Granger high school
Tri-Color Times
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March 2013 LV-5
Granger’s softball team steps up to the plate
By Anela Alagic STEPPING onto the diamond is what these girls have been thinking about all year. The smell of the dirt, the crack of the bat, the fun practices with their teammates. Our team is ready for a new season, a successful season. “I want to make varsity this year!” Mona Alhamdani (10) said. This will be her second year trying out for softball. She was on the team last year as a freshman. She loves how close everyone is getting with each other. She believes the workouts in athletics have been very helpful. She hopes their hard work will start to show in the pre-season because of all the tough teams they will be facing. “I want to get all Region this year and for my senior year, I’m aiming towards All State and a full-ride scholarship!” Summer
Judd (11) said. She has been on the team since her freshman year. She got all region her sophomore and freshman year. “It is unbelievable how young but talented the other girls are. I wish it was like this when I first started playing my freshman year,” Jazmin Gonzalez (12) said. “My main goal this season it to hit two home runs!” Gonzalez said. She also would like to win three region games and at least two preseason games. Gonzalez plays second base and outfield from time to time. “I’ve been playing softball since I was seven years old and I love it!” Ashley Olsen (10) said. She wants to better herself and keep playing varsity. There are so many young girls trying out this year with a lot of talent and ex-
perience. “I want to work on my mental game,” Ylessa Rizzi (11) said. Last year she tore her ACL in soccer and was able to recover by softball season. She just wants to keep improving and not let her head keep her from playing the game she loves. She’s not scared about her knee anymore. She doesn’t have to wear a brace and isn’t as nervous as she was last year. “I’m happy we’ve been lifting in athletics,” Caitlin Cook (10) said. Who has been playing since her freshman year. She wants to get better at hitting and make the varsity team! She enjoys playing third base and occasionally catcher. “My personal goals are to make varsity, hit better and work on our team spirit.” Beverly Congrove (11) said.
“I want to get faster at pitching and improve my accuracy too.” Kimberly Felion (10) said. She’s been playing since she was ten years old and she’s been playing for Granger since her freshman year. “I want to win three regions games this season!” Ameila Knudsen (10) said. She has played outfield for varsity since her freshman year. “I just want to hit home runs!” Sydney Davidson (10) said. This is her first year trying out and she hopes to make the varsity team. She’s been playing softball since she was eight years old. She loves playing second base. The workouts in athletics have helped her learn to just push through tough situations. She’s become really close with all the girls and thinks that’s exactly what they all need.
Summer Judd is preparing for this softball season by practicing her catching in athletics class.
Creating the band “Below Fiction”
By Tariah Hathale ON JANUARY 24th, a band called “Below Fiction” came together. This unique name came along from looking on the web from a few of the members. This name will get you to think what “Below Fiction” is along with this band showing you that they can hopefully change history. “Hopefully we can be in Warped Tour and go beyond that,” Bryan Guzman (10) said. This goes to show that Below Fiction definitely is taking their music more seriously than ever by putting effort in each other. If they can get about five songs done by next month, they will be able to open up for a band. They’ll absolutely be doing talent shows for our school still. The style of the music genre
in this band is a post-hardcore metal. “The fact that we get to be together and make music as a unit is nice,” Nick Holt (12) said. He was asked to join the band because they were in need of another guitarist. Holt went for it because he himself enjoys music since he was little. “My family travels a lot and so do bands with their tours. I also love the hype I get from the crowd,” He said. “My favorite part of being in a band is being able to make music people can enjoy,” James Mordue (10) said. He is the drummer for Below Fiction whose dream was to be in a progressive band one day. This band is going far. They have their very own logo. It’s a Panda that Tyler Talbot, who is
an eighth grader who’s attending West Lake Jr. high, created. He is the bass player for Below Fiction. Mordue drew a wolf but Below Fiction is still deciding on what it will be. They have their very own Facebook page and would love for you to like them. “Like us on Facebook and love us,” Holt said. Getting fans can be a big part in the career for a band. “Anything worth getting in life is worth working hard for,” Guzman said. Being up on a stage can be pretty nerve wracking and scary, but all of these guys know how to handle themselves. “It felt so natural to me being up there,” Holt said. He’s been playing the guitar for seven years, so he’s definitely got experience in the music depart-
ment. Another member of the band who has already graduated is the vocalist in the band is Andre Bettinson. The total of all the members in the band is five. “If you’re giving energy to the crowd, the crowd will give it back to you” – (Tenfold). That is an inspiring line this band loves to take in them when they perform.
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March 2013, page 2
Girls basketball team ends with a great season
By Brenda Nguy THE GIRLS basketball team has been gearing up for many victories, and they look better than ever this year. Practicing almost every B-day after school in the gym and every A-day in athletics and sometimes even on Saturdays, but never on Sundays; these Lancers work to their fullest potential. This is what made the team strive so far. The Lancers made it all the way to state. Making it to state was one of their biggest goals, hard work and determination made this team succeed. One of the players who made this possible was sophomore point guard Jessica Matheson (10). She confidently tried out and made the team. She has been playing basketball since she was about five or six years old. She practices anywhere she can either at the recreation center or at home it has always been her favorite pastime. “Basketball is fun; it’s the best. I love it,” Matheson said. She has been on Valley Junior High’s varsity team all through 7th, 8th and 9th grades, and she plans to continue playing on Granger’s team all through high school. The girls basketball team has had many close-call games. One game Jessica recalls was when the Granger Lancers played against the Kearns Cougars. “We went overtime, and it was intense and fun at the same time,” Matheson said. With five seconds left on the clock, Amber Wright (12) went in for a lay-up and ended the game leaving Granger with 64-58 win. It was a memorable game for the girls’ basketball team. All that effort and hard work finally took the girls basketball team to the 5A state tournament against the Layton Lancers.
Pela Tapusoa (12) couldn’t take part in the game because she had recently torn her anterior cruciate ligament or A.C.L. In the Hunter verses Granger game. She sat on the sidelines as she watched her girls play, cheering them on as they played. Tapusoa continued to play in the games until senior night. While it was definitely a great battle between both Lancer teams, the first day of the 5A state tournament against the Lancers wrapped up and left Granger with
VOL. LV Issue 5
Sterling Scholars
an ending score of 30 and Layton with 56. “I think the only reason we didn’t win was because no one paid attention. I don’t think they were ready for this game,” Tapusoa said. But in the end, Girls’ basketball has yet again been one of the only teams to make it to state this year. Every single one of the girls on the team will admit it has been certainly a great and fun season for the Granger Lancer’s girls basketball team.
Granger’s Sterling Scholars enjoy dinner with Mr. Haslam and Ms. Woodward.
Amber Wright knows it takes hard work to win a game. She always gives 100%.
By Daniel Webb THERE are many requirements to be a Sterling Scholar. First off, a cumulative GPA of 3.6 and portfolio of academic work including a cover letter. Brooke Rolfe (12) earned the title Sterling Scholar in the field of dance. To win, she had to choreograph an original dance of her own. The reason she wanted to apply was because she loved watching the Sterling Scholar for dance perform in 2011. It was her sophomore year, and she enjoyed it. “Some benefits to becoming a Sterling Scholar though is that you can get a lot of scholarships and you have doing it in the process,” she said. Later on though she got an offer to the University of Utah for a full year. “I would get to go to UVU if I go to regionals this year. I would get a full-ride scholarship,” she said. Later on in life, she wants to major in dance and become a
dance teacher. Mathematics Sterling Scholar Wyatt Gehlen (12) said the way he got to be the Sterling Scholar of math was because he took a lot of math classes and passed every single one of them. “I love math. It has always come easily to me, and I really enjoy it,” he said. The requirements for him to become a Sterling Scholar were a lot different compared to Brooke Rolfe’s. When Wyatt got to meet the teachers who all taught math, he found he had a lot more interest in math than he expected. On February 4, 2013, the Sterling Scholars gathered for dinner to celebrate their accomplishments. Their dinner was at the Olive Garden at the Valley Fair Mall from 5 p.m. till 6 p.m. thanks to Ms. Woodward who is the advisor for the Sterling Scholars. She met with Mr. Haslam to discuss if they would be able to do something like this, so he treated them to dinner.
Granger Lancers embrace fashion
By Tariah Hathale YOU MAY see a lot of people wearing different unique clothing materials. Here at Granger is a place for students to find the interesting details in apparel. There’s always something out there that can interest a person. There may even be fun and exotic colors that can easily stand out. “I became more open with who I was when I was around my 9th grade year,” Imani Trammel (11) said. She enjoys wearing clothing that’s based on how she feels. Every now and then she has her girl days and other times the laid back boy days. Most people love going to a store called Hot Topic. “I like when they have discounts because everything is so expensive,” Demi Smith (10) said. She definitely enjoys going to that store when it’s the back-to-school time or even Christmas. Trammel likes to wear Lil Wayne’s Diamond clothing brand. “I like how some guys dress here, it gets me to want to create my own swag,” she said. When she
sees girls have men’s style, it gets her to think that she is interested in dressing like them. “I like ripped jeans and vans,” Belen Hernandez (11) said. She likes to shop at Rue 21 at The Gateway Mall, and at a store called 5.7.9. However, for Trammel she does not like shopping. She just goes to the mall and if she sees something she likes, she gets it. “It doesn’t matter if it fits or not,” she said. “When I got into 9th grade, I was new to the school, and I thought I should make a statement,” Vanessa Gonzalez (10) said. With the comfort inside the clothing she’ll wear it. Gonzalez will shop anywhere but her favorite is Urban Outfitters. Smith’s favorite outfit is her orange jeans with black boots. It was the time around 8th grade when her mom bought a certain pair of boots along with colored jeans. She still continues to wear this style today. Trammel’s mom had asked her to try out a fabric dye when she came home. “She always likes to
do stuff like that,” she said. Her dye colors are light pink, dark pink, and red. With Smith going to Hot Topic, she has a lot of hype for all the accessories they’ve got. “I like how they’re bringing back Sailor Moon,” she said. Hernandez started her style she has today when in 10th grade. She enjoys dressing up, she looks up to her cousin’s style. “I don’t like girly stores. It makes me feel too girly,” Trammel said. When she goes to the top on dressing like a girl, she’ll go all out on it. “When I see someone wearing something that I think is cute, I wonder if I could pull it off,” Gonzalez said. Trammel likes solid bright colors along with t-shirts with funny graphics on them. She also loves wearing heels to extend her legs and of course her fashion. “Just be comfortable with what you wear. Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t wear a certain style because they don’t like it,” Gonzalez said.
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March 2013, page 3
VOL. LV Issue 5
Twitter, Snapchat, Instagram
By Jessica Rubio Lancers seem to like all the so- someone unless their profile is on IPHONE apps are very interest- cial apps and game apps. They private. ing and there are so many variet- seem to be more entertaining Fransbely Cortez (10) said ies. There are so many apps and and addictive. They are more at- her favorite apps were, “Twitter, people have many favorites. tracted to them because they’re Snapchat, YouTube and Voxer.” In a survey of Granger’s stu- mostly made for have teens to Cortez likes these apps because dents, several popular apps stood play them. she can see photos, watch videos out as favorites. Students base their choosing of and interact with other people. “My favorite apps are Twitter, apps on what other people think All of these people’s favorite Instagram, Snapchat and apps are all almost the Tumblr, But my favorite same ones. They seem to is Twitter,” Jena Marbe the trending apps. tinez (10) said. She said Melisa Saxton (11) it’s a way she can comsaid she also likes Snapmunicate with friends and chat, Temple Run, Voxer tweet what she wants. and What’s the Word. “My favorite apps are She likes these because Instagram, Twitter, Temthey’re the only ones she ple Run 1 and Emoji,” has on her phone. Andrea Lopez (10). She Most of the apps that also said Twitter was her are the favorites are also favorite app. She also all free; students say they likes Twitter the most becan’t afford the more excause she can socialize pensive apps. and talk with people. Our Lancers favorite We asked students and iPhone apps by far are most of their favorite apps Twitter, Snapchat, Instawere Snapchat, Twitter, gram and Temple Run. Instagram and Temple If you haven’t tried Run. They say it’s their them, it’s highly recomfavorite cause they can mended you do. You’ll tweet snap or put up the never know if you’ll like pictures they want. it unless you try. They say it’s a way to These apps are also express themselves, but some of the highest rated there is a bad side to these Many phones at Granger are loaded with the same apps. apps in the Apple Store apps. These kind of social in general. apps can be very dangerous as of them. Temple run for a while was much as fun they seem there are Twitter is a very popular app and the number one app in the store, bad sides. website right now because stu- then Twitter and more game apps There can be bad Tweets that dents can follow favorite music came along. So try out these apps start problems, bad pictures that stars and celebrities. It’s also very and see if they could be some of shouldn’t be sent, and photos that similar to Facebook, but on Twit- your new favorites too, you never shouldn’t be posted. ter you don’t have to ask to follow know what you might like.
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Not every senior has senioritis
Opinion by Brianna Bauer BEING a senior brings a lot of great things to many students; you get to buy all the awesome senior stuff, you get to become an adult as the year passes on and you get to rule the school after two years of waiting. But for those few students who feel that they aren’t ready to leave high school, they just don’t tend to get senioritis. Senioritis is well known among most of the senior class as each year passes on. You will always hear about those few Lancers who don’t end up graduating because they just start to feel the spring time in the air and do not want to come to school. They think that only missing a few days won’t hurt their chances to walk at graduation. Seniors have a few days where they just don’t want to get out of bed and want to sleep the day away, but they just can’t do that or maybe they have all of your credits so they just don’t feel like going anymore. And that’s how it is for many Lancers who finished up all their credits during first semester: when second semester hits they just stop coming and it slowly but surely ruins their chances to walk at graduation. There are many reasons that students don’t want to graduate; having to figure out what college they want to go to, having to get their own place or move in with friends or even getting a better job so they can support themselves.
I know that I am not ready to leave high school yet, I feel like my senior year has been going by way to fast and it just needs to slow way down. Growing up doesn’t seem as adventurous or amazing as it did when we all wanted to grow up, the reality is that growing up actually seems worse than just staying a kid. Having no senioritis is weird because everyone I know has it and they just stopped coming to school. They just don’t want anything to do with school anymore. I wonder if maybe I should have senioritis to, but I don’t think that I could have it knowing how everything will be finished in just a few short months. I know I am excited in some ways for graduation but I don’t think that I am excited for all the right reasons. Most the reasons why most are excited it to just get out of high school and to start their “real life”, but real life has already begun. I think I am just most excited to see all of my family and be able to see everyone that I don’t see all year long, but I am excited to a point to get into my future more and more every day knowing exactly what I want to accomplish. From the senior skip day to senior dinner dance, there actually aren’t many more weeks until we walk across that stage as one senior class. We all know how real it will get when it hits that point.
I know that I am not ready to leave high school yet. I feel like my senior year has been going by way too fast.
Tri-Color Times Staff Editor Taylor Bailey Managing Editor Alexander Page Copy Editor Naomi Newton
Photo Editor Casey Owens Print Editor Alyssa Hendry Social Media Editor Valeria Chavez
Journalists
Journalists
Anela Alagic Celeste Anguiano Briana Bauer Matias Caceres Sandy Carrillo Denise Cuenca Tariah Hathale Daven Hintgen Alexandria Johnson Hunter Kaio Juan Landeros Chauntel Lee Katie Lee
Andrea Lomeli Chantalle Luna Skyler Malpass Victor Melara Tyler Mitchell Brenda Nguy Vanessa Quiles Josseline Rendon Jessica Rubio Kelly Sanmiguel Jazmine Saucedo Anthony Shields Daniel Webb
The Tri-Color Times serves as a student forum for student opinion and student expression. The views expressed herein reflect neither the opinions of Adviser John Carlisle and Granger High School, nor those of Granite School District. The Tri-Color Times invites and publishes letters to its editorial board; all letters will be edited for taste, length and legality. Granger High 3690 South 3600 West West Valley, UT 84119 385 646-5320
March 2013, page 4
VOL. LV Issue 5
PROM PROM PROM
March 2013, page 5
VOL. LV Issue 5
PROM PROM PROM
March 2013, page 6
VOL. LV Issue 5
Pajama party thrills Granger students
By Brianna Bauer LET’S WIGGLE the night away in our pajamas. This passing month we had our morp dance, which was a pajama party theme. It was the last one of our girls’ choice dances and seemed to have the best theme. Many Lancers find the dances to be more entertaining when they change up the ways of asking each other. “I just asked my friends to go with me, because I didn’t feel like it would be cool to ask a guy to go with me. My friends kept making me dance and be crazy the whole night with them,” Cindy Cuevas (12) said. “I think that more people should have come because it would have made a lot more people want to dance and everything, but I know I didn’t dance at all,” Cuevas said. The cheerleaders put the idea together for the morp theme and seemed to have a blast doing it. “I think going to morp has made me want to get asked to go
to prom with someone besides friends because it is my senior year, and it is a very big deal to me to go,” she said. Asking a guy to a dance shows that our Granger’s girls can ask whoever they want and get a great reaction out of it. “Morp without a Halloween theme is so much better, because I remember not a lot of people going to it. Changing the date and the theme seemed to make more students interested in going,” Cuevas said. “I went to the dance just to say I went, so I just went with one of my friends from the team. I thought the PJ theme was pretty cool, but I think it was lame that barely any people actually showed up -- I mean it was the easiest theme possible,” Jessica Matheson (10) said. Having morp before prom is going to prepare so many people for asking each other to prom, and get them excited about what is to come in the very near future.
“The DJ was good, he played songs everyone was able to dance to from fast ones to slow ones; you name it he played it,” Matheson said. Morp was traditionally the Halloween theme for our school years, but Lancers seemed to like the change for most dances this year. “I think we should have more stomps with themes like our dance themes because then I know I would go to the stomps more and plus Lancers can always come up with the best themes for us,” she said. Lancers went as mostly groups while very few asked dates because groups seemed easier and the Lancers seemed to have a blast matching and dancing with their groups. “I thought actually asking a guy was lame, so me and a teammate just went together, but we were lame and mostly just sat around and didn’t really dance,” Matheson said.
The PJ stomp brought students together for a friendly dance party.
Weather? Ain’t no- Conference for Latino Empowerment Latinos in Action plays a big part at Granger, and their activities body got time for that include college preparations and tutoring at elementaries.
By Denise Cuenca WEATHER isn’t any challenge for the Lancers. I went around the school asking all the athletes I could find pretty much all told me the same thing. Jonathon Avila (11) is man who hardly speaks. But, I got some words out of him. Just because the weather is bad doesn’t mean we’re going to practice inside. “We don’t submit to cold weather, we just try harder,” said Avila. I was fascinated that they don’t cancel practices for bad weather. Vicente Lucena (11) plays soccer for the Granger boys, “YEAH GO LANCERS!” he said. The practices are the same with bad weather or without it. They kick, run, Insanity, conditioning. “We still practice outside no matter how cold it is outside,” he said. Vicente Lemus (11) is a really athletic person he goes to the gym six days three hours a week. “I work hard to look good for them ladies,” he said. Lifting weights, cardio and playing basketball keep him in shape. “Working out is what takes everything off my mind,” said Lemus. I ran into a softball player in the hall, so I just had to take advantage. Amelia Knudsen (10) I was
surprised that the softball players practice inside. “If the field is too wet, it is hard to practice on,” she said. Batting and ladders for conditioning are things they do when they practice inside. “I like to practice outside, I just hope the weather gets better now,” she said. Angel Rivera (12) Soccer player for Granger. “We have to play every day no matter how bad the weather is” River said. “If it’s really bad snow, we practice inside, but if it’s a little BOOM we’re outside” he says. When the weather interferes with their practices, they go inside and play indoor soccer. “It’s not so bad playing inside, but I prefer to be outside -- it’s just fun and less hot.” Rivera said. As you can see, not all the athletes at Granger care how the weather is they prefer to practice their sport outside. It’s what they do. They love it, and they’re not going to let weather get between them and their athletics. They will always play their sport inside or out. As for me I play soccer and do track I think the weather helps in so many aspects. You can always take advantage of the weather while playing sport; it all just depends on how you do it.
“We don’t submit to cold weather, we just try harder”
By Brenda Nguy his life and Latino empowerment and be around people who share IN A SCHOOL where more than and how he wants to make stu- the same dreams as he does. “My half of the students are of Latino dents into leaders and get them favorite speech was from a group or Hispanic descent, many choose into college. He says that they all called Cool Speak. They were to be a part of a school club called have a Latino drive. unny and talked about dreams and Latinos in Action. The main conAfter all the serious talks and Latinos in their group succeeding cept of this club is to and not giving up.” help Latinos get to Barahona said. college, help them First year LIA memplan for their future, ber Amy Casillas and just be better (11) loves it, and she people in general. is definitely doing this The students carry next year for sure. “I out tutoring and like it because it helps translate for parents me prepare for college that don’t understand and makes me want to enough English at go further in life. The parent teacher conconference at Weber ferences. State was cool! We Their advisor, Ms. got to meet an OlymBooth, assists them pic gold medalist,” through every step Casillas said. of the way. “The Ampelio Hernanmain factors of this dez (12) thought the class are leadership, conference was aweservice, and prepasome. “It had many rations for college,” motivational speeches Ms. Booth said. about Latino empowOn Wednesday, erment,” he said March 6, the LIA Hernandez has been members took a field in LIA for two years trip over to the Weber now and is happy in State College for a it. He became a part conference that hapof it because he needpens once a year. It ed community service involved all Latinos but now he’s glad he’s in Action affiliations in it. from all over the The class also prostate that gathered vides tutoring sessions and learned many at local elementaries. new things. The conThey tutor during 2B Ms. Booth assists the students through every step of the way. ference explained the at Monrow Elementary, purposes of Latinos in Action. lectures, the students got to do Pioneer Elementary and Rolling The students had the opportunity a fun activity before they left. Meadows Elementary. “I like tuto talk to many inspiring speakers, All the members from all over toring because I learn something like Olympic gold medalist, Mar- the state took part in a “Harlem new about the kids every time. I len Esparza. Esparza explained Shake” of their own; the video is also have pleasure seeing them how she could box although she posted on the Latinos in Action succeed.” Hernandez said. is a woman and how she proved Facebook page. The conference Overall, the students of Latinos people wrong. They had Latino lasted the whole school day, and in Action are glad they are a part dances near the end from junior it was very motivational for all of this class. The conference held high and high schools from all of the members of LIA, leaving at Weber State enlightened their over the state of Utah. them enlightened. minds with inspirational speeches They also met the founder and Marvin Barahona’s (12) fa- and guided them to a path toward creator of Latinos in Action, Dr. vorite part of the meeting was be- college by being better people Jose Enriquez. He talked about ing able to learn about his culture and helping others.
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VOL. LV Issue 5
Top-quality mentor for Lancers
By Tyler Mitchell TIMOTE Houma is the newest mentor at Granger, and he is a Pacific Islander. He really connects with the Pacific Islanders and wants to help them the most. Houma studied at the University of Utah for five years. He believes in good communication with the
students, and he is always reaching out to the students. He helps students one-on-one, and he helps out with football and hopes to help with rugby in the spring. Houma does not like the statistics of minority put downs and their graduation rate, and the rate in which they enter college. His
Mentor Timote Houma enjoys helping the many students at Granger High.
The Dream Act The Dream Act impacts some Lancers more than you know.
By Jessica Rubio THE DREAM Act is a new law that was passed to help undocumented students get a chance to study and get into a career. People think this is important, and it actually impacts more Lancers than you think. “The Dream Act for her is an opportunity to go to college and get a good job,” Jennifer Ochoa (11) said. Ochoa also said she feels this is good, and it will help a lot of students who want to achieve their goals. Ochoa said, “I think this will make people want to go to school more because they can actually get somewhere”. “It’s having a great impact on me because I want to go to college and now I can,” she said. This may be right. Students should actually feel like they want to go to school because they can graduate with a career and they can do something higher in life. Maribel Lopez (11) said that athough she isn’t affected by this, she thinks it’s good. “It’s good for the government to help students who actually want to study but can’t,” Lopez said. It’s also good for students get the opportunity. “It’s up to them
if they want to take it or leave it now,” she said. The Dream Act is something very important to some of our Lancers. Although they may not notice, it may be something that can change their lives. “I think everyone should have the opportunity to study go to college and get a career and with this they have the opportunity,” Lopez said. Erick Hernandez (11) said he feels good about it and also thinks it will help a lot of people. “It’s good because I can get a good job now,” Hernandez said. He said it will impact him a lot because he can get a good job and go to college now and get a license for a future career. “I plan on going to college and studying a good career now thanks to the Dream Act I can.” This Dream Act is helping a lot of our Lancers more than you know it’s a great opportunity for anyone who can’t study because they don’t have “papers”. This is a great opportunity for anyone who wants to change their legal status here in the United States and study. It’s up to the students now whether they accept it and want to become superior or they just let the opportunity go away.
goal is to better achieve more students into going to college in which he tries his best to help everyone he can graduate. Houma also helps Alex Ander James Turner- Brotherson (10) get to class. He helps get him to lunch, walks him down and sits with him while Brotherson eats. He also helps him get ready to go home by opening his locker and getting his jacket on. “He’s a very cool and encouraging guy,” said Brotherson. His favorite thing about Houma is that he has a great sense of humor. He’s always there to make sure Brotherson has good grades, and he looks up to Houma a lot. Lunch time is always his favorite part together because they always have good laughs. “Timote is good with math, which makes him one of the only mentors who is,” mentor Jason Chandler said. One of Chandler’s favorite things about Houma is his facial hair, because it’s always on point. Mentor Gina Togiai said her favorite thing about him is his Michigan gear. Miss Havea said that Houma fits in perfect at Granger because of his recent graduation from the University of Utah. It also allows him to be a role model to the student at Granger High School. She goes on to say how personable he is. Mr. Wessman said Houma has been nothing but professional since he has been at Granger. “He is a laid back role model to the students, Houma is always willing to help,” said Wessman.
Should teachers carry guns? Guns have fueled a big debate, yet would it be right to dismiss the fact that they can bring safety to schools and not just destruction.
Opinion by Kelly Sanmiguel THE PAST decade has been filled with tragic stories of violence aimed at students and teachers in the school settings. Recently these attacks have caused a huge debate between those who are pro-guns and those who are anti-guns. Whether you’re for stricter gun regulations or against them, I feel it would be pretty wrong to forget the fact that guns have been used for means of protection for a very long time. We cannot avoid the fact that it is simple for a gun to fall into the wrong hands, but the right amount of regulations could help avoid that. The older generation has taken it upon themselves to fight for the matter, yet have they realized that they are not the ones facing a big possibility of another act of violence towards a SCHOOL? Of course, not every teacher would be comfortable having possession of a loaded gun, but
that does not mean that there aren’t any teachers who wouldn’t love the extra comfort a gun could bring to a classroom. Let’s not forget the fact that the right to bear arms is in the second amendment, it doesn’t seem right to be allowed to practice rights only in certain places. Society is evolving, things are changing. It is sad to say we live in a world where hate is seen as often as love is, but we cannot stay oblivious to the fact that bad things do happen to good people. It would be exaggerated if rifles and military used arms were allowed in schools, but I believe a small handgun in the possession of a responsible teacher and/ or administrator wouldn’t be such a bad idea. Students spend 7+ hours in school, five days a week, for most of the year. Aside from home, school should be the next safest place for a child. Just like anyone else, students deserve safety.
Of course, not every teacher would be comfortable with having possession of a loaded gun.
Teachers read for fun
By Victor Melara SO FOR the teachers that like to read, well there’s a book club now. The whole thing is very new to all since the first time it was held was last week. It is a real opportunity for teachers to socialize with other teachers about something they enjoy. The first book that was discussed at the book club was the wonderful book called Wonder. The book is about a boy who is deformed and goes through school for the very first time, and the story is told from different points of view” said Ms. Green. At the book club meetings I’m told that they have conversations They just talk about the book and about bullying, students and life. I myself have never read the book, but I have talked to people who have, and from what I have heard it’s a great read. After chat-
ting with Ms. Carson, she told me she “liked it very much and I was able to relate to it because at the time I was reading it I had just gotten out of surgery.” The book I’m told is also very emotional after an interview with counseling secretary Rosy Martinez. “I usually don’t cry or get
Ms. Reese catches up on her reading.
very emotional at books but I did get misty eyed while reading this book,” Ms. Martinez said. She was also able to get a student to read this book and surprisingly
she might not be a teacher, but that is why the teacher book club was started. I Interviewed Ms. Asay the originator for the teacher book club. It started it to give teachers the opportunity to talk and refer and encourage students to read. The book Wonder is good and worth the read. I would recommend it and I’ve started to read it. The next book for the Te a c h e r s book club is “I Am Messenger” by Markus Zusak. It’s a book about an underage cab driver who accidentally stops a bank robbery. Then he starts to get playing cards in his mail box and they’re missions to help people, so he becomes like a hero. The only thing unknown is who is sending him the cards. Check with Ms. Asay in the library to learn more about upcoming titles in the teacher book club.
March 2013, page 8
VOL. LV Issue 5
The soccer team open up their season with a win
By Celeste Anguiano THE BOYS soccer team had their tryouts in February and started to play their pre-season games on the first weeks of March. To defeat those teams took a lot of work; it wasn’t an easy task, before the season or even try-outs, the guys started conditioning on weekdays at 6 a.m. to get them ready for the season. Erwin Contreras (11) said he is very excited to see how the whole season goes; he also stated that the team has to work on bonding with each other. The boys soccer team plays on Tuesdays and Thursdays, varsity starts at 3:30 p.m. and junior varsity starts at 5:00 p.m. on the football field. The games are free, and everyone is invited to watch them play. “I like to see my friends at my soccer games,” Contreras said. “I feel like we have it all this year, we have good forwards, good middle, good defense, and specially me,” Vicente Lucena
(11) said. Although it’s only pre-season, the boys soccer team gives it their all. “We play hard. I like that feeling I get when I slide tackle someone. We want to win so bad; I’m ready for this season,” Angel Rivera (12) said. “I go to see my boyfriend play,. My favorite part about being there is messing around with my friends and watching Granger win; my favorite soccer player this year is number 17,” Jennifer Perez (12) said. “I do think they’ll make it to regions, they have a lot of enthusiasm and they give it their all when they play, I can see it,” Perez said. “I like going because I like to show support to our school team and I love soccer. I think if they continue to practice they’ll get way better, and they can make it to regions,” Fabiola Abarca (12) said. Although Jonathan Avila (12) wasn’t on the soccer team last
Lancers see one third of Cinderella
Lancers arived just as the curtain rose on the middle third of Cinderella.
By Katie Lee ON FEBURARY 19, some Lancers went to go see Ballet West’s Cinderella. The ballet started at 12:30 p.m. After arriving, the dancers got to introduce themselves. They explained that the ballet was in three parts. Since we didn’t have enough time, we would see the second third, which is when Cinderella meets the prince for the first time. When they started, it was so wonderful; the stage props looked so real, it really looked like she was in a ball room dancing with the townspeople. The dancers were so wonderful; it’s hard believe they can dance for so long. One of the best parts of the ballet was when the prince meets Cinderella. The funniest part though would be seeing the ugly step sisters fighting over which suitor was theirs. They also had Fairies that represented the seasons: spring, summer, autumn, winter. Their costumes even matched the colors of their seasons. Cinderella’s step sisters were
played by boy dancers which was very funny. Another cool thing was watching Cinderella change back into her rags when the clock struck twelve, They did a cool thing where the prince was in frantic search for her because she left so sudden ly and she dances through a crowd and then she was instantly in her rags when she was out of the crowd. She ran up the stairs and disappeared back stage and left her glass slipper. Also, the way they made the clock look so real was awesome because it was like a huge old grandfather clock. Another thing: dancers all matched with their partners. Cinderella wore blue and so did the prince. The season fairies wore their colors and their suitors wore the same colors. Sadly, we didn’t end up seeing the first part with the introduction of the step mother the father and fairy godmother or the third part in which they ended happily. All in all, the whole ballet was magical. The dancing was beautiful, and the dancers were beautiful. It was just wonderful.
year he said he “enjoys practices where they have to sprint.” He thinks the soccer team could work on speed and bonding as a team. Although a lot of the boys on the soccer team seem to think that they need to bond, their skills on the field have been very successful. Rivera commented that he believes all the success this year come thanks to the new way they practice. He seems to think that practicing separate from junior varsity has helped a lot. “I like to play as a defense this year, I don’t really like to score as a forward that’s boring, and if you score as a defense you get more credit,” said Lucena. For some Lancers on the team, they had to make adjustments to what position they play. Lucena used to play forward but he knew there were many forwards so he decided to start playing as a defender. They’ve only won their pre-season games, so these Lancers have a lot to prove.
Jennifer Perez enjoys watching #17 as he prepares to pass the ball.
Fees are chasing seniors
By Skyler Malpass average textbook in the library is currently keeping track on all ATTENTION seniors, do you costs around $75 to $120. The check outs and returns and the have any fees? Don’t know? Well school will get their book or mon- numbers are ugly. About 2-3% of you’d better check. Fees may not ey -- one way or another, even if books checked out are never resound that bad, but they are more they have to track you down has turned. “They are shocking numdangerous than you think. Fees an adult. bers,” Ms. Asay said. will keep you from walking at This year is pretty slow. “Check“Fees have always been a probgraduation, so lem with seniors,” Ms. look out. Winkler said. “But “I will be sendthese last few years ing out March have been terrible.” letters to let Currently there is people with fees $18,586 worth of lost know,” financial items from the library. secretary Erin “$14,000 in text books Winkler said. “I alone,” Ms. Asay said. still have ID’s “There are 507 lost that can’t be items so far this year.” claimed because “The books that hit of fees.” kids the hardest are unThe most danreturned textbooks,” gerous of the Ms. Asay said. “AP sneaky fees are books can cost almost the fines stu$120.” “We aren’t in it dents get for for the money, we just missing text want our books back,” books. “Stushe said. dents don’t bring In a good month, the them back,” lilibrary averages about brary secretary 1,200 to 2,000 checkKaydean Judy outs, with most of the said. “We had books getting retuned. about 100 missBut there are always ing math books books left behind. last year.” “The worst offenders The reality is in missing books are seniors get all drop-out students or exited for gradstudents who transuation and gofer,” Ms. Asay said. ing out on their “From 2007 until own that they now, we have 234 forget the lonely lost books,” Ms. Asay math books that said. “And those were never left their just the regular books, Pay fees and fines at the window before and after school or during lunch. not the expensive text lockers. If you think books.” walking at graduation isn’t that outs are down from last year. But It’s an issue that will cause exbig of a deal well prepare to be there are still a lot of missing tra problems this year as the media annoyed. “We will continue send books,” Ms. Judy said. center prepares to move all books “I like that the school is trying to to the new building. The last thing you return letters even after graduation,” Ms. Winkler said. “We get all seniors to walk,” Tatyana Ms. Asay wants is a stack of 200 want our books back, and they Carrillo (11) said. textbooks arriving in the media “Seniors with fees have a who- center on May 31. aren’t cheap.” Students are very lazy when it gives-a-crap attitude,” Carrillo “Since the start of this year, we comes to returning their books. said. “They should be working have 125 missing,” she said. “If “We had about 300 to 400 miss- with the counselors, teachers and you know your book is due, just ing books from last year,” Ms. administrators who are trying so come in and renew it. And please hard to get them to walk.” Judy said. keep track of due dates in your Head librarian Michelle Asay phones.” Students: they’re not cheap. An