make the cut. “It’s really just a good experience and there is great team bonding, and you get to know a lot of new people. It’s a good way to just make some new friends and have some fun while you’re doing it,” says Kline. She was initially surprised at making varsity. “Coming in as a freshman and making varsity was...completely unexpected, but I worked super hard and I’m super happy to be where I am today.” She plans on “definitely doing softball again, all four years.” In addition to softball, Kaitlyn is considering trying out for soccer next year, a sport she typically plays recreationally.

When asked what she does in her free time, Kaitlyn responded honestly, “I don’t really have very much free time. I’m very involved with student government and sports is a 100% commitment, so between those two things and homework, I am kept very busy.”

Kline is definitely not embittered by this however: she “loves Santa Rosa High School.”

Her favorite thing about SRHS is “our spirit

Juniors Shamus Lyons and Jordan Walker lindsayBRIBIESCAS

Varsity baseball

Every so often, there is an athlete that stands just a cut above the rest — and not just the rest of their team, but the rest of the nation, too. This year, there were two.

Juniors Shamus Lyons and Jordan Walker were selected by their coach, Paige Dumont, to try out at San Francisco State University, which led to the two flying down to a December tournament in Mesa, Arizona, where they filmed personal videos to send out to college coaches in their senior year.

While in Arizona, Walker and Lyons received food, cleats, jerseys, and other gear free of charge, as well as an invitation to return for further play in the summer of 2015. “We work hard every day, and are two players that would capitalize on the great opportunity,” said Lyons, who, along with Walker, has been stepping into a greater leadership role on the high school team.

“Their work ethic has just been above and beyond. They haven’t taken

any days off... they’re in basketball, they’re athletes. I know from being at the next level, colleges like athletes,” said Dumont.

The increasing frequency of players being recruited is likely in no small part due to Coach Dumont’s development as the varsity coach. Since Dumont came on as Santa Rosa High’s baseball coach five years ago, practices have steadily grown both more strenuous and more time-consuming. Players focus not only on the overall game of baseball, but also on its detail-oriented aspects. Players have worked with flat paddle gloves that encourage better throws and catches.

With tools like the paddle gloves, teammates had to work harder to support each other, reaching further for catches and perfecting throws, said Dumont. And it is perhaps because of this that the team shows great promise in coming years, with potential for even more players to get recruited.

EDITORIAL BOARD

15

Photo by Geena Espinoza

Freshman Kline has started her high school career strong — she is the freshman class president and will be the sophomore president next year. This is in addition to her club involvement, straight A’s, and position on the varsity softball team.

and how dedicated we are to the school.” Some parting words of wisdom to keep in mind from Kline: “Just go all out, don’t be afraid to try something new, because you never know what could happen.”

Score!

Photos by Lindsay Bribiescas

Walker (left) and Lyons (right) have both played on the SRHS baseball team for all three years they’ve attended the school. Both have played with The Program, Coach Dumont’s optional summer/fall baseball league.

16

PANTHER LIFE

SRHS’s aquatic abilities

1 2 3

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Photos by Tracy Fernandez and Dakota McGranahan

1. Senior Stefan Flaton Cvitanic gives his all as he swims the 50 yard freestyle, one of his specialties.

Even though he only began swimming on the team last year, his five years of water polo background give him a leg up above the competition.

2. Ready to launch into action in the freestyle, Junior Caroline Mertz places herself into the stationary position, anticipatingly awaiting the starting signal. “I swim the 200 and 500 for the school and I swim even longer races for my club team. It sounds really long, but I love it because I can really get into a rhythm,” said Mertz.

3. Flying high in the butterfly event, Junior Milena Duarte furiously swims to the wall to beat her competitors from Cardinal Newman. “My favorite meet was when we swam against Windsor because during my 50 butterfly I could hear everybody cheering. And even though I was so exhausted, I finished with a big smile on my face!” said Duarte.

4. Dashing to the wall, Senior Ian Johnson becomes immersed in the race. Never losing focus, Johnson puts aside any nerves before the meet against Cardinal Newman to ensure his best backstroke.