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RUSADER Miami Sunset Senior High 13125 SW 72 Street, Miami, FL 33183
Volume XXVII
November 2008
Sunsations Break Tradition with Winter Guard International
Esmeralda Zuniga Staff Writer
“What is fun? Winterguard!” You’ve probably seen the sign announcing winter guard tryouts around the school. You might have considered looking into it, but have no idea what it is. Winterguard International, WGI, is considered the sport of the arts because it allows performers to bring music to life through a competitive performance. WGI is a nonprofit youth organization and the leading governing body of winterguard and indoor per-
scholastic A or B division. In WGI, the performance groups are divided into different classes. The scholastic A/B classes are mainly for beginning programs. Scholastic open/scholastic world class is for the intermediate developmental level of performers. Independent open/independent world class is for the most advanced. This year they have a goal to raise funds, purchase proper equipment and uniforms, and get back into the competi-
Issue 3
Americans Speak Out for Change Katerina Sardi News Editor
After the most anticipated and historical elections of 2008 came to an end, Americans readily accepted the 44th president of the United States, Senator Barack Obama. He is to take office for the next four years. Starting off the elections with 174 vs 49 electoral votes, it was evidently a win for Obama. Leaving the competition with the utmost grace, Senator John McCain stated in his speech in Phoenix, Arizona, “In a contest as long and difficult as this campaign has been, [Obama’s] success alone commends my respect for his abil-
ity and perseverance; but that he manages to do so by inspiring hopes by so many millions of Americans…is something I deeply admire and commend him for achieving.” Before McCain could achieve 200 electoral votes, Obama’s votes skyrocketed to 306, surpassing the required 270 electoral votes needed to become president. With a total of 349 electoral votes, Obama won this long and arduous campaign. “[Obama] is a bridge builder, and I think he will continue to talk about building bridges. I think he will talk about overcoming the divides…so we can move America forward,” said Reverend Bernice King, daughter of Martin Luther King, Jr., on CNN. During Obama’s
post-victory speech at Grant Park in Chicago as the new PresidentElect, Americans from every race came out to support him; many with tears streaming. “For the millions of Americans who volunteered and organized and proved that more than two centuries later, a government of the people, by the people and for the people has not perished from the earth. This is your victory…. This victory alone is not the change we seek; it is only the chance for us to make that change. And that cannot happen if we go back to the way things were,” said Obama. Receiving the votes from many firsttime, young, Republican, and Democratic, Obama has successfully and fairly won the elections of 2008.
FBLA Opens Its Doors to Sunset Students Photo By: Esmeralda Zuniga Sunset Sunsations perform during the homecoming pep rally.
cussion. It mostly includes interpretive dance, and movement through equipment. Winterguard is similar to outdoor guard, but is performed indoors on a gymnasium floors during the winter season instead of outside during the summer. Miami Sunset hasn’t had a winter guard in five years because of the lack of funding and instruction. This year, winterguard is forming its own group and participating in a class
tive circuit which will earn them some recognition. Tryouts were held November 17th through November 19th. They consisted of three categories: dance, flags, and weapons. Unlike regular tryouts, if you didn’t make the flag section you would be able to make the dance portion. This year could be the benchmark for winter guard at Miami Sunset Senior High. Visit www.wgi. org for more information.
the inside look...
Roselyn Anglade Editorials Editor
Miami Sunset Senior High School has begun the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) club. FBLA is a national organization boasting over 250,000 members. The business club has come alive, bringing with it many new opportunities. FBLA, sponsored by William Cohen, English teacher, came about at Sunset in the early month of October and has already been put to work, organizing events and attempting to recruit members. They have already appointed 9 board members: Jenniffer Guerreo (president), Roselyn Anglade (VP of Operations and Finance), Skarlet Baez (VP of Special Events), Ashleigh Nelson (VP of Public Relations), Alexis Torres (VP of Community Service), Arianna Menedez (Secretary), Sivan Sax (Activities Director), Francis Araya (Reporter) and Stephanie Garza (Historian). President Jenniffer Guerreo said, “FBLA is a wonderful stepping tool to a brighter future.” The club is giving students a chance to fulfill their community service requirements, enter in competitions of their choice, and participate in the four day field trip to Orlando. If FBLA crosses your mind, register with Mr. Cohen in room 210. Sign up closes December 1st, and the next member meeting will be held on December 4, 2008.
News: Economy Crisis Pg. 2
Editorials: Drinking Age Debate Pg. 8
Features: The Truth About Energy Drinks Pg. 3
Sports: Multi-Sport Athletes Pg. 11
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The Crusader November 2008
English Honor Society
NEWS Economic Crisis Affects All
Encourages Peotry Contest
Juan Ortiz Staff Writer
As the month of November opened, the English Honor Society prepared for their annual Poetry Contest here at Miami Sunset Senior High. “The contest is to let the students express their feelings and themselves in the form of writing,” said English Honor Society President, Juliana Gonzalez. For those who were interested in partaking in the contest they only needed to submit their work before November nineteenth. Ms. Wright, sponsor, encouraged the students of Sunset to submit their works of art saying, “Poetry is easy, it doesn’t have to rhyme, it doesn’t have to be long it’s just some thing that inspires you, something soulsearching.” Some of the criteria for the contest include clarity, expression, and inspiration.
You need not be a part of the English Honor Society to enter the contest allowing absolutely any one to compete for the first place prize of a Best-Buy gift card. Ms. Wright goes further and extends an invitation to join the English Honor Society and reassures new coming hopefuls by saying “I know when people hear Honor Society they think snobbish elitist who think less of everyone else but that’s not what this club is at all. They are elitist in the sense that they have high G.P.A.’s but other than that the club is more of a service club, and this contest is the first academic thing they have done this year.” The President of the English Honor Society, Juliana Gonzalez, is hopeful that many people turn up to contend in the competition. Ms. Wright said “The whole purpose of the English Honor Society’s activities and meetings is to promote solidarity between like-minded individuals within a club-like environment.” The winner of the contest will appear in The Crusader’s following issue.
Student Ambassadors Prosper
Aura Altamiranda Editor-In-Chief
For the first time in Florida, State Farm has committed to partner with South Florida Educational Federal Credit Union (SFEFCU) to launch a studentdriven initiative whose intent is on educating students on the hazards of credit, debt, and uninformed financial decisions. The three-way partnership which includes Miami-Dade County
participating Miami-Dade County Schools will be trained in promoting financial education. “We [State Farm] have been a huge supporter nationwide and locally of financial literacy projects,” said Public Affairs Specialist Jose Soto. On October 22nd, the ambassadors and lead teachers were welcomed by Miami Jackson Senior High School. They were charmed by the soothing music and a complimentary breakfast and lunch. Once inside, they were instructed on procedures for the upcoming months by the program’s sponsors and executives in operations, marketing, and
“We [State Farm] have been a huge supporter nationwide and locally of financial literacy projects.” -Jose Soto, State Farm Public Affairs Specialist Public Schools (M-DCPS) is supported by a generous grant provided by State Farm Insurance. The grant is one of nine issued nationwide to fund programs promoting financial literacy among high school students. Within this pilot program, five student ambassadors selected from each of the nine
implementation. Claudia Vallin (Coral Reef Senior High), Stephannye Cruzatt (Ferguson Senior High), and Rockford Dias (Coral Gables Senior High) will lead each branch respectively. The program will commence with a pre-test to measure the students’ current financial knowledge; Soley Gonzalez of
Amberli Prieto Sports Editor
Every time you turn on the T.V., log on to the computer, or flip through a magazine, there is bound to be some mention about the state of the U.S.’s economy. The financial crisis has dom-
organization, defines a recession to be “a significant decline in economic activity spread across the economy, lasting more than a few months.” According to Irene Lirakis, AP Macroeconomics teacher, “there is no doubt that the current economic trend is recessionary, although it hasn’t been officially declared as a recession.” No one can exactly pinpoint the causes of the present economic slump, but
“We haven’t reached the bottom yet.” --Ms. Lirakis, Economics Teacher
inated the media. It seems as if everyone has an opinion on the state of the economy, why it is the way it is, and how to “fix” it. Among the financial and economical issues discussed, one of the most recurring is the Bailout Plan, proposed by George W. Bush, and the Secretary of the Treasury, Henry Paulson. The point of the bill was to purchase bad assets from banks and to minimize uncertainty among remaining assets, basically to restore the people’s faith in the credit market. On October 3, 2008 Congress voted to enact the revised bill into law. One question that seems to be on people’s minds is whether or not the U.S. is actually experiencing an economic recession. The National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER), a nonprofit economic research the SFEFCU emphasized that they can not continue until every single participant has scored 100 percent; the last thing the program intends to do is relay inaccurate information. At the close of the program in April, there will be a competition among the ambassadors that will assess what school put together the most effective lesson for its students. With the resources available, the motivated ambassadors will draw attention to the cause at their respective schools. Social networking websites such as Facebook, MySpace, Youtube, and LiveJournal will be used to spread the word in addition to brochures and public service announcements. Each participant will also receive his share of benefits; students will be rewarded community service hours, seminars to increase their own knowledge, and tools to execute their projects. They will gather skills in grant writing, public speaking, time management,
one can infer that it definitely has to do with the decline of the housing market, the stock market crashing and interest rates sky-rocketing. It is uncertain how long the financial crisis will be affecting us but Ms. Lirakis estimates that the recession “will be a deep recession, no question,” and that it will be “at least two years,” before we begin to see improvements. She believes that “we haven’t reached the bottom yet.” Although much can be disputed upon about the state of the economy one thing that is for sure is that “it’s global,” says Ms. Lirakis. Americans are not the only ones suffering from a stagnant economy. Only time will tell how deep the recession will be, how long it will last, and how big of an impact it will have not only on the U.S. but on the world. and organization, in addition to several others. Additionally, Gonzalez offered to write letters of recommendation for any of the program’s participants. “We’re really excited with the partnership that we forged,” said Lisa Thurber, Executive Director of M-DCPS. “Credit cards will pick up their [students’] scent and they are not as forgiving as parents and friends,” said Dias of credit card companies targeting college-bound seniors. Monthly meetings will be conducted at the SFEFCU, where lessons will be prepared by the ambassadors to educate seniors at their schools during Economics, Business or Mathematics classes. The students are encouraged to be creative when developing their projects. If all goes well, by the end of this year, the program’s effects will be visible. If successful, this will continue to be an annual occurrence in Miami-Dade County.
The Crusader November 2008
3 FEATURES The Truth About Energy Drinks Bullying Takes a Heavy Toll on Today’s Teenagers Amanda Escasena Staff Writer
Monster, Bawls, Red Bull, and Amp all taste good but aren’t necessarily good for you. In 2005, energy drinks sold about $3.5 billion. This product began with Red Bull, which was created by Dietrich Mateschitz. Most energy drinkers are under the age of 30; the majority is sold to college students on campus. On the other hand, it could be somewhat harmful to the developing bodies of tenyear-old drinkers. Energy drinks contain guarana—a substance from the seeds of a Brazilian shrub, used as a tonic or stimulant, high amounts of sugar and caffeine. What is it that draws the younger crowd to this sort of drink, instead of to other caffeinated drinks? It could be the rush that people get right after
inhaling the drink, but what about the after effect? Crashing is one pitfall, but there are definitely more. Energy drinks aren’t dangerous, but they are not beneficial either. As it has been said,“Everything that tastes good is never healthy”, and in this case, it’s true. One energy drink can store up to 80 milligrams of caffeine like in coca cola. Energy drinks can affect people in different ways. It can get a person extremely hyper, get him to crash, and dehydrate his body. Energy drinks are also used as mixers , which are combined with alcohol- not such a good idea. Because energy drinks contain stimulants (substances that raise levels of physiological or nervous activity in the body), they don’t allow the body to know when it’s had too much, because alcohol is a depressant (a substance that reduces functional or nervous activity). Even with the
negative aspects, energy drinks do taste superb. They are also helpful when someone needs to stay up late and study, finish a project, or stay up with friends and pull an all nighter. So it’ is easy to say that they are fun to drink, and taste marvelous. They give the boost needed when a person wants to hype things up a bit. Like alchohol, it could fire people up, but they have to watch how much they consume. Too much of anything can be harmful to the body. Just imagine water as healthy and the body needs it to survive. So something that the body can work without, and is taken in high doses can be very damaging. Energy drinks are good every once in awhile, but consumers shouldn’t become addicted; it’s not healthy. They should be drunk in moderation, someone shouldn’t expect their body to handle everything they throw at it, or pour down their throat.
“Just After Sunset” Arrives in Bookstores demons; most notably in pop-culture, is one Pennywise the Clown, local evil manifestation of Derry, Maine. All these Carlos Espinal thoughts and more enter Staff Writer the psyche when you A name is a powerful speak his name. There is thing. In the past, the a reason why that name is mere utterance of a King, and that reason can certain name could be summed up in his new have brought millions collection of short stories, to their knees in praise. Just After Sunset (2008). The names of gods bring For a long time fear, joy, and a whole now King has been spectrum of emotions known as the greatest in between. But the modern author of horror name Stephen King and science fiction. His brings things to mind books have almost all that would be best left hit some best sellers list unthought. King evokes at one time or another; images of dark things almost half have seen unheard of by man; their way to the silver things that don’t just go screen. Even several of bump in the night, but King’s lesser known short hack, slash, and scream stories have been placed as well. He brings to life under the lime light. monsters of grotesque King’s new collection is proportions, creatures sure to cause the same with devious intent, and type of ruckus that has all types of ghouls and become expected of this
literary titan’s works. Joshua Arce, Sunset graduate, said, “It’s his best group of shorts since Graveyard Shift.” A full six years since his last dip into the pool of short form, King attributes his new found vigor to his editing of the short story collection Best American Short Stories (2007). With a plethora of fresh new ideas King shows us once again why he’s the best. Mixed in with his distinctive literary style, King adds some new tones into his writing in his new collection. Some of the tales deal with survivor’s guilt, when the survivor of some tragedy feels they are to blame for the deaths of the others. These tales are meant to bring 9/11 to mind and show the depth of the man behind the story. In one story,
Brandon Duasso Staff Writer
Bullying is the act of intentionally causing harm to others through verbal harassment, physical assault, or other methods- the act of repeated aggressive behavior in order to intentionally hurt another person, physically or mentally. Bullying is characterized by notable over powering behavior in individuals. Inappropriate behavior may include name calling, verbal or physical abuse, exclusion from social situations, or coercion. Bullies may behave this way to receive attention and be perceived as popular or tough. They may bully out of jealousy or because they are also bullied and want to feel powerful. The effects of bullying can be serious and in some cases fatal. Gonzo Alvarez, sophomore, said, “As a kid I have been bullied, but who doesn’t? I think all bullies are trapped in their own little world, thinking they are bigger through abuse. I had a friend who
committed suicide because of a bully, and no one would help.” Many kids have been subjects of this chronic bullying, growing up to be abusive themselves, to future peers. This also causes emotional damage that affects family and social life. Researchers have identified other risk factors such as short tempers and the use of force, addiction to aggressive behaviors, mistaking others actions as hostile, concerned with self image, and participation in obsessive or bad actions; However, bullying does not necessarily involve criminality or physical violence. For example, bullying often operates through psychological abuse. School shootings receive huge amount of media attention. The children who perpetrate these shootings sometimes claim that they were victims of bullying and that they resorted to violence only after the school administration repeatedly failed to put a stop to it.
“The Gingerbread Girl,” King experiments with the concepts of love and miracles, not something altogether foreign to his writing but always a surprise. Even though this collection sets a new boundary line for our favorite writer of horror, the apple doesn’t fall too far from the Tree of Terror. Only King can take an everyday, ordinary thing like a “porta-potty” and transforms it into an agent of evil; and it wouldn’t be a work of King without some mention of Maine (the setting of a good portion of the stories). Ever the growing
literary, King showcases his evolving talent in the new book. Ryouma Oide, senior and long time King fan said, “When I first read Nightmares & Dreamscapes I thought I had seen the best Stephen King could do. When I read The Dark Tower, I again thought that it was his best. Now after reading Just Before Sunset I realized that he’ll just never peak. Stephen King will always one-up himself.” Though there have been countless kings in history and legend, in the world of modern horror writing there is only one King.
Crusader 4 The November 2008
SYTYCD Makes Third Stop On Tour at American Airlines Arena
Katerina Sardi News Editor
On November 16, 2008, Fox’s hit dance show, So You Think You Can Dance (SYTYCD), kicked off the third stop on their tour, right here in Miami, Florida. The show started at 7:30 P.M. at the American Airlines Arena in Bayside. The immense stage, engraved with the names of all the dancers ever to perform on the SYTYCD tours, was decorated with an illuminated backdrop screen of the show’s logo. As the time approached to commence the performances, the screen quickly changed, and a video of Nigel Lythgoe, judge and executive producer of SYTYCD, appeared invitingly. As the audience settled in, he displayed his top five favorite auditions from season four. After the video, the top eleven dancers (including Jessica King who had to leave the show early due to a rib injury) all came out for the show’s common entrance: “Here are the girls; here are the guys. Here they are, it’s your favorite dancers!” In response, the audience roared in excitement for the dances to come. The show was complete with group numbers, duets, solos, and even a bit of comedy. The dancers performed all of the judges’ and audiences’ favorite routines from the entire season. Different styles were performed such as contemporary, hip hop, jazz, the Viennese waltz, bollywood, Russian, and the “cha-cha.” “Watching it live brought back all the excitement from watching it on TV; on TV, you’re able to see the dance from different angles, but watching it live you can feel the dancers’ emotions and the reaction of the audience,” said fellow audience member, Olivia Iglesias. After the show, the dancers went to the Heat conference room for a meet-and-greet session with fans with backstage passes. Roughly about 20 of the dancers’ friends and family members waited for them to come out and congratulate them on a great show. This season’s winner, Joshua Allen, will premiere in Step Up 3D. Audience should expect a wonderful performance.
Photo By: Katerina Sardi
Photo By: Katerina Sardi SYTYCD Top 13 perform hip hop opening number.
FEATURES Latin Grammy Awards Amaze All
Mariceielo Solis Staff Writer
The 9th Annual Latin Grammy Awards took place on November 13, 2008. It was held at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas and aired on Univision and other prestigious channels. The purpose of the show was to honor the excellence of the best Latin Music released between July 1, 2007 and June 30, 2008. This year, Gloria Estefan was awarded the Academy’s Person of the Year, becoming the first female to receive this honor as well as the MusiCare Person of the Year. Nominations in all categories were announced on September 10, 2008 with a lot of joy and high expectations. Juanes was the biggest start of the night, winning more than five Grammys, including Record of the Year, Album of the Year, and Song of the Year. An emotional occurrence was when Marc Anthony was announced the winner of the Best Salsa Album for his contribution to “El Cantante,” which was a huge success around the world. In the category of Best New Artist, Kany Garcia surprised the audience by winning his first Grammy. Furthermore, Cafe Tacvba did an extraordinary presentation of their last album, winning a Grammy for Best Alternative Song with their hit “Volver a Comenzar.” Among the most popular performers of the night were Fonseca, Julieta Venegaz and Gilberto Santa Rosa, who did an extraordinary presentation for the audience of all ages. Famous actors and celebrities of soap operas such as Cesar Evora, Eugenio Siller and Eduardo Santamaria were the presenters of this great event, entertaining and announcing the winners in each category. The show, without doubt, promised entertainment and surprises. There were more than 200 talented artists representing every Latin American country. In all, the Latin Grammys were a great success for Latinos everywhere.
Cindy and Esme’s Music Review Cinthia Lopez & Esmeralda Zuniga Staff Writers
Oklahoma-based rock band Hinder released their second studio album Take It To The Limit (Universal Motown) on November 4, 2008. This album is stronger and edgier than 2005’s Extreme Behavior. One good example would be the song “Use Me” and the video that goes along with it, which explains what true rock and roll is. On the softer side are songs like “Loaded and Alone,” which is about getting famous but wanting to go back to normal. If you liked “Lips of an Angel,” then you’ll love the ballad “Without You.” Album title track “Take It to the Limit” features Motley Crue’s guitarist Mick Mars. David Archuleta, American Idol season seven runnerup, released an album by the name of “Crush” under Jive Records. This album made the number two spot on the Billboard Hot 100. The song is about trying to get the attention of a girl he has a crush on. Chuck Taylor of Billboard praised it for being a suitable match, claiming it as a “hummable, age-appropriate midterm pop ditty for the 17year-old, showcasing his fine mass-appeal vocal styling with creamy harmonies and nice falsetto effects.” Pop fans everywhere will fall in love with Mr.Achuleta’s “Crush.”
The third studio album by TPain was released November 11, 2008. The self produced album, Thr33 Ringz (Nappy Boy) includes special guest such as Ludacris, Chris Brown, Ciara, Akon, T.I., Kanye West, Diddy, Mary J. Blige, DJ Khaled, and of course, Lil’ Wayne. T-Pain has made a transition from not being heard at all to radio-friendly with songs like “Ring Leader Master.” It features a light comical song called “Change” which talks about changing the country. The album also includes singles such as “Can’t Believe It,” “Freeze,” and “Chopped N Skrewed.” Taylor Swift an 18 year old, country, pop singer just released her second studio album Fearless (Big Machine). The album includes hits such as “Change,” “Fearless,” and “Love Story.” She writes with her love and passion for country music. All three different songs debuted under the top 40 hits on the Billboard Hot 100. Pop icon Christina Aguilera released her very first greatest hits album entitled Keeps Getting Better (RCA). This compilation features all of her hit songs from 1999 to 2008. The album has favorite tunes such as “Genie in a Bottle,” “Dirrty,” “Beautiful,”
“Candyman,” and the new single, “Keeps Getting Better.” Aguilera even re-recorded her first single “Genie in a Bottle” and entitled it “Genie 2.0” sounding smoother and up-to-date. The album was released on November seventh and the single “Keeps Getting Better” reached number seven on the Billboard’s Hot 100. Ever heard of Jedi Mind Tricks? It so happens to be one of the most successful underground hip-hop groups of today. Throughout their twelve year career they have sold over 300,000 album copies worldwide. Recently released on November 11, 2008 was their sixth studio album A History of Violence (Babygrande). The album signified the return of Jus Allah who had previously left the group after their album, Violent by Design, which was released in 2000. “Los Extraterrestres” have done it again. After the success of Los Vaqueros back in 2006, reggeaton duo Wisin y Yandel have created yet another compilation album. Entitled La Mente Maestra (WY/Machete), Wisin and Yandel have teamed up with the same artists that created Los Vaqueros including, Tony Dize, Franco “El Gorilla,” Jayko, and Gadiel.
The Crusader EDITORIALS November 20085 Spirit Store Creates the Life of Sunset Student Body The Crusader Staff Editorial Board: News & Features/ Entertainment: Katerina Sardi Editorials: Roseyln Anglade Sports: Amberli Prieto Center Spread: Jacqueline Vienes Tribute to the Arts: Karla Barrios Staff Writers: Genesis Alvear Karina Aswani Gabrielle Cruz Branden Duasso Kiara Eijo Amanda Escasena Alexandra Salas Stephen Singh William Valdes Aliana Zamorano Adriana Arcos Amanda Hernandez Juan Oritz Christian Calzadilla Garrett Culp Carlos Espinal John Hernandez Cynthia Lopez Angelica Quezada Enrique Senger Esmeralda Zuniga Maricielo Solis Advisor: Juliana Carreira Editor-in-Chief: Aura Altamiranda Visit us at: www.myspace.com/ crusaderstaff & http://sunset. high.k12.fl.us/ thecrusader The Crusader is a monthly publication of Miami Sunset Senior High School 13125 SW 72 ST Miami, Florida 33183 (305)385-4255. The views expressed are solely those of The Crusader staff. The Crusader welcomes signed letters to the editor which may be edited for space. Please bring to Room 227.
Esmeralda Zuniga Staff Writer Its Monday morning it’s absolutely freezing, and you don’t have a sweater. Is it just a coincidence that it’s Monday, and the only place you can buy a sweater from is open on Thursdays? Sunset is a uniform school this year, but the spirit store isn’t open on any day except Thursday mornings. Have you ever been in this situation before? Many students express their views and discontent with the spirit store being open one day
a week. Hubert Proenza believes, “The school store should be open more often now that we‘re a uniform school.” A lot of students agree. When it comes to the uniform it’s any Sunset shirt, full length jeans, khakis, and a sweater that has the school logo on it. During May of last year over 30 people decided on this year’s uniform policy. They started from the feet and worked all the way up. It is a safety reason for the logo on the sweater; it allows you to distinguish Sunset students from outsiders. Then, why isn’t the spirit store open on more days of the week? The spirit store is located in room 105. Mrs.Coto and her students run this
Poor Hygiene Creates Problematic Health Risk Juan Ortiz Staff Writer High school bathrooms--the final frontier. Considering the fact that at Sunset we have both a functioning exercise room and an operable weight room you would think that we as a school could keep the bathrooms in the same condition. Unfortunately that is not the case. It isn’t such a difficult thing to do. It may require maybe two percent more effort from the students and perhaps a few dollars more from our school. It seems like a reasonable request but one that remains unrequited. Although I can’t speak for the my female school mates I can attest for the horrible conditions that the boys bathrooms are in. It seems silly to need to ask for basic things of your school: Toilets that flush so that the
awful smell of urine can disappear, maybe some soap at the sinks so that we may wash our hands, or perhaps some paper towels so that we may roam the halls with dry hands. Now I don’t mean to put all our bathroom issues on the school’s staff; The students at Sunset are equally, if not more so, responsible for the appalling state of our bathrooms. Between the graffiti everywhere, the dozens of oddly placed used gums, and the deficiencies of aim in an incredible amount of students more than contribute to the condition of the bathrooms. To be able to solve this problem we should first all agree that the bathrooms should be used for bathroom purposes , that means no writing “J <3 K” all over the stalls or some other frivolous way of spending your time. Going to the bathroom should be an afterthought not something we have to endure.
office everyday, and everything school related happens there. Anything that involves banners, school shirts/ sweaters, field trips, and fundraisers, all go to the activities office for approval before they can be released amongst the student body. They also sell decals, jackets, tickets for events, balloons ,and all the planned senior activities go through this office. Mrs.Coto said, “I basically organize your Sunset life, not to mention that seniors take up more time than anything else.” Mrs.Coto along with her student government students arrive to school before 6:30am on Thursdays and 6:45 or later on other days. There are four
seniors, and four juniors that help the activities office run smoothly each morning. When they do lunch activities they give up their lunch to be there and when they come for the spirit store they give up their morning,“You try giving up your lunch and waking up early on a constant basis,” said Carla Ferretti. Carla Ferretti and Stephanie Jackman are the only two senior class representatives in student government this year. They both stated that, “She makes the world go round,” Indeed if we knew what Mrs. Coto goes through on a daily basis, we would think the same, and only have the spirit store.open one day as well.
Slaughter Homes Abusing Their Privileges Mabel Nunez Staff Writer Everyday animals at slaughter houses are exposed to animal abuse. They are kicked, beaten, and tortured. Slaughterhouse animals are some of the more abused. They live cramped up, sometimes even living with other animals that have died from the poor conditions. Many times cows and pigs are cut by the throat and left to bleed to death instead of being killed a more humane way, and their chickens are put into boiling water to remove the feathers while still alive. Pilgrims Pride Corp was caught by PETA not long ago stomping, kicking, and spitting on their live chicken. When you think of murder, your mind automatically shifts to human murder. Why is man slaughter so much more
serious to us then animal slaughter? The killing of another person is a serious felony, yet the gruesome murder some animals have to go through is nothing. It’s understood that we must live off animals for food (a basic survival of the fittest concept), but shouldn’t they be at least given the benefit of being killed in the least painful manner we can manage? The ways these animals are treated don’t only affect them, but us as well. In slaughterhouses, making larger animals, and more of them, is more important than health. Mad cow disease itself originated in slaughterhouses when ground-up cattle was fed to cows as added protein in order to accelerate growth, who knows what all the other added hormones are doing to the animals and us when we consume them?
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The Crusader November 2008
Center Spread
Thoughts on Turkey Day Packing on Thanksgiving Pounds
Alexandra Salas Staff Writer
When students of Sunset think of the month of November, Thanksgiving dinner is usually the first thought that comes to mind. It is the big family dinner with turkey, mashed potatoes, pumpkin pie, and lots of gravy. Yet some students in our school celebrate Thanksgiving with more than just food, and spend the evening watching football and the parades. “In my family, we have a party,” said sophomore Karla Barrios. “My aunt cooks most of the food and my whole family comes over and we eat until we’re full. After that, we just have a party,” she added. Even though Thanksgiving is only celebrated in the United States and Canada, students take the tradition with them, and share it
with different cultures. “For Thanksgiving we travel to Colombia,” said sophomore Melanie Sarria. “We carry our traditions outside of the country and our relatives love it,” she added. Some students only have dinner and leave out the usual get-together. “For Thanksgiving in my family, we all just sit around and eat,” said freshman Richard Diaz. As this Thanksgiving rolls around the corner, students begin to prepare for the upcoming feast. “My mom decorates the house with fall decorations and pilgrims and Indians,” said Barrios. “My family gets really into our holiday parties.” “We are going to keep out traditions going until we are old and maybe pass it on to our kids.” said junior Daniel Maya. “I can’t wait until Thanksgiving,” said senior Robert Calderon,“It’s going to be great.”
Illustration By: Carlos Espinal
In Preparation for Thanksgiving Remember To Set the table Wear loose pants Cook the food Watch the football game & Eat a lot
overfed. An average meal takes 1 to 3 hours to work its way out of the body, but the average Thanksgiving Roselyn Anglade meal takes 8 to 12 Editorials Editdor hours. That’s 5 extra It’s Thanksgiving hours for the average morning and you can’t American to under go help but take in the a feeling of depression, superb aroma of all the which causes the body delightful food that you to become inert. This will soon get to devour. in turn may cause you It’s the one day in the to spend some extra year when you forget time on the toilet seat. about calories and how long it will take you to work of the weight. Your entire focal point is on gulping down an entire plate of roasted turkey, honey-ham, potatoes, candy-yams, cranberry, stuffing and Illustration By: Carlos Espinal the exquisite variety of desserts that you get Is Thanksgiving really to choose from. In the worth it? Sophomore bliss of Thanksgiving, Laree Thomas states, everyone seems to “Yeah, you may go forget about what a couple of hours of will happen after they depression, but within take in about 500 + those hours you get calories. Men will go time to spend with your and watch the football family and give thanks game, women will do for having them, so dishes, but everyone yes I believe that feels fatigued and Thanksgiving is worth
all the harm it may cause to your body.” Thanksgiving is usually a time to spend with family and loved ones, reminiscing over past times and following with routines of old family traditions. Many times when people think of Thanksgiving a thought of an excessive amount of food comes into their minds, but that is not all what Thanksgiving is about. It is the thankful part of giving. Many American families today don’t gather around a table every night to eat dinner. Its one day in year were families have time for bonding and giving back to families that don’t receive enough funds to prepare a Thanksgiving dinner. If you find yourself afraid of Thanksgiving for the amount of food you may consume, then try talking a little more at the dinner table. The more you talk the less you’ll eat.
injured. In 1934, Macy’s designers worked with Walt Disney Productions to have a Mickey William Valdes Mouse balloon for Staff Writer they very first time. The Macy’s The Macy’s Parade T h a n k s g i v i n g was never recorded Day Parade was on television, started in 1924. but in 1946 the Employees started parade was on this event during local television. Thanksgiving Day. Not until 1947 They featured was it on national animals from the television. Every Central Park Zoo. year more than 3 The parade had million people line people walking up on Manhattan’s with balloons streets and over and clowns 44 million viewers everywhere. Macy’s tune into NBC. parade was such This year Macy’s a success that’s Day parade has Macy’s declared more than 4,000 it to be an annual volunteers working event. Two years on the 2 mile walk. later, the parade Celebrities from all had helium-filled around the country balloons for the gather that day to first time. During celebrate and walk the grand finale too. The parade one of the balloons starts on 77th u n e x p e c t e d l y street, West Central popped due to Park. Macy’s excess air above parades had never M a n h a t t a n ’ s been cancelled,
but in 1971, it had to be due to strong and powerful winds. Broadway performers always perform during the parade. Last year’s performances were Legally Blonde, Mary Poppins, and Hairspray. Organizers of the event did not want to use helium balloons this year due to a worldwide shortage of helium. Many high school bands get to perform at the parade; Pickerington High School from Ohio had already marched in the parade four times and they were asked to lead the parade in 2001. This year producers wanted to add something new from theaters. Balloons will include Bolt from the new animated comedy, Buzz Light-Year from Toy Story, and Horton the Elephant.
History of askyline. Long Lived Tradition No one was
CENTER SPREAD 7 Traditions Around the Globe Come Together Thanksgiving Origins The Crusader November 2008
Maricielo Solis Staff Writer
Nowadays, the Harvest Festival is the most popular celebration in the world. It’s an important event in the calendar because it brings peace and harmony to the heart of millions of people around the globe. Traditions are a really important factor of this feast, providing a unique environment of friendship and partnership. The original meaning of the word Thanksgiving means “Harvest Festival”. In other places around the world, the Harvest Festival is given different names, depending in the location, resources and the culture of the region. For instance, here in United States, Thanksgiving is celebrated on the 4th Thursday of November. The first Thanksgiving celebration was celebrated in 1621 by the pilgrims who had a successful harvest in the new land after months of working together with the Native Americans to reap a successful harvest.
Nowadays, Families get together during Thanksgiving for a big feast with turkey and the apple pie. In Canada, the celebration is a little different. It is a threeday weekend celebrated on the second Monday in October. In other far countries like Israel, the Succoth is known as their Harvest Festival which lasts for seven days. Succoth is a Biblical pilgrimage festival that occurs in autumn on the 15th day of the month of Tishri (late September to late October). The festival is also known as the Feast of Booths or Feast of Tabernacles, as Jewish families build outdoor booths that are temporary structures in which they eat their meals, entertain guests, relax, and even sleep. This Festival dates back to the period during which Hebrews wandered in the wilderness on route to Canaan, what is now Israel. Now, every year, Jewish communities build Succoth and make special ceremonies each day of the celebration to remember the Hebrew ancestors and to thank God for the harvest. In South India, the Harvest
Festival was given the name of Pongal, the “Rice Harvest Festival.” During this special celebration, families take their time to thank all those who have contributed to a successful harvest, including the gods, the sun and the cattle. Also, in North India, there is another celebration called Vaisakhi that was established as the harvest festival because of its significance to the Sikh calendar. It commemorates the establishment of the Khalsa which is a Persian term referring to the collective body of all baptized Sikhs. The celebration falls on the first day of the Vaisakhi month in the solar Nanakshahi calendar and its tradition are similar as the Pongal feast. Finally, In Africa (Ghana and Nigeria), the Yam festival is known as the harvest festival. It was named after yams, the most common food in all African countries to represent spiritual love by offering and distributing them among all the towns at the end of the rainy season. Overall, the harvest festivals around the world represent fertility and success.
Black Friday Highly Anticipated
Stephen Singh Staff Writer
On the Friday after Thanksgiving, the holiday shopping season begins. This day is known as Black Friday. Many stores on this day have door buster deals, and most open at 5 A.M. or earlier. Many people take the day off their jobs to get their shopping done. With everyone off of work, the amount of shoppers present is unbelievable. Major items usually go on sale for special prices and some stores become stripped of all most everything they have. Wal-Mart is where a lot of people go for their Christmas shopping because Wal-Mart is the one place where everything is cheap. Wal-Mart isn’t the only store with bargains;
all major retail stores have incredible sales, such as Toys R Us, Best Buy, and Macy’s. Usually a lot of stores give special discounts on items that are usually expensive. For example, electronic devices are probably the
Photo By: Steven Singh
most expensive items on store shelves and the most wanted. Some of the most popular electronic devices this season are the iPod nano, Play station 3, and high definition televisions. Black Friday has been known as one of the busiest shopping days of the year, along with the
Saturday before Christmas when shoppers do some last minute Christmas shopping. People wake up as early as 4 A.M. to wait in line in front of the store, sometimes for hours. In the past, there have been reports of eager shoppers trampling over each other when the store opens, usually resulting in injury. People won’t guarantee that they can buy what they need, and insist on showing up early to be first. As soon as those doors open, it’s like watching dogs fighting over a bone. Some people buy all the major items and then sell it on the internet for a profit. If you’re too lazy to go out and buy items at the store, then you can take the alternative, online shopping. Christmas shopping on the internet has become very popular because its fast and easy. It also saves shoppers from being run over at the store.
Lead to Celebrations changed to the fourth Thursday of Amanda Hernandez Staff Writer
Beginning as a gathering of Indians and Pilgrims, Thanksgiving has evolved into a national celebration and major holiday event. Thanksgiving is not just a day to get together with
November. Today, Thanksgiving is a popular holiday associated with a wide variety of dishes, parades, and other events. The most popular Thanksgiving event is the Thanksgiving Macy’s Day Parade held in New York City. Live performances include the Radio City Rockettes, high school marching bands, and popular singers. Of course the parade includes a long procession of massive balloons including such
Photo By: Amanda Hernandez
family or friends for dinner; it’s also a day of fun and relaxation. From live broadcasted parades, to professional football games, Thanksgiving is a very eventful day. When the Pilgrims arrived in North America in the winter of 1620, many of the travelers died due to lack of food. The following year, the pilgrims were able to survive the upcoming winter because they were aided by the neighboring Wampanoag tribe. A former English servant named Squanto, a Patuxet Indian who spoke English, helped teach the pilgrims how to grow and store their own crops for harvest. The pilgrims invited their tribe to their three-day English harvest celebration. Thanksgiving was celebrated as a gathering by other settlers and colonies until President Abraham Lincoln declared Thanksgiving a national holiday in 1863. Since then, the actual date of Thanksgiving was
famous characters as Snoopy, Garfield, and Scooby-doo. The parade usually begins early in the morning and NBC along with ABC are the official news broadcasters. Football games are also a big must-see on Thanksgiving Day as some teams must play in the snow. After the television events and relaxation, dinner is served. Traditional entrees include turkey, stuffing, and cranberry sauce. In recent years different recipes had been added to the Thanksgiving menu have made dinner more creative and appealing. Culture has also changed the basic ideal lineup of foods, as different ethnic groups have added their own versions to this classic tradition. Thanksgiving is purely about spending time with loved ones. Whether it’s your family, your friends or just your pet dog, Thanksgiving can be a fun day to celebrate your life and the people that you care about.
Must haves for Thanksgiving Dinner Table Turkey Ham Stuffing Mashed Potatoes Egg Nog Gravy Cranberry Corn Pumpkin Pie
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The Crusader November 2008
Sex for Pleasure or Sex for Love ? Enrique Senger Staff Writer
It feels pretty quick, starting off as a nudge, maybe a slide. In a short amount of time, it turns into a violent flurry of color and sound. Some prefer to dub it “passion.” When looking back on your previous experiences of “passion”, be sure to count the number of times it was truly an act of passionate courtship rather than dry instinct. The rise of sexual activity is pushing its way to this particular generation. Sex isn’t quite the act that it was originally perceived as. Not to say that evolving is not part of recent generations. The automobile has become quite the stylish symbol of one’s amassed wealth.
Style of clothing has also changed drastically. Women seem to flag down suitable males with much more than an ankle. Could this perhaps be the reason sex is so rampant these
“The world seems to shun the idea of permanet union, in favor of quick pleasure .” days? Or is it to blame on another industry? Whatever the reason, it can be said with sincerity that the whole marriage before sex ordeal is not quite as popular. Divorce rates have moved up to a frightening 58% percent in 2008. The world just seems to shun the idea of a “permanent” union in favor
of quick pleasure. Who would blame them? The feeling is incredible and partaking without the utmost amount of commitment is beneficial to this quickened world. It seems almost essential that our pursuit of “love” race up to the same rapid pace everything else seems to follow. However, though slow, love was a factor back in the day. A man and a woman would express love in its most boisterous form. Think back to that day of the first act, assuming there is one. Was the scene illuminated by candlelight? Or was the scene cluttered with Captain Morgan and friends? If you’re going give it up, try to find someone who’ll at the very least take you to the privacy of a bedroom. Maybe someone whom you feel some sort of connection with? Let us try to keep some of the traditions before the act is lost to an animalistic form.
Time to Bring Down the Age
It’s amazing that we live in a country where you can enlist for the military at eighteen but cannot go down to your local 7-11 and buy a beer till until you are twenty one years of age. It does not make sense can not drink in a country that you can die for. They do not trust you to drink, but they trust you to help select the next president of the United States. Couples getting married at 20 cannot even sip on champagne in celebration of their wedding. Many colleges and Universities disagree with the legal drinking age. They believe that if a college student were allowed to drink in the open with the supervision of campus officials, alcohol related deaths would
Gabriela Cruz Staff Writer be reduced. Campus officials believe it’s time to face reality and lower the drinking age. College students are bound to drink, so they should learn how to drink safely. Some university leaders say that the higher the drinking age is increases the amount of student lives that are being endangered. When most people do turn twenty one they celebrate by going binge drinking. Since most were not educated before on alcohol and its usage, they end up with alcohol problems which can lead to problems such as drugs. Though the drinking age among young people has gone down they drink more abusively when they do get the chance to con-
sume alcohol. Evidence proves that early introduction of drinking is the safest way to reduce juvenile alcohol abuse. Young people in other cultures learn how to drink watching their family drink in moderation and these adolescents seldom turn out with problems that can be caused by alcohol abuse. Lowering the drinking age is not going to solve the all problems of alcohol abuse, but it’s a very important step in the direction we need to take. The drinking age being lowered would prove that alcohol is not evidence of maturity. People tend to think that drinking is the problem but it’s not.
EDITORIALS Lowering the Drinking Age Wrong
Amberli Prieto Sports Editor The drinking age According to is a topic that has been Students Against Debrought up quite fre- structive Decisions quently. Should it be (SADD), “Adults age lowered? Should it re- 21 or older who had main the same? While first used alcohol bemost young people feel fore age 21 were more that the drinking age likely than adults who should be lowered to had their first drink at 18, there are a few who age 21 or older to be believe that it should classified with alcohol remain as it is. Those dependence or abuse who advocate lowering (9.6% vs. 2.1%).” At 18 the drinking age al- kids are more likely to most always say that if abuse alcohol assumthey’re old enough to go ing that it is just a good to war and die for their time, and believing that country they’re old they won’t become deenough to enjoy a nice pendent on it. Statistics cold beer. And while show just the opposite. that does make sense, Although many it doesn’t necessarily believe that lowering mean that we should the drinking age will run out and change the lower risks, it gives for law. There are reasons more risky behavior as per why the drink- to take place. Lowering age is what it is. ing the drinking age At 18 one is of- will not lessen DUI’s, ficially considered an it will not lessen the adult, but that does number of alcoholics, not mean that a per- and will most certainly son has the wisdom it not lessen the numtakes to make good de- ber of fatalities caused cisions. Eighteen is not by alcohol usage. On a magic number that the contrary, it makes automatically makes it easier for younger, someone responsible less responsible kids, for his or her actions. have access to alcoTurning eighteen is hol, which in turn aljust the beginning of lows for dangerous responsibility. Who scenarios to unfold. Of in their right mind course these scenariwould want a bunch os could occur just as of teenagers, who are likely to older people just learning what re- just as likely as youngsponsibility is, drink- er people, but chancing? At 18 years kids es are that someone are exactly that, kids. older and wiser will be Chris Sardina, able to conduct himsenior, feels that at 18 self more responsibly. kids are way too young Lowering the “to know the difference drinking age will not from right and wrong.” get rid of the problems He explains, “By the we as a society are factime you’re 21, you’ve ing right now but will been forced to face re- create scarier new ality and can make ones. There is a reason better decisions.” One why the drinking age is can’t help agreeing with 21 and not 18. Believe this opinion because at it or not those three 18 someone may know years will make a difwhat the consequenc- ference in one’s judges of drinking are, ment. Drinking is a rite but cannot fully grasp of passage that should what effect those con- take place at 21, when sequences can have on a person is able to make a life in the long run. better judgment calls.
TRIBUTE TO THE ARTS Retro
The Crusader November 2008
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S e n t i n e l Illustration by: Maria Salas
Winter
Angel
Soft new winterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s breeze, Tickles your hair against your ear. Lively blue sky, says night on the upcoming shadow. Moon dictates, while cool air rebels through the sky. The night dyes slowly to the burning blades of the sun. The way of the day takes away the calm minds of the singing clouds. Freezing slaves of snow, the clouds throw at our green chilly grass. Joy has spirits surrounding the world as December smiles away.
Illustration by: Maria Salas
By: Branden Duasso
Illustration by: Angie Quesada
Lipstick
Illustration by: Maria Castillo
Illustration by: Maria Salas
Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m Full
Illustration by: Carlos Espinal
TRIBUTE TO THE ARTS The Cruelty of a Sleepless Nightmare
10 Leave Me Alone The Crusader November 08
Don’t tell me what to do, where To go, or how to act. I am my own person, and that Alone is a fact. I know you try to understand Me, but you can never get inside You can’t get in my head, No matter how hard you try Don’t pretend you know me, Or act like you can help Don’t try to calm me down Or silence my screams and yelps.
The cruelty of a sleepless nightmare.. Darkness scraped violently against the pupil, casting a horror that crept down her chest and embraced the spine with a frightening hold. It was not the icy grip, but the uncertainty that sent those terrible chills across her body.
You can’t fix me Enough with the attempt So go on living your cute little Life in a state of pure content. By: Rachel Williams
The noises…
Yoshi Munch Illustration by: Angie Quesada
Perfection In My Eyes
By: Kiara Eijo
at the mall shopping so I won’t have to go tomorrow on black Friday.” Melissa responded. “Don’t talk back to me young lady!” he shrieked. “I could talk to you in any way I want daddy!” Melissa screamed. “That’s it you’re grounded Melissa…for a month.” He stated. Melissa started screaming. “What’s the matter Melissa?” Ashley asked. “My dad grounded me for no reason Ashley.” She answered. “Did you talk back to your father?” she asked “yes I did.” Melissa replied. “Then that’s probably why he grounded you.” Ashley responded. A few hours later, Erick started crying and Angela took him to his room because he was so tired. An hour later, their thanksgiving dinner was ready and Erick was learning how to walk. “Angie.” “What did you say to Erick?” Angela asked. “Angie?” Erick stated. “You said your first word.” Angela exclaimed. The Gomez family sat down to have their thanksgiving dinner.
M a M a
Illustration by: Maria Salas
It was a faint sensation, but one that trudged behind her through the murk. Her feet sloshed against the cold below, her body losing coordination with each step. Thinning away much like the breeze on which she nearly suffocated. They continued to cry back at her. This time almost screaming… By: Enrique Senger
They echoed against the bare walls of black, slowly making
Life with The Gomez B Family r There was once a couple who was recently married named Andy and Ashley Gomez. Andy had three kids, two daughters and a son from his first wife. Ashley on the other hand had two sons from her ex-boyfriend. Andy’s kids were named Angela, Melissa, and Erick. Ashley’s kids were named Jorge and Michael. One day Ashley was preparing the turkey for their first thanksgiving as a family. “Mom can I go to the Skate Park today?” Jorge hollered. “No because you have to clean your room and do things around the house.” Ashley answered. “Why?” He asked. “You can’t go because your stepfather and I said so.” She replied. Jorge walked out of the kitchen with an attitude and he slammed the door. Melissa came home from the mall. Andy walked in the living room and he gasped. “Melissa Camilla Gomez, where have you been?” Andy asked. “I was
their way back to her.
All I ever wanted was to be part of your heart, And for us to be together, to never be apart. No one else in the world can even compare, You’re perfect and so is this love that we share. We have so much more than I ever thought we would, I love you more than I ever thought I could. I promise to give you all I have to give, I’ll do anything for you as long as I live. In your eyes I see our present, our future and past, By the way you look at me I knew we would last. I hope that one day you’ll come to realize, How perfect you were when seen through my eyes
e e z e
By: Juan Ortiz
SHH....
By: Aliana Zamorano
Ear buzzing, hair rising, Silence, Dark, empty, Silence, Lonely whispers creeping around, nervous hearts beating, What’s coming? Silence gives no warning, Anxiety for not having one of the senses, Wanting, Needing, To hear again, Can you hear a pin drop? Silence, Can you hear the wind blowing? Silence Sadness, depressing, Peaceful, Quiet, Relaxing, Silence Sweet and soothing, No rush, no headache, Calming silence, Tired loving silence, Secret world, secret thoughts, Secret silence. Can you hear it?
Illustration by: Maria Salas
Turkey Hunt Illustration by: John Hernandez
The Crusader November 2008
11 SPORTS Students Balance Academics and Athletics Coach’s Corner
Cynthia Lopez Staff Writer
but I’m average at both.” Cruz said. He uses his multi-athletic talents as a positive influence. “Bowling and swimming make stay become constantly on top of my grades. I have to keep my GPA up,” Cruz explained. Cruz is deciding to pursue a career as a coach for waterpolo. Another example
has played golf for two years. “I wanted to be in track so I can be in shape,” said Banks. Since joining golf, Banks has felt his running skills have become slower but tries to keep his golf skills in check with his track skills. Banks truly is a student athlete, because he believes education comes first.
Garrett Culp Staff Writer
Wrestling season is right around the corner and Sunset students can’t wait to see their wrestling team dominate other schools on the mat this fall, and hopefully produce state champ wrestlers. The man leading these young men into battle is coach Rivera. Rivera is the head wrestling coach. With 19 years of coaching experience and an impressive amount of state champs, what better coach could you ask for? He only uses one word to describe himself as a head coach, and that’s “Demanding!” He wants to make sure all his wrestlers are committed to giving everything they got and do everything he says, and if this is done, there is an opportunity to become state champs. Coach Rivera might even posses one of the greatest strengths you want in a head coach, he’s always trying to be better. He constantly tries to learn new techniques to show his wrestlers and watches hours of wrestling videos. He even teaches at wrestling camps were he picks up some tips. Though coach Rivera loves to win, it isn’t why he spends all the extra hours required to be a good head coach. “I like to see kids getting involved in something, and teaching them how to stay positive,” said Rivera. The wrestlers that want to become state champs they are in good hands. Coach Rivera’s goals for this year are the same as any other season.“Make kids state champs,” Rivera said. coach Rivera also hopes that besides his wrestlers trying to make that state champ, they be committed and finish strong! All of Sunset should feel good about this years wrestling team Photo By: Cynthia Lopez Cruz, Vega, and Banks, three of the athletes participating in multiple sports pose together. as long as head coach Rivera is there to lead them on. While activities we have to do. is 17-year-old junior, “I usually go and ask most coaches would shy away from giving a prediction on how Imagine adding a sport Christopher Vega. for my homework in their team is going to do this year, Rivera did no such thing. to that list. That alone Vega is a wrestler advance so my sports “We’re going to be top two districts, top seven regional’s and could make somebody and a golfer. Since don’t conflict with top ten as a team,” Rivera said. I think we all can be satisfied feel overwhelmed. Now middle school, Vega anything usually. If with that, and agree there is nobody better to be coaching imagine including has always wanted to I have any trouble, I this Sunset wrestling team other than head coach Rivera. multiple sports. Believe join wrestling. When tell my coach and he it or not, in Sunset he entered Sunset his understands if I need many students are into freshman year, joining a little time off to fix more than one sport. was exactly what he my school things.” explained. Most of us think that did. Junior year he Banks it would be impossible decided to join the golf Banks wants to use to do all this in one team as well. “I joined his athletic talents day. It’s impressive golf because all of my to get into colleges. that there are actual other friends were in Banks is planning on Esmeralda Zuniga students that manage it too.” Vega said. His one day becoming a Staff Writer school and multiple main priority in school doctor. “I want to be This month’s spotlight lands on junior sports. Some know has become wrestling a doctor. People say how to manage their and he makes sure he that when doctors Michael Cerrud. Cerrud plays on three schedule and always trains everyday. Even aren’t working, they’re different varsity sports teams in Sunset— football, and volleyball. He has have time for sports. though he always out playing golf and I basketball, been playing basketball since he was four, Others slack in school has time for golf and always wanted to do to make time for wrestling he might not that. I always wanted but recently joined football and volleyball this sports. Whatever the always have time for to say ‘Sorry I can’t get year. He likes playing sports because it is case is most athletes the learning part of to that today, I’m out good exercise, and he plays about five hours would do anything school. “I get home late playing golf...but leave per day and proximally 25 hours per week. “It takes up a lot of my time, but possible to participate from school, so I don’t it for my receptionist’.” People think being it‘s worth it at the end,” said Cerrud. all the sports they like. do my homework,” His favorite sport is basketball, and he Take Daniel Cruz, Vega explained. Vega a part of more than wants to play for a college team. He also wants one sport is a negative a senior for example. has been training very He plays three sports: hard for the past three thing with late night to pursue his dream and play professionally. swimming, waterpolo, years at Sunset and school work and less His favorite basketball team is the Miami and bowling. Cruz has has one goal to become time to go out with Heat, and his favorite player is Dwyane Wade. been swimming since an MMA (Mixed friends but it balances Cerrud has managed to bounce back from his freshman year Martial Arts) fighter. out by having fun, two major injuries. He pulled muscle in his and joined because he Vice President of staying in shape, and back playing football, and has tendonitis getting a on both knees because of basketball. wanted to be a part of WTKS and Key Club possibly Cerrud said, “I enjoy playing football, the waterpolo team. member, 17-year-old scholarship. As long as He joined bowling Senior Kendall Banks, you’re dedicated being but I regret not playing since freshman year.” Cerrud enjoys the competitive playing level sophomore year just is also into multiple a part of more than one to have fun. “I think sports. Banks has sport isn’t impossible. that these sports have to offer. Students like him swimming is more fun been in track and field Cruz, Vega, and Banks encourage other students to participate in sports. to do than bowling since 8th grade and can all testify to that. They get you physically fit and are a lot of fun. In school, most of us tend to feel stressed and overwhelmed with all the assignments, homework, quizzes, test, projects, and club
Athlete of the Month
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The Crusader November 2008
Cold Weather Affects Athletes During Winter Months
Juan Ortiz Staff Writer
“It feels like ice going down your throat,” said Miami Dade College baseball player Yendris Perez. The cold climate that is associated with the long winter months greatly affects athletes of all sorts. At the end of October during the districts for the swimming team it took Anthony Hernandez ten more seconds to finish his designated event than he normally does due to the 50 degree climate that day. He later said, “Man if it wasn’t so cold I would have made my time and made it to regionals.” If the climate wouldn’t have gotten in the way Sunset would have had another contender. “While you run you have to be sure to breathe in through your nose and out your mouth so that your throat won’t hurt,”
advised volleyball coach, Ms. Ball-Evera. The cold climate creates unnecessary obstacles for athletes to overcome when they should be focusing on doing their best. Some athletes like the challenges that the cold temperatures bring. Perez said that it’s just another way to prove his worth, “What other way can you prove that you’re a good player than playing your best when it’s cold. “ The cold temperatures of winter affect every kind of athlete whether they play indoors or outdoors. Rather than a large piece of coating ,it is advised to wear multiple layers of “light” clothing so that once you begin to heat up you’re to remove only what clothing is necessary.
SPORTS Sunset’s Performing Groups Grow There are many performing groups at Sunset that attend competitions and perform at pep rallies. Everything from dance groups, colorguard and cheerleading fall into the performing arts category and they’re spectacular groups to be a part of. Probably the most popular dance group at Sunset is the Golden Girls. This group performs marvelous dancing techniques combining hiphop, jazz, among other styles of dance. They’re known for Amanda Hernandez their famous in-sync kick moves and saucy outfits. “my Staff Writer parents don’t really mind the outfits, but I’d have to say my favorite move to perform is our famous kick move,” said Natalie Alcantara, sophomore. The Golden Girls perform at basketball games, pep rallies, and compete in regional and state competitions. Their first competition is on December 1st at Killian High school. The newest addition to the performing arts lineup is the Hip Hop team. Monica Rivadeneira, senior, said, “We have dancers experienced in all forms and styles of dance, we do floor work, freezes, and break dancing.” The Hip-Hop team recently hosted Sunset’s first talent show as a fundraiser for competitions. “It takes about a month or two to come up with and perfect a routine, and we’re really looking forward to the competitions,” adds Monica. The Sunset Golden Knights band has it all. They have charisma and dedication that strongly influence their performances. The marching band attended four competitions this year and have performed at all the football games. Instructed by band director, Mr. O’Neal, the band has succeeded this year in winning best drum major and superior brass. Each year the band performs a different song and practices during the summer at band camp. Steven Ozuna is the captain of the drum line and has been in band for two years. “I practice about five hours a day not including band practice. It’s a difficult instrument to play but I pull it off with the amount of practice I put into it,” he said. “Marching band is so much fun. We always have a blast at all the competitions and games we go to. We get to spend time with our friends and see other bands perform their show,” said Krystal Daniels, senior. The purpose of color guard is to enhance the visual aspects to the show performed. They attend all the competitions and games with the band and perform at the pep rallies. Color guard uses a wide variety of equipment including flags, sabers, and rifles. After marching season, the colorguard will be participating in Winter Guard, also known as the “sport of the arts” beginning this November. “I absolutely love Color Guard. It’s such a great feeling when we perform at games and competitions and with all the practice we go through I’m amazed that I have time for the seven clubs I’m in,” said Francesse Nicolas, senior. Of course what high school would be complete without the cheerleaders? This group is pretty big bunch to keep track of and they all show a lot of school spirit. Cheerleaders perform at games and pep rallies and attend cheer camp during the summer. Desiree Palma, junior, said, “Cheer camp was a lot of fun but a lot of hard work, we practice about two hours a day.” So these are basically all of the interesting performing arts groups Sunset has to offer. With a selection of dancers, musically talented band nerds, and cheerleaders, Sunset is a sure knock-out when it comes to talent.