The View _ February

– page 2

Go to DVThundermedia.com for more news, slideshows and more!

February 2011

still important?

Possibility of

Internet taking

over The View.

– page 3

People show way too much PDA. Read what students think in a Valentine’s Day opinion.

SPORTS

competitions.

Are newspapers

FEATURES

Talented TSTDC members rigorously rehearse to prepare for national

OPINIONS

NEWS

February 2011

The View – page 4

Desert Vista High School

Learn more about basketball player Danny Powell, this month’s featured athlete.

– page 7

Volume 15, Issue 5

Dash for Darfur

STAND race to raise for genocide victims in Africa on Saturday

by Jessica Tueller Staff Writer

Nicole Salsburg/The View

Angel Lam, president of the HOSA club, studies with Brandon Djaja, to ensure excellence on the upcoming online testing.

Future Life Savers

HOSA prepares for competitions and careers

by Nicole Salsburg Staff Writer

Imagine the feeling of accomplishment one might have if he or she saved a life. Right here, right now, students are working hard learning how to work with medicine and save lives. The Health Occupation Students of America club, also known as HOSA, meets every other Tuesday after school. HOSA gives students the ability to study medicine, and it supports skill development through state and national competitive events.

Every year HOSA has a State Conference and a National Conference. In the past, there have been many individual successes.

“It’s hard to prepare for these competitions because other schools have special daily classes that supports the study of medicine. Whereas, our club only meets once every other week,” explained HOSA sponsor Mrs. Brigit Musheno.

Having such little time to work

shows that these members have a lot of commitment. These hard working students must find time on their own to study and prepare for these competitions.

They dedicate their spare time to study life science, but it pays off; HOSA has won first place in the National Conference in the past.

Soon there will be online testing for the HOSA club.

However, filling in bubbles isn’t the only thing they work to accomplish. “During competitions, competitors have to perform real life saving moves, such as CPR, to real people in the room, in front of judges,” said Musheno. The students who score highest on the online test make it to the State Conference.

The top three people in State advance to Nationals, which will be happening in April.

HOSA definitely opens up many great opportunities for students If you’re interested in anything from public speaking to performing a life saving medical treatment, HOSA might just be your beaker of tea.

Nine o’clock on Saturday, January 29th, students braved the cold morning and dashed for Darfur. “This is the 5th annual Dash for Darfur,” said STAND sponsor Laurie Wiesinger. “The money raised by this event funds several programs that help victims of genocide, primarily in the Darfur region of Sudan.”

Volunteer Japna Ahuja said “We’re just making everyone aware of what’s happening and raising money for the kids there who are being affected.”

Although the race is STAND sponsored, National Honor Society members Japna Ahuja and Hayley Schwartz showed up to help. “They have some NHS volunteers here for hours,” said Schwartz, “but STAND runs it.”

STAND has been fundraising for the people suffering in

Jessica Tueller/The View

The first runner comes in cheering after one lap around Desert Vista campus at the fifth annual Dash for Darfur 5k run.

Darfur every year of Ahuja’s highschool career. “I was in STAND freshman year and then sophomore year I was a student representative. Then this year we’re (Schwartz and I) just helping out because we’re in NHS. So I’ve been involved for three years.”

This year, appearances were few. Ahuja guesses that twenty runners showed up. They’ve had bigger turn outs other years, but this year was less advertised.

Hopefully more people will show up next year to help STAND fundraise for this cause.

Brawl Tournament

Anime club hosts the Super Smash Bros Brawl

by Isabelle Tuli Staff Writer

Isabelle Tuli/The View

Participants were able to choose from a variety of characters to play with.

The smell of cheese pizza wafted through the crowded classroom and all eyes were diverted to the front screen.

It was after school on Friday, January 28 and the annual Super Smash Bros Brawl tournament was in full motion. The event was happily hosted by the anime club, “The best part of being the instructor of this club is seeing the students hav-

ing fun,” said Stephanie Smith, who has sponsored the club for a year and a half, referring to the dedicated members: “The students are a great group and are self sufficient.”

The widely popular game, Super Smash Bros Brawl, is the third installment in Nintendo’s Super Smash Bros series. It is a unique crossover fighting game for the Wii where you can choose your fights location and Continued on pg. 2 “Brawl”

2 NEWS Speech Warriors TSTDC prepares for National Qualifiers

The View February 2011

Worldly Lack AP World History no longer offered

by Jessica Tueller Staff Writer

Nicole Salsburg/The View

Jason Cowan, Tony Garvey, Jay Raju, and Corrine Carlton (left to right) practice Public Forum Debate, preparing for a tournament at Central High School.

by Nicole Salsburg Staff Writer

It’s 9:00 at night and there are still students acting their hearts out in the black box in the A building. Who are they? The Thunder Speech Theater and Debate Company stays after school most days of the week and works hard, to prepare for upcoming tournaments.

On February 5th 2011, the team traveled to Central High School, to compete against 40 other Arizona high schools. Many individuals competed successfully, becominging finalists (in the top six). “When I’m on stage this rush of excitement comes over me,” said sophomore TSTDC member Kyle Fisher. “As I hear the other competitor’s names being called, I get more and more anxious as I get closer to the top. When they announce what I place I got, I am just really happy that I made it this far.”

Others took home the big trophy, coming in first place in their event, whether it be in acting, speaking, or debating.

Desert Vista also won the

tournament sweepstakes, collecting the highest ranks overall throughout the day.

This March is the National Qualifiers, where students compete for the spot in the National Tournament, held in Texas over the summer. Preparing for National Qualifiers takes a lot of work and commitment.

“Preparing for State and Nat Quals is hard,” said Fisher, “but

event get to compete. How are the best determined? Through the National Qualifier competition, this year to be held at Glendale Community College.

TSTDC is working hard so they can spend summer at Speech and Debate camp, and take first place at the National Tournament. Even though for some, they have seen the last tournament of the season, others will still be working hard the rest of the year. Most will even begin preparing their pieces for next year.

“The best thing about State, and all tournaments really, is the experience,” said Fisher. “It is vital in any career and especially Speech and Debate. We are competing against high quality people throughout the state, and when we make it to finals, it’s a great feeling to say you are one of the best in the state.”

If you have any interest in arguing about politics, presenting on a subject you have a passion for, or acting out characters from funny or dramatic plays, TSTDC is just the club for you.

Join the team next year, and you too could be standing on a stage in front of tons of people accepting first place and holding that trophy in your talented hands.

“The best thing about State, and all tournaments really, is the experience.”

I just try to get as much coaching sessions as I possibly can. I am putting up a new piece and I am trying to think creatively, and might bring an actual door in for a prop. I am also re-cutting my pieces and making them as close to perfect as I can.”

This has been a very successful year for this talented company, but it’s not over yet. At Nationals, only the top people in each

To-be-sophomores crowd into the auditorium and take their seats as a counselor pulls up a PowerPoint. As everyone opens their booklets, she says, “Oh, and cross off AP World History. It will not be offered next year.”

Many students expressed confusion and disappointment at this announcement. The lack of AP World means that all sophomores will be required to choose between Honors and Regular World History/ Geography instead.

“I am very disappointed that AP World History will not be offered,” said freshman Rajeev Parvathala. Parvathala is currently taking the elective credit AP Human Geography. It is the only social studies class offered to freshman, and it’s 35 students are eager to stay on the AP track. Parvathala continued, “I was looking forward to taking a rigorous course on world history and being able to get AP credit for it, but now

that won’t be possible.”

Another AP Human Geography student, freshman Jennifer Zhang, was also disappointed: “Coming from other school districts, I have noticed AP World History to be a rather universal class that I was looking forward to taking . . . and while the Honors World History course might make up for this, the course still cannot be as fast-paced and as in-depth as AP World History would be.”

Complaints have also arisen because 2014 will be the first class without this course option. It is, as Zhang said, “unfair.”

But why did AP World History suddenly drop off the course list? Mrs. Schmidt said that it is a personal subject: “I made the decision to stop teaching the course, no one made it for me.” Overall, it is Mrs. Schmidt’s class and her decision, but that won’t stop many students from being disappointed.

Right now, AP World History is gone, and does not seem to be coming back.

Jessica Tueller/The View

Best way to brawl

Continued from page 1

the character you want to battle with. The object of the game is simply to knock your opponent off of the screen.

Those who attended the event had to pay only a 3 dollar fee to participate, with an added bonus of delicious pizza. And with a little extra pay, a plethora of sodas and chips. The players could choose from a variety of well known characters, from Mario to Pikachu, to battle their formidable opponents with. With a six minute time limit, the contestants fought for best two out of three to move on to the next round. The winner would walk away with a $20 gift certificate, a ribbon declaring first place, and best of all, a little Yoshi stuffed animal. The runner up would receive a $15 gift card.

Come join the anime club every Thursday from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. in room C-108 to experience a taste of Japanese culture.

OPINIONS 3

The View February 2011

A view of The View

Professors Packing Heat

by Kelly Bodine Staff Writer

People need to know what is going on in the world around them. I hate being out of the loop. Thankfully The View is written specifically to share the secrets and knowledge that surrounds our lives. It’s the job of the staff to grasps all the details that we can and share. As media outlets change around the world, so does the concept of the school newspaper.

“The View is an important part of our school,” Amanda King, Senior said “It keeps us up to date on everything here at DV.” Mr. Marrero, the Spirit and Student Council instructor added, “If The View can find a way to transform itself to the era of technology, such as Facebook, then it would still live, we long for what’s happening in our school.”

Teens across the country are using computers, iPods and smartphones for communication. They don’t use paper as much as their

Proposed bill would put classrooms in the lime light and students in danger.

by Joseph Beck Staff Writer

Kelly Bodine/The View

Hallie Johnson enjoys this January’s issue of The View. keyboards and touch screens.

The View wants to lure in more of their readers as it’s stories make it to the websites that beckon teenagers to actively read, engage and become more civicminded. The goal of the View is to work its way on to the screens of laptops and iTouches. It’s the direction that local and national newspapers are going at this time and it’s the direction that high school journalism and the schools they serve needs to embrace.

The View in my opinion should do everything it can to keep Des-

ert Vista students coming back for more. That includes finding more ways to reach our audience.

This place might seem like just brick walls and grey stairways, but everyone has a story. Students should have no reason to wonder about what is happening here. The school newspaper focuses on bringing out the values, recognizes achievers, and letting people in on action.

Issues can be found in classrooms all over the school as well as the office. All you have to do to believe me, is grab a copy.

The Good, the Bad, and the Others

Questioning what it takes to categorize teachers

by Mason Roberts Staff Writer

Teachers, instructors, educators, whatever you choose to call one, we have all had them at some point and most are good, others seem to be something from the ninth circle. You might be wondering what it is that makes a quality teacher versus that inhumane dog herder. Well I embarked on a school wide search for answers. It lead me to some pretty interesting opinions.

For starters, I personally believe a good teacher requires a set of traits. Of course the need to be patient is on the list,

but the need to have integrity as well as a charitable heart, and a kindness that knows no bounds. helps too. There has to be a certain curiosity that shows while you are trying to learn from them, they are trying to learn from you and about as much experience as can fill a gallon jug.

Now I know a bad teacher by the look in his or her eye, the attitude he has as he marches into the room giving off a presence of anger and I think, a hint of... jealousy? But enough about my opinion let’s hear from some of our interviews.

“My instructors need to be

Mrs.Michele Stanley helps a student in her bio class

Mason Roberts/ The View

young enough to reach me, but know a lot about their subject,” said Arya Saba, a sophomore at Desert Vista High School.

He seemed to be into a more relaxed, but still inspiring educational experience. “The worst teacher I ever had seemed incapable of finding our papers, and such a silver tongue he made us believe we were to blame.” Our friend Arya has had enough reliving of poor quality teachers, so I moved on.

“In third grade I had this teacher and she was the sweetest old lady. She use to smell like warm jelly beans and she brought in a bunny every Friday named Mr. Snuggles,” said freshman student Kailyn Sanders. She clearly had a very cushy time with her teacher. I can’t wait to see who got on her bad side.

“In sixth grade, my English teacher was so awful. She assigned homework EVERY night! What kind of devil worshiper does that!?”

Yes Kailyn, what kind of devil worshipping teacher assigns homework?

Our last interviewee is another freshman named Alexis Con-

Jared Loughner bought his gun legally. He was carrying it in a legal fashion. The extended clip, which allowed him to spray bullets into the crowd, was also obtained legally. Loughner was obviously not of sound mind, yet he was allowed to purchase and carry his firearm into point blank range of the United States Congresswoman he intended to assassinate. His actions caused the death of nine people including a nine-year-old girl. A brief mental health exam, or background check of his digital footprint, would have given more than enough concern to keep him from buying a semi-automatic pistol.

The shooting left the country shell-shocked, but is it enough to lobby for higher regulations?

The second amendment of the constitution guarantees Americans the right to bear arms, but how far should that right extend.

Should they be allowed in bars?

How about nursing homes?

Should they need a permit? Arizona has the some of the loosest gun laws in the Union. Therefore, it is not surprising that events like the Tucson Tragedy occur within our state. Even still, a bill has been proposed in the Arizona legislature that would expose us to even more violence.

If Columbine taught us anything it should be that schools are no place for firearms. Desert Vista security guard, Jim Snow, is convinced that having firearms present on campus would create an unacceptably dangerous atmosphere. “If you are not trained extensively in gun use than you

nors. “I have had a pretty fair batch of teachers every year,” she said. “No one teacher particularly sticks out as great or not so great. But I did hear about this one teacher who locked a little girl in a jagged pipe room where you could not sit down, and there were no walls to lean on! It sounded horrible!”

As it would appear the closest Alexis came to a bad teacher was a movie about a psychic girl. I guess that bad teachers are harder to find than I thought!

I wanted to interview a teacher

are likely to use it incorrectly.”

Furthermore, Desert Vista, like all high schools, has its share of fights; and some and with more than just hurt feelings. Such scuffles would become much more volatile when there are bullets flying instead of punches.

Snow worked as a Special agent for the FBI for twenty years before becoming a security guard for our school. He is particularly concerned that the confusion could prove fatal when so many are reaching for their safety releases. “Once, while I was working as an agent, we were pursuing a young man with a knife.

The kid was warned to drop the weapon. When he didn’t, the officers behind me fired 54 shots, only six hit their intended target.

The other 48 hit a wall behind him.” The most frightening part of this scenario is that the people firing were trained professionals.

The majorities of gun owners, however, are not trained, nor are they professionals by any definition. That, added to the ease with which one may obtain a fire arm in our great state, makes for a loaded powder keg. If you know where to look, an adult without any form of background or mental health check can legally obtain a firearm.

Guns have been the beginning and end of many of our country’s great tragedies: Columbine, Virginia Tech, and the Giffords shooting. The answer is not more guns, but less.

Proposing that guns should be present at school is not only foolish but irresponsible as well. For the overall health of the school system, it is imperative that this bill be shot down.

to find out some inside information on how the teachers get hired, what kind of screening process they have to go through to get hired that sort of thing but I could not seem to find an available teacher or office official.

I guess for now it will remain a mystery as to how some teachers gets their jobs and what rigorous challenges they face. So the real question is, what do you think makes a teacher good, bad or just plain ugly?

Find your True Love

4

February 2011

Data Match is prom’s biggest fund raiser for a reason.

Shannon Masel

T

Staff Writer

o some students, data match is just another fund raiser to increase holiday spirit. But to juniors and seniors, it is the main reason why they get to have such a fun prom. “Data match raises several hundred dollars.

It’s our biggest fund raiser,” said Mrs. Boggs of prom committee. Brenna Goodwin, a junior on prom committee, says that she will for sure be buying her results. “It is a really useful tool to help the lonely souls of Desert Vista find their soul mates,” said Goodwin.

Are the results accurate? Can you really find your “true love”?

Well, maybe not. But you can find a valentine that you can get along with. Japna Ahuja, junior, met her boyfriend of this year from Data Match last year.

“We didn’t date or anything til this year, but last year when I bought my Data Match, it said that we were the perfect match,” said Ahuja.

Not only is it helpful, but the survey is fun too. “My favorite question is “Who’s your favorite TV dad?” I guess what sitcoms we watch is important for compatibility,” said Sara Delaney, a member of prom committee.

Help our seniors have an awesome prom, and find a valentine along the way. The results from Data Match will be available for purchase for $3.

Shannon Masel/The View

Mikayla Greene, freshman, reads her Data Match after waiting in the long line.

by Chrissy Grandell Staff Writer

We asked students around campus what they do when they like someone, and what they do when they don’t.

CENTERSPREAD

Do YOU Like or Dislike Valentines Day? Why?

PDA: How much is too much?

Staff Writer

Students come to school everyday with their boyfriends and girlfriends, but not all of the couples at Desert Vista are married and work together.

Security guards Walt and Janet have been married for 28 years, and every morning they get up and come to work together like they have been for 17 years.

The two met in 1983 when Janet walked into the bar that Walt was working at. They hit it off, and started dating. Five years later they decided to get married when Walt popped the question on a Dinner Date. “We got married in my dads backyard in July, it was great, but a little hot,” says Walt of remembering their wedding day.

Walt and Janet have three children today, two boys and a girl. When

What is so annoying about the day that it requires a party?

I am single this year and don’t want a valentine. I just want to have fun with my friends.

What if someone asks you to be their valentine?

I guess I’d invite them to my anti-valentine day party. But that would be weird.

Have you always disliked the holiday, or is it your relationship status talking?

Well maybe it’s because I am single, but I still think that the holiday is

Willy Carter The classic guy: Willy sticks to dinner and flowers for his sweetheart.

by Chrissy Grandell Staff Writer

they are not working at school, or spending time with their family, the two enjoy spending quality time together. “We like to go to the movies and go on walks together,” says Janet.

As Valentines Day approached they look back on all of the special moments that they have spent together. “My favorite memory of Valentines Day is when I had flowers delivered to her here at DV,” said Walt. It will be hard for him to top that this year!

After being married for 28 years it is clear that this couple enjoys spending time together. For 17 out of those 28 years they have been getting up in the morning, going to work together, and going home together. In all of this spending time together at DV they still find time to go out and spend more quality time together. They are truly Desert Vista’s power couple. It is a match made in heaven.

What is your favorite part of the holiday?

The girls. And candy.

What is your dream date for Valentine’s day?

Walk on the beach, a nice dinner, and, of course, a romantic helicopter ride through the city.

Abgrall Do you find V-day cheesy?

Yes, but in the best way possible. You just have to have fun with it.

Chrissy Grandell/The View

In your opinion, why do people hate Valentine’s day?

They are bitter and think that no one wants to be their valentine!

Around campus, PDA has become a frequent sight as students and teachers travel from class to class throughout the day. more Jake Osmun.

It seems that the couples do not mind their public display as much as all of the single people.

Even teachers think it is inappropriately awkward.

“Ugh, can you spell blah?” said Rachel Proudfoot, PE teacher. “When I was in school, anytime you saw a teacher, you would stop holding hands or stop doing whatever you were doing. Now I guess the cultures

“It might be a little weird, but when I like someone I wink, bat my eyelashes.

Blow kisses.

If they do not interest “When I’m into a guy, me I ignore I flirt a lot and become them whenreally awkward. When I ever I can.” don’t I don’t notice them -Chloe around school. SomeMcNeal times on purpose.”

-Ashlinn Vercelli

by Brittany Woolgar

A lot of people do not look forward to the holiday. But are they throwing a party to denounce it?

super cheesy.

5

Partners In Crime (stopping)

Mia Vollaro

What’s your take on PDA? Gross? Unnecessary?

Or maybe even cute?

“Get a room!” is something often shouted to students displaying PDA. PDA is short for public display of affection. Everybody is so overjoyed that you got yourself a date, but is it necessary to let everyone know by your physical actions?

“I think it’s alright to give a quick kiss and hug goodbye, or hold hands across campus. But to have a rated R make out session in the middle of the hallway is just gross. Honestly, nobody wants to see that,” said freshman, Alexis Flesey.

Most feel that PDA is really just inappropriate on a school campus, and that if it is necessary to do those kinds of things with a boyfriend or girlfriend, that it should not be done on somebody else’s time.

“As gross and disgusting as I think it is, It’s one of those things that you can’t help but to stare for some reason,” said sopho-

The View

have changed. Students should be respectful. If students can remember that school is not a place for it. We should show our affections in other ways.”

Obviously times have changed among teenagers, and different things are thought of to be acceptable. But according to students and staff of the Desert Vista campus, PDA, should be turned into PDA… personal display of affection.

“When I like someone, I creep via Facebook/ Formspring.

All day long.

When I don’t like someone, I run away, fast.”

-Luke Stratton

Love Through Lyrics

by Brittany Woolgar Staff Writer

Whether it is a bad day, a good day or even a broken heart, there is always a song you can turn on and jam out too. Love songs have been around for hundreds and hundreds of years, and they have always been a way for people to express their feelings without saying anything. Out of the ten best songs in 2010, picked

by AOL, six of them are love songs.

Sure love songs now have a different rhythm than love songs from the 1900’s but when you look at the lyrics, they are all saying the same thing.

After asking some teachers at Desert Vista what their favorite love song was they came up with the following; Livin’ On A Prayer by Bon Jovi, Every Breath You Take by The Police, and What’s Love Got To Do With It

by Tina Turner. The songs previously listed are some of the most famous love songs of the 80’s and 90’s. Sure these songs have much different melodies and takes on the lyrics than music now, but they all seem to have the same meaning.

Some of the songs students of Desert

Vista enjoy are; Love Story by Taylor Swift, My Heart Will Go On by Céline Dion, and Sparks Fly also by Taylor Swift. Love songs have different effects on people. And everyone likes them for different reasons.

Sophomore Madi Nahmias says, “My favorite love song is Baby Blue Eyes by Rocket To The Moon because I love the lyrics and it has a great melody.” Other students enjoy love songs because it is an escape from reality. “I enjoy love songs because they allow me to dream of that fairy tale ending,” says Sophomore Alyssa Goldberg.

All in all love songs express feelings that people are sometimes to shy to hide. Whether it is from the 80’s or today, they can put you in a great

Heart-Shaped Memories Students aren’t the only one who have special Valentine’s Day memories, teachers possess them as well.

Melissa Dean Staff Writer

Abgrall Melissa Dean/The View

mood.

Leinberger Melissa Dean/The View

Everyone has a special memory, whether it’s your first day of school or when you first learned to ride a bike.

But when it comes to well-known holidays, such as the famous Valentines Day, everyone has a special memory that was either shared with friends, or their “special” someone.

With all of the memories that are created for ourselves, they certainly can make us smile, and make our day with the simplest of things.

For many of our teachers, their favorite memories from Valentines Day consisted of a happy memory from their early childhood.

“My favorite memory from Valentines Day was when I was in the second grade,” said English teacher Mr. Abgrall. “ We passed out valentines and I got a lot of them, and then shared them with others”.

Whether the heart-filled day is full

of love, happiness, kindness, or all of the above, for many of us, a smile is planted right on our faces that others give us with the things that they do for us.

For others, their Valentines Day memories were filled with laughs, unusual costumes, and flowers to make their day a little bit brighter.

“My favorite Valentines Day memory was when I was in high school, and a man in a gorilla costume came to my house and delivered a rose that has a clip-on gorilla on it,” said Mrs. Leinberger.

With all of the memories that are created for ourselves, they certainly can make us smile, and make our day with the simplest of things.

Valentines Day is a day to celebrate your love for others and their love for you, but other than that, the memories that are created on that day can leave imprints on you forever.

6 Campus News

The View February 2011

>>DV community gives back to one who cares. See slideshow on dvthundermeida.com

Nurse Kennedy thanks Dr. Battle with an embrace.

Kennedy drew a smile on her head.

Jean Kennedy accepts donation of check, gift card and sick days.

Overcome with emotion

School nurse fight to beat breast cancer

Bank on it

Desert Vista takes care of its own kind with $11,000 check

C

by Roseana Cruz

lubs around campus got a chance to aid a woman who always helps those who are sick, beloved school nurse, Jean Kennedy, who has been diagnosed with breast cancer.

Social Studies teacher and Community Counts sponsor, Kathy Shamley organized the contributions which amounted to $11,175. It took about two weeks to collect all the donations, done right under Kennedy’s nose. She got the idea when Key Club made a donation to Mrs. Kennedy around Christmas time.

“She gives everything up for the students,” said Shamley.

“So it was time for the students to give back.”

Kennedy, was diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer in late November. She’s had a double mastectomy and continues

to visit the doctor for regular Chemotherapy, radiation, and blood tests. This results in a $50 burden for each doctor appointment, $150 a week just for co-payments of what insurance will not cover, and can add up to $300 total for a week treatment. As Shamley noted, “Cancer is expensive.”

On February 2nd, teachers, counselors, administrators, and Brian Kennedy, Mrs. Kennedy’s husband, gathered in the counseling office to surprise the school nurse with the check. The recipient was invited to the event without any idea what was going on, but was obviously suspicious.

“I didn’t know what was happening but I thought I would try to make a happy face,” said Kennedy to the group. At this comment, she turned around and took off her hat, revealing a smiley face she had drawn on the back of her head, and the room roared with laughter.

Finally, Shamley made the

announcement and handed her the check. “Cancer sucks” was written on the back of the envelope which contained the check.

“It just seems unfair that you [to Ms. Kennedy] should have to worry about money when you’ve got enough on your plate.”

Kennedy was overwhelmed.

There were many shouts of “Oh my!” and “I can’t believe this!” In between tears of joy she expressed her gratitude toward her loving community at Desert Vista.

“I could not have hand chosen a better family in my life,” said Kennedy. “I feel like I won the lottery. My heart’s about to jump out of my chest.”

Shamley brings up the subject of reconstruction after Kennedy’s mastectomy and hints that another fund will be necessary, saying “This may only be round one.”

photos by Michelle Coro

Getting cancer was not how the nurse expected to spend this year. Getting this check from clubs will his helping her financially and really increased morale.

7 SPORTS

The View February 2011

Sports classes make students chose

by Ellie Bell

they don’t make very much sense to me and I wish it was just the old way. If it’s for our sport, Athletes planning to take the that’s why we got to a team outfield or the court next year had side of school,” said Freshman to do some intense thinking, Michaela Duarte. juggling and switching while registering for next year’s classes. The system will be easier for the coaches and teachers to know Students were strongly encouraged that if they plan to play next what the kids are doing so they year, they need to take a specific can all be on the same page with practices and workouts.

Advanced Physical Education “I don’t like the idea but if class according to their chosen it means I will be better at my sport. sport then I guess it’s okay,” said The plan is that students will be placed in whatever sport they Freshman Courtney Hayes.

It also means that counselors are play, such as all the tennis playgoing to have to work at geters will be together and all the football players will be in a class. ting athletes into classes that a student has chosen, or help them Students will enjoy the fact that make choices if schedules can’t they are training for their sport be worked out in a satisfactory but they will also want to have way that everyone who wants to been with their friends.

“The new P.E. classes are weird, play and learn can live with.

Staff Writer

Pens ready for four-year commitments

Michelle Coro/Thundermedia

Chris Gosselin, Nicole Adams, and Katelynn Tupponce hold up their athletic contracts.

Prized Desert Vista athletes commit to college sports on signing day.

by Michelle Abunaja Staff Writer

Bright stage lights illuminate the faces of Desert Vista’s most recognized athletes. Sitting behind red tables, their coaches put in a good word for them before the students sign with their future colleges.

“This is a commitment for four years. So it’s tough to think about as soon as you sign that paper you’re making a commitment to play sports somewhere far away from home and be there for a long time,” said Michael Ingrassia. This is not the only mentality toward signing those papers. There is also a huge optimism and relief when

inscribing ones decision through a signature on paper.

Signing Day was Wednesday, February 7, 2011, at Desert Vista and around the nation. Some athletes feel relieved and others still feel the stress of decision.

“It was a cool atmosphere,” said Jalon Bibbs “people watching you sign and everything and just getting your decision out of the way and finally knowing what you’re going to do and where you’re going to go for the next four years,” Bibbs is ready to play football for Northern State University.

Sean Coffinger, plans to go to Columbia to play football and the only words he could get out were “I’m so excited,”

Though that is not the same for football player and track runner Ingrassia who is still trying to figure out whether to play football or track. “I’d rather play football but my talent is more track based so I have a lot more opportunities that way, so I’m kind of just, struggling to decide,” said Ingrassia. Fortunately enough there is another signing day in spring so there is a “grace period” for athletes to make their decision.

Though signing day is a huge event, planning for future college years that’s not the only thing some athletes have in mind. Jalon Bibbs plans to major in criminal justice while going to NSU. “Well everyone wants to go to the highest level when they’re

Staff/The View playing sports but realistically not everyone makes it but that would be awesome if I did,” said Bibbs. With that idea in mind he hopes to get a job in that field.

Signing Day was a huge event for the notable athletes of Desert Vista. With pens ready they wrote in their signature and their decision for the next four years.

Spotlight on: Danny Powell

by Michelle Abunaja Staff Writer

Q. What college are you planning on going to?

A. College undecided but is in between San Francisco Portland, central Michigan, and Stanford Q. How did you get into basketball?

A. “When I was little my dad took me up to the park and I saw the guys playing over there and I started playing with the them and started making friends over there, and playing with the older kids, and I did it and wanted to be the best at it and go all the way. Like that’s what every kid who plays it wants to do.”

Q. How old were you when you started playing basketball?

A. “I was 7 years old” Q. Do you play any other sports besides basketball?

A. “No I don’t, just basketball” Q. What makes you love basketball and keep playing?

A. It’s a really rhythmic game, and it’s hard to explain. It’s just fast pace and its fun. Basketball is not like a sport like baseball where there’s a lot of stopped plays and stuff like that. It’s a lot of up and down and running and playing and its just rhythm you know? And its just great because

it’s a team sport so I mean. It’s just an exciting sport.

Q. Recently you were recognized in the Ahwatukee Foothills News, how did it feel to be in the local paper?

A. “It feels awesome to be in the Ahwatukee paper because I feel really welcome into the community since I just moved out here so that was cool to get that kind of recognition.”

Q. Where did you move from?

A. “I moved out here from mesa.”

-Height: 6’7 -Weight: 220 lbs

Michelle Abunaja/The View

Danny Powell prepares to take a shot in Dv’s game against Mesa.

REAR VIEW

8

The View February 2011

From the bottom of my heart . . .

Best (and worst) gifts to give to your valentine on February the 14th Adriana Ramos

by Nicole Salsburg

H Staff Writer

ope you had a Happy Valentine’s Day! When half the school kisses their soul mate, and the other half weeps from seeing the happy couples. But I know the gift that could cheer anyone up on Valentines Day, single, or happily in love. Chocolates.

Dark chocolate, light chocolate, chocolate with almonds, to chocolate with a fruit cream filling. There is always a chocolate for everyone out there. Walk into a store this time of the year, and the first thing you see are big balloons and big cheesy stuffed animals. Although these things may be cute, no one

wants to carry them around school all day. But, if you round the corner of the shop, you’ll see walls and shelves, and shelves and walls, full of glorious chocolate. Chocolate in heart shaped boxes, and heart shaped chocolates in square boxes.

Chocolates come in bags, and chocolates come in containers.

Clearly, with so many different assortments of these delicious treats, chocolate is the best gift to get anyone on Valentine’s Day. There is a movie dedicated to chocolate. You’ve heard of it, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Have you ever heard of the movie, Bob and the Big Balloon Factory? No, because the world favors chocolate. Looking to sweep a girl off her feet, or maybe get a guy to like you, 290 calories of pure goodness is the way to go! However, even

though chocolate may be the top gift, flowers are definitely the second best. With hundreds of different types of flowers in the world, it’s not hard to pick one, and be amazed. A rose says love, and a carnation says beauty. For those guys who are looking for a girl to fall in love before the first date, combine chocolates and roses, and they are all yours.

Flowers are simple to get, and simple to give. So if you want the best Valentine’s Day ever, stick with your flowers and a heart shaped box of chocolates.

And I suppose, if you want to go over the top, throw in a gigantic stuffed dog, and a balloon that says, “I love you.”

It is clearly known that giving chocolates and roses is the best gift to give on Valentine’s Day. But wondering what the worst gifts are? Although cakes may

by nice, what do they really mean? Honestly giving someone a full cake just for himself or herself is sweet, but it’s hurting them more than pleasing them.

A sugary cake, topped with a sugary icing, with cute little, sugary, words that say “Be Mine”, can add a few extra pounds to someone’s day. With image being so crucial in high school, maybe giving someone a 4,000-calorie mini cake is not the best option.

Dogs! Everyone loves dogs’ right? Especially big ones that are stuffed. Yes, it’s cute to receive one, but think, ‘What am I actually going to do with this when I get home.’ It is probably going to sit on the shelf in your closet, collecting dust. So instead, save your honey some money, and tell them all you truly want is chocolate. But if you are still obsessed with dogs, a small one with a heart dog tag would work just fine. All in all, any gift is sweet to give, but some just stand out among the rest.

Best gift: Jewelry, especially necklaces Worst gift: Perfume, sends a message that I smell bad Favorite part: Spending valentine’s day with my boyfriend

Marysa Leyva

Best gift: Flowers, especially roses Worst gift: anything big or obnoxious Favorite part: All the pink