THE JAGUAR TIMES - VOL 20 ISSUE 1 (MAGAZINE)

Jaguar Insider THE TECH

ISSUE

NEW CELL PHONE BAN POLICY IN 2025 THE WAR ON AI IS SOCIAL MEDIA HARMFUL OR HELPFUL? GIRLS FLAG FOOTBALL OUTSIDE FOOD PROHIBITED T h e S t u d e n t Vo i c e o f S o u t h E a s t H i g h S c h o o l South Gate, California Vo l u m e 2 0 | I s s u e 1 | F a l l ‘ 2 4

table of 03

04

06

08

contents Letter From the President

The War on AI

Outside Food Banned at SEHS

LAUSD Cell Phone Policy

12

18

20 22

Girls Flag Football

Social Media’s Impact

LitMag Preview

Fall Semester Highlights

Hello Jaguars!

When I was first introduced to journalism, I was amazed because I learned that you can be as creative as you want. Now that I am a senior, I can say that being in journalism has been a pleasure and I am grateful for it.

This year and last year came with different obstacles. This year, unfortunately, we had to announce that we would no longer have a journalism class. I know a lot of students were looking forward to

The Jaguar Times News Magazine

2720 Tweedy Blvd.

Room B300 South Gate, CA 90280

President

that.

Luckily, last year we extended journalism as a club where we were able to do a few things like do some podcast and write a few stories.

This year, we are happy that journalism is not over yet. We are back as a club now. Mr. Lam and I have been working together on how to

Brianna Hernandez

make improve on the journalism club.

Acsa Meda Montoya

teammates. We were able to plan the whole thing and many were

Editor-in-Chief Staff

Fortunately, I can say that I could not have done this without my

still interested in joining. One reason we did not want to give up

Joselyn Enriquez Jennifer Jimenez Emely Maldonado Candice Plata Zaira Ramirez Paul Repreza Matthew Roman

journalism was because journalism has been around since the school

Mr. Lam

or when we do cover stories.

Advsier

opened and we would like to continue that legacy, not just for me, but for the students, staff and community. This year we want to continue with a new approach: this digital magazine.

We want to continue to share the process and stories about our school. We want students to be excited when a new issue comes out

My name is Brianna Hernandez and I want you to know that I am

Instagram

excited to be your president of this year’s Journalism Club. We have

Disclaimer

journey with you.

@thejaguartimes The news and opinions expressed in this publication are those of the student staff and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of South East High School. *Unless noted, all digital graphics were created using artificial intelligence.

A Letter from the Club President

so much planned for this year and we look forward to sharing this

Once again, I would like to thank my teammates and my advisor for making this possible. We hope you enjoy our magazine and the stories we have covered.

Sincerely yours,

Brianna Hernandez The Jaguar Times Club President

Jaguar Insider | 3

A STUDENT’S POV

Should students be using AI for their homework?

THE WAR

A Paul Repreza Staff Writer

Jaguar Insider | 4

rtificial Intelligence (or AI for short) has deeply affected things we do manually. Its influence has not only affected this school but has made an impact globally. As a 12th-grade student, having to use AI for your benefits has its pros and cons.

Here are some of the pros of using AI as a tool: You can engage in conversations with its ability to answer your questions about anything you want to ask no matter how difficulty it is if that includes solving issues that are school related, other issues you may be struggling with personally, etc.

By communicating with AI it instantly comes up with multiple solutions. It can even give you specific answers depending on what you need.

With the help of this profound resource it can allow not only students but everyone else to find the answers that they are constantly looking for, not having them find the answers they want the long way.

AI to me is more a shortcut to find what you need and that isn’t bad at all. The problem with this, however, is that it can affect your work ethic in doing assignments necessary to pass your classes which leads to laziness.

Although AI does make learning for individuals easier, they will soon develop a dependence on it making it an essential part of their daily lives.

By relying on it too frequently, it hinders our ability to develop skills such as critical thinking, logical reasoning and independent learning skills. For example, apps such as Photomath, Symbolab and ChatGPT will

provide step-by-step solutions for the work that you are doing.

One of the good things about it is that it can help us understand complex concepts, and check our answers to see if we are correct or not.

However, one of the major bad things about getting your answers from apps/websites that have AI is that it gets its information from the internet. Now you might be thinking; “The internet has everything you need to know!” Which is true. But there are chances of AI itself giving you false information.

False information can negatively affect your grade on certain assignments or even tests.

As I begin to see it evolve faster in the course of a few years, students will have to adapt to apps designed to detect if their essays, answers and assignments were all done by themselves or if it was all AI. With this, teachers will become more self-aware of their students using ChatGPT, becoming more aware of the dangers and how it negatively affects the way their students do work, damaging the academic integrity of how things function in a school environment.

At the very end of the day, AI will help you complete that assignment.

Sure, you will encounter some obstacles but it is my hope that you still learn a few things from it and have an understanding of what you are about to turn in for your assignment.

From elementary school all the way to college, AI is the inevitable future.

How we decide to use it will determine whether this new technology will be a blessing or a curse.

R ON AI I

have a confession to make: I use AI at my job.

Ever since the rise of artificial intelligence tools like ChatGPT has been a major help to me when creating lessons and assignments for my classes.

I don’t use it for everything. In fact, I have only used it a handful of times.

But when I am stuck trying to figure out something for my class, AI has been a great tool.

Recently I wanted to show my students an example of what a quality five-paragraph essay looked like. I didn’t have the energy to write up my own example so I turned to ChatGPT and prompted it to give me an essay on guitar legend Jimi Hendrix. Within seconds, I had a perfect example to show my students. But like any good teacher, I had to vet the essay and then add my own additions to make sure it was appropriate to what I wanted my students to learn.

I’ve quite enjoyed using AI to help me with lessons. Last year, I had my students create AI-generated images of their own avatar that they would use if they were inserted into “Ready Player One,” a novel we were reading about living in a digital world. They showed a lot of excitement in doing an assignment that was so different from the norm. After all, a teacher was telling them to use AI. This may seem like that I am all on board with AI but I actually am very weary of it. A few years ago, students turned in AI-generated poems for an assignment and tried to play it off as if they wrote it themselves. It was very obvious that the words and style used

did not align with any of their previous work in my class. It was so apparent that I didn’t even bother grading it. I did not want to reward them for cheating on an assignment.

This is where I am fearful that this behavior will continue on a larger scale. I am now creating assignments that require more of a student writing and sharing their personal perspective. I am looking for them to provide me details that AI could never know.

That way, I don’t give my students an opportunity to use this digital tool as a shortcut.

But it’s inevitable that there will be more advancement in this technology and I will have to create new ways to prevent my students from being put in a position where they can fool me with AI. Every year I am going to have to learn more about what advancement in technologies are out there and what ways I can ensure that the work that is turned in to me is written by the students themselves. It’s a lot more work for educators to ensure that the students are honestly learning and not relying on this tool to get a quick pass out of an assignment.

Even though I enjoy using AI to aid me in creating my lessons, I am fighting against it every day with my students. Most of my students have turned in honest work so at least for now, I feel OK with AI. But still, it’s an ongoing war against an entity that’s an ally and an enemy all in one. And in this battle, I don’t know what a victory for either side is going to look like. I wish I had the answer to this dilemma. Perhaps ChatGPT could provide me the answer.

A TEACHER’S POV

AI has made me rethink how I teach my classes

Mr. Lam Adviser

Jaguar Insider | 5

SENT AWAY IS THE NEW POLICY ON BANNING OUTSIDE FOOD WORKING?

BY MATTHEW ROMAN

ON SCHOOL FOOD

“Some students would rather not eat the school-provided food and attend classes, do their assignments on an empty stomach.”

S

outh East High School recently implemented a new policy that students and teachers must abide by this school year. The policy states that students and teachers are not allowed to bring food onto school grounds. This includes but is not limited to, a student ordering food through a delivery service and the driver delivering it to the main office, a student stopping by Starbucks before school to pick up a drink or breakfast sandwich or even ordering a pizza as a reward for good work in a class.

This rule was fully enforced until the beginning of this school year. The rule was introduced in the introductory assembly in the auditorium for all students in August. The only consequence of bringing outside food onto campus was that the staff would ask the student to turn in the food or drink where either the staff or student would throw it away. It was emphasized that there were no exceptions to this rule.

During the assembly, the staff also reminded the students that all food deliveries that showed up at the main office would be refused, as this has been the case consistently over the past few years.

Students are unhappy with this new rule.

“I don’t like this new rule,” shared senior Bianey Hernandez. “Sometimes me and other students are hungry and do not have anything to eat. And sometimes students can’t concentrate in class because they are hungry. And the school food is sometimes disgusting.”

In the mornings, students entering campus will be offered a free lunch as part of a program that the district has implemented. These daily breakfast options usually include a small carton of juice or milk along with fruit. The breakfast menu has recently featured sausage and cheese bagels, coffee cake and cereal. Teachers have been told to encourage students to pick up a breakfast every day as there is consistently leftover food and the school may be forced to consider keeping the pro-

gram on campus.

Despite the free breakfast options in the morning and lunch being offered to over 2,000 students on campus, some have opted to bring their own food to campus. Students have agreed that the food served is not typically seen as the most appetizing.

Los Angeles Unified School District outsources the distribution of food to all their schools through YumYummi.

Students can find that week’s menu for both breakfast and lunch online and know what is going to be served. With students not liking the food being served and not being able to bring outside food to school, some students end up not eating throughout the entire school day. Some students would rather not eat the school-provided food and attend classes, do their assignments on an empty stomach. This can lead to many issues such as fatigue and lack of energy to concentrate.

When freshman Anthony Capetillo was asked if the breakfast the school serves is enough, he replied, “No, it’s too dry and bland.” Asked if he was aware of the consequences of bringing outside food, he replied with uncertainty. “Detention perhaps? Maybe a restriction on the phone?” This shows that perhaps this rule is not clear enough for some students.

“I think the only consequence is having your food taken away, which is weird because we’re having food taken away that we paid for with our own money,” chastised senior Jennifer Sandoval.

School dean Mr. Ramirez said that there have been cases where students are late to school because they went to get food from a restaurant before coming to campus. He hopes that the policy will prevent these tardies. “We can’t have students coming in late because of this.” He also emphasized that the recent opening of nearby restaurants like Raising Cane’s and Starbucks have made it challenging.

Not everyone disagrees with the new rule. Biology teacher Ms. Felix provided her viewpoint on why the

rule is worth enforcing.

“I agree with the ban on ordering food because it is not healthy for our students to eat such unhealthy foods.

The amount of sugar, salt and fat in fast foods is not good for them. I believe that school lunches are much healthier for our students and should be given a chance. If the food has no flavor, then add a sauce or something else to make it better. Last week a student gave me a bean burrito and I added Tapatío, which I have in my class, and it was pretty good with it. I think students should try the food and eat more school food.”

While the flavor of the food may be unappealing to students, some have already determined that that is enough for them to not eat it. Despite the healthier food options provided to the students by the school, fast food like McDonald’s and coffee drinks like Starbucks usually win out in preference.

With this re-enforced rule of not allowing outside food on campus, students have to now make a decision on whether or not they will eat at school It’s a difficult decision they have to make every day. ¤

A poster in the B building enforcing the new rule.

Matthew Roman/The Jaguar Times Staff

Jaguar Insider | 7

FEATURED STORY

BAD RECEPTION STUDENTS & TEACHERS REACT TO NEW LAUSD CELL PHONE POLICY

BY ACSA MEDA MONTOYA (@PAY4SITA_)

Jaguar Insider | 4

D

uring orientation at South East High School and at many other schools throughout Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD), students were made aware of the new phone policy taking effect starting January 2025. Other than the information publicly disclosed by district members themselves, some questions remain unanswered regarding how the policy will be implemented and enforced.

The impending policy has received mixed reactions.

Nick Melovin, a school board member at LAUSD devised the resolution of a district-wide cell phone ban. The policy was approved on June 18 by the district. Melovin said that a district-wide cell phone ban will help students focus in class and give them a chance to socialize. LAUSD will be the largest school district to implement a policy that compels schools to be cell phone free.

This ban applies the second a student enters a LAUSD school campus.

According to the policy, students are not allowed to use their cell phones during school hours on campus. This includes passing periods and lunchtime.

Some teachers at South East have already implemented their own policy with cell phones. Teachers have been collecting students’ phones in any sort of container at the beginning of class or when a student is using their cell phone, the teacher will confiscate it and return it later at their discretion.

Some teachers give you warnings while others offer no tolerance on the matter.

The announcement of this policy sparked different types of reactions among students and teachers alike.

Some students are strongly against the policy, especially since some of the students don’t know exactly what to expect for this upcoming policy.

There are some issues with this new policy. Anxiety and addiction in students cannot just dissipate with a ban on cell phones. Students only assume the worst considering the fact that we have teacher planning ahead of time for the ban. Students could possibly be asked to keep their phones in their lockers or somewhere secure where they’re unable to use their phones.

With the current dependence on cell phones for teenagers as well as the

different technological aspects of the modern classroom, this policy gives the impression that cell phones aren’t needed in a school setting when it actually can help enrich students’ learning. While the policy has gained support of some teachers in the school, there are also growing concerns about how the policy will be executed by both teachers and students alike and what impact it’ll have at South East.

The school’s dean is one of the most important figures in enforcing this new policy at South East. He revealed the school’s current plan with the new policy.

“We’re going to implement some of the same rules that we have right now, which is if you have it out, we can take the phone away from you. Once the district-wide policy comes in, we’re going to implement taking the phone away and returning it at the end of the day. More than one offense becomes a little bit more and more serious as we continue to go that path. And we’ll put those things together, and share them with the students at the Spring Expectation Assembly.”

While the exact details of the policy’s enforcement at the school have yet to be disclosed, students can expect a much more demanding cell phone policy than the one the school currently has enforced. While this policy may bring positive outcomes, it’s clear that some not-so-very underlying complications may arise once this policy comes into effect.

Currently, there’s only a schoolwide cell phone policy, where it’s up to teachers to decide the consequences of using cell phones in class. Teachers can either take the phone away and give it back to students at the end of the day or choose to give it to the administration in the school for the student or parent to come pick up.

At South East, cell phone culture is actually encouraged in the classroom through different forms of communications. The phones are small and portable, making them convenient for interactive classroom activities such as Kahoot, Booklet or even filling out Google Forms. This can help students create a sense of digital citizenship and learn how to use their phones responsibly. Posted flyers along the hallway have QR codes, which encourage students to access different sources of information through their phone.

Many school organizations, clubs

Jaguar Insider | 9

and sports teams use social media to make announcements and interact with students. For some students, their phones are a source of communication, whether it’d be between students and parents, or even between club members and team coaches.

Clubs often use Instagram for promoting different activities and events.

This policy will heavily impact that important skill of communication that helps hold these different on-campus groups.

During club day, clubs have anyone interested in their clubs or sports to join a group on the Remind App, follow them on Instagram, or share phone numbers to be added to a group.

The policy will make it a challenge for students to promote their clubs digitally and communicate with them.

Students may turn to just simply printing cards or flyers, but that requires more materials and time to produce.

Technology makes it easier for clubs

activities. They also have tools implemented within phones that are useful in a school environment, such as calculators, search engines for research and communication tools.

“Other challenges are when students have to leave the class early for sports or when they go home,” science teacher Ms. Felix said of the impact of the new policy. “This may disrupt classroom instruction if the teacher locks them away and has to unlock it for students. It can also be a problem during emergencies when students have to evacuate the class and the building and it will not be easy to give them their phones. It may also be a problem when students rely on their phones for their work. For example, when I have students that do not speak English and must use the translator on their phones to translate work and even their conversations.”

Emergencies have been one of the main counterpoints from teachers

“Why did we spend so much time teaching students how to use it [cell phones] as a resource and then take it away?”

- Ms. Galarza, History to keep track of their club members and communicate with them. This especially can impact those in sports as well since they may need to communicate with their teams during school hours. Accommodations for students with disabilities or those who do not speak English have been considered, but not confirmed to be amended in the policy.

Despite numerous support from teachers in the district, not every teacher is in favor of this upcoming policy.

“For one, why did we spend so much time teaching students how to use it [cell phones] as a resource and then take it away?” history teacher Ms. Galarza asked. “How will they scan QR codes, fill out surveys? What will replace those mediums as tools for information?”

Cell phones have been the most convenient way for students to keep in contact with their parents and other peers and mentors, especially if they’re involved with extracurricular

Jaguar Insider | 10

and students as to why the new policy may be flawed. Members of the school were reminded of that on October 23 when the school went into lockdown for around 90 minutes. Students’ parents came to pick up their children during the lockdown but were not allowed to until there was clearance from local police.

During situations like this, parents will want to know if their children are safe, making phones essential in such emergencies. There are also growing safety concerns over the absence of phones in a school environment during emergencies, making communication crucial. The district has yet to release details of the policy in regards to such emergencies.

“The lockdown was a scary experience for many students,” shared freshman Kimberly Perez. “They [the students] deserve to be able to contact their parents with no problems. We should be able to not feel worried if we didn’t have our phones with us. This cell phone ban can affect this.”

Freshman Jocelyn Gonzalez echoed that sentiment.

“Another thing is we should have our phones just in case there is an emergency and if we don’t have phones, then that’s another problem.”

With technology dominating life in the modern world we see today, it’s crucial for students to learn how to properly utilize the resources they’re given and are crucial to daily life. That includes cell phones. They’re also necessary in cases of emergencies, considering anything can occur in a school environment. Having access to a phone is important so that students can keep in touch with their parents in case of any emergency at school.

When students can contact their parents, it alleviates stress and confusion.

“I think we should be able to have our phones but not use them, only for emergencies,” explained junior Viktor Alas-Larios.

LAUSD isn’t the only district in California that has supported a district-wide cell phone ban. The Bay Area’s San Mateo-Foster City School District started enforcing middle school students to seal their phones in pouches in 2022. According to a report by Education Week, more states nationwide are pushing towards cell phone ban policies or creating policies that help minimize phone use on school grounds. Florida was the first state to ban cell phones in classrooms. Indiana followed after.

Despite the trackable success of cell phones being banned from schools, it still doesn’t guarantee success for LAUSD, the second largest school district in America. There are potential issues that can arise from the ban.

That’s how freshman Lizbeth Flores sees it.

“I don’t agree with the cell phone ban because there is always going to be a problem with everything, but there are other choices instead of banning them completely.”

With the cell phone ban set to take place, how the policy will be enforced is one the biggest unanswered questions for the school. Both students and teachers will have to wait for the sprin’s Student Expectation Assembly to see how South East will approach this new rule from the district. Until then, the obscurity of the policy lingers among the minds of staff and students. ¤

SPORTS

Girls Flag Football:

PIONEERS OF SOUTH EAST

BY CANDICE PLATA (@CMARIE07_) & ZAIRA RAMIREZ (@Z4IR.AAA) As the hot late-afternoon October sun beamed down onto the field, there were smiles lined up along the track of the South East High School football field. The girls flag football team was honoring their seniors following the final home game of the regular season.

As members of the class of 2025 gathered, they each passed around a paintbrush that was dipped in navy blue paint and covered the palm of their hands with it. Family members, friends, loved ones and teammates cheered on as each girl commemorated their final season with the team.

One by one, the seniors approached a hand-painted poster being held up by their teammates and head coach. On it were glued cutouts of footballs with the names of every senior on the team next to it. Each senior called out their own name and with blue paint on a hand, made an imprint of their hand onto the poster.

Captain Jazmine Martinez was next, beaming with a wide smile. She made her final call in front of the home fans.

“Jazmine Martinez, signing out!” She shouted to an array of cheers and applause from those in attendance.

Martinez found her football and gently placed her hand on it. As she pulled away, her print laid perfectly onto the ball on the poster.

Teammate and co-captain Leilani De Leon, with her painted-covered left hand, followed her friend’s cue, shouting, “Leilani! Signing out!” before placing her painted hand forward, leaving not only an imprint on the poster but an everlasting legacy at the school.

Jaguar Insider | 12

T

he South East High School girls flag football team has been celebrating a lot of firsts this year.

This was their inaugural season after interest in creating a team took motion during last school year. During the first season, the team celebrated many wins and also many memories. But their biggest win was being able to successfully establish girls flag football on the South East campus after many obstacles.

This year, South East High School proudly introduced a Girls Flag Football team, generating a wave of excitement and conversation throughout the school community. The team’s journey to this point started with the advocacy of special education teacher and JLAW lead Ms. Ramirez.

Last year Ramirez started promoting the idea of a flag football team at South East. But the path to that started earlier. “We began talking about having a girls flag team during April of 2022,” she recalled. “Other districts had flag football that fall [semester] and we thought our girls were good enough to have a team.”

Her expectations were high for a potential team on campus, knowing the talent and skills of the student-athletes on campus. “Our girls were expected to be really good because of the type of athletes all our sports programs have.” Ramirez never gave up on these girls and persevered throughout the challenges the team and her faced.

She wasn’t the only one fighting for the team. Alongside her was Mr. Coria, South East’s athletic director. One of the challenges they faced was finding a head coach who had experience in football and taught girls specifically.

Fortunately, when Coria sent out a listing to fill that vacancy, Omar Muñoz Vergara, a former football coach, applied and was hired to be the first flag football coach in South East history.

As the team prepared for tryouts, the outcome was quite unexpected.

According to Coach Muñoz – whom the players affectionately call Coach Omar – approximately 40 girls tried out for the team. It was not an easy task but Muñoz Vergara was able to finalize a roster of 25 players for the season.

Seniors and co-captains Leilani De Leon and Jazmine Martinez shared their excitement when news about the school’s new flag football went public last year.

“Honestly, as soon as I heard about it in junior year immediately I was so happy,” De Leon recalled.

“I feel like it’s nice to finally have it [the team], just because everyone has talked about it,” Martinez added.

The roster is evenly spread with seniors, juniors and sophomores. There is only one freshman on the roster: Melany Bibian. Despite being brand new to the school and team, she has fit in quite well and connected with her teammates.

“Being the only freshman feels like being the baby of the team,” Bibian shared. “It’s not so bad I would’ve thought I wouldn’t fit in but I like how all the girls make me feel like I fit in and include me in stuff.”

For them, this was their first time participating in a sport at South East High School. However, the seniors have had experience in South East’s annual Juniors vs. Seniors PowderPuff Game last year. For the flag football game, the roles are reversed from a traditional football game where the girls are the players and the boys are on the sidelines as cheerleaders.

When the news spread about the game, those who are now seniors, jumped at the opportunity to partake in this school activity. Being in powderpuff allowed for the girls to experience flag football for the first time. This new experience allowed them to learn more about football. That knowledge and curiosity eventually led them to

Team photo (left) and senior Leilani De Leon during practice (above).

Candice Plata/The Jaguar Times Staff

“I feel like it’s nice to finally have it [the team], just because everyone has talked about it.”

- Senior co-captain Jazmine Martinez

Jaguar Insider | 13

Senior Night Farewell Moments

Photos courtesy of Yazaira Nuno Rodriguez

Jaguar Insider | 14

- Melany Bibian on being the only freshman on the team

nities to high school girls’ flag football teams throughout Southern California to compete against other teams and encourage girls’ flag athletes to continue to be trailblazers and leaders on and off the field. “Wherever they are in Southern California, the Rams have a place for them to come and compete,” said Rams Associate Manager of Social Justice and Football Development Noel Grigsby.

Football (with the NFL leading the way) is the most popular sport in America, just like many other male sports. According to Women’s Sports Foundation, “By age 14, many girls are dropping out of sports at two times the rate of boys.” And there are many reasons as to why this happens. One reason being, a decreased quality of experience. Female sports don’t get as much attention as male sports, which means that they won’t get the same opportunities. While Muñoz Vergara does agree, he, alongside other coaches, are working hard in order to make sure that the female players get to play “under the lights” with a full crowd. He believes that it is what they deserve.

Juan Zamora, a senior on the boys football team, is happy to see that the girls are getting their opportunity to play football like he has. Just like other football players, they have a positive attitude and opinion on the team and some are even willing to help the coach out. While boys football remains the more popular sport, Zamora knows the flag football team can succeed and The South East girls flag football team in action .

Zaira Ramirez/The Jaguar Times Staff

“I like how all the girls make me feel like I fit in and include me in stuff.”

carry that over to the team this year.

However, their knowledge and curiosity wasn’t the only thing that helped them. Muñoz has been a great asset for the team. While many of the girls did play PowderPuff, just as many didn’t. So, for those who wanted to join but didn’t know anything about the sport, they were not excluded, as Muñoz welcomed those who had the spirit to learn and play.

“Practice is much more education based because not all the girls have knowledge in the game of football,” he explained. “So, I take it upon myself to teach them, not just the basics of football, but as they start showing more confidence in their football IQ. I show them some advanced parts of football.”

Flag football is focused on the dedication to learn and having the hard work ethic to build up teammates and find success.

“We still put in all the work even if it’s still practice,” Martinez said. The effort has led to them finishing the regular season with an 11-9 record and a first-round matchup against Jefferson in the playoffs.

Their bonding and growth started earlier this year thanks to the NFL’s Los Angeles Rams. Earlier this semester on September 23rd, the Rams hosted an annual Girls Flag Jamboree event at UCLA. It welcomed over 2,500 high school flag football teams in which South East got an invitation.

According to the Rams, the annual jamboree’s goal was to give opportu-

Jaguar Insider | 15

“-- just like boys football, the girls are putting in work into their craft just like them.”

- Head coach Omar Muñoz Vergara

Jaguar Insider | 16

Junior Aaliyah Miner carries the ball against Legacy.

Zaira Ramirez/The Jaguar Times Staff

make it to CIF. “I think so far they are doing great, sure there are some losses but that’s in every sport.”

Taking his experience coaching boys in football, he applies that to his approach to flag football. “Nothing changes because just like boys football, the girls are putting in work into their craft just like them. Just because one of them is tackle football and the other is flag football, should not be a reason to treat one differently than the other.”

Senior Melissa Maldonado knows that the practices used to improve in different aspects of the team chemistry. “We like to have music while we practice plays and [review] errors made from the previous game. But honestly in practice is also a moment where the team bonds.”

Their practices consist of the team beginning their warm-up with stretching and a run around the field. By then the quarterback throws the ball while the rest of the team are running routes to catch the ball. To get them ready for their next game the coach goes over their opponents plays to get them in game mode.

Lastly, the team plays a 7-on-7 scrimmage game, with a final rally to officially end their practice. Some of the challenges Muñoz has mentioned is practice attendance. Due to different circumstances, some girls are not able to attend practice which limits their ability to run scrimmages in practice. But they work with who is available and still develop their skills for the next game.

“I feel like the only difference [from boys football] is less tackling. There is attitude, there is still roughness and toughness.” Martinez added about what makes the flag football team at South East special. And as Martinez and her fellow senior teammates sign off for the season, the momentum has already drawn excitement and higher expectations for the team to carry the ball towards a stronger future. ¤

#di str act ed How teenagers are navigating social media obsession in the aftermath of the global pandemic.

By Jennifer Jimenez (@j.duarte26)

A

t South East High School, social media has become an integral part of daily life, especially among students. Platforms such as Instagram, Snapchat and TikTok have transformed how young people communicate, share information and perceive themselves and their peers. While social media offers numerous benefits, its impact on students is multifaceted, presenting both opportunities and challenges.

For many students, scrolling through their feeds is the first activity they engage in upon waking up and the last before they go to bed. The bright colors, engaging videos, and endless streams of content create a world of distractions that can pull attention away from academic responsibilities.

A recent study by the National Education Association (NEA) found that students who used social media for more than two hours a day tended to experience a drop in their academic performance. The constant lure of notifications and updates keeps students on high alert, making it difficult for them to engage deeply with course material. The implications of this distraction extend beyond poor grades.

Teachers have reported an increase in disengagement during lectures and discussions. Students frequently multitask, switching between their schoolwork and social media platforms, which can lead to cognitive overload.

English teacher Ms. Gonzalez shared her experience in the classroom with social media.

“Social media has definitely negatively impacted students’ attention spans and focus in the classroom.

They have such a hard time not checking their phones on a regular basis.

This is why I encourage my students to place their phones in a ‘cell phone home’ that is posted at the front of our classroom. This forces them to take a much-needed break from social media—even if they aren’t pleased with this break.”

Other teachers have a rule that must be followed once a student steps into their classroom. These rules are to make sure students put their phones in a holder until the end of the period.

In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak began, in which students had to shelter at home and do online learning. The sudden transition to remote learning forced students to adapt to online platforms. While some thrived in this environment, others struggled with lack of engagement, technical issues, or limited access to resources, leading to varied views on the effectiveness of their education.

For some students, online learning provided a sense of flexibility and autonomy. They could manage their time more freely, which some appreciated, while others found it difficult to stay motivated without a structured classroom environment. Many students realized how essential social interaction is for their overall well-being and academic success. The lack of face-to-face interaction during remote learning made students appreciate the social aspects of school.

Remote learning also encouraged students to become more independent and responsible for their education. Many developed better time management and organizational skills as they navigated their own learning environments. Many students formed new connections through online study groups and social media. This digital camaraderie helped to foster a sense of community despite physical separation.

One of the most significant advantages of social media is its ability to facilitate communication. Media pla-

tforms allow students to connect with peers, share resources, and collaborate on projects regardless of physical location.

Senior Damien Acosta shared how social media has benefited his education. “Social media allows us to collaborate within creating group chats especially with AP classes.”

This seamless interaction encourages teamwork and collective problem solving, which are essential skills. Students can easily create study groups, exchange ideas, and provide constructive feedback, enhancing their learning experiences.

Social media has transformed how

“Social media has changed the way I consume news because now I find myself more easily distracted.”

- Senior Katie Preza students consume news and information. Senior Katie Preza shared how this has affected her. “Social media has changed the way I consume news because now I find myself more easily distracted. Any news has to be summarized before the details are added or else I might get bored. Now I find myself consuming news in short videos rather than documentaries” Students typically use a range of social media platforms, including Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok and YouTube.

Each platform serves different purposes, from sharing personal experiences and interests to following influencers and engaging with news and educational content. Many students actively share and create content, ranging from photos and videos to blogs and memes. Platforms like TikTok and Instagram encourage creativity and self expression with students often

participating in trends and challenges.

Students increasingly turn to social media for news and information.

Social media is the primary means of communication among students. They use messaging features, comments, and posts to stay connected with friends and family, organize events and share experiences. However, these same platforms may promote harmful behavior, pressure to gain unattainable physical traits and exposure to inappropriate photos and videos.

During school students started using Airpods as a form of distraction.

Some students use Airpods to listen to music or watch videos during class, which can lead to disengagement and a lack of focus on the lesson. While Airpods facilitate personal listening experiences, they can also create barriers to social interaction among students. When wearing any form of earbuds students may be less likely to engage in conversations or group activities. Teachers may have to repeat certain aspects of lessons because students did not hear them because of Airpods. The presence of Airpods in classrooms can lead to challenges regarding school policies on device usage. Some schools have banned them during class to prevent distractions.

Airpods are easy to carry, making them a convenient option for students who commute to school or move between different classes. Students can listen to educational podcasts, audiobooks, and online lectures wirelessly, allowing them to make efficient use of time during study breaks. Many students use Airpods to listen to white noise or music on Spotify, which can help them concentrate and block out distracting noises in busy school environments. But these scenarios are not common and most times students are distracted with whatever they are listening to on their Airpods.

While social media is often portrayed in a negative light, its potential benefits for students cannot be overlooked. From enhancing communication and access to resources to fostering creativity and building supportive communities, social media can play a pivotal role in enriching the student experience. By navigating these platforms mindfully and using them as tools for growth and collaboration, students can harness the positive potential of social media to enhance their academic journey and personal development.

That responsibility falls in the hands of the students who fight for the use of social media at school. ¤

Jaguar Insider | 19

EXCLUSIVE: LITMAG SNEAK PREVIEW

LI

A Letter From LitMag Club President As the semester comes near an end, LitMag is excited to announce we will be releasing Issue 02 of our Literary Magazine where we showcase students’ writings and art work!

With this magazine we hope to give our students a creative free space to share their amazing works and be published to share with an audience. Our magazine is full of poems, short stories, photography, drawings, fun media content and much more all submitted by our Jaguar students (take a look at the example shared here & find much more on Issue 02)!

T

LitMag is so grateful for the community of our school, as well as our amazing Journalism Team, for being so welcoming and amazing!

President: Melissa Lopez Grade: Junior Year: 2024

Unfolding

If you are interested, we hope to publish our fall issue in the first weeks of December as an online magazine, where we will post updates on our Instagram (@sehslitmag).

M

Make sure you are on the lookout to take a look at our future magazines and share one of your works the next time submissions are open!

A

Butterflies don’t change without seasons of growth, Just like me, transformed by time’s gentle hand In silence, memories unfold like a flower, Fragrant with joy, filled with memories in each petal

G

My braids are gone, my mom’s gentle touch too, Yet, in quiet moments, a little girl still whispers anew ‘Comfort me, dear ones, as the world’s pace quickens and grows’

‘

School and sports consume me, Leaving me breathless, yearning for a simpler pace Oh, to bask in love and laughter, careless and free, Like a butterfly emerging, wild and full of glee

2 4

Change, oh change, you bring both beauty and ache, A bittersweet symphony that my heart can’t shake Still, I’ll spread my wings, and let the seasons guide, Embracing growth, though a part of me remains inside

Author: Anahi Ramirez Grade: Junior Year: 2024

Jaguar Insider | 21

FALL SEMESTER HIGHLIGHTS

All photos taken by members of The Jaguar Times staff

Jaguar Insider | 1 26 2

Jaguar Insider | 23

This issue is dedicated to the memories of three beloved members of the South East family.

MR. JOSE RAYGOZA

CHRISTOPHER GARCIA

MR. STEVEN CLARK

ONCE A JAGUAR, ALWAYS A JAGUAR.