The Pepperbox
October BOX BRIEFS
October 17th: Homecoming Dance October 25th: ACT Test Date October 27-31st: Red Ribbon Week November 4th-5th: CAHSEE Test November 8th: SAT Test Date November 10th: No School November 11th: Veteran’s Day
IN THE BOX
November 14th: End of Term 2 November 18th: School Board Meeting November 19th: Blood Drive November 19th: Fall Sports Awards November 23-30th: Thanksgiving Break December 6th: SAT Test Date December 11-13th: AIBT
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EDITORIAL STAFF Gillen Martin Editor-In-Chief Zoe Ziegler Editor-In-Chief Sara Davis Managing Editor Terra Clarke News Editor Kaeyln Tuermer-Lee News Editor Hannah Finley Feature Editor Alley Perry Feature Editor Neel Rao Sports Editor Craig Broadman Sports Editor CJ Gray Opinion Editor
Ryan Ghisetti A&E Editor Carson McHaney Art Director Alyssa Day Business Manager Izzy Ensminger Online Editor Claire Robinson Copy Editor Alec Perrone Executive Producer Bodie Yonts Assistant Producer Indigo Davis Photo Editor Jesse Bareilles Assistant Photo Editor Caitlyn Patterson Social Media Director
REPORTERS Mozara Abdalla Amanda Andrews Scott Ballinger Taylor Camp Isaiah DuFresne Marlena Tavernier
Darik Gaston Emma Harris Gabe Hunt Isabel Luu Ellen Keil Claire Rockwood
Anna Nelson Solo O’Neill Triston Pigg Josh Winter Peter Shao
The Pepperbox would like to thank Western Web, based in Samoa, for printing at-cost. Western Web supports student journalism throughout Humboldt County and has made publications like the Pepperbox possible for decades. We appreciate their dedication to keeping print media alive. Western Web
Girls Who Code. . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 Parking Lot. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 CR Classes/Exchange. . . . . . . . 8 Thrive/Common Core . . . . . . . 9 Hall of Famers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 New Science Teacher. . . . . . . . 11 Dress Code. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 Drought. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Babies. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Monge. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15 Construction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16 ISIS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17 Changes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 PB Club . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Freshman Volleyball. . . . . . . . .20 Small Football Team. . . . . . . . . 21 Head Injuries. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22 Fall Sports. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23 Bryan McCann. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 New Coaches. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Football Traditions. . . . . . . . . . .26 Organic Foods. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Rape Culture. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Silent Film. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28 AAI Music. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Eyebrows. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 AAI Haps/Calendar. . . . . . . . . . .31 Homecoming Nominees. . . . . .32 Questions regarding editorial content of the Pepperbox should be directed toward its editors. Opinions expressed in this paper are not necessarily those of Arcata High School.
Adviser Danielle Lehman
FROM THE ARCHIVES
BEHIND THE COVER
Originally published: March 10th, 1972 Forty-two years after The Pepperbox published this article encouraging girls to try out for track, our girls cross country team is state-ranked and has won their section three years in a row. If they win one more time this year (which we expect them to) , then it will be a record-breaking season for their sections division. In 1972, the 400 meter record for a Lady Tiger was 67 seconds, but last year graduated senior Lauren McCoy set the record with a dash of 57.9 seconds.
The cover for this issue featured legendary conductor Carol Jacobson in her new temporary music room (the AHS wrestling room). In the photo above, Art Director Carson McHaney paints football eye-black on Jacobson to represent the spacial merging of the sports and music programs during the Measure Q construction this year (see Construction on pg. 10 and AAI Music on pg. 29).
EDITORS’ BOX The first issue of The Pepperbox is traditionally centered around new beginnings. With the loss of the senior class, a fresh batch of freshman, new faces in faculty, and all of the changes that a new school year brings, the dynamics of the student body as a whole always shift, creating a new sense of identity for Arcata High. This year, the theme of “new beginnings” has been taken up a notch as we chuck out the old and drag in the new so rapidly that students can hardly keep up. This atmosphere of hectic mayhem keeps the Pepperbox staff just that much busier ensuring that we cover each and every change to catch readers up. So here’s our first issue, bringing you first hand coverage of all the changes to expect in Arcata High for the 2014-2015 school year and more. Marvel at all of the new programs on our campus: Girls Who Code (pg. 6), CR Classes (pg. 8), Thrive/Common Core (pg. 9), PB Club articles (pg. 19), and Freshman Volleyball (pg. 20). Notice the numerous new faces: Exchange Students (pg. 8), New Science Teacher (pg. 11), Babies (pg. 14), and New Coaches (pg. 25). And finally, realize how everything around us is always changing, cycling, or progressing: Parking Lot (pg. 7) and Changes (pg. 18). Holding traditions near and dear in this confusing age is becoming increasingly important, and what’s more traditional than Homecoming? Check out the nominees on the back and cast your vote for your favorite couple. Most importantly, enjoy the beginning of yet another thrilling year at Arcata High School! Hold on Tigers, this one’s going to be wild. -Editors-in-chief Gillen Martin and Zoe Ziegler and Managing Editor Sara Davis
Quotable. “Angelina Jolie had a three-headed pygmy baby.” -Social Studies teacher Eric Vollmers in unknown context
“Mack boys almost win during Homecoming game.” -The Mad River Union’s headline for their article covering McKinleyville’s Homecoming football game
“We’re really going to learn and apply math this year. It’s a big turn-on; you’ll really like it.”
37 Parking spots out of use due to construction
30 Days of school until Thanksgiving Break
204 Freshman in the class of 2018
-Math teacher Will Bagnall to his 5th period pre-calc class
1800 “Oh my God! My eyebrows are gonna melt!” -An anonymous sophomore girl worrying about the condition of her brows on the first rainy day of fall (Read all about the latest eyebrow trend on pg. 30)
The estimated number of tardies in the first six weeks of the school year.
Framable. German teacher Frau B’s windshield after being nailed with a stray soccer ball kicked by senior Russ Taylor
Jesse Bareilles/PEPPERBOX
Senior Connor Cox running the ball with a Panther on his back during the first ArcataMcKinleyville football game
Indigo Davis/PEPPERBOX
The JV volleyball team at their tournament in Middletown, CA where they took the championship
Photo courtesy of Arcata Volleyball Facebook
The Pepperbox | Page 6
News
Wednesday, October 15th, 2014
Female coders begin a legacy at AHS Claire Robinson
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Copy Editor
oday, women represent only 12% of all computer science graduates. In 1984, 37% of all computer science graduates were women. Girls Who Code is a national initiative that works to address the nationwide decline of women in computer science. The program encourages young women to explore computer science, hoping that by improving their skills and confidence in their abilities, they will be more likely to pursue computer science in the future. And now, this fantastic organization is coming to Arcata High! Senior and programmer-extraordinaire Madeleine Appelmans was thrilled to attend the Girls Who Code Summer Immersion Program at eBay. After an
I feel so fortunate to have had the opportunity to learn to code. I want to share both my skills and my passion with the girls at Arcata High. -Madeleine Appelmans
amazing experience, she is determined to help other girls discover the exciting world of computer science. “I feel so fortunate to have had the opportunity to learn to code. I want to share both my skills and my passion with the girls at Arcata High,” she said.
Madeleine is founding a Girls Who Code initiative on campus. Her program, sponsored by the Girls Who Code organization and overseen by HSU’s Computer Science Club and AHS faculty, will be a semester-long programming course. Girls who join will gain proficiency in programming, all while working with a team of supportive, caring, and passionate girls just like them! Because the gender gap in technology fields is so pronounced, the Girls Who Code club, like all other Girls Who Code programs, will be for young women only. “Being the only girl in any science, technology, or math class is terrifying,” explains Appelmans, “Unfortunately, the gender gap in these fields pretty much guarantees that it will happen at some point in our careers. Girls Who Code is only for young women so that they can learn to program in a safe, supportive atmosphere where they don’t need to be concerned about being stereotyped because of their gender.” Girls Who Code already has an excited and enthusiastic membership, but they are still welcoming new participants! Member Salix Bair explains her enthusiasm, saying, “Girls Who Code is such an exciting opportunity. It’s a chance for the girls on our campus who love STEM [science, technology, engineering, and math] to embrace and explore that passion in a fun and encouraging program.” Can’t wait to join? Listen for upcoming announcements in the bulletin or talk to Madeleine Appelmans.
Our first meeting will be Sunday, October 19th. We hope to see you there!
Kaelyn Tuermer-Lee/PEPPERBOX
Above, Madeleine Appelmans is caught coding on the stairs.
Wednesday, October 15th, 2014
News
The Pepperbox | Page 7
Arcata High in transition: the parking lot Terra Clarke News Editor
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n any given day at Arcata High School, an abundance of reckless teen drivers, concerned parents, and oblivious freshmen can be seen fighting over valuable space in the parking lot at Arcata High School. This year, most arrived expecting the same parking lot they had left on the last day of school, and were surprised to find a new, mutilated parking lot. The upper parking lot, the former residence of oversized trucks and country music, is now full of flustered teachers. What could be the cause of this pandemonium? The answer is in the construction on the Multi-Purpose Room (MPR). The MPR is currently under construction to be replaced by a new Visual and Performing Arts Center as part of Measure Q. Construction on the MPR has resulted in a loss of about thirty parking spaces in the front parking lot, sending Arcata High into a state of flux. According to Assistant Principal, Jim Monge, staff members were a little “pushed back” about the change in parking arrangements. Jim Monge is very understanding of the staff’s reaction. “We are creatures of habit,” Jim Monge said. “The change is inconvenient for many of them.” There are teachers who have accepted the transition and receded to the upper parking lot with little complaint. There are also teachers who have been teaching at Arcata High School for so long that they can’t even imagine giving up their coveted parking space. “I have been parking in the same spot for twenty-five years, I’m not going to change it now,” math teacher Kay Wozniak said. “I have
been talked to by the administration, but it’s just not convenient for me to park far away from my classroom.” Inconvenience seems to be a major issue for teachers having to park by the gym. Parking in the upper parking lot is seen as extremely inconvenient for teachers with classrooms in the front of the school to make the trek across campus just to get to their car when there are parking spots a short jaunt away. Jim Monge described how teachers often have a lot of things to carry and want a parking spot that involves the shortest travel time from car to classroom. Students often strive for the same criteria in a parking spot, but have recently been foiled because of staff members parking in designated student parking. “We [students] aren’t allowed to park where you [teachers] park, so you shouldn’t be allowed to park where we park,” Senior Madalyn McCreath said. Many teachers are upset about the construction changing their parking spots, but they understand that it is more convenient to make certain adjustments to deal with the current construction. “I understand that it’s rational to not let students park by the gym,” Kay Wozniak said, “they drive too fast by the buses.” With young drivers rushing to get their favorite parking space or be the first one to lunch, the parking lot is complete anarchy. Many students without their licenses have to brave the wilderness known as the Arcata High School parking lot, unarmed and on foot. The majority of these students are freshmen, who have little experience navigating the maze of cars. Freshman Joia Simpson shared her thoughts on safety in the parking lot. “I feel safe, but not when my
sister is mad at me,” Joia Simpson said. Regardless of many unwanted changes, the parking lot has made beneficial contributions to Arcata High School. There are staff members who find that the new parking arrangements are improving safety and making their jobs easier. “Bus drivers like the new spot because they don’t have to compete with students and parents driving to school,” Jim Monge said. Bus drivers aren’t the only ones who enjoy the changes; Dean Mark Sahlberg, believes that there has been an improvement in attendance this year because of parents trying to avoid the crowded Arcata High parking lot at 8:05 A.M. “There is less traffic because students are being dropped off at the corner instead of at school,” Mark Sahlberg said. “This makes my job easier because there are less tardies.” The parking lot alterations may have made appealing changes to some staff members, but for many students the changes have forced them to completely readjust, altering their entire experience at Ar-
cata High School. “I used to park where the construction is,” Madalyn McCreath said, “my whole group had to uproot.” Parking conflicts have risen out of reasons related to students from other schools parking in spaces vital to the population at Arcata High School. In response to conflict amongst students because of the new parking situation, Junior Delaney Rice said: “McKinleyville people park here; they need to go away.” Most students seem to be having minimal difficulty finding a place to park, but are worried about new sophomore drivers causing an even bigger problem than in the past because of the serious lack of parking spaces. As Arcata High School continues to struggle through this period of rebuilding, it is critical to remember that change is necessary to the improvement of our school. Without it, we can never move forward. “It is difficult while we are in it,” English teacher Julie Angles said, “but I have high hopes that it will be well worth the wait.”
Indigo Davis/PEPPERBOX
The full Arcata High parking lot after the morning rush.
The Pepperbox | Page 8
News
Wednesday, October 15th, 2014
The cheap way to earn your college units CJ Gray
Opinion Editor
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rcata High now offers college courses on campus! There are multiple college classes being taught at Arcata High including, most notably, a Calculus class taught every morning starting before school at 7:50 that contains Arcata, Mckinleyville, and Six Rivers High School students. While AHS students taking multiple advanced classes is nothing new, having the ability to take a college level class right on campus is a completely new experience, and will give students an idea of what college will be like for them. Junior O.B. Kwon said, “It’s not
that much different from high school.” Although it may not seem different for some students, students are being taught by College of the Redwoods Professor, Brad Morin. Mr. Morin is highly rated by college students. RateMyProfessors. com gave him an overall quality rating of 4.2/5 with his best category being helpfullness. He also got good scores in clarity. High school students can be very judgemental, and the feedback from students about Mr. Morin is curiously of the positive form. Senior Emma Zierer had only good things to say about Mr. Morin, “I like him. He’s pretty cool. He knows what he’s talking about.” Junior O.B. Kwon said, “Mr. Morin is probably one of the best
math teachers I’ve ever had.” So how did the idea to have the class come to be? The answer was simple and expected out of the progressive establishment of Arcata High. Principal Dave Navarre stated that, “We wanted to offer more opportunity to students on our campus.” Having the idea was easy enough, but so was getting a teacher and making the class a reality. “CR would provide the teacher and we would provide the facility,” Vice Principal Jim Monge said. “It is cost effective.” This year there was no fee for students, compared to what college tuition typically costs. Class units cost $46 at CR, with prices increasing substantially at other schools. Although the fee waiver for Ar-
cata High students is only for this year, tuition at CR is still much less than at a four-year university. Additionally, the school is working toward concurrent enrollment for the class, meaning students will be able to earn college and high school credit at the same time. Along with the Calculus class, there is an Astronomy class taught after school on Thursdays. This class is taught from 3:45-7:50 and contains mostly community members. Having a Speech class and History class were goals, but the plans did not get finalized before school started. However, Arcata High will continue to work toward the betterment of the educational experience for its students and the community.
Exchange students return to Arcata High Anna Nelson Reporter
& Mozara Abdalla Reporter
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very year exchange students travel thousands of miles to immerse themselves in the culture of Arcata High School. This year there are four exchange students: Anais Bury from Belgium, Annapaola Imberti from Italy, Antoine Marval from France and Mozara Abdalla from Brazil. Please make them feel welcome to Arcata. This is their home for the next nine months. Though the students come from different parts of the world, each of them had similar answers on their decision to go on exchange. Anais said, “I wanted to discover
the world and live a different life, an ‘American’ life.” Mozara added that she liked to travel and experience new cultures. Annapaolo said, “I wanted to become part of an exchange because it’s an important thing to do.” Americans often stereotype people from different countries. Exchange studens help us get some insight on American stereotypes. Anais believes that the stereotypes are true and that they are similar to those you see in movies. Antoine would agree with the American stereotype, and finds that Americans are fat. But he also says that America has a lot of different sports and that we excel in them. Mozara and Annapaolo don’t incline to agree with the American stereotype. Mozara said, “Most people think you people are fat, but you are not.” Well thank you, Mozara!
Exchange studens help us get some insight on American stereotypes. The exchange students opinions on the schooling system differed significantly. Anais said the teachers here are very pleasant and more open, and school is less strict. Over in Belgium, they can’t even have their cell phone out at breaks! For Mozara, Arcata High assigns much more homework than back home. In Brazil, however, their classes are harder and filled with gruesome studying in twelve subjects. There are great after-school activities available to exchange students. Anais, Antoine, and Mozara are currently involved with the Arcata High’s cross country team. Annapaolo enjoys going to
the beach and hiking in the forest. She said, “Redwood Park, it was very beautiful.” Anais in her home country is involved with field hockey. In France, Antoine likes going to the beach, going to the center of town with friends, and playing tennis. Mozara said, “I am used to going to clubs in my country, and here you don’t have that.” Regarding exchange students, Eilish McNulty said, “experiencing other people’s culture changes your outlook and has made me want to travel abroad.” The four exchange students are enjoying their freedom here in Arcata. Anais said that the exchange so far is, “just different, and I like it.” Mozara said, “People are so nice here, they do stuff for you without needing anything in return.” And her final words of wisdom were, “People should do an exchange, you grow a lot.”
News
Wednesday, October 15th, 2014
The Pepperbox | Page 9
THRIVE ends, Common Core begins Jesse Bareilles
Assistant Photo Editor Disclaimer: This article isn’t as boring as you’d think it’d be. THRIVE is coming to the end of it’s five-year reign at the end of this school year. Meanwhile, Common Core is being introduced nationwide this year. THRIVE THRIVE was a grant written by Jack Bareilles, the District Grant Writer, the teachers’ union and the administration. So they’re to blame for the multitude of testing we’ve been subject to for the past five years. But you can also thank them for the days when we the students get to stay home while our teachers have to go to school. Contrary to what freshmen Devon Wellington & Nick Borden think, THRIVE doesn’t stand for, “Teen Health Reading Interactive Values Education,” it actually stands for, “Together Honoring Rigorous Instruction for Valued Education”. THRIVE is a district-wide grant funded by the federal Teacher Incentive Fund, the goals of which are to: “Improve student achievement
I don’t really think it matters... they’re both tests. - Claire Bareilles
by increasing teacher and principal effectiveness. Reform teacher and principal compensation systems so that teachers and principals are rewarded for increases in student achievement. Increase the number of effective teachers teaching poor, minority, and disadvantaged students in hard-to-staff subjects. Create sustainable performancebased compensation systems.” “Formative assessment” is the method of testing the THRIVE grant utilizes. Teachers collect data on their students’ knowledge of the subject before they have been formally taught the curriculum by giving them a pre test. After being taught the curriculum the students are tested again to see their growth. Teachers are rewarded with cash incentives for students’ performance on tests. COMMON CORE “What does Common Core mean?”, Senior Raven Johnson thought, “It sounds like it helps you with education.” Well, she was on the right track. Common Core is essentially a set of nationwide academic standards given to all students from kindergarten to 12th grade. Each grade is given a different set of math and language arts/reading goals that
One allowed me to THRIVE, the other one is too hard Core. - Max Wrigley
students should achieve by the end of each school year. Unlike the STAR tests that only tested students on California state standards, Common Core has already been adopted by forty-three states, the District of Columbia, four territories, and the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA). Most of the nation’s education system will be held to the same learning standards which will allow the states to compare their test scores to one another and make it clear which states are falling behind in education. Having nationwide standards allows all students to be held to the same standards which helps prepare all students so they can go into college at the same level as their fellow students from the opposite coast. Due to the change from the California state standards to Common Core, “I’m gonna have to change the things I do,” history teacher Dave Filipini said. Common Core encourages students to, “write about the readings,” and most teachers feel their curriculum isn’t as “analytical as its supposed to be,” Filipini added. Students will be doing a lot more reading and writing, as well as answering more free-response questions. Junior Veda Cedeño said that, “I’m not gonna be happy about it, but that’s what you come
It saves trees by eliminating the use of paper. -Turner Trapkus
to school to do.” The PARC Assessment and the Smarter Balance Assessment are the two new tests that will be given to students whose states’ participate in Common Core. Each state chose which assessment to use, California, for example, has elected to use the Smarter Balance assessment. This year’s seniors took the pilot test last year. The Smarter Balance assessment is online and has language arts and math sections. The two assessments have more free-response questions to test the students knowledge of the topics more thoroughly. Only juniors will have to take the Smarter Balance test, unlike the previous STAR test that freshman, sophomores, and juniors had to take. “Because THRIVE was a Teacher Incentive Fund Grant, it focused on the teachers. Common Core focuses on students and how they can perform certain tasks such as reading for information or solving math problems,” Jack Bareilles said. It seems as though students aren’t as excited about Common Core beginning as they are about THRIVE ending.
THRIVE isn’t a bad system, but I think the premises of it are wrong. It’s not fair to judge teachers solely on student performance. - Ivy Ricca
The Pepperbox | Page 10
News
Wednesday, October 15th, 2014
Hall of fame inductees return to AHS Rex Bachemin Reporter
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ou’re in the Arcata High School gym at the Homecoming rally. You’re looking back at the 37 years you’ve taught here. The 24-1 record your softball team achieved. The eight miles you had to walk to get home from the end of school every day (unless you find a hitchhiker). Meet the 2014 Hall of Fame inductees. Every year, Arcata High School inducts alumni and former coaches into our Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame honors those who have made commitments and accomplishments in the history of Arcata High School. The induction will take place at the Homecoming assembly on Friday, October 17th. Coach Ron Maher Ron Maher taught here at Arcata High School from 1969 to 2007, coached football, basketball, wrestling, tennis, and track & field, and was the District Faculty President, Science Department Chair, Physical Education Department Chairman, and Athletic Director. Ron Maher was a student at South Fork High School from 1958 to 1962 who played football, basketball, baseball, and track & field. He was an accomplished athlete and student leader, going All-County in football for two years and serving as the Student Body Vice President his senior year. After graduating, he then attended Humboldt State University from 1962 to 1967 where he played football for four years. He earned his Secondary Teaching Credential in 1967, his BA Degree and then Master’s Degree in 1970. Today he supervises student-teachers in the Secondary Education Program at Humboldt State University.
James Taylor James Taylor was a student here at AHS from 1951 to 1955 who played football and baseball for four years. He used to walk eight miles home to the small town of Cranell because there was no late bus after sports practice. After graduating, he earned his Bachelor of Science degree at the University of Tampa in Tampa, Florida and his Masters Degree at Pepperdine University in Malibu, California. He then attended the Command and General Staff College in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. Taylor was on active duty for 24 years in the U.S. Army and is now a Retired Regular Army General. He is highly decorated. Throughout his time in the U.S. Army, some of his awards and decorations are the Congressional Medal of Honor, Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal (1 OLC), Gold Conduct Medal (three awards), National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal (four Campaigns), the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal and Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm. He is a retired Classified Contract Senior Administrator from the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. Wes Walch Wes Welch was a studentathlete who attended AHS from 1943 to 1947. During track and field his freshman year, he earned his first Lettermen stripe for the 100M, 200M, and 440M events. His sophomore year, he earned his second Letterman stripe and Block A in the 100M, 200M, and 440M and sprint relay. His junior year, he earned his third Letterman stripe, “Tiger A”, and gold medal in the 100M, 200M, sprint relay, broad jump, and shot put. That same year he played halfback on AHS’s first football team. After World War II, was selected All-County First Team for football, and played sec-
Photo courtesy of The Pepperbox archives
Ron Mayer (far left) in his second year at Arcata High school, 1969. ond base for the varsity baseball team, earning his “Circle A” award. During his senior year in track and field, he earned the silver medal for the 100M, 200M, and sprint relays. In football, he was selected first string All-County halfback and received the Most Valuable Football Player Award, played second basemen for varsity baseball team, and was awarded the White Sweater, a prestigious award granted for outstanding athletics . After graduating from AHS, he received a scholarship to play football at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles. He played his freshman year then transferred to Santa Rosa Junior College in Santa Rosa, California, where he was selected the most outstanding player in Evergreen Bowl Game while playing for SRJC, and the 1949 football team was inducted into SRJC Football Hall of Fame. In 1950, he received a scholarship to College of the Pacific in
Stockton, CA, and was selected the Most Outstanding Player in their game versus LSU. He majored in Business Administration at College of the Pacific, and wrote and published his book “Crannell & Beyond” in 2013. Softball Team of 1985 The girls Softball Team of 1985 were the Hoopa & Kiwanis Tournament Champions, the Big 5 Conference Champions, the #1 Division 2A Team in the state of California, had an overall record of 241, and a conference record of 8-0. Head Coach: Frank Cheek Players: Cindy Baer, Tina Ball, Teresa Cheek, LoRae Cooper, Candy Crowden, Liz Gomes, Kim Hannigan, Kris Hannigan, Stacie Harnden, Tiffany Hendrix, Sheryl Hodge, Robyn Hunt, Brenda Johnson, Lisa Johnson, Stephanie McKinney, Jenny Maloney, Michelle Menefree, Jennifer Rogers, Jackie Sloss, Tina Smith, Maggie Vallee, Bridgett Zamudio
Wednesday, October 15th, 2014
Feature
The Pepperbox | Page 11
Shannon Kresge, new science teacher boldt State.” Kresge spent her first two years teaching at Potter Valley Junior Senior High, a school containing only 134 students.
Science, and Physical Science. Now I bet you’re beginning to wonder if Kresge does anyCaitlyn Patterson thing other than teach, teach, Social Media Director and teach. Don’t worry, that’s not the case. Another passion nergetic, expressive, enof hers happens to be whale disI’ve never seen couraging. These three secting. That’s right, Shannon words are commonly a teacher get so Kresge thoroughly enjoys slicused when describing up whales. crazy and excited ing“Some this new staff member. Under of our kids that had me her instruction, science transabout teaching us as a student teacher have seen forms from just any another powerpoints on me slicing up new things. subject into something really the blue whale,” she explained. worth learning. With Shannon Not only does she have a his- Tara SwinneyKresge as our new teacher, AHS tory with whales, but snakes Silva science will never be the same. too. Word on the street is that Just outside of Philadelphia, Kresge was bit by one of the Pennsylvania is where Shanclassroom snakes on campus. non Kresge spent the beginning There, she taught 7th grade Life I spoke to her about it. Here’s years of her life. Science, 8th grade Physical Sci- what she said: “I was a low income, disad- ence, 9th grade Earth Science, “That’s not really important. I vantaged, bad kid with a serious 10th grade Biology, Basic Alge- had him out at lunch. Kids came attitude,” she said while talking bra, Pre-Algebra, and Health. in with paper, really crazy, and about her childhood. She was the head of the science spooked him. That’s all. He bit In 2004, Kresge started to at- department, as well. me, we put him away. End of tend our very own Humboldt Kresge spent the last two discussion.” So there you have it. State University majoring in bi- years at Ferndale High School. The snake biting incident is no ology and specializing in marine There, she taught Biology, longer a major concern. biology. From there, she started Chemistry, AP Environmental Continuing with the topic of to run the tutorial program at HSU through youth educational services. It was called the “Yes House.” “I started tutoring local kids in schools,” she explained, “I was running study groups for my own college classes. That was when I fell in love. Like that ‘aha’ moment, you would say. You know, that teaching moment. So then, instead of going toward research science as I had planned, I ended up going toward science education. So I added that emphasis and got my teaching credential at HumCaitlyn Patterson/PEPPERBOX Shannon Kresge hard at work during her 4th period class.
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Kresge and animals, one of her Physical Science students, junior Tara Swinney-Silva said, “I’ve never seen a teacher get so crazy and excited about teaching us new things. She loves all of her pets in the classroom. Especially the Bearded Dragon. She saved him and now he has a home.” Does Kresge have or do anything that stands out from the other teachers? Here’s what junior, Ciana Johnson said: “She’s very outgoing and passionate about her job.” Kresge is indeed quite passionate about not only her job, but her students as well. She is often spotted comforting students and giving them solid advice. She dedicates most of her lunch time and after school to work with students who need any extra help or are having trouble understanding her classes. “My students are what I care about most,” she said. Also, Kresge has teamed up with Mr. Peters to lead the Global Solutions Club. Peters really enjoys working with his new colleague. “She has a different perspective than other people. It’s good to be able to have somebody there when I can’t be and vise versa,” Peters said. Welcome, Kresge! Her presence and the way she interacts with students seems to encourage them to step up, participate, and actually learn. “Every single kid can do science if I can do it,” Kresge said.
The Pepperbox | Page 12
Feature
Wednesday, October 15th, 2014
Dress code delinquency plagues AHS Hannah Finley Feature Editor
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ome low cut shirts here, some high-waisted Daisy Dukes there, some crop tops everywhere! What drives more and more girls to break Arcata High’s long-standing dress code? As trends emerge, gutsy girls ignore the dress code in order to stay in stride with the latest fashion and cool off in the record heat. The Arcata High staff struggles to combat the grow-
It is really hard for someone to learn math when people are dressed provocativlely. - Susan Lovato ing abundance of exposed skin. As more and more people continue to break the dress code, the staff takesw measures to crack down on inappropriate attire. The punishment for breaking the dress code begins with a warning, and results in a student being sent home if they refuse to make necessary changes to their outfit. The administration expressed that they feel as though it isn't asking too much to have a “businesslike” environment on campus. Vice Principal Jim Monge claimed, “Teachers have a lot to worry about other than the dress code.” Despite the fact that the faculty has been attempting to enforce the dress code more strictly, the administration often wonders how a student can manage to make it all the way through 4th period wearing an inappropriate outfit, to only be confronted later in the day. Do teachers not agree with the dress
code? Do they not know how to address the issue? Do they not know the dress code themselves?
I want to know how they[the students] get to school that way! Where are the parents? - Susan Lovato Sophomore Will Robinson commented, “I think most of the teachers just don’t care very much about minor dress code issues. I was talking to one of my teachers about how he doesn’t like confronting girls that are dressed inappropriately because it makes him uncomfortable and he doesn’t know what to say.” Despite Robinson’s general statement in regards to the enforcement of the dress code, Susan Lovato is a firm supporter. She boldly stated, ”I want to know how they[the students] get to school
I find it hard to understand what is considered so provocative about someone’s shoulders or an inch of a girl’s midriff. - Kay Zurasky
that way! Where are the parents?” Some students feel as if the dress code limits their right to expression, and often question what the point of the rules really comes down to. According to Lovato,
Gillen Martin/PEPPERBOX
Junior Jordan Chasescott(left) and sophomore Will Robinson(right) model the common fashion trends amongst teenage girls everywhere. the dress code becomes an issue of distraction for other students trying to learn in a classroom. Lovato stated, “It is really hard for someone to learn math when people are dressed provocatively.” In contrast with the administration and Lovato, Junior Brooke Jackson and Senior Kay Zurasky speak for many when they criticise the dress code. Jackson commented, “I dress for myself. If I dress confidently, the confidence will come along. Everyone has skin. If my mom sees my outfit and doesn't say anything, then I don’t understand why the administration should be able to make me change.” In addition, Zurasky expressed that she finds it empowering for a girl to dress how she feels the most comfortable and confident, whether that be sweats and a tshirt or a crop top and a skirt. Zurasky earnestly stated, “I find it hard to understand what is considered so provocative about someone’s shoulders or an inch of a girl’s midriff.” With the staff and students
clearly not seeing eye-to-eye on the dress code, some suggest adopting a uniform as a solution. When this idea was suggested to Jackson, she commented, “Hell no! And if they do, I’ll wear it how I want.” To add to the dress code debate, a new group known as the Women’s Advocacy Club has emerged on campus. This club has expressed that they don’t agree with the dress code due to its sexist implicatioins. The club president, senior Claire Robinson stated, “We shouldn’t place the responsibility of controlling male sexuality on the girls at Arcata High School. That reinforces this cultural narrative that it’s a girl’s responsibility to make themselves modest so that they don’t appeal to boys, but at the same time our entire society is asking girls to look sexually attractive to appeal to men.” Is it the drought? Is it the newly emerging trends? Is it a shift in meaning for what makes a person “feel empowered?” Whatever it is, Arcata High School has yet to find an agreeable solution that will deal with the dress code delinquents.
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Feature
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Drought impacts AHS students Alyssa Day
ing? year of normal rainfall behind; Naturally, more heat equals some cities are closer to two Business Manager less clothing. According to Ju- years." nior, Faith Long, "I wear shorter Besides mini skirts and scanhen people think shorts than I'm supposed to, but dalous shirts, another recent Humboldt, they can you blame me? It's hot and trend is the widely controverthink about the I'm not going to wear shorts sial ALS Ice Bucket Challenge. year-round rain, that go to my fingertips; that'd The ALS Association describes the storms, the fog, and the oc- be halfway down my leg." ALS as, "Amyotrophic lateral casional light snow. The normal However, others don't take sclerosis (ALS), often referred attire is a Northface jacket with too kindly to the army of mini- to as "Lou Gehrig's Disease," is jeans and possibly Uggs. But this skirt clad girls, such as Court- a progressive neurodegeneraschool year, is different. Now, ney Whitten, who said, "I think tive disease that affects nerve our weather is hot and dramati- the weather has nothing to do cells in the brain and the spinal cally sunny; 70 degrees is the with it. Some girls have what cord... The progressive degennew normal. This is odd consid- some people would consider, eration of the motor neurons ering Arcata's temperature usu- "good" bodies and they want in ALS eventually leads to their ally is 55-65 degrees year round. to show themselves off. I don't death. When the motor neuBecause of the warm weath- believe this is okay. From some rons die, the ability of the brain er, crop tops, short shorts, and things I've witnessed, it really to initiate and control muscle sandals are part of the average saddens me sometimes. I think movement is lost. With volgirl's daily attire, which has the girls should have more self-re- untary muscle action progresdress code violations off the spect and dignity." sively affected, patients in the charts this year. What's caused Some people refuse to believe later stages of the disease may this drastic change? that the drought is affecting us become totally paralyzed." Here at the Pepperbox, the here in Humboldt, disregarding The Ice Bucket Challenge is a only explanation we could come the obvious signs. According to viral trend used to raise awareup with is this terrible drought accuweather.com, "Most every ness of the disease. Many people in California. city deficit is at least one full didn't know ALS existed prior to Many people refuse to believe that the drought in California is affecting us. However, some believe that the drought could be affecting us in more way than one. One way, being the general student population's daily attire. Mr. Navarre said, "Could [the drought] affect us? I have a feeling it might, yes. But not in the immediate future." What else, besides the immediate heat and memories of the weather that Humboldt left in it's past, could drive a student to wear a mini skirt and half shirt in the same outfit? Photo courtesy of Mariah Lewis Does the heat due to the Mariah Lewis takes part in the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge, drought justify the lack of clothwitht he help of Kate Breyer and Claire Kinder.
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the challenge “flooding” social media sites, such as Facebook and Instagram. Though it's for a good cause, many people have mixed thoughts on the subject. Of course, with the drought going on, people are totally against dumping water needlessly on the ground. But just because they're against the challenge, doesn't mean they're against the cause. Faith Long said, "I understand that a bucket of water isn't that much, but it does add up. If you're going to waste $1 of water, why not donate that dollar to the cause? I'm not against raising awareness, but it should be done differently. Besides, the videos are the same thing over and over," says .” However, the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge seems to already be fading from the timelines and news feeds of our favorite websites and apps. Maybe, crop tops and miniskirts will fade along with it, if this weather ever decides to change. Hopefully we will start getting rain, otherwise the drought will only get worse. The drought actually is affecting all of California, which some people refuse to believe. Accuweather.com also said, "Time will tell on all of this. However, the overwhelming message is that there is not going to be any short-term fix for the water problems to the state of California. Mother Nature just cannot do that. The amount of rain needed is just too great. Buckle up folks, it may get worse before it gets any better.”
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Wednesday, October 15th, 2014
Meet the littlest Tigers: teacher babies Amanda Andrews Reporter
Members of Arcata High’s finest teaching staff have given birth to the future of Arcata High. In the 2013-2014 school year, numerous teachers welcomed new babies into the world. Teachers and students throughout the school have all heard of the short time absences of some of our teaching staff due to pregnancy. Now that the new school year is here, The Pepperbox inquires into the joyful first months of the new additions to the Arcata High family.
Julian David Lehman, born October 1st, 2013 at St. Joseph’s hospital--8.13lbs, 21in. “He is really really observant and thoughtful,” Mrs. Lehman said, and luckily her daughters love him as their brother.
Kolsen Forest Kastler was born August 19th, 2013-8.13lbs, 22in. Mrs. Kastler plans for her son to go to Fortuna high, and participate in FFA when he gets older. Kolsen has a great sense of humor. “He’s playful, and he just makes you happy when you see him.”
Michael Cunha Borges was born May 26th, 2013 at Mad River Hospital--7.12lbs, 20in. Mrs. Borges plans on him being an AHS tiger and says “He is a total mama’s boy, and he loves to smile.”
Dimitri Alexander Cypert was born November 16, 2013 at Mad River Hospital--7.5lbs, 19.6in. Dimitri “has a mischievous soul,” and when he grows up Lazaridis wants him to be “happy and healthy, that is all that truly matters.”
Marlaina Hope Jane Berube was born on June 4th , 7.3lbs, 19.5in. .Berube says Marlaina has a wonderful smile and laugh, and her two other children love to play with their new little sister.
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Wednesday, October 15th, 2014
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Your vice principal could be a superhero Alley Perry Feature Editor
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all, brooding, and mysterious. All words used to commonly describe Batman…. and Jim Monge. We’ve all seen him, roaming the halls of Arcata High, searching for injustice wherever he can find it. But how well do we really know James Monge, Gemini, 6th grade trumpet player? What is a typical day for Jim Monge like? More importantly, how does his day differ, if at all, from that of a superhero? Jim Monge’s day begins at 7:00 AM and ends typically around 5:00 PM, but what happens for the 10 hours in between is rarely ever the same. “I don’t have typical days,” Monge said. A phrase that could could easily be said by both a vice principal and a crime fighting superhero. After reviewing a number of superheros, it’s clear which one best represents Monge. Spiderman is out due to the severe lack of skyscrapers to swing from. He’s not the Hulk; green really isn’t his color. And he wouldn’t be Aquaman, because, seriously, who wants to be Aquaman? All signs point to the multi-talented Batman. Both Monge and Bruce Wayne are busy people, with a lot on their minds. Monge deals with a menagerie of daily tasks. As shocking as it may be, the life of a high school vice principal is not as glamorous as it may seem. “ Most of my day is spent answering e-mails, meeting with
I don’t have typical days. - Jim Monge staff, talking with students, and filling out paperwork.” Much like philanthropist Bruce Wayne, Monge is truly a man of the people. He would much rather be working with students than be cooped up in his office doing paperwork. “I enjoy talking with students and staff, especially if I can help them solve an issue or problem that has arisen,” he said. According to thesuperheroquiz.com, upon entering all of Monge’s distinct personality traits--such as mysterious, intelligent, and determined--the quiz has confirmed that he is most like Batman. Clearly, no other proof is needed. The extremely accurate computer program describes his agenda as “vowing to help the innocent to not suffer the pain he has endured.” Sounds exactly like the job description of a vice principal. Monge is doing his best to make the world a better place, one faculty member at a time. Maybe he wasn’t bitten by a radioactive spider or dropped in a vat of toxic sludge, but like Batman, his quest for justice is purely from the heart. The similarities between Batman and Mr. Monge seem to outweigh the differences. To unwind, Monge enjoys watching sports, which could very
possibly be code for some after school justice league. Wayne drives a custom-made Batmobile; Monge drives 2001 Honda Odyssey “Mongemobile.” They’re both above-average height, and they both enjoy “watching sports”, probably. Junior Mitchell Monge (Monge’s son), the Robin to Mr. Monge’s Batman, can see the undeniable similarities between the two heroic figures too. “They’re both pretty awesome,” Mitchell Monge said
Jim Monge may not be harboring a secret identity or batcave under the school, and the adversaries he faces may not destroy cities, but if the two ever met, they might very well share a brooding glance and nod of acknowledgment. While Mr. Monge has never admitted to being Batman, he never explicitly denied it, either. That only leaves us with one conclusion: Batman is currently roaming the halls of Arcata High.
Above is possibly a depiction of Jim Monge’s alternate identity.
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Wednesday, October 15th, 2014
Construction mayhem leads to new beginnings Zoë Ziegler Editor-in-Chief
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ou walk into the building and instead of seeing old paneling on the walls, a scuffed-up floor, and rows of folding chairs, you see a fabulous new facility. In front of the grand new theater sits legitimate pull-out bleachers and a shiny hardwood floor. Behind the theater the orchestra and drama students are practicing in new rooms with more space. It is a beautiful facility. Or at least it will be. Eventually. For now, all we can imagine of Arcata High’s new multipurpose room is a black chain link fence and danger signs in red. And in the mean time, there is significantly less parking for students, and student musicians and actors have to practice in the wrestling room or in Auto Shop. It is hard to find anything positive from the construction mayhem, yet Mr. Sahlberg presented a more uplifting opinion. While he said it’s been difficult to coordinate holding dances, serving lunch out of the snack bar, and scheduling classes, he says that the situation is still mostly beneficial. He found that more students have been arriving to school on time and first-period attendance does not seem to have been affected. Josh Arbaugh, Arcata High’s drama teacher, also found a positive aspect, seeing the construction as a new beginning. “As we packed things up, everything got more organized,” he said. Arbaugh is also very happy with where the construction is going. “[The administration] really took my suggestions to heart,” he said. One suggestion of his was a fly system that will enable set pieces to be suspended by rope and lifted above the stage. Another was a black box theater, which is a recent innovation in theater that enables for a simple, unadorned
performance space, usually a cubic fluctuating temperature is annoy- always stepping on each other’s room with black walls surround- ing at best. Radley, who has choir toes--their dining room table was ing a stage with seating on two, in the morning and theater in the in the cello section--but they need three, or four sides. For Carol Ja- afternoon, said, “It’s either too hot, to have props too!” And, according cobson, the director of the Armack too cold, or too crowded.” The the- to Zapper, a lack of a stage on camOrchestra and Arcata’s Choir pro- ater students have to make due pus might help with the promogram, one of the most exciting fea- without stage lights, costumes, tion of the Theater program. “I am tures, along with more space and open space, and, of course, a stage. hoping it will open us up to more extra practice rooms, is windows. “It’s a more theoretical experience community endeavors because it “It will be a revelation!” she said. than hands-on,” Arbaugh said. is forcing us to do shows off of our “It’s so important. [The students] Furthermore, with the lack of campus,” she said. She hopes that have to have real natural light. It space at AHS, the bus garage on reaching out to the community will makes such a difference, I think, Guintoli has been the source of spark involvement and will be betin all of your work. You play bet- storage for much of the music ter for the program in the long run. ter, you sing better.” Junior Emma and drama program’s materials. The final concern regarding the Radley, an AAI Theater and choir “It’s a royal pain!” Jacobson said. construction is when it will finalstudent, is also very excited for “I have no access to my libraries; ly be done. “I am hoping it will be these new features. What she is they’re all stuck in the bus ga- ready by the time I leave,” Radley looking forward to most, however, rage, and I had to take my life in said. “Otherwise it really won’t be is the possibility of a recording stu- my own hands to climb over these worth it for me, but it will be for dio. This will help make her dream mountains of things that were the next students to come.” The of singing in a band and actually all sort of wrapped up...It was construction is quite a hassle to go producing music a reality. For AAI a nightmare, and I still couldn’t through now, but keeping the end Theater Director Melanie Zapper, find what I needed. Trying to find product in mind, it is possible to a sprung floor in the drama room my way through Cindy Condit’s look forward to an amazing cenfor dance productions, a large old rotten science equipment...I ter for music and drama that will stage, and state-of-the-art light- nearly killed myself three times!” properly showcase our school’s ing and sound are at the top of Despite the troubles, Arbaugh dedication to the arts. “We have her list. “There are so many things said the students are really great long needed a decent performance [I’m looking forward to],” she said. this year and are making the best of facility. If it goes according to what “I can’t even list them all.” These it. Sharing the wrestling room has the plans are, it will be wonderful. features are all very tentative, brought little conflict. “[The drama Not everything will be there imand what the final product with students] have been very coopera- mediately but infrastructure will look like will continue to morph tive,” Jacobson said. “I mean we are in place to improve in the future.” as the construction continues. Until the project is finished, however, the current situation is proving to be very difficult. Actors and their props are now sharing the wrestling room with all of the orchestra students and their instruments and chairs, making it much too small for either music or drama practice. “It’s very limiting. The space itself is not bad, but I have no options for splitting up and having sectionals,” Jacobson said. The tall walls of the wrestling room are not good for a teaching setting because even the smallest sound gets amplified. “The acoustics are terZoe Ziegler/PEPPERBOX rible,” Zapper stated. “It’s just hard Choir and Drama student Emma Radley stands in front of the to hear when one or more people are talking.” Additionally, the daily mysterious chain link fence that hides the MPR construction.
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Wednesday, October 15th, 2014
Homecoming headed for extinction? Bodie Yonts
Assistant Producer
& Triston Pigg Reporter
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he reality of high school is odd. No matter how used to it we are, no matter how long it has been ingrained in our society; strip away all of the conditions, and you are left with a strange beast. Upon leaving middle school, kids from all backgrounds are expected to assimilate into the zoo of people we call high school. And for quite some time, a lot of people have totally bought in to it. They’ve loved it. They’ve painted their faces, worn their colors, stamped the bleachers, and screamed the names of their comrades out on the field. They’ve paid to attend dances put on by the school. For generations, it has been an unforgettable phase of American life. What normally would have kicked off the new school year with packed football stands and screaming fans, seems slightly askew. From half of the parking lot being fenced off and under construction, to a struggling football team, there is an odd feeling on campus; a kind of unspoken awkwardness between members of this school. In the words of senior Darik Gaston, “I honestly can’t say I know the name of a single freshman.” Homecoming is a tradition, and a dear one to many. When Southwestern University held the first ever celebration in 1909, they had no idea what they had started. And for the past hundred and five years, academic institutions around the country have been dressing up and riding around in homemade floats to honor those who came before them. But is this tradition drawing
less excitement as the years draw on? Opinions differ depending on who you talk to. ASB Student Advisor Wendy Zamboni believes that the level of participation in school events is directly correlated to the excitement level in that year’s current seniors. This seems to be a bit of a catch 22 as senior Craig Broadman states, “The higher the grade level you are, the less in to it you generally are. It’s hard to be stoked about something you’ve practically seen repeated for three years.” This makes sense because, as a
People have lost their spirit, they think they are too cool for it. -AHS graduate Tristen Thron freshman, it is easy to be overly optimistic about the years ahead, as you are well, for lack of a better word, fresh. Freshman Mona Brown is a prime example of this newfound enthusiasm. “I am excited because everyone’s focus isn’t as much on homework and school but on having fun and taking part in different activities. I’ll be participating, because what’s the fun in not participating?” Some see a more prominent trend over the years. “Things definitely are less chill now. The freedom I had as a freshman has been replaced with hella lurking.” said senior Bryce Moore, who feels that things around campus have tightened up a bit, making mischievous, but good-natured activity harder to get away with. It is very difficult to know exactly what is going on, but it is apparent that participation at Ar-
cata High School is somewhat unsure of itself. When a group of people feel too scared of humiliation or embarrassment to wholeheartedly embrace something they are passionate about, you know something has gone wrong somewhere along the way. Is it the possibility that our virtual connections have made our day to day lives less than satisfactory? Zamboni immediately exclaimed “cellphones!” when asked what the biggest change has been since she’s been teaching here at Arcata. Cell phones have been a staple of American lives, from games to social media. In the words of freshman Sebastian Laskar, “After using Ask. fm every day over the summer I started to feel really weird. It was like I wasn’t real anymore.” We are so virtually inclined, it seems, that sometimes interaction through our carbon based life can be awkward and full of doubt. In May of 2013, TIME Magazine
released “The Me, Me, Me Generation.” An issue all about us, with the subtitle: “Millennials are lazy, entitled, narcissists who still live with their parents.” But below that, are the words: “Why they’ll save us all.” We live in a very strange time. Things that are born will inevitably die, that is the nature of the world. When homecoming was created in 1909, no one could have predicted that some schools would not celebrate this week like a national holiday. The upkeep of spirit falls upon the upperclassmen of these schools, not the already enthusiastic underclassmen. Arcata High alumni Tristen Thron has witnessed homecoming spirit fade first hand. “I remember it being a big deal my freshman year. People have lost their spirit, they think they are too cool for it. It’s everyone's fault and no ones fault at the same time.” One thing is for sure, Homecoming might head toward extinction, if it doesn’t undergo a revival.
Courtesy of Times Magazine
Pictured above is the 2013 Time Magazine article mentioned earlier
Wednesday, October 15th, 2014
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PB Club
Freshmen voice: First PBOX Club Isabel Luu Reporter
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he excited freshmen stepped into Room 104 on a Monday at lunchtime, talking about the school newspaper. They had heard older students talking about the Pepperbox and want-
ed to learn more about it. This year’s freshmen class has decided to start a club so that they can participate in the school newspaper. In the past, it has been difficult for freshmen to be a part of Pepperbox due to their inflexible schedules. This year, 9 students decided to change that. Pepperbox participant Emma
Harris said, “We needed a voice to represent the freshmen class.” Some of the students had taken part in school newspaper in middle school, but for some the idea was exciting and new. Scott Ballinger, who was involved in the Sunny Brae school newspaper, decided to rejoin, “to express [his] views on life, the universe, and everything.”
If you want your voice to be heard, you can join the Pepperbox club meetings at lunch every Monday. “We wanted to take part in the school newspaper so that we could experience what it is like to be a journalist and to be involved in the Arcata High School community.”
Typical freshmen stereotypes challenged? Marlena Tavernier-Fine what do the freshmen them- And it makes sense, all stereo- shared wisdom, “People are like
Reporter reshman are the fresh meat. That’s the way its always been in most traditional high schools, and Arcata High is no exception. Upperclassmen view freshmen as the newbies, and they have the stereotypes to go along with that brand. From walking in front of cars, or being just plain annoying, there are a number of ways to brand first-years. But
selves think about their new stereotypes? A common stereotype is that freshmen put a ton of time into their appearances and attitudes. “Freshmen are always so happy and get all dressed up or wear too much makeup,” Clare Rockwood, Pepperbox Staff Member said. Now, the Pepperbox club is looking deeper into stereotypes, “I think that a lot of them are true,” said Isabell Luu.
types have to start somewhere, and there is some truth behind them. Freshmen are super excited and motivated to start high school, and that may make them seem like over-achievers. As for being oblivious, walking on the wrong side of the halls or the stairs, it’s an unfamiliar place, so don’t new students deserve to be cut some slack? Maybe it’s not fair to stereotype ALL freshman. Clare Rockwood
Scott Ballinger
facial hair. Samuels-McTear explained, “I like to live on the wild side.” Facial hair gives the effect of looking older and more mature. He said, “I hope it looks as rugged as I think it looks.” On the other hand, clean shaven faces also look mature and older. “I shave whenever I want to be crisp like Alaskan air,” Samuels-McTear told me. I asked him when he started growing hair on his face and he answered, “I grew my first beard at age 5, after singlehandedly killing a grizzly bear.” Once I grow facial hair I will finally feel like I've left middle school, even if it takes 10 years.
Peter Shao
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pie, freshman included. Sometimes people aren’t the same as we think, sometimes there can be a third even deeper layer that’s the same as the one on top. In a pie there’s the crust, the filling and then the crust again, sometimes people are layered like that too.” A lot more is hidden beneath the surface, and no matter what your grade level, everyone has layers. It’s what makes us human.
Facial hair everywhere Off-campus lunches
Reporter ransitioning into high school is a tough challenge that most people do in their lives. Everything is new: new classmates, new teachers, new rules. You go from the top of the pack to the bottom of the food chain. One major difference is all the facial hair. Many masculine students at Arcata High have more facial hair than everyone at middle school combined. Why do so many more people have facial hair? I sat down with a hairy senior at school named Trevor Samuels-McTear and asked him many questions about his
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A
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nother year started at Arcata High and another hoard of freshmen came invading the peaceful sanctuary of high school. One of the new freshmen experiences is off-campus lunch. Whether they went to Sunny Brae Middle School, Jacoby Creek, or any other middle school, they have not had off campus lunch before. The general opinion about off-campus lunch among freshmen is that it is good. Owen Brown said, “I like leaving school; I'm always hungry.” Everyone enjoys the
length of lunch. The lunch period is 40 minutes long, but getting to lunch takes more time than many expect. Taj Obarr said, “It’s too short,” and so did many other students. This is because getting lunch might take more time than they expected. For example, it takes about 10 minutes to walk to Wildberries, and as Kayla Bero said, “It was more crowded than I expected.” So after getting food and walking back, there might not be enough time to sit and enjoy lunch. The off-campus is an exciting new thing for freshmen, but it’s something that will take a little time to adjust to.
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Sports
Wednesday, October 15th, 2014
Volleyball program expands Ellen Keil Reporter
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his year at Arcata High School, a new component has been added to our already successful volleyball program. Because such copious amounts of talented young girls keep trying out for two teams with only twelve spots each, a new freshman team was developed. Instead of cutting so many potential volleyball stars, these girls are now given the opportunity to improve and continue playing the sport they love in high school. Arcata High alumni Kalynn Cossolotto volunteered to coach the new team. Cossolotto, a former three year setter for the varsity team, is an experienced player who made a huge impact on the program during her high school career. She is likeable and has the skill to teach and advance the players. “I really like Kalynn. She’s easy to talk to because she’s young,” shared freshman player Kira O’Brian. Anna Eckart, another player on the team, said, “I like Kalynn because she’s funny and upbeat. We are learning a lot from her.” Cossolotto plans to continue to be involved with Arcata’s Volleyball program after this year. Not having immense coaching experience has been difficult at times, but nothing that she can’t handle. “I base my practices mostly off of how I remember my old coaches running practice. We do a lot of drills similar to the ones I used to do,” she explained. Her goal for the season is very straight forward: “Get some wins. They are an awesome group of girls. We just need to work on communication a bit,” stated Cos-
solotto. The new team has greatly improved and should aid in making our volleyball program even better. So far, they have had a difficult season with few losses, but they will continue to strive for victory. Due to having a team full of freshman, the girls are not as close as other teams in the league, but they get along fairly well. Playing as a freshman team from the beginning gives them a good starting
Playing as a freshman team from the beginning gives them a good starting point, and they are on the road to great accomplishments. point, and they are on the road to great accomplishments. Over the past few years, Arcata High volleyball has always been quite successful. Many high school students attend home games to support and cheer on the teams. Although this year there have been less cheering fans in the stands, the support for the team has not died down completely. Senior Mariah Lewis even said that at one of the freshman games she reffed, things got pretty wild. “The fans were getting pretty into it. I got yelled at while up-reffing. The games were close in score, and the crowd got loud.”
Ellen Keil/PEPPERBOX
The ladies of the freshman team put on their game faces and prepare for their first season of Tiger volleyball.
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Sports
Wednesday, October 15th, 2014
Football 2014: small team, big heart Taylor Camp Reporter
& Darik Gaston
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Reporter
ut yourself in the shoes of a dominant athlete who has the potential to play on a Division I sports team, but is held back by playing for a small team. Four words explain how senior running back and linebacker Connor Cox prepares himself for the struggles of being on a small team such as Arcata High’s. “Throw up, then ball.” This year a team of 18 players continues to work hard everyday. Why is it that the local football team struggles to get enough points on the board to make a statement? Could its size of the team affect its performance? The average varsity football team has a roster of 40
or more players. Many people don’t understand the commitment it takes to develop and sustain a successful football team. “You gotta love the game,” Cox said. “It takes a group of kids that know the sport and are willing to sacrifice all of spring and summer to have that winning season. Without that hard work and dedication, it is difficult to achieve. With a lot of new and undersized players, it is hard to win.” Senior tight-end and linebacker Ayden Mazzotti said confidently that he continues to push through every week “for myself and for my city.” The unusually small roster urges us to question its cause. Senior wide- receiver and cornerback Luke Graves reasons that, “kids aren't willing to put in the time and deal with the challenging aspects of football.” There is a common stereotype that Arcata High athletes avoid
The pillars of the 2014 football team fit in the palm of a hand.
contact sports. Could that be why athletes choose to avoid the physical sport of football? Is this stereotype true? “Football is on a whole other level physically, that combined with running doesn’t compare to other sports,” said Mazzotti. Is
Throw up, then ball.
- Connor Cox
it something else? Do athletes feel they want to avoid the risk of playing football. We asked two-sport Arcata High junior CJ Gray why he chose not to play. “I don’t play because of my knee injury in basketball and I don’t like to lose.” It’s not that Arcata High sports teams are not successful; we have a history of some winning teams. So what is it about Arcata High athletes that drives them away
Alec Perrone/PEPPERBOX
from football? Although this season has been rough, there are still following seasons to look forward to. Looking at next year, this year’s squad has more juniors than seniors. We are curious on how the first year varsity players are going to get through this hard season. Sophomore quarterback Adam Huschle plans to make next year’s team succeed. “I’m going to try my hardest and force my teammates to get in the gym,” Huschle said. They will have some large shoes to fill after losing this year’s seniors. Junior offensive tackle and defensive end Rex Bachemin explains how all nine juniors are supposedly staying loyal to the program and playing next season. When we asked Rex what changes they are going to make he replied with, “It’s hard to know how to persuade kids to play football, but we will be attending organized weightlifting sessions in the off season.” We asked Dean Mark Sahlberg what could be done to encourage more athletes to play. He believes it starts with making youth football more involved and a bigger deal. He also thinks that athletes should play three sports. Despite the small numbers, players are still passionate and manage to find the strength to compete in the league. “It takes a certain mindset for football players to compete at the varsity level. It’s my senior year as well as my last chance playing full-contact football. I love the sport,” Graves said.
The Pepperbox | Page 22
Sports
Wednesday, October 15th, 2014
Football aims to stop head injuries Neel Rao
Sports Editor
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hat plays in football produce the biggest roar from the crowd? The long run, the deep pass, but most of all, the big hit. Hard hits are the signature of football, but they result in head injuries for participants. Concussions are a common occurrence, caused by a traumatic blow to the head. Side effects of concussions range from headaches, confusion, amnesia, dizziness, ringing in the ears, nausea and vomiting, to name a few. Increasing research has been released in the past years, potentially deterring young athletes from participating. “I believe the recent advertisement of the research has prompted some caution to play combat sports in general, football specifically,” varsity football coach Daryl Grimes stated. “The research has been available for quite sometime.” Concussion protocols have been changing drastically in the last few years, from “pee-wee” football to the National Football League. The NFL has instituted multiple rules and regulations, such as the 2014 NFL Return To Play Protocol. The protocol is a five step program that forces athletes to progress through stages such as resting, light aerobic exercise, strength training, introductory football activities, and then full participation. The way players are treated to and responded to on the sideline has changed drastically as well. The first step to treating concussions is diagnosing them, something not as easily done as said. Luckily, most coaches and trainers are adept at spotting the symptoms. “I see the obvious symptoms, like if they complain about headaches, or if you see them get hit
and they are wobbling, that’s a big tip off,” Arcata High head coach Dave Newton said, “I’m not an expert, that takes an athletic trainer or doctor who has been trained to do that.” While concussions are not always avoidable, there are ways that athletes can protect themselves. Darik Gaston, former Arcata High football participant explained how he got his concussions. “I would lead with my head, and I wouldn’t use my shoulders; I wouldn’t wrap up, I would hit the other person’s helmet, and I think that’s a big reason I got concussions. If kids today learned to hit without their helmet and get lower, that would stop a lot of concussions.” Football is a sport that parents have been shying away from as of late, opting to send their kids into other sports like soccer or cross country instead. What many overlook is that those sports lead to a significant amount of concussions. In a study held in 2009 by the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, football sent 46,948 patients to the hospital room for head injuries, while cycling sent an astounding 85,289 patients. Other popular sports on the list included baseball and softball in third with 38,394, basketball with 34,692, soccer with 24,184, and cheerleading with 10,223. Although football is second on the list with a very high amount of patients, it is not the only culprit in sports related concussions. Girls varsity soccer player AnaMae McGoldrick is a soccer player who has suffered multiple concussions throughout her career, but continues to play. She does so with the help of a headband that softens the impact when she heads the ball. Although this is not a perfect method to stop concussions, she notices a difference when she doesn’t wear the headband,
Indigo Davis/PEPPERBOX
An AHS varsity football player endures a hard hit from a Panther. “If I head without the head guard enough, I get a pretty bad headache.” Repetitive impacts are a big problem with concussions, leading to the creation of the ImPACT test. In 2002, the computerized version of the test was created, making use of a baseline test taken by athletes every two years. If an athlete suffered a concussion, the athlete would take the test again and compare the results to the baseline. Using this new technology, admin-
istrators can monitor the students damage through tests recording their attention span, working memory, sustained and selective attention time, response variability, non-verbal problem solving, and reaction time. Current varsity football player Solo O’Neill believes the testing is moving concussion research in a positive direction. “Concussion testing is raising awareness and improving player safety,” said O’Neill.
Wednesday, October 15th, 2014
Sports
The Pepperbox | Page 23
Fall sports off to another strong start Kaelyn Tuermer-Lee News Editor
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rcata High started students start the year off well with athletic fervor, and continue to make their mark. Athletes participate in long, tiring practices, but in the end they feel it is all worth it. As the saying goes, “It’s not the will to win, but the will to prepare to win that makes the difference,” and the Arcata Tigers go above and beyond to prove that they have what it takes to accomplish their goals. Soccer Soccer is a team sport; one cannot carry all the weight and expect to do well, it requires all players having a strong team bond to work together. The overall coherence of the girls’ varsity soccer team, as well as the two incoming freshman, have helped the team kick off the season undefeated so far, with a 8-0-0 record. Freshmen Hailey Dawson and Marin Maple think highly of the team bonding and are excited for the rest of the season. “Being a freshman on a varsity team was scary at first, but then I realized everyone was super friendly and welcoming,” said Dawson, “I also think everyone does a good job bonding together on and off the field.” Coach Patrick Stranahan thinks that the team is outstanding. His favorite quote is, “The game is bigger than all of us. We need to treat it with respect because it’ll still be here when we’re all gone.” Girls’ varsity is not the only team with a winning streak, as the boys’ JV soccer is also holding an undefeated title for the first few matches. Sophomore Max Gambin said, “We’ve gone undefeated so far,
and I don’t think that will change throughout the season.” There are many incoming freshmen on JV, including freshman Quin Parker, who is a co-captain with Max Gambin. According to Athletic Director Troy Ghisetti, the varsity coach sponsors the JV boys’ soccer because it is not a recognized sport at Arcata High or in the league. “Since it is not a league-sponsored sport, there are few schools that have a JV soccer team.” However, Athletic Director Troy Ghisetti and the AHS soccer coachers are credited for the success of the teams—hats off to them for kicking off the season! Boys’ varsity soccer started their season with a couple wins of their own as well. Junior Canyon Robins enjoys playing with his teammates, many whom have played club soccer together for years. “Players also get along well both on and off the field, and our team coherence has improved in every game. We are looking forward to keeping the winning streak going.” With a record of four wins since their first loss, the varsity squad is working towards their winning streak. Cross-country “Knees up, elbows back,” the famous words said by coach James Washington. Washington hopes runners have a good start to every race, just like their good start to the season. Fourteen members of the team recently participated in the Stanford meet, in which many ran their PRs. Elise Ford spoke about cross-country with a great spirit, excited about the strength of the team this year. “I could not be more grateful for anything else—cross-country and running are the best things that have happened to me in high school. It’s fun to do something I love with so many great people,”
she said. Although cross-country runners are enthusiastic about their sport, many look forward to the spring days of track. Volleyball For the first time in many years, Arcata High volleyball has a freshman team, as more and more students want to play the sport. Junior Claire Kinder describes the season as it being the best one yet! “We have so many talented athletes and we are all such close friends,” Kinder said. The team has many traditions carried on every year, and is looking forward to a successful season. Tennis Starting off the year strong, the tennis team has a 9-1 record so far this season. Since there are no freshmen on the team, there are many returning players, who are all closely knit and get along well. Senior Anna Nelson said,“ We’re a really fun team that gets along smoothly, and we’re looking forward to a successful season.” Senior Hannah Mathew agrees, saying, “We all work hard, and I think the rest of the season looks good! We have a pretty good shot at winning league.” Golf Many of Arcata High’s golf team last year consisted of seniors who have graduated. Fortunately, there are many new players on the team this year. This season, as said by junior Daisy Nutter, “It’s a rebuilding practice season for us—next season
we’re going to do a lot better.” The team is looking forward to having their first spaghetti feed in the near future. The team is also very supportive of coach Troy Ghisetti. Nutter added, “He can be very enthusiastic, and he brings a good spirit to the course.” Football & Cheer This year, the football team has lost approximately four of its players due to injuries. Junior Cheyenne Keith said, “The past few games definitely haven’t gone as expected, I think that it has something to do with our focus level and how much we want it.” He suggests that the team should work a bit longer after practice or at lunch to ensure that they’re ready for the upcoming game. “I take the past losses on myself, because as a leader I believe that I should inspire my teammates to work as hard as they can, and I know we can always work harder. That’s something I’ll be working on as the season progresses,” he said. Cheerleaders have also been relentless in practicing for games and rallies. Junior Faith Long describes the season by saying, “ten hours of practice minimum for a two minute and thirty second routine that has to go perfectly. And people wonder why cheer is so stressful.” But Long adds that the squad is greatly improving, and is excited to continue the season with school spirit.
Elaine Cunha/PEPPERBOX
Pictured above is the Arcata High track baton, used in many victories throughout the season.
The Pepperbox | Page 24
Sports
Wednesday, October 15th, 2014
From high school to the NFL: Bryan McCann Indigo Davis Photo Editor
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s the leaves start to fall, the Arcata High School football team is still having a hard time getting a win. Bryan McCann, an NFL free agent, tells the Pepperbox his journey from high school athletics to the National Football League. Although it was not easy, McCann is charismatic and has the attitude to get him through anything. His wisdom will inspire Arcata to do their best. “I made sure to work harder and longer than everyone that was around me and it payed off.” McCann explained. McCann was born in Lawton, Oklahoma. Inspired by his older brother, he began playing football at age seven. McCann went on to play for Putnam City High School, in a football stadium used by three different schools nearby. Although his high school career was successful, he suffered from a broken leg during his senior year, but never let it get in the way of his passion. “I broke my leg after only three games as a senior in high school, so that was definitely a rough hump to get over.” McCann said. Because of McCann’s love for the sport, he rested and took time for his leg to heal. McCann strived to attend a college to continue his football career, even when others told him his goals were unreachable. In his senior year of high school, McCann turned down offers to play for prestigious schools including Stanford, Northwestern, Tulsa, Texas Tech, Oklahoma State, University of Alabama at Birmingham, and Rice, to choose Southern Methodist University. Southern Methodist has a NCAA Division
I football team, which seemed to be the right fit for his future. At Southern Methodist University, McCann was given the All-Freshman Conference USA title because of his 38 tackles and four pass breakups, playing both corner and safety positions. He also was a cowinner of the James Bradley “New Mustang” award for consistent play in 2006. As a sophomore, McCann started in all 12 games of the season with 59 tackles, seven pass breakups, and four interceptions. “We went to our first bowl game in 25 years where we defeated Nevada in the Hawaii Bowl.” McCann said. He stayed positive and put forth his best effort throughout college, even during his sophomore year when his collegiate team went 1-11. Unfortunately he went undrafted in 2010. In September of 2010, McCann
I made sure to work harder and longer than everyone that was around me and it payed off. - Bryan McCann was signed to the Cowboy’s practice squad. He moved onto the active roster after the Cowboy’s starting cornerback was injured. In the second game of his NFL career, he got his first interception while playing against the New York Giants. He picked off Eli Manning, and returned the interception for a 101-yard touchdown, breaking the Cowboy’s record of a 100-yard in-
Photo courtesy of Bryan McCann
Bryan McCann runs into the endzone after one of the longest punt returns in the history of the NFL. terception. To this day, McCann is tied for having the second-longest play in Cowboy’s history. This play gave Bryan McCann the NFC Defensive Player of the Week title. “I enjoyed playing for Dallas the most, only because it was my rookie season,” McCann said. “That was when I first started to live my dream and I will never forget that year.” In the next game against the Detroit Lions, McCann caught a punt and returned it for a 97-yard touchdown, which was the second longest punt return in franchise history. After this, McCann was titled NFC Special Teams Player of the Week and Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Week. He was also the first player in history to win Player of the Week honors in two different categories in the same season, amazingly in two consecutive weeks. After being on many different teams including the Baltimore Ravens, the Oakland Raiders, the Miami Dolphins, and the Arizona
Cardinals, McCann is now a free agent. Although he is not currently out on the turf playing, he remains positive and enthusiastic about his life and football. “Being a free agent is not an easy road! You ALWAYS have to prove yourself to get opportunities that some others are handed.” He said. “It’s fun though, I love the challenge!” Bryan McCann is an amazing athlete, but shows the struggles an athlete must overcome to achieve their dreams. Arcata High must follow his example, and be the best that they can possibly be. McCann tells our team to play harder, do our best, and of course, have fun. Bryan McCann wishes the Arcata High School football team luck with the rest of their season. “To the Arcata High football team, I know that it gets tough sometimes but you have to keep fighting! It’s not about going out and winning the whole game... just win the down that you are in.”
Sports
Wednesday, October 15th, 2014
The Pepperbox | Page 25
New coaches arrive on sports scenes Craig Broadman Reporter
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reat sports teams start with stellar coaching, and Arcata High’s teams is no different. This year welcomed several new coaches into various positions leading some of AHS’s elite athletes. The new leadership gives a fresh start for some teams, or adds variety to an already high level of physical instruction to others. Many new coaches can be found on the football field this year. Dave Newton, though not a new coach, will be taking over the varsity head coach job. His extensive coaching experience, including six years at College of the Redwoods, should prove to give the Tigers an edge up on the competition. “This season, our goal is to be more competitive than we were last year,” Coach Newton declared, a goal that could certainly be attained given the new assistance Arcata High’s football program will be receiving. Humboldt State University Hall
Primarily, I would like to come together as a team and operate as a single pulse; if this can be accomplished then everything else should fall into place - Ryan Bisio of Fame quarterback Jacob Kadle will be joining Newton’s assistant coaching staff and JV football will gain some assistance from former Arcata High standout Nick Jonte. The additional guidance will provide the Tigers with even greater coaching depth this season.
Craig Broadman/PEPPERBOX
Boys Varsity head coach, Ryan Bisio, prepares for the upcoming season.
This year marked the start of a new freshman volleyball team coached by Kalynn Cossolotto an AHS alumni from 2012 and volleyball player for College of the Redwoods. Cossolotto played three years of varsity volleyball for the Tigers before playing at CR last year. “I have never coached before,” Cossolotto explained, “but the girls know I’m new to this and need as much practice [coaching] as they do [playing].” Hopefully that practice will pay off for the new freshman team and coach. Kalynn went on to add, “we’re going to have fun; we’re very excited.” Ryan Bisio will take on the varsity boys basketball coaching job. An ex-St. Bernards basketball player, he went on to play for California State University at Monterey as well as signing a professional club contract to play in Denmark. Coach Bisio’s basketball experience extends past playing, with extensive coaching in Denmark as well. “I’ve never run my own varsity program and I wanted to see what that would be like,” explained Bisio. He hopes to kick off his high school coaching career by building a Big 5 Conference winning team. However, Bisio is primarily motivated by a much more holistic goal. Elaborating on this, Bisio said, “Primarily, I would like to come together as a team and operate as a single pulse; if this can be accomplished then everything else
should fall into place.” Bisio’s team oriented attitude will hopefully assist him in attaining a successful first season as a Tigers coach. All the new athletic leaders underwent a rigorous application process consisting of a written application and interview with the Principal, Athletic Director, and an additional faculty member. “Oh, yeah, it’s a process,” Athletic Director Troy Ghisetti explained, in response to what Arcata’s new sports instructors had to do to apply for their coaching positions. “We have to make sure each coach is the right person for the job.” Although many coaching jobs have been filled at Arcata High, several are still open according to Mr. Ghisetti. “There are several coaching positions still available; softball, and both Girls and Boy’s JV Basketball is still up for grabs,” Ghisetti stated, “Hopefully those will soon be filled as well.”
The girls know I’m new to this and need as much practice [coaching] as they do [playing]. - Kalynn Cossolotto
The Pepperbox | Page 26
Opinion
Wednesday, October 15th, 2014
Eating non-organic in an organic town CJ Gray
Opinion Editor
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ungry teenagers know, that eating non-organic is better for your wallet! But it can be hard to find conventionally produced food, in an organic obsessed town. Teenagers living in Arcata are constantly bombarded with propaganda that tells them to eat organic. They are meant to believe that organic food is better for them, so are in turn expected to pay higher prices for food. But high schoolers have limited funds to feed their eternal hunger for food. They are made to spend their lunch money on organic products that could have been purchased at a lower price if they weren’t organic. Students and community mem-
bers alike should spend their money on products at markets and stores that sell conventional, non-organic food products. Buyers will not only fill up their stomachs, but also keep their wallets as full as they can. For lunch, when someone craves a sandwich, they should head to Safeway, which offers a regular deli sandwich that will only run the shopper $5.49. In contrast, local organic markets charge $6.99 for a sandwich similar in size to a Safeway sandwich. This costs the buyer more than a dollar extra! Every dollar matters to high schoolers on a budget who need to purchase a whole meal, many times with $6 or less. If people spend their money at places like Safeway, the business will be able to continue to sell food at reasonable, affordable prices.
Unlike conventional markets, popular organic markets aren’t just selling food, they’re selling their customers dreams of a healthier lifestyle, and charge them a pretty penny for that dream. They paint a charming picture of the ideal way to live. The “ideal” way to live seems to consist of only consuming all-natural and all-expensive products. They integrate themselves into the culture of their customers and use their propaganda to get people to pay the inflated prices they charge. Small local stores are not the only culprits of this wrongdoing. Large companies that produce these foods are also guilty of over priced products. One example is the difference between the price of a healthy option for lunch, strawberry yogurt.
Yoplait which is conventionally produced charges 60 cents per personal container of yogurt (10 cents per ounce). The organic brand Simple Truth price nearly doubles at $1.19 (19.8 cents per ounce). This doubling in price for the organic option means that people can only afford half the amount of food that could have if they were being charged conventional prices. Many people in Arcata are fully emerged in the illusion organic companies and businesses have created. Everyday shoppers have fallen into the trap, and their bank accounts feel it. The organic system scheme can be beat, but the burden falls on the consumer. This is everyone’s personal decision. Buy organic, or support businesses that sell food that is produced at a price everyone can afford.
Arcata High football’s lack of tradition Solo O’Neill
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Reporter
s many of you are aware, Arcata High is yet again faced with the negative effects of having a small football team. This season, everything that could've gone wrong has: preseason shoulder injury to quarterback Jake Rohn, three senior linemen (including a senior captain) quit after the second game of the season, and injuries have depleted the once plentiful offensive line. However, the solution to get more players to come out, and in turn have a more successful team, may lie within the hands of the cheerleaders. As seen in many programs, including Fortuna and McKinleyville High, the cheerleaders could adopt a football player for the season in the name of school spirit. This
would get more people to play football because, what high school boy doesn't want his own cheerleader! The team morale is low and only one thing can help us: having our own cheerleaders! We football players need rally girls to bring us stuff on game day like cookies, cupcakes, brownies and candy. This would give us the proper blood sugar levels we need in order to go out and win on Friday nights. Quarterback Cheyenne (Tex) Keith, said, “At my old school, cheerleaders would bring us cupcakes on game day, and it would get us more pumped to go out and win.” I know it might take extra effort, but isn’t that part of what cheerleaders sign up for? Cheerleaders also need to be more supportive of the team. If a team's own “cheer”-leaders aren't behind the team, then who is?
This may include wishing a player good luck, or praising him for his effort on the field. A little praise goes a long way, especially when the team is struggling. Football players work hard, and some recognition for their work is the least they deserve. New Jersey transfer, junior Rex Bechemin states, “I’m surprised with the entire culture at Arcata High. Parents from our college-town atmosphere raise their children to be intellectual and artistic, but object to the violent aspects of football. This definitely plays a roll in why our numbers are so low.” -Rex Bachemin Other things that cheerleaders could do to get more people to play include: making players yard signs so that people would know who the varsity football players are. Writing the number of their favorite player on their face during the
game. This would benefit such a small program where “winning in the Big 5 with 18 players and playing against teams with 40-50 players is just unrealistic.” All this and more could have a renowned impact on the success of the football team. More benefits of being on the football team would make all the hard work more worthwhile to many kids. The more successful our team is, the more money our school will make from the games and other events.
If a team’s own “cheer”-leaders aren’t behind the team, then who is?
Wednesday, October 15th, 2014
Opinion
The Pepperbox | Page 27
Preventative education vs. modern media Gillen Martin Editor-in-Chief
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t least 1 in 4 women will be the victim of a sexual assault during her academic career (Sarah Lawrence College). As a senior girl facing the possibilities of the future, it is impossible to ignore the looming “college rape crisis.” Every day, new stories, studies, and criticism regarding sexual assault in higher education emerge, and yet solutions still seem far away. To construct these illusive solutions, we must confront the crisis head on, discover it’s roots, and rip them out. Arcata High Womens Advocacy Club founder and president Claire Robinson defines the widely used phrase “rape culture” as “a term for the aspect of our society that condones and to some degree glorifies sexual assault.” This mindset that assault is commonplace, or to be expected, stems from flawed media coverage of rape, shaming victims, and the old “boys will be boys” cliché.” Arcata High graduate and avid gender studies student Piper Bazard agrees, “This power dynamic starts early on and gets carried on up the chain as people get older. Young men are often portrayed as acting in assertive or aggressive ways towards women-creating a culture that stresses these aggressive traits as defining aspects of ‘masculinity.’” In April of 2013, Palo Alto High School released an issue of their Verde Magazine entitled “Rape Culture.” The cover package exposed the many flaws in the way that sexual assault is confronted, or not confronted, in our society. In the forward, the editors of the magazine summarized a central issue: “Most societies don’t talk about rape. We consider it a ta-
boo, conditioning victims to feel ashamed about speaking out and forcing them to deal with the aftermath in silence.” Crisis counselor Eileen Klima concurs, “When I was in high school, it was never talked about.” Recently, America has witnessed a step out of this insidious silence as Columbia senior, visual arts major, and date-rape victim Emma Sulkowicz's thesis project has gained national news attention. Entitled “Carry that Weight,” Sulkowicz has been carrying her dorm-room mattress with her everywhere she goes to protest the Columbia administration’s lack of action when she filed a report against her alleged rapist in May. Over the last few weeks, Sulkowicz has not had to carry her weight unaided. Students from every walk of life on Columbia’s campus have participated in protests or simply offered to help her with the daily transport. By doing so, they are demonstrating their support for victims nationwide. Sulkowicz stated that she plans to continue carrying her mattress “for as long as I attend the same school as my rapist.” California’s government is taking steps to address the issue of lax sexual assault policies. On September 28th, governor Jerry Brown signed the “yes means yes” bill, which will redefine “consent” in investigations as "an affirmative, unambiguous and conscious decision by each party to engage in sexual activity.” Although the “yes means yes” bill will aid in bringing offenders to justice, it is ultimately just an after-the-fact remedy. In every situation that the bill will be utilized, a sexual assault will have already occurred, and a victim’s trauma may not be healed simply by his/her rapist’s expulsion. True solutions to our “rape crisis” will have to be preventative.
While the college rape crisis is becoming a mecca for media attention, rape culture in high school exists virtually unseen: yet invisible does not mean fictitious. High school may, in fact, be the environment in which rape culture smolders strongest. In 2002, psychologist David Lisak conducted a study entitled “undetected rapists” in which he looked for “sex offenders hiding in plain sight” at the University of Massachusetts, Boston. He found that about 6 percent of the total survey group had raped women they knew. Many began offending before college, in high school. In an excerpt from a recent NPR story, “The Power Of The Peer Group In Preventing Campus Rape,” which called upon Lisak’s study, Laura Starecheski illustrated how rape culture can normalize assault so drastically that the offenders cannot even detect themselves: “Alcohol was the weapon of choice for these men, who typically saw themselves as college guys hooking up. They didn't think what they had done was a crime.” This shocking revelation suggests that rape isn’t the only issue which should be addressed more thoroughly in high school curriculums. Alcohol is taboo in high school. As a result, we don’t appropriately address responsible drinking or consent while intoxicated, because technically no one should be drinking. But high school students do drink. “In college, I’ve met a few people that won’t go to parties or get drunk because it’s triggering of bad sexual experiences they had in high school,” shared Bazard. Underage drinking isn’t going to stop in the near future, but once that’s accepted we can begin to educate our youth to handle the touchy issues of intoxication and consent in responsible and ethical manners.
Starecheski covered an existing method of consent education in her story: “Mentors in Violence Prevention (MVP) matches upperclassmen with groups of incoming freshmen. Throughout the school year, the older kids facilitate discussions about relationships, drinking, sexual assault and rape.” This is the sort of solution that could work, if implemented and instructed correctly. And yet, MVP is only utilized in a few dozen schools.
This idea that getting somebody intoxicated, plastered, so that you can have sex with them is an idea we just simply are going to have to confront and erode. Just like we have eroded the idea that it’s fine to get drunk and get in your car. - Psychologist David Lisak Topics like intoxication and consent can be difficult to address, but it is crucial that our educations combat our media in this modern age to eliminate a society in which any sort of assault is normalized. As Lisak stated, "This idea that getting somebody intoxicated, plastered, so that you can have sex with them is an idea we just simply are going to have to confront and erode. Just like we have eroded the idea that it's fine to get drunk and get in your car.”
The Pepperbox | Page 28
A&E
Wednesday, October 15th, 2014
Silent film: anything but silent
School, the Silent Film will change venue this year due to construction. This year the orchestra is presenting “Our Hospitality”. This 1923 Buster Keaton film parallels Romeo and Juliet. In the movie, Buster Keaton’s character, city slicker Willie McKay, travels from New York to the Appalachian Mountains to
Ryan Ghisetti A&E Editor
& Carson McHaney Art Director
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he ArMack Orchestra is making a Bang, Zap, and Crash as the 17th annual Silent Film approaches. As traditions trickle out of Arcata High the Silent Film has stood the test of time. This event was founded by the fearless and spunky ArMack Orchestra director Carol Jacobson. Giving sound to the soundless, the orchestra supplies music and sound effects to ninety-year-old silent films, bringing them to life. he silent film has a rich and intriguing history that has defined the program since its birth. The first silent film debuted in the multi-purpose room in the fall of 1997. Inspired by a youth orchestra in the Midwest, Carol decided to bring it to Humboldt. Since then, this timeless tradition has gained immense popularity throughout the community and the student body. “I’ve been going for as long as I can remember. Carol is such an amazing conductor and the talent from the students is breathtaking,” a devoted community and Armack supported stated. The ArMack Orchestra opened with a smash hit, Charlie Chaplin’s Burlesque on Carmen. The orchestra program has more than doubled in numbers since its commencement. ArMack students put in a tremendous amount of time to make the Silent Film a reality, with rehearsals averaging around eleven hours each week. Principal Cellist and Senior Westin McHaney stated, “[I put in] the rehearsal time, three or four days a week after
I’ve been going for as long as I can remember. Carol is such an amazing conductor and the talent from from the students is breathtaking. - ArMack supporter
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claim land he inherited, unaware of the century-old rivalry between his family and another. After falling in love with a women from the other family, mishappenings and exciting plot twists unfurl.
McKinleyville High School October 16, 17, 18 at 7 p.m Carson McHaney/PEPPERBOX 2 p.m matinee on October 18 school for two hours, plus every herself, but for the education of tickets $5.00 morning, and my own personal practice.” But no one puts in as much time as Carol Jacobson. Her journey begins right as the last silent film ends. She begins viewing countless films. Once selected, she views the movie and times it down to the millisecond of each scene, then begins to select music fitting the mood. Each silent film is hand- scored by Carol. “Through the years I've gotten faster at cutting and pasting music for the score, and I can now successfully do it in nine hours,” Jacobson said. Tripling the amount of time students put in, she does it for not
her students. With film score performance being one of the biggest employers of musicians today, Carol understands the important opportunity this event offers these young musicians. Additionally, she values continuing the tradition of live film music in the community. For the first time in Silent Film history the Armack Orchestra will be performing in the iconic Eureka Theatre. This theatre authentic theatre opened in 1939 serving as not only a film facility but also a Vaudevillian Venue. Premiering outside of the multi-purpose rooms of Arcata and McKinleyville High
The Eureka Theater October 25 2 p.m & 7 p.m on October 26 tickets $7.00 Tickets can be purchased by ArMack Orchestra Students or at the door of any of the events.
Wednesday, October 15th, 2014
A&E
The Pepperbox | Page 29
Under construction: AAI music Alec Perrone
Executive Producer
F
rom recording studios to wrestling mats, huge changes hit music students. This year, Arcata High almost faced a huge loss: Arcata Arts Institute Music. The department faced many setbacks in the preparation for this years AAI music program, one of them being the construction of the multi purpose room, where the class, along with the theatre, was housed. According to administration, construction will only take a year, but with the building quarantined, the class was left without a room to reside. If construction wasn’t bad enough, two weeks before school started the old teacher of the class was unable to teach the class. The fate for AAI music seemed slim until Six Rivers and AAI Theatre studies teacher Melanie Zapper stepped in and took the program under her wing. Mrs. Zapper, who assumed her role as teacher of the theatre department only a year ago, took on the ambitious job of forming a hybrid theatre and music class. To most teachers, the thought of teaching two separate subjects at once seems tough, let alone in the same classroom. With loud drums and drama students, it would drive any sane person crazy, but Melanie Zapper keeps it in control and always with a smile. With no legitimate stage for the drama students to practice, rehearse, and perform on, they are having to utilize the available space within the gym. “With such an unconventional year, Mrs. Zapper has been so impressive in juggling both classes together,” said senior Ryan Ghisetti, a 4-year member of the theater program, “She took over this program
last year, so this is still new for her, rewriting and building a drama department is hard work. Now she also has to now do twice as much work, with the addition for music. I don’t know how she does it.” For now, the displaced AAI Music students are making the best of the situation. Many have stayed inside the AAI program, even though their major area of focus is not being offered. Although there’s no dedicated class strictly for music, some AAI Music students have integrated into the AAI Drama department, assisting by providing background music for performances. Zapper said that she had always desired more integration between the music and theatre strands. “Having the opportunity for live accompaniment with the drama, dance rehearsals and performances is, in my opinion, fantastic.” Mrs. Zapper went on to say, “It allows for a much deeper collaboration between physical performers and musicians.” She’s correct. At a recent performance at Redwood Curtain Theatre, the music students performed original pieces
between each acting performance. Spectators loved the event. A parent of an AAI student said, “It gives performance so much more dimension. The music students set environment and it was so amazing to see such talented kids on the stage.” Besides having no space available for a dedicated AAI Music class, there’s also nobody to teach the class this year. Last years teacher Josh Kieselhorst, is now teaching three other jobs and was unable to make AAI work for his schedule. So who is rumored to take over the job next year? Well, Carol Jacobson, current ArMack orchestral maestra, is tentatively slotted to to teach next year’s AAI Music program. Mrs. Jacobson is taking the year to reconfigure the music program and rewrite the curriculum before teaching it. The new curriculum will feature the obvious playing of instruments, but will also delve into vocal studies and music theory. Also integrated will be the extensive amount of digital recording equipment bought and donated to the program last year. Carol is
The small but ambitious AAI music class stands proud
working hard to prepare for next years class, and looks forward to having a new, solid facility for the class in the future. Some students previously enrolled in the AAI Music have transferred to other areas of the AAI program. One such student, senior Dash Rowe, is now taking AAI Media and Visual Art, stating that he wanted to continue to make Anne BownCrawford, chair and creator of the Arcata Arts Institute program, proud, no matter what strand he is in. “In media and visual arts, it’s a lot less physical. I miss getting to jam out. It’s also a much different focus, but both are equally rewarding,” Rowe said. “I think it’s a huge change, and it’s hard getting used to, but it’s also very exciting.” Needless to say, it’s been a year of obstacles for the AAI Music department at Arcata High, with a lack of facility and curriculum. But these challenges have shown the true dedication of the students enrolled in the program, as they continue to reside in the Arcata Arts Institute and allow the further cultivation of their creativity and talent.
Alec Perrone/PEPPERBOX
The Pepperbox | Page 30
A&E
Wednesday, October 15th, 2014
New brow-raising trend emerges Ryan Ghisetti A&E Editor
O
ut with the old and in with the eyebrows? Arcata High has a rapid revolving lineage of trends. Whether it’s the beloved yoga pants, the never-to-be-creased Jordans, or the has-been juggernaut of the fashion world Uggs, slowly dying out like the sheepskin that lines them. We face new trends on a monthly basis. Some are hits, while others are long misses. The current trend is drawn or filled in eyebrows. The statement eyebrow trend has been popularized by supermodel Cara Delevingne, noted for her thick eyebrows. Since coming into the spotlight, she’s begun a revolution. This fad hasn’t just hit the school, it has become a worldwide phenomenon. Some women are going as far as to get semi-permanent tattoos to achieve this trendy look. Countless numbers of articles and tutorials clutter the interweb and magazines on
achieving the “au courant” look. Arcata High girls have taken notice and are “penciling-in” on the movement. Students have had differing opinions on the boldness of the brow beauty. Sophomore Claire Bareilles stated, “It’s a lot to take in. I don't have eyebrows so it’s not for me.” It’s not just the female population noticing this sudden emergence of eyebrows. “I like girls more natural...especially their eyebrows,” sophomore Will Robinson expressed passionately. However, not all students are opposed to them. “I’m definitely pro-eyebrow, but don't go overboard. You gotta have your eyebrows filled in just the right amount for them to be on fleek,*” Senior Raven Johnson. Who is the brains behind the brow? In much investigation and questioning on whose eyebrows were the most “fleek” one name left each of their lips: Desert Lily Ahana. The Princess of Penciling herself candidly stated she spends more time on her eyebrows than any other part of her getting ready. With so much pressure on her, she stated keeping up on her eyebrows
is a necessity with the school looking up to her. Desert left us with her wisdom,“find the color that works for you, don't go too dark. Also be consistent, if you decide to do eyebrows you need to do them everyday. You can’t pick and choose your days.” If eyebrows are something you are looking at pursuing, skip the tutorials and trial and error in front of the mirror; Arcata High has two classes that can take you from brow drab, to
If you are going to draw on eyebrows, you need to be a trained professional, and take an art class by me. - Anne Bown-Crawford
brow fab. Architecture, a class taught by the school district, can help you blueprint out your brows to a meticulous level. Another class is Art I and II, supplying you with the knowledge to encompass the perfect statement brows. It’s not just trees
and fruit the art classes teach, but shading, facial features, shapes, and lines. Visual arts teacher Anne Bown-Crawford, who teaches lectures on how to perfectly draw eyebrows on portraits, suggests, “If you are going to draw on eyebrows, you need to be a trained professional and take an art class by me.” Many students complain that knowledge taught in any class cannot be used in the real world, but you can use the knowledge these teachers supply for a lifetime. What's in store for the saucy style? With fall among us and winter in the near future, rain is sure to come. Nothing is more detrimental to the painted on eyebrows than rain. Similar to meringue on top of a chocolate souffle, once the slightest amount of humidity touches, the running process begins. Will this trend continue or wash away with the rain? Only time will tell. Whether you are for this trend or against it, it’s safe to say it’s definitely raising a lot of brows. *Fleek is a pop culture term meaning “on point.”
Ryan Ghisetti/PEPPERBOX
Pepperbox staff members Sara Davis, Ryan Ghisetti, Jesse Bareilles, and CJ Gray attempt an eyebrow tutorial on YouTube promising bold and beautiful eyebrows.
The Pepperbox | Page 31
Calendar
Wednesday, October 15th, 2014
Arcata High upcoming events Carson McHaney Art Director
& Ryan Ghisetti A&E Editor
Nerd Day
Harry Potter/ Star Wars Day
Super Hero Day
November
October
Disney Day
Orange/Black Day