The Antlerette// Feburary 1

THE ANTLERETTE

Issue 9

the antlerette

february 2018 IN THIS ISSUE

The Beginning of the End

by Maya Corona, Staff

This is it. My last semester in high school is days a week to the next high school reunion in session. In less than four months, I will when we’re all adults with lives. We will all be have a diploma. All the hard work and allparting ways; the only thing uniting us will be nighters will come to fruition, and I will the school we receive our diplomas from. become a high school graduate. After twelve For now, the nostalgia and possible sadness years in the public school system, seniors will that one would expect to accompany this suddenly be tossed into the world at the milestone has been numbed by stress and bottom of the food chain with wide eyes and anticipation. I, for one, am feeling the heat. open arms to their There are so new surroundings. many There is no limit to expectations and the possibilities in questions. Many our wake for the seniors are next years of our overwhelmed lives. with college It still hasn’t hit applications, me that it is my last scholarships, semester in schoolhomework, jobs, in all honesty and countless sometimes I forget I’m other https://i.ytimg.com/vi/P4LhWSN3YSw/maxresdefault.jpg not a freshman anymore. I, personally, responsibilities. I’m sure every senior knows cannot imagine what the next few years of the joys of being bombarded by family my life are going to be like. My entire life was members at Thanksgiving and Christmas spent living here in Elk Grove, attending about their plans for college and the future, school with the same people I went to forcing you to come to terms with all the kindergarten with. It feels like yesterday chaos of senior year. So until the day we when I played soccer on the muddy, throw our caps in the air, there is more work pockmarked field at Markofer Elementary. to be done.

Twelve years have sped by with no time to comprehend what is ahead for us. It is most likely that I will go from seeing my peers five

The Origin of Valentine’s Day I Valentine's Day is a day to celebrate love and friendship, and is celebrated on the 14th of February every year. Many people exchange cards, candies, gifts, or flowers with their special “valentine”.

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Where Do We Stand Now Net neutrality laws and regulations have always been protecting the Internet and its users from exploitation from Internet service providers (ISP). This protection prohibits Internet service providers from interfering with the communication of any data on the Internet.

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Olympics 2018 The Winter Olympics are happening once again as the best athletes around the world compete. This year, the world will be participating in the 23rd Winter Olympics since it started in 1924 in Chamonix, France.

The Winter Olympics will take place in Pyeongchang, South Korea as chosen by the 123rd IOC (International Olympic Commission in 2011) and is the 3rd Olympics ever held in the continent of Asia.

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Meditation is the Key to Success

by Jason Nguyen, Staff

Dealing with the everyday life struggles sometimes can be overwhelming and stressful whether its financial issues, work or school. One method that could ease the constant flow of life is meditation. Meditation is used to clear someone’s mind and become more aware of a current situation. Clearing your mind allows you to calmly assess a problem and observe it from a different perspective. Some people react to problems without consideration of other people’s emotions and thoughts at the time. A couple of benefits of meditation are focusing, help with stress, anxiety, and it can also help with sleep. Meditation also allows a person to be aware of the present time.

Most of the time, we are lost in thought either pondering about the past or in the future and it is hindering your experiences of the present time.

For example, it’s your birthday and the constant thought of the death of your grandma won’t help you forget about it or enjoy your birthday. Living in the present time is essential to maintain a happiness in your life which is attainable through meditation.

Meditation can take place anywhere, it doesn’t matter if it’s a noisy place or a quiet place. The common misconception is that you must go to the mountains or take a trip on the beach to

meditate; however, you can just meditate at home at your desk. A huge part of mediation is your posture. Your back must be in a 90 degree angle with your bottom. Finally we are ready to start the process. Inhale through your mouth and exhale through nose. Once you have completed a cycle, count each time and see how many cycles of breathing you have completed.

The effect meditation can have on someone can help them relieve stress and live a healthier lifestyle. The mental health of an individual is just as important as fitness as well. Being healthy in your mind and body is the key to living a happy

and stress free life. Even though many people have very busy lives, there is always time for you to meditate to better you.

Being a person meditating for the past six years for me it helps me focus on the task at hand.

Sometimes if I am stressed out for finals, I give myself a couple of minutes to meditate.

Meditation helps me relax and clear out all the thoughts in my head. Personally, meditation has not only helped me through many situation where I was lost, but I discover more about myself when observing the world through a peaceful view.

Fresh, Worthy Trends

By Jenna Quarnstrom, Staff

Spring is just around the corner and, with the weather changing, closets full of winter parkas and gloves need to be ready for the trends of spring 2018. With the most recent fashion shows in Paris over, the trends have been defined for us.

All the rage is art-inspired clothing. From prints featuring cartoon clips to clothing inspired by the work of famous artists and painters, art-inspired clothing is sure to be all the rage as we head into spring 2018.

Trench coats are back, new and improved.

This year’s trench coats have definitely seen an upgrade, such as combining two coats to form a sort of cape and redesigning the cuts to form a sleek beautiful work of art.

Punk has made its return for better or worse. Fishnets and leather, or denim jackets have made a full comeback along with the black and white colors that have made this style so distinctive in past years.

As always, this spring, there will be floral prints to enjoy because what says spring better than flowers, looking fresh enough to be picked right off the cloth? You can be sure that everything from trench coats to hats will be sporting that fresh look.

This is just a little peak at trends coming to us in the spring of 2018, and they are looking positively chic, promising a fresh start to the year and an even worthier wardrobe.

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My Pre-Season Softball Experience

by Emma Day, Staff

Softball season is around the corner and coming upon us athletes very fast. Even though the official league hasn’t started, there’s no time for slacking. There is much to do in order to get ready for the season filled with competition and rivalries.

Elk Grove High School is very blessed to have a 6th period softball class that we can use to get extra practice. Not every school and team has this opportunity, so we are very fortunate. Starting in November, we got a select week of practice after school.

Beginning then, we started strength and conditioning every Monday and Wednesday after school. Up until now, we have followed this schedule, but added two extra days, Tuesday and Thursday. When the new semester began on January 3, 2018, we

began our 6th period class. During this class, we are working hard to prepare for the upcoming season. When the school bell rings, we wrap it up and go straight into our workout lasting until 4:30pm.

There is no rest when its ball season. We go five days a week, practicing hard and diligently every day. We do not take the time for granted and always get the best work out of the time we have. This is crunch time and it’s time to show the coaches how you play.

Our 6th period class allows the coaches to see the talent every day before we have actual tryouts in early February.

When February arrives, cuts are made and the team is created. Just when you think it couldn’t get any busier, it does: five to six days a week for three and a half hours a day.

Practices, workouts, dinners, scrimmages, pre-season tournaments, field days, and league is full force. As an athlete, we must take care of our body’s throughout the season to prevent injury and illness. It is responsibility in itself to make sure you are on top of everything. We are expected to work hard day in and day out. It’s important for you to take advantage of weekend off to rest and recover your body for the upcoming week.

It’s very important to still stay focused on school as well. Without at least a 2.0 GPA, or if you have an F, you cannot try out or be eligible for the team. Maintaining your grades and coming to softball prepared and ready to work is an everyday activity.

It’s the most exciting time of the year for us softball players here at Elk Grove High School. All the hard work we put in is for the goals that we set. We are a winning team with a winning attitude and our goal is to win league and sections as a Varsity team.

The Origin of Valentine’s Day By

Raymond Ali, Staff

Valentine's Day is a day to celebrate love and friendship, and is celebrated on the 14th of February every year. Many people exchange cards, candies, gifts, or flowers with their special “valentine”. This day of romance has a couple different names. It can be called Saint Valentine's Day, or even the Feast of Saint Valentine. Although it has a couple different names, it has the same meaning and serves the same purpose. It originated as a Western Christian Liturgical feast day honoring one or more early saints named Valentinus and many people don't know this. Also, February 14, Valentine’s Day is associated with romantic love, a day to express love and give love.

This day is recognized as a significant cultural and commercial celebration in many regions around the

world, although it is not a public holiday in any country. Saint Valentine's Day became associated with romantic love and Geoffrey Chaucer, also known as the father of English literature, in the 14th century, when the tradition of courtly love flourished. In 18th century England, it evolved into an occasion in which lovers expressed their love for each other by presenting all the gifts said above.

Truly, Valentine's Day is an official feast day in the Anglican Communion in the Lutheran Church.

Celebrations from this holiday date all the way back to the 5th century. Although the origins of Valentine's Day are a bit murky, we do know that the ancient Romans celebrated the feast of Lupercalia, a spring festival that is celebrated on http://federicosalon.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/328da033-2f1e-4fdf8e87-03d02f28d8b0.jpg

the 15th of February. When Christianity was introduced, the holiday was moved to February 14th, the saint day that celebrated several early Christian martyrs named Valentine.

In conclusion to this Valentine's Day, I’m going to buy my loved ones candies, flowers, and even gifts to celebrate this day of love. This day is also a day to spend money. The National Retail Foundation said Americans were projected to spend $18.2 billion, or on average $136.57 per person, on things like, candy, flowers, cards and fancy dinners for Valentine’s Day this year. So, I hope you have a great Valentine’s Day!

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Quirky Aquarius and Dreamy Pisces

By Haven Ernst, Staff

February is a month of love and compassion. So what’s your horoscope like this month? Are you going to be single or taken? Will you be happy and content or in the need to get your life together? Well, I’m here to tell you your horoscope for February of 2018.

Aquarius, this is the month for you to start over and get your life together, connect all the dots. This month with the right diet and exercising routine, you may drop a few

pounds! This is the month to bring some exciting hot romance into your love life and spice things up! Make this month and year your peace finding safe place. Make it a safe haven where you can go to look back and say “Wow, I made it.”

Pisces, this month you will go through some troubles that’ll make you unhappy at the time, but, after all the hurting is over, you’ll see that it was in your best favor that it occurred. You will go through a lot of

changes that help you find a sliver of who you are and you will be happy because of them. It’s time to start saving your money!

New job opportunities may arise; don't stop looking! Either a new relationship opportunity may rise or your relationship will go downhill.

This is not a part of the horoscopes, but a little advice from one person to another, don't give up on yourself. Keep striving to get where you want to be, no matter what. You are worth the stars and the moon. If your happiness means cutting some people out of your life, that’s okay too. Don't let anyone determine your future, only your horoscopes and don't hold onto the past, let go, set yourself free.

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The Book, The Presidency, and The Trump

By Christian Ajos, Staff

It has been over a year since President January 5 when Trump’s lawyer attempted to Donald J. Trump was inaugurated into the stop the book’s publication.

White House. Many Americans were split on This book received many reactions from his victory, and many more had doubts on the American people and others across the whether or not he would be a good globe. While it’s receiving mixed reviews president. Recently, a book was released here in the United States, according to Gerry called Fire and Fury, written by Michael Wolff.

Mullany New York Times’ article entitled Before getting into how this book has “North Korea praises Fire and Fury book on affected the presidency and the Trump administration”, the book is country as a whole, let’s talk welcomed and accepted in North about what the book is Korea. The North Korean actually about. The title is media has gone as far in reference to President as to say that the Trump when he used the book’s popularity term “fire and fury” in signals President Trump’s reference to the conflict political demise. Despite with North Korea. This its mixed reviews here in the book provides descriptions of United States, Fire and Fury: the esteemed leader http://img.jakpost.net/c/2018/01/06/2018_01_06_38479_1 Inside the Trump of the United States White House is 515210670._large.jpg of America. It also tells of what the White selling at high rates. An article called “‘Fire House Staff think of their current and Fury’ Is Selling Like Crazy” states that the Commander-in-Chief. The book is known to publishers shipped 700,000 copies during the contain many unflattering descriptions of the press release. An article by ABC news called president. It was to be originally released “‘Fire and Fury’ Sales Top 29,000 in the First later in January, but was moved up to Weekend”, stated that the book sold 479,000

copies during its weekend debut. This suggests the book’s rising popularity among the American citizens. The book has also received negative responses, mainly from President Trump himself. An article by the Los Angeles Times called “Trump Reacts To Fire and Fury by Lashing Out At Author and ‘Sloppy Steve’” shows a tweet from President Trump saying that the book was “full of lies and misinterpretations”. He also said that the sources used “didn’t exist” and went as far as to call out the former White House Chief strategist “Sloppy Steve”.

This book has provided insight into the Trump White House. Despite the mixed opinions surrounding the book, it has played its role in giving people an idea of what it is like inside the Trump White House. This book has no doubt most likely caught the American public’s attention and will continue to do so as more copies sell. As more and more copies are made and sold, people, depending on their interpretation, might call into question our President’s ability as head of government.

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5 Congress government would be impossible while the decides if they government is regulating the Internet will or will not specifically targeting civil disobeyers. No be repealed. protest would be possible because they Congress had wouldn’t even be able to gain momentum 60 legislative when they are killed from the start through days to either the blocking of protesting content. It is accept and pass extremely important that we fight this bill to or deny the save the Internet. Today’s youth needs to repeal. The Congressional Review Act (CRA) fight for the Internet because the lives of will be used against FCC’s appeal in court as today youth revolve around the Internet. the FCC is being sued by multiple The Internet has become the most useful organizations and even independent entities tool in every industry. It is the most for freedom of the internet. accessible tool for gathering information and The absolute elimination of net neutrality learning things, as well as the fastest way to protections prevents access communicate across to specific information and long distances. The the freedom to make any Internet has political statement, a sort of transformed the way censorship. Net neutrality we live our lives for the prohibits the prioritizing better and we are on Internet communication of the verge of losing it. users who pay. Elimination of Restrictions placed on this is discrimination what and what is and unfair to those who https://www.aclu.org/sites/default/files/field_image/web1 not accessible can cannot afford to pay for 4-netneutrality-500x280-v01.png damage the faster Internet service. The Internet is freedom to learn, to create a movement, and supposed to be a place for all to access to grow your own businesses. Selfequally. This also would allow throttling, or opportunities will cease, and benefits of the the slowing down of specific services based net will only be for the few higher-ups. We on who sends it and where it is going. Ending need net neutrality because we deserve net neutrality means losing the biggest online freedom to speak on whatever we platform for all political movements and want, and find whatever we want without protest if the government sees fit. Rallying regulations. support for any movement against the

Where Do We Stand Now?

By Asiyah Mohammed, Staff

Net neutrality laws and regulations have always been protecting the Internet and its users from exploitation from Internet service providers (ISP). This protection prohibits Internet service providers from interfering with the communication of any data on the Internet. It prohibits discrimination by Internet service providers by forbidding them from charging people for or blocking people from specific sites or online content. It also forbids them from intentionally slowing down the speed of communication of any websites or data. A decision was made at the end of 2017 to terminate net neutrality, and the topic sparked interest and rage.

The attack on net neutrality began in June 2016, but now has more importance than ever. President Donald Trump has appointed Ajit Pai as the head of the operation and he has a big motivation for making money. Pai and Trump expect that ending net neutrality and allowing Internet service providers to regulate Internet traffic will bring in revenue.

Although the Trump FCC voted to repeal net neutrality laws and regulations on December 14, 2017, the laws are still in effect until

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Investigating Clinton

By Tanner Mendoza, Staff

The Justice Department has launched an investigation to look into any illegal activity in the Clinton Foundation during the time Hillary Clinton served as Secretary of State, which was published on January 4th in an article from The Hill. The FBI and federal prosecutors are looking into whether or not donors of the foundation were improperly promised special access to Hillary Clinton or policy favors in exchange for money. The FBI is also investigating the foundation due to the suspicion of misuse of tax-exempt funds.

These investigations and suspicions had been carried over from past cases in 2016 that had been stopped right before the election, so that the public could not accuse the Justice Department of tampering with the election.

They have now resumed these cases because of President Trump's urge to punish

“Crooked Hillary” and her aides since the FBI has already carried serious allegations on his own campaign team.

Republicans have pushed the FBI to reopen probes on the Hillary email investigation. FBI Director, James Comey, recommended that the case be closed without charges in late 2016 before he was fired. The case was later resumed, but came to no changes with the Justice Department endorsing the decision. Currently, the Justice Department has stated that senior prosecutors have now begun to review investigation records to see if any concerns raised by Republican lawmakers qualify for an appointment of special counsel to open up investigations once more. Hillary Clinton’s spokesman, Nick Merrill, criticized the investigations in a statement: “This is a

philanthropy that does life-changing work, which Republicans have tried to turn into a political football. . . It continues with Jeff Sessions doing Trump's bidding by heeding his calls to meddle with a department that is supposed to function independently.”

Following that statement, Democrats have also suggested that President Trump is making attempts to turn attention away from investigations examining any relation of Russian influence on the 2016 election from within his own campaign. This ongoing investigation is run from one of the FBI offices in Little Rock Arkansas, but agents have been ordered to not speak publicly. On the condition of anonymity, they spoke with the Hill, being the first to report the probe.

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Olympics 2018

By Zion Trunnel, Staff

The Winter Olympics are happening once again as the best athletes around the world compete. This year, the world will be participating in the 23rd Winter Olympics since it started in 1924 in Chamonix, France.

The Winter Olympics will take place in Pyeongchang, South Korea as chosen by the 123rd IOC (International Olympic Commission in 2011) and is the 3rd Olympics ever held in the continent of Asia. The IOC is a group that organizes preparations for the Olympic events every two to four years. They choose the cities that each Olympics will be held in advance, years before the actual events. Currently, the next Olympics in the next 8 years already have hosting cities, which are Tokyo for 2020, Beijing for 2022 Winter Olympics, and London and L.A. for the 2024 and 2028 Olympics.

The 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics will take place during the month of February, starting on the 9th and ending on the 25th.

For these Olympics there are projected to be 90 nations around the world that will participate. In preparation of the Olympics the South Korean government began construction back in 2012 of a high speed rail-line that connect the city Pyeongchang to the nation's capital Seoul. This will bring more revenue for the city and nation as

6 Africa’s Winter Olympic athletes. Brolin Mawjelle is also looking forward to represent Uganda in the Winter Olympics for snowboarding. These athletes that were previously athletes for the summer Olympics are pushing to raise traveling between the more areas will become opportunities easier. South Korea also for winter sports picked a mascot for the in Africa.

2018 Olympics, Sooha There seems to be Rang, an animated white shifting tides in the tiger. winter as The sports to be underrepresented https://romanreads.com/wpplayed in the Winter content/uploads/2017/12/Winter-Olympics.png countries are rising, Olympics are divided winter sport empires are falling. Russia has into 3 main categories, which are ice sports, always been one of the top nations in alpine skiing and snowboarding, and Nordic performance in the Winter Olympics. sports. The ice sports category includes the However, in the 2014 Winter Olympics, sport of bobsledding, luge and speed skating Russian athletes have been caught and events. The alpine skiing and snowboarding accused of using performance enhancing categories includes alpine skiing, (which is drugs. As a result of this, the Russian nation downhill skiing), freestyle skiing (which has has been banned from participating in the ramps for jumps), and snowboarding. The 2018 Olympics. Also, the National Hockey Nordic events category includes sports such League (NHL) will not participate in the as biathlon (cross country skiing and rifle Olympics this year because the shooting), ski jumping and Nordic combined administration doesn't give a break to the (ski jumping and cross country skiing). athletes between the seasons this year. This The 2018 Winter Olympics will be making will lead America to find athletes from history as the first bobsledding team from college teams. the continent of Africa has qualified for the This year's Olympics will be interesting while Winter Olympics. Three Nigerian women preparation is underway as teams prepare for practiced with a makeshift bobsled, and will the competition. Hopefully America can represent Nigeria and Africa as a whole. The bring home some gold medals, as athletes women are the closest hope to bring the from this nation represent America on the African continent a gold medal, as to date world stage there hasn’t been a gold medal by any of