Granger high school
Tri-Color Times An open forum for student opinion and expression
January 2017 LIX-V
TRICOLORTIMES.COM
Multi-sport Artemis Miller inspires teammates By Hayley Rigby GRANGER takes great pride in athletics, especially in athletes. Many of the athletes at Granger are working towards their dreams, and they will do anything to reach them. Many of these athletes continue to push themselves to get ready for college-level competition. “Although I have not decided which college to go to, I am still thinking about using the sports I play to help me get into college. This year it is going good, although I have not talked to any scouts yet,” Artemis Miller (11) said. Miller has been swimming since her freshman year, and that season she got athlete of the month. Miller has done many
sports here at Granger High School including track and field and tennis. “I started doing track and tennis last year, which was my sophomore year. I enjoy being connected to my school in more than just an educational sort of sense. I also love being a part of such an amazing group of people that are going for the same goals,” Miller said. Miller’s teammates love her positivity and passion for the many sports she plays. She has fallen in love with all the sports she has played here at Granger High School. Miller has been working hard early mornings and late nights to prepare for a greater future. “Artemis is such an inspira-
tion, and she is one of my best friends. I do not think I would be doing swim right if not for her. She has pushed me to get better and I love her for that,” Isis Oro (11) said. Being a student athlete is hard, but Miller always seems to pull through with great grades. Being smart, athletic and friendly are some amazing qualities for a high school student to have. Luckily for Miller, she has these great qualities. “My grade point average has been a 4.0 since sophomore year. In freshman year, I messed up a little bit. I never procrastinate and I study for my tests. If I did procrastinate I don’t think my grades would be the same right now,” Miller said.
Student athletes need dedication and grit. Miller knows this all too well. She focuses on her sports and on her schooling, but some people have a hard time keeping up her fast lifestyle. “You can be smart and not get anywhere in life, but if you work hard you will be sure to get somewhere,” Miller said. Miller is a great friend, student, and athlete. She always knows how to make the people around her laugh but she always knows when to be serious. It is great to be friends with such an amazing person. She is always kind and always knows how to help everyone. Miller is a great role model for every student athlete to look up to for inspiration.
Artemis Miller competes against swimmers from Kearns as her teammates cheer her in the middle of a turn.
GHS literacy rates are lower than neighboring schools By Diego Serrato LITERACY. Google it. “Noun. the ability to read and write.” Why this point is brought to light is because Granger High School is suffering from a severe epidemic: illiteracy. Granger is currently rated a failing school as considered by the state. That being the current stigma, Granger has been marked a turnaround school this year. A turnaround school is exactly as it sounds: to help redirect the current downward literacy trend into a skyrocketing ascent toward national averages. Failing to raise the literacy rates in the next three years the consequences would be unpleasant. First, by contracting a state management service. Their services are instructing and mandat-
ing what the teachers need to be teaching. The school would be run by the state and be turned into a charter school. In essence the state would take over the school from Granite District. All this is to happen if the school cannot go up a letter grade within the three-year window. If the school is successful in the turnaround, each letter grade earned above the current failing grade earns $100 per tested student for the school and $1000 per teacher. The school is currently in phase one of the Turnaround School Act. Granger High School was labeled a turnaround school because of its low literacy level, and now has another two years to turn it around in a positive direction. “There is not one thing at fault,
it is a factor of multiple things,” Ms. Alo, a vice principal, said. English as a Second Language or ESL is one of the biggest factors that people blame because there are so many students from different countries that are just learning English, so to set the bar so high for people who are barely learning English is ludicrous. If they were to test the students in their native language, there would be a gap of fluency, equivalent to the fluency of those with English as a primary language. “There is no interest, in reading books,” Ms. Alo said. This disinterest in reading books is astonishing, as most students are presented a book that is not interesting or not in the student’s interest. Worst of all some students haven’t even tried talking to a li-
brarian to find a book with their interests. The value of reading has fallen, “You can’t value what you don’t have,” said Ms. Alo. As a Title One school, most students are just trying to get by, and most of the students who are old enough to work are in the workforce already, trying to make money to support their college fund. Some of those students do not perform as well as those who don’t have jobs, but barely get by with a passing grade. “Reading is like fishing: teach a person to fish, and they will not run out of food, so reading is survival,” Ms. Alo said. Reading will be used throughout college and many places beyond that, so the value of reading as a skill is obvious, but not to as many students as need improvement.
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GAMEDEV 1.0 By Oswaldo Cabrera Valencia
VIDEO games: almost everybody knows them and loves them but not many people know how to make them. There are classes where students can learn the main steps to making a small and simple game, and Granger is lucky to have one of those classes. Mr. McCarl is the teacher for this class, and he covers the history of videogames, 3D animating, and a lot more things in the category. This classroom has many “beefy” computers with double monitors and not all the seats are taken. All around the room are posters from different video games, with a few inspirational quotes. The class has a great ambience for creative Lancers to work in, ideas always circle around that room. “The main goal of this class is that by the time these students are seniors, they will make commercial games” Mr. McCarl said. About $100k was spent on this classroom, which is a problem, because there are not many students in the class yet. There are many students that don’t even know that there is a game development class. “I think more people should go into game development because it’s interesting and fun,” Hailey Piper (11) said. “Granger has so many amazingly artistic Lancers.” Another great example is Calvin Nguyen, he couldn’t find a way to express his huge creativity, he tried many things, but the one open door he went through was game development. Not everyone can really express creativity with a camera or pencil and paper. “Game development is an open door for those who need to express creativity” Calvin Nguyen (11) said, some kids say it’s fun class for them to be in. These kids in gamedev work hard and put lots of creativity and effort into the small, short games. They start off by building an endless runner game where each student makes a 3D model for the character that is running and other models are made for the obstacles and background. The programs they use are Blender, Unity, and other programs to make these small games. Some kids want to try to make a video game, but they can’t without access to a computer at home.
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Tri-Color Times VOL. LIX Issue 5
January 2017, page 2 :: News
Social justice is discussed at Granite Education Association meeting By Dailyn Marrero AT THE GEA building in Murray, representatives and teachers held a meeting regarding social justice within the Granite School District. Their topics of discussion revolved around justice for students that are classified in minority groups. Students who experience homophobia, classism, ableism, racism, etc. are in position to be recognized and aided by teachers. The GEA staff has been evaluating methods to create stronger relationships with students within these classifications. Methods such as creating a safe and comfortable environment for the student to speak, showing a teacher’s own personal interest, and treating those in need of help with respect instead of belittlement. “It is like watering a garden, it only grows if you water it,” Eddie Berest, the guest speaker, said. The committee had shown exceptional ideas towards the building of relationships with out-casted
students. Caren Burns, an attendee on the GEA board stated her recent high number of students that had revealed their sexual identity to her. Because of this, she had recognized the toxic homophobia that had been spread around the student’s life, and she knew that it was unjust. Children like this are exposed to potential suicidal thoughts. However, teachers are well positioned to prevent the bullying. This discussion lead to questions about the consequences for praising homosexuality in Utah’s public schools. The rules are clear, and teachers can be disciplined or fired for what they say regarding sex or sexuality. This law is yet again bashing diversity amongst kids, causing a tidal wave of depression in these young minds. Not only are the students vulnerable for attention, teachers are at risk with the law if they decide to speak upon the issue. “I became a teacher specifi-
cally for social justice reasons. When I was 18, I learned that math was the gatekeeper,” Michael Jones, a teacher at Cyprus, said. “It is extremely easy to forget the roots to your reason for teaching after years of being in the system. Your personal life can distract you from your students’ conflicts, as well,” Jones said. Teachers have a vital struggle between decision making in their personal lives and the lives of other students. “I am an ESL teacher at Woodrow Wilson. The diversity is immense. With our high population of refugee students, the abundance of languages in the classroom is overwhelming,” Taylor Layton said. “I implement social justice in my classroom by introducing the outside world to my students. Talking about the Black Lives Matter movement to a bunch of third graders is a subject I believe should be discussed about to any age group. Difference is not something we should not only accommodate, but comprehend
It’s time to shut down cyber-bullying
By April Hendriksen IN TODAY’S pop culture, it’s a growing trend to become sarcastic and discouraging to each other. In groups of friends, teenagers are constantly in the attitude of burning each other and giving each other snarky remarks. In many situations, this is both healthy and normal, however, when these forms of bonding are copied and pasted into social media, they turn into harsh words with no teasing grins and insults with no light-hearted laughter. Lanoy Phouangphrachanh (11) has shut down an instance of cyber-bullying in a group chat with her close friends. “Me and my friends were all close,” she said. “He was the only guy in the group chat and everyone makes fun of him because he’s Russian and he shows us pictures of his
abs.” Out of nowhere, one of her friends began to mock him, saying things like “Oh, you’re just a stick” and “You’re never gonna be big and grown up.” Phouangphrachanh soon received a private text from the boy, telling her that he was crying and he needed her help. Phouangphrachanh agreed to help him and had him leave the group chat to speak to their friends and told them that they had crossed a line. This stopped the bullying. It was just one mistake, and, perhaps in person, the gibes might have been less hurtful because of facial cues and vocal tone. In this situation, Phouangphrachanh’s friend had the right idea. If one is being bullied or picked on over social media, they should
When students are being cyber-bullied, they often feel alone.
privately message someone who may be able to stick up for them. If the people who are picking on said person don’t let up after a peer’s intervention, then the best option is to block, unfriend, or unfollow these people. However, preventing oneself from being a cyber-bully is also an important skill to have in today’s internet society. 52% of teenagers report being cyber-bullied, so the actual bullying has to come from somewhere. “To make themselves look more superior, or better than the other person,” Melanie Dutton (10) commented in a post about why people cyber-bully other people. In a Facebook poll for a group of kids attending Granger. Students said that, out of all the comments on social media, they mostly saw positive comments, but a close second was angry and critical comments. People feel cyber-bullied when they are prosecuted about their posts on social media and others disagree with them and believe that they should share their disagreement in the form of an angry or degrading comment on their posts. To avoid being a cyber-bully, when people see an opinion they clash with, they could refrain from commenting negatively on that post and, instead, create their own post cultivating their own opposing opinion and tag the person they disagree with in it. This tactic is typically a winwin situation. The people who disagree with their Facebook friend sound less insulted and the other person feels less attacked for stating an opinion. This can work with any form of social media. No matter where people are on the internet, they’re going to fight. There will always be contention, but there will always be a way to block it all out. Students can make social media less personal when they see things they don’t agree with. Together, Granger students can make both the halls and chat rooms better places by behaving with respect toward others.
that it will bring a positive value to the classroom. However, I’m a resource teacher, so I’m not familiar with the environment in other courses. For teachers looking to engage with their classes, they should learn to have more involvement with their students, get to their core,” Layton said. At this GEA-sponsored meet-
ing about social justice in the classroom, the teachers introduced new ideas in connection with their students, and they showed deep affection towards the personal lives of their students. Homophobia and racism in the classroom were definitely the topics the committee paid the most attention to.
Many students trust Caren Burns with personal information and stories.
Meet the students of GHS @ Instagram.com/tricolortimes Makeup: Cruelty-Free vs Animal-tested By Ashley Garcia MANY LANCERS wear makeup to school every single day. They follow the most popular makeup trends and the most popular makeup products. Some students prefer drugstore makeup products, while others are willing to spend more money on high-end or even luxury products. Although these products work great and last all day on the skin, the processes of making some these products are terrible. Animals tests are used for many things humans use. From food, to clothing, and even into making makeup. A lot of popular makeup brands sell products tested on animals to see if it’s safe on human skin. The sad truth behind some makeup products is that animals have to suffer in order to learn if the product is able to make it to the market. Critics of animal testing created the term ‘cruelty-free’ to describe makeup that hasn’t been tested on animals. “When I’m buying makeup I usually don’t look to see whether it’s animal-tested makeup or cruelty-free, but I am aware of it and some brands that are strictly animal-tested makeup,” Karol Penate (12) said. Animals are used for tests in skincare products as well as in hair care, household, self-care products as in Chapsticks and soap. “My opinion about animaltested makeup is that we should not allow it. I feel as if there are other ways to test makeup rather than on animals, especially since we are so advanced in makeup,” Penate said. If makeup brands that are cruelty-free can do it, then makeup brands that are not cruelty-free can also do it without making any excuses. It is possible. “My opinion on cruelty-free makeup is that I think it’s a great idea, I don’t think makeup should be tested on animals,” Ariana
Perez (9) said. “Most of the makeup I use is cruelty-free, and I intend on keeping it that way,” Perez said. A great way to make a change today is for people to reorganize their personal makeup collection, and sort it into two categories. Makeup should be sorted into cruelty-free makeup to keep and the animal-tested makeup to throw out. That way, to honor animals who already died, animal-tested makeup will not be used at all. On the other hand, consumers could use up all their animal-tested products immediately, so the investment put into the makeup’s production will not go to waste. After that is done, people should only purchase makeup that is cruelty-free from then on and help make a difference for the animals by doing these small steps. A bigger step consumers could take is to involve politicians like former Congressman Jim Moran (R-VA), who sponsored a bill to stop animal testing back in 2014 as stated on the onegreenplanet. org website. “I think we can rebel… like not buy the makeup brands that test on animals. They should come to a conclusion that it is not right to test on animals, but in my opinion it would be hard to do all that. All I can do and that I will keep on doing is not buy any makeup brands or products that are tested on animals,” Alyin Ortiz (11) said. Some makeup brands to avoid that still support testing on innocent animals include: Mac, Estee Lauder, L’Oreal, Cover Girl, Mary Kay, Bobbi Brown, and Maybelline. To find out more about these brands and brands that are animal-tested makeup or to invest in brands that are cruelty-free visit www.peta.org for more information. Make a change and be the voices for these innocent animals.
January 2017, page 3 :: Opinion
Tri-Color Times VOL. LIX Issue 5
That tiny screen is slowing turning your brain to mushy, beef-flavored ramen noodles
Opinion by Amanda MacKay “SCHOOL sucks,” the student tweets during class, not paying attention to the lesson. If students aren’t interested in what a teacher is saying, they’ll pop in their headphones and listen to whatever new “fire” album just came out or stare mindlessly at their four-inch screens searching for something more entertaining than their education. Students are so quick to pull out their cell phones in any situation. When we’re bored, when we feel awkward, when we need to pass time, and sometimes we don’t even know why we’re looking at it at all. Our parents and teachers are always complaining about us being on our phones too often. We’ve all heard it, but many of us do not seem to understand why the adults in our lives think cell
phones are the root of all evil. ting an education, yet many teens stead of enriching their lives with They don’t understand us, be- act as though they are. I find it valuable knowledge. cause they did not fill their free odd that students will prioritize I don’t think anyone would say time with cell phones when they scrolling mindlessly on social that looking at the pointless minwere our age. media over homework. ion memes their aunt shares on Teenagers, some more than Obviously, it is easier and more Facebook is a better use of their others, know deep down that entertaining, but it causes more time than finishing schoolwork. cell phones are a problem. If we were to take a second to But none of them do anything think about why we spend so As I sit here and write about it. As I sit here and write much time on our phones and about detrimental and mind- about detrimental and mind- on social media, maybe we sucking smartphones, I have would realize how dumb we sucking smartphones, I one that I use way more than are being. have one that I use way I should. Sure, texting and social more than I should. “Put your phone away!” is a media can be a great way to phrase most every Lancer has stay in touch with people. heard. We roll our eyes and groan, problems in the long run. Social Excessive cell phone use can bebut the groaning isn’t justified. media is nothing more than one come a distraction from our work Adults really only tell students to big pissing contest with everyone and lead us off our path to sucput their phones away when they trying to prove that they’re more cess. We’d do better to remain should be doing something more good-looking or funny or sad mentally present in class. than anyone else. I find it humorimportant. Generations before us have We all know that Instagram, ous that teens keep attempting to led happy and successful lives Twitter, Snapchat, and Facebook prove something to people who without cell phones, and perhaps are not nearly as important as get- don’t actually care about them in- their lives were better and more
productive. Smartphones are an amazing and useful technology, but we millennials cannot let them define us. In a society full of people who are constantly looking down, be the outlier who looks up and enjoys the real world. That world in your phone is warped, sugarcoated, and filtered. Put it aside and go see the world for yourself. Refuse to let your phone be a distraction to your education and see how far it takes you. Aspire to be the person who five years from now is posting about their college graduation, not a “selfie” in a greasy fast food uniform. Years from now, you won’t remember that pointless Twitter fight or how many likes your pictures got. Instead, you’ll wonder why you spent high school staring at a tiny little screen.
Chinese New Year differs from our own New Year Opinion by Anna Sayasith CHINESE New Year is a large celebration in the Asian culture, and the next Year of the Rooster starts on January 28. This holiday is traditionally celebrated for 15 days. Many people know of this celebration but not many know the history behind it. Most people assume this holiday is just people getting together and having a dragon costume run around. Chinese New Year started from a myth about a wild animal that attacked and killed villagers. Bright Lights, colors, and loud noises were everywhere to scare the beast off. This is where Chinese New Year began. Like the zodiac signs that we commonly see, the Chinese have animals that represent certain years. An animal is used to represent how the year will go. Each animal is associated with different personality traits that are believed to represent the people born during the year of that specific animal.
Money in red envelopes are traditionally given to children or people who aren’t married and have no job. Money in red envelops represent bringing more joy and blessings to the receiver. The red envelopes are believed to scare off bad spirits. The dragon dance originated in China, but has quickly spread around the whole world. The dance is a special performance that is meant to bring good fortune and prosperity to everyone around the world. Some foods are eaten for their symbolic meaning. The type of fish that is chosen is based on what symbolic meaning they wish to bring during the year. It is believed that eating dumplings will bring more money. Certain noodles are thought to bring long lives, the person who cuts the noodles life will be cut short. During the Chinese New Year, a lantern festival occurs. Lanterns are hung around the festival. Small children carry lanterns
around. People insert slips of paper with their wishes into the lanterns and launch them into the night air. Different colors symbolize different meanings, and the color of the lantern represent what wish the person has made. Fireworks are set off after midnight. The fireworks are used as a way to ward off evil. It is believed that the person who sets off the fireworks will obtain good luck for the new year. New Year markets are opened only temporarily during the holidays. The stores will typically sell clothing, foods, decorations, fireworks, and small art. Lanterns are aligned throughout the markets. Chinese New Year is very different from our New Year celebration. Each tiny component that occurs has a reason for why it is done. Most that celebrate this holiday don’t know the reasoning behind certain things that are done. Lancers can now be more educated about this particular holiday.
Try airport time-killers and stress relievers
Opinion by Madison McCurdy AIRPORTS. No one likes waiting for hours for their flight to arrive or even take off, and I know that for a fact. This time of the year is when everyone is off and on traveling, visiting family, and having fun, and Lancers might need ideas for things to do during all that down time. There are many ideas I have tested that I am going to share with Granger’s Lancers. One solution is one that I would recommend to everyone is Youtube. Youtube is a platform that is fitted to anyone’s taste. Music, Politics, Entertainment, Fashion, and so much more. All that is needed for this is to open up Youtube on your app or the internet and pick a video to watch and enjoy. Bored Lancers soon will be sucked into a hole that they will not be able to dig themselves out of. Luckily, almost most airports have outlets either on chairs, or they have a section dedicated to charging up electronics. They often provide a long island located close to the gate so no one will miss a flight, and it is a simple way to kill time while waiting for a flight to take off, I would say
was a very convenient and helpful source. Now, I usually get anxious before a flight, an amazing way to relieve stress and anxiety is to take a walk around. Just simply get up and take a look around at all the shops, stay close to the gate if time is tight, but just walk. I took a pit-stop at one of the many convenient stores around the airport and got myself a water and snack and just relaxed. If you a super nervous to even fly, I suggest just keep reminding yourself that this is only a tiny portion of your vacation. Focus on your destination and all the amazing things you will do once you get there. Try to divorce the thought of even being on a plane from your happy vacation thoughts. The flight will go by before you even know it, so focus on the positive things happening after the plane ride. People watching is an amazing time waster at airports. There are so many people in an airport at one time that not seeing another person is very rare. Get to know the fellow riders from afar, take guesses on what they do for a living just by power of observation.
Or even play a game of fashion police and take a look at all the different personalities and outfits on display throughout the airport. Every airport comes with many amenities, so take a walk around the airport and see if anything catches the eye. Lancers with some extra cash can splurge on airport luxuries. Almost every airport has coffee shops, bookstores, and some even have massage and spa areas. Though a spa’s cost may be a bit out of the price range, it sure is an amazing way to relieve stress, not to mention that it feels amazing. Although I wasn’t prepared to spend so much money, there was a lounge, for a small fee, but it offers the most amazing things to do to keep these Lancers from boredom. For example, it offered, WiFi, a buffet, comfy seating, and in some higher-end lounges, they also offered showers and movies. Hopefully, the airport is not a scary place. After being there a few times, the airport isn’t that bad for me; it’s like a home away from home. The stress will soon disappear, and the time will fly by. Relax and anticipate the destination to come.
Tri-Color Times Staff Editor in Chief Amanda MacKay
Managing Editor Skye Rouse Reporters Doris Ah Ching Samantha Barman Ryan Beckstead Tahliea Bernard Dailyn Brinas Lexee Buckner Oswaldo Cabrera Valencia Kayla Carter Kiana Dalpiaz Stephanie Dorantes Britney Evans Ashley Garcia Suiry Gregorio Flavianna Hawley April Hendriksen Lupita Hernandez Tina Huskic Katherynne Jaco
Online Editor Haylie Rigby Photo+Social Editor Vanessa Holt Sports Editor Taylor Wolfley
Reporters Jonathan Jordan Chuck Manzanares Ramon Martinez III Madison McCurdy Ana Montelongo Andalynne Moore Jessica Nateras Stephanie Perez Megan Peterson Jasmine Raya Ariana Rojas Mireya Ruiz Anna Sayasith Diego Serrato Gabriela Thompson Arei Turner Alexandra Valdez Anissa Voa
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 liability.
Granger High School 3580 South 3600 West West Valley, UT 84119 (385) 646-5320
Tri-Color Times VOL. LIX Issue 5
Jamuary 2017, page 4 :: Academics
Granger teachers participate in literacy training sessions
By Flavianna Hawley PART OF what makes Granger High such an exceptional place for students is the group of teachers that work endlessly to ensure their pupils are being educated in the best way possible. There is always room for improvement, and because of this, Granger teachers constantly strive to do better and make sure they are teaching in a way that allows their students to learn as much as possible. One opportunity for them to expand on this was to participate in the training that took place in the Alumni Room last month. Lead by Granger’s three instructional coaches, Ms. Webb, Ms. Watkins, and Ms. Heimuli, these training meetings brought teachers from their respective departments together and allowed them to work on various skills that will help them when it comes to working with students and instructing them throughout lessons being taught. One of the primary concepts discussed during these meetings
was literacy. “Because we’re a Title One school, one of our goals is to work on literacy. So our training is focused on literacy for each class you take and what it means to read, what it means to be literate,” Ms. Webb said. Each department met with the instructional coaches separately, since the way literacy is taught differs depending on the subject such as math, English, or science. Social studies teachers met on one day, art teachers on another, and so on until every teacher had met with the coaches and participated in the training. Many students may have noticed the large number of substitute teachers working in the school during the week of December 5. They covered classes for teachers who were participating in the half-day meetings. Lasting for three hours, these meetings are held for each department once a quarter, adding up to four meetings by the end of the school year. “Every teacher will do four three-hour sessions, 12
hours total, with follow-up oneon-one meetings between that to support and help them do the things we’ve talked about,” Ms. Watkins said. As for the goal of these teacher training seminars, the instructional coaches hope that teachers will be able to mentor their students successfully and help them with the skills they are struggling to attain. “Our goal is for teachers to be able to apprentice students in the reading and writing of their different content areas and help students develop those skills themselves,” Ms. Heimuli said. Many believe these meetings will have a positive effect on both students and teachers alike. “I think it’s a good thing that they’re looking to improve, because improvement is progress and progress will probably give us a better education,” Edwin Disla (11) said. Improvement is something everyone can work on, no matter how accomplished or experienced they are, and Granger’s teachers are certainly willing to prove that.
others don’t. Steven Lujan (12) plans to go to college after he graduates from Granger High.
“I plan to go to either Utah Valley or Weber State to study computer programming or software programming,” Lujan said. Most of the seniors are planning to go to college and major in different areas. Shay Draney (12) plans to major in theatrical design. “After high school, I plan go to Salt Lake Community College for a few years then get into a university,” Draney said. Universities like SUU, BYU, and UVU have some of the best departments for theatrical design. “I would really like to go to Southern Utah University, Brigham Young University, or Utah Valley University because they are the best departments in the state,” Draney said. The seniors at Granger High School all have interesting things they would like to major in. Kayla Skaurud (12) plans to major in something very different and interesting. “I plan to go to college, but I’m not sure which one yet. I
Ms. Heimuli and Ms. Watkins led professional development sessions.
Students plan to do different things after graduation
By Chuck Manzanares GRADUATION plans are different for each student. Some students plan to go to college, while
Jacob Lewis is interested in a variety of fields and hasn’t decided what’s next.
want to become a marriage and family therapist, and within ten years or so, I hope to have an office at my house,” Skaurud said. Another Granger student who has an interesting career in mind is Jacob Lewis (12). He said he wants to study different things. “I don’t really know for sure what I want to major in, but I’m really interested in graphics, theater, animals, and law enforcement,” Lewis said. While some students want to study things that would help others, other students want to do it differently. Kevin Cherry (12) knows where he wants to go and study. “I plan to go to Utah State and study physics and music theory,” Cherry said. “I love music and I love the science behind it. I also want to study physics because it’s weird and interesting,” Cherry said. While most students here at Granger plan to go to a univer-
sity and major in something, others have different plans. “I’m too broke to go to a university, but I will be going to Salt Lake Community College,” Martin Gomez (12) said. Although the seniors here plan to just go straight to college after high school, some are going to be working while they go to school. “While I plan to go to college, I also will be working where I currently work,” Gomez said. If going to college and working seems hard, Gomez also plans to work on his car, which is even more. “While I’ll be working and going to college, I will also be working on my car to make it what I want it to be,” he said. Here at Granger High School, there are many different areas in which the seniors want to major, from computer programming to music theory. All of the students here have the potential to create bright futures.
Finding the right career pathway is key to achieving goals By Ramon Martinez III WHEN THE bell rings, some students registered at Granger High are at a different school every other day. They go there to learn in a program that interests them for their pathways to a career, and this is the Granite Technical Institute. Students can sign up for GTI in the ninth grade all the way to twelfth grade. All students have to do is get the form filled out with the appropriate signatures and they’re set for the beginning of next school year. There are many courses that a student can choose to follow through into their personal career. GTI offers a bus before school and one at the end of second period for transportation. Many other students in the Granite School District go as well, and they will all be in a mixed class of what they have signed up for. “When you arrive to the GTI building it’s a break from regular classes for a class that might be
your pathway to a career,” Luis Arciga (12) said. Starting GTI in the 9th grade to plan for the future is a bright way to do it since they can take it every year, while not got getting into problems with regular classes. “Getting to leave class early because of GTI is a bonus for taking the course,” Raul Espinoza (9) said. Even if students change their path and go into another course it can help by seeing what is the subject that the student wants to study. There are no restrictions either and if a student did something to do with technology and they have the decision to go to culinary arts they are not going to stop anyone because that is a decision for the students’ career. With over 40 courses offered, and some of those have about five advanced classes, it is hard for students to get a taste of every course. They should choose wisely and pick the most interest-
ing classes. Switching courses is not normally what the students do, but it is not shamed upon on when they do, and it’s not frequent either. “I picked a course that I knew I would like, and there is an advanced class after I’m finished with the first course,” Arciga said. Many classes are hands-on and simulate real situations that might happen in the course of an actual career in that field. Finishing and passing a course will earn a certificate showing that the student passed that specific course. That person is now eligible to go to the next step and go up to the advanced class if they wanted to. Going to the advanced class is recommended, but not mandatory to do. Getting to do this every year is a sure way to find a passion, instead of students pursuing a career and finding out in the end that they don’t like that career and they haven’t tried any other career pathways.
The GTI bus makes it easy for students to attend off-campus classes.
January 2017, page 5 :: Academics
Tri-Color Times VOL. LIX Issue 5
Office aides don’t mess around, counselors keep them up and moving
By Arei Turner STUDENTS have the opportunity to assist in the office and counseling center as aides. Lancers cannot pick it out when they register for their schedule. What they do is deliver notes to students for the counselors and assist in the food pantry. Some students say that it’s like a workout while others say it’s more like a study hall class. Ms. Oliver is in charge of the office aides. She is the one who gives them their grades and picks out who gets to be an office aide. “Not many kids want to be an office aide, so it is usually just a fallback class. This class teaches them responsibility and how to work in an office setting. It is great if that is what they want to pursue in the future,” Ms. Oliver said. “We have students who need to fill their schedule, or students that need extra time to do their work. It helps them catch up,” Ms. Oliver said. “We need students who attend their classes and have good grades in them, often times, they become office aides because a class doesn’t work out in their schedule.” Ms. Peterson, a counseling secretary, said that about 100 notes go out in a day. “Every class period is busy, it varies, about fifteen different people hand us notes to deliver.” The office aides are kept busy.
“It is fun, I like that sometimes I can do assignments from other classes, it keeps me up to date with my school work. It gets pretty tiring going up and down the stairs,” Kaylee Peterson (12) said. Lancers who are office aides are similar to ‘Rocky’. Teachers also have a strong opinion of the office aides. Mr. Timothy, a Success 101 teacher and adviser of Hope Squad, thinks that it’s a great opportunity for students to take this class and to assist the counselors. “We had office aides when I was in high school. Although, only females could take the class because it was like being a secretary, and really only females were secretaries.” Mr. Timothy, said. Anyone can be an office aide today. Sometimes the aides will be listening to music on their earbuds or headphones when they deliver the notes to teachers. “I find it really offensive when they walk into my classroom with earbuds in,” Mr. Timothy said. “They need to be taught how to be respectful when they walk into a teacher’s class.” The aides are disrespectful when they walk into a teacher’s classroom doing so. Office aides should just take out the earbuds before entering a classroom. Mr. Babcock and Ms. Oliver agree that students need to be on track to graduate to take this
class. “I think it’s a great opportunity for students who have space in their schedule to help out counselors and administrators,” Mr. Babcock said. “Without the aides help, we would not be able to do the work that we need to with the students.” The staff at Granger has many similar ideas about the requirements for office aides. Although Mr. Babcock has some of the same ideas as others, he also thinks that it is crucial that the aides are awesome and have terrible jokes. “They need to be respectful and courteous because they will be walking into classrooms where teaching and instruction is happening,” Mr. Babcock said. One amazing office aide, Kolby Smith (12), is very enthusiastic about being an office
aide. “Oh, I love it! It’s the best,” Smith said. “I feel like my favorite things about it is the jovial atmosphere along with the assiduous striving to be better.” Being an office aide helps with many things, “It assists us to get the proper feel of an office. There is a bit of downtime within the office aide position, but it does give you time to keep up with your schoolwork. It’s kinda like independent study,” Smith said. It’s a good way to stay on track. There is a side to being an office aide that most people don’t know. “It actually gives us a look into the counselors’ lives and it shows us how busy that they actually are. Working side-by-side with both the Jennifers is great, too,” Smith said. As an office aide, you get
the opportunity to travel around the school. “It’s a great way to draw closer to the student body, it allows you to communicate with people that you probably wouldn’t if you weren’t an office aide,” Smith said. “It is invigorating to give school tours to students who are fresh new to Granger High School. It seems like a pretty daunting school, but it’s not that bad.” It gives them the chance to make new friends and show people around the school. Office aide is all around a great class. They get to work on schoolwork, walk around the school with a purpose, and assist the office and counselors. It keeps them active, up to date with their schoolwork, and even makes them some new friends.
While working as an aide, Kolby delivers a note to Mr. Timothy. He enjoys working with the counselors and secretaries.
Lancers finish the second quarter of the school year strong
By Mireya Ruiz MANY STUDENTS can get excellent grades, while some have a more challenging time. With the help of the staff, some students have been able to reach the grades and goals that they set in the beginning of the quarter. “I’m doing the best I can in school. I come on time. I’ve only been absent once, so I think I’m on track,” Jose Flores (9) said. But sometimes, ending the quarter great is just about passing the class with high enough grades. It may not always be exactly the grade imagined, but it’ll be just high enough to get credit for the class. “At the moment, I have A’s, B’s, and C’s. They aren’t exactly where they need to be, because I know I can do better. But they’re all passing, so at the moment I’m at peace with my grades,” Mellissa Rockwell (9) said. Lancers not only pass their
classes and have good attendance, but they strive for what will help them in the future by taking advanced classes. Accomplishing school-related goals within challenging classes contributes to Lancers’ feelings of success. “I wanted to take honors English, but my parents wanted me to take honors math. So I didn’t argue with them and just took the class. I knew it was going to be difficult, since math in general is one of the common core classes that is hard for the average student. But at the end of the quarter when I got an A, I felt more than satisfied,” Rockwell said. For others, ending the quarter well isn’t just about grades. Some feel like they have accomplished more in second quarter by going to classes on time more often. “This quarter has been pretty good. My grades are around A’s and B’s. I have been coming to school more than first quar-
ter. Last quarter, my attendance wasn’t where it should’ve been. This quarter has been a turnaround,” Elica Jaramillo (10) said. Lancers have accomplished many of their goals they set at the beginning of the quarter. “Since I’m a senior, I have been working my way up to getting into a college. Utah State University already accepted me. That was my main goal, and now I can say I accomplished it,” Janet Rodriguez (12) said. Although it was a long-term goal for Rodriguez, many other seniors applied to colleges as well. Some of the short-term goals that Lancers have accomplished are turning in assignments on time and coming to school prepared. Furthermore, while students can pass classes on their own, it isn’t always the easy. That’s why there are classes like AVID and Success 101, which help students
stay on track to graduate. “In Success 101, we try to guide students by having weekly grade checks, homework progress time, and individual help available if anyone needs help on any specific assignment,” Mr. Timothy said. Even with all the help provided, some students don’t take
advantage of it. “Some students aren’t on track to graduate. They don’t realize the importance of education,” Mr. Timothy said. But even if the grades, attendance, and citizenship aren’t exactly where they should be right now, there’s always credit recovery and another chance next quarter to turn them around.
Jose Flores has his attendance under control, and he’s ready to succeed.
Tri-Color Times VOL. LIX Issue 5
January 2017, page 6 :: Sports
From fall to winter: the change from football to basketball
By Tina Huskic GRANGER High School offers many different sports and many
different activities going on at the same time. However, the big switch is from football to basket-
Nikki Stout loves her football, but now it’s time to transition to winter sports.
ball. These two sports bring the crowds. “I am very excited for the new sports season that’s starting, I plan on going to as many games as I can,” Jose Perez (9) said. He has already planned on making it to as many games possible to show as much support as he can. Perez sits next to the seniors in the crowd, overall, he has the best time going to the games. However, other students really don’t care for the new season and the new games that are starting. “Honestly, basketball is not my favorite but I’ll go if my friends want me to go. Honestly, I think the new season has a lot to give us. I think all of our teams in all of the sports will do very well this season if they have the right
drive,” Nikki Stout (12) said. Stout was a football manager. Basketball may not be her sport but she is always ready to support her fellow Lancers. Granger Lancers are very excited to see what the boys and girls basketball teams have to offer. They’re very excited to cheer them on and support them no matter how far they go. “I go to the boys varsity basketball games to support the team and my brother, Brendan. I enjoy the games and the excitement that follows,” Blaze Blank (10) said. Blank is also a wrestler who is excited to get out on the mats again with the support of his brother but also seeing his brother in action is a feeling he can’t compare. Students love to come out to
the games and watch the hype. It is a grand time and a new game day for students who aren’t big into football and love the thrill of basketball. Every student has their opinion on how they feel about it, but for the most part they are thrilled. The start of something new has many excited to see how it ends and what the season has to offer the students at Granger High School. Then end is not always a bad thing, sometimes it is a good thing. This new season could lead to a great victory in the finals. All in all, the student body should be excited to see the outcome of the fact that it is out with the old and in with the new. Nothing wrong with it whatsoever, so get excited.
Coach Clapier is a fine man who goes above and beyond By Skye Rouse MANY STUDENTS at Granger High say that their favorite part about the school is how at the end of the day they feel like the administration and faculty really care about the students. Coach Clapier is one of the teachers here that show that he goes out of his way and above beyond what is expected. “Being a coach I try and push my boys to beyond what they think they can do as best as I can,” Coach Clapier said. “What I’m trying to do to improve our future wrestlers is to make a little league and teach the kids to be more competitive and to have a why,” he said. Being a good coach has its perks and its problems, but it gets easier on learning how to deal with them along the way. “I have been wrestling since
I was four years old, and I think the hardest part would be dealing with problems when a doctor is needed or motivating the boys to do the best they can with grades and absences and their stress,” Clapier said. “I also hate that I don’t see my family very much during the winter. My wife says she doesn’t have a husband during wrestling season,” he said. Clapier always does what’s best for the students and tries to push them the best he can, and it doesn’t go unnoticed by the students either. “I think the biggest thing that coach has taught me is that we need to help our community by wrestling and going to school and then coming back to raise your family,” Luis Ramirez (10) said. “He always showed me to push myself to the best I can because
if I don’t, then no one else will do it for me. I try to be a nice person and try and make an impact on things I feel are important,” Ramirez said. This isn’t the only student Coach Clapier has made an impact on. “I have been wrestling for five years and I think the hardest part is staying on weight” Luke Wamsley (11) said. “After every match, he tells me what I did wrong and what I can do to improve, and that’s what we work on in practice. He has taught me a lot -- especially to be good on my feet and how to set up my shots and not to just dive in on them,” Wamsley said. A coach and a teacher who is inspiring and a great role model is something many kids look forward to. “This is my first year of wrestling and I have already fallen in
love with the sport,” Shayden Tuscic (9) said. “He shows us on what we all can do to improve and make us better and what our why is,” Tuscic said. Coach Clapier has helped out
his wrestlers and his students in a various amount of ways. People can tell the effort, time, and dedication he has towards anything he puts his mind to. He’s a coach, teacher, and friend.
Mr. Clapier reads Spanish! He’s waiting for his team to take it to the mat.
Debate fosters academic competition
By Jonathan Jordan DEBATE is an extreme academic sport involving knowledge, persuasion, and teamwork. Teams from each high school go to a competition where they get assigned a topic. Then they debate about their assigned stance, which can be ‘pro’ or ‘con’. Most people imagine debate as just an argument, which it is. But it’s a sport, too. Debate involves rules, logic, and reasoning. It’s often a sport that no one ever thinks of as competitive or interesting. Debate at Granger is all about teamwork. “The team gets along well at events and in class,” Heriberto Herrera (9) said. They are always talking and helping each other out. “Debate isn’t really competing, it’s more memorizing and planning beforehand,” said Herrera. Debate requires lots of work and focus. To be in debate, a person should be smart, focused, and prepared at almost all times. Multitasking is another key debater trait. In debate, each person has a certain number of guidelines they have to follow. For example, “Each speaker is questioned as soon as he concludes his constructive speech. The witness must answer the questions without consulting his colleagues,”
as stated in the Rules of Debate Guide”. These are some examples of the rules. In debate, the students have to memorize all the rules, memorize their speech, and be focused and in control at all times. Being involved in debate can also be a fun learning experience. A person can learn about video games, milk, politics, policies, world problems, and so much more. There is no limit to what an individual can learn in debate. It’s the individual’s job to research and find out everything about the topic they cover. The topics could be fun, but they might also be boring. In competition, it’s up to the student to make a topic fun and interesting. Lancers have won many debate competitions. Not all com-
petitors win, but as a team they have been successful. Last year, they took 7th in state and had a remarkable team. This year, they intend to blaze the same trail. Within the first two weeks, they were already winning 2030 trophies. The debate team has a lot to live up to, but it’s on the right path. The students have dedicated most of their time to their team, family, and their school. At Granger High School, every student in and out of debate works together in one way or another. Lancers don’t have to be a part of debate to succeed, but it gives them knowledge and it helps them advance in life. Debate joins people together to make friends, and it helps them for future issues like politics, or arguments.
Heriberto Herrera appreciates his helpful the Debate teammates.
January 2017, page 7 :: Student Life
Tri-Color Times VOL. LIX Issue 5
There are many different cultures here at Granger High
By Kayla Carter EVERYONE has different ways to celebrate the everyday things that come our way. Not only that, but Lancers all have different ways to celebrate the major holidays, or even the holidays that aren’t considered holidays to the everyone. “In the Latino culture we have something called a quinceanera. A quinceanera is a celebration where we celebrate a girl turning 15. There is a lot of dancing and food and even a lot of presents. We also celebrate Cinco de Mayo (May 5). Cinco de Mayo is a celebration of when we won the war,” Juan Ortiz (10) said. Those aren’t the only holidays they celebrate. September 15 for example, it’s Mexican Indepen-
dence Day. Or day of the dead, starting on October 31 and ending on November 2, celebrating with cultural dancing, dances, food, and partying. “With my family, there is this tradition that we do where on Christmas Eve we open PJs from our grandma. Then in the morning we open presents youngest too oldest. Then when New Year’s comes around, we go out to dinner all together as a family. The younger ones go outside and play. When it’s almost midnight, we all watch the ball drop on TV,” Delicia Radio (10) said. With many different cultures at Granger and so many unique ones, there are also some that are just like any others. Then again maybe there isn’t one culture that
is the same as another. Maybe if Lancers just took the time to look around every corner to see all of the different cultures that are here at Granger than just one. Just ask anyone. They can be everyday ones, too. Culture isn’t something that you see just by looking at the person, taking the time to get to know the person will also help us understand the different cultures and will help prepare us for jobs in the future. “Integrated classroom environments are important in helping students learn to collaborate and communicate with the different cultures and backgrounds found in the 21st century work environment,” as stated on the blog. ed.gov website, the official blog
of the US. department of education. Granger as a school represents many languages and cultures, and Lancers can expand their knowledge of other cultures as they talk with their classmates. Lancers are able come to school, see the different faces and learn about the different cultures here and be friends with everyone, not just with friends from familiar cultures. “I appreciate the diversity at Granger High. I’m used to it. I think that having such a diverse school helps broaden the students’ perception of culture. I think it will help the students relate other cultures to their own culture. It helps people find who they are,” Ms. Eastman, a Japanese teacher,
said. There are many different cultures here, and some are alike. There are also people who have the same culture and yet they celebrate things differently. “In my family, to celebrate Cinco de Mayo, we put candles outside on tables and we paint sugar cone skulls. We also make Hispanic foods, we make a lot of food -- half of it we eat and the other half we give to the dead, like we take food to the grave. My family also celebrates Day of the Dead, too. We celebrate the normal way,” Aspen Lopez (10) said. If Lancers take the time to know one another, they we would see the many different cultures represented at GHS.
The new year of 2017: 12 new chapters, 365 new chances
By Gabriela Thompson AS EVERYONE knows, with the new year comes the ‘new me’ attitude. Most people make resolutions promising to fulfill them. However, those resolutions fly out the window within a week to a month. Nevertheless, some of the promises that are made at the stroke of midnight, subconsciously, are meant to be accomplished. Some for instance involve relationships with friends and partners. When asking Granger students what the new year could bring with relationships, many had similar thoughts on the traits of it. Some of those traits involve: communication, honesty/ trust, time, and comfortability. Unsurprisingly, communication was the deal-breaker that came up. Ever since grade school, the golden rule was embedded into anyone’s brain: treat others the way you want to be treated. It’s also a component of any relationship involving honesty and communication. “Have a balance, it’s OK to bicker, but if you’re full on fighting and bickering just to win the fight, it isn’t love. Find a person that makes you laugh and can accept your imperfections,” Megan Fonseca (11) said.
Most give the simple advice, don’t hang out with a person you don’t like or who doesn’t connect with you. Yet, it isn’t as simple as it seems. A relationship is like a road, as one goes down it there will be some obstacles that anyone will have to overcome to reap the benefits. One of the benefits is the trust that you give in anyone to have your back. Without trust in a relationship, it can go wrong in an instant. “Good communication is one, they have to be upfront with you, but don’t cross the line with them. Trust: there is no relationship without it, and it can make you feel that you’re not worthy or deserve to know about things,” Shiwani Raj (11) said. Time, another factor in any relationship, is the next common trait. Whether it involves getting to know them better or trying to forgive someone, time is sometimes the only thing to do. “With the new year coming up, you should forget the past, because you can’t hold a grudge for long. It’s the past and you can’t change it, so move forward,” Shiwani said. Jose Perez (9) believes that when finding that significant other or friend it shouldn’t be a hasty decision. “Let time take its place,
you don’t want to be desperate. Find someone who suits you, let time come in,” he said. As any good friend might explain, “Only time will tell.” And with time comes comfortability. No successful relationship has ever reached that level, unless you’re comfortable with that person. Especially when teens are new to society or experiencing the harshness of the world, they at least need someone to lean on in a time of distress. “You shouldn’t be chasing someone who doesn’t notice you or doesn’t want to be with you. You shouldn’t waste your time. If you’re going to be in a relationship, find someone crazy as you. Someone you can really be yourself with,” Kevin Moreno (9) said. With just a few days into the marvelous year of 2017, a whole new chapter has begun. Go out there and talk to that person that is slightly isolated, or do something that you’ve never done before. Just remember that while making once in a lifetime moment, have that one friend or partner that will make it memorable. Granted, time will change everything, but former friends and lovers and current crushes will change your life no matter the event.
Granger Lancers look forward to a new year filled with fresh opportunities.
New year’s resolutions may be dying out for Lancers By Stephanie Dorantes MANY STUDENTS and parents, try to keep up with goals and New Year’s resolutions they set for themselves. That is no surprise, as it is common to have a New Year’s resolution. It’s also traditional, but it seems that this tradition is beginning to die out as students get older. Many people can forget their goals in as little as a week after the New Year, if they are strong enough to make it that far. Other people grip their goals and keep them alive by making a plan first to get it done. They take steps to complete a goal and put their effort into their mission so that it becomes a total success. When they do complete it, they have this wonderful feeling of accomplishment. In the end, students are all human, and sometimes the goals that they have set for themselves don’t happen. They forget about
them or are just too tired to set reminders on their phones. Most students have some friends determined to do their best. They focus on school or work or any activities they have outside of school. Sometimes it’s not family or friends who encourage Lancers. Some students just have to take matters into their own hands. Lancers need to know what they have to do without reminders from family and friends. Mr. Pace said he would like to start all over with the whole New Year’s Eve promises because he has failed to keep that promise going. He encourages people to find discipline to see their resolutions through. Mr. Pace has a couple of things in mind that he himself wants to accomplish this New Year. He wants to take actions that will help him get to his goals and complete it. He says he has a new way of reminding himself to complete
his target. “I will do it,” Esdras Esquivel (12) said. That’s how he completes his goals. He starts with a plan and what he can work on, and what can help him get to his goal. His reminders are sticky notes on the back of his door so when he walks out the door he
will read them. His daily reminder focuses him on his goal is for the day. He started to do this when he got into high school. His family members are the ones who helped him. It inspires him to reach his goals, to keep making new ones, and to keep completing them.
Tyani Alo (11) said she is competitive, but to her that is key in life. She said that her parents are the ones who encouraged her to try hard and do the best that she can. For her, she needs to have total focus on school so she can be a total beast in school and in her games.
One of the best ways to stick to a resolution is to make it public -- with a post or a poster. Put it out there.
Tri-Color Times VOL. LIX Issue 5
January 2017, page 8 :: Entertainment
A book that challenges ethical questions and the result of those questions
Review by Megan Peterson EVERYBODY knows someone who has gotten sick. There are even times when people would do anything to help the sick person. When it comes to cancer people are even more willing to do anything for it to get better. Now imagine not only helping keep someone alive but that was the entire point of your existence. In My Sister’s Keeper by Jodi Picoult, this happens to the character Anna. Anna is the sister of Kate who is dying from leukemia. Throughout Anna’s entire life she has donated bone marrow, stems cells from her placental cord, and blood transfusions for her sister. It wasn’t a coincidence that she was an identical match to her sister because her parents genetically made sure that she was before she was born. When Kate got sick her parents panicked and decided to have another baby to help Kate survive, However, when Anna turns thir-
teen years old she decides she’s had enough. Kate needs another donation and Anna doesn’t want to do it. It’s not that she wants Kate to die -- she doesn’t want that at all. She’s just tired of being told to give parts of her body as an expectation of her parents. This leads to Anna suing her parents for medical emancipation and causing a chain reaction of events. Anna works with a lawyer and a guardian ad litem, a person who is court-appointed to help a child. This mix reveals a past between the two and tells the story of their future. The way the book is written is brilliant. The chapters switch to the perspective of each character one chapter will be from Anna, the next from Kate, then the mother, the father, and others in the story who are affected. It gives the reader an outlook of how the situation looks from many perspectives. For example, the father is a firefighter is currently dealing
with an arsonist, but his son tells the story of how he loves lighting fires. It’s a great way to hint that the son might be the arsonist. This change in perspective guides the reader in a more indirect way. I also love the situations that the book challenges. Is it ethical to create a human for the sole intent of having her be a donor? Can you force a minor into painful procedures to save another life? Is it ethical to refuse to do something that could save someone’s life? This book is the story of how one family answers these tough questions. It shows that emotions run high when it comes to the sickness and possible death of a family member. The family is torn apart. The brother is apathetic, the mother angry with Anna and scared for Kate. The father understands what Anna is going through, but he doesn’t want Kate to die. It’s a beautiful story of how you have to stand up for yourself even if others disagree.
Try these fun ideas and places for winter dates with your loved one
Opinion by Stephanie Perez DATES include finding the perfect spot to take your loved one during winter. Here in Utah there are plenty of places to go for dates during the winter for all types of people, whether you love to be outdoors or simply enjoy something close to home. If you’d like to feel the cool fresh breezy air going toward your face, sledding, skiing or a nice walk in the park is for you. Sugarhouse Park and Gorgoza Park are fabulous places to go sledding. Just make sure you don’t get hurt having too much fun. Meanwhile taking nice peaceful walks in the park also sounds nice. Cottonwood Park and 11th Avenue Park are other good places to go get some fresh air, al-
though you may want to go to one stay home with your loved one. many people but for others, they closer to home. A walk is a great You order take out and watch prefer watching movies at the theway to get to know your loved some of your favorite movies. It’s aters. Megaplex Theaters at Valone more than you already do by a time where you just get to relax ley Fair and Megaplex Theaters at The Gateway are some just talking about funny good places to go watch childhood memories – it movies and eat some fresh, might just sound like the buttery popcorn. perfect date. Although, staying at Or maybe athletics home or going out to seem to be something you watching movies does both enjoy. Skiing resorts sound nice once in a while, are ready now for people it’s also good to new to relish. Snowbird would things. Going to coffee be a good place to go, alshops or any place where though just don’t forget to there’s food and simply remember about one anothjust trying new foods and er’s safety, especially if it’s drinks in order to discover your first time. Winter dates can be romantic and extra snuggly. something that might just However, maybe just staying at home seems to be your without anyone there to bother, be your new favorite. Many may say that food is thing. There’s no problem with you turn off your phone and set that, why not just have a movie it aside in order to enjoy the mov- their specialty, why not have a ies. date along those lines. Pick a meal day marathon. Sometimes you just want to Movies at home sound fun for and shop for ingredients together.
Then cook it all up at home. Making a meal in the kitchen is a great way to spark some conversation. If cooking’s not for you, there would always be an Olive Garden or a Red Lobster near you. Although, it may be a bit pricy, don’t forget, it would be worth it. However, you don’t have to go to any fancy date, don’t forget there’s also Burger King, In-NOut and many more. Lights out. There’s also glow in the dark bowling. Orchard Lanes in North Salt Lake is a good place to visit. Go out to have some fun. Don’t get a bowling ball that’s too heavy just to impress someone, get one that’s just right in order to beat your opponent. And remember to have fun and cherish every moment of it. Clever date ideas make it easy to talk and get to know each other better.
Moana is an excellent film about finding who you really are inside Review by Andalynne Moore DISNEY recently came out with its new film: Moana. It begins with a legend of how the heart of a life-giving Goddess, Te Fiti, was stolen by the demigod Maui. This action that caused darkness to spread across the land. Out of this darkness, demons rose to steal the heart from Maui, the strongest being the lava demon Te Ka. Te Ka fought and defeated Maui, sending him far away to be lost for a thousand years. Alas, the heart, and Maui’s magic hook, were swallowed by the sea. In order to revitalize the island and vanquish the darkness spreading across the land, the heart needed to be restored. To do so, a chosen one must find Maui and force him to bring the heart back to Te Fiti. Moana, from Motunui, was elected by the ocean to complete this quest and save the world. On her quest, she faces several horrors, including coconut pirates called Kakamora, a giant crab named Tamota who lives in the realm of monsters, and the lava demon named Te Ka. She does this with the aid of Maui, who she convinces to go
with her to restore the heart and the ocean. This adventure, for Moana, was about finding the heart and saving her people, of course, but it was also about finding out who she was. In the beginning, she was lost. She was confused and looked to others, especially her grandmother, for guidance. She ardently desired to sail on the ocean, but she knew that she had to stay on the island, so she tamped those feelings down and didn’t follow her heart. By the end, though, she was the one telling others to follow their hearts and be who they are. This shows an incredible character arc. Throughout the movie, she waited for others to help her do what needed to be done. She relied heavily on the ocean or on Maui and only stepped in when it is almost too late and they have yet to help. As the tale goes on, though, she finds more confidence in herself. She is fierce and takes action. She realizes that the power to save the world was in her all along. This self-realization was beautiful to watch, and it is great that
Moana will most likely the next Disney princess. She will make an excellent addition to the list of contemporary princesses, who are all as independent as she is. Even though she claims that she is “not a princess” in the movie, she is a great role model for kids, and that’s what it really means to be a princess in the modern era. Luckily, this probably isn’t the last we’ve seen of Moana’s characters. Disney loves to throw old, beloved characters into new films. In fact, there were quite a few characters from other films in Moana. The most elusive of all the Easter eggs, or nods to other films, in Moana was the cameo of Olaf. It doesn’t seem to make sense that someone as frozen as Olaf would make it into this sunny film, but he’s in there, as confirmed by the directors. Other characters were hidden as well, such as Baymax, who was hidden as one of the Kakamora, Maui, who transformed into Sven after getting his hook back from Tamatoa, and Flounder, who was spotted floating in the water during Maui’s song “You’re Welcome”. The whole soundtrack, includ-
ing that song, is phenomenal. It was written by Lin-Manuel Miranda, who wrote both Hamilton: An American Musical and In the Heights, Mark Mancina, who helped compose The Lion King, and Opetaia Foa’i. Something that was also breath-taking about the movie was its visuals. The artwork was amazing. Actually, Maui’s tattoos were completely hand-drawn, a technique that hasn’t been done since Winnie the Pooh in 2011. Although they branched out with this new tactic, they also
didn’t stray far from other traditions. Alan Tudyk, who has voiced a character in every Disney film since Wreck-it-Ralph, made a reappearance as Hei Hei, a very vacuous chicken who follows Moana on her quest. Another thing that made this show really special was the short at the beginning. It was a brilliantly done piece about, again, following one’s heart. Of course, the short at the end of the credits, featuring Tamatoa, was great, too. Everything about this movie was truly magical.