Pepperbox Issue 5 by AHS Pepperbox

April

In the Box

Box Briefs

Spring Week, April 2-6 Powderpuff Game, April 5 School Board Meeting, April 17 STAR Testing, April 23-May 4 Sophomore Dance, April 27 Madrigal Recital and Fundraiser, April 28 Circle A Nominations Out, April 30

May

Class Elections, May 4 ACT Registration Deadline, May 4 AP Tests, May 7-17

More Budget Cuts �� 3 STAR Testing �� 4 Intercom �� 5 New Bells �� 5 Will Kauffman �� 6 New ASB Officers �� 7 News Briefs �� 8-9 Savanna Nickols Wins Nationals �� 10-11 Powderpuff �� 12 Dodgeball �� 13 Winter Sports Wrap �� 14 Hunger Games Review �� 15 Living With Learning Disabilities �� 16 Transients � �� 17 Taylor Bennion’s Rants �� 18 Slackers �� 19 Fraternities �� 19 Spring Week Schedule �� 20

Editors

Web Team

Kim-Thu Pham, Online Editor Kristyn Payne, Online Director

Nirvana Begovic Taylor Bennion Kasey Cather Annie Ewald Shea Hamilton

Toby Shao, Editor-in-Chief Nadia Al-Yagout, Managing Editor Colin Swenson, Art Director Hannah Luu, Photo Manager Kimber Peterson, Graphics Editor

Reporters

Lily Hebert Will Kauffman Billy Miller Petey Levesque Victoria Moroni Michael Scofield Kaylee Steiner-Olson

Forrest Lewis, News Editor Felicia Watson, Feature Editor Francis Zierer, Opinion Editor Elaine Cunha, Sports Editor Brian Then Zoe Tinseth Carter Wright

Advisor

Danielle Lehman

The Pepperbox would like to thank Western Web, based in Samoa, for printing atcost. 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!

tuesday, april 3, 2012

NEWS

page 3

EDU-CUT-TION Kim-Thu Pham

Online Editor

Pink Slips

Over 20,000 pink slips, notices of potential layoffs for teachers, were distributed to K-12 teachers statewide on March 15, 2012. The number of pink slips sent out in a district depended on how grave its financial situation was. In the Northern Humboldt High School District only four pink slips were sent out, down from 22 last year (luckily, only four employees out of the 22 were laid off last year). “We moved registration up this year for a more accurate picture of enrollment,” explained Principal Navarre. Teachers are laid off when enrollment in classes is low, and the administration was able to avoid sending out several pink slips because they had a better idea of how many students AHS would have next year. Additionally, the district budgeted for the worst financial situation possible last year and actually sustained minimal financial damage when Governor Jerry Brown released his education budget for 2012. Humboldt is fortunate compared to the rest of the state, where thousands of teachers currently face potential unemployment and won’t know their district’s final decisions

K-12 funding

The PB

Less funding for education, from kindergarten to college, and how it’s going to affect you

until May 15. After May 15, districts can rescind pink slips but cannot issue any more-- people chose to take the safest route by issuing plenty of pink slips. But the financial security comes at the cost of quality teaching. Pink slips don’t just threaten teachers’ job security, they create often unncessary stress and anxiety. The pink slip process forces teachers into two months of employment limbo- they have to begin seeking employment in case they are laid off and have less time to focus on their students which further damages educational quality.

access for graduating high school students. Over the past four years, the CSU system has lost $1 billion in funding and 3,000 employees. According to Robert Turnage, the CSU assistant vice chancellor for the budget, the CSU system, “will be at the same level of state funding as 1996, but serving 90,000 more students.” According to a 2011 budget repotr from the University of California, state funding for UCs “is below 1998 funding levels, when UC had 75,000 fewer students than the 237,000 it does today.”

State funding for community college has been cut by $564 million this year which has resulted in increased class sizes and a 20% reduction class offerings. At the same time, California State Universities are reducing their enrollment by almost 25,000 by closing down spring admissions on most campuses. This means that community college students will have less of a chance to transfer into the CSU system, which is already sufferig from financial difficulties. When students cannot transfer into CSUs, they stay in the community colleges for another semester and block

tion, voters will choose whether or not to support education. Governor Brown’s proposed ballot initiative would allow schools to be funded at the levels established by Prop 98, which guarantees that 40% of the state general funds will go to education. The money will come from a one to two percent tax increase on households earning over $500,000 per year which would be in effect for the next five years.

A shred of hope? Brown’s Losses for community col- November ballot initiative leges, CSUs, and UCs In the coming November elec-

If the initiative does not pass in November, districts statewide will see a $370 funding reduction per student and may lose up to 15 days of instruction while CSUs will face up to $200 million in additional cuts. The California Teacher’s Association President Dean E. Vogel said, “CTA is supporting the governor’s initiative so that we can begin to deal with the state budget deficit responsibly while we increase funding for our schools and colleges.” “As much as we would like to, we couldn’t pass an initiative solving everything at once,” explained Ms. Moore, AHS English teacher, “but the budget is getting better.” California is currently ranked 47th in the nation for public education funding, which has suffered four consecutive years of cuts. According to EdSource, one in eight public school students in the United States attend school in California. In such poor fiscal conditions, the prospects of high-quality education for California’s students are dimming.

UC tuition costs have nearly doubled since 2007. CSU tuition costs have tripled since 2007.

UC tuitio

K-12 funding has dropped consistenly in the past four years.

tion SU tui

(Note: graphs not drawn to scale)

tuesday, april 3, 2012

page 4

“STAR”ring THRIVE Kristyn Payne

Online Editor

NEWS

The PB

“It’ll be interesting to see how it works out ; it’s been a crazy ride so far.”

--THRIVE mentor and math teacher Kay Wozniak

STAR testing is just around the corner and, thanks to THRIVE, these standardized tests now have an impact directly on teachers. The performance of students on this year’s STAR exams will influence the teachers’ ability to receive a THRIVE incentive bonus. STAR testing will begin for freshmen through juniors on Monday, April 23 and continue until Friday, May 4. The state requires the school to improve test scores each year with the goal of having every student reach the proficient or advanced level. With the Performance Based ComWant to find out what the SAT is like? pensation System of THRIVE, the percentage of students who improve on this year’s STAR exam Taking the SAT for the first time on June 2nd? compared to their score on last year’s exam will make up 30% of a teacher’s “overall effec- Maybe you’re taking it a second time and want to improve tiveness score.” your score? As a part of THRIVE, teachers are evaluated on several components for Performance Based Compensation: student STAR test improvement (CST),  Arcata High will hold a Free, 15-hour SAT Preparation student improvement between pre-tests and postWorkshop during the second half of May. tests (Local Assessments), and four observations conducted throughout the school year (Collegial Observation.)  Space is limited and is on a first-come, first-served basis. However, STAR test results will only affect CST teachers (those who teach STAR exam subjects  Dates & times to be determined, but will include two such as Math, English, History, and Sciences.) Saturdays as well as after-school times. While Non-CST teachers, such as in Health and Computer Science, do not receive STAR tests and therefore are solely evaluated on Local Assess There is a deposit of $25.00, fully refundable upon ments and Collegial Observation. completion of the workshop. “I really think CST teachers have a lesser chance of receiving the pay bump,” said senior Jake Bensonmeyer, “I mean the non-CST teachers don’t even have to worry about STAR tests.” For each CST class, the percentage of students who stay at the same level or score higher on this year’s STAR exam will factor into the PerforThe Career & College Center mance Based Compensation System CST student growth matrix and be used to calculate an Overall Or Average CST Teacher Effectiveness Score. “It’ll be interesting to see how it works out,” said  Your Counselor’s Office THRIVE mentor Kay Wozniak, “It’s been a crazy ride so far.”

FREE SAT PREP WORKSHOP

tuesday, april 3, 2012

NEWS

The PB

page 5

Arcata High loses “no bell” prize Carter Wright Reporter

Imagine yourself sitting in the classroom. It has been an average school day so far, and nothing is amiss. As your teacher lectures about the day’s topic, the emergency bell rings, and everyone is instantly alert and looking toward the sheet of paper up in every classroom that deciphers the different bell codes for emergency situations. Only one thing sets the room into confusion; which code is it? It sounds like an earthquake drill, but then again it also sounds like a lockdown. So which one is it? With the new intercoms that have been installed into the classrooms, this is a situation that will be easily avoided. “The old bells got confusing,”

Tahnia Campbell, Dean of Students at AHS, said on the system for alerting classes of an emergency. With the new intercom system each emergency will be given a distinct chime. Even better, the administration will be able to communicate with every class during an emergency to give specifics on the type of crisis that is facing the school. This means no more confusion. Along with serving as a more distinct alert system during a crisis, the intercoms will also serve other purposes. “We’ll have more control,” Dave Navarre, Principal at AHS, said, “The system will allow for a simple and effective form of communication between the office and each classroom.” One form of communication being considered is for the morning bulletin to be read to

all classrooms simultaneously each morning—eliminating the chance of missing important information if a student’s first period teacher does not already do so. There will also be clean up bells that ring at different times in classes that need certain amounts of time for their end-ofclass clean up. For example, if one class needs five minutes for clean up time at the end of the period, and another needs seven, then each classroom can get a bell that rings at that set time. “It’s a great idea,” Earl Peters, science teacher at AHS, said, “I look forward to utilizing it.” The intercom system came with the new clocks that are now installed in the classrooms as well, and by being connected through the school’s I.P. address, will be able to assure that each clock through-

out the school is consistent with the time that it reads. However, there is a double-edged sword that comes with the new system: the phone system will have to be replaced. Fortunately, this will be done by the end of May. Besides this, there are very few, if any drawbacks, “We want to limit the number of disruptions to class,” Geri Wood, Assistant Principal, said. “The only disruptions should be for really important information that needs to be communicated immediately,” Campbell said. As to when the new intercom and clock combo will be completely ready for use, students can expect to have them up and running by April 28th and with them a new chapter in Arcata High School’s amenities.

The new bell sounds like a:

hospital

prison

“It gives me PTSD from being in the hospital.” - Sage Fanucchi

“If I was in a prison and there was a lockdown, that would be the sound I’d hear.” - Brandon Thompson

“It sounds like someone is dying, like a heart flat lining.” –Gillen Martin “Sound like...uhh... like... when someone’s dead.” –Geena Damian “It sounds like the person next to me died.” –Julian Monahan

“It sounds like roll call for prisons.” - Billy Miller “It reminds me of the prison cells opening and closing.” - Pearse Narum “It sounds like ‘lights off’.” - Samantha Harmon

good thing

“It has a potential to be a great useful system. We are just fine tuning it. It’s going to get better.” – Dave Navarre

bad thing

“I hate that bell. I hate it. It ruins my day.” - Mr. Peters “I’ve never heard anything like it. It’s not a bell.” - Ryan Ertman

“I like them better than the “It sucks.” - Taylor Bennion old ones, I hated the old clocks and bells. The tone is “It’s obnoxious and way alright.” – David Filippini too loud.” - Andrew Anderson “Oh, they’re fine, kind of sounds like a blue light special.” – Michelle Anderson

“Glad we have the bells back; tone has got to go.” – Marie Henson “I can think of a more pleasant sound.” – Doug Johnson

tuesday, april 3, 2012

NEWS

page 6

The PB

Kauffman awarded at “Young Entrepreneurship Business Challenge” Michael Scofield Reporter

Will Kauffman walked home on Thursday, March 22 with a $5,000 grant from the “Young Entrepreneur Business Challenge.” He hopes that this award will help him kick off his business career in woodworking. Will worked for three months writing a business proposal explaining his future operations and how he was going to use the $5,000 for his business over the next three years. Kauffman made an elevator pitch video and researched all the legalities of opening and running a business. “It’s like if you stepped in elevator, and you had to explain to someone your business plan, they are convinced to be your customer at the end of two minutes.” Once the judges had narrowed it down to three people, Kauffman and the two other

remaining entrepreneurs each had to present a 5 minute PowerPoint presentation to a judge panel accompanied by an audience of over 100 people. The presentations described their knowledge of business. “It was really hard work,” Kauffman said. Since junior year, Will has had his business set in his mind. “After I get far enough along with my woodworking business, I want to start taking classes on metal shop and sewing,” Kauffman said, “I want to give back to people. It doesn’t seem fair that all this should come to me without me giving something back.” Will started woodworking in his

Senior Will Kauffman proudly displays his $5,000 check.

Photo courtesy of Will Kauffman

woodshop class and bought a few tools from Arcata High woodshop teacher Mr. Williams. One of Will’s goals with his business is to make unique, sturdy furniture for people that will be better and cheaper than the tables and chairs found in retail stores, all the while working on a

personal level with the customers to meet their unique requests. Winning this contest was an awesome achievement for Will, and an inspiration to his fellow students. He showed that you can successfully create a sturdy foundation for your future at a young age.

The PB

tuesday, april 3, 2012

NEWS

page 7

New Associated Student Body officers

President Day Robins is currently the Junior Class Secretary. She is on the Varsity soccer, basketball, and track teams. Day is President of the Green Club on campus. She plans on making changes next year based on student recommendations, so if you have an idea, bring it to room 213!

Vice President Forrest Lewis is currently the Junior Class President. He has served as Sophomore Class President and Freshman Vice President and is on the Varsity soccer and tennis teams. Next year he plans on having more club fairs and advocating clubs to incoming freshmen.

Zoe Tinseth/PEPPERBOX

Treasurer Elaine Cunha is currently the Junior Class Treasurer. She is on the Varsity soccer, basketball, and track teams, and is the Sports Editor of The Pepperbox. Elaine works in the student store and plans on utilizing her money managing skills to keep track of the ASB budget.

Secretary Kaitlan Tatro was a Leadership commissioner sophomore year. She is on the Varsity tennis team and an active member of the National Honor Society and Spanish Honor Society. Next year she plans on taking efficient notes and planning an awesome homecoming.

tuesday, april 3, 2012

page 8

“I picked ‘Little Shop’ because I liked the music and the edgy writing. The cast has made it a singular experience. They have been interdependent and supportive of each other, so it’s kind of bittersweet that it’s closing night.” - Josh Arbaugh , director of

NEWS

Arcata High’s “Little Shop of Horrors,” on closing night of the school play

Graduation moves to HSU Petey Levesque

son commented. There was a blanket “yay” from the senior class. “It will be more convenient for After many e-mails and phone most people, but parking may be calls, Humboldt State University difficult,” senior Mahalya Camp agreed to let Arcata High School’s said. Overall, most everyone in graduation be held at the Redwood the community is thrilled. Bowl. “Burt Nordstrom, Vice President of Administrative Affairs, worked with Northern Humboldt Union High School District to invite the local high schools back to HSU for graduation,” HSU admissions counselor, Romi Hitchcock-Tinseth explained. “It’s a nice way for Humboldt to showcase their school,” Arcata High School’s nurse, Norma WatReporter

Hannah Luu/ PEPPERBOX

The PB

Come support Sober Come supportSafe Safeand and Sober Kimber Peterson

Graphics Editor

Arcata High School Safe and Sober is having many upcoming fundraising events in the next two months. On Friday, April 19th there will be a Backyard Barbeque dinner in the Sapphire Palace at the Blue Lake Casino. The dinner will have barbequed Tri-Tip, hamburgers, hotdogs, vegetarian lasagna and many other side dishes. The dinner also features silent and live auctions and a wine pull. Both auctions will be showcasing items from local businesses. This dinner is available with presale tickets only so make sure you pick them up before the event sells out. Tickets are $25 each or $200 for an eight person table. Each ticket also includes $10 of slot play at the casino for attendees over 21. For more information, call Kristi Puzz at (707) 499-3606.

Safe and Sober is also hosting a Mother’s Day fashion show. The Annual Senior Fashion Show will be held on Sunday, May 13th from 1:30 to 4 pm at the Arcata Community Center. All of the clothes will be provided by local businesses. There will also be a silent auction and delicious food. Bring your Mother, Grandmother or Mother ¿JXUH RXW WR WKH VKRZ DQG PDNH them feel extra special. Tickets are $15 for adults, $7 for Seniors and Students. Tickets may be purchased presale or at the door. For more information, call Jerryl Lynn Rubin and (707) 825-8495. To purchase tickets for both of these events, or to donate to Arcata High Safe and Sober mail payment to AHS Safe and Sober Class of 2012 1720 M Street Arcata, CA 95521.

tuesday, april 3, 2012

NEWS

The PB

page 9

Another successful job shadow day for AHS students Hannah Luu

Job Shadow is an excellent program that Arcata High offers for juniors and seniors. It allows students to glimpse possible future careers in a fun manner. Students can participate in a wide variety of jobs ranging from a psychiaPhoto Manager trist, fireman, botanist, Fish and Game, radio DJ, interior design, dentist, EMT, and more. Basically, a student gets to shadow their chosen profession for four hours and get a feel on the job. Senior Jimmy Luchessi shadowed at Fish and Game and told Pepperbox, “It felt good to see some live action wilderness justice.” Miranda Shapiro also enjoyed her experience shadowing Dr. Tucker DDS because she got to wear scrubs. Gwyn Caughey was really grateful for her opportunity to shadow a firefighter. She told reporters, “It was really Shea Hamilton exciting and I learned a lot. You have to be really strong can get bigger - spreading across California Reporter to run around in a 75 lb suit all day.” Job Shadow allows and into other states.” for a realistic look into your future and helps you decide It’s dark in the MPR, and crowded with To see all of Spare Change’s skits, go to the what career is best for you. teen bodies: whispering, texting and wait- end of the year Community Show on May ing with anticipation for the show to start. 30th, 6:30 PM at the Arcata Playhouse. It’s the annual Spare Change performance, and this year almost the whole school is in the audience. Spare Change is a student theatre troupe that tours local schools using peers-teaching-peers methods to inform teens about --AHS history teacher Doug sex ed. Their collection of skits provides Johnson after being the last information to students in a neat package: man standing on the staff facts infused with pop culture references dodgeball team at the and popular music. Spring Week kick off The subject matter of Spare Change’s perassembly last Friday formances is often controversial, which in past years led to permission slips being sent home for students to be allowed to attend. This year, the default was for the whole school to go, and only students whose parents signed an ‘opt out’ form didn’t go. For more information The majority of the show wasn’t all funny on the dodgeball tour- sex ed skits like the troupe is known for, nament, see page 13. added to the program were serious topics like teen suicide, cyber-bullying, and mental illness. “Tragedy skits add balance to the show,” Sonja Goetsch-Avila, AHS senior and Spare Change member, said, “comedy is preferreda.” Norma Watson, school nurse, helped decide which skits would be shown at AHS. “We chose issues that we wanted to address at school,” Watson said, “to let students know that we understand.” The faculty sees Spare Change as a way of showing students that there are ways to seek help, and to encourage students to learn how to recognize and help their peers’ problems. “The program is amazing, and it’s unique to our area,” Goetsch-Avila said, “I hope that through community involvement that it Toby Shao/PEPPERBOX

Spare some time to change your mind

“Man, I am tanked.”

Savanna Nic Photo Courtesy of Savanna Nickols

Nickols holding her championship bracket and 1st place medal.

Forrest Lewis

News Editor

When asked what she does during her off season from wrestling, Savanna Nickols answered: “What off season?” Nickols epitomizes the slogan: “Hard work and perseverance pay off.” It may sound cliché, but it all makes sense after sitting down and conversing with Savanna Nickols. On 24-25 March, 2012, the seventeen-year-old senior placed first in her weight class at the USA Wrestling Girls Folkstyle Junior Nationals in Oklahoma City. After twelve years of rigorous training, Nickols proved herself to be America’s number one female wrestler.

Rise to the top:

Most children wrestle for fun. When Nickols was a child, she wrestled competitively. Starting at age five, Nickols took to the mats to continue the legacy of her older sibling, a four-year wrestler for Arcata High School. “When I was little I guess I just wanted to wrestle because my brother did and it was like, ‘Oh this looks fun,’” Nickols recalled. “I still didn’t want to lose, but it wasn’t nearly as intense.” Her father was apprehensive about signing her up for wrestling at such an early age. “My dad didn’t want me to wrestle but my mom weighed me in anyways. He was furious.” Nickols easily won her first match, and began a lifetime of training. She would go to her brothers wrestling

practices and watch, doing pushups and sit-ups on the sidelines of the mat. Nickols wrestled her way through elementary school, seldom losing a match, even against boys. “There were definitely a few boys who quit because they were tired of losing to a girl,” Nickols recalled. “First off, you don’t want to wrestle a girl, because if you beat them its like ‘oh cool you beat a girl,’ but if you lose, it’s like ‘wow, you just lost to a girl.’” When Nickols entered high school, she did not hesitate to join the wrestling team. Over four years, she wrestled for the varsity team, placing first every year in the North Coast Section, and accumulating 151 wins and 16 losses. Nickols was given the Arcata High School First Year Wrestling Award freshman year succeeded by the Most

Photo Courtesy of Savanna Nickols

Savanna poses after her first place win in a tournament of all boys. Outstanding Wrestler Award for the next three years. Her freshman year she placed 2nd in state and was selected to be on the national team. Her performance earned her recognition as All American, an honor given to only the top eight wrestlers in the nation. She set the bar high, and continued to exceed expectations for the next three years. Her sophomore year, she placed 2nd in state and her junior year she placed 3rd in state and advanced to the national tournament for the first time. There, she impressed everyone with a 2nd place finish, losing by a few points to the current college national champion.

The test:

Finally, her senior year arrived and she put to test the twelve years of practice all building up to this season. “I was improving every year but I think this year I really excelled” Nickols said. “I spent months training on tiny details, perfecting my technique, fixing any weaknesses.” This was evident in her undefeated season, in which she pinned every one of her 28 opponents en route to her fourth consecutive North Coast Section victory. But in the state championship, Nickols met her match, and ended up losing by a small margin. She could have given up right then.

Savanna Ni ing for wre tures throu life. From le 2001, 2002, 2 2010, 2011.

Photos cour vanna Nicko

ckols: National champion She could have called it quits and ended her wrestling career. “I hate losing,” Nickols said. “When you train so hard for something and don’t succeed it is one of the worst feelings. You want to see your hard work pays off, and you can get discouraged. But you keep doing your best and hopefully you eventually become the best.” Nickols became the best. For the next several weeks, she prepared for the USA Wrestling Girls Folkstyle Junior Nationals. “I would get up in the morning and run five miles before school,” Nickols said. “After school I would go to a gym and train. Then I would have one-on-one drilling practice with my two coaches. During wrestling season it’s school, practice, homework, sleep.” And true to her motto, the hard work and perseverance paid off. The end result? Nickols swept through nationals with ease, pinning every opponent without a single point scored against her. In the final match, she was up by a score of 9 to 0 and then pinned her opponent in an arm bar in the third minute.

The future:

turned to classes at Arcata High as if nothing had changed. Due to her extremely modest attitude, some of her teachers and classmates were unaware of Nickols’ National wrestling feat. “To tell you the truth, I didn’t even know she was a wrestler until she won nationals last weekend,” Eric Volmers, Nickols’ economics teacher stated. Winning Nationals is not the end of Nickol’s remarkable wrestling career. “In mid-May I have world qualifiers in Florida against college girls,” said Nickols. “Only the top two placers go on to Worlds. I’m gonna go for it. I want to win.” After being contacted by nearly every girls wrestling school in the nation, Savanna Nickols decided to attend Simon Frasier University in British Columbia next fall. She was

“When you train so hard for something and don’t succeed it is one of the worst feelings. You want to see your hard work pays off, and you can get discouraged. But you keep doing your best and hopefully you eventually become the best.”

After being welcomed at the airport awarded a full scholarship based by friends and family, Nickols’ re- partially on academic merit and

ickols posestling picughout her eft to right: 2003, 2009,

rtesy of Saols

Colin Swenson/PEPPERBOX

Nickols in her bedroom surrounded by trophies and medals partially on her athleticism. At the 2016 Olympics. number two ranked girls wrestling In the meantime, Nickols is conschool in North America, Nickols tinuing her “school, practice, homehopes to continue her incredible work, sleep” schedule, with the ad-

--National Wrestling Champion Savanna Nickols

winning-streak, and eventually attain her dream, wrestling in the

dition of one extracurricular. She is currently practicing for the Arcata High School powderpuff game (juniors beware). “I’m excited. It’s gonna be fun,” Nickols said. “I don’t really want to tackle people that hard though.” This politeness stems back to her modest and relaxed attitude, characteristics that her coaches are encouraging her to change before the world qualifiers. “All my coaches say I need to be more aggressive and angry when I wrestle,” Nickols said. “I just win with technique. They want me to be more aggressive and try to slam their face in the mat; try to knock them out.”

page 12

tuesday, april 3, 2012

SPORTS

The PB

Powderpuff 2012: May the best team win Zoe Tinseth Reporter

lowed). Many players have complaints about this rule, including seFootball is a sport loved all over nior Rebecca Smith. “I would much the US. People just cannot get rather have powderpuff be tackle enough of it. Once a year, Arcata football,” Smith said., “The fact High School has a legendary foot- that it’s flag football doesn’t stop ball game: an all girls game, juniors the team from practicing tackling at versus seniors. It is the time of the practices.” Fellow teammate Ryley year when grades 11 and 12 become Tauzer takes a different approach. rivals, when girls get serious about “Flag football is tackle football,” playing football and playing it well. she said. It is powderpuff. In late March, you The Sparkling Seniors hold praccan feel the tension in the air, junior tices five times a week, two hours a and senior girls are getting competi- day for a span of two weeks. Practive all over the school. Powderpuff tices consist of scrimmages, drills, is not just one silly football game; it and running exercises. The coaches is THE game. expect the best from their teams Each powderpuff team has two and are the ones who choose poor three boy coaches who are in the sitions for each team member and same grade as the rest of the team. create plays for game day. Most Most of the coaches have previous coaches are very competitive about football experience and take their the game. “I am pretty competicoaching very seriously. “I am try- tive,” Chad Blickenstaff, coach of ing to take football to the next level,” the “Gypsy Juniors,” said, “Losing Alex Puzz, coach of the “Sparkling isn’t an option.” Seniors,” stated, “I’m using what Girls on the powderpuff teams my coaches taught me but putting put their all into preparing for the my own spin on it. I try to provide big game. Senior players Smith, my players with tackling fuel.” Tauzer, and Faviana Schectman are Puzz speaks of tackling, but the going beyond the two-hour practicreality of powderpuff is that it is a es to train. They have been making flag football game (no tackling al- regular trips to the gym for weight lifting and wrestling practices, hoping that some extra muscle will lead the Sparkling Seniors to victory. They have also added protein shakes into their diets and are trying to refrain from junk food before the game. “We have dedication to the sport,” Tauzer said, “We started practicing two months ago.” Despite the senior girls’ extra preparaHannah Luu/PEPPERBOX tion, juniors Molly Senior powderpuff girls pose intimidatingly. Salamunovich, Megan

Hannah Luu/PEPPERBOX

The “Sparkling Seniors” practice five times a week, two hours a day. Vina, and Day Robins are very confident in their team. “We don’t have any competition other than the mud on the ground,” they stated, “We are very confident that we can take the senior team down.” But Puzz showed great confidence in his team. “I am pretty confident that we will win,” he said. “I mean, the girls were tackling each other before practice even started.” Tauzer believes the senior team will be victorious as well. “Our team is undefeatable,” she said. A win would mean a lot to many people. “A win will mean everything to me,” said Christen, “It’s senior year so we should carry on the tradition of seniors winning.” A win does not mean much to Tauzer though; even though she is confident that they will win. “We don’t really care about the win, we care about the kill,” said Tauzer viciously, “If we don’t make at least six junior girls cry, we won’t be satisfied.” The girls and the coaches become competitive and are absolutely expecting to win. Juniors Robins, Salamunovich, and Vina are very sure of their team and their skills. “We are just good at everything so that’s what’s going to help us win,”

said the girls. Junior and senior girls choose the names on the back of their jerseys to intimidate the junior team. Smith chose “R-Thunder” on the back of her jersey and Tauzer chose “Ryclops.” Though both teams are bursting in confidence and working hard to prepare we will not know which team is truly better until the official powderpuff game on April 6th, 2012. May the best team win.

Hannah Luu/PEPPERBOX

Ryley Tauzer, aka “Ryclops”

The PB

tuesday, april 3, 2012

SPORTS

Spring Week Dodgeball Will Kauffman Reporter

Dodge, dive, dip, duck, and… dodge. To most, these words are merely the “rules of the game” from the infamous film “Dodgeball,” but for the few rugged individuals who revere this game as a lifestyle and possibly a religion, these words are instilled deep in their hearts and minds as the only rules of life. You may think I am crazy for talking about dodgeball as such a serious lifestyle, but I dare you to approach one of these few soldiers and tell them they are crazy. See how long it takes you to receive a fresh, red dodge ball to the face. I felt so alone in the world until

Spring Week 2011, and I heard of a “dodgeball competition” that was going to be held at lunch on the tennis courts. So that is when a few friends and I put together the infamous Handy squad. The talent was there but we needed practice, so with only a week to prepare, practice we did. We woke up at approximately 6:23 a.m. every morning to start our day with a protein shake consisting of expired milk (to build character), two raw eggs (for determination), and thumbtacks (for taste). An excruciating hour workout followed where we ran laps, hit the gym, and ran across a high traffic freeway to practice our dodging. When the big day arrived and we were more ready

page 13

than we would ever be, teammate tor squad. Raph Thompson, another Trevon Davis said, “We couldn’t pure force of our team states, “I feel lose, too much determination done.” like Jesus returning.” He also said Team after team, we rose above the that he has developed a new trainrest proving that if you live by the ing motto for the team to live by, five D’s you can accomplish any- which is “live like Canning.” thing in life. You may be aware that Spring Week 2012 is approaching, and with that comes dodgeball. Many teams of eight have signed up to compete in this extreme event to try and take the throne of our new and imZoe Tinseth/PEPPERBOX proved Rammp- New and improved “Rammptor” squad

tuesday, april 3, 2012

SPORTS

page 14

Winter sports wrap-up and awards

The PB

Elaine Cunha Sports Editor

Boys’ BASKETBALL

Varsity: 1st in league

• Niclai Tournament Champions • Ranked 2nd in NCS Playoffs • Semifinals in NorCal State Tournament Most Valuable Player: Thomas Witzel Most Inspirational: Jim Thomas Most Improved: Matt Gulley All-County: Thomas Witzel, Justin

Freshmen: 2nd in league Most Valuable Player: Ben Albright Most Inspirational: Russ Taylor Most Improved: Caleb Morin

JV: 2nd in league Most Valuable Player: Braden Nickols Most Inspirational: Chad Blickenstaff & Quinn Rice Most Improved: Errol Funk

Heidrick, Will Taylor Honorable Mention: Hawken Ritter, Cameron Wallace Colin Swenson/PEPPERBOX

Matt Gulley, most improved of the boys’ varsity basketball team

GIRLS’ BASKETBALL Freshmen: 1st in league

Varsity: 2nd in league

Most Valuable Player: Petra Foget

• 1st round of NCS Playoffs

Most Inspirational: Madeline Nutter

Most Valuable Player: Megan Viña

Most Improved: Morgan Brown

Most Inspirational: Ashley Moore

Junior Varsity: 2nd in league Most Valuable Player: Abigail Puzz

Most Improved: Katerina Rocker Heppe All-County: Lauren McCoy, Ashlynn Cox Honorable Mention: Megan Viña

Most Inspirational: Margaux Karp Most Improved: Alix Flint

Photo Courtesy of Megan Vina

Wrestling

Cheerleading

Most Outstanding: Savanna Nickols

Junior Varsity:

Varsity:

Most Inspirational: Michael Lefuel

Most Valuable Player: Shelby Sobol

Most Valuable Player: Maci Moser

Best First Year: Jake Navarre

Most Inspirational: Shelby Jones and Faith Maciel

Most Inspirational: Felicia Watson

Most Improved: Sophie Lefuel

Most Improved: Chloe Maskill

Most Improved: Kaitlyn Lackett

Megan Viña, MVP of the girls’ varsity basketball team

tuesday, april 3, 2012

A&E

The PB

page 15

Hunger Games: Hollywood movie or reality Nadia Al-Yagout

Managing Editor

The midnight premiere of “The Hunger Games” took place on Friday, March 23th. I was at the Mill Creek Cinema in McKinleyville, and when I arrived that night at 9:30, the lines were filled with crazed fans waiting to be let in.

termined protagonist who has very severe trust issues with anybody but her little sister, Primrose. Katniss volunteers to take Prim’s spot in the “Hunger Games” (a televised bloodbath where two tributes from each of the twelve districts fight to death in order to “thank” the Capitol for caring after them). Sponsors

r e g n u the h games Kimber Peterson/PEPPERBOX

These teens weren’t so happy when they were slaughtering each other on national television. I didn’t have many friends that read the novel, and yet so many teens came out to see the film. And then I began to wonder why are youth reacting to “The Hunger Games” in such a positive and supportive way? Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE the series, they’re definitely one of my favorites of all time (in my 17 years of existence), but what makes these people relate to a story about teenagers forced to violently kill each other in some dystopian world? The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins is a futuristic novel written from the perspective of Katniss Everdeen, the strong-willed and de-

send items to a tribute, such as water, food, or medicine, in order to keep them alive. So…people on TV sponsored by the media destroy each other. Sounds like every reality T.V. show I’ve seen recently. And when the concept of the games is put into perspective, the ideas aren’t so different from the real world’s media. Collins relates the dystopia of The Hunger Games to today’s world, in which the games are being watched by all the citizens of the twelve districts; and the viewers thrive off of the thrill and excitement of the unexpected. The Head Gamemaster has workers who control the live

viewing, and can add or subtract factors that happen inside the arena, which could potentially change the outcome of the games. Collins relates this to reality shows that are being broadcasted in the media today, with the target audience being youth who anticipate the next “tragic” event that could occur in a reality TV show. Throughout the novel, Collins offers criticism of mass media for warping the identities of the tributes fighting in the games. After Rue gets killed, Katniss covers her with flowers and sings to her as she passes away. But the Capitol, which is directly linked to mass media, doesn’t show Katniss caring for Rue as she passes, due to the lack of empathy and emotion one tribute is supposed to feel for another. These thematical ideas are expressed through out the entire novel, where only certain events or actions are televised, while others are cut out and ignored, because it may change the audience’s views on a certain tribute. The relation: the capitol equals mass media, the sponsors equal the viewers, and the tributes equal the cast. Collins’ symbolism may explain why the youth are so affected by the characters in this novel. While the film was less disappointing than many die-hard fans thought, it still lacked great intensity where it was needed. The two main flaws in the movie were: the lack of passion between Katniss and Peeta as well as the fast-forwarding relationship of Katniss and Rue. In the novel, Peeta and Katniss’s relationship was much more emphasized, leaving Katniss looking very selfish by the end, which wasn’t portrayed correctly in the

film. On another note, Katniss’s compassion for Rue came from her love for Prim, and since they reminded her of each other, Katniss and Rue agreed to be allies. These were two important details in the story that the director needed to get across to the viewers, which could have linked a stronger relationship between the audience and the characters in the story. So were the director and screen writers aware of the high thematic level in the novel? The whole point Collins tries to convey in the novel is that media has too much control over what “reality” truly is. Therefore she demonstrates the Capitol editing what happens inside the arena. Ironically, the film director also decided to edit out important aspects of the novel.

tuesday, april 3, 2012

FEATURE

page 16

The PB

Living with learning disabilities Lily Hebert

Reporter

When I was in grade school, my teachers were always frustrated with me. I never understood directions, and when it came to homework… forget it! Literally, I’d forget it. Talking to other students with learning disabilities, I came to understand that I wasn’t the only one that had felt misunderstood every once in awhile. “Some teachers get irritated when you’re not learning the material when all the other students are. You can’t help it. You’re not doing anything wrong you just learn differently,” says junior, Madelin LaBanca. In fact, to be in Core Support you have to be smart or even above average, but for some reason your grades don’t always match or prove it. That’s where the learning disability comes in. Trouble focusing, bad short term memory, mixing words up in your mind, trouble understanding directions, whatever it is, we are not incompetent. I can recall the time before knowing that I had a learning disability when all my teachers and

Nirvana Begovic

Anyone sitting next to you in an AP class, or any star athlete, just might be in core support. my parents thought I was simply lazy, but teachers didn’t understand that I didn’t understand! You, dear reader, have no idea the joy I felt in revisiting a teacher or two from my past whom had been particularly hard on me and telling them that actually I have a learning disability. Yeah. I’m not stupid, and yes I can make it through school. You weren’t so sure were you? In my freshman year, I would replay my teacher’s directions inside of my head over and over again, because they didn’t make sense to me. There were many times where I thought I understood and was very proud of the fact but when I’d turn my paper in my teachers would say... ”What were you thinking..this isn’t even the assignment” So I gave up. Nothing ever really clicked, so I had developed the bad habit of staring off into space during class, which I think is why teachers assumed I was lazy. Like any other

person I like having good grades, it’s not that I don’t care. Everything has to be perfect. I’m finally figuring out that turning something that isn’t perfect in rather than turning nothing in is better for your grade. I learned that the hard way. For some other students, however, there may not have been any sign of having a learning disability. “My friends and some teachers almost seemed shocked when they found out I had learning disabilities, and yet I still maintained good grades. Also, my teachers try to tell me that I’m smart enough to take tests in class, it’s not about smarts, it’s about my anxiety disorder,” Emily Hooven, junior at AHS, said. Our school system individualizes a study plan for each student because every kid is different. This has been formed after hours of testing each individual student’s strengths and weaknesses. So to the teachers, don’t stress out, we’ll ask for what we need. Just take an ex-

tra minute explaining to us or doing what it takes for us to understand what you’re talking about. We might be visual learners or we may need to see things drawn out. I’m not trying to tell you that you’re a bad teacher; I’m saying we need you to do this for us if you don’t already know there are 75 kids on this campus are in Core Support. I am incredibly grateful that now I have a learning experience equal to that of the rest of the student body. The person sitting next to you in any AP class, or the star athlete, just might be in Core support, you never really know. Almost all Core students go to college; we’re no different than anybody else. For people that think we go to Core to “cheat” we may joke about it if it makes us feel, but in all honesty I need the extra help and many others could tell you the same. Everybody has struggles, this is one of mine.

noises from further away. Though Reid keeps a very positive outlook Reporter he said that one frustrating aspect of After failing three classes the his ADHD is that food can trigger first semester of his freshman year, cided to stop taking the medication. said that he is left inattentive while his symptoms. If he eats too much and being completely unable to fo- “It made my personality less joy- trying to sort through them. Reid sugar, has too much caffeine, or his cus in his Tech class, Reid Kernen ful, and I completely lost my ap- said that it is very important for him blood sugar is low, his symptoms decided that it was time to figure petite…my stomach always hurt,” to prioritize the things he needs to become very hard to manage. Reid out why he was having such a hard said Reid while describing how the get done. He also mentioned that said that kids with ADHD aren’t time in school. After vigorous tests medicine affected him. While some he is easily distracted by noise bestupid, they’re just a different kind that the school provided, it was feel that ADHD is a fake disorder, cause he can almost literally “hear of person. “What in life is going determined that Reid had Atten- used to make excuses for certain everything” and the excess noise to bring me down? Little stuff haption Deficit Hyper Disorder, more behaviors, Reid feels that his symp- is so hard to filter though, that he pens, and then I’m over it in two commonly referred to as ADHD. toms are very real. They affect his is entirely consumed. Sometimes seconds.” At first Reid was prescribed Ade- short term memory, his moods, and it is hard to differentiate between rol, the dosage was increased when his ability to sit still. Reid described the conversation he is having and it did not help his symptoms. After his symptoms as his mind being someone else’s conversation on the giving it time and patience, he de- overwhelmed with thoughts, and other side of the room, or random

He is easily distracted by noise because he can almost literally “hear everything.”

The PB

tuesday, april 3, 2012

FEATURE

page 17

transient - noun. - 1. a rugged traveler finding their way... or 2. a lazy scoundrel shirking their responsibility? Sarah Fraga A&E Editor Michael Scofield Reporter

According the Department of Finance, there are 404,914 transient or homeless people in California. There are also many misconceptions shrouding this group of people in our community. We set out to clarify the myths, venturing into the Arcata community to talk with these so called “travelers.” “They’re not always lazy, they just choose not to work,” said an anonymous college student, “They sort of add to the community and haven’t bothered me in any way personally.” After a loop around the plaza we encountered a group of transients hanging out by the bars. One looked suspiciously too smiley not to ask to interview. Cory, a thirty-four-yearold man who departed from Ukiah, California ten years ago to embark upon his adventure, has a simple outlook on the aspects of traveling and travelers alike.

Even though there are some wonderful people roaming the streets, there are also very problematic aspects to such a large transient community in Humboldt. Homeless people drive away certain potential customers from local businesses while others thrive on the large number of homeless people by selling cheap food to them. One such haven is Don’s Donuts, where you can buy a donut for loose change scrounged out of old clothes or off of fellow donut cravers. Rachel Biester, a California-based apartment complex owner, does not share the positive effects on her business as Don’s Donuts does. “My tenants have a big problem with the transients and homeless, especially around the Humboldt area,” Biester stated, “I’ve lost a lot of my Arcatabased income because of the homeless sleeping outside of my buildings. My tenants will want me to lower the rent, or they’ll move to a less homeless populated neighborhood.” Biester owns complexes in San

Hannah Luu/PEPPERBOX

Transients, or “homeless” shown above, are not necessarily forced into their situation because of their lack of ability in the work force. Francisco as well, where the home- were still struggling with illegal less situation is worse, but her busi- substances. The one who claimed ness does better. “Either my tenants sobriety, a twenty-seven year old know what they’re getting into, or man named Jeffrey, gave us his they can’t afford to move. There’s view on drugs. “I’m high on life,” always a steady income coming he said with a smile and a wink, “I from San Francisco,” said Biester. can be happy without any of those The environmental impact of tran- icky drugs and stuff.” sients’ presence in this city cannot While it is easy to see why people Q: What motivated you to travel? be ignored. Off the sides of roads shun transients to the degree that A: The good weather made me decide to start traveling. and paths are many abandoned and they do, there is also good in tranAlso the people, meeting new people like you. occupied “campsites” where travel- sients. It just depends on the way ers sleep while in the area. Not only one looks at it. There are people Q: What do you do in your free time? is this illegal, but it also generates who want to reduce the presence of A: I’m not happy to say this, but drinking. a large amount of trash in the area the transient community within our Q: What is your ultimate goal? and can even destroy the environ- own community and there are also A: To find a place to settle down and collect my knowlments where these “campsites” are people who don’t even care about edge. Happiness is where I’m at, I’m living a fulfilling life. set up. One lone traveler told us that the situation at all. he does his part to clean up and that One can gain a certain happiness Q: What’s the biggest obstacle you’ve encountered “if you pick up enough recyclable and optimism from constantly movwhen travelling? items that people have left around, ing and living through hardships. A: The weather, man. you can make enough to live.” These are people just as we are. --interview with Cory Every transient that we interviewed They are entitled to a certain amount claimed to have had a struggle with of respect, good and bad aside, it’s drugs at some point in their life ex- the least we can give them. cept for one, and many of which

tuesday, april 3, 2012

OPINION

page 18

Reggae on River = dirty hippies Growing up in Humboldt County, I have found myself surrounded by an intensely liberal social climate. My journey to becoming the person I am today began all the way back in the 1990’s when I was a small child. I would often find myself stranded at Reggae on the River, a music festival, where my mother worked as backstage security. It was a most insidious meeting of filthy drug using social rejects that opted out to grow out dreadlocks and listen to obnoxious music in the 90 degree weather while ingesting poisonous fungi.

Jostens are aliens

Every school prompt that I should Taylor Bennion year, seniors are point out how I am Reporter faced with the unique from the norm of Humboldt County and how terrifyingly exciting graduation cermy political agenda which is non- emony where you put on a silly hat existent is somehow unique. But the and receive a piece of paper saying truth is that everyone from behind “congratulations you’ve survived the redwood curtain is some kind of high school in one piece,” but at unique weirdo with their own quirks. what cost? How much for the silly The fact is that once you leave high hat? Jostens, a mysterious corporaschool none of these minor differ- tion which peddles out the ritualisences are relevant. As a community tic garb and jewelry, provides these things as well as school annuals for Humboldt County is incredibly diverse, making categorization of your friends to scribble crude picindividuals impossible and ridicu-

“It makes me freaking angry.”

--AHS senior Casandra Kress, upon hearing she was funding aliens

Taylor mingling with the dirty hippies. The days were uncomfortably hot and at night these drug addled losers would stay up until dawn playing their bongo drums smoking hashish and sharing philosophical ideas. I felt alone in this world, their unrealistic hopes of world peace and free munchies for everyone was sickening to me. Unlike these individuals, I grew up hanging out with my uber conservative uncle watching Apocalypse Now and Full Metal Jacket. The people who requested I write this amorphous article gave me a vague

Hannah Luu/PEPPERBOX

The PB

tures and obscenities in. They possibly have links to the illuminati and other shady government secrets that we aren’t supposed to know about. They might even be aliens, but that isn’t important because our daily dealings with extra terrestrials isn’t something that should worry us. What should worry us is what they plan on doing with the excessive amounts of cash that they rake in every year from graduating

students. Well I found out through extensive moments of online research that if one were to purchase the ultimate graduation package with the free shorts, you would be dishing out $199 to potential aliens. All the other packages are in $150 range the cheapest being about $99. The yearbook comes in at $100, although it’s very possible that this is some dastardly alien plot. “It makes me freaking angry,” said senior Casandra Kress, who feels that she has been exploited by the aliens/secret government organization. Now my theory is that the fluoridation of water sources has contaminated the current gene pool making us disturbingly comfortable with being charged excessive amounts for nonessential goods, which I believe support an evil alien empire that will no doubt harvest our body fat as a means of supporting their space society. Or they are the government doing the same thing…. Ever watch soilent green, it’s made out of people. The bottom line is that it is completely up to you whether or not you choose to do business with Jostens. An alternative to funding aliens would be acquiring robes from people who have already purchased them.

lous; this emerald triangle has been trapped in some twilight zone esque eternal summer of love. Where the rest of the civilized world has moved on, our community has embraced some odd drug obsessed, tofu-munching, ultra-political, society which is so self centered that it believes itself to be more progressive than other less liberal places... like the south.

Francis Zierrer/ PEPPERBOX

tuesday, april 3, 2012

OPINION

The PB

page 19

Slacking: Is it truly Fraternizing: worth the pain? pros and cons Francis Zierer

Opinion Editor

and as you come to this late-night realization, it all hits you like an Acme anvil. While it does cause dangerously high levels of stress, this also is often what causes one to actually start and (eventually) complete the assignment. 2:00 a.m.: bedtime (if you’ve a competitive streak, make a game out of it! Compete with your classmates to see who can get the most sleep and still get to school the next day. One point lost for every period missed before arrival). The terrible thing about going to bed post-slack sesh is that by then, one is often completely awake and is forced to lay there, eternally staring at the thin blackness of their eyelids until the pillow finally takes them. I’m somewhat ashamed to admit, my personal record is rather unimpressive: I did Moore’s CD case assignment in Honors English the night before, and was in bed by a paltry 3:00 a.m. I was young and tireless then, unencumbered by the burning, passionate apathy of senior year and easily made it to first period, wide awake. Nowadays, when it starts to get that late… I won’t disclose any further personal information; I might jeopardize my grades. But ah! I’ve spent way too much time on this. It wouldn’t be right if I didn’t stop now, would it?

Slacks: a rather comfortable category of pants. Slacking: a rather comfortable lifestyle. I am about to discuss the ups and downs of the latter—you worry about the ups and downs of your slacks. You see, I take slacking seriously. I rigorously train for not doing my work until I really have to quite often, by not doing my work until I really have to. Doing this proves to me that, truly, I don’t have to do my work until I really have to. When I do, it can be peppered with nuggets of information such as this one. This gives the work a more substantial look and feel, while being in fact a façade behind which hides but a single plank holding it all up. But hey, as long as I get a good grade, it’s chill (Teachers, I do actually put a lot of effort into my work, it’s just condensed into less time. I am an efficient, well-oiled machine). Not doing work until I absolutely have to certainly does give me quite a bit of free time in which to “volunteer” and do other things which colleges need. I win on all accounts! Or at least, so it seems… Reader, I must admit, I have not yet told you the full truth. Like pop culture symbols “the Force,” and “the Moon,” there is a dark side to slacking. At times, like a devout Catholic, you will experience that heavy, crushing guilt. Especially when it is late at night and your assignment is due the next morning…perhaps in first period, removing that possibility of doing your work in another class. At these times, the guilt has usually been building up Colin Swenson/PEPPERBOX slowly for a couple days, My average Thursday night after a week of slacking.

The question on every college freshman’s mind: To rush or not to rush? Rush week, which occurs at the beginning of each semester, is a time when every fraternity and sorority opens their doors to try to convince the students why they’re number one on campus. They try to entice and bribe students with beverages, false promises, and free shirts. Many freshman go through rush week thinking that joining a sorority or fraternity will be the best choice they could make in college. More friends, more experiences, more parties…what could be better? Fraternities and sororities vary depending on the school one is attending. There are some that focus more on the academic aspect of college and some that focus more on the social aspect of college. Greek life is not all about partying and fun, there is much more work that goes into it. For example, many sponsor charity events and raise money for different organizations. These charity fund raisers often result in parties later in the evening, but the money raised still goes to a good cause. When joining a fraternity or sorority, one possesses knowledge on how to balance school, a social life, and sleep; they will be golden.I chatted with my bro, literally my brother about his experience. “I joined a fraternity to have a social life at UCSD that went further than just chillen in the dorms playing video games and being boring,” said Zach Ewald, a sophomore member of the TKE fraternity at UCSD. “At many schools, such as UCSD, joining a fraternity is a good way to get out of the dorm, explore the college and meet new people.” Joining TKE brought much more life and excitement to Ewald’s college experience. Surprisingly, grades are a very important part of being in a fraternity or sorority. At most higher level universities, one must maintain a certain GPA in order to be a part of Greek life. “There may be a correlation between joining a fraternity and grades, but not enough cases have been looked at to judge whether or not they are related,” said Ewald. If one does not have the capability to balance school and social life, I would not advise them to risk it by joining Greek life. Being a part of Greek life really depends on how well the person can handle themselves and being around others. It is important to remember one thing; make your own decisions and don’t let others make them for you. Greek life can be fun and exciting, but is not for everyone.

Annie Ewald Reporter

(at lunch)

Senior SOME Auction PAJAMAS

/ ANIMAL PRINT

TACKY Tie Dye DRESS AS TOURIST SOMEONES Activity TWIN CLOTHES

Tailgate Party &

Dodgeball Tournament

or perhaps

CAMOFLAUGE

Free Barbeque YOUR &

Faculty Band

CLASS COLOR

Egg Hunt SOME TIE DYE