Gra nger High School
Tri-Color Times West side kids unite for Darfur an open forum for student opinion and expression
Megan McManama Cyprus,
Granger, and Kearns High schools have finished a series of ‘Save Darfur’ concerts, held on three nights, once at each of the schools. Talented students such as tap dancers, modern dancers, madrigals, and American Sign Language clubs all performed works dedicated to the people of Darfur. The goal was to make $2500. However they raised $10,000. Josh Adams, a history teacher from Cyprus high school began the effort to increase awareness of Darfur. Students watched “A Journey to Darfur”, a powerful documentary by George Clooney and his father Nick Clooney. Adams said, “The highest majority of young people had no clue that this was even going on, and they were genuinely horrified. I have always been a proponent of activism in young students and for
the first time, there was no need to convince them to act. They wanted to help.” Immediately they became involved, and Adams recruited students and teachers at Granger and to participate in the “Tents of Hope” project. After the Granger madrigals were asked to perform in the awareness concert for Darfur, they learned about Darfur and Genocide. A member of the U.S.Rep., Jerry Costello, D-Ill. defined genocide as “The most potent of all crimes against humanity because it is an effort to systematically wipe out a people and a culture as well as individual lives.” “Can you hear the prayers of the children, on bended knee, in the shadow of an unknown room? Empty eyes with no more tears to cry turning heavenward toward the light. Cryin’ Jesus help me to see the mornin’ light of one more day...” When the Granger High madrigals and the Cyprus madrigals sang these strong words, it was more than a ordinary song. It was more than mere music and notes, it was a pleading question from their hearts. Bekah Fuller, a member of Granger’s dance company, performed at the ‘Save Darfur’ concerts. “We’re always so concerned about ourselves, it’s nice
Love it of Leave it Melissa Reed
Some might consider that Granger students are losing their school pride…are they really? When we have assemblies it would seem that the answer is no; so loud, proud and cheering. “I think that most of Granger High students have school
September 2008
spirit, but there are those that don’t. Those are usually the students that perhaps sluff regularly and don’t feel connected to their school. If they got more involved, maybe it would change their minds.” said Mr. Cox, principal Why would students ever want to sluff an assembly at all? Fast food and hanging out with
to be able to do what we love and have it help other people.” she said. Darfur is in the western region of Sudan, Africa. The village of Darfur has been attacked by a violent militia that calls itself the Jajaweed. The Sudanese government denies supporting Jajaweed, but has actually provided assistance and money. Terrorists ride through villages, killing, stealing, and raping. Many rebel groups have formed to fight the Jajaweed. The conflict in Darfur began in February 2003, and continues today. The United States government describes friends? It would seem that there is already plenty of time for that, with thirty minutes of lunch time and five minutes of in-between class time. Some students may not think that that is the only factor. “It all depends on the people you sit by and which assembly it is. Some of the assemblies are fun and so silly! Others are too short and uninteresting.” said Andrew, 11th grade The assemblies are prepared by the SBO officers and sometimes with the help of students here at Granger. One of the reason the students sluff is because there isn’t enough room in the auditorium. There are 1670 students here at Granger and only 1400 seats in the auditorium. So even if all of our students did attend these assemblies, there would be 270 that wouldn’t
it as genocide, an extermination of a people or culture. The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum estimates that 100,000 die each year in the Darfur conflict and 2.7 million Darfyruians are now in refugee camps. Tents of Hope is a nationwide organization that makes tents to send to Darfur for shelter. It includes high schools all over the U.S.A: Cyprus, Granger, and Kearns, are the representatives from Utah. Money raised also funds representatives from each school
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fit. “Would we really want to have two separate assemblies just for 270 extra students attending? I’m not allowed to say what I really think about it, but it would make things more difficult.” said Mr. Snarr, vice principal So is it better those 270 students are sluffing? Teachers would say that it is not good. But is it really? Those sluffing students make it a whole lot easier for all of us, even if the teachers aren’t allowed to say so.
Volume LI, Issue 2