the antlerette // spring 2017

THE

ANTLERETTE VOLUME 91 // ISSUE 2

S EN I O R EDI T I ON

antlerette // spring 2017

TA BLE OF C O NTEN TS 2 Letter from the Editor // Mauriana Raye

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2 Top Scholars 2017 // Olivia Ali & Landon Parkinson

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The Art of Adaption // Chelsea Planesi

9 Life in the Sky // Mauriana Raye

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10 Guarding the Line at Sac City // Zach Madsen

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Next Stop: Broadway // Kamran Fardanesh

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Brains & Brawn // Sheralyn Laron

Don’t Be Lazy, Keep Trying! // Tess Sommer

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Bringing Live Entertainment Back // Hannah Faith Villareal

Hidden Figures // Anna Serpa

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Designing the Perfect Future // Olivia Ali

What Not To Do At Graduation // Shelley Gouveia

15 Prentyce Hitt is Moooooving On // Katie Goldman

EDITORIAL ADVISOR // MICHELLE HAMILTON PHOTO ADVISOR // KENT PICKERING DESIGN ADVISOR // MARGARET SOULIERE

COVER PHOTO ILLUSTRATIONS & PHOTOGRAPHY // BRITNY CLAYBERGER, EMMA COLLINS, MAX VASQUES, ANGUS WONG LAYOUT DESIGN // CURTIS WONG

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LE T T ER FR O M T HE E DITO R MAURIANA RAYE // EDITOR IN CHIEF

I

n this edition of the Antlerette, we are dedicating all of our stories to the seniors. From comparing college costs to battling senioritis, this issue highlights the importance of senior year. We also feature the top ten students who have excelled academically throughout their high school career. Instead of following the traditional format of college expectations and a top ten feature, we decided to switch it up and have senior profiles for students who aren’t in the top ten. We interviewed several students who were straying from the “traditional” path of going straight to a four year university after high school. Many seniors are going to community college or into the military and they deserve recognition as well. Life after high school is exciting and new, but you have to graduate first in order to experience it.

Let’s see where life takes us, Class of 2017.

T OP S C HO LA R S /20 1 7 OLIVIA ALI // BUSINESS MANAGER, LANDON PARKINSON // STAFF & EMMA COLLINS // PHOTOGRAPHER

0 1 / A S HLEY L OP EZ FIGUE RA INTENDED SCHOOL: UC BERKELEY MAJOR: POLITICAL SCIENCE What are some tips that you would give to underclassmen?

Make the most out of your high school years. College may seem really far away, but every year counts. Do whatever you can to stand out and be unique, don’t be shy or afraid. Do what you like.

What are things that you had to give up in order to maintain your grades?

I had to really balance my social life. I always left the week totally to school and saved friends for the weekend.

What is something that’s very important to you?

My dad. He is my inspiration because he works really hard for me, he’s always optimistic and never gives up. I want to be like him.

Out of the top 10, who would be your partner for world domination?

Curtis Wong. His laugh attacks would hypnotize the whole universe and make it all subservient to all our wishes.

How was your high school experience and did you enjoy it?

Fun. I got to learn a lot about different cultures and became more open and extroverted. It was crazy and stressful at times, but worth it for the life lessons and learning.

Yes, I definitely enjoyed it.

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HE RD PRID E /2017 02/ IS ABELLA D OB SON INTENDED SCHOOL: CORNELL UNIVERSITY MAJOR: UNDECIDED What are some tips that you would give to underclassmen?

Don’t procrastinate. Don’t cheat.

How did you stay motivated to keep up your grades?

I like to challenge myself. Matthew Planesi told me as a freshman that I needed to get Valedictorian since he only got salutatorian.

What profession are you planning on going into?

I don’t really know yet, but maybe an architect or a statistician.

What are things that you had to give up in order to maintain your grades?

Sleep. Time with family and friends and... sanity.

What is something that’s very important to you?

My sisters, parents, teammates, and running.

Out of the top 10, who would be your partner for world domination?

I would choose Christopher as my partner for world domination because I need his mock trial knowledge to ensure I go through all the correct legal procedures to achieve international supremacy.

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How was your High School experience and did you enjoy it?

I enjoyed cross country and track...and school, most of the time.

03/ LA UR EN B OW E N INTENDED SCHOOL: UC IRVINE MAJOR: NURSING What are some tips that you would give to underclassmen?

Get motivated and just do your work.

How did you motivate yourself to keep your grades up?

Myself.

What profession are you working toward?

Ob/Gyn Nurse Practitioner.

Was there anything you had to give up for your academics?

Not really.

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Out of the top 10, who would be your partner for World Domination?

My partner for world domination in the top 10 would be Cole because he’s super smart.

Overall, how was your high school experience? Would you do it again?

It was high school.

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T OP S C HO LA R S /20 1 7 04/OLEN GOVE R INTENDED SCHOOL: UC DAVIS MAJOR: MECHANICAL ENGINEERING Any advice for underclassmen?

Focus on your SAT and ACT because it’s one of college’s biggest factors.

How did you motivate yourself to keep your grades up?

I knew if I wanted to go to a good school, I had to keep up my grades.

Was there anything you had to give up for your academics?

Not really, I was able to balance football and school.

If you did not choose your original major, what major would you choose and why?

If I didn’t choose Mechanical Engineering, I would choose a major in the automotive field because I enjoy anything car related.

Overall, how was your high school experience? Would you do it again?

Great high school experience, but I’m looking forward to a change.

ANY ADVICE FOR UNDERCLASSMEN?

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“Do your homework, it’s the easiest way to learn.”

CURTIS WONG

05/ CUR TI S W ONG INTENDED SCHOOL: UC LOS ANGELES MAJOR: NEUROSCIENCE How did you motivate yourself to keep your grades up?

I had to force myself to do my work.

What profession are you working toward?

Neuroscience or in the medical field.

Was there anything you had to give up for your academics?

A lot of time.

Out of the top 10, who would be your partner for World Domination?

It’s gonna be my girl Ashley because of her fantastic speeches that she gives. She’ll captivate the audience while I enact my absolutely diabolical plans of world peace.

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Overall, how was your high school experience? Would you do it again?

I enjoyed it but it wasn’t the best. High school is what you make of it.

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HE RD PRID E /2017 06/ A BI AYALE W INTENDED SCHOOL: AZUZA PACIFIC UNIVERSITY MAJOR: PUBLIC RELATIONS Any advice for underclassmen?

Don’t spread yourself too thin, make the most of it, and get some sleep.

How did you motivate yourself to keep your grades up?

I don’t really know, I just did my work.

What profession are you working toward?

Public relations for families and businesses.

Was there anything you had to give up for your academics?

I stopped sleeping.

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What Disney character do you relate to and why?

Princess Tiana is my girl because she’s a strong independent black woman.

Overall, how was your high school experience?

Challenging and stretched my boundaries. I made the most of it, but I wouldn’t do it again.

OVERALL, HOW WAS YOUR HIGH SCHOOl EXPERIENCE?

“Challenging and stretched my boundaries.”

ABI AYALEW

0 7 / JACKIE BL ANCHE TTE INTENDED SCHOOL: SOUTHERN OREGON UNIVERSITY MAJOR: ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE Any advice for underclassmen?

Get involved in programs and make friends outside of your age group.

How did you motivate yourself to keep your grades up?

Senior year I had to motivate myself to do better than freshman year.

What profession are you working toward?

Environmental Science Researcher Was there anything you had to give up for your academics?

A lot of my free time to do things.

What do you do when you’re procrastinating?

Play the piano and watch YouTube.

Overall, how was your high school experience? Would you do it again?

Mixed reviews, but would not recommend doing it again.

07 PHOTO ILLUSTRATION // CRYSTAL MOORE

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T OP S C HO LA R S /20 1 7 0 7/ADE SU WA OSUND E INTENDED SCHOOL: UC LOS ANGELES OR BERKELEY MAJOR: PRE-MED Any advice for underclassmen?

Challenge and push yourself because you don’t know what you can achieve.

What profession are you working toward?

Medical field, either a pediatrician or Ob/Gyn. Was there anything you had to give up for your academics?

A social life and other extracurricular activities.

What’s your favorite study snack?

My favorite study snack is Cheez-Itz. Overall, how was your high school experience? Would you do it again?

It went by fast, but I probably wouldn’t do it again.

HOW DID YOU MOTIVATE YOURSELF TO KEEP YOUR GRADES UP?

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“My dad is a huge inspiration to me and fueled my desire to be a doctor.”

ADESUWA OSUNDE

09/CHR I STOPHER MYE RS INTENDED SCHOOL: BYU, PROVO MAJOR: NEUROSCIENCE What are some tips that you would give to underclassmen?

Take tough classes because lots of kids say, “I won’t take those classes because I don’t need them”, but then wish they had taken them later. Don’t limit yourself. You could change your mind.

How did you motivate yourself to keep your grades up?

You’re talking about back when I was motivated, right? Class rank really motivated me.

When I realized I was top 10, I really wanted to stay in it.

What sacrifices did you make to maintain your grades?

SLEEP, soccer and volleyball, and TV. I used to watch an episode a day and now I watch none.

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How was your high school experience and did you enjoy it?

My high school experience was really busy...and enlightening. I did not enjoy busywork and history. I did enjoy the logical thought processes that some classes helped me develop.

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T OP SCHOLA R S /2017 10/COLE IB B OTSON INTENDED SCHOOL: UC LOS ANGELES MAJOR: PRE-LAW Any advice for underclassmen?

Get involved in a lot of different things because it makes it more fun.

How did you motivate yourself to keep your grades up?

My drive to get into college.

What profession are you working toward?

Something in law, but no specific type yet.

Out of the top 10, who would be your partner for World Domination?

Lauren Bowen, for sure - welcome to a world where our policy is modeled after our religious scripture, The Pinkprint.

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Overall, how was your high school experience? Would you do it again?

It was busy and often stressful, but I’d probably do it again.

WAS THERE ANYTHING YOU HAD TO GIVE UP FOR YOUR ACADEMICS?

“Sleep.”

COLE IBBOTSON

11/ CA MRYN SCHWAB E NLAND INTENDED SCHOOL: UC SANTA BARBARA MAJOR: PRE-MED Any advice for underclassmen?

Don’t slack off and set goals.

How did you motivate yourself to keep your grades up?

By keeping my long term goals in mind.

What’s your favorite study snack?

My favorite food is a chicken burrito from Chipotle. I plan on entering a burrito eating contest in the future.

Was there anything you had to give up for your academics?

Sleep and social time.

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Overall, how was your high school experience? Would you do it again?

I loved it, but I wouldn’t do it again.

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION // CRYSTAL MOORE

senior edition < 8 CHELSEA PLANESI // STAFF

TH E ART OF A DA PTI O N

A

daptation is a technique that all animals use to survive. Humans have to adapt the most during their lifetime because of the various environments they are thrown into throughout their life.

One of the biggest changes that occur in a human’s life is the jump from high school to college. Most teenagers go from living with their parents and having friends who they have known for years to absolutely no one- no family nearby, no friends by your side. This transition sounds frightening, but it doesn’t have to be if you know how to properly adapt to your surroundings. Here are some tips as to how to survive in your new environment:

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Avoid hibernation and resist the urge to retreat to your cocoon of a dorm room. One of your top priorities at college is making lifelong friends and that starts with introducing yourself to people. During your first few weeks at a new college, it is socially acceptable to ask for someone’s name and it’s the perfect time to make friends. I know that for some of us shyer folks, making friends is terrifying, but you have to be fearless and meet people from all over the country. Make sure you know your roommates before anything gets finalized, so you don’t end up with someone who has completely different interests than you.

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Budget yourself. The story of the “starving college student” is not just a myth. It is reality. To prevent yourself from becoming this person, budget yourself by buying cheaper meals and less brand name items. If you are a shopaholic and won’t freeze your credit card to budget yourself, then try out some budgeting apps such as Mint. Also, shop at stores that could supply you with almost everything you need- according to my older sister “Walmart is a God send”. You can also budget by not buying all of your textbooks immediately because some are offered in the library or online for free.

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Don’t become nocturnal. If you are taking night school, then, of course, you’ll become partially nocturnal. For all of the regular day-time students, I warn you about staying up all night. Just because your parents are not there to monitor you does not mean you can neglect your responsibilities and become nocturnal. If you’re someone who just can never get a good night’s sleep no matter how hard you try, avoid morning classes. If you do get a morning class, make sure you have a buddy at your side to prevent you from snoring in class.

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Use your environment to your advantage. If one of your roommates won’t turn down their latest Netflix show and you have a massive exam tomorrow, study in the library. Don’t wait until your senior year to discover the library. It is quiet and the perfect environment for peaceful studying. Weekends are also extremely helpful. If your professor has recently assigned a long reading that’s due in a week, get it done early on the weekend. Budget your time wisely because it will fly.

This list is composed of several different tips and strategies that will help you successfully adapt to your new environment- college. It is not a scary experience because every other college freshman is in the same boat as you. College is one of the best experiences of your life, so be brave and be prepared to switch into a completely new setting.

BRITNY CLAYBERGER // PHOTO ILLUSTRATION

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LIFE IN THE SKY

EMMA COLLINS // PHOTO

MAURIANA RAYE // EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

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regg Boggess has been a leader in the marching band since his sophomore year. He is a skilled musician who is dedicated to being a good leader. Even though he has been very involved in band, he is not pursing music after high school. Gregg is planning on going into the Navy to become an Air Traffic Controller. Air traffic controllers are people trained to maintain the safe, orderly, and expeditious flow of air traffic in the global air traffic control system.

Q: Why did you choose to go into the military?

A: Honestly, it has just kind of been a thing my family does. My father, grandparents, uncles, and cousins all did it. We just all do it.

Q: What are you planning on doing?

A: I’m going to be an air traffic controller in the Navy.

Q: How do you prepare for the Navy?

A: I’m a delayed entry program which means I have to do all of these meetings and counseling with recruiters. I have to do studies with them as well.

Q: What is some advice that you would give to your freshman self?

A: Don’t slack off and stop procrastinating.

Q: What did you do throughout high school?

A: Band really dominated my life. I became the tuba section leader my sophomore year, secretary junior year, and now I’m the president.

Q: Do you do anything outside of band?

A: Well I definitely have a social life outside of band but I couldn’t do any sports even though I tried. Band really takes up a lot of your time so having a social life is very important.

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GUARDING THE LINE AT SAC CITY ZACH MADSEN // STAFF

J

on Pochop is a senior football player at Elk Grove. He plays on the offensive line where he has been a starter for the past 2 years during Elk Grove’s playoff runs. Jon has attended Elk Grove for 4 years and is involved in ASB which helps run a multitude of events throughout the school. Jon is choosing to attend Sac City for College and wishes to get a degree at Sac State eventually.

Q: Why did you choose Sac City over the Los Rios community colleges?

A: I choose Sac City because it gave me an opportunity to play football for 1 to 3 years. And not only have a good football experience, but have a good educational experience too because my main goal is to be the first of my family to get a degree. I feel like going to Sac City will start that off best for me.

Q: So you plan to play for 3 years, what position do you play?

A: I play on the offensive line, right and left tackle, guard, pretty much anywhere on the line.

A: For the first semester, no, because my time will be entirely consumed by football with different training games and practices, but second semester when it calms down and it’s only kinda workouts and practices here and there I do plan on having a job, yes.

Q: Is there a specific area of study you wish to pursue going to community college and then possibly carrying that to a 4 year?

A: Criminal Justice and that’s also why I chose Sac City. They have a great criminal justice program that can really launch off my education and I can get some good transfer credits to go to Sac State and hopefully finish my criminology degree.

Q: With criminology, what type of career field do you wish to pursue?

A:Definitely law enforcement.

Elk Grove PD, CHP, Department of justice would be cool for me I would enjoy that.

Q: So why did you choose a community college over a traditional 4 year like going to Sac State?

LIN COL MA EM

Q:Do you plan on having a job while you attend community college?

S // PHO TO

A: Well, if I wanted to go to a traditional 4 year I would have needed a scholarship and I had a scholarship to a school in Idaho. But after visiting there I realized I didn’t like it.

I couldn’t see myself there for 4 years and I know that I need to go somewhere I can be happy. So I chose Sac City, because of the proximity to home and still get a good football experience, so I can see if I wanna play on a scholarship for another 2 years, or if I wanna finish out at a 4 and be a full time student.

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NEXT S T O P : BRO A DWAY ?

KAMRAN FARDANESH // DESIGN MANAGER

E

llis Hansen, a senior at Elk Grove High School, has plans to pursue a career in performing arts. His participation in several school plays, serving as the lead role, has given him the opportunity to display his natural talents in theatre and film. Hansen’s artistic lifestyle has proven to be captivating, innovative, creative, and inspiring. Hansen’s drive for success as a performing arts student has paid off, as he has plans to attend a performing arts school later this fall.

Q: What school do you plan to attend this fall?

A: I hope to attend Poly University in Chicago but there are options of possibly next year applying to Julliard and/or NYU. Q: What do you plan to do with an education through performing arts?

A: It’s one of those careers that you actually don’t need a degree in. You do not need a Bachelor’s to be an amazing visual artist; you just go out and do it. The type of degree I’m going into is conservatory training.

Q: Have any other careers crossed your mind or has performing arts always been a dream of yours?

A: I’ve been bouncing around careers for a while, but ever since I got into performing arts, I thought this was definitely for me. If I wasn’t to go into performing arts, I’d probably consider international relations.

Q: At what age did you realize that performing arts was something worth pursuing?

A: My family has always been really, really involved with the arts; all of my siblings are musicians. I didn’t decide I’m going to be in performing arts until actually my sophomore year.

Q: Has anyone specific influenced or inspired you to pursue this career?

A: Specifically, I would say Mrs. Lee just to call her out right now. She really has helped me in that she really motivated me. Also my previous director before transferring to Elk Grove High, Mr. Crane. He’s extremely intimidating but he makes you believe, even if you suck, that you’re the best actor ever and that you have potential.

And Mrs. Lee does that too, except she’s not actually scary.

Q: Any last words?

EMMA COLLINS // PHOTO EMMA COLLINS // PHOTO

A: Basically pursue what you want, but if you want to go into the arts, it’s gonna be a lot of fun.

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B RA IN S & BRAWN SHERALYN LARON // STAFF

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avin Reinwald is a 2017 graduating senior at Elk Grove High. He is influenced greatly by his parents. Gavin has committed to playing football at the University of California, Berkeley this upcoming fall. On top of his impressive football skills, the tight end wide receiver is on top of his game academically. Gavin’s skills in sports and his motivation to do well in all that he does is a driving factor in his outstanding achievements and numerous college offers.

Q: How many years have you been playing football?

A: I’ve been playing since the seventh grade. I started in the Jr. Herd program and I’ve just moved my way up.

Q: How do you balance your academic life with football/sports?

A: It’s hard. After school I probably spend about three hours just training for football. I also spend at least two hours doing academics and homework each night.

Right now I’m doing AP Stats and Chemistry and it’s definitely hard to balance, but I don’t know, there’s definitely a lot of sacrifices I have to make to be able to do that.

Q: What are you planning to major in or are you going in undecided?

A: Well, I’m going to go in undecided, but at Cal, they have this thing where you can sort of create your own major. You can combine two different majors into one, so I feel like I want to try to do something around that area.

Q: How have your parents helped with this process?

A: They’ve definitely helped a lot because I’ve probably visited over twenty schools that are interested in me. My parents have really helped me break it down academically, but also for my skill level in football and what was the best fit for me. They really emphasized how I’m getting a free education and to get the best education that I can get, so getting a UC education from Cal is probably amazing.

Q: Why did you decide to switch from committing to the University of Hawaii to the University of California, Berkeley?

A: Cal offered me a week before signing, and I just felt like I couldn’t pass that opportunity up because Berkeley is such an amazing academic institution. Also, their football level is way beyond.

EMMA COLLINS // PHOTO

EMMA COLLINS // PHOTO

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BRINGING LIVE ENTERTAINMENT BACK

EMMA COLLINS // PHOTO

HANNAH FAITH VILLAREAL // EDITOR

N

oel Bennett is a graduating senior this year and has been in the theater arts club for 4 years and has been in a total of 8 plays, 2 each year. She has wanted to be a voice actor, but there was no other way to train for that specific course so she chose to join theater. Noel only recently joined the class version of theater due to past schedule conflicts with TDA and council. Now she has made a decision to move on and get a BA in theater arts.

Q: What schools did you apply to and for what major?

A: I applied to quite a few, but the big one was UCLA for their BA in theater arts. And I also applied to San Diego State for their art program, along with Santa Cruz, Sonoma State, and others like that. Each one is for theater though. I’m really hoping I get into UCLA, but if I don’t I’m probably going to try for Santa Cruz.

Q: Why did you choose to go into a BA and can you explain the difference between a BA and a BFA? A: I really want to focus on theater itself. I decided to get a BA instead of a BFA. BA is a bachelor degree of arts and it’s just learning everything about theatre so you will learn tech, learn costuming, lights, acting, along with directing and creating plays. And

then all the other classes you have to take in college. Then a BFA is a bachelor degree of fine arts where instead you would be doing acting and only that. You probably wouldn’t have to be doing other classes along with it so throughout your four years you’re constantly acting; just going to acting class every day which is really rigorous and that’s why I feel going to a BA where I know it’s everything.

Q: Did anyone recommend certain schools?

Q: Do you want to just be in theater or are you hoping to get on the big screen?

A: For colleges that have very prestigious art programs you have to audition. For instance Santa Cruz you don’t have to because it isn’t really an acting or art based college. But at San Diego State and UCLA, I had to audition. You make an appointment and go where they hold auditions. I went to San Francisco to audition for UCLA. And I had to do a monologue audition, which was two memorized monologues from stage prep. And then we had to do an interview.

A: I feel like theater is really what I want to do. I feel like being in movies and stuff isn’t exactly what I want. I want live entertainment and I feel like it is being lost in our modern world right now and that’s why I feel really strongly about theater and I feel that it needs to be put back to where it was.

Q: Did your parents approve?

A: Yes, they actually did, but of course with acting, it’s a scary business because you never know if you’re actually going to get in if you’re actually going to get the part so I’m going to be minoring in psychology just in case. I love psychology and acting isn’t really just putting yourself as someone else, you have to take and give from each person you’re acting with and have to be that person and yeah mixing that really helps.

A: I did get some help from someone that was teaching us how to audition for everything in theater class and she was helping us decide what we want, a BFA or a BA, and all the different schools and all the different opportunities they have.

Q: What is the audition process like?

Q: What advice would you give to future seniors interested in getting a BA? A: Be prepared for auditions because sometimes they surprise you. It can be terrifying because you have to memorize your monologues really early. So always try to keep monologues where you can pull them out of your pocket, just in case they ask you to do another one. Because I was asked to do a third one when I only needed to do two.

senior edition < 14 OLIVIA ALI // BUSINESS MANAGER

D ESIGNIN G TH E PERFE C T F UT UR E

M

organa Parsons is a graduating senior from Elk Grove High School. Throughout her four years as a student, Morgana has become involved with TDA After high school, Morgana is planning to expand her education in the field of graphic and web design.

Q: What career path do you plan to take after college?

A: My big idea is to become a freelance graphic and web designer, but recently I’ve considered working towards being an art director of a design firm.

Q: What schools did you apply to?

A: I applied to the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Whittier College, Sac State and Chico State. SAIC was my top choice and I got accepted.

Q: What school do you plan on attending after high school and what degree are you going to work toward?

A: Cosumnes River College, and then I’ll transfer to the School of the Art Institute of Chicago in Spring 2019. I have enough AP credits to bypass about four classes in my general education courses, so I can transfer into SAIC a semester early. I’ll get my associates in art history, and my bachelors in Fine and Studio Arts with an emphasis in Visual Communications.

Q: What made you choose to get your associates at the local community college?

A: Ultimately, money was the major deciding factor. Tuition at SAIC is $45,000 a year and $12,000 for housing, and cost of living in Chicago is 1.5 times as much as Sacramento. SAIC was nice enough to offer me a $63,000 scholarship, but it just wasn’t enough so deciding to stay at home to save money just made the most sense.

Q: Besides getting your associates in art history, is there anything else you’ll be doing in Sacramento?

A: I still work at the Elk Grove Library and will for the next year and a half. I’ll try to get another job soon just to save up money before I move. And besides working, I’m going to try to get an internship at Crocker Art Museum next spring.

EMMA COLLINS // PHOTO

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PRENTYCE HITT IS M O OOOOV I NG ON KATIE GOLDMAN // STAFF

P

rentyce Hitt is a 17 year old senior who has been in the AG Program (the school’s agricultural studies) for 6 years now. She started learning about California Agriculture in 7th grade at Joseph Kerr Middle School, and she has had her mind set on a career in this field since she first enrolled in these classes.

Once she had her mind set on what she wanted to do, she has pursued this dream with a passion by keeping herself busy in all things agricultural based and being the most dedicated student she could be. She is graduating with four years of experience in high school level AG classes and an excessive amount of knowledge in the agricultural field.

Q: After 4 years of high school AG sciences programs, how do you plan to incorporate this knowledge into your future?

A: Through the technical knowledge I’ve gained and the contextual information I’ve learned, I plan on using it in college courses. Also, the people and public speaking skills I would like to use in my everyday life to help me in my occupation.

Q: What type of major are you going for in college?

A: I plan on going for an animal science major. I wish to earn a PHD in veterinary medicine.

Q: In an ideal situation, what type of career would you like?

A: I would like to work on a dairy or a cattle ranch as the head veterinarian.

Q: Do you ever plan to have a farm or land where you could have a farm animal?

A: Yes, I plan to live in the rural landscape where I will have a few acres.

Q: How has high school AG sciences programs helped you plan your future?

A: The pathway for California Agriculture Education I am currently on in high school has solidified my goal to become a veterinarian.

KENT PICKERING // PHOTO

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D ON’ T BE L A ZY, KEEP TRYIN G! TESS SOMMER // STAFF

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here are only a few more months until school is over, especially for those who are going to graduate! I have always struggled the last few weeks of school about taking my grades seriously. I am sure everyone else has the same struggle, but I am here to encourage you to keep your head high for the best expectations for the year!

For seniors, it’s really important to take your grades seriously at the end of the school year. If you don’t you might have to retake senior year when you are supposed to be in your first year as a freshman in college. Knowing that you have to take your grades seriously can be annoying at times, especially when it comes to simply keeping you from doing the homework consistently that only affects a little part of your grade. Even though it is a small percentage that affects your grade, any little points will end up bringing your grade up, if you take it seriously, that is. The next thing to do when it comes to taking the last few months seriously is to study for quizzes and tests. At least you have some extra knowledge! In all seriousness though, if you take it upon yourself to do the work and study for the class, your grade will be something colleges will look at and take consideration for acceptance. You will learn something that might interest you while taking the topic seriously and you will feel proud of yourself for getting the grade you deserve. Staying ahead is good because you won’t procrastinate and rush through your work.

Procrastinating shows the teacher and your peers that you didn’t take the assignment seriously when it was given to you. If you

MAX VASQUES // PHOTO ILLUSTRATION

don’t procrastinate and do your given assignment as soon as it is assigned, you won’t have to worry about cramming in words that don’t make sense. You can learn balance between work and fun.

You also won’t have to worry about losing sleep because you aren’t staying up late working on the assignment the day before it is due.

Another major reason why we should take grades more seriously throughout the entire school year is simply because we get the benefit of learning something from the class we are currently in, and it will affect our future. People who take school seriously will have more benefits in life and more opportunities to be successful.

Another important factor for why seniors need to take school seriously is because of the fact that high school grades are important to colleges. This is is mostly important for when you would want your dream colleges to accept you to come to their college. You wouldn’t want your report card to look bad when you know you can get better grades, but you were too lazy to work hard.

Good grades also lead to getting your future job, or the career you want to spend the rest of your life doing. Even if you don’t go to college, you still need to feel the importance of getting a high school diploma, so you don’t have to attend high school anymore.

In conclusion, if you want to get out of high school and not take a whole other year of high school when you are supposed to be in a different grade, or if you don’t want to ruin your future life, just simply don’t be lazy when it comes to doing school.

17 > antlerette // spring 2017

HIDDEN F I G URES ANNA SERPA // EDITOR

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here are thousands of schools to attend after earning your diploma or GED in the United States alone. However before applying to any school you should look at the costs. There are 4 main types of schools after high school: Ivy League colleges, UC, CSU, and community college.

There are only 8 Ivy League schools in the United States, all of which reside in New England. Many people do not bother applying to these schools because of their low acceptance rate and high costs, which deter people from applying to the schools. I looked at Harvard’s price calculator and estimated the average family income via a census of the Sacramento area. The annual tuition cost for an undergraduate, without deductions and financial aid, is $67,800, however you can receive a possible scholarship of $32,700. You can calculate your own costs with the price calculator. By entering minimal data into the calculator, the lowest I was able to get annual costs was $4,600, which is actually less than a UC or even a CSU!

Based on price and acceptance rates alone, attending a CSU or a UC seems to be more more manageable than an Ivy League, especially for the average family household. UC Davis’s annual costs, if you are living on campus, are $35,003 and if you are com-

ing from a different state, the price rises dramatically to $61,685.

Attending a UC in another state is not considerably more than the full cost of an Ivy League, for example, after financial aid Harvard’s tuition drops to $35,100. While looking at Sac State, a CSU, is only $24,904. Among the options, CSU is the most cost effective that we see based on these numbers; however, the costs will vary for varying situations.

Community colleges charge by unit rather than per semester, so the cost of each unit varies based on the amount of available slots there are for each course. Community college could be very cost effective or expensive, based on the amount of units you take.

Community colleges are an easy way to get after high school education because they accept almost anyone.

So before you think you won’t get in or can’t afford an Ivy League, look at what financial aid you could potentially receive. Just because they are farther away doesn’t mean that the school can’t be reached in your future. So it is always worth the effort to apply, even if you don’t get accepted immediately. Look at all the options more than the ones you think you can afford.

DANNY DIAZ // PHOTO ILLUSTRATION

senior edition < 18

WH AT NOT TO DO AT G RADUAT IO N SHELLEY GOUVEIA // STAFF

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n past years, the Elk Grove High school graduating seniors have found ways to get in trouble one last time at their graduation ceremony. There are many ways to not receive your diploma on time. A few years back, a very well-known senior was attending his graduation and thought it was a good idea to take a selfie while he was walking across the stage. He was so close to finally being done with high school, all he had to do was walk the last half of the stage. Due to him taking his selfie, he did not receive his diploma.

Another popular mistake that seems to repeat itself is playing with beach balls. While it’s fun and cool to hit a beach ball around

while everyone is bored, it never lasts. Some teacher or faculty member will always take them away not even five minutes after the fun begins. We all know if this happens, our vibe will be killed, so don’t do it. Don’t kill the vibe!

Besides getting in trouble, there are obvious things we shouldn’t do just because it’s embarrassing. One thing to not do is wear too high of heels. Ladies, if you can’t walk down the block in your heels, you should not be wearing them. Everyone will be watching you and trust me everyone will notice. Another thing you should probably stay away from is dancing, flipping, and being too cocky while on stage. You don’t

look as cool as you think and it might not end well. From experience of seeing people dancing on stage, falling then embarrassing themselves, I can tell you, it is not worth it!

Finally, before attending graduation do not forget to remind your guests to not bring flowers or balloons to take inside. It sucks when you have stood in line for a long time, holding a nice bouquet of flowers just to be told to take them back to your car because they are not allowed inside.

Please take these tips into consideration, the seniors want a graduation to remember.

Congratulations class of 2017!

ANGUS WONG // PHOTO ILLUSTRATION

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION // SARINA BLUMBERG

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