The Talon: Volume 14 Issue 3 March 2016

The Sandra Day O’Connor High School

Talon 25250 N. 35th Ave. Phoenix, AZ 85083

Volume 14. Issue 3. March 2016.

Life of Pablo on Tidal fails to meet expectations

By HAYLEY WHITE

Staff Writer

Kanye West, a frequent in social media for his ego and bizarre rants, recently dropped his album, Life of Pablo, on Tidal, an exclusive music streaming service.

The album is not available for purchase on any other platforms, West is trying to drive sales to the subscription based app and website part owned by Jay Z’s label Project Panther Ltd. Tidal Premium is $9.99 a month and Tidal HiFi is $19.99, and there is a 30 day free trial but after that the subscriber has to pay. There is no free option like Spotify or Pandora.

It is a brutally competitive music market, and Tidal has to offer more to customers than an exclusive club that looks like it is doomed to fail.

This seems like a good way to drive away potential fans of his new album. It is unwise to not make his new album available to people who want to listen, especially for a man who claims he is 53 million dollars in debt.

Life of Pablo itself is something different than the rest of his albums.

West is trying too hard to create a new sound, something different than the rest of his albums. I understand an artist’s creative evolution but it is an unnecessary change to fit his new lifestyle.

The songs all sound a bit crazy like scattered incoherent thoughts and jammed into one song with offensive lyrics.

It does go along with his “artistic vision” he rants about on Twitter. It is all overrated to me, trying to create a new brand to go along with his new fashion line and avant- garde style.

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In trying times, Project some OHS students have Fresh Start Page 4 been placed in group homes and introduced to an entirely new lifestyle

ARTWORK BY VALERIE BOND winner of the Community

By BAILEY BRAMMER Editor-in-Chief of Character and Courage award, these are just average New school. New people. kids who were living normal lives, until something went New home. New life.

By definition, a group awry.

“Some of these kids were home is a long- term facility just cruising along in life and where a group of unrelated something went wrong, and children have been placed it’s not always a crime or for a variety of reasons, and some awful thing,” Warren can receive care, support and said.

“Often it is, and that’s supervision. These children why they’re not in the situahave been removed from their tion they were in anymore.” previous situations, and from Warren has held her positheir parents or guardians, tion as academic liaison clerk and have been introduced to for three years now, and bean unfamiliar lifestyle almost fore she was offered the job, overnight. it did not exist.

Many students at OHS “Somebody at the diswould be surprised to learn trict office said ‘You know that some of their peers are what, we have lots of kids in currently living in group group homes, who are in that homes, and are experiencing situation for a very little time a very different lifestyle than or a very long time and could the average teenager. use some more support. Let’s According to Kate Wargo into the schools with the ren, Title I academic liaison highest population of group clerk for Deer Valley Unified home kids, and let’s talk to School District, and recent

them and give them what they need,’” Warren said.

“My kids say I’m getting paid to be a mom, but I’m another adult who can sit with them and listen and get an overview of school and behavior and the house.”

Warren has aided students from a multitude of backgrounds-everything from drugs, to drinking, to unemployment, to prison time.

Jane*, junior, has resided in a group home since Oct. 2015, and meets with Warren every Tuesday morning.

“There’s a lot of things I like to do, with sports and school, and Ms. Warren motivates me,” Jane said. “I really don’t have any other motivation in my life. It feels good knowing she’s there and knowing that she cares and understands certain things I’m going through.”

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Kara Klaasen Page 5

Camp One Page 6

Social media causes concern

By TAYLOR STOKES

Staff Developer

With the rise in technology and the desire to express yourself publicly (or rather what you want others to think of you as), kids face the pressures of social media harassment and the consequences of poor internet conduct.

Snapchat, Instagram, Twitter, and several other social media outlets all contribute to this because they give kids a way to get away from their parents and it allows them to be anonymous if they wish to be.

For example, nearly 40 percent of teenagers have sent sexually suggestive texts or photos but the practice is more common among boys, according to dosomething. org, a website urging teens to take action in their lives on social issues. The site also said nearly 43 percent of kids have experienced cyberbullying in some way or another.

until it’s too late.

Specifically, sexting and cyberbullying plague many social media users and is often even brought onto our campus, potentially getting students either disciplinary action or a meeting with the authorities.

Brad Brazell, OHS vice principal, wants to warn students of not only the danPHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY TAYLOR STOKES gers of sending A student react to obscene messages or photos sent to messages that could get you them over social media.

This shows that the lack into trouble but sending them of teaching kids the conse- on school iPads or other techquences of poor internet con- nology because students can duct is affecting the lives of and will face consequences. nearly half of all young peo“We’ve had probably ple and yet it doesn’t seem to three or four incidences of ever really get talked about sexting but more of cyber-

bullying. You know, kids take photos or send messages and because it disappeared (on Snapchat) it’s gone when really it’s not,” Brazell said.

“Screenshots will come back to get you.”

The other concern on campus is about the safety of underage students whether it be from cyberbullying or from having or sending inappropriate photos of themselves.

“Parents have done a good job of teaching kids what to do with the stuff.

We’re talking about minors and we have to be careful about protecting our kids.

It’s absolutely a big concern for us,” Brazell said.

Some students think that social media isn’t that big of deal and that often other teens seem to ignore the repercussions.

“I think it’s easy to forget about the consequences and kids like to live in the moment,” said Rachel Kitteridge, senior.

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March 2016

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New AP Schedule elicits mixed responses

By ABIGAIL GHEJU

Staff Writer

The recent AP schedule has been released and is nearly finalized. Some adjustments were made and new opportunities were added this year, including the option to pay for AP tests using tax credit.

Students are pleased with this option-- this will hopefully lessen the burden on parents who are worried about the costs of AP tests.

There is also additional options where students can receive scholarships that will cover either a percentage of the total cost or cover all the costs for the AP tests.

Students can begin paying for their tests right now; the deadline for payment is March 15. Each exam costs $92.

Last year some concerns of many students was that the AP schedule was incredibly crowded and students felt that not enough time was allotted between the practice tests and the official AP test.

“I think they helped me, they were a lot of work but if you want to get a good grade I think they are helpful,” said Jason Paulos, senior.

Although people felt the exams were overwhelm-

ing and cramped, there was a general agreement among students that the practice tests were beneficial for them in the end.

The block schedule fol-

lows with three one and half hour classes: On “A” day, students will go to 1st hour, 3rd hour, lunch and then 6th hour. For “B” day, students will go to 2nd hour, 4th/5th

hour, lunch and then 7th hour. AP testing will occur between these days.

“Students have poured their sweat and tears and heart into this class all year

and you are ready. So I hope students trust in that and take that leap and test for credit,” said Nicole Duquette, vice principal.

SCHEDULE COURTESY OF NICOLE DUQUETTE

Millennials mislead the importance of voting Voting Schedule

Event Presidential March 22 Preference Election Last day to April 18 register for the Special Election Date

Early Voting April 20 begins for Special Election May 17

Special Election

August 1

Voter registration deadline for Primary Election

August 3 August 30

This year, current seniors have the privilege of being a part of something monumental; voting. Eight years ago, back in 2008, current seniors were only ten years old, but can now step up to the plate and potentially change history.

Yet, even with this privilege, millennials, (or Generation Y) are not voting enough.

“Why?” Though many excuses are made (like weather, lack of a vehicle, or even being too “busy”), one sufficiently can be supported.

“Young adults don’t think their vote matters especially in the general election since the Electoral College in the end chooses,” said Emily Hart, senior. “But voting in the primaries is so important because you’re choosing your party’s nominee.”

However, though still a low turnout, in this year’s

even provides quick and easy resources to find out if people support a candidate, or not.

However, even with quick access to political views on twitter and the occasional subtweets against other candidates, without seeing a connection, the act of actually voting becomes low.

Will Jones, US Government teacher said, “From my standpoint, perhaps young people don’t see the connection between their lives and the government and so

all views. This is why every candidate has been drawn to social media, and is almost beneficial for their candidacy, as shown by the greater output of votes for Bernie Sanders.

Even though it is important to stay current with information on candidates and what different parties think, the biggest concern is actually getting up and going to vote.

“If you’re looking to vote, reuters is a really good

In the last 2012 election, according to Huffington Post, there were sixty four million eligible millennial voters, yet only 26% actually voted. That accounts for 74% not participating.

With the lack of young adults registering to vote, a recurring question is asked,

Iowa Caucus, 84% of young adults voted, particularly for Bernie Sanders, compared to what Obama received in 2008 with only 57% of young adults.

Social media and the internet have taken a toll on the younger generations’ opinions of candidates, and

they’re not ready to participate, or they don’t show up to participate because they don’t see how their decisions can affect their lives in the future.”

Without a true majority, some people are deprived of a chance to benefit their ideological standpoints and over-

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY JASMINE BLACK website, Javier Barrantes, senior, said. “Even many of the states have their own website about the voting, just google the candidate or watch a video on the candidate, and you can usually get a feel of what the candidate stands for.

That’s definitely something to go off of.”

By JASMINE BLACK Announcements Director

Early Voting begins for Primary Election

Primary Election

October 10

Voter registration deadline for General Election

October 12

Early Voting begins for General Eletion

November 12

General Election

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March 2016

Lip dub promises future school tradition

By ETHAN GILCHRIST

Hard News Editor

Two thousand kids lip dubbing to a song sounds crazy. Two thousand students of OHS lip dubbing while representing their campus and gathering for school spirit sounds like a new OHS tradition.

The OHS Lip Dub, created by Stugo, is set to film its continuous shot Mar. 18 which will consist of all students on campus and smaller clubs. Other shots will be spread out across other dates and will be of major sports and clubs of OHS. Using multiple shots is actually not typical of a lip dub, however OHS’s rendition is still staying true to what a lip dub is.

“A lip dub is a huge school music video where representatives from clubs and sports teams lip sync to popular songs,” said Matt Hernandez, Stugo student body president and senior. “Its purpose is to unite the school and bring enhanced school spirit and hype.”

At its simplest a lip dub gathers students in song, but it really helps to show off who and what OHS is. The lip dub aims to be a new school tradition which can bring the school spirit of first semester to the second.

“My main goal is to unite the campus and have something we can all look forward to,” Hernandez said. “I think this does that and I think it’s a fun way for kids who aren’t involved to be able to get involved in the different shots because we are going to have homerooms, classes, and things like that. So if you aren’t in clubs, you aren’t in sports, PHOTO BY CASSIDY MOORE you’re able to be in The OHS lip dub is being produced by a crew of advanced media productions students and Stugo. an event that you deserve to have their own of Stugo is helping in anyway might not have been given the chance to besigns and parts in the actual they can. fore.”

The goal is to get every production and filming of the student at OHS in the video, video.”

Every student is encourbut balancing the time evMy main goal eryone gets on screen can be gaed to represent their club is to unite the or sport through signs and difficult. campus and have “One hundred percent clothing.

Being the first time a lip (of kids) would be the best something we (and) I think that we can get dub will be done at OHS, it can all look every student involved just is a new experience for the because it’s going to be taking whole campus. forward to. ” “With this being the first place during school. When it came to picking which clubs year we’re doing the lip dub -Matt Hernandez that were major we thought it’s really kind of us experiThe lip dub is being which ones had the most peo- menting and seeing how this planned by Hernandez and ple and which ones had been works,” said Hernandez. “I his committee of six mem- more established,” Hernan- can only see it getting better bers. Media production stu- dez said. “There are minor from this year because we are dents are assisting with film- clubs where there might not that first group to be planing and editing, and the rest be as many people but they ning and putting it on.”

“

MTSS evolves to reward students

By RYAN TEMPLE

Editorial Chief

This school year may feature a lot of change for students, whether its freshmen finding their footing or seniors preparing to leave, but one constant has been the MTSS period every Thursday.

Recently, however, there has been an expansion of the options that some students can choose from in terms of how they utilize this time.

For any students who has all A’s or B’s as their current grades, they now have the chance to do something other than sit in their second hour for those 41 minutes.

“They can stay in class, they can go to the cafeteria and hang out with their friends and study, work on projects, or they can go into the gym and play games,” said Jeff Baumgartner, physical education department chair.

According to Baumgartner, the new choices are in response to some already large classes receiving an influx of students also needing help in those classes during MTSS. “The math teachers needed to have fewer people in their classes, because they were trying to tutor and work with kids, and they found out

that’s hard to do with 30 kids in your class,” Baumgartner said.

Several students are very happy with how the MTSS schedule appears to be work-

ing, including Gage Williams, junior.

“I do use MTSS to catch up on school,” Williams said. “I’m pretty happy with where it’s at right now.”

Baumgartner is pleased with the new addition, but wants it to grow based on student feedback.

“It should be a reward for the kids,” Baumgartner said.

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Career test asseses student’s aptitude for placement in the Armed Forces

By TREY ESPINOZA Staff Writer

At OHS, students are being prepared for a career and a future, be it tests or extra-curricular activities. One of these tests is The Armed Services Vocational Aptitude battery (ASVAB) is a test administered by the United States military entrance processing command.

It is used to determine qualification for the United States Armed Forces and ROTC students took the ASVAB interpretation March 4. This test helps students see what part of the armed forces they would be most suited for.

According to the official ASVAB site, the test is important and will count toward armed forces qualifying test score, the score determines if participants are qualified to enlist in the U.S military.

The ASVAB program says when students take the actual test, they will be faced with different sections ranging from general science to mechanical comprehension.

There are eight individual tests that can take upwards of three hours to complete.

Over half the schools nationwide administer this test, typically to students in grades 10 through 12.

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March 2016

Project Fresh Start aims to make a global impact

By ABIGAIL GHEJU Staff Writer

One of the worst humanitarian crises of our time is currently taking place. Eleven million people have either fled from their homes or have been killed, while more than 16 million people are in desperate need of aid either in or outside Syria.

The crisis can be traced back to 2011 with the Arab Spring, where peaceful protests quickly turned violent after the government, under the Bashar al-Assad regime, cracked down on protesters.

“

We’re trying to educate the community that not all Syrian refugees are terrorists.”

-Yash Patel

As a result, rebels began fighting against the government. ISIS quickly took advantage of the internal strife and invaded Syria. Citizens were caught between multiple groups and for many of them their only option was to flee.

Yash Patel, junior, had heard about the international crisis and also connected to

PHOTOS BY TAYLOR EDDLEMAN Michael Bardakji ponders over photos of his family back in Syria, which reminds him of the goals of Project Fresh Start. a fellow student here at OHS, Michael Bardakji, senior, whom he frequently spoke to in their AP Calculus BC class.

Eventually, a friendship was formed and Patel learned that Bardakji had fled from Syria.

Patel decided to create Project Fresh Start (PFS) in order to expand OHS’s volunteerism to a global scale.

“Essentially what we are trying to do is more than raise money to help the Syrian refugees,” Patel said.

“We’re trying to educate the community and that not all

Syrian refugees are terrorists or they’re going to go bomb a monument, they’re actually good people just trying to find work and trying to start a new life.”

These negative perceptions have circulated throughout social media and news which has resulted in a discrimination towards Syrians. Bardakji recalls that on the first day of his job, his coworker made rude comments.

Other times, he felt that people began to avoid or distance themselves from him when he mentioned his Syrian heritage.

Project Fresh Start hopes to educate the students of OHS and to make them realize that we are all the same.

“It’s really impressive that students at that age have these thoughts about other people in the world and I think they’re doing a great job,” Bardakji said. “I think it has a great future and I hope the best for them.”

The goals of Project Fresh Start is to make an international difference as many students volunteer in their own communities but rarely have an opportunity group for global outreach.

Seth Moller, junior, is creating a sort of web series featuring mini episodes which essentially aim to delve into Michael’s life as a Syrian living in America.

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Youths have no tolerance for social injustice

By EMILY DITOMASSO

Soft News Editor

“We fight for equality, respect, representation, safety, and the freedom to live and love without boundaries.”

This is the mission statement of a group of students who want to make a change.

Last school year, OHS students took it upon themselves to start a club, called Youth for Tolerance that gives students of all classes a chance to come together and talk about controversial topics.

“It was created last year in response to students feel-

ing like they need a safe place to talk about issues of (social) injustice,” said Dana Mazer, world history teacher.

The club decides the topic of discussion based off the holiday of the month. For example, February was Black History Month, so they talked about racism and their

PHOTO BY EMILY DITAMOSSO Youth for Tolernace members discuss important social issues during their club meetings. They meet twice each month.

own experiences with it.

During their meetings, they watched a video and one of the students talked about her story moving to an area that consisted of mostly white people.

Not only does the club come together to talk about social issues, they take the time to check in on how all the members are doing. Each student has to say a high and low and if they have something they want to get off their chest, they have the chance to share it with other people.

“Students need that safe place, it’s not always available to them in a classroom setting,” Mazer said.

Youth for Tolerance is also involved in the Suicide watch. They attended a walk called Out of Darkness in the fall that spreads awareness for victims of suicide.

The people of Arizona come together to walk and support all the people who

are experiencing depression and friends and family who have lost a loved one because of depression.

“They had a lot of speakers talk about their experiences and they had this big balloon release, ” said Lauren Coe, president and sophomore.

The balloon release consists of different color balloons that represents different groups of people who have been affected by suicide.

The club is open for everyone and anyone can join by simply showing up to the meetings. Meetings are held every other Wednesday in Mazer’s room.

“It’s not really something that brings people together because of a certain skill, like theatre or a sport,” Coe said.

“It’s just kind of like a bunch of different people coming together, because they believe that everyone should be together despite the differences that they have.”

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Family proves skin color doesn’t define them

By ALEXA FUENMAYOR

Sports Editor

Family is defined as a group of people related by blood or marriage. However, the family of Kara Klaasen, junior, doesn’t really match that description.

“It’s hard to hide you’re adopted when your whole family is white,” Kara said.

Kara was born in South Korea to a young mother who could not care for her and was put into a foster home.

Wendy Klaasen-Schaberg, Kara’s adoptive mom, was in the military police, and was stationed in South Korea. One of the gates Wendy watched had an orphanage nearby, where she would go over and give the children candy.

“I always thought if I could bring one of the children at the orphanage home, I would,” Wendy said.

After a long process and saving up, Kara was adopted at five months old by Wendy and her husband at the time.

“The first few months were a struggle, it’s not like you get a baby and everything’s perfect. Kara had an ear infection, a blocked tear duct, and she had to get used to the time zone. It was an adjusting period,” Wendy said.

Adoption is a mother-daughter bond that can be shared between Wendy and Kara. Wendy was in a foster home until she was adopted, along with her birth siblings, at age 11.

“Although Kara’s adoption story is completely different, it’s a commonality that we have and only we have. When the doctor asks about our family history, we both have no clue,” Wendy said.

Since she is not blood re-

lated, Kara does not necessarily have the same genes as her parents.

“Sometimes I’m sensitive when I look at my siblings and see that they got certain traits from my parents, it makes me wish I had something from them too,” Kara said.

Southwest Dillon, the adoption agency Kara’s parents got her through, does not allow adoptive parents to pick their child, but instead matches the adoptive parents

PHOTO COURTESY OF KARA KLAASEN Kara Klaasen’s parents, Wendy and Robert, are shown holding Kara as an infant, after her adoption from South Korea in 2000.

FIDM club sparks interest in fashionable teenagers

By TAYLOR STOKES

Staff Developer

There are many students on this campus who have a passion for fashion and what better way to express that than with the newfound Fashion Club.

Despite many kids having an interest, there are very few club members due to the newness of the club.

The club started this year led by Erin Shoffer, senior, who created it because she not only loves fashion but is looking to attend FIDM, a fashion based design and merchandising school.

The club meets on Wednesdays, twice a month before school in room 633.

“The school I plan on attending reached out to me and offered to provide resources to promote and highlight all the opportunities they feature in their school,” Shoffer said.

So far, students involved in the club have had the opportunity to make welcome cards for the elderly moving into nursing homes, they had an ugly Christmas sweater party where they made their own sweaters, and a pumpkin

and birth parents based on attributes.

Kara’s birth mother was very artistic, and so is Wendy.

Today, Kara can be found in interior design and art classes, carrying her folder full of art projects.

“Kara is a hundred times better than me, but it’s cool that we get to have that connection,” Wendy said.

Kara doesn’t even remember being broken the news of her adoption, it just kind of came about through

PHOTO COURTESY OF ERIN SHOFFER From left to right, Olivia Vlasity, Colin Bushnell, Erin Shoffer, Eric Trinh, Jackson Holly and Javier Barrantes, seniors, take a club selfie.

carving contest.

“In the club, I try to incorporate every aspect of FIDM which for our particular club includes a mix of charity and creativity,” Shoffer said.

The club had a booth at the carnival on Friday, March

11 where they had the opportunity to actually showcase their club.

“We’re just trying to get ourselves out there and have fun while we’re at it,” said Olivia Vlasity, senior.

If you want to join the club, students still have the opportunity because most of the club are seniors and they hope to keep the club going long after they’re gone.

“

PHOTO BY TAYLOR STOKES Erin Shoffer, president of the FIDM club.

Our particular club includes a mix of charity and creativity.”

-Erin Shoffer

the obvious difference of her skin color to that of her parents.

“I told my mom one time maybe if she didn’t adopt me, I could’ve been with a Korean family and they could’ve played it off like I wasn’t adopted,” Kara said.

The relationship between Kara and her parents has never been disconnected.

“Being so young when I was adopted and living with them for so long, I don’t see them as my adoptive parents, I see them as mom and dad,” Kara said.

Out in public, some people are confused by the sight of an Asian girl with a white family.

“Especially now that she’s older, people don’t know if Kara is the wife or a nanny.

We just have to be aware of the perceptions and reactions of strangers,” Wendy said.

Klaasen wants to visit Korea and see the culture of her roots eventually but doesn’t really have a desire to see her birth mother.

Through it all, Kara remains grateful for her parents.

“Life could have been a lot different if I wasn’t adopted, I could’ve still been in Korea,” Kara said.

Continued from Project Fresh Start, page 4 “With PFS, I guess I would describe what I’ve been doing as connecting our school to an issue that is thousands of miles away by producing media that allows students to understand Michael and his experience,” Moller said.

“This is a crisis not just somewhere millions of miles away from us, but it’s something that we really can make a difference in. It’s a part of your community,” said Kailash Ranam, junior.

Amidst all the recent concerns about refugees, many people believe that the resettlement process is an easy one, which consequently might allow for the entrance of terrorists disguising themselves. The November 2015 Paris attacks have served as the basis for many closed door policies.

However, the vetting process for refugees is extremely thorough and intensive.

“There is no population traveling to the US that’s more rigorously screened [than refugees],” said Sarah Lords, a representative for the International Rescue Committee.

According to Lords, the refugee must receive a refer-

ral from the UN’s refugee agency or the UNHCR. The process includes in depth interviews which can last up to hours, biological screening and home country reference checks.

Once a refugee is referred to the US, the government performs its own additional screening and refugees must go through interviews with nine different government agencies including the Department of State, Defense, Homeland Security and the National Counterterrorism center. In fact, Syrian refugees are actually subject to more screening than other refugees and must undergo additional interviews.

“Just creating a culture that is welcoming and that assists with this really complex process of resettlement is really important,” Lords said.

For those who are interested, volunteering can all make a monumental difference in local communities.

Clubs like Project Fresh Start are the small stepping stones to something great; a club consisting of a little over 20 members hopes to make a profound difference.

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March 2016

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Camp One creates a family among students

PHOTOS COURTESY OF JENNIFER GALBREATH more than that. It’s also about being able to open up Calvin says in a safe environment.

“Some people have been that Camp through a lot in their life and doesn’t they don’t talk about it,” said Reece Andonov, senior. change you, “You go to this camp and you change you’re able to let go and tell these people everything that you. It you’ve been through and nobody judges you.” broadened Camp One is not all my views and tears. It’s a lot of laughing and fun as well. Whether that I’ve opened was music, energizers which involve acting crazy to wake my eyes.” up, dancing or hanging out.

-Patrick McMorrow “We’d go down to the PHOTO COURTESY OF JENNIFER GALBREATH lobby and everybody would hang out. We’d go on the drums, somebody’d be on the piano, singing, somebody’d be playing pool, air hockey, or ping pong, other people would be snowball fighting,” Aguilar said.

Everyone will take something away from Camp based on who they are. Regardless, every person walks away with a different perspective on life.

“I’ve been blinded and now that I’m back I have all these things that I’ve never really noticed before,” said PHOTO BY MARC BRETZ Ashley Kempton, freshmen.

“I really want to impact “When you see these racial

By MARC BRETZ kids, and I also have a heart Staff Writer slurs you don’t know the for them,” Perry said. hurtful meaning behind it After she graduates from but when you go to Camp What does a student NAU in May, she would reOne you know what those teacher do? ally like to stay and work at meanings are.”

A student teacher is a OHS because she said, “It’s a The return from Camp non-paid internship with a great place to get a job and I is difficult. Delegates who full-time teacher. For the first know everyone here.” choose to stand up for things couple weeks, they basically She also really likes the they’ve been exposed to may act as a teacher’s aide and see culture and community of meet negativity. This frus- how things are ran, and they students on campus. trates delegates. Galbreath also help out with some small “Having a student attributes this to ignorance. tasks like grading papers. teacher benefits me because “In class someone might Then, after a student make fun of another kid and teacher gets the hang of my workload is less and there I might call them out on it,” things, they are able to start are two teachers in the classSmith said. “Some other kid teaching the class, and their room to help grade and work will say oh you went to camp mentor teacher that they are with students,” Parker said.

When a student teacher that’s why you’re being like assigned usually lets them is assigned to a teacher, in this or when I tell people I run the classroom. the beginning, it can be very love them they say you weir There are five stutime consuming because the do you just went to camp.” dent teachers on campus, teachers show them how to Each delegate has their and they are assigned to difoperate canvas, classroom take on what to think going ferent departments dependprocedures and going over into Camp. Everyone agrees ing on their specialty. it’s not easy to prepare for.

Kaylee Perry is currently school policies.

Unfortunately, student “It’s scary going in but a student at Northern Arizoteachers cannot pick where it’s an incredible experi- na University, and she is also or who they work with. The ence that will create a lot a student teacher with Kim District decides, but howevof bonds,” said Andonov. Parker in the Language Arts er, a student teacher can re“You’ll have that safe place, Department. She grew up in quest what area they would that safe group of people and Flagstaff and went to Colike to work.

PHOTO COURTESY OF JENNIFER GALBREATH that family bond.” conino High School.

Visit thetalonohs.com FROM LEFT TO RIGHT Brandon Smith, Katherine Hubbard, Ashley Kempton, Jake for the full story.

Callaway, and Nathan Crowell gather with other students in a human knot.

things I didn’t know I could.”

By ETHAN GILCHRIST Camp One is a spiritual Hard News Editor successor to Empowertown, A trip to the woods for a junior high camp which ran three days with strangers for four years at Stetson Hills. quickly turns into an eye- Camp One will enter its third opening experience with peo- year at OHS next trip. Galple you’ll breath’s learn to plan is to call family create a at Camp school dedOne. icated to Camp the ideals One took that make place Jan. up Camp 21-24 at One. WhisperThere ing Pines are around Camp in 100 atPrescott. tendees at Camp One Camp One. is a proIncluding gram, run 60-70 deleby Jennifer gates who Galbreath, are OHS language students, PHOTO COURTESY OF JENNIFER GALBREATH 1 0 - 1 5 arts teacher, and Cal- Calvin Terrell gives a speech at Willow Pines. counselors vin Terrell, who are colwhich educates students on lege students, 10-15 advisors social issues in the world re- who are all adults, and the garding racism, gender bias, two directors. prejudice, discrimination and The experience is based more. on skits and activities which In reality, Camp One start the second the drive to does so much more for the Camp ends. students attending. “(We’re) on the bus and “It’s like a year of thera- there’s this African-Amerpy in a weekend,” Galbreath ican guy and he was going said. off about a Muslim girl beCamp One isn’t as simple cause he thought she had a as that. It is so many things: bomb but she was just sitting wonderful, intense, powerful there,” said Chris Aguilar, juand amazing. It’s hard to de- nior. “He pulls a gun out on scribe Camp One in one word. her and he’s like ‘you MusThese are a few words dele- lims get outta here’ and he gates attached to it. starts cussing at her and you “It was incredible,” said just hear a fake gunshot.”

Brandon Smith, senior. “It’s Its design may focus on really hard to put into words. the larger issues in the world It was relieving, it was eye- but the experience is about opening, it made me feel

“

Perry learns from teaching

The Talon

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March 2016

7

Exploring new passions with psychology club

By KAYCI RIGGS

Copy Chief

Creative Communications creating common bonds on campus

By RYAN TEMPLE

Editorial Chief

Upstairs, hiding in the dark hallways of the 500 building, shadowed by endless language arts and science classrooms, there lies two elective classes during seventh hour with massive approval ratings. Yet, few students realize they have the option to take Creative Writing and Communications.

Recently, semester long classes have popped up as options for students, but not many have had the idea of actually taking advantage of this opportunity. This is a massive mistake, according to Cindy Garraway, communications teacher.

“Communications is a discipline that affects all other disciplines,” Garraway said. “It's one that every student should take because no matter what job you eventually go into, you have to have proper communication skills.”

Kim Parker, creative writing 150 teacher, concurs on the value of the classes.

“It is so different than language arts. It allows me to work with students in an elective class, they have vol-

untarily chosen to take,” Parker said. “They’re really eager to experiment with different things that they can’t do in a language arts class.”

In terms of why the classes are such a true yin and yang, it comes down to their balancing effect.

“We put them together because they do complement each other and that they’re both in the language arts realm,” Garraway said.

“One’s more introverted, and one’s more extroverted, so you’re working on all aspects of yourself by taking both classes.”

Destiny Siegrest, sophomore, is currently in creative writing, but agrees that the two classes are the perfect match.

“It’s kind of nice because one of them is verbal and you have to learn how to communicate that way, but the other is through writing,” Siegrest said. “It’s very different, but they compliment each other.”

However, due to the focus of each class being the polar opposite from the other, some students are hesitant to take both. Raven Henson, senior, had this cross her mind, but feels the fear is unwarranted after experiencing both.

“I much prefer creative

writing because it was the reason that I took the two classes, but I’m surprised at how much I like communications,” Henson said.

On the other hand, there is one significant aspect that makes her appreciate her time in Garraway and Parker’s classes so much more.

“I had creative writing first, and in creative writing I kind of got to know my classmates and all of us became friends,” Henson said. “It’s like a safe place. Nobody’s going to judge you for what you’re writing.”

Such a supportive community within the classes is a theme that Siegrest has thrived on during the school year.

“A lot of my classmates are very emotional, but I’ve made a couple of people cry with writing and that was awesome,” Siegrest said.

For students who have been unfamiliar or unsure about the classes but wish to put them on their schedule for next year, the next step is easy.

“If you’re interested, go talk to your counselor,” Garraway said. “You shouldn’t be afraid at all because it’ll help break down those barriers.”

The psychology club has made it’s return to campus this year, thanks to a few junior students and psychology and sociology teacher Kyla Morrissey.

According to Morrissey, she has sponsored a psychology club for eight years at OHS. “The students motivated me to start the club,” Morrissey said. “They wanted a place to explore their passion for psychology.”

The club is back thanks to the interest of student Alicia Salas, junior.

“I really love my psychology teacher. I asked if there was a psychology club and she said that she used to have one but no one was interested,” Salas said.

The club’s first meeting was Feb. 25, and judging by the amount of people that showed up, lack of interest is not a problem this year.

According to Salas, the heavy turnout was due to the club’s social media activity,

and the fact that psychology is such an interesting topic.

“A lot of people don't know enough about their minds and the way psychology works,” said Klaire Saboe, junior.

OHS offers AP Psychology, psychology, sociology and the dual enrollment versions of both to juniors and seniors.

According to Salas, one of the goals of the club was to bring in underclassmen who might not know that we offer the classes.

“Psychology class is open to juniors and seniors only but the club is open to everyone,” Morrissey said.

At the first club meeting dozens of students gathered together to explore their own emotions by watching Inside Out. “The goals of the club are to provide a nurturing and fun environment to learn about human behavior such as coping skills, happiness, cognitive biases, personality development, emotions, and more,” Morrissey said.

PHOTO BY CASSIDY MOORE Students Andrea Nunez Serna, Alicia Salas, Klaire Saboe and Ally Jerusal pose with club sponser Kyla Morrissey at the club’s first meeting in room 705.

Students enter BC and OHS film competition

By CASSIDY MOORE

Staff Writer

PHOTO BY CASSIDY MOORE Gabby Debendetto and Bryce Sutter, sophomores, work hard on their short film.

The Boulder Creek and OHS media productions departments hosted a weekend film festival for short filmmakers and two teams from OHS participated.

The competition started Feb. 10 after school at Boulder Creek where the theme and regulations were announced and teams gathered.

Out of the five teams gathered, two were from OHS media productions classes.

The theme was “Love and Friendship” and the

competitors had to incorporate a balloon and the line, “Is that seat taken?” in their video. They also had to keep the video from 90 seconds to five minutes in length.

“I think that the line and the theme fit each other well,” said Bryce Sutter, sophomore, a contestant in the competition. “With the balloon piece, there were a bunch of different ways we could have incorporated it.”

The five teams then had Friday and Saturday after school to work at either schools. The videos were due Feb. 16 by 2:10 p.m.

“I like the fact of having more time to perfect the video, but I do like the restricted time because sometimes before I would get lazy and tell myself I’ll do it tomorrow,” said Ryland Holeman, junior “But with the time restraint there is a strong motivation to get it done.”

There will be a premiere date announced later this spring where all the films will be played and the winners will be announced.

4

Page 8

Opinions thetalonohs.com

March 2016

Editorial: “#FreeKesha” case highlights continous inequality for women in 2016

While the presidential race rages on, there is one other person that appears to be dominating media attention right now-- Kesha.

We all remember “Tik Tok” and if you don’t, where were you in 2010? Kesha has since been virtually silent with creating new music and it’s been brought to light this year that the real cause is her producer, Dr. Luke.

Kesha is involved in a legal battle right now in which she is trying to get out of the contracts she is in with Dr. Luke who she is claiming sexualy, verbally and emotionally abused her for years during their business relationship.

Recently, a New York judge denied her a court injunction that would have allowed her to make music on her own terms.

Today, there are several instances where men of power in the industry are easily excused for their crimes, and gender imbalances are still prevalent. Chris Brown physically abused Rihanna, yet continued to make music and get all that he desired.

Rihanna and Kesha both received no justice for abuse inflicted on them, while the male abusers get away with crimes.

In this case, we have

Kesha downright enslaved to continue working for Dr. Luke, who gets little to no consequence following an accusation of rape.

In stark contrast, Zayn Malik was let out of his One Direction contract mainly because he wanted to pur-

the blink of an eye, Malik can leave his contract simply because he was not happy.

Gender imbalance in the music industry reaches far beyond controversial legal struggles.

Many festival lineups are still dominated by male mu-

According to consultant Keith Hill, female country singers are simply getting in the way of the success of country radio ratings. He states that, while women are the ‘tomatoes’ of the industry, males make up the necessary ‘lettuce’ of the salad

PHOTOS BY JASMINE BLACK

Kesha vs Dr. Luke: the latest update on the battle

Since this editorial was written, several more aspects to the case have unraveled. Several media outlets reported on Mar. 9 that Dr. Luke was to part ways with Sony Records, however, TIME reports that Dr. Luke’s representatives have denied this. Kesha’s mother has come forward in support of her daughter, saying that Kesha was treated like a “prisoner” as the New York Daily News reports. Several celebrities have taken their public support of Kesha to a new level as well. Kelly Clarkson conducted an interview with KISS Australia, where she said that while she is not knowledgable about Kesha’s situation specifically, the previous bosses of her record label had to “blackmail” Clarkson to work with him. She also said in the interviewthat Dr. Luke was certainly “not a good person to me.”

sue new opportunities for his career. Kesha could not even get out of her contract when she was potentially distressed emotionally and physically from Dr. Luke, However, at

sicians and bands. A post by Tom Barnes of mic.com provides the shocking statistics that only 15 percent of label members and 13 percent of songwriters are female.

that is today’s music.

This injustice parallels that of other industries as well. The collegetimes website has statistics that are incredibly unacceptable for the

or didn’t appreciate enough-this is me paying them back.

I understand that not everyone is going to react to random acts of kindness the same way. Sometimes people don’t even know that you did it for them, but that’s what I like about it.

With my job, there are a lot of opportunities to do things for people that they don’t know. For example,

when there’s a bunch of people standing around waiting for a table and a few get up at once, I think about where each person will be most happy.

Sometimes they’ll mention how cold they are when they think I can’t hear them and if a table opens up in the back I do everything I can to seat them there instead. They probably think nothing of it,

but it means a lot to me to know that they’ll be happier.

We’ve had multiple people come in with service dogs too, and I always try to put them at the table in the corner by the window so they won’t have to worry about the dog being in the way.

I’m a firm believer that it’s the little things that make the biggest difference.

And those are the easiest ones

Twenty First century.

In 2010, women made only 77.5 cents for every dollar that men earned. Women also accounted for 46 percent of the labor force, but only 53 percent of employers had some replacement pay during maternity leave. In 1900, fewer than 20 percent of women participated in the labor market, while today it is still only 75 percent but growing.

Luckily, popular opinion has taken a shift, especially in highly publicized gender inequality cases such as Kesha’s.

On social media, millions responded to the court’s decision and rallied for Kesha by trending the hashtags #FreeKesha and #BoycottSony. Prominent celebrities such as Ariana Grande, Lady Gaga and Lorde showed their solidarity by speaking out on Twitter. At the 2016 Brit Awards, Adele said she publicly stands with Kesha after accepting her award.

It’s uplifting to see these female musicians speak out against the injustice happening in the music industry. The outpour proves that Kesha may have lost her first battle, but that her war wages on, as does the fire behind equality for women.

Acting on kindness brings immeasurable joy

By KAYCI RIGGS

Copy Chief

You never really know how big of an impact a simple act of kindness can have on a person. All it takes is a reassuring smile, or a compliment or even offering a helping hand when someone needs it.

Not only does it have a big impact on their happiness, but it impacts you as well.

I love doing random acts of kindness for people. I feel like it brings balance back to my life. All the things people have done for me over the years that I didn’t recognize,

to do. All it takes is an extra second or two to make the decision to help someone out.

Then there are things that you can do for your friends and family just to show them that you care.

I love the look on their face when they realize how much you pay attention to what they like.

CARTOON BY KAYCI RIGGS Random acts of kindness are so infectious that they deserve to spread.

Luckily, these can come at any time and anywhere. As the cartoon shows, picking up the tab for the person behind you in line at the store or even in a drive-thru could impact someone’s entire day. It’s impossible to know what others are dealing with in life, especially random strangers.

The magical thing about random acts of kindness is not just the acts themselves, but the fact that they can eliminate distress and sadness over entirely unrelated problems.

The Talon

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March 2016

9

Senior class schedule selections:

In your final year of high school, what’s the best option? Waking up later, getting out of school early, or staying at school for a full day?

By SHYANNE COOPER

By RYAN TEMPLE

Waking up an hour later in the morning probably sounds like a dream, and most of the time it is. Catching some more morning Z’s makes me feel well-rested and ready to focus on school rather than obsess over if I have time for an afternoon nap before work.

Having a late start means I get more time- if I choose not to sleep in- to be productive in the morning with homework, studying, makeup work, working out, or just making myself an actual breakfast. The benefits are pretty sweet. Also, no crazy morning traffic! Yay! It’s also nice, as any senior will tell you, to have less of a workload. Cutting down my classes to five rather than six has taken loads of homework and study time off of my chest. This means I can spend more time with family and doing hobbies that I love.

As fantastic as that all sounds, it’s not always what it’s cracked up to be. Whenever I have a meeting before school or I need to do tutoring or makeup work in the morning, my sleep pattern is entirely screwed up. But I’d much rather be tired for that one day than be exhausted every single day because I wake up so early that my brain is fuzzy with sleep!

Even though I really enjoy the extra time in my mornings, I admit it would be nice if I were taking another fun elective like theater instead.

I’ve always said that there aren’t enough hours in the day for all the things I want to do. Theater is one of those things that I sacrificed because I have zero time in the day.

Still, I can’t complain when I have the freedom to wake up at 8:00 in the morning feeling refreshed and ready for the day. Even when I wake up earlier and get stuff done it’s worth it, because being productive in the morning motivates me for the rest of the day’s stress.

Stress in senior year is more inevitable than someone declaring that they are moving to another country during an election year. However, your class schedule should be something that you think about and actually enjoy.

This is precisely why I chose to have five class periods in my senior year, allowing me seventh hour release.

It’s an odd choice for a senior, with most kids opting for the traditional “the less school the better” half day or the “push yourself to brink of mass stress” full day. Yet, my schedule allows me to take my required classes, as well as the electives I have always wanted and then be on my way home.

In all reality, the extra hour does not feel like much, until I begin to think of what my year would be like with another class in place of it.

The most obvious difference is of course the workload. Even though my current one is not light, another set of assignments, quizzes, tests, projects and one more final at the end of the semester would be slightly nightmare-like.

Another, albeit minor, advantage to seventh hour release is the parking lot. As someone who fears parking in narrow spaces with pedestrians running around, not having to worry that you will be charged with manslaughter as you try to leave school is a massive relief. 1:15 is a generally quiet time for the lot, and allows students to leave calmly.

Finally, the extra hour simply allows me much needed breathing room. Whether it gives me more time before going to work, eating a snack or just a few minutes to lay down, I would not give it up.

Sure, I probably would have taken creative writing and communications if I had known about it, and maybe taking a math class this year would have been a responsible choice, but I cannot regret my schedule. It is the one part of my last year in high school that I truly believe I have got right.

Continued from Social Media, page 1

“It’s very important to remember to spread positivity and never put someone else down.”

Now from a psychological standpoint, social media definitely has its pros and cons for teenagers.

Kyla Morrissey, psychology teacher, says she’s no expert on social media’s effects

but she agrees that there are some general concepts to consider in the discussion of social media.

“Non-verbal communication comprises of over 70 percent of communication so online really doesn’t provide meaningful communication,” Morrissey said. “People are less likely to understand oth-

The Talon

By VALERIE BOND

Editorial Chief

Staff Writer

Design Chief

er people’s tone and may feel less empathy for others when communicating online.”

Kids do have some benefits with being on social media that could arguably be crcial to developing their personalities in this day and age.

“Sometimes people use the online venue to express themselves in different way

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. Letters to the editor must be signed and dropped off in Room 400-SE, e-mailed or mailed. Letters may be edited for content and/or space 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.

7:45 to 2:15 everyday I am confined to four white walls, in which I am supposed to absorb topics that are going to further my life.

Let’s be honest here, that does not happen.

Senioritis has set in, college applications have been sent out and work is being done into the wee hours of the morning.

I am the one here to tell about whether or not you should take a full day.

The great thing about taking a full day is the extra free education you receive and the extra time you have with friends.

The downside to all that free education is being stuck at school for an extra hour compared to having a late start or getting out after sixth hour.

I took a full day so that I could take the classes I failed to take in prior years. I also say that I took a full day because my sister is a freshman and I have to take her home anyways so why not stay.

But really, I wanted the extra opportunities to socialize with my friends.

(Four of the six classes I am enrolled in are electives, one of which is a TA period.)

Having a full day is fine until you pair six and half hours of education with up to eight hours of work.

Having a full day is fine until you pack it full of rigorous AP classes.

Having a full day is just that, fine.

I am not saying do not put more effort into your education. Or do not over achieve by taking that extra class, because honestly Ryan and Shyanne are bigger over achievers than me.

If you value your sleep or need to get a job for whatever reason, I do not really recommend the whole full day thing.

But if you want take a fun class or you just want to take advantage of free education, then go right ahead, I am not going to stop you, because no one stopped me.

as a way to figure out their identity. Social media can facilitate communication when someone suffers from in-person communication anxiety,” Morrissey said.

Nick Andrews, senior, has seen the benefits of social media and how it has provided him a separate space from day to day life.

“Tumblr has given me confidence to post my own

editor-in-chief:

sports editors:

editorial chief:

Bailey Brammer

Alexa Fuenmayor Colby Wyatt

Ryan Temple* hard news editors:

copy chief:

Kayci Riggs design chief:

Valerie Bond staff developer:

Taylor Stokes*

staff writers:

Abigail Gheju* Cassidy Moore* Hayley White Marc Bretz Shyanne Cooper* Trey Espinoza

content,” said Andrews.

“You don’t really have to deal with judgement since you’re talking to like- minded people.”

Of course there are downfalls to almost everything, but social media is a rich and relatively new world that is still open for exploration.

Overall, sources say “Think before you post.”

videographers: announcements Skyler Cardella director: Gabrielle Benedetto

Jasmine Black

Ethan Gilchrist Travis Robertson* media producers: Josh Dreiling soft news editor: Grahm Kenobbie Emily DiTomasso Tanner Webdale

Ryland Holeman Seth Moller Bryce Sutter adviser:

Chad Renning

* denotes member of editorial board

Instagram OC_captured

Following

Everyone at OHS has a story. Here you will see a glimpse into the life of students, teachers or faculty members. All interviews and pictures are done by Jasmine Black, Announcements Director and creator of OC Captured.

17 posts 148 followers 1 following

Jason Paulos, Senior

Nick Camacho, Freshman

Jessica Nesbit, Sophomore

Zoya Khan, Junior “Everyday there’s something new to look forward to. My freshman year I had a really rough day, but going into the next day I had all of my friends there supporting me and it made me realize that you can have the roughest days but the next day you’ll have people there for you.”

“I took a test as a 6th grader and my teacher asked me if I wanted to jump up to Algebra 1-2 as a 7th grader.

I didn’t really know if I wanted to do it since that was two classes ahead of me but I asked my mom and she told me to go for it, that it was my God-given talent.”

“I’ve seen a lot of the world so I think about things a little differently than people who have never left and seen things. “

“It’s definitely not easy being in advanced classes, but if you try your best and work hard you’ll be surprised at what you can do.”

Chase Gordon, Junior

Bradley Ruano, Junior “My experiences make me different, my dad always tells me to be more cultured. I spent a whole summer in Guatemala, which is where my dad is from. It was very laid back, and that’s where I realized to live a carefree life. No one was really in a rush, and just by walking on the sidewalk with everyone else and passing tons of people made me feel like I was in a rush. That’s when it hit me that I could slow down.”

Andrew Cardon,Math Teacher “When I taught at an alternative school this kid who got in trouble for drugs and was in gangs couldn’t survive in a regular high school, it was too big and too easy to slip through the cracks.I bumped into him two years later and he said he was in college and I was part of the reason. That was one of the best moments of my life. So its things like that, that make teaching worthwhile.”

Brandon Smith, Senior

“I worked in the finance industry in banking and I ended up being a trainer for current and new employees, and I kind of just got burned out on that, so here I am. I want to make a difference and look back and say that I actually made a difference in the world.”

“I share my opinion a lot because maybe it’s going to trigger someone to become informed. I don’t want to offend people when sharing my opinion but I think people can learn something from listening to others, because if you don’t you’re not going to go anywhere.”

Qualia Coleman, Senior

Lauren Kisicki, Freshman

Amaya Diaz, Sophomore “I want to have a life that I feel is interesting enough to put out on social media, not to be social media famous for the sake of being social media famous.”

Lorie Marshall, CTE Teacher

“It helps in most scenarios to be able to talk openly and not worry about what people think. I tend to say what’s on my mind and not worry after.”

“I struggled with moving here. I struggled with being black in the suburbs. That sounds really stereotypical, but there are maybe ten people at this school that are black.”

“I’m aspiring to be more extroverted, before I came here I was very introverted and quiet, but then being a part of marching band and a part of this community and meeting new people has drawn me out of my shell.”

12

The Talon

March 2016

Senior Bulletin Board

thetalonohs.com

Gett

• Figure ing to Know ou Y them in t your most vis our New Ar ea: ited sto your ne res and w home • Search l . o cate Google Maps an • Odds are som d Yelp for eon friend-o f-a-frien e in your conta local haunts. c d reach o ut and d who is willing t list has a to meet on’t be • GET LO shy! you, so ST! Tak e importa nt than that saying ‘the th jo • Ventu re into r e destination’ a urney is more e nd roll w stauran hotspot ts, h ith s… to tackl treat this trans ike, tour, look it. e. ition as u a new a p dventur e

Senior’s Advice to Underclassmen!

Q: How would you suggest prepping for the ACT and SAT? Susan Chen: I took both. I would suggest people who prefer conceptual, critical-thinking based questions to take the SAT and for people who like to solve practical, straight forward questions and have great time management on tests take the ACT. The hardest thing about both tests are their time limits. I would say the best way to prepare for them is to buy a prep book and go through all of the practice tests yourself. The prep classes didn’t help much and cost a lot of money in my experience.

Q: What is worth stressing about throughout high school? What isn’t?

Tori Ainsworth: Don’t stress about homework all the time. If you do that it only makes ecklist: h C n o ti a u d ra G you miserable. I’m not saying to not take your homework and assignments seriously, res tu ic p r io n but be proactive to get them done so you’re not stressing. Don’t worry about how many e S 1. wns, tassels, o g & s p ca r friends you have and who you’re friends with either. Be friends with the people who make e 2. Ord you happy. Don’t be friends with the people who only care about the next party because etc. ebts at d l o o h sc chances are they’re just going to drag you down. y an ff 3. Pay o Q: What clubs, sports and organizations should freshmen be bookstore re to ks o o involved in during high school? Is there anything you regret not b from Top Paying Majors 4. Buy chords e g e ll co r fo doing? e M d n Fu 1. Petroleum Engineering 5. Make a Go Susan: Freshmen should take full advantage of the fact that 2. Chemical Engineering expenses ships they are freshmen, meaning they will have the least amount of sume for intern 3. Computer Engineering 6. Create a re work load and plenty of opportunities to join new organizations on & jobs campus. I highly suggest doing a sport freshman year. Freshmen 4. Nuclear Engineering s! e ti ar p n io should join clubs that they truly have an interest in, not because 5. Computer Science & Engineering 7. Graduat Most Meaningful Majors it will look good on a college application. I find career oriented clubs like HOSA, FMPA, 1.

Pastoral Ministry Mock Trial, Moot Court, Science Olympiad and MUN to be the best examples of fun yet 2. Nursing challenging clubs to be a part of. But there are clubs on campus to suit any interest.

3. Clinical Laboratory Science Making memories dring your four years here is the most important thing about high school.

4. Child Development Q: Which AP tests and classes are worth taking? Which aren’t? Why? 5. Athletic Training Susan: I think every AP test is worth taking, but only if you are sure you willl score high on them. Those are generally the AP classes that you like and understand in the first place. I think you should always take the test for the first AP class you ever take, because regardless of your score it is a good way to familiarize yourself with the test taking process and see what a real AP test is like.

Q: Do you have any words of wisdom or advice you’d like to tell incoming freshmen?

Tori: Don’t try to be cool by being a brat to people. It makes you lame and annoying. Try hard in high school because these next four years will dictate your future. Show a lot of kindness because you meet so many people and you’ll have no idea what demons they’re battling. And lastly, don’t get too caught up in relationships. Focus on your goals and happiness before you go around trying to please everyone else. You’re going to be extremely stressed out but that’s just part of life. Remember to take care and look out for yourself.

Susan: Don’t be afraid to join a sport, club or organization on campus. High school will only be worth while if you make the most out of it. When you look back on these times ten or twenty years down the line you won’t remember the one bad grade you got on your algebra test.

FREE Scholarship Search Engines: Instead, you’ll remember the field trips you went on and the exhilirating -CollegeBoard.com: searches 2,200+ programs feeling you felt at your first football game. And don’t do drugs.”

for eligibility & updated annually -FastWeb: 1.5 million scholarships, updated ANNUALLY & send eligible students e-mail notifications when new scholarships appear -CollegeNet.com: uses group discussions and votes from your peers to decide scholarship winners every week -Petersons.com: compare millions of scholarships by using key words, specific personal information, award type, award date, etc.

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ch perf ool, whi ions a s h t e c s s k e a u e q h m t e e bout • Sampl family. Practic tions- a s e e u r q o C s IFI is. ub you’r l h C t c E t P o friend t a S n h i s t estion ought about • Ask qu ’ve put some th e time to brag th ou pics. prove y self up! This is ments. evant to l e r r i t r h u lis ou abo some • Talk y sports accomp mble on r mentioning a r r o r y p u in or yo y not to clam u our interviewe ething you ma Tr oy om food • Relax! ank you note t pful to you or s type of a , y b h l t b e .

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4

Arts & Entertainment March 2016

Cat and Allissa capture audience attention

By SHYANNE COOPER Staff Writer

It’s safe to say freshmen Caitlin (Cat) Birkenfeld and Allissa Beadle crushed it at the talent show February 26th.

Together the pair blew the audience away with their touching rendition of Safe and Sound by Taylor Swift.

“I think it went really well,” Cat said after the performance. “It was a really good experience."

This talent thow wasn't Cat’s first rodeo as an entertainer.

According to the young musician, she had sung at open mics in her community center, she was in a play in sixth grade called Music Man and she performed in middle/ elementary school talent shows for three years.

“I actually auditioned with a different song, and so did [Alyssa],” Cat said.

“They thought that it would be a good idea to combine us since we were singing songs by the same artist, so we actually only practiced two days before the talent show with that song.”

Two days? Talk about pre-show jitters.

With such little time to prepare an entirely new song, it's a wonder Cat and Allissa were able to pull off such a fantastic performance.

But that's exactly what they did. Both girls gave it their all and the audience ate it up.

If this talent show proves anything, it's that anyone can do anything and be recognized for their efforts and achievements.

Being recognized as a couple of uber-talented singers by a cheering audience full of family and friends made the night a success for both performers.

For some, being in the limelight means shaky hands and sweaty brows But not for Cat and Allissa. The spotlight at the talent show filled their night with beautiful music making, and that made for a pretty good time according to Cat. One thing’s for sure: this musical duo is sure to knock your socks off if given the opportunity.

thetalonohs.com

Page 13

Theatre dept. displays their talents

By TRAVIS ROBERTSON

Hard News Editor

The OHS theatre department put on the 2016 talent show on Feb. 26.

This year's talent show was combined with the theatre department’s gala show, which added theatre and performance class performances along with student acts.

Toni Fioramonti, theatre department head, said this was done to add more variety to the talent show.

“We felt the talent show was too many stand-andsings, and the Gala was another show that we were putting on so we were trying to combine them so that there was more variety in the talent show," Fioramonti said.

The talent show had 17 acts, seven being from students and the rest being from theatre and performance PHOTO BY TRAVIS ROBERTSON classes.

The acts varied from The Advanced Theatre Performance Class performs Thoroughly Modern Millie in the third act of The Gala for the talent show monologues, to group perfora lot of resources and I think [it] with all the technical ele- on, and I was just trying to mances, to solo singers, to a it was a pretty good show ments until the night of the make sure everything went showcase of the Slap on the overall." show so given that fact it did as supposed to," Mills said.

Wits improv team, and even Clark also found this tal- go over very smoothly."

"I didn't want to give up and a stand up comedy act proent show to be improvement One glaring technical is- let my friends down because vided by Serenity Penningover previous years. sue however, was when Hail- they came to see me." ton, senior.

"I'd say this is probably ee Mills, sophomore, sang Theatre’s innovation and Ryan Clark, senior, said the best one that I've wit- Temporary Home by Carrie the pooled resources are what the choice to combine the talnessed [and] it went over re- Underwood and the song made this 2016 talent show a ent show with the gala helped ally well given the amount of was switched with the demo success for OHS. the talent show. time we had to prepare for version causing the song to "The amount of resourc"It was a good choice beit,”Clark said. “We had two stop when she was singing. es that both the Theatre cause really the theatre gala rehearsals before the show Despite this she kept singing Department and the school is the same thing as the talent and that's really all the time without the music. brought (together) was really show but just for theater,” that we had to prepare for it "I was trying to keep the sufficient to make a solid proClark said. “Combining them we never even ran it through show going, the show must go gram," Clark said. saved the theater department

New Girl can brighten anyone’s day

By EMILY DITOMASSO Soft News Editor

“Who’s that girl? Who’s that girl? It’s Jess!”

This catchy theme was made for the new girl in the loft, Jessica Day. Singer and actress, Zooey Deschanel plays Jess, a woman who has moved in with three men when her cheating boyfriend breaks her heart.

After crying her eyes out and watching Dirty Dancing on repeat, her new roommates Nick, Schmidt, and Winston, help her move on with her life.

New Girl is a go to comfort show that can put anyone in a good mood and it is one of the very few modern sitcoms that will actually make you laugh out loud.

What makes this show even more funny is the fact that it is filled with improv.

All the jokes in the show flow

perfectly and seem to come out naturally.

The first couple of episodes can be pretty dramatic but once you get past that, it definitely will not take long for you to start feeling like you are living in apartment 4D.

“

Who’s that girl? Who’s that girl? It’s Jess!

-New Girl theme

Jess is a quirky, feminine, dramatic woman with a passion for teaching. She is known for her bangs, big eyes and her amazing wardrobe full of dresses and flats.

Her flamboyant personality changed the lives of three men, who all have completely different outlooks and obsessions that set them

apart from each other.

Nick (Jake Johnson) is a law school dropout and is now working as a bartender.

His best friend is a random Asian guy that he found on a bench one day and he is still having trouble getting over his ex- girlfriend, Caroline.

Nick will also do whatever he can do avoid spending money, even if it means balancing a soda in the wall or using a plunger on the sink to avoid any plumbers coming by.

Schmidt (Max Greenfield) is a ladies man with a cocky personality to make up for his innocent fat childhood self. He is a mix of every single stereotype made about men and that is what makes this character so hilarious.

Winston (Lamorne Morris)is a man who is trying to find his passion after giving up basketball. He is a usually hopeless when it comes to women and he has a lot of love with his cat.

These is also one more

roommate that always makes his way in and out of the loft and his name is Coach (Damon Wayans, Jr.). He is a former coach and is now a personal trainer. Coach moves back into apartment 4D after a bad breakup with his girlfriend.

These five different personalities are the perfect ingredients for a perfect show.

Each character will grow onto you and they are all equally funny in their own way.

Seasons 1-4 are on Netflix and season 5 plays every Tuesday night on FOX. Jess will not be a part of a couple of episodes in season 5 because of Deschanel’s pregnancy. Megan Fox will be taking her place as a new roommate while Jess is away on Jury Duty. Having someone like Fox will definitely be different but I am excited to see what she has to offer.

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March 2016

thetalonohs.com

Do-nut forget to stop by the Fractured Prune

By CASSIDY MOORE

Staff Writer

It’s hard to make a doughnut place unique as there are many places claiming they have, “The World’s Best Doughnuts!” However, what makes The Fractured Prune different is their unique assortment of homemade donuts. From “French Toast” to “S’mores,” the special doughnuts offered at Fractured Prune are amazing takes on the classic pastry.

The doughnut place is located right across from the Harkins at The Shops at Norterra pegging it as the perfect spot for an after-movie snack.

If you’re expecting a Dunkin’ Donuts – like scene, with cases of ready-made

dozens behind the counter for you to drool over, this is not their style. At the Fractured Prune, every donut is made to order.

The odd name draws attention to the shop as it was named after Prunella Shriek, who was called “Fractured Prune” for many broken bones she suffered while competing in men’s sports in the 70’s.

The welcoming atmosphere and delicious treats make the Fractured Prune an essential stop for any doughnut lover.

As you sit and wait for your doughnut, you can watch the dough be rolled and the doughnuts be formed behind a window that looks

PHOTO BY CASSIDY MOORE Eeach customer has the chance to opportunity to create their own personal treat.

The Fractured Prune is a place where you can get a variety of unique and delicious into a kitchen. The animated doughnut that is a plain interior welcomes customers doughnut without any frostto order a delicious treat and ing or toppings. The doughtalk with their friends. nut was very good and was The assortment of not too dry or plain and you doughnuts to enjoy can over- could definitely taste that it whelm as you have more than was fresh and homemade.

25 specialty doughnuts and The next doughnut I the option to design your own tried was the “Make-Yourtreat.

Own” doughnut. I chose My go-to doughnut is the a marshmallow glaze and “S’mores” doughnut coated M&Ms to top my creation. I in marshmallow glaze, choco- loved the idea of designing late chips, and graham crack- your own dessert and it was er crumbs. This mouthwater- a lot of fun picking my own ing treat is just as delicious as toppings and glaze. it sounds and pairs perfectly Some of the toppings with the hot chocolate they optional for your “Makealso sell.

Your-Own” doughnut inAnother doughnut that clude oreo crumbs and mini I tried was the “Plain Jane” chocolate chips. You are also

PHOTO BY CASSIDY MOORE doughnuts that is located in Norterra. able to pick your own glaze from choices like raspberry and honey and many more unique flavors.

You can choose to eat the doughnut at the restaurant or take it home and since the doughnuts are made to order, they are most likely still warm by the time you get home to eat them.

Along with doughnuts, the Fractured Prune also sells hot or iced coffee and hot chocolate during the winter.

The Fractured Prune is open from 7:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and from 7:00 a.m. -11:00 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

Shadowhunters fails to live up to the books

By VALERIE BOND

Design Chief

It is not uncommon for a movie adaptation of book to fall short of excellence, but it is disappointing when both the movie and the TV show fail to encompass the true greatness of the novel or series. Such is the case of The Mortal Instruments series.

On March 27, 2007, Cassandra Clare swept the nation with her first installment of the Mortal Instruments series, City of Bones. The series was brought to a close with the sixth novel, City of Heavenly Fire released on May 27, 2014.

In 2013, Screen Gems released a film adaptation of the first novel, starring Lily Collins and Jamie Campbell Bower. On January 12, Freeform aired the first episode of their adaptation of the novels which they named Shadowhunters. The Mortal Instruments follows, Clary Fray, a Shadowhunter, raised as a mundane, who after her mother is kidnapped, rediscovers her true heritage and is thrown into the world of angels and demons, as well as their offspring.

The Shadowhunter race was created eons ago by the angel Raziel who came down and presented Jonathan

PHOTO BY VALERIE BOND

In 2015, the publisher changed the look and design of the covers of The Mortal Instruments series. City of Bones and City of Ashes are in the orginal covers. that could wipe demons from Alec Lightwood, and Clary’s Shadowhunter with the mor- the face of the earth. With best friend Simon Lewis, tal instruments and his blood the help of Jace Wayland, his Clary discovers who she was in hopes of creating a race adoptive siblings Isabelle and meant to be.

I will not deny that Collins and Bower did a spectacular job of portraying Clary and Jace in the movie, however there were many discrepancies that I felt were unnecessary and therefore took away from the quality.

In order to fix this problem a TV show was created which gives the writers the creative license to include more details from the novel.

That’s all and good except for the fact the acting on the show is terrible.

Katherine McNamarra’s portrayal of Clary irks me to the very pits of my soul. I do appreciate that they got her hair color right, but her lack of acting experience leaves you wanting more. Dominic Sherwood’s acting isn’t much better. He plays Jace, and personally I think he puts too much into his character who is supposed to be arrogant and sarcastic which Bower portrayed perfectly.

I have a deep affinity for the book series so the fact that both the movie and the TV show fail at portraying such an amazing storyline leaves me quite heated. If you want to read a great story with funny and witty character, read the series.

But I can not recommend the TV show nor the movie.

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March 2016

15

Places to take a break during spring break

By TREY ESPINOZA Staff Writer

With spring break right around the corner, students will enjoy a nice week off of school.

Students will have a vast choice of things to do over the break such as hang out with friends, watch shows on Netflix, play sports, and travel.

There are many places to go for spring break so here are three places to visit on your days off.

Wet-n-Wild Along with spring break comes an increase in temperature, so bring some family and/or friends to cool down at “Wet-n-Wild” for snacks, drinks, and a good time.

With multiple slides ranging from small to large, there is also the wave pool, which is a nice place to hang out with the whole family and relax.

There is a variety snacks such as snow cones, drinks,

food, and candy vendors around. If you go there on a holiday you can expect to enjoy a spectacular firework show. Located at 4243 W Pinnacle Peak Rd, Glendale.

Lake Havasu Take a trip down to Lake Havasu and have some fun in the sun. With a multitude of shops, restaurants, hotels, and coffee shops, there is never an end of things to enjoy.

Rent a boat or bring your own for a nice relaxing day on the lake and enjoy the landscape. Visit a piece of history and take a tour in and around the lake.

The lake isn’t the only thing to visit while checking out the town, make sure to visit the surrounding golf courses, go hiking, cycling, and boating there truly never is an end to the things to at the lake. Located at 1550 London Bridge Road, Lake Havasu City.

Just a few of “Wet-n-Wild”’s slides to help you have fun while you cool down.

Jerome Once a mining town, then a ghost town, now a flourishing community. Jerome has had a long history in Arizona.

Jerome sits above one of the largest copper mines in Arizona. With a beautiful landscape that everyone

should see, it is not only aesthetically pleasing, but can provide a nice place to spend the night, with hotels, inns, and motels you can visit in comfort.

You can visits the many shops in Jerome and buy food, drinks and check out one of the many arts shops

Continued from Group Homes, page 1

PHOTOS BY BAILEY BRAMMER Title I academic liaison clerk, Kate Warren, travels to the DVUSD schools that have the most students in group homes, and meets with them on a weekly basis.

Along with being sepa- people,” Jane said. “It’s hard parents,” Mark said. “We times when students hear rated from her parents, Jane because it’s their job, so they don’t go to the park if people “group home,” they think its went almost six months with- don’t understand, it’s just act up, it’s a privilege. You for students who are underout seeing her siblings, who privileged, or somebody that what they can’t really go were all placed in individual is on the streets, or something have to do.” outside whengroup homes. like that,” Evans said.

Mark*, ever you want, According to Jane, living Warren agrees, saying It’s not like a freshman, also you’re in the in a group home resembles that all families go through resides in a prison, it’s like house all the hard times at some point, and being at school. group home, time. If you The average, daily roua normal house, do act up, you the only difference between and has been tine of a group home student students that are in group doing so for basically just you just don’t get consists of waking up, gethomes and students that arabout two sit there.” ting ready for school, doing is that somebody noas much freedom Chandler en’t, months. He a chore, then going to school, ticed the issue and reported describes his athgoing to sports practice, then it. Then, the authorities are as you do if you Evans, situation as letic director, coming home, doing chores, involved, and these students’ sad, but manlive with your believes that lives are forever changed. then going to sleep. There is ageable, and students at not much room for freedom “I didn’t really know how parents.” not much difOHS are unor deviation, and the home to feel, I tried to shut everyferent than of the is run by a house managthing in my life out,” Jane -Mark aware living at home. circumstances er, along with several staff said. It’s hard because once “It’s not like a prison, it’s of some of their fellow class- you’re with Child Protective members.

“I was forced to learn a like a normal house, you just mates.

Services (CPS), what you say “They don’t even know doesn’t matter. It’s not what new lifestyle with all these don’t get as much freedom as new rules and all these new you do if you live with your what a group home is. Some- you think is what’s good for

“

PHOTO BY TREY ESPIZONA and buy some souvenirs.

If you’re brave enough you can visit some of the reported “ghost” sightings and spend a night in the Jerome Grand Hotel which was previously a hospital. Located at State Route 89A, Jerome, AZ 86331 you, it’s basically ‘You’re going to do this because you’re going to do this, whether you like it or not.’”

Jane wishes that students at OHS would be more aware of what group homes are, and would be more open about the situation, rather than judgemental and harsh.

“When I first moved here, some kids found out that I lived in a group home, and I got made fun of,” Jane said. “I just wish kids could understand that it’s not my choice, it’s way more detailed than just living in a group home. It’s really nothing to joke about, and it messes up people’s lives a lot.”

However, while Jane and Mark are dealing with difficult situations outside of school, they are no different than any other student at OHS. They may have had rough pasts, but they continue to push through, each day, despite feeling alienated from their peers.

“It makes me feel different every day,” Jane said.

“Coming to school, kids talk about their parents 24/7.

Right now, with the sport I play, everyone’s complaining about their parents coming to see them and it’s hard because my parents won’t be there to cheer me on, and I don’t really know how to make people understand that without letting them know my situation.” *For safety reasons, student names and certain details have been changed.

4

Sports

Page 16

thetalonohs.com

March 2016

Winter sports seasons come to a close

Girls Soccer

By COLBY WYATT

Sports Editor

The OHS girls’ soccer season has come to a close after a disappointing finish, being ranked just one spot outside the allotted number Boys Soccer

By BAILEY BRAMMER

Editor-in-Chief

The boys varsity soccer team finished the season ranked 15th in state, and made it to the first round of playoffs. Unfortunately, they lost to the number two seed, Pinnacle High School, in overtime on Feb. 3 at Pinnacle, according to AZ Preps 365.

“We were really excited going to the game, but we fell apart in some places,” said Andrew Archuleta, senior. “There were some mistakes here and there, but it was actually a really good game and I’m proud of the way we played.”

According to Archuleta, the season began a bit roughly, and the team did not expect to make it to the state tournament. The boys record during the regular season was 5-7.

More than half of the team this year was made up of underclassmen, which Archuleta said may have been the reason for the rocky season. However, he has high hopes for next season.

“I think this year coming up, they’re going to be really good, with a really good mentality,” Archuleta said. “We overcame a lot of adversity and overall, it was a great season.”

Wrestling

By ETHAN GILCHRIST

Hard News Editor

The OHS wrestling team’s season started with the goal of state, however the closest the team came to this goal was with two wrestlers, a match away from placing.The 2015-2016 wrestling team did not have any wrestlers place in the state tournament, placing requires a top-6 finish Two wrestlers, Cruz Crawford, junior, and Mariner “Quade” Merrill, sophomore, were both a match away from placin Other wrestlers also attended including junior wrestler Aaron Mayer who had a close match the first night of state but lost.

for the state playoffs. The game that seems to be the determining factor was a Jan. 20 tie against Millennium.

Millennium finished the year ranked 15th, while the Eagles finished 17th. Had the Eagles found a way to break the tie and win that game, they might have been able to

slide into the playoff picture.

Nevertheless, the girls were able to fight through some adversity and play an enjoyable season.

“It was a fun season, but it didn’t go the way it probably should have,” said Faith Stoddard, senior, and four-

year member of the varsity team.

Stoddard had an idea of what might have kept the Eagles out of the playoffs.

“We had so many new players come up from JV and we mixed the JV and varsity teams so much that we never really found our rhythm as an

actual team,” Stoddard said.

Their lack of success this year will only drive them when it comes to next season.

“Going forward, the team looks really well,” said Stoddard. “I think they have a lot of freshman players that are moving up to varsity that can really help the team.”

Boys Baketball

By COLBY WYATT

Sports Editor

The boys’ basketball team has completed their season, finishing with a 4-14 record and missing the playoffs.

In coach Matt King’s second year at the helm, the team showed improvement and some flashes of greatness, but ultimately could not put all the pieces together to make a run for a playoff spot.

“We didn’t really perform as well as we knew we could,” said Jacob Conger, sophomore. “We learned a lot. We got better throughout the season and towards the end we were able to compete well with the better teams in state.”

PHOTO BY ALEXA FUENMAYOR The varsity girls basketball team huddles to discuss important plays to use in order to beat the other team during a game.

14th seed in the DI Playoffs.

“We had a lot more heart Courtney Schrade’s, se- this year and we actually Girls Basketball nior and varsity basketball believed we could do it. The We didn’t

By ALEXA FUENMAYOR player, favorite game was talent has always been there Sports Editor really perform when the team played Red but this year we put it into Mountain on Dec. 8 where action,” Schrade said. as well as OHS’ next match was Every team goes through they won on a buzzer-beater, against the 3rd seed, Hamila season hoping that their 55-53. we knew On the last game of the ton on Feb. 19. OHS lost 65performance earned them a we could” spot in the playoffs to battle season on Feb. 12, OHS and 44, cutting their road to the for the championship. The Mountain Pointe were neck championship short.

-Jacob Conger Despite the team not girls’ basketball team made and neck for the 13th seed their way into the playoffs for in the playoffs. OHS lost 62- going all the way, the team The team has high hopes 39 giving the higher seed to proved they could qualify for the first time since 2009. for the future though, and bethe playoffs and win.

Seven years ago, the team Mountain Pointe. lieves they are close to being The team still earned a “This sets the tone for made it into the playoffs but a winning team. unfortunately lost in the first first round playoff game at the program and things that “We’re a young team,” round to Canyon del Oro, 60- home against Basha (19th are expected.

Conger said. “We should have seed) on Feb. 17. OHS won We have a lot of young 38. a chance next year possibly, This year’s team closed 42-29, surpassing the 2009 talent so I’m optimistic,” but the year after that when out the regular season with a team and making it to the Schrade said.

I’m a senior, definitely.” record of 8-10 and being the second round of playoffs.

Joe Cotton, junior, and Brett Phillipy, senior, also attended state, but did not place losing their first matches as well.

Kevin Deutsch, assistant coach and earth science teacher, was very impressed with Merrill because he broke his hand in January meaning he missed four weeks and only practiced six times for state.

“Some of the kids are just strong kids that need to continue to get their technique sharper and sharper.

That’s what we do in the off season,” said Le Roy Rowser, assistant coach. “Of those kids they either displayed leadership, the ability to take charge, youth and PHOTO BY ETHAN GILCHRIST strength. All of them worked Coach John DeVito pins down varsity wrestler Aaron Mayer to demonsrate a move to the entire team during pratice. very hard in the training room.”

“

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March 2016

17

Young tennis teams build unity for season

By HAYLEY WHITE

Staff Writer

Girls The girls’ tennis team is off to a great start with a record 2-0, only a few weeks into the season.

Co-captain of the varsity team, Maddy Hernandez, senior, has set considerable goals for the girls’ season.

“I really want to make it to team state, and have us win as many matches as possible,” Hernandez said.

The team is working really hard to develop new techniques and grow as a group.

“We are working a lot of aggressive net play and trying to bond as a whole because there are a lot of underclassmen this year,” Her-

nandez said.

Last year, the greater part of the varsity team was gone with the graduating seniors, so their focus this year is to build a strong team.

“We only have two seniors on varsity now, but we still want to make sure we are leaving a strong unified team,” Hernandez said.

Boys The boys’ team is starting off the season with a 1-1 score, losing to Chaparral.

Reid Zalewski, senior, has seen a lot of changes to the team since last year.

“Last year a lot of us knew each other, but now we are exploring new fields together,” Zalewski said.

They have overcome

PHOTO BY HAYLEY WHITE A girl’s tennis team member serves while her teammate waits for the volley during a recent match against Pinneacle. these obstacles this season. but there are so many talent- planned for their upcoming “We have a lot of new ed people here now,” Zalews- games. players, since a lot of seniors ki said.

The boys’ team has a lot were on the team last year,

Eagles serve beach volleyball to the district Beach volleyball is different from indoor in that games are on a smaller court made of sand, and that there’s two players on each side rather than six.

popular and we’ve had our coach, Jamey [Spartz], really pushed hard for us to get this program,” Becker said.

Players say beach volleyball gives the opportunity for girls to shine individually that indoor couldn’t.

“It’s really awesome because girls get to express themselves through beach rather than just court which is more of a team sport,” said Jordyn Miller, junior.

Beach volleyball players all agree it’s an exciting experience to finally have this team and to be the first in the district to have it.

“It feels great, I’m really excited that we get to have one,” said Meagan McCall, junior. “It’s really exciting to be a program that can test it out for the first year and I think we’re going to be really good.”

Bonding with previous teammates from indoor volleyball is going to be an exciting experience for these players.

“[I’m excited for] bonding with the girls, I think because for indoor I had a lot of fun just being around them and I like being a part of a team so getting to be a part of another team with a new group of girls is a lot of fun,” said Alexandria Giannini, senior.

The change of environment for this team could prove problematic, both physically and mentally.

“I think our biggest obstacle will be indoor players transitioning into sand, it’s a whole different game. It’s more of a mental game so you have to have that connection with your partner rather than six or five other people on the court,” McCall said.

The team practices Tuesdays and Thursdays before school in the weight room, and Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday after school at Victory Lane. Their first game is a home game against Ironwood Ridge at Victory Lane on March 14.

The varsity team is looking to rely on their veteran leadership to carry them.

“I think that our seniors are really good leaders this year, better than any other seniors we’ve had,” said Ian Fields, senior. “We’re really vocal out there and really into teaching the young ones how to play in tough situations.”

The team may rely on their seniors, but they will need the PHOTO BY TRAVIS ROBERTSON younger guys to step up as well.

Junior Varsity boy’s volleyball is pictured above, preparing for their next game.

“The young kids are

By COLBY WYATT going 3-1 in the Wolf Howl pretty good, they have a lot Sports Editor Boys Volleyball Invitational of potential,” said Caelan and winning their first game The boys’ volleyball against Cactus 3-0.

Huffman, senior. “The fact team is off to a good start, that we’re helping them out

as seniors is good for future years.”

One major theme for the team is translating their hard work at practice into the games.

“The practice gym is a huge thing for us, because if you’re not going to practice good you’re not going to play good.” Fields said.

The team hopes that their hard work can get them to their goals.

“Our goal is to work as hard as we can in the practice gym so we can play well in the actual gym,” Huffman said.

Another goal they hope comes out of the practice gym is a trip to the state title game.

“State has always been an expectation for us it just

By TRAVIS ROBERTSON

Hard News Editor

Drenched in sweat, feet covered in sand and constantly moving, the four players are in an aggressive mental battle with each other. A battle that’s hard, a battle that’s fast and a battle that OHS athletes will soon have to face.

In the spring sports season, OHS will be the first school in the district to introduce beach volleyball, at the request of Jamey Spartz, head coach. “[What inspired me was] the popularity of this game, forthcoming with [the] NCAA and the opportunity for girls to get more scholarships and because the NCAA now has officially announced that they’re going to do the National Championship,” Spartz said. “It was something I thought would be a great opportunity for girls.”

“

I think our biggest obstacle will be indoor players transitioning into sand, it’s a whole different game.”

-Meagan McCall

Ashley Becker, junior and beach volleyball player, says beach volleyball found its way to OHS by gaining popularity among schools.

“It’s kind of a newer sport, it’s just now starting to become a collegiate level sport and it’s becoming

2016 Beach Volleyball Schedule 3/14 - Ironwood Ridge - HOME 3/16 - Highland Gene Autry Sports Complex 3/28 - Valley Vista - HOME 3/30 - Youngker - AWAY 4/1 - Coconino Flagstaff Athletic Club East 4/4 - Shadow Ridge - HOME 4/6 - Willow Canyon Surprise Park - 6:00 p.m.

4/11 - Notre Dame Prep HOME 4/13 - Chaparral Scottsdale Ranch Park 4/18 - Flagstaff - HOME 4/20 - Verrado - AWAY All game times are 4:00 p.m. unless otherwise noted.

OHS home courts located at: Victory Lane 22603 N 43 Ave Glendale 85310

Boys’ volleyball teams prep for perfection

depends on how hard we work in the practice gym and how we come out of tough matches,” Fields said. “We have a lot of them this year, a lot more than any other year.”

JV Just like the varsity team, the JV team will rely on experience to have a good season.

“We have a lot of sophomores on the JV team and we’re playing well,” said Turner Evans, sophomore.

The team is excited to have a chance to match up with tough competition.

“We have seven of the top eight teams in our division on our schedule this year,” Evans said. “We’re going to try to beat at least five of them.”

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March 2016

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Softball team swings toward their next season

By CASSIDY MOORE

Staff Writer

The beginning of spring means warmer weather and prom, but for softball players it marks the start of a new season, which means endless practices, long tournaments, and travelling to games all across the state.

These girls have worked their way to the top as they prove to be the very best at every one of their many practices.

Although their constant practices are a sure way to help them win their tournaments and games, the bond the team has is an important part of how they play.

“The bond that we have as a team makes us overall better because when we come together as a family and it makes us have more fun and the more fun we have as a team the better we do,” said Hayley Busby, junior.

The varsity team faces pressure to succeed as the team follows last year’s state championship win.

“We are not counting on winning state, what we are counting on is making our focus that we are going to get better each day and continue to grow as a group,” said Melissa Hobson, head coach.

JV The junior varsity team has many opportunities to grow as they practice alongside the varsity team and challenge each other as they play.

PHOTO BY CASSIDDY MOORE Andrea Ramos, freshman and Junior Varsity Softball player, prepares to bat during an after school practice . The players were currently doing bunting practice.

All the teams continue Their first game was towards the end the other but we worked really hard March 1, which ended with team started to do the same and kept our hustle up,” said to work hard and persevere the ladies’ first loss. thing,” said Andi Ramos, Nikki Hazelett, freshman, at their practices six days a “And I know later on in the week and are working hard to “The game freshman. went pretty well, Freshmen season we are going to get ev- excel at their games.

The more fun The fresh- erything together and we are In their most recent we started a litgoing to get that win and it’s game, the Eagles beat Red tle slow at the men team startwe have as a beginning but ed off rough going to be extremely grati- Mountain 14-1, Desert Mountain 8-7 and Queen Creek 12towards the mid- team, the better with a difficult fying.”

The freshman team con- 2. dle we picked up loss. we do” “We may tinues to push through their *The Eagles played in on the pitcher, loss and work hard towards a Bullhead Cty tournament and we kept hitnot have won -Hayle Busby while The Talon was printed* ting. However, last night game, the next win.

“

Track and Field team races through change A brand new team and coaching staff challenges the 2016 team

By ALEXA FUENMAYOR

Sports Editor

PHOTO BY ALEXA FUENMAYOR Jim Trischan, head coach, gives the team a pep talk before their meet on March 2.

PHOTO BY ALEXA FUENMAYOR Jaclyn Nesemann, senior, jumps hurdles on March 2 against Mountain Ridge.

Sprinting around the track, discusses flying in the air and jumping high means track and field season is here, and the team is ready to fight to the finish.

Similar to many sports teams this year, track and field was no different when a new coaching staff was hired.

“Of course, I wish we had the old coaching staff because we’ve been around them for almost four years but the new coaching staff is good,” said Eric Moss, senior and discus captain.

The team also gained a lot of freshmen.

“It’s a struggle because you have to maintain all of them but there are definitely a couple of really good kids out there,” Moss said.

The team’s first meet was March 2 against Mountain Ridge and Liberty at home.

“The first meet is always all over the place because no one really knows the hang of it yet, but it went smoothly,

no one false started, everyone had good times and we all ran our best. It’s just the beginning for us,” said Jaclyn Nesemann, senior and hurdler.

Continuing with a tough schedule, the next home meet will be Apr. 4 against Pinnacle and Paradise Valley.* “We’re a really young team with mostly freshmen so we have a lot of potential but just building up to that

is going to take a lot of work and dedication,” Nesemann said. *The Talon was at the printer during the meet at Boulder Creek (on March 9) against Boulder Creek and North Canyon, the Brophy Invitational (on March 10) and the Horizon Invitational (on March 11). Results can be viewed on azpreps365.com.

PHOTO BY ALEXA FUENMAYOR Evan Chavez, freshman, races an opponent from Mountain Ridge High School.

The Talon

thetalonohs.com

March 2016

19

Baseball team hangs hopes on experience PHOTOS COURTESY OF JENNIFER WYATT Left: The OHS Eagles varsity baseball team stands on the field for the star-spangled banner before their first home game against Basha High School, a game they won 6-2.

Below: Nolan Gorman, sophomore, gets ready to throw across the diamond for an out.

By COLBY WYATT

Sports Editor

The OHS baseball season has started, and the varsity team had a record of 7-3 at the time The Talon went to the printer March 10.

The team thinks that it’s going to take an effort to do well this year.

“We’ve got a bunch of good guys and we’ve all played together for a long time so we should be pretty good,” said Max Peters, senior. “We’re going to work as a team and try to get as many wins as we can.”

Along with experience, everyone is ready to do their part and give personal stats and accolades up if it means helping the team.

“I just want to play my hardest for the team, whatever I can do to contribute to the team,” said Trey Patnoe, senior.

Team members said all their sacrifices can lead to their ultimate goal.

“We want to make it to the state championship and to get there we’re going to put in a lot of extra work and we’re going to have to do all the little things right,” said Tanner Baker, senior.

Baker and Peters have been on varsity for the last

four years, so they believe their experience can help lead to success.

“I’ve had a lot of experience I’d like to think with teams and adversity so hopefully I can pass that on to the younger guys and help us throughout the whole season.” Peters said.

Baker added, “I can bring a lot of experience because I’ve been there before like in the stadiums and stuff like that when it comes to playoffs. I’m also helping out the younger guys on the team and trying to lead everyone in the right direction” JV As for the JV team, they believe it will be pitching that carries them to success.

“We’ve got plenty of

day, if we can win every day, we’ll go 18-0.”

Coach Bob Invitational Ever wonder why it seems like there is always games on the baseball fields around the time of spring break?

That is the Coach Bob National Invitational, a national tournament that OHS

PHOTO COURTESY OF PERFECT GAME The Coach Bob National Invitational is a tournament hosted by OHS every year. pitchers and I think we’re going to have a really good season,” said Mitchell Decovich, sophomore.

They are excited for their chance to be varsity players and get an opportunity to prove themselves.

“Most of us are going to move up or get to that point to where we figure out what to do to move up and just continue from there,” Decovich said.

PHOTO COURTESY OF JENNIFER WYATT Austin Wiskow, senior, throws a pitch.

“Our best attribute is our hitting, we’re pretty solid at the plate,” said Cal Lambert, freshman. “Even if we have bad pitching, we’ll make up for it in our runs. Our goal is to go 1-0 each

Freshmen The freshmen team, on the other hand, will rely on their hitting for success.

co-hosts with Boulder Creek.

“The Coach Bob Tournament started 14 years ago, our first year of varsity. The tournament we were going to play in dropped out, so we ended up hosting a tournament with eight teams,” said Jeff Baumgartner, varsity head coach.

Baumgartner has been the varsity coach since the school’s inception.

The tournament has grown immensely since the first couple of tournaments that OHS hosted.

“The biggest reason for growth is because all those

teams from out of state want The tournament takes to come here and get out of place from March 21 to April the rain,” Baumgartner said. 2 this year, with the varsity “We used to only have two team playing a minimum of Arizona host teams between nine games over the two week us and Boulder Creek so we period. The Eagles will play could only have around 15 teams from Colorado, Oreto 24 teams but then once we gon, Virginia, New York and started expanding to other California. host sites that allowed us to get it to what it is this year which is like 113 teams.”

The namesake for the tournament is Bob Weinheimer, a former assistant coach at Boulder Creek who passed away a few years ago.

The tournament is a benefit to the varsity team as it allows them to match up against teams from all around the country.

Zak Elms, sophomore, will get his first chance to play in the tournament this year and will enjoy playing against some of the different teams.

“I’m excited to see all the different high schools from around the nation and just see how good we are,” Elms said.

The tournament also brings lots of people, especially scouts, to the school.

“The best part of playing in it is all the people coming out to watch us and all the games we get to play,” PHOTO COURTESY OF JENNIFER WYATT Patnoe said. “A lot more Max Peters, senior, has been on the varsity people come out and it’s baseball team since his freshman year a fun atmosphere.”

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