The Talon Volume 16 Issue 3 March 2018

Sandra Day O’Connor High School

25250 N. 35th Ave. Phoenix, AZ 85083

Volume 16. Issue 3. March 2018

Visit the award-winning website @thetalonohs.com

Teacher Portraits: Page 14

Library Renovation: Page 12 PHOTO BY ETHAN GILCHRIST

PHOTO BY EMILIE REID

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY ETHAN GILCHRIST PHOTO BY ETHAN GILCHRIST

Softball: Page 17

4 Page 2

News thetalonohs.com

March 2018

AP vs Dual: What is the best choice?

classes that OHS has to offer. The class is also free of charge, only costing a One of the hardest student and their parents decisions upperclassmen money when they decide have to make during to register for their desired class registration time is AP test towards the end of whether or not they want the school year. These tests to partake in Advanced cost about $100 per class Placement (AP) classes or and are roughly 3-4 hours dual enrollment. long.

The biggest concern is Based off a 1-5 point over which class is going to grading system , students benefit a student more. who score a 4 or 5 are Both AP and dual classes almost guaranteed college are considered high level, credit for the course for any rigorous courses that help in-state college. It is best to prepare students for being check with a specific out of in a college classroom one state college first to make day. Each of these classes sure they will even accept can provide students with these classes. Students transferable college credit scoring a 3 may also receive and give them a jump start credit depending on the on the next four years of college.

PHOTO BY ETHAN GILCHRIST their life.

“It’s preparing me more (Left to right) Juniors Gabriell Fernandez, Andrea Giacini, Aaron Mendez help Melissa Mara, AP Environmental Science “Students in these for college because it’s the teacher, in the class garden while (Middle) Cassidy Meyer, junior, waters. AP classes can offer hands on experiences. particular classes are more more note taking style, the engaged in the learning more class structure style, as they pass the year when I go to ASU,” environment and it makes and the harder tests,” said course with a C or Sahej Dodd, senior. it easier for me to pay Chase Toncheff, junior. higher. While these There are many better attention,” said In a dual class, a student classes can seem students on campus Grace Neal, junior. pays $87 per credit, which costly, compared who take a mix of AP classes are known to equates to around $260.

• Receiving credit is to the price of the AP and dual classes, be the most challenging They will also receive inbased on a final test class at a university, reaping the benefits and time demanding state college credit as long score of 1-5. students and of both opportunities.

• Cost: $100 parents are saving a However, it is important • Courses count as significant amount to contact colleges out honors credits. of money. Most dual of state before deciding • Commonly accepted classes will require which class to take. It nationwide. a placement test is good to check and see beforehand to make if a particular college sure a student can will accept Rio Salado handle the classes credits, which are the material. ones received from dual Both classes enrollment. give students the In the end, both classes opportunity to give numerous benefits place themselves to students. Picking • Credit is based on ahead in their which class to take truly passing the class. college academics depends on the needs and • Cost: $260 by completing a few future aspirations of the • Some courses count classes while still in student. as honors credits. high school.

• Commonly accepted PHOTO BY ETHAN GILCHRIST “I’m already in Arizona.

Alan Fragoso, senior, receives help on a problem from Gavin Best, senior, in AP Macroeconomics. ahead for freshmen

By NIKKI HAZELETT

Sports Editor

Students are preparing to enroll in college

By KENDALL DEAL

Staff Writer

College is coming, and many students are beginning to shift their focus to getting ready for life after high school. Seniors and juniors on campus have been preparing in many ways, whether it be by applying for schools, boosting their GPA, or just finishing high school strong.

The college-level classes that the school offers students have proved to some to be a good decision to get ready for college. Maddie Guy, senior, urges students to take advanced placement and dual classes, and though they may be difficult, they prepare

students for the challenges of college.

“I just worked really really hard from the beginning, I took AP classes and dual classes and I just didn’t give up,” said Guy. Over the course of their four years many students take honors or AP classes to benefit their GPA and to appear stronger academically when applying to different colleges. On Feb. 27, all juniors took the ACT a test used to apply for college, similar to the SAT. Haylie Nickta is a junior graduating early and attending Northern Arizona University in the fall, hoping to work in the medical field

drove her to graduate and apply early.

“

I took AP classes and dual classes and I just didn’t give up.”

-Maddie Guy

“I took my SAT in July so I could apply in August,” said Haylie Nickta, junior.

Applying early to colleges offers applicants to be

accepted early into schools, which allows more time for students to focus on scholarship opportunities.

Many students know where they are going for college and many more are still undecided, many things factor into a students choice, such as financials, family, sports, and personality.

Athletics was a driving factor in Michael Haynes decision to attend GCU in the fall.

“During the summer I’m going to be going early for preseason and I’m going to train till about August or the beginning of the school year,” said Michael Haynes, senior.

While some students are unsure of their future careers, others have a clear future mapped out. With plans to go into a diverse group of careers such as teaching, nursing, and physical therapy.

“I plan to do general education, specifically math and economics,” said Samantha Stewart, senior.

Different career goals require different education levels, some students will reach their goals after college graduation, but others still have years of education after their first graduation.

“I plan to be a pediatric nurse in an ER and then I’ll go back and get my nurse practitioners,” Guy said.

The Talon

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March 2018

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Future Business Leaders train for state

By KATIE CACCAVALE

Staff Writer

People everyday are becoming leaders in their school and showing students what kind of leader others could be. The students in FBLA are already learning how to become a leader.

FBLA is known as Future Business Leaders of America.

It is a CTE club here at OHS, featuring Journalism, Business, Info Tech, Graphic Design and Media.

The students in this club do a variety of testing, performances and skilled learning at competitions.

Some require preparation before competition, but, what is so unique is the types of activities/tasks students can do.

“For state, I’m gonna test for the journalism testing because I’m apart of the FBLA journalism and I’m also going to be doing the public speaking,” said

Isabella Foster, freshman.

FBLA is a place for exploration and trying new real life tasks. With all of the chapters and parts to this club, students can explore

PHOTO BY KATIE CACCAVALE FBLA heads to their state competition Wednesday April 4 to Friday April 6.

new topics,such as public speaking, business laws, and job interview.

“FBLA is a great opportunity for kids to get some real world experience in industry experience like job interview, participating in sports and entertainment management questions, help desk questions for computer related stuff, test related to industry material. Still in a school setting a little bit safer environment where they can get some positive feedback without it being so high stakes as a real job interview where there’s an actual job on the line,” said Tiffany Kurtz, CTE Accounting teacher.

This club has people who are going to be someone in the future. These students could be big leaders for the

next generation.

“A lot of the people in it are wanting to be leaders and they are not all like followers, they want to do something, they like strive to do stuff,” said Mia Hernandez, freshman.

On January 20, FBLA went to ASU Polytechnic Campus for the regionals competition. As students take the test or performances that competition provides, many could come back with medals/awards, with state competition is next, some could go to nationals.

As state comes up faster, kids and teachers are preparing for competition and testing. This April 4 - 6, state will be held in Tucson, Arizona.

Model United Nations prepares for conference

By LEXI GASS

News Editor

OHS has its fair share of after school clubs and activities. There are many options for students to participate in an after school activity, from creative clubs to academic. One of which is Model UN. Model UN is a club where the members assume the roles of different countries and tackle pressing world issue, current or historical. These kids work all year, writing and learning about their countries, and in March, they compete with many other schools across the state.

The advisor of this club, Mrs. Lindenmeier, enjoys seeing the students take on these kinds of activities. As a

history teacher, Lindenmeier really enjoys seeing the more historical aspects of the club take place.

“These kids literally have to figure out the position of their countries and at how their countries would act in that particular situation,” said Lindenmeier. “I like it because sometimes they have historical security councils too. It just kind of gives more of a perspective of actually using history and using what we know about countries to solve world problems.”

This club provides students with a way to learn more about politics and real world issues, and is also something that would fit well on resumes for college.

“It’s a great little resume builder,” said Lindenmeier.

PHOTO BY KATIE DIAB (Left to right) Rebecca Felton, senior, Swathi Ramukar, senior, and Talise Brown, freshman, attending a Model UN meeting.

“I think if there is a student resume builder and who want sure they turn their position who wants to find a club that to get good leadership skills.” papers in early so we can edit is an academic club that’s Model UN also has the them,” said Lindenmeier. good for them to learn skills, opportunity to compete with The competition will take this would be a good club for other schools across the state. place on March 17 and March them. It’s really for those “Our team has been 18 at the University of kids who want to have a good working really hard to make Arizona.

Flu pandemic hits campus harder than usual

By KATIE CACCAVALE

Staff Writer

More and more people are getting sick with either a cold, a cough, the stomach flu, or just the normal flu.

Having the flu is becoming a bigger and more common now. But, today’s flu is a little more tougher to fight.

According to the Arizona Department of Health Services, there was 11,515 confirmed cases of flu from mid-October to Jan 6.

Students and teachers at OHS have been catching the flu in the last few months.

As the flu epidemic becomes stronger on campus, the process of flu becomes very understanding.

“The flu, Influenza, is a virus that is able to adapt and evolve very quickly.

So, your immune system is able to detect when an invader like the flu virus comes into your body and it will build antibodies that it

“

The flu...is a virus that is able to adapt and evolve.”

-Veronica Elton

the flu start to increase, students too realize how much they need to wash their hands with soap,” Elton said.

PHOTO BY KATIE CACCAVALE Nancy Obrien, the school nurse, catches up on some paperwork after taking care of the sick or injured students of the day. will remember, so you don’t get that flu again,” said Veronica Elton, Biology Honors teacher.

Schools are notorious for

germs and colds because they’re always busy. As more students are in classes together, it’s easier to catch the flu or even a cold.

“Definitely close corridors of the classroom is when we see population density increase, we start to see the spread of colds, viruses like

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The Talon

March 2018

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Opinion: Esports grows as sports slow down

By CHRIS BONIFAZ

Staff Writer

Esports? What truly is this new wave of sports entertainment taking the internet by storm?

The biggest misconception about esports is that people think it’s just a bunch of guys with no lives playing video games for a living. In reality, it’s so much more than that.

For these people, Esports is their lives. It’s their pride and the one talent they are amazing at.

It is exciting, fun, and nail biting. Every game is always the-edge-of-your-seat quality because of the high stakes and skill put into each match.

I’d even go as far to say it’s more exciting and interesting than traditional sports.

Overwatch is an action packed first person shooter

with multitudes of characters to choose from.

This year’s NFL playoff season had a 16% decrease in the audience while the Overwatch league had an all time high for its opening and continuously grows in viewership every single game.

According to www.verdict. co.uk NHL had a 20% decrease in viewer-ship from last year’s season, and only had an average of 459,000 people per game.

While these statistics are eye opening, you’re probably asking: what exactly happens in an esports match? It takes a lot of planning, skill, and team synergy in order to win each match.

Depending what games is being played, it either depends on completion of the objective, eliminating the

other team, or a combination of both. First off, we have the Overwatch League which mainly focuses on the objective aspect of the game.

To explain it simply, two teams of six each pick one character to play. One team’s objective is to complete said objective, while the other team is trying their hardest to stop them from completing it.

Each character has their own abilities which is then used to help the team out in certain situations and maps.

This is where team synergy comes in. Characters should be able to help each other out and have abilities that combo with your other teammates abilities.

Overall esports is an action packed, nerve racking and exciting experience.

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY ETHAN GILCHRIST The Overwatch League offers the players a grand winning prize pool of $3.5 million

Continued from page 4, Flu pandemic hits campus extremely hard Views on defeating illness have definitely changed over time and years. Colds and Viruses have found new ways to become stronger and stay longer. But, we have found

ways to fight back.

“Staying hydrated, big big thing with staying hydrated, minerals and vitamins, so zinc and vitamin C are really important, eating a

well balanced healthy diet, washing hands with soap is really important, covering mouth or nose when sneezing or coughing, things like that are gonna be very important to

preventing yourself and others from getting sick,” Elton said.

Our bodies get colds and viruses, it’s normal, but by staying hydrated, eating right and washing our hands with

soap often can prevent yourself and others from getting sick.

Taking precautions can help in the long run for yourself and others from getting infected.

The Talon

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March 2018

5

Academic Decathlon approaches state

scholarship for their 4 years of college at one of the AZ universities.

“Our OHS kids don’t put in as much study time as the Cesar Chavez kids do, but they are working hard to do well in state competition!

It’s a joy to get to know my students each year. I love to see how they grow academically, socially, and emotionally every year,” said Moore.

By KATIE DIAB

Staff Writer

The Academic Decathlon team will be going to state on March 9 at Arizona State University - West. Seven people will be participating in this event, which consists of multiple choice tests, performance events, and essays.

The team only has two competitors in both the

PHOTO COURTESY OF CARON MOORE John Wolpert wins gold in essay for the scholastic division

PHOTO COURTESY OF CARON MOORE Ashlen Sperry, Alayna Dinges, and John Wolpert bask in the applause at District Academic Decathlon Competition at Boulder Creek High School on Nov. 4, 2017. The team won the Super Quiz Relay and were awarded the traveling trophy. honors and scholastic Caron Moore, advisor.

Each of the 10 subjects is divisions, and they have The members of this years worth 1,000 points. There three students in the varsity team are, Honors: Ashlen are many students at state division. A full team usually Sperry, freshman, and Shayan competition who score has nine competitors. The Azfal, junior, Scholastic: upwards of 9,000 individual club gets together every John Wolpert, junior, and points. AZ represents the Tuesday to practice their Kendall Deal, junior. Varsity: nation very well. The winning skills independently and with Alayna Dinges, junior, Ethan team has consistently scored each other.

Myers, junior, sophomore, 47,000 - 49,000 points almost “It’s been especially and Reval Sarkendo. every single year they go to difficult this year for us The seven curricular nationals. because we don’t have a subjects that are tested on The team scores are based class, like we normally do. the day of the competition, on the two highest scoring I’ve worked with Academic are Math, Art, Economics, students in each competition Decathlon for 20 years, at Literature, Science, Social division. To be in honors, OHS & MRHS. I’ve never Science and Music. a student has to have a taken a team to state when unweighted OHS placed 10th in regional cumulative, we didn’t have the class; this competition, earning us a spot GPA of 3.75 and higher; is the only year that I have in state competition; there S c h o l a s t i c - - 3 . 0 0 - 3 . 7 4 ; coached when we didn’t have are 40 teams that advance Varsity--under a 3.00 GPA. a class. I’m very proud of our to state competition. There The first place winners team this year because they is always one topic that the of regional and state have to do everything outside competition focuses on each competitions in AZ Academic the regular school day,” said year. This year it is Africa.

Decathlon get a full

PHOTO COURTESY OF CARON MOORE Ethan Myers wins bronze in economics for the varsity division

Internet outages blacks out students’ learning

By LEXI GASS

News Editor

It has become hard to imagine a world without technology. Most kids have grown up with the influence of technology around them constantly, and it has become an integral part of the lives of everyone. But, when this technology fails, many different problems can occur.

There has been a problem recently having to do with the wifi and general internet service at school. For a couple of hours, many students had noticed that their iPads had stopped responding and they couldn’t access their assignments. Many classes

The Talon is published as a forum for student opinion at Sandra Day O’Connor High School, part of the Deer Valley Unified School District.

The Talon is an award winning publication with dozens of awards for its staff members as well as ranked the

at OHS require access to technology, and when the internet doesn’t work, it can affect the teacher’s plans for the day.

What really happened was just a simple problem with the servers.

“The problem was there are 5 proxy servers and 1 of them would take a vacation and shut everyone down that was on it,” said Mrs. Salameh, the school librarian. “Everyone that was kicked off had to scramble to find another proxy to attach itself to.”

The technology of WiFi and the internet is still relatively new, so, according to Salameh errors are to be expected while

top online publication and one of the top print publications in the state. Letters to the editor must be signed and dropped off in Room 508, e-mailed to thetalonohs@gmail. com or mailed. Letters may be edited for content and/or space

everything is being figured out.

“It’s still kind of the wild Wild West, and we have to expect this sort of thing to happen,” Salameh said. “At some point, we won’t have to worry about whether our technology will work or not, but right now, it’s still new.”

This technology error caused a lot of issues for teachers and students alike. Nadia Ruiz, Spanish teacher, noted how big of an influence technology is in teaching in modern times.

“The internet and social media have changed both teaching and learning,” Ruiz said. “Internet has influence on how, where, and what students are doing. Technology

consideration. Obscene or libelous statements will not be printed.

Opinions reflected here are of those of The Talon staff and do not reflect the Deer Valley Unified School District.

Visit The Talon online at thetalonohs.com to see stories weekly.

PHOTO BY ETHAN GILCHRIST

Frank Nguyen, senior and library TA, works with Gail Salameh to fix the wifi on his iPad.

at Sandra Day O’Connor expands the education.”

Many students were also affected by this issue when suddenly they couldn’t access the material they needed for

class that day.

“It’s annoying because I had to take tests and it’s really hard to when the wifi doesn’t work,” said Oriana Polcaro, sophomore.

Editor-in-Chief:

Sports Editor:

Ethan Gilchrist

Nikki Hazelett

Design Chief:

Editorial Chief:

Cassidy Moore

Hayden Cunningham

Copy Chief:

Travis Robertson Adviser:

Cindy Garraway

News Editor:

Lexi Gass Features Editor:

Audrey Serrano Arts and Entertainment Editor:

Emilie Reid

Staff Writers:

Katie Diab Katie Caccavale Kasey Cross Chris Bonifaz Logan Frandsen Sadrac Rainey Kendall Deal

Features 4Page 6

By TRAVIS ROBERTSON

Copy Chief

OHS is filled to the brim with students of different backgrounds, demographics, and traits that give each student a truly unique story to tell. However, some students struggle to get their stories told because they’re afraid of showing their true self in fear that they won’t be accepted. One freshman has a voice and a story that could let other students be heard as well.

Sydney Larsen, freshman, is an outgoing student in Band, S.W.A.T, Basketball, and Track with one feature that makes her life more unique: she was born deaf.

Larsen has a hearing aide to help and is fluent in both American Sign Language and English.

Larsen plays trombone and baritone for Band and has incorporated ASL into her S.W.A.T project.

“I’m teaching ASL as part of my S.W.A.T project because I believe that it is mentally important to use your hands properly and not using them in a bad way,” Larsen said.

Being born deaf was challenging for Larsen in her early school years where people were harsh and unaccepting of her disability.

“A lot of people have been bringing me down, a lot of teachers in elementary school have brought me down, they shut my voice off because I was being too loud and I was disabled and didn’t know how to speak well,” Larsen said.

With these challenges in the past, Larsen used her knowledge of both ASL and English to entertain as well as inspire others.

“I decided to, after all the bullying that happened to me, put on a show. I do Sign at different events because many people believe in me, they know that I can send a powerful message that everybody needs to hear because not everyone understands what I’ve been through and not everyone understands what’s important about music and music is powerful,” Larsen said. “The challenges I’ve been through have helped me learn so much about myself and about friendship and trying to change who you are and become the person you were meant to be.”

An example of this is when she performed a Sign Language dance at the annual Gala on Feb. 23, to the song “This is Me” from the film “The Greatest Showman”.

“I chose the song ‘This is Me’ because I’m deaf, I don’t have control over my hearing I was just born this way, and a lot of people look down on me and they see me as a person that they shouldn’t be talking to because I have a disability,” Larsen said. “Just because I have a disability that doesn’t mean they shouldn’t be able to talk to me, I’m friendly, I’m talkative. I just want to put a message out there and say ‘You know what, I am the person that I am and you should not be afraid of me at all’

thetalonohs.com

March 2018

Inspiring student shines positive message to campus PHOTO BY TRAVIS ROBERTSON Sydney Larsen, freshman, performing Sign Language dance to “This is Me” from “The Greatest Showman” on Feb 23.

Music has been a key factor succeed. not able to learn these sort of for Larsen’s attitude and state “Every teacher on this things then you’re not going of mind, as she emphasizes campus, they seem so friendly to be able to learn anything that “music is powerful” and to me and I just love how at all. This is why you’re in everybody should understand the teachers support me and school, to learn, and to build its importance. the different activities that friendships,” Larsen said.

“Music has helped me I’m able to participate in After high school, Larsen calm down and get into the and they see me as a person hopes to play Basketball at mood of competitions and that’s willing to strive and be BYU and become an ASL the reason why I joined band determined,” Larsen said. interpreter. One lesson Larsen was because it helped me set Starting March 13, Larsen has learned from her life and my mind into a calm tone. will be teaching ASL on time at OHS that she wants Everyday I listen to music, Tuesdays during the first half to pass down is simply to I’m a part of seminary and of Eagle Hour in room 806. let yourself shine. If you do I play the piano there all the She believes the knowledge that, then others will follow time and it’s just what helped of ASL and other languages naturally. me stay in the mood of being is academically crucial for “Not everyone sees who calm and thinking about who students to understand. you are, because you have I am and not other parts of “I believe that academics your own world and your own the world,” Larsen said. are very important because perspective. If you try to The support from students, if you aren’t in school then bring out what’s within you administration, and teachers how are you going to learn then other people will see you has been integral to Larsen’s and get a job in the future? as who you are and do not be attitude as well, where she Same thing with American afraid to show your light to says OHS has provided Sign Language and different the world,” Larsen said. enough support for her to languages as well, if you’re

Seniors take full schedules to boost academics his last year at OHS. As well as the obvious advantage of having less time in class, Cardella also gets the advantages of missing the usual morning and afternoon busy traffic, having more time at home and more time to focus on things outside of school. However, having first hour off leads to complications with the changing bell schedules.

“I don’t have a first hour so school starts at a different time every PHOTO BY CASSIDY MOORE day with half days and Eagle Hour. So I am Petie Zufelt, Chloe Scott, Katlyn Snapp, Bethy Reklaitis leave school after their fourth hour class ends. seniors who choose to do so late a lot,” Cardella said.

By CASSIDY MOORE as they usually get off after Some seniors choose to go Design Chief fourth hour, only having four against the norm and take As many student’s senior classes compared to the usual full day classes, filling their year is fast approaching, six. schedules with electives, schedules are being chosen Skyler Cardella, senior, who extra academic courses, or to and the opportunity to take arrives to school for second retake classes from previous a half day is available. There hour and gets out after fourth years. Many of the reasons are many advantages for the is only taking three classes students choose to fill their

day with academic courses is to help their grades for college.

“Your GPA rises if you are doing well in your classes,” said Jonathon Badzioch, senior.

Badzioch has a full schedule getting out at the usual release time after his seventh hour, AP Physics class. Another senior who has a full schedule, Jacob Mansur, states some of the hard parts of his senior year.

“You have less time, you are more tired, and have more homework but it’s fine; it’s all for college,” said Jacob Mansur, senior, who also has a full schedule.

To meet in the middle of the half day and regular full, some seniors take 5 classes, getting out an hour earlier than the rest of the school.

Marguerite Hoaglen senior, gets out after sixth hour, and greatly enjoys the extra hour of rest she gets before her

extracurriculars.

“I recommend taking one period off. If you take to many classes off then you end up thinking ‘I have so much time to do my homework’ and then you never do your homework and just sleep all day,” said Marguerite Hoaglan, senior.

Hoaglan also notices the drastic change in traffic times after she is released early.

“Anytime I have to come to pick up anybody after school, traffic is awful. I get so used to it being nice, you go back to picking up after seventh hour and it’s terrible,” Hoaglan said.

The variety of options for a unique schedule available to those who have enough credits is one of many pros to senior year.

“I would recommend taking as many classes as you need and to raise your gpa as much as you can,” Badzioch said.

The Talon

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March 2018

7

Seniors receive chance to vote for first time

By TRAVIS ROBERTSON

Copy Chief

In these politically divisive and contested times, more young people are beginning to involve themselves with the political process. Whether it be promoting candidates, speaking out against certain policies or spreading their views on social media, students’ voices have power that not even they might realize. This year, seniors are gaining the right to officially put their voice where it matters: the voting booths.

Another year of OHS means another year of a new class of students turning 18 and being legally allowed to vote in elections. Richard Weyker, Government teacher, says every student who cares about American politics should register to vote.

“They are the ones running the country. If you want to be able to complain about what your government’s doing, you want to make sure you took the time to actually to have a say in how it’s being run and voting is the first opportunity you have to do that,” Weyker said.

Weyker also says its in seniors’ best interests to vote, considering they can have a say in issues that will affect them in college.

“We’re in a crisis right now; the average kid is leaving college with $36,000 in debt and that doesn’t include the kids who finished their four year degree, if you actually look at the kids who finished, it’s much, much worse,” Weyker said. “We have a college system that’s rigged against them to take all their money and leave them in debt with a degree that might not actually help them get a job in the real world. I think students need to make their voice be heard about how we need better funding for higher level education, we need a better system to assist kids who are going to college, and we need college programs that are better capable of finding kids jobs which they can succeed.”

Abby Naylor, senior, is not old enough to register but plans to do it in time for the upcoming midterm elections.

Naylor says it’s important to register if you want a say in American politics.

“I think every person should (register to vote), it doesn’t take long at all if you’re registered to vote you can take part in political action in America,” Naylor said.

Naylor believes students should be voting to put an end to gun violence and school shootings.

“Kids our age are getting shot in schools and there’s stuff we can be doing about it we can be electing representatives who aren’t supported by the NRA,” Naylor said.

Some students have already voted, such as Tyson Collier, senior, who sent in an early ballot for the Az District 8 Special Election Primary, which was held to fill the vacated seat left by Representative Trent Franks.

Collier voted for Bob Stump (R) with the belief that he can secure the nation, after watching debates and browsing the candidates’ websites.

“Specifically I liked what he said about securing our electrical grid about a possible attack from North Korea,” Collier said.

Debbie Lesko won the Republican primary, and Hiral Tipirneni won on the Democratic side, and they will both be the candidates in the general election on April 24th.

For students who wish to get involved but aren’t old enough to vote, options to make a difference still exist.

“Find either a campaign

connect with and you feel like of they succeed then our country is better off, they’re always looking for people to help volunteer.”

The deadline to register for the upcoming special election on April 24 is March 28, and the deadline to register for the midterm elections in November is October 10.

Students can register at

PHOTO BY TRAVIS ROBERTSON The Maricopa County Elections Departments holds a special voting election. or cause to volunteer for, and servicearizona.com. Weyker quite frankly when you do says the more who vote, the that you’re making more of better off America will be.

“If you’re eligible to vote, an impact than just voting, so maybe you’re 14-16 and go vote, if you have any free maybe you’re not old enough time, go volunteer and help to vote, there’s going to be a out. The more people who candidate out there who you participate in this country think has the best policies,” the better off our country’s Weyker said. “Whether it’s going to be,” Weyker said. the environment or the NRA or any sort of issue that you

Campus clubs continue to thrive and evolve

By LOGAN FRANDSEN

Staff Writer

It’s been 6 months since the start of the school year, and about 4 months since the Talon’s first issue back in October, in which some school clubs were first covered.

Throughout the school year, some of these clubs have hosted events and changed things up for this spring.

Two of these clubs that we will take a look into are the Knights of Pen and Paper and NHS. Although both clubs have similarly changed the ways they run to an extent, they both are doing well and enjoy the climate and events they have in store for the rest of the year.

Karson Knudson, junior and treasurer of Knights of Pen and Paper, talks about how the variety of people

at each meeting contributes to the quality of the club’s environment.

“We have seen a slight decrease in members, but we found that the members

Dungeons and Dragons, also focuses on other games too.

“At any given time we have at least a few different people playing some different board games and then the rest of

PHOTO BY ETHAN GILCHRIST Juniors, Aidan Arredondo, Zephaniah Bliss and Karson Knudson roll dice in D&D. who do end up being kind of them playing Dungeons & sporadic attending once in a Dragons,” Knudson said.

The laid-back atmosphere while,” Knudson said.

Knights of Pen and Paper, that the club has taken on which mainly focuses on since its formation in August

is what Knudson says makes it fun.

“The club is really just a place that individual groups of people can play individual types of games and play them, it’s really just a place where you can chill out and play table games,” Knudson said.

NHS also has a great deal of new events occurring, including many new service opportunities that are making a positive impact in the community. Rahul Javangula, senior and president of NHS, explains how the focus has been shifted towards community service.

“We’ve always had the goal of having upwards of 30 community service events for the entire year and that’s still going on,” Javangula said.

One project that didn’t

necessarily carry over to the spring, but still somewhat remains in the form of private help, is their Study Buddies program.

“At this point we are individually assigning people just because it’s easier and a little more time efficient, so tutoring is still going on and we’re getting it across but Study Buddies as a whole never really worked,” Javangula said.

Overall, through all these events and community projects, the club is additionally setting a strong infrastructure for next year’s NHS class.

“We are really just focusing on getting everyone their hours, getting the board ready for next year, pretty much getting everything ready for the new class,” Javangula said.

A+ evaluation determines school’s ranking

By CHRIS BONIFAZ

Staff Writer

On March, 5, Sandra Day O’Connor had an A + evaluation. The school had been preparing for this day for a while.

A+ is a ranking system for schools that allows favorable advantages over other schools by making our school look more high standard then the other schools.

Students might be wondering how does this affect them?

“Not only does it help students it also brings new

students to the school,” said Kimberly Heinz, Assistant Principal.

Heinz explained that the A+ attracts new students that move in from out of state and that they even scout out high schools.

“There are even recruiters for high schools now, just like scouters who look at colleges, they now have some for high schools as well as colleges,” said Heinz.

The A+ was something that looked very enticing for recruiters and made the recruiters bring up our

schools more over all the others.

Now how does this actually affect the students already here?

“It makes it easier to get better programs and bigger chances of getting funds for those programs and it looks good on your resume for either college or a job,” said Heinz.

This means that students would have a leg up on the outside world when attempting to impress colleges or managers with their resumes.

This rating gives us that extra medal to show off. It also gets an extra advantage

over the rest and really make you stand out over other schools.

PHOTO BY CHRIS BONIFAZ A+ evaluators take a tour of the classrooms at the school to interview students.

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March 2018

julia sophomore edelson

aptured Interviews and photography by Cassidy Moore and Kasey Cross

@OC_CAPTURED

Art is a way to express yourself.

I can’t express myself in many other subjects but I can put all this emotion behind my music everyday. It helps me get to know myself.

@OC_CAPTURED

Kindness and Compassion are my general values. Treat people how you want to be treated. In this world everyone is so mean and everything is so scary. The number one most important thing we can do is show kindness and empathy towards each other so we have something to hold on to, one little good thing in our lives.

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brooke senior black

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thetalonohs.com

mr. utter

history teacher

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I was a mechanic for about seven and a half years. In fact, I even got my associates degree to be a mechanic when I got out of the marines. Being a mechanic was rewarding in some ways and in others it was a very stressful and physically demanding job. Over time I started to realize there was something missing from that career that I couldn’t put my finger on. I realized that one of the things I liked about being in the marines was that I was part of something bigger than myself. I did not realize that was important to me until it was gone. I really was soul-searching and trying to figure out what to do, I knew I really loved history. I was thinking of what I could do with history that could impact future generations and to be a part of something bigger than myself, that’s when teaching came to mind. So I went back to school and here I am past my four year degree working on my masters. It was a big turn around. I think that teaching is difficult in its own right, the way that being a mechanic was difficult, but for me [teaching] has a more personal, bigger than yourself feeling. This is something where I can give back.

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10 March 2018

thetalonohs.com

Dedicated students suffer from high demands and lack of time stress levels than most adults do. These levels have Something that is not also proven to increase dramatically during the addressed very widely on a school year when a student school campus is the nagging is busiest. and constant anxiety some “Sometimes the stress is students face. Whether it be so overbearing I just freeze caused by an overwhelming up and don’t class load, extracurriculars, know how to and sometimes a mixture of process the amounts of both, students on campus work I have to are finding it difficult to do. Between stay afloat. the four of my “Time management is AP classes, very difficult when you badminton, have so many things to do and work, I and so few hours in the find myself day,” said Lauren Kisicki, struggling to junior and Drum Major apprentice. even find time to see my A large chunk of students friends. I feel like people juggle multiple AP/dual don’t quite understand classes, along with having everything that goes a job and maintaining along with being an active leadership positions in participant in school clubs. Getting hours activities and AP classes,” at work and finishing said Grace Neal, junior. homework assignments While many students have now become more of a decide to take on these priority than their physical work loads because they and mental health. want to build up their Many of them work college résumé or they want opening to closing during to earn extra money, not all the weekend and then students choose this path continue to work until the for themselves. Excelling late hours of the night in all aspects of school after school. Others find can be pushed upon the themselves struggling to students by parents and the finish homework after a competition to be better long and exhausting sports than another student drives practice. Students are teens to do unimaginable staying up until the sunrise things. trying to get together a “I’m very proud of final project for a class. myself for taking harder High school students will classes and being able to take on more than they can do well in them. However, handle, but will continue my parents did have a lot to push themselves to new of influence and say from a extremes many adults young age and I feel like I wouldn’t be willing to do. never had much of a choice “I’m in softball, regarding my classes. That basketball, FCA, NHS, in itself causes me a lot of SOFS, and so it is a lot of anxiety because I’m always volunteering, getting hours nervous I won’t be able to for that and also hours meet their expectations,” on the court and softball Neal said. field,” said Grace Lyons, Not wanting to senior. disappoint family or These students challenge themselves can weigh themselves to be the best heavily on students and person they can be and cause major anxiety. even though they may However, while many seem happy, it is important teens deal with stress, to acknowledge the amount anxiety and other levels of of stress they face. mental illness, they have According to research found ways to cope. found by the American “I definitely make a set Psychological Association, schedule for the week, teenagers are facing higher lay out everything that

By NIKKI HAZELETT

Sports Editor

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I have to do and then do certain thing on certain days. When I’m working I try to make sure I have as little homework as possible.

There’s definitely more to school than just school and work, there’s outside life

Meditation room promises to rejuvenate students in need was what I talked about and I ended up being one of the The clock hits 11:26 AM as winners for the $1000.”

The field trip to this Eagle Hour begins and it’s organization paid off for time to wallow in the stress Eller and now the money of the next test and deadline is going straight to the for an hour, but starting meditation room. next semester the meditation “I’m thinking about room invites students and teachers to take a break and changing the lights and just let go of all the tension for a all around it’s mainly going to be little things everywhere bit. that’s changed about it so S.W.A.T. is brewing it’s not going to be anything up another large change huge,” Eller said. to campus by creating a The idea of the room meditation room. This was conceived by how she room will be opening first handles her stress. semester next year in the “So I know that I have fishbowl meeting room in a lot of stress in my life, the library and media center and one of the things that and is planning to be open I mainly do is I’ll go and during eagle hour. The room do yoga or I will go and is guaranteeing it will help meditate just like focus on alleviate stress through my breathing,” Eller said. calming activities like “So I thought that would meditation and yoga with be a good thing to introduce an overall peaceful setting to the entire school because created by aromatics, music a lot of people have never and visuals.

“The meditation room is a really thought about doing that.”

Eller noted that there will be a teacher at all times and anyone who disrupts the calmness of the room by breaking rules will be removed.

A lot of -Annalise Eller the minute details of the place where students can go meditation room have not and they can relax anytime been settled yet. The exact of the day because stress is a timing of when the room huge thing for kids. It really will be open is not set though affects people’s grades,” said the intent is Eagle Hour, and Annalise Eller, sophomore the amount of students that and co-creator of the room. can attend is predicted to be “It can be for students [or] anywhere from a couple to teachers. I’ve done a little bit 10. Gail Salameh, librarian of research on stress.” and teacher facilitator of the She found in her research program, will likely settle talking with doctors and a lot of these details with looking through university Hesse and Eller when the studies that thousands of room is closer to opening kids suffer from depression next semester. that harms grades.

Students who have learned Eller came up with the about the room are already room alongside Dana expressing excitement.

Rasmussen, senior, and “Personally I like to feel Shane Hesse, S.W.A.T. really relaxed,” said Ashley advisor who are all Ramirez, freshman. “I supported by a team of six know school and home is health students. A lot of the really stressful, and having potential for this room comes somewhere where you can from the monetary backing go to relax and let go of it has received from AdCap/ everything that’s worrying GenYouth, a local ‘shark you throughout the day is tank’ supporting schools. nice.”

“Me and five other kids Ramirez and her friends went and we had to present will be using the room as something to a panel of soon as it opens and she said judges about how to make many other students will be our school healthier,” Eller “distant” at first but may be said. “The meditation room “intrigued by it.”

By ETHAN GILCHRIST

Editor-in-Chief

I find myself struggling to even find time to see my friends.

”

-Grace Neal

and outside perspectives that kind of makes it really stressful,” said Sloane Sivek, junior and Sports Medicine intern.

The young adults of OHS show outstanding levels of maturity and responsibility by showing an active interest in attempting to make their situation better.

High school may be some of the first few hardest years of their lives, but they are proving themselves to be young, responsible adults by acknowledging what they could be doing better and then finding ways to alleviate some of this stress.

“I do get stressed out a lot, but I do try and manage my priorities and make sure that I am focused on the right stuff, and not getting too overwhelmed with everything,” Grace Lyons said.

What students should know is that they aren’t alone when it comes to stress; that they have a whole student body who is most likely experiencing the same problems and that they can find comfort in a friend or even a teacher.

It is very important for students to be there for one another and help a classmate out when they need it.

“It sounds mean to say, but I’m glad I’m not the only one who feels like this,” Grace Neal said.

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Students Fight Stress

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The meditation room is a place where students can go and they can relax.

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Daniel Michols, freshman and supporting health student, is working on the distribution of the money for the room.

“We’re going to paint the room with cool colors: blue, green and purple,” Michols said. “It helps relieve stress and what that will do is ease up the minds of the students and or teachers if they decide to go in.”

Michols added they are still planning how to renovate the room which is about 6ft in width and 8.5ft in length according to him.

“I kind of worry about it because since the room is really small and has a low area, you need to think about how much things will fit in,” Michols said.

Isabella Foster, freshman and supporting health student, is also contributing with Michols to the room.

“We’ve done planning where we just tried to research relaxation techniques and stuff that can get kids relaxed,” Foster said. “We’re going to put a fish tank in there and we’re going to put some beanbags and couches. We’re just trying to get everything in there ordered.”

Another member of the team of health students, Daniel Kim, junior, has been visualizing the room for next year.

“A place that’s quiet and peaceful. A place where you know heads to names, can get some nice calmness inside of you and just really elevate yourself in the mental state,” Kim said.

He added that for him the key change to the room is making it clear that it is a meditation room by “the aroma and looks of it.”

Students on campus are proposing a way for the level of campus stress to come down with this meditation room, not only furthering the health improvements S.W.A.T. has brought to campus but possibly saving some students from harmful emotions along the way.

“Stress is a very annoying thing. It’s very understandable, all of us have it [and] it’s just a thing of daily life you have to go through,” Kim said. “It’s very important to get rid of this stress in the healthiest manner possible so this room is designed to be able to relieve that stress.”

ILLUSTRATION BY KASEY CROSS

The Talon

12 March 2018

thetalonohs.com

Library modernizes to connect with students

By ETHAN GILCHRIST

Editor-in-Chief

The library stands as a symbol of the decrepit olden days to many students when in actuality, it is a hub of progress that ties the future and the past together in a way that wasn’t possible a decade ago. It essentially combines the power of books with the infinite internet to offer something truly unique.

Gail Salameh, librarian at OHS since 2015, made a significant update to the Library and Media Center (LMC) last December with the removal of an entire section of 5,000 older non-fiction books.

The change only continues to improve the space by providing more workspace for students, keeping it more relevant and providing for Eagle Hour.

Salameh oversees nearly all technology in the school on top of her managing the 11,500 books in the library. She sees herself as a “help desk of all sorts”.

The decision to remove the books to go to auction was suggested by Dr. Lynn Miller, school principal, and Salameh decided it was the right thing to do.

“I was very happy to do it. We have removed the middle sections of the nonfiction books. I deleted nonfiction books that did not seem timely anymore, that I knew because I’m, a certified librarian [and] because I have so much experience with the curriculum,” Salameh said.

For instance, Salameh brought up some books she got rid of immediately like “Coping with Drinking and Driving” and “Coping with an Immigrant Parent” published nearly 20 years ago that lacked today’s perspective. “Coping” to her implied that the topic is negative or something to be

ashamed of.

She considered other details about the books such as if it was ever checked out, who the author was, whether it was a genre centerpiece and if the topic was already covered in another book. She did her best to avoid removing books adding “a good library wouldn’t have the books so jammed in but I kept as many as I possibly could.”

All of this has allowed the library to make new space for students.

“Now we have a big room that students can come into to do their research,” Salameh said. “The research that they can do on their iPads.”

She recommends doing research on the Digital Arizona Library (DAZL) a tool accessed on the library website that curates the internet and resources for academic papers.

This is a “21st century library” according to Salameh and despite the task leaving her “physically ill” because she let go of the books that “comforted” her. the benefits have been worth it.

When Salameh reaches the library for a routine day, it certainly doesn’t start with dusting the books.

“A lot of iPad problems, I’ve got 2,400 students. That’s a lot of students and they come to me for iPad problems so not my favorite part of the job, but it does give me opportunities to interact with students,” Salameh said.

She manages the iPads via a program known as Airwatch.

Tyler Terrazas, senior, has been coming to do his homework in the library for a year and a half.

“Yeah, especially with the Eagle Hour combining both of the lunches into pretty much one giant group of the entire school; I like that they added more tables so it’s not flooded,” Terrazas said.

Jason Zhi Xin Liu, junior, helps out Mrs. Salameh on his free time during lunch because the space provides him with many chances to work and relax. “[It’s] a great place for a learning experience and trying new things. A great place to talk about my ‘too much homework’ or ‘stress’ because it’s easy to communicate or talk to Mrs. Salameh about, and then also you get some work done and get advice,” Liu said.

Salameh also has teacher assistants during a lot of the day. Reval Sarkendo, junior and one of Salameh’s assistants, has checked out nearly 50 books and enjoys her role.

“I love helping Mrs. Salameh. She’s the best. She is the teacher with the most responsibilities at this school and a lot of teachers will be like ‘no it’s me I have a hundred and four [students].’

She has the whole school and the teachers as her students,” Sarkendo said.

Sarkendo is in the library everyday and really gets to know how Salameh works with students.

“Mrs. Salameh is the best librarian in the entire world.

She has a personal connection with all the students,” Sarkendo said. “She will try her best to help you and her main goal is to help.”

Isabel Gutierrez, senior, is also a teacher’s assistant to Salameh having been close with the area since her freshman year.

“I’ve learned a lot especially a lot of things I did not think I’d learn, and it’s been neat to be a TA for her because she does so much for the school that no one really sees like she fixes all the technological problems, she’s over research and she’s over all these different things,” Gutierrez said.

PHOTO BY ETHAN GILCHRIST Caleb Hackett, junior, talks about the volleyball team with Gail Salameh, librarian.

She also emphasized the many options that Salameh gives to students.

“I don’t think they realize how many resources are there and that if that was taken away that there’d be a lot missing,” Gutierrez said. “I love that when you physically hold a book it’s like being transported to this other place.”

Lisa Wood, English language learner instructional assistant, works around the library assisting students who are learning English as a second or later language and provides a different perspective than the students.

“The library is my classroom.

I get the privacy that I need.

I get the technical equipment that I need: the laptops, the different materials, papers, markers, books. Pretty much everything I would need to help assist my students,” Wood said.

Teachers like Wood are entirely supported by the efforts of Salameh to maintain the modern library.

“She’s fantastic. I think she’s

very low-key, but she knows what needs to be done how to meet the needs of the students, how to meet the needs of the teachers, how to meet the needs of the administration,” Wood said.

The library has a history of changes. Back when the school opened, the first librarian Susan Hubbs had PE students doing laps in the building, and had to get them to go run elsewhere. As the library continues its journey, Salameh is ready, supported with friends and students to make it the best it can be by uniting books and tech. “[As] someone who was all paper and pencil when going to school, I still have calluses here from all the writing I did and even though I had a typewriter I mean it’s just nothing the same with what we have available now,” Salameh said.

“If I had this available when I was younger it would’ve been such a gift. It would’ve been a dream come true, so don’t tell me you want to go back to paper and pencil.”

STEAM Festival celebrates ‘engine’-nuity

By SADRAC RAINEY

Staff Writer

Events of the arts are meant to propose something greater; inspire people to aspire to be better versions of themselves. They’re meant to gather people of merit and importance and used to spread their knowledge to those curious. The STEAM Festival is no exception but rather the epitome.

The STEAM Festival is occurring at OHS from five to nine p.m. on March 18. Being organized by the Society of STEM Innovators, industry leaders from parts of the valley will be in attendance and questions posed to these speakers are welcomed.

The addition of a new element in STEM means a lot

of riled and differing opinions which will eventually will lead to a heated debate on the subject. AP Biology student, Ethan Scheider , junior, explains his position on the subject.

“I feel that the arts are a little overshadowed nowadays, but when it’s incorporated into such a big program, I just think that it’s a good thing for inclusion,” said Scheider.

Another AP Biology student, Ashley Barron, junior, explains how their might be some contention with the addition of a completely polarizing subject to make its debut.

“I’m glad that they’re including other areas but I don’t see how art can fit into science, technology,

engineering, and math,” said Barron While they don’t agree wholeheartedly with each other, they both provide new insights without directly disagreeing with each other. Or disagreeing on the importance of art and its value in society as it has fundamental merit alongside the sciences.

To know the real connection between the arts and sciences, both points of views have to be acknowledged..

Art student Nathan Randell , gives an in depth response, giving his reasoning why.

“Should it be categorized with the other major intellectual pursuits, I think so. You have to put thought into it, your own amount of creativity into it which isn’t

really done with the other fields. Science, technology, engineering, and math all have to do with thinking.

The only difference the other four categories and art is that [STEM fields] is trying to improve society as where in art you’re providing entertainment,” said Randell, junior.

STEAM is meant to show the bridging-of-thegap between the arts and the sciences but Agatha Andersen, Physics teacher, has a different viewpoint.

Anderson proposes that both of these groups are more close to being one and the same than different overall.

“I think, that you have to be creative in science technology and all, so it would make sense to bring art

into it as well. If art doesn’t include some of the things with science and technology and if it’s just a standalone then that wouldn’t be the complete picture, and that’s the same thing with engineering. Without the creativity of art, it wouldn’t work out well,” Andersen said.

The STEAM Festival is trying to incorporate the overall symbiotic nature of both of these very distinct subjects; that without the other, would function completely differently in society. And so the next logical inclusion of a subject would have to be art; to help foster the creativity of the right-brain dominant, and to help introduce logic into the left.

March 2018

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Arts & Entertainment

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March 2018

Students show appreciation with hand drawn portraits

By EMILIE REID

Arts and Entertainment Editor

Teacher appreciation seems to become less of a big deal as we get older, with students becoming less obligated to let them know how much they mean to them. We get lost in our work or our social lives, and this results in us overlooking how much our teachers do for us.

This year, however, the art program is striving to change that.

Now hanging in the back hallway of the 400 building, a giant collage of hand-drawn portraits of the staff on campus showcases the individual

PHOTO BY EMILIE REID talent of students along with Staff members Tim Vaughn (left) and Rosa Leptich (right) stand and admire the hand drawn works of the “Gratitude Gallery.” the thoughtfulness of an art lover. the teachers, though. Davis ing that of Melanie Britton, way I do,” Noreen said.

Dena Davis, art teacher, made sure to try and include band director, and one of the Aside from running her art was inspired after seeing a every staff member on cam- special education teachers. program and encouraging video online about anoth- pus, from administration to Along with showing ap- kids to make beautiful and er art teacher who had her the lunch ladies students see preciation, the art program unique art pieces, Davis also elementary class draw por- once a day. hopes to show that art is more hosts classes during Eagle traits of the teachers at their Each and every art student than just a regular class, and Hour. school. was assigned one or two peo- encourage more people to During these classes kids “I saw another teacher on- ple to draw, and the process join. have written Valentines cards line who is really awesome took a little over a month.

“Most of the people in my for kids in hospitals and beand amazing do something The artists ranged from her class are just in it for the art gan to extend outside of like this and I wanted to try special needs students to her credit, so I hope that people campus with their creativity. it with my students and tie AP class, and each portrait will stop looking at art class “Mrs. Davis is really it into gratitude and maybe shows the different skill level as just something to do if thoughtful with the things teacher appreciation week each student possesses. you need a credit because I that she does, so projects and go from there,” Davis Evelyn Noreen, junior, is personally really like art, and like this may not occur again said. in the Intro to Art class and I don’t see it that way, so I soon at this school but we are She didn’t just stop at created two portraits, includ- hope people start to see it the reaching out,” Noreen said.

Gala showcases an array of student talents

By KASEY CROSS

Staff Writer

The theatre department hosted the annual Talent Show/Gala on Friday, February 23, to showcase a wide variety of students talent and skills. This was their largest talent show yet, with musical numbers to slam poems and improv acts to reciting all the US presidents in order (on a hoverboard).

The Gala had it all.

In previous years, the Gala has been deemed solely a theatre event. But in the past two years, this event has been an open invitation for the rest of the campus to show what a wide variety of students

can do.

Makenna Cain, senior, was the co-host of the night.

Alongside fellow senior Amelia Shehi, the two eased the transitions between acts with subtle humor and puns. “[The Gala] used to be just theatre based where we perform monologues and other things where it was mostly just theatre kids, and this year we really diversified ourselves. We had kids from sports coming in and playing piano, we had several dances, we had a girl doing sign language which was really interesting. It was all very different, and I loved it,” Cain said.

The Gala is a time for the

PHOTO BY TRAVIS ROBERTSON Seniors One Griffin and Cedric Noreen perform an upbeat number during the theater department’s annual Gala/talent show.

rest of the student body to be introduced to the theatre department, either by performing or by attending.

It’s an event for the drama veterans, and newbies alike.

All students can be apart of theater in some way or another and this event is a fantastic way to do that.

Riley Clark, senior, was a coordinator and performer in the show.

“We put a lot of hard work into our department so we want to be able to showcase that, to the best of our PHOTO BY TRAVIS ROBERTSON abilities. Showcasing our Bryce Craig (left) and Lauren Coe (right), both seniors, perform the song “Honeybee,” by the band Steam Powered Giraffes. department and the school,” said Clark.

The hard work that goes into events like this do not go unnoticed by those who love theatre, but the students around campus could always benefit from a little drama.

“Theatre is a really cool place, everyone should come support us. It’s a place for everyone, not just people who sing and dance, it’s performing in all aspects,” said Cain.

If you missed the Gala, you still have an improv show on March 15, and the spring show, “A Murder is Announced,” coming soon to attend.

The Talon

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March 2018

15

Choir attends festival in San Francisco

By HAYDEN CUNNINGHAM

Editorial Chief

Choir is starting second semester on a high note, as they will be taking a trip to San Francisco on March 17.

The trip will be to attend a CODA Concert Festival, where they will have the opportunity to sing in Grace Cathedral, one of the most premiere theatres in the United States.

The choir students attending the event, about half from concert choir and half from honor choir, will have the opportunity to work with two notable clinicians: Dr. Jerry Blackson from the University of Michigan and composer Z. Randall Stroope.

Stroope has composed the

arrangement that will be performed at the Cathedral, entitled “Into the Fire,” by choir along with several other choir students from around the country. Stroope will also be there to direct the choirs as they sing. OHS will be able to perform themselves, as well as in mass numbers with the other choirs.

“It’s great to be able to work directly with the composer,” said Cindy Durazo, choir director.

Two years ago choir students were able to travel to New York and perform in Carnegie Hall. Last year, however, was more of a competitive year for students.

“Last year was about competing for ranking,” Durazo said.“This year we can perform in a theatre

with music and have the musical experience and we can sing with other students across the country with same interests as our students.”

The choir will be the first to perform the arrangement composed by Stroope, and will be recorded at the event for future use of choirs across the country.

“It’s exciting to be the first choir to sing and perform that song,” said Autumn Webb, junior and member of Advanced Performance Choir (honor choir).

The opportunity to perform helps the overall growth of the choir, giving them one more thing to put in their personal repertoire. “[Honor choir] is a pretty young choir this year,” Webb said. “There’s only a few

seniors and the juniors want to see the choir grow so we can practice songs with more ease and be more successful.”

Students participating in the field trip will have fun as well, as the choir will tour the sites of San Francisco including a guided tour, Alcatraz, the Aquarium of the Bay, and other fun

interesting bases, it’s hard to remember that it’s even a superhero origin story. But at heart, Black Panther is the perfect mixture of hero fantasy, African pride, and complicated modern-day social issues.

The most standout part of this film, however, were the complex characters.

The three characters of Shuri, (portrayed by Letitia Wright), Killmonger,

She was the comedic relief of the film, being the first to humble T’Challa with a little bit of friendly sibling ridicule. On her own, she is a cute, trend loving teen, and is also, according to Marvel, one of the smartest people on the planet. Wright took the character of the brilliant princess into such a fun direction, and it was a wonderful way to break up the tension of the film.

modern day issues such as war refugees, starving and diseased third world countries and first world countries that don’t help as much as they could.

He gets drunk on power and tries to conquer the world with Wakanda’s riches, but also helps out those in need in the process. He is angry with Wakanda for keeping quiet when the other descendants and people of the African

attractions.

For those who wish to hear choir sing these arrangements and cannot watch in San Francisco, choir will also perform the combined numbers in their May 11 concert for family and friends and all those who wish to attend.

PHOTO BY EMILIE REID Honor choir practices on March 7 in class, singing “Shut De Do” ahead of the festival

Black Panther pounces into audience’s hearts

By KASEY CROSS

Staff Writer

WARNING: This review contains many spoilers.

Superheroes have been around longer than some of us can remember. However, not many people look like the ultra-macho, “all-American” honorable hunk archetype, and that sometimes leads both adults and children to wonder; “Why don’t any of these guys look like me?”

People who don’t fit into the cookie cutter of a superhero, often, (if they even get cast) are cast as sidekicks, damsels in distress, villains, and even comedic relief type characters.

Thankfully, the film industry is getting better, and has been producing so many heroes, of all kinds, for people to see themselves in.

Black Panther is the perfect example, and a gigantic step in the right direction.

The Black Panther was introduced in 1966 in a Fantastic Four comic. It had its very own animated series on BET back in 2010, and was introduced in Captain America: Civil War in 2016, but this is the Black Panther’s first solo movie appearance.

It is so far the third highest grossing release from Marvel.

I could go on for hours about how important this movie is for inclusivity reasons, but not only does it have amazing representation, it’s just all around a fantastic film. It covers so many

PHOTO COURTESY OF MARVEL (portrayed by Michael B. Jordan), and the Panther himself, T’Challa (portrayed

by Chadwick Boseman) shined above the rest.

Shuri was the extremely lovable and even more intelligent sister of T’Challa.

By far, the most conflicting part of this movie was the character of Killmonger. Killmonger had audiences questioning what really makes a villain. His character made the other elders of Wakanda consider

continent were suffering, just as he himself suffered after T’Challa’s father killed Killmonger’s father, and his own brother.

This begs the question; can you blame him? He had a completely justified

reason for being angry at Wakanda and the world.

His main argument was that they didn’t give back nearly enough. How is that villainous? His last line hit the hardest as far as revealing the man he truly was.

“Bury me in the ocean with my ancestors that jumped from ships, because they knew death was better than bondage.” Not at all a villain, but a misunderstood hero.

His character was meant to start a conversation, and that, it had achieved.

T’Challa himself was the true triumph of this movie.

While still remaining humble, he knows who he is and how powerful he is. Boseman added a certain class to his character that I believe truly can’t be matched. He is a strong leader and proud warrior, but is still is a human. He sees Killmonger’s point of view, and eventually fulfills his wishes, by helping out the rest of the world, making sure there is never a forgotten child like him ever again. He’s a hero that many people can relate to, but more importantly, countless children of African descent are going to see him and think of how they could very well be just like him.

Black Panther is a fantastic film, let alone a superhero story. I not only recommend, but ask that you see this movie and understand its importance for both Hollywood and everyday life.

Eighth generation console showdown for superiority

By AUDREY SERRANO

Features Editor

The popularity of video games have slowly been increasing with the integration of new technology. With the evolution in technology, gaming has changed our perspectives on home entertainment.

The comparisons between two of the most common and popular gaming consoles, the Playstation and the Xbox, have sparked up debate on which one is better when it comes to gaming experience in terms of the games’ compatibility on what console and individual features.

The most recent edition of

the Playstation was released in 2016, nearly two years ago, with Sony’s Playstation 4 Pro and the most recent edition of the Xbox, the Xbox One X, was released Nov 2017.

Many have a hard time choosing between the two because of price differences.

The PS4 Pro is a bit pricier at nearly $400 while the Xbox

One S is give or take $300, a $100 difference between each console, but the One X goes up to at least nearly $700.

Those prices, though, does not include the yearly premium subscription that allows gamers to play multi-player games online.

The subscription payment for the PS4 used to be free

then switched to being slightly less expensive compared to the Xbox One but as of late, both premium services are available at $60 per year which also includes extra media services without an extra subscription.

Jump to Page 16

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Netflix prices causes turmoil among students

By LOGAN FRANDSEN

Staff Writer

As streaming services like Netflix become more popular, it is inevitable that prices become higher in order to rake in some extra revenue.

However, it is raising its fair share of controversy among faithful users of the platform.

According to a survey of band students, over 86% of people say that Netflix is worth the price, which certainly shows the support Netflix has garnered over the years. Andrew BarrantesSilvinsky, sophomore, believes that the streaming platform has several factors that make it worth the monthly payment.

“There are a variety of shows that they offer, and movies as well as them creating original series that I personally think are good,” Silvinsky said.

Collin Curtis, junior, enjoys the variety of content included for a relatively small

fee.

“I think it’s worth the price because you get a bunch of movies together on a quality streaming site that you only have to pay a few bucks a month for, and that’s pretty cheap,” Curtis said.

However, according to the same survey, 67% of people provided a clearly negative feeling about the increase in prices, which is projected to be about $1 more per month for their most popular plan.

Alaina Perreault, freshman, believes the price increase shines a light on new corporate greed from the streaming site.

“Before they raised the pricing it was reasonable because it was free access to a lot of movies but as they increase it the corporations are just becoming more greedy and it’s not as worth it to watch it,” Perreault said.

Karson Knudson, junior, doesn’t think the trends in price and content line up in a promising way.

“Although there are many cool exclusive things like Stranger Things and other good shows, I feel that with the price increasing and the amount of shows and movies in their catalogue decreasing, it just doesn’t make sense,” Knudson said.

In the debate between streaming services like Netflix, versus classic television providers like cable, the opinions ultimately lean more towards the streaming trend.

“Cable TV just has too many ads and sometimes it’ll be in standard definition, if there’s not a correct movie you want to see at that time you have to wait until it’s on, it’s just awful,” Curtis said.

Knudson believes that with the advertisements included in cable, it makes standard cable less of a bang for your buck.

“You have to pay for the subscription, and on top of that you also pay for the ads on top of that subscription

so there’s also ads running inside it. So you’re essentially paying more than Netflix for something with ads in it,” Knudson said.

Ultimately, there are ways that people think Netflix can make the situation better.

“I would make sure that if they were going to keep increased prices that they should add more things or have more options available, just to keep interest,” Perreault said.

horror movie filled to the brim with suspense and fear.

Annihilation is about a group of five women with different backgrounds of knowledge, who go into a quarantine area called Area X. Annihilation director Alex Garland perfectly combines both terror, intrigue, and mystery throughout the movie.

He always keeps the

audience on their feet by constantly making developments and never leaving the viewer bored or wanting more.

First let’s start with the afterthoughts of both music and cinematography. Most people overlook these things because all they care about is if the actors were compelling and if the story is good.

While others look at the plot first, I first consider the music, the shots, and the way they compliment each other. Geoff Barrow and Ben Salisbury really brought it home with the soundtrack because the music always perfectly matched the mood of the scenes and in some cases even added to the scene.

Backing up the movie even more, were the clean and

perfect shots of each scene that really made it so that each scene showed what it needed to, so that the viewer knew what was happening, who it was happening to, and why it was happening.

The gore of that scene and the movie overall was a really good balance of over the top and subtlety that doesn’t bother you but will freak you out when it needs to.

Next, we have the actors’ abilities themselves. The characters were portrayed very well and the actors really made you love the characters. You feel like you are with these people and experiencing these events with them for the first time.

They really propelled the story forward and really contributed to the

development of the plot as a whole.

Finally, we have the plot and the twists throughout the movie. Overall the movie was very interesting and plausible while still being original.

Every twist brings more intrigue about the world and how it's happening while not being cliché.

The very ending twist feels a little lazy and done multiple times. The ending really killed it for me because it left so much to be desired because it built up so much and just leaves the viewer wanting more or little more explanation for it.

Overall, from the shots, soundtrack, and acting, the movie was fantastic and kept you interested and scared the entire time.

PHOTO COURTESY OF STARK INSIDER

Annihilation boldly revives the sci-fi genre

By CHRIS BONIFAZ

Staff Writer

D I S C L A I M E R : Annihilation is rated R. You must be 17 years or older, or accompanied by a guardian in order to view it. The Talon does NOT encourage underage students to see this movie illegally or without a guardian.

“Annihilation” is a sci-fi

PHOTO COURTESY OF SKYDANCE Annihilation is a combination of many themes, including horror and mystery.

Continued from page 15, Eighth generation console showdown for superiority sensor compatible with its

When it comes to games, both consoles have their strengths and weaknesses.

Most games are accessible on both services but there are a number of them that can only be used with one or the other.

Sony leans towards more indie games than Microsoft, with classic remakes of games such as The Last of Us and the Uncharted series.

The PS4 has just over 1,600 available titles for the console with nearly over 500 as Sony exclusives while Xbox has about 1,300 of which 150 are console exclusives.

Microsoft, on the other hand, has more classic racing games under their name such as Forza Motorsport and even shooter-type game classics like Halo.

There is also the hardware

to think about when comparing the two. Both the Sony and Microsoft consoles have about 8GB of memory and 500GB to 1TB of internal hard drives but in terms of higher resolution and smoother graphic frame rates, the One X’s most recent update accounts for more RAM with its hardware, promising solid 4K gameplay at 60 fps compare to the PS4’s 30 fps.

Both systems carry the option of being able to add an external hard drive and you can upgrade the PS4’s internal hard drive but you can’t on the Xbox One. With controls, tested, the PS4’s DualShock 4 feels more comfortable in the hand.

It’s also easily more fourdimensional than the Xbox One gamepad, albeit the Elite

Wireless Controller being better than the DualShock but with a staggering near $200 dollar price tag.

The DualShock 4 feels more responsive as it allows for 4D gameplay such as vibrating and requiring the player not to move as not to trigger consequences in the game, like in Sony’s exclusive horror game Until Dawn.

The Xbox one gamepad is simply the more updated Xbox 360 controller but with more individual force feedback and a sleeker look.

In terms of additional features, Sony is in the lead. The PS4, in additional packages, comes with its own virtual reality headset and a camera motion sensor, similar to the Xbox 360 Kinect.

Xbox, as mentioned earlier, also has a camera motion

console but, sadly, does not yet have the software for virtual reality. Both consoles, though, have slowly backed away from motion sensor availability functions so it’s safe to say that both are at a stalemate when it comes to uselessness, with Xbox even going as far as shutting the 360 Kinect completely.

As of currently, though, Microsoft’s recent Xbox One X, titled the “Project Scorpio” edition, is the most sought out after console on the market with its higher resolution and better processors but the games available for the system are still limited.

But overall, when it comes to comfortability and gameplay, Sony’s PS4 has more advantages than the Xbox One, with it’s more

viable options for new and fascinating games and more responsive functions for the players. Xbox One dominates more in its extra media options, with its Ultra HD Blu-Ray playback, and but when it comes to consoles, the deciding factors are really the games.

There are, of course, other gaming platforms available such as Nintendo and gaming PC’s, but their gameplay abilities are very limited so if you want to splurge on a console with wider ranges, the Xbox One X and the PS4 are the top choices. If storytelling-type indie games are more your suit, then the PS4 is the best option but if you lean towards more shooter-type campaign or racing games, then the Xbox One is a great decision.

Sports 4 March 2018

thetalonohs.com

Page 17

Softball hits a homerun to start off season

By AUDREY SERRANO

Features Editor

Varsity

With the onset of warmer weather arriving, spring sports have already been hard at work and softball has shown themselves to be ready for the season.

“I’m just really trying to have fun and get to know the younger girls and be a great leader to them,” said Grace Lyons, senior, on her goals for her last year on the Eagles softball team. “They’re really good listeners and they like to follow so me being a good example for them is just the leadership we need. They’re very good players and I think they’re going to really help us out this year.”

The girls started the season off strong with their tournament down in Tucson, winning the tournament with a score of 8-2.

The varsity girls currently stand at a record of 3-1-0, with wins against Tolleson and Desert Vista with scores of 16-4 and 5-3 respectively, representing how much time and effort they have put into the sport so far in the season

and prior.

“The overall goal is to win the state championship that is every year but I think the main goal is to just come together as a team and keep working to become better in what we do and keep excelling through it,” Nicole Shano, junior, said.

Their next game will be a home game against Gilbert on March 15.

JV

JV started out with a 8-9 loss against Gilbert but this has pushed them to work harder for more wins this season.

Not discouraged from their first game, they continued to stay positive and won their following games, winning with a score of 15-0 against Desert Vista and 8-1 against Tolleson.

“They [the games] were really good,” said Megan White, junior.

Even with the outcome of their first game, the girls’ hopes are high and they are determined to strive reach their goals for the season.

“I want to become more of a leader,” White said, “I just

want to set a good example for all the other girls.”

Freshmen

The freshmen team, undefeated so far this season with a record of 4-0, hold onto their high hopes and common goals for success in their first year of high school softball. “[I just want] to improve overall- between hitting, throwing, and catching and to bring them all together so we can work better as a freshman team,” said Jordan Brooks, freshman.

With their most recent win against Desert Vista with a 27-5 score, the girls are continuing to push themselves to practice harder and grow both as a team and individuals for this season and many more seasons to come.

“I really think our softball team is going to do great this season. On the streak we’re going, I just know we’re going to be good,” Brooks said. *Due to The Talon going to the printer, scores for the Gilbert and Boulder Creek games can be found on aia365.com

Baseball swings their way into the hearts of many

goal is to work on his pitching command.

Varsity’s next home game will be against Tollerson on March 14.

JV

PHOTO BY KATIE DIAB Adam Koski, sophomore, warms up his arm before the start of another game. hang out before games and

By HAYDEN CUNNINGHAM make friendships as well,” Editorial Chief said Adam Koski, sophomore Varsity and right handed pitcher As March approaches with an arsenal of pitches and winter turns to spring, including a fastball, changebaseball season comes back up and slider. around for OHS. The varsity Varsity competed in a team won greatly in their tournament from Feb. 21 first game against Gila Ridge, to 24 that they were very winning decisively in a 12-1 successful in, winning three victory. One of the team’s of the four games. biggest additions this year “Our goal is to make is a new clubhouse, located it far and go to the state behind the dugout. tournament,” Koski said, “It’s a great place to who also says his personal

PHOTO BY KATIE DIAB Rachel Saint- Erne, junior, warms up before a home game against Xavier Prep.

With a smaller varsity team than previous years, many OHS players on freshmen and JV have the opportunity to play on varsity. This becomes extremely helpful for younger athletes hoping to become more experienced in their high school career.

They played their first game against Skyline that resulted in a 12-4 victory for the eagles.

Many students who are at the JV level will have the opportunity to play on JV and varsity to help fill in spots. Several freshmen will be able to compete on JV as well.

JV will compete in a home-non conference game against Desert Vista on March 21 and hopes to improve their record from last year that was 12-5.

winning record even further.

“My goal is to play JV if that’s an opportunity I have,” said Aidan Sullivan, freshman.

Sullivan has the opportunity to play on JV as well, and hopes that can become permanent.

“I’m looking forward to a good season and hope I can get the most opportunity,” says Sullivan.

After being unable to play due to a competing school not having a freshman team, freshmen boys’ first home game was on Feb. 28, against Cesar Chavez, and will play a game against Desert Vista on March 21. *Due to The Talon going to the printer, scores for the Perry games can be found on aia365.com

Freshmen

Last year’s freshmen team had an overall record of 19-10. This year, the team looked to improve that

PHOTO BY ETHAN GILCHRIST A quick team huddle preps the team before a home game against Boulder Creek.

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March 2018

thetalonohs.com

Tennis sets course for a brand new season

By CASSIDY MOORE

Design Chief

The 2018 tennis team is made up of boys and girls, on varsity, JV, and expedition teams. These dedicated student athletes practice everyday after school and participate in matches against other teams twice a week.

Shayan Afzal, junior, is on the JV boys tennis team this year. He started playing tennis when he was a sophomore.

“I already had a couple friends in tennis and I thought it would be good to play a sport in high school,” Afzal said.

The sport affects a variety of different people due to its difference from other sports like soccer or basketball.

“I like the individual aspect, it’s not really like any other sport,” Afzal said.

A four year member and senior on the varsity team, Sammi Jo Aley, is excited for her last season.

“I really like the people on the team, I know that’s cliché but I really like how everyone is always really dedicated every year and it’s fun to play against other schools and see their teams,” Aley said.

A l e y wasn’t new to the sport when she started out her freshman year, she started playing at a young age and got hooked from her family members w h o played the sport.

“I kept playing because I liked how it was different from other sports.

It’s not a team effort

PHOTOS BY CASSIDY MOORE Alex Edwards, junior, (Left) and Zyanne Cervantes, sophomore, (Right) hone their skills at the tennis court at their practice on Wednesday, March 7th

it’s by yourself and you don’t have to rely on a lot of people,” Aley said. “You can take it anywhere, you can pay tennis for the rest of your life. If you were playing soccer it is hard to stay with that.”

The tennis team practices doubles and singles at their matches every week, focusing

on individual growth with singles as well as working together as a unit with doubles.

“I love the practices and team bonding drills. We play games at the end of every practice and that’s my favorite part,” said Rebecca Gandolfi, junior, on the varsity tennis team.

“For this season I’m excited to spend time with all my senior friends since they will be leaving and then I’ll be the senior,” Gandolfi said.

Even those who had no former experience playing tennis can be a part of one of the many tennis teams on campus.

“If you don’t know how to

different from regular volleyball is the change from having six girls on the court Girls beach volleyball has to two, and obviously playing just entered its third season in the sand instead of on a since being established in flat surface.

2016, and with a full season Since the team plays off still ahead of them, along campus and hasn’t been a with two teams in the silver part of the sports program division and three in the for that long, the sport is still bronze bracket, it’s already growing in popularity. looking to be a promising Nevertheless, the team season. has been very successful in What makes this sport its first few years. In their first season they made it to state finals, and last year they made it to the state playoffs.

K a y l e e B y e r l y, senior, has been playing volleyball since fifth grade and beach volleyball for two years.

Byerly plans to try and create more awareness for the team by re presenting her sport and by helping her team do well in games.

“I don’t think it’s well known PHOTO COURTESY OF KATIE DUBE enough, just Alexa Spartz, senior, jumps up high to spike the volleyball.

because it’s a newer program and it’s off campus with the games and stuff so people don’t think to come see the games. I think it’s going to grow as time goes on and get more popular,” Byerly said.

However, Jamey Spartz, head coach, isn’t too focused on the publicity her team receives.

“It’s not about attention to me, but I’m hoping that if the girls are building the culture and the likability and the success, that attention will automatically come,” Spartz said.

Since starting the program after her daughter, Alexa, encouraged her to, Spartz has become more focused on the benefits that have and will come from the sport, such as opportunities and offers to play at the college level.

“The idea of the potential and the opportunity for another sport for young female athletes to get opportunities to get scholarships was my biggest thing, and the fact that we were able to get four girls committed to a beach program, I’m pretty proud,” Spartz said.

So far in the season, the team of 19 has participated in an invitational that included seven schools, as well as a scrimmage against Millennium High School.

At the invitational, two

PHOTO COURTESY OF KATIE DUBE Kelly Agnew, senior, sets up to play at the Inaugural Beach Volleyball Tournament. pairs of players placed in the some of our partners qualify top ten overall. Alexa Spartz for the state playoffs, that and Kelly Agnew placed would be pretty cool,” third, and Tylar Garrett and Byerly said.

Grace Cook placed fifth.

The team’s next game is The team practices at on March 12 at the Victory the Victory Lane Complex Lane Complex, against everyday after school, which Sunnyslope. is located near Wet and Wild. *Due to The Talon going This is also where many of to the printer, scores for the their games take place.

Highland and Dysart games “I want us to make it to can be found on aia365.com state and potentially have

play, we will take anybody and teach you because it’s just about getting out there and being active and having fun. It’s a lot about bonding and making new friends too,” said Sammi Jo Aley. *Due to The Talon going to the printer, scores for the Independence matches can be found on aia365.com

Beach volleyball spikes their competition

By EMILIE REID Arts and Entertainment Editor

The Talon

thetalonohs.com

March 2018

19

Wrestling club provides practice in the offseason

By KENDALL DEAL

Staff Writer

Wrestling is one of the many sports offered at OHS, but it is not a year round sport.

Players wanting more practice and training participate in wrestling club otherwise known as Blu Collar. Students hoping to improve for the next season of competition or to just to develop their skills more participate in the offseason group.

“There are a lot of good kids that want to be better and do better next season, so they all want to get together and work on their wrestling,” said Seth Larsen, junior.

The club was created as a way of keeping up with offseason practices and working toward a better team. Helping its members learn new styles and sharpen their skills while in offseason.

“It’s going to be a little bit of folkstyle and then we’re also going to be working on another style called freestyle, and it’s going to help us stay in shape and do better things,” Larsen said.

Blu Collar allows the wrestling team to also work on techniques they hope to use in the next season of competition. Different styles allows for the wrestlers to hopefully improve their technique and ability to take down opponents.

Founder of the club and active member Jacob Correa, hopes to encourage students to work on different styles and be more active in wrestling.

“We are trying to transition from folk style to freestyle, which is going to help us get ready for some big tournaments,” said Jacob Corea, junior.

Folk style otherwise known as scholastic style, is the most

common style of wrestling used in high school and college competition, but is less common internationally.

The main objective of folk style is to gain and

remain in control of your opponent, with extra point bonuses given based on time dominating the opponent.

However, in freestyle there is a mixture of techniques from

both wrestling and judo. The ultimate goal of pinning your opponent to the ground and remaining on top is the same in both styles.

PHOTO BY ETHAN GILCHRIST Jacob Correa, junior, runs with Max Bode, brother of wrestling club member Zach Bode, junior, during a club meeting.

Boys volleyball hits opponents hard

By NIKKI HAZELETT

& CASSIDY MOORE Sports Editor & Design Chief

Boys volleyball is entering their 2018 season with strong players and plans to go further than they have ever gone before. The JV and varsity teams are full of new and returning players that are excited for the season.

Andrew McCall, freshman, is on the JV team this year.

Although this is his first year on a high school team, he as been playing volleyball since seventh grade.

“It's harder [than middle school] because the net is higher and the competition is stronger,” McCall said.

The varsity team had their

first match on Feb. 27, against Basha high school, ending 3-0. Diego Guillan, junior, has been on the varsity team since his sophomore year.

“We beat [Basha], in three sets so it went really well,” Guillan said.

The team also won against Corona del Sol, ending 3-2.

“I'm very excited we play Corona del Sol and there's some good players on that team so I am excited to see how we perform against top competition,” Guillan said.

The boys’ hard work and determination so far this season has allowed them to compete at their best and be a force to be reckoned with.

“Practice is going well and

everyone seems to be working to be successful,” said Daniel Chelminski, junior.

To go along with their winning streak, the team won a challenging invitational, 9-0, against numerous schools on March 2.

With a bright season ahead of them, the team faces their next home game against Brophy on March 13.

“The game of volleyball to me is just fun because you can show your dominance as a hitter, or just your skills and everything. I like the hype,” Chelminski said. *Due to The Talon going to the printer, scores for the Brophy game can be found on aia.365.com

PHOTO BY KATIE DIAB Jared White, senior, attempts to make contact with the ball at practice.

Track and field hustles to the finish line

By KATIE DIAB

Staff Writer

PHOTO BY KATIE DIAB Ryandy Barrido, senior, runs his best on home track meet of the season.

Track and Field started off the season with a non-scoring meet on Feb. 28 against Mountain Ridge and Barry Goldwater. The team’s main objective at this meet and for the season, was to set great times for the distance runners and do well on the field.

“I joined track this season because I love track with a passion, and I got accepted into a school in Illinois for track, so it just makes sense to run track for all four years, especially since I am already getting a scholarship for it,” said Mackenzie Cook, senior.

Many athletes in track are still on the team because it’s something they have been doing for so long.

They are able to run that long in a short amount of time because during those four years on the team, they

have built up their endurance and built up the capacity of how much air can go into their lungs.

“The few things that I would like to work on is my endurance, as well as building up my wind,” said Sean Piehel, junior, distance runner.

“

I joined track this season because I love track with a passion” -Mackenzie Cook

Most of the track and field members joined track to stay fit during the school year.

The practices on Monday,

Wednesday and Friday consists of a normal half-a-mile run on the track and dynamic stretches.

The distance runners who have been on the team all four years, first started with about 3-4 miles a day, and now on their fourth year, are running 9 to 11 miles a day.

Tuesday and Thursday practices are no core days, and usually set in the weight room.

“If you are planning on joining track, start conditioning early, don’t wait until the season starts to try to get in shape, eat healthy, be positive, have a positive mental attitude and know that you can do anything you put your mind to,” Cook said. *Due to The Talon going to the printer, results for the Desert Mountain and Corona Del Sol meet can be found on aia365.com

SANDRA DAY O'CONNOR

YEARBOOK