Our staff predicts how the Academy Awards will pan out.
talon
the
Oscar Preview
Murrieta Valley High Schoolʼs
Volume 18, Issue 3
Thurs. February 12, 2009
MVHS up for Review by WASC By David Leonard graphics editor As Murrieta Valley High School enters its 19th year of service, a milestone is quickly approaching. Once again, it’s time for “WASC” – an accreditation process which, while infrequent, requires a “massive amount of work,” according to computer sciences teacher Kevin Bradley. WASC stands for Western Association of Schools and Colleges, a group which is charged with the task of assessing the credibility of all centers of higher learning. This group deals with any high school or college on the West Coast that wishes to offer its students a complete and pertinent education. The process is one veteran teachers know well. It involves a rash of meetings, peer discussions, and hundreds of pages of documentation. These pages are filled with all manner of reports, from what we do well, to what we need to improve on. The report is prepared in advance of an actual onsite visit by the WASC evaluators, which will occur during the week of March 9. The evaluators will be visiting classrooms, observing and talking with all “shareholders” – students, teachers, staff and parents. English teacher Todd Thornburg describes this process as “like final exams for students … it’s an accountability process that’s important, but people don’t necessarily enjoy it.” Everyone was involved in putting together the WASC report, from teachers, to administrators, even students. Junior class counselor Jim Vandenburgh is pleased with how everyone “pulled together, and did a great job.” See WASC Page 20
Running Teachers These staff members show their athleticism outside of the classroom.
A Nighthawk Face in the Crowd
Freshman Ryan Talamantes shares his inauguration day experience Talamantes’ question his group attended an Inaugural By Jillian Ray was directed towards Desmond Conference which featured staff writer Tutu and he asked, “What did you debates from prominent political To g e t t o s e e a see in Obama?” Tutu answered analysts and inaugural scholars. presidential inauguration can be that he saw change and thinks The group also got to attend a a life changing experience, one that that is what the world luncheon with General Colin that freshman Ryan Talamantes and America needs. was able to witness by Talamantes felt Tutu’s attending the recent answer was thorough inauguration of Barack and answered his Obama. question completely. He was able to Talamantes go by being nominated and his group got to the Presidential Youth private access to the Inauguration Conference Smithsonian Institution by a counselor from a on the National Mall, leadership group he is a and to witness the part of called National Inauguration, Oath of Yo u t h L e a d e r s h i p Office, the Inaugural Scholastic Conference. Address of the 44th He also received Photo provided by SAN DIEGO CHANNEL 6 t h e o p p o r t u n i t y t o Freshman Ryan Talamantes is interviewed at president, and the experience a television the Channel 6 News in San Diego regarding Inaugural Parade. They even interview on San Diego his trip to attend President Barack Obama’s inauguration on Jan. 20. enjoyed a private Black Channel 6, where he was Tie Inauguration Ball interviewed by Marc Bailey Powell and Al Gore, where they for their group. Talamantes was and explained his experiences were able to talk to these speakers very excited to get to experience from the inauguration. A f t e r a r r i v i n g i n about leadership and ask any a ball, especially with his friends. See RYAN Page 9 Washington DC, Talamantes and questions they might have had.
Hawks Rebound from Loss to Chaparral, Fiscal Crisis Hits Home: Continue to Pound Opponents How MVHS is dealing with the struggling economy By Ian Massey editor-in-chief A perfect record is difficult to achieve. Just ask the New England Patriots. Last year the National Football League’s New England Patriots became only the second professional
Patriots’ bid for perfection. They proved that it’s not how you perform in the regular season, but how you perform in the playoffs that determine your legacy. A similar unfinished scenario is currently playing out on the Hawk House basketball court here at Murrieta Valley
By Emily Raese staff writer We undoubtedly have all been feeling the crunch of our nation’s steadily intensifying recession in the past few months. Whether we’ve felt the change in the way our parents react to bills or in how uncertain our futures have become in terms of college, none of us is recession proof, least of all, the school systems of California. Due to the decline of the economy, many state funded projects may be put on the back burner until further notice. Among these projects is the building of the new Murrieta
Mesa High School campus, slated for completion this August. The Murrieta Valley Unified School District was due to receive $75 million from state funds in order to complete Murrieta Mesa and other projects. Recently, the State froze payments for public school construction for an indefinite period of time. Financial consultant Benjamin Dolinka is pursuing other funding sources as well as interim, or “bridge,” financing, and assured the Board in a meeting Jan. 24, that the district will receive the necessary funds through emergency loans, which are still being pursued. The school district is
currently dealing with a statewide deficit in education funding. There will be a mid-year district budget cut of $7 million and a reduction of $12.2 million in next year’s budget. Another meeting was planned for Feb. 5 to discuss future budget cuts, and some district employees may be notified by March 15 if the budget is in such a bleak state that layoffs will be called for. However, MVHS Assistant Principal Mike Fages assures students that any individuals let go at this time would not be teachers, as it is not the intention of the district to negatively affect students. See SCHOOL Page 19
State’s Failing Economy Forces District to Tighten Budget Photo by JAY LEVY
During a timeout, the Nighthawks gather around Coach Steve Tarabilda at the Citrus Hill Tournament. The varsity team won three pre-season tournaments this season.
football team in history to go undefeated in the regular season. Perfection seemed inevitable for the Patriots, but David defeated Goliath as the New York Giants pulled off the improbable upset in Super Bowl XLII. The Giants halted the
High School. The varsity boys’ basketball team has started off to a 21-1 start as of Feb. 5. They are poised and prepared for a deep CIF run. After extending their record to 15-0, the Nighthawks’ See REBOUND Page 17
opinion
nest
Our thoughts and some of yours about life --pgs 2 - 3
Whatʼs going on in the community and school itself--pgs 4 - 9
email: editor@themvhstalon.com
By Laura Vogel nest editor Forty-two billion dollars. $42 billion. It is a jaw-dropping amount of money. It’s hard enough to comprehend possessing that much money… but owing it? That’s another story. The state of California has a nearly $42 billion budget deficit. This deficit demon began taking its first evil little steps a
“After the game, the king and the pawn go into the same box.” --Italian Proverb www.themvhstalon.com
year ago and quickly made itself known through budget cutting in California schools. In January 2008, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger announced a fiscal emergency in his Budget Proposal, as the state had a $14.5 billion shortfall. For months, state legislators failed to provide an adequate state budget, and finally signed a new one into law in September 2008 (85 days late!).
In January 2009, Legislative Analyst Mac Taylor reported that the state was “on the edge of fiscal disaster,” according to information from Murrieta Valley Unified School District Information Officer Karen Parris. Parris also supplied information regarding the views of State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O’Connell. H e s a i d o f See DISTRICT Page 19
a&e
sports
A&E is the name and entertainment is the game--pgs 12 - 13
See how the Nighthawks have performed on and off the field--pgs 16 - 18 Recycle Por Favor