Tri-Color Times 2013-04

Granger high school

Tri-Color Times

An open forum for student opinion and expression

TRICOLORTIMES.COM

April 2013 LV-6

Learning your lesson with prom

Sometimes, when things go wrong, the only thing you can do is take a step back and think of it as a lesson learned, espically when it comes to things such a prom.

By Tariah Hathale SPECIAL events can be a big part of life during high school, and the lessons learned after these events help for planning the next ones.

People get rushed because they only have a limited of time left.

“I didn’t get any of the stuff until the week of prom, it was pretty stressful,” Austin Jimenez (12) said.

His date didn’t get her dress until that week, either. He was stressing out about getting the right kind of pink dress shirt for himself. “Luckily I found one at Fashion Place Mall. It cost $30 when the original price was $60, so I got a good deal,” he said.

“I learned to plan ahead with prom,” Henry Leng (12) said.

The story began where he asked a girl during her second period. She of course said ‘yes’ to him after he presented himself to her. As he walked out the door he was suspicious about some other guy walking in with decorations on posters. In his third period, he saw her with new posters and asked if they were still dates for prom and she told him ‘no’.

Leng was okay with it and asked another girl who got her dress the day she said ‘yes’ to him. He got his tuxedo very last-minute on the morning of prom. “It was still fun for me, I enjoyed it,” he said.

There’s time where you want to be a part of something without being left out. “I wanted to be part of the group and fit in with

it,” K.C. Williams (11) said. He started to show his true self from the very start when the group he was with went to this trampoline place for the day activity.

“I was scared to do it because I didn’t think I was good at it. I haven’t tried since I was about three,” he said. He learned to not be afraid to be himself around others at prom.

“I also learned that I can’t be in a crowd of a lot of people for a long time,” Williams said. While he was dancing with a sea of people, his lungs started collapsing because he couldn’t breathe.

“I had to escape the crowd and walk outside to catch my breath,” he said. Luckily, he survived after feeling good because of the fresh

air.

Going with friends can be a blast for those without a date, or it can be a bit lonely. “I learned that I won’t go back without a date,” Lacey Ferguson (11) said.

She started to realize it would be more fun to have a date when the slow songs came on. It was a good memory for her being there with her friend, but she wants to be prepared with a date before she goes again.

“I walked around trying to find out what to do while the slow songs were playing, I even charged my phone during it,” she said. Ferguson decided to go simply because she had nothing better to do. She still had a good time with her friends.

Sinthia Tosado (left) and Lacey Ferguson (right) had fun at prom together, despite Lacey not having a date.

Families that eat dinner together stay closer

By Brianna Bauer EATING dinner is a big part of the day. It is usually one of the biggest meals, and traditionally, it’s time well spent with family and close loved ones.

“My family is always eating together, like we literally are all home and just have the greatest time talking and just spending time together,” Cheyenne Gehlen (10) said.

For most families, dinner is the only real quality time that they get with each other so they try to make the most of it when it comes around.

“My family is always having like fun game days and we are always joking around with each other because it never hurts anybody to laugh a lot,” Gehlen said.

Even if you only sit down for dinner, and you don’t even have to talk. It still usually makes your home life better to just be around your family.

“I think the nights were we are all together, mean the most to me because I love spending time with my mom and dad and my brother and sisters I think the most of all,” she said.

But there are some families that don’t even eat one meal together or even talk to each other when they do.

From their parents not being home or the kids all having work at night, making time for family dinners just isn’t that easy.

Many Lancers have jobs so they rarely spend as much time with their families as they want.

“I usually work at night, so when I get home, everyone has already eaten, and then I usually just go to bed,” Jennifer Perez (12) said.

“I maybe get to sit down with my family about twice a week if I am lucky, because I usually work four to five days a week. I don’t even get much time for homework,” Perez said.

To many Lancers, dinner tends to be the only time they actually see their parents or even get to talk to them.

“Being a teenager means that we like to be with our friends a lot, but I think dinnertime should be time for family. I just don’t get that very often,” she said.

And students aren’t the only ones who work later than they’d like.

“My mom works all day long, so usually for dinner is just me and my sister, and we fight way too much, so it usually doesn’t end very well for us,” Kassie Wakefield (12) said.

Also if they are usually home alone most of their days, they tend to feel lonely. Then they start just keeping to themselves whenever their parents are around.

“If my mom happens to get a day off, it still feels like she isn’t even home. We barely talk, and she is usually talking to my sister instead,” Wakefield said.

Dinnertime serves as an easy opportunity to spend time together as a family, but it’s important to make time for family activities if dinnertime conflicts with other activities.

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April 2013, page 2

VOL. LV Issue 6

It’s never too late to go to college

By Victor Melara MR. WESSMAN is an assistant principal here at Granger and has now decided to go back to school for a three-year program at Harvard. Now he will be leaving to do bigger and better things at Harvard and saying goodbye to being an assistant principal at Granger High. Before coming to Granger and becoming an assistant principal, he was an English teacher. Mr. Wessman stared off as businessman and after a while decided to become an English teacher.

The whole reason is to become a better leader and help people in a newly formed way. I had the opportunity to sit down with him for an interview and he told me some interesting and new things about what he was getting himself into.

I asked him what he wanted to do with what he learned there and after the reply “good question”, Mr. Wessman said, “There are a lot of things I can do.” Then told me a wide variety of options like becoming a superintendent or school district director, but the thing he was most interested in was creating something new for educational purposes.

So going more into depth with this idea, Mr. Wessman talked about using business and being able to use it to help education.

The whole operation he talks about is very unique, and it’s to aid students to have a better learning experience. The ideas and possibilities he’s thought of are very cool; I’m glad I got to hear them.

Mr. said “I actually got an email one day,” and that was how it started. Two years ago he had heard of the program when it was first announced by Harvard and he had “spoken to a couple of people about the program.” Then he decided that he wanted to be an educational leader.

The program is something that you have to apply for. It’s “like dating -- you have to see if the other person is really for you,” he said. He was able to qualify and gain entry to the program, proving him worthy to attend the Harvard three-year leadership program.

Mr. Wessman will be leaving Utah to attend Harvard. He and his family are moving to Boston, Massachusetts and by his family I meant him, his wife and his kids.

The kids will be attending school there, but I don’t remember if he said if they would be excited to do so.

Mr. Wessman’s mother was a teacher and his dad worked for a Utah power company. His mom liked to help people, and so does he. “They were excited about it when I told them. This was something that really I want to do,” he said.

Being a smart man he will be adding three years of school in addition to the six years of college and the twelve years of high school. One benefit that he will have is “the recourses at Harvard” said Mr. Wessman that Harvard has like the brilliant people that

work, attend and teach at Harvard and he will have so much knowledge he will be able to access.

What he wants to do is create a new way of learning for high school kids to have a better high school experience than just sitting in a class. The idea of using businesses and schooling is what he talked about and creating a new way to teach high school in a better way than what exists now.

As he said, school should give you the hook-ups to be able to do more of something you love and help you become a more skilled and qualified person to do what you want. Say someone wanted to become a businessman. Well, an arrangement could be made so that you could go straight into training for that company and begin building your career.

It’s all about how to “help kids learn,” Mr. Wessman said.

Mr. Wessman is a prime example that it’s never too late to learn.

Teaching styles

Ms. House is one of the younger teachers here at Granger High.

By Kelly Sanmiguel “EDUCATION is Key” is something many students have heard at least once if not many times.

Each and every school day, Granger High teachers are given the responsibility to help students receive this so-called ‘key’.

It is quite obvious that over time, almost every Lancer builds up admiration for certain teachers, whether it’s due to their loving nature, teaching style, willingness to challenge students or even lack of extra assignments; many Lancers have their preferred teachers.

It wouldn’t be right to limit the possible characteristics of a great teacher, but there may be one thing that any teacher would have a tough time doing without: having love for kids.

“If you don’t like kids, don’t be a teacher,” Dr.Gatti said.

Students feed off their teachers’ vibes a lot of the time. “Kids enjoy learning when teachers enjoy teaching,” Tatyana Carillo (11) said. Most students would agree that a teacher who doesn’t want to be at work isn’t the most enjoyable teacher.

Many define a ‘mean teacher’ as a teacher who doesn’t have patience for kids, one who doesn’t at least try to understand their stu-

dents or ignores students.

Although at times, students’ choices on their favorite teachers are quite unreasonable. Giving too much work, talking too much, and age may be factors which define a good teacher from bad teaching. “I think [age is a factor] because people just think that way,” Carillo said.

“I get along better with my younger teachers” Manuel Flores (11) said. It may be that a teacher’s age has to do with a teacher’s understanding of kids now-a-days.

Teachers are required to go through four years of college, receive their bachelor’s degree and go through at least one year of student teaching. “Respect Your Fellow Classmates” is a common classroom rule, but some of the time it is forgotten that a teacher also expects that respect, too.

There seems to always be that one kid in class who shows no respect, but many Lancers agree that Granger High School teachers receive their well-deserved respect.

Teachers all around the world are fueling the minds of today’s tomorrow; their willingness to teach and understand students is absolutely appreciated.

Gaby Pacheco: The thriple threat

By Anela Alagic PARTICIPATING in extracurricular activities while managing school can be overwhelming, but not for Gaby Pacheco (10). She is a sophomore who is involved in drill, girls soccer and softball.

Drill is a year-long sport that Pacheco is currently committed to. She has been dancing since she was eight years old. Her mom was the first person to encourage her and put her in cheerleading.

She was also on a competition studio team for a while.

She has constantly looked up to her older sister who was what really inspired her to pursue dancing all these years. She continued her dancing career and joined the Excalibur’s drill team at Granger.

This year was her first time being on the team and she loves it! “I will for sure be trying out for the next two years as well,” Pacheco

said.

She has also been playing soccer since she was ten years old.

Pacheco started playing for herself because it was her choice of wanting to get into it. It was a hobby she could do without worrying or having any pressure on her during it. She played soccer all three years at West Lake Junior High.

When Pacheco became a sophomore here at Granger High, she made the girls team and played for varsity on defense. She enjoys playing that position, but doesn’t mind getting involved in the offense every once in a while. Loving the sport of soccer and playing it so much, she chooses to play on the team while she also practices and performs during the drill season. She currently isn’t playing spring soccer with her teammates because she is involved in girls

softball.

This year is her first year playing softball at Granger. When she was in elementary school, there was an event where the teachers played against the students. She remembered how much fun it was for her, which is the reason why she decided to try out for softball.

Drill doesn’t get in the way for her. She will definitely be playing next year.

“During the competition season for drill, I get stressed to where I don’t eat that much,” Pacheco said. Other than that, she eats a lot during soccer and drill since they’re both around the same time. After soccer season stops, she stops eating as much.

Her parents are a big support group. They drive her to practices along with attending her events to watch her. With her dad being a fan of soccer, he always goes to

her games. Her best friends understand that she’s busy, so they make time for her.

Pacheco’s daily routine is always busy. She has a lot of chores to do along with all of her laundry. She manages all her school work -- staying up late at times

-- to complete it before the due dates.

Her body gets tired doing all of this work. “It’s easy to stick through things you love,” she said. Pacheco plans to remain involved in these three sports next year as well.

With all that Gaby has on her schedule, she still finds time to smile.

April 2013, page 3

VOL. LV Issue 6

Teachers tired of hairballs Teachers are getting tired of cleaning up after students that treat school like it’s a fashion show. With the hairballs, makeup, and other beauty products, the teachers are fed up.

By Skyler Malpass of the time, it’s just to flirt with make teachers uncomfortable. “I once had a girl apply lotion in PERSONAL grooming in the the girls.” class almost all the way to classroom is a growing her bikini line,” Ms. Judy problem at Granger. “I’m said. “That was a bad extired of finding hairballs,” perience for me as a subMs. Robinson said. “I stitute teacher.” can’t teach you, if you’re “People do not realize applying makeup.” that they are the only ones She had some shockwho notice their looks,” ing stories to tell. “SeriMs. Robinson said. “Realously, I had a girl who ly it’s just you who thinks shaved her legs right in your hair looks messy.” the middle of my class,” Another problem is that she said. “Plus she didn’t students will skip class even have any cream; she or show up late because was just dry shaving.” they were doing their hair Teachers say that they or putting on makeup or don’t mind the fact that shaving their legs. students are grooming “I have girls come in the themselves to look nice, library all the time to do but they are tired of it taktheir makeup,” Ms. Judy ing place in the classroom said. “Personal grooming or during class. “Please is best reserved for home don’t use my hall pass to not school.” go and do your makeup,” She even said that she Ms. Robinson said. “And would put a mirror at the don’t do it in class eiexit of the library so that ther.” you could hurry and check She also said that if your hair on the way out, she could she would put but she won’t, because she a mirror back her classknows that this will just room. “This greatly cuts lead to more girls coming down on hall passes,” she said. But she also stated Ms. Judy shows us that personal grooming is contagious. in and using the mirror to do makeup or hair. that girls are not the only It’s time that students stop trying offender in this area. “Boys are Not only are students pushing just has guilty when it comes to the limits on grooming in the to make school a beauty pageant grooming,” she said. “And most classroom, they are starting to and sit down to listen and learn.

Preparing for AP and CRT testing

By Victor Melara CRT AND AP tests are coming, and the first people to do actual testing will start on April 26. Testing can be hard and all someone else can do is attempt to help you prepare. Then it’s all up to you.

So what my editor decided to do was to have me go around and ask experts about everything they could tell me about testing.

The first interview was a talk with Mr. Clark about how to prepare for a test. “Study, lots and lots of study, alone and in groups,” he said. Basically, keep it fresh in your mind to make the test taking less of a challenge, and you won’t have to guess.

“We do lots of reviews and practice tests,” Mr. Clark said. “It helps to remember and become familiar with your test.”

Another test preparation approach is “to break it in to themes and chunk it” said Mr. Clark.

Chunking helps categorize subjects for easier and more efficient study. So you break it into parts and study one piece after another and just keep repeating the cycle.

Interested students should ask him about that method.

Ms. Robinson was the second test-taking expert I interviewed.

“Make sure that you eat before the test,” she said. “You will be able to focus on your test. Also get a good night’s sleep to help you stay awake and concentrate.”

Ms. Robinson told me about the “chunk it” study method too, so you can also ask her if you prefer her rather than Mr. Clark.

“Don’t pull an allnighter, eat a good breakfast, don’t sleep in too late, ...”

Ms. Robinson also told me “you should try and stay calm and have confidence in yourself.”

Her advice includes reading the entire question while you are testing.

Her last remark was “do not cram”, which means don’t stay up late the night before a test study-

ing when you should be resting.

But the biggest tutor anyone could find on how to prepare for a test would have to be Ms. Gaskins. “I could talk for another three hours,” Ms. Gaskins said after about fifty minutes of laying down so much info that I could hardly keep up with her.

Ms. Gaskins listed five very important guidelines to follow when taking a test. “Don’t pull an all-nighter, eat a good breakfast, don’t sleep in too late, review lightly with flash cards and verbally study.” These tips will impressively improve test taking.

“Vocab cards are key to remembering what you need to know on your test, because tests are show what you know short and long term,” she said.

“We use mnemonic devices to help students remember, and sometimes they are silly or goofy,” she said. From what I understand, mnemonic devices are a fun way to help remember information.

“Study repeatedly, spend more time rehearsing or actively thinking about the material, make it personally meaningful, use mnemonic devices, refresh your memory with active clues, recall events while they are fresh in your mind and minimize inferences,” Ms. Gaskins said.

She is very resourceful, and I’m glad she gave me time for an interview.

Excalibur’s steal the show

By Brenda Nguy WITH THE 2012-2013 Excaliburs coming to an end, it’s time for their annual showcase called Pizzazz. Pizzazz gives an opportunity for those students who didn’t get to see the drill team’s competitions, plus it is cheaper and right here in the school gym! The drill team has done an extraordinary job this year; they made it to state and are going to nationals again this year. “Last year we took first place, and I’m excited to swoop it again this year,” second vice president Brooke Rolfe (12) said.

Shelia Phoutavong (12) first vice president’s favorite part was getting saluted off even though it is the saddest part, but she has been looking forward to it since she was a sophomore on the team. And furthermore, she liked when her dad escorted her to the gym because she gets to show off her cute dress that she also wore to prom.

“My favorite routine would be officers because I get to put my own style into it, and I also maybe like the dance routine,” she said. After this being her last year on drill she wants to keep dancing and working on being a Blaze dancer for one year, then expand it further to become a Jazz dancer when she is eighteen. Make sure to watch for Shelia dancing on the basketball court when going to the jazz games.

They had many other dances from different dance studios like

Elite and Colet and also another great performance by the Flexcaliburs, a male team who put their own style and humor towards the drill team. Their captains are Curtis Casados and Issac Rios. They were difficult and frustrating during practice but were hilarious at the show they did a great job.

Sacramento Garcia (11) joined Flexcaliburs because Jasmin Mendoza, the historian publicist , and Shelly Ngo, a member, of the team forced him to do it. But he had lots of fun, although he had to wake up 6 a.m. to practice. He was nervous at first you could even see it on his face, but near the end he got the hang of it and did his best. He was great. “Next year, Mosses Corrales and I will be captains,” Garcia said.

Many say the kick and military routines were their favorites. They had a lot of energy and power put towards it. There were also great comments on the Flexcaliburs “I thought it was hilarious, it was so funny when they danced to Gangnam style.” Bianca Gomez (11) said.

Cheyanne Riley (11), a member of the drill team, felt like the show went really well, but sadly it will be her last year on drill. She will be trying out for dance company next year. “It was so much fun but sadder than I thought,” she said. It was a great show that the Excaliburs hosted. They had a great year.

“Drill has been a great experience and I’m really sad to go.”

Tri-Color Times Staff Editor Andrea Lomelli Copy Editor Naomi Newton

Photo Editor Casey Owens Print Editor Alyssa Hendry

Journalists

Journalists

Anela Alagic Taylor Bailey Briana Bauer Matias Caceres Sandy Carrillo Denise Cuenca Tariah Hathale Daven Hintgen Alexandria Johnson Hunter Kaio Juan Landeros Chauntel Lee

Katie Lee Chantalle Luna Skyler Malpass Victor Melara Brenda Nguy Vanessa Quiles Josseline Rendon Jessica Rubio Kelly Sanmiguel Jazmine Saucedo 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

April 2013, page 4

VOL. LV Issue 6

SPRING SPRING SPR

April 2013, page 5

VOL. LV Issue 6

RING SPRING SPRING

April 2013, page 6

VOL. LV Issue 6

Students share their interesting taste

By Tariah Hathale TRYING out a different kind of food that no one has ever thought before is something creative. Kelsie Morandy (11) is a big fan of fried spaghetti pie – she has loved it ever since seventh grade. “It’s delicious. My stepmom made it, so I tried it out,” she said. After accepting a cooking challenge, she made her own, but it wasn’t as good as her stepmother’s pie.

This fried spaghetti pie is simple rolls at the bottom with fried spaghetti put down on it. You use leftover spaghetti and fry it before.

Then you can put your choice of meatballs and cheese. “I like it with meatballs and cheese,” she said. To top it all off, there’s another layer of rolls with a bit more cheese on it.

“It looked funny at first but I tried it anyways also because I was hungry,” she said. Since her family enjoys eating fried spaghetti, her stepmom thought it would be good to try something new with it.

Morandy then introduced this dish to one of her friends and also former teammate. “It was alright, it tasted like crunchy spaghetti,” Lile Havili (12) said.

She wouldn’t try it again, once is enough for her. “I don’t like crunchy spaghetti. It’s like eating soft, squishy peanuts,” she said.

Havili tried it because it’s food, and she’s a lover of food. “I liked that the it was edible,” she said.

Her mom also enjoys eating a kind of mixture between French bread and orange soda. “My mom likes to crush crackers in boiled water with sugar as well,” Havili said.

There is also a crave going around school for a food called “Carne Asada Fries.” Pela Tapusoa (12) has been eating these fries since seventh grade. “I like everything about it, I never get sick of it or have any stomachaches,” she said. She enjoys eating it twice a week with a lot of hot sauce on it as well.

The Carne Asada Nachos aren’t

her favorite to get. “I save leftovers of the fries that I don’t eat,” she said. Eating this favorite food of hers means drinking a lot of Coca Cola, too.

“I tried them for the first time during winter,” Manuel Flores (12) said. He tried this delicious dish simply because of the meat, cheese, and fries all sounded good.

“Granger students around school mentioned it to me at lunch,” Flores said. His favorite part is the way the flavors mix in one to create a delightful taste.

Flores loves gulping down some Horchata with his. However, he dislikes how the Carne Esada Fries are so expensive. “I don’t even have 20 dollars in my pocket like that song,” he said.

“Everyone else ordered it so I decided to try it,” Ilaisaane Manatau (11) said. The group she was with for Sadie’s in her sophomore year wanted Rancheritos after the dance.

The sour cream that tops it off

is what catches Manatau’s taste buds. She doesn’t like how it’s a bit dry, so she gulps it down with a Coca Cola, too. “I would recom-

mend it to out of state families,” Manatau said.

“It’s a flavorful explosion in my mouth.” Manatau said.

Pela wishes that she had some fries to eat right now.

Giving back by giving blood Here at Granger, we are no stranger to the blood drive. Saving lives is one of the things that we do best.

Ms. Barret uses the projector when she teaches her lessons,

Granger goes green

By Matias Caceres GRANGER is going paperless in the new school building next year, and several teachers are thrilled about it. Granger’s staff will need to adjust to using the new technology instead of doing things on paper. Some teachers rarely use computers to do their work and need to be taught how. Using computers as part of the curriculum will force teachers to change their lesson plans and tests.

“They will only have to use computers and other technologies depending on the task,” Berrett said. “Using electronics helps a lot when assignments are being turned in, because students can turn them in whenever they want and not lose the assignment.”

“I’m thrilled and excited to go paperless because we need to catch up to modern society. My only worry is that not everyone will know how to use computers, but teaching them will help solve the problem. In college everything is paperless, going paperless now will help students prepare for college,” she said.

Ms. Berrett is very excited for the transition and hopes that it will help students prepare for college and the future.

There are a few teachers who have not yet been informed of the transition. “It is a good thing because it uses less paper, but it also affects my family’s paper business in a negative way. I guess this means I will be getting fewer Christmas gifts from now on,” Mr. Fuller said. “Doing things electronically helps improve the work being turned in by students.”

There are a few downsides to the cut down on paper though.

Things can get stolen or broken, and if the power or the wireless go down, then students won’t be able to work, access their work, save their work or turn in their work.

But the best part is being able to help students improve their knowledge and get them ready for a future filled with technology.

The future equals electronics.

Most of Granger’s faculty may be optimistic about it, but others dislike the tech-savvy school idea. Ms. Yorgason disagrees with the transition. Yorgason thinks it won’t happen because it’s too much of a hassle. “How will you give kids quizzes without paper?” she asked. “The sizes of classes is too big for an electronic school, paper is the students’ only resource. I enjoy doing things on paper because it’s better for students, and I hope it stays the same.”

The transition won’t affect everyone, because some classes won’t need the technology. “It’s a good thing that teachers won’t have to give as many handouts anymore, but art classes won’t be affected by the transition. I can’t see the point in using paperless technology in my class. It’s not applicable,” Mr. Christiansen said.

“The library won’t go paperless because books are very important. Students are starting to use the overdrive, but that is the only thing,” Ms. Judy said. A lot of people are looking forward to the new tech-savvy Granger.

By Daven Hintgen Many other Granger students nor, and it gets stored into a little ABOUT two times a year, a blood have different views and some bag. She also takes care of the dodonation service comes to Grang- just feel like it’s their duty. Some nors recovering who just finished er High to take and sample blood even act with karma in mind. “If I giving blood. to give it to those who need it. was in the same situation I would “We come to Granger because Even SBOs like Margret Tonga want someone to donate their you kids are a good source of (12) decides to give their blood to blood to me,” Jamison Ross (12) blood,” Black said. “Kids are the donors, and they are the sym- said. young enough and healthy enough bol of the school aren’t they? So “You benefit from the donation to be eligible to donate valuable that’s a good thing they decided because you save lives, and it blood.” to help save lives They take the people just like the rest of willing to give blood our great school. behind a desk with a One outstanding wall on it. Back there, Lancer who interBlack explained, stuacts with school dents get asked quesactivities is Lugam tions like if they are Medellin (12). “I homosexual and have always think what had any sexual contact would batman do?” with same sex gender.

Medellin said. He Students can give has given blood evblood if they are hoery year he’s been mosexuals. But if they at Granger High. have had any sexual “I like how you contact, blood doget out of class get nor technicians don’t some snacks and want to give anyone a you do it by doing disease. good. If anyone is If for any reason you eligible to donate were not comfortable and share your answering a question blood with someor if for some reason one who needs it do you don’t want them it! The feeling you to use your blood beget is totally worth cause you were not it” Medellin said. sure or didn’t tell the Kids all over truth, they have this granger high delittle number on each cided to give blood bag of blood. Just tell just like Medelthem not to use it by lin. Some of those calling them and givkids are just sophoing them the code for mores, some seniors that bag of blood. This and some are brand way no one will get Marisol is just about finished giving her full pint of blood. new to the school. But damaged or sick from they are all willing to help. gives you a good feeling inside,” that blood. Of course, it’s best to This is his first year Zackary Ross said. just be honest and not lie in the Crow (10) gave blood at Grang- In case some Granger students first place so you don’t have to go er, but it’s the second time he has want to give blood or are worried through all the trouble to tell them done it. He knows that there are about whether or not they can, not to use your blood. a lot of Americans who need to Amy Black explained some rules Remember Lancers, not everyhave blood transfusions. “I feel to the granger students. She is a one is eligible to donate blood. Or like it’s my duty to help those blood donor technician. if you do not feel capable, then people,” Crow said.

She takes blood from each do- don’t do it.

April 2013, page 7

VOL. LV Issue 6

Make your mark on the new Granger

By Anela Alagic MANY FRESH possessions are coming along with the new school. Including personally engraved bricks you can have installed. If you’re looking for a way to remember the old school or just someone who wants to be remembered as a former Granger Lancer, this is the way to go.

“Teachers and a few students have already bought 100 bricks,” vice principal Gatti said. “There’s still around a thousand left for you to purchase one.”

All the engraved bricks will be laid in the pathway by the athletics fields, which will be known as the Legacy Plaza Courtyard. Everyone has a chance to buy one!

Each brick is being sold for $50.

Messages can be up to 3 lines with

15 characters on each line (including spaces). You will be able to share your exciting and meaningful words, honor past alumni, show your apperception to current students and staff members or just to leave your own mark.

“I think it is super cool to have something imprinted that’s going to stay there for a very long time!” counseling secretary Rossy Martinez said. She purchased one brick and so did her sister. They are both from California, but when they heard about the opportunity they took it. Rossy didn’t put her name on the brick, but instead wrote her nephews and nieces names. “I believe it’s going to mean more to them than it does to us right now,” she said.

Ms. Okelberry is another famil-

GAAP is back

iar staff member who has already purchased two bricks. “When I heard about it, I knew right away what I wanted to get engraved on them,” she said.

The first one she bought was for her children. She has four kids who have all graduated from Granger. “It’s something special that they can all look back on and remember as part of their high school days as well as somehow being a part of the new school,” Okelberry said. The other brick was hers. Ms. Okelberry has worked at Granger for almost 20 years now.

It doesn’t matter if you’re a teacher, alumni or student -- get on over to the main office and fill out an order form. No one should miss out on an offer this good.

Order Form

Pay by check or cash in main office at Granger High School Name_____________________________________________________________________________________ Email_____________________________________________________________________________________ Phone Number______________________________________________________________________________ Message: Fill in the blanks (Maximum 15 characters per line INCLUDING spaces)

_______________ _______________ _______________ Below office use only Paid______________________________________________________________________________________ Check #___________________________________________________________________________________ Date______________________________________________________________________________________ Signature___________________________________________________________________________________

Order Form

Pay by check or cash in main office at Granger High School Name_____________________________________________________________________________________ Email_____________________________________________________________________________________ Phone Number______________________________________________________________________________ Message: Fill in the blanks (Maximum 15 characters per line INCLUDING spaces)

_______________ _______________ _______________

Drama at the state regionals Below office use only

It’s been over three decades since Granger Lancers have placed in the state regionals, and they’re feeling good.

Paid______________________________________________________________________________________ Check #___________________________________________________________________________________

Date______________________________________________________________________________________ Signature___________________________________________________________________________________

For some kids, GAAP will be a great time to get in some studying.

By Alexander Page THE ADMINISTRATIVE staff of Granger recently announced that GAAP (Granger All Achieve Program) will return. GAAP is a program used by students with failing grades to allow them to work with teachers to find ways to receive credit. It will be effective as soon as possible after midterms. The reason behind GAAP’s return seems to fall on this year’s sophomore’s shoulders.

Mr. Wessman said that GAAP is returning because of the rising amount of students failing this year. Specifically, he gave information that this year’s sophomores show a higher failing rate, which swayed the vote for GAAP to be re-established.

Last year, the average F’s per quarter for sophomores (class of 2014) was an average of 0.9 F’s per student. This year, the statistic jumped from 0.9 F’s to 1.3 F’s per student this past quarter. Broadly speaking, this means that every sophomore (class of 2015) on average has been shown to have at least one F grade on his or her report card. Of course, some have several F grades by the end of the quarter, while others have none.

“We are looking for the best way to improve students’ grades,” Wessman said. The decision was easy to make, and it was fastest, easiest to implement immediately. Because GAAP worked last year, the administrative staff considered it easier to implement a previously successful program than to try something new this close to the end of the year.

“We toyed around with something called ELT, which stands

for Extended Learning Time,” Wessman said. But he explained that this alternative to GAAP wouldn’t be as efficient.

Extended Learning Time was a program that would have changed the normal class schedules so that every other A day and B day would include an additional 20 minutes after some classes for make up work, special projects or free time for student who had no homework.

However, Wessman had concerns about the cons of this program.

“There would be no way we could enforce it,” Wessman said.

“There would be no way to know if a student had homework or not.

We would basically have to let any student out and there would be no way to know if they needed to do work.”

So, GAAP will work like last year, with failing students referred to Monday morning tutoring sessions to make up work for any classes they are failing. However, there won’t be any after-school GAAP sessions offered thus restricting it to morning GAAP. All curriculum areas will be offer make up work in GAAP, allowing any sophomores, juniors and seniors to fix whatever mistakes they made during any of the quarters.

“If it is used next year, GAAP will be open for freshmen, too,” Wessman said. For now, GAAP will be mainly used to improve sophomore grades this quarter. If the failing grades continue to increase, Wessman confirms there will be a good chance GAAP will stay.

By Andrea Lomeli THE LAST time Granger High’s drama department placed at the regional drama competition was in 1980. This year, Granger High School’s drama students placed third in state regionals.

“We are very happy getting third place on state regional,” Mr. Fuller said. “Hunter and Taylorsville are ahead of us in the game, but I think we’re finally caching up to them. Next year we got some stiff competition we’re going to be up against; Cottonwood, Hillcrest and West (just to name a few).”

Mr. Fuller’s advanced drama class described how they felt about performing at state regionals and their thoughts on how they think they did. “I think I could have done better, because there’s always room to improve,” Tay-

lor Molis (11) said. “Definitely next year we will do even better, and I’m hoping more people join drama.”

“It feels really good getting third place. It was my first time going I was very excited,” Jeffery Fulton (12) said. “It was nice taking third place at regionals. I thought we did well and deserved it.” The Lancers are happy getting third place in regionals, since they haven’t won one for quite a long time.

“Yeah I think we did good, but I think I could have done lot better,” Cheyenne Gehlen (10) said.

Stress can make performing difficult. “We do very basic warm up before acting like breath in exercises, warming exercise, and energy work improve,” said Mr. Fuller.

Some students were nervous,

and others were not.

“Yes, I was very nervous since we had lot of people that went this year; it was very hard,” Gehlen said.

“No way was I nervous. I was more familiar with it, because I’ve done these types of things before,” Molis said.

Finally as this building comes to its conclusion, the drama department is doing a really good job and improving now that we finally placed at the state.

“I am absolutely proud of them; most of them are involved with other school activities. Finding time for them was very difficult,” Mr. Fuller said.

At this rate, maybe they could even win first place next year. But for now, our drama kids will just try to work even harder with this motivation to keep on trying.

Book review: The Drake Chronicles

By Jazmine Saucedo SOLANGE is the baby sister of seven overprotective brothers: Sebastian, Duncan, Marcus, Logan, Nicholas and the twins Quinn and Connor.

Many want to court or kill her, although her vampire life doesn’t start until she turns sixteen because of a prophecy that says she will be queen of the vampires, many want to court or kill her. Solange does not want to be queen, and she has to avoid getting killed by vampire hunters.

One night Kieran Black sneaks in to the drake farm house with the plan of killing them all. After meeting Solange’s human best friend Lucy with her killer right hook that breaks his nose. Kieran falls in love with Solange.

Nicholas declares his love for Lucy.

Logan falls in love with a vampire hound Isabeau who is out for revenge on the vampire that

killed her. Where once there was

no such thing as magic, Isabeau helps the Drakes save Solange.

Quinn falls in love with a vam-

pire hunter named Hunter. At Hunter’s school, there are weird things happening and kids are dying. With the help of the Drakes, she saves her peers but almost gets herself killed.

Lucy joins the vampire hunter school. Although she is there to help the drakes get rid of the bad vampire, she gets into more trouble in school than what she was with the Drakes.

After meeting Lucy’s cousin Christabel, Conner is finally off his computer having to save her form kidnapping vampires.

The drake chronicles books are filled with action, adventure, magic, vampire, hunters, and romance. In Alyxandar Harvey’s books Hearts at Stake, Blood Feud, Out for Blood, Blood Moon and Blood Prophecy.

April 2013, page 8

VOL. LV Issue 6

Lucky Lancer’s story

By Jazmine Saucedo TYLER Lavadie is a senior at Granger High. He is one of Granger’s tennis players. “This is my first year playing tennis. I need something to get me out of my house so I thought why not tennis,” he said.

Tyler likes spending time outdoors. He likes to go fishing, camping and hunting. “I’ve been hunting since I was six with my grandpa and my uncles.”

Tyler was hit by a car at the age of five. “I had run into the street right in front of a car and it hit me.

When I woke up I was lying on street with people looking down at me.” Tyler had no bones broken and no scratches -- he was a very lucky five-year-old.

After high school, he wants to go to Utah State University and study wildlife science and get a

bachelor’s degree. He hopes to get a job that has to do with agriculture purposes. “I love the outdoors so I want a job that has to do with it,” he said. In addition, he also wants to enter the police academy and begin training.

Granger has been a place that has helped Tyler work hard to get where he is now. He will graduate this year, leaving as a proud Lancer and taking many memories with him. Once a Lancer always a Lancer.

Tyler is one of Granger’s many interesting students with a story.

Soccer girls just don’t stop

By Jessica Rubio OUR LANCERS were eager to keep soccer season going even after it ended. The Girls soccer team refused to end the soccer season so soon, so therefore some of the girls from the team Talked to Coach Berrett to see if there was any way possible to keep playing.

Thanks to her the girls came up with a working way to hold games against other schools. Some seniors appreciate the effort they put into this and being able to still play after the season ended.

“It’s Fun and it’s a good way to get out and play soccer”, said Karla Soto (12). Soto also said,” I’m pretty sure Megan knows what she’s doing and preparing these girls for is definitely the best way to start off the Lancers 13’ Soccer Season.”

Spring soccer can also be an opportunity to some girls because even if they don’t know how to play they can join and learn and get better.

“I feel this is something really good, it’s a good workout every time I play,” Adriana Romero (11) said. ” It’s also somewhat of a chal-

Credit recovery

lenge for some of the players, there are good teams and there are some beginner teams, it just depends on the team you play that day,” Romero said.

This is a good way for the girls to be more active and play the sport they like. This is more like a come have fun play your sport type of thing.

This is great for any girl who wants to learn or just go out and play for fun, its free and there are other schools involved, it’s just great for the Lancers who love Soccer.

“Having spring soccer completes my end of the year as a senior; I’m Happy we’re doing spring soccer because it gives me one last chance to play with most of my teammates and on the turf.”

Said Mariana Garcia (12).

Garcia also Said,” I think it’s great that we’re doing it because it’ll benefit all the players who will be trying out this upcoming season, it’s great for them to get to know each other.”

The seniors are happy about this it’s their last chance to play soccer on the school with their teammates before the year ends, and for the juniors it prepares them

for their senior year.

The girls said their eager to see who tries out this year because it seems like there are some pretty good players on the field.

This is a great way to have the girls learn to play on the turf and learn to play with each other, it’s a good opportunity to get to know the girls and know who might be coming to tryout this upcoming season.

All of the soccer girls are probably more than grateful for Ms. Berrett for helping organize this and taking her time out to help the Lancers out.

Let’s hope with spring soccer our Lancers’ season next year improves with the new girls that will be trying out.

Adriana is excited for spring.

Jennifer Winder is on track to graduate with credit recovery’s help.

By Daniel Webb CREDIT recovery is available, but not for much longer. According to Mr. Jefferies, the person needs to be missing credits and the person needs to come after school for an hour to an hour and a half.

For citizenship make-up, every hour of service gives you a ‘one’ for citizenship. Since seniors need to have an at least a 2.0 CPA to graduate, the people who have zeros should get them made up as soon as possible. Citizenship make-up happens Mondays through Thursdays from 2:10 through 3:50 and Monday mornings from 7:15 through 8:15.

Doris Smith (10) said she is in a program at Granger called Shield, which is it’s a course where students can make up credit,s do homework and get other class work completed. They also review grades with the trackers to find out what the student is failing “They double as therapists,” she said. She has a lot of credits to make up -- like somewhere in the 10-15 range, but she does not have any citizenship make up.

Jennifer Widner (12) goes to credit recovery as well. She has two packets to complete, and what she has to do in credit recovery is stay at least an hour on the

days she can. “I go quite a bit,” she said. And she has no citizenship make up required.

Austin Evans (10) also does credit recovery. He does mostly homework and has two credits.

Just like, Jennifer he is currently working on an English packet and has no need for citizenship make up. Mr. Jefferies is his tracker in his Shield class, which is funny because Jeffries is his uncle.

But for some students, they didn’t know they even had to attend the credit recovery program at all. Kaitlyn Wahlberg (11) was attending credit recovery, but no one told her she had to come more than once. She has three credits to make up in just a short amount of time.

Another thing students can do is attend a math tutoring class to get help in math. Kevin Soto (10) said he attends math tutoring regularly. “The good thing about math lab is that you can retake math tests if you need to and work on homework from that day,” he said.

Teachers such as Mr. Okeson and Mr. Moon help out with those sorts of things. “You also need to know what you’re doing so that the teachers can help you,” Soto said.

Rock school students perform with passion

By Matias Caceres GRANGER High’s very own Rock School had an amazing performance. They had a fiery intensity and motivation that helped them wow the audience.

The audience was very quiet during the beginning, but as they saw more of the students’ performances, they began to cheer and join in on the fun.

Vocalist Kaitlin Lake (10) thought that she could’ve done better on the first song. Other than not being prepared, she thought she did a great job, and she felt scared and thrilled at the same time.

Everyone could feel the excitement backstage as performers rushed to get everything ready.

Selene Gomez (12) was really excited to perform. “I always feel excited when I am in front of an

audience performing a song after I practiced really hard,” she said.

Their last song, “I Love Rock and Roll” sung by Kaitlin Lake, had all of the Rock School students join in and clapping their hands. The audience loved their enthusiasm and joined in the clapping, too.

“I was more than excited to perform in front of everyone with all of my friends by my side, and the performance went splendidly amazing. The PA system helped us sound amazing. I don’t think everyone was fully prepared, but we still did an amazing job,” Bryan Guzman (10) said.

Everyone has his own part in the performance. Drummer James Mordue (10) thought that the vocalists needed to be louder because they couldn’t be heard over the sound of the drums.

“I felt excited as soon as I stepped on the stage. I wasn’t nervous because I am used to playing in front of an audience,” Guzman said. “I don’t think we were all ready to perform just yet, but I’d give the performance an eight out of ten.”

Isaac Gomez (10) played the saxophone in the performance.

“I felt blinded by the light on the stage and I was nervous too, but I was prepared and ready to play despite that. Everyone did an amazing job, and mostly everyone was prepared,” he said.

The vocalists did a great job and spent long hours practicing their parts. “I was very excited to show everyone in the audience how hard I worked on my part for the song, and I am glad I got to rock out and have fun with my friends,” Teresa Salazar (11) said.

“I was extremely excited because I got to play the harmonica during one of the performances.

The performance was pretty freakin legit, and I liked the energy that the audience gave off,” James Holland (11) said.

Granger High is the only school in Utah that offers the Rock School program to students. The

class is available next year, and the students highly recommend that you take it if you like music and fun.

The students in the class are full of energy and have the hearts of true rockers. So come on out and see their next performance in the spring, and donate to help them buy new equipment.

Drummer James Holland practices during 4B.