70 02color

Page 1

VHS Journalism Ventura High School

Please Recycle

2 North Catalina, Ventura CA 93001 (805) 641-5116 thecougarpress.org Instagram:@the.cougar.press Facebook: @thecougarpressvhs Twitter:@thecougarpress Snapchat: @thecougarpress

The Cougar Press Friday, September 8,2017

“We can complain because rose bushes have thorns. Or rejoice becuase thorn bushes have roses.” -Abraham Lincoln

Volume 70 Edition 02

News flash, pick up your trash Sarah Clench Bonnie Neeper, a campus aid at VHS, was reportedly told by assistant principal, Susan Eberhart, last Friday to talk to the students in the lower parking lot about the trash being left behind everyday. Neeper then went to the lower parking lot on Poli Street to explain the consequences of the numerous pieces of trash being left in the parking lot after lunch. Neeper said that if all the trash was not picked up by the end of lunch, the parking lot would be made off-limits during lunch. Students appeared surprised by this, though Neeper mentions that there were previous warnings.

According to Neeper, the amount of trash being left in the lot is three to four times the amount from prior years. In the past, there had been a trashcan placed closer to the middle cars, but Neeper explained that

this had not solved the problem. “The trash would be by the trashcan, not in it,” Neeper said. She added that there is only one janitor in charge of the parking lot, who is also in charge of the field and the area near the

Photo by: Acacia Harrell

Neeper and teacher Dan Larson want YOU to pick up your trash.

Tuttle Gym. “It doesn’t matter if it’s yours, pick it up, and put it in the trash… or privileges will be revoked,” Neeper explains in hopes that students will begin to make better choices for the school campus. In compliance with throwing away trash in the lower lot, the same is expected of students in the upper lot. Neeper and other VHS campus aides will be adding trash cans to the upper lot that should be used to dispose of trash and avoid excess trash on the floor of the parking lot. In addition to students complying with the parking lot rules regarding trash, both the campus aides and assistant principal Charles Cornwell have agreed to opening the gate

by the auto shop in order to accommodate those who have to park in the upper lot. However, if trash is left behind after repeatedly being asked not to, this privilege will be revoked. Also, in order for the gate to remain open, the area must be used for it’s sole purpose of getting to and from the upper lot with ease. Cornwell shares that, “about ten years ago, the gate leading to the upper lot was closed because of students mistreating the area by littering, smoking, hanging out, and [starting] fights, so it was necessary to close it off to stop kids who shouldn’t be up there,” said Cornwell. Cornwell hopes that by re-opening the gate, students will be less hesitant to park in the upper lot.

The bigger the class, the less likely you’ll pass Ryan King Does the amount of kids in a classroom matter? Is it possible that it can negatively affect the ability to learn and absorb information? According to an article from frontiersacademy. org, the U.S. Department of Education said, “Crowded classroom conditions not only make it difficult for students to concentrate on their lessons, but inevitably limit the amount of time teachers can spend on innovative teaching methods such as cooperative learning and group work or, indeed on teaching anything beyond the barest minimum of required material.” This year at VHS, classes seem to be more crowded than usual. At Ventura High School, the average class size is at about

34 students. However as of now, many classes are well over the average number of students. When asked, “Would you prefer to be in a smaller sized class?” River Winn, a junior, responded “yeah, because I feel like it’s easier to focus and I just like [to] have less distractions.” However, Junior Omar Al-Bawab responded differently saying, “No, I like the vibe that a big classroom gives me.” In a recent Twitter poll by The Cougar Press, 70% of 67 voters answered “yes,” when asked if they feel that a crowded classroom compromises their ability to focus and learn as best as they can. When junior Mary Sinclair was asked what she believed the most important problem with a larger class size was, she responded, “I just think the whole space thing. Like, in some of my

classes some kids don’t even have desks.” Preston Biller, a Math 1 and Math 3 Honors teacher at VHS, explained his take on the situation: “They’ve been doing okay, like better than I thought they’d do, but it’s the beginning of the year and I feel like the longer I have a lot of people in there, the harder it’s going to get, because the more uncomfortable they are going to get in the class. Initially, I had 45 students in my class, now they are both down to 43, and so I have students without desks right now and I’m just kind of waiting another week to see what we’re going to do before I add more desks.” When Biller was asked what he believed the most difficult thing about teaching a larger class was, he said, “We do everything in groups, and so I don’t get very much time to spend with each group because there’s more groups than

Photo by: Ryan King

Edward Pacula’s sixth period Math 1 class currently has 36 students enrolled.

there usually would be. And so, I feel like you know while I’m over here working with a group, that group may be doing absolutely nothing, and for me to move around to all the groups and get to all of them just takes too much time. And so time away from their education, and not getting enough.” According to a study on the impact of overcrowded classrooms and academic performance by Jehangir Shah, a research

scholar from the University of Peshawar Pakistan, “Students in smaller classes develop more positive attitudes, perceptions, and human relationships. They can think more creatively and divergently and can achieve higher attention and lower absence rates. 
In small classes students are in more close relation, they develop better understanding and associate themselves with their classmates as well as with their teachers.”


Table of Contents

The Cougar Press Page Two

News................................................3 Sports...............................................4 Features...........................................5 A&E.................................................6 Opinion...........................................7 VHS On...........................................8

The Cougar Press The Cougar Press is a student-run public forum of the VHS community. We strive to present all sides of the issue fairly and without bias. From time to time, we make an error. When this happens, we try to correct it as soon as possible. Students and community members are encouraged to write letters to The Cougar Press. We welcome all letters, but may edit them for clarity and brevity. This public forum is only as good as the community support it receives. Any letter submitted also may be published on our website www.thecougar press. org. Send letters to: Editor, The Cougar Press, 2 N. CatalinaVentura, CA 93001. The Cougar Press supports student free speech.

The Cougar Press Staff

Editor-in-Chiefs

Brooke Newman & Avenlea Russian

Quarterback Scramble

The Hunt to find room 314

Created with TheTeachersCorner.net Word Search Maker

L R F X N G W V A A U I I E Y R K E K M

R M Z I U O W M L X F K W E B C F Q E Q

A H E L H A H K I K C C F G V U E M H L

F J B V P L U H C A H B A V T S O P I V

S X Z I Y K Y O S O K Z H Z L O U M N M

H E A O L D Z G H F R T Y T F X T L T X

Q W U M O L E D P J Y T E F A S Q M E Q

C P Z G G C R E K C A B E N I L X Y R K

J P W C N P L V Z M K N G M N M R X C B

F E Q I E Q Z D N R S T Q Z Q A O A E R

DEFENSE HAILMARY LINEBACKER POST SACK FUMBLE INTERCEPTION

H S B M E O J A W E X J M E M G B T P C

FUMBLE

INTERCEPTION

LINEBACKER

OFF

PUNT

SACK

SAFETY

K E O B V M B B G I Z P I V E E T N I U

U F X O L X T M S Z U A L T Q A O X O K

T E P M E L F H U E H W R Q L H C F N S

F D U F P U J P P F K A A D Q Q F Z P P

W C N K T T N A E G U D N M I R G K D V

P I T I A O B J C Q B H V C L R I E G P

PUNT SAFETY GOAL KICK OFF OFFENSE

DEFENSE

HAILMARY

POST

B N Q R E L A S D Q Q X S L Q R F C T A

20 by 30 orthogonal maze

D K X L I H N V J K T Z Z Q S B R G R X O M C S U V U E K C D B Y Q P H F Q N

Managing Editor Micah Wilcox

Layout Editor Clayton Currie

Photo Editor Ryan King

Staffers Omar Asim Lola Bobrow Ryan Brocklehurst Tobin Berger-Cahn Paris Carmody Christian Caudillo Sarah Clench Hailey Cox Emily Distefano Alicja Fowler Samantha Franks Harley Gagnon Gage Gregorchuck Acacia Harrell Sailor Hawes Hector Heredia Ralphie Hernandez Ryan King Liliana Lara Hannah Lee Keanu Marquez Billy Maxwell Bailey Peck Diego Roberto Joshua Rutz Kai Torres Andrew Welsh Summer Yovanno

GOAL

KICK

OFFENSE

QUARTERBACK

QUARTERBACK Copyright © 2017 JGB Service, http://www.mazegenerator.net/


News

The Cougar Press Page Three

Who is teaching ERWC this year? in comparison to seven and instead teaches ERWC harder,” Zero said. “So sections that were taught and 11th grade College when I found out that Mr. last year. This year’s class Prep English. As for Jones, Raney was taking a year One of the new sizes average from 37-38 she teaches two ERWC off to go do something changes to VHS for the students, whereas last year, periods and three AP really cool for UCSB next 2017-2018 school year class sizes averaged from English periods, which year, and I thought, you includes changes in the 32-34. is the opposite of her know, I kind of want to English department, Jones teaches teaching schedule last year. try something new myself. specifically to the ERWC periods two and five, “I really just loved Then when I heard that Expository Reading and and Zero teaches ERWC the way that ERWC lays out I got the chance to work Writing Course offered to periods one, four, five, and how to attack a text, and with Mrs. Jones too, I was students on campus. six. Zero no longer teaches how to read non-fiction, very very excited.” Last year, ERWC freshman Honors English, and working smarter not To teach ERWC was a class taught by VHS teachers Erin Jones and Greg Raney to help prepare seniors for college reading and writing courses. However, according to Jones and new ERWC teacher Meghan Zero, Greg Raney is not teaching at VHS this year because he received an opportunity to work on a California writing project at UCSB. His absence means that the course is now taught by Jones and Zero. Photo from: Twitter @thecougarpress Also, there are six sections In a recent Twitter poll conducted by The Cougar Press, 33 VHS students responded to which teacher they have this year of ERWC being taught Brooke Newman

for ERWC.

this year, Zero said she got ERWC trained last year for a second time. She completed a four day workshop where Jones actually taught a few of the lessons. She also said that she and Jones met over the summer to share what they were excited about for the upcoming school year. Although it’s just the beginning of the school year, “so far I’m loving it, and it’s a lot of fun. It’s really really cool seeing students I had as freshman get ready for college,” Zero said. “I’m really proud of our program,” Jones added, “It started from grassroots and grew from one section to three sections, and then to six and seven sections. Overall, I think students choose ERWC for the right reasons, [and that the class] really represents the diversity of the school.”

Get to know the new staff members of VHS

Photos by: Acacia Harrell & Lola Bobrow

Courtney Olson, Science

Courtney Elliot, English and Social Studies What are your hopes and goals for this school year?

Elizabeth Mainz, English

Do you think you will appreciate or hate the walk up your stairs to your room? “Definitely appreciate, because my fitbit tracks steps and I don’t always get all my stairs so I’m up those like ten times a day now…”

Nathanael Donnelly, Biology and Earth Science Rate the coolness of the teacher’s lounge 1-10 and explain? “I haven’t been there much, so….. nine. I don’t know, I haven’t been there yet, so I’ll just like assume that like everything else here, it’s awesome.”

“My hopes and goals are that my students are successful academically a n d s o c i a l l y. ”

“I appreciate students with a sense of humor. I like students who want to come and learn and have fun in my classroom.”

Adriana Manley, English

Thithien Nguyen, History

Fransisco Henning, Spanish

Chris Murphy, Assistant Principal

What do you think is a good way to decorate your classroom?

What is your favorite part about teaching?

Of all the teachers you’ve met so far, who is your favorite?

Do you have any hidden talents or hobbies?

“I think that kind of depends on the teacher. I go a little bit more simple and let students kind of decorate as well.”

“Being able to meet a lot of different people and also being able to change a lot of different lives, and I always love being able to do that.”

“Geez, that’s a tough question... for sure, Mrs. Susan, the [assistant] principal... We have a lot of things in common.”

“No, I don’t have any hidden talents whatsoever…. Oh I’ve got a lot of hobbies. I love mountain bike riding. I’ve been a mountain bike rider my whole life!”

What qualities do you appreciate in a student?


Sports

The Cougar Press Page Four

Football starts the season off with explosive offense was a fun night playing with all my teammates and we’re just looking forward to the next game.” The Cougars played on Friday, September 1 at Atascadero High School,

Diego Roberto VHS Cougars played their first football game against the Thousand Oak Lancers on Friday August 25. The Cougars came out on top, winning 42-14. VHS played a strong game, with over 600 yards on offense. Senior Kyle Gerardi completed 18 out of 31 with 308 total passing yards, most of the other yards coming from seniors Chuck Wick and Joey Thompson. Wick had 18 touches, r ushing for 152 yards and two touchdowns, and Thompson caught seven passes for a total of 184

winning 49-0. Their next home game is Friday, September 8 against Rio Mesa at 7 p.m. Rio Mesa has won their first two games of the season, meaning both schools will be battling to defend their winning streaks.

Photo by: Diego Roberto

Kyle Gerardi(#1) reading the defense on a hand off to Chuck Wick(#3).

yards. On the other side of the ball, junior Gavin Blanks had a 53 yard kickoff return, but due to penalties, it was brought back. VHS drew 15 penalties for a total of 156 yards.

After the game, Gerardi commented, “We played our butts off but being undisciplined and the jitters hurt us. Although we put up good numbers, there’s always something to work on!” Wick added, “It

Photo by: Diego Roberto

Offensive line blocking on a pass play with help from senior Camden Gardner ( playing as #36 but usually #21).

Girls golf; winning is their special-tee Lola Bobrow VHS girls golf played their second match of the season, where they competed against Buena High School, Foothill Technology High School, and Saint Bonaventure, at the Buenaventura Golf Course on Thursday, August 31. The final score was 234 for VHS, to Foothill’s 238, Saint Bonaventure’s 327, and Buena’s 266. Noteworthy scores were freshman Jaclyn Broderson with 56; junior Samantha Peterson with 53;

senior Delaney Young with 45; senior Olivia Block with 44; Jenea Harer with 43; and freshman Carlee Steven with 41. Girls golf prepared for the new season by practicing “all summer, every Tuesday and Thursday,” according to team captain Olivia Block. Sophomore and first year golf player Bella Young added that “a lot of the girls also go golfing on the weekends or everyday independently” to fine tune their swings. While the first team made their way

around the seventh hole, girls golf coach Paul Pritchard jokingly remarked, “we’re 1-0 [this season]... perfect record.” As this is Pritchard’s last season after over a decade of coaching VHS golf, he describes it as “bittersweet,” but maintains that he thinks the girls will do well no matter who the coach is. Before the game, Young stated, “I feel good [about our chances]. Last week we did pretty well, and this will also show us how good our competitors are for the rest of

the season.” The Ventura’s Girls Golf Team will play their next match on

September fifth against Rio Mesa at Spanish Hill Golf Course at 999 Crestview Avenue.

Photo by: Lola Bobrow

Peterson, VHS junior, begins the first hole of the second match of the season with a controlled swing at the Buenaventura Golf Course.

Girls tennis secures their first win of the season Emily Distefano VHS girls varsity tennis won their first home match of the season with a score of 14-4 on Wednesday, August 30 against Saugus High School. Throughout the summer, the girls team worked hard to prepare for their upcoming season. Although many valuable players graduated last year, the team is still standing strong. Senior and varsity girls tennis captain, Maya Krishnasamy, played

Photo by: Emily Distefano

Junior Krishnasamy had her first win of the season. Neela has been playing tennis for 8 years, and started playing tennis as a family tradition.

the opposing team’s number-one singles player, and won all three of her matches. In the first match Krishnasamy played, she won 6-0. “This year should be great!” Krishnasamy said; “We're already [off to] a really good start, and [we] came close to beating Santa Barbara in our first match of the season!” Krishnasamy also added that they have great new additions to the team this year. Junior Neela Krishnasamy played number-three for the singles matches, and

also won her first match against the opposing team’s number three singles player, Kenna Henderson, with a score of 6-1. As for the double games in the match versus Saugus, the team’s number one doubles players, seniors Susanna Kim and Samantha Eikenber r y, won their first match of the day with a score of 6-4. After this victor y, the team is ready for their next home match against Hart High School on Friday, September 8 at 3:00 p.m.


Features

The Cougar Press Page Five

Chuck Wick, a running back top pick Billy Maxwell Here is an inside look at VHS running back Charlton Wick, who many refer to as Chuck. Wick is six foot tall, 180 pounds, and runs the 40 yard dash in 4.6 seconds. He originally spent his first three years of high school at Saint Bonaventure, and decided to transfer to Ventura for his senior year. With offers to play football from Fresno State University, University of Hawaii at Manoa, University of Nevada, San Jose State, and University of Wyoming, Wick has yet to commit to any of these colleges. He is currently ranked seventh in the state for the running back position, and this season he hopes to progress even further with the guide of Coach Garcia. Having played football since a young age,

Photo by: Billy Maxwell

D-1 bound athlete Wick practices his posing for future college football articles.

Wick shared what inspired him: “My dad inspired me to play, because he played football at Santa Barbara high school. [Since then,] he has taught me everything about the game.” In his junior season alone, Wick had 1,931 yards in 261 carries, making his average per carry a little over seven yards. He also totalled 23 touchdowns

that season, 21 of which came from rushing. On the receiving end, Wick totalled 23 catches for 225 yards, averaging just over ten yards per reception. In the same season, Wick received the titles of Cal-High All State Junior Running Back and all-CIF Division II running back. When asked about this season, he listed a few

his goal is achievable. “I’ve worked hard during Wick is [both] the off season and currently season to try and make it to college, and I’m almost ranked there. I just have to keep climbing the ladder in seventh in order to make it to the the state for NFL” he said. “I know it would the running make my family proud, back position. and I would love to hear my name be called in the things that he is looking draft,” added Wick. forward to. “I’m looking forward to winning lots of games and getting a ring on my finger,” Wick shared. He also added that he wants to “leave the Ventura vs. Buena trophy where it belongs; in our meeting room.” He also plans to defend his CIF title of Running Back of the Year, and hopes to win the title of Ventura County Athlete of the Year. Photo by Felix Cortez Wick would like to make it to the NFL, Wick diving over Thousand Oaks and strongly believes that opponent for the first touchdown.

The clubs of this year are finally here Sarah Clench With the start of the new school year, new clubs have already emerged on campus, with many more that will begin after club week. Club week is an annual event that Ventura High School hosts at lunch on the senior lawn in order to increase student awareness and participation in clubs. This year, it will take place during lunch on September 13-15. One brand new club to VHS this year is the Thirst Project, started by

junior Bailey Castro. The Thirst Project will meet in room 90 every Tuesday at lunch. Castro explains that the club will work with the Thirst Project, a nonprofit organization that was established to help raise money in order to provide safe and accessible water to countries in need. “The club I’m starting is intended to fundraise as much money as possible so that we could help [support a good] cause,” Castro said. The Aspire Club is another new club that was created this year by junior

Photo by: Sarah Clench

Castro looks forward to getting our school involved with the Thirst Project.

Photo by: Sarah Clench

Peyton Erickson is a junior and plays for the varsity soccer team here at Ventura, in addition to running the Aspire Club.

Peyton Erickson. Erickson said that the goal of the club is “to come up with inventions and solutions to today’s problems.” The club will then compete in the Aspire competition, where they pitch their ideas “shark tank style” to a panel of judges. The Aspire club will be hosted in McEntyre’s room, 207, although meeting dates have yet to be determined. Last but not least, The Young and Brave Club, formed by seniors Tobin Berger-Cahn and Gracie Coulter is also new

to VHS this year. BergerCahn said that “the club will be raising money for The Young and Brave foundation, and sending volunteers away as well as for other club activities.” The Young and Brave foundation is a nonprofit organization with the goal of helping young adults, children, and families diagnosed with all forms of cancer. The club will meet Thursdays in Schmidt’s class, room 171.

Photo by: Sarah Clench

Berger-Cahn is a senior and a founding member of The Young and Brave Club.


Arts & Entertainment

The Cougar Press Page Six

Drama department webbed into a new production with Wilbur and Charlotte in order to make the make the necessary connections for a successful theatrical experience,” said Rossiter. Rehearsals for the production start August 28, and the performances

Illustration by: Harley Gagnon

Avenlea Russian On Thursday, August 24, drama teacher Stefoni Rossiter held the VHS Drama Department’s play auditions for this year’s fall production of Charlotte’s Web. Auditions were held after school in the Little Theater from 6 to 9 p.m. for all students interested. At auditions, students were able to choose the part they would like to audition for, and then read from scenes for their chosen character for a panel of judges. The cast was decided by Rossiter and four alumni of VHS.

Auditions were helped organized by Emily Matarazzo, who is doing lighting for the performance; Thea Kvashay, who is the stage manager; Kira Collins, who is the assistant stage manager; and Starla Giannatti,

The cast was decided by Rossiter and four alumni of VHS.

who is part of the tech crew. Charlotte’s Web is the story of a pig named Wilbur, born a runt, who is saved by a girl named Fern from getting killed by her father. He decides to let Fern keep him as a pet, leading Wilbur to meet new friends, including Charlotte. According to Rossiter, even though some of the actors will be playing animals, they are going to be humanizing the animals and approach their characterization in a realistic style. “It’s important for the audience to fall in love

start October 5 in the VHS auditorium. Rossiter commented “I am most excited to work with this incredibly talented and professional cast. Charlotte’s Web was one of my favorite childhood books, and I look

Infographic by: Avenlea Russian

Pep Band goes marching one by one, hoorah Harley Gagnon If you have ever been to a VHS football game, you’re bound to hear the VHS Pep Band roaring familiar songs above the crowd, unless you went to the last game where they didn’t perform. So now you may be asking, “Why didn’t

they play?” and “Will they be playing at all this year?” Third year Pep Band member and VHS junior Mackenzie Jones shares that,“we didn’t have enough time to get prepared… it was just too short notice and we couldn’t get enough people to join the group before we had to play,”

Photo by: Harley Gagnon

Jones is a junior and trumpet player for the Pep Band, Concert Band, and Wind Ensemble, Honors.

as an explanation for why Pep Band did not play at the first football game. However, Pep Band does intend on playing the rest of this year starting very soon.

Pep Band does intend on playing the rest of this year starting very soon. The next home game they will be playing at is on September 8. So what is Pep Band exactly? If you thought Pep Band was a class, you would be wrong. It is a club that meets, practices, and performs

Photo by: Harley Gagnon

Proud Pep Band members (from left to right) Samila Aquino Holt, Bridget Boland, and Emily Hickey.

all outside of school. The club is notfunded as a class. An interesting part to this is that you do not have to be a part of the VHS music department to join Pep Band. Paul Hunt, director of the Music Department and founder of the club said, “if people outside of the music department are

able to play an instrument they are always welcome.” Pep Band meets every Friday before the football game from 4:30 to 5 p.m. to practice, and they stay until the game is over. As this is a club, each student is taking this time, plus other outof-class time from their schedules to play.


Opinion

The Cougar Press Page Seven

“Senior” parking lot-really for seniors? Hannah Lee Every year, the parking lot is a hot topic amongst VHS students, and this year is no different. Just in the first few weeks of school alone, it is evident that my fellow seniors are unhappy with the parking lot situation -and rightfully so. I myself am no stranger to having to walk all the way up to the upper lot, because last year every junior had to do it and it was strictly enforced. No question about it, walking up to the

upper lot is inconvenient. However, all students except for seniors have a locker. As seniors, we are expected to use our cars as our lockers, so having to walk all the way up to the upper lot with only a six minute passing period is simply not reasonable. The only option seniors have to obtain a locker is to put their information on a waiting list. Waiting list lockers are nearly impossible to obtain because the school gives priority to seniors who don’t have cars. The whole parking lot situation is a big deal for

seniors, especially because of our inability to get a locker. Juniors and other students should understand the importance of allowing the lower lot to be just for seniors. Senior Amanda Malotte agrees that the lower lot should be strictly for seniors, “It was a rule last year and they stressed it so much! So the used-tobe juniors should have the same privilege the seniors before us had.” Not only is this a problem for seniors who start first period, but as senior Talya Belgin stated

Photo by: Hannah Lee

Belgin (left) and Malotte (right) both believe that seniors should have priority parking in the lower lot.

in reference to those who arrive later for a second period, “[not having enough parking spaces available] pushes seniors to park wherever they want, which was a big problem last year.”

The juniors will get their chance to park in the lower lot when they are seniors. But for now, they should just enjoy being upperclassmen and walk to the upper lot.

Too much snark over where to park Summer Yovanno Two years ago, ASB president Christian Walk made a new parking lot rule: ‘seniors have priority over the lower lot, leaving the upper lot to the juniors.’ With this rule in play, obviously the juniors were irritated over having to walk farther than the seniors in order to reach their car. However, seniors thought the rule made a lot of sense and agreed with Walk’s policy. Lockers aren’t provided for students in their senior year,

making cars the a perfect place to stash those heavy textbooks they receive. The lower lot is closer to the school, making it more convenient than the upper lot. Juniors only really need to go back to their car if they want to leave the school because they have lockers to keep their necessary items in; therefore, for the convenience of the seniors, priority of the lower lot deserves to go to them. The ASB representatives of last year’s senior class have decided to go back the old parking system ‘first

come first serve’. This decision has brought up controversy, particularly among seniors. The seniors’ disagreement is understandable considering that last year, as juniors, they had to put up with Walk’s parking system. This year’s juniors, however, have the mindset of ‘the early bird gets the worm,’ and are confused about why seniors get irritated when they take the lower lot parking spots. If seniors are really dedicated to getting their lower lot parking spot, they should arrive earlier to school,

unless they want to sign a petition against last year’s ASB representative’s decision, or try to convince the whole junior class to park in the upper lot.

Throughout this school year, I can’t predict what’s going to happen with the parking situation, but hopefully we’ll find some sort of compromise.

Photo by: Hailey Cox Junior Archer Herring says, “I was walking in the [parking] lot and when I walked past a senior and she told me ‘y’all better stop parking in the lower lot’ and I just ignored her”

Stop antagonizing test-takers people who haven’t, know that there are four parts to the SAT: reading, writing & language, math As students progress with no calculator, and math with throughout their high school a calculator. career, many become very As much as I was familiar with an organization shocked by this mind game being known as the College Board. The played by the College Board, the College Board provides students mysterious fifth section on some with various resources, such as SAT exams has also shocked the constructing plans for college, or internet. According to Valerie registering for an SAT exam. However, I was particularly angered with The College Board as I was taking my SAT exam on the morning of Saturday August 26. Now throughout high school, I’ve had my fair share of SAT’s and PSAT’s, including the SAT with essay. What appeared on my most recent SAT however was something I’d not been prepared for, nor did I imagine to show up… a fifth section? Now everyone who’s College board slaps taken an SAT, and even some Brooke Newman

Strauss from The Washington Post, on February 4, the College Board quietly let out information at an SAT session in Boston that some students would be required to complete a fifth multiple choice section. Not only is this just absolutely absurd that the College Board would randomly release a surprise fifth section to what is Illustration by: Kai Torres

students in the face

supposed to be a standardized test, but also the fact that only some test-takers get a fifth section. I know the College Board has the intention to prepare students for college, but this is just devious. It’s also very suspicious that the College Board offers no means to study for this fifth section, and that despite a very vague and somewhat “public’ statement, they try to withhold this knowledge from test-takers. Don’t we at least have the right to know!? It’s as if we not only paid money, but put in time and energy to participate in a college board experiment. Had I been asked to participate in an experimental section for the greater good of furthering research, I wouldn’t have had any issues, however, the fact that the College Board tried to pull a fast one on me really grinds my gears. The difference between

operational questions and pretest questions is that operational exam questions affect your score and pretest exam questions do not. The College Board however, has yet to release any information on whether or not the exam questions on the fifth section are operational or pretest. So just when you thought the new SAT was actually quite different, the experimental questions appear again, however this time, they appear under the test-takers radar. As for now with the lack of information provided by the College Board, I’ll have to wait until September to see if the fifth section impacted my score or not. My advice to test takers though would be that, in order to avoid the potentiality of taking a mysterious fifth section, you can pay more money take the SAT essay. Or, you can remain a guinea pig to the College Board just as I, and thousands of students across the nation are.


VHS On...Back to school “I feel like it’s going to be a good year, and I’m going to make it one to remember,” commented Junior Sea’ ana Egizi.

The Cougar Press Page Eight Photos by: Hailey Cox, Paris Carmody & Summer Yovanno

Junior Janelle Chavira stated, “My first week of school was pretty good, I liked all my classes and it was just a good way to start the year.”

Freshman Alyssia Troutman stated, “For me it’s been a bit chaotic because I had a first period but I was told I had a second, so it’s been a little crazy but exciting.”

Senior Noa Hall said, “My first week back to school was so great with all these new teachers; my classes are really nice and everyone is so nice.”

Freshman Anna Grossi said, “I really like meeting new people in classes.” Senior Mikey Davidson commented, “I’m most looking forward to [basketball] season this year.” Senior Kymani White added, “I can’t wait to ball out this year.”

“This year I’m most looking forward to the student sections and just being a leader on the basketball team,” stated by senior Emma Larson.

Senior Johnathan Arroyo stated, “VHS is probably the best school I’ve ever been at.”

Senior Daniel Aguilar said, “I’m most looking forward to the dances and graduating.”


Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.