Aquila Eagles Soar During Spirit Week Volume 3, Issue 1
Nov. 5, 2013
University Preparatory Academy
From Left to Right: Taylor Westover, Amanuel Bizuneh, Christina Luu, Naomi Sengal, Jackey Contreras, Khanh Phu, Saron Tedla, Stephanie Umali, Jennifer Nguyen, Rasmeet Dhillon, Raelene Wolfe, Shane Maze, Katarina Cupich, Lorna Haworth, Rachel Zody, Barkoat Moges, Joy Montes de Oca, Brieanne Scott, Alex Munoz, Sheenu Kaur, Hailey Allen, Freshmen Class. Photo by Akeiylah DeWitt
By Sydney Harder With widespread participation and a renewed vigor to win a chance to plan the next spirit rally, UPA students participated in their first spirit week of the school year during the week of Oct. 14. The senior class planned this spirit week, which featured themed dress days such as artsy, punk-rock, and jock. The seniors also organized the end-of-theweek rally. Intense games like
musical chairs and relay races took place, in which all grades participated in- individual participants and audiences alike. With hundreds of pairs of hands in unison, the famous “We Will Rock You” beat echoed throughout the gym, as students cheered on their classmates. Unique posters that represented each grade radiated the same energy and spirited vibe that the students exemplified. “We wanted to create fun games to incorporate everyone,” senior Charles Wei said.
Most students felt that the spirit rally was a major improvement from previous rallies, partly because it was more engaging and the seniors’ amusing dance performance was the highlight of the rally. “The senior dance was definitely the most entertaining,” freshman Maria Altube said. The determined seventh graders won the rally with more than 600 spirit points. They demonstrated the most spirit throughout the week, as the ma-
jority of their class participated in the theme days. The seventh graders also won most of the rally activities, though they lost their lead. However, they managed to have a come-back victory. “I didn’t doubt my class,” seventh grader Allie Brady said. The generally spirited sophomore class came in last place with a mere 350 points. “They definitely lacked enthusiasm,” 10th grade advisor Chris Weitzel said. Overall, students were
satisfied with the year’s first rally. Eighth grader Stephen GongGuy and junior Taylor Westover both agreed that the theme days were simple and easy to dress up for, which likely prompted an increase in the general school involvement. “Usually people are so focused on grades at UPA. It was good to see everyone’s personality come out,” junior Julianna Flores said.
Fate of Junior Trip Announced: Annual Trip Saved
By Akeiylah DeWitt One of the most anticipated events of the year at UPA is the junior trip. In recent weeks, many rumors regarding the fate of the trip have been circulating; word has had it that this year the trip will be cut due to a new California law prohibiting schools from charging students for activities. At the junior counseling meeting on September 12th, the long awaited verdict was handed down: the trip has been saved. As any UPA student knows, UPA’s culture is all about going to college. Executive Director Daniel Ordaz began the discussion on the fate of the trip with a personal anecdote to highlight the importance of seeing colleges up close. He spoke about attending Lowell Elementary and being exposed to SanJose State University, particularly to the school’s Spartan Stadium. In second grade his class took a field trip to visit the school, and his teacher told them that one day they would attend school there. Ordaz went on to be the first in
his family to attend college, and now helps run UPA. Ordaz stated, “[Our] mission says we’re going to produce students that go to the finest colleges and universities.” He declared that UPA’s advisors, especially UPA’s College Counselor Sandra Trotch, were the first to question the decision to cut the trip. As Trotch explained to the parents, the students need to see the campuses, as merely visiting college fairs isn’t enough. Mid-week before UPA’s February recess, all juniors on track to graduate the following year board buses to Southern California, where they tour a number of colleges and universities. Students participate in organized tours by the schools, are exposed to the various departments and majors, and learn about the application process. Students choose hotel rooms in groups of four, while chaperones patrol the corridors. All expenses are paid for—except for the college sweatshirts. Last year seventy-two
juniors went on the trip. During the meeting, Trotch discussed parts of last year’s trip that impacted the students, including the fact that clubs and organizations at Loyola Marymount University came and talked to the students, and a business professor at University of San Diego who spoke to the students left many of them considering studying business. In previous years, the last day of the trip involved a day at Disneyland, but this year, to save the trip, the day at Disneyland has been omitted. Then the most stunning piece of information came down: UPA is willing to bear the entire $30,000 price tag for the trip. According to Ordaz, this works out to about $350 per student; $5000 will be coming from UPA’s PTSO and another $5000 from the school budget for trips. Finally, Ordaz explained to the students and parents at the counseling meeting that while the school is prepared to foot the entire $30,000 bill, donations are welcome. After a
vote was taken, parents and students agreed to make December 1 the fundraising deadline. Those who wish to make a contribution can turn in cash or a check to the front office along with the reason for their contribution. Ordaz emphasized that, “Students and parents who can’t aford it [the trip] get to go anyway…a California public education is free.” Students don’t seem to mind that the last day will not be spent at Disneyland—most simply seem relieved that the trip will continue. Junior Gulshan Chahal stated, “Talking to seniors who went on the trip before, it seems like the general opinion is that the university touring part of the trip is more enjoyable than Disneyland anyways. Just the fact that I get to spend time with my friends while discovering new places where my future may take me is adventure enough!” In addition, Junior James Teso stated, “…I am so excited for the trip. They talk about
the transformations they see students go through in a period of four days and I’m just super excited to hopefully be one of these kids. I’m okay with not going to Disney because that’s not why the trip is fun. The experience of going school to school and city to city with your closest friends is why I personally am excited that the trip is back on.” Chahal’s and Teso’s statements tally with some of the closing remarks about the importance of the trip, as the junior counseling night is UPA’s main opportunity to convince parents to send their students on the trip. Junior and Senior Counselor Sandra Trotch explained to the parents, “Something magical happens on the trip…they understand that could be them [college students]…[they] see the picture of themselves in two year’s time. We try to do everything. They may not apply to the schools they visit] but they start to see themselves in two year’s time.”