FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2011
NEWS - 3
THE WARRIOR
Valley Welcomes New Clubs By Adora Choi
Contributing Writer
VCHS now has a total of 36 clubs, including returning and new clubs, which have been initiated by individual students. Mr. Nathan Smith, Club Administrative liaison, advised and educated students on how to coordinate clubs, and discussed club ideas with the administration. The returning clubs include Abolitionist Society with president Mandy Chin, Chinese Club with president Nathan Sun, Light House Club with president Laura Semkiw, Film Club with president James Reynov, Interact Club with president Samantha Chong, French Club with president Kimberly Kupbens, Latin Honors with president Jon Allen, Mu Alpha Theta Math Honors with president Karen Lu, National Art Honor Society with president Annie Pugliese, Spanish Club with president Taylor Martinez, STAK (Save The African Kids) with president Emily Heacock, Support Our Troops Club with president Joshua Joseph, With Love Club with president Carissa Lee, and The Examined Life Club with president Nardin Sarkis. Many of the new clubs this year are service-oriented, created by students with caring hearts to help their neighbors, community, and the world. Brief descriptions of the new clubs are below: Couponing with a Cause: led by Stephanie Torode, helps the poor by collecting coupons as a tool to raise funds. Food Facts: led by Andrew Lung, discusses healthy food and how food interacts with the body.
International Appreciation: led by Minnie Tu, teaches about cultures throughout the world. Healthy Ladies: led by Colby Carson is a club for girls. They discuss health issues, and the club members will work out together. S.A.G.E: (Students for the Advancement of Entrepreneurship) Business Club, led by Chansol Lim, is a club for learning about business and its role in modern job fields. SciFi Club: led by Tanya D’Silva, is open to anyone who enjoys science fiction. Stand-Up: led by Laraine Chen, plans to raise awareness for clean water for third world countries. Ultimate Frisbee: led by Jeff Korns, is a club for playing various games, learning about them, and bonding with friends. Valley Christian Medical Association: led by Emily Martey, discusses everything about pre-med. Strategic Gaming Club: led by Hieu Tran, provides opportunities for playing computer games among students. A Light in the Dark Club: led by Sarah Michelle Cruz, emphasizes placing our strength in God, not in ourselves, in our daily lives. Quidditch Club: led by Davis Gunter, brings the Harry Potter sport to Valley Baking Club: led by Lauren McCormick, is for everyone who loves baking, or wants to learn about baking. They are definitely planning to bake many delicious treats! Blue Crew: led by Kayla Ross, promotes school spirit and student involvement in
school events and activities. It will get VCHS on fire! Cartooning and Animation: led by Bryce Hall, is a place to share and learn about cartoons, animation characters, and cartoon drawings. EPCAT (Environmental Protection Agency of CA Teens): led by Shannon Tran, discusses teenager protections in the state of California and threats posed toward them. Fashion Club: led by AnnaLisa Lopez, provides everything about fashion, its impact, and role in the world. It is all about fashion and style! NanoTechnology Club: led by Monica Bod, encompasses the understanding of the fundamental physics, chemistry, biology and technology of nanometre-scale objects. R.A.D. (Raising Awareness of Diabetes): led by Daniel Alvarado, studies Diabetes, and discusses its seriousness in the everyday lives of people. S.O.C.K. (Support Our Cancer Kids): led by Mikalea Sprauve, raises awareness of kids who have cancer and their needs. Unicef: led by Nick Choi. VC Bike Club: led by Sean Ellam, is an open place for bikers and people who want to learn about biking. The next opportunity to submit clubs ideas will be on January 27, 2012. On September 23, a Club Fair was held in the Conservatory building deck for people to sign up and learn much more about individual clubs. Come check out VC’s great clubs!
Students and Families Benefit from New Counseling Center By Hannah Lozinski
A long welcoming hall separates the offices and the testing room.
PHOTOGRAPH BY LINDSEY ALLEN
On August 18, students flooded into the new, much anticipated Conservatory building on the first day of school. However, that was not the only new addition to Valley Christian: in the space occupied by the band rooms, the counseling center opened new offices. This new counseling center is open almost all day. Mr. Stephen Torode, Mr. Nathan Smith, and Mrs. Heidi Vals all have offices in this counseling center, and are always available to students who need help with schedules. The front room has been converted into a career and college research center, with a variety of pamphlets, books, and a waiting area to see the counselors. Down the hall are the three offices, and a testing center where students can retake tests under the supervision of a teacher. A teacher will always be in the testing center, so it is easier for students to make up tests. If you just need to ask a quick schedule question at lunch, there is no waiting list or papers to be filled out. Unlike the front office, the new counseling center does not require appointments to be made. “Our goal is to have students always be available to walk in, and have someone help them,” Mr. Torode said in his new office. The counseling area can be found in the gym building, in the old location of the music offices and the band room. Even if your counselor is not one specified above, you can come into the counseling center without an appointment to ask questions and get help.
PHOTOGRAPH BY JORDAN DAWKINS
Editor in Chief
One of the counselors’ offices inside the new counseling center.
We Are the “Life Preservers” By Jamie Dequine Staff Writer
“But whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm.” (Proverbs 1:33). Coming back down to earth from the previous “No Limits,” Valley Christian’s ASB class of 2012 kicks off the new year with a tall glass of fresh perspective. Inspired by the film, “To Save a Life,” the team wants to share their thoughts with the rest of their peers through the theme “lifeguard,” that will be incorporated into future rallies and events. Often times people take things in life for granted and don’t realize what is important until it is gone. Through the movie, “To Save a Life,” ASB realized that as Christians, it is a duty for everyone to be life preservers for those drowning in the illusion of the world. “If God is the lifeguard, then we are the life preservers,” said senior David Sanchez, ASB vice president. God calls us to save others and be life-lines by giving opportunities to have the greatest gift in the world, a relationship with the Father and eternal life. Along with the thought of living life to the fullest, the team is also looking forward to having several special events planned: the Homecoming Dance, followed by a basketball mixer, partying in pajamas. ASB has ideas about having a dollar dance that they are really excited about. With all the exciting themes, events, and speakers, ASB has planned a great year for Valley Christian students.
Valley Welcomes New Teachers By Nia Hayden
Contributing Writer
A new school year at Valley has also brought on the addition of more teachers and classes. Some of those teachers are brand new and some of them have previously taught at Valley and are returning this year. Mr. Reggie Coates is joining us this year and teaches Worship Choir & Music Technology. Ms. Michelle Hawkins is also joining this year and will be teaching in room 107. Mr. Nick Dalby and Ms. Kate Nees are joining us this year as well. Dalby teaches English 11(H) and English 10, Nees will teach English 10(H) this year and is returning again after previously having taught from 2007-2009. Mr. David Nees is returning to the Bible department this year and also previously taught from 2007-2009. In the Foreign Language, Science, and Social Sciences departments there is only one new teacher arriving this year. Ms. Tracy Georges is a Spanish I and II teacher who previously taught here at VCS from 20082009. Mr. Jim Harper is in the process of obtaining a B.S. in Biological Science from San Jose State University and currently teaches Physical Science and Biology. Mr. Arpedge Rolle is teaching Global Studies for the social sciences department in his first year at VCS. Many new classes have been added this year in an effort to offer Valley students the most diverse and stimulating curriculum possible. These new classes are as follows: Advanced Apologetics (online), A Christian Perspective of the Arts, AP Environmental Science, Mandarin III, Piano II and Piano III, Accelerated Algebra I, MultiVariable Calculus, Non-Linear Digital Editing, Engineering I, ITC Literacy and 3D Animation.